The Nation Newspaper

Tag: group

  • Group constructs 500 capacity hall in Lagos school

    The Chinese Youth Association in Lagos at the weekend, commenced the construction of a 500 capacity multipurpose hall at the Junior/Senior Model College, Ojo to encourage recreational, skills acquisition.

    The construction, the association said, was part of its corporate social responsibility, adding that it chose the project to support the state government’s developmental strides.

    A leader of the association, Kevin Ma, who laid the foundation stone said they were pleased to make the donation, noting the long standing relationship between China and Nigeria.

    He said: “We are so happy that we can provide Nigerian people jobs that can assist and make their lives better.

    “Building this hall is for the students to have more places for their activities. Usually in China and other places, there are many buildings for different activities outside learning. But we discovered that in Nigeria, there are hardly buildings in schools for recreational activities.

    “There are several students with various talents but there are no conducive halls or buildings for them to actualize it. So, that is what we are looking for. Learning is not only about acquiring knowledge, but talents also to shape their destinies.

    “Permit me to say that we have enjoyed cordial relationship with successive governments in the state especially the present one led by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. We are most grateful.

    “My appeal to the students is that they work hard. It is worthy of note that whatever we do to promote learning goes a long way to shape our future  and we are pleased to be part of such great feat.”

    Continuing, Ma passed a vote of confidence on the Nigeria Police, describing the service as friendly.

  • Group urged Fed Govt to end killings

    The Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) has condemned the renewed killings in some part of the country.

    The group urged the Federal Government to get to the root cause of the “ugly development.”

    In a communique at the end of the 2nd Convention held at the National Mosque Auditorium, Abuja, MMPN reminded “those who enjoyed killings others in the name of religion that there is no compulsion in religion,” saying “Islam was not spread with force, bombs or killings but with wisdom and good character.”

    The communique was signed by its President, AbdurRahman Balogun and Secretary to the Convention Hakeem Adebumiti.

    The group said: “As we approach 2019 general elections, the association calls on all lovers of peace, stakeholders in Nigeria project and media practitioners to ensure justice, fairness, and mutual understanding. There should be no bloodletting, killing and maiming because of power as power comes from Allah.

    “That as media practitioners, we equally have our watchdog role to play in the society, hence we must advice, guide and inform members of the public correctly, accurately and timely on issues of public interest.”

    The association congratulated Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar on his conferment with the title of Grand Patron of MMPN.

    The group urged Muslim bodies and more importantly the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to always make use of Muslim Media Practitioners in its public relations department.

  • Group backs Ambode’s second term

    A group of citizens across Lagos State have drum up support for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s second term in office.

    The group, Ambode Development Group (ADG) coordinated by Princess Bola Kazeem and former Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Kolawole Taiwo are from the 57 councils in the state.

    Princess Kazeem said they are clamouring for the governor to continue in office because of his track record in infrastructural development and poverty alleviation.

    She said: “We appreciate him for the good work he has been doing in Lagos even across the border. He has delivered beyond our expectation. He has been able to listen to the yearning of his people.”

    Taiwo reiterated that Ambode has done a good job, noting that he is a governor without border.

    He has served with so much passion and his ingenuity for excellence is what we admire.

    Fatai Olapade said the Ambode has provided massive infrastructure project in three years.

    Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Civic Engagement, Taiwo Aiyedun, Ambode thanked them for identifying with him.

  • Group empowers idle youths

    A group, Ijongo Life Changing Foundation has set plans in motion to remove wandering kids, youths off the streets of Lagos as a means of improving security.

    The foundation said it has, in collaboration with the state government, concluded plans to build shelters across the state where homeless, idle youths could stay and be thought skills that would make them self-reliant.

    Addressing reporters at the Mosafejo Police Station in Oshodi yesterday, the foundation’s chairman, Emmanuel Ijongo said he took the initiative to help wandering youths have meaningful future devoid of criminality.

    Aside from the shelters, Ijongo said they were also ready to help those interested in playing football achieve their dreams through their football academy, adding that others will acquire skills in fashion designing, catering, carpentry, among others.

    Mosafejo Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ibrahim Muktar , who addressed the youths said: “We urge each and every one of you to shun crimes. It will ruin your lives and careers. This is an opportunity for you to become better persons in future. Make good use of it so that you can become ambassadors of peace, security tomorrow.”

  • Group seeks accountability in government

    The Red Card Movement launched last week in Abuja has reiterated the need to promote transparency and accountability in government.

    The group also kicked off its phase one programmes meant to  educate and sensitize citizens on their voting power adding that it will mobilize up to 30 million Nigerians to register to vote, about two million citizens with uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to collect them and for all citizens with PVCs to come out to vote and protect their votes.

