By Ismaila Chafe/Silas Nwoha

President Muhammadu Buhari has parted ways with an influential Catholic cleric, who previously described Buhari as messiah because the president refused to give him a juicy contract.

In a week the president endured the pain of bloody events in the country, controversial cleric, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka proclaimed that Buhari should resign or be impeached because of current unwholesome developments nationwide.

On April 30, the Presidency expressed shock over the sudden U-Turn of Father Mbaka, a die-hard supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is now asking the president to resign or be impeached because he failed to secure contracts from the presidency.

Presidential spokesman Malam Garba Shehu, who made the revelation in a statement, said that Mbakas outburst was because Buhari characteristically, refused to accede to Mbakas demands to secure juicy contracts from the presidency.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari, 78, has long been known for his anti-corruption stance and austere life style.

Buhari had started the week with condemnation of the killing of three of the students, kidnapped at Greenfield University in Kaduna State.

The president in a statement issued by the presidential spokesman, described the students as bright youngsters who were cut down in their primes by evil people.

My thoughts are with their families in this time of grief. May their souls rest in peace, said the president.

He extended his condolences to relatives and associates of the murdered students, describing recurring incidents of kidnappings and killings in Kaduna State as barbaric terror attacks.

Buhari decried the utterances of some political and religious leaders, whom he said, seemed to be inciting and stokingpains and anguish for mourning families.

On April 24, Buhari expressed his condolences on the death of the mother of the Emirs of Kano and Bichi, Hajiya Maryam Ado-Bayero.

The president in a condolence message, described the passing of Hajiya Ado-Bayero as a great shock and big loss to the emirs families.

I have received the news of her death with profound sadness. She was a great and revered mother, who was a fountain of inspiration not only for her family but also others who had interacted with her.

On the same day, Buhari met behind closed doors with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, at the Presidential Villa.

NAN learnt that the meeting was part of an ongoing strategic engagements with stakeholders, aimed at finding solutions to the nations current security and socio-economic challenges.

Speaking to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Gbajabiamila reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly to continuing to assist Buhari as he works hard to find lasting solutions to current security challenges confronting the nation.

He disclosed that his discussion with the president centred on security and other matters relating to developments in the country.

On April 27, Buhari met separately behind closed doors with Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno and a former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at his official residence in the Presidential Villa.

NAN learnt that Zulum used the opportunity of the meeting to update the president on security developments in Borno, while Tinubu thanked the president for his support during the 12Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Colloquium, held in Kano last March.

Buhari had earlier on the same day, held a virtual meeting with U.S. Secretary of State, Mr Anthony Blinken, where he pleaded with the U.S. government to reconsider relocating the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) from Stuttgart, Germany, to the Gulf of Guinea, nearer the Theatre of Operation.

The Nigerian leader noted that AFRICOM should be relocated to Africa to strengthen ongoing efforts to check insecurity in Africa.

He also pleaded with the international community to support Nigeria and the West African sub-region in tackling growing insecurity.

The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on the same day, represented Buhari at the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

On April 28, Buhari presided over a meeting of the Federal Executive Council, where the Ministries of Petroleum Resources, Foreign Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Developmentmade presentations.

Those in attendance at the meeting were Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha and the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

Other people, who physically attended the meeting include Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Finance, Zainab Ahmed, Justice, Abubakar Malami and Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffery Onyeama.

Others were the Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Mohammed Bello, the Minister of State Petroleum, Mr Timipre Sylva and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouk.

The president also hosted a special envoy of the Zambian President, Mr Edgar Lungu, at the State House on April 29, assuring that Nigeria and Zambia would deepen collaboration for the good of their peoples and benefit of the African continent.

The Special Envoy, Mr Joseph Malanji, who is Zambias Minister of Foreign Affairs, thanked Nigeria for its big brother role in ECOWAS and the African continent, stressing that equity is when strong ones strengthen the weak ones.

On his part, Osinbajo participatedvirtually at the 2021 High-Level Dialogue on Feeding Africa, where he disclosed that

On April 30, the Presidency expressed its disappointment and sadness with Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue over accusations being levelled against Buhari by Ortom, following recent killing of soldiers and residents of the state.

The presidential spokesman said that no responsible government would take pleasure in the killing of troops and innocent citizens, taking refuge in an internally displaced peoples camp.

Shehu said that the president was deeply pained by the terrible acts of violence, happening not only in Benue but also in other parts of the country.

The spokesman quoted Buhari as again directing law enforcement agencies to go to any length to catch perpetrators of the crimes and bring them to justice.

Disturbed by reported cases of insecurity being experienced in some parts of the country, the president on April 30, again summoned a meeting of security chiefs to address the menace.

Buhari vowed that his administration would do all it would to defeat forces of evil marauding in different parts of the country and killing innocent citizens.

Those in attendance at the meeting included Mustapha, Gambari and the Minister of Defence, retired Maj-Gen. Bashir Magashi as well as the National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno.

Also in attendance were the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, Chief of Army Staff; Lieut.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Naval Staff; Vice-Admiral Awwal Zubairu, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Ishiaka Amoo and the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba.

The meeting was adjourned to May 4.

Buhari also announced the reappointments of Otunba Segun Runsewe as Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture and that of Mr Folorunso Coker as Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation.

Both of them were given fresh four-year terms.

Alhaji Adedayo Thomas was also reappointed as Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board for another term of four years.

According to the presidential spokesman, the president also approved the appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed as the Chief Executive Officer/Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria.

