Business

Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) lecturers cry out as they protest 16-months salary arrears by Government

Published

9 years ago

December 8, 2015

Sahara Weekly

Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) teachers yesterday marched on the Itamerin-Igan Road in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

They were protesting under-funding of the institution and non-payment of their 16-month arrears by the government.

The lecturers decried poor funding, infrastructural decay, empty laboratories and libraries as well as increasing salary arrears owed them.

Protesting under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), OOU Branch, the lecturers said they had wrritten to Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the Governing Council and the management.

They carried placards, some of which read: “Governor Amosun should properly fund OOU. It is a statutory responsibility”; “Funding OOU should be made a first line charge. It is the first among equals”; “Depending on IGR to fund OOU is an act of gross irresponsibility on the part of state government”; “Education is not a commercial venture, it is a social investment” and “Amosun, don’t destroy the little consolidation Saburi has achieved through TETFUND”, among others.

ASUU Chairman Dr. Deji Agboola said the lecturers might embark on an indefinite strike since the government would not reason with them.

Agboola said the strike would be “total, comprehensive and indefinite”.

He said their demands included reversal of the precarious funding situation at OOU and taking over of the payment of full staff salary to free the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for academic and infrastructural development.

The ASUU chairman also said the lecturers wanted an end to the quality decline at OOU by instituting a reliable funding structure and release of fund for Earned Academic Allowances.

His words: “One prominent way in which the government has been cutting back on funding is the non-payment of full salary of staff and removal from subvention head.

“We have written several letters to the council and the Visitor to this effect. Public education is a social good.

“Government currently pays about half of the full salary of staff at OOU. To make matters worse, the so-called salaries are placed under the subvention heading; a misleading heading which could be misinterpreted as grant meant for research and development of the university.

“Government also pretends that it does not know that this half of full salaries of staff is the subvention sent to the university. In short, the government has failed to send the supposed subvention to the university for 16 months. What a shame,” Agboola said.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Modupe Mujota, could not be reached for comments.

But Governor Ibikunle Amosun had said there was no magic his administration could do now about the funding challenges of the state-owned tertiary institutions.

At the stakeholders’ meeting in Abeokuta, the state capital, in respect of the 2016 budget, Amosun said when the state’s financial fortunes improves, he would address the needs of tertiary education.

Business

Dangote Hails Tinubu on Impact of Crude for Naira Swap Deal

Published

11 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Dangote Hails Tinubu on Impact of Crude for Naira Swap Deal

…As Dangote Refinery partners MRS to sell PMS at N935 per litre nationwide at its retail outlets

Sahara Weekly Unveils That The Foremost entrepreneur and President of the Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the positive impact of the naira for crude swap deal on the Nigerian economy, which has led to reduction in prices of petroleum products in the country.

To provide succour to Nigerians, Dangote recently reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N970 to N899.50 at its Refinery loading gantry and provided generous credit terms to marketers.

“To ensure that this price reduction gets to the end consumer, we have signed a partnership with MRS to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre” he added. This price has already commenced in Lagos, and it will be offered nationwide from Monday.

In his statement, he called on other oil marketers such as the NNPC Retail and all other marketers, “to work with us to ensure that Nigerians enjoy high-quality petrol at discounted prices.”

According to him, “The Dangote Refinery is for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. We will therefore continue to work with various value chain players to deliver high quality petrol at cheaper prices. Our aim is for all Nigerians to have ready access to high quality petroleum products that are good for their vehicles, good for their health, and good for their pockets.

Recall that in September, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) under the leadership of Mr. President approved the sale of crude to local refineries in Naira and corresponding purchase of petroleum products in Naira. The move, which commenced on October 1, led to reduced pressure on the dollar and ensured the stability of the local currency.

Dangote thanked Nigerians for their unwavering support and the government for creating an enabling environment for the domestic refining industry.

Business

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

Published

18 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

NNPC Debunks Shutdown Rumors, Confirms Port Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has dismissed reports circulating in certain media outlets claiming that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was re-streamed two months ago, has been shut down.

In a statement released by Olufemi O. Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, the company clarified that the refinery is fully operational. The statement noted that the facility’s operational status was recently verified by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC during a site inspection.

“Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing,” the statement confirmed, emphasizing that allegations of the refinery’s shutdown are baseless and intended to create panic or artificial scarcity in the fuel market.

NNPC Ltd urged members of the public to disregard such misleading reports, labeling them as the work of those seeking to exploit Nigerians.

The Old Port Harcourt Refinery has been in operation since its re-streaming, and the company remains committed to ensuring stability in the supply of petroleum products across the country.

Business

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

In a show of solidarity, the Committee of Banks in Nigeria has extended a helping hand to victims of the September 2024 floods in Jigawa State. On Thursday, a high-profile delegation led by Dr. Oliver Alawuba, Chairman of the Committee and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), visited Dutse, the state capital, to present relief materials to the state government.

The donated items, worth several million Naira, included essential food supplies such as rice and cooking oil, along with mattresses and beverages. Dr. Alawuba highlighted that the gesture aimed to alleviate the hardship faced by flood victims and support critical institutions, especially public hospitals, in their efforts to assist those affected.

“We stand in solidarity with the people and government of Jigawa State during this difficult time. This donation is our way of expressing empathy and supporting those who have lost loved ones, properties, and livelihoods,” Dr. Alawuba stated.

The delegation included notable banking leaders such as Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna of Access Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji of Zenith Bank Plc, and Dr. (Mrs.) Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe of Fidelity Bank Plc, among others. Their collective presence underscored the banking sector’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and national development.

Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi expressed profound gratitude for the donation, describing the visit as a rare and commendable act of compassion. He assured the delegation that the relief materials would be judiciously distributed to the intended beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in rebuilding lives and communities.

The Committee of Banks also reiterated their commitment to supporting Nigerians during emergencies, drawing attention to previous interventions, including relief efforts during the 2011 and 2013 floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, and security initiatives like the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

This humanitarian gesture reflects the collective resolve of Nigeria’s financial institutions to foster social and economic growth, making a meaningful impact in times of need.