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Tag: replace

  • ‘I want to replace our non-performing 79-year old Rep’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives aspirant Akinlayo Kolawole speaks on his bid to represent Ekiti North Constituency II in this interview with reporters in Ado Ekiti, capital of Ekiti State. Excerpts:

    You just ventured into politics and you want to pick a ticket to the House of Representatives?

    I have been an active member of the party, though I have been playing underground. I came fully into the APC in January and shortly after, I unveiled my intention to contest for House of Representatives to represent Ekiti North Federal Constituency II, comprising Ido/Osi, Moba and Ilejemeje Local governments.

    It is not actually the time you join a party that matters, but your worth and contributions since you joined. The governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who defected back to the PDP recently, won election on APC’s platform in 2015 barely one month after joining the party.

    The governor was given the ticket based on his worth and not when he joined the party. When I joined the APC, the party was so docile in my constituency. I had to mobilise the people doing; what I was supposed to do to bring the party back to life. I moved from one ward to another, sensitising our people that hope has not lost completely and the outcome reflected in the results of the July 14 governorship election, which Dr Kayode Fayemi won. Apart from this, I worked for the emergence of Dr. Fayemi at the primary.

    What are your chances of securing the ticket?

    Let me first say the APC’s chances are very high in that constituency, because the 79 year old man, Thaddeus Aina, who is representing the constituency now, has not given effective representation. He has not called a meeting once to tell his people what he has done. Apart from this, he has not raised any motion or sponsored any bill or even contribute to discussions on the floor of the National Assembly since 2015 when he was elected. Is that what we call representation? Our people are ready to change and that will happen in 2019. They need a very active youth and that they have seen in me. Regarding the APC ticket, I know I have a good chance. Our leaders; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Chief Segun Oni, know my worth and contributions. All I want is free, fair and credible primary and once that is done, I will surely get the ticket because our people are behind me and they are supporting my aspiration.

    What have you done that makes you stand out among the aspirants?

    Before I joined our party, I have been giving out scholarships to students. I have been empowering the widows and giving out empowerments to our jobless youths, so that they can stand on their own. Since I joined the APC, I have paid WAEC  fees of 180 students in the three councils that make up our federal constituency.

    I had given bursary to 210 students of tertiary institutions. I have given empowerment to youths and social security to the elderly, these I did across the three councils. I have been encouraging our youths on how to be focused and this I did by way of getting joblessness out of their lives. The recent I did was for our farmers, which I have organized into groups with access to soft loan from a fund I provided to help them expand their farms for better profit and for them to live good lives. So, whoever will contest against me must come out with his own score card of what he has done for the people. So, the contests, both primary and the general elections will be based on what you have done for the people and this stands me in a good stead to be able to clinch the ticket and wins the election eventually.

    Are you not worried that Dr. Fayemi’s victory is being challenged at the tribunal?

    That is the beauty of democracy. The Election Petition Tribunal is part of electoral process and don’t forget that Dr. Fayemi became the governor in 2010 through the same process, so we are not rattled at all. The PDP is only embarking on a wild goose chase by challenging the outcome of the election. The APC candidate won the election through free, fair and credible process. The election was never rigged. Even the PDP thought we would deploy federal might by arresting their members  the way they did in the 2014 election. But in this election, nobody was arrested, nobody was molested, it was largely won based on popularity and antecedents. There was no town out of the 133 towns that we got to that Fayemi won’t be able to point to at least  three projects unlike the PDP that concentrated all its projects in Ado and Ikere Ekiti.

    Besides, we did a vigorous campaign before the election. We did door-to-door campaign, neighbour-to-neighbour and house-to-house contacts to let our people know that the APC was better and they agreed with us. Dr. Fayemi won’t fail at the Tribunal. The PDP will come out of the litigation process empty handed because they have no sufficient grounds to upturn the verdict of Ekiti voters.

    What is your take on the defections from the APC?

    It will not affect our party depending on how our party leadership addresses the issue. It was like a coalition of forces by some politicians across the country with intention to wrest power from President Muhammadu Buhari, but such won’t affect the party in the 2019 general election. I applaud the national leadership, led by Adams Oshiomhole, for wooing Senator Godswill Akpabio to the APC. Akpabio’s defection has neutralised whatever effect Saraki and others defections must have caused the APC.

