News
Civil Society Organisation to FG: Implement the Expatriate Employment Levy in the national interest
National Convener of Labour & Civil Society Coalition (LASCO), Comrade Tony Erha, has stressed the importance of retaining the expatriate employment levy [EEL] despite mounting pressure for its cancellation by some interest groups.
The EEL, together with the handbook, was launched on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
Erha, in a statement issued in Abuja against the backdrop of Federal Government’s decision to temporarily suspend implementation of the EEL to allow for more stakeholders’ engagement, earnestly pleaded for the retention of the levy.
He underscored the manifold benefits of the levy, emphasizing its pivotal role in income generation, employment provision for the nation’s youth, and the promotion of local content development.
The expatriate employment levy, a fee imposed on companies for hiring foreign workers, has recently been a subject of contention, with National Employers’ Consultative Assembly [NECA] and a couple of other interest groups opposing its implementation.
Throwing its weight behind the levy, Erha advised the Federal Governent not to capitulate to demand for its cancellation.
He cited the “significant advantages the EEL brings to Nigeria’s economic landscape,” pointing out that “those criticising it are doing so only for selfish reasons.”
According to him: “Income generation is vital for the sustenance of any economy. The expatriate employment levy serves as a crucial source of revenue for the government, contributing to national development initiatives and infrastructure projects.”
Erha underscored the role of the levy in addressing the issue of unemployment among Nigerian youth.
“By incentivizing companies to prioritize local talent over foreign hires, the levy creates job opportunities for young Nigerians, thereby fostering youth empowerment and economic inclusion.
“Unemployment remains a pressing concern in our country, particularly among the youth.
“The retention of the expatriate employment levy is instrumental in promoting job creation and reducing dependency on foreign expertise,” he stated.
Erha emphasized the importance of nurturing local content development across various industries.
According to him: “By levying a fee on the employment of expatriates, the government encourages companies to invest in local talent and skills development, ultimately fostering indigenous capacity-building and technological advancement.
“We must prioritize the development of our local workforce and industries. The expatriate employment levy incentivises companies to transfer knowledge and expertise to Nigerian workers, thus enhancing our capacity for innovation and economic self-reliance.”
He adverted attention to the global context, pointing out that “many other countries impose similar levies on expatriate employment.
“Nigeria is not alone in implementing such measures. Numerous countries around the world recognize the importance of regulating expatriate employment to safeguard their economies and promote indigenous workforce development.”
He urged the Federal Government to stand firm in its decision to implement the expatriate employment levy, after hearing out NECA and co, emphasizing its critical role in revenue generation, youth empowerment, and local content development.
According to him: “Now more than ever, we need to prioritize policies that advance the interests of our nation and its people. The expatriate employment levy is a cornerstone of such policies and should be upheld for the greater good of Nigeria.”
Bandits have k!lled seven farmers, including a vigilante, and burnt 50 bags of maize inside a truck in Bangi, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
Sources on Saturday, November 23, told Daily Trust that the victims had gone to bring the harvested maize home from their farm when the bandits ambushed them, k!lled all the occupants in the truck and set the truck.
Bandits have killed seven of our farmers who had gone to farm to bring the maize they had harvested home. The attackers hid and waited until after the victims had loaded the 50 bags of maize into the truck and were about to take off to return home when they opened fire on them. After k!lling the victims, they also set the truck and the 50 bags of maize already loaded ablaze,” a source said.
He said it was difficult for farmers in Mariga to harvest their crops this year due to k!llings and kidnappings by bandits.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Ghieakhomo Dunia announces the passing unto eternal glory of Rt. Rev. Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Auchi, during the solemnity of Christ the King
Rev. Monsignor is the oldest Catholic Priest in Nigeria.
Monsignor Oleghe death is very remarkable as the centenarian died during the feast of Christ the King.
The demise of the priest of the order of Melchizedek should be best described as (TRANSITION TO GLORY)
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has given accreditation to more foreign schools to write the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani, disclosed this in a statement.
The newly accredited schools are in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea.
“NECO Accreditation Team visited the Schools to assess their readiness to write the SSCE and BECE.
“The Accreditation Team inspected classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer laboratories, workshops, examination halls and sport facilities to determine their adequacy and suitability for NECO Examinations.
“After a thorough evaluation and comprehensive assessment, the schools were granted full SSCE and full BECE accreditation status,” the statement said.
The statement added that the accreditation of additional foreign schools is a testament to NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and assessment beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for students worldwide to benefits from its expertise, thus contributing to the advancement of education in Africa and beyond.”
In another development, the statement disclosed that candidates are participating in the on-going NECO SSCE External in Diffa, Niger Republic.
“The UNHCR School, Diffa, Niger Republic is the first NECO SSCE External Centre outside Nigeria.”
NECO examinations are now written by candidates in Benin Republic, Togo, Cote’ d’Ivoire, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Saudi Arabia.
Insecurity! Bandits k!ll 7 farmers, burn 50 bags of maize in Niger state
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SAD! Roman Catholic Oldest Priest Monsignor Thomas Oleghe dies at 103
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