TakeitBack Movement Blames FG For Impending ASUU Strike, Calls On Students To Support The Union’s Demands

TakeitBack Movement Blames FG For Impending ASUU Strike, Calls On Students To Support The Union’s Demands

A year after suspending a nine-month-old industrial action, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it would soon embark on an indefinite strike to reinforce its demands as it accuses the government of going back on their agreement.

To press home their demands, the Union had announced Monday, 7th of February, 2022, as a lecture-free day in universities across the country to inform the university communities and the public on the government’s failure to fulfill the agreement the parties entered into in December 2020, which led to the suspension of the then 9-month prolonged strike.

Given this development, the student wing of the TakeitBack Movement has issued a press statement decrying the proposed strike action by the union and the deadlock engagements between the federal government and ASUU.

Lamenting that students were the ones bearing the brunt, the Movement blamed the government for the pathetic state of education in the country and appealed to Nigerian students to support ASUU in its bid to salvage the education system from total collapse.

The press statement, dated February 7, 2022 with the headline “Proposed ASUU Strike: As Public Education Dies, We Must Rise”, signed by the National Coordinator of the student’s wing of the TakeitBack Movement, Damilare Adenola reads:

“Since 1999, Nigerian Universities have been on strike for a cumulative period of four years. If there is anything that has been constant about the Nigerian student’s academic calendar, it is the Academic Staff of University Union (ASUU) and the Federal government gripping each other’s throats over the funding of Nigerian Universities, better working conditions amidst other demands.

“Unsurprisingly, the student wing of the Take It Back Movement has again received the news of ASUU beginning mobilisation in a plan to embark on an indefinite strike, while kick-starting with a lecture-free day declaration for today 7th of February 2022. Whereas there are also indications that by February 14th the Union in the upper echelon will take the bold step in order to compel.

“Again, students of public institutions will be forced out of classes, deprived of their right to education as lecturers plan to put classrooms under locks and keys for the 16th time since 1999. However cruel and painful the proposed industrial action feels, it is important to pinpoint the real fountainhead of this unending menace facing public education in Nigeria today.

“Equipping public institutions with 21st-century facilities, employing enough lecturers to match the ratio of students and adequate payment of staff, Revitalization of the dying public education is ASUU’s chief demand and for which they have for decades been uncompromisingly pressing home.

“Providing free and quality education; instead of the Federal Government fulfilling the basic constitutional duty owed to Nigerian students, has further quickened the death of public education by underfunding the most crucial sector of any Nation desirous of peace and development. This year for instance, out of 16.39 trillion general budgetary allocations, N1.29 trillion, amounting to a paltry 7.9 per cent was allocated to education against the United Nations benchmark of 15-20 per cent.

“It is in thought with the above facts that we direct Nigerian students to own the struggle for the revitalization of education, spearheaded by ASUU. And in the spirit of solidarity rise up in protest against the deliberate act of the government to deprive children of the masses from accessing education.”

“Fund Education Effectively,” Take It Back Tells Oyo State Government, Declares Support For Ongoing Strike

“Fund Education Effectively,” Take It Back Tells Oyo State Government, Declares Support For Ongoing Strike

Take It Back Movement, Oyo State Chapter, has accused the Oyo state government of using the Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate to play politics, while calling for a genuine revamping of the college, stating that it was not enough for the state government to claim ownership of the institution if appropriate funding would not be provided.

The group declared its support for the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the Joint Action Committee of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics in the state which include Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo; Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate; and Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa.

In a statement, dated February 4, 2022 and titled “Take It Back Movement (Oyo State)”, the group decried the infrastructural challenges and the state’s government negligent of staff and students of the institution, and disclosed that the TakeitBack Movement is ready to do everything possible in order to save the institution from its infrastructure challenges and imminent collapse.

The statement, signed by the Assistant Secretary, Gbenga Oloniniran and the Coordinator, Solomon Emiola, reads:

“The Take It Back Movement Oyo state uses this medium to react to the deteriorating state of the Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate. We commiserate with the staff and students of the institution who have been subjected to such untold hardship for long but have found the courage to make their demands public.

“In a letter to the Oyo State House of Assembly, the Joint Action Committee of the three trade unions highlighted a very pitiable state of the college. From nonpayment of backlog of arrears to the workers, to lack of take-off funds for the college, lack of toilet facilities and poor roads leading to the institution, we cannot but sympathize with the college community on the hardship being suffered by the staff and students of the institution.

