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Tag: Groups

  • Groups warn against security risk

    Groups warn against security risk

    Yoruba conservative progressive groups have opposed the proposed staging of MWANWU Festival in Lagos.

     They said it’s a sacrilege.

     In a letter signed by Dr. Bukola Adeniji, David Akingbade and Toba Oladimeji of Think Yoruba First, Yoruba Centre for Cultural Revival and Ibile Organisation, to the Lagos State Police Command and House of Assembly on the potential security breach if the festival is allowed, the groups said: “We are writing about the event tagged: ‘MWANWU FESTIVAL,’ a masquerade festival, which is scheduled to take place at the Elegushi Royal Beach on December 26.

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    “This is tantamount to sacrilegious conduct and a breach of cultural norms and our heritage in the state, as Lagos historically and culturally has its own masquerades and major festivals.

    “This is unacceptable and may cause a disruption of the event by indigenous masquerades that have existed in this land since the time of our ancestors.”

  • Groups lament North, South ‘disparity’, challenge Northern Govs

    Groups lament North, South ‘disparity’, challenge Northern Govs

    Two youth groups around the North have complained of development disparity between the northern and southern parts of the country.

    The groups- North East Youth Progressives Union and Coalition for Democratic Rights Group in Northern Nigeria-said in a joint briefing in Yola on Wednesday, “We have noted that development, including that of human capacity has not been at the same rate in the country. There is a disparity between the Northern and Southern parts of the country. Consequently, we have a situation in which our brothers and sisters from across the Niger make jest of our situation.”

    Chairman of the North East Youth Progressive Union, Dr. Kabir Sambo, who spoke for the groups at the briefing, asked northern leaders to rise for the development of the region.

    He challenged Governors of northern States to intensify education delivery program as part of a way forward.

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    The groups urged Governors from the North East and by extension all northern Governors to emulate exceptional Governors who are striving to develop their people and their States.

    Reading the text of the joint press briefing, Kabir Hassan singled out Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State with specific reference to education delivery and capacity building sectors.

    “Governor Yusuf within the last five months has paid for the tuition, feeding, and accommodation of 1001 post-graduate students to India. He has also paid the Senior Secondary school examination fees (NECO) for 57,000 students, tuition fees of 7,000 students at Bayero University, and tertiary institution students in Kano are now granted 50% discount on their fees,” Kabir Sambo said.

    He said the strides in Kano renews the hope of the youths of Northern Nigeria, and charged other leaders to emulate the Kano governor tor the overall development of the North.

  • Groups chart path to inter-faith dialogue, peaceful co-existence

    A Human Assistance Initiative (HUMAI), a non-governmental organisation, has with the support of KAICIID, Dialogue Centre, Austria organised a three-day inter-faith dialogue in Mowe, Ogun State, for youths across the Southwest and Southsouth geo-political zones.

    It is to stem the tide of inter-faith intolerance and violence in Nigeria and to bring women and the youths into the mainstream of religious dialogue.

    According to HUMAI, the idea behind the forum is also to promote pluralism and develop gender and youth capacities for active participation in interfaith activities/dialogue for peace.

    The meeting was well-attended by Christian and Muslim youth leaders across. It enabled them, in an interactive manner, to air their views on the best approaches to end religious intolerance and violence and to map out strategies on how women and the youths from the different faith groups can work together to enhance tolerance and understanding while practising their religions.

    HUMAI’s National Coordinator Mr. Ernest Osa Amadasu noted that freedom of worship was entrenched in the Nigerian Constitution and, therefore, there was need for  Christians and Muslims to respect the religious beliefs of each other to achieve peace and understanding in the country’s different communities.

    HUMAI’s Executive Director Patrick Dunkwu said youths should have a place in finding answers to the problem of religious violence in Nigeria since they are the ones mostly manipulated by their leaders to cause violence.

    He stated that engagement with young people and the development of practical strategies to deal with youth alienation were critical and must be given priority in inter-faith matters.

    “Strategies should not be limited to inter-faith dialogues, which may not reach all and should include those which bring together young people of different faiths under other banners, such as cultural and sporting,” he added.

    Executive Director of Justice Makers Initiative in Nigeria Mrs. Jennifer D. Khadijat stated that in addressing  religious conflicts and violence, there is need to develop gender and youth capacities for active participation in interfaith dialogue through capacity building/training and activities targeting women and the young ones  within faith groups and even in educational institutions.

    At the end of the interactive session, participants agreed to work together through an inter-faith network set up at the forum, which also elected officials to maintain constant consultations with one another, share  learning and disseminate information on best practices to faith communities as a way of  further promoting co-existence and  understanding.

