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Global talent export: FG inks MOU for outsourcing of 50,000 jobs
The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Outstanding with Lab Four to facilitate the outsourcing of 50,000 jobs to Nigeria.
The MoU was signed on behalf of the FG by the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP).
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, speaking at the signing of the MoU this in Abuja on Monday also noted that about $60 million will be provided to develop the BPO ecosystem, through direct support to the individual BPOs.
She said the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to diversifying the economy and creating sustainable employment opportunities, especially for the youths by creating millions of jobs.
According to her, the service industry has been a top player in the economy, consistently providing over 50 percent of our GDP over the last 10 years, averaging 51.96 percent between 2012 and 2022 and “we are committed to strengthening this industry and using it as a catalyst for job creation.”
“As part of our strategy towards achieving the agenda for job creation, we have initiated the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) for Nigeria, which targets the creation of 1million jobs for Nigerians, over a 5 year period.”
She explained that the NATEP is a key national initiative that will position Nigeria as a leading global hub for service exports, talent sourcing and talent exports.
“It will serve as a catalyst for the development of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Talent Export industries and ecosystems, which are the two channels for NATEP’s activities.
“It is interesting to note that the global talent sourcing industry was valued at US$620.381 billion in 2020 and is forecasted to be valued at US$904.948 billion by 2027.
“Similarly, it has been estimated that by 2030, around 85 million jobs will remain unfilled globally due to skill shortages resulting in a loss of US$8.5 trillion.
“Nigerians have a large, youthful and skillful population that can take advantage of this in a way that can significantly benefit our economy.
“The MoU being signed between NATEP and Lab Four is to channel 50,000 BPO jobs to Nigeria over the next 3 years in job categories such as telesales, customer service, virtual administrative assistant, marketing/social media assistant and tech/cybersecurity,” she said.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), Dr Femi Adeluyi, explained that the NATEP was launched on the sidelines of the 2023 edition of the United Nations General Assembly to connect Nigerians to employment opportunities outside the country through 2 channels, namely physical talent export and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).
He said through NATEP, Nigeria can honourably export her talents in a mutually beneficial and reputation preserving way, significantly reducing illegal migration.
“NATEP is also positioning Nigeria as an outsourcing destination of choice as it catalyses the growth and development of the micro, mini and mega BPO ecosystems and industries in Nigeria.
“One of such partnerships is with the Cybersecurity Institute at Lab Four. Cybersecurity Institute at Lab Four is an accredited, nontraditional training provider based in Memphis, United States of America with over 15 years’ experience helping people start and advance their careers in the Information Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity fields.
“Their remote work platform is a marketplace focused on connecting skilled professionals in the world to remote work opportunities in the West.
“They are democratising BPO for small and medium-sized Western employers who want to leverage these opportunities to grow, while simultaneously providing opportunities for economic growth and liquidity in developing countries,” he said.
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Cement price hike causing building collapse – COREN
Cases of building collapse in the country have been attributed to the arbitrary increase in the price of cement by producers of the product.
The President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, Sadiq Abubakar, stated this on Monday in his remarks at the investigative hearing organised by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Solid Minerals, Industry, Commerce and Special Duties, to probe the price increase of cement in recent times.
This was as the Chairman of the Joint Committee and member representing Karu/Keffi/kokona Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State, Gaza Gbewfi, summoned the Chairman of the Cement Producers Association of Nigeria, David Iweta, for questioning over the development.
Iweta, who did to turn up for the investigative hearing on Monday, was summoned after previously turning down two invitations by the committee.
The committee also charged the association to desist from using frivolous court injunctions to interfere in its work as guaranteed by the provisions of the 1999 constitution (as amended)
“You will agree with me that an increase in the price of cement is one of the key culprits of building collapse. I am trying to connect the hike in the price of cement with the standardisation in our building and the direct connection of building collapse.
“There is a connection with that, and I think this something we must interrogate,” the COREN President said.
Gbewfi, while agreeing with Abubakar, also argued that the cost of cement has also brought about an increment in housing rents across the nation.
“Anything that has to do with livelihood should be treated as an emergency’” the committee chairman said.
At the investigative hearing, the joint committee also queried representatives of the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute and the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Council on the arbitrary price increase.
Gbewfi also chided the representative of the Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Boladale Adeyinka for not doing enough to protect the consumers of cement in line with the Act establishing the agency, saying, “You are a mother that has forgotten your children.”
News
Osun State Assembly okays salary increase for political office holders
The Osun State House of Assembly is to send a bill to Governor Ademola Adeleke to increase the salary package of some political office holders.
This was made known by the Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, during plenary on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the salary increment bill titled, ‘Osun State Public/Political Office Holders Reviewed Remuneration Package (Amendment No. 2) Bill 2024,’ was presented to the Assembly on April 30, 2024.
The Majority Leader and the lawmaker representing Ede North State Constituency, Kofoworola Adewunmi, presented the bill to the House as a private member bill.
While reading the policy thrust of the bill, Adewunmi stated that the last time the salaries of public/political office holders in the state were reviewed upwards was in 2007.
He said the salaries stipulated for public office holders in the Osun State Public/Political Office Holders Remuneration Package Law 2007 was, however, no more in tandem with the current economic realities.
“You will agree with me that the current economic reality is not the same as what was obtainable 17 years ago when the law was passed.
“It has, therefore, become imperative to review upwards, the salaries of some public/political office holders to better their living standard which is in tandem with the five points agenda of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“In addition, the State Assembly resolution taken on May 8, 2008 wherein there was an upward review of the remuneration package of some public/political office holders not covered by Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, as proposed by the state government, has been further reviewed and subsumed under this bill.” he stated
He equally clarified that the salary increment didn’t affect or cover the lawmakers’ salaries, explaining that state lawmakers’ salaries are statutorily reviewed by the National Assembly.
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Minimum wage: Labour issues two-week ultimatum to defaulting states
The organised labour comprising of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, on Monday, ordered state chapters to issue two weeks ultimatum to states that have failed to implement the old N30,000 minimum wage.
The NLC and TUC took this decision during a jointly held National Executive Council meeting which took place on Monday.
“NEC-in-session further directed all state councils whose state governments are yet to fully implement the N30,00 national minimum wage and its consequential adjustments to issue immediately a joint two-week ultimatum to the culpable state governments to avert industrial action,” NLC’s National President, Joe Ajaero; and TUC’s National President, Festus Osifo, said in a statement.
Speaking further, the unions also called for a one-day action in Anambra State following what was described as the failure of the state government to meet the demands of civil servants in the state.
“Consequently, the NEC-in-session accordingly reaffirms the NLC and TUC joint ultimatum earlier issued to the Anambra State Government by its Anambra State councils. It therefore directed all affiliates and workers in the state council to mobilise their members to ensure a successful action in the event the state government fails to meet the demands of workers by Thursday, the 23rd of May, 2024.
“In the event that the government fails to meet the demands outlined within the stipulated timeframe, the NEC authorises the leadership of the NLC and TUC to take appropriate actions, including but not limited to the mobilisation of workers for peaceful protests and industrial actions, to press home these demands for social justice and workers’ rights.
“NEC therefore calls on all affiliate unions, and workers including Civil Society Organisations across Nigeria to remain united and steadfast in solidarity during this critical period. Together, we shall prevail in our pursuit of a fair and just society that guarantees the dignity and well-being of all its citizens,” the statement added.
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