Ksu Asuu Finally Calls Of Strike - School To Resume On Monday

The Ksu Asuu posted a memo in school today to officialy call off the strike.
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Opinion: Gov Bello, ASUU and The Vanishing Clouds

By Kingsley Fanwo

Many have written a lot about the ascension of Governor Yahaya Bello to the governorship of Kogi State. Raging arguments for or against have burnt many minds, many “heads” and many fingers.

To those who decided to test the legality in the law courts, the Governor never saw them as enemies. Beyond the rhetorical macabre dance of political orchestra, Governor Yahaya Bello is a refined politician, leader and fearless agitator for the connectedness of the system which was bedeviled by a chemistry of idiocy, corruption, mediocrity, ethnic jingoism, religious bigotry and a people who have developed into failure mentality.

Kogi needed a Yahaya Bello and they got one. A few days after his inauguration, Governor Yahaya Bello instituted a staff verification panel to ascertain the actual strength of the state’s workforce.

I remembered receiving many calls from far and near, advising that the Governor should have waited for the outcome of his tribunal cases before venturing into such a “dangerously sensitive” venture. What made a simple exercise to ascertain the actual strength of the workforce dangerous and sensitive?

They were right. They know the enormity of the rot and the calibre of people behind the filthy lucre. They beneficiaries of ghost workers are established forces with rocky connections within and outside government. They tell every government staff verification is a no go area. And the rot kept robbing us of where we should be as a people.

He dared to tread where giants fell. He held on to his belief. He believes the need to save the State which was surviving on oxygen when he took over was more important than political exigencies. A dehydrated state began to wax stronger.

Before the tribunal judgement, many postulations were advanced. Rightly so, the case was novel. It was on a legal pseudopodium which direction was unknown. Beneficiaries of ghost workers syndrome, cankerworm of eminence, defeated and deflated political fiefdoms and other categories of exasperated political gangsters mounted a ceaseless campaign against the divine government.

And the judgement day came. Governor Yahaya Bello recorded unabatedly, electoral victories from Monday to Friday. What he didn’t fear didn’t kill his aspirations for a better Kogi State.

After the judgements, attention shifted to the screening exercise. He was called names. He was misconstrued. His patriotic zeal to serve was put to test. But he stood his ground. He remained adamant on doing that which is right.

Despite the challenge of the screening committee, the determination to succeed made him set up a back up committee of people with unbroken integrity to ensure the exercise is successful. Today, we have recorded a huge breakthrough that will shock the people.

Let me state here that Governor Yahaya Bello is not insensitive to the plight of the people. On many occasions, he lamented the hardship the people went through during the period of the screening when salaries were put on hold pending when a clean payroll was ascertained. He felt the pains of the people. He cares. Behind the steely look of the bespectacled Governor is a human affection and care.

A surgery is aimed at saving lives. Kogi needed one and that was done. In surgery, there is usually so much pain. But the end justifies the means. I saw what the people went through and I applaud their patience and perseverance. It was tough. But the odd days are going away. Whenever surgery is on, rights are suspended. The decisions to use both Zenith Bank and Access Bank to pay salaries before a new database is built, is aimed at controlling the system before the workers may choose to go back to any bank of their choices. The administration of Governor Yahaya Bello believes in the rule of law and constitutionalism.

With the thousands of ghost workers that have been discovered, Kogi State will be able to save hundreds of millions of naira for infrastructural development. We are aware many were unjustifiably removed from the payrolls. We also know some were erroneously cleared. Someone who claimed to hold employment letter purportedly issued in 1983 was cleared. All of these are currently receiving the attention of the back up committee.

Through our feedback mechanism, we have also discovered more complaints. The Governor has directed the banks to resolve those challenges. The banks will even be working on weekends to ensure genuine workers are not made to suffer.

On Monday 25th July, 2016, the report of the back up committee. To ensure transparency and defeat the fallacies of distractors, the Governor has directed that the presentation should be broadcast live on television and radio stations around the country. This is in line with the premium importance the Governor attaches to getting the Kogi people informed about his efforts.

Having won another of his battle against ghost workers, labour leaders in the State went on strike to demand for salary payment, even as the State had paid over 60% of the MDAs before they went on strike. Though the strike failed as a result of workers’ revolt, it is instructive to know that the people of Kogi State have keyed into the New Direction Agenda of the present administration.

Except in few cases of omission, every cleared worker has been paid arrears of salaries ranging from three to four months.

