University Workers Begin Nationwide Strike Monday Over Unpaid Allowances, Job Security

The nation’s university education is heading for another major industrial unrest as workers in the sector have written to President Goodluck Jonathan intimating him of their resolve to commence a nationwide strike from Monday, December 10, over unpaid allowances and job security.

Acting under the umbrella of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, the workers are concerned over non-implementation of 2009 agreement government entered with them, especially as it concerned earned allowances to non-teaching staff members of SSANU and the planned outsourcing of non-teaching staff in universities.

A similar letter by SSANU to the Minister of Education and copied Minister of Labour and Productivity and National University Commission, NUC, gave the minister a week ultimatum to address the grievances of members or face industrial unrest.

The letter addressed to President Jonathan and signed by SSANU President, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, read: “On behalf of the entire membership of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), I write to greet Mr.President with utmost respect and congratulate you for your painstaking efforts at tackling the numerous problems of our country, including the difficult task of ensuing peace and normalcy in our universities.

Should You Get Back together with an Ex?

When Taylor Swift was doing the TV rounds to promote her latest album Red, the single that she performed most often was the one above. She told the ladies on The View why she wrote the song from her experience with some exes who sometimes refused to remain in the past. She laughed a lot as she told the story and I could see where she was coming from, if the ex was a real cuckoo.

But what if the ex was one of those, the one that got away. Someone you thought was your soul mate until something happened to break you guys up. I have sometimes heard from friends and other women how they dream that some of their exes would come back one day and say they made a mistake and should never have let them go. My romantic heart actually wrote two exes back together in A Love Rekindled, lol. Below are some pros and cons of getting back with an ex...

Don't Take Them Back Because...

1. You Can Never Make It Like It Used to Be
Some relationships simply can't withstand that moment when the magic ends. No need to get back together and beat a dead horse.

2. It Might Be for the Wrong Reasons
When you have that familiarity with each other, it's so easy to fall into bad habits. For example, I've gotten back together with many women as a temporary Band-Aid for our mutual loneliness (which usually plays itself out in the form of sex with no real relationship).

3. They Might Hurt You Again
Obviously, if someone hurt you, they could do the exact same thing again. So, on top of the pain, you'll feel stupid making the same mistake twice.

4. They'll Think They Can Get Away with Anything
If you take someone back, they may think they can get away with treating you badly and they'll take advantage of you. You don't want to be that person, so think hard before you take that risk.

5. You Have No Room to Grow
Meeting new people helps you grow, and you learn from each new relationship. Going back to the old relationship might stunt your growth as a person...and prevent you from meeting someone better.

Give Them Another Chance Because...

1. We All Deserve a Second Chance
There's power in forgiveness. If you expect perfect behavior in your significant others, you'll be disappointed, and breaking up often.

2. Losing You Made Them Get Their Act Together
The reality of losing someone causes people to get their act together. They do some soul-searching to figure out where they went wrong and they realize how they should develop to be better in the relationship the next time around.

3. You Might Regret Not Taking Them Back
We've all be there before with the one who got away. Sometimes it's worth taking the risk to take someone back simply because we know we'll regret it later, and wonder what could have been.

4. It's Impossible Not to Take Them Back
Usually, your heart is wrong and your head is right, but your heart wins out. Sometimes it's impossible to say "no," and that's OK. Just don't be surprised if it doesn't work out.

5. It Could Be Better Than It Ever Was
This is rare, in my opinion, but my parents are a good example of this. They got back together after a separation and they've been happy together ever since. Sometimes a break helps you sit back and take stock of everything. If the growth you do while you're apart is complementary, then you might be able to give it another shot.

Ultimately, I'd lean toward not taking someone back. I think it's important to move on and meet new people and gain experience. It's definitely riskier to take someone back than it is not to let them back in your life. However, I find it incredibly romantic when two people are separated by circumstance and time and overcome the odds to end up together.

Source

So have you had successful relationships with anyone the second time around? What's your policy on taking an ex back, and what are your thoughts on the pros and cons above? Is it usually a tough decision for you? What if the ex threw in a grand gesture and declaration of love, or a proposal of marriage? Will that tip the balance for y

Kate Henshaw on Domestic Violence and Divorce

Domestic Violence and Divorce are hot button topics in relationships and marriage discussions among women, and often, many who face these issues keep silent for fear of being stigmatized. It is certainly not what most of us wish for, but sometimes they happen. Kate Henshaw (Actress and TV Show Judge) says in a recent interview, that when they do, a woman has to know that it's possible to "stand up, dust yourself and move on." Her thoughts...

