The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerians

  • APC, PDP ‘ve failed Nigerians, says Labour Party

    APC, PDP ‘ve failed Nigerians, says Labour Party

    The Zonal Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Lamidi Apapa, has said the party is prepared to put the country back on sound footing. He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have not met the expectations of the people.

    Apapa who spoke during a visit to Lagos chapter said Nigeria would get out of its multifaceted challenges if LP was trusted with power in 2019. He noted LP welfare philosophy puts the party in vantage position to initiate popular programmes.

    Apapa explained that the PDP and APC are the same folk, stressing that former members of PDP formed the bulk of APC membership.

    He said: “That is why the party has not been able to provide the people with the dividend of democracy. Nigerians are losing hope and confidence in the APC led government on daily basis.  “The Nigerian masses are the owners of LP; they should come out to identify with the party. LP is prepared to carry out reforms that will make the country better. I believe that LP can make the country better because the PDP and APC are no longer popular parties.”

    Apapa said the last alliance between the LP and the PDP during the last council election was unfortunate, noting that the party had learnt its lessons.

    He urged the National Secretariat of the party to make funds available, in order to prepare the ground for the takeover of the Lagos State Government House, Alausa.

    He added: “It is on records that the state chapter of the party has not received any amount of money from the national, zonal or other quarters for the running cost. What the Lagos office has achieved so far was through individual contribution.

    “Lagos is mini Nigeria and therefore desire special status. This state is where everything happens politically and otherwise. If our great party is active in Lagos, it is therefore active in Nigeria.”

    “If all Lagos secretariat is given the attention it deserved, we will mobilise the people and we are very sure they will support us take over the governance of this Centre of Excellence,” he said.

  • We’re proud to be Nigerians, say gospel singer and pastor hubby

    We’re proud to be Nigerians, say gospel singer and pastor hubby

    It was all for the celebration of Nigeria at 57; gospel singer, Pastor Ifeoma Eze who has just released her fifth album, “You’re powerful,” provided the melody for members of her church, who were dressed in the Nigerian colour: green-white-green.

    ‘We are proud to be Nigerians,’ say the couple, in their declaration for a united and peaceful country.

    As part of the celebration, her husband, who is the General Overseer of Zion Heritage and Miracle Ministries, Lugbe Abuja, Bishop Okwudili Eze also unveiled his latest book: ‘Becoming a Blessing to Your church.”

    With “You’re powerful” currently enjoying air play in major radio stations, in Lagos and Abuja, the duo who also has 58 books for their credit advised Nigerians to be patient with the happenings in the country, stressing that it is quest for nationhood, that within a very short time, things will be good again in the country.

  • 580 more Nigerians to return from Libya this week

    580 more Nigerians to return from Libya this week

    Barely three weeks after 138 Nigerians returned voluntarily from Libya, another 580 are being expected from the North African country, this week.

    DSP Joseph Alabi, the spokesperson for the Lagos Airport Police Command, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

    Alabi said that 420 Nigerians would arrive in the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Tuesday via two chartered flights while another 160 would come back on Thursday.

    NAN recalled that 138 Nigerians, on Oct. 3 returned from Libya where they had been stranded enroute Europe.

    The returnees were brought back on the expression of interest to return to Nigeria through the assistance of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

    Their flight, with Registration No: 5ADM had touched down at the Cargo Wing of MMIA at about 8:05pm.

    The returnees comprised of 65 female adults, two teenage girls and two infants (baby girls) while the male adults were 64, two teenage boys and three infants (baby boys).

    Four of the returnees who had medical cases were evacuated upon arrival, for emergency treatment.

    They were received by the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Police. (NAN)

  • Nigerians should invest more in governance, says Lemo, others

    Nigerians should invest more in governance, says Lemo, others

    Nigerians must invest more in governance by asking questions and participating fully in legislations before they are passed into laws, former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Tunde Lemo, has stated.

    Lemo gave the advice at a national workshop by the Yaba College of Technology Alumni Association to mark the 70th anniversary of the institution in Lagos.

    The nominee for chairmanship of board Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) was the keynote speaker and chairman panel of discussants at the workshop with the theme ‘Business financing in a growing economy.’

    He said many laws had been passed to regulate Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and other businesses without the inputs or knowledge of players and stakeholders in the sectors.