While the failed strike was in its skeleton, the long drawn leadership tussle in the House of Assembly was resolved. Concerned citizens of the State, led by the Peace Ambassador, Comrade Oladele Nihi and Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan waded into the crisis and got it resolved through cooperation from all parties involved.

A lesson here: when a good leadership is enthroned, the citizens start to take their place. With the court victory, screening success, Assembly peace, cleaner and safer Lokoja, better Lokoja township roads and the mechanism against graft; detractors were washed to the last bank of the river which was the ASUU strike.

ASUU members were owed salary arrears before the present administration came on board. On assumption of office, the Governor assured the academia that he would defray salaries as soon as he was able to secure bailout. But even before the bailout , the Governor paid the lecturers two months salaries within his first 57 days in office! This is a clear declaration of respect for the academic community.

But to the Governor’s surprise, ASUU went ahead to declare strike when students were preparing to start their exams. The Governor appealed to them to resume and consider the plights of the Kogi students. But they remained adamant and unyielding. On securing bailout, the Governor paid the lecturers four months salaries.

And when they refused to resume, the world knew the strike had other intentions. The Governor should be applauded for standing by the economic rights of the Kogi people. No one should go on strike to demand tax exemption. It is an affront against equity and justice.

Again, a listening Governor said he would look into whether they were overtaxed in the past. But he remained determined not to be stampeded into mortgaging the future of the State despite his unimpeachable desire to get the students back to their classrooms.

Even when the students were misguided to storm the street, government acted responsibly by defending the rights of all. This is epochal, honourable, commendable and worthy of emulation.

As we speak, the last cloud is gone as the lecturers have agreed to go back to the class.

Light has come. The Governor has shown how a leader should react. Together, we are moving forward.

The key to excellent leadership is the ability of the leader to take decisions based on the common good.

From now, we know that Kogi cannot be taken for granted anymore. We now know that every force against good will get bad. We now know that responsibility is the mother of greatness. We now know that Kogi is in safe hands.

Fairplus has shown that he is courageous enough to defend our values and interest.

With Fairplus, all Kogites have won fairly.

– Kingsley Fanwo, a journalist, is the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kogi State.

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Labour Gives Bello 30-day Ultimatum To Pay Kogi Workers’ Salary Arrears

Organised labour on Wednesday gave the Kogi State Government a 30-day ultimatum to pay the seven-month salary owed workers or face a strike action.

The presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued the ultimatum at a rally organised by their respective state chapters at the NLC office in Lokoja.

Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC National President, told the workers that no reasonable government would owe salaries for seven months.

He said labour would go on strike if the governor refused to address lingering issues and stop the usage of two banks for workers to access their “fundamental human rights”.

The NLC president hailed the workers for their determination to press home their demands despite intimidation from the state government and its apparatus.

“Let me salute you for your courage and determination to pay the ultimate price for your fundamental human rights in the face of threat and intimidation.

“All over the world, nobody gets his right while sitting down and watching without taking any drastic action; there is price for liberty everywhere in the world which is vigilance.

“We have heard about your predicaments and we thought we cannot have the comfort of sitting in Abuja without coming to see and confirm the report we received.

“With our collective strength and unity, we shall surely overcome these predicaments caused by our leaders,” he said.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that no arm of government under his watch would mismanage public funds.

The TUC President, Mr Bobboi Kaigama, the union would not allow impunity against any worker in the state.

Represented by his deputy, Mr Austin Etabor, he urged the workers to be united as one indivisible force, keeping their hope alive by defending their rights.

The labour leaders urged the media in the state to avoid any form of bias reportage.

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ASUU Draws Battle Line With FG Over Scrap Of Post-UTME

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday lambasted the Federal Government for scrapping the Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

National President of ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, told newsmen in Abuja, that the cancellation “portends serious danger for the quality of education in this country”.

“The argument of federal government on the policy is unacceptable and potentially harmful to the future of Nigerian’s education system. We call on government to rescind its decision and convene a genuine stakeholders’ meeting on the issue before making any policy statement”, he added.

Ogunyemi insisted that the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, did not enjoy the sole prerogative to endorse the examination conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board.

He said, “Such statement coming from the Minister was unfortunate because JAMB should not be saddled with the responsibility of solely conducting entrance examinations into the nation’s tertiary institutions.

