The Nation Newspaper

Tag: David Lawal

  • UN to honour two fallen Nigerian peacekeepers

    UN to honour two fallen Nigerian peacekeepers

    The United Nation Headquarters will on Wednesday, 24 May observe the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, authorities have said.

    Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will lay a wreath to honour all fallen peacekeepers and will preside over a ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal will be awarded posthumously to 117 military, police and civilian personnel who lost their lives while serving in peacekeeping operations during 2016.

    Two fallen peacekeepers from Nigeria are among those to posthumously receive the Dag Hammarskjöld medal — Commodore Christopher Ademu Abu, who served with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA); and Police Sergeant Mayehm Norbert, who was deployed with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

    In a video message to mark the Day, the Secretary-General said: “Every day, peacekeepers help bring peace and stability to war-torn societies around the world.  On the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, we pay tribute to the more than 3,500 peacekeepers who have given their lives in the service of peace since 1948.”

    He further said: “Their sacrifice only strengthens our commitment to ensuring that United Nations peacekeepers continue protecting civilians in harm’s way, promoting human rights and the rule of law, removing landmines, advancing negotiations and securing a better future in the places they are deployed.  Now, more than ever, it is essential that we continue investing in peace around the world.”

    Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, said: “We pay our greatest respects to the committed and courageous peacekeepers who are no longer with us today. I offer my deepest and most sincere condolences to the families of those we honour and to the bereaved. It’s critical that we continue to invest in peace and make every effort to carry forward their noble work, and that we continue to pursue reform efforts to make United Nations peacekeeping more efficient and effective. That is the best way we can honour the memories and sacrifices of our fallen peacekeepers.”

    “United Nations peacekeeping is an investment in global peace, security, and prosperity and remains the most reliable and used tool by the international community to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for lasting peace. We are continuing to work hard to ensure that UN peacekeeping is fit for purpose, performance-driven and cost-efficient.

    “These efforts coupled with the implementation of the Secretary-General’s reform of our peace and security architecture enables us to deploy uniformed and civilian peacekeepers in difficult and challenging environments around the world in an efficient and an effective manner,” said Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, Atul Khare.

    Today, more than 96,000 uniformed personnel from 124 troop-and-police-contributing countries serve under the blue flag, alongside more than 15,000 international and national civilian staff and nearly 1,600 United Nations Volunteers.

    Nigeria is the 14th largest contributor of military and police personnel to UN peacekeeping.  It currently deploys nearly 1,700 uniformed personnel to the UN peace operations in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, South Sudan, Sudan and the Western Sahara.

    The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers was established by the General Assembly in 2002, to pay tribute to all men and women serving in peacekeeping, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.  The Assembly designated 29 May as the Day because it was the date in 1948 when the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), the world body’s first peacekeeping mission, began operations in Palestine.

    While the Day will be marked in New York on the 24th, UN Peacekeeping operations and UN offices around the world will commemorate the Day on or around the 29th.

  • Laptop gift: Ekiti students leave gov house disappointed

    Laptop gift: Ekiti students leave gov house disappointed

    Students in Ekiti state were on Wednesday disappointed after Governor Ayodele Fayose failed to fulfil his promise of giving them laptop computers during a visit to the Government House.

    Gov Fayose attracted several students and youths to the Government House grounds whose ages range between 18 and 22 with the promise of giving the first 300 that arrived laptop computers.went home disappointed when the promise was not fulfilled.

    TRENDING: No law stops me from leaving PDP – Fayose

    Unfortunately, the students went home disappointed when the promise was not fulfilled.

    However, the governor promised to organise a raffle draw to determine the laptop winners which did not go down well with the youths who were eager to go home with their prizes.

  • Journalists hold prayer for Lagos May 20

    Journalists hold prayer for Lagos May 20

    In commemoration of the Lagos at 50 celebrations, Journalists for Christ International Outreach, (JFC), a Christian media Non-Governmental Organisation will on Saturday, May 20 hold a Pray for Lagos programme.

    The programme will feature the monthly fellowship of the Organisation with the theme 50 Prayer Points for Lagos.

    Venue of the programme is the International Press Centre (IPC), Dideolu Estate, Ogba, Lagos, between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

    Christian journalists and leaders will lead special thanksgiving prayer points for the last fifty years since the creation of the state and commit the next fifty years into God’s hands.

