The President Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero has directed workers in the country to embark on indefinite strike beginning from Wednesday next week.
He also directed that affiliate unions constituting the Nigeria Labour Congress should also be on standby for picketing exercise across all branches of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN nationwide. Ajaero gave the directive in Abuja while briefing journalists. The directive followed an earlier ultimatum issued by the Central Working Committee members of the NLC last week criticising the cash swap policy of the Federal Government.
Ajaero said the decision to picket CBN branches become necessary, as the Federal Government and the CBN have not shown any commitment to address the situation.
He lamented that despite the Supreme Court order allowing the old N500 and N1000 notes to circulate with the new notes till December 31st this year, the situation appears to be getting worse as workers cannot access cash to pay fares to work, neither can they buy food for their families.
“Last week we gave an ultimatum for the review of the cash crunch bedeviling the country, but we have discovered to our dismay that as at this moment not much effort has been made to ameliorate the situation, government is still foot dragging on these issues we raised.
“Based on this, we met again this morning to review our position and resolved that by Wednesday next week all CBN branches will be picketed, workers are directed to stay at home too because people cannot eat, workers can no longer go to the office, we have been pushed to the wall, we have decided to take our destiny in our hands, we have mobilised our workers on this exercise,”Ajaero stated.
In continuation of the established tradition of regular interactions with major players in the aviation industry in Nigeria since the inception of the Buhari administration, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika will host aviation stakeholders on Thursday 23rd March, 2023 in Abuja.
The idea of the regular meetings has been to ensure that all industry Stakeholders are carried along, and make inputs in the development and implementation of programmes and policies for the success of the industry.
This is contained in a statement by Mr James Odaudu, the Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Affairs.
This Stakeholders’ Forum, the 10th of the kind, is therefore an Interactive Session conceived to bring together all relevant Industry Players to brainstorm on the Policies and Programmes that have, and will continue to move the nation’s aviation industry forward and set it as one of the best in the global aviation community.
The Forum will assist the Federal Ministry of Aviation and all its Agencies to have direct contact with the very important Stakeholders in and outside the industry, articulate ideas on the way forward and brainstorm on the developments within the sector as a whole.
The Forum is also expected to afford the Stakeholders another opportunity to ventilate their opinions on the journey so far, and ensure that policies and programmes implemented in the aviation industry mirror the expectations of Nigerians, and truly lead to the socioeconomic and national development of the nation.
According to the Minister, the Forum will also seek to provide answers to pertinent questions, provide sensitisation and clarifications on policies and programmes, provide awareness on activities of government and non-governmental organisations in the industry.
The Forum which is expected to be declared open by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo will bring together all relevant industry players within and outside the industry namely; The Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Labour and Employment, Health, Agriculture, Transportation and Environment.
Also expected at the Forum, aside the regular aviation sector players, are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Accountant General of the Federation, Chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Director-General, Budget Office, Presidential Committee on Salaries, and CEOs of Media establishments.
Senator Hadi Sirika, since assumption of office as Minister of Aviation, has made it a point of duty to hold regular consultations with Stakeholders in the industry including Airline Operators, Labour unions, service providers, regulators etc, especially on the implementation of the Aviation roadmap which was put in place by the Buhari administration.
Mr. Haruna Abdullahi, Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), the Agency’s management has prioritized institutional structure as a critical approach to continuously enhance revenue production in the territory.
Abdullahi made the remarks while delivering a keynote lecture on “Accounting for a Better World” at the Annual Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Members, Partner Employers, and Students Conference 2023 in Abuja.
This was stated in a statement made accessible to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja by the Chief Corporate Communications, FCT-IRS, Mustapha Sumaila.
The statement reads: “What we have been doing in the last two years is to build the institutional framework to fit into globally recognised institutions that will be a model for not only our counterpart agencies in Nigeria but in Africa.
“We have carried out a number of reforms to reshape the Service to enhance our revenue drive in the FCT. We have stepped up on our awareness campaigns to educate taxpayers on all our processes as well mobilise the prospective taxpayers to be in tax net.
