Entertainment
NULGE And Healthcare Law
The recently enacted Primary Health Care Board Law which compels local government councils in Rivers State to contribute 10 per cent of their total revenue monthly to the board is raising some dust at the third-tier of government. The umbrella association of the council workers is crying wolf over two sections of the law, which it considers offensive. The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) thus called for amendment to the sections, if the local government system is to be sanitised.
NULGE did not stop there but proceeded to take its protest of the law to the state government. As it stands today, the law has pitched the Board it sets up against the grassroots workers’ union, and except something is done urgently to assuage the situation, the third-tier system may be the worst for it.
Aside NULGE, the councils’ authorities themselves view the new law as an affront on them and are reluctant to abide by its provisions, especially the aspect that mandates them to contribute 10 per cent of their total revenue to the Board. The situation at the councils may snow ball into a major crisis between local government chairman and the Board on one hand, and NULGE and the Board on the other, except the law is re-visited and the offending sections amended.
At the Port Harcourt City Local Government, Obio/Akpor and Emohua councils for instance, the issue has been at the front burner of discourse among stakeholders who view the ‘offending’ sections as ‘Obnoxious and stringent so should be expunged from the law. Same is the feeling at the NULGE Consulate (secretariat) in Port Harcourt.
For NULGE, it is a slight on the union that the law did not also include the union on the Board as a member but, rather prefers medical and health workers union to be o n the Board. And NULGE is not prepared to take this, hence it is leading the third-tier of government on the protest to have these sections amended.
How far NULGE can go in achieving this feat remains to be seen but the leadership of the union is optimistic and sees light at the end of the tunnel. The Weekend Tide accosted NULGE state president, Sir Barr. Franklin Ajinwo and he said just this.
Sir. Barr. Ajinwo said he could not understand why 10 per cent of the total allocations of councils in the state which amounts to over N200 million monthly, using the new salary scale should be paid to the Board as overhead when the councils were still required to pay primary healthcare to workers.
He fumed saying that “by the provisions of that law, local government councils in this state are expected to contribute 10 per cent of their total allocation to that board and the deduction is to be made at source,” adding despitefully, “that does not even stop it, after contributing the 10 per cent, the local government councils will also go ahead and pay the Primary Healthcare workers (whereas) that 10 per cent ordinarily is enough to pay their salaries and remain, but they said, that’s just overhead cost!”
The NULGE boss told The Weekend Tide that as a union, they find this inconceivable and therefore unacceptable.
His words, “As a union, we saw that and felt that it was not in the best interest of the union or the system because by the time you make that deductions, cumulatively, using the May, 2011 allocation (formula) as a case study, 10 per cent will give you almost 200 and something (naira) to be used as overhead for just one board!
Barr. Ajinwo said the fact that the over N200 million will not be used for salaries makes the law even more worrisome, adding that they have protested to the government and expressed the hope that the state governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi “being somebody who believes in the right things being done, in the rule of Law” will ensure that these offending sections of the law will “certainly be amended”.
He told The Weekend Tide that “another aspect of the law we did not like is that in that primary healthcare board, we have medical and health workers union being represented in the board while NULGE where the money is going to be generated from (is not on the Board).”
“Ordinarily, every staff of local government is a member of NULGE. NULGE means National Union of Local Government Employees so the fact that you’re an employee of local government makes you a member of NULGE, you can belong to your professional body, that does not remove you from NULGE. As a lawyer, I pay my subscription to NBA, Engineer can pay to NSE, all that. If you are a doctor employed by local government, you’re a staff of local government so a member of NULGE, but that does not mean you should not pay your subscription to NMA, so every staff of local government is a member of NULGE, therefore, if you’re taking any decision that affects them, naturally, NULGE should be part of it”, he explained.
“But we discovered that in that law, instead of making NULGE to be represented on the Board, they rather went and maked Medical and Health Workers Union to be represented,” he said and explained that medical and health workers union is the union that brings together health workers in the hospital, the UPTH, secondary and tertiary sectors. Ajinwo said,“If you say they are professionals want them to pay their professional and fees to you, it’s different from union dues because everything we discuss here, we do so as a union; as members of NULGE.
We are people who have common problem. So we come together, that’s the essence of union; we come together to see how we can solve our common problems”.
Barr Ajinwo insisted that NULGE should be represented on the board, the Board should be re-constituted and that section of the Law should be amended to include NULGE as a member, adding, if they say Medical and health Workers should be members, as a matter of fact, we don’t even see the need for them, NULGE is the appropriate union to be there.
But if medical and health workers union should be there, well!.
Barr Ajinwo further told The Weekend Tide that they’re relating with the local Lgovernment chairmen that were newly elected, with a view to seeing that they walk as a team for the interest of the 3rd tier system.
Justus Awaji
Entertainment
BBNaija Season Nine: ‘Dynamic Duos’ Auditions Begin
The organisers of the Big Brother Naija( BBNaija) have announced that season nine of the reality TV show started accepting applications last Wednesday.
Biggie is back for BBNaija Season 9 auditions with a twist! The audition requires two people. “This year, it is a search for Dynamic Duos that love the show and can turn up the heat in Biggie’s house,” the announcement said.
This new twist to application videos, which used to be a single person in the video, candidates will have to apply in pairs. This means that the audition video will feature two candidates each.
Make and upload a three-minute video telling Big Brother why both of you should be in the Big Brother’s House together.
The video can be recorded together or separate, but must be a single video.
You have to audition together.
