The Nation Newspaper

Tag: All set

  • All set for APC presidential campaign kick-off in Uyo

    MEMBERS of the local chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom were in high spirit last night ahead of today’s hosting of the party’s presidential campaign kick-off at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo, the state capital.

    Arrangements were concluded in Abuja yesterday by the APC leadership to converge on the 30,000 capacity stadium to kick-off the campaigns for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election in the Southsouth.

    But the state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) claimed that Governor Udom Emmanuel was blackmailed by the opposition to use the stadium.

    Director-General of Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation for the governor’s re-election, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga, accused the state chapter of the APC of setting President Buhari against the governor.

    In a statement, Nkanga, a former military governor of Akwa Ibom, berated the APC for blackmailing the governor over the stadium.

    He said the decision of the state government to allow the APC to the stadium for the campaign kick-off portrayed the governor as an honourable man.

    The former military administrator reiterated that Governor Emmanuel has great respect for the Office of the President.

    The statement reads: “It is with a comical amusement that we recount the theatrics of the APC over the use of the ‘Nest of Champions’ for their presidential campaign kick-off. The many comedy skits staged by the opposition only go to show an unprecedented sense of desperation anchored on an obviously selfish agenda.

    “We wish to state unequivocally that the PDP and indeed the good people of Akwa Ibom State are united in a common determination not to mortgage the soul of state for pittance.

    “One incident that most Akwa Ibomites would not forget in a hurry is the deliberate denial of Obong Victor Attah of the use of the facilities of the Ibom Hotels and Resort for events of his 70th birthday.

    “Gratefully, history offered the state an opportunity to right the wrong when the current government of Akwa Ibom State not only approved the use of the facility for the former governor’s 80th birthday but also bank-rolled the events.

    “At the national level, we are all living witnesses to the blatant refusal by the management of the Eagle Square in Abuja to grant a former PDP presidential aspirant the use of the facility despite having made the requisite rental payments.”

    But spokesperson of APC campaign in the state, Eseme Eyiboh, described the PDP campaign organisation’s allegation of blackmail against the party as “a swan song”.

    Eyiboh, a former House of Representatives member, described the state government’s claim that the governor surrendered the stadium as a mark of honour and maturity was misplaced, adding that the Akpabio Stadium was a common property of all Akwa Ibom people regardless of party affiliation.

    He said: “The stadium is our common asset and does not belong to any political party. So whoever is making such a statement as credited to the DG of PDP campaign organisation, is, I dare say, one of their familiar sings of self-pity.

    “It is a known fact already that Akwa Ibom people have spoken that this is the way they are going and nothing can stop their going that way and we still expect more of such swan songs in the days ahead.”

  • All set for Fayemi’s inauguration Tuesday

    •Buhari, governors, others expected in Ekiti

    President Muhammadu Buhari will lead other eminent Nigerians to the inauguration of Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Tuesday.

    Fayemi will be sworn in alongside the Deputy Governor-elect, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion.

    President Buhari, who had promised to attend Fayemi’s inauguration after the latter won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary, will be the Special Guest of Honour.

    The Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Inauguration Ceremonies, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, broke the news yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, to herald the week-long activities to usher Dr Fayemi into office.

    Oyebode said other dignitaries expected at the inauguration include governors, ministers, military and paramilitary top brass, traditional rulers, diplomats, clergymen, party leaders, civil society groups, artisans, market women and the public.

    On the significance of President Buhari’s personal attendance of Fayemi’s inauguration, Oyebode described the President as a “lover of Ekiti and father of the nation”.

    He added that Fayemi was Minister of Mines and Steel Development, a sector that was dear to the heart of the President.

    The Chairman of the Security Committee, Brig.-Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (retd), said the military will be part of the security arrangements as security operatives will be drafted from neighbouring states.

    Events for the inauguration, according to Oyebode, will begin on October 15 with an inauguration lecture to be delivered by eminent poet and literary icon, Prof. Niyi Osundare, with a book presentation, photo exhibition and presentation of prizes to winners of an essay competition.

    Besides the swearing-in ceremony on October 16, a reception will also take place at the same venue, Ekiti Parapo Pavilion.

    After the inaugurated, Fayemi will hold a town hall meeting of Ekiti North Senatorial District at Odo Udo Primary School, Ido Ekiti, on October 17 morning, while that of Ekiti South will hold at Ereja Park, Ikere Ekiti, in the afternoon.

    On October 18, an interfaith thanksgiving service will hold in Ado-Ekiti; it will be followed by Ekiti Central town hall meeting at Aramoko Motor Park, Aramoko-Ekiti.

