The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lauds

  • IPMAN lauds minister over product stability

    The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has lauded the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke for the stability in product supply and growth in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

    IPMAN’s Secretary, Mr Mike Osatuyi, who gave the commendation at the association’s National Executive Committee’s (NEC) meeting in Lagos yesterday, was happy that people with the requisite qualifications were appointed to man Federal Government’s the ministry’s and parastatals.

    He said the appointments of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC ) Engr. Andrew Yakubu and the Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund ( PTDF), Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, are round pegs in round holes.

    IPMAN also commended the minister what the Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) under the leadership of Prince Haruna Momoh is doing to sustain uninterrupted product supply adding that the association will continue to work with PPMC in all its 21 depots across the country to ensure seamless product supply.

    Osatuyi said IPMAN controls over 85 per cent of petroleum products retail outlets in the country.

    Osatuyi said: “There is evidence in both the upstream and downstream sub-sectors of the industry that justify that the minister’s appointment has launched the country on the path of sustainable growth.”

    He listed some of the achievements to include “the steady and unbroken stability in the supply of petroleum products throughout the country in the past few years and the enactment of the Nigerian Content Act signed into law in 2010 by President Goodluck Jonathan as major enablers for building indigenous capacities for the long term survival of the oil and gas industry.”

    He also said that the signing of the gas supply and purchase agreement (GSPA) between key industry operators and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) for the supply of gas as an incentive to guarantee adequate supply of electricity in the country is a milestone.

    “Nigerian Content Act is another achievement epitomising the depth of the Minister’s patriotism, considering that the maximum of four years period set for all international oil and gas operators to Nigerianise all expatriate positions would create opportunities for indigenous participation in the development of the nation’s oil and gas industry.

    “When one looks at these achievements by the Minister, one cannot but commend President Goodluck Jonathan for his wisdom in appointing Mrs. Alison-Madueke who brought to bear her experience as a one-time chieftain in one of the top multinational oil companies in the country,” he said.

    They also commended the ministry and NNPC for electronic tracking of oil vessels, which has substantially reduced round tripping and diversion of products meant for consumption in the country. It is a good innovation to ensure accountability, probity and conservation of the hard earned Nigeria Foreign Exchange.

    IPMAN called for the fullest cooperation of Nigerians to halt the activities of pipeline vandals and crude oil theft.

     

  • PDP member lauds senator’s free health mission

    A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Mr. Gbenga Dada Giwa, has described the free health mission sponsored by Senator Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central) as a “novel programme”.

    Giwa, whose father is a PDP chieftain in Efon-Alaaye, said he was surprised that opposition members were not excluded from the programme.

    Giwa is the brother-in-law of a former representative of Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Mr. Femi Kila.

    He said his father, who was treated at the Efon venue of the free health mission, “brought the good news home”.

    Giwa said he decided to verify his father’s claims because he did not believe a PDP chieftain could benefit from a programme organised by an Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) lawmaker.

    According to him, such could not have happened in a PDP administration.

    Giwa, who went to the venue of the mission with his daughter, said he was shocked by the kindness of the doctors and ACN officials.

    He said: “Though the achievements of the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration in all sectors are clearly visible, I still find it difficult to believe that opposition members are allowed to benefit from this health mission.

    “By this, the Fayemi administration has demonstrated that it is above the usual pettiness associated with Nigerian politics. I urge them to continue this way. This is far better than throwing money around, which my party is known for. Programmes like this touch the lives of those who cannot go to beg for money at the homes of politicians.”

    Giwa described the “throwing around of money” by politicians as “barbaric, debasing and non-conforming with good governance”.

    He said with what he saw at the mission’s venue, he would shred his PDP membership card and cross over to the ACN.

    Giwa said: “There is nothing like ACN or PDP members here today. My father is a PDP chieftain. He has come here and he has been treated. As for me, I am through with the PDP.”

