The Nation Newspaper

Tag: member

  • PDP chair: Ortom is still our member

    •APC spokesman: you’re yet to recover from defeat

    Benue State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Samuel Agbo has said Governor Samuel Ortom is still a member of the party, according to party  guidelines.

    Addressing the first news conference since the party lost the governorship and presidential elections, Dr. Agbo, who was with the Deputy Chairman, Zone B, Godwin Ayihe, Secretary, Bem Dzoho and Deputy Chairman, Zone A, Alhaji Ibrahim Anor, said Ortom, who served the party as secretary, deputy chairman, national auditor and minister was supposed to tender his letter of resignation to the national secretariat in Abuja, instead of the ward chairman.

    He said going by the PDP constitution, “the governor is still our member.”

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tahav Agerzua, said PDP’s statement was an indication that the party had not recovered from the trauma of defeat in the last elections.

    Said he: “The trauma has affected the chairman’s memory, reasoning and logic. Otherwise, how can he claim that Governor Ortom is still a member of his party when the Federal High Court in Makurdi dismissed the PDP case, which sought to establish that claim?

    “Before the court decision, Governor Ortom resigned from the PDP on December 9 last year and handed over his resignation letter to the PDP Ward chairman at Nzorov Ward of Guma Local Government, Felix Agbaka.

    “How can Dr. Agbo forget so soon that the people came out in April with a determination to throw away the yoke of a party that brought them untold hardship and bad governance, which led to the collapse of government institutions?

    “How can he forget so soon that the electorate were against the PDP that the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not need to rig anywhere, but just to protect the votes of its candidates?

    “Rather, it was the PDP that engaged in massive rigging in many parts of the state.

    “It beats one’s imagination that someone can be talking about constitutional provisions, yet he forgets or glosses over one of the most fundamental, which is the freedom of association.

    “Maybe the PDP runs a prison and its officials have to shout of a jailbreak anytime a member leaves.

    “Besides, the responsibility of interpreting the constitution is that of the courts of law and not that of an interested party, who is both a complainant and a judge in his own matter.

    “Agbo’s statement amounts to a tantrum of a bad loser yet to recover from the trauma of a defeat.”

  • Assembly loses member

    A member of the Kwara State House of Assembly representing Ilesha/Gwanara Constituency, Suleiman S. Idris, is dead.

    The late legislator, aged 53, was said to have died at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) after a brief illness.

    Lawmakers yesterday suspended considerations for the final passage of the 2015 budget.The deceased was the House Committee chairman on Finance and Appropriation.

    The House adjourned plenary till next Tuesday.

     

  • NYSC member gets Best Actor award

    A Corps member, Patrick Ogar, has been adjudged the Best Actor of the Year of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Anambra State.

    Patrick was presented with the award at an event to mark the passing out of Batch “C” Corps members at Chelekwu Hotel in Awka. He was a member of Culture and Tourism, a Community Development Service (CDS) group, during his service year.

    The state NYSC co-ordinator, Mrs. Inyang Bassey-Ekpe, and representatives of Blaze FM and Dufil Foods, makers of Indomie noodles, attended the event.

    The chairman of the event, Mr Ayanda Ayorinde, who is the head of CDS in the state, advised outgoing Corps members to be good ambassadors of the country.

    Mrs. Bassey-Ekpe hailed the youths for the achievements recorded in the 2013/2014 service year, wishing them the best in their future endeavours. She said: “This batch has been one of the best that I have overseen since I got transferred to Anambra State as the coordinator. I expect nothing less than this even as you are passing out into the society. You must ensure that you keep the flag flying.”

    Patrick praised God for the honour, saying the day was special for him. “Today is a special day for me and I thank God for this honour. I never knew people were watching until I got this award. This is in response to my total dedication to the peace and development of my host community,” he said.

    The event also featured breaking of kola nut by Mr Patrick Okoye, the CDS dance instructor, and dance performance by Corps members.

     

  • Corps member inspires pupils to write

    Pupils in public schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have won laptops, desktops and other prizes in the Read and Write on FCT, an initiative of Rebecca Igwebuike, a corps member undergoing her primary assignment at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) headquarters, Abuja.

    The 25-year old, Law graduate of University of Benin said she was inspired by the reforms in the NCS to initiate the competition.

