NIPOST WORKERS UNDER SSASGOC PROTEST AT NASS OVER ATTEMPT TO MOVE STAMP DUTY COLLECTION TO FIRS

An affiliate of the trade union Congress of Nigeria,  the senior staff Association of statutory Government companies, SSASGOC is raising alarm over 9,000 direct and and about 5 million indirect jobs may be lost  in the Nigeria postal services and related agencies over moves to transfer stamp duty collection to the federal inland revenue service

Ayo Olirunfemi   secretary general of SSASGOC who led protesters to the National assembly on thursday said  the Nigeria Postal industry is about to be made redundant folliwong plans to move stamp duty collection to the federal inland revenue  Service

"...since government created the ministry of communication and digital economy, NIPOST wev went ahead to develop electronic device, which the minister of finance and the FIRS are plotting to take it over.

The bill has passed final reading in the House of representatives and waiting harmonisation of the senate whether or not to transfer stamp duty collection responsibility from NIPOST to  FIRS

"we are saying that if we allow this to sail through in NIPOST the same thing may eventually happend with NPA...and by then we will shutdown the ports for the first time..."

Acting spokesman to the Senate, Senator Godiya Akwashiki and Senator Sulaiman Abdu Kwari gave the workers the assurances of the Senate president that fue deligence will be done in the matter

ILO DG Guy Ryder, ITUC/NLC Global President, Ayuba Wabba And TUC President Qadiri Olaleye call on Africa to work towards a human-centred future of work

In a speech at the opening of the 14th ILO African Regional Meeting in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the ILO Director-General spoke of Africa’s world of work challenges and opportunities. 

ILO Director-General Guy Ryder addresses the opening session of the 14th African Regional Meeting. © ILO ABIDJAN (ILO News) – International Labour Organization Director-General, Guy Ryder, has called on African countries to seize the opportunities that exist on the continent to advance towards a human-centred future of work.

A Press release in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire  by  Jennifer Patterson Regional Communication and Public Information Officer said

He was speaking at the opening of the ILO’s 14th African Regional Meeting  in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, which brings together the ILO’s tripartite constituents representing governments, workers and employers from 54 African countries. They will be reviewing the progress made in implementing the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda  and charting a course towards a future with decent work in the region.

Ryder referred to projections for economic growth in Africa that are higher than the global average; a ‘demographic dividend’ that will see labour force numbers rising to 60 per cent; the continent’s unique potential for creating renewable energy; and opportunities for development that could be opened up by advances in technology.

‘"Africa has every reason to regard the future with confidence. Young, rich in resources, dynamic and creative, it offers possibilities which in many ways, do not exist in other regions. However, as always, there are challenges.’

"Among these is the need to create twenty-six million jobs every year in Africa to meet the objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals . Other challenges, he said, include a social protection financing gap amounting to 68 billion US dollars a year; economic, social and migratory pressures; and the impact of climate change and globalization.

“What we seek is a future of work with social justice as the surest guarantee we can have of peace and prosperity in African and in the world. This is the unfinished business of our 100 year old Organization which we must take forward together.”

During his speech, Ryder focused on the ‘human-centred’ approach outlined in the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work  that was adopted at the International Labour Conference  (ILC) in June 2019.

This ‘human-centred’ approach is based on investing in people’s capabilities, the institutions of work that ensure that labour is not a commodity, and in decent and sustainable work, particularly in the green, rural and health care economies.

Ryder also outlined particular priorities for Africa:

The formalization of the informal economy, which accounts for 80 per cent of the workforce.

• The structural transformation of production.
• Economic diversification.
• Creating an enabling environment for the creation of decent jobs.
• Tackling inequality.
• Actions to promote full and equal participation of women in the labour force.

He also called for accelerated action to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Global Compact on Safe and Orderly Migration, as well as promises made by governments to tackle climate change.

‘We should not avert our eyes from the reality that in most aspects, the international community is well off-track in delivering the 2030 Agenda and that the planet is fighting back hard in the war that we humans have abusively launched against it. And because decent work is so deeply involved in all of these challenges, we are, very clearly, called upon to do better.’

Trade union Congress of Nigeria President, Qadiri Olaleye In his reaction to ILO D.Gs report

The report of the Director-General has given us the opportunity to lay emphasis on some salient workplaces and communities, national economies issues that deserve urgent attention for our continent and the global world of work. Chairperson, as we draw the curtains on the ILO 100 Centenary celebration and set agenda for another centenary framed along the contours of the United Nation Agenda 2030 within the Sustainable Development Goals and importantly, deliberations on the mechanisms for the attainment of the African Union Agenda 2063.  

