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Tag: Unity

  • Women discuss Igbo unity, girl-child at summit

    Women discuss Igbo unity, girl-child at summit

    The Southeast has been lagging behind, especially in unity. The situation has been a source of worry to the men. Women are only bothered about issues concerning the women folk which they discuss at the famous August Meeting. But there is a new thinking among some women under the aegis of Prominent Igbo Daughters who believe they can help the men to develop the Igbo nation. OKODILI NDIDI reports that the group held a summit at Owerri where it decided to complement the efforts of the men.

    In the yesteryear, Igbo women at home and in the Diaspora waited for one year before they come together to deliberate on issues affecting them. This was usually during the famous August Meeting.

    However, some prominent Igbo women reasoned that it was not right to wait for a year before they gather and discuss issues affecting them. They also reasoned that it was time Igbo women complemented the efforts of the men in moving the Igbo nation forward; not merely discussing matters that affect the women folk only.

    It was against this background that some Igbo women, under the aegis of Prominent Igbo Daughters converged on Owerri, the Imo State capital, to deliberate on how to complement the efforts of the men to move the Igbo nation forward. The summit, they said, does not indicate that the annual August Meeting has come to a dead end.

    For instance, the cultural glamour and grandeur which usually were features of the annual August Meeting didn’t reduce by any inch; rather they became serious tools for social and political agenda-setting for the Igbo nation.

    This much came to the fore during the grand finale of the summit held at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC) Owerri, the Imo State capital in November where a large number of successful and influential Igbo women both those in the country and in the Diaspora converged to brainstorm on the challenges confronting Ndigbo.

    Like their male counterpart, the women deliberated on how to rise above the challenges that had held the Igbo nation down and how to move forward as a people.

    Unlike what obtains in August Meeting which has been traditionally confined to villages and communities, and where a handful of women meet separately to discuss the peculiar challenges of their immediate environment, the summit by the Prominent Igbo Daughters comprised women from all walks of life who had the burning desire to help the men to develop the region. Women from the five states of the Southeast Zone came under one umbrella to discuss issues of common interest.

    Another significant feature of the summit, with the theme, “Looking at the Next Generation of Mothers”, was the leading role played by the wives of the Southeast Governors and the personalities that attended the summit.

    Among them were wife of Nigeria’s first Head of State, Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, Senator Joy Emordi, former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih, Senator Nkechi Wogu, Vivian Okadigbo, wives of Governors of Abia and Enugu states Nkechi Ikpeazu and Monica Ugwuanyi respectively, among others.

    Beginning with a courtesy call on the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha at the Government House, the women outlined their vision to complement the efforts of the men by contributing their quota in moving the Igbo nation forward.

    The women noted that having identified disunity among the Igbo leaders as the major impediment to the progress of Ndigbo, they have resolved to use their positions as wives and mothers to unite Ndigbo.

    Speaking on behalf of the women, wife of the Imo State Governor and chief host, Nneoma Okorocha, said they were compelled to initiate the venture by the love for Ndigbo in particular and the country in general.

    According to her, the resolve to tackle the challenges of the girl-child as the next generation mother as encapsulated in the theme of the summit, is as a result of the fact that “once you get it right with the girl-child, the society gets right”.

    Continuing, she said: “Most of the challenges the society is experiencing are as a result of the failure of mothers to inculcate the right moral values in their children. There is near-total failure of parenting. If you have children and they all grow up to be successful and responsible citizens, it as a result of the efforts of the mother. Also when you have children and they turn out to be robbers, kidnappers, terrorists and assassins, it is as a result of the failure of the mother.

    ”We are propelled by the love for the Igbo nation to converge and brainstorm on the way forward. We are here because as Igbo women, we have resolved to go back to the drawing board to get it right and if we must get it right, we must get the girl-child right.

    “We have decided to be pillars of support to our men and not sources of discouragement, so that we can contribute our quota to the development of the Igbo nation. As mothers, we should take responsibilities in building a better society by building our homes.

