The Nation Newspaper

Tag: employment

  • Union lauds private employment agencies for jobs enhancement

    The Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria (HuCaPAN) has said private employment agencies have enhanced jobs and development of businesses.

    HuCaPAN Presdent Mr Remi Adegboyega said while addressing reporters in Lagos.

    HuCaPAN with 150 companies was established to provide an interface through which government and its relevant authorities can consult and relate with providers of outsourced personnel.

    According to Adegboyega, global economic challenges and the need for greater efficiency in businesses have led to increase in dynamic business models.

    He said employers believed that companies that would be sustained must be lean, efficient and responsive because rising wage bills and skills deficit are huge risks to investment.

    ‘’Many workers choose agency work because of their circumstances and the greater flexibility PEAs provide. For some workers, agencies act as a gateway to securing permanent work.

    ‘’While other workers choose temporary work because it allows them to best balance their work with commitments such as self-development, entrepreneurship interests, sports or farming,’’ Adegboyega said.

    He said the market of private employment agencies have grown significantly as business operators in a bid to face their core competencies have adopted the “do what you do best and outsource the rest” model.

    He, however, said employment agencies should recognise the right of workers to belong to a union and ensure that workers contributed to issues that affect their employment.

    ‘’An employers should ensure that he or she will not stop workers from joining the union. The employer must negotiate regularly with union leaders on how to improve workers condition of service,’’ he said.

    The HuCaPAN chief further said members were encouraged to pay the stipulated minimum wage to any person recruited, and tax and pension deducted must be remitted.

    “Every Nigerian irrespective of  their work should be proud of what they are doing and be treated fairly in their jobs. They should attain the basic rights of dignity at work.

    “It is in doing this that the economic value of each and every one of our teeming population would be shored up,’’ he said.

    HuCaPAN is a body that get owners of business of private employment together to enable them improve the operations and comply with statutory requirement.

  • Preparing youths for employment

    Preparing youths for employment

    The Bridge Leadership Foundation (TBLF), a Cross River State-based organisation, has held its Career Day to assist the unemployed with programmes that can narrow skills gaps. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    To address unemployment, the wBridge Leadership Foundation, a non-profit leadership and community development Foundation in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, is exposing young people to new skills that can help them get jobs.

    It held its Seventh Career Day in Calabar. The event attracted more than 5000 young people from across the Southsouth region. They include Mrs. Obioma Imoke; Keexs Chief Executive, Mr. Babajide Ipaye,  Hit Fm Calabar Chief Executive, Mr. Patrick Ugbe.

    Products on display include creative footwear, clothing, food products, agricultural and pharmaceutical products.

    The group’s founder Liyel Imoke, a former governor of the state, in a paper titled: “Made-in-Nigeria; Local production, Global market”, said the event hosted some youths, whose success stories would inspire others and encourage them to start early, take bold initiatives and never look back.

    He said the day was designed to equip young people with the skills they need to thrive in life but that this year’s focus was necessitated by the need to encourage local production that will serve global markets.

    He said he was excited by the level of creativity and products on display at the exhibition stand of the Day, especially those by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Southsouth Entrepreneurship Development Centre.

    Made-in-Aba initiative promoter, Mr. Sam Hart, held a campaign to promote local products.

    He urged youths to be pragmatic in addressing issues by exploring business opportunities around them.

    Former Anambra State governor,Peter Obi,  who spoke on ‘Leadership and integrity’, urged leaders to lead by example and shun excessive lifestyles.

    He said identified with the organisers because of their principles and focus. He challenged the youth to work hard, and live within their means.

    Meanwhile, Imoke’s wife Obioma, has opened the re-branded Valuemart Supermarket amid fanfare in Calabar. The new store, according to her, will create jobs, boost the supply chain of retail goods in the state, while bringing development and best shopping experience closer to the people.

    She said it would provide a unique platform for retailers and shoppers to connect interact and network. She said the long-term plan is to produce most of the products that would be retailed at the store.

  • Firm, govt partner to create employment

    A company and member of some international bodies for credit rating agencies, Fagbadex Global Services Limited, has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Federal Goverment to create employment in Nigeria.

