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  • Usman renders account of stewardship

    Usman renders account of stewardship

    •  By Sofiyyah Abubakar and Sherifdeen Amusa

    Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Prince Usman Hamzat, has given an  account of his stewardship.

    Hamzat spoke at a briefing to commemorate his three years in office.

    According to him, residents should be kept abreast of efforts by the council to make the community a better place.

    He highlighted some of his achievements under HEEDS Agenda – Health and Environment, Education and Technology; Empowerment of the Youth, Women and the Aged; Development of Infrastructure; Sustainable Initiatives and Good Governance and distribution of palliatives to indigenes.

    He said the agenda was to improve the standard of life of the people.

    Hamzat said his administration had provided free medical check-ups and drugs for residents through medical outreaches.

    He also stated that his administration had completed the construction of 36 roads with another 16 ongoing ones.

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    The council boss stated that many schools had been renovated with distribution of free educational materials to teachers and pupils. Scholarships were also given to some pupils

    He said the council held empowerment programmes bi-monthly and procured tools for trainees for business start-up.

    The council boss stated that his administration has collaborated with Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the area of Entrepreneurial skills and technical exchange.

    According to him, food and cash have been distributed to residents.

    “We engaged in training of farmers and empowerment them. Our administration is making efforts to change the negative perspectives of people about the grassroots government. I advised people to always carry the government along in any aspect that needs attention in the community,” he said.

  • Usman, Okediran, others become NAL’s fellows

    Usman, Okediran, others become NAL’s fellows

    • By Evelyn Osagie and Oluwashindara Oso

    The Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) Dr. Bukar Usman and Dr Wale Okediran have been nominated as Honorary Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL).

    Dr. Usman is the founder of Dr. Bukar Usman Foundation and President of Nigerian Folklore Society; while Dr. Okediran is the current Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA).

    According to NAL’s President, Prof. Sola Akinrinade, the Honorary Fellowship is the highest honour that the Academy bestows on deserving non-members who have made significant contributions to the development of the Arts and Humanities generally in the country.

    Both writers, who were honoured with this feat based on their invaluable promotion of the Arts and Humanities, will be joining the company of great Nigerians like Bishop Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah; Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary; late Gamaliel Onosode among others on this echelon.

    Along with the two writers, other overseas fellows for 2024 are Prof. Abiodun Salawu, Prof. Emerita Omofolabo A. Ajayi-Soyinka and Prof Hakeem Ibikunle Tijani.

    The congratulatory letter, signed by Prof. Akinrinade, partly read thus: “On behalf of the Executive Committee, Fellows and Members, I bring you warm greetings from the Nigerian Academy of Letters. At its meeting of July 4, 2024, the Executive Committee approved your nomination as an Honorary Fellow (Hon.FNAL) of the Nigerian Academy of Let-ters.

    “The Honourary Fellowship is the highest honour that the Academy bestows on deserving non-members who have made significant contributions to the development of the Arts and Humanities generally in the country…. We are glad you will be joining this company of great Nigerians.

    “I sincerely appreciate the honour done to me and wish to thank your good self, executive committee, fellows, and mem¬bers of the esteemed Academy for finding me fit and proper person for this singular recognition. God willing, I intend to honour the invitation to attend the inves¬titure as scheduled at the Univer-sity of Lagos on August 8, 2024.”

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    In his response to the nomination letter, Okediran appreciated the gesture and promised to honour the invitation.

    Usman is best described as a moving encyclopedia. Usman, the former permanent secretary in the Presidency is, unarguably, one of the greatest writers of his generation in Africa. He has published more than 40 books in English and Hausa languages in such areas as children’s literature, short story books, public policy matters, and security guide, among others.

    Okediran is an author of 14 novels many of which are on the reading list of some universities, the film adaptation of one of his Tenants of The House has completed a successful run on the NETFLIX global streaming platform.

    Okediran, a medical doctor, is a past president of the Association of Nigerian Authors, a former member of the Nigerian Parliament and currently an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria.

    In 2010, Okediran established the Ebedi International Writers Residency in Iseyin,  Oyo, Nigeria for the free use of writers in need of a conducive environment to complete their works. Since its inception, the Residency has hosted 300 writers from 12 African countries.

    The investiture for the conferment of the fellowship will be held on August 8, at the University of Lagos while the Fellow’s Night will hold on August  7, by 7pm at the Functions Room of the University of Lagos Guest

  • Chimaev issues chilling warning to Usman at UFC 294

    Chimaev issues chilling warning to Usman at UFC 294

    Khamzat Chimaev has issued a brutal signal of intent at the pre-fight UFC 294 press conference yesterday to Kamaru Usman, who stepped in on 10-day notice to replace Paulo Costa and take on ‘Borz’, going back and forth with tomorrow’s opponent on stage in Abu Dhabi.

    Usman said: “It’s my will against his. When we get in there, it’s like Sean Strickland says, we’ll do the man dance. With my will up against his, we’ll see who is going to unravel first.”

    And Chimaev offered a cold response, saying: “I’m not here for dancing, I’m here to kill somebody. That’s the difference here. I’m not dancing in the cage. I’ll come and smash your face, bro. Sorry.

    “I don’t care, hard or easy fight (After Costa withdrawal). I’m here to win, smash that guy, take my money, be happy, do something else.”

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    Much of the debate swirling around the fight focuses on whether Chimaev can find the same kind of success with his incredible grappling against someone as defensively sound as Usman.

    The ‘Nigerian Nightmare’, who denied injuring himself at the open workouts, pointed out that the fight will be about more than just one discipline.

    He said: “We’re not wrestling on Saturday, we’re fighting. So whether it’s mountain wrestling or Swedish wrestling it doesn’t matter. We’re going to step in there and mix it up.

    “I’ve said it before. I may not be the best striker or the best grappler but when it comes to mixing it up, I’m the best in the world.”

    Chimaev then interjected: “That’s why you’ve lost, yeah? If you are the best, how have you lost? Last two fights you lost.

    “S**t happens, that’s life, but I guess that’s a lesson you’re going to learn,” Usman replied.

    Chimaev countered: “I don’t think you can teach me anything, you’re too old for that now. You should start to be a coach, it would be healthy for you.”

    Usman comes into the fight as the underdog, which is of little surprise given the late notice, his opponent’s undefeated record and the fact he’s moving up to middleweight for the first time.

    But the man who reigned supreme at welterweight for so long, before two defeats by Leon Edwards, will be desperate to show he can still mix it with the best and set himself up for a potential title shot against Strickland next year.

  • Fed Govt to evaluate ministers quarterly, says Bala-Usman

    Fed Govt to evaluate ministers quarterly, says Bala-Usman

    The Federal Government has said it will begin a quarterly assessment of its ministries as from January.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, announced this yesterday when she appeared on a TVC News breakfast show monitored by The Nation.

    The presidential aide said the assessment would be among measures to check the performance of the ministries, which would culminate in an annual scorecard.

    She said when the assessment begins in January, all ministries would have received their 2024 budget and they would be able to clearly follow the roadmap that has been so defined within the context of their deliverables.

    Bala-Usman said before the January quarterly assessment, there would be a cabinet retreat early next month, which President Bola Tinubu and members of his cabinet would attend.

    The presidential aide explained that at the end of the meeting, everyone would commit to the performance bond signed by each ministry.

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    She said every minister and permanent secretary would sign the performance bond which would detail what they expect their ministries to do within the 2024 budget cycle.

    Bala-Usman stressed that the performance bond would be used to track the performance of each minister.

    ·               The presidential aide said citizen engagement is a key aspect of what the current administration seeks to achieve and ensure that Nigerians participate in the assessments.

    The former Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) managing director also explained that for some of the clear submissions around deliverables that are project-based, the government would deploy a software where citizens can report back on what the Federal Government has committed to doing in 2024. 

    She said: “We are going to look at the best mechanism that we will use in ensuring that there is a citizen accountability metrics relating to non-project-based deliverables. Those are the areas we are looking at, having a full cycle of accountability, meaning that within the government, we have our consequence management framework.

    “The framework seeks to ensure that there are consequences for actions and inactions of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of government where they are unable to perform or deliver on deliverables that have been so agreed by themselves.

    ·               “It is important to note that there are other aspects of people’s deliverables that are tied to other sectors or MDAs. So, our job is to ensure that we de-bottleneck those areas to the extent that a ministry, for instance, has an area of its deliverable that is tied or has a direct linkage with another ministry.

    “So, our job is to ensure that we follow up with our sister ministry to ensure that we de-bottleneck those aspects of inter-relationships to make sure that there is synergy and that your own deliverable is also being looked at while recognising other aspects of deliverables.

    ·               “But primarily, we have an enhanced monitory framework and we have an enhanced M and E deployment. We are also going to deploy the consequence management framework, which will clearly define what it is that will attract a non-performance in terms of the grading of the key performance indicator…”

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  • Fans go wild over Usman, Chimaev fight

    Fans go wild over Usman, Chimaev fight

    • ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ accepts the bout with 10-day notice

    Kamaru Usman‘s late inclusion to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 has been greeted with plenty of fanfare.