Ahmed was until his appointment, Director of Culture in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Bauchi State. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Desmond Ejibasc

Ugboma disclosed this on Sunday at a ceremony to celebrate the second anniversary of the hospital located at Aluu community in Ikwerre Local Government Area, near Port Harcourt.

She said that the hospital had been providing free maternal healthcare services to both expectant mothers and new mothers without collecting any fee from them.

April 17, 2021 marked two years that this hospital was inaugurated out of the love that the OPM General Overseer, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has for the less privileged and the downtrodden in the society

The hospital during the last two years had registered over 1,448 pregnant women for antenatal care; delivered 780 babies that included two sets of triplets and 23 sets of twins.

Every service in the hospital is rendered free of charge to pregnant women. They include: registration, obstetric ultrasound scan, antenatal, consultancy, blood, drugs and vaginal tests as well as caesarean deliveries.

On delivery, every woman is fed daily free of charge while each indigent patient is given a delivery pack containing: baby clothes and toiletries, she said.

Ugboma added the hospital used to give transport fare to the women after delivery making their departures from the hospital to their homes a thing of joy.

Speaking, the General Overseer of OPM, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, said that the hospital was built and run from the offerings and tithes of members of the church.

He said that aside the two free specialist hospitals operated in Ohunku, Abia and Port Harcourt; that OPM had also built 15 schools where students and pupils acquire knowledge free of charge.

We have also provided free accommodations to many in our estates and awarded scholarships to hundreds of students to study in both local and foreign universities.

OPM did all these and many more through the offerings and tithes from our members for the benefits of the less privileged, irrespective of their tribes and religion, he said.

Chinyere said that he was motivated to embark on the humanitarian works by his passion and commitment to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ who loves the poor and the suffering.

So, we decided to build the hospitals with the mandate to attend to pregnant mothers due to the alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality in the country.

We realised that these avoidable deaths are caused partly because many pregnant women and their husbands do not have access to quality antenatal services.

Because the husbands cannot afford to pay hospital bills, they were not registering their pregnant wives to deliver their babies there. Many pregnant women lose their lives and that of their unborn children due to lack of proper medical care.

So, we are happy that God is using OPM to touch the lives of the people as the hospital has delivered almost 800 babies in two years of operation, he added.

Chinyere, however, said the hospital was expensive to run due to the overbearing cost of running its electric generators 24 hours daily, to power medical equipment in the facility.

He said it cost the church over N1million monthly to run its electric generators alone, aside maintenance cost and staff salaries, among others.

So, we call on the government to immediately support us by restoring electricity back to this area, considering the many lives the hospital saves daily, he appealed.

Dr Matt Offeh, the President of OPM Divine Distributors, lauded the General Overseer for not emulating some pastors, who allegedly used funds realised by their churches to buy private jets and live luxurious lifestyles.

According to him, OPM which was founded in 2006 had invested hundreds of millions to build and operate the specialist hospitals at no cost to its patients.

One of the beneficiaries, Saratu Musa, a Muslim and a nursing mother of an 11-month-old baby, said she was delivered of her daughter without paying kobo to the hospital.

The hospital took care of me from the antenatal stage to actual delivery. They even fed me and my baby throughout my admission in the hospital, she said.

Mrs Happiness Kingsley, who is six months pregnant also, said that the hospital had met all her medical needs, including free antenatal tests, scans, checkups and drugs. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the commitment of his administration to freedom of the press, and urged media professionals to wield such freedom responsibly.

Mr Femi Adesina, the Presidents spokesman, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said Buharis reassurance was contained in a message to mark this years World Press Freedom Day.

The statement quoted Buhari as describing freedom of the press as an irreducible minimum in a democracy that will flourish, adding, however, that the freedom must be used responsibly.

Everything that is permitted must have rules of correctness, particularly in a polity seriously challenged as ours now.

The media must be sensitive to what we are going through as a country; anything that will exacerbate the situation and further inflame passions and emotions should be avoided.

The media needs to ensure that while informing, educating, entertaining and setting agenda for public discourse, it does not encourage incendiary words and actions that could further hurt our unity in diversity.

He maintained that licentious freedom was different from freedom with responsibility, and charged the Nigerian media to embrace the later, rather than the former.

The statement also quoted Buhari as pledging greater cooperation with the media to discharge its duties in line with the theme of this years World Press Freedom Day which is Information as a Public Good.

He charged those who manage information for government to make public interest their guide, while also encouraging the media to use the Freedom of Information Act to make its jobs easier. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State says, henceforth, teachers and lecturers working with the state owned institutions of learning will be retiring on attaining 65 years.

The governor announced this at the award night marking the 2021 May Day organised by the Kano State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Saturday in Kano.

The Federal Government has since approved this for teachers and lecturers working in its institutions, hence, teachers in Kano State are also not left behind.

Therefore, our teachers and lecturers as from now on will start to enjoy such retirement age from 60-65, and years of service from 35-40 as the federal workers are enjoying, the governor said.

According to Ganduje, the state government has introduced so many policies aimed at improving the welfare of its workers.

He added, We have introduced a contributory health scheme for workers in the state and their families to have the cheapest health services.
I am happy that with your co-operation, today we have the best contributory health scheme in Nigeria.

We are also collaborating with the private organisations in the state to see how they can benefit from such schemes aimed at strengthening the policy.

