The Nation Newspaper

Tag: wisely

  • 2019: Nigerians urged to vote wisely

    There is need for Nigerians to move the country forward by adequately participating in the forthcoming elections and voting wisely.

    This was made known by the Lagos State Chairman of the Nageri, Nakowa Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NNAMORAL), Alhaji Sulaiman Adesuwa Raji, at the state joint meeting held in Akesan, Lagos State, on 2019 elections.

    Alhaji Raji called on members of the association to collect their permanent voter cards, PVCs, at the INEC offices in their councils to have the opportunity to vote in the coming elections.

    The state Chairman of the NNAMORAL appealed to the members of the body to let patriotism guide their voting in 2019.

    He said 39,000 members of the association in Lagos State would work to achieve free and fair elections.

    On his part, the Financial Secretary of the association, Mr Suraju Tijani, who is also an APC chieftain, applauded Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for always working for the progress of Lagos State and Nigeria.

    Mr Tijani said the NNAMORAL would continue to support good governance in Lagos and the country.

    Alhaji  Raji advised all motorcyclists in Lagos State to adhere to the traffic laws of state.

  • Choose what you fight for wisely, advises AY

    Comedian turned actor, Ayo Makun, who is known as AY, has called on all to choose wisely in fighting for what they believe in.

    Sharing a secret of one of his mentor, he said “I started succeeding when I started leaving small fights for small fighters, lead to the comedian advising that to remain focus and be successful can only be achieved the day one stop fighting the unnecessary things in life; like gossiping, attention seeking, among others.

    He then wrote, “The day I gave up on small fights is the day I started becoming successful. Some fights are not worth your time. Choose what you fight for wisely”.

    The comedian who has done well for himself since in the world of Nigerian entertainment is also popular for his Comedy and Music concerts in Nigeria tagged ‘AY Live’, which has held every Easter Sunday since 2010.

  • Youths must engage social media wisely’

    Youths must engage social media wisely’

    Ebenezer Wikina, 22, is famous for his activities on the social media. A student of the Institute of Journalism in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Ebenezer is also an online volunteer for the United Nations. This gave him the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the recently-held World Economic Forum (WEF) regional conference in South Africa. He shares his inspiration with CALEB ADEBAYO (Law, Obafemi Awolowo University).

    You seem to have a passion for journalism. How did you come about it?

    When I was 10 years old, I watched the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) news each time I visited my paternal grandmother. She never missed the NTA Network News, and she always made me watch. My childhood memories were filled with names like, Fatima Abass Hassan, Eugenia Abu and Cyril Stobber. My dad would also keep old books and magazines for me to read. These stoked my passion for writing and journalism.

    How did you come about your blogs – Write Paragraphs and The Stroll – for which you are now famous?

    Mary Ajayi and I started Write Paragraphs blog, because we wanted to give voice to the youth. Since, I had interest in the United Nations (UN) activities, I registered with the UN online volunteering service. We created Write Paragraphs to share our thoughts on global issues. But, it grew to what it is today. The Stroll is a column on the blog, where we interview people and share their stories and ideas to inspire youths across the world. I always conduct the interview on social media and I have published over 90 interviews of high-profile people, including Mr Ahmad Alhendawi, the UN youth envoy; UN Under Secretary General Gyan Acharya; Prof Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director, United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA); Richard Wurman, founder of Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED), and Nathaniel Bassey, a gospel artiste, to mention a few.

     

    Why did you volunteer for the UN programme?

    I always believed I can contribute my quota to world peace and progress; so, when I heard of the UN volunteering programme, it was an opportunity for me. I like volunteering for anything that will benefit my peers.

    What inspired the TED event?

    I learnt about TED in 2008 when my mum bought a Java phone for me, which gave me access to the Internet. In 2013, I applied for a license to host TED event in Port Harcourt, but I was told Donald Okudu had already got the license for it. I located the team and volunteered to work with them. After Port Harcourt event, I sought Donald’s approval to replicate the event in Ile-Ife. It turned out to be the only TED event in West Africa in 2014.

    You represented Nigeria at a recent World Economic Forum (WEF) regional conference in South Africa. What lessons did you draw from the event?

    I was one of the 80 youths drawn from Africa to represent our respective countries. I was not the only representative from Nigeria. There were youths from Lagos, Abuja, Calabar and Kano. In the course of the event, I became a member of Global Shapers, a group of youths of ages between 20 and 30 years, which was founded by Prof Klaus Schwab. I wish our government officials were at the meeting, because of the relevance of the theme. How can we re-shape Nigeria’s future? Would the nation still be the giants of Africa in the next 15 years? How does the nation provide jobs for the school leavers? These were the questions discussed during the event.