    Lemo said condemning laws after they have been passed is undesirable.

    “Before these laws came into being, the National Assembly, I’m sure, published the proceedings, even calling on people to send their inputs. But as usual, people remained complacent until the act became law,” he pointed out.

    Speaking on Financing SMEs: Impact on job creation and economic growth, one of the discussants, Abdul Waheed Muhammed, who stood in for the Managing Director, Bank of Industries, said SMEs are recognised as drivers of economic growth.

    Muhammed said the bank has been helping SMEs grow their businesses through loan supports and expert advices.

    He said BOI loan support to SMEs sub-sector starts from N5 million.

    MD of Jackal Ventures Group, Osiniyi Osibemekun, advised young entrepreneurs to discover and market their talents while remaining focused.

    According to him, most banks are not ready to give loans to upstarts with too many stringent requirements.

    President, Yaba College of Technology Alumni Association, Pastor Femi Martins, said the aim of the workshop was to set agenda for some issues troubling the nation.

    He pointed out that getting good jobs after paying so much to acquire certificates has also remained common, saying entrepreneurs need mentorship to survive.

  • Senators decry poor delivery of values to Nigerians

    Senators decry poor delivery of values to Nigerians

    Senators under the aegis of Christian Legislative Fellowship (CLF) Wednesday lamented the poor delivery of public values to Nigerians.

    The lawmakers at a press conference in Abuja as part of activities to mark the 8th National Prayer Breakfast 2017 decried the situation where delivery of public values has ceased to be the essence of governance in the country.

    Most Nigerians, they said, can barely access basic necessities.

    The unhealthy situation, the senators said, has shaken the very foundation of Nigerians’ faith in leadership.

    President of CLF, Senator Barnabas Gemade, who read the statement of the group, noted that in the last seven years the political and socio-economic landscape of the country has been characterized by threats which have regional and international implications.

    Gemade said, “May I seize this opportunity to remind us that, since the past seven years, our political and socio – economic landscape has been characterized by threats which have both regional and international implications.

    “To Nigerians, those years could have seen our dear country emerge stronger from the shocks and effects of the global economic crisis.

    “We have, however, weathered these storms; we are still at present, a reflection of a country at the brinks. Recently, hate speech, divisive and secessionist quests raise their ugly heads, but we fortunately overcame.

    “The delivery of public values has ceased to be the essence of governance as our fellow countrymen can barely access basic social necessities. These challenges have shaken the very foundation of the Nigerian people’s faith in leadership.”

    He noted that by virtue of the 8th National Prayer Breakfast therefore, “it behaves on all of us to not just lead by the principles of Parliamentary practice, but by Godly virtues already inherent in all of us; moral forthrightness which is only attainable when we ask for leadership directions from whom we all acknowledge as our creator the all-knowing God.”

    Gemade said that for the past seven years, the Christian Legislators’ Fellowship of the Nigeria National Assembly has hosted the National Prayer Breakfast, a spiritual exercise that marked a water-shed in the history of our dear country.

    He noted that the aim of the epoch making event which holds significantly in the month of October, seeks to convene people of all faith, tribe and creed to appeal to God for righteousness and Godliness in leadership.

    He said, “The Nigerian Prayer Breakfast took its cue from the American Prayer Breakfast which President Dwight Eisenhower began in 1953. Eisenhower had stated after his election in 1952 that America needed spiritual renewal. For Eisenhower, faith, patriotism and free enterprise were the fundamentals of a strong nation. But of the three, faith comes first.

    “In the same vein, the Nigerian Prayer Breakfast is regarded as an opportunity to seek the Lord’s guidance and re-dedication of Nigeria and her people in re-alignment with Gods purposes.

    “God willing, on Thursday 26th October this year, the National Prayer Breakfast would be at its 8th year running.

    Gemade said that the theme of this year’s Breakfast is “Reconciliation: Gods Power and the New Pathway to National Unity”.

    He said that the event is being organized both to commemorate the 57th independence anniversary of Nigeria’s nationhood as a “regular Christian Parliamentary responsibility of  reminding ourselves, leaders of Nigeria and from many other countries, that we need Gods blessing and auction in everything we do and in accordance with international parliamentary tradition.”

