The Nation Newspaper

Tag: seeks

  • Tecno seeks investment in youth devt

    Technology firm, Tecno Nigeria, has stressed the need for more investment in youth development.

    Its Marketing Manager, Jeff Tang,  who spoke during scholarship presentation to pupils in Lagos, said it is in realisation of the importance of youth development that the firm, through Tecno Foundation, is giving back to the society. He said the firm is desirous of building the future.

    The kids-centered CSR started in 2014 as one of the ways the brand gives back to its host communities.

    The initiative has made it possible for many pupils from public primary schools  to win scholarships and  other prizes. As is the custom, schools also got free educational materials.

    The theme for this year is: Give the Nigerian child a future.

    In the Lagos region, five schools were selected to participate this year; they include: Coker Primary School, Lagos; Ayanleye Memorial Primary School, Ogba, Lagos; F.A.C.M School 1, Lagos; F.A.C.M School 2, Lagos and Ebenezer Primary School 2, Ojokoro, Lagos.

    After an examination to select the best students, scholarships were awarded to five pupils from each school courtesy of Tecno Nigeria. There was also a party which brought pupils from over 30 public schools with fun, games and numerous gifts. The occasion was an avenue to highlight the musical and acrobatic talents of the children as there were live musical performances and cultural dance displays.

    The winners of the scholarship in Lagos include Murital Muiz from Coker Primary School; Michael Oni from Ayanleye Memorial Primary School, Ogba; Kwawou Veronica from F.A.C.M School 1; Adeshina Samuel Ayomiposi from F.A.C.M School 2; and Alade Abdul Azeez from Ebenezer Primary School 2, Ojokoro. Each of them received a N100,000 scholarship grant.

    Similarly, at the Palms Mall, Ibadan, Port Harcourt; and in Abuja, it was fun as the firm made sure that  the kids had a memorable  celebration.

    Scholarships were awarded to the best pupils in selected public schools and free Tecno smartphones were

  • African Court seeks Nigeria’s patronage

    The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has urged the Nigerian government to take advantage of the court by formalising the process of accessing its services

    Nigerians and civil rights groups in the country are currently disallowed from  accessing the ACHPR because, after ratifying the protocol establishing the court, Nigeria is yet to take the final step of making declaration, recognising the court’s competence.

    Under Article 34(6) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, countries are required to, in addition to ratification, make a declaration recognising the competence of the court to receive cases from non-government organisations (NGOs) and individuals.

    ACHPR’s spokesman, Chhatbar Sukhdev noted, while speaking in Abuja, that Nigeria ratified the protocol in 2004 but has failed to take the final step of declaration.

    Sukhdev, who spoke at an interactive session with journalists, said it was sad that, out of Africa’s 55 countries, 30 have ratified the protocol, while only nine have made the declaration.

    He urged Nigeria and Nigerians to take advantage of the services of the court in the area of human rights promotion and protection.

    Nigerian representative in the court, Lady Justice Stella Anukam noted that the level of awareness about the court’s activities was currently very low among African countries, even though many of them have ratified the court’s protocol.

    Anukam said the court intends to do more to promote its activities among African Union (AU) member states to ensure improved awareness, among the citizens, about the workings of the court.

    The court’s Registrar, Robert Eno said, in a statement, that a delegation of the court, led by its President, Justice Sylvain Ore, arrived the country on a one-week working visit from April 29, 2019.

    “The delegation, which includes three judge and senior registry staff, is expected to pay a courtesy call on the President of Nigeria… and meet key officials in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice.

    “The visit is part of the court’s on-going efforts to strengthen ties with regional court’s on the continent.”

    Eno added that the visit to Nigeria was a follow up on a similar visit to the court in Arusha, Tanzania by officials of the Abuja-based ECOWAS Community Court in February 2018.

    The Arusha, Tanzania based ACHPR, established by virtue of Article 1 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of an African Court  on Human and Peoples’ Rights, began operations in 2006, two years after the protocol came into force in 2004.

  • Falana seeks removal of trailers from Apapa road

    The Federal High Court in Lagos will on May 6 deliver judgment in a suit filed by activist-lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) against Power, Works and Housing Minister  Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

    Justice Muslim Hassan fixed the date after the parties adopted their written addresses.

