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Tag: Colloquium

  • ARCON’s colloquium begins

    The yearly architecture colloquium organised by the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), begins on Monday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. It will end on Thursday.

    According to the organisers, this  edition has as theme: “Architecture and The Nigerian Development Agenda XI while the sub-theme is “Architecture and Sustainable Built Environment.”

    ARCON Registrar, Umar Murnai said this year’s edition would cover architecture and sustainability concept, software capacity building for architects, and building finishes.

    He said those expected to attend the event are architects, other professionals in the building industry, research institutions, teachers, students, agencies responsible for housing and developmental control and the public.

    A former president of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Jimoh Faworaja, said the  colloquium is designed to proffer solutions to issues in the built environment, finding implementation strategies, evaluation of output, outcome and impact on the profession, the  public and the nation.

    According to him, the colloquium, established in 2007, has debated on prime architectural issues, with many architects and other stakeholders presenting papers.

  • Shodex Gardens’ chief holds colloquium, street cleaning

    An evironmentalist and Chairman of Shodex Gardens Mr. Olusola Adekoya, has led his workers and family members to a three-day-cleaning exercise of some Lagos streets.

    He also hosted children from various schools in Lagos, landscapers, environmentalists and climate change experts to a botanical talk at a colloquium on greenery, climate change, arts and life.

    The colloquim and the street cleaning  were part of activities to mark his 56th birthday.

    The colloquium, themed: “Greening: A major solution to climate change”, was attended by pupils from secondary and tertiary institutions in Lagos and Ogun states; the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) officials, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and Nigeria Society For Environmental Conservation members.

    A forest biologist, Dr. David Olajide Oladipo, hailed the celebrator for choosing what he described as “a topical issue that is negatively and positively affecting humanity globally”.

    According to him, green environment is still the best solution to the adverse effect of climatic change within the ozone layer. Extolling the ceIebrator, Oladipo said: “I commend Adekoya for appreciating the challenges in Nigeria and the world over the climate change and other environmental problems.  Unlike others, who would have rolled out the drums, Shodex chose to be modest by using his birthday to add value to his environment.”

    Adekoya called on Nigerians to take special interest in their environment. “You are as good as your environment. We must care for our environment in terms of cleanliness, purification of the oxygen we take in. I have spent the last 30 years protecting nature and creating a green environment. I challenge you to start a revolution in the green environment as there is more to be done,” he said.

  • Colloquium rekindles hope for new beginning

    The 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium evoked memories of the coalition that kicked out the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. This year’s gathering of friends and associates of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as well as other Nigerians from all walks of life, which took place under the theme, Investing in People, provides a foretaste of what to expect in the campaign for next year’s general elections. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI reports.

    THE 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium was a parade of every big name in the All Progressives Congress (APC). At the event, which was held at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, chieftains of the party, particularly elected and appointed officials, were joined by captains of industry, first class traditional rulers and members of the diplomatic corps, to mark the 66th birthday of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the man who was the rallying point of the coalition that executed the campaign for the last general elections. It is remarkable that Asiwaju was able to bring together almost all serving APC governors, lawmakers, a handful of ministers, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari under one roof in Lagos.

    To all intents and purposes, last Thursday’s colloquium, which took place under the theme, Investing in People, was the first serious attempt to kick-start President Buhari’s re-election campaign. The Guest of Honour, Prof. Osinbajo, set the tone for the discussion when he took a swipe at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which maintains that the Buhari administration has not achieved much in close to three years on the saddle.

    Osinbajo said even though members of the PDP are not comfortable with the subject that Nigerians must be reminded always of the mindless looting of the recent past, because the corruption of the previous five years was what destroyed the Nigerian economy.

    Osinbajo said: “Let me give you an example. In 2014, when oil was at between $100 and $114 a barrel, the actual releases for capital for three ministries – Power, Works and Housing – then they were three separate ministries — was in total N99 billion; while Transportation got N14 billion, and Agriculture got N15 billion. I’m talking about actual releases, not budgeted, what they actually got.

    “Let’s compare that with capital releases to the same ministries in 2017, when oil price was between $50 and $60 a barrel, N415 billion for Power, Works & Housing, N80 billion for Transportation; N65 billion for Agriculture; totaling N560 billion, in a time when we were earning at least 50 per cent less than we were earning in 2014.

