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Tag: the Chairman

  • No regrets for disrupting anti-corruption programme – ASUU

    Dr Kasim Umaru, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja chapter says the union has no regret for disrupting Anti Corruption event in the institution.

    The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the union led by Umaru prevented Noble Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon Rtd and former Education Minister, Dr Oby Ezekwesili from speaking at the event.

    The ASUU Chairman told NAN in a telephone interview on Wednesday that the union disrupted the programme because of the ongoing strike.

    He said such magnitude of programme could not hold in the institution because lecturers were also involved in the event.

    “Those eminent personalities for the programme are all aware of our plight and did nothing, we disrupted the event because we are on strike,” he said.

    The convener of the event and National Coordinator of African Initiative Against Corruption and Exam Malpractice AFICEM, Dr Francis Abioye regretted the action of the ASUU saying they erred by disrupting the event.

    Abioye said the management of the university had earlier approved the institution’s auditorium as venue for the anti corruption programme.

    He said the programme was not an academic event, but was organized to educate Nigerians especially students against corruption and related cases.

    Abioye, who is also the General Manager, Zoology Garden in Owerri, urged the Federal Government to fund education, saying that Nigeria could not progress without a stable educational system.

    In his remarks, the university Student Union Government (SUG), President, Mr Chizurum Anabaronye said the development was regrettable and disappointing.

    “It is unfortunate because students would have benefited immensely in the programme considering the personalities involved in the programme.

    “Wole Soyinka is a person every student wants to see and the only opportunity to hear him speak was disrupted, we mobilized the students for the event but later communicated to them on the development,” he said.

    One of the facilitators and Osun High Court Judge, Justice Oloyode Folahanmi, who also spoke to NAN said AFICEM planned to celebrate the 2018 anti corruption day with a lecture on the `Benefits of Examination Ethics’ which was disrupted.

    “The Noble Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, other eminent persons and myself were to speak to Nigerian students on the need to abide by the rules guiding examination ethics.

    “We are partners in progress, we feel the plight of ASUU and we want to fix Nigerian problem so it was wrong to disrupt the programme.

    While calling on FG to address the demands of ASUU, Folahanmi said the reason for targeting students was because of the belief that quest for societal regeneration must begin with the youths. (NAN)

  • Lagos Assembly wants salary increment for traditional rulers

    Lagos Assembly wants salary increment for traditional rulers

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday called for an upward review of salaries of traditional rulers in the state.

    The House made the call in its resolution after adopting a motion for “the Upward Review of Traditional Rulers’ Remuneration and the Use of Yoruba Language as a Medium of Communication at Palace and t other Public Functions.“

    Mr Lanre Ogunyemi, the Chairman, House Committee on Education, had moved the motion at the day’s sitting.

    The House called on Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs to actualise the increase of salaries of Obas and Baales in the state.

    The lawmakers said the step had become necessary with a view to enhancing the performance of their traditional responsibilities in their various domains.

    They also directed the ministry, as a matter of urgency, to look into the alarming rate at which new stools of Obas were being created, and ensure that the process of upgrading the Baales to the status of Obas was strictly adhered to in the state.

    The House also enjoined monarchs and Baales to always use the Yoruba language as a medium of communication in their respective palaces and other public functions.

    Ogunyemi, moving the motion, had described the current salaries of Obas and Baales as “embarrassing and ridiculous considering the enormous responsibilities of the traditional institution”.

    He said: “This House notes the enactment of the law to provide an approved method for the selection, appointment and recognition of Obas and Chiefs in Lagos State and for purposes incidental and supplementary to it, Volume 8, Ch.02 of the laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

    “The House notes that the institution of the traditional ruler is an enduring part of our heritage that plays a critical role in the preservation of culture and tradition.

    “It also notes that the stipend being paid to the traditional rulers as salaries, despite the enormous challenges in administration at the grassroots, could cause distraction in the performance of their traditional responsibilities in their various domains.

