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Ebonyi group condemns Umahi for proscribing affiliate unions in EBSU

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…Warns against coarcing lawmakers to join APC

The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in the Diaspora (AESID) has expressed displeasure over the decision of Governor Dave Umahi-led administration to proscribe the affiliate unions in the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.

The unions recently proscribed include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and other affiliate unions excepting only the Students Union Government.

Reacting to the recent happenings in the state, AESID in a statement signed and made available to newsmen Tuesday in Abuja by its President Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, also raised an alarm over what it called widespread insecurity that has befallen the state.

The statement also warned governor Umahi not to force any state lawmaker to join him in alleged plan to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Oluchukwu, By bumping the heads of the various affiliate unions and pitching the students against their tutors, Governor Umahi has played the worst divisive politics in the history of the institution which would haunt him forever and continue to decimate the legacies left by his predecessors in the once-revered institution that has produced very outstanding scholars and professionals in various fields including Law and Medicine.

“AESID condemns in its entirety, the actions and threats meted out to the Lecturers of Ebonyi State University by the Umahi-led administration and cautions that the government should stop forthwith and take their welfares most seriously especially considering the fact that illiteracy level is still very high in Ebonyi which is yet captured as an Educationally- Less-Developed State, ELDS.

“We commend and stand with the description of the Governor’s action by the ASUU National Chairman, Prof. Ogunyemi as ‘an aberration’ because even past military dictators never denied ASUU its right to freedom of association and consequent agitations for better welfares for its members.

“Our platform hereby issues a 48 hour ultimatum to Governor Umahi to consider genuinely going back to the round-table to renegotiate with the affiliate unions to broker peace with them and restore the good industrial harmony and peaceful co-existence between Staff and students of the institution. He shouldn’t play further petty-politics with the lives and welfare of our only State-owned tertiary University.”

On the allege plan to join the APC as reported, the association said: “while acknowledging his rights to freedom of association as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, we wish to sue for peace in our dear Sstate. Therefore, we request him not to coerce, intimidate or pressure politicians and stakeholders in his Party- the People’s Democratic Party, PDP to join in his APC defection plans because our dear Ebonyi State remains a traditional PDP State for now and any attempt to muscle people into where they feel they do not properly fit into just to help one man out of hundreds of thousands of Party faithfuls fulfil his lust for political power could spell serious doom for the peace and unity of our dear state.”

Reacting to the level of insecurity in Ebonyi state, the statement expressed surprise that a group of youths under the aegis of Akubaraoha Youths Aassembly (AYA) could be ‘empowered’ with cutlasses to tackle the widespread insecurity aftermath of the protracted #ENDSARS protests.

“In videos and pictures that virally circulated on the Social media last week, the political thugs and touts many of who are suspected to be cultists were seen at the Abakaliki township stadium, brandishing very sharp machetes given to them to fight hoodlums who invaded the state the same week.

“We at AESID totally frowns at this archaic approach and order for untrained Neighbourhood Watch members to unleash mayhem on hoodlums especially when we take a deep reflection on the many nefarious activities and attacks which the government-sponsored platform has unleashed on suspected oppositions in Ebonyi state.

“We ask the mainstream Nigerian Police, NSCDC, DSS and other federally-recognized security agencies to rather intervene in restoring peace, law and order in our dear State rather than resort to the use of untrained thugs to attempt to checkmate hoodlums.

“AESID however condemns the attacks and razing of police stations and other public infrastructures by the said hoodlums and also sympathize with Ebonyians all over Nigeria for whatever they suffered and went through in the course of the protests against Police brutality.”

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Labour

FG Begins Payment of New Minimum Wage to Workers

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By Elizabeth Okwe

The Federal Government has commenced payment of the new minimum wage to civil servants.

The Director, Public Relations of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa confirmed this in an interview with newsmen.

According to Mokwa,  employees on the federal government payroll can expect to receive alerts regarding their updated minimum wage salary payments from today, Thursday.

