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Tag: Moses Siasia

  • Three arrested over attack on APC chieftain in Edo

    Three arrested over attack on APC chieftain in Edo

    Three suspected thugs have been arrested over Monday’s attack on a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress and a former governorship aspirant in Edo State, Chief Blessing Agbomhere.

    Agbomhere was beaten and bloodied in the mouth by over 30 thugs at the Benin Airport shortly after he arrived from Abuja.

    Also attacked was a former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Movement in Bayelsa State, Moses Siasia, who accompanied Agbomhere to Benin City.

    Agbomhere said the thugs kept saying he was disrespecting their boss, a chieftain of the APC.

    He said it was security details attached to the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Zanna Ibrahim, that rescued him from the thugs.

    The thugs were suspected to be loyalists of Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu, who came on the same flight with the duo.

    Speaking to newsmen at the Police Command headquarters in Benin City, Agbomhere alleged that he met the deputy governor at the Abuja Airport but avoided him.

    He said, “I have been known to be courageous and fearless. When we came into Benin, I was immediately attacked by some criminals who were shouting kill him before the police came to rescue us. And they used all sort of weapons on me.

    “I came to Benin because I am on an assignment on the development of the Niger-Delta and I am seeing this. I will not be deterred. I will continue in my effort to promote my state Edo and to ensure that I still hold public officers accountable to be people.

    “If not for the timely intervention of my friend, I don’t know what some of them were planning to do. I came in with my friend who was a governorship candidate in Bayelsa state, we were together and immediately we stepped in we were attacked”.

    Agbomhere further stated that the police have arrested some persons who have confessed that they were sent to assassinate him.

    On his part, Moses Siasia described the attack as unfortunate for democracy and the leadership of Edo state.

    According to him, “I don’t know what political differences he has with Blessing who was former aspirant, look at me from Bayelsa state, beaten this way. These are one of the things that cause tribal clashes.

    “We have made our reports to the police, they have given us medical clearance and we are going to check ourselves. It is unfortunate for democracy and for leadership in Edo state”.

    Edo police spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, said the police was still investigating the incident.

    Reacting to the alleged assault, the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Mr Musa Ebhomiana, described Agbomhere’s claim as cheap blackmail stating that Hon Shaibu will not stoop so low attack a brother and a member of the same party with him who hailed from the same senatorial district.

    He stated that even though the Deputy Governor incidentally boarded the same plane with Agbomhere, it could not have been possible for the two of them to depart the airport at the same time.

    Musa explained that his boss could not have make calls from Abuja or inside the plane to the alleged thugs to attach him.

    “He, (Agbomhere) should look elsewhere for those who attack him at the Benin airport,” he said.

     

  • Group to Dickson: Appoint Moses Siasia into trust fund board 

    Group to Dickson: Appoint Moses Siasia into trust fund board 

    The Patriotic Citizens of Nigeria (PACON), Monday, urged the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, to appoint a former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Moses Siasia, into the Education Development Trust Fund Board (EDTFD).

    The establishment of the EDTFD in the state following the signing of the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund Bill into law by Dickson has been generating various reactions in the state.

    PACON in a statement signed by Mr. Aluzu Augustine and Mr. Debekeme Powedei, said appointing Siasia, who contested against Dickson in the last election, would ensure better implementation of the law.

    According to the group, the idea of establishing education trust fund featured prominently in the manifestoes of Siasia.

    PACON said: “It has become imperative for the Bayelsa State governor to appoint Mr. Moses Siasia who was also a contender for the office of the Governor in 2015 into the Board.

    “It is the only way for the government to fully realize the purpose of the law without causing undue hardship to her citizens”.

    The group said Siasia on many occasions during his campaigns for the governorship office expounded his ideas of creating such trust fund.

    PACON claimed that it was never the intention of Siasia to task civil servants to fund the board adding that the former governorship candidate wanted to raise funds through a partnership between government and private sector.

    The group also applauded Dickson for the Bayelsa Higher Education Loan Law saying it would go a long way to ameliorate the plights of students in the state.

     

  • N500million grant for over 1,000 young Nigerians

    N500million grant for over 1,000 young Nigerians

    Over 1000 Nigerians will be beneficiaries of N500Million Grant seed capital set aside for young Nigerian entrepreneurs and students.

    This was disclosed during the launch of the YESGrant Scheme by the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum in partnership with Heritage Bank in Lagos, Nigeria.

    The event which was well attended by dignitaries, including representatives from the Nigerian University Commission (NUC), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), as well as captains of industries and top Government Functionaries as part of efforts to grow more indigenous entrepreneurs among young Nigerians and deliberately create over 50,000 jobs in the next 5 years of the program circle.

