The Nation Newspaper

Tag: group

  • Group seeks violence-free poll

    A socio-civic group, the Progressive Solidarity Forum (PSF), has called for a violence-free election on Saturday.

    A statement by its Director of Information, Media and Publicity Mr Olalekan Adigun, said many residents were worried about the likelihood of post-election violence.

    Adigun said PSF would not fold its hands and allow “lawless elements to disrupt the peace the state is enjoying.”

    The group said it was working with divisional police stations, the Department of State Service (DSS) and other security agencies to ensure a hitchfree exercise. It called on the electorate to cooperate with the PSF and the security agencies to provide information on suspicious movements to the police or other security agencies.

    “We are deploying election monitors, observers and agents to all the 57 councils in the state to monitor the poll. All our representatives are going to be given tags and other means of identification,” he said.

  • Group trains youths on peace-building skills

    Building the capacity of young people to become peace-builders within their immediate community was the focus of a one-day capacity building training for young people on Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention organised by Galaxy4Peace in Surulere, Lagos.  The training brought together 15 young advocates from the University of Lagos and other civil society groups. It featured lectures on the importance of peace-building, peace-building activities, conflict prevention, preventive diplomacy, post-conflict prevention and early warning system and signs while highlights of the training included task breakout session and planning of new advocacy campaigns for execution.

    Speaking at the event, the Project Lead, Galaxy4Peace Precious Ajunwa said the training was aimed at introducing new sets of young people into peace-building business, targets to raise young people’s awareness of the dangers of violence; the role young people need to play in contributing their quota in promoting peace, thereby preparing them as peace leaders in their respective communities.

    Educating the participants on why the organisation was established, Ajunwa noted that the vision keyed into young people as tool in countering violent extremism-focusing on projects the organisation run to promote the sustainable development goal No 16 which is “Peace, Justice and Strong Institution”.

    She stressed that there is no alternative to non-violence in solving conflicts.

    “We welcome new youth recruitment into #Youth4Peace Movement to counter violent extremism. We aim to raise young people’s awareness of the dangers of violent extremism, develop their leadership abilities and prepare them as peace leaders in their respective schools and communities,” she said.

    In his lecture entitled “Volunteering as a Tool for Sustainable Development” convener of Climate Wednesday, Olumide Idowu  noted that volunteer speak for our future; hence “volunteering gives you your next opportunity; get focused and know that you are priceless”.

    Sharing his insight on youth engagement in sustainable development, David Ogundero of Galaxy4Peace emphasised that the overall success of the Sustainable Development Goals depends on youth engagement because young people, if equipped, have the right capacity to drive positive change in their communities and countries.

  • Group hosts open day for visually-impaired pupils

    Group hosts open day for visually-impaired pupils

    The Federal Society for the Blind, Cappa, Oshodi, Lagos, has organised an Open Day for parents and members of the public. The event was organised for them to see how their wards have developed over time.

    Chairman, Council of Federal Society for the Blind,Asiwaju Fola Osibo, said the main objective of the society is to rehabilitate and restore confidence in visually impaired persons, to be independent and be financially empowered.

    “For those, who are academically inclined, we encourage them to further their education. Those, who want to go into production of various crafts on their own like shoe-making, tie and dye, bag making and bead making are also trained. We also train them to operate the computer. We have churned out lawyers, doctors and engineers, who are blind and they are all doing very well in their professions,” he explained.

    Established in 1955 by a group of philanthropic minded people, the society seeks to ensure that people who go blind as adults or in their adolescence are given desired care and attention.

    The school Principal, Mr Nicholas Obot, said: “We call our students visually impaired because we believe no one is blind. You cannot be totally blind; you can only be blind in some areas.”

    A pupil at the center, Gloria,  said of her experience: “The experience here is wonderful because back home you are redundant, but being here you have the skills to do your things yourself, even to read and write. I want to also use this medium to those that want to commit suicide, those wondering why God has forsaken them, that they should put their faith in God. I always put my faith in God.”

    Mariam Alasa, a visually impaired pupil at the centre, described her experience as amazing. “The experience here is amazing to the extent that I don’t think about going home. It is nice staying in an environment with people like you, who are able to get things done in spite of their challenges,” she said.

    Asiwaju  Osibo  advised  parents, who have visually disabled children, not to keep them at home, but enrol them at the rehabilitation centre where they can be trained to become independent  and contribute meaningfully to the society.

  • Group decries marginalisation

    A group, Isokan Mainland has urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rescue Mainland Local Government Area from dictatorship.

