The Nation Newspaper

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  • Amaechi inaugurates UN House

    Amaechi inaugurates UN House

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi yesterday inaugurated the United Nations (UN) Office in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    Amaechi expressed appreciation to the UN for its presence in the state, despite the challenges in the Niger Delta.

    He urged the UN team to ensure proper planning in maintaining functional structures in the state.

    The governor said: “Although proper planning is an issue in this country, there is need for the office to ensure proper planning of functional structures and institutions to promote good governance and better welfare for the people.”

    He said the government would partner the UN to improve the living standard of the people.

    The UN Area Security Coordinator, Dr. Larry Boms, thanked Amaechi for his support in the acquisition of the land on which the building was built.

    Boms said: “The UN House in Port Harcourt would go a long way in reducing poverty, improve the living standard of the people and provide enlightenment to sustain the peaceful co-existence in Rivers State.”

    The UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Daouda Toure, said the UN House would provide professional advice and assistance towards achieving set objectives of the UN agencies in the state.

  • ‘Funding is bane of culture’

    ‘Funding is bane of culture’

    Since September 11 bombings in New York, United States, the world has seemingly lost its peace. No nation can boast of being immune from violence. Yet, every nation is aggressively promoting its culture and tourism. In Nigeria, funding is bane of culture, according to Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) Prof Tunde Babawale in this chat with Assistant Editor (Art) Ozolua Uhakheme

     

    The Nigerian government still needs to understand perfectly what culture and tourism mean to the nation. There are some of us who cannot compete with the oil and gas sector. But, we must understand that it is not everything that translates into Naria and kobo. There are intangibles in our heritage that are more important than Naira and kobo, and that is what culture is all about.”

    This is the position of Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), Prof Tunde Babawale while speaking on why the different tiers of governments must promote culture as an antidote to the increasing violence in the country.

    Prof Babawale said culture provides the essential ingredients for tourism growth in most countries of the world, and as such must be marketed, promoted and funded. Culture, he said, is relevant to any society because it is economics and part of politics, as it epitomises the life of the people. According to him, most tourists from across the globe admire America today not because America gives them money or because America is very rich.

    “But it is because of the American culture that is being promoted by Hollywood. If we don’t have agencies such as CBAAC promoting our culture, supporting structures and institutions like Nollywood to do that all over the world, we will get nowhere. We will remain derided as a people and be disrespected everywhere as a nation of scammers.

    “That is not all. There is no nation in the world that does not have scammers. But when people make it look as if it is only in Nigeria that people throw bombs, when bombs are thrown regularly in Israel and Lebanon, we must rise to the challenge using our culture. Interestingly, people still visit these countries either on business trip or on pilgrimage,” he said, noting that people still travel to flash points such as Syria where there is a war going on.

    According to him, in Europe today, no one is sure of when the next bomb would be thrown; yet, Nigerians still rush to the continent. He blamed this on the nation’s inability to put its right foot forward by promoting culture through effective and adequate funding.

    Reacting to what he calls the Ministry of Culture’s poor budget, Babawale said in such a situation much cannot be achieved. CBAAC, he said, that had a budgetary allocation that is 82 per cent less than what it had last year, adding that from what is being proposed for next year, the Centre would get a 13 per cent further reduction from its budgetary allocation. He said unless something drastic is done to prevent that abnormal situation, the Centre would be made redundant. The culture ministry has 10 parastatals and agencies under it, and CBAAC has the least budget, even when it is the only agency that has an international mandate. The latest 13 per cent reduction, according to him, is to some extent a general policy by the Federal Government.

    He said: “It is not only ironic it would have been laughable if not tragic, that the only agency that is empowered by law to pursue cultural diplomacy for Nigeria is the least budgeted for in the ministry today. I have written to the finance minister over this development and I am positive that something would be done to redress this situation.”

    Considering the Pan-African orientation of the centre and its international mandate, Babawale said it is imperative that the agency is provided with sufficient funding to enable it meet its statutory responsibilities. “The 82 per cent reduction in its 2012 budget from that of last year has literally handcuffed the centre and made it impossible for it to effectively carry out its activities,” he added.

