The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Committee

  • UNIPORT VC inaugurates rapid response committee

    UNIPORT VC inaugurates rapid response committee

    University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) Vice Chancellor Prof. Joseph Ajienka has set up a high-powered rapid response committee to prevent the outbreak of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    The committee members comprises of medical experts and professionals, who will adopt effective enlightenment procedures and global best practices to contain the disease on the campus.

    Members of the committee are: Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Ethelbert Nduka, who will monitor the committee’s activities and Professors Kio Abo and Vincent Idemyor, of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

    Others are: Dr. Williams Wodi, of the Information Unit in the Vice Chancellor’s Office; Dr. Ken Umeadi, of the Health Services Department; Dr. Glory Amadi, of the Department of Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling; Doctors Christian Oriji and Dine Bari Badey, of the Department of Sociology.

    At the inauguration yesterday in Port Harcourt, Prof Ajienka said universities, being the factories for knowledge, should also be in the forefront of the fight against epidemics, including EVD.

    The academic said gathering and disseminating appropriate information on the Ebola virus and its mode of transmission should be left in the hands of people with the requisite expertise.

    He urged the members of the committee to devise functional measures to contain the disease and ensure that the rumour mill does not overrun vulnerable members of the university community.

  • Police committee assures Acting IGP of support

    Police committee assures Acting IGP of support

    The Police Assistance Committee (PAC) has welcome on board the Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, assuring him of its total support in the huge tasks ahead of him.

    In a statement issued in Lagos and signed  by its Director-General, Dr Martins J. Oni, the PAC expressed confidence that the Acting IGP as a tested officer, who had served in various capacities in the Police Force, will use his wealth of experience to build on the achievements of his predecessor, improve the fortune of the Nigeria Police Force and inject new ideas in confronting the current security challenges facing the country.

    The committee called on the IGP Suleiman Abba to be a good team player by ensuring that all stakeholders on security matters are carried along in the scheme of things in the performance of his duties, while praying that his tenure will usher in lasting solutions to security problems plaguing the country.

  • NFF TO TECHNICAL COMMITTEE: Seal Keshi’s deal in 7 days

    NFF TO TECHNICAL COMMITTEE: Seal Keshi’s deal in 7 days

    • An Emergency Congress slated for Thursday, 31st July

    THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has instructed its technical committee to seal a deal with Super Eagles chief coach, Stephen Keshi, for another four years in the next seven days and report their findings to the executive committee at an unspecified date.

    The executive committee members stated categorically that they were still interested in retaining Keshi’s services for the Super Eagles, stressing that: “The Executive Committee mandated the Technical Sub-Committee to open channels of communication with Mr. Stephen Keshi with a view to extending his contract, as the NFF is still interested in working with him. The Technical Sub-Committee is to report back to the Executive Committee within ONE WEEK.”

    The executive body revealed further that subsequent financial dealings with Super Eagles’ players and coaches must be done before the commencement of such international competitions to avert the show-of-shame that dogged Nigeria’s participation at the Brazil 2014 World Cup competition, where Nigeria was eliminated by France 2-0 in the Round of 16.

    “Henceforth, all financial issues with players and officials must be thoroughly deliberated upon and agreed ahead of major matches and competitions, to avoid the kind of embarrassment brought upon the nation at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil, when players boycotted training sessions before the Round of 16 match with France.”

    “An Emergency Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation will be convened in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Thursday, 31st July, 2014 to ratify the impeachment of Alhaji Aminu Maigari from the NFF Executive Committee.”

    The Executive Committee commended world football–governing body, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for their keen interest in the development of Nigerian football and pledged that the country will continue to abide by the dictates of FIFA and CAF Statutes and FIFA–approved NFF Statutes.

    “The Executive Committee thanked Nigerians from far and near for their patience and understanding during the crisis period and reiterated that concerted efforts that are geared towards the development of football in Nigeria, are on.

    It remains to be seen if the NFF executive body will be in office when the decisions raised in the comunique are taken with a few days to the NFF’s elections, where a majority of those at Thursday’s meeting would be shocked at the polls.

  • MEGA: Nomination Committee screens entries

    MEGA: Nomination Committee screens entries

    AS the organisers of the Music and Entertainment Awards, Nigeria’s premier gospel music awards, are warming up for the second edition of the awards ceremony scheduled to hold at The Haven, GRA Ikeja, Lagos on Friday, November 14,the  Nomination Committee has begun work on screening hundreds of songs entered for this year’s event.

    According to the organisers, the submission of entries, which ran from March 17, to June 14, witnessed over 100% increase from last year, particularly in the Singles category.

