ASUU, FG fight: Lecturers dare govt to sack them; Govt considers deployment of troops

THE Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Friday hardened their positions on the five-month-old strike with both sides talking tough.

While the Federal Government insisted that universities must immediately reopen to students, ASUU demanded an immediate apology from the Federal Government for an alleged lie against lecturers.

It was also gathered on Friday that the Federal Government was considering drafting soldiers to enforce the reopening order if the situation warrants it next week. A defence source however told Saturday Tribune that “the situation, for now, has not got to that,” but did not rule out that possibility.

The Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike was locked in a closed-door meeting with all the vice-chancellors of federal universities in Abuja on Friday.

The meeting, according to sources, was to brief the vice-chancellors on the efforts of the Federal Government towards resolution of the standoff with ASUU and the strategy to be adopted in enforcing the reopening order.

Wike was said to have instructed the vice chancellors at the meeting not to let the government down on the directive to reopen the universities that have been shut for the last five months.

Riding on the crest of an earlier directive by the pro-chancellors of the Federal universities for the vice chancellors to reopen the universities to students for a full commencement of academic activities, the Federal Government asked the vice-chancellors to ensure that the universities are immediately reopened for academic and allied activities.

Wike, while addressing newsmen in Abuja, said government had to take the hard stance after a review of the entire situation and that it came to the conclusion that the continuation of the strike was an attempt by ASUU to sabotage all efforts to address the problem.

He stressed that any academic staff who failed to resume on or before December 4, automatically ceased to be a staff of the institution and vice-chancellors have been directed to advertise such positions internally and externally in their institutions.

It was gathered that the minister, at the meeting with the VCs, urged them to ensure that all necessary arrangements were made for a hitch-free resumption of students to campuses.

Part of the discussion also centred on the release of the Academic Earned Allowances to lecturers who go back to work.

The vice-chancellors were also told to ensure that record of attendance is kept for lecturers who actually resumed duties and advertisements for recruitment are placed in national dailies to replace those who refused to go back to classes as directed.

Meanwhile, ASUU has said that the Federal Government must apologise to university lecturers nationwide over an alleged lie told by the minister.

Wike had alleged that the union made a fresh demand, culminating in an ultimatum by the government to resume classes or be sacked.

The UNILAG chapter of the union, which made this known, also disclosed that it had queried its members who backed government on the ultimatum and the sanction threat.

The union, speaking through its chairman, Dr Karo Ogbinaka, vowed to continue with the strike until all demands are met.

“If there is any fresh demand ASUU is going to make, now, it is that the minister should apologise to lecturers. What our meeting with the presidency
achieved was that instead of N400 billion, the Federal Government said they are going to issue out N200 billion, non victimisation clause was part of our 2009 agreement, we are saying they should reflect it, that is not a fresh demand; we also demanded that the Attorney General of the Federation, signs the document as well as the NLC chairman because they were witnesses to the event that took place.

“It was the Federal Government itself that claimed that a permanent secretary was not eligible enough to sign an MoU as claimed by Anyim, which is why ASUU is insisting that the AGF signs as well as NLC.

“Meanwhile, the Federal Government is asking those people not to sign, which is an indication that as usual, they do not want to go through with their promises,” the unilag asuu chairman said.

He concluded that ASUU would not relent on the strike until government directed the AGF and NLC chairman to sign the said document.

The factional leader, Dr. Michael Ogbeide, however denied being queried, while calling the bluff of the union on his rumoured imminent suspension.

Also, factional Chairman of University of Abuja chapter of the union, Dr. Clement Chup, has said ASUU would not be intimidated or submit to threats to call off the strike.

Reacting to a question on the fact that the management of UNIABUJA has already given a directive for staff and students to resume academic activities on Monday, Chup said, “The school can go ahead and ask students to resume, but we won’t do any work; we won’t teach them. It is not our responsibility to resume, until ASUU decides.

“We are not afraid of that (sack). He (Education Minister) can go to the motor park to recruit lecturers that will lecture the students. You can now see the insincerity of some people in government.

“We told the government when we met that we are ready to suspend the strike once we are able to clarify some issues in our agreements with them. But they went ahead without clarifying those issues at stake. We dare them to sack us,” Dr. Chup said.

Meanwhile, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) declared on Friday that the Federal Government was too hasty in taking the decision that the striking members of ASUU should resume by Monday, or be sacked.

Reacting to the order, the NLC General Secretary, Comrade Chris Uyot, said it believed strongly that the Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Wike, was too hasty in making that pronouncement, even as ASUU was getting ready to resolve the crisis, but hampered by unexpected occurrence.

Source:Nigerian Tribune

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ASUU strike - FG's resumption directive to lecturers gets mixed reaction

Reactions on Friday continued to trail the Federal Government’s directive to lecturers in federal universities to resume teaching by Dec. 4 or lose their jobs.

The government had on Thursday directed all vice-chancellors of federal universities still on strike to re-open them for academic and allied activities.

It also directed the universities’ pro-chancellors and vice-chancellors to ensure that lecturers who resumed for work were provided with the enabling environment.

The government warned that any lecturer, who failed to resume on or before Dec. 4, would lose his job.

It also directed vice-chancellors to recruit lecturers to replace those who would fail to resume teaching.

The directive came as strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) almost reached five months.

ASUU is protesting Federal Government’s non implementation of an agreement it had with the union in 2009.

According to the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, ASUU made fresh demands after a meeting that had President Goodluck Jonathan in attendance on Nov. 4.

He frowned at the action of ASUU and said that the government would not allow its public universities to continue to be closed.

Reacting to the development, the National President, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr Michael Alogba-Olukoya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the development was worrisome.

He said: ``This new twist to ASUU strike is not the best thing to happen to our education sector at the moment.

``I feel that both government and ASUU must sheathe their swords in the interest of Nigerian students.

``I will like a situation where the arrears of the striking lecturers’ salaries are paid unconditionally; ASUU on its side should also try and shift some ground.”

According to the NUT leader, the fact that Jonathan, at some point, went into dialogue with ASUU for about 13 hours, calls for some understanding from both parties.

He said that it was unnecessary for the government to have come up with the directive shortly after it met with the leadership of ASUU.

``We must not forget that we are under a democratic dispensation and it is only fair that everyone enjoys it,” he said.

Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, National Publicity Secretary, National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria, however said that the government directive was provoked by ASUU.

According to him, it is annoying that after the negotiation between the parties that had Jonathan in attendance, ASUU remains adamant.

``ASUU must try and reconsider its stand on the issue. Our children are going astray already, and a lot more are suffering and frustrated.

``Our male students have taken to loitering and other mischief, and our girls engaged in some unholy acts.

``Having said this, I feel the approach taken by the government is not right.

``The right approach would have been continuous negotiation,`` Ogunbanjo said.

He said that the education sector needed a lot of attention at the moment and that both parties must do things right.

Ogunbajo urged the government to find a way to honour the agreement it had with the lecturers as soon as possible and pay their arrears of salaries.

Also reacting, Prof. Chinwe Obaji, a former Education Minister, simply told NAN on telephone that the development was unfortunate.
Source: Nigerian Bulletin
wike

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FG To Sack Lecturers Who Don’t Resume By December 4th

The federal government has directed all vice-chancellors of federal universities currently on strike to immediately re-open for academic activities as directed by their vice-chancellors.
The Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike who gave the directive also asked the vice-chancellors to ensure that lecturers who resume for work are provided with the enabling environment to carry out academic activities.

