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Category: Politics

  • NGO advocates trade unions for domestic workers

    NGO advocates trade unions for domestic workers

    Union
    By Perpetua Onuegbu
    Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) CEE-HOPE, a Non-governmental Organisation, has advocated that domestic workers should join mainstream trade unions to enhance their bargaining power and dignity of labour.

    The Executive Director and Founder of CEE-HOPE Nigeria, Betty Abah, made this call at a One-day Seminar on the Rights of Domestic Workers/their Labour Rights on Friday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the campaign focuses on upholding domestic workers` human and labour rights.

    This is in line with the provisions of the International Labour Organisation Convention 189 of 2011 which deals with the rights of domestic workers.

    Abah said the working condition of domestic workers in Nigeria was pathetic, adding that many of them lost their lives while other were maimed for life in the discharge of their duties

    “So we are spotlighting the issue and much more than spotlighting it, working at the unionisation of domestic workers in Nigeria.

    “This is not new in countries like Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, UAE and especially India.

    “They have vibrant domestic workers unions and once domestic workers know their rights they cannot be subjected to working round the clock.

    “In Nigeria most domestic workers work round the clock. There is hardly any resting time for them and they are paid merger wages,’’, she said.

    Abah, therefore, urged organised labour to be part of the campaign for domestic workers to be part of the mainstream movement and for government to give them backing.

    Mr Claus Konig, Regional Director for Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in West Africa, a German organisation working with trade unions and civil societies, said every worker had the right to belong to a trade union.

    “A large number of working people in Nigeria are domestic workers most of them women with very tough daily jobs in homes that they are working and very often their rights are not respected.

    “There is violence against them and that is why it is important to unionise them so that their rights can be defended.

    “We know, from studies and reports, that violence against domestic workers is quite prevalent in many societies. It starts with disrespect and progresses to violence,” Konig said.

    He called on government to make laws that ensures that domestic workers have a minimum wage.

    “Already there are laws against violence, because you are not allowed to kill people.

    “Violence against domestic workers when reported should be followed up by the police force and relevant authorities and ensure that these cases brought to court,” Konig said.

    Mrs Hawa Mustapha, a staff of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), commended the NGO for initiating the seminar and pledged organised labour’s support.

    Mustapha also urged domestic workers to  change their public perception about themselves and place a value on their dignity. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    PUO/KUA
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    Edited by Uche Anunne

  • Minimum Wage: Utomi advises FG, organised labour

    Prof. Pat Utomi

    Minimum Wage: Utomi advises FG, organised labour

    Wage
    By Adeyemi Adeleye
    Lagos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) A renowned political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi says Federal Government and the Organised Labour should take advantage of the new minimum wage negotiation  to move Nigeria down the path of thrift and production.

    Utomi, Founder, Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) and 2007 Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

    He was reacting to the impasse between the organised labour and the Federal Government on the new minimum wage for workers which led to the strike declared by labour unions on Monday.

    Utomi said: “Labour must insist on a dramatic slash in the cost of government and investment of the savings made in production programmes and infrastructure.

    “This to facilitate and sustain the value chain of the output based on our latent comparative advantage from strong factor endowments.

    “On its part, government should establish what it is paying for. Is it paying as welfare for people who just show up?

    “Output targets need to be established and hard consequences for abuse of positions like corruption and begging on the job from customers.”.

    He said that benchmark for civil society monitoring of both parties also needed to be established with clearly outlined consequences.

    According to him, the government needs to also come up with bold initiatives that drive the transition to production in the way the Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) attempted to do in the mid 1970s.

    He said that that future adjustments of minimum wage weighed heavily on productivity improvements

    “Once a proper framework is established now the template to plug in productivity gains should be activated

    “It should not be a matter of sentiment or mood of the leaders on both sides,” he added.

    NAN recalls that the organised labour’s declaration of nationwide indefinite strike on Monday over the new minimum wage affected all sectors of the economy.

    However, with the Federal Government’s expression of commitment to raising its proposed minimum wage of N60,000 at a meeting with labour leaders, the organised labour on Tuesday announced suspension of the industrial action for a week for further negotiation.

