The Nation Newspaper

Tag: group

  • Group laments injustice to members

    Group laments injustice to members

    A group, Ijaw Youth Leaders’ Forum Lagos (IYLF), has called for a focused and balanced leadership, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the victimisation of some public office holders from Ijaw in federal agencies.

    They made the appeal in a statement signed by its Chairman Ebimobowei Jeremiah and Public Relations Officer, Tuborke-ere Moni.

    The group expressed worries over what it described as “selective victimisation” of public office holders from Ijaw, particularly in the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). It claimed that some of its leaders were being maligned with corruption charges, while other directors on whose table financial records passed through were being left out.

    Listing the achievement of the former Director-General of NIMASA, the group urged the President to intervene in the matter.

    He said: “The singling out of only Ijaw and South-South directors, such as the former NIMASA D-G, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, for interrogation, detention and subjecting them to inhuman treatment is most regrettable in this administration of “change mantra”. The DSS and EFCC commando style of effecting arrest in this 21st Century only reminds one of the dark military days. Non Ijaw/South-South tribes were honourably invited and released after a few hours but Niger Deltans are denied access to their families and lawyers.

    “While we are not against any effort to investigate or probe previous administrations and indeed take steps against the perceived scourge of corruption in NIMASA, we hereby state that the period covered by this probe is suspicious. Avoiding probes of all employments, appointments, promotions, pre-Akpobolokemi tenure clearly portrays the Ministry of Transport as having ulterior motive. We make bold to state that Akpobolokemi’s tenure witnessed unprecedented progress in the history of NIMASA as it recorded the highest output in income generation and other world best practice reforms that he brought to bear in the life of the maritime industry in Nigeria, including the global scholarship programme; the Nigeria Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP). The group noted that the reforms changed the lives of over 2,500 Nigerian youths across the country, as they received trainings at degree levels in Marine Engineering, Marine Surveying and Nautical Sciences, among otherS, in reputable universities around the world.”

    The group also called for the opening of the Maritime University at Okerenkoko and NIMASA Science and Technical College, Okoloba which have remained closed for some time now, saying their continuous closure threatens their usefulness.

  • Group celebrates peace, unity

    Group celebrates peace, unity

    It was a gathering of kinsmen. Though scattered throughout the federation, they are kith and kin. Their gathering was a proof that wherever a people are scattered, they should identify with themselves once in a while. It was also evidence that distance is not a barrier to the unity of different tribes.

    The Bille people of in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State demonstrated this much when they held their 3rd National Annual Peace Seminar/Public Enlightenment Campaign on the Need for Unity, Self Re-discovery, Peaceful Co-Existence and Solidarity among the JAMKAB Ethnic Group.”

    The event organised by the JAMKAB Peace and Empowerment Initiative was held at Iwo-Ama Town Hall in Bille Kingdom.

    The acronym JAMKAB reflects the initials of the tribes that sprang up from Bille which originated from Nigeria Bantu or Benue–Congo language.

    The tribes which are Jahr; Afizere; Mbula; Kantana; Kulun; Kwaita; Bille, Bambur; Bade; Tambo; Bakopi and Bwazza Mabilla are spread across 10 states of the federation namely Plateau; Bauchi; Gombe; Taraba; Yobe; Adamawa; Nasarawa; Kaduna and Rivers states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

    Welcoming participants at the seminar from these tribes spread in these states, the Secretary, Bille Kingdom Chiefs of Council, Chief Ibiba Kombonimi, said that “occasion such as this helps in no small measure to realise our communality, bridge the gap and thereby foster the unity, peace and stability that we sorely need in this country.”

    Kombonimi stressed the need for the people to forge unity because “in this era when a man without relations can be trampled upon without much ado, we are glad to know that we have our people out there and they are yearning to relate with us at all times.”

    He further said that “even though physical distance could be a veritable barrier to effective communication, it cannot discourage a mind assured of assistance in time of need,” adding that the presence of their kinsmen from other states is a sufficient assurance “that we are never alone anymore.”

    While reiterating that all Bille people come from the same source, Kombonimi also urged his people to always show keen interest and try and identify with one another whenever they come across one another, stressing that “our identification might save life, secure an opportunity or encourage a flagging effort to rise to a challenging moment; thus securing the needed peace, unity and solidarity in Nigeria.”

    During his speech, the originator of JAMKAB Peace and Empowerment Initiative, Comrade Butswat Kunwur explained the vision and mission of the organisation which he said was basically to improve the life of JAMKAB people by forging a common front.

    Kunwur also said his organisation would “unite the JAMKAB people for their socio-political and economic well-being within the context of the Nigerian society.

