News

UK Unions Reject Care Worker Visa Halt

Published

3 months ago

May 12, 2025

Labour unions and stakeholders in the United Kingdom’s care sector have come out strongly against the government’s move to stop the recruitment of foreign care workers, describing it as a reckless policy that could cripple the already struggling industry.

According to The Guardian UK, the UK government is set to publish a new immigration white paper on Monday, which includes plans to ban the recruitment of care workers from abroad. This move is part of broader efforts by the government to cut down on legal migration and shift focus to local labour.

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from unions and industry leaders, who argue that the care sector — already battling manpower shortages and funding challenges — heavily depends on foreign workers to function.

Reacting to the development, Professor Martin Green, CEO of Care England, lamented that the government’s decision amounts to “kicking the sector while it’s already down.”

“For years now, we’ve been surviving on limited resources, rising operational costs, and serious staffing gaps,” Green said. “International recruitment may not have solved all the problems, but it provided a much-needed lifeline. Taking that away now without offering any support or alternative is simply heartless.”

The UK’s largest trade union, Unison, also condemned the policy and demanded immediate clarification on the fate of foreign care workers already in the country.

Unison General Secretary, Christina McAnea, noted that the UK’s healthcare and social care systems would have collapsed without the input of migrant workers.

“Thousands of migrant health and care workers have kept things running. Now, they are left confused and anxious about their future. The government needs to assure them they’ll not be kicked out,” she stated.

McAnea also criticised the government for tagging care roles as “low-skilled”, insisting that the sector deserves better pay and recognition.

Figures show that in 2023 alone, over 58,000 foreign care workers entered the UK through the skilled worker visa route — accounting for nearly half of new entrants into the care workforce.

Meanwhile, the Labour government has defended the decision, describing it as part of a reset of the immigration system designed to reduce dependency on foreign labour and invest in British workers.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, speaking during a BBC interview, insisted that there are still untapped pools of labour within the UK.

“Employers should be looking to hire from those already in the UK, including people on existing visas who are yet to be deployed,”

she said. “There’s also room to extend some visas, but we believe it’s time to draw the curtain on recruiting new care workers from abroad.”

The policy continues to stir debate across the UK, with fears that it could worsen the staffing crisis in the care sector and increase pressure on families already struggling to access quality care services.

News

NCAA Seeks K1 De Ultimate’s Arrest, Petitions AGF, IG

Published

10 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has formally petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police, asking them to investigate and prosecute veteran Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, over an incident that occurred aboard a domestic ValueJet flight.

The incident, which happened on Tuesday, reportedly disrupted standard operational procedures and has raised serious concerns about passenger behaviour and compliance with aviation safety protocols.

According to preliminary reports, K1 De Ultimate was allegedly involved in conduct during ValueJet flight VK201 that contravenes the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.

According to a statement signed by the agency on Thursday, it noted that in the petition, the NCAA urged the Attorney-General and the IGP to “launch a thorough investigation into the incident” and commence “appropriate prosecution in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation regulations 2023 supra and all other applicable laws.”

In a further move to reinforce compliance and accountability, the Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo has issued an advisory to the Airline Operators of Nigeria recommending that K1 De Ultimate be placed on a No-Fly List for all commercial flights pending the conclusion of the investigation.

The advisory, according to the NCAA, is in line with international aviation best practices designed to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft operations.

The statement read, “In a letter addressed to both the Attorney-General and the Inspector-General of Police, the NCAA called for a comprehensive criminal investigation and the initiation of appropriate prosecution in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation regulations 2023 supra and all other applicable laws.

“Furthermore, and in light of the growing concern, the Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, has also issued an advisory to the Airline Operators of Nigeria, urging the immediate consideration and institution of a No-Fly List for K1 De Ultimate (on any commercial flight), pending the outcome of official investigations.

“This advisory is in line with global aviation standards that prioritise the safety of passengers, crew, and airline operations.

“The NCAA reiterates its commitment to ensuring that no individual, regardless of their status or public image, undermines the integrity of our aviation industry as passengers are held to the same standards of behavior and compliance within Nigeria’s airspace.”

The Authority emphasised that aviation safety and discipline remain non-negotiable and that the industry cannot afford to tolerate acts that could endanger lives or compromise the integrity of flight operations.

News

FG Unveils Four Water Projects In Ogoni, Commits To Implementing UNEP Report

Published

10 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has commissioned four new water projects in Ogoniland, with renewed commitment to addressing public health concerns and full implementation of the report of the United Nations Environment Programme.

The water projects located in Bodo community (Gokana LGA), Eteo (in Eleme LGA), Uegwere-Boue, and Taabaa communities (both in Khana LGA) now brings the number of Ogoni communities with reticulated potable water to 40, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, has said.

Also unveiled was a new HYPREP Area Office in Kpor, headquarters of Gokana LGA, which aims to improve engagement with host communities.

