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Tag: fair

  • ‘Obiano a beneficiary of Buhari’s commitment to free, fair polls’

    ‘Obiano a beneficiary of Buhari’s commitment to free, fair polls’

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has said the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State, Governor Willy Piano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is a beneficiary of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to free and fair elections.

    Reacting to the outcome of the November 18 poll, Okechukwu, who was an observer during the election, said: “Governor Willie Obiano benefited handsomely from President Buhari’s commitment to free, fair and transparent elections. This is a case of democracy convert, someone who behaved better than old democrats. Otherwise, he couldn’t have allowed Obiano to manipulate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies against his party’s candidate.”

    He added: “Yes, free and fair, but one does not know how Obiano will cope with governance as per finance, when he overbids other candidates. In our local parlance, he used all the firewood. It was more or less a cash and carry election.

    “Can you imagine that the chairman of our great party, Emeka Ibe, was arrested by the security agency on the eve of the election because of some flimsy allegations? In the days of yore, a federal ruling party chairman would be parading the town with soldiers and policemen. A lot of our canvassers and sundry officials were harassed and hounded. It was the theatre of the absurd.”

  • All set for 2017 food fair

    Attracting hundreds of thousands of food producers and consumers annually, this year’s Nutritious Food Fair (NFF) will open on November 28 through 30 at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu State.

    Following the huge success in last year, over a thousand of exhibitors are expected to join this year to launch new products and look for business opportunities.

    HarvestPlus Country Manager – Nigeria, Dr  Paul Ilona,  said the food expo, which has become the  signature event in the food industry  has recorded significant growth in the number of exhibitors.

    This year’s fair, according to him, which will feature food supplies from different parts of the country and has the following specific objectives: increase the production, value addition, marketing and consumption of more nutritious foods made from biofortified staple crops.

    Ilona said HarvestPlus and its partners have developed new varieties of staple food crops that provide higher amounts of vitamin A, iron, or zinc to consumers.

    The key goal, he added, is to create over 3000 new job opportunities using successful private sector partners and master trainers to train and mentor participants, in addition to providing post-training technical support.

    Others are strengthening  value chain linkages by ensuring the physical presence of banks, seed companies, food companies, agri-input dealers, equipment fabricators, marketers and other relevant stakeholders, unveiling  the largest nutritious cassava dish towards creating a Guinness World Record and launching  the ‘Smart Mother’ as an umbrella body to mobilise women to be nutrition sensitive.

    Consumers, he added, will also find a world of food offerings, including special events such as cooking demonstrations by star chefs, seminars on food safety and traditional dances and entertainment sessions will round up a fun experience for all visitors.

    Another highlight included grande-finale of nutriquiz competition for secondary schools, cooking competition for women and men and for farmers.

    The food fair has been an annual flagship event of HarvestPlus since its inception in 2015, and one many people nationwide looked forward to.

  • 33 Japanese firms for Lagos fair

    33 Japanese firms for Lagos fair

    Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), a Japanese government-related organisation that promotes mutual trade and investment between Japan and other nations, on Wednesday announced that the Japanese Pavilion at next week’s Lagos International Trade Fair 2017 will feature 33 Japanese brands.

    The 10-day Lagos International Trade Fair kicks off on Friday, November 3, 2017. And from the Japanese Pavilion, which is one of the biggest at the fair, the 33 Japanese firms will be showcasing their products and technologies to Nigerian businesses and individuals. It is JETRO’s fourth year of participation since 2014.

    Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Trade Commissioner and Managing Director of JETRO Lagos, Taku Miyazaki, said many Japanese companies are keen to enter and expand their businesses in Africa’s biggest market, as Nigeria sees the sign of recovery from economic recession.

