Education
WE SEEK CLARIFICATIONS ON THE PAYMENT OF WITHHELD SALARIES – SSANU TO FG
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has asked the Federal Government for further clarifications on the payment of withheld salaries to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities who embarked on an eight-month-long strike in 2022.
The union noted that the statement issued by the Presidency only focused more on ASUU without referencing other university-based unions.
In 2022, major university-based unions embarked on strike, including ASUU, SSANU, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities.
Though the strike by SSANU and NASU lasted for a little over four months, the ASUU strike lasted for eight months.
The decision of the unions to embark on strike had led to the administration of the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, to invoke a no-work-no-pay rule on the workers.
But the administration of the President Bola Tinubu said he partially waived the “no work, no pay” order, amounting to the release of four months out of the eight months’ salary arrears of the lecturers withheld by the government.
Recall that the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, said in a statement conveying Tinubu’s decision, that the waiver was part of an ongoing effort to mitigate the difficulties being felt during the implementation of key economic reforms in the country.
But speaking with our correspondent, the National President of SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, said, “We are still seeking further clarifications on the matter. Though the headlines captured ASUU, we believe that the government will not shortchange other university-based unions.”
On its part, ASUU said it would respond appropriately to the partial waiver on the eight months’ salary arrears issued by the Tinubu administration.
The Chairman of the union, Federal University of Technology, Minna branch, and a member of the National Executive Council, Prof Gbolahan Bolarin, said, “They (FG) have issued their statement. Definitely, our national body will also respond appropriately.”
Meanwhile, Ibrahim said Nigerian Embassies should collaborate to stop scholars sponsored abroad for training by the Federal Government from absconding.
He said this against the backdrop of reports that some scholars sponsored through the Tertiary Education Fund were absconding after completing their programmes abroad.
In July, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, revealed that over 137 students sponsored on scholarship abroad absconded.
According to him, though there are guarantors expected to pay for whatever the sponsored students owed, collection of the funds has not been effective.
Speaking in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Ibrahim said embassies should collaborate with the government in various countries to ensure that such scholars were denied jobs, adding that anyone who absconded after graduation should be punished.
He also said the laws for enlisting beneficiaries of such scholarships should be reviewed to accommodate guarantors who would have the capacity to pay for debts incurred.
He said, “It is because of the loose provisions in the law. There are forms you fill out when you are been sponsored, but I think the forms should be looked at and reviewed where necessary.
“There should be a collaboration of embassies with the government of such countries where these people go so that if a scholar graduates and absconds, he or she should be denied jobs. It is because they are getting jobs, that’s why they are absconding.
“It is expected that after study, students sponsored abroad should come back and spend some time in their country and fulfill the purpose of the sponsorship before they can go back if they want to.”
He added, “People should also provide guarantors that can guarantee that these persons going will come back.
“It is not a good thing for you to be given government money for training and instead of you to come back, you decide to abscond. That is criminal and people who do that should be punished according to the laws of the land.”
Education
1ST NIGERIAN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS CONFERENCE ON UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) ESSAY COMPETITION
Competition Overview:
The SDG Youth Essay Competition offers a grand prize of N1 million for the top three winners, along with free sponsorship to attend the 1st Nigeria Tertiary Institution Conference on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in April 2024 in Abuja.
Competition Requirements:
1. Eligibility:
– Open exclusively to undergraduates in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
2. Entry Guidelines:
– Topic:The Role of Students in Attainment of SDG4
– length: Essays should be 1500 words.
– Entry Period: Thursday, February 1, 2024 – Thursday, February 29, 2024
– Referencing: APA Style (6th Edition).
– Font: Times New Roman, 12-point font size.
– Documentation: Typed in 1.5 line spacing, MS Word format only.
– Plagiarism: Only original content is accepted; plagiarized entries will be disqualified.
Benefits:
– Prizes:
– 1st Prize: N500,000
– 2nd Prize: N300,000
– 3rd Prize: N200,000
– Winners will also receive free sponsorship to attend the 1st Nigeria Tertiary Institution Conference on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in April 2024 in Abuja.
