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Tag: Susan Oluwole

  • Ahmed to implement N30,000 minimum wage

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has promised to implement the N30,000 minimum wage as soon as it is passed into law.

    Recently, the governor signed a memorandum of understanding on the implementation with labour leaders in the state.

    Accordingly, the governor approved the establishment of a committee on the implementation of wage

    At the inauguration of the 10-member committee on Wednesday in Ilorin, the state capital, the State Head of Service, Mrs Susan Oluwole charged the committee to work out modalities for the implementation of increased minimum wage in the state.

    She said that “the committee is expected to among other things look at various funding windows, smooth implementation of N30, 000 minimum wage and work out an actionable plan for the implementation of the minimum wage in the state once passed into law.”

    Mrs. Oluwole, who reiterated the determination of the state government to implement the new Minimum Wage, renewed the government’s commitment to ensuring improved welfare of the state workforce.

    The committee has the State Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Alhaji Wasiu Odewale as Chairman while the Director of Establishment and Pension in the Office of Head of Service will serve as the Secretary.

    Read Also: Ahmed calls for revival of reading culture

    Other members of the committee are the Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Training, Permanent Secretary, Service and Welfare, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), State Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Chairman, Joint Negotiation Council.

    But group known as Kwara Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability (Kwara-CGGA) described the governor’s decision as a campaign gimmick.

    In a statement, Secretary General of the group, Hassan Omoiya, said that neither Ahmed nor his political family has a history of honouring agreements.

    The statement reads: “The MOU is a familiar campaign gimmick from a governor who couldn’t faithfully implement the 18,000 National Minimum Wage. It is one thing to make a promise. It is another thing for the fellow making the promise to be believable,” Omoiya said.

    “Of course, the governor doesn’t have any record of fulfilling any pact with not just the labor but the entire people of Kwara. If you can’t pay 18,000 minimum wage, how do you plan to pay 30,000? The governor should first implement the 18,000 minimum wage, including the arrears of same since 2011, and then the suffering workers may consider his latest pledge.  What is the worth of an MOU that is certain to be ignored?! If you can’t pay minimum wage with a N190bn budget, how would you pay it through a N150bn budget? It is a case of wanting to fool the people twice. Our people are no fools!

    “As we speak, several categories of workers in Kwara — serving and retired — are being owed up to 11 months in salaries, pensions and gratuities arrears. These include but are not limited to workers across local government, water corporation, sports council,  Harmony Transport Service and Kwara Football Academy. What about the dubious deduction of workers’ pay against which no one dares to talk?

    “The truth is that the people of Kwara are completely fed up with the deceitful political tendency that Governor Ahmed represents and, given its interesting history of never honouring its words and humiliating our people, no amount of latter-day promise can avert the imminent punishment awaiting them at the polls.”

     

  • Ahmed appoints six permanent secretaries

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved the appointment of six new permanent secretaries in the state.
    In a statement by the state Head of Service Mrs. Susan Oluwole, said the new appointees replace six permanent secretaries who had earlier retired from service after meritorious service to the state.
    She said Governor Ahmed approved the appointment based on the need fill the gap created by the retirements in order to sustain effective, efficient and affective service delivery.

    Read Also: Ahmed picks senate’s nomination form

    Mrs Oluwole listed the new permanent secretaries as Alhaji Tunde Shuaib Aremu, Alhaji Opeloyeru Ganiyu Olanrewaju, Mr. Amos Adegboyega Odetokun, Alhaji Sambo Mogaji, Alhaji Akanbi Oke, Mrs. Adams Maimuna Nnayanbidi
    The Head of Service congratulated the new permanent secretaries and urged them to continue to uphold the diligence which recommended them for appointment.
    The  new permanent secretaries will be sworn-in at a date to be announced later.

  • NYSC  tasks employers on welfare, security of corps members

    Mr Remigius Amaefule, the State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Scheme ( NYSC )  in Kwara,  has advised employers to make the  welfare and security of corps members deployed to them their  priority.

    The coordinator gave the advice on Wednesday at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area, at the closing ceremony of the 2018 Batch ‘A’ orientation course.

    He said the 1,940 corps members were posted according to their disciplines across the 16 local government areas of the state based on the NYSC policy.

    “I wish to state categorically that the optimum welfare and security of our corps members is paramount to us.

    “Therefore, we shall not hesitate to repost any of our corps members from any corps employers  if we discover they are not well taken care of, or are under-utilised,” Amaefule said.

    The coordinator also implored the corps members to accept their posting in good faith, warning them not to induce their rejection.

    “My appeal to you is to settle down in your respective local government areas and contribute your own quota to the development of our great nation, Nigeria, through Community Development Service Projects ( CDS ),” he said.

    The coordinator also advised the corps members to make use of the skill acquisition ventures that they were exposed to during the three-week orientation course.

    “You are ambassadors of your families, state and NYSC, never do anything that will bring their names to disrepute.

