The Nation Newspaper

Tag: pleads

  • Strike: Fed Govt pleads for more time

    As part of steps to avert a nationwide strike over the contentious new national minimum wage, the Federal Government will today meet with Labour representatives.

    Ahead of the meeting, Labour & Employment Chris Ngige has pleaded with workers’ leadership to be patient with the government.

    The development followed Tuesday’s announcement by Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba that workers should brace for an indefinite nationwide strike beginning from January 8.

    It was learnt that the government plans to inform NLC on the steps so far taken on the Executive Bill for the enactment of N30, 000 as the New National Minimum Wage.

    A source at the Ministry of Labour, who spoke in confidence, said:  ”The truth is that the government is not delaying the Executive Bill on the new minimum wage, it is being worked on by the appropriate ministry.

    “The bill itself is an amendment to the existing Act and it has to take cognizance of Pension Reform Act 2005, the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund Act and other laws.

    “So, it requires being painstaking to avoid any ambiguity in view of the fact that the bill will have effect on some establishments too.

    “The Friday meeting will afford the government the opportunity to brief the NLC on concrete steps taken and the timeline that the bill will be ready.

    “So far, since the submission of the report of the tripartite committee, relevant ministries and agencies have been working on the executive bill.”

    Confirming the scheduled government/labour parley, Dr. Ngige said: “The government team will meet with labour leaders on Friday (tomorrow). We are hopeful that we will be able to find common grounds. We have communicated the notice of meeting to the NLC.

    “My appeal to our labour leaders is for them to be patient. We will resolve all issues and it won’t degenerate to a nationwide strike. President Muhammadu Buhari places premium on the welfare of workers.

    “We are working on the Executive Bill, we only want to be through with it.”

    Wabba said the reluctance of the government on the new bill on minimum wage strained the relationship between the government and the Labour.

    He said: “It is unfortunate that the Federal Government is yet to transmit to the National Assembly an executive bill for the enactment of N30, 000 as the new national minimum wage.

    ”Government’s dilly-dallying on the issue has strained Government-Labour relations with a potential for a major national strike which could just be days away.

    “I want to appeal to the government to do the needful by urgently transmitting the bill on the new national minimum wage to the National Assembly.

    “We also would like to use this same opportunity to urge workers to fully mobilise for a prolonged national strike and enforce their rights.”

  • Wife pleads for husband’s release

    The wife of an Apostolic Faith pastor, who was kidnapped six days ago in Akoko area, Mrs Olu Obafemi, has urged the Ondo State government and security agents to ensure her husband’s quick release.

    She said her husband, Pastor Japheth Obafemi, had just been discharged from the hospital before he was abducted.

    His kidnappers have reduced the ransom to N16 million from N60 million.

    Speaking with reporters at Ikare-Akoko, Mrs Obafemi, a primary school teacher, alleged that the suspected kidnappers asked them to sell their property to raise the money.

    A member of the church, Elder Ade Olaseni, said members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) are fasting and praying.

    The caretaker chairman of Akoko North East Local Government, Abdulazeez Al-Amam, assured the family that security agents were working to secure the cleric’s release.

     

  • Nick Gordon pleads to Bobbi Kristina

    Nick Gordon pleads to Bobbi Kristina

    Bobbi Kristina’s boyfriend, Nick Gordon, is said to be groveling to see her with no luck, and now he is publicly pleading for a visit.

    It will be recalled that members of the Houston and Brown family have accused Nick Gordon of not trying enough to see ailing Bobbi Kristina in hospital, despite being fingered in the latter’s health situation.

    Bobbi Kristina, the only daughter of late music icon, Whitney Houston, was rescued from drowning in her bathtub, and has remained in coma in the last two weeks.

    Gordon’s lawyer, Randall Kessler, says Nick’s efforts to see Bobbi Kristina have been consistently blocked by the family. Kessler adds, “Nick has respected the family’s wishes and for that reason alone has not returned to the hospital and risked a public confrontation.”

    It was said that Bobby Brown’s relatives have threatened to lay “hands on him” if Nick ever shows up.

    Police have launched a criminal investigation because Bobbi Kristina was found with injuries on her body and Nick is the target of the probe.

    Kessler however added that, “He desperately wants to be with the one he loves and continues to hope that his request will be granted.”

    As we previously reported, some of Bobbi Krisitna’s organs are beginning to shut down and doctors say it is only a matter of time.

  • Siasia pleads for time

    Siasia pleads for time

    Dream Team Coach Samson Siasia has admitted that producing another Olympic team for Nigeria is a big challenge and has pleaded for time to make things happen.

    The former Super Eagles coach has been tasked with the responsibility of moulding another team to represent Nigeria at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, after winning a silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, and Siasia reckons that it is another huge challenge for him and his coaching staff.

    “It’s a big challenge and it’s always a challenge for us and hopefully we will surmount the challenge and build a good team,” Siasia told sl10.ng.