    “At present, Igbo women have decided to stand up and take the bull by the horn and the day has finally come when the Igbo nation will sing a new song.”

    Chairman of the occasion and former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, commended the women for taking steps to assist the men in making the Igbo nation better.

    He particularly commended the wives of the Southeast Governors for bringing Igbo women together under one umbrella to brainstorm on the challenges their region of origin is experiencing.

    Nwobodo also noted that the issue of the upbringing of the girl-child is critical to building a virile and successful nation.

    He said: “For Igbo women to gather to discuss the place of the girl-child is a confirmation of the fact that if there is any group that wants Nigeria to remain together, it is the Igbo.”

    Wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, in her goodwill message, assured that the Igbo women will continue to complement the efforts of the men in moving the Igbo nation forward.

    She praised the idea of gathering to discuss the challenges confronting the girl-child, stating that the development of the girl-child is a sure way to a better future.

    In a similar manner, wife of Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, emphasised the need for mothers to take responsibility in the upbringing of their children, especially the girl-child.

    She noted that as future mothers and society builders, priority should be given to the upbringing of the girl-child.

    Addressing the women earlier during a visit at the Government House, Governor Okorocha described the gathering of the women as what the Igbo nation has been waiting for to move forward.

    He said: “We the men have tried to balance the equation but this may be what we need to unite the Igbo nation. There is nothing a man can do without a good woman by his side and where we the men have failed as a result of ego, the women should fix it.

    “It is time that our men began to recognise the place and role of women in nation-building. Nigeria is waiting for the Igbo and we must start to get it right and I see this gathering of the women as a necessary thing to do.”

    The event was also a cultural renaissance of a sort as participating states used the event as a showcase for their different cultural dances which held the audience spellbound.

  • Tinubu preaches unity ‘for the good of party, progressive ideals’

    Tinubu preaches unity ‘for the good of party, progressive ideals’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday congratulated Ondo State Governor-elect Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu.

    In a statement he personally signed, the former Lagos governor and Jagaban Borgu said:

    “Following the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with regard to the governorship election in Ondo State, I extend congratulations to Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN on the outcome of the election and for his perseverance and persistence in seeking that office .

    “I must also  congratulate the  people of Ondo State for their generally exemplary conduct on election day and for demonstrating their will to shun the regressive politics of yesterday by  returning to the  progressive brand of politics that has been the trademark of the people of that state.

    “I congratulate all party members in the state, particularly the party leadership in the Southwest.

    Finally, I must express  profound congratulations to President Muhammadu Buhari, the national leader of the party, whose stature and dignity helped guide the APC to another victory that should advance the progressive aims of the party and the people.

    “To all the people and parties in Ondo, your election has been had and held. Now is the time that all must  work for the continued development, prosperity and peace of your state and  our beloved country.

    “I appeal to all party members including  those who have been disaffected from the primary until today to come together for the good of our   party and its progressive ideals.”

  • Tinubu Congratulates Akeredolu. Urges Party Unity Going Forward.

    Tinubu Congratulates Akeredolu. Urges Party Unity Going Forward.

    Following the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with regard to the governorship elections in Ondo State, I extend congratulations to Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN on the outcome of the election and for his perseverance and persistence in seeking that office .
    I must also  congratulate the  people of Ondo State for their generally exemplary conduct on election day and for demonstrating their will to shun the regressive politics of yesterday by  returning to the  progressive brand of politics that has been the trademark of the people of that state.
    I congratulate all party members in the state, particularly the party leadership in the Southwest.
    Finally, I must express  profound congratulations to President Muhammadu Buhari, the national leader of the party, whose stature and dignity helped guide the APC to another victory that should advance the progressive aims of the party and the people.
    To all the people and parties in Ondo.  Your election has been had and held. Now is the time that all must  work for the continued development, prosperity and peace of your state and  our beloved country.

    I appeal to all party members including  those who have been disaffected from the primary until today to come together for the good of our   party and it’s progressive ideals.

    -Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

    Jagaban Borgu.

