NEWS

Some Nigerians Support Reduction Of Working Days In Benue And Imo To Boost Agriculture

Published

8 years ago

August 22, 2016

NAN reports that Benue Government had directed its workers to return to farm on Fridays while Imo earmarked Thursday and Friday for farming. After taking a survey nationwide, it was concluded that the decision was a step in the right direction.

In the South-East, Mrs Nnenna Igwe, an agricultural entrepreneur in Ebonyi, said the policy was good but expressed concern over its genuineness and sincerity.

A lawyer, Mr Jude Chukwu, while expressing support for the policy, said that employers were empowered by law to determine the conditions of service of their employees at the point of entry. Chukwu argued that governors, through the Houses of Assembly, could make laws that stipulate conditions of service for their workforce.

He added that such laws were implemented by the Civil Service Commission of the states. “I think state governors who have adopted the policy of allowing their workforce to work for only three days have not breached the constitution or ILO Convention,’’ Chukwu said. In the North-East, Dr Kajit Bogu, the Coordinator, Movement for Cognitive Justice, a charity organisation established to ensure justice for all, described the idea as novel. 　 Bogu noted that the action of the Imo governor was new in the history of the country.

“Although the action is facing some level of criticism, but one should ask how much work do our civil servants normally do? “They spend most of the working hours doing nothing, because there is not much to be done. “You must agree with me that a lot of our workers are redundant. “So, if the government can make them productive in the farms, then it is a good development,’’ Bogu said. In South-West, Dr Misbau Lawal, the National Coordinator for Health and Environment, Basic Registry and Information System in Nigeria, advised states with plans for farming to designate some work days for farming only.

According to him, there is the need to employ drastic measures in order to inculcate the culture of farming in Nigeria. “If this initiative is successful, other states can start importing food from the state; the government can give loan to people to motivate them to farm. “Nigeria has to take desperate measures in this circumstance to attune people’s attitude towards farming,’’ Lawal said.

Also, Prof. Yahya Oyewole-Imam, the Research Manager of Centre for Research Development and In-House Training, University of Ilorin, said that before such a move, certain things should be considered.

“There must be desired objectives; if the objective is articulated and achievable, fine, but if it is not realistic, there may not be need for such a step,’’ Oyewole-Imam said. Some workers, who spoke with NAN, said that engaging in farming might reduce the level of suffering while others said it would encourage laziness always associated with civil servants. Dr Olutunji Oyelade, a senior lecturer at the Department of International Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said governors had the right to reduce work hours.

According to him, this can be done provided their salaries will not be affected. Oyelade said that ‘back to farm policy’ would pave the way for civil servants to contribute to food production in the country. Also, Mr Jamiu Okanlawon, an economist, said there was nothing wrong in reducing the work hours for civil servants so that they could engage in farming and help the economy.

Okanlawon said that the structure of the civil service had made it technically unproductive, hence the urgent need to overhaul the system. “I subscribe to reduction in work hours, if it will make workers to be more productive and make them to engage in other productive activities,’’ he said. Also in the South-South, Mr Dako Gideon, who spoke in Benin, said that cutting working days would benefit the state and increase food production. “It will give opportunity for workers to embrace farming and will increase and bring about food sufficiency,’’ Gideon argued.(NAN).

Related Topics:Benue Imo NAN News Agency of Nigeria

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MOVIES

Funke Akindele’s “Everybody Loves Jenifa” Rakes Box Office With ₦511 Million In Just 12 Days

Published

2 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Reporter

Everybody Loves Jenifa rakes box office with ₦511 million | fab.ng

Funke Akindele’s comedy film “Everybody Loves Jenifa” has shattered Nigerian box office records by earning ₦511 million within just 12 days of its release.

FilmOne, the film’s distributor, revealed that this remarkable achievement makes it both the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2024. It is also the fastest Nigerian movie to reach the ₦500 million milestone.

“History Made! Everybody Loves Jenifa smashes records with ₦511M at the box office, becoming 2024’s highest-grossing Nollywood title and the fastest to hit ₦500M in just 12 days! Don’t stop! Let’s smash the record books. Watch Everybody Loves Jenifa in cinemas near you,” the post said.

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“Everybody Loves Jenifa” achieved unprecedented success by generating ₦206 million during its opening weekend. It established a new record for the highest-grossing opening weekend in Nollywood history.

The film demonstrated its immediate appeal by earning ₦87.8 million on its first day. This set another record for the highest single-day earnings in Nigerian cinema.

Funke Akindele masterfully reprised her beloved Jenifa character, delivering a performance that perfectly captured the character’s signature humour and charm.

The narrative follows Jenifa through an engaging storyline filled with personal growth, fame-related challenges, and comedic situations that resonated deeply with audiences across Nigerian theatres.

