The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a 14-day strike warning ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve some lingering issues dating as far back as 2009.

ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the body is seeking the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement based on the Nimi Briggs Committee’s Draft Agreement of 2021.

It also demanded the release of withheld salaries due to the 2022 strike action, and expressed frustration with the government’s lack of commitment and delay tactics.

It stated that these actions were generating a crisis in the public university system.

“In view of the foregoing, ASUU resolves to give the Nigerian Government another 14 days, in addition to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, September 23, 2024, during which all the lingering issues must have been concretely addressed to the satisfaction of the membership of the union.

“The union should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from the government’s failure to seize the new opportunity offered by ASUU to nip the looming crisis in the bud,” ASUU said

ASUU is also demanding the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct appointments affected by the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, and the payment of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions.

It added that it wants funding for the revitalisation of public universities, partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget, and the payment of Earned Academic Allowances partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.

Other issues include the proliferation of universities by Federal and State Governments, the implementation of the reports of visitation panels to universities, the reversal of the illegal dissolution of Governing Councils, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution as a replacement for IPPIS.

The United States plans to donate one million doses of the mpox vaccine to African nations facing an epidemic of the virus, President Joe Biden said Tuesday.

An international emergency was declared by the World Health Organization last month after the surge in cases of a new strain of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to nearby countries.

“We must now move quickly to face (the) mpox outbreak in Africa,” Biden told the UN General Assembly in New York.

“We are ready to commit $500 million to help African countries prevent and respond to mpox and to donate one million doses of mpox vaccine, now.”

Biden called on others to match the pledge and “make this a billion-dollar commitment to the people of Africa.”

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.

It causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions, and can be deadly.

A total of 25,093 suspected mpox cases and 723 deaths were reported across the African continent between January and September 8, according to WHO.

Football pundit Mark Goldbridge has criticized Manchester City forward Erling Haaland for showing a lack of respect toward Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Goldbridge’s comments followed Manchester City’s dramatic 2-2 draw against a 10-man Arsenal on Sunday.Haaland was involved in a heated exchange with Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, taunting Arteta by saying, “Stay humble, eh, stay humble,” after the intense match at the Etihad Stadium.

The Norwegian striker had already stirred tensions by throwing the ball at Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães’ head after John Stones’ 90+8th-minute equalizer.

On Tuesday, Goldbridge reacted to these incidents, expressing his disapproval.

“Haaland’s lucky I’m not Gabriel; he threw the ball at Gabriel’s head like a coward, then barged into him from the kick-off,” he wrote on X. “Then he’s telling Arteta to be humble? You don’t speak to managers like that.

I hate it when players go after opposition managers—there’s a line of respect.”In the match, Haaland gave City the lead in the 9th minute, but Riccardo Calafiori equalized in the 22nd minute.

Gabriel restored Arsenal’s lead in the 45+1st minute, but the Gunners were reduced to 10 men after Leandro Trossard was sent off in the 45+8th minute. Arsenal held their ground until Stones leveled the score in the 90+8th minute.

Thirteen out of the 16 available spots in the Carabao Cup fourth round have now been secured, following the conclusion of most third-round fixtures.

The teams that have progressed so far are Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Leicester City, Brentford, Southampton, Stoke City, Crystal Palace, Sheffield Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton, and Preston.

On Thursday, Arsenal will face Bolton Wanderers at home, while defending champions Liverpool will take on West Ham at Anfield.

The match between Newcastle and AFC Wimbledon has been rescheduled for October 1 at St James’ Park, following flood damage at Plough Lane.

Controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has refuted allegations of bribing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials with N15 million.

The allegations surfaced after popular influencer Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, released a voice recording allegedly featuring Bobrisky claiming to have bribed EFCC officers to drop money laundering charges against him.

In the recording, Bobrisky allegedly stated that the N15 million bribe ensured he avoided prison despite a six-month jail sentence handed down in April 2024 for naira mutilation.

He also purportedly claimed his godfather arranged for him to serve his sentence in a lodge rather than a prison.

However, Bobrisky has strongly denied these claims, calling the recording fake. In an Instagram post, he clarified: “I did not pay any money to the EFCC. It’s all lies. I served my prison term in full.

Please disregard any false information.”

Nigerian UFC fighter Israel Adesanya has placed a $4,000 bet on Enyimba to win their rescheduled matchday three fixture against Lobi Stars.

The match is set to take place at the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba on Wednesday (today).

Adesanya shared the news on social media, posting a message on X alongside a picture of himself in an Enyimba jersey, stating, “It’s a goal.

“His bet suggests confidence in the nine-time Nigeria Premier Football League champions, with an expected payout of $5,930.

As previously reported by pressmen, Adesanya recently placed a $10,000 bet on Anthony Joshua’s IBF heavyweight bout against Daniel Dubois on Saturday but lost.