    The government and the Organised Private Sector had initially proposed N48,000, then N54,000 and N57,000, which were all rejected by labour.

    The organised labour had also proposed N615,000 as new minimum wage, but later reduced it to N497,000 and then to N494,000, to reflect the prevailing economic realties.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AYO/BHB

    Edited by Buhari Bolaji

  • Don’t scrap state electoral commissions—Yiaga Africa

    Don’t scrap state electoral commissions—Yiaga Africa

    Commissions

    By Perpetua Onuegbu
    Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) YIAGA Africa an NGO, has urged the National Assembly not to accede to calls for the scrapping of State Electoral Commissions (SIECs) saying doing so would undermine decentralisation of governance.

    Mr Samson Itodo, Executive Director, YIAGA Africa, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    According to him, this proposal is fundamentally flawed and will have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democracy if implemented.

    Itodo said among many of the adverse effects of tampering with SIECs would be an added burden to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which could lead to poorly conducted local elections.

    “Secondly it undermines the autonomy of states guaranteed in the constitution, potentially leading to an over concentration of power in the Federal Government.

    “Thirdly, it weakens local democracy and citizens` participation as local communities will be stripped of the opportunity to participate in decision-making.

    “In 2022, the National Assembly introduced a provision in the 2022 Electoral Act to regulate the procedure for LGA elections in a bid to salvage the integrity of local government elections.

    “SIECs were compelled by the Act to conduct local elections in conformity with the procedures laid out in the 2022 Electoral Act,” Itodo said.

    He said states had since been updating electoral laws to conform with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act.

    Itodo said INEC’s current mandate is extensive and demands substantial resources and attention.

    “Adding the responsibility of conducting local government elections would further strain the Commission, potentially leading to administrative inefficiencies and reduced effectiveness in managing electoral processes.

    “Undoubtedly, SIECs have been underwhelming since the return to democracy in 1999 due to capture by state governors, weak or ineffective legal framework, underfunding and limited election administration capabilities.

    “These factors have resulted in poorly conducted and flawed local council elections.

    “Rather than scrap SIECs, the National Assembly and executive should consider implementing stricter sanctions or legislation that criminalise dissolution of local government councils’’, he said.

    Itodo said this could also include withholding federal allocation to states that failed to conduct local government elections or guarantee operational and financial independence of SIEC, among other measures,” he said.

    He said that abolishing SIECs was not a solution to flawed local government elections.

    He added that addressing the underlying issues and strengthening SIECs through legal and institutional reforms would enhance local democracy and preserve the integrity of LGA elections. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    PUO/KUA
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    Edited by Uche Anunne

     

  • Reps, UN sign MoU on women inclusion in governance

    Reps, UN sign MoU on women inclusion in governance

    MoU

    By EricJames Ochigbo

    Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The House of Representatives has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Women on the need to increase the number of women in governance.

    Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas said on Thursday in Abuja that the partnership is to amplify the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill and the Bill on Women’s Parliamentary Seats.

    Represented by his Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, Abbas said that the advocacy partnership will service as a tool to lobby other stakeholders especially the constituents for women inclusivity.

    “So the advocacy should not only be within the people’s parliament alone, it should go beyond here to the rural areas for the constituents to know why we want to go this way.

    “Let them see the comparative analysis between our country and other countries, let them see what we are missing by not going this route all this while and let them see what we are going to gain if we go this route,” he said.

    He stressed the need to build the capacity of women and sensitise women to support female aspirants.

    He also said that women should be encouraged to bring their best in contributing to national development and not to compete with men or be seen to be antagonistic to men.

    Earlier, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong said that Nigerians are looking up to the National Assembly to address the problem of women underrepresentation.

    She said that there are about 4 per cent of women elected to the National Assembly, and that there are only seven women serving in the 45 member federal cabinet.

    She said that Nigeria is not doing well in the continental in terms of women representation in governance.

    “This is the challenge we must all work together to surmount. You have demonstrated leadership, dedication and passion in this journey.

