BY ALEX UDOH
The communication sector has witnessed dramatic developments as the years have gone by. While many modern communication methods have evolved, the time tested approaches of the past have not been forgotten. One of such methods, which is the postal services has also evolved in time with the modern trends. Post administrations in Africa are therefore celebrating the Pan African Post Day, a day set aside for authorities of the Post in the continent to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU) in 1980. The day is also intended for Postal authorities of member countries to sensitize the public and Government officials on the role of the Post in general and that of PAPU in particular, in the development and improvement of the postal services in the continent. The noble contributions of Postal services to socio-economic and cultural development of African countries MUST BE UNDERSCORED. The Post is undoubtedly one of the most widely USED means of communication for the majority of the world’s population. It is also a crucial, but often neglected force for economic development serving as an intermediary between business organizations and their customers in the exchange of goods and services. The Post is present almost everywhere even in the remotest corners of many countries and serves as a key point of access to the outside world. Its doors are open to all without discrimination thereby making it a fundamentally universal phenomenon and a force of integration. In the fabric of a global society, postal service remains a thread that touches everyone serving as powerful vehicle of communication and agent of social cohesion. The Post is increasingly playing its role as a key communication network in society touching lives at personal and community levels, enabling small and large business transactions within AND between countries, and thus significantly contributing to socio-economic development. Through its famed postage stamps, the Post disseminates the history, national symbols, politics, cultural heritage, and natural features of nations. The Post network moves tones of merchandise in small packets, parcels and bulk mail within and across borders, it facilities money transfer across regions and continents, and in most countries Post offices have become hubs, providing much needed access to communication facilities to large number of people in both the urban and rural areas. In Africa, the Post provides vital communication services to the vast majority of people under the universal service obligations, ensuring that every individual benefits from accessible and affordable services regardless of their location or status in the society.
Thus, the Post plays a catalytic role in cementing lasting ties for regional integration, cutting across cultural, educational, commercial, social and political spheres. The various sub regions in the African continent have established regional economic communities to push the political, social and economic integration agenda forward. This no doubt will ensure rapid expansion of markets and more opportunities for growth and employment creation. In Nigeria, NIPOST under the leadership of Mallam Ibrahim Muri Baba has taken tremendous strides to popularise postal services inspite of the new technology in telecommunication services such as GSM text SMS messages. The Post is part and parcel of these efforts as the sub region Postal Organizations are closely involved in the development strategies of the regional economic blocs. By guiding postal services in Africa, PAPU has become a driver of economic and social development, laying the groundwork to promote positive change in a digital era, especially among underserved communities in rural and urban areas. NIPOST will continue to play a dominant role in Post and Telecommunication sector of the Nigerian Economy as Africa celebrates the 2011 Pan African Post Day.
SOURCE: RECORDED LIVE FROM FRCN DAILY COMMENTARY
Friday, July 1, 2011
QUALITY AND SAFETY OF STREET VENDED FOOD IN NIGERIA
BY
FIDEL AZUBUIKE AGU
There are few things in life that involves as much trust as eating food prepared by some one else. This brings to mind the activities of street food vendors in Nigeria. By way of simple definition, street vended foods are ready-to-eat food and beverages prepared and or sold by vendors and hawkers especially in streets and other public places. They are likely to be the least expensive and most accessible means of obtaining ones daily nutritional needs when out of home. They could be stationary, mobile or semi-mobile. The availability and accessibility of street vended foods not withstanding, the quality and safety have remained a thing of serious concern.
According to surveys carried out in 2006 and 2007 by the department of Public Health of the Federal Ministry of Health, there were more than two million recorded cases of food borne diseases in the country with the number of death put at over five hundred. Some of these cases could be linked to consumption of contaminated street vended foods. Also in 2008, the Consumer Protection Council’s, CPC, survey on street vended foods within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, was to say the least tragic, as it also gave a similar scenario that presupposes that the situation could be worse in the hinterland where most facilities such as portable water and electricity are irregular.
