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Tag: Employment

  • Fuzu launched in Nigeria to improve employment opportunities

    Fuzu launched in Nigeria to improve employment opportunities

    By Debo Oladimeji

    Fuzu (meaning ‘to succeed’ in Swahili), is an online career development platform that aims to make recruitment in Nigeria completely transparent and efficient was launched in Lagos on November 23rd, 2021.

    Fuzu is a mobile-friendly service that can be accessed with all devices, from smartphones, tablets and PC’s and allows users to learn about different career opportunities. Additionally, users will have access to more than 400 free and paid-for courses in various competence areas from basic work skills to topics such as entrepreneurship among others.

    The Head of Marketing at Fuzu, Irene Aguh disclosed that Fuzu has started a conversation by involving all key stakeholders – career builders, the private sector, policymakers and others in a constructive debate around improving skills and employment opportunities in Nigeria. “This is why our inaugural event was critical to our mission,”

    People who attended the launching shared their opinions on the root cause of rising unemployment in Nigeria.

    CEO Stealth Insurtech, Mr. Gbenro Dara, disclosed that generally, the employment sector in Nigeria is thriving. A lot of young individuals are developing their talents.

    “There is a lot to tap from these individuals. A lot of employers now need to be flexible with their needs, to the culture that would allow this kind of individuals to thrive. I think overall, Fuzu will help in the growth of our economy and help to reduce the unemployment rate. Fuzu is a great platform and has a lot of opportunities for Nigeria.”

    The Managing Director and Creative Director, Interiors By Anora, Nora Azubiuke, noted that the launching of Fuzu in Lagos was a successful event and was long-awaited. “We have been expecting it to happen. We know that in the employment space, we don’t have enough skilled people and even employers who are flexible, so we need to start a conversation and Fuzu has done the right thing in initiating that conversation.” She was optimistic about the launch of Fuzu Nigeria to support Nigerian professionals. “We feel it is closer to us and the problem we face in this space in Nigeria will be focused on rather than just a global thing.”

    AFEX Marketing and Corporate Communication Manager, Obianuju Okafor was impressed that Fuzu was able to bring employers and employees to discuss together.“This was an opportunity for employers and employees to come together to discuss the ways both of them can come together to make talent in Nigeria better.

    She said that the discourse also enables companies to know the talents that are available and the ones that are needed as well. “Because they showed a lot of figures here that analyzed the gaps between talents in Nigeria; the talents that are needed and the talents that are available.

    She urged the youth to always be ready to upskill themselves. “Fuzu has a lot of tools, articles and learning opportunities that they can take advantage of. They should watch out for Fuzu.”

    On his own, Segment Manager/ CEO Promosack, Temitope Ekundayo, said that the launch was about talent. “Increasing your talent is like a demand and supply thing.”

    He said that Fuzu is in Nigeria to help improve employability in terms of known jobs, but at the same time, we need more employable talents that companies can employ.

    He urged youth seeking to upskill to go online towww.fuzu.com. “Check out for opportunities to upskill and be much better. Try out as much as possible on improving yourself at the workplace.”

    One of the youths who attended the launch, a Poet, Umaru Sherifat, said that she got to know that every child has potential irrespective of their class, age, level of Intelligence quotient (IQ) or geographical location.

    “Every child can contribute something to our world. It could be artistic or creative. That is what it takes to change someone’s life. It has made me believe that I can become whatever I want to.”

    Country Director of Fuzu, Patricia Duru, said Fuzu’s product offering is truly revolutionary. “As a student fresh out of university, I never had the kind of career guidance I hoped for. I was left to fend for myself in an extremely competitive job market. Fuzu’s mission resonates with me because we want to ensure that no one entering the job market in the future has to face the personal and financial uncertainty that has been so commonplace in the past,” she said.

    Duru who was the ex-VP at Cars45 said Fuzu has its sights set on completely transforming the face of recruitment and talent development in Nigeria. “Statistics have proven that not only does Fuzu improve its user’s skills profile, it also eliminates all forms of conscious and unconscious bids from recruitment.”

    Meanwhile, the CEO of Fuzu, Mr. Jussi Hinkkanen, explained that for employers, Fuzu provides a set of sophisticated tools for identifying best matching candidates via powerful search and recruitment solutions and automated analysis of CVs.

    “The platform integrates online psychometric testing and talent profiling of candidates to the application process, thus making it easy to find candidates that best match with the requirements.