     

  • Groups urge Akeredolu to campaign for APC candidates

    Concerned elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the four major groups in the party at the weekend  raised the alarm over alleged plan by the leadership of the party to work against the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and other APC candidates in the state. The group is made up of Olanusi, Boroffice, Abraham and Kekemeke supporters who met at the Akure residence of the former Deputy Governor, Ali Olanusi, in Alagbaka, Akure.

    They came from the three senatorial districts, urging the APC national leadership to probe the secret campaign activities and funding of Action Alliance (AA) especially in five constituencies in the state allegedly by Team Aketi and the Ade Adetimehin-led state executive committee. In a communique jointly signed after the emergency meeting, the groups alleged that clandestine moves were visible in Ondo North,Ondo South,Akoko Northeast/Northwest,Akoko Southwest/Southeast and Idanre/Ifedore House of Representatives seats.

    According to the communique,” Evidences and records exist of the support and funding of AA by Team Aketi. For instance, some of the AA candidates are people with strategic appointments in the Akeredolu’s led government. For Akeredolu to come clean of the alleged support of AA in the state, he needs to come out openly to campaign for the APC candidates in those five listed AA ‘infested’ constituencies. Anything short of that will affect the success of the President and APC candidates in those areas of the state”.

    The APC leaders noted that the collation of party agents’ list by Team Aketi and the Adetimehin led Exco without input of other party leaders suggested inimical moves.

     

  • NADECO, groups, others extol Fasehun’s virtues

    The leadership of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), human rights groups and social-cultural organisations on Tuesday extolled the virtues of the late Dr Frederick Fasehun, founder of the Oodua People’s Congress.

    The groups at the lying-in-state and Night of Tributes for the late Yoruba leader who died at 83 years on Dec.1, was described as a courageous democrat.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    In a tribute entitled: “NADECO Tribute to a Courageous Democrat-Dr Frederick Fasehun” read by Rear Adm. Ndubuisi Kanu, the President/Chairman of NADECO, the group commended Fasehun for his love for the masses.

    “A highly successful medical practitioner and Nigeria’s first acupuncturist, who could have continued his glowing practice without anyone blaming him for minding his personal business, Fasehun abandoned his comfort zone.

    “Fasehun decided to join pro-democracy elements to confront the evil that Gen. Sani Abacha armed to the teeth with weapons and all forces of coercion posed to Nigerian democracy.

    “Initially, a leading figure in the Campaign for Democracy (CD) with his friend and professional colleague, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Dr Fasehun went on to found the Yoruba social cultural group, OPC in 1994.

    “For Fasehun, OPC was the Yoruba’s answer to the military’s highly unjust annulment of the Presidential Election of June 12, 1993 won by Basorun MKO Abiola.

    “Fasehun combined forces with other pro-democrats to found the NADECO, the umbrella platform for June 12 struggle. For daring the dictator, Fasehun severally paid a harsh price in detentions.

    “Even in detention, his courage remained undaunted. This is the hero we have come to celebrate today,” Kanu said.

    He described Fasehun as a passionate patriot and comrade, a trustable and dependable ally, a selfless sacrifice, an indefatigable fighter, an activist par excellence and a courageous character.

    The NADECO chief also described Fasehun as “a cerebral mind, an honest critic, a consummate writer and author, an engaging debater and a philanthropic of note.”

    Kanu said that Fasehun selflessly strained to the future of a hope that was kindled by the nation’s founding fathers which was a hope of a Nation-state.

    He said that Fasehun would continue to represent some of the finest qualities in the Nigeria spirit and federalism as envisage by the founding fathers and the people.

    In her comments, Dr Joe Okie-Odumakin, the President, Women Arise for Change Initiative, said that the late Fasehun was a great life-wire of the human rights pro-democracy movements in Nigeria.

    Okei-Odumakin also described him as a historian who had the history of the country and the progressive movement on his fingertips.

    Also, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the National President, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), described Fasehun as a fearless leader.

    Shettima suggested that an edifice be named after the late Fasheun.

    “He (Fasehun) dared where others ran away and he was a thorn in the flesh of the dictators that ran Nigeria like a private estate.

    “For his rare courage, it has become very difficult, if not impossible for anyone to step into the large shoes he left behind,” he said.

    Shettima pledged that ACF would continue with the struggle for justice from where Fasehun stopped.

    In his tributes, Dr Olumide Aderibole, the President, Yoruba Indigenes Foundation Worldwide, said Fasheun was “a great patriot, distinguished Yoruba Icon, a deep thinker and an extremely mature personality.”

    Responding on behalf of the family, one of the deceased’s children, Mr Oluremi Fasehun, appreciated everyone who comforted and supported the family during the period of grief.

