All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate for Delta South Senatorial District, Hon. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has joined millions of Deltans and party faithful to congratulate Rt.Hon.Friday Ossai Osanebi on his emergence as the running mate to the Gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
Hon. Joel-Onowakpo in a congratulatory message by his Personal Press Secretary, Godday Odidi, described the nomination of Rt.Hon.Friday Ossai Osanebi as running mate to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as a welcome development and a step in the right direction towards election victory of the party in Delta State.
Omo-Agege/Friday Osanebi
He described Rt.Hon.Friday Ossai Osanebi as a unique young political guru that understands legislative processes laced with leadership prowess capable of influencing a paradign shift in the political equation of Delta State, adding that coming as a running mate to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege would provide a good leadership system for Deltans come 2023.
“With your rich profile in the Delta House of Assembly as a former Deputy Speaker and humanitarian expert, no doubt, the All Progressives Congress(APC) is set to come out victorious. It is a political signal to the PDP in Delta State that APC is not joking and we are ready to give Deltans employment, Empowerment, Development, Good Governance, and Enduring Peace and Security(EDGE) and build a new Delta(Band).”
“You are a bridge-builder, a man of excellent character, integrity, probity, and humanitarian. Your disposition as a philanthropist which has made you a voice in the state, will be of immense service to our party. God will continue to give you the wisdom to support the aspiration of Senator Omo-Agege to victory come 2023.
Hon Joel-Onowakpo thereby called on APC faithful to remain focused in their resolve to rescue Delta State from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)Co e 2023.
A group of young men and women under the auspices of Youths 4 Governance(Y4G) has stated that the present state of things in the country as it affect youths participation in leadership and governance can no longer be cordoned.
The group in issued at the end of it’s general meeting held recently at the NUT Hotel, Asaba, capital of Delta state, noted that the common maxim of youths being leaders of tomorrow has become a scam and an unrealistic illusion.
Flanked by hundreds of members of the group, the Director-General/National Coordinator Engr. Arerosuoghene Jerry Agbajileke while reading the communique stressed that the Nigerian youths faired better in the military era when sensitive government portfolios were handed over to very young, vibrant and energetic officers, adding that since then, the Nigerian youths lost its place to the old brigade who have vehemently refused to give them a new lease of hope.
“It is with great delight that I welcome you all to this August event. First, let me in no small measures appreciate God Almighty for making this day a reality. The planning of this event has been hectic. We are glad that at last, the very pragmatic members of this group painstakingly rallied round the leadership to ensure that the event is a great success, afterall.
“The reason we are here is not far-fetched. We have gathered today to speak to the entire world through the instrumentality of the media that the docility and cruel marginalization of the youths in government at all levels must henceforth be repudiated. The youths have been docile for too long. Though we are told that we are the leaders of tomorrow, that “tomorrow” seem like a facade that may never come to fruition”, the communique reads in part.
Adding that “The Youths for Governance Group, formed by us precisely in the year 2017 was design to carry out advocacies that will awaken the consciousness of youths in partaking in leadership and governance like it is done in other climes. We are here to challenge the authorities at all levels that youth inclusiveness in positions of leadership must never continue to remain in the realm of options.
“Today, we are drawing our undaunting inspiration from American jurisprudence expert, scholar and community developer, Junius Wallis who weathered the storm and rose to become a rallying point for youth advocacy in His country, to state that we have woken up from our deep sleep and now poised to take our rightful place.
“Wallis while motivating his comrades wrote thus, “The youths were to be trained to be the vanguard of the next battlefront, whatever that was. I knew within my heart that the Gibson experiment in city hall would attract enemies, so I intended to teach these young people how to fight on this new battlefield.” After legions of titanic struggles with the oligarchs, he rose to become the youngest president of National Bar Association’s history in 1978. That is the spirit of resilience.
