The Nation Newspaper

Tag: group

  • Probe TCN, group urges Fed Govt

    Probe TCN, group urges Fed Govt

    The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) has urged the Federal Government to probe the poor management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) under Manitoba Hydro International Nigeria Limited (MHINL).

    SSAEAC President Chris Okonkwo said there has not been any improvement in power since MHINL took charge four years ago, stating that corruption and politicisation of the power sector have compounded the operational processes of TCN.

    “A look at the calibre and number of staff of MHINL evokes crass disdain for the quality of Nigerian professionals in TCN, who are subjected to  men and women who are mediocre in the core business of TCN and who use Nigerians to do the little that is recorded as success of the contract, with outrageously high fees paid to the MHINL for little or no work done,” he said.

    Describing the contract as political, Okonkwo alleged that from inception till date, Manitoba exploited the weakness in the system.

    “They (Manitoba) are morally and ethically bankrupt and should be investigated if the current war against corruption will have a meaning,” he alleged.

    He warned the Federal Government against another extension being pushed for by MHINL, saying it would lead to industrial action by workers.

    He said it was necessary for the government to look inwards by sourcing local contractors and professionals in the sector.

    Okonkwo also lamented that most of the firms who made a bid for stakes in the sector were insincere about their ability to inject funds into the sector.

    “When will the government open its eyes to see that the investors today are not real investors?” he asked.

    He argued that the investors, who should have brought in investment and engaged technical partners, turned out to be hiring them temporarily for the bidding purpose. This, he said, was why the so-called investors are left to do a business they knew nothing about.

  • Group condemns Lagos anti-street trading law

    Group condemns Lagos anti-street trading law

    Human Rights Writers Association (HURIWA), a civil society organisation, has condemned the Lagos State anti-street trading law.

    In a statement in Abuja yesterday signed by its National Coordinator, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, the organisation said the law was intended to stifle the poor majority in the state.

    It described the law as “draconian, unconstitutional, un-African and uncharitable”, accusing all tiers of government of having policies which affected the less-privileged.

    According to HURIWA, the policies and law are not only anti-poor but targeted at further economic enslavement of the poor.

    The rights group reminded states with such policies that their actions were targeted at killing millions of Nigerians.

    It said it was a shame that rights activists and lawyers in the state were keeping silent about the issue.

    It threatened to go to court.

    The group condemned the government and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Environmental Enforcement Authority for pursuing “evil policies”.

    Onwubiko said the policies contravened Sections 14 (1) (2), 15 (2) (a) (b) (c) and (d) (14) (1) of the 1999 Constitution.

    Noting that Nigeria comprised states operating on the principle of democracy and social justice, HURIWA said it was “pure evil” to enact laws that would further impoverish the people.

    It urged the states and the FCT with such laws to provide affordable shops for the people.

    Under the law buyers and seller are liable to N90, 000 fine or six months in prison or both.

  • Extension of Eid-el-Kabir holiday a dangerous precedent, says group

    A coalition of Christians led by the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) yesterday condemned the extension of last week’s public holiday by the Federal Government, describing as a dangerous precedent.

    It called on the government and Islamic leaders to repay the country the loss recorded as a result of the extension.

    Key members of NCEF are: Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN) (Chairman); Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (rtd); Prof. Joseph Otubu, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), Dr. (Mrs) Kate Okpareke, Dr. Ayo Abifarin, Bishop Joseph Bagobiri, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, Elder Moses Ihonde, Elder Nat Okoro and Prof. Vincent Anigbogu.

    Others are Gen. Ishaku Dikko (rtd), Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (rtd), Elder Shyngle Wigwe, DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Elder Mike Orobator, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Justice M. Ogebe (rtd), Mrs. Priscilla Kuye, Chief Debo Omotosho, Dr. Musa Asake, Joseph Daramola, Pastor Olatunbosun Emmanuel (Secretary).

