The Nation Newspaper

Tag: canvasses

  • Ogun forum canvasses support for Isiaka

    Ogun West Stakeholders Forum, a coalition of interest groups and ethnic nationalities in the Ogun West, has appealed to Ogun State voters to elect the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Prince Gboyega Isiaka.

    The group, in a statement by the Coordinator, Yewaland Development Union, Mr. Semiu Fatogun, said its opinion polls among the people of Ogun-West, Ogun Central and Ogun East showed Isiaka’s wide acceptability, which supported his endorsement by the people of Yewa Awori at an earlier summit.

    The group also noted that the organisers of the Ogun West Decides Summit, which was held in Ilaro, did it after due consultation with prominent politicians and non-politicians across Ogun West.

    The group appealed to Ogun-West indigenes to support the realisation of the age-long dream of producing the state’s governor by voting for ADC candidate.

    It reminded them that they should not allow the zoning of deputy governor to the area to obstruct the realisation of the age-long dream of producing the state’s chief executive.

    The group made it clear that nothing short of the number one position would augur well for the growth of Ogun West.

    The group appealed to political parties in Ogun State not to encourage any form of violence during and after the elections in the interest of the masses they posture to represent.

  • Group canvasses judiciary model for state police

    The police can be structured in the same manner as the judiciary, a civil society coalition, OneVoice, has said.

    It recommended the option of duplicating the police structure at the state level, which it said would mean that the Federal Government could retain overall control of the police, but with more state involvement.

    OneVoice noted that although state governors are empowered to appoint High Court judges and the Chief Judge, with the Houses of Assembly’s consent, they (judges) are paid by the Federal Government through the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    The group said governors could also be empowered to appoint commissioners of police with the approval of state lawmakers.

    This, the group said, would give governors more powers over the head of police in their states as chief security officers rather than depending on a central command structure where all orders come from Abuja.

    OneVoice said the arrangement would also mean that states would have their police service commissions as does the judiciary.

    Senior Programme Officer at the Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS) Mr Collins Okeke, at a media parley by One Voice in Lagos, said rather than creating state police, the current policing structure could be reformed.

    “We can duplicate what is at the federal level at the states. The judiciary model can be adopted. There should be more state involvement in policing,” he said.

    Okeke was of the view that the office of the Inspector-General of Police should have security of tenure, while police funding should be on first line charge.

    To him, creating state police would amount to running away from the problem rather than finding a solution.

    “It appears we don’t like to solve problems in Nigeria. If something is faulty, we create new ones. Rather than interrogate a problem, we push it aside and create a new one,” he said.

    OneVoice Media Committee chair Pastor Deji Adeleye said the police was “castrated” through underfunding and inadequate recruitment of men.

    He said rather than creating state police, states could be empowered to recruit the number of policemen they want from their locality while serving officers should be made to return and serve in their states.

    “The present structure is faulty and we need to address the issues rather than calling for state police. After exploring all these reform options, state police can then be considered. It should not be the primary focus,” Adeleye said.

    NOPRIN Foundation co-ordinator Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, said rather than outright rejection of the idea of state police, the government should consider it objectively, weighing the merits against the demerits against other options.

  • Jaiz Bank’s MD canvasses more Sukuk bonds

    Managing Director, Jaiz Bank Plc, Mr Hassan Usman, has advised the Federal Government to devise a regular Sukuk issuance programme to secure much-needed capital to boost infrastructural development and end the menace of abandoned projects.

    The Federal Government recently successfully floated its first sovereign Sukuk bond, raising N105 billion, N5 billion oversubscription on the initial target of N100 billion.

    Speaking at the 3rd African International Conference on Islamic Finance in Abuja, Usman said issuance of more Sukuk bonds would provide government with pool of capital finance infrastructural projects across the country while asset-based nature and financial discipline that come with Sukuk bonds will ensure timely completion of any identified project.