“As a group, we crave for a society where youths will be included and participate actively in politics and leadership. It is an unimpeachable fact that the various military juntas gave youths more opportunity to be at the policy and decision making table. Then, we had heads of state who were far below the age of 50. Ditto to military administrators in some states. But today, we have men in their 60s and 70s standing as councilors in the local government councils; the lowest cadre of political leadership. Sadly more, we have old men of over 60years of age serving as “youth leaders “ at various levels in some Political parties leadership. This trend MUST stop henceforth. No nation can move forward under this circumstances.
“As a group, we are open to discussions by political parties, aspirants, candidates and government at all levels, youth advocacy groups and interest groups, on the subject matter. Our position will be to negotiate more leadership vacancies for our youths. We are also not unmindful of the shenanigans of some of our youths. We hope to discuss, recommend and bring forth some of our finest and incorruptible hands, while we retool the minds of the questionable into more productive and fecund engagements.
“We thank those in privileged positions, governments and industry players who have given our youths opportunities to thrive. Even as we ask for more, we are confident that these lucky ones will deploy the youthful exuberance and warhorse energies into lifting these enterprises to levels of envy. We are confident that our advocacies will yield fruits faster than we ever envisaged. We hope to see some of us rise to become global players, captains of industries and politician powerbrokers in the days of ebullient energies. We are optimistic that a drastic and positive turnaround await our youths while we see from afar the greatness that will herald this nation soonest.
“I thank you all once again. I pray we have another press briefing like this in no distance time to itemize and chronicle the successes of our profound agitations. Thank you all once again.”
The Issues mitigating development of Education, especially University education had been attributed to leadership complicity in the management of educational issues in the country.
This was the observation during the 2022 University of Ibadan Alumnae Association, Asaba Chapter by the guest lecturer, Prof Paul Omojo Omaji of the Admiralty University of Nigeria, an event held at the Press centre, Government House on Thursday, June 23 2022.
Faces of UItes
Prof Omaji who was speaking on the Theme, “Revitilising University Education: The Leadership Question” said that the issues such as inadequacies in facilities for teaching, learning and research, inadequate funding, deficit in teacher quality and quantity, governance deficits, depressed quality of graduates, inadequate in access, amongst the 12 identified items by the National university Commissions, NUC that are militating against University education, and they are artefacts of leadership failure.
He stated that in the past 30 years, the political leadership in the country had failed, and thus had plunged the university education in Nigeria into several challenges, which he attributed to the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP which the country implemented in mid-1985, after obtaining a loan from the International monetary fund.
Prof. Uche Uzokwe
He pointed out that the programme was done in a manner that seriously devalued and defunded higher education, as the unfettered political interference resulted among other things, Vice Chancellors were appointed by the Military Government into university administration, with their professorial positions influenced, resulting in the silencing of intellectual voices and others led to massive exodus of lecturers from Nigerian university system.
Prof Omaji further stated that the implementation of the IMF also made the country a dumping ground for imported products in the name of economic liberalization, away from the policy of indiginisation, as the then government promoted patronizing of foreign goods.
Admiralty University of Nigeria lecturers participating
He also stated that the continuous appointments of education ministers was a problem, as different ministers always jettison exist policies to introduce what they think is best for the country.
He also did not spare the leadership of the various universities in the country, as they in one way or the other contributed to the failure being currently experienced, regretting that failure of institutional leadership of universities to enact core corporate objective, has compounded the challenges bedeviling the university education, as academic corruption and other social vices has continued to thrive in our universities.
Prof Omaji however gave insight on how education can be revived, and this can only be achieved through an insight leadership, as being done by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, as he had made commitment to reverse the decline since 2016, which leading to the development of a Ministerial Strategic Plan 2016-2019 to begin the process of developing a Blueprint for rapid revitalization of university education in Nigeria, advising the government should facilitate the passage of the document into law.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has noted that the University of Ibadan (UI) has contributed a lot to the development of Nigeria’s human resources. That it should also be supported in every facet of its development plans and sustainable growth.
