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FG Has No Funds To Meet ASUU’s Demands – Ngige

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The Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, has stated that the Federal Government does not have the funds to meet its obligations in the agreement signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

Ngige said the government was considering a renegotiation of the terms of the agreement with ASUU, in the effort to end the ongoing strike by university lecturers.

 The minister made this known while appearing on Politics Today, a current affairs program on Channels Television monitored from Abuja on Thursday.

When asked if he agreed that the government had failed to fulfill its side of the agreement with ASUU, Ngige said no.

On when the conflict would end, the minister said, “I am hoping that ASUU should do the right thing and contact their members on the renegotiations that we have had in the last two weeks. First, the issue of earned academic allowances, we have agreed, giving a timeline to the NUC to go back to the old template used in working out 2021 earned academic allowance – 10.8 percent of personnel cost.“We want them to go back very quickly and use that same formula and get us what we are supposed to pay in 2022. That is agreed by everybody.”

On revitalization of the universities, Ngige said “the amount is not very clear, what has been paid.” He said the actual amount paid is being determined.

 On the release of N1.3tn between 2013 and 2018 to revitalize the universities, with N200bn released in 2013 and only N70bn released in the last seven years, the minister, who noted that government is a continuum, stated that the N1.3tn was promised by the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration. According to him, oil was selling at between $100 and $120 per barrel then, while the revenue of the federation was rich.

“The government now says ‘we don’t have the money to pay it.’ This was the agreement between 2016 and 2017,” he said, adding that the government still does not have the funds to fulfill its side of the bargain.

Ngige said the government is now calling for renegotiation of the agreement with ASUU, “unless you want us to go and take money from TETFUND and deceive you as it was done in that period, and place it for you on the table.”

 Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education has constituted another committee to renegotiate the 2009 agreement with ASUU.

Announcing the reconstitution of the renegotiation team, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, emphasized the need to speedily bring to a conclusion the outstanding issues in the 2009 agreement.

The statement read in part, “The Federal Government has reconstituted a team to renegotiate the 2009 agreement it had with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

“Reconstituting the team, Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, said there was a need to speedily bring to a conclusion all outstanding issues in the 2009 agreement to achieve the desired peace on our campuses.

“The Chairman of the reconstituted 2009 FGN/University-based Unions Agreements Re-negotiation Team is Prof Nimi Briggs, Pro-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo.

“Members of the team include Lawrence Patrick Ngbale, Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Wukari (North-East); Prof Funmi Togunu-Bickersteth, Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi (South-West); Senator Chris Adighije, Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja (South-East); and Prof Olu Obafemi, Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna (North-Central).

“Others are Prof Zubairu Iliyasu, Pro-Chancellor, Kano State University of Science & Technology (North-West); and Matthew B. Seiyefa, Pro-Chancellor, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island (South-South).

“The team will be inaugurated by the minister by 12noon, on Monday, March 7, 2022, at the minister’s conference room, headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja.

“All advisers and observers in the Federal Government/University-based Unions 2009 Agreements Re-negotiation Team are expected to attend the inauguration.”

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Tinubu To Hold First Presidential Media Chat Tonight

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President Bola Tinubu’s inaugural media chat is set to be broadcast on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

In a statement, Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, confirmed that the media chat will be aired at 9 p.m. today.

“The first Presidential Media Chat with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be broadcast at 9 p.m. on Monday, December 23, on the Nigerian Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria,” the statement reads.

All television and radio stations are encouraged to tune in to the broadcast.

This marks Tinubu’s first media chat since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

During the chat, Tinubu will respond to questions from a panel of journalists on national matters, including his economic policies, security, and other key issues.

The tradition of presidential media chats began during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The practice was continued by the administrations of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.

However, under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the frequency of the presidential media chats declined.

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IGP Didn’t Ask Nigerians To Beat Up Officers During Stop-And-Search — Police

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has clarified that Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police, did not instruct Nigerians to pummel officers during stop-and-search operations.

In a statement on Monday, Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, emphasized that Egbetokun has never endorsed violence against law enforcement agents.

Adejobi added that the blog post suggesting otherwise was entirely fabricated.

“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to address a viral fake news story that has emerged, claiming that Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has instructed citizens to physically assault and throw stones at police officers who request to search their phones,” the statement reads.

“This claim is entirely false and has no basis in reality. The IGP has not issued any such directive encouraging violence against law enforcement officers.”

“Instead, he has called on citizens to report instances of police misconduct through appropriate channels.”

“This approach underscores the importance of accountability and maintaining the rule of law, rather than resorting to violent actions.”

“Members of the public are urged to make use of the following Police helplines & contacts to lay complaints whenever necessary: +2347056792065, +2349133333785, +2349133333786, @PoliceNG on X, @ngpolice on Facebook, and @nigeriapoliceforce on Instagram.”

“Citizens can also contact us by mail through; [email protected] and reach us through the police website at npf.gov.ng.”

Recently, Egbetokun instructed police officers to stop arbitrary arrests and cease searching the smartphones of Nigerians.

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Federal Government Declares Public Holiday For Christmas, New Year Celebrations

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The federal government has declared December 25-26, and January 1, 2025, as public holidays.

The public holidays are to commemorate the “Christmas,” “Boxing Day,” and “New Year’s Day” celebrations, respectively.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the minister of interior, announced the dates in a statement signed by Magdalene Ajani, the ministry’s permanent secretary.

He extended his greetings to Nigerians for the holidays and encouraged them to use the festive period to reflect on the values of “love,” “peace,” and “unity” that the season signifies.

He further emphasized that the yuletide is a time to foster harmony and strengthen bonds across families and communities.

“The Christmas season is a good moment for both spiritual reflection and national renewal. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us demonstrate kindness and extend goodwill to one another, irrespective of our differences,” the statement reads.

The minister also urged Nigerians to remain committed to the peace, unity, and progress of the nation.

He assured citizens of the federal government’s commitment to peace, security, and prosperity across the nation.

Tunji-Ojo added that the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the President Bola Tinubu administration will usher in a prosperous economy that will be the envy of the world.

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