News

Bill to Raise Health Workers Retirement Age From 60 To 65 Pass Second Reading

Published

3 hours ago

October 31, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

A bill seeking to increase the retirement age of health workers in the country from 60 to 65, and also raised the years of pensionable service from 35 to 40, has passed through secondary reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday at plenary.

The piece of legislation titled, “A bill for an act to make provisions for the retirement age for health workers in Nigeria and for related matters”, was sponsored by Rep. Waheed.

Leading debate on the general principles of the bill, Rep. Hammed explained that whem passed into law, the bill has the potential to revolutionise the healthcare sector in Nigeria.

He said: “This bill seeks to make provisions for the compulsory retirement age and years of service for Health Workers in Nigeria.

Essentially, clauses 2 and 3 of the Bill provide for- “(2) Health Workers in Nigeria shall compulsorily retire on attainment of 65 years of age or 40 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier.

“(3) Any law or the Public Service Rules requiring a person to retire from the Public Service at 60 years of age or after 35 years of service shall not apply to Health Workers in Nigeria.”

“Mr. Speaker, my respected colleagues, increasing the retirement age will retain experienced healthcare workers, allowing them to continue contributing their expertise to the sector, this is particularly important at this time that the healthcare delivery system faces significant challenges especially a shortage of skilled professionals.

“Nigeria’s healthcare sector is currently experiencing a significant depletion in both the number and quality of professionals due to two main factors.

“Firstly, a substantial number of health workers are migrating abroad in search of the proverbial golden fleece—a trend difficult to stop given the fundamental human rights of the individuals concerned.

“Secondly, the compulsory retirement age of 60 and the mandatory 35 years of service, as stipulated in the public service rules, is contributing to the exodus of experienced professionals”, he submitted.

According to him, while we cannot control the former, the latter can be addressed through the upward review of the retirement age which will be achieved by this bill.

“We have precedence for such measures, as the federal government has previously reviewed upward, the retirement age for certain categories of public servants, including judges, lecturers, and teachers.

“My respected colleagues will recall that in May 2021, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment reached an agreement with stakeholders in the health sector to increase the retirement age for health workers from 60 to 65 years, hence the need to backup the agreement with legislation.

“In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, my respected colleagues, this piece of legislation that seeks to make provisions for the compulsory retirement age and years of service for Health Workers in Nigeria is a well-thought-out initiative that addresses the needs of our healthcare sector.

“I urge my fellow colleagues to support that this bill, which has the potential of transforming the lives of millions of Nigerians and contribute to the country’s economic growth be read the second time”.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the Harmonised Retirement Age for Health Workers in Nigeria Bill, 2024 was read for the first time as House Bill 1577, on Thursday, 10th October 2024.

News

EU, Germany invest €17.9 million to boost renewable energy in Nigeria

Published

36 mins ago

October 31, 2024

Austin Ojomah

* 154,000 Nigerians to have access to power

The European Union (EU) and the German Government, have announced a €17.9milion investment on renewable energy, energy efficiency and rural electrification in Nigeria,

The funding cane on Thursday at the official launching of the the third phase of the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), geared towards
boosting private sector investments in clean, efficient, and reliable energy solutions across the country.

Naijablitznews recalls that the NESP was first launched in 2013, as a technical support programme co-funded by the EU and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The programme is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in collaboration with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Power (FMP) to build an accessible and sustainable energy landscape in Nigeria.

Under the third phase ( NESP3), 154,000 people are expected to have new or improved access to electricity while 30,000 people will have access to Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) for clean cooking, among others.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman, who flagged off the activities marking the commencement of NESP3 in Abuja, said that the programme would build on the achievements of NESP II by attracting more investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as support towards the objectives of Nigeria’s Electricity Act 2013.

Mamman lauded the EU and German government for their support to Nigeria especially for ensuring energy security in the most affordable and sustainable manner.

Head of Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Inga Stefanowicz, stressed the EU’s dedication to Nigeria’s energy security. “A cleaner energy future requires commitment from all stakeholders, this new phase continues to support renewable growth and the development of innovative models, like electricity franchising, that will bolster reliable power for beneficiaries,” she said.