The governor who was the Special Guest of Honor, and represented by the Permanent Secretary (PS), Office of the Secretary to the State Government Comrade S. E. O. Dieatake, noted that “the University of Ibadan has continued to produce very productive, capable and dependable work force both within the country and beyond”.
He said the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Asaba chapter, has a rich history and proud heritage, especially with an assemblage of eminent Nigerians who have continued to live up to the high expectations of both Nigerians and the world at large.
Dr. Mrs Felicia Adun
Earlier, the chairman of the UI Alumnae Asaba branch, Dr. (Mrs) Felicia Nkem Adun, identified the importance of the annual lecture series as an initiative, drive and dedication to building an association committed to best practices and robust articulation of ideas.
Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for the 2023 general election were focused on recovering Nigeria from the deep mess created by the seven years of rudderless leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
He said that the Atiku-Okowa ticket is a ticket for recovery aimed at bringing Nigeria back to winning ways, uniting the country and giving jobs back to the youths.
Aniagwu who stated this at a news conference in Asaba on Monday, lauded the media for their contributions to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s emergence as Vice-Presidential flag-bearer of the party.
He stressed that the party was devoted to building infrastructure which had suffered abysmally on account of the APC government not understanding what development was all about.
Atiku / Okowa
Flanked by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olisa Ifeajika, the Information Commissioner remarked that “the honour done to the governor is not for the governor alone but the entire Southern Nigeria and the rest of the country.
“The Atiku-Okowa ticket is a ticket that is going to restore our country to become a much more secured country and to restore the economy of the nation.
“They both understand economic issues and the need to bring in many persons on board irrespective of their political persuasions.
“The Atiku-Okowa ticket is already moving because while they are busy looking for a place holder, the PDP already have its candidate.
“INEC gave the timetable at the same time, while others are still searching for running mates, the PDP has shown that they are ready because they understand the issues,” he said.
Responding to the allegation by the Ovie Omo-Agege campaign organisation in Delta, Aniagwu urged the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege to concentrate on what he intends to do if elected and stop chasing shadows.
“We read in some quarters of the media that he is alleging that Okowa betrayed Southern Nigeria by accepting to be running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
“The quest of the Deputy President of the Senate to govern our state is within his constitutional rights to aspire and we do not begrudge him just as it is the right of every other Deltan to want to contribute to the development of the state.
“But you will recall that we told him to tell Deltans what he is going to bring on board. So for Ima Niboro to constantly progress in error is to say the least unbecoming of some persons who think he wants to govern a sate as cosmopolitan and as advanced as Delta State.
“The last time I checked Senator Ovie Omo-Agege belongs to a political party called the APC, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa belongs to the PDP.
“By our constitution for you to aspire to hold any political office, particularly at the elective level you must belong to a political party because our constitution at the moment does not recognise independent candidacy.
“The political parties are governed by both the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the rules of engagement that are very well stated in these political parties.
“Those rules define how an aspirant can emerge a standard bearer. You cannot be in Leventis and determine how they are paying salaries in UAC. It does not follow the same rule,”
Aniagwu said the Director of Communications of the Ovie Omo-Agege campaign organisation was a failed presidential spokesman hence he was replaced in 2011.
“Our brother, Ima Niboro who couldn’t help his former principal, the former president of Nigeria to canvass what the man was doing between 2010 and 2011 which is why he was replaced when the man won election.
“If he was doing so well am not too sure if he would have been replaced then as presidential spokesman so I wonder why Senator Omo-Agege would want to elevate a man who failed woefully in projecting his boss.
“He is already failing again because I have not read anywhere he has put forward what Senator Omo-Agege intends to do if elected as governor and I think that should have been his responsibility.
“Betrayal of who? The PDP as a political party met at the NEC level and resolved that given the circumstances of the party in opposition that they were going to leave the ticket of the presidency open to everybody to contest.
