Again, LASU management postpones 24th Convocation ceremonies

Success Damian:

Lagos State University has again postponed the 24th Convocation ceremonies of the institution.

In a press statement released by Ademola Adekoya, Coordinator, Centre for Information, Press and Public  Relations, LASU, the decision to postpone the ceremonies was taken at an Extended Management meeting held with Deans of Faculties on Tuesday, 27th October, 2020.

The statement read "The forthcoming 24th Convocation Ceremonies of the University, earlier rescheduled to hold between Friday, 30th October and Friday, 6th November, 2020, has been postponed till further notice."

The statement went further to  say that the postponement was in view of the recent happenings in the State and the Country.

It also added that a new date would be communicated in due course.

The statement also appealed to the public for understanding.

It reads "The University Management regrets any inconvenience this postponement might cause our graduating students, awardees, family, friends and other stakeholders of the University.

 

Innovative Forum: NITDA commends NITRA, highlights COVID-19 recovery programmes

Success Damian:

Following the successful conclusion of the Innovative Forum organised by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) to draw a roadmap towards COVID-19 recovery in the ICT industry, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, has expressed readiness to partner with the Association to further seek ways of igniting the industry for growth.

Speaking at the forum, the Director-General of NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, noted that the opportunity presented by the Webinar event is an avenue to partner with NITRA so that the efforts, programmes and messages of the Agency will get to the grassroots. With the collaboration, he said, “we can transform Nigeria into a strong and Digital Economy in the Post pandemic era.”

Enumerating some of the programmes NITDA is engaged with, Mallam Abdulahi, who was represented by the Agency’s Director, IT Infrastructure Solutions, Dr. Usman Abdullahi, noted that at the onset of the pandemic, NITDA swiftly initiated several policies and programs for the technology ecosystem and startups to be able to withstand the potential impact of the Pandemic. “We rolled out these initiatives in order to ensure that technology continues to enable innovation and entrepreneurship while addressing challenges of the society.”

He further noted that a Tech4COVID-19 Committee was constituted with the aim of identifying the challenges the Technology ecosystem is facing during the COVID-19 Pandemic and to propose measures to cushion the effects of the pandemic.

Members of the Committee were drawn from both the public and private sector and are key players in the Technology ecosystem who have made significant contributions to the Technology and Innovation ecosystem. The Committee’s recommendations includes strategies to ensure the industry retains about 100,000 ICT Jobs as well as create additional 30,000 in Post COVID-19 Era through the initiative. 

“We also organized a special challenge, the Nigeria COVID-19 Innovation Challenge, where Nigerians were challenged to come up with innovation to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic and beyond. Over 1,500 startups participated and three emerged winners, namely, Algorizmi, a patient management solution particularly for victims of the COVID-19 Pandemic; Smart Disinfection Chamber,  smart tunnel which can be used for disinfection of persons entering any location and Myclinic.ng, an online platform that enables users to hold video consultations with qualified medical doctors from anywhere and at any time. We are partnering with relevant institutions towards actualizing these ideas.”

NITDA, the D-G assured, is also working on a special support scheme for Startups and Hubs, tagged the NITDA Technology Innovation & Entrepreneurship Support Scheme (NTIESS).

The scheme will accommodate sub-schemes in areas covering Incubation Programme; Technical Capacity Building; Internship Programme, and Hub Up-scaling.

Mallam Abdullahi noted that Nigeria has over 130 hubs and several hundreds of technology startups. “These have the capacity of driving innovation and entrepreneurship, and stimulating the economy. The Academia, which has always been at the forefront of research and development, needs to expand its horizon to include innovation. We need more hubs in the academia to nurture the creativity of our youths. Collaboratively, we in NITDA are can make Nigeria a nucleus of innovation“.

NITDA’s programmes also reaches out to Agritech with the National Adopted Village for SMART Agriculture (NAVSA), an ecosystem-driven digital platform which engages farmers and focuses on using precision/smart farming techniques to ensure significant improvement in efficiency and productivity thereby increasing crop yield; increased profit margin and create more jobs.

These initiatives, the NITDA D-G said, are collaborative efforts by the Agency and relevant stakeholders, aimed at addressing the disruption caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic as well as preparing the country in the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), one of the implementing arms of the Ministry, was mandated by the National Information Technology Development Act (2007) to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria. 

The Agency’s role therefore is to develop Information technology in the country through regulatory standards, guidelines and policies. It is the prime Agency for e-Government implementation, Internet governance and General IT development in Nigeria.  Our activities in NITDA are aimed at fast-tracking the realisation of the objectives of NDEPS. 

 

ATCON finalises arrangement for AGM, 2020 National Executive Council Election

Success Damian:

All is now set for the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Annual General Meeting and National Executive Council Election 2020 which was postponed because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In a press statement signed by Ajibola Olude, Executive Secretary, ATCON, the meeting is now scheduled to hold on November 12, 2020 at Victoria Crown Plaza Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

It would be recalled that the tenure of the National Executive Council 2018 – 2020 which would have ended in May 2020 was extended to forestall leadership vacuum that would have occurred because of the inability of the Association to hold its Annual General Meeting due to the lockdown order by the Federal Government to curb further spread of COVID-19 Pandemic.

The statement further revealed that the Association upholds a culture of corporate governance and is set to have another election that would usher in a new set of National Executive Council that would direct the Association for the next two years.

The statement reads “As part of upholding the principle of transparency in the conduct of the forthcoming election into various positions in the National Executive Council of the Association, we are pleased to officially announce to all the CEOs and Directors of all our qualified member companies to take active part in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Election into the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Association.

Revealing ATCON Constitutional voting procedure, the statement added that only financially active members would be allowed to vote and be voted for at the elections.

It said “Each member company is entitled to two votes per position. It is therefore expected that each member company will be represented by two delegates each casting one vote in respect of a position. However, where a single individual represents a company, that individual present at the AGM/Election shall cast only one vote on-behalf of his/her company.

“Voting shall be by Secret Ballot,” the statement read.

