The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the recent directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of 0.5 (0.005) per cent Cybersecurity Levy on electronic transfers.

Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President stated the NLC position in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ajaero was reacting to a recent circular issued by the CBN, mandating banks and payment service operators to effect the deductions, effective in two weeks.

The CBN has said that the move, ‘ostensibly aimed at bolstering cybersecurity measures, threatens to exacerbate the financial strain already faced by the populace’.

Ajaero said the NLC vehemently condemned the directives and therefore called for immediate stoppage and reversal of the policy.

According to him, this levy, to be implemented by deduction at the transaction origination, is yet another burden on the shoulders of hardworking Nigerians.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress recognises the importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital age.

“However, imposing such a levy on electronic transactions, without due consideration for its implications on workers and the vulnerable segments of society, is unjustifiable.

“This levy stands as another tax too much for Nigerians, burdening them with additional financial responsibilities.

“We see in this levy as another gang up by the ruling elite to continue its extortion and exploitation of hapless and helpless workers and the masses,”he said.

He noted that while the CBN had exempted interbank transfers and loans transactions from the levy, the broader impact on everyday transactions would not be overlooked.

He added that such deductions directly affect the disposable income of workers and further diminish the purchasing power of the common citizen.

The NLC president also noted that domestic manufacturers and other businesses were already shuttering as a result of the stifling socioeconomic environment.

He added that, yet, instead of creating a business-friendly environment to encourage greater investments in the economy, the opposite seems to be what is being practised.

Ajaero therefore, called on the Federal Government to reconsider the directives and prioritise policies that alleviate the financial burdens of Nigerians.

“We urge a collaborative approach between the government, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders to develop sustainable cybersecurity measures that do not unduly burden the populace.

“We reiterate our commitment to championing the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and masses,”he said. (NAN)

Vice President Kashim Shettima says revamping engineering education is crucial to national development.

The Vice President stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAEng) 2024 Public Forum, with the theme:, ” Engineering Education’’, in Abuja.

Shettima, represented by Dr Sadiq Wanka, his Special Adviser on Power Infrastructure, said empirical evidence had demonstrated the strong interlink, between engineering capacity and economic development.

“In Nigeria today, we find ourselves in a global economy, underpinned by digital technologies, and in a world, faced with the reality of climate change.

“We also find ourselves, facing rapid urbanisation in the country, as estimates suggest that by 2050, 70 per cent of the Nigerian population would be living in cities.

“Given the nature and scale of the challenges ahead, the strength of our engineering capacity, is inextricably linked to our economic and social progress,” he said.

Shettima however, said the good news was that Nigeria is immensely blessed with young population and resources, among others, to drive the process, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda.

He said it was therefore critical for the government to continue to work with professional bodies like NAEng,  to ensure that the quantity and quality of engineers, meet the moment and match national needs.

He also called for the need to promote inclusivity,  by ensuring the advancement of women in the engineering profession.

The Vice President said, doing so would address historical and cultural biases that had limited girls and women from choosing engineering courses.

The President of NAEng, Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, said,  if Nigeria gets engineering and technology right, all other sectors will be taken care of.

Onwualu said the successful development of the various sectors, depended on the availability of engineering and technological ideas, tools, processes, facilities, equipment and skills, required to build facilities and machinery and maintain them.

“Education and training of engineers, technologists, technicians, artisans that drive the economy should therefore receive special attention as that will ensure Nigeria has the right personnel to drive the fourth industrial revolution.

“The state of Engineering Education in Nigeria is definitely not good. Many scholars and practitioners, especially people from the productive sector of the economy have identified many challenges.

“The challenges include, the theoretical nature of the teaching and learning for engineering graduates, inadequate laboratories and workshops, poorly executed industrial training, poor curriculum, and high unemployment rate for engineers and so on”, he said.

Onwualu  said the forum would provide major inputs for policy formulation, policy adjustment and more importantly policy implementation guidelines for the relevant MDAs involved in engineering education.

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Abbas  Tajudeen, represented by Inuwa Garba Chairman House Committee on Science and Engineering, commended NAEng for its unwavering commitment to advancing the field of engineering in Nigeria.

“As representatives of the People, the House of Representatives is committed to supporting initiatives that promote the advancement of engineering and technological innovation in our nation.

“Together, let us work hand in gloves to harness the power of engineering for the betterment of our society and the Prosperity of future generations,” he said.

The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, represented by Mr Jeremiah Adejoh, Assistant Director in the ministry, said there was need to enhance the quality of engineering curriculum in Nigeria.

Audu said the standard of teaching and learning facilities needed to be improved adding that there was also need to foster greater collaboration between academia, industry, and government for greater achievement. (NAN)

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday picketed the offices of Trustfund Pensions Limited nationwide over anti-labour practices.

Mr Ismail Bello, NLC Deputy General Secretary said this while addressing newsmen during the picketing in Abuja.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Stop casual and contract employment, pay fair wages; “union membership is a fundamental right; “respect workers right to freedom of association”, among others.

According to Bello, we would no longer ignore the extent of labour standard violations being committed by the Trustfund.

“The immediate issue relates to the sack of 45 workers which we consider to be a redundant exercise, but the management considers it to be a routine management discretion.

“The other issues relate to casual and contract employment and unfair treatment of this category of workers both in terms of wages and their condition of employment.

“In addition, there is also the issue of unfair labour practices being meted on workers by the organisation,” he said.

He added that Trust Fund is a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) that takes care of pension investment of workers and it is also a PFA in which the NLC has a stake.

According to him, we believe that we can deal with all issues through a process of dialogue, but, unfortunately, the management of Trust Fund has not shown good faith when it comes to discussing labour issues.

“We think that for a business in which we have a stake, we expect the utmost level of labour standards and the least that Trust Fund can do is to ensure that the right of workers to belong to the union is respected.

“This is because when you have a union in the workplace, you have a social partner to dialogue with, you have a social partner to do collective bargaining with,” he said.

Bello therefore said that PFA must ensure respect for workers rights, casual staff must enjoy the best standard of employment and  disengagement entitlements should be paid.

In a reaction, Ms Chinalulum Uzomah, Head, Corporate Communications of Trustfund expressed disappointment over the picketing by the NLC.

According to Uzomah, this unprovoked act is regrettable and contrary to all known procedures for declaration of labour dispute.

“The NLC is a shareholder in Trustfund and also sits on its Board. The issues being raised by NLC concerning workers are false.

“This is because no employee of Trustfund is on contract. On the issue of wages, we make bold to say that Trustfund pays industry competitive wages that has just further been enhanced.

“As a regulated business, we go the extra mile to ensure that all our actions are within the law and regulations guiding labour relations,” she said.

She therefore apologised to their numerous customers nationwide for the current disruptions in their services and the inconveniences. (NAN)