The governor also said that the state government had introduced a health trust fund where five per cent of the states Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and one per cent from the earnings of local governments would be contributed.

And that will provide health services to our workers and the people of Kano State.

Ganduje added that the state government would serve as a guarantor for civil servants working in the state who would be willing to access loan facilities from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He also said that his administration had introduced free and compulsory primary to secondary schools education.

Through that, our workers will not have to pinch from their salaries to pay school fees for their children. he said.

Ganduje said that one important thing done in the state was ensuring peace and stability, security for workers, the citizens and everybody.

He said with that in place, the state would continue to be a place where everybody could flourish in harmony.

The governor also presented a letter of permanent and pensionable appointment to Khadijah Umar.

Umar who had been working as a temporary staff member for the past 15 years at Hotoro Health Care Clinic lost her legs in the course of duty.

Earlier, Mr Kabir Minjibir, the Chairman of Kano State chapter of the NLC, said the awardees were honoured for their hard work and adherence to the Civil Service rules.

He said that the NLC found it necessary to honour not only civil servants who were dedicated and committed to their duties, but also workers from the private sector.

The NLC is giving certificates of excellence to those that deserved to be honoured while some of them will go home with cash gifts ranging from N50,000 to N100,000 each. he said.

Minjibir also lauded the Gandujeled administration for effective security management in the state.

He said that had brought about minimal cases of banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.

He also commended the governor for efficient management of the first and second waves of COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

The governor has been up-to-date in the payment of salaries and pensions in the state, despite the economic turbulence being experienced in the country until recently when the economic situation began to bite harder, the chairman said.

Minjibir, however, described the theme of the 2021 May Day celebration: COVID-19 Pandemic, Social and Economic Crisis: Challenges for Decent Jobs and Peoples Welfare, as a symbol for continued struggle for the survival under the current economic hardship.

The chairman charged workers to continue to put in their best while discharging their duties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bola Ahmed-Tinubu Campaign Organisation who were present at the event also pledged to support Khadijah Umar with modern artificial limps. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Priscilla Osaje

Nigerian music star, Oluwatobiloba Anidugbe a.k.a Kizz Daniel has welcomed a set of twins as he marked his 27th birthday on May 1.

The renowned singer who could not hide his joy and gratitude to God, took to his Instagram handle@kizzdaniel to share the good news to his fans and well wishers.

According to the proud father of two boys, there is no better way to celebrate his birthday than announcing the arrival of his sons.

The One Ticket crooner, sharing a close-up photo of him holding his sons hands, the singer wrote: S , f BOYS

Atletico Madrid earned a 1-0 win at Elche on Saturday to move provisionally five points clear at the top of the Spanish La Liga with four games remaining.

Diego Simeones side survived a late penalty kick, missed by Fidel Chaves, as they battle for their first league title since 2014.

Atletico Madrid striker Luis Suarez came close in the opening stages and then the Uruguayan had a goal ruled out for a narrow offside.

Marcos Llorente fired the Rojiblancos ahead in the 23rd minute with his 12th league goal of the season from Yannick Carrascos cross.

Suarez had another ruled out for offside early in the second half as his team continued to dominate the game.

In the 90th minute Llorente turned villain when he handled the ball inside his own area and handed Elche a penalty kick.

However, Fidel Chaves fired it against the post to hand Llorente and Atletico Madrid a reprieve, while Elche are 18th and still in the relegation zone.

We got the three points and that gives us a lot of strength for what is to come, said Llorente.

Were always positive and theres not a long way to go anymore. We have to give everything.

Later Saturday Real Madrid, who are second, welcome Osasuna as they bid to cut Atletico Madrids lead back to two points, while third-placed FC Barcelona visit Valencia on Sunday.

Earlier, Kike Garcia scored a hat-trick as Eibar beat Alaves 3-0 to retain some slim hope of survival.

The Basque side are bottom and four points from safety, while Alaves, 16th, are only a point above the drop zone. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) moved provisionally back to the top of the French Ligue 1 on Saturday, thanks to a battling 2-1 win over Lens at the Parc des Princes.

Neymar scored the opener and crossed for Marquinhos to head in the champions second.

It was a good response to their 2-1 home loss to Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League this week.

With Kylian Mbappe missing through injury and Marco Verratti, Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera starting on the bench, PSG were made to work hard.

But it was a result which lifted them back above Lille at the summit, at the very least for a few hours.

Ignatius Ganago pulled a goal back for European hopefuls Lens, but Mauricio Pochettinos men held firm for a morale-boosting win.

This has come ahead of their second-leg clash with Manchester City in England on Tuesday.

PSG, who lost right-back Colin Dagba to injury before the 20-minute mark, had few early chances in spite of their dominance.

But Danilo Pereira tested Wuilker Farinez with a powerful header that was well saved by the Lens goalkeeper.

Lens had done well to keep Neymar quiet but gifted him the opener 32 minutes in.

The Brazil star slotted home confidently after Julian Draxler had pinched possession from Facundo Medina on the edge of the penalty box.

Pablo Sarabia should have scored a second after Neymars header from a fine Marquinhos pass, but Farinez produced a superb one-handed stop.

Also, Lens could have snatched an equaliser before half-time had Jonathan Clauss and Clement Michelin shown more composure inside the penalty box.

Lens began the second half well but PSG doubled their lead just before the hour mark, Marquinhos rising unchallenged to head in Neymars corner-kick from the right.

