The Nation Newspaper

Tag: forum

  • ‘Why forum split’

    A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Shuaibu Salami, has explained why a group advocating for power shift in the state split and could not hold meetings again.

    He said more members are pulling out of the forum after the well-celebrated maiden meeting in Abuja a month ago.

    Salami said this has made it difficult to call for a second meeting and discuss further modalities on power shift.

    The APC chieftain said lack of trust and sincerity of purpose by the leaders were responsible for the forum’s collapse.

    He said the people were suspicious of the leaders’ intention, especially as it was dominated by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.

    “We are tired of PDP, we need a change. It’s better to belong to the mainstream than the opposition. Wada must be voted out.

    “Our party would support anybody who wins the primary, irrespective of where he comes from. The most important task is to dislodge the PDP after that, we shall set up a committee on power shift involving all that matters not this one that is out to work against our party.”

     

  • Forum lifts the needy with N2m

    Forum lifts the needy with N2m

    In fulfilment of the annual Zakat, an obligatory charity performed by wealthy Muslims to ameliorate the sufferings of the poor, the Oyo State chapter of the Elders’ Consultative Forum of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria has empowered over 111 less-privileged Muslims with materials and cash worth over N2, 270, 000. The amount accrued from the annual Zakat it collected from wealthy Muslims.

    Beneficiaries included brilliant but indigent students, physically-challenged persons, widowsý, orphans and others.

    The 111 beneficiaries received between N10, 000 and N50, 000, depending on their needs.

    Distributing of the gifts to the beneficiaries, the chairman of the forum, Alhaji Lasun Sanusi (SAN) explained that the only way to be a true and adherent of Islam is by observing all the requirements of the five pillars of Islam, urging that Muslims need to be sensitised on these as they don’t take payment of Zakat seriously as they take the other four pillars of Islam.

    According to him, the response of the concerned Muslims is low, but assured that the awareness will continue.

    “This sitting of today is evidence of gradual response to the issue as we have always been having something to share to the needy since the programme took off about four years ago,” he said.

    Quoting copiously from the Quran, he implored wealthy Muslimsý to pay Zakat for the well-being of Muslims and the society at large.

    He informed the gathering that the Jaiz Bank (Islamic Bank) which began with a regional licence is now becoming national.

    Speaking on how Zakat can help tackle poverty, Ustaz AbdulRasheed Ashiru revealed that 54.7 per cent of Nigerians are living in penury. He added that most Nigerians live below a dollar daily as par capital income, disclosing that the Muslims are the worst hit as poverty has ravaged the Muslim-dominated Northern parts of Nigeria.

    He said he almost broke down in tears during one of their village dawwah (lecture) under the auspices of Muslim Corpers’ Association of Nigeria (MCAN) while serving in Yobe State. According to him, the villagers urinate inside the same river they fetch water from for domestic use.

    Advising Muslims to invest in health care, education and other significant projects in the societies as they available ones belong to non-Muslims, he said “not only that we are poor, the rich among us forget to empower the needy.”

    While presenting the items to one of the beneficiaries, the Asiwaju Musulumi of Oyo State, Alhaji Lateef Oyelade urged wealthy Muslims to take the payment of Zakat very seriously.

    The chairman of Oyo State Muslims’ Community, Alhaji Kunle Sanni revealed that there are rich Muslims just as there are poor ones. He said there should be concerted efforts towards empowering the less-privileged people in the society.

    One of the beneficiaries, Sulaiman Akogun, who uses crutches, thanked the foundation for the gesture. He said he never knew he would be considered by the society.

    A student in one of the nation’s higher institutions who didn’t want her name in print also received the sum of N50, 000. With the token, she said, the hope of continuing her education up to the Higher National Diploma (HND) level has been rekindled.

    Present at the event which took place at Ansar-Deen Mosque, Oke-Ado, were Dr. Abdulbashar Elesinmeta, Hon. Shakirullah Fajinmi, representatives of the Federation of Muslims Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), National Council of Muslim Youth Organisation (NACOMYO) and other Muslim groups.

  • Forum seeks support for APC

    Jagaban Elders Forum, a non-governmental organisation aimed at fostering unity of purpose among supporters of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, has sought concerted support for the party for the benefit of Nigerians.

