The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Congress

  • Stakeholders shun congress convened by Maigari’s man

    Stakeholders shun congress convened by Maigari’s man

    Football stakeholders in the North Central yesterday boycotted a congress called in Jos by the former coordinator of the zone, Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, a board member of the ousted Aminu Maigari-led NFF executive committee.

    According to a source who was invited for the meeting, the invitees, mostly the States FA Chairmen and Secretaries, called the bluff of the former board member because of what they called the ‘legal implications’ of attending such a congress.

    “On what ground is he calling us? Why is he calling us for a meeting now, when he was behaving like a lord all through their reign? They are now looking for solidarity. Besides most of us are civil servants, we cannot go contrary to the feelings of the government,” the source said.

    “Why are you asking me if I will attend the meeting, when the board has been sacked by the congress? Whatever meeting they are calling now is illegal, because they are no longer in office. Again, what is the security implication of attending such a gathering?.

    “It may be translated to mean a security risk because of  the security situation in the country now. I think that is the major reason why nobody is attending the congress.”

    When reminded that they had earlier passed a vote-of-confidence on the members of the ousted board, the source, who is an FA Scribe, said: “Actually when we were in Brazil, the members came to us and pleaded that they wanted to return to the board again. We agreed to return them, as they promised to do more for the development of the game at the grassroots.

    “This many of us agreed in principle, but some were of the opinion that we should try other persons, since our interests were not catered for by the Maigari board. But now, the trend has changed, and we have to move on,” he concluded.

    Meanwhile, feelers from government circles indicate that the searchlight may be beamed on Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, since convening of a congress maybe interpreted as declaring war on the government.

  • General Motors CEO to face US Congress

    General Motors chief executive Mary Barra is set to appear once more in front of US lawmakers.

    Ms Barra appeared in Washington  11 weeks ago, but questions have lingered over the car giant’s botched recall procedures.

    She is expected to face intense questioning from lawmakers over GM’s handling of the safety scandal.

    The firm’s failure to recall car models with faulty ignition switches has been linked to at least 13 deaths.

    In prepared testimony, Ms Barra said the firm accepted a “brutally tough and deeply troubling” report into why the carmaker failed to issue a recall or safety notice earlier, after the problems had been reported nearly ten years ago.

    She promised that changes had been made at the firm, and that those responsible for failing to report the problem had been disciplined or fired.

    The report – which was carried out by former US Attorney Anton Valukas – exonerated Ms Barra and other top executives, saying that lower level employees failed to alert them to the safety issue.

    Many lawmakers have expressed scepticism that Ms Barra, who was head of product development for a period before rising to leadership, remained unaware of the problem with the switches.

    The hearing comes days after GM announced another recall of three million cars.

    Safety actions have cost GM a total of $2bilion (£1.2bllion) this year.

    That includes the $35million the car maker was fined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for its failures to report the safety defect. That was the maximum amount allowed under US law.

  • PDP holds repeat congress

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday held a repeat congress in Anambra State, following the confusion that trailed last week’s exercise .

    Some of the governorship aspirants have hailed the exercise, saying it was better than the last one.

    The congress committee is headed by Austine Akobundu.

    Congresses have been held in 101 wards and are still on going.

    At some local government areas – Ihiala, Anambra East, Onitsha North and South Awka, North and South, people were still voting.

    One of the aspirants said: “My brother, this is the way things are supposed to be in this state.

    “If it had been like this, nobody would have called for a repeat.

    “We are happy that at last, PDP has got it right and we are going to wait for the names to be forwarded to our national secretariat.”

  • Nigerian is World Brand Congress member

    The Managing Director of TPT International, a Public Relations firm, Charles Igbinidu, has been appointed into the Global Advisory Council (WBC) of the World Brand Congress.

    The WBC is the largest rendezvous of best brains behind some of the world’s most successful and sought after brands.

    One of the key features of the Congress will be Global Brand Excellence Awards. As an advisory member, Igbinidu will help define the scope and guide the strategic content. He will also recommend professionals who may add value to the World Brand Congress.

    The 22nd edition of the  Congress will take place from October 21- 23 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai, India. The theme for World Brand Congress is “sustainable brands”.

    In his letter to Igbinidu, the Global Chairman of the Congress, Dave Porter, said: “I wish to invite you to be a part of the Global Advisory Council. As an esteemed member of the Advisory Council, you will network with professionals in your community/ country. The World Brand Congress attempts to reach out to Professionals across the globe and therefore every member of the Advisory Council would help propogate the message.  The World Brand Congress is a not-for-profit making aimed at professional growth and development. I am sure you would be happy to be a part of World Brand Congress 2013”.