    “What is the reason why this is possible? It is possible because if you do not steal the resources of the people, you can spend on the projects that concern the people; it is as simple as that. If you are not stealing the money, you will spend it on the right things, and this is what we have seen. When the President insisted that the Treasury Single Account (TSA) must be done, we suddenly discovered that we actually could see for ourselves how much money was available in the system, and so much money was available. We doubled the money from everywhere, and we found out that this money was available.

    “And when we say that this same government that spent N139 Billion only on all of Agric, Power, Works and Housing, Transport, etc; spent between January 2015 and the elections, the sum of a N100 billion in cash and $289 million, altogether about a N100 billion in cash, was released and spent, shared. This sum of money was in excess of the amount of money that was spent on Power, Works and Housing. And this is the point we are making, that there is no country in the world, and we must know this; there is no country in the world that would allow its resources to be plundered in the way our own resources were plundered and expect to be economically viable; it is not possible.”

    The Vice President said though the country is earning about 50 per cent less than what it was receiving five years ago, it is investing several times more, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure and in pro-poor social investment programmes, to create jobs and provide enough food for the people. “In our agriculture programme, I’m sure that many would already agree that this has been a tremendous success. Several millions of Nigerians have been employed in agriculture,” he added.

    After explaining what led to the institution of the colloquium as an annual event, the Vice President said the foundation for whatever progress that has been achieved in Lagos State today was laid through the intellectual discourse encouraged by the celebrant.

    President Buhari, who chaired the event, spoke immediately after Osinbajo stepped down from the podium. In his usual jocular manner, he said he was wrong-footed, being asked to speak after the brilliant performance put up by his deputy.

    Buhari described Tinubu as a “friend and a political partner” and called on all Nigerians to join him in celebrating a man “who is widely known as a political strategist”. He said: “I have come to see him as a man who cares about people and who is a fountain of ideas for economic development and improving the situation of the common man and woman. He is a true humanitarian and we appreciate his contributions to Nigeria’s and Africa’s progress.”

    He thanked Osinbajo and other members for initiating the idea of the colloquium 10 years ago. He added: “Over the course of those 10 years, we have traveled far in one sense, yet have moved but a few steps in another. We as a people and a nation are in the midst of a grand endeavour. We seek to change the ways and means of our collective existence; we seek to construct a nation where leaders no longer rule by whim but govern according to law and for the betterment of the people.

    “We seek to replace corruption with correctness, insecurity with safety and poverty with prosperity. The road we tread is rough and hard in spots. The search for progress and reform has its rough patches. Many will fight you and connive to deter the march toward a better land. But that march is inevitable. There is no mortal hand that can keep us from our best destiny, unless that hand be our own.”

    Buhari said his government has tried to invest in people. He said forums such as the colloquium present ideas and spark important discussions that enliven the country’s national discourse and enrich its policy options.

    He said: “We seek to rebuild what has been wrongfully constructed and to plant a firm foundation for progress where nothing now exists.

    Our goal is to bring together every section of the nation and every Nigerian of every creed, every region and ethnic group in mutually beneficial, productive, social, economic and political relationships. To accomplish our historic mission we must invest in people.

    “Here, I can say that the expenditures made by this government constitute investment in and for the people. We depend on the people to govern. This government recognizes this, hence our investment in critical areas that touch the lives of people directly. Social investment programmes; the school feeding programme; and massive investments in agriculture, a sector that employs over 65 per cent of our people.

    “We strive to set Nigeria on an irreversible path of growth and development. This is the objective that guides our investments and expenditures as a government. We join hands to build a better country. We are resolute in our commitment to uplift our people and to make Nigeria a better place.”

    As the celebrant, Tinubu had the honour of speaking last. He mounted the podium amidst a thunderous ovation from his supporters in the hall, who launched it a song: “On your mandate we shall stand.”

    The former Lagos State governor was apparently excited. He jettisoned his prepared speech and spoke extempore. The APC National Leader advised Nigerians not to accept the recent apology tendered by the PDP for its mistakes while in power, describing it as a deceitful ploy to hoodwink Nigerians into voting for the opposition party in next year’s elections.

    He said: “For 16 years, they made fake promises, gave us fake figures and they tell us, ‘Don’t talk about it’. It is like, after catching a thief and he tells you, ‘Don’t look at me, go and steal your own’. We are soldering on. We have a good leader to rely on. We have hope.”

