News

ASUU Stance:Same Old Story Same Old Song

Published

4 years ago

August 19, 2022

Bala Ibrahim

By Bala Ibrahim.

When a friend, who is also an academic, received my previous article on ASUU, captioned, Is ASUU Asking For The Anger of Allah?, his response was, “yayi mallam B. Muna jiran reactions”. The meaning is, it’s okay mallam B. We await reactions. Indeed I knew there would be reactions, some of which would be unpalatable, but I am ready to damn the consequences, because, like late Mallam Saad Zungur said, tell the truth and prepare to be damned.

One of the reactions, which broadly reflects the general overview of them all, is, “Bala Ibrahim should keep his mouth shut. He’s lost touch with the reality as far ASUU’s strike is concerned. For example, the man is still trying to compare IPPIS to UTAS, while the Federal Minister for Communications and Digital Economies has just last week told the world that IPPIS has been compromised, and that he has been mandated by Mr President to inaugurate a presidential committee towards ameliorating its deficiencies. This goes to show that either Bala Ibrahim has lost touch with facts on the ground or he’s a hired agent by the Federal Ministry of Education in their bid to set the students against their lecturers”

Seven Die In Zamfara After Taking Vegetables

I expected something like this and even more, because ego is at work. However, because I anticipated their coming, my instinct simply classified them as comments in conformity with the song of Randy Crawford- Same old story, same old song.

In Nigeria, once you go against the position of any union that is fighting the government, regardless of the reason, if the union is self-centred, or preoccupied with the gratification of it’s own desires, your name is, the paid agent of the government. It’s same old story same old song.

In her song, titled, Same old story, same old song, Randy Crawford said:

“It goes all right till it goes all wrong. Now you’re going, then you’re gone. Same old story, same old song. One hand will take, one hand will give. That’s all we know, that is how we live. One day hello, the next day goodbye. And everyone just stays high. Same old story, same old song.
One builds you up, one tears you down. To some you’re a saint, to others you’re a clown. What can you do but just see it through. And hold on to what is left of you? Same old story, same old song”.

I expected some of these critics from ASUU, particularly those of them in the English and Mass communications departments, to do a quick clinique on the article, and correct my grammatical blunder, where I said, By the same talking, instead of, By the same token. But because ego is at work, they were blinded by anger, because the truth was told. Hence the resort to singing the song of Randy Crawford- Same old story same old song.

The issue ASUU is refusing to look at is the moral position of the teacher, and the righteousness of the teaching profession. Some of us have taught before, and we know since then that, money and material possessions are the last in the curriculum of the teacher. Materialism, or the tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than social values are not suppose to be in the dictionary, or even constitution of the conscientious teacher.

Teaching is classified among the sacrificial services, which means, doing good works even when it’s costly, inconvenient or challenging. There is an African saying that: “Teachers’ reward is in heaven”, which simply means, the reward for teachers’ daily sacrifice, and hard work in shaping the minds and lives of the future leaders of the society, can never be adequately rewarded in monetary terms.

But ASUU, under the present leadership, is refusing to agree with that, rather, it is trying to change the narrative. And doing so by putting parents and students under unbearable pains.

Late Julius Nyerere, the former President of Tanzania, who preferred the title of Muallim, or the teacher, to the prefix, President, once said, “If I had known that the status of the President is less than the prestige of the teacher, I wouldn’t have left the classroom to become the President”.

Such was the stimulus in the motivation to teach, or be seen as a teacher- sacrificing your comfort today, for the progress and comfort of the students tomorrow.

If medical doctors for instance, whose course and period of training is adjudged as extremely tasking, were to ask for commensurate compensation for their sacrifices, and contemplate downing tools until such compensations are made good in monetary terms, public life would crash, or cease completely.

ASUU, under the leadership today, is hell-bent on crippling the future of education in Nigeria, and from all indications, the reasons are inseparable from the personal profit or pleasure of the leaders, whose agenda seems in concert with the agenda of an unpopular political party, that is working towards disuniting Nigeria. Why?

So long as ASUU keep our children away from the universities, we shall continue to voice out their insensitivity, without regards to whose ox is gored. And we know they would only react with the same old story and same old song.

News

Governor Dauda Lawal Defects to APC After Stakeholder Consultations

Published

22 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

The Zamfara State Government has announced that Governor Dauda Lawal has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following what officials described as “extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state.” This was contained in a statement signed by Nuhu Salihu Anka, Director General, Media and Communication, Office of the Governor.

According to the statement, Governor Lawal’s decision was driven by the overriding interest of stability, progress, and sustainable development in Zamfara State. “After careful consideration, His Excellency has decided to formally defect to the APC,” Anka said, noting that the move followed prolonged internal crises within the PDP at both national and state levels.

The government explained that unresolved leadership disagreements and structural challenges in the PDP had created uncertainty and distractions that threatened effective governance. “These challenges have continued to hinder the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State,” the statement emphasized.

Governor Lawal reiterated that his primary responsibility remains the peace, security, and development of Zamfara State. “It became necessary to align with a political platform that provides greater unity, stability, and stronger cooperation with the Federal Government,” Anka quoted the governor as saying.

The statement further revealed that the final deliberation leading to the defection was held at the Government House in Gusau, under the coordination of the Deputy Governor, alongside senior government officials and key political stakeholders. “This was a collective decision reached after wide consultations,” Anka explained.

Governor Lawal expressed appreciation to PDP members and supporters for their cooperation over the years. However, he noted that the prevailing political realities and unresolved crises within the party made it necessary to take what he described as “a bold step in the interest of good governance and the future of Zamfara State.”

By joining the APC, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, accelerating development, and ensuring that Zamfara State benefits fully from stronger collaboration with the Federal Government. “This is a new political phase aimed at promoting unity, stability, and development,” Anka stated.

