The Nation Newspaper

Tag: backing

  • Abe gets more backing for governor

    LEADERS of Rivers Ijaw Initiative (RIVIN) have backed the governorship bid of the lawmaker representing Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Magnus Abe, to ensure fairness, equity and justice.

    RIVIN leaders spoke yesterday while addressing reporters at the Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

    The four-page communique, which was read by Ineye Jack, an engineer, was signed by its Chairman, Ipulo Joe-Jim; acting spokesperson David Makama; Jack; and 15 others.

    The pan-Ijaw socio-political organisation, with the mandate to unite all sons and daughters of Ijaw extraction in Rivers for the socio-political development of Ijaw nation, is a product of the coming together of Ijaw people: Kalabari, Wakirike, Opobo, Nkoro, Ibani, Andoni, Odual, Kugbo and Engenni in the three senatorial districts.

    The organisation said: “RIVIN is driven by the burning quest for an urgent politico-economic justice, equity and fairness in the sharing of human and capital resources among the various ethnic groups in Rivers State.

    “RIVIN, the vanguard of change, is seeking to confront the socio-economic and political injustices meted to the Ogoni ethnic nationality, as we march into another electoral year in 2019.”

  • Akintola gets Oyo lawmakers’ backing for governorship bid

    Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary to pick its candidate for next year’s governorship election, lawmakers in the Oyo State House of Assembly have endorsed one of the aspirants for the ticket, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN).

    The lawmakers spoke about Akintola in glowing terms during his visit to the Assembly.

    Akintola was a member of the House of Assembly between 1991/1992 and served as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of its Committee on Public Petitions and Judiciary.

    In an apparent show of comradeship, the lawmakers noted that having a former lawmaker as governor would further boost existing cordial relationship between the Executive and Legislative arms.

    The Chairman of Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the House, Segun Ajanaku, described Akintola as a role model in legislative business and parliamentary leadership.

    He said: “If party nomination for governorship were like that of nomination for political appointment, the House would ask Chief Akintola to take a bow and leave, which mean it’s a done deal.”

    The lawmaker representing Ogbomosho North, Olawunmi Bimbo Oladeji, lauded Akintola’s aspiration.

    She said: “I know you served us well in this House because you were once a member and leader. You know the nitty-gritty of parliamentary job and governance.”

    Another lawmaker, Segun Olaleye, praised Akintola for his parliamentary experience.

    He added: “You impressed me with your statement that even if you are not picked, you will still remain a progressive. You are one of best politicians we have around now. You also said politicians should be able keep to their promises.”

    Akintola applauded the lawmakers for the existing warm relationship between them and Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    He said: “What we have at hand presently in Oyo State, in terms of governance as propelled by Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the present versatile House of Assembly, is gold. We should not settle for nothing less than what we have at hand presently. Therefore, I am aspiring to be the next governor of Oyo State to sustain the good work jointly done by the governor and this honourable House of Assembly.

    “If elected, I owe each and every member of this hallowed chamber a medal of excellence in leadership for creating a cordial working relationship with the Executive arm of government. We can all see the multiplier effect with various development projects going on across the state.”

    Present at the event were Deputy Speaker Abdulwasiu Musa, Majority Leader Subair Kehinde Hassan, Chief Whip Olafioye Akinmoyede and Deputy Majority Leader Oyedokun Oyeleke, among others.

     

  • Abubakar advocates legal backing for traditional rulers

    BAUCHI  State Governor Mohammed Abubakar has called for a better recogntion of the role of tradition rulers in the society through constitutional recognition.

    He reiterated his administration’s support for traditional institutions.

    He spoke when he received the new Emir of Katagum, Alhaji Umar Muhammad Kabir Umar.

    He said all support would be given to the Emir and Emirate, stressing that traditional institutions were integral to state building.

    Abubakar said the new Emir of Katagum was Allah’s choice, explaining that Allah only used him in selecting and appointing the new Emir to succeed his late father.

    The Governor recalled that when he kick-started his campaign in Azare town of Katagum Local Government Area, he vowed to follow the footsteps of the former Governor of Bauchi State, the Alhaji Tatari Ali, known to be non-discriminatory.

    Abubakar expressed his gratitude to the Emir and the people of Katagum Emirate for their unwavering support, and expressed satisfaction in the kind of people-oriented programs the Emir had already embarked upon.

    The Emir thanked Allah for making it possible for him to succeed his father and thanked Abubakar for installing him as the 12th Emir of Katagum.

    The Emir pledged his allegiance to Abubakar and his administration.

    He praised the Governor for the projects taking place in Katagum, recalling that one of the first contracts awarded by the Governor was that of the now famous Misau – Udubo – Gamawa road.

    Meanwhile, Governor Abubakar has approved the appointment of Dr. Auwal Ibrahim Amba as the Provost A.D Rufa’i College for Legal and Islamic Studies Misau in Bauchi State.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the College Registrar, Hamma Bashar.

    Other officers appointed included; Mallam Garba Musa (Registrar) and Mallam Muhammad Dahiru Ibrahim (Bursar).

