THE ONLY MAN GOOD FOR THE JOB

FG LAUNCHES G-WIN PROGRAMME

 
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, formally launched the Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria initiative (G-WIN), designed to improve the lives of women and girls in the country.

Performing the ceremony in the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, he assured of equal opportunity for women in the country.
The president explained the necessity to give more attention to the female folks, as they held the key to the economy and the well-being of the country at large.
He said any government that wanted to succeed must avoid discrimination against women and create opportunities for them to maximise their potentials.
The president regretted that the ratio of girls to boys enrollment in school was far too tilted in favour of boys in some parts of the country, saying that his administration was working hard to improve the situation.
According to him, “in some parts of the country, girls are taken care of; they are competing with their male counterparts at the primary, secondary and university levels and in some cases the school enrollment in some parts of the country show more girls than boys.”
“The ratio in other parts is still low. I want to make sure that every girl child in Nigeria has the unique opportunity to go to school.”
Also speaking on the occasion, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stressed the belief of the present administration in women.
She added: “We know that when you empower women, you empower a nation. Studies have shown that when a woman is enabled to earn income, she may invest 90 per cent in her family, while the man will invest 30 per cent.”

NIGERIA AND INCREASE IN FDI INVESTORS IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS – ONYEKABA CHIOMA ROSEMARY

Trade has contemporarily become the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy, and has contributed largely to Nigeria becoming the largest economy in Africa. I am convinced that trade and investment are the drivers of transformation, development and wealth. The Federal Government’s policies on industry, trade and investment activities have yielded modest results in the last 4 years. Prior to 2011, some experts had this to say, ’’no government had put in place comprehensive and strategic sector specific policies to address the prevalent challenges militating against the country’s business environment. But the scenario has changed considerably now ever since the inauguration of the Jonathan Administration’’.
Despite the slowdown in economic growth globally as a result of the 2008 financial meltdown from which various governments across the world are beginning to retool and realign their economic policies, towards specific areas that will make meaningful and positive impact on the lives of their citizens, Nigeria in response came up with plans to transform its huge population and natural resource endowments into economic advantage.
Today, we are experiencing physical growth in FDI and investors’ rising interest in Nigeria. Despite the fact that we are also facing global challenges, renowned institutions and experts have continued to still express their unwavering confidence in Nigeria as the preferred destination for foreign direct investment in Africa and the world at large. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) even ranked Nigeria the number one destination for investment in Africa for two consecutive years and top three last year.
In less than five years, Africa has risen to become the second most attractive investment destination in the world. Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya are ranked the most attractive investment destinations in Sub-Sahara Africa. Also, there is a wind of transformation going on in Nigeria’s investment landscape, which is being driven by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. Therefore, we now have areas where Canadian companies can invest in Nigeria and also form partnerships in Nigeria in line with the Nigeria-Canada Bi-National Commission.
For the first time in our history as a country, the FG has developed a holistic and strategic Trade Policy, focusing on International trade, regional (Intra-African) Trade and Domestic Trade. They have also developed a new international trade policy linking Nigeria’s trade policy to its Industrial policy in order to ensure strategic expansion of trade across different product value chains, including trade in service and have launched the Nigerian Diaspora Export Programme to leverage on the huge population of Nigerians abroad to promote our abundant non-oil exports.
Trade experts  believe that reforms embarked upon by the government seem to have yielded impressive results, stressing that over the last decade, the country’s total trade has jumped from a low level of N3trillion in 2000 to N21trillion in 2013, while non-oil exports have steadily increased since 2011, rising by 7.4 per cent between 2011 and 2013. Between 2012 and 2013, the country recorded a 16 per cent increase in its non-oil export. All these cannot be attributed  to anyone else but the Federal Government’s favorable policies,  which has helped to strategically reposition trade as one of the major drivers of Nigeria’s economic growth.It has reduced resistance and improved implementation of noble trade policies that attract investments and improved Nigeria’s business climate significantly since 2010 when the last benchmarking exercise was conducted.
SOME ACHIEVEMENTS MADE WITH THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE INVESTMENT SECTOR
• PAN Steel Corporation of China took advantage of Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) and invested $5 billion on New Steel Plant in Nigeria.
• Cocoa Processors Association of Nigeria (COPAN) in relation with the Organized Private Sector Programme invested $200 billion naira in Cocoa Market in Nigeria.
• 15 investors in the FCTA invested $2.8 billion (about N560 billion) to provide the needed engineering infrastructure for the Abuja Land Swap Initiative for the districts and also spent  over N64 billion on resettlement and compensation challenges.
• Foreign investors also storm the Nigerian Stock Exchange Market.
• The Federal Government also approved a new Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP)  to transform the Nigerian Automotive Industry and today we can all see what I shappening there.
These and many more are visible things on-going in the investment industry. What more can Nigerians say they ask for? Give GEJ a second chance because he deserves it!

