The Nation Newspaper

Tag: leadership

  • Firm gets leadership award

    TEASY Mobile Money International has received the 2014 Nigerian Mobile Money Customer Value Leadership Award initiated by Frost& Sullivan. It led the other 3,000 mobile money agents operating in the country.

    Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the firm provides a wide range of financial services, including, funds transfers, bill payments, airtime purchases and deposits and withdrawals, through the use of a mobile phone.

    Its product, Teasy Mobile Money, is an end-to-end mobile phone-based platform that allows users to have an electronic wallet (e-wallet).

    “Teasy International has built its position as a leader in the Nigerian mobile money industry, by introducing the first commercial NFC-based contactless payment solution in Nigeria. Teasy Tap and Pay has been considered as an electronic payment solution bridge between the world of microfinance and that of the traditional banking system.”

    John Weber, who spoke on behalf of the organiser, Frost & Sullivan, explained that the choice of Teasy International was based on the outcome of the report of the Frost & Sullivan analysts and industry experts which embarked on a global hunt for companies achieving dual excellence in two critical areas: Customer Value and Growth Success.

    According to the report, “Teasy International partnered with Verifone (a global provider of technology for electronic payment transactions and value-added services at the point of sale) to develop its own mobile money platform. To remain ahead of competitors, Teasy International added a new feature to its Teasy Tap and Pay solution, making it possible for it to be used as a mobile Point of Sale (mPoS) device.

    “It is a merchant payment service that allows customers to use their mobile phone to pay for goods and services at any PoS terminal, which accepts a NFC-enabled phone. It has converted Android and BlackBerry phones into mPoS devices through the Teasy Mobile Money App.

    “The Teasy Mobile Money solution also allows for the use of biometric data for secure user identification and authentication. This Biometric payment technology eliminates the need to carry cash, cheques or credit cards and removes any risk associated with theft, or a forgotten pin.

    “As an innovator, Teasy International is developing a new service as part of its platform called Cashless Campus. It has partnered with four universities in Nigeria to allow students to pay for their school fees and bus fares using the Teasy Tap and Pay App. Teasy International is in the process of partnering with every Nigerian university to extend this new service country wide.”

    At the beginning of last year, Teasy Tap and Pay accounted for an increase in customer’ satisfaction and has enabled the company to record a growth rate of 100 per cent as well as an increase in its customer base, through partnership with relevant stakeholders, including NURTW, which owns motor parks and bus stations in every state and village across Nigeria.

    These are used to place approximately 744 Teasy International Points of Sale (PoS).

    The Teasy Tap and Pay service also allows for fast payments from mobile wallets at the PoS, when an NFC-compatible mobile device is brought within a few centimetres of another NFC PoS-enabled device.

    In his remarks, Mr. Musa Ali Baba Managing Director of Teasy Money ascribed the feat to the cooperation between investors, board staff and alumni as well as business partners and boosters.

    He noted that decision of “Frost and Sullivan who found this obscure company and is bringing us to global attention,” will further help the company to grow its business.

     

  • Osinbajo blames Nigeria’s woes on leadership

    Osinbajo blames Nigeria’s woes on leadership

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has blamed the dwindling fortunes of the country on leaders’ failure to adhere to God’s commandment.

    Osinbajo spoke yesterday at the Prayer Rally Toward the 2015 Election, organised by the Civic Consciousness Initiative, at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

    He said: “The words of God say that when the righteous rules, the people rejoice. One of the reasons the scripture says that is because it wants people to rejoice when the righteous is in power.

    “God wants people to be happy; the government must make people happy. The reason for government is for the welfare of the people. That is what God wants; He wants a government that is responsible to the people, not a government that steals from the people but a government that provides for the people.”

    Osinbajo said when a king behaves like a child, the land is cursed.

    “It means that when people are in governance and they are not mature, it will not be well.

    “When a child is in government, he is eating everything. A child is somebody who does not have responsibilities for everybody. He only has responsibility for himself.

    “That is why the scripture says also that woe unto the land whose king is like child and whose leaders wake in the morning and they drink,” he said.

