Education

No Work, No Pay Threats Is ill-Advised, PLASU Union tell Plateau Govt

Published

4 years ago

September 13, 2022

vicky

The Plateau State University Branch, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has responded to the threat by the Plateau State government to Commence implementation of No-Work-No pay against its members, describing it as ill-advised.

Chairman of the union and Secretary, Dr. Monday Hassan Zitta, and comrade Deme S Bitrus respectfully in a press statement issued to newsmen after the union congress meeting held in Jos on Monday, said the union was in receipt of the government’s letter written to the branch and have deliberated on the directive given by the state government to apply no- work -no pay rule for members of the union.

They reminded the state government that the initial stand of ASUU was that the fate of education in the entire country must be critically addressed before issues at the branches are tackled.

They also reminded the plateau state government that the national executive council of ASUU involving principal officers and members of the union made an extra effort in giving attention to the negotiation in order to cover a gap so that students and lecturers will resume as soon as other crucial issues that affect university education in the county are resolved.

According to the statement, “we wish to draw the attention of the state government that plateau state university can not thrive in isolation, it needs the support of the universities within and outside the county in the same way that all universities in the world collaborate with each other “

They also reminded the state government that during the negotiation, the representatives of the government were reminded that the issues at the national level affect all public universities in Nigeria and as such the strike by lecturers in plateau state university is the same strike that every lecturer in every public Nigerian university is embarking upon to ensure that no public university in Nigeria finds itself at a difficult end saying there is no Federal ASUU and no State ASUU.

” There is only one ASUU demanding that the government should act responsibly in ensuring quality education in the county.”

According to them, there are many challenges facing Plateau state university which are more than the challenges facing many public universities in Nigeria.

They argued that without the sacrifices made by ASUU, no department in the State university will come close to passing the accreditation tests and that the national university commission would have since closed down the institution.

“It is also significant to note that more than 90 percent of the structures in plateau State University were implemented by Tetfund or Needs assessment fund ( revitalization).

According to them, the state government has not offered sponsorship for both local and international to any academic staff of the institution, as they have to rely on Tetfund, Needs assessment, or their mega salaries to train themselves.

” It is therefore not only necessary but reasonable to work with the union that has over years long before the establishment of PLASU sustained and kept the Nigerian university education from deterioration like the public primary and secondary schools in the country.

They stressed that their congress is unanimously committed to the struggle.

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.