    A thanksgiving Jum’at service will hold at Ado-Ekiti Central Mosque on October 19, while on October 20, Ekiti Arts, Culture and Talent Fair will hold at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion.

    The inauguration activities will be rounded off on October 21 with a thanksgiving service at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Old Garage, Ado-Ekiti.

    On the same day, a reception will hold at Fayemi’s home, Eyiyato Lodge, in Isan-Ekiti.

    Oyebode added: “It will be a new dawn on October 16 as Dr. Fayemi will be back on track to take government to the people again for accountability, which will also make Ekiti people active participants in the way they are governed.

    “This knack for institutionalisation of participatory governance by Dr Fayemi has reflected in the stakeholders’ forum he initiated where Ekiti people spoke of their expectations from the government.

    “Now, the journey for the actualisation of Ekiti dreams starts on October 16, the date fate has chosen for Ekiti State to recover her destiny and turn around her fortunes.

    “Suffice it to say that this kind of historic and historical occasion held to celebrate the freedom of a people cannot go without pomp and circumstance with dignitaries in attendance to join the celebration.”

     

  • All set for Abuja Climate Summit

    Arrangements have been concluded for the “Abuja Climate Summit” which begins tomorrow  and end on Saturday.

    The summit is being put together by Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) and the Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet).

    According to the Executive Director of GIFSEP, David Terungwa, the summit aims at bringing together key stakeholders from the civil society, development partners, religious and traditional leaders, private sector, academia, women, youth, indigenous groups and policy makers to share ideas and perspectives on the progress made in Nigeria’s implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and the transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient, green economy trajectory.

    “The summit will also seek to explore and deliberate on converging areas of advocacy and mobilisation from bottom up, inclusive, pro-indigenous people-centered climate responses in FCT Abuja and at the national level among state and non-state actors while working towards and identifying and defining the action agenda for different stakeholders,” he said.

    The GIFSEP chief  noted that with climate impacts escalating, the nation cannot afford the luxury to wait to see what bureaucratic negotiations have to offer. This, he said, is why there is the need to engage local leaders to step up and do everything they can right now.

    The Abuja Climate Summit is part of the Global Day of Action taking place in major cities around the world bringing people to come together to Rise for Climate Action. It will feature will feature a “Walk for Climate.”

    The conference, which is expected to be attended by some 350 delegates, will also feature a presentation on Nigeria’s NDCs: The journey so far; Nigeria’s road map on Transition to renewable energy; panel discussion on religion, the environment and climate change; panel discussion on the role of development partners and examples of key interventions; Panel discussion with Leaders of political parties on the inclusion of environment, climate change and renewable energy in their manifesto; Declaration of Abuja Climate Action, among others.

    A communiqué will be issued at the end of the conference.

  • All set for ‘The Oxymoron of Kennyblaq’

    Banking on the successful run of his debut concert tagged ‘Oxymoron: X-Files’, celebrated Nigerian comedian, who was made popular by his brand of ‘music-comedy’, Otolorin Peter Kehinde, popularly known as Kennyblaq, is set for this year’s edition.

    The highly sought-after comedian has fixed Sunday, July 29 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos for the show which he tags ‘Oxymoron II: The Rush’.

    Speaking on the show, Kenny, as he is fondly called, said; “We have been working on this event behind the scene for a few months now. The plan is to raise the bar higher and deliver total and original entertainment and art to Nigerians. We won’t disappoint come July 29 by the grace of Almighty God.”

    He further added that in its first year, ‘Oxymoron I’ established itself as a deviation from the norm, deploying elements of Broadway style stage productions.

    In tune with the comedian’s unique delivery, the event featured dance, comedy and music from acts like Adekunle Gold, 9ice, Woli Agba Ajewole, Josh2Funny, SLKomedy and others.

    Last year, Kennyblaq and his team’s hard work were deservedly adjudged as ‘Best Comedy Show of the Year’ at the Naija FM Comedy Awards beating other hot contenders to the crown.

    Kennyblaq has earned plaudits from key industry stakeholders including veteran comedian Ali Baba who tipped him as the future of the industry.

  • All set for ‘Make Music Lagos’ 2018

    Lagos will be joining the global celebration of music in the month of June as Showgear, together with its organizing partners, will be staging this year’s edition of Make Music Lagos (MML).

    According to the organisers, Make Music Lagos, the Lagos edition of Make Music Day, is a festival of free live music hosted in more than 120 countries all over the world to commemorate World Music Day under the guidance of the US based Make Music Alliance.

    Organisers further revealed that for the 2018 edition, the Make Music Lagos crew will be upping the ante with a full slate of events across the month of June. Over 16 concerts will also be hosted on World Music Day which comes up June 21 in various venues across the city of Lagos.