However, Mokwa did not clarify whether the minimum wage would be disbursed along with any outstanding

He said, “Federal Government civil servants will start getting the new minimum wage from today(Thursday) this September 2024. What I can tell you is that the minimum wage salary payment is today I am not sure of the arrears”,

 

Dockaysworld reports that this development comes after Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta, on Tuesday confirmed that the government has approved the upward review of consolidated public service salary structure, CONPSS in line with the minimum wage(Amendment) Act, 2024.

 

This followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of N70,000 new Minimum wage on July 18, 2024.

 

Thereafter, the Senate passed the new

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Labour

Ajaero’s Arrest Unconnected with Labour Issues – Security Source

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* As DSS Bows to Pressure, Releases NLC President on Administrative Bail

* Condemnations Trail Arrest

. . .

There are strong indications that the embattled president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, will face multiple charges, including extortion, alleged connections with wanted individuals, and a worrying attitude towards law enforcement agencies.

Credible intelligence sources have revealed to PRNigeria the reasons behind the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Joe Ajaero, by security services.

Earlier today, the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) apprehended Ajaero at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as he was about to board a flight to the United Kingdom (UK).

The NLC leader was scheduled to attend a conference of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the UK.

The credible sources, who requested anonymity, disclosed that Ajaero’s arrest was unrelated to NLC matters or labour activities.

“It was for personal reasons involving fraudulent activities perpetrated by the NLC President,” one source stated.

One major allegation involves Ajaero reportedly extorting funds from various businessmen and organizations. Among the complaints is a formal petition lodged by Air Peace, which has been forwarded to the appropriate security services.

These serious claims suggest a troubling pattern of misconduct potentially extending beyond Ajaero’s role as a labor leader.

PRNigeria gathered that investigations by another security arm, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), focus on Ajaero’s associations with a foreign national currently on the run in Nigeria. This individual is accused of involvement in clandestine activities that threaten national security, raising significant concerns about Ajaero’s potential complicity in these illicit operations.

“The NIA wants to determine the nature of Ajaero’s relationship and connection with the said foreigner,” a source explained.

The high-ranking official commented on Ajaero’s conduct, describing it as arrogance and a blatant disregard for security protocols.

“Ajaero, using his position as NLC President, has consistently shown arrogance and disdain towards Nigerian security forces, acting as if he is untouchable and above reproach.

“He has ignored multiple invitations from the police, choosing instead to engage on his own terms, which is viewed as both disrespectful and defiant,” the source remarked.

Despite his efforts to frame the allegations as politically motivated and rally support from the NLC, security officials maintain that the issues are strictly personal.

“These are not matters related to labour activism or the NLC and are not related to Nigerian workers or their welfare. He enjoys boasting that labour will go on a nationwide strike if Nigerian workers were his servants. Haba!

“These are personal allegations, and security agencies diligently pursue the investigation. His arrest has nothing to do with NLC or labour issues. It is over personal matters that our security agencies want to unravel,” the sources concluded.

* DSS Releases NLC President on Administrative Bail

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services has succumbed to pressure by granting administrative bail to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero.

He was released a few minutes before the 12midnight ultimatum issued by the organised labour.

Pro-democracy activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, announced his release in a tweet on Monday night.

“BREAKING: The fascist regime of @officialABAT has released the @NLCHeadquarters President Joe Ajaero from @OfficialDSSNG custody on bail,” he wrote on X.com.

The Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party and Social Democratic Party on Monday criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration following the arrest of Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the raid on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’s Abuja office by the Department of State Services.

Ajaero was arrested on Monday morning at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his way to the United Kingdom for an official assignment.

The NLC president was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which begins today.

Also, the DSS raided the Abuja office of SERAP in Abuja.

Reports indicate that the officers were seeking to speak with the directors of the rights group.

In response to its president’s arrest, the NLC held a closed-door meeting with stakeholders in Abuja on Monday, demanding Ajaero’s immediate release and instructing all chapters to prepare for a potential nationwide strike.

The NLC’s National Administrative Council in a statement issued after its meeting by Adeyanju Adewale, NLC’s deputy president, described the detention as “brazen and illegal” and an “affront to the rights of workers and democratic principles.”

The council demanded Ajaero’s release by 12 midnight on Monday and also called for the reversal of the recent petrol price hike to N617/Litre.