“We call the attention of the Honourable Minister of Education to the fact that Post-UTME is a child of necessity and rationality and a decision that Nigerian Universities had to take when the credibility and integrity of JAMB examinations and results became questionable.

“When universities were admitting solely on the basis of JAMB scores, unimaginable discrepancies were observed in the JAMB scores of candidates and their performance in the first year in the University.

“Consider a candidate who got a JAMB score of 290 out of a maximum of 400, yet had to withdraw from the University at the end of the first year on account of very poor performance. It is important to note that this happened not in isolated cases. Virtually all universities reported such cases.

“The University of Ibadan conducted a study on the correlation between JAMB scores and performance at the University, and reported a negative correlation between the two. The results were published in the Ibadan Journal of the Social Sciences. The introduction of Post -UTME was based on sound empirical evidence.”

ASUU said there had been considerable improvement in the quality of students admitted into the universities since the introduction of Post -UTME.

The ASUU leader added that: “The Post-UTME has its problems which we believe can be addressed. To curtail exploitation of parents and candidates, government can improve funding to universities and other tertiary institutions”.



DailyPost

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Just In: Listen To What Kogi State Commissioner Of Education Said To Students At The Protest Yesterday

It was reported yesterday that “the protesting students only and seek for the audience of the Governor and ASUU. The commissioner for Education “Dr. Tolorunleke Sunday” went to speak with the students concerning the issues on ground and implore the students to be patient.

here is the speech of the state’s commissioner for Education and the reaction of the students

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Credit:Ksu Amebo

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REPORTS FROM KSU ASUU STRIKE INTERVENTION COMMITTEE

The Intervention Committee set up to intervene and resolve the ongoing KSU ASUU strike under the Chairmanship of Rt. Hon. Umar A. Imam, Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly met Monday 11th July.Representatives of both the government and ASUU presented their points and what in their opinion they feel is the way forward and panacea to ending the strike.The meeting was very successful and the House of Assembly leadership led by Rt. Hon. Umar A. Imam was to present the template for resolving the strike to His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Executive Governor of Kogi State that Monday evening but the official engagement of His Excellency that has on avoidably kept him outside the state prevented the meeting as planned.Consequent upon Governor Yahaya Bello's interest and commitment to seeing that the strike comes to an end, he shelved some of his scheduled official engagements to meet with the Assembly leadership. The meeting started yesterday 13th July and will be hopefully concluded this evening 14th July, 2016.The Committee is hopeful that by tomorrow, everything possible will be put in place for ASUU to call off the ongoing KSU strike to enable students resume next week Monday.Chairman of the Intervention Committee, Rt. Hon. Imam plead with students to exercise a little more patience as both government and ASUU will soon reach a common ground.The Committee therefore call on all students involved in the ongoing protest to return back to their homes in the interest of the innocent commuters and the people of Kogi State in general.— NIHI (For The Intervention Committee)From Odaudu Joel Minister wall.

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Breaking News: Kogi State Varsity Students Protest Against Asuu Strike - We Support No Warring Party [photos]

The Students of Kogi State University led by the SUG have taken to a street protest this morning in Lokoja town.
see photos





The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANs, has teamed up with the Student Union Government, SUG,  State University, Anyigba, in a joint protest at Ganaja Junction, Lokoja, Kogi

The protest date which was announced by the Student Union Government’ President, KSU chapter, Comrade Omepa Philip Shaibu was disclosed after a closed door meeting, held on 10th July, 2016, at the institution with NANs President, Comrade Tijani Usman, who came from Owerri, Imo State.

The protest which slated for today 14th of July, marks three months of industrial action embarked on by the Academic Staff of University Union, ASUU, Kogi State University chapter to press home demands for their 5 months salary arrears, which the Kogi State Government, under His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello has cleared 4 months out of the 5 months backlog, which according to the government, has met 80% of their demands. The Union, however, insisted on getting their demands in full as issues bothering on the 1 month outstanding salary and tax rebate lingered.

See photos below.

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#KsuAsuuStrike: Just Another Story Concerning the Ongoin Strike (F.Y.I)

The “no pay, no work” action embarked upon by the Academic
Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Kogi State University chapter, may last longer than predictions and speculations as the government has said it cannot afford more than the four months’ salary arrears paid to the lecturers earlier this month.

The decision of the state government was contained in a
report made available from a meeting held between the ASUU-
KSU team and the Kogi state government team led by the
Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Ayoode Folashade Arike on the 28 June, 2016 at the SSG conference room in the state capital, Lokoja.

