The Nation Newspaper

Tag: chairman

  • Chairman declares ‘ANN not for sale’

    The Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) is not for sale, its National Chairman Emmanuel Dania has said.

    In a statement, Dania accused the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman Dr. Jay Osi Samuels of being bent on handing over the ANN to money bags.

    He said Samuels’s alliance with some individuals, groups or parties was at variance with the party’s ideology.

    He accused him of colluding with others to organise a parallel presidential primary on Wednesday in Abuja after a candidate had earlier been elected.

    “It is therefore necessary to bring this anomaly to the fore and alert the general public, relevant authorities and security agencies of the action of both Dr. Jay Osi Samuels and Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim which is fraudulent, misleading and having the potential to disturb the public peace.

    “Their approach at politicking through incitement and falsehood is a reflection that the ANN was almost being infiltrated and inflicted with other parties’ virus of corruption, nepotism, self-aggrandisement and violence.

    “As a political party driven by sound principles, the ANN is determined to ensure that no single individual will be bigger than the party. A level-playing field is available to every Nigerian irrespective of his or her class, religion and region.

    The party also re-affirmed the outcome of the presidential primary held on September 29 that produced Mr. Fela Durotoye as the party’s presidential candidate.

    However at another convention of the party on Wednesday, Mr Gbenga Olawepo- Hashim was elected the presidential candidate with 5233 delagates in attendance.

    The convention expelled National Chairman Dania and Deputy Natinal Secretary Osita Okonkwo.

    Dr Osi-Samuels was recalled from his BoT position to become national chairman.

  • World Cup: Special Eagles promises anniversary gift to Nigeria

    The national team of Nigeria Amputee Football Federation (NAFF), Special Eagles, on Monday promised to deliver the 2018 Amputee World Cup as a special anniversary gift to Nigeria @58.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Special Eagles will represent the nation in the 2018 Amputee Football World Cup holding in Mexico from Oct. 24 to Nov. 5.

    The team’s Captain, Emmanuel Ibeawuchi, made the promise while speaking with NAN during their awareness programme on Oct. 1 at the National Stadium, Lagos.

    “We, the Special Eagles are preparing to represent Nigeria in Amputee World Cup and our utmost goal is to deliver the trophy to Nigeria as a special anniversary gift.

    “We will make up for the country’s loss at the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia as special footballers and give Nigerians even in the Diaspora reason to celebrate a world football tournament trophy.

    “So, we are doing this awareness programme today to celebrate Nigeria at 58, to sensitise the public of our mission and to assure them that we will deliver,” he said.

    He called on football fans, ex international’s, corporate organisations and the public to identify with the NAFF Special Eagles as the team makes its first outing in the tournament.

    “We feel honoured to have this long awaited opportunity to fly our country’s flag in Mexico and we will need the support of all sectors and individuals to have a successful outing,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Paul Maduakor, Chairman, Zenith Sports Ltd., and official kit sponsor of the Special Eagles team to the competition, told NAN that his involvement and interest was out of compassion.

    Maduakor, Nigeria’s Brand Haggai partner to NAFF, said he observed the commitment and skills exhibited by the amputee footballers during training sessions and was motivated to identify with the team’s vision.

    “The physically challenged athletes have always distinguished themselves in international competitions in spite of little or no attention and here we have a set of amputee footballers driving towards same feat.

    “At this point, they need encouragement and that is why we are identifying with them and to ensure that they appeared unique and be the pride of Nigeria in Mexico,” Maduakor said.

    He added that the Haggai jersey/tracksuits for fans, children and adult would be available at Zenith Sports Ltd., National Stadium, Lagos.

    NAN reports that Nigeria, Russia, Brazil and El Salvador are in Group E of the WAFF organised World Cup in which 24 countries will compete for the trophy won by Russia in 2014.

  • Ibiyemi, an asset to Osun APC, says chairman

    The Osun State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Gboyega Famodun, has described a governorship aspirant, Elder Samuel Ibiyemi, as an asset needed by the ruling party to win this year’s governorship election in the state.

    According to him, Ibiyemi has the zeal and the commitment needed in the party.

    “We are in need of those with this kind of zeal in politics. With his past successes, he will be successful,” Famodun said.

    The chairman spoke during the declaration ceremony of Ibiyemi at APC state secretariat in Osogbo.

    He noted that his wealth of experience in various leadership positions in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) made him an asset to disgrace the opposition in elections.

    Famodun said: “We are impressed by his determination, his programmes for Osun State, if given the opportunity by the party and the electorate.”