He said any lecturer who failed to resume on the 4th of December automatically ceases to be a staff of the institution and that vice-chancellors are allowed to advertise vacancies for their positions

The minister said the federal government has exhausted all available avenues to end the impasse hence the decision.
The president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Peter Esele has however called on the government to rescind the decision describing it as military.

With a December 4th deadline by the federal government for the lecturers to resume work, it remains to be seen who blinks first.

Source: CHANNELS

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We Didn't Make Fresh Demands – ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has condemned the Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, over his comments that the union is making new “outrageous” demands, describing it as a lie.

The union said it had only asked President Goodluck Jonathan to facilitate the endorsement of resolutions reached with him and to also be signed by top government official preferably the Attorney-General of the Federation but not a permanent secretary.

National Treasurer of ASUU, Dr. Ademola Aremu, stated the position of the union while speaking in Ibadan on Wednesday. Aremu praised the intervention of Jonathan but pointed out that some of the resolutions reached with him were not contained in the letter sent to the union.

ASUU said its representative and President of Nigeria Labour Congress should stand as witnesses when the document was to be signed.

The union added that it wanted the N200bn agreed as 2013 revitalisation fund for public universities to be kept with the Central Bank of Nigeria and disbursed to the benefiting universities.

Aremu said Wike should have told Nigerians that apart from the N30bn earned allowances released for university staff, the government had yet to release any other fund.

He said: “We are not making fresh demands. In fact, the National Executive Council of the union would have suspended the strike but the concern of our congresses is that many of the things agreed with the President, during the November 4 meeting, were not included in the letter signed by a permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Mark Nwobiala.”

He promised that the strike would end as soon as the omissions were corrected in the new resolution.

Source: Daily Times

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ASUU strike: Pro chancellors orders universities to reopen

The Committee of Pro-Chancellorsof Federal
Universities on Tuesday called for the
immediate re -opening of all shut down
universities across the country .
This is contained in a communiqué signed
by the committee’ s Chairman, Prof. Kimse
Okoko , released in Abuja on Tuesday.
The communiqué was issued at the end of
the committee’ s meeting to discuss the
lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union
of Universities (ASUU) and other issues
affecting the Nigerian University System.
It stated that the call for the re- opening of
the universities was unanimously agreed by
all Pro-chancellorsin the interest of the
country .
The communique directed all the Vice-
Chancellors to comply with the decision.
Bayero University kano : Pro-chancellors
order all universities to reopen
It commended the efforts by the Federal
Government to address the major issues that
led to the strike and lauded the personal
intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan
in the resolution of the dispute.
It also expressed satisfaction with the
outcome of the referendum conducted in all
the branches of ASUU nationwide, which
voted 60- 40 in favour of the suspension of
the ongoing strike .
The communique explained that the
committee’s decision was based on the
negative impact the strike had had on the
university system , students and the parents.
It , however , appealed for the understanding
from the leadership and members of ASUU
to ensure speedy restoration of academic
activities on campuses
News Nigeria reports.

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ASUU strike: EBSU withdraws from protest, orders students to resume

Apparently tired of the non-progressive dialogue between the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and the federal government over the ongoing strike, authorities of the Ebonyi State University have decided to pull out of the protest.

According a terse statement by the institution’s Registrar, Mr. Sam Egwu, the decision came after the ASUU National Executive Council failed to end the four-month strike at the weekend meeting.

Academic activities will resume in all the university campuses tomorrow, Tuesday, November 26.

The statement reads, “Having waited patiently for the Federal Government and ASUU to resolve the impasse occasioned by the over four months strike embarked upon by the Union to no avail, the management of EBSU, on Monday, November 26 has resolved to reopen the school.

“We therefore inform all concerned that teaching and learning will begin fully on Tuesday, 26th, November, 2013. This is to enable us cover what we have lost to the strike.”
Source: DailyPost NG

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ASUU strike: "You are both losers" – NLC chairman tells FG, protesting lecturers

The Vice President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Issa Aremu yesterday in Ilorin, Kwara state described both the Federal Government and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, as losers in the ongoing strike embarked upon by the university lecturers.

Aremu, who doubles as the General Secretary of National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, lamented that the sudden demise of the former ASUU leader, Professor Festus Iyayi had caused a major setback in NLC’s efforts to resolve the impasse.

Aremu spoke with newsmen in Ilorin at the fidau held in honour of the late wife of the pioneer Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offence Commission (ICPC ), Hajia Akanbi.

According to him, “We are all losers and the lessons from this is that government should learn to keep and respect agreement reached collectively .We can’t be part of the leading counties of the world when we shut Universities for four months,”

Describing the deceased’s demise “as a loss of a comrade mother” whom he said “was very passionate about Nigerians and the state of the Nigerian nation,” Aremu said though the late jurist wife “was anonymous” in her struggle, the union recognized her silent roles and the supports she gave to her husband who according to him, was a friend of the Labour Union.

Source: DailyPost NG

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ASUU vows to continue strike, as earned allowances divides union

Hope of final resolution of the ongoing strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was dashed on Saturday, as the union has vowed to continue with the industrial action.
This was the outcome of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting secretly held in Kano, where it was agreed that the strike would continue until it got concrete assurance of implementation of all agreements from the Federal Government.

In a release the union sent to its members and obtained by Sunday Tribune, it said: “...based on feedback from branches, the union resolved to clear some grey areas before any further action. If we must remove strikes as a regular feature in our University system, then we must get things sorted out permanently. Be steadfast as we await next congress meeting.”

Attempts by pressmen, who had positioned themselves at the Bayero University Kano as early as 7 a.m. yesterday, to get the outcome of the meeting were unsuccessful, as it was learnt that the branch chairmen of the union across the country, which converged on Kano on Friday, had decided not to talk to the media.

Sunday Tribune reliably gathered that the ASUU NEC was still meeting as of 7 p.m. yesterday, hoping to reach a concrete decision which it would transmit to other members at the next congress meeting.

According to a source, who spoke to Sunday Tribune on condition of anonymity, though the union agreed that the offer by Federal Government to inject N200 billion into universities annually, beginning from 2014 and for the next four years was sensible, members were skeptical about the implementation of all the agreements reached.


“We agreed that the Federal Government’s offer is sensible but we are not convinced about its implementation and so we have to continue the strike so as to fully sort things out to avoid future strikes,” the source stated.

ASUU had embarked on the strike in July, following the failure of the Federal Government to implement a 2009 agreement it entered into with the union, citing the needs to upgrade the universities to world standards and improve the condition of service of the lecturers, among others, with the Federal Government releasing N100billion for the improvement of universities and N40 billion to be shared as earned allowance, while promising to make more funds available.

Sunday Tribune, however, gathered that a fresh crisis might have been set off in the union over the issue of earned allowance.

According to the source, the manner university management shared the earned allowance among varsity workers was already causing disaffection among ASUU members. The lecturers, it was learnt, felt bitter that their struggle had only benefited SSANU and NASU which did not participate in the strike but got hefty returns, “because the managements have shared the allowance wrongly.

“ASUU members got less than they deserved from the allowance while other unions fed fat from it; it looks as if we only fought for other unions. Members are really angry about this,” he said, noting that these were some of the issues that would be tabled at the congress of the union later in the week.

