The Nation Newspaper

Tag: better

  • Wogu: I’m leaving Labour Ministry better

    Wogu: I’m leaving Labour Ministry better

    Former Labour and Productivity Minister Emeka Wogu has said he was leaving the ministry better than he met it to contest the governorship seat of Abia State.

    The minister spoke through Deputy Director, Press, Samuel Olowookere, during his handover to the permanent secretary, Dr. Clement Illoh.

    Wogu resigned from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday to face his governorship ambition.

    The former minister said he repositioned the ministry and boosted its capacity for service delivery in the areas of crisis resolution, human and institutional development drives.

    He urged the management and workers of the ministry and its corporations to always support the implementation of the Labour-friendly Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    Dedicating his achievements to God and the workers, Wogu expressed appreciation to the President for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation.

    He listed his achievements as the articulation of a National Policy on Labour and its approval by the FEC; mediating and facilitated the resolution of hundreds of industrial disputes; leaving the ministry with no pending national strike and securing the accreditation of Labour Studies in the country.

  • For a better judiciary

    For a better judiciary

    Stakeholders in the justice sector usually gather every year to celebrate the new legal year. The occasion provides them with a platform to review activities in the previous year and develop an action plan for the new year, ADEBISI ONANUGA and JOSEPH  JIBUEZE report.

    After a long lull in judicial activities, the courts are back to life. The long vacation is over. As it is customary, the federal and state courts held religious services to begin the new legal year. Others added exciting activities such as football games involving judges and lawyers. Welcome to the 2014/2015 new legal year.

    In Lagos, activities began with special prayer sessions, which held simultaneously at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina and Lagos Central Mosque, Nnamdi Azikwe, Lagos.

    The Chief Judge of Lagos (CJ), Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade, who was sworn in on August 20, made her first official appearance at the legal service held in the church, leading other 50 High Court judges in their ceremonial read and white robes.

    Also at the Cathedral were the state’s 114 magistrates, members of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the court’s principal officers, their counterparts from the Ministry of Justice, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, among others.

    Governor Babatunde  Fashola (SAN), explained why it may be difficult for the judiciary to enjoy full financial autonomy,  saying  that the complete release of the annual budget  to the state judiciary is not visible.

    He, however, said there was never a time the state government  opposed the independence of the judiciary.

    Fashola, who spoke through the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye at the special prayer at Lagos Central Mosque to mark the legal year said, “the idea of judiciary autonomy is a welcome development to the system, but in reality, it is not achievable due to the fact that Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) are not paid to the government in advance.

    “Besides, complete implementation of court judgment on the matter will cause another legal firework because others will perceive it as preferential treatment and it will not augur well,” he said.

    Speaking on the proposed industrial strike by judicial workers,  the governor  urged all the trade unions to always be diplomatic in fighting their cause, stressing that whatever action they might take may have negative consequence on the masses and be bad for democracy.

    Stakeholders also gathered to extol the virtue of the former Chief Judge of the state,  Justice Ayotunde Philips at a valedictory service organised as part of the new legal year activities.

    Governor Fashola described Justice Phillips as a brilliant judge, who consistently demonstrated sterling qualities of dedication, discipline, integrity and sincerity. According to him, these qualities characterised Justice Philips’career both at the bar and on the bench.

    The governor, who was represented by Ipaye said Justice Phillips  displayed uncommon virtues and innate understanding of issues of law, adding that her era  was glorious in the annals of Lagos Judiciary.

    “Her judgment were lucid and authoritative. There is no gainsaying the fact that My Lord belonged to the class of judges, who knew the law and would not be persuaded by merely clever and technical arguments of counsel in deciding the merits of a case.

    Buttressing his comments,  the governor cited the case of Adeyemi vs Abayomi, where he noted that Justice Phillips  observed that it took  over seven years to reach the end of the matter in the High Court and for this delay she apologised saying, “the wheels of justice grind very slowly in this country of ours”. However, she did not throw up her hands helplessly in the face of these daunting challenges. Justice Phillips went on to proffer solutions.

    He recalled that the former CJ has a landmark record of freeing over 700 inmates awaiting trial from various prisons in the state during her two-year tenure.

    Justice Atilade promised to continue on her predecessor’s path. According to her, she would fulfil the promises she made at the new legal year service that she would continue with the various reforms initiated by Justice Philips.

    She said; “Today, we celebrate our own legal icon and quintessential jurist for her meritorious service to the Lagos State judiciary. She introduced various innovative ideas, which helped in reforming our justice delivery system and also imparted a lot of us positively.”

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch Chairman, Yinka Farounbi said Justice Phillips distinguished herself as a hardworking, bold and honest jurist.

    “She is amiable, social, jovial and generally free and friendly with people, but that did not in anyway colour her sense of justice nor tainted the oath of office she took as a judicial officer.

    “Socrates, the classical Greek Philosopher listed four qualities of a Judge to be: hearing courteously; answering wisely; considering soberly and deciding impartially. I can say confidently, convincingly with all sense of responsibility and without any fear of contradiction whatsoever that my Lord, Hon. Justice A. A. Phillips possesses all these qualities and more. My Lord left giant footprints in the judiciary of Lagos State both as a Judge  and as a Chief Judge,” he noted.

    NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Alex Muoka lauded the retired CJ, praising her for establishing a quarterly bar-bench forum, which helped to foster relationship between judges and lawyers in the state.

    Mrs Funke Adekoya (SAN), who represented Body of SANs  also praised her for various legal reforms.

     

    Clerics new legal year messages to judges

    The Chairman, Lagos State Pilgrims Board, Dr. Abdul Kabir Paramole, who delivered the Suratun-Nisai at the legal year service urged judges to have the fear of Allah when  discharging their duties.

    “Verily, Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those whom they are due; and when you judge between men, you judge with justice,” he said, adding: “This is the only way that the common man can have hope in the judiciary.”

    The Diocese of Lagos West Bishop , Anglican Communion, Rev. Olusola Odedeji, admonished judges to always exercise their powers with utmost care in order not to incur God’s wrath.

    He said they are God’s representatives on earth and must be without reproach, adding that  they must seek divine wisdom as Solomon did when faced with a challenging case.

    “You are God’s representatives among his people. It does not matter whether the people are good or bad, God has given you a dedicated authority to guide them.

    “We all as leaders of God’s people need wisdom to act, just as King Solomon had a chance to demonstrate the wisdom of God in resolving the issue between two women in the Bible.

    “The request for wisdom is not a want, but a need and as leaders, we must realise that whatever we do or neglect to do, will affect the people.

    So, we must mind our action and inaction,” he said, adding: “You are representatives of God among his people. You are standing in the place of God.”  He urged them to always judge with the fear of God, saying: “A request for Godly wisdom is not a want, but a need. We’re men of influence, so we’re expected in the midst of people without hypocrisy.”

     

     

     

     

  • ‘NIGERIA AT 54: WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO DO BETTER’

    ‘NIGERIA AT 54: WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO DO BETTER’

    Ex-Nigeria quarter-miler, Gloria Obajimi has stated that Nigeria will do better at international competitions if the potential of its athletes are properly harnessed.

    Speaking on the state of sports in Nigeria at 54, Obajimi, who was at the 1980 Olympic Games, said that with the talents available to the country, it was disheartening that it still struggles to succeed at international competitions. She noted that Nigeria was blessed with top stars, who have done the country proud despite the odds they faced in their careers.

    She said: “Over the years, we have seen the likes of Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey and Peter Konyegwachie do the country proud in boxing, while the late Abdulkareem Amu, Modupe OshIkoya, Falilat Ogunkoya and Mary Onyali made sure Nigeria’s flag was hoisted at different international competitions. This shows that the country has the potential to do well.”  Obajimi declared that the present generation of athletes has also done well by winning medals at international competitions, citing the performance of Blessing Okagbare and Ese Brume at the Commonwealth Games in London. She urged the government to go back to the days where it gave scholarships to athletes to study in the United States of America and develop their talents in sports.

    “After Nigeria hosted the All African Games in 1973, the government employed several top coaches from all over the world, who identified and trained our athletes. Those who were very good got scholarships to study abroad and sharpen their skills,” she said.

    Obajimi, who lectures at the National Institute for Sports (NIS), also called on the sports authorities to pay special attention to youth development and develop talents that would be exposed to international competitions as they progress in their careers.

    She stated that this would equip them for the challenges ahead as well as prevent them from falling into the hands of fraudulent managers who are only out to use athletes to better their lots. Obajimi commended the government for establishing the High Performance Centre (HPC), but warned that the facility should not be allowed to rot like some sports facilities across the country. She said: “Youth discovered at different national competitions should be taken to the HPC, so that they can hone their skills, put in a good school and give them scholarships that will ensure that they stay in school. With the training they get at the HPC, they will be able to take care of themselves if they travel abroad.”

  • We can do better this season -Etafia

    We can do better this season -Etafia

    Nigeria and Moroka Swallows goalkeeper Greg Etafia has said he is looking forward to the new season with high hopes and expectations, as the Premier Soccer League in South Africa kicks off this weekend.

    Etafia and his Soweto based club finished a disappointing 13th last season, barely escaping relegation to the national first division but Etafia says he’s looking forward to the new season in anticipation of better things to come.

    “I’m really looking forward to the new PSL season and hoping for better things from the team. It wasn’t a very good season last term, and we hope to improve upon that and so many other things,” he said.

    “Every new season brings a ray of hope and with the new season just around the corner, we hope to make amendments and keep improving as the season progresses and hopefully we’ll get something good.”

    Swallows begin their 2014/2015 campaign with a tricky trip to former champions and powerhouses, Orlando Pirates but Etafia is remaining upbeat.

    “Pirates are a good side and we respect them but we are also a good side so it’s no problem. You probably don’t want to start your season playing them, but I believe we’ve got a squad of players that are capable to get the goods irrespective of the opposition.”

    Etafia has been with Swallows since 2003, and holds a South African passport. He was Nigeria’s first choice goalkeeper at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and has also played for the Super Eagles on several occasions.

  • Doing it better through tourism

    Doing it better through tourism

    Tourism is now a major engine of growth and development contributing significantly to Gross Domestic Product of many nations.

    Arising from the Earth Summit in 1992 organised by World Commission on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, sustainability has become a major ingredient for development.

    This book takes a cue from the publication of the World Tourism Organisation ( Indicators of Sustainable Development of Tourism Destination a Guidebook) to further help and inform Policy Makers and Destination Managers to obtain as much information as possible to guide their decision making process.

    To further articulate and interpret the subject matter, a set of component issues are provided including its performance indicators and verification to allow deeper knowledge. Sustainable development of tourism is applicable to all forms of tourism without exception.

    Tourism destination cannot exist without tourism product. Tourism products are the assets of the local community. They include complimentary attractions such as natural resources (beaches, waterfalls, mountains, ecosystems and landscapes) cultural and historical resources (festivals, historic sites, museums, local food) infrastructural facilities (roads, marinas, airport terminals) and support services ( tour operations, courier services, insurance, tourist information office etc).

    These attractions are planned in an integrated manner with the community aspiration and their active participation. The planning also involves creating partnership with other stakeholders such as travel agents, the tour operators, the hotel owners, the transporters  and owners of the heritage sites to mention but a few.

    These attractions are planned in an integrated manner with the community aspiration and their active participation.  The planning also involves creating partnership with other stakeholders such as the travel agents, the tour operators, the hotel owners, the transporters and owners of the heritage sites to mention but a few.

    There should be fundamental principles of creating tourism products, its development guidelines, planning process and marketing strategy.  Planners are encouraged to develop as many as what to see and what to do because tourism products are amalgamation of attractions, because the more of what to do and what to see; the more the visitors are attracted to the destination.

    The author made reference to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and the United Nations Environmental Programme, which set out twelve aims towards achieving sustainable development through tourism.

    From the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Human Development Report of 2003 reviewed in 2011 and 2013 respectively, it was reported that these aims are set to reduce poverty in the world.   Already over 1.2 billion people are in extreme poverty level.  More than two-third of them live in Asia, half of them are in South Asia while one fourth reside in Sub-Sahara Africa.  The larger majority of the poor live in medium and large size countries.  More than sixty percent of the event world’s poor reside in just five countries and other less developed nations live in hunger and malnutrition, lack access to good health, water, housing, education and basic skills.

    The book tourism development is recommended to some of these countries as a means of combating poverty thereby reducing their poverty level and improving their quality of life.

    The overall objective of the concluding part of the book is to identify specific policy areas for which policy implementation can be formulated to reduce poverty and improve the well-being of the people.  The policy area articulated include conservation of physical integrity, visitor’s fulfilment, economic viability of tourism enterprises, its local prosperity, employment opportunities and the impact on the wellbeing of the local population.

    Visitors appeals are the attractions of the destination which could be natural, cultural, historical and manmade.  Maintenance and conservation of the attractions with respect to local circumstance are subject to policy formation.  Government is encouraged to develop appropriate policies that will bring about deliberate actions towards sustainable development.

    Sustainable development of tourism requires sound planning as well as protection and management of key elements such as destination assets, involvement of the local community and other stakeholders.

    Where no plan exists in a locality, it becomes imperative to identify possible assets and collate data on all elements associated with tourism potentials and threats.   Where a plan exists, then evaluate current tourism plan, issues and objectives to improve upon the existing system and initiate plans in consonance with sustainable development of tourism.

    The chapter is designed to provide in-depth study on destination planning and development by throwing more lights on tourism and planning, destination elements and characteristics, types of planning approach, destination development and control including parties that make tourism work at a destination.  Policy Makers and Destination Managers are encouraged to understand the planning process in tourism and what makes tourism work sustainably in a destination.

    Who has the mandate to plan and manage tourism destination?, the author asks.

    He went further in the publication to describe tourism as multi-sectorial and multi-discipline where no single entity (stakeholder) can lay absolute acknowledge to its management.  It bore on the importance of destination managers to understand the policy behind sustainability.

    The highlight of the success of the any destination is based on the following:

    •Emphasis on poverty reduction and increase on the quality of life of the local residents;

    •Protection of unique ecosystem, heritage sites and places of memory.

    •Establishment of the role of private sector in the planning, financing, implementation and ownership of the tourism operations;

    •Ensuring that the poor play active  role in the supply of goods and services including management of destinations;

    •Development of effective marketing and promotion strategies;

    •Co-ordination of essential government services;

    •Creating awareness among the stakeholders and the local community;

    •Ensuring implementation of regulation and control throughout the destination area.

    Tourism Destination Management; A Guide for Policy Makers and Destination Management gives an insight into the roles of various stakeholders and the Destination Management Organisation in the overall management of the destinations.

    Tourism destination is a place where visitors spend atleast one night. It covers a geographical and administrative boundary where products and services are offered to the visitors.

    Visitors in turn absorb complimentary and experiences, and share same with other (friends, families, colleagues and group).  These complimentary and experiences are expectations.  They could either be interesting or unpleasant.  It is a place where several actors and stakeholders nest, network and offer their services.  They are not limited to the following; public authorities, destination management organizations, transport operators, accommodation providers, heritage conservators, travel agent, tour operators, tour guide, financial institutions, other ancillaries and service providers including the host community.

    Destinations vary depending on their assets and unique attractions.  While issues affecting one destination may be similar to the other but several destinations are distinct in their attractiveness.  This chapter is designed for tourism professionals and managers of destinations to understand and appreciate the complexity, flexibility, similarity and uniqueness of destinations.

    It is certainly possible that issues affecting cultural heritage sites in the areas of protection and conservations are likely to have similar issues of ecosystem and biodiversity with beaches and coastal zones.

  • Buka: I’m back and better

    Buka: I’m back and better

    El-kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri captain Bamai Bukar has been given a clean bill of health to return to action this weekend against Lobi Stars.

    SportingLife understands that Bukar has been nursing an injury since the start of the season, a situation which has been preventing him from making an impact for his club so far.

    The former Gombe United midfielder resumed training with his teammates last week and travelled to Sapele for Sunday’s week 5 clash against Bayelsa United. He was dressed but did not see action.

    Bukar told SportingLife that he wants to give his best to the team to show his appreciation for their support to him during his injury difficulty.

    “I want to use this medium to tell my fans that I’m back and better. I must thank the management for their support during my trying period. I want to give my best to the team to show my appreciation to them. Injury is not a good thing but I thank God that I have overcome it now,” Bukar told SportingLife.

    The former Adamawa United ace has also expressed confidence in his team’s ability to secure all points in the game against Lobi Stars on Sunday.

    “We are going for our three points against Lobi Stars. We are not going underrating them but we have all it takes to beat them. They are a good side but the spirit in our camp now is high and we cannot afford to drop points at home again.

    This is the time for business, we defeated Abia Warriors and drew Akwa United at home and went to Sapele and picked a draw against Bayelsa United. Our target is to end up among the top three this season and surpass the 4th position achievement recorded last season,” the former Ranchers Bees of Kaduna star said.

  • Building a better, stronger and united Nigeria

    The 2013 result of the Economist Intelligence Unit of Where-to-be-born Index, which attempts to gauge which country will offer the most excellent opportunities for a healthy, safe and flourishing life in the years ahead,  ranked Nigeria as number 80 out of 80 countries evaluated. This makes Nigeria the most awful country to be born in out of the 80 countries analyzed!  This is how low we have sunk in recent time. Contemporary statistics about the country, across major sectors, have been baffling. For instance, Nigeria remains one of the few countries lagging behind in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals while our ranking on the corruption index remains abysmal. Similarly, Nigeria is among the only five countries in the world with the existence of polio. This is aside being ranked third in the world in the prevalence of AIDS/HIV.

    With regards to public security, we are not faring better either.

    From all indications, these are not really the best of time for our beloved nation. How did things get to this level? At what point did we derail from the agenda of our founding fathers? Well, if we are to be frank with ourselves, we all (every Nigerian) have a part in the present sorry state of our dear nation. The usual style in various discourses on the state of affairs in the country is to lay the blame on the doorsteps of leadership. However, in as much as it is undeniable that the availability of a focus and visionary leadership is pivotal to the progress of any society, it is equally a fact that, in our case in Nigeria, the followership is itself a major concern. When we talk of corruption, for instance, the general tendency is to point accusing fingers to those in government. But the reality is that there is hardly a sector in the country where corruption doesn’t thrive.

    There is no point in passing the buck. We should stop the blame game. The way forward, is for every one of us to have a rethink. If some are building and others are pulling down, the building will definitely collapse.  No matter what happens, this is the only country that we can call our own. Politics, religion and ethnicity should not be used as platforms to divide us. It doesn’t matter where we are, we can get to where we ought to be if we are determined to build a stronger and united nation that will be the toast of coming generations. We can do it. We have the potentials. We have the resources. All we need is a strong resolve to start afresh. Let nothing divert or deter us from this noble course.

    Despite the myriads of our challenges, all is not gloomy with the country after all. It is cheering, for instance, that for the first time in our history , we have had the rare prospect of holding on to democratic governance for 15 un-interrupted years. With steady economic growth, a stable democratic government and broad support from development partners, the Nigeria of our collective dream and aspiration could be attained. However, to consolidate democracy, restore a functioning economy and promote sustainable economic growth, we need to strengthen the various organs of government and other institutions of governance. There is basically nothing about the country that is wholly peculiar. Several countries around the world have had similar or same experiences as Nigeria. The only difference is that while others identify their challenges and frontally work on them, we seem to cover up ours and keep on living with the pretext that they never exist.

    What does the future hold?  In spite of the misgivings and several hiccups, Nigeria, will yet rise again. Time after time, in one culture after another, human beings have proven their resilience; they’ve shown that great things are possible and that man is capable of incredible successes in spite of monumental odds. Nigeria and Nigerians must not be an exception. Even as we think and get perplexed and angry, about the events of the last five decades, we must not give up hope. It looks bad and ugly; still, we must not despair. We must keep focusing; keep doing the right things for our country. We must do all we can to escape the condemnation and damnation of history and posterity. We cannot be the people and the generation that gave up even as others fought to save their own countries. Nigeria is our country, it is the one we truly own. Let us be united in saving our nation. Our outward expression of unity will reflect our inward unity of purpose.

    On a lighter but serious note, it is no longer news that all the states in the country have beautiful slogans that showcase their peculiarities. For instance in Lagos, we pride ourselves as the “Centre of Excellence”. However, the truth is that, the whole country has sufficient human and natural resources to attain excellence in all ramifications. All we need is to properly harness these resources. In the North-east, Adamawa prides itself as the Land of Beauty because of its pleasant scenery. Nevertheless, beauty is virtually a visible feature across the country. If only we could strap up all the striking tourist sites across the country, Nigeria would attract greater investment and, indeed, be accorded much respect across the globe. In the North-west, Kebbi is renowned to be the “Land of Equity”. How wonderful would it be, if equity truly reigns supreme across the land? In the North-central, Kwara is regarded as the “State of Harmony”. If only we could eschew all forms of bitterness and other divisive tendencies, we could actually build a nation where harmonious interface is the order of the day.

    On a final note, for the sake of the coming generation of Nigerians, we need to build a united and stronger entity. Since providence has brought us together, despite glaring differences, it is of necessity that we brace all odds and embrace harmonious living. Nigeria has the potential for greatness, if only all hands could be on deck. We must therefore, go forward and upward in all ramifications. We are not a failed generation. We are not a degenerate generation. We are not an accursed generation. We are good people, Great Country. Let us all work for a better, stronger and united Nigeria for the things that unite us are deeper and more important than the things that can separate us. “To live in unity is good and pleasant. To live in disunity is scandalous”.

    One would like to close with the enduring  words of Gerald R. Ford, the 38th president of the United States of America, USA: “even though this is late in an election year, there is no way we can go forward except together and no way anybody can win except by serving the people’s urgent needs. We cannot stand still or slip backwards. We must go forward now together”.

     

    •Odutola is Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

     

  • 2014 will be better, say market leaders

    Some market leaders in Lagos say 2013 ended on a bad note. However, they hope for better things this year. ABISAYO AWOLEYE reports.

    SOME market leaders have identified some factors as setbacks for their businesses. These are insufficient funds and importation hassles. However, they are optimistic that things will get better once these are elimi.

    The Leader of Oyingbo market,Lagos, Alhaja Bashirat Abeni Balogun, said activities in the market would have been smooth this past year if the ongoing stall construction had not disrupted their sales.

    Also, Alhaji Chief Bolaji Awoyemi, a Market Leader at Mushin market, said the market which has been under construction for sometime should be completed this year. He was optimistic that all that his colleagues couldn’t achieve last year would be got this year once it is completed.

    He added that the displaying of wares on the road and the streets would finally stop when the government eventually completes the market. “I hope traders will be able to afford the rent,” he said.

    “If the government can provide means of transportation, it would be a big relief for traders. Transporters charge exorbitant prices knowing that traders have no other means of conveying produce.”

  • Nigeria‘ll be better, says Afe Babalola

    The Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), has said Nigeria would be a better place for all if those who should make it better are ready to apply themselves to make it better.

    Receiving members of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the legal icon reiterated that with the monumental achievements of the university in less than four years of existence, “we are poised to challenge any institution in the world and stand side-by-side with them. We have the master plan and the time table to catch up with them in no distant future.”

    Babalola recalled that ordinarily, a three-and-a-half-year-old university should still be crawling, but due to a dint of hard work, dedication and determination, ABUAD, which has been described as the fastest growing university in Africa, is not only standing, but outstanding and already running, ready to catch up and beat those in existence before it.

    According to him, education in ABUAD is not only about learning, it is also about industry, discipline and character moulding as well as inculcating decency in the heart of future leaders of the country.

    The President and Chairman of Council of the institute, Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye, said what members of the institute have heard and seen in ABUAD propelled them to want to partner the university so that students graduating in Social Sciences could take the institute’s professional examinations to become Chartered Marketers.

  • ‘Ambrose has made Celtic better’

    ‘Ambrose has made Celtic better’

    Celtic manager Neil Lennon has praised his centre back pairing, saying that Efe Ambrose has caught the attention of “top clubs in different countries”.

    Nigerian Ambrose, 24, played in Celtic’s 3-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League last 16, with the former receiving considerable flak following a poor performance that saw him make vital mistakes in defence and attack, just a few days after he had helped Nigeria win the African Cup of Nations.

    Speaking to The Scotsman, Lennon said: “Efe is strong-minded regarding the criticism. He is very humble and was extremely disappointed after last Tuesday night.

    “I don’t think we will lose him in the summer as he is just in the door and there is more he can add to his game. But he has a few admirers out there with his performances this season.

    “Efe has been a great signing for us. He has also brought the best out of Kelvin Wilson, who has been magnificent this season. At European level, they have made us better.”