    Notwithstanding these challenges, Babawale is determined to realise the objectives he set for himself on assuming office in 2006. He recalled that his objective from day one has been to ensure that CBAAC would be to the African Union, what UNESCO is to the United Nations. This process, he said, would soon be completed and he would have left a CBAAC that has been repositioned with a staff that is motivated, committed, and can compete favourably with any of their contemporaries in the world.

    How far has he fared in realising this? On assumption of office, he pledged to lift culture beyond the realm of antiquity and get feedback from the man on the streets. Today, CBAAC has held top flight conferences and seminars in Nigeria and in the Diaspora ranging from the UNESCO slave route project international scientific committee meeting, to conflict prevention, resolution and reconciliation in Africa, international conference on Africa and African Diaspora, Africa Day symposium and expo, international conferences, harmonisation of cross border languages, promotion of African indigenous stimulants and the Black History month celebration, among others. In fact, in the last two years, over 15 of such events have been held by CBAAC, aimed improving bilateral relationship between Nigeria and countries such as Brazil, Niger, Trinidad and Tobago, Cameroon and South Africa.

    Besides, the centre has developed an African heritage centre with cultural objects belonging to different African countries and the Black race on display.

  • Suspected burglar electrocuted in Ebonyi

    A middle-aged man was yesterday electrocuted in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

    The police said the man was trying to break into a grocery store, when the incident occurred.

    Police spokesman Sylvester Igbo said: “This morning, we received information that a burglar broke into a shop at No. 22, Ezza Road. When he went into the ceiling, there was no electricity. Power was restored while he was still up there and he was electrocuted.

    “When the owner of the shop got there this morning and saw that the shop’s doors were damaged, she alerted the police, who discovered the body in the ceiling.

    “The body is yet to be identified and has been deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA). The police have started investigating the incident to unravel what happened, if the deceased had accomplices and how many people were with him”

    The owner of the shop, Mrs. Chukwu Virtue, said: “I have lost over N1.8 million to burglars. This is the eighth time burglars are coming to my shop.

    “This morning, my brother came to the shop and discovered that the padlock had been cut and the roof of my neighbour’s shop had been broken. We alerted the police and the man in the roof was confirmed dead.”

    Igbo said two suspected robbers; Friday Emeba and Emeka Iwuoha were arrested on the Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway.

    He said two locally made double-barrelled pistols, a vehicle number plate, two live cartridges, one chisel hammer and two handsets were recovered from the suspects.

     

  • Benue inaugurates 42 buses

    Benue inaugurates 42 buses

    Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam has inaugurated 42 buses to boost the state-owned transport company, Benue Links Nig Limited.

    The General Manager of the firm, Mr. John Baka, an engineer, put the cost of the buses at N200 million, with a loan from Infrastructure Bank and guarantee  by Diamond Bank.

    Baka also appealed to the state government to asphalt the company’s terminus, which is said to have been taken over by flood.

    The GM further requested that the Suswam administration help the transport firm to acquire Marcopolo buses to enable it extend its services beyond the state.

    The Commissioner for Works and Transport, Hon. Benjamin Ashaver also urged the management of the company to guard against misusing the buses, directing that all drivers in the employ of the firm must be well trained.

    Hon. Ashaver advised the police and personnel of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) not to hesitate to impound any vehicle and arrest the driver who runs foul of the law. This, many belive, will instill discipline in operators of the buses.

    Suswam  hailed the purchase of the buses, saying they would boost commuting in several areas of the state, including, especially, the rural areas.

    The governor also called on the management of the firm to ensure that the buses are properly deployed to cover all those rural roads.

    Suswam equally urged managers of the state transport company to charge affordable rates in order not to rob the masses of the facility.

    The governor made the point that the buses should help the poor to commute better, not worsen their challenges.

    Suswam was in good company when he inaugurated the buses. As he cut the tape to unveil the vehicles, GM Baka offered assistance.

    Commissioner Ashaver was equally on hand, as were officials of the FRSC.