The statement further disclosed that election shall be conducted by a duly constituted Electoral Committee to be appointed on the floor of the AGM by the outgoing Executive with the approval of members at the meeting; The Electoral Committee shall be dissolved upon the conclusion of the elections and that Elected officers shall assume their posts immediately upon conclusion of the elections. 

 

 

Omoragbon kicks, supports current mass opposition, knocks political elite for Nigerian woes

Success Damian:

Pastor Peters Osawaru Omoragbon, candidate of National Conscience Party (NCP) in the just concluded 2020 Governorship Election in Edo State, has lent his voice in support to the current mass opposition against Nigeria’s Political elites and oppression.

In a Press statement on the current crisis rocking Nigeria titled ‘The Beginning of the End Revolution by Nigerians against Oppression’, Omoragbon blamed the crisis on the 21 years of clueless and corrupt leadership superintended by APC, PDP and the middle political class in Nigeria.

He said “As a Nigerian, a political leader, professional and community leader, I am constrained to lend my voice in support to the current mass opposition against Nigeria’s Political elites and oppression in today’s Nigeria brought upon us by the corrupt leaders of the All Progressive Party (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). What is happening across the breadth and length of Nigeria today is not new to history. Unfortunately, the oppressive ruling classes never learn from history.”

Quoting Jack Goldstone who defined a revolution as an effort to transform the political institutions and the justifications for political authority in society, accompanied by formal or informal mass mobilization and non-institutionalized actions that undermine authorities, Omoragbon  maintained that  Political Science, agrees that a revolution (“a turn-around” in Latin revolutio) is a fundamental and sudden change in political power and organization as a result of mass revolt against a government that is perceived to be oppressive and politically incompetent which is what Nigeria has become today.”

Speaking on the origin and mission of his party he stated “In 1994, the National Conscience Party formed and founded by Nigeria’s greatest Human Rights’ Crusader and the People’s Advocate- the Late Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, SAM, SAN and other leaders recognized the crass injustice and oppression pervading the Nigerian polity aftermath the scuttling of June 12, 1993 Election won by Late Chief MKO Abiola, began the silent revolution that defied the military and its political apologists under General Sanni Abacha, with its Mass mobilization of the Slogan-Abolition of Poverty. That slogan became the Principle that the National Conscience Party was founded upon.”

Paraphrasing Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, he said “Food, air, water, shelter, clothing, sleep formed the Foundation of the Pyramid of Needs. The lack of these basics is what is defined as Poverty.”

Omoragbon said that “The NCP believes that good governance means being with the people, knowing their pains, abolishing their poverty, and solving their problems. That is how to govern the people and that is what NCP wants to do for the people. Whereas democracy is popularly defined as government of the people, by the people and for the people, this is not the case in Nigeria. Once conventional politicians have either been ‘elected’ or rigged into power, they govern for themselves and not for the people. The NCP government will practically demonstrate how governance should be for the people. 

He added that the experience of the ordinary people since May 29, 1999 when the conventional politicians took over the reign of power from the military has shown that nothing fundamental has changed. “Governance has continued to be for the interest of politicians as opposed to being for the people. Our people fought against military dictatorship not because they hated the military uniform but because they strove to enjoy political freedom and economic comfort. Unfortunately, they have not enjoyed either. The inability of the conventional politicians in power to satisfy the economic interests of our people has unjustly driven government to unleash political repression on the masses.

Going memory lane, he asked the question as to how Nigeria got messy “June 12, 1993 Election won by MKO Abiola and scuttled by the ‘evil genius’ IBB with the connivance of greedy politicians, majority of whom are still in government today was the ‘water-shed’ of Nigeria’s political renaissance. Since its annulment, the Nigerian polity has remained unstable with greed, filthy lucre and self-aggrandisement as the order of the day. 

“The hardworking middle class were begging for a living wage but our politicians gave them a minimum wage of Naira Eighteen Thousand (N18,000.00) per month less than Five British Pounds. Whilst the middle -class children could barely afford three square meals, or pay school fees, the children of greedy politicians were flown abroad to study, organize birthday parties in Dubai and flew private jets and the latest cars in town. The police that was meant to protect every Nigerian were turned into private security firm to protect these politicians and the little that the ordinary Nigerian could salvage is forcefully taken by armed robbers and no police to protect them.

“When the youths make efforts to feign for themselves through honest means or those pushed into crime by the oppressive systems, they are persecuted by the police, called Lazy by their President and Commander in Chief. Yet you have the members of the National Assembly and other States House of Assemblies awarding to themselves millions of tax payers’ money as salaries and allowances. Covid 19 pandemic came and 86 Billion Naira earmarked for palliative went into private pockets, and we were told, in three days the money has been distributed!!! Whereas, our wicked and greedy politicians were busy building warehouses and stock piling all the food stuffs and other items meant for the people in preparation for 2023, so that, during electioneering, these same items would be distributed as Gifts by the politicians, who playing upon the intelligence of the people brought about by the poverty imposed on them would have no choice than to thank the thieves for their benevolence.

“The people were watching. The political elites failed to see the handwriting on the walls, that Nigeria was like a keg of gunpowder waiting to explode. The Nigerian political class forgot so soon the revolution in Sudan few years ago that took down President El Bashir from glory to grass, that he was dragged on the streets of Sudan and now cooling off in an underground cell that he once placed his political enemies. They forgot about neighbouring Gambia, or Mali. They have forgotten the General Rawlings treatment of corrupt politicians in Ghana that today, Ghana has become a reference point for political stability.  Most importantly, they have forgotten or rather are ignorant of the Storming of the Bastile, that led to the July 14 1789 French Revolution.  The French Revolution led to the fleeing of majority of the Ruling Class. On July 22 1789, the populace lynched Controller -General of Finances Joseph Foullon de Doue and his son in-law Louise Benigne Francois Bertie de Sauvigny. This may happen in Nigeria if care is not taken.”