Other contentious issues, stated the source, “are the 2009 agreement which is due for re-negotioation and our salary. We felt that until these are resolved, it will be futile to call off the strike. So the strike continues.”
Source: Nigerian Tribune

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Outcome of NEC meeting: "We will meet with president before making resolutions public" - ASUU

The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, National Executive Council, weekend, met in Kano. The secret meeting, our source gathered lasted from Friday night to Saturday morning.
However, at the end of the meeting, lecturers were not forthcoming with the outcome, which sources say was borne out of the promise made to President Goodluck Jonathan by the union to inform him of its decision before going public.
It was learnt that the NEC meeting which attracted ‘fair representation’ from over 50 universities was held at Mambayya House. Our source gathered that lecturers were divided on the issue of suspension of the over 5months strike.
The Universities lecturers were conveyed to the venue of the secret meeting in two Coaster buses, secured by the union’s Kano chapter, in order to avoid the attention of the press and public.
A competent source close to ASUU told Vanguard in Kano that “we still have 40 – 60 percent situations here after the meeting; the resolution from the north favours the call off while their peers from the South strongly support the continuation of the strike”.
According to the source, “however , we were able to take a middle course that would be pleasant to Nigerians, but that will not be discussed now at the public domain until we meet Mr. President in line with our last discussion”.
Effort to reach Dr Nasiru Fagge, the national President of ASUU was abortive as he failed to pick up calls.

Source: Vanguard

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NDU releases supplementary admission list for 2013/2014 session

This is to inform all prospective candidates who took part in the Niger Delta University post UTME screening who didnt see their name(s) on the Institution's merit list, that the institution have released its 2nd admission list into various faculties for the 2013/2014 session.
We also gathered that successful candidates have been notified via text messages through the phone number they produced during registration.

How To Check Your NDU admission status

Visit The Institution's website to check your status.

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Primary School Teacher Beats 4-year Old Pupil to Death in Ondo

Detectives in Ondo State have detained a primary school teacher, Alade Adebayo, for allegedly flogging to death a four-year-old female pupil Elizabeth Wanogha.
The teacher, according to report, accused the deceased of being stubborn in the class. He was said to have beaten the girl to a state of coma.
Cries from other pupils in the class reportedly attracted other teachers who rushed to the scene where they found that the girl had fainted.
She was said to have been rushed to a private hospital and was admitted but reportedly died later.
Police authorities, however, said that the pupil died two weeks after the beating by the suspect.
The father of the deceased, Mr Wanogha lodged a complaint at the Fanibi Police station, alleging that his daughter died as a result of the injuries sustained from the severe beating by her teacher.
Following the complaint, the teacher was arrested for interrogation.
Contacted, the Police image maker, Wole Ogodo, confirmed that the teacher had been arrested.
Ogodo however said that people should not jump into conclusion that it was the beating which took place about two weeks earlier that led to the death of the pupil.
He pointed out that the autopsy will determine the cause of the pupil’s death.
Ogodo said that the suspect is being quizzed at the state Criminal Investigative Department, SCID.
He explained further that the deceased was hospitalised immediately after the beating but died two weeks after.
Ogodo said that investigation into the death of the pupil continues adding that the findings would be made public.
The father of the deceased pupil insisted that the teacher should be prosecuted for murder.
Mr wanogho who lived at Adebowale street Fanibi vowed that the matter would be pursued to a logical conclusion to serve as deterrent to wicked teachers who vent their anger on innocent pupils put in their care.
He appealed to NGOs to take the matter up by ensuring that it was not swept under the carpet.
The proprietor of the school declined comment on the incident.

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Boy, 13, Kills Classmate over Damaged earphone

The police in Kogi have arrested a 13-year-old boy, Yinusa Halilu, for allegedly killing his friend and classmate, Mustapha Kazeem, 12, over a damaged earpiece.
ACP Austin Evakhabokun, the Acting Commissioner of Police in Kogi, made this known to journalists on Monday in Lokoja.
Evakhabokun said that a scuffle ensued between the suspect and the deceased, both primary school pupils, when the suspect demanded the return of the earpiece he lent to the deceased.
He said that the late Kazeem said that the earpiece was damaged and Halilu demanded monetary compensation for the damaged earphone.
He said that the demand enraged the deceased who reportedly called the suspect a thief, adding that this resulted in an exchange of hot words, as Halilu insisted on collecting the money by force.
Evakhabokun said that Kazeem became furious and rushed into the house, brought out a sharp cutlass and inflicted cuts on the suspect’s head.
He said that the suspect reportedly rushed to a nearby restaurant with his machete cuts and picked a sharp knife, with which he stabbed the deceased in the chest, leading to his death.
In an interview with newsmen, the suspect said that he borrowed the telephone earpiece from someone, saying that he insisted on replacing it since he did not know what to tell the owner.
He said that Kazeem was his friend and that they were both in Primary Five.
Halilu said that the deceased hit him on his head with a machete, adding that in retaliation, he stabbed him in the chest, which led to his death.
The police also paraded 14 armed robbery suspects, including an 85-year-old man, whose nephew was involved in car robbery, and a homicide suspect. (NAN)

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Governor Olusegun Mimiko begs ASUU to call off strike

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end its strike action.


Mimiko made the appeal when he declared open the 28th Annual Conference of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), hosted by the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).


Reports state that the conference drew delegates from 129 public and private universities in the country.


The governor, who expressed worry at the strike’s effect on university education, however commended the intervention of the Federal Government in resolving the crisis.


“Teachers should appreciate that teaching is both a profession and a vocation, and it should be able to boast of people who have special interest in teaching and the ability to do so,” he said.


Mimiko however called for improved funding of the country’s education system, saying “it is high time we realise that academic excellence, which is the hallmark of education, does not come cheap.


“Our universities, therefore, deserve increased funding, not minding the overriding challenges of the various sectors of our polity,” the governor said.


Earlier, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, had also commended Federal Government’s efforts at revamping the university system through the recent injection of a N100 billion intervention fund.


“This meeting will afford us the opportunity to have a debate over the issue of increased funding that will enhance our public universities.


“We should also be able to proffer solutions, leading to increased understanding and commitment to dialogue by all striking staff unions in the universities,” he said.


Prof Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), commended the Vice-Chancellors for the constructive roles they played in trying to end the crisis.


Okojie, who was represented by Prof Sola Akinrinmade, a Visiting Professor at NUC, said ASUU should begin to develop new approaches to pushing its demands.
Source: Nigerian Observer

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Apply Now For Shell Niger-Delta Postgraduate Scholarship In UK (2014/2015)

Application is ongoing for the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) sponsored SPDC Niger Delta Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme for applicants from Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States.

As a key objective, the scholarship scheme is is aimed at providing an opportunity for qualifying students from the three Niger Delta States to further their education in courses that are relevant to the oil and gas industry.

The competition for 2014/15 is now open and the closing date is 24 January 2014.

Eligibility

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must:

1. display intellectual ability and leadership potential;
2. meet the university’s language requirement (usually at least 6.5 in IELTS);
3. be aged between 21-28 years;
4. be an indigene of rivers, Delta or Bayelsa States (documentary proof of this will be required);
5. currently reside in Nigeria;
6. intend to return and take up permanent residence in Nigeria after completion of the proposed programme of study;
7. have obtained a university degree of at least an equivalent standard to a UK Second Class Upper (Honours Degree);
8. be neither a current nor former employee (having left employment within the last five years) of SPDC, the Royal Dutch Shell Group of Companies or Karamat Ltd., or 9. be related to current employees of any of these companies;
10. not have studied previously in the UK or any other developed country.

How to Apply
In order to be considered for the scholarship, candidates must apply to study on one of the three eligible programmes through the standard Imperial College admission procedure by 24 January 2014.

Candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted by the department and advised to complete a scholarship application form.