    Its Chairman, Elder M. A.Ogunmayin praised all its members for the commendable role they played towards the party’s victory at the recent polls.

    He also stressed the need for continued support for the party’s members, especially the elders, who are sometimes forgotten after elections are won.

    Ogunmaying enjoined members to be the catalysts of the change mantra which the APC stands for.

    “To win an election is one thing, to fulfill the promises made to the electorate is an onerous task that needs the cooperation of the party members,” Ogunmayin said. He urged the members to support all elected APC politicians and political appointees at all levels to make Nigeria a better place to live in.

    Prominent among those present at the Forum’s Secretariat, at 7,Osobu Street, Tabontabon, Agege in Lagos, were  the General Secretary, Hon. Akinyemiju Omosileoza and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Prince Lere Aborishade.

     

  • Forum seeks Nigerians in Diaspora Commission

    Forum seeks Nigerians in Diaspora Commission

    Nigerians in Diaspora have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign into law the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Bill.

    Speaking in a chat with our correspondent, Coordinator of Nigerians in Diaspora Leadership Forum, Mr. Alistar Soyode, said the bill, which was among the 46 bills passed by the 7th Senate last week, would “provide the engagement of Nigerians in Diaspora in the policies, projects and participation in the development of Nigeria and for the purpose of utilising the human and material resources of Nigerians in Diaspora towards the overall socio-economic, cultural and political development of Nigeria.”

    Soyode, who expressed optimism that the president would assent to the bill, added that the Commission would be run by a board of distinguished Nigerians with impeccable record, with a three-year renewable tenure.

    When the Commission becomes fully operational, Soyode, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of UK-based BEN TV, said it would comprise of representatives from each of the 36 states of the federation. He said the Commission would have a comprehensive data base of Nigerians in Diaspora.

     

  • NITAD holds learners’ forum

    The Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD) will hold its annual Learners’ Forum on Thursday, June 4 at NECA House, Alausa, Ikeja.

    The Chairman, Learning and Development Committee, Mr. Patrick Oluyide said this year’s theme: “Education in the National Development Plan: Challenges and the Way Forward” is prompted by the poor implementation of the education policy which affects the standard of education in Nigeria.

  • PDP candidates boycott forum

    Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the interactive session organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Cross River State.

    The forum was intended to provide candidates the opportunity to interact with the public through the organised labour, on what is expected of them.

    Parties that had representatives at the forum were the Labour Party (LP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    State Chairman of NLC John Ushie said workers in the state constitute a high percentage of the voting population and the ones who create wealth.

     

    “As a result of this it is normal and expected that they should be interested in who governs them and manage their wealth,” he said.

     

     

     

  • ‘No crisis in Benin Forum’

    The umbrella body of Bini indigenes in the country and in the Diaspora, led by the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, the Benin Forum (BF), at the weekend said those peddling the rumour that there was a crisis in the forum were enemies of the ethnic nationality.

    The Enogie of Obazuwa and younger brother to the Oba of Benin, Prince Edun Akenzua, had said those calling for the resignation of the Esogban as BF’s chairman, lacked the powers to do so because he was nominated by the Benin monarch, Oba Erediuwa.

    The forum was reacting to a publication in which some persons, who claimed to be members of the forum called on Edebiri to resign for his alleged comments that the Bini would not vote for President Goodluck Jonathan.

  • Election: Ondo Police preach peace at forum

    Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Isaac Eke has  warned politicians to be peaceful ahead of next month general elections.

    He said the police would ensure that erring politicians face the law.

    Eke, while addressing candidates of various political parties at a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, said the police were prepared for the February polls with a promise that no officer would compromise during the elections.

    He decried political violence before, during and after elections, stressing that the police would ensure that those planning to cause violence are arrested the elections.

    Eke added that any individual who breaks the electoral laws would be prosecuted.

    He pointed out that political leaders should shun violence and any acts that could undermine the confidence the masses reposed in them.

    According to him, all electoral offenders would be prosecuted by the police in accordance with the provisions of the electoral act and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Eke said the state police command would provide adequate security for all the candidates seeking elective offices

    He also  assured the people of the state of the readiness of the police to create an enabling environment for all political parties during the polls.

    The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mr Segun Agbaje stressed that the commission would not be involved in any illegitimate act during the elections.

