The Fourth Industrial Revolution, combined with other socio-economic and demographic changes, will transform labour markets in the next five years, leading to a net loss of over 5 million jobs in 15 major developed and emerging economies Skills and jobs displacement will affect every industry and geographical region, but losses can be offset by job growth in key areas. A clear majority of businesses believe that investing in skills, rather than hiring more short-term or virtual workers, is the key to successfully managing disruptions to the labour market for the long term. The new research by the World Economic Forum is the first of its kind, representing more than 13 million employees in nine industry sectors and 15 economies; it aims to guide business and policy-makers on how to equip labour forces with the skills to navigate the disruption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The report is based on a survey of chief human resources officers and top strategy executives from companies across nine broad industry categories and covering 15 of the world’s largest economies. These are; Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, plus the ASEAN and GCC groups. Together, these economies account for 65% of the global workforce. A major goal of the report is to analyze the impact of key drivers of change and provide specific information on the relative magnitude of these expected changes by industry and geography, and the expected time horizon for their impact to be felt on job functions, employment levels and skills. In terms of overall impact, the report indicates that the nature of change over the next five years is such that as many as 7.1 million jobs could be lost through redundancy, automation or disinter mediation, with the greatest losses in white-collar office and administrative roles. This loss is predicted to be partially offset by the creation of 2.1 million new jobs, mainly in more specialized “job families”, such as Computer and Mathematical or Architecture and Engineering. These predictions are likely to be relatively conservative and leave no room for complacency. Yet the impact of disruption will vary considerably across industry and gender as well as job type. For example, Healthcare is expected to experience the greatest negative impact in terms of jobs in the next five years, followed jointly by Energy and Financial Services and Investors. The industry that stands to create the most jobs, perhaps less surprisingly, is Information and Communication Technology, followed by Professional Services and Media, Entertainment and Information professionals. “Without urgent and targeted action today to manage the near-term transition and build a workforce with future proof skills, governments will have to cope with ever-growing unemployment and inequality, and businesses with a shrinking consumer base,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum There is also a gender implication to the future of jobs. Based on the absolute job gains and losses mentioned above, the burden of job losses seems to fall equally on women (48%) and men (52%). However, given that men represent a larger share of the overall job market than women, this even spread translates into a widening of the employment gender gap, with women losing five jobs for every job gained compared with men losing three jobs for every job gained. This is also partly explained by low participation by women in the “job families” that are expected to grow, such as Computers and Mathematics, thus adding to the urgency with which leaders must address the chronic problem of getting more women into STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) professions. When it comes to respondents’ outlook on how best to deal with these sweeping changes, the news is more encouraging. The most popular workforce strategy across every industry is investing in re-skilling current employees. Other practices, such as supporting mobility and job rotation, attracting female and foreign talent and offering apprenticeships, also scored high. Hiring more short-term or virtual workers are much less popular responses. Indeed, the survey suggests that those companies that are treating future workforce planning as a priority are almost 50% more likely to invest in re-skilling than those that do not. The report also indicates that those companies that report satisfaction in their future workforce strategy are more than twice as likely to be targeting female talent, and significantly less likely to be planning on hiring more short-term workers.
“May your reign be long, Ooni. I am happy with Ooni Ogunwusi’s moves to unite all Yoruba Obas. This special visit was done last in March 1937, that was the first time the kings in Yorubaland met in Oyo town and today history was made with the visit of Arole Oodua Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II and I feel delighted to host you and to reassure you that I will be ready to work with you.”
The Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi made these confessions when the newly crowned Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi paid him a visit as he celebrated his 45th coronation anniversary. About 100 Yoruba traditional rulers witnessed the historic visit.
Alaafin went on: “I have a tight relationship with Ooni Adesoji Aderemi and I did not want to relent my bound with any Ooni of Ife that assumed the post but everybody has his own little differences.”
The Ooni’s visit to Alaafin was said to be unique, especially with the rivalry over supremacy that existed between the Alaafin and Ogunwusi successor, Oba Okunade Sijuade.
The thanksgiving service for the Alaafin anniversary was held at the Methodist Church, Apaara, Oyo.
Ooni Ogunwusi had arrived at the church to the warm embrace of the Alaafin, who shook hands with him as the congregation watched and expressed admiration for the historic union.
Meanwhile, Ooni Ogunwusi has said that he recognized the place of Oyo monarch in Yoruba history and that a new dawn had fallen on Yoruba monarchs and the people.
