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Tag: Nigerians

  • Sultan to Nigerians: choose your leaders wisely

    Sultan of Sokoto Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar yesterday urged Nigerians to vote wisely in next year’s general election.

    He warned against rigging, urging voters to resist electoral impunity.

    The Sultan spoke in Lagos at the First Stakeholders’ Dinner and Interactive Session of the Legacy Initiative International.

    Its theme was: “Inter-faith collaboration in nation building.”

    The event had in attendance Christian and Moslem religious leaders and traditional rulers.

    The Sultan, who was represented by his Special Assistant, the Sarkin Kudu Sokoto, Muazu S. Abubakar III, urged Nigeria to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ready.

    “Eligible voters should use their PVC wisely. We think that the era of forceful abuse of the electoral process and intimidation is over,” he said.

    He prayed for the country to get its leadership choices right.

    “We pray that God in his infinite mercies should guide the aspirants and moreso the voters to choose wisely,” he said.

    Former External Affairs Minister Ike Nwachukwu said the elite failed Nigeria.

    “The elite has failed our country. We have had every opportunity to lead the people aright, but we have failed in doing so,” he said.

    He blamed it on ethnicity, religious divisions and unhealthy party politics.

    Senator Nwachukwu said Nigeria can still attain its potentials with the right leadership.

    “This is the time for all Nigerians to wake up to their responsibility of electing only those who will make the country better for you and your children.

    “Register and vote for people who care about Nigeria. There is no religion that preaches hatred. It’s all ‘Love your neighbour’. Let’s do that going forward,” Nwachukwu said.

    Legacy Initiative International Grand Patron Chief Kenny Martin said the time had come for failed leaders to be held accountable.

    According to him, leaders take Nigerians for a ride because there are no consequences for their actions.

    Martins said leaders of the two great faiths must put aside their doctrinal differences and close ranks to ensure good governance.

    “When the right persons occupy the seat of government, there will be national stability, accountability, progress, development and economic growth.

    “Then there will be foreign direct investment and more growth in national GDP. These are the things we desire for our country,” Martins said.

    He said the Legacy Initiative International seeks to enlist the support of religious leaders towards a greater Nigeria.

    “Our faith should be our uniting factor rather than a dividing one,” he added.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was billed to chair the event, was absent.

    He did not send a representative.

    The Ooni of Ife was represented by Oba Fayemi Johnson.

  • Runsewe urges Nigerians to imbibe Rotarian lifestyle

    Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Chief Olusegun Runsewe, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the Rotarian way of life by assisting humanity and living in peace with all.

    Runsewe spoke during the investiture of Winifred Ogbebo as the seventh President of the Rotary club of Abuja, Maitama.

    The DG said: “This can apply to relations with others in the home, office and our business environs. The Rotarians are truly peace ambassadors in the society

    “Two months ago Rotarians treated 1.2m people in Afghanistan free of charge. They are completely committed to clean water and provide amenities for the society where ever they find themselves. No one has come to this world with anything and they are not taking anything back.

    “The time to stop celebrating mediocrity is over. With rotary peace will return fully and there will be love amongst us worth celebrating.”

    Incoming President Ogbebo said being a Rotarian had molded her life, the idea of giving back to humanity is something everyone should embrace, it feels you with peace knowing that someone out there has the pleasure of living because of you.

    She said: “I joined rotary more than seven years ago, it is a humanitarian organisation that one can key into to access the world. You don’t need to have millions of naira to help people. Rotary is about different professionals coming together to give their time.”

  • Nnamani warns Nigerians to be wary of desperate politicians

    •Foreign group to invest in oil, gas, power

    Ex-Senate President Ken Nnamani yesterday warned Nigerians to beware of desperate politicians without a second address.

    He addressed State House correspondents after he and the Chairman of Chrome Oil and Gas, Chief Emeka Offor, led foreign businessmen to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo’s office.

    Nnamani, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), advised struggling politicians to have a second address.

    To politicians who do not have any other business apart from politics, he said: “I think our problem is that if you enter politics and you have no second address; the chances of your getting in trouble is very high.

    “I am here strictly on business, they are talking about billions of dollars investment in Nigeria and that tells the confidence his company has in our country.

    “I am not just a politician; I was in business before entering politics, so I have a second address and my suggestion to Nigerians who are struggling in politics is to make sure they have a second address. Don’t be a desperate politician; desperate politicians do desperate things and we can see the examples.”

    Nnamani said he was part of the meeting to observe how the Federal Government would receive the investment proposal, adding that the government was receptive.

    “I am here just to observe how receptive the government is to this. The government is quite receptive according to the vice-president; because they have made other investments in Nigeria and they are continuing to do so,” he said.

    Offor said he brought foreign investors from Europe to meet the vice-president on the investment opportunities in oil, gas, power and electricity.

