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Tag: Director-General

  • FG has no funds to pay salary, promotion arrears, says Ngige

    FG has no funds to pay salary, promotion arrears, says Ngige

    The negotiation for new minimum wage may have been kept in the cooler until salary and promotion arrears owed civil servant are cleared, it was learnt Monday.

    This is coming as Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Director General, Budget Office, Mr. Ben Akabueze and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, met Monday with the leadership of the National Assembly to find ways to clear salary and promotion arrears of civil servant.

    Also on table for discussion at the closed door meeting chaired by Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, was the issue of payment of transfer allowances of workers and death benefits.

    Ngige told reporters that they were at the National Assembly on the invitation of ledership of the National Assembly.

    He added that though some progress were made at the meeting, all sides were to go back and come back tomorrow with possible solution to the identified issues which is that “government does not have enough fund for now to tackle the issues.”

    Ngige said, “We are here on the invitation of the National Assembly, the joint committee on labour and employment and the meeting is chaired by the Senate President.

    “We are here to discuss issues relating to things that are meant for industrial disharmony in the public sector.

    “As you are aware the labour federations have said the governors have not been treating them well.

    “One of the cardinal issues of International Labour Organisation (ILO) is to give our workers decent jobs and we decided to discuss with them.

    Wabba on his own said, “We are here as usual to dialogue over a range of issues particularly the welfare and well-being of our members – the Nigerian workers. In particular, we have discussed issues bothering on arrears of allowances which have accumulated for some time and running into billions, which they have not paid.

    “Also, alongside is the issue of pension particularly the issue of bonds and the fact that some of the contributions by workers have not been remitted for time.

    “Those are some of the issues that we thought the National Assembly has led the process to bring all stakeholders on board and look at how these issues can be resolved in a win-win situation without allowing the industrial relation process to break up.

    “I think this is very healthy and commendable, and all of us are committed to a very peaceful process of resolving these issues.

    “As the minister said, we have adjourned to allow thorough reflection over some of those issues and to be able to come up with workable solutions that will address these issues.

    “Those are the totality of issues we are actually working on and it is a holistic process which you know that the processes require laws; they also require some budgetary provisions.

    “So, that is why we are here and the process is holistic, to look at how best those issues can be resolved amicably.”

    Asked why the issue of new minimum wage was not top on the agenda of the meeting, Wabba who was almost walking away said the process is holistic.

     

    On what labour is demanding, he said “Labour has spoken with one voice. We have made a formal demand which you are aware. It is N56, 000 there is no need repeating it.”

    Wabba categorized new laws and budgetary provision to clear the back log of the arrears.

    “It’s a tripartite negotiation. What we are doing here is tripartite plus because we have involved the National Assembly and when you do any such negotiations is plus.

    “We looked at the issues of salaries arrears, promotion arrears, death benefits, location expenses and transfer allowances, hotel allowance which overtime have accumulated and had ran into billions and this is what are owed to federal public servant and we started the meeting today to find a solution.

    “The labour leaders engage ourselves and we try to work out something that would help them and help us restore the confidence we have with them that is the employers and employees.

    “If we don’t have that confidence we may have break down of industrial harmony. So we made progress today and we have adjourned to reconvene tomorrow at 4pm, all sides are to go back and come back tomorrow with possible solution to the identified issues which is government doesn’t have enough fund for now to tackle the issues. So tomorrow we convey here and sort it”

     

  • 1.25m people die in road accidents annually – WHO

    1.25m people die in road accidents annually – WHO

    No fewer than 1.25 million people died as a result of road accidents every year, the World Health Organisation (WHO), said on Friday.

    WHO, in a new report ‘Managing Speed’, also said that “excessive or inappropriate speed contributes to one in three road traffic fatalities worldwide”.

    Road traffic fatality rates are nearly 3 times lower in Europe compared to Africa, WHO said.

    According to the global health body, measures to address speed prevents road traffic deaths and injuries, make populations healthier, and cities more sustainable.

