The Nation Newspaper

Tag: programme

  • Ijaw/ Itsekiri’s stand on Amnesty Programme beyond May 29

    Their kinsman, President Goodluck Jonathan, lost his second term bid to retain the juiciest political position in Nigeria, but the ex-militants and their leaders are determined not to go down with him. They have resolved to work with the President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

    Instead of resorting on their initial threats to destabilise country, the umbrella body of the ex-freedom fighters, Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), was among the groups that congratulated Gen. Buhari and pledged to work with him.

    But the former creek warlords predicated their support on the sustenance of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. They said they would not dream of returning to the creeks or disrupting oil production as long as the incoming President retain the Amnesty Office and allow it to maintain the status quo.

    In fact, that was the idea behind the congratulatory message sent to Gen.Buhari by the National President, LPCDI, and former notorious militant leader, Pastor Reuben Wilson. The ex-militant leaders through Wilson hailed Buhari for his victory at the poll, but begged him not to abandon the amnesty programme of the Federal Government.

    He warned that there would be no peace in the region if the Presidential Amnesty Programme is neglected or abandoned. He further stated that, if the Niger Delta is neglected as it was in the past, the ex-militant would use every resource at their disposal to stop oil production.

    But few days after LPCDI presented a serious case backed by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) in favour of the continuation of the Amnesty Programme, a former Itsekiri warlord, Chief Ayiri Emami, urged Gen. Buhari to stop the programme. He even demanded a thorough probe of the operation of the programme. Emami argued that the use of arms in the name of a struggle should be treated as terrorism.

    He said: ”If the layman’s understanding of the word amnesty is anything to go by, then it presupposes an arrangement where militants who genuinely turn in all their arms and ammunition are rehabilitated, re-oriented and trained with a view to reintegrating them to everyday societal living.

    “In the ordinary sense of it, any person or group that picks up arms in the name of struggle or agitation ought to have been treated as terrorists, hence nobody or group should take the gesture of the federal government for granted.

    “Amnesty should not be continuous; partially giving out money to youths from a particular ethnic nationality is wrong, sending some of them abroad for training without any visible impact on the Niger Delta and the nation at large is counter-productive.”

    Undoubtedly, Emami stirred the Hornets’ comb. His counterparts are up in arms against him. Wilson, who represents the interests of many of the formerly dreaded ex-militants, immediately replied him. He appealed to Gen. Buhari to ignore him.

    He insisted that the call by Emami that the amnesty should be discontinued was made in bad faith and premised on his pathological hatred for the Ijaw nation.

    He insisted that the call was based on a misconception that the programme was benefitting only the Ijaw. Wilson, however, explained that the amnesty programme was designed for all the Niger Delta ex-militants.

    He said: “The amnesty is for all ex-freedom fighters, and if the Ijaws are in majority, it then means they were more actively involved than any other tribe in the Niger Delta liberation struggle.

    “Moreover, the Ijaws are in majority in the Niger Delta and the fourth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria. Therefore, it is natural for the Ijaws to dominate the Presidential Amnesty Programme for ex-militants in the Niger Delta, owing to their population and active involvement in the Niger Delta struggle.”

    The way things stand, Gen. Buhari, except for a change of heart, may not scrap the programme. What may happen may be some form of re-organisation, which Wilson and others appear against. They seem to think the programme is perfect finish and should be left as the way it is.

    Post-May 29 will determine the programme’s fate.

  • Expert faults Fed Govt’s entrepreneurship programmes

    Expert faults Fed Govt’s entrepreneurship programmes

    Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Youth Chamber of Commerce (NYCC), Comrade Peter Ayim, has faulted the Federal Government’s Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) programme, arguing that it is an initiative that cannot facilitate growth of start-ups.

    The NYCC chief said though the nation’s policy makers seemed to appreciate the  positive impact of entrepreneurship and may have embraced the  concept, it is evident  that  they  have  not  been able to develop a result-oriented and sustainable policy framework and intervention mechanism targeted at supporting accelerated promotion and development of functional youth entrepreneurship.

    On the YouWin programe, he said: “Such short-term measures are usually handouts and tokenism that cannot in any sense facilitate and grow a functional start-up or microenterprise.”

    According to him, the prevailing evidence of the outcomes of most of such interventions is merely subsistent for those that are actually determined to start a business.

    Noting that the government has demonstrated commitment to promoting youth entrepreneurship through short-term intervention programmes, he regretted that most of the intervention programmes are limited and do not benefit a broad spectrum of aspiring youth entrepreneurs to facilitate  start-ups or assist youth entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses.

    YouWiN is an innovative business plan competition launched by the Federal Government to create jobs by encouraging and supporting aspiring entrepreneurial youths to develop and execute business ideas.

    But Ayim argued that the scheme is limited in scope, adding that since the government has demonstrated its commitment to encourage and support development of entrepreneurship through diverse intervention programmes, it is also important for the government to explore other credible vistas so that more people can participate in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector.

    “A dynamic mix of micro-leasing, micro-insurance and demand-driven business development services offered within a cluster should be encouraged,” he said.

    He added that this approach will enable more aspiring entrepreneurs who cannot meet the conditions of accessing available funding options to access appropriate equipment under a micro-leasing arrangement for their businesses while existing entrepreneurs access equipment to grow and expand their businesses.

  • Church holds programme

    Crown of Christ Victory Church, 57, Ajewole Street, off Governor’s Road, off Bethel bus stop, Ikotun, Lagos, will hold this year’s three-day special covenant  from April  22 to 24.

    The all-night session start froms 10 pm.

    Chief host Prophet David Yemi Ayilara said the programme, with the theme: “Deliverance from the power of witchcraft (Isaiah 22:5), is meant for women desirous of the fruit of the womb.

    “God will visit expectant mothers and those who want the fruit of the womb.” Other expected include Bishop Bayo Adejola, Prophet Dayo James and Praise Machine (guest artiste).

     

  • Foreign varsity launches International Foundation Year Programme

    Foreign varsity launches International Foundation Year Programme

    The University of Debrecen, Hungary, has launched its International Foundation Year Programme (IFYP) at their Global Education Counselling (GEC) MET Campus in Lekki, Lagos State.

    A statement by the Chief Executive Officer of the GEC, Mr Theo Theodorou, said the IFYP programme is similar to the one taught at the University of Debrecen and would give Nigerian students the opportunity to prepare for higher institution.

    He likened IFYP to an avenue to prepare Nigerian students who were successful in their final exams for one year, for its admission.

    Theodorou said: “Students who have successfully completed the IFYP with the appropriate academic results would be guaranteed a place in the University of Debrecen Bachelor Degree programmes without requiring to sit for their external examination and interview or travel to the university.”

    He claimed that GEC has built a reputation for assisting Nigerian students to find the most appropriate universities abroad.

    His words: “We have developed to become one of the most active innovation and well-respected organisations in the field of university placement. The whole idea is to help academically qualified Nigerian students to study abroad and come back to build Nigeria, which is very crucial to the country”.

    Theodorou acknowledged the excellent performance of Nigerian students academically and morally in foreign schools, noting that more than 600 Nigerian students are currently studying medicine, engineering, economics among other courses at the University of Debrecen.

    He said apart from many experiences that foreign students acquire in their places of learning, tuition fee is cheaper in Hungary compared to the United Kingdom while students’ safety is guaranteed.

  • ‘Jesus Partners’ holds programme

    All is now set for the Wonders of Praise, organised by the ’Jesus Partners’.

    The event comes up at 11:15am on Saturday at Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Lagos.

    The theme of the programme is: “Rock of Ages.”

    It is expected to attract personalities, such as Evangelist Olufemi Ajepe, the guest speaker, Bukola Bekes, Funmi Oloyede, Michael Whyte, Makanjuola Ajayi, Damola Adesina and The Levites (Jesus Partners Choir).

    The chief host, Mr. Femi Adefowokan, said the event promises to be a wonderful experience.

     

  • ‘Why gas utilisation programme is low’

    Infrastructural bottlenecks, such as pipeline vandalism, low investments in pipeline construction, and gas transmission are hindering the Nigerian Gas Company(NGC) from reaching its installed capacity of 2.15billion standard cubit of gas per day, an official of the firm, Erivona Avuwre, has said.

    Speaking on the sideline of the implementation of the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code(NGTNC) in Lagos, Avuwre said the company could only utilise 950 million standard cubit feet of gas per day.

    She said the problems had hampered the company from carrying out some of its core mandates of developing an efficient gas industry that would fully serve Nigeria’s energy and feedstock needs.

    She regretted that the company could not run its full capacity, adding that the gas transportation network code would help in addressing the challenges facing the firm and other stakeholders when its comes on stream.

    She said the firm was seeking new gas marketing opportunities by signing new  Gas Trading Agreements (GTAs), Gas Supply Agreements (GSAs) and others to supply the product to the potential customers and further grow the industry.

    Also, the Deputy Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Sntigha Ekaluo, said the agency and the Federal Government would work to ensure effective utilisation of gas by ensuring that gas users get the product for various productional use.

    He said the government would minimise its interest in the industry, by providing  a level playing ground for operators in the sector.

    He said: “Through our oversight functions, we would be supervising activities in the industry. However, we would allow all the stakeholders in the value chain to fully express themselves since the focus is on the overall objectives of the industry and the economy.’’

    The company is one of the subsidiaries of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with ensuring that gas is well-utilised by ensuring that the product is marketed locally and internationally.

  • Youth programme in Alimosho

    A group, Peculiar Youth International Initiative, in conjunction with Alimosho Local Government, is organising a teenage grooming programme, titled: “Life as a Teenager”.

    It is scheduled to take place at the local government secretariat hall tomorrow by 10am.

    Expected at the event is a motivational speaker, Comrade Awa Bamiji, who is the executive president, Bola Ige Centre for Justice and national coordinator.

  • 240 benefit from empowerment programme

    One of the reasons for the establishment of local government administration is to ensure that members of rural communities enjoy the benefits of democracy. In most situations, the reverse is the case as some communities at the grassroots experience horrifying hardship if their leaders are insensitive to their plight.

    In the circumstances, members of communities that make up Oriade Local Council Development Area of Lagos State have cause to thank God for having a Council Manager that cares for their well-being.

    Last week, the Council Manager, Mrs. Florence Omotunde Peters organised empowerment programme for residents of the council as part of the council’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of the citizens, create employment and ensure that citizens are economically self-reliant.

    The future looks bright for 240 youths and women of the council as they complete a five-day professional training programme on skills acquisition. They were trained on cake making, headgear (gele) tying, make up/make over, soap making as well as tie and dye.

    Speaking during the opening ceremony, Mrs. Peters said: “The LCDA embarked on the programme in order to help those who do not have tangible means of livelihood or gainful employment to be self-reliant and contribute their quota to the economic growth and development of the council.

    “The empowerment programme was in line with the vision of the state government to provide sustainable sources of income to the unemployed while also reducing poverty.”

    The five-day training programme, Mrs Peters said, would empower youths and women with the practical skills needful to establish their own small-scale businesses.

    ‘’The training programme aims at reducing the level of unemployment in the society. It is going to help you to support your families, especially your children. About 240 people would participate in the training programme. The instructors will expose you to the use of modern equipment, current expertise and professional developments,’’ she said.

    Continuing, she said: “The increasing number of unemployed youths roaming the streets in search of jobs and some parents not having tangible means of livelihood has made them become frustrated and, most times, engage in anti-social activities that are inimical to the well-being of our society. It is therefore our responsibility as government to do something concrete to address this situation by intervening with various measures that will alleviate poverty and create employment opportunities.

    Not only did the council organise empowerment training programme for the citizens, it also provided the participants with work tools at the end of the programme. This, according to Mrs Peters, was to enable the beneficiaries to establish small-scale businesses for themselves in a bid to become self-reliant.

    Two of the beneficiaries, Miss Grace Joe and Alimi Bukola expressed their appreciation to the Council Manager for coming to their aids.

    They said: “It is a privilege for us to participate in the empowerment training programme which has emboldened us with the hope to establish our own businesses someday,’’ even as they promised to maximise the opportunity that the training programme had offered them.

  • Agency organises programme on morality

    Agency organises programme on morality

    In line with its core mandate to orientate, mobilise, sensitise and enlighten the public, the Ondo State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has organised a one-day “Do the Right Thing Campus Focus Programme” hosted by the Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area of the State.

    The enlightenment programme whose theme was “Nigerian Tertiary Institution of Learning- Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Implications for National Transformation” was attended by major stakeholders in the education sector, including students, traditional rulers, youth corps members and top government officials.

    Various papers were presented by resource persons who included Dr Tolu Ademujimi, Mr. Titilayo Femi Kings and the Special Assistant (SA) to Governor Olusegun Mimiko on Sports Matters, Mr Olamide George.

    It was observed that the intrusion of western culture had negatively influenced Nigerian cultures so much so that all tertiary institutions are characterised by vices such as cultism, examination malpractices and sexual harassment, among others.

    A communiqué issued after the programme decried the spate of social vices among students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, which were described as major problems militating against the realisation of the desired quality education in the country.

    It noted that impunity, disrespect to rule of law and constituted authority are also some of the major problems in the country.

    It said: “Youths constitute a greater percentage of the populace in any given society and the bedrock of its development.

    “Therefore, efforts must be geared towards re-orientating them on the need to embrace attitudinal re-adjustment and moral rectitude.

    Participants praised NOA for organising the programme, especially now that moral decadence has become the order of the day in our national lives, including the campuses.

    They also praised the proprietor of Elizade University, Chief Ade Ojo, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Valentine Aletor and management of the institution for instilling discipline in its students and staff.

    They noted that there was urgent need to build and re-enforce the character of the youth with core values of honesty, hard work, patriotism, obedience and tolerance.

    Government, religious institutions, parents and teachers were also urged to instill discipline and moral values in the students in order to reduce social vices in tertiary institutions and the society.

    “Doing the right thing implies showing practical example for others to follow rather than verbal pronouncement. School planners/administrators should introduce practical learning where talent is recognised to suit the present generation of youth.

    “There is the need to hold a similar programme entitled “Do the Right Thing: Leadership Focus.

    “Freedom should not be taken for granted by students of tertiary institutions. Rather, they should maximise every opportunity to build their future,” they said.

    In his keynote address, the Director-General, NOA, Mr Mike Omeri who was represented by the Ondo State Director, Mr Bode Famose, pledged the determination of the agency to sensitise the public on the need to enhance cultural values for genuine transformation in the country.

    He assured that similar programmes would be organised on regular basis, particularly among students in various higher institutions across the country. He urged the citizens to do the right things to transform Nigeria.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Elizade University, Prof. Aletor appreciated the NOA’s management for availing them the opportunity of hosting the sensitisation programme in the University community, which, according to him, would enhance the moral and cultural values of the students.

    Present at the event were traditional rulers, including the Alara of Ilara-Mokin, Oba Aderemi Adefehinti, Onibuji of Ibuji, Oba Folagbade Ojo, Onimariwo of Mariwo, Oba Adegoke Aluko, Obanla of Igbara-Oke, Chief Olu Ajayi and top government officials from the state and local governments.

     

  • Journalists count gains of AWARES programme

    Journalists count gains of AWARES programme

    The curtains were drawn on the Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (AWARES) certificate programme of the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Lagos last Thursday with the participants, mostly journalists, counting the gains of the 20-day training.

    The training, which spanned 10 weeks, featured courses like Writing Skills, Developing Story Angles, News Releases/House Journals, Critical Writing, Creative Writing, Business writing, Prose, Imagery and Symbolism, Storyline Development, Political Economy/Macro-economic Reporting, Ethics etc, and made a significant impression on many of the participants.

    The programme ended last week with a critique of magazines designed by the participants who were referred to as the AWARES 14 set.

    Despite the difficulties the journalists faced imbibing PAU’s stringent punctuality policy and 80 per cent attendance scores, many of the participants left with pleasant memories of the interactive sessions with various facilitators; the mostly unsuccessful efforts to avoid being caught by the class coordinator, Nse-Abasi Ndiokho trying to dodge attendance; and the delicious tea and sumptuous lunches served by the in-house restaurant.