Have we spared a thought on not only the hygienic preparation of most of the junk foods we eat, but even the packaging and presentation? The Akara we buy from the road side seller is either wrapped with old newspapers or cement bag. The Kilishi (spiced dried meat) is wrapped with cement bag. Suya and many more, also pass through this ugly and unhealthy process before we eat them.
Do we also know that heaps of old newspapers and other kinds of papers are a good habitual for cockroaches and other insects that can cause serious illness such as malaria, cholera, typhoid, dysentery, diarrhea etc. Do we also realize the harmful effects of cement to our body system? One is aware that in most homes from where these newspapers and cement bags are sold to the Suya or Akara sellers, they apply the popular but deadly otapiapia to ward off the menace of cockroaches and other insects that breed in their homes because of the presence of such heaps of papers. The Kunu seller picks her used bottled water cans from the streets not minding what it has been subjected to. Is it the popular pure water that is produced without the least hygienic and environmental regulations. The list is indeed endless. Nigeria is an agrarian country blessed with a variety of food. Regrettably, a majority of our food vendors, particularly street food vendors are not conversant with the best practices in street food presentation, packaging and preservation.
Indeed, many of them do not know how to prepare and vend these food items in the most hygienic manner. Over the years, Nigerians have come to appreciate local delicacies commonly hawked in our streets to the extend that it has now become a tradition to patronize such foods. However, whereas this can be considered as positively promoting our culture and tourism, there is need for Nigerians to be protected from health hazards associated with street vended foods. Health, they say, is wealth and it is our responsibility as concerned citizens to ensure that food vended to consumers are hygienically prepared, packaged and presented. Major stakeholders should draw public attention to the numerous issues that surround quality and safety of street vended food by carefully educating our street food vendors and environmental health workers on these issues. Ultimately, they should ensure that food delicacies such as suya (barbecued meat on sticks) Kilishi (spiced dried meat) Kulikuli (biscuits from ground nuts or maize) Isiewu (goat-head pepper soup) Moi-moi, Akara (bean cake) and a host of other foods which most Nigerians enjoy and patronize are prepared and served in a way that they enhance good health rather than constitute health problems.
We can not therefore afford to toil with the life of Nigerians, it becomes imperative that vendors in Nigeria should be registered and made to pass basic health and hygienic examinations before they engage in street food vending business. They should also source for good quality raw materials in food preparation and provide standard packaging that will preserve the quality of food items. It is on this note that the synergy between the National Orientation Agency and the Consumer Protection Council to train street Food Vendors on appropriate food preparation methods, presentation and preservation, as well as the maintenance of good personal hygiene by all those engaged in the business of food vending is commendable. We hope this engagement will be sustained and be made to permeate the entire fabric of our society.
SOURCE: RECORDED LIVE FROM FRCN DAILY COMMENTARY
FIDEL AZUBUIKE AGU
There are few things in life that involves as much trust as eating food prepared by some one else. This brings to mind the activities of street food vendors in Nigeria. By way of simple definition, street vended foods are ready-to-eat food and beverages prepared and or sold by vendors and hawkers especially in streets and other public places. They are likely to be the least expensive and most accessible means of obtaining ones daily nutritional needs when out of home. They could be stationary, mobile or semi-mobile. The availability and accessibility of street vended foods not withstanding, the quality and safety have remained a thing of serious concern.
According to surveys carried out in 2006 and 2007 by the department of Public Health of the Federal Ministry of Health, there were more than two million recorded cases of food borne diseases in the country with the number of death put at over five hundred. Some of these cases could be linked to consumption of contaminated street vended foods. Also in 2008, the Consumer Protection Council’s, CPC, survey on street vended foods within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, was to say the least tragic, as it also gave a similar scenario that presupposes that the situation could be worse in the hinterland where most facilities such as portable water and electricity are irregular.
