‘70% OF WORKERS IN NIGERIA, SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA IN VULNERABLE EMPLOYMENT’

About 70 per cent of workers in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, are in vulnerable employment, compared to a global average of 46 per cent.

A report, released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), indicated that unemployment and underemployment ranked in first place in sub-Saharan Africa as the top risk for doing business.

The forum stated in the recent report that 22 of the 34 economies surveyed cited it as the top risk for doing business in the region.

“In sub-Saharan Africa, countries face the profound challenge of creating sufficient jobs to meet the needs of the working-age population,” the report stated.

The forum predicted that the working age population of sub-Saharan Africa is expected to more than double to 1.6 billion by 2050 and that this must be matched with quality of employment.

It is the view of more than 12,000 business people across 140 economies, according to findings that the World Economic Forum published in the first edition of a new Regional Risks for Doing Business report that  unemployment and underemployment represent the biggest risk for doing business around the world.

ASUU STRIKE: THESE ARE THE ASUU KEY DEMANDS

The issues, according to ASUU President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, include the payment of fractions and non-payment of salaries, earned academic allowances, non-release of operational license of NUPEMCO, non-implementation of the provisions of the 2014 Pension Reform Act with respect to retired professors and their salaries, and exclusion of university staff schools from funding by government.

Other demands are funding for the revitalisation of public universities that entails implementation of Needs Assessment Report and addressing poor funding of state universities and proliferation of universities by their Visitors.

Here are the five demands of ASUU in a nutshell:

1.  Areas of agreement include funding for revitalization of public universities and the issue of Earned Academic Allowances.

2.  The issue of funding University Staff Schools 

3.  The implementation of the judgment of the National Industrial Court, National Universities Pension Management Company and guidelines for pension matters for professors.

4.  The exemption offered by the government regarding the issue of TSA, which included the issue of grants, endowment funds as well as salary shortfall, which is already being implemented by the government.

5.  The union also promised to submit a position paper to the Federal Government on their observation with a view for government to advise state governments.

A DISBARRED LAWYER, 4 OTHERS CHARGED DOCKED FOR MURDER OF BUSINESS WOMAN

The FCT police command has charged a Lagos-based disbarred lawyer, Ephraim Chukwuemeka Ugwuonye and four others over their alleged involvement in the killing of an Abuja-based business woman, Charity Aiyedogbon.

The charge bordered on criminal conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery and culpable homicide.

Other accused persons are: Ezeugwu Paul Chukwujekwu, Adogah Emmanuel, Ikechukwu James Ezegwu and Michael Leo Oyong.

The charge sheet said the accused persons conspired and robbed Mrs. Charity Chidiebere Aiyedogbon (now late) of her property and killed her. They were also accused to have dispossessed the deceased of her Acura ZDX jeep, phones and other valuables while armed with cutlasses and other offensive weapons.

Similarly, Ugwuonye is facing another fresh 10-count charge on extortion, impersonation, injurious falsehood and false information.

The charge between the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command (complainant) and Ephraim Chukwuemeka Ugwuonye (defendant) is also before a high court in Abuja.

In the charge, he was accused of “Extortion by threat of accusation of an offense punishable by death, injurious falsehood against the Nigeria Police, injurious falsehood against David Aiyedogbon, giving false information with the intent to mislead public servants and obstruction of a public servant in the discharge of his functions.”

He was also accused of “Impersonation, when you have reasons to know that your name has been struck off the roll of Legal practitioners in Nigeria.”

Hearing dates for the two new cases are yet to be announced at the time of filing this report.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS REACTS TO NIGERIA DRAW AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA

Arsenal, Chelsea and Stoke City have reacted to Super Eagles qualification for next African Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon.

The three English clubs reserved special praise for their players in the Nigerian squad after they booked a place in Cameroon.

The club followed Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa at the FNB Stadium because Kenneth Omeruo, Alex Iwobi and Oghenekaro Etebo were on international duty.

Another Chelsea loanee, Ola Aina was omitted from the match day squad and ex-Arsenal U23 captain, Semi Ajayi earned his third cap off the bench as a late replacement for Iwobi.

Chelses wrote on their official website, ”It was a better Saturday for Kenneth Omeruo and Nigeria who secured their place in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament with a 1-1 draw away to South Africa.

”The defender, who is currently on loan in Spain at Leganes, and his international team-mates went ahead with the aid of an early own-goal. The home side drew level in Johannesburg midway through the first half.

”Nigeria have made it to the finals, which will be held in Cameroon in June and July, with a game to spare”.

Arsenal also lauded Iwobi for his performance against Bafana Bafana, tweeting, “Joy for @AlexIwobi! #BIG17 played 90 minutes as Nigeria claimed a 1-1 draw in South Africa in order to seal qualification for AFCON 2019.

”Congratulations to our #NaijaBoy and the @NGSuperEagles ��.”

Etebo was picked as one of the best players on parade for the Super Eagles by Championship side Stoke City.