    Nigerians are desirous of having a President that has the passion to confront poverty, corruption and insurgency and only President Buhari has these antecedents among the contending forces for the race, not even Saraki or any other person has such records in his political career. Nigerians had gambled in the past by electing those without passion to govern them as Presidents, but those times had gone. What they now wanted is someone who will believe that Nigerians’ money must be spent for the commoners and not those that will see it as their own personal patrimony.

     

  • Fed Govt to replace foreigners with locals

    The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Joseph Ari,  has expressed worry over the number of foreigners in some sectors.

    He said the situation not only posed danger, but threatened the attainment of key government policies.

    Speaking at the kick-off of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme in Awka, Anambra State, Ari said the Federal Government had commenced the replacement of foreigners with Nigerians, who had acquired skills for such jobs.

    He said the programme was aimed at instilling skills in Nigerians, particularly the youth, to stimulate economic recovery and growth.

    “It is worrisome that despite the number of Nigerians without work, several surveys, including those conducted by the ITF, have revealed that vacancies exist in some sectors of the economy that are currently being filled by persons other than Nigerians because of the lack of requisite technical skills of our people.

    “It was with a view of arresting this problem, which represents not only a clear and present danger, but also threatens the attainment of key government policies that the ITF conceived the idea of NISDP,” he said.

  • Govt to replace kerosene with gas, says NNPC boss

    The Federal Government is planning to make liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) the primary domestic fuel for cooking.

    The aim is to de-emphasise the use of firewood and kerosene and reduce the health risks of the two traditional sources of cooking.

    The government is relying on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NNLG) to achieve this goal.

    In a statement, NNPC’s Group Managing Director Dr Maikanti Baru said the need to replace firewood and kerosene with LPG was imperative to reduce health hazards and death.

    The corporation, he said, would  leave no stone unturned in increasing the use of cooking gas by individuals and industrial concerns.

    He said Indonesia had succeeded in kerosene substitution, stressing that NNPC is looking forward to cooperating with Indonesia to achieve a similar feat.

    Baru said: “The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation will also like to partner with Indonesia and other countries in the area of bio-fuels production in order to diversify the nation’s energy mix for growth. Already, the Corporation has launched a campaign on deforestation  to reduce tree felling and its attendant depletion of the ozone layer.”

    At a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, NLNG’s Managing Director, Mr. Tony Attah, said the company was planning to increase LPG to increase the product’s accessibility.

    He said Nigeria LNG would increase the penetration and market share of LPG by 32 per cent from 400,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) to three million MTPA in five years, as part of efforts to make more Nigerians use the product.

    A study by the company showed that the country must increase LPG production by 32 per cent, adding that given the right condition, the firm would achieve this goal soon.

    “It is expected that an aggressive and well-coordinated market expansion strategy should lead to the growth of the Nigerian LPG market at annual rates of up to 32 per cent from the current level of over 400,000MTPA to over  three million MTPA in five years with a potential increase in per capita consumption from approximately 2kg to over 12kg, well above the sub-Saharan average of 3.5kg per capita,” Attah said.

    The NLNG chief said the gas giant had taken up the drive to improve LPG use in Nigeria, adding that its efforts must be complemented by the government to ensure the market peaks in line with the estimate revealed by its study.

    On the subsector’s problems, Attah said dearth of investments in LPG reception facilities and supply infrastructure, onerous fiscal regime and regulatory environment, such as the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on LPG produced in the country, among others, were inhibiting the growth of LPG ‘ market.

    He urged the government to remove fiscal and regulatory bottlenecks to create a conducive business environment for private sector investment in all segments of the value chain.

    “The removal of VAT on LPG as well as taxes and duties, concessions for LPG equipment and cylinders must be at the top of the priority list for the government,” he said, adding that more people would use LPG in the country when these problems are resolved.’’

  • CHAN Eagles to replace Orji Kalu

    CHAN Eagles to replace Orji Kalu

    CHAN Eagles will replace Enugu Rangers defender, Orji Kalu, who is down with chickenpox, it has been gathered.

    Kalu, who could play as a rightback or in central defence, is one of 26 players called up by coach Sunday Oliseh for next month’s CHAN in Rwanda, but he has yet to report to the team’s training camp in Abuja on account of the infectious disease that has now sidelined him.

    It is widely expected that in the new week Oliseh will sanction the drafting of a couple of new players to the squad.

    The squad is due to travel  to Pretoria, South Africa, for a training camp prior to the CHAN, which kicks off on January 16 in Kigali.

