The Nation Newspaper

Tag: track

  • ‘INEC on right track for 2019’

    ‘INEC on right track for 2019’

    Head of United Nations (UN) Office for West Africa Dr. Mohammed IBN Chambers has said the upcoming general election in 2019 in Nigeria will be free from violence.

    Chambers spoke during an interview monitored on Channels TV at the weekend.

    He said: “It should be acknowledged that 2015 elections were largely violence-free. There are indications that we will see an improvement upon it in 2019.

    “I can assure you that from what we have seen so far, we are very, very, confident that Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and his team are on track.

    “Let’s not forget that so far, there have been some significantly successful elections in this country by the current INEC leadership – gubernatorial elections, senatorial elections and other by-elections.

    “So, there have been opportunity for INEC to test itself and so far, as we can all attest to, those elections have been credible and peaceful. This is highly commendable.”

    Chambers, who is also the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, said the UN is working with INEC to reactivate the National Peace Committee to guarantee a peaceful general election.

    “First and foremost, we need to put in place a national peace architecture,” he said.

    “I mean like the 2015 National Peace Committee, which was led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, with other prominent members like the Sultan of Sokoto, Cardinal Onaiyekan and others.

    “We are in fact working to revive this committee and see how it can be strengthened,” he added.

    The former ECOWAS boss said the UN has regular engagements with INEC and was working together to “field what we call a needs assessment mission,” the UN envoy said.

    “Once this is done,” he said, “then we will have a good understand of which areas INEC will need international support. The support is not only from the UN, but from the wilder international community.”

    He canvassed for legislation to back the use of technology ahead of the general election, such as electronic voting.

    Although the Senate approved the use of technology for elections since March 30, the lower chamber of the legislature is yet to pass the amendment.

    Chambers added: “We all witnessed what happened in Kenya where, unfortunately, the first round of voting was cancelled on technology-related issues. We must learn lessons from each other.

    “Obviously, all the processes need to be backed by appropriate legislations.

    “Indeed, adoption of technology in the last INEC leadership proved very effective and useful. It’s a big country dealing with bid number. We hope there will be efforts in that direction.”

  • Ozzmanic drops new track, ‘Afro Lover’

    Ozzmanic drops new track, ‘Afro Lover’

    Canada-based Nigerian singer, simply known as Ozzmanic has dropped a new single,  ‘Afro Lover’, off his upcoming EP titled ‘Rainbow’.

    Produced by Duktor Sett, the artiste says that ‘Afro lover’ showcases a person who is trying to get his start in the Nigerian music scene by conducting his own investigations into the Afropop world.

    “This is long overdue. I think ‘Afro Lover’ is a perfect song to whet the appetite of my new found fans and followers in Nigeria. With my forth coming EP titled ‘Rainbow’, and a couple of singles waiting to be released, the sky is the starting point for me,” Ozzmanic said.

    Passionate about rap music, Ozzmanic emerged in the Toronto music scene as a Trap artiste in 2013 with two singles tilted ’Benjamins’ and ’One Question’ featuring Jinmi Abduls. That was when he discovered that what had become his signature sound in Canada wasn’t good enough for him to officially announce his arrival in the current Nigerian music scene, hence the release of ‘Afro Lover’.

    With the rejuvenated and more mature music style, Ozzmanic seems ready to stamp his authority from the start by doing songs that will not only capture the minds of music enthusiasts but also carve a niche for him in the highly competitive music industry.

  • 100 days: Buhari is on track, says Osun lawmaker

    A MEMBER of the Osun State House of Assembly Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has described the activities of President Muhammadu Buhari government within his 100 days in office as a demonstration of his sincerity to return Nigeria to the path of progress.

    Oyintiloye, representing Obokun State Constituency, said the activities of the President have so far shown that he is not only meticulous and mature but full of insight.

    He said President Buhari intellectual and managerial wherewithal to take Nigeria to the Promised Land.

    Speaking at political meeting in Ibokun, the lawmaker said the input that has been made in the fight against insecurity, corruption, as well as economic developments were visible.

    According to the lawmaker, the President’s mien and steps have shown that insecurity can be subdued, corruption tamed, bad economy addressed and hope restored.

    He said: “The machinery that President Buhari has been able to set in motion to fight security challenges deserves applause of Nigerians. The area of note is the order for the relocation of Military Command Center to the Northeast, which is the theatre of the insurgency.

     

    “The goodwill established by the President in the diplomatic arena and willingness of the international community including the United States (U.S.) to cooperate with Nigeria in the area of economy, insecurity and corruption indicated the giant strides of the President Buhari-led administration.”

    Oyintiloye pointed out the template and tempo set by President Buhari in fighting corruption as another testimony that he has been on the right track, saying his body language alone has triggered a paradigm shift in the public service.

    The lawmaker said: “He has been able to harnessed resources through the single account remittance, which to a large extent had improved the revenue of the federal government and a proactive measure in curbing corruption.

