Jigawa
ASUU (FUD) gives FG 3 weeks ultimatum to respond to demands or face industrial action
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse ,
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Federal University Dutse (FUD) chapter has given the federal government three weeks ultimatum to positively respond to the union’s demands or else it will mobilize it’s members on the next action.
The chairperson of the union, Comrade Salim Ahmed gave the ultimatum during an emergency press conference in the ASUU secretariat in Dutse.
He said “the Members of the Expanded Executive of ASUU Federal University Dutse met today, Wednesday, 19th June 2024, to consider and take a look at the patriotic engagements of the Union with the Federal and State governments on how best to address all the lingering problems bedeviling Nigerian Public Universities”.
According to him “The Union has observed with dismay that the government has deliberately and completely ignored the leadership of the Union since the current government mounted the saddle on 29th May 2023. All efforts and pressure put in place by the leadership of the Union to get the government to convene a meeting and listen to ASUU in order to iron out the contending issues, as contained in the International Labour Organization ILO’s principle of collective bargaining, have failed”.
Comrade Salim explained that ASUU reviewed the deteriorating working and degrading living conditions of its members and the continued deplorable condition of public Universities and academics that are so pathetic, appalling and in a terrible and sad situation, such that it has even translated into an alarming and dangerous decline in the quality of university education in the country.
He said some of the specific and peculiar instances are so embarrassing to be released to public domain, “it is disappointing reports of the government’s failure to tow the path of honour and respect an agreement it met which was reached willingly between the previous government and the Union, and its failure to honour all the memoranda that were willingly signed with the union”.
The chairperson maintained that “This government has deliberately refused to meet with our Union to flesh out the core issues as contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU 2019), Memorandum of Action (MoA2022) and the upward review, signing and the implementation of the late Professor Nimi Briggs Committee’s draft agreement on the Renegotiated FG/ASUU 2009 agreement.
Salim noted that the agreement reached between the union and federal government in 2009 are funding for the revitalization of public universities for global reckoning, respect for University autonomy as enshrined in all the enabling laws that govern the administration of universities globally, and the proliferations of public universities without adequately funding the existing ones.
“The renegotiation of the FGN/ASUU 2009 agreement contained all the core issues of ASUU Members welfare, University Autonomy, Funding for Revitalization of Nigerian Universities, Proliferations of Public Universities has been a continuous and persistent core issue and a bone of contention between the government and ASUU. At every stage of this renegotiation ASUU is forced to take the last option of embarking on an action to get it done”.
“In 2017, the FG constituted a committee to renegotiate the agreement in line with its provisions under Wale Babalakin, deliberately wasted three years with no result and was removed and replaced with Prof. Munzali Jibril whom appreciable progress was made within a short period of time, but Prof. Jibril was later replaced with the Late Professor Emeritus Nimi Briggs”.
He added that the Late Prof. Emeritus Nimi Briggs led committee produced a draft agreement and unfortunately, the renegotiation process was unjustifiably and dishonestly truncated at the point of signing the draft agreement, “This unpatriotic act of some agents of the government not only rendered all the efforts, resources and time put in getting a produced document useless and futile, it also crushed a golden opportunity of salvaging the public universities from rot”.
ASUU reiterated that the core issues that pertain to the condition of service includes all the contending issues as contained in the FGN/ASUU MoU 2012,2013, and the MoA of 2017, Illegal disso lution of Governing Councils in the Federal and State Universities, Release of three and a half (7) months of the outstanding three and a half (7 ) months withheld salaries for a work that was already done.
Others are Release of the unpaid salaries of our members on sabbatical, adjunct, etc. due to IPPIS inadequacy and inefficiency, Release of third party deductions by IPPIS, Payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), implementation of the report of the visitation Panels and adoption of UTAS in place of IPPIS.
“Based on all these, the members of our great union in this branch, like those of the other branches, are believing that the Federal Government is unwilling to decisively address the outstanding issues with the union.
“Therefore, in line with the directives from the National secretariat, we resolved to hold a press conference and let the parents, the stakeholders in university education know of the situation and to be sensitized and well informed of the failure of the government to address these lingering issues.
“The general public should be aware of the true state of affairs”.
Comrade salim disclosed that Within the next three weeks, the union has set machinery in motion to further mobilize its members and sensitize them for further action.
The union called on all well-meaning discerning minds to prevail on Nigerian Government to attend to these outstanding issues and meet with our Union leadership so as to avert an unnecessary and avoidable industrial crisis in our already frail and weak university system.
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
Jigawa State has recorded a remarkable reduction in under-five mortality, dropping from 213 to 161 per 1,000 live births between 2018 and 2024, according to the latest National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS).
