Headlines
Detained Kano rice workers – Ministry of labor denounces police intervention
Nasiru Yusuf
The Federal Ministry of Labor and Productivity has criticized the Nigerian police for rescuing hundreds of workers detained in a Kano rice mill.
Kano Focus reports that the police had rescued the workers after they had been detained in the Popular Farms rice mill at Challawa, Kano for about three months.
However, labor officer in the Kano office of the ministry, Abdullahi Ali told Kano Focus that the issue was not a police matter and that the company had treated the workers fairly.
Police rescue over 300 workers detained for 3 months in rice mill
“We visited the organization, we were conducted round, we interviewed workers and they confirmed to us that they were held in the company willingly.
“As far as we saw with our own eyes, the workers were treated well by the management.
“They were given feeding allowance, and even allowed to periodically visit their homes.” Mr Ali said.
The labor officer added that if the workers had any complaints they should report to the ministry of labor rather than the Nigerian Police.
“In the first place, an employment issue is not a police case.
“If there is any case of forced, compulsory or slave labor, the ministry of labor’s attention should have been drawn, and every agency has its own role to play.
Abdullahi Ali: Labor Officer
“As far as industrial issues are concerned, we have sole prerogative. “We are on exclusive legislative list of the federal government so when you have industrial issues you address it appropriately and rightly to the labor office and we can assign a labor officer to go and address it.
“We did not received such complaint; we only heard of it over the radio,” Mr Ali said.
The Kano Command of the Nigeria Police is yet to respond to this statement.
The labour officer also denied accusations by the National Union of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) that he has connived with the company’s management to sabotage the inauguration of the union’s branch.
Union alleges “Compromise”
Kano state secretary of the NUFBTE, Usman Muhammad told Kano Focus that Mr Aliyu had been “compromised” by the company.
“There was a time we visited the factory along with the labour officer, the national president of the National union of food, beverages, and tobacco employees, his deputy, general secretary, national treasurer and state leadership but the admin manager denied us entry.
“The labour officer’s approach to the matter showed that he has been compromised.
“Instead of taking decisive action, I overheard him pleading to the admin manager to allow us to enter.
“If he has done his work, the factory will not dare to maltreat workers,” Mr Muhammad said.
He said the union will prepare and send a comprehensive report on the incident to the Kano state branch of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) for prompt intervention.
Influential people connive with foreigners
Meanwhile, Kano state chairman of the NLC, Kabiru Ado Minjibir has condemned the action of the company pending the receipt of the report from the NUFBTE.
Mr Minjibir lamented that some Nigerians connive with foreigners to maltreat indigenous workers.
“Some influential people in Kano have contributed in degrading indigenous workers in the sight of expatriates.
“The last time labour leaders visited the said factory to inaugurate union leaders, they met resistance from management of the factory who at the end invited police to arrest the labour leaders.
“But if the matter involved indigenous factories, they don’t get such privileges.
“I don’t know why our leaders support foreigners to enslave our people in their factories.” Mr Minjibir said.
Detained workers not our staff
In its defense, Popular Farm Rice Mill said the labourers are not its employees and it is therefore not responsible for their welfare.
The administrative manager of the company, Kareem Saka told Kano Focus that the labourers are sourced from outside contractors.
“They are not our staff; we contracted loading and offloading contractors who hired those labourers.
“They had an agreement which they are paying them on daily basis. “And out of our own magnanimity we didn’t stop there, we still provided them with allowances, detergents, medical service and so on and so forth.” Mr. Saka said.
He added that the company provided a sleeping place for the workers in its farmland because they live far away from their homes.
Mr Saka however denied any knowledge that the workers were not allowed to go out at all.
“Our agreement is only with the contractors and not with their staff. “They are the ones who discussed with their labourers and agreed on their terms of employment,” he said.
Kano Focus had made several attempts to get the Kano state Ministry of Commerce and Industry to respond to the matter.
