The Nation Newspaper

Tag: jobs

  • Total refuses to cut jobs, despite oil price crash

    Total refuses to cut jobs, despite oil price crash

    French energy company, Total expects a drop in last year’s results but does not plan to cut jobs as peer British Petroleum has done to weather low oil prices, its Chief Executive, Patrick Pouyanne, said this during an interview with reporters.

    According to Reuters, he said  the group had the financial capacity to weather low oil prices, adding that Total like its peers was being hit by the fall in crude prices and that the company expected its results to drop by 20 per cent.

    A Total spokesman said Pouyanne was referring to the company’s full-year 2015 results, which will be presented on February 11.

    “We are resisting, but we are taking a hit,” he said.

    “We have the financial capacity to withstand the price volatility in crude. We know that in commodities, there are cycles. Yes, this cycle is very violent, down 20 per cent in less than a month, 60 per cent in a year.”

    Asked if Total would cut jobs, Pouyanne said: “No. We are used to these cycles, and jobs cannot be the adjustable variable because I’ll need these workers when the price goes back up, and it will go back up someday. I don’t know when.”

    British energy company BP said last week that it planned to slash five per cent of its global workforce, about 4,000 jobs.

    Pouyanne said Total had decided instead  not  to replace all retiring staff and to hire fewer people.

    Total shares were up 2.1 per cent, boosting France’s blue-chip CAC 40 index and tracking the sector index, which was also up by more than per cent.

  • ASCSN trains 1,400, calls for creation of more jobs

    ASCSN trains 1,400, calls for creation of more jobs

    About 1,400 members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) have benefited from local and international trainings on union operations and activities.

    According to ASCSN, the training was put together by the Executive of the association led by its President, Bobboi Bala Kaigama, as part measures to equip members intellectually.

    Speaking during the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Kaduna, Kaduna State, Kaigama said: “I will like to announce to you that over 1, 400 members of our union have been sponsored for local and international training since I came on board.

    “This is in fulfilment of the core mandate of the current leadership of our great union to train and retrain our members. I believe very strongly that the training programmes have had very positive impact on productivity and the way and manner beneficiaries carry out their assignments in their respective workplaces.”

    Kaigama assured that the administration is committed to further training and retraining of members to actualise their collective goals and aspirations. He said the programme has become part of ASCSN and the union will not abandon it. “With your unflinching support, we shall continue to make meaningful impact as far as the education and training of our members is concerned,” he said.

    While assuring that ASCSN leadership will continue to keep the banner of the association afloat and also do its utmost best to maximise the collective wisdom of members in moving the union to the next level, Kaigama reminded members that what the leadership need from them is absolute loyalty and support.

    This, he said, was necessary “so that together we can sustain the integrity, transparency, and progressive credentials that have made this association first among equals in the comity of trade unions in the country”.

    On other welfare issues, Kaigama urged the government to consider the upward review of salaries, saying the current economic realities are at variance with the present wages being paid workers in the country.

    According to him, there is need for government to negotiate with the various labour bodies with a view to creating a new salary regime in the country.

    This, he said, will bring about improvement in the quality of lives of workers, while bridging the salary gap between the core civil service and other sub sectors of the federal public service.

  • Plateau plans technology centres’ revival to create jobs, boost IGR

    The Plateau State Government will revive technology centres to enhance technology-related entrepreneurship skills to create jobs and boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), the  Deputy Governor, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, has said.

    He spoke on Tuesday when he inspected the Relevant Technology Centre and the Science Equipment Production Centre, both in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

    He said the visit was predicated on government’s resolve to rehabilitate the centres because of their potential to create skilled manpower that would be on their own and also employ others.

    “It is disheartening that centres like the Relevant Technology Centre and the Science Equipment Production Centre both in Jos with all the benefits that could accrue to the state have been allowed to go down.

    “One of the focal areas of this administration as we have always stated is industrialisation and entrepreneurship and we will definitely reactivate the centres. Government will give the centres the necessary support, including funding and recruitment of staff to enable them to operate optimally and contribute their quota to the economy of the state,” he said.

