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Tag: welfare

  • Senior lawyer seeks continuous improvement in judges’ welfare

    Senior lawyer seeks continuous improvement in judges’ welfare

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Ogwu James Onoja has urged governments to ensure the continuous improvement in welfare and working conditions of judges to enhance their commitment to prompt justice delivery.

    Onoja, who noted that the Judiciary was a key institution in the sustenance of democratic governance, argued that judges and their support staff ought to always be provided with all the need to function effectively.

    He spoke in Abuja at the unveiling of a new printing press, owned by the Bar and Bench Publishing Limited.

    The event was witnessed by  former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onoghen, the Minister for Special Duties  and Inter-governmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Jisalo, Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyrjeocha and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho.

    Also at the event were the Chief Judge of the HIgh Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Huseini Baba Yusuf;  Justices Inyang Ekwo, James  Omotosho and Peter Lifu (all of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Onoja said that since the inception of democratic governance in 1999, Nigerian judges have been up and doing in the determination of millions of political cases that have greatly sustained and stabilized democratic norms for the nation.

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    He added that most of the volatile political cases capable of setting the country apart were amicably resolved to the satisfaction of the aggrieved parties.

    The senior lawyer, who expressed concern about the rising cases of ritual killings for monetary purposes among the youth population and appealed to the older generation to rise to the challenge by campaigning against the barbaric act.

    He added: “Nigeria was not like this before, Nigerian citizens were living without fraud and criminalities.

    “We were good neighbuors to each other in the past, whatever is responsible for this wanton killings for money purposes and economic crimes must be immediately jettisoned. We must have faith in this country no matter the challenges and the circumstances”

    Onoja , who is the promoter of the Bar and Bench Publishing Ltd, said the new facility was the third of such owned by the company.

    Speakers, Justice Onnoghen and Jisalo described Onoja as a reliable and trustworthy fellow,  and commended him for the success of the project.

  • A wake-up call for social welfare reform

    A wake-up call for social welfare reform

    • By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

    Sir: The series of stampedes across the country that have resulted in the deaths of over 60 people, including children scrambling for food palliatives, have highlighted the severity of hunger, poverty and desperation among Nigerians.

    Thirty-five people, mostly children, died during a stampede at a carnival in Ibadan, Oyo State. Few days later, 22 people were killed during a stampede in Okija, Anambra State while participating in the sharing of rice donated by entrepreneur, Ernest Obiejesi, popularly known as Obijackson. Another 10 persons died, and several others were injured on the same day during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Maitama District of Abuja.

    These avoidable tragedies highlight the systemic failures of certain government institutions in formulating effective policies, implementing meaningful economic reforms, and developing robust social welfare programs to address the underlying challenges plaguing our nation.

    While the president attributes the recent stampedes to poor organization by the palliative distributors, his remarks fail to acknowledge the broader systemic failures that have created these conditions.  The neglect of social safety nets and the absence of sustainable poverty alleviation programs have left the poor with no choice but to risk their lives for a bag of rice or a few groceries.

    Despite being plagued by scandals under successive ministers, including Sadiya Umar Farouq and Betta Edu, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (FMHAPA) could have potentially averted the tragic stampede for palliatives if its lofty missions and mandates had been properly implemented.

    The Humanitarian Ministry has sadly become a symbol of inefficiency and corruption, further eroding public trust in government interventions. These shortcomings have undermined its ability to address the nation’s growing humanitarian crises, leaving vulnerable populations without the support they desperately need.

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    National security, as rightly noted, extends far beyond military capabilities and advanced weaponry. True security lies in ensuring that citizens have access to food, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. Hunger and poverty pose as much of a threat to national stability as armed insurgencies, demanding urgent political will and strategic foresight.

    The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), under Malam Nuhu Ribadu, must lead a coordinated and holistic approach to national security. Efforts across critical sectors such as agriculture, economic development, emergency response, and intelligence must be integrated into a strategic framework aimed at protecting citizens from socio-economic vulnerabilities. Ending these systemic social disasters requires strong leadership, unwavering political will, and a commitment to poverty alleviation.

    The government must prioritize tangible programs that uplift the masses. This includes expanding access to welfare schemes that guarantee basic necessities like food, healthcare, and education; investing in skills acquisition and job creation to provide sustainable livelihoods; and establishing transparent, efficient mechanisms for distributing food and essential items to prevent fatal stampedes.

