The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • NDDC Board: Urhobo group lauds Egbo’s appointment as SA Media

    NDDC Board: Urhobo group lauds Egbo’s appointment as SA Media

     Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

     

    THE National President of Urhobo Political Movement UPM, Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi, on Saturday, described the appointment of Olorogun Jaro Egbo as Special Adviser, Media and Publicity Affairs to the Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Mr. Emmanuel Effiong Akwa as well-deserved.

    The pan Urhobo group also lauded the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen.  Godswill Akpabio for finding a prominent Urhobo son worthy of such appointment in this critical period of the Commission that is beleaguered with internal challenges that necessitated the forensic audit of the commission.

     

  • Ebonyi communities lament non-completion of Ivo dam project

    Ebonyi communities lament non-completion of Ivo dam project

     Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

     

    COMMUNITIES in Ivo Council of Ebonyi State have lamented the non-completion of the Ivo Dam project over six years after the federal government awarded it to the contractors.

    They lamented the failure of the contractor, Anbeez Services Nigeria Limited, to complete the project allegedly awarded in 2014, adding that it was now a major threat to their lives, farmlands and outputs.

    The dam project, which was attracted by former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, to Ivo and some communities in Enugu State, was aimed at improving agricultural production, especially rice.

    Residents, however, said the project was now a shadow of its former self and a death trap for the Amokwe, Ngwongwo, Okwe and Ameke communities in Ivo council.

    They said that no fewer than four persons drowned last year alone adding that the flood from the abandoned dam has claimed many lives since it was abandoned.

    A resident of one of the communities, Innocent Igwe said during the visit of representative of Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, Livinus Makwe, to the project site, the parlous state of the job had brought several deaths to the communities due to flooding.

    Read Also: Lecturer allegedly murdered in Ebonyi

    Igwe pointed out that the flooding caused by the dam had devastated the surrounding farmlands and listed Rolland Aja Orji, Ivoke Aja, Mrs. Udu Ajali and Cletus Ajah as victims who had drowned in the project.

    Igwe alleged that relief materials brought from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to cushion the effects of flooding in the area were diverted to communities in Enugu State that did not experience any damages.

    But the contractor, Anbeez Limited said the project was not abandoned.

    The company’s Managing Director, Anayo Onwuegbu, said: “I have nothing to worry about negative comments or reports on Anbeez Services, especially with regards to the Ivo Dam projects.

    “I am yet to recover all my debts in the projects and I will soon get Federal Executive Council’s approval of over N1b for the project,” he said.

  • Firm rewards 297 staff with long service awards

    Firm rewards 297 staff with long service awards

    Our Reporter

     

    THE Group Managing Director, Board of Directors and management of Strategic Outsourcing Limited, (SOL) Lagos, has honoured its 297 staff with long years’ service awards at its end of the year 2020 celebrations, held in Lagos, recently.

    Such awards included the 202 five-year-awards, while 95 for 10 year-service awards, in recognition of their dedication to duty and selfless commitment to the enduring success for the Group of Companies, to excel meaningfully at all times.

    The Group’s Head, Human Resources, Francesca Gabriel, while identifying with the immense contributions of the award recipients, noted that such revered awards were in line with the Group’s policy.

    While extolling the sterling virtues of the awardees, the Group Managing Director, Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, expressed his and the Group’s profound appreciation to the staff and the beneficiaries for their steadfastness and unflinching support thus far.

    Ogunlowo, however, charged all for more vibrant worthy contributions and dedication in their respective duties towards the coming years of greater success ahead.

  • Mixed reactions trail installation of new monarch in Anambra community

    Mixed reactions trail installation of new monarch in Anambra community

     Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

     

    PEOPLE of Abacha community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have urged their new traditional ruler, Chief Godwin Odiegwu to seek for peace and other virtues capable of uniting the town to enable him render quality service to them.

    Traditional Prime Minister (Onowu) of the town, Chief Paul Omofia gave the advice during the presentation of the monarch at Ukwuora Iro Olisa Square, the ancestral selection place for all monarchs of the town.

    Odiegwu, an Onitsha based business mogul replaced the former monarch, GBC Mbakwe who was among the three royal fathers their certificates of recognition were recently withdrawn by the state government following their trip to Abuja.

    The community, through Abacha Development Union (ADU) had during its annual end of the year meeting, passed a resolution declaring vacant the monarch’s seat after the former monarch was rejected by majority of indigenes over nonperformance, violation of custom and tradition, unpopularity, among other reasons.

    Omofia expressed gratitude to God and Governor Willie Obiano for restoring peace and harmony in the town and the state in general, appealing for the people’s support to ensure the monarch excelled.