“It is a new dawn for all Yoruba sons and daughters around the globe… I am here today though not invited but as the Arole Oduduwa, the onus is on me to felicitate with all sons and daughters wherever they are and to show my solidarity for any of them.
“I am ready to damn any consequences or insinuations from anywhere; my mission here is to preach peace among nations of Yoruba both home and abroad and I am ready to work with Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi to project the unity and love which we believe is existing in days of our forefathers.”
After the service, the monarchs and other well wishers moved to the Alaafin palace where Oba Ogunwusi was entertained in a lavish ceremony. The two monarchs also had a private discussion in the inner chamber of the palace for about 20 minutes. [myad]
The Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder has announced the handing over of a vessel and wooden boat loaded with about 10,000 litres of diesel worth N11 million to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The petroleum product was suspected to have been stolen as the vessel was said to be transporting the fuel without required documents.
A statement by the Base Information Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Lt.-Cdr. Hamman Ahmed, indicated that two crew members of the vessel were also handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and prosecution.
The statement quoted the Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim, as saying that the vessel; MT Purity, and the wooden boat were impounded following a routine patrol of the waterways and creeks by navy troops on December 2, 2015.
Ibrahim said that the seized vessel was carrying diesel suspected to have been illegally refined, adding that the vessel had no authorization from the navy and other relevant government agencies to move fuel on the waterways.
“During investigation, we discovered that the vessel manned by two crew members had no competency to justify them serving on board the vessel.
“Similarly, the vessel had no authorization from both the navy and other relevant government agencies to move petroleum products. The navy will continue to maintain its zero tolerance on crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism and piracy in the nation’s maritime environment.”
He called on the public not to relent in assisting the navy and other security agencies with vital information that would lead to the arrest of oil thieves and other economic saboteurs.
The Head of Counter-terrorism and General Investigation of the EFCC in Rivers State, Mr. David Iyang, received the seized vessel, wooden boat and suspects from the NNS Pathfinder.
Iyang promised that those found culpable would be prosecuted by the anti-graft commission at the end of investigation. [myad]
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has made it clear that it is not recruiting staff now, putting a lie to media reports that it is carrying out a recruitment exercise
The General Manager, Corporate Affairs of the authority, Yakubu Dati, advised members of the public, in a statement, to disregard such recruitment rumour.
He said that the last recruitment exercise took place between March and May, 2015 and that it was aimed at recruiting officers into the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS), Aviation Security (AVSEC) and Information Communication Technology departments.
According to Dati, these departments had shortage of professional staff and the recruitment exercise was concluded in May 2015, adding that very soon, the authority will invite candidates successful in the exercise for mandatory training before deployment to various airports across the country.
“We wish to emphasize that no recruitment exercise is taking place in FAAN at the moment”
Dati said that it had come to the organization’s notice that fraudulent recruitment agents and questionable recruitment websites were deceiving people and that in some cases, “these people are duping unsuspecting applicants by giving out misleading information about an ongoing recruitment exercise in FAAN.
“Please, be informed that the only and authentic website that belongs to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is www.faan.gov.ng.” [myad]
Probably embarrassed by reports of missing 2016 federal budget from the Senate that went viral, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has directed a review of all security arrangements in the federal parliament in order to keep the institution abreast of the current challenges in the country.
The Special Adviser to the Senate President on Security, Major General Saleh Maina (Rtd), in a statement today, said that the review of the security around the complex was part of the periodic plans to ensure better protection of lives and property.
He also said the latest security strategy would help to improve on the existing arrangement.
Maina said that in carrying out the directive of the senate president, the heads of all security agencies in the complex and other officials whose portfolio have to do with security had met at different times to devise a common and water-tight plan.
“Following the meetings, it has been decided that henceforth it is compulsory for all legislators, staff and visitors to the National Assembly to wear identity tag.”
Mania also said that as part of the review of the security arrangements, there would be no loitering within and around the National Assembly by visitors and staff, adding that all vehicles to the National Assembly must be parked at the designated parking lots.
According to him, there shall be proper screening of personnel coming into the National Assembly as well as the scanning of their hand bags and luggages.
