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NITEL Workers Protest Non-Payment Of Nine Months Salaries

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Workers of the Nigerian Telecommunication Commission (NITEL) staged a rally on Tuesday in Abuja in protest against the management’s failure to pay their nine months salaries.

The protesters led by Comrade Elias Kazzah, the President of the Senior Staff Association of Communication Transportation and Corporation (SSACTAC), NITEL Branch, also called for the removal of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Hajiya Zainab Sa’ab.

Speaking with newsmen Kazzah said NITEL staff had not received salaries for almost a year, while the management continued to spend on other things.

He explained that the presidential task-force on the restructuring of NITEL in 2010 retained 380 people as transitional staffers and made available money for payment of salaries for six months.

He said that because the restructuring could not be completed within the six months period, such staffers had to continue to work.

Kazzah, however, said it was regrettable that the staffers had to work for nine months without salaries.

“Each time we call on the management they would say there is no money.

“Unfortunately when the BPE asked for the statement of the account we discovered there is about 600 million in the account; this money can be able to cover our outstanding salary, why not pay us.

“The CEO has bluntly refused to pay us these outstanding salaries despite the availability of funds; but she has engaged on some kind of spending unnecessarily up to the tune of N800 million without considering the welfare of the workers.”

He said that members of staff and the union had been brainstorming on how to meet with the management and dialogue, stressing that it appeared that the management was not willing to resolve the issues.

Kazzah then called on the Federal Government to replace the NITEL chief executive with someone else who would have staff welfare at heart.

“It appears this woman is misfit to manage NITEL and workers are worried and are disturbed; we are left with the option to ask government to replace her with somebody who has human face.”

Kazzah said that if the issues were not resolved after due consultation, the unions would have no option than to embark on strike.

Comrade Emmanuel Adu, the National Secretary of the Union, decried that the staff have been suffering in the mist of plenty as the company currently had about N600 million.

He disclosed that it would only cost the company N35 million every month to pay workers’ salaries, adding that the N600 million could take care of the outstanding salaries of the workers.

“We cannot be suffering in the midst of plenty: this is a company that has almost N600 million in our account and our salary is N35 million per month for the staff.

“They have been using these money to go on foreign trips, embark on unnecessary projects; under one year legal fee gulped N93 million, yet you cannot pay salary.

“Enough is enough, she must pay salaries.”

Adu explained that the company had so many sources of revenue accruing to it monthly and as such does not have to rely on government to pay salaries when it can pay the salaries.

He said that the company had Sat-3 fiber optics which so many companies subscribed to as well as DOT (another service which people subscribe to)

He disclosed that the two services generated at least N100 million to the company on a monthly basis which was enough to pay staff salaries of N35 million each month.

“With these two services that we have so far, it’s enough to pay our salaries, the money is there for us to pay our salaries.

“We should not be passing the buck to federal government, we should be able to pay our salaries. NITEL must be paying their workers’ salary not federal government.”

Meanwhile, attempts to meet members of the NITEL management for comments proved abortive.

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Firm Unveils Digital Solutions For Cooperatives

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A subsidiary outfit of First Registrars Firm, the Cle Digital Services Limited, has launched a digital solution for cooperative societies in the country.
Business Manager of Clé Digital Services Limited, Oladipupo Olabisi, at the launch in Lagos, revealed that the product, Clé Cooperative Management Solution, was a revolutionary digital platform, professionally designed to streamline cooperative management and enhance members’ engagement.
He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey as we introduce a groundbreaking digital platform designed to transform the way cooperative organisations operate and engage with their members.
“The Clé Coop Solution represents the culmination of extensive research, development, and collaboration with cooperative communities around the world.
“From multipurpose societies to housing cooperatives and agricultural cooperatives, the Clé Coop Solution empowers cooperatives of all sizes to efficiently manage their operations, communicate with members, and foster collaboration”.
Highlighting the economic and environmental significance of cooperative societies, Olabisi explained that with significant investment committed to the development of the product, members of cooperative societies, particularly administrators and executives, would have robust experience.

