The Nation Newspaper

Tag: group

  • Group backs President for second term

    Group backs President for second term

    A group, ‘Women for Goodluck 2015’, has urged Nigerians to support the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The group explained that the President has the right to seek for another term in office, advising critics to study the constitution.  in next year’s election. It said his achievements are many.

    Its  National Coordinator, Ambassador Fatima Adams, spoke at the investiture of the organisation’s National Patro, Oguefi Emma Otunabo, in Lagos.

    She said, for the first time, the nation has a President , who has decided to implement the  ‘35 per cent Affirmative Action plan’ for women, in consonance with the resolution of the Beijing Conference.

    She said: “For the first time in Nigeria, 13 women took the oath of office as members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and first Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the first female President of the Court of appeal was appointed by President Jonathan.’’

    Adams highlighted the the President’s achievements. They include the implementation of the Transformation Agenda, rehabilitation of  federal roads, especially the Benin-Ore road,  the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, the rehabilitation of railways and seaports, the renovation and the remodelling of airports, and  the building of an auto assembly plant.

    Others include the cessation of fuel subsidy and the allocation of more funds to tackle insecurity.

    Urging women to support the President, Adams assured that he will not abandon thenm after the poll.

    Otunabo hailed the group, saying that it has a laudable objective. He added: “As a man who has been in the vanguard of women empowerment and welfare, this responsibility is not new to me. I solicit for your assistance  to succeed.”

  • Group accuses Jega of bias

    Group accuses Jega of bias

    The National Chairman of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), Mr. Segun Sango, has chided the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for refusing to register the political association, although it has met all the requirements stipulated in the 1999 Constitution and the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended).

    Sango told reporters in Lagos that the action of the Professor Attahiru Jega-led commission undercored the capitalist ruling elite’s quest to exclude the masses from genuine political participation. “It is the machination of people who do not want the masses to have control over the political process in Nigeria,” he added.

    The refusal to register the SPN, he noted, is a negation of the political and legal struggle inspired by the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi and the National Conscience Party (NCP). He said the litigation on this issue involving   Alhaji Balarabe Musa and the INEC was decided in favour of the push for an all-inclusive participation. .

    Sango said that, since then, the law has liberated the political space and permitted the registration of many political parties.

    His added: “The rejection by the INEC of the SPN’s application for registration as a political party, after the association has fully met the conditions for such purpose in the 1999 Constitution as amended and the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended), represents a serious political throw back to 2002, which was the period before the Supreme Court made its pronouncement on the rules and protocol for the transformation of political associations to political parties.

    “The proliferation of political parties that came in the wake of the landmark judgement has not in any sense offered genuine socio-economic and political opportunities to the vast majority of the working masses because severally and collectively, these parties are committed to pro-rich capitalist viewpoints.”

    Sango said the SPN has instituted a legal action against the INEC to protest “its refusal to issue our certificate of registration in mid July 2014 and its subsequent decision communicated to us on August 12 that the SPN’s registration is terminated.”

    He  said members of the association would continue to utilise legal, democratic and political means to agitate for its registration.

  • Group accuses Jega of bias

    Group accuses Jega of bias

    The National Chairman of the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), Mr. Segun Sango, has chided the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for refusing to register the political association, although it has met all the requirements stipulated in the 1999 Constitution and the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended).

    Sango told reporters in Lagos that the action of the Professor Attahiru Jega-led commission undercored the capitalist ruling elite’s quest to exclude the masses from genuine political participation. “It is the machination of people who do not want the masses to have control over the political process in Nigeria,” he added.

    The refusal to register the SPN, he noted, is a negation of the political and legal struggle inspired by the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi and the National Conscience Party (NCP). He said the litigation on this issue involving   Alhaji Balarabe Musa and the INEC was decided in favour of the push for an all-inclusive participation. .

    Sango said that, since then, the law has liberated the political space and permitted the registration of many political parties.

    His added: “The rejection by the INEC of the SPN’s application for registration as a political party, after the association has fully met the conditions for such purpose in the 1999 Constitution as amended and the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended), represents a serious political throw back to 2002, which was the period before the Supreme Court made its pronouncement on the rules and protocol for the transformation of political associations to political parties.

    “The proliferation of political parties that came in the wake of the landmark judgement has not in any sense offered genuine socio-economic and political opportunities to the vast majority of the working masses because severally and collectively, these parties are committed to pro-rich capitalist viewpoints.”

