The Nation Newspaper

Tag: commitment

  • Buhari reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to global fight against terrorism

    Buhari reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to global fight against terrorism

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Washington DC reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the global fight against the threat of nuclear terrorism and other forms of terrorism.

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari made the remark, while presenting Nigeria’s statement to the 4th Nuclear Security Summit being hosted by President Barack Obama.

    Buhari also pledged Nigeria’s continued support for all multilateral efforts aimed  at promoting a common approach and commitment to nuclear security at the highest levels.

    He said: “Nigeria accords high priority to all global efforts towards ending the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including nuclear weapons.

    “Nuclear terrorism is one of the greatest threats to international security and preventing nuclear terrorism and all forms of terrorism around the globe is of concern to all of us.

    “To this end, Nigeria has strengthened the legal framework for fighting terrorism through the adoption in 2013 of an amendment to its Terrorism (Prevention) Act, ensuring the implementation of more robust counter-terrorism measures in the country,” the President said.

    President Buhari told the gathering that to enhance nuclear security,Nigeria has reinforced its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United States Department of State’s Partnership for Nuclear Security and the World Institute for Nuclear Security.

    He added: “In addition, Nigeria has signed an agreement of cooperation with the United States Department of Energy’s  Office of Radiological Security to protect nuclear and other radiological materials from theft or sabotage.

    “Nigeria also intends to strengthen its partnerships with relevant international organizations to promote capacity building, particularly in the development of the Nigerian Nuclear Security Support Centre, Physical Security Upgrades and Human Reliability Programmes Implementation,” the President said.

    Buhari also said that Nigeria has developed a programme to ensure that radioactive sources in the country are better secured to prevent unauthorized access by terrorists and criminals.

    The President praised President Obama’s “pace-setting initiative and drive” which, he said, has brought the global fight against the threat of nuclear terrorism to its present level.

  • Viju restates commitment to quality

    Viju Industries Nigeria Limited will continue to emphasise quality in  its products,  the Special Assistant to the Chairman, Viju industries Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Tom Hu, has said.

    He spoke at the awards for distributors in Lagos.

    He said: “We have been in the right part for milk production portfolio growth; our staff work very hard in research for a better health by improving the product’s content. You will be introduced to ‘New Viju, New Beginning’ which has come to restore lost hope.”

    Appreciating stakeholders, he said the firm owes its achievements to the wise decision-making of the management team, the collaborative efforts of distributors as well as employee’s progressive hard work.

    He said Viju’s foray into the market after decades of growth has garnered recognition awards from various organisations across the country.

    Hu pledged to strengthen the cooperation with the firm’s distributors regardless of economic uncertainty.

    “The year 2015 has been a remarkable year. We all experienced many challenges like increased price of raw materials, too much rain fall, change of government and new policies, the level of competitions were high and Naira devaluation but with our joined efforts, Viju Industries will continue to cooperate with our esteemed distributors to overcome every difficulties and challenges as we move ahead for a better tomorrow.”

    The Marketing Manager, Mr Suleiman also urged distributors to be more committed as the firm has made efforts to restructure its sales pattern for the year.

    “This is a new beginning and we do hope that with great cooperation needed from the distributors and with the new sales team we have put in place in addition to the sales representative we are about building, distributors will give us all the best so that we will both smile at the end of the day. With the new categories of milk drinks introduced into the Nigerian market, we hope we will cooperate with each order and arrest where needed,” he said.

  • Ambode restates commitment to rule of law

    Ambode restates commitment to rule of law

    •Creates online platform for state laws

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday reiterated his administration’s commitment to the rule of law, saying the government is considering launching an online platform where people from any part of the world can access the laws enacted by the state since 1967 till date.

    The governor said this at the formal launch of Laws of Lagos State (2015), adding that the online platform would not only enable investors and would-be investors to make informed decision about investing in the state, but would also help them to appreciate the various legal protections available.

    He said the Law Reform Commission was saddled with developing the online platform, adding that the development was geared towards promoting a platform for accountability and responsibility.

