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Tag: David Lawal

  • APC Scandinavia charges Senate on 2017 budget

    APC Scandinavia charges Senate on 2017 budget

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavian Chapter, Ayoola Lawal has called on the Nigerian Senate to prioritise the 2017 budget in favour of Nigerian masses.
    In an exclusive telephone interview with The Nation, Lawal observed that given that the masses are worst hit by the current economic situation in the country, “It becomes imperative for the Senate to put all controversies and differences aside in order to address germane economic issues concerning the budget.”
    He further observed that the best time to iron out everything as regards the budget for 2017 is now, noting that December 2016 is over already. He stressed that the budget should be well scrutinised but promptly passed to allow for speedy implementations.
    “If the Senate fails to work in alignment with the Federal Government to improve the state of the economy by ensuring that the budget tackles important aspects, several Nigerians may result to crooked ways to survive.
    Ayoola Lawal, Chairman, APC Scandinavia
    Ayoola Lawal, Chairman, APC Scandinavia

    “Some are already dependent on different sources of quick money making systems and may become a potential challenge if the systems crash if just a suspension of withdrawal from MMM has reportedly caused scare among some people. Especially, our brilliant and vibrant youths.

    “As the Federal Government is currently working on ways to diversify the economy to ensure that we are more of an exporting Nation rather than an over depending on imported good, the economic team needs to be more strategic in the prompt adjustment of any necessary policy for the best implementation of the budget. Therefore, our people will be  engaged in different endeavours that will help instil the entrepreneurial mindset.”
    According to the APC Scandinavia Chief, the current state of the country’s economy is not encouraging as Nigerians are complaining daily. He further noted that, although the Senate may not be aware of the cost of things per unit value, “the price of all household commodities has skyrocketed, making it difficult for the people to afford even a meal per day.”
    Lawal, therefore, urged the Nigerian Senate to reflect in the outcome of plenaries concerning the budget that they truly represent the voices of their constituencies.
    “The change that we seek starts with us all,” he summed.
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  • Nation online man, David marries Abigail

    Nation online man, David marries Abigail

    The line up of event for Saturday 10 of December was quite simple as The Nation Online man, David Lawal ties the nuptial knot with his “jewel of inestimable value”, Abigail Igbayiloye at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Irapada at Ijoko, Ogun State.

    The couple, who had gone to the Federal Marriage Registry, Ikoyi, a year earlier, arrived at the church premises in the company of family members and friends at about 8:00am for the wedding service.

    Led by Pastor S. Owoeye of CAC Christ Foundation, Iyana Egan – Ijoko, the service started at about 9:00am with wonderful song ministrations by the choir, which the bride used to be a member of, before going to the higher institution.

    Admonishing the couple and well-wishers in attendance from Matthew 19 vs 5-6, Pastor Z.A. Olaniyi, C.A.C Zonal Superintendent said: “Today you both have agreed to become one body, do not allow anything or anybody come in between you.

    “Take communication very seriously. Never allow issues layover before resolving them. It is important that, as a couple, you must ensure that you have communication mechanism to sort out issues and discourage unnecessary interferences by parents, family members, friends and associates.”

    In the sermon, Pastor Olaniyi charged the couple to love each other, constantly express love by word and action and depend on God for the sustainability of their relationship.

    “The best time to settle your misunderstanding is in bed where no man can disturb you both, for the journey you started today needs strength, grace and power from God.

    “Let there be sincere love, respect, honour, care, appreciation, understanding, tolerance and perseverance for each other because the head without the neck is useless and the neck without the head is equally useless,” the Cleric said.

    The groom, David was soon invited by Pastor Olaniyi to unveil his wife, Abigail, who was handed over to the Man of God by her father, Elder Clement Igbayiloye. The duo took the marital vows while friends and family affirmed to the matrimony. After the vows, the couple exchanged rings and the cleric declared them man and wife. The couple consequently signed the marriage register.

    Immediately after the church service, friends, associates and family members were hosted to a glamorous engagement and reception within the church premises.