    “UN Women is committed to walk this journey and to build a strong and sustainable partnership with your office and with the membership of the National Assembly,” she said.

    Eyong said that the UN Women, with financial contribution from the Government of Canada and Norway had since 2019 supported strategic partnerships focusing on enhancing women’s political.

    She said equal attention had also been given to economic empowerment, advancing the rights of women and girls, and strengthening women’s voice and leadership in development, peace, security and humanitarian response nexus among others. (NAN)(www,nannews.ng)

    EOO/FEO/SH

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    Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Sadiya Hamza

  • Plateau LGA builds special clinic for snakebite treatment

    Plateau LGA builds special clinic for snakebite treatment

    Snakebites

    By Peter Amine

    Jos, June 6, 2024 (NAN), Qua’an Pan Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau, has built a special clinic for the treatment of snakebites, which has become rampant in the area.

    Mr Christopher Manship, Transition Implementation Committee Chairman of Quanpan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Jos, that the number of deaths from snakebite complications had reduced significantly since the clinic became operational.

    Manship said the snake anti-venom was also being administered to the patients at a subsidised rate to make the treatment affordable.

    The chairman stated that he prioritised the completion of the clinic, which was initiated in 2018 by his predecessor, Mr Isaac Kwalu, because of its importance.

    He pointed out that the people of the area were vulnerable to snakebites because of the location, weather, and their major occupation, which was farming.

    Manship emphasised that, apart from the few civil servants, 99.9 per cent of the people of Qua’an Pan were farmers and prone to snakebites.

    “When you go there, you will see so many patients and their relatives because we have subsidised the anti-snake venom from about N95, 000 to N40,000.

    “People come from various parts of the state and country, most especially from Taraba, Nasarawa, and Benue states.

    “They come because of the low cost, and before they are discharged, they are given three to four doses of the anti-venom.

    “Initially, when a snake bites you, you are sure of dying, as 98 per cent of those bitten by snakes before now had died.

    “The death rate has dropped considerably, and since I became the chairman, nobody has died in that clinic,” he said.

    According to him, all the staff of the clinic were specially trained outside the state to handle the cases.

    He further said that apart from snake treatment, his administration had also built many other clinics and renovated others, to cater for the health needs of the people of Qua’an Pan. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    PAT/DOR

    Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

  • APGA ready for Ebonyi LG election – Chairman

    APGA ready for Ebonyi LG election – Chairman

    Poll

    By Christian Ogbonna

    Abakaliki, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), in Ebonyi says it is prepared to participate in the Local Government Council elections slated to hold July 20.

    Its Chairman, Mr Chukwudi Nwankwor, told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Thursday in Abakaliki that nomination forms had been sold to aspirants with the primary elections soon to hold.

    He urged the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission to ensure a fair exercise that would be credible and acceptable.

    “Transparency and credibility in the conduct of the exercise will ease the process of electing the right persons to run the local government councils.

    “Our candidates are ready. With a fair exercise, we shall win many chairmanship and councillorship sests,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OOC/AYO/ETS

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    Edited by Ayodeji Alabi and Ephraims Sheyin

  • PDP demands arrest, prosecute of suspended Adamawa REC

    PDP demands arrest, prosecute of suspended Adamawa REC

    Persecution

    By Emmanuel Oloniruha

    Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The People Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr  Olukayode Egbetokun, to expiate efforts towards the arrest of and prosecution of Malam Hudu Yunusa -Ari, the suspended INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa.

    The opposition party said arresting and prosecting Yunusa-Yari would be in obedience to an earlier court order.

    The party ‘s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba, made the call during a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

    Yunusa -Ari was suspended over attempt to usurp the powers of the state returning officer when he declared the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Governorship Candidate, Aishatu Binani, winner of the April 15, 2023 Adamawa governorship election.

    At the point of the declaration the collation of the election results was incomplete.

    Ologunagba described the action as civilian coup and attempt to subvert Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

    The High Court of Justice of Adamawa State, No. 9, Yola Division has issued a Warrant of Arrest of Yunusa -Ari dated May 21, 2024.