    NAN reports that several Yoruba leaders and human rights groups were in attendance to pay the last respect to Fasehun.

     

  • Catholic bishop, groups back Obi as Atiku’s running mate

    The Catholic Bishop of Awka, the Anambra State capital, Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, and prominent groups in the state have expressed support for former Governor Peter Obi as the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Groups that endorsed Obi’s vice presidential candidacy include the youth wing of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) and Anambra New Generation Vanguard (ANGV).

    Ezeokafor and leaders of the groups – Osita Ozalagba of ASATU, Chinemerem Oguegbe and Dr Nonso Okoye, of ANGV – urged politicians in the Southeast to support the Abubakar Atiku-Obi presidential project.

    The priest spoke yesterday at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Ifitedunu, while addressing the congregation.

    The cleric thanked Atiku for choosing Obi as his running mate.

    He said: “I believe that with Atiku as an astute politician and Obi as a good manager of resources at the helm of affairs, Nigeria’s economic and administrative challenges would be adequately tackled.

    “I am convinced that the Atiku/Obi combination would put smiles on the faces of the masses as the duo, hitherto job creators and renowned human capital developers, would place Nigerians on the path of progress.

    “Nigeria’s current problem is lack of economic management and maladministration. I think, with Atiku and Obi at the helm of affairs, Nigeria would be changed for good. We are tired of leadership ineptitude.

    “I think, without having all the facts, Obi’s candidature is the greatest thing to have happened to Nigerians in recent times.

    “It is a blessing for the Igbo race. We have long been forgotten. Those who know Obi’s antecedent know him as a great manager of resources.”

    ANGV urged Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi and others who opposed the nomination of Obi as Atiku’s running mate not to truncate Igbo chances of being key players in the county’s polity.

    In a statement in Awka, ANGV’s leaders Chinemerem Oguegbe and Dr Nonso Okoye said Igbo youths would not take it lightly with anybody, no matter how highly place, to plunge the ethnic nationality into another era of deprivation and marginalisation.

    It warned PDP leaders in the Southeast to stop arrogating the leadership of the Igbo to themselves.

    ANGV said: “We wish to state that the issue in question affects the dreams of the entire Igbo nation to once again be key players in the politics of Nigeria and most importantly the hope of the younger generation of the Igbo nation to become political stakeholders in a united Nigeria.”

  • Experts urge politicians, religious bodies, groups to adopt renewable energy for empowerment

    Worried by the need to address the consequences of climate change across the country, politicians, corporate organisations, religious bodies, trade groups, among others, have been urged to incorporate the distribution of renewable energy solution devices in their various efforts at empowering individuals and small scale business enterprises.

    The Country Director, NexGen Energy, Mrs. Ezinne Ibe, made the appeal while explaining to journalists the importance of embracing renewable sources of power, which she described as the future of power solution.

    According to Ibe, developing countries and advanced economies of the world have already embraced alternative solutions to addressing their power needs and as a good way of eradicating the negative health and environmental hazards associated with the use of fossil fuels.

    She noted that using renewable energy is not as expensive as many people think, aside the health and environmental friendliness of renewable energy. Her organisation, in collaboration with international partners, has provided energy solutions and devices that could be used to empower barbers, hair stylists, tailors, artisans and other small scale entrepreneurs with minimal energy requirements.

    Commending the government for the efforts at opening the doors for alternative power sources through the private sector, Ibe stated that there is still room for improvement.

     

  • Groups demand Riverine governor

    A coalition of non-governmental organisations in the riverine areas of Rivers State yesterday signed a pact to work for the emergence of a governor from the riverine area in 2019.

    The coalition numbering over 50 different  youth bodies,  came together to found the group, -“the  Rivers Conscience”, a platform to fight the course.

    At the ceremony held in Port Harcourt, the state capital  yesterday, the people said that for almost 20 years of return of democracy, the riverine indigenes of the state have been grossly marginalised in the leadership equation of the state but insisted that the cheating will no longer go on come May 29, 2018.

    The convener of the event, Dason Nemieboka of “New Frontiers of Rivers”, said: “The upland and The riverine has been enshrined in Rivers politics since 1958 Willinks Commission Report and has been so respected through the governorship regimes of the state, even till date; wherein riverine indugenes have been subjected to playing second fiddle but insisting that, that will no longer continue, as time is overdue for them to produce the number one citizen for the state.

    “It is worrisome to all men of conscience and decency that after almost twenty years of civil rule, from 1999 to date, no riverine man or woman has been elected into the highest of Governor of Rivers state.