    Osinbajo added that it is the duty of government to ensure the welfare of the people.

    He added: “Government is to provide for those who do not have, create an environment where those who have and do not have are happy, so that when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.

    “God expects righteous rulership. He expects them to be honest and forthright. Corruption is not in God’s dictionary. If you are a Muslim or Christian in government and you are corrupt, God is against such a person. God expects that it is the people who are upright and just who should rule the people.”

    Osinbajo said in countries where the gospel of Jesus Christ is adhered to, people progress, irrespective of the religion of those who govern them.

  • Re: 365 days of NYSC’s directionless leadership

    The attention of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) management has been drawn to an article titled: “365 days of NYSC’s directionless leadership” written by one Oluwaseyi Babaeko and published on page 35 of The Nation of Thursday, January 15, 2015.

    The writer in his somewhat self-delusional piece, among other things, accused the NYSC management of making discriminatory deployment of Corps members in favour of graduates from well-to-do families with children of the poor posted to rural areas and volatile regions. He also claimed that it had to take public condemnation before the Director-General (DG) could reverse the posting of Corps members to risk-prone areas. The writer also accused the NYSC management of not visiting families of some deceased Corps members or giving compensation to bereaved families.

    Of particular note is the claim by Babaeko, who had an accident while going to camp as a prospective Corps member, that he is yet to raise money for hip replacement while also alleging that the DG had not deemed it fit to attend to his case and that of other Corps members that need urgent medical attention.

    The management could have ordinarily ignored such write-up as an expression of ignorance and self-ridicule by the writer, except for the need to meet the expectations of those who genuinely seek the truth.

    First and foremost, it should be noted that Oluwaseyi Babaeko is a mischief maker and bare-fared liar, who has chosen, like in an interview granted in a previous publication, to stand fact on its head. We will address the issues as raised by him.

    The allegation of discriminatory deployment is laughable as postings are carried out electronically, and our system has default setting that enables random posting of prospective Corps members outside their states of origin. It should be noted that concessional postings are granted only to married women, who wish to serve in their spouses’ states of residence and others with proven cases of life-threatening illnesses.

    A major requirement for issuance of certificate of NYSC, among other things, is the Corps member’s presence in his place of primary assignment throughout the service year. We have records of disciplinary actions taken against Corps members who were absent from service locations for certain periods or absconded outright. We challenge the writer to name any absconded Corps member who was given certificate without repeating the service.

    On posting to risk-prone areas, the NYSC management has never had cause to reverse decision to post Corps members to such areas in response to the so-called public condemnation as claimed by Babaeko. We have repeatedly made our policy clear on this issue; Corps members are posted to all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including the crisis areas, in fulfilment of the provisions of the NYSC Act. But Orientation course for those posted to the crisis areas are conducted in safe states, while only Corps members who personally elect to go and serve in those areas eventually report there for the service. Majority of the Corps members are often relocated to safer states while those who choose to serve in the crisis areas are mostly indigenes of the affected states, including married women whose spouses reside there.

    Contrary to the mischievous claim by the writer, the NYSC Scheme has established procedures for responding to death of Corps members. These include delegation of officials to inform and condole with the bereaved families, conveyance of corpses, payment for burial expenses, official representation at funerals, and payment of death benefits to the next-of-kin of the deceased Corps members. These are statutory steps which the Scheme has continued to take in the unfortunate incidences of death of Corps members. Besides, the loss of Corps members, or any persons for that matter, should be seen as matter that requires to be handled with soberness and not to be made subject of mischief-making by some rascally person.

    The allegation of not attending to the cases of Corps members who need urgent medical attention is also another irresponsible lie by Babaeko, who is himself a beneficiary of the Scheme’s discharge of its obligation in that regard. Agents of distraction like him need to be reminded of how several newspapers were awash with commendations of the Director-General Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi’s show of care and love when he visited a prospective Corps member of the 2014 Batch ‘C’ Oluwagbenga Babatunde at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital following the latter’s involvement in a road accident while on his way to the Orientation Camp in Bayelsa State. Aside from commiserating with the accident victim, Brig-Gen. Olawumi also directed the payment of his medical bills. He further granted his relocation so as to enhance his recuperation. If the DG could show such concern for a person who had not yet been registered and confirmed as bonafide Corps member, only mischievous minds would doubt his readiness to show similar concern for those that are already serving.

