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Tag: stewardship

  • Stewardship: Stakeholders score lawmaker high

    The people of Ikorodu constituency 1 in Lagos State, led by their monarchs and political leaders, during a stakeholders meeting, held to discuss peaceful elections and other issues, have scored their representative in the state house of assembly, Hon. Bolanle Agunbiade, high and endorsed him to return for another term come 2019. At the event held at Ai Royal Hall, Aga, Ikorodu, Agunbiade, who is the Majority Leader in the Lagos State House of Assembly, said it is important for elected public office holders to constantly discuss with the people through feedback channels like the meetings. He rendered a very comprehensive stewardship account that saw the people clapping and praying for him all the way.

    Chairman and members of the council of Baales in the division, chairman and members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, chairman and members of the League of Journalists, Ikorodu, as well as leaders and members of numerous other trade and artisan unions in the constituency also graced the occasion. Councillors from Ikorodu Central LGA, Ikorodu North LCDA and Ikorodu West LCDA as well as numerous LGA and Ward party executives alongside lots of party faithful were also present at the event to show support for Agunbiade. Community leaders including Community Development Councils’ Chairmen, Iya Olojas (market leaders) led by Alh. Taofeekat Allinson, party members and youth leaders, among others, were also on hand to be part of the occasion.

    Agunbiade, who appreciated the royal fathers, political leaders and his entire constituents for their unrelenting support over the years, thanked the people of Ikorodu for always showing interest in the business of governance. He said their keen interest at all times have helped him to perform better as their representative. While speaking during the event, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, extolled the virtues of the majority. “For us in Ikorodu, we have a representative that is doing very well and can still do even more if we allow him to. I am pleased with Agunbiade’s performance and I am happy he still wants to serve us further. That is why I asked you if you also want him. Now that you have said yes, I urge you all to vote for him again, again and again,” the Ayangburen said.

     

  • Accessing next levels through spiritual stewardship! (2)

    Last week, we began this teaching series with the understanding from scriptures that Spiritual stewardship, which entails serving God and the interest of His Kingdom, is key to all that life will ever demand. This is because serving God does not only pay, but it pays the best, pays supernaturally and offers incomparable returns. We also explore some returns that accrued to us when we engage Spiritual Stewardship. This week, I will conclude this series by examining “Next levels” as one of the returns on Kingdom stewardship.

    • Next Levels, in this context, connotes unending progress. As it is written: But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).

    This means that every redeemed child of God is ordained for continuous and unending progress in the journey of life.

    Let’s examine three scriptures that validate this truth:

    • Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (Matthew 11:11).

    From the above scripture, we understand that of all born of women, which includes all the Old Testament saints, there is none greater than John the Baptist. In other words, every child of God carries greater potentials than all the Old Testament saints, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Daniel, Joseph, and other Kingdom giants in scriptures. Thus, we are ordained to be greater than them. That means we are destined for unending progress and there is no limit to the impact we are ordained to generate on the earth.

    • The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here (Matthew 12:42).

    Jesus speaking in the above scripture said that though the whole earth came to listen to the Wisdom of Solomon, His own (Jesus’) wisdom is greater. In another account, Jesus said, “As My Father has sent Me, so send I you.”  That means inside every believer lies the redemptive capacity to operate in the realm of a “greater than Solomon” (John 17:18; 20:21).

    • Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father (John 14:12).

    Every redeemed child of God is destined for greater works than Jesus ever did. That means we are ordained to produce greater exploits after the order of Christ; the kind that would keep speaking long after we are no longer here on earth, if Christ tarries.

    However, though “next levels” is the heritage of the redeemed, it is not accessible by wishing. Therefore, how do we access our realm of next levels?

    • Redemption: As stated earlier, redemption is our guaranteed access into realms of unending progress (Proverbs 4:18).
    • Revelation of the Word: Putting God’s Word to work is our guaranteed access to next levels. However, until we see unending progress as our portion, we cannot access or manifest it. Remember, no one ever arrives at a future he cannot see (Genesis 13:14-15; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Isaiah 60:1-3, 8, 22).
    • Obedience of Faith: When we are committed to obeying every of God’s commandment, we commit Him to keep changing our levels. For instance, obedience was the stronghold of Abraham’s faith. We understand from scriptures that every instruction God gave to him was executed with timely, delightsome and stress-free obedience. No wonder he was changing levels supernaturally (Genesis 12:1-4; 17: 1-14, 24; 22: 1-3 Philippians 2:8-9; Deuteronomy 28:1).

    Therefore, we need grace for timely and delightsome obedience for every instruction given to us by God.

