Independence: Buhari’s administration lacks economy blue print for Nigeria—Rights Activist

…Blasts Aregbesola for anti-masses policies  A human rights activist and member of the opposition groups in the country, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman has declared that the present administration of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) have no economy blue print for the country, saying that the present administration has not given any economy direction to the country than the mere propaganda by his party, All Progressives Congress (APC). Comrade Sulaiman also described the menace of corruption as the bane of economy and political crisis facing the country, calling for urgent action from the government at all levels with the cooperation of the Nigeria masses to stamp out the cankerworm out of nations' system, adding that Buhari's government failed to assert its position on whether to remove the oil subsidy or not. The rights activist however, blasts Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State for his anti-people policies, stressing that Aregbesola was a disgrace personality to the human rights community in Nigeria which he claimed to be part of it in the past, alleging that some known members of the community were given liver to Aregbesola's government to continue with anti-masses agenda, to the extent of running the State aground in the face allocations accrue to the State from Federation Account. He alleged that Aregbesola has run the State aground by putting Osun State into bankruptcy with the incurring of billion of naira loan in almost commercial banks in the country, adding that "despite the Aregbesola's loan incurred from almost all the commercial banks in Nigeria in the last five years, but what we saw in return ,was Governor Aregbesola to declare openly that the financial crisis facing the State was beyond his capacity  and instead  for Mr. Aregbesola to resign honourably ,he sent his groomed thugs popularly known as "STATE BOYS" to disrupt a peaceful mass protest  against his on Tuesday, July 7th,2015,where the thugs were directed to take my life for no just reason than being the leader of the human rights' and Civil Societies Organization(CSO) that has been critics of his government". Speaking yesterday in Lagos State as a guest speaker  on the lecture/symposium  entitled:"Degenerating Economy and Political Crisis, which way forward for Nigeria" organized by the National Conscience Party(NCP)  to mark its  21st formation anniversary of the party /independence lecture symposium, held at  the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial  Organization(GAFAMORG) office  hall at Olayinka Bamigbose, off Olowu, Ikeja,Sulaiman who is the Chairman, Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State(CSCEO) further stressed that  Buhari's administration was full of denial and lies of electioneering campaign promises, faulting President Buhari's  body language of looking  for foreign help to solve the mirage of problems facing the country. According to the CSCEO boss, "Presently, Nigeria economy is nothing to write home about, because the present administration of Buhari does not give  any meaningful economy direction to the nation. Nigeria people believed that immediately after Buhari was sworn-in, as elected President and Commander –in- Chief of Armed Forces on May 29th, 2015, action would commence on redirection of the nation's economy but till the present moment, President Buhari is looking for external help to fix the Nigeria degenerating economy. "To my surprise, Buhari could not assert his government position, whether to remove oil subsidy or not. Before he came into power, he posited that the fuel subsidy was a fraud of highest order and conduit pipe where few elements in the land, were using to siphone the commonwealth of the country into private pocket, but when he came, he continues in that direction, what a double speak and deal? And this is the reason why nothing changes in our economy till today. I want to say unequivocally that General Muahhmmadu Buhari (rtd) does not have any economy blue print for Nigeria and the nations' masses will continue wallowing in abject poverty and my heart bleed for those who supported them dogmatically during the electioneering process without asking a question. I strongly hold that it is very much in the national interest and national security to speak against the ills in our society, no matter whose ox is gored". Sulaiman added that, "There is no way Buhari could fight the menace of corruption in the land without cleansing his own dirtiness because a leader should lead by a good example. But how somebody that call himself a "man of integrity?" would not ask where his party men source for fund to sponsor his electioneering campaign  or do we ask somebody that told Nigeria people during the electioneering process that he borrowed money from Commercial bank  to obtain his party's nomination form for presidential contest at the rate of over #27million. "I am very sure and I stand to be corrected that Muhammadu Buhari's administration fights against corruption will fail because Buhari is not ready to fight corruption within his party and Yoruba adage says, 'Charity must begin at home', you could understand this position with Buhari's body language and you will see that this government will be at the end of the day, be the government as usual. President Buhari would not be able to succeed in his fight against corruption with the advice of Professor Itse Sagay as Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption".