As a woman, and also as a celebrity, what are your views on domestic violence?
My views are very strong. Anyone who knows me would know that I am in the forefront of anything concerning domestic violence. I am an ambassador for Project Alert. Domestic violence has been with us for long. It’s just that these days, there are more people who are not concerned with keeping quiet. Titi Arowolo is dead, there are so many other people who have died. People think that if you are working in a bank or if you’re some big woman, you can’t be a victim of domestic violence. That is a big lie. It occurs across all social levels.

I once read an interview where you mentioned you were a victim of domestic violence in a relationship.
(Laughs) I’m laughing now and I’m glad I can laugh. It’s good to be able to look back and laugh at your problems. Yes I was a victim of violence in a relationship and it wasn’t pleasant. So I can really understand where a lot of people are coming from. I didn’t have the strength to stand up and move on my own. I had to go on my knees and pray to God for help. Each time I tried to move on, there would be apologies, and I was afraid to step out and start a new relationship but I’m glad I’ve come through it and now I can help people in similar situations.

..Your divorce came as a shock to a lot of people.
Shock? Have you not seen Seal and Heidi have divorced? Haven’t you seen people who have been married for 20 to 25 years have divorced? I’m not perfect, no one is. We all have our low moments. It doesn’t mean I’m a failure. Everybody goes through bad patches in life. If you intend to stay down and make it your focus or rise out of it and continue is what matters. Because life must go on, whether we like it or not. It’s always better to part under good circumstances than for someone to be in jail, or to die, or to be hurling insults at each other. There is no need for that.

Part of the reasons why many people were shocked at your divorce is you always manage to have a cheerful look.
It’s God. Looking back at my life, where I came from, I never even thought I would be an actress, I never even thought I would have an opportunity to meet people, to be a role model… so it’s not for me to feel self pity. I’m grateful to God every single day. I choose to be happy, I am a happy person. Someone encouraged me with these words yesterday “every problem you have would resolve and dissolve”.

When you think back at your marriage, is there anything you wish you had done differently?
No, not at all. Some people have said maybe it’s because I was too busy, maybe because of my work. But I tell them, this is my work. I love my work passionately and I love my daughter and my family. Those were the most important things to me. But if one part doesn’t work, the rest must work.

Are your wounds healed now? Have you moved on?
I am happy, I’ve moved on. I’m working. Sometimes, when things happen to you, you wonder how people would see it. I asked myself, am I going to lose friends? Loose my social standing? Is my brand going to be tainted? Nothing has. You know how you just fall, and you stand up, dust yourself and move on. That is what happened. I’m very grateful to Promasidor, they were extremely supportive and of course, everyone else who was there for me.

Would you give love a chance again?
I will oh! Me, I’m a lover I’m not a fighter. I’m only going to be very picky. I don’t know about marriage but maybe love.

Good luck to her!

Former Vice President Atiku's University Gets N17 Million Grant From Google

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar privately owned University, the America University of Nigeria, AUN, Yola has been described by Google as one of world’s leading centers of excellence.

Also as part of moves to boost ICT infrastructure in the Institution, Google, an Internet multilingual and social networking and identity service has entered into a major collaboration effort with the University, just as the AUN gained a grant of USD 112,400 (about N17,000,000) from the internet giants.

According to AUN, it has been working on this collaboration for almost a year and under this agreement, the University will use funds from Google to purchase goods and services that will help support and expand its network.

In a statement by the Chief Information Officer of AUN, Mr. Julius Ayuk Tabe SUnday, the University announced that the collaboration will also boost its Internet availability on campus.

Six other universities, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Senegal were also among other institutions of higher learning expected to benefit from the programme being offered to sub-Saharan African universities by Google. The social networking service, by this agreement, intends to ensure Google applications are widely used by partnering universities.

Excited by this development, the Chief Information Officer of the American University of Nigeria, Mr. Julius Ayuk Tabe, said it was a phenomenal achievement for the institution to offer broader Internet connectivity across all its campuses and locations for data, voice and video.

According to him, combined with the growing knowledge of the Google communication tools, the collaboration would open new doors for the students of the university that will leave the institution well equipped to start their future careers successfully, thereby contributing to the technological advancement of Nigeria, Africa and the world.

In her remarks, the President of the university, Dr. Margee Ensign, said in the 21st century, access to the Internet was necessary for students and educators around the world. She promised that the University would extend its technology, teachers and tools such as the Google Applications to their host community, Nigeria and Africa continent.

Nigeria Loses N78.5 Billion Annually To Foreign Universities — VC's

The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities said on Saturday that Nigerians spend an average of $500m (N78.5bn) annually on European and American universities.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day Consultative Policy Dialogue on the Future and Relevance of the Nigerian Universities and other Tertiary Institutions, organised by CVC and Trust Africa, Dakar.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the communique, signed by Prof. Michael Faborode, noted that the amount was about 70 per cent of the total allocation in 2008 to all federal universities.

It said this was an indication of the loss of faith in Nigerian universities as shown by the rush for foreign institutions, including other African countries. It stated that constant restiveness of students against host communities, school administration, weak governance structure and processes, were some of the challenges facing the Nigerian higher education sector.

According to the communiqué, these have contributed to disruptions of the academic calendar, including the constant bickering between the academic staff union and other staff unions, university management and government. The VCs said these had affected the culture of robust debate and collaborative engagement between government, university management and staff for a common vision and progress.

It noted that the global ranking of Nigerian universities had nosedived considerably, adding that there had been growing concern over the quality of graduates from Nigerian universities. The committee resolved to restore a culture of consultation, strategic productive engagement, and partnership, collaboration between management and staff of Nigerian higher education institutions.

It stressed that the appointment of vice chancellors must include respect for academic excellence, managerial, leadership capabilities, transparency and accountability. It added that others were the non-negative application of the principle of federal character to stem the tide of emerging sectional agitations and clamour for indigenes and other parochial interests.

The communiqué called for the setting up of an education, research innovation and development council to coordinate the synergy between knowledge, innovation and development in all the sectors of the economy. It also recommended that regular consultative policy dialogue on Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions be held biannually.

'D'Banj Proposed To Me' - Kokoma

Very few Nigerians will know the renowned musician named Kokoma Ikpong, but majority of people will know her as a very wealthy and young business lady. Few days before this interview, our press team was alerted that she was in town and luckily she was spotted having cocktail with few white friends of hers.

Hi, can we meet you?

I’m Kate Kokoma Ikpong.

We understand you're not fully based in Nigeria, can you talk about that?

Yes, I'm based in California USA. I have two companies there and am actually running down home finally. I might still go back to California but for now I feel it’s time to come enjoy Africa and do something here, at lease contribute to growth of the country.

You are into music, we have seen your smashing video, can you tell us about your music career?

I have been a music lover right from my secondary school, was the vice president of a choreography club. Then we used to perform every Sunday at the chapel. Started writing songs from SS.2 and I recorded my first single in 2006. I then moved to United States, and have been privileged to be in the studio with amazing artiste like Beyonce, Rihanna, Coldplay, Avril lavigne, Shade Adu and I actually did a song with R-Kelly but that record wasn’t released. So professionally I have been into music for six years.

So now that you are in Nigeria, what’s your plan for the Nigeria Music Industry?

I have always been a business person and truthfully I know what it's like being new or rather, functioning in a new geographical area or market. So for now I want to make friends, partner with young people and just have fun but also focusing on building a brand musically in Nigeria.

Which Nigerian artist would like to work with?

I have so many of them and truth be told I have a bit of a crush on some single Nigerian Male Artiste. I truly feel Flavour is quite cute and yes my very own D’banj. I’d really like to work with BankyW, Asa, WizKid, Tuface, Flavour, Olamide, Eva, BrymO, Tiwa Savage and the list goes on.

What’s the craziest thing you have experienced so far in the Nigeria Music Industry?

A lot actually, but I still feel Alaba market people are quite weird to me or maybe I just need to understand the Nigerian music business a bit more.

What made you leave the United States to come start all over in Nigeria?

I don’t know actually, but here’s a thing, when I was making plans to come back home most of my friends were like “why are you going to Africa, please don’t go”. Guess what I told them? I sincerely don’t know where that thought came from but I just said, "D’Banj proposed to me." They were so excited and immediately got their blessings and here I am pursuing that dream to bless the Nigeria Music Industry.

How old are you?

I'm in my 20’s, single and looking for my African Prince.

Sound Sultan Celebrates Daughter Zara’s 3rd Birthday

Three years ago, Nigerian musician Lanre Fasasi aka Sound Sultan tied the knot with his beautiful wife Farida, two months later, they welcomed her first child, a daughter Zara.

On Friday, November 30, 2012, the Naija Ninja boss and family celebrated Zara’s third birthday.

And an excited Sultan posted a picture of his family including little Mayowa, their second child.

‘My love for my wife and kids is constantly growing’, he told us in a recent interview.