  • Ambode hailed on peace, unity

    Ambode hailed on peace, unity

    The Igbo community in Lagos has praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for maintaining peace and cordial relationship among the diverse ethnic groups that reside in the state.

    Describing Lagos State as the microcosm of the entire country, the Igbo community, speaking through the Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu and his Council of Chiefs, said since assumption of office, Ambode has regarded and treated everyone, irrespective of religious and ethnic leanings, as Lagosians.

    They spoke at the Lagos State Igbo Community Centre, Okota area of Lagos on Sunday while appraising the success of this year’s New Yam Festival celebration held on Saturday, October 29.

    The Eze and his Chiefs expressed their happiness that the Governor identified with Ndigbo during the celebration by sending high-powered delegation to represent him, even as they saluted his wife, Bolanle for also sending a powerful delegation to represent her.

    They were of the view that “the gesture indicates that the Igbo and other non-indigenes have got a home away from home in Lagos State.”

    They urged Ndigbo to ensure that the cordial relationship existing among them and owners of the land continued. They also implored them to obey the laws of the land and remain obedient to the government in power.

    “The All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in Lagos State has demonstrated the ability to care for all, irrespective of ethnic or religious inclinations. It is therefore necessary that the gesture be reciprocated by all through being law-abiding and respectful to constituted authority in Lagos State. There is also the need for all residents of Lagos State to love one another in order to ensure that Ambode’s plans for all are realised,” they said.

    They Eze and his Council of Chiefs also praised the sterling qualities of Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu who ensured that he was represented by two powerful members of his Oba’s Council and many White-cap Chiefs. They noted that “even though Oba Akiolu was not in the country, yet he sent people to represent him. That was a show of magnanimity which also indicates that he is a man who relishes peace, unity and friendship.” They wished him more rewarding reign on the throne.

    They also thanked many dignitaries who attended the fiesta. They included Most Rev. Dr MVC Iheanachor, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Lagos, Mr Joe Igbokwe, the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike; a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Idimogu; Chief (Mrs.) Roseline Idimogu; High Chief Oloye Nurudeen Olobiyi Agoro; the Ezeudo 1 of Nsukka land, High Chief Henry Ejiofor Ugwu; Lagos State Chairman and Deputy National President of Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria, and the Omepuruoha Ndigbo, Alhaji Chief Musa Muhammed; Chief Martin Onovo of National Conscience Party (NCP); Chairman Planning Committee and the Okwuruoha Ndigbo of Lagos, Chief Innocent Nwankwo; Eze Igbo Oshodi/Isolo LGA Eze Frank Atuzie; Eze Igbo of Oshodi Eze Reuben Ibe; Okwe Dakara Orji of Okporo Orlu LGA, Prince Cyprian Ibenye-Ugbala Onyeoma; Chief Victor Okoro; Chief Emmanuel Utah; Ikpah James (Nkuku 11) and Chief George Etukudo, among others.

     

  • KSA, 2Baba, others promote unity at The Supremacy Concert

    KSA, 2Baba, others promote unity at The Supremacy Concert

    In celebrating Nigeria’s 56th independence anniversary, The Supremacy Concert, an initiative of the Main Group and the finale of the much talked about Made-in-Nigeria Festival attracted music fans from far and near to the Eko Atlantic in Lagos.

    Leading the pack of entertainers was the living legend, King Sunny Ade, who recently clocked 70. KSA, wearing a Made-in-Nigeria bespoke Atiku outfit, sent the crowd into nostalgia by bringing back his evergreen songs back-to-back. Next to perform was Innocent Idibia popularly called 2Baba, who thrilled the crowd, decked in a native Akwa-Ibom outfit. He went on to reel out his hit songs from Implication to For Instance and more, a move that left the crowd asking for more. 2Baba didn’t disappoint his fans as he also performed his new single Officially Blind which was chorused by the fans throughout the period he performed.

    In between these performances, one of Nigeria’s foremost DJs, DJ Jimmy Jatt, was on hand to deliver judgment on the wheels of steel at the concert.

