The Nation Newspaper

Tag: seeks

  • Ex-police commissioner seeks peaceful poll in Ekiti

    A former Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, Mr Dipo Ayeni, has called for a peaceful poll in Ekiti State on June 21. Ayeni, who is the Special Adviser to Governor Kayode Fayemi on Security, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate is dedicated to the cause of transparent and credible poll.

    The retired police commissioner, who spoke in Akure, Ondo State capital,   said efforts are being made to make the state conducive for a freee and fair elections, urging the stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies.

    He also urged the youths to shun violence, saying that it is an ill-wind that does not blow anybody any good.

    Ayemi said that a level playing ground would be provided for the candidates. He warned against any act of violence and brigande, vowing to hand over culprits to security agents.

    Ayeni lamented that Ekiti, which has been peaceful in the last three and half years, is being heated up by ”do-or-die politicians.”

    He said: ”Throughout the campaign tours of Fayemi across the state,I never witnessed any violence. But, we know those who wanted the election to be acrimonious and we are appealing to all security apparatus to curtail their excesses. Fayemi is a peaceful person. He has been preaching peace. His campaigns have been issue-based, particularly on how to further provide dividends of democracy to the people.”

    The former police chief pointed out that sovereignity belongs to the people and not by a fierce battle for power by all means and at all costs. he said that on June 21, electoral manipulation will be resisted in Ekiti State.

    Ayeni urged the stakeholders to fight fraudulent election processes in the interest of democracy.

    He highlighted the achievements of Governor Fayemi, pointing out that he has made impact in the areas of infrastructural development, social security, qualitative education and and healthcare.

    Ayeni, who congratulated Ekiti State for having an intellectual in power, described Fayemi as a highly cerebral and passionate leader who has passion for development.

    He said: ”I don’t use to praise sing. I am not playing to the gallery. It is what I have seen. Fayemi has encouraged democratic governance and provided excellent, purposeful and focused leadership.”

    Urging the people to vote for Fayemi to guarantee the continuity of good governance, he said that,  inspite of Ekiti’s ranking as the 35th state, in terms of the allocation from the Federation Account, the governor successfully imple-mented his eight-point agenda.

    He added: “Fayemi deserves to be re-elected for continuity in prudence, decent and responsive governance”.

  • Lafarge Wapco seeks N100b as investors scramble for shares

    Lafarge Wapco seeks N100b as investors scramble for shares

    Lafarge Cement Wapco Plc was the toast of investors yesterday at the Nigerian stock market, a day after its parent company, Lafarge Group, announced plan to merge its businesses in Nigeria and South Africa to create a new company to be known as Lafarge Africa Plc.

    Lafarge Wapco’s share price rose by 10.24 per cent or N11.52 to close at N124.02, the highest gain at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Also, Ashaka Cement Plc, another quoted subsidiary of Lafarge involved in the merger, also recorded the highest daily allowable price change of 10 per cent with addition of N2.65 to close at N28.64 per share.

    Lafarge Wapco also yesterday indicated that it plans to raise some N100 billion in new capital, through debt or equity. In a notice to shareholders, the company stated that it would raise some N100 billion through the Nigerian and global capital markets.

    The consolidation of the South Africa and Nigeria’s businesses will be done through Lafarge Wapco, which will subsequently be renamed Lafarge Africa while sustaining its listing on the NSE.

    Under the proposed terms, Lafarge Group will transfer its direct and indirect shareholdings in Lafarge South Africa Holding Limited of 72.4 per cent and its equity stakes in three other cement companies in Nigeria-United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited, 35 per cent; Ashaka Cement Plc, 58.61 per cent and Atlas Cement Company Limited, 100 per cent; to Lafarge Wapco.

    The transaction will be concluded through a cash consideration of $200 million and the issuance of about 1.40 billion ordinary shares of Lafarge Africa to Lafarge Group. The transaction is expected to be concluded in the second half of this year, subject shareholders’ approvals and regulatory and other customary authorizations.

    Chairman, Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria Plc, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, said that the new company will create the platform for strong growth as the transaction allows the company to consolidate its Nigerian operation with that of South Africa.