    Before she began her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the NCS last year, Rebecca had two impressions about the organisation -that customs officers make life difficult for citizens; and that the NCS was another government parastatal with history of bad leadership.

    But within a few weeks of relating with NCS, Igwebuike soon realised that her impression was wrong. “It is actually members of the public that break the rules and bribe NCS officials,” she said.

    However, with reforms initiated and sustained by the current Head of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko, Ms Igwebuike said she realised that the body could compete with other organisations worldwide.

    Determined to tap from the reform, Igwebuike thought of community projects that would impact the less privileged in the society, and came up with Read and Write, a competition for government secondary schools in the FCT.

    Participants were drawn from Government Secondary Schools (GSS) in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). The topic was: ‘Impact of Information Technology on the Reading Culture of Nigerian Youths.’

    The first stage of the competition kicked off with a donation of 210 copies of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart to 21 schools in AMAC to read for the competition.

    Nine schools qualified for the finals which was won by Orjiakor Faith of GSS Nyanya.  She was rewarded with a laptop and N100,000, while her school won a desktop and N50,000 worth of books.

    Adejoh Ann from Government Day Secondary School, Karu came second, claiming a Laptop and N50,000 cash prize; while her school got a desktop and N30,000 worth of books.

    Dangana Peace who came third also went home with a laptop and N30,000. She won a desktop and N20,000 worth of books for her school.

    Consolation prizes, which included books and mathematical sets were given to those that finished from fourth position to 10th.

    A writer, Molara Wood, who was the special guest of honour, urged participants to take reading and writing seriously as they will help improve their vocabulary.

    While encouraging them to master the art of writing and reading in English language, Wood urged pupils not to forget their indigenous languages, arguing that the mastery of both is very important.

    She expressed happiness that the beneficiaries were from public schools, as lots of initiatives are targeted at private schools.

    “No matter the school you attend, you have the chance to be great and one of the ways one can achieve this is by reading, which improves one’s vocabulary. People like Prof. Wole Soyinka and President Barack Obama, who have the mastery of English language, did not bring the gift from heaven, they acquired it through reading from a  very young age,” Wood said.

    She also urged participants to consolidate on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) positively.

    In a remark, Igwebuike revealed that the competition is her little way of encouraging students, especially those in public schools, to read. According to her, it is also an avenue to examine the impact of information technology on the reading culture of Nigerian youths.

  • Corps member facilitates scholarship for seven orphans

    Though he is a National Youth Service Corps member, he has facilitated scholarships for seven orphans from nursery school to Primary 6.

    Samson Oluwagbemiga Bisiriyu from Lagos State serving with the Ikom local government area in Cross River State said the gesture was in fulfilment of the motto of the corps which is service and humanity.

    It was learnt scholarship was going to cost N13, 000 per session for each of the children per session till they are through.

    The corps member also printed and distributed 1, 500 exercise books to pupils in different schools as well as constructed a monument for the council.

    Bisiriyu, who studied Public Administration, Local Government Studies at the Polytechnic, Ibadan, is a batch C 2013 corps member.

    Our reporter who met with the corps member who said, “I have embarked on this because our motto is service and humanity and in this spirit I visited an orphanage and when I asked about their educational challenges they told me seven children could not go to school. I was touched. I took the seven names and approached the church, the Methodist Church, in Ikom. The Bishop chaplain accepted to assist me. So instead of putting them in public schools the church adopted them and put them in their own school and gave them free scholarship from nursery to primary school, for seven years for the seven children.

    “Also my primary assignment is at Ikom local government council, I observed there was nothing to show that it is a council. So as a public administrator I felt there was need for a sign so I constructed a statue with the mace of the legislature and cocoa which is the economic mainstay of the Ikom people. It’s the first of its kind and also to beautify the environment.

    “Also having seen the children going back to school without exercise books and due to poverty in this area, I discovered so many parents had challenges of buying exercise books so I decided to come in that area especially now that schools are reopening. So I decided to print 1500 exercise books for the children to help the parents. So when the children resume, they resume with books.”

    According to the corps member he had spent over N400, 000 on the projects, besides the scholarship.

    He said for the scholarship was handled by the church.

    On how he managed financially with his economic status as a youth corps member, he said, “There is nothing we cannot do with God. He has been helpful. He gave me the inspiration and gave provision for this.”

