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Tag: staff

  • Amosun’s Chief of Staff urges support for governorship ambition

    Mr Tolulope Odebiyi, the Chief of Staff to Ogun

    State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, has begun consultations with various political groups and party chieftains in the All Progressives Congress (APC), especially in Ogun East Senatorial District ahead of the 2019 governorship election.

    Odebiyi met earlier with the Chief Mobiliser of Amosun for Second Term Project, Otunba Babatunde Onakoya (aka Debasco), as well as other party chieftains for their support and blessings to realise his ambition.

    He sought the blessings and support of the APC leader in Leguru Local Government Council Area (LCDA) and Odogbolu Local Government Area.

    The governorship seat has reportedly been zoned to Yewa-Awori in Ogun West Senatorial District.

    Odebiyi noted that success might be hard to achieve, if an aspirant does not consult people widely on the matter.

    On the political significance of every senatorial district in the state, the governor’s aide, who is also the son of the late Senator Jonathan Odebiyi of Iboro-Yewa in Ogun West Senatorial District, hailed Onakoya for his usual support.

    The aspirant urged the APC chieftain to double his efforts ahead of the 2019 governorship poll.

    He said: “I am at home. There’s no division in Ijebu and Yewa. I belong to (the late) Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s family, which makes me a part of Ijebu. The likes of (the late) Baba Bisi Onabanjo, Onasanya, among others, testify that I belong to Ijebu as well. I have fathers here; so, I have no doubt that I am in the midst of my people.

    “I want you all to know that we are working to achieve the best in the standard mission of Governor Amosun’s administration.

    “We have been in the system, we know where the shoe pinches, and I am using this medium to clamour for continuity in Ogun State.

  • Prisons chief to staff: don’t maltreat inmates

    The Controller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) Ja’afaru Ahmed has urged the officers and men of the service to respect the rights of prisoners in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, otherwise called The Mandela Rules.

    Ahmed gave this advice in his address to members of staff of the NPS at the National Headquarters Abuja in a brief ceremony to mark the celebration of the face of freedom, the former President of South African, Nelson Mandela.

    He reiterated the importance of operating within the scope of the Mandela Rules, stating that the Mandela Rules is a collection of guidelines approved by the United Nations in its General Assembly in the 1957 as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Offenders and later updated by the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna in 2015 and renamed The Mandela Rules in appreciation of the contribution of Nelson Mandela in the area of treatment of prisoners.

    In a statement issued by the NPS spokesman, Francis Enobore, the prison boss said that different countries are at different levels of development and as such the compliance to the Rules vary from country to country.

    He conceded, though, that the Nigerian Prisons Service is not a weeping child in this area, pointing out that efforts are being made to improve on services and treatment of prisoners in accordance with the rules.

    The CGP stated that since commencement of his administration, staffers have been given various trainings geared towards the improvement of service delivery.

    He pointed out that through the collaboration of development partners such as the EU, UNODC, PRAWA, UNICEF, etc, the staff of the NPS have are being equipped to face the challenges of modern penal management. In this regard, he noted, a Memorandum of Understanding has recently been signed by the Nigerian Prisons Service on behalf of the Federal Government with the European Union on Deradicalisation programme, which he says is novel due to the fact that terrorism is a new security challenge facing mankind.

    He therefore called on all to take these trainings seriously and be ready to add value to the system and make the world a safer place adding that: “Worthy of note is the current Federal Government financial intervention to address infrastructural gaps that have existed over the years.”

    He stated that modern cells are being constructed in different locations to replace old and dilapidated cells in order to improve living conditions of inmates with emphasis that a 3000 capacity ultra-modern prison with all the requirements for successful reformation of inmates will soon come on stream.

    Ahmed encouraged the members of staff to continue to give the administration support in order to get to the desired height of modern techniques of penal management that can be comparable to any developed country of the world.

  • Benue SUBEB to audit staff

    Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Executive Chairman Rev. Philip Tachin, has inaugurated the state Committee on National Personnel Audit of Public and Private Primary and Junior Secondary Schools.

    Speaking during the inauguration at the SUBEB’s headquarters in Makurdi, the state capital, Tachin charged the committee to identify challenges of inadequate education data for effective implementation of programmes in the Basic Education sub-sector.

    “It is the desire of the Federal Government to carry out the Personnel Audit in all the 36 states, including Benue,’’ he said, adding that the aim is to obtain comprehensive and reliable data on children; to obtain the number and qualification of teaching and non-teaching staff, to determine key performance indicators and to generate data for effective National and Global reportage in the Basic Education Sub-sector.

