Author: Emmanuel Afonne

NIPR designs new narrative for Nigeria
L-R: Former Minister of Information, Frank Nweke, current Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; former Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Labaran Maku and former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana, at the NIPR 60th anniversary celebration in Abuja

Narratives
By Emmanuel Afonne
Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), says it has designed a new narrative for the country to address the threat to national cohesion.
President of the Institute, Dr Ike Neliaku, communicated this at a dinner on Thursday in Abuja to mark the 60th anniversary of NIPR.
Neliaku said the narrative would be anchored on eight cardinal points to ensure the country recover its lost glory.
He said the process of designing the new narrative started in 2021, when the Institute was mandated to intervene in addressing the threat to national cohesion which necessitated the convoking of Citizens Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security.
“It has been said that our colonial masters came, armed with a programme and deployed the vision, its templates, icons, monuments and story lines with deadly efficiency.
“This sad narrative still holds sway till date.
“Our response is, if Nigeria was designed and programmed to fail, it is now time for Nigerians to wisely reprogramme Nigeria for genuine transformation and development.
“Napoleon Bonaparte said that a leader is a dealer in hope and I tell you here that we cannot achieve anything with violent communication,” Neliaku said.
He highlighted some of the core essentials of Nigeria’s new narrative to include trust and truth, hope, effective and responsible communication, as well as rebuilding relationship and restoring respect for one another.
The president said that citizen reorientation and re-engagement, leadership accountability, deliberate promotion of made in Nigeria products, reputation building and perception management were all parts of essential narrative for a new Nigeria.
Neliaku said that being honest with the citizens and earning their trust was the only way to make progress in any nation.
Prof. Justin Green, President, Global Alliance, said that his organisation would work with NIPR to establish a Public Relations and Leadership Academy in the country in September to support the new narrative for Nigeria.
“Public Relations is the best job in the world; we have the power to influence the world; you have the power to influence the world.
“We are at the right hands of presidents, kings, queens and governments everywhere in the world, no other profession has that access,” he said.
Mr Arik Karani, President, African Public Relations Association (APRA), said the association’s main purpose was to promote excellence in public relations across Africa.
Karani, a seasoned communications expert, said APRA would work with NIPR to achieve its new narrative for the country having recorded many achievements in the course of existence.
“Most of us in Africa have been trying to get to where NIPR is and my visit to Nigeria all the way from Kenya is to learn how NIPR achieved success over the years.
“As your ambassador for Africa, every country I go to now in Africa, I share the success story of what Nigeria has done and what every country in Africa should be able to copy to have an institute of excellence wherever they are.
“As we celebrate today with Nigeria, it is important to remember one thing, we in Nigeria are leading the world; we are leading the world in culture, music, doctors here and abroad and many sectors of the economy, and do not stop now.
“The world is watching what you are doing and we are proud that you are leading the way and as you are leading the way, I implore you to empower other African countries to follow suit,” Karani said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institute used the occasion to confer honorary fellowship on some prominent Nigerians.
Among the conferees were former Ministers of Information, Frank Nweke and Labaran Maku. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

