The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Council

  • How to curb youths’ restiveness in Niger Delta, by council chair

    How to curb youths’ restiveness in Niger Delta, by council chair

    As leaders in the Niger Delta keep lamenting the harm youths’ restiveness has done to the region, a council chief has identified education as one of the key factors that will bring about the much-needed peace.

    The chairman of Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Tamuno Williams made the observation in Port Harcourt during the lecture at the inauguration of the Rivers State chapter of Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP).

    He said government should design educational system that would enable the youth to acquire skills that would make them useful both to themselves and the society.

    Williams, who spoke on the theme, “Youth Restiveness in the Niger Delta: Challenges and the Way Forward,” also said that if government would make any effort to curb restiveness in the region, then they should design skilful educational system that would enable the youth to be useful to the society after they graduate.

    The council chief regretted that corruption and unemployment are some of the causes of youth restiveness in the society, even as he stressed that the Federal Government should ensure that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria addresses the needs of the people.

    He further stated that to fight against youth restiveness which has become somewhat a menace in the society; it demands genuine commitment from all Nigerians.

    In his address, the National President of SPSP, Dr Willie Eselebor said that Nigeria is seriously experiencing high rate of insecurity, which he attributed to the inability of various levels of government to adopt conventional approach to solving restiveness as a destabilising phenomenon.

    Eselebor also said that re-orientation of the people on the issue of violence would go a long way in proffering solution to the problem.

    “Violence is violence in any form or shape. Unless both victims and perpetrators are transformed, there will be no end to violence,” he stated.

    In his address, Professor Olawale Albert urged members of the newly inaugurated chapter of the organisation to promote the culture of peace through practice of peace, education and advocacy.

    He also advised them to collaborate and build relationship with identifiable key stakeholders in peace-building.

    Those inaugurated as members of the state executive were Senibo Godwin, chairman; Philip Kalio, 1st Vice-Chairman; Raleigh Joe, 2nd Vice-Chairman; Amagbor Johnson, Secertary; and Nemi Tamuno, Assistant Secretary.

    Others were Ebioboere Ake; Ruth Arijovwode; Vero Iboroma; Godwin Amadi and Charles Ikalama.

  • Council presents budget

    Council presents budget

    The Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Hon. Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh has presented the sum of N2.6 billion budget for 2013.

    Muse-Ariyoh presented the appropriation bill to the council’s legislative arm at the council’s secretariat.

    Reviewing the 2012 budget, the council chair highlighted the various achievements of his administration such as, development of hospitals and healthcare centres, constant poverty alleviation and human empowerment programme, improvement of the education sector, several road and drain construction as well as renovation of the secretariat and offices.

    He reiterated that the proposed budget will be channeled towards people-oriented projects in tandem with the Local Economic Empowerment Development Strategy Document.

    During the budget analysis, he listed various projects earmarked for implementation during the 2013 fiscal year.

    Such projects include; road construction, rehabilitation and surfacing, provision of borehole water and solar lights, construction of drains and culverts, purchase of patrol vans and bus, among others.

    “The N2.6 billion will be generated through N1.275 billion allocation from the federal and N10 million from state government, while N114 million will be the revenue to be internally generated. N980 million will be generated through Value Added tax (VAT) and a special grant of N225 million is expected to balance the budget,”he said.

    He further explained that N467 million will be expended on workers, N312 million on teacher’s salary with an overhead cost of N645 million. “There is about N274 million outstanding on capital, with N71 million as capital expenditure and the loan re-payment on capital is put at N192 million,”he added.

    Residents and stakeholders of the council were urged to render their civic responsibilities by paying their rates and fees to facilitate the implementation of the budget.

    On his part, the Speaker of the legislative council, Hon. Shobayo AbdulAzeez assured of speedy consideration of the bill.

    “We will scrutinise the budget, call all departments to defend it, know how they intend spending the money and we will monitor them to ensure all projects are well executed,”he said.

  • Uniosun council fixes March 18, 19 for VC’s interview

    The Governing Council of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has gone ahead with process of selecting a Vice-Chancellor, despite the House of Assembly’s directive to stop the process.

    It has fixed March 18 and 19 for the interview of the candidates.

    The Assembly directed the authorities to stop the process, following petitions of alleged irregularities.

    Six candidates have been shortlisted for the position. They are Prof. Julius Oloke, Prof. Joshua Obaleye, Prof. Ayodeji Agbonjinmi, Prof. Olu Odeyemi, Prof. Oladiran Famurewa and Prof. Duro Ajeyalemi.

    The council has upheld the petition by Prof. Adekunle Okesina challenging his exclusion from the list.

    The petitions of two other candidates, Prof. Labode Popoola and Prof. Dayo Akinmoladun, were not considered.

  • How Presidency beat Council of State members to plan

    How Presidency beat Council of State members to plan

    Fresh facts emerged yesterday on the Council of State meeting in which the President announced the pardon of some high profile ex-convicts.