    “I am proud to be part of the creation of this leading African building materials platform. It will provide access to growth in two of the largest economies on the continent. It will mean that our shareholders are invested in a larger and more geographically diverse business; and it will contribute significantly to the economic growth of both our nations,” Osunkeye said.

    Managing director, Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria Plc, Joe Hudson, noted that the transaction is valued at $1.35 billion while the market value is over $3 billion.

    Briefing select newsmen In Lagos yesterday, Lafarge executive Vice President and country chief executive officer, Nigeria and Benin Republic, Guillaume Roux said the new platform would strongly position to benefit the two countries and Africa as the company cement capacity currently at 5.5 million metric tonnes will increase to 12 million tones.

    He said the strong operational track record and management skills within the combined businesses as well as continued support and expertise from Lafarge group would position Lafarge Africa to offer a full range of value added solutions to meet customers’ needs.

    “Today’s announcement marks a key milestone. It adds momentum to our push for differentiation in order to deliver innovation that increases and improves our product portfolio. Our objective is to bring more housing and even better solution to contribute to building better cities that are more beautiful, more compact, more connected and more durable,” Roux said.

  • Expert seeks trauma relief for girls’ parents, community

    A psychologist and Director of Counselling Centre of the Covenant University, Dr. Kunle Oyeyemi, has urged the Federal and Borno State governments to assist the residents of Chibok, Borno State, especially the parents of the schoolgirls abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents to overcome their trauma.

    Speaking with The Nation at the weekend in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Dr Oyeyemi hoped that the girls would soon be released because of the pressure from all over the world.

    The academic said the parents and other residents of Chibok community needed psychotherapist intervention to stabilise their minds ahead of the eventual release of their loved ones.

    He said efforts to rescue the girls and the clinical support for their parents and other members of the community should be done side by side.

    According to him, the girls’ families and the Chibok community are functioning below their capacity because of the traumatic effects of their experiences and emotions.

    Dr Oyeyemi said the girls’ parents and other Chibok residents needed to be empowered to support the pupils emotionally when they eventually gain their freedom from the insurgents.

    He said: “These girls, when they are back, may be exhibiting some traits which their parents, if not helped now to identify, understand and look for solutions, will find difficult to handle. So, the family and the community support system must be in tune with the problems that can be associated with these traits.

    “How do they help when they too have not received any help ahead of their daughters?

    “The parents and members of the Chibok community themselves are patients too needing urgent help. So, both the Borno State and the Federal Government need to provide a help for them in a psycho-educational setting in groups which may be classified in gender, age, street or ward arrangement or in whatever form they deem it fit. This provision will help them to know what to look for in the girls when they return and be able to help them accordingly.”

    Dr Oyeyemi said many of the girls’ parents would still be grieving and become vulnerable because of what they are thinking.

    The academic said this might make them feel responsible for their daughters’ predicaments based on their last interactions before their abduction.

    He said the parents might be suffering from intense anxiety, personality damage and depression.

    These, the expert said, would not let them think right any more, much less of preparing themselves to be in a position of help for their daughters.

  • Group seeks Fayose’s disqualification

    A non-government forum of Ekiti stakeholders, e-eleven, has approached the Ekiti State High Court, Ado-Ekiti to seek the disqualification of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ayo Fayose, from contesting the June 21 governorship poll.

    The e-eleven, in the brief filed on its behalf by its chairman, Mr. Femi Ajiniran, is asking the high court to determine among other things, whether Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, as the nominated PDP candidate, has committed the offence of perjury in the filling and submission of affidavit in support of INEC Form CF. 001 as required by the provisions of Section 31 (2), (5), (6) and (8) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended).

    The group deposed that Fayose specifically denied that he had never been indicted for embezzlement or fraud by a judicial commission of inquiry or an administrative panel of inquiry.

    Joined in the suit are the PDP and the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

    In an originating summons filed at the state high court dated May 23, 2014 and brought under Order 3 rule 5 and 6 of the High Court of Ekiti State (Civil procedure Rules 2011), Sections 177 and 182 (1) (d), (e) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Sections 31 and 87 (10) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) knowing the content to be false and untrue.

