NigerianMuse Articles

Non-Judgmental World

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:11:05 -0500

Non-Judgmental World

Taiwo Olokun

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Most Calvary Chapels are in the U.S. and Europe. Most of their affiliates are Evangelicals.

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But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God …”�There will be no husband-wife relationship in Heaven, but God will allow Christians to have their pets in Heaven? ?

: Our animals are so precious to us; surely we will have our pets in Heaven.

whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple … whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”�In Matthew 10:37, Jesus says: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”

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: We are not under law, we are under grace.

: “Sin shall not have dominion over you, because you are not under law but under grace.”

Its okay to enjoy the good side of Hollywood.

The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, kill and destroy …” �

But its okay to enjoy the good aspects of Satanic Hollywood. Its okay for churches to support Mel Gibsons Marian Catholic movie, The Passion of the Christ.

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: Its okay to go to the beach, surf, play, eat, drink and have some “Christian” fun, in spite of the fact that there are naked women at the beach. Go there to be a witness, let the world know that we are not the fire and brimstone type of Christians.

Even so it will be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed” (Luke 17:28-30).

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Many issues are in the gray area. Gods Word is silent on those issues; therefore each individual is free to do as they wish on those issues.

divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”�

:No, there are some issues that Gods Word does not address, and people are free to do as they wish on those issues.

You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.”�John 10:27 and 14:17: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me … the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him …”

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Pastors are leading the sheep astray into Gods eternal wrath. Eventually, God will judge deceitful pastors for giving false freedoms to the sheep so as to gain the crowd and a “non-judgmental/loving world”, as the sheep perish to hell due to compromised preaching. Acts 20:28-30 says: “… the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood … but from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”�Romans 16:18 “For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”

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How can they claim they see their dire need for Christ when they can afford to use their free-time for self-pleasure (entertainment) rather than seeking Christ? How can they claim they love Christ when they can afford to use their free-time with the world? How can they claim that Christ is their life when they get along with those around them?

: Our women do not have to cover their head when praying or speaking Gods truth. 1Corinthians 11 is not meant for todays Christian.

: “For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.”�11:13-15 “Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.”

Romans 3:31 “Do we then make the law void through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.”

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: Dont be legalistic. Where in Gods Word does He restrict us from (fill in the blank)? Dont be legalistic; there is no place in Gods Word where we are restricted from (fill in the blank). Jesus came to set us free and give us abundant life.

said to the woman, has God indeed said, you shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”�3:4 “Then the serpent said to the woman, you will not surely die.”

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Colossians 2:16-17 “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

We need to be culturally relevant and sensitive. We need to reach the world by “meeting them where they are”, down to their level, to reach them. We need to be positive like todays non-judgmental culture of love. We should not be negative.

If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

: We need to become like those we are trying to bring to Christ, so that we can win more people to Christ.

: “to those who are without law (i become) as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that i might win those who are without law”

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: Forgive yourself, love yourself, and believe in yourself because God believes in you.

: “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

: You are wonderful therefore pat yourself on the back; rejoice in yourself.�Low self-esteem is not good for you.�Make sure you are always positive.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”�James 4:9-10 “Lament, mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

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: The fruit of the Spirit is love, and a big smile on your face.

: “… the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

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Matthew 18:6-9).

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Thus you also have those who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans, which thing I Hate.”�President Bush believes that Christianity and all religions are of the same God. Yet most Calvary Chapels/Evangelical Pastors say President Bush is a Christian.

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because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world …”�God is not like the USA, giving people the choice of killing babies or not. God is demanding/ordering everyone to repent, and that kind of attitude is despised in the Western/American ideals which tells people to go ahead and choose whether to sin or do good. That worldly ideal has taken over in most Calvary Chapel/Evangelical churches. They preach a�“good news” that does not�demand. They preach a “good news” that tells people to go ahead and choose whether to reject the Jewish King or to accept Him.