    Members of the committee, include the state Director, National Population Commission, Mr Amee Tser; state Chairman, Parent-Teacher Association, Mr Benjamin Dugeri; representative of Quality Evaluator, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Janet Angwe; Tyoor Mbatsen of Konshisha Local Government, and Zaki Nder Kuhwa. They appreciated the SUBEB’s management for finding them worthy to serve, promising to put in their best for the good of the Benue child.

     

  • 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.

  • Workers Day: Censors Board chief assures of staff welfare

    Newly appointed Executive Director of National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Mr. Adedayo Thomas has assured members of the Radio, Television, Theatre, and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) of Nigeria a welfare befitting of their sacrifice.

    Thomas, in his message on Workers Day, stated that without the workers who implement governments’ ideas and policies, things would be difficult.

    He said: “I wish the esteemed members of the entire Nigeria labour force, with special extension to those in my constituency, the Radio, Television, Theatre, and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) of Nigeria; Happy Workers Day. The day reminds us as a nation that without the workers pushing the frontiers of the implementation of our ideas and policies, nothing would have worked and could work.”

    While noting the commitment of the present administration to uplift the living condition and work standards workers, he urged Nigerian workers to use the day to reflect on what posterity will say about their disposition to nation building.

    “While our workers struggle for welfare and improved conditions of service, I urge them to rededicate themselves to their responsibilities and commitment to uplifting the nation in their individual and joint capacities.

    “I hereby use this occasion to reiterate my commitment to the welfare of the Nigerian workers,” he said.

  • Kano KEDCO rewards staff

    Kano KEDCO rewards staff

    Hard work has paid off for staff members of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO). The management team of the power distribution firm led by its Regional Manager, Mr. Abubakar Jimeta gave out plaques and cash to over 15 staff.

    It all happened at the Royal Tropicana Hotel where guests were treated to food, wine, and some music to go with it.

    Speaking during the event, the elated Jimeta expressed happiness that his staff, saying they have continued to make him proud as they made it possible for Kano Central region to stand tall among other regions in KEDCO in terms of service delivery and revenue collection. Jimeta further hailed the award recipients for putting in their best and making the company more efficient in service delivery.

    He said the event was organised to reward the recipients for the excellent performance and also motivate them to put in their best at their various departments and units.

    Jimeta said: “We are doing this today in recognition of your hard work, excellent performance and loyalty to the goals and objectives of KEDCO. You have done a lot for this company, and so, there is the need to reward your excellence and ginger you to do even more for the development of KEDCO. We are the engine room of KEDCO. There is something special about Kano Central and Kano Central alone can change the fortune of KEDCO. Since September last year, we have worked hard. So, I will want every single award that is given out today to be a step forward. Let us keep on doing the good work, let us keep on encouraging ourselves and we will grow and grow and continue to grow. When you work hard, the result will come, the reward will come. We know everyone here and we know how hard all of us are working to keep KEDCO moving. We shall continue to push, until we get there,” he stated.

    Also speaking during the event, KEDCO’s Chief Operation Officer, Mr. Rahul Sighn commended the management team for coming up with the idea of rewarding hard work and unique achievements. He congratulated the entire staff of Kano Central Region for their success in terms of productivity and commended the initiative drive of management of the region in terms of excellent service delivery.

  • Censors Board: Adedayo allays fears of RATTAWU on staff wellbeing

    Censors Board: Adedayo allays fears of RATTAWU on staff wellbeing

    ASSURING the leadership of Radio, Television, Theatre, and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) of Nigeria of President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to political appointees on the need to maintain industrial harmony in their parastatals, new Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Mr. Adedayo Thomas, noted that staff welfare will be one of the top priorities of the NFVCB under his watch.

    Thomas was responding to an appeal by the National President of RATTAWU, Comrade Kabir Garba Tsanni, who led the Union executives on a courtesy call to the Censors Board chief in Abuja, on Wednesday.

    Comrade Tsanni who acknowledged the sensitive role of the NFVCB in safeguarding the values of the society, enthused that films were carriers of values which no society should neglect. He informed the management of the Board that his delegation came to seek the understanding of the Board on the need for continuing staff training and labour-friendly work environment.

    National General Secretary of the union, Comrade Akpausoh Akpausoh, had earlier praised the ED and the Board for being labour and gender-friendly in the composition of the management of the Board and their relationship with staff.