    “From the online platform, people from any part of the world can easily access and download all the laws in the state since inception in 1967,” the governor said.

    The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, said the government embarked on aggressive and extensive law reform because of the need to avail the citizenry the opportunity of being properly guided and informed through the laws.

    He said a prominent feature of the 2015 laws is that textual amendments of archaic and colloquial words have been replaced with other words for simplicity and clarity of meaning.

    “Words such as ‘therewith’, ‘therein’, ‘herewith’, ‘hereto’, ‘hereinafter’ and words of like nature where appropriate have been simplified. Gender specific pronouns were replaced with gender-neutral language.

    “Furthermore, obsolete references to military, colonial, imperial or legal orders, offices or institutions have also been substituted with contemporary offices and institutions,” Kazeem said.

    The Managing Director of Thomson Reuters in Africa, Sneha Shah, lauded the Law Reform Commission for coming up with great content that was published by her organisation.

  • BoI reaffirms commitment to real sector financing

    BoI reaffirms commitment to real sector financing

    Bank of Industry (BoI) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through sustainable funding schemes that would further stimulate industrialisation.

    BoI Managing Director Rasheed Olaoluwa made this known in Lagos, at the weekend, when it joined other nations to commemorate this year’s African Industrialisation Day.

    The Africa Industrialisation Day is celebrated on November 20 each year to assist governments and other organisations in many African countries examine ways to stimulate industrialisation, while drawing attention to its challenges in the continent.

    This year’s African Industrialisation Day had the theme: “SMEs for poverty Eradication and Job Creation for Women and Youth”.

    United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon had stated that many African economies had shown impressive growth rates in recent years, but increased prosperity had not always translated into inclusive wealth creation.

    According to him, far too often, economic development depends on the extraction of natural resources and  low-skilled labour.

    He noted that, “Africa needs a green, clean industrialisation that leapfrogs out-dated, polluting processes and platforms and benefits from new technologies. Inclusive and sustainable industrialisation is a key stepping stone towards sustained economic growth, food security and poverty eradication in Africa.”

    Olaoluwa said the bank, as part of measures to ensure its impact is felt in the economy, developed a five-year Strategic Plan from 2015-2019 to address challenges with funding the nation’s industrial-isation agenda.

    According to him, the strategic initiative has seen the bank move from the introduction of several innovative financing schemes to the appointment of 122 Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) to facilitate SMEs’ access to loans as well as the reduction of non-performing loans from 18 per cent to less than five per cent.

    Noting that BoI has been improving SMEs’ operational efficiency with an upgrade of its system and introduction of mobile applications, Olaoluwa stressed that the developments imply that Nigeria must join the rest of the world to become an industrialised nation by harnessing the potential in various sectors while engaging youths to become entrepreneurs.

    His words: “BoI is trying to achieve a balance in its functions as a development finance institution in terms of  delivering social impact and maintaining a sustainable economic development. An innovative approach is required to tackle this social malaise of graduate unemployment that has engulfed the country.”

    He explained that the BoI’s recent ‘Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund’ strategy was to identify the innate talents of these young graduates as soon as they leave school, build their capacities for self-reliance. It was also intended to empower them to establish their own businesses, thereby creating jobs not just for themselves, but also for other youths that they may employ.

    “We are confident that key shareholders  in the National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) initiative like the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will continue to support the bank with some equity injection. But considering the fact that there is a lot of demand on government’s resources, we are exploring alternative modes of funding such as continuation of sector specific intervention funds by the CBN, Ministry of Agriculture, Solid Minerals and others,” Olaoluwa said.

    He added that the bank was looking at managed funds from various state governments and foundations; including long-term loans at very low interest rates from multi lateral/international development institutions.

    With operational efficiency serving as a key benchmark, Olaoluwa said the bank is automating a lot of its processes to give SMEs the opportunity to be served better.