Quoting John F. Kennedy he said: “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”

Omoragbon maintained that whatever is happening today in Nigeria, just as in 1789 in France is inevitable. “Our so-called political elites including the President like the Roman Emperor Nero fiddled while Rome burned. There is no escape route for any of them, especially the greedy and selfish politicians from the South, who have sold their birth rights to their Northern counterparts for a bowl of political porridge of 2023. From the South-South to the South-West and South-East, none of them will escape the reprisal because if they had any scruple left in them, they would not have foisted the current burden of leadership on the populace. Since I was born, I have never known a government as wicked and insensitive to the plights of the people as the current APC and PDP leaders! How can you explain the massive stockpile of Covid-19 palliatives in secret warehouses why Nigerians were dying by the day without food, water, shelter air, and sleep

“The Revolution has just begun in Nigeria. The next stage would be the soldiers and policemen turning their guns against the wicked politicians in business and then the stage will be cleansed for people like us with Conscience to take over through a level playing political field. The policemen and the soldiers who took part in the dastardly killings of those innocent youths are by now regretting their actions because, they and their families are not immune against the poverty imposed on us by those giving them orders. This is the Beginning of the End Revolution by the oppressed Nigerians against the thieving Nigerian political elites.

“Edo State with its current temporary occupant at Osadebey House, will be made to answer to the people while in their first tenure, they denied the people of the State their legitimate Covid-19 palliative by hiding them for their own selfish use. Let Godwin Obaseki be taking stock because, our government would probe every one of them when we take over. There is no peace for the wicked.

“To those who have lost loved ones, my heart and pains are with you. I want to reassure you and your families that, all lives lost during this Revolution would be granted National Honours just as was done to the over 900 people who stormed the Bastille with certificate (Brevet de vainqueur de la Bastille meaning: Bastille Winer’s Patent) from the National Assembly in 1790.

 

 

 

   

 

 

#EndSARS: How Primate Ayodele’s prophecies over The Nation newspaper fire, attacks on Nigeria Police Force came to pass

Success Damian:

Events in the country in the past one week have once again proven that Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, Founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos is a true prophet of God.

Ayodele early in the year divinely warned that The Nation Newspaper should pray against fire outbreak.

The Servant of the Most High God in his prophecies earlier also warned that the Nigeria Police Force would be engulfed in series of attacks.

Ayodele gave out the prophecies during the globally covered launch of his masterpiece book ‘Warnings to the Nations’ 2020 Edition.

On page 243, the iconic prophet of God said the media outfit (The Nation) should pray against fire outbreak. “I foresee that some of their staff will be sacked and should pray for sustainability. The media outfit should pray against fire outbreak. I foresee changes in the top hierarchy of the company. The Nation Newspaper must pray against litigation.”

On the Nigeria Police Force which he captured on page 301 and 302 of the book, Primate Ayodele said he foresaw that the Force would face series of problems. “The Nigerian Police will face series of problems.” He stated further “I foresee deaths in the Police Force.”

Repeatedly he warned against the killing of Police saying “Lets pray against the police killings.”

Ayodele spoke further “The spirit of God says, police stations and formations should rebuke attacks and fire outbreaks. Deaths in the ranks of Divisional Police Officer should be rebuked…I foresee that the police operatives will be attacked,” Ayodele stated.

Recalled that The Nation Newspaper was this week burnt down even as several police stations and formations across the country were attacked and burnt down, while many of their operatives were killed and several others seriously wounded by angry Nigerian youths protesting against the negative activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the country.

 

LASU: Research, data analysis, credible source of information, critical to public relations, experts

Success Damian 

Public Relations guru and experts have unanimously agreed that research, data analysis and credible source of information are key to information management as well as public relations activities. 

These were the high points of the Lagos State University (LASU) 14th virtual public lecture, with the title" COVID-19: The place of public relations in the new normal" held on Tuesday, 20th October, 2020.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Elias Wahab, stood in for the Vice Chancellor, Professor  'Lanre Fagbohun, SAN, NPOM, who was engaged in another crucial assignment.

In his key note address, he appreciated the immense contributions of the Centre for Information, Press and Public Relations (CIPPR) to the paradigm shift in the image of the university, a departure from the past

"Through a combination of activities, such as the official bulletin, the social media engagements, whatsapp messages, the LASU- INFO magazine, CIPPR Weekly, on LASU Radio, CIPPR media parley & awards, training for students' union executives, students and many other activities, the unit has done well by repositioning LASU. It equally did well with the current rating of the university as 2nd in Nigeria,11th in Africa and 501 in the world. We want to say thank you, for what you have done", the Vice Chancellor exclaimed. 

Speaking further, the Vice Chancellor was elated that the rebranding of the institution has made it the preferred university of choice, with the way applicants apply to get admitted for various degree programmes.

Finally, he thanked the unit for rebuilding confidence of students, parents, publics and stakeholders in the university of choice through its proactive information management and public relations.

Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations( NIPR), Lagos, Mr Segun Mcmedal was the first speaker and he talked on "The role of professional public relations practitioners in solving covid-19".

He noted that with the break out of the pandemic, it was an opportunity for the government to reach out to communication experts to find solutions.

"When crisis breaks out, information comes from everywhere and sometimes, one don't know who to trust. This pandemic is unprecedented, but, the most trusted source of information are the federal government, government agencies, NCDC, Governors, Commissioners, International agencies etc", he emphasised. 

The job of public relations officers should be recognised, he added 

Mr Mcmedal averred that research was fundamental to providing credible information, which would form the folcrum of data analysis for contents, saying that a Public Relations Officer must be conversant with media managers, content creators as well as writers to make his job seamless.

Finally, the Public Relations guru urged information and public relations officers, to always ensure that whatever they send to the media houses were credible and laced with facts.

"Information managers are everywhere, working behind the scenes. As they do their job, they should put human face into their messages, to create hope, add facts to figures, share statistics and data. They should collaborate with other organisations.

It is possible to eradicate diseases, but, that of Corona virus, won't be, soon. I urge you to stay safe, don't catch the virus", he ended his presentation.

