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Tag: members

  • FMDA gets new Governing Council members

    The Financial Market Dealers Association of Nigeria (FMDA) has named new Governing Council Members for the group at its 22nd Annual General Meeting held in Lagos.

    A statement signed by its Executive Secretary/CEO, ‘Wale Abe, named David Adepoju of Standard Chartered Bank Limited as the President, while Adebayo Adeyemo of Citibank Nigeria is Vice President.

    Also, Michael Anyimah of Zenith Bank, Tolu Obadagbonyi of Kakawa Discount House and Kayode Obatusin, Rand Merchant Bank were named members of the group.

    Ayo Babatunde of Ecobank Nigeria, Akinsowon Dawodu of Citibank and Ini Ebong of FirstBank Nigeria Limited are now Ex-Officio members.

    It said the new officers would run the affairs of the Association for the next two years.

    Abe said the association is willingness to continue to promote the tenets of sound ethical and professional market practice aimed at ensuring market transparency and price discovery in its dealing activities.

    He said the body will partner with the regulatory authorities and other major stakeholders to facilitate the deepening of the Nigerian financial markets in line with global standards, so as to competitively attract both local and foreign capital into the nation’s economy.

  • APC, Ambode decry attacks on members

    APC, Ambode decry attacks on members

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State has condemned the incessant attacks on the party’s campaign team by armed hoodlums alleged to be members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) .

    The Director of the LCDA’s Campaign Committee, Mr. Isaac Omoregie, told reporters yesterday, with the Chairman of the Campaign Publicity Committee, Mr. Aderemi Adeyemo,   that the incidents began about a fortnight ago with the defacing and tearing of APC campaign posters, destruction and vandalisation of banners and billboards of the party’s candidates,  among other attacks.

    He added that the trend assumed a more dangerous dimension on “Thursday, when we were about to start the LCDA campaigns at our party’s headquarters on Ekoro Road in Abule Egba”.

    Adeyemo alleged that the PDP was behind the serial attacks, which he said were launched against the Ambode campaign team in various parts of Alimosho Local Government Area.

    He said an armed gang was stationed at the Old Ota/Ekoro Road Junction, close “to the base of the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Alimosho Federal Constituency, Mr. Busari Ayinde, unknown to our team, began to molest and harass our members on their way to the APC party secretariat”.

    “In the process, at least, eight of our members were physically assaulted, two of whom were hospitalised immediately to prevent mortality from the profuse bleeding due to multiple machete cuts they sustained,” Adeyemo said.

  • Council gets caretaker members

    Council gets caretaker members

    Leadership should be about service to the people and society, the Executive Secretary of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Dawood Olajobi, has said. He spoke during the inauguration of the council’s caretaker committee, urging the members to improve service delivery to the people.

    The ceremony, held in the council premises, was attended by chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oshodi, including the immediate past chairman of the council, Idris Aroyoh, Pa J.O. Olabintan and Mr Musiliu Akinsanya, among others. The Elewu of Ewuland, Oba Shakirudeen Kuti was also there.

    Welfare of the people, Olajobi said, must be the committee’s aim, adding: “What we are witnessing today is a product of painstaking selection by Governor Babatunde Fashola after dissolution of local governments. I urge the members of the caretaker committee to take up the responsibility and improve the welfare of our people.”

    The council’s Legal Adviser, Kunle Akin-Ajayi, said the ceremony should not be seen as a political jamboree but a sacred business of governance. He said the committee members were privileged to be selected by the governor, urging them not to betray the trust reposed in them.

    Akin-Ajayi swore in Mr. Adedayo Aduke Thomas, Alhaji Olanrewaju Malik,  Adesanya Yusuf and Ms Atinuke Ajayi as the committee members.

    After the ceremony, Olajobi presented them to the workers.

    Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Thomas described the ceremony as historic, noting that the committee’s task  would be achieved with the stakeholders and council workers, support.

    He said: “We are only here on your behalf. This is why you must not leave the task to our door step alone. We need your support and constructive contribution towards the objective of taking Oshodi-Isolo to greater height.”