    Coming to the case of Babaeko himself, we recall that he was involved in a road traffic accident while on his way to the NYSC orientation Camp in Sokoto State as a prospective Corps member of the 2012 Batch ‘B’. Contrary to his claim of insensitivity, the first step taken by the Scheme was to move him from a hospital in Kebbi State to the more equipped Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto in order to avail him of the best care available in the circumstance.

    Another step taken was to relocate him to Lagos State after due consultation with him on the location of his next-of-kin. This was based on the belief that receiving treatment in an environment where his parents and relations would be within reach would yield some therapeutic benefits.

    Babaeko’s hypocrisy is glaring from his deafening silence about the settlement of his medical bills by the NYSC Management. To cut the story short, following the submission of his bills, the N645,540:00 was paid into his Union Bank’s Account No: 0038523282. Specifically, the said amount was credited into his account at 17:47hrs on the September 17, 2013. Though we have sufficient evidence of the transaction, we also challenge the writer to present his bank statement for that period for verification.

    From the foregoing, one wonders what Babaeko seeks to achieve by writing such misleading, mischievous and frivolous essay. The Director-General has, since assumption of office, remained focused on the pursuit of his vision and agenda for the Scheme and we are proud to report that much has been achieved by this passionate goal-getter. In particular, the issue of Corps members welfare remains top on the management’s priority at all times. The DG, the management and entire staff will not be distracted from the on-going efforts to take the Scheme to greater heights.

    •Management

  • NUFBTE calls for sensitive leadership

    With barely a month to the general election, workers in the food sector of the economy have charged politicians aspiring to lead the country to be people focused in their programmes.

    Speaking at the Delegate Conference of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) in Lagos, the National President of the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), Comrade Lateef Oyelekan, said workers would only cast their votes for candidates who would make life better for them. “I want to say here that we are not partisan and have no allegiance to any party, but we would only support any party that distinguishes itself as government of workers and anyone who will support workers to have food on their table,” he said.

    Oyelekan, who noted that the union with its business ventures in hotel, water factory, event centre and others, has supported the government in its employment generation by providing work for almost 100 Nigerians, lamented that government however, has not been supportive.

    He stated the union with its lean resources spends between N3million and N4millon every month to keep its businesses running. He said: “It is government that should solve the electricity problem; we have played our part and if we in our small capacity can be spending so much, I wonder how much the bigger players are spending.”

    He said there is no doubt that electricity holds the key to economic advancement of many Nigerians and the country as an entity. According to him, many who learned one trade or the other that relies on electricity and who should be doing well as entrepreneurs have all turned to motorcycle riders, popularly called Okada.

    He advised those in government to pursue either one or two agenda and ensure success in them rather than proliferation of projects without any success.

    He lamented that the present economic state of the country has further worsened the economic condition of workers whom he stated has become more impoverished and have always been at the receiving end.

    While calling on the management of NBC to reciprocate the good gesture of the union, having ensured that there was industrial harmony in the company, Oyelekan said it was expedient upon the management to help beef up the workers pay in the New Year. He said there was cordial relationship between the workers and the management.

    NBC’s Director, Human Resources, Mrs Grace Omolamayi, however commended the workers for their trust in the management, noting that the two see each other as partners and always believed in dialogue rather than other means of settlement.

    She said: “It’s good to have the trust of the workers and at NBC we always encourage our workers to come to the table to discuss and at the end we would iron out issues with both parties leaving satisfied.” She charged the workers to contribute positively to the advancement of the union and Nigeria as a nation.

  • Group organises leadership summit for youths

    In a bid to curb the unemployment situation among young people in Nigeria, Anabel Group has held its 3rd Nigerian Leadership Summit 2014, tagged “Entrepreneurial Nation”.

