The Nation Newspaper

Tag: constructive

  • Fed Govt welcomes constructive criticism on 2016 budget

    Fed Govt welcomes constructive criticism on 2016 budget

    •Buhari orders budget proposal placed on website

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will continue to welcome well-meaning criticism of its policies, its budget and expenditure, the Presidency said yesterday.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the government decided to take the stance because it was the only way the change promised the country would have a meaning.

    To this end and in line with established tradition, he said the President has directed that the draft 2016 appropriation budget, which is before the National Assembly, should be put on the website of the budget office so that Nigerians can read it with a view to making their observations.

    With the directive, he said suggestions that the Presidency was misleading the public on any aspects of the budget could no longer stand the test of time.

    The statement, which was a reaction to a newspaper story that said: “2016 Budget: Buhari to spend more on State House Clinic than on all federal govt-owned teaching hospitals,” noted that the Budget Office supplied a summary of the allocations to the various sectors under the Ministry of Health, which showed clearly that the published story was inaccurate.

    The statement reads in part: “The budget office has affirmed that in terms of both capital and recurrent allocations, the draft budget has put far more money in the 17 teaching hospitals than it did in the State House Clinic.

    “Having said this, we are not by any stretch of imagination suggesting that the draft budget is beyond comments or reproach. Nor do we wish to dwell on this simply to make a point. To do that will drive away good citizens from pointing out needed corrections and, ultimately defeating the change mantra of the administration.

    “The budget is a Nigerian budget and citizens reserve the right to examine its content and provide their own perspectives.

    “As the draft goes through the approval process, this and many other aspects will continue to generate interest, criticism, commendation and sometimes condemnation in discussions in the parliament, the media and the court of public opinion.

    “We believe that the process of “change” will be affected by, and stands to gain from these debates, especially where there is good faith on all sides.

    “Government has no reason whatsoever to mislead the citizens on the budget and on all other matters for whatever reason.”

  • Industry boss pledges constructive engagement with stakeholders

    From the newly elected chairman, Committee of E-banking Industry Heads (CeBIH), Mr.  Tunde Kuponiyi has come a pledge to stakeholders:  ‘There is need for constructive engagement with stakeholders to facilitate growth of electronic payment in the country.’

    Speaking shortly after his election, Kuponiyi, who is also the Head of E-banking Ecobank Plc, appreciated the immediate executive for working very hard to project the image of and advance the cause of CEBIH. He also appreciated all members for the trust reposed in him and his team to lead the committee.

    He promised the new executive will continue to build on the good foundation laid by the outgoing executive and earn more recognition for CEBIH.  He said the team will also embrace advocacy which is the focal point of CEBIH and also engage all industry stakeholders constructively.  He thereafter appealed to all members for their cooperation with the new executive.

    Also speaking, the immediate Chairman of CeBIH, and former Head of E-Channels, Skye Bank, Mr. Chuks Iku appreciated all members of the group for their cooperation which led to the success of the executive team he led.

    The newly elected executives of CeBIH comprise Tunde Kuponiyi of Ecobank as Chairman, Dele Adeyinka of Wema Bank as Vice- Chairman and Fatai Amoo of Sterling Bank as the Secretary. Others are Bob Nwojo of First Bank as Asst. Secretary, Simi Osinuga of GTBank as Treasurer, Juliet Nwanguma of Zenith as Financial Secretary, Ernest Obi of Keystone Bank as Publicity Secretary, Ejikeme Obiano of Heritage Bank as Asst. Publicity Secretary,

    Benedict Anyalekenya of Unity Bank as Policy Review Secretary and Adeleke Adekoya of Access Bank as Internal Auditor.

  • Constructive example

    Constructive example

    Given his celebrity and social provenance, it was perhaps to be expected that, sooner or later, following Steve Jobs’ death, significant features of his life would assume the status of monuments.  So, news that his childhood home, where the Apple co-founder built some of his first computers, has been designated a historic site, merely reinforced not only Jobs’ fame, but also America’s respect for history. It is noteworthy that the historical commission in the city of Los Altos, California, reportedly voted unanimously for the designation, which means that any proposed renovations to the ranch-style home would require official approval.

    Interestingly, the home’s distinction rests on the fact that it was the place where Jobs, with the assistance of his sister and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, built the first Apple 1 computers. Also, it was there that he wooed some of Apple’s first investors, and where in 1976 he established the first partnership for Apple.