'SAINT' BUHARI AND THE NEED FOR JUDICIAL REVIVAL - ONyekaba Chioma

 It is indeed alarming and heart-breaking to deduce that in a civilized and developing Country like Nigeria, some people who believe that they own the estate called Nigeria do not actually practice what they preach even as the worrisome part  is that, the Nigerian Judicial system, whose job is to interpret by calling on Nigerians who derail from the path of justice, seem to have closed their eyes as though it does not affect them. Whether we like it or not, it has been often said and believed that the Judiciary is the hope of the common man. But my dear people, is it so in practice? The Judiciary as the second arm of government has enormous but fundamental roles to play if it wants to contribute its quota in redefining our democratic tenets as a country.

With the recent 'hide and seek' games played by the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential flag bearer, General Muhammad Buhari owing to his academic  certificate which is one of his major requirements for qualification as an aspirant for the country's number one plum job clearly indicates that indeed the Nigerian law is strictly for some people while some few are confidently above the Law and stands tall amongst law breakers in the land. So does it mean that the judiciary is trying to tell Nigerians that some people are just clearly above the law and therefore stand uncorrectable?

With this development, the 'saintly branded General' and his refusal to display or rather attach his original School Leaving Certificate to his nomination form, has simply told Nigerians the real stuff he is made of. What then is BUHARI teaching  the Nigerian youths who are observing with uncommon passion? What sort of mentor is he?

Even after the Abuja Peace Accord where major political gladiators signed for the promotion of peace in this unique election time of our history, well meaning Nigerians also witnessed with dismay, pockets of violence in some parts of the country resulting in the unwanton killings of innocent Nigerians  and destruction of lives and properties. 

Let me clearly state that the callous burning of PDP branded campaign Vehicles in Jos; master-minding the attack on the President’s Convoy in Katsina, Bauchi and other northern states; alleged attempt by the opposition to hack the electoral body's data base; tearing of PDP’S Presidential Candidates Posters is one of too many atrocities committed after the said peace pact. Yet BUHARI and APC stands above the law. Why can't this problematic candidates be brought to book?

It is also pertinent however, to emphasize that the APC as an opposition party threw caution to the wind when they made jest of the security of Nigerians rather than help provide solutions to see to the end of insurgency. What manner of man will say he will provide Nigerians security only when he is put into power? Only comic characters I guess. You have to start acting before people can recognize your good deeds and deem you fit for the position you seek not otherwise.

In this time of unwarranted terror against Nigeria, the opposition is still in heavy support of the decree of the court concerning the deployment of the military during election. Doesn't this clearly show what kind of people they are? Is it that they have consciously failed to understand that the absence of soldiers to protect citizens during and after elections would have given insurgents a field day to carry out their dastardly and cowardice acts? No I think that they are the master minders of this particular terrorist group and so they do not care about what happens to Nigerians on the day of elections. They are just scared of been wiped out by the military and so donot want evidences to arise.

Painfully, the Sharia law was recently visited on an undisclosed PDP Supporter in Kaduna when his hand was wickedly amputated, yet the APC believed it has won the elections even before it is been conduct. As if it is not enough, they still threaten Nigerians claiming that if they don't win, 'heavens will let loose'

In sane societies like the one we live in today, Buhari is certainly not supposed to run for this Presidential election considering the fact that he has broken so many rules and is still willing to break more. 

Despite the signing of the Peace Accord, APC has since then broken all the rules applicable to the signing of the peace accord and yet they move around freely holding their shoulders high as though they have won a lottery.

 

Without mincing words, The APC clearly sees this battle as a do or die affair which ought not to be. On this grounds, I therefore, urge the Judiciary to keenly observe developments in the polity and act accordingly when the time comes. 

The judiciary is expected to rekindle the confidence reposed in them by the common and great people Nigeria and give us justice, fairness and equity. May God Bless Nigeria.

