.. expresses concern over looming brain drain

There are indications that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may not be calling off its eight weeks old strike anytime soon despite offers by the federal government.

The Union has insisted that it will only call off the the 8-month old strike when it sees significant commitment of the federal government towards fulfilling its promise to the union.

ASUU had embarked on the strike following disagreement it had with the government over refusals to bring its members under the federal government Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which it said does not capture its peculiar situation, adding that it will bring it under government bureaucracy, and erodes it autonomy

ASUU therefore, proceeded to develop what it described as ” a more transparent pay system” named the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as an alternative to the IPPIS

Following the disagreement, ASUU embarked on an indefinite strike in March over several issues including the non-implementation of agreements and resolutions the government reached with the union in 2009.

Thus, despite several meetings with the federal government, both parties had remained resolute on its position, until recently when the federal government offered the sum of N65 billion to ASUU to call off the lingering strike

Labour Minister, Chris Ngige had while speaking on the latest offer, disclosed that N15 billion of the amount would be dedicated for revitalisation of universities.

N20 billion, he said, was offered to the union, which makes it N35 billion earmarked for revitalization of infrastructure in the universities.

The government therefore, urged the Vice-chancellors across public universities to submit details of the Earned Academic Allowances EAA to the National Universities Commission (NUC) before November 30.

But Biodun Ogunyemi, President, ASUU in an interview with BusinessDay on Thursday said that the union is yet to meet with other branches of the union to deliberate on the offer. He however said the decision to call of the strike will be taken very soon

“We assure our students that once we see significant improvements in what government is planning to do and see them actually doing what they promised we will not hesitate to call off the strike.

The ASUU President when pressed further, said
“I will not be the one to determine if ASUU will call off the strike, we have sent the latest offers to our branches and we will meet very soon to consider and get back to government if not tomorrow (friday), it will be very soon

This is just as the ASUU President warned that the country may face another wave of brain drain following the poor commitment of government towards addressing the demand of the union and ultimately address the different levels of rot in Nigeria’s education system.

Ogunyemi wondered why the federal government had refused to raise a Visitation Panel to its Universities for over ten years now, as against provisions that such panels must visit the Universities, every five years.

Such visits, he said would allow the government to evaluate the true state of infrastructure in the Universities.

Ogunyemi, said Nigerian Universities not only lack the basic infrastructure to keep scholars in the sector, but the very few available facilities are already going obsolete and government’s will to address the matter has been tragic.

The ASUU President said the immediate cause of the the lingering crisis remains the non implementation of the 2019 Memorandum of Action (MOA) signed with the federal government on 7th February 2019.

He decried that government have made several promises to the union for several years which has not been actualized despite the Memorandum of understanding and Actions signed.

According to him, some of these issues include the revitalization fund, which has been on since 2009; Earned Academic Allownaces which government agreed to pay in four installments in 2019, the failure of government to carry out Visitation to public universities. He siad the last Visitation was conducted in January 2011 and government promised to inaugurate Visitation panels but has not fulfilled it.

“Government made several promises on all these but have not been able ro fulfil them. Government is now trying to play a trick against the union”, he cried

The President disclosed that only N20 billion of the N1.3 trillion naira have been committed by the Muhammadu-Buhari led administration to revitalise university.

“Let me put it bluntly, government has not addressed revitilization that is why it’s still an issue”, he said.

He recalled that in 2013 under Jonathan government conducted a NEEDS assessment on universities and agreed to inject a total of 1.3 trillion into Publuc universities for six years after seeing the level of decay, but only successfully paid the the first tranche of 200 bn, while 220 billion is to be paid for the next 5 years, but regrets that the Muhammadu Buhari Administration has not done anything meaningful to that regards.

Ogunyemi explained that of the N65 billion offered by government to lure the union into calling of the strike only N25 billion is for revitalization instead of the agreed N110 billion, while 40 billion was meant to address Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).

On other demands of the union, particularly the IPPIS and its proposed UTAS, the ASUU president said, despite the “powerful lobby and gang up ” UTAS will surely see the light of the day.

He insisted that the university system has its peculiarities, adding that IPPIS will not allow the University its autonomy

” We cannot embark on recruitment without clearance from the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation which will take away the autonomy of Universities.” he said

According to him, the universities will among other things lose its autonomy and deprive students of learning in line with global beat practicesm

“You don’t put University under the armpit of civil service because you are now exposing them to the risk of bureaucracy. Universities are unique its not like civil service where you just unify all allowances and payroll.

” Under IPPIS, We cannot attract scholars from other climes to share global practices .IPPIS will not allow that because it means you will have to go and clear with the head of service . What we call over time excess work load, administrative allowances are not the same as the civil service”, he said.

