The Nation Newspaper

Tag: support

  • Army seeks citizens’ support in terrorism battle

    Army seeks citizens’ support in terrorism battle

    The Army yesterday appealed to Nigerians to support its efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Making the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, Maj.-Gen. Yushau Abubakar, the Theatre Commander, Operation “Lafiya Dole”, said one of the key roles the people could play was volunteering vital information.

    Abubakar explained that the war could not succeed through military operations alone.

    “I want to inform all that this operation should not be seen as purely military; it should be seen as an inclusive peace operation, where everybody has a role to play.

    “This battle can best be won at the quickest time with the co-operation of all stakeholders.

    “We need information; we need co-operation; we need synergy, we need support, support in the sense that we have lots of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), which I believe, good Nigerians, good organisations, either domestically or internationally, can always come to assist.

    “While this is being done, the military is faced with the task of degrading, destroying and arresting the terrorists,” he said

    The commander said wealthy individuals and corporate organisations, should also assist by providing logistics to the military to aid its operations.

    “In a situation where you find us in more areas than expected, then our attention will be diverted, That is why we need the co-operation of other stakeholders.

    “About two weeks ago, Toyota Nigeria Limited came and made a donation; such support will enhance our efficiency.” Abubakar said.

    He also advised Nigerians to form vigilante groups in their localities and places of work, to prevent terrorists attacks.

    “We are appealing to everybody to take charge of security in his or her environment by being vigilant and reporting strange happenings.

    “The military will do all it takes to secure the society, but Nigerians must help out by being vigilant,” he added.

    He lamented that spate of explosions in motor parks in spite of the fact that the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), is one of the strongest unions in Nigeria in terms of membership and organisation”.

    “Unfortunately, we always have challenges or cases of bomb blasts in motor parks.

    “I will appeal to NURTW, market organisations and religious bodies that security should be our collective responsibilities,” he said.

    He, however, commended Nigerian journalists for their support in the anti-terrorism war.

    “It is important that we should always be interacting with journalists, so that Nigerians will know what we are doing; so that our efforts will not only be appreciated by the military high command, but also the citizens of the country, who want peace to come back to this part of the country,” Abubakar said.

  • Kogi 2015: Salawu, Ozigi get support

    Two groups from the Kogi Central Senatorial District have endorsed Enesi Ozigi of the Progressive People Alliance (PPA) and Dr. Phillip Salawu of the Labour Party (LP) as their governorship candidates ahead of the November 21 poll.

    The groups, Citizen Change Entrepreneurs (CCE) and the Ebira Youth Congress (EYC), based their support on the need to actualise power shift in the state.

    The CCE said its support for Ozigi followed the inability of the Central and West senatorial districts to come up with a consensus candidate in their quest for power shift.

    The group, in a statement by Prince Abdulkareem Omolori Okene and Sani Abdul, president-general and secretary general, said: “It has become necessary to support an amiable, reliable, suitable, capable and dependable candidate in the person of Ozigi, who will actualise the dream of the founding fathers of the state through innovative programmes that will have impact on the lives of the people.

  • Lagos Permanent Secretary assures farmers of govt’s support

    Lagos Permanent Secretary assures farmers of govt’s support

    Lagos State government has reiterated its commitment to support farmers to boost food production and create opportunities for small farmers.

    he Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Olajide Basorun, stated this while delivering his keynote address at the award of certificates to 55 women and youths who were trained by the Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) in the three value chains – rice, poultry and aquaculture.

    He said the state is ready to work with small farmers to assist them in solving food problems.

    The trainees were exposed to modern techniques and commercialisation.

    The new partnership aims at optimising food production in various areas of the state. Basorun said the state would work with them to improve food production, food security and rural incomes.

    Basorun congratulated the participants, surging them to make good use the training.

    ”We have engaged you; we have taken you from whatever you are doing to come and do farming and you have agreed because you have passion for it. We have equipped you with necessary information about the latest technology you need to use to succeed in farming,” he said.

    Basorun said the obejective of empowering the women and youth is to diversify the economy from over reliance on crude oil.