  • APC chieftain reiterates commitment to Oshodi-Isolo

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State and the Chief Executive Officer of Nicities Nigeria Limited, Oluwole Eweoya, has assured the people of Oshodi-Isolo of his determination to channel his resources towards the development of the area.

    Eweoya, who spoke during his tour of the various projects he had executed in the community, said he would continue to embark on projects that would improve the quality of life and economy of the people.

    The APC chieftain lauded the people for appreciating his initiatives, which have highlighted his sense of vision, innovation and concern for them.

    The legal luminary, who had at various occasions donated and commissioned water projects, health and safety materials and signage among others to schools in the community, have had his contributions recognized and applauded by the Lagos State Government, Mafoluku Senior Grammar School, Oshodi and Afolabi Nursery and Primary School, Oshodi among others.

    Eweoya said what the people need most is quality education, good healthcare system, good roads and employment opportunities for the youths. He assured them that  he would remain committed to the the good works that had endeared him to the generality of the people.

    He promised to do more for Oshodi-Isolo community, because he was born and brought up there.

    His words: “I was born here in Oshodi, had my primary and secondary education here and nothing stops me from ploughing back into the community part of what I have achieved in life because the opportunity given me by the community to have the early stage of my life here.

     

  • Lagos restates commitment to mining standards

    •Govt warns illegal sand miners

    The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to  international standards in sand mining in the state.

    The Director, Human Resources and Administration, Mr. Fashola Adeyemi Taofik, said this during an assessment of some sand mining sites inAjah/Lekki.

    He said the Ministry will ensure that miners operate according to regulations to boost sustainable development in the state.

    In a statement, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Olaoye Olusegun, Taofik noted that to obtain the mining standard, the Ministry monitors sand miners and ensure that rules are followed.

    He said: “In furtherance of the Ministry’s mandate to ensuring a sustainable mining operation, constant monitoring and  clinical review of mining methods and its impacts, taking stock of degraded area as well as putting in place a restoration plan is being done by the Ministry.

    “The objectives of the mining site monitoring and evaluation was also to locate and delineate the extent of land degradation at mining sites, initiate and develop land use programme for the identified area, for example, fish farming, agricultural cultivation, coconut plantation, and landscaping. It is also meant to identify the derivable impact of the exercise on affected communities as well as develop mining methods and proper documentation that will ensure sustainable development.”

    He said henceforth the state government would not take it lightly with those involved in illegal sand mining as they constitute the majority of those who degrade the environment.

  • Lagos restates commitment to mining standards

    •Warns illegal sand miners

    The Lagos State Government has restated commitment to ensuring that miners comply with internationally acceptable standards in the sand mining industry in the state.

    The Director, Human Resources and Administration, Mr. Fashola Adeyemi Taofik, said this during an on-the-spot- assessment of some sand mining sites in the Ajah/Lekki axis of the state.

    He said the Ministry is poised to ensure that miners operate according to  regulations to ensure sustainable development in the state.

    In a statement, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Olaoye Olusegun, Taofik noted that to obtain the mining standard, the Ministry has to continually monitor the activities of sand miners and ensure that rules are followed strictly.

    He said: “In furtherance of the Ministry’s mandate to ensuring a sustainable mining operation, constant monitoring and  clinical review of mining methods and its impacts, taking stock of degraded area as well as putting in place a restoration plan is being done by the Ministry.

    “The objectives of the mining site monitoring and evaluation was also to locate and delineate the extent of land degradation at mining sites, initiate and develop land use programme for the identified area, for example, fish farming, agricultural cultivation, coconut plantation, and landscaping. It is also meant to identify the derivable impact of the exercise on affected communities as well as develop mining methods and proper documentation that will ensure sustainable development.”

  • NLC restates commitment to negotiating minimum wage

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reaffirmed its commitment to negotiating a new minimum wage with the Federal Government despite the  country’s economic crisis.

    Speaking with The Nation, a factional President of the Congress,  Comrade Joe Ajaero, said it would not accept the blackmail of economic crisis to continue labour abuses through denial of basic rights.

