The Nation Newspaper

Tag: oath

  • Buhari, Governs take Oath amid hope for better days

  • Balogun takes oath at Lagos APC secretariat

    The newly elected Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, assumed office yesterday at the party’s secretariat on ACME Road in Ikeja, the state capital.

    He and the other members of the executive took the oaths office administered on them by the party’s Legal Adviser, Ademola Sadiq.

    The brief and colourful ceremony was witnessed by the former Chairman Henry Ajomale, former Deputy Governor Femi Pedro, a party chieftain, Senator Muniru Muse, and House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who was represented by another lawmaker, Muftau Egberongbe.

    The hall was filled to capacity by enthusiastic party members and families of the new officers.

    Balogun promised to take Lagos APC to greater heights, saying: “We have a formidable team. I have no doubt about the capacity of the new executive committee in making Lagos APC chapter a pace setter.”

    The new chairman, who hailed Ajomale for his pragmatic leadership, said: “It gives me a great delight to appreciate Ajomale for his tenure in the past 12 years. He worked tirelessly to ensure that APC won all elections throughout his tenure. He did not let us down. He deserves all the accolades.”

    He paid tributes to APC stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who he said is gifted for creating leaders from his followership.

    Balogun noted that Asiwaju Tinubu had raised governors and was instrumental to the election of the Vice President and the President of the country.

    Promising not to let down the party’s leadership, the chairman said we would continue to lead in Lagos politics and we would continue to overwhelm the opposition in the state.

    He thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his superb performance, which he said was making Lagos State a reference point in the country.

    According to him, apart from being a visionary leader, Ambode is also endowed with abundant energy with which he has been monitoring projects across the state.

    Addressing reporters after the oath of office, Ajomale urged the new executives to focus on youth and women development.

    The former chairman said: “The older generation is dying; we have to start to involve the younger ones and train them so that when they take over, they will not have problems. We have to constantly develop new talents and new orientation so that the youth and women would have a role to play in party development.”

    On why he did not stay in office till June, Ajomale said: “I want the new administration to start in earnest. We have held an election and a new executive committee has emerged. What will I be doing in office again? Remember, the new executives have to prepare for the 2019 general elections. The earlier they start the better.”

    The former chairman described last Saturday’s gathering of some party members, led by former Vice Chairman (Lagos West) Mr Fouad Oki in Ikeja, the state capital, as a protest and not a parallel congress.

    He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not at the congres.

    According to him, those participants in the “parallel congress” just wanted to be noticed.

     

  • Three months after, Fed Perm Secs yet to take oath

    Seven permanent secretaries appointed by the federal government are yet to take office three months after their appointment.

    This is creating disquiet following the furore generated by the reinstatement of former Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) into the civil service before President Buhari’s intervention which led to his sack.

    Then acting President Yemi Osinbajo in August approved the appointment of 21 Permanent Secretaries.

    Fifteen of them were sworn in on August 16and assigned them portfolios.

    These are: Anagbogu, Ifeoma Nkiruka (Anambra State), Women Affairs; Wilson-Jack Didi Esther (Bayelsa), Service Welfare, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF; Gekpe Grace Isu (Cross River), Information Culture, and Aliboh, Leon Lawrence (Delta), Budget and National Planning.

    Uwaifo, Osarenoma Clement (Edo), Ministry of Health; Afolayan, Ayodele Olaniyi (Ekiti) Common Services, OHSCF; Abdullahi Abdulazeez Mashi (Katsina), Ministry of Communications; Adebiyi, Bolaji Adekunle (Lagos) Labour and Employment, and Ibrahim, Musa Wen (Nasarawa) Water Resources.

    Odewale, Samson Olajide (Ogun), Special Duties, OHCSF; Adesola Olusade (Ondo), Youths and Sports; Umar,  Mohammed Bello (Sokoto) Special Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government Federation; Aduda, Gabriel Tanimu, (FCT), Political Affairs Office, OSGF; Akpan, Edet Sunday(Akwa Ibom), Trade and Investment, and Ehuria, Georgina Ekeoma (Abia), Cabinet Affairs Office, OSGF.