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And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve …”

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Quoting and agreeing with Chuck Smith of Costa Mesa, Pastor Bob Hoekstra said Calvinism and Arminianism are both taught in Gods Word even though we as humans cannot reconcile the two. Bob Hoekstra said we should stop wasting time in the secret things which belong to God alone (things which have not being revealed to us, referring to Deuteronomy 29:25-29). He said, on the issue of Calvinism and Arminianism we must conclude by saying “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord?”�Contrary to these double-mouth pastors who are saying that Gods Word teaches both Calvinism and Arminianism, Gods Word says: “… God our Savior … desires all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1Timothy 2:3-4). The truth on this issue is not a hidden secret; God has revealed the truth to us concerning this issue. 2Peter 3:9 “God is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”� 2John 1:10-11 says: “If anyone comes to you and�does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”�Yet most Calvary Chapel pastors consider Calvinists as their fellow brothers in the Lord.

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My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to … (crucifixion); but now My kingdom is not from here.”�Philippians 3:18-19 “Because many, of whom i have told you often, and now tell you even weeping … their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame--they set their mind on earthly things.”�But for those who truly belong to Christ, “… citizenship is in Heaven …” (Philippians 3:20).

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: Its okay to have an image of a dove, or a fish or a cross.

: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exodus 20:4).�Deuteronomy 6:9“You shall write My Words on the doorposts of your house (on your walls) and on your gates.”

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: Its okay for us and our children to spend time in the good aspects of Hollywood, T.V., music and Disneyland.

: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind these words as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write these words on the doorposts of your house (on your walls) and on your gates.”�See Ephesians 5:15-16, Colossians 3:1-3, 1Corinthians 10:5-7.

: “… put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its desires.”

: Dont be legalistic. �Enjoy yourself. Have fun. Enjoy your entertainment, sports and self-pleasures. We are free in Christ. God loves you just as you are.

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And when Lydia and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, ‘if you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.”

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Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.”

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NEITI – Where is Our Missing Oil and Gas Money? (I)

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:09:06 -0500

NEITI – Where is Our Missing Oil and Gas Money? (I)

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Nigeria, under the Presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) became a member of the now global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in 2003. It is now time to examine what has been happening since then. Former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair announced the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa in October 2002. The initiative was immediately embraced by the Berlin-based Transparency International (TI), which ultimately became its co-founder.

Since then, The World Bank and other multilateral and bilateral development agencies have embraced the idea and supported its institutionalization as a global initiative. EITI is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Hence, over the years since 2002, EITI has become institutionally conceived as a coalition of governments, companies and civil society with the aim and objective to set a standard for transparency in oil, gas and mining companies to publish what they pay to governments and for governments to disclose what they receive from international oil, gas and minerals mining companies.

Thus, from the foregoing, the initiative itself relates directly to transparency across the value chain of actions in the oil, gas and minerals mining sectors where extensive opacity (i.e. lack of transparency and accountability by international companies and host governments) leading to systemic corruption, violence, death, destruction and destabilization exist; particularly in natural resources rich-developing and transition countries.

The prime aim and objective of the EITI (and its variant “EITI++” recently spearheaded by the World Bank) is to offer the opportunity that the vast mineral wealth of developing and transition countries, particularly those of Africa to directly benefit the people of those countries – starting with open and fair contracts between governments and international companies involved in the extraction of those resources, through to the equitable disbursement of revenues to support sustainable development of the present and future generations, and funding of anti-poverty policies, programs and projects by governments of those countries (e.g. the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

But how does Nigeria fits into this global grand scheme of affairs? Nigeria, during former president Obasanjos administration jumped and embraced the initiative; albeit for international publicity purpose only. I have my reason for saying this, which I will explain just now.

As at the time President Obasanjo warmly embraced EITI, coming just after its announcement by Mr. Tony, Blair, the then British Prime Minister, the Umar Ghali Na Abbas led House of Representatives had already concluded its own Nigerian ‘Homemade version of the EITI. This was the “The House Ad-hoc Committee on Federal Government Crude Petroleum Export and Refined Products Import Programme.” This Committee came into effect following a motion moved by Hon. Nduka Irabor (Ika North-east and Ika South Federal Constituency) on September 5th, 2000 (House Resolution No.: HR 16). The eleven member Committee constituted by the then Hon. Speaker NaAbba was chaired by Hon Ibrahim Ganyama Abubakar (Jigawa State). I was privileged to serve as its Consultant - though I am yet to be paid for my service since then.