    According to him, Sukuk ensures discipline in the management of resources because there is always a structure to guide the process. As such, issuance of more Sukuk bonds will not only provide the huge quantum of funds needed to address infrastructural problems in the country but help to improve efficiency in public finance.

    “We have so many things that we need to address, from roads to railways, seaports, airports, hospitals, education and so many other things yearning for attention; which the normal budgeting system cannot address. We need to raise quantum of funds to address them. Issuing Sukuk gives you two things-you get the resources and get disciplined around it. Money from Sukuk is dedicated for what it is intended for. It is very unlikely for that money to be diverted out of those projects,” Usman said.

    He added that issuance of Sukuk will help Nigeria to address both financial inadequacy and structural deficiencies in public administration as every issuer of Sukuk will need to have a definitive structure in place for the utilization of the fund, which must be followed to the letter.

    “That for me is something Nigeria needs, because it would mean the end of abandoned projects. Before you raise Sukuk, you must have done your homework – you have gotten the contractors, you have done the bills of quantity- money is available and the contractor would go to the site and every certificate is paid for. So, Sukuk for me is the way to go to address many of our challenges,” Usman said.

  • Firm canvasses technology strategy

    A marketing and communications company, Verdant Zeal, has reiterated the importance of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as key players in not only Nigeria’s economic growth, but Africa’s.

    The firm said governments and other development partners needed to harness the power of technology to make a quantum leap in order to have a fair chance of development on continental scale. The company said it was casting a long range vision for the future by focusing on growing technology among African youths.

    Its Group Director, Synergy, Mr. Dipo Adesida, while briefing reporters in Lagos earlier in the week, disclosed that his firm planned to train youths on how e-commerce and mobile money would help grow the economy as part of the innovation series the firm was promoting.

    Adesida said the initiative was part of the desire to give back to the society as the company celebrates its 10th Anniversary. “We, as Verdant Zeal, will not only  galvanise the youth  and inspire them to think differently, but will ensure a robust engagement so that some of them would have opportunities to live out their dreams,” he assured.

    As part of the innovation series instituted to examine the question of Africa’s development  and hone opportunities for growth, he stated that the firm would also leverage on inherent strengths.

    To achieve this, a lecture/symposium is being organised by the firm, with the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. Segun Agbaje and Etisalat’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Matthew Willsher as discussants to encourage the youths.

    He said: “Africa is gradually moving from a resource based economy to knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy. This has helped in impacting our youths as more youths now are exposed to the internet and get to share ideas with both local and foreign friends.”

    The Group Director Marketing & Business Development and Chairperson, 10th Anniversary Planning Committee, Nkiruka Oguadinma, said there would be an art exhibition showcasing their operations in Africa. She said the exhibition would cover artefacts from nine African countries.

    On their expansion drive in Africa, Oguadinma said they were studying the business bend in other African countries.

    According to her, any income from the exhibition will be donated to the Society for the Blind and Sickle Cell society.

  • Plateau Utd acting GM canvasses for support

    Plateau Utd acting GM canvasses for support

    • Vows to reshape Jos side

    The Acting General Manager of Plateau United, Pius Hemwam has solicited for the support and cooperation of all stakeholders in the state to enable him and the club succeed on their return to the premier league after four years of absence.

    Hemwam, who until his elevation as the acting GM was the secretary of the club, praised Governor Simon Lalong for the opportunity to serve and he has assured that he will reposition the team as a formidable force in the premier league.

    Speaking shortly before handing over to his successor, the erstwhile GM, Bitrus Bewarang while appreciating God for the chance to serve, noted that he is handing over to an experienced administrator and urged other stakeholders to support him.

    Bewarang, who is the longest serving GM of the club after spending six years at the helm of affairs, is leaving on a high after guiding the team back to the premier league for the first time since 2010/2011 season, last term.

  • Babalakin canvasses zonal structure for airports concession

    Babalakin canvasses zonal structure for airports concession

    Chariman of Bi- Courtney Aviation Services Limited Dr Wale Babalakin yesterday canvassed zoning of airports as a template for their concession.

