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Tag: Ngige

  • Strike: Ngige blasts resident doctors, says ‘you breached the constitution’

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige on Wednesday at the renewed negotiation deal between the Federal Government delegation and leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, in Abuja lambasted the doctors for embarking on a strike action despite earlier meetings with the him delegation and reaching a consensus to shelve the then proposed strike action.

    He accused the doctors of breaching section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act of 2004.

    The minister said he was hopeful that the current strike would be the shortest in the history of Nigeria, urging them to immediately call it off.

    He said, “Once conciliation starts by the government, no employer has the right to embark on strike.

    “By going on strike you have breached Section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act of 2004.”

    Apart from members of NARD, others present include the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association; representatives of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation among others.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the doctors embarked on a nation wide strike on Monday, September 4 to press home their demands with the Federal Government.

     

    Details later…

  • My child is affected by ASUU strike – Ngige

    My child is affected by ASUU strike – Ngige

    Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, says one of his children is affected by the indefinite strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    Speaking at the end of the federal executive council meeting on Wednesday, the minister said the government is doing its best to reach an agreement with the union and put an end to the strike.

    “Students who are supposed to take their exams and promotional exams have been forced by circumstances beyond their control to stay at home,” Ngige said.

    “I have one of my child at home as we speak. Government is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that we reach a conclusive agreement with ASUU so that they can go back to the class room.

    “This is the first national strike that this government is facing and we want to discuss.

    “At Council today, the vice-president took over some of the aspects of the negotiations and discussions. So, we are continuing the meeting in his office and when we finish the meeting, we will get back to ASUU for another round of meeting and we are hopeful that we will be able to go to an appreciable extent to solve some of the outstanding issues that is preventing them from going back to work.”

    Ngige also said the government’s team on the national minimum wage committee is ready, but waiting for other members from the private sector.

    “We have on the government side four ministers – ministers of labour and employment, finance, budget and planning, I can’t remember the last one now but we have our team ready,” Ngige said.

    “The chairman will be unveiled when we have a full component of the committee. The aspect that is delaying from inaugurating the committee is the organised private sector.

    “So we are waiting for these nominations, when they come in the government will nominate the chairman and inaugurate the committee.”

  • Ngige applauds Elumelu’s commitment to job creation, poverty alleviation

    The Minister of Labour and Employment has lauded the relentless efforts of the chairman, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, Tony Elumelu towards job creation as a strategy for poverty alleviation in Nigeria and Africa by extension.

    Ngige made the disclosure at the 30th Anniversary celebration of Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

    In his words: “ I am here because Tony Elumelu creates jobs. I take interest in those who create jobs and Tony is one of them,” the minister stated. The minister went on to share that the Labour statistics on Transnational Corporation of Nigeria show that 1500 to 2000 people are employed at the Transcorp Hilton alone.

    Elumelu’s commitment to poverty alleviation is perfectly expressed in a theory he continues to champion called Africapitalism. It is the belief that Africa’s private sector can, and must play a leading role in the continent’s development. The future we all want for ourselves will be the one of our own making.

    Africapitalism can be seen in action through the entities under Tony Elumelu’s Heirs Holdings Group, including the Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc. which currently has over 3,000 Nigerian’s in its employ, United Bank for Africa with over 14,000 Nigerian staff and the Tony Elumelu Foundation that has so far empowered 3000 Africans through its flagship Entrepreneurship Program.

    The Honourable Minister of Labour & Employment, Chris Ngige in his speech, also said “Social intervention is about attending to those who are vulnerable, those who can’t afford to eat three, two or even one square meal a day. Social intervention is what Tony Elumelu does.”

    The chairman Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc. also stated that improving lives and transforming Africa was the motivating factor when Heirs Holdings acquired its controlling stake in Transcorp Plc. Job creation is one of many ways Elumelu continues to push this agenda. The Conglomerate’s subsidiary, Transcorp Power Limited stands today as the country’s largest power generator in line with its commitment to power Nigeria’s industries, hospitals, schools and create a truly enabling environment for Nigeria’s entrepreneurs to thrive.

