Oba Ewuare II calls for early completion of Inland Container Depot

Ewuare II n’ogidigan, the Oba of Benin, has called on Nigeria Shippers Council and Atlantique Marine Engineering Services promoters of Inland Container Deport (ICD) in Edo, to ensure early completion of the project.

Ewuare II made the call when Executive Secretary of the council, Mr Hassan Bello, Chief Executive Officer, Atlantique Marine Engineering Services, Mr Charles Akhigbe, visited him in Benin on Wednesday.

He said problem had always been with executing ideas within stipulated time frame. He said the idea and vision of the promoters, the Atlantique Marine Engineering Services (AMES), to bring an Inland port was lofty and welcome.

He also said that job creation through the project would stem human trafficking as well as reduce socio-economic problems and vices in the state.

He, therefore, appealed for quick implementation of the project while also commending the initiative to establish a Truck Transit Terminal in the state.

According to the Executive Secretary, providing the TTT would be of immense benefit to the state and also help curb road traffic crashes associated with truck drivers due to fatigue.

He also said it would be very beneficial to the state in view of the Inland Container Deport to be established in the state soon. Gov. Godwin Obaseki assured of his administration’s alliance with the shippers council and the promoters of the Inland Container Deport.

He assured that his administration would provide all operational services and grant all permits and in some cases wavers on some of the charges to ensure a smooth take-off.

He promised there would be 24 hours power supply to location of the project within the next four months. 

No society will develop without a strong value system – Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto,  Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has said that successful societal and economic transformation would succeed when they are supported and energised by value system.

Abubakar stated this at the Traditional Rulers Day, as part of activities marking the 50th Anniversary of Rivers monarchy in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

The Sultan, who delivered a lecture  entitled Traditional Institution In Nigeria And The Challenge Of Re-Engineering Viable Local Economies, said that no society could develop without its value system.

He said that the institution as custodians of societal values and norms were therefore critical component of any serious and sustainable transformation of the society.

This is particularly so with the economic transformation and the fight against corruption, he said.

Abubakar identified poverty and unemployment as a challenge with multi links and consequences that could be associated to issues of national security or insecurity.

He said that while government at all levels have the responsibility within the constraints of its budget to address the issues, the traditional institution also have an important role to play.

According to him, the traditional institution by proximity to the poor, have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the levels of poverty.

By their presence and grasp of the local environment, they are better positioned to drive any genuine transformation of the local economy.

Being the direct leaders of the poor, they are part of the major stakeholders in the alleviation of poverty, they daily bear the brunt of the consequence of poverty, he said.

Abubakar advocated the urbanising and building of industries in the local areas to achieve a sustainable economic policy.

He said that economic industries where craftsmen and other professionals would be trained to meet the daily needs of the societal was indispensable.

Such society will have value of dignity of labour in order to inculcate hard work and discourage laziness and begging, he said.

The sultan urged Nigerian leaders to learn from the mistakes of the past to move the nation forward.

traditional institution plays key and pivotal role in nation building- Ooni of Ife

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, believes traditional institution plays key and pivotal role in nation building.

Ogunwusi stated this as Chairman of the “Traditional Rulers Day” activity to mark the Golden Jubilee Anniversary in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He said the institution is indispensable, adding that it could not be ignored, and society could not do without it.

When you step into any community to do anything, they are the first people you meet to consult with as leaders; and within the twinkle of eye, they coordinate the whole people.

Thing is, they know their people, they coordinate basic developmental activities in their domains and direct affairs in the communities, he said.

According to Ogunwusi, the institution works closely with politicians and government because it is very important in decision making.

If we all know that we have our role to play and as leaders, we must lead by example and not be found wanting in any way in the society.

We must lead by example in our conducts, in the way we talk and act for  our subjects to follow. If we do this, the society will be a better place,” he said.

The Ooni  said that  traditional rulers had more important roles in the betterment of the society than government.

So, we should see government as our partners in progress. We have our role, they have their role. We are not competitors, he said.

He also said that the institution should work as a formidable force in pursuit of peace, harmony and nation building in Nigeria.