 

WAR IN NLC

The 11th National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress was on Thursday abruptly disrupted as aggrieved parties hijack, and smash ballot boxes being used to elect incoming leaders of the organisation, the News Agency of Nigeria is reporting.
The International Conference Centre’s venue of the conference was thrown into confusion as delegates ran for dear lives after some aggrieved contestants and their supporters suddenly became violent, hijacking and destroying ballot boxes even while voting was still underway.
The Conference, which began Tuesday, was organised to elect new leaders for the country’s central labour union following the expiration of tenure of the current executives.
It is not clear yet how the event, which had been peaceful since it began suddenly descended into crisis, but the election for the President of the Union had created tension among delegates and split them along partisan lines.
After the disruption, the police took over the venue and delegates were sent away, ostensibly to protect the facility from being vandalised.
Labour leaders have now reconvened at the NLC headquarters in the Central Business District of Abuja for a meeting, scheduled for 1 p.m., aimed at resolving the logjam.
Meanwhile, the outgoing leadership of the congress which was not dissolved before the commencement of the voting process, has called for an emergency meeting of the National Administrative Council, to deliberate on the crisis and resolve it.
Peter Ozo-Eson, the General Secretary of the NLC and convener of the NAC meeting, told NAN that issues arising from the inconclusive election would be discussed.
As at the time of filling this report, the NAC meeting is still ongoing at the NLC headquarters
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC would also hold immediately after the NAC meeting with a view to implementing the decisions reached.
Three candidates had put themselves forward to be elected as President Waheed Omar’s successor.
They are the General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, Joe Ajaero; the National President of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Igwe Achese; and National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria Ayuba Wabba.
For the three deputy president positions, the Non Academic Staff Union is putting forward its General Secretary, Peter Adeyemi, while the General Secretary, National Union of Textiles, Issa Aremu, is contesting unopposed, along with the National President, Nigeria Civil Service Union, Kiri Mohammed.

CLEAR TRANSFORMATION IN THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR - ONYEKABA CHIOMA ROSEMARY

- Under GEJ's Administration, there has been stable supply of petroleum products as well as efficient administration of the subsidy programme at reduced costs.

- Mobilization has begun for a new free trade zone in Ogidigben, Delta State, with world-class petrochemical and fertilizer plants to be built, creating over 5million jobs across the value chain.

- Gas flaring has been reduced from 24% to 18% between 2011 and 2012- as a result of the encouragement of accelerated gas development pojects.

- The diligent implementation of the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta has helped to increase oil production from amnesty level of 700,000 bpd to the current 2.5million bpd.

- Nigeria will soon become a major player in the international gas market through the implementation of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan.

- Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) programme is in full progress with more than 2000 cars already converted in Benin.

- Domestic Gas Supply to support the power sector has increased by 72% as part of the emergency gas supply programme.

- Government's effort at encouraging indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry has produced an oil terminalling facility (Ebok terminal) established by indigenous company with a current daily crude oil production of 7,000 barrels per day and a plateau production of 50,000 bpd at full capacity.

- Nigerians now own crude oil transportation tankers, flying Nigerian flags, Nigerian-owned marine vessels have increased from 54 to 388, creating employment for over 30,000 Nigerians.

- Onne Oil & Gas free trade zone has created 30,000 jobs directly and indirectly.

- The 136km gas pipeline form Oben to Geregu has been completed.

- The 31km Itoki to Olorunsogo gas pipeline has also been completed.

GEJ IS STILL GOING TO DO MORE SO PLEASE VOTE PDP ON THE 14TH FEBRUARY 2015.

JOBS CREATED UNDER GEJ'S ADMINISTRATION - ONYEKABA CHIOMA ROSEMARY

People keep asking ''is it possible to create 2million jobs in a year?'' The answer is yes if guided measures are followed. Here is what GEJ has done to eradicate unemployment in the last few years of his leadership:

- Key government programmes focused on direct job creation include:

i) Community Service Scheme (SURE-P) : It was to engaged 320,000 youths in labour-intensive work such as construction and rehabilitation of social and economic infrastructure and more than 120,000 has been employed so far.

ii) Graduate Internship Scheme (SURE-P) : It aimed at attaching 50,000 graduates to competent firms to enhance skills development towards employability and now more than 4,000 have been matched so far.

iii) YOUWIN : The Business plan Competition has successfully run two of its three cycles and is now in its third cycle. 2,400 winners have been selected and 26,000 jobs have been directly created in different sectors of the economy. At least 80,000 jobs is expected in 2015.

LET'S GIVE GEJ A CHANCE TO FINISH HIS GOOD WORK.