Prof Rufai says it is now unfair to ask her to speak on the strike.The immediate past Minister of…

Prof Rufai says it is now unfair to ask her to speak on the strike. The immediate past Minister of Education, Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, who was sacked from the federal cabinet last month, has joined the ongoing strike by Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, which she desperately tried to break while in office. PREMIUM TIMES enquries at Bayero Universities, Kano, BUK where Mrs Rufai was teaching Education Curriculum before joining the Jigawa State cabinet in 2007 and later the federal cabinet in 2011, revealed that although the former minister had returned to the institution, she was yet to commence work as a result of the ongoing industrial action. Public Relations Officer of BUK, Mustapha Zaharaddeen, told this newspaper in a telephone interview on Wednesday that the former minister had joined her colleagues in the strike. “How can she teach? She has joined the strike,” Mr. Zaharaddeen said. “She has no choice. How can anybody teach? Don’t forget, ASUU National President is from BUK.” When PREMIUM TIMES asked Mrs Rufai on Wednesday if she had joined the ASUU strike, she merely retorted, “It is an unfair question. Ask my university.” Efforts to reach the ASUU President, Mr. Fagge, was unsuccessful, as his mobile telephone number repeatedly indicated it had been switched off. Mrs Rufai, the first female education minister from the northern part of Nigeria, was sacked from the federal cabinet alongside eight other ministers last September 11. The other sacked ministers were Olugbenga Ashiru (Foreign Affairs), Hadiza Mailaifa (Environment), Shamsudeen Usman (National Planning), Ama Pepple (Land, Housing and Urban Development), Ita Ewa (Science and Technology). Ministers of State for Defence, Power and Agriculture, Olusola Obada, Zainab Kuchi and Bukar Tijani, respectively were also relieved of their positions. Mr. Jonathan is yet to appoint their replacements. Before she was fired, Mrs Rufai, who became Education minister in 2011, was a member of the Governor Gabriel Suswam-led Federal Government negotiation team, which held discussions with ASUU officials led by the Union’s President, Nasiru Fagge, who incidentally teaches at BUK. However, the government team could not make any head way in resolving the issues that led to the strike which is now entering its third month, until Mrs Rufai left government, unceremoniously. From Left: Former Minister Of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i; Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (Nuc), Prof. Julius Okojie; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim and Minister of Labour, Chukwuemeka Nwogu, at an ASUU negotiation meeting in Abuja Mr. Rufai repeatedly blamed her colleagues for failing to call off the strike despite the concessions made by government. The former minister returned to her home state, Jigawa, two days after her sack and was welcomed by a large crowd which had gathered in Aminu Kano Triangle, Dutse, the state capital. The crowd repeatedly shouted her name in excitement when she arrived at the venue, accompanied by her husband, Ahmed Rufai. Responding to questions from journalists during the reception, the former minister, a professor of curriculum studies, promised that she would return to the classroom the following Monday. “I plan to go back to my university, I am a professor in education in curriculum studies and I will report on Monday and then take a brief leave to have a kind of rest, but I am going back to the university,” she said. On whether she would join the ASUU strike, which she was negotiating away while in government, Mr Rufai, said “Don’t make me controversial, don’t make me controversial.” She said she had no regrets that she was relieved of her appointment, saying “This is the fourth time that I am handing over in my life. I have been a commissioner twice and I have been a minister twice and it is really not a surprise and depending on what the circumstances may be.” Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, under whom she served as commissioner and who nominated her as minister, revealed that a few weeks before her sack, Mr Jonathan told him she (Rufai) “was doing a good job.” Mr. Lamido, was, however, silent on whether she was fired because he (Lamido) joined six other governors to float the New PDP led by Kawu Baraje. The group is opposed to Mr Jonathan’s bid to contest the 2015 presidential election. “Ruqayyatu has discharged her responsibilities as minister responsibly and I repeat there is no anger or ill feeling because what the president did is within his constitutional powers. We have no pain, no ill feeling,” the governor said. “There is need for people to know why we are gathered here. Anything that has a beginning has an end,” the governor said. “We have no grudge against her removal. We love anybody that loves us. It was the president’s wisdom to appoint her. “Let me remind us that as Muslims we were very happy when our sister, daughter, mother and grandmother, was picked by our brother President Jonathan. “Jigawa State is the only state in the North that has two ministers and this is because of the attachment the president has for Jigawa. “This is not the time for politics, the time will come, the purpose here is to honour our daughter. That time will come.”

