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Workers’ retrenchment looms across States…see why

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Nigerian governors have said they cannot afford to pay workers a minimum wage of N30,000 unless the organised labour wants its members to be sacked.

Apart from this, the governors at their emergency meeting in Abuja on Wednesday night, asked the Federal Government to also accede to the review of the national revenue allocation formula.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum who is also the Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, who read the communiqué after the meeting, said that a new committee would be raised to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari over the issue.

He said the committee would work out another formula towards quickly resolving the problem associated with the proposed minimum wage.

Yari said, “Following a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum where we deliberated on the national minimum wage, governors resolved to re-strategise and put together another committee to meet with the President once again, to work out another formula towards quickly resolving the problem associated with the proposed N30.000 minimum wage which is impracticable unless labour agrees to a downsizing of the workforce all over the country or the Federal Government itself accedes to the review of the national revenue allocation formula.

“Members of the committee who were nominated to see the President include the governors of Lagos, Kebbi, Plateau, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi. Enugu and Kaduna.”

The federation account is currently being  managed on a  legal framework that allows funds to be shared under three major components – statutory allocation, Value Added Tax distribution; and allocation made under the derivation principle.

Under statutory allocation, the Federal Government gets 52.68 per cent of the revenue shared; states, 26.72 per cent; and local governments, 20.60 per cent.

The framework also provides that Value Added Tax revenue be shared thus; FG, 15 per cent; states, 50 per cent; and LGs, 35 per cent.

Similarly, extra allocation is given to the oil producing states based on the 13 per cent derivation  principle.

Yari said that he and his colleagues had seen the report of the Tripartite Committee report presented to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The committee, which is headed by Amal Pepple, recommended N30, 000 as minimum wage.

Though the President received the report, he however said that he was still studying it.

Yari said that the committee did not consider the submission of the governors who had earlier said they could only afford to pay N22, 500 as minimum wage.

He said, “We have seen what has been presented to the President by the (Tripartite) Committee.

“As a member of the committee, our representative there said the committee did not take our submission of N22,500 because it came late.

“I am surprised. How can you do this without the input of the states because the states are the key stakeholders in this business.

“So, a situation whereby our report was not taken or considered by the Tripartite Committee … then I don’t know how the committee wants us to work.”

He regretted that while the governors would want to pay, they would not be able to do so due to meagre resources available to them.

He said “But we still say we want to pay,  but the issue is the ability to pay.

“If we say no, it is not about the ability to pay, just pay, I don’t know how this formulae will work and I don’t know how we can get a solution to the issue.

“We are paying N18,000 (as minimum wage today), but when the President assumed office, about 27 states were not able to pay, not that they chose not to pay.

“So, now you say N30,000, how many of them can pay? We will be bankrupt (if we pay). So as Nigerians, we should look at the issues seriously.

“While other people are saying that governors are riding jets and living in affluence, that one is not luxury but compulsory.

“Like Lagos that is paying about N7bn as salaries; if you say it should pay N30,000, now it will be N13bn.

“From our calculation, it is only Lagos State that will be able to pay N30,000. As Nigerians, this is our country; there is no other country we have and we should be fair to this country.”

He said governors would continue to dialogue with workers on the need for them (the workers ) to see the difficulties they (governors ) were facing.

He said, “As for the way forward, we will continue to talk with Labour. Let them see reasons and difficulties some of us have.

“For instance, the money Lagos State is using to pay is not coming from Abuja.

“They have a way of getting their money from the IGR and that is why they can afford to pay. They get money through VAT (as well).

“Apart from Lagos, even Rivers State cannot afford to pay. So we have been crying out about this since 2011 but no one will listen.

“One critical example is that some states ration their salaries while some others put everything they earn on the table and ask labour to come and see  and ask them to suggest how much should go for capital and personnel costs.

“Some say 70 per cent for personnel cost and 30 per cent for capital projects and yet the states cannot pay and they put the remaining as outstanding.”

He said it was wrong to use the price of crude oil in the international market to determine the minimum wage.

Yari said, “So, let us look at this matter seriously to see how we can do it properly. It is our primary responsibility to see that everybody is happy.

“It is the same labour that is pushing for the N30,000 that will still turn around to say that the governors did not do any infrastructure and how are we going to achieve that by paying only salaries?”

Source: Punch

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Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Arrive Nigeria Today, May 10th

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex came into Nigeria for a private visit following an invitation by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.

The Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, DHQ, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, said the founder of Invictus Games will spend three days in Nigeria and would interact with wounded soldiers and their families.

He said the visit scheduled from 10th to 13th May 2024 would help wounded soldiers in their recovery efforts.

Marquis said: “Because we realised that 80 per cent of our soldiers have been involved in this recovery programme, they are getting better.

