The Nation Newspaper

Tag: registration

  • Firm faults management of residents’ registration

    Criticisms have continued to trail the management of the residents’ registration being undertaken by the Lagos State Residents’ Registration Agency (LASRRA).

    The registration has been bogged down by “the Nigerian factor,” de spite the project being a major policy of the  Babatunde Fashola administration.

    The distribution of identification cards to residents who have registered is expected to begin next month.

    But  an  Information Technology (IT) group, Oracle Data Resort, expressed doubts about the efficiency of the agency in carrying out the assignment.

    In a statement, its Operations Director,  Nkenna Osuji,  said: “The residents’ cards project is a good idea even when it has proved to be a duplication of already existing data initiatives of the national identity card project, the data captured in the driver’s licence through the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-ordered banks’ biometric and data collation initiative, among others.

    “The idea will ensure even distribution of the needs of the populace, despite the reality that the governor wields awesome discretion in the areas of giving priority to projects.

    “The N7billion so far expended on the initiative is not commensurate with the paltry 168,000 residents’ cards produced in three years.”

    The statement also criticised “the purported suspicious disappearance of the residency cards of the Governor Babatunde Fashola and Governor-elect Akinwunmi Ambode when the vehicle of the agency’s head was purportedly attacked by robbers”.

    The resort’s spokesman ,  Gboyega Alebiosu, said:  “The activities of the agency had not been up to the standard practice of monitoring by the outgoing administration.

    “Why is the ineptitude (of this agency) being kept away from the prying eyes of relevant government officials and the public?”

  • Firm introduces merchant registration

    Firm introduces merchant registration

    In a bid to address series of complaints from entrepreneurs and service providers, Nigeria’s online financing (repayment) website, bigdeals.com.ng, has incorporated a merchant section into its services.

    The financing package helps consumers pay for products or services upfront while the consumer repays in instalments.

    According to the CEO of the company, Mr. Seun Adegoke, “many businesses in Nigeria today fail due to lack of patronage. With this innovative option for business owners, we will pay you (service providers) upfront for services to be performed and the customer pay us back later. It is that simple, with 0% down payment. Even banks cannot offer this package.”

    A merchant, CEO of SGL Trading, Mr. Olamide Olawuni, who expressed confidence in the package, said, “we have been looking forward to this as Big Deals has only always partnered with multinationals, this will certainly help small businesses and will reduce debts as many a time we rely on loan to perform some jobs, but with this upfront payment, it will help many of our customers as they get the same value and pay later.”ac

  • Registration for Greensprings/ Kanu Football Camp begins

    Registration for the season four of the annual Greensprings/Kanu Football Camp has commenced across the country.

    According to the organisers, students who will like to be part of the one-week camping can  now register online on www.greenspringskanufootballcamp.org.

    The Director of Education, Greensprings School, Harry McFaul, said this year’s camp would be unique as over 500 participants and 80 coaches are expected to be part of the one-week exercise holding at the Lekki Campus of Greensprings.

    “What makes this year’s event unique is that there will be more time allocated to coaching and training of coaches so that even more people will ultimately benefit from the camp in the longer term. The camp will be larger offering more opportunities to potential football stars from across Nigeria. We have had enquiries from farther afield than ever before with large numbers of sponsored places offered to boys and girls who have potential – but maybe not the financial means to attend. In furtherance of Greensprings’ corporate social responsibility, there will be an outreach programme in Abesan Community, Lagos where Kanu Nwankwo will lead all the foreign coaches and their Nigerian counterparts in a one-day football clinic for residents in the area,” McFaul said.

    He added that the coaches would be drawn from England and Netherlands including Nigerian coaches.

    “There will  be specialist coaches from the UK, Holland and Nigeria. These coaches are trained in coaching young players to bring out the best in them, using methods that can be adapted and used long after they have gone back to Europe,” he added.

    Being the 30th anniversary of the school, McFaul promises that it would be an exciting moment for the participants.

    His words: “The camp has grown in popularity and success over the years and many students have blossomed as a result of being at the camp. In recent years a number of players were spotted and offered scholarships at Greensprings where they have been highly successful academically as well as on the football pitch. Some have been fortunate enough to gain places at football academies in England after attending the camp. There is a lot of excitement and anticipation surrounding the camp this year and we pray for a great time of fun and fulfilment for all who attend.”

  • Registration for Ibile Games 2015 ends Jan. 16

    The Main Organising Committee (MOC) of Lagos State Secondary Schools Sports Festival tagged Ibile Games 2015 has said that the ongoing registration for the competition will close on January 16.

    With two weeks to the commencement of the tournament, no fewer than 174 schools have so far registered to participate in the competition, which holds from Monday, 26 January 26  to February 6.