    Sango said the SPN has instituted a legal action against the INEC to protest “its refusal to issue our certificate of registration in mid July 2014 and its subsequent decision communicated to us on August 12 that the SPN’s registration is terminated.”

    He  said members of the association would continue to utilise legal, democratic and political means to agitate for its registration.

  • Group praises NDIC

    Group praises NDIC

    A pan African non-governmental organisation (NGO), African Peace and Development Initiative (APDI) has commended the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for its commitment to the safety and stability of the Nigeria’s financial system and for standing out as one of the leading deposit insurers on the continent.

    APDI President, Mike Femi gave this commendation while presenting the Africa’s Meritorious Service Award of the organisation to the Managing Director/Chief Executive (MD/CE) of NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim in Abuja.

    According to the APDI President, NDIC’s commitment at keeping fate with its depositor, protection mandate over the years and its various initiatives, particularly the recent bridge bank phenomenon, had gone a long way in boosting confidence in the nation’s financial system.

    He said as a supervisor, it was heart-warming that NDIC had demonstrated overt transparency and professionalism in the conduct of its operation thereby, serving as role model to other public institutions in Nigeria and the continent.

  • Power must shift in Abia, says group

    Power must shift in Abia, says group

    A group, the Abia Democratic Movement (ADM), has reiterated its support for power shift in Abia State, saying that it is the turn of Ukwa Ngwa to produce the next governor. The group said that Abia is not for sale to the highest bidder, urging stakeholders to insist on the rotational principle.

    The group rejected the campaign of calumny and blackmail against Governor Theodore Orji, who is leading the power shift agitation, warning that the resistance by anti-power shift elements may back fire.

    The leader of the group, Prince Sonny Aku, said the governor supported the zoning and Abia Charter of Equity, based on his principle and avowed commitment to fair play and justice. He spoke with reporters in Lagos, shortly after the meeting of the group.

    Aku said: “After due consultation, both at home and abroad, concerning the political situation in Abia and the unwarranted attacks on Governor Theodore Orji because of his resolve to make sure that power shifts to Ukwa Ngwa, I decided to call this press conference to send the message that enough is enough. Let no none take Abia for granted. Power must shift and the next governor must come from Ukwa Ngua.

    “Those who had rule the state cannot come back through the back door through their crony. It will not work. The governor must not be disturbed or distracted. He must complete all his projects and be allowed to hand over to an Ukwa Ngwa man. We will not sit down and fold our arms. We will not allow anybody to rubbish the governor. Any attack on the governor is an attack on Abias.”

    Aku, a prominent businessman and community leader, added: “We will do everything legally to stop the attack on the governor and the confusion they want to create to deny the people of Nkwa Ngwa their right. Abia will go where the governor will go. Governor Orji has followers and Abia people are with him. In 2015, power shift to Nkwa Ngwa is non-negotiable. Anybody who wants to truncate this agenda should wait and see what will happen in 2015. Those who have skeletons in their pocket will be exposed. Abia people know the source of their wealth.”

    He also alerted the state to plans by unpatriotic elements to create confusion and commotion, urging stakeholders to resist their nefarious activities. He said the plot by Orji’s predecessor, Orji Kalu, to weaken the administration through sporadic attacks, destructive criticisms and blackmail, would not work. Warning that the group would meet fire for fire, he said stakeholders were ready to move with the governor to any party.

    Aku recalled that Orji took over an “empty state,” characterised by lack of infrastructural facilities, absence of Government House and secretariat for civil servants and growing unemployment.

    He said: An Ukwa Ngua man will rule the state from the new Government House. Abia had no secretariat. Orji has put that in place. There was no High Court buiding before. Orji’s legacy projects should be completed. Those who made money from Abia, those who cornered the resources of our people have not deemed it fit  to invest in the state. Orji has no aircraft, ship, newspaper and real estate.

    “When Ukwa Ngwa man becomes the governor, we will invest in Abia and attract investors. I promise N1 billion investment. I have the connection and what it takes. I will attract investment to Abia. But, we are saying that the media attack on the governor to confuse him and frustrate the push for power shift should stop.”

    Aku recalled that he supported Kalu between 1999 and 2007. But, he pointed out that both went their separate ways when the former governor betrayed his predecessor by treating him as a domestic servant.  He said: “Kalu did not allow Orji to work. Kalu wanted to take us for granted.”

    The ADM leader said the agitation for power shift enjoyed the support of other ethnic groups and zones in the state. He said Nkwa Ngwa cannot afford to miss the opportunity to enjoy the slot from next year.