    “Based on this belief, we maintain that the crises in Nigeria are due to the inability of government to inculcate into its citizens a genuine sense of patriotism that pays unalloyed loyalty and allegiance to their fatherland.”

    The former Military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, who was the chairman on the occasion stated that the unity of Nigeria is sacrosanct and that no group in the country should be regarded as minority.

    Gowon, who was represented by Alhaji Isa Hashimu Salami from Plateau State, noted that everybody is Nigerian and Nigeria is one.

    While thanking Bille people for their hospitality, he promised that they would all work together to create job opportunities for the people as well as empower them.

    In a 13-point communiqué issued at the end of the event, the people said they were happy to celebrate their discovered identity despite their expansive geographical spread, promising to continue their unifying annual cultural events.

    They also urged Nigerians to support and promote all programmes geared towards the promotion of peace and unity.

  • Group seeks enforcement of migrants’ rights

    Group seeks enforcement of migrants’ rights

    A group, the Network of Migration Research in Africa (NOMRA), has called for the enforcement of the rights of migrants, both regular and irregular ones.

    It urged the media to put more effort in reporting issues of migration.

    These were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day training for media practitioners organised by NOMRA in Lagos.

    The group said media houses should have immigration desks to adequately cover migration issues.

    Story ideas were explored at the training, including the need to highlight conditions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and their camps, state of Nigerians in prisons abroad, executions in foreign countries without fair trial, state of embassies abroad, among other rights abuses of, and by, migrants.

    The training was part of the European Union (EU) funded “Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria”.

    The project aims to contribute towards improved migration governance.  It is jointly implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with a focus to manage regular and irregular migration.

    Key activities include building capacity of government officials to collect data,  engage diaspora, protect migrants’ rights and welfare, strengthen Civil Society Organisations (CSO) involvement in the migration sector, and formulate national-level policy and strategy.

    Activities also cover major technical areas such as improvement of border management, migrant screening/holding centres, visa policies and procedures and overall approaches to training of government staff working in these areas.

    The project is implemented in close collaboration with several key Nigerian partner agencies including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), National Population Commission, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigeria National Volunteer Service (NNVS).

    Among others, the project has supported the establishment of a Technical Working Group (TWG) on migration and development comprising government representatives, the civil society and the academia.

     

     

     

  • Group seeks new approach to boost energy access

    Nigeria needs to explore a new market arrangement to boost access to energy, Nigerian Association of Energy Economics president Prof Wumi Iledare, has said.

    He said there was inequity in energy access based on levels of income, and location in the country.

    This situation, he said, means that 52 per cent of Nigeria’s population doesn’t have access to modern energy.

    Prof Iledare, who spoke at a press conference to mark this year’s World Energy Day in Abuja, added that 25 per cent of Nigeria’s population of over 170 million had regular access to electricity.

    The remaining 75 per cent, he said, make do with little or no electricity, adding that 45 per cent of the population was connected to the national grid.

    He said: “This is very vital for our nation because despite the importance of energy to economic development, a large proportion of Nigerians have no access at all to modern energy, in particular, electricity, and for those with access, availability and quality remains a major concern.

    “There is obvious inequity in energy access based on levels of income, and location. Access is nearly 100 per cent in developed countries, compared to 60 per cent in the developing countries. In 2011 alone, the IEA (International Energy Agency) estimated that about 68 per cent of the people in sub-Saharan Africa were without access to modern energy and 52 per cent of Nigeria’s population falls in this category.

    “Using electricity as an example, less than 25 per cent of the total population of over 170 million has regular access to electricity. The remaining 75 per cent make do with little or no electricity. Although 45 per cent of the population is connected to the national grid.”

  • Group seeks public holiday for Hijrah

    The Kosofe Muslim Community (KMC) has called on the Lagos State Government to declare Hijrah (the Islamic New Year) a public holiday.

    Speaking at a Hijrah Awareness celebration, the Chairman of Kosofe Muslim Community, Alhaji Sherifdeen Idris, said it would show that Muslims have a history behind everything they do.

    He said: “We are not waiting for the government which is why we are holding an event such as this in order to sensitise the people to it. We just want the government to give it recognition as they do the New Year by declaring it a holiday.”

    He said Hijrah symbolises a transition from bad to good. He urged all Muslims to accommodate everybody and be good ambassadors of Islam.

    The chairman on the occasion, who is also the former KMC chairman, Alhaji Shamsudeen Ashubiaro urged Muslims to practise Islam the way it was practised during the time of the Prophet Mohammed.

    “You can see that anything evil is against nature and we should move against it. Everyone knows what is good and what is bad and we should be able to move away from bad deeds to good,” he said.