    Ministries and agencies tasked with poverty alleviation must undergo a thorough overhaul to eliminate corruption and ensure the efficient delivery of services. Enhancing agricultural production and expanding the value chain are also critical steps toward making food more accessible and affordable for all Nigerians.

    While economic reforms are essential for long-term growth, the government must implement measures to mitigate their immediate impact on vulnerable populations. This includes subsidies, tax reliefs, and price stabilization policies to shield the poor from the harshest effects of reforms.

    The tragic stampedes and rising death tolls are a sobering reminder of the urgent need for systemic reforms. The government must confront the structural inequalities and flawed economic policies that perpetuate hunger and poverty.

    To restore hope and dignity to its people, Nigeria must prioritize collective security across economic, social, and political dimensions. The tragedies in Ibadan, Okija, and Abuja should serve as a wake-up call, compelling leaders and citizens alike to demand accountability and advocate for a nation where no one has to risk their life for a bag of rice.

    •Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi,

    Kano.

  • Council chief to prioritise welfare of the vulnerable, others

    Council chief to prioritise welfare of the vulnerable, others

    Chairman of Epe Local Government of Lagos State, Princess Surah Animashaun, has assured the vulnerable, aged and people living with disabilities (PLWD), of her support to ensure their wellness, well-being and welfare are prioritised.

     Princess Animashaun spoke at a stakeholders’ sensitisation and advocacy for Epe.

    It was  “an initiative of Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (Social Protection Coordination Department), in collaboration with Social-Functional Media and UNICEF, at the Secretariat, Ita-Marun, Epe, Lagos State.

     She said her commitment to driving programmes and policies to prioritise social protection and uplift lives is sacrosanct, saying together, they would build a future where residents can access opportunities that empower and inspire. She said: “This event is a beacon of hope for our people and a step toward advancing social protection policies to prioritise welfare of the most vulnerable.

    ‘‘The programme is aimed at creating awareness, foster dialogue, and strengthen the framework for social inclusion and development.’’

     Princess Animashaun appreciated the government for driving the initiative.

     She also hailed UNICEF and Socio-Functional Media for their support and partnership.

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     The council chief said their collaboration was a testament to what can be achieved when governments and international organisations work for the the people.

     She said: “We must salute the leadership of Lagos State governor as well as the ministry, international organisation and others for their support and for recognising importance of vulnerables in our society.

     “I urge the people of Epe division and other organisations not to ostracise the vulnerable from our society.”

     The sessions were enlightening and impactful, with discussions centred on strategies to ensure no one is left behind in the shared vision for sustainable growth and equitable opportunities.

     Stakeholders from the sectors came together to deliberate on how they can empower individuals, families, and communities through targeted social protection interventions.

  • Welfare: NCoS supported 924 personnel with N778.12m in 2023, says Nababa

    Welfare: NCoS supported 924 personnel with N778.12m in 2023, says Nababa

    The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said it spent N778.12 million on the welfare of 924 serving, retired, and deceased personnel of the service in 2023.

    Its Controller General Haliru Nababa said this at a ceremony to mark the 18th anniversary of the Correctional Welfare Insurance Scheme (CWIS) yesterday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop is: Renewed Hope Agenda and the Impact of Correctional Welfare Insurance Scheme on the NCoS Family.

    Nababa said the theme of the workshop presented the real essence of the scheme as a beacon of respite, support and succour for its members.

    The NCoS controller general said the current harsh economic realities had made life almost unbearable.

    He added that it was imperative “to ensure that we grow and keep the scheme at an optimal performance level”.

    Nababa promised that his administration would continue to emphasise the importance of staff welfare in its drive to move the service to a higher level.

    “This is a product of our conviction that without a highly motivated work force, not so much can be achieved in any organisation.

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    “In keeping with our commitment for enhanced staff welfare, the scheme, between January and December 2023, disbursed N232,500,280 million as death claims to respective Next-of-Kin of 163 deceased officers.

    “For those who sustained various degrees of injuries in the line of duty, medical claims amounting to N71,391,017 million were paid to 275 personnel.

    “Furthermore, 483 retirees got their retirement claims, totalling N474,236,874 million. In total, 924 beneficiaries received N778,128,171 million within the period under review,” he said.

    Nababa explained that the score card was a remarkable testament to the vibrancy of the scheme, which had been an effective employee financial support system.

    “Hence, we will go all out to ensure that CWIS continues to grow stronger and better for our collective benefits,” he added.

    The controller general expressed appreciation to the contributors for their continuous sacrifice and understanding, saying the scheme remained the cornerstone of the NIS success.

