The Nation Newspaper

Tag: seeks

  • Lagos Accord Party seeks suspension of chairman, secretary

    The Lagos State chapter of the Accord Party has recommended the indefinite suspension of its Chairman, Chief Gbenga Kool, and Secretary, Comrade Lanre Ogundare, for alleged mismanagement of party funds generated from sales of nomination forms in the July council elections.

    The party called for  investigation into the allegations.

    Their suspension followed recommendation by a seven-man committee set up by Kool on August 9, calling for an investigation into alleged misappropriation of the funds.

    The committee’s report was submitted to its National Vice-Chairman, Southwest, Chief Kayode Ojo, and copied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), state’s Independent National Commission (LASIEC), Board of Trustees (BoT), and National Exco

    The committee chairman, J. Ola Beckley, and secretary Rev Sam .U. Nelson, said: “During the first sitting of August 15, 2017, it was noted there was no remittance of poll fund to the treasurer by the secretary. There was mismanagement of poll funds.

    “This prompted the invitation of the state secretary by the committee to explain these. The secretary brought three sets of document of sales of forms, participating candidates and expenditure. The committee, based on these documents, sent him a letter asking him to come and defend the documents but he disregard the summons.

    “The state chairman was notified on the action(s) of the secretary, and was also invited based on his statement of August 21, 2017, that he instructed the secretary to carry out the sales of forms and expenditure. But the chairman, on two occasions, disregarded the summons. Based on these,  the committee concluded to refer the case to superior organs of the party since the people involved are state principal officers.”

    The committee added that it made the recommendation to suspend the two officers in accordance with the party constitution.

    “In accordance with party constitution, the committees rely on Article 1g (iii), (iv), (ix) after careful, disciplinary procedure of our party to sanction the affected officers namely, Chief Gbenga Kool and Comrade Lanre Ogundare, chairman and secretary.

    “It was resolved and agreed that they be suspended pending full investigation and a caretaker committee appointed to run affairs of the party till outcome of the matter.

    The committee said every aspect of the constitution was expounded during the sittings, which lasted 14 days.

  • LCCI seeks patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods

    LCCI seeks patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods

    The President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr Nike Akande, has advised Nigerians to patronise locally-made products and services.

    She spoke at the 18th Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture held yesterday at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

    Mrs. Akande who spoke on: Made-in-Nigeria products: The vehicle for sustainable development, said increased patronage would inevitably improve quality of the products, which in turn would increase local and foreign demand.

    The former Minister of Industry described the current economic recession as good for the purpose of forcing Nigeria to diversify from oil.

    “I believe that with more patronage, Nigerian manufacturers will be encouraged to improve the quality of their products. As the quality of our goods and services improve, local and international demand for them will increase.There is no doubt that the fastest route to grow our economy and to create jobs for our teeming population is by promoting non-oil export.  Export led growth will add to our foreign reserves and stabilise the local currency,” she said.

    Also speaking on the ocasion, the Chairman, Erisco Foods Ltd, Chief Eric Umeofia,decried the importation for low-quality foreign goods to the detriment of local ones. He faulted the government for not protecting the interest of local manufacturers through favourable policies and for not providing a conducive environment to compete favourably with foreigners.

    Umeofia said: “Indigenes are not being supported in this country at all.  How can the economy be diversified when the Federal Government votes foreign exchange for people to import goods that can be produced locally? CBN gives us a fraction of our foreign exchange needs yet gives importers of frozen fish, tomato paste and others foreign exchange?”

    To improve the contribution of the manufacturing sector to Nigeria’s GDP beyond three per cent, Umeofia advised the government to emulate countries like China, Taiwan which closed their borders to foreign goods, and the United Arab Emirates, Angola and Ghana, which protect local businesses.

    While lauding the policies of the government that have improved the ease of doing business, Mrs Akande also called on the government to replicate success stories in local production – like Dangote cement, Innoson vehicle manufacturing, Aba shoe factory – in other areas of economic endeavour.

    Mrs Akande urged the government to pay attention to security, enhance regulatory/institutional environment, provide infrastructure, and reward local manufacturers.