German Deputy Ambassador, Johannes Lehne, reaffirmed Germany’s support, and outlined the essential role of renewable technologies in Nigeria’s energy transition.

He noted that investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency are key to diversifying Nigeria’s energy mix and advancing decarbonisation goals outlined in the Energy Transition Plan (ETP).

Head of NESP, Duke Benjamin, also stressed that collaboration with public and private stakeholders will be critical in achieving the programme goals.

“The 3rd phase aims to bring sustainable energy solutions to rural communities, healthcare facilities, and businesses, ensuring energy access that drives growth and improves quality of life in Nigeria,” he stated.

News

Reps Urge FG to Design Model For Local Refiners In Petroleum Production

Published

2 hours ago

October 31, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to develope a blueprint to allow indigenous refiners in the nation’s petroleum production value chain.

This resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion on the “Need to reform and regulate Nigerian petroleum production activities to integrate artisanal refiners in the production value chain”, by the Deputy Minority Whip, Rep. George Ozodinobi, on Thursday at plenary.

Debating the motion, Rep. Ozodinobi highlighted that constitutionally, it is important to harness the nation’s resources to increase prosperity.

According to him, lives and revenues have been lost due to government’s inability to recognise, regulate, and control artisanal refining of petroleum products, a practice which he said has been prevalent in the Niger Delta region for decades.

He further noted that in 2016, the Federal Government proposed the integration of artisanal refiners into mainstream operations in the oil and gas sector to promote the inclusion of more local content in the industry and advance the use of home-grown technology in the refining of petroleum products in the region.

Reo. Ozodinobi stated that after seven decades of massive devastation and environmental degradation of the Niger Delta with its ecosystem, policymakers are still oblivious to the crucial need to encourage artisanal refining and lay a foundation for the local technology that will salvage Nigeria from its energy poverty.

He lamented the stigmatization of indigenous artisanal refiners as ‘oil thieves’ stressing that

“The deployment of the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to destroy artisanal refineries in an unprofessional manner further degrade the environment which provides the energy needs of communities in the Niger Delta.”

“This neglect of local refiners according has left Nigeria with four moribund refineries for decades, a globally rated exporter of crude oil and chronic importer of finished petroleum products with a litany of woes as confirmed by the ongoing fuel crisis and validated by the alleged conspiracy against the Dangote Refinery”, he said.

He further urged Nigeria to be committed to the promotion of indigenous technology in line with the examples laid by advanced nations of the world including Japan, the United States of America, and China, among others.

The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu who presided over the plenary, urged the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to study and articulate a regulatory legal framework to integrate artisanal refiners into the formal crude oil production value chain.

The House, unanimously adopted the motion when put to a voice vote and mandated its Committees on Petroleum Resources-Downstream, Upstream, and Midstream as well as Local Content to ensure compliance and report within four weeks for further legislative action.

Entertainment

SAD! Veteran Nigerian actor dies

Published

6 hours ago

October 31, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Nigerian film industry and Yoruba cultural scene have been thrown into mourning over the passing of veteran actor, Pa Charles Olumo Sanyaolu, popularly known as Agbako, who died at the remarkable age of 102.

The veteran actor was said to have died early Thursday morning after taking a nap and complaining of slight tiredness.

President of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji Amusan, also known as Mr Latin announced his passing, saying burial details will be announced soon by his family and association.

Agbako, a beloved figure in the Yoruba film industry, is now remembered as the oldest actor within the Nigerian film sector, whose life spanned over a century and left an indelible mark on the cultural heritage of Nigeria.

News of Agbako’s passing was confirmed by fellow Nollywood veteran Jide Kosoko, who announced the somber event to colleagues and fans, sparking an outpouring of condolences from actors, filmmakers, and fans alike.

The actor’s influence on the Yoruba movie industry was profound, with countless admirers who grew up watching his performances in classic Yoruba films.

Agbako was renowned for his portrayal of bold and often complex characters, bringing a unique flair and authenticity to the screen that won him generations of fans.