NEWS
ASUU Rejects New IPPIS, Seeks Total Disengagement from System
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Nsukka Zone, on Tuesday rejected another phase of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System(IPPIS) that recently emerged in the country and requested for outright disengagement from the entire system.
The union wondered why the emergence of a “new IPPIS” few months after the Federal Executive Council (FEC), had earlier directed that universities be removed from the payment platform.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Benue State University Makurdi, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Nsukka Zone, Raphael Amokaha, said the new IPPIS would not be acceptable saying it has been the opinion of the union that IPPIS negates the university’s laws and autonomy as it also serves as a conduit to syphon public funds.
Amokaha maintained that the union had earlier rejected the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, (IPPIS) and would continue to reject it in whatever form it came.
“The union after deploying its financial and human resources in designing a homegrown payment software; University Transparency Accountability Solutions, (UTAS), which accommodated all the peculiarities of the Universities, offered same to the government but was rejected.
“After our resistance to IPPIS was vindicated by revelations made since the arrest of the former accountant general of the federation, we were delighted when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through the FEC, directed the immediate removal of Universities from IPPIS.
“Regrettably, this directive is yet to be complied with then the disturbing news of new IPPIS. We do not understand what new IPPIS means. Whatever contraption someone has sprung up with, whether new or not, it is still IPPIS and stands rejected.”
“It can be inferred from observations that the people that are benefiting from the IPPIS are not ready to let go of the federal universities for their pecuniary benefits hence the transformation from IPPIS to new IPPIS. It is the union believe that somebody somewhere could flagrantly disregard FEC directives.
The union called on the federal government to immediately investigate and fish out those behind the recalcitrance and call them to order, “The President’s orders are being disobeyed by who we don’t know. He needs to find out and call them to order,” Amokaha said.
The Zonal Coordinator who read from his text titled “Let the Lecturers Breath” spoke on several issues including the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement the government entered with the union, the December 2020 Memorandum of Action, (MOA), between the government and the union that their Earned Academic Allowance, (EAA) will be mainstreamed in 2022, withheld salaries of members, funding of the universities, proliferation of universities across the country, among others.
He lamented that the government, after entering into various agreements, has totally neglected the Universities as though they do not exist.
He stated that the offer by the government to pay four months out of the eight months being owed to their members after the protracted strike in 2022 was unacceptable.
Amokaha who disclosed that some of their members have started receiving alerts of payment of March and April 2022 salaries said “Our members did not do a fraction of the work on returning from strike, all the work was done, and we expect that all their salaries should be paid.”
The union zonal coordinator noted that President Tinubu who had declared his intentions to end strike in the Universities, also said it was their responsibility to let the poor breath and not suffocate them.
He urged the president to extend such gestures to their members, allow them to breath and not suffocate them saying the draft renegotiated 2009 agreement may need to be reviewed before signing to ensure that what is being agreed upon now will be commensurate to the hyperinflation ravaging the country.
He reiterated that Government must ensure complete disengagement of the universities from the IPPIS, old or new, ensure adequate funding of the universities to break away from the vicious cycle of fluctuations on the nation’s economic fortunes.
The Nsukka Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU-Nsukka Zone), comprises of seven branches including Benue State University, Makurdi, (ASUU -BSU), Enugu State University of Technology, Enugu, (ASUU-ESUT), Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, (ASUU-FUAM), Federal University, Lokoja, (ASUU-FULokoja), Federal University, Wukari, (ASUU- Wukari), Kogi State University, Anyigba, (ASUU-KSU), and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (ASUU-UNN).
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday, disassociate itself from Archbishop Chivir Chianson and the group he represents, following attempts to present himself as the General Secretary of the Association and associate CAN with a purported church mobilisation in support of a political candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This was contained in a statement issued by the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh in Abuja.
Okoh insisted that Archbishop Chivir Chianson is not the General Secretary of CAN and has no authority or mandate to speak or act on its behalf.
According to the CAN boss, “Furthermore, the group he represents has no official affiliation, working relationship or institutional connection with CAN.
“CAN has not authorised, endorsed or mandated the individual or his group to organise, promote or undertake any political mobilisation in its name. Any political position, endorsement or activity attributed to them must not be mistaken for the position or activities of the Association.
