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Court summons FG, ASUU

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                                                      •FG and ASUU logo

The National Industrial Court (NIC), has summoned the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to appear before it tomorrow, Monday, in Abuja, over the protracted strike by members of ASUU that has shut the nation’s university system since February.

The summons followed the referral of the protracted dispute between the Federal Government and ASUU to the NIC by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige.

The Federal Government is, among others, praying the court to order ASUU to resume academic activities.

The court in a letter of summon dated September 9, sign the Chief Registrar, said among others, “Take note above mention case will not be listed for mention before the National Industrial Court sitting at N0 11, New -Bussa close , Area 3, Garki Abuja, on Monday 12th September 2022, at 9 am.”

Those summoned include the Minster of Education, Minster of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the President of ASUU.

In a letter referring the dispute to NIC dated September 8, 2022, titled Forwarding of a Referral Instrument In The Trade Dispute Between Federal Government/Federal Ministry Of Education and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the Labour and Employment Minister, among others, noted that “The Referral Instrument is raised in line with powers vested on the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment by trade dispute resolution mechanisms and the provision of Section {7 of the Trade Dispute Act, CAP. 18, Laws of the Federation af Nigeria (LFN), 2004).

“In view of the fact that ASUU members have been on strike since February 14, 2022 and have refused to call off the action despite apprehension of same, it would be appreciated if this dispute is given an accelerated hearing in order to bring the dispute to an end.

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“The addresses of the parties in dispute are as follows: President. Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), c/o ASUU Secretariat University of Abuja, Honourable Minister of Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Secretariat Phase Il, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, Honourable Minster of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja. iv. The Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja.

In an instrument of referral in line with the Trade Disputes Act CAP T8, Law of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2002, National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), among others, is to “Inquire into the legality or otherwise of the on-going prolonged strike by ASLU leadership and members which had continued even after apprehension by the Minister of Labour and Employment.

“Interpret in its entirety the provisions of Section 18, LFN 2004 especially as it applies to cessation of strike once a trade dispute is apprehended by the Minister of Labour and Employment and conciliation is on-going.

“Interpret the provisions of Section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act CAP T8. LFN 2004 titled “Special Provision with Respect to Payment of Wages During Strikes and Lockouts” specifically dealing with the rights of employers and employees/workers during the period of any strike or lock-out. Can ASUU or any union that embarked on strike be asking to be paid salaries even with the clear provision of the Law?

“Determine whether ASUU members are entitled to emolument or “strike pay” during their period of current strike which commenced on February 14, 2022. More so in view of our national law as provided in Section 48 of the Trade Disputes Act and the International Labour Principles on the Rights to Strike as well as the Decisions of the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association on the subject.

“Determine whether ASUU has the right to embark on strike over disputes as is the case in this instance by compelling the Federal Government to deploy University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) developed by ASUU in the payment af the wages it its members as against Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) universally used by the Federal Government in the nation for payment of wages of all her Employees (Workers) in the Federal Government Public Service of which university workers including ASUU members are part of, even where the Government via NITDA subjected the ASUU and their counterpart SSANU/NASU, UPPPS University Payment Platform System software to integrity test (Vulnerability and Stress Test) and they failed same.

“Determine the extent of fulfillment of ASUU’s demands by the Federal Government as follows since the 2020 Memorandum of Action with Federal Government : Funding for Revitalisation of Public Universities as per 2009 Agreement,  Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) payments, State Universities Proliferation, Constitution of Visitation Panels/Release of White Paper on report of Visitation Panels, Reconstitution of Government Renegotiation Team for the renegotiation of 2009 Agreement which was renegotiated 2013/2014 and due for re-negotiation by 20/8/2019, and The migration of ASUU members from IPPIS to University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) developed by ASUU which is currently on test at Nigeria Technological Development Agency’ NITDA.

