By Cross Udo, Abuja
The tripartite stakeholders of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) recently converged on Abuja as part of the broad vision of the new management for a consistent wide engagement with the Fund’s critical stakeholders aimed to align with the changing demands in the world of work.
The event, whose theme was: Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement in NSITF, pulled together hundreds of captains of industries who are enrolees of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme in the Abuja region, the leadership of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), leaders of the nation’s two labour centres- Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Others were government representatives as well as direct beneficiaries of the ECS and dependents of deceased enrolees.
The event put together by the SERVICOM Department of the NSITF also had in attendance, the National Coordinator of the Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM) Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli.
Recall that the articulated roadmap of the new leadership of the Fund termed “Strategic Priorities 2024-2027” which is premised on five key pillars has stakeholder engagement, strengthening governance and oversight through extensive monitoring and evaluation as the number one.
In his keynote address, the Managing Director of the NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, expressed the commitment of his management to continued collaboration with the Fund’s stakeholders as a way to foster constructive engagements and harmonious relationship between the Fund and its stakeholders.
Highlighting the importance and benefits of the ECS to employers and employees, he noted the need for workplace safety and culture.
Borrowing from the theme of this year’s Customer Service Week, Faleye further reiterated the readiness of his leadership to take the Fund “above and beyond” in the delivery of its mandate, pledging to do more to ensure seamless access to the services of the Fund.
He also pledged commitment to transparency, drawing attention to the ongoing review of the Fund’s Service Charter and internal processes to make it easier for enrolees to access benefits.
He summed up his address with an assurance that the informal sector would be given a measure of cover for an all-inclusive provision in the review of ECA 2010.
Speaking to reporters by the side-line of the forum, the Managing Director said, “What we want is a process that self-regulates, where the employees are also a check on the employer, asking the necessary questions about contributions to the NSITF in terms of compliance.
“This is because at the end of the day, the employees will reap the benefits of the scheme, and that requires the employees’ vigilance in ensuring compliance by their employers. Enrolment into the scheme is the right of every employee by law.”
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of SERVICOM, Nnenna Akajemeli, stated that brand enhancement, building of trust, and risk management form the pillars for stakeholder’s engagement. She advocated for the maintenance of strong relationships with the stakeholders through tailored communication, regular updates, and two-way feedback as a way to conflict resolution.
Also contributing, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, emphasised the need for effective service delivery to alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian citizens. At the same time, the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Osifo, represented by the President of ASSBIFI, Comrade Oluwole Olusoji, urged the NSITF to broaden its services to reach more workers.
The Director General of Nigeria Employer Consultative Association NECA, Smart Oyerinde, underscored the need to enlarge the coverage of ECA 2010 to include benefits to older adults, urging the Fund to improve its public sensitization and awareness of its mandate.