�The Committee was handed a Seventeen-point Terms of Reference (TOR) and two months to complete its ardours assignment. It went about conducting its very difficult assignment in an atmosphere and environment full of executive intimidation. This was because the exercise was viewed by the Presidency as an affront to President Obasanjo, who, by the way, was also the Petroleum and Energy Minister as well as his own Special Adviser on all matters relating to the petroleum and energy sectors.

And the then Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Chief Gaius Obasaki ensured that the Committee never received the full cooperation it deserved from the NNPC, its subsidiary companies and the foreign joint venture partner companies. Nevertheless, by the time the Committee completed its task, it found woeful wrong doings; unprecedented corrupt practices and ineptitude in almost all the seventeen issue areas investigated.

The Final Report was an indictment of the NNPC management, its subsidiary companies, all oil related supervisory and regulatory agencies including but not limited to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (headed by President Obasanjo himself), the Department of Petroleum Resources, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria.

No wonder therefore, that President Obasanjo ensured that the Final Report of the Committee was never debated and deliberated upon by the legislative chamber. All the efforts; man-hours and financial resources put into the bold initiative became wasted. As usual, the report was killed and the rest has been history that kept repeating itself since then.

SSANU, NASU, NAAT get 53.37% salary increase - Unions call off strike indefinitely

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:53:52 -0500

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NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

SSANU, NASU, NAAT get 53.37% salary increase - Unions call off strike indefinitely

Soji-Eze Fagbemi, Abuja - 06.11.2009

IT was joy for members of the non-teaching staff unions of Nigerian universities at the National Universities Commission (NUC), in Abuja, on Thursday, as the Federal Government finally signed the agreement that approved a 53.37 per cent salary increase for their members.

The unions are the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff of Universities (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).

The unions, therefore, called off their four-month strike indefinitely and directed all their members to resume work immediately on their various campuses.

SSANU president, Promise Adewusi; his NAAT counterpart, Alhaji Abdullatif Jokomba and the general secretary of NASU, Peter Adeyemi, gave the directive to suspend the strike to their members, after they signed the agreement for their respective unions on behalf of their members.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu and the chairman of the governments negotiating team, Mr. Gamaliel Onosode, signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while the chairman of the committee of Pro-Chancellors, Dr. Wale Babalakin, signed on behalf of universities managements.

Though the details of the agreement was not made known during the signing ceremony, the Nigerian Tribune gathered from an insider that SSANU, NASU and NAAT succeeded in getting a 53.37 per cent salary increment approved by the Federal Government for their members.

Dr. Egwu, after signing the agreement, said the strike, which lasted for four months, would be the last to be witnessed in Nigerian universities.

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ASUU Press Conference on Indefinite Strike Suspension October 23, 2009

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:52:08 -0500

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The purpose of this Press Conference is not to re-open these issues that are now common knowledge. The purpose is to explain to you some important details about the Agreement reached, �and to give you ASUUs position on the extent to which the Agreement could go to resolve the problems which face the Nigerian University System and the education system as a whole.

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TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITES (ASUU) ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2009 AT THE LABOUR HOUSE, ABUJA

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Compatriots of the Press,

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called this Press Conference to brief you on the outcome of the latest stage in the industrial dispute between the Government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). You will recall that on June 22, 2009, the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, rising from a meeting held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, declared a total and indefinite strike to compel the Federal Government of Nigeria to sign the Agreement reached with ASUU after over two (2) years of the re-negotiation of the June 2001 FGN-ASUU Agreement.

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You will recall, as well, that on 9th October, 2009, NEC having considered a certain memorandum of understanding resulting from the deliberation with the NUC Board, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Governor of Edo State and Comrade Abdul Waheed Omar, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, both of whom, were mandated by Mr. President Umaru Musa YarAdua to intervene, resolved to suspend its strike for two weeks only. On Thursday and Friday, 15 and 16 October 2009 respectively, the FGN-ASUU Teams concluded the negotiation on the outstanding matters concerning the Agreement, awaiting the approval of the Principals. On Wednesday 21 October 2009, ASUU and the Federal Government of Nigeria signed the Agreement reached.

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As you already know, the Agreement covered:

*Funding;

*Conditions of Service;

*University Autonomy and Academic Freedom; and

*Other Matters

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1.�� ON FUNDING

Being mindful of the processes for meeting this goal of 26% annual budgetary allocation to education as enunciated in the UNESCO benchmark, the Federal Government shall endeavour to progressively increase its budgetary allocation to the education sector in accordance with its vision 20:2020 programme.”