    “This House observes that if traditional rulers are encouraged to perform their statutory roles, their wealth of experience would fast track the desired change in their various communities and add values to governance.”

    The lawmaker also decried the use of English language to conduct most of the palace ceremonies and programmes instead of the mother tongue.

    He expressed worry over the discretionary process of upgrading Baales and Obaship positions in recent times, saying that such development would degrade the esteemed positions.

    In his contribution, Mr Tunde Braimoh, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, called on the traditional institutions to support the efforts of the government on security.

    The Deputy Speaker, Mr Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, also urged the House to include the White Cap Chiefs in the arrangements saying Lagos Island does not operate with Baales.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other assemblymen took turns to support the motion before it was passed by the House as its resolution through a voice vote conducted by the Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa.

    Obasa described the current salaries of the traditional rulers as shameful, saying it was important for the government to increase it.

    He said that there was a need to sanitise the creation of new stools and upgrading of Obas, while the government should always screen anyone before assuming such position.

    The House adjourned its plenary session until June 5.

  • Anyansi urges contractor to hasten work on Enyimba Stadium

    Anyansi urges contractor to hasten work on Enyimba Stadium

    The Chairman, Enyimba FC of Aba, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, has called on the contractor handling the Enyimba Stadium to hasten work on the project to enable the team to return to their base.

    Anyansi-Agwu, who made the call on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar, commended Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia for his untiring effort to see that the team returns to its base.

    He said: “I thank the governor of Abia who has been putting in a lot of efforts to mak sure that we return to Aba.

    “So, we are very grateful to him, I call on the contractor handling the job to hasten up construction so that the team returns to its fortress’’.

    According to him, Enyimba has not performed well this season because they are playing away from home.

    He added that their opponents had taken advantage of that in most of their matches.

    “We have not done so well this season due to a lot of factors.

    “We are playing in Calabar and this gives opposing teams the impetus to prepare, knowing that we are playing away from home and this has been an added advantage to them.

    “This is unlike when a team is coming to Aba, you are already one goal down before coming.

    “But here in Calabar, they feel it is a neutral ground. These are some of the difficult situations we find ourselves in,’’ Anyansi-Agwu said.

    He said that, as soon as the stadium was ready, Enyimba would return to Aba to continue with their exploits.

    “We are a team with pedigree and a lot of flash-points. We have never been into any tournament just for participation.

    “We always want to win a trophy and when you win a trophy then you can now talk of representing the country.’’

  • Lagos hosts beach soccer African tourney

    Lagos hosts beach soccer African tourney

    The Lagos State Government is to build five new stadia in the different divisions of the state in its quest to promote excellence in sports and market the state through sports tourism.

    The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, made the assertion on Wednesday in Lagos while unveiling Lagos as the Host City, Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations 2016.

    Ayorinde said that the five stadia were already captured in the state’s 2017 budget proposal.

    He said that Lagos as the Centre of Excellence had been number one in sports and entertainment and believed in using sports to sell the mega city.

    Ayorinde said that the government was sponsoring the 2nd Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, holding from Dec. 13 to Dec. 18 at the Eko Atlantic, because it believed in showcasing not just sports but its tourism potential.

    He noted that two major components had been built into the hosting — sports and tourism, arts and entertainment — to achieve the state’s quest to make Lagos the sports hub in Africa.

    Ayorinde said that the government had partnered with countries that excel in sports and many organisations to promote a culture of sports.

    “As you can see, FC Barcelona Youth Academy had started in Lagos because Barca has an ally in the state.

    “The state government has planned a package for the Yuletide which will commence immediately the competition ended with the first ever Lagos City Carnival.

    “It will also organise the Lagos State fiesta which will hold simultaneously in Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Lagos Mainland and Lagos Island divisions, ending on Dec. 31.

    “This year’s events have been well planned to ensure that people relaxed and enjoyed themselves during the Christmas and New year festivities under tight security,’’ he said.