    Also speaking, President General of the community, Mr. Ifeanyi Obata enjoined the people to cooperate with the town union executives and the state government to attract developmental dividends to the community.

    “The community cannot continue to witness vacuum in the traditional ruler’s institution. We solicit for your support and cooperation for the new traditional ruler,” he said.

    On their part, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Chief Ikemefuna Okoye, an indigene of the town, and woman activist, Amb. Uche Okeke urged the monarch not to disappoint the people by carrying everybody along, just as they called on government to give the monarch maximum support for him to succeed.

    Read Also: Missing 5-year-old girl found in Anambra

    Meanwhile, some group of persons from the community had berated the development, appealing to the state government to reinstate the dethroned traditional ruler, Igwe Godwin Mbakwe.

    One of the spokespersons, Mr. Emeka Onwuka, explained that some people who had been skimming to remove the monarch saw the suspension as an opportunity to install someone else against the interest of the entire community.

    Another resident, Dr. Chukwujekwu Odiegwu, said government had the right to suspend whoever it wished, but insisted that due process must be followed in the selection of a new traditional ruler where necessary.

  • Osun schools to resume on January 18

    Osun schools to resume on January 18

    Our Reporter

     

    THE government of the State of Osun has directed schools across the state to reopen on Monday January 18 for the continuation of first term of the 2020/21 academic calendar.

    It has also announced its reinforcement of the already established capacities to ensure compliance with the Covid-19 safety protocols.

    During a briefing on Saturday, on OSBC 104.5FM, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Hon. Jamiu Olawumi, said the government was set to receive learners as preparations were in top gear to reopen basic education facilities to pupils and students on Monday.

    Olawunmi said aside the initial Covid-19 safety materials that were initially given to schools at the beginning of the term, the State’s Ministry of Education had made provisions to augment the materials (where necessary) to ensure the safety of students and teachers across the State.

    According to him: “The challenge faced by the government in enforcing compliance among the generality of the masses has proven easier in specialised communities like schools, where instructions are to be obeyed. This is unlike the disposition of people in marketplaces who have not been abiding by the protocols.

    Read Also: Osun lawmakers pass vote of confidence in Speaker

    “We have engaged our teachers on the need to enforce responsibilities and ensure that parents too key into the government’s philosophy of responsible parenting, not only to improve on their wards’ academic performance, but to also promote healthy living of their children and wards.

    “On the part of the government, arrangements have been made to augment the Covid-19 prevention materials that were earlier supplied to schools. The supplies will be made to the necessary locations with effect from Monday, immediately schools reopen,” Olawunmi stated.

     

  • Budget implementation: Council chairman solicits for cooperation

    Budget implementation: Council chairman solicits for cooperation

    Our Reporter

     

    THE Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori LCDA, Ijanikin Prince Musibau Asafa has reiterated his commitment to ensuring a consultative and transparent administration.

    He made the declaration during the 2021 Budget Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the LCDA to promote advancement in the fiscal year.

    Soliciting for more cooperation, Asafa said, “All of these developments came as a result of the people’s cooperation. I solicit for more in terms of revenue generation in order to embark on additional projects across the five wards.”

    The Council Chiefs used the opportunity to extol some of the administration’s achievements which include the completion of St. Peter Anglican Nursery and Primary School, Ishagira; construction of a block of six classrooms in LA Nursery and Primary School Ilogbo Elegba; six classrooms at Ajewamiwa Nursery and Primary School, Imude; six classrooms at L.A Primary School, Era; six classroom at Anglican Nursery and Primary School, Oto/Ijanikin and another six classrooms at Ilemba Awori Town.”

  • Coca-Cola, Sweep partner on environmental sustainability

    Coca-Cola, Sweep partner on environmental sustainability

    Our Reporter

     

    The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded a grant to SWEEP Foundation to launch a new environmental sustainability initiative, titled ‘Waste In The City’ across key locations in Lagos, Nigeria.

    As part of the company’s commitment to fostering a waste-free world, the grant was awarded to the NGO to bolster efforts to reduce plastic pollution and engender a positive orientation towards environmental wellness practices.

    Through this grant, the Waste In The City initiative will be rolled out across three local government areas within Lagos State comprising Surulere LGA, Coker-Aguda LCDA and Itire-Ikate LCDA. Its implementation will include advocacy, deployment of waste collection receptacles and provision of sustainable livelihood for the youth across selected communities.