  • Fed Govt seeks capital market support for tech firms

    The Federal Government has called for a more concerted effort to use the capital market as a growth platform for technological companies and start-ups.

    Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) should consider ways to encourage listing of more technological firms in order to help in the development of the Nigerian technological know-hows.

    Onu, who spoke at the commissioning of a N500 million data centre at the NSE yesterday in Lagos, said the government is working to redirect Nigerian economy from dependence on oil to a more diversified economy driven by innovations.

    He said the government has already launched many initiatives to position science and technology as the fulcrum of the national economic development including the development and use of domestic research to meet the emerging needs of Nigerian private and public sectors.

    He said the ongoing efforts to ensure utilization of local raw materials for manufacturing will save Nigeria about N3 trillion by 2021.

    He commended the NSE for its contributions to the development of the Nigerian economy noting that the Exchange has all it takes to compete with other global stock exchanges.

    Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, said the N500 million data centre was designed to tier 111 standards, within the highest global standards adding that this has further enhanced NSE’s leading advantage over other African stock exchanges.

    According to him, the data centre was designed not only to support the activities of the NSE but also other firms that may want to host their data services at the Exchange.

    “We are very happy with the quality of the data centre,” Onyema said.

    He pointed out that the Exchange will primarily devote the data centre to the services of its broker-dealer community and then, it may extend the services to quoted companies and other stakeholders.

  • Ooni seeks understanding of African culture

    The Ooni of Ile-Ife in Osun State, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi II, is expected to move into a seven-day seclusion soon to commune with his ancestors and pray for the nation ahead of the grand finale of Olojo Festival on September 30.

    The frontline monarch called for a better understanding of African cultural beliefs.

    Addressing reporters ahead of the festival, Oba Ogunwusi called for the repackaging of African culture to remove the negative tag on the beliefs of the Black race.

    The monarch noted that contrary to the view of many people within and outside the continent, deities and forbears of Africans were servants of God.

    According to him, the deities are doing well in delivering the mandate given to them by God.

    On the significance of the festival, the foremost Yoruba monarch said the Olojo is the celebration of the first dusk and dawn.

    Oba Ogunwusi said during the festival, the Ooni wears Are crown and takes a walk to Oke Mogun where the first dusk and dawn occurred.

    Describing the Olojo as a global festival, Oba Ogunwusi called for proper education of the younger generation on the significance of major cultural celebrations of the Yoruba.

    Oba Ogunwusi said: “Some members of the Black Caucus of Pennsylvania House of Representatives and about 150 other African-Americans have already indicated interest to participate in this year’s Olojo Festival.”

    He also called for a repackage of African culture and proper education of the younger generation on the significance of major cultural celebrations of the Yoruba.

    Highlights of this year’s festival include reorientation workshop for youths on culture, a football competition, ayo olopon, a fashion show and traditional music night.

  • MFM elder seeks divorce for lack of care

    A 66-year-old man, Alaba Aribisala, has asked an Ado-Ekiti Customary Court in Ekiti State to dissolve his five-year-old marriage to his wife, Adenike, on the grounds of lack of care.

    Aribisala, who lives at 13, Egbewa Street, Temidire Quarters, Ado-Ekiti, told the court since 2012 when he started living with the respondent, she had shown him no love.

    He alleged Adenike often prepared food for their twins and refused to provide his meal.

    The petitioner also alleged the respondent did not clean the house or washed his clothes.

    Aribisala, an elder at Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM), said whenever he corrected the respondent on her negative attitude, she would curse him.

    He told the court he no longer loved the respondent and urged it to dissolve the union.

    The petitioner urged the court to award custody of their two children to the respondent because the twins are just four years old.

    Aribisala said he would provide N3,000 as monthly feeding allowance and would be cater for their education.

    Adenike, 37, a tailor, denied the allegations.

    She told the court that when she met the petitioner in 2012, she agreed to marry him and he rented a two-bedroom apartment and they were living comfortably.

    Adenike said she prepared food for him and washed his clothes.

    The respondent told the court that since giving birth to the twins, the petitioner had failed to care of her and their children.