    The e-eleven also asked the Ado Ekiti High Court to determine whether Mr. Fayose is barred from being presented/sponsored as the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP on June 21, 2014 Ekiti State Gubernatorial Election, having been indicted/found guilty for gross misconduct by a validly constituted administrative panel as provided for in Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    According to the group, “we want the court to give an order barring Mr. Ayodele Fayose from participating as a candidate in the gubernatorial election having committed an offence of perjury in his filing and submission of affidavit in support of Form CF.001 as required by the provisions of section 31 (2) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) knowing the content to be false and untrue.”

    The e-eleven thereby seeks leave of the court to adjudge the PDP to have committed an electoral offence by knowingly presenting Fayose for the June 21, 2014 Ekiti State gubernatorial election, knowing that he had been indicted/found guilty for gross misconduct by a validly constituted Administrative Panel as provided for in Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

  • Chukwumerije seeks private sector support

    Chukwumerije seeks private sector support

    Beijing Olympics bronze medalist Chika Chukwumerije has called on the private sector to financially support taekwondo in discovering, engaging, encouraging and exposing upcoming athletes.

    Speaking against the backdrop of the three bronze medals won by the five-man Nigeria team at the Africa Senior Taekwondo Championships held in Tunis, Tunisia a fortnight ago, Chukwumerije lauded the support the team got from Abuja-based Zuma Energy Nigeria Limited. The company took the initiative to throw its weight behind the team to the tournament.

    The team included current All African Games gold medallists, Uche Perez Chukwumerije and Jamilu Mohammed, three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije, African medallists Sunday Onofe and Joy Ekhator.

    “The trip would not have been possible without the timely support of Zuma Energy and our other sponsors who would like to remain anonymous, so, I am thankful to the Executive Chairman, Innocent Ezuma, who responded to the reach-out by my Foundation to the private sector for support.”

    Undefeated nationally for the past six years, two-time All African Games medallist, Miss Joy Ekhator, who won a bronze medal at the tournament, commended CCSF for pushing the initiative to source funds for the trip, and thanked Zuma Energy Nigeria Ltd for being one of the co-sponsors of the trip.

    “Without the efforts made, I would not have been able to come here and gain ranking points. I train very hard every day, but it is still difficult to go and compete against opponents that compete week in week out.”

    Current defending All African Games champion, Jamilu Muhammad, who crashed out in the Quarterfinals, was more direct. “No money, no medals,” he began. “I have not competed internationally since the last All African Games, even though I am constantly training, thus I was a bit match-rusty.

    The Kano-State-born taekwondo enthusiast further reflected: “I am number 46 in the world, and I sometimes wonder what my ranking would be if I could compete more. I am grateful that I competed at this event. It has enabled me see the opposition for next year’s All African Games, and I would use the experience gained to teach upcoming Taekwondo athletes when I get back to Kano.”

    Noting the good example set by the company, CCSF boss Chika Chukwumerije urged the private sector to take a cue from Zuma Energy Ltd in providing the kind of sustained support that would “give life to the real dreams of millions of Nigerian sportsmen and women across the country, especially when they have clear operational plans and genuine medal-winning possibilities in the foreseeable future.”

    He said: “Athletes are very visible and can serve, not only as a source of inspiration to our future generation, but also as a deep spring of pride for the nation. They deserve to be supported by the business community.

    “The recent performances of (Blessing) Okagbare, the victories of the Super Eagles at the last Nation’s Cup, the last U-17 World Cup winners, and the exploits of our weightlifter Usman at the last Commonwealth Games are some examples of sporting feats that provide hope to young people, and bring smiles to millions of Nigerians.”

    Chukwumerije urged the private sector to invest in communities in which they operate all over Nigeria, as “investing now would give Nigeria an edge in the Commonwealth Games this year, All African Games next year and at the RIO 2016 Olympics.”

    He continued: “Everybody loves a winner, and companies can leverage on potential Olympic Gold Medals to be won by Nigeria’s talented athletes by investing in their training and exposure now.”

  • Expert seeks equal status for special pupils

    Expert seeks equal status for special pupils

    Helping Hands Special School, a school for special children, has maintained that no child must be denied sound and quality education irrespective of his or her social class, developmental challenges or physical disabilities.

