₦airaland Forum

A 19-year-old final year student, Aisha Eniola, was recently voted overwhelmingly as the Councillor of Brent Council in London, UK.

Her brilliance during the debates which preceded the election warmed her into the hearts of residents of the ward.

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Aisha polled 2,160 votes to be elected, defeating Simon Erskine, of the Green Party, who garnered 459 votes and Paul Fowler, of the Liberal Democrat, who polled 313.

Labour has continually held on to Harlesden, which remains one of their strongest wards in the Borough.

She is currently the youngest Councillor in Brent council and stated that she hoped to inspire youths to participate in politics.

SOURCE: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/19-year-old-student-aisha-eniola-is-an-elected-councillor/#sthash.3GX93hip.dpuf

The orchestrated delay by the Senate to confirm the ministerial nomination of Rotimi Amaechi is a brazen display of what happens when open and honest process is brushed aside so that the wiles of backroom and vengeful politics may take control of a vital constitutional function of the upper house of our National Assembly. The rule of fair law has been transformed into the rule of muddled evil.


They claim there is a petition against Rotimi Amaechi, Immediate Past Governor of Rivers State and a ministerial nominee. A court order enjoining his nomination is also alleged but no one seems to have seen the court order and none can authoritatively state the name of the court that wrote the phantom order. Now, we have a phantom law and visible injustice.

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This is but a slice of the bitter meal Senator Saraki hopes to serve Nigeria if he is allowed to continue to be the Chief Cook of the proceedings of the National Assembly. This ugly strategy against Amaechi shows the disregard the PDP and its allies have for constitutional and legal processes. To settle a local political score that resides only in Rivers state, they are willing to lay waste to the inner workings of the national government, particularly trashing the relationship between the Presidency and the National Assembly.


While we do not know from what court the order comes from but we fear with good reason that Saraki and company are turning the National Assembly into a court of kangaroos. There is a political gang-up against Amaechi by those who were his enemies in Rivers state. They were unable to touch him while governor; now they seek their pound of flesh.


We might expect this form of vindictiveness from the abrasive and embattled Governor Wike. Although, parading about with bombast and bluster as the governor, Wike knows his heavy skates are cutting into thin ice. The selection process by which he came to office cannot justifiably be deemed an election. If the electoral tribunal does as it ought, Wike’s tenure will be aborted. He will be removed from the Government House and put on the streets. This fall he can’t abide. He has nursed his wicked ambition too long to have it pulled from him after just as he is getting accustomed to it.


Thus, he has set himself on a most selfish mission. He has raided the cupboard of his state to pull out some of its precious funds to buy those senators, who would be bought, so that he can distort the national process to satisfy his parochial mission.


Wike seeks to hold Amaechi hostage as long as the electoral case against him is pending. He hopes to trap Amaechi in among the worst of double traps. He attempts to roadblock Amaechi. Amaechi must somehow get the APC to abandon the tribunal case or Amaechi’s nomination shall remain in abeyance. However, to jettison the tribunal, Amaechi would have to beg the APC candidate as well as President Buhari and the party leadership. Not only would this be shameful, it would be political suicide for it is such a toxic entreaty that it has no prospect of success. Wike seeks to make Amaechi so desperate as light himself aflame politically.


Thus far, Amaechi has been smart and disciplined. He has not put his neck in the noose. While Wike’s scheme is cunning , it will enjoy a short shelf life. The rumor of court orders cannot stand. No federal court would dare issue such an order because federal jurists know that such an order would be an improper judicial encroachment into what is essentially a legislative function.


Any order from a state court is an automatic nullity because federal institutions have primacy over state organs. As a son should not dictate to his father, a state court has no business entertaining an issue concerning the procedures of the National Assembly processes and a state court is certainly not in the position to enjoin the National Assembly. Again, this not the rule of law; it is rule of the lawless and the law of disorder.


While we should not be surprised at the craven behavior of Wike, we should be taken aback that the senate could allow itself to be brought so low, so swiftly. It is as if a stiff wind came and blew the stony edifice down as if made of crumbled paper and old rag.


Ironic that Senate President Saraki would allow this to happen. Amaechi and Saraki were close allies as governors. That he would sell Amaechi down the river for so cheap a blandishment should give all other Saraki allies pause. The man is so loyal and concerned about self that he has no loyalty and concern to bestow to others, to advance his cause one inch, he will slice the political neck of a friend. To be his ally is to begin to count the moments when his self-interest will make him turn against you.

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Yet, in all of this, there is an even greater irony. Saraki has climbed the summit of hypocrisy. Amaechi has not been indicted much less convicted of any crime. One cannot be barred from high office merely by the shadow of rumor and the craft of those who monger them. In a chamber where the presiding officer is undergoing a court trial for corruption and where scores of other senators are under investigations by various graft agencies, they have no moral standing to sidetrack Amaechi’s nomination.


