The Nation Newspaper

Tag: support

  • Pinnick calls for patience, canvasses support for Oliseh

    Pinnick calls for patience, canvasses support for Oliseh

    NFF President Amaju Pinnick refused to be despondent following Saturday’s 0-0 draw between the Super Eagles and Taifa Stars of Tanzania. Rather, he saw a lot of positives in the result and has called on Nigerians from far and near to exercise patience as new Head Coach Sunday Oliseh gradually steadies his ship.

    Nigeria were expected to take three points away from Dar es Salaam on Saturday, but came away with a point as the race to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Gabon gathered steam. Even with the draw, Pinnick remains confident the Eagles will get there.

    “It was a good match in the sense that Oliseh has now seen his first set of players, and he has seen the good and the bad ones. If we had been able to play a friendly match before this game, he would certainly have had greater knowledge of each of his players.

    “However, a lot of lessons have been learnt here. The coach  would have wanted so much to win, but that is football. I believe the team will get better as we go along.”

    Pinnick called on football –passionate Nigerians to remain in solid support of Oliseh as the NFF intends to organise several friendly games to engender bonding among the new players and entrench cohesion and telepathy.

    “On our part, we will do our best to arrange a lot of friendly games for the team. I believe the team will be better against Niger Republic in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    “When you are rebuilding, you have to exercise patience because you have to bring in and take out as the process requires.”

    The NFF President hailed the discipline and organisation that he saw in the Eagles’ camp in Dar es Salaam.

    “As we keep saying, it is not always only about winning. The building of a sustainable football culture is paramount in our administration’s programmes. We want to win matches, but we also want to see attitude that projects the nation positively. I am happy with the discipline in the team camp and the organisation.

    “When there is discipline and dedication, and patriotism, the results will come,” he said. Pinnick pointed out that there were so many debutants in the Eagles’ team that drew in Dar es Salaam.

    On a day that Mauritania spanked Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Liberia beat Tunisia and South Sudan earned victory over Equatorial Guinea, the Super Eagles drew 0-0 with Tanzania and now have four points in the Gabon 2017 race.

  • NGO urges govt to support women farmers

    A Non-Governmental Organisation, the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), has called on governments at all levels to provide adequate support for women farmers to make them contribute their quota to the policy of national food security.

    The Executive Director of the WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, made the call at a capacity building workshop organised for women farmers in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    She disclosed that women farmers have just 14 per cent holding rights on the land where they farm and therefore, have limited access to land, credit facilities, farm inputs, training and advice, technology and crop insurance, which the government is in better position to provide, but has failed to oblige them.

    Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi lamented government’s neglect of women farmers despite their deep commitments to farming and enormous contributions to food production and security in Nigeria.

    She advised government to motivate women farmers in actualising their dreams in farming.

    According to her: “Nigerian women play important roles in food and agriculture. It has been reported that women small holder farmers constitute 70-80 per cent of agric labour force. They produce the bulk of food for domestic consumption and they are the drivers of food processing, marketing and preservation.

    “In spite of their strategic roles in food production, the government hardly focuses on supporting them. I am also calling on government to involve women in the policy-making processes in agriculture to improve their participation in government’s hunger and poverty eradication agenda.”

    She lamented that most of the organisations advocating for government support for farmers were made up of male advocates who exclude women’s contributions.

    Akiyode-Afolabi, said the workshop was organised to push for a parading shift from male domination and ensure that gender approaches are introduced to government’s agricultural policies and programmes.

  • Ambode to support manufacturers

    Ambode to support manufacturers

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has pledged his administration’s support to the manufacturing sector, saying that manufacturers hold the key to the sustainable economic growth and development of the state.

    He spoke at the opening of the Third Quarterly Council Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) in Lagos.

    He said the support to the manufacturing sector and investment s would drive self-sufficiency and sustain the status of the state as the economic hub of the country.

    “We are aware of the challenges of the business community in terms of poor power supply, inadequate infrastructure, and high interest and foreign exchange rates among others.

    “The resultant effects of these problems are manifesting in high operation cost, high rate of unemployment and poverty. But I am positive that these challenges are surmountable. We, therefore, need to be proactive and look towards becoming self sufficient by collaborating with the manufacturing sector, which obviously holds the key to sustainable economic growth and development,” he said.

    The Governor said this was why Lagos State has established the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment to make the state a first choice destination for both local and foreign investors. He assured that his administration would continue to provide the enabling environment for the business community to thrive to create employment and grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

    Ambode urged NACCIMA to collaborate with the state in its efforts to make Lagos the number one business friendly state.