    On just 10-day notice, the former welterweight champion is stepping up to replace Paulo Costa and take on the undefeated star.

    Costa has problems with an infection in his elbow that has required multiple surgeries, with Dana White confirming that he is out.

    And fans could hardly believe it when the co-main event went from one under threat of cancellation to a contest many feel is better than the one originally scheduled.

    One wrote: ‘I love seeing fighters like Kamaru Usman stepping up to take on the tough challenges! It’s what makes the sport so thrilling.

    “The fight against Khamzat is going to be absolutely insane! Can’t wait to see these two warriors go head-to-head in the octagon.”

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    Another posted: “This is going to be the biggest fight of the year (imo). Chimaev is no pushover whatsoever but never underestimate the dog that is in ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ Kamaru Usman because he is coming to fight at UFC 294. I favour Usman but don’t be surprised if Khamzat wins.”

    While a third added: ‘Short notice older fighter, moving up in weight against the young lion. This is an EXTREME uphill battle logically, still has to travel and get adjusted to Abu Dhabi as well.

    “I really want Kamaru Usman to win at all costs but this is going to be a tough one!”

    Dana White revealed the news in a clip he shared online, saying: “Costa is hurt, you know all the rumours flying around but we got it done.

    “So the No 4 welterweight in the world Khamzat Chimaev is moving up to middleweight and he will face the No 1 welterweight in the world Kamaru Usman. So No 1 vs No 4 at middleweight, Usman vs Chimaev, I will see you in Abu Dhabi.”

    Usman begins as the betting underdog which is hardly a shock given the late notice, calibre of his opponent and fact that he lost to Leon Edwards twice in his last two fights.

    But the former dominant champion will be desperate to show he is still a real threat at both 170-pound and now 185-lbs.

  • Usman pledges effective service delivery

    The Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman  has assured stakeholders of effective service delivery. She made the  pledge during a stakeholders meeting in Warri, Delta State

    Addressing over 300 stakeholders at the meeting, she promised to make the seaports world standard.

    Usman said the current management would do all within its powers to ensure that the Warri Port and all other seaports across the country lived up to expectations of the government, the stakeholders and the public in terms of service delivery and contributions to the growth of the economy.

    She praised the NPA staff in Delta Ports for sustaining the ports and solicited their support, urging them  to devise strategies for increasing the tempo of activities in the ports and raise revenue generation.

    Stakeholders expressed concern that the Delta Ports and other ports in the Eastern region, do not enjoy the patronage they deserve, even though majority of the importers are from the region. Usman, however, said her team was determined to reverse the trend with a view to making the port attractive for business.

    According to her, the meeting with the Executive Directors of the NPA was to enable them listen to their complains, and interact with the stakeholders and workers to address the challenges facing the ports.

     

  • Court to hear Fani-Kayode’s, Usman’s applications

    Court to hear Fani-Kayode’s, Usman’s applications

    Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday agreed to hear the pending applications by former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and former Minister of State for Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned them on a 17-count charge of laundering about N4.6billion. They pleaded not guilty.

    Defence counsel, including Norrisson Quakers (SAN) and Abiodun Owonikoko, had refused to cross-examine the first prosecution witness because of the pending applications.

    The defendants are challenging the court’s jurisdiction and are praying the judge to transfer the case to Abuja division.

    Ruling yesterday on whether or not to hear the pending applications, Justice Hassan said he would hear them since they were not challenging the “competence” of the charge.

    He held: “I have reproduced the relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, for purposes of clarity. Section 221 of the Act provides that an objection can be taken on the basis of an incompetent charge; Section 273 provides that an accused who pleads not guilty to a charge has submitted to the court’s jurisdiction.

    “It is also the law that after the plea of an accused has been taken, an objection can be raised at any time in relation to the charge before judgment. The law also provides that trial shall be from day to day with adjournment not exceeding five times.

    “From a close reading of these statutory provisions, it is clear that the pending applications are not on the competence of the charge but outside the scope of the ACJA, as the second defendant (Fani-Kayode) is apprehensive that he will not get fair trial.

    “In view of the foregoing provisions and on the basis of fair hearing and the interest of justice, I will take the three pending applications. But I must state that cross examination of PW1 does not amount to a waiver of jurisdiction,” he held.

    Fani-Kayode is praying the judge to decline jurisdiction and transfer the case to the court’s Abuja division.

    The former minister said Justice Hassan, who worked as a prosecutor at the Federal Ministry of Justice and later EFFC before his appointment as a judge, signed the charge against him when he was previously tried and acquitted by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia for money laundering

    Usman, with two pending applications, is praying the court to allow her to be tried separately from Fani-Kayode and for her trial to be transferred to Abuja for convenience.

    Justice Hassan adjourned until February 8 for hearing.

  • Why Nigeria needs men of integrity, by Usman, Ohiwerei

    Why Nigeria needs men of integrity, by Usman, Ohiwerei

    Former Minister of Finance Dr. Shamsudeen Usman has said Nigerians should imbibe integrity as a way of life.

    Usman spoke after  he was inducted with five others as Fellows of the  Society for Corporate Governance  Nigeria (SCGN) at its 2016 Presidential Dinner  and Induction  ceremony  in Lagos.

    At the event, 55 new members were inducted.

    Former Managing Director of  Nigeria Breweries Plc and inductee,  Mr. Felix Ohiwerei, regretted that integrity was being paid  lip service in the country, noting that Nigerians should make integrity a way of life.

    The ex-Managing Director of  Nestle Nigeria Plc and  President of the society, Chief  Olusegun Osunkeye,  described integrity of character  and accountable leadership as pillars of the society, which was established 11 year ago.

    He said the society remained  focused towards enhancing  programmes, in the development and promotion of corporate governance best practice in Nigeria.

    The inductees, he said,  were distinguished Nigerians, whose characters met objectives of the society.

    Other inductees include former  Managing Director of Red Star Express Plc and Skyway Aviation Handling Company  Limited (SAHCOL), Mr Isaac Orolugbagbe,  founder and Managing Director of JNC International Limited, Mrs. Clare Omatseye, Former  Deputy Governor of  Central Bank of Nigeria,  Mr Odozi Victor  and pioneer Vice–Chancellor  of Pan -African University,  Ajah, Prof Albert Alos.

  • Usman urges insurers to consolidate

    Usman urges insurers to consolidate

    Former Minister of National Planning , Shamsudeen Usman, has advised insurance operators to consolidate to grow the size of the industry.

    Shamsudeen, who is also a  former  Minister of Finance, made this known while addressing insurance operators at a forum in Lagos. He said the small size of the industry has hindered it from playing the role of a stabiliser in economic crisis.

    Citing reports from Augusto and Co., he said the balance sheet of all insurance companies is less than one third of one of the banks.

    According to him, there are certain characteristics of the insurance industry that actually make it more of a stabiliser, especially in times of economic crises like we are going through in the country.

    He said the ability of the sector to play the stabilising role depended on its size relative to the rest of the economy.

    He said: “Part of the reasons the Nigeria insurance industry has not played the stabilising role was because of the size of the industry. The balance sheet of all insurance companies is less than one third of one of the banks. This tells the issue of the size. I was a Deputy Governor in the Central Bank when the consolidation exercise happened with credit to former Central Bank Governor, Charles Soludo.

    “We went into a room and he made a presentation to the banking industry. Initially there was a lot of opposition. I remember when we were appointed to the CBN in 1999,  there were 907 banks. The total balance sheet of the 907 banks was less than one of the banks today. A 100 per cent of 1 is 1 while 10 per cent of 1000 is 100.  So do you prefer a 100 per cent of a tiny little thing or 10 per cent of a big thing, which can be 10 times the value of whatever you are getting?

    “I believe that the insurance industry itself has to be more forward looking into consolidation like it happened in the banking sector. Yes, many of you are afraid to lose your position of managing director, executive director of a small corner. But I think the industry will achieve more if you can come together and get bigger.”

    The former minister, however, said the industry has huge potential yet to be tapped.

    “The potential even from the point of view of the economics theory is that there is a strong link between the growth of an economy and the growth of the insurance industry. This has been a subject of many as even in the empirical studies in other countries, partly because of the role the industry plays in economic growth and stability through improving the investment climate and promoting more efficient volume and mix of activities. A number of researches have shown that there is a positive closer relationship between the industry and the wider economy,” he said.

     

  • Usman moves to Portugal

    Usman moves to Portugal

    CHAN Eagles midfielder, Usman Mohammed has joined Portuguese club Associacao Desportiva Sanjoanense on a two-year contract.

    The club are based in Sao Joao da Madiera and were founded in 1924.

    According to his agent Pedro, Usman has subsequently been loaned out to first division Uniao Madiera, where he will play alongside compatriot Shehu Abdullahi.

    Last season, the Sokoto-born star played for FC Taraba, who have since been relegated.

    Usman moves to Europe a free player after the League Management Company (LMC) declared Taraba players free following a huge backlog of salaries owed them by the Jalingo club.

    He is a versatile midfielder, who could play either as a defensive or offensive player.

    He has a good technique and he is full of running.

    He has been capped at U-23 and full international levels by Nigeria.