Scholarship will cover:
a) Tuition fees
b) One return flight from Nigeria to the UK
c) Contribution towards living expenses only*
*Please note that the stipends are based on the Association of Commonwealth Universities Annual Rates and are limited to this.

a) MSc Petroleum Engineering
This MSc course is a one-year, full-time course that trains petroleum engineering professionals to understand and effectively utilise the workflow concepts now prevailing in the oil industry, and prepares them fully for work in multidisciplinary teams.

The course provides a 12-month conversion from other engineering and science-based foundations into the specialties of petroleum engineering, and is designed for both those with industrial experience and recent graduates.

Entry requirements
We accept students with first class degrees from a wide range of science and engineering backgrounds from UK and overseas academic institutions.
Professionals with other qualifications, but with a minimum of three years’ relevant industrial experience, are also encouraged to apply.
If your first degree is from a country other than the UK, you may find the guidelines within our Country Index helpful. Please note that these guidelines indicate the College minimum.

b) MSc Petroleum Geoscience
This course is a one-year, full-time multidisciplinary programme covering a wide range of earth science subjects and their application to the full spectrum of hydrocarbon exploration and production.
It is designed for students with some industrial experience, as well as for recent graduates seeking careers in the petroleum and allied service industries.
The course presents the methods and practices of the modern petroleum industry, with considerable emphasis on developing transferable skills.

Entry requirements
The minimum entrance requirement is an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) degree in an earth science-based subject from a UK University or its equivalent.

Graduates with other closely related earth/environmental science degrees (physical geography or oceanography, for example) will also be considered.

Professionals with different qualifications but with relevant industrial experience are also encouraged to apply.

If your first degree is from a country other than the UK, you may find the guidelines within our Country Index helpful. Please note that these guidelines indicate the College minimum. Our requirement is usually higher.

c) MSc Petroleum Geophysics
This course is a one-year, full-time programme covering the principles and use of geophysical methods in the hydrocarbon industry.

It is designed for recent graduates seeking careers in the petroleum and allied service industries, as well as for graduates with some industrial experience.

Uniquely, it incorporates aspects of petroleum engineering and focuses on production-related aspects of geophysics.

The course emphasises current industry practice, and incorporates commercial technology and software packages, as well as lectures from leading industry experts.

It contains a significant amount of fieldwork and project work, and aims to develop transferable skills in addition to technical proficiency. The course begins in early October.

Entry requirements
The minimum entrance requirement is an Upper Second Class Honours degree (2:1) in either a physical science or engineering from a UK university, or its equivalent.
Professionals with different qualifications but with relevant industrial experience are also encouraged to apply.

If your first degree is from a country other than the UK, you may find the guidelines within our Country Index helpful. Please note that these guidelines indicate the College minimum. Our requirement is usually higher

Applications for 2014 entry are now open.
Please consult the relevant departmental and course information to view the course specification, research areas and entry requirements. If you are applying for a PhD degree, you are advised to contact a potential supervisor before making a formal application. You may wish to provide the supervisor with a copy of your Curriculum Vitae and indicate what your proposed topic of study is, the potential start date and how you propose to fund the project.

You will then need to submit a formal application for admission. Applications are only accepted online.
*.Please make sure you have read and understood the application guidance notes [pdf] which will take you through the process step by step.
*.Once you are ready to apply, you should make your application online.

You can submit one application form only. This allows you two choices of programme; these will be processed according to your stated preference. It will greatly enhance the processing of your application if you are able to submit scanned copies of your educational certificates and transcripts at the same time as your application.

Contact
If you have any questions about the scholarship programme, please contactclare.turner@imperial.ac.uk

For information on the Imperial Niger Delta Postgraduate scholarship Scheme , please refer to the Niger Delta Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme website

Application Deadline: The competition for 2014/15 is now open and the closing date is 24 January 2014.

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University of Ibadan postpones 2013 convocation

This is to inform the general public that the University of Ibadan (UI) Convocation and 65th Foundation Day Ceremonies has been postponed indefinitely due to the on-going ASUU strike. Below is the publication as published by the School
Due to the industrial action by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) causing a disruption of the academic calendar, the 2013 Convocation and 65th Foundation Day Ceremonies of the University Of Ibadan earlier scheduled to hold from Friday, 15 to Monday, 18 November, 2013 have been postponed till further notice.
However, to commemorate the 65th Foundation Day, there will be a Jumat Service at the University Of Ibadan Central Mosque on Friday, 15 November, 2013 at 2.00pm and a Thanksgiving Service at the Chapel of the Resurrection on Sunday 17 November, 2013 at 10:00am.
The University Management regrets the inconvenience this postponement may cause.
Thank you.
Signed,
Olujimi I. Olukoya,
MNIM, FPA
Registrar

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RIVPOLY 2013/2014 Acceptance Fee Payment Schedule and Processes

This is to inform all the students admitted into the Rivers State Polytechnic (RIVPOLY) for the 2013/2014 academic session that the management of the institution has released the procedure they are to follow to pay their admission acceptance fee.
You can also check
Rivers State Polytechnic admission offer, Please take note of the following formalities.
1.Beginning- Interested candidates who possess the pre-requisite qualifications only are advised to apply to their choice Departments after making the necessary payments as below.

2.Payment of Acceptance Fee: Proceed to any of the Polytechnic designated banks and pay the sum of N15,000 and N1,000 for the portal access scratch card. (Total Payment of N16,000)
a. F.C.M.B BORI, A/C NO: 1159772045.
b. UNION BANK BORI, A/C NO: 0011793686.
c. ACCESS BANK AZIKIWE RD, A/C NO: 0054968747.
d. ECOBANK IKWERRE RD, A/C NO: 0472002169.
e. UNITY BANK RUMUOMASI, A/C NO: 0003080580

3. Proceed to the Polytechnic Bursary and present bank tellers. In exchange you are issued an official receipt and a portal scratch card.

4. With the scratch card, candidates log into the portal HERE to fill online application form. On the Online Application Form, enter the 11 digit PIN of your Scratch card in the pin box and click enter.

5.Completion of online forms/ Printing Slip:- On completion of form, candidates would need to print the Temporary Provisional Admission Letter before logging out.

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RIVPOLY Bori 1st Admission list for 2013/2014 session

This is to inform all prospective candidates who took part in post UTME Screening in the Rivers State Polytechnic (RIVPOLY)that the management of the institution announced the first/merit admission list of candidates offered provisional admission into their various National Diploma (ND) programmes.
Rivers state Polytechnic 1st admission list has been successfully uploaded online and it is freely accessible.


How to Check Rivers State Poly 1st Admission List

1 . Log on to Rivers State Polytechnic admission status checking portal


2. Go to the left side of the page and click on the link that has the name of the course you applied for. Now, check.

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ASUU strike: Still on the matter; Iyayi's death

Unfortunately, the on-going indefinite ASUU strike now in its 4th month has claimed the life of one of ASUU’s former President, Prof. Festus Iyayi. The erudite scholar died in an auto crash on Tuesday on Abuja-Lokoja Road in Kogi State, while on his way to Kano for an ASUU Congress meeting.


CURIOUSLY, penultimate Monday, the nation ernestly expected the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end its indefinite strike action following President Goodluck Jonathan’s 13-hour meeting with its officials. But that was not to be. However, at the end of the meeting, Nigerians were offered hope of a possible early call-off by ASUU officials.


FOR almost four months running, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been prosecuting an indefinite strike action to press home their demand for the implementation of a 2009 agreement reached with the Federal Government and a Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the same government based on the 2009 agreement and how best to implement.
FROM our understanding, the crux of the matter is the Federal Government’s irresponsibility as it enters into agreement with the striking teachers only to renege on implementation. We consider the action of government as irresponsible and we condemn such official rascality, given the fact that ASUU in 2011 also dislocated the nation’s public universities for the same grievances.


