The Nation Newspaper

Tag: minister

  • Minister urges law against harassment of widows

    The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, has urged lawmakers to sponsor bills that would tackle infringement on widow’s right.

    Hajia Maina, who spoke in Abuja when she briefed reporters on the activities to commemorate the 2013 International Widows Day (IWD), also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment in ensuring that its citizens are integrated and mobilised in the scheme of things.

    Hajia Maina enjoined lawmakers at the federal and state levels to legislate against oppressive and degrading traditional practices that have placed women at the lower rung of the social and economic ladder.

    According to her, “all relevant public and private institutions should provide functional basic education to the citizens to prepare them for meeting the challenges of bereavement.”

    The minister, who hailed MTN Nigeria, one of the Internet providers, for its support towards uplifting the downtrodden, noted that there should be collaboration among the relevant stakeholders to institutionalise interventions among widows to foster widows’ integration into the society.

    Her words: “Our communities should promote the values that encourage the care of widows and training should be given to the counsellors to provide integrative counselling to the widows.”

    This year’s IWD with the theme: ‘Widows Rights are Human Rights’, is supported by MTN Foundation.

     

     

     

  • Leave the Interior Minister alone

    SIR: In the recent past, I have read series of write-ups – the good, the bad and the ugly about the Minister of Interior, Patrick Abba Moro, and I wish to crave the indulgence of all to leave this man alone to focus on his job in our national interest.

    Much as this piece is not intended to hold brief for the Hon. Minister in any way over his actions and/or inactions, I think it is of utmost importance that we take into consideration the enormous task of maintaining the internal security of the country before him, particularly now that we are beset with so many security issues like never before in our history as a country.

    Gradually, Nigeria is scaling negative heights in terrorism against efforts by the Federal Government to tame this man-made monster. Apparently defying solution, President Goodluck Jonathan was recently compelled to declare a state of emergency in the northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. Also towards this end, a new Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service has just been sworn in.

    What could be more germane to a nation than an issue that threatens the safety of the citizenry and ultimately her national unity? As it stands today, youth corpers, other natives and even natives dread parts of Northern Nigeria. Imagine Jos that was hitherto the number one choice city of so many Nigerians and foreigners alike, has become ‘a no go area’.

    While Boko Haram constantly showcases man’s inhumanity to fellow man in the North, kidnapping is becoming a big business for hoodlums in the East and spreading like wildfire across the nation. The costs of these security challenges bedeviling the country are manifold: difficulty in attracting foreign investors, unwarranted security budgets, distraction from President Jonathan’s transformation agenda and many more.

    It stands to reason that it is difficult if not impossible to find a lasting solution to these challenges without the active involvement of the minister charged with the responsibility of maintaining the internal security of the nation. It is on record for instance, that the minister has made remarkable progress in the various agencies under his ministry deserving national commendation. These achievements include but are not limited to the following: deportation of over 19,000 illegal immigrants, efforts towards the deployment of modern electronic surveillance equipment to help man our porous borders, provision of facilities for e-passport in Lagos and in our missions abroad, training of over 1,000 officers and men drawn from public and private organizations across the country to combat fire and his initiative to construct 227 fire service stations across the country.

    Others include significant reduction in cases of pipeline vandalism across the country, his initiative to implement the expatriate quota (part of the labour law of 1963) aimed at creating more jobs for Nigerians and the prison reform which led to the construction of modern block of buildings for prisoners in so many states of the federation. Interestingly, it also charts a course for inmates. Whoever thought in this country that serving prisoners could go to University, write WAEC, farm and accumulate salaries to be paid after serving their terms?

    It is in the light of the aforementioned responsibilities placed on the minister, the glaring achievements so far recorded and in recognition of the fact that safety comes first, that I am imploring all patrotic Nigerians to leave Comrade Abba Moro alone to focus on his job as he has capacity to do more.