“As the umbrella body representing Christians across Nigeria, CAN has a responsibility to defend the interests of the Christian community and contribute to national development. It will not allow individuals or groups with no official relationship with the Association to appropriate its identity or exploit its name to advance political or personal interests”.
Okoh therefore reiterated the commitment of CAN, “The Association wishes to reaffirm its commitment to political neutrality as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. CAN will continue to engage national issues objectively and hold political leaders accountable, irrespective of party affiliation, without endorsing or mobilising support for any political party or candidate”.
He also urged the members of the public, particularly Christians, as well as media organisations, to disregard any claim of official representation of CAN by the individual or his group.
“We also call on TVC News and other media organisations to exercise due diligence in verifying the credentials and institutional affiliations of individuals presented as representatives of the Association.
“CAN will take all appropriate steps to protect its name, identity and institutional integrity against unauthorised representation and misrepresentation”.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), arrested 1,200 suspects and seized more than 30 tonnes of illicit substances in Edo in 2025, according to its Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa.
Marwa disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin during a visit to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
Marwa, who was accompanied by senior agency officials, including NDLEA commandants in Edo and Delta, sought the traditional ruler’s support in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
He said that more than 15 million Nigerians were abusing drugs, representing about three times the global average, with devastating consequences for young people, families and communities.
“The drug scourge has continued to devastate our youth, our families and our communities,” he fumed.
Marwa said the problem affected all communities, including the Benin Kingdom, and required a collective response involving traditional institutions, religious organisations, civil society groups, government and the media.
“But most importantly, the traditional institution, which is arguably the most respected institution in Nigeria today,” he said.
He explained that the NDLEA’s responsibilities included enforcing drug laws and providing counselling, treatment and rehabilitation for people struggling with drug dependence.
Marwa also highlighted alternative development as a new pillar of the agency’s drug control strategy aimed at encouraging cannabis farmers to cultivate legal crops such as cassava, yam and maize.
He said cannabis accounted for 75 per cent of the 16 million kilogrammes of illicit substances seized by the agency nationwide in the past six years.
According to him, the initiative seeks to help farmers abandon illicit cultivation for legitimate livelihoods, with government support for infrastructure, including roads, schools, clinics and water supply.
Marwa said the programme had commenced as a pilot project in three communities in Ondo State, with the possibility of extending it to Edo.
He added that he had presented the proposal to the Edo governor, who welcomed the initiative.
The NDLEA chairman sought the Oba’s blessing and support in encouraging communities across the kingdom to shun drug abuse and trafficking.
Responding, Oba Ewuare II commended Marwa for his efforts against drug abuse and other social problems.
The traditional ruler said he had a suggestion for improving the agency’s operations and would communicate it privately to Marwa.
“I have a suggestion I will make in writing that I will not want to say here in public to NDLEA, as my own thinking on how to improve the work of NDLEA,” he said.
The Oba also acknowledged the importance of collective efforts in addressing societal challenges and wished Marwa and his delegation well.(NAN)
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Jaiz bank has denied involvement of alleged N104m fraud in its Jos branch.
In a statement by its Corporate Communications Department in Abuja on Wednesday, the bank said “Jaiz Bank Plc wishes to address recent media reports alleging institutional fraud involving a disputed ₦104 million investment arrangement in Jos, Plateau State”.
According to the statement, following a comprehensive review of transactions involving a former employee and some complainants, Jaiz Bank clarifies that the disputed funds were never received, booked, or registered under any official Jaiz Bank investment product or account.
Continuing, the state that internal records show no evidence of Bank-authorized investments, but rather indicate private transactions between the complainants and the former employee.
“The transaction details provided by the complainants do not align with Jaiz Bank’s established operational, regulatory, or authorization protocols.
“As the matter is pending before the High Court of Justice of Plateau State, Jaiz Bank urges the public and media to avoid drawing premature conclusions based on unverified public narratives.
“Jaiz Bank remains fully committed to ethical, Shari’ah-compliant finance, transparency, and cooperation with regulatory and judicial authorities to ensure a fair resolution”, the statement added.
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