    He alluded to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter advising Buhari not to contest in 2019, saying the motive for the letter is suspicious; bad belle, as he put it in pidgin parlance.

    An excited Tinubu was full of praises for the President, as well the Vice President and other dignitaries that graced the occasion. He said: “The ship of state was about to wreck, but President Buhari steered the ship back. The voyage is the voyage of hope. We are reinventing and re-directing Nigeria. It is not an easy voyage to embark on.”

    He said: “We came as APC leaders with a lot of hope. We were discussing. We believe in ourselves and Nigeria, that we can change Nigeria. And we are still going to do it. It came with challenges. Our logo is not honey or sugar, but broom; a united Nigeria against terrorism, corruption, insecurity and for the revival of the economy.”

     

  • Testimonies, tributes for Tinubu at Colloquium

    Nigerians from all walks of Iife yesterday converged on Eko Hotel & Suites to celebrate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 66th birthday. A colloquium was organised to mark the occasion. RAYMOND MORDI and LEKE SALAUDEEN capture the event.

    The 10th edition of the Bola Tinubu Colloquium yesterday drew a galaxy of audience. At the Convention Centre venue of the intellectual discourse, organised to mark the 66th birthday of All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, were politicians, captains of industry, members of the diplomatic corps, government functionaries and beneficiaries of the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs), introduced by the APC-led Federal Government. The SIPs’ beneficiaries gave testimonies on how the scheme changed their fortunes. Many of the audience paid glowing tributes to the former Lagos State governor.

     

    He’s an exceptionally visionary

    politician, says Mohammed

     

    INFORMATION, Culture & Tourism Minister Lai Mohammed yesterday described the All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as “an exceptionally visionary politician who has invested in many people”.

    Speaking on how Tinubu had invested in people, the minister recalled how he made him Chief of Staff about 20 years back as Lagos governor.

    “Not being from Lagos state, many people found it strange for him to have made me his Chief of staff.

    “Today, I can say boldly that at least in the federal cabinet, we have those occupying positions who had served in his cabinet at one time or the other.

    “We have the Vice President, myself, the Minister of Power Works & Housing, Raji Fashola and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    “If you also look at governor in many states today, whether it is Osun or elsewhere, they had worked with him in one capacity or the other.

    The minister, who said he felt elated about the day, wished the celebrant a long life in the service of the nation and mankind.

     

    Lagos Speaker: his vision, ideas led to creation of modern Lagos

     

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa described the celebrator as the founder of modern Lagos.

    The pioneering efforts of the APC stalwart at raising the standard of governance in the state, have taken the Centre of Excellence to loftier heights.

    He said: “Asiwaju combines his vision, ideas and leadership qualities to laid a solid foundation for subsequent administrations after him to build on and the result is what we have today – a modern Lagos that is moving rapidly from a mega city to a smart city; the fourth biggest economy in Africa moving towards being the third biggest economy in the continent.

    “His vision gave us Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, who performed well as Governor of Lagos State and now the indefatigable Akinwunmi Ambode whose performance as Governor of Lagos State for just a little over three has made him the number one state Governor in Nigeria making Lagos the role model for its counterparts not only in Nigeria but in the entire continent of Africa.”

    According to him, “it is to credit of Asiwaju’s leadership quality and his ingenuity that gave him the courage that those who came after him will continue to build solid structure and the foundation he had laid.

    “Today, Asiwaju has written his name in gold and there is no doubt about the fact that Lagos history cannot be complete without Asiwaju, the architect and founder of modern Lagos.

    “On behalf of my colleagues at the Lagos State House of Assembly, I wish you more healthy years in the service of this great state and the country at large.”

     

    How social investment schemes impacted our lives, by beneficiaries

     

    IT was testimony time for some beneficiaries of the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) introduced by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.

    They took turns to give insight into what they have benefitted from the various schemes in the last two years.

    It was at the 10th Bola Tinubu Colloquium with the theme: “Investing in People”, and anniversary of his 66th birthday at the Eko Hotel, Lagos

    One of them, nien-year-old Muhammad Anas Ishaq and a beneficiary of the Home Grown School Feeding Programme, sent the audience roaring with laughter with his testimony.