    Its Managing Director, Chief Friday Agbabule, made the declaration at the corporate headquarters of the organisation while briefing reporters on programmes for the overseas credit report seminar hui  company is packaging to sensitise the public on its franchise to represent some international organisations in Nigeria.

    He explained making credit reporting and verification his priority was borne out of his desire to share his wealth of experience, garnered over two decades, on business information, credit reporting and verification, third party verification and due diligence from various experts and acclaimed guru of credit reporting.

    He said the other reasons for his choice of business was his passion to reduce the rate at which people were defrauded owing to fraudulent and inaccurate documentation, which, at various times, were not verified.

    “Let me express that my desire and willingness to pursue this noble profession was as a result of my innate desire to liberate several people, especially to share the experience I garnered spanning over two decades in this credit reporting and verification exercise from various notable gurus and highly respected experts in the field.

    “Also, my passion to reduce the rate at which people were defrauded owing to fraudulent, inaccurate,  incorrect documentation that were not verified. This time around, I am determined to contribute my quota to end that menace called recession in Nigeria,” Agbabule said.

    He said his company decided to organise a seminar tagged “ Overseas Credit Report Seminar”, scheduled for November, to acquaint business-oriented persons with requirements of gredit reporting.

    Agbabule said his company could  provide reports on foreign companies within a few days, at a minimal cost, as well as such customer’s address verification, due diligence, corporate search and verification and confirmation of information of any company before in2itiating business.

  • Anchor unveils loss of employment scheme for staff

    Anchor unveils loss of employment scheme for staff

    Anchor Insurance Company Limited has launched the Anchor Loss of Employment Insurance Scheme to protect employees at Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

    Its Chairman, Dr. Elijah Akpan, said the product is aimed at providing  financial bulwark for those who lose their jobs.

    He said: “We have an opportunity and a responsibility to innovate and create an insurance scheme to protect employees’ employment income and in doing so to provide a measure of financial stability to millions of Nigerians who may be laid off in the most difficult economic time.  This is an opportunity and our responsibility as an organisation to provide peace of mind to families who may be left in the ditch without a job and nowhere else to turn to.”

    Chairperson of the occasion, Mrs. Nike Akande, praised the cover, adding that the Chamber had always supported the sector to promote best practices.

    Mrs Akande, who is President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “Anchor Loss of Employment Insurance Scheme is a welcome development as it seeks to protect employees from unforeseen circumstances, especially as it relates to job losses. This initiative is commendable and will go a long way to provide succor and wide cover for employees that are vulnerable and also stabilise the economic wellbeing of employees and indeed the country. It is a noble contribution to the economy of the country.”

    She enjoined reporters to ensure that the product was given adequate publicity.

    Senior Lecturer, Actuarial Science and Insurance, University of Lagos, Dr. Adebayo Obalola, said insurance cover was essential for everyone.

    He pointed out most people seek compensation for what their insurance does not cover, advising that the  public should understand the conditions of their insurance policy.

    The Managing Director of the company, Mayowa Adeduro, assured that the company would continue to introduce more unique products, like AnchorLoEIS.

  • Lafarge trains host communities on cement; offer employment

    Lafarge trains host communities on cement; offer employment

    In its continued bid to further impact on its host communities, building solutions provider, Lafarge Africa Plc, has concluded arrangement to further empower indigenes of its operating areas.

    To this end, 15 youths from Ogun, Gombe and Cross River states have been enrolled in the maiden Cement Professional Technician Programme (CPTP). The programme involves the training of youths in the cement manufacturing process.

    The three-year all-expense-paid residential programme includes training in mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and automation technology, cement manufacturing process and entrepreneurship. The selected youths will receive practical and theoretical training at Lafarge Africa’s state-of-art centres and plants in Ashaka, Ewekoro, Mfamosing (Calabar) and Sagamu. Participants who successfully complete the training will be offered automatic employment within Lafarge Africa.

    The Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development Director of Lafarge Africa, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, at the launch of the programme at Ewekoro, Ogun State, said the initiative will increase the local content of Lafarge’s operations in the country and also bridge the skills gap in the cement industry.

