Education

ASUU Plateau State Branch Protests Over Unmet Demands, Warns of Looming Strike

Published

1 year ago

August 26, 2025

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The Plateau State branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-PLASU) on Tuesday, August 26, held a protest at the Plateau State University, Bokkos, to demand the immediate implementation of both the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement and their local agreements with the Plateau State Government, warning that industrial action may be inevitable if grievances are ignored.

In solidarity the protesters marched with placards bearing inscriptions such as: “Fulfill the ASUU-PLASU/State Government signed agreement,” “End the victimization of our colleagues,” “Retirement is not a death sentence,” “Pay our November outstanding minimum wage and wage award,” “We demand immediate enrollment into the state health insurance scheme,” and “We say no to TISSF-Loan; we demand our legitimate earnings.”

Plateau Branch Raises Alarm

Chairperson of ASUU-PLASU, Dr. Monday Hassan Zitta, while addressing journalists, said the rally was necessary to draw attention to neglect of lecturers’ welfare and disregard for agreements at both federal and state levels.

“Our members teach on empty stomachs, conduct research without journals or laboratory resources, and still face ridicule for being blamed over unemployable graduates,” he said. “This is not sustainable. Successive governments have toyed with collective bargaining, and the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement remains abandoned more than a decade later. Enough is enough.”

On the specific challenges facing PLASU, Dr. Zitta faulted the university management for allegedly undermining earlier agreements with the union.

“We agreed with the state government that twenty million naira should be set aside monthly to cater for Earned Academic Allowances. Unfortunately, management unilaterally slashed it to ten million using a template they claimed was from NUC. This is not only demoralizing but a recipe for disharmony in our university,” he stated.

He added that unresolved issues also include:

Clarifications on pension deduction funds
Clarifications on gratuity funds management
Postgraduate remuneration
Staff Quarters.
Road Network
Bus for Academic Staff.
Health insurance.
Power (electricity)

Despite his criticism, Zitta emphasized the union’s willingness to discussions .“We remain open for dialogue that will lead to academic stability, but we cannot accept actions that endanger the progress of Plateau State University, The time to act is now,” he warned.

National Leadership in Solidarity

National President of ASUU, Professor Chris Piwuna, who joined the protest, commended the Plateau branch for amplifying both local and national concerns.

“ASUU is one family—there is no state or federal ASUU. The plight of PLASU academics is the plight of every member,” he declared. “We are ready to sit with government, but if they remain indifferent, we are equally ready for action. If they don’t move, we will move.”

He further cautioned the government against neglecting education. “Professor Fafunwa once said, ‘If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.’ Decades later, ignorance has produced insecurity, unemployment, and poverty. If Nigeria is to develop, the government must take education seriously,” Piwuna stressed.

Piwuna, however, acknowledged progress by the university administration. “We thank PLASU management for starting the mainstreaming of allowances, but it must be done with the correct template. We appreciate the fence around this campus, but we demand more. Our fight is not against universities—it is for their survival.”

VC Joins Protest

In a rare show of support, the Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University, Professor Shadrack Gaya Best, joined the protest march, a gesture that drew applause from both branch and national leaders.

Prof. Piwuna praised his presence:

“For the Vice Chancellor to carry our placard when many government officials are running away from us, it shows courage. We will fight him when necessary, but today he has stood with us, and we appreciate that solidarity.”

Dr. Zitta also acknowledged the VC’s efforts in sustaining cordial relations.

“Since assuming office, he has kept his word on prompt payment dates and cleared outstanding non-academic allowances, except for November arrears. While we still have issues to resolve, we commend his openness,” the ASUU-PLASU chairperson noted.

Responding, Prof. Best reiterated that his administration does not withhold entitlements of staff.

“We do not sit on anything that belongs to our staff. As long as resources are available, we will facilitate and not obstruct. The future need not be turbulent; it should be one of dialogue, understanding, and progress for our university system,” he assured.

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Education

South Africa: 11-Year-Old Boy Assaulted, Circumcised by Four Schoolmates in Toilet

Published

2 weeks ago

September 3, 2026

Preport

An 11-year-old pupil at Sinqobile Primary School in Soshanguve, South Africa, was allegedly dragged into a school toilet and forcibly circumcised by four older students during break time.

The Grade 5 pupil was reportedly attacked by four Grade 7 students, who allegedly pinned him down before one of them used a sharp blade to remove his foreskin.

The boy was also allegedly threatened with violence if he disclosed the incident to anyone.