“For us in the TIB, we cannot disconnect the issues faced by the college from other issues faced by many public schools in the state and in Nigeria. The commercialisation of public education has rendered many public tertiary, secondary and basic schools unworthy. We condemn this negligence of government on public education where future leaders are made.

“We must put it clear that it is not enough pronounce an institution autonomous, change its name or claim state ownership, without the adequate funding of the schools.

“We can see this trend also in the Seyi Makinde regime where institutions like the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso have been claimed fully by the Oyo State government.

“Meanwhile, the institution is still neither independent of underfunding nor of exorbitant fees being paid by the students. We recall that in the latter months of 2021, students of Lautech embarked on protest against the idea of “No tuition no exam” policy of the university management.

“This, regardless of the acclaimed paltry 25 percent reduction in their fees by the Seyi Makinde government, shows how insignificant such cosmetic reduction is to the economic realities confronting the people.

“We, therefore, condemn the attempts of the Oyo state government to continually use public education to play politics. We call for a genuine revamping of the Oyo State college of education, Lanlate and its environs.

“We call for an effective funding of LAUTECH to relieve the labouring parents and students. We believe that an emergency disbursement is due for the school and for many other public institutions suffering from deterioration in the state.

“The Take It Back Movement is ready to support the struggles of the Oyo state college, Lanlate, as well as of every worker and student centered agitation to save public education in the state.”

Since the college became an autonomous institution in 2016, it has been battling with series of challenges, as well as the non-accreditation of courses which have necessitated the statement.

Motorcyclist Dies, Student In Coma During Police Chase In Ogbomosho On Wednesday, TakeitBack Movement Reacts

Motorcyclist Dies, Student In Coma During Police Chase In Ogbomosho On Wednesday, TakeitBack Movement Reacts

Despite the nationwide protest of October 2020 against police brutality, officers of the Nigerian Police Force have continued to unlawfully detain, torture, and harass members of the public.

Following a recent case of harassment, high-handedness and unprofessional conduct by policemen in the city, the Oyo State Chapter of TakeitBack Movement has raised concerns over the safety and security of poor and helpless Nigerians, particularly young people.

In a video of one of such incidents that took place at 11:00pm, on Wednesday at NNPC petrol station along Illorin road, a popular section of the city, some policemen in an unbranded police vehicle were in pursuit of a black Lexus car.

During the wild police chase, one of the tyres of the Lexus car got burst and a motorcyclist, with his passenger, a female student, were unfortunate victims of the accident, and were rushed to Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso. As at the time of writing this report, the motorcyclist has kicked the bucket and the student is in coma.

TakeitBack Movement had earlier reported how three young men were harassed, and subsequently arrested illegally by police officers in Lagos. It took media outcry from the Movement to have them released.

Speaking on the issue of police brutality generally, and the police chase and accident particularly, a student activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “It’s been over a year since the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the Nigerian Police authorities promised reforms and more respect for the rights of citizens, yet nothing has changed as ordinary Nigerians, especially young people are still at the mercy of rogue policemen.”

TakeitBack: Nigerians Must Unite Beyond The Borders Of Ethnicity And Religion

TakeitBack: Nigerians Must Unite Beyond The Borders Of Ethnicity And Religion

The Nassarawa state chapter of the TakeitBack Movement, in a meeting held on Sunday, January 30, 2022, has stressed on the need for Nigerians to do away with ethno-religious sentiments and vote credible and radical alternatives in the forthcoming general elections.

According to the spokesperson during the meeting, Nigeria can only enjoy the dividends of good governance when young people are deeply involved in the decision-making process.

He further urged the youths to get their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) ahead of the 2023 general elections. This, he said, is the only way the full political participation of the youths can be facilitated, as well as ensure that they decide who pilots the affairs of the country.

The chapter also emphasized on the need for the Movement to keep organizing across the nook and crannies of the state towards the task of pulling down the system of greed and power.

TakeitBack Movement Secures Release Of Three Entertainers, Insist On End To Police Brutality

TakeitBack Movement Secures Release Of Three Entertainers, Insist On End To Police Brutality

Three entertainers, Ibrahim Bakare, Idris Oseni and Oyeniyi Abeeb were arrested by policemen, attached to the Oke Odo Police station, in Lagos State on the night of Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

A report, obtained by the TakeitBack Movement revealed that the three young entertainers were thoroughly beaten and secretly detained in one of the police officers’ private office, and a ransom of N100,000 demanded by the policemen.