    Also mounting the stage was internationally recognised singer and entertainer Asa, who wore her trademark Nigerian fabric blouse while performing at the event. She literally blew away everybody, she performed hits from all her albums such as Bibanke, Akinyele, Mama mi, Satan be Gone, 360 and others. She also reminded everyone present how much of a good guitarist she is as she latched on to her guitar playing old songs much to the singing delight of all present there.

    The Koko Master Dbanj came on stage in dramatic fashion after his ‘Hype man’ Jimmie, engaged the crowd in wild chants to welcome the emergence of the Ejanla.

  • Ijaw students seek unity, end to vices

    Ijaw students seek unity, end to vices

    The umbrella body of Ijaw students, the National Union of Izon-Ibe Students (NUIS), Worldwide, is calling for the promotion of unity among the leaders and youths of the Ijaw nation. To achieve common goals, the youths insist that people should bury their differences and work together as an indivisible entity.

    The newly-elected National President of NUIS, Mr. Seifere Saviour, said the union frowned on vices and advised youths to shun violence, political differences and cultism.

    “Despite our differences, if we must thrive in a region as rich as ours, then unity is paramount. Let us shun violence, political differences, cultism and plunge ourselves into the revolution of a united and tranquil rich region”, he said.

    Speaking to Niger Delta Report shortly after the inauguration of NUIS leadership, Saviour called on Ijaw students to embrace unity for speedy liberation of minds and environment.

    He harped on education as a tool for development and said his leadership would carry out a sensitisation and reorientation campaign tagged, “Our Izon Ibe, Our Future”.

    He said the campaign was designed to secure the future of students, Ijaw land and posterity. According to him the campaign would cut across all tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools in the Niger Delta region.

    He said: “We want to sensitize our people that education and unity is key to the many problems of our region. Though demanding, the task is mandatory and as I speak thousands of stickers and many other materials had been printed for dissemination of this message of liberation”.

    He lamented the bitting poverty in the region and said hundreds of brainy students were forced to drop out at various academic stages because they were unable to pay their fees. He said even some ongoing scholarship programmes had been suspended for mediocrity.

    He, however, appealed to spirited individuals and philanthropists to assist indigent Ijaw students by laying their fees. He seized the opportunity to commend Mr. Gabriel Jonah, and Jonah’s assistant on student affairs for his magnanimity towards helpless students.

    He said: “I hereby wish to call on all well-placed Niger Delta leaders to emulate the character of Hon.Gabriel Jonah by supporting students in all ramifications, because students are the bedrock of the society.

    “On a final note, the Izon-Ibe students union is the only students union body in the entire Izon-Ibe that is saddled with the responsibility of guiding and protecting the interest of Izon students both in Nigeria and in the diaspora.

    “I, therefore, call on all Izon-Ibe students to embrace the union.  Let me reiterate my stand that unity is key and all students of Izon-ibe should support this course.

    “I also want to bring to the notice of the Federal Government, Governors of the Niger Delta states, the NDDC, multinationals and others that the Ijaw nation is in dire need of education,” he said.

  • Fees hike sparks row at Unity College

    Fees hike sparks row at Unity College

    As schools resume next Monday for a new session, the Federal Government College (FGC), Jos, may run into a storm. Parents are spoiling for a showdown with the school for alleged unilateral introduction of new levies and workers are angry over the suspension of their duty tour allowance (DTA), AMINU IDEGU writes:

    Parents and workers are spoiling for a showdown with the management of the Federal Government College (FGC), Jos, the Plateau State capital, ahead of the school’s resumption for a new session on Monday.

    The parents are tackling the Principal, Mrs Assani Dinatus for alleged unilateral introduction of levies. They are demanding a reversal of the charges and her resignation.

    Besides, there are talks of another industrial action by workers who are angry about the suspension of their duty tour allowance (DTA) and other allowances which they were enjoying before Mrs Dinatus assumed duty last year.

    Before the school went on the vacation in July, management wrote parents, informing them of the new fee regime. In some cases, some levies were increased by 100 per cent, in others, new levies were introduced.

    For instance, boarding fee, which was N8,000 is now N15,000; utility fee, rose from N1000 to N3000.  Society/club fee jumped from N250 to N500, sports went from N250 to N500.

    Pupils are also expected to deposit N12,000 for textbooks, and N3,000 for exercise books. Management also introduced a security fee of N1000, and N3,000 for website/e-result. Insurance fee is put at N5000, totalling N32,200 per pupil.

    Parents described the charges as “outrageous” and “exploitative” and registered their grievances against what they termed “300 per cent hike in school fees”.

    A week ago, the parents marched through major streets in Jos and took their grievances to the Plateau State House of Assembly, the Government House and the Palace of the Da Jacob Gyang Buba.

    According to the protesters, they embarked on the march to draw the Federal Government’s attention to their plight before schools resume for a new session next week. The parents’ grouse was contained in a letter signed by Olusegun Adebayo and titled: “Complaint on the hike in school fees and other charges in the Federal Government College Jos”.

    The protesting parents also carried placards with inscriptions such as, “Parents say no to hike in school fees in FGC”; “What is the fate of tomorrow’s leaders?”; “We say no to impunity”; “Parents say no to N12,000 deposit for textbooks”; “PMB save our school from total collapse; and “300 per cent hike in school fees of Unity Schools unacceptable”.

    To management, the measure is a step to raise funding via internally generated revenue (IGR), in accordance with the government’s directive to Unity Schools to seek ways of sourcing for additional funds to run their affairs.

    About 18months ago, parents passed a vote of no confidence on Dinatus’ predecessor Muhammed Kudu Manko, accusing him of high handedness, corruption and keeping them in the dark about the true state of the school.

    Mrs Dinatus, who had a hand in Manko’s transfer is facing what her perdecessor faced.

    “She was one of the parents at that time, but at the same time she was an Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Education,” noted a parent, Mr Clarus Mathew.

    He continued: “She joined other parents in kicking out the last principal. When she was posted as the principal last year, we, parents, were happy since she was part of the struggle, but we never knew she would do worse; that is why we are most disappointed as parents, and we are ready to chase her away just as we did to her predecessor.”

    Another parent, Mr Uchena Okoye, who has two children in the school, said: “This is supposed to be a Federal Government College, but the principal is running it like her private school. When she came, she refused to work with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) executive. She connived with some parents to form another parallel PTA.

    The Nation investigation revealed that teachers and other workers in the school have not been working in concert since Mrs Dinatus mounted the saddle last year.

    A worker, Mr Simeon Awolabi, told our reporter that the morale of many workers is low.

    He said: “Most teachers and non-teaching staff have lost interest since this woman came. The school is now in darkness because the woman refused to make use of the standby power generator. As soon as PHCN takes power, the whole school is in darkness, including staff quarters.”

    A teacher, who pleaded not to be  named said they were also victims of the fee increase.

    “We, the staff, are not also happy with the new charges because our children are also pupils in the school; that means we will all suffer the increase, hence we are in support of the protest by parents.”

    The teacher continued: “This principal is a unionist; she is the treasurer of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCN); so she prefers to work with the school union which is made up virtually junior staff. She refused to work with directors and senior staff, and that is part of her problem. She takes unilateral decisions and does not consult any director in most of the management’s decision.”

    Investigation revealed that parents are working at cross purpose. Shortly before Mrs Dinatus came on board, the PTA had been dissolved for alleged corruption and a caretaker committee constituted. The PTA executive challenged its dissolution in court. The caretaker committee has been in place for over a year.  This development  may have given management the impetus to introduce the charges.

    Contacted on phone Mrs Dinatus denied knowledge of the protest. “I’m not aware of any protest,” she told our reporter and hung up.

    A director in the school, who pleaded not to be mentioned, defended Mrs Dinatus.

    According to the source, Unity Schools nationwide were cash strapped, and FGC Jos was no exception. The new measure by FGC Jos was a means of jacking up the school’s internally generated revenue, the source explained.

    “Look, my friend,” said the source, “the principal appears too weak to handle intricate internal problems most of which she inherited.

    “Like most of the increase they (parents) are talking about, the decision to increase school fees from N7,000 to N15,000 was taken by all principals of Unity Schools and the Federal Ministry of Education. She did not initiate that one on her own, it was a national thing. Then the other charges the parents are complainings about are just a way to look inward to generate funds because it is obvious the government has no money to run the school. The government has advised various schools to look inwards and generate funds, and that is what she is doing.”

    The director continued: “Now the major reason she did not carry parents along was because she inherited an already factionalised PTA. There was a substantive PTA, which tenure had expired. There is also a caretaker committee that has also remained for over one year now. So, there is virtually no way she could work with parents given these inherent problems.

    “As for me, I’m not blaming the principal. I’m rather blaming the Federal Ministry of Education.  I’m  faulting the PTA national body for failing to solve the problem within the Jos chapter for over a year. This principal needs an organised body of parents to work with for the progress of the school. Again, if the Federal Government is providing necessary funds to run the school, the principal has no business introducing new charges.”

     

  • Octogenarian preaches peace, unity at birthday

    Octogenarian preaches peace, unity at birthday

    The spacious auditorium of Bishop Adelakun Howells Memorial Church, Anglican Communion Lagos was filled to its capacity. It was the venue of the 80th birthday celebration of Pa Daniel Onaolapo.

    The beautiful rendition by the choir threw those in attendance in ecstasy.

    To some, the birthday celebration was an honour to a patriotic and God-fearing man. At 80, Daniel Onaolapo still advocates for both spiritual and social well-being of the common man. He stressed the need for the country to be united; a feat he said was achievable if people could give their lives to God.

    Even before the church service which was scheduled for 12 noon that day, people had already filled the auditorium. Men and women, old and young alike dressed in attire to suit the mood

    The officiating ministers: Rev. Ekpeyong Bassey, Rev. Jaiyeola Edu, Rev. Tunde Ogungbe, Rev. Canon Albert Agbaje, Ven. (ASP) Moses Adekola and assistant priests; Ven. Olusegun Onafeso, Vicar and other priests were also present.

    Others included most Rev Adebayo Akingbe, Archbishop of Lagos Province and Bishop of Lagos Mainland Diocese.

    Onaolapo said his involvement in the activities of the church and society was to restore lost souls, adding that his passion for evangelism was divine.

    “I had always been in the Bible Study Group organisation of House Fellowships, Evangelism, Vigil and Prayer Group,” he said, adding he was also one-time Chaplain of the Society of Christ Youth Followers (CYF).

    Narrating his encounter with Christ in 1999, he had attended many discipleship training courses and conferences; including Great Commission Movement, Calvary Ministries, Lagos Anglican Seminary and Equipping the Saints World-Wide Ministries’ African Mission School of Discipleship

    “I had always been involved in church matters as much as I could through the grace the Lord had bestowed on me. However, I have always found relief and succour in church matters. I had a lot of spiritual development at OBBH School; Oyo, “he said.

    He said he joined Bishop Adelakun Howells Memorial Church (BAHM) in 1966, where he worshipped till now. He became a member of CYF, one of the foremost societies in the church.

    He founded the Driver’s Fellowship in the church; a body he described as an important but less appreciated group in the society.

    He said the fellowship was to cater for both spiritual and material well-being of the group, adding that it gave a sense of belonging to carry every one along, including the truck pushers, brick layers, market men and women.

    He urged government and religious leaders to live up to their responsibilities in ensuring the good of the common man.

  • Emancipation Day: Aregbesola calls for African unity

    Emancipation Day: Aregbesola calls for African unity

    The Emancipation Day Celebration was recently held in  Ghana. Participants for the annual event converged on different parts of the world, especially from America and the Caribbeans .

    The activities were held in the cities of Accra and Cape Coast. This year’s programme highlights included wreath-laying ceremonies at  the Du Bois Centre for Pan African Culture,  George Padmore Library and Kwame Nkrumah Park in the heart of Accra.

    These three venues are the final resting places of three illustrious sons of Africa and Pan Africanists who lived, dreamt and worked together in Ghana to consolidate and solidify the emancipation, liberation and decolonization of Africa and the black race.

    The event was held under the auspices the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Creative Arts. The Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,  was the special guest and guest speaker for this year’s edition.

    Aregbesola, who arrived Ghana for the event, visited the Nigerian embassy. He later laid a wreath at the George Padmore Library and Kwame Nkrumah Park.

    At  the George Padmore Library, Aregbesola  was welcomed by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs. Elizabeth Agyari, and other Ghanian government officials. He later  lit the flame of freedom.

    Aregbesola also visited the  Nkrumah Park where he gave a short speech.  The Osun State Governor said it was  time for Africa to wake up early because it was getting too late,.

    According to him,  Africa lags behind other continents in development. Here, his main focus was on the African youths who engaged in drama and dance rich in  the African culture. After this, the governor and other participants walked into the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s mausoleum.

    The mausoleum is one of the top tourist sites in Accra. The interior was made of gold and fine marble befitting the first President of the Republic of Ghana.

    There are two statues in the park, the new one made of pure gold is a few metres away from the old one destroyed by soldiers as a result of Ghana’s first  coup d’état.  The destroyed Nkrumah statue broken into two has a story to tell. The bullet marks on the body speak volumes about the violent past of the country.

    The second day of the programme was at the former capital of Ghana called Cape Coast, a major tourist destination in Africa, blessed with one of the finest and best beaches around in Africa. It is the home of the famous Elmina Castle. Cape Coast attracts thousands of foreign tourists annually.

    At Cape Coast, Aregbesola delivered  an inspiring paper. Decked in all white  agbada attire , he delivered his paper in an auditorium filled to the brim with Africans and African-American audience.

    Among them were  Prof. Hamlet Maulana , an  African-American historian; Rabbi- kohain Halevi , the Executive Secretary of Panafest Intternational;  Mama Imahkus Njinga Okofu, CEO of One African Resort and Restaurant and Nana Kobina Nkatsia V, paramount chief of Essikodo.

    Mr. Kehinde Oluwafusho, who along with his twin brother, are Panafest representatives in Nigeria, took the stage to introduce the governor of Osun State to the audience, in his words. Kehinde described Ogbeni as a leader of leaders who drives the vision of others, a man of robust ideology, a strong and formidable Pan- Africanist , a strong advocate of the people’s culture who talks Africa, eats Africa  dreams Africa.

    Aregbesola, in his paper, took the audience through popular African proverbs, traditional songs, properly interpreted, interjected at intervals. Bob Marley’s freedom song; was interjected into his address.

  • Ogun shines as NUJ summit recasts Nigeria’s unity quest

    For three days, journalists from across the country gathered in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to brainstorm on the myriad of challenges facing Nigeria and proffer lasting solutions. It was the first National Media Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and critical segments of the society latched on to give their verdict.

    By all standards, the largest convergence of journalists on the Gateway State, the event with the theme “The Media and National Unity” also exposed the host state and its government to media critique and considerable scrutiny, especially in the area of socio-economic growth and infrastructural development.

    That the press played significant role in the political evolution of the country cannot be over-emphasised. From the nationalists struggle for independence to the Civil War era; military rule to eventual enthronement of democracy, the Nigerian journalists have been at the fore of championing noble cause of unity and cohesion.

    Despite cultural diversity and ethnic differences that sometimes threaten peaceful co-existence, the Nigerian media have always risen above primordial sentiment and kept faith with its watchdog responsibility.

    But it appears the press have subtly derailed and now joined the fray of national disintegration. Although media owners and professionals may not readily admit such failing, stakeholders and consumers of media practice have cogent reasons to believe journalists have taken sides lately by amplifying the discordant voices of dissent and division over and above the promoters of national integration and cohesion in the country.