“Issue ORDER for ASUU members to resume work in their various Universities while the issues in dispute are being addressed by the NICN in consonance with the pravisions of Section 18 (1) (b) of the Trade Act. CAP 18. LFN 2004,” (Vanguard)

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Education

Maduka University matriculates 664 students, reiterates commitment to value-based education

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The newly admitted students into Maduka University Enugu
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Maduka University, located in Ekwegbe, Enugu State, has successfully upheld the standards it established in 2024, as evidenced by the matriculation of 664 students during its second Matriculation ceremony held on Friday, April 11, 2025.

In the previous academic session of 2023/2024, Maduka University set a remarkable precedent by matriculating over 600 students, marking a first for a new private university in Nigeria.

At the ceremony, held in the university’s stadium, the Chancellor and Founder, Dr. Samuel Maduka Onyishi, stated: “Maduka University remains a highpoint of the pact I made with God on the occasion of my 50th birthday to alter my society significantly and in a positive way…”

L-R: President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Azuka-Mbata; the Chancellor and Founder, Dr. Samuel Maduka Onyishi and Wife

Dr. Onyishi elaborated that in alignment with their motto, ‘…The place for the transformation you seek’, all courses offered at the university “explore the realities of training deficits in our educational institutions. These realities fuel our enthusiasm and commitment in joining other well-intentioned individuals and groups to think through the processes of creating value-based education. Incidentally, this is the type of education that rides on the wings of entrepreneurship, which is our focus.”

Expressing his pride in the university’s reception from students, parents, and the wider community, Dr. Onyishi acknowledged the growth rate as a reflection of their commitment to quality education.

In a message of congratulations to the new students, he wished them success in their academic endeavours and extended gratitude to the parents, sponsors, and partners for their faith in the institution.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Ogbulogo, emphasised their “intentional” approach to providing learner-centric perspectives in their programmes and lectures to meet students’ needs and aspirations, stating: “We engage quality teachers with rich enthusiastic, interactive and transformative learning experiences.”

Prof. Ogbulogo further highlighted that their courses across the College of Medicine and six schools of health sciences, nursing, pharmacy, law, business and social sciences, engineering, and computing “have continued to enjoy the kind consideration of the National Universities Commission,” adding, “We have never commenced any programme without due authorisation.”

He continued, asserting that the university “would easily qualify as one of the fastest growing private universities in Nigeria. It is gratifying that in our first one year and five months, we have been blessed with close to 1300 students. These figures testify to the acceptance of our brand of education at the tertiary level.”

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In a lecture he delivered at the Matriculation ceremony,, Chief John-Nnia Nwodo, the former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, commended the Chancellor and his team for the “unprecedented speed, with which you have driven the development of this university,” adding that “the speed with which this development was accomplished is phenomenal.”

Expressing concern over the declining quality of education in the country, Chief Nwodo lamented: “It pains me that children of our contemporaries in the university cannot get the quality education that we received during our time.”

He recalled his experiences at the University of Ibadan, noting that “the taps ran 24 hours and showers had cold and hot taps. They ran all day and night,” adding that there was an air-conditioned room in the hostel for entertaining guests with refreshments.

He further recalled that the university laundry washed ten items of clothing for each student every week, with subsidised food prices: “Breakfast was 20 kobo, lunch and dinner were 25 kobo, respectively.”

Chief Nwodo also reminisced about the university’s transport system, stating, “The university buses left from the Main Campus to the Teaching Hospital Campus every 30 minutes, carrying students and staff members who had lectures.”

He added that they had “departmental libraries as well as a Central Library,” where any book published in Europe or America was available within a month of publication, and that “we hardly experienced any power failure in the three years I spent in Ibadan.”

He concluded by saying, “It pains me so much that you, as our children, cannot get the quality of education we, your parents, got, but those of you in Maduka University are privileged. You have good buildings, power and water supply, and lecturers hungry and anxious to teach in an institution with facilities.”

In their goodwill messages, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Environment; the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Azuka-Mbata; the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sen. Mohammed Daggash; and a representative of the JAMB Registrar all congratulated the students and urged them to remain focused and pursue academic excellence by taking their lectures seriously.

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ESCET explains why disengaged staff can’t access TETFUND Scholarship

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The Management of Enugu State College of Education (Technical), ESCET, has dismissed as totally false claims by some disengaged staff of the college that they were unjustly denied access to TETFUND scholarship.