    The event, which held at Oriental Hotel Lekki Lagos aimed at tasking youths to develop interest in the acquisition of entrepreneurial, vocational and business skills that will make them better citizens and contributors to the nation’s economic growth and development.

    According to the President/Chief Executive Officer, Anabel Group, Nicholas Okoye, the programme has motivated, encouraged and inspired over 10,000 young people who had set up their own businesses in the past three years.

    He said: “We know that the unemployment situation in Nigeria can be solved by young people creating jobs for themselves. As youths, we all wish to become business people in big, small or micro scales. We are all aware that some renowned Nigerian entrepreneurs have developed big businesses with as little as N5, 000.

    “So, the whole idea of this summit is to tell you that there are solutions to our problems. We do not agree with those who sit on the fence and complain that the government should do everything for them.

    “We believe we can take our destiny into our hands with the efforts we have decided to make for ourselves. I have a mantra that says if you are not part of the solution, then, you are part of the problem. Those of us who complain consistently about the problems and don’t do anything about it are part of the problems.”

    Okoye further said that “the entire leadership summit is not just a talk shop anymore; it’s about educating people and also giving them the best way to be successful as businessmen and women. The group is working with financial industries to provide finance for young people. So that is the major positive element that has come out from this service.”

    However, he urged the youth that the group (Anabel) on annual basis through ‘Nigerian leadership summit’ is committed to realising a new Nigeria.

    Okoye also announced the launch of a new platform by the group, known as ‘Women entrepreneurship network’ which will focus directly on women-owned business, so they too can compete favourably just like the men in the society.

    “We need to support all the initiatives and all the efforts that will get young people into the workplace” Okoye said.

    Other Keynote speakers at the event were former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Chairman Chikason Group, Chief Chika Okafor; Chief Executive Officer, South-South Economic Council, Ambassador Joe Keshi and Managing Director, Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Mustapha Obi; Chairman, MRS Group of Companies, Sayyu Dantata; Principal/Chief International Development Officer, Weeks International Enterprises, Charles Weeks and Managing Director, MDG Consulting, Benny Mistry.

  • Lifeline for leadership training centre

    Lifeline for leadership training centre

    The Sea School, one of the units of Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Lagos, is a Mecca of sort for most of the highbrow schools in Lagos. If they are not visiting the place for excursion, the schools ensure that their new prefects are taken to the island for retreat and leadership training.

    Aside being a tourist centre, the island, which is about two kilometres long, 300m wide, is a training centre for security agencies in Nigeria.

    The cool breeze;  serene environment, the almond trees that mitigate scorching sun; array of ships that dot the sea, make one appreciate nature. If one is upset before visiting the island, one’s nerves would be calmed.

    However, those beautiful vistas were in the yesteryear. The once dazzling school has become fetid. Things seemed okay at the Sea School until about three months ago, when the embankment collapsed and water began started to wash off part of the island.

    It was quite difficult to notice that all is not well with the Sea School until the Minister of Youth and Social Development, Boni Haruna, visited the school.

    His visit to the school opened a can of worms.

    Though there are new buildings being erected in the school, most buildings in the school are more than 50 years old, as most of them were built in 1965. To worsen the situation, the original Master Plan of the centre is lost or so it seems.

    The once prestigious school is currently in darkness. Seemingly, it has been yanked off the National Grid.

    At its inception, the centre enjoyed constant power supply, but the privatisation of the Dockyard changed the situation.

    The Director-General, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Mr. Michael Oladele Fawole said: “Until 2005, Nigerdock was supplying electricity to the centre but when a new company took over Nigerdock, they refused to supply light to the school even though we promised to pay the bill. There is a village in between us and they knew it was going to be difficult to get them pay for light, the company declined our request. Since then, we have not been having light. Because of the situation, we have been using generator.

    “The centre spends an average of N300, 000 a month on fuel in order to power the school.

    “While the centre would want to host many visitors, the hostels are inadequate. It is so bad that students are accommodated in the new library.”