    • Tireless Stewardship: Tireless and productive commitment to Kingdom stewardship is God’s ordained platform for the rise of giants. We must understand that we can never rise higher in life than our engagement in quality Kingdom stewardship. It is clear from scriptures that serving God and the interest of His Kingdom is a covenant platform that launches us into the realm of next levels.

    From the parable of the talents in scriptures, the servants traded with their “pound”, returned with results and they experienced change of levels. Similarly, when we engage in spiritual stewardship, our enlargement, advancement and change of levels is guaranteed. (Luke 19:13-19).

    Therefore, as you engage in serving God and His interest, I see you changing levels, and the giant in you rising supernaturally in the name of Jesus Christ!

    Are you born again? This means, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”

    For further reading, please get my books: Wisdom that Works, Walking in Wisdom, All you need to have all your needs met, Winning Wisdom and Excellency of Wisdom.

    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.

    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • Ambode’s excellent stewardship

    SIR: When he was barely a few weeks in office, The Economist wrote a scathing criticism against his competence to run the demanding task of governing Lagos. The magazine concluded that Governor Akinwumi Ambode cannot fit into the big shoes left behind by his predecessor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, currently Minister of Works, Housing and Power.

    It didn’t take long for naysayers to start devouring their words as Governor Ambode struck a remarkable impression in virtually all sectors of governance in Lagos in record time. He first decided to quickly arrest the security deterioration in Lagos by launching a very ambitious security outfit that aimed at tracking, arresting and dealing with incidences of crime in any part of the Mega City. He was as swift as he was thorough as he mobilised several billions of Naira to fund what should be the most ambitious security outfit in the country. He purchased drones, helicopters, hundreds of cars, patrol vans, motorcycles, all kitted with state of the art security gadgets to arrest the worsening security situation in Lagos. With a bang, he reversed the temporary glitch and criminals found the sprawling Mega City, a no go area for their nefarious businesses. Not only that, Governor Ambode’s Security outfit ensured that no criminals walks away with any crime in Lagos and with that, Lagos, a state of over 21 million citizens, has become perhaps the safest state in Nigeria today.

    Few days back Governor Ambode raised the bar once again by staking a whopping sum of N10 million on the head of any security personnel that goes down in active service.

    On roads, Governor Ambode moved in with such speed that has not been known in the country before now. He not only improved on the ambitious road construction projects of his predecessor, he embarked on massive construction of new roads in all nooks and crannies of Lagos as he vowed to open up all parts of Lagos. He was to start the construction of two roads for each local council that targeted all 57 local councils in the state and the first tranche of these roads have been delivered, complete with such appurtenances as street lighting, walkways, drainages. The construction of the second tranche is on-going now. These are apart from kilometres of urban roads, bridges and linkages which have either been completed, about to be completed or newly started. Today, no part of Lagos can claim to be cut off from other parts as a result of bad roads. What is outstanding in this massive road construction is the speed and clinical efficiency with which these projects are being delivered. Ambode has set a frenetic pace in infrastructural development that will certainly be difficult to contest with.

    What of the massive street lighting project that has seen almost all  the major roads in the state brightly lit up in Governor Ambode’s resolve to lighten up the state, drive criminality away and extend the frontiers of security in Lagos?

    The Ambode regime has built on a rich commitment to environmental sanity that has transformed Lagos from a sprawling urban slum to perhaps, Nigeria’s most beautiful state today. The present regime continues to invest in building a stately environment by developing more open spaces, building parks and lawns in every part of Lagos. Equally, the government has restored environmental sanity by ensuring wastes are appropriately discharged, street trading are outlawed, pedestrian bridges are built in strategic locations across the state and citizens are discouraged, through strict enforcement, from illegally crossing roads.

    The Ambode regime continues to expand the state healthcare delivery through the continued expansion of the state health facilities and equipping them to meet the growing demands of a fast growing Mega City. Equally, the state educational sectors has continued to receive prime attention of the Governor

    Even in the period of recession Governor Ambode has demonstrated through synergy and clinical financial engineering  that Lagos can still make the difference. Governor Ambode’s Lagos has raked N287 billion IGR as at December 16 2016 against N268.2 billion it generated in 2015. He attributes this achievement to synergy between the state government and the governed, insisting that Lagos is working because Lagosians understand the need play their own part as partners.

    All said, Governor Ambode’s has been a glorious era in a very short span and with his spectacular achievements. He has ingrained added confidence in governance in Lagosians and of course Nigerians. He has solidified trust and belief in the capacity of governance in Lagos and he continues to expand the frontiers of governance beyond the ordinary. The governor has not only justified the huge support Lagosians gave him to govern them but he has silenced his critics, disorganized the opposition and made every Lagosian proud with his achievements thus far.