    Speaking during the launch, Chairman, NYPF, Moses Siloko Siasia, said he was inspired by the big impact small businesses can have on the economy and that was why the grant was created to provide incubator support to enable young entrepreneurial postulants with creative ideas in Agriculture, ICT and creative economy start or expand their business concepts in those areas.

    “I have built businesses from the scratch and I understand the challenges people face and that is why I am optimistic that if given the necessary support, young Nigerians will not only grow the Nigerian economy, they will completely revolutionize it,” Siasia said.

    Speaking also, the Managing Director of Heritage Bank, who was represented by the Head of Marketing Strategy Mr, Obioma Emenike said he was optimistic that the initiative would lead to start ups and give a boost to economic growth and issued a call out to entrepreneurs to use their network to encourage their friends and colleagues apply for it.

    The YESGrant will provide business training for up to 600 aspiring young entrepreneurs spread across all geo-political zones in Nigeria and will encourage expansion, specialization and spin-offs of existing businesses, which is to enable young entrepreneurs access a wide business professional network and improve their visibility, while entrepreneurs will receive up to 2million Naira annually as grant.

    The YESGrant is to enable Nigerian students with extreme financial need to pursue their academic dreams and aspiration in the areas of research and technological/scientific innovation and it will also help low income and disadvantage students with their tuition of which over 500 students will benefit from this year’s grant .

    Furthermore, Students studying in Nigeria will receive up to 500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) while those studying in the United Kingdom will receive up to 3,000pounds and those studying in the United States will receive up to 5,000dollars annually as grant.

    To apply for the YESGrant available here, prospective recipients must be between the ages of 18- 40, be registered members of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF) and have an account with Heritage Bank prior to the disbursement of the funds in August 2016. Student’s award recipients must in addition provide their matriculation number and academic progression report.

  • Siasia mother’s kidnap: Family decries neglect

    Siasia mother’s kidnap: Family decries neglect

    • Pleads for coach to focus on national assignment

    Ten days after gunmen kidnapped Madam Ogere Siasia, mother of ex-international and current coach of the Nigeria Under 23 national team, Dream Team IV, Samson Siasia, at Odoni Community of Sagama Local Council in Bayelsa State, the family is yet to meet up with the demand of the kidnappers while they plead with the government not to abandon the family in its trying period.

    According to a sibling of the coach, Dennis Siasia, the family is yet to hear from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Bayelsa State Government as well as the Federal Government on the fate of their mother as the kidnappers insist on a N60m ransom.

    Contacted by NationSport, Dennis said: “It is disheartening that the NFF has not deemed it fit to get in touch with the family since the incident happened last week. They were only talking to Samson, who is far away in Gambia for national assignment, and, for us, we think this is not the appropriate thing to do as this might distract the coach from doing his job. For now, it is only the family they are supposed to have contacted because the coach is not here and they just need to leave him to focus on his duty because if the team fails to qualify they will blame him.

    “The last time we spoke to the kidnappers was on Saturday, when they said they would bury Mama if we failed to meet their demand and we told them that we don’t have the kind of money they are requesting for as we were only able to raise N600, 000, from their voice, they were angry. As at this morning (Tuesday) they have not called and we have not heard from them. Although we spoke to Mama and I think she is okay.”

    The younger Siasia, however, acknowledged the efforts of the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) since the incident occurred. “I must tell you that the CP and DSS Director have been working with the family on this and this has been how far we had gone. I must let them realise that Samson has served this country as a player, and now he is a coach on national assignment in Gambia and I don’t think he needs any distraction for now in Gambia.”

    Last Monday, three gunmen abducted Mrs Ogere Siasia at their family house in Bayelsa and whisked her away on a motorcycle.

  • ‘Leaders failed Bayelsa’

    The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) in the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State, Mr. Moses Siasia, on Wednesday said bad leadership was the major problem of the state.

    The 35-year-old younger brother of National U-23 Team Coach, Samson Siasia, spoke in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, while unveiling a two-point agenda he hoped to implement if elected the governor of the state.

    He insisted that past leaders of the state failed because they lacked the capacity to think positively to bring about development.

    Siasia, who unveiled job creation and education as his agenda, told journalists and civil society organisations that at 35 years old, he has achieved a lot in business.

    He boasted that a company he founded has employed 400 young Nigerian professionals including 70 persons from Bayelsa.

    He challenged other governorship candidates to disclose their achievements and contributions to the state in their private capacities.

    Siasia said his youthful age would not affect his performance, adding that persons claiming to be experienced achieved nothing with it.

