Television Nigerian

The non-implementation of the new hazard allowance approved by the Federal Government has been denounced by nurses and midwives in the Bayelsa State Civil Service.

The failure to implement the new allowance had a significant impact on no less than 450 nurses and midwives in the state. Employees who perform extraordinarily risky or physically demanding jobs may be eligible for hazard allowance, which is an additional wage.

In its healthcare facilities across the nation, the Federal Government increased the hazard allowances for employees in December 2021.

On December 22, 2021, the Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission issued a circular with the reference SWC/S/04/S.218/11/406 that included the raise.

Part of the statement said, “Relating to the review of the Hazard Allowance applicable to Health Workers in the Services of the Federal Hospitals, Medical Centers, and Clinics in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.”

The hazard allowance was revised to a flat rate that ranges from N5,000 to between N15,000 and N34,000 for health workers on the CONHESS salary structure, while doctors on CONMESS had theirs reviewed from N5,000 to between N32,000 and N40,000.

According to the new policy, non-clinical and clinical nurses and midwives on GLs 01 to 05 are to receive hazard allowances of N15,000 and N16,000 respectively, those on GLs 06 to 12 are to receive hazard allowances of N30,000 and N32,000, and those on GLs 13 to 15 are to receive hazard allowances of N32,000 to 34,000.

Findings, however, reveal that despite the state government’s orders that the allowances be paid right away, nurses and midwives in Bayelsa State are still paid N5,000 as hazard allowance.

On May 1, 2023, Workers’ Day, Governor Douye Diri gave the Head of Service, Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama, the order to begin implementing the revised hazard allowance.

“We believe that all medical and health workers who are entitled to call duty and hazard allowances as per our directives may have started receiving them,” Diri said. “If not, I hereby direct the Head of Service to go into this immediately and ascertain why that directive has not been carried out and implement it.”

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives’ Secretary-General, Fii Samuel, said in a statement to our correspondent that nurses continue to receive a monthly hazard allowance of N5,000.

“This is despite the fact that they are exposed to numerous risks while providing care to the ill, which can result in injuries, burnout, the acquisition of infections and diseases, and occasionally even death,” he said. Consequently, we are urging the implementation of the new hazard allowance.

The call duty allowance should be paid in accordance with the 2014 revised call duty allowance scale, Samuel continued, noting that nurses in specialized fields of practice and those who work call shifts at public hospitals should receive the same compensation.

“The leadership of the association has made several unsuccessful attempts through meetings with the government and letters requesting the implementation of the 2014 revised call duty allowance for specialist nurses, but to no avail,” he continued.

The Bayelsa State Government and all pertinent agencies are being urged to take immediate action to address the issues by the association as part of its resolution. In addition to increasing nurse motivation and morale, this will also enhance healthcare services.

When contacted, the state’s Head of Service, Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama, stated that the state was working toward domesticating the new hazard allowance policy but did not provide a time frame for doing so.

“What happens at the federal level is not an automatic thing for the state, so when the state domesticates it, that is when they can start earning it,” she said.

Mrs. Onyi Ugba, a businesswoman, was taken hostage by gunmen at Okija Street in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, in the Mile 2 axis.

Around five hoodlums broke into Mrs. Ugba’s store at the Umuoji junction/Okija Street location at around 6:40 on Friday night.

The woman reportedly received a command from the thugs to give them all of the cash she earned from sales that day.

The clearly frightened businesswoman staggered and brought them some money, which she gave them, but the miscreants’ reaction indicates that they are not happy.

When the woman couldn’t pay enough money, the shooters became enraged, a source in the vicinity said our correspondent. The criminals had to abduct her as a result of this.

The state Police Command’s spokeswoman, Grace Iringe-Koko, acknowledged the occurrence and stated that an investigation was continuing when contacted.

“Yeah, we’re aware of the event, and we’re looking into it right now to make sure the woman gets help quickly.

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, said that the search for the suspects had started in addition to trying to save the woman.

Recall that in December 2022, when they invaded Mrs. Ugba’s store at the same area, they robbed her of an unknown amount of money.

Although the culprits had not been apprehended until the latest occurrence on Friday, the crime had been reported to the Mile 1 Police Division.

Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leading Igbo socio-cultural organization, is in Lagos for a three-day visit to meet with Igbo leaders and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to discuss issues affecting Igbo in the nation’s financial center.

On Wednesday, he discussed his ascension to the position of Ohanaeze leader, his plans for the Igbo, the growing insecurity in the South-East, and how the Federal Government can stop it in an interview following one of the meetings with Igbo leaders in Ikoyi.

Regarding concerns related to his selection as Ohanaeze leader

I recently won the election for President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the organization that represents all Igbo. Even though I could see that my people were very passionate about having me serve them, I must admit that at the age of over 80, it was a very difficult thing for me to accept. All the leaders came to me to show their belief and support in me. Additionally, the five governors of the South-East came to me and declared their support for me.

