Workers of Nigerian Breweries Plc are set to lose their jobs as the brewer is shutting down two of its nine factories in Nigeria over rising operation costs.

The decision is coming after the brewer recorded N106bn loss in 2023 as a result of challenging economic factors ranging from heightened operational costs, rising inflation rates and foreign exchange volatility.

Nigerian Breweries said in a filing seen by THE WHISTLER that the decision is part of the plans for a company-wide reorganisation aimed at securing a resilient and sustainable future for its stakeholders.

The company said it informed the leadership of the National Union of Food, Beverage & Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) and the Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB), that “its proposed plan would include operational efficiency measures and a company-wide reorganisation that includes the temporary suspension of operations in two of its nine breweries.”

The letter which was signed by the company’s Human Resources Director, Grace Omo-Lamai, invited both unions to discussions on the implications of the proposed measures.

THE WHISTLER had exclusively reported that the company’s workforce was reduced by 380 workers in 2023 as the brewer struggled with the loss.

Nigerian Breweries had revealed plans to raise capital of up to N600bn by way of a Rights Issue, as a means of restoring the company’s balance sheet to a healthy position.

Last year, net finance expenses of N189bn were recorded by the company in 2023 driven mainly by a foreign exchange loss of N153bn resulting from the devaluation of the naira.

Speaking on the decision to shutdown two factories, Managing Director/CEO Nigerian Breweries Plc, Hans Essaadi, said the decision was vital amid the persistently challenging operating environment.

He said, “The tough business landscape characterised by double digits inflation rates, naira devaluation, FX challenges and diminished consumer spend has taken its toll on many businesses, including ours.

“This is why we have taken the decision to further consolidate our business operations for efficient cost management. It will also improve our operational and financial stability and help return our business back to profitability, as we work together to secure the business for today and for future sustainable growth.

“We recognize and regret the impact that the suspension of brewery operations in the two affected locations may have on our employees. We are committed to limiting the impact on people as far as possible and providing strong support and severance packages to all affected.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the Federal Ministry of Education to develop guidelines for including graduates of the National Open University (NOUN) in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

This directive was given during the university’s 13th convocation ceremony, held at the University’s Convocation Arena in Jabi, Abuja.

Represented by Biodun Saliu, Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the President expressed his administration’s commitment to addressing educational inclusivity.

“With the changing demographics of our great nation, the government has recognized the importance of allowing NOUN graduates to participate in the NYSC scheme,” President Tinubu stated, emphasizing the need to harness the potential of young Nigerians from all educational backgrounds.

Opening Doors for NOUN Law Graduates

In a related development, President Tinubu also announced the resolution of the long-standing issue concerning the admittance of NOUN law graduates to the country’s law schools. “The doors of the Law School are now open to the graduates, ensuring equal opportunities for all,” he declared.

This move is expected to remove any remaining barriers faced by NOUN graduates in legal education, further cementing the government’s stance on educational equality.

The Role of Open and Distance Learning

The convocation celebrated the graduates’ academic achievements and highlighted the vital role that Open and Distance Learning (ODL) plays in shaping Nigeria’s educational landscape. The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing ODL to broaden access to higher education across the nation, essential for meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“We will continue to improve quality, access, and affordability in education through robust support for ODL,” Tinubu added, noting the pivotal role of the Federal Ministry of Education and the NUC in providing an enabling environment for effective delivery of distance education in Nigeria.

NOUN’s Evolution and Its Impacts

The President praised the evolution of NOUN from an educational platform initially envisioned for the working class to one that now caters to the broader needs of Nigeria’s youthful population. He acknowledged the challenges many school leavers face in gaining admission to traditional universities and emphasized the need for enhanced research in technology at NOUN to accommodate more young school leavers and improve social safety nets for the people.

Advancing Government Commitment Through ICT

Furthermore, President Tinubu revealed that within the next six months, NOUN would begin providing access to government officials for enrollment in various ICT programs, particularly postgraduate courses at the African Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL).

This initiative is part of a broader government effort to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency.

He urged NOUN to admit qualified government functionaries into its postgraduate programs offered by ACETEL. The President also tasked the World Bank-sponsored centre, hosted by NOUN, to focus on research that will improve the use of ICT tools for enhanced learning outcomes in Nigeria.