    “Riverine people of Rivers in all three Senatorial Districts have come to the incontrovertible truth that we must, together, strengthen the narrative for political justice and equity. We have consulted extensively. Personal, ethnic and political party interests are now laid on the altar for ultimate demand of a Riverine Governor.

    The coalition, in its call to key stakeholders in the Rivers political space, appealed among other demands, that, “Desperate and selfish aspirants and candidates should know that there could be another opportunity if reason and wisdom is applied.

    “All Riverine people in any political party foreclosed from contesting  2019 Governorship election must resign and locate other parties to exercise their right to contest.

    “Nigerian press should set the tune of the discourse and sustain a healthy political debate that would further entrench true democracy in Rivers State.

    “We also call on the sitting Governor of Rivers to respect the constitution of his party PDP which stipulates the Rotation of Elective Positions including office of the Governor, in the spirit of equity, justice and fairness.

    “Finally, we  call on the entire good people of Rivers State to follow their conscience not the propaganda”, while also challenging INEC and security operatives to ensure level playing in next Rivers governorship election come 2019.

    Clearing any possible insinuation of witch-hunting in their quest for any particular ethnic group in the state said,  “The agitation is not anti-Ikwerre,  anti-Ogoni, Etche,  Ogba,  Ekpeye or against anybody.

    “It is in the long term interest of all Rivers people and indeed Nigerians that we sustain the fair and reasonable formulae bequeathed to the fire-bearers,  which is rotational governorship.

    “Our focus and mandate is to create stability and even development,  by ensuring that all sections,  ethnic groups and people in the commonwealth called Rivers state is guaranteed equal access to power, development and empowerment at all times.”

  • Farmers, groups urge action on climate friendly farming

    Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), and Ibarapa Northeast Local Government Development Association have called on the government to intensify action on climate-friendly measures to boost agriculture.

    The pleas were made during an awareness and sensitisation rally organised by JDPC of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan in collaboration with Ibarapa Northeast LCDA.

    The event highlighted the need for investments in agricultural research, grower technical assistance and financial incentives to support agricultural solutions to climate change.

    Addressing representatives of the communities at the council secretariat, the Acting Head of Programme, Integrated Development Programme, JDPC Ibadan, Mrs Olorode Bolanle, pointed out that climate change has caused unprecedented impact on agriculture.

    The effect, she explained, included irregular rainfall pattern, flooding, disruption on planting seasons and livestock production.

    Other consequences, she added,   were threats to food security, environmental degradation among many others.

    She stressed that the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers are, intimately, tied to weather and the environment. But they may not be able to adapt to climate change as they face extreme swings in temperature and precipitation.

    According to her, the sector needs solutions to bring food security, jobs, improved air and water quality, and healthy communities.

    Given the scope of the problem, she said the search for novel ways to adapt to a changing climate should drive agricultural research.

    She called for support to encourage widespread transition to sustainable agricultural systems that are increasingly resilient, environmentally sound and healthy, and that provide climate benefits, protect natural resources, sustain food security and provide for economically vibrant agricultural communities.

    Ibarapa Northeast LCDA  Chairman, Hon. Yunus Olaosegba, lauded farmers for  ensuring Nigeria is food secure.

    He enjoined them to imbibe the culture of planting new trees in replacement for every tree that is cut to ensure environmental sustainability.

     

     

  • Groups seeks prudent use of Nigeria’s forex earnings

    The Red Card Movement (RCM) has called for prudent use of Nigeria’s foreign exchange (forex) earnings.

    Co-Convener of the RCM, Daniel Balogun, cited the 2010 National Bureau of Statistics report which showed that the billions of dollars earned in forex were not properly used adding that eradicating poverty is a measure of how well countries are governed.

    A recent World Bank’s 2017 Atlas of Sustainable Development Goals, he noted, showed that 35 million more Nigerians were living in extreme poverty in 2013 than in 1990.

    “So it means that between 1990 and 2013, Nigeria increased the number of its poor people by 68 per cent. China decreased by 96 per cent ,  India decreased by 35.5 per cent , Indonesia decreased by 76 per cent, Pakistan decreased by 80 per cent, Brazil decreased by 67 per cent, Bangladesh decreased by 60 per cent and Ethiopia decreased 31 per cent.”

    Speaking ahead of the RCM’s regional launch in in Jos, Plateau State this week Thursday, its Convener,  Oby Ezekwesili, said the group is the brain child of several co-conveners from the six geo-political zones of the country.

    Reminding Nigerians of the crucial roles they have to play, Ezekwesili pointed out that the effect of the cyclical truncation of democracy in Nigeria since the termination of the First Republic in 1966  is that key institutions.