However, the visitors halved the deficit barely two minutes later, with Ganago hooking the ball through Navas legs after Arnaud Kalimuendo sliced an attempted overhead kick.

Neymar curled a free-kick off the right post, seemingly via the fingertips of Farinez, and Mauro Icardi saw a goal disallowed for a Marco Verratti offside.

But Lens could not capitalise on those moments of fortune.

Source: NAN News

By Martha Nuhu

The All Progressives Congress (APC) youths across the 17 local government areas of Plateau, have called on the party to zone the 2023 presidential seat to the North Central Region.

Dr Shendam Solomon, spokesman for the youths and a former APC youth leader, made the call while speaking with newsmen in Jos on Saturday, after an emergency meeting.

Solomon said that zoning the number one seat to the region would guarantee justice, equity and fairness, after the zone had been shut out since Nigerias independence.

According to him, 2023 offers the party leadership the opportunity to correct the injustice meted to the region.

We want to appeal to the leadership of the APC to zone the 2023 presidential seat to the North Central for justice, equity and fairness.

The North Central geopolitical zone has been shut out of the presidential seat since the nation got independence in 1960.

The injustice against the North Central is unfair, and 2023 offers the party leaders the opportunity to correct it by zoning the Presidency to North Central, Solomon said.

He also said the region had the most consistent political and social ideology that was pan-Nigeria, with successive leaders who had promoted unity and stability at every time in history.

Also, a youth from Jos North, Ibrahim Awulu, said zoning the presidency to the North Central would assuage the long years of being abandoned as a people and a region.

Awulu added that the region was a unifying factor in Nigeria and would bring about lasting peace in the nation if given the chance. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The National Assembly has restated commitment to good governance to enhance protection and welfare for Nigerians.

The Senate President, Sen. Ahmed Lawan made the commitment during his address at the 2021 May Day celebration on Saturday in Abuja.

Lawan was represented at the event by Sen. Godiya Akwashiki, Vice Chairman of the Media and Public Affairs Committee in the Senate.

The theme for the 2021 May Day celebration is COVID-19 pandemic, Social and Economic Crisis: Challenges for Decent Jobs, Social Protection and Peoples Welfare.

He appreciated Nigerian workers both past and present for their sacrifices for the progress of the country and saluted their tenacity of purpose for the effective running of the machinery of government.

The theme oftodays celebration is a complete one because it enables us to address some of the challenges before us as brought in by the COVID-19 pandemic and to how navigate away from it.

It additionally permits us to look at our great opportunities in the face of challenges and come to think of ways of improving the social protection and the welfare of the people.

The essence of a good government is the continued ability to improve protection and welfare of the people through appropriate policies and actions for the good of thecountry.

We are also ensuring that our efforts are not just a one off. We remain committed to improving on them. The security challenges are not insurmountable, he said.

According to the senate president, government has provided ways of surmounting the challenges, as hat the executive arm has met with the national assembly to mitigate these disasters.

Lawan stressed that some criminal elements had taken up wrong paths like kidnapping, insurgency and banditry for survival.

Those paths are not acceptable and we shall continue to confront these paths and make sure they become a thing ofthe past in the country

The national assembly and other arms of government are determined to ensure peace for the progress and development of our dear country Nigeria.

We shall continue to carry out our roles of making laws and over sighting. The interests of all Nigerians remain our priority. We wish the Nigerian workers a Happy Celebration Day, Lawal said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Christian Ogbonna

The Ebonyi chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned against any attempt by leaders toto politicise the countrys increasing security challenges.

The state Chairman of the congress, Mr Ikechukwu Nwafor, gave the warning, while speaking with journalists on the 2021 Workers Day celebration warningon Saturday in Abakaliki.

Nwafor said the theme of the celebration, which was low key in Ebonyi, is COVID-19, Social and Economic Crisis: Challenges for decent jobs, social protection and peoples welfare.

He commended the three tiers of government for their tireless efforts in containing the spread of the pandemic.

He also decried the rising level of theft and wanton killings in the country by bandits.

On this note, we appeal to the perpetrators of these evil acts and their sponsors to stop.
Government at all levels should not politicise the problem. They should close ranks across party lines when the lives of citizens, especially Ebonyi people, are involved.

We urge the government to be more proactive in addressing the situation in the state and country at large, Nwafor said.

On workers well-being, the chairman said the congress was committed to implementing any governments policy designed to improve their welfare. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joan Nwagwu

The Organised Labour has called for a general salary review of core civil servants in the country.

Mr Quadri Olaleye, the President, Nigeria Trade Congress (TUC) made the call at the 2021 May Day celebration, jointly organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the TUC on Saturday in Abuja.

The theme of the 2021 May Day celebration is COVID-19, Social and Economic Crises: Challenges for Decent Work, Social Protection and Peoples Welfare.

Olaleye said the upward review of the salary of those in the core civil service was necessary as it was already overdue.

We demand for an upward review of salary of core civil servants to narrow the gap between their emoluments and those of employees in other segments of the public service.

We implore the Federal Government to once more direct the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to set up a committee to undertake this review that is certainly overdue, he said.

Olaleye, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the recent increase of the retirement age of teachers from 60 to 65 years.

We also call on government for an upward review of the retirement age and years of service in the entire public service.

Certainly, what is good for the goose is also good for the gander, he said.

The TUC president also called on the Federal Government to restore payment of gratuity to civil servants.

According to him, although the 2004 Pension Reform Act was silent on the issue of payment of gratuity to workers, the federal and some state governments have ceased paying gratuity to public service employees.