    Most members of the Council were not aware of the list of pardoned ex-convicts, especially the inclusion of former Bayelsa Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, until they got to the session.

    The agenda was said to be scanty with a heading merely referring to prerogative of mercy.

    It was also learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan met with the principal officers of the National Assembly and the leadership of the Judiciary on Monday, in a bid to stave off the likely backlash which a reprieve for Alamieyeseigha might generate.

    At the session with National Assembly and Judiciary leaders, Jonathan merely restated his commitment to the anti-corruption war.

    Most leaders at the meeting did not realise the import of the “renewed pledge” against corruption, until they got to the Council of State meeting.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “As a matter of fact, a deliberate strategy was adopted to keep the list of beneficiaries of the pardon under wrap till the last minute.

    “Some strategists in the Presidency were of the opinion that a leakage of the list, especially that of Alamieyeseigha, could ignite a public protest which might force the government to backpedal.

    “There were also fears that opposition parties might join issues with the government and prevail on their governors to shun the meeting.

    “The list was also padded to give it a national colouration and earn the sympathy of members across the six geopolitical zones.

    “These were the reasons why most council members could not fault the list because they had little time to debate it.”

    Another source,who pleaded not to be named, also claimed that sensing likely resentment from the National Assembly and the Judiciary, the President had on Monday met with leaders of the two arms of government to “renew pledge” to the war against corruption.

    The source, who was at the session, said: “Some of us did not understand the import of the renewed pledge until we got to know of the pardon at the Council of State meeting.

    “What the Presidency did was to place National Assembly and Judiciary leaders on a stable psychological plane ahead of the unfolding of his plans at the meeting on Tuesday.

    “So, the strategies were well-thought out and members of the Council of State were caught off-guard to buy into it.”

    On why reporters were not briefed after the meeting, another source, who also pleaded not to be named, because he is not authorised to speak to the media, said: “No council member, including any of the governors, was willing to go and defend the pardon for Alamieyeseigha because of public reaction.

    “Also, the Presidency was a bit careful about national and international outcry, which could rubbish the mileage gained so far in the anti-graft war.”

  • Council to provide water in communities

    Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government in Rivers State , Mr Bethel Uranta, has said his administration was providing potable water in some communities in the area.

    Uranta made the disclosure in Opobo town while speaking with newsmen, saying the council aimed at providing developmental amenities to its people.

    He, however, said unavailability of funds was the biggest problem militating against achieving adequate development for the rural communities in the area.

    The council chairman said funds had hampered the distribution of the water project his administration had already provided.

    “My administration has provided well-treated water to some communities but we have not been able to distribute the water due to the huge sum of money involved and the technicalities too,“ Uranta said.

    He also said his administration had begun the construction of modern toilets with environmentally-friendly sewage in its effort to phase out the hazardous pit latrines.

    Uranta called on the state government, World Health Organisation (WHO), philanthropists and non-governmental organisations to assist the council in providing water and sanitation facilities for the people.

    “The council is prepared to provide an enabling environment for development by partnering with investors who have genuine interest in facilitating programmes and projects for the people,’’ he said.

    The council chairman, however, commended a team of evaluators from World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministries of Water Resources and Local Government Affairs who visited the area recently.

    Uranta said the team came on a mission to assess water, sanitation and health facilities in the area.

  • Council poll: ACN campaigns for CPC chairmanship candidate

    Following the merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progress Change (CPC) into the All Progressives Congress (APC), the two parties yesterday reached an understanding that ACN members should vote for the CPC candidate, Mr. Musa Dikko, in the chairmanship election in Bwari Area Council at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on March 16.

    The ACN aspirant, Gladys Okonzor, who spoke to our correspondent during a joint meeting of the two parties in Bwari, Abuja, said: “Our party has instructed us that we should work with the CPC.” It was learnt that due to the merger, members of the CPC in Abaji Area Council would vote for the ACN chairmanship candidate in the poll.

    The Chairman of ACN in Bwari Area Council, Mr. Michael Ogbichi, said members of the two parties were happy to have merged into the APC.

     

  • Council chief pledges more gains of democracy

    Council chief pledges more gains of democracy

    The chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area of Lagos State Hon. Olajide Jimoh has said that his administration would provide infrastructure for people living in the area in order to make life meaningful for them.

    Some of the amenities his council would provide include hospitals. Others, he said, are education, good roads, water, electricity as well as adequate sporting facilities for the youth.

    Speaking during the clinic organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos chapter, the council chief revealed that his administration had provided free ambulance services for the people in the locality. This, he said, is in line with the healthcare delivery system of Lagos State government that aims at ensuring that adequate attention is paid to the people in times of emergency.

