Fed govt will ensure standard working environment for workers, says minister.

Fed govt will ensure standard working environment for workers, says minister.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha has said that the federal government is focused on standardising the nation’s work environment for improved safe and healthy workplaces, and higher productivity.

She stated this while inspecting ongoing work at the Headquarters of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Abuja.

The project, which has reached 70 percent, will be delivered before the first quarter of next year.

The minister said the ministry would increase efforts in ensuring that factories and other workplaces comply with regulations and the minimum international best practices for the health and safety of the nation’s workforce.

Onyejeocha said in this new focus, the ministry would incorporate the labour unions to be part of their factory inspections team to ensure that all work environments at factories meet the required standards and comply with laws and regulations.

In a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Olajide Oshundun on Saturday, the minister said in compliance with regulations, factories must be registered, their licenses renewed, and their facilities and environments subjected to inspections for the protection of the employees and the public.

Onyejeocha stated that the ministry would also reposition its skills development function along with identified skills needs for both literate and non-literate beneficiaries, aimed at making them active contributors to national productivity and wealth creation.

She said: “This is about helping Nigerians get out of poverty. The human being is part of the infrastructure. Once you get it right on your workforce; get it right on employment, then the nation is on the right path.”

She remarked that contrary to popular belief, the ministry’s mandate does not revolve around dispute resolution, as its responsibilities also include skill development and employment generation, as well as registration, inspection, and renewal of licences of factories. 

Onyejeocha stated that the NDE headquarters, when completed, would give its workforce an environment conducive to quality work and increased productivity.

The Minister commended the company handling the project, M/s Skaldon International Limited, on its professionalism and quality of work and urged them on the real-time delivery of the project, which is targeted for the 1st quarter of 2024.

Director-General, NDE, Abubakar Fikpo, appreciated the commitment of the federal government to providing a more convenient location for the headquarters of the agency.

Fikpo: “We are hoping that maybe before the first quarter of 2024 work on this project would have been completed.”

Soludo buries father, restates commitment to Anambra burial laws.

Soludo buries father, restates commitment to Anambra burial laws.

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has buried his father, Pa Simeon Soludo.

Speaking during the burial held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Umueze-Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Saturday, Soludo extolled his late father saying he died a “staunch” member of the Catholic Church.

The governor also thanked everyone who joined in the ceremony, while reminding the people of a law guiding burial ceremonies in Anambra, stating that it was aimed at curtailing expenditure during burials as most people find it hard to bury their dead because of finance.

He said, “Spiritually I remembered that my father was teaching us catechism after the civil war. There was a time he asked me a question, to recite what he taught us in catechism but I failed it and he flogged me and since then I have not failed in catechism.

“We worship at St Jude and I served morning mass there before going to school and have our Block Rosary too.

“As an only son, my father today was blessed with seven sons, eight daughters-in-law, 22 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

“We did not print any posters, brochures, invitation cards, or give mourning clothes to people. We only wear mourning clothes to show we are mourning.

“Some people are poor and when they are mourning they go borrowing and sell their land just to get money for burial.”

The governor said that if he could bury his father as governor without much spending, others too could do the same.

In his homily, Cardinal Peter Okpalaeke, also eulogised the late Pa Soludo, for grooming his children in the right direction aimed at seeing God.

Okpalaeke said there were two types of death, physical and spiritual that is throwing one out of the kingdom of God if he failed to seek God when on Earth, adding that he who believes in God his life will be changed.

“Pa Soludo was a holy man and knew the value of the sacrament and God blessed him in many ways. He lived a life that pleased God.

“In any position, one finds himself he should remember that his parents did a little to him,” he stated.

Among the dignitaries at the event were; Governors Alex Otti of Abia State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, former Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, and former Governor of Imo State Rochas Okorocha

Sanwo-Olu urges states to invest in people-oriented projects.

Sanwo-Olu urges states to invest in people-oriented projects.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged state governments to invest more in people-oriented projects and programmes to benefit from the bold economic initiatives of the Federal Government.

In an interview with newsmen on Saturday in Lagos, Sanwo-Olu said this would complement the dividends of democracy which these initiatives are coming up with by next year.

”Let’s continue to invest in areas where the lives of the people will be impacted. Let’s continue to support the poorest of the poor in our system.

”Let’s use technology to help us situate some of these challenges so that we are not giving what is not supposed to be given to the wrong sets of people,” he stated.

The governor said that the resilience of Nigerians must be sustained to reap the rewards of the administration’s policies, adding that ”there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Sanwo-Olu said that states should collaborate with the FG’s ministries and agencies to turn the fortunes of their people for good.

