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Update : Reconsider your position on indefinite strike, FG tells ASUU
The Federal Government on Tuesday said it has done much for the education sector, especially, to the universities, which should enable the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) reconsider its position on industrial strike.
Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Opiah, said this in a presentation to the Senate Committee (Tertiary Institutions and TETfund) during an oversight visit to the Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday in Abuja.
Opiah noted that it wouldn’t be out of place for major stakeholders in governance, like the members of the National Assembly, to leverage on what the government has done so far to see if the striking lecturers can go back to the classrooms.
The Minister said that the federal government has done the necessary things for ASUU to resume classes, adding that major stakeholders like the federal lawmakers can also come into the matter.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media/Public Affairs, Kelechi Mejuobi, Opiah said contrary to the wrong impression being held about the position of the federal government, all demands of ASUU have been met.
He said that the federal government only came up with a standard principle of “no work, no pay” which he said was a universal policy the university teachers are expected to imbibe and let go.
The statement reads: “Government has yielded to all the demands of ASUU. The only thing is that government doesn’t support “anyone who doesn’t work but wants pay”
Opiah, who represented the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, during the visit of the senators, revealed that TETfund has done more than expected by throwing in trillions of naira into the system, more than what ASUU requested for the infrastructural development of universities in the country, adding that issues related to their welfare have also been settled.
While noting that a stakeholders’ dialogue on education can’t be ruled out from having a perfect system in the sector, the Minister stated that the involvement of other stakeholders will vindicate the position of government in the matter.
The Minister solicited the support of the Senate on Tertiary Institutions and TETfund for financial support to the new institutions of higher learning created by the federal government towards the end of the 2021, as bail-out request had been made to the Honourable minister of finance, budget and national planning for support to the institutions.
On achievements of the education ministry, the minister said that strides have been recorded in youth and adult literacy including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
“Other areas of excellence the ministry has recorded include teacher education, capacity building and professional development, curriculum and policy matters, tertiary education, education data and planning, information and communication technology in education and library services,” the statement added.
Opiah further solicited the assistance and cooperation of the national assembly at all times, adding that the ministry enjoys such visits.
He stated that all that was needed to move the education sector forward must be done by the ministry in line with the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Senate Committee led by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of TETfund Senator (Prof) Sandy Onor who expressed satisfaction with the manner they were received by the ministry said that the function was part of the constitutional responsibilities expected of them.
The Senate committee members expressed interest to join in the resolution process of the ongoing ASUU strike if called upon.
Present at the event were top officials of the ministry led by the Permanent Secretary, Andrew Adejo.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, over alleged money laundering offences.
A source within the anti-graft agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment officially on the matter, disclosed on Wednesday that Abdullahi was arrested in Abuja and is currently being held in the custody of the commission.
According to the source, the investigation involves alleged fraud amounting to about N500 billion.
“We have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, over alleged money laundering offences. He was arrested in Abuja and is currently in our custody. The amount involved is estimated at N500 billion,” the source said.
The commission is yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrest as investigations continue.
Senator Cyril Fasuyi, representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, has been dragged before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged fraud involving the sum of $2,980,535.00.
The petition, submitted by Mr. Nuel Wilson, West Africa Regional Representative of Integrated Packaging Systems FZCO (IPS Ingredis) and its Nigerian subsidiary, IPS Ingredis Integrated Systems Limited, accused Senator Fasuyi and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Adun Fasuyi, of conspiracy, fraudulent conversion, obtaining by false pretence, stealing, and diversion of foreign investment funds.
According to the petition, which was acknowledged by the EFCC on December 10, 2020, the Dubai-based company alleged that the senator and his wife, operating under the name Legacy Foods Limited, failed to remit payment for products supplied to them after several business transactions.
The petition stated that IPS Ingredis, a company registered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, conducts the business of sales, supply, and distribution of raw materials across different countries, including Nigeria, through its local subsidiary based in Lagos State.
The complainant explained that the business relationship between both parties began in November 2015 after the suspects were introduced to the company by one of its Chinese customers. Following several meetings, the Fasuyis allegedly represented themselves as credible business partners interested in the company’s line of products.
Based on the agreement, the company reportedly supplied various raw materials, including corn starch, maltodextrin, shortening, maltose syrup, and other products to Legacy Foods Limited through multiple purchase orders.