The Potters wrote on their official website, “Peter Etebo played the full 90 minutes as Nigeria guaranteed themselves a spot at the Africa Cup of Nations finals on Saturday afternoon.

”The Potters ace impressed in the heart of midfield as the Super Eagles earned the point they needed in South Africa to secure qualification from Group E….”

LEAD REFEREE APOLOGISES TO NIGERIA AFTER COSTLY MISTAKES DURING SOUTH AFRICA MATCH (SEE VAR PHOTOS)

VAR footage

Report has it that the head referee who officiated the AFCON 2019 qualifying match between Bafana Bafana and Nigeria on Saturday in South Africa - has apologised for the costly mistakes made by officials during the game.

The Gambian football referee identified as Bakary Papa Gassama apologised to the Nigerian team after wrongly denying them two goals due to wrong offside calls, according to a report by OwnGoalNigeria.

VAR footage

 Ahmed Musa put through Kelechi Iheanacho who tapped home believing he has given Nigeria the lead but Musa who supplied the pass was judged by the assistant referee as been in an offside position, something which turned out to be wrong after video replays.

In the second half with less than five minutes to go, Musa was once again at the receiving end of another poor referee decision as he was once again flagged offside incorrectly after slotting home what could have given Nigeria all three points.

The game ended 1-1 with Nigeria sealing her passage to next year Africa Cup of Nations but officials of the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) still expressed their unhappiness to Gassama over the poor decision which cost Nigeria a win.

Gassama admitted the error and even went a step further by sending his apologies to Musa over the incident although he admitted that such errors are sometimes unavoidable particularly due to the non-availability of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

However, the unanswered question still remains: why didn't the authorities uphold the VAR decisions and award the goals to Nigeria? 

FRSC TAKES EMBER MONTHS' SAFETY CAMPAIGN TO CHURCHES

 As part of its Ember Months campaign, the Plateau Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has embarked on road safety campaign in churches.

Mrs Pat Emoerdi, FRSC Sector Commander in Plateau, addressed worshipers on Sunday at St. Finbar’s Catholic Church, Rayfield, Jos. 

She said the church service was organised to commemorate the 2018 African Road Safety and World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the week-long event has the theme: “Roads Have Stories’’.
According to Emoerdi, the need for a safer highway for all road users cannot be overemphasised, as safety is everybody’s business.

“We wish to seize this opportunity to sensitise all of us gathered in this church on the need to be very conscious while plying highways during this ember months.
“Christmas is already knocking. This is the season that comes with high vehicular movements with many motorists, particular commercial drivers rushing just to embark on many trips in the name of making more money.
“This is the time when a lot of motorists disobey traffic rules and regulations, hence causes crashes on our highways.
“So, we are here today not just to remember those who died via crashes but to also remind ourselves on the need to always drive to remain alive particularly during the festive season,’’ she said.
The sector commander called on all motorists to support the Corps in its bid to reduce if not end road crashes on the highways.

Emoerdi advised Nigerians to desist from speeding, overloading, wrongful overtaking, use of phone while driving; driving under the influence of alcohol and night driving, among others.

(NAN)

'VOTE OUT ANY GOVERNOR THAT IS AGAINST PAYMENT OF N30,000 AS MINIMUM WAGE' - NLC TELLS WORKERS

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on workers across the country, especially government employees, to vote against any governor unwilling to implement the new national minimum wage of N30,000 monthly.

NLC insisted that there was no way a governor would not be able to pay the new minimum wage.

This position was canvassed over the weekend at the Lagos Airport by the NLC Vice-President, Comrade Amaechi Asugwuni, during the inauguration of the new National Administrative Council (NAC) of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).

Asugwuni declared that the electorate had the power to vote out such governors in the forthcoming general election in 2019 and urged them to use the power of their votes.

Asugwuni, however, noted that some governors had officially written to the NLC that they would implement the new minimum wage as soon as it went through the required processes.

“I am telling Nigerians that any governor that undermines the payment of minimum wage should be voted out. They are hiding under the governors’ forum not to pay, but they have confirmed to us and written us that they can pay the minimum wage. N30,000 is not even the money that can take anybody home. The President as a matter of urgency should transmit that minimum wage document to the National Assembly," he said.

CHIEF OBASANJO SUES RADIO PRESENTER, AWIKONKO AKANDA ORO, FOR N1BN OVER BOLA IGE, MARSHALL HARRY KILLINGS

Chief Obasanjo

A radio presenter identified as Akanda Oro, popularly known as Awikonko, has been sued by former President Olusegun Obasanjo for saying he had a hand in the assassination of the late Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige (SAN), and the slain National Vice-Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, Marshall Harry.

The radio presenter who spoke during a live radio program, alleged that Obasanjo killed Ige and President Muhammadu Buhari had even claimed at the burial of the late Harry that the Obasanjo-led government sponsored the killing of the ANPP chieftain.