Have we spared a thought on not only the hygienic preparation of most of the junk foods we eat, but even the packaging and presentation? The Akara we buy from the road side seller is either wrapped with old newspapers or cement bag. The Kilishi (spiced dried meat) is wrapped with cement bag. Suya and many more, also pass through this ugly and unhealthy process before we eat them.
Do we also know that heaps of old newspapers and other kinds of papers are a good habitual for cockroaches and other insects that can cause serious illness such as malaria, cholera, typhoid, dysentery, diarrhea etc. Do we also realize the harmful effects of cement to our body system? One is aware that in most homes from where these newspapers and cement bags are sold to the Suya or Akara sellers, they apply the popular but deadly otapiapia to ward off the menace of cockroaches and other insects that breed in their homes because of the presence of such heaps of papers. The Kunu seller picks her used bottled water cans from the streets not minding what it has been subjected to. Is it the popular pure water that is produced without the least hygienic and environmental regulations. The list is indeed endless. Nigeria is an agrarian country blessed with a variety of food. Regrettably, a majority of our food vendors, particularly street food vendors are not conversant with the best practices in street food presentation, packaging and preservation.
Indeed, many of them do not know how to prepare and vend these food items in the most hygienic manner. Over the years, Nigerians have come to appreciate local delicacies commonly hawked in our streets to the extend that it has now become a tradition to patronize such foods. However, whereas this can be considered as positively promoting our culture and tourism, there is need for Nigerians to be protected from health hazards associated with street vended foods. Health, they say, is wealth and it is our responsibility as concerned citizens to ensure that food vended to consumers are hygienically prepared, packaged and presented. Major stakeholders should draw public attention to the numerous issues that surround quality and safety of street vended food by carefully educating our street food vendors and environmental health workers on these issues. Ultimately, they should ensure that food delicacies such as suya (barbecued meat on sticks) Kilishi (spiced dried meat) Kulikuli (biscuits from ground nuts or maize) Isiewu (goat-head pepper soup) Moi-moi, Akara (bean cake) and a host of other foods which most Nigerians enjoy and patronize are prepared and served in a way that they enhance good health rather than constitute health problems.
We can not therefore afford to toil with the life of Nigerians, it becomes imperative that vendors in Nigeria should be registered and made to pass basic health and hygienic examinations before they engage in street food vending business. They should also source for good quality raw materials in food preparation and provide standard packaging that will preserve the quality of food items. It is on this note that the synergy between the National Orientation Agency and the Consumer Protection Council to train street Food Vendors on appropriate food preparation methods, presentation and preservation, as well as the maintenance of good personal hygiene by all those engaged in the business of food vending is commendable. We hope this engagement will be sustained and be made to permeate the entire fabric of our society.
SOURCE: RECORDED LIVE FROM FRCN DAILY COMMENTARY
PERSPECTIVE ON NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY
BY
SALISU NA’INNA DAMBATTA
Nigeria’s contemporary diplomacy cum foreign policy took-off sometime in 1957 when as a British colony the country sent 12 diplomatic personnel overseas to serve as trainee diplomats, or rather, understudy, the nuances of diplomatic practice in British missions in some parts of the world. A few days after gaining independence, Nigeria established a ministry for foreign and commonwealth relations. The county joined the United Nations organisation within the first week of becoming independent. Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa doubled as minister of foreign Affairs, before handing over the portfolio to Mr. Jaja Wachukwu, who served in that capacity between1961 and 1965.
From that modest beginning, Nigeria’s international relations grew into a systematic and purposeful pursuit, guided by our national social, economic and political interests, just as it is with other countries. Other objectives or ideals that drove the foreign policy focus included a commitment to end colonization on the African continent, the elimination of apartheid, and the promotion of peace and unity on the African continent as well as good neighbourliness. Nigeria’s determined effort to end apartheid in south Africa and colonial domination by other countries in Africa was done in various ways: It trained cadres of the anti-apartheid movements, funded some of their activities, offered sanctuary to some of their leaders and backed united nations and organisation of African unity (OAU) sanctions against south Africa. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. h. Odein Ajumogobia emphasised this point in a speech to the US’ Council on foreign Relations on August 4, 2010 in Washington DC “Even in periods of our own domestic difficulties, Nigeria has never been a bystander in African or world Affairs.