    Apart from NCEF, other members of the coalition include Nigerian Christian Graduate Fellowship; Think Tank for the body of Christ; Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria; Association of Christian Schools in Nigeria; Students Christian Movement; Christian Professionals Forum; Intercessors for Nigeria and International Prophetic Ministerial Association (Inc. Worldwide College of Bishops and Ministers: Africa, UK and USA.

    The coalition also has Intercessors without Walls; Wailing Women International; Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship; Nigerian Fellowship of Christian Students; Ministers Prayer Network; International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and University Joint Campus Christian Fellowship as members.

    The statement by Asemota reads: “As Nigerians, we congratulate the Muslims in the nation on their successful completion of the Ramadan fast in 2016. However, we are disturbed by the apparent shoddiness and confusion the Federal Government brought into the declaration of the Public Holiday rounding off the Muslim religious exercise.

    “The Federal Government had earlier declared Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th July as Public Holiday only to reverse itself and declare Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th July 2016 as Public Holiday. If this was done before Tuesday was observed as Public Holiday, it would have been tolerable but declaring Thursday 7th as Public Holiday in addition to Tuesday and Wednesday is bad. The implication now is that three days would be work free in the week.

    “We are equally appalled that the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau based the decision to declare Thursday as Public Holiday on the directive by the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, to the effect that the Ramadan fast continues today (last Tuesday) as a result of the non-sighting of the moon.”

  • Group trains pupils on inferiority complex

    Pupils from over 30 primary schools under the Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED) in Olorunda Local Council Development Association (LCDA), Lagos have learnt tips on how to pass this year’s state Placement Test for admission into public junior secondary schools.

    AFED Chairman of the zone, Prince Ajanaku Adewale Sunday, said the idea, which emanated from the national secretariat of the association, was aimed at weaning the pupils of inferiority complex when they meet with their counterparts from other schools at the examination venues.

    Speaking with The Nation at Olaoluwa School in Araromi, Badagry, where the seminar held last Saturday, Ajanaku said it has helped boost the confidence of many pupils.

    He said: “Being someone in the system over the years, I discovered that because we (AFED) are mostly located in rural areas, some of our children do not know other groups exist better than they are. Gradually however, we let them know that this is just a community and that there are more sophisticated towns elsewhere.

    “During examination, some of them usually become panicky once they see a crowd. This appears more even painful when they know what to write.”

    Ahead of the test, Ajanaku said AFED organises a mock examination for member-schools and rewards highflyers to inspire others.

    Pupils who excelled in the mock examination organised for the Olorunda Zone were rewarded during the seminar.

    Ajanaku praised AFED for defending member-schools from harassment from government agencies, particularly in Lagos.

    “AFED schools charge lowest; as low as N3,500 tuition per term because we want every parent within the community, however poor, to have access to quality education. But I can tell you that the area of clampdown on AFED schools is no more. The government has given us serious warning to comply with standard and we are doing that,” he said.

    Ajanaku added that Olorunda LCDA 2 would ensure that members comply with government standard.

    “AFED goes round to see the affairs of each school with regard to good toilet, classroom, laboratories and other facilities. AFED also has a policy that in every year, something must improve in each individual school. For instance, let’s say in a particular year, a school has just 30 chairs and desks, by next year, we expect such school to have doubled that number or better still improve significantly on it. That is how we renew ourselves and remain comfortable with government.”

    Despite the low fees charged in AFED schools, Mrs Grace Alausa, a resource person at the seminar, lamented that many parents still owe and that the schools were forced to send their wards home.

    “Sending them home is something we don’t like. When a child is sent home for a week or two and returns to school, his contemporaries are already far ahead of him or her and we as teachers have to start again from where we stopped before sending them home,” she said.

    Though the financial reward of running a low income private school is not attractive, Mrs Esebamen Ojikutu said she loves helping less privileged children.