    The group’s leader, Mr. Wale Olugbodi said democratic principles had been jettisoned for the rule of one man, adding that some politicians were compromising the collective will of the people.

    He explained that the same set of politicians of Kwara origin had held public office in the past 20 years, noting that others who aspired to serve had been blocked by those he allegedly called Kwara Cabals.

    He said: “We want a total change of government in Mainland council. We are fed up of the same set of people who have been ruling us since 1999 without any positive impact.

    “These Kwara cabals are the ones sponsoring hood-lums, sycophants and miscreants to foment trouble during elections. The even supply them with weapons with which to wreak havoc in order to discourage genuine people who have ambition to serve.

    The group appealed to Senator Oluremi Tinubu to caution the cabals, stressing that they were in the habit of dropping her name to hijack legitimate mandate.

    “We want to crave our dear mother, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to caution these elements from using her name to hijack positions in Lagos Mainland. Though the APC said it has not announced the names of its candidates, some people have been claiming they had been chosen by the party for this month’s council election

  • Group donates to charity

    Group donates to charity

    Adetayo Alasoadura Memorial Foundation (AAMF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has donated various items worth thousands of Naira to an orphanage home in Akure, the state capital.

    Besides, the group presented food items to ‘Ago Ireti’ Camp, School for the Dumb and 21 widows as part of activities to commemorate one year remembrance of Mrs Adetayo Alasoadura, wife of the Senator representing Ondo Central District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) Chief Omotayo Alasoadura.

    Mrs Alasoadura died on May 19, last year. She was survived by her husband and children.

    Speaking while presenting the items, the group’s Coordinator, Funmilayo Lebi said the group, as part of its social responsibilities and honour to the departed woman leader, donated the items for the disabled and deprived in the society.

    Lebi noted that it was imperative to reach out to women and children and other less-privileged persons in the society.

    The Coordinator described the late Alasoadura as a distinguished woman of impeccable character whose memory will linger on in the life of members of the foundation.

    Lebi, who lamented Mrs Alasoadura’s exit, however, said AAMF was consoled with the fact that the woman carried out her service of humanity while alive as an epitome of womanhood, sacrifice and philanthropy.

  • Group praises Fed Govt over vaccine production

    The Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group (PMG-MAN) has commended Federal Government’s efforts in supporting local manufacturing, especially to access high quality and affordable drugs.

    A statement made available to Southwest Report by the Executive Secretary of PMG-MAN, Dr Obi Peter Adigwe, said their commendation was based on the fact that local production of vaccines will ameliorate some health challenges the citizens go through which is one of the ultimate goals of any nation.

    He said the partnership with May and Baker will revitalise the production of local vaccines. This, he said, will guarantee the most sustainable and effective approach to national security and self-sufficiency in this critical area.

    He said: “Manufacturers of local medicines in Nigeria have long been associated with the production of high quality, affordable medicines. It is on record that Nigeria still has the biggest cluster of World Health Organisation (WHO) certified companies in Africa, and incidentally, May and Baker is one of those companies.

    “Manufacturers of local medicines are also at the forefront of innovative and contextual solutions to local health care issues, such as this commendable partnership that you have initiated. This is evidenced by our robust and comprehensive engagement with a wide range of policy-makers and stakeholders.”

    Adigwe further canvassed the Expedited Medicines’ Access Programme (E-MAP), a proposed collaborative contractual partnership between Ministry of Health and local manufacturers.

    The PMG-MAN, Executive Secretary said the E-MAP is in line with the vision and aspirations of the current administration that aim at providing affordable, high quality medicines for the public in a sustainable and cost-efficient manner.

    Explaining further, he said the programme design involves combining innovative manufacturing practices with contextual logistics and supply chain management that will, in turn, achieve effective, cost-efficient and timely provision of high quality medicines across the country.

    Calling the attention of Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole to the Acting President, Prof. ‘Yemi Osinbajo’s Executive Order on Local Content in Public Procurement mandates to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to grant procurement preference to local manufacturers, he stressed that Osinbajo expressly specified locally manufactured medicines in Section 4F and the need to patronise them extensively as against imported ones.

    He reiterated his association’s appeal to the Ministry of Health to begin the relevant processes for the implementation of the E-MAP. He added that the implementation of the policy guideline will not only grow the capacities of local manufacturers but will also help in jobs creation.

    Recall that the proposed vaccine production has been on hold since 1991 but was re-activated and upgraded to establish a company called Bio-vaccines Limited which will be jointly owned by the Federal Government and May and Baker Plc.