    • Joe Igbokwe,

    Lagos.

  • 8th Lagos Assembly and its stewardship

    8th Lagos Assembly and its stewardship

    Lagos State House of Assembly complex was a beehive of activities as the 8th Assembly marked its first session on June 8, 2016 in a rather unique manner.

    No doubt, the state legislature had from onset set a clearly defined mission when it was inaugurated by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on the same date in 2015.

    The Speaker, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa who is in his fourth term (as a member) did not mince words in his inaugural speech in which he set an agenda of the state legislature. He said, “We are here to serve the people. Our new members will find that we are often besieged by lobbyists- their advocacy plays a valuable role here-but we must never forget whom we really serve – the people of Lagos State.”

    In line with this objective, the House revved its engine re-ordering the state budget to enable Governor Ambode deliver on his promises to the people of the state in good time.

    This, no doubt was like a stitch that saves nine, as the re-ordering of the budget enabled the state government to purchase state-of-the-art crime fighting equipment running into billions of naira.

    This in itself is historic as no state in the country had ever procured such equipment which included surveillance helicopters, patrol vehicles, armoured personnel carriers and more at the same time.

    Noteworthy is the fact that the Ambode administration’s first major challenge was tackling an upsurge in crime which greeted his assumption office

    This was even as the state 2016 budget was delivered to the state Chief Executive in record time as promised by Speaker Obasa when the document was laid by the governor.

    Close watchers of the Obasa-led Lagos Assembly believe that may not be unconnected with the promise that the state lawmakers would not unnecessarily tackle the executive in the overall interest of the state.

    It was therefore not unsurprising that the Assembly made giant strides in the last one year, passing 88 resolutions and six bills within the period.

    These include the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund law, 2015, aimed at tackling unemployment in the most populous state of the nation.

    This is aside the Local Government Administration (Amendment bill), to deepen grassroots democracy, Neighborhood watch Bill to enhance Security. Some of these bills have been signed into law by the Governor.

    Apparently keeping to its promise to Lagosians, the House is currently working on a bill to stem the spread of Cancer among Lagosians. Putting it more succinctly, Tunde Braimoh, Chairman, House committee on Information said the bill which is one of the four sponsored by the Speaker in the last twelve months aims to assist  poor Lagosians in the high cost of cancer treatment spread and generally look for the cure of the deadly disease.

    When the Lagos Assembly therefore hosted media executives and civil society organizations to unveil her social media platforms, it was joy flowing like a river among the lawmakers and others present.

    Obasa seized the opportunity to reel out the House’s achievements under his leadership and formally unveiled the four online platforms.

    He said: “For purpose of record, I will like to state that this House within one year has passed about 60 resolutions while six bills have been passed and consequently signed into law by Governor Ambode. These resolutions and laws are those that border on the security and well-being of Lagosians, and have direct impact on them. We shall remain undaunted and resolute in our resolve to take Lagos to a greater height.

    “I wish to reiterate that I am passionately committed to my 10-point agenda, as stated in my inaugural speech. Within one year that I took over the mantle of leadership of this great House, we have had landmark achievements in prompt but thorough passage of the year 2016 budget, timely commencement of plenary sittings, organizing constituency stakeholders’ meetings simultaneously for the first time in all the 40 constituencies of the state, holding the MDAs to account through intensive and effective oversight activities and in responding earnestly to the petitions by Lagosians through appropriate standing or ad hoc committee.”

    He emphasized that series of training programmes have been organized for lawmakers and staff to improve their efficiency, with a functional website and the possibility of live streaming of the plenary sessions from the chamber.

    The Assembly has also played host to renowned constitutional Lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) and a former Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Alhaji Musliu Smith on June 13, 2016 in continuation of its anniversary to mark the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola.

    The two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) agreed that Nigeria needed both political and physical federalism for rapid development. The legal luminaries observed that Nigeria is the only Federal Republic without a state police and that States, Local Governments, and even schools could have their own police.

    Falana observed that Lagos for instance provided the federally-controlled Nigeria Police with not less than 600 vehicles in 16 years while the federal government accorded the state with less than 200 within the same period!

    Their agitation for state police was supported by the former IGP who said Lagos in particular was ripe for state police by virtue of its peculiarities and special position in Nigeria.

    In his remarks, Speaker Obasa declared that every state that has the resources should be allowed to have state police in the spirit of true federalism. He equally seized the opportunity to demand a special status for Lagos in view of its strategic position and contributions to national development.

    Appraising the 8th Lagos Assembly, a former chairman of the Ikeja branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Monday Ubani thumbed up the performance of the lawmakers in the last one year. He said, “I have watched the proceeding of the Lagos House. Most times, their debate is only centered on how to better the living standard of the people, how to improve their welfare and how to ensure that the issue of basic infrastructure is addressed.”

