OBJ's Letter to Goodluck Jonathan

Before it is too late •A letter of appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo I am constrained to make this an open letter to you for a number of reasons. One, the current situation and consequent possible outcome dictate that I should, before the door closes on reason and promotion of national interest, alert you to the danger that may be lurking in the corner. Two, none of the four or more letters that I have written to you in the past two years or so has elicited an acknowledgment or any response. Three, people close to you, if not yourself, have been asking, what does Obasanjo want? Four, I could sense a semblance between the situation that we are gradually getting into and the situation we fell into as a nation during the Abacha era. Five, everything must be done to guard, protect and defend our fledgling democracy, nourish it and prevent bloodshed. Six, we must move away from advertently or inadvertently dividing the country along weak seams of North-South and Christian-Moslem. Seven, nothing should be done to allow the country to degenerate into economic dormancy, stagnation or retrogression. Eight, some of our

Why The Strike Must Continue: ASUU Releases 14-Point Guideline

The Federal Government had yesterday shifted its ultimatum for the reopening of universities till Monday. However, ASUU has restated its rejection of the ultimatum, issuing yesterday a 14-point guideline to its members on why they must sustain the strike, adding that government's claim that external forces were behind the union only betrays government's desperation to distract the union's genuine cause. This was made known by the union in Strike Bulletin No. 14, signed by ASUU National President Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge. The union came up with 14 guidelines signaling that it is prepared for a long drawn battle with the Federal Government. The guidelines read in part: • Do not sign any resumption of duty. Government is out to humiliate us. Hold your head high. This too shall pass!!! • If you receive any query on account of the ongoing strike, failure to sign resumption of duty register, etc, bring such to the attention of the branch chairperson immediately for guidance. • It is a general knowledge that members of ASUU are on a national strike. It is against the Labour Act and the ILO convention to sack anybody on account of participation in a strike, no matter how remotely related. • Remain resolute and refrain from violating the ongoing strike. Our Union is capable of protecting its members. • Meanwhile, be security conscious. Do not visit security agencies alone. In case of difficulties, always consult your Chairperson. • With our collective resolve, we can again brush off this unwarranted and provocative onslaught. Stand to be counted on the positive side of history. Do not betray your union. read

FG deposits N200bn varsity infrastructure fund in CBN

The Federal Government said it has deposited the N200bn promised as funding to universities into an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie, confirmed this on Tuesday. The amount is meant for the renewal of infrastructure in public universities in the country. Okupe, who featured on Channels Television programme ‘Sunrise Daily’, said from the government’s perspective, everything that needed to be done had been done.

Featured Article - “ASUU STRIKE” – A THREE PRONGED ATTACK by a concerned Nigerian

Our African hero , Nelson Mandela once said “ Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Its no longer news that the federal and state owned universities in Nigeria are not functioning as supposed to due to the industrial action embarked upon by the academic staff union of universities (asuu) since the first of July, 2013. The reason the union gave as the federal government of Nigeria refusing to implement the agreement that they entered into with ASUU in 2009 purportedly willingly, but whether it was signed willingly or not is not our concern as Nigerians, but the fact that it was signed is, and knowing fully well, that anybody or body that signs and agreement has to shoulder responsibilities that come as a result of such agreements, e.g. giving birth to a child, we may as well put the blame on the federal government for the Non-Implementation of the said agreement.

ASUU Strike: University Lecturers Meet On Monday To Decide If Strike Should Continue

The strike of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has entered its fourth month, and lecturers of the government-owned universities will on Monday hold a referendum to make some decisions.

Local chapters of the Union in each campus have invited members for the crucial meeting during which they will be briefed on the outcome of the 13-hour long meeting ASUU Executives had with the President Goodluck Jonathan and other officials of the Federal Government. The briefing will be followed by voting in favour or against the continuation of the strike. Though some members of the union are still sceptical about the promise of the government, there are indications that the referendum will favour ending the strike. According to a union member, referendum is always conducted before a strike is embarked upon or called off. The ASUU embarked on a strike to demand the implementation of the 2009 agreement with government on July 1. Share on Facebook

Photos: Chika Ike celebrates birthday with students in Asaba

Nollywood actress Chika Ike turned a year older today and spent her day at a public school in Asaba, where she had her charity ball with children from different public schools. She gave them fancy nancy gift packs which included snacks, drinks and sweets and also gave them school supplies like maths set, pencil, customized school bags and books. She also awarded 5 students with scholarship under the Chika Ike Foundation

Annie Idibia off to the US to have her baby

2face Idibia's wife left for the US last night to go have her second child. She left the country with her 4 year old daughter Isabella and her mum and will be in Los Angeles until she gives birth. Pictured above with Nike Oshinowo at the airport last night