    Describing himself as a job creating machine, Siasia promised to use his experience as an entrepreneur to create 30,000 jobs for Bayelsans in two and a half years if given the mandate to govern them.

    He said:  “Past leaders of Bayelsa State have failed because they lacked the capacity to think positively to bring about development.

    “I will increase the state’s internally generated revenue from N50m to N5bn per month if elected.

    “Also, if voted, my administration will diversify the state economy through agriculture and tourism to make Bayelsa an economic pacesetter in the South-South geo-political zone. I will increase workers’ minimum wage from N18,000 to N25,000, while there would be prompt payment of gratuity to pensioners.”

    On Education, he said there would be free education for primary and secondary school pupils across the state.

    He said bursary for students in the institutions of higher learning would be increased by 100 per cent.

    Siasia promised to increase power supply by 80 per cent, while the state would have an International Airport within the period of two years of his government.

    Siasia unveiled Mrs. Irene Opuene, a civil servant from Akasa Town in Brass local government area of the state as his running mate.

  • PDP has no respect for my generation – Siasia

    PDP has no respect for my generation – Siasia

    [dropcap]T[/dropcap]he chairman of Mosilo group, and governorship aspirant in Bayelsa state, Moses Siasia, has disclosed that the Peoples Democratic Party does not have respect for the younger generation.

    Siasia, who said this recently in a statement signed personally, recounted his experience and support for successive governments in the country stating that he cannot continue being the PDP.

    “For many years now, I have been actively involved in supporting successive governments in my beloved country Nigeria.

    “I have always believed that every citizen needs to support their government for such government to succeed which was why I supported the governments of late President Umaru Musa YarA’dua and that of Goodluck Jonathan.

    “I had thought that by supporting these two governments, I would have fulfilled my patriotic duties as a citizen of my country. I have continuously done my best through my various contributions towards governance in Nigeria through my organization ‘Nigerian Young Professional Forum (NYPF)’.

    “I joined the PDP when one of my overzealous cousins went to my ward to talk about registering me there. I later found the idea to be a very good one and was excited about the whole idea of party politics and making a difference.

    “I continued to be actively involved in party politics since 2013 till date and the more I got involved in the politics of the party, the more discouraged I became,” he recounted.

    Siasia, who is the founder of the Nigerian Young Professional Forum (NYPF), lamented the ways and manners of running the party.

    He said: “I saw that so many things were not been done properly and always wanted to advice and make corrections but the more vocal I became, the more they isolated me, may be because they felt I was a threat to the business as usual way of doing things.

    “I always wanted to see a PDP that will transform into modern day realities and a party that places high premium on the ‘Youth’ who are the engine room of any nation but the more I pushed for youth inclusion in all affairs of the party, the more I was isolated. There was always greater emphasis on money politics rather than ideological prospects.

    “I have carefully watched over the years and have come to the painful conclusion that the PDP is not ready to change its old ways of imposition, godfatherism and gangsterism.

    “After the elections, it became very obvious and clear that Nigerians had rejected the PDP because they were tired of seeing the same old faces doing the same thing for 16years.

    “Faces that the people were convinced are corrupt and can’t bring the desired change to the people. The people wanted new faces and something new”.

    The Mosilo group chief further stated that PDP had a clear chance of redeeming its image in the eyes of the Nigerian people by injecting fresh ideas and fresh faces which would have automatically rebranded the party and restore confidence in the party.

    “I had presented myself to the party on many occasions urging them to use me as that face with a perfect case for Bayelsa State but the party has failed to take advantage of this great opportunity, he said.

    Siasia noted that the PDP had every opportunity to rebrand and rediscover itself after its defeat at the just concluded general election but it is now clear they do not wish to change or evolve.

    “I, have, therefore, today the 22nd of August decided to leave the party for ideological reasons.  I can no longer stay in the party because they do not have respect for my generation or me.

    “I have nothing personal with the party and will continue to respect her but I think young people have no future in the party,” Siasia summed.

     