The NLC disclosed that it had placed its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies on red alert, warning that it would not stand by while workers’ rights were trampled upon.

The congress reaffirmed its commitment to defending workers’ rights and opposing oppression, urging the government to reverse its “dangerous trend” and implement the new National Minimum Wage.

The communiqué read, “The National Administrative Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress convened an emergency meeting today to address the alarming and unlawful arrest and detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, by agents of the Nigerian Government.

“Comrade Ajaero was arrested and detained at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en-route to the United Kingdom, where he was scheduled to attend and address the Congress of the Trade Union Congress of Britain, representing Nigerian workers in critical discussions on workers’ rights and social justice.

“After extensive deliberation, the NAC resolved as follows: The Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and illegal detention of Comrade Joe Ajaero by the Nigerian state without any legal warrant or justification. The NLC notes with grave concern that Comrade Ajaero was lawfully discharging his duties to represent Nigerian workers and had not committed any offense warranting such action.

“His detention is an affront to the rights of workers and the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression.

“The NLC demands the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Joe Ajaero before 12 midnight today. The Council reiterates that Joe Ajaero is not a fugitive or a criminal, and his detention is an act of intimidation aimed at silencing dissent and stifling the labour movement’s voice in Nigeria. NAC also demands the immediate reversal of the current hike in the price of petrol to N617/litre.

“The congress places all its affiliates, state councils, civil society allies, and the Nigerian populace on red alert. The detention of Comrade Ajaero is an attack not just on the NLC leadership but on the rights of all workers and citizens to organize, protest, and express themselves freely. The NLC will not stand by while these rights are trampled upon. This provocation is another attempt by the State to scuttle the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage.”

Speaking earlier, Benson Upah, Head of Public Relations for the NLC, stated that Ajaero was taken by state agents without a legal warrant or formal documentation, adding that his current location and health status remained unknown.

Reacting to the development, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, called for caution, stating that Nigeria has now entered a full-blown dictatorship under President Tinubu.

Ologunagba urged the Federal Government to tackle the underlying issues like hunger, rather than targeting individuals who didn’t support their policies.

He stated “There is a need for caution. There was a protest in this country, and the government did nothing. You arrest some people, label them terrorists, and charge them to court. You claim some individuals are sponsors of the protest.

“We know who sponsored the protest: it is hunger. The President and his administration should address hunger, and there will be no problem. Let your draconian policies that bring people to their knees be re-evaluated. With school resuming, we understand the struggles of those with pupils in school.

“You wake up one morning unable to plan because the government is so insensitive and irresponsible, implementing policies that destroy people’s plans and their pursuit of happiness without consulting the National Assembly.

“Why does the government exist? For the welfare and security of the people. Currently, there is no welfare or security. This is breaking news. We need to see and understand what is happening. The government should address the country’s welfare challenges to prevent protests.”

The PDP Publicity Secretary expressed discontent with President Tinubu for focusing primarily on his comfort.

Ologunagba added, “Nobody really cares who the president is if the government provides the opportunity to pursue our goals and aspirations. As a party, we will investigate this breaking news and respond accordingly. If the government is about welfare and the people are suffering, it is reasonable to review these policies.

“You must show leadership by saying, ‘Okay, you are telling me to tighten my belt while you are buying a new belt.’ This is a country that cannot pay N70,000 minimum wage but can purchase a N150 plane. The President seems to be testing it, flying everywhere. This is a country where N21bn was spent to renovate the Vice President’s house, yet according to them, there is no money.”

The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, remarked that Tinubu’s administration was sliding into ‘’a hotbed of corruption and tyranny.’’

He stated, “Tinubu’s administration is not sliding into authoritarianism, we are already in a full-blown dictatorship.

“The APC and indeed the Tinubu-led government have finally degenerated into a cesspool of corrupt and tyrannical monsters. The contraption is no longer pretentious about its anti-democratic posture, a development we are not surprised about because of the background and disposition of the elements.”

The National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, described Ajaero’s arrest as shocking.

Johnson, however, disclosed that the Tinubu administration must urgently explain why the Labour leader was whisked away to douse the tension.