  • Ondo APC condemns attack on members

    Ondo APC condemns attack on members

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State at the weekend condemned police’s attack on its members in Akure during the “Work for Change” rally last Friday.

    The party described the attack on its members as unjustifiable, barbaric, unacceptable, unfortunate and a threat to fair and credible elections in Ondo State.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, the party said the brutal attack on its members by police officers reportedly on the orders of Governor Olusegun Mimiko was a threat to fair and credible elections in Ondo State.

    The statement reads: “It is now clearer than ever that Governor Olusegun Mimiko is jittery and rattled by the growing popularity of APC in Ondo State, hence the need to use the security apparatus  to bully, harass, intimidate and silence progressive voices in our dear state.

    “We can assure Mimiko that he will fail resoundingly in his renewed attempt to manipulate and rig election in favour of the non-performing and out-of-favour President Goodluck Jonathan in Ondo State.

    “Is this how Mimiko will give Jonathan one million votes by sending the police to disrupt our peaceful gathering?

    “It is now clear that he is planning to intimidate the opposition with security agencies, but we are battle-ready for him and his PDP.”

  • Jonathan begs aggrieved PDP members not to defect

    Jonathan begs aggrieved PDP members not to defect

    •PDP fund raising collects N21.27b

    President Goodluck Jonathan has pleaded with the aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the primary elections not to decamp to other parties.

    According to him, the aggrieved members should stay in the party, if they believed in true democracy.

    He spoke at the PDP Fund-Raising Dinner at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    He said any flaw in the party’s primaries would be overcome before the next dispensation in 2019.

    Jonathan said: “We all appreciate that throughout the congresses, where primary elections were conducted; there have been some outstanding issues.

    “The party is working to resolve these issues. Definitely, in such situations, all may not be resolved to the satisfaction of everybody. But my plea to party members is to remain committed to the party; stay with the party.

    “I know other parties are wooing some of you to contest elections on their platforms, but if you believe in democracy, then you will contribute to strengthen it. The only way you can strengthen democracy is for you to stay in your party.

    “If there are some issues you feel are not too correct, it behooves on us to stay together and correct them. That is the only way we can grow democracy.

    “If out of anger or frustration, you leave the party because you didn’t get what you wanted, then you are not contributing to the growth of democracy,” he stated.

    Recalling the donations of the business community to support victims of the 2012 flood and to the Victim Support Fund in September, he said the money would be used judiciously.

    He assured the business community of more policies and programmes that would promote enterprise and industry and expansion of the economy.

    Referring to a beneficiary of YouWin programme, who donated N1 million at the dinner, he said the party has made a number of millionaires and billionaires.

    According to him, his administration is working harder to make more young millionaires through YouWin and Youth Employment through Agriculture Programme (YEAP).

    He assured that the PDP would do everything possible to keep the country united.

    The total donations announced by the master of ceremony was N21.27 billion.

    Those, who donated included Oil and Gas sector (N5 billion), Jerry Gana’s friends (N5 billion), Real Estate (N4 billion), Tunde Ayeni (N1 billion), Tunde Ayeni’s friends (N2 billion), Transport and Aviation (N1 billion).

    Also, the 21 PDP governor donated N50 million each totalling N1.5 billion, food and agriculture (N500 million), construction (N310 million) and road sector (N250 million).

    The power sector donated N500 million, shelter development (N250 million), Labaran Maku (N 1 million), Volkswagen and others (N450 million).

    Vice President Namadi Sambo thanked those who donated to the party.

    Chairman of the fund-raising committee, Prof. Jerry Gana, warned party members not to be complacent in next year’s general elections.

    According to him, the elections would be very competitive.

    He pointed out that even though the party had done well under President Goodluck Jonathan, members must campaign and communicate the achievements well to the electorate.

    He said: “The 2015 elections will be very competitive. Do not take it for granted. We must never underestimate the opponent. PDP has advantage because it has done very well in its 15 years in power at the centre.