  • Emirs begin consultations over stranded 700 pilgrims

    Emirs begin consultations over stranded 700 pilgrims

    •Reps protest

    •NAHCON: No suspension of Hajj

     

    EMIRS have begun consultations on the next line of action following the refusal of Saudi Arabian government to allow 700 women pilgrims into Jeddah.

    Also, some Muslim groups are mounting pressure on Emirs and some leaders of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) for a boycott of this year’s Hajj.

    The Saudi authorities had on Sunday prevented the 700 pilgrim from Jigawa and Sokoto states, from entering the country because they do not have male companions.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The Emirs in the North have started consultations on the next line of action. These pilgrims are still stranded in the open place at the airport in Jeddah with cold.

    “The Saudi government used to do this to Iranian pilgrims. Now, they have turned against Nigerian pilgrims.

    “Although the issue is being addressed at diplomatic level, the Saudi government has remained unyielding.

    “These Emirs are already under pressure from some Muslim groups to prevail on the Federal Government to allow Nigerian pilgrims to boycott this year’s Hajj.

    “But the Sultan of Sokoto has been appealing for calm so that the issue can be resolved peacefully.”

    A senior Emir, who spoke in confidence, described the maltreatment of the pilgrims as “unacceptable and absolutely humiliating.”

    He said: “Treating these innocent Muslim women as common criminals under degrading conditions at detention centres is an act of hostility least expected of a host country like Saudi Arabia.

    The Emir said: “We have no knowledge of any law by the Saudi Authorities, which say that female pilgrims must be accompanied by their husband or male relatives. Our women have never been subjected to this legal requirement before.

    “In fact, if such law ever existed, the Saudi Arabian authorities have never drawn the attention of Nigerian pilgrims’ authorities to this regulation.

    “Introducing such tough regulation when the female pilgrims are already in Saudi land is unjust and unfriendly. It is also disturbing that this requirement is only being imposed on Nigerians at the 11th hour. Is this discriminatory treatment fair or just?

    The House of Representatives yesterday protested the detention of the female pilgrims.

    According to the lawmakers, the introduction of new policies without prior knowledge or notice was questionable and a sign of total disregard for Nigeria, as a country by Saudi authorities.

    The lawmakers questioned the essence of valid visa obtained by the pilgrims (especially those aged 40 and below) who were denied entry for not having their male partners (Muharam) with them.

    Deputy Minority Leader Kawu Abdulrahman (ANPP, Kano), who under a point of order lamented the plight of the pilgrims, said the victims were not notified of the new rule.

    Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, regretted the incidence but said the Committee had intervened.

    According to her, the understanding between the two countries had allowed direct flight into Medina, “Nigeria naturally feel offended but the issue is under control as some of the women are being allowed to go in,” she added..

    Chairman of the Committee on the Millennium Development Goals, Alhassan Ado Garba (PDP, Kano) however critised the said development saying that as at yesterday, many of the affected pilgrims were still not attended to.

    “The last call I made to one of my sisters called Hajara revealed their pathetic condition. Hajara is sick and could not access any form of medication in the last 48 hours. Though, they allowed my mother to go in but she could not leave her children there.

    “I am not sure the situation is under the control of the government because I also called our Ambassador to Saudi about the matter,” Garba lamented.

    The House resolved to direct the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to urgently wade into the matter, with a view to ensuring that the pilgrims are allowed to perform the Hajj.

    The Speaker Aminu Tambuwal however, urged continued interface between the Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a view of briefing the House tomorrow.

    NAHCON yesterday said it has not suspended this year’s Hajj operation because of the maltreatment of 700 pilgrims by Saudi authorities.

    The commission also confirmed the airlift of 23,000 pilgrims so far.

    Its spokesman Alhaji Mana Uba, who spoke with our correspondent, said the issue is being addressed diplomatically.

    Uba said: “We have not suspended Hajj operation because of the challenge being faced by some of our female pilgrims in Jeddah. We are also not contemplating a boycott of this year’s Hajj.

    “As I am talking to you, we have airlifted more than 23,000 pilgrims and the women constitute about 45 per cent.

    The spokesman gave insight into how the female pilgrims became stranded.

    He added: Actually, we are trying very hard to resolve the matter through diplomatic means. The challenge arose from the screening in Jeddah by Saudi authorities.