    Among others, they will pray for divine wisdom for the administration of the state at all levels, peaceful co-existence among residents, protection, progress and prosperity of the state.

    Christians in the state, nationwide and globally will also be encouraged to be part of a prayer chain for the state throughout May 20 and by following and tweeting using a hashtag #PrayforLagosat50.

    “We do not want to take the various accomplishments and provisions in the state for granted. We are conscious that it is the Lord’s doing and we want to return all the glories to God almighty who has made the state first among equals,” Lekan Otufodunrin, President of JFC stated.

    Online, the social media will be used to share prayer points in words, pictures, audio and video. The hashtag for the programme is #PrayforLagosat50.

  • Nigerian jollof rice will bring me back sooner – Richard Quest

    Nigerian jollof rice will bring me back sooner – Richard Quest

    Richard Quest, English international journalist and anchor, CNN Money, who was in Nigeria recently, has disclosed that the last time he visited Nigeria was ten years ago, hailing the youths for their undying spirit.

    Speaking to Zain Asher on the CNN Market Place Africa, a weekly programme, Quest who noted that although his last visit, before last month’s, was ten years ago, enthused that it definitely won’t be that long before he visits the most populous black nation for his love for native Jollof rice.

    Quest is based in New York City and anchors Quest Means Business.

  • Discipline: Osun set to deploy 600 education marshalls

    Discipline: Osun set to deploy 600 education marshalls

    In its bid to restore sanity to the education system and enhance teaching and learning process in all the public schools across the state, the Government of the State of Osun is set to deploy 600 Education Marshalls to all public schools in the state.

    The scheme, when fully constituted, will help curb all forms of indiscipline and moral decadence among pupils and staff of public schools.

    The Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the office of the governor, in a statement on Monday, quoted the Executive Chairman, Osun Education Quality Assurance and Morality Enforcement Agency, Dr. Isiaka Owoade as saying that the state would launch the discipline team as part of efforts to eliminate the human factors that always hamper the smooth process of teaching and learning in the schools.

    The statement signed by the Director of the Bureau, Semiu Okanlawon, quoted Owoade as stating the decision was taken to ensure quality assurance for all in the education system so as to complement the huge investment made by the state in education sector.

    Owoade, who identified gross indiscipline, moral decadence and nonchalant attitude among students and teachers as factors militating against educational growth and development, said no effort would be spared to achieve high sense of discipline and bring out the best in every pupil and student of public schools in the state.

    He attributed an act of indiscipline between and among staff, pupils and students as one major factor that has been proven to affect educational outcomes negatively in the state.

    According to him, it is crystal clear that the present administration in the state has invested huge sums of money in education infrastructure, teacher recruitment and training.

    “But one major factor that has been proven to affect educational outcomes negatively is indiscipline among both the staff and students.

    Related Post: Meet new Osun education marshalls

    “So, it is however very important that the human factors that affect learning and teaching be attended to in order for the investment in education to yield positive results.

    “In order to accomplish this, our agency which is being saddled with the task of ensuring that the teachers perform maximally and that the standard of teaching is high resolved to take this decisive action to return our schools to the path of greatness.

    “We have a core of trained Education Quality Assurance officers that will see to it that the students imbibe the right kind of attitude to maximise educational accomplishment,” he stressed.

    The Chairman of the agency said the Marshals will be organised as foot patrol teams to monitor the streets to discourage truancy, loitering and other forms of anti-social behaviours by public school students when they are supposed to be in their schools.

    “The Marshals will follow up on any accosted pupils to his/her homes and/or schools. The Marshals will also patrol individual schools to assess and report on the disciplinary tone of the environment.

    “Points to monitor and report on in schools include unattended classrooms, students loitering and whether meaningful teaching and learning are taking place.

    “The overall objective of the scheme is to help government and the school authorities maintain discipline and enhance teaching and learning,” he added.

    Owoade disclosed that the Marshals would be trained with relevant sections of The Child Rights Act; basic children psychology (how to deal with difficult children), the various manifestation of indiscipline, ethical issues in dealing with children as well as how to relate with the other law enforcement agencies.