Nollywood Star Birthday: John "Mr Ibu" Okafor Adds A Year

Today is actor John Okafor, otherwise known as Mr. Ibu's, birthday. He was born October 17, 1960, in Umunekwu village in Eziokwe, Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State. He comes from a large family, and has 4 brothers and 3 sisters. After losing his father at the age of 15, Okafor had to earn his living by doing various odd jobs, such as selling firewood, hair dressing and butchering animals. Mr. Okafor has graduated from Mass Communication from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu. He became a widely recognized face in Nigeria in 2004, when he played the lead role in the movie titled 'Mr. Ibu'. Since then, he has established himself as one of the most talented comic characters in the Nollywood industry. His filmography includes dozens of movies, and he also has served as a writer and producer.

Adeyemi Ikuforiji: I Will Be The Next Lagos Governor, Nobody Can Stop Me

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, western Nigeria, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has declared that nobody can stop him from attaining victory should he finally decide the position he wants to run for in 2015. There are speculations that Ikuforiji is eyeing the governorship seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming elections in the state. Asked what preparations he had made for 2015, the Speaker, who spoke during the Sallah celebration, told journalists: "I have said it time and time again. Look, when I left the United States to come and contest in Nigeria, the number one thing on my agenda was to get to be the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly. And after winning the election on 3 May, 2003, from 4 May and through the month of May, I ran a campaign that had never been so for the position of the Speaker of the House. But interestingly, I am the one who eventually, at the meeting before the first sitting of the House, raised the hand of the man who became the Speaker, because I saw clearly that God, probably, had not really designed me to be Speaker on June 2nd, 2003. But when it pleased God, I became Speaker on the second half of that time. The honest truth is that deep inside me, I feel grateful to God that I was not Speaker at that time until when He chose me, because since 2005, I have been Speaker, which is a feat that has not been achieved by anyone in this state. You will also agree with me concerning what God has done for Lagos State through me as far as legislature is concerned, has no parallel. So, as a believer, I know that when the time comes, the Almighty God will show the light and make it clear that this is your next direction, this is your next seat and no matter the noise, no matter the plotting, and the coup and counter coup, what God has destined to be, no man can stand against it." Ikuforiji, who also assessed the state of the country, said God had been faithful to the country but that the country's wealth was concentrated in the hands of a few resulting in poor leadership, "Is there any sector of our national life that is in proper shape? You are talking about the amount pumped into security, what about the amount pumped into energy generation? What has come out of it? What have we got to show for the amount that has gone into the healthcare delivery system? When people have headache now, they rather prefer to go to South Africa or India. We must ask ourselves what we want for this nation," he declared, adding that everybody in the country is guilty of the country's problems. The Speaker also joined many other Nigerians in condemning the proposed national dialogue announced by President Goodluck Jonathan, expressing suspicion that the President had ulterior motives. He wondered why President Jonathan suddenly decided on the national dialogue after he earlier declared publicly that he was not in support of it and just 14 months to the general elections. He urged Nigerians not to trust the proposed dialogue as it was aimed at benefitting the President, not the people. He also rejected the stand by former National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, stalwart, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, that the 2015 general elections could be postponed for the national conference. Ikuforiji, who declared that Pa Adebanjo's stand was unconstitutional, said, "There should be no delay in the general elections. You want to elongate the tenure of the present administration? You can't do that. On 29 May, 2015, we must have a new administration in Abuja and those states which their governors came in same day. So you cannot elongate the tenure of any government through any means, "Why is the Presidency coming up with a national conference when we are barely 14 months to a general election? To have a conference to decide even on the future of a local government, it takes months to organise to get a meaningful result from such a conference. "How do you bring the different groups together? Under fourteen months to a general election, when will the campaign for general election start? How many weeks are we going to spend campaigning? When are we starting this national conference? When are we ending it? And the solutions, when will the President start implementing them?"

Chris Brown Goes Noble

Rihanna's ex, Chris Brown has shown that he understands what an average American is going through. Chris took to Twitter and said he doesn't want those still struggling to buy his album because he thinks music is a want not necessity.

Michael Bay Attacked by Two Brothers on Transformers 4 Set in Hong Kong

Making a movie is never easy, and the process became even more difficult when Michael Bay was assaulted on the set of Transformers 4: The Age of Extinction in Hong Kong on Thursday, Oct. 17. The filmmaker, 48, was approached by two brothers who demanded he fork over HK$100,000 ($12,900). The siblings reportedly felt they should be compensated for allowing Bay and his crew to film in the city's Quarry Bay district. The brothers attacked Bay, who sustained injuries to the right side of his face. The Pain & Gain director declined medical attention. The older brother was arrested on suspicion of assault, while the younger brother was arrested on suspicion of assault and blackmail. Police have now handed the case over to specialist anti-triad units reserved for tackling Hong Kong's notorious criminal gangs. Transformers 4: The Age of Extinction--starring Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz and Jack Reynor--hits theaters in June 2014.