    “These female pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia with their Muharrams (male guardians) but the authorities separated them from their male counterparts. They created two rows separately for men and women.

    “Coincidentally, the men were cleared before the women only for the authorities to allege that the women have no guardians.

    “Our consulate in Jeddah has stepped into the issue. We hope that within the next few days, we would be able to resolve it.”

     

  • We resigned from Mimiko’s govt, say ex-aides

    Opeyemi Igbede, an aide to Ondo State Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi, yesterday resigned his appointment from the ruling Labour Party (LP) administration.

    The three Special Assistants (SAs) to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who quit office on Monday, said they resigned voluntarily as against the government’s announcement that they were sacked.

    The three former aides are: Kayode Agunloye (aka K.K), Soji Ojomo and Chris Anota.

    Agunloye was the LP Chairman in Akoko South West before he was appointed a Special Assistant (SA).

    Speaking with The Nation in Akure, the state capital, Agunloye, Ojomo and Anota said the Mimiko administration was deceitful.

    Agunloye said: “We were astonished to hear on the Ondo State Radivision Corporation (OSRC) on Monday that we were dismissed by the government. As early as 8am on that day, we were at the Governor’s Office to tender our letters of resignation. Immediately Deputy Governor Olanusi got the inkling of our resignation, he quickly phoned the OSRC General Manager to lie to the public that we were dismissed.

    “We resigned because of the bad leadership style of Olanusi, who is from the same Akoko South West Local Government as ourselves.

    “Our grievances arose from discrimination against Akoko South West Constituency I. In Akoko South West II, there are two commissioners, apart from the Deputy Governor. Nobody is representing us in Akoko South West I and there is no Oka-Akoko indigene serving in Mimiko’s Executive Council (Exco) except those in the local government areas.”

    The former aide alleged that Olanusi, who was supposed to be their leader, did not assist anyone of them in the area.

    According to him, in Akoko South West II, majority of the residents benefitted from two of their leaders, Col. Roland Omowa and Abiodun Ogunbi.

    Agunloye said Olanusi was at Supare when he instructed OSRC chief to carry the distorted news.

    He said: “We submitted our resignation letters to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). We discussed the development with a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor, Mr. Bamiduro Dada. But instead of the deputy governor to dialogue with us on the matter, he ignored us. We did not see him as a good political leader.

    “We are soldiers with followers; we are moving the whole territory in Akoko South West to our new camp. Our dismissal report is a joke. We are the leaders in Akoko South. We will shock Mimiko and Olanusi on October 20. The deputy governor has no weight in the area.”

    Igbede, who was the Special Assistant to Deputy Governor on Political Matters, decried the “use and dump policy” of the Mimiko administration.

    He said those who worked for the success of LP and Mimiko in 2007 were driven away or relegated to the background.

    The former aide said new-comers were made leaders in the ruling party in Akoko South West over old members.

    Igbede noted that despite the huge resources accruable to the government, the Mimiko administration is a failure.

    He said: “Look at public primary and secondary schools in the state; they are in a sorry state. The existing structures are falling down, roofs are leaking.

    “General hospitals are experiencing inadequate drugs and facilities. There’s no employment, no motorable roads; even a kilometre road has not been inaugurated in the last three and a half years of the Mimiko administration.”

  • ‘Pirate’ names accomplices

    A suspected pirate, who was arrested at Igbokoda, Ondo State, has named some highly-placed Nigerians as some of the backers of his group. The suspect, who is being detained in an undisclosed place, has named some of his accomplices, who the police have declared wanted.

    One of the suspects was said to have scaled the wall of his house when security agents attempted to arrest him last weekend.

    According to a source, the suspected kingpin, known as Wazobia was arrested after a gun duel that lasted for about 35 minutes.

    The combined team shortly after, also raided the pirates’ training camp where they apprehended 13 others after some resistance.

    Recovered at the camp were explosive devices, long range high calibre weapons, about 10,000 ammunition of various types and other dangerous items.

    The security agents also recovered an operational map indicating that the hijackers were planning to launch another attack on the high seas.