    The celebrations will be capped off with a Lagos Shutdown on Sunday the 24th of June at the Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island with live performances from LAGBAJA, WAJE and a host of others.

    Speaking on the event, Adeola Akinyemi, Showgear COO said; “we are excited to be back for a 3rd edition of Make Music Lagos following the success and the overwhelming show of support from the last two (2) editions. More importantly, we are excited about the endorsement of the festival by the Lagos State Government which is a big seal of approval on the festival.”

    He further revealed that The Mass Appeal, a live performance by a diverse group of instrumentalists and bands of the 2018 MML Theme Song composed by Alternate Sound, comes up on Sunday June 17 at the newly opened Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park in Alausa.

    And as it is the global practice of Make Music Day, all events are free. Meaning that you do not pay to attend or perform at any of the events. It is open to all without any strings attached. However, all performers and attendees at select events need to preregister.

  • All set for The Nation agric, food summit (2)

    Ahead of Thursday’s summit on agriculture and food security, DANIEL ESSIET writes on the contributions of participants in diversifying the economy.

    The stage is set at the Abuja Sheraton Hotel for tomorrow’s The Nation Agriculture and Food Summit.

    Organised by Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation, the summit will also feature awards to deserving individuals in the public and private sectors, as well as government agencies.

    Those listed for recognition have distinguished themselves in the chosen fields of endeavour, especially in the agricultural development in terms of financing, entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation.

    According to the organisers, the summit plans to put agriculture on the front burner and stimulate a national discourse. It will also serve as a forum for the participants to showcase their products during the video exhibition session.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is billed to open the three-in-one event. His deputy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is the special guest of honour.

    A former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof Adebiyi Daramola, will deliver the summit’s main lecture scheduled for 3pm. The professor once served as a consultant to the World Bank.

    On the recognition list are some states’ chief executive officers, heads of government agencies and private sector players, who have encouraged food production and agricultural growth.

    They are: governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Kashim Shettima (Borno); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Sani Bello (Niger); Simon Lalong (Plateau); Godwin Obaseki (Edo); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa); Willie Obiano (Anambra); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto).

    Others are: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director Nsima Ekere; Agriculture Minister Audu Ogbeh; Bank of Agriculture Managing Director Kabiru Adamu; Dangote Grouo President Aliko Dangote and Olam Group Managing Director Venkataramani Srivathsan.

    Below is the concluding part of the profiles of those selected for recognition.

     

    Emefiele

     

    Emefiele’s contributions to the national food security and agriculture as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor got him into the honour’s list.

    He left Zenith Bank Plc, where he served since 2001 to take the baton the apex bank on June 3, 2014.

    The CBN chief has been spearheading several projects to alleviate food insecurity. Emefiele has been on the forefront of mobilisation for the required global resources to meet Nigeria’s f food security goal.

    Besides introducing initiatives to increase the availability of credit facilities for smallholder farmers across the country, the CHN governor galvanised the political will to transform agriculture.

    Through the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) introduced by the CBN under his watch, thousands of farmers are being provided with financial support to produce staples to feed the teeming population. The apex bank has successfully executed projects in the battle against hunger.

     

    Ortom

     

    The Benue State Governor has introduced a number of projects with far-reaching impacts on the rural population. His administration has also touched the lives of millions of farmers in the Northcentral state.

    Ortom’s government has prepared a master plan to provide a fillip to the cultivation of staples and cash crops in the state. The acreage under cultivation has been on the increase since Ortom took the saddle in 2015. There are also plans to provide modern facilities for the food processing units along the value chain from farm to market.

    There is a consensus that an increase in processing agricultural produce, with special focus on perishables, will eliminate wastage.

    The invasion of the state by the itinerant herders has affected agriculture in the state.  A greater percentage of residents, whose livelihood is agriculture, have been affected by the invasion of the rampaging herdsmen.

    The effects were felt by a wide majority of the residents who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.

     

    Tambuwal 

     

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s contribution to agricultural earned him recognition.

    He has been identified with pro-farmer programmes aimed at promoting agricultural development. Sokoto, under Tambuwal’s watch, has recorded landmarks the production of food grains.

    His administration has brought out a progressive agriculture policy, according a winner status to the agricultural sector.

    The progammes launched by the Tambuwal administration are meant to revitalise agriculture, stimulate higher growth rate, improve farm income and accelerate development.

     

    Bello

     

    Governor Abubakar Sani Bello is harnessing science and technology options for rural development through pro-poor and pro-livelihood approach to agricultural development.

