ASUU Pleads with Tinubu to Save Public Universities from Collapse The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has made a passionate appeal to the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to intervene and prevent the imminent collapse of public universities in Nigeria. In a statement released on Sunday, ASUU President Professor Emmanuel Osodeke expressed grave concern over the precarious state of public universities and the urgent need for government intervention to address the systemic challenges plaguing the sector. “Our universities are on the verge of total collapse due to chronic underfunding, dilapidated infrastructure, inadequate academic staff, and poor welfare conditions,” lamented Prof. Osodeke. “These challenges have severely compromised the quality of education and research in our institutions.” ASUU highlighted that the government’s failure to honor the 2009 Agreement with the union, which included increased funding for universities, improved academic conditions, and enhanced welfare for staff, had exacerbated the situation. “We have engaged in tireless dialogue with the government over the years, but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” said Prof. Osodeke. “We believe that Tinubu, as a respected statesman and public intellectual, has the influence and commitment to address this crisis and save our universities from imminent collapse.” The union urged Tinubu to make a commitment to increase funding for public universities, implement the 2009 Agreement in its entirety, and support policies that will improve the welfare and working conditions of academic staff. “We believe that by investing in our universities, we are investing in the future of our nation,” emphasized Prof. Osodeke. “A well-funded and well-managed university system is essential for driving sustainable economic growth, social development, and global competitiveness.” ASUU appealed to Tinubu to prioritize the education sector in his campaign manifesto and to consult with experts and stakeholders in the university system to develop a comprehensive plan to revitalize public universities. “We are confident that Tinubu has the vision and leadership to lead Nigeria out of this educational crisis and create a brighter future for our universities and our country,” concluded Prof. Osodeke.Fake Gold Scam Nets Three ArrestsFake Gold Scam Nets Three Arrests Singapore Police have arrested three men for allegedly using counterfeit gold bars to defraud a woman of S$4,000 (US$2,900). On June 21, a woman reported being scammed after two men gave her gold bars for “safekeeping.” The men claimed to have found the bars during excavation in Singapore but were unsure of the legal process to send them to China. The victim accepted the bars as collateral for cash. The men also provided a document that appeared to be an ancient Chinese will and a genuine small gold ingot. The victim took the bars to a goldsmith’s shop for verification, where the small gold bar was deemed real. The men retrieved the genuine bar and handed over the others to the victim, requesting S$4,000 for security. However, when the victim returned to the same shop to authenticate the remaining bars, they were found to be fake. Realizing she had been scammed, she alerted the police. The suspects’ identities were established, and they were arrested on Aliwal Street. Further investigations led to the arrest of an accomplice and the seizure of over 80 gold-colored mini ingots, a document with Chinese writing, and six gold-colored mini Buddha statues. The three men, aged 52 to 62, will be charged with conspiracy to cheat. If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison and a fine.Amidst the ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the union has appealed to the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, to intervene and save public universities from imminent collapse. ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, made this plea during a meeting with Tinubu in Abuja. He expressed concern over the deteriorating state of public universities and the adverse impact it was having on the quality of education and the future of Nigerian students. Osodeke highlighted the need for urgent government intervention to address the union’s demands, including improved funding, better working conditions for lecturers, and the implementation of agreements previously reached with the government. He emphasized that without these measures, public universities faced the risk of becoming dysfunctional. Tinubu acknowledged the importance of education and expressed his commitment to working with stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the challenges facing public universities. He assured the ASUU delegation that he would engage with relevant government agencies to expedite the resolution of the issues raised. The ASUU President commended Tinubu’s willingness to listen to their concerns and expressed optimism that the engagement would lead to positive outcomes. He urged the APC candidate to prioritize education in his agenda if elected President. The meeting ended on a positive note, with ASUU and Tinubu reaffirming their commitment to finding a path forward that would ensure the sustainability and quality of public universities in Nigeria.