13052019 - NSITF: Kokori, Labour tackle Presidency

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14—Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 13, 2019 No peace in Nigeria until Igbo becomes President—Nwobodo By Dennis Agbo & Chinedu Adonu E NUGU—SENATOR Jim Nwobodo has declared that peace may continue to elude Nigeria unless it reverses injustices being meted on Ndigbo. Calling for Igbo presidency in 2023, he particularly said one of the major injustices against Ndigbo was the conspiracy of denial of Nigeria President to the Igbo, noting that peace will only return to the country when an Igbo assumes leadership of Nigeria. Nwobodo, who spoke in Enugu yesterday, during his 79th birthday celebration organised for him by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said he will continue to fight for Igbo unity and wished he will still be an Igbo in his next life. Similarly, he advised governments at all levels to ensure the provision of jobs for youths to avoid restiveness. He said: “I would be an Igbo in my next life. Once we can love ourselves the sky will be our limit. There is IPOB because there is no job. Graduates of 10 years without jobs can’t just keep quiet. “I have accepted the challenge of uniting Ndigbo. Dr Chimaroke Nnamani now calls me boss and I am overwhelmed and surprised at the marvellous works of God. “There will be no peace in Nigeria until an Igbo man becomes President of Nigeria. Nigeria should give Ndigbo their share of the country. How can you rotate power just among a particular set of Nigerians? “We won’t fight, but peace will elude Nigeria if it continues to deny Ndigbo their due entitlement. I will not disappoint Ndigbo and I must always stand by the truth.” He also frowned at the case of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, who he said was not treated fairly by the government on the manner he was booted out. He urged the judiciary to discharge their duties with justice, saying it is only the judiciary that can prevent the country from collapsing. AWARD: From left—Managing Director, Mr. Jordi Bel; Sales Director, Mr. Uche Unigwe, both of Nigerian Breweries Plc; winner, National Champion Award, Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Maduakor (Ken Maduakor Group of Companies) and Chairman, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Chief Kola Jamodu, Nigerian Breweries 2019 Distributor Award in Abuja. How women battled fibroid for 20 years in Imo By Chinonso Alozie HUNDREDS of women in Imo State, have been taking herbs and other self-help medications to cure fibroid for over 20 years. The development was discovered during a free medical treatment at Saint Vincent De Paul Hospital, in Ehime Mbano Local Council, organized by Catholic Reverend Sisters in collaboration with Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu Foundation. Dr. Olowojebutu said that the outcome of the exercise was a reflection of the society that it’s leaders ought to have provided a scheme to take care of the peculiar health challenges faced by women. Apart from fibroid, other ailments which some of the women had carried for years and were operated on included breast lumps, lypoma and others. He said: “Most of the women had resorted to selfhelp using herbs to manage the pains of carrying huge mass of fibroid and for almost two decades. We are happy and fulfilled to have contributed to giving these women their lives back. No joy can compare to the sincere gratitude and joy these people have expressed. “How could a woman carry 12 kg mass of fibroid for 18 years, gulping assorted herbs and concoctions? Why would help be so far away even as she tried to raise funds to take out the mass? And then you wonder why would such a woman will learn about a team coming to Imo on a medical mission and not believe that it is indeed for free? I guess it is a reflection of the society.” “One particularly strange thing about this mission is why someone would doubt that hernia, fibroid and lypoma that ordinarily would cost over N250,000 to remove depending on the hospital could be done for them for fee. RAIDS ON ABUJA WOMEN: NHRC summons AEPB boss THE National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has summoned the Chairman of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, AEPB, to appear before the Commission on Monday (today) over alleged raids of nightclubs and relaxation centres in Abuja. The summons followed a protest visit to the Commission, Friday by a coalition of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, working in the field of human rights in Nigeria which brought a petition of rights violations of women against the authorities, FCTA and the Nigerian Police. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, issued the summons upon receiving a statement of demand by the CSOs led by the Executive Director Partner West Africa, Kemi Okenyodo. He said that no human rights violations will be swept under the carpet and that the raids and gender-based violence against women in Abuja will not be an exception. God has been kind to me, I won’t run for Senate again—Ekweremadu By Henry Umoru & Dennis Agbo Ebonyi launches open govt partnership By Peter Okutu A BAKALIKI— GOVERNOR David Umahi of Ebonyi State, weekend, restated his commitment towards transparency and accountability in governance. He stated this during the inauguration of the 32 member Steering Committee of the Open Government Partnership and launch of the OGP Action Plan for 2018 – 2020. Speaking during the inauguration, Deputy Governor, Eric Igwe who