A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
ABUJA – The Alliance for Credible Elections, ACE-Nigeria, has warned that vote buying and non payment of allowances to security agents deployed to man election duties constitute a threat to free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
The ACE-Nigeria, while presenting the report of observation of the just concluded governorship election in Ondo State by its Acting General Secretary, Mma Odi, in Abuja, warned further that vote buying has the capacity to derail the nation's hard earned democracy.
She said that there were incidences of votes buying by agents of politicians in many polling units across the state as observed by the ACE-Nigeria during the conduct of the poll.
The ACE-Nigeria, which deployed 92 observers and 8 supervisors that carried out the direct observation of the election, however awarded the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, a pass mark in conduct of the election.
She said, "The INEC staff displayed high level of professionalism at the polling units during the voting process, but thee was issue of lack of knowledge of procedure by the election officers especially the ad-hoc staff.
Besides, the group noted that the process leading to governorship election both by the judiciary, the outgoing Governor Olusegun Mimiko, the INEC and the presidency was geared to the advantage of the APC candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu to the detriment of the PDP candidate. "From the foregoing we can confidently state that 2016 Ondo State governorship election was peaceful orderly but not credible."
According to her, "Poor welfare condition of security agents deployed for the election duties is becoming a threat to free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria. ACE-Nigeria and partners are calling on police authorities to ensure henceforth timely payment of allowances of officers on election duty, and also to include vote buying as a critical issue of concern and build the capacity of its officers to handle it.
"We observed buying of votes by the political parties to induce voters to vote for their parties, the act of buying and selling of votes during elections is inimical to free, fair and credible elections and something urgent needs to be done to ensure those who emerge winners in an election are true reflection of the will of the people.
"In Akinremi Estate polling unit 001, Igoba/Isinnigbo, 005, Akure North local Government Area, and many other poling units across the state, attention of security agents were drawn to the issues of vote buying but they vehemently refused to address it."
The ACE-Nigeria listed poling units that recorded votes buying as "Captured by some of our observers" include, Adegbeno Cam-polling unit Code 007, Owode Camp in Akure North LGA, polling unit code10,St.David's Primary Scholl Ibule, Ifedore LGA, Akinnayayo, CSA Stores, Isilu Ehimpe Ward, Idanre LGA polling unit code 003, St. James Primary School Oda polling unit 005 Akure North and Ajipowo RCCG Junction 1, Gboki/Isikan 1 Ward, Akure South.
To this end, Odii declared that "Vote buying and selling is not a threat to free, fair and credible elections, it has the capacity to derail our march to consolidation of democracy in Nigeria", recommending that "Political parties, their candidates, supporters and the citizens desist from vote buying and selling to avoid truncating our hard won democracy."
The group concluded that, "Based on the observers feedback and in spite of the few cases of electoral malpractices, by political thugs, the election was violent free but could not be adjudged as total transparent."
The charity train of the Greater Tomorrow Children’s Fund (GTCF) hits Abuja this Friday for a two-day celebration with kids of the Internally Displaced Persons Camp of Abuja, with the organisation of a football tournament and free health screening.
After the successes attained at its last two events in Jos and Ogume in Delta State, where kids where treated to a once in a lifetime experience, which the kids are still savoring, the foundation run by AFCON 1984 silver medal winner, Paul Okoku will this weekend hold the mother of all events, sanctioned by the National House of Assembly, Chairman, Hon. Sani Zorro, House Committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps.
Since the GTCF was launched in a glamorous ceremony, in the Federal Capital Territory in 2014, it has amassed a string of hits and this weekend will see the upping of the ante, as the body draws a stellar cast of dignitaries in politics, business and sports sectors to an end of year rendezvous on the practice pitch of the Abuja National Stadium.
Speaking to reporters, Okoku said the oral health screening will be conducted by a team of specialist doctors led by Dr. Seidu Bello, who is partnering GTCF to improve the quality of health for Internally Displaced Persons.
According to Okoku, "these children are victims of Boko Haram, the terrorist organization in the North-East of Nigeria. Dr. Bello is an oral surgeon based in Abuja. I recall that during the launch of GTCF, after his video presentation of the medical challenges faced by downtrodden, the late Stephen Keshi turned to Dr. Bello and said, “God bless you for providing free surgery to the less privileged in our society."
Okoku said that sports wears for the tournament were donated by three ex-internationals, Godwin Odiye, Chigozie Offor, Attorney and Dr. Femi Olukanni, adding that Odiye is one of the board members, alongside Gladys Dark.