    The visibly elated bride, a Nurse and Midwife with Mike Medics Hospital at Akinbo, Akute, described her husband as Treasure and the best gift from God for her. Her words: “I cannot explain how much he means to me. He is loving, courageous, intelligent, supportive and very available. I am just short of words.”

    David, a multimedia journalist with The Nation Newspaper, described his wife as reliable, hard-working, prudent, bold and caring. “She is my queen and she does not complain. I feel so happy and honoured for this day and I give God all the glories that I finally married my choice of woman,” he said.

  • AHI releases assessment of youth friendly health services in Badia

    Action Health Incorporated (AHI) has released an impact assessment report from the survey on the reproductive and Sexual health status of young people, age 10 – 24, living within Olojowo, a slum community in Badia, Lagos.

    The objective of AHI, a non-profit organization, dedicated to promoting opportunities for young people’s health and development to ensure their successful transition to healthy and productive adulthood, was to assess the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) service utilization by young people living in the community and to gauge the fresh SRH perceptions of same people.

    Recall that the organisation published a report about a month ago from its survey conducted on the Olojowo community, which revealed the staggering information of how young people in the Lagos Suburb get information on sexual health, how they process the information and communicate same among peers. Findings of this survey were disclosed in a stakeholders meeting.

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    The outcome revealed that many of the houses in the community are made of wood, which makes them susceptible to serious fire accidents. Also, there are no toilet facilities in many of the houses and power supply is very poor.

    Residents do not have access to potable water and there is a high level of insecurity at night, with many residents reporting disturbances by hooligans and frequent fights. Other themes explored in the study include young people’s involvement in sexual activities, knowledge of contraceptive methods, knowledge of HIV/AIDS and other STIs.

    However, even as the survey reports that about 70 percent of the respondents had received information about their reproductive organ and sexual activity (sexuality education) from someone while about 30 percent had not, the information was either not accurate or rather wrong.

    The survey had 553 respondents drawn from four Community Development Association (CDA) Area: Oke-Oja West, Oke-Oja South, Oke-Oja North, Gaskiya West, who constitute 46.1% male and 47.2% female respondents.

    [graphs]
    [graph title=”Male_Tertiary_Education” score=”3.8″ color=”#29c4a7″ text_color=”#0c0c0c”]
    [graph title=”Male_Secondary_Education” score=”79.2″ color=”#50c113″ text_color=”#000000″]
    [graph title=”Male_Primary_Education” score=”16.3″ color=”#eded09″ text_color=”#000000″]
    [graph title=”Male_No_Education” score=”0.7″ color=”#000000″ text_color=”#dd0202″]
    [/graphs]

    Unfortunately, the level of education, according to the survey outcome states that only about 3.8% of the male respondents have had a Tertiary education of one form or the other, 79.2%, secondary education; 16.3% primary education while 0.7% have no education at all. Similarly, 3.0% of the female respondents have had Tertiary education, 83.4% have been through secondary school, and 12.8% have had a primary school education while 0.8% have no form of formal education.

    [graphs]
    [graph title=”Female_Tertiary_Education” score=”3.0″ color=”#4f27bc” text_color=”#0c0c0c”]
    [graph title=”Female_Secondary_Education” score=”83.4″ color=”#c6136d” text_color=”#000000″]
    [graph title=”Female_Primary_Education” score=”12.8″ color=”#07bc77″ text_color=”#000000″]
    [graph title=”Female_No_Education” score=”0.8″ color=”#726300″ text_color=”#dd0202″]
    [/graphs]

    Meanwhile, as at the time of the commencement of this survey, 30% of the respondents have not had any form of sexuality education, a number which reduced to 13% at the end of the project. By this, 87% of the respondent are now aware of sexuality education, the assessment indicated.

    According to the assessment, the highest source of information on sexuality education remained the school with 81.1% followed by Friends, 54.1% at the baseline of the survey. The percentage, however, changed with School now at 84.5%, Mothers at 65.3%, Medical personnel at 50.8% and Friends now at 44.1.