Two Nigerian Army officials have been arrested for stealing armoured cables from the Dangote Refinery, as announced by the Nigerian Army on Wednesday.

Naija News reports that the incident, deemed “totally unacceptable and highly regrettable” by the Army’s top brass, has raised concerns over discipline within the ranks.

The soldiers were apprehended on Sunday at the main gate of the Dangote facility, in possession of 897 precut armoured cables, while attempting to exit in an Acura jeep.

The spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, expressed deep concern regarding the breach of ethics and values represented by this incident.

According to Maj. Gen. Nwachukwu’s statement the arrest was facilitated by “the proactive intervention of vigilant troops and private security operatives on duty at the refinery.”

Nwachukwu emphasized that the actions of the two soldiers do not reflect the standards and principles upheld by the Nigerian Army.

Further details revealed by Nwachukwu suggest a contractor known only as ‘Mr. Smart’ hired the soldiers to retrieve cables left behind at the refinery.

However, as they neared a security checkpoint, Smart reportedly exited the vehicle and fled the scene, leaving the soldiers to face the consequences alone.

Nwachukwu further disclosed that investigation was ongoing to determine the full extent of the involvement of the detained soldiers in the theft.

The Nigerian Army reassured the public that it would impose appropriate disciplinary measures on the culprits, underscoring that it does not condone any acts of criminality among its personnel.

AS the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP holds its National Executive Committee, NEC meeting today, former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark has called for the setting up of a Disciplinary Committee that will be saddled with the responsibility of probing the anti-party activities of former Governor of Rivers State and others whose roles led to the failure of the PDP in the 2023 elections.

Clark described Wike who is presently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA as the greatest enemy of the PDP, manipulating it, with an intent of destroying it.

He added that his anti party activities must be dealt with decisively, by setting up a strong disciplinary committee made up a strong people with resilience to resist pecuniary gains.

In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, the Elderstatesman has also called for the immediate dissolution of the present National Working Committee, NWC of the PDP for what he described as their anti-party activities.

Clark’s statement is titled, ” As the National Working Committee, (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meets: A Poser- PDP: To be or not to be?”

The Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF said that after the dissolution of the NWC, an Acting National Chairman should be appointed in accordance with the Constitution of the party, adding that there was a precedence during the tenure of Prince Uche Secondus, who was still in court, when the party appointed another Acting National Chairman.

According to the Leader of Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF, the party should immediately revisit the on-line registration of its members as it was initiated by the then National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, to save the party from depending on individuals, just as he said that some overzealous members of the party have hijacked it for their selfish gains.

Clark has warned the party that if the former Vice President and the 2023 Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar is made the candidate for 2027 elections, PDP will collapse as the second principal party in the country today.

Clark said, ” I know that many people who read this article will say to themselves that they thought Chief Edwin Clark said he has retired from active and partisan politics. Yes, I said I have resigned from partisan and active politics. But it was one of the famous philosophers Aristotle, who said “Man is by nature a political animal.” He went on to narrate that because no human can flourish on their own, there is a natural tendency of man to partner with their fellow men.

“And one of these partnerships is that relating to polis, which is the Greek word for community; from where is derived political partnership. Therefore, for as long as Almighty God keeps me alive, both physically and mentally, I will continue to speak on governance and political matters, especially when it is tending to adversely affect our nation.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was set up by leaders of like mind who assembled in the nation’s capital, Abuja, on 28th July, 1998, to work together “for the speedy restoration of democracy, achievement of national reconciliation”, amongst others. Some of us joined immediately the idea of such an egalitarian political party was enunciated, because we felt that was what our dear country needed and still needs.

“But what has happened today? Some overzealous members of the party have hijacked it for their selfish gains. Some of us have been shouting and warning against this. I recall that in order to avoid “money bags” taking over the party, instead of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, as provided by its Constitution, a one-time National Chairman of the party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Governor of Enugu State, during his tenure, proposed in accordance with the party’s provisions, payment of membership dues by all members with which the party will be run. He denounced the issue of deep pockets taking over the party when in his acceptance speech in 2010 stated “Needless to say, we need money to prosecute our elections but I can assure you that Ghana-Must-Go bags will not be needed at the National Secretariat of PDP in order to win primary elections. There will be no room for cash-and-carry democracy in the PDP because it is the bane of true democracy.

