News
Ensure Post-COVID-19 Job Security, NLC Tasks FG
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has written to Director-General of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Boss Mustapha, intimating him on its programme of action, alongside other stakeholders, to save jobs after the Coronavirus pandemic.
In a 14-page letter, yesterday, the NLC also sought the support of the Federal Government and other stakeholders to mass produce affordable face masks for Nigerians, as part of its contributions to the fight against the spread of Coronavirus.
The letter entitled “Programme of Action by Nigeria Labour Congress, Organised Labour, and Civil Society in Response to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic,” was signed by President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba.
Among others, the letter read in part: “We shall set up a Labour-Civil Society Situation Room to interact with social partners, including the Federal Ministry of Labour, and employers’ organisation.
“This is in the spirit of tripartism and in line with the global cliché: ‘without us, it cannot be about us’.
“Our Situation Room will interface with the inter-ministerial committee on policy interventions and recommendations on post Covid-19 economic response.
“We shall engage with the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders on the expansion and distribution of palliatives and other social support initiatives in a manner that captures every Nigerian, especially the working poor, daily income workers and other workers in the informal sector, leveraging on technology and interface with the committee.
“This is crucial given that informal sector workers constitute more than 70% of the entire workforce in our country; and
“We will reach out to and engage the social partners, civil society groups and Nigerians in general to support and participate actively to facilitate the smooth operation of the Labour-Civil Society Situation Room on Covid-19 leveraging on real time meeting technologies such as Zoom, Whatsapp, telephone, etc.
“We are working round the clock to launch the Labour-Civil Society Situation Room within the week. As part of our engagement and contribution towards fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, the NLC is working with one of its affiliates – the National Union of Textile, Garments, and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria – particularly through its branch in Abuja to mass-produce affordable facemasks for Nigerians.
“The official unveiling of the initiative will take place in a matter of days.
“We are soliciting the support of the social partners, and good-spirited Nigerians to make these initiatives a success.”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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