Over 70 Percent Of Private Sector Already Paying More Than N30,000 Minimum Wage – Employment Consultative

July 18, 2019

President of the Nigeria Employment Consultative Association (NECA), Taiwo Ayodele Adeniyi has said that
70 percent of those in private sector of the nation’s economy have since been paying over N30,000 new national minimum wage to their workers.
Answering reporters questions at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday, July 17, Ayodele said: “already, even before the enactment of the national minimum wage, over 70 per cent of organized businesses in Nigeria are paying more than N30,000 as minimum wage.”
He noted that he minimum wage is essentially meant to serve as benchmark beneath which organized employers are not supposed to pay.
“So, when you follow the spirit and the letter of the law, it means they are not affected by the national minimum wage law because they are paying above that. I am talking of the private sector now. “But for the less than 30 percent that are not paying up to N30,000 in the private sector, I am pleased to announce that they are already implementing. Those of them that need to restructure their salary grades have already done that with the support of their organized body, NECA and we are fully compliant.
“What we are trying to do now is to encourage those that are not our affiliates, the informal sector to also key into the implementation of the national minimum wage. Like I said, we don’t have full control because they are not members of NECA. We are only mentoring and mobilizing them to ensure they comply with the law.”

Nigeria Employers Consultative Warns On Dangers Inherent In Africa Continental Free Trade

Greenbarge Reporters

July 17, 2019

The Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has warned on the dangers that are inherent in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Africa Union Summit.

Answering reporters’ questions after a visit by the leaders of NECA at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, July 17, the Director General of the body, Timothy Olawale, admitted that Africa Continental Free Trade Area agreement is laudable and that there are lots of benefits inherent in it.

“We also know that it is capable of endangering capital inflow into the country.

“However, before we start talking about benefits derivable from it, we must also talk of the likely damager it can do to an economy that is fragile like ours, which behoves on us as stakeholders and government to put all hands on deck to address those issues.

“Those issues bother on those variables that will ensure the competitiveness of Nigerian businesses and industry. We don’t want a situation where our businesses are not competitive due to the disadvantage environment they operate.

“Of course, we are all familiar with the disadvantaged environment with regards to issue of agriculture among which is power and the issue of road network; that is transportation for goods and services and accessibility to the different business environment.

“What we are saying is that if all these issues are not addressed properly, to make our businesses competitive, definitely we are going to be at the receiving end, to the extent that our nation will become a dumping ground. And some of the factories that are even struggling presently may end up folding up.

“Of course, we know the history of the textile sector and that can be replicate in any sector and we don’t want us to get to that extent. That is why we are saying government should put mechanism in place to address these issues so that we can be competitive and so that we can take our rightful place and maximize the benefits of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), agreement.”

2019 Hajj: Saudi Arabia Wants Pilgrims To Possess Certificate Of Good Health

Editorial staff

July 17, 2019

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has made it compulsory on all the intending pilgrims for this year’s, 2019 pilgrimage to make sure they are vaccinated against certain communicable diseases and to present attestation of the vaccination at the point of arrival into the Kingdom.

A statement today, July 17, by the spokesperson of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Fatima Sanda Usara, said that the decision of the Saudi authorities was based on World Health Organization’s (WHO) report of May 2019, which insists that citizens from countries exposed to yellow fever and poliomyelitis must be vaccinated against them.

The statement said that in addition, all means of transportation from the affected countries must be disinfected before traveling into the Kingdom, adding that for travellers exiting countries exposed to dengue fecer and zika virus, “apart from disinfection of transport carriages by relevant authorities in line with international patterns, citizens are mandated to avoid exposure to mosquitoes prior to their journey to Saudi Arabia.”

It said that amongst the advisory guidelines that have been issued is the preference for vaccination against seasonal influenza to be administered 10 days before arriving in Saudi Arabia.

“With respect to the commonly experienced infection of upper respiratory system, health authorities in Saudi Arabia warned travellers against contact with animals, especially camels, avoiding direct contact with symptomatic persons and shunning untreated milk as well as half cooked meat. The health authorities also encourage observation of general hygiene especially constant washing of the hands before and after food and after toilet usage, observing crowd and sneezing etiquettes are highly recommended too.

“Consequently, to eliminate chances of spreading water and food-borne diseases, transportation of food items into the Kingdom is prohibited except for canned foods in small quantities for personal consumption. These too must be transparently packaged.