    Those yet to be sworn-in because of lack of vacancy for their states to fill are: Suleiman Mustapha Lawal  (Kano), Ekaro Comfort (Rivers) Adekunle, Olusegun Adeyemi (Oyo) and Apata, Dayo (Ekiti), Bitrus Bako Nabasu (Plateau) Osuji, Ndubuisi Marcellinus (Imo) and Mu’azu Abdulkadir (Kaduna).

    They have been idle since having handed over in their previous offices. They have only been earning salaries without doing anything.

    Sources said many attempt to get their swearing in listed on the agenda of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had been unsuccessful.

    There are fears that leaving the perm secs in limbo might not be known to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    ‘If the President could promptly respond to the Maina issue, ordering an investigation into the controversy; if he could direct the reinstatement of Governor Willie Obiano’s security personnel in Anambra State; if he could appoint a Secretary to the Government of the Federation and swear him in within 24 hours, that means President Buhari has listening ears’, the source said.

  • 221 take matriculation oath at BESTPOTECH

    221 take matriculation oath at BESTPOTECH

    Best Solution Polytechnic (BESPOTECH) in Akure, Ondo State, was established to bridge the knowledge gap in technical education, its president, Dr Mike Abiodun, disclosed during the institution’s matriculation. He said the school would not compromise standard set by the National Board for Vocational and Technical Education (NBVTC).

    No fewer than 212 freshers took the oath of matriculation at the ceremony, which heralded the commencement of the 2016/2017 session.

    While congratulating the fresh students on their successful admission into the school, Dr Abiodun said: “It is a thing of pride to be admitted into BESTPOTECH where you will be expected to study very hard and be certified worthy in character and learning in order to build a successful and rewarding future for yourselves.”

    He said over 500 applicants applied for admission into the private polytechnic, noting that the successful applicants were selected after passing the school’s competitive selection process.

    Dr Abiodun said the running of the polytechnic required partnership among stakeholders, including students, to achieve its vision. He urged the freshers to key into the vision of the school, which he said would provide multi-level technological, scientific and entrepreneurial training and research to enable students contribute to national development.

    Former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof Bisi Balogun, who was the special guest, advised the students to demonstrate enterprising skill and cooperation with the management to achieve their academic aspirations.

    The Rector, Mrs Abiodun Adejoke, told the students that the matriculation oath remained sacred, noting that breaching it would attract stiff penalty. She advised the freshers to abide by the school’s regulations and respect constituted authorities.

    She warned the students against acts inimical to peace on campus, including cultism. She advised them to be law-abiding and to refrain from joining unlawful groups, saying the management would not hesitate to deal with offenders.

    The highpoint of the event was the administration of the matriculation oath on the students by Registrar, Mr Bolanle Abiodun.

  • The oath (2) :Relationships

    The oath (2) :Relationships

     My childhood friends, some of whom had ended up having kids for different men out of wedlock, were all envious of my good fortune at marrying Ena. 

    AFTER the oath we took between us, things progressed smoothly between Ena and I. Shortly after, we got married and settled down to living as husband and wife. Life with Ena was blissful. My only complaint was his tight work schedule.

    He was a businessman who did a lot of contracts with different companies and was thus a very busy person. I hardly saw during the week and even some weekends when he had deadlines to meet. He, however made it up to me and the children whenever he had some free time. On my 25th birthday, for instance, he took the whole family to South Africa to celebrate it. It was the first time I was traveling out of the country so you could imagine my joy.

    My childhood friends, some of whom had ended up having kids for different men out of wedlock, were all envious of my good fortune at marrying Ena.

    “Mercy, whatever charm you used on him, please give me some! I want to marry a rich man like your husband too,” one of my friends, Doris said one day when she came visiting me at home. I had taken her on a tour of the nice duplex we lived in a very nice neighbourhood and she had simply gazed at everything in wonder.