represented the governor reiterated government’s commitment to the Open Government Partnership Programme and assured that state government would support the Steering Committee to actualise the state's OGP Action Plan. He said that government DEPUTY Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday, said that at the expiration of the 9th Senate in 2023, he would not seek re-election into the Senate. According to him, in all ramifications, God has been kind to him, having raised him to address enormous challenges faced by his people. Ekweremadu, who spoke, yesterday, at an event to mark his 57th birthday and to appreciate God and his constituents for his re-election and triumphs, said however, that it had not been all rosy as he had also faced serious political challenges and persecutions. Ekweremadu said insecurity, disunity among Nigerians, and growing poverty among others would form the crux of matters before the next session of the National Assembly. Ekweremadu, however, said that after the 9th Assembly, he would honourably quit the job of a legislator at the national assembly. He said that he will work with every other member of the legislature with broad mind and zeal for statesmanship to ensure that current national challenges were resolved. Saluting his constituents, he said: “I acknowledge your kindness in keeping me in the Senate for these 16 years; and as I prepare to further represent you by your mandate for the next four years, let me seek your understanding and indulgence to now announce that this will be my last term as your Senator. “As we get set for the 9th- Senate, be assured that I will focus on the completion of all ongoing projects we attracted and ensure that communities yet to benefit from our vision in infrastructure adequately benefit. “I will work with other patriotic Nigerians within and outside the National Assembly and across party, ethnic, and religious lines to address issues of disunity, insecurity, and poverty currently threatening our nation. I believe together we can pioneer a new order characterised by peace, justice, unity, prosperity, egalitarianism, and boundless opportunities for all.” In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu recalled how he became the Chairman of his age grade association at age 10, and served as President-General of Mpu Town Union, pioneer elected Chairman of Aninri LGA, Chief of Staff of Enugu Government House, Secretary to Enugu State Government, fourth term Senator, third term Deputy President of the Senate, and the first Nigerian Speaker of the ECO- WAS Parliament. had always partnered with anti-corruption agencies as it had nothing to hide and would always adopt programmes that will give value for money in terms of utilisation of scarce resources to develop the state. He described the OGP programme as a unique programme that involved the civil society and government, and was confident that the partnership will be sustained for the good of Ebonyi people. In her opening remarks, the Focal Person of OGP and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Ebonyi State, Mrs Ugo Nnachi, thanked Ebonyi State government for joining the OGP Global family, especially at this time when the entire world was talking about transparency, accountabili-ty and good governance.
Why we are protesting today — WABBA •Ex-labour leader faults NLC's invasion of Nigige’s house By Victor Young & Johnbosco Agbakwuru LEADERS of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday insisted that today's protest in Abuja would go on as planned, saying it had nothing to do with the inauguration of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Board. Speaking on the protest, President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba said: “The protest has no relationship with the pronouncement they made. It is about the brutality Ngige meted out on our people. That is why we are protesting. The fundamental rights of every citizen to peacefully assemble and protest cannot be wished away. It cannot be breached and it is a right that is fundamental, that is the essence of the action.'' This came as the Joint Action Front, JAF, a pro- Labour Civil Society partner of NLC in the Labour and Civil Society Coalition, LASCO, declared its support for the protest. In a statement by its Secretary, Abiodun Aremu, the group said among others, “JAF takes serious note of the acts of Minister Ngige, who hired vulnerable members of the society as bandits to unleash untold violence against defenceless workers on May 8, 2019, who legitimately picketed his official residence to protest against his failure to inaugurate the Board of the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) despite the official directive of the Presidency. vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews “JAF contends that with this condemnable singular act of a Labour Minister employing violent acts to repress workers in an industrial relations’ disputation, Ngige has lost the right to preside over and represent the Federal Government as regulator on Labour matter.” Meanwhile, a former secretary of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institution Employees, NUBIFIE, Mr David Azuokwu, has condemned the recent invasion of the residence of the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige by NLC. Azuokwu said NLC’s action was alien to labour laws, describing the invasion of the Minister’s private residence and threat to his life as criminal. He said among others, “The NLC actions, led by its President, AyubaWabba, are unknown to Nigerian