The business Manager added, “We also understand the challenges that many cooperatives face in navigating complex operational tasks and effectively communicating with their members.

“To this end, Clé Coop Solution is a step ahead of other platforms, as it also offers more than just cooperative management services. Members of cooperative societies can have access to a number of value-added services, such as the CLE market hub, discounts on specific products and services and much more.

“Finally, I want to reiterate our firm belief in the power of cooperation and technology to drive positive changes in the world. With the Clé Cooperative Solution, we are not just launching a product; we are embarking on a journey to empower cooperatives and create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all”.

A Director with the Lagos State Government Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, represented by the Surulere Cooperatives Area Coordinator, Mr Akin Adekunle, commended the launch of the software to address specific challenges of cooperative societies.

He charged the organisation not to limit the use of the cooperative solution to the elite cooperatives but to other categories, as society was replete with various types of cooperatives.

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AI, Key To Business Profitability – NAICOM

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The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Sunday Thomas, has said artificial intelligence (AI) is key to the future of insurance business in Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged insurance operators to increase adoption in this area, saying it gives better productivity and enhanced profitability, while ensuring quick service delivery and claims payment to insurance consumers.
Thomas stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 8th BusinessToday annual conference & exhibition with the theme, “The World of AI: How Insurance and Pension Sectors Can Explore Opportunities for Market Penetration”, in Lagos.
Thomas, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Lagos Office of NAICOM, Ajibola Olabisi Bankole, said Technology adoption is part of the 10-year roadmap of the insurance industry, and that NAICOM, as a regulator, will continue to evolve policies that will engender the growth of the industry, increase penetration and contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Earlier in his Goodwill message, Chairman of the conference, who is also the Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart, noted the level of insurance penetration in Nigeria when benchmarked with the global penetration, saying that a lot of factors were responsible for the increase in penetration level.
He said lack of or low enforcement is affecting the adoption of compulsory insurances, adding that the industry is working assiduously to partner agencies responsible for enforcement to increase insurance adoption.
“It is quite saddening that out of a population of 200 million, only about  three million people are actually insured. Lack of enforcement is a challenge but the industry is working round the clock to increase enforcement through the regulatory and enforcement bodies.
“Consumers’ apathy due to bad experience they had in the past is affecting policy renewals, but I can assure Nigerians that there are various complaint avenues for people to lodge complaints.
“If your legitimate claims are not settled, you can approach Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and NAICOM; if your complaints are genuine, they will be definitely resolved”, he assured.
The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Edwin Igbiti, said the growing insurance industry will require that the nation’s economy be derisked, while seeking partnership with government  and other stakeholders to deepen insurance penetration.
He stated that AI will increase insurance premium growth, enhance service delivery, and ensure that the insurance sector contributes more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

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Bank Unveils Upgraded Mobile App

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The Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has unveiled an enhanced version of its mobile app which was optimised specifically for businesses.
Head of Partnerships at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Omolara Osunsoko, in her opening remarks at the event in Lagos said the enhanced mobile app offers a range of new features designed to streamline and simplify digital banking for business owners.
She said, “The solutions added to the app will help business owners transact whilst on the go. This cutting-edge offering exemplifies our dedication to innovation, convenience and growth in our digital space. It underscores our promise to continually enhance our services”.
According to Osunsoko, the enhanced mobile app for businesses provides a comprehensive suite of tools to manage finances efficiently.
“With an intuitive interface, users can execute transactions seamlessly, transfer funds between accounts, check real-time balances, and manage beneficiaries. The app offers instant access to transaction statements, self-service options, and security features to safeguard business operations”, she added.
The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank,  Wole Adeniyi, remarked, “We are thrilled to introduce the enhanced Stanbic IBTC Mobile App tailored specifically for our business clients.
“Our goal is to provide businesses with a seamless and efficient platform to conduct their banking activities, including transactions, statement requests, transfers, and more, all from the convenience of their mobile devices.
“This app enhancement is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to simplify our banking processes and enhance the customer experience through technology.
“With robust security measures and a user-friendly interface, our business clients can now manage their finances more efficiently and confidently”.

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