    “You are really enjoying o! You mean just the four of you live alone in this big house?” she queried. I nodded, laughing and she had shaken her head. We had grown up together in the same street and like most families in that neighbourhood lived in very crowded accommodation. Doris, her twelve siblings and parents including a few relatives lived in a one room apartment. Her four year old daughter from a former boyfriend also lived with them. Their home was always noisy with fights and arguments a regular way of life.

    “Anyway, thank God one of us has left the ghetto for a posh place like this. I won’t mind living here o! Maybe you should employ me as your house help so I can come and enjoy with you!” she said.

    “No way! You are too big and too pretty to be my house girl! I no wan lose my husband o!” I retorted and we both laughed.

    ****

    With my husband’s help, I got admission to the university to study Business Administration. I had to be attending classes from home and between going to school, taking care of the children and my husband, it was tough. But I persevered because I was really determined to get a degree.

    It was in my second year that I got pregnant. After giving birth to my son, Tejiri, I returned to school and focused on my studies. To assist with the baby, Ena got a full time nanny, a retired nurse who was very competent. That helped me a lot as I could stay in school for all my classes without worrying too much about my baby.

    We had been married for about five years when the accident happened. My husband had gone to Abuja on some business and was returning to Lagos when he was involved in an accident. He had been scheduled to return by air but his flight had been cancelled. Since he had a very important business meeting the following morning, and unable to get another flight, he had decided to return by road. He was first admitted in a hospital near the town the accident occurred but because of the severity of his condition, he was transferred to the teaching hospital in Benin.

    On hearing the news, I immediately flew to Benin to be by his side. I wept bitterly when I saw my husband. He was in a coma, breathing through an oxygen tank and was unaware of his

    surroundings.

    “This is no time to cry, Madam. You need to pray now so he can recover,” the doctor in charge of his case told me on my arrival.

    So, I prayed as I had never done before. I remembered how we met, got married and our life together since then. I petitioned God to save my husband and I would serve him all my days.

    But it was all in vain. He died a week after the accident without regaining consciousness.

    To say I was devastated was putting it mildly. It was like my life ended, as if the light in my life had been switched off and there was nothing but darkness everywhere…

    A father’s request

    It’s been three years since my darling husband died. I have still not recovered fully from the shock of losing my husband at such a young age. Things have not been easy for me all alone with three young children to bring up. Financially, I have no worries as Ena left the bulk of his considerable wealth to me and the children. Perhaps, having a premonition of his death, he had written a will some months before the accident. His family had not contested it thankfully and had not harassed me in any way concerning their brother’s estate.

    I miss my husband daily and though there are pressures from some quarters for me to remarry, I have no interest in being with another man. Just last week, my father had come visiting and had brought up the issue of my marrying again.

    “You are still young. You should marry again so you can have someone to help you take care of these children,” he had stated in his usual blunt manner. He had even proposed to matchmake me with a son of his friend who had just relocated from the United States. But I had not been interested.

    Besides the lack of interest, there is also the oath I took with Ena all those years ago before our marriage. When I made the vow to him, I never in my wildest dream think this would happen, that I would be a widow at 31. Ena had told me that it’s a vow that cannot be broken or there would be consequences.

    I don’t know much about the spiritual significance of taking oaths so I would appreciate if readers who know about these things can enlighten me. I don’t know what will happen in the future, whether I will meet a man and fall in love again. Will it be possible for me to marry again despite the oath I took with Ena? And if I do, will any misfortune happen to me as some people I discussed the matter with have suggested? Please help!

    Concluded

  • 700 take oath at agric college

    The Provost, Federal College of Agriculture (FECA) Akure, Dr Samson Odedina, has blamed the prevalence of vices in the society on socialisation.

    Odedina expressed concern that the youth, particularly undegraduates, were largely partakers in social vices, including robbery, assassination, thuggery, cultism, murder, organised cybercrimes and advanced free fraud.

    Speaking at the 2016/2017 matriculation of the college, Odedina noted that the agencies of socialisation such as home/family, the church, the media and schools have not lived up to their roles as character moulders for younger ones.