He said, “We need to wait to find out why he was arrested. That way, we can have an informed opinion. Otherwise, people will start believing that it is some form of authoritarianism we are seeing.

“But as a legal practitioner, I will wait to officially hear the reasons they think it is necessary to pick Ajaero in the manner they did.”

SDP national chairman Shehu Gabam, who labelled the operation as “Gestapo-like”, stated that the nation was descending into gangsterism.

In an interview with The PUNCH, Gabam warned that this approach will not benefit the country.

He stated “What happened symbolizes the nation jumping into gangsterism and Gestapo-like operations against those who disagree with the government. I want to caution the government to be extremely careful.

“The composition of the nation will not support Gestapo-like operations simply because there are differing opinions on how the government is run. The right of citizens to express their dissatisfaction with government policies and programs is constitutionally protected. The government should learn from other systems that have used similar tactics and ended up collapsing.

“Given the current level of consciousness in Nigeria, as well as the high levels of poverty, insecurity, hunger, and unemployment, the leadership must be extremely careful not to provoke the system further. You cannot target institutions simply because they disagree with you. If you have any evidence, you should find a decent way to arrest or interrogate people. Subjecting them to appear as if they are hiding criminals is unacceptable.

“It reflects poorly on the quality of leadership and responsibility. My advice to this government is to apply extreme caution in how they handle those who disagree with them. This approach will not benefit the country.

“It will not create an environment that protects our cherished institutions and democracy, which we have chosen by choice, not imposition. The government must be extremely cautious and sensitive in its operations.”

But the National Publicity Director of the ruling APC, Bala Ibrahim, called for restraint.

The spokesman insisted that the DSS could not have gone after the NLC president without a reason.

According to him, it is too early for people to start venting their anger without finding out whether his arrest has something to do with the ‘treason’ charge or another issue entirely.

He stated, “Governance is all about ensuring law and order in the country. When the President took the oath of office and allegiance of office, he swore to respect the constitution of the country. In respecting the constitution of the country, you must not tamper with the law. Whatever is the provision of the law should be followed to the latter.

“In matters of investigation, especially one that has to do with insecurity, we must set aside sentiment and look at the position of the law. If a matter has to do with treason, it means the constitution of the country is under challenge. On this issue of the NLC president, he has appeared before security agents more than once and he came with his lawyer.

“If the need arises for him to be invited again, he must continue to turn up until he proves himself innocent. For now, we have not received the substance or details on why he was arrested by the DSS. Until we do, we must not inject sentiments into the issue because the Constitution is supreme.

“Anybody who defies the constitution is threatening peace and unity of the people and putting the country in jeopardy. Let us not look at it from the angle of the president being dictatorial. No, it is the question of protecting the constitution and the law.”

The National Union of Electricity Employees strongly condemned the arrest of the NLC president and the raid on SERAP’s office.

NUEE in a statement issued by its acting General Secretary, Igwebike Dominic, on Monday, expressed concern over the detention of Ajaero.

According to NUEE, the brazen act of intimidation and harassment is a violation of his fundamental rights and freedom as a Nigerian citizen.

The statement read, “We are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Com. Joe Ajaero and we are saying to the government to desist from its unscrupulous harassment of labour leaders and Nigerian workers who speak out on the crushing hardship they are battling with caused by the irresponsible acts of the government that has turned deaf ears to the groaning of the people that they are governing.”

On its part, the Trade Union Congress demanded the unconditional release of Ajaero in a statement signed by its president, Festus Osifo.

Osifo said, “This unjust action represents a clear violation of the rights to freedom of association and expression, fundamental pillars in any democratic society.”

He noted that the Congress “firmly condemns the arrest and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

“This arrest sets a dangerous precedent that threatens not only the leadership of the Nigerian labour movement but also the voices of millions of working-class Nigerians who rely on unions to represent and protect their interests.

“It is imperative that the government respects the rule of law, democratic norms, and the legitimate rights of workers and their representatives. The labour movement has always stood for peaceful negotiations.

“We, therefore, urge the Nigerian government to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation over harassment. We stand in solidarity with the NLC and reaffirm our commitment to defending the rights and dignity of Nigerian workers.”