    She alleged that her husband visits prophets and herbalists to provide solution to his business challenges.

    Adenike absolved herself of any complicity in her husband’s business challenges.

    She told the court the petitioner was violent and abused her, after which he would order her to pack her belongings out of his home.

    The respondent said the petitioner threatened her, but she endured the suffering.

    She prayed the court to dissolve the marriage and award custody of the children to her, requesting N20,000 as their monthly feeding and welfare allowances.

    The respondent appealed to the petitioner to give her time to get a good accommodation.

    The court President, Mrs. Olayinka Akomolede, adjourned the case till October 26 for judgment.

  • True charity seeks no recognition

    SIR: The natural inclination of man is to seek validation and approval. His need for public endorsement is better explained in the context of the animal kingdom – where gaining respect and admiration enhances survival.

    This desire for acknowledgment and commendation is in itself healthy, and indeed the motivation for many great human endeavours, but it quickly runs amok if unchecked.

    There lies the need for introspection and reflection. There comes the need to curtail unbridled ambitions. Every thought, every idea should be thoroughly examined so that self-seeking cravings are aborted and the less privileged are not exploited, in guise of public donations.

    In this party of feigned concerns for the downtrodden, no one dons better attires than political office holders or wannabes. Their colours are the brightest and their linen the choicest. By some stroke of magic, market women and street children suddenly become noticeable, weeks to elections. Without hesitation or reluctance, every resource is then mobilised for stomach infrastructure.

    But those are political jobbers. One need not take their merry band seriously. Distance should however be maintained, so their illness is not transferred, if contagious.

    Now to the zealously held and sadly, familiar: The devotion in some temples is high, but more for contests during harvests. Either to appeal to human psychology, or to ensure transparency, anonymity of donors is jettisoned. Names and family donations are published.

    So the affair, for the vain-hearted, becomes a race to lead the pack. Or to at least match contemporaries, if there is no means. Even those who ordinarily will not donate are forced by that method. The results will be in public glare. So the shame of making no contribution gates many penniless members at home.

    But despite that narrative, it is not yet a central teaching that acts of philanthropy be trumpeted. The Bible in fact speaks to the contrary. One can reason with the way of the world nonetheless. Charitable organisations need to show evidence for donor funds. But if philanthropy is done out of personal account, why draw attention to it?

    When we gather the hungry, the homeless, the wretched, and take pictures of kind selves as we provide relief, we simply are mocking their sorry state. When we upload those pictures for instagram likes, and in exchange for retweets on twitter, we strip our victims of dignity.

    Yet, can’t charity be announced so the community can imitate? Certainly it can. But he really must be a peculiar man that finds no example of good behaviour but himself.

    It is good and praiseworthy to be a philanthropist. But it is even better to be a quiet one.

     

    • Adeyoose Olusola

    Ibadan.

  • Abia at 26: Ikpeazu seeks collaboration to develop state

    Abia at 26: Ikpeazu seeks collaboration to develop state

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has called for the collaboration of the residents to develop the state.

    This is even as he has promised to continue to pursue the dreams of the state’s founding fathers.

    In a message marking the 26th anniversary of the creation of the state by the General Ibrahim Babangida military government on August 27, 1991, Ikpeazu noted that the state was continuously moving on the path of growth, development and fulfilment of the aspirations of its founding fathers.

    The governor noted that the development of a state demands collective efforts of the government and the governed.

    He said: “Every truly great state and country got there not because its people were pessimistic and negative about the future of the state but because there was a sense of pride and ownership – a belief in a shared destiny with the state and a resolution by the people to do all they can every new day to make the state great.”

    According to him, the decision of the current administration to run an open government was a deliberate step to continually keep the people abreast of developments on the “commonwealth and shared aspirations”.

    Ikpeazu noted that despite the challenges his administration had been facing since it assumed office in 2015, it had not faltered, despaired nor sought for excuses.

    The governor said the administration had, instead, confronted the challenges before it with clear evidence for all to see.