    Said he: “We brought a major investing group from Europe. That’s why we are here. We are looking at investing in oil and gas, electricity and others.

    “They have seen that the atmosphere in the country is conducive for investments. We are exploring the particular investment region we are going to invest in.”

    Offor said they were partnering ELAND Oil and Gas from the United Kingdom, adding that the investment would be all encompassing and in billions.

    The President of Integra Capita, Argentina, Dr. Jose Luis Manzanita, hailed the investment climate in Nigeria, which he said was conducive.

    He said: “We are happy being in Nigeria. We like the business atmosphere. There is credibility. We believe Nigeria has material industry, but can produce much. We have already invested in Nigeria and we plan to do more.

    “We work closely with ELAN. ELAN has been very successful. We support them and keep investing with them.

    “The vice-president was so warm. He transmits the trust the government has in private investment.”

     

     

  • Nigerians in U.S. to float community bank

    The Nigerian community in the United States has put measures in place to establish a community bank.

    The proposed bank would serve the interest of the Nigerian community in that country and those at home.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the proposed bank – Nigeria Federal Credit Union – is being promoted by the Nigeria National Association, a non-profit organisation in the U.S.

    The credit union, when fully established, would be a full-fledged financial, banking, and investment initiative, in service for all, especially  Nigerians resident in the U.S., including members of the Nigerian diplomatic corps.

    NAN reports that Credit unions provide banking services nationwide, loans, mortgages, credit cards, checking, mobile banking and more, and many have broader eligibility requirements that include individuals from a location or other broad-ranging characteristics.

    The steering committee of the proposed bank was inaugurated in April by a former governor of the  Central Bank of Nigeria and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, during the U.S.-Nigeria Investment Summit in Washington DC.

    The steering committee of the proposed bank, at a meeting at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, DC, had said the initiative would advance the credibility of Nigerians in the U.S.

    The Chairman of the committee, Dr Kazeem Bello, said a community could not realise its full potential without access to banking services and capital at a favourable interest rate.

    According to him,  it is the prerequisite for economic emancipation through home ownership and business financing among others.

    Bello said: “What we are attempting to do is to create a platform for all Nigerians, young and old, men and women, businesses and every Nigerian resident and non-resident in the U.S. to have an opportunity to have a community-based bank that will be tended to our needs.

    “We’ve been in a society where opportunities abound all over the place but you only accrue those opportunities when you are a direct member of that community.

    “Sometimes, a lot of us (Nigerians) have gone through the pains and hassles of being able to just open a bank account.

    “ So the project that we are unveiling today is called Federal Credit Union, and by the grace of God, it has been tagged as a proposed Nigerian Federal Credit Union.

    “This is a banking and financial institution that we are putting together to be fully chartered and the members are you and I who are Nigerians.

    “Nobody is owning this bank; the bank is membership-owned.

    “Nigerians own this bank. We call on all Nigerians across the four corners of the United States territory to join in this efforts to bring this bank to fruition.”

    Bello said a bank for Nigerians,  the largest group of African immigrants in the U.S., was long overdue.

    According to him, the Kenyan community in the U.S., among others was already at an advanced stage of establishing its own Kenyan community bank while Turkish community has had a bank since 1948 in addition to  Poland.

    A member of the committee, Felix Obi, said Nigerians could not have economic growth and emancipation if they did not have financial independence and access to capital at a competitive rate that reflects their creditworthiness.

    “As you know by law, anybody can go to any bank and open an account or apply for credit yet statistics tell us that minority communities, especially immigrants, are disproportionately pushed into bad financing – high-interest rate financing.

    “This would explain why when the federal housing crisis happened, more minorities have their property foreclosed than non-minorities.

    “These numbers can be even more challenging when it comes to immigrant populations,” he said.

    Mr Bayo Idowu, Minister, Economic, Trade and Investment at the Nigerian Embassy, said the establishment of a Nigerian-based bank had been nursed previously.

    He said taking the critical step of moving forward and making it work had, however, been always challenging.

    Idowu said Sanusi, a respected community leader and an accomplished banker, in launching the steering committee had worked to energise the members to ensure that the vision of a Nigerian-based community bank succeeds.

    “It is important to the Nigerian community in the U.S. for identity, for economic empowerment and for investment in the Nigerian economy because we would have established a direct link with banks at home through this credit union,” he said.

    Mrs Remi Duyile, a seasoned financial professional in the U.S., said owning a federal credit union by Nigerians in the Diaspora was a phenomenon.

    “I am on the board of this committee that is working tirelessly to ensure that we birth something great, just like other nationalities have done, and this is our time; let’s do it,” Duyile said.

    Earlier, the Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S., retired Justice Sylvanus Nsofor had pledged his support to the steering committee to ensure that the establishment of a Nigerian-based community bank becomes a reality.