He thanked the House Committee on Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees, chaired by Hon. Muhammed Sani Zorro and Hon. Abbass Tajudeen for supporting the event. Mr. Okoku also expressed his gratitude to the team of volunteers who were on ground to make this humanitarian event a reality, Barrister Hammed Wasiu Adeyemi, Khalifa Labaran Mohammed, protocol officer, National House of Assembly, Mrs. G.O. Jalekun, a retired school administrator and Barrister David Fatunmbi.
Okoku noted that former Eagles stars, comprising Henry Nwosu, Tijani Babangida, Etim Esin, Dahiru Sadi, Edema Fuludu, Baba Otu Mohammed, Yisa Shofoluwe, Taju Disu, and veteran Nollywood movie actor, Jide Alabi, will be available to give pet talks to the kids. The final of the football tournament is on Saturday, December 3.
In an effort to cushion the effects of economic recession in the country, the Lagos State Government on Thursday said it has concluded plans to start allocation of houses under the newly introduced rent-to-own policy.
The State's Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, who disclosed this at a press conference ahead of the launch of the schemes at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, said the Rent-To-Own and Rental Housing Policies of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration is aimed at making housing more readily affordable and accessible for Lagosians.
According to him, the schemes listed for the programme include Sir Michael Otedola Estate, Odoragunshin-Epe; CHOIS City, Agbowa; Alhaji Adetoun Mustapha Estate, Ojokoro and Oba Adeboruwa Estate, Igbogbo-Ikorodu, adding that it will be launched simultaneously on Thursday, December 8, 2016.
Lawal said accessing housing units in the state has been largely on cash and carry basis which ends up excluding majority of the citizenry until when recently the Mortgage Scheme was introduced.
“Even though the Mortgage Scheme was able to accommodate more people on the home ownership ladder, a large number can still not afford to become home owners as they are unable to meet the requirement of 30 per cent equity contribution which the mortgage scheme demands”, he said.
He said Government has always been challenged by the arduous task of providing affordable and decent accommodation for the people of the state in view of its ever growing population which reflected in the various housing schemes developed by different administrations over the years.
He emphasized that shelter is one of the basic needs of man, saying that is why governments all over the world accord top priority to the provision of housing for their citizens.
Lawal said inadequate housing is responsible for so many health and social ills in the society, adding that, “The Rent-to-own policy targets the low and medium income earners in both the formal and informal sectors. Under this arrangement, individuals are required to pay 5 per cent of the value of the housing unit as commitment fee and the balance is spread over 10 years. The programme allows the tenant to live on the property while paying towards ownership as a fixed rent within the period of ten years.
“The Lagos state rental housing policy is to further ensure housing accessibility and affordability in Lagos state. The rent for the rental housing will be collected on a monthly basis. The tenants are however required to pay one month deposit."
On the criteria for interested applicants, Lawal said they must be primarily resident in Lagos State and will be required to submit a copy of their Lagos State Residents Registration (LASSRA) Card and must be a first time home buyer, which must be 21 years old and above.
He also said that applicants must be tax compliant and provide the proof of tax payment and must have capacity to pay the 5 per cent commitment fee.
He explained that the rent to be paid will be determined by the prevailing rent in each of the locations while mode of payment will be direct debit by the employer/banker to ensure easy collection, just as he stressed that the rented accommodation is not transferable.
This scheme is targeted at the working class and people with regular source of income who may not want to participate in the rent-to-own or mortgage program. “Government intends to earmark 20 per cent of the available housing units in each of the dedicated rent-to-own estates for rental housing.”
Against the backdrop of the botched plans by telecommunications companies to review data tariff, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to reject unpopular policies that are likely to cast him as insensitive to the plight of less privileged citizens.
Buhari
In a statement by its National President, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, NANS informed President Buhari that the plan to jack up the price of data is not only a black market attempt to tax all mobile phone users, but above all Nigerian students.
Obasi expressed regrets that Nigerian students, including those studying overseas have been subjected into harrowing experiences that threatens their academic pursuit, stressing that the recent move to descend heavily on data will definitely make research and communication very difficult for suffering Nigerian students.
Lamenting the series of traumatic experiences students have been made to grapple with, the NANS President noted that the hike in dollar rate caused by volatility of international oil market, recent strike action by the Academic Staff of Union of Universities (ASUU) and the delay in mobilisation of youth corps members make the data hike too much a burden to bear.
The NANS President observed that internet has become an indispensable companion of undergraduates to pursue extensive research in the competitive knowledge-based economy, adding that increasing the price of data would bind the hands of students and drive the back to the stone-age method of learning.
