An Ikeja Special Offences Court has remanded in a

correctional centre a member of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees(NUFBTE), Peter Onoja, for allegedly stealing N72.5 million from the union.

Onoja is facing a six-count charge bothering on stealing, contrary to Section 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

Justice Mojisola Dada remanded the defendant in any correctional facility of his choice pending the filing and hearing of his bail application.

Dada adjourned the case until January 24, next year for the commencement of trial and hearing of bail application.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mrs Anita Imo, alleged that the defendant fraudulently converted N72.5million, property of NUFBTE to his personal use.

She told the court that the defendant committed the offences between February 2015 and August 2020 in Lagos.

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The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following his not-guilty plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional centre pending the commencement of trial.

“In view of the not guilty plea of the defendant, we shall be asking for a trial date and we urge the court that the defendant be remanded, my lord,” the prosecutor said.

The defence counsel, Mr Paul Okwoi, however, informed the court that he could not file his bail application due to an error in it.

Okwoi prayed the court that two dates be granted in December for the defence counsel to file his bail application.

 

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is seeking measures to prevent rising inflation

In a report, it stated that a  severe inflationary crisis combined with a global slowdown in growth, driven in part by the war in Ukraine and the global energy crisis, are causing a striking fall in real monthly wages in many countries.

It said the crisis was reducing the purchasing power of the middle classes and hitting low-income households, particularly hard.

The report with the topic: “The Global Wage Report 2022-2023: The Impact of inflation and COVID-19 on wages and purchasing power”, estimates that global monthly wages fell in real terms to minus 0.9 per cent in the first half of the year – the first time this century that real global wage growth has been negative.

ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, said: “The multiple global crises we are facing have led to a decline in real wages. It has placed 10s of millions of workers in a dire situation as they face increasing uncertainties.

“Income inequality and poverty will rise if the purchasing power of the lowest paid is not maintained. In addition, a much-needed post pandemic recovery could be put at risk. This could fuel further social unrest across the world and undermine the goal of achieving prosperity and peace for all.”

The report said the cost-of-living crisis comes on top of significant wage losses for workers and their families during the COVID-19 crisis, which in many countries had the greatest impact on low-income groups.

It shows that rising inflation has a greater cost-of-living impact on lower-income earners. This is because they spend most of their disposable income on essential goods and services, which experience greater price increases than non-essential items.

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Inflation is also biting into the purchasing power of minimum wages, the report says. Estimates show that despite nominal adjustments taking place, accelerating price inflation is quickly eroding the real value of minimum wages in many countries for which data is available.

The analysis shows there was the  need to apply measures to maintain the purchasing power and living standards of wage workers and their families.

“Adequate adjustment of minimum wage rates could be an effective tool, given that 90 per cent of ILO Member States have minimum wage systems in place. Strong tripartite social dialogue and collective bargaining can also help to achieve adequate wage adjustments during a crisis.

“Fighting against the deterioration of real wages can help maintain economic growth, which in turn can help to recover the employment levels observed before the pandemic,” the report stated.

Other policies that can ease the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on households include measures targeting specific groups, such as giving vouchers to low-income households to help them buy essential goods, or cutting Value Added Tax (VAT) on these goods to reduce the burden inflation places on households while also helping to bring down inflation.

“We must place particular attention to workers at the middle and lower end of the pay scale. Fighting against the deterioration of real wages can help maintain economic growth, which, in turn, can help to recover the employment levels observed before the pandemic.This can be an effective way to lessen the probability or depth of recessions in all countries and regions,”  Houngbo added.

•Fed Govt pledges support for businesses

The answer to job creation lies on the Federal Government’s collaboration with the organised private sector.

This was Nigeria Employers Consultative Association’s (NECA) panacea to the worsening unemployment in the country.

Speaking during its second Annual Employers’ Excellence Awards, with the theme: “Going beyond Limits”, the President of the association, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi, called on the Federal Government to make the business environment conducive for the Organised Private Sector (OPS).

He said despite the challenges,  enterprises remain one of the most tenacious in the world.

Adeniyi lamented the harsh economic environment, adding that the award was in recognition of the hard work and doggedness of industrialists, who, despite the  challenges, have withered the storm to make positive impact on growing and sustainability of the economy.

“Our key objective for the award is to recognise and publicly award enterprìse that has exhibited excellence in leadership, governance, innovation, corporate performance and human resource management.

