Jigawa Engages ASUS To Avert Strike

The Jigawa State Government has engaged the Academic Staff Union of Sule Lamido University (ASUS) in discussions to find a way forward and avert any possible industrial action, following a two-week ultimatum issued by the union.

The meeting, which was already underway at the time of filing this report, was convened by the state Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Isah Champ, barely 24 hours after the union gave the state government a two-week ultimatum to address their demands or face an indefinite strike.

In a press statement issued after their meeting, ASU put forward ten demands, including a request for the immediate implementation of the 2025 Federal GovernmentASU agreement, payment of all arrears, exemption of the university from the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS), and the suspension of a plan to deduct 0.7% from the 2% share of local government revenue allocated to the university.

ASUS also urged the state government to seek more sustainable funding options for the newly established state-owned Majiya University, rather than reducing the 0.7% allocation.

While responding to questions from journalists, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Yusif Isah Champ, stated that the state government had only just received the memo from the National Universities Commission (NUC) regarding the Federal Government agreement this month of September

. He explained that the government has yet to study the memo and incorporate the expenditures into the budget. He also noted that the state government has the right to determine the funding sources for its two universities. However, he reaffirmed the government’s willingness to engage with all stakeholders to find a way forward.

“We are currently holding a meeting with ASUS executives, the Vice Chancellors of the two universities, the Attorney General, and the state Accountant General, among others, to ensure a conducive environment for teaching and learning in our universities and to avert any possible disruption of academic activities,” the Commissioner said.

He added that the administration of Governor Namadi is fully committed to repositioning the state’s education sector, noting that projects worth over N20 billion have been executed at Sule Lamido University over the past two years.

Osun Accord Party Warns Against Anti-Party Activities BY JOSHUA DADA, Osogbo Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has warned its members against anti-party activities in the forthcoming national and State assembly elections, warning that all members must support the party’s candidates for the polls.

Rising from a closed-door stakeholders’ meeting, the party noted several reports of Accord Party members allegedly backing candidates from PDP, APM, APP, and even APC, and directed that members or leaders caught in such acts will face severe disciplinary action.

The meeting, presided over by Governor Ademola Adeleke, resolved that all disagreements over the selection of legislative candidates be resolved, and that the party must unite behind the candidates already fielded.

A release by the spokesperson to the governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, said under no circumstances should any Accord member be caught sponsoring or working for legislative candidates of other political parties.

The meeting further directed a small committee to work on constituencies where such abnormalities are noted and take appropriate measures to stop the menace and even sanction the culprits if they persist in such anti-party conduct.

The Accord Party leadership in the state was also directed to activate monitoring actions to identify those involved in such conduct and call them to order as urgently as possible.

Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke used the forum to appreciate party members for their steadfast support during the just-concluded governorship electioneering process.