    “Around 1.25 million people die every year on the world’s roads. Studies indicate that typically 40 to 50 per cent of drivers go over posted speed limits.

    “Drivers who are male, young and under the influence of alcohol are more likely to be involved in speed-related crashes.

    “Road traffic crashes remain the number one cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29 years.

    “They are estimated to cost countries from three to five per cent of Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) and push many families into poverty,” WHO said.

    WHO said only 47 countries comply with speed management measures.

    These measures are, implementing an urban speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour or less and allowing local authorities to reduce these limits further on roads around schools, residences and businesses.

    WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said “speed is at the core of the global road traffic injury problem.

    “If countries were to address just this key risk, they would soon reap the rewards of safer roads, both in terms of lives saved and increases in walking and cycling, with profound and lasting effects on health”.

    The UN agency recommended some speed management measures, among which are building or modifying roads to include features that calm traffic, such as roundabouts and speed bumps; and establishing speed limits appropriate to the function of each road.

    Others are enforcing speed limits through the use of manual and automated controls; installing in-vehicle technologies in new cars, such as intelligent speed assistance and autonomous emergency braking; and raising awareness about the dangers of speed.

    “By reducing speed and improving safety, their populations benefit from the added advantages of increases in walking and cycling and reductions in air and noise pollution.

    “Such actions, in turn, have positive health benefits on rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases,” it said.

    ‘Managing Speed’ was released in advance of the Fourth UN Global Road Safety Week, from May 8 to 14.

    The week and its related campaign “Save Lives: #SlowDown” draw attention to the dangers of speed and the measures which should be put in place to address this leading risk for road traffic deaths and injuries.

    Among hundreds of other events would feature symposia in Nigeria, Montenegro, Philippines, Poland and Sierra Leone.

    The UN Week is a unique advocacy opportunity that contributes to achievement of the road safety-related Sustainable Development Goal targets 3.6 and 11.2.

    On the occasion of the UN Week, WHO will also release ‘Save LIVES: a road safety technical package’.

    The package details 22 key evidence-based measures considered most likely to impact on road traffic deaths and injuries, including a number linked to managing speed.

  • NEMA seeks urgent solution to end scourge of Meningitis

    NEMA seeks urgent solution to end scourge of Meningitis

    The Director General, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja assures that within the next few days, NEMA will partner with the ministry of Health to put an end to the scourge of meningitis in the country.

    The DG disclosed this during his resumption of office as the new Director General NEMA in Abuja, stating that the agency will be in a state of preparedness for disaster management at all times.

    He said, “I am taking over at a time the country is faced with major emergency involving internally displaced persons in various parts. Meningitis ravaging various states and other challenges requiring response from NEMA and concerted efforts with various agencies.

    “As someone from the Northeast who has been directly affected by the deplorable conditions of IDPs in the region, i am familiar with the crisis and the need for urgent and lasting solutions towards rehabilitation of the effected fellows.”

    Maihaja reaffirms that under his leadership, the agency shall be positioned for not only disaster management but equally disaster prevention leveraging globally accepted frameworks.

     

  • Harmonize your biometrics platforms, UN tells Nigeria

    Harmonize your biometrics platforms, UN tells Nigeria

    The UN has called on Nigeria to harmonise its multiple biometric platforms for more efficiency.

    The UN Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed, stated this on Friday when she received Nigeria’s delegates to the 50th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development in New York.

    She said that a central body for the biometrics would reduce the financial implication of the current system and make it less cumbersome.

    “I would raise one concern and that is that in Nigeria we have a multiplicity of platforms that are doing a biometrics on everything; that is not efficient.

    “It is not cost-effective and there should be a better way for us, to say that, you have the banks taking everybody’s biometrics, immigration is doing it. I mean everybody is doing.

    “By the time we went through it, there must be some basis that we can take and centralize that in some way and give it the premise for everybody’s biometric.

    “So may be in a sense, the argument should be who should hold that responsibility of having the main frame and everyone now comes on and takes off their data for their constituency or their purpose.”

    Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General, National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Ghaji Bello, commended Mohammed for her service to humanity and appealed for her office to assist Nigeria where necessary.

    “We would also like to crave your indulgence to place before you one or two areas that we passionately believe you will assist our country.

    “Coming from the population angle, there are issues of population and development.

    “You are aware more than any other person of the level of underdevelopment with respect to health, education and lack of job opportunities back home.

    “And quite a number of things that will make life easy for the average person; the whole essence of governance is service.

    “So we know why you are here and we believe that you will distinguish yourself further and work in such a manner that it would impact on the global scene much more than before.”

     

  • Drug Abuse: Niger to partner NDLEA

    The Niger Government says it will partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to curtail incessant drug abuse among youths in the state.

    Hajiya Mairam Kolo, Director-General of the Niger State Child’s Rights Agency, disclosed this when she visited the State Command of the NDLEA in Minna on Wednesday.

    She said that the agency was established by Gov. Abubakar Bello to protect the rights of children and treat child abuse related issues.

    “The partnership will enable both agencies to curtail and minimise the use of drugs among young people.

    “The high rate of rape and child abuse in the state is condemnable and most of these children are being abused by parents, guardians or neighbours.

    “Also, majority of the pregnant girls brought to the agency are engaged in drug abuse and such cases require special attention,’’ she said.

    The State Commandant of NDLEA, Mr Iweajunwa Joseph, advised the agency to extend its coverage to the 25 local government areas of the state to monitor children who were being abused on daily basis.

    He blamed child abuse on parents who did not live up to the responsibilities of taking care of their children, thereby leaving them exposed to all forms of abuses.

    Joseph appealed to the state government to assist in the rehabilitation of inmates by enrolling them in schools to complete their education.

     

  • NOA to communicate government policies, programmes to grassroots – DG

    NOA to communicate government policies, programmes to grassroots – DG

    The Director-General, National Orientation Agency, Dr Garba Abari, says the local government assembly, a feedback platform, will enable the agency to communicate government policies and programmes to the rural dwellers.

    Abari made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

    According to him, most of the activities of government are communicated through electronic and print media, which many rural dwellers cannot afford.

    “As a result, many Nigerians are left in the dark about government policies and programmes, thereby hindering feedback.

    “It is therefore with the consciousness of these realities that NOA, in view of its mandate of sensitisation, orientation, awareness creation and harnessing feedback from citizens, has deployed several platforms to reach out.

    “The local government assembly is one of such platforms created and positioned to explain the rationale behind government activities to rural dwellers,” Abari said.

    He said that government had several policies and programmes that were of huge benefit to the citizens who were not aware of such programmes or do not understand the procedure to access the benefits.

    “We will use this assembly platform to disseminate information to and get feedback on government activities from the rural dwellers.

    “It is also a tool to fight corruption. When they know what is due to them, they will be able to enquire from their representatives in order not to be short changed,” he said.

  • Vice Principal appears before child rights agency over student’s pregnancy

    Malam Mohammed Kuyizhi, Vice Principal, Government Day Secondary School, Tunga-Minna in Niger, has appeared before the state’s Child Rights Protection Agency, over the pregnancy of a 16-year-old student.

    Kuyizhi is accused of impregnating the girl, who is a junior student in the school.

    Hajia Mariam Kolo, the Director-General of the agency, who presided over the case on Wednesday in Minna, said that the matter was reported to the agency by a teacher, after the girl’s guardian informed the school that her ward was pregnant for the teacher.

    Kolo said that the agency, after receiving the report, sent an invitation letter to the accused to come and defend himself.

    She said that the case would be transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

    “Already, the victim has been taken to the hospital for medical examination; we shall make sure she gets justice,” she said.

    Kolo quoted the victim as telling the agency that the accused was a very close friend to her guardian and had consistently visited their (victim’s) home.

    “The girl also said that the accused had sex with her three times in his office.

    “She further said that she was always given between N50 and N100 for her transport, after the affair with the teacher,” Kolo said.