    Tyoden said the state needed to do this now that the mainstay of the economy has taken a downward turn. “We will use these kind of places to diversify the economy of Plateau and boost the state’s IGR,” he said.

    The deputy governor, who is also the Commissioner for Higher Education, Science and Technology, said the state government is determined to engage its teeming youths meaningfully.

    Earlier, Mr. Simon Bonnap, the Executive Secretary, Relevant Technology Centre Jos, had told the deputy governor that the Centre could generate the needed revenue for the state if resuscitated.

    Bonnap said: “The Centre trains able and disabled youths in leather works, welding and fabrication, electrical works, home economics, automobile, as well as building. We have fabricated a motorised tricycle for disabled persons that can be used both as tricycle or wheel chair.”

    He, however, regretted that the state does not have the funds to mass produce the motorised tricycle in commercial quantity that can be sold to hospitals and persons that need them.

    According to him, the centre was established in 1974 by a Netherlands-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to teach youths different skills to enable them to be self-reliant and also employ others.

    He decried the neglect of the centre, pointing out that machines that were installed by the NGO in 1974 were still the ones being used at the centre in spite of the takeover of the centre by the state government in the 1990s.

    Bonnap told Tyoden that “the centre does not have a functional project vehicle to aid its movement and supervision of its other centres in six different local governments of the state.

    “We used to have over 200 staff, but now we only have 62; the equipment we have are obsolete and funds to even run the centre properly are not available,” he said.

    The Chief Production Officer, Science Equipment Production Centre, Jos, Mr. Obed Dimka, also decried the neglect of the centre which was established in 1986.

    Dimka said the centre could produce almost all the science equipment for secondary schools in the state but the staff to carry out the task is not available.

    “We have only two skilled staff and six unskilled staff. Incidentally we have the raw materials, but there is no staff to make use of them,” he said.

  • Lawmaker assures constituents of jobs in 2016

    Member of the Lagos state House of Assembly representing Lagos Mainland 2 constituency, Hon. Moshood Oshun has said that his vision is too see that by the end of 2016 there will be very few people that are jobless in this constituency as majority would have been self-employed through his skills acquisition programme.

    Oshun stated this while addressing 250 young boys and girls as well as women from his constituency who graduated from his skill acquisition programme in Yaba.

    He told them that with determination on their part they can succeed and survive with the skills they have acquired, begging them to make use of what they have learnt.

    The lawmaker who promised to continue with the programme said,”My vision is that by the end of 2016 there will be very few people that are jobless in this constituency because majority would have been self-employed. With determination on your part you can succeed and survive with whatever you have to hand now. The remaining one is in your hand, I beg all of you to make use of what you have learnt now,” Oshun said.

    He told them to see what he has done for them as a job to make a living for themselves and to serve humanity.

    The residents made up of young girls and boys as well as women were trained in different skills of their choice ranging from, Adire making, bead making, soap making, paint making, disinfectant and spray making, making head gear (Gele), chemicals, make-ups, fruit juice processing to chapman making.

    The beneficiaries were given certificates at the ceremony while the best five graduants in all the departments were given start-up capital in the form of relevant materials by Oshun to start off their trade. Among the recipients were Adewole Afusat, Hassan Wasiu Ayinde, Umar Muhammed, Taiwo Ojo, Titilayo Ajayi, Olaide Olatunde, Taju Salami etc.

    Oshun who said he was encouraged to do the programme from time to time with the performance of the beneficiaries told them that, “there is a lot we can do for ourselves, before now you could not make head gear but now you can do it, same goes for other skills you have acquired in the past one week.

    “There is no business that has no beginning and it is the beginning that matters, once you start you can consistently build it up till it becomes big,” he said.

    “I am impressed and encouraged to continue the programme. Therefore for those who want to take part in the programme but could not with this first edition, they should not be disturbed. They will benefit from the next programme,” Oshun assured.