Expressing dismay that the NCC would be crying more than bereaved by suggesting the punitive rate to favour its so-called small operators to acquire market share and profitability, NANS said the commission lost sight of the economy of large scale the operators enjoy by greater penetration in Nigeria's growing mobile internet access.
"Nigerian students wish to register their rejection of the plan by NCC to increase the price of internet data. We recall a previous attempt by the authorities to restrain access to the social media. But this latest plan to descend heavily on students through this backdoor taxation is an affront to scholarship and freedom of communication," NANS stated.
NANS therefore pleaded with President Buhari to ensure that the attempt to punish Nigerian students does not see the light of the day, pointing out that even though taxation was a genuine way for government to generate revenue, it should not be done in such a way to kill the future generation.
Four members of staff of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) have been sent to Kuje Prison by Justice Okon Abang.
They were remanded after they pleaded not guilty to a charge of aiding and abetting the exportation of 144 kgs of ephedrine to Mozambique.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) filed the charge against the officials after a failed attempt to export the drug to Maputo, Mozambique at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja.
The Chief Security Supervisor of NAHCO, Mr. Audu Garba, two security assistants, Nasiru Ibrahim and Haruna Abdullahi, and a load controller, Victor Ahenje who is at large were arraigned before Justice Abang but they all pleaded not guilty.
The case was however adjourned till 9 January next year for hearing.
All the accused will remain in custody till then, thereby spending the yuletide in jail.
According to the charge, the said NAHCO staff who are in charge of cargo safety and security conspired with suspected drug trafficking syndicate in swapping already screened consignments by security agencies at the airport with similar packages that contained narcotics.
The Agency stated that the illicit action of the group was uncovered following an intelligence report.
In the course of investigation, the Agency extended its search by inviting a number of airport officials suspected to be involved in the incident for interrogation.
While others were cleared, five staff of NAHCO including a load controller who is at large were found to be seriously indicted.
These staff were deliberately working to undermine security measures at the airport by swapping already screened cargoes with similar consignment that had been stuffed with narcotics.
The Chief Security Supervisor, Mr. Audu Garba was also identified as the suspected master mind of this high level conspiracy.
Others are two security assistants, Nasiru Ibrahim and Haruna Abdullahi, a driver, Adamu Dasura as well as a load controller, Victor Ahenje who is at large.
It was disclosed that the defendants were taking undue advantage of their position and privilege by deploying the official vehicle of NAHCO in the said act of sabotage.
Furthermore, the shipment of 144kgs of ephedrine concealed among hair relaxers and cereals was swapped with a similar package that was screened by all security operatives. Unfortunately for the suspects, what appeared to be a discreet plot to unlawfully export narcotics to Mozambique through an Ethiopian airline flight was promptly nipped in the bud by the NDLEA.
Abuja airport commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Hamisu Lawan said that the management of NAHCO at the Abuja airport is cooperating with investigation.
"This is a case of outright swapping of already screened cargoes with similar bags. Our team of investigators have made significant progress in the case and so far the management of NAHCO is cooperating with the Agency. Those being interrogated include the Chief Security Supervisor, Mr. Audu Garba and 3 others in the security department" Hamisu stated.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.)expressed confidence in the judiciary and promised to provide necessary evidence for a successful prosecution.
The NDLEA boss called for synergy among security agencies stressing that the common goal is the security of our country.
"We must work together in promoting peace and national security. No Agency can succeed in isolation. This seizure has provided a platform for us to reappraise our strategies with a view to fine-tuning existing modes of operation" Abdallah stated.
Mr Mukhtar Jawad, an SS3 student of Community Staff Schools Asokoro, Abuja, has invented a motor-bike prototype ready for commercialisation.
Jawad, who is an art student, told newsmen on Thursday that he invented the motorcycle to ease mode of transportation in Nigeria and Africa at large.
According to him, he has been riding the prototype as a mode of transportation from his house to the school for more than three months without any problems.
He pleaded with the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to promote his made-in-Nigeria motorcycle for mass production for better means of transportation in the country.
"I like things that involve mechanical, assemble and dissemble. This made me perceived I can do something different to better the means for transportation.
"My motor-bike has features that are partly bicycle and partly motorcycle, " he said.
The principal of the school, Mr Sa'idu Ahmed said that it was a thing of joy for such one of the art students to use his talent for such a discovery.
"I have gone to his house to encourage him and he later told me that he had finished the project.
"This is genuine knowledge from him; it should be cheaper and easier to manage compared with bicycle or motorcycle, " he said.