Like the Senators, Amaechi is yet to be tried and found guilty by any court of law. Thus, he stands innocent until proven guilty. He should not be denied his rights and we, the people, should be denied our right to the fair and honest operation of the National Assembly in the exercise of its constitutional duties.


The change the people voted for was that our elected officials would abide the constitution and rule of law. What we did not vote for is that they would invent new, more odious ways to shackle democracy and undermine governance for all in pursuit of their narrowing agendas.


If the Senate insists in not confirming Amaechi because of the allegations against him, then the Senate should begin to purge itself of members in like circumstances. The extraction should start at the very top. If the senators cannot treat Amaechi’s nomination due to the extra-judicial allegations against him, then the Senate should suspend Senate President Saraki, who actually has a formal corruption case against him.


Also, the other senators who are subjects of official investigations should be relieved of their duties until their matters are resolved. Put another way, if the law protects Saraki and others by regarding them innocent until proven guilty, that same rule must also apply to Rotimi.


The machinations surrounding the nomination of the former Governor of Rivers state show that an unfortunate segment of the political class still fails to realize that change has come to Nigeria. They still seek the bankrupt politics of old where money trumps right and affluence means more than the rule of law and decency. These people seek to keep us in the past.


Therefore, we must demand that the Amaechi nomination is moved forward. We do this not for Amaechi. Whether he comes or goes is in some ways irrelevant. It just so happens that, once again, he finds himself in the midst of a constitutional and political maelstrom. Eight years ago, the Supreme Court had to save his governorship seat. They did so, not out of personal favor to him, but to insert the rule of law in place of the rule of naked power.


We come again now to a moment where Amaechi is in the eye of the tempest but we recognize that the issue transcends him. The stakes are big.

We fight those who still believe they can purchase our institutions because Nigerian governance and democracy remain for sale. We must say that they are wrong and that if they persist in this misconduct, they will be facing more than allegations. They shall face the rebuke of the people and the close scrutiny of our judicial system.


Before they decry the speck on Amaechi’s shoes, they better clear the mud from their own.

SOURCE: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/if-saraki-can-preside-then-amaechi-should-pass

The All Progressive Youth Forum (APYF) commends the strides and performance of the Ministerial nominees sent in by President Muhammadu Buhari. The caliber of the nominees was further proven by their show of exceptional understanding of Nigeria – her issues, and the solutions to her problems.


The Forum also wishes to commend the Senate president and his colleagues for displaying a level of maturity and patriotism in the conduct of the confirmation hearings so far.

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However, it is of great concern to the us that the confirmation hearing of one the most dedicated public servants in the last dispensation; the erudite Director General of our presidential campaign and former Governor of Rivers’ State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, is begining to take a new twist due to unnecessary and prolonged postponements on the basis of the absence of a report from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions chaired by Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.


While acknowledging the constitutional right and independence of the parliament to conduct such hearings uninterrupted by anyone or anything, it behooves on us to call on them to do so without recourse to personal vendetta or partisan obstructionism.
Rt. Hon. Amaechi is a great Nigerian leader. He has served the nation, his state, his people and his party– the APC – with all of his being and resources. He is a rare icon, a tough and unwavering champion of the Change Movement and we support his nomination.

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Political differences and partisan brinksmanship are normal in every society’s polity; nonetheless, they must be set aside when making decisions in the best interest of a nation. The moment we upgrade these differences to the fore in processes that affect national interest, then we will likely truncate the foundation of a functioning government, the very essence of us all occupying our respective positions in the polity.


In support of a New Nigerian foundation being laid upon by President Buhari, we look forward to Tuesday for the expeditious hearing of Mr. Amaechi and his beckoning to serve, once again, his fatherland.




SOURCE: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/amaechis-screening-debacle

Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has concluded plans for the inauguration of the Nigerian Digital Music Monitoring Group on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at its Headquarters in Opebi, Lagos. The setting up of the Nigerian Digital Music was one of the major resolutions adopted at the just concluded Nigerian Digital Music Summit. Members of the Group include top music industry executives, copyright experts, government agencies and representatives of telecommunications operators in Nigeria.

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By the resolutions, the Group is mandated to work closely with the Nigerian Copyright Commission, the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Information Technology Development Agency, the National Assembly and other relevant bodies to develop specific methods for the implementation of the resolutions of the Summit. The Group is also charged to monitor progress in the exploitation of music in the digital environment and report at regular intervals on the state of progress made.

