Anambra State Igbo Apprenticeship Bill, 2024 Passes Second Reading
By Anastasia Agunwa/Chizoba Okeke/Gloria Abugu
A Bill for a Law to provide for the regulation of Igbo Apprenticeship System ('Igba boi' and Trainee) and for related matters has passed through its second reading on the floor of the state legislature.
This followed a motion moved for the Bill to pass through second reading by the member representing Anaocha 11 constiuency, Mr. Ejike Okechukwu and seconded by Mr. Noble Igwe representing Ogbaru 1 constituency during plenary on March 19.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Somtochukwu Udeze who presided over the plenary had moved for the adoption of the second reading on the Bill while the lawmakers unanimously adopted it through voice votes.
Dwelling on the Bill, the sponsor of the Bill, Ejike Okechukwu noted that the major problem in Nigeria is unemployment.
He explained that in the late 70's, 80's and 90's that the major employment of labour in Anambra State in particular, and Southeast in general is this 'Igba boi' and 'Imu ahia' apprenticeship system that were in place then.
Okechukwu regretted that 'Igba boi' began to die in our place, the moment a servant will serve his 'Oga' for like five to six years and at the twilight of the service, a story would be cooked up and the servant will be sacked without the agreed settlement.
"And this kind of situation made it that most of our young boys began to see it as a wasted effort for them to continue with this 'Igba boi' and 'Imu ahia' apprenticeship system."
He emphasised the need to have a database for interested persons that want to indulge in 'Igba boi' and 'Imu ahia' apprenticeship system and begin to match them with the interest of trade they have.
"To create a platform to recreate issues that will form through Courts and even liberations, because most of the times, you see 'Nwa boi' being sacked by his 'Oga' and there is nobody there to speak for 'Nwa boi'. And all the years put in that service are always dead and 'Nwa boi' will not be able to go back to life or to find foot into his life, thereby making some to go into crime or other social vices.
"Then, to boost trade, commerce and employment, this Bill also looked at the rights of 'Oga' in this apprenticeship system and the rights of 'Nwa boi' in the system and the rights of the trainee who is 'onye na amu ahia' in this system.
"This Bill also talked about creating Anambra State Igbo Apprenticeship Commission, a commission that will be saddled with the responsibility of galvanising all these objectives, creating the platform, creating the database and we went as far as the Commission to offer certificate to 'Nwa boi' that have completed his services," he stressed.
Contributing, the Majority leader of the House, Mr Ikenna Ofodeme frowned that some 'Nwa boi' settles themselves from the masters' businesses without their knowledge before the end of the agreed periods, thereby enriching their families and rendering their masters poor.
He added, " there must be an agreement on the number of years 'Nwa boi' will stay with his 'Oga' and sureties will equally sign the agreement from both parties.
Others that spoke in favour of the Bill include Chidi Ibemeka representing Njikoka 1 constituency, Noble Igwe representing Ogbaru 1, Nkechi Ogbuefi representing Anaocha 1, Patrick Okafor (Onitsha North 11) among others, describing the Bill as apt, and laudable, saying that it will encourage many unemployed youths to go into 'Igba boi' and 'Imu ahia' apprenticeship system to get the secret of business from the masters.
They noted that the Bill if passed and assented to, would enhance employment of youths and apprenticeship as well as help government to reduce the large number of unemployed youths.
The Speaker therefore, committed the Bill to the Joint House Committee on Commerce, Trade & Industry and Judiciary & Justice for indebt report and to report back to the House in the next four weeks.
Meanwhile , a Bill for a Law to establish the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission and for connected purposes passed through first reading during plenary on the floor of the State Legislature.
Also a Bill for a Law to provide for the establishment of Commuters Manifest Scheme in Anambra State and for related matters passed through its first reading on the floor of the state legislature.
*Agunwa, Okeke and Abugu are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
Ilokwu assumes office in MCET, Calls for Team Work, Efficient Service Delivery For Growth Of The Ministry
By Ifeyinwa Ogwo
One of the newly appointed permanent secretary in Anambra State, Comr. Jerome Ilokwu has assumed office on Monday, March 18, in the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, where he was posted.
He chaired a familiarization meeting with the heads of department in the ministry, calling on everyone to work as a team and a family and be efficient, dedicated and punctual to work, for the growth of the ministry.
Mr Ilokwu urged everyone to lead by example and as well involve and engage their subordinates with task in order to build and make them relevant in their various departments.
According to him, " when you give your subordinates task to do and also supervised them, you are training them in the job, so that whenever you are not there, they can discharge any work assigned to them efficiently. Love your job and develop it so that you will reap the benefits."
Comr. Ilokwu enjoined the HODs to come up with new innovations about their departments, share ideas and ensure they come to work regularly and punctually.
On her part, the Head of the Tourism Department, Chioma Afuba, on behalf of the HODs welcomed the permanent secretary to the ministry. She thanked him for his words of advise and encouragement, promising that they will adhere to the directives.
*Ogwo is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
Agbili resumes duty as Perm Sec Youth Ministry
By Ifeoma Aniagbado
The newly appointed Permanent Secretary deployed to Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Martin Agbili has resumed duty on Wednesday, 20th March 2024.
The permanent Secretary arrived by 8am in company of a priest Rev. Fr. Dr. Victor Igwegbe who conducted prayers in his office before he was taken round the offices and environment of the ministry by the senior management team.
During the inspection, Dr. Agbili identified some challenges facing the ministry and said that he is going to have a meeting with the commissioner with a view to seeing how the problems will be mitigated.
Dr Agbili later held a meeting with the management staff in which problems of the ministry were highlighted with the view of proffering solution to them.
He promised that he is going to tackle the major problem the ministry is facing squarely and pleaded with management to cooperate with him to enable him succeed.
The meeting was attended by the heads of departments who welcomed him and assured cooperation.
*Aniagbado is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
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