    Bisiriyu, who is also the Vice President of the MDGs CDS group in Ikom, he also got assistance from the chairman of council and other principal officers.

    Chairman of Ikom, Pastor Ojong Ayiba thanked the corps member for his kindness and service to the council.

    Also Mr Richard Ayaka, who is in charge of corps members in the council, urged others to emulate the gesture and always give their best wherever they are sent for their primary assignment.

  • Crawford varsity loses BoT member

    Crawford University, Igbesa in Ogun State has lost a member of its Board of Trustees (BoT), Rev. Hector Abimbola Elebute.

    The late Elebute, who until his death, was a founding father of the Apostolic Faith Nigeria. He would be remembered for his insistence that Crawford University  should take off amid opposing views by other members of the board 14 year ago.

    The university, which started in 1995, was seen as a distraction by many members of the church. However, as the most senior member of the church and the only surviving of the four founding fathers, the late Elebute stood his ground and advised his colleagues to encourage the university to take off.

    The university Vice-Chancellor, Prof Samson Demola Ayanlaja, said the memory of the deceased would linger in the church and the university.

    “Elebute’s encouraging words still continue to propel and motivate the operations of this progressive bourgeoning university,” he said.

    Ayanlaja added: “I write on behalf of the Crawford University to appreciate God in admiring and saluting the odyssey of life of a peculiar treasure and colossus of the Apostolic Faith Church.

    “Our inimitable, beloved, courageous papa, the legendary Rev Hector Abimbola Elebute was a great soldier of Christ, defender of the faith, a bulwark to the overseers, a repository of knowledge, norms, customs and principles of the Apostolic Faith, a great pillar and commander of ethos and ethics of the church.”

    He described the late Elebute as a peaceful man and mentor to students and staff of the university, admonishing others to follow in his footstep.

    “One day all of us will depart no matter how old we are, and the work of everybody will follow him whether it is the right thing or not. If it is the right thing we will go to a place of rest, but if not it will be a bad experience for the dead soul,” he advised.

    The cleric, according to Ayanlaja, was a wise man. “He saw that the building of the university as necessary and endorsed the it when many refused. Now, all our children are benefitting from the university,” he added.

  • Corps member builds bus stand

    Corps member builds bus stand

    A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Akande Soliu Oladipo, has built a bus stop stand at the Ilorin West Local Government Secretariat in Kwara State.

    The project has been inaugurated by the Council Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen  Sulu-Oloje, who was represented by the council’s Secretary, Alhaja Sekinat Abubakar.

    The council boss praised the corps member for the initiative. Sulu-Oloje urged other corps members in the state to emulate Akande, saying the local government would recommend him for outstanding corps member award’.

    “I want to urge corps members to start thinking of what they can do for the country and not what their country can do for them,” he said.

    The Zonal Inspector, Mr Folayan Kayode, commended the corps member for the project, adding that, “the project is not just a bus stop stand, but an ultra-modern one.’’

    Folayan urged the local government to always assist corps members in carrying out projects that would have impacts on the members of the community.

    “I constructed the stand to alleviate the hardship people go through at bus stops. On my first day in Kwara State, I was stranded for about five hours at the general hospital bus-stop and drenched by the rain since there was no form of cover. So, this motivated me to put up this project,” he added.

  • Corp member’s scholarship for orphans

    Eleven orphans and less privileged children in Ugep community in Cross River State have benefitted from a free scholarship award by a serving corps member at Dr Okoi Arikpo Memorial Secondary School Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area, Charity Nwankwo.

    Charity said the gesture was aimed at reducing mass literacy among orphans and imparting the lives of the less privileged.

    “After over four months of observation, it came to my knowledge that some of these children roam the streets because nobody could pay their school fees. So I decided to place the burden on myself,” she stated.

    The award presentation, which held at Government Secondary School Ugep, was witnessed by dignitaries from across the state including State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Engr Nkereke Igbangha; Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Ugep chapter, Chief Enang Ibang and administrators of various schools in Ugep.

    In a remark, the Local Government Inspector of Biase/Akampa, Mr Emmanuel Odoh, advised beneficiaries to work hard and be serious with their studies.

    He praised the organiser for the gesture, urging other corps members to emulate her action.

    Ibiang admonished the beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity and stay focused in their academics.

