News
Crisis mars NSITF Board inauguration


- Ngige absent
BY: Oliseama Okwuchukwu
Crisis rocked the planned inauguration of the board of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) on Thursday, as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, failed to show up, while the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, led Comrade Frank Kokori and other Labour leaders to the venue.
The Minister had late on Wednesday announced unceremonious removal of the former General Secretary of NUPENG, Frank Kokori, as the chairman of the board.
The Federal Government had constituted the board in 2017, with Kokori as the chairman, but the Minister of Labour had refused to inaugurate the board, citing various reasons.
After waiting for about two hours without the sight of the minister, Ngige sent a director in the ministry to inform the Labour leaders and other members of the board that the inauguration had been postponed.
Angered by the development, Comrade Wabba said the Labour movement would not accept the manipulation being perpetrated by the minister.
Wabba said Ngige was trying to remove Kokori as the NSITF board chairman because of the integrity of the former NUPENG general secretary; afraid of what he would do on the activities of the board since the minister took over the running of the board since 2017.
He pointed out that Kokori would not hide anything from the public, and Ngige was afraid that many of their shady deals would be exposed.
Also speaking, Kokori said President Muhammadu Buhari had called him personally more than five times to congratulate him on his appointment as the chairman NSITF in the last three year; adding however that the President had not called him to say he had been removed.
A statement issued and signed by the Assistant Director, Press in the ministry, Rhoda Iliya, on Wednesday night read: “The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, has approved the appointment of members of the Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), a parastatal under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.”
“The Board is headed by Mr Austin Enajemo-Isire, a Chartered Accountant, professional Insurance Executive and Banker.”
“The Board is to be inaugurated on Thursday 18th April, 2019 by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, in the Honourable Minister’s Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Federal Secretariat, Phase 1, Abuja, at 11: 00am.
“In a related development, President Buhari has also approved the appointment of Comrade Ovie Kokori as the new Chairman of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, Kwara State. The appointment is with immediate effect.” (Nigerian Tribune)


Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.


The Guild of Private Broadcast Managers has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Guild’s National President, Ambassador Patrick Uzoyi-Peters, JP MNGRM, the guild described the milestone as a testament to the NUJ’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
“For seven decades, the NUJ has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring that the voice of the people remains strong and unyielding. Your resilience, professionalism, and dedication to ethical journalism have been instrumental in fostering transparency, accountability, and national development”.
Celebrating this historic achievement, the Guild’s President, Uzoyi-Peters recognized the sacrifices and contributions of journalists across the nation who work tirelessly to inform, educate, and empower society.
The Guild reiterated it commitment towards collaborating with the NUJ in promoting responsible journalism and strengthening the media industry for the greater good.
While wishing the NUJ continued success, growth, and greater impact in the years ahead, President Uzoyi-Peters prayed that the anniversary serve as a renewed call to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, and press freedom in our collective pursuit of a more informed and just society.
News
Family Marks one-year Memorial of Late APC Chieftain, Ojougboh with Charity Outreach
By Ikenna Oluka


The family of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, led by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable initiatives aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and service to society.
The memorial activities included the donation of school books and bags to pupils of Erigbe Primary School, in Agbor within the Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education.
The outreach also included extension of financial assistance to patients at Central Hospital, Agbor, and the provision of toiletries, cash, and food items to children at the Salve Regina Children’s Home, Agbor.
The outreach was carried out under the ‘Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’, a family-led initiative established to immortalise him and continue his lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Speaking during the event which took place recently, Mrs. Ojougboh reaffirmed the family’s dedication to sustaining the ideals of the late APC chieftain, describing him as a man who strongly believed in education and giving back to society.
“We are here to celebrate the life of my husband, Late Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on a year ago. In his honour, we decided to give back to society. He was a man who valued education and was always willing to help others. It is only fitting that we continue his legacy through acts of generosity,” she stated.
Honouring his passion for education
The first visit was to Erigbe Primary School, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education. The Foundation distributed school bags, writing materials, and food packs to the pupils. The family encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously and strive to become responsible citizens.
Supporting patients at Central Hospital, Agbor
At Central Hospital, Agbor, Mrs. Ojougboh and her entourage moved through the medical wards, offering financial support to patients to assist with their treatment costs. The hospital staff and beneficiaries responded with prayers and words of gratitude for the kind gesture.
Reaching out to orphaned children
The outreach team also visited Salve Regina Children’s Home in Agbor where they donated cash, food items, and toiletries to the children.


The Matron of the home expressed her deep appreciation to the Ojougboh family, commending their commitment to sustaining the late politician’s legacy of compassion and social impact.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s enduring legacy
Reflecting on her late husband’s contributions to society, Mrs. Ojougboh emphasised that his legacy of generosity and service to humanity would not be forgotten.
“Dr. Cairo was a selfless man who touched many lives. His contributions to the Nigerian political landscape, his mark in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, and the country at large, will always be remembered. He may be gone, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations,” she said.
The Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has pledged to continue supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in his memory, ensuring that his vision for a better society lives on.