The Nation Newspaper

Tag: vital

  • Media vital for nation building -Mercy Ebuetse

    Media vital for nation building -Mercy Ebuetse

    Publisherof Shalom Truth Magazine (STM), Mercy Ebuetse, has called on media owners in the country to down play stories that promote violence and immorality in the society.

    She made the call during the launch of the magazine at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja Lagos State.

    Information Minister, Labaran Maku; Abia State Governor, Dr Theodore Orji and General Overseer of Faith Tabernacle, Bishop David Oyedepo, were duly represented at the ceremony which took place during the week.

    The publisher identified the need to save Nigerians from distasteful publications as her reason for establishing the magazine, saying: “We believe that in building a strong nation, the role of the media is very paramount. Therefore, stories that promote sex and other vices should not be encouraged by the media.

    “If you look through the media these days, all you find are daily reports of war, ritual killings, kidnapping, insecurity and other several unpalatable stories that are unhealthy for the consumption of an average Nigerian. STM seeks to play a refreshing role of shifting the mind of an average reader to issues that promote peace and development. We are out to celebrate life in its entirety, especially at this period where moral decadence breeds insecurity in our country.”

    She stated that the establishment is concerned about working with the government to build a virile nation, adding, “We are joining forces with the Nigerian government to ensure that we have healthy minds in the society, people that can stand intellectual discourse. We are also concerned about the growing rate of unemployment in our country and would try to contribute our quota towards reducing it.”

    The Covenant University graduate identified access to finance as a serious challenge to young entrepreneurs in the country and called on the federal government to address the challenge. “Institutions should be put in place to help out those who need assistance to birth their dreams. Those at the helms of affairs in the country should assist young entrepreneurs to grow in the overall interest of the nation and the people,” she said.

    Representative of Abia Sate Governor, Mao Ohuabunwa, lauded the publisher for her courage to float the magazine and encouraged other youths in the country to emulate her.

    “Mercy read engineering in the higher institution but has veered into publishing today. She didn’t stay at home waiting for when her dream job would come. I will encourage other youths to emulate her. We are planning to hold a youth summit in Abia State later in the year and would invite her speak to our youths,” he stated.

  • Staff vital to firm’s survival, says Sobanjo

    Staff vital to firm’s survival, says Sobanjo

    Chairman of Troyka Group Mr. Biodun Sobanjo started from a humble beginning to become a colossus in advertising. In this interview with ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI, he shares his principles on what can make or mar an organisation.

    Recently, you donated a building to the Mass Communication Department of the University of Lagos (UNLAG). What informed the donation?

    We are happy to have done that but it is not in our place to go to town with the news of it because, I don’t know of any group that is as represented in the area of marketing communications, on the support side as we do. We have about five or six companies offering marketing communication support and, to the extent that you are going to consistently draw your manpower from the universities and polytechnics. It is only proper for us to align with that kind of initiative so that was why I agreed but I told them that we have to move at my pace because I am not a moneybag; everybody signed up to that and we went to work. Really, it was something that we felt we needed to do and I am very pleased that we did it.

    What principles have shaped your life?

    In terms of principles, I don’t think there are any principles that are different from the ones that all successful entrepreneurs use. If you have a profession the first thing you need to understand is that the raw materials that you need for the sustainability of that profession is people. You need people, not just picking people from the street; they have to contribute knowledge and skills to the party. The knowledge you acquire from school if you went to a good school. Then you also need skills; skills you probably will not acquire until you get to work. What do we do? We do a combination of both because we recognise that we work in a knowledge environment. A man who is a marketing director of a multi-billion business project and needs to sell the things that he is churning out everyday needs the help of people who know how to connect the brand to the consumer. You may not have necessarily got that knowledge from school. It is our responsibility to teach you how you connect the consumer to the brand so from day one 20 years ago we identify that there is a gap so we must create a school, we must create an opportunity to teach. This was why we started the management training program. The programme is for fresh university graduates who go through it for one year for training. Literally, we are giving you money for that one year because you are in school. We are training them and by the time this boys and girls graduate they become management executives, account executives. If you went to the department of mass communication in any university, I doubt whether the students actually see the inside of Advertising agencies by the time they graduate not to talk of working in those agencies. Hardly can you go to any company in marketing where you do not find members of our alumni either those who came here as marketing trainees or those who joined us at the executive ladder and rose within the ranks. In any case, there is an association of social agencies in our profession and  today, three alumnus of Insight have headed the association and there is no agency that has that record. This shows the kind of impact that we are making in our industry.