All students, parents, Central Labour Organizations – the NLC, TUC, and Society Groups, Professional associations are called upon to ensure that Government fulfills this provision in the Agreement. In particular, since Government announced an allocation of 13% to education in 2009, Nigerians are entitled, on the basis of Governments Agreement with ASUU, to expect higher than 13% in 2010. We urge the public interest groups to demand from Government a budgetary allocation to education sector of at least 18% in 2010. The public must take more active and rigorous interest in this matter. This allocation, if made, will enable the Universities to start the process of restoration and expansion of facilities and equipments – hostels, classrooms, laboratories and basic services – to enable us discharge our tripodal mandate of teaching, research and community service within a conducive academic teaching and learning environment.

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2.�� UTILIZATION OF FUNDS

It is expected that University administration will use the funds, both funds internally generated and those released to the Universities on the basis of this Agreement, with full accountability and responsibility. There must be an enforcement of discipline and satisfactory budget performance. This is why it was agreed that each Governing Council shall set up a Monitoring Committee, with representation from the Congregation, Senate, the Unions and the Students Union. ASUU commits itself to this task of ensuring accountability and transparency in the system and the optimal utilization of the resources available to the Universities.

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3.�� ON SALARYAND NON-SALARY CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has since 1992 put on agenda the necessity to put a halt to the Brain Drain. Our country has lost a very significant portion of its academics to the United States of America, Europe and Africa, especially South Africa.� The exodus of our young Ph.D holders and academics of other cadres to Southern Africa has intensified in the last seven years. The need to make the conditions of service – salary and non-salary, attractive enough for Nigerian scholars to stay at home even though they are not doing as well as they would do if they were in Europe and America, was the major reason the negotiating committee agreed and even insisted that Nigerian academics should be paid the African average, i.e. the level of remuneration close to what obtains in the African countries to which Nigerian academics emigrate.

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backwardness in Nigeria within the world order. It is up to those who believe strongly in the future of Nigeria to stand up and reject the devaluation of knowledge producers in the reward system in Nigeria, and work assiduously to reverse it.

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ON PENSION FOR ACADEMIC STAFF

It is a welcome development that Government has agreed, because of the special need to produce academics with Masters and Doctoral Degrees and in order to meet the challenges of Nigerias fast-growing University System, to increase the retirement age of academics in the Professorial cadre to Seventy years. But we must note that this right move will not be maximally effective unless serious attention is paid to funding research in the Universities.

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5�� THE PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM: THE BENCHMARK AND THE STATE UNIVERSITIES.

(a)�� ASUU has, since 1992, insisted that we should never have a multiplicity of academic standards in Nigeria. We cannot divide Nigerian Universities into low and higher standard institutions in the same structure. There should be just one system with one set of minimum standard that will keep the system internationally competitive. This is ASUUs position. This is why we have insisted that what our Union has negotiated is a minimum benchmark for the system. State Governments that cannot fund their Universities to meet the benchmark set up in the Agreement will find that they cannot survive in the system. The minimum conditions are not just about emoluments. They are standards which must be met in the funding of facilities for teaching and research, funding of post-graduate studies, �the upgrading of programmes, remedy of deficiencies in them, and for collaborating with industries in the areas of research and development of technology and staff development.

it must be noted that the Agreement contains, in addition to the constitutionally backed assistance, a provision for a new direction of the Education Tax Fund (ETF) intervention in Higher Education, the access to the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), the patronage of University Consultancies, the National Research Fund, and duty free importation of educational materials. These shall provide significant sources of funding for State Universities.

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6.�� UNIVERSITY AUTONOMY AND ACADEMIC FEEDOM

The Agreement does not give financial autonomy to Universities. But it has (i) made certain prescriptions that will enhance administrative autonomy for smooth and effective running of the University from departmental to council levels; (ii) proposed some amendments in the JAMB Act, Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions Act) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) Act (2004). These proposals are to be presented to the National Assembly, without prejudice to any other proposals that might be brought or have been brought before the National Assembly.