    The court ordered the IGP to apprehend and produce Yunusa-Ari before it to answer to the charges preferred against him.

    The order of the court was received by the office of the IGP on May 23.

    He said that since the removal of Yunusa-Ari, he has been on the run, forgotten the saying that “time they say, does not run against the×× State in criminal matters.”

    He said the delay in the prosecution of Yunusa-Ari constituted a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s democracy and the rule of law.

    “The failure of the Nigerian police so far to apprehend and bring Yunusa-Ari to justice is capable of creating a bad precedence and encourage other public officers to act with impunity.

    “There is tendency for them to behave as if there are no consequences for acts contrary to law and their Oath of Office’’, he said.

    The PDP, therefore, charged the IGP to, in compliance with the order of court, immediately locate, arrest and bring Yunusa-Ari before the court for prosecution.

    “This is especially as there are allegations and apprehension in the public space that Yunusa-Ari has perfected plans to escape from the country and evade trial.

    “The PDP insists that Yunusa-Ari must be made to face the full wrath of the law for his assault against our democracy,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    OBE/KUA

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    Edited by Uche Anunne

  • Imo Assembly summons publisher over alleged defamation against lawmaker

    Imo Assembly summons publisher over alleged defamation against lawmaker

    By Ugonne Uzoma
    Owerri, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Imo House of Assembly has summoned the Publisher of the Watchdog Newspaper to appear before it over an alleged defamatory publication against the representative of Orlu State Constituency, Dr Ikenna Ihezuo (APC).

    The House issued the summon during its plenary session on Thursday, following a complaint brought to it by the aggrieved legislator.

    Ihezuo said that the Chairman of the Orlu chapter of the party, Mr Stanley Nwosu, alleged in a story published in the June 4 edition of the newspaper, a local tabloid, that he (Nwosu) prevented the lawmaker from diverting 65 bags of rice, being the palliative for subsidy removal for Orlu constituents.

    The lawmaker said that the report was false and alleged that Nwosu was collaborating with the publisher, Mr Precious Nwadike, who contested for the Orlu seat at the assembly but lost.

    “The report is an orchestrated attempt to tarnish my image by defaming my character and reducing my estimation before people who know me.

    “If this matter is not properly handled, the entire legislative arm will be negatively affected,” he said.

    Ihezuo, therefore, called on the house to summon the author of the report, the editor and publisher of the newspaper to appear before it with evidence to support their publication.

    Reacting to the complaint, Mr Kennedy Ibeh (APC-Obowo) described the publication as “derogatory, demeaning and an affront to the entire legislative arm”.

    He urged the house to invite all the parties involved to have an interface with the house to ascertain the reason behind the publication.

    Contributing, the Majority Leader, Mr Kanayo Onyemaechi (APC- Owerri West), said that various bodies, including the police and traditional rulers, were involved in the collection and distribution of the palliative.

    He said that with those people involved, it would be impossible for the lawmaker to attempt to divert the rice as alleged in the publication.

    He, therefore, supported the demand for the invitation of the publisher and a thorough investigation and proper handling of the matter.

    Following other positive contributions, the Speaker, Mr Chike Olemgbe (APC-Ihitte Uboma), directed the Clerk to invite the author of the report, the editor and the publisher of the newspaper to a meeting with the house on June 11. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UOI/CEO/USO
    Edited by Chidi Opara/Sam Oditah

     

     

     

  • Insecurity: Senate tasks security agencies, States, LGs on collaboration

    Insecurity: Senate tasks security agencies, States, LGs on collaboration

    Insecurity

    By Kingsley Okoye

    Abuja, June 6,2024(NAN)The Senate has urged security agencies to collaborate State and Local Governments,  traditional leaders on intelligence gathering to tackle insecurity in the country.

    This is sequel to adoption of a motion on “urgent need to review security approach in addressing banditry attacks in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna and Kebbi states” at plenary on Thursday in Abuja.

    The motion was sponsored by Sen. Sani Zangon-Daura (APC-Katsina )and co-sponsored by 20 other senators.

