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Tag: Olusegun Obasanjo

  • Obasanjo condemns resurgence of slavery in Africa

    Obasanjo condemns resurgence of slavery in Africa

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday, condemned the resurgence of slavery in some parts of Africa, saying that the development was worrisome.

    Speaking at the 2017 Annual Conference of the Comptroller General of Immigration held at the MITROS Residences in Abeokuta, Obasanjo said that slave trade in the 21st century should be condemned in the strongest  term possible.

    The theme for the conference was : “Managing Migration and Facilitating Trade and Development in 21st Century Nigeria : NIS’ Perspective”.

    The former president noted that the current development in Africa should be a sober reflection for African leaders.

    He explained that the leaders must feel a sense of regret on what they ought to do, what they had done and what they had not done.

    “I believe that slave trade in the 21st century should be condemned in the strongest language possible and nobody who is involved in it should be excused.

    “What can we do and what must we do? We must ensure that conducive atmosphere is created for genuine exchange of goods and ensure development within our country, sub-region, continent and the world which we live.

    “But then today, migration has a very nasty connotation particularly when you watch the television and you hear the story of thousands of our youths daring to go through the desert.

    “Then after they have embark on such perilous  journeys, some of them are sold as slaves. Slaves in the 21st century, Africans being sold by Africans and maybe to Africans.

    “All of us as leaders must feel a sense of regret and have sober reflection on what we have done or what we have not done to bring this about to our own people, ” he said.

    Obasanjo, charged the men of the NIS  to imbibe the culture of training, professionalism, integrity, loyalty, and service, saying that all these must not be taken for granted.

    In his address, the Comptroller – General of NIS,  Muhammad Babandede, said that the service was committed to safe and regular migration of Nigerian citizens and foreigners.

    He disclosed that the current issue being witnessed  in Libya was not new to the NIS and it had regularly engaged in measures and activities to reduce the menace.

    Babandede however warned travel agencies, individuals and officers in  the passport offices at various borders who are engaged in smuggling of migrants to desist from it, saying anybody found wanting would be made to face the law.

    He said that the service have some cases of smuggling under investigation, urging his men to step -up their activities through intelligence gathering, speedy investigations to allow the law to take its full course .

    Babandede added that starting January, 2018, the National  Identity Number  would be part of requirements for issuance of Nigerian passport with the National Identity Management Commission.

    He noted that the aim of the conference was to review the E- passport, after 10 years of its introduction in order to better the services they rendered.

    “I wish to state that NIS is committed to safe and regular migration to prevent the sad stories of loss of lives and sources of Nigerian citizens and others, occasioned by the desperate journey through the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean sea.

    “The recent media revelations of the sad events in Libya are not new to the NIS and we had regularly engaged in measures and activities to reduce the menace in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, ” he said.

    Earlier, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun who declared the conference open, also condemned the resurrection of slave trade in Libya, saying that African leaders should rise to condemn the act.

    Amosun charged all the participants at the conference to see the programme as an avenue to brainstorm and come up with practical solutions that would be of benefits to the Nigerians and the country.

  • ‘Youth must imbibe value-driven leaderships’

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that future of African countries may remain in the balance if the continent is not rid of reckless leaders.

    Obasanjo issued the warning last Wednesday while delivering the keynote speech at a conference of the Department of History and International Studies of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State.

    Obasanjo, represented by Ambassador Adebola Labiran, spoke on Africa and value-laden leadership.

    He said: “I have stressed on different platforms that leadership in Africa must be marked and extolled not on the basis of achievements alone, but also on the values they embrace. If all that our youths can imbibe from the leaders of today is inordinate and reckless pursuit for money, fame and popularity at the expense of great and enduring values and virtues, the future is bleak and certainly unsustainable.

    “If Africa will be saved from the putrefying and destructive tendencies coming from other regions of the world, we must anchor our development and progress on direction of our youths on enduring values of hard work, integrity, truth, love, humanitarianism, patriotism, equity, human dignity, service and fear of God. These are some of the values that leaders of today can deny the successor-generation to the peril of the future of Africa.”

    Obasanjo said it was regrettable that shortly after Nigeria attained independence, the hopes for political, social and economic development were dashed as government and its agencies became cesspools of corruption because of lack of accountability.

    The former president said: “No nation can truly attain any meaningful political, social and economic development without its people. People must imbibe and assimilate the principle of accountability in their private as well as public lives. A government that is not trusted by its citizens will definitely not get the cooperation and confidence of the generality of the citizens.”

