The Nation Newspaper

Tag: commitment

  • Ikpeazu reiterates commitment to supporting Abia women

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has reiterated the readiness of the state government to support women by addressing issues that affect them.

    Ikpeazu made this known yesterday in Umuahia during the 2018 Abia Women’s August Delegates Conference (AWADEC) organised by the Office of the Wife of the Governor and the Ministry of Women Affairs.

    The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Ude Oko-Chukwu, said that in the past three years, his administration had initiated programmes for empowering and promoting the cause of women in Abia.

    He said women were endowed with economic and organisational skills and described them as huge contributors to the growth of the family and society.

    Ikpeazu said his administration would continue to encourage women to reach their highest potential, adding that they had the capacity to facilitate sustainable development in the state.

    Wife of the governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, said the conference was a deliberate effort targeted at educating Abia women on the importance of refocusing their priorities  to develop Abia.

    Ikpeazu urged Abia women to become active contributors to the establishment of good governance and be empowered to make the right choices which would promote qualitative leadership.

    She said: “The Abia woman also needs to claim her right of place in ensuring gender parity for elective positions. Therefore, I call on more Abia women to come out to contest elective positions in 2019.”

  • Firm reiterates commitment to healthy living  

    WEST  African Seasoning CompanyLimited (WASCO), makers of AJI-NO-MOTO seasoning products, has reiterated its commitment to healthy living, stating that the product is good  for consumption.

    Speaking at the factory tour and unveiling of popular comedienne, Helen Paul (aka Tatafo) and professional chef, Miyonse Amosu as ambassadors for AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami seasoning, Managing Director of the company, Mr. Junichi Niki reaffirmed that the duo will be the new face of the brand connecting with consumers and deepening public awareness on the benefits of the brand.

    He said in Nigeria, WASCO will continually and significantly contribute to promotion of good health and good culinary practice for healthy living of all families through the provision of nutritional seasoning products and other products of high quality to our consumers.

    Niki  said: “MSG, based on scientific findings, is 100 percent safe for consumption. For over a century now, MSG has been used to add Umami, the fifth basic taste, that enhances taste and make dishes more delicious since it was discovered in 1909. MSG is present in most natural foods such as meat, seafood, vegetable, cheese and milk. Umami is a universal taste.”

    “As a food company, we have been in Nigeria since 1991 distributing nationwide. Over the years, we have grown especially in the Northern area and so we want to renew our strength in the Southern areas of Nigeria to complement our efforts in the North,’’ he added.

    Head of Marketing at Ajinomoto  Isa Hassan Shallangwa spoke on the global consumption of AJI-NO-MOTO Umami seasoning.

    “According to the Longman dictionary, Umami is having a strong pleasant taste that is not sweet, sour, salty, or bitter, especially like the tastes found in meat, strong cheese and tomato. Umami taste is a member of the five basic tastes (alongside with sweetness, sourness, saltiness and bitterness”.

    He further said: ‘’The safety of umami substance has been approved by authorities all over the world such as in the USA, EU, Australia, Japan, and also by NAFDAC/Nigeria. AJI-NO-MOTO is produced through a natural fermentation process of sugar molasses which are obtained from plants such as sugar cane. The benefit of AJI-NO-MOTO Umami seasoning includes enhancing and promoting the deliciousness of our meals, it is economical, it reduces salt intake and it is rich in glutamate one of the free amino acids.  Almost all seasoning contains MSG.”

    AJI-NO-MOTO® is the first MSG seasoning produced since 1909. It is also the number one brand of Monosodium Glutamate (Umami Substance). Glutamate is also abundant in our traditional fermented condiments like iru, ogiri, daddawa. Umami is a universal taste. AJI-NO-MOTO has been selling for over hundred years and now sells in about one hundred countries and regions.

  • ‘Ramadan is time for commitment, not show off’

    The Chief Imam of Aduragba Mosque, Olunlade, Ilorin, Alhaji Jimoh Usman,  has advised Muslims to be more committed to Allah, rather than using the Ramadan period to show off.

    Usman gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin yesterday.

    He said Ramadan period was the best time for Muslims to concentrate on moving closer to Allah and seeking for His blessings.

