28042019 - No delaying minimum wage, go ahead and pay, FG tells MDAs, states, others

Viewpoint
By Sanjay Jain
VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF
Endless possibilities
The celebration of Non-
Resident Indians
Day,popularly known as the
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, is hosted
annually in India by the Indian
government. As the name implies,
this special ceremony celebrates
Indians who have taken residence
in other countries outside India.
Initially, the Non-Resident Indians
Day celebrations held every two or
three years but when statistics
showed that there are 33 million nonresident
Indians living in countries
all over the world, the present-day
government made the celebrations
an annual event. The Indian
government made many
publications and implemented
campaigns around the world to
invite non-residents for the 2019
event.
This year, the Non-Resident
Indians Day celebrations took place
in January at one of the oldest cities
of the world - VARANSI. In
attendance were government
officials and dignitaries including
the President, the Prime Minister, the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, the
Minister of State for Defence and
Chief Minister of the State; all along
with over 7,000 Non-Residents in
attendance. The Indian government
rolled out all the stops to ensure that
non-resident Indians had a
comfortable stay and a great time.
The January 2019 Non- Resident
Indians Day celebrations was fused
with one of India’s most sacred event,
the Kumbh Mela, which involves
taking Holy Dip in the sacred river
Ganges. Indians hold the belief that
BY Chioma Onuegbu, Uyo
OVERNOR Udom Emmanuel
Gof Akwa Ibom State has
expressed concern over the wave
of cult clashes at the University of
Uyo (UNIUYO), calling on security
agencies to collaborate with the
varsity management to fish out and
bring the perpetrators to book.
SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 28, 2019, Page 43
Celebration of PRAVASI BHARTIYA DIVAS - Non-
Resident Indians Day
Chief Sanjay Jain at the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas( Non
Resident Indians' Day ) at Varansi, India
if people take a bath in the River
Ganges at the time of 12 th feeding and transportation, though
years’ they were allowed to sort their own
anniversary of the fall of the Elixir, accommodation according to
they will attain salvation. It is also a individual tastes. During the Nonpopular
Indian belief that if Resident Indians Day celebration, the
somebody dies and the ashes spread government handed out 30 awards
in River Ganges, the person’s soul to select non-resident Indians.
will receive salvation. The 12 years’ The celebrations create several
anniversary of Elixir Fall occurred opportunities for non-resident
in January 2019 and led to the fusion Indians. It is an opportunity for nonresident
Indians to come home,
of the Holy Dip and the Non-
Residents Day celebrations. reconnect with their roots, family,
All non-resident Indians who friends and community; an
came for the ceremony were warmly opportunity to see what development
welcomed at the airport by projects have been completed or are
designated team from the underway since their last visit; an
government. Each visiting nonresident
enjoyed free registration, laws, policies and
opportunity to familiarise with new
economic
Cult killings: Emmanuel urges UNIUYO, security agencies
to fish out perpetrators
Dapo Abiodun urged
to pay 30 months’
salaries owed
college lecturers
By Demola Akinyemi
A
PAGE 43
Organisation, Non-Governmental
Kakaaki
Ijebu Voice, has appealed to the
governor-elect of Ogun State,
Prince Dapo Abiodun, to pay the 30
months’ salaries owed staff
members and lecturers of Tai
Solarin College of Education, on
assumption of office, to enable the
victims live normal lives.
The organisation, which
encouraged Abiodun to ensure
prompt payment of workers salaries
henceforth, also called on the
incoming administration to
accelerate the development of the
state by following the legacy of the
first civilian governor, Chief Bisi
Onabanjo, who “substantially
developed every part of the state
during his tenure”.
Kakaaki Ijebu Voice, made up
of professionals from various
fields of endeavors, spoke at a
press conference in Ilorin.
Its National Coordinator ,Mr
Rotimi Oduyoye, flanked by the
Publicity Secretary, Olu
Olawemimo, among other
members of the organisation,
said it behoved on them to set
agenda for the new
administration in order to ensure
that it meets the needs and
aspirations of the people.
Oduoye said,”We use this forum to
congratulate Ogun State governorelect
and deputy governor-elect, Mrs
Noimot Salako –Oyedele.
“As a responsible professional, much
as we understand the Herculean task
ahead, below are our expectations
from this government:
“Tai Solarin College of Education,
Omu Ijebu lecturer/ workers salary
lingering for over 30 months.