    Prof Emevwo Biakolo set the tone early in the programme with his analysis of the ’12 ‘O’ Clock Man’ [representing workers who neglect family for work]; Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya’s Writing Skills classes addressed grammar, paragraphing, essay writing, business writing and other areas of the English Language that many in the class previously had challenges with; Mr Tomi Vincent’s Ethics sessions were always charged as the class discussed various case studies; Prof James Tsaaior and Ita Hozaife’s classes tasked the writers’ imagination to write creatively; Mr Michael Esere’s Digital Media classes were so practical and interesting that the participants hardly knew when it was time for lunch; Dr Henry Oripeloye’s classes underscored the importance of outline, critical thinking and logic in writing; Dr Austin Nweze brought to life the variables that affect economic reporting, while Dr Issa Momoh enlightened participants about the business side of journalism.  The various classes also featured many practical exercises.

    The 10-week programme was not solely spent studying as the participants embarked on a-day field trip courtesy of Chevron Nigeria Limited, the major sponsor of the course.  They visited the Molecular Biology Laboratory donated by the company to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH); the Lekki Conservation Centre, which also enjoys the company’s support; and the Chevron Headquarters, where they were received by Mr Clay Neff, Chairman/Managing Director, CNL.

    Neff said the company decided to sponsor 30 of the 34 participants for the programme to boost human capital development in Nigeria.  He said the company values partnerships in society it operates and seeks to make sustainable investments in them.

    He said: “As you may already know, our vision is…to be the energy company most admired for its people, partnership and performance. One of our core values as a company is partnership. It is our practice to partner with relevant stakeholders everywhere we operate, in our efforts to achieve common business and development goals. In Nigeria, we have established enduring partnerships with different stakeholders, among whom are governments, non – governmental organizations (NGOs), business organizations, communities and of course the media.

    “In over five decades of operating in Nigeria, CNL has excelled in its core business of petroleum exploration and production; and has become a leading player in the country’s oil and gas industry. Through the provision of energy resources, we continue to contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation.  And through programmes such as AWARES, we build professional capacity and lasting partnerships with stakeholders.”

    Speaking on the benefits of the programme, many participants praised the interactivity of the class discussions, and the discipline, organisation and professionalism of the university and its workers.

    Mr Adekunle Yusuf of The Nation said he gained value from the programme that he did not expect to get from a Nigerian institution.

    “I reluctantly joined this class.  The day I graduated from the University of Lagos, I said never again will I step into any school in Nigeria.  But when I came here, I was impressed by the way you do things here.  I couldn’t believe that there is such a school in Nigeria where everybody is at their duty post,” he said.

    Describing the programme as rewarding, Sam Otti of The Sun said: “I value what we have done here.  When I came, I thought it would be just normal classes but it has gone beyond my expectation.  I like the interactive sessions.  If we have more writing classes, I think it would also help.”

    Mrs Joy Unegbu of the Nigerian Heart Foundation said she was forced to learn to be disciplined with time because of AWARES.

    “I used to struggle with time management.  Before now, I must go late for any programme.  However, any time, I prepare ahead.  Also, the teachers did not relate with us as teachers to students but as treated like equals.  The teachers here are intelligent and know what is happening around them.  They are able to relate with our experience,” she said.

    Another participant, Mr Olufemi Oribamise, who teaches at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), said the programme made him to change his ways of teaching.

    “I thought I had been doing my job well before, but now I am even better.  I now give my students five minutes of grace to get to class and after that they don’t come in.  They have been abiding with the new rule.  The discipline of time, phone calls, and proper dressing have been impactful during this training,” he said.

    On his part, Professional Education Development Manager, PAU, Mr Isaac Ezechukwu said the facilitators also commended the AWARES 14 set for being very active.  He said the aim of the course is to equip journalists with skills to help society develop.

    “The aim of the programme is to empower and train journalists who are those that help us articulate who we are and strengthen our democracy.  We are grateful to Chevron for sponsoring the programme,” he said.

    The AWARES 14 class will graduate with other streams of programmes at the 2014 convocation of the university on November 23.  In the course of the programme, the class elected four executives, namely: Nneka Ijeoma of CNL (President); Emeka Ugwanyi of The Nation (Vice President); Adeola Yusuf of New Telegraph (General Secretary); and Slyvester Okereke of The Champion (Social Secretary).