Month: November 2023

 

By Biola Lawal

Lagos (Flowerbudnews):  Nigeria’s Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu has given the assurance that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration will find a permanent solution to the perennial flooding in Isheri, Agboyi and other communities, along the borderline between Lagos and Ogun States.

The Minister gave the assurance when she visited Isheri and Agboyi Ketu, the two communities majorly affected by the recent flooding in both states.

Already, 33,000 people have been directly affected as a result of the recent flooding in Isheri communities in Ogun and Lagos.

Dr. Edu disclosed that buffer Dams required to empty the Oyan overflow River will be built by the relevant Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

At Isheri, where the community’s monarch and village heads came out en mass to receive her, Edu, assured them of continuous engagement intervention until the problem was solved permanently.

“I bring greetings from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is deeply concerned and has directed me to visit this place to provide immediate relief materials for families affected while we take decisive action to revive the livelihood and small businesses affected by the flood.

The Minister who delivered food and non-food relief materials to the traditional rulers and representatives of Ogun and Lagos state governments, pleaded with victims of the natural disaster to be patient with the Federal Government as it works with the state to provide a permanent solution to the perennial flooding.

At Agboyi Ketu in Lagos, the Minister inspected the affected areas alongside the House of Representatives member representing Kosofe Federal constituency, Hon.Kafila Ogbara.

Dr. Edu, decked in a reflective jacket, navigated the affected areas with a canoe, including Agboyi-Ketu, Owode Onirin, Isheri, Ajegunle, Agiliti, Kara, Majidun, all in Kosofe local government area, and Agboyi Ketu Local Council Development Area respectively, assured the victims of immediate humanitarian response.

She maintained that the federal government was interested in supporting those who lost their businesses to the flood. According to her, President Tinubu has rolled out many new and existing social intervention programs, including Conditional Cash Transfers, Traders Monies, End Hunger Program, etc to tackle Humanitarian and Poverty Challenges facing Vulnerable Nigerians.

“We are here to assess the extent of the damage caused by the recent flooding in Agboyi-Ketu, Owode Onirin, Isheri, Ajegunle, Agiliti, Kara, Majidun, all in Kosofe and Ketu Agboyi local council areas and to also present food and nonfood items as a form of humanitarian assistance and response. It is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“The President is deeply touched by this flood challenge and he has promised to bring a permanent solution to this reoccurring problem. We are well aware that beyond these palliatives, what you desire is a permanent solution to this perennial flooding and I shall communicate your message to the Federal Executive Council.

“I want to assure you that talks are ongoing about the construction of buffer Dams to tackle this challenge and when next I’m here, it will be to join other Ministers and Government officials to commission some of these projects that will help to permanently end this problem”

Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR), Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, MHAPA (Flowerbudnews)

 

 

Abuja:  Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF) France, on Monday, said it would develop a platform, through its e-rights project, where incidences of digital rights violation can be reported and tracked in order to have verifiable statistics in Nigeria.

Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, the Country Director, ASF France, also known as Lawyers Without Borders, France, stated this at the E-Rights Training for Judges and Lawyers on Digital Rights in Abuja.

‘In terms of statistics of cases of digital rights violation, the e-rights project is developing a platform called, ‘The Closing Civic Spaces Platform,’ where incidences of digital rights violation can be reported by citizens, activists, journalists, etc.

“This will create a platform for us to track and be able to have a verifiable statistics of digital rights violations in Nigeria,” she said.

Uzoma-Iwuchukwu said the organisation would support the initiative by being proactive in responding with legal assistance for victims of digital rights violations in the country.

“The project is also going to be engaging in strategic litigations on digital rights issues as one of the strategies that we are employing to promote digital rights in the country,” she said.

(Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, the Country Director, Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF) France; Digital Rights Expert of ASF France, Camille Leflour; Vice President of ASF France, Ivan Paneff and Justice Ngozika Ndukwe-Nwabulu, representing Chief Judge of FCT at the E-Rights Training for Judges and Lawyers on Digital Rights on Monday in Abuja.)

The country director, who said that 30 judges and lawyer would be trained in the first phase, also said that judges and lawyers in Kano State, Lagos State and Imo would also be trained as four key states for the pilot project.

She said the capacity session was to contribute to the respective digital rights in Nigeria, particularly by promoting digital rights in various aspects looking at respect for the rights of Nigerians on digital platforms, freedom of expression, privacy rights, data protection of Nigerians on digital platforms, etc.

“We believe that human rights that are traditionally protected offline should also be protected and respected online so that’s the essence of the work we are doing on e-rights project,” she said.

The Chief Judge of FCT, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, represented by Justice Ngozika Ndukwe-Nwabulu, said technology had not only ushered in unprecedented opportunities but also exposed the world to new risks and attacks.

He said the training was critical given the increasing amount of personal data shared online and the potential for privacy violations.
“The training will also provide an insight into laws and regulations related to digital technologies, including data protection, intellectual property, cybercrime, and internet governance.

