The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ayoola Lawal

  • New baby: APC diaspora celebrates with Finland chairman

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavian Chapter, Mr Ayoola Lawal on Sunday congratulated the Party’s chairman in Finland, Mr. Balogun Kamorudeen on the arrival of his baby girl.

    The baby was delivered during the early hours of Sunday in a hospital in the city Helsinki, Finland.

    Under the supervision of Mr Kamorudeen, Finland chapter of the APC Scandinavia, under the umbrella of APC Scandinavia has been working tremendously to connect the educational sector of Nigeria with Finland.

    Reports have it that Finland has the best educational system in the world.

    The leadership and the entire members of APC Scandinavia and the Diaspora Committee of Chairmen felicitate with Hon. Balogun and his family. 

  • We won’t tolerate political indiscipline in APC Diaspora- Chairmen

    We won’t tolerate political indiscipline in APC Diaspora- Chairmen

    The Committee of Diaspora Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the 12 accredited chapters has distanced self from any group or individuals that made the release currently circulating in the media and social platforms: “APC UK Mid-Year General Meeting (STRATEGIES ON MOVING NIGERIA FORWARD).

    The committee in a press statement noted that the message is intended for the general public, members and potential members of All Progressives Congress, a Nigerian political party with the abbreviation APC across the globe; and for any person or group intending to make enquiries regarding the status of the aforementioned Nigerian political party in the Diaspora.

    The statement reads: “We the Committee of Diaspora Chairmen of All Progressives Congress that consists of 12 accredited Diaspora Chapters, will like to state categorically that we are not associated with any group or individuals that made the release currently circulating in the media and social platforms: ‘APC UK Mid-Year General Meeting (STRATEGIES ON MOVING NIGERIA FORWARD)’,” it said.

    It further noted that the APC UK under the leadership of Dr Philip Idaewor is unaware of such meeting, adding that the accredited Diaspora Chapters in France and South Africa mentioned in the release are not aware and did not sanction the purported representation at the event.

    “There are 12 recognized APC diaspora chapters so far in the world duly accredited by the National Executive Council of the party at the National Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. Documents confirming accreditation are readily available for stakeholders interested in verification in all the accredited countries.

    “All Progressives Congress Diaspora Chapters are organized such that each country has executives reporting to the Diaspora desk at the National Headquarters under the coordination of the Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaib.

    “At present, the leadership of APC UK Chapter that is known to the Committees of Diaspora Chairmen, according to the official document available at our disposable from the National Headquarters of the party, is under the leadership of Dr Philip Idaewor. Every Nigerian, including those residing in the Diaspora, is free to join the party as long as he or she abides by the party’s constitutions.

    “All information regarding the activities, mode of membership and organization of the party in the Diaspora should be directed to the duly accredited country chapter or to the Diaspora Desk at the National Headquarters

    “While we welcome the right of any Nigerian to join the APC where it exists in their country of residence, it is important to point out that any activities in the name of the APC outside the accredited Diaspora Chapter in any given country is not acceptable to the mother party.

    “We would, therefore, request vigilance from members, potential members and the public regarding any persons presenting themselves as bona fide officers of the party in a given country, in this instance, the UK.

    “Any clarification regarding the status or authenticity of APC in Diaspora and its officers may be done by contacting the Diaspora Desk at the National Headquarters, 40 Blantyre Street, off Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wuse II, Abuja Nigeria, attention: Distinguished Senator Lawal Shuaibu, Deputy National Chairman, North.

    “APC Diaspora as represented by the undersigned strongly dissociates the party from the activities of any individual or groups highlighted in this disclaimer and all those appropriating the name of the All Progressives Congress outside the approved Diaspora framework.

    “Anyone, therefore, associating themselves, doing business with or donating money to the individual(s) or group(s) not associated with the accredited Diaspora Chapters do so on their own accord and risk.

    Find below the names of the key leader of the accredited diaspora chapter for any clarification or inquiries

    United Kingdom – Dr Philip Idaewor
    United States – Mr Tony Ike Isama
    Scandinavia – Mr Ayoola Lawal
    Spain – Mr Stephen Tella
    Ireland – Mr Mr Bayo Adeyemi
    Germany – Mr Seun Omolade
    Ghana – Mr Charles Oghenosa Micheletti
    Gambia – Mr Kevin Aghedo
    Canada – Mr Bola Ajimokotan
    South Africa – Mr Bola Babarinde
    South Korea – Mr Davies Abraham
    France – Balogun Olanrewaju

  • Funding infrastructure: Global analyst disagrees with Senate president

    Funding infrastructure: Global analyst disagrees with Senate president

    A global affairs analyst, Ayoola Lawal, on Thursday expressed his hope that “the statement credited to the Nigeria Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki that he does not feel it is the responsibility of the government to fund infrastructure for citizens, and that social sector and education will suffer if the government funds infrastructure, is one of those fake news that we sometimes come across or he was misquoted out of context.”