    He continued: “Before, it used to be about crude oil, now agriculture is a business. In other climes, the richest people are farmers, and that is why we need to focus on the benefit we can derive from agriculture produce. CADP was from to commercialise agriculture and shift from the hole and cutlass farming.’’

    Earlier, the state Project Coordinator of the Commercial Agriculture Development Project, Mr Kehinde Ogunyinka, said the space for the first batch of the trainees was keenly contested among over 100 candidates.

    He said they were chosen on merit and were certified to have passion for agriculture.

    The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of certificates to the trainees by the permanent secretary.

    Speakinging on behalf of his colleagues, Jimoh Nurudeen thanked  Governor Akinwumi Ambode for his efforts to revitalise the agricultural sector of the state. He also thanked the state Ministry of Agriculture, the World Bank, CADP and other stakeholders for supporting  the scheme.

    He, however, promised that they would make good use of what they have learnt as well as any assistance they got from the scheme.

  • Pharmacists canvass govt’s support

    For the nation’s pharmaceutical companies to maintain the lead in the production of quality drugs in West Africa and be competitive globally, the Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) has called on the Federal Government to earmark a N200 billion intervention fund for the sector, coupled with other initiatives.

    The manufacturers and other stakeholders, who met at the opening of the 3rd Nigeria Pharma Manufactures’ exhibition 2015 in Lagos, said the call was in line with relevant industrial policies to help the sector maximise its potentials.

    The exhibition, whose theme was: “The Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and international competitiveness”, was an initiative to draw global attexntion to the nation’s pharma sector, which is now vibrant. The sector is currently estimated to be in excess of $3B (N500b) and is serving Nigerians and about 100 million citizens in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. The pharm industry, according to PMG-MAN secretariat, has the potential to remain a pharmaceutical power house in the continent with capacity to supply regional needs, and participate in international tenders.

    According to the Chairman of the PMG-MAN, Okey Akpa, with the recent milestones recorded by companies in the sector, the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry was already positioned to operate at the global level, should government assent to these demands. “Nigeria is currently the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturing country in West Africa, accounting for more than 65 per cent of local manufacturing of medicines that are relevant to the region,” he said.

    Akpa said among the drugs are anti-malarial medicines, anti-retrovirals, herbal medicines and medicines for sickle cell diseases.   To make impact on the global stage, he said, several manufacturers had processed Expression of Interest (EoI) with the World Health Organisation (WHO) for pre-qualification of products, with cummulative investment worth of over $50 million in the last five years for facility upgrading.

    The chairman said four companies had been certified by the WHO, and at least 10 local companies had complied with the requirements of International Standards Organisation and were already supplying drugs to the United Nations Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women’s Children’s Health (UNCoLs).

    Others who made a case for the sector are the Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Linus Awute; National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii; President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Olumide Akintayo and President of West African Manufacturers Organisation, Bunmi Olaopa and representatives of India and Chinese companies.

    He said the achievements in the sector had been by individual manufacturers’ investment and years of hard work, and that the government and other stakeholders have to do more. “Without doubt, patronage of Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers by government, donors and international procuring agencies is critical and must be backed by political will. We are, therefore, calling on the Federal Government to implement the Domestic Preference Policy of the Public Procurement Act 2007 as well as the implementation of the Presidential Directive on Patronage of Nigerian Manufacturers,” he said.

    To ensure success of the policy, the chairman recommended “an import adjustment tax of 20 per cent on imported finished pharmaceutical products; HS Codes 3003 and 3004 should be imposed immediately as applied to other sectors where Nigeria has capacity as allowed by the Common External Tariff of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).”

    “Input into pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging should be allowed to be imported at zero per cent by bonafide pharmaceutical manufacturers,” he said.

    Orhii, who chaired the event praised the manufacturers for the feat so far achieved, saying NAFDAC would continue to collaborate with them and rid the Nigerian market of fake products.

    He appealed to the government and Bank of Industry to revisit an earlier proposal for N200 billion intervention trust fund for the pharma manufacturer. He recalled that the proposal was considered by the last administration, but nothing was heard of it.