    “I advise you not to embark on unauthorised journeys outside the state as it may attract sanctions apart from other associated risks,” he added.

    Amaefule encouraged the corps members to study the culture and tradition of their host communities.

    “You must as a matter of courtesy respect their norms and values and steer clear of their taboos and local politics,” he said.

    Read Also: Disclose health status, NYSC DG urges corps members

    The coordinator commended the state government for the donation of 300 mattresses, 300 plastic chairs and 150 double bunk beds.

    “I also appreciate the State Muslim Welfare Board and the Osun State NYSC for releasing some mattresses to us at a time we were in dire need,” he said.

    In his address, Govcommended the corps members for the successful completion of the 21- day orientation course.

    The governor, represented by the Head of Service, Mrs Susan Oluwole, saluted the courage, patriotism, doggedness and loyalty demonstrated throughout the orientation exercise by the corps members.

    “As you set out to go and report at your places of primary assignment, I urge you to follow the indelible footprints of your predecessors by acting as catalysts of physical and socio-economic development of our state and nation in general,” he said.

    The governor advised the corps members to make use of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development initiative with the hope that many of them might be motivated  to go into self-employment after service.

    Ahmed told the corps members that in as much as government at all levels was making effort to solve the perennial unemployment problem among Nigerian youths, the few opportunities cannot go round.

    “Therefore, it behoves on you to take advantage of your service year to prepare yourselves toward  self-employment and becoming eventual employers of labour,” he  said.

    He assured the corps members of his government’s readiness to place more priority on their welfare and security throughout the service year.

    “No stone will be left upturned in ensuring that you have a smooth and hitch-free service in the state.

    “The state government will continue to improve facilities in the orientation camp in order to make it more habitable for the ever-increasing corps population,” he said.  

    NAN

  • NYSC sanctions eight corps members in Kwara with service extension

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ), in Kwara, has sanctioned eight corps members serving in the state for various offences they committed during the service year. 

    NYSC State Coordinator,  Mr Amafuele Remigius, made this known on Thursday in Ilorin during the Passing Out parade ( POP ) of the 2017 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 of the scheme at the Metropolitan Square. 

    He said a total of 1, 790 corps members passed out after a year national service to the nation, adding that eight corps members would serve an extension for various offences.

    The coordinator said three corps members received the prestigious ‘NYSC State Honors Award.’

    “On a sad note, we lost one of the outgoing corps members while on national service,” the coordinator said.

    The State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, speaking at the passing out parade, enjoined the outgoing corps members to make use of the skill they had acquired during the service year.

    The governor, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mrs Susan Oluwole, commended the corps members for the successful completion of the compulsory national service. 

    Ahmed advised the corps members to look inward and bring to use all the various skills they were taught with the aim of becoming employers of labour, rather than seeking white collar jobs that were not available.

    He wished them success in their future endeavours and extended the appreciation of the host communities where they did their primary assignments.

    The governor’s representative later presented awards to the three corps members nominated for NYSC State Award.

    NAN

  • NOA begins nationwide campaign on ‘Building People of Peace’

    NOA begins nationwide campaign on ‘Building People of Peace’

    The National Orientation Agency ( NOA ) has commenced a nationwide campaign tagged “Building a People of Peace’’ to foster harmonious relationship among Nigerians.

    The Kwara State Coordinator of NOA, Mr Olusegun Adeyemi, made the disclosure on Monday while delivering his speech at the flag off of the programme in Ilorin.

    He said the campaign was to foster peace in homes, workplaces and religious organisations.

    “Let me reiterate the fact that peace and harmonious living are the sine quo non for development, economic growth and well being of all and sundry.

    “Peace is an issue that cannot be over emphasised because without it, the society will experience crisis and be in chaos without achieving any developmental goals,’’ Adeyemi said.

    The NOA coordinator called on all stakeholders to play vital role in building peace, especially at a time when hate speeches and separatist agitations were being fuelled by selfish Nigerians.

    Kwara State Head of Service, Mrs Susan Oluwole, who spoke at the event, said equity and tolerance were necessary for peace and harmonious relationship and in building heterogeneous society.

    “To achieve cordial and peaceful relationship in the society, we should shun tribalism, favouritism, injustice and other vices,” she said.

    Oluwole called on civil servants to be committed to their duties and adhere to laid down rules and regulations governing their jobs.

    She urged NOA not to relent in the sensitisation of the public on issues that would promote peace in the society.

    The Guest Speaker, Prof. Isaac Albert, Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, said Nigerians must respect their socio-cultural and religious differences in order to build a strong and peaceful nation.

    He said: “we are not created to think and act the same way, therefore we must recognise the contributions and opinions of every citizen in Nigeria.

    “The country is diversified with different cultural and socio-political settings which tolerance and respect for one another must be factor of consideration to achieve peace.”

    NAN