June 28, 2024
Ex-BPE director calls for living pension for retirees

Retirees
By Emmanuel Afonne
Abuja, June 26, 2024 (NAN) A former director with the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), Malam Ibrahim Babagana, has called for an upward review of pension of Nigerian retirees.
Mr Babagana made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday following organised labour’s demand for a living/minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
He said that such upward review would enable the retirees to face the present economic challenges in the country.
NAN reports that organised labour is demanding N250,000, while the government negotiating team proposed N62,000.
Babagana said there was need to accommodate the retirees in the organised labour demand for increase in the workers’ salary considering the level of hardship.
“The reality on ground is that things are no longer the same; I retired in 2019 and the stipend I was getting then is the same stipend I am still getting in 2024.
“The level of inflation has deepened over the years and the purchasing power of the average Nigerian has changed over the years.
“In real terms, there is a need to improve the stipends retirees are getting because they have worked for the country before they retired.’’
According to him, there should also be a retirement fund for retirees to access, to enable them to establish Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
“This solution should not be left for the government alone; it is a stakeholder thing; it will help but how do you start the process?
“As a public servant, the environment itself has psychologically prepared someone, that in the next couple of years he or she will exit; it has to also be clear that a retiree cannot completely rely on the government.
“During my time, they started preparing us for retirement a year before time but I am postulating that we should prepare people for retirement five years before they exit.
“This will ensure that the person does not become too close to his or her seat but we should not create a scenario where he is psychologically thinking of exiting and going out, then, he will not give his best.
“When you prepare the ground for retirement, it should be done in collaboration with the private sector; it is a combination of public and private sector.’’
Babagana urged the government to show compassion on workers and retirees as the present earnings were no longer sustainable in the present day Nigeria.
“I observed that when my father retired from service, he already built a house through the loan scheme.
“So, he didn’t have a problem with accommodation; the state took care of the education of his children and he didn’t have challenges with hospital bills because the state took care of that.
“Now, the story is quite different because most of the retirees have to create things by themselves and if you are not opportune, you will be at the receiving end and that is why most retirees die prematurely.
“Imagine a retiree chasing his or her entitlement at the age of 70 because in some organisations, these retirement funds have been misplaced or mismanaged,” Babagana said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo
June 26, 2024
Paris Olympics: We’re ready to surpass previous achievements – NOC
L-R: Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Tunde Popoola and the President of NOC, Habu Gumel, receiving the reports of committees on its constitution review and the refurbishment of sports infrastructure
Achievements
By Emmanuel Afonne
Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) said on Tuesday that it has put everything on ground to surpass the achievements of the country at previous Olympics.
President of NOC, Habu Gumel, said this while receiving the reports of committees on its constitution review and the refurbishment of sports infrastructure especially at Amuwo Odofin Olympic Sports Village in Lagos.
Gumel said that 80 athletes had so far qualified for the Olympics while additional five athletes were expected to join the team if they eventually qualify.
”We are calling this meeting to update Nigerians on our preparation for the Olympics scheduled to hold from July 26 to August 11 in Paris and to receive the reports of two committees set up for the progress of NOC.
”On the constitution review, NOC executive committee, the board, general assembly and the International Olympic Committee will look at the report before we say this is our final constitution.
”So far we have about 80 athletes that have qualified for the Olympics and we are preparing the athletes for training outside the country.
”Those outside the country are already training and sports federations like boxing, weightlifting, wrestling and canoeing have started local trainings too.
”Some are in Germany, while some are in America; so, arrangement is on for us to achieve podium success; the Ministry of Sports Development and the NOC are collaborating seriously to achieve success in Paris.
”The last time we won two gold medal was in Atlanta, USA, in 1996, by Chioma Ajunwa, in long jump and the U-23 Dream Team, so, we are working so hard to break the jinx in Paris,” Gumel said.
According to him, winning silver or bronze have never been a challenge to the country’s athletes, but getting gold.
This, he said was the reason behind the robust preparation designed for Team Nigeria ahead of the Olympics.
The Secretary-General of NOC, Tunde Popoola, on his part, pleaded with the Federal Government to release enough funds, and on time, to enable the country to achieve the desired result at the Olympics.
”Our preparation is fair enough going by the understanding between the NOC and the Ministry of Sports. NOC is in charge of the Olympics and the Ministry is their partner, unlike in the past when there use to be a discretional kind of arrangement.
”But this time around, we have a strong synergy between NOC and the Ministry, and that has made a lot of things work better.
”For the athletes, they have done so well in the various international meets, breaking and creating records; the only thing we need to do now is to sustain it through positive media reports,” Popoola said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sani Garun-Gabbas, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Chairman of the NOC constitution review committee, had earlier said the committee gathered a lot of experience while discharging their duty.
He said that it took the committee four months to deliver on the assignment which involved every stakeholder. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong
June 25, 2024
UK-based Nigerians sponsor 125 Imo students for Junior WAEC
Sponsorship
By Emmanuel Afonne
Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Arondizuogu Patriotic Union, an Imo State socio-cultural group based in the United Kingdom and the Ireland, has sponsored 125 students for the 2024 Junior West Africa Examination Council (WAEC).
Mazi Vincent Akamnonu, President of APU, made the disclosure in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
The examination is known as a certificate examination written by the third class students of junior secondary schools to usher them into the Senior Secondary School.
Akamnonu said that the gesture was part of the union’s commitment to alleviate the financial burden of parents of students from the three major schools in Arondizuogu in Imo.
“By investing in education today, we are building a brighter future for tomorrow.
“The initiative aims to support underprivileged students and marks a significant milestone in our dedication to fostering education and empowering our community,” he said.
Akamnonu noted that education being a fundamental right of every child, must be made available, not as a privilege but a right.
“By removing financial barriers, we are empowering students to excel academically and pursue their dreams.
“Many talented students face financial barriers that hinder their academic progress.
“Recognising this challenge, APU UK stepped forward to bridge the gap to ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to pursue their educational aspirations.
“Through the generous contributions of our members and the dedication of our volunteers, we provided financial assistance to 125 deserving students, enabling them to focus on their studies without the burden of exam fees,” Akamnonu said.
According to him, the union will host a global conference to educate young people on various training opportunities available in the Information Technology (IT) sector.
The APU president explained that the training scheduled to hold at the end of June in Imo, would provide many youths with onshore and offshore IT training and employment opportunities.
“Together, we can create a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
“APU UK is also expected to join thousands of Igbo communities in celebrating the 10th Igbo Festival of Arts and Culture in London in July 2024.
“The organisation will be joined by patriotic Arondizuogu women to make this global event a success,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Imo State government, through its Commissioner for Education, Prof. Johncliff Nwadike, has commended the UK-based group for the gesture.
In a letter to APU UK, the commissioner, who highlighted the positive impact of the sponsorship on the students’ educational career said that the commitment was commendable.
“Following your initial offer, you generously pledged to cover the BECE examination fees for all third-year Junior Secondary School students.
“This kind of action sets an inspiring example, and we are thrilled to have APU UK/Ireland as a partner.
“Together, we can achieve significant positive outcomes for the Arondizuogu community,” Nwadike said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
EMAF/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
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June 13, 2024
Democracy Day: Lawmaker tasks Tinubu on sound economic team
Rep. Hussaini Jallo, Chairman, House Committee on Pensions