  • ‘Good governance will enhance people’s welfare’

    ‘Good governance will enhance people’s welfare’

    Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda has reiterated that offering good governance that will enhance the welfare of the people and also accelerating the development of the state.

    The Governor who made the above disclosure yesterday in Katsina, while declaring open an orientation program for members of the Katsina State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries and other top government functionaries, at the Presidential Banquet Hall inside the Katsina Government House, said the orientation program was designed to ensure that the masses are kept abreast of the policies and programs of the Katsina State Government under him.

    He maintained that his administration since coming on board, has embraced transparency and accountability in discharging its responsibilities to the people of the state.

    He said: “The orientation program was organized to equip Katsina Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Government Agencies with the requisite knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their roles as public servants’’.

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    “This auspicious orientation program will afford you all an opportunity to learn about the values and principles that would guide your actions, while evolving strategies that will help to reposition our public service. Therefore, I am urging you all to approach your works with a strong sense of duty, and always prioritize the interest of our dear state and its citizens, above any other thing”.

    Radda, who identified public servants as the backbone of every government, described their role in fostering good governance as immeasurable.

    He reminded his cabinet members and other participants of the orientation event that their dedication, confidence and integrity are paramount in ensuring that government services are delivered efficiently, with utmost professionalism.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Garba Faskari, said the orientation programme would guide the participants on the rudiments of their administrative responsibilities as Heads of various Katsina Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.

  • Inadequate funding hampering social welfare for vulnerable Nigerians

    Inadequate funding hampering social welfare for vulnerable Nigerians

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu said on Friday that inadequate funding for critical justice and social welfare institutions was hampering their ability to effectively carry out their mandates thereby compromising the welfare of most citizens, especially the vulnerable ones.

    Speaking at a meeting with a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme and European Union, on the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme  Phase 2, said adequate funding is the lifeblood of any institution, especially those that are responsible for upholding the rule of law and ensuring the welfare of citizens.

    He commended the RoLAC Programme’s commitment to ensuring proper funding for these institutions and enhancing access to rights and justice for women, children, and vulnerable persons in Nigeria.

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    He informed his guests that rights based legislations enacted by the National Assembly include Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Discrimination Against Persons Prohibition Act, saying that these legislations were born out of the need to ensure justice, equality, and protection of the most vulnerable citizens in our society.

     He assured of budgetary decisions that would prioritize the funding of these institutions and proper oversight to guarantee that rights-based legislations are implemented, while pledging the support of the National Assembly and strategic collaboration, adding that it can lead to a more just society where the rights of all citizens are upheld and justice is accessible to everyone.

  • I remain committed to workers’ welfare, says Akeredolu

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has pledged his administration’s commitment to the promotion of civil servants’ welfare.

    The governor, who addressed reporters at the weekend in Akure, the state capital, recalled that he pledged to run a worker-friendly government during the electioneering period in 2016.

    He said the pledge informed his decision to pay the inherited salaries owed by the immediate-past administration.

    When Akeredolu assumed office in February, last year, the state’s civil servants were being owed seven months’ salary arrears.

    But his administration is currently up-to-date in the payment of salaries to the workers, while four of the seven months’ arrears have be cleared.

    He promised to pay the remaining three months’ arrears soon.

    Akeredolu said: “It is only a wicked leader who will deny workers their entitlements. To us, our intention is to serve the people and make their entitlements our priority.

    “We have not owed our able workers a dime since we assumed office and we are not ready to owe them, no matter what happens.”

    The governor recently approved the promotion of deserving workers to their next levels as part of his administration’s commitment to workers’ progress.

    He also elevated 16 deserving senior civil servants to the position of permanent secretary at once.

    Within the same period, Akeredolu equally approved about N943 million as car and housing loans for interested workers to boost their morale.

    Last week, civil servants in Ondo State got credit alerts for the payment of last year’s leave bonus.

    Describing the civil servants as partners in progress, Akeredolu also sought their continued cooperation.

    He urged them to always approach issues with painstaking dialogue.

  • Amosun: my govt committed to workers’ welfare

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said his administration paid more attention to serving and retired workers than any other past administration in the state.

    The governor stated this at an interactive session with stakeholders during a town hall meeting on next year’s budget at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the state capital.

    He noted that while the immediate past government in the state paid N3.9 billion as monthly workers’ salary, his administration pays between N8 billion and N9 billion monthly while retired permanent secretaries earn a monthly pension of N400,000, compared to the previous N40,000 they were collecting.