    The chairman recalled that since the creation of the state, Ife indigenes had been asking for the position of governor.

    He added: “I am delighted an Ife indigene can finally show the courage and commitment to contest at the state level.

    “I see love and togetherness in Osun with the way people turn out for Ibiyemi’s declaration ceremony. Ibiyemi is an asset.”

    Ibiyemi promised to establish vocational training centres in each local government area to boost skill acquisition among secondary school leavers and university graduates.

    The aspirant said his plans for the state include creation of 40,000 jobs within four years, free education from primary to secondary school levels, free health care for expectant mothers, free health care for those above 65 years, investment in agriculture and adoption of Information Communication Technology (ICT) as benchmark for competitiveness among youths in Osun State for gainful employment outside the state.

    “My administration will focus on making Osun youths compete effectively with others in securing gainful employment globally,” he said.

     

  • Nova Merchant Bank chairman advises business leaders

    Nova Merchant Bank Limited  Chairman, Phillips Oduoza, has said building a successful businesses requires courage and resilience.

    He spoke while delivering the Convocation Lecture to the 2017/2018 Leo Graduating Class at Babcock University in Ilisan Remo, Ogun State.

    Oduoza, a former Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, said: “Courage and Resilience are character traits common amongst all entrepreneurs, who have been successful as it enabled them to take risks and overcome various obstacles on the road to success.”

    Explaining further, Oduoza said courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to persist in spite of it, while resilience is the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.

    He challenged Nigerian youths to take advantage of opportunities currently available in the country, especially in agriculture, FinTech, arts and entertainment. “The government’s focus on the diversification of the Nigerian economy has created opportunities across the agriculture value chain for aspiring entrepreneurs covering inputs, such as fertiliser, farming, storage, processing, manufacturing and transportation.

    The tech startup ecosystem in Nigeria is awash with opportunities for young entrepreneurs to create innovative solutions to address many of the structural issues facing the country. Emerging areas such as FinTech, the sharing economy, artificial intelligence amongst others present opportunities to start innovative businesses,” he said.

    On what graduands and aspiring entrepreneurs could learn from his personal life, Oduoza said young business leaders should seek knowledge, build a strong network, be true to themselves, but most importantly “must work very hard, no matter how intelligent you are. It is very rare to find a successful person, who is not a hard-working person. There is no substitute for hard work.”

    President/Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Prof. Adeola Tayo,   eulogised Oduoza, who he described as a loyal friend of the institution. He acknowledged his efforts in forging a good relationship between Babcock University and his former institution.

    “There is no better person to speak at this event than Oduoza, who having had a successful tenure as CEO of one of Africa’s largest financial institutions, midwifed the birth of a new Merchant Bank, which has achieved many feats in its first year of operation,” Tayo said.

  • APC throws open race for chairman

    •Party: why convention date is June 23 •’Tinubu panel making progress’

    THE endorsement of former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole by President Muhammed Buhari for the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman has not shut the door against other candidates from running, the party’s national convention committee said yesterday.

    The party also said the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led reconciliation committee was working silently to reconcile aggrieved members.

    It stressed that the level of crisis within the party is as a result of the interest of Nigerians in its affairs.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday, Chairman of the Media subcommittee of the Convention Committee and Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi said even though the party has decided to maintain the present zoning arrangement, every member of the party is free to aspire to any of the offices within the party.

    The governor revealed that the shift in date of the convention from June 2 to June 23 was occasioned by the need to give every party member their constitutional right to free religious practice and not put undue stress on the Muslim members who are fasting.

    He said: “I believe that, yes, the President has endorsed, but it doesn’t preclude other people from declaring to contest. It is a democracy and everybody is open to declare. I think everybody has a right to declare and once they declare, we go through the convention and we choose whoever won.

    “So, it is very competitive and you will still see in the coming days some people will declare their interest.”

    Ajimobi said: “Those who know the meaning of reconciliation must first of all realise that it is all encompassing and the Asiwaju’s committee is working quietly, reconciling people underground and working with everyone. You will see a lot of people moving round and talking quietly with the Asiwaju group. So, the reconciliation is ongoing.

    “As human beings, from the beginning of our being in this world till the end, we must continue to reconcile. We must reconcile ourselves with the environment and reconcile ourselves with people. So, reconciliation is a work in progress. I believe the Asiwaju team is working very effectively and reporting to the President.”