“Nobody kicked against that as both Northerners and Southerners contested but somebody won in this case Former Vice-President, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar won fair and square creditably.
“Delegates of the party chose him from across the country and by the provisions of our laws once you win and you become a presidential candidate, your candidacy cannot be validated until you nominate a running mate for that ticket to be complete,”
Aniagwu further averred that leaders of the party and the flag-bearer examined a whole number of persons in the southern part of the country and found our governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa very well qualified to be able to bring a whole lot of value to that ticket.
“He is bringing on board values in terms of the developmental initiatives, values in terms of his presidential disposition and his appreciation of the many challenges that confronts us as a country.
“The Vice-Presidential ticket is not a position of contest, Okowa didn’t buy form to contest for Vice President.
“If Omo-Agege and his campaign organisation do not have what to tell Deltans as to what they are bringing to the table, they should leave Senator Okowa alone.
“We know they are already intimidated by the rising profile of Senator Okowa. Okowa’s selection as Vice-Presidential candidate is a product of the appreciable progress and the many milestones we have achieved in the last seven years,” he added.
On the alleged N25 billion naira loan, Aniagwu mocked the APC for lacking knowledge of governance, adding that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assisted a number of persons across sectors.
“The role of the state government is to guarantee the farmers and to assure the CBN that the farmers are credible enough to pay back at the appropriate time.
“To ensure that the individuals the funds would be given to will be able to use it judiciously for the CBN to get back its funds.
“Delta State Government being a responsible government decided to guarantee our farmers so that the CBN can make the funds available for the farmers to increase their yield.
“How does that become a wrong decision of government? The fund is coming from CBN, they only need the state to have a buy-in to agree that once the money gets to the farmers it would be used for the purpose it was meant for.
“Is the APC in Delta expecting that we will keep quiet because they don’t understand governance and allow the funds to go to other states and farmers in those states would be making progress and ours will have to fold their hands?
On the N150bn bridging finance, the Information Commissioner said the state government was yet to access the facility because Federal government was yet to commence the process of repatriation of the funds.
He urged the opposition to stop talking about the N150 billion in isolation and also be concerned about the projects the funds were earmarked for, adding that “until the refunds starts coming in, we will not proceed to approach the bank.”
The Publicity secretary of Ohaneze Ndigbo and Senior special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Hon. Emmanuel Sorokwu, has congratulated the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) Speaker, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on his birth anniversary.
Sheriff Oborevwori
The former Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State noted that this year’s birthday was remarkable in the life of the Speaker that his emergence as Governorship flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of Delta State was first of it’s kind in the State political history.
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Sorokwu thanked God for adding a new cap to Oborevwori’s feather and pray also that God help him in actualizing his vision of becoming the Governor of Delta State.
Emmanuel Sorokwu
While commending Oborevwori for being the longest serving Speaker of the DTHA, Hon. Sorokwu enumerated some of the remarkable achievement of the Speaker to include the mutual relationship between the house and the Executive and also the passage of people oriented bills which has gone a long way in helping the Governor in achieving the stronger Delta mantra of his administration.
Education endowments first of all, are monies or other financial assets donated to academic institutions, which support the teaching, research, and public service missions of Higher Institutions of Learning.
These Endowments are referred to as perpetual gift because, annually, only a portion of the income earned is spent, while the balance is added to the principal, for growth. This provides financial stability to the college/polytechnic/ university and, consequently, the host community. A well-managed endowment brings about long-term stability, fiscal responsibility, and financial viability, while also enhancing the organization’s prestige and credibility, and relieving pressure on the annual fund. A system like this, no doubt, will help curb incessant ASUU strikes which has NEGATIVELY affected school children in many Universities, in Nigeria.