“Understanding these laws can help individuals and organisations avoid legal issues and ensure compliance.
“Digital rights training often includes cybersecurity awareness, which is crucial in protecting oneself and organisations from cyber threats, data breaches, and online harassment,” Baba-Yusuf said.
The President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, called on the judges and lawyers to rise to the challenge and stand as pillars of justice, defending the digital rights of all Nigerians.
Maikyau, represented by Chairman, NBA Abuja Branch,, Afam Okeke, also said that the training would provide the judges and lawyers with a deeper knowledge of digital rights, legislation which would focus on relevant national, regional and international digital rights legislation and standards.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some.of the judges at the training include Justices Nkeonye Maha and Donatus Okorowo of Federal High Court, Abuja; Justice Mimi Katsina-Alu of FCT High Court, among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

All categories of workers on the payroll of the Oyo State Government are now to get N25,000 wage award while pensioners are to get N15,000 for a six-month period effective from October.

 

Makinde made this announcement in the wake of a rally by the workers under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), at the state Secretariat, Ibadan, on Monday.

 

The workers had proceeded to the State Secretariat after a congress held at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Secretariat, Ibadan, hoping to have the governor attend to their yearnings for government to provide measures to cushion the effect of the petrol subsidy removal on workers, among other workers-related matters.

Addressing the workers, Makinde said the wage award would amount to an additional N2.2 billion to the wage bill of the State.

 

Though he noted that the N2.2 billion would greatly eat into the available resources of government, Makinde said he was determined to live up to his promise to the workers.

 

He said the payment would start with the October salaries and workers would start to get their wag award alerts on or before Friday.

He, however, called for cooperation and understanding of the workers and collective efforts to raise the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as against a ‘we against them’ disposition.

 

Among others, it was gathered that the labour centres resolved to engage with the governor on an acceptable minimum wage before next March.

 

Makinde said: “We’re talking with your leaders, there are one or two things i want to point out and it should be concerning to us in Oyo state. How come that Lagos that is 120km away, their IGR is 60 billion naira and we’re struggling between N3.5 and N3.8 billion, it was N1.8 billion when we came in during our first tenure.”

 

“So, we must decide if we want to work together improve the economy of Oyo state. If we provided economic prosperity in Oyo state, it would reach everybody.

 

“We all understand that it’s a challenging period for us as a nation and as a state, you have to look at your pocket to see what we can do.

So for every pensioner in the state, we will give N15,000 monthly for the next six months and I guarantee it is starting from October.

 

“They are asking we start by September and I told them I don’t know if we had enough money.

 

“For workers, we’re doing N25,000 to cushion the effects of this economic challenges that we’re all going through.”

 

Earlier, the Chairman, Oyo NLC, Mr Kayode Martins said the governor’s gesture should put to an end all agitations for wage awards.

 

Among those present when the governor made his address were the Chairman, Oyo TUC, Mr Bosun Olabiyi, Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Mr Olaonipekun Oluwaseun and several government officials.

 

By Flowerbudnews

Enugu: Prof. Paul Nnamchi (LP-Enugu State) has assured his constituents of quality representation and more human and infrastructural development works within Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency.

 

Nnamchi, who is a Professor and philanthropist, gave the assurance after he was received by his constituents in a “Constituency Welcome” after his Court of Appeal victory on Friday in Lagos.

 

The Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituents, in their thousands, received Nnamchi at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, escorted him down Abakaliki Road, Abakpa-Nike Road down to Ugwogo-Nike Roundabout to his country home in Ako-Nike with dancing and cannon shots.

The lawmaker thanked God, the Court and his people for being on his side and standing firm with him for fairness and justice to prevail.

 

According to him, my people’s joy has been restored as the earlier judgment by the tribunal had been nullified by the Appeal Court and their mandate freely given to me stand. They are expressing their joy in a big way.

 

“I thank God that at this moment both God and the Law are on my side. And I can only thank them for upholding the people’s wish and the overwhelming votes the people have bestowed on us which was validated by the Appeal Court. It is a thing of joy.

“I cannot thank my constituents enough over the support they had been giving to me. They earlier demonstrated this during the election with their overwhelming votes.

“My constituents in their overwhelming numbers are here to thank the judiciary and embrace its final decision and that they are solidly standing with me and that people should not do otherwise again.

 

“And now is time to work. My reward for good work is more work. I cannot thank them enough but I will pay them back with quality representation. They will not regret electing me,” he said.

On his scorecard at the House of Representatives, Nnamchi noted that it was on record that he had sponsored more bills more than any other representative as well as “no representative from the South-East has moved more motions than me”.

 

“I have gone with national motions, state motions and constituency motions, which I have moved in the House. I can only thank God for His grace to do this for Nigerians,” he added.

 

Speaking, Mr Raymond Ugwu (LP), representing Enugu East Rural State Constituency, said that Nnamchi had remained a great blessing to people of Enugu State especially those within Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency as his philanthropic gestures know no limit.

 

Ugwu said: “I have known Prof. Nnamchi years back as someone that loves knowledge and learning and little wonder as at the last count, over 200 students are currently benefiting in his educational scholarship scheme”.