    He broke the airports zonal structure into Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.

    Babalakin said without the injection of private capital, the airports were programmed to be ineffective.

    He said with the enabling environment, the airports could be turned around in the next 30 months.

    Babalakin spoke at a meeting in Lagos organised by industry think tank group Aviation Round Table Safety Initiative.

    He said Bi- Courtney Aviation Services Limited signed an agreement to operate regional flights from the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, Lagos, and  was awaiting approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA).

    Babalakin said the clarification became imperative because of insinuations that the firm wanted to commence operations for regional flights without approval.

    The chairman of Bi- Courtney explained that the NCAA was invited to inspect the terminal and that the regulatory body gave conditions that to be met by the terminal before it could commence regional flights from the facility.

    Babalakin said:  “Approval was not given, we signed an agreement to operate regional flights. NCAA was invited to inspect the facility and gave conditions that must be met and these conditions have been fulfilled and we are waiting for the implementation.”

    He condemned attempts by FAAN to take over its hotel opposite the MMA2 , insisting that a fresh agreement was signed to enable work resume at the site.

    The chairman stated that serous airport development  could only take place under a well articulated concessioning system.

    Babalakin noted that airport development could only manifest in the aviation sector,  when  Nigerians harnessed the country’s potential.

    He said for the industry to  develop, the rule of law must be followed, adding that a situation where concession agreements were violated, was discouraging.

     

  • Kuje council chair canvasses support

    The chairman of Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Shaban Tete has appealed to residents to support the council during the economic meltdown.

    Tete said that the economic issues in the country are not only causing hardship in other states but also in the FCT.

    He further gave the assurance of more and better developments on ground in the area council when allocations to the council’s improve because, according to him, no form of developmental intentions can be met without funds.

    The council boss made this known through his special assistant Media and Publicity, Hon. Yusuf Dabo who divulged the issue to newsmen in Abuja.

    “But, we are doing our best to affect the lives of our people positively.  But,  people will not understand what is going on in the council,  particularly Kuje area council that is sharing border with Nassarawa state.  For instance, we are presently grading a ten kilometre road from gigbe in Kwali area council to Kwaku up to Takwa.

    “We sunk boreholes in Kwaku, Pasu,  Gadoro and Sabo villages and also rehabilated some broken down boreholes in Lanto village and in Kayada in Kuje town.  We are building a health centre in Chibiri village and also provided rural electrification in Kango village.

    “Since our administration,  we have purchased six 33kva transformers that have been installed in various locations of the central ward,  like Unguwan Gade, behind central mosque, Unguwan Gade Kassa, Kayada Primary School, Low cost housing Mentobal.

    “All this have been achieved within the meager amount of money that is coming to the council coffers.   We will definitely do more in future, all we need is for residents to support and always pray for our administration,” he said.

     

  • MAN canvasses ‘development economics’

    MAN canvasses ‘development economics’

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) is pushing what it calls development economics as against the unfettered opening of the country  to cheap and sometimes substandard  goods. It said unrestricted access to “our markets promotes unemployment and poverty”.

    NAN President  Dr. Frank Jacobs, responding to a statement credited to  US Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, Charles H. Revkin, warning Nigeria of the dangers of shutting out foreign competitors, said MAN recognised the  disadvantage the country would be exposed to if it opens up its economy to indiscriminate trade relations with advanced countries.

    “First, the advanced countries would trade capital goods, such as plant and machinery, medical, agricultural machinery, aviation equipment, airplanes, and others while Nigeria would only trade commodity goods, such as cocoa, pepper, sesame seed, among others.

    “The implication will be that while the advanced countries get richer and more industrialised, Nigeria will remain a commodity country and in perpetual de-industrialisation.

    “Trade is important but Nigeria must be cautious to ensure that most of the goods coming into the market are input materials for the productive sectors and not finished consumer goods that will wipe out existing domestic industrial efforts and truncate new industrial initiatives”, he advised.