    Godwin Otache Abah

    Lagos

     

  • Eagles will take lesson for 2014 WC — Minister

    Eagles will take lesson for 2014 WC — Minister

    Sports Minister, Mallam  Bolaji Abdullahi has urged the Super Eagles to take the ongoing FIFA Confederations Cup as a great opportunity to prepare adequately for their qualification quest for next year’s World Cup holding in Brazil.

    The Eagles tutored by Stephen Keshi need to beat Malawi in the last Group F match at home to Malawi in Calabaar come September. After this the Nigerian team would be involved in a play-off to decide her qualification for 2014 World Cup In Brazil.

    In a chat with SportingLife in Abuja yesterday, the Minister said Nigeria still has a mathematical chance of booking a semi-final ticket if the Eagles can beat the World and European Champions Spain on Sunday.

    “For me the FIFA  Confederations Cup is a learning opportunity for the Super Eagles for the 2014 World Cup. I think we just need to take whatever lesson we can take away from the competition,” he said.

    “I am not saying we are completely out of the Confederations Cup yet because it is still possible since we have a game against Spain and this is football. Even Spain struggled in the first 20 minutes in their match against Tahiti despite winning the match 10-0 eventually.

    “So there is nothing that says the Eagles can not post a good result against Spain in Sunday’s cracker. I still believe that we have a chance to move ahead in the competition.

    “But then whatever happens I believe that we have the opportunity to learn a lesson we could learn and prepare for the 2014 World Cup (qualifiers).”

  • ‘Minister lied about Edo roads’

    The Edo State Government has slammed the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, for his comments on roads in the state.

    In a statement, the governor’s media aide, Mr. Kassim Afegbua, said: “It is irresponsible for any public officer to advertise falsehood and distorted facts. The fact that Edo and Lagos states did not host Maku and his co-travellers on their ill-advised good governance tour is not enough grounds for him to lie to Nigerians.

    “This is undeserving of a public officer feasting on tax payers’ money. Thank God he got a spontaneous response when the audience booed him out of his shameless emanations and illogical presentation.

    “With public officers like Maku, it is understandable why President Goodluck Jonathan appears fixated on performance. It was good that the government disowned the good governance tour, otherwise, Maku and his team would have showcased projects that were exclusively sponsored and executed by the state government as those of the Federal Government.

    “Rather than apologise for the Federal Government’s failure to fulfil its promsde` ise to Nigerians, the minister has embarked on sycophancy. We expected Maku to lay his mat and sleep on the Benin-Ore road since, according to him, the road is now brand new.

    “Thank God people are still passing through that road everyday and they can see the volume of work that has been done. We implore Maku to seek forgiveness for his provocative presentation.”

     

  • Minister urges military support for democracy

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed has called on the Nigerian Armed Forces to continue to support democratic institutions as the nation celebrates Democracy Day.

    The minister made the call while receiving the Chief of Air Staff who paid him a visit.

    Mohammed remarked that the call had become necessary, especially with the security challenges being experienced in some parts of the country.

    The minister stressed that their support would further strengthen democratic tenets, which by extension, will fast-track the development of the entire country.

    He urged the Armed Forces to key into the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan as the agenda is all-encompassing; taking care of even minute sub-sector of the society.

    According to him, their keying-in and collaboration would go a long way in assisting even the leadership of the Armed Forces to leave landmark achievements and legacy for future generations.

    He assured that all plots meant for the Armed Forces in the Federal Capital Territory would be sorted out to enable them to commence development in earnest.

    While appreciating the security cover the Armed Forces have been providing in and around the 8,000 square kilometres of the Federal Capital Territory, especially the role Nigerian Air Force has been playing at the Abuja Airport, the Minister promised to continue to partner with the security agencies in the Territory.

    He said that the sales of the Federal Government houses in the FCT is a continuous process, even as he assured that houses being occupied by military personnel in Apo, Gudu District will be sold to them in accordance with the regulations.

    On the 110 hectares of land the Nigerian Air Force allegedly bought from some land racketeers in Kyami District, Senator Mohammed directed the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority through the Urban and Regional Planning to, within two weeks, provide a better alternative because the District has already been allocated to genuine owners with title documents.