    “Our research with career builders and employers showed clearly that the solution is focusing on the strengths of an individual’s talent, who they are, where their potential lies and how we can best match them with the employment opportunities out there.”

    He said that Fuzu is aiming to catalyze change through a call-to-action to the private sector. “Fuzu is urging industry leaders to lead in making employment opportunities available to the public. We’ll provide your business with the infrastructure and knowledge support. All you have to do is embrace the working population of Lagos and give them a chance for their potential to shine through.”

     

  • Dangote refinery to expand employment capacity by 17,000

    Dangote refinery to expand employment capacity by 17,000

    President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd., Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has revealed plans to increase human capacity at its Refinery Project site, from 40,000 personnel to 57,000 in the coming months.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Anthony Chiejina, Group Head, Corporate Communications, Dangote Group on Sunday in Lagos.

    According to the President, Dangote group, the project currently employed 29,000 Nigerians and 11,000 foreigners at the 650,000 barrels-per-day world’s largest single refinery project, located in Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State.

    This, he said was a ratio of about three Nigerians to one expatriate, with a projected increase for local talent with the new additions.

    The business mogul said the refinery project remained the biggest in Africa, and one of the biggest in the world, adding that many Nigerians were getting massive training as a way to build in-country capacity.

    He added that the construction of the refinery was informed by his desire to help the Federal Government, tackle the lingering issue of petroleum products’ importation.

    Dangote described the refinery project as an investment that would transform the economies of countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

    “It makes me feel terrible to see a country as big and resourceful as Nigeria with high population, importing all its petroleum products, so, we decided it is time to tackle this challenge.

    “It is not government’s responsibility alone to address the challenge of petroleum products’ importation in Nigeria. No, we have to collaborate with the government to tackle the issue of petroleum importation.

    “We are creating a lot of capacity in the country, which will be of great help for future oil projects in Nigeria, most especially, with the opening up of the oil industry through the new Petroleum Industry Act.

    “It means that the country can boast of human capacity, needed in the oil and gas sector.

    “Most of these Nigerians can compete anywhere in the world, in terms of electrical, welding, mechanical erection etc. We have actually created massive capacity,” he added.

    Dangote emphasised the need for the country to shift attention from crude oil export and diversify the economy.

    “We should not as a country, be comfortable with generating revenue from crude oil export alone, because tomorrow, people may not need crude oil.

    “If we do not move from crude oil to something else, we will have issues as a country. This is one of the things that I took upon myself to help address,” he said.

  • Why we placed embargo on employment – FG

    Why we placed embargo on employment – FG

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has explained why the Federal Government placed an embargo on employment into Federal Civil Service

    The Minister said it was because the economy was not in good shape.

    Ngige, who is a member of the Federal Cabinet Committee for Economic Recovery and Economic Sustainability Committee, stated the government created small jobs and empowerment programmes to fortify social safety nets and establish a social protection system.

    The Minister spoke at his Abuja residence at the weekend while receiving the traditional ruler of Nnewi town, Igwe Kenneth Orizu (III), who paid him a courtesy visit with a delegation, comprising of members of the royal family and leaders of the various quarters of the town.

    According to a statement from the Minister’s media office, the delegation had earlier pleaded with Ngige to help secure jobs for young graduates from the town.

    Ngige said: “The Federal Government placed embargo on employment because the economy is not in good shape. But, we have the Home Support Programmes like Conditional Cash Transfer and others. Such money is meant for the poor in the society.

    “I have been making sure that Nnewi town gets its due through my foot soldiers in the community. Nothing is too small but I assure you that we will do more.”

    The Minister pledged to ensure that all Nigerians, including Nnewi indigenes, were given jobs when the Federal Government lifts the embargo on employment.

    He also noted a change of Management had taken place at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, and assured that they were going to put more interest in the Hospital.

    “In fact, there are oxygen plants being shared for the 36 states and state capitals. I put the one for Anambra State in the Nnewi Teaching Hospital.

    ” I have spoken with the Acting Chief Medical Director and he told me that he will take the Oxygen Plant to the Permanent Site of the Hospital. I will make sure that nobody will divert or tamper with it,” the Minister said.

  • Fake Customs officer found guilty of empoyment scam bags 20-year jail term

    Fake Customs officer found guilty of empoyment scam bags 20-year jail term

    Justice Mahmood Abdulgafar of Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Thursday sentenced a fake Customs officer, Yakubu Azeez Afolayan, to 20-year imprisonment, having found him guilty of offences bordering on impersonation and employment scam.