“Pay workers salary as when due” .
Emmanuel made the call when the
new Commissioner of Police, Mr
Zaki Ahmed, paid him a courtesy
visit in his office at the Government
House, Uyo.
The governor, who acknowledged
the contributions of security
agencies, particularly the police, in
the maintenance of law and order
in the state since the inception of
his administration, urged them to
redouble their efforts to ensure that
the peaceful atmosphere being
enjoyed by residents was sustained.
He condemned the gruesome
killings of students during recent
cult clashes at UNIUYO, and advised
that the varsity authorities should
expel such bad eggs.
His words, “I want to acknowledge
the contributions of the police, other
security agencies in the maintenance
ONDO 2020: Ilaje scheme to be gov
By Dayo Johnson, Akure
UOYED by the uncertainty
Bwithin the All Progressives
Congress (APC), in Ondo State, the
Ilajes, across party lines, have
commenced moves to clinch the
next governorship seat in the state.
The move, which is being
facilitated by the influential Ilaje
League of Professionals, was the
outcome of a meeting of the group
shortly after news broke about the
alleged suspension of Governor
Rotimi Akeredolu from the APC.
Prominent members of the group
include a former Director of the
NDDC, Engr. Benson Obayelu.
A committee to come up with a
recommendation that will actualise
the dream of producing the
governor or at least deputy governor
of Ilaje extraction was also set up by
the group at the meeting”.
The membership of the committee
has been kept under wraps but a
prominent leader of the group told
Sunday Vanguard that the quest for
the governorship of the state did not
suddenly arise because of the
development within the party.
Speaking in confidence, a notable
leader from the area said: “We have
taken seriously the issue of Ilaje
producing the next governor of Ondo
State, or a minimum of deputy
governor. If you look at the entire
state, Akoko, Owo, Ondo, Ikale have
all produced the governor of the
state.
“Even Akure that has not produced
the governor like Ilaje produced the
deputy governor at some point. So,
we have resolved to sink our political
differences and work together to
achieve this objective because we are
the people sustaining the economy
of the state.
Apart from that, our neighbours,
Ese-Odo, that is not oil producing has
the deputy governor, ambassador
dynamics that influence or govern
the lives in their community. It
provides an opportunity to learn
and take advantage of new
investment opportunities that are
available within the country.
Just as the non-residents gets to
benefit from visiting home for the
celebration, the country also gets
to benefit from the non-residents’
visit. Non-residents are encouraged
to remit their Forex savings directly
to India. This gives the government
access to foreign currencies, which
are used in establishing, businesses,
telecommunication industry, bonds
and real estate. These ultimately
translates into economic boost for
the country. For a non-petroleum
trading state, India’s 1.2 billion
population also depends on the
imports.
Beyond reconnecting with their
roots, Non-resident Indians are
charged to make worthy
contributions to the countries or
communities of their residence to
ensure continuous acceptance and
smooth co-existence
Indians have been residents in
Nigeria for over 100 years now. In
the beginning of their settlement,
they established many
manufacturing plants and
companies for textiles,
pharmaceuticals, plastics, steel
electronics etc. They were also
responsible for importing a bulk
percentage of product needs of the
Nigerian market. In no time, they
became market leaders in the
Nigerian textile industry, which
also became the second-largest
employer after the Federal
Government.
Their thriving textile industry
began to drown, however, when
importation of cheap and lowquality
materials from one
exporting giant country went on the
rise. As market preferences
increasingly tilted towards lowpriced
textiles, Indian textile
companies began to struggle with
tanking profit margins. When the
losses became too much to bear, the
Indian textile businesses shut down,
yet resident Indians remained on
the good side of the law as always.
The organised association for
resident Indians in Nigeria is the
Indian Cultural Association, led by
its President Chief Sanjay Jain. The
association has been in existence
since pre-independent Nigeria and
has pushed charity causes for over
60 years. The association has
constantly helped needy Nigerians,
especially in poor areas of Lagos.
They have also reflected genuine
interest in the Nigerian culture by
making partnership or sponsorship
contributions to major cultural
events and festivities. Chief Sanjay
Jain has been bestowed with the
Asiwaju Chieftaincy title by Mushin
kingdom.