Next on the bill was the Dean, School of Communication, LASU, Prof. Rotimi Olatunji. 

His paper was "Public relations and the emerging trends in the work place post covid19".

Prof. Olatunji strongly advised that no organisation should wait for crisis, before acting, saying most times, it is better to be proactive and play out different scenarios of a crisis, to have a full grasp of how to tackle such, if it happens.

He warned that messages must be accurate and be compact, in order not to create discomfort for the end users.

"When crafting messages, be accurate, factual, empathetic and always respect people's sensibility. I salute Lagos State Government and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on the Covid19. There is a need for paradigm shift in value chain" The pandemic will definitely change the way we react to things. For the new normal, we must learn from the experience gained", he said.

For post COVID19, Prof. Olatunji says "information must be treated as a commodity. We must move to a knowledge based community. We must plan for the future. We have to plan, so, that next time, we won't be caught unaware".

The last speaker, Prof. Odion Akhaine chronicled "Responsible information management".

He asserted that, since the Spanish flu, no pandemic had turned the World into such high panic. He informed that no data would turn into information, if not processed.

The renowned activist asked, both public relations officers and the end users , to be wary of information overload, which he said could be counterproductive.

" This pandemic came with a lot of infodemic, because, sometimes, the information are not real and so much misinformation. Even, World Health Organisation( W.H.O) had to recant  on information it dished out, twice. There is so much information overload  and very difficult to pick the real information that has all the facts", he averred.

Furthermore, Prof. Akhaine frowned at the way social media had turned out, with so much fake news and misinformation. He noted that it is difficult to censor and monitor those who make use of the new media, but, advised that people could check out, for same information, news, stories in the traditional media, to confirm its authenticity.

"In journalism, opinions are free, but, facts are sacred. As practitioners, we must be guided by facts, which are sacred. We must always think right, in all we do", he wrapped up.

The Coordinator, Centre for Information, Press and Public Relations (CIPPR), Mr Ademola Adekoya, moderated the session. He brought it to an end with the vote of thanks, to the Vice Chancellor, Professor ' Lanre Fagbohun, who approved the public lecture, the three speakers and all the participants.

 

APC victory in Ondo Guber election, sign of what will happen in Anambra in 2021, says Umenzekwe

Chief Modestus Umenzekwe (Onwa Achina) is a faithful member and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He is from Anambra State but based in Lagos. A prolific writer and a defender of anything he believes in and a plain politician. In this interview with SUCCESS DAMIAN in his office in Lagos, he spoke on APC under Buhari, achievements and readiness to win Anambra as it just did in Ondo, the burning issue of president of Igbo extraction and other national subjects. Excerpts:

Let’s meet you, your name and what you do

You know me as Modestus Umenzekwe, we are in business and we talk politics, we discuss the affairs of this country, and we have a political leaning, because you must belong somewhere to be talking and that leaning is the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governorship election in Ondo has come and gone, and the result went the way of APC, now is it indicative that APC is still as strong as it was in 2015?

You can see the signs everywhere and that shows you that APC is stronger, it shows that APC is united, that shows that the standard bearer knows where he is going, that is the president, and his federal executive council, and the rest of them. That shows that the leadership of the party is doing well. Not even the Ondo election, you can see the way people are defecting; all those members are coming back. That means APC is stronger and stronger. And it is a welcomed development. Akeredolu has done well and is still doing well. It is even a sign of what will happen in Anambra in 2021.

The Anambra Guber election is coming up, what are those things APGA has not done well which APC will like to correct?

You know Anambra State has been riding on the shoulders of our big brother, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumekwu Ojukwu, a leader of Ndigbo, but since his demise Anambra has not been the same. The governance is not affecting everybody. For instance, in my own area, as I am talking to you now, you can’t get to my house unless you use caterpillar as private vehicle. It is as bad as that. For the first time in the history of my community, Achina, Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State, we park our cars kilometers away, either you get Okada or you trek home, imagine that, erosion everywhere, no road; insecurity everywhere. So it is very painful. And my community is APGA. Those of us that are faithful to APC and will remain APC and champion APC are being mocked every time there is an election. But that does not mean we are relenting because I know what I believe in, I believe in the manifesto of APC, I believe in their plan, and we will continue to trudge until we win but thank God that today people have started seeing what is going on, infrastructures going on everywhere, in the east, it is changing the narrative. So APC is using their good work to change the narrative, because I don’t believe in talking too much, but performance; that is what APC is doing.

Can you let us know some of these projects you talk about?

Work is going on simultaneously in every part of the country including the Southeast. If not for anything, you see that 2^nd Niger Bridge, which our dear President Buhari has used a workaholic Minister, a gentleman, Babatunde Raji Fashola to execute, is wonderful, so dear to us, so dear to southeasterners, so dear to Ndigbo, so dear to Anambarians, it is a wonderful project. And come to think of it, Initially Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s residence was left to contest with weeds in the compound, but today APC government, our president, our Fashola has done a lot of work there, go there and see Zik’s compound, you can now say, yes this is the house of the first president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And this is a promise made by Buhari in 2004 when he came for the funeral of his former Attorney General, Chief Offodile, he visited his friend, Chuma Azikiwe, now late, and he made a statement there, if by the grace of Allah I become the president of this country, I will do the 2^nd Niger Bridge and I would build Zik’s Mausoleum and other infrastructure, we were all there. And today he has fulfilled it, and a lot of other things going on.