    The group said it would publish data from both local and foreign organisations that reflect evidential failure of governance and corrupt leadership in the last two decades, third party evidence on the streets from citizens that show governance failure from huge infrastructural gap.

    Speaking at the event, the convener of the group and former Word Bank Vice President, Oby Ezekwesili stated the aim of the movement was to “remove our nation from the hands of bad governance and corrupt leadership.”

    She reiterated that the idea was to remove the decadent class and to place a quality set of leadership at all levels nationwide – people who have character, are competent and capable. “The key idea is that we wish to elevate the citizens’ awareness of their position and role in our politics and governance.”

    According to a co-convener and co-chair of Secretariat of the Movement, Tony Akabuno, the purpose of democracy is defeated if only a few people who are eligible to vote actually exercise their right to do so.

     

    We understand that that there are many reasons for low citizens’ participation in elections and we are ready to encourage every eligible Nigerian citizen to register to vote,” she added.

    A key goal of The Red Card Movement is to increase the level of women and youth participation in the electoral process from 15 million to 62 million as well as target national legislative elections that are devoid of inducement and coercion.

     

     

  • Group calls for Fayemi’s disqualification

    •He’s not broken any law

    An interest group in Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC), has called for the disqualification of Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, from the party’s primary.

    The group, the Concerned APC Members, insisted that Fayemi should be disqualified for allegedly refusing to resign from the federal cabinet and his indictment by the state government.

    Addressing a briefing in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, the group’s Coordinator, Dr. Ifeolu Olubusuyi, said party members are concerned that Fayemi’s candidacy could trigger litigation if he wins the primary.

    He argued that Fayemi ought to have resigned thirty days “before any election” adding that the minister has failed to fulfill a party guideline that an aspirant seeking the party’s nomination should not be indicted by a judicial panel or awaiting any criminal court charges.

    Olubusuyi, said: “We are concerned and advise that the APC headquarters must adhere strictly to its own rules and disqualifies whoever has not met the minimum conditions for governorship as indicated by the constitution and guidelines.

    “We are also aware of the guidelines of the APC for qualification as an aspirant for governorship and there was a specific question as to whether someone has been indicted at home or abroad by a judicial panel or awaiting any criminal court charges.

    “We are also conscious of the specification regarding 30 days minimum condition for resignation from office before any election, which Fayemi has not met.”

    The group vowed to challenge Fayemi’s candidacy in court, if eventually emerge as the flag bearer in spite of these open alleged constitutional breaches.

    But the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said his boss has not violated any law in his quest for the governorship nomination of his party.

    He said:  “They are ignorant of the working of the party and the law of the land. You can’t sit down in your house and determine who is going to be disqualified. The party has a machinery to look at every case in its merit and that is why you have the screening committee.

    “There is due process of nomination and screening before you even gets to the primary. There is no law in the land that says that a serving minister should vacate his seat before primary.

    “What the law says is 30 days before election. As a matter of fact the honourable minister has been granted leave. He applied for leave and it will commence upper Monday.

    “Talking about white paper, everybody knows that you can’t build something on nothing. The minister had earlier challenged the composition of that panel.

    “The case is in court and that is why he did not appear before the panel. The white paper will not stand. It is only a court of competent jurisdiction that can recommend disqualification of Fayemi.”

  • Group launches house-to-house campaign for PVC collection

    Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Vanguard, a group comprising social activists, non-governmental organisations, artisans, youths and political groups which has been canvassing for five million votes for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s re-election, has launched a House-to-House campaign in Amuwo Odofin and Surulere Local Government Areas to ensure eligible voters collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

    Mr. Joe Igbokwe, who spoke to newsmen at an event in Surulere, said nothing will change the five million votes targeted for the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in the next year’s election.

    Igbokwe said, apart from the performance of the governor in improving the infrastructure of the city, his handling of the state’s economy was another major reason why Lagosians must support him.

    He said Ambode would further transform the state to a mega city if given another chance.

    “In recognition of his hard work, we are going to come out in millions to support him once again through voting. Under his leadership, we have seen physical development across Lagos.”

    The Apex Chairman of Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Vanguard, Segun Olulade said they were satisfied with the governor’s performance in office and would support him again.

    Olulade said: “As we speak, it is as if the good people of Lagos have collectively decided to keep the governor on the job beyond 2019. Simply put, it is because he has performed. All the people and groups endorsing him gave that same reason and we can all see his achievements speaking for him.”