Glee Ending After Season 6, Ryan Murphy Says Series Finale Will "Honor" Cory Monteith

t's official: Glee will end after next season. Ryan Murphy confirmed that the hit series' sixth season will be its last at a Paley Center event honoring FX on Wednesday, Oct 15. TVLine was first to report the story. The tragic death of Cory Monteith required the series co-creator to think of a different ending for the musical comedy-drama. "The final year of the show, which will be next year, was designed around Rachel (Lea Michele) and Cory/Finn's story," Murphy said. "I knew what the last shot was, he was in it. I knew what the last line was, she said it to him. So when a tragedy like that happens you sort of have to pause and figure out what you want to do, so we're figuring that out now." Murphy admitted that he has a "good idea" about how the show will end. "I'm going to tell the studio and the network [in a week] how after Cory's unfortunate passing we can end the show that I think is very satisfactory," he explained. "And kind of in his honor, which I love." Fox president Kevin Reilly told E! News in August that he didn't see the show continuing past season six. "I would not anticipate it going beyond two more seasons," he said. "Look, never say never, but there's two very clear arcs to get to the end and conclude. If we dicover a new crop of kids and there's some breakout in life, who knows? But right now we're just thinking about two more seasons." Last week, the show paid tribute to Monteith in the emotional episode "The Quarterback." It honored the actor's legacy and it also laid to rest one of the sweetest, and most endearing, characters on TV, Finn Hudson. And it brought in big ratings: 7.4 million total viewers and a 2.8 in the demo. That marks a 75 percent rise from the previous episode, the best ratings of the season and Fox's best demo numbers since September 2012. How do you think the series should end?

India's Cyclone Phailin: Thousands marooned by floods

Workers are battling to rescue tens of thousands of people marooned by rising flood waters in Orissa, after the state was hit by the strongest cyclone in 14 years. Flood waters have left nearly 100,000 people stranded in Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts, officials say. The death toll from the cyclone has risen to 27 in Orissa, with four people killed in the floods. A flood alert has been also sounded in the neighbouring state of Bihar. There are fears of heavy rainfall in at least two dozen districts after the weakened storm changed course and moved towards northern parts of Bihar bordering Nepal, officials say. Cyclone Phailin crashed into eastern India over the weekend and flattened many coastal homes, uprooted trees and blocked roads in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh states. But the evacuation effort - described by officials as "the biggest in India's history for such an event" - ensured the death toll remained low. As the storm weakened a vast relief operation got under way to help up to one million displaced people. 'Cause of concern' Now in Orissa major rivers including Budhabalanga and Subarnarekha are high, leading to flooding in two districts, officials say. Disaster management workers helped by the army and navy have been deployed to perform rescue operations. "We are starting to air drop food packets in Balasore district. The flood situation there is a cause of concern," Orissa Revenue and Disaster Management Minister SN Patro told the Press Trust of India news agency. Separately, hundreds of thousands of people who were evacuated before the cyclone have begun returning to their homes. Many, however, remain in temporary shelters because their villages and homes have been destroyed or inundated. The massive storm made landfall on Saturday evening, with winds of about 200 km per hour (125mph). It began weakening on Sunday as it made its way north-west. But the intense storm has made more than half-a-million people homeless, state government officials said. The storm tore down power and communication lines and knocked out road and rail links, making an assessment difficult. An estimated 5,000 sq km of mostly paddy crops have been destroyed, causing a loss of some $320m (£220m)