According to the principal, previous achievements of the school include representing Nigeria for Africa Regional Competition/Exhibition at Ghana in 2011, first position in the Christmas Carol Music competition organised by Darr Sat Communications for schools in FCT in 2011.
Ahmed said that the school was well known for its academic performance aside of extracurricular activities.
"Some of the school's achievements in this area are first position in Spelling Bee competition for Junior Secondary Schools by Decipher Solutions, first position Dicken Samomi Foundation Esay Competition fourth edition.
"Juniour Achievement Nigeria Winner Company of the year 2016, first position in Quiz Competition organised by the Federal Ministry of Health for World TB Day.
"First position in Drawing competition 2016 organised by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to mark International Day for Disaster Reduction among others," he said.
The Executive Secretary of the School, Mr Abdukadir Jamo described the students of the school as unique regarding the gift of God giving they exhibited both in academic and extra-curricular activities.
Jamo said that all the schools' candidates for West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) in 2016 passed excellently with results that would qualify them for any tertiary institutions of their choices.
He described Jawad feat as a pace setter for many other students in the school.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has expressed delight in the congratulatory message sent by Gov. Olusegun Mimiko to the Governor-elect, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).
The party's Publicity Secretary, Mr Abayomi Adesanya, in a statement issued in Akure on Thursday, commended Mimiko for his "show of sportsmanship''.
"We accept the congratulatory message of Mr Governor on our candidate's landslide victory in the last Saturday's governorship election.
"APC commends the outgoing governor for his statesmanship.
"We urge him to ensure smooth transition and genuine handover devoid of discrepancies and imbalances experienced by President Muhammadu Buhari when he took over from former President Goodluck Jonathan," Adesanya said.
Mimiko had on Nov. 28 congratulated Akeredolu and wished him success in the challenging task of governing the state.
INEC had declared Akeredolu of the APC as winner of the Nov. 26 governorship election in the state after polling 244,842 votes to beat his closest rival, Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 150,380 votes.
Sixteen-year-old Theophilus Eniola is currently battling with a life-threatening bone disease, chronic osteomyelitis. The disease, according to medical experts, is a severe, persistent and sometimes incapacitating infection of the bone and bone marrow.
This current state of Eniola's health has rendered him bedridden at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, where his family spends N18,000 weekly on his treatment.
Eniola, urgently requires the sum of N5million to get the corrective surgery that will address his current health problem and save him the excruciating pains he is going through.
He, however, needs financial support to travel to India to get the necessary relief from this life-threatening disease currently ravaging his body and making life hellish for him.
His mother, Mrs. Folashade Eniola, appealed to the public and philanthropists to save the life of her son.
For financial assistance, his mother's bank account: ACCOUNT NUMBER: FIRST BANK 3025266512, ACCOUNT NAME: ENIOLA FOLASHADE ELIZABETH
Rapper Kanye West was released from hospital on Wednesday, according to media outlets citing unidentified sources, more than a week after he was admitted for exhaustion.
CNN and the Los Angeles Times said West left the UCLA Medical Centre.
Kanye West’
People magazine quoted an unidentified source as saying West was "home, getting some rest''.
Representatives for West could not immediately be reached by Reuters for comment on West's health status or hospital release.
A spokeswoman for West's wife, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, said in an email that there were no updates and referred queries to West's representatives.
The "Jesus Walks'' rapper, 39, was taken to the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at the University of California, Los Angeles, last week after police responded to a call for help, several media outlets reported.
Sources close to the rapper told People he was exhausted from a "spiritual crisis.''
West's hospitalisation followed a series of public rants and the cancellation of the rest of his concert tour.
It came after a demanding couple of months for the rapper and his wife after she was robbed at gunpoint in Paris, forcing the family to reassess its security and public profile.
Kardashian, according to reports, has been by West's bedside during his hospitalisation.
Her E! Network reality show, "Keeping Up with the Kardashians'', is "currently in production and has not been halted'', a network representative said in a statement.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sought the support of the Nigerian Navy (NN) in the fight against corruption in the country.
The Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, made the request when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja.
Magu said that the visit was essentially to mobilise everybody in the fight against corruption, adding that everybody is a stakeholder in what the commission was doing.
"We are trying to bring everybody on board to join the fight against corruption.
"We also want to seek the support of the NN in our joint operations in several areas, and I am also aware that a lot is being done to ensure corruption-free Navy,'' the acting chairman said.
According to him, corruption is everywhere and everybody must support the commission to curb the menace.
Magu also sought the support of the service in the ongoing mobilisation of Nigerian women in the war against corruption in the country.