    She explained that the programme is in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the National Consultative Assembly (NECA); the certificate awarded after the programme is accredited by National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and is valid for admission into any Nigerian university.

    Ambrose-Medebem, who represented the Lafarge Africa’s Country Chief Executive Officer, (CCEO), Mr. Michel Puchercos, noted that the Cement Professionals Training programme is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative hinged on the firm’s five pillars of health, safety, education, infrastructure as well as clean environment.

    Shedding more light on the programme, the Health & Safety Director, Lafarge Africa, Mr. Graeme Bride, noted that the selected youths will be trained to imbibe the culture of “Safety First” as it operates in any Lafarge facility.

  • School broadens pupils’ employment horizons

    Raising pupils’ career, aspirations and broadening their horizon by deploying a wide range of imaginative approaches, such as opportunities, work experience and mentoring, among others, are some of the best ways to assist them in career choice.

    This was disclosed by the Propriotor of De-Sen Group of School Mrs Foluke Adeyeye, during the schoool’s Career Day

    According to Adeyeye, the choice of career by individuals at such tender age could either make or mar their future, hence the need to channel them in the right direction.

    She noted that there are various ways to explore professions, adding that  parents, teachers and guardians are key components in helping children direct their path.

    She said: “Mentorship is not someone telling you what to do, rather it is someone  helping you find out where you really want to be, and exploring different ways to get you there. We are all ready to give you the support you need to do things yourself, rather than trying to do things for you,” she said

    The occasion was an opportunity for the pupils to network as they mingled with experts, who have excelled in various disciplines such as journalism, engineering, teaching, finance, farming, and catering, among others.

    According to Adeyeye, one of the major mistakes to avoid when choosing a career is listening to people, who want to dictate what career path to follow or not to follow. Rather, one should see a career as passion in order to make it a lifelong exercise, she advised.

    Other pitfalls to avoid, according to Mr Emeka Francis, who spoke to the pupils on Engineering as a profession, is developing passion and determination to break even. “Bringing home a pay check is important, but the size of it does not actually predict job satisfaction,”he said.

     

     

     

     

  • Minister: govt is committed to youth employment

    Minister: govt is committed to youth employment

    The Federal Government is committed to its youth empowerment programmes. It is also considering adopting capacity to create jobs as one of the criteria for offering contracts and assistance.

    Budget and National Planning Minister Udoma Udo Udoma, who gave the indication at a forum with members of the 25th Regular Course on Policy, Strategy and Leadership of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Abuja, said unemployment  was giving the  Federal Government great concern.

    Consequently, it has made job creation one of the major objectives of its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

    A statement by his Media Aide, Akpandem James, said the plan was aimed at creating jobs by developing labour-intensive sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, housing and construction while also launching a number of public works programmes and encouraging private-sector participation in the economy.

    Government, he said, was developing infrastructure in sectors with the capacity to create demand for labour and would sustain the N-Power programmes, as well as continue to support small scale enterprises to maximise their potential for job creation.

    He added that there are other policies to encourage job creation, including apprenticeship programme, supporting and patronising Made in Nigeria Initiative to encourage local manufacturing.

    To further give impetus to the drive, he said government would give necessary support to institutions that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as a veritable foundation for building a knowledge-based economy.

    He pointed out that the bulk of the job creation initiatives would prioritise youth as beneficiaries and is being pursued through direct job creation by the Federal Government and those created in the informal and formal sectors by the private sector, and skill-building programmes.

    Udoma emphasised that government would no longer give incentives to private investors on the basis of intentions but of results; and that the driving principles would depend on how many jobs would be created, how much value would be added to the economy, the quality of goods produced and how much foreign exchange they could generate.

  • NGO fetes widows, facilitates employment for youths

    NGO fetes widows, facilitates employment for youths

    The Comrade Chinedu Ogah Foundation (CCOF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has said it facilitated employments for 710 youths across different tribes and political divides since its inception in 2006.