    The minister of Labour & Employment also praised Tony Elumelu’s continued investment in power generation through Transcorp Power Limited, as well as the steps he took at UBA to retain employees through the recession when other companies chose to retrench. At a time when other institutions were laying off, UBA promoted 3000 staff in one day.

    The minister closed by recognising the fact that Elumelu has done a lot to create jobs but more should be done, to which Tony Elumelu replied “Help us create the right enabling environment and we will.”

     

     

  • Support FG to boost economy, Ngige tells workers

    Support FG to boost economy, Ngige tells workers

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Chris Ngige, has charged the Agriculture and Allied Employees’ Union of Nigeria (AAEUN) to support the Buhari-led administration in its bid to rejuvenate the economy.

    Ngige stated this at the 3rd National Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference of AAEUN in Dutse on Saturday.

    According to him, the Federal Government (FG), under President Muhammadu Buhari, is committed to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed through agriculture.

    “We are also concerned with good governance and increased productivity in the work places.

    “We believe this could only be achieved through social dialogue among social partners who are the catalyst for maintenance of industrial peace and harmony in work places.

    “This will, in turn, lead to increase in productivity; a sine qua non for socio-economic growth of the country,” he said.

    Ngige said that the frequent mobilisation of union members for protests and strikes had become antiquated; a weapon of trade unionism he described as inimical to the growth of the economy.

    He, therefore, charged the members to always use social dialogue in pressing home their demands, instead of being confrontational.

    While giving his welcome address, Governor Muhammad Baderu of Jigawa said the conference was an opportunity for members, as professionals, to assess his achievements, particularly in relation to agriculture.

    Baderu, represented by his deputy, Ibrahim Hassan, said AAEUN could use the opportunity to assess the support given by the state government to agriculture, not as a tradition or a social sector, but as a business.

    The governor described agriculture as the only business capable of helping the country to diversify its economy, reduce dependence on food importation, create jobs and revive the rural areas.

    Earlier in his speech, the union’s National President, Mr Simon Anchaver, called on Nigerians to see agriculture as a way out of the present frustration being faced by the people due to the economic challenges.

    Anchaver commended the Jigawa governor for the supply and distribution of Bio-fortified varieties of seeds to farmers, the distribution of motorcycles to extension workers and the procurement of fertilisers to farmers.

    He also appreciated the state government for its cluster farming programme, rice farming project and the prompt payment of salaries and pension to serving and retired civil servants respectively, amongst others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the national conference had in attendance delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

  • I won’t contest 2017 Anambra governorship race – Ngige

    I won’t contest 2017 Anambra governorship race – Ngige

    Sequel to rumours that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, would be contesting the 2017 Anambra governorship election, the minister has told his followers to count him out of the race.

    Ngige cleared the air on Monday after rumours had it that he would contest governorship election in Anambra State.

    He said his work as a minister was challenging, hence, the coming governorship contest was not his concern.

    He, however, said his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, would take over the State.

    The former governor told newsmen in Awka, “I have a job I’m doing for the Federal Government. I’m in charge of labour and employment, I have too much on my hands to start talking about governorship in Anambra State.

    “Right now, I have a powerful ministry that is challenging, my brain is working for now, the governorship does not concern me, but you will see me when APC picks its candidate for the 2017 election.

    “There are many aspirants that have declared interest and some of them are people who decamped from APGA. Chike Obidigbo came with his own faction into APC. Tony Nwoye has left PDP with sizeable number. We have George Muoghalu, Chief Nwibe and Obinna Uzor.”

  • IPOB lamblasts Ngige for saying Buhari loves Ndigbo

    IPOB lamblasts Ngige for saying Buhari loves Ndigbo

    The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has slammed minister of labour, Chris Ngige over his recent claims that the South-East geopolitical zone has not being expunged from the scheme of things under the current administration.

    The group accused Ngige of running his mouth just to please his pay master in Abuja.

    Ngige had while speaking during the annual convention and 2016 graduation ceremony of Skill Acquisition Students of Bina Foundation, Enugu, said contrary to the statement purportedly made by Ohanaeze that Ndigbo were being excluded, the antecedents of Buhari showed that he loved Ndigbo.