    Falana is praying the court to order the removal of tankers, trailers and other obstructions from the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. The road, he added, should be repaired after the removal of these encumbrances.

    He is also seeking a declaration that “the parking of tankers and trailers on the overhead bridges in Lagos is illegal and unconstitutional”.

    Such acts, Falana said,  “constitute a threat to the fundamental right to life of the applicant and other motorists” as guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

    Falana, a former Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) national president, sued the defendants over the deplorable condition of the road.

    He is seeking a declaration that the obstructions and to repair and maintain the road is illegal and unconstitutional, as it constitutes a threat to his fundamental right to life.

    The failure to make the road safe for motorists, he added,  violates his and others’ right to freedom of movement guaranteed by Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

    In a supporting affidavit, the SAN, who is ex-West African Bar Association (WABA) president, said many of the federal roads across the country were in bad shape, including the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

    “I also know as a fact that the traffic situation on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway today is unbearable and a dreadful risk to the lives of the motorists plying the road,” he said.

    The applicant said the road “has in recent times caused deaths through recurring accidents”.

    According to him, commuters plying the road risk their lives due to the heavy-duty vehicles that are stranded on the road “following the level of dilapidation.

    “Vehicular movement along the road has become a misadventure and a nightmare that the applicant often regrets venturing into each time he plies the road.

    “Long before the bad and dilapidated state of the road, it used to be less than 30 minutes’ drive from Oshodi to Apapa, but now the travelling time exceeds one hour.”

    Falana said last February, while travelling back to his Ikeja office after a prison visit, he almost had an accident while navigating through a big pothole on the road and almost hit an oncoming vehicle.

    The applicant sought an order that the respondents should remove the obstructions, repair and maintain the road forthwith.

    Falana urged the court to  declare that he is entitled to his fundamental right to life guaranteed by the Constitution and the African Charter.

    But, the minister denied Falana’s claims, saying the road “is under rehabilitation”. This, he said, was not the cause of the gridlock in the axis.

    In an affidavit deposed to by a litigation assistant in the Ministry of Power, Works & Housing, Ayodele Otedola, the minister claimed that a suit filed by the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria “has since 2010…caused the slow progress of work to rehabilitate the road for efficient use of motorists.”

    Falana’s claims, he said,  were not true, adding that the Apapa gridlock “is always caused by tanker drivers who normally follow the route to the port for the purpose of loading and offloading their goods.”

    Fashola said: “The failure of the first respondent to repair the road as alleged by the applicant has not in any way restricted or breached his freedom of movement.”

    The minister said Falana’s life was not under threat; that failure to fix the road was due to “paucity of funds”,  and that the rights sought to be enforced were not justiceable.

    “The applicant has no locus standi to sue as he is not representing a class action and on whose behalf he is suing. He has not shown that he has suffered over and above other motorists and people that use the road,” Fashola said.

  • Peterside seeks greater role for African women in Maritime

    The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, has announced the Agency’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at getting more African women involved in the industry.

    He made this known while receiving the president of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), Ghana, Jemilat Mahamah, in his office, last week.

    “Globally, the focus in the maritime industry today is how to get more women involved in the sector, whether as seafarers, ship owners, etc. So every effort to encourage the participation of women in the sector is supported by NIMASA. You can count on our support,” Peterside said, adding that this year is dedicated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), to empowering women in the maritime sector, specifically, shipping.

    He, therefore, assured WISTA of NIMASA’s support and by extension, Nigeria. “We believe and support everything that would give women a role in the maritime sector. There is no sector that would exclude 50 per cent of the population and expect that sector to thrive. If we exclude women, we are excluding 50 per cent of our population from benefitting in the economic activities in the maritime sector,” the NIMASA boss said.

    Earlier, the President of WISTA Ghana emphasised the place of the 45-year-old organisation in the maritime world. “We basically promote women in the shipping industry, and we mentor the young and coming ones,” Mahamah said of her organisation.  Mahamah thanked Nigeria for leading the way in the enactment of relevant Cabotage laws to enhance shipping activities in the continent.