    In his goodwill message, Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, described the theme of the conference as timely, praising the organisers for the initiative.

    While declaring the conference open on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olugbenga Ige, commended the department for what he called its “usual intellectual engagements”.

    Prof Ige noted that the management would continue to show interest in programmes that would increase the knowledge and capacity of staff and students.

    In their separate remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and the Head of the Department of History and International Studies, Prof Olu Alana, and Dr Kikelomo Olugbemi, expressed the hope that the conference would give birth to the desired leadership in Africa.

     

  • It will be injustice not to implement 2014 Confab report – Ike Nwachukwu

    It will be injustice not to implement 2014 Confab report – Ike Nwachukwu

    Retired Maj.-Gen. Ike Nwachukwu on Saturday re-echoed the need for the Federal Government to implement the 2014 National Conference report, saying it addressed issues of restructuring in the country.

    He made this known at the retreat of Southern Senators’ Forum in Calabar on Saturday.

    Nwachukwu said it would be injustice to Nigeria not to have recommendations of the report implemented in view of its relevance to the call for restructuring.

    “I had the privilege in 2005 of serving as a member of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Political Reform Conference and it rolled into 2014 National Conference.

    “I will dare to say that the amount of work put into the 2014 conference, of course, building on the outcome of the 2005 conference, produced a fantastic report.

    “It will be total injustice to Nigeria if the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference are jettisoned.

    “Most of what we are talking about today were raised there, and after several weeks of grinding discussions, the report was drafted.

    “I recommend it to the Nigerian legislature to take a look at and use in finding solution to our present problems,’’

    Nwachukwu urged President Muhammadu Buhari to make history by heeding to the call of the people to implement the report.

    “I want to say to my senior colleague, President Muhammadu Buhari, that he has a fantastic opportunity in history.

    “He has the privilege to call a meeting of well-meaning Nigerians to take a look at the report to be able to set our country on a new path of unity, trust and better understanding.

    “We have a country with less ethnicism, less religiousity and we can build a country we all will want to live in.

    “I often wonder that if I get called by God, what I would say that I have bequeathed to Nigeria.

    “Here is the opportunity to bequeath to the generation coming after us a country on the path of unity, better understanding and love for one another,’’ he said.

    While recalling the contributions of the military to the unity of country, the elder statesman said the narrative had changed and there was a need to address some issues.

    He said that the military did what it did believing that that was the right thing to do to keep the country from falling apart.

    Nwachukwu, a member of the 2014 confab, stressed that while decrees were put in place and a new constitution written in the quest to building one united country, it had been a long time and things had changed.

    He pointed out that events had proven that though those intentions had kept our country united, it could no longer sustain the yearnings of the people.

    He said that unless “we set a new path that we will work to ensuring that we are truly our brothers’ keepers, no amount of military or writing of constitution will make us a one united country’’.

    NAN

  • Entrepreneur the solution to poverty in Africa – A.Y.E President

    Entrepreneur the solution to poverty in Africa – A.Y.E President

    The President of Africa’s Young Entrepreneur (A.Y.E), Mr Summy Smart has reiterated that the only way to harness poverty in Africa is that people should engage themselves in entrepreneurship activities. He said this in a press conference held at Fidelity place Victoria Island Lagos.

    In a bid to solidify the existing mutual and beneficial relationship between A.Y.E and Fidelity bank, an agreement was signed recently by both organizations in other to strengthen the ongoing efforts and initiatives of A.Y.E in developing and supporting future business leaders across the continent and also to tackle poverty in Africa, partnering the organization on their event tagged “Networking with the Giants Conference” scheduled for later this month.

    The annual conference, according to Smart, is an exceptional platform for some of the world’s most accomplished business leaders to network with perhaps the brightest entrepreneurs in Africa With a network of over 12.6 million members in Africa and 1.6 million members from Nigeria.

    Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, said the essence of the partnership was “because we share the same ideas on entrepreneurship and job creation in line with the Federal Government’s economic diversification plan, more employment opportunities lead to poverty alleviation, improved food security and GDP growth.

    “People should endeavour to use their intellect and creativity to see what they can do for the development of the country. Also, the government cannot be responsible for everything,” he noted.

    The forthcoming A.Y.E conference is expected to welcome prominent business leaders such as Africa’s richest woman, Mrs Folorunsho Alakija, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, former governor of Lagos State Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a host of others who members of the public will be able to meet one on one without protocol, the president stated.

