The Nation Newspaper

Tag: advocates

  • Benue Speaker advocates better welfare for teachers

    Benue Speaker advocates better welfare for teachers

    Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange, has advocated a better welfare package for teachers so as to compliment the important role they play in reshaping learners into better citizens.

    He said the time has come for people who are in position of authority to consider themselves as the creation of teachers, and as such begin to fashion out policies and programmes that would reposition the teaching profession to its pride of place in the country.

    The Speaker in a message of felicitation to teachers in the state as they celebrated this year’s World Teachers Day, said the theme for the celebration, “Empowering Teachers, building sustainable societies” and the sub-theme as “Better working conditions for teachers as a means of better learning conditions for learners” were not only apt but timely.

    He argued that a society that does not empower its teachers through training, enhanced welfare packages and comfortable working environment would witness a steady decline in the quality of graduates.

    While acknowledging the difficulties being faced by teachers in the state as a result of delayed payment of salaries, the speaker blamed it on the last administration and appealed to teachers to be patient with the Ortom administration, assuring that everything was being done to alleviate their hardship.

    Ikyange charged teachers to rededicate themselves to the task of building a solid educational base for the country.

     

  • Corruption: Kwara CJ advocates introduction of public complaints

    Corruption: Kwara CJ advocates introduction of public complaints

    For President Muhammadu Buhari’s War Against Corruption to succeed, Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Sulyman Kawu has advocated introduction of credible public complaints system in the country.

    He also recommended the establishment of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) offices at ward, local, state and national levels.

    Justice Kawu spoke at the 17th annual dinner/lecture of Third Estate (Ilorin Emirate). The jurist, whose lecture was titled “Fighting corruption: The role of the judiciary”, called for the establishment of a reward and rebuke system.

    Justice Kawu also canvassed a national re-orientation of the citizenry to recapture the core values of honesty, discipline and loyalty to national objectives above considerations as tribe and religion.

    Justice Kawu, who was the guest lecturer, said: “In our bid to rid the society of corruption, it is necessary to re-orientate the civil service of its role of neutrality and being anonymous in political affairs.

    “A civil servant that will stick to the civil service rules and defy illegal/unlawful orders from political class, with security of tenure of office, efficient service delivery, better conditions of service, who will help facilitate and not frustrate government policies, is what Nigeria needs to transform her into a true giant of Africa.

    “The price for accepting corruption as a way of life is what we have been paying in terms of unemployment of our teaming youths, poor roads, ill-equipped hospitals, gradual criminalisation of the entire society and many more.

    “The price to pay in accepting the responsibility to fight corruption consists of reforming the police, judiciary and civil service.

    “Except we see those accused of corruption in the society as destroyers of the society, they will continue to pillage our commonwealth and impoverish us and our future generations. It is high time the society stood up to its responsibility to give information to investigating agencies of government and testify in court when called upon to do so.”

    In a remark, President of Third Estate (Ilorin Emirate), Dr Yusuf Lawal urged elected and appointed government officials in the country to uphold the constitution to which they have sworn to by carrying out their duties conscientiously and with the fear of God.

    Dr Lawal disclosed that the association has continued “in its stride in the promotion of the development and wellbeing of Ilorin Emirate and its people. We have continued to carry out intervention projects aimed at complementing government efforts in the development sector, as well as serving as advocates for the articulation of the collective interest of the emirate.”

  • LEAP Africa advocates entrepreneurial training

    A non-governmental organi-sation, LEAP Africa, has urged graduates to embrace afterschool entrepreneurial and leadership training to be self-reliant after graduation.

    LEAP Africa Programme Officer, Mrs Chinenye Etoniru, gave the advice at the end of the entrepreneurial and leadership training by the NGO, tagged ‘School to Work Employability Programme.’

    Etoniru said the programme, co-sponsored by Citi Foundation, is a yearly event targeted at reducing the rate of unemployment among youths, especially graduates.

    “The programme is an opportunity for youths to learn entrepreneurial, leadership, conflict resolution and other helpful skills, like personal branding, before or in the process of searching for their desired career,” she explained.