    President, WISTA Nigeria, Mary Hamman, was among prominent Nigerian women maritime professionals that took part in the visit. The 6th WISTA Africa Region Conference in the Ghanaian capital will be opened by the country’s President Nana Akufo-Addo. It will be attended by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim and Vice President of Liberia Joseph Boakai, among other prominent leaders and maritime industry experts from across Africa and beyond.

    WISTA got ‘Observer Status’ at IMO last year and has a membership of about 3, 500 women in the maritime industry from across over 40 countries.

  • NLC seeks public holiday for workers to avoid voter apathy

    THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the Federal Government to declare a two- or three-day public holiday to enable workers travel to vote where they registered.

    NLC said this will deal with the imminent voter apathy, following the shift in the date of the general elections.

    The Congress also asked Nigerians, especially workers, not to be disillusioned with the postponement of the elections, but to go all out and cast their vote.

    He said the postponement of the election was a better evil than disenfranchising several millions of Nigerians.

    A statement issued by NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba s said: “We at the NLC join other Nigerians in expressing our shock at the last-minute postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 16, 2019.

    “We share in the pains of those who in an uncommon show of patriotism, had to travel long distances to perform their civic duty. We similarly understand the outrage of those who had incurred huge and unquantifiable logistic costs. No explanation will be good enough given INEC’s repeated assurances and the zeal of Nigerians to cast their vote.

    “However, given the fact that had the election taken place, a huge number of Nigerians would have been disenfranchised on account of gross and wide-spread logistic deficit, the postponement, as painful as it is, is a lesser evil of the two.

    “In light of this, we enjoin all Nigerians to quickly put behind them this ugly incident and brace up for the rescheduled election next weekend. In spite of the huge costs to them, we call on all Nigerians to self-mobilise on the same scale that they did the previous weekend.

    “Let them not be disillusioned or react to this postponement in a manner that will create voter-apathy. This will certainly be counter-productive and will in the long run work against the interests of the electorate.

    “We call on institutions to be flexible with their staff to enable them travel in good time to perform this important civic duty, even if it means government declaring a day or two-day public holiday to achieve this.

    “As for INEC, we do hope they have learnt their lesson. On no account ever again, should they allow this to happen. All effort and expertise must be deployed by INEC to guarantee free, fair and credible elections. We appeal to all Nigerians to put this incident behind them and go out en masse to vote next weekend.”

  • AbdulRazaq seeks clarification on Kwara’s N1b loan

    Kwara State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, yesterday sought more explanation from the government on the N1 billion loan it allegedly secured on the eve of the general elections.

    The government had said it obtained the loan after a rights group, Kwara Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability (Kwara-CGGA), urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the government over what it called a “suspicious loan”.

    “Having admitted to taking a N1 billion loan on the eve of an election, there’s the need for the state government to come clean on the legality of its action as well as to answer some burning questions,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement by his media aide Rafiu Ajakaye.

    The statement added: “The people of this state will like to know whether the government secured approvals for this loan from the State Executive Council and when it did. The public will like to know if and when the state government secured the approval of the House of Assembly for this loan. The public will like to know if and when the loan was approved by the Debt Management Office (DMO), Fiscal Responsibility Commission and the Federal Ministry of Finance, as required under the law.

    “Besides, since the government claimed to have obtained the February 13 loan to pay salaries and pensions, it would be fair to know if the government has now paid the salary and pensions since it took that loan.”

    It urged anti-graft agencies to investigate how the loan was utilised, given the state-wide suspicion that the money may have been diverted to fund the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elections in the state.

  • Lagos seeks return of historical sculpture from British Museum

    The Lagos State government has formally made a request to the British Museum in London for the return of an extremely important sculptural woodcarving, known in the United Kingdom (UK) as the Lander Stool.

    This followed the decision of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to build a new cultural facility at Onikan, Lagos, called the John K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, and the appointment of international exhibition designers Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) and architects, SI.SA.

    The Lander Stool sculpture is believed to have been taken from Nigeria in 1830 by one of the earliest explorers of the interior, Richard Lander, who was instrumental to pioneering colonisation of Nigeria.