WE are deeply concerned with the severe impact of strike actions on our public Universities across the country, which has led in the past to even loss of academic calendar and incalculable losses as it pertains to dislocation of learning process by affected university students.


STRIKE actions have also contributed significantly to the decline in the quality of graduates of our public universities as students are hurried with lectures as soon as such strike actions are called off. Also, as a result of hurried academic calendars, little attention in most cases is paid to research, which is an important component of academic pursuits.


THE on-going ASUU strike undoubtedly has disrupted examinations in a number of public universities and paralysed academic activities in all others. This is unacceptable and we urge both parties to the dispute to always consider the future of the students first, above all other considerations.


IN the light of the forgoing, while we believe that the university lecturers will from time to time have legitimate grounds to be angry with their employers, the frequent resort to the strike option is also unacceptable.


WE are, however, disappointed at the poor handling of the dispute between it and the University teachers by the Federal Government as evident in the empty claims of the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai who merely tells the teachers to call of strike action after some poor coordinated meetings of some officials.


WE urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to be a responsible corporate citizen who respects agreements with other parties and institutions. Government disputes with university teachers lately have been largely due to broken promises and unfilled agreements, very often on the part of government.


WE expect ASUU to equally resort to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms used by organized labour in other parts of the world to safeguard our public University system, which is the only option available to children of the poor who would not be able to afford private university education.


ON funding, ASUU must understand that Government (Federal or State) alone cannot fund university education in Nigeria. It is important for ASUU and university authorities to begin to look inwards for internal revenue generation. Elsewhere, public Universities’ research and business activities operated by the universities generate substantial amount of income for funding teaching and learning. A situation where public universities depend almost one hundred percent on government is deplorable.


IT is on this score we want to call on the federal government to immediately revisit the issue of university autonomy with a view to divesting its grip on the nation’s universities and provide a policy framework for responsible internal revenue generation and transparent as well as accountable and judicious use of such revues for the overall development of each of the public universities.


ALSO, we call on the Federal Government to take immediate steps to respect its 2009 agreement with ASUU and implement all provisions to the letter.


LASTLY, we want the federal government to carry out a comprehensive review of all conditions of service of all government workers whether academic, non-academic, hazardous or non-hazardous with a view to harmonizing all wages/salaries, allowances and entitlements across its workforce and eliminate all disparities that tend to fuel all kinds of chain agitations from various trade unions and professional associations with an ultimate goal of ending the resort to strike actions once and for all.
Source: Nigerian Observers

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Patrick Obahiagbon Speaks on Former ASUU President, Prof. Festus Iyayi's death

The demise of the late Prof. Iyayi, is indeed a blast to the nation, especially in times like this. Meanwhile, Patrick Obiahagbon had a say in the departure of the late professor.

In his words, he said;

"The grand initiation of Professor Festus Iyayi is a lancinating loss of another stentorian voice, against retrograde and prebendal forces of primitive mercantilism.
That he passed through transition on matters pro bono publico, bears eloquent testimony to our state of dystopia. Such is the evanescence of life.Its all vanitas vanitatum...."

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Outrage Over Killing Of Festus Iyayi By Police Escort Truck In Kogi Governor's Convoy

Outrage has greeted the killing, on Tuesday, 12 of November, of former President of the Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU, Professor Festus Iyayi, by a car in the convoy of the Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada, with many slamming the governor over his drivers’ recklessness.
Some even want the driver of the car that killed Iyayi prosecuted and that, if possible, Nigerians should frustrate any future attempts by the governor to seek election into any public office.
Iyayi died at 66, in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital, on his way to Kano for a meeting of the ASUU National Executive Council concerning the over four-month old strike embarked upon by the union.
Lagos-based lawyer, Femi Falana, while expressing shock at the death of his former client, urged Nigerians to stop agonising and take action.
Falana, who fought and won the case against the sack of Iyayi and Professor Itse Sagay from the University of Benin during the era of Professor Grace Alele-Williams as Vice Chancellor, also complained that governors in the country, with the exception the Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola, are known for their reckless convoys.
He said the driver that killed Iyayi must be arrested and prosecuted because the drivers in Wada’s convoy are notorious for causing fatal accidents.
When contacted this morning, Professor Itse Sagay was too devastated to speak on the death of Iyayi as they were very close during Iyayi’s lifetime.
Prof. Ahunna Okerengwo, the Chairman, University of Port Harcourt chapter of ASUU, said she was still in shock over the death of Prof. Iyayi.
Toni Kan, a journalist and author called Iyayi’s death a sacrifice, another major and sad loss of one of the nation’s best.
The Head, Department of English, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Damian Opata, described the death as unfortunate.
“It is very sad coming at this time,” he said.
The National Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Chibuzo Asomugha, said the death of Iyayi is both shocking and disappointing.
“What! How did it happen? I can’t believe this! This is quite shocking and disappointing. I’m lost for words, I can’t make further comments, please,” he reacted when our reporter contacted him.
Also reacting to the sudden death of Iyayi, chairman of University of Lagos chapter of ASUU, Oghenekaro Ogbinaka, condemned the manner in which the former National President of the union lost his life.
“The convoy of the Kogi State governor in its usual manner, has cut short the life of one of our best. It is a very sad day for ASUU,” Ogbinaka said.
Reacting to Prof. Iyayi’s death, Prof. Friday Okonofua of the University of Benin, accused Governor Wada of being responsible for his death.
“It is the governor of Kogi that killed him. He was killed by a reckless convoy. He killed one of our most distinguished academics who has won laurels all over the world. We would hold the governor of Kogi responsible for his death,” Prof. Okonofua said.
President Goodluck Jonathan, in his condolence message to Iyayi’s family, the leadership and members of the ASUU, said he was especially dismayed that Iyayi died while going to contribute to efforts to finally resolve the ASUU strike which has disrupted academics in the nation’s universities for over four months.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state used the opportunity to appeal to ASUU to reconsider government’s position on the strike.
Sunny Akhigbe, a Nigerian who commented on the death of Iyayi, said: “this is tragically painful, a very big loss. I knew this fellow in UNIBEN when ASUU was very vibrant. This Nasir Fagge-led ASUU of today is not serious. Are they so broke that they cannot take care of their elders?
“Why should an elder who led the association almost three decades ago cramp himself into a bus and set out for a journey of more than 14 hours by road to attend NEC meeting? Even leaders of road transport workers will not do that.”
Born in 1947, Iyayi, who was the ASUU president in 1986, was also an author with four books to his credit. He also won the Commonwealth Prize for Literature for ‘Heroes’, one of his books, in 1988.

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ASUU strike: Varsities vote to end strike; strike slated to end on Thursday

The ASUU strike 2013 continues, but the latest update appears to be good news–most of the union branches voted in meetings on Monday to end the strike.
The meetings were held across Nigeria following a marathon meeting last week between union leadership and President Jonathan Goodluck and Goodluck’s team of negotiators.
Based on the results coming out of the branch meetings, it appears the clear majority of branches voted to end the strike.
Next comes a National Executive Council meeting of the branch leaders on Wednesday in Kano.
If the council moves to end the strike, then the final step would be a meeting with President Jonathan on Thursday, and then the strike would be over.
Some university students are already preparing to return to their respective campuses, reported the Leadership.
The president spoke at an educational exhibition in Abuja, saying:
“We need therefore to be conscious of the impact on our children, institutions and the country at large, of unnecessary disruptions in our educational institutions. There is therefore the need to emphasize dialogue where conflict or any sort of misunderstanding arose. This is the civilized approach to doing things so as not to have negative effect on society.”
See full voting results below:
Voted to continue strike
University of Jos (Note: The chairman of this branch, Dr. David Jangdam, said that despite the vote the union will resume classes if directed by the national body)
University of Benin
Lagos State University
Voted to end strike:
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Bayero University Kano
Delta State University
Ekiti State University
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
Federal University of Technology, Akure
Federal University of Technology, MINNA
Imo State University
Obafemi Awolowo University
Olabisi Onabanjo University
University of Calabar
University of Lagos
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
University of Ibadan
University of Abuja
University of Port-Harcourt
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

Source: The Epoch Times

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UNIBEN: 2013/2014 Admission into Part-Time Degree Programme

Application are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into Part-Time Degree Programmes of the University of Benin for the 2013/2014 academic session.