Alleged N6bn fraud: Top Kano Emirate Council officials present documents

Three top officials of the Kano Emirate Council have appeared before the state Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission with documents in connection with ongoing investigation of an alleged misapplication of N6 billion.

The Chairman of the commission, Mr Muhuyi Magaji, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kano.

Magaji, who declined to disclose the names of the affected personnel and description of the documents, however said the officials were scheduled to feature on May 3, with all relevant documents concerning the probe.

He explained that the officials demonstrated high degree of cooperation as they fielded questions and submitted documents detailing the council approvals and expenditure.

According to him, cases of land racketeering, revenue collection, shop allocation, examination and other shady financial and civil service malfeasance were being handled by the commission.

The chairman assured the public of fairness and justice as well as diligent investigation and prosecution of alleged corrupt cases brought before the anti-graft agency.

Magaji described corruption as a major factor militating against national development and prosperity.

He, therefore, called for understanding, support and cooperation of all to end the cancer eroding our national values and aspiration.

 (NAN)

Governors assured workers of payment of their unpaid salaries and wages.

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Monday directed that pension deductions be suspended in the state. Umahi who gave the directive on the celebration of workers Day in Abakaliki also directed that already deducted pension be refunded to workers.

We are going to suspend the pension law and all your desires will be taken into consideration.On May 15 every deduction made in respect of the pension law, will be refunded back to you.

He further instructed that accumulated promotion of workers should be released and also approved leave allowance of workers.

Ikpeazu further assured the workers that other outstanding requests will be given due reconsideration. He appreciated the relationship existing between government and workers.

On the issue of leave allowance from the mono-filament June, we will engage in gradual payment and will not stop until we finish and it will be sustained,” he added. Leo Nkah, Acting Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ebonyi council said that workers expect change in their welfare with the good relationship between government and workers, their solidarity and understanding.

He said workers strongly believe that their demands of promotion, leave allowances among other requests will be addressed. Our belief is that with the good rapport between government and workers, they expect turn around in their pockets, he said.

Similar, his Anambra state counterpart, Gov. Willie Obiano assured workers of an increase in their salaries soonest. He however urged workers to ensure that all linkages in the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) are blocked so as to hit a targeted amount for their salaries to be increased.

Obiano in his May Day speech also directed the chairman of state Civil Service Commission (CSC) to commence this year’s promotion exam.

I want you to join me in making sure that all our IGR linkages are blocked so that as soon as we get to N2.4b from our present N1.4b, I will increase your salaries.

I have directed the Chairman of the state CSC to start without delay the promotion of qualified staff due this year,” he said.

Obiano said that a 100 unit housing estate would be ready before November while amnesty he granted to 13 prisoners. The first batch of 100 workers in the state will benefit from the housing estate we are building at Isiagu, Awka South before November.

I have ordered the release of 13 prisoners whose offenses are not grievous and want workers to participate in the validation exercise for them to vote,’’ he said.

Workers in the state led by their leaders had earlier endorsed the governor for a second term.

Also, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, thank the workers and unions for their supportive role in the development and ensuring industrial harmony in the state.

He noted that the state government had been in the fore-front of ensuring that workers’ salaries were paid regularly and promptly at the end of every month.

I am quite happy today seeing our senior citizens – the pensioners – march pass with smiles as the state had already cleared arrears owed to them.

While other states are currently lamenting economic hardship, our state is forging ahead with laudable developmental projects, he said.

The governor, however, said that he had gone through and taken note of the myriad of demands and requests made by the unions. As a listening government, we will address these challenges one after the other based on available resources,’’ he said

Highlight of the day was the honour bestowed on Ugwuanyi by workers as a labour friendly governor. Meanwhile, the Staff of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu has decried non-full payment of their salaries since the beginning of January.

The Leader of the Joint Health Workers Union of the hospital, Comrade Cyprian Orjinta, expressed the displeasure at a side line of the Workers Day celebration in Okpara Square, Enugu.

Orjinta noted that the joint union had because of the development embarked on a strike over one week which had paralysed activities at the hospital.