  • Politics not do-or-die, says Obasanjo 

    Politics not do-or-die, says Obasanjo 

    Politics should never be a do-or-die affair, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared.

    Speaking at the public presentation of a book  Stepping forward with Uti J.D. Agba by Goddy Jedy Agba and Mathias Okoi-Uyouyo in Calabar yesterday, Obasanjo said politicians who failed to win elections can help winners to succeed.

    “If you cannot be the chief servant you can be the assistant chief servant. This is because the chief servant cannot do it on his own. He has to work with others,” he said.

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade also said politicians who could not be in power should support those in power.

    He stressed the need for all to work together for the development of the people.

    “Power is like the wind which blows away. In using power, one must do so with the fear of God,” Ayade said.

    The governor launched the book for N10 million on behalf of the State government and himself.

    The author, Goddy Jedy- Agba, said Cross River residents were one, stressing the needs for all irrespective of their backgrounds to work towards development of the state.

    He expressed gratitude to all who made the event a success.

    Uti J.D. Agba, the paramount ruler of Obudu in Cross River State, is the longest serving monarch in Africa and the second longest serving monarch in the world after the Queen of England, having been on the throne for 58 years.

    The book was reviewed by Prof Kalu Uka of the University of Uyo.

    Dignitaries who graced the occasion included the Etsu Nupe of Nupe Kingdom, Alhaji Dr Yahaya Abubakar; the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V; former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke and Senator John Enoh as well as Special Adviser to the President on Prosecution, Okoi Obono Obla,  among others.

     

  • South West youths urge Atiku to return to PDP

    South West youths urge Atiku to return to PDP

    The South-West chapter of the Nigeria Youth Coalition (NYC) has urged former vice president Atiku Abubakar to negotiate his way to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) before the party’s December 9 National Convention.

    The youth groups also urged the former vice president to seek support of ex Nigerian leaders, particularly, his former principal, Olusegun Obasanjo, in his bid to win the 2019 presidential election.

    According to a statement signed by its Coordinator, Ojo Abiodun Emmanuel yesterday, the group noted that Nigerian youths would campaign for the former vice president when he formerly declare his intention to run for the office of the President.

    Ojo observed that the former vice president may find it difficult to secure the presidential ticket of the PDP if he did not participate in the forthcoming convention.

    “We want the former Vice president to return to the PDP as soon as possible so that he can participate in the December convention. He should be part of the PDP rebirth, this will avail him a better chance to compete during the party’s primary, ahead of the 2019,” Ojo stated.

    He explained that Atiku is vast in modern economic policies and political economy, which according to him, is lacking in the current administration.

    “We are ready to mobilise Nigerian youths in support of Atiku, come 2019 elections. Nigerian youths are confident that only the former Vice president is competent and experienced enough to lead Nigeria to economic prosperity,” he added.

  • I resisted pressure to influence choice of FUNAAB new VC – Obasanjo

    I resisted pressure to influence choice of FUNAAB new VC – Obasanjo

    … I’ll love all, including those opposed to my emergence – Salako

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has given a little insight into the ‘behind – the – scene –  intrigues and politics’ that attended the processes leading to the emergence of Prof. Felix Kolawole Salako as the new Vice – Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture ( FUNAAB ), Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    Salako, a Professor of Soil Physics  on Wednesday officially assumed duty as the substantive sixth Vice – Chancellor of the 29 years old university with the transfer of an instrument of office to him at a ceremony witnessed by Obasanjo, the Pro – Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Dr. Aboki Zhawa, FUNAAB past Vice – Chancellors, including Prof. Julius Okogie,  the Acting – Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ololade Eniokuomehin, among others.

    Salako succeeded Professor Olusola Oyewole, whose five years tenure was riddled with intractable crisis.

    Obasanjo revealed that there were a lot pressures on him to influence the university Governing Council in its decision regarding who became the next Vice – Chancellor but refused to bow to such pressures.

    He said many things were said  about the new Vice – Chancellor of FUNAAB but stood his ground not to interfere with the process, save encouraging the Governing Council to do its job thoroughly.

    The ex-President lauded the Council for doing the job of picking the new V-C professionally, and hailed Salako for his brilliant performance during the screening process.

    He urged him to strive towards excellence in his new position and at the same time, be vigilant lest he falls.

    Obasanjo said: “I know there must have been pressure on you (Governing Council). Even me, an outsider, there was pressure on me. But, I did not succumb to pressure. I did not even succumb to pressure to tell you what people were telling me.