Non-resident Indians can enjoy the
endless possibilities that comes with
thriving in their state of residence
as well as their home state. The Non-
Resident Indians Day celebration
presents the perfect opportunity for
non-resident Indians to reconnect
with their roots and enjoy their
culture and country. Thus, all nonresidents
Indians all over the world
are encouraged to be a part of the
celebrations yearly.
*Jain attended Pravasi Bhartiya
Divas (Non-Resident Indians
Day) at VARANSI, India.
FG to assist NAMA
get world class radio
communication
equipment
Chieftaincy : Okere Urhobo leaders vow to ensure justice
eaders of Okere Urhobo
LKingdom, made up of the heads
of the three Ruling Houses, have
vowed to pursue issues arising from
the Oroseunship to a logical
conclusion.
In a statement by Papa Churchill
Oki, for Sowhoruvwe Ruling House,
and Apostle I A.M. Eraivor, Head of
the three Ruling Houses, and Chief
Gideon Okumagba for Olodi, Ruling
of law and order in the state. It is
quite sad for a student to take the
life of a fellow student in the name
of cultism.
“ The police must get to the root
of all this and fish out, apprehend
the perpetrators and let them face
the full wrath of the Law. And the
university authorities should not
hesitate to expel such bad eggs” .
In his remarks earlier, Ahmed
solicited for maximum
cooperation from the state
government aimed at achieving the
core mandate of his duties.
Pastor Julius
Kayode Opaleke of
RCCG Goodness
and Mercy Area
Headquarters LP7,
Region 11, Isolo,
(middle), flanked by
his wife, Yemisi, and
Zonal
Mass Choir, when
Opaleke marked his
65th birthday with
six hours, 30
minutes Praise
Night @ Daystar
Zonal Headquarters
on Friday.
and even wanted to rob us of the
House of Representatives which we
resisted at all costs”.
It was gathered that the meeting
made assessment of the possible
chances of all the governorship
aspirants from the area, including
Chief Olusola Oke of the APC, Chief
Sola Ebiseni, Hon Banji Okunomo
and Hon. Kolade Akinjo, all of the
Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
But as the move heightens, a cross
section of the group has canvassed
that the Ilaje should support the
governorship ambition of a former
Attorney General, Eyitayo Jegede,
SAN, with aim of an Ilaje running
mate. Akinjo, current member of
the House of Representatives, who
just won a second term, is being
tipped as deputy to Jegede.
House, they accused an unnamed
cabal in the kingdom of using
officers of the Delta State
Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs to
intimidate, provoke and suppress,
“the genuine choice of the people as
the Oroseun of the kingdom.”
They noted that the state
government had no business in the
selection and nomination process
of the Oroseun, saying it is the duty
of three Ruling Houses.
By Lawani Mikairu
he Federal Government has
Trestated its commitment to
assisting the Nigeria Airspace
Management Agency , NAMA, to
get world class radio
communication equipment for safe
and efficient airspace navigation.
The Managing Director of NAMA,
Captain Fola Akinkuotu, who stated
the government’s position, explained
that all challenges experienced in the
area of communications were being
tackled with relentless vigour.
Akinkuotu was addressing an air
controllers/ pilot interactive session
in Lagos, held under the theme,
‘ Enhancing Safety of Flight
Operations’ .
Radio communication is a critical
factor in pilots-air traffic controllers
and pilot-pilot exchanges during
flight operations. The NAMA boss
told the session that Nigeria’s
airspace deserves the very best radio
communications system, and that
government was working to deliver
it.
Vowing that there was no going back
in achieving an efficient radio
communication, he said: “We have
made inroads in the area of radio
communications but there are
challenges…. I want to assure my
colleagues, the pilots and the
controllers that efforts are being
made. And we are not going to stop.
I am not going to stop, so long as I
am in NAMA, from trying to deliver
an optimally functional radio
communications system for our
airspace.”
Akinkuotu, who has a rare distinction
of being a pilot and an aeronautical
engineer, explained that it was
essential for communication
between pilots and air traffic
controllers to be crisp and clear,
stressing, “Part of NAMA’s job is
communication. We will keep
trying; we will not rest until we fix it.
We will fix it.”
They described the present process
as “an absurdity” because they did
not participate.
While disclosing that they made
their positions known on who was
selected and nominated to Delta
State government by way of
correspondence, they said they were
ignored saying that is why they are
in the High Court of Warri and Court
of Appeal in Benin City to seek
justice.