From the above Chairperson, allow me to focus on the workplace, communities and national economies issues that touch on women and their wellbeing and their contributions to work, productivity, wealth creation and progress.  

We want to point out that the care economy is growing and will play a critical role in the future of work. Given the gains from medicine and improved sanitation and health care, life expectancy rates across the globe are improving. What this means is that we will have more old and elderly persons in our economies. Similarly, our continent remains a young one and estimates suggest that it will remain so for another three decades. One of the implications of this population growth will be the need for more children and nursing mothers’ care-givers. Chairperson, the benefit of the care economy cannot be overemphasized – it provides the opportunity for us to have more women in the labour market whilst ensuring their children and elderly ones are well taken care of. The care economy also provides societies and national economies the benefits of caring for the different categories of persons needing care necessary to facilitate work, production and productivity. We must take steps to better account for these contributions and to remunerate for them fairly.  

Chairperson, violence against women in all kinds and forms notably verbal and physical assaults, sexual harassment and rape, which has now been elevated to a weapon of war, as well as the growing rate of femicide are worrisome development that hampers work, productivity and wellbeing of women in the world of work. This 14th ARM must categorically speak out against all forms of Gender-Based Violence and commit to actions on awareness and education, accountability measures against perpetrators and redress remedies for victims, which can include but not limited to psychological counselling, protective shelter provisions, support for economic empowerment.     

 

Finally, Chairperson, we are having this 14th ARM in the same year that the ILO made a loud, bold and commendable statement through the adoption of Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment (in the world of work). Chairperson, we consider the adoption of this convention as a big feat and firm demonstration of the collective will of the ILO to respond to workplace, community and economy issues that touches on the physical integrity, morale and general wellbeing of men and women, especially the latter who is disadvantage given the asymmetry of power relations that is skewed against them. We, therefore, want to call on the African governments to make the necessary commitment to ratify and apply the provisions of this convention in its full letters and spirit. Chairperson, we also want to say we workers in Nigeria fully support the campaign to make this very important Convention to be part of the existing Fundamental Conventions.  

 

Delegates will discuss the Director-General’s report to the Conference on Advancing social justice: shaping the future of work in Africa , with a view to formulating policy recommendations for inclusive growth and social progress.

The meeting takes place as the ILO celebrates its Centenary and it 60th year since it established its first permanent presence on the African continent.

At the opening session Pascal Abinan, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of labour and social protection was elected President of the 4-day meeting. Paul Mavimba (Zimbabwe) was elected Government Vice-Chair; El Mahfoudh Megateli, (Algeria) was elected Employer Vice-Chair and Francis Atwoli, (Kenya) was elected Worker Vice-Chair.

Ayuba Wabba, Global president international Trade union Congress, ITUC and President, Nigeria Labour  congress who formed the panelists in discussing presidential approach to the future of work in Africa, call for more function public institutions and the payment of living wages to workers by government and other employers of labour

I’ve Been Sleeping with My Dad Since I Was 18- Married Woman Confesses

A married woman has given a narration on how she has been sleeping with her dad since she was 18 years old.

According to THE CHEER NEWS Online, While speaking on a show Tales from the Powder room hosted by Shirley E.F Tibilla aka Cookie Tee on GHOne TV, the young lady who is 34 years old and married with 2 children, revealed her father as the biological father of all her two children but her husband does not know any of that.

She went on to explain that, her mother found out when she was 22 years old and died shortly after that. She has since had the death of her mother on her conscience.

The young lady went on to explain that, all her past relationship failed because she was never satisfied with any of their sexual prowess; she always preferred her dad’s.

She went on to recount how she sneaks from time to time to sleep with her father and her husband thinks they are just close because of her mother’s death.

The purpose of the letter to Tales from the Powder room is to seek help on how to stop this act since she does not want to lose her husband. She also does not want to hurt her father either.

"No Means No" End RAPE Now' Campaign Get Support of Mrs Osinbajo, Mrs Sanwo-Olu and NANS.

President of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade  Danielson Akpan on Wednesday in Lagos spoke in the same vein with wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Mrs Dolapo Yemi Osinbajo, Lagos State first lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and other dignitaries in mobilizing against gender based violence.

According to THE CHEER NEWS, The event, organized by the United Nations Women was  held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

They lamented that our female students are daily confronted with harassment and abuse, even sexually that threatens their academic, psychological and social being.

