Filling Station Workers Demand Union Affiliation, Decry Neglect by Marketers

A group of filling station workers, operating under the banner of “Frustrated Petrol Station Workers,” has called for an organisational structure under the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to address neglect by petroleum marketers.

Speaking in Kaduna on Thursday, Mr Ibrahim Zango, a representative of the group, voiced concerns over years of unfair treatment. He highlighted that, unlike other segments of the petroleum industry such as NUPENG, petroleum tanker drivers, and independent marketers, filling station workers—including cleaners, security guards, and pump attendants—are not represented.

Zango noted that despite their crucial role in the Nigerian oil sector, filling station workers face maltreatment, including poor wages, lack of healthcare, and indiscriminate dismissals. He revealed that salaries for workers range between N10,000 to N20,000 per month, contributing to financial difficulties in the current harsh economy.

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He stressed the need for a national body to protect the rights of these workers and called on NUPENG to organise elections to establish formal leadership for petrol station workers at various levels. Zango urged the leadership to ensure workers’ rights are upheld and their living standards improved.

Despite the challenges, Zango affirmed the group’s commitment to pushing for their rights, stating, “We will not relent in our efforts to have a voice that speaks for all our members across the country.”

NOA launches birth registration campaign in Gombe, urges community participation

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC), has begun birth registration sensitisation in Gombe State with a call on residents to embrace the exercise.

The campaign is being supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Speaking at the event in Gombe on Thursday, Mrs Adaline Patari, the state director, NOA, Gombe State office, said the move was to protect the future of children in the state.

Patari said the exercise was a nationwide birth registration social mobilisation drive, aimed at ensuring that every child in Nigeria had access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.

According to her, the drive is focused on registering all children aged 0-5 years and providing them with a National ldentification Number (NIN) free of charge.
She said that the birth registration drive would run from August to November 2024.

“Birth registration is a fundamental right of every child, and this initiative seeks to highlight its importance to the child, the family, the community, and the nation at large.

“Birth registration is the first legal acknowledgement of a child’s existence and is essential for safeguarding their rights and privileges for now and in the future.

“It is the key to unlocking access to basic services such as education and healthcare, which are crucial for a child’s development and future.

“Accurate birth registration is vital for national planning and development, as it provides the government with essential data to plan.

“By registering a child’s birth, families ensure that their children are recognised by the state, which is the first step in protecting them from abuse, exploitation, and statelessness,” he said.

The state director urged parents and guardians to visit the nearest NPC registration centres to register their children.

On his part, the State Director of NPC in Gombe State, Mr. Jude Maigari, said success in birth registration remained a collective efforts of all stakeholders, hence called for all shareholders’ support in this regard.

Maigari said the process was simple and free, requiring only supporting documents such as an immunisation card or an existing birth certificate of a parent or guardian.
He said during registration, every child aged 0-5 years would receive a NIN upon face capturing and birth registration.

He appealed to all traditional, religious and community leaders to drive the exercise in their communities, noting that the civic exercise would impact positively on the wellbeing of their people going forward.

On his part, Alhaji Usman Shettima, district head of Nasarawo and overseeing district head of Gombe pledged to support the drive for the benefits of the people.

Shettima appealed to leaders at the grassroots to ensure that their communities participate in the process.

China Pledges Continued High-Level Cooperation with Africa at FOCAC 2024

The Chinese government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining high-level cooperation with Africa, aiming to further strengthen bilateral relations. This was disclosed during a press briefing at the ongoing 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which kicked off on Sept. 4 in Beijing and will conclude on Sept. 6.

Key officials, including Mr. Weiping Deng, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Commerce for Hunan Province, and Mr. Dai Zhiguang, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Office of Hunan Province, emphasized China’s dedication to fostering stronger ties with Africa. They highlighted strategic efforts undertaken by the Chinese government to enhance these partnerships.

“Hunan’s leaders have visited African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe since 2019, participating in high-level meetings and signing sister-city agreements,” said the officials. These engagements have focused on economic and trade cooperation, solidifying long-standing friendships and facilitating political and developmental collaboration.

The officials also pointed to the third China-Africa Economic Trade Expo held in Changsha in 2023, which played a key role in advancing trade relations. Hunan’s trade volume with Africa reached 55.67 billion Yuan (approximately $7.83 billion USD) in 2023, and the province aims to further enhance these figures in the future.