Gov Sani Expresses Condolence over Twin-Blast, Airstrike in Borno

Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has commiserated with University of Maiduguri, Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs and Borno state government over  recent twin-bomb attack in the university as well as the  accidental air strike by the Nigerian Airforce,,NAF describing the incidences as tragic.

 

The Governor expresses his sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the University community, the families as well as people and government of Borno State over the incidents adding that the attack by a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber was really unjustified.

 

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, the Governor noted that the institution had been relatively peaceful despite the countless attacks launched on its environs and called on the university authorities to step-up security on the campus to guide against future occurrence.

 

“Despite insurgency, the University of Maiduguri has been relatively peaceful. Indeed, in 2016, the UNIMAID had its 40th anniversary and combined convocation which attracted people from all over the world.”

 

Governor Sani Bello, who believes that the fight against the insurgents was a collective responsibility of everyone, said government and the citizens must not allow evil to triumph over peace and harmony of the society.

 

“There is the need for the people to be extra-vigilant and to also assist the security agencies with intelligence reports about, and expose suspicious characters amongst us so that they can be proactively flushed out of our midst before carrying out their nefarious activities”.

The Governor further advised that the airstrike should not be seen to undermine the gains recorded by the Armed forces and other security agencies in the fight against the insurgents.

Governor Sani Bello commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the blast as well as those of the IDP camp and  prayed for the reposed souls of the deceased and wished the injured quick recovery.

 

Reports say four persons, including a Professor of Veterinary Medicine (Aliyu Mani), were killed in the suicide attack that rocked the university at two different locations while 17 people recorded various degrees of injuries.

NEMA, Stakeholders Condoles Victims of Rann

...Working towards receiving 1300 IDPs from Abuja

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and stakeholders in humanitarian activities in North-East have condoled victims of accidental airstrike that occurred in Rann, Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno state.

The stakeholders who meet monthly to review developmental activities in internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) Camps and host communities also observed a minute of silence in memory of Humanitarian workers from the Nigerian Red Cross and others who died in the bombing incident.

The meeting also discused measures being put in place to receive and host 1300 IDPs expected to from Abuja.

The stakeholders meeting organised by NEMA is a forum for all partners engaged in humanitarian activities in Borno state. It offers a platform for all actors to meet with Federal and state Government Agencies involved in humanitarian activities to facilitate collaboration and cooperation in operations. 

The meeting also receives monthly updates on activities  from the various multi stakeholder sector working groups which include Security, water/sanitation/Hygiene (WASH),Protection,Food security, Shelter /NFI, Health and Education working groups.

Heritage Bank repositions for improved efficiency

Heritage Bank Plc has announced the restructuring of its workforce, as part of efforts geared towards greater efficiency and resource optimization, in line with its growth and industry innovative agenda designed to strengthen the bank’s business across all markets where it operates.

 

According to a statement from the bank, the restructuring processes was to up scale the institution’s activities in the strategic sectors of the economy as well as concentrating on and deploying its expertise and competences to specific business areas where it enjoys comparative business advantage.

It hinted that the recent restructuring came after a review of senior staff bench strength and industry standards and realigned certain roles bank wide and those who were affected by the exercise were adequately compensated.

 

The bank also disclosed the elevation of some members of its workforce with higher responsibilities, which is in line with its on-going determination to reposition.

 

There is no doubt that the banking industry like every other sector in the country is going through rough times occasioned by the downward trend in the economy, hencethe move was part of the bank’s strategic plan to keep a vibrant workforce that will enable the bank achieve its vision of being the Nigerian most innovative banking of choice in service delivery, superior returns to its various stakeholders and as well contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy.

 

This position is buttressed by the fact that the bank is well known for supporting small businesses, which is another way of bringing as many small businesses as possible together in a bid to add value to MSME sector of the economy.