    The 47-year-old has enjoyed the support of the Nigerian football fans since his appointment and remains arguably the most loved football coach in the country. He said he is aware of the support and added that he hopes to build a very good team for the country.

    “I know they support me and I appreciate them and hopefully we will build a very good team for the country,” said Siasia.

    But despite the support he has enjoyed, Siasia admitted that he will need some more time, and called for patience, adding that he hopes to make Nigeria proud in the end.

    “Well I know they expect a lot from me, we’ve just started and gradually we’ll get there. They have to be very patient because we are working very hard to produce a team that will make the country very proud,” he added.

  • Uche pleads with striking doctors to resume

    The Prelate Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr Samuel Uche, has pleaded with striking doctors to abandon their industrial action to save innocent lives.

    He noted that many Nigerians have gone through harrowing ordeals during the action, saying it was high time it was called off.

    Uche also appealed to all parties involved at the negotiating table to arrive at a very just, transparent compromise quickly in the best interest of Nigeria.

    The Prelate, in a statement, called on stakeholders to work together a functional and affordable health care delivery service for Nigerians.

    He told the doctors to accept their services as a sacrifice to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

    ‘’Please let us give our very best services to all in every human endeavour so that we register our efforts on the sands of time at all times,’’ he pleaded.

  • Immigration jobs tragedy: Ex-prisons chief pleads with Nigerians

    A former Controller General of Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Mr Akanam Effiok has craved the understanding of Nigerians in general and in particular families of victims of the recent Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment tragedy across the country, while calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to ignore calls for the sack of Interna l Affairs Minister Abba Moro.

    In a statement Mr Effiok said: “I, like most Nigerians, am shocked by the tragic events of Saturday, March 15.

    I express my deep and sincere sympathy to the families of those that died in the recruitment exercise.

    “I wish to convey my hopes that those wounded during the exercise will experience quick and full recoveries. I am also pained by the inconvenience experienced by the applicants.

    “I acknowledge the need to understand what happened and why it happened. By all accounts, the Minister of Interior , Comrade Abba Moro and the Nigeria Immigration Service had good intentions. The exercise was mainly to test the knowledge of the candidates and to employ qualified persons into the service.”

    On the call for the sack of the minister, Mr Effiok said it had been generally “ridiculous , highly subjective or some times self indulgent’’.

     

  • NO HOUSE, NO CAR SITUATION: NFF pleads with Keshi

    NO HOUSE, NO CAR SITUATION: NFF pleads with Keshi

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has pleaded with the Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi to exercise a little patience as the Glass House is working hard to ensure that they provide him with his car and a decent accommodation in Abuja. The Federation also appealed for the understanding of all Nigerians saying that the non-provision is not deliberate but due to circumstances beyond their control.

    Making this plea in Abuja at the weekend, the scribe of the Federation, Musa Amadu said: “The federation really appreciates the efforts of the Head Coach and his patience. The Federation despite all our challenges is making everything possible to make him comfortable. Our inability to provide him with his accommodation and car is not deliberate.

    “We are committed to the contract we signed with him, we want to assure all Nigerians and the Coach that within the shortest possible time all these things would be provided.”

    Continuing, the General Secretary said: “Like Keshi has told you, this is not the most important thing he is looking out for now. He has always gotten each and everything he asked for; I think he is focused on grooming a team for Nigeria that will do the country proud at next year’s edition of the Africa Nations Cup holding in South Africa.”

    Amadu spoke at the practise pitch of the Abuja National stadium on Saturday where he was the guest of honour at the friendly football match between the SWAN team (Pen Strikers) and the Fidelity Bank football team. The match ended in favour of the latter.

  • No car, no accommodation:Keshi pleads for understanding

    No car, no accommodation:Keshi pleads for understanding

    Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi has played down on the inability of the NFF to provide him with accommodation and a car almost one year after he assumed duty.

    The Big Boss told SportingLife in Abuja, “I know very well that the NFF is supposed to provide me with these facilities to make my job easy, but I really understand with them, because of the paucity of funds they are facing now. Nigerians also need to understand with them, it is not easy for the Federation, they are striving to keep all the national teams moving, and moreover the funds are not there. I know that, as soon as they have the money they would provide me with those things.

    “But that is not my major concern now. My concern is to return the Eagles to that viable position where they belong to in Africa and the World. Let us go to the Nations Cup and win, qualify for the World Cup, then, I know for sure, that these things would come naturally.”

    The former International also confirmed that the NFF are also working assiduously to ensure that he gets the car and accommodation before the Nations cup “they are working on it, I know that it would ready soon”.

    He confirmed to SportingLife that the team would spend its Christmas and new year festivities in camp here in Abuja. “We would start our camping here in Abuja, before moving Portugal where all the foreign based players would join us for two weeks before we move to South Africa,” he concluded.