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Tag: hails

  • Group hails Kwara polls

    Group known as Coalition of Civil Society for Peaceful Election in Kwara State (CCSPEKS) has hailed people of the state for their peaceful conduct during the last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The group also applauded Kwarans for massively turning out to exercise their civic rights.

    In a statement, CCSPEKS, Team Leader Musa Aliyu said, “This clearly indicates that democracy is really growing in the state. We want to implore people to guide against act that may lead to post-election tension.

    “We want political parties to warn their supporters against overzealous celebrations that may trigger acrimony in the state.

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    “Also, we want all contestants at the poll to see the outcome as people will and see it as their own sacrifice to ensure development of Kwara State.

    “At CCSPEKS, we shall continue to hold elected leaders accountable to the people so that their wills shall prevail.”

  • Cleric hails Kanu for calling off boycott

    A Catholic Cleric, Rev. Emmanuel Obimma, has hailed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, for calling off the election boycott order.

    According to him, suspending the stay-at-home order would guarantee greater participation of people in the Southeast in particular, and Nigeria at large.

    Obimma, who is the Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, Anambra State, said the time had come for Nigerians to uphold democracy through the exercise of their franchise. The cleric appealed to youths to shun electoral violence, insisting that the election was not worth losing any life for, and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use opportunity of the rescheduled elections to do right as all eyes were on her.

    He said: “Don’t mortgage your conscience and your future. Don’t allow anybody to buy your conscience. Agitation is good, but agitate with your votes because your PVC is your power, your authority and your right.

    “There is no alternative for peace, win or lose, shun violence in all ramifications. No life of any Nigerian is worth losing in the name of electoral failure or victory. We pray that INEC will conduct a transparent election because the world is looking at us as a country and our Lord is watching.”

  • Ambode hails Senator Tinubu for her ‘life changing projects’

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday hailed Senator Oluremi Tinubu for devoting constituency funds to life changing projects.

    Inaugurating the Drug Rehabilitation and Skill Acquisition Centre built by the senator in Ajah, he described it as a centre built in honour of an All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in Lagos Central, Prince Tajudeen Olusi.

    The governor described the senator as a dogged, committed, consistent and determined woman, noting that despite the challenges she faced in the course of the project, which she began in 2012, she ensured its completion.

    “So much has been said by everyone on what she stands for. However, if I call her a dogged fighter, I will not be wrong. She has spent two terms in the Senate and has embarked on more constituency projects than any other senator. It’s a confirmation of how she fights for her community.

    “This is a project that began in 2012. She is relating the story of how the 22 community leaders (baales) put her on her toes and because she fought back, this is why we are here this morning.

    “If I say she is a very consistent person and a determined woman, I am not wrong. She has told you how she put us on our toes. We are happy that the resources she has committed to this project did not go down the drain. I thank her for putting us on our toes,” Ambode said.

    He added: “We all know what taking care of the needy entails, especially for a drug rehabilitation centre of this magnitude that has been put in place to take care of those ones who are on the streets without help.

    “In addition to this drug rehab centre, there is a skill acquisition centre to complement the need of whoever we are able to rehabilitate and empower them to become relevant in the community.”

    The governor directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the Ministry of Youth and Social Development to ensure that the facility becomes operational before May 29.

    In her welcome address, Senetor Tinubu said the project was facilitated through her 2012 constituency intervention project to address the menace and devastating consequence of drug abuse to youths.

    She hoped that the centre would help reverse the statistics that 40 per cent of youths indulged in the use of drugs, including marijuana, codeine, among others.

    Prince Olusi thanked the senator for her gesture, saying it was a special honour for him to be recognised.

    “I am very grateful that this project is dedicated to me. It’s a thing of joy. I thank Senator Oluremi Tinubu, she has shown that she has the requisite qualification and suitability to undertake this job because some are educated, but are not suitable,” he said.

  • NBA hails Fed Govt on ease of doing business

    Nigerian Bar Association Section of Business Law (NBA-SBL) Chairman Seni Adio (SAN) has hailed the Federal Government for raising the bar on the ease of doing business.

    Adio was speaking at a session on the Africa Trade Forum 2018, hosted by Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), The Rockefeller Foundation, and the African Union Commission (AUC), in Lagos.

    He said: “To consolidate on the success and improve on other areas of doing business in the country, the Companies and Allied Matters Act. (CAMA) is undergoing a holistic review to remove remaining barriers to ease of doing business in the countgry.”

    Mr. Adio, along with other critical stakeholders, were on October 22, 2018 inaugurated into the Presidential Committee for Impact and Readiness Assessment of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The committee is charged with  addressing risks associated with signing the agreement. Its terms of reference include: assess the potential costs and impact of the AfCFTA for Nigeria in relation to the benefits; identify the short, medium and long-term measures to prepare Nigerian businesses for the take-off of the AfCFTA trading bloc and provide a back-up plan that covers selected scenarios; and review the trade remedy options to safeguard the Nigerian economy from predatory and other unfair trade practices.