Awikonko was quoted as saying, “Obasanjo’s murder of Bola Ige, if not for the shortage of time, I would have listed the names of those murdered by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo during his regime.
“Bloodshed during Obasanjo Aremu’s regime was too much (foolish old man).

“There are repercussions for every evil deed done… In case you hear of my death, do not be sad. Perhaps this is the only mission I have been sent by God to accomplish.

“The fellow that killed a whole minister of justice and attorney general of the federation went scot-free.

“So, what will it cost him to kill me, a commoner? Let him go and commit suicide or take himself before Ogun shrine to swear that he does not know anything about the murder of Bola Ige and Marshall Harry or that all his children die in his lifetime.”

However reacting to the claim, former President Olusegun Obasanjo through his lawyer Kanu Agabi (SAN), described the allegation as malicious and false. The former President who asked that Awikonko retract the publication, in the suit FCT/HC/CV/2920/18 filed before Justice O.A. Adenyi of Apo Federal Capital Territory High Court, is also demanding one billion naira as general damages for the defamation of the claimant’s hard earned reputation.

MINIMUM WAGE: OSHIOMHOLE BREAKS SILENCE ON GOVERNORS’ FORUM REFUSAL TO PAY N30,000 TO WORKERS

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has taken a stand in the battle between Nigerian governors and labour unions over the N30,000 minimum wage.

Adams Oshiomole

Oshiomhole said the governors have no excuse to deny the workers the agreed minimum wage, adding that a labourer deserves to be paid as at when due.

Oshiomhole, who was the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, told New Telegraph that delaying or refusing to pay workers hinders the economic development of any state.

The Nigerian Governors Forum, comprising the 36 states governors and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, had after their meeting in Abuja last week, said they cannot pay the agreed N30000 minimum wage.

Oshiomhole said, “My views are clear that payment of wages is not an act of kindness for an employer to pay the employees’ wages at the end of the month.

“There are provisions in our Labour Act that says that you cannot delay the payment of salaries in excess of 30 days interval, which means salaries ought not to accumulate beyond 30 days.

“Government decides the size of its employment, but when it makes the decision to employ, it has the obligation to pay. Even the Holy Bible says that the labourer is entitled to his wages.

“I think again, this is where President Buhari stands out clearly. He has publicly asked public sector employers; how do you sleep when you have not paid your employees for one year.

“But he did not stop at lamenting, he went on to provide the much talked about bailout fund and said ‘please use this money to pay your workers and pay pension arrears.’

“And even the deductions from states that were done under the PDP in the name of settling our foreign debts, under President Buhari, despite the huge financial challenges that he faces, he decided to assist the states to meet up with their social obligations by paying what is now referred to as Paris Club refund.

“So, I am very proud that the President has conscience, he recognizes that the Nigerian worker deserves his wages and that is why he has publicly lamented that there are governors who have not paid salaries as and when due, whether they are PDP or APC is immaterial.

“And in seeking to deal with this, he has also provided support across party divide and I think that is statesmanship at its best.

“As for my views on the minimum wage, I tried to deal with it as a governor. I told my colleagues then that wage is not a burden.

“In Economics, when people work and get paid, purchasing power is enhanced and because purchasing power is enhanced, producers will respond to that by seeking to produce more goods and services. In the process, they will recruit more hands.

“But when you don’t pay wages, you create a vicious circle, nonpayment of wages leads to low purchasing power, nonpayment of rents, which compounds the problem of those who have invested in real estate thereby depressing the commercial life of the country.

“I tried to settle this question by increasing minimum wage in Edo State to N25,000 from N18,000. I remember some people calling me to ask how I will pay it. I am on record of having paid it and as we speak, my successor in office is paying it. I do not agree with those who say Nigeria cannot afford a more realistic minimum wage.

“My being in government or now chairman of a party cannot change what I believe in. I believe that no nation has enough to meet the greed of leaders, but nations have enough to meet the basic needs of their people.

“The real problem in the public sector is money being stolen in the name of salaries. I found it embarrassing when we talk about ghost workers. And I ask the question who counts ghosts? It is only in Nigeria that ghosts are known.

“The labourer deserves his wage, and the primary purpose of government is the welfare of its people. So, we must pay wages as and when due. “

FED GOVT DECLARES TUESDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Abdulrahman Dambazau

The federal government has declared Tuesday as Public Holiday to mark the Eid-el Maulud.

The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, a retired lieutenant general, made the declaration on Friday in Abuja in a statement by Mohammed Umar, Permanent Secretary of the ministry.

Mr Dambazau called on Muslim faithful to align themselves with the prophet’s teachings which border on piety, charity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence, among others.

He equally called on all Nigerians to uphold these virtues with a view to overcoming the current national challenges facing the country.

Mr Dambazau assured that the federal government remained committed to the unity of the country, and as such, would put adequate structures on ground towards ensuring that forthcoming general elections were credible, free and fair.

He wishes all Nigerians a joyous and peaceful Eid-El Maulud.

(NAN)