    Its Director, Miss Chinenye Okoye, is also seeking a more attention from the society to further cushion the effect of the social stigma special people are often exposed to, and which sometimes hampers their education progress.

    Mrs Okoye said this  during a courtesy visit to the Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Comrade Ayodele Adewale. She said over 70 per cent of children have developmental delays, learning challenges and disabilities. Besides, she said they are poor and live in rural areas where they have little or no access to facilities and therapy services and they are often victims of stigmatisation and abuse by their rural communities.

    Okoye, an Occupational Therapy, expert explains that Nigerians love playing the ostrich in the sense that they often assume nothing is wrong in any child that has no physical challenge. Meanwhile, there are many physically fit children who are slow learners, and, therefore, deserve special attention to get them out of their weak points and learn with the same tempo as their contemporaries.

    Citing a regular school setting, Okoye said a teacher can teach 20 children, noting that the scenario is the reverse in Special Schools where three teachers can be dedicated to a child; one focusing on speech, another on learning, and yet the third takes on physical therapy all which shot up the cost of training.

    She added that aside the new branch of the school now located in Festac, the school also has two other branches in Abuja. She said  boarding facility for the new arm will be opened this session to children with autism, dyslexia, cerebral palsy, down syndrome and other related special cases. Once the school is able to perfect a child weakness, such child will be incorporated in regular schools.

    “Though it has not been a smooth ride this past five years, it has been very challenging. However lots of differences have been made because these children are no longer locked up at home so that visitors will not see them; now they can go to school, improve on their developmental delays and challenges, have therapies and still be incorporated into the society without being treated differently,” Okoye said.

    Comrade Adewale said he was impressed by what the school is doing for the children.  He, however, sought collaboration of both parties towards encouraging less privileged children with special challenge to be incorporated into the school either at a subsidised rate or no none at all.

     

  • Fed Govt seeks states’ partnership on malaria

    Fed Govt seeks states’ partnership on malaria

    The Federal Government has urged state and local governments to join the fight against malaria through the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS).

    The IRS is a strategy that targets mosquito vectors.

    The government said there had been improvement in malaria control where IRS had been implemented or introduced.

    Health Minister, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, spoke at the weekend in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, during this year’s World Malaria Day.

    The minister gave the example in Misau Local Government Area of Bauchi State, where IRS had been in use for some time.

    He said malaria cases in the area had dropped from 14,949 to 4,819, or 67.8 per cent reduction.

    Chukwu said the same scenario was expected in other places where IRS was being implemented.

    The minister regretted that the financial outlay for malaria intervention was limited to few states, like Lagos, Rivers, Bauchi, Jigawa, Anambra and Akwa Ibom.

    He added that one of the ways the scourge could be eliminated was that state and local government areas join hands with the Federal Government through the usage of IRS.

    Declaring open the World Malaria Day celebration, Governor Theodore Orji said his administration placed priorities on the security and good health care system for the residents.

    Orji said if the environment was secured and the people had good health care system, other things would be easy for them to do.

    He said: “Every year, about 500 people suffer from malaria, while over one million children die from malaria-related diseases. Therefore, there is need for everyone to join hands to fight this war.”

     

  • Federation seeks Samsung’s sponsorship of beach volleyball tour

    Federation seeks Samsung’s sponsorship of beach volleyball tour

    The Chairman, Beach Volleyball Committee of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Musa Nimrod said on Wednesday that Samsung’s interest in sponsoring the proposed national beach volleyball tour was receiving due consideration.

    Nimrod told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the NVBF President, Habu Gumel, was already discussing with Samsung Electronics.

    NAN recalls that Nimrod had in February appealed for sponsors of its beach volleyball tour which, according to him, serves as its league for qualification for the Continental Tour later in the year.

    “I know recently outside the shore of Nigeria, the President has been having discussions with Samsung. Because it is not just a cheap issue and we just have to do it for us to go for continental championship.

    “We cannot run away (from it) and everybody is aware of it. But I know that discussions are going on and I do not want to make much comment about it. But, I know that Samsung is keen, they also want some of our girls to be their ambassadors,(that is), beach volleyball players to be ambassadors of Samsung. So discussions are going on.”