Speaking on the development, Mr. Efe Omorogbe and CEO of NowMuzik, “This is coming at a time our music industry needs it the most. I am particularly excited at what the future holds for our industry. I want to urge all with interests in Nigerian music to forge closer and work for the growth of our industry while we still have the chance to”.

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Also speaking, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, General Manager of COSON said, “Every member of the monitoring group was carefully selected by the summit because of the enormous task ahead. The monitoring group has been given a time frame of 12 months with which to implement the resolutions adopted at the summit. At the end of the 12 months, work done will be evaluated and the next phase will kick off. It is our belief that this group which has some of the best brains in the creative sector will bring about the revolution our industry craves for”.

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Also speaking, Mr. Simon Aderinlola, COO, BeyondBoarders said, “The quality of the 2015 Summit and the composition of this Group give reason for optimism. The concerns around IP ownership and appropriate music revenue allocation are global concerns, so win-win positions need to be sought, difficult conversations need to be had and the journey towards that noble objective has begun”.

It will be recalled that in September COSON hosted the Nigerian Digital Music Summit in collaboration with the Growth & Employment Project (GEM) (funded by the World Bank and domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment). The summit had the theme: “Establishing the Basic Rules of Engagement in the Digital Environment”. At the end of the 2-day summit resolutions were adopted for immediate execution.




SOURCE: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/coson-to-inaugurate-the-nigerian-music-monitoring-group

@DuduAde

What's left is the remaining h less than halfway. See ya at the cinema!

There is currently very heavy Military and DSS personnel in armoured and other military vehicles in the Arepo area of the Lagos-Ogun border area since last weekend, and the thinking has been that this is in line with protecting petroleum pipelines, and fighting pipeline vandal gangs.

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It would be recalled that last month, seven DSS officials were reported to have been killed in that area. Residents have however been complaining about the conduct of the military and intelligence personnel. Complaints have been made of harassment and humiliation of civilians in the community,

A resident of the area, Chukwuma Anele had this to say about the situation:

“SOS! Soldiers on rampage in Arepo, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway. HELP!!! Soldiiers sent to protect the pipeline are harassing, molesting, and beating any and everybody they meet on the road as from 8 in the night – including those returning home from work late at night after a very hard day at work.

Beating anyone that still has his shop open as from 8pm. They were told to protect the pipelines which are located far away from where residents live. I don’t understand the rationale for these human rights abuses being done against very peaceful residents of Arepo community. Pls help us O!”

Another resident claimed that they were being terrorized and made to raise up their arms and march because they got home late


SOURCE: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/soldiers-in-arepo-harassment-humiliation-of-residents

Regina, a young female scavenger discovers that the heart of a man left for dead amongst many corpses littering the street after an ambush on some peace keeping corps members by rebel soldiers is still beating. She is compelled to take him home. She has no clue who he is as he had been stripped to his briefs with no form of identification.

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The young woman caters for him and nurses his injuries for months with the only sign of life being the rise and fall of his chest as he breaths.

The man wakes up later from coma with no recollection of who he is or where he is from. The attack has him suffering from amnesia. Undaunted by his condition and the consequences of taking a total stranger home during the war times, she finds ways to cater for and nurse him back to good health while keeping him hidden particularly from a group of bandits that come around regularly to intimidate her and her little brother.

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He soon begins to develop feelings for her and she for him as they are always together and hardly in contact with other people apart from her younger brother. He begins to regain his memory through a slow process and eventually, he is able to have a total recall and REGINA, the lady who took him home and nursed him back to health is heartbroken to find out that he has another life back home in Nigeria.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWUWNcvcd-U

A Soldier’s Story will be in Cinemas across Nigeria from October 23rd 2015.

www.soldiersstorythemovie.com
www.facebook.com/soldiersstory
Twitter: @soldiersstorytm

SOURCE: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/a-soldiers-story-bravery-blood-betrayal

Congolese super star, Fally Ipupa enlists Nigerian music heavy weights 2face Idibia and Naeto C on the remix to his 2013 critical and commercial hit ‘Sweet Life’ from the double album Power.

Sweet Life mixes melodic Congolese Rumba with Hip Hop. 2face and Naeto C’s verses elevate the song’s theme with instantly quotable lines.

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This is the second collaboration between 2face and Fally Ipupa, they both collaborated on “Diaspora Woman”, a joint off 2014’s The Ascension album.

The song has been described as evergreen by many. This is the second remix treatment the song has received, the first featured fellow Congolese rapper Bigg masta G.


Download on Cloud 9

http://cloud9.com.ng/fally-pupa/sweet-life-remixsingle

Sweet Life originally was written Fally Ipupa and produced by Julio masidi, the remix featuring 2face and Naeto C is brought to you FVic Team in collaboration with Now Muzik.