    During the visit, the minister had a dose of the hardship members of staff of the centre go through. As he sat in the office of the Coordinator of the centre, Mrs Lambert Oyebola Faleye, the minister was sweating profusely. It took him a while to sign the visitors’ book and when the heat became unbearable, he had to remove his jacket.

    Transporting people in and out of the island is also a challenge. The D-G further explained that the centre has three water buses, the three would have been enough if they had been functional, adding that “it is only one that is functional. We would have loved to have a 50-seater or 100-seater boat.”

    Grim as the situation on the island may seem, it is probably one of the safest places to live in the country.

    While many have become frustrated and leave the security of their lives and properties in God’s hand, the people on the island sleep with their two eyes closed. It is difficult to commit crime on the island and go scot free.

    Aside personnel from the military and other security agencies undergoing training on the island, marine police are constantly on patrol to prevent criminals from carrying out their nefarious acts.

    Bad as it may seem and despite all the challenges the institute is experiencing, the D-G said the centre has continued to make judicious use of its limited resources.

    “Despite all these challenges, we have continued to perform. I thank members of our staff who often times find it difficult to believe that we are handicapped. I think that there is a proof that we are trying our best,” he said.

    The minister, who was accompanied by some officials of Ministry of Environment to assess the situation, acknowledged the limited facilities and decayed infrastructure and inadequate funding of the centre and promised that the problems would be solved. He said about N2 billion would be expended on the centre.

    ”We will do the needful to change the way things are done here. We will also improve the working environment, improve the facilities and reposition the school,” the minister said.

    Haruna promised to provide a new layout for the school so as to know where to locate some of the infrastructure.

    “It is not unlikely that this school will be the same again. We will create an enabling environment for you because there is so much here that could be leveraged upon. I will make sure that the needful is done,” he said.

  • UNESCO builds leadership capacity in women

    UNESCO builds leadership capacity in women

    Worried by the low response of Nigerians to issues of governance and leadership ahead of the 2015 general elections, the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has engaged women on a series of trainings to increase women participation in leadership and governance.

    The training entitled “Gender Transformative Training Workshop (TOT) had been held in Lagos and Gombe before coming to Rivers State. It was organised with the support of four other international bodies.

    The organisers said it was aimed at helping women unleash their potentials in the development quest of the nation.

    Prof. Funmi Soetan of the Department of Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,  a  Gender and Development Specialist,  said the workshop was necessitated by the fact that: “We’ve noticed that although women constitute roughly 60 per cent of Nigeria population, when it comes to their participation in leadership and decision making, they are less than 10 per cent. What this means is that we are neglected, wasting, overlooking roughly half of our human resources, their contributions and potential.  They cannot contribute their potential to development.”

    She went on: “This is a great loss to our nation, and we want to rectify it.  It is for this reason that the UKaid, Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA),  European Union (EU), and United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), are supporting United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO),  to organise the workshop.

    For Prof. Rosemary Oko of the Department of Agric-Economics, Delta State University, contrary to the assumption in many Christian quarters that politics is not for serious Christians, she encouraged Christians to embrace politics.

    She said: “One of the issues that have been identified as hindrance to women participation in politics and other leadership position is the mind-set that politics is not for certain group of people, women, Christians, among others.

    “For the Christians, men and women, I don’t believe that God is against politics but sin.”

    Dr. Eteng Etobe, a lecturer in the Department of Sociology of the University of Calabar, called on women to take the lead.

    “Our women in Nigeria have been relegated to the background to the extent that their potential/ contributions to societal development have been shielded off.

    “I am advocating for a chance for women in core leadership positions in the country. The ideas some men hold about women being too tough, stringent in their decisions among others are the stereotype we are strongly campaigning against.

    “I call on women to rise up against this injustice on them by coming out enmass and embrace politics and leadership and give massive support to their colleagues when they come out in the next year’s general elections.”

  • ‘Failure of leadership aids insurgency’

    A lawyer, Mr Ola Adeosun, has said the failure of leadership and education in the North gave rise to the insurgency threatening Nigeria unity. He called on youths to vote for the right candidates in the next elections.