    Richard Lander was a celebrated figure in the UK who was given the Royal Geographical Society Founder’s Medal in 1832, but died of a musket ball wound, shot by inhabitants defending their territory during his final trip through the Southwest.

    The formal request by the state government was delivered to the British Museum at the weekend by the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayotinde, who represented Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at a two-day symposium on emerging museum projects in Africa at the British Museum.

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, who also attended the event on Saturday, announced the intention of his administration to formally seek the return of some Benin bronze artefacts from various British museums once it completes its new Royal Museum project.

    Both Lagos and Edo states were joined by Ghana at the colloquium to outline plans for their various new museum projects.

    Of the three participating entities, only Lagos is ready with the J. K. Randle Centre, which has reached 85 per cent completion stage and is slated for opening in May before Governor Ambode leaves office.

    “The J. K. Randle Centre,” according to Ayorinde, is a world-class cultural institution “that will enable the Yoruba to reclaim their heritage from a colonial narrative and present, for the first time, a high standard cultural and resource centre for millions of people in the state”.

  • Oyetola seeks 21st century technology-driven OSBC

    Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola has urged a panel to prepare the ground for the revitalisation of the state-owned Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) to meet the challenges of a technologically-driven organisation.

    Oyetola spoke yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, while inaugurating a seven-man committee to revamp and reposition the OSBC to make it a leader in broadcasting, as envisioned by the founders.

    ýThe governor urged the committee to examine the station’s content, facilities, operations, personnel and attune them to the requirements of the 21st century broadcasting and international standard and to deliver the desired optimum performance.

    The committee, chaired by Obaniyi Akinwale, is expected to submit its report in two weeks.

    Other members are: Mr Olabode Awe (Secretary), Mr Taiwo Ojewande Kayode Akinsola, Mr. J. Ayo Makinde, Prince Yeye Oyedokun and Mr Edmund Obilo.

    The ceremony was attended by the management of the OSBC, led by its Director General, Mrs Adejumoke Akinjiola.

    Oyetola urged the committee to find out the state of operation and identify the challenges preventing optimum performance of OSBC and recommend solutions.

    He also directed the committee to examine the broadcast content and offer workable alternatives as well as examine the equipment stock available and make recommendations as appropriate to improve the corporation’s operations.

    Other terms of reference of the committee is also to examine critically the personnel ratio to work and make recommendations, as may be useful to the essence of broadcasting business.

    Oyetola said: “Inauguration of this committee is symbolic because of its importance and impact on the agenda of this administration and the life of the state.

    “The OSBC remains the voice of government to the people of State of Osun, and vice versa. It is, therefore, an ally in the efforts of this administration to deliver quality service and development to the people.

    “The forebears of OSBC envisioned it as a conglomerate of OSBC Radio and TV, Ile Awiye, Osogbo; Orisun FM, Ile-Ife; New Dawn Television, Ibokun and Reality Radio-Vision Service, Iwo.

    “This unprecedented arrangement in the history of the nation speaks to the pride of place they placed on information and the people. We have a duty as an administration to make the vision speak loud to the virtues the State holds dear at all times.

  • Ondo APC seeks approval for deep sea port

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the State Deep Sea Port project, describing it as key to the state’s economic transformation.

    The party also sought the president’s intervention on projects, such as as the dualisation of the Akure/Ondo/Ore Road, the Akure/Owo/Ikare Road, and the coastal road which links Araromi to Lekki, Lagos State.

    It also craved presidential blessing for the Cassava to Ethanol project at Okelusi, sponsored by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Ondo State government.

    A statement by the Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, said President Buhari’s visit will encourage members ahead of the general elections.

    According to him, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and party chairman Ade Adetimehin, as well as other leaders and members, were eager to receive the president.

  • Babalola seeks national examination for final year varsity students

    AFE Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) Founder Aare Chief Afe Babalola,  SAN has urged the  Federal Government to introduce a National Examination for final year students in universities nationwide.

    This, according to him, would help improve education standard and assist individual university to improve the quality of graduates they are producing.