    The tenure of the Librarian, Mallam Lamido bdullahi was renewed.

  • Fed Govt hails global backing for anti-graft fight

    The Federal Government has hailed the global endorsement of its fight against terrorism, as contained in the 2017 Global Terrorism Index of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).

    In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, expressed delight at the report, which showed that the largest decrease in terrorism deaths globally occurred in Nigeria.

    The statement signed by the minister’s Special Adviser (Media), Mr. Segun Adeyemi, said the report specifically showed that terrorism deaths attributed to Boko Haram fell by 80 per cent in 2016.

    The minister said it was also encouraging that for the second consecutive year, the total number of deaths was down with a 13 per cent Year-On-Year reduction.

    He said compared to 2015, with countries most affected by terrorism like Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Nigeria recorded 33 per cent fewer deaths.

    Mohammed said the progress made by Nigeria in the fight against terrorism since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015, was duly acknowledged by the Executive Chairman of IEP, Steve Killelea.

    He said Killelea was quoted by the report as saying: “The decline of Boko Haram in Nigeria is having a positive ripple effect, with Cameroon, Chad and Niger collectively recording 75 per cent fewer deaths.”

    Mohammed said Nigeria’s success in the fight against terrorism was a direct result of Buhari’s leadership.

    He said the President did not just provide the enabling environment for the Nigerian military to regain its lost glory in the fight against terrorism, but also rallied Nigeria’s neighbours to forge a wide and sub-regional front against Boko Haram.

    “It is fitting, therefore, that the 2017 Global Terrorism Index acknowledges the success recorded by the Multinational Joint Task Force that has be

    en exerting pressure on Boko Haram,” he said.

    The minister noted that the President, in his inaugural speech on May 29. 2015, directed the relocation of the command centre of the fight against Boko Haram to Maiduguri.

    He said the President followed up the directive with a shuttle diplomacy that took him to Cameroon, Chad and Niger, and resulted in the rejuvenation of the Multinational Joint Task Force.

    Mohammed congratulated the Nigerian military for its patriotism and sacrifice that had once again made the country a proud member of the comity of nations.

    He said the 2017 Global Terrorism Index would provide a fresh shot in the arm for the administration to continue its efforts to wipe out the vestige of Boko Haram and to tackle all other forms of insecurity facing the nation.

  • Ecobank enhances financial backing for SMEs

    Ecobank enhances financial backing for SMEs

    Ecobank Nigeria has restated its commitment to be the leading Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) friendly and supporting bank in the country.

    Speaking at a public forum in Lagos, Head, SME and Value Chain Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Sunkanmi Olowo, said the various initiatives recently embarked upon by the bank were targeted at increasing funding and support to the SME sub-sector.

    He stressed that, Ecobank having recognised SMEs as the engine room of the nation’s economic growth, would continue to step up support to the sub-sector.

    Among various initiatives the bank had embarked on recently include: launching of SME Club, unveiling e-commerce online platform, MyMall, and training and providing financial support to some SMEs under the Ecobank New Venture Initiative’ (ENVI), among others.

    The Ecobank SME Club aims to provide preferential business Support and tailored products and services to its teeming customers across the country. The SME Club serves as a platform for adding value to SMEs through information mining, networking and capacity building.

    According to Sunkanmi, “The benefits of SME Club to customers are numerous. It offers business/capacity development and technical assistance; provides business, accounting, tax, legal and other services and platforms; B2B linkage across Africa; access to market information, economic updates, exchange rate information; international markets and finance; online marketing/sales (24/7); active support from government backed organisations and quarterly working sessions led by experts.”

    Ecobank MyMall Nigeria is an online trading platform essentially for SME operators to sell and market their goods and services. The online marketplace, www.mymall.com.ng according to the bank, is targeted at driving the growth of the SME sub sector in Nigeria. He explained that MyMall is indicative of the already successful Ecobank SME club which had significantly impacted a number of SMEs by providing expert guidance and tools to properly establish and succeed at running an SME.

  • FIFA TOP JOB: Odegbami gets ex-teammates backing

    FIFA TOP JOB: Odegbami gets ex-teammates backing

    The FIFA Presidency dream of Chief Segun Odegbami got a boost as his colleague and play mates at Green Eagles between 1976 and 1981 has pledged their support for his candidature.

    Former Green Eagles and Shooting Stars goalkeeper, Zion Ogunfeyinmi who addressed newsmen in Ibadan on behalf of the group urged Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to give a level playing ground to candidates that signified interest from Nigeria to vie for the football top seat.

    The Ilaje Prince opined that the group of ex-international that played along side with Odegbami both at IICC and Green Eagles were proud to identify with his candidature for the coveted position and are sure of the right winger is capable of doing when it comes to football administration.

    “What we want is for NFF to be fair by giving Odegbami who had demonstrated his acumen in soccer administration for many years since his retirement from active football a level play ground and not exhibit undue favoritism”, Zion Ogufeyinmi told the sporting press at Lekan Salami Sports Complex Ibadan.