     

  • Green lauds Eaglets’ crew

    Green lauds Eaglets’ crew

    Barrister Chris Green, Technical Committee chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has challenged the coaching crew of the Golden Eagles to maintain their winning momentum as they intensify preparation for the forthcoming CAF Under-17 Championship in Morocco.

    The Golden Eaglets will today play the second of their two-match international friendlies against Diamond Zebras of Botswana at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar with the kick-off fixed for 4pm.

    Speaking with the Golden Eaglets’ coaching crew before Saturday’s 3-0 win, Green said it was important for the team to be focused on the task at hand, adding that the national U-17 team is the bedrock of Nigerian football.

    “The NFF is satisfied with the work done so far and this should be commended because it’s the most difficult stage of football development,” stated Green.”This is a pilot team and we are so happy with the professional way the coaches have handled the assignment.”

    The NFF in conjuction with the Cross River State government has organised several camps to put the Golden Eaglets in tip-top shape. The team under the quartet of Coach Manu Garba (MFR), Emmanuel Amuneke (MON), Nduka Ugbade and Emeka Amadi, has remained unbeaten in over 20 matches – both friendly and qualifying matches- since last year.

    He said: “We would continue to support this team because this is a project dear to our hearts at the NFF and we won’t spare efforts at ensuring that we get the desired results.”

  • Minister lauds Volleyball Federation

    Minister lauds Volleyball Federation

    : States smile home with kits

    THe Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) Thursday at the Media Center of the Abuja National Stadium distributed a total number of 1800 volleyballs and 144 nets to all the 35 states of the federation and the FCT in one of the Federation’s strategies to popularise the game as well as take the volleyball to the nooks and crannies of the country.

    The president of the NVBF Engineer Habu Gumel was all smiles as the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Dr. Patrick Ekeji, who represented the sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, presented the kits to the 23 states that were present at the presentation ceremony.

    Gumel, who is also the 1st vice president of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), said the gesture is courtesy of the International Volleyball body as part of it’s global development programme, and expressed hope that the support will impact positively on the sports development in the states generally as well as on the overall effort to engage youths meaningfully through the game of volleyball.

    “Today, the volleyball game played at professional level is big time business, no wonder the FIVB has deemed it fit to extend its hands of fellowship to the Nigeria Volleyball Federation in terms of balls and nets. The Federation places so much premium on providing these basic materials as our success is very essential and crucial for the progress of the game, hence we place much effort to achieve this”, he said.

    The minister also commended the president and the NVBF Board for their efforts in lifting the game in the country. “I think this is the very first time this gesture would be coming from the International body to help the game from the grassroots and we are very happy about this”, he disclosed.

  • Council boss lauds Fashola for projects

    The Chairman, Lagos Mainland Local Government, Mr. Oladele Adekanye, has expressed gratitude to the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola for the construction of some roads in the council area.

    Adekanye, who spoke with The Nation yesterday, heaped praises on the governor as he did publicly during the flag-off ceremony of this year’s National Immunisation Plus Days, which was hosted at the council’s secretariat recently.

    He, however, demanded on behalf of the market men and women that preferences should be given to them on allocation of stalls at the Oyingbo Market, which construction is nearing completion. He also sought relocation and provision of logistic support for fire victims of Bola/Okobaba Streets in the council area.

    The chairman also commended the state’s significant efforts at reducing maternal and child mortality rate, assuring that his local government will leave no stone unturned in contributing its quota to increasing the herd immunity of the people of the area in particular and Lagos State in general, thereby maintaining the polio-free status of the state.

    Echoing the views of Dr. Jide Idris, the state Commissioner for Health at the flag-off of the immunisation, the council boss said that it remained the most cost-effective and efficient child survival strategy for children who are the nation’s future.

    Idris, who represented Fashola on the occasion, had explained that the state had been consistent, over the years, in the implementation of child survival programmes, especially in the area of strengthening routine immunisation activities.

    According to him, the state has remained polio-free since April 2009, adding: “We cannot, however, afford to rest on our oars till the entire nation is certified as being polio-free.”