    Speaking on his appointment Igbinidu said, “I am  honoured to be chosen to be on the Global Advisory Council of the World Brand Congress.  I am elated because it is not a position that I struggled for, It is indeed a very huge honour to be selected to be on the Council made up of some of the brightest brains in brand management in the world.

    “I am determined to discharge my new reponsibilities creditably as I also see the appointment as an opportunity to network and learn from professionals from across industries and also share my experience” .

    Igbinidu is one of the public relations experts in Nigeria. He is known for his aggressive, results-focused orientation, as well as his close working relationships with members of the media, influencers, decision makers, politicians and celebrities.

    A prolific writer and avid reader, Igbinidu is also the Publisher/Editor-in-chief of ionigeria.com, an online publication that provides credible, balanced and all-inclusive information and news about Nigeria, Africa and the world.

  • Education students hold congress

    Education students hold congress

    The National Universities Education Students Association (NUESA), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) chapter, has held its congress.

    The event, which took place at the faculty’s lecture theatre, started at 3pm with an opening prayer, which was said by the Financial Secretary of the Joy Ikhioya. This was followed by a minute silence in honour of a lecturer, the late Dr. Emmanuel Adeoye.

    In his address, the president, Abdulrazak Babatunde, congratulated the students on the success of the faculty’s Ankara Day.

    The event was followed by an award ceremony, attended by Nollywood actors Femi Branch, Adebayo Salami and Tunde Kelani.

    Abdulrazak praised the faculty representatives for their support during his tenure.

     

  • INEC: no registration for African Peoples Congress

    INEC: no registration for African Peoples Congress

    WHO has the franchise to the acronym – APC? The All Progressives Congress or the African Peoples Congress? This controversy will soon end.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday turned down the application of the African Peoples Congress, one of the three parties laying claim to the ownership of the acronym.

    The three parties are seeking registration with INEC.

    INEC had initially kept quiet over the rejection of the African Peoples Congress, but when the group cried foul, the electoral body came out to confirm the rejection, backing its action with Section 222 A of the Constitution.

    The party’s protem chairman, Chief Onyinye Ikeagwuonu, yesterday in a statement entitled: “A brewing storm”, alleged that the electoral body planned to deny it registration.

    He claimed have learnt that a letter to that effect was awaiting the signature of INEC chair Prof. Attahiru Jega.

    Copies of the unsigned letter were made availbale to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.

    Entitled: “Re-Application for Registration as a political party, the letter was on INEC’s letter-headed paper and dated March 21, 2013. It was addressed to Ikeagwuonu.

    The explanation for the rejection according to the letter, is that African Peoples Congress breached Section 222 (a) of the Constitution.

    Section 222 A states that “no association by whatever name called shall function as a political party, unless the names and addresses of its national officers are registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission.”

    This, the letter claimed, was absent in the application of the group.

    The electoral umpire had initially denied the existence of such a letter.

    But the group made copies available to reporters in Abuja. INEC’s Director of Information, Mr. Emmanuel Umenger confirmed that the contents of the letter.

    The letter reads: “Your application for registration as a political party dated 28th February, 2013 refers. The commission has observed that your association is in breach of Section 222 (a) of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which stipulates as follows:

    “No association by whatever name called shall function as a political party unless; the names and addresses of its national officers are registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission;. A close observation of your submitted form PA 1 established that it does not contain the addresses of your national officers as stipulated in the provisions above.

    “Consequently, the commission shall not register the proposed African Peoples Congress (APC) as a political party.”

    Umenger confirmed that INEC declined the application for registration of the group as a political Party.

    He said: “Yes, I am in receipt of a letter similar in content with the one you said was duly signed by INEC’s Secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Kaugama and it has been delivered to the addressee (African Peoples Congress) and one Michael Ogani signed and collected the letter and dated it March 25, 2013.

    “The content is what you read to me earlier. The point of departure, as I spoke with you before now, was that the letter you had was not signed and because it was not signed, we could not ascertain its authenticity and because of that I declined to speak on it. But as soon as it came to my table, I felt that it was necessary to call you and inform you that I am in receipt of a letter and its content; the letter has spoken.”

    But Ikeagwuonu disagreed with the claims of the electoral body, saying that the excuse was flimsy.

    He said: “Our attention has just been drawn to a desperate effort by some paid INEC officials to conclusively consummate the black market transaction we warned about last Thursday, to deny the African peoples Congress registration, citing purported irregularities in the addresses of our national officers while the INEC documents required either residential address or phone number.

    “We had earlier alerted Nigerians about this high-level conspiracy and have thus been reliably informed today (yesterday) by an impeccable source that a draft letter denying APC registration is right now on the table of the INEC chairman, waiting for his endorsement.

    “This, if executed, would amount to a rape of our democracy, which we in APC would resist with everything we have.

    Just like we said in our briefing of Thursday, last week, we will not fold our hands and watch enemies of democracy masquerading as INEC officials run a roughshod over Nigeria’s democracy.”

  • Twins, 29 other babies born at RCCG’s Congress in four days

    Twins, 29 other babies born at RCCG’s Congress in four days

    They all have one thing in common. They are new mothers. Patience Umoren, Stella Ogundare, Ruth Oni, Philomenon Ayodeji, Olabisi Esther Ajibola, Ajibola Odubena, Chinyere Usorho and others are in expansive mood because of their new status. They are some of the 30 mothers delivered of 31 babies on the first four days of the 15th Holy Ghost Congress of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), which began on Monday at its Camp Ground on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    The Assistant Co-ordinator, Pastor Victoria Oladapo, said they all gave birth through natural process. He said: “There has been no Caesarean session so far. I thank God. He did all these; it is not us. And all the people who came here have faith in God. We are happy about that.”

    In all, there are 14 boys and 17 girls.

    Mrs. Umoren, 30, gave birth to a boy yesterday. She said: “I had miscarriages on two occasions. Last September was the second anniversary of my wedding . On one Holy Ghost Night, the general overseer prophesied that there would be 100 babies soon in the church. I quickly claimed the prophesy for myself. That same month, I conceived. Now I have a boy; I will name him ‘Emmanuel’ “.

    Mrs. Ogundare, 28, yesterday afternoon was delivered of a boy. The nurses called her son “Ige” because he came with his leg first before other parts of his body. She said: “They had already prepared the theatre for a CS. I rejected the surgery against the doctors’ wisdom. I walked today by myself to the arena and prayed even though I was heavy with child. Immediately I got back to the maternity, I went into labour and I gave birth without any surgery.”

    She intends to name her son Signs and Wonders after the theme of the congress. She is also considering Oluwajomiloju and Oluwaseyitanfunmi.

    Mrs Oni, 40, who was delivered of a girl yesterday morning, said of all the deliveries she had undergone, this was the fastest and easiest. “I delivered right on the floor of the maternity. I was in labour in the bus when I arrived here. Immediately they carried me inside, I delivered.”

    For 41-year-old Mrs. Ayodeji , who gave birth to a girl on Tuesday, she said she would forever be grateful to God. She said: “I had recurrent contractions at home but I did not give birth. My husband wanted to attend the Holy Ghost Congress and did not want to leave me alone at home, so he asked me to come. The instant I got here, I went into labour. But this labour was not the empty type I had at home; it brought me a daughter. I intend to call her Oluwanifemi. The God of Adeboye did not disappoint me.”

    Mrs. Ajibola was ecstatic about the birth date of her daughter—12/12/12. “This is my third child. This is a testimony. It is signs and wonders from God. I will call her Oluwapelumi. Oh, my husband is very happy”

    Mrs. Odubena, 28, was delivered a girl on Wednesday. She was also happy that the delivery happened on 12/12/12. She said, “My cervix wasn’t opening and the baby is big, 3.4 kg. During an earlier delivery I had suffered tears due to the big size of the baby. But I told God that I don’t want tears to my genitals anymore. Now I have delivered a big baby without any tears. I thank God.”

    Mrs. Usorho, 36, gave birth to a boy. “I delivered 30 minutes ago. I have done scans elsewhere, but I did not want to deliver anywhere else except at Holy Ghost Congress. I insisted that it must be at The Redeemed Camp because I wanted to witness signs and wonders.”

    Thirty-three-year-old Mrs. Folasade Fagbohunlu gave birth to a boy yesterday. “My son is the first boy to be delivered today. I am very happy.”

    Pastor Oladele Joseph, husband to Olayemisi Joseph, spoke for her. She was very weak as she had just delivered a girl just minutes ago when The Nation visited their bedside. “We came from Ipokia. She had been labouring for a while. Nurses told us that the child had defecated in her and there was a lot of water. They had to clear that first before the delivery took place.”

    Mrs. Ojo Titilayo said she delivered a girl at 12:56 pm yesterday. “This is my first child. I thank God I delivered safely.”

    Oyelami Esther, 33, said the new child she had just given birth to was her second child. It was a girl. “This is a wonderful testimony. I told God to give me the strength to reach the camp ground. And I didn’t spend long to give birth when I got here,” she said.

    On Wednesday night, the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, revealed that twenty babies, including a set of twins, had been delivered. Another 11 was added yesterday. More are expected today.

    He said as at 9:00 p.m, on Wednesday, the babies were nine boys and 11 girls.