    On welfare package, he revealed that about 100 elderly people receive a monthly stipend of N10, 000 each. This, he said, would cost the council about N36m during the current administration’s period in office.

    Meanwhile, Jimoh has endorsed the merger of four political parties that engendered the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the ruling Peoples Democratic Party had performed below expectations.

    According to him, the economic situation of the country had not improved since the present democratic dispensation, even as he added that something needed to be done to effect a change in the system.

    Recall that the APC was unveiled recently in Abuja following the merger of the major opposition parties in the country comprising the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

    The chairman of NIPR, Lagos State chapter Mr. Jide Ologun stressed the need for leaders to be responsive to the yearnings of the people that voted them into office.

    He further said there were visible signs of progress in Yaba council area because the council chief was able to communicate and link up with the people at the grassroots.

    This is in line with the Lagos State government’s commitment to put in place infrastructure that would give the people a sense of belonging.

    “If we don’t begin to consider that we need to develop the people and the environment in line with global benchmark, those who are alive in years to come may not enjoy the same environment,” he said.

    Mr. Ologun maintained that the local council development areas and the local government areas are the closest to the electorate and therefore needed to be given serious attention.

  • LASPOTECH elects council members

    Mr Olufemi Adesoji Adebanjo, a Deputy Registrar, and Mr Olusegun Abayomi Sodeinde, a Chief Lecturer have been elected members of the 11th Governing Council of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu.

    Adebanjo and Sodeinde of the Chemical Engineering Department emerged winners at the elections by the Congregation of the polytechnic which was held penultimate Wednesday.

    Adebanjo who garnered 246 votes, will be representing the non-academic members of staff, while Sodeinde who got 174 votes, will be representing academics of the institution on the Council.

    Other positions contested and their winners include: Staff School Governing Board, Mr Ibrahim Kamaldeen (277 votes); School of Part-Time Studies (SPTS) Evening Governing Board, Dr Adebayo Asafa (182); Sports and Games Committee, Mr Ojikutu Olabode (187); Housing Board, Rev. Josef Bolarinwa (331); and Academic Representative On Academic Board ACB, Metilelu Olusola, (153).

    Some workers were elected unopposed. They include: Mr Fatunmbi Adedamola, Staff Welfare Committee; Oseni Ismail, Ceremonies Committee; Mr Olorunfemi Adewunmi, LASPOTECH Guest House Committee; Mrs Ayinde Folashade, SPTS (D) Governing Board; Mrs Idowu Akinkugbe, SPTS(R) Governing Board; and Mr Adefolu Abayomi Board of Survey, among others.

    There were 457 accredited voters of which 291 were academic staff and 238 non-academic staff.

    The Rector, Dr Abdulazeez Lawal presented a report of achievements under his administration to the Congregation before the election began.

     

  • Dankwambo urges new council chiefs on insecurity

    Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State has urged the newly-elected local government chairmen to address insecurity in their localities.

    He spoke during the inauguration of the chairmen, who were elected during last Saturday’s poll.

    Governor Dankwambo said his administration has been doing its best to support security operatives, but has decided to extend the support to the rural communities through the local governments.

    Said he: “While you are coordinating the activities of the community-based security committees, prompt and timely reports should be sent to the state government to ensure that peace is maintained in all parts of the state.”

    The governor also enjoined the chairmen to evolve ways of improving on the internally-generated revenue (IGR) of their local governments by plugging loopholes to prevent pilfering by the revenue collectors and other officials.

    This, according to him, would reduce over-dependence on statutory grants from the federation accounts.

    Governor Dankwambo said improved IGR would complement his administration’s efforts in the provision of infrastructural facilities. He advised the new chairmen to maintain the tempo exhibited by their predecessors in project implementation.

    Speaking on behalf of the new council bosses, the Chairman of Gombe Local Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Sagir Babawuro, appreciated the people’s support during the election and promised not to disappoint them.

  • Mimiko dissolves executive council

    Mimiko dissolves executive council

    •Appoints CPS

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday dissolved the State Executive Council (SEC).

    The dissolution, which came less than 24 hours after the governor took his Oath of Office, affected commissioners, chairmen and members of boards and parastatals, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and others, who have served in positions other than statutory commissions.

    The dissolution excludes appointees, whose tenures are not tied to the expiration of the governor’s first term.

    Mimiko thanked the affected political office holders for their service.

    He said: “I have always said the good work we did was as a result of the effort put in by members of the council and other people in positions of responsibilities.

    “Through our collective effort, rich debates, engaging arguments, agreements and sometimes disagreements, we have provided responsible and dedicated leadership to the people. Diligence has been our watchword and I am grateful to you all.”

    Also yesterday, Mimiko appointed Mr. Eni Akinsola as his Chief Press Secretary.

    Akinsola, an International Relations graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), was a human rights trainer, educator and campaigner before veering into journalism. He was appointed Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Mimiko in 2009.