Education
Court adjourns FG, ASUU suit until March 28 for ruling
Court adjourns FG, ASUU suit until March 28 for ruling
The National Industrial Court on Tuesday adjourned the Federal government suit against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) until March 28 for ruling.
The claimants, Federal government and the Minister of Education, had dragged ASUU before the court in August 2022 over the then strike, for interpretation and application of some Trade Dispute Act (TDA).
The matter before the president of the court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, came up on Tuesday for hearing of the defendant’s preliminary objection.
However, when the matter was called, the defence counsel, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, informed the court that his process on Reply on Point of Law could not be filed on Monday at the court’s registry due to internet issue.
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He, therefore, sought for the leave of court for a short adjournment.
The judge in response stepped down the matter until 1.00 p.m. to enable the counsel properly file his process and serve on the claimants’ counsel.
When the court resumed, Falana applied for his motion dated and filed Sept. 19, 2022, seeking for the leave of court for extension and his Reply on Point of Law filed Tuesday to be deemed as properly filed.
He further proceeded to inform the court that his preliminary objection was premised on jurisdiction of the court and he relied on order 3 rule 6 of the TDA to argue that the Minister of Labour and Employment did not follow due process before issuing the referral to the court.
He stated that reconciliation steps were not duly followed and that the Minister could approach the court if parties of a Trade Union could not resolve their differences.
Mr J.U.K Igwe, SAN, counsel to FG and Minister of Education, in response to Falana’s submission, stated that Falana’s reply which he received five minutes before the court’s proceeding was on reply of facts and not on law.
He further stated that all the authorities cited by the counsel did not have any relevance to his application.
Igwe, in addition, stated that the defence counsel should have sought for the leave of court to file a counter-affidavit.
He also said the National Industrial Court with its exclusive jurisdiction on industrial matter had the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
Igwe stated that the Minister did not act out of the ordinary as order 3 rule 6 of the TDA conferred on him the power to refer the matter to NICN.
He added that the matter was also of national interest.
He concluded by urging the court to discountenance the defence counsel’s objection.
The judge, therefore, adjourned the matter until March 28 for ruling.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Labour and Employment, on behalf of the Federal government, had filed the matter before the court by way of referral for the court to resolve the issue of the strike and for interpretation of certain sections of the TDA.
The court on its part on Sept. 21, 2022 directed the defendant to end its strike and return to work.
The vacation judge who had presided over the matter after delivering ruling on the interim injunction returned the file to the president of the court for reassignment for the hearing of the substantive suit.
Court adjourns FG, ASUU suit until March 28 for ruling
UNIBEN Partners with OpenBinacle to Preserve African Languages
……Collaboration Aims to Promote AI-Driven Language Preservation
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has joined forces with OpenBinacle, a Nigerian-owned tech company, to advance the preservation and promotion of African languages through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT).
The partnership, formalized through a joint statement issued in Benin, focuses on standardizing and preserving indigenous languages across Nigeria and Africa. Vice-Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Lilian Salami, praised the collaboration, highlighting its alignment with the university’s mission of being a globally recognized institution in research and education.
OpenBinacle’s CEO, Emmanuel Gabriel, emphasized that the initiative would foster the development of AI researchers and software developers, enhancing language translation technologies across the continent. The project aims to preserve over 2,000 African languages, providing job opportunities and technical training for students and youths.
Sprezzatura Publishing Introduces Innovative Resource for Young Learners
By Halima Abdulkadiri
Sprezzatura Publishing Limited has launched a pioneering new book titled “Taxation: Essential Knowledge for Nigerian Children,” authored by Arabinrin Aderonke and Ejura Blessing Haruna. The 147-page guide is designed to make the complex topic of taxation accessible and engaging for young readers in Nigeria.
The book opens with a foreword by Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), underscoring the importance of early tax education. Dr. Adedeji highlights the role of tax knowledge in shaping financially responsible citizens, emphasizing its relevance to the nation’s democratic future.
Structured into 13 chapters, the book covers various aspects of taxation, from its historical roots to the different types of taxes and the government’s role in tax collection. The authors utilize simple language and relatable examples, making the subject approachable for children and young adults.
To further enhance learning, the book includes interactive elements such as questions and activities at the end of each chapter. This method not only reinforces key concepts but also encourages readers to actively engage with the material, fostering a deeper understanding.
“Taxation: Essential Knowledge for Nigerian Children” is being recommended for educational institutions across Nigeria, offering a valuable resource to equip young minds with the knowledge needed for their financial futures.
WAEC announce 215,267 Results Over Exam Malpractices, Records 73.79% Pass Rate
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) announced the release of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results on Monday, revealing that 73.79% of the candidates achieved credit passes in at least five subjects. However, the results of 215,267 candidates, representing 11.92% of the 1,805,216 candidates who took the exam, have been withheld due to various cases of examination malpractice.
Dr. Amos Dangut, Head of WAEC Nigeria, stated that the 2024 exam was conducted over seven weeks, from April 30 to June 24, across Nigeria. He noted that 1,301,941 candidates, or 72.12%, obtained credits in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. Additionally, 93.39% of the candidates had their results fully processed and released, while 6.61% are still under processing.
Dangut attributed the withholding of results to incidents of malpractice, including the use of cell phones in examination halls and organized cheating in certain schools. The number of withheld results this year is 4.37% lower than in 2023, where 16.29% of results were withheld.
Investigations into the malpractice cases are ongoing, and decisions will be made by the appropriate WAEC committee. Candidates whose results have been withheld will be informed through their schools, and they have the option to appeal via the WAEC website.
Furthermore, Dangut highlighted that the results of candidates from states owing the council will not be released until the debts are settled. The WASSCE was conducted in four WAEC member countries: Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
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