“Our engagement with our major stakeholders has been enhanced overtime as we constantly engage them, update and educate them on decision, direction and introduction of any policy in order to carry them along.
“Capacity building of staff has been an utmost priority for the Service more than ever. We cannot have efficient and committed workforce if the staffers are not well trained to deliver optimally.
“From what we have done so far, in the next few years, there will be visible impact in terms of what the Service will be generating” he stated.
The FCT-IRS boss while speaking to students at the Summit, admonished them on the importance of mentorship when making career choices, as guides from their mentors would go a long way in shaping their career paths.
Abdullahi who is also a Fellow of ACCA underscored the need for mentors and successful persons in their choosen endeavours in the society to identify talents and build them to become great people in their careers.
The FCT-IRS chairman while commending the ACCA for organising the summit, stated that the association had given him global opportunity to work around the world hence urged the participants to tap from this privilege to change their destiny.
Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for governor in Delta State in 2023, has seen his campaign for the office gain momentum as Nollywood industry leaders in the state vowed their support for him and urged residents to cast their ballots in large numbers to ensure his victory.
Thespians voiced their opinions during a stakeholders interactive session on Tuesday in Asaba, the state capital, at the Film Village.
The event was attended by over 500 industry players in the state, including actors, actresses, producers , Directors, Makeup artistes who are based in the State as well as the Senator elect for Delta North, Hon Ned Nwoko, among other stakeholders.
Chief Emeka Rollas (MON ), President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN) who spoke on behalf of the stars stated that “Nollywood was happy with the lofty achievements of the outgoing Government of Delta State led by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa.”
According to him, the Okowa led PDP administration has provided enabling environment that has made Delta State a filmmaking hub in Nigeria, adding that over 5,000 members of the Guild are currently plying their trade in the state.
The AGN Boss stressed that Oborevwori’s governorship will present beautiful vista for the state creative industry, particularly its filmmaking sector for job creation for its teeming youths and enhance contribution to national economy by the state.
“Many filmmakers and actors have relocated to Asaba, and some of them have also built houses and establish their business here also because of the opportunities the state offers.
“However, there is need for continuity and, we are sure that t Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori will give full commitment and support to the industry when he emerge governor of the state.
“It is for this reasons and for continuity that Nollywood in Delta is throwing its weight totally behind him and his Deputy at the March 18 gubernatorial polls,”he said.
In his remark, the State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by the Secretary to the State Government Chief Patrick Ukah, said the state government has remain steadfast in his support for the industry through the provision enabling environment for the industry to strive in the State.
These he said include “adequate security, building of one of the best Film Village in the country, which include facilities such as studios , amphitheater, among others, and has made Asaba the hub for movie shooting and a location of choice, not only in Nigeria but Africa at large.”
He therefore assured filmmakers that the State Government will partner with Nollywood in the running of the newly built multi million naira Film Village in Asaba.
The Governor assured that a Film City will soon be established in the State where movie practitioners can buy lands and build their houses.
Also speaking at the event, the PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in the state, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori pledged his willingness to continue the good works by the outgoing government for the entertainment industry if elected into office.
Oborevwori,who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, said “the Entertainment industry cannot be neglected by any serious minded government not only because of the accruing economic benefits but also the joy it brings to millions of Nigerians across political, ethnic, social, religious, gender leanings”
Some of the Nollywood stars present at the event include Steve Eboh, , Ngozi Ezeonu, Jnr Pope,Baba Rex, Ebele Okaro, Livinus Nnochiri, Mac Collins Chidebe (China),Destiny Etiko and Mary Igwe.
Others include Ify Eze, Chioma Emenike as well as major film marketers and distributors such as Remmy Jess, Ossy Affason, Nickson and Wazico,among others
The Nigeria Labour Congress has issued a 7-day ultimatum to the federal government to address the current issue of fuel and naira scarcity in the country.
NLC said it would direct its members to stay away from various workplaces and mobilise for mass actions if the lingering issues persist.