  • CPPC invites all to Alabiamo May edition

    CPPC invites all to Alabiamo May edition

    Christ Perfection Pentecostal Church (CPPC), Osogbo, Osun state, has invited the general public to the May edition of Alabiamo, its monthly programme to support parenthood.

    Speaking to The Nation, Prophet Olayiwola Joshua, the presiding Pastor at CPPC, noted that the programme which started in the year 2013 has become inevitable for every intending or present parents, especially, married or single women who seek a divine breakthrough in all ramifications.

    “The testimonies have been uncountable. There have been barren women who became pregnant and brought forth their babies to bless the God of perfection. They bring them for thanksgiving every year by September, which we dedicated to Alabiamo Day being the ninth month of the year.

    “The date is always every 3rd Saturday of every month, thus the next one is coming up on May 20th, 2017.

    “We have a 62year old woman from Ile-Ife who gave birth to a girl,” he said.

    Some of the women testifying to God’s wonders after attending Alabiamo programme

    Similarly, Pastor Joshua stressed that God has used the programme to deliver women suffering from up to seven years of barrenness, who became blessed with kids when they attended the programme.

    Speaking on the various testimonies beyond childbearing, the Prophet said: “There was a special testimony during our recent edition by Mrs Murtala who testified to what God did through Alabiamo water in raising of his dead brother to life even when doctors confirmed him dead.

    “Alabiamo is not only for childbearing since God Almighty is a miracle working God, whose works or wonders surpasses human understanding. We will be glad to have you join us in this May edition.”

  • Infographics: NASS increased budget

    Infographics: NASS increased budget

    The National Assembly has raised its 2017 budget allocation by N10 billion, from the initial N115 billion to N125. What does this mean for the country? Is the increase a welcome development at a time that the masses are demanding a reduction in the cost of running the National Assembly?

  • Unilever Nigeria declares N378 million dividend at 92nd AGM

    Unilever Nigeria declares N378 million dividend at 92nd AGM

    • Rewards shareholders with a dividend payout of 10k per share

    Unilever Nigeria Plc., has declared a dividend of N378 million following the approval of the company’s shareholders at the 92nd Annual General Meeting of the Company held in Lagos on Thursday, May 11 in Lagos. The dividend declared amidst a challenging operating year and environment translates to a dividend payout of 10 kobo gross per share to the shareholders.

    In the year ended 2016, the Company increased its revenue by 17.8 percent from N59 billion recorded in 2015 to N69 billion as Profit After Tax (PAT) for the year ended 31st December 2016 increased significantly by 157% to N3.07bn from N1.19bn reported for the year ended 31st December 2015.

    Addressing shareholders at the 92nd AGM, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, His Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha said that Unilever Nigeria Plc. has once again demonstrated business resilience under very difficult circumstances. He asserted that the company’s performance shows its commitment to grant shareholders returns on their investments.

    According to him, “The Company’s performance for the year ended 31 December 2016 shows sustained growth and resilience even under depressed economic conditions. Although Unilever Nigeria has not been insulated from the tough economic environment, we have remained focused on our short and long-term growth ambitions with a strong emphasis on operational intensity, cost efficiencies, growing market share across key categories as well as reinvesting behind our iconic brands”.

    Speaking further, Achebe said: “even in this period of economic downturn, Unilever Plc. is dogged about ensuring sustained and steady growth in the company’s operations to achieve improved returns on investments. We are more resolute than ever to continue to forge ahead despite the business operating environment.

    “As a company, we will continue to appreciate the resilience and unwavering commitment of all our stakeholders; shareholders, dynamic employees, loyal consumers, dedicated suppliers and other business partners for their unflinching support through these challenging times. We look forward to a better 2017 for our brands and our great company which you are all an important part of.

    “In line with the company’s priority, Unilever remains committed to driving returns on investments to shareholders. However, our company recognises that these are unusual times and prudence demands that we should continue to plough back into the business in the short term in order to secure a sustainable future.”

    Unilever is a company that cares about humanity and value the environment, through our business practices, we continually demonstrate a deep commitment to delivering products that meet the needs and aspirations of our consumers and align with the global goals of making our planet safe, beautiful and sustainable, he concluded.