    The MOC in a statement said that entry forms (sport by sport for schools), athlete’s individual registration and entry forms for participation in the games can still be collected by schools at Rowe Park Sports Complex, Yaba, Institutional Sports Department inside Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Agege Stadium, Campus Mini Stadium, Lagos Island, Onikan Stadium, Lagos Island and the five Education Districts in Lagos State.

    Permanent Secretary, Office of Sports, Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development, Sewedo Oluseyi Whenu said  Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)  has made available all resources and logistic support for a successful organisation of the games

    Forms are available in Junior Secondary School category, Senior Secondary School category and open category – combined JSS and SSS.

    The Ibile Games 2015 is for all public and private secondary schools in Lagos State that include Lagos State Government schools, Federal Government schools, military, missionary and other privately owned secondary schools.

    The schools will participate in Athletics (including Deaf Athletics), Chess, Gymnastics, Scrabble, Swimming, Weightlifting, Boxing, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, Wrestling, Badminton, Table Tennis (including Deaf Table Tennis), Tennis and Squash.

  • LMC adopts ‘no pay, no play’ condition for Clubs’ registration

    LMC adopts ‘no pay, no play’ condition for Clubs’ registration

    In apparent reaction to the spate of protests and threats of strike by players of some Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs, the League Management Company (LMC) has warned that clubs found to be in breach of financial obligations to players will not be registered for the 2014/15 Glo Premier League season.

    Chairman of LMC, Nduka Irabor emphasized that ‘a no pay, no play’ policy will be adopted in the registration process for the coming season and noted that all clubs seeking registration must provide proof that there are no overdue payables, especially to the players. He said the zero tolerance for clubs’ indebtedness to players will cover current and former players of the clubs.

    Irabor made this clear in a recent communication to club managers and owners and reminded them that compliance to the Financial Criteria is a fundamental requirement for club registration under the Licensing Conditions.

    He said the mandatory compliance with licensing regulations has been reiterated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) which also recently warned that clubs which are not licensed by the Federation would not be registered to compete in CAF Inter-Club competitions.

    The LMC Chairman harped on the issue of players’ welfare which he said is a fundamental requirement under club licensing regulations and expressed displeasure that some clubs have been cited in cases of non-fulfillment of contractual obligation to players.

    Irabor described as embarrassing to the nation’s football reports of street protests by players of these clubs for non-payment of their salaries and other accruable. He said: “The numerous reports about players in the league being owed salaries for several months, including public protests by players over unpaid salaries are disheartening and it is extremely embarrassing that a great football nation such as ours is exposed to ridicule and not allowed to see the performances of happy and well compensated professional football players.”

    He, therefore, vowed that the LMC will uphold the sanctity of player contracts and offer players every necessary aid to obtain redress for any breach of contracts.

    CAF just recently reminded clubs through the Federations that the enforcement of licensing conditions has become mandatory from December 1, 2014 and has amended its regulations for Inter-Club competitions to reflect the new realities. For Nigeria, clubs were reminded that they must have a Youth Development programme Coordinator who must have the prerequisite qualifications listed in the criteria.

    One of the instruments introduced by the LMC to check overdue payments by clubs is the Financial Performance Guaranty which was widely resisted by most of the club’s during the current season. “The direct effect of non compliance with such basic condition is now too obvious for all to see. The LMC will not budge on its demand for Financial Performance Guarantee in the new season, we will not allow clubs to carry-over their indebtedness to players into the coming season.

    The LMC Chairman concluded with an advice to the clubs to seek diversification of their revenue generating capacity by involving their immediate communities in the sporting and financial pursuits of the clubs and assured that they would have the cooperation and relevant guidance of the LMC in this regard.

  • ‘Why we need animal registration law in Lagos’

    The Lagos State Government has been called upon to institute a compulsory pet registration programme, complete with animal identification tagging and enforcement of Leash laws.

    The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Lagos State chapter made this call following the death of two people in the Meiran area of the state, allegedly from  rabid dog bites. The deceased were Master James Makwa Musa, a 14 -year-old JSS 1 pupil and Miss Aishat Opakunle , a 21-year old fresh holder of an Ordinary National Diploma (OND).

    The association also warned quacks to desist from handling of veterinary biological, especially pet vaccines, such as anti-rabies vaccines and DHLPP vaccines.

    Chairman, Dr Alao Mobolaji, said his association condemned the development, describing it as quite unfortunate, “the loss of these two budding Nigerians is sad, unfortunate and needless because the disease, rabid is highly preventable by simple immunisation. Rabies is a preventable disease and has been completely eradicated from some parts of the world, such as in Austria, United Kingdom, Spain, Greece and Malta.”

