The Nation Newspaper

Tag: committed

  • ‘We’re committed to people’s welfare’

    Concerned about the deplorable state of roads in Agege Local Government Area and the difficulty the residents experience while moving from one point of the area to another, the council has undertaken some rehabilitation of some roads and other major infrastructure in the local government in order to lessen their predicament.

    On what informed the rehabilitation work on Oshogbo Street, Samuel Ajayi Street and Bashorun Street, the Executive Secretary of the local government, Mr. Omofunmilewa Adejombo said the choice was based on their being link roads to other major busy roads in Agege.

    Such roads, he said included Dopemu and Oniwaya roads. They will help in easing heavy traffic which motorist and other road users always experience almost on daily basis. During peak periods, traffic could be diverted from the major roads to the rehabilitated ones, thereby easing traffic flow.

    Aside of this, the deplorable condition of the roads had made it to be totally impassable for the people in the community, particularly during rainy season during which the area become totally waterlogged. The situation poses a serious threat to children in the neighbourhood while going to school or other engagements.

    The council boss said the rehabilitation of the roads would go a long way in enhancing the quality of life of the residents in the area and also improve their economic activities.

    Some other projects carried out by the local government area aside road rehabilitation include renovation of the vocational centre, flooring of the computer centre and sinking of borehole at Coker Lane of Lewu Street.

    The usually waterlogged surroundings of the primary health care centre were smoothened using paving stones and the purchase of new ambulance for adequate health care delivery for the residents.

     

  • Old Students honour committed members

    Old Students honour committed members

    Ijebu Muslim College Old Students’ Association (IMCOSA), has honoured its committed members, who have aligned with the vision of the founders of the school through regular and generous donations.

    At the association’s annual award tagged: ‘IMCOSA 2015 Merit awards’, held in Ikeja, nine members of the alumni were given merit awards, while two others got recognition awards.  However, the awards followed a call by the National President of the association, Alhaji Korede  Lawal, on the need to rekindle  mentorship spirit among privileged Nigerians as this would propel the nation to greatness.

    According to him, the merit award honorees were those who made aggressive donations to IMCOSA, while the duo on special recognition cadre, also made generous awards but not like the former.

    Lawal said the success and contributions of the old students association to their alma mater and the country in particular could not have been possible if the Muslim community and the society in Ijebu at that time had not deemed it fit to establish the school due to the challenges being experienced then.

    Going down memory lane, Lawal said: “The school was founded by the Ijebu Muslim Community in 1950, envisioned as a school that would produce men and women who would contribute to the development, growth and sustenance of the Ijebu Muslim community, Ijebu land, the then Western region and Nigeria in particular, which was achieved as the school became a ‘Mecca’ of excellent education, especially the Higher School Certificate Course (HSC) from its inception in 1961 till the mid -70s.”

    He said despite the humble beginning of the school and the success achieved, the school today is now an eyesore owing to the perennial neglect suffered by most public schools in the country from government. Nonetheless IMCOSA, has been up to the task with various initiatives and interventions, especially through provision and sustenance of infrastructures in the school, Lawal explained.

    “Some of our interventions are, a library cum assembly complex fully completed and functional with staff rooms and cyber café worth over N250 million; resuscitation of the school’s boarding system after it was scrapped by the government and raising the first block of classrooms in the school to a storey building, fully furnished with staff rooms worth over N130 million, among others” Lawal stressed.

    All these interventions, explained Lawal, are aside the various scholarships offered students of the school up to the university level. But having realised that IMCOSA alone cannot shoulder the responsibility, Lawal appealed to corporate bodies who have hitherto assisted the school, for more.

    He said the award ceremony is to honour those who are committed to the upliftment of the school through their donations on one hand, and to encourage others to look at areas in which they could lend the school a helping hand.

    Commenting on the benefits of mentoring, the guest speaker and a former Vice-Chancellor, University of Uyo, and Crescent University, Abeokuta respectively, Prof. Fola Lasisi, said for the mentor, it would be enriched through seeing someone else grow and succeed.

    According to him, creativity is generated by issues and ideas already generated by someone new and younger, noting that such cycle now generates a stronger and everlasting bond between a  mentor and a mentee.