    According to him, when the N18,000 minimum wage was approved, it was agreed that it would be reviewed after five years, adding that it is over five years after the introduction of the N18,000 minimum wage, and workers are yet to have their salaries reviewed.

    “Government should not deny workers their basic rights and privileges as entrenched in the agreement with labour,” Comrade Ajaero said.

    He implored relevant government agencies and state governments not to delay or deny immediate negotiation of a new minimum wage.

    He tasked National Assembly to bring an end to its lingering leadership tussle and concentrate on working with President Muhammadu  Buhari in tackling national issues for a better Nigeria.

    He said one of the best services the Nigerian lawmakers could offer Nigeria was to close ranks and cooperate with the President in ensuring that the financial bailouts availed some salary-owing state governors are judiciously used for paying workers salaries while other national issues are addressed.

    “Our lawmakers, by now are supposed to see the national issues confronting the nation as more important than any other thing. Nigerians are waiting for the change promised during the electioneering campaign.

    “Now that the politicians have been voted in, they should get to work to strengthen our internal democracy and achieve for all, a better Nigeria through legislations that will bring about constant electricity generation and distribution; employment generation; improved primary, secondary and tertiary education; healthcare; security, legislating against corruption; entrenching industrialisation and reforms in the oil and gas industry; among several others,” Ajaero said.

    The lawmakers, he said, should join forces with President Buhari in recovering stolen commonwealth of over 150 billion dollars stacked away in foreign banks by past governors, ministers, and other government functionaries.

    “We need not search further for any other reason for the perennial decay in the country and the sorry state of critical infrastructure. Our anti-corruption agencies must be repositioned and our justice system must be critically reviewed while international support is also sought to bring an end to corruption in Nigeria.

    “All the outrageous remuneration structure for the Senators and members of the House of Representatives and the profligacy of state governors must stop if we want to be reckoned with as a serious entity among the comity of nations,” Ajaero added.

    He also challenged the lawmakers to address the issue of income inequality and poverty among Nigerian workers so as to put in proper perspectives the intricate connection between income, consumption and production.

  • ECOWAS reaffirms commitment to ICT

    ECOWAS reaffirms commitment to ICT

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is review its Information Communications Technology (ICT) strategy to ensure the continuous development and integration of its member states.

    ECOWAS Commissioner for ICT Mr. Isaias Barreto da Rosa said on Tuesday in Abuja that the review was also aimed at creating an open and competitive common market for ICT in the region.

    He said the Commission was committed to the development of ICT services to boost social and economic activities in member states.

    “ICT is fundamental to any region in search of innovation and productivity. It is a critical enabler to the growth and development required in the region. It can drive competitiveness and provide opportunities,’’ he said.

    Barreto da Rosa said in reviewing and adopting the ICT strategy, the Commission was conscious of the need to improve on telecommunications infrastructure in the region.

    “It is also important to make telecommunication services affordable in West Africa and create an environment capable of promoting innovation and entrepreneurship,’’ he said.

  • Ondo reaffirms commitment to tackle polio

    Ondo reaffirms commitment to tackle polio

    The Ondo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to routine immunisation exercise for mothers and children in order to eradicate killer diseases in the state.

    The state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo who disclosed this, said the government would continue to partner with health organisations and other relevant stakeholders towards eradicating polio in the state and the country in general.

    Oluboyo, who represented the governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, during a meeting with members of the state task force on polio eradication at the governor’s office in Akure, the state capital, said the government has invested heavily in the health sector because of its importance and peculiarity.

    According to him, the present administration in the state would not relent in its efforts in the health sector, adding that the government would continue to work towards eradicating communicable and non-communicable diseases in the state.

    He commended the state Ministry of Health, health workers and their partners for their efforts at ensuring that polio is kicked out in the state, noting that the their commitment and dedication to this task has greatly contributed to the successes recorded in the health sector in the past few years.

    The governor further urged all stakeholders in health care delivery in the various local government areas in the state to continue to work and positively impact on polio eradication strategies at the grassroots level.