Following the illegal arrest, the Lagos chapter of the TakeitBack Movement campaigned vigorously for the immediate release of the young men, and demanded an end to police brutality – a carryover from the #EndSARS protest of October, 2020.

In the early hours of Wednesday, the young men regained their freedom.

Sowore Lambasts 2023 Presidential Aspirants, Calls Them Conmen

Sowore Lambasts 2023 Presidential Aspirants, Calls Them Conmen

The convener of #RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore has taken a swipe at some prominent Nigerian politicians whose eyes are on the nation’s presidential seat in 2023.

In a long Facebook post on Wednesday, the human rights activist described Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as “Jagaban of Corruption.” He equally wrote off the Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo as “MinimeBuhari.”

The former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, who recently made known his intention of joining the presidential race if the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) zones its presidential ticket to the south, was not left out. Sowore referred to him as “Chinese Pandora Paper man”, making reference to the 2016 Pandora Paper leaked reports which indicted the former governor of Anambra State.

He wrote: “Three weeks ago you would think the election had been decided when Jagaban of Corruption, Bola Tinubu “declared” his intention to run but soon as he discovered that his ambition was Dead on Arrival he took his ambulance and fled to London!

“Then #MinimeBuhari showed up, I am referring to the cowardly VP Professor Yemi Osinbajo and you would think he’d won the election but soon as he was challenged about his current abysmal assignment, hope began to fade for the law professor who constantly claimed his hands are tied.

“It is now the turn of the #Chinese Pandora Paper man, Peter Obi! Ah, he’s gonna open a Gofundme to finance his campaign after all the funds looted from Anambra during his tenure as Governor! This too is dead upon discovery just as transparent dodo!

“The truth is that we’ve changed course, no more hanging our patrimony to deceitful, decrepit conmen that ruined Nigeria. We are not apologetic about it. The organic structures have taken over from the criminal transactional structures of the terminators.”

TakeItBack Movement Meets, Plans Massive Voters’ Registration Campaign In Plateau State

TakeItBack Movement Meets, Plans Massive Voters’ Registration Campaign In Plateau State

On Sunday, January 30, 2022, the Plateau state chapter of the Take It Back (TIB) movement had a meeting with its lead organizers drawn from across all local governments.

The meeting, presided by the Deputy National Coordinator, North Central, Deborah Yusuf had exhaustive deliberations about rising insecurity, attacks on students’ and workers’ rights, as well as the overwhelming state of poverty and helplessness within the state.

According to the information made available to our correspondents, the meeting had far reaching resolutions, including the need for young and old people of working class and poor background to take very keen interest in deciding the direction of the coming elections in the interest of posterity.

In a statement credited to Deborah Yusuf, the movement will be undertaking massive voters’ registration and education drive. This is in addition to intensifying efforts to challenge all anti-people policies and developments that have continued to plague the good people of Plateau state.

Sowore: Court of Appeal Reserves Judgement

Sowore: Court of Appeal Reserves Judgement

The court of appeal sitting in Abuja, on Monday, January 31, 2022, has reserved judgement in the case filed by Omoyele Sowore, convener of the Take It Back Movement and #RevolutionNow campaign, challenging series of stringent bail conditions that have restricted him to Abuja since 2019.

Recall that the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on August 3, 2019, following well-publicized plans of a nationwide #RevolutionNow protest.

The federal government, subsequently, charged Sowore with treasonable felony. He was however released from detention on the 24th day of December, 2019 after the regime violated two court orders granting him bail.

Since restricted to the city of Abuja, Sowore has been shot, brutalized and nearly assassinated at different instances by the Police and state sponsored armed hoodlums.

In the sitting on Monday, the case, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA V OMOYELE SOWORE was presented before a panel of three judges led by Justice Tsammani. Counsel to the appellant, Deji Morakinyo, who held brief for Femi Falana, urged the court to allow the appeal and set aside the ruling of the lower court – Federal High Court. On the other hand, counsel to the Nigerian government, Bagudu Sani, asked the court to dismiss the appeal.

After listening to the submissions from both parties, Justice Tsammani reserved the judgement to a later date.