    Etoniru noted that there was high rate of graduate unemployment in the country and the reason is not because there are no jobs, but because some young people are not qualified.

    “It is not enough to graduate from school alone, but to be armed with the necessary skills that would make one get and retain a job,’’ she said, adding that 80 participants are taking part in this year’s edition of the programme.

    A participant, Miss Damilola Dada, said the courses in the programme had equipped her with basic skills to help her with getting a job and retaining it. She said she hopes to further her education, and also establish a business.

    Dada added that should she not get a job, the entrepreneurial skills would help her to establishe her business. Similarly, Mr. Benjamin George, a graduate of accounting, said the week-long programme had assisted  in his career.

  • Foundation advocates for peaceful elections

    The chairman, Board of Trustees of Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values education, Professor Emeritus, Otonti Nduka , has appealed to politicians to eschew violence in the forth-coming general elections.

    Prof. Nduka made the appeal in a statement in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday on the reaction of members of the public on the Foundation’s on-going weekly radio dialogue on the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.

    The Foundation was set to inculcate and promote the right values in all segments of Nigerian society.

    The professor decried the spate of political violence and killings in parts of the country, saying the needed credible elections would not be achieved on the face of on-going tension being fuelled by the activities of desperate politicians, party candidates and their supporters.

    He admitted that every political process comes with its own forms of challenges, but expressed worry that the on-going trend, if not checked could truncate the nascent democracy and invite back the military.

    The octogenarian recalled the challenges the country went through under military junta, noting that no right-thinking Nigerian would want to go back to such dark days.

    According to him, the 2015 general elections is a litmus test for Nigeria’s democracy and Africa in general, considering the leadership position it occupies in Africa.

    He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to maintain the confidence reposed in them by ensuring they do not take side during the elections.

    He said: “This foundation urges all the agencies and voters involved in the 2015 general elections to eschew violence, maintain law and order to ensure free fair and credible elections.

    “The essence of our intervention is to remind Nigerians of what the laws expect of both the officials and the voters to bring about free, fair and credible elections, especially elections without violence.  And as you well know, the violence that is going on now is likely to mar the elections if care is not taken.

    “We insist that the INEC and the security agencies must be truly independent and neutral in the process if we must achieve free, fair and credible elections.”

    The Foundation assured that the dialogue on voter Education would continue until after the presidential elections.

  • Peterside advocates good leadership

    Peterside advocates good leadership

    Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has described good leadership as key to freedom, justice and economic emancipation.

    Peterside spoke at his ward rallies in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

    The candidate said progress comes when competent and visionary people had the opportunity to serve. He warned that except Nigerians vote for capable people, the nation’s march towards building a great nation might be a mirage.

    Peterside noted that Nigeria has come of age and no group can subsidise incompetence and failure because others are watching.

    He called on Nigerians to be patriotic and vigilant because the nation’s future and wellbeing depend on the choices they make.

    The candidate described the last seven years as the golden age of development in Rivers because of the vision and courage of one man.

    “Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has done well. He may not have met all our expectations because no government gives everything; but even his critics agree that he changed our state for better.

    “He built fine schools, good health centres, world-class roads and unparalleled investment in human capital. Should we not follow such a man? A man who tells the truth?

    “I promise you that I will do more for the people. I will work with you. I will do everything possible to liaise with companies that operate here so that you can have maximum benefit from your God-given wealth.

    “There will be empowerment schemes to cater to the needs of our people across age and gender.

    “Vote for APC, a vote for APC is a vote for a better future,” he said.

  • Group advocates clean, safe environment

    The National President, Association of Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), Ubina Ubi, has advised residents of the Federal Capital Territory to protect the environment. This, he said, they could do by not throwing away polythene bags, cans and other disused materials that are hazardous to the environment indiscriminately.

    Littering the environment with waste materials, he said, could lead to flooding due to blocking the drainage with them.

    Ubi, who spoke at a briefing in Abuja, said polythene bags when not properly discarded leads to environmental degradation.

