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Tag: committed

  • Lagos committed to quality education, says commissioner

    Lagos committed to quality education, says commissioner

    Lagos State Commissioner for Education Mrs. Olayinka Oladujoye has said the government’s commitment to the provision of quality education is unshaken.

    Oladunjoye spoke yesterday at the 2014 Stakeholders’ Forum of the Advocacy Committee on Special Education Matters  at the Events Centre, Agidingbi, Lagos.

    The commissioner said the need to accommodate children with special needs informed the state government’s decision to establish the inclusive schools, adding that parents should take advantage of the opportunity and not hide their children with disability at home.

    Chairman,  House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science and Technology  Wahab Alawiye-King, pledged the continued support of the House to education, noting that children with special needs also have the right to quality education.

    The General Manager of the State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA), Dr. Babatunde Awelenje, highlighted the various challenges of children with special needs, adding that 98 million pupils  living with disabilities constitute the group of those who are marginalised in the society.

  • Amaechi: I remain committed to the people

    Amaechi: I remain committed to the people

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the living standard of people in the rural areas.

    The governor said his administration is determined to finish strong.

    Amaechi spoke at his “Meet-the-People tour” of seven communities in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

    The communities visited were Igwuruta, Ipo, Omademe, Ozuaha, Omuanwa, Ubima and Omerelu.

    The tour, according to him, is in furtherance of the administration’s open-government policy.

    He said: “As we enter the last lap of our administration, it is imperative that we go round to see what governance gaps remain in our quest to guarantee the lives of present and future generations.

    “This is a non-partisan and non-political tour. We want all parties, persons and interests to please join us in this critical interaction, as we make our final push to complete our mandate and deliver on our promises to the Rivers people.”

    The governor condemned the attack on his supporters and their property at Igwuruta by thugs sponsored by the leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The thugs destroyed vehicles owned by Amaechi’s supporters, before men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SAS) chased them away.

    The car of one of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chidi Wihioka, was damaged by the “frustrated” attackers.

    At Igwuruta, the governor said the visit was to bring government closer to the people and discuss ways to ensure more development impact on rural dwellers.

    He announced the building of two more model primary schools in the area and unveiled plans for empowerment programmes.

    Amaechi urged the people to participate in the voter registration and vote for the APC.

    “Permanent voter registration will soon commence. I urge you to register and wait for next February, when you will vote to elect credible leaders of your choice. If politicians know that your votes count, they will give you anything you need from them. That power of governance is in the hands of the electorate. Don’t sell your votes,” Amaechi advised.

    At Ipo, the governor promised to ensure the building of the Airport-Ipo-Omademe road and to give scholarship awards.

    Also, at Omademe, Ozuoha and Omuanwa communities, the governor pledged to facilitate the completion of on-going internal roads, construction of a model Health Centre at Omuanwa and empowerment of the people to reduce poverty in the area.

  • ‘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.

  • ‘Lagos committed to training competent workforce’

    The Lagos State government said it is committed to training and retraining of its workforce to ensure that they deliver on the mandate to offer cutting edge services to residents of the state.

    The Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Josephine Oluseyi Williams made this known at the graduation and award giving ceremony of 147 participants from the third tier of government at the state’s Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Magodo, Lagos.

    The participants were drawn from the Local Government Service Commission, the Judicial Service Commission, the Lagos State Water Corporation and administrative officers of the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

    The three batches comprised of the Specialised Information Communication Technology (ICT) programme for secretariat assistants batch IV to VI, which is for the 2011 to 2013 sessions and participants for the certificate course in Local Government Administration for 2009 to 2013 sessions.

    Williams who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Public Service Office, Mr. Olalekan Akodu, said government’s determination to see that the tradition of excellence with which the Lagos State government is known permeates all the strata of governance informs the approval of Governor Babatunde Fashola for the training of the council workers.

    She charged all the secretary assistants and administrative officers who had participated in the two respective programmes to see the trainings as an investment for which the government would be looking forward to greater service delivery and excellence when they report at their duty posts.

    She said: “As the head of service, I shall be looking forward to a positive post-training assessment of your performance from the office of the Local Government Service Commission and I believe that this would ginger the government to continue to do more.”

    The Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, who was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Training, Mr. Akeem M. Odeyemi, urged the participants to ensure at all times that they give their best to justify their inclusion in the programme by improving their competence at their respective local governments.

    “I urge you all to see your graduation from this centre as the beginning of new things and always strive to rise above this level, knowing that the government would want them to maximize the lessons learnt to improve their service delivery capacity.

    The Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Adewale Jamiu Ashimi said the Commission would be measuring the performance of all participants in order to measure the impact of the training received at the centre as part of its feedback mechanism.