 

Heritage Bank has deliberately focused on the SME segment in a bid to create a fresh set of vibrant entrepreneurs that will create jobs and distribute wealth in the Nigerian economy because of recent statistics which indicate high unemployment among the youths that make up a large percentage of the population.

 

One of its initiatives in the MSME sector is its partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) under the N3billion CBN Youth Innovative Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YIEDP) which is targeted at youth, particularly current serving National Youth Corps members and those within five years post-service exit.

 

The bank launched a N500 million Young Entrepreneurs and Students (YES) Grant in Lagos. The initiative, which is in partnership with the Nigerian Youth Professional Forum (NYPF), will, according to the bank, support students and young entrepreneurs toward socio-economic freedom.

 

Also, in furtherance of its commitment to creating jobs and wealth, Heritage Bank in partnership with the Center for Value Leadership (CVL)developed various impact-driven programmes to empower the youths and women particularly in the under-developed communities in Lagos State and one of these is the Young Entrepreneurship Business Training Programme (YEBTP).

 

The YEBTP is a programme aimed at grooming, mentoring, and financing 100 aspiring and existing young micro entrepreneurs in Ajegunle, Lagos State. This will be achieved in the form of a grant scheme of about N8.5million, in which the funds will be used to purchase the equipment needed by the entrepreneurs to start their businesses.

Ojukokoro Teaser: Watch Hafiz Ayetoro (Saka ), Wale Ojo, Ali Nuhu, Tope Tedela, Somkele Idalama, Linda Ejiofor Star In New Ojukokoro (TRAILER)

Award-winning actors including, Wale Ojo, Ali Nuhu, Tope Tedela, Somkele Idalama, Linda Ejiofor, Zainab Balogun and Hafiz Oyetoro (Saka) star in a new gripping comedy crime-thriller entitled Ojukokoro (Greed).

Written & directed by Dare Olaitan and produced by Olufemi Ogunsawo, the suspense filled movie starring a star-studded is set to raise the game and bring fresh excitement to movie lovers across Nigeria.

Ojukokoro (Greed) is another Nollywood Cinema film that has come to life with multiple  Nigerian Production companies involved, it  was created by Singularity Media in collaboration with House Gabriel Studios and BCI Studios.

It also features talented cast such as Charles Etubiebi, Seun Ajayi, Emmanuel Ikubese, Kayode Olaiya, Gbolahan Olatunde. Kunle Remi, Sammi Eddi, Lord Frank and Shawn Faqua.

After its successful screening at the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in November, the movie has been tipped by viewers to become a box office hit in cinemas this year.

Ojukokoro which is a Yoruba word is translated as greed in English language. The movie unwraps an intriguing tale about a money-strapped manager of a shady Petrol Station who decides to rob his employers but along the line finds out in a sudden twist that he is not alone in his ambition and that a good reason isn’t always a right one.

According to the talented young producer, the movie will be premiered at different locations very soon before it proceeds on a long cinema run across over 30 theatres in Nigeria.

The writer & Director, Olaitan trained in Film Directing/Screen Writing Degree at the Colorado Film School and aspires to make a big impression with this first effort.

Speaking on the movie, the director said, “Ojukokoro was inspired by the state of events in Nigeria during 2014 elections with the general state of greed in the nation due to the upcoming elections. It is an ensemble cast movie that deals primarily with a heist which is an avenue that is rarely explored in Nollywood Cinema.

“From the conception to execution, the movie that took me three years to produce. I wrote the script when I was fresh from film school with little knowledge of how the Nigerian Film industry operates. It’s nice to finally have an end product after many years of dreaming and scheming,” he added. 

View trailer here.

Governor Dankwambo's Uncommon Touch on the Jewel of Savannah

Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo

By Erasmus Ikhide

Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of the temperate State of Gombe has demonstrated the immeasurable role of education in the political and economic life of a people or nation. His three points agenda: education,  education and education signposted his world view in modern governments as the precursor of positive governance.