AVAILABLE PROGRAMMES

The NUC has approved that the University of Benin can run the following degree programmes:
1. B. Agric. (Animal Science);
2. B. Agric. (Crop Science);
3. B. Agric. (Soil Science);
4. B. Agric. (Fisheries);
5. B. Agric. (Forestry and Wildlife);
6. B. A. (English and Literature);
7. B. A. (International Studies and Diplomacy);
8. B. A. (Linguistics);
9. B. A. (Linguistics and Edo language);
10. B. A. (Mass Communication);
11. B. A. (Ed) Adult Education);
12. B. A. (Ed) Adult Education/English & Literature);
13. B. A. (Ed) Adult Education/Fine Arts);
14. B. Sc. (Ed) Adult Education/Economics and Statistics);
15. B. Sc. (Ed) Adult Education/Political Science);
16. B. Sc. (Ed) Adult Education/English language and Literature);
17. B. A. (Ed) (History);
18. B. A. (Ed) (French);
19. B. A. (Ed) (Fine Arts);
20. B. A. (Ed) (Edo Language);
21. B. A. (Ed) (Religious Studies);
22. B. Sc. (Ed) (Economics & Statistics);
23. B. Sc. (Ed) (Geography & Regional Planning);
24. B. Sc. (Ed) (Political Science & Public Administration);
25. B. Sc. (Ed) (Biology);
26. B. Sc (Ed) (Chemistry);
27. B. Sc (Ed) (Mathematics);
28. B. Sc. (Ed) (Physics);
29. B. Sc. (Ed) (Computer Science);
30. B. Sc (Ed) (Integrated Science);
31. B. Sc. (Ed) (Social Studies);
32. B. Sc. (Ed) (Human Kinetics);
33. B. Sc. (Ed) Health Education);
34. B. Sc. (Ed) (Environmental Education);
35. B. Sc. (Ed) (Agriculture Education);
36. B. Sc. (Ed) (Business Education);
37. B. Sc. (Ed) (Home Economics Education);
38. B. Sc (Ed) (Industrial Technical Education);
39. B. Sc. (Accounting);
40. B. Sc. (Banking and Finance);
41. B. Sc. (Computer Science);
42. B. Sc. (Physics);
43. B. Sc. (Public Administration)

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The General University Admission Requirements that apply uniformly across the faculties as well as the Specific Faculty Admission Requirements are displayed on the University websites: UNIBEN.waeup or Official Website

To quality for the entrance examinations into the various part-time degree programmes, candidate must satisfy the stated general and specific requirements for admission.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

All applications should be done between Wednesday 12th November 2013 and 14th December, 2013.
The procedure for the application is as follows:
1. Visit www.uniben.edu
2. Candidates are advised to have a valid e-mail account before starting the application process (not the cyber-cafe’s mail).
3. Click on “PART-TIME ADMISSION, 2013”.
4. Click on ‘Register for Application’ at the top left of the displayed page to proceed.
5. Provide all necessary information. Note that * means compulsory fields.
6. An immediate mail will be sent to the provided e-mail address.
7. Open your mail to get your system generated ID and Password that you will use to login.
8. On the https// uniben.waeup.org, click on ‘Login’ (top right of front page)
9. Enter your user name and the password from the mail to login.
10. To start the application process, click on ‘Application record’, provide all required information and upload your passport photograph.
11. Upload a clear “1 x 1” COLOUR passport photograph with Red background in JPEG format only. NOTE that the photograph uploaded will be the only valid ID for all admitted candidates throughout their stay in the University.
12. To pay for the Application, click on “Add online payment ticket” at the bottom of the page, then click on “College Pay” on the top left corner of the page. Follow the instruction to pay the application fee of N10,500.00 with an ATM-Enabled VerVe or Master Card from any Commercial Bank.
13. PREVIEW AND CONFIRM YOUR INFORMATION BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION ONLINE.
14. Print out the Application slip.

ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS

Admission into various programmes shall be through entrance examination to be conducted on a date to be announced later.
However, there will be no Entrance Examinations for some programmes. Admission into such programmes will be based on the general requirements approved by the Senate.
** Note that Past Questions for practicing are available for purchase by willing candidates at moderate cost in the Central Entrance Examinations Committee (CEEC) office, Main Auditorium, University of Benin.

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Conditions ASUU gave to FG before they would call off strike

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities have given the Federal Government certain conditions to be met before the union could call off its four-month old strike.
Part of this condition, is that all federal parastatals in charge of fund, labour, and education must sign the agreement purportedly reached between its leadership and the Federal Government on Tuesday.
A prominent member of the union, who craved anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on behalf of the union, told our corespondent that doing this would give the association the confidence that “the Federal Government knows what it is doing when it signed the agreement.”
He said, “I must tell you that our mandate remains. The only mandate we have is that 2009 agreement must be met. We have not reached any agreement with the Federal Government.
“Since the Federal Government wants to be releasing N220bn every year for five years, then all monetary and regulatory agencies must sign. The Central Bank of Nigeria, Ministries of Finance and Labour, National Assembly, Office of the Presidency, National Universities Commission, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Trade Union Congress and our umbrella body, the Nigeria Labour Congress, must sign with consequences stated.
“The reason we will ensure this is that we don’t want argument tomorrow that the agreement was entered in error or that they don’t know the implication of signing the agreement. If possible, documents that will provide for automatic deduction of the agreed money at a particular/agreed date must be provided.”
The leadership of the union had engaged in a 13-hour marathon meeting with government delegation led by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja between Monday and Tuesday.
Though it was generally perceived that both ASUU and the Federal Government achieved breakthrough in negotiation for the first time after the lengthy meeting with the President, Saturday PUNCH learnt that the lecturers might not be in a hurry to go back to class.
Another source close to ASUU who was also part of the marathon meeting with the President in Abuja, said there was nothing new in what the President promised members of the union.
According to him, government had always failed in implementing agreements reached with ASUU. He said, “Truly the President sat down for more than 13 hours with us. He told us that we were not leaving the venue until the issues were resolved. The Federal Government also promised to inject funds into the system, but a promissory note is not enough.
“Where would the money come from? There is no assurance that government will provide money especially with the mop-up policy in place that ensures that unspent money is refunded to government’s coffers at the end of every year.’’
Asked when the lecturers would call off the strike, he said, “I doubt if the strike is ending soon. The problem is with the Finance Minister. Where is government getting N1trn from? A government that could not implement agreement between 2009 and 2013, what is the guarantee that they would honour this agreement.
“It is all politics. We are still awaiting directives from our branches. We have told them the outcome of the meeting with the President but we are waiting for them to tell us what they think of government’s proposal.
“Imagine the Minister of Education has travelled out of the country. He was appointed Vice President for UNESCO General Assembly. How can he travel out of the country without resolving the crisis in the education sector?’’
He said the Federal Government should spend the trillions of dollars in its Sovereign Wealth Fund to finance university education and improve infrastructure in the country.
A key component of the agreement reached by both ASUU and the Federal Government was that government would inject N1.1trn into public universities in the next five years. Government is expected to inject N220bn yearly into the public university sector beginning from 2014. But government said it could only release N100bn this year, noting that the amount had already been processed.
The Federal Government also indicated that the N1.1trn would be domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria to show its commitment to the agreement. The money is expected to be released on quarterly basis to the universities so that there won’t be any problem about funding the deal.
The National Universities Commission and the Trade Union Congress will be the joint guarantors of the agreement while the Minister of Education will be the implementing officer. Government, according to sources at the meeting, also agreed to revamp public universities by ensuring that all the issues that always lead to strike are dealt with once and for all.