    Adeosun spoke last Saturday at the All Nigeria United Nations Students and Youth Association (ANUNSA) annual convention held in the New Lecture Theatre 1 of The Polytechnic, Ibadan (IBADAN POLY).

    The lawyer, who spoke on the Effect of insurgency on Nigerian youths, accused the northern political leaders of taking the region backward through bad education policies, saying the children of the poor were made to pass through the bad system, while leaders sent their wards abroad.

    Adeosun said the northern leaders deliberately took away education from the region and sowed the seed of terror ravaging the North.

    He said: “The northern leaders never expected that the almajiri children they reared would become thorn in their flesh one day. They sent their own children abroad and brainwashed the poor children and those on the street. They took away their education deliberately, not knowing they were raising a generation that will turn the table against them.

    “When there is no development, the people are compelled to go against the law and ask questions. They thought they were building the future for their children but they did not know they were digging holes for themselves. Now, they have become prisoners in their own region.”

    He said for the insurgency to be brought to an end, government must provide a qualitative and proper education for the brainwashed children. He urged students and youths to vote for the right candidates in the next year general election, regardless of their political parties.

    The event also featured inauguration of new executive and award for present and past members of the association. The ANUNSA president, Mariam Umar, described the awardees as worthy members, who contributed selflessly to the growth of the association.

    Ibrahim Adam received the award for Emeritus Member of the Year. He dedicated award to his mother, who he described as “the engine that has kept me moving.”

    The Eruwa Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Adigun Kayode, urged members of the executive to sustain the legacy of their predecessors. He was also honoured by the association.

    The association’s Special Adviser, Oludare Ogunlana, told the students to be agents of change in their community.

  • Waziri: Yobe ‘ll be better under my leadership

    Waziri: Yobe ‘ll be better under my leadership

    Adamu Maina Waziri is a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP in Yobe State. He has served as the Minister of Police Affairs and Agriculture.  In 1999, 2003 and 2007, he was the governorship candidate. He was the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. Now, he has declared his intention to run for the position in next year’s election.  When JOEL DUKU met him in Damaturu, the state capital, he spoke on his past electoral defeats and preparations for another contest.  

    Why are you contesting for the governorship again, despite your failed bid four times?

    I have obtained my nomination form. I am doing it in exercising my inalienable right to seek elective office under our great party, the PDP, and also under the constitution of this country. I am doing it because I have passion for my people and my state. I am a product of public expenditure. I was brought up, educated, exposed to public office and also the treasury. And I feel I have got so much in terms of experience, borne out of my education and my public office, to give to my state so that there will be value addition to the lives of our people.

    I was the state co-ordinator for the creation of this state in 1991 before it was carved out of Borno. We were fighting for development.

    Unfortunately, we have not realised this dream. The reason why the dream has not been realised is that, from the time the state was created, it has not live up to expectation. With all respect to all those people that led this state at the highest level, the expectation is still unfulfilled. Furthermore, I have come across a number of aspirants to the office. With all respect to them, I am convinced that, based on our public records, I can do better than all of them. That is why I want to give this thing another shot. I ask  this simple question, ‘Why can’t you give up’? But, they said, if all good people refuse to participate, you are going to get the worse.

    But, PDP has never won governorship election in Yobe…

    The truth of the matter is that I have been into this thing for some time. I have built supporters and structures in this state. I am proud  as politician that has gone to the nooks and crannies of this state more than any other politician in Yobe State in the quest for leadership. I can contest under any party on my own identity, but I have a moral obligation. I was the one who carried the flag of the PDP in 1998 from the old parade ground in Abuja. We were six. I was one of them. I was the one who carried the flag and the mandate to come to Yobe State and set up the structure of the PDP. It would be absolutely irresponsible to desert the party. I will remain in the party. My dreams may never be fulfilled, but I have an obligation to continue the journey. And that is where I am.

    You have described the government of Ibrahim Gaidam as a bad Government. Why did you say so?

