The Nation Newspaper

Tag: group

  • Education minister’s action killing sector, says group

    A non-governmental organisation, Concerned Citizens for Educational Development (CCED), has accused Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu of initiating policies that impact negatively on the sector.

    The group said unless urgent steps are taken to reverse them, the nation’s educational sector will be heading for an implosion.

    In an April 26 letter to the minister signed by the group’s National Convener, Comrade Solomon Adodo, the CCED expressed concerns that since the former vice-chancellors of 13 new federal universities were wrongfully sacked by the minister, many of the succeeding vice-chancellors have borrowed a leaf from the minister by continuing to flout the relevant universities rules. They have been sidelining the governing councils in most academic appointments, the letter alleged

    The unfortunate implications of this, according to the group, is that merit is unwittingly being replaced by mediocrity, while ineptitude and intimidation prevails, even as academic excellence and scholarship continues to take the back seat in our institutions of higher learning.

    Using the case of the Federal University of Lokoja as a case, the group alleged that the new Vice-Chancellor, being a product of the unilateral appointment by the education minister, has continued to make other appointments in the school, including the Deputy Vice Chancellor without recourse to the institution’s governing council as provided by the act setting up the school.

    The group also listed the appointment by the minister of the new Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Oye Ekiti, who is a retiree professor, noting that the extant laws setting up the federal universities does not permit such an appointment.

    It further cited the case of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) with a unique establishment act, where the newly appointed vice chancellor of the institution has set in motion, a plan to reduce the academic standard of the school by attempting to scrap some study centres of the institution, meant to cater for the academically unreached persons in Nigeria.

    It also criticised the new VC of NOUN for contravening due process and the statute setting up the school by appointing the Director of Media and Protocol for the university without placing any form of advertorial or conferring with any other relevant organ within the university system.

    The group regretted that, “The flagrant attitude of the newly appointed VCs are bolstered by the fact that they are not answerable to any other body within or outside the universities, since their appointments were friendly compensation from the Minister of Education.”

  • Group seeks end to domestic violence

    Group seeks end to domestic violence

    In March 15 this year, the rejection of a gender and equality bill by Senators generated uproar among Nigerians, especially among the female folks.

    The bill entitled, “A Bill Seeking Gender Parity and Prohibition of Violence against Women” sponsored by Abiodun Olujimi, a Senator from Ekiti State, had sought to bridge the huge gap between the rights of men and women in Nigeria.

    More so, it also sought to end questionable and unpleasant stereotypical practices that encourage discrimination based on gender.

    Most importantly, the bill was firm on prohibition of domestic and sexual violence against women and instituting 18 as the minimum legal age for girls to marry.

    In a country such as Nigeria, where recent cases of child brides have resonated, the bill was considered by most Nigerians as apt and a ready answer to address the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) survey which put the figure of girls said to be married off before they turn 18 to 43 per cent.

    Hardly had the bill been read before dissenting voices from Senators overwhelmed the position of other lawmakers who had earlier given thumps up to the bill.

    Consequently, a voice vote rendered the bill dead on arrival with majority voting against the bill before the Second Reading.

    Though the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki had promised that the bill will be revisited, many Nigerians are doubtful that the Senate will give it a second thought.

    But the Sarah Adebisi Sosan Foundation (SASF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), is leading a fresh campaign to ensure gender equality and an end to all forms of domestic violence as well as the need for government at all levels to respect rights of women and give them equal opportunity that would enable them to contribute to discussions on community development.

    A recent event organised by the foundation to commemorate this year’s edition of International Women’s Day, drew women from all walks of life, which were unanimous in their call for gender balance, especially in the areas of education, employment and an immediate end to all forms of domestic violence.

    Founder of SASF and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan noted that in all sectors, women continue to suffer from gender inequality, which she said hinders their advancement and key contributions they would have made in the development of the society.

