Lagos State Reps asks Government to respect pact with ASUU

Lagos State House of Assembly has tasked the Federal Government to adhere to an agreement it reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on the payment of their earned allowance, which include work-load responsibility allowance amongst others.

 The House noted that the agreement was to enhance the welfare of university teachers in the country, and “should not be treated with kid gloves, but as priority of the Federal Government.”

 In reaction to the nationwide strike declared by ASUU on Monday, the lawmakers said it was disheartening that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, through the Federal Ministries of Education and Finance did not prioritize the welfare of the university teachers, while formulating the 2013 appropriation bill.

 The Assembly blamed Federal Government for its non-committance to the 2011 truce with ASUU till it results into another round of industrial action.

 In a statement signed by the spokesman and House Committee Chairman on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, Olusegun Olulade, the House said: “Granted that the N10 billion meant for the payment of the allowance was not accommodated in the 2013 budget, the Federal Government should go ahead and improvise the fund to ensure that the university teachers are paid without any delay whatsoever.”

 According to them, “The option of paying a quarter of the money is not only ridiculous but an insult on the sensibilities of the lecturers as well as a demonstration of half-hearted commitment towards their plights,” the statement reads in part.

 The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to take a cue from what obtains in other African countries like Ghana and South Africa where university workers have no cause to go on strike, making their academic calendar hitch-free.

 They also urged the government to ensure quick resolve of the lecturers’ grievances, adding that further delay would expose undergraduates to indulge in all kinds of anti-social activities such as internet fraud, prostitution, armed robbery as well as political/community violence and brigandage.

 Olulade also urged university teachers not to foreclose the option of negotiation and dialogue when and where necessary with a view to reaching a reasonable agreement on the issue.

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Angry Parents protest ban on hijab in schools

Following the Lagos State Commissioner for Education’s reported ban on the use  of hijab by Muslim students in the state’s public schools, Muslim parents have expressed their anger, saying act is against the practice of Islam.

 The Commissioner of Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, at the ministerial press briefing to mark the second anniversary of the second term in office of Governor Babatunde Fashola, who condemned the excessive flogging of the student for wearing hijab, said wearing of hijab to school is prohibited.

 “The hijab is not part of the school uniform and can only be worn by female muslim students when they are going to pray.

 The Lagos State Government has prohibited the use of hijab or other head wears by muslim students in her public schools, except if it is part of the school uniform.”

 This declaration sparked off protests by muslim parents who said their wards should be allowed to practise their religion freely.

 Speaking with reporters, Alhaji Isiaka of Alhusma Central Mosque said “muslims should be allowed to practise their religion irrespective of academic or religious environment.

 Nigeria is made up of diverse religions and every religion should be free to practise the ethics and beliefs guiding their religion.

 Some muslim mothers vehemently kicked against the law, saying that there are malaikas (muslim word for angels)” assigned to guide every aspect of man.

 “There are curses for those who choose to violate the commands of these malaikas such as those who expose their heads.

 This law, therefore, is against our religious ethics and would not be accepted.” However, at a stakeholder’s meeting chaired by the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Oyinlomo Danmole, which had muslim students and lawyers present, it was agreed that students can only use their hijab when they want to go for prayers, when they want to read Qur’an, and when they are going for Jumat prayer on Fridays.

 It was agreed that whoever insists that their daughters wear the hijab to school should send such to a private Muslim school so as to avoid confusion and break down of law.

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13th Lagos One-Day-Governor emerges

The 13th One-Day- Governor of Lagos State has emerged at the 2013 Spelling Bee competition held at Alausa, Lagos.

 The competition was organised in two phases for both primary and secondary school students.

 There were 52 contestants from 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas.

 It was won by Master Boadley Juwon Afolarin, 15, from Omole Senior Grammar School after a stiff contest among 52 contestants from 52 public schools in Lagos.

 The second position went to Abolaji Abudulraman from Community Junior High School, Ayobo, Ipaja, even as Master Bio Marvellous Ejiwon from Victoria Island Senior High School came third.

 Subsequently, Afolarin was presented with N250,000, while the second and third winners went home with N150,000 and N100,000 respectively.

 Speaking at the event, the First Lady of Lagos State, Her Excellency, Emmanuella Fashola who presented the cash prize of N250, 000 and a trophy to the first prize winner thanked Dufil Prima Foods Plc for ensuring that the grand finale was a huge success.

 She stated that she was impressed with Indomie for partnering with the Lagos State Government by being the title sponsors of the competition.

 “I am very glad and grateful to Indomie for coming on board as a major sponsor of this edition of the competition. This contest would encourage other children to emulate the winners of today’s competition by reading and taking their studies seriously.

 I would also like to use this medium to implore other corporate organisations to partner with the government so as to ensure that there is a continuous boost in the educational sector in Nigeria.”

 Former deputy governor, Lagos State, Mrs Adebisi Sarah Sosan in her remark said it is an indication that public school students are not doing badly.

 On his part, the official sponsor, Dufil Prima Food Plc, Public Relations/Event Manager, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju said; “Indomie is very proud of what Lagos State is doing in education.

 It is just the beginning of our partnership with Lagos State.” Ashiwaju disclosed that with performance of the students, Indomie will take Spelling Bee to national and international levels.

 “Funding of this project will never be an issue,” he said, noting that he would ensure that these three best winners become Indomie Ambassadors. Meanwhile, Boadley Juwon Afolarin who emerged first said in order for him to excel, most of the night, he woke up to study.

 According to him, he started preparing four months ago. His words; “I will like to be a physicist because I am good at Mechanical subjects. I would like Lagos State to build new laboratories, more books in our library and repair our toilets.”

 Some of the Spelling-Bee words include: Zoospermia, Bobby Dazzlier, Xenophobia, Chinchilla, Staccato, Hanukkah, Scolopophore, Mycorrhiza, Jabber wocky, Vinegarroon, Platyrrhine. Others are, Cornucopia Xanthorrhoea, Sooranjee, Boondoggle and Thaumaturge.

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