Day: June 12, 2024

The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has urged organised labour and the Federal Government to respect human rights in their face off over a new minimum wage for workers.

Both parties are yet to agree on a new minimum wage with labour insisting on N250,000 while the federal government has offered to pay N62, 000.

The Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, said in Abuja on Monday during a Dialogue Session on Exploring Remedies for Human Rights Abuses that on no account should the face-off lead to human rights violation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, organised by PLAC, is in partnership with the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

He said the course of negations and even in the face of an industrial action respect for the human rights should be uppermost in the minds of the leaders of both parties.

‘There is a struggle about minimum wage, whether labour is getting government to pay about N200, 000 to the least person or not. ‘I
t’s going to be a turmoil and we must all prepare because it will come with challenges of human rights abuses.

‘The struggle for human rights is an important struggle to entrench democracy. We have several instances today where people are detained without been tried”, he said.

He urged security agencies to see human rights activists and CSOs as partners in progress rather than as detractors.

‘It is important to understand that our work as human rights activists is we can use the agencies and NGOs we represent to advance the cause of human rights to better the conditions of living in the country,’ he said.

See also Edun to chair South-West public hearing on minimum wage

Mr Simon Musa, who represented the Ministry of Police Affairs, said the police working to ensure that human rights violation by police personnel did not go unpunished.

He spoke as a panellist on `Assess to Recourse for Victims of Human Rights Violation`.

‘Any member of the public who feels that a police personnel has violated his or her
right can approach us. We have handled so many of those cases and come out with results,’ he said.

Also, Mr Okoro Obioha, who represented National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said the commission was ready to provide assistance to those whose rights had been abused.

‘If a person’s right is violated and you go to the police, if the state is not able to prosecute and the victim gets access to justice, the state is seen as the violator.

‘If a matter comes to us for instance, and it has to do with criminal prosecutions.

‘And the commission does not have power to prosecute, we ensure that such victim gets the needed service from the relevant agencies of government,’ he said.

Mr Maurice Chukwu, of Amnesty International, said in many instance, some state security agency do not want to collaborate with the CSOs on matters of human rights abuse.

‘The bottom line is that 90 per cent of the human rights abuses that we document are caused by the security agencies and the government and we ask them to be accountab
le’, Chukwu said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has urged organised labour and the Federal Government to respect human rights in their face off over a new minimum wage for workers.

Both parties are yet to agree on a new minimum wage with labour insisting on N250,000 while the federal government has offered to pay N62, 000.

The Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, said in Abuja on Monday during a Dialogue Session on Exploring Remedies for Human Rights Abuses that on no account should the face-off lead to human rights violation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, organised by PLAC, is in partnership with the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

He said the course of negations and even in the face of an industrial action respect for the human rights should be uppermost in the minds of the leaders of both parties.

‘There is a struggle about minimum wage, whether labour is getting government to pay about N200, 000 to the least person or not. ‘I
t’s going to be a turmoil and we must all prepare because it will come with challenges of human rights abuses.

‘The struggle for human rights is an important struggle to entrench democracy. We have several instances today where people are detained without been tried”, he said.

He urged security agencies to see human rights activists and CSOs as partners in progress rather than as detractors.

‘It is important to understand that our work as human rights activists is we can use the agencies and NGOs we represent to advance the cause of human rights to better the conditions of living in the country,’ he said.

See also Edun to chair South-West public hearing on minimum wage

Mr Simon Musa, who represented the Ministry of Police Affairs, said the police working to ensure that human rights violation by police personnel did not go unpunished.

He spoke as a panellist on `Assess to Recourse for Victims of Human Rights Violation`.

‘Any member of the public who feels that a police personnel has violated his or her
right can approach us. We have handled so many of those cases and come out with results,’ he said.

Also, Mr Okoro Obioha, who represented National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said the commission was ready to provide assistance to those whose rights had been abused.

‘If a person’s right is violated and you go to the police, if the state is not able to prosecute and the victim gets access to justice, the state is seen as the violator.

‘If a matter comes to us for instance, and it has to do with criminal prosecutions.

‘And the commission does not have power to prosecute, we ensure that such victim gets the needed service from the relevant agencies of government,’ he said.

Mr Maurice Chukwu, of Amnesty International, said in many instance, some state security agency do not want to collaborate with the CSOs on matters of human rights abuse.

‘The bottom line is that 90 per cent of the human rights abuses that we document are caused by the security agencies and the government and we ask them to be accountab
le’, Chukwu said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The wife of the Anambra Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, on Wednesday sponsored the enrolment of 1,000 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) into the state’s Health Insurance Scheme to promote their healthcare.

Soludo made the announcement during a town hall meeting with persons with special needs organised to promote her Healthy Living Initiative in Awka.