SOURCE: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/fally-ipupa-features-2face-naeto-c-on-sweet-life-remix

The spokesperson of the Agbedegbede Royal Compound, Prince Ade Ogunleye, has refuted and dissociated the royal compound from the pronouncements, actions and decisions of the Professor Ade Aderibigbe-led Screening Committee. The spokesperson said this while reacting to the allegation that Agbedegbede unfairly presented themselves as if they are the only royal compound in the Giesi Ruling Family by listing all their sons at the detriment of others in the purported lists to the Kingmakers for consideration as next Ooni of Ife.


Prince Ogunleye said, “We are now in the know that Prof. Ade Aderibigbe – who made the screening a one-man show, has collected a car and the sum of N20million from a candidate and that is the reason he distorted the history of the royal compounds in the ruling house to favour his paymaster. We initially yielded to him being the Chairman of the Screening Committee because of his age and education. We did not know that this has nothing to do with integrity and knowledge. We have disowned him and his utterance and actions.

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“The Baale Ile (Head) of Agbedegbede has directed that his actions be disregarded. He felt bad that Prof. Aderibigbe took advantage of his bad sight to abuse the screening process.”


He urged the sons and daughters of Giesi Ruling House from Agbedegbede, Debooye, Idu, Luugba, Moniki, Wanikin and Obiri to be calm and maintain peace. In his words, “We shall represent real lists to the kingmakers; a real list picked from a screening committee that comprises of representatives of all the royal compounds, not just Agbedegbede compound.


“This is how it was done in 1980 when Molodo, Olubuse/Olodo, Adejokun, Alaka, Amodo, Odogbon and Ooni Ilare of Ogboru Ruling House were all represented in the Committee that presented Omo-Oyee to the Afobaje (Kingmakers) and Gomina (Governor) through the Secretary of the Oranmiyan Local Government. It was not the responsibilities of the Chairmen of the Local Government, as it is been done now. It is not their role and just usurp of other roles. We will do it right this time.”


The spokesperson mentioned that appropriate punishment is being meted out to Prof Ade Aderibigbe, whom, he said, the family is reconsidering his paternity because of his tribal marks (it is not expected of Omo-Oba to have tribal mark in Ife) and for the fact he was born out of wedlock. He said that the kingmakers and State Government has been notified of the development, which means selection process has to stop until it is amicably resolved. He called on all the indigenes and residents of Ile-Ife to be at peace.


“The future is bright for Ile-Ife, Yorubas both home and abroad,” he concluded.

SOURCE: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/the-next-ooni-of-ife-and-prof-aderigbigbes-distortion-of-history

LOL! But someone said he promised to return the N11 billion if re-elected. #NoJokes

http://dailypost.ng/2015/10/04/kogi-guber-audu-will-return-the-n11bn-he-stole-if-elected-apc-chairman/

The Ministerial list that has now been officially made public by the Nigerian Senate has expectedly drawn reactions from several quarters. As a coalition of young people actively engaged in governance and democracy in the country, we are sad that we are again on a familiar road.

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This is the path again where we begin to advocate for proper youth representation in governance. We are shocked that the present ministerial nominee has no single representation of young people who were born in the 70’s or the 80’s. We did not expect that President Muhammadu Buhari’s list of 21 Ministers, which came after a long six months wait will not have a single youth’s name on it especially when he was the Federal Commissioner – the equivalent of a minister today – for Petroleum and Natural Resources in 1976 at the age of 34.



Curiously, the president seeks to retain the portfolio 39 years after. We hold no grudge against him for this decision as long as Nigeria is better for it. We assumed the long wait for the list was also in part due to the president’s search for capable hands. Our definition of youth is in tandem with that provided by the African Youth Charter, which was ratified by the African Union Heads of State and Government, which numerically classifies them as those between the age of 15 and 35.


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We are further taken aback by the presidency’s seeming dismissal to this demography especially given the roles several of them played towards the actualization of the President Muhammadu Buhari and his party’s political dream of getting into office through democratic means. The President’s body language and leadership in this regard does not mean well especially because state governments will quickly learn from this and also shut out young people from representative governance in the states.



Beyond the ministerial list, we are also quick to note that there has not been anybody below the age of 35 that has been appointed to be part of the president’s team thus far.



There are evidences that shows Nigeria parades some of the finest youth on the continent, who can hold their own any where in the world. We are forced to ask –is it that the country’s investment in young people is just a routine process and our country’s leadership does not believe in the capacity of this demography to lead?

It took six months to release these list of 21. We understand that constitutionally, the president is obliged to mark up the figures to 36. We therefore hope this mistake will be corrected; and quickly. Women, despite being about half of the Nigerian population have also been poorly represented with just a meager 14% representation on the ministerial list. The median age of the current list is 56.

