Niger Delta

Bayelsa Mulls Extension In Maternity, Paternity Leave

Published

5 months ago

December 11, 2023

The Bayelsa State Government has indicated interest in enacting a law extending maternity and paternity leave for breastfeeding mothers in the state.
The Government said this became necessary as latest surveys from the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) and UNICEF put the ratio of the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in the state at a record low at 6%.
The Tide learnt this, Thursday, at a one-day advocacy and sensitization programme for Legislators and the Head of Service of the State, organised by the state Ministry of Health and State Primary Health Care Board, in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in Yenagoa, the State Capital.
Tagged, “Advocacy and Sensitization of Legislators and the Head of Service for the passage of a bill in support of six month paid maternity leave and two weeks paternity leave and implementing the breastfeeding workplace initiative in Bayelsa state”, the programme featured goodwill messages from representatives of various health and child nutrition oragnisations.
Speaking as Guests of honour, the duo of the Chairman, Bayelsa State House of Assembly Committee on Health, and member representing Sagbama Constituency One, Hon. Godbless Onyikie, and Chairman House Committee on Women, Children and Social Welfare, and member representing Yenagoa constituency one, Hon. Ayibanengiyefa Egba, noted that exclusive breastfeeding was paramount for the mental and physical development of the child.
The lawmakers reassured that they were willing to partner in sponsoring a bill extending the already existing number of months for maternity leave to at least six months as canvassed in the programme.
“But for bureaucracy, a legislation from the Assembly to extend maternity and paternity leave should be ready by the second quarter of 2024.
“We’ll collaborate with all critical stakeholders and our colleagues in the House to sponsor a bill to extend the number of months alloted for maternity and paternity leave so as enable our breastfeeding mothers practice exclusive breastfeeding.
“As a Medical practitioner that I am, and my colleague here with me as House Committee Chairperson on Women, Children and Social Welfare, we want to reassure Bayelsans that we’ll partner to bring the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in the state by breastfeeding mothers to fruition. There’s no alternative to this”, the lawmakers said.

Also speaking, the Head of Service of the state, Barr. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyoma, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, office of the Head of Service, Chief Yela Joseph Alagoa, stated that the call for exclusive breastfeeding was apt.

She noted that her office would consult all relevant stakeholders with a view to ensuring that the rationale behind the advocacy and sensitization programme was realized.

Earlier, in their separate addresses, the duo of the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Pabara Igwele, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Oluwatoyin Azebi, and the Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Board (BYPHCB), Dr Appah Williams Weri, underscored the importance of the programme, noting that they were committed towards a continued advocacy and sensitization in partnership with stakeholders.

Similarly, the trio of the Chairman, Bayelsa State Health Insurance Scheme (BHIS), Professor Onyanye Kunle-Olowu, and Professor Alice Nte, a consultant Paediatrician from the University of Port Harcourt, and the State Nutrition Officer (SNO), Mr Wilson Ebimieboseigha, emphasized the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and child nutrition.

They called for stronger synergy between the Government and other stakeholders towards ensuring that there is a legal instrument to guarantee at least six months paid maternity leave and two weeks paternity leave for the breastfeeding mothers and their spouses.

According to them, this will enable the mother to have enough time to breastfeed her baby.

“Research has shown that investing in breastfeeding has the following potentials for Nigeria: It’ll prevent 103,742 child deaths annually; 10 million cases of childhood diarrhea and pneumonia would be prevented annually; and it would save Nigeria, Bayelsa inclusive, the sum of USD 22 million (22 million Dollars) which when converted to Naira at the current exchange rate amounts to about N 6.93 billion.

“Investing in breastfeeding would also eliminate a whooping USD38 million (N11 billion) worth cost of breast milk substitute; it would generate additional USD 21billion (N 6.6 trillion) income for the economy, representing 4.1% percent gross national income over children productive years.

“What the breastfeeding mother needs is support, time and space for her to breastfeed her new born child or children with her nutritious breast milk”, they said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Ibom Air Reiterates Commitment To Healthcare Delivery

Published

5 days ago

May 3, 2024

The Tide

The Chief Operating Officer, Ibom Air, Mr George Uriesi, has reiterated the company’s commitment to promote healthcare delivery in the state.

Uriesi made the expression at a ceremony to mark the 2024 World Malaria Day in Uyo on Thursday.

The Chief Operating Ifficer said Ibom Air would continue to partner the Akwa Ibom State Government to fight Malaria among pregnant women and children.

”We are targeting pregnant women and children from zero to five years. They form a strong focus of our anti malaria campaign”, he said.

Uriesi urged residents of the state to imbibe good sanitary habits in order to ensure a healthy environment.

He announced a donation of 1,000 insecticide-treated nets and 3,000 doses of Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine (SP Oral) as part of the firm’s input to the fight against malaria in the state.

Receiving the items, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh, thanked Ibom Air for the gesture, and described it as a good omen to the fight against malaria.

Umoh appealed to other companies in the state to join hands with the state government to drive the ARISE Agenda and Kick Malaria Out Programme.

”It is with appreciation and joy in our heart that we receive these items, we firmly promise that they will be effectively utilised”.

Niger Delta

Group Dismisses Call For NDDC MD’s Sack … Passes Confidence Vote.