    It is apt to recall various honorific descriptions of Jobs, whose death in October 2011 at age 56 was indeed momentous.  Besides the terms “legendary”,  “futurist” and “visionary”, his acclaimed genius earned him the titles,  “Father of the Digital Revolution”,  “master of innovation”, “master evangelist of the digital age” and “design perfectionist”. He was acknowledged internationally for his role in the revolutionary development of the iMac, iTunes, iPod, iPhone and iPad.

    Without doubt, the designation of the location where it all began is a statement on the importance of preserving not only history, but also the sources of history. In this regard, the American society has, remarkably, continued to show impressive example. By the designation, the site has been invested with touristic as well as inspirational value, a fact that offers immense lessons.

    It is pertinent to observe that such perpetuation of reputation is not totally alien to Nigeria, even though the country, unfortunately, reflects inconsistency in practice. One year ago, for example,   the Lagos State Government converted the house of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, at 8, Gbemisola Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, into Kalakuta Republic Museum to “promote cultural heritage.”

    However, instances like this one are few and far between, a situation that can neither boost touristic activities nor motivate the people. The ever-widening circle of those affected by such official failure to formalise positive remembrance includes personalities from various walks of life, specifically politics, business, arts and science, activism and sports, to name a few.  It is indeed regrettable that the country’s approach to honouring people and places of historical significance is generally visionless.

    One sour case in point, which is prominent, particularly because it has been the subject of a popular campaign for years, is the treatment of Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, 77, who is credited with the design of the country’s national flag. It is such a shame that although Akinkunmi who designed the flag in 1959 has received awards from individuals and organisations, successive governments at the centre have denied him a national honour, which is perhaps the ultimate recognition. Even more disturbing is the fact that he is said to be partially blind and penurious. His apparent neglect is indefensible, and a sorry commentary on the values of the country’s leadership.

    Ironically, on the other hand, especially in recent years, the lists of recipients of the country’s national honours have been intensely controversial, with allegations that persons of questionable reputation are continually decorated. Evidently, such elevation of the undeserving does history a disservice; it is also a testimony to crooked standards.

    The import of the Jobs’ instance, which should not be lost on Nigerians, is that given the reality of mortality, society benefits from imagining ways to preserve the remembrance of the departed who achieved distinction.  Immortalising constructive examples should be our way of life.

  • Tambuwal hails ACN for constructive criticism

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has hailed the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for its constructive criticisms.

    Tambuwal declared that ACN’s criticism is good for democracy and growth.

    He spoke at the weekend in Ila-Oragun, Osun State, at the Ajagunla Day celebration.

    The Speaker implored the ACN not to stop its constructive criticisms of the Federal Government’s programmes and policies, saying such would help the nation in the long run.

    He said: “The constructive criticisms our government get from ACN and other parties are not aimed at bringing down the government but I believe that they are meant to improve the quality of what the leadership is doing for the people and it should be taken as such.”

    However, the Speaker called on Nigerians to cooperate with the Federal Government for the nation to have peace, tranquility and stability.

    Present at the event were many dignitaries, including the ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, the representative of the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, wife of the former governor of Osun State, Mrs. Omolola Oyinlola, Chairman, Governing Board of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Olajide Adeniji, first military administrator of Taraba State, Rear Admiral Adeyemi Afolahan, many traditional rulers from Kwara and Osun States and others.

    Tambuwal also spoke on the review of the constitution and rejected calls for a referendum.

    He said a “referendum is unconstitutional”.

    Tambuwal spoke to reporters at the Benin Airport en-route to Uromi for the funeral of the father-in-law of the member representing Esan North/South East of Edo State, Friday Itulah.

    The Speaker said: “I am a lawyer like the president of the NBA.

    “We are expecting a constitution that will incorporate the views of Nigerians. A referendum is unconstitutional.”

    Tambuwal explained that what many see as a frosty relationship between the lawmakers and the executive is healthy for the nation’s democracy.

    He said: “Whatever decision we are taking today, we believe we are taking it in the best interest of our fatherland.

    “Whatever steps we are taking in the House, we are taking that step because we want our people to get the best dividend of democracy from government.

    “Nothing more, nothing less. We have been cooperating with the executive and others to achieve this and we will continue to cooperate with them to achieve success. The areas of conflict are even embedded in the system but we are all working in the best interest of our people.

    “We are expected to work in harmony and always dialogue in order to get the best out of the system” he stated.