The new President of NLC, Comrade Ajaero made this known in Abuja while briefing journalists on the outcome of the Central Working Committee meeting of labour.
He lamented that Nigerians , including workers are not only subjected to untold hardship, but are also pushed to the wall, hence, NLC can no longer keep quiet
“Gentlemen of the press, it will interest you to know the state of the nation at this critical point that our economy is in.
“First, you may have noticed that it is actually difficult for Nigerian workers to access their hard-earned money in banks and Nigerians are questioning the inability of banks to provide them their money which they were asked to pay into the bank.
“You would also have noticed that it is difficult to see petroleum products. Where you see in some parts of this country, a litre costs as much as N350 and above.
“On the issue of cash crunch, the NLC is giving the federal government of Nigeria and agencies of government, including the Central Bank of Nigeria and other banking institutions seven working days to address the issue of the cash crunch.
“If they fail to do this at the expiration of the seven days, the congress will direct all workers in the country to stay at home because it has become very difficult to access money to enter vehicles to their workplaces.
“It is difficult, even difficult to buy products, especially from traders who don’t have bank accounts,” Ajaero told journalists at the briefing.”
He added, “On this issue of fuel, the congress wishes to inform the Federal Government that we will no longer keep quiet on this issue of perennial fuel scarcity and arbitrary increases on petroleum.”
*** Declares His Emergence Will Bring Back The Glory Days Of Cross River State.
Sen. Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is running for governor in the Cross Rivers State elections in 2023, has the support of the Concerned Group for Justice & Democracy (CONJAD), a pressure group that promotes democratic values and effective government.
The statement was made during a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja by the group’s Director-General, Mr. Emmanuel Eyaba.
Eyaba, a native of Cross River State, claims that CONJAD’s position on Onor is in the “overall best interest of Cross River State” despite being non-partisan in its support for competent leadership at all levels.
“At this juncture in the leadership trajectory of our dear state, we need to look beyond party interests and sentiments, and settle for someone with the necessary competency and character to lift Cross River from its current quagmire.
“Having carefully x-rayed all the governorship candidates of the various political parties, we are of a strong conviction that with the emergence of Sandy Onor as governor,Cross Rivers State will be restored to its glory days.
“We are not politicians, CONJAD is made up of professionals from cross Nigeria, including Cross River state ,who are resident in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), that seek better Governance and Democracy in Nigeria.
“As advocates of good leadership, part of our goal is to support anyone that can deliver the dividends of democracy, drive the economy and lift people from hunger, especially at the grass root.
“This is not about the sentiment of my party or not my party, but about the individual with the pedigree to deliver on basic infrastructure and job creation, especially for our teeming youths and secure the future of cross river people, and the time is now.
Eyaba added that ,“Don’t forget that Sandy Onor is senator representing the Central District of Cross River State and he has made massive impact on his people, especially through the provision of relevant infrastructure , including road intervention projects, community civic centers/town halls interventions as well as Education/school intervention project.
Other Executives of CONJAD who led their voices to the call for Onor’s Governorship include Mrs Egor Kelly Odock, Head of Media , Agbor Ayuk, Director of Strategy and Annosong Bookish, Director of Communications.
Also speaking at the event, the group’s head of Contact and Mobilization, Pauline Jonathan Idemudia ,said the group was working assiduously to ensure that massive votes were delivered to Sen. Onor across the state come March 11.
She therefore called on “Cross Riverians” , especially youths and women to shun voting along party lines and vote for the individual with the requisite antecedence to rescue the state.
“We want to influence voters directly for Senator Sandy Onor because we are sure when he gets into government, things will be better for our people and we want our youths and women to understand this clearly,” she added.
***Insists On Competence, Federal Character, Other Considerations In Selection Of Principal Officials
Legislators alone should elect the 10th Assembly’s leadership, the legislative interest group of the National Assembly has said.
In addition, they thought that the qualifications, popularity, and federal character of the candidate should all be taken into consideration.
