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Tag: support

  • Jonathan to lawyers: support democratic governance

    Jonathan to lawyers: support democratic governance

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has implored Nigerians to continue to support democratic governance.

    Speaking at the weekend in the United States at the Nigerian Lawyers Association’s annual dinner and merit awards ceremony in New York, he said: “I urge the Nigerian lawyers in the US and those in the Diaspora to do their best to support the democratic institutions we have built

    The speech, posted on his Twitter page, quoted Jonathan as listing his administration’s democratic credentials.

    “Under my watch not a single Nigerian was sent to prison because of anything they wrote or said about me or the administration that I headed. Nigeria had neither political prisoners nor political exile under my administration.

    “Diversity could remain a strength only when all interest groups in the society feel safe and secure,” Mr. Jonathan said while speaking on the theme ‘Diversity As Our Bridge to Tomorrow.

    “Most of my principal aides in government hailed from different ethnic nationalities,” Mr. Jonathan said. “We never placed ethno-religious interests above merits or individual values when making decisions.

    “Nigeria is for all Nigerians. We must resist the push of ego that may make us want to pursue a regional or narrow agenda.

    “We enacted the Freedom of Information Act and by that we tore the veil of secrecy covering governance.

    “We gave institutions unlimited freedom and ensured that the NBA, other professional institutions were devoid of any governmental influence.

    “We ensured that appointments to INEC were not based on personal relationships,” he said.

  • TUNDE ALABI calls for govt support

    TUNDE ALABI calls for govt support

    Veteran actor and Village Headmaster actor, Tunde Alabi, has called on governments, especially the Lagos State Government, to help alleviate his plight.

    In a phone conversation with The Nation, the thespian expressed gratitude to all those who have in one way or the other supported him during the time of his illness, stating that he still has a lot of financial constraints.

    “I want to thank my brothers Paul Julius and Don Pedro Aganbi who have stood by me in these trying moments. God reward you abundantly. I’m making a passionate appeal to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Akinwunmi Ambode to come to my aid. I’m in dire need now especially, that I have lost one leg. Life will be most difficult without government support. I believe the efforts of my friends to reach the authority will yield result,” he said.

    Paul Julius, who has been championing Alabi’s cause, also spoke with The Nation on the journey so far and efforts to reach out to the Governor of Lagos State. He said together with Don Pedro Aganbi, Actors Guild Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, frantic efforts are being made to secure an appointment to see the governor on behalf of Uncle Tunde.

    “I’m very sure that the governor, for his altruistic nature, will not turn down Uncle Tunde’s request for help if our letters were to reach him personally. Uncle Tunde is a veteran actor and a senior citizen of Lagos State and has always kept loyalty with the ruling political party of the state right from the inception of AD until it now becomes APC. This is the time he needs help most in his life and he believes, if the governor hears his cry personally, he will come to his aid,” he said.

  • Recession: Senate seeks more support from IMF

    Recession: Senate seeks more support from IMF

    The senate yesterday solicited more support and closer partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in efforts to address its economic challenges.

    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, made the appeal when he received, on behalf of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, a delegation of the African Department of the IMF, which paid a courtesy visit to the Senate.

    He thanked the IMF officials for their support to Nigeria, and said the country needed more support and collaboration of the IMF particularly at this challenging period in the nation’s history.

    He said: “The IMF has shown keen interest in the development of Nigeria. We believe that we need greater collaboration at this time of our challenges and we also believe that whatever support and technical assistance we are going to get will be tailored to our own needs, which is also peculiar to us, because every country has its own challenges and peculiar circumstances.

    “We believe that working together and taking cognisance of our peculiar circumstances, we will be able to find solutions to our problems. We will work together to build a country where food, shelter and other basic needs are affordable for all.”

    The new Director, African Department, IMF, Mr. Abebe Selassie, said he was in Nigeria to have a firsthand assessment of the country and to discuss the economic challenges.

    He reassured the Senate that the global body would work hand-in-hand with the country to address the nation’s economic challenges.

     

  • Ahmed urges support for Buhari

    Ahmed urges support for Buhari

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s effort at finding solutions to the challenges facing the country.

    He spoke during the 10th yearly conference of the Association of Sociologists of Education of Nigeria (ASEN), which held at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

    Ahmed, who spoke through his Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Musa Yeketi, noted that Nigerians had to discard the notion that the government alone should solve challenges facing the nation.

    He said: “In our present circumstances, none of us can afford to assume that somebody else will solve our problems. Each of us has roles to play in solving our challenges. We have our own share of the responsibility, because taking collective responsibility is the key to proffering solution.”

    He encouraged people to contribute their quota and support the efforts of the Federal Government towards achieving the desired growth.

    Ahmed assured that his administration was ready to partner with others to boost the state’s economy.

    Earlier, Acting President of ASEN Prof Uche Azikiwe said it was time to restructure education, stressing that reviewing the curriculum remained vital to actualising sustainable development.

    Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Prof Claudius Daramola was among guests honoured at the event. He is a member of ASEN and former lecturer at the Faculty of Education, UNILORIN.

    In a communiqué issued at the of the event, ASEN urged the government to revitalise the country’s education, with emphasis on technical and vocational education. The body said there was the need to train technicians and technocrats to rejig the economy and create jobs.

    The association advised the government to promote the teaching of civic education in schools. It called on managements of higher institutions to embrace the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in teaching and learning to ensure sustainable development.

  • FFUAE votes N87.5m to support farmers

    A non-governmental Organisation (NGO), Foundation for Unemployed and Empowerment (FFUAE), has set aside N87.5 million to support 350 farmers in 12 states.

    The grant is to encourage farmers to introduce modern techniques, promote increased domestic production and opportunities for value-added agro-processing.

    The 12 states are Edo, Enugu, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Nassarawa, Kogi, Benue, Kaduna, Kebbi and Cross River.

    According to the organisation, farmers will be selected after officials from the foundation had conducted farm and factory site inspection.

    In furtherance of this, the organisation said it was carrying out capacity building on five value chain products in designated zones across the country. The value chains are cassava, rice, aquaculture, maize and poultry.

    FFUAE said the organisation was partnering with Commercial Agricultural Development Project (CADP), Enugu State and with AL – TAJ Fund for Development, (Dubai) to empower unemployed youths and women who wanted to go into agriculture.

    Through its Small-Scale Business Enterprise/Youth Employment Programme (SSBE & YEP), the foundation said it was giving financial grants and technical advice to support Nigerians to develop the agricultural industry through diversification and by creating added value.

  • ExxonMobil support malaria with $150m

    ExxonMobil support malaria with $150m

    Oil giant, ExxonMobil has contributed more than $150 million towards the fight against malaria in Nigeria, it was learnt yesterday.

    According to Mr. Paul Arinze, General Manager Public and Government Affairs said the oil giant since 2000, malaria supported programs have reached more than 83 million people in Africa and the Pacific Rim.

    Arinze who spoke at the formal closure of the third year, Nigeria Power Forward Pilot Program which is aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle amongst the youth, also revealed that they have distributed more than 13.1 million bed nets, 1.7 million anti-malarial treatments and 942,000 diagnostic tests through the programme.

    The 2016 final was graced by former National Basketball Association (NBA) player Kelenna Azubuike

    “On average, ExxonMobil Foundation has contributed more than $150m towards the fights against malaria, demonstrating ExxonMobil’s commitment to developing sustainable, long-term community assistance initiatives in Nigeria

    “Since 2000, ExxonMobil-supported malaria programs have reached more than 83 million people in Africa and the Pacific Rim. These efforts have distributed more than 13.1 million bed nets, 1.7 million anti-malarial treatments and 942,000 diagnostic tests.”

    Speaking on the program, Arinze said the Project which was initiated 2013 in partnership with the US-based National Basketball Association (NBA) and Africare aimed at implementing a youth development program that incorporates both life-skills training and public health education, using the convening power of basketball has impacted more than 2000 students.

    He stressed that the “Power Forward Project also supports the Nigerian Federal Government’s National Malaria Control Programs’ advocacy on youth development and public health.

  • Poultry farmers seek support as revenue remains low

    Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) Vice-President (Agriculture), Mr Stephen Oladipupo, says the poultry industry is facing a sustained period of low profits, following high cost of raw materials.

    Oladipupo, a poultry farmer, said the industry is struggling to deal with a rise in chicken feed prices.

    The biggest challenge facing the industry, he said, is the high cost of feed – resulting primarily from higher corn cost.

    Oladipupo said raw material cost, largely feedstock, has risen significantly. Feed prices are nearly 70 percent of the total cost in the sector.

    He said there is the shortage of soya meal and the cost has skyrocketed.

    According to him, the cost of a bag of feed is N3,000, from   N2,200 in January, pushing up the total production cost of chicken. However, the price of eggs in the market has not enjoyed similar increase.

    He explained that producers are searching for profit opportunities in the face of anaemic consumer demand and, volatile grain prices.

    According to him, the cost of producing a chicken had risen since the start of the year, but the farmers can’t  pass the price increase on.

    The rise in feed prices, he maintained has put pressure on poultry producers’ margins.

    Adding to the economic damage to the sub-sector is the unprecedented level of volatility of input prices.

    While the poultry industry overproduced early this year, he said prices were weak, and there was a wait for demand to pick up.

    He called for emergency assistance and increased funding to address the harsh economic realities brought on by historically low prices and too high production costs.

    Confirming the situation, Lagos State Federated FADAMA Community Association President, Alhaji Abiodun Oyenekan, said the poultry sub-sector is experiencing a turbulent economic environment, with feed costs remaining the wild card in his outlook. The corn supply remains very tight, and he expects a continued volatility in corn prices.

    Though the industry has requested that the government allow imports of corn and soya, which could soften the prices in the local markets, the challenge is the exchange rate of the naira that can make the whole arrangement unprofitable if the government would agree, because of concerns about grain farmers. While some poultry farmers are racking up record debts as they struggle to cope with the high price of inputs that have squeezed profits and hit revenue, Oyenekan, said arable farmers are making a little profit despite the economic challenges.

  • ‘Support Buhari’s ‘Change Begins with Me’ campaign

    A former representative of Cross River Southern Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Bassey Otu, has urged Nigerians to support the “Change Begins With Me” campaign inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari to foster attitudinal orientation required to move the country forward.

    Speaking when he hosted a group of artisans, fashion designers, hair dressers and eatery and hospitality industry operators in Calabar, Otu said that the current downturn in Nigeria’s economy requires a the collective will and a resolve to imbibe attitudinal change and change in lifestyles.

    According to him Buhari’s “Change Begins With Me” campaign is innovative and should have since been introduced by previous administrations in the country.

    Otu said that his self-empowerment policy in his constituency had been a deliberate to ensure the creation of of avenues for self-sufficiency.

    According to him, “ours is a pro-active effort to be ready for the rainy day which is here”.

    He advised the group to handle the equipment and appliances given to them and to continue to fend for themselves during hard times, adding that the recession would be surmounted with the collective will and commitment of every Nigerian.

    A welder, Mr Ogbodim Esa, who responded on behalf of the group, said their visit was to express their appreciation to Otu for assisting them to acquire skills, which they now render to earn a living and employ others.

    He said that individuals like Otu should be entrusted with the political mandate to serve the electorate.

  • Olabimtan seeks support for Akeredolu

    A governorship aspirant on the platform of Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC), Victor Olabimtan, yesterday promised to support the party’s candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu, with everything humanly and godly possible for his success in the November 26  election.

    He praised the election committee headed by the Jigawa State Governor Mohammed Abubakar for a credible and hitch-free primary.

    The former Speaker of the State Assembly, in a statement, described the exercise as credible and transparent.

    He said: “I thank God almighty for His grace and mercy over me and my entire team. I thank all members of our great party, the APC in Ondo State and the entire people of Ondo State.

    “We thank the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party and Federal Government for delivering their promise of credible, fair and transparent primary election in Ondo State.”

  • Akume drums up support for Ortom

    Akume drums up support for Ortom

    Senator George Akume (Benue North West) has called on the people to continue to pray and support Governor Samuel Ortom to succeed.

    Senator Akume spoke at the weekend at the burial of Mama Sarah Dzeramo, mother of Baver Dzeramo, former lawmaker representing Tarka, who is also deceased.

    He praised Ortom for keeping faith with the people through judicious use of scare resources, and transparency in governance.

    Ortom described the deceased as a courageous woman, who raised her children in the fear of the Lord.

    Ortom promised the people that the Wannune Tomato Processing Company will begin production before end of the year.

    He noted that the massive turn out at the burial was a testimony that the late son of the deceased was a man of the people.