The Nation Newspaper

Tag: International Conference Centre

  • Tinubu is pillar of democracy, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a pillars of democracy.

    The accolade was contained in felicitations the President sent to the former Lagos State governor on the occasion of his 67th birthday.

    A Colloquium tagged: “The 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium”, is billed for today at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.

    It is to commemorate Tinubu’s birthday.

    President Buhari will chair the colloquium that has its theme as “Next Level Work for People.”

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President described Tinubu as one of the strong pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.

    He joined the APC family in celebrating the Asiwaju of Lagos, who is also the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, for his selflessness in serving the country, and making life better for many.

    The President recalled some of the sacrifices of the party chieftain to include, standing up against injustice in 1993 when the June 12 elections were annulled, which led to his going on political exile for many years, and a protracted legal battle with the Federal Government when funds for Lagos councils were withheld.

    The statement reads: “President Buhari affirmed that Asiwaju’s uncompromising posture in the face of injustice and refusal to follow the path of least resistance for personal gains stand him out today as a rare breed and one of the cornerstones of Nigeria’s democracy, especially with his track record of persistence, consistency and effective leadership.

    Read also: Tinubu as reactionaries’ nightmare

    “As the father of modern Lagos State, the President commended the visionary and inclusive leadership style that the Asiwaju provided for the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria for eight years, laying the foundation for a modern and technologically driven city, and ensuring that every successive leader in the state sticks with the masterplan of a greater Lagos.

    President Buhari rejoiced with family members, friends, political and business associates of the Jagaban on this auspicious milestone, which is further brightened with the many successes recorded at the recently concluded polls by his strong leadership.

    “The President believed the best years of the APC National Leader are still ahead, praying that the almighty God will grant him longer life, good health and more wisdom to keep serving the country he loves so much.”

  • ‘How not to evacuate sex workers’

    Much as the sight of commercial sex workers, beggars and hawkers on the streets annoys the authorities in the nation’s capital, the operation to quit them should be done with utmost respect, Gbenga Omokhunu reports

    No fewer than 100 social workers have been drilled on standard operation procedures for apprehension and evacuation of people deemed unwelcome on the streets of Abuja.

    This is aimed at improving handling of people involved in commercial prostitution, street hawking and begging in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    In particular, the workers, mainly field officers and some members of the security, at the programme were comprehensively educated by resource persons drawn from different security formations, human rights groups, as well as trained and experienced social workers.

    The capacity building workshop organised by the FCT Social Development Secretariat (SDS) through its Social Welfare Service Department was held at the FCT Exhibition Pavilion, adjacent the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.

    Declaring the training open, SDS Secretary, Alhaji Oladmeji Ali Hassan said it was aimed at training the trainers to help reduce human rights abuses in the handling of destitute, prostitutes, hawkers and beggars constituting a nuisance in the FCT.

    Hassan, who was represented at the occasion by SDS’s Director of Admin and Finance, Alhaji Umar Marafar, disclosed that the Secretariat deemed it necessary to bring together all the security agents and social workers that are involved in curtailing the menace, so as to retrain them, in order to go and train others to improve in the way they handle those they apprehend around the city, in line with human rights regulations.

    He said, “Those involved in the menace are not criminals, but constitute nuisance in the nation’s capital, because there are mistakes made here and there in the apprehension and evacuation procedures, so whatever standard we are employing must be in line with established Human rights.”

    Earlier in her welcome address, Director, Social Welfare, Felicia Nwogu, explained that the capacity building was conceived as a result of experiences on the field in apprehending hawkers, beggars, and commercial sex workers among others on the streets.

    Describing the menace as a vicious circle, as perpetrators seemly remain unfazed even after consistent apprehension and sensitisation on the dangers of engaging in such nefarious activities, the Director reiterated that the government would not relent on its efforts to curb the scourge.

    She said, “Over time there have been incidences of accusations of abuses from human rights activists that these people are not criminals, which is the truth, but they constitute nuisance on the streets of FCT, however they  should be treated with respect and dignity.

    ”And we know that the Present FCT Administration has already placed zero tolerance on such issues (activities) beggars, hawkers as well as commercial sex workers are not supposed to litter the streets, thereby not only constituting nuisance, but also security threat.

    “Our officers directly involved in the apprehension and evacuation of these people should be able to apply the standard human right principles in the discharge of their assigned mandate.”

  • Govt, stakeholders to deliberate on banking reform

    Govt, stakeholders to deliberate on banking reform

    Top government officials and stakeholders in the economy will, on Monday, March 12, 2018, converge on the International Conference Centre, Abuja, to unveil a book-Banking Reform in Nigeria: The law, The Prospects and The Challenges.

    Expected guests include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

    The book is written by eminent scholar, lawyer, chartered banker and member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Bode Ayorinde.

    The book traces the historical development of banking business in Nigeria and critically examines all the laws relating to banking since inception.