    He said “We are prepared to conduct a free and fair election and no party or individual will be treated with favour. Every candidate and political parties are the same before INEC. We shall not show interest in any candidate or political party before and during the polls.

    “Even all members of staff of the commission and the ad hoc staff that will participate in the election will also attest to an oath to ensure their neutrality during the exercise.

  • Council holds stakeholders forum

    Council holds stakeholders forum

    All it a political gathering, you won’t be wrong. The refurbished auditorium of the Mosan-Okunola Local Council Developmental Area was fill to the brim on Monday People from diffrent walks of life  thronged the council as early as possible, all the first Stakeholders’ Forum under the administration of Princess Opeyemi Adunni Akindele, the council’s Executive Secretary (ES).

    Being her first interactive session with the people, Princess Akindele was at her best as she received her guests in twos, threes and then in scores.

    They exchanged pleasantries, share jokes and banters.

    Many congratulated her on the new appointment while the elderly  prayed for her success.

    The traditional rulers were led by the Baale of Akinogun, Prince Martins Oladega; marketers by the Iyaloja-General of Mosan-Okunola LCDA, Alhaja Aminat Alabi and Mrs. Comfort Alabi from Abesan Primary School represented the teachers. Others in attendance included: representatives of Community Development Committee (CDC); artisans; farmers and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).

    In her opening remarks, the council chief said the meeting was germane for the socio-economic development of the council.

    “We realise government alone cannot fashion out the needs of the community, hence the necessity for this meeting to receive inputs from all stakeholders so that at the end of the day, we shall have a budget presentation that meet the aspiration of the people,” she said.

    According to her, any project that would be embarked upon would be a realistic one, promising to complete any project initiated during her tenure.

    She assured them that at the end of her three-month spell, the council will wear a new look.

    During the interactive session, Mrs. Alabi canvassed for the deployment of more security personnel in public schools within the council.

    “We have gotten school materials from the state’s Ministry of Education with a warning that they must be well kept. With the porous security in our various schools, all these streets urchins could break into our offices and destroy the materials,” she said.

    She also asked for provision of boreholes and other amenities  in the schools.

    Chairman of the Mosalasi Unit of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr. Folunrusho Fasuyi, described the event as “unique because the person at the helm of affairs is someone the people love and she is a mother with great heart.

    Fasuyi enjoined the ES to have a listening ear and take advice that would move the council forward.

    He urged her to develop the hinterland by opening up roads for  farmers to get their products to the market without stress.

     

  • Forum seeks tougher penalty for rapists

    At a one-day stakeholders summit on Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Bill in Enugu on Tuesday, participants have advocated a jail term without option of fine for convicted rapists in the State.

    This was part of the resolutions of the summit organised by the Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Enugu.

    The NGO stressed that the call was necessary to serve as deterrent to others against the increased cases of rape and domestic violence.

    The summit also resolved that keeping such rapists behind bars would not only deter others from perpetrating the act, but would reform the offenders after serving their term.

    “Paying fine may not make the rapists to suffer any physical or psychological pain,” the summit stated.

    It also called for the review of the Evidence Act on rape cases, saying that it was ambiguous, stringent and cumbersome and made the proof of evidence difficult.

    “A situation where the law says that the victim should provide a third party evidence to prove a rape case is difficult.

    “This explains why most of the rapists go free for want of evidence,’’ the summit said.

    It also called on the government and other non-governmental organisations to fund an agency that would prosecute rape cases and violence against persons.

    It said this would reduce the incidences of settlement out of court or victims refusing to prosecute the case for fear of stigmatisation.

    In her remarks, Dr Joy Ezeilo, the Executive Director of WACOL, called for sustainable collaboration among stakeholders in the fight against all forms of violence in the society.

    Ezeilo said WACOL recorded 160 cases of rape in six months in Enugu State, urging victims of rape or violence, their relations or friend to speak out to expose the perpetrators.

    She said that a register of those convicted of rape would soon be opened in the state as obtainable in developed societies.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the summit themed: “In Search of Effective Remedies for Victims and Survivors of Violence against Persons”, had security agencies, the media, civil society groups and other stakeholders in the prevention of violence in attendance.

    It was organised in collaboration with the Legislative Advocacy Coalition for Violence against Women under the Voices for Change Project.