As I speak to you now, the whole staff at the hospital did not receive their October, 2016 salaries. This is aside our agitation on the half salary payment since January of this year.

We have checked with our colleagues in National Orthopaedic Hospitals in Lagos and Kano, they are not treated with these salary payment issues. We are yet to understand, while the branch of the hospital under the Federal Ministry of Health in the South East would be treated this way,’’ he said.

Orjinta, also lamented the disposition of the management of the hospital and its parent ministry which had not call for dialogue over the matter. On the May Day celebration, the Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Enugu State Council, Comrade Chukwuma Igbokwe, commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on his development stride.

Igbokwe lauded the transparent disbursement of N4.2 billion bailout fund for payment of arrears of salaries and pensions of civil servants.

Jazz a veritable tool to promote dialogue among cultures – UNESCO

Marking the 2017 International Jazz Day, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has stressed the power of jazz music to unite people and its contribution to peace.

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova in her message on the Day, called for a reflection on how jazz music had promoted dialogue among cultures. Today, we celebrate the international art form of jazz and its power to promote dialogue among cultures, to make the most of diversity, to deepen respect for human rights and all forms of expression.

The story of jazz is written into the quest for human dignity, democracy and civil rights. The UNESCO chief quoted Nina Simone as saying jazz is not just music, it is a way of life, it is a way of being, a way of thinking.

She noted that its rhythms and variety had given strength to the struggle against all forms of discrimination and racism. The Cuban capital of Havana is hosting this year’s celebration of International Jazz Day, reflecting the city’s profound ties to jazz.

Hometown of renowned bandleaders, Mario Bauzá and Frank ‘Machito’ Grillo, the city, and more broadly, Cuba’s thriving musical culture gave birth to the Afro-Cuban jazz movement, inspired by a great mix of cultures and peoples across the region.

The celebration features an all-star global concert that displays the world’s greatest talents from Cuba, Latin America and around the world. This includes legendary jazz pianist and composer UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue, Herbie Hancock, and Cuban jazzman, Chucho Valdés.

The International Jazz Day is a yearly event marked on April 30, organised by UNESCO to celebrate “the virtues of jazz as an educational tool, and a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people’’. The Day was proclaimed during the UNESCO General Conference in November 2011.

The first annual International Jazz Day was kicked off in Paris by UNESCO chief, Bokova, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock. According to the UNESCO, for more than a century, jazz has helped soothe and uplift the souls of millions of people in all corners of the world.

The UN’s cultural arm also organises International Jazz Day to harness “the virtues of jazz as an educational tool, and a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people’’.

Since 2012, International Jazz Day, celebrated annually on April 30, has highlighted the power of this musical art form as a force for freedom and creativity.

It also promotes intercultural dialogue through respect and understanding and uniting people from all corners of the globe.

Fury accepts Joshua’s all-British heavyweight title challenge

Tyson Fury on Sunday accepted the challenge issued by world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua following the Londoner’s title victory over Wladimir Klitschko, according to the BBC

Joshua, who stopped the Ukrainian in the 11th round at Wembley on Saturday, immediately called out fellow Briton Fury, who beat Klitschko on points in November 2015.

Fury, where you at, baby?” he asked.

“I know he’s been talking, I want to give 90,000 a chance to see us.”

Fury, who has not fought since beating Klitschko, replied: “Let’s dance.”

Joshua is now unbeaten in 19 fights, with all his victories coming inside the distance. The 27-year-old’s win in front of a post-war British record 90,000 fans at the national stadium added the WBA belt to his IBF strap.

Fury, 28, is also unbeaten as a professional, with 18 knockouts in 25 fights, but surrendered his world heavyweight titles in an effort to focus on his mental health problems and is currently without a boxing licence and out of condition.

However, he remains active on social media and indicated he wants to return, judging by his reply on Twitter to Joshua’s calls from the ring.

“Challenge accepted,” Fury wrote. “We will give the world the biggest fight in 500 years. I will play with you. You are a boxer’s dream.

Well done Anthony Joshua. Good fight. You had life and death with Klitschko and I played with the guy. Let’s dance.”

 (BBC/NAN)