Strike no going back on demands – Poly Lecturers

Two months into its nationwide strike, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, said that there was no going back on its demands, insisting that unless all issues that caused the strike were addressed, the action would continue. This came as the union rejected the discriminatory cut-off points for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education and called for harmonization of the cut-off points into tertiary institutions in the country. ASUP had called out its members on a nationwide strike in protest against government’s refusal to implement agreement on bothering on welfare and other sundry issues. The union, after its 74th National Executive Council, NEC, meeting at Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra…

Why Obama shuns Nigeria – US

The United States of America Government has explained why President Barack Obama’s visit to three nations in Africa that started on Tuesday with Senegal does not include Nigeria. A statement issued by the Public Affairs section of the US Consular Office in Lagos noted that Obama’s visit was intentionally targeted to cover West, East and South Africa.  But beyond the geographic spread, the major plank in choice of the nations to visit was their democratic inclination and standing. The statement derived from a conference interview the Lagos office had with three key Obama aides – Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Adviser, Grant Harris, Senior Director on African Affairs and Gayle Smith, Senior Director for Development…

Governor Obi showers N100m on Mission Hospitals

… He is a  blessing to humanity –Bishop The Anglican Bishop of Amichi Diocese, Most Reverend Dr. Ephraim Ikeakor has described Governor Peter Obi as a blessing not just to Anambra State, but to humanity at large. He made this comment while receiving a cheque of N10m for the continued renovation of Amichi Diocesan Hospital which was among the missionary-owned institutions Anambra State is supporting in her strategic partnership with the churches. The Bishop who prayed to God to raise more Peter Obis said that people like him were needed for the edification of society. The governor who on June 4, toured some missionary institutions and gave them cheques totaling N120m continued with the tour…

Should Nigerian Public Employees (Government Workers) also accept TIPS?

Whether you are cashing a cheque over the counter, going through immigration at the airports, making a complaint to a police officer, renewing your driver’s license, receiving a title from a royal father, ordering a drink in a bar, obtaining your transcripts from your college, arranging for a funeral with a clergy or even being rushed into the emergency room in Nigeria, be prepared to TIP. Technically, tip means “a sum of money given to someone as a reward for their services”.  It is not to be confused with wage or salary, which is a sum of money due to someone for their services.  Generally, tip is often optional and the amount determined by the…

Strike: FG ignores Poly lecturers – As strike enters second month

The Federal Government has ignored the strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria eight weeks ago. Since the strike action, which paralysed academic activities in all the Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria, the Federal Government appeared insensitive both to the plight of the lecturers and that of the students. The union which issued a 21-day ultimatum on March 25, is asking the Federal Government to look into many of its demands. The ultimatum expired on April 22 with subsequent declaration of a one-week warning strike and an indefinite strike on April 29. THE LEADER could not confirm whether the government is negotiating with the union in camera as nothing…

Dr Joe Obi-Njoku : Rising from the Grassroots

Imagine him chopping wood with an axe.  Imagine him also shirtless, barefoot, a climbing robe “akpi” on his left shoulder and a machete in his right hand, dividing the bush and heading for the nearest palm tree to cut down the ripe fruits for sale, so he and his family could eat.   Imagine him again taking bamboos from the raffia palm and carefully weaving the traditional bamboo bed – “okpukpo,” (agada in some dialet)  also to make a living. Finally, see him riding an old bicycle from his home at Umueme, Uzagba, in Ikeduru local government, to Mbaise to go to college.   That’s the life of Dr Joe Obi-Njoku, as a young man,…