    Sosan further stated that there is the need for regular sensitisation of the public to the need for gender balance and formulation of appropriate laws that would free women from all forms of subjugation.

    While describing the theme of the celebration, “The Role of Parents in Gender Equality” as apt, she called on mothers to give equal attention and show love to their female children, noting that often, the boy-child is exempted and accorded respect in domestic affairs while growing up but the girl-child is made to bear so much responsibilities, which she noted is a contributory factor to gender imbalance in the society.

    Sosan urged government at all levels of governance to end disparity against women. She said women that have occupied various positions in the country in the past have proved that women have a lot to contribute to the socio-economic growth of the society, adding that women empowerment and participation in decision-making process is crucial to achieving sustainable global peace and world development.

    She revealed that her foundation, (SASF)  was aimed at empowering women, especially those from poor economic background  by  helping them to gain entrepreneurial skills that would provide them with means of livelihood and free them from the shackles of poverty, while they contribute to the economy of their homes.

    Earlier in her remarks, the guest speaker and former Deputy Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Bola Badmus-Olujobi noted that globally, 31 million girls of primary school age and 32 million girls of lower secondary school age are out of school, with sub-Saharan Africa suffering the lowest proportion of countries with gender parity in education.

    She said: “It is vital that we overcome this gender parity in education because education empowers girls by helping them to achieve other basic human rights and breaking generational poverty cycles.”

     

  • Group: why Oronsaye’s trial should be reconsidered

    A non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Integrity Forum, has given reasons why the trial of former Head of Service of the Federation (HoS), Mr Steve Oronsaye, should be dropped.

    The group said “key figures during the public hearing on corruption in the pension office exonerated the former HoS while the senate committee equally absolved him of any wrong doing”.

    As a result of this, “he deserves to be commended for his service to the country rather than be put on trial.”

    The group’s statement, signed by National coordinator James Alo and Secretary Aliu Sanni, alleged that its review of circumstances surrounding the entire case against Orosanye “smacks of vendetta and a bid to punish him for no just cause.”

    The Integrity Forum traced Orosanye’s travail to his time as HoS when he made effort to reform the pension scheme which was then rife with high level corruption and in the process stepped on powerful toes.

    The group recalled that on assumption of duty as HoS,  Orosanye begun an exercise aimed at saving cost, eradicating and eliminating ghost pensioners. “To this end, he instituted an exercise to carry out physical verification and biometric capture of pensioners across the country”.

    It added that Orosanye’s aim was to also ensure  that a seamless e-payment system was put in place, “to ensure that new pensioners who had never received pension were also captured electronically to ensure ease of payment”.

    According to the group, Orosanye’s effort deserved commendation considering that during the exercise,  mind-boggling frauds spanning several years were unearthed in the pension scheme. “ Many names and account numbers were duplicated, while many fake pensioners provided false documents in order to claim benefits. It was also in the course of this that some officials were discovered to have cloned pensioners files while under-age individuals were also collecting pension benefits in a scheme that had the collusion of a few  employees of the pension office. The culprits were handed over to law enforcement agencies. All these were uncovered by the exercise instituted by Oronsaye”, the group said.

    The decision by Oronsaye to put an end to the pension scam no doubt put him on collision course with some key members of the pension scam ring, the group said. “ Since he was the one that brought in the EFCC to investigate the pension scam and also gave information that led to the arrest of most of the ring leaders, at what point did the narration change?

  • Group urges AG to take over assault case

    Group urges AG to take over assault case

    A group, Al-Muminaat Social Advocacy Project, has written to Lagos State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General (AG), urging to take over the case between Miss Kafayat Rabiu, and Sadiq Olowolagba to avoid miscarriage of justice. The case was brought against Olowolagba for allegedly assaulting Miss Rabiu.

    It is titled suit no MK/CR44/2016: Commissioner of Police vs Sodiq Olowolagba.  Hearing in the case, which is pending before Magistrate Yewande Badejo-Okusanya of Ogba Magistrates’ Court will continue today.