  • Mbalula lauds Bafana Bafana

    Mbalula lauds Bafana Bafana

    Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula praised Bafana Bafana for a well spirited and bitter fight during the African Cup of Nation (AFCON) on Saturday.

    “Our team fought hard and dominated but as a nation we understood that there could only be one winner,” he said.

    “For us, South Africa have already won by being the best of this successful tournament. We wish Mali and all the other teams well in their endeavour to lift the Afcon 2013 trophy on February 10.”

    He said it was the best Afcon tournament ever hosted in the country.

    “We look forward to Bafana Bafana representing us proudly in Brazil both at the 2014 Confederations and the Fifa World Cup. We thank South Africans who continued to rally behind Bafana Bafana and plead for their continued support towards the remaining teams in the tournament.”

    Bafana Bafana were knocked out from the continental showpiece after failing to beat Mali during a tough quarterfinal match at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban.

    Mali proceeded to the semifinals after winning 3-1 on penalties against South Africa. The two sides played to a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.

    “For two weeks South Africa have displayed excellent performance on and off the field, which inspired many across the length and breadth of our beloved country,” Mbalula said.

    “We take pride in the support and confidence expressed by President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma to Bafana Bafana prior and during the Afcon soccer tournament.”

    The final of the Afcon tournament will be played at the National Stadium in Johannesburg on February 10.

  • Jonathan lauds Dangote over N2.5b donations to flood victims

    Jonathan lauds Dangote over N2.5b donations to flood victims

    Relief may have come the way of the flood victims as prominent Nigerians and institutions yesterday donated cash into the special fund set up by the Federal Government.

    Business mogul, Aliko Dangote, who is a co-Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR), led the pack when he made a donation of N2.5 billion and another N150 million for the running of the secretariat of the PCFRR.

    This philanthropic gesture did not escape the mention of President Goodluck Jonathan, as he described Dangote as a rare-breed that is always willing to give back to the society.

    The President of Dangote Group who had earlier donated N200 million to the Kogi State Government during his visit to the flood ravaged areas in the state, said it was the responsibility of Nigerians to bring smiles to the faces of the victims.

    President Jonathan at a fund raising dinner held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa had in his address of welcome, lamented the unpleasant situation the victims have been subjected to, which necessitated intervention by the Federal Government with the release of N17.6 billion.

    While urging Nigerians to respond to the call to help the flood victims, he said though the nation had witnessed several natural disasters in the past, none could be compared with the recent ones across the states.

    The President noted that the rampaging flood had rendered millions of citizens homeless, in addition to the scores of lives lost to the flood, while property and farmlands have been destroyed.

    “Economic activities in the highly impacted area have also been affected. Although the economic losses are difficult to quantify at the moment, there are indications that they may be higher than our projections. We have witnessed several natural disasters in the past, none of them compares to what we currently experience in scale and scope,” President Jonathan said.

    He said he had a first-hand experience of the flood during his recent tour of some of the affected states and was shocked by the extent of devastation caused and the plight of the victims, who are exposed to the inclement consequences.

    Dangote said his visit to Kogi State was an eye opener, saying that “sometimes, we need to have the genuine experience of deprivation and poverty in order to appreciate the need to be our brother’s keeper. We should be problem solvers and ready to make people happy when the opportunity comes. Nobody says ‘thank you’ for growing a profitable company, but people will say ‘thank you’ when you give.”

    While urging other Nigerians to donate generously to the cause, Dangote said the soul of business is not making money but making people happy.

    “I believe that people make the difference—and not the balance sheet. We impact positively on the lives of the people, not by how much money we have accumulated, but by how much goodwill we have accumulated.”

    Assuring that every kobo donated would be put into judicious use, Dangote said the fund would be transparently managed and that as part of the transparency drive, the amount contributed or pledged will be displayed on a website: www.nigeriafloodrelief.org created to monitor the donations and the use they are being put into.

    To boost the donations, Dangote challenged the telecoms operators to consider donating N1 for every SMS sent through their network, to the victims in order to help ameliorate their condition.