    Although Thomas lamented the financial challenges faced by the Board, he assured of his commitment to make the organisation stable and buoyant in executing its statutory roles. He maintained that despite the operational constraints of the Board, he was able to, within few days of assumption of office; influence the approval of promotion for some staff members with the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    He however, urged the union to help enlighten staff of the Board to resume by 8am and close by 4pm on every work day, so as to adhere to their part of the contract with the government.

  • ‘I consider my staff as equal partners’

    ‘I consider my staff as equal partners’

    Mrs. Temie Giwa Tunbosun is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lifebank Group, which provides blood for hospitals especially in cases of emergencies. In this interview with Bukola Aroloye, she speaks on her vision for the company and her management style. Excerpts:

    Can you tell us about yourself?

    I’m 31 years old and a mother. I’m a Nigerian but was raised in the United States. I was born in Osun State where I grew up. I lived in Ilesa and Port Harcourt. My dad taught in the university and when I was about 14 years old, I left Nigeria for the US. Five years ago, I decided to come back home after working at the World Health Organisation (WHO) and all over the world. I felt I should come back home and have been here ever since with my son and husband.

    The idea of a lifebank is really alien to us. What is the difference between your type of bank and the commercial banking system?

    The commercial banks saves your money. When you go there, they keep your money for a while. Our type of bank keeps your life safe. We feel that life is valuable and every life is bankable in Africa and is worth saving. We make sure not a single person dies for what could have been prevented. The reason I started this company is very simple. Every year, about 26,000 Nigerian women die from hemorrhage meaning they have a baby after which they start bleeding. When hospitals cannot stop the bleeding, they eventually die. That is one of the highest causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria. Children who die from malaria don’t really die from the sickness, it’s the anemia from malaria that kills them. One of the sure ways to stop anemia from malaria is to transfuse and make sure the person can continue living and kill the virus.

    Death from major surgery, kidney disease, people with sickle cell anemia are caused by lack of blood bank in Nigeria. So many people die because they couldn’t get access to oxygen. When children have anemia and needs oxygen but the hospitals doesn’t have, they die. So Lifebank is a medical provider that provides essential medical products required to save lives. Those essential medical products are blood, platelets, plasma, oxygen, vaccines. Those things need to be brought to the hospital faster. For us at Lifebank, that’s what we deliver. It is faster, cheaper and safer.

    What has been the response from Nigerians to Lifebank?

    If I hadn’t left Nigeria, I wouldn’t have started this because I would have believed that Nigerians would not support it. Nigerians are the most loving and ready to give out free. I have been surprised that people have responded to this business positively.

    What has been government response?

    It has been mixed. Some state governments are buying into it and want me to bring the business to their states. We have states like Osun and Oyo but there are some state governments who are not so keen. However we believe as we grow, more state governments would turn to us.

    Where do you see Lifebank in the next five years?

    Lifebank would be an amazing company. We are going to save many lives. We wish to be in every big city in Africa. We are going to be in Accra, Cairo, Johannesburg, Nairobi and Kigali and other cities.

    How do you source for these bloods?

    We have tech and servicing companies. We have suppliers who are basically bloodbanks whose jobs are to find people donating blood, test it and keep it safe pending the time someone will need it. We have 30 suppliers and we know where most of the bloods in Lagos are. We have logistics system where when hospitals discover blood on our platform, we go and pick the blood and deliver to them.

    Can you tell us specifically what motivated you to start this kind of business?

    When I was about 22 years old, I came back to Nigeria for the first time since I left and I was working in Kano, Kaduna and Jigawa. My team and I were in a small village outside Kano and we found a young girl who had been in labour for three days. Everyone around her was just waiting for her to die because there was nothing they could do for her. So I had a very bad reaction to it and was depressed for weeks. I couldn’t leave my hotel room and cried. It was the first time for me to see the human cause of bad development. She was 24year old then. She lived but the baby had died inside her. I couldn’t stop thinking about her so after I left Nigeria, the situation really affected me. I had my child in the US though it was difficult as I almost died. I was so lucky to have access to health care so I decided I was going to use my life to help women.

    You have been working with a team so tell us what has been your management style?

    I have two ideas about management of people in Nigeria. There are some people who require you to be their friends and talk to them and there are those who want to be alone and deliver their objectives. My management style depends on the people I’m dealing with. Sometimes I’m serious, sometimes I’m funny. I try to be flexible. I don’t think managers should have one management style so you need to be flexible and adapt your management style to fit different people. I’m very free with them. I believe I can’t build a company alone and can’t even do 10 percent of what the company needs. There are people who will do the rest 90%. I see them as my co-founders because they help me build the company. I’m free in terms of comparing myself with other Nigerian bosses. My workers know how much we make and how much we pay out. This is because I want them to feel ownership of the company. They should see it as their company. I treat people with respect.