  • Nigerians, Africans must direct their destiny, says Peterside

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has urged Nigerians and other Africans to guard the fledgling democracy, which is gradually taking root on the continent.

    He said this would help catalyse economic development on the continent and by extension the maritime sector.

    Peterside, who is also the chairman of Association of African Maritime Administration (AAMA), spoke yesterday in Lagos during a breakfast with reporters to mark the Eid-el-Kabir.

    He said AAMA under his leadership has prioritised projecting Africa as a block deserving a larger share of global maritime trade, based on its contributions.

    “Some African countries still operate along colonial inclination and that tends to slow down development, particularly in the maritime sector. In those countries where democracy is fully thriving, such as Nigeria, stakeholders in the maritime sector now speak with the voice of development, independent of colonial masters. AAMA, under my watch, has given African maritime sector a new voice, particularly at the International Maritime Organisation, IMO”, Peterside said.

    Commenting on how the agency has become one of the leading parastatals of the Federal Government in its contribution to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), the NIMASA D-G said some policies his administration adopted alongside the Treasury Single Account (TSA) were responsible.

    “NIMASA has transformed from contributing barely 3 billion naira to over 20 billion naira annually to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) and it will keep getting better,” he said.

    Peterside added: “In order to block financial leakages, we subscribed to a full bouquet of the Lloyds and Clarkson intelligence; this made it almost impossible for any vessel calling at our ports to escape or under declare. The TSA and our collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), among other agencies, also played an important role.”

    He restated NIMASA’s commitment to growing indigenous capacity in the sector, noting that the engagement ongoing between the agency and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was aimed at securing special interest rates and intervention funds for vessel acquisition and other ancillary transactions in the sector, geared towards improving the Cabotage regime and the realisation of a robust maritime sector.

    Peterside, who referred to the maritime sector as a goldmine, took the opportunity to call for more objectivity in the report of activities of the sector.

    He said the agency would embrace all forms of collaborative initiatives that could help boost the fortunes of the nation’s maritime sector.

    In his Eid-el-Kabir message, the NIMASA D-G urged Nigerians to love one another and live peacefully as they celebrate Sallah, adding that the period was not only for merriment, but also a time to reflect on happenings in the country.

     

     

     

  • Buhari, Saraki, Dogara, others urge Nigerians on peaceful co-existence

    As Sallah is being celebrated today, President Muhammadu Buhari leads others in preaching peace, love and tolerance to Muslim faithful, report Ozeigbe Okoeki, Odunayo Ogunmola, Okungbowa Aiwere, Damisi Ojo, Kolade Adeyemi and Chris Oji.

    •Ambode, Aregbesola, Dakwambo, others preach peace

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to rise above personal, group, sectarian and other interests in the country.

    He urged them to promote harmony and tolerance in dealing with one another at all times.

    This President’s Eid-el-Kabir message according to Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted him as urging Muslims to use the occasion for sober reflection and self-examination, and strive to be good ambassadors of their religion by upholding high moral values

    He reminded Muslims that this felicitous occasion of Eid-ul-Adha is a remembrance of the submission of Prophet Ibrahim Allaihis-Salam to Allah, his Creator, by which he taught the world the value of sacrifice in relating with one another, and when it comes to nation-building.

    He said “We must sacrifice for others and remember always those who are less fortunate than ourselves,” the President declared.

    President Buhari explained that religion is a major factor in influencing human behaviour towards good conduct and actions.

    Heexpressed regret that selfishness, greed and corruption had overwhelmed human souls to the extent that people abandon their religious beliefs in pursuit of their greed.

    The President stressed that fighting corruption is a task that must be done in order to protect the larger interests of the ordinary Nigerians who are the worst victims of diseases, poverty, malnutrition and other afflictions.

    He said surrendering to corruption is not an option because it destroys society and progress of nations.

    “Even if some people hate you for fighting corruption, you should not chicken out from the task as a leader because doing so is a betrayal of public trust.” the President added

    On the economic challenges facing Nigerians, the President reassured that such are temporary because the welfare of the people is the main thrust of the change agenda of the administration.

    President Buhari cited the many initiatives unfolded by the administration under the Social Investment Programme (SIP) among which was the decision to distribute recovered stolen funds to the poor against the past practices of re-looting such funds by some people in authority.

    The President arrived I his hometown Daura yesterday.

    He arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport aboad the Presidential jet at the airport at about 5.51p.m.

    Katsina state Governor Aminu Masari and Minister of State (Aviation) Hadi Sirika were among those at the airport to welcome the President.

    The President was conveyed from there to Daura by a presidential chopper.

    The President has been observing Eid-el Kabir at his country home in the last three years of his presidency.

    The Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu also urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence.