Concerned about the way the education sector is going across the country, coupled with the wrong notion sprouting like stubborn weeds in different corners, that “Education in Nigeria is a Scam”, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Delta State, Professor Patrick Moboughare, for a while now, has consistently harped on the need to establish/set up Education Endowment Fund for Institutions of Higher learning… Suffice it to state here that Government owned Universities in Delta State do not join ASUU strikes, because to the best of my knowledge, the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has remained committed to his responsibility towards the Institutions.
Now, from the view points raised by Mr. Peter Obi in this video ( political, tribal and religious sentiments aside), I think it’s important to adopt this strategy if schools are looking at generating IGR for it’s sustenance. I learnt also that Lagos State has an existing Education Endowment Fund Law, which can be emulated (correct me if am wrong though). But it’s not just about making laws, IMPLEMENTATION is key. Higher Institutions themselves should have online database of all their graduates/ graduating students who should be given Alumni numbers …(watch the video and share your opinion). Members of existing Alumni Associations should wake up. Let’s begin to see HOW MUCH MORE we can do to contribute meaningfully to our Alma Mater, and help the future leaders of our great country
It’s high time we began to look at things in a different perspective. Rather than hiking school fees which by the way, discourages “Education for the Poor”, look for other ways of funding higher institutions, especially creating systems such as Endowment Funds where donations and all that, could be channelled, in a most transparent and accountable way. (Transparency and Accountability is vital for the success of this system)
When we look at/ talk about systems that work outside the country, there is need to also take a critical look at the WHY and the HOW, so we could apply it in our country/state.
This reminds me of the time, I, in company of some persons, visited the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engineer David Umahi at the Government House in Abakiliki. We wanted to find out how he carried out massive projects in that state with little Government funds, he said a lot of things that made me wonder what most leaders who go outside the country, every now and then, bring to the table when they get back. Do they ever think of how to replicate what they saw? Well, that sounds like a rhetorical question doesn’t it? 🙄.
Everyone has a role to play. Policy makers and stakeholders in the Education sector across the country, including, Vice Chancellors of the various Universities, Rectors of Polytechnics and their counterparts in Colleges of Education, need to come together and fashion out ways to create an Endowment Fund that is TRANSPARENT & allows for ACCOUNTABILITY, for the sake of the future of Education in Nigeria.
The University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Asaba Chapter, has felicitated with Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Governor of Delta State, on his emergence as the running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) flag bearer, in the 2023 presidential election.
Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa
In a congratulatory message yesterday, Thursday, June 16, 2022, the Chairman of Asaba Chapter, Dr. (Mrs.) Felicia Adun, FNES JP, said: “On behalf of the entire members of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Asaba Chapter, I heartily congratulate Your Excellency, a distinguished alumnus of the great University of Ibadan, on your emergence as the Vice Presidential Candidate of your Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the forthcoming general elections.”
Dr. (Mrs.) Felicia Adun, FNES JP, Chairman Of The UIAA, Asaba Chapter
Dr. Adun, who noted that Governor Okowa possesses the needed intellectual capability that would bring value to governance at the federal level, if the PDP was eventually elected by Nigerians, stressed that it was as a result of the confidence the former Vice President of Nigeria and indeed the entire PDP members reposed in him that gave the Delta Governor the VP slot.
Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa UI muffler
According to the chairman; “Okowa’s selection glaringly shows the confidence his Party has in his ability and capacity to perform, as noted by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in his unveiling speech .
Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa
Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, with UItes
“Governor Okowa personifies not only the seriousness the current moment represents for our country, but also the future that our young people yearn for and deserve.
Dr. (Mrs.) Felicia Adun, FNES JP, Chairman Of The UIAA, Asaba Chapter
“He will also help to bring focus, discipline and stability to governance, if the PDP wins in 2023. He has both Legislative and Executive experiences to lead.
Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa
“As an alumnus of the University of Ibadan (UI) and a member of the Alumni Association, the Asaba Chapter is especially proud of his meritorious elevation, which has distinguished him as a worthy ambassador of our Alma Mater and a national asset to the country in general,” Dr. Adun noted.
