Day: May 19, 2023

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ASUU key to growth of public universities – Unijos VC

Prof. Tanko Ishaya, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, has described the academic staff as key stakeholders in the growth and development of public universities in the country.

Ishaya said this at the 22nd National Delegates Conference of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) held on Friday in Jos.

The vice chancellor said ASUU had over the time played critical roles in this regard, adding that the union remains the brain behind some of the successes recorded in public universities.

”Without academic staff, there will be no public universities; most of our universities would have been backward today without ASUU members.

”Today, there are many innovations and initiatives introduced by ASUU that are sustaining public universities.

”So, ASUU is playing key roles towards the growth and progress of our universities,” he said.

The VC called on his colleagues to create harmonious relationships with ASUU members in their various domains, adding that such would be for the good of both management and ASUU.

”There is no need for vice chancellors to fight ASUU members in their universities; after all; most of us are members of ASUU,” he said.

Ishaya also called for more funding for the public universities, saying it would enable better teaching and learning.

Earlier, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU President, said the conference would enable the union elect a new set of principal officers.

He recalled how the current national officials of the union were elected at the 21st National Delegates Conference held at the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, in May 2021.

He added that since that election, the union had undergone a lot of struggles aimed at bettering the condition of public universities in the country.

”The past two years have been very challenging for our members and the union due to deliberate efforts of government to scuttle our struggle for a better education system and an improved university education.

”The salaries of our members in federal and some state universities were stopped, and agreements reached with two government re-negotiation teams were rejected.

”In federal and state universities alike, ASUU members were pauperised and brutalised for challenging governments to make their institutions and welfare packages attractive and competitive. Those who could not stand the humiliation have fought with their feet and fled the country

‘It is our hope that the in-coming administration will consider all the issues and resolve them comprehensively for the benefit of the Nigeria university system and Nigeria as a country,” he said.

In a brief remark, Assoc. Prof. Lazarus Maigoro,, ASUU Chairman, Unijos Chapter, thanked the national body for granting his chapter the hosting right for the conference.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Angola predicts increase of non-oil GDP more than three times by 2050

The Non-Oil Gross Domestic Product (GDP-NP) might grow 3.3 times, from USD 84 billion to USD 275 billion by 2050, with a population of the country estimated at 70 million inhabitants, according to the projections released by Angola 2050 Strategic Plan.

The plan presented Friday, called “Angola 2050- Long Term Strategy”, foresees that the Non-Oil Per Capita GDP will increase by around 1.2 times, from the current USD 3.067 to USD 4.215, with the support of non-oil exports which are expected to grow 13 times more, from USD 5 billion to USD 64 billion.

According to the Minister of State for Economic Coordination, Manuel Nunes Júnior, these projections bring about a paradigm shift in the country’s economic and financial system, where non-oil tax revenue is expected to grow by 56 percentage points (56 pp), from 32 to 88 pp.

In this period, GDP, currently standing at USD 122 billion, should reach USD 286 billion, which will represent growth of 2.4 times more and the Public Debt will experience a reduction of 6 pp from 66 to 60 percent over the GDP.

For the next 27 years, within the framework of Angola 2050, the life expectancy of Angolans will increase by six years, from 62 to 68 years of age, and the mortality rate, between five years, will decrease from 56 pp from 71 to 19%. Projections indicate that unemployment will fall by 10 pp from 30 to 20%.

In his speech, the minister of State said the Angola 2050 Strategy is based on five structural axes, namely “Valuing human capital”, “Strategic development of infrastructures”, Diversification of the economy, promotion of a sustainable ecosystem” and “Guarantee of a fair nation and equal opportunities”.

The process of public consultation of Angola 2050 – Long Term Strategy ends on June 12, 2023 in the province of Zaire.

On May 29 the process will cover the Angolan community in the diaspora.

The objective is to collect contributions from major public and private actors – collective and individual – with extensive experience and knowledge in the country’s different sectors of activity.

The document, with more than 400 pages, appears as a long-term strategic tool, as a basis for the preparation of the National Development Plan (PDN).

The ceremony to launch “Angola 2050-Long-Term Strategy”, was attended by Executive assistants, judicial magistrates, MPs the National Assembly, diplomatic corps accredited in the country, businessmen and members of civil society.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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President authorises construction of Gove-Chipindo-Cuvango power line

Angolan head of State João Lourenço has authorised the construction of the 220 kV electricity transmission line Gove-Chipindo-Cuvango, whose expenditure will cost more than 196 million euros.

The information, published in the Official Gazette, adds that the aforementioned power transmission line will have a length of 175 kilometers, including the respective substations, and refers to the Cassinga mining project.

The expenditure authorisation is contained in Dispatch number 99/23 of 9 May, which directs the opening of the Simplified Contracting Procedure for the implementation of the project, estimated at 196.7 million euros.

The contract will be in charge of the Turkish company Pak Yatirim Insaat Sanayi Ve Tcaret A.S, LCC, which was in charge of the project’s feasibility studies.

The Presidential Order authorises the Minister of Energy and Water, with the power to sub-delegate, to carry out decision-making acts and supervisory approval, including the preparation of procedural documents, the adjudication, celebration and signature of the contract with the Turkish company.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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Minister urges young people to respect country authorities

Angolan minister of Interior Eugénio César Laborinho Friday in Luanda appealed to young people to respect the instituted authorities, avoiding insults and contempt.

Delivering his speech at the opening ceremony of the conference on “The role of youth in public security”, the minister regretted the fact that in recent times there have been some cases of disrespect against State authorities.

He quoted the example of popularization of the image and good name of public entities, as well as natural persons in terms of social networks.

In the field of public security, Eugénio César Laborinho called for the participation of all young people in social actions and strategies aimed at creating a harmonious and stable environment in the country.

“The future of our security depends on us, both national and foreign citizens, businessmen, politicians, religious, social activists and academics”, he underlined.

As for the debate on the theme of the meeting, the minister considered it a foundation for building a strong and cohesive society, based on diversity, difference and mutual respect.

In this context, he urged young people to refrain from taking justice into their own hands, as well as acts that put their physical integrity and their own lives at risk, such as the excessive use of alcohol, drugs, prostitution and feuds.

Participating in the conference on “The role of youth in public security”, secretaries of State, National Police commanders, MPs of the National Assembly and young people from youth movements.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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Minister advises young people to contribute to public safety

Minister advises young people to contribute to public safety Luanda – Angolan minister of Youth and Sports Palmira Barbosa advised Friday in Luanda young people to complement the service of police bodies in maintaining public security.

The minister said so at the conference on “The role of youth in public security”, having suggested the programming of awareness-raising activities, respect for laws and moral principles, as well as the reinforcement of the practice of denouncements.

She said that her Ministry, as the department responsible for public policies focused on youth, has contributed to maintaining security, with the implementation of national defence and public security courses for young people across the country.

She said that she has also been developing actions, in partnership with MININT, on road safety, in order to reduce road accidents.

The meeting, promoted by the Ministry of the Interior, is addressing topics such as: ““Reflection on the public security situation”, “Sexual aggression in a school environment”, “financial crimes in the digital world” and “youth and road accidents causes and consequences”.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)