    Giving an insight to how the death  occurred, Dr Alao said: “Both reside at No 114, Road 1A, Mologede Estate, Meiran. The victims were reported to have been bitten on  July 11, this year by a dog named, ‘Jerry’, a mongrel, allegedly belonging to one Mr Ogundiran of A115, Road 1A, Mologede Estate, Meiran, Lagos. Miss Opakunle died on Friday, August 8; while Master Musa died after a brief battle for his life.”

    He said both of them showed the vital signs of rabies in human, “Signs include fever, delirium, abnormal behaviour, numbness and loss of muscle function, drooling of saliva, hallucination, restlessness, swallowing difficulty and hydrophobia (fear of water). The suspect dog, ‘Jerry’, died five days after biting these two young people.”

    The association wants the state government to arrest and prosecute the owner of the rabid dog that led to the deaths of the two young Nigerians.

    Already, the NVMA State chapter is planning to dedicate this year’s World Rabies Day, by immunisation of unimmunised dogs in Meiran area of the state, to commemorate the memories of the two deceased, on 28th of next month; still the chapter wants further actions from the state government.

    The treasurer, Dr Omotayo Ajala said in the interim the government should, “remove all stray dogs in the Meiran area of Alimosho Local Government Area with immediate effect and screened for any possibility of rabies infection; all dogs owners the area should vaccinate their pets and present an up to and vaccination certificate of their pets from a qualified veterinary surgeon.”

  • APC hails Kwara South indigenes on registration

    APC hails Kwara South indigenes on registration

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Kwara South Stakeholders’ Forum, Lagos State chapter, has hailed Kwara South indigenes for travelling home to participate in the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration.

    It urged them to vote during the coming general elections so that their efforts would not be in vain.

    The group said the people of the senatorial district should support the second term bid of Governor AbdulFattah Ahmed.

    At a meetingat the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos,theforum deliberated on governance in Kwara State and on the 2015 general elections.

    The participants resolved that Kwara South people should prepare for the general elections by creating an awareness and mobilising their people in Kwara, Lagos and other states.

    They said individuals’ financial contributionsý and corporate sponsorship were necessary for the mobilisation.

    It was suggested that zonal committees should be constituted to organise mobilisation for the poll.

    The people lauded Governor Ahmed for his achievements not only in Kwara South, but also in all parts of the state.

    They said Kwara South indigenes should be actively politically to take their destinies in their hands.

    “Our people resident in Lagos should be closer to their communities and be well informed about the activities going on there.”

  • PVCs: Youths seek voter education

    A group in Oyo State, Youth Development Organisation (YDO), has urged political parties to educate voters to ensure the success of Permanent Voter Cards’ (PVCs) collection and Continuation of Voter Registration (CVR).

    The group’s chairman, Comrade Olufunmi Bamgbose, made the call at a voter  sensitisation yesterday on the PVCs and CVR in Egbeda and Ona-Ara local government areas.

    “This exercise is very important to you as political parties because a single card not collected means a vote lost to a political party. Therefore, as critical stakeholders, you have a responsibility in ensuring the success of this exercise.

    “The cards are very important towards ensuring your success at the polls because the voters need the card to vote for your candidates. And as you are all aware, no PVC, no voting.

    “It is also important for those who are yet to register to do so. Inform your friends and loved ones,” he said.

    He also advised those who attained 18 years to register because the data would provide basic statistics for planning and other activities that would benefit the state and its people.

  • Indigene registration

    Nigeria can do without introduction of another divisive scheme

    The alleged move to register non-indigenes in some states of the federation is condemnable, whether as an action or a reaction. It is at once illegal and illogical. In a country contending with many forces threatening to tear the fabric of the society, it is unfortunate that leaders who should appreciate the power of a united front are bent on making Nigerians from other parts of the country second-class citizens in their own country.

    At first, the news was that Imo State government had issued an ultimatum to non-indigenes to either be registered or prepare for ‘deportation’. It was a relief when the state government denied the allegation, and was supported by leaders of the Hausa community in the state who said it was a private initiative to know the legitimate Northern residents there, with a view to checking possible infiltration of the ranks by undesirable elements. Leader of the Arewa community in Imo State told journalists that they were trying to get the state government to buy into the project as a way of assuring all that only law-abiding citizens from the northern states whose details are known are resident there.

    But, this did not prevent response from the North where some state governments in the region issued a counter-threat that Nigerians from outside the bloc should prepare to face similar consequences. Even the northern members of the National Assembly who warned that the alleged move should be halted immediately were hasty in coming to the conclusion that the state government actually made such a move. As representatives of the people, it would not have been out of place for the lawmakers to voice their concerns. However, it would have been better appreciated had they used their good offices to get in touch with the Imo State government and the Arewa community leaders in the state before making such pronouncements that did nothing to help the tension at hand.