According to the report, the governor through his representative told the union team that if her memebers are still interested in lecturing at the state’s highest citadel of learning, KSU, they should go back to the class or else the government may take its own stand.

The SSG who also said the governor said he will not shift ground on the issue of tax, made it known that the meeting would be the last meeting the state government may have with the aggrieved lecturers. However, ASUU in their response to
the message delivered by the SSG said it would take what the governor has said to her principal and thereafter, they would respond what their stand would be after a congress is held.

The ASUU strike which has grounded the academic and
commercial activities in the school and around the host community, Anyigba, has lasted for about 78 days without any sign of calling it off.

In a related development, the Student Union President, comrade
Philip Shaibu has described the role of ASUU and the government in the strike as ‘almighty.’ The SUG president who wrote in a tone that shows he is powerless and cannot
confront any of the parties made this known via his face book
account about six days ago.

Philip, in the Facebook post, also said that what has made the strike issue unresolved up to this date is pride. He further enjoined the government and the union to get mature, reasonable and responsible so as to bring the lingering strike
to an end. In his words, “… the heart of the proudest of kings is in the hands of God almighty, and as to you Almighty ASUU and government, you can only slow our
academic programme and destiny but you cannot stop us forever, and let posterity be the judge as we are all watching and hoping that you guys get matured, reasonable and
responsible sooner than later.”
On the side of the students, the strike action is causing more harm than expected as many students are running their academic calendar with age in consideration. To this set of students, if the strike persist, they may not be able to meet up with the prime age limit mostly sought after in the labor
market as many private and public organizations and companies are now going for younger graduates. Notable among this phenomenon is the ongoing EFCC recruitment that
required applicants to be below 26 years of age. Sterling bank and others follow suit.

The attitude of the government towards the strike has also
triggered many allegations and suspicion from the students and
individual concerned as there are reports from unreliable sources that the governor is only killing the institution ‘stylishly.’ Similarly, there was also a report that the state
governor, Yahaya Bello had a terrible face-off with the ASUU chairman, Comrade Gbenga Aina and that was not unconnected to the governors alleged travel denial.

There are also allegations that why the lecturers seem not to be pleased by the government offer so far is that some of them were made to pay for the loans they took from the government from the four months back log salary paid to
them. An action that was said to have left some of the lecturers with little or nothing in their accounts and as such, the need to hold the government to pay the salaries owing them to the last kobo becomes inevitable.

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Breaking: ASUU opposes scrapping of Post UTME

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says the quality of tertiary education in the country could improve if the institutions are allowed to regulate their students admission process.


Biodun Ogunyemi, the union president, said such freedom would enhance the quality of education.

Oguyemi spoke against the backdrop of the federal government’s decision to come up with a uniform guideline for admission of candidates for the 2016/2017 academic session.



At a recent joint policy meeting to decide the cut off mark for students seeking admission into the universities, the government announced the scrapping of post-unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME).

The Post UTME is the second stage of screening usually conducted by universities for the final selection of candidates qualified for admission for an academic session.

Adamu Adamu, minister of education, had threatened to sanction any university or tertiary institution found conducting examinations under any guise to admit students.

He further directed tertiary institutions that had collected money from candidates for such purposes to immediately refund it or face appropriate sanctions.

The ASUU boss told NAN that such directive encroached on the autonomy of the institutions.

“I think government should give these institutions the chance to regulate themselves,” he said.

“They should decide for themselves, the process they dim fit to admit their students. The Senate of universities for example, should decide on the process they want to use in selecting candidates.

“We do not think it’s right for government to decide the method of screening of the candidates, indeed, we want to attain some level of sanity and quality in the system.”

The unionist added that government could only come into the process by putting in place the necessary guidelines as part of their oversight functions.

According to him, it may not also be easy for institutions that had already collected money for the conduct of the post-UTME or screening in whatever guise to refund such money.

He added that this was because such money could have been diverted to other purposes.

Ogunyemi noted that most universities were under-funded and therefore, might have used some of the money to attend to urgent needs of the institution.

“Some of the arguments raised in this entire episode is that universities or tertiary institutions were using the conduct of such examination to make money,” he said.

“But the truth is, these institutions are poorly funded. If universities for example are properly funded, will the vice-chancellors be looking for other means of making money?

“In the last seven months, university workers have been receiving incomplete salaries, that is, the disbursement of funds for payment of salaries has always been inadequate.