He expressed optimism that the inter-agency collaboration would remove the gap in communication in order to ensure corruption free society.
"We understand that some people do not believe corruption is wrong or is a serious offence against the nation.
"The reception accorded us is a pointer to the fact that NN is with us in the fight against corruption," he said.
Magu said that if the commission was able to sustain the present tempo for the next two years, the country would change definitely.
He, therefore, urged everybody to join hands with the commission in the fight against corruption.
Receiving the EFCC chairman, the CNS commended the commission for its efforts at trying to rid the country of any form of corrupt practices, especially in public organisations.
Ibas also promised to give the necessary support to the commission to enable it to succeed in its quest to tackle corruption headlong.
"The NN knows its position in the fight against corruption, as officers and men are quite aware of the consequences.
"If we are to go by the records, you will understand that we have zero tolerance for corruption.
"Our men and officers who have been found wanting in crimes that are connected to the survival of the nation have been sanctioned appropriately," Ibas said.
He recalled that the service had also dismissed, disrated and demoted officers and men respectively for offences committed relating to crude oil theft as well as illegal bunkering.
"In other areas, the NN prides itself as a disciplined organisation and at no time tolerates any form of corruption whatsoever," he said.
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday urged people of Ifako-Ijaye Federal Constituency to elect Mr Akinwunmi Olaitan in Saturday's by-election to ensure adequate representation.
Ambode spoke during a rally held at the Ifako Ijaye Mini Stadium in support of Olaitan, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the by-election into the constituency.
Mr Elijah Adewale, who represented the constituency in the House of Representatives, died on July 20, necessitating the Dec. 3 by-election to fill the vacant seat.
Six political parties are fielding candidates in the election.
"We know that this community will move forward and there will be tremendous progress if Olaitan is elected.
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state
"Let us go house to house and pronounce further that Olaitan is one of us and he will represent us fully.
"That is what we have promised you, when we make promises, we fulfill more than what we promised," Ambode said.
The governor promised massive transformation in the state, particularly in the rural areas.
"I tell you, by this time next year, you will not believe the progress Lagos has made," Ambode said.
He also commiserated with the family of Adewale.
Earlier, Olaitan promised to fight for the interest of the people, if elected.
The rally was attended by the Lagos APC Chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale and Sen. Olamilekan Adeola, representing Lagos West Senatorial District, among others.
The Osun Agency for the Control of AIDS (OSACA) on Thursday said HIV prevalence in the state had dropped from 2.6 to 1.6 percent.
Dr Bello Monsur, the Executive Secretary of OSACA, made this known in Osogbo at a forum to mark the Worlds AIDS Day.
The forum, which was organised by Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo, had as theme: "Leadership, Commitment and Impact of HIV.''
Monsur said leadership, commitment and impact on HIV largely depended on how health experts were leading others and the extent of commitment to the fight against the virus.
He said the world had recorded significant improvement and positive strides against HIV as evident by the reduction in the prevalence of the virus world-wide.
OSACA, he said, had provided leadership and commitment to the prevention of HIV in the state in conjunction with other stakeholders in the state.
These, he added, accounted for the drop in the HIV prevalence in the state.
"Even with these achievements, the fight against HIV is far from over until it is completely eradicated.
"To successfully win the fight, leadership and commitment are essential components we need to apply as we sensitise the public from our various wards and local communities, " he said
He, however, said lack of leadership and commitment could lead to resurgence of resistant strains, increased prevalence of HIV and poor attitude of people to the virus.
Mr Adekunle Opeshade, the Outreach Coordinator of the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN) in LAUTECH, said the World AIDS Day was organised to create more awareness about the virus.
The World AIDS Day was set aside by World Health Organisation (WHO) to sensitive the global community on the virus and also celebrate the successes recorded.
Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, the wife of the Ekiti governor, has called on the State Government to ensure the protection of basic human rights.
Fayose gave this advice on Thursday at the commemoration of the World AIDS Day in Ado-Ekiti.
The Governor's wife, who lamented the increasing rate of the pandemic in Nigeria, said that millions of children were living with the virus.
She stressed the need for the appropriate authority to continue enlightenment campaign to raise public awareness in order to curb the transmission of the virus.
Fayose called on the youth to desist from pre-marital sex, so as to avoid unwanted pregnancy as well as avoid contacting the HIV virus.
The governor's wife said that all hands must be on deck to ensure the protection of basic human rights and stop the discrimination of the people living with HIV.
She promised her continued support for the State Government towards the prevention of the HIV transmission.