“This award is to celebrate outstanding contributions of enterprise to national development. This is an annual award that provides a platform for identifying, ranking and celebrating the resilience, doggedness and outstanding performance of employers in Nigeria. It is to promote and encouraging best practices in corporate performance, people management and industrial relations practices among employers in Nigeria.

“The Annual Employers’ Excellence Award seeks to celebrate organisations, which see people as their core business and have implemented policies, systems and processes that create and sustain enterprise competitiveness, productivity along with industrial peace and harmony,” he pointed out.

While commending the doggedness of businesses, he said: “As you are well aware, Nigerian enterprises remain one of the most tenacious in the world, and despite the myriad of challenges faced locally and globally, we continue to demonstrate commitment to shareholders and employees, while also contributing to national development.

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“I salute the staying power of small and medium scale industries and the determination of large and multinational organisations.”

Also, NECA Director-General, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, applauded the recipients for their contributions to the promotion of effective human resources management practices in the country.

He said: “Through such exposure, employers will have an extra channel of enhancing their brand profiles as leading and responsible employers in Nigeria, contributing both to economic prosperity and industrial harmony in Nigeria.”

He further added that the award had become a platform for identifying, ranking and celebrating the resilience, doggedness and outstanding performance of employers in Nigeria.

“And as the authentic voice of business and the recognised institutional representative of Nigerian employers, there is no organisation better positioned to organise an award to celebrate employers in Nigeria than NECA.”Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Nebolisa Anako, also recognised the role of the private sector in national development, which she said was part of the reasons the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2025 for the private sector was unveiled to enable it thrive.

Noting that the theme ‘Going beyond Limits’ was apt, Mrs Ahmed said the event provided a veritable opportunity to review cogent issues such as economic trends, insecurity and challenges of human capital development to ensure Nigeria achieves sustainable economic growth and development.

The Director-General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Kadiri, said the awards were about celebrating and recognising resilience in a place of constraints.

He said MAN is committed to ensuring a conducive atmosphere for private sector operation.

Ahead of next year’s elections, Kadiri insisted on an improved economic environment free of frivolous challenges.

He said: “As we approach the transition for our political landscape, it behoves all of us to jointly insist on an improved economic environment by controlling the narrative away from frivolous issues and prioritising the economy. This is to ensure that the incoming administration is completely aware of the parlous state of the economy and the imperative of quick and effective revenue.”

THE ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project (TSDP), since inception, has trained 56, 597 highly-skilled technicians who have been able to secure high-paying quality jobs, or have set up on their own.

Director-General, ITF, Sir Joseph Ari dropped this hint during ITF NECA Technical Skills Development Project (TSDP) stakeholders’ dialogue forum and outstanding trainees award ceremony in Abuja.

Ari said the project had also witnessed a quantum leap from the initial six participating organisations to 89 today.

According to him, “The ITF-NECA TSDP is a response to the outcome of a joint survey of “Contemporary Manpower Requirement in the Nigerian Economy,” that was carried out by the ITF and NECA. The survey among others revealed skills mismatches and drastic skills shortages in many sectors of the economy leading to underemployment, unemployment and poverty.

“The project was, therefore, conceived with the primary objective of promoting the availability of man-power with appropriate Technical and Vocational Skills to meet identified needs of industries and the country.

“The TSDP is implemented in con-junction with Participating Organisations (PO), which are NECA member companies, ITF Industrial Skills Training Centres and other select organisations.

“Also involved are 10 selected federal and state technical colleges from all the six geo-political zones and the FCT that were upgraded and sup-plied with modern training equipment and tools. It is equally noteworthy that, the TSDP also renovated training workshops for six technical colleges, while also donating modern state-of-the-art equipment and tools to other Participating Organisations, thereby expanding their capacity to conduct skills training.”

Graduates of the project that distinguished themselves in the course of the training, according to Ari, were empowered with business start-up grants, linked others to employers of labour for direct employment and deployed International Labour Organisation (ILO) Start Your Business (SYB) Modules in training and entrepreneurship development.

•Unveils N600m ultra modern suites

 

THE Association of Senior Staff of Banks. Insurance and Financial Institution (ASSBIFI) has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) . National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and other supervisory bodies to conduct more in-depth analysis on the consequential suffering. exploitation occasioned by unfair labour practices being perpetuated by new investors.

