The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President

  • First female president for Ikeja Rotary

    Plans have been concluded for the investiture of the 50th President of Rotary Club of Ikeja, Rotarian Olaitan Ojuroye and the induction of the Board of Directors for the 2016/2017 Rotary Year.

    In a press statement, the Directorate of Public Relations, Rotary Club of Ikeja, District 9110 Nigeria, also announced that the event is important because the new president doubles as both the first female president and the 50th president of the club.

    The event, which will have Sir Festus Oluremi Omotoso, Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank Limited as guest speaker will hold on Sunday by 2: 00 p.m.  at Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Mobolaji-Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Other special guests include Mrs. Olufunke Iyabo Osibodu, Managing Director, Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. as mother of the day and His Royal Majesty (HRM) Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Karunwi III, Oranmiyan Osile of Oke-Ona, Egba will be the royal father of the day.

    The Chairman, Investiture Planning Committee, Rotarian Goke Olayinka said: “The entire Rotary family is excited about this event. This is because the investiture is remarkable in the history of Rotary Club of Ikeja, District 9110. Rotarian Ojuroye will be our first female president and also the 50th President of the District.

    “We are also happy that touching lives runs in her blood. Her father was one-time president of Rotary Club. Her younger brother was also a past president of the Club.”

    In line with its promise to continually offer humanitarian services and advance goodwill around the world, Rotary Club of Ikeja, District 9110, had donated gift and relief materials worth one million naira to special Nigerians.

    The beneficiaries of the gesture included the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives’ Association, (NAFOWA), six artisans and one disabled person.

    Expressing gratitude at the maiden visit of the District Governor, Rotarian Pat Ikheloa, to the Rotary Club of Ikeja, the beneficiaries praised the club for its gesture. Some of the items donated to beneficiaries included sewing machines, shoe making/maintenance equipment and grinding machines.

    The beneficiaries included Amaechi John who came to the event on crutches. He got the shoe-making equipment. He  appealed to other special people not to go to the streets begging. Admas Aina received grinding machine, Temitope Akinduyite received vocational materials and equipment on behalf of NAFOWA, among others.

    According to the Acting President of the District, Rotarian Olaitan Ojuroye, the club will continue to execute programmes designed to touch lives positively.

     

  • Ex-Appeal Court president to NJC: probe conflicting judgments

    A former President of the Court of Appeal, retired Justice Umaru Abdullahi , said yesterday there is need for the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate reoccurring conflicting court judgments in the country.

    Abdullahi, who spoke with reporters in Abuja yesterday, said conflicting judgments and activities of corrupt politicians had undermined Nigeria’s judicial system.

    He decried politicians’ attitude of going to another court to get a new judgment instead of appealing the earlier one if they were not satisfied with it.

    “The NJC must intervene to address these contradictions; investigate if there is any corrupt undertone in these judgments; arrest the indiscipline and recklessness by some judges.

    “Politicians should learn to appeal unfavourable court decisions rather than making unlawful utterances and fomenting crisis.

    “Politicians are desperate to win their cases; rather than appeal a particular unfavourable judgment, they approach a similar court with another version of the case in an attempt to mislead the judge resulting in conflicting judgments,’’ he said.

    He made references to the recent judgments on Abia governorship tussle and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s leadership crisis.

    Abdullahi advised aggrieved parties to petition the NJC if they were not satisfied or felt the need for clarification in the face of conflicting judgments.

    He said that NJC acted based on petitions before it.

  • Textile industry needs more than funds to survive – Expert

    Textile industry needs more than funds to survive – Expert

    Mr Hamma Kwajaffa, President, Nigerian Textile Manufacturers’ Association (NTMA), on Wednesday in Lagos said that the textile industry needed stringent policies and not just funds to be revived.

    Kwajaffa told the newsmen that Nigeria must stop importing textile materials it could produce locally.

    According to him, the high rate of importation of textile materials would not allow the revival of the country’s ailing textile sector.

    He disclosed that only 11 out of the 40 textile manufacturers, who applied for the last N100 billion textile fund, launched few years ago, were given the loan.

    He stressed that in spite of the bailout, some of the manufacturers are still fighting to survive.

    “The textile industry needs more than funds to survive.