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The presidency can choose to correct this wrong by appointing young women into the Federal Executive Council, as this will serve dual purpose of women and youth representation. It is wrong for any government to make decisions for a group in their absence, especially when they are keen to participate. What the President is saying thus far with its appointment is that he has no confidence in today’s youth even when the same country gave him the opportunity to grow into leadership at an early age.



Nigerian youth have earned the right to a space in the leadership of this country and we hope the presidency will listen and do the needful. When we are not given the opportunity to lead today, we are simply being denied of the experience needed to lead properly when that elusive future finally comes.

Signed

Sola Fagorusi
for:​
Omowumi Asubiaro-Dada & Co
Nyesom Global
Manifesteen Missions and Media
Omojomi Consultancy Services
WeAreMAD Initiative and many more.

SOURCE: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/118-youth-organization-on-the-ministerial-list

The Candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the November 21 governorship election in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, has unveiled a three- point agenda he would pursue, if elected.

Audu unveiled the agenda at Alu, Yagba East Local Council Area of the state while receiving hundreds of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, decampees from Yagba Federal Constituency.

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He promised to focus on power shift, declare a state of emergency in critical sectors of the state and concentrate on ‘stomach infrastructure.’

His words: “Let me make my three-point agenda known to the people of the state because I want to be held responsible for my word later when I gain power. First, I will make sure that power shift becomes sacrosanct. I will be the first governor to change power in the state. I must honour my agreement that after my full tenure I will ensure power rotation either to Kogi West or Kogi Central.

“I will declare state of emergency on the critical sectors of the state especially in the infrastructural sector. Shortly after I won my party primary, I took a trip outside the country where I met international business organisations, who by now are just waiting for me to be sworn-in so that they can come and invest in critical sectors of the state. “Lastly, the welfare of the people of the state remains a priority to me. Let no one deceive you, I have nothing but the best interest of the people at heart.”

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Elder Leke Abejide, who led other decampees from the PDP in the federal constituency said he left the PDP because of its rigidity. “There are five reasons I left the PDP. Foremost of it all is that the PDP is conservative in nature and I am progressive in nature. Over the years I have tried to change things within their fold but I have realised that it will not be. After painstaking deliberation with some of my followers and supporters across the three local councils in the area, and some people outside the state, we decided it is best to move to the APC where the real idea behind my joining politics can be realised.’’

Governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru who was at the occasion to receive the decampees, said it was disheartening that despite the level of enlightenment, the state could still be ruled by the PDP.


SOURCE: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/kogidecides-audu-unveils-3-point-agenda/

Dino Melaye, representing the Senate, has just announced on national television that Senators will be recognized only as citizens of states from which they originate, and not states where they marry.

Please, Nigeria, how can this help improve her service to the entire nation if she was born in Kaduna and married in Gombe, and not born in Gombe and married in Kaduna. Why can't these people focus on the most important things?

Amina J. Mohammed was appointed Special Adviser on “Post-2015 Development Planning” to the United Nation’s Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 7 June 2012. She brought in more than 30 years of experience as a development practitioner in the public and private sectors, as well as civil society.

She is currently the CEO/Founder of the Center for Development Policy Solutions, a newly established think tank to address the policy and knowledge gaps within the Government, Parliament and private sector in development and civil society for robust advocacy materials. Mrs. Mohammed is also Adjunct Professor of the Master’s Programme for Development Practice at Columbia University, New York.

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Prior to that, Mrs. Mohammed served as the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on the Millennium Development Goals after serving three Presidents over a period of six years. In 2005 she was charged with the coordination of the debt relief funds ($1 billion per annum) towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria. Her mandate included designing a Virtual Poverty Fund with innovative approaches to poverty reduction, budget coordination and monitoring, as well as providing advice on pertinent issues regarding poverty, public sector reform and sustainable development.

From 2002-2005, Ms. Mohammed served as coordinator of the Task Force on Gender and Education for the United Nations Millennium Project. Prior to this, she served as Founder and Executive Director of Afri-Projects Consortium, a multidisciplinary firm of Engineers and Quantity Surveyors (1991-2001) and worked with the architectural engineering firm of Archcon Nigeria in association with Norman and Dawbarn UK (1981-1991).

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Mrs. Mohammed currently serves on numerous international advisory panels and boards, including the Global Development Program of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Secretary General’s Global Sustainability Panel, the Hewlett Foundation on Education, African Women’s Millennium Initiative, the ActionAid International “Right to Education Project”, the Millennium Promise Initiative, and the Institute of Scientific & Technical Information of China.