    “Besides, our presidential candidate is very good and is one of the best in the world in terms of delivery of democracy dividends. But doing well or having good candidates is not enough, we need to tell the electorate what we’ve done as a party.

    “We must endeavour to effectively communicate our achievements and candidates to the people; the elections must be issue-based, of course PDP is noted for that,” he said.

    He also warned leaders of the PDP at all levels against imposition of candidates on Nigerians.

    The PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu, congratulated the candidates that won primaries for the general election.

    He urged them not to let the party down, just as he urged those that did not win not to lose hope, as there would be another time.

    The chairman also noted that the PDP is faced with many challenges for which the fund will be utilised.

  • Corps members barricade secretariat over pay

    Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Kuje area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) staged a protest over the inability of the council to pay their six months allowances owed them.

    The corps members, numbering about 60, barricaded the entrance of the council secretariat displaying placards on which were scripted “Pay us our six months allowances, we are hungry and starving.”

    Miss Edna Akpan, the leader of the corp members, explained to journalists that they had earlier written to the Kuje area council authorities demanding that their allowances be paid, but the issue was not given the desired attention.

    “We have not been paid for over six months and we do not have good mattresses at the Corpers Lodge; we are starving in this place. Other corps members that served in this area council were not owed.

    “It is surprising that we are witnessing such during our time. The reason why we embarked on this peaceful demonstration is to show our grievances over the matter,” she said.

    Reacting to the development, the Chairman of council, Mr. Shaban Tete, said that the council administration, together with the NYSC Coordinator, would hold a round table discussion to resolve the issue, that the inability to pay the corps members was due to the reduction in the councils’ allocation.

    He however said that the council would ensure that the corps members were paid their allowances.

    “The councilors have not been paid their imprest and some allowances for over eight months because we have a shortfall in our allocation.

    “Even in my office, we are entitled to some allowances but they are no longer available because we no longer get security vote in the area council,’’ the chairman said.

     

  • Stockbrokers woo new members

    The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) has stepped up its membership drive with the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Laurel Ventures.

    Under the MOU, Laurel Ventures would deploy its technical and professional knowledge to mobilize over 150,000 potential applicants for the institute’s Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment and Associates Chartered Stockbrokers professional certification.

    By the MOU, Laurel Ventures would train over 150,000 young Nigerians annually and present them to CIS for certification as a prelude to launching the young Nigerians into the financial world. This is expected to assist in actualizing the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion and Savings.

    The long term plan is to develop young entrepreneurs. The institute would recognize Laurel Ventures as a non-exclusive representative with associated benefits of agreed discount for its efforts among others. The beneficiaries would also create financial planning houses for the operators in the entire financial market and the government sector.

    Managing director, Laurel Ventures, Professor Taiwo Asaolu, commended the institute for the bold initiative aimed at creating job opportunities for young Nigerians.

    Vice president, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr Dapo Adekoje advised all the companies that have signed MOU to mobilize young Nigerians to make a career in the financial market to take advantage of the unique marketing opportunities provided by this training programme.

    President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr Albert  Okumagba had earlier said that the ultimate objective of launching the young Nigerians to this new professional opportunity was to provide the much needed back up staff for all operators within the ambit of the financial market including insurance, pension fund operators and other categories.

    Laurel ventures specializes in professional consultancy services.  The company also creates opportunities for business, advancing corporate goals and engages in general trading. The CIS is saddled with the duty of determining what standards of knowledge and skill are to be attained by those who aspire to become professionals in stockbroking, portfolio management, asset management, investment management and allied fields of specialization. The new qualification is expected to be the minimum for the back-up staff in the financial market in a foreseeable future.

     

  • Corps members’ NGO for indigent students

    To complement Federal Government’s efforts in containing illiteracy and school drop-outs, three members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Batch ‘C’, have set up a non-governmental organisation (NGO) known as Outside Schools Foundations (SOS) to provide grants for students who have financial difficulties in completing their education.