Speaking at the 11th Triennial National Delegates Conference in Ogere Resort. Ogere Remo in Ogun State. the out-going President of the union. Comrade Oyinkanola Olasanoye said this has become worrisome considering the increasing number of jobs losses occasioned by the deliberate breaches and violation of national and international labour standard and best practices by the new investors.

” We cannot continue sending our best hands into the labour market just because we want to replace them with cheap labour. We likewise request that at mergers, acquisitions or sale or bail out of institutions . extensive and comprehensive investigations and interrogation should be inducted, while the status and validity of such institutions be made public.

“Today. we all know that our best hands In the industry have relocated to Europe and America, while those left behind are either getting prepared to leave or are working under unfair labour conditions. Unempirical but reliable reports show that the financial sec-tor – and most particularly the insurance sector is being taken over by indigenous and foreign money bags that are not committed, lack the experience and skills to sustain develop and grow the sector in the way of evolving global trends. Brain drain has just begun.” she said.

Olasanoye said that part of the policy challenges faced in the country today has been how to protect and maintain essential economic activities and public services such as food production, health service and social care.

Her words: Today we are living witnesses of the political.social and economic realities of our country. There is insecurity everywhere. poverty is on the increase. our naira is on a free fall. workers are the most hit. Yet. we expect workers to earn less than what is needed for a socially acceptable living standard. Wages should be adjusted according to the cost of living the workers face

” We advise the frequency of social dialogue and collective bargaining be accelerated in an inflationary period as this.

“Workers have proved that they are a major factor that promotes and impede the resilience of the provision of the essential services during economic crisis and its anticipated shocks now and in future. We must be equipped enough to remain relevant in the sector and be able to prevent an outright collapse of the economy. that goes to explain the theme of the conference “Building a resilient economy: The role of the trade Union”.

On the lingering crisis within its umbrella body. Trade Union Congress. Olasanoye said:” We want to clearly state that ASSBIFI did not factionalise the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), and will not violate laid down rules and regulations binding members of the Congress.

“But it should be known and early too, that ASSBIFI will not by any stretch of imagination submit to injustice or subjugation of any form or shape. As we defend workers’ rights and privileges so also we are open to relationship but based on justice , equity, good conscience and integrity”.

Meanwhile, Olasanoye has un-veiled a newly-constructed N600 million ultra-modern suites and event centre, with the capacity to create job opportunities for over 50 workers.

As shown on the schedule, Olasanoye unveiled the edifice to celebrate the Triennial National Delegates’ Conference held in Ogere, Ogun State, which saw the emergence of Comrade Olusoji Oluwole, as the new president of the association.

The unveiling saw some past national presidents, as well as cur-rent leaders, who initiated and sustained the idea of the project, in attendance.

The legacy project, according to Comrade Olasanoye, took the association several years to get to the stage of unveiling, hence she said, “it is better to start slowly than not to start at all.

“Great leaders have vision and inspire others to help turn the vision to reality”, she noted while disclosing that the idea behind the project was to grow its Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, as well as create employment opportunities to the teeming youths.

She explained that the construction of suites and event centre started over a decade ago with levies and union dues of their members, disclosing with utmost joy that no money was borrowed from either banks or individuals.

“We have relied solely on members’ union dues and levies, which we pay once every three years. Whatever sum we realized was prudently invested in the building.

“The interior of the project is yet to be completed and put the centre to commercial use , she added.

It was gathered that the centre was designed to provide accommodation, spa, boardrooms, conference halls and relaxation place for stakeholders.

Unveiling the project officially, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chief Chris Ngige, who was represented by the State Controller, Lagos State Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr Nnamdi Enua described the edifice, as a product of sincere and honest leadership, prudent in the management of resources.

“It is not just a mystery, but a paradox how ASSEIFI is getting the millions to embark on such a gigantic project. This is a legacy that will stand the test of time. We are happy that you are not limiting yourselves to check-off dues.

“It is heart-warming that ASSBIFI is diversifying its sources of revenue like agriculture. It is also heart-warming to hear that from foundation to the present stage, ASSBIFI did not borrow a dime from anybody. You did not take a loan from any bank”, the Minister noted with enthusiasm.

He also lauded the union for di-versifying into agriculture while commissioning its multi-million ultra-modern suites and event centre.

He said it was gratifying to note that ASSIBIFI is into agriculture and now Hotel business.

He said it was laudable for ASSIBIFI to diversify to get more money to run its affairs and commended the leaders of the association for their sincere leader-ship and prudent management of resources, calling on other unions to emulate ASSIBIFI.