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7.�� NECS RESOLUTION: INDEFINITE SUSPENSION OF THE STRIKE

The National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU, having, through the Principal Officers, obtained from its Negotiating Team the Agreement it signed with the Federal Government of Nigeria on Wednesday 21st October, 2009, resolved to suspend indefinitely, with effect from Friday October 23, 2009, the strike embarked upon by ASUU on June 22, 2009.

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On September 23, 2009, ASUU suspended its strike for two weeks. NEC through the President of ASUU called upon the Federal Government to ensure, in the interest of the University system, to negotiate and sign an agreement with SSANU, NASU and NAAT, so as to enhance industrial harmony on the campuses. NEC reaffirms that position.

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8.�� ON THE ISSUE OF STRIKES

The issue of strikes needs to be addressed. To be clear: ASUU is not responsible for the persistence of strikes in the Universities. The burden of defending the education system for over twenty years has fallen on our Union. ASUU has always asked those who oppose strikes to propose methods other than dialogue and persuasion, which ASUU exhausts before embarking upon any strike. To those who dissociate themselves from ASUUs strikes while accepting all benefits from the suffering of the Unions members, the only response is to appeal to their sense of what is dignifying to do.

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e classrooms and teach, be in the laboratories to do research if parents and other interest groups come out and act to prevent crises. Strikes are avoidable. But for strikes to be avoided, government must be sincere, implement agreements, dialogue with unions when it is incapable of implementing agreements. Parents, professional groups and civil society groups, must show interest in the Universities and the educational system as a whole.

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9.�� OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR STUDENTS

Our students are very dear to us. We thank them for their overwhelming support in the struggle for the survival of the University System. We are impressed that our students no longer want to receive less than the best. The struggle however, is continuous, until we achieve the best. We want our students to re-build a formidable students organization to make University education better oriented, more just and more productive of good citizens. We are also aware that our students have complaints and dissatisfaction about some indefensible practices by a minority of their lectures. NEC will ensure that these practices are combatted and ended on our campuses.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

On behalf of NEC, we express patriotic feelings of gratitude to the Nigerian public, for their support for the struggle; our students, who persevered, because of their understanding of the importance of the struggle for the future of our country; special students organizations like the Education Rights Campaign, the Association of Nigerian Female Students; NANS Zones; the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, Industrial Trade Unions, particularly PENGASSAN and NUPENG, the Labour-Civil Society Coalition; the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigerian Bar Association; Arewa Consultative Forum; the National Universities Commission Board (which contributed immensely to the breakthrough); Comrade Eze Nwagwu of COSEN, the Committee of Vice-Chancellors, and Committee of Pro-Chancellors and Forum of Chancellors.

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We wish to appreciate in a special way the intervention by Mr. President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Mallam Umaru Musa Yar Adua; the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole and the Education Committee and members of House of Representatives; the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomohle, the President of Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Abdul Waheed Omar and Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Babatunde Fashola and the West African Students Union.

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We wish to thank the Minister of Education for his cooperation and commitment to this Agreement and in a special way we wish to appreciate the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education Prof. Dapo Afolabi for his initiative, creativity, pragmatism and sense of patriotism which contributed in no small measure to the speedy resolution of the impasse.

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that unless and until all Nigerians have the right to education at all levels, unless the people of Nigeria struggle relentlessly to ensure that education does not become a privilege enjoyed by only the rich and powerful; unless we struggle for a country where our national resources and wealth are used for the welfare of the people, for a free and just society, our survival as a people with one destiny will be in jeopardy. Education is the base of development. The challenge to build a durable, liberating educational system is an imperative.

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We express special thanks to the Nigerian media, print, radio and television, especially AIT Channels and SilverBird, for solid objectivity and support throughout the struggle. If we did not always meet your thirst for information, it was meant to preserve our common concern for a resolution of the crisis. We apologize for any sensitivities thereby offended.

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Thank you and God bless.

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Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, fnia

President, ASUU

For and on behalf of ASUU-NEC

Friday, October 23, 2009.

Federal Govt, ASUU End Rift and Sign Deal

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:45:43 -0500

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VANGUARD

Federal Govt, ASUU End Rift and Sign Deal

21 October 2009

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The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, today signed the re-negotiated 2006 agreement, ending the protracted strike, which has crippled academic activities in the nation's universities in the last four months.