All seven of Ohanaeze’s state presidents—Rivers, Delta, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi—also attended. I finally understood that there was nothing I could do. Any gift a person possesses, in my opinion, is a gift from God. As a result, you are not being fair to God, the creator who gave you the gift, if your people ever ask you to serve them and you don’t.

the disapproval of his immediate family

My wife and kids wanted me to reject it. But I had to persuade them. Some predicted my death, but I responded by telling them that if I pass away at 80, it won’t be too soon.

first official South-West tour

Where am I right now? I’m in South-West Nigeria for my first official tour. I traveled to the South-West to meet Igbo. In what we call Ime-obi, where we gather in Igbo culture to make important decisions, I met the elders last night (Tuesday). We convened at the home of Cmdr. Ebitu Ukiwe, ret., one of our elders. A lot of things went well at the meeting.

I received a wonderful welcome from my people when I arrived at the airport. The presidents of the town union and all Ezes lined up. We have a system that requires us to organize ourselves wherever we are, so I’ve just finished a meeting with the Ezes. The ability to band together quickly has been the key to every success Igbo have had over the years. The town union is a component of our structure, and the people I’ve met here today are crucial figures in Igbo culture. I encounter these people everywhere I go, and they inform me in whispers of the state of things. I am essentially on my first official tour of the South-West at this point, and I have received a warm welcome. I am overjoyed that my people have so much faith and confidence in me. I’ve made up my mind to help them, and I ask God Almighty to grant me the ability to do so and to support me so that I don’t fail to live up to their expectations.

What do you have in mind for the Igbo?

I have thoroughly researched agriculture, our mineral resources, or natural endowment, and our intellectual capacity after studying the map of Igboland. These facts have led me to believe that we have many prospects. I’m determined to change Igboland, and I think that by implementing the plan I’m creating, I’ll change agriculture, the industrial sector, and commerce because our people have a strong preference for trade, which accounts for a sizable portion of our wealth.

Without fear of contradiction, I believe that Igbos contribute more to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria than any other group because we are represented in every local government. Today, Igbo people can be found in every local government in Nigeria. They operate their businesses, which could include farming or trading in different commodities, wherever they are. Whatever they do, they coexist peacefully with the locals, pay their taxes, and construct homes. They are, in my opinion, succeeding for Nigeria.

We are extremely proud of the positive contributions our people are making to Nigeria. It is valued by many patriotic Nigerians.

The identity of the Ohanaeze President in Lagos State is unclear. The president is Chief Sunday Ossai, right?

Our constitution is in place. Prior to his passing, Professor George Obiozor served as chairman. The Secretary General is Ambassador Okey Emuchay. Without alerting me to any disagreement, they gave me Sunday Ossai’s position as President of the Lagos branch. According to the report I received, Solomon, the former person and someone I don’t know and have never met, had finished his four-year term. This man wants to undermine Ohanaeze because he probably thinks that some influential people will stand by him. I believe this to be the general consensus among people. To be clear, Sunday Ossai was transferred to me as President of the Lagos branch by the former President General of Ohanaeze.

Recently, we went through a very unfortunate situation. Some individuals are doing everything in their power to derail Ohanaeze, the Igbo people’s last hope, out of personal interest. It represents our desire for growth and harmony. A young child jumps up and claims to be the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Okey Emuchay, the Secretary General, has worked for Nigeria in a number of capacities. He is a man with outstanding academic and government credentials. The Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo cannot be chosen by anyone at random. Currently serving as publicity secretary is Dr. Alex Ogbonnia. The police should be notified about all of these scumbags who deceive the public.

Do people in Lagos recognize the Ezes?

The idea is ingrained in Igbo culture. Igbo people have always valued leadership. We think that without working together under a leader, life’s problems cannot be overcome. The issues may be caused by people, society, or the economy. The fact that Igbo band together wherever they are, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere, has saved them. In numerous ways, it has benefited us. The Ezes are among the people who have backed me and have faith in me as President General. They hold an unassailable position because we require both their leadership and their position.

How will you, as President General, make sure that the Igbo are well protected in Lagos?

Before 1914, when Nigeria was united, Igbo had already begun to arrive in Lagos. Ikoyi didn’t exist when Igbo first arrived in Lagos, and what little there was was mostly riverine. Lekki and Victoria Island did not exist.

The Igbo are a part of Lagos’ and Africa’s development. Igbo were present from the moment the first railroad lines were constructed. It is impossible for anyone to speak honestly about Lagos’ development without mentioning Igbo.

Some Igbo have resided in Lagos since their grandparents first arrived, which was in 1914, when you talk about Lagos. The truth of the matter is that we are unique in Igboland because of a character. We are aware that we have a house, which is located in Eastern Nigeria. We are aware of our status as guests everywhere we go and have never entered a place to lay claim to it. Every Igbo man who owns a home in Lagos is a lawful property owner.

We are not in Lagos to preach a sermon about how God gave us the land. We bought it. Igboland residents have built homes in addition to developing land. Everything you see in Lekki, Victoria Island, and other parts of the city was created by people. Lagos exists today as a result of investments made by people like the Igbo. They include people from other tribes as well as the north. Igbo visited, made investments, and improved the area without overlooking their status as guests. Every Igbo man is instructed at home to uphold the local laws, and Igbo have done so throughout history.