    Aku added: “The people of Nkwa Ngua have all it takes to govern the state. Kalu told us that he would not allow Ukwa Ngwa to succeed him. Nine out of 17 local governments are Nkwa Ngua. The population of Osisimo Local Government is more than three local governments in the North District.”

  • Police shoot two vigilance group members

    •’They’re robbery suspects’

    Two members of a vigilance group have been rushed to the emergency unit of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, after they were shot by the police.

    It was learnt that the victims were pursuing some robbery suspects when policemen opened fire on them.

    The incident unsettled the neighbourhood behind St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Yenagoa.

    An eyewitness said residents raised the alarm about a robbery, which was said to be an occurrence in the area.

    “The vigilance group responded to the call and immediately started chasing the robbers.

    “But unknown to them, a neighbour had called the police.

    “When the police came and met the vigilance group members, two of the police officers shot them in the stomach,” the eyewitness said.

    Sympathisers were said to have thronged the hospital to wish Emma Gabbuth, a refrigerator repairer, who hails from Emede in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State and a young man said to have come from Atissa, quick recovery.

    But police spokesman Alex Akhigbe insisted that the victims were robbery suspects.

    He said the police received a distress call and on getting to the neighbourhood, they saw two men with cutlasses.

    “When the police asked the men to stop they refused and instead started running. Then the police shot at them.

    “They were disarmed and immediately taken to FMC for treatment.

    “As far as we are concerned, they are robbery suspects because we are not aware of a vigilance group in that area.”

  • Ray of hope for Aegis group

    The Dentsu Aegis Network,which has affiliates in Nigeria, predicts continued optimism, with global ad spend growth forecast at five per cent for this year and 2015, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI with agency report.

    THERE are better days ahead in the advertising industry, a report by Dentsu Aegis Network has said.

    The report published its forecasts for global advertising expenditure for this year and 2015.

    In the report, there are indications of strong performances by the United States (US) and United Kingdom(UK), with Western Europe returning to positive growth.

    Based on data received from 59 markets across the Americas, Asia Pacific and EMEA, Dentsu Aegis’s  forecast shows global advertising revenues accelerating by five per cent in the year, an increase on the 4.8 per cent predicted in March, and reaffirming positivity for next year with yearly growth of five per cent.

    From a regional perspective, Dentsu Aegis predicted as further positive momentum for the year for North America and Western Europe, compared with figures announced in March. The US continues to show strong market growth, with levels of advertising spend in North America expected to exceed the pre-recession peak in 2007 for the first time by the end of the year. Western Europe is expected  to see a return to positive growth of 2.7 per cent after two consecutive years of declining advertising spend, driven by a strong UK advertising market forecast to grow by a robust +7.5 per cent this year.

    While forecasts show a slight decline in growth when compared with predictions from March, this year, Asia Pacific and Latin America are still both forecast  to outperform global predictions, with growth rates for the year of +5.4 per cent and 12.1 per cent, and the only regions to see double digit growth in some markets.

    Dentsu Aegis Network’s data also highlights that the outlook for next year continues to be encouraging with all key markets forecast to return to positive growth.

    By media, digital outperforms previous predictions for this year with yearly growth forecast at +16.1 per cent. Digital  will also increase its share of spend, hiting 20.5 per cent and 22.6 per cent  next year, when it will outpace the combined Magazines and Newspaper global share for the first time.

    While the steady decline in Print is expected to continue, other mediums are to achieve yearly growths of about five per cent in the year and next year.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dentsu Aegis Network, Jerry Buhlmann, said: “Dentsu Aegis Network’s latest advertising forecast gives us increased optimism for the outlook of global and regional advertising spend. With the global recession further behind us and a healthy trend of five per cent year-on-year global ad growth, there is positive momentum building across the industry. While Digital continues to headline market trend discussions, the components within this dominant media now provide the interesting chapters, with the opportunities in mobile leading the debate. With changes and trends in consumer behaviour driving business opportunities, brands need to deliver innovative and integrated solutions to reap the rewards ahead.”

  • Group tackles exam failure

    Worried by the mass failure recorded in Mathematics in the just-released results of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Women in Technical Education and Development (WITED) has recommended counselling to address the irrational fear students have on the subject in the bud.

    The group also suggested public enlightenment campaigns aimed at dispelling students’ apathy on Mathematics and other Science subjects.

    President of WITED, Mrs. Osiki Francis disclosed this to reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital at the sideline of the association’s National Coordinating Committee (NCC) meeting.