    “The issue of high importation of fabrics and textile materials that could be locally produced have continued to eat deep into the industry.

    “As it stands, the nation imports up to 80 per cent of the textile materials we use.

    “There is a lot to be done in respect to policies and its implementation, recently, there was an approval for the manufacturing of GMO cotton products and we really support it,”he said.

    The Nigeria National Bio-safety Management Agency in June issued two permits for the commercial release and placing on market of genetically modified cotton.

    The Federal government also announced that the sum of N50 billion would soon be made available to entrepreneurs in the textile sector through the Bank of Industry.

    Kwajaffa also highlighted the opportunity cost of cotton farming in the country.

    “Cotton farming in Nigeria over the years has suffered because the opportunity cost of planting cotton has remained high.

    “Cotton does not compete favourably against other lower risk crops and this has led to a dwindling of farmers involved in cultivating the crop over time,” he said.

    The NTMA president challenged relevant regulatory agencies to support the government in fighting the smuggling of illegal textile materials, to encourage local production.

  • I will not rest until we get killers of Agai – Gov. Lalong

    I will not rest until we get killers of Agai – Gov. Lalong

    Gov. Simon Lalong on Wednesday said he will not rest until those behind the killing of the Saf Ron Kulere, Chief Lazarus Agai, were arrested and prosecuted.

    Lalong, who paid a condolence visit to the Bokkos Traditional Council and people of the area, said he would work with security agencies to ensure that the killers were found and brought to justice.

    Agai, a first class chief in Bokkos Local Government was killed on Monday alongside his driver, orderly and daughter in-law by unknown persons.

    The killing of monarch sparked reprisal attacks among ethnic groups in the area resulting in burning of houses, destruction of properties and displacement of hundreds of persons.

    “We will investigate and fish out the culprits.

    “I commend security agencies for the way they have so far handled the matter to avoid escalation, it would have been worse than this if not for their prompt intervention”, Lalong said.

    The governor assured the people that more security personnel would be deployed to Bokkos and Sha, where the paramount ruler was killed.

    He said Agai was a man of many attributes and lived his life advocating peace and unity in his domain and would be greatly missed.

    He, however, urged the people to remain calm and not take laws into their hands as government would do everything within its powers to address the situation.

    Lalong said relief materials would immediately be sent to those that were displaced as a result of the sad incident.

    President, Plateau Traditional Council and Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba called for thorough investigation of the heinous killing of their members which he said was becoming a recurring issue.

    The Gbong Gwom urged people to always volunteer information to the security agents to enable them to fish out evil doers in the land.

    Saf Ron Bokkos, Monday Adanchin who received the governor and his entourage, appreciated Lalong for cutting short his journey abroad to sympathise with them.

    Adanchin said that the Bokkos Traditional Council was comforted with the visit of the governor.

  • Rotary Club gets President

    Rotary Club gets President

    THE Rotary Club, Akowonjo, Lagos  has a new president. He is Sola Abidakun, a lawyer.

    Abidakun, in a statement, urged voluntary organisations to collaborate with the communities for development projects.

    Abidakun, who took over the baton of leadership from Mr. Gbenga Ojo, said the Rotary Club members had been known for contributing their quota to the development of their various communities.

    Abidakun added that it was high time other charity organisations emulated the gesture in practical terms.

    “For instance, Rotary Club of Akowonjo has consistently donated to public hospitals and dug bore-holes for depraved communities and what we are doing is to tell all that government alone cannot meet all our needs. We need other charity, voluntary organisations to follow this path,” he said.

    Abidakun enjoined religious bodies to cultivate the habit of giving back to the society.

    While handing over to Abidakun, Ojo said 17 members were inducted into the Rotary Club during his one-year administration, urging the new president not to rest on his oars in bringing in more members.

     

  • Naira stabilises against dollar

    Naira stabilises against dollar

    The Naira on Monday, stabilised against the dollar at the parallel market, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    The Nigerian currency exchanged at N365 to the dollar, maintaining same value as at Friday.

    However, the naira weakened further against the Pound Sterling, but maintained same value with the Euro as it exchanged at N475 and N400 respectively, from N470 and N400 it traded on Friday.