    “When the Chairman of the Governing Council came  to tell me of people being shortlisted for screening for the position of the VC, I told him to go do his job and he also let me know who (Salako) was selected based on his best performance.

    “Salako also came to me after his selection and I told him let’s discuss all that people were saying about you. I asked him you were part of the last administration that did not perform at the end.

    “His answers sweet my bele. He didn’t deny. He said yes but he was also part of Professor Balogun administration which performed well at the end of his tenure. You see, in the military, we say there is no bad soldier but bad officer that was why Salako did well during Balogun administration but not in another administration.

    “And I am happy that you (Governing Council) did your job with almost diligence and the fear of God. Chairman, may God continue to guide and direct you.

    “Prof Salako, the VC now, I congratulate you. I congratulate this university for having you at the helms of affairs at this point in time. God will do the job for you as God helped you through the Council to be appointed.

    “Judging by what we have heard about you, judging by what the university Council has found out about you, your performance before them and your brilliant speech here this afternoon, there is no reason why you should not do well.

    “But the Americans would say words are cheap. You must make sure that you constantly refer to what you have declared by yourself publicly that you will do so that you are keeping what you have put on the tablet that you will do.

    “Secondly, I think it is the acting VC that said the past is gone and forgotten. That is a mistake. If anybody had told me that when I was leaving public office in 1979   that we would have an Abacha running the affairs of Nigeria, I would say the man is mental. But we had an Abacha.

    “Never you take anything for granted. It can happen. It is your responsibility not to allow it to happen. Be a team player. I like the part you quoted in my book, “My Watch.” If you are succeeding people will want to pull you down.

    “People will be envious of you. If you are not succeeding, nobody will think about you. So, if people are trying to pull you down, regard it  also as a mark of success.

    “In your speech you asked us to stand up for a number of things including welfare. And I counted the number of things you asked us to stand up for, they are nine. On my own thinking and way of life, you left out the important tenth thing to stand up for, and that is the fear of God. May God grant you His fear to do what will please God and man.”

    In his speech, the new Vice Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Felix Kolawole Salako, pledged “not to hate or be vindictive” to those opposed to his emergence.

    Salako said he would “block leakages and ensure efficient utilization of funds” in FUNAAB.

    He reminded staff and students of the existing “rules and regulations” of the university, advising whoever that wants to exercise his freedom to do so within the ambit of such rules.

    He also warned against late – coming, absenteeism and non – responsiveness to official requests, saying the rules would be applied in the event of violations.

    “I have assured the Governing Council and all who listened to my earlier speeches since my emergence that I cannot afford to hate or be vindictive.

    “I’m conscious of the fact that in spite of opposition and attack, God still appointed  me through the University Governing Council. Therefore, I cannot fight God’s battle for him,” Salako said.

    He also  noted that he stands for ” professionalism, hard work, welfare, reward for noble achievements,”  among other things, vowing never to let down the guard of the university lest it be debased.

    “I shall not let down the guard of the university for it be debased. This shall not happen. This cannot happen,” he said.

    In his address, the Pro -chancellor, Dr Aboki Zhawa, noted that from the comments and remarks which trailed Salako’s emergence, he has “a lot of work to do.”

    He asked him to be wary of friends whose wishes may not help his administration, but have tendencies to sink it.

    Zhawa expressed the council’s unflinching support for the new helmsman’s success and urged members of the Senate to do same.

    He also asked unions and aggrieved members of FUNAAB not to be clogs in the wheel of progress.

    He advised them to  explore peaceful means of dispute  resolution and make court process a last resort.

    “Don’t act funny because it won’t be funny,” Zhawa warned.

    NAN

  • Be ready for emerging world of robots – Obasanjo tells youths

    Be ready for emerging world of robots – Obasanjo tells youths

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday morning urged Nigerian youths to embrace robotics education while their formative and  impressionable age last because of its potential to prepare them for global  leadership roles.
    Obasanjo also allay the fears that the robotics  age would take away more jobs from Nigerians in a  country that already is reeling with unemployment challenges.
    The ex – President spoke while making his remarks at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun capital, during the opening of RoboRave Nigeria 2017, – Robotics training and competition, for 200 pupils drawn from private and public schools in parts of Nigeria.
    The programme is being sponsored by the United States Consulate in Nigeria to encourage robotics and science education in Nigerian children.
    Obasanjo said rather than take jobs off people, robotics  would certainly throw up new and more jobs for many to grab, urging Nigeria and youths to get prepared for the emerging opportunities robotics training would bring.
    In his remarks, the United States Consul General F. John Bray, said many developed nations of the world have anchored their continued economic growth on “science, technology, engineering and mathematics – STEM.”
    Bray added that through RoboRave programme, Nigerian children would be inspired to learn more about the importance of STEM, creation, innovation and product development.
    According to him, children who received STEM education via robotics training would be better prepared to “solve real life problems with more creativity, critical thinking and effectiveness.”
  • Unity Bank’s capital base hits N80bn

