Education

Fresh Crisis Looms In Varsities Over Delay In Re-negotiation Agreement

Published

2 years ago

January 16, 2023

Fresh strike is looming in the public universities over the alleged inability of the Federal Government to conclude re-negotiations with the university-based unions on the 2009 agreement.

This came as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, lamented that it has lost so many of its members to the failure of the government to pay the four months withheld salaries during the strike period.

Recall that the four university based unions, SSANU, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the Non-Academic Staff of Allied and Educational Institutions, NASU and the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, had last year, shut down public universities over the inability of the government to attend to their demands.

ASUU withdrew its services on February 14, 2022, and was followed by NAAT after many weeks and then SSANU and NASU.

While SSANU and NASU called off their strike on August last year after they reached an agreement with the Federal Government, ASUU remained adamant until the National Industrial Court ordered the striking lecturers to go back to their duty post in October.

While the case instituted by FG against ASUU is still pending in court, Vanguard gathered that another round of storm is gathering momentum in the universities over the alleged delay by FG to conclude discussions with the unions on the 2009 Agreement.

In a communique at its 42nd Regular National Executive Council, NEC, meeting hosted by the University of Calabar, Cross River State, SSANU demanded immediate resumption and conclusion of re-negotiation of the 2009 Agreement.

National President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim told Vanguard that, “The earlier we conclude this re- negotiation and sign a new agreement, the better for the university system.”

In the communique, SSANU had said, “NEC in session is deeply peeved by the nonchalant and detached attitude of FG towards the long standing issue of renegotiating the 2009 Agreement.

“Renegotiation of the agreement is overdue by 12 years. This is against the statutory five years agreed for periodic review. It is most disheartening and appalling the FG is handling the issue.

“We are seriously disturbed by government reluctance despite SSANU’s readiness in ensuring that this matter is urgently concluded. NEC, therefore, demands the immediate resumption and conclusion of this exercise without further delay.”

Education

Foreign Intelligence Germane To Nigeria’s Self-reliant Security Architecture, Economic Prosperity – Varsity Don

Published

1 month ago

June 14, 2024

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

A university don, Prof. Olufemi Olufunmilade, has said that deployment of Foreign Intelligence in Nigeria security architecture is germane to acquiring skills and technology needed for self-reliant security systems and enduring economic prosperity.

Olufunmilade, a Professor of International Relations and Strategic Studies, stated this while delivering the 25th Inaugural Lecture of Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State, Thursday, titled: Foreign Intelligence: The Means to Advancing Nigeria’s Security and Prosperity.

According to him, in order to make foreign intelligence functional means of advancing national security and economic prosperity, the Nigerian government and other stakeholders must take some concrete measures.

Olufunmilade noted that in making foreign intelligence functional and achieving the desired results, the Federal Government should ensure
“it puts round pegs in round holes in Nigerian embassies and diplomatic missions where it seeks to conduct intelligence activities in line with the focus of this lecture.”

L-R: Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adebayo Adewole; Vice-Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Prof. Olufemi Olufunmilade; Mrs. Olufunmilade and others at the Inaugural Lecture on Thursday.

He continued: “In this regard, to advance Nigeria’s security interest and needs, the defence attaches, who are normally drawn from the military and usually made to undergo a relevant course at the Defence Intelligence College before they are posted abroad, should be strictly drawn from the Intelligence Corps of the three arms of the military.Not from non-intelligence corps.”

On economic prosperity, the university don said “to advance economic prosperity, Nigeria will
need to put economic/commercial attaches with requisite
economic and commercial skills in-charge of the economic and commercial desks of its foreign missions.”

“It should consider seconding staff of Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and allied agencies who possess skills at attracting critically needed investments, technology, and expertise to the Nigerian economy. The bottom-line for all personnel is intelligence skills required for optimal performance on their beats.”

He, therefore, recommended that Nigerians should “report activities inimical to the peace and security of Nigeria to the security agencies,” adding: “That will be human intelligence collection in practice and it is a patriotic act.”

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Igbinedion University Okada, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, described the Inaugural Lecture as an avenue to sharing discoveries, ideas and insights with the public and the larger academic community.

He added that it’s also an avenue for professors to showcase to members of the public what the research they have carried out on issues over the years and taught for years.

Education

How To Check 2023 WAEC Result On Your Phone Via SMS

Published

12 months ago

August 7, 2023

Editor

The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has released the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations, WASSCE, results.

The Council stated that it was able to surmount challenges of insecurity, and cash policy among others, via technological innovation that saw over 91 percent of candidates’ results released 44 days after the examination ended.

WAEC’s Head of Nigeria Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan, said this at a briefing on Monday, at the body’s national office, Yaba, Lagos.

For the students who will be checking results, here are steps to follow.

Step 1: Type: WAECExaminationnumberPIN*Examyear through your phone (there should not be a space in between).

Step 2: Send to 32327.

Step 3: You will receive a message instantly containing your WAEC statement of result.

It should be noted that only MTN, Glo and Airtel subscribers can actually check their WAEC results using this SMS method.

Students can repeat the step if they do not receive your WAEC result via SMS, kindly repeat this step again.

SMS charges will be applied when checking your WASSCE result using text messages.

You will need to have purchased the WAEC Direct Scratch card in order to check your result via text message. The scratch card pin is what is needed in the PIN section of the SMS you will send to 32327.

Candidates who registered for the May/June examination can do also access their results through the portal of WAEC.

Education

BREAKING: 8 States Owing WAEC Won’t Have Candidates 2023 WASSCE Results

Published

12 months ago

August 7, 2023

Editor

Eight states owing the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, for various services rendered, will not have their candidates’ 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE results, released.

This was stated at a press briefing on Monday at Press Briefing Hall, WAEC national office, Yaba, where the body lamented that the inability to pay for services rendered was posing a great challenge in the activities of the examination body.

Responding to a statement on the number of States owing WAEC, the National Office of the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, Mr. Patrick Areghan noted that: About eight States are owing WAEC. We won’t mention them all as some are going to pay.

“However, Zamfara and Niger states are the highest debtors. Again Zamfara did not present any candidate for this year’s WASSCE.” Areghan noted.