    Also, the National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Bassey Edem, urged the Federal Government to hasten its roadmap for the diversification of the economy to tackle the dwindling income from crude oil.

    He urged the government to tackle corruption as it would translate into economic advancement, good governance and good living standard for Nigerians.

    He decried the poor utilisation and management of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex and urged Ambode to call for a review of the concession of the complex. “The complex is primarily designed for trade promotion in Nigeria, but it has become a shadow of itself. We therefore, request that the management of the complex be transferred back to the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry as was done for Kaduna International Trade Fair Complex. As an umbrella body of all chambers of commerce and industry, we will continue to lend our voice and support government at all levels to fulfill their roles,’’ he said.

    President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Remi Bello, cited poor power supply, unstable policies, multiple taxation, poor access to credit and deficient infrastructure as problems affecting the business community.

    He said the meeting was aimed at reviewing those challenges for a better business environment and make impact on the new administration. He urged the government to continue to provide the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in order to boost the economy.

  • More support for anti-graft war

    A Coalition of civil right groups has called on Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari in the fight against corruption.

    At a conference yesterday in Lagos, they said enemies of the war against corruption had started a grand battle against fail.

    The group leader, Olanrewaju Sura said Nigerians must take the battle to the door steps of those who have plundered the commonwealth of the people.

    He said: “We call this interactive session in view of the seeming grand conspiracy and groundswell to frustrate the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    “We call to sensitise Nigerians on the need to rise and support the clamour for transparency in all facets of life and to sack corruption from public and private lives.”

    He said the only way the President could fulfil the electoral promises was to recover Nigeria’s stolen wealth, noting that it is the only way to return the country to track.

    Suraj added that the body language of the President alone that has sent shockwaves across the country, noting that when the recovery process commenced the looters will try to thwart it.

    He said: “Nigerians must not leave this war for Buhari alone; we in the civil rights movements have resolved to be fully involved.”

     

  • Bassey canvasses support for Pinnick-led NFF

    Bassey canvasses support for Pinnick-led NFF

    CAF General Coordinator, Mr. Paul Bassey, has passionately appealed to the Government and Nigerians to give support to the Amaju Pinnick –led Nigeria Football Federation, including the reforms being embarked upon by the administration, so far with remarkable success.

    FIFA Match Commissioner Bassey, indisputably one of Nigeria’s real and active leading figures in world football, spoke at the weekend against the backdrop of improved reckoning of Nigeria by the world football community and credible steps taken by the 11 –month old Pinnick Board.

    “We must begin to assess the impact of the new NFF administration in real terms, and I am of the firm opinion that the recent appointment of Pinnick as Member of Organizing Committee for the FIFA U-20 World Cup is the latest acknowledgement by world football that the new NFF is projecting Nigeria football very well internationally.

    “I look at the reforms being embarked upon by the Pinnick administration, and I see the need for Government and every Nigerian to support this team and these reforms, because they are in the interest of our country’s football,” said Bassey.

  • Lending their hand of support

    Lending their hand of support

    Ex-students of the Department of Geography,  University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) have returned to the school to donate some cash and vehicles to aid research and teaching at the department. OLADELE OGE (NYSC, Enugu) reports.

     

    Call it a homecoming, you would not be wrong. Years after their graduation from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), the alumni of the Department of Geography have returned  with gifts to boost research and learning.

    Last Friday, the old students donated some cash and two vehicles – a saloon car and an 18-seater bus – to the department to aid academic excursion. The items were given to the leadership of the department at a homecoming and award held at the Princess Alexandra Hall.

    The event, tagged: Technological advancement in surveying and mapping: The Nigerian adaptation, had Prof Peter Nwilo, a former Surveyor-General of the Federation and Geoinformatist, delivering the keynote lecture.

    Declaring the event open, Prof Polycarp Chigbu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics, who represented the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Benjamin Ozumba, described geography as necessary for human growth and development.

    Geography, he said, has aided understanding and prevention of natural disaster, such as flooding and climate change, noting that establishment of Geographical Information System (GIS) would put the school on the world map.

    In his lecture, Prof Nwilo urged the government to focus on rural development, while charging surveyors to stick to the guideline of their profession. He lauded the review of the department’s curriculum, saying introduction of Quantitative Geography and other subjects crucial to spatial analysis.

    The Head of the Department (HOD), Prof P.C. Onokala, condemned the notion that graduates of geography are to be employed only as teachers, saying the discipline had produced world-class professionals. She advised students to brace up for the challenges ahead, observing that the department’s certificates were meant for students trained in good characters and learning.

