The Nation Newspaper

Tag: group

  • Group urges Lagos govt to stop execution of death row prisoners

    The Nigerian Anti-Death Penalty Group (NDELPEG) has urged the Lagos State government to rescind its reported plan to commence the execution of death row prisoners in the state.

    In a statement issued on Friday in Lagos, the human rights group described the move by the state government to execute death row inmates as ‘’unfortunate, retrogressive and unjustifiable as there is no verifiable evidence to suggest that the death penalty deters crime more effectively than other punishment or that it serves any useful deterrent purpose.’’

    While urging federal and state governments to abolish executions of prisoners on death row, the group noted that death penalty was a violation of the right to life as captured in the Universal Dcelaration of Human Rights. ‘’Our concern in the plight of the prisoners on death row in Nigeria is predominantly reliant on the research and findings of several individuals and Civil Society Organizations, including the Federal Government on the use of death penalty.

    ‘’Recall that in 2004, the Federal Government set up a National Study Group on the Death Penalty in Nigeria. The group had consultations with mainly groups and individuals in the justice and other social sectors, and produced a report recommending moratorium on executions while longer term steps should be taken to move Nigeria towards total abolition.

    ‘’We strongly believe that the execution of prisoners on death row will not solve the problem of prison congestion in Nigeria. “

  • Group, family members demand investigation into killing of a house wife

    A group, Ikwerre Citizen for Democratic Movement (ICDM) and family members of one Mrs. Christy Agi, who was allegedly murdered by her husband has insisted that police must unravel the cause of her gruesome death.

    Agi, a house wife, was attacked and butchered by her husband Mr. Benson Agi at Omuokiri in Aluu community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. Both the deceased’s family members and the community refused to share details of what led to Agi’s death with our correspondent.

    Two of the decease daughters were also inflicted with machete wounds by their father but managed to escape. The two daughters are presently receiving treatment in a local chemist shop in their area.

    Agi’s family members said they reported the matter to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad(FEDSARS) office located close to the community.

    Effort to reach the spokesman of the state police command, Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to comment on the matter proved abortive as he could not be reached on his mobile phone.

    A text message forwarded to his mobile telephone number was also not returned as of press time. A highly placed police source, who pleaded anonymity said investigation had commenced adding that the police they will soon arrest the perpetrator of the act who is currently large..

  • Group rehabilitates school

    As part of its assistance to the society, a group, MMM, in conjunction with Life Changing Humanitarian Services, has donated items to Igbehinadun Special School for Deaf and Dumb and Physically Challenged Children, Okokomaiko, Lagos.
    Amaka Benson, offline secretary & events manager for MMM, said: “We were brought here by community development workers called Life Changing Humanitarian Services. They wrote a letter to us and we approved it to help them carry out projects.
    “Today, we are unveiling a new playground with swings for the children, including a basketball court. This place was nothing to write home about, It was abandoned and the children had nowhere to play. So we raised money to assist them. At MMM, we are out to put smiles on the faces of people and we do this every month across the country,” Benson said.
    Mr O. Joseph of Life Changing Humanitarian Service said: “Life Changing carries out humanitarian services. We choose this school because we believe it needs help. It has been abandoned for years. We came here to see what we can do for them. You need to see the condition of some of the children. It is terrible.
    “We say a big thank you to MMM. We were surprised when they agreed to sponsor this project because many organisations turned us down.”

    Founder of the school, Mrs Victoria Cotonu disclosed that the school was founded in 1990 to cater to challenged kids: “After my training in America and the UK, I came back to Nigeria and founded this school. I realised that we have this children in our midst and we have to cater to them because they are part of society.
    “We used to have support from government, churches and individuals but since the recession it has taken a down turn and this has affected us negatively. I appreciate what MMM has done through Life Changing Humanitarian Services today. Only God can reward them. God will continue to bless guide and protect you and reward you abundantly.”

  • Group endorses firm for solution to piracy

    Group endorses firm for solution to piracy

    The Alliance of Nollywood Guilds and Association (ANOGA), an umbrella body for the Nigerian movie industry, has announced that it has found a solution to piracy, one of the problems facing the movie industry.

    This was disclosed during a meeting of the association which held last Friday in Lagos.