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ASUU strike: Union begins consultation over FG's new offer

The Academic Staff Union of Universities is set to convene its National Executive Committee this weekend to discuss the offer made to the union by the Federal Government to develop public universities, it was learnt on Wednesday.
ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Faggae after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan which ended in the early hours of Tuesday had told reporters that the union would take back an undisclosed message to the striking lecturers.
The Federal Government had offered to inject N1.1tn into public universities in the next five years.
The Punch gathered that the union had concluded arrangement to hold the meeting to collate the views of members before a final decision would be taken on whether to accept or reject the offer.
Usually, the decision to embark on or to call off strike is taken at the union’s NEC meeting.
It was gathered that the meeting might hold any day between now and next week Friday.
In the hierarchy of ASUU, the zonal coordinators after a meeting of the national officers are to brief the branch chairmen who would consequently call for congress in their respective universities.
But a source who spoke on condition of anonymity said a meeting with the zonal coordinators usually take place two days after a major meeting with the Federal Government because they have to come from the nine zones of the country.
He said, “There is a national strike coordinating committee comprising the national principal officers and the zonal coordinators which is the highest decision-making body. In the country, we have nine zones. After the meeting, the zonal coordinators will brief the branch chairmen who will now call for a congress to brief all members.”
Asked if the strike would be called off soon, the source replied, “It is not a decision that could be taken in a hurry. All members must be carried along. We have a mandate which is very clear – that is the implementation of the 2009 agreement. Anything other than that, they will have to relate to members. The zonal coordinators will collate the decision of the branches and forward them to the national officers.”
A chairman of a local branch of ASUU in a university in the South-West confided in one of our correspondents that the date for the NEC meeting would be communicated to all the chapters on Thursday (today).
Another source said, “Before we embarked on the strike, there was a referendum. The referendum did not emanate from the principal officers but from the branches. Members must be briefed before any final decision could be taken.”
Meanwhile, strong indications emerged on Wednesday that ASUU may soon call off its four-month old strike as the Nigeria Labour Congress described the meeting between President Jonathan and the leadership of the union as the most meaningful since 2009.
The Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Mr. Chris Uyot, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Wednesday, urged ASUU to explain to its members the offer the Federal Government had made to the striking lecturers in order to arrive at the next line of action.
According to him, since ASUU is an affiliate of the NLC, it is the responsibility of the union to decide on whether to call off the strike or not in accordance with standard labour procedure.
He said, “We simply advise that they carry out meaningful consultation with their members and ensure that whatever was offered was explained in totality to members of ASUU.
“I want to say that since the agreement of 2009 was signed, and of the various negotiations that have taken place, this was the most meaningful of the meetings.
“All discussions were taken aside and the issues in the 2009 agreement were examined, discussed and analyzed in totality.
“Let the ASUU explain in totality the offer that was made to its members. Even the NLC has to explain to the members of the National Executive Council of the Congress before taking decisions in such matters. I can only say that calling off the strike depends on ASUU,” he added.

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UNIUYO merit admission list for 2013/2014 session released

Be informed that the University of Uyo, UNIUYO merit admission List 2013/2014 session has been released online.
The released UNIUYO Admission list is that of candidates who have been offered provisional admission into 100L in the University of Uyo for the 2013/2014 academic session.
Candidates are advised to visit the school's portal to check their status.

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UNIUYO Direct Entry merit admission list for 2013/2014 session

Be informed that the University of Uyo Direct Entry merit Admission list for 2013/2014 session has been released.
The released UNIUYO Direct Entry Admission list is that of candidates who have been offered provisional admission into 200L in the University of Uyo for the 2013/2014 academic session.
Candidates are advised to visit the school's portal to check their status.

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ASUU strike will soon be a thing of history - Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday said that because of the importance his administration attached to the medical and educational sectors, he was determined to do all within his powers to resolve all issues that currently lead to labour disputes and strikes in both sectors.
Resident doctors and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities are currently on strike.
Jonathan promised to resolve the labour crises while granting audience to a delegation of the Nigeria Medical Association led by its National President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
His promise was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr.Reuben Abati, at the end of the closed-door session.
“I believe that we must manage both (education and medical) sectors in such a way that nobody engaged in them will think of going on strike again.We will continue to proactively evolve measures that will help us to permanently overcome the problems that lead to strikes by health and education professionals,” the President was quoted as saying at the meeting attended by the Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu, Minister of
Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu and other top government officials.
Jonathan reportedly assured the delegation that his administration would take necessary actions to ensure that the right conditions were created for Nigerian medical professionals to stay at home and avail Nigerians of their skills and expertise instead of migrating to other countries.
He said his government was determined to correct a situation where about 25,000 Nigerian medical consultants were currently practizing in the United States alone as confirmed to him by President Barack Obama.
He described as an anomaly a situation where this huge number of Nigerian medical experts were abroad and yet the nation could not treat its sick people in its own hospitals He said, “There is clearly a missing link somewhere and we will do everything possible to fix it. We will continue to work with professional bodies and all stakeholders to come up with more policies and actions that will help us overcome current challenges in our medical sector.
“We will work with the National Assembly to ensure the quick passage of the National Health Bill. We will take prompt action to reconstitute the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. We will also consider recommendations for the establishment of the Office of the Surgeon-General of the Federation.
“I believe that we must always do what is best for our country. We will review all the other issues you have raised and act accordingly. When things are done properly, issues of welfare and remuneration in the health sector will disappear.”
The President also promised that the Federal Government would explore the option of creating a special intervention fund that would facilitate the rapid establishment of more centres of medical excellence across the country.

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JAMB begin sales of scratch card for 2014 UTME: Guidelines to follow

This is to inform the general public, especially the youth grade who are still forcing their way through becoming a graduate in Nigeria, that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, the institution responsible for setting up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination across all Universities in the federation has rolled out the sales of her 2014 UTME screening. The selling of the scratch card began today being the 4th November.

Where do i buy the form?
For now, only Zenith Bank plc and UBA plc have been authorised by JAMB to sell the 2014 UTME Scratch Cards. More banks will join the list as time goes on.

What is the cost of this JAMB scratch card?
The 2014 UTME scratch card goes for a token of N4,000 (four thousand naira) and may sum up to N4,500 (including bank charges)
How do i complete my registration after purchase of the form?
JAMB has decided to be a little bit strict for the 2014 UTME, to this effect, they assigned and accredited some cyber cafes across the 36 states of the federation where the registration would be done. And remember only Jamb official accredited Outlets will register students for the examination.

How do i know accredited cyber cafes in my area
Kindly visit This Link In the new window, just select your state from the drop down menu the input your area and click on search.
Note: No cyber cafe should charge you above N700 (seven hundred naira) in the registration process, that is, including the print-outs. If any cafe attempts to put an extra charge, you can always report to JAMB. Hurry now, purchase the scratch card and complete the registration. We wish you Goodluck!