    Last March 31, Olowolagba, a danfo driver, was said to have assaulted Miss Rabiu, a passenger, following an argument over attempted change of route.

    Signed by the group’s lawyer, Mutiat Orolu, the petition, which was copied Home Affairs Commissioner and the Director of Public Prosecution, sought government’s “timely intervention to take over the prosecution of the case in ensuring justice.”

    The petition reads: “Sir, from the investigations, a case of assault occasioning harm was established against the defendant and from the look of things, the complainant does not repose confidence in the ability of the prosecution to handle this matter, hence this petition to your office. Crime of this magnitude should not be swept under the carpet.”

    Following Olowolagba’s arraignment on April 11, Mrs Badejo-Okusanya granted him N100,000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

  • Group offers scholarship to indigent students

    The Ilaje Regional Development Council (IRDC) in the coastal area of Ondo State has given scholarship to more than 400 indigent students in secondary and tertiary schools. The gesture was aimed at providing quality education for its people within the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the oil-producing area.

    At Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area venue of the event, cheques were given to the indigent students of the mandate area of the RDC.

    Over 400 students in the secondary and higher institutions benefited from the gesture. While those in the higher institutions received N50, 000 each, secondary school students received N20, 000.

    Speaking at the occasion, Chairman of RDC, Prince Henry Ehinmola said the council initiated the scheme as an annual event different from that of the NNPC/CHEVRONN which scope of beneficiaries extended beyond the RDC mandate area.

    He said the scholarship scheme was strategically put in place to complement the efforts of the state government in order to improve the quality of education of the students in the oil-producing area.

    This is to also assist parents in educating their children.

    The chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, who was represented by one of his supervisors, Jossy

    Ehimore said the programme was a laudable one as “every programme on education is a programme to improve the well-being of humanity”.

    He appreciated the management of RDC for the initiative and implored the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the gesture.

    All present at the ceremony praised the generosity of the RDC.

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was represented at the occasion by officials of the Ministry of Niger Delta, the Ugbo Traditional Council of Chiefs.

    Besides, all community heads and representatives of the GMoU areas were also in attendance.

    One of the beneficiaries, Emmanuel Omogbemi expressed his happiness and promised to utilise the money given to him sensibly.

    Omogbemi said after his education, he will definitely come back home to join in the development of the oil-rich Ilaje land.

  • Group cautions against fresh violence in Ekpan

    As part of efforts to find a lasting solution to the crisis in Ekpan community  in Uvwie  Local Government Area of Delta State, a group, Ekpan Integrity Group (EIG), has cautioned against fresh outbreak of violence in the community.

    The group stressed the need for  stakeholders in Ekpan and Uvwie to ensure that those responsible for fanning the embers of crisis face the law.

    EIG President Pastor Innocent Akpotedja-Adjenughure, a lawyer, spoke during the inauguration of the group in Ekpan at the weekend. He decried the loss of lives and properties during crisis, which he said, has led to Ekpan almost becoming a ‘ghost land’ and led to investors leaving in droves.

    He said: “We can’t allow fear, intimidation,  to keep us silent when evil  is going on. We cannot be here and see the rate of arms proliferation, see the rate of crisis, conflicts, violence go on in Ekpan community and keep silent. We cannot fold our arms and see things crumble in our own time and  generation.”

    Akpotedja-Adjenughure was accompanied by Vice President – Terry Moses Aruroje;  Secretary- Ifie Prince;  PRO- Pere Judah, Publicity Secretary and Orumeji Kingsley- Mobiliser.

    The group made up of  Ekpan indigenes of like minds, he said,was borne out of the desire to bring about  peace, sustainable development and  sustainable security in Ekpan. He added that they would work with law enforcement agencies  and relevant stakeholders as  well as government to restore peace , sanity, pride and dignity of  the community. He said the era when  evil perpetrators were allowed to go unpunished had passed.