    The primary school pupil from Tundun-Wada in Kaduna State recounted how he used to stay away from school but that the free meal provided by the authorities rekindled his interest in education.

    Ishaq said when he informed his friend who used to stay away from school, he too started coming to school regularly.

    He thanked the Buhari administration for the free-meal programme and urged the government to sustain the laudable programme.

    Mrs. Janet Ekerette Udoh, who supplies eggs for the implementation of the school feeding programme in Akwa Ibom State, said many farms are flourishing with increased employment capacity, because of the school feeding programme.

    Reliving the success story, she said the food items for the programme are sourced from the local communities where the institutions are domiciled.

    Similarly, Mrs. Rosemary John Ignatius, a food vendor, said many women, who hitherto had no bank accounts have imbibed the banking culture.

    Her words: “Since we started the programme, people who had nothing to do with banks in the past now visit them (financial institutions) every 10 days, to withdraw their earnings.”

    Mrs. Ignatius said she is glad to be part of the Home Grown School Feeding Programme, because it has given her the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to her community and enhanced her business.

    The vendor, a caterer at Ikotidaha, Ibiono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, said that with her years of experience as a professional cook, she has been able to deliver well-cooked meals to the pupils promptly and efficiently.

    Mrs. Kehinde Awodele, a trader from Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, a beneficiary of the Federal Government’s N5,000 monthly Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (CCTP), said that through the scheme, she has been able to raise money to grow her business.

    The fish trader said that prior to the commencement of the CCTP, she and her household were struggling to make ends meet.

    But through the CCTP, where she receives N10, 000 every two months, Mrs. Awodele has been able to join a savings group in her community which has helped to save enough towards enhancing her business.

    The Minister of State, Budget & National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said the Federal Government introduced the SIPs to tackle poverty and to ensure an equitable distribution of income among vulnerable groups, especially, women and children.

    According to her, 7.4 million Nigerians have benefitted from the (SIPs) and that another 7.5 million have benefitted indirectly.

    She listed indirectly the indirect beneficiaries as farmers, cooks and transporters.

    The Special Adviser to the President on SIPs, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, said the programmes target the youths and women, particularly, those living below the poverty line.

    She added that about 43 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line.

    Mrs. Uwais said about 300, 000 are currently benefitting from the CCTP and that their earnings are paid directly into their bank accounts.

    The roll call

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, his wife, Dolapo, the host governor, Akinwumi Ambode, his wife, Bolanle, Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo State), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosu (Ogun) Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Mohammed Bindow (Adamawa), Abdullahi Danguje (Kaduna), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) (Ondo) and Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa).

    Hale and hearty, Tinubu entered the hall around 10.50, accompanied by his wife, Senator Oluremi. Before taking his seat, where the president later joined him, he went round the hall to exchange pleasantries with guests, including the APC Interim Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, former Chief of General Staff, Lt-Gen. Oladipo Diya, the Eleko of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akinolu, Dein Keagborkyzi of Agbor, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba AdedotunGbadebo, the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi, former Chairman of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP), Alhaji Yusuf Ali, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, his Ekiti State counterpart, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Senator Joel Ikenya, Senator James Akpanudoedehen, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu, and Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

    Dignitaries at the historic event also included the Minister of Communication, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, the Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, eminent industrialists Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia, Oba Otudeko, Chief Kessington Adebutu, and Chief Rasak Okoya-Thomas; APC National Deputy Chairman Chief Segun Oni, APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Chief Pius Akinyelure, Lagos State APC Chairman Chief Oladele Ajomale, Senators Ben Bruce, Babajide Omoworare, Ganiyu Solomon, Ajayi Boroffice, Ayo Arise, Solomon Adeola, Prof. Itsey Sagay (SAN), one-time Commissioner of Finance in Lagos State Hon. Wale Edun, Prof, Ropo Sekoni, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) and Supo Sasore (SAN).