    Odedina said aside drawing students’ attention to punishment arising from anti-social tendencies, management was determined to improve on infrastructure, teaching and learning facilities in the face of economic recession.

    He said: “Our watchword is: ‘Agriculture with results’. Our goal is to always produce graduates that will be self-reliant and we have been succeeding in that.”

    According to him, emphasis of the college on value chain training was rewarded when the National Board for Technical Education(NBTE), its regulatory agency, approved the curriculum, which FECA jointly facilitate with six other Nigerian Institutions under its partnership with Switzerland Government Capacity Building for Agriculture Education (CBAEN). “This curriculum, developed based on FECA experience, would now be used in all colleges of agriculture as well as polytechnic nationwide,” Odedina added.

    The Registrar, Dr Pius Adebisi, who administered the oath of allegiance on the new students, urged them to face their studies squarely in order to succeed.

    In a similar development, Plateau State University (PLASU) Bokkos, administered oath of matriculation for the 2017/208 academic session on 996 newly admitted students.

    The vice chancellor, Prof. Doknan Shenni, who spoke to at the event, noted that of the 10,000 applicants, only 996 scaled the admission hurdle.

    Two faculties are coming on board-Health Science and Law, Shenni announced.

    He said: “The successful staging of the 1st and 2nd combined convocation ceremony has proved that the university has come to stay. Plateau State University will from now compete with similar institutions of learning not only in academic excellence, but in scientific innovation, research and above all in governance in line with global best practices.”

    Charging the new students to shun social vices, Shenni equally appealed to prospective investors to put their money into the institution in view of its increased enrolment, and environmental-friendliness.

  • 364 take matriculation oath at college

    364 take matriculation oath at college

    Freshers admitted by the Akwa Ibom State College of Arts and Science in Nung Ukim Ikono have taken the matriculation oath last Thursday. No fewer than 364 students were inducted at a ceremony held at the college’s Sports Arena.

    Guests at the event included Commissioner for Education Paul Udofia and top management staff of the institution. The freshers beamed with smiles as they moved into the venue.

    The Provost, Mr Edward Ekpenyong, noted that the college has grown to become a model citadel for cutting-edge research and learning. He said the school was established with a mission to act as a pivot in leveraging on practical knowledge to promote development and entrench scholarship in attainment of its corporate responsibilities.

    Ekpenyong enjoined the freshers to key into the school’s mission in advancing knowledge thorough teaching and research to meet the need of local communities, states and the nation.

    Udofia described education as “a tool for building national identity through shared value and commitment to a common goal”.

    He urged the students to use the opportunity to acquire knowledge that would change the condition of their communities. He advised them to shun cultism and vices that could abort their academic pursuit.

    Some of the matriculating students who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE after taking the oath could not hide their joy.

    Gideon Etim, National Diploma (ND) 1 Natural and Applied Sciences student said: “I have looked forward to the day I would be admitted into a higher institution. Today, my expectation has come to past with the matriculation. Today would be a memorable day in my life, because the matriculation is a stepping stone to a greater height for me.”s

    Favour Amasughuyi, ND1 Engineering Technology student, said she was excited after being “formally admitted” into a discipline of her choice. She promised to abide by the rules and regulations of the school.

  • Fred Amata takes oath as DGN president

    Fred Amata takes oath as DGN president

    At a time when Nollywood is in search of plausible frontiers, activities leading to the inauguration of new executives of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), presented an exemplary transition which may enjoy positive references for a long while.

    As popular actor and director, Fred Amata, was being sworn in as President of DGN, at Ojez Lounge, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, last Friday, not only did the presence of the top-notch players in the film industry reflect the respect bestowed on his person and the association, his predecessor’s repertoire of transferred documentation received award-winner’s applause from all.

    Anchored by pioneer president of the Guild, Mathias Obahiagbon, who was head of the inauguration committee, the ceremony started, after some preambles, with a valedictory speech by outgoing president, Andy Amenechi, who chronicled the achievements of his administration to include the establishment of an effective banking system, creation of members’ database and capacity building initiatives.

