{ASUU} Union To Go On Strike again…
Barely 3 months after the end of a protracted 6 month-old strike action, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have shown moves to resume the strike action. This notice came as a way to boycot the ongoing Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS, seminar in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Federal Government had directed all its Ministries, Departments and Parastatals, MDS, to join the computerised payment platform to reduce corruption and human error in the payment of salaries.
As part of measures to bring universities into the programme, the government distributed IPPIS forms to lecturers all over the country through the National Universities Commission, NUC.
It also organised seminars in the six geo-political zones of the country to sensitise management, union leaders and other stakeholders in government-owned universities, on the new payment platform.
The seminar for the South-South zone was said to have kicked off on Monday in Port Harcourt, but members of the union would not turn up for the programme.
A similar programme which is going on simultaneously in other geo-political zones of the country is also said to have been boycotted by members of the union.
A source from the University of Uyo, Uniuyo, told reporters that ASUU had barred its members from attending the Port Harcourt seminar.
Already, the source said university teaching hospitals that adopted the IPPIS are being owed salaries due to the ineffectiveness of the new platform.
While some workers got jumbo salaries, he noted that others got far below their entitlements, due to the unreliability of the new payment platform.
He also noted that February salaries of the teaching hospitals are yet to be paid because of the problem encountered the previous month.
“The vice chancellor had intimated us about the seminar but based on the directive from our union, we cannot honour the invitation for the programme,” a union member in UNIUYO, who claimed anonymity told reporters.
“ASUU is not against the computerised salary system but we are saying that the policy does not favour the peculiar nuances of the academia.
“For instance, the IPPIS does not recognise the peculiarity of the academic environment and cannot meet our payment needs. Our members go on sabbatical, act as adjuncts and we engage in regular recruitment of staff which are not addressed on the IPPIS platform.”
Having experienced the failure in the payment of monetisation, the source hinted that the union would not allow its members to be part of the new payment system.
Alariwo. net had exclusively reported that the University of Ibadan chapter of the union had early in January barred its members from filling the IPPIS form.
The Secretary of the chapter, Deji Omole, said the move would inject a new form of fraud into salary payment in the universities.
In a statement, Mr. Omole stated, “Our attention has been drawn to an NUC circular directing university staff to fill IPPIS forms. This is to remind you that the union’s position on IPPIS has not changed.
“Until NEC reviews its earlier decision, no ASUU member is to fill the form. NEC is to discuss this issue in February and give further directive. United we bargain, divided we beg.”
Also speaking on the matter, ASUU chairman, University of Ibadan chapter, Olusegun Ajiboye, said the latest move by the NUC was aimed at further creating problems for the university lecturers.
According to him, the integrated payment system did not take into consideration the peculiarities of the work of academic staff and negated the principle of autonomy which ASUU won since 1992.
He explained that academic staff were employed by their respective university councils which managed the resources and took care of the welfare of its staff; and not centrally by the NUC.
“IPPS negates the principle of university autonomy that ASUU fought for. We are employed by our respective governing councils and not centrally by NUC. For salaries to be paid from Abuja is strange to the world university system apart from the dangers inherent in it.
IPPS does not take into consideration the peculiarities of our job,” Mr. Ajoboye said.
“Now that we are even paid by our universities, members who have problems with their salaries face difficulties before getting it resolved let alone salaries being paid from Abuja. They are talking of ghost workers when salaries have not been paid from Abuja but somebody in front of the system in Abuja will manufacture fictitious names and pay themselves. It will give room for fraud and make life difficult for our profession and members. We say no to IPPS,” he added.
Attempts to speak with the National President of ASUU, Nasir Faggie, on the issue failed as he would not take calls or respond to a text message sent to his telephone.
ASUU Strike: Suspense As Nigerians Await Outcome Of FG/ASUU Meeting
President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, held a long meeting with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting which started around 2.40pm was still on till late in the night was over 8 hours
Leaders of the striking ASUU abandoned the cozy conference hall of the First Lady wing of the Presidential Villa, venue of their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, to meet inside a Toyota bus to consider proposal put before them in a meeting with the president.
They had been locked in the meeting with the president for about three and half hours before emerging, only to hop into the bus parked outside the venue, apparently to have a private discussion that could not be monitored by government agents.