    KMC Deputy Chief Missioner, Alhaji Marufdeen Olawale said: “The meaning of Hijrah is abandoning the wrongs and accepting the rights. When you are in a position where you are not performing well, you should move forward to make amends and adjust to the desired norms so that you would be able to perform well. It is a moment where one can sit back and reflect on what he or she has been contributing to the Islamic world.”

    He also urged government to recognise the day as a public holiday so that it would create more awareness to the people.

     

  • Group sets agenda for commissioners

    Group sets agenda for commissioners

    The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit has enjoined the new state commissioners to make good governance and youth empowerment their utmost goals.

    The umbrella Muslim students’ body made this known in a congratulatory statement signed by its Amir, Saheed Ashafa, yesterday.

    The organisation urged the cabinet members to make as priorities religious freedom and equality; education; youth empowerment, improved security and economy.

    It also asked the new commissioners not be far from the masses.

    Ashafa said: “All the commissioners should know that accountability, commitment and transparency are the souls of good governance. If they do not want to fail, they should identify with the grassroots. We do not want commissioners who will not listen to our voices, we do not want commissioners that will jettison the voice of the masses.

    “Lagosians want well sorted out policies. It is true that we are yearning for a change, but government should know that the faster the change, the harder it is to manage. We suggest that the commissioners only initiate policies that would aid religious, economic, and social situation of Lagosians.

    ”Lagos State has ignited a lot of expectations and it is important for the commissioners to improve on some policies. Among the policies that need urgent change include the ban on wearing of Hijab in public schools and the cremation law,” the society said.

    While urging the new commissioners to be God fearing and dedicated to duty, Ashafa urged them not to be distracted.

    ”We pray to Allah to guide them. They should not see their new positions as a means to unlawfully enrich themselves but to serve and better the society. If they refuse to lead as expected and are able to escape the wrath of humans, they can’t from God. Allah will judge them based on their actions and in-action,” he added.

     

  • Group flays critics of UI VC’s nomination

    Group flays critics of UI VC’s nomination

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been commended for nominating former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole as a minister.

    A group, Forum for Unity and National Service (FUNS), which gave the commendation, called those opposed to Adewole’s nomination to put the nation’s interest above parochial considerations.

    Adewole, an accomplished Obstetrics and Gynaecology expert, is among the ministerial nominees awaiting screening by the Senate next week.

    In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and signed by Arch. Iyiola Balogun and Moses Akinyemi, Chairman and Secretary respectively, the group posited that the President should be praised “for looking beyond the orbit of politics to fish out Prof. Adewole for inclusion in his Cabinet.”

    According to the group, the President through the appointment of Adewole, has demonstrated courage and true sense of nationalism in his commitment to provide good governance to Nigerians.

    It also appealed to those described as “aggrieved politicians, who feel shortchanged by Adewole’s appointment to see the perceived momentary denial of political patronage as part of their own sacrifice to the on-going political evolution, transformation and national integration being championed by President Buhari.

    The group added, “We cannot in one breadth be craving for the inclusion of non-partisan professionals and technocrats as ministers and in another breadth be condemning the nomination of a globally acknowledged professional of Prof. Adewole’s stature, who in the emerging political configuration should be seen as a new breed and a true representation of the true breeze of fresh air needed to ventilate the change mantra.”

    In reaction to criticisms that the ministerial nominee is not a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the group noted, “For being sincere enough to state that the highly cerebral academic is not a card carrying member of the ruling party, the import of this is that the President picked him, because of what he believed he would contribute intellectually and productively for the benefit of Nigerians.”

  • Ministers: Group seeks amendment of indigeneship provision

    Ministers: Group seeks amendment of indigeneship provision

    A group, the Women for Equity and Fairness Organisation of Nigeria (WEFON), has called for an amendment of Section 147 (3) of the 1999 Constitution. It said it is discriminatory against women.

    The section says: The President shall appoint at least one minister from each state, who shall be an indigene of such state.

    WEFON, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said there is a threat that a woman married outside her state of birth could be denied ministerial appointments because she is not considered an indigene of her place of marriage.

    It also faulted the inclusion of only three females in the list of 21 ministerial nominees by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying it does not represent 35 per cent. At least nine women should have made the list, the group said.

    WEFON facilitator, Ada Agina-Ude, at a press briefing in Lagos, urged the president to include more women in the next set of ministers. According to her, the number of women currently involved in public decision making is abysmally low.

    She said: “In the current ministerial list, women represent only about a meager 12 per cent. This is not the change Nigerians were looking forward to. There is no way you can move a country forward without the women. They must be carried along. We’re disappointed that out of 21 nominees, there are just three women.