    In separate Eid el Kabir messages, Saraki enjoined Nigerians to increase their efforts in charitable endeavours, perseverance and spiritual intercession for the nation. The Senate President urged Nigerians to further devote their prayers at the Eid praying grounds to the call on Allah to restore peace in all parts of the country, strengthen the unity and rebuild the economy.

    Saraki also congratulated Muslims on the celebration of the 2018 Eid el-Kabir festival and described the special occasion as “a period that honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son to show submission to Allah’s command”.

    Dogara, enjoined the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice, love and tolerance for the peace, unity and progress of the country.

    “While rejoicing with our Muslim brothers on this auspicious occasion of  Eid el-Kabir Sallah celebration, which symbolises sacrifice and obedience,  I wish to enjoin all people of goodwill to be steadfast in love for one another and demonstrate renewed commitment to the Nigerian project in order to make our society ideal for all and towards the fulfillment of the country’s great potentials”.

    “I also urge our religious leaders to take advantage of the season and preach peace, unity and tolerance among the diverse people, especially now that the country is at  critical political crossroads, with the electioneering process gaining momentum as the 2019 general elections draw nearer”.

    “On our part as lawmakers, we will continue to pursue people-oriented legislations and initiate reforms and legislative interventions that will guarantee peace and stability in the polity and the nation as a whole as well as improve the living conditions of the citizens”.

    Ekweremadu said: “The Eid-el Kabir presents yet another opportunity for the Muslim Umah and indeed all Nigerians to reflect soberly on state of the nation and pray for Nigeria’s future and peaceful elections.

    “Importantly, Nigeria is certainly in need of both attitudinal change and divine intervention as the country prepares for the 2019 general elections. Whereas the extensive electoral reforms carried out by the National Assembly manifested in visible improvements in the quality of the 2011 and 2015 general elections, subsequent elections have been gravely marred by excessive violence, vote buying, and other outrageous manipulations that threaten our democracy.

    “From the Bayelsa Governorship election to the recent bye-elections in Kogi and Rivers States, among others, the nation has witnessed intolerable levels of impunity, violence, excessive abuse and manipulation of vital institutions of democracy, which signal grave turbulence ahead of 2019”.

    ‘Embrace love,unity, sacrifice’

    In Lagos, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode urged Muslims to live in love and unity.

    In his Sallah message,Ambode said the period of the celebration was a clarion call for Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the season such as selfless service to God and humanity, sacrifice and sincere commitment to righteous conducts in their private and public life.

    “The significance of the season should be beyond feasting, adding that as Muslims prepare to offer animal sacrifice in the prescribed days of the festival, the real essence should be to encourage piety, self-discipline and sacrifice”, Ambode admonished faithful.

    The governor called on all Nigerians to exhibit these virtues for the good of the country and shun any act capable of heating up the polity or causing distrust among various ethnic groups in the country.

    His words: “As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, let us renew our faith in our nation and implore the Almighty God to restore to us those values that place high premium on human life, love of neighbour and sharing even as we ventilate our faith in the unity of our dear country.

    “This period requires more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all.”

    Fayemi urges peaceful co-existence

    Ekiti State governor-elect Kayode Fayemi felicitated with Muslims in the country.

    Dr. Fayemi urged the Muslims Ummah to uphold the lessons of love, loyalty and sacrifice which is the foundation of the festival, during and after the festivities.

    In a goodwill message, the governor-elect said: “The Eid-el-Kabir festival offers the opportunity for sober reflection and spiritual renewal which Allah demands from the faithful.

    “The Muslim faithful and adherents of other faiths in the country should make peaceful coexistence their watchword and work together for a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

    “Nigerians need to imbibe the lessons of commitment, dedication and obedience to higher authority as demonstrated in Prophet Ibraheem’s willingness to sacrifice his son in deference to the will of God, which Eid-el-Kabir commemorates.

    “It is only through the love for one another and commitment to peace, security and stability that the country can progress towards the fulfilment of its great potentials as a nation.”

    Kalu sues for unity among Nigerians

    Former Abia State Governor of Abia State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC)Orji Kalu  urged leaders across the country to use their positions  to advocate peaceful co-existence among Nigerians regardless of ethnic, religious and political divides.

    According to him, Nigerians should embrace patriotism, selflessness and discipline in their pursuits for the sake of rebuilding the nation.

    Stressing that Nigeria is better off as an indivisible and united entity, he urged the political class not to use sentiments to polarise the country.

    Kalu said in a statement: “I congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of Eid-el Kabir. It is a special season and it calls for special prayers for the country.

    “We should use this opportunity to appraise ourselves as individuals and as a people. We should exhibit piety, selflessness, patriotism and service to humanity in our activities as enshrined in the Holy Quran.