Yet, it is gratifying that private sector employers and many state governments have continued to pay gratuity to their employees.

We demand that payment of gratuity to retiring officers should be restored in the public service to compensate for years of service by workers, he said.

On issues of pension, Olaleye noted that no sane society will treat the welfare of its pensioners with disdain.

He said that it was a global best practice that pensioners should enjoy certain protections such as free transportation, healthcare and income support.

Whereas, in Nigeria our pensioners are treated with disrespect after meritorious service to their fatherland.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, many states have refused to pay pensions promptly, and some outrightly refuse to adjust the pensions in conformity with the current National Minimum Wage.

We wish to use this opportunity to remind governments at all levels that the position of the Nigerian Constitution precisely, Section 173 (3), on administration of pension is very clear.

Our constitution demands that pensions should be reviewed every five years or together with any Federal Civil Service Salary reviews or whichever one comes first.

So, following the Pension Reform Act of 2004 and the consequent migration from defined benefits to contributory system, the payment of accrued rights by many state governments has remained a thorny and endless issue, he said.

Olaleye said the organised Labour was alarmed by the unprecedented increase in pension liabilities running into trillions of naira owed by state and the Federal Governments.

He said that states such as Jigawa, Lagos, Yobe, Borno, Katsina, Oyo, and Kanowere recently honoured by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) at its recent National Delegates Conference on the payment of gratuity that was stalled.

He, however, lamented that some states were yet to pay gratuity to their retired workers.

As a matter of fact, Borno recently borrowed the sum of N12 billion to pay liabilities of gratuity up to the year 2020, while Jigawa is also a model state in pension administration, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Augusta Uchediunor

A non-governmental organisation, Project Africa Movement, has called on Nigerians in the Diaspora to invest their talents, intellect and material resources into the countrys development to create employments and meaningfully engage the youth.

The President of the organisation, Mr Solomon Mofolorunsho-Ogunjobi, made the call in a statement in Lagos on Saturday.

He said that such investments could be made through projects in agriculture, education, information technology and solid minerals, among others.

We are passionate about connecting with international organisations that are focused on the development of the African continent.

We believe that instead of government, the private sector should be the driving force in developing Africa.

Governments should provide the enabling environment for youths to exhibit their wisdom, talents and strength.

Many of our youths are leaving Africa because they didnt find employment opportunities, Mofolorunsho-Ogunjobi said.

He solicited the support of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission for the organisation to achieve its objectives.

According to him, many Nigerians and other Africans had contributed much to the development of other countries where they reside.

Africa is their home; charity begins at home, he said.

He appealed to the Federal Government to intensify efforts at tackling security challenges to encourage investment in the country.

All hands should be on deck to make Nigeria better.

The country is abundantly blessed with natural and human resources; our urgovernment must take urgent steps to tackle the problem of insecurity.

Nigeria has the largest population of black Africans gathered together in one polity compared to anywhere else in the world.

Any positive improvement in the standard of living of the average Nigerian will have a ripple effect on other communities in black Africa, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Project Africa Movement is committed to linking Africans in the Diaspora to Africa by initiating ventures that will encourage them to invest at home. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ugonne Uzoma

Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo has urged people to go about their businesses without fear as the security threats in the state have been contained.

Uzodinmma said this on Saturday during a live broadcast in commemoration of the workers day celebration in Owerri.

You would have noticed that disgruntled politicians in concert with militants and other criminal elements have unleashed violence in our state known traditionally for its peace and hospitality.

Unable to contain themselves over the developmental strides of our administration in just one year, these enemies of our state have devised devious ways of not only distracting us but striking fear on our citizens.

Let me assure the good people of Imo that investigations to unmask the sponsors of these security breaches in the state have reached an advanced stage and very soon we will expose and prosecute them, he said.

Reacting to the recent attack on his home, Uzodimma said it was a feeble attempt at intimidating his administration by sending a message that the state was not secured.

He added that the perpetrators failed woefully and warned that government would employ every lawful machinery to ensure every sign of criminality in the state was crushed.

While I sympathise with them over their feeble and futile efforts at intimidating us, let me declare here that the state will employ all lawful machinery at its disposal to crush criminality.

Last Saturdays attempt to burn down my country home was just their way of sending the message that Imo is insecure but as always, they failed woefully.

The government in collaboration with all the security agencies is more than capable of protecting the lives and property of all residents of the state; I swore an oath to that and I will never shirk this sacred responsibility, he said.

Uzodimma assured the people that he would continue to work hard to ensure that things got better for all.

I am not a man who makes excuses, I have come to work for the people no matter the circumstances and no amount of distraction can derail me from my mission, he said.

The governor reassured the people that investigations are ongoing to unmask the sponsors of the attacks in the state, adding that they would soon be arrested and prosecuted.

He urged the people to go go about their businesses without fear as the security threat had been effectively contained.

It is quite unfortunate that in spite of the impressive progress we have recorded in the first year in office, some people have failed to appreciate the glaring evidence everywhere that Imo has taken a turn for the better.

This group of fifth columnists has therefore elected to disrupt the peace of the state.

Although their actions are quite regrettable, it is my duty as the governor of the state to ask everyone to sheath the sword and make room for development.

I must warn that the day of mindless criminality in the state are over. Let me use this opportunity to assure all Imo people that I will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the security and safety of all of us, he said.

