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The significance of recent gathering of NSITF, stakeholders in Abuja
By Nwachukwu Godson
Photo caption: From left: President of ASSBIFI,Comrade Olusoji, Executive Director Administration NSITF, Prof. G.O.C Okenwa, Rep of NECA, Adenike Ajala, MD/CE, Oluwaseun Faleye, SERVICOM Nat. Coordinator, Nnenna Akajemeli, Executive Director Finance, Adegoke Adedeji, Executive Director Operations, Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay & NSITF of Head Servicom, Gertrude Biosa at the event.
Recently, the tripartite stakeholders of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) converged on Abuja as part of the broad vision of the new management for a consistent wide engagement with the Fund’s critical stakeholders aimed to align with the changing demands in the world of work. The event whose theme was “Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement in NSITF” pulled together hundreds of captains of industries who are enrollees of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme in the Abuja region, the leadership of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association(NECA), leaders of the nation’s two labour centres- Nigerial Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), government representatives as well as direct beneficiaries of the ECS and dependents of deceased enrollees. The event put together by the SERVICOM Department of the NSITF also had in attendance, the National Coordinator of the Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM) Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli.
Recall that the articulated roadmap of the new leadership of the Fund termed “Strategic Priorities 2024-2027” which is premised on five key pillars has stakeholder engagement, strengthening governance and oversight through extensive monitoring and evaluation as the number one. In his keynote address at the event therefore, the Managing Director of the NSITF, Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye expressed the commitment of his management to continued collaboration with the Fund’s stakeholders as a way to foster constructive engagements and harmonious relationship between the Fund and its stakeholders. Highlighting the importance and benefits of the ECS to employers and employees, he noted the need for workplace safety and culture. Borrowing from the theme of this year’s Customer Service Week, Faleye further reiterated the readiness of his leadership to take the Fund “above and beyond” in the delivery of the its mandate, pledging to do more to ensure a seamless access to the services of the Fund. He also pledged commitment to transparency, drawing attention to the ongoing review of the Fund’s Service Charter and internal processes to make it easier for enrollees to access benefits. He summed up his address with an assurance that the informal sector would be given a measure of cover for an all-inclusive provision in the review of ECA 2010.
Speaking to reporters by the side-line of the forum, the Managing Director said, “What we want is a process that self-regulates, where the employees are also a check on the employer, asking the necessary questions about contributions to the NSITF in terms of compliance. This is because at the end of the day, the employees will reap the benefits of the scheme, and that requires the employees’ vigilance in ensuring compliance by their employers. Enrollment into the scheme is the right of every employee by law.” He further stated that one of the reasons for the fund’s advocacy campaigns was to ensure that employers do not undercut the Fund by understating the salaries paid to employees, adding that the same manner employees take their pension seriously, should also be the manner they take contributions to the NSITF seriously.
Also speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of SERVICOM, Nnenna Akajemeli, stated that brand enhancement, building of trust, and risk management form the pillars for stakeholder’s engagement. She advocated for the maintenance of strong relationships with the stakeholders through tailored communication, regular updates, and two-way feedback as a way to conflict resolution.
Also contributing, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, emphasized the need for effective service delivery to alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian citizens, while the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Comrade Osifo, represented by the President of ASSBIFI, Comrade Oluwole Olusoji, urged the NSITF to broaden its services to reach more workers. The Director General of Nigeria Employer Consultative Association NECA, Smart Oyerinde underscored the need to enlarge the coverage of ECA 2010 to include benefits to old people, urging the Fund to improve its public sensitization and awareness of its mandate.
Taking questions from participants at the Forum, the Executive Director of Operations, Hon. Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay expressed the need for continuous dialogue as a way to strengthen stakeholder engagement. There were also presentations from the Heads of the Service Departments of the Fund, including Musa Lateef (Compliance), Barr. Nkiru Ogunaike(Claims and Compensation), Onyewuchi, Chika( Informal Sector) and Okeke Ijeoma (Health, Safety & Environment) – all echoing the need for the expansion of the coverage of the employees compensation to bring social benefits and lift the lots of the employees and employers.
The peak of the event came with live testimonies from the beneficiaries of the ECS in the Abuja region of the Fund while awards were presented to fifty (50) Employers/Organizations for steadfastness in contributions to the ECS. In attendance at the gathering also were the Executive Director of Finance, Adegoke Adedeji, Executive Director of Administration, Prof. G.O.C Okenwa and other staff members of the NSITF.
Nwachukwu Godson is the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, NSITF
Strong indications has emerged that the use of a generator in a poorly ventilated environment may have caused the death of some students of the University of Nigeria, Nssuka.
The suspicion emerged after a survivor of the incident disclosed that a generator was operating outside the corridor of the apartment where they gathered, while the doors and windows remained shut.
According to the 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, about 10 people attended the party organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.
The gathering reportedly started around 11:30 a.m. at the host’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with participants sharing alcoholic drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting his experience, the survivor said he suddenly lost consciousness after helping one of the participants who had vomited and returning to clean the floor.
He disclosed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before eventually passing out. The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., only to discover that his friends were lying motionless on the floor.
“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that the host was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he recounted.
He said he subsequently contacted friends for assistance, before one of them eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.
The survivor further explained that the apartment was poorly ventilated, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was running outside in the corridor. A fan was also operating inside the room.
Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye popularly known as Speed Darlington, has apologised to Grammy-winning musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, asking him to withdraw the charges against him and promising to stop making comments about his sexuality.
Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, in which he expressed regret over the pain and embarrassment he might have caused the singer.
“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.
The singer admitted that he was wrong to assume that everyone had the same temperament, adding that he wanted an end to their disagreement.
“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.
He further pledged to refrain from making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality, making the withdrawal of the charges a condition for his promise.
“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality. “Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.
Speed Darlington also promised not to mention the singer’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.
“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.
Yinusa Tanko, former national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, says he experienced a betrayal of trust and loyalty in Peter Obi’s camp, which led to his exit from the movement.
Tanko spoke on Thursday shortly after his unveiling as the coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign council.
Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.
He was later redeployed as Obi’s political adviser (north), a position he held until October 30, when he resigned.
However, Tanko said he never wanted to leave Obi’s camp, insisting that he was pushed out rather than choosing to exit the movement.
Tanko said although he appreciated the opportunity to serve Obi, he could not remain in a political group where his contributions were no longer valued.
“Well, you know, as you move along in politics, there may be a time when your group does not want you, does not need you or does not appreciate what you do,” he said.
“You don’t stay where you are being tolerated; you go where you are appreciated.
“As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate all the work I have done, and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity. But the only thing I have suffered in that particular movement is betrayal of trust and betrayal of loyalty.”
Tanko said he served the former Anambra governor with diligence, honesty and integrity, adding that he still held him in high regard despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.
“Everybody knows that I have served with diligence, determination, honesty and integrity. That was how I served Peter Obi, and I continue to respect him,” he said.
“But now, since they don’t want me, people who appreciate me have picked me from the dustbin and made me a bride.”
Asked whether Obi would be pleased to see him in another political party, Tanko said he could not determine what was on the former governor’s mind.
“You cannot say what is on his mind; only he can speak for himself,” he said.
He added that his new political associates had recognised his contributions to nation-building and offered him another opportunity to serve.
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