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Conducive Work Environment Is Panacea For Brain Drain- Prof. Anthony Ani

Published

9 months ago

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Senate chamber
By George Mgbeleke (Abuja)
A former university lecturer and Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Professor Anthony Ani, has posited that provision of conducive work environment would bring an end to persistent brain drain being witnessed in contemporary Nigeria.
Professor Ani, who is a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stated this in an interaction with journalists in Abuja, on the causative factor to brain drain and the pragmatic way out of the socio-economic malady.
He also pointed out that the worsening and persistent state of insecurity in the country, had become a major factor that contributed to the mass exodus of Nigerians to the foreign land in search of greener pastures, as well as seeking refuge against threatening security.
On the condition of work environment in Nigeria as a pivotal force propelling people, especially professionals in diverse fields, to troop to other countries of the world, Ani argued that if government should provide friendly working conditions, most of the the people outside would return and stay, while many within the country, would be discouraged from travelling abroad in search of better employment and living conditions.
“The problem of brain drain can be addressed by doing things right, so that what is over there can be found here. They say that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. If all those benefits that they get outside are here, what is the need of going there? I never fancied going out there, because Nigeria is abundantly blessed both in human and material resources.
“If such resources as needed are made available for maximum comfort, I don’t think there will be need for people to be trooping outside. Brain drain could be stopped by making workers in all sectors to be comfortable. It is lack of comfort that is making them to go outside and look for better means of living.
“That is a very big issue and that is why I support Labour that their salaries and allowances should be increased to a level that should be able to take them home. If you look at the cost of things today, what they get cannot take care of their basic needs.
“So, that is the main issue and that promotes corruption. If what you are getting is not enough, the temptation is there for you to touch what does not belong to you. So, for brain drain to be stopped, government has to pay attention to the welfare of workers,” he argued.
On the issue of insecurity as a major cause of brain drain, Senator Ani said: “another major cause of brain drain in this country as of today is the life threatening insecurity. Nobody wants to die, and nobody wants his or her property or investments to be destroyed.
“Recently, I noticed that people are flocking out of Nigeria to go and take refuge in other countries. Even if they are not well treated in those countries, they prefer to stay there and be safe, than stay in Nigeria and constantly live in fear of terrorists or bandits attacks.
“Therefore, President Bola Tinubu has enormous task to secure this country for Nigerians to live without fear. He is doing very well, but you know that the security situation of the country had gone bad before he inherited it from the past administration. I know that the President is determined to stamp out insecurity of all kinds in the country.
“However, he needs the support of all Nigerians to continue to make progress in the fight against the menace. We should not play politics with insecurity. Terrorists don’t know whether you are from the North or South, East or West. I am therefore, encouraging Nigerians to unite and help in anyway we can, while the security agencies play their part.”
Expressing his views on the current impasse between Labour unions and the Federal Government, the politician advised the Government and the workers, to consider and adopt the sum of one hundred thousand Naira (N100,000 as a reasonable, realistic and sustainable living wage for Nigerian workers.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), are currently demanding for N494,000 as minimum wage for workers, while the Government said that it could sustainably pay N60,000, a development that made the Organised Labour, to order its members to commence an indefinite strike from last week Monday, June 3, 2024, nationwide.
The decision of Labour to embark on industrial action followed the deadlock between the Federal Government and the Labour Unions in agreeing on a new national minimum wage and reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs.
The Labour unions went on strike on Monday last week as announced, but later suspended it on Tuesday for five days, to allow for further negotiation with the Government on acceptable and sustainable minimum wage for workers.
In his opinion, Senator Ani said: “The N494,000 Labour is asking Government to pay as minimum wage is not realistic. The economists and statisticians are there to do the calculation and come up with a reasonable salary; a salary that can carry you and carry your family. They call it a living wage; living wage should be given to workers.
“I recommend one hundred thousand Naira minimum wage per month for workers. I am sure Nigeria can afford that. It depends on where you are living. One hundred thousand Naira can take you, if you are living in a rural area where you don’t pay all these bills they are paying in township.
“You only have a few of those on level 1 step 1 in urban towns. Such people could be cleaners. I don’t think there is any driver who will be on level 1 step 1. I think such people are attached to big men they are serving. So, in this case, they are not going to pay rent. They only pay transportation and other menial expenses. So, it can take them.”
The lawmaker, who taught Agricultural Science in different reputable Nigerian Universities before he resigned and joined active politics, also advised Nigerian workers to try and acquire skills as well as go into subsistent farming to be able to earn additional income to augment their salaries.
“It also calls for people to be creative. As you are doing that, you have to have plan B; to have a fallback situation. That is why those of us who are farmers, we encourage people to go to farm. Every weekend, you go to your farm.
“You cannot understand the gains that can come from such activities. We are not saying that you should go into large scale farming but something that can help sustain you and your family. Some people sew clothes, some mend shoes and other artisanal activities to earn additional income,” he stated.
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Politics