    Daura, said Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Kebbi states have been plagued by escalating banditry attacks, resulting in loss of lives, kidnapping for ransom, displacement of communities.

    He said state governments have allocated significant funds to augment the operations of the security-agencies in combating banditry and restoring peace in the region.

    He said the governors of the states in the north west region had affirmed their commitment to supporting an acceptable and workable initiatives that promote peace, security and development in the region.

    Zagon-Daura said the governors had also pledged to work towards fostering a safe and secure environment for their people.

    He, however, expressed concerned that the incessant banditry attacks on communities in north west region would significantly impact food production and agricultural activities.

    This, he noted jeopardises food security and livelihoods of the people in the affected states of the region, especially in this wet season.

    Contributing to the motion, Senate Minority Leader, Sen.Abba Moro (PDP- Benue )said right from the 8th and 9th Senate, issue of insecurity has been on the front burner of national discuss.

    “In those days it used to be Boko Haram in the north east. Today it is banditry, herdsmen attack, kidnappings in the north west, north central.

    “Moving down to the south east, south west, similar situations are happening.

    “The time to take decisive action is now.

    “I think the action required now goes beyond reviewing our security architecture.

    “This was the subject of our security summit in the 9th Senate which could have end to this current situation that we find ourselves.

    Moro said it was time for the President to call a meeting of stakeholders to find lasting solution on issue of insecurity.

    Sen. Muntari Dandutse (APC-Katsina) said the north west region was highly affected,adding that the economic situation was very unfortunate.

    He said 50,000 farm lands can not be accessed by farmers because of banditry and other criminality.

    “In my senatorial district last week, these bandits, criminals and terrorists killed 122 people in Faskari, Bakori, Malunfasi and Kankara Local Governments.

    “Also one of the wards in Faskari Local Government Area has been taken over by the bandits who now perform the functions security agencies, including escorts and they decide days people will be allowed to go out for legitimate duties.

    “Unless we are honest, committed and have political will to deal with these criminal elements, because they are not above the law, if there is a coordinated and efforts of the security agencies.

    “On May 27, between Seme and Yankara in Faskari LG along Sokoto road, the armed bandits in the early hours ambushed a newly acquired Armoured Personnel Carrier(APC) with a rocket launcher and destroyed it .

    “The escalating violence and banditry in Katsina state and Northern region pose significant threat to all faucets of development,” he said.

    Following the contributions of lawmakers on the motion, Senate further urged President Bola Tinubu to direct a thorough review and evaluation of strategies employed by security agencies in the region.

    It called for deployment of additional security personnel, special task force to the identified hotspots to ensure protection of lives and properties.

    It further urged the President to direct establishment of a task force to evaluate the effectiveness and implications of negotiating with bandits, conducting a thorough analysis of the short-term gains versus the long-term consequences of such actions.

    It called on the security agencies to be proactive and innovative in their strategies to secure farmlands so that farmers may return to their farms, to ensure increased food production and food security.

    This, the senate said would mitigate against the ever rising food inflation currently being experienced in the country.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

    KC/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Reps pass N98.5bn 2024 FCT supplementary budget

    Reps pass N98.5bn 2024 FCT supplementary budget

    Budget

    By Femi Ogunshola

    Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The House of Representatives on Thursday in Abuja at plenary passed N98.5 billion supplementary budget for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 2024 statutory appropriation Act.

    The bill, which passed for second and third reading, was sponsored by the Chairman of House Committee on FCT, Rep. Aliyu Betera.

    “You may recall that in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, a communication from the President was read at the plenary on May 16,” Betara said.

    He said that the communication sought approval for a supplementary budget to the 2024 Statutory Appropriation Act of the FCTA of the sum of N98.5 million.

    This, according to him, is to accommodate additional inflows from the FCT Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    “By Sections 62, 80, 88, 89, and 299 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the House Committee met with the Minister and other relevant officials of FCT,” he said.

    The House subsequently adopted the report of the committee on FCT on a bill for an Act to authorise the issuance from the statutory revenue fund of the FCTA account to the sum of N98.5 billion. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ODF/KTO/KUA
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    Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Uche Anunne