    The recession was responsible for the decline in trade between Japan and Nigeria. 2015 and 2016 saw decrease in both import and export. For instance, in 2016, Nigeria’s import from Japan decreased by 9.0 per cent to $326.1 million, while her export declined by 70.0 per cent to $849.6 million

    Although, Miyazaki attributed the decline to the continued lower gas price (for Japan’s import) and forex scarcity (Japan’s export), he said despite the decline, the number of Japanese affiliated companies in Nigeria increased by four in 2106.

    “This shows nothing has changed on the huge potential of Nigeria and how strongly Japanese companies are eager to tap into this lucrative market,” Miyazaki said.

    He listed Suntory Food and Beverage Nigeria as one of the four new Japanese companies, which will be bringing their locally produced soft drinks, ‘Lucozade’ and Ribena’ to the Japan Pavilion at the forthcoming trade fair.

    He also announced that Honda Manufacturing (Nigeria), which has a long history of manufacturing motorcycles in Nigeria since 1979, will use this year’s trade fair as the first appearance of their new motorbike model “Ace 110”.

    “Nigerians know our quality. But the challenge has always been comparatively higher price. So, we made our new model to be more affordable, which I would like many people to see at the trade fair”, he added.

    Other exhibitors include Canon Central and North Africa, Brother International, CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria, Suzuki Motor, Koncept Autocentre(partner of Isuzu Motors), Massilia Motors (partner of Mitsubishi Motors), Sims Nigeria (partner of Panasonic Marketing & Services Nigeria), and R.T. Briscoe Nigeria (distributors of Toyota’s trucks, forklift, etc.).

    The Trade Commissioner added that Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) producing high quality products and companies with new type of businesses will also be participating in the fair.

    He said, for instance, that Heiwa Foods Industry will be bringing their ‘Japanese Curry’ to Nigerians’ dinner tables, together with their Nigerian partner, Green Diamond.

    Miyazaki also said cookpad, a cooking recipe sharing social media, which is one of the most popular cooking websites among Japanese people, has launched its Nigerian page in March. They are eager to promote the brand at the trade fair to fascinate Nigerians.

    According to him, the activities of Japanese companies in Nigeria are contributing to Nigeruia’s economic development. “They create jobs, educate staff, transfer technology and share values of Japanese craftsmanship, which is the key agenda of the Federal Government and its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP)”, Miyazaki said.A

  • First Northern Nigeria’s solid minerals fair gets stakeholders’ support

    About eight federal agencies and 12 state governments have confirmed their participation at the First Northern Nigeria Solid Minerals Fair and Workshop slated for Kaduna next week.

    Corporate giants on board include Bank of Industry (BoI), Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

    Ministry of Mines and Steel Development as well as Ministry of Budget and National Planning have also assured of support for the specialised fair.

    The fair, which is the first of its kind in the solid minerals endowed north, is scheduled to draw attention of relevant stakeholders to available opportunities in the sector.

    Organisers of the event, the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture in collaboration with Proedge Limited, stated that the fair would provide a platform for stakeholders to be abreast of best practices in harnessing solid mineral deposits and minimising inherent hazards to individuals and communities.

    The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has endorsed the event and expressed hope that it would be a forum to “showcase the products and services in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector as a means of diversifying the nation’s economy, increase revenue, as well as create job opportunities.”

    “The ministry therefore, endorsed the event in view of its importance to the change agenda and the nation’s quest for transparency and accountability, particularly in the solid minerals sector,” a letter signed by the Ministry’s Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. H. O. Davies, stated.

    He said already the forum is attracting support from relevant government agencies, and that participants will be drawn from all the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); relevant regulatory agencies, financial institutions, equipment manufacturers, private local and international investors and interested individuals.

    Discussants in the thematic areas who are carefully drawn from the academia, government and experienced industry players, would lead participants to explore legal and regulatory frameworks, collaboration among three tiers of government, management, environment and finance.

    Discussion will also touch on technology/equipment and geological studies to determine quantity and quality issues related to the sector.

    It would also serve as avenue to energise states and local governments to organise and register artisanal miners operating in their domain to ensure safer mining environment and improved revenue; curb environmental degradation and unhealthy practices that characterise illegal mining in many local communities’ activities.