The Special Adviser called on the security officials at the National Assembly to be polite and firm to all in the course of carrying out their duties. [myad]
Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State has constituted a committee to probe his predecessor, Isa Yuguda, on the contracts, financial expenditure and appointments between 2007 and 2015. A statement by the Press Secretary to the Governor, Abubakar El-Sadique said that Abubakar disclosed this at the opening of a two-day sensitization workshop on corruption for public officers organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in conjunction with the state government. The statement said that the appointment of the committee followed the resolve by the present administration in the state to instill accountability and discipline as prerequisites for good governance. According to the statement, the committee is headed by Alhaji Salihu Lukman, with the mandate “to undertake a forensic audit of all contracts, expenditure and appointments made in all the ministries, departments and agencies from May 2007 to May 2015.” Abubakar, while addressing the participants, said corruption had eaten deeply into the nation’s socio-economic and political sphere of the country, but promised that he would fight against corruption in public life until sanity was restored. He said that he had earlier appointed a committee for the recovery of government property illegally carted away by officials of the last administration that runs into millions of Naira. The governor vowed to fight insecurity that was also retarding development from all facets to ensure that lives and property of the people were protected to pave the way for development in the state. He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his determination and commitment towards fighting insurgency in the North East sub-region. [myad]
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has threatened to fight Lagos state government to stand-still, beginning from January 19, if it failed to settle the N224 million it is owing the union. The South West Chairman of the union, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, said in Lagos that the N224 million was for payment for the supply of diesel and kerosene to the state government for the execution of direct labour projects in Ojodu between October 2014 and May 2015. The chairman said that the contract was financed by Skye Bank which is now asking for repayment of the loan. Korodo said that the union would go to the State Secretariat in Alausa with about 1,000 petroleum tankers to picket the Governor’s Office, House of Assembly and other ministries. according to him, the union had written to the state government on the picketing, but regretted that the government is yet to respond, adding that NUPENG had also formally informed the Department of State Services and the state Commissioner of Police on their proposed action. “We are picketing Lagos State Secretariat come January 19 for their indebtedness to our members to the tune of N224 million without interest. “The union was given contract to supply diesel and kerosene by former Governor Raji Fashola for Lagos State Public Works through direct labour between October 2014 and May 2015. “We have since fulfilled our part of the contract and have appealed to the state government to pay us our money. We borrowed money from Syke Bank to finance the project and the bank had been on our neck to pay back the money. “We have written several letters to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to pay the debt but there was no response from him. “Consequently, over 1,000 tankers shall be used by NUPENG members as a means of transportation to the Governor’s Office and State Assembly. If this fails, scarcity of fuel may resurface in Lagos State in particular. “We are pleading with Lagosians to assist us to prevail on our Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to respect the business agreement.” Korodo said that if the state government continues to be silent over the matter after the picketing, the union would be left with no option than to embark on indefinite strike. “If we are provoked further, wvfce will down tools because injury to one member is injury to all members.” [myad]
The former Flying Eagles gaffer, John Obuh has emerged the head coach of the Kwara United Football Club.
The new coach will be in charge of the Ilorin-based club for the next 12 months, with an option for more years based on performance. speaking to news men in Ilorin, the state capital, Obuh said that he will lead the club back to the Nigeria Professional Football League after their relegation to the Nigeria National League at the end of the 2014/15 season. “I am grateful to the Kwara State Government and the good people of Kwara,” the former Sharks gaffer said in a chat with newsmen in Ilorin. “My duty is to move Kwara United to the Premier League. My name is at stake for leaving a premier league club to a lower club. I will raise a team that would restore the hope of the fans.” [myad]
The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has handed the newly installed Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdu-Rasheed Akanbi a staff of office and the instrument of authority.
Present at the ceremony were the Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, Deputy Governor of Osun Grace Titi Laoye Tomori, and many others.
Aregbesola charged the monarch to lead by example, saying that leadership naturally comes with certain privileges and that a good leader must convert privileges to resources of governance.
He also admonished the monarch to rule with wisdom and fear of God, noting that the people over whom he presides are diverse politically, ideologically, temperamentally, socially and by moral disposition.
“Not all of them will readily agree with you and many of them will say or do things you will consider abhorrent. But they are all your subjects and you are required to preside over them with tact and wisdom in a way that will enable you to get the best out of them.
“A leader must also be a unifying person and must never constitute a divisive agent. There are two kings whose reign the Yoruba never forget. These are the king whose reign is peaceful and the one whose reign is characterized by turmoil and scattering.
“May your reign be peaceful and usher in prosperity for the people in the realm”.
In his acceptance speech, the Oluwo advocated for the use of local resources in the economic production process for the development of our own God-given potential.
According to him, this will guarantee economic well-being of the people of the state even as he promised to focus on the development pursuit of economic liberation of his people.
He also promised to continue to advocate for a massive utilization of locally sourced materials for the production of those articles and goods being massively consumed by the people.
