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Review IPPIS policy like you did 40% IGR from Tertiary Institutions – COEASU to Tinubu

Published

2 weeks ago

November 20, 2023

The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for abandoning the proposal that required tertiary institutions, including colleges of education, to remit 40 percent of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the national treasury. The union sees this decision as indicative of the President’s receptiveness.

Smart Olugbeko, the President of COEASU, conveyed this sentiment in a statement released on Monday in Abuja. In the statement, Olugbeko urged the Federal Government to reconsider the centralization of payroll administration through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). He pointed out that this policy undermines the statutory functions of Governing Councils and compromises the integrity of the tertiary education sector, specifically the College of Education system.

According to Olugbeko, IPPIS has become a tool for defrauding COEASU members, resulting in numerous instances of short-payment, complete non-payment, unjustified delays, and withholding of third-party deductions. He called on President Tinubu to reevaluate the IPPIS issue in the interest of justice and industrial harmony.

In response to the suspension of the 40% IGR remittance, COEASU expressed satisfaction with the President’s decision. Olugbeko commended President Tinubu for demonstrating reason, a listening disposition, democratic ethos, and responsible leadership in suspending the policy without allowing it to escalate into a labor-government confrontation.

While acknowledging the President’s positive actions, COEASU urged him to extend this cooperative disposition to promptly address funding challenges in the College of Education system and other tiers of the tertiary education sector. The union emphasized the importance of resolving issues through social dialogue and collective bargaining to ensure industrial peace and an undisrupted academic calendar.

COEASU raised concerns about the centralization of payroll administration through IPPIS, highlighting its adverse effects on the autonomy of Governing Councils, the erosion of the authority of Provosts, and the violation of global best practices in tertiary institution management. The union also urged President Tinubu to address the illegal dismissal of Governing Councils, conclude the overdue renegotiation of the COEASU-FG 2010 agreement, review the monthly running grant for Colleges of Education, and promptly release funds.

Additionally, COEASU emphasized the need to resolve outsourced services issues, such as security and cleaning, and urged the immediate implementation of special bursaries and grants for education students in Universities and Colleges of Education.

News

Troops kill 52 terrorists, arrest ISWAP leader in Bauchi – DHQ

Published

9 hours ago

December 1, 2023

Web Administrator

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reported that a joint operation involving Nigerian military troops and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives resulted in the elimination of 52 terrorists and the apprehension of a leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Bauchi State.

The ISWAP leader was captured in a sting operation at Tarum, a village outside Bauchi Metropolis, as disclosed by Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, in a statement on Friday.

While the DHQ did not disclose the name of the arrested ISWAP leader, it revealed that the individual held a significant role in the North Central and North West zones.

The military high command emphasized that targeting terrorist leadership is crucial in ensuring the safety and security of citizens, with ongoing operations consistently diminishing the fighting force and capacity of these groups.

Maj.-Gen. Buba noted that Nigerian Air Force airstrikes played a key role in destroying terrorist leaders’ enclaves in the North West and North Central zones in the past week.

The week’s operations resulted in the neutralization of 52 terrorists, the arrest of 204 individuals associated with terrorism, and the rescue of 234 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, in the South-South zone, troops recovered stolen crude oil and illegal refined products, destroyed various equipment and sites used for illegal activities, and seized a substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and other items associated with criminal operations.

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‘Stop making police officers’ wives widows’ – Arase decries killing of cops in South East

Published

9 hours ago

December 1, 2023

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Solomon Arase, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, has expressed distress regarding the escalating violence against security personnel, particularly police officers, in the South East region.

The former Inspector General of Police highlighted the growing number of police officers’ wives becoming widows due to attacks by gunmen in the area. In a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations, Arase conveyed his apprehension during a courtesy visit by leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, in Abuja.

Arase emphasized that it’s essential to communicate to the assailants that the police are not their adversaries and have committed no wrongdoing. He lamented the loss of numerous serving officers in the South East, urging the perpetrators to recognize the police as friends and cease making widows out of officers’ wives, who are essentially their sisters.

Furthermore, Arase assured that the Commission has addressed the perceived marginalization of the South East in police representation nationwide.

Elder Onwu Arua, the leader of the Ohanaeze delegation, expressed concern about the lack of interest among people in the South East regarding the ongoing police recruitment exercise. He urged the Police Service Commission to devise strategies to address this issue.

News

IPOB alleges pressure on Gov Mba to blackmail Supreme Court

Published

14 hours ago

December 1, 2023

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On Friday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) alleged that Governor Peter Mba was facing pressure from “Aso Rock” to discredit the Supreme Court ahead of the judgment on its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, scheduled for December 15. IPOB based this claim on Mba’s characterization of the group as a proscribed organization, a statement he made after visiting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

IPOB cautioned the governor against making a “costly mistake” by using the group’s name to gain favor from Tinubu’s administration. In a statement by Powerful, a spokesperson for IPOB, it was emphasized that Mba’s comments were deemed reckless and unguarded. The statement alleged that Mba, under pressure from the federal government, accused IPOB of being responsible for the sit-at-home protest and insecurity in the Southeast.

The statement pointed out that Mba had previously condemned Simon Ekpa, who was associated with the enforcement of the Monday sit-at-home. IPOB expressed skepticism about the governor’s motives and suggested that his statements were influenced by the Tinubu administration.

IPOB urged the public to dismiss the governor’s remarks, describing him as a “cowardly governor” making unfounded accusations. The statement reminded Mba that IPOB is not easily intimidated and warned against attempting to use the group’s name for political advantage.

The statement concluded by calling on the Nigerian Supreme Court Justices not to succumb to blackmail, urging the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who was acquitted by the Court of Appeal. IPOB reiterated its commitment to the cause of self-determination and emphasized that the movement would not yield to blackmail or pressure.