    “I love teaching the ‘never-do-well’ kids because it makes me descend to their level, bring them to my level and eventually bring out the best in them,” she added.

  • Christian group urges love, tolerance, unity

    A Christian interdenominational group, the Christian Conscience, has appealed to Muslim faithful to abide by the lessons of love, tolerance and unity, learnt during Ramadan.

    A statement by its National Chairman Chief Enoch Ajiboso and Publicity Secretary Tunji Oguntuase, admonished Muslims to preach peace and unity to faithful so that religious organisations and other ethnic groups would maintain and sustain the peaceful co-existence enjoyed in the country.

    The statement reads: “Nigeria is destined to be great and we must make it great. We urge that the lessons learnt during Ramadan be adhered to and allow the will of God to prevail on our country.

    “A country will prosper and progress where there is peace and love. The Buhari-Osinbajo led Federal Government deserve our support now more than ever in this trying period to correct mistakes of the past. When we co-exist in peace, love and unity, it is then the will of God will be done.”

  • Group launches appeal fund

    Group launches appeal fund

    A Muslim group, Kasumu/Isokan Estates Muslim Community Ibadan, off Ojo-Ekun Road, Odo-Ona Elewe, Orita Challenge in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State has concluded plans to launch an appeal fund to complete work on their N50 million Central Mosque on Saturday.

    The event will also feature Qur’anic recitation and open prayer sessions. The event will hold at Kasumu Estate, off Ojo Ekun, Odo-Ona Elewe, Ibadan Oyo State at 9:00 in the morning.

    According to the organisers, Alhaji Fatai Fehintola Ali Olalere will be the Chief launcher and Alhaji Daud Makanjuola, the Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land will be the Father of the Day. The mothers of the Day are Alhaja Afusat Oyebamiji and Alhaja Sidikat Aderibigbe while Special Guests are Alhaja K. Adetona, Alhaji Y.K. Abass and Alhaji Okegbile.

    The hosts are Alhaji Abdulraham Oluwakemi (Imam Kasumu/Isokan Central Mosque), Alhaji Rasheed Opadijo (General Chairman Kasumu/Isokan Muslim Community) and Chairman of the committee, Mr. Gbolagade Azeez.

     

  • Group to Muslim professionals: aim high

    Muslims all over the country have been urged to strive to be at the top in their various fields of endeavour.

    Speaking at an Iftar programme organised by the Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP) at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, a partner at KPMG, Mr Ayo Salami observed that Muslims are lagging behind in ownership of private universities as well as leadership of various professional bodies and associations across the nation.

    He urged all Muslims to support the government in the actualisation of agriculture, solid minerals and infrastructure development, adding that, adequate steps must be in place to ensure Muslims locally make foods to support the government’s ban on foreign produce.

    He urged Muslims to support their prayers with hard work to achieve success.

    GMP Board of Trustees Chairman Mr Akeem Oyewale, said, “As Muslim professionals, we have a stake to contribute to the development of the Nigerian economy. Nigeria is currently going through a recession. The competent Muslim professionals can assist the government in areas of economic policies, which has led to weakened currency and price of crude oil by giving the necessary advice and proffering efficient financial solutions to the government.”

    Such advise, he said, will entail efficient financial solutions and real capacity building that will ensure the country successfully pass through the present economic period.

  • Abia police inaugurate vigilance group

    The Aba Area Command of the police has inaugurated a vigilance group in Abala autonomous Community in Obingwa council area of the state.

    The measure is to help the police better deal with crime in the area.

    While inaugurating the team, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Eastern Ngwa Division, Superintendent of Police Saleh Musa said residents of the communities know each other and are better placed to fight crime by volunteering information about criminal activities to the police.

    He enjoined the vigilance group  to work in one accord and abstain from taking the law into their hands or using their position to intimidate innocent residents of the community and environs.

    The DPO recalled that community policing remains the best way to combat crime, stressing that the vigilance men have an enormous task in assisting the police in securing their community.