Speaking at the end of the event was the General Council Chair of the G-10 Parliamentary Advocacy Group (G-10 PAP), whose general council meeting was held over the weekend in Abuja.
While pointing out that a free legislative branch was in fact the real bastion of democracy and one of the strongest prerequisites for democracy to flourish, it criticized the Executive’s ongoing interference in the legislative branch’s operations.
In a communique signed by the trio of Sunny Anderson Osiebe, National Coordinator, Fred Itua and Nkem Anyata-Lafia, National Secretary and National Publicity Secretary respectively, which was released to pressmen after a high-powered meeting, the group also noted the following:
“That the two Chambers of the National Assembly must be allowed a space that is completely devoid of any interference by the Executive to elect the next President of the Senate, his Deputy, Speaker of the House of Representatives and his Deputy;
“That the next leaders of the 10th National Assembly must be individuals who understand the complexities of Nigeria and are willing to help in healing the anger and wounds brought about by our fault lines;
“That such next leaders must not be rubber stamps in the hands of anyone. This is, however, not advocating for an antagonist National Assembly, but the fact remains that Nigerians deserve a National Assembly that will stand on the side of the people whenever the need arises;
“That the selection of the next leaders of the National Assembly must reflect the Federal Character principle and the nation’s diversity. Every part of Nigeria must be carried along in the truest demonstration of our national diversity;
“That the next leaders of the National Assembly must be willing to subject requests from the Executive to critical scrutiny, reviews and collective decision. This is to avoid a situation where decisions, like the constant quests for loans, which have since become a daily routine of the present Administration and which have a direct impact on the nation at large, are left for a few lawmakers to decide.”
The group, which also called on lawmakers to take a dispassionate look at the nation’s electoral system and processes for the selection of the leaders by INEC, said it was sad to note that the 2023 General Elections fell far short of expectations and have, actually, initiated an ugly return to the dark days of tension and anxiety, which characterized such polls in our distant past when the reverse ought to have been the case.
The group, however, thanked all Nigerians for the maturity they exhibited before, during and after the Federal elections, while calling on all to ensure that the remaining polls are characterized by such disposition.
Bola Tinubu, the winner of last Saturday’s presidential election, has received congratulations from Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, managing director/CEO of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC).In a message of congratulations sent on Wednesday, Maduekwe stated that Tinubu’s victory is evidence of fresh optimism for a better, more secure, and wealthy Nigeria.The NFC president asserts that Tinubu’s election as president under the APC’s slogan of “renewed optimism” will open up wonderful opportunities for the country’s creative sector, particularly the film industry, to contribute more significantly to the national economy. He ,therefore, called on all citizens to welcome the president-elect with renewed optimism and support as the next dispensation ushers in better days for Nigeria. The letter reads: “On behalf of myself and the Nigerian Film Corporation, I congratulate the President-elect, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,on his resounding victory in Saturday’s Presidential Election, despite all odds.“This is not just a victory for our great party, the All Progressives Party(APC) , but a victory for Nigerians and lovers of democracy across the world.”“The NFC, which is committed to development of a viable and sustainable film industry and cinema culture in Nigeria, will sure deliver more on its mandate under this administration.” The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Tinubu winner of the 2023 presidential election.Tinubu polled a total of 8,794,726 votes, while Atiku came second with 6,984,520 votes, and the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi emerged third with 6,101,533 votes.
The federal government has given the newly management board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) eight weeks to fish out staff of the fund with fake academic credentials and National Youth Service Corps Certificate.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, gave the order in Abuja, at the inauguration of the board. He said the decision is in a bid to ascertain the authenticity of the staff certificates and also to redeem the image of the commission following certificate forgery of the immediate Managing Director of the fund.
Ngige also charged the new board to ensure the full implementation of the NSITF Restructuring Report and conclusion of Electronic NSITF (E-NSITF) Phases I and II, to enable maximum collection of contributions from public and private sectors, as well as move into the informal sector of the economy.