    Mr. Adio said developing the right policy framework will open up Africa and provide jobs for teeming African youths and hoped that Nigeria will provide appropriate legal framework to protect her citizens and make Africa a pride of all Africans.

    The Forum brought  together stakeholders from across the continent, from political and governance spheres, the private sector and entrepreneurs, philanthropies, academia, researchers, and development partners, to discuss the process for realising the AfCFTA.

    The AfCFTA was signed in March 2018 by 44 African countries and if ratified, will become one of the world’s largest trading blocs. It is also the biggest trade agreement signed since the World Trade Organisation (WTO) was established, bringing together 1.3 billion people with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of more than $2 trillion in a single market. The agreement aims to provide improved competition and lower business costs.

    The Forum’s purpose is to look into the challenges and opportunities of the AfCFTA in individual African states, and to better understand how AfCFTA can drive economic development and prosperity on the continent for all of Africa’s citizens.

    “The idea of an integrated African market to industrialise Africa, spur growth, enhance welfare and create jobs has been around for a long time. However, with the actual emergence of the AfCFTA in 2018, the decision was taken by the government to mobilise stakeholders in the Nigerian economy to understand its details, interpret its opportunities and reorganise our economic system for coherence and co-ordination, if the opportunities of the AfCFTA are to be realised and maximised.

    “This forum is a unique opportunity to proactively engage with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that AfCFTA works for Nigeria,” said Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.

    The AfCFTA offers a long-awaited platform for Africa to ramp up its industrialisation through various channels such as eliminating tariffs on intra-African trade, which will result in more competitive services that reduce business costs, improve business efficiency, and enhance value to consumers.

    Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Executive Secretary Vera Songwe said in an age of trade wars, Africa is sending a strong message that trade deals and reforms can be approached through consensus-building and cooperation, leaving no one behind.

    “In order to ensure the African Continental Free Trade Area has a game-changing impact on African economies, we must now develop clear strategies for product diversification and inclusive implementation. The speed at which countries have signed and are now ratifying the AfCFTA agreement underscores the momentum behind this African flagship initiative,” the ECA Chief said.

    According to ECA studies, Africa is less industrialised today than it was three decades ago. The continent’s manufacturing share of output and exports has steadily declined, and Africa’s exports remain largely concentrated in primary commodities and raw materials. Through AfCFTA, industrialisation will help create employment for Africa’s growing youth population, thereby improving livelihoods, access to education and health.

    The agreement is also expected to lead to booming multi-sectoral growth in areas including agriculture, where the AfCFTA will provide opportunities to drive agri-business and provide access to new regional markets for farmers and regional agro-value chains.

    With regard to access to electricity, about 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity. If current trends continue, it could take up to year 2080 until Africa achieves full electrification. The AfCFTA would help build momentum on establishing an integrated set of platforms and partnerships to drive regional power systems, accelerate energy access for productive use, and bring down the costs of Africa’s power generation.

  • Emmanuel hails Atiku

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the transparent nature of the party’s National Convention at the Garden City of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The convention was held last weekend.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, Emmanuel described Atiku Abubakar as a consummate politician, a bridge-builder, a successful businessman and employer of labour; a man with pan-Nigerian bonafides who acutely understands how to create money. “In 2016, the American people turned to a successful businessman and billionaire, Donald Trump, and today, no matter the  opinion you may have of Donald Trump, he has run the American economy very well. Our Candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the Turaki Adamawa, will grow our economy, work to unify our country and create jobs for our teeming population.

    “I want to thank our former aspirants for the sense of unity they exhibited and for rallying behind our Candidate. Together, we will win for our people,” Udoh said.

  • Tinubu hails direct primary

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday said the party rejected Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s re-election bid because he has failed the leadership test.

    He said while a governor is expected to perform in office and fight the infrastructure battle, he is not expected to turn his back on  the platform that brought him power.

    Tinubu described the party as the major backbone of the governor and the architect of his victory at the poll, stressing that he should have carried the members along in his activities.

    He spoke shortly after participating in yesterday’s open direct governorship primary at his Ward C, Ikeja Local Government Area.

    Hailing the adoption of the direct primary, the former Lagos State governor said the method was superior to the delegate system.

    Tinubu applauded the huge crowd of members that came to vote, describing it as democracy in action.

    He said he surrendered to the generality of party members who demanded the direct primary and rejected the governor’s second term bid.

    The former governor said while the delegate system could be hijacked by rich aspirants, the direct system is insulated from corruption because it is open and promotes inclusiveness.