    Speaking on behalf of other awardees, Alh Sikiru Oduntan from the 1953 set, thanked the association for the honour done them. He promised the awardees would do more for their alma mater, and pray that the association will always have able officers, who would move it forward.

     

  • President: we’are committed to oil sector reforms

    President: we’are committed to oil sector reforms

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday maintained that his administration will implement far-reaching reforms to ensure accountability and transparency in the   oil and gas industry.

    He spoke while hosting senior officials of Chevron led by the company’s President for Africa and Latin America, Mr. Ali Moshiri to a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    His administration, he said, has taken a position to effectively address the myriad of challenges in the sector.

    The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Garba Shehu, reported the President as saying in a statement: “We understand the situation in the industry and we will do our best to address the challenges affecting exploration, production and distribution of oil products in the country.’’

    Acknowledging the merits of the Amnesty Programme initiated by the late President Umar Yar’Adua to reduce violence in the Niger Delta , President Buhari said that his administration will retain the good aspects of the programme.

    He added that his administration will also implement other measures to enhance security in the Niger Delta and optimise investments in the oil and gas industry.

    Mr. Moshiri had urged President Buhari to restore the confidence of international investors in the industry.

    He identified improved security in the Niger Delta as key to increased investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector .

    Moshiri said that Chevron, which has 36.7 per cent stake in the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited, was keen to support Nigeria’s gas sector and provide more electricity to consumers.

  • Fed Govt ‘committed to OPEC’

    Fed Govt ‘committed to OPEC’

    The Federal Government under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged its commitment to playing more proactive and effective roles in the affairs of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

    Speaking in Vienna, Austria at the ongoing OPEC International Seminar, Head of Nigeria’s Delegation to the 167th OPEC Meeting Dr. Jamila Shu’ara, stated that Nigeria under the leadership of  Buhari, a one-time Minister of Petroleum Resources, will continue to work for the realisation of the aims and objectives of the organisation.

    A statement endorsed yesterday by NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe,  explained that Dr. Shu’ara’s remark was followed by an incisive presentation to the 6th OPEC International Seminar by the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Joseph Dawha uwith Technology and the Environment as its theme.

    “I am here to covey to all Heads of Delegation of OPEC member countries, and indeed representatives of other countries, President Muhammadu Buhari’s gratitude, that of the government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to member countries of our organisation, and indeed the international community, for the keen interest shown and, in some cases, the support given to Nigeria towards the implementation of what has become a very successful political transition programme,’’ Dr. Shu’ara said.

    She noted that the Buhari administration is committed to prosecuting the amnesty programme in Nigeria’s Niger-Delta with vigour with a view to bringing about lasting peace and stability in the area as well as in other parts of Nigeria; thus making the operational environment safe and attractive once again.

    “Nigeria is committed to tackling corruption especially in the extractive industry and will strive to bring back transparency and accountability in public life especially in the petroleum industry which is the mainstay of national economy,” she said.

    On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), she noted that although the Bill is still in the National Assembly, the Buhari administration will take a critical look at it with a view to effecting necessary changes that will facilitate its early passage. “I would like to assure industry players that government will work assiduously to ensure the speedy passage of the Bill and even speedier implementation of the related programmes,’’ she said.

  • ‘Southwest committed to Jonathan’s victory’

    The Chairman of Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has restated the party’s resolve to work for the success of President Goodluck Jonathan and other candidates in the zone ahead of the general elections.

    Prince Kashamu said this yesterday in Lagos on the efforts of the PDP to boost its campaign machinery in the South-West.

    According to him, “PDP has commenced house-to-house campaign across the country and especially in the South-West. In the continuous discharge of its mobilisation and organisation activities, we are assuring that there will be a united front in the South-West in general.

    While collaborating with other stakeholders towards ensuring the success of our party and its candidates at all levels of the election, I assure you that we would do all that is necessary to resolve all outstanding issues in due course.”

    Speaking further, he said:”We are encouraged to take this step because of our strong desire to forge a common front for the PDP not just in Ondo State, but the entire South-West geo-political zone and convincingly win the 2015 general elections for the PDP and our amiable President Goodluck Jonathan.”

    On the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use the card readers, he said:”We hope that INEC would stick to its role as an unbiased umpire and allow the true wish of the people to prevail. For us in the PDP, we are irrevocably committed to a free and fair election.”