Published

5 days ago

May 3, 2024

The Tide

A Pan Ogoni Youth Organization under the aegis of Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) has dismissed allegations of corruption and nepotism by the Ethnic Coalition in Rivers State, levelled against the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and the call for his sack as baseless and ill intended.

The body also passed a vote of confidence on the present management of the NDDC led by Dr. Ogbuku, stating that it has operated within the ambit of its statutory mandate as an interventionist agency to develop the Niger Delta.

The position of the OYF was contained in a press Statement signed by the Acting President of the body, Comrade Emmanuel Goteh Bie, and made available to the press.

The statement, which read in part stated that, “It has come to our notice that the Ethnic youth coalition in a recent press briefing accused the MD of NDDC of nepotism, embezzlement of funds and called for his sack.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Legborsi Sunday Yamaabana, who claim to be the President of the Ethnic Youth Coalition, do not have the locus or legal standing to act in any of such capacity since he has been suspended/expelled from Ogoni Youth Federation for gross misconduct and embezzlement.

“The decision to releave Mr. Yamaabana of his position as President of OYF was reached at the ‘National Congress’ following thorough investigations and in accordance with the procedures outlined in the OYF constitution.

“The accusations of nepotism and corruption levelled against the NDDC MD is therefore a figment of imagination of Mr Yamaabana and his Co travelers.

“So far we are aware of the programmes and developmental strides of the M.D of NDDC and has also put up request for what we think will better the lot of our people, and we can proudly say that his response is friendly and acceptable and in accordance with the ethics of his office. It is in our knowledge that the MD is doing fine and deserves our support and solidarity”.

The statement restated the commitment of Ogoni Youth Federation, to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and working with relevant stakeholders towards the advancement and promotion of peace and development in Ogoni and the entire Niger Delta region.

Niger Delta

Obaseki Approves N70,000 Minimum Wage For Workers

Published

5 days ago

May 3, 2024

The Tide

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Monday, announced an increase in the Minimum Wage for the State Civil Servants from N40,000 to N70,000 effective from May 1.

Obaseki disclosed this while inaugurating the newly-built ultra-modern Labour House secretariat complex that would house the various labour unions in Benin.

The Tide’s source reports that Obaseki named the new Labour House edifice after his predecessor and former NLC President, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole.

Obaseki also promised to further increase the minimum wage to over N70,000, depending on what the Federal Government would approve as the new minimum wage for workers in Nigeria.

He said, “Edo is currently paying the highest minimum wage of N40,000 in Nigeria. But we know that even the N40,000 can no longer take workers home because of the poor economic situation being experienced in the country.

“So, as a government, we will continue to support the agitation for increment in workers’ salaries.

“In solidarity with workers, effective from May, 1, we have increased Edo workers’ minimum wage from N40,000 to N70,000 and we will move it up further depending on what the Federal government would approve”, he said.

According to Obaseki, “the commissioning of this labour House and the increment in wage are just a token to say thank you to Edo workers for the harmonious industrial relationship my administration has enjoyed in the last seven and half years.

“The achievements we have recorded in the last seven and half years would not have been possible if not for the cordial relationship with the various labour unions in the state.

“The reforms and projects we have carried out in our various institutions were targeted at improving the productivity of our workers in the state”, he added.

He urged the state labour unions to use the revenue that would be generated from the building for its maintenance.

The keynote speaker, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), commended Governor Obaseki for the increment in minimum wage in the state.

Ajaero said, “NLC and the Federal Government have not agreed on what should be the new minimum wage for workers, but Edo has taken the lead. It shows that the Governor is labour friendly and has empathy for workers”.

In his lecture titled, “Leveraging the legacies of Pa. Michael Imoudu as a way of fostering harmonious and productive industrial relations, Ajaero said Edo has about the best workforce environment in any public service in the country.

The NLC President, while speaking on the legacies of the late Pa Michael Imoudu, noted that the first labour unionist in the country engaged the colonialists for the betterment of the Nigeria workers.

He explained that he was attacked, harassed, suffered humiliations and was imprisoned by the colonial masters for workers in the country to have a better welfare.

Also speaking, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo, appreciated Governor Obaseki for all the labour friendly policies and reforms being embarked upon by his administration.

“I can tell you that there are some states in Nigeria whose governors still pay N18,000 minimum wage. They even pay in percentages and determine who to pay and who not to pay. So, Edo has gone ahead with this increment”, he said.

Osifo, who stated that he was proud to be from Edo, thanked the governor for rising above political sentiments and naming the new labour House after Oshiomhole.

Also, the State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, disclosed that the idea of building a labour House to accommodate organised labour in Edo was conceived by former Oshiomhole in 2014.

Okungbowa said, “in view of this vision, Obaseki worked assiduously to make the dream a reality by committing scarce resources, time and efforts into the construction of the ultra modern and state of the art labour House complex.

“The edifice is a masterpiece designed to enable organised labour operate in a conducive atmosphere and engage government constructively in the interest of the workforce”, Okungbowa said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the State Chairman of Edo NLC, Comrade Odion Olaye, thanked the governor for the kind gesture and magnanimity, adding that workers had long waited for inauguration of the project.