Hundreds dead in Nigeria detention, Amnesty says

Hundreds of people have died in detention facilities in north-east Nigeria as the army tries to crush an Islamist militant rebellion there, according to Amnesty International. The human rights group said some detainees died from suffocation in overcrowded cells, others from starvation and extra-judicial killings. It is calling for an urgent investigation into the deaths. There has not yet been an official response to the report. But the Nigerian army has rejected all previous accusations of human rights abuses. A senior Nigerian army officer told Amnesty that at least 950 people had died in military custody during the first half of this year. Most had been accused of having links to the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, Amnesty said. Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow Nigeria's government to create an Islamic state, and has launched a number of attacks on schools. About 50 students were shot dead earlier this month in their hostel, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram. A state of emergency was declared in three northern states in May - Yobe, Borno and Adamawa - in response to thousands of deaths in militant attacks. Many schools have been attacked by suspected Boko Haram militants But while most of the recent news from has been about these civilian killings, the BBC's Nigeria correspondent Will Ross says this latest Amnesty report shines a light on another grim side of life in northern Nigeria. At times, the number of people killed in these detention centres was so high that there were regular mass burials, Amnesty said. The BBC has seen photos of bodies reportedly dumped outside the mortuary in the city of Maiduguri by the military. The bodies showed no obvious signs of having been killed in combat. Amnesty has called for an urgent investigation, but those who follow events closely in Nigeria will know that such an investigation is highly unlikely to happen, our correspondent says.

Hundreds dead in Nigeria detention, Amnesty says

Hundreds of people have died in detention facilities in north-east Nigeria as the army tries to crush an Islamist militant rebellion there, according to Amnesty International. The human rights group said some detainees died from suffocation in overcrowded cells, others from starvation and extra-judicial killings. It is calling for an urgent investigation into the deaths. There has not yet been an official response to the report. But the Nigerian army has rejected all previous accusations of human rights abuses. A senior Nigerian army officer told Amnesty that at least 950 people had died in military custody during the first half of this year. Most had been accused of having links to the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, Amnesty said. Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow Nigeria's government to create an Islamic state, and has launched a number of attacks on schools. About 50 students were shot dead earlier this month in their hostel, in an attack blamed on Boko Haram. A state of emergency was declared in three northern states in May - Yobe, Borno and Adamawa - in response to thousands of deaths in militant attacks. Many schools have been attacked by suspected Boko Haram militants But while most of the recent news from has been about these civilian killings, the BBC's Nigeria correspondent Will Ross says this latest Amnesty report shines a light on another grim side of life in northern Nigeria. At times, the number of people killed in these detention centres was so high that there were regular mass burials, Amnesty said. The BBC has seen photos of bodies reportedly dumped outside the mortuary in the city of Maiduguri by the military. The bodies showed no obvious signs of having been killed in combat. Amnesty has called for an urgent investigation, but those who follow events closely in Nigeria will know that such an investigation is highly unlikely to happen, our correspondent says.

Bomb in mosque kills Afghan governor

The governor of Afghanistan's Logar province has been killed in a blast in a mosque, during prayers for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. Arsala Jamal was standing at the front of the mosque greeting worshippers when a bomb hidden under a table detonated. At least 15 people were injured, and several are said to be in a critical condition, Mr Jamal's spokesman said. Logar is south of the capital, Kabul, and the Taliban increasingly control much of the countryside. The attack took place at Logar's main mosque in the provincial capital of Pul-i-Alam, said spokesman Din Mohammed Darwesh. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Increasingly lawless Mr Jamal was appointed as governor in April after returning to Afghanistan from Canada. Previously he was governor of another eastern province, Khost. He was an expert in rural development, who had worked for foreign NGOs before being appointed to government positions. The attack comes just days after the arrest of senior Pakistan Taliban commander, Latif Mehsud, by US forces. He was said to be a confidante of the Pakistani Taliban leader, Hakimullah Mehsud. Logar and its neighbouring province Wardak have become increasingly lawless in recent years, says the BBC's David Loyn, in Kabul. The insecurity threatens the southern fringes of Kabul, and thousands of people have fled to the capital in response, our correspondent says