    “Due to series of strategic intervention, more funds are coming to the federal government treasury and by extension deepening and developing the economy. For instance, the nation’s foreign reserve rose by 1.12 per cent in August from $31.08 billion to $31.43 billion which is a positive sign for the economy.”

    He said the repositioning of the refinery ?and the hiring of 10,000 more hands to strengthen the police cannot but steps taken in the right direction.

    “Nigerians can clearly see that the country is already moving in the right direction, it is now getting the deserved respect from the international community, our country is no longer a pariah state and it is crystal clear that the President is sincere, believable and focused”, he said.

    On the bailout for cash-strapped states, Oyintiloye said the presidential intervention will stimulate economic activities in the benefitting states.

    He dismissed those accusing the President of not recording any success within his first 100 days as being   economical with truth.

    “President Buhari is too mature and experienced to be stampeded to take rash and irrational decisions or continue in the old track of waste and inefficiency”, Oyintiloye said.

     

  • Groups partner to track Edo projects

    A transparency advocacy group, BudgIT Nigeria, has partnered Omidyar Network to track capital projects listed in this year’s budget of the Edo State Government.

    The group said it would use its “Tracka project” to ensure transparency in the state’s projects.

    The partnership, according to BudgIT’s Lead Partner, Oluseun Onigbinde, will focus on 24 communities, where the capital projects are located.

    He said the partnership would have community tracking teams.

    The company’s lead partner said “Tracka” would work with stakeholders in the community and civil society organisations (CSOs) as partners.

    BudgIT is working with Kaduna and Edo state governments to ensure transparency in their projects.

    Onigbinde, in a statement in Abuja, said “Tracka” would enable the residents to own and track capital projects in their communities.

    He said: “Considering the challenge of transparency in the country, the most effective method to reach the masses is through the implementation of capital projects. Lots of funds are allocated as capital expenditure; yet, some projects are left undone. The plan is to follow up with the communities/beneficiaries and facilitators of the project.

    “The project will ensure feedback to citizens, using social media and also contact parliamentary, executive bodies and key institutions to close the feedback loop and aggregate feedback and build actionable intelligence for and from the institutions.

    “As Nigerians, it is important that we ensure transparency and accountability regarding the use of funds.”

  • Udinese to track Idowu in New Zealand

    Udinese to track Idowu in New Zealand

    Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Udinese are leading the race for Nigeria Under-20 international Akinjide Idowu.

    A source  informed allnigeriasoccer.com that the central midfielder’s intermediary, Babawo Mohammed, is presently in Italy negotiating with the higher-ups at The Bianconeri .

    However, talks have not led to the immediate offer of a contract to the Nigeria Youth Soccer Academy, Calabar starlet.

    Udinese posted scouts to run the rule over Akinjide Idowu at the African Youth Championship (AYC) and they will further observe him at close quarters in New Zealand during the Under-20s just to confirm that his imperious display in Senegal was not a flash in the pan.

    The Flying Eagles number 4 is also a target for Scottish Premier League champions Glasgow Celtic.

    Agent Babawo Mohammed will depart Friuli-Venezia Giulia for New Plymouth (New Zealand) on Thursday, with a view to motivating his client during the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

  • 3 EPL clubs track Oboabona

    3 EPL clubs track Oboabona

    As at the last count, three English Premier League

    teams and other clubs from more than 6 countries have made enquiries about the availability of Super Eagles’ defender Godfrey Oboabona (MON).

    Other countries such as Russia, Croatia, France,Turkey, Italy,Ukraine and Belgium have added to the long list of suitors who want to lure the defender from his boyhood club, Sunshine Stars.

    Oboabona grew through the ranks before becoming a star player of Sunshine from where he was spotted by the Eagles’ selectors in one of the then Nigeria Premier League matches and he has made progress since the day he debuted for the senior national team.

    The Director,Technical and Management of the Ondo State Football Agency, Mike Idoko in a chat with SportingLife opined that the towering defender would not be forced to take a decision he would later regret. Hence, Oboabona’s move to a foreign club would not be motivated by money but by the seriousness of the club, assurances on sufficient playing time and the desire of the player in question to lace his boots for the team.

    He said he was not surprised at the rise of the Akure Gunners’ skipper stating that with his humility and calmness, Oboabona would have the world at his feet for lots of years to come.

    “Sunshine is not a club that stand between a player and his dream to move overseas. We will support such player and even guide him against making wrong choice.

    “Oboabona will not be any exception. It may interest you that many clubs have contacted Sunshine on his transfer negotiations. Three clubs from the EPL and other clubs from Russia, Croatia,France,Turkey,Italy,Ukraine and Belgium have all approached us concerning him.

    “We won’t be in a haste to jump to a conclusion. We shall scrutinise them all to see which one is worthy of Oboabona. It is not about money alone. The player must be willing to play for the club and other factors,” Idoko stressed.

    Oboabona a relatively unknown quantity before the advent of Eagles’ boss Stephen Keshi now has a national honour and was a member of the senior national team that excelled at the recently held AFCON in South Africa.