She is a Governor of the International Development Research Centre in Canada, and currently chairs the Advisory Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Monitoring Report on Education.

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Mrs. Mohammed received the National Honours Award of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2006 and was inducted in the Nigerian Women’s Hall of Fame in 2007.

Born in 1961, Mrs. Mohammed is married with children. She’s also a ministerial nominee on the list President Muhammadu Buhari submitted to the Senate.



SOURCE: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/amina-j-mohammed-as-profiled-by-the-un

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria has received a boost in the ongoing World Elderly Day celebration with the treatment of 1000 elderly people currently receiving free treatment for various levels of ailments in Lagos. Code named Project Gray 2.0, the week-long exercise which is slated to last between Monday, October 5 and Friday, October 9 would see about 1000 elderly people treated of various ailments such as prostate cancer, hernia, breast lump, diabetics, and general surgeries conducted by specialist surgeons, gynecologists, oncologists, nurses and other medical experts.

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Pension Fund Operators of Nigeria, the umbrella association of all Pension Fund Operators in Nigeria, has thrown its weight behind the project by collaborating with a Non-Government Organisation, Orange Health Initiative and Legus Foundation, owners of Veteran Hospital to provide free medical treatment for the elderly people of 60 years and above.



The retirees on the Contributory Pension Scheme are majorly the beneficiaries of this noble initiative as they expressed appreciation to pension Operators involvement in the course that has put smiles on their faces.



According to one of the retirees who declined his name mentioned in the print noted that the new pension scheme couldn’t have been better. He said even when his pension has been paid regularly by his PFA they have gone out of their way in giving them free treatment of this magnitude.

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For him it is rare in Nigeria’s 55 years history to have such gesture from the system. Our source who was diagnosed of diabetes said; “My sincere appreciation goes to PenOp for inviting me to partake in this program. I have been diagnosed of diabetes and the doctors have told me what to do next, which of course, the organizers are going to take financial responsibility for the entire treatment. I am glad and I give thanks to God for making it happen right in my presence. It couldn’t have been better,” he said.



PFAs have, so far, sent over 250 elderly people in their registers to obtain free medics during the exercise, the course that received applaud from the retirees under the CPS. With the target of over 1000 patients to be treated during the programme many others are on their way to partake, according to the PenOp spokesperson.

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The Executive Secretary of PenOp, Susan Oranye, added that the significance of Project Gray 2.0 cannot be overemphasized as it focuses on the health and wellbeing of the elderly. Operators understand that having a pensions to fall back on in retirement and good health is the main focus of many elderly men and women. It is this commitment to the wellbeing of old people that led to PenOp’s collaboration with the Orange Health Initiative in ensuring that these people have unhindered access to medical checkups and treatments for this week.

She said; “The Project Gray 2.0 is an initiative that celebrates the World’s Elders’ Day. Now, it is important that as a country and as a people we take care of our elderly, make sure that in retirement they can, at least, maintain a decent standard of living. This is the ethos that guides the pension system in the country.”

Oranye added that “PenOp is exceedingly excited about this programme because this project marks the kickoff first Geriatric Hospital in Nigeria and this is something we are passionate about.

Acknowledging the creativity of the Orange Health Initiative headed by Dr. Kunle Megbuwawon, she said the NGO is working very hard to focus on the welfare and the healthcare of the elderly and that the operators are keen to work with them.

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She disclosed that the Orange Health Initiative had deployed specialist doctors from all over the country to take part in this programme and were also in partnership with Expartcare Health Ltd, a well structured HMO.

“This is the future of pension industry in Nigeria and that is why the Operators are working so hard to ensure that they get as many people into the Contributory Pension Scheme so that when they retire they too will have funds to pay for their medical bills. We make sure that they are able to take care of themselves and loved ones when they retire from active service.”

“PenOp is passionate about this program because a country that does not have cater for its elderly does not respect its history enough. We believe Project Gray 2.0 is a worthy cause that deserves our support. Operators have already sent in over 250 retirees to be checked and treated in this programme.” the Executive Secretary added.

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Dr Kola Adeyina, the Chairman of Legus Foundation and Founder of Veteran Hospital located in Lagos Metropolis where the elders are currently receiving treatment told newsmen that the project slated to last for 1 week is conducted by specialists from different medical callings.

The medical expert who said he has been treating Nigerian children free since 1977 disclosed that the project would cost the organizers over N20 million within the 5-Day exercise.

Dr. Adeyina who is a one -time chairman of World Bank health project in Nigeria, was delighted that the project conceived three years ago during which skeletal services was provided has finally seen the light of the day through some young consultants who came together to fulfill their dream of caring for the elderly. He was very appreciative to PenOp for their support both in funding and sending in retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme to join the Project Gray 2.0.