    The keynote address at the event will be delivered by the Vice President, Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Gemade said.

  • FG to Nigerians: Practice hand washing with soap

    FG to Nigerians: Practice hand washing with soap

    The Federal Government Monday urged Nigerians to practice hand washing with soap to prevent the spread of diseases.

    Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu said this on Monday to mark the 2017 Global Hand washing Day, in Abuja.

    About 99 primary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) participated in the event which had “Our hands, our future” as its theme.

    The minister said communication diseases like Ebola, Lassa fever and monkeypox could prevented by washing hands with soap.

    He added that Nigeria loses 59, 000 children annually to diarrhea and other diseases due to poor hygiene practices.

    The minister said: “Nigeria suffers from the ill effect of poor hygiene, recording 59,000 deaths of children before the age of 5 annually out of the 1.7 million cases recorded globally as a result of diarrhea, pneumonia, and other sanitation and hygiene repeated diseases.

    “This is as a result of the vulnerability of these little ones to these preventable diseases.

    “Adopting the behavior of hand washing with soap, is adjudged as one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent disease, cutting deaths from diarrhea by almost one half and deaths from acute respiratory infections by nearly one-quarter.

    “We know that the outbreak of many communicable diseases such as Ebola, Lassa fever and most recently the monkey pox virus can be contained with the simple act of hand washing with soap.”

    Earlier in his remarks, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Musa Ibrahim, said the figures of child death due to poor hygiene was alarming.

    Dr. Ibrahim, who said about 87 per cent of the population do not have access to hand washing facilities with soap, called for a change in behavior to make hand washing a habit.

    He said: “The statistics on the effects of poor hygiene is alarming, with over 59,000 children dying every year before the age of 5 of preventable diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia in Nigeria while 87% of the population do not have access to hand washing facilities with soap and water available.

    “While we recognize the importance of providing water, sanitation and hygiene (wash) facilities, it is also imperative to note that these facilities must be utilized to achieve the benefits.

    “Behavioral change is therefore essential for making hand washing a habit.

    “This event is also being replicated in 99 other primary schools across the 6 Area Councils of the FCT.”

  • Xenophobia : Zuma seeks end to killing of Nigerians

    Xenophobia : Zuma seeks end to killing of Nigerians

    •South African leader urges stronger ties with Nigeria

    South African President Jacob Zuma has condemned the xenophobic attack on Nigerians residing in South Africa.

    Zuma, who spoke in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during a two-day private visit, said: “A South African must not kill a Nigerian and a Nigerian must also not kill a South African.”

    He argued that the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa as the largest economies on the continent should be stronger than any other for the sake of the African sub region.

    He said: “Every country in Africa should unite as a people to fight for the common course of economic and political emancipation of Africa.”

    Zuma stressed that Africans are one people divided by colonial borders.

    According to him, “Africans must come together to address African problems. We are the same people. We cannot succeed if we handle problems as individuals. We need to recognise that we are one.”

    Zuma, who spoke after he was honoured with Imo Merit Award and after signing of MoU between his education foundation and Rochas Foundation, said: “Nigeria is a country among countries in the continent of Africa and globally. What Nigeria says you must note determines the lots of many.”

    He added: “I am an ordinary freedom fighter belonging to the African National Congress (ANC). But in 1994, I felt I have been part of those who have made oppressed people of South Africa to accomplish an important mission of liberating themselves. But political freedom without economic freedom is not enough freedom. That is why in our era, we have a government that will begin to make economic laws, because if the economic power is not there, there is very little you can do for the poor and the oppressed.”

    The South African president added that he was passionate about the school established by the governor and saw the children from all over Africa.

    Zuma emphasised that African continent needs more than political freedom to develop and be at par with other continents of the world.

    He noted that the gap in the development index between Africa and the West was created by the colonialists, who plundered the region’s resources.

    Decorating the visiting President with the Imo Merit Award, Okorocha stated: “This afternoon, I speak with mixed emotions for a great son of this land Africa, who has toiled and who has been directed by God all his life to get to the point where he is today. To some people, he’s a dogged fighter, to most people in South Africa, he is a freedom fighter and to me, one of the reasons I present this accolade is that he remains one of the most misunderstood persons in Africa.”