The Ekiti Chairman, State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), Dr Ola Doherty, also called on all tiers of government and stakeholders to improve on the funding of the agency to curb the pandemic.
He stressed the need for everyone to work together with the government authorities in the efforts to defend and protect the basic human rights of the vulnerable people.
Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology said on Thursday that the Federal Government would strengthen the use of indigenous engineers to develop the nation.
Onu, spoke as the Special Guest of Honour at the 38th annual conference of the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN) in Lagos.
The theme of the conference was; "Formulating a National Action Plan towards Integrating Nigerian Consultants into National Development-A case for inclusiveness''.
According to the minister, it is unacceptable that Nigeria still relies on foreign experts to build her infrastructure, construction, refineries and many others.
He said that Nigeria was a great nation with sufficient resources that could build and develop her economy.
"It is only Nigerians that can best develop Nigeria. We are not fully utilising our limitless opportunities. Even President Muhammadu Buhari has said that this has to change.
"The Ministry of Science and Technology will not rest until it strengthens the country's indigenous capacity for national development,'' Onu said.
He said that the ministry would ensure that Science, Technology and innovation became an important instrument for economic renewal and social stability.
Onu commended the association for their commitment to national development as professional, noting that mathematics, science and engineering were important for creation of wealth, jobs, providing shelter, securing the nation and fighting hunger.
The minister said that the country had no business importing food and other goods if it was utilising its indigenous experts.
He said that the ministry was determined to move the economy from a resource based to a science and innovation base economy.
According to him, the ministry will need the skills, expertise, support and talent inherent in members of ACEN and other stakeholders to achieve its plans.
The Present of ACEN, Mr Suleiman Adamu also said that every developed country used its indigenous experts to fashion its developmental programmes.
Adamu said that by using indigenous experts in building the economy, the country would be improving the expertise of the nation as well as creating jobs.
He said that when indigenous experts were neglected and foreigners are used to execute projects, the country would not grow and the youths would not improve.
The House of Representatives, on Wednesday commenced the process of conferring exclusive power to appoint chairmen and members of National and State Houses of Assembly election tribunals in the 36 states and Abuja on Chief Justice of Nigeria and National Judicial Council.
Presently, the power to make those appointments is the exclusive preserve of the President, Court of Appeal, as contained in section 1(3) of the Sixth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
But a bill jointly sponsored by Rep. James Faleke (APC-Lagos), and Rep. Sunday Karimi (APC-Kogi), seeks to alter the section by taking the power off the Court of Appeal President.
Leading debate on the Bill at plenary, Faleke explained that "the objective is to first and foremost contribute to the ongoing judicial and electoral reforms in the country.
"Secondly, to create a system of check and balance on the process of appointing these judicial officers.''
"As it is now, the authority to appoint the judges for the tribunals as well as the appellate tribunal rests squarely on the President of the Court of Appeal.
"This is in consultation with the Chief Judge of the state, the Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the state or the President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the state, depending on the state where the said tribunal members are to be appointed from."
The Bill was unanimously adopted and passed for second reading through members' voice votes and referred to the Special Ad hoc Committee for review of the 1999 Constitution for further legislative action.
The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, says legal technicalities and attitudes of employers and other stakeholders must not hamper the objectives of the pension scheme in Nigeria.
Onnoghen, who spoke at a sensitisation workshop on the contributory pension scheme, identified the other stakeholders as Pension Fund Administrators and Pension Custodians.
The workshop was organised by National Pension Commission (PENCOM) for judges and senior judicial officers in Abuja.
"My lords, regulators and officers, I must caution that technicalities by lawyers, attitudes of certain employers, pension administrators and pension custodians must not hamper the good objectives of the Federal Government.
"As I held in Central Bank of Nigeria Verses Amao and Ors involving a similar scenario, it is disturbing because the people involved are senior citizens of this country who have contributed their quotas to the development of the nation during their prime.''
He decried the attitude of the bank toward its pensioners, adding that it appeared not to see the injustice or inequality the government sought to redress through the contributory scheme.
"Appellant contends even in the face of statutory and constitutional provisions that the Central Bank of Nigeria is not part of the Federal Public Service for the purposes of pension and other retirement benefits,'' he said.
Onnoghen advised that organisations in Nigeria should wear a human face in the treatment of senior citizens because it could be anybody's turn to be one in the future.
"We must re-examine our attitude towards the senior citizens of this country so as not to make them regret their sacrifice for the nation in whatever capacity,'' he said.
Onnoghen said that pension fund governance must be aligned with good corporate governance recognised as an important part and parcel of efficient pension system.