It was in the front lines of the struggle for liberation in Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. Today, from Guinea Bissau to Guinea Conakry, Congo DRC, Liberia to Sierra Leon, Niger Republic to Cote D’voire, Chad to Sudan, no one could justifiably deny Nigeria’s efforts, commitment and impact, ECOWAS, a sub-regional organisation that has successfully pioneered the establishment of a standing peace-keeping force (ECOWAS), now the ECOWAS stand by force) has undoubtedly made historic impact in Liberia, Sierra Leon and Cote d’voire. The feat achieved by ECOWAS would be inconceivable without Nigeria’s contribution and leadership role” From independence in 1960 to date, Nigeria had sustained a positive posture in its relations with other countries in the world, recording only a few conflicts with other countries, notably border disputes which led to limited military skirmishes with Chad and Cameroon in the Lake Chad region both, and over Bakassi with the latter.
The foreign policy focus of the country remained largely the same despite the hard diplomatic lessons of the civil war and military rule, except for a shift in emphasis and the usual pragmatism, flexibility and a dose of self-assertion, leading to a diversification of friends. This was manifested in the forging of closer diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with the defunct Soviet Union and a few other countries that supported the federal side during the war. The Non-Aligned movement which Nigeria joined in its earliest stage reflected its desire to be neutral in the ideological conflict and struggle for supremacy between the communism/socialism and capitalism. Its contribution of military personnel to the United Nations for peace keeping which started in the 1960s in Congo Kinshasa (Zaire) has been appreciated worldwide, earning the country appreciation and respect in the comity of nations. Working with the United Nations, the economic community of West African states and the African union, Nigeria played a decisive role in restoring peace, political stability and the preservation of Sierra Leone and Liberia. It committed human and material resources to end devastating internal conflicts in the two countries. As Nigeria’s economy and self-confidence grew over time, it gradually joined or initiated regional bilateral or multi-lateral institutions. It created structures that serve as vehicles for the achievement of some of its foreign policy ideals and add more substance and coherence to its international relations, without losing sight of its afro-centric foundation. The creation of the ministry of integration and cooperation in African, which is now subsumed by the ministry of foreign affairs; the directorate for technical cooperation in Africa and the technical aids corps are good examples. The Directorate for technical cooperation in Africa for example, has the following broad objective: To promote technology transfer through technical cooperation between nigeria and other countries in Africa; to promote the exchange of highlevel research experts in science and technology, Humanities and Arts; to provide sustainable funding for the scientific and technical exchange programmes (STEP); to provide a database of all Nigeria and African experts in Science and technology, Humanities and Arts and to facilitate capacity building for research and development in Africa. Its other objectives are to generate new ideas for Africa’s development through cooperative research and collaborative development activities; to cultivate and expand strategic relationships with key agencies in order to stimulate growth and development and to facilitate cooperation and integration in Africa through the transfer and diffusion of technology and dissemination of innovations. The Directorate was able to execute some programmes, using the fund at its disposal, the largest chunk of which was contributed by Nigeria. Its most impact is in the areas of raising awareness of the problems of Lake Chad, whch is now just a big muddy pool. A government document for public enlightenment on Nigeria foreign affairs said that ‘the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1987 established the Nigerian Technical and Corps (TAC) scheme as a “foreign policy tool that would serve specific national interests”