    At the interbank window, the naira exchanged at N292.15 to a dollar.

    Currency traders blamed the poor performance of the naira to the scarcity of the greenback, adding that the demand for dollar far outstripped its supply.

    Meanwhile, Prof. Segun Ajibola, President, Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) urged the Federal Government to resolve unsettled transactions prior to the introduction of the new forex policy.
    Ajibola, at a recent event in Lagos, said that unsettled transactions by banks before the introduction of the flexible exchange rate was still a major factor in the banking industry.

    He noted that the liquidity challenges in the forex market seemed unsolved because of banks’ demands to settle their old issues.

    The banker added that it had impacted on the economy because the 4 billion dollars injected into the interbank market to ease the demand for forex had not been felt.

     

     

  • Presidency to BBOG: Don’t give up on Chibok girls, others

    Presidency to BBOG: Don’t give up on Chibok girls, others

    The Presidency on Monday appealed to officials and members of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) campaign group not to waver in their support for the government in the war against terrorism and in the ongoing efforts to free the Chibok girls and other Nigerian citizens taken captive by the Boko Haram sect.

    The BBOG had in a recent statement claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari has “broken all promises” made to the group about rescuing the missing Chibok girls and that the government had been “lackadaisical” in the rescue mission.

    But a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the past one year of the administration has seen the Nigerian military stepped up bombardment of a stronghold of the Boko Haram sect, the Sambisa Forest,  leading to the capture of hundreds of insurgents.

    The statement also pointed out that records from the Army showed that more than 15,000 captives, mostly women and children have been rescued from the terrorists from February to date.

    It said: “In addition, dozens of communities that were previously under the control of the terrorists have been liberated, allowing thousands of previously displaced citizens to return home and resume their normal lives.

    “Thousands of these women and children freed from captivity have also been reunited with their families.

    “This huge number of rescued women and children may not be prominent names, and their disappearance may not have generated any massive media attention and campaign.

    “However, their liberation is just as important as that of every other missing woman and child, and a testament to the devotion of our military personnel who daily risk life and limb in the efforts to bring back every Nigerian citizen kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists.

    “Along with these ongoing efforts to rid our country of terrorists and terrorism, the Nigerian government is focused on the welfare and rehabilitation of rescued Nigerians, many of whom were found in a state of severe malnutrition and illness.”

    While noting that the intentions of the BBOG leadership are honourable, the statement said the group perhaps did not consider the collateral damage which must follow its riveting and dispiriting claim that the President has “broken all promises” allegedly made to the group on this issue, or that he has been “lackadaisical” in rescuing the Chibok girls.

    The Federal Government’s focus, it said, has always been to free the Chibok girls alive and unharmed.

     

     

  • Experts take cyber security awareness to varsities 

    Experts take cyber security awareness to varsities 

    Cyber experts under the aegis of Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) have completed plans to increase awareness campaign on cyber security to Universities and tertiary institutions in the country.

    The seminar themed: “STOP THINK CONNECT” is aimed at educating Internet users in Nigeria on vigilance and practice of safe online habits.

    President, CSEAN Remi Afon in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, said also that this will positively transform public and private sectors collaborations toward cyber security.

    He stated that, “STOP. THINK. CONNECT.  primary aim is to educate all Internet users in Nigeria to be more vigilant about practicing safe online habits; to ensure that Internet safety is perceived as a shared responsibility at home, in school, in the workplace, and throughout our communities”

    According to him, a similar campaign was launched in January 2015 during the CSEAN annual Cyber Secure Nigeria Conference in Abuja.

    He said the awareness  has since been spreading through social media, symposium and lectures in secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

    Afon added that the 2016 version of same will be held at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University where the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Muhammad Nasir Maiturare will declare open the programme.

    It reads in part: “CSEAN intends to launch the campaign in all tertiary institutions and secondary schools in Nigeria.

    “The association recently kick started the higher institution campaign in two Federal Universities namely Federal University of Technology Minna and University of Abuja and has lined up ten other Universities for awareness campaign before the end of the year.

    “CSEAN is presently a partner of STOP. THINK. CONNECT.  a first-ever global public awareness campaign developed to help all Internet users keep their data, personal information, communications, and transactions safer and more secure online.