“I am here to serve my people. I am here to take my homeland to that height it deserves among the comity of modern cities of the world.” [myad]
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alleged that the former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Sambo Dasuki purchased houses in both London and Dubai from the proceeds of the funds meant for the purchase of arms for the soldiers battling the terror group, Boko Haram, in the North-East states.
The Commission’s lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), in opposing bail the bail application for Dasuki before Justice Yusuf Baba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, said that the EFCC is still tracing assets linked to the proceeds of the diversion of the funds.
Dasuki and his co-accused persons are being prosecuted on 19 counts of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and dishonest misappropriation of the money.
Rotimi Jacobs accused Dasuki of compromising the security of the nation and committing economic sabotage through his alleged diversion of over N32 billion meant for the purchase of arms to fight terrorists in the North -East.
Giving more details about the alleged diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms by the office of the NSA during Dasuki’s tenure, the lawyer said that there were documents showing that the ex-NSA gave the approval for the release of the funds to the accounts of private companies and individuals for the procurement of arms.
The prosecution also alleged in its counter-affidavit that Dasuki transferred huge sums of money to companies whose identities were still being traced, and that he transferred large sums of money outside Nigeria to acquire “several assets in Dubai and London.’’
Its counter-affidavit also read: “That our investigation also revealed that the applicant transferred large sums of monies outside Nigeria and he acquired several assets in Dubai and London with these funds.”
The defence lawyers, representing the accused persons, Ahmed Raji (SAN) for Dasuki, A. U. Mustapha for Salisu, and Solomon Umoh (SAN) for Baba-Kusa and his companies – had, while moving their respective bail applications, maintained that the charges filed before the court did not indicate that the money in question was meant for the procurement of arms.
But Jacobs, in picking holes in the lawyers’ contention, referred the judge to pages 14 to 58 of the prosecution’s proof of evidence, which he said contained documents detailing the approval of the former NSA for the release of various sums of money to individuals and private companies for the procurement of arms.
Jacobs said: “In our proof of evidence, we mentioned security money meant for purchase of arms. We also mentioned security equipment, but they decided not to look at it.
“Page 14 to page 58 of our proof of evidence showed approval for the supply of security equipment, satellite and arms. All the charges we filed were based on funds approved for the purchase of arms.”
In a counter-affidavit, deposed to by an EFCC detective, Hassan Saidu, the anti-graft agency alleged that the funds were released to private companies and individuals “who have nothing to do with the supply of security equipment or rendering security services”.
According to the 19 charges preferred against the accused persons, Dasuki, Salisu and Senior Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs to the President, Waripamowei Dudafa, released N10bn to the Peoples Democratic Party for the presidential primary delegates.
It was also alleged that N2.1bn was paid into the account of DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited, controlled by one Dr. Raymond Dokpesi for the funding of media activities for the 2015 Presidential Election Campaign for the PDP.
The sum of N1.45bn was also allegedly paid to Acacia Holdings Limited, controlled by Baba-Kusa, to organise prayers.
Again, the sum of N750m was allegedly paid to Reliance Referral Hospital Limited in favour of Baba-Kusa for prayers.
Belsha Nigeria Limited, controlled by Bello Matanwalle, was also said to have received N380m to support some members of the House of Representatives for their re-election campaign.
General Hydrocarbons Limited controlled by Thisday publisher, Nduka Obaigbena was also said to have received N670m for “energy consulting”.
The office of the NSA was also said to have paid N260m to a former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih, who was also the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, during the March 28 presidential election.
Senator Iyorchia Ayu was also said to have received N345m for the construction of shopping mall at Jabi, Abuja, purporting the said sum to be payment for satellite charges and security equipment.
EFCC said in its counter-affidavit that it was in the interest of the accused persons to remain in protective custody in order to shield them from being attacked by relatives of innocent soldiers who were drafted to fight Boko Haram without sufficient equipment.
The affidavit read in part, “That the charges being alleged against the defendant/applicant (Dasuki) border on economic sabotage that strikes at the very foundation of Nigeria well-being and existence.
“That it is in the interest of justice to put the applicant in protective custody so as to shield him from a possible attack by the relatives of the innocent soldiers, who lost their lives due to lack of adequate equipment; innocent soldiers who lost their lives due to lack of adequate facilities caused by the diversion of the funds meant for that purpose.
“Apart from the cases that are pending against the applicant, he’s also being investigated in respect of other criminal allegations.”
Jacobs said during the hearing that “investigation into other aspects is still ongoing. There is still investigation into assets tracing.”