    The pastor, who expressed happiness over the development, said, “the girls have taken over ’’.

    He delivered a sermon on “The wonders of reversing the irreversible,” later on Wednesday, taking his bible lesson from Ezekiel 37:1-10.

    The clergyman urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of Jesus Christ as “He alone controls time and season”.

    “Our God has many attributes; in him, the past, the present and the future coincides.

    “God makes laws to control nature and the universe; he can pick an opportunity that you think you have lost forever and bring it back to you,” he said.

    Adeboye, however, warned sinners not to expect the blessings of God, stressing that death awaited sinners except they repented.

    On Tuesday, the pastor said that God will restore and rebuild Nigeria.

    According to him, God has plans for Nigeria, pointing out that “sin distorted God’s plan for the nation.

    “God is not just a builder, but an architect, He has good plans for Nigeria, but somewhere along the line something tampered with the plans.

    “Sin came in, the plan was distorted, God being God in his wisdom has decided to restore and rebuild the nation,” he said.

    Adeboye said the original plan of God for Nigeria was that the people would multiply, be fruitful, have dominion, prosper and be in control.

    Delegates from Europe, America, Venezuela and other countries are at the Congress.

    During its convention in August, over 300 nurses were engaged to cater for the needs of expectant mothers at the Redemption Camp. The services of the midwives were engaged due to the large number of pregnant women admitted. The midwives worked in shifts, which can either be in the morning, afternoon or night.

  • NFF congress begins in Port Harcourt

    NFF congress begins in Port Harcourt

    The 2012 Annual General Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will begin in Port Harcourt today.

    Chairmen of the 36 state football associations in the country as well as top officials of the NFF will converge in the capital to deliberate on issues surrounding Nigerian football in the past year.

    The venue of the congress had been dogged with controversy with association chairmen kicking against the choice of Port Harcourt as venue for the congress following comments credited to the Rivers State governor, Chibuike Amaechi accusing the NFF of corruption.

    That has now been put to bed and president of the NFF, Aminu Maigari has now voiced his sentiments on the upcoming congress.

    “We expect a very good congress in Port Harcourt as we prepare to take our football forward. It has been an eventful year and all members of the Nigerian football family will be sharing ideas on how to move the game forward,” Maigari exclusively revealed to supersport.com.

    Rivers State sports commissioner, Fred Igwe also spoke on his expectations ahead of the congress.

    “You know decisions that change the face of football in a country are taken at congresses of this magnitude and I am confident that in another one year, Nigerians will say the round leather game has moved one step forward and credit will be given to Port Harcourt for not only hosting a successful congress but creating the serene atmosphere that gave rise to positive growth of the game,” he said.

    The 2012 congress of the NFF will come to an end on Friday.

  • PDP announces date for Adamawa congresses

    PDP announces date for Adamawa congresses

    The Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party in Adamawa has announced dates for wards, local governments and state congresses to elect new executives for the party.

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party in Abuja had dissolved the Adamawa executive of the party, under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Umaru Kugama.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the NWC then appointed a caretaker committee headed by Amb. Umar Damagum, to run the party in the state.

    Consequently, the development caused a faction in the state PDP as the Kugama executive headed for court to challenge the NWC’s decision while it continued to operate from a parallel secretariat.

    Briefing newsmen on its plan for the congresses in Yola on Sunday, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Alhaji Umar Damagum, said the NWC of the party had approved December 27 to January 10, 2013 for the conduct of the congresses.

    Damagum said the party had communicated the development to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

     

  • NFF stops NPL Congress

    NFF stops NPL Congress

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has directed the Nigeria Premier League to put on hold its 7th Congress earlier scheduled to take place on Saturday, 17th November in Kano.

    Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, High Chief Emeka Inyama said the Federation took the decision as part of its determination to see that outstanding issues around the Premier League are conclusively resolved with a view to putting in place a credible first tier of Nigeria’s domestic football.

    “The NFF wrote the letter based on the need to put all lingering matters to rest before we can start talking about a new season. This is of high importance,” Inyama said.

    The letter, addressed to the Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Premier League, Tunji Babalola, and signed by NFF General Secretary, Barr. Musa Amadu, read, inter alia: “I have the mandate of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation to inform you to put all arrangements for the staging of the NPL 7th Congress 2012 on hold until further notice.

    “This is as a result of several lingering issues around the Nigeria Premier League that have come to the fore and which must be fully resolved before a Congress can be called to set the date for the beginning of a new season.

    “You may kindly recall that the Nigeria Football Federation had earlier directed you to suspend plans for the commencement of a new season based on some issues. Now, other matters have been added, for which the NFF issued you a query that has only recently been answered.”