    Since his assumption of office in 2015, Bello’s interventions have been pro-rural dwellers. His administration has provided them with incentives for effective management of their natural resource base, enhanced livelihoods through skill and capacity building, access to knowledge and information and opportunities for market linkages for primary produce and value added products.

    Under his watch, the state bought into CBN-Anchor Borrowers Programme and so far, more than 20, 000 rice, soybean and cotton farmers have benefited during rain-fed season.

    Bello’s administration has rehabilitated several irrigation schemes and its  agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprise (AEHE) project is on-going simultaneously in different zones of the state.

    He has set a model in achieving public/private partnership in sustainable development.

     

    Obaseki

     

    Governor Godwin Obaseki is leveraging on agriculture as against relying solely on handouts from the Federation Account to drive the fortunes of Edo State. And two years in the saddle, Obaseki’s efforts are manifest in the Southsouth state.

    Contending with the vagaries of unstable oil prices in the global market as with other states, Edo is latching on to agriculture to diversify the local economy, attain food sufficiency and drive its job creation plans.

    This grand plan includes calculated and far-reaching reforms that will attract and protect investments to boost production of oil palm, cassava, maize, yam, rubber, cocoa, rice, vegetables, aquaculture and livestock.

    A striking feature of Obaseki’s agriculture masterplan is his administration’s partnership with investors, government agencies and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.

    The state budget has been pro-farmer, despite financial constraints. With improved seedlings being developed for agricultural transformation, attract and retain youths in farming, the dawn of a new era in agriculture is in sight.

     

    BOA

     

    The Bank of Agriculture (BoA) has spent over N150 billion. The bank, which has reached out to 100, 000 farmers, is being restructured and recapitalised to provide loans to peasant farmers at single digit interest rates. This will be the most remarkable fund injection initiative ever undertaken by any government to empower rural peasant farmers and create wealth for rural dwellers.

    With its financial stability and reliability, the bank has obtained great reputation and credibility, not only at home, but among international financial community. The bank’s operation has been primarily focused on financing agriculture.

     

    NDDC

     

    Against the backdrop of dwindling revenue from crude oil, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is doing a lot to boost agricultural production.

    In partnership g with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the commission has integrated rural dwellers into agricultural entrepreneurship.

    It has distributed more than 100 tractors to support ministries of agriculture and cooperative societies to boost food production and tackle youth unemployment in the nine Niger Delta states.

    The commission has also set up a Credit and Entrepreneurial Development Scheme with a N1 billion revolving loan for Niger Delta farmers in partnership with the BoA.

    The commission has been a faithful partner in the Community-Based Natural Resource Management Programme (CBNRMP), empowering at least 400,000 households in the rural communities through agriculture.

    Under the watch of Nsima Ekere, the NDDC management has  set up budget committees in the nine Niger Delta states to help develop practical budgets “based on needs analysis”. It has reassured that the committees would collaborate with the state governments for the benefit of the oil producing region.

     

  • All set for Africa Beauty Queen International Pageant

    All set for Africa Beauty Queen International Pageant

    AFTER months of intense planning, the city of Lagos will, come Friday, March 30 at the Grand Ball room of Oriental Hotel,  play host to a bevy of beauties as more than 25 ladies from different countries across Africa will be vying for the Africa Beauty Queen International Pageant crown.

    The pageant, a brain child of Roses and Rubies International, owned by Precious Jefferson, will hold its maiden edition on Lagos and will have the contestants thrill guests with exhilarating dance steps beautifully choreographed by ace pageant director, Mordi Chike.

    Along with the beautiful display, will be exciting performances from Mavin Records act, Reekado Banks and other top musical acts who have expressed their excitement at being a part of the project.

    Speaking on the inspiration for the pageant, Jefferson, a former beauty queen with several pageants to her credit, including Miss Independence in 2011 and Beauty of Africa International Pageant in 2016 said; “Africa Beauty Queen for me is more than just a pageant. It is a dream, one that I have nursed since I was nine years old. I am daily obsessed with a need to give back to the society, help young girls achieve their dreams of becoming who and what they want to be.

    “Being an ex-beauty queen myself, I totally understand the challenges there are in the industry and Africa Beauty Queen is poised to proffer solutions and be the trademark of excellence as far as modelling and pageantry are concerned in Nigeria and Africa.”

    Personalities including publisher Betty Irabor and veteran actors Eucharia Anunobi and Richard Mofe Damijo have been unveiled as judges for the night. Others are 2017 Miss International Africa, Awuma Daniella Akorfa and Pageant Director, Miss West Africa Gambia, Saviour Aluede while the duo of Stephanie Coker and Ghana’s Mawuli Gavor will be host.