    At the signing ceremony between the Federal Government and May and Baker Plc, last month the minister said it would further secure the lives of Nigerians since the production of vaccines is now considered a security issue.

    He said:  “We have considered vaccines as a security issue. It is not only health but we need to consider the security of all Nigerians, particularly our children. So, with this agreement, we will be able to produce those command vaccines. Beginning from 2021, every other vaccine that is necessary will also be out on board for administration to Nigerians.”

  • Group backs Fashola on Lagos-Ibadan road

    Group backs Fashola on Lagos-Ibadan road

    Power, Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola has received the thumbs up for his efforts at rehabilitating the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    In a statement yesterday, a group, the Yoruba Radical Assembly (YRA) said it stood by Fashola on the project. It condemned the National Assembly for slashing the budget for the work.

    The statement signed by its President, Comrade Dare Aladekola, said: “After studying the arguments from both sides, we have arrived at a conclusion that the National Assembly’s conduct is aimed at putting a wedge between the Yoruba of the South-West and President Muhammadu Buhari, our very good friend.

    “If Buhari has decided to give the Southwest the required sense of belonging by doing the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway once and for all with a view to compensating our patience and patriotism, any attempt at sabotaging such a noble cause is nothing but an act of brigandage, capable of disrupting the nation’s fragile peace.”

    The group noted that the route has been a death trap and shame of the nation over the years, wondering why any person or group would want to disturb any effort to repair the road.

    “Eight administrations, namely, Shagari, Buhari, Babangida, Shonekan, Abacha, Abdusalami, Obasanjo and Jonathan, failed to do it. Then, our friend, Buhari came and saw the need to address the unfair treatment and some people are scheming to frustrate that.

    “We are stating it here unequivocally that, we will resist any attempt to sabotage a noble cause through constitutionally acceptable means.

    “Members of the National Assembly should not take our patience and patriotism for granted as there is limit to human endurance. And we can assure those people we put in Abuja with our votes that we have the capacity and numerical strength to occupy their legislative territory till sanity will decide to prevail,” the group said.

  • Group calls for prosecution of Arewa youths

    Group calls for prosecution of Arewa youths

    The Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) has called for the arrest and prosecution of the Arewa youths, who issued ultimatum to the Igbo living in the North to leave before October 1.

    In a statement, its Secretary, Senator Anthony Adefuye, said the decision of the northern youths was capable of causing havoc.

    He said YUF was however, happy that the Arewa Consultative Forum denounced the position of the northern youths. He said what the country needed at this point was peace and unity.

    Adefuye noted that the conduct of the northern youth amounted to crime, adding that it was the violation of the rights of Igbo to freely live in any part of the country.

    He said the matter should not be treated with kid gloves, noting that it was a breach of the constitution of the country.

    Adefuye said: “The Yoruba Uinty Forum condemns this call in its entirety. It is provocative and insulting and should not be treated with kid gloves. All those behind this show of shame should be brought to book. If not quickly checked, it could plunge the country into ethnic tension.

    “Every Nigerian is free to pursue his or her legitimate business devoid of any hindrance or molestation by anybody in any part of the country. We are however, happy that the ACF and other youth organisations from the north and the northern governors’ forum have condemned this irresponsible act in its entirety.”

    YUF said it the security agencies should handle the reckless conduct of the northern youths.

    Adefuye added: “This forum awaits the action of the security agencies to this reckless action which is a threat to national security and peaceful coexistence. This call is suspicious and in line with recent trend of arms buildup and coup rumours. We believe in the restructuring of the country as agreed to by the 2014 National Conference.”

  • Group, firm at war over pollution menace

    Trouble is brewing in Amuwo Odofin Industrial Scheme, an uptown district in Lagos as residents are at war with Hongzing Company Ltd, an iron and steel company based in the neighbourhood.

    According to the residents and business owners in the area, the Chinese firm’s activities have become an environmental nuisance in the industrial area.

    The company has been emitting raw gas pollution to the extent that other companies and residents are fleeing from the area.

    Some business owners and residents in the industrial scheme, who spoke with our correspondent alleged that the iron melting company’s activities have become hazardous to the entire neighbourhood, and that workers in the area have been exposed to harmful air and environmental degradation.

    According to the business owners who pleaded anonymity, they have been making noise about the activities of the Chinese firm and its effects on the neighbourhood, wondering why the concerned government authorities have not deemed it fit to call the company to order.

    They alleged that efforts made to get the attention of the Lagos state government has been futile.