    Alhaji Usman said: “It is time to make special requests and to call on Allah with a pure heart. It is time to sacrifice pleasure for observation of prayer and fasting. The holy month is not meant for show off for people to see you fasting. It is not for you to impress people but rather it is a period for you to show commitment to Allah. Do the right thing at the right time and seek for forgiveness in the month.’’

    The Imam described Ramadan as a month of opportunities filled with blessings, favour and grace for every Muslim.

    The cleric, however, called on Muslims to utilise the holy month to their advantage by harnessing its spiritual opportunities.

  • Fed Govt restates commitment to press freedom

    Fed Govt restates commitment to press freedom

    Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to the freedom of the press.

    The media, he said, has nothing to fear from the present administration.

    The minister spoke in Abuja yesterday when he received a delegation from the International Press Institute (IPI) in his office.

    “The media has nothing to fear from the government but, on the contrary, we are the ones that cannot sleep with our eyes closed because of the media,” he said.

    Mohammed, who said the government always takes criticism from the media in good faith, however, appealed to the media to be fair and constructive in its criticisms.

    The minister said the present administration believes that democracy cannot thrive without a free press but noted that the media should report the government within the context of the daunting challenges facing the nation, most of which were inherited by the administration.

    He said the government was on a rescue mission, but noted that the rot of 16 years cannot be corrected within two and a half years.

    He thanked the IPI for its confidence in Nigeria by granting the country the hosting right for its annual congress, saying the IPI World Congress 2018, scheduled for Abuja on June 21-23, will give the government the opportunity to showcase its achievements to the international media.

    Executive Director of IPI Ms. Barbara Trionfi said she is in the country to interface with media professionals towards the successful hosting of the forthcoming congress.

    She hailed the government for its efforts towards promoting press freedom and the safety of journalists and urged the media industry to look beyond business rivalry and competition to cooperate and promote the core values of journalism.

    Ms. Trionfi was accompanied on the visit by the Chairman of IPI Nigeria and Publisher of Media Trust, Mallam Kabiru Yusuf; former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Dr. Tonnie Iredia, and the Secretary of IPI Nigeria, Mr. Raheem Adedoyin, among others.

  • Alaafin: Adams courage, commitment earned him Aare Ona Kakanfo title

    Alaafin: Adams courage, commitment earned him Aare Ona Kakanfo title

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has said the title of Aare Ona Kakanfo was bestowed on Gani Adams because of his commitment to the protection of the cultural and territorial integrity of the Yoruba.

    The frontline monarch spoke during a thanksgiving service at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Oyo on his 47th anniversary on the throne.

    He said out of 25 candidates who were shortlisted for the title, Adams was found to have paid dearly and earnestly for the interest of the Yoruba.

    Oba Adeyemi said: “The benchmark of selection was not hung at the sentinel of political engagement or solidity, in terms of gold, wealth or fortune; neither was it on the number of properties acquired on global pedestal but on agrarian and blind engagement of those who have abused and are abusing; those who have infringed and are infringing on the territorial and cultural territory of the Yoruba.

    “Whatever methods employed by him and his association, the fact still remains that there was a counter-balance check valve, which sent jitters down to the spines of the irrational irredentists who hitherto thought they could make mincemeat of Yoruba land.”

    He added: “And for his bold steps at ensuring that Yoruba land was not desecrated or lorded over by blue collar miscreants’ ethnic irredentists, he paid dearly for it.”

    Oba Adeyemi noted that Adams “has been poignantly consistent in fighting for the protection of the Yoruba”.

    The monarch added: “He was, many times humiliated, disgraced, manacled and jailed. It is natural for you either to hate, love and dislike him. However, the truth must not only be told that he was there when the Yoruba needed a person who is bold, strong and ready to lay his life for the defence of the heritage.

    “After he came first at the examination and scrutinisation by men and earthly beings, his appointment as the 15th Are Ona Kakanfo was also subjected for approval and subsequently sanctioned by the gods and all the elemental forces in the firmament.”

    Oba Adeyemi also said: “We also ensured that the three religions being fervently practised by the Yoruba prayed and endorsed his appointment. Thus, we find it expedient to be here, not only to give and pray to God through Mother Mary, the Holy Virgin for my 47th years on the throne but also for successful installation ceremony of the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of the Yoruba.

    “The role of an Aare Ona Kakanfo in peace and war periods is not a deal for the Lilly-livered or for a spineless fellow; it is the consignment of a man with a lion’s heart and an eagle spirit, which we have found in Aare Gani Adams.”

     

  • LG bosses tasked on commitment

    LG bosses tasked on commitment

    Chairmen of the 37 local government areas  and 20 local council development areas have been tasked to renew their commitment and  perform their duties with sincerity of purpose in order to ensure that the rebuilding mission of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led government  bring about the desired result.

    Commisioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Jide Ojuko made this known at a maiden meeting with the chairmen as part of his oversight function to assess their performances in the past 365 days as well as charge them to do more in the new year.

    The commissioner admonished the chairmen to be up and doing and be sensitive to the needs of the residents in their respective domains.

    “ Our chairmen, this is a new year, you must put in  your best  and make sure you carry everyone in your constituency along . For all our councils to have  landmark records,  all of you must be steadfast in your assignments  “ Ojuko said..

    The Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs , Chief Derin Adebiyi, also advised the chairmen to be more committed to their duties and not engage in acts that could  truncate the rebuilding mission  of the present administration in Ogun State.

    Adebiyi charged them to work in  harmony with all the relevant stakeholders and project the good image of the governor to the public.

    He added that the monthly grant of N2million being provided by the state government must be judiciously utilized to better the lots of the citizens by providing social amenities that would make life easier for the people.

    Responding, the Chairman of the Sagamu Local Government Area,  Hon. Kafaru  Felix, promised that the administration’s drive to ensure that the people of Ogun enjoy dividends of democracy at all levels would be given top priority in the new year as all hands would  be on deck to make it a reality.

  • Access Bank restates commitment to best practices

    Access Bank restates commitment to best practices

    •Denies claims of wrongdoing

    Access Bank Plc has restated its commitment to ideals of good corporate governance, due process and rule of law in its operations as it continues to implement its medium-term five-year strategy aimed at making it the foremost Nigerian bank by 2022.

    In a regulatory filing submitted at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Access Bank indicated that its operations have always been guided by extant rules and laws.

    Against the background of allegations of purported charges against the bank and its officials by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the bank stated that it was not aware of any criminal charges or criminal summon against it or any of its officers.

    In the statement signed by the Company Secretary, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Sunday Ekwochi, the bank decried the attempt to criminalise the bank and its officers for complying with the directive of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property.

    The bank noted that the Presidential Panel had on November 9, 14 and 22, 2017 severally directed it to place a post-no-debit (PND) on the account of a customer-Blaid Properties Limited.

    According to the bank, the ICPC had on January 18, 2017 instructed it to place a PND on the account of Blaid Properties Limited, which the anti-graft agency was investigating at that time. The ICPC however instructed the bank to lift the PND on November 6, 2017 and the bank immediately started the process of activating the otherwise dormant account.

    In the process, the Presidential Panel directed the bank to place a PND on the account, a request the bank had to comply with based on the advice of its legal team.

    Access Bank stated that contrary to impression of being created, it has continued to engage the ICPC on its position and legal advice with regard to the directive of the Presidential Panel and the ongoing court case on the PND on the account of Blaid Properties Limited.

    Access Bank recently launched its new five-year strategic plan aimed at making it Nigeria’s foremost bank.

    Presenting the new five-year strategy to the investing public at the NSE in Lagos, Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, said the bank was setting out a new and ambitious five-year strategy which will put it at the forefront of Africa’s changing financial landscape by creating a universal payments gateway to dominate international trade and inter-African payments.

  • Governor seeks lawyers’ commitment to rule of law

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has urged lawyers to increase their commitment to ensure that the rule of law is respected.

    He spoke in Uyo yesterday at the opening of the National Executive Council meeting of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).

    Emmanuel said their commitment and sincerity to the rule of law would help to sustain democracy.

    He urged NBA to increase supervision of members, stressing that the actions of undisciplined ones undermined reputation of the association.

    The governor enjoined the association to advocate peace in Niger Delta, as states in the region have spent heavily on logistics to ensure production of oil.

    He solicited NBA’s support to enable international oil companies relocate their operational headquarters to Niger Delta.