    “We have run a race and set the pace. It is now time for someone else to take up our place to continue and improve our modest milestones,” Amenechi said.

    He challenged the incoming exco to brace up to the challenges of new times, saying; “…please be informed that DGN can never be the same again. There is just too much awareness and accountability is the new mantra. Members will ask you questions and you must have plausible and progressive answers.”

    Thereafter, Amata took the oath of office, followed by his executives which include Mike Ogunwusi as Vice President; Ugezu Ugor as Secretary; Uchenna Agbo as Assistant Secretary and Oduala Taiwo as P.R.O.

    The oath of allegiance was administered by Hon. Babatunde Ogala, a Lagos lawyer and former Chairman, House Committee on Justice, Lagos State House of Assembly.

    Before delving into his acceptance speech, Amata urged the DGN Electoral Committee, headed by Fidelis Duker to, as a matter of urgency, conduct elections into the two vacant offices of the Guild: offices of Director of Finance and Provost.

    “On Friday, February 26, 2016, in Asaba, DGN did not only elect a new president, DGN initiated a new clarion call, which is ‘DGN Is One,’” Amata said in appreciation of the process that brought him to office.

    Recall that Amata, who got the backing of initial co-contender, Dickson Iroegbu, defeated Lancelot Imasuen and Kingsley Omoefe at the elections which took place on February 26, 2016, at the Tourist Garden Hotels and Resort, Asaba, Delta State.

    Unlike other elections in the film industry, most of the contenders drank together after the results were announced. The presidential candidates, especially, were seen together in photographs displaying the ‘oneness’ finger sign.

    “Motivated by that oneness,” Amata said, as he continued his acceptance speech, “we have been energised, encouraged to have a new president in an election lauded as the freest and fairest election this guild has ever witnessed.

    “Today, another Friday, we are here. And I am further motivated by the exclusive assembly of your distinguished presence to witness this event in an atmosphere where no winner, no vanquished was declared. This momentum of unity was further manifested when the newly voted executives sat together in their first ever meeting that produced the mantra of this administration. That mantra is ‘Together We Can’. The ‘Together We Can’ mantra is like the famous words of John F Kennedy ‘Ask Not What Your Guild Can Do For You, Ask What You Can Do For Your Guild.’

    “So it’s a challenge to all of us. It is a challenge to you and I to collectively determine our future. I will like to thank the outgoing president, Mr Andy Amenechi, and his sterling executives for raising the bar and establishing standards that have taken DGN forward,” he said.

    Also present at the ceremony were prominent members of the DGN Board of Trustees such as Alhaji Sadiq Balewa and Chief Eddie Ugboma. Others are ANTP president, Pa. Ashaolu, TAMPAN president, Dele Odule, former AGN president, Ejike Asiegbu, AMP President, Ralph Nwadike, ANCOP President, Alex Enyengho, CDGN President, Iyen Agbonifo-Obaseki, Franca Brown, Paul Obazele, Lilian Amah-Aluko, Charles Novia, Charles Inojie, Zik Zulu Okafor, Lancelot Imasuen, Yibo Koko, Keppy Bassey Ekpenyong, Kingsley Omoefe, Collins Onwochei, Dj Tee, Tonih Anih and Famous Otakponmwen, among others.

  • Dickson vows to improve security, agric as he takes second term oath

    Dickson vows to improve security, agric as he takes second term oath

    At about 1pm, yesterday, the Valentine’s Day, Bayelsa State Governor. Seriake Dickson took the Oath of allegiance and the Oath of Office to begin his second term.

    Dickson said his new term would focus on economic diversification, rural electrification scheme, massive investment in power to drive industrialization, youth empowerment and investment in agriculture.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, who recently attended a thanksgiving ceremony organised in Port Harcourt by Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, were absent at Dickson’s swearing-in and thanksgiving service.

    But governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), members of the National Assembly, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC), the party’s Board of Trustee (BoT) members, traditional rulers and many stalwarts of the party witnessed the event at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa.