With the hatch tag, #Stopsexualabusenow, they urged all and Sundry to rise against sexual abuse among girls in our society.

V.C University of Portsmouth, prof. Chris Chang Says Brexit will hahave no effect on Nigerian students in the U.K

The UK government  has dismissed the fear of some Nigerian students that outcome of brexit negotiation could have devastating effect on their studies, in the wake of uncertainties trailing the ongoing Brexit talks

The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Engagement at the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, Prof. Chris Chang, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja, said that such reassurance and explanation was part of the reason for his maiden visit to Nigeria.

In addition to that, he said his visit was also to strengthen the bond and fraternity among members of the Alumni of the university and to also strengthen partnerships with officials of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

He said: "No fewer than 200 Nigerian students enrol each year on undergraduate, postgraduate programmes in our September and January intakes. Majority of them are students sponsored by TETFund, NDDC and other funders.

"We have strong Alumni in Nigeria with prominent people, notably the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Abubakar, the Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Satellite Technology Development, Prof. Spencer Onuh, among several others who could serve as pointers to the academic and non-academic qualities of the university."

He maintained that UK institutions desire cultural and racial diversity, hence the decision of UK government to reopen the post-study work opportunity for foreign students for two years. 

He said: "UK government strongly value relationships and partnership with global community particularly commonwealth countries. So, Brexit should not cause concerns for Nigerian students. There's possibility that it could end in their favour.

"Howbeit, one thing I want to reassure Nigerian students is that Brexit has no negative effect on their academic destiny, because they are in UK to acquire education and skills for global relevance.

"Students from across the world are usually welcomed in UK because we want diversity in UK universities that would create richness in culture and diversity. 

"At the end of day, we are working in a global village and the ability to work across cultures with people of different ideology, believe, social and religious disposition, are some of the major skills we give our graduates. There presence also enrich our concept of global village."

MUSIC: American Rapper, JAY-Z is 50 Today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO!

 

Patrick Abulu Blog is wishing American Rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur Shawn Corey Carter know by his stage name Jay Z a happy birthday to today (born December 4, 1969). He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America. 

In 2014, Forbes estimated Jay Z's net worth at nearly $520 million. He is one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, having sold more than 100 million records, while receiving 21Grammy Awards for his musical work, and numerous additional nominations. Consistently ranked as one of the greatest rappers ever, he was ranked number one by MTV in their list of The Greatest MCs of All-Time in 2006.

Happy birthday Jay Z!

FCT Minister Of State, Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu Tasks Auditors-General On Accountability, Transparency

FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has charged Auditors-General for Local Governments/Area Councils in the federation to imbibe the culture of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.  

In a statement signed by   Austine Elemue, the S.A Media To FCT Minister of State, the minister gave the charge at the 24th edition of annual conference of Auditors-General for Local Governments/Area Councils in the federation held in the nation's capital.  

Aliyu, who was represented by the Special Assistant on Area Council Services, Hon. Muhammad Saba, noted that the task before local governments in Nigeria is enormous hence the need for assurance and performance that will ensure transparency, prudency and accountability in management of resources at the third tier.  

Speaking on the theme: "Laying the Groundwork for Nigeria's Public Sector Transformation; the Place of the Auditors-General," the minister stressed that while government is making great effort towards the sustain ability of its policies at various levels including the Local Governments/Area Councils, there was the need to ensure that financial rules, regulations and extant circulars are adequately followed in the application of funds at all levels of government.  

She also called for close monitoring by the offices of the Auditors-General to ensure the provision of dividends of democracy as well as adequate service delivery at the Local Governments/Area Councils level are achieved.

Accirding to her,  "The importance of the Office of the Auditors-General cannot be over -emphasized especially now that the policy of government is geared towards fighting corruption, ensuring good governance, transparency, probity and accountability.  

"This conference is very apt because of the proposed financial autonomy of the Local Governments/Area Councils where financial resource allocations would be channelled directly to them. The Federal Government is interested in the development of the grassroot for overall growth and development of the country"  

The minister therefore charged participants to come up with a communique that  will address contemporary audit issues in line with global best practices as it affects the responsibilities of the offices of the Auditors-General as well as improved public financial management at the third-tier of government.  

On his part, the Chairman House Committee on Public Account, Hon. Oluwole Oke, identifies poor stewardship reporting, administrative interference and inadequate qualified manpower as factors militating against proper auditing of local government accounts in the federation, just as he called on participants to right the wrongs.  

"Local government audit is as important as auditing in every other sector of the economy. This is because the local government being the closest government institution to the people demand adequate financial resources, which if properly controlled would benefit the rural communities," he noted.  