Jonathan, National Assemblyurge unity, others at Sallah

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly yesterday urged Nigerians across political, ethnic and religious divides to work together for the unity of the country. Jonathan, Senate President David Mark and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal made the appeal in different goodwill messages to Muslim faithful at the commemoration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir. In his message,· Jonathan congratulated all Nigerians who had been able to undertake the hajj this year in fulfilment of their religious obligations. He said: “As they undergo the rites of the hajj in the holy land, and celebrate the feast of sacrifice here at home, I urge our Islamic faithful to offer special prayers for peace, harmony, unity, security and progress in our fatherland. “I also implore them, as always, to find time in the midst of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations to meditate on the immense benefits our nation can derive from a greater exhibition by its people of piety, honesty, selflessness, tolerance, peaceful co-existence with others, equity, fairness and justice for all, which are an integral part of the message of the Holy Prophet.” He said that his administration would continue to promote the teaching of these commendable virtues of Islam and other religious beliefs in the knowledge that a greater manifestation of such virtues and ideals by the citizens would stand the country in a very good stead in the effort to overcome the challenges of development and build a great nation. Jonathan said: “My administration also remains fully committed to the implementation of measures and policies that will further promote and enhance national peace, stability and progress. “It is in keeping with that avowed commitment and my firm belief in the right to freedom of expression and the right of all people in a democracy to make choices on how they wish to live and be governed that I recently announced plans for an orderly national conversation on our problems and challenges. “Those who continue to say that the initiative is diversionary or aimed at promoting certain political ambitions are in error. “Our sincere objective is to create an acceptable and workable platform for a national dialogue or conference that will help us resolve the issues that still cause tension and friction in the polity, reinforce the ties that bind the country’s many ethnic nationalities and ensure that Nigeria’s immense diversity continues to be a source of strength and greatness. “Our desire is for the greatest possible majority of Nigerians to key into the process and agree on the best way forward for our dear nation. “We have been greatly encouraged in this regard by the very positive reaction of various national interest groups to the initiative and I seize the opportunity of this occasion to urge all other Nigerians to give their fullest possible support to this renewed effort to harness the efficacy of dialogue and consensus-building for the future well-being and progress of our beloved nation.” He added: “I assure all Nigerians that going forward, my administration will continue to give very focused and purposeful leadership to the nation. “We remain committed to achieving significant improvements in the living conditions of all Nigerians through the diligent implementation of our agenda for national transformation. “We will also remain very proactive in taking all actions deemed necessary for the restoration and sustenance of peace and security in all parts of our beloved nation.” Mark urged clerics of all faiths to preach the good news of oneness, peaceful co-existence, trust and love to fellow citizens. He noted the security challenges facing the nation and pleaded with all Nigerians of goodwill to rise up to the occasion to tackle the menace headlong. Mark remarked that “with the collective resolve and determination of all of us, we can solve the problem and live like one big united nation where no one is oppressed or afraid of each other. “I believe that our size and diversity is our strength. God did not make mistake in putting us together in one country. We should therefore use our strength and God-given potential for good.” Despite the challenges, Mark urged Nigerians to have unshakeable faith in the ability of the people to overcome. “It is we Nigerians that can solve our problems. That is the reason we must agree as a people to address our problems in an open, frank and honest manner because nobody is coming from the moon or space to solve our problems”, he stated. Mark added that the platform offered by the national conference or dialogue was a needed avenue to reconcile any differences. He, therefore, implored all Nigerians to take advantage of the confab to present their positions so that “we can continue to live in peace and united like a people with a common mission and purpose.” Also congratulating Muslims, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, urged them to carry over the lessons and virtues imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan to every aspect of their lives in order to develop the nation. He said: “We are blessed as a nation for having religious and cultural orientations that teach us to place general good above personal interest, forgive and reconcile when we are hurt, show love and kindness to all. Live holy and to be our brother’s keeper. “I have no doubt whatsoever that we will get to the promised land sooner than expected if only we will put these virtues, orientations and injunctions to work and emulate the lives of the holy prophets.” Tambuwal urged Nigerians to redouble their efforts and work for the unity and progress of the country. He said the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir called for repentance and forgiveness of one another, especially now that the country was facing numerous challenges. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal enjoined Nigerians to be steadfast in love to one another. He said that it was by so doing that Nigerians could be committed to what was just and right for their country. Tambuwal urged the Muslim faithful to intensify their prayers for peace in the country, and admonished religious leaders to lead their followers properly so that they would not depart from the truth. The Speaker assured that the National Assembly would continue to be guided by the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians in the onerous task of making laws for peace, unity and good governance of the nation. His deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, congratulated Muslims, enjoining them to ensure that peace, order and love for one another remained their watchwords during the Sallah season and thereafter. Ihedioha urged Muslims to emulate the exemplary life of Prophet Mohammed by demonstrating the virtues of charity, gratitude and humility, noting that by so doing, the whole essence of the celebration would be achieved. He, however, urged Nigerians to explore the opportunity offered by the Sallah to re-appraise their commitment to the unity and harmony of Nigeria with a view to reinforcing their efforts towards making Nigeria a united, virile and strong nation. He said: “For Nigeria to emerge as one of the greatest nations in the world, all the citizens, both the leaders and the led, must be patriotic, and working together purposefully as a united entity to ensure the attainment of greatness and nation building.” He enjoined Nigerians to take a cue from the Super Eagles players who defeated the Ethiopian national team on Sunday in a rare show of patriotism in spite of all odds.