    Amosun said some pensioners were collecting N200 monthly pension, adding that with the regularisation of his administration, the least paid pensioner gets N5,000 monthly.

    He said: “We have upgraded the monthly pension of our former workers to N5,000. Some of them were collecting as low as N200 and N300 monthly before. So, the lowest take-home for any pensioner now is N5,000.”

    The Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Alhaji Bashir Ashiru, hailed the state government for being good to pensioners.

    A statement by Gbemisola Akanbi of the Ministry of Finance said the event was attended by stakeholders from the formal and informal sectors.

    Also, Amosun reassured the people that his administration would accelerate work on road projects that have been awarded as soon as the rains subside.

  • School parleys parents on welfare, pornography

    The management of Trinity International College, Ofada in Ogun State, gathered parents of its pupils last weekend to discuss welfare issues, include the touchy issue of pornography among teenagers, during the school’s parents’ forum.

    Chairman, board of governors, Pastor Samuel Olatunji, said the school could not raise the pupils alone without the active participation of their parents.

    Olatunji advised the parents of both new and returning pupils in attendance to work with the school to boost their wards’ academic, moral and social wellbeing.

    “Experts’ findings reveal that the school, the teacher and the parents are the major factors that influence academic performance of students. Learning infrastructures are important, teachers are more important, but the home front is far more important. Parents have a lot of influence in educational attainment of their children. Their overarching influence cannot be measured.  And so, we urge you to be visible in your child’s total development. Monitor and challenge your children with incentives to do great.

    “This is a partnership and you have a role to play. It is a new academic session, and as our tradition, we always pause and reflect on our journey by demanding accountability from every stakeholder. Feel free to contact the school, make suggestions and meaningful criticisms. We have confidence in moral certainty, our values, as institution cannot be compromised. Our curriculum is robust and inclusive to ensure our children go out there balanced and prepared in life. We are reputable for combining academic excellence with spiritual and moral uprightness,” he said.

    In an interview, the Administrator of the college, Mrs Titilayo Akintemi, said that parental role goes beyond paying school fees.

    “We need to work together with parents. Parenting is not only about paying school fees. It is more than that. We live in a pervasive world; things have changed a great deal. While we do our part in school to ensure wellbeing of these youngsters, parents should partner with us and make their moral wellbeing a priority, especially when they are on holidays,” he said.

    The talk of pornography was handled by Mrs Gbemisola Agbato, founder of Solid Foundation Ministry.

    Mrs Agbato, presentation on “Pornography: The Impact on Adolescents and it’s Remedies,” was an eye opener for the parents in which she detailed how to detect if their wards had become addicted to pornography, effects and remedies.

    “If your child is easily irritated, agitated and preferred to be left alone with his or her laptops or cell phones, watch him/her closely. Pick up their cell phones, check their text messages, friends and conversations on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and other applications. Help guide your children or they will be lost. A lot is happening on social media, even under your roof if you don’t regularly monitor these kids,” she said.

    If they suspect their wards are hooked on pornography, Mrs Agbato advised the parents to first of all admit to the truth, pray, and seek professional help.

    “If you suspect, ask if they have visited pornographic sites; ask when they started; seek professional help; feed their minds with positive things; tell yourself the truth,” she said.

  • NLC seeks divine intervention over workers’ welfare

    NLC seeks divine intervention over workers’ welfare

    •Congress marks 40th anniversary

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has taken the battle for the rights of the Nigerian workers to God, seeking divine intervention in efforts aimed at addressing the challenges facing them.

    Its President, Comrade Abubakar Wabba, who led other labour leaders, including veterans, to a thanksgiving service at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja, said it was part of activities marking NLC 40th anniversary as a Labour centre

    He said the state of the Nigerian worker and the insensitivity of employers, especially government, has made it more compelling for workers to seek divine intervention.

    Restating the need for decent work for Nigerians, Wabba said the clamour for improved welfare for Nigerian workers cannot be overemphasised, adding that “in the last 40 years, God has been so faithful to our movement”.

    “We have gone through a lot of travails; we have gone through a lot of successes. So, going forward is to thank God for where we are coming from. And definitely, the grace of God will be sufficient to carry the organisation forward.

    “Many organisations were not able to live up to the period we have lived and looking at their challenges, therefore today’s event is to thank God and going forward is certainly to continue to rely on Him.”

    Catholic Bishop of Uromi Diocese in Edo State Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, who presided over the thanksgiving service, hailed the NLC for their continued the struggle for better working conditions for workers.