    The forum would also be a rallying point for states and local governments to come up with templates to monitor, guide and support miners for optimal job creation and revenue enhancement.

    In addition, it would provide opportunities for miners to learn the benefits of cooperatives, safer mining processes, equipment leasing and financial support from sundry government agencies for improved productivity and profitability.

    They will learn, first-hand, the operation of government’s minerals buying centres across the country to ensure that minerals are properly priced and sold in a structured market setting as opposed to underground sales that had robbed both the local miners and the country of the expected financial gains.

  • Youths urge free, fair party primary

    Youths urge free, fair party primary

    A chieftain of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya has urged leaders of Oshodi Local Government Area, Lagos not to impose candidates on the electorate during the party’s primary for the forthcoming local government election.

    He said the party did not field some popular aspirants in the 2015 elections which led to the emergence of the candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives and Lagos State House of Assembly.

    He noted that Oshodi is one of the major communities in Lagos State that contributes to the overall development of the state, stressing that it is the stronghold of the APC.

    “The local government election that is on the way and with reference to Oshodi LGA, which is one of the popular areas in Lagos, has been in the news for the good, bad and ugly.

    “We that are residents of Oshodi understand the intrigues of the council. We are aware of what is happening and wish to use this medium to tell Governor Akinwunmi Ambode that he should prevail on the elders of the council not to impose any candidate on the electorate in the forthcoming election.

    “We saw hell in the 2015 elections due to the invasion of Oshodi by the opposition. They were supported by federal might and used all sorts of obnoxious acts to undermine the election process.

    “I want the government to create a level playing ground that will ensure that only a popular candidate is allowed to fly the ticket of the APC. We should avoid the mistakes of the past, which gave the opposition the opportunity to encroach on the APC stronghold in the last election.”

    Akinsanya further explained that the youth were fully ready for the council polls, noting that he would mobilise them for a successful outing during the election.

    “Oshodi is a great council in Lagos State and would not be fair to allow the opposition party to encroach into it because they have nothing to offer the people. Our elders should be prevailed upon to support the popular candidates in the coming elections.

    “The residents are ready for the election and they are going to support only the popular candidate to win the election for APC.

    “Former President Goodluck Jonathan never gave us peace during the 2015 elections. We were running for our dear lives. They used soldiers, thugs and all manner of people to terrorise us. I had to escape from the country through Cotonou, Republic of Benin to Saudi Arabia.

    “The only caution ahead is for the APC to produce a popular candidate during its primary. There should not be any form of imposition of candidate by leaders in Oshodi LGA, so that what happened in the past does not happen again.

    “Again, I am confident that the APC has learnt its lessons. I believe it will organise a free and fair primary which the people will be proud to support,” he said.

  • Be firm, fair, Buhari tells INEC commissioners

    Be firm, fair, Buhari tells INEC commissioners

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday advised commissioners of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be fair and firm.

    He gave the advice at the swearing in of six commissioners at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The commissioners are Mohammed Kudu Haruna (Northcentral); Retired Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Tijani Mu’azu (Northeast);   Abubakar Nahuche (Northwest); Prof Okechukwu Ibeano (Southeast); May Agbamuche Mbu (Southsouth) and Dr Adekunle Ladipo Ogunmola (Southwest).

    Buhari told them to live up to expectation as his administration was concerned about integrity of the electoral processes.

    He said: “You are coming on board at a critical time of our political development.

    “I am sure you have truly observed the by-elections from Kogi to Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo and Ondo.

    “I am sure you are even concerned about the carnage in some of the elections and the resources dissipated.

    “This administration is extremely concerned about integrity of the electoral processes. You are people of great integrity.

    “This administration will demand of you to be firm and fair.

    “What this administration expects is that after we have gone, Nigerians will read the political history and know that we served Nigeria.