  • Council boss charges AMCON on income generation

    Council boss charges AMCON on income generation

    Globally, socially responsible organizations are most concerned with value re-investment to the society in appreciation of the contributions of the society to their growth, sustenance and survival. Given this as an important part of operations, corporate attention is increasingly being given to issues like health, education empowerment and employment opportunities, especially in developing economies such as Nigeria.
    Corporate bodies driven by the desire to achieve sustainable development and improve the quality of life, execute operations in such manners that ensure the protection of natural environment especially when there is little or no financial income being earned, is the measure of the organization’s policy and a culture of selfless giving.
    This is the rationale of the Honorable Chief Kpomah Solomon, Chairman Executive Council of Udu Local Government area of Delta State. Being the chief host of the steel manufacturing giant Premium Steel and Mines Limited he posits that since the sale of assets of the steel plan to the present team he has come to the realization that, “the potential for income generation and development of the Udu Local Government Area can only be enhanced when operations at the Premium Steel & Mines Limited plant are resumed; a reality that can only come to be when the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) plays its part in settling the liabilities owed various stakeholders”.
    Kpomah stated that “Premium Steel & Mines Limited has not allowed this non-settlement of liabilities by AMCON, stall their commitments to the community with a constant stream of giving and solutions to us that touches at the roots of our health, educational and empowerment needs as is evident at the awards of scholarships, and provision of much needed health care facilities.”
    Realizing that the importance of girl-child education cannot be over emphasized, and realizing that education is meant for all; in fact, that it is the fundamental human right of every child whether boy or girl, able or disabled to acquire the basic education. There should therefore, be no discrimination as to who goes to school and who does not, hence education recognizes and helps to unlock the potentials in every child. Low enrolment of the girl-child in school is widening the educational and economic gap between the men and the women folks in Nigeria and Delta State. Addressing the problems and challenges of girl-child education in Udu LGA has become necessary in view of the dehumanizing practice of keeping the children, especially the girl-child out of school.
    In an era that many companies are reducing costs and spend especially PSML who are not able to swing into full operations, the importance and value that education adds to a community and the future of that community – our children – has not escaped Premium Steel. They have instituted several platforms to grant rewards that will encourage our children to perform at their utmost with the awards of cash prizes of totaling NGN1.5million annual cash rewards for the Best Performing boy and girl ANNUALLY in 11 Primary schools – chosen from primary 2-5 – with a total of 22 of our children benefiting and via the PSML CEO’s SCHOLARSHIP FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE for Girls – specially set aside girls who cannot afford secondary school education in the three (3) public secondary schools in Aladja, Ovwian and Orhuwhorun.
    Hon. Chief Solomon Kpomah, Chairman Udu Local Government Council singing the praises of the steel giant at a ceremony recently where as part of its needs-based CSR, presented the LGA with a fully fitted ultra-modern ambulance and a three-bedroom bungalow to serve as a primary health center. As part of the providing quality medical service to the community, 2 doctors will also be engaged to deliver much needed service to the residents of the community.
    According to him, as part of the strategy to ensure the improvement of the economic lot of the LGA and indigenes, he had had a survey conducted into the intent of the PSML team and found that the desire to resuscitate the plant and begin productions is palpable. “However, a little-known fact is that the contract of sale to Premium Steel, was for the assets of the plant only and AMCON has the contractual duty to settle all outstanding debts accrued by previous owners as relates to power, gas, contractors and past members of staff. Therefore, AMCON needs, as a matter of urgency, to resolve these debts and pave the way for the revival of our priced Plant.”
    The PSML cardinal points of health, education and empowerment are supported by a dedicated annual budget with key objectives to enhance stakeholders’ relations through the implementation of a set plan; to support the development its host communities and be heard and seen as a driver of local socio-economic development. These objectives serve as the guideline that directs every step taken by the company and acts as the measure of success for all initiatives taken. The considerable investments committed to the articulation of these cardinal points is proof positive of the inherent determination to enhance the standards of living of its host communities and be “… a blessing to its hosts.”
    For a company that has been in existence for over five decades in the country, and which has consistently committed to the cause of corporate social responsibility, the impact on lives, communities and the society in general can only be huge. In 2016 alone, Premium Steel & Mines Limited has undertaken Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and made donations amounting to over ten million naira.
    It is evident that the “Needs-Based Approach” to CSR adopted by Premium Steel has proven to be a yardstick for other companies of its ilk to set up initiatives that are central to their business strategy and market positioning. These ambitions however, are not compromised in favour of the company’s financial performance and not withheld because operations have not yet commenced.
    A perusal of annals of history will reveal that the PSML needs-based approach delivers on undeniable pattern of consistency and sustainability to CSR which will in the long term yield a harvest of stakeholder equity for the company and gives them the community license to operate (and to grow) in the ever-changing social contract between business, government, and society.
    In the words of Kpomah, “What we have been missing in Udu LGA has been the opportunity of discussion of relations with an organization with a “human” face. The generosity PSML has extended to us so far proves their commitment to continuous growth of our community. When this plant is fully operational we foresee a wide spectrum value chain of opportunities and engagement with our restive youth and budding entrepreneurs; who will in the long term contribute to the local and Delta State government via an increase internally generated revenue.”
    Our call is for the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) to pay heed to its contractual duty and settle all outstanding debts accrued by previous owners of the plant as relates to power, gas, contractors and past members of staff as a matter of urgency. A prompt resolution of these debts will pave the way for the revival of our priced Plant.”
    Why is a company like PSML working together with government and non-governmental organizations to address issues from health to literacy? The simple answer is that it is about long-term value creation and also about sustainability — of people and the planet. One business manager we talked to on this subject put it pragmatically, “you can’t have a sustainable business in an unsustainable society.” Others worried about the world they are leaving to their grandchildren. The truth is that there is a difference between yesterday’s CSR, which was largely based on gratuity, versus today’s model based on impact. It doesn’t matter what you are selling, people are looking hard at how you do business and the companies that do it best win the CSR race, ahead of those for whom “corporate giving” is the only index of corporate responsibility.
    For PSML, it’s about something more — compassion and altruism, lifted into a shared covenant that they have deemed worthy. This is the standard that all corporations must be held to.