  • Young PDP guber aspirant, Siasia, to dump party

    Young PDP guber aspirant, Siasia, to dump party

    Moses Siloko Siasia, 35-year old governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State, is set to dump the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for a new political party.
    Siasia, the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of Mosilo Group, is expected to lead over 700 youth leaders across the eight local government areas of the state to the new party.
    According to a source within Siasia’s campaign disclosed on Wednesday that the decision by the astute businessman to dump the PDP is based on the injustice to other aspirants by the newly selected executive committees of the party who are loyal to Governor Seriake Dickson.
    The source further told The Nation that besides the insincerity and unity of purpose observed by Siasia, the lack of internal democracy within the various organs of the party in the state contributed to the decision.
    The source also hinted that over 15 political parties within the state are willing to adopt Siasia as their sole candidate.
    “Moses Siasia is leaving the PDP because he is convinced that the party is not yet ready to change its ways of imposition and godfatherism.
    “He is convinced that the PDP has not learnt its lessons from the last general elections and will surely suffer the same fate at the forth-coming elections in the state. The governor is running the PDP in Bayelsa like a private estate and has sidelined former President Goodluck Jonathan, a prominent son of the state.
    “There is no reason to continue to stay in the party with him. It is advisable for everyone to leave the party for him so he can do as he wishes with it. Very soon, he will be the only one left in the party,” The Nation gathered.
    Furthermore, the source noted that Siasia will declare for his new party very soon adding that ‘he will not join APC’ because of the cultural mentality of the Ijaw people who see APC as the party responsible for the defeat of their kinsman at the presidential poll.
    The also added that Siasia, being very loyal to the Ijaw race, will never do anything to offend them or hurt their emotions. “He is a patriotic Ijaw son”.
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  • 2016 Polls: PDP re-brands, fields young candidates

    2016 Polls: PDP re-brands, fields young candidates

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) having ruled Nigeria for 16 years and now the opposition party is considering fielding young candidates for the forthcoming elections in selected states.

    The PDP is considering young gubernatorial candidates for Bayelsa and Kogi states in its desire to re-brand the party by involving young people as the new faces of the party.

    Describing the party as one that is bleeding at the moment and in need of redemption is not an overstatement.

    Furthermore, there is no denial that majority of Nigerians have lost hope in the party after its 16 years tenure with a history of broken promises and haphazard performance.

    Some Nigerians now see the party as that of looters and old crooks not to be trusted. The massive onslaught against the party by the current ruling party, All Progressive Congress, (APC) is another factor responsible for the poor perception about the PDP.

    The APC is a party of young and vibrant ideas as exemplified by their involvement of young people in their presidential and generation election campaign. The APC recognizes the place of every Nigerian youth and were greatly rewarded by the youths as majority of them mobilized for ‘Change’ during the last general elections.

    The PDP National Working Committee and the Board of Trustees has woken up to the painful reality that Nigerians will no longer trust the same old politicians within its fold and as such they must evolve new ways to communicate, reach-out and get the support of the Nigerian people, and as such have decided to strategically position young people with good names to become the new faces of the party.

    It was gathered that the former president Goodluck Jonathan has also advised the party to consider fielding younger candidates in forthcoming elections of Bayelsa and Kogi and ensure they make provisions for some influential and brilliant young people in the BOT and the NWC at the next year’s Extraordinary Congress Election when new officials of the party are to be elected.

    Many elders within the party have now accepted the fact that they need to give the younger ones within the party some major roles and advised the party to zone at least 5 positions of the NWC to young people and another 5 to the BOT, following the appointments of Rinsola Abiola, Ismaeel Ahmed and Jasper Azuatalam, 3 young people into BOT of the APC in furtherance to giving young people a strong voice within the party.

    The NWC on its part has agreed to allow the younger generations take over Party Registration and Membership drive as they believe the youths within the party can get millions of Nigerians to once again have confidence in the party and join the party.

    They have also agreed that young people within the party should setup a robust online platform to include Online Membership Registration.

    One of the greatest challenges the PDP has always had is the issue of imposition of candidates on the party which makes it impossible for young party members to secure party tickets or even have the courage to contest for elective positions.

    With the new development within the party, more young people will be able to contest for elective positions within the party. The immediate beneficiaries of this new policy of the party might be two young men within the party who are contesting to become governors of their respective states, Moses Siloko Siasia who is contesting to be governor of Bayelsa State and Mohammed Ali running to be governor of Kogi State.

    Profile of both Persons:

    Moses Siloko Siasia, from Sagabama LGA, a 35year old young leading light of Nigeria was named as one of the 200 Young African Economic Leaders for Tomorrow by Choiseul, renowned French Institute in their 2014 ranking.

    Parisian institute describes Siasia as a young African leader who is reshaping the continent’s economic scene. It said men like Siasia embody the vigour and renewal of an entire continent and carry the hopes of an entire generation.

    Mr. Moses Siloko Siasia is the Chairman of Mosilo Group, with huge investments in Engineering, Real Estate, Oil & Gas, Agro Processing and Project Management. The Group is a wholly owned indigenous Company with strategic partnership with some of the world’s leading technical Companies. The Group has employed over 400 young people and has continued to up the ante in human capacity development locally, with offices in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and United States.

    He is the Chairman/Founder of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum, a non-governmental organisation made up of primarily young, dynamic and upwardly mobile individuals with innovative ideas that is aiding Nigeria’s development. Siasia conceived the NYPF as a platform for the development of young professionals in Nigeria through quality educational programs, national and global networking and leadership opportunities, the group has united over 7million young professionals globally with presence in 15 countries. A lawyer by profession, he is running under the platform of the PDP and has attracted lots of grassroots support most especially from youths and women.

    Mohammed Ali (39years old), from Dekinah Local Government Area of Kogi, is the immediate past LGA Chairman of Dekinah.

    The governor dissolved the LGA suddenly to frustrate his political ambitions. He has the support of many LGA Chairmen in the state. He was the Secretary National Association of Kogi State Students NAKOS 2002-2004, then became the President of NAKOS from 2004-2005.

    Ali became Special Adviser, Student Affairs to former governor Ibrahim Idris, then Liasion Officer 1 of Dekinah LGA and later elected substantive Chairman of the LGA. When he was Chairman of the LGA, he was elected as the Chairman of the Northern Local Government Forum which compromises of 419 LG Chairmen. He coordinated the 419 LGAs for Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidential Campaign for 2015. Now he is aspiring to govern Kogi State. He is a graduate of Bayero University, kano. He is an Economist. Has a Masters Degree in Economics with option of Petroleum and Energy Economics.

    A new generational leader, he has the support and network of all youth within the age bracket of 30-45years old in all the 21 LGAs of the state.

    Since he declared his intention to run for governor in the state, the PDP that was almost dying in the state has come back to life because the younger generation see his declaration as an opportunity for them. Many who have lost hope in the party have started to once again believe in her.

     

     

  • Siasia felicitates with Fashola at 52

    Siasia felicitates with Fashola at 52

    Chairman of Mosilo group, Moses Siasia on Sunday congratulated the immediate past governor of Lagos state, Raji Fashola on his birthday.

    This was contained in a congratulatory message signed by Siasia, Chairman of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum and governorship candidate for Bayelsa state.

    The Bayelsa gubernatorial candidate in his message described Fashola as an inspirational and detribalized leader of this age.

    “BRF Sir, as you celebrate your 52nd Birthday, I heartily congratulate you on your sincere leadership to humanity, you have displayed an unusual care to everyone you come in contact with by giving a listening ear and attention expecially those who are seen as trustees of posterity from other parts of the country.

    “You are indeed an inspiration to our generation. May God continually grant you success in all your pursuits and give you good health to achieve your desires.

    “Happy Birthday to a true Nigerian leader, a father and a gentle man,” he summed.

  • Bayelsa guber aspirant, 35, condemns Senate fracas

    Bayelsa guber aspirant, 35, condemns Senate fracas

    Chairman of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum, Moses Siasia has condemned the fracas that erupted at the National Assembly over the election of principal officers on Thursday.
    Siasia, in a statement urged Legislators to be mindful of their actions, which according to him: “Doesn’t inspire good leadership example to the younger generation.“
    “I wish to condemn in the strongest of terms the unfortunate event that happened on Thursday at the hallowed chambers of the House of Representatives in course of choosing principal officers of the House which led to the mace, the symbol of authority of the House being taken out of the Chambers and caused the nation serious embarrassment.
    “I find it indeed regrettable that some of our fathers could not resist the temptation to self help as this will send a very wrong signal to the younger generation.
    “Our legislators in both chambers must know that young Nigerians are always watching and looking up to them for inspiration, leadership and mentorship.
    “I find it particularly disheartening that young folks like me had to watch members of the House of Reps who are supposed to be honourable members engage in this very dishonorable act of fighting and unruly behaviour.
    “To me, lawmakers should always be above board and never be found wanton in any way that will bring disrepute to their offices or the institution of the National Assembly.
    “It should be unheard of that lawmakers will suddenly become law breakers right inside the chambers of the National Assembly even in the full glare of the nation on national television.
    “Yes, democracy guarantees freedom of expression but not freedom of lawlessness. Our legislators must not allow young Nigerians to lose confidence and respect in them and the institution of the National Assembly because of their conduct.
    “In my opinion, the leadership tussle could have been resolved through matured and diplomatic ways instead of confrontation. A simple “Walk-Out” by aggrieved Honourable Members would have sent a very clear message to the leadership of the House and could have resulted into immediate resolution of this matter.
    “I urge our legislators to always tour the path of peace as conducts like this in the past even resulted into the death of one of our finest legislators,” Siasia pled.
    He further called on the legislators to be mindful of what impressions the international communities, friends of Nigeria and even children who are watching them closely may form.
    “They should show the world that our democracy has come of age and be exemplary always,” he summed.