NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION SET TO RECREATE MORE COURSES FROM AGRICULTURE, ARCHITECTURE AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS

Nigerian students will soon begin to choose from more variety of course of study as the National universities commission, NUC reveals plans of  unbundling Agriculture, architecture and creative arts programmes  

The NUC executive secretary professor Abubakar rasheed said it has become necessariy following the changes in times and the advancement in technology

One other programme being unbundle and which has reached advanced stage is mass communications

According to the national universities commission seven programmes have been created from mass communication which are expected to take effect from 2020/2021 academic session

the NUC says it is also putting finishing touches towards the introduction of totally fresh programmes of study on peace, conflict and research as part of response to globalisation and its demands.

NIGERIAN STUDENTS PUSH FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF 'STUDENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME'

Nigerian students under the auspices of the National association of Nigerian students, NANS is pushing for the establishment of the 'students entrepreneurial scheme

The student union group made the statement on Tuesday when it paid a visit to  Nigeria's Vice President, professor Yemi Osinbajo at the state house, presidential villa Abuja

President of NANS, Danielson Bamidele Akpan who led the students on the visit, praised the Vice President for his commitment to a better Nigeria and for his loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari.

 Comrade Akpan in leading the delegation of Nigerian Students and stakeholders said the proposed entrepreneurship programme if established by the federal government will help to raise business capital for students who want to venture into business and other such vocations.

 

The students leadership extolled the Vice President for his exemplary leadership quality, patriotism, loyalty and dedication to the betterment of Nigerians at the grassroot level through the National Social Investment Programme.

 

In responding to the students request  vice president   Prof. Osinbajo thanked the delegation for the visit and commended the initiative of the students, while promising further collaboration between the offiice the Vice President, the federal givernment and NANS.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Zuckerberg names Facebook number ONE.

President Donald Trump boasted Monday that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg told him at dinner he is “number one” on the global social media platform.

“I had dinner with Mark Zuckerberg the other day and he said ‘I’d like to congratulate you… you are number one on Facebook,’” Trump said.

A post by NAIJALOADED.COM.NG says The president, speaking in a live interview with right-wing radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, did not specify when the dinner happened.

A spokesman for Facebook said the last such dinner took place in October.

The president noted the importance of social media to his messaging, which depends on bypassing much of the professional news media, which he accuses of bias against him.

Trump, who has nearly 70 million followers on Twitter, told Limbaugh that without the platform, “I think we’d be lost.”

“We wouldn’t be able to get the truth out,” he said.

US social media platforms have come under criticism for enabling misinformation and fake news in the build-up to the 2020 presidential election.

Trump himself has repeatedly used Facebook and Twitter to push untrue statements and conspiracy theories.

Both those platforms have responded by saying they will not attempt to weed out lies from politicians because their statements fall under the category of “newsworthy” content.

Trump is number one on Facebook in terms of political ad spending, leading to accusations that the company is unduly influenced by the Republican.

At the October dinner at the White House, Trump and Zuckerberg were reportedly joined by Facebook board member Peter Thiel.

After, Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren called for transparency over Facebook’s links to Trump.

BBC study shows a quarter of minimum wage workers are underpaid

A quarter of people aged 25 and over who should be receiving the minimum wage are being underpaid, according to the Resolution Foundation think tank.

The group's research shows the number of firms not complying with minimum wage payments has increased since the National Living Wage started in 2016.

Before then, about one in five workers aged 25 and over was underpaid but this figure is now more than one in four.

The government said it wanted to ensure all those eligible were correctly paid.

A spokesperson told the BBC: "The government is determined that everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum Wage receives it.

"All businesses, irrespective of size or business sector are responsible for paying the correct minimum wage to their staff. HMRC won't hesitate to take action to ensure that workers receive what they are legally entitled to.

"In 2018-19, HMRC completed over 3,000 investigations, identifying over £24.4m, the highest amount in a single year, for more than 220,000 workers.

"Consequences for not complying with paying National Minimum Wage can include fines of 200% of the arrears, and, for the worst offences, criminal prosecution."

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The think tank's study - called Under the Wage Floor - says that most firms want to pay the minimum wage, and that fines are the main deterrent for offending companies.

However, it argues that these penalties are still far too low to stop some firms flouting the law.

What is the minimum wage?

The UK national minimum wage sets out the least a worker can be paid per hour by law.