Look at Onitsha Enugu Express Road, Okikwe Road, Aba /Umuahia/Okikwe Road, and the rest of them. Today we have about 524road projects going on all over the country, and the south east is not left out. We are recognized, w e are accommodated, and that is why we keep thanking APC government, thanking the president, thanking, we are not from the same geo-political zone, Fashola, we are thanking him because he knows what he is doing. A lot of roads are going on, Lagos/Ota/Abeokuta/Ibadan is on; Warri/Benin/ Lokoja/Abuja is on; Kano/Kaduna/Dutse/Niger Boarder is on; Portharcourt/Aba/Umuahia/Okikwe; Otukp/Makurdi; Akwanga/Jos/Bauchi; Maiduguri/Gamboru; Onitsha/Ihiala/Owerri; A3 Junction Umuyo; Kosubosu/Kaagama/Kishi/Illori Road; Enugu/Onitsha Road. Also inland roads in tertiary institutions are benefitting, if you go to Federal University Oye, Ekiti; University of Benin; FUTO in Owerri; UCH Ibadan; University of Maiduguri, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, and of course I keep on mentioning the 2^nd Niger Bridge is going on, Federal College of Education Katsina; Federal University Kashua, internal roads are all on. There are bridges that are listed under priority, you have Ibi Bridge in Cross River; Benue linking Plateau and Taraba states, Chanchanji Bridge along Mukari-Takum; you have Taraba State, Ikum Bridge in Cross River State. Then the bridge linking Asaba and Onitsha is of course the biggest project in brdges being constructed in this country by the APC administration, and this bridge is so dear to Ndigbo, South Easters, so dear to Nigerians because Onitsha is the commercial hub of the southeast.

The rehabilitation of Lokoja/Obajana/ Kaba Illorin Road, Kogi in Kogi and Kwara states, Construction of Apapa/Oworoshoki/Ojota Expressway , construction of Bodo/Boney road with a bridge across Opopo  Channel, Rivers State. It is a litany of projects going on and today people are seeing that APC has performed.

In Anambra State the yearning there is that let us have this change now. We have tested PDP, we have tested APGA, so people now want us to test APC, let us now see. Look at Onitsha Port, containers are now coming there, that is the work of APC. I commend Rotimi Amaechi again and I commend my own brother, who is the Managing Director of NIWA, Chief (Dr) George Moghalu. They are all wonderful.

And of course, our leader, Senator Chris Ngige, he is there coordinating everybody, he is a hard negotiator, making sure that we do not disintegrate. He gets to the president, he talks our opinion and look at what he has done in the Labour, all the industrial actions; he has been able to quench them. Though some people would come up with one allegation or the other; that is occupational hazard you face as a leader. So with all these things, I think, we are going to make it in Anambra State.

The public would like to know your opinion on the agitation for a president of Igbo extraction by the year 2023.

I don’t know how conversant you are in reading national papers, publications even though you are a journalist. If you read The Nation of last Sunday October 11, 2020, you would have seen my reaction because I have answered this question several times. That question came to find out the readiness of Ndigbo. I told the young man that the word readiness should not be there because Ndigbo have been ready and have been playing a very big role in the governance of this country. So we are more than ready, ever ready to take up the job. And I believe that it is our turn. Equity demands that, fairness demands that, and thank God, some notable northerners have started talking about it, and I believe our president being whom he is, somebody that believes in fairness, even though he doesn’t talk too much would not go against it, I believe he will support it. In as much as he alone cannot dictate, but his opinion matters a lot, we have played a very big role in the governance of this country. Look at Ekwueme, he played a very big role, Ebitu Ukiwe, King Jaja Nwachukwu, even in the present dispensation. We don’t wish away the Igbo people there in Aso Rock, like Senator Chris Ngige, you don’t wish him away, he is playing a very big role to make sure that this country is stable. Look at Orji Uzor Kalu, they are all there, Ogbonnaya Onu, and the rest of them, Enyinnaya Abaribe, all these people, they are all Igbo people that have played a very big role to make sure that this country stays as one, this country moves forward and if we are not considered in this, it then means what Gowon told us that there is no victor no vanquished, that means it is a fake.

In as much as this is not a do or die affair, because it needs to go into negotiations, into alliance with other geo-political zones like the southwest, we go into alliance, negotiation with them, because I am a plain politician, I don’t like violence, I don’t like bickering and all that, I always like brotherly discussion. So I believe, I am confident that by 2023 an Igbo man will be the president of this country and I want to commend the apex social cultural body of Ndigbo, the Ohanaeze, led by John Nnia Nwodo, how they stood firm to make that bold demand, if they have not achieved anything, but for them to come out to say that an Igbo man should be the president of this country or supposed to be the president of this country by 2023 is an excellent statement. I commend him for that, and I commend his resilience for that, and I want him to go on, and I urge Nigerians, urge the president, the ministers, southwest, south-south, the north east, west, North Central to listen and allow the Igbo man to be the president of this country.

By your stand, are you insinuating that every major political party in Nigeria should field an Igbo man as a candidate in the 2023 presidential election?

Even you interviewing me as an Igbo man can become the president of the country. You see, I am an APC man and I made bold to say that. And I don’t see APC derailing, going the other way round, yes, I am optimistic that credible candidate will come up from APC to take over that job for us to have that continuity we need or desire. But above all anybody can be president, I have said it, even you asking me question, you are qualify to be the president ,if you have the desire.

Still on president of Igbo extraction, we heard that former President, Goodluck Jonathan is being favoured to succeed Buhari thereby representing the slot of Ndigbo come 2023. What is your take?

I am just hearing this thing from you. First of all, I wouldn’t want anybody to rubbish the former president, His Excellency Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, I know him as a fan of democracy, a gentleman, I know him as somebody who is unassuming, he calls A, A, and calls B, B. And I don’t see him being dragged into the mess, and I don’t believe that there is any APC man doing that. You know there is a lot of propaganda going on in the country, using the names of these super party leaders to do one thing or the other; I don’t see Jonathan allowing himself to be dragged into that mess. Coming to the issue of being an Igbo or not, my very good friend, though an elderly person, late Owelle Chuma Azikiwe, he bore the name Bamidele, but that didn’t make him to be a Yoruba man, it didn’t, so we are talking about Igbo man, we are talking about southeast, not South-South, not southwest but southeast. And that is why I said in doing this, we liaise with all the other geo-political zones, south has had their own, southwest, North the same, what we are saying is that let a core Igbo man become the president of the country. So that all these wounds will be healed properly because I am a believer of one Nigeria, we believe in one Nigeria. The war has come and gone, we have forgotten about it. Look at us staying in Lagos, if you go to east you see Hausas there, if you go to North you see Igbos there, all these things we should get behind us for us to move forward. So by the time we start bringing all these small small politics into the system it will be a very big problem. But what I am telling you is that Jonathan the way I see him is a perfect gentleman and is a leader of note, recognized by the whole world and will not allow himself or his name to be dragged into this, we are talking about Igboman, core Igboman being the president of the country and all these tension will die down. I believe so.