    Ubani’s views were shared by the first elected female chairman of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Mrs. Olufunke Fadugba, who said, “I will say the 8th Lagos Assembly seem to be more active and less controversial than their predecessors who had always been engulfed in one crisis or the other.”

    As the Assembly enters another year of its legislative duties, Lagosians and Nigerians in general look forward to its continuously being the true “center of Excellence”.

     

    • Olatunde, a political scientist lives in Lagos

     

  • Assessing Olaoluwa’s stewardship at BoI

    Assessing Olaoluwa’s stewardship at BoI

    After 21 months in the saddle, the stewardship of the former Managing Director of Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, has come under scrutiny. Although the verdict of most players who appraised his performance is that the former BoI boss was on course. Others feel that he could have done more to position the bank to drive industrial development. Assistant Editor OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE examines the tenure of the former head of Africa’s largest Development Finance Institution (DFI).

    He may not have finished his tenure as the Managing Director (MD) of Bank of Industry (BoI), having been appointed in 2014. But within the 21 months Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa held sway as head of Africa’s largest Development Finance Institution (DFI), his performance has come under intense scrutiny by players and operators in various sectors of the economy.

    Would history be kind to Olaoluwa for re-jigging the bank’s board to reflect its real sector intervention agenda and unveil new products while also boosting operational efficiency?

    Perhaps, more importantly, has the bank under his charge delivered on its mandate of driving Nigeria’s industrial development? To what extent has BoI promoted, nurtured, supported and monitored Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which have been acknowledged as economy’s growth engine?

    How far did he go in bridging the financing gap for SMEs and helping them write bankable proposals to enable them obtain loans from commercial banks at single digit interest?

    These are some of the critical questions that formed the basis of measuring or appraising the bank’s performance under Olaoluwa’s 21-month stint at the foremost DFI. Many industry experts and key stakeholders, who spoke with The Nation, say that despite the relatively short time he was in charge at the bank, the former BoI boss was able to bring his wealth of experience in the engineering, accounting and banking sectors to bear on his job of pushing the bank to its enviable position among other African DFIs.

    Some of them also pointed out that given the avalanche of new and innovative financing options that have come the way of businesses especially SMEs in the last 21 months, as well as the democratisation of access to capital and spirited efforts at scouting for consultants to help SMEs write bankable proposal, Olaoluwa acquitted himself well.

    Yet, there are others who aver  that BoI under his leadership may have successfully changed the nation’s financial intermediation landscape with new products.

    For instance, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Spectra Foods Limited, an indigenous manufacturing firm, Mr. Duro Kuteyi, described Olaoluwa as a professional to the core. He said the former BoI MD rode on a good structure he met on ground and utilised it judiciously. Hear him: “Before he came, there was a structure; if there is a good structure on ground, one appears to be a superstar, but if the structure is bad, no matter what you do, it will be bad and you can’t finish well. We should congratulate those who put the structure in place.”

    Kuteyi gave reasons to justify his belief that Olaoluwa left marks in the sands of time after piloting the affairs of the bank. He pointed out, for instance, that the former BoI chief was instrumental to the tremendous support members of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), graduates and entrepreneurs now enjoy in the form of soft loans with single digit interest rate.

    Kuteyi also told The Nation that the signing of a service agreement with 122 Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) to collaborate with BoI to identify credible SMEs that require finance was a game changer. According to him, the intervention enhanced SME’s efficiency.

    The BDSPs, according to him,  have also been helping SMEs develop bankable business plans and proposals to facilitate their access to finance including providing post-finance services such as mentorship, handholding, financial advice and inculcation of best practices among others.

    Experts say that poor packaging of loan requests and non-bankable business plans are responsible for the low level of financial support to the SME sector. But as Kuteyi observed, “BDSPs have made it easier for SMEs to better package their products.”

    However, assisting SMEs package their products and facilitating their access to loans were not the only interventions that gladdened Kuteyi and indeed, other stakeholders’ hearts. Apart from the fact that BoI under Olaoluwa brought down the rate of non-performing loans from 18 per cent to about four per cent, the bank also substantially improved its operational efficiency with an upgrade of its system and introduction of mobile applications.

    Specifically, BoI repositioned its systems, processes and services by riding on the back of robust technologies and products. This was in the hope of taking advantage of the new digital and mobile world to offer its customers the benefits of speed, mobility and convenience that come with it. For instance, BoI in partnership with Kinesis Consulting Limited developed an SME Accounting Application (SAAPP), which allows users keep proper records of transactions as well as generate requisite financial statements.