  • UN appoints Elias Registrar Criminal Tribunal

    UN appoints Elias Registrar Criminal Tribunal

    United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has announced the appointment of Olufemi Elias of Nigeria as the Registrar of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, with effect from 1 January 2017.

    Mr Elias will succeed John Hocking of Australia, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his service, including his instrumental role in setting up the Mechanism and overseeing the construction of its new premises in Arusha, Tanzania.

    Mr Elias has been serving as the Executive Secretary of the World Bank Administrative Tribunal since July 2016, a position which he also held from 2008 to 2013. He was the Legal Adviser and a Director at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) from 2013 to 2016 and Senior Legal Officer at the OPCW from 2005 to 2008. He worked in legal positions at the United Nations Compensation Commission between 1998 and 2005.

    Mr Elias is an associate member of the Institut de Droit International. A member of the Nigerian Bar, he holds a PhD from the University of London, a Master of Law from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford.

  • Ondo decides: Akeredolu hails electorate

    Ondo decides: Akeredolu hails electorate

    The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Saturday’s Ondo State governorship election, Olurotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has praised the people of the State following his victory in 14 of the 17 Local Government Areas so far declared by INEC.

    As at press time, INEC Resident Officer, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali announced a long break to resume at 11:00am as result counting continued at Ilaje LGA.

    Akeredolu took to his social media handle to say: “Ondo has decided and I am humbled that my people chose me. Our time to Think Anew and Act Anew has come. Thank You Ondo State.”

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  • Lagos is ‘most security conscious state’ in W/Africa

    Lagos is ‘most security conscious state’ in W/Africa

    The Lagos State Government has been awarded the most security and safety conscious state in West Africa.