 

Mr Osita Oko, representing Enugu East Urban State Constituency, said that Nnamchi’s victory at the Appeal Court was a victory for the people and for modern development to enter into all parts of Nike in Enugu State.

 

“Through Prof. Paul Nnamchi Tech-hub and Youth Innovation (PPNTAYI) no fewer than 350 students have been trained in computer skills as well as other computer packages to facilitate soft skill learning meant for employment of youths in this constituency.

 

“Prof. Nnamchi through his extensive learning and international exposure is trying to retool our people with modern skills that will enable us tackle poverty and unemployment especially among the youths,” he added. (Flowerbudnews)

Parts of the building of the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria, situated at 13010G, Palm Close, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District in Abuja have reportedly caught fire.

 

Vanguard reports that the cause of the inferno could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report but images circulating online disclosed billows coming from the building

.The fire was said to have begun around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, and the members of staff and vehicles were seen evacuated from the building.

 

The High Commission provides visa and immigration services for those seeking to visit or emigrate to Canada.

 

It offers services to Canadians visiting and living in Nigeria and to Canadians in Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome and Principe

 

The two in-house unions in the nation’s maritime industry have rejected the Ports and Harbour Bill at the National Assembly, seeking to repeal the Act that sets up the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA.

The unions are the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies, SSASCGOC, NPA, branch.

warned that the Bill, if passed into law as being proposed, would among others threaten the nation’s security, economy and many Nigerians, including NPA employees jobless

At a joint briefing in Lagos on Monday, the President-General of MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyanju and his NPA counterpart, Akinola Bodunde, claimed that the Bill that was rejected and thrown away by the 8th National Assembly was being sneaked in for the legislation through the back door by some dubious and unscrupulous individuals.

They called on Nigerians to rise up against the Bill aimed at appropriating and handing over of national patrimony to a few individuals.

 

They recalled that the Bill was jettisoned in the 8th National Assembly through the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians, stakeholders, and the efforts of the two in-house unions.

 

According to them, “We wish to note that this said Bill, if allowed to be passed into law, will have far-reaching grave consequences on the security of the nation as it will cede harbour, jetty and terminal operations into private hands.

 

“We are therefore not surprised that the bill is being vigorously sponsored by certain unpatriotic individuals within the maritime sector, who are hell-bent on appropriating our commonwealth and cornering same into the lining of their individual pockets and that of their cronies.

 

“We would have thought that given our persistent cry and various notices pointing to the deplorable state of our various nation’s seaports, decrepit state of port access roads, collapsing quay aprons, and the general failure of infrastructures within our ports, the focus of this 10 National Assembly would have been to find solutions to the myriad of problems bedeviling our ports, terminals, Jetties and Oil and Gas platforms and even the need to dredge all the ports particularly Calabar, Warri, Onne etc for increased efficiency; and not to clandestinely and recklessly seek to misappropriate public infrastructure through unfriendly legislation for the benefit of individuals whose only interest is capital accumulation and not the general public.

 

“We are further surprised that the sponsors of this bill outrightly ignored our demand to call the International Oil Companies, IOCs, operating in our sovereign territorial economic zones, who have deliberately refused to obey our extant Maritime regulations, standards and laws but, find it expedient to sit in the comfort of their hallowed chambers to push for laws that will be detrimental and inimical to the welfare and wellbeing of the working class, Nigerians and our nation’ security and sovereignty.

 

“The Joint House Unions’, MWUN and SSACGOC use this medium to convey our views to the leadership, members of the National Assembly and the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy that this is certainly not the right way to go as this ploy by these selfish individuals in the maritime sector will cause chaos and anarchy in the industry which has enjoyed sustained peace since the idea of projecting the harsh Bill was killed in 2018 will not be allowed to come to fruition.”

The bill

According to the unions, a sneak peek into a copy of the Bill has revealed that it provides wholly, employment that will not be pensionable as well as not transferable and without access to terminal benefits.

This is the height of inconsideration by the proponents of the Bill to the right of workers to the necessary payment for services rendered by a worker, in accordance to known law, industrial relations practice, equity and good conscience.

 

“It is our belief that allowing this Bill to be passed into law will effectively institutionalize the evil concept of casualization of workers and as well negate the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2004 as amended.

 

“This is in direct contrast to the avowed promises of Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to ensure the provision of about five million jobs for Nigerians through the newly-created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

 

“Having said this, We, the two in-house unions in the maritime sector; MWUN and SSASCGOC, will not fold our hands and allow a few unpatriotic Nigerians within the industry to rip off the nation’s commonwealth and render our sector unproductive via this infamous Bill that will only create poverty, hopelessness, hunger and generate avid bitterness amongst the already impoverished workers and Nigeria citizenry.

Consequently, we confirm our absolute vote of confidence on the Nigerian Ports Authority ACT as it currently relates to the Nigerian state and the well-being of the workers in the sector and we will vehemently resist all attempts to push this hellish bill further.

 

“We, therefore, demand its withdrawal in its entirety with the laid down laws.”