    He maintained that for Nigeria to sit on the same table with countries such as the United States, Britain, Germany, Japan, China, to appropriate the gains of trade, it must be able to trade industrial goods like the advanced economies.

    Jacobs advised policy makers on the need to look inwards to improve its industrial capacities by insisting on the tenets of the Backward Integration agenda as embedded in the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP).

  • Pinnick calls for patience, canvasses support for Oliseh

    Pinnick calls for patience, canvasses support for Oliseh

    NFF President Amaju Pinnick refused to be despondent following Saturday’s 0-0 draw between the Super Eagles and Taifa Stars of Tanzania. Rather, he saw a lot of positives in the result and has called on Nigerians from far and near to exercise patience as new Head Coach Sunday Oliseh gradually steadies his ship.

    Nigeria were expected to take three points away from Dar es Salaam on Saturday, but came away with a point as the race to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Gabon gathered steam. Even with the draw, Pinnick remains confident the Eagles will get there.

    “It was a good match in the sense that Oliseh has now seen his first set of players, and he has seen the good and the bad ones. If we had been able to play a friendly match before this game, he would certainly have had greater knowledge of each of his players.

    “However, a lot of lessons have been learnt here. The coach  would have wanted so much to win, but that is football. I believe the team will get better as we go along.”

    Pinnick called on football –passionate Nigerians to remain in solid support of Oliseh as the NFF intends to organise several friendly games to engender bonding among the new players and entrench cohesion and telepathy.

    “On our part, we will do our best to arrange a lot of friendly games for the team. I believe the team will be better against Niger Republic in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    “When you are rebuilding, you have to exercise patience because you have to bring in and take out as the process requires.”

    The NFF President hailed the discipline and organisation that he saw in the Eagles’ camp in Dar es Salaam.

    “As we keep saying, it is not always only about winning. The building of a sustainable football culture is paramount in our administration’s programmes. We want to win matches, but we also want to see attitude that projects the nation positively. I am happy with the discipline in the team camp and the organisation.

    “When there is discipline and dedication, and patriotism, the results will come,” he said. Pinnick pointed out that there were so many debutants in the Eagles’ team that drew in Dar es Salaam.

    On a day that Mauritania spanked Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Liberia beat Tunisia and South Sudan earned victory over Equatorial Guinea, the Super Eagles drew 0-0 with Tanzania and now have four points in the Gabon 2017 race.

  • Group canvasses youth empowerment

    In its bid towards repositioning and empowering youths in the Yoruba states, O’odua Youth Congress, a socio-cultural organisation has called for the repositioning and enlarging empowerment opportunities for all Yoruba youths.

    The group made the call at a conference held at the Western Hall of Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

    Some of the features of the conference were paper presentations by Mr Olusgeun Oshinowo, Director-General, National Employers’ Commission Association (NECA), Prof. Lateef Sanni of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAB) and Chief Segun Odegbamirespectively.

    Speaking on the essence of the programme, the President of the group, Ogbeni Moronkeji Oladapo isaid: “We conceptualised this conference as one of the vehicles needed to achieve our vision of repositioning and enlarging empowerment opportunities and choices for all Yoruba youths.

    “ It is often said that they youth are the future of any nation but the manner our leaders have piloted our affairs in recent decades indicates that majority of them are without full understanding and implication of this phrase.”

    “ True, there is no denying the fact that government’s actions and inactions are largely responsible for the current difficulties which the youth are experiencing; but going forward, we are convinced that it is no longer sufficient to blame our leaders for making us victims of today’s failures. It is incumbent on us all to make changes necessary to shape tomorrow in our favour.”

    While blaming the failure of the system on government, Oladapo further said: “The issue of unemployment is compounded by our  government’s spending priorities that have always been shaped by political exigencies. Or how do some of our leaders explain annual budgetary system that allocate more fund to city beautification and other non-capital intensive projects than youth-focused developmental programme?“

    He, however, called on the government to demonstrate greater understanding of these challenges by blocking loopholes and gaps inherent in current youths’ policy formulation and implementation.