  • APC to replace Faleke if peace moves fail, says Oyegun

    APC to replace Faleke if peace moves fail, says Oyegun

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday that it would replace the late Abubakar Audu’s running mate, James Abiodun Faleke, if peace moves to placate him failed.

    Faleke insisted that he would not be the deputy to Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the man brought as a replacement for Audu, who died before the election process was concluded.

    APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said there are consultations and negotiations to address the issues arising from the Kogi election and ensure that the Audu political family is accommodated in the Kogi State political affair.

    He said: ”On the Faleke issue, it is rather a straightforward and easy issue. We have replaced a governorship candidate. If the need arises and subject to what the law says, we will also get a deputy governorship candidate. We will cross those bridges as they arise, but they have not arisen.

    “Let me add that consultations to bring everybody back on board are ongoing. What we are saying is if all these fail, we are doing everything as a party because of the consciousness of the pain that Prince Audu’s political family is going through.

    “We are doing everything to bend back and accommodate his political family in the developing situation. So, if we are able to strike a deal, a lot of what we are talking here may be irrelevant.

    “I have had cause to say that we are a political party, but we are in a humane period of change. We deeply understand the frustrations that resulted from the death of our candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu.

    “We are ready to bend to accommodate some of the immediate reactions, which are normal because the people involved are humans. They were at the gate of victory and all of a sudden, it was shut on their faces by the unfortunate death of their mentor, who would have been our governor.

    “So, a lot of things which normally would not have been accepted, happened and we are ready to bend to accommodate, so long as we expect that everybody will simmer over time because life has to continue. So, bringing out the big stick in a situation like this is difficult, but there will be a timeline to it.

    “They were at the gate of victory, but it was shut on their faces because of the unfortunate death of their mentor (Abubakar Audu), who would have been our governor in the state. So a lot of things, which normally we would not have accepted, happened, but we have to accept them so long that everybody will simmer  down as time passes by. Bringing out the big stick in a situation like this may not be appropriate, but there will be a timeline to it, enough will be enough at a certain time.”

    Oyegun also said the party was against the anti-social media bill before the Senate, as doing so was not in line with the provisions of the law. He added that nobody was allowed to gag the media, but should explore legal means to seek redress.

    Oyegun said: “Officially, government has taken a position on the social media bill and once Mr. President speaks, that is it.

    “But, the issue is still there that we seem to be using it a little bit excessively negative and I don’t know, your guesses are as good as mine as to how we can make it responsive in terms of positivity.

    “We are doing this right, we get ideas as to what to do, but using it as a platform to insult people does not add to a solution to the problem. Some of the insults are too raw and so unnecessary and so uncivilised.

    “But our position is that you don’t control the press. We can convince ourselves on some of the excesses which are totally unnecessary and uncalled for, but in terms of control, I don’t think anybody wants that type of solution.”

    The APC chairman also spoke on last Saturday’s elections in Bayelda State, saying although the party had issues with the conduct of the election, it was waiting for the Independent National Electoral Commission to announce a date for the supplementary election.

    Oyegun dismissed claims that the APC was behind the recent attack on protesting members of MASSOB in Onitsha, saying “Please perish that thought. What is the involvement of APC? Is MASSOB PDP? Why would the APC feel any desire to be involved in any way whatsoever?”

  • 27 aspirants in race to replace Audu

    27 aspirants in race to replace Audu

    A FEW hours after the All Progressives Congress (APC) opted for a fresh primary to fill the vacuum created by the death of its governorship candidate in November 21 polls in Kogi State, there were indications that no fewer than 27 aspirants are warming up to grab the party’s ticket.

    Electoral umpire – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the APC to replace its late candidate for the supplementary election scheduled for December 5.

    Some of the aspirants on from the three senatorial districts are:  Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Senator Abatemi Usman, Alhaji Sanusi Abubakar (Gamji), Adinoyi Onukaba-Ojo and Sadiq Adaba (Kogi Central);  Suleiman Baba Ali, Otunba Suleiman Lanre, Dr Yakeen Abdullahi, Rotimi Obadofin, Olusola Olumoroti and Clarence Obafemi (Kogi West) and Sani Shu’aibu, Air Vice Marshal Atawodi Saliu,  Hadiza Ibrahim, Abdullahi Suleiman, Yakubu Mohammed, Senator Yahaya Ugbane, James Ocholi (SAN), Abutu Ejeh, Hussain Idris, Sunday Edibo, Dr. Tim Nda Diche, Aliyu Jiya, Alex Kadiri and Usman Mainyanga (Kogi East).