    The minister advised that anybody wishing to make transaction on any plot of land in the FCT should first make verifications on the status of such plots from the FCT Administration to reduce scam and corruption pervading the sub-sector; especially as it affects the area councils’ plots.

    His words: “Kyami District in the Federal Capital City has already been allocated with people holding subsisting legal titles because the District is not meant for mass housing projects.”

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh complained that the Nigerian Air Force bought some plots of land amounting to about 110 hectares in Lugbe and later discovered that the area council allocation could no longer be accessed.

    He praised Senator Mohammed for the good work he has been doing in the Federal Capital Territory, promising to collaborate with the FCT Administration by exploiting new frontiers.

  • Minister urges Nigerians to fight insecurity

    Minister urges Nigerians to fight insecurity

    Minister of Interior Abba Moro yesterday advised Nigerians to support the present administration to tackle the current security challenges.

    The minister spoke in Abuja ahead of today’s Democracy Day celebrations. He noted that the day is not only for celebration, “it is also a time to reflect on the challenges that face us as a nation and a people”.

    Mor added: “It is a period when we have to collectively appraise our democratic progress in the areas of economic, social, political and security of our fatherland.

    “It is, therefore, important to say that as Nigeria marks yet another Democracy Day, political leaders should not use the period to begin to apportion blames for things done and those left undone with a mind to cause political tension in the country.”

     

  • Minister warns council chairmen against corruption

    Minister warns council chairmen against corruption

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has vowed that he will ensure that the area council chairmen in Abuja accounts for any misappropriation while in office.

    Mohammed stated this during the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected chairmen of the FCT area councils at the Banquet Hall of the FCT Minister’s official residence.

    He also charged them to put the security of lives and property on the front burner of their administrations as the era of politicking is over.

    Senator Mohammed emphasised that security remains a major concern and all efforts must be put into ensuring security of lives and property within their domains.

    His words: “Security remains a major concern and as you take office, you must hit the ground running to ensure security of lives and property within your domains.

    “This administration has set up machinery for effective surveillance of the FCT and you will be expected to immediately commence effective security monitoring of your area councils as well as collaborate with the FCT law enforcement agents to achieve a round-the-clock watch over your domains.

    “I will ensure that you account for any misappropriation in your area council.”

    The minister assured that the FCT Administration, as usual, would continue to ensure that all the area councils receive all funds due to them from the statutory allocation.

    Mohammed, therefore, called on the new chairmen to reciprocate the FCT gesture by avoiding waste, ensuring accountability in the management of public resources and complying fully with the Procurement Act.

    He reiterated that his administration will not shirk its responsibility for effective supervision of their operations and warned that ‘any chairman found wanting would be made to account fully for his commission or omission.’

    The FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide hoped that the new chairmen would complement the efforts of the FCT Administration to fast-track development at the grassroots.

    Oloye Akinjide advised that the “welfare of the people remains the greatest law and the greatest manifesto above political party, section or creed.”

    She reiterated that election is over and the forest fires are over; adding that what remains is the challenge of development, which neither turns in winner nor loser, neither victor nor vanquished.

    “We will remain committed to building a plural and inclusive society in the FCT in particular and Nigeria in general,” the Minister of State stressed.

    Those sworn-in included Yahaya Garba Gawu-Abaji Area Council; Micah Y. Jiba-Abuja Municipal Area Council; Yohanna Peter Ushafa- Bwari Area Council; Abubakar Jibrin Giri-Gwagwalada Area Council; Ishaku Tete Shaban-Kuje Area Council and Daniel Ibrahim-Kwali Area Council.

    The chairmen were sworn in by the Acting FCT Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim M. Bukar who was represented at the occasion by Justice Hussaini Baba Yusuf of FCT High Court, Maitama District Abuja.

    The chairman of Bwari Area Council Mr. Yohanna Peter Ushafa who responded on behalf of other chairmen, appreciated the kind gesture of the FCT Ministers and promised to co-operate with the FCT Administration in achieving its policies and programmes.

