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Taking 100 Million Nigerians Out Of Poverty Not Only Responsibility Of Federal Govt.’
The decision of the Federal Government to exit 100 million Nigerians out of poverty line would be more feasible, if stakeholders recognise their roles and play it effectively.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Daju Kachollum said the role of key players in the private sector, including development partners remain indispensable, even as she stressed that government is not resting on its oars in creating an enabling environment to make this dream achieveable.
Daju Kachollum who recently assumed duty as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, told Labour correspondents during an interactive session at the weekend, that one of the measures government is adopting to the presidential directive is aggregating the impact various MDAs can bring to the table to actualise the mandate of exiting the 100million people out of the circle of poverty.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had vowed that his administration will lift at least 100million Nigerians out of poverty by year 2030.
To this end, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said it has launched a data bank, under the auspices of Labour Market Information System to guage those who have been employed and those wishing to secure employment.
“With the new National Development Plan 2021 to 2025 I am sure you are aware that there are many thematic areas. It is not just Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment or the Federal Government as it were, it is multi sectoral. And different sectors will come together to ensure that this is achieved.
“The private sector is supposed to play a huge role because we cannot all be dependent on government. The private sector has its own role to play, that’s why the federal government has shown that for the development plan, a certain percentage of what it takes to ensure that employment, infrastructure and all that is carried out by the private sector.
“So we will work together and for Ministry of Labour, we have different agencies and departments that have to do with employment skills, as you all know, and recently this week, the Labour Market Information System, which we’re bringing out for the citizens to know is to ensure that data is collected.
“The intention is to actually improve on job matching, the Nigerian Electronic Labour Exchange which has been on, but now we are going to improve on where you match jobseekers with the job. It has been going on but apparently many Nigerians are not aware of it, so the ministry is upgrading that and constructing more job centers across the country,” Kachollum explained to reporters.
She also maintained that the Ministry of Labour has about 16 Labour centres across the country, while the goal is to upscale to the 36 states and Abuja.
“We plan to have job centres not only in the cities but in the 744 Local Government Areas and we have started that in the 2022 budget. We want more job centres created in the LGAs and at state levels because that is how the government wants to help,”she noted.
The Permanent Secretary also noted that the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has been adopting measures to harmonise players in the informal sector, so that they can benefit from the National Health Insurance Policy.
Her words, “Yes, I would say that government policy to reduce poverty by 2030 is real, and the goal of cutting down youth unemployment is real as well.
“A large percentage of people are in the informal sector and with the National Health Insurance Act which was just passed, insurance has to go to the informal sector too and its’ all part of what government is doing.
“We believe it will equally help the artisans who have not been able to take care of themselves or their families when they are ill to go to the hospitals and have good medical care.
“That is where NSITF also comes in, its a critical arm of the Ministry of Labour, Employment Compensation Act, where anybody who has an accident at the place of work is compensated and paid a certain amount, depending on how much they have been doing or how much you earn and they have been doing that.
“They have actually taken the bill before the National Assembly, where it will be improved upon and better things will come to the citizens and we are hoping and praying that the National Assembly will be able to pass the bill in time as it will make it easier for employees who are supposed to pay 1% to the fund.
“All employers are expected to pay 1% to NSITF which is part of the Employee Compensation Act”
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The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has urged for necessary measures to protect journalists and other media workers during this weekend’s off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States.
The group sent the request to the federal and state governments, as well as law enforcement and security agencies, stressing that the role of journalists in disseminating information about the electoral process is critical to ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections.
In a statement issued ahead of the elections in Lagos and signed by the Communications Officer, Media Rights Agenda, Idowu Adewale, MRA also urged journalists to be cautious and to use its existing hotline (08138755660) to report any threat or attack they may encounter during the process, as well as any obstacle.
Adewale said in the statement: “Given the pattern of heightened attacks on journalists and the media during previous elections, including the recent 2023 general elections, as well as the tense political climate in the three states in the lead-up to the elections, measures must be taken to ensure general security during the elections and provide adequate protection for journalists covering the elections.”
“Access to information allows citizens and other members of the public to have the information they need about political and electoral processes, facilitating effective public participation in elections,” he says.
“Journalists and the media play an important role in ensuring residents and other members of the public have access to information and may participate in the process.
“As part of efforts to preserve the integrity of the polls, it is also critical that the safety and well-being of these interlocutors be assured and safeguarded.”
Lamenting the increased number of attacks on journalists in the run-up to the off-cycle elections, as well as earlier this year in the run-up to the general elections, he emphasised that “a free and vibrant media is fundamental to a healthy democracy, and journalists must be able to carry out their duties without fear, coercion, or violence.” During this vital phase, MRA stands ready to assist them and assure their safety.”