    The ceremony was also witnessed by Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan, Osun State Deputy Governor Titi Tomori-Laoye, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babashir Lawal, Secretary to Lagos State Government Mr. Tunji Bello, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Senator Babfemi Ojudu, Senator Barnabas Gemade, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, former military governor of Lagos State Brig-Gen. Raji Rasaki, former Lagos State Deputy Governors Olufemi Pefro, Abiodun Ogunleye and Mrs. Sarah Sosan; former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Hon. Yemi Ikuforiji, Chief Ologbotsere, Senator Tony Adefuye, House of Representatives members Nnana, Jide Jimoh, and Ayinla Yusuf; Princess Adenrele Ogunsanya, Chief Rabiu Oluwa, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Hon. Olawale Oshun, Alhaji Suraj Ayilara, Hon. James Faleke, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu and other Lagos white cap chiefs, Chief Mutiu Are, former Police Inspector-General Musiliu Smith, Hon. Jayeola Ajatta, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Alhaji Ganiyu Badmus, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, Hon. Eshinlokun Sanni, Funso Olukoga, Apena kaoli Olusanya, Hon. Bashiru Bolarinwa, Dr. Bashiru Ajibola, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, Hon. Sunny Ajose, Mr. Dele Alake, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, Demola Sodiq, Dr. Yomi Finnih, Prof. Tunde Samuel, Chief. M.A. Taiwo, Hon.Bayo Adesanya, Hon. Jide Sanwo-Olu, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN), Hon[U1] . Bimbo Daramola, Prof. Pat Utomi, Brig-Gen. Elias Attu, Hon. Nasiru Aliko Koki, Chief Lanre Rasak, Southwest APC Women Leader Chief Kemi Nelson, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, Mrs. Toun Adediran, Toke Benson, Hon. Niyi Fabikun, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye, and Ikem Isiekwena, the master of the ceremony.

  • Programme of events at 10th  Bola Tinubu Colloquium

    • Theme: “Investing in People”
    • Stage play titled “iOpen Eye”
    • Multimedia presentation on the history of the colloquium (since 2008)
    • Governor Ambode’s welcome address
    • President Buhari’s opening remarks.
    • Presentation on Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme (Mrs Abimbola Adesanmi National coordinator National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) and Rosemary John Ignatius (food vendor)
    • A Poem in honour of Tinubu by a school pupil and beneficiary of the NHGSFP, Muhammad Anaslshaq,
    • Presentation on N Power programme and job creation by Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede SSA to the President on Job Creation and Youth Employment,
    • Presentation on N Power-The Technology Story by the Chief Solutions Architect, Softcom Limited Omoseinde Olabayo
    • North East Makeathon presentation by SA to the Vice President on IDPs Brimah Mohammed
    • Presentation on the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, ‘Market Moni’ by Mrs. Constance Lewechukwu. Executive Director, Bank of Industry and Coordinator, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, •Presentation by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on ‘Tying the Knots,’ Linking the Philosophy to Governance and Commitment.
    • The Bola Tinubu Documentary to be unfolded

  • Shodex Gardens chief holds colloquium, street cleaning

    Environmentalist and Chairman of Shodex Gardens Mr. Olusola Adekoya has led his workers and family members to clean some Lagos streets.

    He also hosted children from various schools in Lagos to a botanical talk as well as landscapers, environmentalists, climate change experts to a colloquium on greenery, climate change, arts and life.

    The colloquim and the three-day street cleaning  were part of activities marking his 56th birthday.

    The colloquium, themed: “Greening: A major solution to climate change”, was attended by pupils from secondary and tertiary institutions in Lagos and Ogun states; the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) officials, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and Nigeria Society For Environmental Conservation members.

    A forest biologist, Dr. David Olajide Oladipo, hailed the celebrator for choosing what he described as “a topical issue that is negatively and positively affecting humanity globally”.

    According to him, green environment is still the best solution to the adverse effect of climatic change within the ozone layer. Extolling the ceIebrator, Oladipo said: “I commend Adekoya for appreciating the challenges in Nigeria and the world over the climate change and other environmental problems.  Unlike others who would have rolled out the drums, Shodex chose to be modest by using his birthday to add value to his environment.”

    Adekoya called on Nigerians to take special interest in their environment. “You are as good as your environment. We must care for our environment in terms of cleanliness, purification of the oxygen we take in. I have spent the last 30 years pro

  • Eminent Nigerians for Tinubu Colloquium Tuesday

    Eminent Nigerians for Tinubu Colloquium Tuesday

    Eminent Nigerians from all walks of life are expected to converge on Lagos on Tuesday for the ninth Bola Tinubu Colloquium.

    The event will be used to mark All Progressives Congress (APC) national stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s birthday. The former Lagos State governor will turn 65 on Wednesday.

    A statement by Mr. Tunde Rahman from the Tinubu Media Office said this year’s colloquium has as its theme: “Use What We Make, Make What We Use”.

    It will hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The colloquium will focus on the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit in Nigeria.

    “The goal is to create a space where ideas and people relevant to creating innovative but everyday solutions in Nigeria can share knowledge, experiences and proffer solutions to the challenges facing the sector,’’ the statement said.

    The organisers said the idea was conceived in 1999 by Tinubu’s close friends and associates.

    “The friends and associates thought it important that the rich debates and intellectual discussions that often marked cabinet and other meetings with Tinubu be translated to a platform, which would expand the conversations and lead to tangible outcomes.’’

  • Niger promotes book, film

    Niger promotes book, film

    THE Niger State government is  promoting the book and film industries.

    The industries have received  government’s support for the promotion of book and film-related activities.

    The book industry, Niger State Governor Dr Babangida Aliyu M’uazu, said has okayed the publication of 24 works in various genres by the five established and over 20 new writers –the publications are tagged Minna Literary Series.

    According to the government, the literary series will be a yearly scheme, which shall comprise writers resident in the state “so as to saturate the immediate environmentwith books”.

    It will be recalled that, the Nigerian Writers Series being run by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), was endowed by Dr M’uazu and is on the completion stage.

    Like the ANA’s Nigerian Writers Series, the Minna Literary Series is sure to create a platform for young writers to hone their talents, in addition to developing a concrete reading culture. This will subsequently trigger the  public into flourishing creativity, innovativeness and inventions that will bring about development.

    Similarly, the governor has approved the construction of a Multimedia Unit for the promotion of film-related activities and Minna Art Gallery at the Niger State Book Development Agency.

    The Multimedia Centre will provideoptimal film-related services, including editorial, content development, scripting and other professional needs for the promotion of a flourishing indigenous film industry. On its part, the Art Gallery will be an artistic structure meant for the training and exhibition of art works as a medium of life-renewal and aesthetic bonding of the human heart with sense of good for a better humanity.

    Also, all is set for this year’s MBA International Literary Colloquium,  billed for November 10 and 12. The colloquium, which will run for two days, has also been approved by the governor, it was learnt.

    With the theme, Literature culture and social re-engineering for national development, among several literary activities, it would feature the inauguration of Multimedia and Arts Gallery (pre-colloquium day activity) and a pre-colloquium lecture with the theme: Post Centenary Nigeria: New Literatures, New Leaders, New Nation to be presented by Prof PiusAdesanmi of the University of Carleton, Canada. It is expected to host notable writers and literary critics from home and abroad, creativeperformers, literary journalists, social activists, politicians, students and academics. There will an interactive session on literature, creative writing, leadership and democracy among students, writers and politicians.

    •Abarah is an author and social critic from Niger State.

  • Colloquium for Ohaeto

    Colloquium for Ohaeto

    Mr Odia Ofeimum, Rev. Prof. Josephat Obi-Oguejiofor and Rev Prof. Ikenga Oraegbunam, among others, converged on the Prof. Ezenwa Ohaeto Resource Centre on Oganiru Estate, Ahocol Phase III in Awka, Anambra State with a purpose. The gathering of the academic giants was to celebrate one of their own the late Prof. Ohaeto. They held the audience spell-bound with their oratory.

    The annual event was to keep the legacy of the renowned creative writer, critic, essayist and community leader alive.

    Before Prof. Ohaeto died in 2005 at the age of 47, he had won the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Prize for Literature which is the most prestigious literary prize in Nigeria, even as he was the leading light on African Literature and Aesthetics.

    To honour the late literary giant, his wife, Dr. Ngozi Ezenwa –Ohaeto built and inaugurated the resource centre on March 31, 2011.

    Penultimate week, some literary icons across the country including Prof. Odia Ofeimum, who is the chairman of the board of the resource centre, stormed Anambra State to give honour to who it is due.

    Presenting a paper entitled “Gender Relations: Character and Nation-building” Rev. Prof. Obi-Oguejiofor, gave the audience some philosophical foundations about gender studies.

    He also drew people’s attention to the phenomenon of power that include individual power, spiritual power, philosophical power and kingly power among others. These, according to him, are at the centre of all rights.

