The Nation Newspaper

Tag: support

  • Police committee assures Acting IGP of support

    Police committee assures Acting IGP of support

    The Police Assistance Committee (PAC) has welcome on board the Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, assuring him of its total support in the huge tasks ahead of him.

    In a statement issued in Lagos and signed  by its Director-General, Dr Martins J. Oni, the PAC expressed confidence that the Acting IGP as a tested officer, who had served in various capacities in the Police Force, will use his wealth of experience to build on the achievements of his predecessor, improve the fortune of the Nigeria Police Force and inject new ideas in confronting the current security challenges facing the country.

    The committee called on the IGP Suleiman Abba to be a good team player by ensuring that all stakeholders on security matters are carried along in the scheme of things in the performance of his duties, while praying that his tenure will usher in lasting solutions to security problems plaguing the country.

  • Olu Falae rallies support for SDP candidate

    Olu Falae rallies support for SDP candidate

    Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Mr. Olusegun Akinwusi will bring calm, integrity and transparency to Osun State, if voted for in the August 9 poll, the party’s National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, has said.

    Falae, in a message to party members, called on the electorate to vote for Akinwusi as the best option among the governorship candidates.

    He said: “Our candidate is a distinguished retired public officer. He is a complete gentleman and I am certain that he is the perfect person Osun State needs at this time. So, I strongly called on Osun people to massively vote for him.

    “He is not just bringing integrity into governance; he has served the state as Head of Service and came out with clean hands. He was an honest public officer who knows what to do. Osun people will do themselves a great honour to support and vote for him as a technocrat.”

    Falae, who is an Afenifere chieftain and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), regretted that the election, like other recent elections, was being subjected to money politics.

    Monetisation of politics, he noted, was not pronounced during the 1999 general elections when he stood as a presidential candidate of the All Peoples Party (APP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

    “It is regrettable that due to high level of poverty in the land, parties that control funds at state and federal levels buy election all over Nigeria,” Falae stated.

    He praised the SDP members for their steadfastness and by proofing that politics is not only about money or mere pecuniary gains, but about good governance and people’s welfare.

    Falae bemoaned the high level of corruption in the  polity, regretting that dishonest individuals without regard for the masses are now at the helm of affairs.

    Campaign teams of SDP continued their mobilisation yesterday at Olaoluwa, Ayedire, Ila and Boluwaduro local government Areas.

    The teams were in Ifedayo, Ife-South and Oriade local governments last Tuesday.

  • ‘Support Dickson’s re-election’

    ‘Support Dickson’s re-election’

    A group, the Grassroots Connect for Restoration (GrassCore), has reiterated its support for the re-election of Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson in 2016.

    The group flayed anti-development forces for trying to destroy the relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and Dickson.

    The National Coordinator, Nyenye Kuro, regretted that some anti-Dickson politicians were bent on plunging the state back to the dark days of underdevelopment.

    Kuro said the group had spread its activities to the eight local governments and hoped that Dickson would break the reelection jinx in 2016.

    He said although the governorship race in the state had not begun, Dickson should seek re-election based on his performance and loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “Dickson, based on his performance index in the last two years, has shown loyalty to the PDP and the President. He has shown that by building over 50 roads and bridges across the three senatorial districts of the state.

    “The President’s home state is transformed.The President’s commendations at different fora, including the just concluded investment and business forum, alluded to these.”

  • Why I didn’t support Fayose, by Oni

    Why I didn’t support Fayose, by Oni

    Eormer  Ekiti State Governor Olusegun Oni has declared governor-elect Ayodele Fayose as a wrong role model for youths.

    Speaking on a radio programme, “Face the Nation”, broadcast on RockCity 101.9 fm Abeokuta, Ogun State, Oni said  this was one of the reasons why he did not support Fayose and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the poll.

    He said:  “Fayose had been governor of Ekiti State. His records are there and cast your mind back and judge in your own mind whether what I’m saying is true. It is about the personalities of the two people involved, it is about the future of our state, who can place it firmly under , it is about the fact that we don’t want a governor whose image will rubbish us .

    “I have been governor and if anybody comes to that office and misbehaves, I will feel like it is the office that has misbehaved. If your governor misbehave, anytime, I will feel like it is the office that has misbehaved and if the office of the governor misbehaves, I will feel bad that a part of me has misbehaved.”

    Oni, who is the Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he held  no grudge and had forgiven  those who played a role in his abrupt exit from office four years ago.

    “ I have forgiven Dr. Fayemi, I have forgiven Fayose, I have forgiven everybody, and so, the issue of vengeance did not come in. But I look at both of them, who will make us as Ekiti people more confident about the future, our children more secure and our future more assured, who I can recommend to my child or other children as their role model.  Because I will never campaign for anybody for the governorship of any state and I want to tell you, if I cannot point to that person as a role model for the children in that state or my own children. I’m sorry, I am not here to run down anybody.”

