All Progressives Congress (APC) National Legal Adviser Muiz Banire, SAN, has urged ministers-designate to buy into the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He believes that after taking the oath of office, they would hit the ground running because of Nigerians’ high expectations.
Banire spoke at a reception held in his honour for attaining the SAN rank by Muslim groups in the country.
The senior advocate, however, urged Nigerians to give President Buhari more time to restore sanity and establish efficient institutions, saying it was by so doing that people can benefit from the system.
He described the election of Buhari as the best option for the country given its present circumstances.
Dr Banire said the attainment of the SAN’s will spur him to do more in contributing his quota to quick dispensation of justice in the country.
The former Lagos commissioner for the Environment thanked the organisations for the honour, promising to assist the less privileged.
Speaking the organisers, Alhaji Musibau Oyefeso, a former Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) chief, said the reception was to appreciate Banire’s exemplary leadership traits for others to emulate him.
He enjoined Banire to champion more of the fundamental rights of the people as enshrined in the constitution.
Lagos State Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule, described Banire as a disciplinarian and a great political leader.
According to her, Dr Banire has always contributed his quota to the development of Lagos and national polity.
“I thank Allah for him for not only having a doctorate degree in law but also attaining the position of SAN. For us, it is an opportunity to honour him and celebrate what Allah has done for him,” she said.
Africa’s innovators and start-ups will soon have the opportunity to market their ideas following the launch of RISE, a physical and virtual global community that facilitates collaboration and technology innovation.
Funded by the Barclays, RISE is ideally positioned to take advantage of technology solutions that are not reliant on physical infrastructure. It provides developing markets with an opportunity to leapfrog ageing analogue infrastructure, deployed in most developed economies, and with it the capacity to solve some of Africa’s development challenges.
The ability to bring new ideas has long been at the centre of the Barclays proposition. By connecting the world’s most active innovation ecosystems, Barclays is confident that RISE can assist in co-creating ground-breaking products and services with entrepreneurs from across the continent.
“The financial services industry is undergoing a paradigm shift and new tech start-ups are challenging traditional business models. This is possible, in principle, because advancement in technology is enabling bright minds to develop solutions that compete with the best of those developed by big corporate bodies. We aim to partner and collaborate at the forefront of this change,” says Chief Information Officer of Barclays Africa, Ashley Veasey, Mr. Derek White.
The Green River Project (GRP), which was established in 1987 by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), with the aim of pursuing food security and improving the lives of the company’s host communities in the Niger Delta is now yielding huge results.
So far, 35,000 farmers in over 120 communities spread across the company’s operational states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Imo are now being provided with improved seedlings; agricultural materials and equipment; extension services; training and micro-credit schemes.
The General Manager District of NAOC, Mr. Paolo Carnevale, who disclosed this during the 19th GRP Farmers’ Day celebration which took place at Obie in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, also revealed that about 225 new co-operative societies have been established while 265 existing ones have been strengthened.
The company said through the projects, about 3,750 youths and women have been trained in various technical and vocational trades since 1999 to enhance job creation.
Carnevale also said that last year, about 1,256 farmers were supported with inputs and service deliveries while 550 youths have been trained in skills acquisition programme with 57 co-operative societies being given support by the company.
Impressed by these achievements, he stated the company’s “willingness to continue strengthening the project” as it is relevant to Nigeria’s development plan, agricultural policy and vision 2020 as well as United Nations sustainable development goals.
Also speaking at the event, with the theme: “Feeding the Nation, Energy for Life” the Managing Director of NOAC, Mr Massimo Insulla listed many other achievements the GRP has achieved in the four states, adding that it was why the company has decided “to highlight its successes at an international platform and promote stronger inter-governmental ties both at the state and federal levels for the development of the agricultural sector.”
Insulla also said that in realisation of the objective of setting up the project, NAOC would take the Farmer’s Day celebration to international exhibition taking place in Milan, Italy very soon which would attract participants from about 140 countries.
He further used the opportunity to commend the efforts of the four state governments, various research institutions and other organisations in partnering with NAOC to ensure that the GRP is a success.
In his speech, the Chairman of NAOC, Mr Ciro Antonio Pagano, who described GRP as the company’s flagship, also stated that it is “our conviction that a better way of empowering the communities of Niger Delta states is to intervene and empower them to realise their full economic potential by harnessing and adding value to their God-given resources.