    The facilitators of the project, Ms Hauwa Ibrahim, Ms Halima Ibrahim Abba and Ms Amina Jibrin said: ‘The Bridge Project’ was a personal group community development project deployed by three Corps members and approved by the NYSC.

    They stated this at the Bridge Project Inter-School Competition organised for students of Government Secondary School Jabi, and Wuse Zone 3, with the theme: “Nigeria and Us, A Social Challenge, A possible Solution.”

    In her remarks, Abba said: “The Sponsor -A-Child Scheme is a programme under the SOS that provides funding for participants of the bridge project who require assistance to complete their secondary education or who are unable to further their education to tertiary institutions due to financial and social reasons.”

    She noted that the programme would provide an avenue for individuals and corporate entities to provide scholarships to brilliant students enrolled on the projects through the scheme.

    “We want the programme to continue. This informed our setting up a non-governmental organisation known as ‘The SOS Foundation’ to take over the programme because we will not want a situation whereby the programme dies when we leave the NYSC.”

    Meanwhile, Ibrahim stressed that the Bridge Project, which was the flagship of the foundation, is a skill-building and mentoring scheme for 20 bright and motivated senior secondary school students in Government Secondary School Jabi and Wuse Zone 3 in Abuja.

    The winners, Government Secondary School Wuse Zone 3, which was among the participants comprising four teams of five participants from two schools, received computer tablets and their education sponsored up to tertiary level; while the tuition fees of other participants would be paid by the foundation for a year.

  • Kogi Governor honours six corps members

    Governor Idris Wada of kogi State has conferred state awards on six Batch C corps members who distinguished themselves during their National Youth Corp Service (NYSC) programme.

    They are: Dr Ohaeto Osita Cosmas, Kolawole Ayodeji Amos, Gana Jemina Stella, Dr Opara Emmanuel Chinedu, Ndubisi Stella and Ozor Ifoma Celestina.

    The Kogi State NYSC Co-ordinator, Mr Sam Udolisah said the awardees made sacrifices and contributions of “monumental dimensions in their host communities and places of primary assignments” and were identified by the NYSC Honours Awards and Screening Committee based on prescribed criteria.

    The governor presented the awards at the Government House Lokoja ahead of the nationwide Passing out Parade (POP) of the Batch C corps members.

    He described the recipients as worthy ambassadors of the youth and great citizens of the nation.

    Wada, who was represented by his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, praised the corps members for their patriotism and perseverance, and counseled them to make use of the entrepreneurial skills acquired during the orientation programme of the scheme so they can be employers rather than job seekers.

    The corps members were presented with cash awards and promised more largesse when the governor returns.

    Over 1,749 corps members served in the batch C in Kogi State.

    Udolisah said the NYSC decided to decentralize the POP due to the security situation in the country.

     

  • Corps members offset medical bills of 11 patients

    Some corps members serving in Cross River State have given succor to 11 patients in the General Hospital in Calabar, the state capital. The youths, who are members of charity Community Development Service (CDS) group, offset the patients’ medical bills.

    The beneficiaries could not hold back their joy as the corps members presented cash gift to them. An old woman, who simply gave her name as Esther, prayed for several minutes after receiving the cash.

    The group also presented gift items such as beverages and toiletries worth over N50,000 to the hospital management for patients’ use.

    President of the CDS group, Faith Odey, said the gesture was in line with the mission of the NYSC and part of the group’s project to improve living condition in host communities.

    “We come to the hospital because this is where we can find the needy and those who really need our help to do one thing or the other,” she said.

    Faith said the gifts were handed over to the patients directly to prevent diversion.

    Receiving a set of six plastic chairs and three mattresses on behalf of the hospital management, the General Administrator, Eta Eteng, praised the youths for helping the poor in need.

    He said: “For young ladies and men to gather their resources for this wonderful venture, it is, indeed, a good gesture. The people who will use the material will forever be grateful to you.” He promised that the items would be used judiciously.

    Earlier, the Chief Nursing Officer thanked the CDS members for identifying with the hospital. She urged other group to emulate the gesture, while praying that God bless and replenish donors in all fronts.