    The suspects, particularly their leader, it was learnt, made useful statements to the police.

    The leader of the gang told the security operatives that he and his men had hijacked close to 20 fully loaded vessels on the high seas, in the last 10 months.

    According to the prime suspect, no fewer than 24 persons, including three foreigners and uniformed men had been killed by the gang.

    The major suspect, it was learnt, also named about three other storage facilities where stolen oil was being deposited for onward distribution.

    One of the facilities located in Apapa, Lagos, had been sealed off by the government, as its top management staff were arrested and questioned.

    Security agents are currently mounting surveillance on the others.

    Wazobia said the last vessel hijacking operation he took part in with some of his boys, was about two weeks ago, where he said they killed a foreigner on board and also took some money in hard currencies.

    The prime suspect gave the name of the affected vessel as M . T. Rosatomassos.

    As a result of pressures from prominent Nigerians to have the suspect released from detention, the military high command has moved the detainees to one of the Brigade commands, in the North, it was learnt.

    Wazobia disclosed that they often recruited men from neighboring countries such as Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Training often took place in some locations n Nigeria.

     

  • Jonathan a president on internship, says ACN

    Jonathan a president on internship, says ACN

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday described President Goodluck Jonathan as a trainee-President.

    In a statement in Ilorin, Kwara State capital by its National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party wondered how else one can describe the administration’s lack of capacity to be pro-active or respond in a timely and robust manner to the recent catalogue of woes and national calamities.

    In the opinion of the party, the continued bungling of the Boko Haram insurgency, which is harvesting more deaths almost on a daily basis, the unstoppable carnage on our roads, the executive somersaults of the administration on policy issues, and in general the slow, unfocused and uncertain responses of government to issues depict a government on internship.

    According to the ACN, the closure of the Lokoja-Abuja highway which had cut off Abuja, the nation’s capital city due to flooding of roads and bridges on the Abuja-Lokoja highway signposts the extent of our decayed national infrastructure and exposes the incapable hands entrusted to salvage them. However, even worse is the fact that the President has not deemed it fit to comment on this disaster, neither has there been any visit by a minister or any co-ordinated response to the disaster from the central government.

    On a week-end of multiple disasters such as the Lokoja flooding , the bomb blast in Bauchi, and the two weeks of non-stop flooding all around the country, the President’s handlers showed more concern in informing the people about President Jonathan’s trip to the United Nations General Assembly summit than explaining or proposing a co-ordinated response to these calamities, the party said

    The disposition of Jonathan’s administration to the welfare of Nigerians confirms the widely held belief that the welfare or well-being of Nigerians is definitely not a priority to his government otherwise why could the President not find time to visit even by helicopter the disaster zones to at least give hope to the victims or their relations? the party queried.

     

  • Transformation’s score card

    Title: Sure & Steady Transformation:

    Progress Report of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Volume One

    Publisher: GDP Associates Ltd

    Pages: 155

    Year of Publication: 2012

    Reviewer: Otive Igbuzor, PhD

     

    The book Sure & Steady Transformation is an attempt by Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Research, Documentation and Strategy to document the highlights of the progress report of 30 ministries under the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

    In this review, we shall follow the normal pattern of reviewing intellectual contributions. We will therefore describe the content of the book and its contribution to knowledge. We will then do a critique and make suggestions for future edition and the way forward for the transformation of our country.

    The 155-page book is beautifully laid out with good pictures. It is easy to read with very bold prints. The book is divided into thirty two sections containing President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan inauguration address on 29th May, 2011; highlights of 30 ministries and a section on building strong institutions. In his inauguration address, the President thanked all Nigerians for the mandate given to him and declared that our decade of development and transformation had begun. He made a commitment to demonstrate the leadership, statesmanship, vision, capacity, and sacrifice to transform Nigeria in all the critical sectors by harnessing the creative energies of our people. He vowed to fight for the future of all Nigerians and in all sectors to improve the standard of living of all Nigerians.