    How do you manage school work and your activities?

    I have a to-do list. Sometimes, my activities get so many and I won’t be able to sit for a second. I still believe this is a training stage; I am getting better at multi-tasking now.

    Who are your mentors?

    My mum and dad are my mentors. Then, I see Reverend T.O. Adeleke, my spiritual father, as a good role model. The spiritual part of a man is what determines his happiness. So, I always approach the clergy for advice.

    Where do you see yourself in five years?

    I don’t know. I may be at the United Nations headquarters holding a key leadership position. I am not good at prediction. But, I believe I would have been through with school and hope to further my studies in Columbia University School of Journalism.

    What is your advice for young people?

    As young people, we have great energy but some of us lack direction. We must find our direction and passion. Also, we must engage social media positively, because it is a wonderful platform to learn, network and project our ideas.

  • 2015: Youths enjoined to vote wisely

    Renowned broadcaster Mr. Dele Adetiba has enjoined the youths to vote wisely in the general elections. He said their choice of leaders would have direct impact on their future.

    Adetiba lamented that ethnic and religious factors have been promoted to the front burner, stressing that it has affected the quality of leadership.

    He said: “I am not happy that Nigerians now clamour for their tribe to produce the next governor or President. Really, what we seem to be saying is that it is our turn to loot the treasury; it is our turn to have an unfair access to the spoils of office.”

    Adetiba said, if the job of a leader is to work endlessly to make life easier for his people, then, it does not matter where he comes from. He added that the idea of Nigerians defending their kinsmen in office, even if they are not doing the right thing, can only lead to doom.

    Adetiba, who spoke at the 2014 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) in Lagos, said corruption and impunity among public office holders have a negative effect on the youths.

    He added: “The general effect on the youth is that, since we live in a society where rules do not work he feels that working hard or studying hard does not guaranty success. He believes he has to cheat the system to survive.”

    The Chairman of the RYLA Committee, Dr. Adewale Ogunbadejo, explained that the award is to awaken the leadership qualities in the youths and to motivate them to become good citizens and role models.

  • Vote wisely, APC candidate urges electorate

    Vote wisely, APC candidate urges electorate

    All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate in Kosofe Constituency, Lagos State Prince Rotimi Agunsoye yesterday advised stakeholders to brace up for next year’s general elections.

    He described 2015 as a decisive year, urging the people to vote and defend their votes in the interest of democracy.

    The former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who won the ticket at the primaries, thanked party members for their support, advising them to remain loyal to the party and its leadership.

    Agunsoye told reporters in Lagos that the success recorded at the primaries can only be meaningful, if voters vote for the APC at the general elections.

    He promised to implement his campaign manifestos, if elected at the poll.

    Agunsoye said: “I have walked before the people of Kosofe in humility and sense of patriotism and service. I have served the grassroots with the best of my ability and the state in a strategic portfolio. I have been a party man and a community man. Now that I have been given the mandate, I will continue to work for the realisation of the developmental agenda of Kosofe and Lagos State.”

    The politician urged Lagosians to vote for continuity at the poll, adding that the APC will build on its achievements in government in post-Fashola period.

    He added: “Lagosians and the APC have a pact of development. The state is on cause under the APC government. What we need is continuity and the people will make it happen. From the House of Assembly to the presidential primaries, the APC threw up competent candidates. When the APC comes on board at the centre, there will be a new lease of life for Nigeria.”

  • Akeredolu to Ilaje, Akoko: vote wisely

    Akeredolu to Ilaje, Akoko: vote wisely

    The standard bearer of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Saturday’s poll, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has promised to alleviate the plight of the oil-producing communities in Ilaje and Ijaw.

    He urged them to vote wisely by voting for him on Saturday, assuring that an ACN administration would not disappoint them.

    Akeredolu and his running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure, were in Igbokoda, the headquarters of the Ilaje nation on Saturday. Alighting from a chopper, he was besieged by a crowd of party supporters who had waited for his campaign train since noon. The ACN candidate was accompanied by Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye, Wale Akinterinwa, Segun Olulade and Wale Akintimehin. They were welcomed to the campaign grounds by the leaders of the party in the area, Chief Wale Omojuwa, Nimbe Tause, Adebambo Odowo, Olu Mekuleyi and Lucky Ayedatiwa

    Ilaje is the home of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke. The ACN rally coincided with the PDP rally in Akure, which was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan and party leaders.

    At the rally, ACN supporters complained that their members in the coastal areas were not mobilised by the party chairman in the local government, urging the standard bearer to repeat the rally in the riverine communities because the party has a reservoir of goodwill in the locality.

    After addressing the Igbokoda rally, Akeredolu visited the palace of the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, to pay homage and explain his mission in the community to the traditional ruler, his chiefs and the people. The paramount ruler wished him success. He urged politicians to show tolerance and promote peace.

    Tause, who welcomed the ACN leaders to the campaign, assured Akeredolu of bloc votes. He said: “Iroko is already afraid. He is planning to rig the election. We will not allow him.”

    Odowo also said the Labour Party (LP) was jittery. He said: “Five Yoruba states are already cooperating under the umbrella of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Southwest. Ondo cannot be different. Ilaje cannot vote for Papa Deceiving Party. Umbrella is necessary for the rain, but it cannot withstand a storm. We will sweep them away with our brooms.”

    Ayedatiwa said Ilaje looked forward to 2013 as a year of change and joy. He appealed to those in the LP and PDP to join the ark of salvation.

    Akintimehin said: “Akeredolu has conducted an analysis here in Ilaje. He knows the plight of the Ilaje. He will not misrule us. Let us go to our units and convince those still in the LP and PDP to vote for the ACN.”

    Mekuleyi said Governor Olusegun Mimiko has misused the oil money derived from Ilaje, adding that normalcy will be restored by the ACN government. He said:” Where is our oil money? ACN will develop Ilaje and our roads will be built. What we need to do is to vote for ACN and police our votes.”

    Akeredolu urged the Ilaje to vote wisely. He lamented the under-development of the oil-producing communities, stressing that they had laboured under the Labour Party in vain. He enjoined them to avoid violence whenever they are provoked by suspected LP thugs, assuring that victory is at hand.

    At Oka-Akoko, the crowd rejoiced on sighting Akeredolu, who was ushered to the podium by the governorship aspirants who had stepped down for him, including Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, Dr. Jayeola Ajatta and Dr. Segun Abraham. Before addressing the rally, the ACN candidate visited the palace of the Olubaka of Oka, Oba Adebori Adeleye. Community chiefs and elders prayed for him after he explained his mission. He promised to turn around the state by fighting the infrastructure battle.

    At the rally were Mr. Gboyega Adefarati, Mrs. Ogedengbe, Mrs. Ronke Ojo, Ambassador Yusuf, Tope Babaleye, a lawyer, Boye Ologbese, and Bola Ilori. Akinterinwa, who introduced the leaders, hailed the dedication of Prof. Boroffice to the party’s cause.

    He reminded the people about the position of Mimiko on how the governorship slot should be filled, saying since he has advocated one term, he should spend a term in office.

    Abraham also said the governor does not deserve the vote of the Akoko, having insisted that former governors Adebayo Adefarati and Olusegun Agagu should not have a second term.

    He added: “Aketi has come with a good news for Akokoland. Come out on October 20 to chase Mimiko out of power with your votes.”

    Ajatta said: “I am happy because of this crowd. Akeredolu has come with good tidings. Vote for him so that Ondo State can have a responsible government as they have it in Edo, Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun and Osun states.”

    Ilori, an indigene of Ondo Kingdom, said: “I am from Ondo Kingdom. If those of us from Ondo say we are tired of Mimiko, what should Akoko people do? I saw Akoko roads and felt ashamed of Mimiko. I apologise to you all. Akeredolu will put smiles on your faces.”

    Mrs. Ojo said: “Women are the largest voters. Let us vote for Akeredolu and defend our votes. He is the messiah.”

    Boroffice told his kinsmen that he is still in the Senate, contrary to the lies being peddled by LP that his position has been declared vacant. He said: “I am still in the Senate, but Mimiko will not be in Alagbaka again. Do not forget our deal. I have a prize for the unit, ward and local government that gives the highest votes to Akeredolu and I know that Akoko Southwest will get the prize.”

    Akintelure said: “ I have come to relay a message from God to you at Oka. Aketi will perform wonders in Akokoland. Reject Mimiko in Akoko as we have done in Ikaleland. Mimiko said it would be business as usual. We reject that for Akokoland”.

    Akeredolu said: “This crowd is not my doing. It is not because I am good. It is the handiwork of God. Let us thank God, sing praises unto the Lord and rejoice in Him. Where we are going, we are already there. ACN will rule Ondo State.”