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NPower: Records mismatch, others affect payment in Oyo, says Commissioner.
The Vocal Person/ Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya has attributed mismatched records and omission of account numbers are some of the reasons causing the delay in payment of stipends to the beneficiaries N Power programme in the state.
Giving a situation report on the N-Power job creation and empowerment, an initiative of the Social Investment Programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Commissioner disclosed that the FG pays stipends directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts thereby eliminating any direct payment inputs from states.
She further stated that some of the supposed beneficiaries did not qualify at the verification stage as they supplied wrong or insufficient information, stressing that some out of those who qualified were paid but the bank returned their money, perhaps because of type of account or dormancy of account.
Osunkoya urged unpaid beneficiaries to confirm their status and reason for non-payment from the Ministry of Women Affairs, noting that the beneficiaries are already aware that the lists of unpaid beneficiaries have been pasted.
“If the applicant’s non-payment problem is related to their bank account details, they need to confirm with their banks the status and account details; ensuring that details tally; then Log into npvn.npower.gov.ng or send an email with their correct details to selection@npower.gov.ng. Beneficiaries of the programme are implored to visit the Ministry of Women Affairs,” she added.
Osunkoya further explained that the Federal Government shortlisted beneficiaries for the programme which was designed to help young Nigerians acquire and develop life-long skills to become solution providers in their communities and become players in the domestic and global markets.
According to her, “through N-Power, young Nigerians will be empowered with the necessary tools to go on and create, develop, build, fix and work on exceptional ideas, projects and enterprises that will change our communities, our economy and our nation. The N-Power programme is for all eligible young Nigerians looking for gainful engagement designed for ages between 18 and 35.
“Deployment to beneficiaries’ places of primary assignment is ongoing. For now, the Federal Government is targeting N-Teach, N-Agro, N-Health. Deployment is therefore namely to Primary Schools, Junior Secondary Schools, State Agriculture Development Projects and Primary Health Care Centres respectively.
“The National Orientation Agency (NOA) & National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) handled the verification of beneficiaries as well as collation of verification data at the State level while the Oyo State Government Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is coordinating the programme at the state, deploying the beneficiaries and of beneficiaries and attending to general issues and enquiries and forwarding same to Abuja for necessary action in a bid to ensure that no one is disenfranchised,” Osunkoya said.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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