    Pastor Innocent said: “Any human being that takes  the life of any member of Ekpan community must pay dearly  for it. I can assure you that, we would mobilise resources, mobilise whatever it takes against any one that takes up arms against  any one in this community. ..It is a passion for all of us.

    “When good men keep silent when evil is going on, they become part of the evil, so, good men will not keep quiet, they  will talk out .”

    The Secretary of the group, Comrade Ifie Prince,  said the group would collaborate with government and other stakeholders to  solve the problem of incessant crisis in the community.

    The leader of the legislative arm of Uvwie Local Government  , Hon. Glory Utuedor and th Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ekpan Police  Station, Chris Sogara, who was represented by DSP Monday Eghujovwo, promised to collaborate with the group to bring lasting peace to Ekpan.

    Some indigenes of Ekpan community, including Olorogun   Daniel Igedo,  Hon.Eyimofe  Akemu and Comrade Harry Odafe pledged their loyalty to the group.

  • Group makes case for migration reporting

    The Network of Migration Research in Africa (NOMRA) has unveiled plans to establish the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) for migration reporting.

    At a workshop for media professionals on migration reportage at the Domus Fidei, Ikeja, Lagos, NOMRA coordinator, Prof. Aderanti Adepoju said the group was in deliberations with the iInternational Organisation for Migration (IOM) to facilitate the award.

    Speaking during the workshop, Prof. Adepoju said: “We have deliberations with IOM to establish an award in journalism for migration reporting. Not many people can be experts in migration reporting but there are many areas that can be linked to migration reporting. The media shape publication and it is a huge responsibility. We should go one more stage in accurate reporting.”

    Also speaking, representative of the IOM, Mr. Sunday Omoyeni said the aim of the programme was to help government to manage migration, project achievements and maximise the development potential.

    He noted that the workshop began in May last year, in collaboration with the National Commission for Migrants and Refugees to push for the implementation of the National Migration Policy, which was adopted by the Federal Executive Council in October, 2014.

    A ShowBiz reporter from Daily Independent, Mr. Tosin Clegg engaged other participants on the diversity of migration reporting in various aspects of the Nigerian society.

    He said: “When I came to the workshop in UNILAG last year, initially I didn’t see anything I could do for ShowBiz relating to migration. But after two months, I noticed a lot of things have to do with migration. Of the 36 states in Nigeria, Lagos seems to be where ShowBiz is formed and bubbles up. To an extent, a lot of people from the 36 states come to Lagos so that they can sell their music.

    “In Rivers or Kaduna states, they complain that nobody comes to listen to their music, but once you come to Lagos, they say people are willing to listen to their music. A lot of non-Nigerians from Angola, Tanzania and South Africa, all come to Nigeria to set up their music. So many issues relate to migration.”

    An education correspondent at The Nation, Kofoworola Belo-Osagie noted that education was a contributing factor to migration in the country, as many find succour in getting their certificates outside the border.

    Decrying this act, she said education outside Nigeria is not only costly but also bad for Nigerians, as it enhances flow of resources outside the country.

    “Resources needed in the country are taken outside the shores of the country by youths who relish education. Money meant to be spent in Nigeria is taken to other countries. This brings down the value system of schools in Nigeria,” Belo-Osagie said.

    Also speaking, representative of National Commission for Refugees, Migrant and Internally-Displaced Persons (NCFMI), Aisa Mohammed, urged reporters to research and write on children education in IDP camps and create awareness for youths in comparing Nigerian education with those of schools abroad.

    “This will help youths in their choice of schools and make them believe in their country. I encourage that you should write more on education on IDP camps and write articles for youths comparing Nigerian schools with those outside the country,” Mohammed said.

    Meanwhile, some reporters lamented reporters’ poor standard of living and access to funds, which hinder them from doing in-depth research.

