The Nation Newspaper

Tag: transform

  • Let’s promote peace to transform Nigeria

    SIR: The ants have it right! Over millions of years they have developed and maintained a structured system that enables them grow and prosper even in the face of relentless adversity. There is a lot we can learn from them and some of these lessons are applicable to promoting peace as a precursor to the transformation agenda. The leaders and the led are inseparable partners in the task of peace initiatives and nation building. You cannot lead the people if you do not love them, you cannot save the people if you do not serve them.

    . We can achieve a lot by self-discipline, so let us do it collectively to promote peace in our land. When we sustain peace, all the positive benefits will follow in consonance with the desire of a new image, which is the thrust of the transformation project.

    The task of transforming Nigeria is a compelling invitation to anyone who loves Nigeria as the place where his/her heart belongs. We must absorb the message ofpeace, hope, faith and loyalty as a precursor to transformation. Pick a copy of “THIS IS NIGERIA” to read in admiration of its uniqueness, rich contents, beautiful simplicity and creativity. A sheer force of energy will burst forth to open your mind to new realities. Realities unfold only to the perceptive and reflective minds in a peaceful society

    A Nigerian child Artist demonstrated her conviction to a peaceful Nigeria when she explained how she was inspired to paint in acrylic a white dove flying with the Nigeria’s flag on its beak. She explained further, how she hears on radio and television many terrible things happening in Nigeria. All these, she interpreted as storm and challenges which inspired her to captioned her painting “PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM”. She won the Centenary Competition which targeted youths by providing them a platform for expression, take leadership role and to share opinions about the Nigeria of their dreams.

    “This is Nigeria” is taking the idea of promoting peace in transforming Nigeria to a higher level by asking Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora to share their thoughts, comments and perspectives on the idea of peace as basis for transformation. “This is Nigeria “explores the idea of peace in transforming Nigeria and track how the unleashing of Nigeria’s potentials will affect its image and people’s perception now and in the near future. To experience change, we need a regenerated mind connected to positive thoughts of promoting peace. The power of positive thinking empowered people who left great legacies on earth. Positive thoughts and attitudes do not only make great people, but also great nations.

    • Comrade Ogbu Ameh Alexander,

    Abuja

     

  • We’ll transform education, says Wike

    Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike has said the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration would improve the quality of education in the country.

    The minister spoke in Kaduna yesterday at the opening of the Third National Teachers Summit for Education Stakeholders.

    He said education is the key to the realisation of the government’s Transformation Agenda.

    “Education is at the heart of Mr President’s Transformation Agenda and no effort will be spared in making it a reality.

    “The Executive is passionate and committed to leaving a legacy of transforming Nigeria.”

    Wike urged stakeholders to support the administration’s efforts at reviving the sector.

    The minister hailed the management of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) for programmes aimed at improving the qualiity of teachers.

    He said the summit would help to improve the quality of teachers.

    The theme of the summit is: “Enhancing Teacher Education Quality and Professional Development”.

  • Akeredolu ‘ll transform Ondo, says Fashola

    Akeredolu ‘ll transform Ondo, says Fashola

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday said he is optimistic that Ondo State will witness a rapid transformation in all sectors, if the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) standard bearer, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, is voted into office on October 20.

    Akeredolu will create employment opportunities for youths, he said.

    He said the masses are lamenting that the Olusegun Mimiko administration has failed to provide the basic amenities.

    Fashola, who spoke at the ACN State Secretariat in Akure during a prayer session organised by the Muslim chapter of the party, assured the indigenes that the ACN government would not betray them.

    The Lagos State Governor described Akeredolu as a trustworthy person, adding that he defended them at the election tribunals because of the injustice by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said Akeredolu was part of the team that retrieved the mandate of the party from the oppressors.

    He said: “I’m glad to be in this state today to canvass for votes and mobilise the people to support ACN and its candidate, Akeredolu. He has demonstrated that he is capable of wiping away tears from the eyes of the masses because in the past he fought for injustice and defended the masses. He led the legal team that restored the stolen mandates of the Ekiti, Osun, Edo and Ondo governors.

    “He will never betray the people and the party. Ondo people will smile during his tenure. Today, ACN remains the only party that has changed the lives of the masses in the country. I hope you are aware of the transformation projects already executed in Lagos, what Governor Adams Oshiomhole is doing in Edo. At present, Ekiti State is witnessing rapid transformation. I am delighted that my neighbour, the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has built a bridge and a six-lane road. None of these states has the resources Ondo has.

    “The current administration in the state has enough resources to change the living standard of the masses, but it has failed to do so. The governor has failed to provide jobs for the youths.

    “I was disappointed when I read in a newspaper that the ruling Labour Party government promised to revamp the moribund industries in the state, if the people vote for him. My question is, what has he been doing in the last three and a half years? This is political propaganda. ACN will never make a promise without fulfilling it.

    “Ondo has oil, gas and cocoa. This state is the pillar of cocoa production in the Southwest. As at now, the state should have been producing chocolates for export. By initiating this, there will be employment opportunities for the people. “In Lagos, we have engaged our people through the creation of jobs. Over 7,000 people have been employed at the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), 17,000 people have benefited from our skill acquisition programme and they are now independent, feeding their families. I don’t know why Ondo’s own is different.

    “ACN under the leadership of Akeredolu, popularly called Aketi, will revamp the moribund industries established by the leaders of our party such as the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Adebayo Adefarati. Akeredolu will never betray you, he is committed to the development of the state and I am sure during his regime, Ondo will witness rapid transformation because he knows the blueprint of the ACN. Our blueprint is transformation and creation of job opportunities for the people.”

    Akeredolu described Fashola as the “skipper of all ACN Governors,” adding that it was his achievements in Lagos that created the channel which ACN used in taking over other states in the Southwest.

    The ACN candidate, who was accompanied by his wife, Chioma, urged the party members to turn out en masse for the senatorial district rally that would come up in Ikare, Ondo and Ore from today.

    “After the senatorial campaign, please go back to your wards and units to mobilise the people to vote for the ACN on the election day,” Akeredolu said.

    The Chief Imam of Qaulieayah Central Mosque at Ore in Odigbo Local Government, Sheik Aliyu Balogun Ibrahim and Alfa Akintuyi Azeez Jamiu predicted victory for the ACN.

    They urged Akeredolu not to neglect the people if he wins the election.

    Dignitaries at the event included the Acting Chairman of the party, Chief Noah Adesoji, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, the Director-General of the Aketi Campaign Organisation, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, Ifedayo Abegunde and Joseph Ajatta.

    Others are Tayo Abidakun, Olatunji Oshati, the treasurer of the party, Ade Adetimehin, Femi Adekanmbi, the State Women’s Leader, Erelu Modupe Johnson and Youths’ Leader, Enas Mohammed.

     

     

     

     

  • Akeredolu: I’ll transform Ondo

    Akeredolu: I’ll transform Ondo

    •Akande decries youth unemployment

    The Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), yesterday promised to transform the state, if elected in the October 20 election.

    The ACN candidate assured the youths of getting 30,000 jobs in his first 100 days in office.

    He spoke at the B.T.O. Hall in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during his interactive session with youths, tagged: Ondo Youths for Change Forum.

    Akeredolu reaffirmed his promise to increase students’ bursary and give scholarships to students.

    He condemned the ruling Labour Party (LP) administration for not treating Ondo State students well, saying youths are the future of the country.

    The former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President assured the residents of brighter days ahead.

    A popular actress, Mrs Funke Akindele-Oloyede (aka Jenifa), who spoke as a youth ambassador, said Ondo State must be liberated from the clutches of the ruling Labour Party (LP).

    Award-winning musician, Akande Abolore (aka 91ce), entertained the guests.

    ACN National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande blamed the problems militating against development of Nigerian youths on bad leadership.

    He decried the neglect of Ondo State youths, saying they are the future of the country.

    Akande, who was represented by the party’s National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, blamed the rising youth unemployment in the country on bad governance.

    He said: “While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not creating jobs at the federal level, the LP in Ondo State has also failed to provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state.”

    The former Osun State Governor urged the youths to ensure that their votes count in the October 20 election.

    He advised them to allow ACN take over the governance of the state after the election, to usher in youth-oriented projects, as obtained in other ACN states.

    A member of the National House of Assembly, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who anchored the interactive session, decried the underdevelopment of the Sunshine State.

    She urged the residents to embrace ACN as it moves its development agenda across the country.

    The state Youth Leader, Comrade Mohammed Enas, emphasised the importance of the event.

    He said the time has come for a turning point for Ondo State youths.

    Enas said: “This is a historical landmark and a turning point for the youths to redefine and reposition ourselves in the task of challenging the pervading hopelessness and high unemployment among our youths.

    “In the last four years, the well-being of youths in Ondo State have been relegated to the background by the present government, to the extent that we are only deemed fit to be used as thugs for electioneering purposes while our counterparts in other states, under the governance of our party, are progressing.”

    At the event were: Wale Akinteriwa, Prince Adegboyega Adedipe, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, Abegunde, ACN state Chairman Mr. Adesoji, Comrade Ayo Adewale, Kehinde Bamigbetan.

    Others are: Asiwaju Solidarity Group, Action Youth Movement, Ondo Less Privileged Group, Mr Segun Mayegun, Mr Femi Adekanbi, Erelu Modupe Johnson, Mr Adegboyega Adefarati and Comrade Sola Iji.