The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 63

  • NEMSA certifies 63,942 meters

    The Managing Director, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA),  Peter Ewesor, has said the agency tested 64,222 meters  of which 63,942 passed and 280 failed.

    He spoke in Abuja during  a news conference on the agency’s focus  owing to his reappointment.

    He said NEMSA monitored and evaluated 2,699 existing networks and power systems, of which 618 were resolved and 2,081 are outstanding.

    The Managing Director noted that the agency inspected and tested 5,037 new power projects/electrical installations along power supply chain and utilization,  of which 4,138 were certified for use while 899 awaiting rectification of observed defects.

    The NEMSA boss said  the agency investigated 94 electrical accidents/ electrocutions.

    According to him, the agency has commenced investigations into the cause of the fire outbreak in the Asokoro house of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.

    Asked whether he was aware of the fire, he urged former Acting MD,  T.T. Aliyu to respond.

    Aliyu said that “we got the report on (Monday) and we have acted on it and commenced its investigation.”

    Ewesor added that “it is something we are working on.” He stressed that only a preliminary report can be ready at the moment, although the agency prefers concluding thorough investigation before issuing its report.

    He announced that the agency has secured a conviction of four accused persons at the chief magistrate court of Kaduna State for the Offences of criminal conspiracy, forgery of the NEMSA certificates and cheating.

    He said that the Offences are contrary to Section 59, 345, 308 of the penal code of Kaduna State.

    The Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation however vowed that the agency would “intensify its efforts in terms of enforcement of technical standards and regulations, technical inspection, testing and certification of all categories of electrical installations, electricity meters and instruments to ensure the efficient production and delivery of safe , reliable and sustainable power supply and guarantee safety of lives and property in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI ) and other allied industries/workplaces safety standards.”

    According to him, the agency is determined to empower its staff to discharge their responsibilities by ensuring a conducive environment for work, scale up on necessary work equipment and investing in human capital development.

    He added “importantly too, we are already expanding our services, getting closer to people by inaugurating new inspectorate field offices, such as the new Owerri Office, Bauchi and one coming up in Uyo.”

  • Celebrating Gboyega Oyetola @63

    The unassuming and easy going posture of the Iragbiji-born politician is among the first noticeable attributes any close ally of the amiable Chief of Staff to the Governor of the State of Osun, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, will always be amazed by. He is near a perfectionist in words, conduct, appearance and actions. Indeed, a man of very few words but astonishingly cerebral, technically and administratively equipped with needed information and applied knowledge on the skills and mastery of creative and inventive governance of this computer age.

    The innate instinct and intellectual sagacity cannot be accidental, as it is a culture of dedication, commitment and expertise acquired in the last four decades of meritorious practice, diligence and successful career from the days of very little but brave and inspiring beginning as an assistant manager at Leadway Assurance, one of the frontliners and household names in Nigeria‘s insurance world. His rise and elevation to the rank of area manager of the Lagos control office didn’t come as a surprise to many, as accomplished goals beget royalty. He is a natural goal-getter. He has a broad mind; always with a large vision to work and walk his dreams into reality in executing set targets effortlessly. This practice has produced countless results both in the private and public life as a dutiful and industrious professional.

    After many successful stints and Midas touch of excellence for the University of Lagos 1978 Insurance graduate with many growing multinationals like Crusade Insurance, Corporate Alliance Insurance etc, the fellow of the London Chartered Insurance Institute and member of Nigerian Institute of Management NIM ventured into the entrepreneurial world with the establishment of Silvertrust Insurance Brokers, a moving and forward-looking firm with verifiable success stories, spanning thirty years. The courageous rising trend of the Boripe local government technocrat with Silvertrust enlisted him as a board member of many blue-chip companies which include Paragon group of companies, a shareholding conglomerate with vested interest in the oil and gas, real estate and stock broking where he served meritoriously as the executive vice chairman.

    Oyetola is a man of many fruitful parts, as the former Osun State governor and past All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, once described him as a modest, an unassuming gentleman, a business motivator and driver of government laudable policies who has dealt very fairly in all his dealings with the people and state of Osun government. The Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom, the Governor Emeritus and one of the Africa‘s strongest and finest political giants, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on many occasions has emphasised the embodiment of progressive visions which make leadership position a cultivating room for ideas, and this he said he has seen Gboyega Oyetola displayed, as his prime idea in democratic governance is accurately transparent and have delivered the tangibles to the benefits of Osun people. His words: “He is very trustworthy, astute and has the potential to accurately assess complex situations and turn them into advantage for the benefit of the teeming populace.”