Winlot lottery launches online apps

WINLOT lottery has launched an online lottery mobile app as part of the activities designed to generate more revenue to the government.

  The Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lottery Board, Lanre Gbajabiadi at the launch of Winlot Lottery mobile app in Lagos, said revenues which are generated from the lottery commission are used to finance other sectors of the state; health, education, infrastructure and environment sector.

  “Remitted revenues from the operation of lottery are used by the Lagos State government, which are beneficial to the citizens of the state.”

    He confirmed the online lottery mobile app to be the easiest and the most convenient way of playing a lottery game in the comfort of their homes.

  He said this platform was first of its kind in Lagos and a new distribution channel targeted to reach out to people. Accessing the standard living of Nigerians, opportunities are created by the lottery board to improve the standard of living.

  He commended the efforts of Winlot in making this mobile app launch a success and urged other operators to imitate this bold step in sharing Nigeria good vision of providing more revenue.

  He advised that lottery should be played through licensed operators endorsed by the regulator, stressing that Premier Lotto, Golden chance lotto, Superior lotto and Winlot lotto are the registered bodies licensed by the regulatory board to operate the lottery games.

  It was however, disclosed that upon launch, players will be able to play the lottery on iPhone, Android and later extended to Blackberry device and IOS mobile devices with option to download the app with either MTN or Glo telecommunication anytime anywhere with their mobile devices. By login for the first 5000 players’ N200 airtime bonus will be awarded for playing. Players can check the result and their prizes with ease.

  Already, statistics showed Nigeria has the potential to become the largest social media user in the African continent. According to report, Nigeria is the second largest social media user in Africa, closely following South Africa. 25 per cent of Nigerian mobile subscribers use smartphones, which account for four million smartphone users.

  The Chief Executive Officer, of Winlot Lottery, Nimish Bhatnagar revealed “We are happy to have this enriching experience to launch this interesting lottery mobile app with Glo and MTN that has enrich our gaming profile within the region. Most important of all, it can provide players with more convenient channel to enjoy our services”.

  Bhatnagar launched the website of downloading the mobile app” www.mywinlot.ng/mobile and the games are categorized into three stages; Winlot Gold Coast, Winlot International and Winlot Jackpot respectively”

At Awesome College, sports, academics play prominent roles

  Sports combined with education play prominent role in the upbringing of children and ‘that is what we encourage at Awesome College,’ the chairman of the school’s Sports Committee, Igbokwe Emmanuel, has said.

  Speaking at the end of Awesome College’s fourth annual inter-house sports competition at the University of Lagos Sports Centre, Igbokwe, who was delighted by the performance of the students, said “Nigeria would be a better country if students are encouraged to combine sports with their academics.

   "We have never celebrated it like this before. This year is more like the Olympic Games. We had nothing less than 60 sports during this year’s event.

   “Students should not lay emphasis on their classroom education alone, sports is also very important."

  He added: “Awesome College encourages pupils to fulfill their potential by giving them the opportunity to excel in all areas of life.

   "At Awesome College, there is no sport we can talk about that we do not train our pupils in. Among them is football, basketball, volleyball, athletic, tennis badminton and the likes.”

  Emmanuel urged parents to help their children discover their skills and nurture them by providing the necessary moral support, adding, “if not for any other reason, children should be exposed to sports activities for health reasons because promotes longevity.”

  The fourth edition of the biennial competition came to a thrilling end with Oikos Grace House (Blue) winning the over all best team trophy with 16 gold, 15 sliver and 13 bronze medals.

    Oikos Mercy House (Green) came second with total 12 gold, 10 silver and nine bronze medals, while Oikos Red House (Red) was third with 10 gold 15 silver and 15 bronze medals, followed by Oikos Praise (Yellow), which placed fourth with nine gold, seven silver and 10 bronze medals.