  • Dangote buys ex-subsidiary to save over 3,000 jobs

    Dangote buys ex-subsidiary to save over 3,000 jobs

    Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has explained why it bought back its former subsidiary, Tiger Branded Consumer Goods (TBCG). It said its action is to prevent the company from dying and also save the job of over 3,000 Nigerians.

    DIL was approached by Tiger Brands to acquire its 65.7 per cent shares of TBCG Limited. While some stakeholders have questioned the rationale behind the investment decision by DIL, sources close to the Dangote Group said the company had to consider the repurchase of TBCG so as to keep the company as a going concern, which preserves value for the minority retail shareholders. The move also secured direct employment for over 3,000 employees.

    “Going by every indication, the future of the company was very doubtful and that was risky for the employees, which are over 3,000 Nigerians apart from others who benefit from the company’s services through other ancillary services. The return of DIL is therefore, a big relief and good decision to save the jobs of the staff of TBCG,” a market operator, who declined to be named, said.

  • Expert laments closure of textile firms, loss of jobs

    Expert laments closure of textile firms, loss of jobs

    A United Kingdom-based firm, Plexus Cotton Limited in collaboration with Nigerian-owned Synergy Cotton and Agro Allied Limited have pledged to  revive the cotton industry in the country.

    The two firms have started a campaign with the farmers in Kano and its environ on the need to revive the agric sector, especially the cotton value chain during a seminar in the ancient city.

    Chairman, Plexus Cotton, Mr. Nick Earlam, lamented the neglect of  cotton production in the country, which he said depleted from 900, 000 metric tonnes in the 60s to less than 45,000 metric tonnes.

    He said the worrisome trend has led to the closure of textile industries and loss of jobs, pointing out that his company would redress the issue, using technology and other incentives for farmers, to add value to cotton.

    Earlam said his company would  engage 3, 000 employees and later 200,000 small holder farmers to turn around the cotton sector for the benefit of the country.

    “Without the raw materials, we don’t have the capability to build the value chain. All the three chains have to work together. It does not work if everybody wants to do it on its own. We have to do it with the private enterprises, development agencies and with government support. We need to make the cotton grow again. We don’t need to be selfish. The target is to build the cotton back to 100,000 metric tonnes in the next two years,” Earlam said.

    He stressed the need to add value to Nigeria’s cotton to enhance development, create more jobs and build the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Earlier, Chairman, Synergy Cotton and Agro Allied Limited, Dr. Adebayo Jimoh, said the company was out to replicate the success story of the value addition programme it did in Uganda, Mozambique and Malawi.

    He said the collaboration between Plexus and his company was in line with the desire ofPresident Muhammadu Buhari to revive the agric sector to create jobs and empower the citizens.

    “But Mr. President cannot do it alone. We also cannot do it alone. You, as the merchants, cannot do it alone. We need a partnership and by the time you listen to what were done successfully in Uganda; you will agree with me that our President is on a right course.

    “For any country where there is no cotton production, food production generally goes down. Cotton is life and big people in the world started life as cotton traders. Let’s believe in cotton to enjoy better life, improve GDP and prosperity for all,” Jimoh stated.

    Spokesperson, Kano State Cotton Merchants, Alhaji Lawan Garo, urged the cotton farmers to key into the initiative of the cotton firms and use the opportunity in line with the approved agricultural practices for expected and increased output.

    Earlier, management teams of both firms had visited the Kano State Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, with the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry.

    Welcoming the teams, the deputy governor expressed the readiness of the government to support the cotton value chain.

    Abubakar referred to the garment factory established by the immediate past administration in each local government area of the state as part of support the government has created to improve cotton value chain, urging Earlam and his team to visit the factories and see how they could be improved upon.

  • Experts praise ITF on jobs creation

    Experts praise ITF on jobs creation

    The Industrial Training Fund, (ITF) has been praised over its proactive measures taken to eliminating unemployment from the country.