    SAAPP, The Nation learnt, is a user friendly, simplified and menu-driven accounting tool that does not require formal accounting knowledge by the entrepreneur. With the software, SME customers will be empowered with business information on their mobile phones. Because of its unique features and benefits, the application enjoys the buy-in of operators and stakeholders.

    For instance, SAAPP allows BoI SME customers to easily generate basic financial statements such as balance sheets, which report on the SME’s assets, liabilities and ownership equity; profit and loss accounts, which report on the SME’s operation in terms of income (sales), expenses and profit or loss; cash flows, such as SME’s operating, investing and financing.

    Interestingly, one of the key features of SAAPP is the integrity of the financial statements generated on it. Once financial statements have been prepared, they cannot be altered at will. Consequently, it is the same statements that will be produced for submission to the tax authorities, statutory government agencies and financial institutions.

    The App also contains a link that enables the SME mail the financial statements directly to BoI. The App is programmed for installation on a maximum of three devices per business entity and is available at a pocket-friendly price of N20, 000.

    Beyond BoI’s shot in the arm of SMEs, observers also say that the bank under the former MD ignited a revolution in the industrial sector through effective management of several intervention funds that targeted one segment of the industrial sector or the other.

    Some of them include the N100 billion Cotton Textile and Garment (CTG) Fund, for the revitalisation of the CTG industry along the entire value chain; N10 billion Rice Intervention Fund, to ensure Nigeria attains self sufficiency in rice production; and Africa Development Bank (AFDB) $500 million Line of Credit, for the development of export-oriented Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

    Others are: Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (FMWASD) N90 million Business Development Fund, to provide soft loans to women entrepreneurs; Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) N220 billion Intervention Fund, for Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs); National Automotive Council’s N16.91 billion Fund, for the development of the automobile industry sub-sector; and N2 billion Sugar Development Council Fund, to ensure Nigeria attains self-sufficiency in sugar production by 2020.

    By riding on the back of such intervention funds to drive Nigeria’s industrialisation, Olaoluwa was hoping to bridge the developmental gap that separated developing economies like Nigeria from the developed countries.

    Under his watch, BoI also surpassed its benchmark in profit making. For instance, on the day of the announcement of his removal from office, the bank announced over 100 per cent turnover in its profit earnings for the December 31, 2015 financial year, representing a profit after tax of N12 billion.

    The bank, which hinged its improved profitability on operational efficiency during the financial year, also disbursed loans worth N83.5 billion to 776 enterprises (47 large enterprises and 729 (SMEs) in the year.

    A breakdown of the bank’s earnings for the year showed that it recorded an unaudited Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N50.4billion for the year ended December 31, 2015, representing an operating profit of N12 billion up by 100 per cent from N6 billion achieved in 2014.

    The bank explained that the loans to large enterprises went to companies in Nigeria’s real sectors such as agro-processing, food processing, solid minerals, gas value-chain, engineering and technology and light manu-facturing.

    According to the bank, the loans for small and medium enterprises were disbursed to companies in the various SME clusters such as fruit juice, cassava processing, fish farming, bakery, furniture, among others, adding that the loans resulted in the creation of over 90, 000 jobs in 2015.

    “The bank’s operating results are underpinned by strong growth in the bank’s balance sheet, improvement in the bank’s non-performing loan ratio from 18 per cent in May 2014 to four per cent in December 2015, and efficient cost management, which saw the growth in operating expenses limited to only 12 per cent in 2015″,  a statement from the bank said.

    Speaking on the result, Olaoluwa said: “I feel very proud of what we achieved in 2015.We made significant developmental impact through the disbursement of over N83 billion to nearly 1000 enterprises.

    ‘’We inaugurated two of the six rural solar micro grid projects we financed. We introduced many products and programmes to support the SME ecosystem.

    “We obtained our ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System Certification. We also secured our first ever international rating from Fitch Ratings (BB-) and Moody’s (Ba3), moving the bank closer to global best practices. We are grateful to all our development stakeholders for their continuing support especially the Central Bank of Nigeria and our 200 BDSPs.”

    However, some stakeholders are quick to point out some areas where they believe the former BoI boss could have done better. For instance, an SME operator, who declined to be mentioned, accused the bank’s management under Olaoluwa of being selective in giving loans to operators. According to him, it easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a small business operator who does not have link with a top member of the bank’s board to obtain loan from the bank for business. He said the process of getting loan from the bank was more rigorous under his tenure.

  • PDP hails Mark, Ekweremadu, others for successful stewardship

    PDP hails Mark, Ekweremadu, others for successful stewardship

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed Senator David Mark and Senator Ike Ekweremadu for the mature leadership they provided for the last National Assembly.