    The event was witnessed by important personalities in the Federal Capital Territory including the Senator representing the FCT, members of the House of Representatives representing the FCT, traditional rulers, leaders of political parties, youth leaders as well as community leaders.

  • Minister for Lecture

    Minister for Lecture

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina will deliver the Foundation Day Lecture of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) tomorrow at the institution’s new auditorium.

    Adesina will speak on “Unlocking Nigeria’s Agricultural Potential to Create Wealth” at the lecture to be chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adebiyi Daramola.

     

     

  • Minister: Fed Govt to finetune multilateral trade policies

    The Federal Government is to finetune multilateral trade policies, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has said.

    This, he said would be done through the execution of liberalised trade and economic policies.

    At a workshop on trade facilitation in Abuja, Ortom said the government was committed to trade facilitation and trade related financial services. The government, he said, was desirous of a smooth and effective import and export procedure relating to customs and port clearance; border management and performance monitoring systems; trade documentation and tariff development.

    He said as a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Nigeria would intensify efforts to play a collaborative role in shaping multilateral trade policies.

    “Mr President is committed to the reform and customs modernisation that will create the necessary enabling environment for investment and trade facilitation.

    “It will also enable our seaports, which have excellent facilities to regain their pre-eminent position in the West Africa sub-region. The government is committed to continue with the reform of the Nigeria Customs Service, which started in 2004. The objective of the reform is to have a service that is responsive to the demands of a rapidly globalised economy in terms of human capacity and ICT infrastructure, which are necessary for the effectiveness of trade facilitation,” Ortom said.

    He commended the management of Customs for the full automation of the goods clearing system and the re-positioning of the Customs Service to meet WCO/WTO standards and ensuring that international requirements are met.

    He said the concern for trade facilitation, which led to WTO negotiations to remove trade inhibitions at the borders, has reduced trade among countries.

    The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, who was represented by Comptroller Azarema Abdulkadir, said trade can be facilitated through an update of customs procedures to a modern technology standard, adding that the Customs Service has undertaken this since 2006 through the development of customs single window for trade; Nigeria Integrated Information System (NICIS); establishment of Nigeria Trade HUB website and Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), which covers valuation, classification and risk management for imported goods.

    He said the harmonised processes and policies have contributed immensely in the improvement of Customs operations and speedy clearance of goods and increase government revenue, and that the organisation would continue to collaborate with stakeholders to enhance global trade facilitation and increase government’s revenue.

    The Director, Nigeria Shipping Services, Mrs. Dabney Shaw-Holmer, said Nigeria’s participation at WTO negotiations was aimed at helping traders and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to have access to trade laws and regulations of their trading partners in a more transparent manner.

    She said an important step was to periodically conduct the needs assessment and utilise the result to develop the skills for favourable negotiations with Nigeria’s trading partners.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Be serious, minister urges committee

    Be serious, minister urges committee

    Worried by the slow pace of work on the integration of out-of-school children by the National Implementation Committee, Minister of State for Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has challenged the committee members to live up to the expectations of the Federal Government.

    The Minister spoke in Abuja yesterday during a meeting with members of the National Implementation Committee for the Integration of Out-of-School Children in Southsouth and Southeast and the National Implementation Committee for the Integration of Almajiris into the nation’s basic education sector.

    The minister said the committee saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that schools are constructed for the out-of-school children in the Southsouth has not started making impact across the two regions of its focus months after the Federal Government inaugurated it.

    He said the Jonathan administration remains committed to addressing the challenges posed by the presence of out-of-school children in parts of the country, stressing that members should deploy their vast experience to the work of the committee to achieve faster results.

    He said: “The Federal Government is not happy with the pace of work of the Committee on the integration of South-South children into the nation’s basic education sector. We want the committee to work faster, so that the benefits of the government’s investments will be felt by all.

    “The budget of the committee has been duly approved and there is a need for the committee to diligently apply the funds to the specified projects”.