    The body came up with a resolution to tackle piracy in the movie industry.

    They resolved that the solution to the challenges experienced by practitioners in the industry lies in the framework designed by the media distribution networks limited (an organisation based in Surulere, Lagos- Nigeria which specialises in providing world class physical and digital distribution systems for music, films, video, books, software, etc).

    The company is trusted to provide an efficient and effective distribution system for the Nigerian movie industry.

    The group announced in a communique signed by ANOGA president, Victor Ashaolu: “That the alliance of Nollywood guilds and association, ANOGA, has unanimously endorsed the Media Distribution Networks (MDN) project framework as designed by Media Distribution Networks limited and officially entered into a MoU with the framework for and on behalf of the Nigerian movie industry.”

    It also revealed that the ANOGA has also entered into an MoU with the Media Distribution Network limited specifically to aggregate for and on behalf of its members with the Nigerian interbank settlement system (NIBSS) concerning the digital distribution of creative on the online platform.

    “In addition, the Media Distribution Network Limited also appointed ZENITH BANK PLC as their LEAD BANK in the process of integrating the MDN project with NIBSS and harmonizing payment to content owners directly,” the group said in the statement.

    “The umbrella body unanimously endorsed the coding and tracking framework as proposed by the MDN Limited and opened by the Global Standard one (GS1). This will form part of the coding, tracking and logistics framework of the MDN project.

    “ANOGA however calls on all stakeholders in the telecommunication and broadcasting industry, digital distribution platform and all federal government relevant agencies and parastatals should take note of this new and progressive development in the film and entertainment industry in Nigeria.”

  • Group seeks training to boost local content

    Group seeks training to boost local content

    • To inaugurate NEC today

    The Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) has said proper training of Nigerian workers is the only  guarantee toward local content development in the oil and gas industry.

    The OGTAN’s President, Dr.   Mayowa Afe stated this, adding that domestication of oil and gas trainees would save the country billions of dollars and create more jobs opportunities for Nigerians

    Mayowa gave the advice in a statement issued and signed by the OGTANS’ Director of Media Communications, Mr. John Itua, in Lagos to sensitise stakeholders on the forthcoming inauguration of the OGTAN’S national executive council slated to hold on April 13 at Eko Hotel and Suites.

    The Inauguration will have the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) as the Guest Speaker and he will speak on the topic: “Increasing indigenous participation and capacity development in the oil and gas industry – The journey so fa.r”

    The OGTAN chief said: “There is need to standardise training to get more value; training should be domesticated to handle issues that are peculiar to our environment and generate adequate human capital for our oil and gas industry and even enough for export because training is key to local content development.

    “We want to discourage portfolio trainers – people who just walk into companies to organise trainings; invite trainers and after that, walk away,” he said.

    He said OGTAN’s vision is to develop a Nigerian oil and gas training business group that interfaces with the operators, international organisations and government, to ensure a total human capacity development in the industry and the attainment of the Nigerian Content goals. OGTAN was formed with the support of the Nigerian Content division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to address the manpower development needs of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

    “If the majority of oil and gas trainees is done locally in Nigeria, it would address issues of foreign exchange challenges confronting the sector.  The issues of foreign exchange should be addressed through domestication of activities.

    “Government agencies, institutions, international oil and gas companies should partner with OGTAN to invest in developing trainers in-country,’’ he said.

    Mayowa noted that OGTAN which is the independent umbrella group of training service providers in the oil and gas sector was established by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Act of 2010.

    According to him, OGTAN represents the Education and Training Sectoral Group of the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF) under section 58 of the NOGICD Act 2010, with the purpose to build local human capital capacity in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

    Mayowa said the association acts as a business group that interfaces with operators, international organisation and the government, adding that national executive council will be inaugurated in Lagos at Eko Hotel on April 13.

    “The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Simbi Wabote, an engineer, will be presenting the keynote paper at the event. The Executive Secretaries of the PTDF and NCDMB will be honoured and decorated at the event as strategic partners of OGTAN. This is in recognition of their roles in human capacity development in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

    “OGTAN will also be participating in the 2017 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) to enable our members interact with international training organisations with the aim of partnering with them in other to domesticate  more oil and gas trainings in Nigeria,” he said.