and international labour extant laws guiding trade dispute and grievances. The illegal invasion in the guise of picketing the private residence of the Minister of Labour is highly condemnable and should not be allowed in the country.” Azuokwu said the invasion, which was supposedly to pressure the Minister to inaugurate Chief Frank Kokori as Chairman of the NSITF, was a lawless action. “The appointment of any qualified Nigerian into political office at the federal level is at the prerogative of the President or by the recommendation of the supervisory minister, in this case, the Minister of Labour and Employment.'' By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief A BUJA—THE administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has secured Foreign Direct Investment commitments totalling $220 billion. The Minister of Trade, Industry and Investments, Mr. Okey Enelamah, disclosed this weekend, while chatting with journalists in Abuja. According to him, $ 90 billion commitment was secured last year. In 2017 and 2016, the commitments were $70 billion and $60 billion, respectively. “If you look at the investment commitments that were announced last year for the country at every level, which is tracked by the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, it was over $90 billion, the year before it was over $70 billion and the year before then it was over $60 billion. “This shows us that Nigeria has potentials and is attractive,” the minister said in response to a question on how much FDIs the ministry attracted in the period of this administration. Now the challenge for us as a country and definitely for the ministry is how much of these will we convert,” he said. The minister said the Special Economic Zones initiative was very dear to his heart and that his team had reached an advanced stage of its implementation. According to him, three new zones would be created at Lekki (Lagos), Enyimba City (Abia State) and Funtua (Kastina State). He noted that the existing ones in Calabar and Kano would be revamped to make the quest for the nation’s industrialisation a reality. Put together, Enelamah said the Special Economic Vanguard, MONDAY, MAY 13, 2019 — 15 NEWS HOTLINES 018773962, 08052867058 We’ve secured $220bn FDI commitments — MINISTER DAVID MARK’S 20 YEARS IN SENATE: From left: Assistant Parish Priest, Rev.Fr. John Okpotu; former Senate President, David Mark; his wife, Helen and Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue State, during a thanksgiving mass to commemorate Mark’s 20 years in the Senate, at St. Augustine’s Cath Church, Okpoku LGA, Benue State yesterday. Zones would generate about $30 billion in exports, 1.5 million direct jobs, 10 million indirect jobs and raise the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from10 per cent to 20 per cent. He said: “This is an extremely important THE creation of wealth in the grassroots as sure means of stimulating Nigeria’s economy is one of the motivations behind investments by the Dangote Group. Group Executive Director and Coordinator of Dangote Rice Project, Mr. Devakumar Edwin made this assertion while receiving in his office in initiative of this government and we have worked on it with the Senate in the last two budget cycles — 2017 and 2018. “We have adopted the Public Private Partnership model because of the huge funds required to development them. We are looking at $500 million Lagos, Iseyin Chiefs and Community leaders led by the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiyu Salawudeen Adekunle, Ajinase 1. The Community leaders from Oyo State had come to show appreciation to the Company over the choice of Iseyin town for the multimillion Naira Youth Rice Farm project being undertaken by Africa’s foremost entrepreneur, out of which the Federal government will provide 25 per cent. The balance will come from the private sector. “Many operators in the private sector within and outside the county have indicated interest and we are now working on its quick implementation.“ ‘Dangote youth rice project is to create wealth at the grassroots' Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Edwin said the project was a deliberate business decision to empower the youths at the grassroots bearing in mind that the youths who are more than half of Nigeria’s population are mostly unemployed. He said: ''Many of the ills ploughing the nation could be traced to youths joblessness and that the youth rice farm is developed to address the issue now that the Federal Government is diversifying the economy by upgrading the agriculture sector to achieve food self sufficiency and as a major foreign exchange earner.'' Edwin stated that the ''Dangote Rice Youth farm is modeled after the outgrower scheme to launch the youths back to farm with assurance of assistance to make farming less cumbersome less stressful and profitable.'' The project, according to him was launched successfully in Kogi and Jigawa and “its a pure outgrower scheme, where Dangote Rice Company provides seedlings, chemical, fertilizers, and give to the youths to prepare the land, cultivate the rice paddy which is then bought over from them by the company at the prevailing market rate.'' He stated further that ''The youths are paid stipend to keep body and soul together for the period of the cultivation and harvest and to stimulate the interest of the youths to be dedicated to the project.''
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13052019 - NSITF: Kokori, Labour tackle Presidency

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