The announcement was made by UNICEF Nigeria Country Director, Ms. Christian Maundaute, during the official handover of the GAVI PHC-MoU project to the state government in Dutse.
Represented by Dr. Shyam Sharan Pathak, Chief of Health, UNICEF Nigeria, Maundaute attributed the progress to key health interventions and partnerships, particularly through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).
Over the past three years, the GAVI PHC-MoU initiative has played a critical role in improving child health and strengthening the state’s primary healthcare system. Some major milestones included, 29,530 people enrolled in health insurance across six LGAs through 65 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs), 416,250 adolescent girls (70%) vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Four-fold increase in measles vaccination coverage.
Others are, Five-fold rise in antenatal care (ANC) attendance, Four-fold increase in skilled birth attendance (SBA), Expansion of vaccine storage with new walk-in cold rooms, freezers, and solar-powered refrigerators, Strengthening vaccine distribution with three additional vehicles and Recruitment of 330 healthcare workers absorbed into the government workforce, with an additional 924 hired by the state.
Receiving the project on behalf of Governor Malam Umar Namadi, Deputy Governor Eng. Aminu Usman reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to sustaining the healthcare improvements achieved under the MoU.
He emphasized that the initiative aligns with Jigawa’s 12-Point Agenda, which prioritizes primary healthcare transformation at the grassroots level. Since the MoU was signed in 2022, the project has facilitated healthcare access for over 143,000 beneficiaries across the state’s 27 local government areas.
The governor also lauded UNICEF, GAVI, and other development partners for their contributions and urged continued investment in health worker retention, outreach programs, and data-driven decision-making to sustain progress.
Maundaute acknowledged Jigawa State’s N879.25 million co-financing commitment toward the initiative and praised the government for allocating 15.6% of its budget to health. However, she stressed the need for Increased funding and oversight to maintain current results, Strengthened health worker retention strategies, Sustained outreach services and medical equipment maintenance and Enhanced data collection for informed decision-making.
As Jigawa moves forward, stakeholders remain optimistic that the progress made in reducing child mortality and improving healthcare services will continue, ensuring better health outcomes for future generations.
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Jigawa State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has announced a partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to enhance peace advocacy and national unity in the state.
This was disclosed by the Jigawa State CAN Chairman, Rev. Fr. Maurice K. Hassan, during a courtesy visit to the Jigawa State Director of NOA, Alhaji Tijjani Ibrahim, at his office in Dutse.
Rev. Fr. Hassan emphasized that peace and unity are the foundation of any society’s development.
He stated that CAN will expan collaborating with NOA to enhance public enlightenment and advocacy programs across the state.
“CAN has made it a priority to advocate, preach, and pray for peace and national unity in all church congregations, and we will continue to do so,” he said.
He also commended the Jigawa State Government under Governor Malam Umar Namadi for its inclusive approach, noting that Christian communities have been considered in government interventions and palliative distributions.
While receiving the CAN delegation, NOA Director, Alhaji Tijjani Ibrahim, expressed appreciation for the association’s commitment to national unity.
He stressed that peace and national cohesion are essential for development, stating, “There can be no progress in a society plagued by crisis and division.”
Alhaji Ibrahim called on Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration and Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s leadership for sustainable development and the strengthening of democracy.
During the visit, CAN also expressed appreciation to the Jigawa State Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) for its role in ensuring road safety.
Fr. Hassan assured the VIO leadership of CAN’s commitment to encouraging its members to comply with road safety regulations.
In response, the Jigawa State VIO Director acknowledged the visit as a historic moment, stating that it was the first time religious leaders had formally recognized their work. He pledged that VIO would continue to work towards ensuring safety on highways and protecting lives and property.
The CAN delegation included the association’s Secretary, Treasurer, and representatives from the Youth and Women wings.
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
828 underprivileged students in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State, have received free Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration pins from the council chairman, Professor Salim Abdurraman, ahead of the 2025 UTME examination.
In a statement issued by Special Assistant to the Chairman on Media, Abubakar Bello Baba, he noted that the initiative is part of efforts to support students who cannot afford the registration fee, ensuring they have an equal opportunity to pursue higher education.
“This gesture aligns with the chairman’s commitment to complement Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s 12-point agenda, particularly in promoting education and youth empowerment,” the statement read.
According to Baba, the JAMB pins have already been sent to the beneficiaries via mobile messages to allow early registration.
He urged recipients to keep their messages safe and follow the necessary procedures for a seamless registration process.
Beneficiaries who have not received their pins are advised to contact the Guidance and Counseling Unit of the local council for assistance.
“The Chairman’s office remains committed to ensuring all eligible students receive their JAMB pins and successfully complete their registration,” he added.
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