The initial meeting with the president commenced at about 2.45 p.m and lasted till about 6.30 p.m, after which the president left for his residence, while the ASUU leaders walked out of the First Lady’s wing, only to enter the parked bus to continue their deliberation over what had been put before them by the president.
When State House correspondents made attempts to get the lecturers to talk, some of them replied that they would return to continue their discussions with the president. They did disembark from the bus after about 24 minutes to return to the meeting and were later joined by President Jonathan.
The meeting continued till late in the night. Before the commencement of the meeting, President Jonathan had, in a lighter mood, told them that all the contending issues must be resolved during the meeting to enable students to go back to school.
While exchanging pleasantries with ASUU president, he said “my president, all the problems will be over today. Our children must go back to school. With you here, we are covered. It is signed, sealed and delivered.”
With President Jonathan were Vice. President Namadi Sambo; Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Pius Ayim; Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Nwogu; Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike and the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie.
While On the ASUU side were its national president, Dr Nasir Fagge, Professor Festus Iyayi, Professor Dipo Fashina and Professor Abdulahi Sule Kano, who were joined by president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulwaheed Omar; his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Bobboi Kaigama, among others.
Mark had been mandated by the Senate, about two weeks ago, to mediate in the disagreement between the unversity lecturers and the Federal Government, over the non- implementation of the 2009 agreement by the government.
Speaking with newsmen after a closed-door session with Senator Mark, ASUU president, Dr Fagge, said the intervention by the Senate president was a welcome development in the effort to get the crisis sorted out and for the universities to be re-opened.
Before the closed-door meeting, Senator Mark said “as you are aware, I have been mandated by the Senate to meet with you and the Federal Government to resolve this crisis as soon as possible, so that the children will go back to the classrooms and I believe that is what you also want.”
Dr Fagge, on his part, noted that “members of ASUU are not just lecturers, we are also parents and also among us, we have students who are pursuing post-graduate degrees. So this strike directly affects us negatively.”
Though both parties declined interview from journalist after the meeting leaving reporters and other expectant Nigerians to merely speculate. But this might be the beginning of the long awaited end of the ASUU strike.
NAIJA NO DEY CARRY LAST as all Liberian Students fail University Entrance Exams
<blockquote>Liberia’s education minister says she finds it hard to believe that not a single candidate passed this year’s university admission exam.
<a href=”http://alariwo.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/liberia.jpg”><img src=”http://alariwo.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/liberia.jpg” alt=”liberia” width=”259″ height=”194″ class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-1097″ /></a>
Nearly 25,000 school-leavers failed the test for admission to the University of Liberia, one of two state-run universities. The students lacked enthusiasm and did not have a basic grasp of English, a university
official told the BBC. Liberia is recovering from a brutal civil war that ended a decade ago.
‘Dreams shattered’
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Nobel peace laureate, recently acknowledged that the education system was still in a “in a mess”, and much needed to be done improve it. Many schools lack basic education material and teachers are poorly qualified, reports the BBC’s Jonathan Paye-Layleh reports from the capital,
Monrovia. However, this is the first time that every single student who wrote the exam for a fee of $25
(£16) has failed, our reporter says. It means that the overcrowded university will not have any new first-year students when it reopens next month for the academic year, he adds. Students told him the result was unbelievable and their dreams had been shattered, our reporter says read more via http://alariwo.net/
Editorial: ASUU Diaries, FG and Others
1)<strong> The ASUU Diaries</strong>
N100bn was provided for addressing the infrastructural deficits of the Nigerian Universities by donor agencies and big companies with an interest in tackling the Educational sector crisis. This money is to be used to commence projects in about 61 Universities (hopefully your University is among) starting early September, at least says the Federal Government. This leaves the unresolved issue of N87bn for payment of earned allowances for Universities’ staff. From the initial stance of “we-aint-got-no-money-cuz-recurrent-expenditure-on-a-national-scale-has-increased-chopping-the-budget”, the Federal Government is now offering N30bn (wonder where that money magically appeared from). ASUU looked at the offered N30bn and said ‘SWERVE!!’ because the balance of N57bn hasn’t been promised when it would be paid. (Who else thinks ASUU is like a runz girl asking FG the maga for money and they negotiating? Only me? I feel so alone:( So till F.G. (the maga) drops a better offer, ASUU still gonna strike (no kpansh from runz girl). By the way, NBA(not the basketball body..the law body -_-) have urged ASUU (let me just say here that ASUU and ALUU sound and look alike, they should rebrand :|) not to suspend their strike till they get all they demand so they won’t commence another strike again.