    “We want every Nigerian to use his Permanent Voter Card (PVC) in their respective constituencies to elect those their representatives.

    “The rest is left to their conscience and to God,” he added.

    Speaking on behalf of the commissioners, Ibeano thanked the President and Nigerians for giving them the opportunity to serve.

    “We pledge to discharge our duties, responsibilities and functions as contained in the oath of allegiance and oath of office which we have sworn to.”

  • StarTimes showcases innovations at fair

    StarTimes is showcasing its  products, such as integrated TV sets, Combo decoder, Projector TV and other devices, at the ongoing 35th Lagos International Trade Fair, which will end on Sunday.

    The brand handlers said customers would still enjoy special discounts on its combo decoder and other products, saying its brand ambassadors were on ground to offer give-aways, and interact with subscribers.

    Its Marketing Director, Dare Kafar, said: ”StarTimes was very excited to showcase its innovative products built with cutting edge technology for the benefits of subscribers and public with exciting discounts at the ongoing trade fair.

    ‘’It promises to be an exciting time at the StarTimes stand as there would be special discounts, gifts and fun time throughout the fair. We are happy about this as it offers another opportunity to bring the best of digital TV experience, both for interesting content bouquets and innovative decoders, very close to the people.”

  • Journalists urged on fair reportage

    Journalists urged on fair reportage

    Journalists have been advised to be fair to all politicians irrespective of their party affiliations.

    Stakeholders gave the advice at the lecture held to mark the first anniversary of an online news medium, Paragon News and the 40th birthday of an Executive Member of the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ademola Babalola in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    According to the stakeholders, which included security agents, politicians and media practitioners, with fair reporting, politicians would not complain of bias.

    In the lecture entitled: “What Roles for the Media Ahead of 2019 Elections”, the guest lecturer, Mr. Femi Babalola, advised the media to live up to their expectation as the Fourth Estate of the Realm by engaging in a more serious investigative reporting on the antecedents of would-be leaders.

    Babalola, the Chairman, Pentagon Engineering and Jogor Events Centre, regretted the prostrate state of the economy and the lurking social crisis, saying these should be of concern to journalists. He emphasised that the media have a duty to ensure that the economic crisis does not degenerate to a social crisis.

    ‘’At the setting in of a social crisis, we will return to the state of nature where both life and property would no longer be safe or guaranteed as a result of widespread anarchy that will result therefrom.

    “As I said earlier, both economic and social stability are functions of diligent governance and adept leadership. So, be focused right away; giving your power of command and control as journalists. This is to guide this great nation to right political choice in 2019. That patriotic role, dear pen pushers, begins right away,’’ Babalola added.

    A former Editor-In-Chief of Nigerian Tribune, Mr. Felix Adenaike, urged the political class not to be complacent thinking that voters are robots, stressing: ‘’this is the reason as media professionals, we should always put them on their toes by making sure that we are duly involved in setting agenda for good governance, accountability and probity as demanded of us in the Section 22 of the Constitution. This lecture is timely and should be emulated by all media professionals.’’

    Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Toye Arulogun, chided some journalists for their penchant for blackmail and publication of unfounded rumours to bring down people in government, adding that the era of investigative and responsible journalism was gone. He added that “the development called to question the sincerity of the media in entrenching good governance, probity and accountability in the country riddled with graft and corrupt practices’’.

    In his keynote address, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Sam Dam Adegbuyi, who was represented by Samson Olawoyin, a Superintendent of Police (SP), assured the media professionals of protection, especially during election campaigns, adding that “the media are our critical partner in progress.’’

    A journalist, Mr. Kehinde Akinyemi, urged journalists not to be partisan in their political reporting, saying they should give each political party equal time to share its goals and the strategies for reaching them.

    He said: ’’Media do, indeed, have a certain level of social responsibility to avoid incendiary language or biased reporting that incites antagonism or conflict.

