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President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, appealed to members of staff of Nigerian universities to give peace a chance and avail themselves of the opportunity of negotiations created by his administration.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Senior Staff Associations of Nigerian Universities are all geared up for strikes, following the failure of the government to meet their demands.
The unions were demanding the payment of their withheld salaries during the 2022 strike, among others, as they faulted the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement.
Tinubu, however, urged that the unions should embrace negotiations as he remained unwavering in his determination to ensure varsities are no longer shut to students.
Speaking at the grand finale of the 39th convocation of the University of Ilorin, held at the institution’s main campus in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday, Tinubu said the universities, just like the entire nation needed peace to give room for prosperity.
The President who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, said that his administration was committed to uninterrupted academic sessions in the universities.
He said, “My government is committed to an uninterrupted academic calendar. Let me, therefore, appeal to the staff members of the nation’s universities to always give peace a chance.
“Our universities, just as the entire nation itself, need peace to ensure prosperity.
“Gone were the days when universities would be closed down over issues that could be resolved through constructive engagements.
“No one gains anything from the closure of institutions of learning. We have grown beyond that and we should not return to that path. We would not allow that to happen again.
“Our universities should always be open for continuous quality teaching, research and community service to flourish.”
The President, who stated that the Federal Government is trying to fulfil its own part of the agreement, said “It was in this regard that the 2009 Re-negotiation Committee between the Federal Government and universities-based associations and unions under the leadership of Dr Yayale Ahmed was inaugurated.
“Furthermore as part of efforts to sustain this, we have effected the payment of four months of the previously withheld salaries of academic staff of universities.
“I have also directed the payment of the withheld salaries of the non-teaching staff of the universities. This was purposely done to show the magnanimity of the present administration, despite the activation of the principle of the ‘no work no pay’ rule.
“In addition, the Federal Government has also directed that the payment of salaries of university staff members be removed from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) forthwith.
“This is in response to the consistent pleas of the university trade unions. We will ensure that this removal is effected without further delay,” Tinubu said.
He spoke on student loans to tertiary institutions to cushion the effects of the current economic situation.
“Students of the University of Ilorin are not left out among the beneficiaries of this loan scheme.
“I am happy to inform you that the Nigerian Education Loans Fund (NELFUND) has come to stay to provide opportunities and access for students to learn with ease and pay back later.
“I, therefore, urge every student to take advantage of this privilege to better their lots,” he said.
Tinubu, however, urged the graduating students to join hands with other members of the society to solve the economic and security challenges facing the country.
In his address, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Abiodun Aluko, promised to sustain the mission of the institution.
Aluko, a former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, said the council would introduce and promote innovative ideas that would take the university to greater heights.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wahab Egbewole (SAN), noted that UNILORIN had produced notable Nigerians who are contributing immensely to national development.
He encouraged the graduates to keep learning, unlearning, and relearning, as their education was a foundation for future global competition.
12,042 graduates received certificates and diplomas at the 39th convocation of the University of Ilorin held in the University between Monday and Tuesday, October 21st and 22nd, 2024 out of which 256 First Class, 3,842 Second Class (Upper Division), 6,178 Second Class (Lower Division), 1,299 Third Class and 62 Pass.
“The 39th Convocation Ceremonies also include 124 MBBS graduands, 64 Nursing graduands, 35 Optometry graduands, 30 Veterinary Medicine graduands, 18 graduands with Distinction and 85 graduands with Pass in Pharmacy, one distinction and 32 Pass in Physiotherapy.
“We have a total of 16 Diploma degree holders. Furthermore, the total number of higher degrees to be awarded at the 39th convocation ceremonies is 1,875; out of this figure, there are 92 Postgraduate Diplomas, 1,280 Masters from various faculties, 179 Professional Masters, 1 MPhil and 323 PhDs,” he said.