Uzodimma assured that his administration was willing, able and capable of protecting the lives and property of the people and residents alike.

Without any fear of contradiction, I can declare to you that the recent security challenges in the state have been effectively contained.

Imo people should, therefore, go about their lawful businesses without any fear whatsoever, he added.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Yakubu Uba

Mr Simon Malgwi, the Borno Head of Civil Service, has said that the delay in the payment of workers promotion benefits was caused by anomalies discovered in some promotions.

Malgwi made this known on Saturday in Maiduguri while addressing workers during activities to mark the International Workers Day at state NLC secretariat.

He said that the state government would soon constitute a committee comprising labour and his office to verify all promotions before payment of the benefits.

So many vices have crept into the promotion process and thats why some people got promotions that they are not due for.

Some people have gotten promotion three times in one or two years and we dont know which scheme of service they are using to get those promotions.

So, for the benefit of all of us and for the benefit of the system we must correct the system, Malgwi said.

On workers employed in 2019 that are yet to get their salaries, the head of service said Gov. Umar Zulum had ordered him to compile their list for appropriate action.

Malgwi explained that the state government had discovered that some of the employees used fake certificates while some are completely unemployable.

Some are employable but have some technical problems which has to do with biometrics.

I am sure NLC will stand behind us to stamp out those with fake and unqualified results who want to peep into the system to destroy it, Malgwi said.

The head of service also spoke on the review of teachers verification exercise, stressing that unqualified teachers would not be allowed to continue teaching.

He said allowing such teachers in service will not be healthy for the system and the future of education in the state.

Where somebody has not gotten the basic qualification to teach and we allow him, we are not only destroying the future we are also destroying our children.

Teaching is not about social welfare, when it comes to education and health we should be very strict, Malgwi said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Shedrack Frank

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have lauded the worker-friendly disposition of Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa.

The workers unions, in a joint address at this years Workers Day celebration, particularly commended Diris commitment to prompt payment of salaries and gratuity.

Mr Bipre Ndiomu, the states NLC chairman, who delivered the address in Yenagoa on Saturday, said that Diris emergence as governor in February 2020 had been a huge blessing to Bayelsa.

He also praised the governor for standing by the workers at the peak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

At that time there were job losses all over the world, but the story in Bayelsa was different, thanks to Diris pragmatic and people-oriented leadership style.

The readiness of the governor to rise to the occasion was heartwarming. We cant thank him enough, he said.

The labour leader, however, urged Diri to pay the gratuity of local government retirees, implement annual salary increments, and promote workers due for such privilege.

He also demanded for the payment of the national minimum wage, promotion arrears, as well as resumption of training and retraining of civil servants.

Ndiomu pledged the readiness of workers to put in their best toward quality service delivery.

In his response, the governor commended the workers for their support which had ensured the success story they were praising.

Diri also lauded the workers patience and understanding and reiterated his commitment to their welfare.

He directed the Commissioner for Finance and the Head of Service to work out modalities for immediate implementation of the annual salary increment, and promised to liaise with the relevant officers toward settling arrears accruing from the minimum wage.

The governor further directed relevant government officers to furnish him with details of salary arrears owed workers of the Environmental Sanitation Authority.

He also called for more information on the vehicles of staff of Radio Bayelsa damaged in the aftermath of the violence that trailed the Supreme Court judgement that declared him winner.

Diri assured workers that the training of workers would be given priority to boost productivity.

His words: I urge workers in Bayelsa to remain resilient, hopeful and focused as we upscale our determination and resolve to build the state we all want. So much lies ahead that should make us optimistic rather than pessimistic.

The wealth of the state is inextricably tied to the health of our workers, so government will continue to rank the welfare and happiness of workers at the zenith of its policies and programmes.

This policy thrust is exemplified in initiatives of my government that include the allocation of 1,000 plots of land to civil servants to enable them to own their houses.

We have implemented the N30,000 minimum wage, sustained the prompt payment of salaries while not neglecting pensions and gratuities.

The State Government supplements the wages of local government staff to the tune of nearly N250 million monthly. This is a heavy toll on our already severely over-stretched resources, but we view it as a sacrosanct duty to our cherished workers, he said.

Diri bemoaned the paucity of funds, but assured the people that their demands would be met as finances improved.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Acha

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama on Saturday commenced the donation of educational materials worth millions of naira to public primary and secondary schools in Enugu State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the items to be donated to three schools in each of the 17 local government areas of the state include 1800 chairs and 1800 desks.

Others are: 1000 school bags containing New Wave English and Mathematics textbooks, five exercise books, Mathematics sets and cash donations to hire more teachers.

Onyeama said that the donation was done through his pet project Kwusike Foundation in collaboration with a Chinese company, Huawel Technologles Company Limited.

According to the minister, President Muhammadu Buharis youth empowerment programmes inspired him to embark on the exercise.

He said that it had become necessary to support Nigerians, especially those in the rural areas due to the bad shape of the economy.

Onyeama commended the management of the company for their partnership for the progress of the exercise.

Times are tough but we will continue to support you in order to make it easier for you to learn. We want you to make your parents happy, he said.

The minister said that the Federal Government would continue to provide the enabling environment for school children to learn under safe and secure environment.

We need to prioritise the empowerment of our school children and keep them safe, he said.

Onyeama said that Kwusike Foundation had permanent programmes for schools and widows in the country

Earlier , the Deputy Managing Director, Huawel Technologles Company Nigeria Ltd., Mr Kelvin Yang, said that the company had been operating in Nigeria for 21 years.