    The 34-year-old Afolayan from Saare in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State was arraigned on a four-count charge by the Ilorin zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    “That you, Yakubu Azeez Afolayan, between the months of November 2018 and January 2019 in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with the intent to defraud, obtained the gross sum of N267,000 (Two Hundred and Sixty-seven Thousand Naira) only from one Usman Janet Opeyemi through your UBA account number under the false pretence that you are capable of securing employment for her son with the Nigerian Customs Service; the representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act,” the charge sheet reads.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charges thereby setting stage for his full trial.

    In his judgment on Thursday, Justice Abdulgafar opined that from the totality of the evidence placed before the court, the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and linked the accused to the crime.

    “It is very clear from the totality of the evidence of PW1 – PW4 that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubts. It was the evidence of PW1 that the Nigerian Custom Service does not sell its recruitment forms to job applicants, but the defendant was collecting various sum of monies from his victims as application fees. All these evidence were not challenged or controverted by the defendant,” the judge said.

    Consequently, Justice Abdulgafar said there was nothing the court could do than to follow the provisions of the law in sentencing the convict.

  • Children of Avwiorovwe – Francis Ewherido

    Children of Avwiorovwe – Francis Ewherido

    By Francis Ewherido

    Avwiorovwe is what the Urhobos call the least favoured wife in a polygamous marriage. The favourite wife is amebo. The amebocould take over the husband’s bedroom two out of three months, while the other four wives shared the remaining one month. Children of amebo could get away with murder, while children of avwiorovwe could be banished from the family house for minor infractions like stealing a piece of meat. And the mother (avwiorovwe) could be vicariously liable for the infractions of her children.

    Consequently, a sensible avwiorovwe and her children treaded with caution. As much as possible they stayed out of trouble. The children also worked very hard in school (and in other endeavours) to get good grades because failure could truncate their education.

    Why this preamble? I have been interacting with some youngsters recently. They are understandably frustrated with the Nigerian system. They feel that the few available jobs are being taken up by children of the privileged, using man-know-man tactics. Favouritism is real in Nigeria, it is part of our life. No need running away from the truth. Favouritism will continue to work against people who are not connected as long as the system, to which we are all contributors, remains. But does that mean there is no hope for people who are not connected? Not at all, there is hope for everyone.

    Once the recruitment people start processing applications, all such poorly-written application letters are the first to be trashed. Who do you blame for that, the system or yourself?

     

    The first lesson youngsters from humble backgrounds must learn is that greatness comes mainly from within not outside and 80 per cent of what will make you great is already in you; only 20 per cent is out there. So, instead of lamenting day in day out, roll up your sleeve and get down to work. Start something legitimate. If you need to drive a cab, till the soil or join workers at a building site or factory for a START, do just that. Your starting point is inconsequential, your destination is what counts. But wait a minute, do you even have a clear destination in mind in this your life journey? If you don’t, that is the first and real problem you should deal with, not worrying about government or external forces.

    Like children of avwiorovwe, youngsters, who are not from privileged background must come to terms with their circumstances, go the extra mile at all times and work very hard. Survival of the fittest is very rampant in our society. So, they must strive to be among the fittest so that they can grab every opportunity that comes their way. But that is not what I am seeing in many cases. They blame the system for their unemployment, but take no blame for their situation. Let me cite some instances.

    A job opening comes up and applications pour in. If you read some of their application letters, they are like Abakaliki rice of old. There are stones, sorry errors, everywhere.

    Once the recruitment people start processing applications, all such poorly-written application letters are the first to be trashed. Who do you blame for that, the system or yourself?

    Next, recruitment people move to curriculum vitae (CV). Some applicants do not include their age in their CVs for jobs where there are age specifications. What do you think the recruitment people will do? They will trash any CV that carries no age of the applicant. It means all such applicants are out. Under referees in their CVs, many youngsters write: “Referees available on request.” For real? You want a recruitment officer to write to you to beg you to supply the names of your referees? Not a chance; they will simply trash your CV. Again, instead of some applicants to attach their CVs to the email they are sending, they paste it on it. So you want the recruitment officer to copy your CV, paste and arrange it for you? They will treat you like you sent no CV and move on. If you see the CVs of some applicants, you want to throw up. They are poorly arranged and very unattractive. Every applicant, especially those who are not from privileged backgrounds, should enhance their chances of getting an advertised job by having very good CVs. If you do not know how to go about it, get help, there are people who can help you knock out a great looking CV. You can also go online and learn how to prepare and present CVs.