    ” The STOP.THINK. CONNECT campaign cuts through the cognitive clutter of online life, using an extensively tested suite of messaging instruments used in common by public, private and NGO sectors to encourage Internet users to stay safe online. ” he explained

    He expressed worries that while the benefits of internet and associated technologies are being echoed by vendors and service providers alike, most users are unaware of online dangers and threats.

    His words: “In Nigeria today, people get bullied online daily, people identity get stolen in a matter of seconds, cyber criminals use social engineering tactics to steal people credentials; all these and others are challenges that we face today. It is important to educate people on measures to take to be safe online.”

  • THE MEN AND I– DEBBIE ODUTAYO, EMCOAN PRESIDENT

    THE MEN AND I– DEBBIE ODUTAYO, EMCOAN PRESIDENT

    The President of Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN), Deborah “Debbie” Odutayo, calls the shots in a profession which is regarded as exclusive to men. In a rare encounter, she speaks with  ADEWOYIN ADENIYI  about her profession, the joys of motherhood, life and EMCOAN .

    IN general, what does EMCOAN stand for?

    EMCOAN is a body we formed because we noticed that we needed an umbrella body to shield all content owners from the different perils that we encounter. EMCOAN is responsible for over 85% of media content in Nigeria. The body is there to protect their intellectual properties and stand as a unit so they are not short-changed for their works.

    How has it been being the President of EMCOAN?

    On the day of the election, I could not believe the overwhelming support I got from all our members. After serving as 2nd Vice President with Uncle Wale Adenuga MFR, as our first President, I learnt a lot from him as a leader. He was ever patient and always composed.

    I must say that it has been wonderful and I love working with everyone at EMCOAN especially our Executives and Board of Trustees. I have always seen everyone as equal and it’s because they trust me that I was announced as President for a second time and unopposed too. I can only thank the members of the association for the confidence reposed in me, I could only promise to do my best to take the association to greater heights. I think with the current Executive, we have made quite an impression.

    Have you ever felt hindered because you are female?

    I’ve said it to my colleagues and pressmen who ask that question; I don’t rule over them. We work together and see each other as colleagues. In fact, I’m so blessed. One of my colleagues, Victor Okpala, Managing Director, Dope 7 Media was telling some of his friends in Nollywood to come and see how his president is handling things so organised and all.

    The men and I have been able to respect each other and they know I know what I’m doing and I enjoy their support. It basically boils down to respect and the fact that we all know where we are coming from and we have seen that we can get a better future by coming and sticking together. Also, we all have the same objectives. We all have the same objective at EMCOAN; our content which we say is king must actually be the king.

    What is digitization and how has Nigeria fared thus far?

    First of all, digitization is the process of converting information into a digital format. In this format, information is organised into discrete units of data (called bits) that can be separately addressed (usually in multiple-bit groups called bytes).Nigeria attempted to and failed to achieve the June 2015 digital switch-over deadline and it was due to the absence of better and deeper collaboration with major stakeholders in the broadcasting industry.

    We were embittered about the way and manner in which EMCOAN and all major stakeholders in the Industry were left out of the entire process even with our strategic position as a body of TV and radio program owners. However, I am confident that the new synergy amongst stakeholders including EMCOAN, the NBC (Nigerian Broadcast Commission), the Ministry of Information and Culture would yield fruits. The minister has launched the one in Jos and the next one would be either in Abuja or Lagos or Port-Harcourt. So, we are almost there.

    Tell us about Royal Roots productions?

    Royal Roots is my baby. It’s that ‘invincible’ fourth child that I will nurse till the days of age. It’s a radio/television company that has been in existence since 1997. Over the years we have engaged some of the best television hands in the country, we have honed specific skills with the ultimate hope of creating television products, commercials and programs that build brands and entertain audiences.

    What are some of your productions?

    The list of productions to my credit is numerous. I have produced several documentaries and TV Commercials for several top clients within and outside the country. So you see that we keep trying to best ourselves every time; which mother wouldn’t be proud of such feat.

    Could you list some of your achievements at Royal Roots?