    Organised by the Security Watch Africa (SWA), the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command also emerged as the best anti-crime police squad in West Africa at the award ceremony held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    Similarly, the RRS Commander, ACP Olatunji Disu took home the award of the most outstanding police operational officer in West Africa.

    The awards were presented to officials of the State Government at the 2016 lecture series of SWA organised in partnership with Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA) and the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

    The lecture, which had the theme: “Tackling Security Challenges In Africa’s Land and Maritime Domains,” was well attended by security experts and officials from across Africa.

    Lagos State and its officials, according to organisers of the awards, were honoured in recognition of the outstanding efforts and achievements in securing residents, especially the massive improvement on security architecture of the State.

    While receiving the award for the State on behalf of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, thanked the organisers for recognising Lagos State, saying that it was gratifying to note that the efforts of government on security were appreciated.

    lagos-awarded-best-safety-conscious-stateHe said ever since emerging as Governor of Lagos State, Mr Ambode has made safety and security one of the focal objectives of his administration as he believes that there cannot be any development in the absence of security.

    “I want to assure this gathering that Governor Ambode is very much committed to the security of lives and property of the people of the State and he is not tired of daily improving the security situation in the State. The Governor believes that businesses cannot thrive in an environment devoid of safety and security, hence the massive efforts and initiatives geared toward security,” Bello said.

    On his part, RRS Commander, who took the time to lecture the gathering on the duties of the RRS, said being a unit of the Lagos State Police Command, the Squad is responsible for robberies and emergencies like collapsed building and other related situations.

    He said the RRS is usually the first responders in an emergency situation, adding that the Unit was also blessed with highly dedicated officials who carry out 24-hour job on a daily basis.

    Speaking of the awards to RRS and to him, Disu said: “We like to appreciate the awards given to us and this will surely go a long way in motivating our men back home to know that everything they do is appreciated because the belief of an average policeman in Nigeria is that police job is a thankless job and nobody appreciates what they do, but the awards will also spur us to better serve the people,” the RRS Commander said.

  • Painter wins land in Elegushi worth  N42m

    An artisan, Lawal Saheed from Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State has emerged star winner at the Imperial International Business City (IIBC) promotion which held in Lagos last week. Lawal, a painter by profession won a plot of land worth N42million.

    The IIBC is being developed by the Elegushi Royal Family and Channeldrill Resources Limited, the 200 hectare estate is the first self-sustaining smart city in Africa. According to the Chief Operating Officer, Channeldrill, Mr Femi Akioye, the promotion is  borne out of the vision of the king of Elegushi, Oba Saheed Elegushi to make the new estate an all-inclusive one.

    “ This is not a city where only the rich can live, it is the vision of the Elegushi Royal Family that everybody both rich and poor will have a stake in the new city we are building. This is not a city for only the upper class in the society, no matter your status in the society, we want to give you an opportunity to live in the IIBC and have a taste of a better life, that is why the promo ticket is sold for only N500,” Akioye said.

    The star winner, a painter by profession is the first winner of the IIBC Promo while other winners of the draw one include: Aina Williams from Ile Oluji, Ondo State who won N1million, Fakorede Olatunji Saheed from Ibadan, Oyo state, Owosho T. Victoria from Osogbo, Osun state, Samson Saanu from Sango Ota, Ogun state  and Olufemi Folorunsho  also won N500,000 each.

    According to Akioye, the weekly draws will take place every Thursday and would be broadcast live on Television Continental (TVC). In the second draw, prizes to be won include: 1 plot of Land at Imperial City, Ikate Elegushi worth N42m for 1 lucky winner ; N1m each to be won by  2 lucky winners ; N500,000 each to be won for  4 lucky winners ; N100,000 each to be won by 10 lucky winners ;N50,000 to be won by 30 lucky winners.

    To participate, Akioye said participants can get their N500 ticket on Winners Golden Chance or Winners Golden Bet POS or website, QuickTeller, USSD code *322*2816*500# or GTBank *737*50*500*16# or walk into any branch of Zenith and GTB bank for a ticket.