According to his mother, the child returned home after the incident but initially refused to tell her what had happened. She later noticed that he was walking unusually and, days later, discovered that he was in severe pain.

The mother said her son eventually showed her his swollen private parts, prompting her to rush him to a doctor.

“He then showed me his swollen private parts and I rushed him to the doctor and it was then that we learned four pupils had circumcised him,” she said.

She said her son told her that the older boys had attacked him in the school toilets during break and threatened to beat him if he told anyone.

The mother subsequently opened a criminal case and refused to allow her son to return to school. Police later persuaded the boy to attend an identity parade, where he reportedly helped identify the four students.

South African Police Service spokesperson, Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, confirmed that a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was being investigated.

“Our Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit are investigating and no arrests have been made at this stage,” Sibeko said.

The Gauteng Department of Education also confirmed that the matter was under police investigation, while saying the school had not reported any similar circumcision attacks.

Deputy Principal George Mahlungu said the school was shocked by the incident.

“We are perplexed by what happened. This school is a place where a child should be safe,” he said.

The school has about 2,050 pupils between the ages of seven and 15.

A doctor who examined the boy reportedly said the procedure appeared to have been carried out in a manner similar to traditional tribal initiation practices. However, the doctor said a full diagnosis could not be made until the swelling subsided.

The boy’s mother said her son had become traumatised by the incident and was afraid to return to school.

Police investigations are ongoing, and no arrests had been made as of the latest report.

Business

Plateau Strengthens Technical Education, Prepares NITT Centre for September Take-Off

Published

4 weeks ago

August 19, 2026

Preport

The Plateau State Government has taken a major step towards expanding access to specialised transport education and practical technical training with the handover of facilities at the Government Science Technical College, Bukuru, to the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria.

The facilities, comprising part of the college’s Mechanical Workshop, five classrooms and a residential quarter, will serve as the NITT Learning Centre and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion Centre, providing students, technicians and professionals with opportunities to acquire practical skills in modern transportation technology, CNG conversion and logistics.

The Plateau State Government was represented at the handover ceremony by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Davou Gyang Jatau, who said the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening technical education, skills development and the adoption of modern transportation technologies.

Jatau said the Mechanical Workshop would provide a practical environment for CNG conversion training, while the classrooms would support theoretical instruction, professional development and capacity-building programmes.

He added that the residential accommodation would improve the welfare of personnel and learners who would be associated with the centre.

The commissioner expressed confidence that NITT would make effective and sustainable use of the facilities to expand educational and technical opportunities for people in Plateau State.

“We are confident that NITT Zaria will make effective and sustainable use of these facilities for the benefit of Plateau State and Nigeria at large.”

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mrs Jummai Shekarau, described the handover as an investment in technical education, innovation and human capital development, rather than simply the provision of infrastructure.

She said the CNG Conversion Centre would provide young people with practical skills that could improve their employability and enable them to take advantage of opportunities emerging in the CNG value chain.

According to her, the centre would also encourage entrepreneurship and job creation while supporting the transition from petrol and diesel to cleaner and more affordable energy alternatives.

The Registrar of NITT, Zaria, Dr Maina Williams Tarfa, commended the Plateau State Government for providing facilities beyond what the institute had initially requested.

Tarfa said the intervention would enable NITT to establish a strong educational presence in Plateau State and bring specialised transport training closer to residents.

He expressed confidence that the centre would commence operations by September, providing training opportunities for local government technicians and other professionals across the state.

He explained that NITT would introduce programmes including Advanced Diploma, Graduate Diploma and Master’s programmes in Transport and Logistics, while deploying its technical experts to deliver quality training and practical services.

Tarfa said the centre would help bridge the gap between theoretical education and practical skills by giving learners direct exposure to modern transport technologies.

Dr Sani Barau, Special Adviser to the Director General/Chief Executive of NITT, said the handover marked the transition from planning to implementation after concerted efforts to secure and prepare the facilities.

Barau stressed the need for a clear and speedy activation plan to ensure that the centre becomes operational as soon as possible.

He said the initiative would involve local technical stakeholders, create investment opportunities and strengthen the skills base required for the development of Plateau State’s transport sector.

The officials subsequently toured the facilities to inspect the progress of rehabilitation works at the institution ahead of the planned commencement of operations in September.

The establishment of the NITT Learning Centre is expected to strengthen technical and vocational education in Plateau State, giving students, technicians and professionals access to practical training and advanced qualifications in transport, logistics and emerging vehicle technologies.