    In recent times, Edge of Paradise was nominated for a Golden Nymph Award at the 47th Monte Carlo Television Awards 2007 in Monaco France. It shared nomination with notable series like 24, Lost, Greys Anatomy and Desperate Housewives in the Best Television Drama series category. The category was won by Lost. Also, another Royal Roots soap series, Bella’s Place became the first in-studio 100% Nigerian cast and crew production. It made its debut in February 2012. We also had four nominations for My Mum & I at the 50th Monte Carlo Television Festival in Monaco France in 2010.

    You are also behind the production, Beyond Blood. Tell us about it

    It’s a new Nollywood movie that tells the story of a young woman confronted by situations beyond her control. She however decides to run away from it all rather than face her issues which lead to her self-rediscovery.

    The movie stars Joseph Benjamin, Kehinde Bankole, Deyemi Okanlawon and it was premiered at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island some months ago. The movie was directed by my husband, Greg Odutayo. His effort was crowned recently as the film won the 2016 AMAA in the category of Best First Feature Film by a Director.

    Tell us about yourself…

    I’ve been married for 21 years to Managing Director of Royal Roots, Greg Odutayo, we are blessed with three wonderful young men. Deborah Odutayo is a consummate television producer with a deep passion for the television industry in Nigeria. After graduating from the University of Jos, I returned to NTA and worked with a host of top producers.

    How did you handle being a mother to three guys and still do what you do?

    I could not have done it without the grace of God. I remember in the earlier years when Royal Roots was still trying to cut its teeth in the industry, it was not a bed of roses because the boys were still young and I had to supervise their school work while juggling work, cooking and still manage to keep them happy all at the same time. It felt like a herculean task but God gave me the right man and also wonderful kids so I think it was everyone putting in work to make it work. They understood that mummy had to work so they could get all the nice things they wanted.

    Where do you see EMCOAN in five years’ time?

    At the top of course; nowhere else. I will be an ex-officio and I would support whole-heartedly the in-coming executives and the president because I have enjoyed tremendous support from each and every member including our amiable Chairman, Baba Wale Adenuga (MFR).

    He is more than a father, he holds my hand and guides me when I get cold feet and he would calm me down and advise me and support me. I’m just grateful to everybody, from the board of trustees, to the members and my PR team; I can’t forget all of you. In five years’ time, I’m sure EMCOAN would be on the lips of everybody and we would have achieved what we set out to; and that is to be known, recognised, appreciated and accepted and importantly for our content to be truly enthroned as king.

    What does Debbie Odutayo stand for?

    Deborah “Debbie” Odutayo stands for discipline and is passionate about the belief that life is too short not to make the best out of it.

    What are some of your likes?

    I love the colour green. I love, care and scold like a ‘Mother Hen’. I love arts and crafts, especially sculptures and paintings which I collect anytime I travel or I’m on tour.

  • Rotary gets female president

    Rotary gets female president

    The Rotary Club of Omole Golden has decorated Rotarian Titilayo Sunmonu as its 13th President for the 2016/2017 Rotary Year. The event took place on Friday at Excellence Hotel, Ogba Lagos.
    Mrs Sunmonu is the first woman President of the club which received its chartered certificate on June 4, 2004. She took over the mantle of leadership from the immediate past President of the club, Mr Idowu Afelogun.
    The handing over ceremony was performed by the club’s council of past presidents led by its Charter President Mr Olutimi Adeleye, Barrister Michael Akamo and Prince Aderemi Ajose, among others.
    At the brief event, the immediate past President Mr Afelogun urged the new President to continue to unite members of the club and to build a synergy in the club.
    He said: “A lot would be achieved if you carry out the affairs of the club without fear or favour, especially if you do not have favourites among the members.”
    In her remarks, Mrs Sunmonu thanked members of the club, particularly all former Presidents for giving her the privilege to lead the club.
    She said as the first woman to occupy the exalted office, she would do everything possible to provide quality leadership for the benefit of all the members and humanity.
    She assured that her tenure would do nothing to undermine the height to which the club has attained in the last 12 years.
    Mrs Sunmonu, who said she is irrevocably committed to serving humanity, urged all members, as well as other philanthropic individuals and organisations to join her in the onerous task of serving to improve the cause of the less privileged.