    Next, you should prepare for interviews harder than the way you prepared for exams while in school. Thoroughly research the position you are applying for. If you know someone who currently occupies such a position, go to him for tutorials. If you know the company you are applying to, go to their website and study everything, including their corporate culture. Google the name and read as much literature as possible about the company. The extra knowledge will make you more confident. Just like your exams in school, you do not just wake up, wash your face and go for an interview, expecting to outperform people who have been preparing.

    On the day of the interview, be well groomed. Dress smartly and corporately, if it is a corporate organisation. Borrow clothes if you have to do so. People before you did. Some people fail interviews because of their appearance. How can you dress casually for a corporate interview? An applicant even went for an interview in a corporate organisation, wearing a shade of yellow trousers! That is sacrilege. Many applicants inevitably take public transport for to interviews. Leave home early. This will enable you get there before time even if you are delayed; do not risk going for an interview late. Also it gives you time to freshen up if you were ruffled in the bus.

    Every job seeker needs to update himself continuously. If you graduated three to five years ago and you have not been updating yourself, you have become unemployable. If a bodybuilder does not exercise for three years, he will go flabby. That is how the brain is. How then do you expect to get a job?

    When you do these, you give yourself a fighting chance. Man-know-man certainly exists, it was there even before I was born, but merit still reigns in many organisations, especially the multinational companies. There are organisations where at least 95 per cent of new entrants are employed on merit. These should be hunting grounds for people from disadvantaged backgrounds. A friend told me how the daughter got a job in an organisation where neither he nor the daughter knew anyone. She was part of 360 applicants who applied for six vacant positions. She got one of the six spots after a series of tests and interviews. Though not from a disadvantaged background, she got the job totally on merit. Work your socks off like children of avwiorovwe. Be extra determined. Pull down doors that refuse to open and run into walls you cannot jump over. Some of the movers and shakers of Nigeria that you see today came from lowlier backgrounds than yours. But they did just that (pulled down doors and ran into walls 20, 30 and 40 years ago). Today they are enjoying the fruit of their perseverance. It is difficult to see someone, driven by purpose, who stayed focussed, who did not ultimately succeed

    Quit this self-pity and defeatist disposition. Your parents scrapped to send you to school so that you can graduate and uplift your family. That should remain your mission and your focus. Stop giving excuses and live like someone on a mission. Nigeria is a tough place, but when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. The tough ones are making their little progress in all sectors of the economy. Nigeria does not baby sit or spoon feed anyone, especially if you are from a humble background. Like children of a sensible avwiorovwe, be tough people, stop living as if your father has an empire waiting for you to inherit. And just in case, if you mistook this for a motivational material, it is not; I am just reminding you of the harsh realities of your world.

  • COVID-19: 39.4m Nigerians may lose jobs before 2020 ends – Osinbajo

    About 39.4 million Nigerians, representing some 33.6% of the population may be left without jobs by the end of 2020, as a result of the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic.

    This was part of the ramifications envisaged by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN)-led Economic Sustainability Committee (EAC) in its Action Plan, submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

    Before laying out the plan, which would be driven by various federal ministries and agencies of government, Professor Osinbajo observed that the grim pictures would only get so bad if government failed to take necessary preemptive measures to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 outbreak.

    The projection, according to him, also suggested that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) might fall to the negative of between -4.40% and -8.91%, depending on how long the protective lockdowns last and that millions more will fall into extreme poverty.

    The Plan, themed ‘Bouncing Back: The Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan’, however outlined a range of multi-sectoral remedies, which would take care of massive jobs creation through the agricultural and construction sectors, as well as lending support to the informal and small scale business sectors.

    “In addition, the inevitable mandatory lockdowns and social distancing measures put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 have had a severe negative impact on farms and factories, as well as on trade, transport and tourism.

    “Several projections, including those done by the NBS on behalf of the Economic Sustainability Committee, showed: a severe downturn in our oil earnings, as a result of which, even with oil price at 30 dollars a barrel, we would still have a shortfall of about N185 billion every month, in the amount available for allocation to the three tiers of Government;

    “That Unemployment may rise to 33.6% or about 39.4 million people by the end of 2020, if we fail to take prompt preemptive measures; that millions more will fall into extreme Poverty, before the pandemic ends; that GDP may fall to between minus 4.40% and minus 8.91%, depending on the length of the lockdown period and strength of our economic response”, he said.