    The focus of the ministry of Agriculture is to assure food security, reduce expenditure on foreign exchange on food imports, diversify the economy, generate foreign exchange and create jobs. Within the first 12 months, it has recorded great achievements in agricultural policy reforms; transformation of several crops; institutional reforms and international donor support for the agricultural transformation agenda. Corruption in fertilizer distribution has been eliminated, a database of 4.5 million farmers developed, a growth enhancement programme launched to provide targeted support for seeds and fertilizers; electronic wallet system developed using mobile phones to deliver subsidized seeds and fertilizers to farmers and thirty billion naira leveraged from commercial banks to finance seed and fertilizer supply. The crops with specific transformation programmes include cassava, rice, sorghum, cocoa, cotton and oil palm.

    The Ministry of Aviation is implementing an Aviation Master Plan designed to provide a safe, secure, profitable and self sustaining world class industry with a distinct airport experience for travelers. The ministry has developed a business code for engaging domestic and foreign operators on the flag carrier and national carrier models; an enhanced safety programme/projects; improved regulatory oversight; massive remodeling and reconstruction of airports across the country and capacity building for workers in the sector.

    The Ministry of Communication Technology is developing ICT infrastructure and policy for the country. The ministry has launched the NigComSat-IR satellite; deployed PCs to 766 secondary schools; PCs and internet access to 193 tertiary institutions; IT centres in 240 locations; scholarship scheme for masters and PhD students and many other projects.

    The Ministry of Defence has rehabilitated several infrastructure including the national war museum; workshops and equipment for the armed forces. There has also been construction and rehabilitation of several barracks, hospitals, cemeteries and procurement of patrol vehicles and vessels. It has also tried to tackle the problems confronting the country including measures to curb the activities of terrorists and criminals and proliferation of small arms and weapons.

    The Ministry of Education has developed a 4 year strategic plan for the development of the education sector. The ministry is implementing an Almajiri Education programme; Girl Education programme; back to school programme in South East geo-political zone; technical/vocational education and training and capacity strengthening for principals and teachers. It has also developed library resources; constructed classrooms; awarded scholarships and developed centres of excellence.

    The Ministry of Environment within the period of one year has completed the first phase of National Forest for biodiversity conservation; tackled deforestation in seven Northern states by raising six million tree seedlings; engaged in erosion and flood control projects in 62 locations nationwide and increased policy efforts towards the revival of Lake Chad.

    The Federal Capital Territory has developed a roadmap for sustainable development of FCTA. It is also engaging in land administration reform; re-established the Satellite Towns Development Agency and massive infrastructural development. The FCT has increased internally generated revenue by 35 percent since 2011.

    The Ministry of Finance is focused on restoration of fiscal prudence and steady and successful macroeconomic management resulting in lowering of government fiscal deficit from 3.35 percent of GDP in 2010 to 2.85 percent by 2012; reduction in recurrent expenditure from 77.18 percent of Federal Government budget in 2010 to 71.47 percent by 2012 and raising capital expenditure from 22.82 percent of budget in 2010 to 28.53 percent by 2012 and development of a fiscal framework for 2013 budget that will reduce fiscal deficit to 2.17 percent of GDP, reduce recurrent expenditure to 68.7 percent of budget and increase capital expenditure to 31.3 percent of the budget. Other achievements of the ministry include improved management of government debt; improvement in Nigeria’s sovereign credit rating by Fitch Ratings Agency and Standard and Poor; reinvigorating the capital market; sovereign wealth fund; establishment of the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment (SURE-P) programme and spearheading the YouWIN programme.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pursued a strong commitment to the promotion of democracy and democratic values in foreign policy, promotion of good neighbourliness, regional security and ensuring the election of Nigerians into international organisations.

    The Ministry of Health is implementing the National Strategic Health Development Plan. It is rehabilitating and equipping several teaching hospitals including OAU Teaching Hospital, Nnamdi Azikiwe University and University of Calabar. It has procured syringes, ambulances, blood banks, etc. It is also implementing programmes on disease control and surveillance as well as treatment of diseases and developing human resources for the health sector.

    The Ministry of Information has developed a comprehensive communication strategy to communicate government programmes and policies to the public. In addition, the ministry has developed a multi-media communication plan, campaign for nationwide security awareness and anti-terrorism, promotion of vision 20:2020 and the transformation agenda, and capacity building for staff of the ministry.