  • Group sensitises residents to dangers of glaucoma

    To commemorate the World Glaucoma Week, the Nigerian Optometric Association (Lagos chapter) took to the streets to walk for sight. Thereafter, it held talks and inaugurated its secretariat where it offered the community free eye tests. NNEKA NWANERI was there.

    The Nigerian Optometric Association described glaucoma as the ‘silent thief of sight’ and one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide which creeps up on its victim without any signs or symptoms.

    One can have glaucoma without knowing that one is living with it. Because of this, a good number of Nigerians from the age of 40 years are at risk of vision loss from glaucoma.

    To reduce one’s risk of blindness, Chairman of the Nigerian Optometric Association (Lagos chapter), Dr Ogechi Nwokedi warned that a periodic annual eye examination was necessary. By this, an early detection can help in managing the disease.

    In a chat with Southwest Report after the walk by members of the association, Dr Nwokedi lamented the deadly nature of the disease.

    “People should know that glaucoma is an eye disease that causes irreversible blindness. Once blindness has occurred; there is no place in the world that it can be reversed.

    “With this walk, we want them to also know that 80 per cent of glaucoma cases are symptomless and sign-less. It doesn’t give any indications and that is why most people realise they are losing their sight when it is already advanced.

    “It is a ‘silent sight stealer’. It creeps up on its victim. Like a thief, it does not announce that it is there and the affected persons walk around not knowing that they have it. If the patient does not go for routine eye check, he will never know he has it and by the time he does realise that there is something wrong with his eyes, it is already advanced,” she said.

    She warned that glaucoma is no respecter of persons.

    “I want the public to know that nobody is spared. Children can have glaucoma. Young people can have that too. But it is very common in black people and as one gets older.

    “There is no real understanding of the cause and how it works. In some cases, the eye pressure is high, and in others, the optic nerve at the back of the eye that connects the eye to the brain starts getting damaged gradually.

    “Also, the side and straight vision starts eroding gradually when the pressure is much. Any damage done on the nerves can’t be undone.

    Giving comparison between cataract and glaucoma, the doctor said: “One can have cataract and not have glaucoma. Or have the two of them. Cataract has to do with opacity in the lenses of the eye that blocks the person from seeing while the other is a damage of the nerves. Even if one is blind from glaucoma and does a cataract surgery, he still won’t see.

    She advised Nigerians to have glaucoma check every year and if there is any indication of the disease, it should be treated quite early and eliminated.

    “Those prone to having glaucoma are those who the disease runs in the family; those who are 40 years and above and black people. Family members should encourage one another to do periodic checks because if the disease is detected early enough, the blindness is preventable.

    “While some are given eye drops to be used every day for the rest of their lives, they are tempted to drop it when they are not in any pain; discontinuing the use of the eye drops could do much damage. Never run out of eye drops,” she said.

    Other highlight of the event was a free eye assessment for the Yaba community and the launch of the association’s secretariat for scientific research.

  • Group faults Otodo Gbame’s demolition

    A group, the United Action for Democracy (UAD), has chided the Lagos State government for acquiring Otodo Gbame community, claiming that the action was influenced by the affluent.

    It accused the state of adopting insincere and oppressive means to strip the poor of their land.

    Its General Secretary, Kunle Ajayi, at a meeting with community elders, said their eviction violated the Land Use Act.

    He said: “It is public knowledge that the Otodo Gbame people have secured judicial pronouncements against the illegal demolitions but the government keeps trampling on the law to insult our collective humanity. This is state robbery of Maroko and Makoko where land that belong to the poor has been taken, rebuilt and handed to the rich. The way the land of the poor is being taken coupled with the general socio-economic attacks through inhuman policies like deregulation and privatisation, the rich is so obsessed with deepening the class war. If we allow Otodo Gbame to be taken just like the case of Atiporeme in Badagry, we are giving the oppressors more audacity to march on our innocent heads and insult us.”

    The group, he said, would defend the community, urging the government to stop hounding the power in the bid to evolve a ‘mega city’ structure.

    He advised the state to focus on a radical housing scheme that is conducive and open to all classes of people, rather than exclusively for the rich.

    Ajayi sought the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in the matter to ensure justice is done.

    “Evidence has shown that it is the policemen that serve as bodyguards to the land grabbers who help in burning houses during illegal and inhuman actions. We call on all the working people of Lagos to come together in solidarity with Otodo Ggbame.”

    A community elder, Mr. Torsihun Pascal, pleaded that the demolition be stopped, adding that plans were on motion to redevelop the community on their own.

    “What is happening in Otodo Gbame is unfortunate under the Lagos State government. I was born here and I am 53 years of age. How do you just wake up one day and ask me to leave. Even if they want to destroy shanties, it shouldn’t be a big community like this where people have domiciled for long. We want the government to know we have our own plan to develop here ourselves. We have nowhere else to go,” Pascal said.

     

  • Group prays for Tinubu

    Group prays for Tinubu

    The leadership of a socio- political group, Asiwaju Frontliners, has prayed for the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the occasion of his 65 years birthday.
    It prayed for the politician’s good health, God’s protection, long life and prosperity.
    The Director General/ National Coordinator of the organisation, Doyin Johnson, described Tinubu as a freedom fighter, a goal getter, a true democrat, a true progressive, a patriot and a national hero.
    He prayed that God should blessed him “with all the good things of life.”
    “We pray that God should give Asiwaju Tinubu wisdom, knowledge and understanding to enable him lead his people to the Promised Land.
    “The special gift Asiwaju Frontliners has for Tinubu that money can not buy is prayer. As we are all aware that prayer is the key that open all doors.”
    The special guest of honour at the event, Babatunde Bank-Anthony, said Asiwaju Tinubu is a legend.

  • Group urges Nigerians to make leaders accountable

    Group urges Nigerians to make leaders accountable

    Nigerians have been urged to make their leaders accountable to them.
    Human Development Initiatives (HDI) Executive Director Mrs Olufunso Owasanoye gave this charge at a one-day stakeholder’s consultative forum to discuss issues of transparency and accountability in the utilisation of Universal Basic Education (UBE) Matching Grant.
    According to her, lack of transparency and accountability has not only affected the education of the present generation of youth, but has also spiral down to affecting generations yet unborn.
    She called on stakeholders to demand transparency and accountably in the utilisation of UBE funds as well as in the administration of basic education.
    She urged them to be involved in the process of governance of basic education in order to contribute to the success of UBE to have a functional basic education while also aiding the reduction of the number of out-of-school children in the country.
    UBE, she said, has the primary focus of achieving basic education for all.
    She noted that despite the annual budgetary allocations to UBE and matching grants to states of the federation, many states have refused to access these grants.
    “Non-access to information on utilisation of UBE funds disbursed by the Federal Government through UBEC funds utilisation, have continued to create major setbacks to analysing the intended goals of the UBE programme. Many states have refused to conform to the provisions of the UBE Act 2004, as regards the criteria for collection of funds by states, which stipulates that states should provide their counterpart fund contributions,” she said.
    Executive Director, Patriotic Citizens Initiative, (PCI), Comrade Osita Osemene, said stakeholders must ask questions and demand for accountability on how budget on education is utilised to secure their children’s future.
    Executive Director, Out-of-School children Empowerment Foundation (OSCEF), Mr Akeem Kelani, said the educational system in Nigeria needs a lot of support and government cannot do it alone.

  • Group prays for Tinubu

    Group prays for Tinubu

    The leadership of a socio- political group, Asiwaju Frontliners, has prayed for the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the occasion of his 65 years birthday.

    It prayed for the politician’s good health, God’s protection, long life and prosperity.

    The Director General/ National Coordinator of the organisation, Doyin Johnson, described Tinubu as a freedom fighter, a goal getter, a true democrat, a true progressive, a patriot and a national hero.

    He prayed that God should blessed him “with all the good things of life.”

    “We pray that God should give Asiwaju Tinubu wisdom, knowledge and understanding to enable him lead his people to the Promised Land.

    “The special gift Asiwaju Frontliners has for Tinubu that money can not buy is prayer. As we are all aware that prayer is the key that open all doors.”

    The special guest of honour at the event, Babatunde Bank-Anthony, said Asiwaju Tinubu is a legend.