    Taking into cognizance several factors, the summit opened up the journalists’ fold and allowed various assessors to freely touch on those things crucial to Nigeria’s unity vis-à-vis the role expected of members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm. The event was held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex, Abeokuta.

    The first day, August 16, shortly before the meeting formally opened, Governor Ibikunle Amosun received the NUJ National Executive led by its President, Comrade Waheed Odusile, at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta.

    Amosun was visibly happy to be host of the maiden edition of the media summit. He said the theme was “key and apt.” The governor noted that the journalists were at home since, historically, journalism had roots in Abeokuta with the advent of Iwe Irohin newspaper. He also recalled that two eminent journalists–late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo and Chief Olusegun Osoba– had once served as governors in the state.

    “Indeed, our greatness is in our diversity. The earlier we all come to the conclusion, the better. Yes, there may be differences. We should dwell more on those things that bind us together as against things that divide us. We are better as a united, indivisible nation,” he said.

    Describing journalism as “a very important profession,” Amosun challenged journalists to channel their energies and resources towards promoting the cause of unity and fighting corrupt practices in the country. He also said journalists should always be on their guard against forces that seek to take advantage of their profession for selfish ends.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo delivered keynote address at the opening ceremony. He was represented by former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Peter Okebukola. He urged journalists to place emphasis on investigative journalism and always set good, altruistic agenda for the nation.

    “One of the greatest countries of the world is the United States of America. It is also one of the most diverse in ethnicity, race and religion. Its greatness is rooted in its diversity which is being utilised to advantage and actively promoted by the American press. I believe we can learn a lot from them in this regard,” Obasanjo added.

    Apart from Amosun, Governors Akinwunmi Ambode and Abdulfatah Ahmed of Lagos and Kwara states respectively also delivered speeches. Ambode was represented by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, while Kwara State Commissioner for Information, Mahmud Ajeigbe, stood in for Ahmed.

    While expressing concern that the nation’s unity was under threat, Odusile said in his address that the media cannot afford to keep quiet and watch as agents of destruction attempt daily to tear the country apart.

    “We are bothered because we have a stake in this country as patriots, and considering the role the Nigerian press played in securing independence from our colonial masters, championed the cause of unity when we were threatened by civil war and enthroning the democracy that all are now enjoying, keeping quiet would amount to a disservice to the labour of our heroes past,” he said.

    The NUJ President, however, drew attention to the challenges and constraints facing Nigerian journalists, noting that the earlier such problems were addressed, the better for the country.

    “The media industry in Nigeria is in crisis,” Odusile said. “As I speak, many media houses are on their knees and struggling to continue as business concerns. The operating environment is so hostile.

    “Just as the media houses are struggling, the fortune of journalists is not improving either. Many media owners are defaulting in the payment of salaries to their workers with some in arrears of one year and above.

    “A journalist not paid by his employer for months is hungry and vulnerable to corruption and therefore, is a danger to the society. He could call black ‘white,’ depending on what is on offer. Make no mistake about it, this is unethical and the NUJ as a responsible professional body frowns at it, but our jobs are being made difficult by these debtor employers.”

    The second day August 17 was dedicated to summit presentations bordering on germane issues. The topics were “The Media and National Security;” “Financing the Economy for National Unity;” “Social Media and National Cohesion” and “Building a Strong Union.”

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, who was represented by Col. John Agim; former Director-General State Security Service (SSS), Col. Kayode Are (retd); former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh; as well as former NUJ Presidents, Mohammed Sani Zorro and George Izobo, were among the speakers.

    On the last day of the summit, a project tour of Ogun State was undertaken by the contingent of media professionals. They had a feel of the performance of the Amosun administration. The participants were conveyed round the three senatorial districts to physically experience some of the developmental projects executed by the governor.

    The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, led the team that toured projects in Ogun West Senatorial District. Places visited included the Ilo Awela Road, Iganmode Road, Oju Ore Roundabout, proposed flyover at Sango, Ahmadiyya Road and the newly refurbished Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government secretariat.