The ASUU President recalled that in the 1990s , Nigeria had the first wave of brain drain adding that the country is yet to recover from it, even as he regretted that government is yet to create the enabling environment for scholars to compete with their counterpart on ither climes.

This, according to him is evident in the lingering strikes following failure of government to commit funds to the revitalization of the university system after several years of clamour and agitations for several years.

He disclosed that only N20 billion of the N1.3 trillion naira have been committed by the Muhammadu-Buhari led administration to revitalise infrastructure in universities across the country

He pointed out that the union is not just pushing for the adoption of the home grown UTAS for the interest of the union alone, but for the benefit of the entire country.

According to him, ” IPPIS was imposed on Nigeria by the world bank and the leadership of Nigeria has consequently been sold to world bank and IMF.”

“Nigeria is not free, Nigeria is in chains, if informed Nigerians know the level of bondage the country has been put into, we will all join hands with ASUU

“Our government took a loan of 140 million dollars to implement IPPIS and we are bringing a platform that Nigeria will not need to pay any foreign currency to service, which one is better? Is it something that will enslave us or something that will liberate us. We are clear about the reasons for accept IPPIS”, he said.

Now in its 15th year, the annual event hosted by the Senior Pastor of House On The Rock, Paul Adefarasin, showcases multi-talented and dynamic gospel artistes from different parts of the world.

The past 14 editions were held at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos and each gathering averaged an attendance of over 500,000 people, making it arguably the largest gospel concert in the world.

But the organisers of the programme announced this week that the event will not hold at the expansive space in the Tafawa Balewa Square, a decision taken to maintain physical distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Experience 15 (Global Edition), is scheduled to hold on Friday, 11th December, 2020 virtually, livestreamed around the world, serving as a platform to unify the global Church and establish God’s Kingdom here on earth,” the organisers wrote on the event website.

“Yes, we had the last 14 editions together mainly in one place, yet now we are not apart, we are still in this together as we go global with the #TE15G. There are no barriers and nothing can stop us, our God deserves our praise all the way, and He will have it,” @TheExperienceLG tweeted.

This year’s concert will showcase artistic musical performances, goodwill messages and intercessory prayers by internationally recognised artistes including Don Moen, Tope Alabi, William MCDowell, Tasha Cobbs, amongst others.

John Alechenu, Nike Popoola, Femi Asu, Okechukwu Nnodim, Ife Ogunfuwa, Joseph Olaoluwa and James Abraham

Economic experts and interest groups in Nigeria’s economy on Sunday advised the Federal Government to reduce the cost of governance and encourage production.

Experts and groups including a professor of political economy and management expert, Pat Utomi; the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Obadiah Mailafia, gave the advice in separate interviews with The PUNCH while commenting on Nigeria’s recent economic recession.

They said  government should cut tax for the poor and diversify the economy. According to them, in diversifying the economy,  government must match its words with actions.

Amid a rising debt profile, inflation and unemployment, Nigeria on Saturday entered its second recession in five years as official figures showed that the economy shrank again in the third quarter of this year.

This year’s recession is the worst in 36 years as data obtained from the World Bank indicated that the country’s Gross Domestic Product dropped by 10.92 per cent in 1983 and 1.2 per cent in 1984.

The National Bureau of Statistics, in its report for third quarter of 2020, said the GDP, the broadest measure of economic prosperity, fell by 3.62 per cent in the three months up till September.

On Sunday,  Utomi, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said government must rebuild trust of the people.

He said, “The starting point of any policy initiative is rebuilding trust of the people. The cost of governance in Nigeria has been growing for years. It got worst recently.

“Secondly, it is important that Nigeria moves from consumption to production. Part of the problems in Nigeria is that we are oriented to consuming what we do not produce. Nigeria’s economy does not produce. Public policies are geared towards sharing revenue than production.

“The fact that the environment for production is made hostile by government policies and weaker institutions has not made it any easier. We have to do everything to avoid going the way of Venezuela (which is currently experiencing total economic collapse and hyperinflation).

“We need people who are champions of production to be inspired and encouraged.”

He asked the government to stop funding old business leaders and invest in younger ones who are not looking to exploit the system.

Nigeria’ll slide into recession again â€“ ACCI, others

The President of the ACCI, Adetokunbo Kayode, and the immediate past Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Sam Amadi, in separate interviews with our correspondents, said government must take shrewd decisions to save Nigeria from the current recession and further economic shocks.

The ACCI president said government must take practical steps to diversify the economy and stop reliance on oil.

Third recession imminent unless FG diversifies economy, Abuja Chamber of Commerce

He said, “Nigeria will come out of this recession but the unfortunate thing is that we will go back into it again. So, it is an in-and-out thing unless we learn lessons. We have to learn serious economic lessons and take some decisions.

“One, we must diversify the economy. The government has been saying that it wants to do it, but it is just on paper. And it is simple to do this; you must produce what you need.

“This is so that you can reduce your imports. Government should develop industrial parks in partnership with private sector players. Government seems not to have learnt its lesson from the recent #EndSARS protest.

“We have too many people on the streets and the street is more powerful than the office. The guys in office started the #EndSARS but they were over-powered by street boys.”

Tax luxury goods â€“ Amadi

On his part, the former NERC chairman tweeted on Sunday that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had got Nigeria into a second recession under his regime and should take the country out of it.

Amadi said, “Since @NGRPresident has got us into a second recession, it has a responsibility to get us out quickly. To start, it should refocus from feeding the rich and starving the poor.

“It is now time to tax luxury items, reduce salaries and allowances of the upper level and reduce tax on poor.”

On his part, Mailafia said Nigeria relapsed into another recession because the people had lost confidence in the system.

He noted that because of the high level of insecurity, people in the North-West, North-Central and North-East had abandoned their farms.

He added that the same problem was in the South, leading to the rise in inflation.

According to him, investments in the country have dropped, thus jobs are not being created.

The former CBN deputy governor, therefore, advised government to restore people’s confidence by addressing insecurity so that people could go back to farms.

He warned that unless this is done, things will get worse next year.

The Chairman of Foundation for Economic Research and Training, Prof. Akpan Ekpo, described the current recession as a special type “as it affects both the demand and supply sides of the economy.”

The former Director-General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management told one of our correspondents that the government would have to spend a lot of money by increasing workers’ wages and capital expenditure to get the economy out of recession.

“The government has to have investment policies and strategies that will encourage private investors to invest,” he said, adding that there was a need to intensify efforts to diversify the economy.

He said conventional monetary policies would not work, adding that the Central Bank of Nigeria should ensure the implementation of initiatives such as the agricultural intervention funds.

Akpan said states must also put a lot of money into health and other infrastructure.

We won’t exit recession until fourth quarter of 2021 â€“ Foundation  Chairman

He said, “I don’t see the recovery happening until the fourth quarter of next year because it’s a global recession; our trading partners are also in recession. We have a weak domestic economy. Even before the recession, our economy was not doing well.

“Now that we are deep in recession, we need aggressive policies, and they must be implemented. Monies borrowed by the government must be spent on infrastructure.”

Stop inhibiting productivity, expert advises FG

An economist and Senior Lecturer, Lagos Business School, Dr Bongo Adi, said the government should stop inhibiting productivity in the country and encourage private investors to invest in infrastructure.

He said, “The economy has been on autopilot; the managers of the economy have not manifested that they are primed for the job.

“We have not seen any proactive policies aimed at stimulating the economy; the government has always been reactive.”

Improve domestic production â€“ Tella

A professor of Economics at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Sherrifdeen Tella, said the government should manage the situation by improving domestic production, especially by supporting the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises.

“Government policies have not been helpful at all,” he said, adding that the increase in electricity tariff and fuel price during the COVID-19 crisis had compounded the challenges facing industries.

He said, “It is important for the government to see how they can give industries some relief. We still have problems with the importation of raw materials. Foreign exchange should be made available for companies to import raw materials.

“Government needs to reduce the cost of governance so as to free up some money for interventions, particularly for SMEs. Government policies must be proactive, not reactive.”

The use of condoms will not protect sex partners from contracting COVID-19 if one of them is positive for the virus, scientists warn.

They say that although condom is effective against many sexually transmitted infections, it will not prevent contracting COVID-19 since transmission can occur through contact with an infected person’s mouth, nose, skin, or breath.

The researchers, numbering 12 and specialising in fields such as biological sciences, social sciences, evolution, psychology and gender, made this known in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of October 22.

Physicians say an individual may not know if someone has coronavirus; noting that being sexually active with another person involves some risk of coronavirus transmission, especially as some people may have no symptoms while they are infectious.

Researchers at the University of Maryland Medical System say sex during the coronavirus pandemic requires a whole new set of precautions on top of those that prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV-AIDS, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea or herpes.

“The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is more contagious than any STD because it is spread by droplets in the air. You can catch it just by being less than 6 feet away from an infected person. You can get it from touching a surface that was recently touched by a person who has COVID-19.

“Your risk goes up significantly with close contact, such as shaking hands. Simply getting close enough to have intercourse puts you at risk, regardless of whether you have sex. Contact that involves direct transmission of bodily fluids, such as kissing, would put you at greater risk.

