Monday, 1 June 2015
Igbo in Lagos present 7-point demand to Ambode
L—INDIGENES of the South-east geo-political zone resident in Lagos State, under the aegis of Igbo Progressive Leaders Council, IPLC, yesterday, presented a seven-point demand to the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.
The association particularly demanded an inclusive government. This was disclosed yesterday in Lagos by the Publicity Secretary of IPLC, Dr. Harris Chuma, at a thanksgiving convened by the association.
The group, led by the Publicity Secretary of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, called for continuous cordial relationship between Ndigbo and the state government.
Harris said: “Some of the issues are that the newly inaugurated Lagos State government will continue to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Lagosians, including Ndigbo. That the government will continue to partner Ndigbo in moving the state forward such that Igbo in the state will continue to have a place in the government and civil service.
“That the Lagos State Government will continue to support and maintain profound relationship with the Igbo traditional institution in the state. We propose the establishment of a board that will recognise the Lagos Igbo honorary chieftaincy affairs.”
“The body also asked for sustained improvement of the road network in the state, ensuring that Igbo people get equal treatment as their Yoruba counterparts, compensation for victims of fire disaster in the various markets and an end to the harassment, intimidation and extortion of Igbo by unscrupulous government officials.
“We wish that the newly inaugurated government will not take our people for granted and they will not treat us with impunity or claim that they know what is best for Ndigbo when we do not feel the same way and that the Governor Ambode-led government will listen to the sincere voices of their passionate Igbo followers.’’
Saturday, 30 May 2015
Photo: Meet President Buhari's ADC
Buhari’s inaugural speech, powerful agenda for Nigeria –John Kerry
The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, on Friday, described President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaugural speech as laying out “a powerful agenda.”
Kerry, who gave assurance that the United States would support the new administration to tackle insurgency and the economic challenges bedevilling the country, was accosted by journalists within the venue of the inauguration immediately after the event.
He said, “The inauguration is historic and very promising. The President made a very important speech, laid out a very powerful agenda and the United States is prepared to work very closely to help to do and everything we can on the economy, Boko Haram and other issues. The President did a very great job today.”
Others who also spoke with our correspondent at the venue of the event on Friday were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, an All Progressives Congress chieftain and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Audu Ogbeh; former Anambra State governor, Chimwoke Mbadunuju; and a member of the House of Representatives, Opeyemi Bamidele.
They hailed the agenda set out by Buhari in his inaugural speech.
Atiku, who described the inauguration as historic, said the President’s inaugural speech was a reflection of the APC manifesto.
He said, “It is a very historic day for our democratic process and for Africa. His promises are based on the party’s manifesto and I believe we will all work towards achieving the objectives.”
Bamidele said the speech reflected seriousness, focus and “demonstrated the resolve of a man who is determined to really make a difference.”
He added, “And going by the antecedent of the Vice-President, I have no doubt that the administration will hit the ground running. I also have no doubt that this should mark the true beginning in the kind of the transformation that we need in the area of building our economy, strengthening our democracy and ensuring good governance in this country.”
Mbadunuju also expressed confidence that Buhari would deliver on his promises.
Fani- Kayode, Anenih and other Nigerians react on President Muhammadu Buhari’s Inaugural Speech
Nigerians yesterday reacted to the President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaugural speech.
Fani-Kayode: ‘’I believe his part of non vendetta will be true, all Nigerians should join hands to see Nigeria move forward.
“I believe it was a promising speech and sincerely hope that he is true to what he has said especially on the issue that he will not be on a vendetta mission. I hope he is saying the right thing; hope his words will be proved to be truth.
“It is incumbent upon all of us as politicians to ensure that the next four years go on smoothly. I trust that all will be well and the country will move forward.”
Iyom Josephine Anenih
Pioneer National Woman leader of the PDP and former Minister of Women Affairs and delegate to the 2014 National Conference.
“I like President Muhamadu Buhari’s speech. He was very kind to former President Jonathan by acknowledging the role he played in keeping Nigeria one and united. His avowed blueprint when implemented will definitely spell a positive Change for this country. His speech was very states manly. Very reassuring to the nation.”