    The party also commended the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and his deputy, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha for their efforts in steadying the ship of the last House despite unpredicted daunting challenges.

    A statement yesterday by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the leadership of the party noted the efforts of the last National Assembly under Mark in ensuring unity among lawmakers and leading the federal legislature to provide the much needed direction for national development.

    The party also showered encomiums on Ihedioha and other PDP leaders in the last House of Representatives for their steadfastness to the party and the nation at large.

    “The leadership of the PDP and members of our great party nationwide appreciate the commitment of our leaders and members in the Seventh National Assembly for their selfless contributions to the development of our nation.

    “Indeed, we are pleased to underscore that in line with the undying values, tradition and manifesto of the PDP, our leaders and members in the last Senate and House of Representatives respectively, amply demonstrated that the true essence of statesmanship lies in employing its uncommon values to the benefit of the people rather than self and for this, we are very proud of them.

    “This reflects in their commitment in oversight functions as well as many landmark people-oriented legislations, especially the amendments to the 1999 constitution to further reflect the wishes and aspirations of the citizens while strengthening the unity and stability of the nation,” the party added.

    The PDP also listed the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, which further guaranteed personal freedom and greater transparency in governance; amendments to the Electoral Act for credible, free and fair elections which the nation enjoys today at all levels, among scores of other important legislations passed under the PDP-led National Assembly.

    It expressed satisfaction with the performance of the leadership in the last National Assembly, saying it laid “very solid foundation” upon which the nation’s legislature can always leverage for greater productivity in the interest of all.

  • ‘My stewardship at NANTAP’

    ‘My stewardship at NANTAP’

    Eki Eboigbe is the first woman chairperson of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Lagos Chapter and Creative Director/CEO, Entertainment Bus-Stop Ltd, an Arts and Events RENAISSANCE Consultancy. She is also the initiator of YETI (Young Edu-Tainment Initiative), a community service project for young people. She speaks with Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME on her activities at NANTAP, challenges and dream for the association, among other issues. 

    How has NANTAP fared under your leadership?

    It is the grace of God that makes the difference and with all humility I will say I have not fared badly. NANTAP Lagos has been the flagship of the association, so what I needed to do was to build on the success of the past executive council of the Chapter. However, there was an urgent need for us to expand the platform by creating activities that will encourage inclusion and participation from members, enhance corporate and government leverage, which will catapult the association visibility in the mind eye of the local and international audience. With this mission in mind and after due consultation with creative eggheads and like minds, we were able to articulate the following programmes, while improving on existing projects, such as like the yearly celebration of the World Theatre Day.

    Capacity building and empowerment for members: At the monthly Congress meeting, we have invited experienced professionals from different fields to inspire motivate, enlighten and challenge many of our members to re-focus, re-strategise and aim higher in our chosen specialisation, in a platform we tagged ‘Business talkshop’

    Health Care: Our dream of increasing ‘Celebration nights’ to reduce our ‘candle light processions’ was enhanced when we successfully flagged off our quarterly health check up programme. Our goal is to detect and contain early enough, symptoms that could become terminal. We are presently working out modality to register members into the health scheme that has been open to entertainers by the Federal government.

     Stakeholders Parley:Our mission to leverage Corporate Nigeria and government agencies created this quarterly parley, a platform where artist and corporate Nigerians engage in conversation aimed at evolving a beneficial partnership towards sustainable growth of the entertainment industry.

     World Theatre Day (WTD): A global celebration, is always an opportunity for NANTAP, Lagos to advocate for project policy directions for the Nigeria Arts and Culture sector. Each year, our chosen Themes align with the universal message, while reflecting our  generic concern: in 2013 when I was elected NANTAP Chairman, I felt that the  D-day should henceforth be used as an avenue to institutionalize ideas or project, in line with my mission to enhance visibility for the association, so the theme Sustainable environment in reaction to Climate Changewas the choice for 2013, part of commemorating the day, we planted 10 trees at the newly constructed Queen Amina’s garden at the entrance C of National Arts Theatre. The trees seedlings was donated by LASPARK and Management of the National Theatre, thru its D.G, Mallam Kabir Yusuf welcome the gesture and promptly tag it the ‘1st Entertainment trees in the world’. The idea to plant the trees was to also align with the vision of Lagos state government policy on environment, while I totally agree with Nelson Henderson that says ‘The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit ‘ Our theme for WTD 2014 wasThe past, the present, our Future: the renaissance of Nigerian theatre in the 21st Centuryand the collective of Nigerian Artistes in Lagos embarked on an Advocacy walk from NTA Television Station in Victoria Island to the National Theatre, Iganmu.

