Business

Lagos NUJ Honours Dangote as highest private employer in Nigeria

Published

1 year ago

August 31, 2023 9:20 am

BodexNG

It was a night of accolades for Africa’s foremost business conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited, (DIL), as journalists in Lagos State conferred an award of excellence on the Group for its outstanding contributions to the economic development of Nigeria and Africa in general.

The award, according to the journalists, was because of Dangote’s aggressive employment generation drive, which has seen thousands of able youths, gainfully employed in the Group as well as the commitment to provision of critical infrastructure.

This award presentation was during the Gala/Awards Nite marking the end of the 2023 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council, where some corporate organisations and certain individuals were also recognised for their contributions to society.

The NUJ award for Dangote Group came barely a week after the conglomerate emerged as Nigeria’s Most Valuable Brand for the sixth consecutive year, an achievement that was announced by the brand and marketing firm, TOP 50 BRANDS NIGERIA, as part of its comprehensive 2023 Top Brands perception assessment.

Dangote Cement Plc, a subsidiary of DIL, is the leading producer of Cement in the country and employs more than 65,000 direct workers and over 100,000 indirect workers, across all its Plants.

The journalists specifically lauded Dangote Group over the leading roles played by the Company regarding backward integration in the cement and sugar industries with the continuous expansion of its operations, both within and outside the country, which has transformed the nation from being import-dependent to self-sufficiency and thereby creating the much-needed jobs for the employable youths.

Chairman of Lagos State Council of NUJ, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi, in his address of welcome said the Council set aside the Gala Nite as an occasion for his Council administration to reflect on its major landmarks, roll out the drums, and celebrate excellence by recognising those individuals and organisations who have made the journey eventful for the Council over the year.

As parts of the landmarks recorded in the last three years, the Council boss enumerated some of the achievements including the successful completion of the building of the new Council secretariat complex, training of journalists, and allocation of lands to the subscribers to the Council estate project at Abaren in Ogun state.

Mr. Ajayi also disclosed that the Council was almost completing the process of establishing a community radio station for the Council, adding that the NUJ is awaiting the issuance of a radio license by the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

Of note, according to him, is the renaming of the popular NUJ Light House in Victoria Island to Lateef Kayode Jakande (LKJ) House in honour of one of the founding fathers of Journalism in Nigeria and former governor of Lagos state who passed on recently.

Giving a goodwill message, an accomplished award-winning Journalist, now the Queen of Apomu-land, Her Majesty Olori Janet Afolabi, commended the Ajayi-led administration for its achievements so far and urged it not to rest on its oars.

She decried the plight of media practitioners in the present-day economic crunch and insecurity but charged them not to succumb to the temptation of sacrificing the ethics of the profession.

Describing the roles of journalists in society as indispensable, the Olori advised Journalists to report more on the happenings at the grassroots as many people at that level are suffering and their plight needs to be reported to elicit positive response from appropriate quarters.

In the category of awards for organisation were the Dangote Group, Airtel Networks Nigeria Limited, and Nigerian Breweries Plc., while individuals conferred with awards included Senator Mukhail Abiru, of Lagos East senatorial district, Adewale Adedeji, of Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01, Lagos State House of Assembly and Mr. Fola Adeyemi, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Lagos State.

Other recipients were Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, and Prof. Hussaini Ibrahim, Director General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC.

Speaking on behalf of Corporate Organisation award recipients, Mr. Francis Awowole-Browne of the Dangote Group said the corporate bodies cherished the award and it will serve as the required catalyst to continue to deliver goods and services that will ultimately transform the country’s economy.

He thanked the NUJ for the honour, describing the award as a call to better partnership with members of the pen profession in the task of building a better Nigeria that can hold its own in the comity of nations.

According to him: The Dangote Group has continued to garner global recognition through its expansion into other countries. These accomplishments, he said were a clear demonstration of the Group’s resolve to be the number one in Africa in meeting the needs of the people.

The event was attended by the South West leaders of the NUJ, ably led by the Vice President, B Zone, Mrs. Ronke Samo.

Other dignitaries in attendance included Deputy-Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service, Haniel Hadison; General Manager, Radio Lagos/Eko FM, Mr. Jide Lawal; General Manager, Lagos Traffic Radio, Mr. Eyitayo Akanle; and Olori Adesola Kosoko, General Manager, Lagos Television, including Elders and Leaders of the Union amongst others.

Business

Ghana’s inflation rises to 23.8% — highest in eight months

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2025 2:34 pm

BodexNG

Ghana’s consumer inflation rate rose for the fourth consecutive month to 23.8 percent in December 2024.

Samuel Kobina Annim, government statistician at the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), announced the figure to journalists in Accra on Wednesday.

Ghana’s inflation rate started rising in September last year, when it rose to 21.5 percent, then climbed further to 22.1 percent in October and 23 percent in November.

Annim said the inflation rate recorded at the end of last year was the highest in eight months.

“The rate of inflation… is the third highest in the last 13 months and highest in the last eight months,” Annim said.