The Director- General, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Asishana Okauru
“ the speech is very encouraging. It has a lot of accommodation in it between the federal government and the states in moving the country forward and the NGF will be ready to participate fully. “
Festus Okoye: Executive Director, Human Rights Monitor and member of the 2014 National Conference:
“The speech lifted the spirit of despair and fatalistic resignation that enveloped Nigeria in the last few years. It was both inspirational and uplifting. He clearly mapped out his navigational chart and direction. His pledge to be for all and for none is a clear indication that he will run a just and fair administration.”
HDP asks Buhari to probe Adoke, EFCC
The Presidential candidate of Hope Democratic Party, HDP.
The immediate past AGF, Mohammed Adoke, SAN, sabotaged the trial of some members of the the “cabal” behind the oil subsidy scam, which occasioned untold hardship on Nigerians within the past two months.
“Our position remains that the Attorney General of the Federation and other such Ministers, and the EFCC, who played a major role in the connivance and encouraging the fuel subsidy scam, should be probed to recover trillions of naira belonging to Nigerians now in their possession.
“We demand that the government of Buhari must do this to earn the respect and confidence of Nigerians and the international community and to assuage the embarrassment the government officials have caused the entire nation and the suffering people of Nigeria.”
Aisha Buhari closes beauty parlour in Kaduna
Soft-spoken but extremely eloquent, there are many things that make Aisha Buhari, wife of Nigeria’s new president thick. Blessed with an infectious smile; many, often as a result of her warm disposition, underrate the power that lies in her.
Though, only soaring in popularity in recent months especially in the build up to the March 28 presidential elections where her husband, Muhammadu, a retired military general and former Head of State, coasted to an overwhelming victory, Aisha has always been a known face especially among people who seek to pamper their bodies. The First Lady, until recently, owned one of the biggest spas and beauty institute in the country. Situated along Camp Road, a high brow area of Ungwan-Rimi Government Residential Area in Kaduna State, Hanzy Spa and Hanzy Beauty Institute was always a beehive of activities all week long. It is the first beauty institute in Northern Nigeria and is a National Board of Technical Education accredited vocational training centre and registered by the Ministry of Education with the aim of exploring the untapped wealth in the emerging beauty industry.
However, since the victory of her husband in late March before his swearing-in in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Friday, Aisha has since closed down the beauty parlour to take up the new role of Nigeria’s First Lady. The spa and beauty institute patronised by individuals across class, was sighted close to the private residence of the immediate past Vice President, Namadi Sambo. The institute was consulted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation/Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company to help train individuals under its Youth Empowerment and Skill Acquisition Programme.
But as popular and strategically-placed as the spa and beauty institute was, not many knew Aisha was the brains behind it. Like her more popular husband who is famed for shying away from limelight and prefers to stay at the background most of the time, she operated the business only as a professional and not as wife of a former Head of State at the time. Many clients, who visited the place and also came across her, attested to how simple and impressive at customers’ relations she was.
But Aisha didn’t just venture into the business of pampering people’s skin and bodies – she worked very hard to learn the tricks of the business and how to succeed in it. A trained esthetician who obtained a diploma in Beauty Therapy from the Carlton Institute of Beauty Therapy, Windsor, United Kingdom and a certificate course from the French Beauty School, Esthetique Academie Dubai, she is a member of the United Kingdom’s Vocational Training and Charitable Trust and the International Health and Beauty Council.
In an interview she granted Thisday Style last year, the beautiful Adamawa State-born mother of five said: “I’m a very busy person who does her things quietly. I keep to my profession as an esthetician, managing my spa and beauty institute both in Kaduna and Abuja. I also personally perform some advanced facial treatments like mesotherapy, gold facial and application of TCA etc. I have a number of documentations on my experience in this area including writing a book titled “The Essentials of Beauty Therapy.”
Though, now saddled with the bigger responsibility of giving her ageing husband the needed moral and emotional support required to bring massive transformation in a country craving for change, Aisha’s training and experience as a beauty expert could come to bear in the colouration of things within her control in the coming weeks. For neighbours close to the First Lady’s now closed beauty institute, they would miss the atmosphere she brought to the area.
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