    Odegbami, like other aspirants, is professing the need for change in the world body even as he expressed optimism that he would get the necessary backing to take a shot at football’s most coveted administrative position.

  • Bayelsa guber race: Dame Patience now backing my re-election bid, says Dickson

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has said that the rift between him and the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has been resolved.

    According to him, the ex-First Lady has now thrown her weight behind his re-election bid, stressing that “she has joined other notable stakeholders in support of my aspiration”.

    The governor and the former First Lady had been locked in a bitter feud over his re-election bid, with associates and supporters of Mrs. Jonathan vowing to ensure that Dickson did not get a re-election ticket.

    But Dickson, on Friday stormed the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with thousands of his home based supporters to return his completed nomination forms.

    The governor said he was sure of victory in the December 5 governorship election, saying his major opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has no candidate for the election.

    “There are no candidates in APC to pose any threat to my re-election. The APC in Bayelsa is a party of aspirants who depend on federal might to get there.

    “They are opportunists and they stand no chance at all because they have no members in Bayelsa. My people trust me to deliver because I have verifiable achievements on ground to speak for me”, Dickson said.

    The governor described chieftains of the PDP in the state that recently defected to the APC as persons driven by inordinate ambition, saying that their exit from the party was a welcome development.

    Meanwhile, former Senior Special Assistant to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic and Social Events, Dr. Waripanmowei Dudafa, has dissociated himself from an alleged directive by Dame Patience Jonathan that all her loyalists should support the second term bid of Governor Seriake Dickson.

    Dudafa, who spoke yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said though the authenticity of the directive had not been established, he should not be included in the former first lady’s directive, even if it was established to be true.

    He maintained his earlier stand that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will lose the forthcoming election y if it fields Dickson as its flag bearer, adding that there was no time the former first lady directed him and others to support Governor Dickson.

  • Kogi aspirant gets backing

    A group, the Kogi State Power Shift Ambassadors, has congratulated a governorship aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Suleiman Baba-Ali, on his performance during the screening of aspirants.

    The screening was conducted by the Kogi Central and West Forum for Equity and Justice.

    Presenting the congratulatory letter, the founder of the group, Comrade Abdullahi Onumoko, described Baba-Ali’s victory as a boost towards the realisation of power shift to other zones.

    The power shift ambassadors, according Onumoko, have been at the forefront in the fight against domination by a particular zone.

    “We have been championing the call on Kogi Central and West people, irrespective of tribe, to come together and claim their destiny by ensuring that power shifts to these zones in the interest of equity.”

  • Amosun gets backing

    Amosun gets backing

    The Senator Ibukunle Amosun (SIA) support group in Ijoko, Ogun State, has called for support for the governor’s second term ambition.

    The group’s spokesman, Babatunde Tajudeen, said: “Ogun State was created 38 years ago. From inception till date, the state has been governed by 15 military administrators and civilian governors.

    “But Governor Amosun‘s administration has achieved phenomenal feats that his predecessors were unable to attain.

    “The building of the Ijoko-Agbado-Akute-Berger Road with several overhead bridges is on-going.

    “More of these overhead bridges, six lanes and sometimes eight or 10-lane roads continue to emerge in various parts of our state.

    “We envisage that about 20 overhead bridges would dot the landscape of Ogun State.

    “Amosun has achieved what we had hitherto been made to believe was impossible.

    “Disgruntled politicians are out to destroy his good works because he has refused to do ‘business as usual’.

    “I wish to advise every indigene to support our governor so that he can take our dear state to the Promised Land.”

  • ‘Why we are backing Ortom for Benue governor’

    Edo North senatorial aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Richard Lamai, has urged his party to field a formidable candidate, who can defeat the All Progress Congress (APC) in next year’s election.

    Lamai said the party can only make an impact, if the ticket is given to the best man.  Noting that Edo State is being governed by an energetic governor, he said only an energetic candidate with massive grassroots support can wrest power from the ruling party.

    He described himself as a loyal party man, stressing that ,when he indicated his interest to contest in 2003, he was told to step down and work for the  second term of Senator Victor Oyofo.

    Lamai said he took the advice and worked towards the party’s victory in 2003 and 2007, adding that the decision enabled him to work closely with Chief Tony Anenih, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and the elder statesman, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.

    The aspirant said he is competent to represent the district at the Senate.

    He added that he has remained faithful to the PDP, even when many members dumped the party for the APC when they could not achieve their ambition within the fold.

    He implored the party to give his candidature preference, especially now that he has garnered enough exposure and experience as protégé of the legendary Clark, who is widely acknowledged as the political father of Mr. President and the Southsouth leader of the party.

    Lamai told the party leaders in the six local government areas of Edo-North that his cardinal objective is to stimulate economic development of the district through the establishment of small-scale industries in all the 64 wards of the zone.

    The senatorial aspirant said that, within 64 days in office, he would establish 64 small scale industries in each of the 64 wards of Edo North. This, he said, would be achieved through non-repayable empowerment scheme.