The institution said TETFUND sponsored scholarships were meant for staff of the beneficiary institution and not those who had been disengaged.

The TETFUND scholarship is a federal government initiative aimed at promoting academic excellence in tertiary institutions. The fund is disbursed to beneficiary institutions, which are responsible for selecting and supporting eligible staff members pursuing postgraduate studies.

But some disengaged staff of the college who are no longer on the payroll of the college have continued to insist that they were entitled to the  scholarship fund even after they were laid off.

The ESCET management in a statement by its  Public Relations Officer, Comrade Chinwe Ani, at the weekend, however, dismissed the misinformation circulating on social media regarding the disbursement of TETFUND scholarship to certain individuals who were disengaged from the institution.

The statement reads in part: “The affected individuals were among the 94 College Staff who were disengaged following the directive by the Enugu State Government due to the fact that their employment was not duly approved by the government when they were engaged by the previous management, as discovered by the seven- member investigative Committee set up by the State Government to examine allegations of mismanagement and corrupt practices within the College.

“There is no credible evidence to support claims that the government intend to replace them with preferred individuals. The primary issue was lack of proper authorization in the hiring process.

“As a result of their disengagement, they are no longer on the College payroll which makes it administratively difficult to facilitate their access to TETFUND sponsored scholarship.

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”It is important to emphasize that TETFUND intervention is specifically designed to support staff members who are duly recognized and currently serving in beneficiary institutions. Since these individuals are no longer part of the College’s workforce, they do not meet the eligibility criteria to access the scholarship.”

The statement urged the general public “to disregard any misleading report by some enemies of the College trying to destroy the good image of the institution or portray the government of Enugu State in bad light.”

“Enugu State College of Education Technical still remains committed to ensuring that all eligible staff members benefit from such intervention in line with TETFUND  guidelines and government policies,” the college assured, while advising those who need further clarification on the issue to reach out to the college through its official channels.

 

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FG unveils free AI academy for Nigerian youths, civil servants

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Photo: Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji

The Federal Government has unveiled a free Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy with the aim of positioning Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, who inaugurated the AI Academy on Thursday in Abuja, said the programme was set up in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat and Intel Corporation.

While emphasising that the online programme was free, the minister called on all Nigerians particularly students, youths and civil servants to avail themselves of the opportunity to be part of a movement that would redefine the future of the nation.

“The AI Academy is free and the registration is open from today and will run until Jan. 30, 2025.

“I encourage you to visit our website at https://scienceandtech.gov.ng/academy and seize this chance to acquire cutting-edge AI skills.

“The AI Academy is not just a training platform but a transformative opportunity for Nigerians–students, youths and civil servants–to acquire critical skills in AI.

“In a world where AI is reshaping industries, solving complex problems and creating new economic frontiers, it is imperative that Nigeria not only keeps pace, but leads the charge.”

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The minister said that the programme would provide participants with access to self-paced courses on AI fundamentals, ethics, tools and real-world applications.

He said that beyond learning the AI Technology, it offered opportunities to compete for AI ambassadorial roles and internships with Intel Corporation as well as ensuring hands-on global experience.

Nnaji said that the role of AI in nation-building could not be over emphasised as AI was no longer a distant concept.

He said that it was a transformative tool that could drive progress in agriculture, healthcare, education, security and many other sectors.

“By equipping Nigerians with these skills, we are not just preparing individuals for jobs but creating a pipeline of innovators, problem-solvers and leaders who will shape Nigeria’s technological and economic destiny.

“Most importantly, AI will go a long way to help us develop innovative solutions for the unique challenges we face as a nation.’’

Nnaji expressed gratitude to the Commonwealth Secretariat and Intel Corporation for their unwavering support in bringing the vision to life.

He said that the collaboration reflected the power of international partnerships in driving innovation and sustainable development.

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“Together, we are showcasing the power of collaboration between government, industry and international organisations.

“As we unveil the AI Academy, we are laying the foundation for a new era of innovation; one where Nigeria takes its rightful place as a leader in the global digital economy,” he said. (NAN)

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