” My sincere advice to the members of the party’s NWC which is composed of notable politicians, is that they should be courageous enough to: Set up a Disciplinary Committee to investigate the anti-party activities, particularly the roles played by some members which led to the failure of the PDP in the 2023 elections;

“To dissolve the existing NEC of the party for their anti-party activities;

“To appoint an Acting National Chairman in accordance with the Constitution of the party. This was what happened during the tenure of Uche Secondus, who was still in court, when the party appointed another Acting National Chairman;

“The party should immediately revisit the on-line registration of its members as it was initiated by the then National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, to save the party from depending on individuals, because as they say, he who pays the piper, dictates the tune.”

Earlier, the Elderstatesman said, “Rumours have it that Atiku is already preparing for the 2027 presidential election. If this is allowed, PDP will collapse as the second principal party in the country today. While no one is contesting his right of contesting or indicating interest for the presidency of the country as many times as he wishes, which as the last count is up to five times, he should also know that fair play is the bedrock of the game.

“Another person that also seems to be holding or going for the jugular of the PDP, is Barr. Nyesom Wike. Honestly, I lack words to describe his actions. The nearest description I can give for his actions is political androgynous, he is neither in PDP or APC. He seems simply acquisitive, and the greatest enemy of PDP, manipulating it, with an intent of destroying it.

“Most of us supported Barr. Wike in his agitation against Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. But he has gone too far in causing tragedy in PDP. His anti party activities must be dealt with decisively, by setting up a strong disciplinary committee made up a strong people with resilience to resist pecuniary gains, who are courageous to investigate his activities, and that of any other person/persons suspected to engage in anti-party activities. The seeming contest for the soul of the PDP between himself and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is not only ridiculous but a negation of the ideals for founding the party.

“Even though Nyesom Wike, had a good case considering what transpired during the last presidential primary election of the PDP, he has crossed the red line. Today, he is dancing naked in the market. He regards himself as the leader of both the PDP and APC in Rivers State, and that is why I described him as someone who can be referred as a political androgynous; an acquisitive person. Wike used his influence on APC National Chairman, Alhaji Umar Ganduje, to set up a caretaker committee of the party in Rivers State under the leadership of Mr. Tony Okocha, a position he, Mr. Okocha, sees as an opportunity to deride, harass and attempt to humiliate an elected Executive Governor of the State, Siminalayi Fubara.

“The story is the same in PDP in the State; where Barr. Wike recently removed the State Chairman, and recommended him for a federal appointment. Now, with his control of PDP and APC in Rivers State, he has appointed some APC members as caretaker committee members of the party in Rivers State.

“Is Nyesom Wike only waiting for the appropriate time to destroy the PDP and become a full fledge member of the APC? It is alleged that it is the same Barr. Wike who sponsored the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, to defect from the PDP to the APC, using the National Secretary of the Party, who was in court as the reason and that PDP has split.

“Even though these members in accordance with constitutional provisions have lost their seats in the House as a result of their defection to another party when there was no crisis in the party on which platform they were elected, Wike is retaining them with the support of Mr President, to the extent of threatening to impeach the Executive Governor, Siminalaye Fubara.

” I will, at this juncture, like to repeat the question I asked in the book I am writing on PDP, ‘Whither PDP: to be or not to be?’. The inordinate ambition of Their Excellencies Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Barr, Nyesom Wike, to be president of the country, will kill the party. These two seem to prefer to use their personal funds to establish their leadership, not because of their love for the party. PDP wake up! This is a clarion call.

“It is true that for some time the party had no funds, particularly the time between Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff. Nyesom Wike was the only Governor who financially supported the party. Again, in his usual manner, he insulted and humiliated the party. He dared them not to hold the party convention in Port Harcourt. The party kowtowed to him. Even after that, he continued to harass and intimidate the party. For instance, he sponsored Uche Secondus to be the national chairman of the party against the wishes of most other members. The same Barr. Wike later on instigated and sponsored the removal of Uche Secondus, two months before the party’s National Convention.

“Barr. Wike’s engagement in brash politics seems to be affecting members of the party including the party’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum and the National Secretary, who take instructions from Barr. Wike. Hence, the sixty members on the platform of the party in the House of Representatives, are calling for the resignation and or removal of the Acting National Chairman.”