The informational document explained the background of the TAC further “the TAC programme is an alternative to direct financial aid for African, Caribean and pacific (ACP) nations. It is designed not only to provide manpower assistance in all fields of human endeavour, but to also represent a practical demonstration of South-South co-operation, but to also represent a practical demonstration of South-South co-operation “(South-South refers to underdeveloped and developing countries in the Southern hemisphere)” The informational document listed the key objectives of the scheme “Sharing Nigeria’s know-how and expertise with other ACP countries; giving assistance on the basis of assessed and perceive the needs of recipient countries; promoting cooperation and understanding between youths of Nigeria and those of recipient countries and complementing other assistance to ACP countries”. The other objectives are: “ ensuring a streamlined programme of assistance to other developing countries; acting as a channel through which South-South collaboration is enhanced and establishing a presence in countries which for economic reasons, Nigeria has no resident diplomatic mission.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. H. Odein Ajumogobia in his speech in Washington DC spoke of the impact of “Nigeria’s Technical and Corps volunteer, engineers, nurses, Doctors, Teachers, Lawyers in far-flung places as Namibia, Mozambique. Gambia, Seychelles and the Carbbean to name a few. And this has been on-going without break for nearly 20 years. over foreign policy in Africa is first and foremost, based on a clear conviction that our destiny is ultimately and inexorably connected to those of our neighbours and Africans in Diaspora” There is no doubt that, the TAC has contributed in projecting the positive image of Nigeria in the world. Finding indicate that “the TAC has generated an over whelming interest from both Nigerian volunteers and recipient countries under the biennium TAC scheme. The strength of the TAC programme and its assistance programme geared towards the development of recipient countries. In addition to the DICA and TAC among other instruments of foreign policy, Nigeria in 1987 conceived the concert of Medium Powers or Lagos Forum, comprising of Nigeria, Sweden, Austria, Zimbabwe, and Egypt.
It is no longer functioning, but then Nigeria is a member of D8 countries, which held its last summit in Nigeria. The Developing eight countries which groups Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey and Iran in an economic alliance is another platform for Nigeria to pursue her national interests and be in friendly relations with countries that share and respect our national values. The deliberate, skilful and sober manner with which Nigeria recently managed the crisis with Iran over the arrival of some weapons in 13 containers from an Iranian port was impressive. The ability of Nigeria to deflect pressure from elsewhere to treat the matter in a disproportionate manner, without causing any diplomatic offence is an evidence of the calmness with which issues are determined in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That is how it should be after 50 years of practice. Indeed, Nigeria’s roles in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) , the African Unoin, the Organisation for the Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Commonwealth, the United Nations Organisation (UNO) and various other regional groups in the last fifty years have been remarkable and consequently raised our profile from a country without diplomatic missions of its own in 1957, to a power to reckon with in global affairs. This is worthy of celebrating.
SALISU NA’INNA DAMBATTA
Nigeria’s contemporary diplomacy cum foreign policy took-off sometime in 1957 when as a British colony the country sent 12 diplomatic personnel overseas to serve as trainee diplomats, or rather, understudy, the nuances of diplomatic practice in British missions in some parts of the world. A few days after gaining independence, Nigeria established a ministry for foreign and commonwealth relations. The county joined the United Nations organisation within the first week of becoming independent. Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa doubled as minister of foreign Affairs, before handing over the portfolio to Mr. Jaja Wachukwu, who served in that capacity between1961 and 1965.
From that modest beginning, Nigeria’s international relations grew into a systematic and purposeful pursuit, guided by our national social, economic and political interests, just as it is with other countries. Other objectives or ideals that drove the foreign policy focus included a commitment to end colonization on the African continent, the elimination of apartheid, and the promotion of peace and unity on the African continent as well as good neighbourliness. Nigeria’s determined effort to end apartheid in south Africa and colonial domination by other countries in Africa was done in various ways: It trained cadres of the anti-apartheid movements, funded some of their activities, offered sanctuary to some of their leaders and backed united nations and organisation of African unity (OAU) sanctions against south Africa. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. h. Odein Ajumogobia emphasised this point in a speech to the US’ Council on foreign Relations on August 4, 2010 in Washington DC “Even in periods of our own domestic difficulties, Nigeria has never been a bystander in African or world Affairs.