    He said, “When the community people came to my office, I insisted that vigilante men must be people of integrity. You have enormous task in helping the police fight crime. Don’t engage in jungle justice; you must hand over every suspect to the police. Again, ensure that you don’t connive with criminals. The name of Abala community has been ringing a bell. All the bad things they talked about your community should be in the past. Do not hesitate to call the police at every opportunity.”

    Speaking at the occasion, the traditional ruler of Abala community, Eze Paul Ekwenye noted that the community which shares borders with Akwa Ibom State, had been peaceful since he ascended the throne after the death of his predecessor who was murdered with his wife by hoodlums.

    The monarch appealed for the regular visit of the police to the rural communities under its jurisdiction.

    Chairman, Council of Village Heads in the community, Mr. Ndubuisi Sampson hailed the police for supporting community policing, stressing that the community would not hesitate to hand over any member who misbehaves to the police.

    The vigilance team members were given identity cards.

  • Group records 27.39 growth in learning

    The Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria (ELAN), yesterday, released a review of the Nigerian leasing industry for 2015.

    According to the association’s Executive Secretary, Andrew Efurhievwe, who briefed journalists in Lagos, a review of the past five years, shows a steady growth of the industry even in the face of the economic meltdown.

    According to him, available statistics show an impressive 27.39% growth in leasing activities. The volume of outstanding leases grew from N869 billion in 2014 to N1.1 trillion in 2015, and this could be explained based on the developmental attributes of leasing which makes it attractive whether the economy is witnessing a boom or recession, as is currently the case.

    Efurhievwe stated that many industries are relying on leasing as a creative financing alternative for capital assets and this has created increased investments from existing lessors and attracted new entrants into the leasing industry to tap into the opportunities in the market.”

    He  explained that analysis by sector of the leased volume records in 2015, show that even with the global fall in the price of crude oil, the oil and gas sector still has the highest volume of leased assets. He said the volume of leased assets in the sector rose from N284 billion in 2014 to N361 billion in 2015 representing 27% growth and 33% of total portfolio. Next to the oil and gas sector is the transport sector, recording 21% growth rate from N228 billion in leased asset in 2014 to N290 billion in 2015. Other sectors like telecoms, agriculture and manufacturing as well, also had considerable growths.

    “Categorising the lease transactions according to types, finance leases retained the dominant position accounting for 75% of all lease transactions while operating lease accounted for 25%. It is however expected that operating lease will continue to increase its market share as more demands are being made from large corporate due to its service oriented nature.

  • Group urges Fed Govt to unmask sponsors of Boko Haram Sponsors

    The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has urged the Federal Government to carry out a proper scrutiny to unmask financiers of Boko Haram in the country.

    The group, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, by its Executive Secretary, Ikpa Isaac, also called on various persons or group sponsoring Boko Haram activities in the country to put the interest of Nigerians above their personal interest.

    Isaac said that only a probe of the stakeholders from Borno State can bring a lasting peace to the North east.

    He urged those who he described as ‘crisis entrepreneurs’ and believe in making financial fortunes from the insurgency to allow peace a chance in the interest of the suffering masses in the country.

    According to him, these individuals have sabotaged every effort to end the crisis and are not ready to quit their inhuman business of war mongering.

    The statement read: “The military has adequately demonstrated that they are up the task and all they have achieved in a short span of time should not be thrown away simply because some leaders in Borno State want the war to linger for their own interest.

    “President Buhari has to finally honour the implied promise of exposing these people who have been running terrorism as a business despite the toll of human misery they are exacting on the nation. There is no justifiable reason for the military to have carried out successful operations while the other components of the anti-terror efforts are being frustrated.

    “We have even seen instances were some so called leaders or elites in this area covertly or openly come out to speak for the terrorists. Some also take action or use inaction to aid the cause of the insurgents all in attempts to roll back the gains made in combating Boko Haram.