    Emmanuel advised the Federal Government to help the state develop Ibaka Deep Seaport, which has a natural depth.

    NBA’s National President Mr. Abubakar Mahmood hailed the government for promoting the smooth operation of the criminal justice administration and making dispensation of justice easy.

    He said his administration succeeded in promoting NBA as a credible partner for national development.

    Mahmood said NBA demonstrated keen interest in national affairs and supported the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

    The NBA president said the association, in the last few months, pursued the reform of the law profession and tried to enhance the governance framework of the association.

    The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Uwemedimo Nwoko, called for increased sensitivity to the plight of young lawyers.

    He hoped that the Legal Profession Regulation Bill will propose a remuneration and welfare committee to stipulate a minimum wage for young lawyers in private law firms.

    “Every year, nearly 5,000 lawyers enrol at the Supreme Court as barristers and solicitors.

    “Straight they plunge into a most challenging professional practice experience.

    “More often than not they are forced to confront realities that threaten their public and personal sense of nobility.

    “This must be seen for the danger it represents to the profession and collectively addressed as such,” Nwoko said.

  • Ambode restates commitment to economic recovery

    Ambode restates commitment to economic recovery

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has restated his administration’s commitment to the country’s economic recovery through provision of access to credit for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

    Ambode, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, made the assertion yesterday during the Lagos State Special Day at the 31st Lagos International Trade Fair.

    The Trade Fair with the theme, “Positioning the Nigerian Economy for Diversification and Sustainable Growth’’ is organised by LCCI.

    Ambode said the government was providing conducive business environment to accommodate all shades of investors.

    “Lagos State, indeed is a discerning investors’ delight. Apart from improving the quality of life of our citizens, we have started the process of generating 200 megawatts of electricity for the state,’’ he said.

    The state is constructing more roads and rehabilitating already existing ones to ease the lives of Lagosians.

    Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives Prince Rotimi Ogunlewe, underscored the need for collaboration between the state and the private sector toward enhancing investments in the state.

    LCCI President Mrs Nike Akande, urged the state to  tackle the challenges of urbanisation.

    This, she said, will make the state compete with global cities.

    Mrs Akande noted that the state with a fast growing population of above 22 million people, hosts several large and small industries.

    She noted the latest figure from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), showed that the state generated the highest Internally Generated Revenue (igr) in the country, put at about N302 billion in 2016.

    Mrs Akande said the Annual States Viability Index (ASVI), computed by Economic Confidential, revealed the state as coming first with 169 per cent.

    She urged the state to create a conducive business environment for businesses to thrive and have a bigger capacity to generate jobs and lift people from poverty.

  • Leadway Assurance reiterates commitment to lawyers

    •Provides N1m cover for NBA members

    Leadway Assurance has reiterated its commitment to provide insurance protection to practicing lawyers, who are members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

    The provision of insurance cover, Leadway said,  was based on its partnership with the NBA for the week long 2017 NBA General Conference, which held in Lagos.

    Speaking on the partnership, Executive Director, Leadway Assurance, Ms. Adetola Adegbayi, said the company deployed its state-of-the-art, first-of-its-kind Insurance mobile office to engage the thousands of lawyers, who attended the conference, on its tailored-for-lawyers insurance plan known as the Leadway Lawyer Affinity Cover.

    She explained that the plan, which is for all active NBA members, comes at no extra cost to them as it is covered under the annual bar practice fee paid to the NBA. She added that the plan provides insurance cover of up to N1 million for accidental permanent total disability, critical illness, accidental medical and accidental death expenses for the ‘learned’ professionals.

    She said: “We believe that by providing insurance to the members of the Nigerian Bar Association, we are intrinsically providing the biggest support to the economy, governance and government of the country. Insurance helps safeguard the profession and the professionals alike.

    “It would be recalled that the NBA, the largest body of lawyers in Africa with over 100,000 registered members, entered into a strategic partnership with Leadway Assurance Limited in 2014 to provide a feasible group life insurance policy for all lawyers, who pay their Annual Bar Practice Fees when due. The insurance policy is designed to cover all the lawyers in the following areas: Death or permanent total accidental disability; accidental death; critical illness and accidental medical expenses.”