    But IPOB, while reacting via a statement by its spokesman, Emmanuel Powerful, said people like Chris Ngige and other political jobbers feeding off the crumbs from the master’s table should be ashamed of themselves and know that the day of reckoning was fast approaching.

    He said, “Anybody or group of persons against the new found courage of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in supporting the quest for freedom for all must examine his or her conscience before offering an opinion.

    “This is the time to embolden the few good men left in Igboland not to pander to the interest of political vultures who have brought nothing tangible to the emancipation discourse championed by our leader mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB members worldwide.

    “Our goal remains the attainment of absolute freedom in deed not just in mere words, for all oppressed peoples of Biafra and beyond.

    “We also commend the Ohaneze leadership for demonstrating the leadership charisma for once through out their period in office as executive in Igboland.

    “Again, as long as the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and other groups and social cultural organizations in Biafraland remains on the side of the truth without fear or favour IPOB and its leadership will continue to support every of their initiatives aimed at liberating, the emancipation or promotion of our people.

    “We hope that other social cultural organizations and elders in Biafraland of Ijaw, Ishekiri, Anang, Ibibio, Kalabari, Opobo, Igala, Idoma, Ogoni, Urohobo, Igbanke etc will come out and toll the line with the recent statements made by Ohaneze Ndi Igbo towards the realization of God’s nation Biafra and the liberation of our people.

    “Until this sacred and divine mission is accomplished, IPOB worldwide will never rest’ so also our ordained leader and prophet of our time Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

  • Ngige calls for speedy passage of Occupational, Health Bill

    Ngige calls for speedy passage of Occupational, Health Bill

    Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige, has called for a speedy pass of the Occupational and Health Bill before the National Assembly.

    Ngige said this in Abuja on Wednesday at a two-day National Awareness and Sensitisation Workshop on Occupational, Safety and Health (OSH) for major industries and government agencies in Nigeria.

    The workshop was organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in partnership with Global Network Monitoring and Development Initiative, its theme is: “Emergency Preparedness and Response for Workplace System Resilience’’.

    The minister was represented by Dr Ifeoma Anyawutaku, Director, Occupational, Safety and Health in the ministry.

    Ngige said that it was imperative to create awareness on risks faced in various places of work and ways of tackling the challenges.

    “The Occupational Safety and Health Bill in the Legislature, still awaiting passage, is the key to effective OSH communication.

    “We believed the current Legislature will pass the bill and other labour bill that are pending before the end of its tenure. The Nigerian workers will be better for it. ‘’he said.

    He said that the ministry of labour and employment was committed to domesticating the International Labour Organsition’s Convention C.187 on Promotional Framework on Occupational Safety and Health in Nigeria.

    According to him, the ministry is determined to boosting the occupational safety and health in the administrative services and offices beyond the regularly covered industrial working environment.

    “This will enhance the performance of the National Occupational Safety and Health Management System to boost the occupational safety and health preventative culture in the world of work.

    “This workshop is expected to add value to your knowledge on the various occupational safety and health policies and programmes, ‘’he said.

    Also, Mr Mohammed Haruna, Executive Director, Global Network Monitoring and Development said the workshop was crucial to advocate for safe workplace in various organisation in the country.

    Haruna said that Nigeria lacked emergency preparedness and responses to health and safety issues in the country.

    “How prepare are we, if there is an emergency in our homes, workplace, among others.

    “We need to be prepared at all time, we are always rushing into issues and we end up making half hazard arrangement in tackling problems.

    “So, it is very important that this awareness is created to educate people about occupational health and safety because accident does not only happen in the industries but could be anywhere.’’

    A participant, Mr Quintus Azogu, Asst. Controller General, Policy, Regulatory Department in the Federal Fire Service commended the organisers for the programme.

    Azogu said that programme was timely as there had been a lot of fire out breaks in the country due to the dry season.

    He said at it was important for Nigerians to be careful and prepared for any unfortunate occurrence that may occur.