IPU cannot consider Natasha’s petition – Jimoh Ibrahim

Published

24 hours ago

on

March 14, 2025

By

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman of the Senate Inter-parliamentary Committee, remarked that the purported petition from the suspended Senator Natasha is “dead on arrival.”

He emphasised that Nigeria, rather than Senator Natasha, is the member of the IPU.

A petition can only be lodged against another member state by a member state.

This implies that the IPU cannot consider petitions from individuals who are not members.

The suspended Senator Natasha is not a member of the IPU, but Nigeria is!
Additionally, the suspended Senator cannot represent the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I served as the interim president of the IPU in Geneva in 2023, and I am familiar with how the IPU operates after presiding over its proceedings.

Furthermore, as Chairman of the Inter- parliamentary Committee in the Nigerian Senate, I did not approve or authorise the suspended Senator Natasha to attend the IPU on behalf of Nigeria to the Senate President.”

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Politics

Senate moves to establish Early Voting for Nigerians on essential duties during elections …..As Bill scales 2nd reading 

Published

1 day ago

on

March 14, 2025

By

By George Mgbeleke
The Senate on Thursday passed to second reading a Bill to amend the Electoral Act to provide opportunity for Nigerians on essential duties to perform their civic duties.
The Bill sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz zMusa Yar’adua seeks to amend the Electoral Act tagged “Electoral Act(Amendment -Early Voting Bill) 2024.