    SWEEP Foundation will establish 100 pilot collection receptacles (drop-off centres) for the recovery of recyclable waste within Surulere LGA; Coker-Aguda and Itire-Ikate LCDA empowering 100 youths’ recyclers under this partnership.

    Speaking on this partnership with SWEEP Foundation, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Head, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited explained,

    “This is aligned with global efforts to increase the recycling and recovery of PET bottles while promoting the right attitude around waste management. It also provides a unique opportunity to impact the lives of the youth demographic through job creation. We believe projects such as Waste In The City are a real and effective means of driving change around the world, “she added.

    While environmental waste in Lagos State poses a problem to the increasing human population, drainages and canals continue to be clogged with plastic and other domestic waste despite the good efforts of waste evacuation operators, Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN), the Association Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWMAN) and the Lagos Waste Management Authority, (LAWMA).

    According to Phillips Obuesi, President and CEO, Statewide Waste and Environmental Education Foundation (SWEEP), this formed the basis for the initiative.

    “The Waste In The City initiative was borne out of a survey conducted by the Foundation, the results of which indicated the unsustainable waste disposal lifestyles occasioned by lack of environmental education and a lack of collection centres within the target communities.”

  • Foundation, others get awards

    Foundation, others get awards

    By Medinat Kanabe

     

    FOR their contributions to the development of Iwaya community and support during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Oba elect, Babatunde Adegbenro Ajaga, and royal council of chiefs of Iwaya, Lagos has awarded the Damilola Niran Ademuyiwa Visions Foundation (DNAVF) and others.

    The award ceremony held at the Oba Palace, Iwaya.

    Speaking to The Nation, The Akinrogun of Iwaya Land, Chief Bolanle Akinyemi said “The community and Nigeria as a whole went through a very turbulent 2020 but because of the support of the NGOs we came out strong.

    “We also organised a successful U-15 tournament for 32 football clubs in the mainland with their support during this period,” he said.

    On his part, Country Representative, DNAVF, Ogunsua Ayotomiwa said his NGO encourages and supports sport activities alot that’s why when they were called upon they supported the community.

  • Scholar seeks inclusion of moral values in school curricular

    Scholar seeks inclusion of moral values in school curricular

    By Charles Okonji

     

    GREATER Heights Academy has called on economic managers to as a matter of urgency review schools’ curricular by including the ideals of values and moral, noting that moral decadence in the society is edging towards an unprecedented level in the country.

    Speaking on the sidelines of its 6th graduation ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer, Greater Heights Academy, Mr. Timi Owolabi, emphasised the need to realign the curriculum with value system the nation cherish to churn out students that would benefit the society and Nigeria at large.

    Represented by the Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Greater Heights Academy, Mr. Tayo Owolabi, said the academic year has been challenging occasioned with the Covid-19 pandemic, urging the federal government to implement policies aimed at encouraging the educational sector.

    Read Also: Diri gives scholarship at carol night

    In his words, “No doubt the academic year has been challenging and that is why we chose a topic tagged, ‘The value system and the future of the Nigerian child.’ We need to realign our curriculum with our value system, we need to go to civic education and really go back to those values that we cherish and start imbibing them in children. We cannot achieve all of that without inputting it into the curriculum. We need to review the curriculum to ensure that all these values fit in to churn out children with values for the benefit of the society.”

    Delivering his keynote address, the Chairman, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Ijebu-North Chapter, Rev. Paul Agbaje, said the collapse of value system has a huge effect on education, saying that no society can achieve its target if its values are left at the mercy of the individual’s situation, circumstances and time without everyone playing their roles.

  • Community raises the alarm over activities of land grabbers

    Community raises the alarm over activities of land grabbers

    Our Reporter

     

    RESIDENCE in uptown district of Lagos, under the aegis of Concerned Williams Estate Resident Association in Akowonjo, Alimosho Local Government Lagos State has called on Governor Babajide Sanwolu to save them from the activities of land grabbers within the community.

    According to the Association’s chairman. Alfred Oshinoki, at issue is that these sets of miscreants have encroached on an open space in the Estate reserved for the recreation centre.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu: pandemic not a glamorous disease

    In a statement issued at the weekend, Oshinoki said, “There is an approved layout plan for the open space reserved for recreation centre for the community use, but it is rather unfortunate that these miscreants have encroached on the said land without government approval to commence an illegal structure on the land.”

    Worried by the encroachment, the Association, Oshinoki recalled, petitioned the Ministry of Physical Planning on this development in June 2019 and followed it up with another, with the Commissioner for Physical Planning Lagos State Dr. Idris Salako quoted as saying that open spaces were important for the sustainability of the people, that at no time should the entire landscape be utilised for building alone.