The Minister called for the intensification of operational drive in the public sector, which is within the dimension of the formal economy, to ensure that national and sub-national governments (states) move towards universal coverage to all the workers in Nigeria.
He mandated the new board to do their possible best to build a new NSITF, noted for accountability, transparency and other principles characteristic of good governance.
Ngige expressed optimism that with the new board, the era of the media feasting on NSITF activities was over.
Ngige said, “Within the next eight weeks, you have to screen NYSC and academic certificates of all staff of the Fund. I have cause to say so. When I see letters written by staff, including people in management positions, I start wondering if they obtained General Certificate of Education (GCE).
“You should screen out impostors with fake educational and NYSC certificates.”
In his response, the new Chairman of the Board, Mr. Emmanuel Nwosu, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for giving them the opportunity to contribute to the growth of the country.
Nwosu said he recognised the essence of NSITF to cater for various aspects of social security, including protection of the world of work.
He said that he and his team would ensure that those with forged academic credentials are not only weeded out, but would ensure that the fund is given a positive identity.
On her part, the new Managing Director of the fund, Mrs Maureen Allagoa, said she would do everything possible to ensure that there is accountability in the fund which has been reportedly lacking in the past.
It could be recalled that, the immediate boss of NSITF, Michael Akabogu was recently sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari, following a certificate forgery saga.
Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, the Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and a prominent member of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC), has characterized Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK) as a devoted supporter of the party’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) presidential candidate.
In response to a claim made by Dr. Josef Onoh, the South East spokesman for the Bola Tinubu presidential campaign council, that Sen. Kalu “is disingenuous in his afterthought support for the Tinubu presidency,” Maduekwe made this statement in a discussion with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.
Onoh, in the report, alleged that Kanu’s choice for the 2023 elections was for a person from the northeast to become the president of Nigeria, an allegation that has been widely condemned by APC supporters in the South East, as well as political associates of OUK across the country.
According to Maduekwe, the statement by Onoh is baseless and far from the truth, as the Senator representing Abia North has always expressed his convincing support for Tinubu presidential ambition both within and outside the state and was committed to delivering his senatorial zone for APC .
He expressed dismay that such a divisive statement was coming from a critical stakeholder just few days to the presidential polls that party members were supposed to join hands towards delivering Abia State and the region for Bola Tinubu.
According to him ,” Orji Uzor Kalu has never hid his love and affiliation for the party and Asiwaju. Infact, he is one of the very Igbo leaders standing for the party since he joined it. Such statement does not portray him rightly.
“This is totally wrong and uncalled for. The truth is that OUK has majorly laid the foundation for BAT to get his substantial vote from his senatorial district. Coming at this hour to lampoon him in the media space is not any measure of intelligence.
“ At all political campaigns in Abia north, OUK always makes it mandatory for him to be elected that voters must vote the broom three times-President, Senate and House of Reps.
“This strategy is being driven by the massive infrastructure development he brought to Abia North within the past three and a half years. No senator living or dead attracted such a humongous impact on the area. These achievements are being used to campaign for BAT as an APC-inspired development.
Maduekwe lamented that this attack on the party stalwarts from the region by Onoh is becoming one too many, as he had earlier threw similar jab at the DG of Voice of Nigeria(VON), Dr Osita Okechukwu, who also halls from the region.
“Whatever the interest he is pursuing, Onoh should understand that a house that wants to remain standing must not be divided against itself, and he cannot become a minister by fighting party stalwarts from the south- east.
“It is so sad that within few days to the election such an unnecessary rmarks is being published to rob off the enthusiasm we are building up here.
“Election is a game of number, and you cannot create disaffection between key leaders and our people by painting them in bad light if you are truly serious with us having that number.
“As the campaign is coming to a close today , I think our collective focus should be on how Abia State can make the party deliver the mandatory 25% votes in at least 24 of the 36 states.
The NFC helmsman therefore urged party members from the region , especially those from Abia North senatorial district to remain resolute, united and focused in order to secure victory at the polls for the party.
