NEWS
NUBIFIE Commends NSITF for Expanding ECS to Fintech and Agency Banking
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has been commended for taking proactive steps to expand the Employees’ Compensation Scheme to the Agency Banking and Fintech industries.
The National President of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees(NUBIFIE) Comrade Anthony Abakpa paid the tribute in Kano while speaking at a sensitization workshop for stakeholders in the Agency Banking and Fintech industries organized by the NSITF over the weekend in the ancient commercial city.
According to the union leader, a growing collaboration between the NSITF and stakeholders in the mobile money and FINTECH industry will not only provide a networking platform but also a safer and supportive financial service environment for employees across Nigeria.
He described the ECS as one of the nine contingencies making up the social security programmes enunciated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), equally observing that though the NSITF has made remarkable progress in implementing the scheme across the years, the foray into the Fintech industry was strategic and came at the nick of time.
He therefore urged participants who thronged the Islamic Forum of Nigeria Conference Hall, Kano, to embrace the scheme.
He further stated that for a seamless implementation of the ECS in the fast growing Fintech and agency banking sector, the NSITF must also brace up with the digitization of its processes and procedures.
According to him, “To get the informal sector employees and employers, especially the fintech industry, to register with the Fund, the NSITF must utilize digital platforms (Digital onboarding) and tools to simplify the registration process for informal sector employers.
“This can include online registration portals and mobile (apps) applications that make it easy for employers to register and manage the contributions.”
He further suggested “the development of tailored solutions that address the specific needs and challenges of the fintech industry, which include flexible contribution plans, customized communication, and support services that cater to the unique characteristics of fintech businesses.
“Inclusive Policies and Programs—Implement inclusive policies and programs that encourage the participation of informal sector employers. This can involve providing incentives such as tax breaks, subsidies, or grants to employers who register with the Fund.
“Financial Cooperatives—Promote the formation of financial cooperatives among informal sector employers, mutual support, making it easier for members to comply with the Fund’s requirements.
“Fostering coordination and collaboration between NSITF and other relevant stakeholders such as Sectoral Unions, industry associations, government agencies, and financial institutions. This can help create a supportive ecosystem that encourages registration and compliance.”
He also stated that the ultimate measure of the NSITF’s effectiveness lies in its ability to disburse benefits to eligible beneficiaries in a timely and efficient manner.
While affirming that the NSITF has successfully provided compensation to many workers, “cases of delays, bureaucratic red tape, as well as inadequate communication have impeded the process, leading to dissatisfaction.
He, however, expressed happiness that the new management of the Fund was already addressing the situation.
Earlier while presenting the keynote address to the gathering, the Managing Director of the NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye who was represented by the General Manager, Informal Sector Department of the agency, Chika Onyewuchi, said the programme synched with the cardinal agenda of the new administration of the Fund to develop peculiar programmes that can break new grounds in the informal sector which hosts the majority of Nigeria’s active work life.
She asserted that the bold initiative of the NSITF was in furtherance of its contributions to financial inclusion.
She said, “By providing a safer, more secure environment for agents, ECA 2010 indirectly supports Nigeria’s financial inclusion goals.
“The protection it offers can encourage more people to become agents in Fintech and help banking providers expand their reach to the underserved areas in the remote parts of the nation.
“ With the ECS, agency banking becomes a more attractive career option, capable of attracting skilled workers, assured that they will be covered in case of work related accidents, injury or health issues. This assists financial institutions draw a stable workforce of competent agents.
Further discussing the numerous benefits of the scheme to the industries’ stakeholders, Onyewuchi said, “Many banking agents travel frequently to provide services to customers in various locations. The ECS covers commuting accidents, ensuring that agents who experience accidents while travelling to or from their service locations receive compensation and support.
“By enrolling in the ECS agency banking providers can reduce their legal liability related to workplace accidents and illnesses. The scheme allows employers to transfer risk to the NSITF, which handles compensation claims and payouts, thereby saving banks and agents from potential legal battles and associated costs.”
She hence argued that to mitigate financial vulnerability, low productivity and bridge the gap between the formal and informal sector, the ECS which narrows inequality through social protection must be embraced by all players in the informal sector.
Other stakeholders at the event included the Kano State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Anwali Yaksse, General Secretary NUBIFIE, Mohammed Sheik, Chairman of AMBO, Odetunde Lukman and AMON President, Salihu Umar as well as representatives from the Agent Banking and FINTECH including Zenith Bank, Fidelity, ECO, GTB, Moniepoint as well as Point of Sales Operators among others.
NEWS
Police Detain Woman for Alleged Killing of Co-wife in Bauchi
The police command in Bauchi State, said it has apprehended a housewife over alleged killing of her co-wife following a domestic violence incident in Bauchi metropolis.
This was contained in a statement by the spokesman of the command, SP Nafiu Habib, on Monday in Bauchi.
He said that the command detained the suspect (name withheld) on Sept.
27 for alleged culpable homicide following a domestic incident at Tafawa Balewa Housing Estate in Bauchi.Habib said that on Sept. 27, at about 4:05 p.m., the Police C-Division, Bauchi, received credible information that there was a domestic incident between two wives residing in the same household belonging to their husband.