The occasion was graced by three ASSIBIFI past presidents, Comrade Owomoyela who served between 1992 and 1999, Comrade Lasisi Sanni 2009-2010 and Comrade Sunday Salako 2010-2016.

Also present were members of the Central Working Committee and staff.

The facility is located in the high-brow Ikeja business district, Alausa, Lagos.

DESPITE sinking N100 billion through the establishment of the Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) fund by the Federal Government in 2008, the textile industry still remained on the brinks.

Speaking at a policy dialogue on sustainable industrialisation and employment in Nigeria organised in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) in Abuja , the President of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), John Adaji, also blamed policy somersaults and smuggling as the main challenges militating against the revival of the sector.

“Smuggling is the major killer of the textile industry in Nigeria The issue of smuggling must be decisively dealt with if we are to keep the remaining industries and employment in the sector,” he said.

He explained that the union’s cam-and advocacy had culminated emergence of several supportive policies such as the ban on textile import between 2003 and 2007, the introduction of the Export Expansion Grant (EEG), and the N100 billion textile and cotton intervention funds.

Though he admitted that while some of the policies had brought succour to the industry in the past and that rather than strengthen and sustain some of the policy measures, the industry has witnessed an uncritical reversal of policies by successive governments.

Adaji, who spoke during the celebration of the 2022 Africa Industrialisation Day (AID) which had, ‘Industrialising Africa: Renewed Commitment towards Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialisation and Economic Diversification, declared that the continent will continue to witness a high level of unemployment and restiveness until the continent establishes dear pathways for industrialisation.

Adaji lamented the loss of jobs in the textile sector and the inability of the industry to operate at optimal capacities, saying, there is still a huge gap between official policy pronouncements and implementation.”

He said the organised labour movement is worried about the precarious situation of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria particularly as it affects the textile industry and its implication for members’ welfare, jobs and employment in general.

He stressed that the future of Nigeria and that of Africa lies in adding value to its abundant raw materials and the creation of sustainable jobs.

He said: “Employment generation and employee retention, as well as poverty eradication, largely depend on the amount of value-addition through industrialisation and degree of diversification of the economy. Textile Industry remains the key driver of sustainable jobs and development for most national economies of developing nations like Nigeria.

Adaji maintained that the government needs to take urgent steps to review its policies and consider tax waivers for textile-based industries to encourage investment and encourage fair competition.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Joe Ajaero has alleged that the Federal Government has spent about N2trillion in support of power distribution and generation companies without commensurate results.

The Director-General of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari, has called for more synergy among agencies of government in human capacity building to tackle the rising level of unemployment in the country.

Ari stated this while presenting a paper titled “Technical Education and National Development in Nigeria: Leveraging Human Capital Development for Technological Resilience”, delivered at the National War College, Abuja.

Director, Public Affairs Department, Suleyol Fred-Chagu, in a statement in Jos said Ari called for harmonisation of certificates to remove the dichotomy between general education and technical and vocational education and training as well as enforce the monitoring and regulating of informal sectors that produce artisans to reduce quacks.

He told participants at the event that there was a need to strengthened collaboration between technical institutions and industries, to meet labour market demand.

Ari stated that the government needed to establish Teachers Industrial Work Experience Scheme (TIWES) as well as adopt measures that support human capacity development through engaging human expertise empowered by research.

He said further that stakeholders in technical education and national development should develop explicit operational policies that drive human resource development, calling for the overhauling of the TVET system with policies that provide more funding for tools, equipment and facilities.

Ari said: “It is pertinent for all stakeholders in the TVET ecosystem to understand their roles. Indeed, across the globe, countries that successfully deployed TVET for job creation and technological resilience did so on account of the synergy among its various institutions.

“However, in our dear country, rather than collaboration and cooperation, turf protection and the tendency to indulge in the blame game have firmly taken hold in most institutions that have bearing on the capacity building of Nigerians.

“I say this taking in cognizance of recent declarations by persons that ordinarily should be familiar with the respective mandates of individual organisations involved in the manpower development in Nigeria but chose to conveniently to display appalling ignorance.

“For purposes of clarification, it needs to be stressed that the Industrial Training Fund is specifically mandated to promote, encourage and provide skilled manpower to meet the needs of both private and public sectors of the economy.

“Throughout its years of existence, it has pursued this mandate using apprenticeship training in both formal and informal sectors, skills upgrading and broadening for on the-job development among its many activities.”