Speaking at the ceremony in Bodo community on Thursday, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas, described the development as a major step in the federal government’s resolve to restore the dignity of the Ogoni people after decades of environmental degradation from oil pollution.

Abbas stated, “The biggest victim of pollution is water. Water is what gets polluted first, and so the whole essence of HYPREP is to restore water, land, and a better environment. Access to clean and safe water is not just a basic necessity, it is a fundamental human right.”

While noting that the projects are not just infrastructure, but “symbols of hope, equity, and justice” for communities that had long suffered the impacts of oil-related pollution.

He urged residents to take ownership of the facilities and protect them from vandalism.

“Today, as we commission these projects, we are not only laying a physical foundation but also upholding human rights. These commitments underscore our shared dedication to the health, dignity, and well-being of our people,” he stated.

The minister reaffirmed the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to full delivery of UNEP’s report and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

“On behalf of the federal government, I affirm our unwavering commitment to the full implementation of the UNEP report. The Ogonis have suffered for too long. It is our duty to address their worries,” Abbas said.

In his address, Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, said progress is also being recorded across other UNEP-aligned thematic areas, including soil remediation, mangrove restoration, health infrastructure, and youth empowerment.

Zabbey stated, “We have completed remediation of 50 simple-risk sites, while work on medium-risk, complex sites is 38% done. Our mangrove restoration project is already 93% complete.”

He stated that over 5,000 Ogoni youths and women have been trained in 20 skill sets, while 7,000 direct jobs have been created through the programme, which he described as a major boost to local livelihoods and stability.

He said, “Work on the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and Ogoni Power Project is 90% and 40% complete respectively, while the Buan Cottage Hospital and Ogoni Specialist Hospital are nearing completion at 98% and 86%.

“With the Ogoni Health Study now underway, HYPREP has reached the point of simultaneous implementation of key UNEP actions, remediation, water, health and livelihood, working together to transform Ogoni holistically.”

Managing Director of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Engr. Tony Attah, represented by the General Manager of Relations and Sustainable Development, Igo Weli, praised the federal government and HYPREP for achieving a key milestone.

“This marks a significant moment in our journey to improve public health and the quality of life of Ogoni people. We also commend the resilience and commitment of the communities. Your support reflects a shared desire for progress,” Attah said.

News

FG Warns Of Flooding In Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, 26 Others

Published

10 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency on Thursday warned of potential flooding in 198 local government areas across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The alert, obtained by our correspondent, covers August 7 to August 21, 2025, a span of 15 days during which vulnerable communities are advised to take precautionary measures.

The alert categorised flood risk levels as very high, high and moderate, depending on local topography and rainfall intensity projections.

The affected states are Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, the Federal Capital Territory, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

According to NiHSA, very high-risk states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Delta, Gombe, Kebbi, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Rivers, Yobe, and Zamfara.

While states categorised as facing high to moderate risk include Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross-River, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ondo, Plateau, Sokoto, and Taraba.

The agency also noted that 832 communities are at risk of varying degrees of flooding.

The alert also warned of the potential disruption of over 100 major transportation routes, particularly in flood-prone areas.

“High likelihood of displacement, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. NiHSA urges residents in affected regions to remain vigilant, adhere to early warning directives, and cooperate with emergency response agencies,” it stated.

To mitigate the potential impacts of flooding, NiHSA recommended that all emergency management stakeholders should get prepared for response protocols to ensure timely intervention.

It added, “Communities at risk should put evacuation plans in place.

“Follow up on NIHSA’s state-level weekly forecast for community-specific forecast, and monitor updates from NIHSA.”

The Director General of NiHSA, Umar Mohammed, said, “This alert is issued in line with our commitment to safeguarding lives and property. We call on state governments, local authorities, and the public to take proactive measures to mitigate risk and ensure community safety.”

He emphasised that they will continue to monitor the hydrological situation and provide timely updates as necessary.

On Tuesday, the National Emergency Management Agency revealed that in 2025, no fewer than 191 lives have been lost to the floods that have ravaged parts of the country, while 94 people remain missing.

The report by NEMA showed that Niger State recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 163 deaths, followed by Adamawa State, where 26 people lost their lives. One death each was reported in Borno and Gombe states.

The data further indicated that, so far this year, the floods have affected 134,435 people across 20 states and 47 local government areas.

Additionally, 48,056 people have been displaced, while 239 injuries have been reported. The floods have also damaged 9,499 houses and affected 9,450 farmlands.

NEMA’s dashboard also revealed that among those affected are 27,121 men, 41,539 women, 60,071 children, 5,704 elderly persons, and 1,874 persons with disabilities.

In 2024, the floods affected 5,264,097 individuals, displacing 1,243,638 people across 35 states and 401 local government areas. The disaster resulted in 1,237 deaths and left 16,469 individuals injured.

Also, 116,172 houses were destroyed, and 1,439,296 hectares of farmland were affected, further worsening the economic and humanitarian impact of the flooding across the country.