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Nigerian Workers And The Challenge Of COVID-19 | By Rahaman Onike
Nigerian workers this year are not just in a state of dilemma like other Nigerians, they were caught unaware by COVID-19 pandemic that is currently plaguing the entire universe. Of course,this moment is not the best of time for the Nigerian workers including those in the public service and private sector of the nation’s economy.
Nigerian workers this year are not just in a state of dilemma like other Nigerians, they were caught unaware that is currently plaguing the entire universe. Of course,this moment is not the best of time for the Nigerian workers including those in the public service and private sector of the nation’s economy.
Apart from the anxieties caused by the daily increase in the death toys, workers are equally feeling threatened that they may lose their jobs after the pandemic. Really, there are reasons to fear giving the likely aftermath effects of the pandemic on the global economy.
In a dramatic manner, workers in the last six weeks were forced to stay at home. Ordinarily, one will expect that workers would be doing their works at home, if not fully but on skeletal scales.
Contrarily, the reverse is the case due to myriad of challenges that hsve been the bane of public service delivery in Nigeria since pre-colonial era.
From all indications, it seems both the governments and workers at various levels never envisaged this kind of social problem and as such didn’t prepare for the messy situation we find ourselves giving the near collapse of the economy under the present circumstance.The reality is that we are likely to be doomed, if adequate measures are not taken expeditiously on how to ensure the survival of the nation’s economy after the pandemic.
As the federal and state governments continue to device measures toward the mitigation the dire consequences of the novel coronavirus pandemic, workers should get prepared to make necessary sacrifices to assist the nation achieve speedy economic recovery after the pandemic.
This is the right time for the workers to be engaging in serious rumination on how to assist the nation make up for the loses so far recorded since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
One way to achieve this goal is for every worker to capture all the lessons learnt from the ongoing experience with the view to make use of the experiences when work resumes.
Expectedly, When work resumes and workers are fully returned to their desks, it is important everyone thinks about how to make use of the experience learnt during this critical period in our nation’s history to add value and contribute meaningfully to economic recovery measures which the governments are bound to introduce.
For the avoidance of doubt, this period has taught workers a lesson that the business climate may change by technology and pandemic such as COVID-19 as we experience currently. One major failure of the employers of labour in the country as currently exposed by the coronavirus pandemic is that both the government and managers of the private sector lack effective and enduring coping strategies for business and economic survival during global crises.
Unlike the situation in the developed economies where e-organization operate without any serious hindrance , the prevailing business and organizational culture in our own country today is far below the minimum standard. The best way to understand my concern is to look at the issue from the perspectives of its three underlying components-the use of internet, intranet and extranet to achieve effective service delivery particularly in the publiic service as the pandemic wrecks harvoc.
Even the private sector that seems to have already been paying attention to the scientific innovations being the in-thing now such as e-busines and e-commerce have not got it right as workers and management of the private organizations equally face challenge of cyberloofing on daily basis.
More importantly, the current reality has equally exposed our country and the workforce to be ill prepared for telecommuting which is all about operation of virtual office system. Even when workers are ready to operate virtual administrative system, the success still depends largely on critical factors such as availability of power supply, internet access and computer literacy skills of the workforce.
Whatever the circumstances, workers should remain steadfast and not loosing hope. The storm will soon be over. What is expected of the Nigerian workers is to see the period of lockdown to keep safe and obey the government directives on COVID-19.
This is not the time to pursue or engage in any risky venture so much when the storm is over workers will be alive, hale and hearty to contribute significantly to the nation’s economic recovery and infrastructural development.
Rahaman Onike, Public Commentator & Trade Union Activist writes from Oyo, Oyo State
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
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