2) <strong>African Film Academy Announced</strong>
Something ghen ghen is going down in Nigeria. UNIPORT in collabo (that song was the bomb in its days) with Pan-African University, Trend Media City and Whistling Woods International (an Indian firm) are partnering to operate an African Film and Television Academy here in Nigeria. (Did you just ask me what’s that? *sigh*) Film Academy is a place where the (think of the worst Nollywood actors/actresses) should/hopefully would go and learn how to act better before they unleash in our films. Yaaaay right?!. Not only acting though, everything that has to do with film production i.e producing, directing, filming, writing e.t.c, will be taught there. The project is worth $3mn (O_O). So you all that want to be the newest Angelina Jolie/Tom Cruise
read more via http://alariwo.net/
EXPOSED! What I Do To Male Fans That Ask Me For S*x – Juliet Ibrahim
For actress, mother and wife, Juliet Ibrahim, acting was never on the front burner. Her dream had always been to sing and to model.
Today, however, she is one of Gollywood’s most popular faces following her break through after she played the lead role alongside aspiring Majid Michel back in 2005 in Crime To Christ.
In this interview, the mother of a baby boy, entrepreneur, and Best Actress in a Leading Role award winner, opened up on growing up, how she met her husband and her turbulent childhood. She also spoke about how she is giving back through her NGO, Juliet Ibrahim Foundation.
Excerpts:
At what age did you realize that you wanted to be an actress?
It all began when I was a little girl. I aspired to be a musician and a model. Acting wasn’t really my dream from the beginning; I stumbled on it in 2004 when I was 18.
Did you ever experience sexual harassment as a green horn in Gollywood?
Thank God I never did.
We understand that you’re married and have a baby. How do you juggle motherhood, acting and taking care of your husband?
I have a close knit family and we help each other out. My mum is there and so are my sisters. When I’m not around I know my son is in good hands. However, I make time to be with him as much as possible. Just like myself, my husband is also in a busy profession, perhaps busier than myself but we always manage our time well so we can have quality time together. Marriage is a beautiful thing and motherhood is awesome; these two are not things you would want to miss out on.
How did you meet your husband?
I met my husband on a plane, he is a pilot. We exchanged numbers and started talking but he was living in the USA then so it was a long distance relationship. We became very good friends over time. It became more serious when he moved back to Ghana a few years back. We fell in love and decided we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.
If there is one thing Gollywood is very good at doing, its soft porn movies. What’s your opinion on this?
Well, as far as I’m concerned, you won’t see me acting a porn movie, not even for all the money or fame in the world. Like I said in one interview, those kind of movies are not movies from reputable producers; they are done by some new and money conscious producers, that’s why they are not tastefully done.
How do you relax?
I love to go on vacation, pamper myself at the spa, reading and listening to music.
What’s been the craziest thing a male fan did to you?
Crazy? (Laughs) Well I never stick around that long for any fan to act crazy around me. I haven’t come across stubborn stalkers yet. I had a stalker years back and I had to involve the police till he stopped.
You’re such a beautiful woman. Now that you’re married and have a baby, how are you handling male attention?
I don’t need to handle male attention; my wedding ring does most of the talking. I’m married so that’s enough to keep everyone at arm’s length. I’m civil with all my fans; I love them all and appreciate them irrespective of their gender.
Could you share your happiest moment with us?
My happiest moment was when I had my son, Jayden.
What’s your advice for youngsters who want to walk in your footsteps?
Believe in yourself, stay focused, never let anyone talk you out of your dreams and most importantly, put God first in all you do.
read more at http://www.alariwo.net
I Am Single, I Don’t Have Time For Ladies – Burna Boy
- Burna Boy is ‘hot cakes’ for the ladies so my first question is – Are you single?
- Are you looking for a Mrs. Right?
- You have a lot of tattoos and they are easily one of your identifiers. What inspired you to get your first tattoo?
- Are there some of them that mean more to you?
- Do you have any celebrity crushes?
- Has a girl ever dumped you before?
- What caused the break-up?
- Will we be seeing you branch out into any other industry – acting or even outside of entertainment?