“When situations like this arise, the managements will not be left with any choice than to look inwards and seek means of meeting such needs.

“And one of such strategies is by conducting such examination.”

Ogunyemi noted that the state universities were worst hit for many of them had yet to receive subvention in the last one year.

“Actually we in ASUU frown at extortion of any type from students or candidates but the government too should be alive to its responsibilities by providing the enabling environment that will aid teaching, leaning and research.”

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STATE GOVERNMENT VS ASUU (A MUST READ)

Some sixteen years ago, a university was birthed, amidst challenges faced by the state in bringing up youths to acquire knowledge. This motive was soon to be defeated by consistent strike at the present or popularly tagged as “yearly festival” whereby students are barred from academic activities. The date fixed by lecturers which is always indefinite and students as spectators.
But amazingly enough, watching isn’t free as our school fees are our sure tickets to watch but an interesting questions pops out, will this melodrama ever end?

Am forced to say that am bewildered with the ongoing drift between Government and ASUU. It is important not to take sides but at this juncture, the state Government has shown commitments in making sure the strike is called off, but what am yet to understand is why ASUU and its entourage are refusing the four months salary and promises by the state Governor Yahaya Bello. Having full understanding that the Government is indebted to several sector of the state. In as much as ASUU will say”WE ARE FIGHTING FOR WHAT IS OURS”.

We on the other hand are saying, we paid school fee despite the economic hardship just to be thought and not to be a product of mischievous uncertainty. When our mates are graduating yearly.

We are tired of sitting at home, it’s two months and still counting.
On the other hand the Students Union Government has been trying in all efforts to make sure they bring the two parties to mutual ground, but we all know the S.U.G is a machinery for Asuu, effortlessly we need to praise a toothless dog that barks…..

Its said that when two elephants fight the grass suffers it most,its unfortunate as most of the top Government officials and even Asuu members send their kids abroad and they are not affected by the industrial strike. Majority of them lectures in other private varsities and as associate lecturers.

Its a clarion call to all the stakeholders involved to make sure this strike is called off as soon as possible, we are tired of watching and sitting as we are turned into zombies, it’s better we prevent the latter from the present, with the saying an idle mind is the devils workshop.

#Comrade Henry#
#Long-live KSU#

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KOGI STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN QUANDARY AS ASUU REFUSED TO CALL OFF STRIKE

In the mid sunny afternoon of 14 of April 2016, the Academic Staff Union of University Kogi State University branch embarked on a no pay no work strike holding to the facts that the newly Government of the State refused to pay them their hard earned salary which placed them in a melancholic position. The Government pleaded to them in order to exercise patient since there was not enough money which would cater for their five months unpaid salary.
The 2 Months and a Week old strike had taken a toll out from the pitiful students especially the newly admitted ones, who have not yet witnessed strike in the school. Many drastic steps had been put in place by the Student Union Government (S.U.G) and National Association of Kogi State Student (NAKOSS) to ensure this menace which degrade the personalities of the students is brought to an end but unsuccessfully it keep showing its strength.

Some of the Muslim Student took the task individually upon themselves as an opportunity to fast and pray reverently in this blessed month of Ramadan just to see that they resume happily to the class and continue their Academic activities, The students are in deep confusion and frustration as the saying goes thus “when two elephants are in combat, it is the soil who suffers”.

On 1st of May 2016, the State Government reported that they had received 20 billion Naira bail out fund from the Federal Government which will amount to easy distribution of salary among its workers but reverse was the case.

Should the Student embark on a peaceful protest or sit down and fold hands pretending nothing is at stake?, their future are been jeopardize here abandoning them roaming the four walls corner of the country like a forgetful lamb, Who should they cry to? The State Government who had paid 4 months salary instead of the said 5 months or the “Asuu” who claimed they must received all outstanding unpaid salary as they worked tiredly for it.

It was known to the Student on 21 June 2016 that the top Official of the University included the Vice Chancellor, Dean, the Head of Department of all departments among Others, went on a meeting to decide about how the strike would be called off, it yielded a positive result and Asuu meeting was scheduled to hold the next day.
The Student wore an optimistic attire about the good news which was patiently taking a step to kiss their hearing, only to be dump found that the outcome of the Asuu meeting yielded “Strike Continues”.
The Academic Staff Union of University kogi State University Branch refused to end the strike unless the State Government returned what belongs to them which Is the one month unpaid salary.