    The Director-General and Chief Executive of the centre, Mrs, Regina Olubunmi Fabanwo, in her welcome address, said the PSSDC would continue to provide human capacity solutions to government workers to ensure that the state continues to lead. She praised the centre’s collaborators, particularly the Yabatech Consult and the Computer Professionals of Nigeria (CPN) for giving the ICT graduands appropriate certification.

    Presenting the 147 participants to the HOS for acceptance into the graduands’ cadre, the Director of Training and Programmes, PSSDC, Mrs. Kemisola Jiboye said the three sets of participants of the two programmes had spent between three and nine months in the centre. Though the courses, she said, are non residential, the participants had gone through the rigours and there is no doubt that they would be able to hold their own in the discharge of their duties.

    Representative of Yabatech Consult, Mr. Edwin Aigbokhai thanked the state government for providing an avenue for the retraining of workers at the grassroots. He assured that the new ICT training that they have been exposed to would be of tremendous use to them at their duty posts. “The training besides being of tremendous benefit at their workplaces would also ensure the career rise of workers as it has addressed the deficiencies in their certificates and bring them at par with their colleagues in the state government service,” he said.

    Responding, Mrs Ademoye Olaomoju Olufunmilayo, the overall best granduand of the local government administration class, thanked the government for the selection of participants for the courses, even as she advised that the programmes be continuous exercises so that all who have been caught in the web of career stagnation due to the absence of appropriate certification could have the opportunity of rising above the situation.

    Olaomoju said she and her colleagues and would not let the government down. Another graduand, Mrs. Victor Olutayo Deborah, the overall best graduand who spoke on behalf of the ICT class, tasked the government to make the service life of assistant secretaries more robust as, according to her, they are the life wire of secretariat activities at the councils.

    She called for adequate reforms that would see their cadre rise even to level 11 in the local government service, adding that regular training such as this would ensure that many more workers are kitted with appropriate certificates to make their career rise. The highpoint of the ceremony was the award of certificates as deserving participants were presented awards both for academic and moral/leadership excellence.

  • ‘He’s a committed family man’

    The Grand African Ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel on Victoria Island in Lagos was the venue of the 50th birthday of the Managing Director of VDT Communications, Mr Abiodun Gideon Omoniyi. AMIDU ARIJE was there.

    The 50th birthday of Managing Director of VDT Communications, Mr Abiodun Gideon Omoniyi, was celebrated in style at the Grand African Ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel on Victoria Island in Lagos.

    For the celebrator, it was a day of double celebration as the day coincided with Christmas.

    Family members, friends and colleagues came to share in the joy of the day with him. Family members and friends exchange banters as they saw again after a long time.

    The Demola Olota Band entertained guests. The occasion was anchored by the popular comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka. It started on a prayer note.

    The traditional troupe of Biola Williams mesmerised guests with sterling performance. The praises of the celebrators lineage delighted not only him, but everyone who were present. They were ‘sprayed’ with crips notes.

    The compere also added glamour to the occasion. He kept the guests laughing at every interval when he grasped the microphone. His jokes were greeted with applauds.

    A 10-minute documentary on the celebrator’s life was shown. Guests watched with rapt attention, every scene of the documentation caught everyone’s attention. They clapped.

    The celebrator’s wife, Folashade, was beside him all day. She radiated joy and excitement.

    Guests eulogised the virtues of the celebrator. They described him as an honest and generous man.

    Former Inspector -General of Police and Chairman of VDT Communications Limited Alhaji Musiliu Smith chaired the occasion.

    Alhaji Smith described the celebrator as sociable.

    “I have always monitored Biodun. He is a type of man who once he is close to you, he is always close to you. He is humble and industrious and his love for people and family is unprecedented,” he said.

    Alhaji Smith supervised the cutting of the cake. He counted from 1 to 50 before the cake was cut. The celebrator with his wife stood hand in hand by the side of the two- layer cake with satellite dish designed on it.

    The celebrator’s children joined them on the podium for group photographs.

    In her tribute, the celebrator’s wife, Folashade, described her hubby as committed and terrific.

    “Your commitment to both the nuclear and extended family and the sacrifices you make to ensure that you spend time with us is deeply appreciated. The children and I are so blessed to have you. The way with which you commit to the children’s education inspires me; the patience with which you bring to difficult matters is worthy of emulation; indeed, you are a terrific husband,” she said.

    His father–in-law, Alhaji J.. K. Yusuf described him as a hardworking and intelligent man.

