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FUK-ASUU tasks FG on members’ welfare

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Federal University of Kashere, on Tuesday said its members were ailing over work-related stress urging the Federal Government to prioritise members’ welfare by renegotiating 2009 agreements.

FUK members made these disclosures shortly after undertaking protest march to the chancellery where letter was delivered to Vice Chancellor Professor Umaru Pate, which was received by Professor S. Kela.

Delivering the resolution of members held at a special congress meeting ASUU- FUK chairman, Comrade Shehu El-Rasheed, said meeting discussed the current state of the unions’ struggle to better the welfare of its members and enhance the working conditions of the public universities.

He said, “Compatriots of the press, you may recall that the failure of the Federal Government to honour several agreements it willingly entered with the union forced the union into the eight-month strike action in 2022. It might interest you to note that before embarking on that strike in 2022, the union had exhausted all avenues to amicably resolve the contending issues.

“These among others include engagement with stakeholders, community and religious leaders, writing several letters to the government, and issuing press releases and press conferences. Yet the Federal Government failed to fulfill its part on the several Memorandum of Action (MOA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs).

“The ASUU-FUK is worried by the current deplorable economic condition of its members and other colleagues across the public universities. It is sad to note that some members are currently nursing different life-threatening ailments as a result of work-related stress and chronic pauperisation arising from the failure of the Government to pay their withheld salaries and arrears of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).”

Speaking further El-Rasheed said the press conference is intended to update Nigerians on the developments in the FG/ASUU dispute since the suspension of the last strike action by the Union in October 2022.

“Re-negotiation of FGN/ASUU 2009 agreement. The 2009 FG/ASUU agreement came into being after a series of patriotic actions by the Union. The agreement is a comprehensive package that is centered on the condition of service, funding. and University autonomy. The agreement is anchored on the International Labour Organisation
Convention No.98 which underscores the principle of collective bargaining. It provides that such an agreement should be reviewed every three years. Pursuant to that, the union has been calling for the renegotiation of the agreement to provide for a better condition of service and more funding to public universities in Nigeria. This led to the constitution of several committees by the Federal Government over the years. These include the Wale Babalakin-led joint renegotiation committee, later taken over by Emeritus Professor Munzali Jibril’s committee. Later the FG dropped Prof Jibril and appointed late Emeretus Prof Nimi-Briggs to lead the renegotiation. The Prof Nimi-Briggs-led committee developed a draft report in 2022 and submitted it to the President Buhari-led administration. However, for some inexplicable reasons, representatives of the Buhari-led government failed to sign the draft agreement.

“The cruel effect of the truncation of the renegotiation of the FG/ASUU 2009 agreement is that members of the academic in the Nigerian public universities have been on the same salary regime since 2009 when the Naira/Dollar exchange rate was barely N120/$1. Today the Naira/ Dollar exchange rate is above N1,500.00 to a dollar. Despite the 25 per cent and 35 per cent wage awards by the government, compared to sister countries, Nigerian lecturers remain the least paid. The current net pay of a professor at a bar on average is below $400 per month. This has led to low morale among the academic staff, widespread discontent among staff and students, a declining sense of patriotism manifesting in the Japa syndrome, and lots more,” El-Rasheed added.

The ASUU-FUK called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately set in motion the process to review and sign the Nimi-Briggs committee renegotiated draft agreement to save the public Universities from total collapse, adding “Our members are tired of platitudes laced with disdain for intellectuals; only concrete steps to restore their eroded dignity and degraded lives can guarantee lasting peace in our universities.”

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Education

Shongom LGEA Orders Full Resumption of Schools, Urges Teachers to Begin Classes Immediately

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As schools across Gombe State resume for the new academic term, the Education Secretary of the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Shongom, Mrs. Satiyel Buba, has directed all teachers in government-owned primary and secondary schools in the area to resume work without delay on Monday, 15th September, 2025.

Speaking during a school resumption meeting with head teachers, supervisors, and principals, Mrs. Buba emphasized the need for teachers to begin teaching immediately after resumption. She said the meeting was convened to serve as a reminder for teachers on effective teaching techniques expected to guide them in discharging their duties diligently.

The Education Secretary further called on parents and guardians to ensure their children return to school promptly, stressing that lessons would commence without delay. She also commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) Chairman, and the Executive Chairperson of Shongom LGA, Dr. Fatima Binta Bello, for their commitment to creating a conducive learning environment in schools.

Mrs. Buba appealed to host communities to take responsibility for safeguarding school facilities in their respective areas from vandalism by unpatriotic individuals.