- You’re one act with a lot of nicknames. Tell us some of them.
- What do you love the most about the music industry?
WizKid lashes out at fans who insulted him
So, here’s what happened.
Wizkid had put up the picture above on his Instagram page, saying he was to perform at a wedding, but he had a hangover.
Unfortunately, he gbagauned by posting ‘an’ hangover.
When, for reasons best known to him, this Wizkid fan @Spruzman asked Wizzy to correct himself. Then he said it was cos of errors like this that Wizkid needed to get back in school.
Obviously, that statement pissed Wizkid off. So Wizzy hit him with a simple but hugeeee reply.
Trust Wizkid’s fans to defend their star, cos many of them pounced on @Spruzman, and severely lashed out at him too.
Only a very few felt Wizkid was wrong to have said that to a fan who was just teasing him.
Continue to read their comments
Toni Braxton’s Skimpy Dress Comes Off, Exposes Her Bare Butt While Performing On Stage
Earlier this week, during her concert in New Jersey, very pretty singer and mum of 2, Toni Braxton gave her fans more than they bargained for when she hit the stage. Whilst belting out her famous tunes, the skirt of the 45-year-old’s skimpy metallic dress just fell down, only to expose her bare derriere!! Unfortunately, […]
TODAY QUOTES
You know that you have fully experienced love
when you turn into love –
that is the spiritual goal of life.
– Deepak Chopra
Know that anger is always fear and frustration.
What if we could lean back into the arms of Spirit
and trust the future?
– Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Divine love will meet all human needs
– Mary Baker Eddy
This is what the Lord asks of you: only this,
to act justly, to love tenderly,
and to walk humbly with your God.
– Micah 6:8
Nothing I say can explain to you Divine Love
Yet all of creation cannot seem to stop talking about it.
– Rumi
We live in a spiritual Universe.
God is in, through, around and for us.
– Ernest Holmes
Know that you are loved.
– Jonathan Lockwood Huie
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?” Marianne Williamson.
WAEC releases May/June 2013 examination
AT LAST, WAEC releases May/June 2013 examination results: Statistics here
The WAEC on Wednesday released the full results of 1,543,683 candidates who sat for its May/June 2013 Secondary School Certificate Examination.
The number represents 91.38 per cent of 1,689,188 candidates who registered for the examination.
The Head of National Office (HNO) of WAEC, Dr Charles Eguridu, announced the results on Wednesday when he addressed a news conference in Lagos.
Eguridu said 889,636 candidates obtained six credits and above, while 1,074,065 others obtained five credits and above.
According to him, the results of 145,505 others, representing 8.62 per cent, were being processed due to some errors.
“These errors are traceable to the candidates as well as their schools in the course of registration or writing the examination.’’
The HNO explained that such errors were being corrected by the council to enable the affected candidates to get their results fully processed and released subsequently.
Eguridu disclosed that the council cancelled the result of 2,176 candidates.
He explained that the cancellation was due to multiple entries by the candidates discovered while processing the results.
“In line with the council’s regulation, the entire results of such candidates who have been found guilty of this act had been cancelled, “ he said.
The HNO also said 112,865 results of candidates, representing 6.75 per cent, were withheld due to examination malpractice.
Eguridu pointed out that the cases were being investigated and that reports of the investigations would be presented to the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC) for consideration.
Further breakdown revealed that 1,225,591 candidates obtained credits and above in four subjects, 1,353,273 obtained credits and above in three subjects, while 1,465,581obtained credits and above in two subjects.
Eguridu said that of the 121 blind candidates, 117 attempted it while 24 obtained five credits in five subjects including English Language.
“Blind candidates do not take Mathematics and Science Practical in WASSCE diets“, he said.
He hailed security agencies for providing the much needed security throughout the conduct of the examination.
The HNO said that despite the security challenge in the country, especially in some parts of the North-East, the council was able to conduct the examination.
“We thank the Federal government and security agencies particularly in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States for the support rendered the council during the conduct of our examination.
“We equally commend the Federal and State Ministries of Education for their support in terms of their facilities and logistics given to us during the conduct of the examination.’’
He decried the murder of three of the council’s personnel by gunmen while on their way from Yola to Maiduguri.
The candidates can check their results online on the council’s website within 24 hours of the declaration of the results.
Good Luck!
alariwo 