    “Empty sachet water polythene bags do not have to end up in the streets or refuse dump or the neighbourhood. We can recycle them to generate jobs for our youths. Let our youths engage in the recycling of these bags as it obtains in other countries.

    “Government should enforce environmental laws on the use of polythene.  Most of our streets are littered with polythene bags and water cans. They can cause environmental degradation,” he said.

    He called on the media to help in mobilising and sensitising Nigerians on the need to imbibe the virtue of environmental friendliness.

  • Women network advocates entrepreneurship skills for students

    President, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA’s) Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW), Mrs Lola Okanlawon,  has urged Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and parents to impart  basic entrepreneurial skills in young people to reduce unemployment.

    Making the call in an interview in Lagos, Okanlawon said that most viable businesses collapsed because their owners did not have the children that could be relied upon to run their businesses successfully after they might have passed on.

    She said that entrepreneurship skills should be encouraged at the secondary school level in order to equip young people to be job creators. “If the women should die without getting someone that will succeed them, it will be a problem; and we are saying it is better for us to catch them while they are young.

    “We want to have them looking for things where others are not looking at; where opportunities can come up. And we feel that we can do it with these young ones so that once we start to tell them, or to teach them to look outside the box, they should not say okay when I finish the university, I am going to start to look for a job, because you know right now, getting jobs is very difficult. We have so many graduates out there who don’t have a job.”

    She said that one of the visions of NNEW was to inculcate entrepreneurial skills in young people across secondary schools in order to teach them to be self-employed. While noting that while the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) put urban unemployment in 2013 at 29.5 per cent, a financial advisory company, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), in a recent report, also predicted an increase of two per cent in the rate of unemployment in 2014.

  • Alaafin advocates improved intelligence gathering

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has urged security agencies to improve on intelligence gathering.

    He said this would help them to effectively curb crime as the 2015 general elections draw near.

    Oba Adeyemi spoke in his palace yesterday while addressing a crowd of All Progressives Congress (APC) members from Afijio, Atiba, Oyo-East and Oyo-West local government areas, which constitute Oyo Federal Constituency, after a solidarity rally held for Governor Abiola Ajimobi in Oyo.

    He said due process, anchored on accountability, transparency and probity, is the central nature of government in Oyo Empire, adding that this was responsible for the peace in the ancient town.

    Oba Adeyemi said: “Today, Oyo remains the most peaceful domain because we not only place premium on respect for constituted authorities, but give our unalloyed support. But we will not accept cheating and injustice. Besides, the native intelligence gathering is so effective that all nooks and crannies of the metropolis are being closely monitored.”

    This unique concept of his administration, the Alaafin said, received commendations from various quarters, especially the top echelon of law enforcement agencies, such as former Inspector-General of Police Mike Okiro and other officers when they visited the palace during their tenures in office.

    He urged security agencies to increase surveillance of motor parks, market places, hotels and public places to check crime.

    Hailing the people for their calmness and restraint in the face of provocations, the ruler said he would not join the bandwagon of negative commentators and unguided utterances by some disgruntled elements in the society.

    He said: “I urge the four local government caretaker chairmen in Oyo Federal Constituency to meet the expectations of Governor Abiola Ajimobi in their appointment. Our governor is God-fearing, wise, intelligent and proactive. He deserves our support for good governance.”

  • Okpekpe Road Race: Oshiomhole advocates equality in winner’s prize money

    Okpekpe Road Race: Oshiomhole advocates equality in winner’s prize money

    • Pays additional $10,000 to female winner
    • Plans full marathon in Urhonigbe before December

    Ethiopian duo of Teshome Asafan and Wuday Ayalew emerged the men and women’s  champions  at the second Okpekpe 10km road race last Saturday in Okpekpe, Edo state.

    Asafan broke Moses Masai of Kenya’s 29 minutes,49 seconds one year old course record with the race’s first sub 29 minutes performance, 28 minutes .36 seconds  to  win the men’s title and the accompanying $25,000 cash prize.