    According to Lawal, he doesn’t believe a former governor of a state for 8 years and the number three (3) Citizen in the most populated black nation on earth could alter such a statement.

    He queried where lies the future of Nigerians if the said statements truly originated from the Senate President.

    “It is a no brainer that the key responsibility of any serious government across the world is infrastructural development and protecting and promoting the welfare of the citizens.

    “The governments in advance world even struggle in the times of economic downturn to invest more in infrastructural development to stimulate the economy and not to talk about when the economy is stable.

    “A private-driven economy does not translate to government responsibility shift. The private sectors only play supportive roles as social responsibilities.

    “I’m quite happy that it was quoted as his feelings, however, the core responsibilities of a government across the globe are well defined and not subjected to individual feelings.

    “As a person with educational, and interactive experiences with many top government officials and elected public holders across the globe, the statement credited to the Nigerian Senate President needs to be corrected appropriately because of such simple but erroneous statement speaks volume about our leadership and the direction of the country.

    “If any government official or elected officer wants to know how a government could fund the infrastructure of a nation without social and other sectors suffering, Scandinavia countries are the best to understudy,” he summed.

  • LG poll: Let peace reign, says APC Scandinavia chief

    LG poll: Let peace reign, says APC Scandinavia chief

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavian Chairman, Ayoola Lawal has appealed to all political party leaders, party candidates as well as their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during and after the council polls in Lagos State.
    Lawal made this appeal on Friday in a communique made available to newsmen, noting that whatever politicians or voters do should be in the interest of Lagos states, its residents and promotes peace and unity.
    The APC chief urged all Lagos residents to conduct themselves in a civil manner, “vote and not fight because no life or property worth losing unnecessarily by violence.”Instead they should foster a unified Lagos state by refraining from drumming up of political or ethnic sentiments, calling on Lagos residents to resist and reject any form of incitement.”

    The APC chief prays that Lagos politicians and supporters
    conduct themselves with utmost sobriety to ensure that this 2017 Lagos state loal governments election is free, fair, peaceful and credible.
  • APC Scandinavia chairman marks son’s first birthday

    APC Scandinavia chairman marks son’s first birthday

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Scandinavia, Ayoola Lawal on Thursday marked the first birthday of his son, Ayobami Gustav Jamal Dahl Lawal in Sweden.

    The birthday was celebrated calmly in a Swedish style.

    Born on the 29th of June, 2016, the toddler, today, got impressive wishes from the parent’s friends, families, partners and party members from far and near.

  • Global analyst rejects eviction of Ndigbo from North

    Global analyst rejects eviction of Ndigbo from North

    Global affairs analyst and All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief, Ayoola Lawal in a conversation with pressmen in Copenhagen, Denmark, has vehemently condemned the statement credited to the group named Coalition of Northern Youths “Ordering Igbo people to vacate Northern Nigeria within 3 months”.

    According to Lawal, issuing of threat statement to a certain tribe and ethnic group to vacate a region of the country is a threat to the unity of Nigeria.

    “IPOB group might be agitating for freedom of self-governance but they never issue a threat to any tribe to vacate their region.

    It is strange that the security operatives that arrested Nnamdi Kanu immediately he entered Nigeria are yet to call this group or leader for clarification on such statement credited to the group. I think we have passed the era when freedom of speech does not presume rationality and a restrained speech by a certain group of people.

    “The unity of Nigeria is already threatened by the current voices from different ethnic groups that constitute Nigeria and history might not forgive our leaders and elders if this is not resolved peacefully before history repeats itself, he observed.

    The APC Chief further said that the time to urgently revisit the togetherness and restructure Nigeria’ unity without violence might be now.

    “We are sitting on a keg of gunpowder if we allow the same agitation from different ethnic groups to fester for too long without resolving it once and for all,” he said.

  • Alleged coup: APC Scandinavia urges military to stick to responsibility

    Alleged coup: APC Scandinavia urges military to stick to responsibility

    The Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Scandinavia, Ayoola Lawal on Thursday described the alleged attempt by the Nigeria military to topple the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria as ‘simply barbaric and offensive to the citizens of Nigeria home and abroad as well as the Africa continent.

    Addressing newsmen, Lawal hailed the President Muhammadu Buhari-led anti-corruption war and the patriotic bravery of Lt. General Buratai for remaining apolitical noting that, if it is true, the coup will be resisted by all Nigerians both home and diaspora who are currently expecting better democratic changes in the country after several years of fruitless military regimes.

  • APC Scandinavia hails Buhari’s anti-corruption Drive

    APC Scandinavia hails Buhari’s anti-corruption Drive

    Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavia have commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-anti corruption campaign which has exposed several public office holders.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Chairman, APC Scandinavia, Ayoola Lawal, in which he also commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Security (DSS) as well as the Ministry of Finance for the whistleblowing policy which has smoked out some of the biggest evil acts of corruption by our so-called leaders and politicians.