“Moreover, pilgrims are advised not to eat foods cooked and kept for long without being refrigerated. They are advised to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption and drink lots of water to prevent heat stroke. Also, it is advised to stay away from direct sunrays by using umbrellas and remaining under shades.

“The Saudi Ministry of Health reassures pilgrims and other travellers that in case of a disease outbreak or any other health emergency, the Kingdom’s authorities, in collaboration with WHO, will take additional measures to contain it. Therefore, each participating country’s medical mission is advised to isolate a room where ambiguous infectious disease carriers will be secluded and compulsorily reported to the Saudi authorities. Other infectious diseases are to be reported as well.”

The statement recalled that NAHCON had advised that only medically fit persons should register for the Hajj exercise, adding that this fact was reiterated by Saudi Arabia in its counsel to person carrying severe illnesses and physically weak individuals, such as the aged and pregnant women, to reconsider participating in the Hajj exercise that is known to be generally strenuous.

“However, persons with terminal illnesses who insist on travelling for Hajj are advised to carry along medical items relevant to their condition, plus adequate drugs in original packets to be complemented by prescription letters by medical doctors in government hospitals.

“Most of the guidelines are in conformity with those of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health (FMH), another member of World Health Organization. This is reason why FMH has been facilitating free inoculations to pilgrims and other international travellers, plus coordinating enlightenment on relevance of these vaccines.

“FMH also conducts periodic inspection of aircrafts and others to safeguard health of travellers coming in and out of the country. Besides, in collaboration with FAAN (Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria), FMH has placed medical health warning devices in strategic locations in the country’s international airports to alert health workers on unusual medical symptoms.”

AFCON 2019: Saudi Arabian Ambassador Felicitates With Eagles On Third Place

Editorial staff

July 17, 2019

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Adnan Bn Mahmoud Bostaji has congratulated the Nigeria’s Super Eagles for emerging third place in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

The Super Eagles had today, July 17, beat Tunisha national team 1 – 0 to lift the blond medal of the tournament.

The lone and deciding goal was scored by

Odion Ighalo scored in the third minute of the play.

Ambassador Adnan Bostaji, in a phone chat, commended the Super Eagles players for displaying the sense of patriotism despite their loss to Algeria who will eventually play final game at the weekend.

He also commended Nigerians for supporting the team with a lot of enthusiasm.

House Of Reps Give Edo Assembly A Week Ultimatum To Resolve Its Crisis

Editorial staff

July 17, 2019

House of Representatives has handed down a week ultimatum to Edo State House of Assembly to resolve its crisis or face a stiffer sanction.

Speaker of the House of Reps, Femi Gbajabiamila, in a chat with news men today, July 17, shortly after a private audience with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said: “they (Edo House of Assembly) have about a week to come up with the proper election of the principal officers. If in a week nothing changes, perhaps the House and the National Assembly as a whole would look at invoking section 11 of the constitution.”

He said that when the crisis started the House of Reps set up an ad-hoc committee whose members went to Edo State to investigate the matter, adding that the report had been laid and considered today “and the content of the report is very clear.

“I think what we did was to stick strictly by the rule or by the law that guides the assembly and us as lawmakers. So, one of the recommendations which I believed was approved by the House was for us to have a proper proclamation with date, venue and time which was missing in the first proclamation.”

Angry FCT Scribe Suspends 2 Teachers Over Alleged Rape Of Female Students

Editorial staff

July 17, 2019

A visibly angry Permanent Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Chinyeaka Ohaa has ordered the suspension of two teachers in the School for the blind for allegedly involving raping of two female students of the school.

The Permanent Secretary, who, according to a statement by his spokesman, Anthony Oginleye, paid an unscheduled visit to the school following reports of incidences of rape of some female students by teachers, directed the immediate suspension of. Ilo Chukwuma and Ebenezer Olateju pending the conclusion of investigations on the matter.

The Permanent Secretary also directed that Chukwuma, who was accommodated in the school residential quarters, should vacate the school within the week, stressing that both teachers should stay clear of the school premises as investigations continue.

He further directed the Director of Security Services in the FCTA, Adamu Gwary to ensure full compliance and implementation of the directive.

