By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

The Presidency yesterday, chided the National Assembly for hindering the intended good reforms in the labour sector by delaying the passage of Key labour bills.It therefore asked the apex lawmaking body to accelerate the passage of key labour reform bills seeking to reposition Nigeria’s labour administration system.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, conveyed the Presidency’s position on the matter, to the inaugural Policy Dialogue on the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, organized by Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), UK Aid and National Assembly Library Trust Fund (NALTF), in Abuja. He expressed optimism that the proposed bills when passed into law would create an enabling environment for robust investments, enhanced productivity and attainment of social justice.He said: “I make a passionate plea to the House of Representatives to facilitate the speedy passage of national labour laws. Listing among them are the Labour Standards Bill, Collective Labour Relations Bill, and the Occupational Safety and Health Bill.“When enacted, these bills will not only reposition Nigeria’s labour administration system, but will create an enabling environment for robust investments, enhanced productivity and attainment of social justice,” he added.In his remarks, Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Barrister Clement Nwankwo, described the national dialogue as “a veritable platform for the robust articulation, analysis and appraisal of parliamentary activities towards a peaceful, prosperous, stable and sustainable nation.”The minister maintained that the House’s eight-point Legislative Agenda remains a contract with the Nigerian people and a roadmap in complementing the efforts of the Executive in navigating the nation out of turbulent waters to the safe shores of national economic prosperity. “The 10th House shone green flags as the beacon and the bastion of our democracy. It heralds a new era of purposeful alignment with global parliamentary best practices, benchmarked by the key indicators of strategic focus, measurable impact and parliamentary objectivity,” he stated.In his address, House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who scored the 10th Assembly high in the area of enactment of critical legislations since inauguration from June 2023 till date, reiterated the House’s commitment towards promotion of parliamentary accountability, transparency, and a truly citizen-driven legislature.According to him, the 10th House was inaugurated in June 2023 when Nigeria was facing significant challenges, ranging from weak economy, pressing development and security crises, as well as frustrated populace who have lost hope in democracy’s ability to meet their aspirations.He, however, noted that the 10th Assembly, “from the outset, we pledged to regularly engage with Nigerians, report on our performance, and adjust our course based on the people’s feedback. Today’s dialogue is part of that promise, serving as a precursor to the upcoming Open NASS Week, where we open our doors to scrutiny and present our midterm progress. The goal of this event is not only to celebrate our achievements but also to candidly examine areas for improvement in the spirit of openness and democratic inclusion.Designed to deliver good governance, this agenda aims to restore hope in democracy for our people. The Legislative Agenda was not crafted in isolation. Following extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including Ministries and Agencies, civil society, and development partners, we produced a comprehensive roadmap to guide our lawmaking, oversight, and representation from 2023 to 2027.This approach allows us to fulfil our independent mandate while ensuring that our legislative actions support national objectives and address the pressing needs of our citizens.The Speaker argued that the House has “backed our plan with concrete implementation strategies. Each House Committee integrated the agenda into its work plans; we established clear milestones and key performance indicators to track progress, and we set up special committees to monitor and evaluate how well we are meeting our targets. We also insisted on better communication and regular reporting, which included requiring members to maintain functional constituency offices and report on their engagement with the public, ensuring accountability at every step.Some of the achievements recorded by the 10th Assembly include: legislation to modernise and strengthen the power sector, establish a long-awaited federal audit framework for greater financial accountability in government, and create agencies critical to effective governance.“We have also passed legislation to bolster security by improving the control of small arms and light weapons. Additionally, we have enacted laws to advance social welfare, including those promoting public health and addressing gender-based violence. Furthermore, we have enacted legislation establishing regional development commissions to further devolve more power to the geopolitical zones.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association said it has concluded plans to inaugurate an ultra-modern table tennis facility in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital.The inauguration of the facility, to be known as the Coastal Fortress, will also feature the unveiling of Italy’s Luciano Esposito as the new Coach for the association.