    How has the founders helped to manage growth in Insight Communications?

    I think you have to understand the reason for Insight. Many years ago, I said if people can’t understand the dream they cannot have the dream. The company is 34 years old, it is no longer a small company; it went on a journey, a journey to establish itself as the most sought after marketing company in Nigeria.  If you have to be the most-sought-after, that means you have to have inherent capabilities and if you the drivers of the business were to find that those inherent capabilities are beginning to wane, it is now your responsibility to build those inherent capabilities as quickly as you can. Quote me, there is nobody from anywhere who interacts with the people (at Insight Communications) and not sees a difference. Only yesterday, a foreign top practitioner was in that office.

    The thing is, it is not difficult but it is also not easy; from day one there were values that were implanted there and whoever would takes over the company must consistently follow through those processes.

    One of it is that I cannot influence who is employed at Insight. We hire the best and it has to be competitive. It is possible that once in a while somebody may bend the rules but we pick it up because everything at the place is competitive; to progress is competitive. Even when that is done, the system will spot it along the line; so when you begin to come across as a laggard, somebody will ask, how did this person get in here. That is how we run our businesses, no exception this. So, it is ingrained in the system, it is part of our DNA. That explains the little success that we’ve had. It starts with the rules that you have set and then ensure that nobody will abuse the rules. We have set incredible standards for ourselves. The funny thing is we can do the same thing with this country; it just requires good leadership. Thirty-five years ago, I was the only management person and we ensured that we followed the rules. It is possible to run Nigeria like that.

     

     

  • ‘Primary education is vital’

    ‘Primary education is vital’

    The Affordable and Qualitative Education policy of the Ogun State Government is aimed at revamping the education sector, Commissioner for Information and Strategy Yusuph Olaniyonu has said.

    He said this while addressing pupils and staff of his alma mater, Oke-Ona Primary School, Ikereku in Abeokuta North Local Government Area, during an unscheduled visit to the school 36 years after he passed out.

    The commissioner, who described primary education as the greatest foundation, said the government would continue to make education a priority.

    He said: “The primary school is the greatest foundation that sustains a solid building, thus, I would not have become a commissioner today if I did not pass through this school.”

    Olaniyonu lamented the neglect of the school, which was established in 1900, by past administrations, noting that durable classrooms in the school were built by the Amosun administration.

    He said: “My visit to this school today is a homecoming. It is my first time of coming here since I passed out in 1978. As an old boy, I will exploit all avenues to assist the school.”

    The commissioner urged the pupils to be serious with their studies.

    Conducting Olaniyonu round the school premises, the Assistant Head Teacher, Mrs. Iyabode Oluga said the school lacked security and needed new classrooms and furniture.

  • Culture vital to history, say Awujale, Balogun

    The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, and the Olori Omoba of Ijebu, Otunba Subomi Balogun, have urged rulers to preserve the people’s cultural heritage.

    They said a people’s cultural heritage was “a sacred institution that should be protected”.

    The duo spoke in Ijebu Ode at the weekend at the inauguration of a multimillion naira Oba Adesimbo Tunwase Museum and Hall, facilitated by Balogun.

    Oba Adetona said the institution should be protected against brigands in the ruling house, “who intend to destroy the family’s peace and legacies.”

    Speaking on his “ordeal” with aggrieved members of the royal family, who filed a case to challenge Balogun’s position as the Olori Omoba of Ijebuland, the Awujale described the plaintiffs as ingrates.

    He said: “The royal family is a sacred institution, which should not be allowed to be polluted by charlatans. It is unfortunate that people with dubious character are finding their way into the royal institution and this has to be checked.”

    Balogun said a people’s culture is the only means to trace their history.

    He said many past rulers in Ijebuland were buried at the spot where the museum is situated.

    Balogun said an ancient crown, staff, books on the origin of Ijebu and the grave of the late rulers were preserved in the museum, adding: “People can travel from all over the world to the museum because there are many ancient and historical artefacts here.”

  • Primary education vital, says Aregbesola

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged his colleagues to be committed to implementation of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) programmes.

    He said this would improve the quality of primary education and give children access to basic education.