Bomb kills 27 in Syria askidnapped aid workers freed

A CAR bomb killed dozens of people in rebel- held northwestern Syria on Monday as suspected jihadists freed four out of seven aid workers kidnapped in the increasingly volatile region. The bombing and abductions came as the United States stepped up its calls for a peace conference between President Bashar al-Assad's regime and its Western-backed opponents, who are divided over the initiative. The United Nations said, meanwhile, that "the race is on" to make sure Syria keeps to deadlines to destroy its chemical weapons arsenal under the terms of a UN Security Council resolution. The blast in the town of Darkush killed at least 27 people, including three children and a woman, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, adding the death toll could rise because many of the wounded were in serious condition. Activists said the blast targeted the market area of the town, which is a few kilometres (miles) from the border with Turkey, on the Orontes river. Four of the kidnapped aid workers were meanwhile freed, International Committee of the Red Cross spokesman Ewan Watson said, adding the organisation was awaiting further information about the others. The Observatory said an Al-Qaeda-linked rebel group -- the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) -- kidnaped the six Red Cross staff and a volunteer from the Syrian Red Crescent. The ICRC has not commented on the nationality of those abducted, though it has said most of the group were Syrian. There has been no claim of responsibility. Rebels control large swathes of Idlib, and kidnappings have become increasingly common in rebel-held parts of Syria, targeting both journalists and aid workers. The Red Cross, one of the few organisations able to deliver aid nationwide, said the team had travelled to Idlib on October 10 to assess the situation at health facilities and deliver aid. "We don't have any intention of stopping our activities in Syria, but of course this situation makes us reflect and take a close look at our operations," Watson had earlier told Swiss radio.