    Tinubu said: “Seeing is believing. You have seen the people. You have seen participatory democracy. You have seen transparency. As a leader, I had to surrender to these people. It is their wish to participate in the exercise and determine who will be the next governor to direct the affairs of Lagos. And that has been demonstrated openly by the people. They have democracy and the anti-corruption policy of this government.

    “Where you have delegate system, they move 24 hours around their constituencies. They collect from A, they collect from B, they collect from C, depending on the number of candidates. They give scores to the highest bidder. Stop promoting corruption and opposition to open primary. Allow them to openly demonstrate on the line where they belong with their identification cards. You kill corruption in the party.

    “I wouldn’t have been the governor in 1999, if open primary had not been adopted. Throughout the state, I went to the nooks and crannies of the state; to 245 wards to canvass for support. It was not the delegate system.”

    Tinubu said the circumstances that warranted his support for Ambode in 2014 does not exist in 2018.

    He recalled that the party accepted Ambode’s ambition in 2014 when he brought him from the civil service, adding that the same party has now rejected his second term bid.

    Tinubu said: “Who did I support in 2014? Life is dynamic. If a party which made me the leader of the structure in Lagos; it is only when you have followership that you’re a leader in democracy. If I look back and I don’t find them again, if I don’t respond to them, if I fail to accede to their request, I would have failed the leadership test. This is not personal. It is beyond me as a person. In the preface of every democratic constitution, you see: ‘we the people.’ It is preceded by ‘we the people’. I had to submit myself to the wishes and yearnings of our party.”

    The former governor said Lagos APC was warming up for next year’s elections, stressing that the primary was the beginning.

    Urging others to learn from the developments in the Lagos APC, Tinubu said: “This is an elixir to the general election. Ambode Akin is doing well, yes. He has to be a good party man. Not only the glamour, not only about brick and mortar. The chance is determined by character. For you to become an influential person, you have to respond to the yearnings of those people. This is politics. This is one man, one vote. They are for you today. If they change tomorrow, you have to abide by it.”

    Tinubu also cautioned against any plot to destroy the party, ahead of the general elections.

    He said: “You don’t bring the roof down. You don’t bring the house down. Safeguard the foundation. The exercise you have witnessed today is a prelude; it is good for the general election of the party. It is good for Buhari’s endorsement to continue. 1.9 million votes. You don’t see this type of crowd. If the summation today is less than that, there will be disappointment.”

    Tinubu added: “Look at that in the larger picture. If this house that accommodates all of us; we are facing one way. We are supporting the president. If they are changing, I have to abide by that. I have no choice. If you are a good party man; look at how long we have been here for how many years of democracy. Twenty five to 30 years of nurturing democracy. You must have one good reason for the people to continue to believe and respect you.”

    There was anxiety at the party’s office on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, following the rejection of the primary by the Clement Ebri-led Primary Committee.

    Ebri said the panel will not affirm the primary results because the ballot papers and boxes it provided were not used.

    Frowning at the rejection, Tinubu, who visited the committee members at the Protea Hotel, Ikeja, described it as an afterthought and in bad faith.

    A party source said: “This may give room for insinuation that the panel may have an agenda. People may start alleging that the panel was compromised along the way. We are going to resist any annulment. The committee has not shown any sign of intention to work harmoniously with the Lagos State APC Executive Committee to ensure a successful primary. The committee asked for an office within the party secretariat to operate. The office was provided.

    “But, since they left for their hotel suites in Protea, they have shunned the office provided for them at the party secretariat. The committee said that the primary began without the distribution of ballot papers and result sheets. The party had earlier rejected the use of ballot papers and ballot boxes. The party preferred queuing on the line behind the posters of the two aspirants.”

    Lagos State APC Women Leader and former House of Representatives member Jumoke Okoya-Thomas said the plot to destroy the party will fail.

    She said: “Our party is supreme. This is the wish oif the party. Our people have spoke at the primary.”

  • Ambode hails RCCG for donating classrooms to school

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has hailed the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for donating six blocks of classrooms to Omole Junior Grammar School in Omole Phase 1, Ojodu.

    The governor expressed gratitude to RCCG while inaugurating the blocks of classrooms donated by the church’s Solid Rock Parish, Lagos Province 40, Region 19.

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary and Tutor General for Education District VI, Olufunmilayo Onadipe, the governor described the project as laudable.

    He said his administration needed the support of all residents to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

    Ambode said: “This is a laudable project. We cannot do it alone, and this is why we need the support of others. We rely on people like you, the church, to help the government. Join us to move forward.”

    The governor also described the project as wonderful, saying it depicted a conducive learning environment for the pupils.

    He added: “This is a wonderful project. For anyone of you who has contributed in one way or the other, God will reward you and take care of your children, as you have taken care of other people’s children.”

    The Special Assistant to the RCCG General Overseer on Mission and Pastor in Charge of Regional 19, Brown Oyitso, handed over the budding to the government.