  • You have right to protect your rights – campaigner tells Nigerians

    A non-governmental organisation, Citizens Voice Development Initiative (CVDI), has called on Nigerians to speak out when their rights are abused to promote human  rights protection.

    The National Chairman of CVDI, Chief Charles Okafor, made the call Lagos.

     He said that although some government agencies were doing much to fight human rights violation, speaking out by victims of rights abuses would strengthen the fight.

    “What is allowing rights violation to continue is the silence of Nigerians; they do not even know their rights.“

    “Nigerians see what is evil and are willing to live with it. It shouldn’t be so,’’ Okafor said.

    He urged enlightenment of the citizens on their rights to improve human rights protection.

    The national chairman said that Nigerians should speak out when cheated, suppressed and victimised.

    Okafor noted that the greatest of human rights was the right to life, and frowned at killings.

    He also condemned violence against women.

    “This is gross abuse of the rights of women.

    “There has been injustice against the women folk, particularly widows, starting from villages.

    “We will be educating the people and letting them know that they have a right to protect their rights.

    “Let pursuance of the rights of the citizens start from communities down to the state level for the good of all,’’ he said.

    He called for domestication of human rights laws “to begin to tame the evils that have become norms in our communities’’.

    On societal values, Okafor urged parents not to indoctrinate their children with the wrong values.

    “That is what is playing out now.

    “I have observed that even at primary school level, parents will go and bribe teachers to give their children certain scores; unfortunately many of these parents do these things in the presence of their children.

     “What we have ended up doing is telling our children that this is the way to do it; children learn more by what they are seeing than what you are talking.”

    He appealed to parents to show good examples to their children through honesty, contentment, hard work, kindness, among other virtues. (NAN)

  • Nigerians urged to buy local fabrics

    A leading businessman has advised Nigerians to patronise local fabrics.

    It was at the yearly  Alumium Conference Centre, Lagos.

    The second in its series, the conference sought to create a better platform for young minds in business, using the exchange of ideas to motivate them.

    The Chief Executive Officer, Ruff n Tumble, Mrs Nike Ogunlesi, who gave the advice, spoke of her great passion for making clothes, hats, shoe designs.

    She said the recent introduction of modern adire materials was aimed at keeping our culture. This, she explained, will ensure a better understanding of local ways of dressing.

    Ogunlesi, however, lamented that  most textile companies had collapsed due to lack of maintenance,  low patronage and improper funding, among others. She blamed it all on successive governments, a situation she said had led most Nigerians to buy  used clothes, otherwise known as “Okirika”.

    Mrs Ogunlesi said extile companies were not flourishing like the 80s, hence the need to promote local fabrics to make the business boom.

     

  • Commission develops plan to educate 30 million Nigerians

    Commission develops plan to educate 30 million Nigerians

    National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC) has said it has developed an operational plan which will make 30 million people literate in Nigeria in three years.

    NMEC’s Executive Secretary Prof. Abba Haladu, said this during the Nigerian National Council for adult Education (NNCAE) annual national conference 2017, in Abuja yesterday.

    The event, which had: “Sustainable development goals (SDGs) 2016-2030: Setting achievable agenda for adult and lifelong learning in Nigeria,” as its theme was organised by NMEC and NNCAE.

    He said: “The commission has developed a relevant policy document, including an operational plan for our national mass illiteracy programme.

    “We have also developed policy guidelines for mass literacy, adult and non formal education and of course a communication strategy.

    “The operational plan, which has since been developed and submitted to the minister for education, is a plan envisaged to make 30 million people literate in Nigeria in three years.

    “We are very hopeful that government will graciously endorse and fund the plan.”

    Prof. Haladu called on Nigeria to redouble its efforts and contribute meaningfully to the global commitment to expand access to learning and improved quality education.

    “While acknowledging that many challenges remain in the fight against illiteracy and the establishment of a culture of life long learning, it is gratifying to note that the present government is not only concerned about the situation but is also making concerted, decisive efforts to address the emerging challenges,” he said.

    He said the agency has been on the forefront in strengthening adult education in the country.

    According to him, the commission has being making efforts to reposition the mass education sector.

    Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said the Economic security of Nigeria depended on the ability of the government to provide functional education to all citizens.

    He said the government is doing everything possible to achieve the SDGs goals on education and adult and non formal education.