In the video describe yourselves and where you are from.
Also talk about your personalities, your favourite things, likes, dislikes, unique things about both of you and how it may help you do well on Big Brother Naija Season 9.
Stay natural, do not force it, keep it fun!
Audition is free and has opened on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 8:00pm.
Application is only open to people who are 21 or older with a valid means of identification.
Entertainment
Onyeka Onwenu’s Film To Chronicle Her Music Journey
Renowned Nigerian musician, Onyeka Onwenu, says she is working on producing a film that will delve into her experiences which span decades within the music industry.
Onwenu disclosed this in an interview with the Newsmen, on Tuesday with a career that stretches back to the 1970s, the “elegant stallion” expressed her eagerness to share her firsthand account of the evolution of Nigerian music.
”I am currently working on a film that will chronicle my experiences in the music industry from the 70s to the present day. Having been a part of this narrative for decades, I have a wealth of stories to share,” she said.
In addition to the film project, Onwenu discussed her efforts to release her classic songs through collaboration with emerging artistes, promising fans a compilation of rebranded tracks later in the year.
“I am rebranding my old songs and collaborating with new talents. My aim is to offer listeners a fresh perspective on timeless classics,” she explained.
Onwenu’s creative pursuits extend beyond the realm of music, as she recently released a single, titled Abu Otito (Songs of Praise) and dedicated proceeds from its streaming to support widows through the Rose of Sharon Foundation.
“I am passionate about using music to address social issues. From supporting widows to promoting education among rural children, I strive to make a positive impact through my art.”
Reflecting on her philanthropic endeavours, Onwenu shared her commitment to providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Abia and disclosed the plan to expand her initiatives to Imo.
“We not only pay school fees directly to schools but also offer civic education to instill a sense of cultural identity. These efforts represent my dedication to empowering future generations,” the musician noted.
Offering advice to fellow artistes amidst economic challenges, Onwenu emphasised the importance of resilience and self-initiative.
“Hang in there and create opportunities for yourselves,” she urged, highlighting the need for proactive approaches in navigating the ever-evolving music industry landscape.
Onwenu’s multifaceted contributions to music and society underscore her enduring legacy as a trailblazing artiste and philanthropist, inspiring generations to come.
“I have been part of the story right from time, and I am still moving forward, so I have a lot of stories to tell,” she remarked.
The Tide Entertainment reports that aside from the cinematic venture, Onwenu unveiled plans to breathe new life into her classic hits by collaborating with contemporary artistes. According to her, she aims to compile a collection of rebranded songs, promising Nigerian audiences an eagerly anticipated release later in the year..
Onwenu has used her music and its timeless messages to promote Nigeria’s culture. Her music duet with King Sunny Ade, titled Wait for Me, has remained evergreen. It is remembered always as a song with deep lyrical message which was put together to help the government of that era fight seriously against the outburst of population explosion while also regulating it with the different family planning programmes put together by the government.
Her song, African Woman, helped greatly in projecting the innate exquisiteness of the African woman giving them a sense of pride and belonging amidst poverty, widowhood, rape, lack of care, hatred, humiliation, abandonment, among others.
Her evergreen classic, Sodom and Gomorrah, is a biblical narrative of the popular story of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah, a city destroyed by God due to their heedlessness and high level of immorality.
Some of her other evergreen songs include Iyogogo, One Love, Dancing in the Sun, and Choices, among others.
Entertainment
Osita Iheme Reacts To Pawpaw Memes
Legendary Nollywood actor, Osita Iheme, fondly known as Pawpaw, has revealed that he is happy with the way his memes are used on social media as a means of expression.
In a recent interview with newsmen, the actor expressed pleasure with the use of the clips from his films, stating that it shows his old films still have value.
“It’s good to see that your works are doing well out there and people are appreciating what you are doing,” he said.
“Even though it has been so many years, people are still valuing it years later. It’s good and it shows that you have an asset that you can always back up and bank with. Because when you look at 20 years ago, the works you’ve done and you see that people are using it to express themselves, you’d feel happy. I feel happy,” he continued.
The Tide Entertainment reports that over the past few years, hilarious stickers and memes of the star from his old films have been used widely across social media platforms to add a comic flair to conversations. His funny memes were not only used by Nigerians, but also in foreign media, especially during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown era.
It is worthy of note that Iheme is one half of the dynamic Aki and Paw Paw duo, the other half being his partner-in-crime, Chinedu Ikedieze.
The pair starred in numerous movies in their prime like ‘Aki Na Ukwa’, Village Rats, and Double Wahala, amongst many other iconic films.
More than 20 years later, they have remained Nollywood household names, hilarious memes, and pop culture icons.
-
Oil & Energy5 days ago
NNPCL Lists Transparency, Accountability, Others, As Transformation Drivers
-
News4 days ago
Trafficking: Beware Of Fake $900 Jobs, NAPTIP Warns Nigerians
-
Focus4 days ago
Reminisces On Tributes To Mrs Adeline Ndalu Jaja
-
Nation2 days ago
Ododo Applauds Security Agencies Over Rescue Of 43 Bus Passengers
-
Opinion17 hours ago
Good Friday: Timeless Message Of Sacrifice, Redemption
-
News12 hours ago
Ohanaeze Urges S’East Govs, Security Agencies To End Insecurity In Igboland
-
Sports10 hours ago
Onigbinde Not Sacked – Chairman
-
Education4 days ago
Bill To Increase UBEC Funding Passes Second Reading