..ASUU LATEST UPDATE

As the meeting between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)  and the Federal Government negotiating team ended today, ASUU President professor Ukachukwu Awuzie has said he will report to the outcome to the National Executive Council of the university teachers “soonest”  to decide on the offers made by Federal Government.
Speaking after the meeting today at office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, professor Awuzie said “We have discussed. We have looked at the issues. Government has made its offer. And I have to take it to my principal.”
Asked whether he was satisfied with government’s offer, he explained that, “They have laid their cards on the table, and I have to take it to my principal. They have done their best within what they think is available by the Government. Because we are all Nigerians, and we are looking at .. We didn’t go (in to) this to just to soil the system. So, we have listened to them. They have made the offers. They have told us why they took certain decision and why they didn’t take some.  We are going to take it to our principal. And of course you know for the first time we have been able to get this thing, seeing the seriousness of government by taking it to the level of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. That is where we are now. So, we are going to take it to our principal. And I want to assure you that were are going to meet soonest.
On what specific offers made to the ASUU team by the government, he asked “are you my principal?”.
Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufa’i expressed hope that the strike may end after the ASUU NEC meeting and urged students to be "praying for us at home” .
“As mentioned by the President of ASUU, we have just concluded our discussion with them, the series of meetings we had. And as he said, they are going back to have their NEC meeting and their NEC meeting. And it is only after their NEC meeting. And it is only after the meeting that you will hear the outcome.”
Asked about what the government had offered, the Minister of Education said “that is what I cannot say”.
“As soon as they finish the meeting definitely they will let us know. And probably you may even hear before us.”
Asked whether there is strong commitment from the government whatever agreement now that is concluded with them, she said “I am just telling you that we have discussed issues in terms of what we are supposed to discuss with ASUU and we are waiting to hear from them as we said. But I don’t have to start itemizing one by one in terms of what we have discussed and what we have reached.”
“We are very hopeful. That is one thing we say. We are very hopeful. We can’t say they will call off or not. But we are very hopeful that they may call off the strike, but that one will depend really on the meeting they will have with their other members.”
..Excerpt from Daily Trust...

ASUU UPDATE!!!

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said it is not going to suspend its ongoing strike as speculated by government, unless its demands are met.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, after a meeting with the various university vice-chancellors in Abuja  told reporters that ASUU would call off its three-month strike on Monday, following the cooperation and assurances she got from the university dons .

But ASUU President, Prof Ukachuchwu  Awuzie  yesterday, in a telephone interview with  LEADERSHIP SUNDAY  noted that, ASUU was not a member of the Association of Vice Chancellors, and as such, could not call off the action until government implemented its agreements with ASUU. He stressed that the lecturers’  body, would not abide by the Association’s call to end the strike.

“It’s all government’s propaganda! ASUU won’t call off its strike so long as government shies away from the  issue of effective funding of the universities”, Awuzie said.

The union leader who however expressed the union’s appreciation to the Senate for its efforts, especially in passing the bill for the extension of the retirement age of lectures from 65 to 70, but which is awaiting the president’s assent to become a law, said, “The year of retirement is just one of our demands, the funding is the cardinal,” he stressed.

On a positive note, Awuzie said, “Mr. President has scheduled a meeting with ASUU on Monday, If government accepts to implement our demand, that is when we will think of calling off the strike.

“Even at that, the National Executive Committee of ASUU will have to meet and have series of meetings to agree on when to call off the strike.

“However, with the intervention of Mr. President, I believe the solution will come faster than expected”  Awuzie  stated .

..... The only solution is for FG to meet the demands of ASUU, so We all hope and pray the Federal Government meet the demands of ASUU by tomorrow's meeting (Monday) 23rd January 2012... 

...Excerpt from LEADERSHIP SUNDAY

.. PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN ADDRESS...

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEREGULATION POLICY IN THE DOWNSTREAM SECTOR OF THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY, MONDAY

by Goodluck Jonathan on Monday, January 16, 2012 at 7:00am

    

Dear Compatriots,

1. This is the second time in two weeks I will address you on the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. In the last seven days, the nation has witnessed a disruption of economic activities. Although, the economic imperatives for the policy have been well articulated by government, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) went ahead to declare a nationwide strike.

2. There was also near-breakdown of law and order in certain parts of the country as a result of the activities of some persons or groups of persons who took advantage of the situation to further their narrow interests by  engaging in acts of intimidation, harassment and outright subversion of the Nigerian state. I express my sympathy to those who were adversely affected by the protests.

3. At the inception of the deregulation policy, Government had set up the Justice Alfa Belgore Committee to liaise with Labour and other stakeholders to address likely grey areas in the policy, but despite all our efforts, Labour refused the option of dialogue and also disobeyed a restraining order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

4. However, following the intervention of the Leadership of the National Assembly, and other well-meaning Nigerians, Labour accepted to meet with government, but this yielded no tangible result.