    The NAFDAC DG was happy that the National Drug Distribution Policy, which regulates drug distribution national wide, is due to take effect, but expressed concerns that stakeholders have not done enough to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

  • Lagosians should support Ambode, says Fashola

    Lagosians should support Ambode, says Fashola

    Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has called for more support for his successor, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Fashola said any effort to develop the state would always remain a continuous exercise, adding that successive administrations must continue to make plan adequately for the state’s increasing population.

    The former governor spoke at the installation of the state’s first Military Governor, Brig-Gen Mobolaji Johnson (rtd), as Baba Ijo (patron) of Salem Evangelical Church of Christ, Ilupeju at the weekend.

    At the event were first civilian Governor Lateef Jakande and former Military Administrator Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd).

    Ambode was represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Balogun.

    Fashola urged residents to support Ambode, saying the task of governing the state was tough and demanding.

    He said the development model, which had evolved in the last 16 years, was made possible by the foundation laid by past governors and leaders, including Brig-Gen. Johnson.

    The former governor said: “Lagos has remained the Centre of Excellence as it was desired to be from the beginning. But there remains work to do. And it would take a committee of actions to achieve that work.

    “We must continue to give our support to the governor, because having been there, I speak from experience; it is a very tough job.”

    “Being there also gives me the experience to know what he (Brig-Gen. Johnson) did; what Ndubuisi Kanu and Alhaji Jakande did. And what (Bola) Tinubu did. And it remains a continuous one-touch passing moment, because the work of developing Lagos will never finish. It is a work about people’s life and progress…nobody can finish the work.

    “If the work could be finished, Alhaji Jakande, Brig-Gen. Johnson and Admiral Kanu would have finished everything and there would be nothing for us to do. Unfortunately, it has not ended. Ex-Governor Tinubu couldn’t end it; I couldn’t finish the work and neither will Governor Ambode. The effort continues.”

    Fashola, who noted that he was four years-old when Brig-Gen. Johnson governed the state, said he laid a solid foundation for the state to prosper.

    If the foundation laid by previous governors had been faulty, Fashola said Lagos would not have witnessed today’s development.

    In his sermon, “Shining and Abundant Life”, taken from Matthew 5:16 and John 10:10, the Southwest Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Magnus Atilade, observed that the desire for material wealth was making Christians lead lives not conforming to the teachings of Christ.

    He decried the level of corruption in the country, saying it was depressing that some Christians, who were supposed to lead exemplary lives, engage in reprehensible vices, including drug trafficking, tax evasion, money laundering and public funds embezzlement.

    Atilade said corrupt officials, irrespective of status and religion, must not be pardoned, but made to “vomit” their loot before seeking people’s forgiveness.

    He said: “Somebody has said corrupt public officers should be forgiven, I say no way. If corrupt officers are asked to return all they have stolen and given a soft-landing, they would not have learnt anything.

    “If anyone found to have stolen public funds is made to vomit everything and after that, he is stigmatised by being asked to march on the streets and say ‘I am a repentant thief. I have stolen from this country. Please, forgive me’, they would truly have a change of heart.”

    The cleric said the regime of Brig-Gen. Johnson was corruption-free, adding that the former military governor laid good foundation for Jakande to take off peacefully.

    Atilade, who described Brig-Gen. Johnson as child of God born into an illustrious family, said the retired general was a good example of a disciplinarian and community leader.

    Ambode said Brig-Gen. Johnson’s service to the state remained a paradigm of excellence, saying he left a legacy of unblemished records and achievement.

    The minister-in-charge, Superintendent Apostle Babatunde Odele, said Brig-Gen. Johnson donated generously to the church, which was why the retired general was honoured.

    Brig-Gen. Johnson was formally installed and decorated with a garb of honour by Most Reverend Rufus Ositelu.

    Accepting the title, Brig-Gen. Johnson, who spoke for a few seconds, said he was overwhelmed by the honour and love shown him by the church.

    Other guests included the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, represented by Eletu Edibo of Lagos, Chief T.A. Gbadesere, Admiral Akin Aduwo (rtd), General C.Y. Ekwensi, Olujimi Jolaoso and Pa Babatunde Johnson, elder brother of Brig-Gen. Johnson, among others.

  • Aisha Buhari pledges support for girl child education

    Aisha Buhari pledges support for girl child education

    Wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, has pledged her support for girl child education in the country.

    She said she would support all efforts aimed at improving the standard of education in Nigeria, especially that of the girl child.

    Hajiya Buhari has also urged Nigerian children to embrace education to enhance the quality of their lives and promote national development.

    She stated this yesterday in Abuja during her visit to  Army Day Secondary School, Mambila Barracks, Abuja, where she advised the students to take their studies seriously.

    Hajiya Buahri, who was in the school to participate in teaching and learning activities, said the President Muhammadu Buhari Administrations was committed to improving the quality of education in country.

    She said without adequate education of the younger generation, the future of the country would not be bright, adding that the quality of education children receive determines the future of any nation.

    She recalled that she got married after her secondary education and the quest for further knowledge propelled her to acquire a Masters’ degree through the support and assistance of her husband.

    Hajiya Buhari advised parents and guardians not to thwart the zeal of their children and wards, particularly the female children in acquiring formal education.

    Earlier, welcoming the wife of the President, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu, commended her for her initiative and for choosing one of the FCT schools for her first visit.

    Engr. Chukwu described the visit as motivational and said that it would encourage the students to aspire towards achieving academic excellence.

  • 93 DAYS’ GETS UBA SUPPORT

    93 DAYS’ GETS UBA SUPPORT

    PAN African banking and financial services group United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has restated its commitment to the growth and development of the African movie industry by supporting a new project by Steve Gukas, 93 Days.

    93 Days tells the story of the victory over the Ebola scourge that would have ravaged the country in 2014 but for the collective efforts of some brave institutions and individuals. It pays tribute to the late Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh who died from contracting the virus whilst she was trying to save others.

    Speaking at the World Press Conference in Lagos, Nigeria to announce the movie and unveil the cast, Charles Aigbe, UBA Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations, said; “UBA is supporting the making of the movie because what happened in Nigeria is a positive story of courage, resilience, selflessness, teamwork and collaboration that must be told for posterity.

    “We have operations in 19 African countries including Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, which are 3 of the worst hit countries. During the Ebola crisis, we remained open for business and never for once closed shop on account of the scourge. We also donated over $1million to Ebola relief measures in Africa,” reiterating UBA’s commitment to Ebola relief.

    Explaining the rationale behind the movie, Steve Gukas, stated; “Our aim is to create a feature film that will resonate with many people across the world, particularly in Nigeria and its sub-region. At its core, 93 days is a tale of common humanity and just how much we can achieve when we stand united.”

    The movie which is currently filming in Lagos Nigeria, features a cast of Hollywood and Nollywood actors; Danny Glover, Tim Reid, Bimbo Akintola and Keppy Ekpenyong Bassey.

  • Pharmacists seek govt’s support

    For the nation’s pharmaceutical companies to maintain the lead in the production of quality drugs in West Africa and be competitive globally, the Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) has called on the Federal Government to earmark a N200 billion intervention fund for the sector, coupled with other initiatives.

    The manufacturers and other stakeholders, who met at the opening of the 3rd Nigeria Pharma Manufactures’ exhibition 2015 in Lagos, said the call was in line with relevant industrial policies to help the sector maximise its potentials.

    The exhibition, whose theme was: “The Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and international competitiveness”, was an initiative to draw global attention to the nation’s pharma sector, which is now vibrant. The sector is currently estimated to be in excess of $3B (N500b) and is serving Nigerians and about 100 million citizens in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. The pharm industry, according to PMG-MAN secretariat, has the potential to remain a pharmaceutical power house in the continent with capacity to supply regional needs, and participate in international tenders.

    According to the Chairman of the PMG-MAN, Okey Akpa, with the recent milestones recorded by companies in the sector, the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry was already positioned to operate at the global level, should government assent to these demands. “Nigeria is currently the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturing country in West Africa, accounting for more than 65 per cent of local manufacturing of medicines that are relevant to the region,” he said.

    Akpa said among the drugs are anti-malarial medicines, anti-retrovirals, herbal medicines and medicines for sickle cell diseases.   To make impact on the global stage, he said, several manufacturers had processed Expression of Interest (EoI) with the World Health Organisation (WHO) for pre-qualification of products, with cummulative investment worth of over $50 million in the last five years for facility upgrading.

    The chairman said four companies had been certified by the WHO, and at least 10 local companies had complied with the requirements of International Standards Organisation and were already supplying drugs to the United Nations Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women’s Children’s Health (UNCoLs).

    Others who made a case for the sector are the Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Linus Awute; National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii; President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Olumide Akintayo and President of West African Manufacturers Organisation, Bunmi Olaopa and representatives of India and Chinese companies.

    He said the achievements in the sector had been by individual manufacturers’ investment and years of hard work, and that the government and other stakeholders have to do more. “Without doubt, patronage of Nigerian pharmaceutical manufacturers by government, donors and international procuring agencies is critical and must be backed by political will. We are, therefore, calling on the Federal Government to implement the Domestic Preference Policy of the Public Procurement Act 2007 as well as the implementation of the Presidential Directive on Patronage of Nigerian Manufacturers,” he said.

    To ensure success of the policy, the chairman recommended “an import adjustment tax of 20 per cent on imported finished pharmaceutical products; HS Codes 3003 and 3004 should be imposed immediately as applied to other sectors where Nigeria has capacity as allowed by the Common External Tariff of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).”

    “Input into pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging should be allowed to be imported at zero per cent by bonafide pharmaceutical manufacturers,” he said.

    Orhii, who chaired the event praised the manufacturers for the feat so far achieved, saying NAFDAC would continue to collaborate with them and rid the Nigerian market of fake products.

    He appealed to the government and Bank of Industry to revisit an earlier proposal for N200 billion intervention trust fund for the pharma manufacturer. He recalled that the proposal was considered by the last administration, but nothing was heard of it.

    The NAFDAC DG was happy that the National Drug Distribution Policy, which regulates drug distribution national wide, is due to take effect, but expressed concerns that stakeholders have not done enough to put the necessary infrastructure in place.

  • Support for KWARAPOLY FM

    The Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin has been assured of support by the State House of Assembly to realise its dream of running a station, KwaraPoly FM.

    Conducting the House Committees on Education, and Ethics, Privileges, Public Service and Judiciary around executed projects, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Alhaji Mas`ud Elelu, said about N50 million was needed to start broadcasting to the public as required by the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).

    Elelu also noted that the intra-campus broadcasting has been aired for some months ago at 98.5 FM for almost 12 hours everyday.

    He however stated that the polytechnic engaged the service of 182 security personnel everyday to protect the lives and property of staff, students and the communities around the institution.

     

     

     

    Chairman House Committee on Education Adebayo Babatunde Mohammed, and Chairman House Committee on Ethics, Privileges, Public Service and Judiciary, Kamal Oyekunle Fagbemi, assured that the House would support the institution to realise its broadcasting dream.

     

  • LASTMA seeks unions’ support to stem gridlocks

    LASTMA seeks unions’ support to stem gridlocks

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has sought the support of transport unions in tackling gridlocks.

    Its General Manager LASTMA, Bashir Braimah, said stakeholders in the management and control of traffic must work together to reduce road users’ hardship.

    Braimah said more officers have been deployed to traffic prone areas in the state for road safety.

    Traffic management, he said, is a collective responsibility.

    He led top officials of the authority on spot assessment along Apapa-Oshodi expressway yesterday.

    The LASTMA chief lamented the nonchalant attitude of truck and commercial drivers plying the route, saying many of them are indifferent to the plight of other road users and with little or no regard for the state’s traffic law.

    “At the MRS Truck Staging Area along Oshodi Apapa expressway, Tanker Trucks were indiscriminately parked on the dual carriage with the excuse of awaiting the collection of fuel loading teller. This led to the total blockage of other road users’ access to the road,” he said.

    He condemned the act of ‘impunity,’ urging the Petroleum Union Drivers (PTD) to cue into the vision of the government and reciprocate the gesture of government on non enforcement policy by obeying traffic laws and personnel, who are working to ensure free flow of traffic.

    In his reaction, Joseph Okpara, an executive of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) expressed displeasure on the conduct of his members, saying his union will partner  LASTMA to find a lasting solution to the traffic situation associated with the axis.