    “We have written a petition to the office of the Lagos state governor which he replied and said our petition would be looked into. Up till now, we are yet to see any form of action and investigation.”

    In a letter from the office of the government and signed by the Chief of Staff, Kola Aileru and made available to The Nation, the state government had acknowledged the receipt of the petition dated 5th of April, 2017. The Chief of Staff also noted in the letter that the petition has been forwarded on the directive of the governor to the Commissioner of Environment for necessary action.

    Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the aggrieved residents are crying foul. They are not happy about the brazen manner with which the owners of the company are carrying on their business without consideration for the impact of their operations on the environment.

    One of the business owners recounted that: “Many of the companies here have lost so much money to robbers here. Criminal activities are also on the rise here due to the gridlock here. Gaining entry into our various offices has become a problem. They use their heavy trucks to block the roads. These are roads newly built but they have all become bad within a short period. Many companies are fleeing the area now. Recently, one of the companies here lost over a million naira to some hoodlums here because of the traffic caused by their trucks.”

    The business owners who said they have taken the matter to court demanded urgent intervention by the state government.

    When The Nation visited the premises of Hongxing Steel Nig. Ltd, there were two massive exhaust pipes through which fumes are uncontrollably discharging into the atmosphere. The activities of heavy duty trucks were also a common site. One of the roads leading to the company was completely blocked with trucks while other road users spend hours on the street road.

    In a statement signed by Oladayo Adewunmi, Convener, Environmental Watch Network, Lagos and made available to our correspondent, he said: “The decrepit state of the road at Amuwo Odofin Industrial Scheme Amuwo – Odofin, Lagos, where companies like CDK Nig Ltd, Nossak Holdings Ltd, Givannas Ltd, Pharmatex Ltd and Saro Agro Science Ltd are situated, is an eyesore, judging by the recent flood. It has also had a negative impact on the community whereby some companies have relocated due to lack of commercial activities because of the poor state of the road.”

    Echoing similar sentiment, Freebonders, an anti-human labour organisation has called for proper investigation into the firm’s activities.

    Speaking with our correspondent, Mr Dayo Shoyoye said some residents have been struggling to battle this pollution menace for the past three to four years now.

    However, efforts by The Nation to the reach the management of the steel company was abortive as a security man who claimed that his bosses were not around collected our correspondent call card promising that his boss would definitely get across. Unfortunately, one week after the visit, no one from the company has contacted our correspondent.

  • Group launches N500m Islamic Centre

    ClearPath Islamic Centre has held a fundraising for its N500million Islamic centre.

    The centre, it said, was meant to create an effective platform for furthering sound Islamic awareness, practice and dissemination of clear knowledge.

    The N500million fund-raising held at the Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos attracted captains of industries, high net-worth individuals and eminent personalities including the Deputy President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Sakariyau Babalola.

    Its Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Imam Abdurraheem Ahmad Sayi said Islam is meant to be practiced and not to reside on the pages of Quran and Hadiths.

    Imam Sayi said there is no choice other than to fully submit to the dictates of the Quran and Hadiths, vowing that its leaders would never to compromise the originality of Islam.

    According to him, “this is the best way to go because Islam is not only rational, it is also natural. But where people cannot get the link between what they get in terms of Islamic knowledge and the rationality and naturality, then they fall into two main camps. The first is those who believe “that is what Allah and the Prophet have said without properly understanding the context in which these things were said, then they commit sin. That is why some pick on some verses that were meant for isolated circumstances and be destroying lives of people and properties all in the name of Islam.

    “We are not going to re-write the Quran but those verses should rather be put in the right perspective. We will not compromise the originality of Islam.

    “The other extreme will be those who will say why identify ourselves with these horrible things. Rather, we are going to draw a margin and not go beyond this level of Islam, saying once you can pray five times a day, that will be all. A whole lot other fundamentals are also omitted; they don’t want to grow because they have a phobia already. They think the more you grow in Islam, the more you grow to extremity and fundamentalism or may be the father you go in Islam, the more destructive you become. This is the delusion that must be corrected.

    “Alhamdullilah, we will say people who have been participating in the ClearPath dawah in the last three years can attest to this fact that we have not in any way been dogmatic about our teachings and that it is indeed taking people from one level to another.

    Chairman, Board of Trustees Kamar Bakrin said the centre was poised at equipping people with the ability to read and understand Islam better in order to avoid dogmatism and extremism.

    The scope of ClearPath, Bakrin said, is not limited to the young ones, the older ones have the opportunity to learn and understand Islam better. He stated that the centre will be located along the Lekki corridor.