    Some experts, who spoke with The Nation, said the innovations and initiatives that have been brought about by ITF leadership, under its Director- General, Dr. Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko, were diverse and impactful, particularly, given the short time the she has been in office.

    For instance, Managing Partner of Soreb Consulting International Mr. Kunle Rotimi said ITF, under Chukkas-Onaeko’s charge, has entered into an understanding with the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) to improve and expand opportunities for young artisans.

    Rotimi also said the agreement and understanding ITF reached with the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CITIN) would lead to the training of builders. He noted that the ITF/Shelter Watch Initiative arrangement, which has been concluded, would ensure unemployment in the country is eliminated through value addition in the building and construction sector.

    According to him, the leadership of the ITF deserves accolades for initiating collaborations with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Association of Chambers of Commerce of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) in less than a year in office.

    His words: “The present leadership of the ITF has already concluded the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)-backed skills gaps survey that will successfully raise and place Nigeria at par with other developed nations of the world.

    “The move will provide skills training for employment and job creation, and identify the challenges of mismatches between skills demands and supply, which the country is presently grappling with. It will help provide vocational and technical training for thousands of internally displaced persons in various parts of the country”.

    On his part, President of Global Peace Movement International, a United Kingdom-based leadership and development organisation, Dr Mike Uyi, said it was not surprising that the International Labour Organization (ILO) has recognised the quality leadership being provided the ITF by the present Director-General. This, he said, necessitated their visit to the Fund with a promise to work with and collaborate in areas of mutual interests.

    Uyi said the standardisation and certification of ITF’s trainees and graduates has been fast-tracked and improved under the present leadership, while the ITF has improved and expanded the partnership with the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), leading to improved access and opportunities for the National Industrial Skills Development Programme, (NISDP).

    He added that it was noteworthy that the Fund has initiated the establishment of an e- learning platform to provide access to training and skills development in Nigeria. Already, the Fund is at an advanced stage of launching an online job portal to provide a robust interface between employers of labour and the unemployed youths.

  • Residents demand water, roads, jobs at town hall meeting

    Potable water, rehabilitation of roads and schools, insecurity, provision of street light, employment opportunities, flooding/erosion menace and the need for proper drainage were the major demands by residents when members of the Lagos State House of Assembly met their people in some of the 40 state constituencies of the state.

    At Lagos Mainland 2 Constituency, a constituent complained that the boreholes provided by the government at Iwaya-Yaba does not supply water, while pleading that the government should provide tricycle and motor cycles for ‘Areas Boys’ to get them engaged and reduce their menace in the society.

    In Somolu 2 Constituency, the Oba of Bariga, Oba Gbolahan Timson lamented the poor state of inner roads in the area, urging the government to quickly make available large car park to ensure that available roads were made free for vehicular traffic. He also requested for the establishment of markets in the area.

    At Eti Osa 1 Constituency, the constituents requested for primary/ secondary schools, transformers, security within the estates, small and medium-scale loan for their businesses, cemetery for the Muslim, health facility, roads and drainage to prevent flooding, law against drug and child abuse within the constituent.

    The theme of the stakeholders’ meeting was “Towards a Better Constituency Engagement”, and was designed to educate constituents on the duties of the legislators and what the constituents expect from their representatives.

    Addressing his constituents at Agege 1 Constituency,  Speaker Mudashiru Obasa revealed that the outcome of the meetings would be a major determinant of the direction the 2016 Budget will take, adding that it is the Assembly’s desire to deepen the democratic culture as well as facilitate participatory governance in the state.

    Talking to his people in Somolu 2 Constituency, Chief Whip, Hon. Rotimi Abiru said the parley was also aimed at deepening democracy, assuring that all the complaints and suggestions made by constituents would be addressed with the appropriate authorities, just as he assured that the Palmgroove-Pedro Road now under construction would be completed by the end of the year as the needed fund has since been released.

    Also addressing his constituents at Eti Osa 1 constituency, Kazeem Alimi said the assembly had always welcome the people’s opinions to develop the state. He promised them quality representation from him and urged them to help, support and participate with him in making  Eti Osa a better place.