The government therefore called on citizens, political leaders, party supporters, and stakeholders to remain calm and supportive. “We urge everyone to embrace this transition peacefully as Zamfara enters a new chapter of political cooperation and progress,”

News

Petrol Price Surge to Deepen Cost-of-Living Crisis as Dangote Refinery Hikes Rates Again

Published

24 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The financial burden on Nigerian consumers is set to intensify following a sharp increase in petrol prices by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, marking the third adjustment in less than a week.

Effective Monday, the refinery raised the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to ₦1,175 per litre. This represents a significant jump of ₦180, or approximately 18.1%, from the ₦995 per litre price announced just last Friday. In a parallel move, the gantry price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) was also revised upward to ₦1,620 per litre.

Confirming the development to our correspondent, a senior official at the refinery, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on public commentary, stated that the changes have been formally communicated to marketers and depot operators.

“Yes, the gantry prices have been adjusted. PMS is now ₦1,175 per litre while Automotive Gas Oil is ₦1,620 per litre,” the official said. “The market has been extremely volatile, and replacement costs have shifted significantly in recent days. These adjustments reflect prevailing market fundamentals and the cost environment we are currently operating in.”

Data from the industry pricing platform, petroleumprice.ng, confirmed that the revised rates have been integrated into depot pricing systems nationwide, effectively resetting the benchmark for downstream marketers.

This latest surge—which has seen gantry prices climb from ₦774 to over ₦1,175 in a matter of days—is already translating to higher costs at the pump. Retail outlets in several states are now selling petrol for approximately ₦1,200 per litre, adding another layer of economic strain on households and businesses.

The increase is expected to trigger a fresh wave of price adjustments across the country. Higher fuel costs invariably lead to increased expenses for transportation, logistics, and production, costs that are typically passed on to consumers. This dynamic threatens to exacerbate Nigeria’s already high cost of living.

The price hikes underscore the challenges facing the Federal Government’s efforts to stabilize the downstream sector. Through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the government has been working to secure crude oil supply for the Dangote refinery via third-party international traders in a bid to sustain local refining and, ultimately, moderate prices.

However, officials caution that these interventions may not yield immediate relief for consumers. As the 650,000-barrel-per-day Lekki-based refinery adjusts its prices in response to volatile market realities, Nigerians are left grappling with the immediate consequences of a deregulated market where pump prices are increasingly subject to global and local market forces.

News

ADVERT:KANO STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT BOARD IMMUNIZATION PLUS AND MALARIA PROGRESS BY ACCELERATING COVERAGE AND TRANSFORMING SERVICES (IMPACT PROJECT)

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

KANO STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT BOARD
IMMUNIZATION PLUS AND MALARIA PROGRESS BY ACCELERATING COVERAGE AND TRANSFORMING SERVICES (IMPACT PROJECT)

CREDIT NO. IDA-65390

Request for Bids – Goods

Procurement of 44 Nos. Ultrasound Scan Machines for 44 Secondary Facilities in Kano State.

NG-KANO MPA-536529-GO-RFB

Date of Issue: March 9, 2026

1. The Kano State Government through the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has received a credit from the International Development Association toward the cost of the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this credit to payments under the Contract for the Procurement of 44 Nos. Ultrasound Scan Machines for 44 Secondary Facilities in Kano State.

2. The Kano State Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), Project now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the Procurement of the following:

Item No.
Description / Identification of Items
Qty
Bid Security
Delivery Period
Location(s)

Procurement of 44 Nos. Ultrasound Scan Machines for 44 Secondary Facilities in Kano State.

NG-KANO MPA-536529-GO-RFB
44
₦19,700,000.00
90 days
Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), Project, State PIU Office, Na’ibawa Zaria Road, Opposite Gidan Fiat, Kano State

Bidding Procedures
3. Bidding will be conducted through National Competitive Bidding using Request for Bids (RfB) as specified in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Procurement in Investment Projects Financing” November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”) available on www.worldbank.org/procure and is open to all Bidders as defined in the Procurement Regulations. In addition, please refers to paragraphs 3.14 to 3.17 in the “Procurement Regulation” on the conflict of interest.

Invitation
4. Interested and eligible bidders may obtain further information from the State Project Manager, Kano State IMPACT Project, and inspect/obtain the bidding documents at the address below, between 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Mondays to Fridays, except on public holidays.

5. Qualifications requirements include:

The Bidder should demonstrate that it has successfully completed the supply/installation of a minimum of 30 (Thirty) Ultrasound Scan Machine within the last 5 (five) years.”
Audited financial statements for the last three (3) years, to demonstrate the financial capability of the Bidder in terms of Profitability and adequate working capital,
Registration with Professional organizations/Licenses to sell Medical Equipment in Nigeria.
Company Registration,
Certified Manufacturers Authorization,
Evidence of after-sales services in Nigeria

A margin of preference for eligible national contractors shall not apply; Additional details are provided in the Bidding Documents.

6. A complete set of Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written Application to the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of ₦ 100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira only). The payment method will be a Bank Draft in favour of the Kano State IMPACT Project. The Bidding Documents will be collected by the representative of the Bidder or by courier services on request, which shall be at the bidder’s cost.

7. Bids must be delivered to the address below at 11:00 am local time on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Electronic bid submissions will not be accepted; Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives, who choose to attend in person at the address below 11:00 am local time on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security of ₦19,700,000.00 in local currency or an equivalent amount in a freely convertible currency.

8. The address referred to above is:

The State Project Manager,
State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU),
Kano State Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), Project,
Address: Na’ibawa Zaria Road, Opposite Gidan Fiat, P.M.B 3295, Kano State.
Telephone: +234 803 530 7255 / +234 806 558 1226
Email address: piukanoimpactproject@gmail.com