  • Buhari to Nigerians: Expect more actions soon

    Buhari to Nigerians: Expect more actions soon

    President Muhammadu Buhari  on Tuesday assured Nigerians that his administration will be taking more pragmatic actions in the next few months to improve the nation’s economy and boost their living condition.

    He spoke at the 8th Annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.

    Buhari was the Chairman of the Colloquium themed: ‘Agriculture: Action, work, revolution’

    Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was a former Lagos State Governor, is the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that ended the 16 year rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ensured victory of President Buhari at the 2015 Presidential election.

    Tinubu, the Jagaban of the Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, marked his 64th birthday at the occasion.

    The President at the occasion eulogized Tinubu, whom he noted possesses some unique qualities that have contributed immensely to the growth of Nigeria.

    “There are very few patriots alive today that can match the commitment, zealous, creativity that Bola Tinubu has demonstrated in his contribution to national growth,” Buhari stated.

    He said that his government’s desire was to invest heavily in human capital development towards reducing high level poverty in the country.

    “In the coming months, Nigerians will see much more actions. Government will continue to invest substantially in human capital development and this is just the beginning,” he said.

    He also welcomed more companies that are willing to invest in the country.

    The President said: “We are going to hold ourselves accountable. We will    measure results
    There will always be some skepticism, some have even become disorientated and impatient enough to think that barriers are insurmountable. Anyone who claim great change is impossible can only look as an ordinary success.”

    Despite the odds, he said that there are incredible examples of entrepreneurs who have set up processing factories, green house farming and commercial up taking systems.

    He added: “We can achieve more with partnership that link up and scale up our respective efforts.

    “I am declaring that we need a new approach that challenges more states and local governments, more organisation, companies and non-governmental organisations and individuals, some of the younger people who are here to step up and play a role because government cannot and should not do it alone. All hands should be on deck,” he said.

    He also explained that the opportunities that the government sees in the agriculture value chain were enormous.

    He commended the organizers of the Bola Tinubu Colloquium for the choice of the theme of the event which focused on improving agriculture.

    The President said: “We intend to organize an efficient market infrastructure that will make agriculture viable for investors. We are providing an enabling environment so as to ensure certainty and predictability for the private sector.

    “We intend to also ensure that the market is fair and worth to transform small holder farmers from beggars to businessmen,” he added.

    President Buhari also assured that government will speed up actions that will improve food production techniques as technology will play a huge role in better seeds, better harvest, weather forecast and predictable market prices.

    “Furthermore, we are going to keep focusing on improved nutrition for children. We know the effects of hunger and poor nutrition can last a life time. Children are thrown out of school to earn a living,” the President said.

    Among those who graced the occasion included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, wife of the celebrant, Senator Remi Tinubu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, state governors of Zamfara – Abdulaziz Yari, Osun – Rauf Aregbesola, Ogun – Ibikunle Amosun, Kebbi – Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Adamawa- Bindow,  Cross River – Ben Ayade, Bauchi – Muhammed Abubakar, Lagos – Ambode Akinwunmi, Kaduna – Nasir el-Rufai, Oyo – Abiola Ajimobi,

    Also at the event were the APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, Senator Smart Adeyemi, cabinet members and other top government officials.

     

  • Young Nigerian professionals to meet in Abuja


    The Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), has urged young business owners and entrepreneurs across the country to register for the Young Nigerian CEO's conference. The conference, which is scheduled to hold at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Monday, 3rd August, would host President Muhammadu Buhari as the Special Guest of Honour as well as Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Guest of Honour.

    According to a statement by Dr. Nuhu Atta, the Executive Secretary, the conference with the theme, 'Promoting Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Building Economic Leaders for Tomorrow', will focus on key sectors ranging from Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Blue Sea Economy (Marine), Manufacturing/ Processing and the Creative Industry. There will be industry specific break-out sessions to interact with world-class business leaders. "The value proposition of the conference includes share ideas and business models that can be adapted by young entrepreneurs in key growth areas; interact with business leaders at the industry specific break-out sessions during the event; discuss challenges they encounter in their various operations and explore global solutions; and fashion out strategies to harness the provisions of micro-credit facilities and intervention funds from government agencies for entrepreneurial development," the statement reads. The Young Nigerian CEO's conference is organized by NYPF, a Non- Governmental Organization composed of young Professionals from different fields of human endeavours, coming together under a unified platform to achieve three (3) major objectives, namely; creating sustainable livelihood for young people, engender purposeful leadership and social democratic inclusion, and encourage young people's participation in governance and the economic process. Speakers at the conference are Peter Jack – DG National Information Technology Development Agency; Denzil Kentebe – Executive Secretary Nigerian Content Development Board; Alexander Amosu Chairman, CEO - KAMSON luxury group; Alistair Soyode Founder, CEO - BEN TV and Moses Siloko Siasia, Chairman, CEO – Mosilo Group.