News View reliably gathered that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was awarded the distinguished Alumnus of the University of Ibadan for his contributions to the National Health Insurance Scheme, infrastructural development, job and wealth creation in Delta State by the Alumni in 2017.
The Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, Delta State, Dr (Mrs) Josephine Anene-Okeakwa, has said that his appointment as the Provost of the college was divine as she never lobbied for it.
Dr Anene-Okeakwa made the disclosure while speaking on the occasion of the 3rd year anniversary as Provost, organised by the Directorate of Consultancy Services, Federal College Of Education (Technical), Asaba, held at the Main Auditorium of the institution.
Dr. Josephine Anene Okeakwe
The several award winning Provost who narrated the story of her humble beginning as a pretty trader while growing up at the popular Ogbe-Ogonogo Market in the capital city of Asaba, gave glory to God Almighty who according to her took her from the dungeon to a place of honour.
“I am what I am today because of God. I cannot share His glory with any man. If you don’t know God, better know him now He is the one that made my appointment possible for I never thought I will be Provost any day and I never lobbied for it. I was only working hard and putting in my best because I love working hard not to impress anybody because that is the stuff I am made of.”
“What God cannot give me no one can give. You can only help when God has approve of it. Who am I to stand before the mammoth crowd. I was a garri seller, orange seller. I sold pap (akamu) and today I am a Provost. There prize for hard work. There is prize for patience and there is great reward for dedication to duty.”
“I know I may have stepped on toes in the course of carrying out my administrative responsibility as Provost of this college, it was not intended to hurt or punish anybody. Please when I correct you, don’t be angry because it is he who loves you that can correct you. As a daughter of the soil, I will do everything within my powers to positively impact on the college and will not also tolerate any step intended to ridicule the institution. ”
Dr Anene-Okeakwa who came to the college as a youth corper in the early 90s and pioneered the Home Economics Department, charged management and staff to redouble their efforts to the service of the college, stressing that every iota of positive effort put in by staff will be highly appreciated.
She expressed gratitude to the Chairman of Governing Council of the College, Prof Kabiru Ishyaku, for his fatherly role and immense support which according to her translated into the monumental achievements recorded in her three years in office.
In the same vein, she thanked management, staff and students of the college for their show of love, understanding and cooperation, just as she shared them not to relent in the team work that has kept the college going.
Also speaking at the auspicious gathering, the Chief Host and Chairman, Governing Council FCE(T), Asaba, Prof. Kabiru Ishyaku, commended the Provost for her doggedness and steadfastness which according to him was the result of the day’s celebration. He charged the Provost not to rest on her oars but continue to thrive towards the upliftment of the college and society at large.
The immediate past Provost of the College, Dr. Nwanze Ignatius Ezoem, congratulated Dr. Anene-Okeakwa on her successful three years of efficient, proactive and effective leadership of the the great citadel of learning, adding that despite the economic challenges in the nation, she have taken Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba to another level.
“Indeed, without mincing words , your three years tenure as Chief Executive and Provost of FCE(T), Asaba, promoted and sustained a good working relationship among staff, absolute peace within the students and cordial relationship between the college and the community/public. Also within these three years, you have raised structures such as new ICT Complex, Hostels to mention but a few.”
Controversial Catholic Priest, Ejike Mbaka has described the presidential aspiration of Mr. Peter Obi as a dream that will never come to pass.
Father Mbaka made the declaration during his weekly prayer meeting on Wednesday. The popular Catholic Priest further described Obi as a stingy man and said its better for an old generous man to win the election than an stingy politician.
Mbaka further said that for leaving Peter Obi out of his team, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar is now serious to contest for the nation’s number one seat.
Recall Fr. Mbaka campaigned in the emergence of President Buhari as president, said Buhari is the hope of a common Nigeria.
Telecommunication Giant, MTN, has come under strong criticism from the Private Telecom Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PTECSSAN, over the failure of the Company to respect the Labour Laws.