“Their outlook on life is positive. You know, when you are engaged in, you experience a permanent disability, you know, issues, it affects your mental health and also your outlook on life.”

Prince Harry and Meghan who are already in Nigeria, First made a visit to children at the Lights Academy in Abuja, Nigeria.

Here are pictures.

Prince Harry and Meghan at Light Academy In abuja

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RIMA Foundation Clocks 20 Years

…as the founder, Dr. Oyedokun clocks 50!

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Dr Ayodeji Oyewole Oyedokun of RIMA Foundation
Dr Ayodeji Oyewole Oyedokun

RIMA Foundation is set to mark two decades of promoting access to information, raising public consciousness on the need for proper management and security of records and information, and encourages the overall development of the information management community for the benefit of humanity and the industry.

Today, virtually all organizations, regardless of size, possess and manage a legacy of records and information, accumulate a rapidly growing store of records/information, and anticipate a future that is mostly, but not entirely, electronic. 

It’s estimated that more than 90% of the records/information being created today are electronic. 

Coupled with the overwhelming growth of electronic messages – most notably e-mail and instant messaging – the management of records/information has become a critical business and social issue. 

How that information is managed has significant business, legal, and technology ramifications. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what medium is used to create, deliver, or store records/information when determining if content is a record and should be managed accordingly. 

Now, individuals and organizations also produce a vast range of important records/information – such as letters, reports, emails, marketing materials, studies, engineering drawings, handwritten consultation notes, and committee minutes – all of which constitutes an organization’s memory of its processes and procedures, and its knowledgebase of its expertise, experience, and specializations.

For this reason, Records and Information Management Awareness Foundation (RIMA Foundation), was established as a brainchild of Dr Ayodeji Oyewole Oyedokun, the founder / chairman – Board of Directors at The International University of Information Management [IUIM], who is also celebrating his 50th birthday.

RIMA foundation’s drive is to bring together knowledge and create awareness about information management and security to improve the information management/security awareness globally thereby promoting transparency and accountability in both public and private organisations. 

“For many organizations and individuals, records/information will continue to be important for as far ahead as they can see even though they will rely increasingly on knowledge management technology”, Dr. Oyedokun said.

RIMA Awards now International Management Merit [IDMM] Awards 

The Foundation has also set up plans to appreciate the data​ & information management community through the International Management Merit [IDMM] Awards. 

Coincidentally, Dr Ayodeji Oyewole Oyedokun will be marking his 50th birthday – it is a double celebration for him!

Formerly known as the RIMA Awards, this esteemed event celebrates excellence and innovation in Data, Information, Content, Archives, Records, Document Management & Security.

Since its inception in 2005, the RIMA Awards have been the beacon of recognition, highlighting outstanding efforts in promoting proper management and security of records and information. 

As the largest event of its kind in Africa, these awards symbolize excellence and innovation in the IM, IT, and business world.

“By recognizing these efforts, we aim to emphasize the importance of effective records and information management systems, which are crucial for improved decision-making, operational efficiency, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements”, he said.

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Ekiti Students Caught On Camera Bullying A Fellow Student, Have Been Expelled

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The management of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI) has expelled two of its students filmed assaulting a female colleague.

A video recently went viral on social media of a student hitting her fellow student with a stick that was handed to her by another student. The bully had kept insinuating that she would draw blood from her victim.

Reacting to the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Temitope Akinbisoye, in a statement released, said the students caught in the video were summoned on Monday, May 6 and were meted the appropriate punishment for their actions

”In accordance with our institution’s policies and extant regulations, the students who were captured in the viral video appeared before the Students’ Disciplinary Committee at its emergency meeting held on Monday, May 6, 2024, for interrogations and appropriate recommendations, the report of which has been submitted to the University authorities.

The University authorities condemn in strong terms, any form of violence or misconduct in our University or by any of our constituents. Such behaviour is entirely inconsistent with the values we uphold and the standards of respect and dignity that we expect from all members of our University.

Miss Opemiposi Precious BOLAJI with Matriculation No. 10232, a 100L Mass Communication student who was beating her colleague with a stick and threatening to inflict bodily harm on her for allegedly destroying her 3-year old love affair with her boyfriend was found guilty of misconduct and flagrant breach of her matriculation oath and consequently EXPELLED with immediate effect.

Miss Genesis OSARO, a 100L Mass Communication student with Matriculation No. 10257, who provided the stick with which Gloria AJAYI was beaten, was found guilty of misconduct (as an accomplice) and flagrant breach of her Matriculation oath and consequently EXPELLED with immediate effect.

Miss Gloria AJAYI, a 100L Mass Communication student with Matriculation No. 10295, who was seen being beaten in the viral video but did not retaliate or engage in fisticuffs with her tormentors, was EXONERATED.“

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