There were races in different categories: 100 metres boys/girls, junior and senior, 200 metres, 400 relay boys/girls likewise baton exchange. There was also sack race and tug of peace.

Other sporting activities vied for by pupils and students of the various houses were, table tennis, skipping, lime and spoon, sack race, tug of peace, head balancing, badminton, football among others.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Foundation wants enforcement of child rights, physically challenged

GOVERNMENTS at all levels in the country have been urged to focus on the implementation of Child Rights Act and employment of physically challenged persons.

   Executive Director, Child Dignity Foundation, Amaka Awogu, at the celebration of 2014 World Down Syndrome Day organised by United Nations in collaboration with Down Syndrome Foundation on Friday in Lagos, said the high percentage of people with the syndrome ought to be treated same way all children like to be treated: with respect, fairness and friendship.

   In the word of the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, “Too often, persons with disabilities, including those with Down Syndrome face stigma, discrimination and exclusion. The lack of full participation of those with Down Syndrome affects not only individuals and their families, but also society at large.”

   “Let us therefore, take concrete action toward the inclusion of all persons with disabilities, including those with Down syndrome,” Ban said.

   Ban’s message was presented by the Head of Lagos Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mrs. Josephine Smith.

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola

Coscharis partners Ford to tackle spare-parts counterfeiting

BUOYED by the frenzy that heralded the new automotive policy, which has brought in various brands of vehicle, Coscharis Motors in collaboration with Ford Motor Company recently launched a world-class garage that takes care of maintenance and genuine spare-parts access to motorist.

    The initiative tagged Certified Pars Wholesale Dealer (CPWD), is expected to midwife Quick Service Centers and Quick Lane Facilities to be manned by certified technicians, which would be replicated in strategic locations across the country.

     Speaking at the launch in Lagos, the Chairman, Coscharis Motors, Cosmos Maduka said the idea to set up this dealer network came as a result of effort to assist the firm’s valuable customers and other stake-holder, through feedback mechanism.

    He said, “some of our customers live in or operate their businesses in remote areas of the country and as such do not have easy access to our facilities whenever they have issues bothering on spare-parts, lubricants and other after-sales products and services.”

    According to him some of these customers end-up patronising unscrupulous spare-parts dealers who specialise in selling counterfeit and sub-standard spare-parts to the public

   “The use of these counterfeit spare-parts has exposed some motorists to untold and avoidable hazards include, breakdowns, part failures accidents, which has lead to loss of property and lives,” Maduka said.

   While giving insight into the motive behind the project, Maduka said, “we cannot provide all the after-sales needs all by our self, the idea of collaborating with well intended spare-parts dealers in our local market to make Ford Motorcraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) spare-parts available and accessible in every nook and cranny of this country.

    He disclosed that the company has appointed over 100 certified spare-part dealer who, with the support of the oversea partner-Ford Motor Company, will be empowered to stock and sell genuine Ford Motorcraft spare-part to customers.

    The Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Chidi Nkwonta said that human factor constitutes about 90 per cent of Road Traffic Crashes (RTC).

    He said Road Safety required not only driver fitness but also vehicle fitness. “A well maintained vehicle speaks volume.”

   Speaking on the importance of effective maintenance of vehicles, Nkwota said “effective and proper maintenance provides many benefit to the vehicle which includes, saving fuel and money, reducing long-term maintenance cost.

    The Dealer Operations Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa Ford, David Lawrence, said Ford was committed to providing customers throughout Sub-Sahara Africa with exceptional customer service. 

   The facility has begun operation in the country and the services are now available in Yaba,  Lagos.

   The Commissioner of Transport, Lagos State, Kayode Opeifa, who spoke through Director, Control and Regulation of License, Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), Mr. Bunmi Odukoya said this development was a welcome relief to all its Ford customers and applauded Ford Motor Company for such strategic intent and programme.

   He urged Coscharis to extend the gesture to other brands that they deal with towards ensuring service excellence and also to the mechanics. 

By Adeniyi Idowu Adunola