    The Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu, said that Lagos was hosting because it wanted to showcase the excellence of Lagos through sports.

    Tinubu said that the state had created more opportunities and varieties partnering with organisations, noting: “We are trying to create a sports culture where everybody can get into sports.

    “Copa Lagos has been running for six years but we are redefining beach soccer. We want Lagos to be a sports destination’’.

    He said that there would be bus shuttle from different locations for fans wishing to be at the venue to cheer the teams at the six-day event.

    He added that there would be events to showcase Lagos at the opening and closing ceremonies.

    The President, Nigeria Football Federation, AmajuPnnick, thanked Gov. AkinwunmiAmbode for hosting the event, noting that the hosting “will redefine beach soccer in its annals’’.

  • FG supports diaspora voting ahead of 2019

    The Federal Government has said it would support “any’’ mechanism to ensure the inclusion of Nigerians abroad in future elections.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama said this at a seminar on the validation of proposed “National Policy on Diaspora Matters’’ in Abuja on Thursday.

    Onyeama was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye.

    The minister said there was the need to promote the capacity of Nigerians abroad to achieve the “immense potential of the diaspora’’.

    He added that enhanced inclusion of Nigerians abroad in the voting process would support their contributions to national development.

    “This is for the socio-political and economic development of the nation.

    “In addition, the empowerment of Nigerians in the Diaspora as change agents for national development should be speedily scaled up.

    “On our part, we deeply support any mechanism for the inclusion of Nigerian Diaspora to participate in future elections,’’ he said.

    He urged that the challenges impeding the effectiveness of Nigerians abroad should be considered.

    “Many of them (Diaspora) are deeply concerned about the situation in the country and have critical skills and potential that could be harnessed to solving Nigeria’s sociology-economic challenges.

    “What has been lacking is the mechanism of effective engagement and interface with the government, with a view to ensuring that our country reaps fully the benefits of this engagement.

    “The ministry, therefore, sharpening its in-house resources to effectively harness the potential of Nigerians wherever they are based.’’

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu said that the committee was in touch with the Independent National Electoral Committee on Diaspora voting.

    Sunmonu added that efforts were being made by the committee to promote opportunities for Nigerians abroad to participate in future elections.

    She reiterated that Nigerians had “huge potential if properly harnessed would contribute to the development of the country’’.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa also emphasised the need to strengthen the diaspora policy.

    Dabiri-Erewa said that the development of a viable policy would address the concerns of Nigerians abroad.

    “We cannot ignore our diaspora; when Ireland went into recession they reached out to their diaspora community and one thousand of them saved the country from recession.

    “Now that Nigeria is going through challenges, we cannot have this enormous human resource and not engage with them.

    “We are working on the diaspora policy today; with the document, we have identified a few challenges impeding the effective contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora.

    “We do not have an accurate database of Nigerians in the diaspora; there is the lack of an enabling environment, bilateral agreements on avoidance of double taxation, and integrated framework for Nigerians in the diaspora.

    “Let us have a policy that we will be proud of.’’

    She said that a technical committee would be set up to work on the recommendations agreed on and come up with an action plan for implementation.

    Dabiri-Erewa also emphasised that the passing into law of the Diaspora Commission Bill would facilitate the realisation of a commission that would address diaspora matters.

    “The eighth assembly has taken it up, the house has passed it, we are waiting on the Senate to pass it and it has assured that it will pass.

    “It is going to be a one-stop agency to deal with diaspora matters, domiciled in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,’’ she said.

  • Kaduna Assembly approves N214.9bn 2017 Budget

    Kaduna Assembly approves N214.9bn 2017 Budget

    The 2017 Kaduna state’s Budget of N214.9 billion has been passed into law by the State House of Assembly on Thursday.

    The figure is N1 billion less than the budget proposal forwarded by Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i to the assembly on Oct. 12, for approval.

    The Speaker of the assembly, Alhaji Aminu Shagali, who read the content of the budget clause by clause, said N83.46 billion was approved for recurrent and N131.45 for capital expenditure.

    He said the budget would cover from now till Dec. 31, 2017.

    The Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, later told newsmen that the N1 billion cut from the original proposal was from the expected revenue of two agencies.

    He said that revenue projection of the state Geographic Information System and Internal Revenue Service was reduced by N500 million for each of the agencies, “in view of current economic realities.”

    He assured that the assembly would monitor the implementation to ensure that it serve the people better.

  • Relocation of Inspectorate Dept to Lagos, laudable – NAICOM

    Relocation of Inspectorate Dept to Lagos, laudable – NAICOM

    The relocation of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) Inspectorate Department from Abuja to Lagos Control Office has been lauded, as it would save costs.

    The chairman, NIA, Mr Eddie Efokoha, made this statement at a news conference on Wednesday  in Lagos. He said that the move was strategic, with 90 percent of insurance stakeholders situated in Lagos.

    Efokoha said the officers in the department would not have to spend much money on transport to do their work anymore, unlike what obtained in the past.

    “Moreover, they have more time at their disposal to really scrutinise insurance practitioners now,’’ he said.

    The NIA chairman said that the relocation, which is part of an ongoing restructuring exercise, would enhance service delivery.

    “It is imperative to note that over 90 percent of insurance operators have their headquarters in Lagos, as it is a known fact that Lagos is the hub of commercial and economic activities in Nigeria.

    “Thus, this exercise will ensure prompt and regular inspection of these insurance firms and Brokers,’’ he said.

    Efokoha urged NAICOM to continue to take steps that would change the face of the industry positively.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the relocation, effected in October, is part of an ongoing restructuring exercise aimed at improving the efficiency of the workforce.

  • Overloading: NURTW vows to sanction erring members

    Overloading: NURTW vows to sanction erring members

    The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Tuesday warned that it would sanction any of its drivers found overloading and speeding.

    The Chairman, NURTW Plateau Central Zone, Mr Victor Dimka, gave the warning at a stakeholders meeting at the FRSC RS4.12 Unit Command, Pankshin, Plateau, chaired by the unit Commander in the area, ACC Nnamdi Ikeh-Akabogu.

    Dimka said that overloading, speeding and other traffic offences had caused the deaths of innocent Nigerians through Road Traffic Crashes (RTC), subjecting the families of the victims to untold hardships.

    “Overloaded vehicles can lead to tyre burst and subsequently road crashes because the vehicle’s required capacity cannot contain the tyre pressure.

    “NURTW has decided to penalise any of its members found either overloading or speeding on our highways and this we shall implement to the latter.

    Earlier, NnamdiIkeh-Akabogu lauded the leadership of the Zonal Chairman for partnering with the FRSC to make the highways safe for both motorists and commuters.

    “FRSC is out to check crashes on our highways by policing all rounds and equally save the lives of those involved in such unfortunate incidences.

    He called for the support of the NURTW leaders in making sure that members of the union acquired valid and genuine drivers licence from the appropriate authorities.

    He noted that safety on the highway should be the business of all Nigerians and not the FRSC alone.

    The unit commander said the command had embarked on an aggressive public enlightenment in Churches and Mosques and other public places against the dangers associated with overloading and speeding.

  • Recruitment: PSC warns applicants against fraudsters

    Recruitment: PSC warns applicants against fraudsters

    The Chairman, Police Service Commission ( PSC), Mr Mike Okiro, has warned unsuspecting applicants to beware of activities of fraudsters.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the commission on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Okiro said that he had no face book account and had never operated any before.

    He advised applicants to restrain themselves from being desperate for recruitment into the Force.

    The chairman said that the fraudsters had started demanding money from applicants of the ongoing recruitment.

    “The Commission recently concluded the State screening and would in no distant time begin the second phase of the process leading to the recruitment, “he said.

    He reiterated his earlier statement that the recruitment would be transparent and based on merit.

    Okiro said that the commission would resist any pressure to undermine or compromise the integrity of the process and the outcome of the exercise.

    He said anybody paying for any assistance to be recruited into the force would be disappointed.

    He stressed that security operatives were on the alert to arrest those giving and those that were receiving.

    The chairman advised the public to report to the commission any underhand practices in respect of the recruitment.

    “If they ask you to bring money, whether the fraudsters, our Staff or Policemen, report to us and we will arrest and prosecute the person or persons,” he said.

    He said that successful applicants from the state screening would soon be invited for the next level of the process.

  • CCT Bill: Lawyers slam Senate

    CCT Bill: Lawyers slam Senate

    Some lawyers in Lagos on Friday reacted to the ongoing amendment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Act by the Senate, describing it as self-serving and unacceptable.

     

    The lawyers, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the amendment was ill-timed and a breach of public trust.

     

    NAN reports that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is currently being tried for alleged false declaration of assets by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

     

    The bill to amend the CCT Act, has within 48 hours, scaled the second reading in the Upper Chamber.

     

    Mr Dotun Adetunji, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ikorodu Branch, Lagos State, said the amendment of the CCT Act at this point was a “shameful act.’’

     

    He said any amendment to a law based on vested interest was contrary to the rule of law and the ethics of good governance.

     

    “This action of the Senate while its president is undergoing trial at the CCT is a shameful act.

     

    “It is also a slap on the generality of Nigerians that voted them into office and a breach of the trust expected of them.

     

    “This move by the Senate will not put this nation in good standing in the international community,’’ he told NAN.

     

    According to him, the amendment of the CCT Act by the Senate will not in any way bring Nigeria close to a sane society.

     

    “The rule of law is supposed to create a sane society and that is why its principles aim to ensure that a nation is governed by law and not by men’s self-serving interests.

     

    “The international community and Nigerians in diaspora should raise their voices in addition to all of us within the country to condemn this move by the Senate,’’ the NBA chief added.

     

    Another lawyer, Mr Ataene Spurgeon, said although the National Assembly was empowered by the statute books to make laws for the country, the amendment of the CCT Act might be a “coincidence.’’

     

    “The amendment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Act is a `coincidence’ with the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.’’

     

    “If the laws establishing the Code of Conduct bureau and the Code of Conduct Tribunal are faulty, it becomes necessary for the sake of the good governance to amend the same.

     

    “If three judges ought to sit on a particular tribunal and there are only two judges presently sitting, then there is a gap in the law which needs to be addressed for the future, ’’ he also told NAN.

     

    For Mr Ola Ogunbiyi, the amendment should not affect the trial of the senate president.

     

    “The trial can only be affected if the trial is stalled till after the amendment.

     

    “The Senate can at any point amend the law, that it is being amended at this point in time is not an issue.

     

    “The law begins to take its course the day it is signed into law; it is not going to be retrospective.

     

    “Now it is not a law, it is still under amendment before the Senate and it will not affect his trial.’’

     

    An Abeokuta-based legal practitioner, Mr Emmanuel Olu-Alade, said there was no law forbidding amendment of an Act because someone was on trial.

     

    “The question is, ‎what are the paragraphs that are currently being amended and what would be the effect of the amended paragraphs considering the ongoing trial of Bukola Saraki.

     

    In his contributions, Mr Wale Ogunade, a lawyer and public affairs analyst, said:

    “The Senate is required by law to amend laws.

     

    “However, in the case of the amendment of the CCT Act by the Senate, the question to ask is: does the Senate have an honest intention or an ulterior motive.

     

    “My opinion is that the recent moves by the Senate to amend the CCT Act were designed to frustrate the trial of Saraki.

     

    “It is designed to water down the Act making it worthless, useless and of no effect whatsoever.”