Also, food inflation saw a significant jump, rising from 25.9 percent in November to 27.8 percent in December.

Annim attributed the increase to the contributions from specific food items, such as yams, showing drastic year-on-year price hikes of 63.3 percent.

He also highlighted the need for a dual approach to tackling inflation, addressing both monetary and real-sector issues.

“We do emphasise that there are two perspectives in addressing inflation. One is the monetary side… and the other is the real side, with what we’ve seen with food inflation, more particularly the food that we consume, that are locally produced,” he added.

Annim urged policymakers to focus on production, value chains, transportation, warehousing, and reducing post-harvest losses to stabilise food prices.

“Policymakers put in diverse interventions, rather than focusing on, let’s say, only exchange rate or focusing on just some selected items that do not cover the variety of food items that influence food prices,” he said.

Business

Governor Sanwo-olu signs N3.366trn 2025 budget

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2025 1:58 pm

BodexNG

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, signed the 2025 appropriation bill into law.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Gboyega Akosile, made this known in a post on his X handle.

He said the budget size is N3.366 trillion meant for the continuation of the great works of the Sanwo-Olu administration.

Business

Italy extends work visa for skilled workers for 2025

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2025 11:18 am

BodexNG

Italy is taking steps to address its significant shortage of skilled workers by keeping its Work Visa for Highly Qualified Workers program open for 2025.

The country, which is known for its rich culture, food, and history, has faced increasing demand in sectors such as IT, healthcare, and green energy.

These industries are crucial to Italy’s economic growth, and the government is working to meet these demands by attracting foreign talent.

Italy is making considerable efforts to improve its labour market by introducing a series of policy changes to simplify the visa application process, DAAD Scholarship reports. The country’s Work Visa program is designed to bridge the gap between the available talent and the growing need for highly skilled workers.

Italy’s work visa aims to address skill shortages

The Work Visa for Highly Qualified Workers aims to address the skill shortages in key sectors, including information and communication technology (ICT), healthcare, and renewable energy. By opening its doors to foreign professionals, Italy hopes to fill critical positions that are difficult to staff with local workers.

This program is expected to boost the economy by bringing in skilled professionals who can contribute to sectors vital to Italy’s long-term economic stability.

The visa allows skilled workers to live and work in Italy while helping the country meet its industrial needs. In 2025, the visa is seen as a way to attract experts from around the world who can fill gaps in sectors where there is a high demand for specialized knowledge and experience.

Key changes to Italy’s work visa policies for 2025

Significant changes have been made to the Italian Work Visa policies to streamline the application process and ensure faster processing times. One of the major updates is the increase in quotas for non-EU workers.

Last year, the Italian government raised the quota for work permits from 151,000 to 165,000. This adjustment reflects the increasing need for foreign workers across multiple sectors.
Another notable change is the introduction of digital processes to simplify the visa application. By March 2024, the Italian government implemented digital contracts and the use of certified email (PEC), which have reduced the need for in-person visits to immigration offices.
In July 2024, Italy also revised its EU Blue Card requirements, lowering the minimum work contract duration from 12 months to six months. Additionally, the salary threshold was adjusted to fall between 1 and 1.6 times the average gross salary in Italy.

The introduction of sector-specific permits for healthcare roles also occurred in October 2024. An additional 10,000 permits were introduced for family and social healthcare assistance positions to meet the growing demand in the healthcare sector.

Streamlined application process for 2025 work visa

The new application process for the Work Visa for Highly Qualified Workers in 2025 is designed to be faster and more accessible. The digital system allows employers to pre-fill applications for their workers, saving time and reducing paperwork.

The application process is simplified, with designated “click days” for submission, including February 5th, 7th, and 12th, 2025, depending on the applicant’s category, reports inform.

Once an application is submitted, both the employer and the applicant will be notified of the decision within a specified timeframe. Digital contracts and integration agreements also reduce the need for physical paperwork, further speeding up the process.

High-demand sectors for Italy’s work visa program

The Italian Work Visa for Highly Qualified Workers targets skilled professionals in several key sectors. These include:

ICT: Software developers, data analysts, AI specialists, and cybersecurity experts are highly sought after.
Healthcare: Nurses, physiotherapists, caregivers, and healthcare assistants are in demand.
Green Energy: Engineers focused on renewable energy are needed to help Italy meet sustainability goals.
Construction: Skilled laborers, engineers, and project managers are sought to address Italy’s infrastructure needs.
Hospitality: Chefs, hotel managers, and tourism professionals are needed to support Italy’s vibrant tourism industry.

Where to find jobs with visa sponsorship in Italy

For those looking to apply for the Work Visa for Highly Qualified Workers, several job portals can help candidates find employment in Italy. Some popular websites where job seekers can find roles with visa sponsorship include:

The program offers a valuable opportunity for professionals in high-demand sectors to contribute to Italy’s economy and enjoy living in one of Europe’s most attractive countries.

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others