    However, laying out the plans of government to mitigate the COVID-19 induced economic woes, Professor Osinbajo said his committee had designed ranges of responses to the threat, adding that the thrust would be to localise production and consumption.

    He said the plan, which gathered contributions from various sectors and ministries, would focus efforts on agriculture, production and construction of infrastructure across the country, adding that the plan intended to open doors to young Nigerians, both from the formal and informal segments of the economy.

    Highlights of the plan included the mass cultivation of between 20,000 and 100,000 hectares of new farmlands in each state, provision of around 300,000 housing units annually and the connection of more than 5 million off-national grid homes to solar power.

    “So we decided on a strategy hinged on Mr. President’s mantra to “produce what we eat and consume what we produce”. In other words, to create millions of new jobs, we need to focus on encouraging local production, local services, local innovation, and emphasize the use of local materials.

    “Nigeria and Nigerians can produce our food, build our houses and construct our roads, using local materials in all cases. If we must import, it must be to support local production. We have therefore recommended that we must carry out mass programmes that create jobs and utilise local materials.

    “Such will include: A Mass Agricultural Programme, which is expected to bring between 20,000 and 100,000 hectares of new farmland under cultivation in every State of the Federation and create millions of direct and indirect job opportunities.

    “Extensive Public Works and Road Construction Programme focusing on both major and rural roads and using locally available materials like limestone, cement and granite.

    “Mass Housing Programme to deliver up to 300,000 homes annually, engaging young professionals and artisans who form themselves into small and medium scale businesses within the construction industry, using indigenous labour and materials.

    “Installation of Solar Home System, targeting 5 million households, serving about 25 million individual Nigerians who are currently not connected to the National Grid.

    “We have also recommended -(i) support for local production and manufacturing of all that is possible, including tech apps, software, shoes, garments, steel fabrication, ceramics and furniture, with the required capital and essential machinery.

    “The provision of ample support for the informal sector through low interest loans and by easing procedures for registration, licensing, obtaining permits, etc. By these means, urban and informal business people like mechanics, tailors, artisans, and petty traders, will be encouraged to improve and develop their services.

    “Support for MSMEs, especially in assisting to restructure their loans with banks. Among others, this will assist businesses in the pharmaceutical, aviation, hotels and the hospitality industry, private schools, road transportation, technology companies, and the creative industry, amongst others.

    “Facilitation of broadband connectivity across the country and creation of a wide variety of technology and ICT jobs.

    “Expansion of the Social Investment Programme, through an increase in the number cash transfer beneficiaries, N- Power volunteers and sundry traders enjoying small and micro loans through the MarketMoni and TraderMoni schemes. The preexisting conditional cash transfer will also be extended to cover a larger number of the extremely poor”, he said.

    On how the plan would achieve the targeted end, Professor Osinbajo also highlighted the monitoring and evaluation procedure, which he said would largely be the responsibility of the various ministries and agencies, under which each item of the plan falls and the final overseeing of the entire plan and subsequent regular report back to the President would be left with the EAC.

    “The key to the success of this plan is undoubtedly ‘implementation’. Making sure that we execute the Plan faithfully and working in collaboration. We have therefore recommended that each Minister will be responsible for supervising the implementation of plans situated in their respective Ministries.

    “Ministers will also be responsible for ensuring synergy between all relevant stakeholders across the public and private sectors.

    “The Economic Sustainability Committee, which is inter-Ministerial in nature, should only then remain to oversee plan implementation, ensure inter-ministerial co-ordination, and report regularly to the President, while expenditure is monitored through the National M&E framework and the Budget Office of the Federation”, he said.

    Meanwhile, in his response at the presentation ceremony, President Buhari

    lauded Nigerians for their resilience and adapting to the realities of COVID-19, noting that the outbreak of the pandemic had thrown the entire world into serious economic crisis thus, making things difficult.

    “While the COVID-19 pandemic spread through our towns and cities, it continues to take a massive toll on the economy. I know that many of us have experienced great difficulty during this time, businesses have considerably slowed down and in certain instances, operations closed, work days have been cut short and personnel liberties restricted, people have lost their jobs and earning a living has indeed been difficult.

