The Nation Newspaper

Tag: indigenes

  • Firm to train indigenes

    The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is to train 100 Akwa Ibom indigenes in specialised skills and crafts, including lawyer’s wigs and art works.

    Speaking with reporters in Uyo, the state capital, the Zonal Controller, George Enyiekpon, said the programme, which will take many months, would commence from January.

    According to Enyiekpon, the programme would be funded by the Council to build the capacity of Akwa Ibom indigenes.

    Enyiekpon said: “This is a special programme that will make the product meet international standard for export. We hope to give them little start up facilities to be able to compete with.

    “We are looking at 50 to 100 people and it depends on the kind of enthusiasm we get from the public because since it’s a specialised programme, we will concentrate on those we can possibly train to the standard we want within a short time.

    “We will not start from the grassroots but will begin with those that already have the experience in this sector and by the time we treat those ones at that level, they will be able to train others.”

  • ‘Why Akure indigenes will vote for Akeredolu’

    A former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Tayo Abidakun, yesterday said Akure indigenes have resolved to vote for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu SAN.

    He added that this is contrary to the belief that the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, will sweep the poll in Akure South.

    Abidakun, who joined ACN last week, said LP has failed Akure people.

    The ex-LP lawmaker spoke with reporters in Akure after visiting the ACN secretariat in Akure South Local Government where he integrated with the members and empowered them ahead of the election.

    Abidakun recalled that Mimiko, while campaigning in 2009, promised to turn Akure to a millennium city.

    He said he has not fulfilled his promise.

    According to Abidakun, who was the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Governor Mimiko has denied Akure the dividends of democracy.

    He said: “Mimiko promised to turn Akure into a millennium city, but if you drive round, you will see that we are nowhere. We are still behind. The town is not in good shape, the roads are bad, the youths are jobless and there is no development. Our people are not empowered. We are suffering in Akure.”

    Abidakun, who represented Akure South Constituency 1, said many areas have been abandoned by the Mimiko administration, adding that the people are living in abject poverty.

    He said: “Go to Abusoro, Ilotin, Esure, Moferere, Afe-olowokere, Ijoka Extension and other areas in Akure, the roads are bad. Go to Isolo and Obanla, the roads are in a terrible condition. I’m sure Governor Mimiko does not have a plan to give these roads a facelift.”

    Abidakun said he admired ACN’s manifestos and its standard bearer in the October 20 governorship poll, Akeredolu.

    “I like what is going on in Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Oyo and Ogun states. I admire the idea of Southwest economic integration. It is unmatchable,” he added.

    Abidakun enjoined Akure indigenes to work for the victory of ACN because it is a party that will recognise the citizens and provide infrastructures.