    The legal icon spoke yesterday at ABUAD Founder’s Day/Matriculation for the 2018/2019 academic session.

    “In this way, every programmes on our universities shall work hard to ensure that their students pass the National Examination, thereby ensuring high standard in teaching and research,” Babalola said.

    Babalola (SAN)  said he was inspired to recommend the examination because of the quality assurance standard he set for ABUAD at inception.

    He added that the measures were now bearing positive fruits nearly a decade of the institution’s existence.

    He said the ABUAD concept has able to counter some colonial masters like Lord Lugard, who considered an average  black man as lacking in discipline, foresight and self-control.

    “With your cooperation, education revolution has begun in ABUAD. We are building a new generation of new Nigerians. We are happy that our regulator, the Nation Universities Commission (NUC) and other stakeholders have applauded the revolution, which has begun in ABUAD,” Are Babalola said.

    He also challenged the Federal Government on the proposed Ekiti Airport, saying he was ready to co-fund it, provided government could allocate the land for the project.

    “For so long, the issue of this airport project has been on the table for long. We all know how Ekiti State lacks infrastructures like motorable roads, rail line and airport. We knew what you all went through before you could get in here. It goes clearly without saying that Ekiti State urgently needs an airport. All efforts to have one have been frustrated in the past.

    “If the government is ready, I am also ready to co-fund the project. But let them give us the land first,” Babalola told parents and guest at the university auditorium.

    Former NUC Executive Secretary Prof. Peter Okebukola hailed ABUAD’s rewards system, describing it as the best in Africa and one of the best in the world.

    Okebukola was alluding to three first class graduates of Law of ABUAD, who were given cash rewards for making their alma mater proud at the Nigerian Law School (NLS).

    They were Ekop Naomi Uwem, who emerged the overall best student at the NLS. The three other were Adewole Mary Tofarati; Adepoju Blessing Oluwapemilerin as well as Opajobi Oyinloye Bukola.

    Similarly, a 200-Level Management Science undergraduate and a student of ICAN, Nellikenw Ochinike, also emerged the second overall best candidate in West Africa at the September ATS 1, ICAN examination.

    Ekop was presented with a N525,000 naira and Adewole, Adepeju and Opajobi were given N125,000 each. Ochinike got N22500.

    Okebukola, who spoke on “Seven cardinal principles for sustaining quality in ABUAD”, identified steps for a university desirous of attaining global brand.

    He said one of them is a good reward for exceptional staff and outstanding students, which ABUAD is already doing.

    He said: “I recall that last year, the best graduating student here was presented with a brand new car and a half a million cash rewards. Other exceptional students and staff also got various cash rewards too.

    Baba has also been very generous to those who serve at the Board of Trustees too.

    “I, therefore,  suggest that this gesture should continue as it will inspire students towards better performance while encouraging staff to proudly carry the ABUAD flag.”

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    Other six benchmarks, according to Okebukola, include: quality and quantity of students offered admission; quality of teachers with commensurate pay; quality of faculty; periodic checks to weeding out pollutants in the system; regular accreditation exercise for teachers; constant quality teaching and research with conducive classroom; strict compliance to discipline of staff and students; as well as entrenchment of Centre of Excellence.

    Okebukola’s successor, Prof Julius Okojie, congratulated the university management, urging Babalola to retain its strategy.

    “In the western world, presidents of universities can spend as many years as possible provided he’s a good administrator that delivers result. But in Nigeria today, Federal Government only says a vice chancellor is entitled to a single term of five years. So, if you now have an administrator with a winning team, why don’t you retain them?”, Okojie wondered.

    The highpoint of the event was taking of matriculation oath as well as the official inauguration of Parents Teacher Consultative Forum Amphitheatre.

    ABUAD VC Prof. Micheal Ajisafe told 2000 students, who took oath of matriculation, to be of good conduct and abstain from anti-social activities.

    Other personalities, who attended the event, include: a member of ABUAD BoT Otunba Biyi Durojaiye; Dr. Chris Natalie, who  represented NUC ES Prof. Abubakar Rasheed; presiding Justice of Appeal Court, Ekiti Division Ahmad Belgore, who represented Alfa Belgore; among others.