    “This has been a trying time for those in the informal sector, which constitutes a large part of our economy, important family celebrations were held without the presence of loved ones, schools are closed and parents have had to resort to homeschooling in addition to juggling other responsibilities.

    “Despite all these, Nigerians have done their best and persevered. I must salute Nigerians for their resilience in adapting the realities of the covid-19 effect while also recognising the superhuman effort of our frontline health workers who continue to play a critical role in keeping our country and people safe.”

    While noting the effects of the pandemic on the revenue and policies and programmes of government, the President said more efforts would be geared towards making life better for citizens.

    “Non-oil income largely made up of taxes is also dramatically reduced on account of the lockdown. It is clear that businesses face the prospect of collapse so we must prepare for difficult times, while the government continues to seek ways of supporting businesses and industry,” he said.

    Commenting on the job done by the committee that produced the Economic Sustainability Plan, President Buhari appreciated the committee’s good work, where it made some important recommendations that can serve as a national plan to the nation.

    “I am pleased to hear that the Economic Sustainability committee consulted with both the National Economic Council and the National Assembly and I look forward to a continuing partnership with both organs, to implement what I consider a national plan.

    “As we go forward, we must chart a new course and remain steadfast. I believe the priorities contained in this plan present a practical way of achieving our desire of a truly competitive economy that can support our people and secure our future.

    “I congratulate the Economic Sustainability committee for completing this critical national assignment in good time. I believe that with God’s help and in a sense of duty to prosperity we will successfully reset our economy for a brighter future,” the President stated.

  • Professional Competence, Transparency, Accountability, National Spread Bases for Employment into NNPC – Management

    Professional Competence, Transparency, Accountability, National Spread Bases for Employment into NNPC – Management

    The Nigerian National Corporation (NNPC) has explained the parametres for employment as well as career progression in the corporation, using the recently concluded Graduate Trainee employment process as well as top Management promotion exercise executed by the corporation as an illustration.

    The National Oil company says unblemished academic competence, logical thinking, ability to engage meaningfully in problem solving in addition to federal character are key to becoming an employee of the corporation.

    To progress in the Management cadre, professional competence, accountability and transparency as well as ensuring national spread in top management positions are critical factors that are not negotiable.

    Explaining the parametres, NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, stated that the basic academic requirement for newly employed Graduate Trainees in the corporation is a minimum of a Second-Class Upper Division, or an Upper Credit for Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate holders. Alternatively, a candidate holding a Second Class Lower Division degree or an HND Lower Credit Diploma holder, must in addition have acquired a Master’s degree in a relevant field.

    He said that was applicable in the last recruitment exercise where qualified applicants undertook computer-based test conducted by a neutral national examinations body, following which the best performers were further taken through a formal interview session to ensure their suitability.

    Obateru stated that the end product of the rigorous exercise was the new set of employees who have shown a lot of promise since the beginning of the onboarding programme which started earlier this month including engagements with the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, and some members of top management of the corporation.

    The NNPC spokesperson says the fairness in the appointment of the new employees was such that many of the new employees expressed astonishments securing employment in the National Oil Company without any godfather.

    He relayed the testimonies of a few of the Graduate Trainees who marveled at the opportunities before them:
    Oluwatobi Ayo Yusuf from Lagos: Thanked the NNPC for the vision of providing a level playing field for all the participants in the recruitment process, describing it as the most fair and transparent recruitment that he has ever participated in, in Nigeria.

    Onianwa Vin-Kingsley: Described NNPC recruitment process as excellently remarkable and urged other private and government institutions to always take a cue from the NNPC in order to inspire confidence in Nigeria youths.

    Onyeulo Ikenna, a First Class graduate of Chemical Engineering: said despite the rigorous online application process for the NNPC job which almost deterred him from applying, he was impressed that he was employed without knowing any godfather anywhere.

    Enyi Ada, from Port Harcourt, Rivers State: said NNPC’s employment journey disappointed all her negativity about how recruitment processes were conducted in Nigeria, stressing that despite the Novel Coronavirus pandemic, the corporation was able to conclude the process seamlessly.

    Bolarinwa Simeon, a Civil Engineer: Said life was willing to give you whatever you wanted, noting that the entire NNPC recruitment process was transparent and credible from the computer-based test to the interview.

    Suleiman Mahmud: Explained that his journey to NNPC was miraculous as he applied on the last day of the application and after receiving his offer of appointment his sick mother recovered from her age-long ailment miraculously.