    The fate of Bello and James Ocholi, who is the Minister of State for Labour & Productivity, was however unknown as at press time. It was also unclear if veteran journalist Yakubu Mohammed, rated as one of the morally upright aspirants, will be interested in the primaries.

    When contacted, Abatemi said: “I am just hearing the pronouncement. We just did a quick evaluation of where we are and we have resolved that we will proceed to the field. I am contesting for the governorship ticket.”

    On his part, Baba Ali, who spoke through his media aide, Mohammed Bashir, said: “I will be taking part in the primaries.”

    Adinoyi-Ojo, who is also a seasoned journalist, told our correspondent: “I am interested in the fresh primaries.”

    AVM Atawodi, who was abroad, spoke with this newspaper yesterday. He said: “I have just been told of the party’s position.  I am going to contest in the primaries. I have been in touch with home and I will soon be heading back.”

    A media consultant to Echocho, said: “Echocho will participate in the primaries.”

  • Let’s not replace gold with wood

    SIR: No one replaces gold with wood. No one replaces honey with bean cakes. We have found a vast deposit of gold and honey and we don’t intend to lose or replace it.  Our vast deposit of gold is Senator Jide Omoworare’s heart of gold with which he has represented us in Abuja and touched our lives in the last four years. Our vast deposits of honey are his exemplary character and performance – we have tasted it, and we affirm that nothing tastes like it.

    His tenure as our Senator has brought tremendous development and senatorial presence to the people of our senatorial district. His exemplary attitude to service was first displayed on his thanksgiving visit to Owa’s palace in Ilesha. The then newly elected senator had noticed that the premises of the monarch’s palace was unbefitting for royalty, and without hesitation, he commenced the renovation of the palace. The expenses were borne out of his pocket – that is, from personal funds while he was yet to receive any form of emolument from his new office.

    In less than four years, Omoworare sponsored nine bills. These are bills, when fully passed, will solidify the foundations and application of our nation’s constitution.

    Whilst most of the Bills have passed the first readings and have their Senate Bill (SB) numbers, the others were yet to be listed by the Business Rules Committee of the Senate. However, one of the Bills has been passed by the Senate and gone to the House of Representatives for concurrence and thereafter to the President for assent. He also has five motions to his credits.

    Reckoning that education is key in the formation of a society’s future, Senator Omoworare singlehandedly constructed blocks of three classrooms with offices, VIP toilets and manual boreholes in over four locations in his senatorial district.

    Our Senator provided developmental support for Ife/ Ijesha youths. He nominated about 40 young graduates for employment in federal government establishments and about 50 young men and women for employment by the state government. He championed the organization of a job clinic to assist the youth of his constituency in acquiring different skills and trade as well as prepare them for employment in private blue chip companies. He further established a skill acquisition centre – to continually provide vocational education to his constituents. The senator assisted 15 of his constituent to participate in Ipade Omo-Ile (IPALE) in United Kingdom and he sponsored 24 youths on exchange to Detroit in United States. Some 80 youths have completed the computer appreciation training, all on the senator’s bill.

    Senator Omoworare is not oblivious of the importance of safety and security of the lives of his constituents. He ensured that the streets are well lit, providing over 90 solar powered street lights. He is equally aware of the need for potable water.

    The Senator also collaborated with other public officials to attract state projects such as the Injection Power Station in OAUTH, Omi Okun Road and Ile-Ife and Ita Osin Road to name a few.

    However, beyond his infrastructural, educational or legislative exploits, the distinguished Senator donated relief materials in conjunction with National Emergency Management Agency to Victims of fire incident at Oja-Tuntun, Odo-Ogbe Ile-Ife.

    Senator Babajide Omoworare stands as the most responsive and responsible senator to ever represent Osun East Senatorial District. It took an ‘ordinary’ Facebook comment made by Ogbeni Akinsuyi Titus Ikeji Arakeji on the sorry state of the lkeji Arakeji High School for Senator to come to the school’s rescue. Jide moved physically and financially to ensure the restoration of the school.

    By far, Jide’s excellent stride as a senator is the dictionary definition of “one good turn” – it surely deserves another. His unrivalled commitment to work earned him an award from the Ijesha People in Diaspora, even though he is of Ife origin.