Leader of the Federal Government's negotiation team, Mr. Gamaliel Onosode, signed the agreement on behalf of government, President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, signed on behalf of members of the union and Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors, Dr. Wale Babalakin, signed on behalf of the Pro-Chancellors.

Those who witnessed the signing of the agreement include two former ASUU Presidents, Doctors Dipo Fasina, and Abdullahi Sule-Kano; Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, Minister of State for Education, Hajia Aisha Dukku; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Professor Dapo Afolabi, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie and Executive Secretary, Education Trust Fund, ETF, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

ASUU President, Prof. Awuzie however warned the Federal Government not to attempt to break the ranks of the union, insisting that the government must ensure that the contents of the agreement are implemented to the letter.

On his part, Chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors, Dr. Babalakin appealed to government to jettison the no-work-no-pay policy and ensure that all arrears owed the lecturers are settled immediately.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, ASUU President, Prof. Awuzie said the resolve to sign the agreement was a sign of patriotism on the part of the union.

According to him, we signed the agreement because we are all patriots. We want the best for this country. So, all of us had to make compromises here and at the end we have an agreement which have now been signed.
"We have made commitments in writing. We hope every party to this agreement will keep their own part. When this is done, there will be harmony and we will go. I don't even want to answer the question on strike because no academic wants the university to go on strike but we can not sit and watch the system decay".

He said, "what I discovered is that those who ask questions about strike are those who have their children in school, I have mine in school too and they are at home.

Constitution review not Nigeria's priority -- Jemibewon

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:19:55 -0400

GENERAL David Jemibewon (rtd) is one of the nation's foremost retired Generals. The Kogi-born soldier cum legal practitioner had served the nation in different capacities. A one time military governor of the old Oyo State, Gen Jemibewon also served as Minister of Police Affairs under former President Olusegun Obasajo. In this Interview with Vanguard in Abuja, he opened up on various national issues ranging from the Yar’Adua administration, irregularities in elections and how the country can achieve a free and fair polls in future.
In his view, Nigeria does not need more than two or three political parties arguing that if SDP and NRC had not been proscribed, the nation achieved a measure of political stability.

To him, the reconciliation between Atiku and Obasanjo is no big deal, adding that Atiku should have remained in the party he formed rather than returning to PDP. Excerpts...

Africa to adopt single currency

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:36:27 -0500

The push for a single currency to facilitate trade and help fast-track the integration of African countries has begun.

Top African economists and academics are attending a meeting in Nairobi whose theme is “Towards the creation of a single African currency”.

The three-day congress, which started on Monday, is expected to deliberate on possibilities of adopting the single currency.

The African Union, through its Economic Affairs Department, organised the workshop, whose recommendations will be presented to a heads of states summit in July.

According to AU commissioner for Economic Affairs, Mr Maxwell Mkwezalamba, the process of establishing a common currency was part of the Abuja Treaty aimed at uniting the continent both economically and politically.

Senate passes State of Nation Act

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:48:05 -0500

ABUJA�The Senate has passed a bill authorizing the President to give an annual address on the state of the nation to a joint session of the National Assembly.
The bill as passed yesterday stipulates that the state of the nation address should be delivered on the first legislative day of the second week in May of every year by the President.

The bill entitled “A Bill for an Act to Enshrine an annual State of the Nation Address and Other Matters connected thereto” was sponsored by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

he focus of the bill which was considered for the third time on the floor of the Senate yesterday was meant for Nigerians to know the true state of the nation considering the emerging economic, security and political realities.

Mimiko freezes LGs' accounts, dissolves boards

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:20:46 -0500

The Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, on Wednesday froze the accounts of the 18 local government councils in the state.

The governor gave this directive in a statement made available to our correspondent by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi.

The governor warned directors of personnel management in the councils and commercial banks against flouting the order which he said was meant to safeguard the resources of the people.

He urged the civil servants in the councils to be watchful and protect government property in their care, adding that violators of the order would be prosecuted.

EFCC boss says courts are thwarting prosecution of ex-governors

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:08:49 -0500

The courts have been accused of frustrating the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) efforts to prosecute former governors alleged to have engaged in corrupt practices while in office.
Speaking with journalists at the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos,
chairman of the EFCC, Farida Waziri, said the courts have provided a platform for persons under prosecution to thwart the commission’s efforts.