In her address, the Auditor-General FCT Area Council, Hajjiya Kurdirat Abdul-Hamid, noted that more than 2/3 of Nigeria's population are domiciled at the grassroots, stressing that the welfare of the people at this level is paramount and it is the duty of Auditors to ensure that citizens at that level and the nation get what is best for them in terms of providing basic amenities such as infrastructures, education, health, security among others.  

OBASEKI, JAMB REGISTRAR GET NON-ACADEMIC STAFF UNION PERFORMANCE AWARD,

The Edo state Governor Godwin Obaseki has been given an award for excellence performance by the Non academic union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU at its 7th Quadriennal National Delegates conference

The governor who declared the conference opened as the Chairman of the event insists that Nigeria should stop building strong individuals and begin to strengthen her public instituions to adequately address her economic woes

..." We must strengthen our institutions...Nigeria Must build strong institutions rather building strong individuals..."

Obaseki was spoke to the theme of the conference; funding education, Health, Research institutions and other social services in a depressed economy", challenged workers on taking government to deliver

On the thirty thousand Naira new national minimum wage, the Edo state governor promised to pay new wage."...we are already paying N25, 000, paying N30,000 will not be a problem.

General secretary of NASU Prince Peters Adeyemi call on other state governors to cut their expenses to accommodate the new wage.

Adeyemi's position was earlier highlighted by NASU president, Chris Ani, The NLC Deputy President, Amaechi Asugwuni, The ASUU President Professor Biodun Ogunyemi among others

Other speakers including the representative Public service international bemoan the poor funding of education, health and other public services sectors 

NASU used the occassion of the 7th quadrienniel delegates conference to also honour,  JAMB registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, the Vice-Chancellor, Imo state University, Professor Victoria Adaobi-Obasi among others

It's another World Dissability Day  and the bill signed by Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari comes to light.

The act criminalises all forms of discrimination against people living with disabilities in the country and enforces their rights and privileges to education, healthcare, priority in accommodation and emergencies.

It prohibits discrimination against the physically challenged in public transportation facilities, including seaports, railways and airports, and compels service providers to make adequate provisions for them.

All public organisations are also required to reserve at least 5% of employment opportunities for people living with disabilities.

This year, in June, the UN chief launched a Disability Inclusion Strategy, to raise the Organization’s standards and performance. It provides a foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion across the United Nations.

Through the Strategy, the United Nations system reaffirms that the full and complete realization of the human rights of all persons with disabilities is an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In addition, the Security Council adopted, for the first time, a resolution dedicated to the protection of persons with disabilities in armed conflict, and almost all Member States have now ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Mr. Guterres urged those countries that have not yet done so, to ratify the Convention without delay.

Disability and sustainable development

This year, the focus of the International Day is the link between the empowerment of people living with disability, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the UN’s blueprint for a better future for people and the planet).

One billion people around the world – one in seven of the total population – have some form of disability. More than 80 per cent of them live in developing countries, and around half cannot afford health care.

People living with disabilities face stigma, discrimination, and ignorance, as well as a lack of social support for those who care for them. These factors put them at a higher risk of violence, and children with disabilities face a greater than four-fold risk of experiencing violence than children without.

Disability is recognized as an issue that cuts across several parts of the 2030 Agenda. It is referred to in several of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically in the areas of education, growth and employment, inequality, and accessibility of human settlements, as well as data collection and monitoring of the SDGs.

    

DON'T SACK WORKERS, NLC TELLS FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC

The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba has written to the management of firstbank Nigeria Plc to suspend its plan to lay off its staff

In the letter, wabba threatened to implore labour actions against The management of Firstbank  Of Nigeria Plc , over impending plan to lay off its workers 

 In a letter adressed to the management of Firstbank of Nigeria plc which was signed by NLC President Ayuba Wabba and made available to newsmen, the bank is asked to immediately suspend all plans to lay off workers

NLC argues that it is unjust and against the Nigerian labour laws for First Bank of Nigeria to sack workers between the ages of 35 and 55 years old, who have put in minimum of 5 years.

The NLC said the issues were brought before the labour centre by its affiliate; the National Union of Banks, insurance and financial institutions, NUBIFI

The NLC therefore asked the Firstbank Management to re-enact engagements with the Union to resolve pending  issues instead of boosting the unemployment market with sack of workers

Labour is also calling on the federal government to intervene to avert looming crisis in the Banking sector.

FULL TEXT OF LETTER: