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Tag: support

  • Support Buhari’s anti-graft war, cleric urges Nigerians

    Support Buhari’s anti-graft war, cleric urges Nigerians

    Provost of Saint Theresa’s Church of Christ Cherubim and Seraphim, Imene El’Shaddai, Lagos, Prophet (Captain) Babawole Shitta, has called on Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign.

    Shitta, who spoke at the annual anniversary and harvest thanksgiving of the church, noted that corruption has had adverse effect on the development of the country.

    Infrastructures such as roads, electricity and potable water, among other things, have eluded the people due to corruption, he stated.

    “In every sphere of our lives now, Nigeria wears the look of a worn out clothes because of the extent corrupt officials have dealt with this country,” he said, urging Buhari to sustain the fight against the menace to restore the nation’s glory.

    The cleric appealed to the Lagos State government to intensify efforts on roads rehabilitation across the state.

    He cited Mushin as example, saying almost all the roads in the area are in terrible state and require urgent attention.

     

  • Edo drums support for rural finance programme

    The Edo state government has restated its commitment to the Rural Finance Institution Building programme to ensure availability of funds for rural dwellers in the state.

    Mr Joe Okojie, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, made the promise in Benin when RUFIN’s Leader of 11th Supervision Mission, Mr Swandip Sihna, ýpaid a courtesy visit to the state.

    The commissioner said the government was mapping out strategies to take ownership of the programme when the project was over.

    While noting that the state is an agrarian society with more than 67 per cent of the residents involved in different form of agricultural activities, he however assured that the state government is putting in place measures that would boost agricultural production, especially in the rural areas.

    “RUFIN is a programme through which help and relief can be given to people at the grassroots,” he said, adding: “That is why when I took over office, I took interest in the project and I made itý my project.”

    “I am doing my best so that, we as a government will fulfill our own end of the project.

    “I promise you that we will do the needful and will do more to take ownership of the programme when RUFIN is gone.

    “My hope is that, going forward, we will have better synergy so that we are able to deliver on our promises.”

    Earlier, RUFIN’s Deputy National Project Coordinator, Mrs Unekwu Ufaruna, said the programme was targeted at building informal rural financial institutions, and linking them to formal micro finance institutions to access loans without collateral.

    She said RUFIN had formed 700 village savings and credit groups also known as ‘Esusu’ mainly made up of women.

    Ufaruna said the programme was working with seven Micro Finance Institutions in the state, through which N1.2ýbn had been disbursed as loans to rural farmers, since its inception.

    She said at the beginning of RUFIN Edo government was regular at paying counterpart financing, stressing that this should be sustained.

  • Association rallies support for Ambode

    Association rallies support for Ambode

    A community-based development group, Lafiaji Community Association (LCA), has enjoined Lagosians to rise in support of the government in tackling insecurity and traffic snarls.

    The association lauded the Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration for canvassing a new strategy to combat crime.

    Governor Ambode at the end of a retreat for executive council members, over the weekend, urged the police to step up their surveillance and come up with new strategies to tackle crime.

    LCA president Babatunde Abozos urged residents to be security conscious.

    He said:“Our people have to be vigilant in every aspect. Though, God is the only person that secures our lives; we have to be wary of what goes on around us. Any suspicious move should be reported to security agencies. We must also checkmate the activities of hoodlums and commercial bus drivers that hide under the guise of fighting for political parties to create chaos in the polity. On our own, we are ready to give the present administration our full support particularly in the area of community development.”

    The association’s former Vice President, Ayo Benson said the association would contribute towards youths’ development.

    Benson said: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. The number of jobless graduates is alarming and this I think, should be looked into with utmost urgency. We have uncountable graduates without jobs and they have families to cater for. Frustration sometimes forces them into nefarious activities. If people are employed, their level of thinking will change and they will be more useful to the society.”

    He lamented the incessant epileptic power supply, urging government to intervene quickly.

    “Electricity is very important in our country and people believe that our electricity is not good; that’s why a lot of industries has moved out of our country. If our electricity is improved, I believe a lot of these companies would return and that will creat more job opportunities to the youths,” he said.

    He warned the youths to eschew criminal activities.

  • Why marketers should support our $150m jetty, by Oando

    Why marketers should support our $150m jetty, by Oando

    To ease pressure on the Nigeria National petroleum Corporation (NNPC)-owned New oil Jetty (NOJ), marketers have been advised to patronise the $150 million jetty being built by Oando Plc.

    Oando Marketing Chief Operating Officer Mrs Olaposi Williams said congestion at NOJ would disappear on completion of the Jetty.

    Mrs. Williams  spoke with to The Nation on the sideline at the commissioning of Sapara Road in Apapa, Lagos constructed by Oando.

    She said the Oando Jetty, which is in Lagos, has about 30,000-40,000 tonnes capacity. It will serve oil marketing companies, NNPC and other companies operating in Lagos, she added. The jetty is located in the deep water at Marina, which would make it easier for bigger vessels to berth and further aid the growth of oil marketing companies.

    Mrs Williams said efforts were being made to partner with other oil firms to use the Oando Jetty in order  to decongest NOJ.

    She said: “The Oando Jetty has 30,000-40,000 tonnes capacity as against NOJ that has between 22,000 to 25,000 tonnes capacity. Also the jetty, which would be ready in the next few months, can accommodate four mother vessels. This means that more oil companies can take delivery of petroleum products at the Jetty without stress.

    “Collaboration is ongoing between Oando and other companies such as Mobil, MRS and others to use the Jetty. We are trying two major goals through Oando Jetty.”

    According to her, the use of Oando Jetty by Oando and others would help reduce congestion at NOJ, while at the same time help bring down the demurrage.

    Olaposi said the cost of demurrage paid by oil companies using jetty for their operation is very high, adding demurrage would come down when there is alternative to NOJ.

    She said there would be improvement in the operations of oil firms once demurrage cost is reduced.

    Olaposi said Oando would open more retail outlets across the country in order to improve the distribution of its white products.

    She said in the nearest future, the gridlock occasioned by the parking of trucks in Apapa, would be eliminated, adding that Oando would come out with sanctions for its drivers who park trucks on the road, thereby impeding the flow of vehicles.

    “Our Truck Marshaling Yard 11, which we commissioned and the Truck Marshaling Yard 1 that would be ready soon have standard operating procedures. One of the procedures is that any driver who does not have a business to do at the Yards would not be allow to park. This means that when a driver parks aimlessly and causes traffic, he would be arrested by the company,” she said.

  • ‘Support Wada’s re-election’

    The Majority Leader of the Kogi State House of Assembly and a member representing Kabba/Bunu, Prince Matthew Kolawole, has enjoined the people to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Governor Idris Wada.

    He advised them to comport themselves on November 21 and re-elect Wada. Kolawole said it was God that gave power, urging the people to vote for the PDP.

    He told the people to vote Wada “for the continuation of good work and people-oriented projects.”

  • Monarch drums up support for anti-graft war

    Monarch drums up support for anti-graft war

    The traditional ruler of Ossomala Kingdom in Anambra State, Chief Victor Awogu, has urged traditional institutions to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft war.

    He spoke yesterday when he visited Vintage Press Limited, publisher of The Nation.

    Awogu said the war against graft would be accomplished if government at all levels were involved in the crusade.

    He said as custodians of morals, traditional rulers were better positioned to show good examples, adding that they were better positioned to fish out criminals within their domains.

    The monarch hinted that traditional rulers should be accorded the fourth level of governance.

    “It comes before the local government, which is a conglomerate of several towns. In these communities, there must be peace for things to functional well and that depends on the traditional rulers.”

    He noted that those not happy with the fight against graft would want to frustrate it, adding that Nigerians must be resolute in the crusade.

    “The government is doing well in its fight against corruption. Again, if you fight corruption, it will fight back. We can all see it that corruption is fighting back.”

    He urged government to fight corruption in its totality, irrespective of political, religious affiliation.

    “The court has to prove them guilty and whoever has done wrong should pay for his or her sins no matter the side of the divide he belongs to, they must account.

    “Whoever has consumed what does not belong to him or her must return it. There should not be any selectivity.”

    On the issue of approving state policing, he said Nigeria was not fully prepared for state policing.

    “It is a long-standing issue and lots of interests are involved. Nigeria, whether we like it or not, is a conglomeration of different ethnic groups. Again, is Nigeria actually prepared for armed groups in the name of state police?

    “We are not prepared and I stand by that. Nigeria is not well positioned, not yet ripe for armed groups. We are talking of 36 constitutionally armed groups, when we talk of state police. So, you are talking of 36 independent armed bodies. If you add that to the proliferation of small arms, the question we ask ourselves is, are we prepared for it?”

    The traditional ruler said the type of state police the country had in the past did not have the kind of power being canvassed because, according to him, the state police of the past were restricted to skeletal services.

     

  • Abia govt vow to support Enyimba, Abia Warriors

    Abia State government  has revealed to Sportinglife that they have concluded plans to sponsor both Enyimba International of Aba and Abia Warriors of Umuahia in the 2016 African Champions League, if they emerge champions and runners up at the end of the season.