    Prof Onokala said: “We have several challenges as a department and one of the ways to tackle them is to partner with the alumni body in moving the department forward. The fruit of our partnership is the donation of a cash gift and two vehicles to convey our staff and students for field work.”

    Speaking on other challenges facing the department, the HOD urged the alumni to help in equipping the department’s library and laboratory with modern books and materials that would promote quality learning.

    She added: “We cannot continue to teach our students in old style and with antiquated materials. Therefore, there is need to equip our library, cartographic and physical geography laboratory for the benefit of our students.”

    The Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Prof I.A. Madu, highlighted essence of the ceremony, noting that it became necessary for the department to partner with its ex-students for support in developing its facilities and establishing linkages with international communities.

    He hailed the ex-students for supporting their alma mater, describing the donation as a good gesture. He advised students emulated the alumni members by supporting the institution.

    Five of the alumni were honoured for their contributions to social and economic growth of the country. They are Dr Oluyemi Akande, Surveyor Ugochukwu Obiora, Dr Anthony Obiora, Chief Emeka Okonkwo and Mr Emeka Ezeh.

    Dr Akande said the event was not held to display wealth, but to intervene in solving problems facing students and the school. He said the alumni’s efforts would enable the department achieve growth in its academic research, appealing to staff and students to use the items judiciously.

    For Chief Okonkwo, he was happy to see his former department producing students who are making waves in various places, including government offices and private sector. He urged other graduates of the department to contribute their quota to its development.

    Highpoint of the event was the presentation of vehicles to the department. Hon. Uko Nkole, a member House of Representatives presented a cheque to students to encourage research and learning.

  • Ondo APC pledges support for Deji

    Ondo APC pledges support for Deji

    Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State yesterday visited the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladesuyi Aladetoyinbo, with a promise to support his reign for the development of Akure, the state capital

    Led by its Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, the APC said it would work with the traditional council.

    Kekemeke, who spoke on behalf of the APC leaders, said: “President Muhammadu Buhari is a man of integrity.

    “We want to change Nigeria and Ondo State and we know you on board as an agent of change.

    Kekemeke described Oba Aladesuyi as a person of integrity, noting that APC members are for progress and development in all spheres of life.

    His words: “Kabiyesi, we  have many things in common to develop  your domain.

    “We know by next year, we will be working together because APC is forming the next government in Ondo State.

    “We want to have a traditional rapport with the palace to have a common goal to develop Akure and the state.”

    Kekemeke condemned the protest by commercial motorcycle operators in Akure, noting that APC would not support the destruction of public property.

    Responding on behalf of the monarch, the Asamo of Akureland, High Chief Rotimi Olusanya, called for peace among APC members to facilitate development in the  state.

    The monarch said: “We want the APC slogan “change” to reflect in Akure.

    “We are not happy that since the exit of Chief Olu Falae as minister, Akure has not been considered for any political office at the centre.”

    Oba Aladesuyi urged President Buhari to appoint an Akure indigene as minister.

  • Cash paucity: States’ support to NYSC decreasing, says D-G

    Cash paucity: States’ support to NYSC decreasing, says D-G

    Some state governments’ financial support to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has dwindled due to the prevailing paucity of funds in the country, its Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, has said.

    Brig.-Gen. Olawumi spoke when he visited the Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade Brig-Gen. Ali Nani and Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Education (NASE), Brig-Gen. Lawal Abdullahi, in Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State.

    He said he was at the barracks to look at the facilities, which NYSC planned to use for its promotion examinations and interviews, which took place yesterday.

    The director-general said: “It is true that subventions or support from state governments to the scheme has been dwindling in the past few years. I do not want us to put the blame on any governor. We know that in the country, there are so many things competing for attention. Is it education, health, agriculture? So many things are competing for attention.

    “So, if we are not getting support like we used to get in those days, it is not that they are not happy with the scheme. All the governors that I have interacted with are happy with what the scheme is doing, but I think it is an issue of paucity of funds.

    “Even at that, we must commend them for what they are doing. As you are complaining of no fund, some of them are building new camps, uplifting existing ones and improving remuneration to corps members.

    “Having said that, we should not blame those who are not doing that. We know what issue of funding is in Nigeria. But let me seize this opportunity to call on those governors that we are still counting on their support.

    “These are their children. These children they can use them well in all areas of agriculture, health, education and infrastructure development. They should take advantage of that. Once funds improve, let them do more.”

     

  • APC-USA pledges support for anti-graft war

    APC-USA pledges support for anti-graft war

    President Muhammadu Buhari has thanked members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) United States Chapter for their support before, during and after the March 28 presidential election.