    In a release, celebrated journalist, publisher and author, Femi Akintunde-Johnson, who is also the Coordinator of the 2014 MEGA’s Central Working Committee (CWC), said: “We hope to empanel the Body of Judges by the end of July – they are to take over the screening from the Nomination Committee; after which, the pre-nominated shortlists shall be released for Public Voting (PV) which accounts for 10% of the final aggregate percentage.”

    Driven  by the  vision, flair and robust interest in the positive development of Nigerian entertainment, he further said that Footprints Pub & Media Ltd., an integrated communications outfit (the awards’ executive producer), in the conception, articulation and management of the awards, had evolved a unique relationship with different stakeholders within the Nigerian music community so as to “protect, preserve and maintain the independence, integrity, stability and continuity of the MEGA in perpetuity.”

    “In collaboration with the 2014 Central Working Committee (CWC) , a volunteer group of extremely committed and highly successful professionals has taken up the assignment of entrenching a truly comprehensive and highly regarded reward system for the country’s gospel music industry,” he said.

    Akintunde-Johnson, who is famously called FAJ, further said that though the organisers don’t encourage posthumous awards, they have resolved to recognise the enormous contributions of the late Nollywood movie maker and director, Amaka Igwe, in “berthing the awards on the rock of MEGA.”

    Consequently, he said: “We, therefore, endow the Music Video award ceremony in her name -in the likely absence of the Gospel Movie categories this year.  We also pray for fortitude and divine strength for the families and friends of the first winner of MEGA Best English Medley winner, Kefee (Mrs. Don-Momoh) who left us few weeks ago. May their souls find eternal rest in His bosom.”

    In the release, the respected journalist also lamented the seeming apathy towards gospel music in Nigeria. Worried by the number of artistes who, according to him, are wasting away for lack of adequate and sustained exposure and appreciation, he said: “Our media, as if by collective indignation, consign stories, airplay and programmes that have any hint of “gospel” to weekends – often only Sundays. This attitude is largely influenced, we believe, by the belief that “gospel music” needs to be “helped” until it acquires the quality and prevalence of mainstream music. How awfully wrong!”

    He added that the forthcoming awards ceremony would further satisfy the yearning for the promotion and celebration of “genuine messengers of the Word and their up- and-coming successors.”

  • Lagos Assembly sends 2014 budget to Committee

    Lagos Assembly sends 2014 budget to Committee

    Lagos State House of Assembly has committed the year 2014 Appropriation Bill to its Committee on Economic Planning and Budget for further scrutiny and consideration.

    The estimates were presented by the Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, (SAN) last week after taking the second reading at plenary on Tuesday.

    The bill seeks for the House to authorise the issue and appropriation of N234.665billion, from the consolidated Revenue fund for recurrent expenditure and N255.025billion from Development Revenue Fund for Capital expenditure, bringing the total budget size to N489.690 billion for the year ending 31st December, 2014.

    Chairman House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, while analysing the budget, highlighted the desire of the Governor to place the state among megacities of the world, he, however, urged his colleagues to rise up to their duties as provided by the Constitution and work assiduously to scrutinise and painstakingly examine the Budget at the various Sub-Committee level, so that the overall interest of the people to enjoy the dividends of good governance can be achieved.

    Earlier the Speaker, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji reminded honourable members of the business rule which states that debates, positions and submission by members should be confined to Financial and Economy Status of the State as well as its Financial policies, while it may not include estimates.

    Notwithstanding, members debated extensively the financial position of the state and sources of revenue for the budget as well as priority areas the budget should focus.

  • N255m bulletproof cars: Panel gets terms of reference

    N255m bulletproof cars: Panel gets terms of reference

    •Minister opts to make written submission to panel

    •Jonathan gives probe committee terms of reference

    •President wants culprits exposed

     

    The Presidential Administrative Panel of Enquiry into the purchase of N255 million armoured cars for the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, has demanded transaction details from the Ministry of Aviation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other stakeholders.

    President Goodluck Jonathan has also given six terms of reference to the panel, including a mandate to determine whether or not the procurement followed due process.

    But Oduah has opted to make a written submission to the panel.

    Members of the three-man panel are: a former Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Sali Bello (Chairman); the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and Air Vice Marshal Dick Iruenebere (rtd.)

    A source in the panel said the transaction details had been retrieved from the Ministry of Aviation, the NCAA, First Bank of Nigeria Plc and Coscharis Motors Limited.

    The source said: “We have asked for all transaction details from the Ministry of Aviation, NCAA, Coscharis, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Customs Service and other stakeholders involved.

    “On the basis of the submissions, we will interact with all those who played one role or the other in the purchase of the armoured cars.

    “A key issue is the process in acquiring the armoured cars in the light of the existing laws on procurement.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “Well, so far the minister has chosen to make a written submission to the panel. We have got her written memorandum to the panel.

    “It is left to the panel to find out if her physical appearance is necessary or not. This will depend on facts from other stakeholders.”