    “Let us respect other people’s religious beliefs and by so doing, there will be no rift in the society. Nigeria remains a blessed nation owing to its diversity in religion and ethnicity.”

    Atiku preaches love, tolerance

    Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar advised Muslims to take the center stage in promoting and spreading love among fellow Nigerians to consolidate unity.

    He said religion should be used as a means to advance the cause of love amongst the people.

    According to him, diversity cannot be the cause of Nigeria’s problems.He blamed the attitude of Nigerians towards one another.

    He said: “The common interests that unite Nigerians are by far stronger than those petty factors that divide us.

    “Intolerance, extremism and bigotry, if unchecked, could threaten peace and unity in any country.”

    He identified peace and unity as the greatest assets that should not be taken for granted, adding that interfaith dialogue would not go far enough if bigotry is allowed to defeat human reason and wisdom.

    The former vice president noted that all religions preach love of mankind, and urged Muslims to promote the beauty of their faith through positive personal conducts.

    Aregbesola to faithful: imbibe forgiving spirit

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola urged the Muslim faithful to uphold their obedience to Allah in the spirit of forgiveness for one another.

    In a goodwill message, Aregbesola described Islam as a religion that upholds the spirit of love, peace and charity and preach harmonious living relationship with other religions adherents.

    He commended the Muslim community in Osun for supporting his administration and for being good citizens.

    The governor urged Muslims to expand the spiritual benefits of Sallah by ensuring and promoting peaceful co-existence with each other and people of other faiths and shun violence and religious conflicts in whatever form they may manifest.

    He enjoined Muslims to pray for and conduct themselves peacefully before during and after the September 22, governorship election coming up in the state, noting that it is only Allah who enthrones and anyone who wants to forcefully enthrone himself can only do so in vain.

    He advised the faithful to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice which Prophets Ibrahim and his son, Ismaeel, exemplified, an occasion which is being commemorated yearly, thousands of years since.

    The message reads: “Let me congratulate all Muslim on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival.

    “I want you to use the occasion of the festival to demonstrate that the world is united by our common humanity.

    “You have demonstrated that you are patriotic Nigerians with your peaceful conduct, obedience to the laws of the land and invaluable contribution to development of our country.

    “You should continue to pray fervently for those things that would promote unity of the country, and pray against things that threaten the existence of Nigeria.”

    Dankwambo: truth 

    exalts a nation

    Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has joined Muslims in celebrating Eid-el-Kabir.

    He said: “As we celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, citizens must be reminded of the need to celebrate with love for one another and for our country. I must also say this: as the Holy Books teach us that only truth exalts a nation, only sacrifice by the people can sustain the nation on the path of unity, peace, progress and prosperity.

    Today is a day for sober reflection, especially as a result of the challenges facing Nigeria as a nation and the harrowing personal experience of the majority of citizens.”

    Submit to Allah’s will, Ahmed urges Muslims

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed

    urged Muslims  to imbibe the lessons of total submission and obedience to the will of Almighty Allah and promote the principle of being one another’s keepers.

    The governor emphasised the need to devote oneself to the services of the supreme being and pray for the unity, peace, progress and stability of the country

    He said: “Let’s guide against hate speech, thuggery and violence but imbibe lessons of the season and pray for a free, fair and credible elections in 2019 and beyond.”

    Dr. Ahmed expressed his gratitude to the people of the state for their supports and prayers over the years and renewed his commitment to bequeathing a worthy legacy for his successor.

    “We shall take our projects to fruition levels”, the governor said.

    Okowa urges prayers for leaders

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa urged Nigerians to put aside their religious and political differences to build a united country.

    He urged Muslims to emulate the Holy Prophet Mohammed by imbibing the ideals of sacrifice exemplified by the prophet.

    Okowa, in a Sallah message said Eid-el-Kabir was a season of love, peace, togetherness and sacrifice.

    Okowa said: “I enjoin you to use the period to uphold the spiritual benefit of the celebration by extending a hand of friendship and solidarity across all divides and imbibing the spirit of sacrifice and obedience to the higher authority as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim and upheld by Prophet Muhammed.

    “This is an opportunity for us to reflect and pray for our nation; and for all those in leadership positions so that God in his infinite mercy will continue to guide them as they steer the affairs of the country.”

    He assured the people of Delta State that the state government would work with security agencies to ensure that all citizens celebrate the Sallah in peace and harmony.

    Akeredolu: celebrate with fear of God

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu believed that the annual festival, which symbolises sacrifice and peace, will be celebrated by the Muslims with the fear of God and continued service to humanity and love of one another.

    He urged them to be moderate in their activities as they peacefully visit various places of interest to celebrate the much-cherished festival.

    The governor noted that as they go to the Prayer Ground for supplication to the Almighty, they should as usual, pray for the leadership of the state and the country in general.