    “Out of the three women, we’re only sure of two. To compound our discomfort, someone raised the issue that Amina Mohammed is not an indigene of Kaduna State, and read out a section in the Constitution that persons appointed as ministers must be indigenes of the states they are representing.

    “This section further puts women at a very big disadvantage. During the last Constitution amendment, we did everything to see that the section is expunged, amended or replaced to reflect the reality on ground. In most cases, because these positions are few and competitive, people will always come up with issues of indigeneship of a married woman.

    “If Amina goes to Gombe, probably there is somebody there penciled for a ministerial position. What they are trying to do is to deprive us of one those three women, and we say absolute No! Our No should go to the Senate, that they should be sensitive to the wishes of Nigerians. Amina Mohammed is eminently qualified to be a minister.”

    Agina-Ude said before the seventh assembly ended, a landmark amendment was made, which is that if a person stays in a place for 10 years, they have the right to aspire to or be elected to any position on behalf of that state. The amendment, she said, is still pending.“

    “We want to appeal to the president, that since he considered Mrs Amina Mohammed good enough to be appointed a minister, we expect him to stand firm in her defence. Of course we need more women in the Federal Executive Council – at least 35 per cent of ministerial positions in this dispensation.”

    The group’s board of trustee member, Nnenna Nwanna, said if a woman can register and vote in her place of marriage, and her vote counted, she has in effect been recognised as being from that place.

    “Was Amina Mohammed not a registered voter in Kaduna? Did her vote not count? Should women leave their husband’s states and return to their father’s state to vote? We need to know,” she asked.

    Agina-Ude, who is Executive Director of Gender Development Action (GADA), which promotes women’s rights, founded WEFON in 2011 as a platform for women who are interested in politics to advocate and sustain pressure for inclusive practices, policies and procedures towards gender equality in politics and decision-making.

    “It is non-partisan. Any woman who is interested in politics, who is committed to increasing women participation Nigerian politics is welcome,” she said.

     

  • Group demands Saraki’s resignation

    Group demands Saraki’s resignation

    The Salvage Group, a group of professionals in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to toe the line of morality and decency, by stepping down, to enable him face his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    In a statement by its National Coordinator, Mr. Peter Ajayi, and Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bola Olanrewaju, the group said it is  shameful that while the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is working hard to give Nigeria a new direction, the Senate President is undermining its efforts by colluding with those that ruined the economy  in the last 16 years.

    The group said this not the first time a Senate President would be compelled to step down in the current political dispensation because he has lost the moral high-ground demanded to occupy such an exalted office.

    It cited the cases of Senator Chuba Okadigbo, Senator Adolphus Wabara and Senator Evan Enwerem, who were removed from office under similar circumstances. “These men were members of the governing party and they quietly left office at the time, but the nation moved on,” the statement noted.

    It added: “We like to say clearly here that some of his colleagues that purportedly passed a vote of confidence on him do not truly represent the feelings of their constituents, and so cannot be speaking for the 170 million Nigerians. The senators cannot claim to know Saraki better than the millions of his Ilorin kinsmen who, on Sallah day, stoned him like the devil which they think he replicates.

    “Saraki’s vote of confidence is mute because under the presidential system, unlike Westminster parliamentary system, votes of confidence are inappropriate. When the process commences, his colleagues will surely abandon him, as two of them have already done.

  • Group visits ailing nonagenarian Kebbi APC chieftain

    Group visits ailing nonagenarian Kebbi APC chieftain

    A group, the “Asiwaju Change Movement (ACM)” has visited the Kebbi State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Hajiya Fatimatu Mai Talle Tara, who is recuperating from illness in Koko, her home town.

    The 95-year old woman took ill, following his return from Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where she had gone to witness the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29.

    The group’s National Coordinator, Mrs. Simisola Ayoade said  the team was in Koko to show concern for her welfare, owing to her support for the APC and its presidential candidate during electioneering campaigns.

    The National Co-ordinator, who was accompanied by the  Abuja Co-ordinator,  Sambo Sadiq, said the group and the APC in general loves Hajiya Mai Talle Tara and wishes her a very quick recovery.

    Mrs. Simisola also presented a gift of clothing materials as Sallah package and an undislosed amount of money to the patient on behalf of the  group.

    Responding on behalf of the family, one of Hajiya Fatima Mai Talle Tara’s grandson, Abubakar Lawal, thanked the group for showing  concern for the APC chieftain’s welfare.

    Lawal said his grandmother fell sick after she retuyrned from Abuja, for the swearing-in ceremony of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said Hajiya Fatima suffered stroke, adding that the Kebbi State Government was planning to fly her abroad for medical treatment after Sallah.

    Hajiya Tara Koko was the 95 years old woman who presented her life savings of N1 million to President Muhammadu Buhari, prior to the March 28 election.