As of April 2019, it stood at £8.21 an hour for people aged 25 and older - the government refers to this main rate as the National Living Wage. 

There are four minimum wages below this amount for younger workers and apprentices:

• 21-24 years old: £7.70 (£8.20 from April 2020)
• 18-20 years old: £6.15 (£6.45 from April 2020)
• Under-18: £4.35 (£4.55 from April 2020)
• Apprentice: £3.90 (£4.15 from April 2020)

Lindsay Judge, the Resolution Foundation's senior policy analyst, said: "The minimum wage has been one of the UK's biggest policy successes in recent decades, delivering much-needed pay rises to millions of low-paid workers.

Its success is dependent on employers taking it seriously, with those firms paying it not being undercut by a minority that fail to do so.

"The welcome introduction of the National Living Wage in 2016 has led to a worrying rise in minimum wage underpayment. As the government plans to increase the legal wage floor through this Parliament, it is essential to strengthen the incentives for firms to comply."

G20: NLC and ITUC Global president Ayuba Wabba attending

 ITUC Global president and president Nigeri labour congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, as part of the G20 meeting

MINIMUM WAGE: Nassarawa state gves 24-man committee 3 days as plateau denies earlier statement

The delay in constituting a minimum wage adjustment committee is throwing up drastic moves in some states

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has inaugurated a 24-man committed to workout the modalities for the implementation of the new minimum wage in the state.

The committee has Emmanuel Akabe, Deputy Governor of the state as its Chairman, and 11 representatives from the government site and 13 members from the organised labour.

Speaking at the inauguration on Tuesday in Lafia, the governor said that the committee was set up in fulfilment to the promised he had made to improve living conditions of workers through better welfare package.

“This is in line with our determination to improve the welfare of public servants as they are the cornerstone for the implementation of Government policies and programmes.

“We are always in the front burner on the issue of the implementation of the National minimum wage in the country and since the signing into law of the new law, we have continue to make consultation on how to implement it in the state,” he said.

He explained that It is in this connection that the was inaugurated to study the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, make necessary consultations and recommend to Government a workable template for implementation.

The governor charged the committee to be guided by the revenue accruals to the State vis-à-vis its ability to pay the Minimum Wage

He listed the terms of reference of the committee to includes; to obtain and study the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2009 and the Consequential Adjustments at the federal level.

Others are; to obtain and study copies of agreements reached between the Federal Government and the Organized Labour in line with the consequential adjustment/increase in all the salary structures.

To liaise with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (if necessary) for technical assistance on the implementation of the new minimum wage for the State.

Governor Sule therefore said that the committee has three (3) weeks to complete its assignment and submit Report to Government for prompt action.

The governor also assured workers the committee to consider the implementation of outstanding promotions, arrears and proper placements of the civil servants would be inaugurated on Monday January 13.

Meanwhile in an interview with newsmen after the inauguration, Com. Yusuf Iya, State’s Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), commended the governor for the steps so far.

He however expressed hope that the committee who he is a member would adopt the template used at the federal level in order ensure improved welfare package for workers in the state. (NAN).

Find plateau state press statement below

PRESS RELEASE 

The new minimum wage saga: 

I was quoted out of context – Manjang 

The attention of the Plateau State Government has been drawn to the news making the rounds in the social and conventional media that it was ready to implement the payment of the N30,000.00 minimum wage without recourse to negotiations on the consequential adjustments. 

This statement was purported to have been made by the Honourable Commissioner of Information and Communication, Dan Manjang. 

The commissioner has since clarified the statement saying he was quoted out of context. Reacting in a Press Release which was circulated to the media, Mr. Manjang denied the fact that he said that “there was no need for any negotiation with any group of persons before the implementation” having earlier said a committee to that effect had been put in place and negotiation was going on. That would amount to double-speak and serious contradiction. 

Mr. Manjang maintained that the state government has set up a committee to negotiate with labour about the consequential adjustments as directed by the Federal Government based on the peculiarity, sustainability and capacity of each state. He reiterated that government was committed to the welfare of its workers. Mr. Manjang appealed to workers and the unions to remain calm while negotiations are on and pending the recommendation of same. 

Signed:

Dan Manjang

Hon. Commissioner 

Information and communication

Group to propose increase in minimum wage

Workers assemble parts at Foster Electric Thilawa in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone on the outskirt of Yangon, in August 2019. Photo: EPA

According to post by Myanmar times, Labour organisations will propose an increase in the country’s minimum wage when the National Committee for Minimum Wage holds meeting later in the year.

The Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM) has conducted a survey on the cost of living and the cost of health of a worker in Yangon, Bago, Mandalay, Magwe and Sagaing regions and Shan and Kayin states.

U Win Zaw, a central committee of the workers’ group, said they are inclined to propose K7200 (US$4.93) for eight hours work or K900 per hour work.

At present, the minimum wage is set at K4800 for eight hours of work despite opposition from labour groups. The current wage is up for review in May this year.

“We have received recommendations from CTUM, labour activists and other federations that the minimum wage should be raised,” U Win Zaw told The Myanmar Times.

The National Committee for Minimum Wage is comprised of 27 representatives from the government, workers, and employers. The committee is tasked to review the country’s minimum wage every two years.

The current minimum wage was approved in May 2018 so it is up for review starting in May this year.

The committee will deliberate on the issue and will have to announce the agreement within 60 days. If no objection is raised to the agreement, it will be confirmed on the day the directive is issued by the Union government.

U Thet Hnin Aung, general secretary of the Myanmar Industries Craft & Services Trade Unions Federation (MICS), said his group is also conducting its own survey and would not want to comment on the labour group’s plan.

"We are still doing surveys. We are thinking of ways to control the rising commodity prices, rather than asking for a raise in the minimum wage," he said.

“It's not certain if the set minimum wage for the entire country would be reset depending on types of businesses or different states and regions,” he added. “It's hard to show support for setting the same rate for the entire country. The committee meeting will focus on setting a reasonable rate and resetting depending on the types of businesses.” -Translated

BREAKING: Sadio Manè wins CAF Footballer of the year

Sadio Mane wins CAF African Player of the

Year award.

 Sadio Mane has been crowned 2019 CAF African Player of the Year. The speedster edged Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah – winner in 2017 and 2018 – and Algeria attacker Riyad Mahrez to the prestigious award

U.N scribe, Guterres wants world leaders to avoid war by all means possible

The U.N secretary general, Antonio Guterres in his Twitter handle @antonioguterres has challenged the world to avoid war by all means

His tweet "The New Year has begun with our world in turmoil.

My message is clear:  

 

Stop escalation. 

 

Exercise maximum restraint.

 

Re-start dialogue.

 

Renew international cooperation. 

 

Let us not forget the terrible human suffering caused by war. It is our common duty to avoid it.

UNICEF Concerns as Sudan: Intercommunal clashes displace tens of thousands in volatile Darfur region

Peace and Security

Around 40,000 have been displaced in Sudan’s West Darfur State in recent days, following intercommunal clashes, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday, citing Sudanese Government data.

“Violence between communities in and around El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur State, had reportedly killed at least 54 people, injured 60 and displaced 40,000, since 28 December”, OCHA Spokesperson Jens Laerke told reporters in Geneva, adding that humanitarian partners were working to verify the displacement figures.

📍Our latest update on the situation and humanitarian response in West Darfur, Sudan, where violence has displaced 

There have also been reports of attacks on camps for internally displaced people, and homes being burned. Humanitarian partners are closely monitoring the situation and gathering information on needs to respond as soon as the security situation allows.

During the Darfur conflict between the Government, their militiamen allies and rebel groups, which began in 2003, the UN estimated that around 300,000 were killed, and around 2.7 million forced from their homes. Former president al-Bashir was indicted for war crimes including genocide, nine years ago.

“Thousands of people had crossed the border into Chad seeking refuge in villages near the border”, Mr. Laerke said, adding that the displaced within West Darfur had taken refuge in schools and government buildings, while the UN and partners were supporting the government response and that of national partners.

Close to 4,000 flee into Chad: UNHCR

For his part, Andrej Mahecic, spokesperson for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), added that UNHCR teams had identified at least 3,700 people, including more than 2,000 women and 500 children under-five, who had crossed the border between West Darfur and Chad.

“The conditions were dire, and most refugees were staying out in the open; food and water were urgently needed”, he explained.

According to OCHA, shelter, food, water, health services and non-food items are the most urgent priorities.

Amid security concerns, the African Union-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) has helped to relocate 32 aid workers to Zalingei, Central Darfur.

“The situation in the affected area was currently calm and seemed to be stabilizing”, concluded the OCHA spokesperson.

(UNICEF)