    Aregbesola was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, at the 11th quarterly meeting of the UBEC management with chairmen of the State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) in Osogbo.

    He urged governors to embrace UBEC’s Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) programme, which has been rebranded as O-Meals in Osun.

    Aregbesola said the programme improved enrolment in primary schools from 155,318 in May, 2012, to over 380,000 this year.

    He urged the Federal Government to assist states through UBEC by increasing funds for the meal from N98 million, saying it costs his administration N3.6 billion annually.

    Aregbesola, in his speech, titled: “Assuring and sustaining quality basic education delivery in Nigeria”, said UBEC programmes should be reviewed and implemented religiously.

    He said basic education should not be handled with levity, going by its role as the first exposure children get.

    Suggesting ways to improve primary education, Aregbesola called for the recruitment of professional teachers.

    Minister of Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike urged SUBEB to work with UBEC to improve education.

    He urged governors to pay their counterpart funds and use funds provided by UBEC for primary school development.

    UBEC Executive Secretary Dr. Dikko Suleiman said the meeting would enable UBEC to improve primary education.

    SUBEB Executive Chairman in Osun State Prince Felix Awofisayo listed some gains of the administration in Education as the recruitment of teachers, increase and prompt payment of running grants, prompt payment of teachers’ salary and building of fully equipped schools.

  • Vital bills passed by lawmakers

    Vital bills passed by lawmakers

    The House of Representatives was fairly busy in terms of the passage of bills and resolutions stemming from the consideration of motions. And for a Chamber in which only 100 members out of 360 were re-elected into the 7th House, the Aminu Waziri Tambuwal-led House, to most observers, has done well.

    For the year under review, the House considered and passed various bills on the review of the 1999 Constitution to the ad hoc Committee on the said review headed by the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha. Hearings in all the 360 federal constituencies were held in November to give room for grassroots participation and thus, make the review all-inclusive.

    Among the constitution amendment bills, is one seeking to vest control of Mineral Resources in states so that the states in which the resources are domiciled and not the Federal Government will have control over them. Another one seeks to vest control of Prison Services in the states.

    Another prominent but contentious bill that has passed second reading is “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of Legal, Fiscal and Regulatory Framework for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria and for Other Related Matters,” Known as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and an attached bill entitled, “A Bill Seeking to Establish an Oil Exploration Agency to Discover New Frontiers in Chad Basin, Benue Trough, Dahomey Basin, Imo Basin etc.” The bill was referred to a 23-member Special ad-hoc Committee headed by Ishaka Mohammed Bawa, the Chief Whip of the House.

    The committee which includes all the House Committees’ Chairmen and their Deputies also had Samson Osagie as deputy.

    A bill for an Act to prohibit marriage or civil union entered into between persons of same sex and solemnisation of same (also known as Same Sex Bill) also passed through second reading in the House despite threats and opposition from Western countries. The bill was presented by Majority Leader of the House, Mulikat Akande Adeola.

    Another contentious bill which has gone through public hearing is: A Bill for an Act to Amend the Central Bank of Nigeria (Amendment Bill) 2012. Two former CBN Governors and other stakeholders spoke against the amendment bill during the public hearing held in October by the House Committee on Banking and Currency saying the bill, which is meant to whittle down the power of the CBN Governor, is not in the interest of the nation.

    The House also considered and passed through second reading, “A BIll for an Act to Amend the NSITF Act Cap. N88, LFN, 2004 to Provide Social Security/Protection to all eligible Citizens of Nigeria Who Are who Are Ordinarily Resident in Nigeria Whether Employed Both in the Private and Public Sector, Unemployed and Aged Without Discrimination and Related Matters.”

    The bill stemmed from the belief that government is not being as responsible as it should in providing safety nets for its citizens, particularly the aged and unemployed.

    A Bill for an Act to Amend the Honours Warrant of the Subsidiary Legislation of National Honours Act! CAP 43 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 to Provide for Limits for the Number of Persons Appointed to the Different Ranks of the Order in Any Calendar Year and Related Matters, was also passed.

    The bill, sponsored by the Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, seeks to bring order and respect back to the award of National Honours by the Executive arm of Government

    An important bill meant to bring sanity into the procurement processes which was entitled: “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Public Procurement Act, No 14 of 2007 in Order to Ensure Project Continuity and Other Matters Appertaining Thereto, 2011,”was also considered and passed.

    Sequel to the innumerable deaths recorded of victims of gunshot wounds across the country, due to the cumbersome processes involved in treatment such wounds, a bill for “an Act to Make Provision for the Compulsory Treatment and Care for the Victims of Gunshots and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” was passed by the House.

    ‘A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Any Form of Expenditure in Default of or Contrary to Appropriation by Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to Facilitate Accountable Governance and Other Matters Incidental Thereto,” has passed second reading seeks to criminalize expenditure outside budgetary planning.

    Another bill passed, to safeguard the lives of road users was “A Bill to make it Mandatory for Tyres to bear Manufacturing and Expiry Dates, and to prohibit the Importation and Use of Sub-Standard Tyres and for Related Matters.”

    Some prominent bills on amendment to the constitution include: A Bill For An Act To Establish A National Commission For Youth Development And To Make Provision For Its Administration And For Connection Purposes; A Bill For An Act To Alter The Constitution Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999 To Permit Public Officers To Maintain Or Operate A Bank Account In Any Country Outside Nigeria; And For Related Matters; A Bill For An Act To Amend The Constitution Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria 1999 To Provide For The Consent Of The Senate/State House Of Assembly For The Removal Of Government Of The Federation/Commissioner Of The Government Of A State; A Bill For An Act To Amend The Constitution Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria1999 So As To Establish State And Local Government Council Of Chiefs; And For Related Matters, and ‘A Bill For An Act To Alter The Constitution Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999 To Provide For The Establishment Of State Police And To Ensure Effective Community Policing In Nigeria And For Other Matters Therewith.’

    Others include: A Bill For An Act To Establish The Federal Capital Territory HIV/Aids Control Agency( FACA) And For Other Matters Connected Therewith; A Bill For An Act To Amend Companies And Allied Matters Act 2004: And For Other Related Matters; A Bill For An Act To Provide Remuneration Of Former Presidents, Heads Of Federal Legislative Houses And Chief Justices Of The Federation (And Other Ancillary Matters); A bill for an Act to amend the Federal Highways Act Cap. Fi3 Laws Of The Federation, 2004 to construct public toilets on the highways to enhance the welfare and safety of commuters on the Nigerian highways and for related matters; A Bill For An Act To Establish The National Child Protection And Enforcement Agency; A Bill For An Act To Provide A Framework For The Regulation, Development And Management Of A National Health System And Set Standards For Rendering Health Services In The Federation, And Other Matters Connected Therewith; 2012 Appropriation Bill; A bill for an Act to amend the National Institute for Labour Studies Act, 1990 Cap. 261 Lfn; A bill for an Act to amend the Public Procurement Act. No. 14, 2007. A bill for an act to establish the National Commission For Conciliation And Arbitration, National Labour Council, the Office Of The Registrar Of Trade Unions, etc. to administer the provisions of Labour Laws In Nigeria And Matters Connected Therewith; A Bill For An Act To Make Development Planning Compulsory For All Tiers Of Government In Nigeria And To Create Coherent And Measurable Targets In Developmental Initiatives In Support Of The Attainment Of The Goals Of Vision 20:20:20 And For Related Matters; A Bill For An Act To Establish The National Integrated Rural Development Agency And Other Matters Related Thereto and A Bill For An Act To Provide For The Establishment Of The Federal University Of Dutse And To Make Comprehensive Provisions For Its Due Administration And Other Related Matters.’