The Group alleged that MTN has failed to implement its employees Exit Package as an item in their collective bargaining agreements, urging the Federal Ministry of Labour to take necessary measures to defend her labour laws.
MTN
In a press statement signed by Francis Ude, an Executive in the Union noted that, an organization like MTN cannot claim to be Investors In People, IIP, certified and refuses to care what happens to an employee who spent all his/her youthfulness within the organization.
In the statement, the Union recalled that, on March 1, 2022, both MTN and PTECSSAN were at Abuja on the auspices of the Ministry of Labour who invited both parties on the prompt of MTN that Union wanted to disrupt its activities in Nigeria and alleged that the Union refused to obey the agreement entered into by both parties in a Procedural Agreement (PA) entered and signed by both parties.
“It is needful here to state that the said PA entered and signed by MTN and the Union (PTECSSAN) on the 9th of October 2020, states in paragraph (d) of the preamble that;
“This agreement shall constitute the sole record of the understanding and agreement between the parties relating to its subject matter and CANCELS and OVERRIDES any prior verbal or written communications relating to such subject matter, whether express or implied including letters or memorandum of understanding.”
The union noted that, MTN in total disregard to this clause, refused to further the negotiation of the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) presented by the Union, holding that MTN had concluded everything about “Exit Package” in a document entered into before the SIGNING of the Procedural Agreement and the clause mentioned above.
However, in deciding the dispute the ministry having the full grasp and understanding of paragraph (d) as above, held that MTN cannot reprobate and approbate at the same time, stating that having signed the Procedural Agreement and the clauses contained therefrom, MTN in all intents and purposes, is bound by such agreement and therefore out of place to claim that the union does not respect the agreement.
MTN
The union also noted that MTN has continually refused to commence meeting to conclude the CBA as directed by the ministry, even when the Nigeria Labour Congress on the 14th of April wrote to MTN on this seeming recalcitrant nature of MTN to obey the extant laws of the land and obey labour laws, and stop having the management’s employee council as a parallel union in the organization.
It however expressed worries that the ministry of labour till now has refused to transmit MTN appeal to the arbitration panel as it bound to do under the circumstance.
While the union has continue to follow due process to resolving any industrial dispute with MTN, MTN has continually used all controls within its powers to scuttle every effort of PTECSSAN and cause disunity within its fold.
The union said, MTN cannot claim to be IIP certified and cannot have something as basic as EXIT PACKAGE for its employees. The body noted that, whatever MTN claim to have for its work force, is enjoyed by her senior staff and only a very little fraction goes to the lower levels:
According to the union, MTN pay EXIT PACKAGES to its Senior Staff but refused to do same to the lower cadre.
It was revealed that All Exited/Sacked Executives have all been paid huge sums Exit Packages, but frowns at the lower cadre, despite claims by MTN that it is an IPP.
It was also alleged by the Union that Senior Staff enjoy $15,000 as Life Style Benefit, at the expense of the lower cadre who are been denied.
The Union also alleged that MTN Pays School Fees for the Kids of the Executives, Fuels generators of its Executives but frowns at the Union talking about inflation and fuel price increase for the lower staff.
“MTN PAYS 80% OF THE EXECS TAKE HOME AS BONUS, WHILE THE LOWER CADRE TAKE ONLY 20%. INSPITE OF ALL MTN HAS DONE FOR IT WORKFORCE INCLUDING THE EXECS, THE TOTAL STAFF COST TO REVENUE IS BARELY 3.5% WHICH IS SO LOW COMPARED TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND BANKS IN NIGERIA WHO ARE DOING WELL ABOVE 6-9%”.
The union expressed dismay that a labour ministry of a country would refuse to take necessary measures to defend her labour laws and bring recalcitrant employers to obey international best practices, adding that all union members are asking for now, is the an EXIT PACKAGE as item in their collective bargaining agreement.