    Nimrod said the importance of the competition could not be over-emphasised as it would enable players to get points for participation in continental and international engagements.

    “Without the national tour, the players cannot go for the continental tour, which will come up in the fourth quarter of 2014 and the Rio 2016 Olympics qualifiers,’’ he said.

    Nimrod said further that the tour was expected to begin from Kaduna and move to other cities such as Jos, Lagos, Yola, Jalingo and Enugu. He, however, praised the national under-17 male and female beach volleyball teams for qualifying for the 2014 Youth Olympics Games (YOG).

    The YOG is the youth edition of the Olympics Games with athletes’ age pegged between 14 years and 18 years.

    Beach volleyball, which replaced indoor volleyball, is one of the 28 events to be competed for at the YOG scheduled to hold in China from August 16 to 28.

  • Labour seeks tougher action against terrorists

    A larmed by the killing of more than 90 Nigerians by Boko Haram terrorists in Abuja, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has urged the Federal Government to take a tougher action against the sect.

    More than 250 others are lying critically ill in various hospitals; about 25 vehicles were burnt; and 14 luxury buses were destroyed in the inferno that resulted from the bombing.

    Expressing disgust at the attack on defenceless citizens, at the Nyanya mass transit park, Abuja, ASCSN National President Bobboi Bala Kaigama said there was the need for security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering.

    “Improved intelligence surveillance will assist a great deal to unveil the sponsors of the group so that they and the murderers who masquerade as religious crusaders, can be brought to justice for the genocide and other crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.

    “As we noted in our previous press statement on the killing of 30 innocent students at the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State in February, this gang of goons cannot claim to be carrying out any divine doctrine because no religion sanctions the killing of human beings,” he said.

    The Union called on the Federal Government to mobilise the entire citizen no matter the differences to fight against the insurgents.

    “This is surely not the time to play politics or trade blames, but instead do the needful by fishing out the perpetrators of this dastardly act, including their sponsors and bring them to justice.”

    Also, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) called on all the political parties, civil society groups, the labour movement, prominent citizens and religious leaders to unite against the Boko Haram insurgents in order to stop their nefarious activities.

    “It should be clear to the terrorists and their principals that no society can improve the welfare of its citizens if it is enmeshed in violence, not to talk of a country like Nigeria where the populace is denied basic social amenities by the ruling elite even when there was peace across the length and breadth of the country,” Kaigama said.

    He expressed the union’s heart-felt condolences to all the families of the bereaved and wished the injured ones speedy recovery.

  • Group seeks govt’s help on internet cost

    Group seeks govt’s help on internet cost

    President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Bayo Banjo, has sought the Federal Government’s intervention in the prohibitive cost of bandwidth to help internet users.

    Banjo, in a telephone interview, said when the high cost of bandwidth is lowered to attract usage, there will be economies of scale which will drive down cost while end user experience will be redefined.

    He said: “The quality of internet services in the country will continue to be bad because the cost of bandwidth is too expensive. Bandwidth is too expensive for the average Nigerian. So what the companies are doing is that they are trying to share.

    “Things will always be bad because the average Nigerian cannot afford the cost of bandwidth and to get good services, we have to bring the cost of bandwidth down. What I suggested to the Federal Government is that it should subsidise the cost of bandwidth. When there is subsidy, it will encourage more people to go online and use the internet. This will inevitably shoot up the customer base and when this becomes large, when the security man or the road side mechanic starts browsing, there will be economies of scale which will bring down the price.”

    According to him, somebody has to brave the odds and break the jinx, adding that indigenous continental submarine cable firm, MainOne had assured the group that if the firm is able to achieve XYZ level of volume, the firm will bring down the price.

    He said: “MainOne has said if the firm has XYZ amount of volume, it can bring bandwidth down to $25 dollars per one meg per month which is like N3,000 for a month but the firm needs that volume. So, what ISPs are doing is that they are giving you one meg at N10,000 per month but the truth is that it is not one meg they are giving. The truth is that they are sharing it. That is why sometimes it goes so slow that you get frustrated while at other times, it does not go at all.”