Akindele’s marketing strategy proved exceptionally effective. Moreso, she implemented comprehensive social media campaigns and made strategic appearances at various cinemas to connect with viewers.

Her promotional efforts transformed the film’s release into a cultural phenomenon that extended beyond traditional movie-watching.

The film features an impressive ensemble cast including Falz, Omotunde ‘Lolo’ Adebowale-David, Olayode Juliana, Chimezie Imo, Layi Wasabi, Bisola Aiyeola, Jackie Appiah, and Omowunmi Dada.

These actors collectively bring depth to this comedy-drama that successfully weaves together humorous moments, emotional depth, and surprising plot developments.

Check out more movie updates here.

MUSIC

Tems Debut Album Ranks #2 On Billboard’s R&B List Of 2024

Published

4 days ago

December 20, 2024

Reporter

Tems debut album hits #2 on Billboard's R&B list of 2024 | fab.ng

Tems’ Global Impact: A Billboard Recognition

Tems, a global music sensation, has solidified her position as one of Africa’s most successful artists, with her album captivating millions of fans worldwide and garnering numerous prestigious awards.

In a recent testament to her talent, her debut album secured the second spot on Billboard’s list of the best R&B albums of 2025.

This remarkable achievement places Tems alongside renowned artists such as Chris Brown, PartyNextDoor, Muni Long, and Bryson Tiller.

Furthermore, Billboard has praised Tems’ music for transcending the boundaries of Afrobeats, resonating with audiences across the globe.

“The Nigerian star finds her footing in the global spotlight and stands firmly in her purpose on her dazzling debut album Born in the Wild.

“She opens up about surviving her mental wilderness and learning to thrive in it on the opening acoustic ballad that shares the album’s title.

“And on the mid-tempo standout “Burning,” Tems confronts the trappings of her newfound stardom but finds comfort in the collective struggle. As someone who’s studied Céline Dion, Destiny’s Child, and Mariah Carey and dreamt of making soul-stirring songs that send people into their feelings, Tems succeeded with aplomb.

“Born in the Wild became her highest-charting project on Top R&B Albums (reaching No. 5) and marked her career-first entry on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 56.

“And while Born in the Wild and “Love Me JeJe” earned Tems 2025 Grammy nominations for Best Global Music Album and Best African Music Performance, respectively, her best R&B song nod for “Burning” further reinforced the rich diversity of her music– and the notion that African artists like Tems cannot be bound to the catchall “Afrobeats” term, as their music has traveled well past the borders of the continent. – H.M.”

Tems’ debut album, “Born In The Wild,” received critical acclaim in the United States.

Indeed, the album earned a Grammy nomination for Best Global Album.

Additionally, her single “Burning” broke records by securing a nomination for Best R&B Song. Meanwhile, “Love Me Jeje” received a nomination for Best African Music Performance.

Check out more music updates here.

MUSIC

Adekunle Gold Reveals The Role Pheelz Played In Getting Him Signed To YBNL

Published

4 days ago

December 20, 2024

Reporter

Adekunle Gold credits Pheelz for his YBNL signing | fab.ng

Adekunle Gold marks a significant milestone this December 2024 as he celebrates 10 years since releasing his breakthrough single ‘Sade.’

This debut track, which creatively reimagined One Direction’s ‘Story Of My Life,’ catapulted him into Nigeria’s mainstream music consciousness in December 2014.

The artist recently shared compelling details about his journey to stardom in an industry interview, particularly highlighting his unique path to signing with YBNL.

Before his musical breakthrough, Adekunle Gold cultivated a professional relationship with Olamide through his work as YBNL’s graphic designer, creating cover art for the label’s artists, including Lil Kesh and Viktor.

The pivotal moment in his career arrived when producer Pheelz discovered ‘Sade’ and advocated for Gold’s signing to Olamide, leading to a transformative partnership with YBNL.

Under the label’s guidance, Gold released his debut album, ‘Gold,’ which produced standout hits like ‘Orente’ and ‘Pick Up,’ earning both critical acclaim and commercial success.

AG Baby, as fans affectionately call him, has demonstrated remarkable artistic versatility throughout his decade-long career.

He began his journey by crafting a distinctive urban interpretation of folk and traditional Yoruba music, later evolving into a dynamic pop star with the release of ‘Afro-pop Vol 1.’ His musical portfolio now spans five albums, each showcasing his growth and artistic range.

The singer-songwriter has established himself as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished artists, earning recognition for his exceptional songwriting abilities and commanding stage presence.

His performances continue to captivate audiences across Africa, solidifying his position as a leading figure in the continent’s music scene.

Gold’s journey from a graphic designer to a celebrated musician exemplifies his artistic versatility and dedication to his craft, marking him as one of Africa’s most sought-after performers.

Check out more updates here.