  • I’m committed to workers’ prosperity – Ambode

    I’m committed to workers’ prosperity – Ambode

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Lagos state, Mr. Aknwunmi Ambode, has stated that he is totally committed to the prosperity of all workers in Lagos. He said this while speaking at an interactive session with members of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and civil societies.

    “The primary responsibility of any government is the welfare of its people. The workers in this state make up over 60% of the people. One thing I assure you all is this, I am one of you and I remain committed to the prosperity of every worker in Lagos’, Ambode said. The event was organised with the sole aim of getting every Lagos worker well-posted with the specific plans of the APC governorship candidate for the workforce in the next four years. Ambode presented himself to the comrades as a candidate who sufficiently understands the workings of government, stating his readiness to employ that experience for the good of the state.

    The interactive session kicked off with questions basically centred on worker-welfare, even as they expressed other concerns regarding pensioners’ dues, taxing, job security, unemployment, the fear of job losses and the likelihood of unfavourable privatisation of some government parastatals. In his response, Ambode restated that the aim of his government is to use a “combination of his experience and commitment to people-oriented leadership” to achieve further excellence in the state, thus, assuring that all the concerns raised were resolvable.

    “When I say I am committed to your welfare, I mean your prosperity, I mean your comfort, I mean fruitful negotiations, I mean better communication between the government and you the workforce, and I mean the prompt payment of your dues, workers and pensioners alike. I am one of you, and I know you are the ones who truly toil for the prosperity of our state, you deserve a rightful dose of such prosperity”, he said. Ambode added, “We will prioritise human capital development, such that the level of productivity within our labour force will rise considerably”.

    The APC governorship candidate allayed fears of high-handedness, stiff financial policies and high taxes, that was raised by a section of the audience. “It is on record that I was the only Accountant-General who made tax refunds to the people after investigations provide they were overcharged. So, I promise ease, integrity and uniformity in the collection and appropriation of taxes. This project before us is about people-oriented service and leadership; I will not increase taxes, that I assure you”.

    The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Idowu Adelakun, had earlier lauded Ambode’s antecedence and humility, stating that “this will be the first time a gubernatorial candidate will honour our invitation. Thank you Sir and I assure that we are with you in this quest for continuity and progress”. Ambode was at the labour chat together with his running mate, Dr. Oluranti Adebule. The labour and civil society groups represented at the event include Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigerian Union of Journalists, Nigerian Association of Nurses and Midwives, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (SSANU), the Comrades Society Music, the Green White Green group, among others.

  • Gowon truly committed to one Nigeria, says Jonathan

    Gowon truly committed to one Nigeria, says Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan has said former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, is truly committed to a united Nigeria.

    The President spoke yesterday at Gowon’s 80th birthday thanksgiving service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.

    Dignitaries at the occasion included the Senate President David Mark; former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme; former Army Chief, Gen. T. Y. Danjuma; former Chief of General Staff, Gen. Oladipo Diya; former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana; Ondo and Plateau State Governors Olusegun Mimiko and Jonah Jang.

    Also there were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Ijaw leader Chief Edwn Clark; some members of the Jonathan cabinet and other top government officials.

    The President noted that Gowon, even with his federal might during the 1967-1970 civil war, did not see the Biafran side as a side that should be crushed but was more saddled with how to keep Nigeria one.

    Jonathan said: “He (Gowon) was not bent on defeating an opponent but how to keep the country one. He is totally committed to keeping Nigeria one, even after his life in the military.”

    The President said Gowon should be honoured, adding that the former Head of State is a good example of an elder statesman who is more committed to leaving a better Nigeria for generations yet unborn.

    He said Gowon had been working with every government and never failed to attend the Council of State meeting, except when it was inevitable.

    Delivering a sermon, titled: God Keeps His Promises, the Archbishop of Jos, Dr. Ben Kwashi, likened the life of Gen. Gowon to the time of Joel in the Bible, adding that he did not disassociate himself from the troubles of his time.

    The cleric said God had never and would never punish the righteous but would always judge and punish the wicked.