Senate in session in the chamber

In his lead debate Senator Yar’adua noted that the Bill seeks to enfranchise a significant group of Nigerians who, due to the nature of their duties on election days, are denied the opportunity to exercise their most fundamental democratic right; the right to vote.
He said,”This very important bill seeking to introduce early voting in the Electoral Act 2022 to enhance the inclusion, participation and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process, and for related matters, was read for the first time on Wednesday, the 15th day of May  2024.
“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, due to the far-reaching nature of this Bill, let me crave your indulgence to extensively highlight the background, which I believe will not only provide a proper context for this legislative initiative but also motivate this hallowed chamber to accelerate the legislative process in enacting the Bill.
“Background and Rationale
In any democratic process, equal opportunity must be given to all citizens to participate in elections regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, occupation or socioeconomic status. This ensures the true reflection of the will of the people thereby enhancing the stability of the democratic process. Unfortunately, a huge number of Nigerians who are involved in making Nigeria’s elections a success are excluded from the crucial decision-making of choosing their leaders through the ballot.”
The lawmaker further observed that,”Over one million citizens who play critical roles in ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections are disenfranchised.
” These include INEC officials, including ad-hoc staff, the security personnel, journalists, observers and others who work on election day to uphold the integrity of the process are effectively denied their right to vote because they are deployed to polling units far from where they registered. This is an irony that should not be lost on us, and this bill seeks to correct that by making provision for early voting for such citizens.
“Mr President, Distinguished Colleagues, this exclusion has characterised all elections in the Fourth Republic and became more alarming in the 2023 General Elections with over 1 million ad-hoc staff, 310,973 police personnel, 93,495 military and Department of State Service (DSS) personnel, 51,000 personnel from the National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), 21,000 from the Federal Road Safety Corps, 11,336 from the Nigeria Correctional Service, 9,447 from the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and 350 personnel from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who were actively engaged in election activities were disenfranchised. Similarly, the Independent National Electoral Commission reported that 144,800 observers were deployed by 196 national and domestic organisations, with the implication that those citizens were also unable to vote. This is in addition to journalists and others involved in elections in various capacities. The number of those excluded from voting could change the outcomes of election results.”
Continuing he said,”Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, the figures highlighted above makes this bill a necessity to address the ‘disenfranchisement’ of eligible voters. As lawmakers, it is our duty to ensure that every Nigerian citizen, regardless of their profession or duty on election day, has the opportunity to participate fully in the electoral process. Incorporating early voting in our electoral legal framework shall strengthen universal adult suffrage as our Constitution guarantees every eligible Nigerian the right to vote.
” Furthermore, this Bill strengthens democratic values as democracy thrives when participation is broad, inclusive, and representative. By preventing those on election duty from voting, we are limiting the breadth of participation and undermining the very principles of democracy.
“Distinguished Colleagues, here are the highlights of the bill:
Provision for eligibility and registration of early voters:  Political parties will receive a list of registered early voters to ensure transparency.
Eligible individuals include security personnel, electoral officials and those deemed eligible by the commission who must apply 30 days before the early voting date (Clause 44A (2)-(6)).
“Implementation and Voting Procedure.
A designated early voting date will be set, not more than 7 days before the general election (Section 44A (1)).
Voting centers will be established in every ward, with early votes counted on the official election day (Section 44A (10)-(17))Cross-Country Survey.”
The Lawmaker noted  that early voting has been part of the electoral legal frameworks in other jurisdictions with its attendant huge success stories in promoting voter participation, reducing election day pressure, and increasing accessibility.
” In the United States, early voting varies by State, with some states allowing a few days to several weeks (up to 45 days) in advance of election day. In Australia, early voting starts about 2-3 weeks before the election, with the 2019 federal election recording 40% of voters that cast their ballots early. In Canada, early voting takes place 12 days before election day allowing voters greater flexibility. In Germany, Postal voting is initiated four to six weeks before the election, enabling voters to participate ahead of time.
“Distinguished Colleagues, it is interesting to note that early voting has also gained traction in several African countries as a tool to improve electoral efficiency, increase voter turnout, and enhance inclusivity, especially for marginalized groups. In South Africa, the Independent Electoral Commission allows early voting 2 days before the general election for individuals such as the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, security forces, and those working on Election Day.
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Politics

No Individual Bigger Than PDP, Says Diri

Published

2 days ago

on

March 13, 2025

By

PDP zonal caretaker C'ttee members with Gov Douye Diri (2nd from the Rt)

By David Owei ,Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was bigger than any individual and that its internal challenges would be fixed once the members resolve to tackle them.

Speaking to journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday after the inauguration of the party’s South-South zonal caretaker committee led by Elder Emma Ogidi, the Bayelsa Governor said the political will to confront those fomenting trouble in the party resided with the members and not solely on the leadership.

Diri, who is also Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, stated that for the party to be competitive as the oldest in the country, it must look inwards and fix its internal issues.

He said: “For me, we have to look inwards before accusing those outside our party. We have to first fix our internal issues.

“It is very easy to point accusing fingers. But the PDP has to sit back and tackle its internal challenges. That is only when we can stand to compete with others.

“I want the PDP to be competitive with other political parties. We are the oldest political party in Nigeria. So we have no reason to be accusing outsiders.”

On whether the party’s leadership had the political will to discipline those fomenting trouble, Governor Diri averred that such will resided with the members.

“We are all members of the party. The moment we all resolve that we need to fix our party, there cannot be any one person that is bigger than the party.”

He stressed that the newly inaugurated zonal caretaker committee had the mandate of the National Working Committee to look into every issue affecting the party in the South-South.

The Bayelsa helmsman expressed the hope that the event was a step forward for the party.

“In our zone, which is the only area in the country you have four governors of the party, we have all resolved and are together on this. You can see the deputy governor of Delta State, who represented the governor. I have also received messages from the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers. It shows that we are together and what we need to do is to show leadership and work with the zonal committee so that our zone will again become safe and strong for the PDP.”

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