    The Ministry of Interior has formulated a new investor/tourist friendly visa policy; and has been involved in control of illegal immigrants; and control of private guards companies. It has also constructed paramilitary villages and offices across the country.

    The Ministry of Justice has articulated a strategy for implementation of Justice Reforms in Nigeria. It has also drafted and gazetted subsidiary instruments to give effect to principal laws and collaborated with various organizations on the anti-corruption crusade.

    The Ministry of Labour and Productivity managed the fuel subsidy removal crisis and negotiated with several labour unions on the national minimum wage and other labour issues. It has also constructed training centres and conducted training on entrepreneurial skills, industrial relations etc.

    The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban development has developed national housing policy and national urban development policy. It has initiated contractor financed initiatives under Private-Public-Partnership (PPP) in ten states of the federation. It has also established a factory to produce light gauge steel, enabled mortgage financing, pursuing urban renewal and slum upgrading and creating jobs in the housing sector.

    The Ministry of Mines and Steel has issued a new mineral and mining regulation as guidance on the Mineral and Mining Act 2007. It has issued 2,476 active mineral titles, provided infrastructural facilities to 33 mining communities and supported 24 Artisanal and Small Scale Miners (ASM) and trained a lot of people on the sector.

    The Ministry of National Planning has championed results based management in programme and project planning and implementation. It has also institutionalised monitoring and evaluation system for enhanced performance and has improved donor co-ordination.

    The Ministry of Niger Delta has organized security and consultative meetings; building infrastructures in the Niger Delta especially road, housing, water supply and electrification. It is also intervening in environmental management, skill acquisition and economic empowerment.

    The Ministry of Petroleum Resources is pursuing the Petroleum Industry Bill. It launched a gas revolution in 2011 and developed the framework for local content and encouraging indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry. It is also promoting investment through the gas value chain. It has also established various task forces to reform the petroleum sector.

    The Ministry of Police Affairs is building an integrated digital trunking communication network for the police. It is working on the modernization of the police academy and the commencement of activities of transforming the Police Academy to a degree awarding institution. It has also provided several equipments to the police including vehicles, bullet proof vests, radios and two helicopters.

    The Ministry of Power has launched a roadmap for power sector reform. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has been strengthened and there is an on-going privatisation of the sector. Several memorandum of understanding have been signed with several companies to invest in the sector. The country attained a new peak generation of 4,322 MW by December, 2011.

    The Ministry of Science and Technology has launched three low earth observation satellites namely NigeriaSat-1, NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X and launched one communication satellite NigComSat-IR. It has also promoted space technology, renewable energy technology, biotechnology, technology management, building and roads research technology, material science technology and leather technology. The Ministry of Sports has developed a National Sports policy to guide the management and administration of sports in Nigeria. It has also constructed 17 mini sports centres and 26 are still under construction.

  • Olotu to hold exhibition

    Olotu to hold exhibition

    CONTEMPORARY Nigerian artist Oyerinde Olotu, with support from Nike Art Gallery Limited and OYASAF will hold his fifth solo exhibition at the Nike Art Gallery, Lekki,Lagos as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 52nd Independence anniversary.

    With the theme, This Lagos… A Canvas, the exhibition will shed light on Lagos and its environs with different features, creatively put together after numerous researches.

    During a preview of the exhibition holding between Oct 1 and 8, in Lagos, Olotu said his special interest is in history, which has influenced his works in documentary art.

    He said: “I get my references, I compose, recompose and juxtapose where necessary and then balance up my composition to get my final picture.”

    As a former student of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in the 80s, Olotu specialised in painting. He worked with an advertising agency where he resigned and decided to follow his dreams of becoming an artist. He ensured that his works were present at almost every art exhibition during this time.

    He explained that displaying only black and white works with a little of other colours, is a case of identity where people can relate with his paintings wherever they are seen.

    The art industry, he said, is a tool that can be used to promote tourism and, as such, it should not be ignored. The Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, is expected as special guest of honour at the exhibition.