Education
Release N310m to End Strike, SSANU Tells Lalong
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has called on Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State to as a matter of urgency release no fewer than N310 million for the payment of Earned Allowances, owned to SSANU members in the Plateau State University, Bokkos from 2010 to 2020 to end the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by the union in the institution.
The union also called on the Vice Chancellor, Prof.
Yohanna Izam, to mainstream Hazard Allowances to SSANU members’ salaries in the university at the Governing Council’s approved rate of N30,000, since the state government has released funds for the full implementation of the allowance.These were contained in a communique issued by SSANU’s NEC at the end of its 41st regular meeting, held last week Thursday 20th to Friday 21st January, 2022 at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
According to the national president of SSANU, Comrade Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, “NEC is aware that Plateau State University, Bokkos is on strike. NEC therefore calls on the Governor Simon Lalong-led administration to release the sum of N310 million for the payment of arrears of Earned Allowances to SSANU members in PLASU.
“It also calls on the Prof. Yohanna Izam led Management to mainstream Hazard Allowances to SSANU members’ salaries in PLASU at the Governing Council approved rate of N30,000 since the State Government has released funds for same purpose”.
The communique further called on the state government to address all other issues that led to the declaration of the indefinite strike in the university as well as called on the management of the university to comply with the decision of SSANU’s NEC on the correct payment of check-off dues to the union without imposing conditions that are alien to the Trade Union Act.
It could be recalled that PLASU SSANU branch declared an indefinite strike on December 21, 2021 following the failure of the state government and the university administration to address some of the union’s grievances as contained in the 21-days and four weeks ultimatum letters dated July 2 and August 3, 2021 respectively.
The chairman, Comrade Timnan Rimdap and secretary, Comrade Fom Dakwak, in the strike declaration letter dated December 21, 2021 highlighted some of the union’s demands to include; mainstreaming of hazard allowance at the council approved rate, payment of arrears of Earned Allowances, payment of arrears of the New Minimum Wage from April 2019 to December 2020, addressing the issue of haphazard payment of salaries, constitution of a Board to manage the staff gratuity fund, implementation of the CONTISS 15 salary grade level, calculation of annual leave based on working days and compliance with SSANU NEC decision on the correct payment of check off dues to the union.”
The Union insisted that none of the issues raised has been addressed since the declaration of the strike on December 21, 2021 till date.
Education
NBTE Begins Accreditation of New Courses in Federal Polytechnic Wannue
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), has commenced accreditation exrceise for six new courses at the Federal Polytechnic, Wannue, Tarka Local Government Area of Benue.
Mr Ogah Ngbede, NBTE’s Director of Polytechnics Programmes, disclosed this on Thursday during the ongoing exrceise in the institution.
According to Ngbede, all the courses would be inspected before making a pronouncement.
He said that the exercise would last for two days, after which its decision would be made known.
He added that the institution secured full accreditation for two out of the five courses it presented to NBTE in 2023.
“We are here to look at the claims made by the institution because they have requested to commence some new programmes.
”We are here to ensure that the right thing is done and ensure that this polytechnic is not regarded or treated as a second grade institution,”he said.
The director, who decried poor funding of polytechnic education in Nigeria, called on goverment at all levels to ensure adequate funds were allocated to the education sector.
“The major problem affecting polytechnic education in this country is finance.
”Let me use this opportunity to call on the government at all levels to inject more funds into the polytechnic system.
“Technical education is a low hanging fruit from which this country can use to escape poverty; technical education all over the world has become a major currency with which nations are using to escape poverty.
“When we pay adequate attention to our polytechnics, students that graduate from these institutions can hit the ground running because they have the necessary tools to be job providers and not job seekers”, he said
Earlier, the Rector of the institution, Dr Tyover Ashinya, listed the courses presented for accreditation to include, Business Management, Public Administration, Agricultural Technology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Computer Science
He said that the institution has the adequate manpower and infrastructures to effectively run the six new courses.
”We are willing to improve on all necessary areas that need improvement to enable these new courses secure full accreditation,”the Rector said.
Reports says that the institution was established by the Federal Government in December 2020. (NAN)
Education
FG Set to Revolutionise Educational Infrastructure with N98.2 bn – Edun
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government has announced the ground-breaking ceremony for the building of a 1,600-capacity student hostel in Akwa Ibom State.
This project is part of a N98.2 billion nationwide initiative to enhance educational infrastructure.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun who disclosed this said the Federal Government, in partnership with states and the private sector, will construct 24 housing facilities across 24 institutions, each with 1,600 bed spaces.
According to a statement by Mohammed Manga, Director of Information & Public Relations, the initiative is aimed at addressing a significant student accommodation deficit, enhancing student performance and well-being.
It is also a testament to the sophistication and depth of our local capital marketsRepresented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Special Duties Mr Okokon Ekanem Udo, the Minister added that
“this initiative invests in our youth and educational infrastructure, ensuring that tomorrow’s leaders have the resources and environment they need to thrive.
“It also demonstrates the private sector’s willingness and capacity to partner with government to deliver critical infrastructure projects across all geopolitical zones, to reduce the housing deficit*, Wale Edun said.
Education
FG in Land-Swap Deal to boost Literacy Education in Kano
By Eddy Ochigbo, Abuja
In a renewed move to enhance sustainable growth in education, the federal government has concluded plans to embark on 13 new infrastructure projects at the National Mass Literacy and Adult Education Commission (NMEC), Kano Centre, through Public/Private Partnership (PPP).
Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, disclosed this on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ engagement and sensitisation meeting in Abuja to kick start the proposed land-swap deal for the development of critical infrastructure in Kano.
According to him, the public private partnership project would mark a turning point in literacy education of adults across the country, regretting that it was unfortunate that Nigeria still had a significant number of adults who are either illiterate or have limited literacy skills.
This major challenge, he said hinders the nation’s overall development and progress.“This is another milestone and progress in the ministry, and we will be having it with private public partnership, and this is also part of President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda.Government cannot do it alone and everyone of us needs this as stakeholders to bring development and move the country forward. We have a regulation guiding us which we will use to ensure that the plots that have laid fallow over the years are put to best use in our time,” he said.
While stressing the need to regulate teaching in the country, specifically to guide teaching and teaching practice, Sununu revealed that the 13 new infrastructure projects – semi-detached two and three bedroom bungalows, state-of- the-art classrooms, clinic, library, hostels, a lecture theatre and recreational facilities, among others – would change the fortunes of the National Mass Literacy and Adult Commission, Kano centre, which has been lying fallow in the last 39 years.
“The projects would not only enhance learning at the centre, but would also provide a conducive environment for entrepreneurship in the centre. The Kano Centre of the National Mass Literacy Centre plays a crucial role in addressing this challenge by providing literacy education to adults across the country.
However, to effectively fulfil its mandate and reach more people, it is essential to have the necessary infrastructure and resources in place. This is where the proposed development of 13 critical infrastructures through land swap Public-Private Partnership comes into play. Through this innovative approach, we will be able to leverage the expertise, resources and capabilities of the private sector to create modern and functional learning facilities for the Centre,” Sununu enthused.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, NMEC, Prof. Simon Akpama, expressed confidence that through collective efforts and sustained collaboration between the public and private sector the growth of education would make a significant impact on the lives of a cross section of Nigerians. He said the initiative would also empower youths and adults to contribute their quota to national development.
Meanwhile, DAILY ASSET gathered that MASLAHA Homes and Development Limited, a leading Kano-based Real Estate company, which proposed the land-swap deal, has the capacity to design, finance and build the 13 new critical education infrastructure and assets for the Kano Centre of National Mass Literacy within the scheduled timeframe.