“That way, more employment opportunities will be generated within the communities, earning capacities will be increased and reduce restiveness in the communities.”
•Sonny Echono who represented President Muhammadu Buhari.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Sonny Echono, used the opportunity to explain all the programmes the Federal Government has mapped out to boost agriculture and make it more market-oriented and to create massive employment for youths.
The President commended NAOC for establishing the GRP which he said is in line with the new agricultural drive of the Federal Government.
Rivers, Bayelsa and Imo states that were represented by their respective deputy governors also commended NAOC for setting the GRP while Delta State that was represented by a staff of its Ministry of Agriculture also spoke in the same manner.
Various categories of awards were given to the participating farmers’ groups and co-operatives while many traditional dance groups from the participating states featured at the occasion.
THE Church of God Mission (CGM), Lagos State has held an event titled: The Burning Bush at its Mafoluku headquarters.
Its state Bishop Egwowa Matthew said: “This is one of the programmes God gave to me through the late founder of the church, Archbishop Benson Idahosa. I discovered that people become busy at the expense of their spiritual lives. At this time of the year, there is an increase in vehicular activities. These are done without preparations. As a result, there is an increase in casualties.’’
The programme, which ended penultimate Sunday, was aimed at reexamining people’s lives to withstand satanic attacks. He warned that when people do things without spiritual preparations, then there would be problems.
He dispelled the notion that the three months of the year are dangerous. “There is nothing dangerous about them. It’s people’s imagination. Activities increase but people do not prepare for them,’’ the senior cleric said, adding: “Since the programme started, we have been seeing results.’’
The event, which coincided with the country’s 55th Independence anniversary, also coincided with the Bishop Egwowa’s 55th birthday. In a message, the Bishop said: “Pray that God blesses our leaders with a revolutionary spirit of change. The quickest way to bring out what we need in the country is: “If you want to serve, you must be prepared to respect people’s rights.’’
The event, which drew participants from far and wide was kicked off with a parade. It featured distribution of books, songs, prayers and cutting of the Bishop’s birthday cake, among others. One of the guest speakers was Dr Lesile Eden from Cameroun.
No fewer than 500 residents of Sari Iganmu in Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State benefited from free malaria and HIV screening programme.
The event, organised by Apapa-Iganmu LCDA for members of Olaitan and Ojoafeje Community Development Associations, was attended by the young and elderly who were screened of the diseases by medical personnel.
Besides the free medical screening, the people were also sensitised to the need to keep their surroundings clean by fumigating them.
After conducting the tests on the residents, free drugs were given to the them as well.
Deputy Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh, represented by Hon. Alabi Fatai, said the programme was organised in order to improve the health of the people.
Executive Secretary of the LCDA, Mrs Olufunmilayo Akande identified malaria as the most common disease in the community.
She said the incidence of malaria increases during the rainy season because mosquitoes find ready breeding ground on stagnant water during the wet season.
Coordinator, Environmental Coppers, Alhaji Shoremekun Safarudeen, who recommended the programme to the council, said the programme would encourage the people to keep their environments clean.
He lamented that the canal in the area had been blocked because of poor sanitation, adding: “during rainy season, the gutters are waterlogged; hence it became a breeding ground for mosquitoes”.
Safarudeen urged the government to intervene in order to get rid of mosquitoes that cause malaria that is usually life-threatening.
The chairman of Olaitan Ojoafeje CDA, Alhaji Alogbo urged the people to always participate in environmental sanitation exercises.
For him, it is vital to engage in sanitation exercises in order to prevent some diseases that are associated with dirty environment.
Delta State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa is among guests expected at the ground breaking for the construction of an Information Communication Technology (ICT)/ Library at St Malacys Secondary Grammar School, Sapele.
The event will hold on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 2pm.
St Malacys Old Boys’ Association (SMOBA) National President, Mr Lucky Siakpere, said the legacy projects are part of the efforts by the old boys to return their institution to its past glory.
He said the acceptance of Okowa to be Special Guest at the event is a pointer to his commitment to boosting education.
The Head, National Office (HNO), West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mr. Charles Eguridu, will be the Guest of Honour on the occasion.
Siapere said old boys of the institution were being expected from all parts of the country, including the Lagos State Branch President of the association, Mac Onojake, their friends and well-wishers to attend the ceremony.
This year’s edition of the UAC Free Weekend Classes initiative organised for secondary school pupils ended with commendations for the value of the programme.