    The Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the foundation, Comrade Chinedu Ogah revealed this at Item-Amagu in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State while distributing welfare packages to over 3, 000 widows and other less-privileged people in the community.

    The items distributed were wrappers, maggi, salt, onions; tablets of bathing soap, bowls and cash among others.

    According to Ogah, the foundation, within the year under review, ensured the employment of 120 youths into federal parastatals.

    Ogah, who is also the National Coordinator of Buhari/Osinbanjo Initiative for Demonstrating Change in Nigeria called on well-meaning Nigerians and philanthropists to use their wealth to enhance the well-being of the poor in the society.

    “The widows, youths and other less-privileged people are my security and defence. What my foundation is doing now is an opportunity we have from God and that is why we are extending it to others. In this community, 15 people have gone for the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) this year. Today’s event is an annual one meant to take care of some less-privileged people.

    “From January last year till now, 120 youths have been given jobs at federal parastatals and from the inception of this foundation till now, 710 people have been given jobs. This year, we have given out scholarships to the handicapped in the 13 local government areas while widows in Ikwo are equally taken care of,” Ogah said.

    In his remarks, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige explained that the gesture of the foundation was in tandem with the policies of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) of the Federal Government.

    Represented by the State Coordinator of NDE, Mr. Marcel, the Minister said the Federal Government was working assiduously to ensure the speedy employment of youths across the country, even as he urged public-spirited individuals to partner government towards the improvement of the living standards of Nigerians.

    Also, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Kelechi Igwe who was represented by Mr. Festus Okoha advised the foundation not to relent in its objective of caring for the less-privileged people in the society as the state government has equally set machinery in place for the well-being of all residents of the state.

     

  • Lawmaker decries low allocation to employment-creating agencies

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour and Employment, Senator Sulaiman Nazif, has said it is worrisome that agencies created to stimulate employment are only getting three percent of their annual budget.

    Sulaiman stated this during the Senate Committee’s visit to the National Directorate of Employment (NDE). The committee also visited the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), and National Productivity Centre.

    He called for improved allocation for the ministry‘s agencies, stressing that job creation is paramount as people are in dire need of employment.

    He expressed the committee’s readiness to support the NDE in its drive to create employment for the teeming unemployed youths.

    “If there is any area you need some amendments to the Act that established NDE, we are here to assist you in that regard for maximum performance,” he assured.

    He  commended parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment for prudent use of limited resources at their disposal for maximal service delivery.

  • Fed Govt, ILO to validate national employment policy

    The Federal Government, International Labour Organisation (ILO) and others have met in Abuja to validate the much-expected National Policy on Employment.

    The meeting, which was organised by the Federal Government, in conjunction with the ILO, aimed at moving Nigeria forward.

    According to the Director, ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Liaison Office for the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), Mr. Dennis Zulu, the meeting was to determine whether the government and stakeholders could contribute towards taking steps to address unemployment and under-employment in a comprehensive, coherent and integrated way.

    Zulu said the stakeholders forum marked an important milestone in the process of preparing an employment policy for Nigeria, which started in 2012. The  objective, according to him, is to prepare a policy that would promote full and productive employment by developing integrated employment, development and skills policies that will maximize the employment impact of economic growth, investment and development; and which are inclusive, gender sensitive, productive and sustainable.

    The ILO director said extensive consultations involving a wide range of stakeholders across the length and breadth of the country have been held during the last four years.

    He said: “The ILO wishes to note that the validation of the draft national employment policy is in line with the prescribed process of preparing national employment policies as articulated by ILO Employment Policy Convention No. 122 of 1964.

    “The Convention requires national employment policies to be positioned as a major goal within the national agenda. It calls for an active employment policy to be pursued as a major goal of macroeconomic policy, with a focus on the design and implementation of such policies.”

    Given the progress that has been made in Nigeria in putting in place an employment policy, Mr. Zulu appealed to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and  the social partners to consider ratifying ILO Convention 122 .

    He pointed out that by putting in place an employment policy, Nigeria is already in line with the objective of the convention.

    At the meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige reiterated the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, to job creation and provision of decent employment opportunities for Nigerians.