  • Omar Bin Abdul Aziz hospital destroyed in Syria

    Omar Bin Abdul Aziz hospital destroyed in Syria

    • Eastern Aleppo without Operating Hospitals

    The Omar Bin Abdul Aziz Hospital In Aleppo was recently hit by a wave of artillery strikes in the wake of fresh attacks on Syra.

    Casualties and injury numbers are unconfirmed but there are reports of staff and patients trapped in the rubble.

    According to the UOSSM in a statement made available to The Nation, four hospitals have been closed in Aleppo after heavy airstrikes and bombings damaged the facilities leaving East Aleppo without any major operating hospitals (confirmed by the Aleppo Health Directorate). Aleppo is totally besieged, civilians and aid workers are terrified of an impending genocide.

    The first hospital, a paediatric hospital was hit for a second time in three days. The video emerged from an Al-Jazeera reporter, Omar Al Halabi, as he was in the hospital filming patients being treated for a suspected chlorine attack from nearby Hanano neighbourhood. The hospital was attacked as the report was being filmed, the chaotic scene was caught on video.

    Two nurses were removing premature babies from neonatal units and burst into tears from distress.  According to the Turkey Health Cluster the hospital provided 3812 consultations and 300 admissions per month.

    Another hospital was attacked for the third time in three days putting it out of service. According to the Turkey Health Cluster the hospital provided 3209 consultations, 369 admissions and 137 major surgeries a month.

    There are reports, unverified by UOSSM, that 12 civilians with symptoms consistent with chlorine inhalation have been injured in the Hanano neighbourhood as six barrel bombs were dropped containing choking agents suspected to be chlorine gas.

    Similarly, another hospital was attacked. The facility was moderately damaged and shut down. According to the Turkey Health Cluster the hospital provided 3000 consultations, 194 admissions, and 454 major surgeries per month.

    This comes in light of the quickly deteriorating situation in Eastern Aleppo as medical care and supplies are running extremely low. Local authorities are pleading with the UN and welcome any immediate airdrop or convoy of aid including medications, food and aid.

    In the past ten days alone at least 12 hospitals and medical facilities have been attacked, two medical staff have been killed and 16 medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, have been injured. UOSSM condemns in the strongest possible terms the systematic and deliberate eradication of health care facilities in Aleppo and Syria.

    “There have been 5 brutal years of hospital attacks, medical worker torture and the assassination in Syria without even a hint of holding perpetrators accountable for war crimes under International Humanitarian Law. The laws are crystal clear and evidence damning for these violations.  The international community must act now to protect what little is left of the medical infrastructure in Syria.” Said Dr. Anas Al Kassem, Surgeon and Chairman Of UOSSM Canada

  • 37 wnners emerge in Imperial City N42million draw

    It was joyful moment for thirty-seven winners in the first draw of the Elegushi Imperial City Promo with star prize of a 650sqm plot of land worth N42million at the  Inner city residential zone of Imperial international Business City Ikate Elegushi.
    Two persons carted with the second prize of N1million each and four others won a third prize of N500,000 each. Ten lucky winners had a consolation prize of N100,000 and 20 others made a way with N50,000.
    The CEO, Channeldrill, Mr Femi Akioye, stated that the imperial City Promo “is a special Corporate Social Responsibility and awareness campaign, first of its kind in Africa, which is targeted at giving lucky winners the opportunity of owning a land in one of the eye brows areas of Lagos State.
    Mr Akioye stated that the next draw scheduled for November 24, 2016 is expected to produce 47 winners; 650sqm plot of land ultimate prize winner, two N1million winners, four N500,000 winners, 10 consolation prize winners of N100,000 and 30 others for N50,000
    The draw is expected to take place every Thursday through December 29, is expected to provide one land winner in the weekly draw and several other consolation prizes.
    Imperial International Business City (IIBC) is the first self sustaining eco-smart city in Africa. Promoted by the Elegushi Royal Family and Channeldrill Resources Ltd, the city is a 200 hectare landscape in Ikate Elegushi.