He said the infrastructural developments ongoing in the states were a result of the readiness of the government to allow people to benefit from some of the fruits of its bold initiatives.

”It’s part of the benefits of these initiatives by the Federal Government that led to the granting of 50 per cent subsidy to Nigerians travelling by road as well as the free train rides where they already exist.

”This is the first in the country. It directly impacted the people and their socio-economic well-being,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu said that the fortunes of the country would see a positive development in 2024 with the ratings of the economy by the global financial houses.

NAN

Tinubu addressing challenges arising from reforms, says presidential aide.

Tinubu addressing challenges arising from reforms, says presidential aide.

President Bola Tinubu is already taking measures to address the challenges brought about by the reforms introduced by the administration in all sectors of the economy.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, adding that more such measures would be taken in 2024.

He said Tinubu had never shied away from acknowledging the temporary pains triggered by the reforms, stressing that proactive measures would continue to be taken.

‘’Many of these measures are already being taken and in the New Year, we expect the silver linings, that are at present understated, to blossom into rays of sunshine to be experienced by all Nigerians.

‘’The removal of fuel subsidy and the move to merge foreign exchange rates, two headline reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration since late May.

“(It’s caused by) problems such as high fuel prices and the depreciation of the Naira, two monstrosities which combined to cause a general spike in costs of services and goods,’’ Onanuga said.

He said that the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics put Nigeria’s inflation at 26.7 per cent in September, which rose to 28.2 per cent in November from 27.33 per cent in October, adding that food inflation remained untamed.

Onanuga stated, ‘’The truth is that the new policies alone are not solely responsible for the economic problems we are facing today. We were destined for the tough and rough patch, where we are today because of the prevailing conditions before Tinubu took over on May 29.

‘’As of June 2023, the budget deficit was N10.8 trillion. Actual debt service was 98.95 per cent of revenue, far higher than the projected 59.37 per cent. Inflow into the country’s foreign reserve came in trickles.

‘’And so bad was the state of affairs that Nigeria could not remit about $800 million fund of foreign airlines. JP Morgan exposed our near insolvency by claiming in a report that our net foreign reserve was just about $3.7 billion, not the $33 billion-plus flaunted by Emefiele’s CBN.

‘’President Tinubu, who promised during the campaign to take hard and difficult decisions, moved to tackle the economic problems from Day One, by first dispensing with the wasteful fuel subsidy that was billed to consume about N7trillion this year, five times more than what was provisioned for capital spending.’’

He also said that the situation was, however, taking a positive turn with the NBS report of the third quarter of 2023, adding that the president was focused on turning the economy around for growth, development and prosperity.

‘’In its third quarter report for the year, the NBS reported that GDP grew by 2.54 per cent. In a similar period in 2022, GDP recorded a growth of 2.25%. To demonstrate that the sun may be shining on us again, the 2.54% GDP growth recorded in Q3, was also higher than the 2.51% recorded in Q2.

‘’The service sector, made up of information and communication, financial and insurance, was responsible for the growth witnessed in Q3. It had a 3.99% growth, contributing 52.7% of the aggregate GDP. The agriculture sector declined from 1.34% growth in Q2 to 1.3% in Q3.

‘’Growth was also recorded in construction and real estate, metal ores (69.76%), coal mining (58.03%), chemical and pharmaceutical products (6.77%), cement (4.2%) and construction (3.89%).

‘’Oil reported a negative growth of 0.85%, a major improvement to the negative 22.67% recorded at the same period last year. It was 13.43% in Q2 of 2022.

‘’The improvement in the oil sector and its contribution to GDP has been attributed to the improvement in the security of oil infrastructure and operations, leading to increased production.,’ the President’s aide noted.

He said that there was a big jump in the volume of trade from N12.16 trillion in Q2 to N18.8 trillion, adding that trade volume in Q2 of 2022 was N12.28 trillion

‘’We also recorded a trade surplus of N1.89trillion in Q3, an increase from the N708.8 billion in Q2 2023. In Q3 of 2022, we recorded a trade deficit of N409.39 billion.

‘’Value of exports in the third quarter was N10.35 trillion, far higher by 60.78 per cent than the N6.44 trillion posted in Q2 2023. Crude oil dominated the export, accounting for 82.5 per cent, a confirmation that our country is pumping out more oil for export unlike the previous years”.

NAN

Oyebanji expresses condolences on Dejumo Lewis’ death.

Oyebanji expresses condolences on Dejumo Lewis’ death.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has expressed condolences on the passing of veteran actor and producer, Dejumo Lewis, aged 80 years. 

Lewis a film and television actor, famous for his Kabiyesi role in “The Village Headmaster”, Nigeria’s longest-running television series shown on NTA from 1968 to 1988, passed on Saturday. 