Yang said that their dream was to support Nigeria to bridge the digital gap in the society.

This is why we work tirelessly to partner with all stakeholders to provide technology innovation, knowledge transfer, and carry out our corporate social responsibility.

We are committed to cultivating local talents and believe that if we can secure quality education for our youths, a bright future is secured for Nigeria, he said.

He said that the company had partnered with universities, colleges and schools across Nigeria to help improve their study environment and enhance knowledge transfer and technical skills.

We are highly inspired by Onyeama, who has continued to encourage us to expand our scope in our support for education in Nigeria, he said.

Yang said that the company had trained no fewer than 17, 000 Nigerian students and 20, 000 engineers.

In the next three years, we look forward to training 30, 000 more, Yang said.

NAN reports that the five schools that participated and received donations during the event included Central School, Eke and Community Primary School, Oma Eke.

Others are: Akwanda Primary School, Ogui Agu Eke, St. Pauls Nursery/Primary School and St. Pauls Secondary School, Eke.

Source: NAN News

By Joan Nwagwu

The Federal Government has assured workers that the transfer of the National Minimum Wage from the Executive to Concurrent list would not work.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, gave the hint at the 2021 May Day celebration, on Saturday in Abuja.

The theme of the May Day celebration is: COVID-19, Social and Economic Crises; Challenges for Decent Work, Social Protection and Peoples Welfare.

Ngige said that the new minimum wage was a national law, which would not be manipulated by anyone.

A tripartite clause arrangement which coordinated the government enacting the national minimum wage on April 18, 2019, and the President in signing the law, made it clear that the law takes effect on that day.

That law is a national law, it is not that which you can choose for anybody that falls within the ambit of that law. It is not a question of pick and choose.

We moved the national minimum wage from 18,000 per month to 30,000; it is an irreducible clause and we need a social protection mechanism.

We therefore expect the states and people in the private sector to comply. Amendment of trying to expand that law or trying to bring the law into the concurrent list of the institution will not work, he said.

Mr Ayuba Wabba, the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), had eariler said that any attempt to remove the national minimum wage from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List was a mischievous effort to foster crisis, chaos and anarchy in the country.

Wabba said that the national minimum wage served as social protection by providing a mimimum income floors to safeguard low earners.

Our argument for the retention of the national minimum wage on the exclusive legislative list is to also propel the fact that the minimum wage is a tool for social inclusion and proverty reduction,

For Nigerian workers, it has been a catalogue of workplace and trade union rights violations.

First is the criminal refusal by some state governors to pay the new national minimum wage and consequential increase in salaries, thus violating workers rights.

We have already directed all our state councils to down tool if any governor remains adamant about paying the new national minimum wage, he said.

The NLC president noted that the theme for this years celebration was apt, as Nigeria failed to protect its citizenry especially workers, from the daunting challenges occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic.

He noted that a recent research by Nigerian scholars said that the COVID-19 inspired lockdown threw an estimated 27 million Nigerians into poverty, ballooning the community of the working poor in Nigeria.

According to him, this revealed that workers are the major targets of the growing insecurity across the country.

The NLC boss further stated that in spite of efforts by government and private sector employers, millions of Nigerian workers had lost their means of livelihood and slipped into destitution, lack and misery.

Wabba added that the weakness of the social protection system further aggravated the pain and frustration of workers.

He noted that the recent unemployment statistics of 33.3 per cent as released by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), occasioned by the pandemic and arbitrary sack of workers by some state governors, had further driven the spate of insecurity being witnessed.

Human insecurity as marked by mass unemployment is the main driver for the physical insecurity besieging our dear country.

Part of the challenge of unemployment and insecurity is the crisis of poor governance. Weak budgets that led to poor appropriations and poorer budgetary oversight is the bane of our development.

It is unfortunate and a terrible injustice to the memory of Nigerias founding fathers, that virtually every part of the country has been engulfed by one form of security challenge or the other, he said.

Wabba, while however commending the efforts of the nations security apparatus, called for increased efforts and routing of security votes, through the normal budgetary process for proper oversight and accountability.

On casualisation of workers, he urged government and private employers of labour to end the slavery of workers by consolidating the milestones already gained in the current labour law review.

Wabba also said that Nigerian workers reject any further hike in electricity tariff, while calling for adjustments to the gas price for the power sector, suspension of gas price increases, for the next three years in order to support electricity tariff stability.

It is clear that the factors fuelling incessant hike in electricity tariff such as the dollarisation of gas used by GENCOs to run our power stations are issues that government can control.

As we speak, the promise by government to force DISCOs to mass deploy meters has been poorly pursued as pre-paid meters are still hoarded by DISCOs and sold at high price to frustrated consumers.

It is on this premise that we say no to further increases in electricity tariff, he said.

He also raised concerns over Nigerias high debt profile, saying that the bulk of the adverse implications of the unreasonable risks usually affects common Nigerians and workers the most.

Source: NAN News

By Ugonne Uzoma

Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo has commended workers in the state for their understanding and patience in the face of security and other challenges.

Uzodimma gave the commendation during a live broadcast on the occassion of the Workers Day in Owerri on Saturday.

On this auspicious occasion of May Day celebration I salute workers all over the country, particularly Imo workers, for their understanding in the face of the Coronavirus which threatened the welfare of workers.

I say thank you for your patience, your cooperation and patriotism in the face of the numerous challenges that assailed us on assumption of office, he said.