    Coordinator-General of Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko Vangaurd Seyi Bamigbade, said: “In all of his numerous achievements, which we can see and feel across the nooks and crannies of the state, Ambode has been stylish and meticulous in manner in the way he runs the affairs of the state. Even the opposition in the state has agreed that Ambode has delivered on his election promises. He promised to make Lagos work for everyone and he has done that for all to see.”

  • Group endorses Bamidele for Ekiti APC ticket

    A group, Ekiti Professionals in Politics has endorsed the aspiration of Hon Opeyemi Bamidele to fly the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the July 14 governorship election.

    The group in a statement yesterday called on the delegates in the party to give the former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy their votes in the May 5 primary, assuring them that Bamidele is well prepared to lead the state into a glorious dawn.

    The group in the statement signed by its coordinator, Segun Adewolu, said Ekiti will be greatly blessed if Bamidele is allowed to use his wealth of experience to steer the ship of the state.

    They reeled out the achivements of Bamidele as a two-time commissioner in Lagos State, saying he has got the contacts and wealth of experience that will lead the state to envious height.

    According to them, his performance as member of the House of Representatives also attested to the fact that he is the rightful candidate to occupy the exalted position of chief executive officer of the state.

    The group also cautioned youths in the state not to use  the election as opportunity to cause trouble, saying they should abide by the rules of the game.

    It expressed concern that nothing has been done in the recent past by the state government to empower the youths which has made them easily available for politicians to use as tools to cause trouble during election.

  • Group to Buhari: sign PIGB

    The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the Petroleum Industry and Governance Bill (PIGB).

    Its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa urged the President to remember his promise to provide appropriate legal and regulatory framework for the optimal performance of the oil and gas sector.

    He urged the National Assembly to shift its focus on the passage of the outstanding components of the PIB addressing host community issues and the fiscal framework for the sector, without which Nigerians could not have the   PIB in place.

    “We call on civil society, citizens and the media to remain vigilant until the battle for the passage of all the versions of a people-oriented and national interest serving PIB is won,’’ he said.

    He commended the National Assembly for the passage of the long- awaited PIGB.

    He recalled that following the  passage of the Bill by the two chambers, CISLAC and its partners had been engaging the relevant committees to conclude the harmonisation and have it ready for Presidential Assent in time.

    He said: ‘’CISLAC observes that the passage of the PIB was one of the campaign promises of the administration to be delivered within the first one year in office; the commitment had been reiterated in the Federal Government’s short and medium-term priorities to grow Nigeria’s oil & gas industry 2015–2019, and ought to have been passed by the first quarter of 2017. It is, however, better late than never.

    ‘’We note that the bill has retained many of the proposals put forward by civil society, including CISLAC and her partners during the Public Hearing session, including the unbundling of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    ‘’It is pertinent to highlight that the law is not perfect and still retains some vestiges of the old order, such as the Petroleum Equalisation Fund, which seems to contradict the suggested policy direction for deregulation and the establishment of a single regulator for both the downstream and upstream which could be burdensome and lead to inefficiency.”

    Musa said there was also a lack of clarity on the proposed five per cent fuel levy in terms of manner and stages for collection.

    He observed that this is the closest Nigerians have ever been to such legislation in 12 years and represents our greatest opportunity to have a law that will substantially address the lack of strong and clear institutions governing the sector and address the uncertainty in the sector that have resulted in loss of revenues, absence of investment and monumental corruption.

  • Group scores Ambode 100 per cent

    The Regional Leaders Council (RLC) of Lagos State, last week said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode scored 100 percent in socio- economic sectors of the state.

    The group said this while conferring its prestigious Award and Certificate of “Praiseworthy Grassroots Governance Award” to the governor.

    They said it was in appreciation of the “quality leadership, delivery of dividend of democracy to the grassroots and the entire people of Lagos State.”

    The council consist of leaders and heads of Sarkin Hausa/Arewa Community, Sakin Fulani Community, Nupe North Central Community, Igbo Leader (Eze Ndigbo), and Mayor of South-south region in Lagos.

    The Award was received by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Benjamin Olabinjo at Alausa, Ikeja.

    RLC Leader and Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja, Uche Dimgba, said the Award represents the voice of all the regional groups in Lagos in their desire to work in unison to ensure that Ambode is returned for a second term.

    Dimgba noted that the award “is in line with rewarding good for good and sing praise of someone who is doing great work for his people.”

    Olabinjo enjoined the leaders to continue to ensure the peaceful co-habitation of the people in their respective communities, as the governor is working to make Lagosians happy by the provision of infrastructure that would make life comfortable for all and sundry in the State.

    He urged the leaders to mobilise their people to register with INEC and obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) which is very important for participation in the coming elections.