  • Ambrose: We Committed Too Many Errors

    Ambrose: We Committed Too Many Errors

    The man who opened scoring for the Super Eagles in their shock 2-3 loss to Congo in Saturday’s Africa Nations Cup qualifiers, Efe Ambrose, has said too many errors cost Nigeria the game.

    “We were not up to our standard and we committed too many errors that Congo profited from.” he told SL10.ng.

    “I won’t point accusing fingers at anybody as the reason why we lost because my philosophy is we win as a team and we lose as a team.”

    The Glasgow Celtic defender offered his apology to Nigerians who were hurt by the loss to Congo.

    “We disappointed a lot of people and ourselves as well,and I apologise to anybody who came to the stadium, watched on television,online or by whatever means,we are sorry.”

    Ambrose revealed that they had talks among themselves as players to prevent such kind of humiliation from happening again.

    “We as players have resolved to put in our best to make sure it doesn’t happen again and by the grace of God,it won’t happen again,we are committed to ensuring our fans smile and not cry,” he added.

    Despite his assuring words he refused to stick his neck out for an outright victory over South Africa in Wednesday’s game.

    “I won’t say we are going there to win or draw but we will approach the game with a mindset to do well and by the grace of God we won’t be disappointed at the end.”

  • ‘We’re committed to adding value to our subscribers’

    ‘We’re committed to adding value to our subscribers’

    MTN Nigeria has said that it is ready to implement Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in consonance with the policy of the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The NCC has recently announced plans to flag off Mobile Number Portability in the first quarter of this year.

    Speaking at an internal stakeholder forum recently, MTN CEO, Brett Goschen, said the company had been ramping up efforts to make MNP a reality for mobile phone users in Nigeria who are eager to join the country’s most expansive network.

    “We have made necessary investment in infrastructure and manpower and we are now finalising the process of making this project a reality,” said Goschen, adding: “We are confident that when the NCC is ready to blow the whistle for the kick-off of this project, we will be ready.”

    Goschen disclosed that a series of tests had been carried out on the company’s systems and infrastructure, saying that more tests will be carried out in the days ahead to ensure that the project takes off without any hitch.

    “We are excited that customers who wish to join the network with the most coverage of Nigeria will now be able to do so without worrying about losing their mobile numbers. As you know, we have made far more investment in our network than any other operator in Nigeria has done, with the result that we are today the clear leader with effective network coverage of more than 85 percent of Nigeria’s land mass and population.

    “We have nearly 100 percent coverage of most major highways in Nigeria and we are gradually moving towards the final laps of a massive, nationwide network modernisation and swap-out exercise that is bound to give the network unequalled capacity and much improved quality of service. We have no doubt in our minds that mobile phone users on other networks in Nigeria will be eager to port into MTN to avail themselves of these and other benefits they can only find on the MTN network,” he said.

  • ‘We’re committed to adding value to our subscribers’

    ‘We’re committed to adding value to our subscribers’

    MTN Nigeria has said that it is ready to implement Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in consonance with the policy of the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The NCC has recently announced plans to flag off Mobile Number Portability in the first quarter of this year.

    Speaking at an internal stakeholder forum recently, MTN CEO, Brett Goschen, said the company had been ramping up efforts to make MNP a reality for mobile phone users in Nigeria who are eager to join the country’s most expansive network.

    “We have made necessary investment in infrastructure and manpower and we are now finalising the process of making this project a reality,” said Goschen, adding: “We are confident that when the NCC is ready to blow the whistle for the kick-off of this project, we will be ready.”

    Goschen disclosed that a series of tests had been carried out on the company’s systems and infrastructure, saying that more tests will be carried out in the days ahead to ensure that the project takes off without any hitch.

    “We are excited that customers who wish to join the network with the most coverage of Nigeria will now be able to do so without worrying about losing their mobile numbers. As you know, we have made far more investment in our network than any other operator in Nigeria has done, with the result that we are today the clear leader with effective network coverage of more than 85 percent of Nigeria’s land mass and population.

    “We have nearly 100 percent coverage of most major highways in Nigeria and we are gradually moving towards the final laps of a massive, nationwide network modernisation and swap-out exercise that is bound to give the network unequalled capacity and much improved quality of service. We have no doubt in our minds that mobile phone users on other networks in Nigeria will be eager to port into MTN to avail themselves of these and other benefits they can only find on the MTN network,” he said.