    He said the gesture followed a directive from the church’s General Overseer (G.O), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, adding that it was RCCG’s way of feeding the people and meet the needs of the less privileged in the society.

    According to him, the government cannot do it alone.

    Oyitso said: “This project is part of the church’s Christian Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. Our G.O. gave us a mandate to embark on CSR to help our neighbourhood, feed the poor, help the less privileged and give scholarships, among other things.”

    learning standards.

    “The learning environment matters. Looking at this building and the infrastructure on ground: the toilets, white board, the windows and ventilation will assist us to teach in an environment that is conducive and it will help the pupils too,” Julius said.

  • President hails Danish initiative on dairy farming

    President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that an initiative on dairy farming, being championed by Denmark and Kaduna State government, would curb clashes between cattle herders and farmers.

    He spoke when he received the Denmark ambassador, Mr. Torben Gettermann, at the State House, Abuja.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, noted that the establishment of dairy farms, as being promoted by Denmark, would save the country from clashes between herders and farmers, worsened by population explosion.

    He said when the farms “are economically viable, herders will see the need to stay in one place, as they will realise that productive considerations, rather than the number of herds of cattle, are more important.”

    On the concept of dairy farming, Gettermann said the plan was to have 1,000 families of herdsmen with 12,000 herds of cattle in a location, where they would have veterinary attention, schools for their children and live as a small community.

    A Danish company, Arla, he said, would buy the milk.

    “The Danish government will bring investors through its Agriculture counsellor in the country, while the Kaduna State government will provide initial infrastructure and funding.

    “Dairy farming is not the same thing as ranching. It will yield better meat, and the Danish company will buy the milk from the farmers. A pilot project will start in Kaduna, and then move to other locations, as it becomes commercially viable,” the ambassador, who spent four years in Nigeria, said.

    After 40 years in the service of his country, Gettermann is proceeding on retirement.

  • Technical Aid Corps DG hails Buhari’s vision

    The Director-General of Technical Aid Corps (TAC), Dr. Pius Osunyikanmi, has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision in sustaining the scheme, despite all odds.

    He said the country had received demands for its professionals in the last three years.

    This, Osunyikanmi said, was as a result of the attention given the scheme by the President and its importance to peace.

    He said President Buhari understood that it was more profitable to deploy human resources to maintain peace across the region, rather than sending troops.

    The DG, who addressed reporters in Abuja, said there were demands for Nigerian professionals, adding that the scheme was running in 10 countries.

    He said Nigeria was reviewing talks with Jamaica on exchange programmes.

    “It may interest you to know that under President Buhari, we have received requests for high calibre professionals across the country.

    “Buhari, from the hindsight of experience, knows that the peace of our African brothers in their countries has direct correlation with the peace of Nigeria. He knows that it is more profitable to deploy our human resources; our brains in maintaining peace across the region rather than putting our boots on the ground. You can imagine the cost to Nigeria in bringing an end to the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

    “Today, rather than sending soldiers and tanks, we send teachers, professors and experts. Education has replaced ignorance in these countries,” Osunyikanmi said.

    He said the countries, which had opted out of the scheme, are now showing interest.

    “Buhari’s leadership qualities have endeared those countries, which had previously opted out of the programme, to now demand inclusion. Countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Fiji Island, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, among others are reviewing our country’s agreement.

    “Today, we are present in about 10 countries and deployment is ongoing. We are engaging Liberia in revamping their education sector. The request from Seychelles is receiving our attention.

    “Nigeria’s involvement in restoring democracy to the Gambia is being matched with corresponding manpower, particularly in the University of the Gambia and the Judiciary. As at today we have 32 senior lecturers and professors in the university and three high court judges. Similarly, we have about 70 senior academics in Uganda and Rwanda.

    “Nigeria’s flag is flying in East Africa as evident in our outstanding presence in Zanzibar. In the Caribbean, our partnership with Jamaica is working, particularly in the area of skill transfer in Batic making and wood carving,” the DG added.

  • CDHR hails Falana at 60

    Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has extolled the Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BOT), Mr Femi Falana (SAN), on his 60th birthday.

    It prayed God to strengthen the SAN on his unflinching struggle against human rights violations, selfless defence of oppressed citizens and his uncommon service to humanity.

    The group enjoined its members and Nigerians to emulate Falana’s virtues having weathered the oppressives, storms and defied damning challenges while standing for the oppressed for decades.

    CDHR, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Henry Peter Ekine, described Falana as a relentless, courageous, incorruptible and the most vocal human rights activist in Nigeria.

    It said Falana “is a committed promoter of true democratic ideals, rule of law and good governance”.

    Falana was a founding member of CDHR 30 years ago. He also served as its President.

    The group’s National President Malachy Ugwummadu wished Falana “a blissful and prosperous 60th birthday”.