This was contained in a statement by the chairman of the state table tennis association, Ama-ebi Ebikpolade Stow and in Yenagoa, ahead of the inauguration of the multi billion naira facility located at the Oxbow-Lake Road, by Federal Mortgage Bank, Yenagoa. According to the statement, the event will take place by 2:00pm on Wednesday with Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri as the Special Guest of Honour while the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo will be the Guest of Honour.CP Bankole Anderson, who is the Chairman of Para-Table Tennis Division of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, NTTF and Chairman ITTF Africa Para-Table Tennis Commission, Permanent Member ITTF Para-Table Tennis Committee will serve as chairman of the occasion, and the President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Engr. Tikon Ishaku is expected to be the Chief Host.Director General National Sports Commission, Bukola Olapade will serve as Special Guest, former of the association chairman and patron, Apostle Dr. David Zilly Aggrey will be the father of the day, commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali is the host of the event.The statement explained that other special guests expected in Yenagoa are Alabo Boma Iyaye, Chairman of Niger Delta Sports Festival and former commissioner for Sports in Rivers State, chairman House Committee on Youth and Sports, Hon. Tare Porri and Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi.According to the statement, the President, African Table Tennis Federation and Executive Vice President, International Table Tennis Federation, Wahid Enitan Oshodi will also grace the occasion, just as Co-Chairman of Niger Delta Sports Festival and former chairman Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Delta State chapter, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo will be in attendance.Also expected at the event are Chief Solomon Ogba, formerly of the Delta State Sports Commission, Pastor Charles Osazuwa Chairman, Edo State Table Tennis Association, Joe Akedesuo (Board member, Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association and Chairman, Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission BYSIEC, Dr. Peter Singabele amongst others.According to the Bayelsa State table tennis boss notes, the facility is the first of its kind in the country and in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, stating that Bayelsa would soon become the home of table tennis with the completion and formal Inauguration of the facility.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

National leadership of the Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence (AWAGBV) has commissioned its Secretariat in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital with the unveiling of a five-year strategic plan on preventive, collaborative and empowerment measures to tackle cases of violence against women in the State and the Niger Delta region.

According to the AWAGBV, the newly opened secretariat, located at Amarata opposite St. Jude’s Girls Secondary school, will serve as the accessible contact point where victims of gender based violence in the state lay complaints and are assisted promptly.The grand Patron of the AWAGBV and a United Kingdom based Forensic Mental Health Practitioner, Chief (Dr.) Antonia Garner, disclosed that the Women Advocacy group is proposing a Five years strategic plan to assist women experiencing violence and offer succour. This succor will extend to men, children and persons living with disabilities.She announced the proposed fund raising event slated for July, 2025 to raise funds for the building of a treatment and administrative center for victims of gender based violence in the state,” we have resolved to constantly collaborate with local and foreign agencies to assist and help the victims of such violence.”She also announced that international based advocacy groups including the group interested in educating the Ijaw Child known as Eduare and owned by a Kolokuma/Opokuma woman based in United Kingdom and the Bayelsa Ladies in Diaspora have indicated interest in partnering with the AWAGBV in the fight for education and economic empowerment of victims of gender based violence.The National President of the Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence (AWAGBV), Dr Dise Ogbise Goddy-Harry, pointed out that the Five year strategic plan will involve various preventive measures that will stem down rising cases of violence against women.First Vice President and APWEN Chair, Dr Amalate Ann Jonathan Obuebite in her comment noted that Education and Empowerment of women is key in the proposed plan in order to ensure that women and the girl child are properly armed with economic and educational power to reject cases of violence, “If women are empowered and armed with education they may decide to stay away from an abused relationship.”The second Vice President and Founder of the Debora Ebisinde Filatei Women and Children Development Foundation, Dr. Jonathan Filatei, said the AWAGBV will embark on massive media advocacy and enlightenment in the state to educate and create the awareness to creative more collaboration in the battle against Gender based violence.She noted that the AWAGBV is also proposing the establishment of GBV clubs in secondary schools in the state to sensitize the girl child against abusive relationships and violence.Members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Bayelsa State chapter led by Hon. Ekpomokumo Doutimiaeyo, declares support for the Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence (AWAGBV), saying they are ready to collaborate to save female persons with disabilities from violence and abuse.