    He spoke last Tuesday during a closed door meeting with the body at the Nigerian Embassy Building in Washington DC.

    While promising to deliver on his electoral promises, the President expressed commitment to fight corruption and terrorism, which he believed are the two major problems facing the nation.

    He also pledged to execute the APC programmes and manifestoes, which he said were geared towards the improvement of the country’s economy.

    Welcoming the president, chairman of APC-USA Tony Isama commended Buhari for offering himself for selfless national service.

    He promised the body will support the president in his fight against corruption and terrorism.

    Isiama said members of APC-USA were prepared and ready to assist the Buhari administration in any area possible, adding that they share the president’s uncommon honesty, courage, impeccable character and incorruptible work ethics.

  • ‘Why I canvass support for Buhari’

    ‘Why I canvass support for Buhari’

    In this interview, Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Hon. Femi Babalola speaks with Correspondent  OSEHEYE OKWUOFU in Ibadan, the state capital, on the reconciliation in the party and why he is supporting Governor Abiola Ajimobi. 

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been decimated in Oyo State by the gale of defections. Do you still see the PDP as a viable party?

    The PDP, by its intrinsic characteristics, will remain a viable political party in the country. In fact, it has greater capacity for viability than the APC, notwithstanding the outcome of the last general elections. You have to understand the makeup of the party to appreciate its strength. The components that constituted the PDP  were generic and quite tangent to the nation. The PDP is built on a very strong foundation and it will be very difficult to break the sinew. It will be simplistic to doubt the party’s resilience or write it off. But, this is not so with the APC. We cannot forget the fact that the APC is a marriage of convenience. Throughout our political history, we have seen that mergers of political parties have never really worked. Though we have seen the APC apparently breaking that jinx by winning the federal election, it is not certain how long that amalgam would work. That fabric is not neatly knitted and anything can happen anytime. The PDP will be more capable of intrinsic rejuvenation than any other political party in the country and it will definitely bounce back. The party’s loss generates interest because nobody expected it to lose because of its size as the second largest party in Africa, but the loss of elections by a big party is not new in history. India’s biggest political party, the Congress Party, has severally lost elections and it is presently out of power. In the US, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party have variously lost elections. At a time, the serial victories of the Republicans almost pushed the Democrats to the background. But, that has not undermined the viability of these political parties. Inspite of the panic exit, the PDP will remain the largest party in Nigeria.

    Are you saying that the PDP will not be affected by the defections?

    It will take years of exit of members for the party to plummet, but we will not allow that. Recently, those in the APC admitted that there are still many good people in the PDP. That is very true. Efforts of these good people will save the party.

    I do not only expect the rebounce of the PDP, I expect it sooner than later. That optimism is premised on the recent resolution by elected members of the party and some other bigwigs not to defect.

    Are you also defecting from the PDP tothe APC?

    I do not need to leave the PDP to offer selfless service to Nigeria. Those leaving the PDP have not considered the dialectical implication. A politician would have been most insulted, if he is considered to be unprincipled. Politics is principle-driven and I remember Senator Bola Tinubu mentioned that recently. So, I don’t envy those going to the APC. Besides, political parties should not be reduced to shifting coalitions. But then, the Nigerian polity is ripe for bi-partisanship and the polity will benefit immensely from across party collaboration. As Nigerian political parties embrace bipartisanship, the political environment will become less acrimonious and defection will be discouraged because you are able to contribute to national development. A clear proof of my point was the President Buhari’s endorsement of Dr. Adewumi Adesina for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB), when Adesina was essentially in the PDP as minister in the Jonathan Administration. This should be the new attitude among politicians in the interest of the country. If you recall the stalemate in the US that led to the shutdown, matters were resolved through resort to bipartisanship. If party rigidity had been sustained;,the shutdown would have lingered with adverse effect on that country.

    Why are you supporting the Ajimobi Administration?

    In Oyo State here, I have advocated all-party support for Governor Ajimobi to move the state forward and allow it attain its full potential. Politicians across parties must be willing to collaborate with the incumbent, notwithstanding how they feel about the governor or the ruling APC. It is high time politicians came to synergise in the interest of the masses that look up to the political class for the gains of democracy. The political class has a duty to ensure that democracy works. Democracy must meet the yearnings of the people. That is why I call for aggregate support for the present administration in the state and, by extension, the Buhari administration. It is not enough for the opposition to criticise; it must proffer solutions too. The incumbent occupies the driver’s seat and those of us in the passenger seat should be there to guide him by pointing out potholes, sharp bends among other hazards.