She said that PWDs had the capacity to bring unique values to the journey toward a livable and prosperous Anambra, when given adequate attention.

‘I invited you because I love you all and look out for you. My husband’s administration also appreciates your undying desire to bring your best to the table of good governance.

‘As I behold your amazing faces, I see strength, tenacity, doggedness and unbeatable ambitions. This is why Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative is giving out 1,000 health insurance slots free to PWDs in the state.

‘This is our own way of saying that we care about you and we know that health is the greatest wealth. This free health insuran
ce will be your passport to access the best medicare anywhere in the state.

‘I want you to ensure that you use the health insurance fully to your advantage. When you notice any sign of infirmity, do not waste time visiting your doctor,’ she said.

Dr Nonye Soludo addressing PWDs in Awka

Soludo urged the PWDs to prioritise their health, eat right, imbibe personal and environmental hygiene to stay healthy and alive.

Also speaking, Mr Ugochukwu Okeke, Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities in Anambra, requested for the inclusion of PWDs in the Healthy Living campaign.

According to him, PWDs are more affected when it comes to the issues of healthy living as a result of different challenges hinging on their various nature of disabilities.

‘Including PWDs in your campaign will help get the awareness and support down to our members, thereby enabling an inclusive society,’ he said.

In his keynote address, Prof. Williams Obiozor, Director, Centre for Disability and Special Needs Resear
ch, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, advocated more support and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the society.

Obiozor said that empowering and catering for the well-being of PWDs was a collective effort and should not be left for government alone.

In her remarks, Mrs Ify Obinabo, the state’s Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, appreciated the Governor’s wife for the demonstration of love to persons with disabilities in the state.

Mr Simeon Onyemaechi, the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, said the package cost N12,500 annually to get medicines and treatments of health conditions covered by the scheme.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Young Professional Forum (NYPF) has put forward a series of detailed recommendations for the National Youth Policy to pave the way for a more prosperous and inclusive future for Nigerian youth.

The forum in a communique issued after its meeting and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, noted the crucial role a comprehensive policy reform can play in shaping a brighter future reform were call to action for lasting positive change.

The proposed changes were carefully reviewed by some NYPF executive members, Chairperson Zaliha Lawal, Barrister Mayor Ndukaku, Dr Ekemini Udo and Media Consultant, Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi.

The forum stated that the policy recommendations have been forwarded to the Ministry of Youth as the recommendations include

‘Education and Talent Development, STEM Education Enhancement and Early STEM Education’.

Others recommendations were for Health and Well-being as well as Ensuring Participation and Inclusiveness.

Highlighting the critical role of educat
ion and skills, the NYPF suggested a multipronged approach involving vocational training and education, aimed at elevating the status of vocational education to eliminate existing stigmas.

The forum said that the approach would increase the number of highly skilled workers, transforming Nigeria from a consumer-driven nation to a manufacturing hub and innovation-led economy.

‘It will tackle youth unemployment by fostering entrepreneurship and providing incentives for businesses that hire young people.

‘It will emulate successful aspects of the Chinese economic model to build a robust manufacturing sector.’

For the STEM Education Enhancement, it said it would position Nigeria as a global leader in innovation and technology through scholarships and Incentives.

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‘Early STEM education will encourage activities at secondary school levels and foster early interest and proficiency in STEM subjects to develop essential skills and passion from a young age.

‘It will
also help implement successful strategies from China and Singapore to build a strong STEM foundation, while the health and Well-being emphasises the importance of health and well-being among young Nigerians, proposing.

‘It will enhance Physical and Mental Health and address the rising rates of drug and substance abuse among the youth.

‘It will enhance access to comprehensive healthcare services to ensure a supportive environment for overall well-being.

‘To ensure participation and inclusiveness, governments must promote participation, inclusiveness, and equitable opportunities for all youth.

‘Furthermore, the National Youth Policy should guide leaders to consciously address barriers to meaningful youth engagement in civil and political affairs,’

This, the forum said would also enhance opportunities for the constructive involvement of all youth in community and social development, political processes and governance.

The NYPF is a leading organisation dedicated to empowering young professionals across Nig
eria through advocacy, policy recommendations, and capacity-building initiatives.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Some beneficiaries of the World Bank-supported Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) say the project is equipping Nigerian youths with digital skills to tap from the nation’s digital economy.

The beneficiaries stated this on Tuesday during their graduation, inauguration of internship programme and unveiling of Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd in Suleja.

The beneficiaries were among the 460 youths trained on digital marketing, data analytics and cyber security by Ubelle Neo Cloud Technologies Consortium under the IDEAS project.

One of them, Khadijat Abubakar, a data analytics trainee, described the digital training as one of the best she had ever attended and thanked the organisers for the opportunity.