    ‘’Reporters must also avoid reporting on rumours and seek out new and diverse voices for their stories whenever possible. They should also embrace the need to sometimes expurgate inaccurate or potentially inflammatory language from political statements or speeches and be aware of the words they use in stories.”

    A former Minister of Sports, who was the Father of the Day, Prof Taoheed Adedoja and an Abuja-based Managing Director of Westfield Global Construction Limited, Alhaji Wasiu Adebisi, who chaired the event, challenged the leadership of the NUJ on the need to ensure enforceable regulatory standards for the social media practitioners to checkmate incidence of partiality and unhealthy fictitious stories occasionally published as ‘truths’. Adedoja called for caution, transparency and public engagement with the rise of new media.

    Other dignitaries at the event were a lawmaker in the state, Fatai Shina Adeniyi; a former NUJ National President, Mr. Lanre Ogundipe; Mr. Yomi Layinka, the Special Adviser on Media to Governor Abiola Ajimobi represented by a Senior Special Assistant, Mr. Akin Oyedele; a former NUJ Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Ayoade; the Vice-Chairman, a former Secretary, Prince Segun Adeyemo and Mr. Samson Tunde Abiodun.

    Others were members of the League of Veteran Journalists, Lagelu Grammar School Old Boys, representatives of Oyo State Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN), National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), online media practitioners, officials of Union Bank, Federal Mortage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), BayseOne Hotel and Fidelity Bank, among others.

  • Tinubu: Ondo primary will be free, fair

    Tinubu: Ondo primary will be free, fair

    •‘No undue influence on the process’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu spoke yesterday on the impending Ondo State governorship primary, promising that it will be free and fair.

    In a letter to an aspirant, Dr Tunji Abayomi, Tinubu said the party would hold a credible and transparent primary devoid of undue influence.

    “The candidate, who can garner the most support and votes will win”, Tinubu said, adding: “My dear friend I leave you free to run and win the primary. If you win, I shall congratulate you and support  you in the general election. However, you must respect my rights as well and leave me to my own conscience to support who I will support. And to show interest in whom I wish”.

    The letter reads:

    “It is said that to err is human. By your letter to me, it seems that you seek to remind me that I am human.  Of this, I am constantly reminded. I know I have made my share of mistakes. But my progressive inclination remains firmly rooted. However, by your pained and inaccurate letter, you have proven that you are human too.

    “You have been a friend and will continue to be. Thus, I can dispense with needless formality so that we can get to the crux of the issue. Your career is that of a lawyer and activist. I appreciate all that you have done in the pursuit of a more just and democratic Nigeria.

    However, your letter to me is an impetuous display unbecoming a man of your status and a man seeking the highest leadership position in his state. And as a lawyer, you well know that one cannot seek equity without having done equity.

    In writing the letter, you appear to have been bitten by a bug that often blinds the objectivity of a man. You have been bitten by an ambition that you fear you shall not be able to realise.

    “In your pursuit of office, you have sought my support and influence. When you sought that support, you thought it proper and democratic to do so. If I had signalled my support for you, I am sure that you would never have written this letter alleging that I was undermining the democratic will of the people. You would have been pleased with me, I suppose.

    “However, because that support has not been forthcoming, you fear that the support you wanted may now go to a rival candidate. In your judgment, my support for you would have been democratic. Should I support another, then that same support is now to be considered dictatorial and unfair.

    “Frankly, dear friend, I do not see the objectivity in your analysis or the merit in what you claim as your injury. If you seek a person’s support, you cannot in good conscience turn around and object that such support should never be given to another person. Your position is more undemocratic and unfair than what you accuse me of. Your words attack me for being undemocratic when in reality, your heart attacks me for not giving you what you want.

    “I have participated in elections for decades for myself and others. Some have been won. Some lost. Never, however, have I asked a friend for support than condemn for giving the very support I sought of them to another person. To do so is not to stand on principle but on bruised pride.