    Asked when the panel would submit its report, the source said: “Although the constitution of the panel was announced on October 23, members did not get their letters of appointment until October 28.

    “So, if you start counting the two-week mandate, it will expire on Monday, November 11. We hope to conclude our assignment on or before the date.”

    Also, a document obtained by our correspondent yesterday revealed that the panel was given six terms of reference by President Jonathan.

    The terms are contained in an October 28 letter to the committee members by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

    The letter, among others, said: “The terms of reference are to:

    • Examine the circumstances surrounding the purchase, particularly whether or not there were budgetary provisions for it.

    • Identify all actors in the in the purchase.

    • Determine the role of the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, in the purchase.

    • Ascertain the cost of the vehicles, its purpose and procurement process.

    • Enquire into any other matters incidental to the purchase of the vehicles.

    • Make appropriate recommendations in the light of its findings.

     

  • Boko Haram: Committee ready to submit report

    The Presidential Committee on Peace and Resolution of Conflict in the Northeast will submit its report to the President anytime from next week.
    The Chairman of the committee and Special Duties Minister, Kabiru Taminu, stated this on Tuesday while briefing the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the activities of his ministry.
    Tanimu said the committee had completed 99 percent of its assignment, assuring that the remaining one percent would be concluded this week, after which a report would be submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan.
    The minister however could not answer a reporter’s question on the whereabouts of the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau.
    He said: “I think I should also ask you where is Shekau. Now with all sense of responsibility, we have been directed by Mr. President to identify key members of the sect and engage them in dialogue.
    “Mr. President did not ask us to look for Shekau and engage him in dialogue. And it is important for Nigerians to appreciate that in matters of this nature, you don’t just wake up one day even as a dialogue committee established by government and say you are discussing with the highest leadership of the insurgents.
    “Usually what happened is that we have been able to establish confidence because it is necessary. Initially, they deployed lower rank of their membership to us, like water testing mechanism.
    “They go back without any molestation. Then at the next meeting, they would deploy a higher set of members. And this is how it has been going to the level where we now. We have started to engage key members of the insurgents.
    “But for us, it does not have to be Shekau. The committee cannot determine for them who should represent them. As far as we know, these are genuine members of the organisation. We deal with them and we have several ways of determining whether they are genuine members or not.
    “In the course of this assignment, we have seen some people who are fake members of the insurgency groups that came for the purpose of getting money.
    “But I want to assure that we have been talking to genuine members of the insurgency and these are members that are key as far as peaceful resolution of this matter is concerned.”
    Tanimu said the committee had laid solid foundation for sustainable peace in the country.

  • Abuja natives quit land-swap committee

    The indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory under the umbrella body, Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja, (OIDA) have voluntarily withdrawn from the Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of FCT Land-swap Programme and Resettlement Matters set up by the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed.

    In a press statement signed by its Media Adviser, Sumner Shagari Sambo, OIDA says its withdrawal from the Ministerial Committee is due to the non-acceptance of its recommendation of 30% for the host communities who own the land and are to be resettled by the government and companies involved in the land-swap programme.

    OIDA’s withdrawal decision is contained in a letter signed by its President, Pastor Danladi Jeji which the group said it had submitted to the Chairman of the Landswap Committee and Permanent Secretary, FCTA Engr. John Chukwu at the resumed sitting of the Committee last Thursday.

    The FCT group said its earlier acceptance of the membership and full participation of the Committee’s sittings was borne out of germane and bonafide motives.

    “Despite initial misgivings OIDA chose to give the Hon. Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed the benefit of doubt when he said; ‘…we will carry the affected people and communities along….’ He further said: ‘… its going to be a bottom-up and not top-to bottom approach’.  He equally said, ‘…we shall adhere to global best practices….’. But as things have turned out, particularly as the ‘draft report’ of this Committee now attests, with due deference to the persons and personalities of this Committee whom OIDA holds in high esteem, the talk about ‘carrying the people (original inhabitants) along and so forth…’ was all mere rhetoric and a gimmick to get the Land-swap policy endorsed and or in another word ‘rubberstamped’ by the said locals.”

    “In view of the fact that the Committee’s draft report and or resolutions/recommendations do not reflect OIDA’s most weighty position of redefining the percentage ratio of 60% to Private Companies and 40% to FCTA.  Indeed OIDA’S position that the said equation be reworked from a bipartite to tripartite arrangement or contract, i.e. by the inclusion of the PAP/Communities in the equation has not been reflected much less be so recommended. It has been the uncompromising position of OIDA as repeatedly told and submitted to this Committee that 30% of the ratio or equation must go back to the PAP/Communities to be held in Community Trust Fund.  This position was also the outcome of the FCT Enlarged Stakeholders’ sub-Committee’s consultations. OIDA believes that this demand is justified in view of the fact that the compensation due and payable for the creation (acquisition) of Abuja has not been paid for 37 years now.  On 30% We Stand!”