We’ll survive no-work-no-pay policy –ASUU

The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Lagos chapter, Dr. Oghenekaro Ogbinaka, speaks on the 14-week- old strike by lecturers in public universities, in this interview with CHARLES ABAH Fourteen weeks into the strike, the end is still not in sight. What is ASUU’s next line of action considering the plight of students? Even if the strike that started on July 1 has lasted all the only one week, it would still have been very damaging. In other climes, nobody would expect all the public universities to be shut for over 100 days. Yet we all are carrying on as if all is well. Our policy makers’ perception of education is faulty. The governments, across all levels of governance, have a faulty philosophy of education. They think that educating Nigerians is a gift. They believe that proper funding of education is wasteful and a private “family matter.” Hence, you may even hear those who ought to be well-informed wanting to know why government should be spending so much on education. They want every public institution and schools privatised. They forget that even the colonial government gave the mission schools grants in aid; thus recognising the central role of government in the provision of good and affordable schools. The point being made is that the premise at which the government is operating at the educational platform is wrong. The government should set out to satisfy the education system and not ASUU. Central to the restoration of normalcy in our universities is the question of funding and ASUU is saying what has been offered so far, since the strike began, is just a laughable amount that cannot be taken seriously. The question is: would ASUU embark on strike because of N130bn? No! Given the current hardliner’s position of the FG, ASUU is simply saying we cannot continue on the old template, so the strike continues. We also appreciate the fact that there are some genuine interventions by well-meaning Nigerians to bring both parties to the table for discussion. Ultimately, both ASUU and the FG will meet to discuss and move forward. We cannot lock up our universities permanently and think both parties can move about comfortably. This is not acceptable. We understand that the FG has started the no- work-no-pay policy. How far will this affect the struggle? Do you foresee a situation where your colleagues will be coerced into submission by this policy? The no-work-no-pay policy is a familiar measure. It has never worked with ASUU. We have seen cases where our colleagues were victimised and even sacked as the administration of the University of Ilorin did in the past. Our union could adopt the “No pay, no work” policy too. Invariably, this current strike will not be suspended until we are paid even when all the contentious issues have been resolved. Personally, I think we should operate from higher moral grounds given the justified cause we are pursuing. Really, it is a policy of the FG born out of its inability to address minor human problems. The policy cannot force our members back to work. We were well convinced on our line of action. We were in no illusion as to what actions or inactions the FG, state and even some university administrations would do. But once you have a well-mobilised union membership that are trustful of their leaders and believe in the cause they are championing, there will be the will, way and courage to push. This policy is familiar. It is an old route. We know how to navigate it even with closed eyes. The trust of the agitation borders on funding and the FG says it does not have enough to satisfy all your demands. What do you suggest on how funds could be raised to run the sector? The minister of finance should be bothered about capital flight by way of Nigerians studying abroad. The country is losing much in terms of people going to seek “good health.” We are losing in terms of huge importation of rice and other products we have at our back yard. Recall the oil theft cartel. Recall Nigerians establishing universities in neighbouring African countries. Where are such done in this world? Where is the patriotism here? These people ironically are also not only the friends of our government; a few of them are in government. You withhold salaries of lecturers, yet students are home and the system is paralysed. Yet you are compelled to pay the non-academic staff that are not on strike; a wage bill that is even higher than what lecturers are paid. So government is paying for a non- functional system so long as the strike lasts. This is why we cannot but appeal to the government to resolve all the matters quickly and in a way we can guarantee lasting and sustainable industrial harmony in our universities. As one has argued elsewhere, the FG cannot really sustain the argument of no funds for education. It is all about government’s priority. ASUU has never left the issue of funding entirely in the hands of government. It is erroneous for anybody to think so. There is a full chapter in the agreement that talks about sources of funding as well as cost-saving measures that the universities should adopt. For example, TetFund is a product of ASUU’s agreement. Again, the Nigerian Universities Pension Commission is expected to carry out minimal interventions by way of investing in our universities. There are other aspects. For example, ASUU has put a case for the government to patronise the universities in areas of consultancy and research; and to encourage private firms to do the same. This is not to say the government should be encouraged to abandon its driving role in education. The government must make adequate budgetary provisions for education. Education is the key to a nation’s development. The Governor Gabriel Suswam-led committee said it had commenced the disbursement of N100bn to the universities. Why is ASUU not comfortable with the gestures of the committee? Even if Governor Gabriel Suswam-led committee meant well, he was most uninformed on the issues involved. He thought it was all about award of contracts for hostels, etc. He ignored what was on ground and was carried away by a misplaced messianic hype. If only he appreciated that, there were the Needs Assessment Report recommendations for each terms of reference that were duly approved by the President. He ignored this document and wanted to allocate funds to universities and commence contract awards. This is simplistic. It is born out of not appreciating the issues involved. Now that the vice-chancellors are involved and under the watch of the Vice-President we are sure there will be better progress. The uncomplimentary role of the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie, did not help the Suswam Committee. Okojie has never been on the same page with ASUU as a body. He gives the impression that the union is all out to destroy, and is indeed destroying the system; whereas ASUU believes that the system is already destroyed and requires urgent resuscitation. If you go with the ES of NUC, there will be problems. This was what Suswam did. NANS says it is no longer supporting ASUU in the strike. Is this not an indication that the union has lost one of its strong allies in this struggle? The tragedy of this nation is that we killed leadership at the students’ level. The government penetrated the students’ body and destroyed it. We are aware that the President of NANS was rusticated about 10 years ago from the Ekiti State University. He appeared at the Obafemi Awolowo University where he got admitted for a diploma programme in Local Government Studies in order to qualify him to seek election as NANS President. Now we have a Diploma Student representing NCE, OND, HND, Bachelors students as their leader. The painful thing is that most students, even at OAU, Ife, do not know the President of NANS. It is doubtful if he has a regular matriculation number, knows his course adviser and fellow students. He runs NANS from the comfort of a hotel in Abuja. Our prayer is that the strike will be over, those parading themselves as NANS leaders will be back to school, and journalists will be able to locate them in their various hostels and classrooms if they are genuine students. We know our students and our students know us. These NANS people may be students but not Nigerian undergraduates. Again, people usually bring in students’ plight each time ASUU is on strike. They keep quiet about the students’ plight while they are in the schools that lack basic learning facilities such as classrooms, laboratories, good security and libraries. They see nothing wrong with the plight of students who live in cramped rooms, inhuman hostels, learning under trees, etc. Outside strike action, these students are victims of a bad and inhuman system. This explains why our leaders send their wards abroad. Fortunately, unlike in the past that ASUU was easily blackmailed, especially with the “plight of the students” argument, the students themselves are the No 1 supporters of ASUU’s struggles today. They appreciate the fact that they may not benefit from the new hostels and facilities. However, they are excited with the gains of the bigger picture. If the condition of service of lecturers is enhanced, qualified students will want to take up lecturing jobs. We will also have foreigners in our faculties. All we are trying to do is to ensure that our children do not become victims of a terrible education system. ASUU leadership is reportedly under security watch now. As an official of the union, how true is this? Have you had any encounter with security agents since the strike started? It is a normal thing for government security details to be bothered about the on goings. A few may be overzealous. We meet with them regularly. But the interesting thing is that they are Nigerians. So, one should leave it like that. Their family members are affected by the bad education system. One should be stupid to think that government will not consider the security implications of the union’s action. The truth is that education made people like Awolowo popular. He built the then University of Ife and funded education massively. The same can be said of Nnamdi Azikwe and Ahmadu Bello. People loved them for what they did. Theirs was affordable, popular and mass education for all. This endeared them to the people. ASUU leadership, in the course of providing counter arguments and rebuttals to the misinformation and propaganda by government agents, is mindful of the security implications of such reactions. We are avoiding a very thin line. This explains why we shield the students’ body from actively participating in the struggle. We can only appeal to government to listen and implement the agreement. Resorting to force and intimidation are no solutions. They will only exacerbate the bad situations. It is therefore strange when we read stories that call for the disbanding of a harmless trade union of intellectuals and privatisation of publicly-owned universities as solutions. At the end of the day both the government and the university system will come out better and stronger. ASUU will simply go back to the classroom, satisfied that our universities have become globally competitive.