    The 1,050 graduate trainees were recently recruited by the NNPC and assumed duty virtually on Monday 4 May, 2020, due to the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Country.

    Obateru says the experiences of the long-time employees of NNPC are not dissimilar to those of the new intakes, adding that professional competence, adherence to the principle of transparency and accountability informed the recent top management appointment executed in the first week of March this year.

    He further explained that the principle of federal character was also a factor in the progression of the newly appointees.

    Throwing more light, Obateru stated that many top management officers of the corporation were moved to new positions while some were promoted based on their verifiable track records of performance, saying some Chief Operating Officers, Group General Managers and Managing Directors of subsidiaries were affected in what some industry analysts described as the most objective placement exercise in the recent history of the National Oil Company.

    Topping the list of the changes, he said, was the re-deployment of the erstwhile Chief Operating Officer (COO), Upstream, Mr. Roland Ewubare, to the Ventures and Business Development Directorate as COO.
    Under the arrangement, Ewubare, in the new order got an additional responsibility of business development, besides managing the group’s ventures.

    Obateru stated that Ewubare would bring his competence to bear in the onerous task of laying the groundwork for the corporation to take up new business opportunities and challenges thrown up by the COVID-19 impasse. The new position would also see Ewubare traversing Downstream, Midstream and Upstream sectors to develop new ventures.

    Prior to his promotion as COO, Upstream, Ewubare was the Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) between August 2017 and July 2019. He was also the Managing Director, Integrated Data Services Limited, an NNPC subsidiary, from August 2015 to August 2017. Ewubare is from the South South region of the Country.

    Obateru said Ewubare’s position as COO Upstream was taken over by Engr. Adeyemi Adetunji, erstwhile Chief Operating Officer in charge of Downstream directorate.

    A first-class Mechanical Engineering graduate of the University of Lagos, Adeyemi started his over 30 years career as a maintenance Engineer and later a project Engineer in Lever Brothers Nigeria Limited (Unilever). Thereafter he joined Accenture, a management consultancy firm, where he rose to become a Partner, providing advisory services on a wide range of subjects for over 20 years.

    He joined NNPC in January 2011 as the General Manager, Transformation Office – leading a team of NNPC and International Consultants to implement NNPC’s earlier developed corporate vision and strategic plans. He is from the South West of the Country.

    Obateru stated that the recent top management appointment also received affirmative action with the re-deployment of Ms. Lawrencia Ndupu to the Downstream. A Physicists and renowned explorationist, Laura, as she is fondly called by her colleagues, started her working career in NNPC in January 1986, now spanning over 32 years.

    Through the years, she has held many key positions amongst which are Deputy Manager Geophysics at NAPIMS, CManager Exploration, Joint Venture Oil Operations Division, NAPIMS, and General Manger Operations, Commercial & Investment Directorate of NNPC. She had managed NNPC Oilfield Services Limited, a position she assumed since March 2016 before her recent appointment as Chief Operating Officer of the Ventures Directorate of NNPC which takes effect from 8th July, 2019. She is from the South-East of the Country.

    The changes was also spiced with the appointment of Mr. Bala Wunti, the erstwhile Managing Director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company as the new GGM of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS).

    With a chain of experience spanning close to 30 years, Wunti who hailed from the North East, was the initiator of ‘Operation White,’ a system put in place to promote transparency and accountability in the distribution of petroleum products across the country, and is generally adjudged a perfect fit for the job.
    Wunti, a thoroughbred Oil and Gas Industry professional, is a graduate of Chemistry from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with an MBA in Marketing from the Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from the same university.

    The list also included Mr. Lawal Sade as the new Managing Director of the NNPC Trading Company, a subsidiary of corporation. Before then he was the MD of NIDAS, a shipping arm of the NNPC. Mr. Sade had been essentially a marketer in the last 20 years with impressive outcomes.

    During his stint in NIDAS, he secured the admittance of NNPC into the prestigious Oil Company International Marine Forum (OCIMF) membership, a globally recognized shipping community. His ability to deliver on goals has gained NIDAS a lot of credibility whereby its employees, shareholders and counterparties now have faith in its capacity to grow.

    Obateru stated that the exercise kept in place Mr. Adokiye Tombomieye, from the South-South, as Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing, a highly strategic position in the corporation.