Speaking at the end of the court session, Deji Morakinyo said, “The appeal was argued. The parties adopted their respective case of argument. The matter was, thereafter, reserved for judgement. So we await the judgement of the court.”

In his own reaction, Sowore remarked, “We finally, today, got the appeal held after two years. When the first one was filed, it stood down with the technicality that one of the appellants didn’t sign the documentation involved. He couldn’t have known that because he was restricted to Osun state, and needed the permission of the court to travel. So we refiled again, and then while we refiled, then came Covid. Each time we came to this court, somebody had Covid or the courts were closed. We probably came to this court some three times and there was no hearing. It’s either the judges had conference or something happened. Finally, today we held it and the judgement date has been reserved.”

Dunamis Pastor Paul Enenche Hands Over Blind Saxophonist To DSS For Wearing ‘Buhari Must Go’ T-Shirt

Dunamis Pastor Paul Enenche Hands Over Blind Saxophonist To DSS For Wearing ‘Buhari Must Go’ T-Shirt

Of the five first-time worshippers who were arrested by the DSS on the orders of Pastor Dr. Paul Enenche’s Church, founder and General Overseer of Dunamis International Gospel Centre last Sunday, one of them, Samuel Iwatonaiye is a blind young man.

Most horrendous is the recent denial of Dunamis Church concerning the illegal arrest and denial of the activists.

The Department of State Security have also refused to reveal the current location of the arrested activists, including the visually impaired young man.

Earlier on Wednesday, the DSS had denied a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong access to the detained human rights activists.

#BuhariMustGo: Sowore Calls Out Dunamis Church Over Bizarre Press Statement

#BuhariMustGo: Sowore Calls Out Dunamis Church Over Bizarre Press Statement

“I woke up this morning to see this bizarrely written press release from Dunamis International Gospel Centre, the release is materially false on so many levels and Dr. Paul Enenche and his wife, Dr. Becky Enenche who Deji Adeyanju, lawyer Marshal DF Abubakar and I met with on Monday, are aware of the facts of this case. HERE ARE THE FACTS:

1. 10 activists attended the first service of Dunamis International Gospel Centre church on Sunday.

2. They wore #BuhariMustGo Tshirts ( which is not a crime and Dr. Paul Enenche attests to this during our two-hour long meeting).

3. They answered “altar call” wearing the Tshirts, were given holy communion and welcome packages ( Dr. Enenche attests to seeing them and even said he was excited).

4. They did not Livestream or protest inside the church (Dr. Enenche attests to their orderly conduct)

5. Upon exiting the church auditorium, they started livestreaming on Facebook and I was the one who shared the livestream and added that “#BuhariMustGo hits Dunamis” Not the activists.

6. They were approached by Church Security and TOLD to end the Livestream, they insisted it was their right and Emmanuel Larry told them he was a journo and maintained respectful distance from the church security.

7. They let them leave and the 10 activists got to the main road and five of the activists boarded a vehicle and left.

8. While five others were waiting FOR a taxi, a new set of church security men wearing reflective jackets CAME and intercepted them and physically manhandled them and took them back into the church premises to their security post.

9. They were forced to delete the two live videos, church officials took some screenshots and even shared with the media on Sunday (I believe they have the full videos retrieved from Emmanuel Larry’s phone).

10. It was the church security team that called the DSS and they (Lawless DSS) sent a white Hilux van accompanied by two power bikes to whisk them away.

They’ve not been seen or heard from ever since.

When Deji Adeyanju invited me to go to a meeting with Dr. Enenche I told him my primary and only interest was the freedom of the protesters because I suspected that the church wanted to use the meeting with us to “clear” the name of the church and Dr. Enenche’s and absolve them of the needless but unfortunate incident, that’s exactly what they tried to do and what this release set to achieve.

I am using this opportunity to urge Dr. Paul Enenche to go to the DSS headquarters in Abuja and get the innocent young activists freed without delay. I am glad this release STATES clearly that the Church is a place to fight against EVIL (and I guess evildoers), that said, most Nigerians today have come to an irrefutable conclusion that the Muhammadu Buhari regime is EVIL and that President Muhammadu Buhari is an EVILDOER, it makes sense ThEREFORE that the #BuhariMustGo activists were right to fight the EVIL regime on Dunamis church grounds, a place spiritually designated for such holy assignment, according to this release. #FreeDunamis5 Let My People Go! They’re only doing God’s work!”.