    “A very quiet, amiable, intelligent and hardworking man, Biodun has strived; it was not that rosy at the initial stage of his life, but due to God’s favour and his dint of hard work, perseverance and blessings from God, he was able to raise his head high among his peers,” he said.

    When it was time for the celebrator to speak, all listened with rapt attention. They gave him a standing ovation.

    Omoniyi said he felt on top of the world for the opportunity given him to attain 50.

    “I feel quiet overwhelmed on what I witnessed today; for this large turnout of family members, friends and colleagues. I am really overwhelmed,” he said.

    He described Alhaji Smith as a man who has been playing a fatherly role to him since they met 30 years ago.

    He specially thanked his wife, saying she is truly his better half.

  • ‘He’s a committed family man’

    The Grand African Ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel on Victoria Island in Lagos was the venue of the 50th birthday of the Managing Director of VDT Communications, Mr Abiodun Gideon Omoniyi. AMIDU ARIJE was there.

    The 50th birthday of Managing Director of VDT Communications, Mr Abiodun Gideon Omoniyis, was celebrated in style at the Grand African Ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel on Victoria Island in Lagos.

    For the celebrator, it was a day of double celebration as the day coincided with Christmas.

    Family members, friends and colleagues came to share in the joy of the day with him. Family members and friends exchange banters as they saw again after a long time.

    The Demola Olota Band entertained guests. The occasion was anchored by the popular comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka. It started on a prayer note.

    The traditional troupe of Biola Williams mesmerised guests with sterling performance. The praises of the celebrators lineage delighted not only him, but everyone who were present. They were ‘sprayed’ with crips notes.

    The compere also added glamour to the occasion. He kept the guests laughing at every interval when he grasped the microphone. His jokes were greeted with applauds.

    A 10-minute documentary on the celebrator’s life was shown. Guests watched with rapt attention, every scene of the documentation caught everyone’s attention. They clapped.

    The celebrator’s wife, Folashade, was beside him all day. She radiated joy and excitement.

    Guests eulogised the virtues of the celebrator. They described him as an honest and generous man.

    Former Inspector -General of Police and Chairman of VDT Communications Limited Alhaji Musiliu Smith chaired the occasion.

    Alhaji Smith described the celebrator as sociable.

    “I have always monitored Biodun. He is a type of man who once he is close to you, he is always close to you. He is humble and industrious and his love for people and family is unprecedented,” he said.

    Alhaji Smith supervised the cutting of the cake. He counted from 1 to 50 before the cake was cut. The celebrator with his wife stood hand in hand by the side of the two- layer cake with satellite dish designed on it.

    The celebrator’s children joined them on the podium for group photographs.

    In her tribute, the celebrator’s wife, Folashade, described her hubby as committed and terrific.

    “Your commitment to both the nuclear and extended family and the sacrifices you make to ensure that you spend time with us is deeply appreciated. The children and I are so blessed to have you. The way with which you commit to the children’s education inspires me; the patience with which you bring to difficult matters is worthy of emulation; indeed, you are a terrific husband,” she said.

    His father–in-law, Alhaji J.. K. Yusuf described him as a hardworking and intelligent man.

    “A very quiet, amiable, intelligent and hardworking man, Biodun has strived; it was not that rosy at the initial stage of his life, but due to God’s favour and his dint of hard work, perseverance and blessings from God, he was able to raise his head high among his peers,” he said.

    When it was time for the celebrator to speak, all listened with rapt attention. They gave him a standing ovation.

    Omoniyi said he felt on top of the world for the opportunity given him to attain 50.

    “I feel quiet overwhelmed on what I witnessed today; for this large turnout of family members, friends and colleagues. I am really overwhelmed,” he said.

    He described Alhaji Smith as a man who has been playing a fatherly role to him since they met 30 years ago.

    He specially thanked his wife, saying she is truly his better half.

  • We remain committed to APC, says Belgore

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Mohammed Dele Belgore, yesterday said he and his group remain members of the party.

    A few of his supporters had expressed apprehension on the entry of the Bukola Saraki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into APC.

    Belgore, who addressed supporters at the Asa Dam Road office of the APC in Ilorin, added that he was irrevocably committed to the cause of liberating the people.

    Belgore, thereafter, addressed reporters at his GRA home in the metropolis.

    Said he: “There is a lot of apprehension concerning the entry of the G-7 governors and what it portends for APC members and for the political situation in the state.

    “My first task was to inform the people that there was no reason for any apprehension. We remain members of APC. “We remain committed and we remain together as a formidable group within that party. And that situation is dynamic; we are reviewing it as we go along.

    “We are setting up committees to evaluate the situation ward-by-ward and local government-by-local government on what the merger means to the people and how they want to react to every situation.