The governor, however, noted that his administration had succeeded in improving the welfare of the workers by providing a conducive working environment and lifting their transportion burden.

He said that the government had successfully digitalised the fiscal operations in the state, effectively reducing corruption in the public sector.

According to him, the payroll system had become automated, resulting in the prompt payment of workers and pensioners.

Uzodimma, however, said that all issues of unpaid employees would be resolved soon while assuring them of the immediate payment of their arrears immediately after.

He thanked the labour unions for their understanding during the automation process and the workers for their solidarity and maturity.

As we celebrate this years May day, I want to assure the workers of Imo that your welfare will always remain my number one priority.

Fortunately for us, during the trying times of the automation process, the organised labour stood firmly behind us. This is the time to appreciate you the workers for your solidarity and maturity. Thank you very much indeed.

I assure you of my commitment to whatever is necessary to make the organised labour leadership more effective and efficient.

In this respect, all outstanding check-off dues for the different unions will be cleared in the next few weeks.

In like manner, I will not relent in ensuring that Imo workers get the best available training and retraining opportunities and the best working condition, he said.

Uzodimma said that the digitalisation of the fiscal operations of the state had greatly reduced corruption in the public sector adding that behind the revolutionary automation exercise was a data centre that was ranked the best in the country.

The governor noted that after addressing the payroll system, he has stated tackling the issue of welfare of workers.

He said that apart from ensuring that he secured a conducive working environment for them through rehabilitation of the state secretariat and provision of critical infrastructure, he had ensured that official vehicles were provided for Permanent Secretaries to ease their transportation problems.

I followed it up by providing free buses for junior civil servants. These have been running religiously, he said.

The governor said that his administration had been responsive to the yearnings of the people by resuscitating critical infrastructure including roads.

He added that not less than 30,000 youths have been trained in various skills and would soon be given resources to start up businesses.

I am not a man who makes excuses, I have come to work for the people, no matter the circumstances and no amount of distraction can derail me from my mission.

All I ask is for an enabling environment of peace so that Imo people can get the very best we can offer.

For us to see those better days, we must refrain from acts that would impede development and progress.

Let us say no to banditry and anarchy. Both are ill winds that blow no one any good, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joan Nwagwu

The Federal Government says it will expand the N-Power programme from the present 500,000 beneficiaries to one million.

President Muhammadu Buhari said this in a message to commemorate the 2021 Workers Day celebration on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2021 Workers Day theme is COVID-19, Social and Economic Crises: Challenges for Decent Work, Social Protection and Peoples Welfare.

Buhari said that the expansion of the N-Power programme would ensure job creation and poverty alleviation through programme such as Safety Net Programmes to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We also have put in place some socio-economic policies, which also include Conditional Cash Transfer for the vulnerable poor from 2.6 million households (13 million persons) to 7.6 million households (about 32 million persons).

COVID-19 Rapid Response Register (RRR) for urban Poor, which now has 4.8 million households (20 million persons) which also include urban poor/working class.

Also, through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, there is the Entrepreneur Support Programme and, this even includes the vulnerable workers amongst the urban poor.

We also have the Artisan Support Fund, Payroll Support Fund for small scale businesses, Business Formalisation aimed at encouraging micro, small and medium enterprises by offering free registration for upcoming businesses by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

There is also Guaranteed Off-take Stimulus Scheme for Small Medium Enterprises for producers of hygienic products and packaged food to encourage entrepreneurship and industries, he said.

He, however, added that the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) for young entrepreneurs had N75 billion for three years, all aimed at support for the labour force.

He also noted that in securing decent jobs, government was inadvertently promoting social protection and peoples welfare.

We also know that social protection gives you peace of mind and hope for a better future.

It also ensures access to health care and income security for all and provides for you and your family when sick, unemployed, injured, pregnant or too old to work, he said.

He noted that a happy workforce could be created by employers incorporating the decent work agenda in job creation and retention in their workplace guiding policies.

As we all know, decent work sums up the aspirations of people in their working lives.

It involves opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for families, better prospects for personal development and social integration.

It also ensure freedom for people to express their concerns, organise and participate in the decisions that affect their lives and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men, he said.

He noted that decent jobs in our workplaces in a nutshell, therefore, reflect all the goodness in labour administration.

Buhari, therefore, said fair labour practices must be the norm in the world of work.

So, the theme for the May Day celebration is relevant and also reflects practical and contemporary issues of our society and not just in Nigeria but globally, he said.

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

Prof. Lilian Orogbu, a Professor of Strategic Human Resource Management, has emerged Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

The Astute Administrator emerged Dean through a keenly contested election, her Media Assistant, David Abakpa said in a statement, on Saturday.

According to Abakpa, the new dean has served the University in many capacities, including as Head, Department of Business Administration.

As an erudite Scholar, she has successfully supervised 19 Post Graduate students, including four PhDs, and has occupied the Editorial Position of several Journals, including Journal of Business and Finance Management Research and Journal of Social Development.

She rose meritoriously through the ranks as a trainer of Business Administrators to become a Professor of Business Administration at the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Prof. Orogbu is not just a University Lecturer, she is also into Business Consultancy and Brand Management.

She has consulted for NAPIMS, a subsidiary of NNPC; Catholic Clergy, Anglican Clergy, Stanel Group, amongst many other Organisations.

Prof. Orogbu is a member, Nigerian Institute of Management and a member, Academy of Management Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN News