The Nation Newspaper

Tag: promises

  • Jonathan promises more affirmative action for women

    Jonathan promises more affirmative action for women

    President Goodluck Jonathan has greeted the country’s mothers as they joined others globally to mark the day set aside to commemorate their unique and indispensable service to humanity.

    Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, assured them that the Federal Government would continue to do all within its powers to empower them to play their “immense and God-given role for the greater glory of Nigeria”.

    It reads: “President Jonathan reaffirms that his administration will continue to progressively strengthen its affirmative action in favour of girls, women and mothers while intensifying its actions aimed at promoting gender equality in the nation.

    “The president,  who attended a special service at the Presidential Villa to commemorate Mothers’ Day with his mother, Madam Eunice Jonathan, and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, prays that God Almighty will bless all Nigerian mothers mightily…”

  • Osinbajo promises good governance

    Dr. Yemi Osinbajo, the running mate to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has promised Nigerians good governance if his party wins the general elections.

    He said under an APC administration, the citizens would be assured of the dividends of democracy, such as good roads, potable water, constant electricity, decent houses, qualitative education, employment and others.

    Osinbajo, who spoke yesterday at an interactive section at the Overcomers Pentecostal Church, Abule Egba, Lagos, said Nigerians had been patient over the years, adding that they would soon have cause to smile, as there was light at the end of the tunnel.

    His words: “The only thing our people need to do is to vote for APC candidates on March 28 and April 11. Once they do this, they are assured of good lives. People should obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). No matter the money offered them, they should not sell the card because it is their instrument to exercise their franchise by voting for APC candidates.”

    Osinbajo said his party was determined to tackle corruption, adding that Buhari’s opponents were afraid because they were corrupt.

    The National President of the All Christian Leaders and Ministers Forum (ACLMF), Dr. Sam Ogedengbe, said a vote for APC candidates would mean bye-bye to poverty.

    He said Prof. Osinbajo and Gen. Buhari are tested politicians, who can be trusted with public offices because they are men of integrity.

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State chapter, has urged Nigerians to embrace peace before, during and after the elections.

    The CAN Chairman, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, who spoke yesterday in Lagos at a news conference to herald this year’s Inter-Denominational Divine Service (IDDS), which will be held on March 14 by the association, at The Apostolic Church Nigeria, International Convention Ground, Ketu, Lagos, said people should not take the polls as a do-or-die affair.

    The Chairman of the IDDS Planning Committee, Dr. Adefunmilayo Akitoye-Braimah, said the theme of the programme is: “Looking up for help”, adding that “IDDS is a solemn assembly of all Christians, which our beloved Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, although a Muslim, has attended yearly since he assumed office in 2007 “

  • FCMB promises more loans to agric sector

    FCMB promises more loans to agric sector

    Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun, has assured that the bank will intensify its support to the agricultural sector and its value chain including lending more to the subsector in the interest of the economy.

    The bank chief spoke yesterday during the ‘FCMB Agric Business: Diversifying the Nigerian Economy’ conference held in Lagos.

    He said the lender is focused on being a strategic partner to the government and other stakeholders in the agric sector to ensure food sufficiency, employment and revenue generation.

    Mr. Balogun assured that the lender will continue to provide credit to the sector and its value chain, including small and medium scale businesses. He said the 30 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) come from the agricultural sector, and was 40 per cent before the economy was rebased last year.

    “The agric transformation is real. It is not rhetoric. We built agric business that is at the centre of transforming the economy. If we really want to continue employing the growing population, we need to not only feed Nigeria, but feed the world,” he said.

    He said the bank realises that there are millions of farmers across the country that need credit at affordable rates, considering the level of attraction the agric sector has garnered. That is why we are increasing our level of support.

    Also, speaking the Chairman of Tractor Owners & Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria (TOHFAN), Alhaji Danladi Garba, commended FCMB for its support to the agric sector and farmers. He said that Nigeria can produce its own food and that agric business remains profitable.

  • Ambode promises more projects

    Ambode promises more projects

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Akinwumni Ambode, has promised to implement people-oriented projects, if voted into office.

    He made this promise at a rally in Lagos yesterday organised by Southsouth, Arewa and Ndigbo indigenes in the state.

    The APC candidate promised to provide an enabling environment for non-indigenes to do their businesses, adding that his administration would not discriminate against them.

    “I want to build a Lagos where people can realise their aspirations. My vision for Lagos is leadership and accountability, good governance and quality service.

    “I will build an educational trust fund to cater for the unemployed youth; I will finance artisans to establish cottage businesses.

    “There would be a revitalisation of vocational skill and education so people with vocational education don’t end up as roadside vulcanisers and welders.”

  • Ambode promises more prosperous Lagos

    Ambode promises more prosperous Lagos

    The Governorship Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has assured business leaders and investors of a more prosperous Lagos under his leadership.

    Ambode, who spoke at a meeting with business leaders organised by ‘Round Table Forum’  in Lagos, said if given the opportunity to serve, Lagos will be alive for business 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

    “It will be a 24/7 economy.  We want to make the city more attractive for investors. Lagos State and how its resources are managed have national implications, either positively or otherwise. Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria and is among the seventh fastest growing cities in the world, with about 21 million people. It is in the interest of this country, that we play our part to ensure that Lagos remains prosperous,” he said.

    Ambode said the people of Lagos have remained friendly to investors and migrants, adding that it would continue to be so, under his watch.

    “I see a Lagos that is safe and more prosperous. I also see a Lagos economy driven by quality service, equity and justice,” adding that he derives joy in encouraging and seeing young people succeed and actualizsing their dreams.

    He promised that under his watch, there will be continuity in the provision of adequate security in Lagos State and also thanked the business community for their contributions to the Security Trust Fund.  “In the last seven and half years, the Security Trust Fund has attracted N12 billion, of which N4 billion came from the private sector,” he said.

    He said he would deploy CCTV state-wide to tackle criminal activities in all the communities, adding that if elected, his administraion will  take steps to ensure that more electricity is made available to the business community as such would reduce their cost of operation.

    He said that about 40 per cent of cost of doing business comes from alternative source of power, against four per cent in most developed economies.

  • Oyo APC candidate promises quality representation

    Oyo APC candidate promises quality representation

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Rilwan Akanbi, who is seeking to represent Oyo South senatorial district at the National Assembly has promised to uphold the aims and objective of his party, if elected into the Upper House.

    Speaking in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital recently, the former member of the House of Representatives said he would sponsor people-oriented bills that would accelerate developments in the grassroots. His focus, he added, is to align himself with the APC manifesto, which affirms that “Nigeria is greater than any individual or the sum of her Federating Units” and that the country can only succeed when all citizens have equal rights and when the culture of impunity is abolished.

    Akanbi insists that he has proved his mettle as a progressive-minded politician by providing quality representation, especially by providing access to better standards of living for those within his constituency.

    “As an agent for committed, focused and transparent leadership, I have shown the readiness to serve the people and respect their opinions in politics, as well as ensure that the people always have a say in the state of affairs,” he added.

    Akanbi said his clinching of the APC ticket for the Oyo South senatorial district is a testimony of the people’s trust in his capability as an individual, and his experience at executive and parliamentary stands.

    If elected, he said he would concentrate on the APC’s five cardinal points of power, security, corruption, electoral and economic reforms. He noted that if the APC is voted into power at the centre that it would work towards achieving a better Nigeria as its manifesto clearly states.

    He said: “The APC shall muster the political will to wage strident war against corruption, to ensure that it repositions the economy to rely less on export of crude oil.” The APC candidate said an APC government at the centre would also strengthen the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), by working towards an amendment of the law, to make them more independent to fight corruption.

    He added: “We shall embark on public sensitisation campaign and civic education against corruption in schools and town halls. We shall encourage civil society organisations, advocacy groups and whistle-blowers in the anti-graft vanguard. We shall stop the corruption of our electoral process by making Independent National and State Electoral Commissions truly independent.

  • NFF promises Flying Eagles adequate preparations

    NFF promises Flying Eagles adequate preparations

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has promised the Flying Eagles they will be fully prepared for the 2015 African Youth Championship in Senegal.

    NFF director of competitions, Sanusi Mohammed, assured the team of adequate preparations when he visited them on New Year’s day at their African Continental Hotel training camp in Kaduna.

    “We plan to ensure you get top quality friendly matches before the AYC and thereafter you proceed on a training tour of a country with a similar weather condition to that of Senegal,” declared Sanusi.

    “We believe in this team and are very much encouraged by the unity and sense of purpose you have displayed all this while.”

    It is believed that NFF are now exploring the possibilities of getting the country’s U-20 team to train for at least a month in Gambia before they hit Senegal of the AYC.

    They are drawn against hosts Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Congo in Group A of the competition, which kicks off on March 8 in Dakar.

  • ‘I ‘ll fulfill my campaign promises to Ondo South’

    ‘I ‘ll fulfill my campaign promises to Ondo South’

    All Progressives Congress (apc) chieftain Morayo Lebi has emerged winner of the Ondo South Senatorial primaries held at Adolak Hotel, Ore. He polled 1,261 votes to defeat his rival, Femi Akingbola, who had 156 votes.