    For Rev Prof. Ikenga Oraegbunam of the Department of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, the Nigeria Constitution is flawed on all issues of male chauvinism, noting that in order to maintain gender balance, women need to fight as “there must be gender equity.”

    Describing the theme of the colloquium as apt, he said: “Many of our laws are very irrelevant. I do not know what our state and National Assemblies are doing. The same thing applies to the issue of citizenship in Nigeria which has to be tinkered.”

    In his brief remark, Prof. Ofeimum asked rhetorically what kind of society do people need or have in Nigeria.

    He further said the topic chosen for the day was indeed, better than what would be discussed at the National Conference, “gender, character and nation-building.”

    In a chat with our correspondent, wife of the late Prof. and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the centre, Dr. Ngozi Ezenwa-Ohaeto said the centre would host literary convocation next year.

    The theme of the 2015 colloquium, according to her, would be “Nigerian Youths and Character Building,” adding that the board chaired by Prof. Odia Ofeimum had tried in putting things together at the centre.

    “When my husband died, he left a small library and I thought of what to do with it. This idea came to mind to put up an institution in his honour so that people will benefit from it, especially the children

    “Some of his books are the ones you cannot find around. So, we want to use them to rehabilitate the reading culture of our people, create awareness and for creative writing.

    “We invite secondary schools that compete through writing poems. Last year, it was all literary activities. This year, we decided to hold a colloquium.”

    National President, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Chibuzor Asomugha, who is the project co-ordinator, told our correspondent that the board intends to incorporate other states in the Southeast soon.

    He said it had been limited to Anambra State alone because of logistics and funding, adding that soon, states like Ebonyi and Enugu would be part of it.

    Asomugha said: “One of the objectives is to provide the platform for inter- disciplinary, intellectual discourse. The colloquium is a regular biannual programme in which we course an interface between a renowned scholar and the academic community.

    “The centre has a close link with youth development and that is why biannually, the centre organises a literary convocation which targets the youth. The aim is to inspire and motivate the youth to the literary vocation through mentoring, performance, workshops and direct interaction with renowned literary figures,” he said.

    While responding to the lead paper, Prof. Alex Asigbo said if women want gender equity, they must insist on doing the same thing men do and not to stick to the areas that favour them, adding that gender issues were too dialectical in nature.

    However, in response to the gender issues raised, a renowned female lawyer in the state, Ifeoma Katchy, said the marriage certificate had given women right to challenge any action against them anywhere.

    She said the women had continued to suffer in the society because of ignorance, which, according to her, was not an excuse in law.

    Katchy referred to one of the celebrated cases in Nnewi between Mojekwu and Mojekwu where it was ruled that females had right to vie for their father’s property with their male counterparts.

  • Igbo hold colloquium on national confab

    Igbo hold colloquium on national confab

    Ndigbo are preparing for the forthcoming National Conference. To this end, a pre-national conference colloquium on the Igbo Question in Nigeria is being put in place. The three-day event would hold between March 11 and March 14 in Enugu. The International Colloquium on The Igbo Question in Nigeria is conceived by a body of Igbo intelligentsia, clergy, elders and patriots in the light of the current socio-political situation in the Nigerian Federation and the debate over her future; and in the light of the enormous challenges facing the Igbo nation both in Nigeria and in the contemporary world.

    Given the absence of internal cohesion within the Igbo nation and the lack of national focus, the call for an International Colloquium to address the issues of the future and survival of the Igbo, according to the organisers, is considered both timely and urgent.

    The colloquium, sponsored by the Ime Obi of the umbrella of Pan-Igbo organisations, the Ohaneze Ndigbo will feature over 80 speakers who will examine various aspects of the Igbo nation. These include Chinweizu, Eddie Iroh, Prof. Mark Odu, Dr. Dozie Ikedife; Prof. Kalu Idika Kalu, Prof. Uma Eleazu, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala and Prof. Elo Amucheazi.

    Also to speak include Prof. Amaechi Onyia, Chief Ralph Obioha, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Prof. Dennis Odionyefe Balogu, Prof. Barth Nnaji, Prof. Onyi Nwagbara, Prof. Vin Anigbogu and Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie.

    Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Prof. Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche, Prof. Chinweyite Ajike, Prof. Martin Aghaji, Prof. Ebere Onwudiwe, Prof. Ngozi Ugo and many others will also deliver papers.

    The colloquium will be co-chaired by the Obi of Ogwashiukwu, Agu Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo and former President of Ohaneze Ndigbo; Dr. Dozie Ikedife while former Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Prof. Michael Echeruo will be the keynote speaker.

    Chairman of the Colloquium Committee, Prof. T. Uzodinma Nwala has unfolded the idea behind the colloquium which will also hold at a later date in the United States.

    Nwala said: “The Igbo nation is one of the three largest ethnic nationalities that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria which was created by the British Colonial Administration in 1914. The Igbo nation has an estimated population of about 150 million people worldwide. Her citizens are highly cosmopolitan and are found in every nook and cranny of the world. Outside Igbo land and within the Nigerian Federation, the Igbo are second in population after the native population in other parts of Nigeria. They occupy all of the Southeast, most of the South-south and occupy a significant part of the Middle Belt region.

    Nwala stated that Ndigbo are basically democratic and egalitarian in their socio-cultural worldview; with a highly intellectual, religious, industrious and entrepreneurial spirit. There is more Igbo investment in the rest of Nigeria than inside Igbo land. They are among the few, if not the only African society, that worshipped the Supreme God before the coming of Christianity. At the present, she has over 90 per cent Christian population.

    Igbo citizens, Nwala said, were in the forefront of African nationalism and led the struggle for Nigeria’s independence. She has produced world-renowned citizens in various fields of human endeavour. Some of these include Olaudah Equiano, the great ex-slave writer; Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, historically regarded as the doyen of African nationalism; Chinua Achebe, the author of the epic novel, Things Fall Apart, the father of African literature and one of the greatest writers in the contemporary world; Philip Emeagwali, the world-acclaimed father of the internet; Sir Akanu Ibiam, the one-time President of the World Council of Churches and Cardinal Arinze, one of the leading Catholic Cardinals in contemporary times.

    The federation which resulted from the British amalgamation in 1914 produced a highly crisis and corruption-ridden country, endemic absence of basic human rights, with the Igbo being the major victims in the series of political, religious and ethnic riots that have bedevilled the Nigerian Federation since its formation.

    According to Nwala, the high point of the instability of the Nigerian Federation came in the wake of the military coup of 1966 and the series of massacre of civilians and military officers of Eastern Nigeria extraction and particularly Igbo origins in different parts of Nigeria. The initial coup was staged by young army officers with the aim of installing Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a Yoruba chieftain, as Prime Minister of Nigeria.

    What followed after the failure of that coup was one of the worst cases of holocaust in human history. Finding themselves unsafe in other parts of Nigeria, the Igbo returned to their territory to build a home of their own only to face further annihilation/holocaust during the Nigeria civil war which lasted between 1967 and 1970.

    He said the Nigerian civil war claimed over three million Igbo lives in an unprecedented genocide in human history; the destruction of enormous material resources belonging to the Igbo in different parts of Nigeria, great devastation of Igbo land and the rest of the former Eastern Nigeria. Apart from the genocide experience, there was deliberate dismembering of the Igbo territory, with the core sector of Igbo land land-locked and made economically prostrate.

    Nwalal posited: “There is an obvious conspiracy among the leaders of the other major ethnic groups in Nigeria to continue to repress and hold down the Igbo and keep them politically irrelevant in the affairs of the Nigerian State. At the same time antagonise them with their kith and kin as well as neighbours in other parts of Nigeria.

    “There has been problem of Igbo integration in Nigeria particularly since the end of the civil war. With the emergence of Islamic insurgencies in Nigeria and the campaign to Islamise Nigeria, the Igbo have been the major victims in the Boko Haram attacks on churches, markets, motor parks and other public institutions.

    “The economic deprivations of Igbo citizens and region have given rise to kidnappings and other social vices which compound the economic and social problems in the region.

    “What is referred to as The Igbo Question in Nigeria is about the cumulative horrendous experiences of the Igbo nation and the present second-class status of her membership of the Nigerian Federation since the amalgamation of 1914. “The Igbo nation incurred the wrath of the British colonial authorities because her citizens led the struggle for the emancipation of Nigeria from colonial rule. As further punishment of her citizens for their role in the anti-colonial struggle, the British made sure that the Igbo were crippled politically and incited the other nationalities against them.”