    Unity Bank’s capital base hits N80bn

    Unity Bank Plc’s capital base has hit N80 billion, up from N31 billion in 2014, Mr Thomas Etuh, former Chairman, Board of Directors, has said.

    Etuh, the immediate past board chairman of the bank said in a post-retirement interview in Abuja that the growth was recorded under his watch, between 2014 and 2017.

    Etuh who retired as the bank’s board chairman a fortnight ago, explained that the bank was able to achieve the feat because of its “agric business” banking.

    “You know Unity Bank is number one in agriculture, in terms of agric lending to small holder farmers; we also have a product for youths because youths own this generation.

    “I came into Unity Bank in time of recapitalisation under Mohammed Sanusi as the CBN Governor and we recapitalised the bank to get it to a national bank where it is today.

    “Interestingly, we are leaving the bank in the capital excess of N80 billion from the N31 billion that we met it,” Etuh said.

    According to Etuh, “the successes recorded by the bank did not come without the contributions of its two major co-shareholders, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

    He said: “Obasanjo and Babangida came up with that name `Unity’ after the merger of some Southern and Northern banks.

    “The merger means a lot for Nigeria’s unity. So, having nine banks from different entities, it behoves on the board to also merge the different banks culture into one; and that, we did to make it a national bank.

    “You can see that the bank has flourished in various products which have brought it to stability, and I won’t say it was achieved singlehandedly; it was a collective effort of the board and management.

    The former Unity Bank board chairman named the merged banks to include Bank of the North, Tropical Commercial Bank, Intercity Bank, African Merchant Bank, First Interstate Bank, New Nigerian Bank and Societe General Bank.

    Etuh said that he retired from the bank to focus on agriculture.

    “I retired to start something new in developing the frontier of the agric sector which has always been my first love.

    “I have given a notice since last year that I will be retiring as the bank’s board chairman after I have spent some years.

    “I am leaving the board of the bank, but am a co-shareholder, so, it means that I am still in Unity Bank. I am retired but not tired,” he said. 

    NAN

  • Adesina receives award, commits $250,000 to African youths in agriculture

    Adesina receives award, commits $250,000 to African youths in agriculture

    Nigeria’s image received a boost on Thursday before the international community as former Agriculture Minister Akinwumi Adesina formally received the 2017 World Food Prize ( WFP ) Laureate award in the U. S.

    Adesina was confered with the laureate in Des Moines, U. S. during which he committed the 250,000 dollars cash prize to set up a fund for financing African youths in agriculture.

    Adesina had been announced as winner of the global feat by the WFP for his dogged determination and practical commitment to boosting agriculture and food supply chain both as Minister of Agriculture and President of AfDB.

    Adesina, who is also the President of African Development Bank ( AfDB ), commended his staff for the shared passion to feed Africa.

    The former minister expressed gratitude to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo for nominating him as minister.

    Adesina also thanked former President GoodLuck Jonathan for giving him the opportunity of his life to serve his country, Nigeria, as a minister.

    He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his strong support to achieve the feat.

    “There wouldn’t be any rest for me until Africa feeds itself and for that we need the youth.

    “And so even though I don’t have the cash in my hand, I hereby commit my 250,000 dollars as a cash prize for  the WFP award to set up a fund fully dedicated to providing financing for the youth of Africa in agriculture to feed Africa.

    “A day is coming very soon when the barns of Africa will be filled and all her children will be well fed, when millions of farmers will be able to send their kids to school.

    “Then you will hear a new song across Africa; thank God our lives are better for us,’’Adesina said.

    The Governor of Iowa, Kim Reynolds, who officially declared Adesina as the 2017 laureate winner of the WFP, said he was a man who grew out of poverty to create wealth.

    Reynolds said that the laureate commitment and dedication in agriculture had impacted on lives of many, not only in Africa but around the world.

    Former President of Ghana, John Mahama, attended the ceremony and other dignitaries from Nigeria and African countries.

    NAN