    We also develop project titledLive Theatre as a re- orientation tool: This project create platform to showcase our objectives, as the moral conscience of the society, while propagating the policies of the Lagos State Government, in the area of intervention in the disconnects between government policies, as well as buy-in acceptance of the populace. Through drama skits and workshops, one of which was the EBOLA sensitisation talks with artists/para-society

     Relocation of Secretariat:During my leadership of NANTAP Lagos, we successfully relocated our office to a more befitting space inside the National Theatre. Once again, many thanks to the Management of National Theatre

    As the first female chairman of NANTAP in Lagos, what major challenges have you faced and how did you tackle them?

    The first challenge was the usual, encountering people set in their ways and not willing to embrace change. The second was that am a WOMAN, leading hybrid of creative individuals and the third was the task of inspiring the balancing of celebrating official title with the responsibilities of the call for selfless service.To tackle this, needed calculated calmness, wisdom from above and a lot of consultation with elders and stakeholders. I tell you the truth, holding this position for the three years tenure has matured me; it has been an interesting added value.

    What are the projects you have executed so far?

    Capacity Building and Empowerment for Members, Health Care, Stakeholders Parley, World Theatre Day (WTD) 2013, 2014 & 2015, and the relocation of Secretariat.

     You have an impending programme before the end of the year. What is it and how do you intend to carry it out?

    As I round off my tenure as Chairman, we are planning the celebration of a post-WTD 2015, which we could not mark in March due to Nigeria Election activities, it is schedule for June 26th at the banquet hall of the National Theatre, with the theme paper presentation and recognising, celebrating and giving honours to distinguished Arts and Culture Ambassadors whose works have contributed towards leaving a lasting legacy for younger generations.

    Our 2015 celebrator is the delectable Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters, Managing Director Terra Kulture and other heroes behind the scene will be awarded culture ambassadors and certified thespians. Our 2015 theme is Theatre and conflict resolution in the 21st Century.

    In what unique way have you created incentives for your members in Lagos?

    NANTAP as a non-profit association has a generic incentives for her members, during my tenure, we constituted a welfare committee to cater for members’ bereavements, celebration and business. A token is donated toward that.

    What is your dream for the association before you leave office?

    My dream is that the vision of a 200-seater Community Theatre in every local government areas in Lagos comes to reality. Even though we have articulated in a detailed proposal and delivered to the Lagos State government, which we hope, will be implemented on the platform of the public/private partnership. This venue will also be used as viewing centers for films and it is aimed at complementing other existing platforms. The launching of  NANTAP Lagos endowments funds that will enable artistes access a collateral free funding for productions, aid sustainable income and increase audience participation and building a permanent secretariat for the association.

  • Ibadan council boss renders account of stewardship

    The appointment of Mr Ladi Oluokun in May 2014, as the Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government Area of Oyo State by Governor Abiola Ajimobi was indeed a blessing to the people of the area, as he has turned the council around within a very short time in office.

    Rendering account of his stewardship to journalists recently, Oluokun said he was not deterred by the herculean task before him, adding that he confronted the challenges headlong, with the financial and moral support he received from the governor.

    He listed some of his achievements over the last six months as:” construction of drains, earthwork asphaltic paving of Idera street Yidi/Agugu, Akerele layout, Idi-Orogbo/Omo wunmi, and Ayo Craig road. Construction of pedestrian bridge at Labiran area of phase 1 and 2, sinking of solar system borehole at Labiran area. Construction of a double cell box culvert at Ajegede and Onipasan areas”

    The council boss also stated that he has impacted positively on the lives of the people of the council through people-oriented empowerment programs.

    He said his administration will continue to carry out a robust and all involving empowerment programme for the people of the council.

    While admitting that he might not be able to do everything, the council boss called on all the people in the council area to vote for Governor Ajimobi for a second term in order to ensure continuity in governance. He promised that he would build on what he has done and provide more dividends of democracy for the people in each of the wards that make up the council.

    Commenting on why Ajimobi deserves a second term, Oluokun said:”The governor is a performer. I am not new in politics. I have been around since the Second Republic. I know the meaning of good governance and performance. I’ve compared notes and I’m now satisfied that Ajimobi has performed and I believe that, judging by his performance, Ajimobi is a successful governor. In Oyo State, if they know that somebody is playing tricks on them, by siphoning their funds, they will vote them out. That is why there is no serious candidate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party and the Labour Party”

    According to him, the people of Oyo State appreciate him (Ajimobi), even those in the Diaspora, when they come to Ibadan, Iseyin, Ogbomoso, they saw that things are improving and they are eager to come home now to set up businesses.

