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Minister of Labour Launches Committee to Investigate NSITF Operations; Addresses Healthcare Workers’ Concerns
In a significant demonstration of his commitment to addressing concerns related to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Bako Lalong, has officially inaugurated a fact-finding committee. This committee is tasked with conducting an in-depth investigation into various issues within the organization and is expected to submit its findings within a two-week timeframe.
During the inauguration of the committee, Minister Lalong emphasized the government’s recognition of the pivotal role played by the NSITF in ensuring the social security of Nigerian workers. He pledged to tackle any challenges hindering the organization’s optimal performance, aligning it with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to enhance the welfare of Nigerian workers.
Among the terms of reference for the committee are investigations into alleged irregularities in the execution of contracts valued at 1.8 billion naira, self-payment of gratuities to the Managing Director/Chief Executive while in service, non-release of promotions, and irregular employments. These concerns had been raised in various petitions submitted to the Minister’s office.
Minister Lalong urged the committee members to carry out their assignment with impartiality and without fear or favor, emphasizing the importance of resisting any attempts to intimidate, harass, or influence their findings. He set a deadline of two weeks for the submission of their report.
Speaking earlier during the event, Mrs. Mabel Erastus, the Director of Administration at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, who stood in for the acting Permanent Secretary, noted that the committee’s membership comprised individuals from various Directorates of the Ministry.
In response, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Isaac Okehe, who also serves as the Director of Finance and Accounts, pledged the committee’s dedication to fulfilling its national assignment to the best of their abilities.
In a separate engagement at the Ministry, Minister Lalong received members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU), who paid him a courtesy visit. The President of JOHESU expressed their congratulations to the Minister and sought his support in addressing several issues that have been approved but remain pending in terms of implementation.
One of the prominent issues raised during the visit was the salary adjustment for health workers under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), which has not been implemented for over a decade since its approval. The President of JOHESU called on the Minister, as the Chief Conciliator, to invoke immediate action by the Presidential Committee on Salaries, which possesses the authority to push for the implementation of the salary adjustment.
The Minister expressed his appreciation for their visit and assured them of his commitment to resolving the matter amicably. He directed an immediate conciliatory meeting to be conducted by the Department of Trade Union Services, which commenced promptly after the visit.
The inauguration of the fact-finding committee and the discussions with JOHESU members reflect Minister Simon Bako Lalong’s dedication to addressing pertinent labor-related issues in Nigeria, underscoring the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare and the effective functioning of key organizations like NSITF.
The general-secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr Mohammed Sanusi has disclosed that egg heads and technical buffs of the governing body are working hard towards brining an A-license coaching course back to the country.
Sports247 reports that Sanusi made the disclosure while speaking at the ongoing Confederation of African Football (CAF) B-license coaches refresher course in Abuja, which he said became imperative to upgrade the country’s tacticians.
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While revealing that the coaching course is running alongside a similar training programme for referees in the country, Sanusi, who is one of the instructors, affirmed that the dual-programme will bring huge benefits for participants.
Sanusi, who spoke on behalf of NFF president, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, at the opening ceremony of the six-day course in Abuja on Monday, further disclosed that specialized paths have been introduced in building of capacity in the sector.
He specifically mentioned programmes in the areas of young talent, beach soccer and FIFA elite referees that were organized earlier this month, then disclosed that Nigeria has been admitted back into the CAF A-License Coaching Convention.
The NFF scribe described this development as a significant step for Nigerian coaches and urged them to diligently build their capacity towards the highest level possible in the game, then urged participants to show total commitment to excel.
“The technical department is now working assiduously towards resuming the CAF A-License course in Nigeria in August, for the first time in nine years. We have a total of 50 participants for the refresher course, but only 25 will be admitted.
“We will set very high standards and only the best will cross the hurdle. That does not mean we are going to close the door for others. Immediately we are done with this CAF A-course starting in August, we will apply for another one at that level.”
Sanusi also revealed that Gusau, who is also the president of West African Football Union (WAFU) zone-B, has approved a vehicle to move Video Assistant Referee (VAR) training equipment into Nigeria to upgrade match arbiters in the country.
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