The petition further alleged that goods worth over $9 million were supplied to the suspects during the course of the business relationship. However, the company claimed that after selling the products, the suspects allegedly refused to pay the outstanding sum of $2,980,535.00.
“Our clients supplied goods worth over $9,000,000.00 to the suspects. The suspects, after selling all the goods, refused to pay the sum of Two Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Five United States Dollars worth of products already supplied,” part of the petition read.
The foreign investors also accused the suspects of allegedly diverting proceeds from the sales for personal use and benefits, despite repeated demands for payment.
According to the petition, investigations allegedly revealed that the products supplied had been sold and disposed of, while proceeds were allegedly converted for personal gains.
The complainant described the development as “a calculated attempt to dispossess foreign investors of their investment in Nigeria through fraudulent means.”
The petition also emphasized the need for Nigerian authorities to protect foreign investments and uphold the spirit of bilateral investment agreements between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, the petition named Mrs. Elizabeth Adun Fasuyi as a co-suspect in the matter. She was reportedly present in court alongside her husband at a point during proceedings but allegedly avoided arrest by operatives of the anti-graft agency.
Senator Cyril Fasuyi, representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, has been dragged before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged fraud involving the sum of $2,980,535.00.
The petition, submitted by Mr. Nuel Wilson, West Africa Regional Representative of Integrated Packaging Systems FZCO (IPS Ingredis) and its Nigerian subsidiary, IPS Ingredis Integrated Systems Limited, accused Senator Fasuyi and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Adun Fasuyi, of conspiracy, fraudulent conversion, obtaining by false pretence, stealing, and diversion of foreign investment funds.
According to the petition, which was acknowledged by the EFCC on December 10, 2020, the Dubai-based company alleged that the senator and his wife, operating under the name Legacy Foods Limited, failed to remit payment for products supplied to them after several business transactions.
The petition stated that IPS Ingredis, a company registered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, conducts the business of sales, supply, and distribution of raw materials across different countries, including Nigeria, through its local subsidiary based in Lagos State.
The complainant explained that the business relationship between both parties began in November 2015 after the suspects were introduced to the company by one of its Chinese customers. Following several meetings, the Fasuyis allegedly represented themselves as credible business partners interested in the company’s line of products.
Based on the agreement, the company reportedly supplied various raw materials, including corn starch, maltodextrin, shortening, maltose syrup, and other products to Legacy Foods Limited through multiple purchase orders.
The petition further alleged that goods worth over $9 million were supplied to the suspects during the course of the business relationship. However, the company claimed that after selling the products, the suspects allegedly refused to pay the outstanding sum of $2,980,535.00.
“Our clients supplied goods worth over $9,000,000.00 to the suspects. The suspects, after selling all the goods, refused to pay the sum of Two Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Five United States Dollars worth of products already supplied,” part of the petition read.
The foreign investors also accused the suspects of allegedly diverting proceeds from the sales for personal use and benefits, despite repeated demands for payment.
According to the petition, investigations allegedly revealed that the products supplied had been sold and disposed of, while proceeds were allegedly converted for personal gains.
The complainant described the development as “a calculated attempt to dispossess foreign investors of their investment in Nigeria through fraudulent means.”
The petition also emphasized the need for Nigerian authorities to protect foreign investments and uphold the spirit of bilateral investment agreements between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, the petition named Mrs. Elizabeth Adun Fasuyi as a co-suspect in the matter. She was reportedly present in court alongside her husband at a point during proceedings but allegedly avoided arrest by operatives of the anti-graft agency.
Engr. Marcus Adedini, Aspirant for Ife Federal Constituency, heartily congratulate the distinguished Ife-born retired military officer, Major General Adeyinka FAMADEWA (Rtd), on his well-deserved appointment as Special Adviser on Homeland Security by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This prestigious appointment is a clear recognition of your years of meritorious service, professionalism, discipline, and unwavering commitment to national development and security.
Your appointment has brought immense pride, honour, and joy to the people of Ife Kingdom, as it further reflects the excellence and capacity of our sons and daughters who continue to contribute meaningfully to nation-building. Your outstanding record of leadership and dedication to service remains a great source of inspiration to many across the country.
As you assume this important national assignment, I am confident that your wealth of experience and strategic leadership will contribute significantly to strengthening peace, stability, and homeland security in Nigeria.
I pray that God grants you wisdom, strength, and greater success in this new office. Congratulations once again, Sir.
Signed:
Engr. Marcus Adedini
Aspirant, Ife Federal Constituency
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