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UNIPORT Releases 2013/2014 Supplementary (3rd list) admission list

This is to inform you that the University of Port Harcourts, UNIPORT has released her 3rd batch admission list for both 1st and 2nd choice post UTME candidates.
The 2nd supplementary list exclusively contains the names of those who participated in the both the first (1st) and 2nd choice post UTME screening. So peradventure you were not lucky to find your name in the merit list or 1st supplementary list, you can go and check your name.
To check your admission status, kindly CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LIST

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LASU releases 1st, 2nd choice and supplementary admission list for 2013/2014 session

This is to inform all prospective students of the Lagos State University (LASU) that the admission lists for first choice, 2nd choice and supplementary has been released for 2013/2014.

How to check your name in the LASU 2013/2014 admission lists,
1. CLICK HERE FOR THE 1st CHOICE LIST

2. CLICK HERE FOR THE 2nd CHOICE LIST

3. CLICK HERE FOR THE SUPPLEMENTARY LIST

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ASUU to FG: "We won’t end protest until you meet all our demands"

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has declared that they won’t call off the ongoing strike until its demands were fully met by the federal government.

The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria chapter Chairman of ASUU, Dr Muhammed Kabir Aliyu, stated this while speaking with newsmen shortly after their congress meeting on Friday in Zaria.

Aliyu believes that, “the federal government has not shown any sign of sincerity in keeping to the agreement reached in 2009 and ASUU will only call off the strike once our demands are met by the federal government.”

“The issue at stakes is that the federal government is not sincere. The government is trying to re-negotiate what we have already negotiated and agreed with them. The union presented a demand in 2006, which led to the 2009 agreement. They (government) should implement what they have agreed upon.

“Even the then Vice President, who is now the President of Nigeria, was involved. In fact, he read the agreement and was among those who advised the late President Yar’Adua to ask his team on the government side to sign the agreement.

“So, it is that agreement again they want to change but ASUU is insisting on it. The strike is lingering because government is not sincerea, they are trying to re-negotiate or repudiate the agreement and ASUU will not agree to that.”

On a recent statement attributed to the Senate President, David Mark that those who signed the 2009 agreement on behalf of government were incompetent, Aliyu said, “Indirectly, the Senate President is saying that the current Nigerian president is not competent and not just the Nigerian president, but all the Vice Chancellors that were there, the pro-chancellors that were there, the executive secretary that was there, the Minister of education’s representative that was there, Ministry of Finance that was there, Ministry of labour that was there, National Universities Commission that was there are not competent. So, what he is saying is that the whole government is not competent, and perhaps doesn’t know its left from right. That is the implication of what the Senate President is saying”.

On the implication of the strike on the academic standard, Aliyu noted that, “Our strike is trying to even improve the system. We cannot continue to pretend that we are graduating good students. People know that our students are not competent enough to call themselves graduates, that is why ASUU is trying to address it.

“So, the strike is not the problem; the cause of the strike is the problem. The strike has no negative effect directly, because it is trying to improve the system. Now that the government said they have given N100 billion naira to build more laboratories, libraries and the rest or buy equipment, that will improve the system.”

Source: DailyPost NG

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ASUU strike: NSCDC declares 7-day fasting and prayer

As the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, lingers with no end in sight, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, on Thursday, declared seven days fasting and prayer for God to intervene in the impasse.

This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by the Public Relations Officer of the corps, Emmanuel Okeh.

According to the communiqué, the Commandant General of the corps, Dr Ade Abolurin had directed the officers and personnel of the corps nationwide, to take part in the fasting and prayer, saying that only God could resolve the crisis.

The statement reads, “Worried by the ongoing strike embarked upon by ASUU, which has resulted in the shutdown of universities since July this year, NSCDC Commandant General has organised a special prayer for the nation.
“The CG has declared seven days fasting and prayer nationwide to seek an ultimate solution to the problem,’’ it said.
The statement said the move was borne out of the desire by Nigerians to see an end to the strike.

It quoted Abolurin, as noting that the inability of stakeholders to come to term by resolving the four months old strike was an indication that divine intervention was the only solution to the problem.

“While lauding the effort of the government and its unwavering commitment to end the impasse, Abolurin said the nation should not underestimate the efficacy of prayers at critical moments.

“We should not be ignorant of the devices of the devil whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy; but through prayer and fasting, the glory of this nation shall be sustained and the much needed success achieved,’’ the statement concluded.

Source: Daily Post NG

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UNN graduate emerges winner of Gulder Ultimate Search 10, goes home with a whooping N10m grand prize

Daniel Okike, a twenty-two year old graduate of Electronics Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Daniel Okike, has emerged winner of the 10th edition of the Gulder Ultimate Reality Show.
With the victory, the Abia State native has won N10m and a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero.
The guy that had initially said he intended to establish a successful international import and export business outsmarted Edmund Umeabuani and Ifunanya Onike in the waters of the Usaka River, where the battle for the ultimate symbol held.
But it is a fair story for Onike, too, as she is the Last Female Standing, winning an added one million naira.
Also, a final year student of Industrial Mathematics in the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Kalu Kalu, emerged the first winner of the first ever fans edition of the Gulder Ultimate Search.
Kalu also won a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero 3.0L GLX MT, courtesy of CFAO Motors, the automotive partner of Gulder Ultimate Search 10.
He says, “I feel very happy to be the first winner of the first GUS Fans’ Edition; the first ‘Ultimate Conqueror’. It is a dream come true. My friends started calling me Ultimate Conqueror when I told them I was coming for the search. I took the risk of a night journey to get here for the search and it was very stressful. I can’t explain how I feel right now.”
A statement from the organisers gives details of the last scene of the competition. According to them, on the final day of the search, the warriors got a message from the ‘Council of Elders’ ordering them to pack their bags and make their ways to where they draw water.
“Chidi awaited them and gave them the next set of instructions.
The final task was to search for the 10th symbol.
To do that, each of them would make use of a clue which would take them to two different locations to retrieve two pieces of the m ap that would lead to where the 10th symbol was buried. Another clue at their first locations would direct them to the next location. It was a race against time and the last man to the next location was evicted.
“After many futile efforts Daniel eventually dug up the sceptre from under a slant palm tree in the river and thereby ended the long search for the 10th symbol.
“He was instantly inducted into the Order of Heroes as the 10th Ultimate Man by Chidi Mokeme, the anchor-man.”

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FUOYE: 2013/2014 Acceptance Fee Payment Procedure

This is to inform all the newly admitted candidates into the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) for the 2013/2014 academic session that the management of the institution has announced the amount they are required to pay as acceptance fee, procedure and deadline for the payment.

i) All admitted candidates will be required to pay a non-refundable sum of Thirty thousand Naira (N30,000.00) only as Acceptance Fee on or before Wednesday, 13thNovember, 2013. Please note that any candidate who fails to accept the offer of admission between the period stipulated above should consider the admission forfeited
ii) Acceptance Fee should be paid through E-Transact.

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CRUTECH Releases 2nd batch Admission list and direct entry admission list for 2013/2014

Be informed that the Cross River University of Technology Calabar (CRUTECH) has released her 2nd batch, supplementary and direct entry admission lists.
Candidates should note that for the time being, the lists has been made available on jamb website and will soon be release in the school websites soon.

How To check your CRUTECH 2013/2014 admission status
1. Log on to JAMB 2013 Admission Status Checking Portal
2. Supply your registration number in the space provided.
3. Click on "check admission status".

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