However, after several phone calls and text messages to the Ministry’s spokesperson, the commissioner Mahmoud Muhammad is yet to respond.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture, KACCIMA, has said it is making plans to name a proposed Trade and Convention centre after the President/CE, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.
“The new Council of KACCIMA plans to name the centre, Aliko Dangote Trade and Convention Centre after its completion in 3 years’ time,”
KANO FOCUS reports that the President of KACCIMA, Garba Imam, made the pronouncement in Kano on the sideline of the ongoing 44th Kano International Trade Fair edition themed, ‘Economic Diversification, Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development’
Dangote Industries, DIL, is a major sponsor of the 2023 fair.
Imam told newsmen that Mr. Dangote has contributed enormously to economic development of Nigeria and the Sub-Saharan Africa through his highly acclaimed Conglomerate.
“Nigerians are now waiting eagerly for Dangote Refinery for a sigh of relief.
“By partnering Dangote, we hope to drive economic development of Kano and restore its past glory as the largest commercial hub in Northern Nigeria.
“Apart from infrastructure development, the new Council of KACCIMA is also working with the Nigeria Gas project- the gas pipeline from Obajana, to Kano, Katsina and Maradi to know how Kano Industries would benefit.
As well as Kano, KADUNA railway line because it will reduce freight of raw materials and other products.
Imam said that the major concern of the Chamber is to drive economic growth and manufacturing rebound following the collapse of many factories in Kano state.
Imam disclosed further that the project was approved by the Kano state government in 2021.
He expressed the belief that Dangote, as a son of the soil will impact its execution and implementation and assist KACCIMA achieve self-sufficiency and sustainability.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering Qur’anic recitation competitions among students and bolstering Islamic education in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed this commitment during the opening ceremony of 38th annual Qur’anic recitation competition held at the Conference Hall of the School for Arabic Studies in Kano.
Represented by the State Commissioner of Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, Governor Yusuf emphasized that his administration considers the enhancement of Islamic education, particularly Qur’anic recitation and memorization across all educational levels, as a pivotal responsibility.
Highlighting Kano’s longstanding prominence in national and international Qur’anic recitation, Gov. Yusuf noted the state’s continuous leadership in this realm.
The State Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, represented by Director of Arabic Education and Islamic Studies, Alhaji Bashir Mu’azu, announced the government’s plan to construct toilets and implement solar systems in Tsangaya schools across the state.
Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, represented by Wazirin Kano Alhaji Sa’adu Shehu Gidado, lauded the state government and the organizers of the Qur’anic recitation competition.
He commended their unwavering dedication to uplifting the sanctity of the Holy Qur’an, citing the competition as a testament to their commitment.
The Emir emphasized the competition’s profound impact on engaging youth in the study and memorization of the Holy Qur’an.
Acting Chairman of the Kano State Qur’anic and Islamiyya Schools Management Board, Comrade Bala Baba Sha’aibu, expressed gratitude for the state government’s sponsorship of the Qur’anic recitation competitions.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved with immediate effect, the appointment of Alhaji Abdullahi Musa as the new Head of Civil Service.
KANO FOCUS reports that The appointment followed the recent voluntary resignation of the former Head of Service, Alhaji Usman Bala Mni who was retained by the present administration from its inception in May, 2023.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor Sanusi Bature Dawakintofa said the new Head of Service is a seasoned civil servant who served in various government Ministries, departments and agencies in Kano for over three decades.
An indigene of Kiru Local Government area, Abdullahi Musa served as the Permanent Secretary Kano Government House, Council Affairs Directorate, Administration and General Services of Cabinet Office, Ministry of Special Duties, and Servicom Directorate.
He is a graduate of BSc. International Relations from prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and bagged a Masters degree in Public Policy and Administration from Bayero University, Kano and another Masters degree in Strategy and Security Administration from Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
Governor Abba Kabir urged the new Head of Civil Service of the state to discharge his responsibility within the confines of the civil service rules and regulations.
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