    Among other such bills are: A Bill For An Act To Provide For The Establishment Of The Federal University Of Uyo And To Make Comprehensive Provisions For Its Due Administration And Other Related Matters; A Bill For An Act To Provide For The Establishment Of The Federal University Of Kashere And To Make Comprehensive Provisions For Its Due Administration And Other Related Matters; A Bill For An Act To The Nigerian Communication Commission Appropriation 2012 And Other Matters Connected; A Bill For An Act To Prohibit The Movement From 6am To 6pm Of Certain Articulated Vehicles On Nigerian Roads And To Provide For Other Related Matters; A bill for an Act to amend the Federal Road Safety Commission Act Cap. F19 Laws Of The Federation Of Nigeria, 2004 And For Other Related Matters; A Bill For An Act To Amend The Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (Establishment, Etc) Prohibit Any Form Of Expenditure In Default Of Or Contrary To Appropriation By Heads Of Ministry, Department And Agencies (MDAS) To Facilitate Accountable Governance And Other Matters Incidental Thereto; A Bill For An Act To Repeal The Oil And Gas Export Free Zone Authority Act; And To Provide For The Designation And Establishment Of Oil And Gas Free Zone And Special Investment Areas In Nigeria: Establishment Of Oil And Gas Investment And Free Zone Authority; And Other Matters Connected; A Bill For An Act To Establish The Social Security Agency Which Shall Provide A Framework For A Workable Social Security Scheme And The Issuance Of Social Security Number System In The Federal Republic Of Nigeria And For Other Incidental Matters; A Bill For An Act To Establish A National Grazing Route And Reserve Commission For Managing National Grazing Routes And Reserve In All Parts Of Nation And For Incidental Matters; A Bill For An Act To Re-Establish The Standards Organisation Of Nigeria And To Repeal The Standards Organisation Of Nigeria Act Cap 59 Laws Of the Federation Of Nigeria 2004 And For Matters Incidental Thereto, and A Bill For An Act To Provide For The Mandatory Inclusion Of Cassava In The Production Of All Flour In Nigeria And For Other Matters Connected Therewith.’

     

  • Aregbesola: social justice, rule of law vital to democracy

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday said social justice and the rule of law are vital for sustainable democracy.

    He said the absence of the two is causing avoidable socio-economic challenges in the country.

    Aregbesola spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, at a workshop organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

    The theme of the workshop is: “Social justice and the rule of law: The panacea for peaceful co-existence in Nigeria.”

    Represented by his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, Aregbesola said no concrete development could occur in a society without equal rights and opportunities.

    Describing the workshop as “laudable and necessary”, the governor said social justice and the rule of law are central to sustainable democracy and meaningful governance cannot be achieved without them.

    He said it is encouraging that officers manning NOA Social Justice Centres across the country were periodically trained.

    Aregbesola said: “It worries the mind that Nigeria has not nationally accorded social justice and the rule of law the necessary attention.

    “Nigeria is stranded in the pit bog of avoidable socio-economic challenges because the two core ingredients of democracy outlined in this theme have been either half-heartedly appropriated or ignored completely. “This explains why our democracy appears to fit the common description of being nascent, despite our return to democracy 13 years ago.

    “Peaceful co-existence among the various major and minor ethnic groups in the country has also been under threat at different times, owing to what is perceived as the inequality enabled by the political economy in place.

    “We are witnesses to the common development in which citizens rejoice openly over the misfortune of public office holders simply because they are convinced that those individuals came into sudden wealth at their expense.”

  • Boko Haram: Okada riders to assist FG with vital clues

    Following growing cases of insurgencies across the country, occasioned by Boko Haram sect and other criminal elements in the country, the commercial motorcycle operators (Okada riders), under the aegis of Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), have resolved to furnish the federal government with “vital information” that could help bring the situation under control.

    This is coming just as the Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Prince Surajudeen Adekumbi, charged members of the association in the state to be vigilant and adopt internal monitoring mechanism to ensure that none yields himself as instrument of criminality.

    Adekumbi, who spoke shortly after laying the foundation stone for the N25m Secretariat of the state’s ACOMORAN in Abeokuta at the weekend, also charged the body to contribute financially to the Security Trust Fund (STF) of the Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s administration.

    On insurgency, the group said the resolve to henceforth assist the governments at all levels with data bordering on “security challenges,” would among other things, be their “contribution” towards ensuring “national progress, love, tranquillity and national interest.”

    This was contained in a Communique issued at the end of its tri -ennial National Council Meeting in Garki, Abuja, and made available to The Nation, where they equally declared as null and void, the dissolution of the “legitimate leadership of ACOMORAN in South West” by Alh. Sani Hassan and others.

    The Communique was signed by ACOMORAN’s leadership – Chief Alfred Opara(Board of Trustees Chairman), Alh. Babangida Shehu Maihula(National President), Alh.Shamsudeen Apelogun(Chairman, South West Zone), Moses Wakama(Chairman South East), Zaid Abubakar(Chairman, Northern States) and Adeosun Egunjobi (BoT member).

    And also during the meeting attended by participating leaders from 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the Association urged President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene on the side of the Okada riders by helping to lift the restriction of Okada operation in “South – South and South – East regions of Nigerian.”