Adeyina said he had to surrender his hospital for the purpose given the fact that they are sharing the same ideal, vision and objective which is to cater for the vulnerable, elderly and the children in the society.

Hear him; “They have got no hope, we are going to give them hope, they’ve got no helper we are going to treat them free today so we are asking for well wishers to come together to assist this noble project. We have volunteer physicians; psychiatric doctors, surgeons, oncologists, orthopaedic doctors and nurses who are here to help. Remember the World Elderly Day coincides with Nigeria’s independence Day, 1st October, so we choose this week to celebrate it. We will continue to provide this service every year for our elderly. We are diagnosing various ailments and offering treatments in areas such as Cataract, glaucoma, giant hernia, breast lump, prostate cancer, diabetic. We are sending all of them to laboratory and then we are going to commence surgery where necessary’.

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Coordinator of Orange Health Initiative, Dr. Kunle Megbuwawon who believes that getting to the golden age is a privilege that eludes many, said that the goal of the programme is to take care of 1000 elderly people with about 50 of them undergoing surgeries, while at least 15 of them are expected to undergo cataract operation and can go home smiling at the end of the exercise. He said Project Gray was borne out of the passion for elderly people in the society and aims at turning the Legus Specialist Hospital into the first Geriatric Hospital in the country.



Dr. Kunle Megbuwawon, the Coordinator of Orange Health Initiative said; “Our goal in this program is to take care of elderly people especially retirees. We believe that to get to that golden age is a privilege, not a right. I saw that if I was dead I wouldn’t have been privileged to do what I am doing. That is how the Project Gray started.

“For this year we are looking at treating 1000 elderly people, we are looking at doing 50 surgeries, 15 Cataract surgeries we have various experts, orthopologists, psychiatric, general practice surgeons, neo-surgeon, that are on ground to help people.” Megboawon explained.

SOURCE: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/penop-partners-orange-health-legus-foundation-on-free-healthcare-for-elderly/

The premises of Lagos Sheraton Hotel & Towers Ikeja will be abuzz on Monday, November 2, 2015 as Nigeria’s best brains, legal scholars and the stars of the nation’s creative industries gather for the 2015 COSON Lecture, one of the key events of the much talked about COSON Week holding from November 1 to 7. The theme of this year’s lecture,which is attracting significant interest, is “INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY”.



A major highlight of the event will be the presentation of the Copyright Grand Medal to the nation’s elder states man and unsurpassed legal luminary, Prince Bola Ajibola. Prince Ajibola, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association distinguished himself as a Judge of the World Court at The Hague. Prince Ajibola was Attorney-General of the Federation in Nigeria and during his tenure played a pivotal role in the promulgation of the Nigerian copyright law which has formed the bedrock of the immense activity in popular music, movies, programming and similar creative endeavors in the country.

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81 year old Prince Bola Ajibola who will be the Guest of Honour at the COSON Lecture will be the first individual to be presented with the Copyright Grand Medal. This year’s
COSON Lecture will be chaired by IT guru and business mogul, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh who is chairman of Zinox Technologies, Task Systems, Technology Distributions Ltd and
several other ground breaking companies in the technology sector.



Speaking about the upcoming COSON Lecture, Chairman Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji said, “I am highly elated. The arrangements for the COSON Lecture are going on very well. For a living legend like Prince Bola Ajibola who is rarely seen in public, to accept to honour us with his presence at the COSON Lecture is mindblowing. If you read my book, ‘Copyright & the New Millionaires’, you will see the historic role played by this great nationalist to shape the future of the Nigerian creative community. I cannot think of any other Nigerian more deserving of the Copyright Grand Medal than Prince Ajibola”.

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“I am also excited that we will have as Chairman another exceptional Nigerian. Chief Leo Stan Ekeh has used technology to shape our country in ways which many people are unaware of. To have him chair the COSON Lecture dealing with the digital economy is a privilege. The COSON Lecture is being organized to the very high standards for which COSON is known. We will have a great panel of discussants whose names we will announce in the coming days. I also wish to express our appreciation to First Bank, the nation’s No. 1 bank for its support of the COSON Lecture. Already, we have a huge demand for the IVs to the COSON Lecture. It will clearly be an unforgettable day on November 2”.



The COSON Lecture is one of the seven major events of the roaring COSON Week which begins on Sunday November 1 with COSON in the Church, the red carpet National Day of Prayer and Invocation tothe Almighty which will hold at KICC Prayer Dome in Maryland, Lagos. Other events of the much awaited COSON Week include COSON in the Streets all over the streets of Lagos; the COSON Green Ball at the MUSON Center, Lagos; COSON All Stars Table Tennis Blow Out at Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere and the massive COSON Song Awards at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel & Suites. The COSON Week will end with a big bang on Saturday, November 7 as COSON Storms the Beach with an armada
of 100 of Nigeria’s ‘A’ list stars with high octane music who will take over the Atican Beach Resort, off Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah for what is billed to be Africa’s biggest beach concert ever.