Men from the Edo State Police Command are said to have detained Mrs. Toluige Olokoobi’s husband after he allegedly murdered her.
Olokoobi was the mother of Oreofeoluwa Lawal-Babalola, the tiny boy whose video went viral in 2020 after he pleaded with his mother, “Mummy be calming down.”
Oreofeoluwa rose to prominence on social media after a video of him crying in an attempt to confidently appeal to his mother, who chastised him, went viral.
The film inspired Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who used it to deliver an Eid-el-Kabir appeal to Muslims and Lagos people in general to remain calm during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Following that, the youngster and his family met with the governor, who praised his bravery and poise.
While little has been heard about the family in three years, heartbreaking news broke on social media on Tuesday that the boy’s mother had committed suicide.
According to an X user, Olokoobi committed suicide in Benin, the capital of Edo State, for unknown reasons.
The X user, who stated that he was present at the site on Monday afternoon, went on to say that she had refused to disclose her difficulties with anyone before committing herself.
“The woman in the viral Mummy Calm Down video has just committed suicide here in Benin,” he stated in an email.
“She refused to discuss her problems with anyone.” She abandoned three children for her husband, including the well-known Mummy Calm Down boy.”
Meanwhile, confirming Olokoobi’s death in a chat with BBC Pidgin, the spokesperson of the Edo State police command, Chidi Nwabuzor, said her husband has been arrested and detained for questioning.
Nwabuzor said the husband reported the matter to the police.
The police spokesperson quoted the husband to have said that “he came home from the market when he saw his wife hanging with rope on her neck”.
Nwabuzor said she was rushed to the hospital and then to the mortuary after she was confirmed dead. (Adapted from a Vanguard report).
The Anambra State Police Command Headquarters Conference Hall was a hive of activity Thursday as CP Aderemi Adeoye took turns decorating around 18 promoted officers of the command with their new titles.
The delight of some of the officers whose wives assisted the CP in decorating their husbands with their new ranks knew no bounds, as their husbands duly saluted their wives and the CP for their new positions and responsibilities.
Obi Innocent, one of the officers elevated to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), whose wife joined CP Aderemi Adeoye in adorning him with his new rank, said it was wonderful that the Inspector General of Police thought him worthy.
CSP Obi Innocent, the officer in charge of the Legal Department at Zone 13, Police Zonal Headquarters Ukpo, stated that his new rank was a call to service and that he would do his best to uphold the charge given to them by CP Aderemi Adeoye to respect and protect the citizenry’s fundamental rights in the discharge of their new assignments.
Charity Akharame, who was honoured with the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and was the only female officer among the 18 promoted officers decorated with new ranks, said it was not an easy feat but she was grateful to be among those who were decorated with their new ranks.
DSP Charity Akharame, the officer in charge of stores in the Anambra State Police Command, recalled how she began as a Police Constable and worked her way up to her current position as Deputy Superintendent of Police.
She stated that as a very disciplined police officer, she would follow the Police Commissioner’s directions regarding respect for all and sundry in the fulfillment of her constitutional obligations.
Jane-Frances Obi, one of the spouses of the officers elevated to the level of CSP, stated that being the wife of a police officer was not an easy assignment. As a result, she recommended any lady who is married to a police officer to be patient and understanding because the job is quite demanding.
Jane-Frances Obi, whose husband is Innocent Obi, the officer in charge of the Legal Department at Zone 13 Ukpo, believes the promotion is a reward for years of being patient, understanding, and standing in for them when they are not present.
Meanwhile, Emenike Chinenyenwa, who was decorated with the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and presented a vote of appreciation, expressed deep gratitude to the IGP and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission for considering them worthy of being adorned in their new ranks.
ACP Emenike, the officer in charge of Medicals, stated that the elevation comes with increased responsibility and that they will work harder in their new tasks.
CP Aderemi Adeoye praised the current promotion winners in his remarks, noting that two aspects make the police career very interesting and eventful. He stated that one is for promotion and the other is for positions.
CP Adeoye, on the other hand, urged the newly honored officers to develop more empathy, compassion, care, and dedication in the performance of their jobs.
The police chief insisted that newly promoted officers must first recognise that they share the same humanity as others, and as a result, they must treat all people with dignity and protect their fundamental human rights at all times.
CP Aderemi Adeoye stressed that without the enormous roles of spouses, they wouldn’t have been successful in their careers. He therefore congratulated all the promoted and prayed that God gives them good health to enjoy the new ranks and the energy to discharge the responsibilities of their new offices.
- Source: Independent
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