He urged the court not to grant bail to Dasuki, whom he said “will escape from the jurisdiction of the honourable court from Nigeria”, adding that “the applicant will not be available to stand trial if released on bail.”
In moving their separate applications for bail, the defence counsel urged the court not to rely on the proof of evidence filed by the prosecution, arguing that doing so would run contrary to the presumption of innocence, which their clients were entitled to under the Constitution.
They maintained that the allegation that their clients would interfere with the prosecution witnesses was speculative.
They added that the provisions of Section 162 of the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act had placed the onus on the prosecution to prove why bail, which, according to them, is “almost automatic” for the accused persons, should not be granted to them.
Raji said, “The prosecution has made strenuous attempt to rely on the proof of evidence in urging your lordship not to grant bail.
“It is my argument that to rely on proof of evidence will violate the principle of presumption of innocence because they have not been tested.”
Raji urged the court to grant bail to Dasuki on condition of self-recognition and seizure of his passport as granted to him by Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the accused person is being prosecuted for illegal possession of firearms and money laundering. [myad]
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“May your reign be long, Ooni. I am happy with Ooni Ogunwusi’s moves to unite all Yoruba Obas. This special visit was done last in March 1937, that was the first time the kings in Yorubaland met in Oyo town and today history was made with the visit of Arole Oodua Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II and I feel delighted to host you and to reassure you that I will be ready to work with you.”
5 Million Jobs By 2020: Real Challenge Of 4th Industrial Revolution, By Oliver Cann
Skills and jobs displacement will affect every industry and geographical region, but losses can be offset by job growth in key areas.
A clear majority of businesses believe that investing in skills, rather than hiring more short-term or virtual workers, is the key to successfully managing disruptions to the labour market for the long term.
The new research by the World Economic Forum is the first of its kind, representing more than 13 million employees in nine industry sectors and 15 economies; it aims to guide business and policy-makers on how to equip labour forces with the skills to navigate the disruption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The report is based on a survey of chief human resources officers and top strategy executives from companies across nine broad industry categories and covering 15 of the world’s largest economies. These are; Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, plus the ASEAN and GCC groups. Together, these economies account for 65% of the global workforce. A major goal of the report is to analyze the impact of key drivers of change and provide specific information on the relative magnitude of these expected changes by industry and geography, and the expected time horizon for their impact to be felt on job functions, employment levels and skills.
In terms of overall impact, the report indicates that the nature of change over the next five years is such that as many as 7.1 million jobs could be lost through redundancy, automation or disinter mediation, with the greatest losses in white-collar office and administrative roles. This loss is predicted to be partially offset by the creation of 2.1 million new jobs, mainly in more specialized “job families”, such as Computer and Mathematical or Architecture and Engineering.
These predictions are likely to be relatively conservative and leave no room for complacency. Yet the impact of disruption will vary considerably across industry and gender as well as job type. For example, Healthcare is expected to experience the greatest negative impact in terms of jobs in the next five years, followed jointly by Energy and Financial Services and Investors. The industry that stands to create the most jobs, perhaps less surprisingly, is Information and Communication Technology, followed by Professional Services and Media, Entertainment and Information professionals.
“Without urgent and targeted action today to manage the near-term transition and build a workforce with future proof skills, governments will have to cope with ever-growing unemployment and inequality, and businesses with a shrinking consumer base,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum
There is also a gender implication to the future of jobs. Based on the absolute job gains and losses mentioned above, the burden of job losses seems to fall equally on women (48%) and men (52%). However, given that men represent a larger share of the overall job market than women, this even spread translates into a widening of the employment gender gap, with women losing five jobs for every job gained compared with men losing three jobs for every job gained. This is also partly explained by low participation by women in the “job families” that are expected to grow, such as Computers and Mathematics, thus adding to the urgency with which leaders must address the chronic problem of getting more women into STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) professions.
When it comes to respondents’ outlook on how best to deal with these sweeping changes, the news is more encouraging. The most popular workforce strategy across every industry is investing in re-skilling current employees. Other practices, such as supporting mobility and job rotation, attracting female and foreign talent and offering apprenticeships, also scored high. Hiring more short-term or virtual workers are much less popular responses. Indeed, the survey suggests that those companies that are treating future workforce planning as a priority are almost 50% more likely to invest in re-skilling than those that do not. The report also indicates that those companies that report satisfaction in their future workforce strategy are more than twice as likely to be targeting female talent, and significantly less likely to be planning on hiring more short-term workers.
Email: oca@weforum.org. [myad]