    The lawmakers promised to make sure that all the demands are worked on and forwarded to the executive so that it can be captured in the next budget.

    Speaking on the activities of the current Assembly, the lawmakers said, since June 15 when the 8th Assembly was inaugurated, it has passed 28 resolutions “covering a broad range of socio-economic, political and other issues pertaining to the welfare of Lagosians, the progress of the state and the nation as a whole. We have settled communal clashes, played the Ombudsman’s role while not neglecting several petitions referred to us for mediation and resolutions.

     

  • Onu seeks Chinese support to create jobs

    The Minister of  Science and Technology, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu yesterday solicited the support of Chinese government to boost job creation in Nigeria.

    Onu who spoke while receiving a business  delegtion led by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Gu Xiaojie  in his office in Abuja, said unemployment could lead to an epidemic.

    He said it is important for Nigeria to collaborate with the Chinese government to tap from its experience and technology as well as boost trade cooperation among African countries.

    Onu said the ministry will build on the existing excellent working relationship with China to harness the growth potential of the country.

    The minister said creating employment was imperative to address the challenges facing the country.

    “The Science and Technology sector will assume its rightful place in national development so as to make Nigeria self-sufficient in meeting the challenges of daily living.

    “The sector will be fully involved in creating employment and empowering the country’s teeming youths to make meaningful contributions to national development,” he said.

  • …water, roads, jobs top residents’ demands

    Potable water, rehabilitation of roads and schools, insecurity, provision of street light, employment opportunities, flooding/erosion menace and the need for proper drainage were the major demands when members of the Lagos State House of Assembly met their people.

    At Lagos Mainland 2 Constituency, a constituent complained that the boreholes provided by the government at Iwaya-Yaba does not supply water, while pleading that the government should provide tricycle and motor cycles for ‘Areas Boys’ to get them engaged and reduce their menace in the society.

    In Somolu 2 Constituency, the Oba of Bariga, Oba Gbolahan Timson lamented the poor state of inner roads in the area, urging the government to quickly make available large car park to ensure that available roads were made free for vehicular traffic. He also requested for the establishment of markets in the area.

    At Eti Osa 1 Constituency, the constituents requested for primary/ secondary schools, transformers, security within the estates, small and medium-scale loan for their businesses, cemetery for the Muslim, health facility, roads and drainage to prevent flooding, law against drug and child abuse within the constituent.

    The theme of the stakeholders’ meeting was “Towards a Better Constituency Engagement”, and was designed to educate constituents on the duties of the legislators and what the constituents expect from their representatives.

    Addressing his constituents at Agege 1 Constituency,  Speaker Mudashiru Obasa revealed that the outcome of the meetings would be a major determinant of the direction the 2016 Budget will take, adding that it is the Assembly’s desire to deepen the democratic culture as well as facilitate participatory governance in the state.

    Talking to his people in Somolu 2 Constituency, Chief Whip, Hon. Rotimi Abiru said the parley was also aimed at deepening democracy, assuring that all the complaints and suggestions made by constituents would be addressed with the appropriate authorities, just as he assured that the Palmgroove-Pedro Road now under construction would be completed by the end of the year as the needed fund has since been released.

    Also addressing his constituents at Eti Osa 1 constituency, Kazeem Alimi said the assembly had always welcome the people’s opinions to develop the state. He promised them quality representation from him and urged them to help, support and participate with him in making  Eti Osa a better place.

    The lawmakers promised to make sure that all the demands are worked on and forwarded to the executive so that it can be captured in the next budget.

    Speaking on the activities of the current Assembly, the lawmakers said, since June 15 when the 8th Assembly was inaugurated, it has passed 28 resolutions “covering a broad range of socio-economic, political and other issues pertaining to the welfare of Lagosians, the progress of the state and the nation as a whole. We have settled communal clashes, played the Ombudsman’s role while not neglecting several petitions referred to us for mediation and resolutions.