    He went further that:”quite a number of industries and companies are springing up as a result of the conducive environment that Ajimobi has provided. More than 10 industries have been established and nobody will come and invest where he will not make profit. That has led to massive employment for the people and all those that are engaged in thuggery have shunned the unruly behaviour because they are engaged. So, there is peace, there is work, there is clean environment, there is infrastructural development and mass transit now operates. So, I don’t see why Ajimobi will not continue as the governor of Oyo State after the election”

  • ‘Compel lawmakers to render account of stewardship’

    ‘Compel lawmakers to render account of stewardship’

    Many people, especially from the upland part of Ondo State besieged Igbokoda in the riverside area of the state recently to listen to the lawmaker representing Ilaje constituency II in the state House of Assembly give account of his stewardship. DAMISI OJO was there.

    Apparently disturbed by the purported reckless spending of resources by public servants, a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly representing Ilaje Constituency II, Gbenga Edema has urged the federal government to enact a law mandating all lawmakers both at State and federal levels to give account of their stewardship before the end of their tenure.

    According to him, the development would help in curbing the excesses of the legislators in appropriating large sums of money for themselves and also spending such recklessly.

    Besides, it would force them to move closer to the people they are representing.

    Edema, a lawyer is the only legislator in the State Assembly out of 24 other colleagues who refused to follow Governor Olusegun Mimiko to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the Labour Party.

    He gave the advice, at a ceremony in Igbokoda, headquarters of the riverside Ilaje local government area where he rendered account of his stewardship to members of his constituency.

    He said as lawmakers they do not have power to award or approve contracts to their supporters but stressed that within the three and half years of his tenure as a lawmaker, he had spent the time in acquiring things that would benefit his people.

    His words, “some of my achievements are that I have been able to improve the educational system of the Riverside area. Before, at that time, people believe so much in miracle centres,(for WAEC/NECO SSCE)  it is not peculiar to Ilaje local government, but it is more here.

    “I was worried about the large number of our youths roaming the street without doing anything, due to unemployment and no money to start business. I was able to enroll 11 of them in Donbosco Skill Acquisition Centre and today, they have graduated after being trained in different fields.

    “I also fought to ensure that Araromi-Tofolu-Lagos road is given attention. There is a road in Ilaje area that if reconstructed you will not spend an hour before getting to Lagos from Ilaje.

    “I wrote the federal government and today, this same road has been included in the Federal Ministry of Works 2014 Budget. We are going to ensure this is implemented.

    “Also, on the issue of dichotomy caused by oil among the Ilajes, through our efforts and as at today, all Ilaje communities are now regarded as oil producing communities. We want to appreciate Governor Olusegun Mimiko because great thing was done during his tenure.

    “The dichotomy of you have oil and I don’t have oil which is used to divide our people is over. A Mahin man can now be OSOPADEC chairman, a Mahin and Aheri can now be appointed into NDDC board.

    “When looking at the rate of kidnappers’ activities in Ilaje, you will recall some prominent Ilaje people were affected by this menace, I joined my colleague, who is from the constituency I, to make a bill which is now law, “Anti-kidnap law” as at today, the issue of kidnapping in the Riverside area has reduced drastically”.

    An Ilaje indigine, Festus Olamasebi who spoke with ‘The Nation’ commended the lawmaker, saying the people felt his impact during his tenure.

    He advised Edema not to relent in his efforts to bring development to the riverside area, adding that they would continue to support him as he continues to work for the progress of the Ilaje land.

  • …to render account of stewardship today

    GOVERNOR Peter Obi who leaves office on the 17th of this month is set to render what he calls “end of Tenure Report” to the people of Anambra State, today. A release made available to the press by the Chairman of the Anambra State Elders Council, Dr Dozie Ikedife, says that the event, which is taking place at the Women Development Centre, is organized by them to enable Gov. Peter Obi render an account of his stewardship to the people who elected him into office. “Today’s event will offer him the opportunity to answer to his real masters, clarify his approach to governance, his developmental priorities and the overall impact of his tenure. It will also offer him the chance to talk about some critical decisions he took as the Governor and the reasons that informed them. We should also want to place it on record that this is yet another noble precedent being set by Mr Obi. He is telling every public office holder that there will always be a day of reckoning”, the release said. Dr. Ikedife said the conception of the event by Anambra Elders’ is another innovation in good governance, showing that we have worked well with our Governor. He is innovation-friendly, and he has always taken the lead in the introduction of new order in Nigerian politics. “The idea of rendering account in this clime is starting with him, just as he pioneered the dethronement of a serving Governor through legal processes. He also came back from impeachment through legal processes; leading in the introduction of staggered elections, among others. Today’s event, which will broadcast live on Silverbird and AIT television as from 10.30am, will be chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku. Nigerians from all walks of life are expected to grace the occasion.