    We take strong exception to the inflammatory statement by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) that the investment of the Igbo in the North could be targeted in case such an obnoxious policy was implemented. The ACF neither verified the facts nor took steps as an organisation of elder statesmen to consult the Eastern state governments. Such utterances and threats could only provoke further reactions from the other parts of the country. Besides, for miscreants seeking opportunity to cause mayhem, that could lead to looting and plundering of the properties and investments of southerners in the North.

    The current state of insecurity in the country calls for utmost caution on the part of all, especially those who claim to be leaders. Leadership behoves restraint in the face of provocation. It must be noted that Nigeria is greater than a sum of its component parts. The heroes past laboured to bequeath this country to the current set of rulers and they have no right to set it on fire.

    The 1999 Constitution is clear on who a citizen is, his responsibilities and rights. This cannot be taken away by the fiat of any other citizen, whatever position he may temporarily hold, or even any institution or law. While section 24 of the supreme law of the land spells out the duties of citizens, the definition of who a citizen is and the process by which he could be deprived of his inalienable rights are elaborately spelt out in chapter three of the constitution. It is a fundamental right of all citizens to move and reside in any part of the country without any form of discrimination or harassment, and this must be scrupulously adhered to by all.

    We support the declaration of the National Security Council that anyone who violates this constitutional provision is an enemy of the state and should be treated as such. At the heart of the Plateau State crisis that has caused untold hardship to many, and taken lives, is the question of who is a settler and who is an indigene. It remains unsettled. To impose further requirements on citizens who in the course of their legitimate businesses have to move across states is unacceptable.

    We call on the National Civic Registration Board to speed up the bid to have all Nigerians captured in the National Identity Card Scheme. This is the only civilised and legitimate means of obtaining detailed information on all citizens, including where they live and for how long. Any other thing amounts to courting disaster.

    We also call on all Nigerians to be security conscious. Those living in neighbourhoods should take interest in knowing residents and checking up on their activities unobtrusively. Where there are grounds to suspect movements and activities that could endanger the lives of others, such information should be supplied to the law enforcement agents. To defeat insurgents, kidnappers, armed robbers and other enemies of the state, the security agencies ought, too, to step up efforts at cultivating the support of the people.

    All forms of social discrimination are subversive of the national interest and should be rejected. Organisations and institutions that, by their utterances appear to be fanning embers of disunity at a time like this must be told unequivocally that they are acting contrary to the national interest.

  • Cyber cafés no longer handle UTME registration

    With effect from next year, cyber cafés will no longer be accredited as centres where candidates can register for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    Prof Dibu Ojerinde, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), said registration should now be done at the 156 centres that would be used for the Computer Based Tests (CBT).

    To this end, Ojerinde, who delivered the keynote address at the opening of a three-day national conference on Science, Technology and Mathematics Education, at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Monday, warned prospective candidates of the dangers of registering in cyber cafés.

    Should they run into trouble with processing their examination and results, the JAMB boss said they would have themselves to blame.

    The Registrar said JAMB has given registration to the 156 centres to minimise the atrocities perpetrated by operators of unapproved cafés.

    Speaking on the theme, Application of new technologies in Science, Technology and Mathematics Education, Ojerinde said that there is no going back on full migration of the UTME from paper to Computer Based Test (CBT) from next year.

    To this end, he said preparations are in top gear to ensure that the CBT/UTME is successful.

    He said: “There is no going back to our proposed all CBT for our UTME come 2015. I want to assure the public that we are working round the clock to ensure that we record huge success during our 2015 all computer test.

    “We are creating more centres nationwide in addition to the existing ones that we have been using before now.  This is to ensure a successful migration into the CBT mode as well as ensure that the candidates are carried along.

    “We are looking forward to having about 1.6 million prospective candidates registering for the examination nationwide, including the visually impaired, who we have also taken into consideration as we prepare for the examination.”

    Despite his optimism, Ojerinde said the board has faced some challenges in migrating to CBT.

    He said many skeptics in the system have opposed the move because they could not fathom how the technology would work with erratic power supply and lack of electrification in rural areas.

    He also claimed there is a local and international conspiracy threatening the development of CBT in Nigeria.

    Poor budgetary allocation, he explained, was also making it difficult to meet its obligations.

    With the general elections holding next year, the JAMB Boss said the date of the examination may be brought forward from April to March.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the Acting Head, Department of Science and Technology Education, organisers of the conference, Uju Esiobu said the meeting was to afford educators of Science, Technology and Mathematics (STM) and practitioners to brainstorm on how to use ICT to enhance STM education.