    ‘Emulate Mohammed’

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike urged Muslims to emulate the Holy Prophet Mohammed by imbibing the ideals of sacrifice exemplified by the Prophet.

    Wike described Eid-el-Kabir as a season of love, peace, togetherness and sacrifice.

    He urged Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance which will promote peace across the country and enhance national development.

    He assured the people of Rivers State that the state government will work with the  security  agencies  to ensure that all citizens celebrate  the Sallah  in peace and harmony.

    He congratulated the Muslim community in the Southsouth state  on the Sallah celebration, assuring  them that his administration  will continue  to  partner with  them to move the state forward.

    Ganduje urges Muslims on sacrifice

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje urged Muslims to imbibe the values of sacrifice, love and keep fostering unity as they join their counterparts globally to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

    Ganduje also cautioned religious and political leaders against hate campaigns, incitement or fanning embers of disunity in this period of heightened political activity in the country.

    In his Sallah message, Ganduje said the period of the celebration was a clarion call for Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the season such as selfless service to God and humanity, sacrifice and sincere commitment to righteous conducts in their private and public life.

    He explained that the significance of the season should be beyond the festivities, adding that the real essence was not in the meat or the blood of the animal but to encourage piety, self-discipline and sacrifice.

    The governor called on all Nigerians to exhibit these values for the good of the country, stressing the need for constructive criticisms for improved governance, which he said, must be separated from incitements in order to move forward.

    Ugwuanyi calls for prayers, sustained peace

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi urged Muslems  to continue to uphold and promote the core values of Islam for the sustenance of peace, unity and progress of the country.

    Ugwuanyi, who felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari and other Muslim faithful, also wished them the guidance and blessings of Allah, calling on all Nigerians to continue to supplicate for the progress of the country, through good deeds, sacrifice and abiding faith in God.

    He noted: “The ultimate goal remains our collective ability to live in peace and harmony, to cherish one another irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences, for sustainable development of the nation”.

  • NLC to Nigerians: resist those who seek power at all costs

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerians to resist the manipulations of a selfish few, who seek power at all costs for selfish reason.

    It wanted citizens to challenge those who polarised the country, stressing that “as Nigerians, we have no country other than this; we can have no better freedom than in our country.”

    In its Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslims and other Nigerians, signed by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, NLC said Nigerians, whether Muslims or non-Muslims, must imbibe the spirit of give and take, the spirit of love of God and love for their neighbours.

    It said there was no other time than now to strengthen the bond of unity “that holds us together and the shared values that stand us on the high pedestal in the community of nations.”

    The statement reads: “On behalf of the Nigeria Labour Congress, we wish to congratulate and celebrate with our Muslim brethren on the occasion of this Eid-el-Kabir. The occasion symbolises sacrifice, discipline, faith, the spirit of give and take, love of God and love for our neighbours, obedience to and total submission to God our creator.

    “In the light of this, we take this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians, not only Muslims, to imbibe the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir.

    “No time is more auspicious than now for us to imbibe these qualities, especially now that we have challenges in the polity, including frightening political disputations, loss of lives due to conflicts across the country, resurgence of suspicions, sectarian/hate tendencies,  violence and threat to our oneness and sovereignty.

    “This moment avails us a great opportunity to strengthen the bonds that hold us together and the shared values that stand us on the high pedestal in the community of nations.

    “We ordinary Nigerians should not lend ourselves to the machinations of a selfish few, who seek power at all costs, not for the benefit of Nigerians, but for themselves.

    “We should rise with a common resolve to challenge those people and those things that polarise us. We have no other country than this. We can have no better freedom than in our country.

    “Let us unite to fight those things that keep us down. Eid-el-Kabir offers an opportunity for reflection. Once again, we wish all of us, especially our Muslim brethren, a happy celebration.”

  • Why more Nigerians are getting poorer

    Government policies, technology and the people–

    Humans in all of its history have always been on the move, and through the centuries, human beings have devised ways of moving themselves, goods and services over short and long distances. Today, countries are leveraging technology to solve transportation challenges but how far can technology go?

    Putting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into context, number one (SDG 1) goal seeks to eliminate all forms of poverty by ensuring that every individual has equal opportunity, privileges and rights to create jobs and make wealth.

    Poverty in Nigeria is pervasive, as the country is now the poverty capital of the world with over 87 million Nigerians living in extreme poverty; the implication thereof is that more people fall into poverty every day in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world.

    With technology disrupting systems and processes, the big question is, (a) Is technology putting more people especially Nigerians out of jobs than it is providing for them?  (b) Are government policies impoverishing instead of uplifting its citizens out of poverty? (c) Where is the meeting point/connection between technology, government policies and the people?