Addressing the issue of alleged rape of a student against Ebenezer Olateju, Mr. Ohaa stressed that the image of the country and the FCTA was at stake.

“While we are working round the clock to give every physically challenged student the best of education, we cannot have incidences as this mar our progress and achievements”.

On why the teachers were suspended instead of being dismissed immediately, the Permanent Secretary said: “We want to be fair and follow due process. So, we will allow the committee do its work and report by next week. But let me assure parents that, anyone found culpable in any of these incidences, not only in this school, will be dismissed and prosecuted. Our teachers, like Caesars wife must be above board” said the Permanent Secretary.

Ohaa expressed disgust over the actions of the accused teachers as he listened to victims narrate their ordeals. He lamented that teachers who are supposed to be protectors are now the students’ nightmare.

“We cannot allow this kind of behavior to continue. These children more or less are helpless and they depend on teachers here. They have confidence and trust in you, that you will protect them from immorality and even outside invasion and you turn now to be the person they are now afraid of. As a government we cannot just fold our arms”, he said.

One of the Victims disclosed that the accused, Chukwuma had touched her inappropriately while they were in the school bus on an excursion to Kwali two weeks ago. Another victim also claimed the accused had always singled her out to berate after she had indicated that she would not condone his inappropriate action.

Addressing the Permanent Secretary and management staff of the Universal Basic Education Board who accompanied the Permanent Secretary on the visit, the school’s Head Teacher, Abdulrazaq Suraju Ademola explained that already a committee has been setup to investigate the issue and the reports have been forwarded to the Secretary of the Local Education Authority for onward report to the FCT UBEB.

Also speaking, the Chairman, FCT Universal basic Education Board (UBEB), Dr Kabir Matazu said that the directives of the Permanent Secretary were already being implemented. He also said that a note of warning has been sounded to all school heads that such behaviours will not be condoned in their schools and they will henceforth also be held liable if such incidences occurred.

We’ve Not Received Directive To Pay Youth Corps Members New Minimum Wage – DG

Editorial staff

July 17, 2019

The Director-General of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has made it clear that the Service has not received directive to pay corps members the new minimum wage of N30,000.

Brigadier General Ibrahim said that the NYSC management is yet to receive any directive from the government concerning the issue of minimum wage or increment in corps members’ allowance.
The Act establishing the NYSC Scheme stipulates that corps members should earn at least the minimum wage.
“When there is an increment and we have been notified, we will communicate the heartwarming decision to our corps members through appropriate channels. And certainly, the management will make sure that our corps members are paid according to the new increment.”
The NYSC boss advised Nigerians to disregard fake Twitter posts bearing his identity, which have been circulating on social media, saying that those who are secretly operating the Twitter handles ‘mischievously, wickedly and intentionally’ want to smear his personality and exalted office in general.
He appealed to corps members to use verifiable social media accounts of the scheme when seeking information to avoid been misinformed by purveyors of fake news.

Buhari Asks Nigerians To Ignore Northern Elders’ Call On Fulani Herdsmen To Vacate South

Editorial staff

July 17, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Nigerians to ignore the recent call by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) to Fulani herders, asking them to leave the southern part of Nigeria.

“All citizens of Nigeria are free to move and live within any part of the country they please, whether or not they are originally from there.

“In line with our country’s constitution, the government of Nigeria and the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will protect citizens of Nigeria wherever they find themselves.

“No one has the right to ask anyone or group to depart from any part of the country, whether north, south, east or west.”

In a statement on behalf of the President, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu questioned the intentions of the NEF and the other so-called leaders in delving into issues with unsolicited, ill-intentioned advice.

“They have no one’s authority to make such pronouncements.

“The polarising role of the Northern Elders Forum and all those other groups dabbling into issues of security to score cheap political points has for long been a sore point in Nigeria’s body polity.

“They should not be allowed to mislead anyone, least of all the Fulani herders.

“The Buhari administration is fully devoted to finding a lasting solution to the herder-farmer clashes in different parts of Nigeria- one that would be acceptable to all the parties involved.”

The President, therefore, called on all Nigerians to help keep the peace in the country.

52 African Countries Chose Nigeria Intelligence Agency Boss To Head Intelligence Committee

Editorial staff

July 17, 2019

The Directors-General and Heads of Security and Intelligence Agencies from 52 African countries have unanimously appointed the Director General of the Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar as Chairperson of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA).