We’ve only recently started to hear all of these tales, but I believe we have a solution and are only appealing to them because asking people to leave is a recent development. I spoke with prominent Lagos natives about it, so we are not concerned. Lagos’ top officials disagree with this viewpoint. I want you to know that Ohanaeze, under my direction, is collaborating on this issue with the five governors of the South-East. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would be met by South-East governors, according to Hope Uzodimma. I was happy to hear that they had a successful meeting with the governor of Lagos State and produced a communiqué. Lagos State’s governor performed admirably. In reality, everyone is content.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo supported Peter Obi during the election because we felt that, based on the zoning arrangement, it was our turn. We have nothing personal against Tinubu. We backed Peter Obi because we thought it was our time and because we thought he was capable. Tinubu was sworn in as president today, and the All Progressives Congress, or APC, is made up largely of Igbo people who cannot be stopped.

Peter Obi is in court, and the judiciary should make the decision rather than us. I found out the governor is in Abuja, and while I’ll make an effort to meet with him, even if I don’t, I’ll be happy to know Governor Uzodimma has seen him. We oppose the destruction of Igbo-owned properties and raising taxes levied against them.

There are many rumors going around, but I don’t think they’re true because I don’t think any government with any sense would act in such a way. I can confirm that we are currently problem-free. I’ve informed the Igbo that I spoke with influential Lagosians. I have also informed the Igbo that they are content and safe in Lagos State and that they intend to stay.

What plans do you have for additional tribes that currently reside in the South-East or intend to do so?

I follow a plan. Igboland will get more towns and commercial hubs from me. We desire investment from other tribes in Igboland. We have contributed to the growth of Lagos and other regions of Nigeria. I’m inviting others to come and return the favor while I’m President General and the head of the Igbo. Igboland should be developed by them. They should contact Ohanaeze if they are experiencing any issues. We will step in and make sure that investors who are looking for land are given it and encouraged to invest.
Don’t you think Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s problem and the lack of security will put off potential investors?

The Southeast is free of security issues. Because the young people use Nnamdi Kanu’s support as a justification, we have said “release Nnamdi.”

If we take a serious look at it, Kanu hasn’t done anything wrong. In actuality, the court ruled that he ought to be released. We, as Igbo leaders, do not understand why he is being held in custody. These people use it as a justification for staying home and doing nothing. We think that keeping Nnamdi Kanu behind bars is an effort to work with individuals who want to wreck the economies of South-Eastern states. We are pleading with the Federal Government to let Kanu go because, if he does, we will be able to identify the real agitators and criminals.

Nnamdi hasn’t been accused of any crimes, so I think President Tinubu will be able to free him. Despite not being discovered with an AK-47, he is still being detained. Nnamdi Kanu is ill, and if he passes away while incarcerated, it will cause us a lot of issues. All Igbo leaders, including the five South-East governors, have discussed his release.

If any Nigerian leader respects the Igbo, I believe he will free Kanu because doing so will ease the security issue. I want to assure you that Igboland or the South-East are not worse than other regions.

Although there are security issues nationwide, Nnamdi Kanu should be freed so that we can combat our own insecurity. There are people causing unrest in the North, and they even went to the prison in Abuja to free everyone; however, no one has been brought to justice.

They even kidnapped passengers on the train before engaging in negotiations. None of these activities have ever involved Nnamdi Kanu.

To combat climate change and enhance the quality of life for locals, the Iliya Kwache Foundation, a non-governmental organization, has given another batch of 20,000 tree seedlings to survivors of the Boko Haram insurgency in Michika Local Government, Adamawa State.

Iliya Kwache, the chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees, said in a statement on Wednesday that he organized the regular tree-planting event through his foundation to combat desert encroachment and safeguard the environment from the effects of climate change in the region.

“The foundation distributed free to residents during its mass tree planting campaign for beneficiaries to plant 20,000 tree seedlings, including Mahogany, black plum, Shea butter, olive trees, and economic trees meant to improve the quality of life of survivors of the insurgency,” he said.

Kwache tasked the government with fostering a welcoming environment for the people who are making their way back to their native countries after being forced to flee insurgencies.

In order to address climate change during the foundation’s massive tree planting effort, he also suggested designating a day as National Tree Planting Day.

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The Federal Government of Nigeria should establish a Ministry for Tree Planting and proclaim an annual National Tree Planting Day, he said. Given their numerous advantages, trees are both the best offense and defense against climate change and global warming.

The District Head, Michika, Ngida Zakawa, promised the assistance of traditional institutions while addressing the issue of pointless tree-cutting.

“We have been warning our citizens that anyone found felling trees will be punished as the governor orders. We are prepared to order vigilantes to carry out the governor’s order, he declared.

Another person who benefited from the tree seedlings, Lama Luka, praised the environmentalists’ work and stated that “mass tree planting exercises will help restore the lost glory of the environment and curb fast-encroaching desertification.”