    “One important point I want to make about our politics in Kwara is that it is not about Dele Belgore; it is about the community interest and the community interest upon which we entered into this race in 2010 is that we are fighting for change.

    “In other words, we want to take the politics of Kwara out of the hands of a selfish, domineering select group and broaden the space so that there is opportunity for everyone. That is the message we began with and that is the bond that I have with the people.

    “That cause is the first thing that connects us and we are not about to give it up. That cause is the essence of our political existence; it can never be negotiated.

    “My point of view even with the merger is that we are not compromising what we believe in. If working together means buying into what we believe in, then fine but we are not compromising our ideals for anybody.”

    He added: “Our supporters feel completely disenchanted with the leadership of our party. They feel that the cause of the struggle in Kwara was not taken into consideration at the time these discussions were held.

    “My first duty is to explain to them that there is a main plot from the point of view of the national leadership and then there are various sub-plots, which now look at the peculiarities of each state.

    “But as you know, politics is local; you are only concerned with that which affects you. They are now saying if that is the case why are we still here? But we are telling them that we are in APC, that nobody is going to push us out.”

  • I’m committed to Nigeria’s unity, says President

    President Goodluck Jonathan at the weekend said he is committed to Nigeria’s unity.

    The President spoke in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, at the second anniversary thanksgiving day of Governor Seriake Dickson.

    Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd.), said he focused on keeping Nigeria peaceful and united, despite several distractions.

    Jonathan spoke at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa.

    He noted that meaningful development could only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and stability.

    The President urged Nigerians to support his transformation agenda.

    Jonathan thanked God for the prevailing peace in the country, despite some hiccups.

    He hailed Dickson for his leadership virtues and programmes.

    Jonathan said: “With what the state government is doing, in terms of projects and programmes, the government is keying into the transformation agenda of the Federal Government, which l believe the benefits will quickly turn things around for the better.

    “On my part, as the President, l will remain committed and focused to keeping Nigeria united and peaceful under the banner of God, who made it possible for me to be here as your elected President in that free and fair election.

    “The people must show gratitude for the peace being enjoyed in the country, despite a few distractions.”

  • Obasanjo, Amosun: Adewolu a committed public servant

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday joined prominent indigenes of the state to honour the Otun of Owu Kingdom, Chief Adedoja Adewolu, who clocked 80.

    They described Adewolu as a committed public servant, who distinguished himself in the service of his fatherland, adding that “his services to Nigeria, especially in Health Administration, will remain indelible”.

    Obasanjo said the octogenarian’s achievements in the society were “enviable”.

    Stressing the need for religious harmony in the country, the former president noted the influence of Islam and Christianity in Adewolu’s childhood.

    He said it made him conversant and tolerant of both religions.

    Amosun described Adewolu’s life as “a study in the unwavering pursuit of excellence, adherence to principles, uncommon integrity, perseverance, compassion and modesty”.

    He said the octogenarian has continued to offer selfless service to the country even in retirement.

    The governor wished him many more years of active service to humanity.

    Adewolu’s son, Leke, who is the special adviser to the governor on Research and Documentation, described his father as “visionary”.

    He said in 1995, his father said Obasanjo would govern Nigeria for the second time and, in 2007, that Amosun would become governor.

    The commissioner said both “visionary testimonies” have come to pass.

    At various times, Adewolu worked at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan; Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, and served as the Executive Secretary of the Psychiatric Hospital’s Management Board under the Chairmanship of Professor J. C. Ebie.

  • Kwara committed to education, says Ahmed

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has promised to remain committed to the growth of education in the state.

    The governor, at the weekend, received the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) merit award for outstanding performance in education.

    A statement in Ilorin, the state capital, by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Communications, Dr Femi Akorede, quoted Ahmed saying: “We are not only committed to sustaining the Every Child Counts policy of the past administration but to also taking it to the envisioned level.”

    Ahmed said his administration would continue to collaborate with all stakeholders in the education sector to ensure that child education and development was achieved on target.

    Responding on behalf of other awardees, Ahmed said the award would further motivate his administration to chart a new and better cause for educational development of the state.

    He hailed the NUT for recognising his administration’s achievements in the Education sector and for its commitment to teachers’ interest.

    Ahmed said: “It is no longer tenable that teachers’ reward is in heaven. We must do everything we can to enhance the welfare of teachers and create an atmosphere that is conducive to effective teaching and learning.”

    Other recipients of the awards, which took place at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, as part of activities for this year’s World Teachers’ Day celebration and President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award, were Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Geidam and his Enugu counterpart, Sullivian Chime.