It was in the front lines of the struggle for liberation in Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. Today, from Guinea Bissau to Guinea Conakry, Congo DRC, Liberia to Sierra Leon, Niger Republic to Cote D’voire, Chad to Sudan, no one could justifiably deny Nigeria’s efforts, commitment and impact, ECOWAS, a sub-regional organisation that has successfully pioneered the establishment of a standing peace-keeping force (ECOWAS), now the ECOWAS stand by force) has undoubtedly made historic impact in Liberia, Sierra Leon and Cote d’voire. The feat achieved by ECOWAS would be inconceivable without Nigeria’s contribution and leadership role” From independence in 1960 to date, Nigeria had sustained a positive posture in its relations with other countries in the world, recording only a few conflicts with other countries, notably border disputes which led to limited military skirmishes with Chad and Cameroon in the Lake Chad region both, and over Bakassi with the latter.
The foreign policy focus of the country remained largely the same despite the hard diplomatic lessons of the civil war and military rule, except for a shift in emphasis and the usual pragmatism, flexibility and a dose of self-assertion, leading to a diversification of friends. This was manifested in the forging of closer diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with the defunct Soviet Union and a few other countries that supported the federal side during the war. The Non-Aligned movement which Nigeria joined in its earliest stage reflected its desire to be neutral in the ideological conflict and struggle for supremacy between the communism/socialism and capitalism. Its contribution of military personnel to the United Nations for peace keeping which started in the 1960s in Congo Kinshasa (Zaire) has been appreciated worldwide, earning the country appreciation and respect in the comity of nations. Working with the United Nations, the economic community of West African states and the African union, Nigeria played a decisive role in restoring peace, political stability and the preservation of Sierra Leone and Liberia. It committed human and material resources to end devastating internal conflicts in the two countries. As Nigeria’s economy and self-confidence grew over time, it gradually joined or initiated regional bilateral or multi-lateral institutions. It created structures that serve as vehicles for the achievement of some of its foreign policy ideals and add more substance and coherence to its international relations, without losing sight of its afro-centric foundation. The creation of the ministry of integration and cooperation in African, which is now subsumed by the ministry of foreign affairs; the directorate for technical cooperation in Africa and the technical aids corps are good examples. The Directorate for technical cooperation in Africa for example, has the following broad objective: To promote technology transfer through technical cooperation between nigeria and other countries in Africa; to promote the exchange of highlevel research experts in science and technology, Humanities and Arts; to provide sustainable funding for the scientific and technical exchange programmes (STEP); to provide a database of all Nigeria and African experts in Science and technology, Humanities and Arts and to facilitate capacity building for research and development in Africa. Its other objectives are to generate new ideas for Africa’s development through cooperative research and collaborative development activities; to cultivate and expand strategic relationships with key agencies in order to stimulate growth and development and to facilitate cooperation and integration in Africa through the transfer and diffusion of technology and dissemination of innovations. The Directorate was able to execute some programmes, using the fund at its disposal, the largest chunk of which was contributed by Nigeria. Its most impact is in the areas of raising awareness of the problems of Lake Chad, whch is now just a big muddy pool. A government document for public enlightenment on Nigeria foreign affairs said that ‘the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1987 established the Nigerian Technical and Corps (TAC) scheme as a “foreign policy tool that would serve specific national interests”
The informational document explained the background of the TAC further “the TAC programme is an alternative to direct financial aid for African, Caribean and pacific (ACP) nations. It is designed not only to provide manpower assistance in all fields of human endeavour, but to also represent a practical demonstration of South-South co-operation, but to also represent a practical demonstration of South-South co-operation “(South-South refers to underdeveloped and developing countries in the Southern hemisphere)” The informational document listed the key objectives of the scheme “Sharing Nigeria’s know-how and expertise with other ACP countries; giving assistance on the basis of assessed and perceive the needs of recipient countries; promoting cooperation and understanding between youths of Nigeria and those of recipient countries and complementing other assistance to ACP countries”. The other objectives are: “ ensuring a streamlined programme of assistance to other developing countries; acting as a channel through which South-South collaboration is enhanced and establishing a presence in countries which for economic reasons, Nigeria has no resident diplomatic mission.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. H. Odein Ajumogobia in his speech in Washington DC spoke of the impact of “Nigeria’s Technical and Corps volunteer, engineers, nurses, Doctors, Teachers, Lawyers in far-flung places as Namibia, Mozambique. Gambia, Seychelles and the Carbbean to name a few. And this has been on-going without break for nearly 20 years. over foreign policy in Africa is first and foremost, based on a clear conviction that our destiny is ultimately and inexorably connected to those of our neighbours and Africans in Diaspora” There is no doubt that, the TAC has contributed in projecting the positive image of Nigeria in the world. Finding indicate that “the TAC has generated an over whelming interest from both Nigerian volunteers and recipient countries under the biennium TAC scheme. The strength of the TAC programme and its assistance programme geared towards the development of recipient countries. In addition to the DICA and TAC among other instruments of foreign policy, Nigeria in 1987 conceived the concert of Medium Powers or Lagos Forum, comprising of Nigeria, Sweden, Austria, Zimbabwe, and Egypt.