    According to the Deputy Governor of the State, Ude Oko Chukwu, the state is not only aiming at winning the Premier League shield, they are also looking forward in seeing that Abia Warriors finish as the runners’ up

    “We are aiming at winning the runners’ up slot as well. We have concluded plans to ensure that we properly fund the two teams in the continent next season. I hope you are aware that Enyimba remains the only club in Nigeria that have ever won the Champions League shield twice, we are also positioning the team to repeat that again next football season, and if possible to see two of our teams playing in the finals. That is what we are out to achieve, and we are not relenting on it”.

    He boasted that Abia State is not only a God’s own state, but has become a pacesatter in sports in Nigeria.

    “I recently read that Nigeria is  the fifth exporter of footballers in the World, but if you take a critical analysis of that figure, you would find out that Abia State may have the highest number of such players,” he concluded.

  • Ogun FA drums support for Odegbami

    Ogun FA drums support for Odegbami

    • Holds Under 18 Soccer Tourney

    The Ogun State football Association has thrown its weight behind the candidature of former Green Eagles winger, Chief Segun Odegbami, who is standing for the vacant presidential seat of FIFA.

    According to the chairman of the football body, Alhaji Ganiu Majekodunmi, the move became necessary following the exemplinary performance of the mercurial footballer for both club and country.

    Majekodunmi recalled with nostalgia the exceptional talents of the 63 year old former national team captain, srtressing that the troubled world football governing body FIFA needs the experience of such versed man to reform it. Chief Segun Odegbami had six weeks ago declared his intension to run for the vacant role in FIFA.

    Speaking after the last group match at the Abeokuta centre of the State Under 18 football championship, powered by the Sir Adebutu foundation on Wednesday, the Ogun football association boss advised the young footballers to give their education top priority while playing football.

    He called on all well meaning Nigerians to to support the efforts of football stakeholders in developing the game,adding that hebwill continue to develop more talents to age grade national teams.

  • Foundation seeks support for children born with Down syndrome

    A not-for-profit organisation, Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN), is seeking support for children born with Down syndrome – a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops physically and mentally.

    At a briefing on this year Down awareness week with the theme: Accept, educate and inspire, the foundation said, there was need to advocate the right of people living with the condition.

    A parent of a Down syndrome child, Mr Muyiwa Majekodunmi said there was need for more awareness on the condition.

    He advised Nigerians to accept, educate and inspire people on Down syndrome.

    A film maker from the United States, Steven Gatlin said people should create and share the awareness on the condition.

    “As a film maker, I have to take what I am learning to share with the others what the condition is all about across the world. I have a four years old son who is living with the condition. It all starts with you accepting your child and being aware that they have something called Down syndrome. When my child was born I knew he had Down syndrome but I never had an experience with it. I basically do what I can as I share what I learn as he grows. ,” he said.

    He said as he learns more and share his experience on the condition he hopes that other people would same to elevate awareness on Down syndrome.

  • NLC drums up support for Trustfund

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerian workers to review upwards the patronage of their  Pension Fund  Administrator, Trustfund Pensions Plc.

    The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, in his address at the congress leadership retreat in Calabar, Cross River State, lamented that the patronage of  workers of the PFA was less than encouraging.

    “It needs to be emphasised that the rate of patronage of the Trustfund PLC, in which we have 10 per cent share in, and which affords Congress the opportunity to nominate a representative on the Board of Directors, is far from encouraging.”, he said

    As a step towards addressing the problems, the NLC boss said the congress will need to review why this is so, and take steps to remedy it.

    The Managing Director of Trustfund Pensions Plc, Mrs. Helen Da-Souza, in her presentation at the event, commended organised labour, whom she said has been in the vanguard of shaping popular opinion and government policies on social security and pensions through various initiatives.

    She said: “This has rightly made labour a major stakeholder in the pension industry in the country.

    “Trustfund Pension Plc’s ownership structure is utmost formidable selling point in the pension market place. Organised Labour/Social Partners- the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), are key investors in Trustfund Pensions Plc.”

    She noted that organised labour, beyond its financial investment, is recognised as a major stakeholder and driver of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), especially in the private sector and in states where the CPS has been introduced and implemented.

    On the challenges of non remittance by the employers and state governments, Da-Souza said over over 30 per cent Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) are unfunded, adding that inspite of the coverage to state and local governments, less than 10, out of 36 states have fully implemented the CPS.

    She however noted that despite roles played by organised labour in the success of the CPS, Trustfund is yet to enjoy the level of support and patronage expected of a company in which labour has a strong stake.