    Another good constructor of words wrote a few years ago: “In a society which is highly deficient in availability of men of goodwill, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola stands out as a gem of inestimable value to the downtrodden and the less privileged.” These are the indelible words of the Osun State Head of Service, Sunday Owoeye.

    At 63, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola has demonstrated uncommon patriotism, untainted integrity and passionate commitment to the wheel of progressive governance in the state of Osun. He has served and is still serving actively to the philosophy and ideals of democratic tenets and principles towards ensuring that the greatest good in terms of deliverables and dividends of democracy is centred around the people to the service of the human race. He is an enigma whose intellectual wizardry is equally legendary. Birthday wishes, our wonderful Oga!

    Igba Odun , Odun kan, Sir

    Omowaiye lives in Osogbo

     

  • Police arraign two for stealing $14m from church

    Police arraign two for stealing $14m from church

    The Police in Ogun on Monday arraigned two men, Akapo Paul,73, and Johnson Shorinnolu,63, for allegedly stealing $14 million belonging to the West African Christian Mission.

    They appeared before an Ota Magistrates’ Court

    The accused, whose addresses are unknown, are facing two-count charge of stealing and conspiracy.

    The Prosecutor, Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in 2015 at about 9:30 pm at West African Christian Mission at No.49 Tarmac Road, Ota.

    Mustapha alleged that the accused conspired, as signatories to the bank account of West African Christian mission, to steal 14 million dollars.

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 390 (8) (b) and 516 of the Criminal Code Vol.1, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

     

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.I. Adelaja, admitted them to bail in the sum of N2 million each with two sureties in like sum.

     

    She said the sureties must be residents within the court’s jurisdiction and should be gainfully employed.

     

    Adelaja also directed the sureties to swear to an affidavit of means and show evidence of tax payments to Ogun Government.

     

    The magistrate adjourned the case till May 20 for hearing.

  • UNN graduates 63 physiotherapists

    No fewer than 63 physiotherapists have graduated from the University of Nigeria, with new Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Enugu campus (UNEC) Prof Smart Uchegbu urging them to stick to the ethics of the profession and work with the fear of God.

    Uchegbu, who represented Vice Chancellor Prof Chukwuma Ozumba, at the induction of the graduates at UNEC, expressed the hope that with the quality training they received during their study, they would excel. He said that although the global economy was in bad shape, the graduates should not cut corners or enrich themselves at the expense of patients.

    Presenting the physiotherapists to the Registrar, Medical Rehabilitation Therapist Board of Nigeria (MRTB) for induction, the Head of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Dr. Anthonius Ezeukwu stated that despite the numerous achievements recorded by the department in its 24-year history, there were still some teething problems needing to be addressed by the university administration to enable it to consolidate on the gains made so far.

    Ezeukwu described as the youngest head of the department since its inception, submitted that the overwhelming and increasing quest for admission into their programme put enormous pressure on their facilities and personnel.

    Speaking further, he said, “Clinical students are finding it difficult to secure the minimum clinical 2000 hours required to acquire sound clinical training, as they have to go in batches in order to access limited clinical facilities in the various hospitals within our catchment area and this has affected the capacity of our classrooms, library, laboratory and personnel demands”.

    The lecturer identified the non-appointment of specialist physiotherapists in the department as consultants to the teaching hospitals in their areas of expertise as one of their greatest problems.

    He said, “This appointment is critical considering that the department has been operating for the past 24 years and should have all necessary staff complement in place by now.”

    Explaining further, Ezeukwu said, “In fact recently, this challenge attracted the attention of the visiting National Universities Commission, NUC Accreditation team and our external examiners who heavily criticised the programme, and the main reason for their displeasure is that there is lack of recognised clinical training programme for students, since staff of the department are not authorised to teach their students, using, the teaching hospital patients”.

    He also disclosed that a proposal has been sent to the university administration to expand the department to accommodate other aspects of the profession, adding that the department had secured a large space for laboratory and needed equipment in the Electrotherapy Unit, Gymnasium, Occupational Therapy equipment and other facilities.

    The head of department expressed joy that after passing through a very turbulent period in the history of the department, since assuming office August last year, they still produced one of the few first-class students of UNN at its last 45th convocation ceremony at Nsukka recently, even as he noted that 106 students of the department were inducted in 2015 against this year’s 63, despite challenges.

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was represented by the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Charles Ndukwe, the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, UNN, Prof. Kalu Agwu, traditional rulers, the clergy and the academia were in attendance.