The organisers, UAC of Nigeria Plc, are also impressed about the turnout of pupils for the programme at the centres at Lanre Awolokun Senior Secondary School, Gbagada and Newland Senior Secondary School inside the Tolu Schools Complex, Ajegunle in Lagos.
Speaking during the rounding-off of the seven-week initiative at the centres in Lagos, the Executive Director, Corporate Services, UAC Of Nigeria PLC, Mr Joe Dada, said the company was encouraged by the growing popularity of the programme among pupils in Lagos. The Free Weekend Classes is free to the beneficiaries.
He was, particularly, happy that many of the pupils that registered were from the Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) the target of the initiative.
“Since 2008, our company has been ‘doing good’ – in line with UAC’s corporate tagline-and leading from the front in the grand march to stem the tide of increasing deterioration of the education infrastructure and programmes in our country,” he said. The pupils were taught English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Accounts by employees of the managers under its Volunteer Scheme.
They also enjoyed career counseling sessions to prepare them to make the right career choices.
Dada called on other companies and Nigerians to join the march “towards lifting our country out of the mire of backwardness and underdevelopment, which the deterioration in the education sector portends, especially among youths.”
A FIRM Comunications Support Limited is set to hold Phenomena 2015 aimed at celebrating and empowering exceptional women in various sector.
In a statement, its Managing Director, Mike Efunkoya said the event billed for November in Lagos will provide a basis for highligting the contribution of women to corporate growth and economic development and promoting the best in women development, facilitating behaviourial change and inspiring women for high positions.
The event, which has as theme as, Transforming the society through inspiring women, will feature speeches, connections, giving and sharing of knowledge, awards, books and music presentations, live entertainment and dinner. Attendance will be drawn from the public and private sectors.
He said as a nation aspirating to become peaceful, united, egalitarian and most dynamic economic hub in Africa, Nigeria requires consistent and strategic investments in human capital development with particular attention to women.
The United States yesterday in Washington, announced tighter security measures for visitors from the 38 countries in its visa waiver programme.
The Department of Homeland Security said the countries included European nations that have seen hundreds of residents traveling to fight with militant groups in Syria and Iraq.
It said the changes required the use of e-passports or paper passports that contain chips carrying biometric information and expand use of U.S. air marshals on international flights.
Meanwhile, some U.S. lawmakers have been urging tighter restrictions on the waiver program which allows citizens from participating countries to enter the U.S. without a visa for stays of 90 days or less.
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, has criticized the programme as vulnerable to abuse, calling it “the Achilles heel” of American efforts to stave off attacks on its soil.
The U.S. intelligence community assessed in February that more than 20,000 foreign fighters, including at least 3,400 westerners, had traveled to the Syria-Iraq region since 2011.
The International Center for the Study of Radicalization said Western fighters in Syria and Iraq have found some of their most willing recruits in Belgium, France and Britain.
The centre said the three countries participated in the visa waiver program, as do many European countries.
Jeh Johnson, Homeland Security Secretary, said in a statement announcing the changes that the current global threat environment required the need to know more about those travelling the U.S.
He said it includes those from countries for which U.S.do not require a visa.
Johnson said the new restrictions also require that participating countries use an international database to screen for lost and stolen passports.
He said the changes build on measures taken in 2014 to require additional information on the application people in visa waiver countries provided to travel to the U.S.
The U.S. Travel Association, an industry group, welcomed the passport security and air marshal changes, but said it would evaluate other ones, including the development of passenger record databases and the screening of asylum-seekers.
Roger Dow, Association President, said though security should always be its first principle, it is well worth keeping in mind how the American economy and job creation benefit when the (visa waiver programme) functions well.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, of snubbing the events lined up by the Federal Government for the May 29 hand over.
Expressing disappointment with what it termed the lack of democratic discipline by Buhari, the party faulted the non-participation of the President-elect in Christian and Islamic prayer sessions over the weekend.
Gen. Buhari had travelled to the United Kingdom on Friday to observe a rest after weeks of consultations and crowded post-election engagements with local and international groups and personalities.
But, a statement yesterday by the National Publicity of the PDP, Chief Okisa Metuh, said Buhari owed Nigerians explanations on why he snubbed the prayer sessions scheduled for Friday and Sunday for Muslims and Christians respectively to usher in four years of his in-coming administration.
