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Group cautions NLC, TUC over protest against subsidy removal
Nasiru Yusuf
A civil society group Concerned Citizens Project (CCP) has cautioned the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on embarking on National protest against petroleum subsidy removal.
KANO FOCUS reports that the group described the planned protest as misguided, unwise and self-defeating.
A statement signed by CCP’s national coordinator Bello Musa Gwani and obtained by KANO FOCUS on Monday advised the leaders of NLC and TUC to rise up to their duties and stop playing to gallery of some elites who are benefitting immensely from the petroleum subsidy.
He noted that NLC and TUC needs to get their acts together by putting future and survival of Nigeria first.
The intended strike and protest according to Gwani will put a halt on the operations of government offices, banks, shopping centres and schools, transportation workers and will also significantly affect the informal sectors including markets and local transportation services.
“This will cause an untold hardship on Nigerians and have significant damaging effect on an already struggling economy. Paralysing the country of more than 200 million people, majority of the citizens live on daily wage will be highly irrational.
“Moreover, considering the delicate security situation in the country, it will be of great concern that provocateurs and anarchist can hijacked such protests and demonstrations, or hide under the cover of protestors and promote discord, anarchy and unleash mayhem to the detriment of public peace.
“We have all witness how criminal elements hijacked the End SARs protest, and the amount looting and burning that took place, while turning into tribal violence and killings in some states.
“Similarly, politicians and other interests beyond the implementation of the deregulation policy can hijacked the national protest to derive personal and selfish agendas. It is thus imperative for NLC and TUC leaders to avoid putting Nigeria in such delicate security situation.
“For most oil producing countries, high oil prices means high government earning, more spending on education, health, infrastructure, poverty alleviation etc. Unfortunately, that is not the case in the Nigeria, as the high profit margin earn from high oil price is largely swallowed by petroleum subsidy.
“If NLC and TUC leaders are not in terms with the proposed stoppage to paying petroleum subsidy despite the glaring evidences of the failure of the scheme, they can explore other avenues to prevent high petroleum price in the country.
“One important option is to engage with the government to find a more suitable solution. For example by putting pressure on the government to revamp the three national refineries (in Kaduna, Warri and Port-Harcourt) which can play a significant role in easing the pressure on our forex reserve thus strengthening our currency.
“A strong Naira and local refining capacity will make the petroleum products cheap even without subsidies. In addition if these refineries are revamped, hundreds of thousands of direct and indirect jobs will be created, thus creating a multiplier effect in the fight against poverty and the growth of our economy.
“In conclusion, it is very critical that NLC and TUC leadership to keep in mind that in pushing the interest of Nigerians forward, they need to choose options that will not worsen our security situation, is economically sustainable and that which will open brighter future to Nigerian’s economy and teaming populace – a lot of which are unemployed. Also of note is that in a petroleum subsidy free system, when oil prices go low e.g. what happened in 2015-2017 Nigerians will equally pay for a much cheaper petroleum prices than they were paying in a petroleum subsidy system,'” the statement said.
Headlines
Education Renaissance: Governor Yusuf to Boost Learning and Safety in Kano’s Public Schools
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of education in Kano’s public schools, with a particular focus on upgrading infrastructure and creating a conducive learning environment.
This was contained in a statement issued by governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Friday.
Speaking during a visit to Governor’s College on Thursday, Governor Yusuf inspected newly delivered furniture and instructional materials provided by the Ministry of Education.
He noted that these efforts are part of a broader initiative to revitalize public primary, junior, and secondary schools across the state, reversing the deteriorating state of the education sector.
The Governor was warmly received by enthusiastic students, teachers, and staff at the college, where he promised swift reforms aimed at strengthening the academic experience and preparing students for a bright future.
He also expressed pride in the improvements made at the school and announced plans to further enhance the capacity of the teaching staff.
Governor Yusuf revealed that his administration is set to construct a pedestrian bridge near the College, along Ibrahim Taiwo Road, to ensure student safety and prevent accidents.
Governor Yusuf reiterated his administration’s determination to tackle the challenges facing the education sector, promising that the declared state of emergency in education would result in significant progress and the restoration of Kano’s educational prestige.
Headlines
KSCHMA coverage increased by 37% in 15 months – E.S
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has recorded 37% increase in number of its enrolees in the last 15 months.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Secretary of the Agency Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar revealed this during a consultative engagement with organised labour on how to improve the healthcare service in the scheme.
She explained that, the primary services accessed by the enrolees under the scheme from 2022 to second quarter of 2024 stands at 1,852,485, while secondary healthcare services accessed stands at 28, 932 across the engaged healthcare providers.
In his remark, the Commissioner State Ministry of Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf assured government support and commitment toward the successful implementation of the scheme and general improvement of healthcare services.
On his part, the State Head of Service Alhaji Abdullahi Musa said Kano state government government attached priority attention to the welfare of workers, adding that, the Contributory Healthcare scheme was not meant for workers alone but all residents of Kano.
He also solicited the support and cooperation of labour unions in order to move KSCHMA to greater height.
Also speaking the chairman Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) Kano state council Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, said that, the union being the major contributor of the scheme would not fold it arms while their members suffered in accessing the needed care.
He reiterated their commitment to ensure that their members received what they deserved by the healthcare providers.
Highlight of the event include paper presentation and group work on implementation of the scheme; challenges and recommendation.
A statement sent to KANO FOCUS by the public relations officer of the agency Nura Muhammad Yusuf said the workshop was conducted with support from FCDO Lafiya.
Headlines
EU partners UNICEF to enhance school safety, quality education in Kano
Aminu Abdullahi
The United Nations Children’s Fund has trained over 40 educational stakeholders under the Educational and Youth Empowerment Project (EYE).
KANO FOCUS reports that the participants undergone two day training on school safety, security, and climate literacy to ensure effective teaching and learning as well as safety of schools in the North West.
The state education facilitator of EU EYE, Aisha Abdullahi, said that the programme is funded by the European Union and supported by UNICEF, while the education partners such as the federal and state ministry of education, SUBEB, and other education stakeholders implemented the program.
She explained that the two-day programme is to train EYE teachers from various local governments and schools who will step down the training to their colleagues on school safety.
On his part, Cacsar Akuduke Executive Director of Talents in Children Promotion, said a lot of schools are not safe, and the program tends to address the shortcomings, building more knowledge and awareness among the stakeholders in education in the provision of the necessary guidelines as contained in the minimal standard for safe schools.
He added that although there are no cases of violence or serious attacks in schools in Kano State, the training will assist the participants with precautionary measures.
In his message, the Kano State Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, who was represented by the Director of Education Support Services, Hajiya Halima Sadiyya Tukur, said that their efforts have significantly and vividly improved access to quality education for many children, particularly those in underserved communities by addressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher training, and gender disparities in education, adding that UNICEF has helped in creating a brighter future for these young learners.
The commissioner said the positive changes resulting from government initiatives will undoubtedly have a long-term effect on the lives of children and the overall development of the state.
He corroborated that their commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive is commendable.