    Highpoint of the event was the presentation of learning materials, including notebooks, dictionaries, pens, rulers, textbooks, calculators, mathematical sets and uniforms to the pupils.

  • Corps member becomes chief

    Corps member becomes chief

    A MEMBER of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Amarachi Kalu, has been conferred with a chieftaincy title by her host community, Efut Abasi Uwanse South Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    The graduate of Anambra State University (ABSU) was named the Utuonikang Nkori Ke Abasi Uwanse (the light of Abasi Uwanse) for her meaningful contributions to the community during her service year.

    The Muri of Efut Abasi Uwanse, represented by the Assistant Secretary, Ndabo Philips, said the community recognised the humanitarian gestures of the corps member.

    He said: “The renovated police station that we see today used to be an eyesore some months ago as it was completely dilapidated. But thank God for Amarachi who came and made a strong impact in renovating the station.”

    He listed other projects executed by the corps member, including training of the youths in skill acquisition, introduction of sanitation programmes in the community market, distribution of drugs and mosquitoes bed nets to the community and planting of plantain and cocoa for widows and vulnerable children.

    The traditional ruler said the renovation of the police station will add value to the community and aid security, saying the community would not forget the sterling efforts of the corps member.

    The conferment was part of activities during the inauguration of some projects by the corps member executed under the NYSC and MDGs Community Development Service (CDS) scheme.

    The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, represented by CSP Abiola Reuben, commended the corps member’s efforts, saying he was impressed.

    He advised everyone to see the police force as their friend and be ready to rise to the occasion by providing them with support, saying it would make them discharge their duties effectively.

    The NYSC State Coordinator, Ibangha Nkereke, said corps members should make their host community to feel the impact of their service year.

    He said the gesture would boost the security situation in the community. He thanked the community for honouring the corps member with the chieftaincy title, urging other corps members to take a cue and contribute to the development of their respective communities.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Amarachi said the projects executed were products of the NEEDS assessment she carried out in the community.

    “I carried out assessment of projects needed in the community and the renovation of the dilapidated police station, came tops in my priority list. I decided to partner with some multinational companies and individuals to make sure the projects were implemented. I am so happy and honoured to be bestowed with these awards,” she stated.

    The Secretary of Efut Uwanse Clan Commission, Edabo Ekong, praised the corps member.

    Other dignitaries at the event were Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Rekpene Etta; Ntongha Ewah, and MDGs Schedule Officer, Cross River State, Muri Bassey.

  • Nigerian is World Brand Congress member

    The Managing Director of TPT International, a Public Relations firm, Charles Igbinidu, has been appointed into the Global Advisory Council (WBC) of the World Brand Congress.

    The WBC is the largest rendezvous of best brains behind some of the world’s most successful and sought after brands.

    One of the key features of the Congress will be Global Brand Excellence Awards. As an advisory member, Igbinidu will help define the scope and guide the strategic content. He will also recommend professionals who may add value to the World Brand Congress.

    The 22nd edition of the  Congress will take place from October 21- 23 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai, India. The theme for World Brand Congress is “sustainable brands”.

    In his letter to Igbinidu, the Global Chairman of the Congress, Dave Porter, said: “I wish to invite you to be a part of the Global Advisory Council. As an esteemed member of the Advisory Council, you will network with professionals in your community/ country. The World Brand Congress attempts to reach out to Professionals across the globe and therefore every member of the Advisory Council would help propogate the message.  The World Brand Congress is a not-for-profit making aimed at professional growth and development. I am sure you would be happy to be a part of World Brand Congress 2013”.

    Speaking on his appointment Igbinidu said, “I am  honoured to be chosen to be on the Global Advisory Council of the World Brand Congress.  I am elated because it is not a position that I struggled for, It is indeed a very huge honour to be selected to be on the Council made up of some of the brightest brains in brand management in the world.

    “I am determined to discharge my new reponsibilities creditably as I also see the appointment as an opportunity to network and learn from professionals from across industries and also share my experience” .

    Igbinidu is one of the public relations experts in Nigeria. He is known for his aggressive, results-focused orientation, as well as his close working relationships with members of the media, influencers, decision makers, politicians and celebrities.

    A prolific writer and avid reader, Igbinidu is also the Publisher/Editor-in-chief of ionigeria.com, an online publication that provides credible, balanced and all-inclusive information and news about Nigeria, Africa and the world.