Security is not going too well in this country. Do you think APC has done enough to protect the citizens?

You, are you doing too well? You see, security is for all of us, including myself talking. The security challenges we have in this country didn’t start today, it has been there, and past administrations have tried their best, APC came up and is improving on that. The president is worried, everybody is worried, I am personally worried. It is a global thing; it is not only in Nigeria. It is the work of everybody, in as much as the president, ministers or the chief of army staff will be taking the glory, responsibility or the blame; the work is for all of us to help in checkmating all these security challenges. In all it is not a problem you solve one day.

There appears to be hunger in the land as never seen before, what should the government do?

Hunger has been there right from time immemorial, which each administration, since Nigeria started, when the president came on board he said, it is not going to be easy, to repair, I agree with him totally, he himself agrees, it will take time to repair this things. The national Assembly is there, Federal Executive Council is there, the Governors are there. You know that place is like another world, they see better than us; so before I start criticizing certain policies, I must be able to hear very well from them. And that is why we elected them, but the most important thing is we are complaining that there is hunger in the land, there is hardship, ever coming to power he knows, you know the hardship had already started, but I believe that God helping us and we assisting, doing what we supposed to do, will overcome those things.

Do you think the campaign to end SARS is in Order?

The government has listened to the people, and they have ended SARS. It is not a decision they took may be in a day, so if it is not in order they would not take the decision.

Ending SARS and replacing it with SWAT almost immediately, are they in order?

The most important thing is to come up with a very good squad that will take care of crime, whether you call it SARS A, SARS B, or any other name, the most important thing is to take care of violent crimes, then purge, remove the bad eggs in the force, change the narrative, give them proper training, for me as a person, I don’t attach much importance to name, I attach importance to result. I thank the Federal Government for listening to the masses. When Buhari said Inspector General of Police should listen to the masses, and the IG has listened, and in Lagos here our governor has listened, look at what he did the other day, he approached them and address them and assured them, and I want to appeal to all the youths let them play low and allow government, let us see the plan they have, let us lie low now and listen to them, so that we can move forward, because the bad eggs can hijack the intention of the good ones and get things done wrong. 

I've good knowledge of Ifelodun political culture, says Adeleye, set to continue with developmental strides of Hon Ajidagba

 Political activities are now on top gear towards Lagos State Local Government/Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairmanship election in 2021. IFelodun LCDA is not left out, and one of those in the forefront to assume the helms of affairs in the LCDA is Dr Raphael Oyedun Adeleye, the Medical Director of DEETAB Hospital, Amukoko, he said he is ready to continue the good work of Honourable Shuaib Fatai Ajidagba, the current Chairman. SUCCESS DAMIAN reports.

Raphael Oyedun Adeleye is one of the aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming Ifelodun LCDA Chairmanship election in 2021.

Born in 1966, the University of Benin trained Medical Doctor spoke on his political experience and his contributions to his community, adding that he has good knowledge of the political culture of the Ifelodun community, hence well equipped to assume the pilot position of the LCDA in 2021. He disclosed that he has been supporting the party with his little resources.

“I have been practicing politics underneath, and I have been a politician who has been supporting the politicians underneath with my background in the environment because majority of my medical practice has been in this environment, so I have understudied the political terrain very well and I have been contributing to the progress of the present party, APC, with my own little resources and in the process of doing that I have had interactions with some political leaders. I am also privileged to be nominated as the Chairman of the health committee for the Ifelodun LCDA; that gave me another opportunity to understudy how governance is being run at the local government level, under the present administration headed by Honourable Suaib Fatai Ajidagba, the Honorable Chairman of Ifelodun LCDA. My interest is also based on discussions and mind-rubbing with the indigenes to vie for the post.”

Responding to the question on what made him think he stands a better chance to clinch the position he said “To the glory of God, I don’t like praising myself, but I think I am closer to the people, I am part and parcel of them, rendering selfless services to them, given them free medical care, contributing positively to the development of the community and because of the nature of my job I have had a very close rapport with the majority of them rendering selfless medical services to them free of charge. So this really endeared me personally to their heart and that has given me an edge over others. Presently I am the patron of one of the local LA Primary Schools in the community and I have been rendering services to the school.”

Speaking on what he intends to do if elected chairman he said, “The present administration under Honorable Ajidagba has done tremendously well, he has really transformed Ifelodun LCDA into the cynosure of everybody’s eye and based on his pedigree, and in order to be able to sustain this legacy, I am venturing into politics to continue the good work he is doing and even improve on it.”

Adeleye also spoke on his priority if elected “One of my priority areas will be in the area of quality education. My aim will be to ensure people have access to free and affordable education at the primary level and even the secondary level within the jurisdiction of the local government. So this is one of my targets. Apart from that, we hope to improve on the health mission programme. I am going to improve on the programme, increase the number of people who will have access to this free health mission on a yearly basis throughout my tenure by God’s grace, and with the level of infrastructural development that has taken place; other roads that have not been touched will be given due attention during my tenure.’

He said the youth will be adequately catered for “Again the youths will be well engaged, by engaging consultants, who will be able to introduce them to other areas, where they can get empowered so that they will not be idle because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. This I am sure will help to minimize youths’ restiveness in the community, so that investors can come, we want to embark on all these so that the community continues to witness tremendous development so that Ifelodun LCDA will be a mini Ikoyi in Lagos.”

He said he the present administration under AJIFAT has reconstructed and even built more than 20 roads with interlock, if you drive round the LCDA you will testify to this fact, but what I am going to do is to continue from where he stopped. 

#EndSARS: Umenzekwe appeals to youths for calm, urges government to address demands

Success Damian:

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Modestus Umenzekwe, has appealed to Nigerian youths protesting against the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) and their nefarious activities to sheath their sword and give peace a chance even as he appealed to the government to speedily address the demands made by the protesting youths.

Umenzekwe (Onwa Achina) made his opinions known while speaking to journalists in Lagos on Friday.

He said “I am passionately as an elder appealing for calmness in the country so that we do not disintegrate. The youths I am pleading with you to stop the protest,  as well as the government to do the needful so that we can have peace. Anger will not move us forward but rather draw us back.

“My sympathy to all those that lost their lives and the police officers killed. I believe both the Federal and state governments are taking stock of the losses both human and properties and will come up with measures that will cushion the effect. United we stand, divided we fall. There is nothing like peace that achieve in a round table dialogue,” Umenzekwe stated.

He stated that Nigerians need one another at this time adding that every effort must be made towards ensuring national peace and integration, so as not to allow the country to glide into catastrophe.

Umenzekwe also called for dialogue saying that violence does not pay anybody.

He said Nigeria has made giant strides in development and cannot afford to go back to the civil war era when every milestone in infrastructure and human capital development were wasted.

“Nigeria has made giant strides in development and cannot afford to go back to the civil war era when every milestone in infrastructure and human capital development were wasted to the war,” Umenzekwe advised.

 

NCC set to execute counterpart Funding Agreements with licensed INFRACOs, says Danbatta

Success Damian:

Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has disclosed that the regulatory body is in the process of executing the counterpart Funding Agreements with licensed INFRACOs to facilitate increase in fibre deployment around the country.

He said “The NCC is in the process of executing the counterpart Funding Agreements with licensed INFRACOs to facilitate increase in fibre deployment around the country to enhance the digital transformation agenda of the Federal Government. These timely measures have been very instrumental to the survival of SMEs that have had to ride on the backbone of Telecoms infrastructure in order to survive the pandemic.”

Danbatta made the disclosure at the 2020 National Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) Virtual Innovative Tech Forum Webinar on Wednesday.

Speaking on the topic “Multi-Stakeholder Approach to National Recovery Post-Pandemic”, Danbatta said that it has become imperative for the Commission to introduce drastic measures aimed at providing proper regulatory framework for the industry and also to ensure that Nigerian subscribers receive value for money.

“It became imperative for the Commission to introduce drastic measures aimed at providing proper regulatory framework for the industry and also to ensure that Nigerian subscribers receive value for money. We set out to license Infrastructure companies (INFRACOs) with the sole purpose of bridging these existing gaps.

“In line with our determination to drive broadband access, we have six (6) licensed INFRACOs, with one in each geo-political zone of the country. Lagos State receives special recognition and possesses its own license because of its commercial centrality to the country. The seventh license for the North-Central region is being processed.”

Danbatta also said that NCC has intensified its engagements to resolve the issues of multiple taxations which have become a problem to the operations of the Telecoms companies in the country. “Achieving rapid connectivity means that we must engage with stakeholders to facilitate infrastructure deployment in the sector. To this end, the Commission has intensified its engagement, collectively with Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and individually with state governors to push the National Economic Council’s resolutions on multiple taxation, multiple regulations and minimum uniform Right of Way (RoW) charges, as well as address other issues impeding telecoms infrastructure deployment in some states. 

“Furthermore, we are working with the Nigeria Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council (critical Infrastructure Sub-Committee) under the auspices of the Vice President on various initiatives towards identifying and implementing initiatives aimed at improving broadband penetration in the country,” he disclosed.

The EVC also maintained that ensuring cyber safety is critical to the regulatory body “The safety of our cyberspace remains critical as businesses, governments and individuals rely more intensely on ICT for their day-to-day activities following the pandemic. The re-direction of human traffic to online portals for major transactions as a result of social distancing also meant that cybercriminals have a larger audience and a much bigger playground to unleash malicious attacks.

“In the post-pandemic era, cyber threats are likely to become the most effective way to attack an organization or a country, and the trends indicate that cyber criminals are finding even more sophisticated ways of carrying out their nefarious activities. It is instructive to note that NCC adheres strictly with ITU guidelines for the global telecoms industry and has been actively in support of initiatives to propagate a safe online community.’

He added that the NCC, CBN, major financial institutions and Security Agencies have been working diligently at ensuring that Nigeria’s ICT space is safe and secure “The NCC, CBN, major financial institutions and Security Agencies have been working diligently at ensuring that Nigeria’s ICT space is safe and secure, particularly as the economy migrates to significant online and electronic financial transactions.

“The NCC is responding to the challenge of new financial technologies and electronic innovations in the financial systems riding on telecommunications networks as the nation’s economy seeks to reboot post pandemic. These innovations are driven by the availability of a robust communications infrastructure made possible by the Commission’s continuous quest for investment in the sector.

“In this regard, collaborative partnership between the NCC and the CBN has been very effective, leading to the emergence of various brands of electronic transaction models which have totally reformed banking in Nigeria making it possible for instant cash transfers which have cut out waiting times at banking halls and simplified online transactions,” Danbatta stated.

Earlier the EVC commended NITRA for possessing the reporting skills which have helped to disseminate information about the various policies of the commission “I am indeed delighted to be in the midst of ladies and gentlemen who possess the skills for reporting, interpreting and translating our activities into a language that our stakeholders appreciate. More importantly, your role has been critical in informing the public about the various policies implemented by the Commission that subsequently prepared the industry for such an unpredictable pandemic.”

 

LASU matriculates 7,968 students, as Fagbohun urges them to shun cultism, deviant behaviour

Success Damian:

Lagos State University (LASU) said it admitted 7,968 students for the 2019/2020 academic session, even as the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun has urged the fresh students to shun cultism and anti-social behavior.

Fagbohun made the revelations as part of his address on the occasion of the 2019/2020 Matriculation Ceremony of the school at Ojo on Wednesday.

He stated that LASU recorded 21,626 applications but was only able to admit 7,968 and maintained that the successful students should consider themselves lucky.

He said “During the 2020 admission screening exercise, we recorded 21,626 applications but we were only able to admit 7,968. Consequently, you should consider yourself lucky to be here. It is one thing to be here, it is another thing to earn your stay on campus. 

“To the matriculating students; your choice of LASU will help you sow seeds of change. As teeming adults, you must be ready to embrace the consequences of responsibility. We have rules at the Lagos State University on dressing, cultism and conduct. Deviance from these rules can lead to accelerated graduation, i.e. expulsion, dismissal and rustication. It is imperative that you acquaint yourselves with the Student's Handbook.” 

Fagbohun has a word of encouragement for the new students when he said “At this moment, you are still freshmen waiting to be pronounced as students of this great Institution. I have a strong feeling for this moment knowing that this is the last set of candidates that I will conduct their matriculation as the 8th substantive Vice Chancellor. Let me see you 10 years down the line and be proud of you.”

The Vice Chancellor used the occasion to task the students on good morals and academic excellence. He stated “In the last 4 years and 10 months, LASU has undergone metamorphic changes that have guaranteed conducive learning, preparedness to take on global challenges and a stable academic calendar. These amongst many other things were achievable with the corporation between management, staff and students. What is primarily required of you during your stay on campus is good morals and academic excellence.” 

He also spoke on the challenges posed by Corona virus and how LASU grappled with them. “Challenges come with opportunities, the pandemic has put us on a global spotlight; it has truly been an unprecedented time that didn’t avail us an opportunity to adopt models but rather set us up as creators of models and frontiers in the management of human and material resources. 

“These are not normal times. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 did not limit knowledge creation and community service of our great citadel of knowledge. The Faculty of Science massively and locally created hand sanitizers and face masks, the Faculty of Engineering designed an automated soap and sanitizer dispenser that is currently in use at the New Senate Building,” he stated.  

Fagbohun said there has never been a dull moment in LASU even with the challenges posed by covid-19, adding that the institution has had 13 virtual public lectures, conducted PhD post-field online which is an attestation to capacity to redefine the future of Education.

He said “It is prodigious that half the semester was spent online, i.e. Envivo, Zoom University, Whatsapp, Telegram, Google Meets etc. We have embraced technology and innovation; our management meeting holds online, exam holds online with a particular reference to the MBA exams, we have held about 13 virtual public lectures so far, our faculties have conducted PhD post-field online which is an attestation to our capacity to redefine the future of Education.” 

 

 

LASU reacts to allegation of non-remittance of staff salary deductions to cooperative societies

Success Damian:

Lagos State University Management has reacted to claims of non-remittance of staff salary deductions to cooperative societies by the institution.

In a press statement by Ademola Adekoya, Coordinator, Centre for Information, Press and Public Relations, LASU, the university is worried that a matter built on the understanding and agreement of concerned stakeholders has unfortunately found its way into the media space as an issue.

He said prior to the nationwide lockdown in March this year in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Lagos State University under the current administration had never defaulted in the monthly remittance of staff salary deductions to the cooperatives, ditto every other financial obligations to all its subsidiaries, adding that the University Management also pay salaries latest every 25th day of every month; that has never failed, till date.

Reacting further he said “The remittance of staff salary deductions to Cooperatives however became a challenge starting from April this year as a result of the significant drop in the University's income caused by the Covid-19 lockdown. The finances of the University, like that of many other organizations, states and nations, was severely hit when all income-generating activities stopped due to the lockdown; we were in a situation where income (subvention from state government and IGR), was low, and yet, obligations must be met, the most important of all being staff salaries.” 

Giving details of the university’s income and expenditure as it relates to salaries, the statement said “The University receives about Four Hundred and Fifty Million naira  (#450,000,000.00) monthly in subvention from the Lagos State Government and pays in the range of Five Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (#550,000,000.00) as salaries to its staff every month. This leaves the University with a deficit of about One Hundred million naira (N100,000,000,00) every month, which it augments from its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to meet up with regular payment of salaries .

“In April this year, the monthly subvention from the state government was cut from Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N450,000,000,00) to Two Hundred and Ninety Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#292,500,000.00) leading to a shortfall of One Fifty Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#157,500,000.00) coupled with the regular augmentation of One Hundred Million Naira (#100,000,000.00) which the university must cough out from its IGR monthly to pay salaries. The IGR was however, by this time, not available anymore owing to the total shut down of the University. By implication, in spite of this financial challenge, the University had to look for Two Hundred and Fifty Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#257,500,000.00) to meet up with the payment of staff salaries in April, 2020,” the statement said. 

The statement reads further “Recall that the State Government during the lockdown had promised to pay all workers in Lagos State their salaries despite the global economic downturn, and so even when it was almost financially impossible for the University to pay full component of its staff salaries like their counterparts in the state. Part of the very limited options available to the University however was to pay the component of staff salaries to banks while the staff salary deductions to the cooperatives was to be remitted when the university's finances (IGR) fully improves.”

He said that the University Management invited all the Cooperative Societies with Staff Unions to explain in detail and share with them the situation of the University's finances and how the Management intends to meet the challenge, saying that the majority of the stakeholders showed understanding with the Management on the position that the situation was not peculiar to LASU and as such, should be handled and resolved as proposed by the management. “It is with this understanding that the management continues to augment monthly staff salaries pending when the situation normalizes,” he said.

He decried the situation whereby mischief makers have been quick to escalate the issue in order to discredit the University’s Management for some selfish motives.

He said despite the dip in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the University occasioned by the suspension of some academic programmes, the main source of the IGR, the University has continued to meet up with the performance of its financial obligations: payment of staff salaries latest 25th of every month, promotions of deserving staff carried out despite its financial implications, and other ancillary expenses are also carried out by the University in spite of its lean resources.