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Don Petitiins Minister, NUC over Ritman University’s refusal to pay his salaries
Don Petitiins Minister, NUC over Ritman University’s refusal to pay his salaries
A University lecturer, Dr. Oryina Kingsley Akputu has cried out to the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, over alleged refusal by the authorities of Ritman University, Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, to pay his salaries and allowances amounting N3, 265,028, 09.
Dr. Akputu, who briefed reporters in Abuja, accused the vice chancellor of the institution, Prof. Celestine Nituen, as the mastermind of the act.
The don, who served for 21 months as Lecturer 1 in the Department of Mathematics/Computer Science of Ritman University, also called on the National Universities Commission, NUC, to come to his rescue.
Akputu described the treatment meted to him as unjust and illegal, considering the fact that he had an unblemished records throughout his stay in the university.
“I was not issued any query and no disciplinary action was taken against me. I was dedicated and committed to my responsibilities as a lecturer and acting HOD.
“On the 17th February, 2020, I voluntarily resigned my appointment with the university. My letter of resignation was duly accepted by the university and was advised to complete all exit formalities and meet with the university’s bursar for payment of my outstanding salaries and allowances.
“The university has refused to keep to earlier agreement to pay my outstanding salaries and allowances for several months now after completing all exit formalities. The salaries and allowances are computed thus: (a) Basic salaries for 13 months – N174, 232.93 multiplied by 13 =2,265,028. 09; (b) Allowances and out of pocket expenses as coordinator/acting HOD – N50, 000 multiplied by 20 months =N1000, 000.
“This is a total sum of N3, 265,028. 09, representing what the university is owing me. The withholding of this salary and allowance has caused me tremendous and untold hardship.
“After meeting a brick wall with my visits to the university for payment of the aforementioned salaries and allowances, I contacted my lawyer, Amaechi A. Chukwuma Esq of Amaechi Chukwuma & Co. (St. Augustine’s Chambers) to write the vice chancellor, Prof. Celestine Ntuen, for my salaries and allowances.
“My lawyer wrote a letter to the vice chancellor demanding the payment of my salaries and allowances on June 1st, 2020, without any reply from the university.
“A reminder was written to the vice chancellor again on 6th July, 2020. Up till now Prof. Celestine Ntuen has not paid my salaries and allowances or replied my lawyer.
“All these letters appealing to the university to pay me have been copied to the Minister for Education and NUC headquarters in Abuja,” he said.
When contacted, the vice chancellor, Prof. Ntuen said he was not in the position to comment over the matter, and referred our correspondent to the proprietor of the institution, Senator Emmanuel Ibok.
On his part, the proprietor promised to get back to the correspondent, as he was in a meeting of proprietors of private schools with the Minister of Education, but never called back till press time
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported its seventh partial grid collapse in 2024. Despite the recurring issue, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, reassured the public that efforts to restore power are well underway, with about 90% of substations receiving bulk power.
Mbah noted that the Azura Power Station initiated the grid recovery, although a minor setback occurred. However, power supply has been restored to the Abuja region and other key distribution centers. The Ibom Gas Generating Station remained unaffected, continuing to supply power to the South-South region.
An investigation into the cause of the collapse will commence once full grid restoration is achieved.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 100 lives. In a statement issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended condolences to the affected families, praying for strength and comfort in their time of grief.
Shettima assured the public that the federal government is mobilizing resources to support the injured and assist those affected. He has directed the immediate deployment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide aid. The Vice President also stressed the need for a review of fuel transportation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
In a separate statement, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu offered her condolences to Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi and the people of Jigawa, praying for peace and comfort for the families affected. She called the incident “unfortunate” and extended prayers for the recovery of the injured and the repose of the souls lost in the tragedy.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted a total of 10,598 pieces of arms and 114,929 rounds of ammunition valued at N9.58 billion over the past six years. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this disclosure during a press conference on enforcement activities in Zone A.
Adeniyi highlighted that 60% of these seizures occurred in 2023, reflecting the Customs’ increased efforts to curb arms smuggling. He also mentioned that recent operations such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting are part of a strategic response to tackle evolving smuggling tactics.
In addition to arms seizures, the Customs CG announced the largest pangolin scale seizure since 2020, with 9,493 kg of scales confiscated in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission. The joint operation led to four arrests across Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos. The NCS continues to intensify efforts against wildlife trafficking, targeting supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas.
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