    He raced home first ahead of Kenyan duo of Amos Mitel (28 minutes,53 seconds) and Cornenius Kangogo (29 minutes,1 second) who came second and third respectively.                                     Ismael Yero of Cross River State came in 10th in 31 minutes,18 seconds to emerge the fastest Nigerian man at the race. He got N100,000 for his effort.

    Lawrece Osheku also received N100,000 for emerging Edo State’s fastest man.

    It  was, however,  a clean Ethiopian sweep in the women’s category as Ayalew, former Obudu mountain race champions, Genet Yalew and Berhane Dibaba emerged the top three podium finshers.

    Ayalew ran 32 minutes,41 seconds to race home first to collect $25,000 made possible by Edo State Governor,Adams Oshiomhole who added $10,000 to increase the top prize on offer from $15,000 to $25,000.

    Compatriots Yalew,the 2012 Obudu mountain race winner and Dibaba placed second and third respectively.Deborah Pam emerged for the second successive year the fastest (38 minutes,6 seconds) Nigerian woman at the race. She placed 10th in the race.

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole competed in the VIP race alongside Nigeria Labour Congress vice president Comrade Isa Aremu and Rafiu Ladipo,President-General of Nigerian Football and other sports supporters club.

    Meanwhile,the female winner of the event, Ethiopian athlete Mudi Ayila who emerged first place winner returning in 32.41seconds smiled home with the same $25,000 prize the male Ethiopian counterpart winner Mnen Eshion courtesy the benevolence of Oshiomhole who paid the difference of $10,000.

    Ayila should have received $15,000 for winning the female race but Oshiomhole argued that there shouldn’t be any difference in the winner’s prize since the athletes ran the same length of race in the competition. The Governor frowned against the disparity and defended his action while also calling on the International Athletics Federation to correct the disparity in the cash prizes.

    “As long as I am the Governor of Edo State, women will continue to have equal compensation for their efforts. Just to make the point that in Nigeria we believe in gender equality and I believe in it fully. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) to review the rule in order to achieve gender equality.

    The governor also used the opportunity to announce a planned full marathon race that would be staged by the organisers of the Okpekpe race before the end of the year. “Let me also announce that I have already discussed with the organisers of this competition (Okpekpe 10km road race) will be preparing for a full marathon which will take place in Urhonigbe. We have constructed a 52 kilometre brand new road that cuts across several little, little villages.

    “I was told that for a full marathon you need only 42.2 kilometres and this road is 52 kilometres.

    So, it is more than enough to do a full marathon. I will encourage the organisers to work on that between now and December, let us have a full marathon in Edo State and Edo State will support it  fully”, the sport loving Governor declared.

  • APC chieftain advocates politics without bitterness

    APC chieftain advocates politics without bitterness

    LAGOS State All Progressives Congress Hon. Kola Okesanjo has advocated for politics of peace and accommodation as the country prepares for 2015 general elections.

    He said political thuggery is an ill-wind that does not blow anybody any good.

    Okesanjo spoke with reporters in Lagos on the recent APC ward and council congresses.

    He said although politics could be challenging as a result of conflicting interests, political differences should be settled amicably.

    He said: “I’m optimistic that our leader will look into it and all affected members will be accommodated. I do know that a peace committee will be set up to reconcile the aggrieved members.”

    The politician chieftain pleaded with APC members to maintain peace and resist any incitement against the party.

    He added: “It is important too that we de-emphasize politics of winner-takes-all. It is not good enough winners must show magnanimity by embracing everybody, which I think is healthy for our collective interest. we must do everything to disallow politics of bitterness, realising that APC is a party for all and designed to cater for all interests.”

    Okesanjo enjoined members to show greater commitment to the APC, saying it is the party that will save the nation.

    He said: “APC is a party for the people and the momentum is waxing stronger across nations. From 2015, we hope to see the enthronement of democracy and development which will be fostered through our great party that is sure to win and form the next government in the country, so as members we must continue to be dedicated and loyal to the leadership and the party’s core ideals. APC will transform the nation.”

    He commended former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande for the courage and tolerance exhibited during the last ward congress, describing him as an elder statesmen of repute and transparent political figure worthy of emulation.