    The NNPC spokesperson explained that the beauty of the new wave of appointments in NNPC depicted a leadership of the corporation determined and bent on ensuring placement of square pegs in square holes, while not losing sight of geographical spread, in respect of staffing.

  • Presidency clears air on Buhari’s daughter’s ‘fraudulent employment’ at PPPRA

    Presidency clears air on Buhari’s daughter’s ‘fraudulent employment’ at PPPRA

    The presidency on Wednesday described as Fake News an online report that Zahra, daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari, has fraudulently secured a job with the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

    A statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said the report was fake.

    “While Zahra, just like any other Nigerian, can work wherever she secures employment, we hasten to add that the story is false in every material particular.

    “The publication is untrue, malicious, and meant to cast aspersions at the First Family, since the tendentious platform claims the job was secured fraudulently.

    “All people of goodwill are enjoined to ignore the hack piece, masquerading as a news story,” the statement said.

  • Face your studies, graduate with good grades before demanding employment, NNPC tells NANS

    Face your studies, graduate with good grades before demanding employment, NNPC tells NANS

    …Says no discrimination in recruitment process

    Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has clarified that there was no discrimination in the various requirements in the corporation’s recruitment process.

    Mr Ndu Ughamadu, the NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division disclosed this on Monday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in a statement on Sunday rejected the requirement for recruitment by the NNPC alleging it was an anti-poor and anti-masses.

    The association further gave the corporation a 72-hour ultimatum to withdraw all alleged anti-poor and anti-masses conditions in the criteria.

    Also, an Abuja-based lawyer, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, had threatened to drag the management of the NNPC to court following what he described as “discriminatory” recruitment process.

    He vowed to approach the court to ensure protection of the fundamental rights of Nigerians who were qualified to apply but were barred from participating because of age criteria.

    “No, there was no discrimination in the criteria, If there is anything, the corporation is supposed to be commended now that it is trying to recruit to reduce the unemployment in the country.

    “Our criterion was based on carefully thought out criteria of which we carried out a survey to arrive at all those criteria that were stipulated,’’ he said.

    According to him, the corporation over the years has sustained the standard.

    He added that the recruitment criteria were of four categories which every interested Nigeria should explore.

    “There are in many categories, there are four, if you didn’t meet one category, you move to the next, if you didn’t meet the second, you go to the third and so on.

    “For the graduate trainee, we put age level at 28 years, the second 34, the third 37 and the last 40. So, any Nigerian looking for employment that falls within any of the four categories is qualified,’’ he added.

    He said that it was unfortunate that some people after attempting and were not successful alleged discriminatory in its selection process.

    Commenting on the 72 hours ultimatum by NANS to reverse the criteria or they would embark on a protest, he said that NANS should focus on their studies to graduate first with good certificates.

    “NANS should pass their examination first and graduate after which they will be qualified for employment.

    “What NANS should face now is to study very hard and graduate and make a reasonable degree. They have not graduated yet and they are looking for employment,’’ he said.

    The corporation opened a recruitment portal from March 13 to March 26 and has started short listing of qualified candidates.

  • Reps pass bill to remove age barriers in employment

    Reps pass bill to remove age barriers in employment

    A Bill seeking to remove discrimination in employment on the basis of age of applicant yesterday passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

    Consequent upon this the Federal Government is urged to remove the all barriers placed on employment of citizens of Nigeria in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government MDAs

    This Bill sponsored by Hon. Sergius Ogun (Edo, PDP) has passed second reading in the House.

    Ogun in his lead debate on Bill had noted that government departments particularly ministries, departments and agencies MDAs usually deprive of the right of employment based on age of the applicant.

    According to him, the main objective of the proposed law is to eradicate the age barriers on employment into Federal Government agencies.

    This new legislation he added is to ensure that no citizen of Nigeria is deprived of employment into government agencies on the basis of age.

    The lawmaker pointed out that the enactment of the law would prohibit all Federal Government agencies from disqualifying qualified and competent youths seeking employment who may be above the specified age but not above fourty-five years from employment.

    He explained age discrimination as a situation where a person who is ordinarily qualified for employment is disqualified by reason of being of age specified in the recruitment conditions.

    He also defined job seekers refers are persons seeking to be gainfully employed in any establishment of the federal government of Nigeria.

    The Speaker Hon.Yakubu Dogara subsequently passed the Bill through second reading and committed it to the House Committee on Labour,Employment and Productivity for further inputs.