    The press statement further states that “the original inhabitants have unlawfully, unconstitutionally, immorally and indeed un-spiritually been deprived and divested of their God-given inherent ‘title hereditament rights to their ancestral lands’. Despite the provisions of Section 297 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 1 of the FCT Act, it remains immutably and unequivocally explicit that for as long as the compensation for Abuja lands remain UNPAID by the Federal Government, then it means that we the FCT Abuja indigenous people still possess the customary rights to our lands. On our Ancestral Lands We Stand!”

    OIDA also dispelled media reports of a division between the FCT natives with regards to the landswap policy.

    It states that “the volte-face done by the Ketti-Waru Youth Forum from demanding 30% to a position of demanding not even 0% is the handiwork of a well-scripted Machiavellian Script of forces outside of the Land-swap Ministerial Committee but OIDA is not perturbed or deterred in its legitimate agitation for the Abuja People. Ketti-Waru’s shifting of grounds does not in any way reflect the generality of position of the other remaining communities to be affected by Land-swap and as such same cannot be used as a yardstick for across board implementation. No amount of intimidation, division of our people or use of divide and rule tactics will make us give up our lands. ”

    The rights group noted that “it is not proper to continually sit in this Committee knowing very well that at the end of the day, we would not assent to its report.  That would be most unfair and a great disservice to the Committee.”

    OIDA also wondered why the Ministerial Committee set-up to deliver its mandate in 3-weeks is yet to deliver report 10-weeks after its inauguration.

    While thanking the Minister for his invitation to serve as a member of the Committee, OIDA said it was withdrawing from the ministerial committee “until such a time that the Land-swap programme and indeed the FCTA is willing and ready to accede to the demand of 30% to host communities through the setting up of a Community Trust Fund.”

    The group also advised the concerned private investors and FCTA personnel to stay clear of Abuja indigenous communities until the issues are properly resolved through genuine consultation and dialogue or stand the risk of litigation.

     

  • Committee solicits support

    The School Based Management Committee of Dr Yahaya Bawa Primary School, Bosso, has solicited for the assistance of FUTMINNA in revamping its dilapidated structures, and computer education for the pupils.

    The committee stated this during a courtesy visit to the management at the VC’s conference room.

    In his address, chairman of the committee, Alhaji Bawa Abubakar Bosso, said the Niger State government constituted the committee to generate additional source of funds to help improve infrastructure in the school.

    Also speaking during the visit, a member of the committee, Chief Tony Ogejere, pleaded with the university to assist the school with old computer sets which he noted would help students during Common Entrance exams.

    Responding, Prof Akanji promised the university’s support.

    “We are all products of public schools and I am happy to see people like you trying to help other children in getting quality primary education,” he stated.

  • Heartland inaugurate committee to investigate poor performance

    Heartland inaugurate committee to investigate poor performance

    The Management of Heartland FC of Owerri on Wednesday inaugurated a committee to investigate the club’s poor outing in the Globacom Premier League.

    The management also announced the suspension of two officials of the club, Tonex Chukwu, the Head of Protocol and Ramson Madu, Assistant Coach, for indiscipline. The Chairman, Mr Fan Ndubuoke, said this while inaugurating the committee in Owerri.

    Ndubuoke said the committee would investigate if the recent matches lost by the club since the beginning of the league’s second phase were either compromised or sold.

    “There is a wide rumour in Imo that most of the matches lost by Heartland FC were sold by some team officials and players,” he alleged.

    The chairman expressed concern over the possibility of the club being relegated this season, if the situation was not arrested.

    According to him, the players are well motivated as the state government recently paid N60 million into the club’s coffers for their welfare. He said the management had also attracted N7.9 million from Globacom telecommunications sponsorship and received N10.5 million from the Globacom Premier League Management Committee.

    Ndubuoke wondered why such sudden decline in performance would occur now that the players’ welfare was being improved. He said the committee would also probe the activities of security agencies during home matches of the club, adding that officials and players would not be left out in the probe.

    Ndubuoke said the management would consider sacking the coaches if they failed to win four of their next five matches. He said that the contracts of the coaches would not be renewed till the problems were over.

    “We are not going to renew coaches contracts; we have also stopped any further frivolous travels by either the coaches or players,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Heartland topped the league table at the beginning of the season and finished the first phase in the fourth position. The club had, since the beginning of the league’s second phase, lost five matches in a row out of six which made it move down to the 13th position on the table.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Heartland players recently boycotted training for two days over delay in the payment of their sign-on fees.

    The committee’s Chairman, Macdonald Amadi, promised to submit an unbiased report that would help to turn the fortunes of the club around within two weeks.