National Issues
2017 Workers’ Day and Begging Questions!
TODAY is not only declared as public holiday by the Federal Government of Nigeria to mark the workers day, it is a moment for deep reflection on the state of employees in both private and public sectors of the nation’s economy.
With the economic recession currently inflicting the fabrics of the nation, workers appear to be worst hit as most state governments are owing their employees a backlog of salary arrears. Even when states had the opportunity to access Paris fund, it was unfortunate that we still heard the report of some governors diverting the fund.
While the governors enjoyed unhindered access to security votes and other entitlements, workers were made to suffer with impunity. The current realities in the country is that an average worker can no afford three descent daily meal.
As the nation marks the workers day, three intertwined issues needs serious consideration by labour unions and the government at various levels. One, the perennial question of what should be the minimum wage deserves more attention in labour discourse across the nation as we mark this year’s workers day.
To have a realistic minimum wage policy as essential for industrial harmony in the country, factors such as purchasing power of currency and inflationary trend need careful consideration in our policy decisions on national wages and salaries. Anything to the contrary will make the struggle for salary increase to remain a permanent feature of Nigeria’s national life.
The second issue of serious concern is contributory pension scheme. Since 2004 when the Pension Reform Act was enacted, the objectives of the Scheme are yet to be fully realised. Up till the present moment, the Contributory Pension Scheme is yet to be introduced by some states while few States that had introduced the Scheme are not doing it right. Worse still, pension fund was sometimes ago been reported to have been embezzled by the administrators.
Similarly, an average state employee doesn’t understand the letter and spirit of the Pension Reform Act 2004. Poor knowledge and understanding of how contributory pension scheme works in a way contributes to the negative attitude of workers to the ideals, principles and strategic objectives of the Scheme.
Again, the introduction of either zero subvention or disproportionate subvention for employees by state governments not only a cause of nightmare for the workers but it has resulted into continuous groaning among the state workforce in some states of the federation. Obviously, zero subvention policy introduced for tertiary institutions’ workers by some states as a strategic measure to assist them achieve self sustainability, in my view, it’s nothing but a ruse.
More so, when the affected institutions lack the relevant investments, capacity and facilities to drive the self sustainability policy. As it is, the policy of self sustainability without seed fund for facility expansion and investment is nothing but a sort of subterfuge.
With zero subvention or disproportionate subvention to tertiary institutions by some state governments, employees’ productivity and efficiency will continue to diminish.
Indeed, government by not paying salaries as and when due loses the moral right to complain of ineptitude of deprived workers.
Of equal importance is lack of will by government to implement Employee’s Compensation Act 2010. The Act seeks special compensation for death of workers in the course of service delivery or for any forms of injury sustained. Despite the clauses in the Employee’s Compensation Act 2010 which entitles employees to compensation for even occupational disease and mental stress in the discharge of official duties, the compensation are often waived contrary to the extant law.
Based on the forgoing, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) need to address the non challant attitude of government at various levels towards the implementation of Employee’s Compensation Act 2010 which intends to find succour for any workers that suffer injury or disability in the course of service delivery.
Wishing the Nigeria’s workers all the best as the nation celebrates them today.
By Rahaman Onike, Oyo.
He is public administrator, policy analyst and author.
National Issues
Rep. Oseni Urges Urgent Action on Rising Building Collapses in Nigeria
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, has called for a prompt investigation into the increasing occurrences of building collapses in major cities across Nigeria.
In a motion presented to the House on Wednesday, Oseni expressed deep concern over the alarming frequency of building collapses, emphasising the threat they pose to the lives and property of Nigerians.
The APC lawmaker, through a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, cited the recent collapse of a two-storey school building at Saint Academy in Busa Buji, Jos, Plateau State, on July 12, 2024. The tragic incident, which trapped 154 people and claimed 22 lives, is the latest in a series of similar disasters, raising serious concerns nationwide.
Oseni also referenced a report from The Punch newspaper, which revealed that Nigeria had recorded 135 building collapse incidents between 2022 and July 2024.
“This figure is alarming and unacceptable,” he stated, stressing the urgency of preventing further occurrences.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Oseni reminded the House that the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and other relevant professional bodies are responsible for ensuring compliance with building standards and practices.
“Despite these regulatory frameworks, the recurring collapses suggest that enforcement is lacking. The loss of lives, properties, and resources is staggering, and this disturbing trend must be addressed immediately,” he remarked.
He proposed the formation of an Adhoc Committee to investigate the underlying causes of these collapses and recommend both immediate and long-term solutions.
Also, he urged the House Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure swift implementation of any recommendations.
The House agreed to deliberate on the motion and is expected to present its findings and proposed actions within eight weeks.
National Issues
Corruption Among Political, Religious Leaders Stalls Nation-Building – Olugbon
The Vice-chairman of the Oyo Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, has expressed deep concern over the increasing involvement of religious leaders in material pursuits, accusing them of abandoning their spiritual duties in favour of wealth and influence.
Oba Alao, who is also the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, made this statement during a visit from the leadership of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement “Ayo Ni O,” led by Baba Aladura Prophet Emmanuel Abiodun Alogbo, at his palace in Surulere Local Government on Thursday.
The monarch accused some religious leaders of sharing part of the blame for the moral and political crises that have engulfed the nation. According to him, spiritual leaders, once seen as the moral compass of society, have become compromised by corruption, aligning themselves with the very forces they should condemn.
Oba Alao was unapologetic in his criticism, stating, “Ninety-five percent of Nigerian leaders, both political and religious, are spiritually compromised.”
He argued that this moral decay among clerics has made it impossible for them to hold political leaders accountable or speak the truth to those in power, as their integrity has been eroded by their pursuit of material wealth.
“Carnality has taken over spirituality. Our religious leaders can no longer speak the truth to those in authority because their minds have been corrupted. Most of the so-called General Overseers (G.O.) are corrupt and perverted,” Oba Alao added.
He stressed that this shift towards wealth accumulation at the expense of spiritual values has greatly contributed to the country’s stagnation in development and social justice.
Olugbon urged both religious leaders and traditional rulers to reflect on their actions, reminding them that they would be held accountable for their stewardship, both in this world and the next.
“The prayers of sinners are an abomination before God, hence the need for our leaders to rethink,” he warned.
The monarch concluded by reiterating the transient nature of power and the importance of staying true to sacred duties, regardless of the temptation to indulge in worldly gains. “I am a traditional ruler. I don’t belong, and will never belong, to any occultic groups,” he emphasised, drawing a clear line between his position and the corrupt practices of some leaders.
In response to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement’s request for collaboration on community development projects, Oba Alao assured them of his support.
“Your requests are aimed at the development of the Orile Igbon community. I am assuring you that necessary assistance will be provided in this regard.”
Earlier, Prophet Alogbo requested the monarch’s collaboration on a range of community development projects. These initiatives include the establishment of a women and youth empowerment center, clean drinking water initiatives, a bakery, animal production facilities, and farm produce processing.
Other proposals included a diagnostic and medical center, a full-size recreational sports facility, and a home care facility for the elderly.
National Issues
Nigeria’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 5.3% in Q1 2024 — NBS
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that Nigeria’s unemployment rate increased to 5.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2024. The latest figures were disclosed in a report released by the NBS on Tuesday, marking an uptick from the 5.0 per cent recorded in the third quarter (Q3) of 2023.
According to the NBS, the unemployment rate for males stood at 4.3 per cent, while females experienced a higher rate of 6.2 per cent during the same period. The report also highlighted disparities based on location, with urban areas recording a 6.0 per cent unemployment rate compared to 4.3 per cent in rural areas for Q1 2024.
“The unemployment rate for Q1 2024 was 5.3%, showing an increase from 5.0% recorded in Q3 2023,” the bureau stated in its report. The NBS defines the unemployment rate as the percentage of the labour force, including both employed and unemployed individuals, who are not working but are actively seeking employment.
Youth Unemployment Rate Declines
In a positive development, the report indicated a slight drop in youth unemployment, which fell to 8.4 per cent in Q1 2024, down from 8.6 per cent in Q3 2023. This figure represents the unemployment rate among Nigeria’s young people, a demographic that often faces unique employment challenges.
Educational Attainment and Unemployment
The report further provided insights into unemployment rates based on educational attainment. Individuals with postgraduate education recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 2.0 per cent, while those with post-secondary education faced a rate of 9.0 per cent. For people with secondary education, the rate stood at 6.9 per cent, and those with only primary education recorded a 4.0 per cent unemployment rate.
Employment-to-Population Ratio Falls to 73.2%
In addition to the unemployment data, the NBS also reported a decline in Nigeria’s employment-to-population ratio, a critical indicator of workforce participation. The ratio dropped to 73.2 per cent in Q1 2024, down from 75.6 per cent in Q3 2023. This ratio represents the percentage of the working-age population that is employed.
Breaking the data down by gender, the employment-to-population ratio for males was 74.2 per cent, while it was 72.3 per cent for females. By place of residence, urban areas had an employment-to-population ratio of 69.5 per cent, while rural areas recorded 78.9 per cent in Q1 2024, compared to 71.1 per cent and 80.7 per cent in Q3 2023, respectively.
-
News7 days ago
Bad Roads: ‘Focus on Message, Not Messenger’ – Nigerians Tell Works Minister, Umahi
-
Politics1 week ago
Oseni Salutes Senator Folarin’s Decades of Service at 61
-
News4 days ago
Rep Oseni Rallies Support for Ikogosi Development Projects, Calls for Resilience, Unity
-
Politics23 hours ago
Oyo Rep, Oseni Pays APC Secretariat Staff Salaries, Donates N10m to Boost Party Operations