My candid advice to the poor students of Kogi State University that they should not relent or give hope on this situation, they should keep on praying and fasting, believing in God Who will restore things to its normal position and lastly they should study and read their books.

(c) Momoh Ayuba Danjumah
Kogi State University Student

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Dear Kogi Varsity Lecturers, Enough of the Political Strike on Our Future

I have been on the table of observation trying to decipher the major notion behind the ‘no pay, no work’ industrial action you all embarked upon in the middle of March, this year. I was privileged to be on the know of the bargains between the Academic Staff of Kogi State University, and the Yahaya Bello led Kogi government. This leads me to introduce myself as ‘a concerned student’ of the institution.

At the commencement of this strike, I got a copy of the memo distributed to lecturers, and the last paragraph caught my attention. It was purely a disclaimer distancing the action from political influence. A friend who read the memo with me, was about agreeing with the allegations of political motivation, but I quickly weakened his position with the fact that “lecturers are owed, it is their sweat, they must be paid”.

As the struggle began, I made sure I was never left out of credible information. Like you taught me, we need to be informed. I had every minute of the meetings between the school management and the government; ASUU and the government; and even the one between the Students Unions (SUG/NAKOSS) and Hon Edward Onoja, the Chief of Staff to the Governor. During these meetings, the governor promised to pay your backlog salaries, and even pleaded on behalf of the students, but you turned him down with the reason that “politicians cannot be trusted again”. I respected your response based on my experience from last ASUU six months nationwide strike, which I and others also suffered.

At some point, an obvious supporter of the govt took me aback to see reasons why he personally suspects a political undertone in several futile meetings you have had with the Governor, but I silenced him with the question, “are my lecturers not owed?” Any grapevine you give that bomb question would definitely kowtow to the fact that my lecturers need to be paid their salaries. Meanwhile, they are not the only ones owed backlogs.

Now to the reality, I’ve supported my lecturers to a point I have considered wholeheartedly to match my brake. This is the point they have really shown the true nature of the kangaroo industrial action I bought into. For God sake, how possible is it that respected academicians have stopped so low to be towed by the wind of politics to the detriment of the students, even their children. Now, I would have to reason with those who I silenced their positions.

Former Governor Idris Wada owed the bulk of this debt. This is no blame game, but an analysis. Of course I know Government is hereditary, so are debts. While piling up about four months debts, ASUU never saw reasons to issue a warning to the government of Wada. Yahaya Bello was inaugurated on January 27th, and just a month later, ASUU heralded her 21 days strike ultimatum. This is actually a fishy act, but I had turned a blind eye to it. Then what is the essence now.

Government has commenced payment of salaries, and I am so confident to say that, KSU lecturers got preferential treatment, than other civil servants could imagine. They were first to receive a full four months salary, as against five. Every Kogite knows that a buck of civil servants are still hoping to receive the 60% salary some of their colleagues have received.

To me and my fellow students, we were so hopeful that the over two months old strike was about to see an end, not until the news of the yet to be publicised continuity broke our hearts. Are we saying that the government has not tried to a considerable extent? One month salary hinged on “some other reason” is why those who graduated last year cannot go for service. That is why people like me will obviously not graduate this year again. That is still why prospective students of the institution will have their admission delayed relatively. What have we done to deserve this punishment? You were so fast to compare KSU with schools in Edo. Maybe you should count how many other Edos we have in this economy.

Dr Aina, the ASUU Chairman, is one who I know in Chapel of Restoration as one of the lecturers Evangelist Tokunbo Salami would vouch for, but with what I have on my analytical desk, stories must be left for the gods. My lecturers lived on loans from cooperatives before their payment. I understand that the loans have been withdrawn already from their salary, and left with not much to take them. Is that new??? Primary school teachers are passing through worse situations.

To this end, I am still yet to draw my conclusion on what kind of altar you are delaying our destiny. I do not care anymore when you will go back to the drawing board to take the point where you all got it wrong.

I am sure if this article is an assignment, you may score me low. But this is my personal appraisal, courtesy what you taught me in class.

– A Concerned Student.

* Kogi Reports

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Prediction: when Do You think Kogi state University (PAAU) Asuu Strike would Be Called Off?

Kogi State University Students are all tired of hearing different Rumour about the strike to be called off soon, some even predicted it would end last week, but to our surprise its like its not going to end again as both parties are yet to come to an agreement.