     

  • Jagaban at 63

    Jagaban at 63

    National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu turned 63 on March 29, a day after the presidential and National Assembly elections. Contrary to expectations, he went for a low-key celebration. His family members, close friends and associates gathered for a small party at his Ikoyi, Lagos home last Sunday.

    Islamic clerics prayed for the birthday ‘boy’ on the occasion.

     

  • A great man at 63

    A great man at 63

    It was to be a birthday party but it turned out to be an evening of variety as the youths and children who gathered at the National Library in Yaba, Lagos Mainland, entertained guests with scinctilating performances. Members of the audience marvelled at the children’s sense of history following an educative cultural dance by a group, Footprints of Africa.

    It was all to celebrate the 63rd birthday of former House of Representatives member, Olawale Oshun. The event was organised by a literary group, The Pen Society. It started with a competition between pupils from seven primary and secondary schools around Yaba on social media use and abuse.

    After the interactive sessions, came the colourful display of rich cultural heritage by the young dancers who through their music and steps, educated the audience that life is a market place where different destinies meet as well as the need to be diligent and prudent.

    The birthday cake was cut and books were donated to the best three participating schools. The dance group got cash gifts.

    In attendance were Oshun’s wife, Anthonia, his brother, Oluwole and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) stalwarts like Essien Omolola; Jimoh Kamal; Jide Jimoh; Bola Linda-John and Rauf Ayodeji, who all paid glowing tributes to the celebrator.

    Others include poets, Uche Nwadinuju and Bob Eket and singer, Eda Otto staged brilliant performances to honour the icon.

    Linda-John, who is the leader, Yaba, Local Council Development Area (LCDA) said Oshun means a lot to them. ‘‘Baba is our father, leader and mentor. He is everything to us. We really appreciate him and I am happy to be here to celebrate him. I have to cancel so many things to be here for Baba. I pray that God will keep him safe for us, be with him and when he is 70 years, we all shall be around to celebrate him in good health.”

    Ayodeji, a former secretary of Yaba LCDA, described Oshun as a lover of children, adding that he is a good example of a people’s leader. He described the celebrator as a book lover; a writer who has public undisguised romance with books.

    ‘‘Baba, in spite of his numerous achievements, remains a humble man. He is shown us that a good political leader must be rooted with his people at the grassroots. He is always thinking of programmes that will enhance the wellbeing of his people.

    ‘‘He is a wonderful leader and that is why I am always happy to be associated with him.’’

    Drama, poems and debates were held by the children to illustrate the misuse of social media by teenagers and the effects of such unguided use on the society.

    A moved, Oshun said his generation has failed the youths.

    He said: ‘‘When we were very young, the basic training we had was to respect our elders. If you respect your elders they will pray for you and bless you.

    ‘‘We have to change our society and values. We have failed our children. That is why they talk about uninspired youth. From the parents, political, economic, business, religious and traditional spheres, we have failed to show discipline for our children to pick and learn correct values so as to be inspired.

    ‘‘But, as children, you also have the responsibility to discipline and train yourselves because you all know what is wrong or right. So, it is both ways, we have the responsibility to lead you and show you the correct path but you also have to include self effort to be inspired.

    ‘‘You know that you can make a thing better; that is why you are talking about your love for Nigeria, the same Nigeria that has not inspired you.

    ‘‘I am elated that these children, many of whom do not know me or have not even heard my name came here today to honour me. They would have spent their time on something else, but they decided to come here to learn something.

    ‘‘The whole essence of the engagement is to challenge the children to be what they aspire to become. This to me is a kind of mentorship programme to make sure that our children are inspired to greater heights.”

    Oshun who said God has been good to him, added that he had a good childhood, sound education and working life.

    ‘‘Having children around is creative. I love children so much, they have exceptional qualities. They grow to meet and surpass you. Today, I can tell you that I gained a lot from their discussions and interactions. Their thinking surpasses my generation and they are more superior in their arguments.’’

    Asked why he has not written books for children, Oshun said: ‘‘you can only have a generation addressing its own issues. Let children write for themselves. All I can do is pray that you do not allow people who will lead you badly. You should be upright, say your minds and express your feelings at all times. I have written for my generation and so, I will allow you to address your generation.’’

    Oshun advised the children to be prepared to go into politics after they must have attained their career status. He said that if they allow politics in the hands of bad people as his generation did, they will have dangerous people governing them. ‘‘By the time I went into politics, I could look people in the face because I could do without politics,’’ Oshun said.