    On state congresses and the crisis and violence that has followed them, the governor said: “There might be violence here and there, it is interesting. You know, people value something that is very good. Anything of good value, people fight for it and it isn’t unusual to have people disagree over controlling and owning something.

    “So, it is common with our party, it shows the level of democratisation that we have experienced, it also shows the level of how interested people are in the party and the democratic nature of our party. State congresses, yes; there have been reports of violence here and there, it will continue to witness reconciliation and this is what we are doing. I believe honestly that reconciliation should take place.

    On while t”he party changed the date of the convention from June 2 to June 23, he said: “APC is a very considerate party. We believe that during Ramadan, many people should not be made to travel from their localities to Abuja.

    “We felt that you could do state congresses, you could do local government congresses, you could do ward congresses in your area without travelling around. But coming all the way to Abuja by road, which takes minimum of 10 hours will be very hectic on people. So, we believe that we should not subject people to this and honestly speaking, we decided that we do the shifting to June 23.

    “If it were to be during the lent, we will do the same thing because our party is made up of Christians and Moslems and I do not know those who are pagans. If they have their own fasting season, we would have shifted it for them too.”

    The governor added that the party “would also want Nigerians, who gave us overwhelming support in 2015, to know that in line with our tradition of excellence and transparency, the convention will be open to all aspirants who are deemed qualified in line with the convention guidelines, to vie for positions they are interested in.

    “To this effect, we have also introduced measures to ensure adequate representation for special interest groups such as women, youths and people with disabilities…

    “We are confident that we will have a very successful National Convention, which, at the end of the day, will unify our party; make us stronger and put us in a better position to further fulfil our electoral promises.”

     

  • Lagos: Balogun emerges chairman

    Chairman of Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Election Organising Committee, Senator Uche Ekwunife yesterday linked the massive infrastructural renewal across the state to political stability being enjoyed in the state, saying it was time for such to be replicated nationwide to facilitate growth and development.

    Speaking at the well-attended congress of the party held at the party’s secretariat, Acme Road, Ikeja, Ekwunife particularly commended the seamless political transition and the peaceful conduct of members of the party throughout the congress, saying such political maturity was rare in the country.

    “Without having political stability, you can’t have massive infrastructure anywhere. So, when you are outside Lagos and you are hearing that Lagos is performing; Lagos is growing; Lagos is expanding in terms of infrastructure, it is just about political stability. And it is only in Lagos that you see a chairman of a political party that has been chairman for the past years and there is so much joy in him handing over.

    “So, Lagos State is not just having smooth transition in governance, it is also having smooth transition in the political party, which is rare anywhere in the states,” Ekwunife said.

    The congress, which was attended by the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, among others, produced Alhaji Tunde Balogun as the new State Chairman of the party.

    In his acceptance speech, the new chairman commended the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ambode for the political stability and development of the state.

     

  • There was no parallel congress in Enugu, says chairman

    THE Enugu State All Progressive Congress (APC) has dismissed the allegation that some aggrieved party members were sidelined during the ward congress in the state, insisting that the congresses were the most peaceful in the country.

    Its Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, claimed that the congresses were very successful in the 260 wards across the 17 local government areas.

    He added that for the first time in the history of congress in Enugu State, people en masse from the grassroots came to vote for candidates of their choice without inducement.

    He, however, regretted that Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyema was allegedly being economical with the truth on the congress, insisting that he failed to follow the laid rules and regulation guiding the conduct of the congress.

    Nwoye said it was unfortunate the minister rather than coming to the state party secretariat to get necessary information from the congress committee that came from APC National Headquarters, Abuja, choose to hold his own meeting in a hotel.

    He accused him of instigating crisis as well as to create impression that there were parallel congress whereas there were none, stressing that “you don’t create parallel structure through wishful thinking”.

    The APC Chairman, however, expressed happiness that APC chieftains like ex-Senate President Ken Nnamani, former governor of Old Anambra State Jim Nwobodo, ex-Governor Sullivan Chime, South East National Vice Chairman Chief Emma Enekwu and others adjured the congress as peaceful and hitch-free.

    This came as the Appeal Panel for the congress led by Charles Babagbale has begun sitting to look into petitions and complaints by aggrieved members.

    Addressing reporters at the APC Secretariat in Enugu, Babagbale said the panel began sitting yesterday and so far has received only one petition.

    He called on aggrieved members to come forward with their complaints to enable them look into such complaints, adding that the panel will round up tomorrow.

  • London APC chief to run for chairman

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State and former Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), United Kingdom Chapter, Chief  Ibrahim Emokpaire will soon in Abuja, formally declare his intention to vie for the post of the national chairman of the APC.