    “ People will ask me,why are you doing this against PDP,is it because the party offended you? And I say I have forgiven everybody including institutions that offended me, but why would the PDP for God’s sake not listen to what we keep saying,” Oni queried. The former governor  insisted that Fayose did not win the PDP primaries.

    “They arranged it for him and if you must arrange anything for somebody,let that person be very credible, let that person have the image, let that person be that who will lift us up not an image that will undermine,  so they arranged for the wrong person and my conscience would not stand beside Governor Fayose on the podium to ask people to vote for him as governor,” he said.

  • ITF seeks support for skills development

    ITF seeks support for skills development

    The  Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has called on governments at all levels and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to rev up their support for the development of skills to aid the nation’s industrialisation process.

    As part of the moves to achieve this, the Fund sought for patronage for its training programmes, including prompt remittance of training contributions.

    Its Director-General,Dr Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko, who spoke  during the opening ceremony of the sixth management retreat of the agency in Asaba, the Delta State capital, said ITF will not relent in providing need based intervention in the polity.

    The workshop, with theme, “Mastering the art of leading change” was organised by the ITF to come up with strategies that could be used in achieving its mandates.

    She said: ”We appeal to both the private and public sectors to support the ITF. On our part, we shall not relent in providing appropriate need based performance improvement intervention of all our clients and stakeholders.”

  • Chukwumerije seeks private sector support

    Chukwumerije seeks private sector support

    Beijing Olympics bronze medalist Chika Chukwumerije has called on the private sector to financially support taekwondo in discovering, engaging, encouraging and exposing upcoming athletes.

    Speaking against the backdrop of the three bronze medals won by the five-man Nigeria team at the Africa Senior Taekwondo Championships held in Tunis, Tunisia a fortnight ago, Chukwumerije lauded the support the team got from Abuja-based Zuma Energy Nigeria Limited. The company took the initiative to throw its weight behind the team to the tournament.

    The team included current All African Games gold medallists, Uche Perez Chukwumerije and Jamilu Mohammed, three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije, African medallists Sunday Onofe and Joy Ekhator.

    “The trip would not have been possible without the timely support of Zuma Energy and our other sponsors who would like to remain anonymous, so, I am thankful to the Executive Chairman, Innocent Ezuma, who responded to the reach-out by my Foundation to the private sector for support.”

    Undefeated nationally for the past six years, two-time All African Games medallist, Miss Joy Ekhator, who won a bronze medal at the tournament, commended CCSF for pushing the initiative to source funds for the trip, and thanked Zuma Energy Nigeria Ltd for being one of the co-sponsors of the trip.

    “Without the efforts made, I would not have been able to come here and gain ranking points. I train very hard every day, but it is still difficult to go and compete against opponents that compete week in week out.”

    Current defending All African Games champion, Jamilu Muhammad, who crashed out in the Quarterfinals, was more direct. “No money, no medals,” he began. “I have not competed internationally since the last All African Games, even though I am constantly training, thus I was a bit match-rusty.

    The Kano-State-born taekwondo enthusiast further reflected: “I am number 46 in the world, and I sometimes wonder what my ranking would be if I could compete more. I am grateful that I competed at this event. It has enabled me see the opposition for next year’s All African Games, and I would use the experience gained to teach upcoming Taekwondo athletes when I get back to Kano.”

    Noting the good example set by the company, CCSF boss Chika Chukwumerije urged the private sector to take a cue from Zuma Energy Ltd in providing the kind of sustained support that would “give life to the real dreams of millions of Nigerian sportsmen and women across the country, especially when they have clear operational plans and genuine medal-winning possibilities in the foreseeable future.”

    He said: “Athletes are very visible and can serve, not only as a source of inspiration to our future generation, but also as a deep spring of pride for the nation. They deserve to be supported by the business community.

    “The recent performances of (Blessing) Okagbare, the victories of the Super Eagles at the last Nation’s Cup, the last U-17 World Cup winners, and the exploits of our weightlifter Usman at the last Commonwealth Games are some examples of sporting feats that provide hope to young people, and bring smiles to millions of Nigerians.”

    Chukwumerije urged the private sector to invest in communities in which they operate all over Nigeria, as “investing now would give Nigeria an edge in the Commonwealth Games this year, All African Games next year and at the RIO 2016 Olympics.”

    He continued: “Everybody loves a winner, and companies can leverage on potential Olympic Gold Medals to be won by Nigeria’s talented athletes by investing in their training and exposure now.”

  • Ajibola seeks support for private varsities

    Ajibola seeks support for private varsities

    The proprietor of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Prince Bola Ajibola, has made a case for government investment in private universities.

    The former jurist of the International Court of Justice said in a statement that privately-owned universities should enjoy grants from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) like their public-owned counterparts.

    Judge Ajibola said it is erroneous to think that all private universities were set up for profit. He said at Crescent, the focus is on providing sound education in an environment devoid of tribal sentiments. He explained that products of the university would be more nationalistic in their outlook because of a deliberate policy to admit students from all over Nigeria, many of them on government scholarship. In this regard, he explained that Crescent was offering a service beneficial for national cohesion.

    He said: “It must be mentioned here that several of the private universities in Nigeria are not established for profit-making but to give students sound moral education which will bring about the fear of God and good society.

    “A typical example is that of Crescent University, Abeokuta, with the vision and mission of sound education, good moral upbringing and the service to God, Almighty. We are also to ensure that the university has a national outlook. Hence, there is no state that is not represented in the university in terms of students. There are those with scholarship awards from northern and southern Nigeria. It is the belief of the university that if these students are given the opportunity to study together, relating on the same campus for three or four years, they will not grow up to hate one another in politics in future. So, admission of students into Crescent University is done without discrimination against any students by way of ethnicity, religion or sex.

    “Female emancipation towards a better, mature life is now emanating from several states of the north, particularly Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara from where students are sent on scholarship to the university.

    “To this end, Federal Government must ensure that private universities in Nigeria enjoy benefits of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) since this will further help in further development of education in the sector. Tremendous development of education is indeed sine qua non to development of any nation in the world.”

  • CBN’s support to banks drops by 36%

    CBN’s support to banks drops by 36%

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) monthly financial support for banks and discount houses has dropped from N869.98 billion to N550.12 billion.

    This is contained in the CBN Economic Report for December and January.

    The financial leverage, known as Standing Lending Facility (SLF) reflected a daily average of N28.95 billion in January, compared with a daily average of N43.40 billion the preceding month.

    The report showed that the total amount granted indicated a decline of 36.8 per cent, which also reflected the liquidity condition in the market during the review period. There are 21 commercial banks and five discount houses in operation.

    The fund, the CBN said, was given at 14 per cent. The SLF is an overnight CBN credit available on banking days between 2 pm and 3.30 pm, with settlement done on same day value.

    The CBN report showed that money market indicators were relatively stable during the month under review while monetary policy remained largely restrictive in line with the monetary tightening stance of the apex bank.

    Accordingly, the monetary policy rate (MPR) was maintained at 12.0 per cent; public sector Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) was raised from 50 per cent to 75. CRR is a portion of banks’ deposits kept as reserves with the CBN with the aim of stabilising money supply and local currency.

    According to the report, in spite of the liquidity surge which arose from maturing treasury bills, and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) bonds redemption and fiscal inflows, financial market indicators were relatively stable, the report said.

    The report reads: “The CBN discount window remained open to authorised dealers for the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) and SLF. Federal Government of Nigeria Bonds and treasury bills were issued at the primary market on behalf of the Debt Management Office (DMO).”

    Data from the CBN also showed that banks’ total assets and liabilities amounted to N24.4 trillion, showing an increase of 0.3 per cent over that of the preceding month.

    Funds were sourced mainly from increased mobilisation of time, savings and foreign currency deposits; accretion to capital; and unclassified liabilities. The funds were used, largely, for the acquisition of foreign assets, unclassified assets and Federal Government securities.

    Also, at N12 trillion, banks’ credit to the domestic economy fell by 1.2 per cent below that of the preceding month. The development was attributed to the 1.2 per cent fall in claims on the Federal Government and the private sector during the review month.

    Banks’ total specified liquid assets stood at N6.7 trillion, representing 40.1 per cent of their total current liabilities. At that level, liquidity ratio rose by 0.5 percentage point above that of the preceding month and was 10.1 percentage points above the stipulated minimum ratio of 30 per cent.

    The loans-to-deposit ratio, which stood at 37.5 per cent, was 0.1 and 42.5 percentage points below the levels at the end of the preceding month and the prescribed maximum ratio of 80 per cent, respectively.

    According to the CBN, total assets and liabilities of the discount houses stood at N119.6 billion at the end of January, showing a decline of 10.6 per cent below that of December. The development, it added, was accounted for, largely, by the 11.3 and 35.7 per cent fall in claims on the Federal Government and others.

    Correspondingly, the decline in total liabilities was attributed, largely, to the 25.3 per cent fall in money-at-call. “Discount houses’ investment in Federal Government securities of less than 91-day maturity rose to N36.83 billion and accounted for 42.1 per cent of their total deposit liabilities. Hence, investment in Federal Government Securities was 17.9 percentage points below the prescribed minimum level of 60.0 per cent,” it said.

     

  • ‘Give to support the less-privileged’

    ‘Give to support the less-privileged’

    For a septuagenarian APC chieftain, Alhaji Abiodun Sunmola shows no sign of slowing down soon.  He has found a past time in developing the future generation by investing in their education.  To achieve greater mileage, he is calling on people of great means to support worthy causes, writes KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE

    A philanthropist and Interim Deputy State Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abiodun Sunmola, has a mission dear to his heart: to distribute two million exercise books to primary school pupils in Lagos State.

    This mission is part of a bigger intervention programme that encompasses creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning in schools in his Kosofe Local Government constituency and beyond; providing financial support to those in need to start businesses, and supporting grassroots politicians, among others.

    However, education has a special place in his heart, given his antecedents in supporting schools, teachers and pupils.  In the past, he has constructed and rehabilitated classrooms, donated school furniture, uniforms and school sandals, distributed writing materials and mid-day meals, and given gifts to retiring teachers.

    Among all these, the school feeding programme stands out.  In Gbagada area, Araromi Primary School has been enjoying the initiative for five years now.  Mrs Abosede Ottun, Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Primary Education, said every school day, pupils of the school are fed nutritious meals at the unit cost of N25.00 per plate.  To date, she said the project has gulped over N20 million, and has been extended to three other schools where pupils are given biscuits and water daily.

    Mrs Ottun, who once served as Head Teacher of Araromi Primary School, testifies to the retention effect of the mid-day meals.  Not only did enrolment more than tripled from 300 to 1,000, the meals helped to check truancy and made the pupils more attentive in class.

    Since the launch of the two million exercise books project on January 24, Pa Sunmola has been moving round the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state to share the books, five per pupil, in addition to pencils and rulers.

    At the distribution of the writing materials to schools in Oke-Odo, Alimosho Local Government Area, last week, the septuagenarian revealed the reason for his passion to help the less privileged get quality education and move up the social ladder.

    Sunmola also said the affluent in the society must complement government’s efforts by being more generous with their wealth.  He flayed the wanton waste of wealth by many rich people on flashy cars and other worldly pleasures which he said would ultimately come to nought.

    He said: “If we all spare some of our resources towards solving problems in our society, the system will be better and there will be improvement in the quality of life.  Some of these children we ignore, by not providing opportunities for them to have good education, often turn out to be drop outs to the detriment of the society.

    ”I know a lot of rich people in this country that waste money.  If a man sits down and counts 10 Jeeps in his garage, and each one costs N10 million, you know that is a lot of money that is being wasted.  I want you to know that it is good to do good.  Take care of your children and those of others,” he said.

    Making a case for support to the government, Sunmola said the problems of the society are overwhelming and herculean for the government to adequately address.  He said poverty undermines government’s intervention and urged people to give to worthy causes.

    Explaining the motive behind the exercise books project, Sunmola said even after providing structures, furniture and textbooks, pupils cannot learn if they do not take notes.  He recalled his experience in a school he visited, where a teacher taught pupils who wrote no notes.  When he asked the teacher, she told him: “What can I do?  They are meant to bring exercise books from home and biros and pencils.  But they did not, I have done my part; I have taught them.”

    The APC chieftain said with the five books distributed to the pupils, they would have a start in solidifying their education.  He urged other well meaning Nigerians to join in the campaign to ensure each pupil has 12 notebooks – which is said is the ideal number they need for school.

    “We have given them five exercise books; they are supposed to use 12.  If people can contribute books, it will be good,” he said.

    In their speeches, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Lateef Ibirogba; Education Secretary, Alimosho Local Education Authority, Mr Isaac Omoregie; Chairman, Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA, Mr Augustine Adeoye Arogundade, and Mrs Ottun all lauded Sunmola’s contribution to education and other areas.

  • IDB’s support to Nigeria hits $678m

    IDB’s support to Nigeria hits $678m

    ISLAMIC Development Bank (IDB) Vice President Birama Boubacar Sidibe, at the weekend in Abuja, said the bank has devoted $678 million to infrastructural development in Nigeria.

    Sidibe addressed State House correspondents after leading a delegation of IDB Group to a meeting with Vice President Namadi Sambo.

    Nigeria is one of the bank’s shareholders.

    He said: “…till date, we have approved $678 million. Half of it, till now, was devoted to financing trade; the rest was on Education, Health, Agriculture and Power, Water and Sanitation.

    “Infrastructure financing in Nigeria, mainly electricity generation and distribution, may lead to the need for connectivity. I mean, highways and railways being given a bigger level of things.”

    On the meeting with the Vice President, he said: “We are here with the Islamic Development Bank Group and I wish to say that Nigeria is one of the most important among the top eight shareholders.

    “We are here to support its development challenge , by bringing the resources, the know-how, the advisory from the multi-dimension aspects of our group.”

    On the power sector, he said: “…because of the ambitious and realistic privatisation programme, we are pleased to learn that the process that led to the selection of private sector operators in Nigeria could be able to be associated as operators in the generation and distribution.”

    “I think this is the best thing that can happen to a country where the energy challenge is there.’’