  • Democrats fault Trump’s dismissal of FBI director

    Democrats fault Trump’s dismissal of FBI director

    Democratic Senators have reacted to the dismissal of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), James Comey, handling an investigation into alleged links between Donald Trump’s team and Russia who was dismissed by President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

    The Senators were quick to point out the constitutional crisis that has been created by President Donald Trump removing a man in charge of investigating him.

    Senator Dick Durbin said on the Senate floor that the dismissal of Mr Comey raises questions “as to whether the Russian interference in the last presidential election…will also be investigated by the FBI.”

    Comey’s dismissal was contained in a statement issued by the White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, saying that Mr Comey’s appointment has been terminated and removed from office with immediate effect.

    President Trump was said to have acted on “clear recommendations” from Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, in a move that has shocked Washington.

     

    The statement from Attorney General Sessions reads in part: “As Attorney General, I am committed to a high level of discipline, integrity and the rule of law to the Department of Justice – an institution that I deeply respect.

    Based on my evaluation and for the reasons expressed by the Deputy Attorney General in the attached Memorandum, I have concluded that a fresh start is needed at the leadership of the F.B.I.

    In a memorandum titled “Restoring public confidence in the FBI,” Rosenstein said he couldn’t defend Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails.

    Rosenstein said that such information may be disclosed in legal proceedings, but that it’s not something that should be done “gratuitously.”

    “The Director laid out his version of the facts for the news media as if it were a closing argument, but without a trial. It is a textbook example of what federal prosecutors and agents are taught not to do,” he said.

    Comey has defended his actions, saying that he was simply trying to not conceal the FBI’s decision to investigate the additional emails.

    But Rosenstein refuted Comey’s language, saying that federal agents “are not concealing anything” when conducting an investigation quietly.

    The White House said its search for Comey’s successor begins immediately. Andrew McCabe, who has been the FBI’s deputy director, is now acting director, a Justice Department official disclosed.

  • BREAKING: Obama warns Trump about hiring Flynn

    BREAKING: Obama warns Trump about hiring Flynn

    The former President of the United State, Barack Obama warned President Donald Trump in November before leaving office against hiring retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as his national security adviser.

    This was confirmed to CNN by the former Obama administration officials disclosing that Obama warned Trump about Flynn during their Oval Office meeting on November 10, days after Trump was elected president.

    According to the CNN, Obama’s concerns, which he relayed to Trump, were not related to the firing of Flynn from the Defense Intelligence Agency but rather in the course of the investigation into Russian interference into the 2016 election.

    “Flynn’s name kept popping up,” according to a senior Obama administration source.

    Trump did not heed Obama’s counsel on Flynn, bringing aboard the former military intelligence officer who supported Trump during his campaign as his national security adviser. However, Trump fired Flynn 24 days later when news broke of Flynn’s conversations with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak.

    News of the warning comes as former acting Attorney General Sally Yates is set to testify before Congress on Monday about the concerns she expressed to Trump administration officials about Flynn’s contacts with Russian officials, namely with Kislyak.

    Yates, in her role as acting attorney general, warned White House counsel Don McGahn on January 26 that Flynn was lying when he denied — both publicly and privately — that he discussed US sanctions on Russia with Kislyak.

    It wasn’t until weeks later that Trump asked for Flynn’s resignation, only after news surfaced that Flynn had misled Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations with Kislyak. Yates’ testimony on Monday will be the first time she speaks publicly about her warnings to the White House about Flynn.

    The Senate and House intelligence committees are continuing to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election, including potential coordination between Russian officials and the Trump campaign or people close to the campaign.

    Congressional investigators have so far homed in on Flynn, Carter Page, a former foreign policy adviser to the Trump campaign, and Roger Stone, who informally advised Trump during his presidential run.
    While Trump asked for Flynn’s resignation, he has not abandoned his former national security adviser altogether.

    Trump on Monday morning sought to get ahead of Yates’ testimony, taking to Twitter to deflect criticism that he or his administration should have kept Flynn out of the top national security post from the outset.

    Find Trump’s tweet below:

    “General Flynn was given the highest security clearance by the Obama administration — but the Fake News seldom likes talking about that,” Trump said in his first missive.

    “Ask Sally Yates, under oath, if she knows how the classified information got into the newspapers soon after she explained it to W.H. Counsel,” he tweeted.