    The Director-General further quoted the minor as accusing the teacher of giving her some pills after she informed him of the pregnancy, but that she threw them away.

    She said that the girl, however, confessed to taking the pills when they were offered to her a second time.

    According to Kolo, the girl experienced severe pains after taking the pills, forcing her to inform her guardian.

    Kuyizhi admitted to the sexual affair, but claimed that the girl seduced him into the act.

    He also told the agency that he penetrated the girl, but did not release semen and could not, therefore, be responsible for the pregnancy.

    Kuyizhi, however, pleaded with the agency for leniency and promised to take responsibility for the pregnancy.

  • FESTAC 77 @ 40: CBAAC boss seeks active participation of Nigerians

    FESTAC 77 @ 40: CBAAC boss seeks active participation of Nigerians

    Dr Ferdinand Anikwe, Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) on Monday,called on Nigerians to ensure full participation in celebration of FESTAC 77 at 40.

    He made the plea while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, adding that this was to ensure that Nigerian cultural heritage was celebrated and promoted beyond the shores of the country.

    Anikwe who noted the complacency of some Nigerians towards most cultural programmes, said this should serve as a wakeup call to all citizens within and outside the country.

    ” I want us all to erase that thinking pattern and assumption that the celebration is bringing back the fetish nature of Nigerians.

    ” This is outrightly wrong and I believe everything that has to do with FESTAC 77 is an exhibition of our rich cultural heritage which we must celebrate this year,” he said.

    Anikwe said that the event would hold in over ten states including the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) where the Mascot would be unveiled by April 1.

    He said that different cultural displays would be held in some states including Katsina, Enugu, Ogun, Kaduna, Akwa- Ibom and some foreign countries.

    ” The celebration would be all through the year and it promises to be eventful and memorable.

    ” We are going to have Durbar display in Katsina , there will be masquerade festivals in Enugu and some other cultural activities in other parts of the country,” he said.

    Anikwe said that if Nigerian cultural heritage was well celebrated, promoted and properly harnessed, it could be a money spinner for individuals and the country.

  • Ecologist wants law to ban butchers from exposing meat

    An ecologist, Mr Abdullahi Aremu, has called for legislation to ban butchers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from carrying meat with motorcycles or exposing meat in markets.

    Aremu, the Director-General, Advocacy for Environmental and Sanitation Integrity, an NGO, made the call on Tuesday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    He described the wanton exposure of meat as “unhygienic and dangerous to human health.

    “Observation shows that many butchers, particularly in Abuja suburbs, have cultivated the attitude of exposing meat on streets and in markets.

    “The legislature at all levels should enact a law to ban this habit and punish butchers or meat sellers who expose meat on the roads and in markets,’’ he said.

    The ecologist said that exposure of meat often attracted flies, vectors of diseases, adding that the exposed meat was, therefore, unwholesome and not fit for human consumption.

    Aremu urged relevant authorities to deploy veterinary officers and health workers to abattoirs to ensure that the set standards for animal slaughtering and processing were strictly adhered to.

  • Victims of tanker fire get N28m relief materials from Niger Govt

    Victims of tanker fire get N28m relief materials from Niger Govt

    Niger Government has distributed relief materials worth N28 million to victims of tanker fire in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Areas of the state.

    Alhaji Ibrahim Inga, Director-General, State Emergency Management Agency, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Minna, the state capital on Tuesday.

    The tanker fire incident, which occurred on December 2, claimed 18 lives, injured five and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

    Inga, who described the incident as unfortunate, noted that the relief materials was not a compensation but government intervention to cushion the effect of the disaster.

    “What we are doing is not a compensation, it is an intervention. Whenever such disaster happens, we look at the severity of the damage done and assist the victims,” he said.

    The items distributed, include; cement, rice, maize, zinc, roofing nails, textile, Maggie, salt, vegetable oil and palm oil.

    The director-general advised the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the relief materials and cash to better their lots.

    Inga, however, called on the drivers of articulated vehicles to obey speed limit to avoid future occurrence