It is no longer functioning, but then Nigeria is a member of D8 countries, which held its last summit in Nigeria. The Developing eight countries which groups Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey and Iran in an economic alliance is another platform for Nigeria to pursue her national interests and be in friendly relations with countries that share and respect our national values. The deliberate, skilful and sober manner with which Nigeria recently managed the crisis with Iran over the arrival of some weapons in 13 containers from an Iranian port was impressive. The ability of Nigeria to deflect pressure from elsewhere to treat the matter in a disproportionate manner, without causing any diplomatic offence is an evidence of the calmness with which issues are determined in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That is how it should be after 50 years of practice. Indeed, Nigeria’s roles in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) , the African Unoin, the Organisation for the Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Commonwealth, the United Nations Organisation (UNO) and various other regional groups in the last fifty years have been remarkable and consequently raised our profile from a country without diplomatic missions of its own in 1957, to a power to reckon with in global affairs. This is worthy of celebrating.
THE NEED TO URGENTLY ADDRESS THE PAY DISPARITY AMONG VARIOUS EMPLOYEES IN THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC SECTOR
BY HARUNA IDRIS
Over THE years, disputes over pay have become legion in the nations annals. Various Trade unions have canvassed for pay increases based on their estimation of the worth of their labor. Many of them have also actively craved for separate salary scales and have succeeded in this endeavor. This crusade has resulted in many trade disputes with some leading to protracted strikes with adverse consequences for the nation and its fledgling economy.
The consequence of this clamor is that the nation now has a multiplicity of pay scales resulting in a huge disparity among the workforce. While this disparity may be acceptable between workers in the private and public sectors, it is certainly not acceptable among those in the public service who essentially perform similar and overlapping roles.
In most advanced economies, there is in place comprehensive wage policies under which collective bargaining takes place and under this mechanism they also ensure that whatever wage packages are agreed upon do not dislocate the economy of the nation. As a result, salary scales vary between the public and private sectors, but even here the difference is not that significant within the economic variables in each particular nation. It is unheard of to have very significant differentials among employees in the public sector as is the current case in Nigeria. What we rather see are peculiar allowances to take care of the professional exigencies of the various trades.
However in Nigerian there has been an absence of any discernable wage policy to guide collective bargaining. The result is a multiplicity of wage packages especially within the public sector. Various trade unions have over the years been allowed to brow beat the government to accede to their peculiar wage demands under the pretext that their jobs are different from the normal civil service schedule. While this is a valid argument, that does not account for the excessive wage differentials between public service workers.
An example can be seen where the lowest worker in a governmental establishment earns about 18 thousand naira per month while his counterpart in another governmental establishment earns 60 thousand naira. The same example applies for fresh graduates in some public establishment earning 35 thousand naira while a counterpart in another public establishment earning 150 Thousand naira. This is best seen in the wage differentials between workers in the federal government media houses and their counterparts in other government establishments.