    “You said I seek to deny your democratic right. It is you who seek to grab mine. If not mistaken, I believe I am a member of the APC. I have a right and duty to support the candidate who I believe will best represent the party. What your letter is really saying is that if I don’t support you, I should keep my mouth shut. You complain of a purported meeting I had to discuss the coming primary in Ondo. Do you deny me and other APC members now the right to assembly and talk. Had you heard that the meeting had anointed you, I doubt you would have written the first word of the letter you sent to me.

    But here I want to give you and others a clear assurance that you may rest more at ease. I reserve the right to support any candidate I wish because no one has the right to take this away from me. However, I will also do everything in my power to ensure the primaries are free and fair and that there will be no undue influence on the process. The candidate who can garner the most support and votes will win. Since its inception, the APC has run the cleanest and most transparent primaries in the history of this nation. The just-concluded primary in Edo is further evidence of this.

    My dear friend, I leave you free to run and win the primary. If you do, I shall congratulate you and support you in the general election.

    “However, you must respect my rights as well and leave me to my own conscience to support who I will support. And to show interest in whom I wish.

    “I also need to correct what appears to be a mistaken impression on your part about the 2015 election. Your letter seems to indicate that it was on your advice that I backed President Buhari. You assume too much credit and should be more guarded in your assertions.  “As a veteran in the political arena, I do not make important decisions lightly.  I make final political decisions and calculations on my own after deep reflections and consultation with many people from many perspectives.  I can assure you dear friend that I trust my own political counsel more than yours and that I have numerous other advisors whose advice I weigh more than yours.

    “After all, had you so much influence over me in the presidential election, it would mean you surely should have greater influence over me when it comes to the primary in your state.

    “I do appreciate your passion and concern for the welfare of the people. Yet, you are not the only one who feels this. The love of the people is not exclusive to you, Tunji. My entire life has been devoted to the betterment of the people and of this nation. Lagos is a much better place because of what we have tried to do and I pray that it will be better still.

    “Many worked hard and long and sacrificed much, even more than you, to bring in the new Federal Government. We did not do this as sport but to improve the lives of the people. You need not lecture me about the plight of the people. Their right to a better life is what motivates me. I do not doubt your love for the people and this nation. Yet, you have no right to doubt mine for you do not love this people and this place more than I do. Of that, I can assure you.

    “I am a democrat. I am ready for the chips to fall where they may after an open and fair primary in Ondo. Instead of welcoming this, it appears you are afraid of it. Instead of fighting me, who is but one man with no vote, you should be fighting for votes and support. Your letter to me was woefully misplaced and inappropriate. Still, I wish you the best and may democracy and the people’s will prevail above all else.”

  • Oshiomhole assures aspirants of free, fair primary

    Oshiomhole assures aspirants of free, fair primary

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has assured governorship aspirants on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform that tomorrow’s primary will be free, fair and devoid of violence.

    Speaking at a meeting with the aspirants at the Government House, Benin City, Oshiomhole said: “As the Chief Security Officer of the state, every step will be taken to ensure that there is no violence; and there will be no violence by the special grace of God, because our party does not include violence in its method.

    “There will be enough security, and anybody going into the arena will not be able to carry any offensive weapon. That I can assure you; it is not a place for supporters’ club. It is a venue for delegates polling. Perhaps, the only exemption will be those who are not delegates, but who are aspirants. I believe by reason of their delegation, they are entitled to be there. The same goes for their approved agents. I believe there are rules guiding the exercise, having been involved in election primaries.”

    He added: “I assure you I will work with security agencies to ensure that anybody whose purpose of coming to the stadium that day is to foment trouble will be arrested and, if convicted, will spend some time in Oko or any other location. We have a duty to stand by the motto of our party, which is ‘Change’: change for good. It does not include violence as an instrument of change.”

    Reacting to the allegation of inducement of delegates, the governor said: “As for the allegation of people spending money, the truth is like what they said in the Bible: who will cast the first stone? Of the seven of you here seated, how many can put his hand on the Bible and say, I have not induced delegates with money?”