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