He said that preliminary investigation revealed that the 33-year-old suspect, who is the second wife, allegedly acting under hallucinations, struck the first wife with pestle on the forehead, and the victim fell unconscious.
“Upon receipt of the report, detectives attached to C-Division immediately mobilised to the scene.
“The scene was documented, and the victim was rushed to the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, where she was certified dead by a medical doctor. The corpse has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy,” he said.
Habib said that the police recovered the pestle used in committing the offence.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, as directing the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and prosecution.
Aliyu condoled with the bereaved family and cautioned against domestic violence.
The CP also advised husbands to seek timely medical and psycho-social support for members of their families exhibiting mental health challenges. (NAN)
NEWS
FRSC Deploys 170 Ambulances Nationwide for Emergency Rescue
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has deployed more than 170 ambulances across the country as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response and rescue operations on Nigerian roads.
The Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Osondu Ohaeri, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, while responding to questions on the operational capacity of the corps emergency ambulance network and its response to Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs).
Ohaeri said the FRSC had the largest number of ambulances among emergency response agencies in Nigeria, with more than 170 ambulances and 60 Zebra points across the country.
He said the figure should however not be interpreted as the number of ambulances currently operational or serviceable as of September 2026.
According to him, an accurate current figure of serviceable ambulances will require the latest fleet-status report from the corps medical and rescue office.
He explained that the figures demonstrated the scale of the corps emergency response network, while the availability of individual ambulances was managed operationally based on their location, condition and assignment.
On the adequacy of the ambulances for emergency rescue, he said the corps continued to maintain and deploy its assets as part of its emergency response responsibilities, stressing that the status of individual vehicles could vary depending on their operational condition and assignment.
The CPEO said the corps was also focused on improving its emergency response capacity, particularly by strengthening rescue deployment and collaboration with other relevant agencies.
He also said that the corps had historically recorded an average response time of about 15 minutes under its documented emergency-response programme.
He cautioned against presenting the figure as the current nationwide average without updated operational data.
According to him, response time varies depending on several factors including the location of a crash, traffic congestion, distance from the nearest ambulance point and accessibility of the crash scene.
He added that the accuracy and timeliness of information provided by callers could also affect the speed with which rescue teams reached crash scenes.
Other factors he said include the possibility of emergency teams responding to other incidents simultaneously.
Ohaeri stressed that the corps had identified faster response to road traffic crashes and other emergencies as one of its management priorities in 2026.
He said efforts were therefore ongoing to strengthen rescue deployment and inter-agency collaboration to improve emergency response to road crashes.
He added that the FRSC remained committed to improving emergency rescue operations, strengthening the deployment of its resources and working with relevant stakeholders to ensure better outcomes for road crash victims.
He reiterated that complaints concerning emergency response, evacuation, treatment of victims or other forms of alleged misconduct should be channeled through the appropriate authorities for investigation and necessary action.
The CPEO further assured that the corps would continue to strengthen its emergency response mechanisms as part of broader efforts to reduce the consequences of road traffic crashes and improve the safety of road users nationwide.(NAN)
NEWS
NBA Decries Rising Insecurity in Plateau, Urges Urgent Action
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has decried the spate of security challenges currently confronting Plateau and other parts of Nigeria.
The Chairman of Jos Branch of the association, Morgan Dung, said this during a joint news conference on Monday in Jos.
Dung spoke on behalf of the Jos, Bukuru and Pankshin branches of the association.
The chairman particularly decried the recent attacks and killings in Mangu, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos, Bassa, Wase and Kanam Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
Dung, who described the continuous killings of innocent residents as “unfortunate and unacceptable”, called on the Federal Government and the security agencies to tackle the menace.
“The protection of lives and property remain the most fundamental responsibility of government as contained in section 33 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“NBA frowns at the inability of the government to prevent the continuous loss of lives and property in Plateau and beyond.
“We particularly condemn the recent killing of members of community vigilantes at their duty posts in Mangu, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Bokkos and Bassa LGAs
“We call on the government and security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book. This menace must also stop,”he said.
Dung, however, commended president Bola Tinubu over his recent visit to Plateau and the move to establish State Police in the country.
He further called on the government to sponsor an executive bill to fully domicile security issues under the concurrent legislative list.
Dung urged the government to properly and adequately equip security agencies, strengthen border surveillance and secure all forests serving as hideouts for bandits and other criminal elements.
The chairman also commended Gov. Caleb Mutfwang for revamping Operation Rainbow, a state-owned security outfit and training of 2,000 personnel of the neighbourhoods watch.
He, however, called for the licensing of Operation Rainbow to operate with kinetic facilities, implement the anti-land grabbing law and provide structures for police division and forward operation bases in the state.
Dung advised security agencies to deploy more personnel and equipment to flashpoints in the state, insisting that such a move would ensure prompt response to threats.
The chairman, who called on the judiciary to ensure timely dispensation of terrorism cases, advised governors to sign death warrants of convicted terrorists to serve as a deterrent to others.
He pledged NBA’s readiness to promote access to justice, document evidence of atrocities and pursue public interest litigation to ensure accountability (NAN)


