Business
S’Africa Union Rejects Eskom Pay Offer
South Africa’s biggest union said on Tuesday it had rejected the latest wage offer by state-owned power utility Eskom.
It said it would pursue talks for now before considering a strike that could disrupt the World Cup.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which represents about half of the 32,000 workers at the utility, toned down its strike threats this week on the advice of a mediator.
The NUM said it would give Eskom until Thursday to come up with a better deal than the eight per cent pay increase offered.
“We are negotiating in good faith, but we have totally rejected that offer,” said Lesiba Seshoka, spokesman of the NUM, which last week warned that its members could down tools.
“We are giving Eskom up to Thursday to come up with a good offer; we have not reached a stage of strike action yet,” he said.
A strike is unlikely to hamper electricity supply to stadiums which have standby diesel generators, but there is a concern that the action may interrupt electricity supplies and anger millions watching matches on television.
The biggest worry is the effect a stoppage may have on the economy, especially manufacturers and mining companies in the world’s top platinum and fourth largest gold producer.
A prolonged strike could halt mining operations, and this may affect metal production and prices.
The NUM and two other unions, which in total represent more than two-thirds of the utility’s staff, want a pay rise of more than three times the inflation rate of 4.8 per cent.
Should the strike go ahead, the other unions have said they may join in.
Economists have accused unions of trying to hold state entities to ransom by using the World Cup to squeeze pay increases far above inflation, possibly damaging the economy as it emerges from its first recession in 17 years.
Eskom has said any work stoppage would be illegal because the utility is classified by the state as an essential service, but should a strike go ahead, it will implement contingency measures to minimise the impact.
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Former Director-General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, Gloria Elemo, has charged Women farmers in Nigeria to play more prominent role in driving agro-processing to unlock new opportunities and boost their income.
Elemo said this at the convening of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) held recently in Lagos, where she emphasised the need for value-added agriculture through sustainable processing of raw agricultural commodities.
“For a country that exports about 80 percent of its raw food produce, adopting an agro-processing approach will ensure that farmers livelihoods are positively impacted.
“For us to cut down on food waste and win our fight against poverty, we need to begin to look at food processing. We need to begin to process what we produce on our farms.
“Data has shown that women account for over 50 percent of Nigeria’s farming population, confirming the important role they play in driving food security”, she said.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), women farmers are the largest growers of fruits and nuts, and agricultural households championed by women have been reported to be more food secure.
In his speech, the Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, said Lagos has benefited from the impact of women farmers.
“Women have important personalities and have helped the development of the country.
“We have found that they are critical to Nigeria’s agricultural future; they make up over half of the small and medium farm population, and they play a pivotal role across the country”, Sanwo-Olu said.
The Governor stressed that women are the backbone of agriculture in Nigeria, playing significant roles in ensuring that households have food on the table.
He noted that, “From production, to processing, to distribution, to breeding, women are ensuring food security, driving economic growth, and uplifting families and communities.”
Sanwo-Olu said despite facing persistent challenges, such as limited access to land, credit and essential resources, their resilience and expertise not only sustain the nation’s food supply, but also contribute significantly to poverty reduction and the well-being of the Nigerian society.
He noted that Lagos State, through its five-year development roadmap, is committed to achieving a healthy and sustainable subsistence economy, with targeted investments and initiatives that empower farmers, especially female farmers who are “the backbone of our food systems.”
Similarly, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, noted Governor’s full acceptance, that agriculture is the backbone of the country, capable of driving economic and social empowerment, adding, “this is why he is involved in empowerment trainings for farmers, especially for women farmers”.
The Deputy President of the Lagos chapter of AFAN, Shakin Agbayewa, said insecurity, lack of access to credit and equipment are major challenges that farmers face today.
“We know that the federal government is churning out credit loans and seeds, but they are not getting to the right people. The farmers who need the aid are not getting it.
“We cannot go to the farms if they are not safe, therefore, we are appealing to the government at all levels to do something about this”, he said.
The President of the Lagos chapter of AFAN, Femi Oke, noted that farmers were finding it difficult to access loans, lands, and training. Therefore, he called for more support for farmers from both the private and government sectors.
A report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) shows that only a small portion of development funding for food and farming initiatives accounts for the prominent role of women and their gender-related barriers.
ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has called on the media to step-up advocacy for increased investment in inclusive and sustainable food systems to ensure food and nutrition security for all Nigerians.
The Country Director of AAN, Mr. Andrew Mamedu, made the call during a media workshop on Inclusive and Sustainable Food Systems Reporting, in Abuja.
The Country Director, who was represented by Mrs. Suwaiba Dankabo, said Nigeria’s food system stands at a pivotal crossroads.
He outlined a truly inclusive food system as one that “empowers inclusive nutrition, livelihoods, and the future of millions, especially those engaged in food production”.
Mamedu stressed the media’s role in shifting the narrative, identifying climate change, economic shocks, conflict, and rising inequality as key stressors on the food system.