    According to a statement signed by his media assistant, Sule Ibrahim, the Edo born APC chieftain has decided to serve  in order to “reposition  the All Progressives Congress (APC) for growth, peace and unity, nationwide.”

    According to Mr. Ibrahim, the new entrant into the APC’s national chairmanship race would re-position APC in size and relevance in the Nigeria’s political space.

    Ibrahim described Emokpaire as a fire brand UK trained politician as a true party man that believes in the supremacy of the party, and urged APC all over Nigeria to support the aspirations of Emokpaire.

    The media assistant said, Emokpaire would uplift the APC to be identified with an ideology as a political party; establish an institute for political development where opportunities are given to members of the APC to excel.

    He said the firebrand Emokpaire would work tenaciously with the party leadership to maintain discipline, peace within the party hierarchy and unity of the party.

    The statement further stated that Emokpaire would invigorate the party structure in tune with the 21st century ICT compliance and “foster gender affirmations for the engagement of more women in decision making process,” the statement said.

     

     

  • APC welcomes Chairman Awe

    Ekiti State  All Progressives Congress (APC) has passed a vote of confidence on its chairman, Chief Jide Awe, following his return from hiding.

    The party also commended his deputy, Mrs. Kemi Olaleye, for living up to expectation as the acting chairman in the last two years.

    The party in a statement praised Awe for his forthrightness, doggedness and commitment to the party.

    It described the chairman as a  rallying point for the party.

    The party urged members to prepare for the governorship primary.

    It called for unity and cohesion among leaders and followers. It urged member to desisit from hate speeches or risk sanction.

    According to the statement, Awe survived the victimisation of the ruling party in Ekiti, following the collapse of the baseless charges.

    It said the views canvassed by Awe on the proposed primary when the national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, visited the state is in tandem with the thinking and aspiration of members.

    “The duo of the chairman and his deputy are reassured of the Exco support and loyalty as we move closer to the party primary to select the flag bearer and the governorship election coming in July. “All aspirants and party members are advised to make their campaign an issue based.

    “Any member or aspiring member of the party involving in blackmail or hate campaigns as a means of attracting members/public support will be disciplined in accordance with the provision of the party constitution.”

  • Victim of Borno acid attack calls for justice

    Fatima Usman, a 23-year old acid attack victim in Borno, on Wednesday appealed to security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the attack on her.Fatima, a final year student in the Department of Nursing, University of Maiduguri, was attacked on March 16, by suspected tricycle operators at Shagari quarters, Maiduguri.

    Fatima made the call on her hospital bed at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital ( UMTH ), where she was receiving treatment from the injuries sustained in the attack.She told the News men that arrest of the attackers would allow justice to take its course and protect women from similar attacks.

    Recounting her ordeal, Fatima said she boarded a tricycle at Bank Road and met two male passengers sitting in the rear seat.She said that one of them suddenly brought out a white handkerchief from his pocket, poured powder on it and put it on her face.“I became unconscious and they dumped me at Royal quarters in Shagari low-cost area.

    “They bathed my face and other parts of my body with corrosive fluid.“I could not recognized all of them; but I can identify the one who brought out the handkerchief and covered my face with it.

    “I call for justice to be served. The police should arrest those who attacked me and bathed me with acid,” she said.Fatima also sought for prayers for her quick recovery.Dr. Bashir Tahir, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee ( CMAC ) of the UMTH, said the victim was in stable condition.

    Tahir, however, explained that medical examinations showed that she would undergo four different stages of surgeries on Thursday due to the spread of injuries sustained in the attack.

    Read Also: Borno orders closure of public boarding schools

    He also said that Fatima suffered fatal damages of her body tissues as a result of the attack.“For now she has been recuperating, but she will have to undergo surgical operation on the face, head and shoulder,” Tahir said.

    Hajiya Jummai, the victim’s mother, commended the hospital management, the state government and well-wishers for their support.Jummai also expressed concerns that the attack might impact negatively on Fatima’s academics.

    “It is barely two months to complete her degree, but she is apprehensive of going back to school due psychological trauma experienced in the attack.“We have accepted everything as the will of Allah. I thank Allah she is still alive.

    “Ummi ( Fatima’s other name ) is my last daughter and my favorite child.“It is hard to fathom that a fellow human could perpetrate such cruelty on another person,” she said.Meanwhile, Borno governor, Mallam Kashim Shettima, has directed a full scale investigation into the case.

    NAN