    Yes. I was asked this question before and I said there are two issues involved. One, there is Ibrahim Gaidam, a nice gentleman, whom we respect, who has contributed his quota like his predecessors to the development of Yobe. But, there is also the government involving him and so many people, but he has to take full responsibility, both for his actions and the actions of his subordinates. So, I hold him partly responsible for what is happening in the state. I feel that there are quite a number of things that are bedevilling this state that a focused , courageous, experienced, well educated leadership could do better and I feel I can do better if given the mandate.

     What do you mean by Human Development Indices (HDI) and do you think you still have those structures to pursue your ambition?

    Human Development Indices (HDI) is looking at the standard of education and other performances. If you look at the average pass mark of Yobe students, are they much more qualified to be admitted into tertiary institutions? What is the infant mortality? What is the mortality of our mothers? How many people have access to portable drinking water? How many have access to self-sustainable employment?

    If you become the governor, how are you going to address  these lapses?

    Now, let me give you part of my albatross. Nine out of 10 people in Yobe State still believe I can do the job. Seven out of 10 people are afraid of me. So, I have no problem because  I will not allow what they are used to to continue. But, that will not make me change my mind because I will not be deceiving them. I want to maintain an identity. It  is left for them to choose. But, the ttruth of the matter is that, if I become the governor, I will be sworn with the Holy Book to discharge my duties,  based on my abilities. And I want to take that very serious, and I will do it. So, I assure you that by reputation, based on my antecedents, the moment I was sworn in, there are certain attitudes that will die that moment in Yobe State public service.

    How prepared are you for primaries?

    The fact that there are two or three or five people contesting for the same position is democracy. Is not anti-democracy. It is democracy. Guide the people, tell them this is democracy. There should be an election. If we don’t have election within our party, we will still have election between political parties. So why don’t we get use to a democratic principles to resolve issues rather than otherwise. So in PDP like in all parties, there are two route in choosing candidate. One, there is what we call consensus, this is where few people decides on behalf of the majority. That is one route. The second route is also what we called the democratic route, alright; where the majority decides from the minority which is during primaries or secondary elections. These two options have been used by both PDP and other parties to arrives at political conclusions. Ok; is not an issue of do-or-die.

  • Royal Exchange partners NGO on youth education, leadership

    Royal Exchange partners NGO on youth education, leadership

    The Royal Exchange Group said it is determined to instill leadership qualities in Nigerian youth.

    Its Managing Director, Mr. Chike Mokwunye, said it will go into partnership with a non-governmental organisation called Foundation for Youth Education, to accomplish the objective by conducting leadership training and conference for secondary school prefects in Lagos State.

    He said his company’s decision to partner with the NGO, is motivated by an abiding sense of duty and patriotism to contribute to nurturing the Nigerian youth to be productive and responsible citizens.

    A conference was held on November 5, at the College Hall, Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos, and it brought together over 800 secondary school prefects from 40 schools across Lagos State.

    He said the students attending the conference are already in positions of authority in their respective schools, and they want a situation where they will continue to be seen as examples for others to follow. “At the end of the training, we expect the prefects to be role models, ready to lead, and positively influence others around them,” Mokwunye added.

    He continued: “The Royal Exchange brand is well known for its empathy and high sense of patriotism. This partnership reflects our belief in the potential of the Nigerian spirit and the ability of the Nigerian youth to soar and excel in their chosen fields when given the opportunity.”

    The Coordinator of the Foundation for Youth Education, Mr. Patrick Ajogwu, said the NGO was founded with the aim of instilling academic excellence, promoting qualitative education and leadership attitude.

    Ajogwu said the aim of the conference, which is in its fourth edition, is to enable students start early by developing the necessary leadership skills, adding that it will also assist the pupils, counselling and giving them direction as they begin to make their career decisions.

    Royal Exchange, which had previously sponsored the Nigerian Idol, has been sponsoring the School Leadership Conference for the past three years. It started operations in 1921 and continues to be driven by innovation and determination to offer services that are of exceptional value to its customers.