    According to Lawal in the statement, the huge amounts of money that are being recovered from different parts of the country is disappointing for any developing country like Nigeria.

    “Lawmakers ought to have come up with a concrete policy that will strictly convict offenders of public offices and for misappropriation of funds meant for public good. Also, anyone accused of corrupt practice should be made to step aside to allow investigation take place, properly.

    “No doubt that this country needs a lot of funding and investment to get it to where citizens desire for it to be, which is for it to favourably compete with western worlds. Sadly, elected and appointed opportunists have decided to fend for selfish selves at the expense of the general population.

    “It is rather unfortunate that such a potentially great nation like Nigeria has been left at the mercy of clueless, wicked and heartless individuals who care less about the suffering of the masses whose taxes they feed on and greedily syphon.

    “It is no more news that so many brave, intelligent and industrious men and women in Nigeria have been wallowing in abject poverty due to lack of employment, underemployment and or poor infrastructures that could enable entrepreneurial initiatives.

    “Now that the battle against corruption is real and ongoing, it is a call on the judiciary and the lawmakers to live up to the expectations of Nigerians by giving the appropriate support to the war against corruption declared by the Buhari-led administration.

    “The sentiments of affected colleagues should not stop lawmakers and members of the judiciary from dispensing fair judgments when the need be,” he said.

    The APC Scandinavia leader further urged Nigerians to support the fight by patiently following the revelations and exposing those that they know are part of the misappropriation of public funds or abuse of office.

    “Let the whistleblowing continue,” he said.

  • Senate should be honoured – Lawal

    Senate should be honoured – Lawal

    The Chairman APC Scandinavia and a Global Affair Analyst, Ayoola Lawal, has said that the recent trend of refusal by the government appointees to honour invitations by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on issues regarding national interest is inimical to our nascent democracy.

    Lawal made this observation in an exclusive interview with The Nation recently, adding that it is a common practice across the globe for the parliament to extend an invite for clarifications.Thou some might see it to be part of a learning process, however, we most very careful in our democratic context.

    According to him, although some people might see it to be part of a learning process, “however, we most very careful in our democratic context.”

    Quoting Polity IV index, the APC Scandinavian chief noted that Nigeria is a democracy by all standard but It will be hard to be a full democracy if such acts are not discouraged and discarded in our nascent democratic setting.

    Ayoola Lawal, Chairman, APC Scandinavia
    Lawal

    “No matter the perception of individuals about one another as a citizen and office holder, the Senate as an institution must be protected and honoured in all ramifications.

    “This institution must be treated with dignity and honour irrespective of the characters involved, I mean office holder.

    “We must bear in mind that appointments and office terms are transient but the Senate is an institution that will definitely outlive every individual.

    “It is the fulcrum of any democracy and the voice of the citizenry, thus, it will be in the best interest of Nigerians and our nascent democracy if our lawmakers could further educate themselves on their oversights responsibilities and proper understanding of the red lines.

    And also a pride for Nigerians both home and in the diaspora seeing our Federal/State lawmakers doing us proud by concentrating energy, time and resources on people oriented debates and bills rather than wasting resources on bell and whistles of real national issues.

    A quick result to judiciary intervention on a mere invitation of government appointees and corporate organisations by the Senate on issues of national concerns should be outrightly condemned and law enacts against such to prevent people that might what to explore undue legal avenue to delay justice and transparency.

  • Tinubu at 65, a leader per excellence – APC Scandinavia

    Tinubu at 65, a leader per excellence – APC Scandinavia

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavian chapter, on Wednesday felicitates with the National Chairman of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on his 65th birthday.

    To show his national leadership, Tinubu on Tuesday held the annual one-day colloquium in Lagos State with focus on the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit in Nigeria.

    It is themed: “Let’s make what we use and use what we make.”

    According to the Chairman, APC Scandinavia, Ayoola Lawal, Tinubu is a leader per excellent, one that has contributed immensely to Nigerian democracy, “Nigerians should appreciate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his sacrificial leadership.

    “Words cannot sufficiently describe what amount of blessing Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is to this generation, at this time and period.

    “Of a truth, Nigeria needs more leaders like him who can dedicate their everything to national good rather than for selfish interests.

    “It is sad how some supposed leaders pile up billions of citizens hard earned currency only for themselves and family, while others wallow in abject poverty.

    “If not for the strong political conviction of Asiwaju Tinubu that ousted the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from power after 16 years of selfish leadership, only God knows what fate would have befallen the country by now.

    “We celebrate your doggedness, selflessness and kind heart on this occasion of your 65 birthday and; pray that we see more of you in good health,” Lawal said.