The governor's inclusive construction of over 45 model schools in all the local government areas of the state in conformity to international standards; expansion programme in the university sector with the purchase of equipment for the College of Medicine and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science; multi-billion naira building of hostels, classrooms, libraries and laboratories in the School of Remedial
Studies at Kumo, are ready testaments of his commitment to his the points agenda.

The ongoing establishment of several top flight educational institutions like the Gombe State University of Science and Technology, Gombe State College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry,
Gombe State College of Accountancy, Gombe State Institute of Journalism and Gombe State Institute of Sports Development perfectly mirrors what expect from desert state of Gombe in the near future. It's good news that the governor has been spending N10 billion annually, more than 4% UNESCO recommended for educational sector, to arrest the decay in the educational system because those recruited into the Boko Haram terrorist group are basically and evidently illiterates, who are brainwashed and radicalized to hate fellow human being for unsubstantiated religious
reasons.

Dankwambo’s favorable educational desiderata paid off in his first term rather bountifully with the establishment of several prestigious tertiary institutions including the Gombe State College of Islamic
studies, the Gombe State Polytechnic and the Gombe State College of Education amongst other purpose driven institutions that have provided admission at very low cost to tens of thousands of Gombe State students as well as students from other parts of the country.

Governor Dankwambo loudly ventilated my position about history and education as the ultimate enhancers of human development. Elsewhere in the rocky country of ..., caverns  have been turned into shinning marble cities and desert into flourishing glazing cities in Dubai!

The state earlier known for its unremitting poverty, backwardness and aridity has surgically undergo genuine transformation in the last six years under the stewardship of Dr. Dankwambo, a preeminent PhD holder in accounting in the political life of the nation and erstwhile Accountant-General of the Federation. In a country where the first eleven are hardly given a chance to serve it would be in order to argue that Dr. Dankwambo's brilliant academy exploit puts him head and shoulder above most of his peers in the country.

During his tenure as Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Dankwambo introduced landmark programmes towards ensuring accountability, transparency and probity. These included massive
reorganisation of the Accountant-General’s office to make it more focused, pragmatic and
professionally suitable for efficient service delivery. He also commenced the computerisation of the federal government account. Among several others, he also put in place standardisation of accounts of federal, state and local governments in Nigeria while ensuring that all government revenues were captured into the treasury and properly accounted for.

Imbued powerfully by world class orientation in governance and his undoubted empathy for the socially displaced and positivity, Dr. Dankwambo needs no prodding for to appreciate the enormous task to redeem the long suffering people of Gombe.

His commitment to the attainment of crucial aspects of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of the United Nations (UN); his identification of manpower development as the basic resources for the actualisation of such initiatives has succinctly led to his understanding of the “undeniable potentials of indigenous artisanship to societal and national development.

His decision to nurture qualitative and quantitative education, the production of quality and adequate manpower for housing construction, automobile repair, steel work, renovation and fabrication works of various shades which currently pose a major challenge to individual citizen, urban managers and development partners across the country has not been equalled by any other state governor.

Interestingly, the governor has activated the Gombe State Investment Company from obscurity into one of the most formidable profit-oriented agencies among all the parastatals within the state’s public service, with a capital value of over N4 billion. An advocate of wealth creation with pro-poor initiative, his job creation efforts and  wealth creation efforts programme has increased activities in
agro-allied and solid minerals sector. Additional increase of N3 billion to an earlier N1 billion partnership deal with the Bank of Industry (BOI), has been disbursed to cooperative groups as soft loans to hundreds of thousands beneficiaries for the establishment of small-scale processing industries. As a result, 12, 000 jobs were created by the 133 Cooperative Societies, with the consideration of youths and adequate Gender balance.

In addition to that, precisely 755 trainees in various skin acquisition programme have successfully completed their courses and now self-employed. Gombe state currently stands out as a model on the roll call of 17 states under the BOI partnership programme. As a matter of fact, Gombe market
is now saturated with products and brands of various dimensions.

In furthering his industrialisation policy and wealth creation programme in the state, an industrial cluster cum enterprise zone for groundnut oil and rice millers has been established at Bogo/Nasarawo
Industrial Estate in Gombe with 300 slots allocated to the two trade groups for production shades. The administration also provided three Transformers at the site to ease power problems. Consideration is being given to the establishment of five more Clusters in the state capital to accommodate the increasing numbers of small-scale industries from the BOI initiative. The administration has also marked out an extension programme of 400-hectare Industrial Estate at Lawanti village along Bauchi road, adjacent to the Gombe International Airport.

This is aside the establishment of a multi-billion naira Modern Commodity Depot and Exchange Centre in Gombe, the state capital to promote Modern Commodity Trading which has been completed at the costs of well over N4 billion.

It's on record that his administration singularly completed the construction of the 54km Kanawa-Kuri-Jorogutel road with some connecting access roads linking all the most agricultural fertile
parts of the state. This road is on the priority list of the Dankwambo-led administration in spite of its identification as a federal road, with a total cost N6.8 billion.

Early life of his government Dr. Dankwambo unveiled 200 fuel efficient mini-brand taxi cabs; 1,100 Keke NAPEP tri-cycles, combined with 80 hummer buses for Gombe State Transport Service through the State Ministry of Finance as a more meaningful approach to alleviating the scourge of poverty among the downtrends rather than the negative approach to survival of the fittest.

The main trust of this piece steams from Dr. Dankwambo's single-mindedness, largeness of heart and leadership by example to engagement in the provision of portable water to the citizens of the
state at great costs. At a time public water system has collapsed across the country, venturing into the area by government should be acknowledged. Many people under the age of 40 can not boast of ever
using public water system. All that has disappeared, courtesy of leadership failure, even same promised Nigerians some 40-year ago.

In its effort at improve the supply of potable water to the citizenry, the administration has awarded contract for the rehabilitation and reticulation of pipelines in the state with extension to Kwami, Gadam and Bojude, and of late, extended to cover Kompulata and Tappi at a cost of well over N4 billion; while it has also awarded contract for water sustenance and maintenance of the Gombe Regional Water Supply Scheme.

Straddled by legions of commitments to the state and his efforts at providing lasting solution to the water crisis Dr. Dankwambo told news men thus: "Fortunately or unfortunately for us, there are some places where you cannot get borehole water. You will dig as deep as 500 meters in some places in Gombe and not get water. So, the only solution is to get a dam or treated water which is piped.

"Fortunately, we have a dam in Gombe but it is about 45 to 50 kilometres, so we are drawing the water little by little and it is a huge investment. The first one we did; when the water came into Gombe, we had to distribute in and around Gombe and that cost us about N4.2 billion. The next thing was to extend it to certain areas. In these areas, if you drive, it is like you are getting to almost the border of Gombe and in Gombe there is no ground water at all. So, we have succeeded in extending up to 78 kilometres of pipeline towards that side and that cost additional N1.8 billion.

"The Gombe reticulation is almost 90 to 95 per cent completed. Also when you take dam water, you are also adding to the cost of treatment and cost of maintenance. When I came, we ran the dam at about N90 million a month. As at today, the cost of maintenance is about N242 million".

This is exemplary leadership. It is worthy of emulation and celebration by everyone who wishes to see Nigeria overcome her man-made affliction. We look forward to the time when our leaders will
freeze their frequent movement to America, Dubai' and European countries and face the task of governance, like Governor IbrahimDankwambo, "the last man standing".

Erasmus Ikhide, a social activist writes from Lagos. Tel: +234 805 6225 515 (SMS Only). Follow him on twitter @IkhideErasmus!

New Genesis Boss's Giant Strides

Ademola Oyefeso, CEO, New Genesis

In and out of the country today, the name Ademola Oyefeso sure rings a loud bell especially when it involves entertainment trade. Many who know about the New Genesis boss’ exploits in the showbiz world will readily relay to you that the Staten Island, New York based showbiz advocate has done so much for Nigerian entertainment world that his name surely deserved to be etched in the sand of time. No known musician or movie practitioner in the country some years back that do not have a good story to tell about the Ikenne, Ogun state born impresario.

“Alase” as he is fondly called by fans and admirers has done so much in selling our  brand to the outside world especially at his base in the United States of America; not only that, he has also contributed hugely to the current state and acceptance that Nigerian music enjoys these days amongst diverse culture and race. He is regarded as a promoter that commands great respect among musicians and artistes, especially those in the Yoruba genre.

Many big musicians in Nigeria like King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey and many others have benefitted immensely from his promotional skill. Other artistes Ademola Oyefeso has promoted include K1 the Ultimate, late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Kollington Ayinla, Salawa Abeni, Lagbaja, late Orlando Owoh, Adewale Ayuba, Abass Obesere and Kola Ogunkoya, to mention but a few.

Interestingly, Oyefeso has also extended his Midas touch to another area of leadership that involves his Yoruba people just like he has been positively affecting the Nigeria entertainment world. He has taken a step further by coordinating the Yoruba people in his country of residence. Though, his term is gradually coming to the end, Ademola as at today, is the president of the Yoruba association known as Egbe Omo Yoruba in New York.

During his term as the president of the association, his achievement aside promoting peace and progress among members, he also has the credit of getting an edifice for them that has the inscription of ‘Yoruba House’ which has become a rendezvous for Yorubas living in that part of the world.

WE’LL INCREASE LAGOS GDP THROUGH ENTERTAINMENT - AMBODE

…Tasks Artistes On Structured Framework To Transform Industry
... Shina Peters, Adewale Ayuba, Salawa Abeni, Tiwa Savage, Others Hail Gov

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday revealed plans of his administration to leverage on the vast economic opportunities in entertainment, tourism and arts sectors, among others to grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the State and promote talents in the State to compete globally.

Speaking at Lagos House, Ikeja when he received artistes who performed at the One Lagos Fiesta (OLF), who were on a thank-you-visit, Governor Ambode said the creative industry remained a veritable platform to grow the economy, and that government would tap into it and use it to positively engage the bulging youths in the State.

The OLF, which is an annual end of the year revue put together by the State Government, held simultaneously in five different locations across the State from December 24, 2016 to January 1, 2017, and it was adjudged to be very successful with participation of a-list artistes from different genres of music.

The Governor, who thanked the artistes for their partnership with the State Government, said the OLF was a platform put together by his administration to majorly create awareness about the potentials inherent in the entertainment industry, especially in using it to grow the economy and positively develop talents that abound in the country.

He said according to statistics, the State recorded the lowest crime rate during the period of the OLF, saying that the artists contributed significantly in keeping the city secured and scale up the international rating of the State as a safe place.

He recalled the Project T.H.E.S.E (Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Sports for Excellence) which was part of campaign promises to Lagosians, saying that his administration remained committed to using the initiative as well as the OLF to grow the economy of the State.

He said: “We have a bulging youth population dynamics in Lagos. 66 per cent of our population are below the age of 35 and if two third are of below 35, it means there is an economy in that age bracket that government is not seeing. The OLF was used to test run how to bring people together.

“The issue now is beyond OLF, how do we now take that opportunity to become a catalyst for this partnership? On my part, I want to reiterate my commitment. This is an area I love which is underutilized for the societal development of the country.

“Government is now willing to use your industry to grow its GDP because so far entertainers are working, we would have more visitors coming to Lagos; they will stay in our hotels; they will buy clothes; they will go out in the night and buy our drinks and the ultimate thing is that more taxes come in for the state.

“So, there is a concentric cycle around the energy of entertainers and so what I want is a structured framework. What is it that we should do as government to grow the industry? Why should we go and be doing video shoot in South Africa for instance? I want a win-win partnership not just to use artistes and dump them till another December. I want a year-round partnership that is built around a framework,” he said.

Going forward, Governor Ambode tasked artistes to come up with a structured framework to grow the economy, while government will provide infrastructures and initiatives to help the sector.

“The challenge for our artistes now is to come up with a framework of how government can intervene. We are willing to support and we are willing to draw up a programme to support you but how do you want to fuse into that to make Lagos the entertainment hub in Africa? That is the challenge but I want to thank you for honoring us,” the Governor said.

Many of the big names in the entertainment industry including Queen Salawa Abeni, Adewale Ayuba, Tiwa Savage, Adekunle Gold, Sir Shina Peters, Sound Sultan among others, lauded Governor Ambode for the OLF initiative and his commitment to grow the industry.

Other notable names who were part of the delegation included Folarin Falana (Falz), M.I Abaga, Patoranking, Obesere, Tony Tetuila, Dr Sid, Idris Abdulkareem, Aramide, CDQ, Sulaimon ‘Atawewe’ Adio, Reekado Banks, Humblesmith, Dammy Krane among others.

Re: Ladi Adebutu Sets to defect to APC in Ogun

Our attention has just been drawn to an online publication which purports a planned defection of Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu, Member House of Representatives, and Chairman, House Committee on Rural Development to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

For the avoidance of doubt, and especially for the sake of our teeming supporters who might be hoodwinked into believing the said story to be true. The publication is false in all matters particular, there is no iota of truth in it and the suggestion or assumption can only exist in the wild imagination of the writer.

We are not unmindful of the political undercurrents behind this false publication, and this goes on to confirm the rising profile of Hon. Adebutu in the political landscape of Ogun State and Nigeria in general. We need to remind our people about the obvious missing links in the said write up; it does not add up logically that Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu who was elected popularly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), holding an unprecedented overwhelming mandate of the people, did not join the APC even when there was hope of a successful governance by the ruling party, and it fails logic and reasoning that he will do so now that the party has demonstrated lack of capacity to govern.

Perhaps this wild Speculation could have sounded possible and plausible if the APC had shown capacity to be compassionate and humane to the citizenry. These considerations are fundamental tenets of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu's idea of governance. However, sadly the welfare of the people appears to be alien and not on the core agenda of the ruling party.

It also needs reemphasizing that in his over thirty years in politics, having been elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, in 1992, Hon. Adebutu does not play politics of convenience. As a progressive politician, his brand of politics is governed by social Democratic ideals and ideology which are encapsulated in the social and economic freedom of the people and general improvement in the people's welfare.

However, one thing we have been able to take away from this false report is that Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu has climbed to such high pedestal in the politics of Ogun State so much that his name must be drawn into an obvious political propaganda warfare by all aspiring politicians, and we have no option than to wish them luck as we have strong faith in the capacity of the very enlightened people Ogun State to discern truth from falsehoods at all times.

Signed:
Lado Media

THE RANN ACCIDENTAL AIR STRIKE

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is saddened by today’s accidental air strikeby its fighter jet at Rann in Kala Balge area of Borno State in which some innocent lives were lost.

While available information is sketchy, the Theatre Commander OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE is taking appropriate steps to avail uswith details of the incident. The loss occasioned by this unfortunate incident is deeply regretted.

The NAF commiserates with those affected and their families and would update the public as soon as detailed facts emerge from the investigation.

PHOTO NEWS: Promotion Galore At Osun Prisons Command

L-R: Comptroller of Immigration, Osun State Command, Mr Chris Onunwor; newly promoted Chief Superintendent of Prisons, Mr Oluwole Fadairo; and the Controller of Prisons, Osun State Command, Mr Segun Oluwasemire, during the decoration of Fadairo and 70 other newly promoted prisons officers of the Osun State Command in Ososgbo on Monday.