“Within these challenges lies a powerful opportunity to build a more just, inclusive, and resilient agricultural system. But this can only happen if we act boldly, collaboratively, and with intention”, he said.
Mamedu underscored the role of media professionals as agents of accountability and storytellers who amplify the voices of farmers, highlight their struggles/successes, and influence public discourse.
“Journalists play a crucial role in shaping public dialogue and influencing policy, yet there is a gap in specialised reporting on inclusive food systems”, he noted.
He emphasised that strengthening media engagement in this area is vital for driving awareness and advocacy, and for ensuring that the voices of small holder farmers are heard.
The Director described ActionAid as an organisation committed to working with vulnerable communities, ensuring that all engagement is respectful, rights-based, and carried out with dignity.
Mamedu said the workshop aims to equip journalists to report effectively on agriculture, climate change, and food systems to inform, educate, and influence policy.
“The Inclusive Food Systems Project is part of our broader commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s agricultural transformation is not only sustainable, but also inclusive, especially for women, youth, and marginalised communities, including persons with disabilities.
“Through this initiative, we aim to empower small older farmers, enabling them to actively participate in decision-making and policy processes that affect their lives and livelihoods.
“However, this goal cannot be achieved without strong, informed, and supportive communication.
“Together, let us imagine a food system that works for everyone, not just the poor, but rural women and the youth. Let us transform not only how we eat, but how we grow our food”, he added.
The Tide’s source reports that the workshop was organised under the Inclusive Food Systems Project, funded by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and implemented by AAN.
In a bold step towards building a climate-resilient agricultural sector, Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Nestlé Nigeria, and TechnoServe have launched the Strengthening Farmers’ and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs’) Resilience through Climate Smart Grain Production and Accessing the Structured Markets (StreFaS) initiative in Nigeria.
StreFaS is a three-year initiative, funded by AGRA and Nestlé, that will run from June 2024 to October 2027.
The programme aims to support 25,000 smallholder farmers and eight aggregators across Kaduna and Nasarawa States, promoting sustainable production of maize, soybean, rice, and sorghum.
In her welcome address, the Country Director of TechnoServe Nigeria, Mrs. Adesuwa Akinboro, described the STREFAS initiative as a transformative step for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“This project represents a bold commitment to supporting small holder farmers and agribusinesses with the tools, knowledge, and market access they need to thrive in the face of climate change.
“STREFAS is not just about boosting yields—it’s about regenerating our soils, restoring dignity to farming, and creating a more inclusive and sustainable future for communities across Kaduna and Nasarawa States”, she said.
AGRA’s Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Rufus Idris, said, “We are proud to co-lead this initiative that puts farmers first — not just by introducing new practices, but by rebuilding the very ecosystems that sustain farming — core to AGRA’s approach to sustainable and resilient food systems transformation”.
Dr. ldris said the project focuses on integrating regenerative agriculture into every step of the value chain, with particular emphasis on empowering youth and women.
He said StreFaS will help improve soil health, lower greenhouse gas emissions, increase biodiversity, and strengthen economic resilience.
The Country Director also noted that the programme connects small holder farmers to formal markets, including Nestlé’s supply chain, enabling them to receive premium prices for climate-smart product.
Speaking on Nestlé’s commitment, the Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, added: “At Nestlé, we believe that good food starts with high-quality ingredients and the well-being of the people who produce them.
“Our partnership in this initiative underscores our commitment to sustainable sourcing and decarbonizing our value chain. Globally, we aim to source at least 50 percent of our key ingredients from farmers practising regenerative agriculture by 2030.
“With an investment of over $1,000,000 in this project over the next three years, we aim to contribute towards establishing regenerative agriculture as the standard in the food industry, addressing both environmental and social priorities holistically”, Elhusseini said.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture, Kaduna State, Murtala Muhammad Dabo, stated “This launch marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a more sustainable agricultural future. I commend TechnoServe and its partners for their dedication to promoting climate-smart agriculture practices in Kaduna State.
“Let us continue to work together to empower farmers, improve food security, and build a climate-resilient agricultural sector. I wish you all the best in this endeavour”.
One of the farmers, Engineer Lawan Abdul, shared a compelling testimonial, saying; “Since I started adopting the strategies we were taught in this project, my yields have increased by 100 percent.
“This was very surprising and encouraging for me. I am very happy with the outcome and thank the project partners for bringing this opportunity to us.”
The StreFaS initiative is aligned with AGRA’s 3.0 Country Strategy, Nestlé’s 2030 Climate resilience sourcing goals, and TechnoServe’s proven expertise in building market-driven solutions for rural prosperity.
By connecting smallholder farmers to better tools, markets, and capital, StreFaS will scale regeneration in ways that are profitable and empowering.
As implementation continues, the programme will deepen collaboration with government, private sector, and civil society partners to sustain scalable change across Nigeria’s grain value chain.
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