In his remarks, the ANCOP Coordinator, Shongom LGA chapter, Mr. Ezekiel Malachi Maikano, noted that the association had made it a tradition to regularly meet, brainstorm, and reflect on past activities in order to correct lapses where necessary. He urged teachers and principals to remain alert to current developments, particularly those affecting the teaching profession, and to continuously update their knowledge to meet global standards.

Also speaking, the Central Supervisor of Shongom LGA, Mrs. Dija Yusuf, expressed gratitude to the Education Secretary for introducing the new syllabus and updates. She charged teachers to put the techniques and knowledge acquired into practice to enhance productivity in their schools.

With schools now open, stakeholders in Shongom LGA have reaffirmed their collective resolve to ensure effective teaching and learning, as well as the protection of public school facilities.

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Education

NEU Gombe Secures Full Operational Licence from NUC

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By Mukhtar Sani Saulawa, Gombe.

 

The North-Eastern University, Gombe (NEU), has been granted a Full Operational Licence by the National Universities Commission (NUC), marking a major milestone in the institution’s growth and long-term stability.

The development was announced by the University’s Founder and Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Sani Jauro, the Dan Lawan of Gombe, during a  visit to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, at the Emir’s palace on Friday. The Emir, who serves as the University’s Chancellor.

 

Dr. Jauro noted that since the institution received a provisional licence in 2022, it has remained focused on delivering quality teaching, strengthening modern facilities, and expanding hands-on training efforts he said were greatly encouraged by the Emir’s steady support.

 

“This achievement of the North-Eastern University is not just ours alone; it is a collective success for the people of Gombe State and Nigeria as a whole,” Dr. Jauro said. “We remain grateful to His Royal Highness for his unwavering support, as well as to the management team whose dedication has driven the university’s growth.”

In his remarks, the Emir of Gombe congratulated the University, describing the Full Operational Licence as a landmark that reflects NEU’s steady progress and its commitment to academic excellence and discipline.

 

 

“Securing full accreditation from the NUC is a remarkable achievement. It underscores how far the University has come and reaffirms our collective vision for educational excellence,” the Emir said. “This is a matter of pride for every citizen of Gombe who values education as a tool for development.”

As background, the University recently posted an average score of 91.4 per cent in NUC programme accreditation exercises an outcome that underscores the institution’s academic standards while the full licence secures its operational footing.

 

With this licence, North-Eastern University, Gombe, is poised to consolidate its place among leading private universities in northern Nigeria, producing graduates equipped with knowledge, character, and skills to drive societal development.

 

 

 

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Education

NEU Gombe Pledges Full Sponsorship for Legendary Inventor (Dr). Usman Hadi’s Creations

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By Mukhtar Sani Saulawa 

 

North-Eastern University (NEU), Gombe, today hosted celebrated self-taught legendary inventor (Dr). Usman Hadi, in a strategic visit aimed at fostering innovation, enhancing practical skills training, and driving both institutional growth and positive community impact.

During the visit, Dr. Hadi met with the Founder and Pro-Chancellor, Dr. Sani Jauro, where both parties agreed on key areas of partnership. Dr. Jauro assured the inventor that the university is prepared to sponsor him at any stage necessary to bring his inventions to life.

“NEU Gombe, is ready to stand by you at any stage necessary to ensure your inventions become a reality. We believe your skills and creativity can inspire our students and uplift the community.”

The collaboration will also see the introduction of a practical entrepreneurship course, where students will learn hands-on skills directly from Dr. Hadi’s wealth of experience. Additionally, the founder pledged that NEU would provide him with a fully equipped workspace on campus whenever needed.

Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Usman Hadi commended the university’s commitment to innovation and pledged to contribute his expertise to the benefit of the institution, its students, and the wider community.

“I am ready to contribute my knowledge and experience to the development of this university, its students, and the community at large,” he said.

Over five decades, since the early 1970s, Dr. Hadi has developed more than 78 inventions, including a radio station, radio transmitter, a Vespa-engine helicopter, and a mobile handset all without formal Western education. One of his most famous creations is a stove that runs using only water, requiring no kerosene or gas. Built through years of trial and error, the stove harnesses the atoms and electrons in water, using copper, a speed motor, battery, burner, and water bottle to generate energy for cooking.

The visit ended with a guided tour across some of NEU’s key facilities, including the Centre for African Medicinal Plant Research (CAMPRE), the Anas Aremeyaw Anas Multimedia, Content Creation & Innovation Centre, and the Centre for Entrepreneurship.

The collaboration is expected to serve as a model for linking grassroots innovation with academic excellence in Nigeria.

 

 

 

 

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