    At the last count, there are over five technology based tech-transport services in the city of Abuja and Lagos (Uber, Taxify, OgaTaxi, Contrac, GoMyWay). Although some have shut-down operations for different reasons, UBER and Taxify are trailblazing in Abuja with more private individuals with clean, more recent cars taking over the transport business.

    In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the transport secretariat regulates Licensed Taxi operators in the FCT with the sole mandate to oversee operations of passenger services operators. Most taxi drivers licensed to operate within the FCT pay registration fees and daily levies by buying daily tickets from the various agencies in charge of transportation in the FCT who make remittances to the FCTA transport secretariat and Federal Ministry of Transportation. From cursory observation, majority of these drivers are semi-literate with either basic school leaving certificates or secondary school certificates at most, with a good number of them with little or no form of formal education.

    The education level and/or literacy status of these drivers puts them at a disadvantage to adopt or leverage on tech-based platforms such as UBER and TAXIFY. And simply because their cars may not even meet the required specifications of these systems, the system automatically excludes them.

    Although fewer drivers compared to the licensed/professional taxi drivers use the tech-based platforms (UBER and TAXIFY), they are presently enjoying more patronage than the average passenger service operator (taxi driver) who have to compete among their contemporaries for the available passengers who still patronizes them (no wonder, these taxi drivers don’t mind causing traffic lockdown on other road users right of way to pick passengers which sometimes result to accident), as more people are now opting for the convenience the tech-serviced cars affords.

    While the above is contestable (i.e. average daily earnings of an UBER driver and the conventional taxi driver), another major issue of deep concern is how government policies inadvertently puts more people out of jobs.

    In Abuja, the painted taxis who are by law one of the licensed operators of intra-state transport services are prohibited from carrying passengers into most shopping plazas, government office premise, hotels, airports and some residential estates etc. This singular action either backed by law or otherwise by individuals or corporate organizations puts the ordinary taxi man at a disadvantage as no one going to a hotel, airport or shopping mall will patronize them, therefore, giving room for private individuals to pilfer jobs from the licensed operators. The sense ideally should be to encourage licensed operators to move freely within the city as one would expect that their data are captured in the FCTA transport department database and can be tracked in the event that they allow themselves or vehicles to be used for any shady or phoney deals. This would also boost public confidence in using their service.

    In Premium Times of April 9, the FCTA transport secretariat issued a list of guidelines for licensed passenger service operators (commercial taxi) effective October 1 one of which is that all passenger service operators should have air conditioners installed in their cars. How many private vehicle owners in Nigeria and in the FCT today have air-conditioners installed in their cars? How many car owners use their air-conditioners in Abuja considering the cost of fuel?

    In issuing this mandate, did the transport secretariat consider that if eventually all taxi drivers were to install and use their air-conditioners during passenger conveyance that the passengers would be charged more than the usual fare? Where will this extra money be sourced from by the passenger? Would a passenger who possibly survives on N18,000 minimum wage be able to afford taxi service to move around?

    Did they consider the social impact this guideline will have on the taxi operators and the passengers?

    Technology is great if used for the benefit of all; government policies must be consistent such that it is people centred and not capitalistic in nature. Staying within the tech-based transport ecosystem, you’ll realize that the cars specification for UBER are 2003 or newer model cars has an average cost of around N1.5million for a foreign used vehicle and approximately N1.1 million for Nigerian used. How many Nigerian youths can afford or have these huge amounts of money as savings to purchase cars and how many of our elderly citizens (taxi drivers) who sometimes are pensioners with backlog of owed pension can afford to buy cars that meet the tech-based specification?

    Technology use should be people-centred and inclusive such that it accommodates different people within the strata of society.

    It wouldn’t be so bad if UBER, TAXIFY and any other tech-based transport company can categorise their operations to accommodate more people on either side of the divide (drivers and passengers),  because at the moment, the system is elitist and favours the rich, as the average youth depends on the rich to acquire these cars and lease to them.

    To conclude: If the SDGs must be actualized; then, partnerships and complimentary actions must be adopted; no one should be excluded or put at risk of losing their source of livelihood due to insensitive, unrealistic and bad government policies or disruptive technologies.

     

    • Bassey heads a youth-driven knowledge think -tank based in Abuja.

  • 2M Nigerians to get collateral free loans

    The President Muhammadu Buhari administration has launched an initiative under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), called the TraderMoni.

    It is to boost its financial inclusion agenda for Nigerians, regardless of social class and economic status.

    The initiative will empower two million petty traders between now and the end of the year.

    The scheme, which was launched last week in Lagos, will grant a minimum of 30,000 loans in each state and the Federal Capital Territory.

    Two million marks are expected to be attained on or before the end of the year, with petty traders in Lagos, Kano and Abia states set to be the first round of beneficiaries to draw the collateral free loans.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande, said in addition to the 30,000 loans per state, states with larger population, such as Lagos and Kano, are expected to get more than 30,000 loans.

    He said: “Across the country, especially in the pilot states, about 500,000 potential beneficiaries have been enumerated.

    “In order to identify the beneficiaries, no fewer than 4,000 enumeration agents have been engaged by the Bank of Industry, which is deploying the new scheme.

    “TraderMoni is designed to help petty traders expand their trade through the provision of collateral free loans of N10,000. The loans are repayable within six months.

    “Under the scheme, beneficiaries can get access to a higher facility, ranging from N15,000 to N50,000 when they repay N10,000 within the stipulated time.

    “The goal of the Buhari administration is to use the TraderMoni to take financial inclusion down to the grassroots, the bottom of the ladder, considering the contribution of petty traders to economic development. The Federal Government is also aware of the fact that many of the petty traders don’t have what the commercial banks require to grant them loans.

    “This administration is keen to ensure that such traders at that level are able to build their businesses and grow.

    “TraderMoni was launched last Tuesday in five markets in Lagos State, with tens of thousands beneficiaries already.”

    The Lagos markets reached, he said, are Mushin, Ikotun, Agege, Ketu and Abule Egba.

    “Beneficiaries are already heaping praise on the Buhari administration for this initiative that will improve their businesses.

    “A trader in one of the Lagos markets, Anna Enwerem, thanked President Buhari for the initiatives. The trader said: ‘I sell clothes. This N10,000 will do a lot for me and my children. I like this programme so much. I will pay the loan before six months. Before, I didn’t believe it, but now that I have received my money, I believe.’

    “Mrs. Mufiat Adewumi, a market leader in Lagos, said it will help ordinary Nigerians, who cannot have access to commercial banks’ credit facilities because they don’t have collateral.

    “We are happy about the TraderMoni because this is what we have been expecting for long, that the government should assist the masses, especially the traders. We thank the Federal Government so much.”

  • Alaafin urges Nigerians to unite against killings

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has urged Nigerians to unite against those behind the killing of innocent persons across the country.

    This, he said, would reinforce the collective will to take the country from those he said were obsessed with insanity and barbarism.

    The frontline monarch said the socio-cultural orientations that uphold the sanctity of life and the intrinsic dignity in the human person must not be surrendered to the ungodly.

    Oba Adeyemi spoke at the turbaning of 12 Fulani leaders in his palace in Oyo town.

    The ceremony followed violent clashes between nomadic herders from the North and sedentary agrarian communities in the Southwest.

    The Alaafin and other traditional rulers in the North had invited some Fulani for a peace meeting.

    The 12 Fulani were chosen as representatives of their people and conferred with chieftaincy titles.

    At the ceremony, Oba Adeyemi urged the Federal Government to ensure that those found culpable in the mindless killings in Benue and other states are brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to others.

    He said: “There can be no national development without relative peace and stability. There have been greater challenges of security in recent times than at any other point in our history, thus rendering our political stability fragile, democratic institutions and processes fluid and our economy debilitated.

    “The government, political leaders and followers and all of us must have the courage and honesty to get to the root causes of our current state of insecurity, underpinned by criminality, insurgency and of recent terrorism by herdsmen.

    “Our leaders and followers have taken the issues of security for granted. Yet, urgent and immediate steps must be taken to consciously respond to current threats by architectonically designing and building a security system which would create a stable and relatively peaceful environment, conducive for national development.

    “We must accept the reality that while it is necessary to create unity in diversity, we must identify and respect our differences, which is diversity in unity.”

    On security in his domain, the Alaafin said: “Before now, Oyo metropolis under the reign of Alaafin not only remained the first to provide cattle ranches for Fulani herdsmen in Yoruba land, another 10 acres of land were made available for convenience of the herdsmen free of charge to ensure harmonious relationship and peaceful co-existence among all ethnic groups residing in the metropolis.

    “Whenever there are skirmishes between farmers and the herdsmen, the royal adopted his age-long conflict resolution mechanisms, dated back to the old Oyo Empire, which provides opportunity to interact with the parties concerned, promotes consensus-building, social bridge reconstructions and enactment of order in the metropolis.”

    Hailing the Muhammadu Buhari administration for its steadfastness, commitment and determination to checkmate insurgency, Oba Adeyemi also stressed the need for the Federal and state governments to work together as well as take immediate steps to shore up security for herders and farmers.

    The National President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Abdul Muhammadu Pirowa, hailed the Alaafin for his visionary leadership qualities and unflinching commitment for unity, peace and national development.

    He said: “I have never seen any community or state where the Fulani are accorded honour and recognition in the course of peace and mutual co-existence like here.

    “Your Imperial Majesty, as the Permanent Chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, you have set the pace in Yoruba land and indeed the country. I am indeed excited by this.”