The decision to appoint Ahmed Rufai was taken at the 16th Ordinary Conference of the network in Abuja, even as the body established a database to track all terrorist fighters across the African continent, aimed at monitoring their movements and proactively disrupting their activities.
Ahmed Rufai, who took over from Mr. B. K. Likando of the Namibia Central Intelligence Service, chaired this year’s conference with the theme: “Illicit Financial Outflows from Africa and Their Impact on National Security and Development.”
Speaking on the theme of the conference, the Executive Secretary of CISSA, Shimeles W. Semayat said that there are security implications of Financial Outflows from Africa as well as financing of terrorists and extremists activities.
He noted that since the activities are highly transnational, it behooves on the African countries to cooperate, pool resources together, share and coordinate intelligence in order to effectively deal with the evolving security challenges confronting the continent.
It is on the premise, he revealed that the African security services are aiming to cut of the terrorists financing of which if it succeeds, would have dealt with 90 percent of the security problems.
“To this end, CISSA has established a database for terrorist fighters in order to share this information easily with member states and monitor their movements and curb their activities.”
He explained that the creation of CISSA was informed by the realization that the security threats confronting Africa were increasingly becoming transnational and borderless in nature.
Hence the need for the continent’s Intelligence and Security Services to cooperate and coordinate their efforts through collaboration action in order to respond effectively to the security needs of the continent and individual member countries.
“One of the key objectives of CISSA is to provide intelligence support to the African Union leadership in its efforts to maintain peace, security and stability in Africa by means of prevention, management and resolution of conflicts and elimination of all forms of security threats on the continent.
“In this regard, CISS functions as a ‘Silent Pillar of the AU Peace and Security Architecture’ and provides strategic and predictive intelligence to the AU Commission, in particular the Peace and Security Council (PSC), for informed policy decision-making relating to the maintenance of peace, security and stability on the continent.”
Semayat said that the Conference which is holding between the 17th and 20th of July and will be declared opened by President Muhammadu Buhari, who will also deliver a keynote address at the event.
“During the closed session, participants at the Conference will deliberate on major issues of security concern on the continent and adopt appropriate strategies to deal with the various threats to peace, security and stability in Africa.”

Police Outlaw All Form Of Protests In Parts of Abuja

Editorial staff

July 17, 2019

The Nigeria police have placed restriction on all form of public protests in some parts of the nation’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

A statement today, July 17, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said that the restriction is aimed at ensuring safety and security of life and property, the free flow of traffic and the protection of commerce and other economic activities, as well as a more coordinated handling of peaceful protest.

Frank Mba quoted the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu as saying that the areas covered by the restriction are the Unity Fountain and Central Business District, Abuja.

“By this directive, intending protesters are requested to steer-clear of all critical national infrastructure, especially the Three Arms Zone and other sensitive security areas. They are however at liberty to assemble and conduct peaceful protests within the Unity Fountain (the authorized protest zone).

“The restriction is sequel to series of protests, such as the one on 30^th October, 2018 in various parts of Abuja, which brought the Capital City to a standstill, crumbling economic activities and inflicting untold hardship on motorists and the general public.

“A similar protest during the same month led to the setting ablaze of a Police Patrol Vehicle at Banex Plaza, Abuja, traumatizing innocent citizens. This year, on the 9^th of July, another protest at the National Assembly, Abuja, led to an unprovoked attack on Police officers on legitimate national assignment, injuring nine (9) of them and causing massive damage to public and private property.

“The Force is not unaware of the African Charter on Human Rights, which the Nigerian State has ratified and the Constitutional provisions relating to the fundamental human rights, particularly freedom of expression, right to peaceful assembly and freedom of movement.

“It is important however to note that these rights are not absolute and are constitutionally moderated by the genuine concerns for public safety, public order and for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons.

“Needless to say that it is within the prerogative of the Police to regulate activities of protesters who have the tendency to cause damage to life and property, particularly to innocent and non-protesting citizens, who also have equal right to exercise their freedom, unmolested by the protesting group.

“It is against this backdrop that the IGP seeks the cooperation and understanding of would-be protesters and the general public. He reiterates his call for constructive collaboration between the citizens and the Police in enthroning a new culture of protests devoid of violence and damage to public and private property.”

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