    Some of the PDP governors in attendance were Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Dairus Ishaku (Taraba) and Dankwambo Ibrahim (Gombe).

    The 2015 PDP governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje; Senate Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Mr. Leo Ogori and a host of other dignitaries attended.

    Chief Judge Justice Kate Abiri administered the oaths on the governor and his deputy John Jonah

    Speaking after the traditional parade by the Police, Dickson said his victory was a testimony that the Ijaw nation had never been conquered.

    “My victorious people of the Ijaw Nation who like our fathers before us have shown that this great and proud land of good and great people can never be conquered.

    “The electoral contest for the governorship of our state will undoubtedly go into the annals of Nigerian political history as a reference point both for study and inspiration on how a people can rise to defend their democratic rights and dignity against forces of desperation and oppression”, he said.

    He said having roundly defeated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva, it would be foolhardy for some persons to think they could upturn his victory through the back door at the court.

    He said: “This should send a clear message to those who think that a man who lost in seven out of eight LGAs in full glare of the world can somehow snatch victory through the back door by hoping to manipulate the judicial process just because his party controls the central government.

    “The recent posture and pronouncements of the highest court of the land gives us confidence that such antics and schemes would not succeed.

    “Politicians who seek authority to govern people in our democracy must derive power from the people’s vote freely expressed through the supremacy of the ballot box and not through subterfuge, intimidation, blackmail or manipulation. That is subversion of the constitution itself”.

    The governor said he would not play politics with the security of lives and properties and vowed to consolidate on his administration’s gains on security.

    He said his administration would work with the Federal Government to tackle kidnappers, cultists and other criminals who vandalised national economic assets.

    He said the terms of the partnership should hing on the principles that no government officials should use their position to encourage or facilitate crimes.

    “Similarly, security officials at federal or state levels should not be intimidated from executing their statutory functions for fear of retribution. Nobody, regardless of political persuasion should be allowed to subvert national institutions or undermine the security and stability of the State or the Nation.

    “Our experience in Bayelsa State in the recent past has shown a tendency to misconstrue membership of the political party at the center as cover and license to kill, maim and destroy while security officials look on helplessly. Let us not allow partisanship to slide our country into anarchy. The consequences will be too grave”, he said.

    He called on opposition party members to sheathe their swords and join hands with him to move the state forward.

     

  • Union leaders take the oath

    Union leaders take the oath

    The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) in Imo State, on Tuesday, held a swearing-in ceremony for the elected members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) at the Resource Centre.

    The union leaders were elected in August in an exercise conducted by Independent Students’ Electoral Commission (ISEC) led by Uzoma Nwachukwu.

    The event started at 11 after the arrival of the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Chigozie Asiabaka. Other guests at the occasion included the Dean, Students’ Affairs, Prof M.C. Offor, Registrar, Mr Orje Ishe-Nor, and Bursar, Mr Don Nwokeocha, amongst others.

    Prof Asiabaka congratulated the union leaders, urging them to work as a team. He told them to deliver their promises to the students who voted for them, pledging the management’s support in the discharge of their duties.

    •Obinna (right) being sworn in
    •Obinna (right) being sworn in

    In his address, union president, Obinna Ezenwa, appreciated students for supporting his aspiration, promising to run a responsible administration.

    The highpoint of the event was oath-taking, which was administered on the union leaders by a member of the judicial arm of the union.

    Other members of the union include the Vice President, Vivian Ezechukwu, General Secretary, Elvis Onuoha, Assistant General Secretary, Stellamaris Onuoha, Finance Secretary, Smart Ekejiuba, Treasurer, Uzoamaka Ekezie, Public Relations Officer, Rochas Ogbonna, Director of Welfare, Ebuka Odunze, Director of Socials, Lynda Akwuagu, Director of Sport, Collins Ugwu, and Director of Transport, Nnamdi Madu.

    Amara Uju, a 300-Level student, described the event as historic, urging the union leaders to fulfil their promises.