Abubakar said that the training had equipped her with the necessary skills to tap from the huge opportunities that the digital economy provides.

‘I now know how to clean, filter, sort and verify data among other data analytics skills.

‘I am looking forward to a v
ery bright future with my digital skills and hoping to become one of the best data analysts in the country by God’s grace,’ she said.

Similarly, Lateefat Abdulrazak, another data analytics trainee, said she had always wanted to become a data analyst but did not have the opportunity until now.

Abdulrazak said: ‘The IDEAS programme has provided me with the needed opportunity to achieve my long-time ambition of becoming a data analyst.

‘I will now use my new acquired skills to solve real life programmes in the digital economy space. I am very grateful to the World Bank, Ubelle Nig. Ltd and New Cloud for the opportunity.’

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Another beneficiary, Mr Olarin Shadrack, said that the training has equipped him with a digital marketing skill to be able to explore opportunities in the nation’s digital economy.

‘I learned a lot about digital marketing and now in the comfort of my home and my little space, I can market my prod
ucts and other people’s products in the digital space using digital devices.

‘I am into agro-farming and other businesses. With my digital marketing skill, I can easily advertise myself online, showcase my talent and make money,’ he said.

Cross section of some of the beneficiaries of digital training during their graduation and unveiling of Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd in Suleja on Tuesday.

Earlier, Dr Ali Onoja, the Project Leader of Ubelle Neo Cloud Technologies Consortium, explained that the 460 beneficiaries were selected from more than 900 applicants.

Onoja said that the beneficiaries went through rigorous digital skills development from December 2023 and were equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in the digital age.

He explained that the Ubelle Nig. Ltd and Neo Cloud Technologies Consortium were among the 14 private sector organisations selected as grantees of the Innovation Grant Funding (IGF) under the IDEAS project.

According to him, the aim was to equip eligible you
ths, especially women, the disabled, and the vulnerable, with digital skills and certification.

He said that the digital marketing and digital entrepreneurship skills would enhance the capacity of the Nigerian skills development system to produce relevant skills for the formal and informal sectors.

‘However, learning alone is not enough. To turn their skills into successful ventures, they need resources, support, and opportunities, and this is where Fabsi Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd comes in.

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‘We understand that starting or expanding a business requires more than just knowledge; it requires capital, mentorship, and a network of like-minded individuals.

‘Fabsi Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd. is designed to provide the graduates and other interested members of the public with these essential resources,’ he said.

Also, IGF Consultant, Mr Ndem Ndiyo, National Project Implementation Unit, Federal Ministry of Education, sa
id that the IDEAS project was an ambitious and transformative initiative designed to enhance the quality and relevance of skills development in Nigeria.

Ndiyo described the project as one of the successful Public Private Partnership in the education sector in Nigeria, designed to leverage resources in the private sector for digital training.

He added that the beneficiaries would be certified in line with the National Skills Qualification Framework, to become employable, self-employed and employers of labour.

‘They will go through an internship programme where they will be engaged by the digital industry to put their skills to use after which we will look at job placement for them.

‘This in the long run will enable them to impact the nation’s digital economy,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A socio-political group, the Plateau Patriotic Front, has cautioned against call for the intervention of the National Assembly in the affairs of the Plateau State House of Assembly.

The group gave the warning on Tuesday, in Abuja in a statement by its Chairman, Mr Mani Imman.

He said the call for the leadership of the National Assembly to intervene in the affairs of the Plateau State House of Assembly was an invitation to stoke violence and disrupt governance in the state.

Imman said those calling for the intervention of NASS as lover of crisis.

He said that the development at the floor of the House of Representatives had come to the group’s notice as reported in the media that a motion was raised during Plenary.

‘The motion has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to intervene in the crisis surrounding the swearing-in of new members of the Plateau State House of Assembly.

‘We view this alarm as an attempt to stoke problems and disrupt governance and the peaceful atmosphere under the guise
of crisis in the State House of Assembly,’ he said.

He said those behind the call had been quoted as saying, ‘The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly has refused to swear in all the new members.’

Imman said those behind the call had accused the speaker of demanding that they submit letters of resignation with accompanying court affidavits as a condition for swearing-in.

He said that instead of calling for the National Assembly’s intervention in the matter it should be resolved to avoid crisis in the state.

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‘Failure to address the delays and biases in the swearing-in of the new members poses a threat to security in the state and undermines the principles of justice, fairness, and democracy.

‘The Court of Appeal, hearing appeals arising from judgments of the Plateau State Election Tribunal made decisions that resulted in the nullification of Certificates of Return of 16 sitting members of the State Assembly.

‘The court has ordered the issuance of new Certificates of Return to the new members by the Independent National Electoral Commission,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria