Today marks a remarkable day; the day of labour and solidarity. Dating back to the 1880s and born as a result of the worldwide struggle of workers for daily working hours, 1st of May is all the more important today as we come to well realise the importance of solidarity.
There is no doubt that we are living a historic moment when we have to better understand the value of labour, and the importance in our lives of each and every worker ranging from health workers to store workers, bakers to delivery staff, farmers to pharmacists, barbers to waiters and waitresses, domestic workers to taxi drivers particular at this unprecedented time where insecurity, banditry, unemployment have become the order of the day.
Unless radical reforms are undertaken to improve the efficiency and efficacy of the defence and security institutions, Nigeria’s socio-economic indicators will deteriorate with dire consequences for the corporate existence of the Nation. There is the need for government to be proactive in dealing with security issues and threats, through modern methods of intelligence gathering, and intelligence sharing, training, logistics, motivation, and deploying advanced technology in managing security challenges.
Rather than calling for engagement of mercenaries and external support, President Buhari should look inward by engaging the services of prominent and meritorious retired public officers including military and paramilitary personnel. There’s urgent need for convocation of National Security Summit where out veterans expertise will be put to use to surmount the problem.
On the issue of the onging strike action of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, the Leadership of JUSUN should take a clue from the incessant strike action embarked upon by ASUU including other Trade Unions in Nigeria and its consequent implications.
It must be noted that strike action is not the ultimate panacea to resolve disputes each has to be decided based on the circumstances surrounding it and parties involved as well that any action taken must be for the greater good for the people.
The leadership of JUSUN is thus admonished to look inward and consider a more beneficial approach to ensure that their agitations are implemented by these erring Governors and not allow same to inimically affect the fundamental rights of the Citizens and the confidence reposed in the judiciary by members of the society. Federal Government should also take the bull by horns, hence the need to deduct funds of other arms of government from the source in compliance with constitutional provisions.
We are at a critical juncture where we need to collaborate and support one another against the devastation and decadence currently beleaguering the Nigerian landscape.
Solidarity is indeed the expectation of everyone. It is my strong belief that policies and actions responding to the crisis must be prioritised in protecting the vulnerable in the society.
We have to the point where the culture of solidarity and collaboration should prevail; and incite everyone to contribute to developing sustainable, inclusive, fair, human-centered and decent policies.
I wholeheartedly wish everyone a wonderful Workers Day, reminding us the utmost importance of solidarity between workers and the need for collegial effort in ensuring a better Nigeria.
Governor Dauda Lawal has approved a 120-day Rapid Intervention Action Plan aimed at addressing systemic failures in Zamfara State’s education sector.
The Governor presided over the State Executive Council meeting on Monday at the Government House in Gusau, where key decisions were taken.
During deliberations at the 65th Council meeting, issues related to education, health, works, and other sectors were discussed and approved.
The Council endorsed a 120-day rapid intervention plan built on prior diagnostic activities conducted by the Ministry of Education and the Education Quality Assurance Agency (EQAA). The plan, presented by the overseeing Commissioner for Education, Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam, includes payroll audits, school mapping exercises, and infrastructure assessments. It proposes targeted, time-bound interventions across governance, infrastructure, digital transformation, teacher development, and student welfare.
The Council also approved the formation of a joint committee to immediately assess all illegal or unapproved structures built around schools in the state, with a view to relocating them and securing school environments. The committee will be led by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST).
Additionally, the Council approved a single, unified Education Sector Bill (covering Early Childhood Care Development Education to Tertiary level), to be developed in consultation with stakeholders including agencies, institutions, civil society, traditional rulers, and development partners. A draft bill will be presented to the State House of Assembly for enactment within the emergency timeframe.
The Governor further approved the transfer of non-teaching staff—such as messengers, labourers, gardeners, cooks, guards, drivers, health workers, and artisans—from the Ministry’s payroll to appropriate MDAs (CPG, MoH, Establishment) or private firms.
Among other important issues, the Council approved the composition of the Zamfara State Steering Committee on the State of Emergency on Education and authorised the Committee to constitute a Technical Working Group (TWG) and co-opt stakeholders including the NUT, UNICEF, UBEC, traditional and religious leaders, private school proprietors, and CSOs.
Trending News5 years ago
Others4 years ago
Humanity4 years ago
Others7 years ago
Business2 years ago
Business2 years ago