The United Action Front of Civil Society described the arrest as a “needless show of force” and an attempt to cause national anarchy.

The UAFCS argued that Ajaero, as a high-profile citizen and leader, should have been treated with decorum and courtesy, rather than being subjected to “dehumanizing tactics”.

In a statement signed by the Head of the Secretariat, Hamisu Santuraki, it called for Ajaero’s immediate release, warning that his detention could lead to mass resistance and civil disobedience.

It also announced plans to commence national consultations on halting the growing “police state” in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Monday, Amnesty International Nigeria mentioned that Ajaero’s unlawful arrest by the DSS signalled a troubling new standard for impunity.

The Director of AI Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said, “Amnesty International strongly condemns the unlawful arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, by the Department of State Services today. The labour union leader must be immediately and unconditionally released.

“The arbitrary arrest of Joe Ajaero shows an escalating crackdown on human rights and restrictions on civic space by the government of President Bola Tinubu.’’

“President Bola Tinubu’s government persistently attacks and undermines the operations of the NLC through fabricated allegations, raids on NLC headquarters, and other forms of harassment and intimidation. This growing culture of impunity and disdain for workers’ rights to organize and seek better welfare must stop,” Sanusi added.

According to Sanusi, President Tinubu is setting a new record of utter disregard for the rule of law.

“Amnesty International has observed, in the last year, the increasing crackdown by Nigerian authorities on the labour union and civic space. The authorities continue to weaponise the police and DSS to repress the human rights of Nigerians.

“Nigeria is a party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, including trade union membership and activities,” he noted.

“Under international human rights law, workers cannot be targeted for participating in trade union activities. The Nigerian authorities have an obligation not only to respect the rights of workers but also to protect these rights from abuse,” the organisation further argued.

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria also condemned the arrest of the NLC president.

In a statement on Monday by the Head of Media at MWUN, John Ikemefuna, the union said it would comply with decisions taken by the NLC to ensure Ajaero’s immediate release.

“The MWUN under the leadership of Adewale Adeyanju has kicked against the abduction of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero by security apparatus at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on his invitation to attend workers congress by the Trade Union Congress of Britain,” the statement read in part.

MWUN stated that it is in the public domain that Ajaero is not a fugitive anywhere in the world, therefore, his arrest without warrant and detention is condemnable in its entirety.

It stated “It’s also on record that Ajaero is a Nigerian citizen and not in any way a wanted person by the Nigerian state. Therefore, his abduction was just a deliberate act to humiliate, and dehumanise him; and a wholesome act of intimidation of the labour president, which by all measure is unjustifiable by the laws of the land.”

“Given the foregoing, the union would have no other option if he’s not released but to comply with directives that may come from the NLC on this matter,” the union warned.

In a related development, SERAP has urged the President “to immediately direct Nigeria’s DSS to end the intimidation and harassment and attack against our organization and the threat of arrest against our directors.”

In a statement by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, “We condemn the invasion of our Abuja office today by Nigeria’s Department of State Services. The Tinubu administration must immediately direct the DSS to end the intimidation and harassment of SERAP and our staff members.”

SERAP’s statement read in part: “The invasion of SERAP’s office by the DSS and the harassment and intimidation of our staff members is a brutal assault on the entire human rights community in the country.

“The escalating crackdown on human rights, and harassment and intimidation of NGOs and human rights defenders that have shown astonishing courage in their human rights work hurt those most in need, undermine access of Nigerian victims of human rights violations and abuses to justice, and contribute to a culture of impunity of perpetrators.

“This government has an obligation to support and protect civil society groups and human rights defenders. We are seriously concerned about the growing restrictions on civic space and the brutal crackdown on the human rights of Nigerians.

“President Tinubu must urgently instruct appropriate authorities to promptly and thoroughly investigate the invasion of our offices and to bring to justice those involved.

“Nigerian authorities must allow SERAP to freely carry out our mandates as recognized under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.”

SERAP charged Nigerian authorities to end the harassment and intimidation against its staff.

Human rights lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, said, “We condemn the invasion of SERAP’s office. The Tinubu government must urgently fish out the officers who carried out the invasion of SERAP’s office in the name of the government. Anyone found to be responsible for the invasion must be prosecuted. The government must allow human rights defenders to freely carry out their work, consistent with the Nigerian Constitution.”

AI also lambasted Tinubu for the ‘unlawful’ invasion of SERAP’s office by DSS operatives.

AI, in a post on X on Monday, said the president was going too far in his administration’s efforts to gag dissenting voices.

The post read, “Amnesty International received a disturbing report of the unlawful invasion of the Abuja office of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by operatives of DSS. President Bola Tinubu is going too far in his government’s repressive efforts to gag dissenting voices.”

Our correspondent’s attempts to reach the DSS were unsuccessful, as the service had closed its Directorate of Communication and reassigned its director, Peter Afunaya.

When The PUNCH contacted the agency’s operational phone number, an officer instructed our correspondent to send an email. As of this report, the email has not been responded to.

However, a source, who requested anonymity due to not being authorized to speak on the matter, informed our correspondent that Ajaero was arrested for not responding to the service’s invitation.

The source said, “An invitation was sent to him last week following a petition against him. The petition borders on national security and his presence was required to clear the air on the allegations against him. A senior officer handling the matter called him on his telephone line and he promised to show up but failed to.

“No responsible security organisation will fold its hands in the face of such contempt. The law setting up the DSS empowers us to defend Nigeria against domestic threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of Nigeria, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal and state law-enforcement organs.”

Reacting, Falana challenged the DSS to provide evidence against the labour leader.

Falana said, “Let the DSS provide details of the petition. If they say it is a matter of national security then let them give you a copy of that petition. It is very simple.”

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Unemployment: FG to launch labour statistics system – Ngige

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Ngige (file photo)

As part of efforts to address the rising unemployment in the country, the federal government has announced plans to develop a labour statistics system where unemployed Nigerians at home and abroad can apply for available jobs.

Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday during a media parley with labour reporters at his office.Ngige made reference to the US Department of Labour which publishes labour data, which are essential statistics for addressing unemployment.

“But over time that we have been here, it is not funded. You don’t also blame them. Everybody wants to build bridges and airports and go. But they forget that with labour statistics and matching, you can fight unemployment. With that, you know who is where at any given time. And people abroad, especially those with specialities, who want to come back, can enter that system to know where to apply to for jobs,” Ngige said.

Ngige promised that the system would be set up at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment within the next month or two in preparation for its official introduction in two months.

He recalled that his ministry earlier established a labour exchange system for merging and cross-matching labour supply and demand in the country.

“In our electronic labour exchange system, both people who are looking for work and recruiters can enter the system where we merge and match them. We do what is called cross-matching and people are gainfully employed. This is the facilitation of employment.”
Speaking further, Ngige said his ministry has gotten involved in some international projects with foreign partners, which Nigeria has not hitherto been doing, adding that for the first time, the American Government was putting up a grant for women and children in Nigeria and Liberia.

“For children, they are doing that to stop child labour. You know that child labour is a kind of poverty. People who ask their children to go to mines are looking for money from those miners. It is the same thing with hawking. Children are on the streets hawking while others are in school. They are in the streets hawking to make ends meet. The same goes for cocoa plantations.

“We are fighting child labour. The American government has agreed to assist us. We have two programmes. One is for $5 million and another one for $ 4 million is specific to Nigeria for areas where granite, columbites and others, are mined. We have not been loud in announcing them because we don’t want the American Government to withdraw. When the programmes take off, we can announce.”

According to the minister, a Nigerian implementer has been appointed for the programmes while ILO will be rendering technical assistance.

While applauding the ILO for being up and doing in the area of technical assistance, he urged the organisation to sustain the momentum.
He said this ministry has finished the validation of new laws and sent the bills to the National Assembly for legislation and passage, among them, the upgrade of the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) to a full-fledged commission.

“We are hopeful to get the National Assembly to pass the bills before the end of February.”
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ms Daju Kachollom, as well as directors and other unit leaders in charge of several departments, were also present at the media discussion.

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