Ethiopian fans attack Eagles, injureIgiebor

Nigeria midfielder Nosa Igiebor was injured when angry Ethiopian fans attacked the Super Eagles after the first leg World Cup playoff against the Walya Antelopes in Addis Ababa on Sunday. The Eagles defeated the Walya Antelopes 2-1 at the Addis Ababa Stadium to take a three-point advantage to the return match in Calabar on November 16. In a statement on Monday, spokesman for the Eagles Ben Alaiya said the fans attacked the bus conveying the Eagles to their hotel after the game with stones and shattered its rear windscreen. “(Real Betis player) Nosa Igiebor was the unlucky one as the stones slashed his right palm leading to profuse bleeding that was immediately attended to by team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran.” Alaiya said the Nigeria Football Federation reported the incident to the FIFA Security team at the match venue for the encounter. “We hope FIFA will take an action,” Umeh told BBC Sport. “It’s a shame that such an embarrassing behaviour could happen after a football match.” The NFF also accused the Ethiopians of maltreating the Nigerian supporters at the stadium on match day. “Matters came to a head on match day, when bottles were hauled at Nigerian players and supporters when the Ethiopians thought that they had scored an opener in the first half,” Alaiya said. However, the NFF insisted that the Ethiopians would not be maltreated when they visit Calabar for the return leg in November. Unconfirmed reports said some Nigerians resident in the North-East African country were also attacked and their business centres destroyed by the protesters. Meanwhile, the Nigerian delegation to the Addis Ababa arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 4.30am on Monday. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Nigeria Football Federation President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, led the team back home. NAN reports that while most of the foreign- based players connected flights immediately back to their bases in Europe, the domestic league players returned to the country. Some National Assembly members, including the Senate Committee Chairman on Sports, Adamu Gumba, and his House of Representatives counterpart, Godfrey Gaiya, were in the entourage that arrived with the team. Others were officials of the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Supporters’ Club, as well as the management and secretariat staff of the NFF.

FG begins full payment to 38,000PHCN workers

The full payment of entitlements to 38,000 workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, has commenced. The Director General the Bureau of Public Enterprise, BPE, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, disclosed this during the visit of the House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation to the agency. Dikki explained that some 6,700 staff that had issues during verification are being sorted out, while another 2,500 casual staff were expected to be regularised by the PHCN management before the payment of their entitlements On the power transaction, the BPE boss informed the lawmakers that the Bureau had received full payment for 14 power generation and distribution companies from the core investors. He further informed the lawmakers that the Bureau was in the process of constituting a Privatisation Tribunal to handle privatisation cases expeditiously, adding that the Tribunal will also assist the Bureau in enforcing privatisation contracts. In her remarks, the Chairperson of the House Committee, Hon. Khadijat Bukar Abba-Ibrahim, commended the giant strides made by the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, in the power sector reform and privatisation which has seen the successful handover of 14 generation and distribution companies to the core investors. Abba-Ibrahim, who led members of the committee on an oversight visit to the Bureau, appealed to the agency and the National Council on Privatisation, NCP, to at all times, “Operate in strict compliance with the Public Enterprises Privatisation and Commercialisation Act of 1999.” She also urged the Bureau to strictly follow the laid down guidelines as approved by the NCP in all its transactions for transparency and credibility. The Chairperson said deliberations with the BPE management were exciting, and had helped bridge the communication gap between the Bureau and the Committee, stressing that the members were now better informed on the activities of the BPE. Abba-Ibrahim called for regular interactions between the Bureau and the Committee “as communication gap often breeds mistrust and misunderstanding”.