This scenario cannot augur well for a developing economy like Nigeria’s. The concomitant effect is to dislocate the economy and retard productivity. It also has immense potential to trigger corruption.
Wage policies can make a positive contribution towards a more sustainable economic and social model. In this regard, the connection between wages and higher productivity cannot be under emphasized.
Government must take a holistic look at the nations wage policies with a view to immediately addressing the problem of huge differentials in wages especially among employees in the public sector. It is gratifying that government has taken some steps in the recent past to address this anomaly. The last pay increase approved by the federal government attempted to correct some of these problems. The recent submission of the report by a committee set up by the government to remedy this defect must be quickly implemented.
There is a need for policy makers to ensure that wages and income policies are developed within a broader regulatory framework where different policy elements are carefully articulated in a consistent and coherent manner. That way, no segment of the nation’s workforce will feel shortchanged or tagged as inferior. It is a fact that no part of a nation’s workforce can be tagged as less important than another. It is in the seamless operation of the entire gamut of a nation’s labor force that is reflected in the booming economies of the Far East and the west.
SOURCE: RECORDED LIVE FROM FRCN DAILY COMENTARY
Over THE years, disputes over pay have become legion in the nations annals. Various Trade unions have canvassed for pay increases based on their estimation of the worth of their labor. Many of them have also actively craved for separate salary scales and have succeeded in this endeavor. This crusade has resulted in many trade disputes with some leading to protracted strikes with adverse consequences for the nation and its fledgling economy.
The consequence of this clamor is that the nation now has a multiplicity of pay scales resulting in a huge disparity among the workforce. While this disparity may be acceptable between workers in the private and public sectors, it is certainly not acceptable among those in the public service who essentially perform similar and overlapping roles.
In most advanced economies, there is in place comprehensive wage policies under which collective bargaining takes place and under this mechanism they also ensure that whatever wage packages are agreed upon do not dislocate the economy of the nation. As a result, salary scales vary between the public and private sectors, but even here the difference is not that significant within the economic variables in each particular nation. It is unheard of to have very significant differentials among employees in the public sector as is the current case in Nigeria. What we rather see are peculiar allowances to take care of the professional exigencies of the various trades.
However in Nigerian there has been an absence of any discernable wage policy to guide collective bargaining. The result is a multiplicity of wage packages especially within the public sector. Various trade unions have over the years been allowed to brow beat the government to accede to their peculiar wage demands under the pretext that their jobs are different from the normal civil service schedule. While this is a valid argument, that does not account for the excessive wage differentials between public service workers.
An example can be seen where the lowest worker in a governmental establishment earns about 18 thousand naira per month while his counterpart in another governmental establishment earns 60 thousand naira. The same example applies for fresh graduates in some public establishment earning 35 thousand naira while a counterpart in another public establishment earning 150 Thousand naira. This is best seen in the wage differentials between workers in the federal government media houses and their counterparts in other government establishments.
This scenario cannot augur well for a developing economy like Nigeria’s. The concomitant effect is to dislocate the economy and retard productivity. It also has immense potential to trigger corruption.
Wage policies can make a positive contribution towards a more sustainable economic and social model. In this regard, the connection between wages and higher productivity cannot be under emphasized.
Government must take a holistic look at the nations wage policies with a view to immediately addressing the problem of huge differentials in wages especially among employees in the public sector. It is gratifying that government has taken some steps in the recent past to address this anomaly. The last pay increase approved by the federal government attempted to correct some of these problems. The recent submission of the report by a committee set up by the government to remedy this defect must be quickly implemented.
There is a need for policy makers to ensure that wages and income policies are developed within a broader regulatory framework where different policy elements are carefully articulated in a consistent and coherent manner. That way, no segment of the nation’s workforce will feel shortchanged or tagged as inferior. It is a fact that no part of a nation’s workforce can be tagged as less important than another. It is in the seamless operation of the entire gamut of a nation’s labor force that is reflected in the booming economies of the Far East and the west.
SOURCE: RECORDED LIVE FROM FRCN DAILY COMENTARY
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