    The Returning Officer, Duro Adonis said that 1,467 delegates participated in the poll, adding that total valid votes cast was 1,417. The invalid votes was 50.

    Adonis said that the election was peaceful and well organised, adding party agents and aspirants accepted the results.

    Lebi told reporters that the result undercored his popularity, assuring that he will fulfill his campaign promises, if elected as a senator. He dedicated the victory to his supporters.

    The flag bearer said that the emancipation of his people was utmost in his mind, adding that his senatorial district would experience unprecedented development during his tenure.

    Lebi, a lawyer, expressed optimism that he would defeat his opponents at the poll. He said: “Our people are tasty for change because they are tired of endless promises of the opposition party and I tell you that the wind of change is already blowing all over the country.

    “My people have repose their trust and confidence in me and I will never let them down because my senatorial district will witness unprecedented change and development,’’ Lebi said.

    The Chairman of the APC in Ondo South, Mr Paul Oyeto, also expressed satisfaction at the conduct of the election saying that it was peaceful and well organised.

    “I thanked the supporters for their decorum and peaceful organisation. The APC is known for organisation and unity. All these will be put in place to dislodge the opposition in 2015 general elections.”

  • Buhari promises issue-based campaign

    Buhari promises issue-based campaign

    The Buhari Campaign Organisation has pledged to conduct a campaign focused on the issues which will uplift average Nigerian from poverty to prosperity.

    General Muhammadu Buhari is the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In a statement yesterday by its Communication Director, Mr. Dele Alake, the organisation noted that “the issues of electricity generation and distribution, poverty elimination, eradication of corruption, mass unemployment and security of lives and property are going to form the focal points of our campaign.”

    It added: “These issues have no ethnic colour. Poverty afflicts the old and the young. Unemployment has no political affiliation. Insecurity damages the economy precariously. Insecurity may be more prominent in the Northeast in the wake of the Boko Haram insurgency, but the reality is that Nigerians generally have never been as endangered as they now are.

    “Our responsibility to the Nigerian people in this campaign is to articulate how to rescue Nigerians from the present danger based on the manifesto of the APC. Our responsibility is to demonstrate that Buhari has the personal virtues of discipline, honesty and transparency to inspire the change that is imminent.

    “Our responsibility is to communicate how the military skills acquired by Buhari, the generals’ general, in a publicly acknowledged distinguished career, has made him the most appropriate contestant in the 2015 election with the technical and technocratic skills to crush the rampaging  insurgency and bring peace to a nation losing  a protracted guerrilla war”.

    On the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket, the campaign organisation said it brought together two institutions, which defend the national patrimony and maintain internal harmony.

    It explained that while the military defends the state from aggression, the judicial system defends the law, which establishes and maintains the state.

    “Indeed, the intellectual, political and spiritual antecedents of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo provide the complimentary combination and collaboration that the next Nigerian administration needs – a government that respects the rights of its citizens and enforces their duty to the state.

     

  • Ideye promises son a goal against QPR

    Ideye promises son a goal against QPR

    Super Eagles and West Bromwich Albion striker, Brown  Ideye has promised his son, Brown Junior a goal if he plays against Queens Park Rangers.

    The official club website reports that the Nigeria international, Ideye promised his son a goal in his next outing. The Nigerian is yet to score in the Premier League since he joined West Brom but the comfort of having his family around him will help him adjust to life in England.

    Ideye now hopes to reward his son with a goal if he gets to play a part when West Bromwich Albion face Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

    “It is very important for me to have my family here. I am happy that things are working out for me”, said Ideye.

    “He (Brown Junior) always wanted to see the dressing rooms so I had to take him in to see it. He is happy that we won but he was disappointed that I didn’t score, so I have told him I will score next time.

    Ideye, who scored 33 goals in 74 games while at his previous club in Ukraine, Dynamo Kyiv got his first Premier League start and he was pleased his team got the maximum point.

    “I knew how important the game was for us as players and also for the fans, so I am very happy that we won because I couldn’t imagine not winning. I was happy that I was in the first XI. I was always hungry to start for West Brom and I always give my best. Ideye stated.

    “Sometimes it’s difficult but I have to keep on pushing and working hard for the team. I’m getting closer to my best. I have had a lot of things to deal with so I just have to be focused.

    “The gaffer said he wanted me to work hard and at times it has been difficult for me to adapt to the system that the team plays. I have to adjust to what I have to do when the team is playing, but right now I think I’m there and I am just working hard now,” Ideye said.