 5. It has become clear to government and all well-meaning   Nigerians that other interests beyond the implementation of the deregulation policy have hijacked the protest. This has prevented an objective assessment and consideration of all the contending issues for which dialogue was initiated by government. These same interests seek to promote discord, anarchy, and insecurity to the detriment of public peace.

6. Government appreciates that the implementation of the deregulation policy would cause initial hardships and commends Nigerians who have put forth suggestions and credible alternatives in this regard. Government also salutes Nigerians who by and large, conducted themselves peacefully while expressing their grievances. Let me assure you that government will continue to respect the people’s right to express themselves within the confines of the law and in accordance with the dictates of our democratic space.

7. Government will continue to pursue full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. However, given the hardships being suffered by Nigerians, and after due consideration and consultations with state governors and the leadership of the National Assembly, government has approved the reduction of the pump price of petrol to N97 per litre. The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has been directed to ensure compliance with this new pump price.

8. Government is working hard to reduce recurrent expenditure in line with current realities and to cut down on the cost of governance. In the meantime, government has commenced the implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment projects: including the Federal Government- assisted mass transit programme which is already in place, and job creation for the youth.

9. Furthermore, the legal and regulatory regime for the petroleum industry will be reviewed to address accountability issues and current lapses in the Industry. In this regard, the Petroleum Industry Bill will be given  accelerated attention. The report of the forensic audit carried out on the NNPC is being studied with a view to implementing the recommendations and sanctioning proven acts of corruption in the industry.

10. Let me assure Nigerians that this administration is irrevocably committed to tackling corruption in the petroleum industry as well as other sectors of the economy. Consequently, all those found to have contributed one way or the other to the economic adversity of the country will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

11. My dear compatriots, I urge you to show understanding for the imperatives of the adjustment in the pump price of petrol and give government your full support to ensure its successful implementation. I further appeal to Nigerians to go back to work and go about their normal duties as government has made adequate arrangements for the protection of life and property throughout the federation.

12. Government will not condone brazen acts of criminality and subversion. As President, I have sworn to uphold the unity, peace and order of the Nigerian State and by the grace of God, I intend to fully and effectively discharge that responsibility. Let me add that we are desirous of further engagements with Labour. I urge our Labour leaders to call off their strike, and go back to work.

13. Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must collectively safeguard its unity.

14. Thank you. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR

President,

Federal Republic of Nigeria

OOU Has Done It Again

OOU Medicine wins quiz competition

           Last week, Olabisi Onabanjo University Medicine won the Prof. Ojuawo medical quiz competition held on the 12^th of December 2011 in University of Ilorin. The competition comprised of six universities; Obafemi Awolowo University, LAUTECH, University of Ibadan, Usman Dan Fodio University, University of Ilorin and Olabisi Onabanjo University.

            Early last year (2011), OOU medicine won the Prof. Akinkugbe medical quiz competition beating nine other schools, making the university come out the best twice in the same year.

           We also won the Chemical Hybridization quiz competition week held few months back, on september OOU chemical department came out the best beating Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Ibadan.  OOU also won the political science competition on August 2011

We won the MTN Campus concert,, came out the best in music performance, comedy, and dance.  We rep everywhere we go. OOU students keep giving out their best wherever they go, making the university proud.

we also thank and appreciate those who made the school proud more power to your elbow. 

                                                    OOU VANGUARD.

ASUU & FG Rage WAR

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday (5^th Dec) said it would not call off its current strike until the Federal Government implements an agreement it reached with the union in 2009.

The agreement included improved funding of universities, financial assistance for universities owned by state governments, payment of earned allowances including supervision of industrial attachment and teaching practices, increased retirement age for professors from 65 to 70 and increased salaries for lecturers.

The National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU met in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital last weekend where the decision to go on strike was taken.

Dr. Abu Malam, the North Central Coordinator of ASUU, who supervises seven universities told Daily Trust in a phone interview yesterday that the union was tired of promises and would only resume work if government implements all components of the agreement.

Malam added that most of the union leaders left Port Harcourt on Sunday and were able to call their respective branch meetings to ensure the enforcement of the strike.

“The strike was declared nationally by 12 midnight of yesterday (Sunday). Some of the state chairmen had to travel from Port Harcourt yesterday all the way to their respective places. Some certainly would arrive today and when they arrive, they would then call for their congresses to enforce or implement NEC decision in their branches.

“Some have started already today; some held their congresses today and almost all will hold their congresses tomorrow.”

When asked if government had contacted the union to settle the matter, he said only the implementation of the agreement would stop the strike action.

This is day three (Wednesday) and nothing positive is seen, we still hope for a positive result because most students are tired of staying at home.