Comment below using the Facebook comment box to tell us when u think the strike would be called off.

My prediction is after sallah or this month end.

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Update On Ksu/Paau Asuu Strike

It has now been confirmed that kogi state university lecturers have been paid 4 months salaries, the governor at the meeting held today at the goverment House lokoja appeal to Asuu to call off the ongoing strike in the favour of the students as part of their demands has be met, the asuu representatives at the meeting promised to report back and all hands will be on desk to ensure the strike will be called off soonest. Source.... Confluence news 94.1 FM, today at 5.11pm

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Good News!! Kogi State University Asuu Strike To Be Called Off Next Week

Good news for all ksu students. Finally state government has released four months salary. All staffs are now waiting for alert. This is not a rumor as the director state security service called me yesterday to inform me that he spoke with the governor and that the money has been released to be credited into d lectures individual account either today or tomorrow and we should call off d protest. My advice to every student is that u should all marry ur books as u ll be given just a week to read for ur examinations. Thanks N GOD bless KSU students. From comrade p.s Omepa (SUG PRESIDENT KSU)

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Yahaya Bello, APC Vs Kogi State University Lecturers & Students - By Promise Emmanuel

Im just curiously wondering why some of us are keeping quiet even with the nonsensical ongoing industrial action by ASUU, Kogi State University chapter (ksu), even when when the govt. is incommunicado about what she has decided to do.

What has changed, really? I rooted for Yahaya Bello' because of Wada' helpless cluelessness. Now, it seems de ja vu is taking a turn on us.

First, they told us the state was broke due to irregular or reduced monthly allocation from the FG. We were advised to pray and hope on bailout fund which would be used to clear all salary debts immediately. 

They said screening would be conducted, that of the lecturers have been long completed. 

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Kogi State University ASUU Raises Alarm Over Exodus of Lecturers

Kogi State University (KSU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised an alarm over the mass exodus of senior academic staff of the institution due to nonpayment of salaries amongst other issues.

Acting chairman of ASUU in the institution, Dr Daniel Aina, in a release issued in Lokoja said over 40 lecturers have so far left the services of the institution for greener pastures and urged government to urgently address the anomaly before it gets out of hand.

The union listed other issues bedeviling the university to include non-implementation of tax holiday as promised by the government and regularisation of the university law, without which the school would be operating illegally.
In a related development, the students’ unions at the Kogi State University (KSU), Anyigba, have appealed to the state government and the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) of the institution to resolve their disputes and resume work in the interest of students.

The president of the Student Union Government (SUG) of the institution, Comrade Shaibu Philip Omepa, said the ‘no pay no work’ action embarked upon by the academic staff of the university over a month ago had taken negative toll on students.
He said many graduates of the university that ought to have been mobilised for the National Youth Service as well as for their programmes at the Nigerian Law School have been deprived of the opportunity due to the ongoing standoff between ASUU and the government over wages.

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Kogi Medical Students Appeal to State Govt and ASUU to End 6-Week Old Strike

The National Association of Kogi Medical Students (NAKOMS). on behalf of its members at Kogi State University, KSU, appeals to Kogi state government to reach a quick resolution with Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to end the ongoing 6-weeks old ‘NO PAY, NO WORK’ action embarked on by KSU chapter of ASUU.

This was disclosed in a press statement made by Onoja Emmanuel, the Vice President of the association in Lokoja yesterday 27th may, 2016.

He said this became necessary as the ongoing 6-weeks old strike has an adverse effect on the college of health sciences as the medical academic calendar of the college is being disrupted and also that the college stands a risk of loosing senior lecturers and professors which is one of the major requirements for the further accreditation of the college by the National University Council (NUC) and the Medical And Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

The NAKOMS Vice President also appealed to students to avoid violent protest and commended the tireless efforts of the leadership of the student union government (SUG) kogi state chapter, national association of kogi state stu dents (NAKOSS), and the kogi state university medical students association (KSUMSA) for their commitment, up and doing from the onset of the strike.

He advised students to observe restraint in order to avoid unforeseeable repercussions. He also commended he effort of Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on his nation building and youth empowerment programmes and stated the association’s support for his administration.
Kogi reports

He further congratulated the governor on his 100days in office celebrated few weeks back and the countless achievements recorded so far by his administration.