    Mrs. Francis, a civil engineer and lecturer at the Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, added: “There is no place whatever for fear of the course. Fear already defeats the individual even before he or she confronts the problem. So, that self-defeatist attitude should be addressed through counseling. We need public enlightenment campaigns; so information is necessary in allaying the fears of students about Mathematics and Sciences.”

    She said that WITED was borne out the desire to encourage the girl-child, who has the God-given flair to appreciate Mathematics, science and technical courses for the country to march forward technologically.

    She said: “For meaningful national development, the female folks that constitute about half of the population of Nigeria should not be left behind.

    “Government can encourage the girl-child to take up Mathematics and technical courses by giving scholarships and awards to those excelling in these subjects. Besides, science laboratories should be well equipped; Science and Mathematics teachers should also be encouraged. This is because when they are happy, they will be at their best in their works and the students will do well.

    “Parents’ roles cannot be over-emphasised. They are the starting point of the life of the child. Parents should be enlightened as they have the right attitude to the girl-child in pursuing these subject areas.

    “Women who have the ability are being encouraged to come on board. There should be no force, no coercion. Those who are able to fit into the programme are encouraged to come on board.

    “Our approach is to go to the primary and secondary schools to sensitise the girl-child that she should have no phobia for courses such as Mathematics, Sciences and Engineering.

    “The grassroots is our first target; from there, we move to the traditional rulers who are the custodians of culture to help us pass the message to their subjects; to allay fears of Mathematics and technical subjects.”

    On the challenges hindering women from taking up Mathematics and technical education courses, Mrs. Francis said: “The challenges are varied. It could be socio-cultural factors. There are some places where women are to be seen and not heard. They just have to be in the kitchen. That perception is changing, although fundamentally our place is in the kitchen. Religion is another of the factors, among others.”

  • Group to boost foreign investment

    Group to boost foreign investment

    The Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) will, on Wednesday, hold the maiden edition of the Diplomatic Dialogue Series (DDS), aimed at strengthening bilateral relations with other countries and boost investment.

    The event will take place at the Metropolitan Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, at 8am.

    According to the organisers, DDS is a platform for interaction between business-oriented people and foreign ambassadors.

    NLI’s Director of Programmes Anthony Ubani  said it would be a sustainable forum for the leaders of corporate firms, public servants, policy makers, business-oriented senior fellows and associates of the institute to engage, interact and share ideas  with envoys.

    The event will host the India High Commissioner to Nigeria, A.R Ghanashyan, as a guest.

    Chief Executive Officer of the NLI Dr. Yinka Oyinlola said: “Whatever brings people closer will inherently bridge divides, foster peace and better understanding and ultimately strengthen human interaction, growth and productivity.”

  • Group empowers Niger Delta youths

    A group as Niger Delta Legacy Engagement (NDLE) in collaboration with the United States Government is empowering the youths of Niger Delta through film production and business.

    At a press briefing on the project held at the residence of the US consular-general in Lagos, the group said it is seeking sustainable peace and environment in the region through constructive engagements as against violence, militancy and kidnapping, among other.

    A popular Nollywood film producer, Jeta Amata, who trained the youths, spoke to The Nation. He said: “When the Americans looked at what we were doing, they said we want to work with Nigerians that can give their own initiative.

    “The concept is to use our own initiative to solve our problem and the Americans invited a few of us and say why don’t we use the media, Nollywood, which is one of the biggest film industry and the followership is good because people sit down to watch what is done. Why don’t we send these messages out through Nollywood, televisions and films and that is why we came up with the idea.

    “21 people have been trained, seven each from Nembe, Ozoro and Erema in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States respectively. This is just the first season and we can only afford to commit a particular amount at a time. We also don’t want to have many people at a time because we need to concentrate on the people we trained, follow them up and make sure they make their own films properly, professionally and to international standards.

    “Our target for change is now; our people need to get the message now because elections are coming up next year and there is always a reason for people to want to get violent. I brought in four sets of professional equipments and start up money for them to make films. They have made the films already. They make music videos, documentaries for people.

    “The films are not yet on sale because we want the televisions to run the episodes, give the films publicity, so that when the films go on sale, they (trained militants) will make money. We expect to begin the next season by January next year. Between September and October this year, we will go back to new communities in selected Niger Delta states for selection.

    “There are people who have ideas like this and capacity to do it but don’t have the funding to actualize them but we have the backing from the United States Government, the board of trustees of NDLE to be able to do this.”