Jonathan could not tame her simply because of his obsession with her, but he could support her on National and International television. He played a role in all this.

Operators in the Contributory Pension Scheme are putting in place measures that will help Nigerians in the informal sector to cultivate a savings habit and have retirement accounts.

This was contained in a report on informal sector participation in the CPS, which was obtained from the National Pension Commission.

“In the effort to encourage a informal sector participation in the CPS, the commission developed and distributed the framework for the informal sector participation in the CPS to all stakeholders for comments,” it stated.

The report said the input from various stakeholders had been collated and subsequently incorporated into the framework to usher the informal sector into the system.

The Director-General, PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, said the Federal Government planned to introduce millions of workers in the informal sector to the CPS, using the micro pension initiative. She added that a nationwide dialogue with self-employed persons and workers in the informal sector was ongoing ahead of the commencement of the micro pension scheme in the country.

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“Government hopes to bring at least 20 million informal sector workers and self-employed persons into the scheme in the next four years; necessary arrangements are being put in place to ensure a smooth take-off of the scheme later this year,” she said.

The Chairman, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria, Mr. Misbahu Yola, said the operators were working on a framework to bring the informal sector into the scheme because there was an obvious gap between workers in Nigeria and those that the operators had registered under the CPS.

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He said, “We only need a framework that will enhance identity, and be able to educate the artisans so that they would understand pension as opposed to savings, which would enable them to appreciate the essence of saving for retirement,” he said.

According to Yola, it is important for workers to have pension accounts if they are to have the deserved comfortable lifestyle at retirement.


SOURCE: http://www.barbaric.com.ng/operators-plan-pension-account-for-artisans/

LET US STOP DECEIVING OURSELVES! EL RUFAI HAS LIED AS MUCH AS GEJ!

What happened in 2010 when GEJ sent a budget of N10 billion to be approved for Independence Day celebration?! Do you wonder now why those figures are not handy at the moment?!

Look at a breakdown of the 2010 Independence Day celebrations budget as was shared here on Nairaland. Was it El Rufai that posted it?!

yemmydavid:
Itemised 10 billion naira Budget Proposal for 50 years celebration.




1. Anniversary parade including march past, fleet review and aerial display - N950 million.
2. National unity torch tour - N350 million.
Special visit to special homes, orphanages, prisons and hospitals - N50 million
3. Special session of the National Children Parliament - N20 million
4. Party for 1000 children - N20 million
5. Presidential banquet - N40 million
6. Calisthenics performance - N50 million
7. Cultural, historical and military exhibitions N310 million
8. Food week - N40 million
9. Secretariat equipment, accommodation, logistics and utilities - N320 million
10. Designing and unveiling of the 50th anniversary logo - N30 million
11. Special reports on Nigeria in both local and international media - N1.2 billion
12. Jingles, adverts, billboards, documentary and publicity - N320 million
13. Accommodation and Transportation of guests - N700 million
14. Production of branded souvenirs and gift items for foreign heads of state and erection of a coat of arms on Aso Rock - N450 million
15. Variety gala night and fireworks - N210 million
16. International friendly football match and local competition - N200 million
17. Event managers and producers - N120 million naira.
18. Designing and publication of a compendium on Nigeria - N400 million,
19. Compendium on the legislature - N150 million
20. Compendium on the judiciary - N50 million.
21. Commissioning of the golden jubilee plaza - N10 million naira;
22. Designing, construction and mounting of Tower of Unity in the 36 states of the Federation - N540 million.
23. Debates, essays, conferences, lectures, and a colloquium - N150 million;
24. Musical concerts and carnivals in the 6 geo-political zones - N60 million;
25. Durbar, masquerades and cultural dances - N100 million and
26. Designing and construction of 10 monuments of the founding fathers - N80 million.
27. A memory stone at the Tafawa Balewa Square , Lagos will consume - N40 million,
28. Security and protocol - N500 million
29. Medicals - N25 million
30. Miscellaneous - N105 Million.

Also, read here in the Vanguard, about the N639 billion 2010 Supplementary Appropriation Bill in which GEJ requested N10 billion for Independence Day Celebration. It was not El Rufai that wrote the bill for him in 2010. He wrote it with his own hand, and that bill is still in existence.



http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/06/reps-approve-n10bn-for-nigeria-at-50

We've been hearing this same thing for almost 4 years now. If you know the cause, how come we're still having the consequence?!