He said everybody owed this generation and generations yet unborn to ensure that pensioners who devoted their lives and strengths to serve Nigeria received their pension benefits promptly.
Onnoghen noted that in order to consolidate this consciousness, everybody must support the Federal Government's fight against corruption.
He said this called for objectivity and impartiality by regulatory officials, accountability by pension administrators and transparency by pension fund custodians and other stakeholders.
Earlier, PENCOM Director-General, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, said previous workshops conducted in 2013 by the agency for judges was remarkable in the Nigerian pension reform implementation.
She, however, said there had been challenges in the implementation because of the lack of adequate understanding of the responsibilities by stakeholders.
The director-general said some challenges also arose in the course of enforcing compliance on recalcitrant employers by the commission which ultimately were resolved in the courts.
Earlier, Mrs Roseline Bozimo, Administrator, National Judicial Institute, said the workshop was organised in realisation of the main objectives of the institute's law.
She said this was the first workshop that had involved judges on the contributory pension scheme, laws, practices and ethics since the promulgation of the Pension Reform Act 2014.
Bozimo said that the National Judicial Institute was partnering PENCOM to ensure that there was an effective development of the nation's pension laws.
She explained that the workshop would enhance and equip the judges in their skills for pension adjudication.
At the 2016 Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs Empowerment Nigeria, AYEEN, one of the young entrepreneurs who played a mock role of President Muhammadu Buhari said he does not believe Nigeria is in recession especially in seeing the way Nigerians who claim to be hit by recession dress in fashionably rich manner.
The 2016 AYEEN AYEEN 2016, a Pan-Nigerian programme focuses on 6 geopolitical zones of Lagos, Delta, Calabar, Abuja, Kaduna, Enugu & Borno.
Commencing in 2014, AYEEN was conceived to effectively affect the business space and entrepreneurial minds of young Nigerians. The conception has led to the identification of viable business ideas, start-ups and existing businesses which have been generously aided with grants, business mentorship and coaching.
It has also garnered over 10,000 young entrepreneurs, stakeholders, government officials, captains of industries and other guests to its fold.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), has, Thursday, in Lagos unveiled winners of the National Distinction /Merit Award.
The trio, Master Babalola David Oluwasayo, Master Alabi Philip Toluwase and Miss Nkata Lewechi Ugonma emerged first, second and third respectively among over a million candidates that sat the May/June 2015 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Announcing the winners during its 54th Annual Meeting of Nigeria National Committee of WAEC held in Agidingbi, Lagos, the Head, National Office, WAEC, Mr Olu Adenipekun said: “Babalola who emerged first in eight subjects scored 673,7626.
He also stated that Alabi in eight subjects scored 667,1802, while Nkata in eight subjects scored 660,2430 to emerged second and third respectively.
Babalola who is presently studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan, UI had his secondary education at Oritamefa Baptist Model School, Ibadan, Osun State.
On his part, Alabi who is also studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan, UI had his secondary school education at Our Lady and St Francis Catholic College, Osogbo, Osun State.
Also, Nkata from Loyola Jesuit College, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja that emerged third is presently studying Chemical engineering at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Incidentally, none of the awardees was physically present to receive the awards, as it was reported that they were busy with examinations in their various institutions. They were all represented by their parents and siblings.
Meanwhile, winners for secondary schools for producing male and female candidates in the May/June 2015 WASSCE were announced and rewarded.
While Oritamefa Baptist Model School wins the Omo N’Oba Erediauwa Coronation Trophy for producing the best male candidate, Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, wins Omo N’Oba Erediauwa Coronation Trophy for producing the best female candidate in the May/June. Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja also won the Augustus Bamidele Oyediran trophy for producing the best overall results in the May/June. The winner of the WAEC Endowment Fund Prize Books went for the Lagoon School, Lekki for producing the first best aggregate results in the May/June 2015 WASSCE in Lagos State.
Second best aggregate results in the May/June went to Sagab College, Ikorodu, Lagos.
It consequently won the WAEC Endowment Fund Prize Books for producing the second best. Just as Wellspring College, Omole Phase 2, Ikeja, Lagos won the WAEC Endorsement Fund Prize Books for producing the third best aggregate results in the May/June 2015 WASSCE in Lagos State.
The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has called on the United Nations (UN) to set a time-frame to end Israel's occupation of Gaza Strip.
The President made the call as part of activities marking the International Day of Solidarity for the Palestinian people in Abuja.
The International Day of Solidarity provides an opportunity for the international community to focus attention on the fact that the Palestinian people are yet to attain their inalienable rights as defined by the General Assembly.