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Kogi State University Students Leadership Demand End To KSU Asuu Strike

MORE than a month into the recent declaration by the Kogi State University Chapter of Academic Staff union of Universities (ASUU) of a “No-Pay-No-Work” stand, leadership of students of the institution has come out to appeal to all stakeholders to find a common ground to address issues concerning the situation.

According to leaderships of both Student Union Government (SUG) and the National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS) in the institution, who spoke at a Press Conference held in Lokoja, the students are at the receiving end of the standoff, and appealed to government to get back to the negotiating table with ASUU.

Comrade Shaibu Philip Omepa, President of SUG in the university, told our correspondent that the students have waited so far for the industrial action to be addressed for them to continue their exams to no avail; hence, they were fed up.

According to him, it is in the best interest of both government and ASUU in their institution to bring the situation to an end as all parties concerned are suffering several consequences arising from it.

He said while the students have been pushed to the wall over the matter, their leadership believes in consultation and dialogue as best means of addressing issues, rather than confrontation and called on those concerned to sheath their swords and shift grounds to allow for amicable resolution of the issue.

On his part, Comrade Abdulmalik Hadi, President of National Association of Kogi State Students, said the situation has resulted in several negative outcomes such as delay in mobilization of graduates from the school for the mandatory Youth Service and Law School, brain drain and loss of academics from the institution to others, delay in academic calendar for the university among others.

The students leader, who further said that the strike has resulted in the loss of several lives of some of the most brilliant students in the school, said the students have had enough and are pleading for government and ASUU to come to their aid.

They said all efforts they have made so far to see the governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to ensure that they bring the situation to his attention has not seen the light of day, as his aides have frustrated their efforts in that regard.

Meanwhile, in a strongly worded letter to the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of the state the Director, State Security Service and the State Commissioner of Police seen by our reporter, the students have called on them to wade into the matter before it got out of hand.

The letter reads in part: “it will be recalled that the strike started since 14th April, 2016 and it was expected that there will be fast response which is yet to be seen after several mediatory roles played by the university’s management and coalition of student bodies.”

In another part, “In a meeting with the Chief of Staff to the governor and the Special Adviser on Education on 24th and 25th of April respectively, we were assured that in two weeks time, the situation will be addressed, but till now, it has not been addressed.”

They therefore appealed to them to wade in and end the lingering crisis in their institution.



credit:Kogi reports

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Open Letter To Kogi State Governor "Yahaya Bello" - By Kogi State University P.R.O Ogiri Cosmos Ogiri

If SUG is not in support of the strike, I cosmos on my personal capacity is in support of it.

If SUG wants to truncate the strike, I would rather plead that the students join me in Aluta to force the Government to wipe the tears of our fathers, uncles, and brothers who all have bills to pay too.

 It is a pity so many thinks it is all about Yahaya Bello but no it is not a fight against him but a fight for justice from KOGI STATE GOVERNMENT which is a continuous process.

It is also unfortunate that our new Vice Chancellor has been caught in this kind of situation, Sir I know you so well that in your capable capacity you will never want the lecturers to go on strike, you gave them 50,000 each during December period (Advanced Payment).

I have heard of your numerous pleas and insatiable letters to ASUU to suspend their strike action. Sir it was as a honor to you (As a new Leader) that ASUU never went on strike during  the last semester exams. May God protect you, your job, your ideas and well wishes for we the students loves you, your innovative and proactive policies.

Mr. Governor, nobody is using anybody against your government. Our lecturers are now chronic debtors. Some of them have families and bills to pay, Sir if at this stage you thinking of witch hunting what would you say when they come for their Earn Allowance for two years? If at all it is witch hunting will you let the youths and leaders of tomorrow suffer?

Will you let those witch hunters hunt our career? The brain is depreciating, education is on the collapse in Kogi State; qualitative primary education, no solidified policies for the secondary education and here we are...no serious educational impact.

Sir. If at all Kogi State University lecturers are not captured in the total bailout, not to talk of Batch A or B. Because as at the time Wada the former governor pleaded the Federal Government for a bail out KSU lecturers salary was not an issue but their earned allowance; Sir will you let our learning spirit diminish?
How much is it that you cannot sincerely source for, 100Billion? No! Just A billion naira.

Yahaya Bello pay our lecturers. Yahaya Bello save our youths from idleness. Yahaya Bello don't let the devil build more work shops in Kogi.

Signed...By Ogiri Cosmos

PS: Keep Sharing Among Friends till They all see it. Watch out for my next move, we must get back to class.

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