    He said: “From road construction across the state to sustained educational excellence, qualitative healthcare to an innovative agricultural revolution, social mobilisation to the gainful engagement of our youths, our administration has set new standards in the delivery of the dividends of democracy.

    “Today, our state is the toast of the Federal Government and diverse development partners because we looked inwards and championed the innate qualities of our people – hard work, resilience, entrepreneurship – and told our story.

    “The country is listening to us and great opportunities are unfolding. I call on our youths to eschew all acts of division and disunity and embrace peace and hard work for our salvation lies in our own hands. May God continue to bless the works of our hands.

    “As we go on, we will yet do more. We do not see challenges; we only see possibilities. I assure you that the possibilities and opportunities to make our state great are endless. We have set our hands on the plough and we shall succeed.”

  • Mark seeks prosecution of perpetrators of Benue massacre

    Mark seeks prosecution of perpetrators of Benue massacre

    Former Senate President David Mark has urged security operatives to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of the Benue attacks.

    A statement yesterday by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, condemned the ‘unabating invasion’ that has led to the death of hundreds of Benue indigenes, and destruction of property worth millions of naira.

    Mark described the situation as “intolerable”.

    “Our people can no longer go freely to their farms and markets to pursue their legitimate businesses. Even those who stay at home for fear of being attacked are not free.

    “I’m yet to be told what the offence of the man or woman, living in his/her own land, is. The killings of our people have continued yet, nobody has been arrested for this heinous crime,” he lamented.

    Senator Mark urged security operatives to do all that is needed to halt the massacre, noting that one way to achieve that is for all security formations to work as a team.

    He, however, cautioned the people against reprisals, saying it will only aggravate the situation.

  • Akeredolu seeks AFDB’s partnership

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday sought the collaboration of African Development Bank to fast-track development in the state.

    The governor said the state’s agrarian potentials needed the bank’s support.

    He spoke when the bank’s President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, visited him in Akure, the state capital.

    Akeredolu, who said he was not afraid of being tagged as patronising Adesina,   pleaded that the bank should make its presence felt in Ondo State.

    Adesina said the state’s agricultural values can jump start its economy, noting that Ondo will witness rapid development under Akeredolu

  • NLC seeks probe of N388bn first tranche of London-Paris Club cash to govs

    NLC seeks probe of N388bn first tranche of London-Paris Club cash to govs

    The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Ayuba Wabba, has called on the Federal Government to beam its searchlight on corruption on state governors to ascertain whether the first tranche of N388 billion London-Paris Club fund released to them in December last year was spent for what it was meant for.

    He made this call yesterday during the 4th quadrennial national delegates’ conference of Maritime Workers Union in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

    According to him, with the second tranche of the money about to be released, the government at the centre should muster the will to audit states to ensure that the first release was judiciously spent for the settlement of outstanding salaries, pension and gratuity.

    He threatened that labour was waiting on the wings to start aggressive agitation to draw Federal Government’s attention to the fact that corruption must be fought at all levels, including the states.

    The NLC boss called on employers of labour at all levels to see workers as partners in progress, a people that create wealth, not as liability.

    His words: “What we are saying is that let the government also muster the will to make sure that the first tranch that was released is accounted for, because there were controversies that N19 billion was diverted by the Governor’s Forum.

    “Outside the goodwill to make this funds available, the issue of transparency and accountability in governance, which is lacking in some states, must be pursued.

    “Government must be proactive to ensure that government at the centre is able to be on top of this situation and demand accountability.

    “We are going to start our agitation very seriously and rigorously to the fact that if you are fighting corruption, it must be at all levels.

    “It must scale down to the states. They must continue to see workers as partners in progress; as people that create wealth and notliabilities.

    “Therefore, workers’ right must be given priority. If not, we won’t have social stability, cohesion and we will not go out of recession.”

    On the economic recession in the country, he described it as man made, saying that it would take a focused leader to put things right as, according to him, the country’s economy was mismanaged by past government.

    He said: “If the economy was mismanaged by people, it will take the act of people to put the economy back on track. You will not expect God in heaven to come to correct what we have done.

    “It will take good leaders with focus, transparency and accountability to be able to address the situation.”