    Let us reelect him again – we should not trade gold for wood or honey for bean cakes

    Senator Omoworare deserves our vote and support for a second term. Let’s re-elect our gold and honey.

     

    • Omowaiye Oluremi

    Ikoti o Lane, Ilesa

  • Okwuosa: I want to replace Yobo

    Okwuosa: I want to replace Yobo

    Nigeria defender James Okwuosa has expressed his desire to be Joseph Yobo’s replacement in the Super Eagles, after the Nigeria captain called it quits with international football following Nigeria’s exit from the World Cup.

    Yobo, the most capped Nigerian player at 100 caps, retired from international football immediately after they lost 2-0 to France in the round of 16 stage at the World Cup in Brazil. His retirement could potentially create a vacuum in the Super Eagles and Okwuosa, who’s been on and off in the Eagles, says he wants to be the man that replaces Yobo.

    “Well it’ll be a great pleasure to step into his (Yobo’s) shoes in the Super Eagles. I just hope the coaches will look towards my direction when the time comes, as I know that I’m ready for the challenge,” he said.

    Okwuosa, who plays for the Chippa United club in the Premier Soccer League in South Africa and has been teammates with Yobo in the Super Eagles, also showered praise on the former Everton of England defender.

    “Yobo has done well for Nigeria, and I think everybody knows and appreciate that. To get  100 caps isn’t easy. He is one player I admire, and even given his advancing age, he still remains in top shape.

    “It will be a loss to Nigeria that he’s retiring after almost 15years in the national team. I wish him the best as he moves on,” Okwuosa said.

     

  • Essien to replace Mikel at Chelsea

    Essien to replace Mikel at Chelsea

    Ghanaian international Michael Essien is planning a comeback at Chelsea next season.

    During the 2011/12 league campaign, Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien suffered a ligament rupture which kept him out of action for nearly six months. He went on to make only 14 Premier League appearances.

    The following season (2012/13), Real Madrid enquired about him on a potential season-long loan deal – which was accepted. He went on to make 21 appearances, scoring two goals.

    Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, formerly of Real Madrid, was the man who brought the midfielder to Madrid last season. His spell with the Spanish outfit went well, and Essien’s fitness and form have both dramatically improved.

    ‘I will return to Chelsea with my head up and try to win my place back. I think my loan at Madrid has shown I have still got it at the top level. I have got my energy back and I feel I can do a job for the team again,” Essien said.

    This summer has already seen the 30-year old attracting interest from French Ligue One champions Paris Saint-Germain. However, it appears Chelsea are keen to hold on to him for the coming season.

    Essien’s return will mean question marks hanging over John Obi Mikel’s future.

    The Nigerian defensive-midfielder pictured made 19 league starts last season, and found himself frequently criticised for his performances. Turkish side Galatasaray are reported to be preparing a bid for the 26-year old, which could be considered by Chelsea.

    The relationship between Essien and Mourinho could be the nail in the coffin which would see Mikel exiting the club.

    Essien has always spoken out of his admiration for the Portugese manager. Calling him ‘daddy’, the pair are said to get on well off the pitch. Under Mourinho’s reign, the 30-year old was part of the Chelsea side who enjoyed their best years of success, and Mourinho sees Essien as paramount to their potential success.

  • Brazilian to replace Mikel

    Brazilian to replace Mikel

    Chelsea are set to sign Corinthians star Paulinho to replace Mikel Obi who will be away with Nigeria at the AFCON in January.

    Paulinho helped Corinthians win their first-ever South American Copa Liberatadores earlier this year, and starred as the Brazilians booked their place in the FIFA Club World Cup final in Japan.

    Should Chelsea reach the final, they will be able to get a good look at Paulinho’s ability.

    Paulinho is valued at around £12million.

    Following Chelsea’s confirmation that Oriol Romeu will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury, and with Mikel set to take part in January’s African Cup of Nations tournament, ‘The Blues’ suddenly find themselves short on ball winners in the midfield.

    Despite boasting a plethora of attacking talent, Chelsea are severely lacking in defensive options. The Blues’ reliance on a deeper-lying player has become an integral part of their game, and even led interim boss Rafa Benitez to suggest that the club will need to dip into the transfer market in January.

    “If you have too many players with quality, all dynamic but cannot regain the ball – you do not have the balance. If you give the ball away, you have to regain [it],” Benitez said.

    With Michael Essien on loan at Real Madrid, Chelsea will need to bring in reinforcements if they are to mount a serious title challenge this season.