“Recently, coronavirus was detected in semen but has not been detected in vaginal fluids of infected patients. Coronavirus is also present in saliva and respiratory secretions such as coughs and sneezes, as well as in urine and faeces,” the Maryland university researchers said.

Also, a New York City Health Guide states that the virus spreads through particles in the saliva, mucus or breath of people with COVID-19, even from people who do not have symptoms.

While acknowledging that humanity still has a lot to learn about COVID-19 and sex, the guide states that the virus has been found in the semen and faeces (poop) of people with COVID-19.

Senior author and professor of psychology and communication studies at the University of California Los Angeles, Martie Haselton, says humans have an array of mating strategies as products of successful reproduction, including long-term pair bonds, short-term casual sex, and everything in between.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is influencing these mating strategies and will have a profound impact on the global mating and economic landscape,” Haselton said.

Short-term mating is the most obvious strategy to be affected, the researchers noted, warning that “novel sex partners are potential virus vectors, rendering the costs of casual sex steeper.”

While in-person sex is being replaced, perhaps temporarily, with online versions such as sexting, video cams, and virtual sex in COVID-19 endemic climes,  those who risk in-person sex may be exposing themselves to high risk of COVID-19 infection, they said.

According to the scientists, the use of condoms, although effective against many sexually transmitted infections, will not prevent contracting COVID-19, since transmission can occur through contact with an infected person’s mouth, nose, skin, or breath.

Especially at risk are those who pursue a fast-life history strategy — marked by short-term sex pursuit, frequent [sex] partner switching, and deceptive sexual tactics, the researchers warn.

Such people risk “becoming potential superspreaders” of COVID-19 infections, the research stated.

Lead researcher, who is also a psychology doctoral student at UCLA, with expertise in behavioral neuroscience, Benjamin Seitz, said the group used data from dating apps, sexually transmitted infection rates, and surveys to understand shifts in sexual behaviours as waves of COVID-19 outbreak, lockdowns, and economic downturns occur.

How you can help yourself during sex in an age of COVID-19:

• Kissing can easily pass the virus. Avoid kissing anyone who is not part of your small circle of close contacts.

• Rimming (mouth on anus) might spread the virus. Virus in feces may enter your mouth and could lead to infection.

• Wear a face covering or mask. Maybe it’s your thing, maybe it’s not, but during COVID-19 wearing a face covering that covers your nose and mouth is a good way to add a layer of three protection during sex. Heavy breathing and panting can spread the virus further, and if you or your partner have COVID-19 and don’t know it, a mask can help stop that spread.

• Make it a little kinky. Be creative with sexual positions and physical barriers, like walls, that allow sexual contact while preventing close face to face contact.

• Masturbate together. Use physical distance and face coverings to reduce the risk.

• Condoms and dental dams can reduce contact with saliva, semen or feces during oral or anal sex.

• Washing up before and after sex is more important than ever. o Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Wash sex toys with soap and warm water. 

• Skip sex if you or your partner are not feeling well. If you feel unwell, or even start to feel unwell, avoid kissing, sex or any close contact with others.

• If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, avoid close contact with anyone outside your household and follow NCDC guidance about how to prevent exposing others. People exposed to COVID-19 should get tested for the virus.

• If you or your partner have a medical condition that can lead to severe COVID-19 illness, you may also want to skip sex. Medical conditions include lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, liver disease, cancer or a weakened immune system (for example, having unsuppressed HIV or a low CD4 count). 

The Nigerian Football Federation  in May handed Rohr a new two-year contract extension that will see the German finish as the longest-serving coach in Eagles history by the end of his tenure in 2022.

Akpoborie believes Rohr has become a liability to the team following their draws against Sierra Leone in the double-header 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Eagles had raced to a 4-0 lead in the opening half hour of the first Africa Cup of Nations qualifier but they imploded in the second half, allowing The Leone Stars to claw their way back to an unbelievable 4-4 draw.

Rohr’s men also failed to redeem their image at the Siaka Stevens Stadium as they could only share points in a goalless draw in the reverse fixture in Freetown last Tuesday.

“The NFF should not have given him a new contract in the first place,” Akpoborie who was capped 12 times by the Eagles said.

“The last four games were horrible. “The alarms came on before they gave him this contract. I said it by that time. But do they listen? The answer is no they don’t.

“Rohr has become a liability, he can’t give what he doesn’t have.

”All the billboards and all your TV sets have not been telling lies.”

The Eagles still top Group L on eight points after four games and will face Benin Republic in March 2022 on matchday five before rounding off the qualifiers with a home tie against Lesotho.