President Abbas of Palestine
President Abbas said it was high time the international community worked towards bringing an end to the lingering conflict between Israel and Palestine, which had deprived Palestinians their rights.
There had been efforts by the Security Council of the UN to bring an end to the conflict.
The conflict has been on territorial lines that existed before Israel's occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in 1967.
Abbas, who was represented by the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Saleh Fhied, further called on the international community to uphold its responsibilities by adopting Security Council resolutions to end settlement activities within the region.
"The Palestinian National Council declared its abidance by the rule of the rule of international law and the United Nations.
"We reiterate our commitment to agreements concluded with Israel since 1993 but this commitment must be reciprocal from the Israeli side.
"And Israel shouldrecognise the state of Palestine and work towards solving the final status issues and see to its settlement activities.
"As well as put an end to attacks on our cities, refugee camps and its policies of collective punishment and arrestand detention of thousands of Palestinians as prisoners in its soil.
"Israel is pursuing its occupation of East Jerusalem and its action to alter the identity and character of the city.
" It is persisting in its attempts aimed at distorting the reality in order to mislead and intimidate the international community through its actions against the United Nations and its organs.
"Including UNESCO which is dedicated to protecting and preserving the cultural heritage in Jerusalem and the rest of the world. The essence of the conflict is purely political not religious,'' he said.
The president pointed out that besides ensuring independence for the Palestinian people, finding a lasting solution to the conflict in the region would help to tackle challenges posed by extremist groups in the region.
" Bringing about a solution to this conflict will help remove tactics used by extremists and terrorist groups, that is, contributing to spreading peace and security in the region for the sake of all its people.
"From our side, we continue to extend our hand in peace and call on the international community to provide international protection for our people.
"We also call on the states which have not done soto recognise the State of Palestine as an expression of their support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.
"We hope that our efforts to achieve full membership of the State of Palestine in the United Nation will also receive your support.
"Our sincere gratitude to all the states that have recognised the State of Palestine and to all those who support the just Palestinian course through their votes in the United Nations and other international fora and many important resolutions in relation to question of Palestine.
"We also highly value their support for the efforts to achieve justice in our region and the world.
"We appreciate their solidarity and support to the Inalienable right of the Palestinian people and their legitimate national aspirations including achieving their freedom and independence and a lasting peace.
"The Security Council must uphold its obligations and ensure that Israel complies with united Nation's resolutions.
"Israel has a long record of non-compliance and violation of all United Nations resolutions starting with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181 which underscores the achievements of the two-state-solution,'' he said.
President Abbas reiterated the determination of his government to protect the unity of the people as well as fight against any form of inhuman and unjust treatment of its people.
He expressed optimism that the year 2017, which marked the 50th anniversary of Israel's occupation of the land of Palestine, would also be an international year to end Israeli occupation of the land.
He further expressed optimism that relevant stakeholders would intensify effort at ensuring that Palestinian people achieved independence and peace.
The president commended Nigeria for its support for the Palestinian people's rights in their quest to achieve liberation and statehood.
He assured that the Palestinian Government would continue to work to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
In his remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, assured the Palestinian Government of the Federal Government's continued support for the rights of its people to self-determination.
The Minister, who was represented by Amb. Mahmoud Suleiman said the country was in support of the United Nations' resolution on the conflict.
"The Federal Republic of Nigeria, wishes to express its profound support for the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and establishment of a sovereign state.
"The commitment to stand solidly behind the peaceful resolution of the conflict between Israel and Palestine stems from the deep faith in the sanctity of man's natural life of freedom and dignity.
`As a promoter of peace, Nigeria has always favoured peaceful end to the conflict in the MiddleEast.
"Consistent with this policy Nigeria supports the rights of the Palestinian people to an independent sovereign state.
"Within the framework of the United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 while also recognising the right of Israel to exist.
"The framework of the resolution is set out in UN resolution on the peaceful settlement on the question of Palestine which calls for a two state solution.
"Israel and Palestine existing side-by- side within secured borders.
"Nigeria believes that the conflict in the Middle East can be resolved. To this end Nigeria has supported various resolutions and declarations sponsored collectively as United Nations and its specialised agencies.
"In acknowledging the tremendous efforts of the agendas under the United Nations and the many countries that have extensively assisted in rendering humanitarian service to the Palestinian people, The Federal Republic of Nigeria takes this opportunity to call on the Palestinian authority and the Israeli Government.
"To dedicate themselves to finding a just and durable settlement to this conflict which has defied solution for too long,'' he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment