NAIJA LATEST NEWS

Tuesday, 3 December 2013

4 OUT OF 600 UNIABUJA LECTURERS RESUMES WORK

The Federal Government’s threat to university lecturers did not scare lecturers, only four of the 600 academic workers reported for duty yesterday at the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA).

Also, only a lecturer signed the resumption register at the permanent site of the university.

Investigation by The Nation correspondent revealed that the lecturers complied with the decision of the congress of UNIABUJA branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) not to go to work.

The situation made a few students to roam about for hours before returning to their hostels.

The four lecturers who resumed work were those of Economics, Banking and Finance and Physics.

It was learnt that besides being loyalists of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. James Adelabu, they had been expelled from ASUU because of their “intransigence”.

A professor, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “We remain resolute not to go back to work in spite of the military order from the government.

“Let them sack all of us, including those in medical colleges and let us see how far we can go.

“Our position is that the government should conclude the ongoing talks with the leadership of ASUU, which has been non-violent.”

Another don said: “You can see that lecture rooms are opened, no lecturers. Only 4 lecturers came to work out of about 600. And out of the four recalcitrant lecturers, one of them in Economic Department managed to teach less than 10 students.”

“It is obvious that the government ultimatum is of no effect in UNIABUJA. Let them bring soldiers and policemen to teach our students.”

A source in the Administration Department of the university said: “So far, only a lecturer has signed the attendance register at the Permanent Site. We are expecting that the situation will improve as from Tuesday.”

The Nation

GOV. OSHIOMHOLE LASHED BY PDP, AND PROMISED TO GIVE ABUSED WIDOW N250,000

The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, branch in Edo state has reportedly come to the help of the widow who was told by the state’s governor, Adams Oshiomole to “go and die”.

A press release signed by the Edo state PDP chairman, Dan Orbih, reads:

“Edo PDP watched with consternation Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s brutal, inhuman and merciless treatment of a widow street-trader whose wares he ordered seized and who he unfeelingly told to ‘…go and die’ even as she knelt down in fervent protestations and appeals to his pity on a helpless widow. The governor’s actions are appalling, insensate, disgraceful, indecent, cruel and below board.”

“It is clear that he does not care much about the well being of the people as he pretentiously avowed. Our hearts go to that helpless widow in this her time of travails and through her, to other widows who have been oppressed by the unfriendly policies of the administration in Edo State.”

“The PDP, Edo State will not let any Edo person ‘to go and die’ if it can help it, especially not hardworking people like that widow who are engaged in lawful enterprises that are, in themselves, not easy to carry on.”

“To this end, our party has instituted an endowment fund for all widows and oppressed people in the state and by this release, we invite the widow captured in the video of the encounter with Governor Oshiomhole to come to the PDP Secretariat on No. 70, Sapele Road, at 11am on Tuesday December 3, 2013 to receive a first-installment sum of N250,000.00 to cushion the pain, trauma and loss occasioned by her mistreatment and the seizure of the items she sells.”

“Governance is about the people and as a responsible National Institution, Edo PDP cannot be unconcerned about the wrong treatment of indigenes of the state to whom the present administration promised heaven just to win their votes. We will continue to stand in the gap to ensure that Edo people are deservedly fairly treatment.”

“If Governor Oshiomhole believes that Edo People sinned by voting him into office, let him remember that he will account for his actions, if not to the people because he apparently does not think much of them, but to God Almighty in the short or long run.”

“We thank all those who have been humanely concerned about the plight of the widow and have stood out vehemently against the crying shame that was the insensitive action of a governor who seems bent on repaying electoral favor with ingratitude.”