Required Documents:
– Student’s Institution ID Card
– Copy of Student’s Admission Letter
– One recent passport-size photograph
– WhatsApp telephone number and email address
Application Procedure:
– All entries and submissions (essay and required documents) should be scanned and sent to nigeriaessay@sdgyouth.org before the deadline.
For Further Inquiries:
– Call: 08068931151, 08133846739, 07067772964
– Email: nigeriaessay@sdgyouth.org
Deadline: February 29th, 2024
Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to achieving SDG4 and win exciting prizes. Submit your entry and required documents before the deadline. For any inquiries, feel free to contact them via phone or email.
Competition Overview:
The National Essay Competition invites undergraduate law students to showcase their expertise and contribute to the discourse on AI, privacy, and data protection. In addition to cash prizes, participants have the chance to intern with Pentagon Partners, gaining valuable hands-on experience.
Competition Requirements:
1. Eligibility:
– The competition is open to 400-level and 500-level undergraduate law students in Nigerian universities.
2. Essay Requirements:
– Length: Essays should not exceed 1500 words.
– Format: Double spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font.
– References: OSCOLA format for citations with 10pt font size for footnotes and endnotes.
– Submission Format: Essays must be submitted in PDF format.
– Entrant Details: Include full names, school, level, phone number, and email address in both the body of the email and on the last page of the essay.
– Single Entry: Each entrant is allowed only one submission.
– Originality: Plagiarism will result in automatic disqualification.
Competition Benefits and Timeline:
1. Prizes:
– Winner: N200,000
– 1st Runner Up: N150,000
– 2nd Runner Up: N100,000
2. Internship Opportunity:
– In addition to cash prizes, winners have the exclusive opportunity to intern with Pentagon Partners, enhancing their career prospects.
Application Procedure:
– Interested participants should submit their essays to essay@pentagonpartnerslp.com during the submission period.
– The subject of the email should be the Essay topic
For additional information and updates, visit www.pentagonpartnerslp.com.
Deadline: March 22nd, 2024
Don’t miss this chance to showcase your legal expertise, contribute to important discussions on AI and law, and vie for enticing cash prizes. Pentagon Partners looks forward to receiving your submissions.
Purpose:
Inaugurated in 2020, the CDEC is part of SystemSpecs’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment to promoting capacity development in the Nigerian ICT industry. By encouraging young Nigerians to tackle everyday issues, the competition contributes to intellectual growth and societal progress.
Topic:
The theme for the 2024 competition is “Protecting the Nigerian Child from the Dangers of Online Technology.” Participants are tasked with exploring strategies to safeguard children in an increasingly digital world.
Eligibility:
– Open to primary and secondary school students in Nigeria aged 9 to 16.
– Junior category (ages 9 to 12) essays must not exceed 1,000 words.
– Senior category (ages 13 to 16) essays must not exceed 1,500 words.
Prizes:
– Winners will receive generous rewards, including a high-capacity laptop, premium headphones, a portable laptop stand, a smart wristwatch, and one year of internet data, among other items.
– Consolation prizes will be awarded to other participants.
Application Process:
– Interested candidates should access the application page
– Essays must be written in English and reflect original thought.
– Each participant is limited to one entry.
– Entries must be endorsed by an accredited school official, parent, or legal guardian.
– Deadline for submissions is April 12, 2024.
Submission Guidelines:
– All submissions must be in PDF format and include the student’s name, home and school addresses, email address, and contact phone number.
– Double entries will result in automatic disqualification.
– Submissions must be received by March 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Notification of Winners:
– Successful students and schools will be contacted in the second quarter of the year.
– Updates on winners will be announced on @nercng social media platforms.
The SystemSpecs Children’s Day Essay Competition offers a unique opportunity for Nigerian students to demonstrate their creativity and problem-solving skills. By addressing the theme of online child protection, participants contribute to building a safer and more secure digital environment for all. We encourage eligible students to seize this opportunity and showcase their talent and ingenuity.
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