News
Nationwide Strike Looms: Academic Technologists Protest Unpaid Salaries
Nationwide Strike Looms: Academic Technologists Protest Unpaid Salaries
By Tobouke JEMINE
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has planned an indefinite strike starting November 14th, 2024, over five months of withheld salaries by the Federal Government.
This comes as SSANU and NASU are already on strike. NAAT’s President, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, confirmed the action, citing the government’s disregard for ultimatums.
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s approval to pay owed salaries, the Finance Minister has failed to act. Nwokoma questions the government’s commitment to resolving issues and alleviating NAAT members’ suffering.
He said, “It may interest you to note that several efforts were made in the past including series of letters, protests, visits, notices of ultimatums and several Memorandum of Understanding (MOUS) freely entered between NAAT and Federal Government (i.e MOU of 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022) as the result of efforts by Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment as conciliator of the Federal Government but all to no avail especially the last ultimatum in respect of withheld salaries and other issues which was not even acknowledged by the Federal Government (Federal Ministries of Education and Labour & Employment) which elapsed on the 21 M October, 2024.
“This is the highest level of insensitivity on the part of the relevant Agencies of Government.
“Consequent upon the above, the Union having reviewed the situation critically decided to give Federal Government additional two (2) weeks ultimatum, with effect from 30th of October 2024.
“The National Executive Council (NEC) has directed all her Branches in Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education to hold a nationwide protest to drive home our demands.
“Within the two weeks’ ultimatum, branches have been directed to hold congresses and conduct referendum to decide if the union will proceed on strike once the 14 days’ ultimatum expires on the 13th of November 2024.
“If at the end of the 14-day ultimatum there is no positive response from government, the union will embark on a national protest which will culminate into a total and indefinite strike without recourse to government.
“It is hoped that government will avail itself of this window to resolve the issues on ground, with the view to averting any industrial action.
“This decision is in line with our concern for the tertiary education system so as not to disrupt the academic calendar which will eventually affect research and practical teaching; Laboratory, Workshop, Farm and Studio practices and the attendant monumental loss of resources.”
Recall that the grievances of NAAT stem from several unresolved issues, including unpaid salaries of five and a half months and unimplemented agreement or partial execution of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement.
Other grievances include delayed circular release, CONTISS 14 & 15 implementation for academic technologists, unimplemented allowances for students’ Work Experience Programme (SWEP), Student-Technologist Staff Ratio Supplementation, unpaid arrears, minimum wage for omitted members (April 2019 – January 2020), underfunded university infrastructure and among others.
These longstanding issues have prompted NAAT’s planned indefinite strike.
By: Divine Perezide
The Imo State Government has introduced a new education policy prohibiting graduation ceremonies for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students, alongside a ban on the yearly replacement of textbooks.
According to a memo dated August 15, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) learners will now be allowed to hold graduation events-reflecting the structure of Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education model.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students. Henceforth, graduation ceremonies and parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students are hereby abolished,” the memo stated.
In a further move to ease the financial burden on parents and streamline academic consistency, the policy also mandates that approved textbooks must now be used for at least four years. This change is expected to allow siblings to reuse educational materials and prevent yearly replacement costs.
Violations-including frequent textbook changes or deviation from the approved list-are strongly discourage, The Guardian Nigeria reported in a related news.
Prof. Ikegwuoha emphasized in the directive that these reforms aim to reduce exploitative practices, foster learning continuity, and ensure focus remains on academic achievement rather than celebratory
By: Divine Perezide
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has arrived back in Nigeria following his participation at the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, and a short vacation in London. He touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of today, around 4 a.m.
In a statement upon arrival, Akpabio explained: “At about 4 a.m. this morning, I landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from London. While abroad, I attended the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva from July 29 to 31, before proceeding to London for a brief vacation.”
Reaffirming his commitment to the Nigerian people, the Senate President assured that the legislature would resume with renewed energy. “Nigerians can expect vibrant legislative activities when we reconvene. Our delegation made a strong impression at the global parliamentary forum in Geneva. Together with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, we ensured Nigeria’s voice was well represented,” he said.
Akpabio further pledged that the National Assembly would continue to pursue meaningful collaboration with the executive and judiciary to advance the collective interest of citizens.
News
Great Loss As Family Announces The Painful Passing Iduwini-borne Billionaire Prince, Presley Gere Iyalahga
By: Miracle Palakia
Odimodi, Delta State – The Iyalahga and Diepregha families, Odimodi, Aghoro, and the entire Iduwini Kingdom in Delta and Bayelsa States, breaks silence on the painful loss of their son, Prince Presley Isele Gere Iyalahga, Billionaire businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Preslyn Group of Companies, who passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the age of 48.
Prince Presley was an illustrious son of two distinguished families: His Royal Majesty Gere J. Iyalagha, (Igbedikuru-II), the late Ibenanawei of Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, and the late Regent of Iduwini Kingdom (Delta & Bayelsa States), High Chief Diepregha Akpotelemor of Gberigberi-Idumu Quarters, Aghoro-I Community, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The former President of the Iduwini National Youth Council for Peace and Development was a respected businessman and community leader, who’s untimely demise has thrown his family, friends, associates, community, and Kingdom into deep shock and sorrow. He’s survived by his beloved wife, Princess Preye Presley Iyalagha, and six children.
The families made known the development to newsmen on Saturday, August 16th, in a statement jointly signed by Mr. Oroupade Oweibe and George Diepregha for the families and his son, Prince Peremobowei Presley Iyalagha, for the children.
According to the statement, funeral rites will take place on Friday, August 29th, 2025. At 10 a.m., the body will depart Warri via Millar Jetty to his compound in Odimodi for a brief Funeral Service, lying in state, interment.
IduwiniVoice can report that Prince Presley Iyalagha’s passing marks not only the loss of a vibrant Royal entrepreneur but that of a leader in Iduwini Kingdom and Ijaw nation. His memory remains deeply cherished by the lives he touched and all who knew him.