  • Group advocates mother tongue for kids

    Group advocates mother tongue for kids

    Moms Africa, a women/children advocacy group, has called on the government to promote teaching and speaking of mother tongue in schools to prevent them from going extinct.

    President of the group Mrs Mary Ikoku, said research has proven that children who learn their mother tongues while growing up are more likely to succeed in their educational pursuits and learn a second language faster than others who did not.

    Speaking at the commemoration of International Mother Language Day at Citi Lodge, Lekki, Ikoku faulted parents who accrue excessive importance to English language. She said benefits of speaking one’s mother tongue include saving lives and staying true to one’s identity.

    She said: “There is something spiritual about the mother tongue, so we are trying to reinforce that culture which is also a United Nations (UN) requirement. English is only a target language, not our primary language. Speaking English does not make you classy. What defines and stands you out is your language. It could even save your life. People can warn you of dangers with your native language to prevent a foreigner from harming you. What defines you is the language that you speak when you are separated from the English language.”

    Head of Imperial Gate Schools, Lekki, Mrs Victoria Duru also corroborated Ikoku, saying skills acquired in the first language can easily be incorporated into the second.

    Coordinating the event, a polyglot and on-air presenter Dr Yolanda George-David, popularly known as Aunt Landa, who speaks Isreali, Portugese and Gaa Dangbe of Ghana among others, suggested inculcating mother tongue in kids at infancy to make them learn easier.

    Meanwhile, a pupil of Imperial Gates School, Aisha Mujahie-Kabir, gave a presentation in Hausa language advised parents to use songs and stories to teach their children their mother language.

    “I think our mother tongue is important because it helps us to understand our families and origin better than when we speak English,” she said.

    While, schools, parents and stakeholders discussed the way forward for promoting mother language in the country during the symposium, many parents admitted their faults in not promoting the language in their homes and promised to do so hence forth.

  • Group backs Ambode’s choice of Soyinka

    Group backs Ambode’s choice of Soyinka

    A group, Coalition of Ibile Professionals, yesterday supported the choice of Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka as co-chair of the Lagos at 50 Celebration Committee.

    The group in a statement by its General Secretary, Wasiu Hassan, described members of Eko Foundation, as “rabble-rousers and noise makers seeking cheap publicity and attention for relevance”.

    Eko Foundation had last weekend criticised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s choice of Soyinka to head the Committee.

    Hassan said Lagos State is made up of five divisions -Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe- adding that all the divisions are relevant for the state’s progress.

    He lampooned insinuation that indigenes had been marginalised just because some Eko Foundation members, who are exclusively from the Lagos Island division, have lost out in the search for appointment.

    “We should be grateful for having Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi and Prof Soyinka appointed by a governor who has recognised their qualities to add glamour and depth to an international event for celebration of a cosmopolitan city such as Lagos.

    “Eko Foundation should purge themselves of their base and narrow sentiments if they expect to be taken seriously. Enough is enough,” Hassan said.

     

  • Emulate Christ, group urges leaders

    A group, The Christian Conscience, has enjoined politicians to emulate Jesus Christ, who during his life was an embodiment of love, peace and integrity.

    According to the group, until these virtues are emulated, our political leaders will continue to depend on their own strength rather than allowing Christ to lead them aright.

    In a goodwill message to Christians and political leaders at Easter, the group admonished leaders to allow Christ to always direct their affairs by loving one another.

    A statement by its National Chairman Chief Enock Ajiboso, and the Publicity Secretary, Tunji Oguntuase, yesterday said: “When we emulate Christ, there will be peace, integrity and love, rather than the politically-induced senseless killings. Rather than allow Christ to anoint them for leadership roles, political leaders are forcing themselves on the people and have made politics a do-or-die affair, forgetting that only God anoints leaders.”

    The statement called on Nigerians to support the Buhari-Osinbajo government more than before to fulfill their campaign promises.