By Our Correspondent

The Federal Government and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund ( NSITF) Monday threw weights behind bill on Social Security Trust Fund which seeks to harmonize the existing NSITF Act and the Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA) 2010 for better service delivery.

This is as the Senate through its committee on Employment , Labour and Productivity , assured all stakeholders at public hearing organised for their inputs into the proposed legislation , very acceptable law for all .

The bill sponsored by Senator Cyril Fasuyi ( Ekiti North) , primarily seeks to expand the scope of NSITF into social security through harmonization of NSITF Act of 1993 and the Employees Compensation Act 2010 which will transformed NSITF to Nigeria Social Security Trust Fund ( NSSTF).

In his presentation at the public hearing , the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSITF , Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, commended the Senate for what he termed a “strategic and forward-looking legislative intervention.

The new bill according to him, marks a decisive step towards modernising Nigeria’s social security framework in line with global standards, especially the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), and the Tripartite Consultation Convention, 1976 (No. 144).

One of the most significant elements of the Bill, according to him, is the repeal of both the NSITF Act of 1993 and the ECA 2010.

Their co-existence, he explained, had resulted in operational ambiguities, particularly after the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 transferred contributory pension functions from NSITF to the National Pension Commission.

“The consolidation of the two Acts into a single, coherent statute is timely, necessary, and commendable. It eliminates duplication, resolves conflicts, and strengthens the legal framework of the Fund.

“The Bill’s expansion of social security coverage to include informal sector workers and self-employed persons is a historic step towards inclusive protection for all categories of working Nigerians”, he said .

Despite its broad support for the Bill, the NSITF raised concerns about what it described as the “misapplication” of the term Board throughout the document. Faleye warned that using the word to refer simultaneously to governance, oversight, and day-to-day administrative functions could create confusion and weaken accountability.

“The Board meets quarterly, while daily operations are under the Managing Director. The Bill must distinguish clearly between the Governing Board as oversight body, Management as administrators, and the Agency as the implementing institution,” he said.

He recommended that the Bill adopt clearer definitions similar to those used in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act, where the Board’s role is separated from that of the Executive Chairman, who functions as the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer.

Faleye concluded by reaffirming NSITF’s full support for the passage of the Bill, describing it as “progressive, timely, and aligned with global best practices.”

In his remarks , the Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi described the move by the Senate on the proposed law as very beautiful idea .

He however urged the Senate through its committee on Labour to arrive at safe and acceptable position for all stakeholders by striking the required balance between powers of management team and that of the board .

Though the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) and Nigerian Employers Consultative Association ( NECA ) , kicked against the bill, but NLC led by its National President, Joe Ajaero , later succumbed, saying ” we are not here for we no go gree, we no gree .. ”

” Since many of the other critical stakeholders have supported the bill, NLC is not hellbent in opposing it . But the grey areas we identified during presentation , should be addresed by the committee .

After exhaustive deliberation at the public hearing , the Committee , Chairman , Senator Diket Plang ( Plateau Central ) , assured Nigerians of very acceptable law on social security trust fund very soon .

By Our Correspondent

Disturbed the increasing cost of livelihoods suffered by Nigerians as a result of subsidy withdrawal by the federal government, Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti has assured Abians and the residents of Abia that the electric buses which the State Government is bringing into the State will further crash the cost of transportation in the State.

Governor Otti who made the declaration at the November edition of Governor’s Media chat held in Government Umuahia, said electric buses have already started arriving in the State,adding that before the end of the year, the buses would be put on the road for peoples’ use.

He explained that the buses will reduce the cost of transportation,thereby easing means of transportation as well as making life easier for Abians

“Before the end of the year,our electric buses that have started arriving,will be put on the road and that will further crash the cost of transportation in Abia”

The Governor further explained that the Government has also intensified effort on revenue drive, especially those who are owing the government, to ensure that they pay.

” As a government we do not look at faces. As a rule we do not move with touts.As a government sometimes we may intervene and even when we intervene,the defaulters must surely pay”

Governor Otti, expressed appreciation to the people of Abia for their continued support and cooperation,adding that government has continue to pay attention to governance and the government efforts have started yielding positive results.

By Emmanuel Ikpe

The Blue Way Ocean Foundation, an organization saddled with the responsibility of ensuring saver ocean environment and clean ocean ecosystem has been conferred with Award of honour as the OCEAN ENVIRONMENT CHAMPION of the year 2025 in recognition of her dedication, hard work, and outstanding performance.

The award was presented to Managing Director Blue Way Ocean Foundation, Mr Iniodu Bassey Ndada at the just concluded International Conference and Exhibition on Marine and Blue Economy (IMABEC) as advocate of Cleaner Ocean by The Institute of Maritime Studies (IMS), Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State.

This honor symbolizes IMABEC esteem and appreciation for Blue Way Ocean Foundation’s significant contributions and efforts in promoting a sustainable marine and blue economy.

IMABEC commended Blue Way Ocean Foundation for her salient contributions
within the Marine and Blue Economy coastal ecosystem, environmental management, ocean bio-diversification, coastal cleanup, pollution control, blue economy awareness campaign and environmental protection advocacy.

The award ceremony was on the 20th of November 2025 at the Gala and Award night held at Golden Tulip Hotels and Resorts, Onopa, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The MD Mr Iniodu led the delegation of the Blue Way Ocean Foundation’s on behalf of the Co Founder Rehoboth Umo Eno to receive the prestigious awards.

The event which featured panelist including NIMASA, Shippers Council of Nigeria, and Renowned Blue economy and Maritime Industry and Experts had in attendance eminent personalities like Rare Admirals, to DG NIMASA and reputable other Nigerians.

Amidst the panelist of speakers was the PRO of The Blueway Ocean Goderich Samuel Akpan who spoke on the Funding of NGOs in the blue economy to empower the blue economy.

The Delegation was led by the MD Of the blueway Ocean Foundation Mr Iniodu Bassey Ndada who received the award on behalf of the Blueway Ocean Foundation.

In his remarks, the MD expressed amazement on the eulogy bestowed on Blue Way Ocean Foundation’s and said that the foundation is working quietly without funding from any governmental source but has been achieving a lot in cleaning up the shoreline of the coastal line in Akwa Ibom and the Niger Delta suburbs.

He dedicated the award to the team and thanked the host for the encouragement and recognition, admitting that he his motivated and the Blueway ocean foundation would do more for the ecosystem.
In attendance was the MD Mr Iniodu Bassey Ndada who led delegation, Prince Michael Etim Edet Director Of Programs, Mr Goderich Samuel Akpan P.R.O and Gideon Vincent Nwokediri member operations committee