Governor Oyebanji, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, described the late actor as one of the leading lights of television production in the seventies and eighties, where his prominent role in the Village Headmaster series, earned him a place in the hearts of viewers nationwide. 

He described Lewis, who hailed from Erijiyan Ekiti as a bundle of talent, adding that the late actor, together with the rest of the cast redefined television drama and became household names in the process. 

“Another iroko in the entertainment world has fallen. Dejumo Lewis was not just an actor, he was a man of distinction and thoroughbred professional who deployed his skills in the development of the nation’s entertainment sector. 

“The Government and good people of Ekiti State, the Land of Honour, mourn the departed soul. But we are consoled by the fact he lived an impactful life and left his footprints on the and of time. 

“Our prayer is that God would grant him eternal rest, and console his family”, the Governor added.

Yuletide Celebration: Hon. Comrade Idowu Odebunmi ID-ALUTA Gifts Bags of Rice to Ekiti Students Leaders.

Yuletide Celebration: Hon. Comrade Idowu Odebunmi ID-ALUTA Gifts Bags of Rice to Ekiti Students Leaders.

....Pledges Unwavering Support for Student's Union.

In a spirit of festive generosity, Hon. Comrade Idowu Odebunmi ID-ALUTA, the Chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, Innovation, Science, and Digital Economy, extends a heartfelt gesture by gifting bags of rice to Ekiti Students Leaders during the Yuletide celebration. Additionally, he reassures them of his continuous support for the Student's Union.

Hon. Comrade Idowu Odebunmi ID-ALUTA emphasizes the importance of emulating God's lifestyle during the Yuletide season, calling for the embodiment of values such as peace, harmony, and happiness among the student community.

During the presentation, Hon. Odebunmi urged the student leaders to align themselves with the developmental plans outlined by Governor Oyebanji for the youths and students. He emphasized the pivotal role the students' union can play in advancing the agenda for greater development in the youth and student sectors of the state.

Beyond the festive gifts, Hon. Comrade Idowu Odebunmi ID-ALUTA advises student leaders to utilize their offices effectively for the benefit of the students under their care. He encourages them to champion initiatives that promote academic excellence, student welfare, and a conducive learning environment.

Expressing his commitment to the welfare of students, Hon. Comrade Idowu Odebunmi ID-ALUTA pledges continuous support for the Student's Union, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs addressed.

As the Yuletide celebration unfolds, Hon. Comrade Idowu Odebunmi ID-ALUTA's benevolent actions stand as a testament to his dedication to the well-being and development of Ekiti students, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and support within the academic community.

Nigerian student jailed 40 months in UK for terrorism threat.

Nigerian student jailed 40 months in UK for terrorism threat.

A 26-year-old Nigerian Master’s student at Dundee University, Scotland, Somtochukwu Okwuoha, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for making terrorism threats against staff and students of the school, BBC reports Friday.

Okwuoha, an international energy studies student, will also be deported after a Peth Sheriff Court found him guilty of the charge.

Witnesses revealed how the student had claimed to have a military background and was capable of making bombs and unleashing a deadly virus on the city.

Okwuoha, who arrived in the United Kingdom in 2021, also stated that he had enlisted the terror group, ISIS, to help bomb the university and told staff of his plan to target the city in a chemical attack.

Sheriff William Wood said, “Your presence in the United Kingdom is not conducive to the public good, and I make a recommendation for your deportation in due course.”

“You were abusive towards her and tried to have her removed from her university course,” after he had threatened a fellow female student who refused his advances.

“The university decided to suspend you from your course and you turned your attention towards staff.

“You threatened mass murder, terrorism, said you would plant bombs and use biological weapons,” the charge read.

Okwuoha, a prisoner at Perth, was found guilty of threatening to murder staff at the university and committing terrorist crimes between December 2021 and June 2022.

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He was found guilty of threatening to commit mass murder, using biological weapons, revealing staff details to international authorities and claiming to have planted bombs.

He was also found guilty of threatening to behead police officers and detonate bombs he had planted at Dundee University.

‘Blood spill’ threat

A witness, Keith Mackle, 58, now a retired director of student services, told Perth Sheriff Court he became aware of “serious concerns” in the autumn of 2021.

He said staff members received emails making terrorist threats.

“Expect a massive bomb explosion at the University of Dundee. I have contacted ISIS terrorists to plant bombs on campus.

“I can assure you staff and students will die in great numbers. 9/11 will be a joke compared to what will happen.

“Blood will spill and flesh will be scattered,” another witness stated.

Accommodation officer, Shane Taylor, told the court Okwuoha accused him of being racist and said he planned to wipe out Scottish people as revenge.