    How do you motivate your staff?

    We’re a young team and don’t have lots of money so I can’t use money to motivate them. I treat them with respect and very respectful of their time. I make sure they understand the vision of Lifebank. We’re not selling shoes and bags but what we do every day is safe people’s lives. It’s high stakes. So for them to understand the vision, they need to feel like super heroes and feel like they come to work every day saving people’s lives from the sales person to the admin and technical persons; they’re here to save lives.

    What is your philosophy?

    I have different philosophies for various stages of my life. In terms of my work, my philosophy is that there should be a difference between impact and social value. Companies who make money and bring impact to people’s lives are the ones that will survive. I don’t think companies who are obsessed with just money will survive. My thesis is that there shouldn’t be a division between companies who are saving lives and companies who are there making. Money that is why we built Lifebank.

    Technology is going to help deliver very good services without lots of money. Nigeria is broke and this is an opportunity for us in terms of what new ideas and opportunities we’re going to introduce. If in the past, to start a new hospital without technology costs N10million, with technology, you’re going to spend N5million to start one now. Having a recession is an opportunity to restart and do something better.

    Can you tell us the most toughest decision you have taken on the job?

    Letting go some staff that are not good for the company is my toughest decision.  I consider my staff as family members so firing a family member is not easy especially when they are nice and are not terrible people and have not stolen anything but are not competent in terms of the position they hold.

    What has been your most favorable decision?

    Every day I come to work is amazing because I get to do different things. I know that everything I do goes into saving someone. I don’t know who they are but knowing that everything we do is going to save someone is incredible.

    What makes you tick?

    Being useful to my community makes me tick. I have lived a privileged life and I have always been sure that with the privileges that I have had, there is a deep responsibility to dedicate my life to making my community better. I use all of the privileges life have given me to possibly drag my country into a better way of doing things.

    What attracts you to people?   

    I like kind and diligent people.

    What has been your husband’s impact on your business?

    My husband has been fantastic. We are partners in our lives. In terms of business, we are co-founders and he helps me in terms of my work. We are lucky to have each other because he is very supportive. He looks after me.

    How do you unwind despite your busy schedules?

    I like to read and swim.

  • Govt to review staff housing plots for corporate organisations

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA) will review plots of land allocated to corporate organizations meant for staff housing that have not been developed.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello disclosed this in Abuja while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Bayo Onanuga and some officials of his organization who paid the Minister a working visit.

    Onanuga said that the review had become necessary as some of these organizations have been unable to develop the plots of land, in some cases, some of them no longer exist as at today.

    According to him, “the FCT Administration will review allocations of plots meant for organizations’ staff houses for eventual re-allocation to more serious and capable organizations.”

    Bello revealed that his Administration is also working on a blueprint to come up with informal markets to take care of street hawkers that are being taken off the streets.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director / Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule,  the minister said that when the activities of street hawkers are adequately contained and alternative provided, the measure would go a long way in reducing traffic congestion in the city.

    The Minister decried the activities of vandals in the Federal Capital Territory; saying that funds drained to replace cables and other public facilities vandalized are so enormous and can better be utilized in providing other services that are begging for attention.

    The Minister assured that his Administration is determined to take Abuja back to the desire of its founding fathers and noted that high-level security has been achieved in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Speaking earlier, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Bayo Onanuga lauded the efforts of the FCT Administration for being able to achieve a lot of developmental strides especially in the areas of security and completion of abandoned road projects around the Federal Capital City despite the lean resources available.

    The Managing Director said that his team was in the FCTA to deepen their relationship for mutual benefits and also requested for a plot of land to build NAN Village for staff houses.

  • Ikeja Electric alarmed over attacks on staff

    Ikeja Electric alarmed over attacks on staff

    Ikeja Electric has decried the increasing spate of violent attacks on its members of staff by some hostile customers.

    The company’s Head, Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue, expressed shock at the level of violence towards members of staff of electricity distribution companies, citing a recent malicious incident at Akowonjo, Lagos, where an aggrieved woman allegedly stabbed a staffer of Ikeja Electric while discharging his official duties.

    He said: “It is quite disheartening that a customer will resort to such level of violence under any circumstance, to express her grievance without even considering the enormity of the action, which could have easily resulted in murder if the member of staff had died. This is appalling and totally unacceptable.”

    Ofulue stated that on a frequent basis, the field staff are attacked by aggrieved customers on matters, which are completely beyond the control of the distribution company (DisCo), such as the worsening power situation in the country.