Democracy
By Emmanuel Afonne
Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) A member of the House of Representatives, Hussaini Jallo, has urged President Bola Tinubu to assemble a sound economic team that will rescue Nigeria from its present economic challenges.
Jallo, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Pension, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja when the Chief Executive Officer of XEM Consulting Limited, Dr Eugenia Ndukwe, paid him a visit in commemoration of the 2024 Democracy Day.
He said the present administration should pay more attention to issues concerning the generality of Nigerians; especially food security and economic recovery, rather than paying attention to what would benefit only a group of people.
“The founding fathers of this nation did very well for Nigeria but unfortunately, things are not going the right way and I think the best way is for Tinubu to quickly organise a good economic team for the country and also the nation’s security.
“These are the major challenges facing the country–security and economy; once the president can solve these problems, we are good to go.
“We are celebrating uninterrupted democracy but we are not on the right track yet.
“We cannot celebrate democracy in the midst of hunger, poverty and unemployment.
“Nigerians are suffering; people need to go back to their villages and see how people are suffering there; some don’t eat, not even one square meal a day.”
He noted that the labour demand for a minimum wage was just a fraction compared to the millions of Nigerians that need succour.
“The situation in the country now is not about what organised labour is demanding; it is if the government has the capacity to pay.
“What is the number of people in federal and state governments’ employment compared to the general population of the country.
“Nigerians are in need of good health, good education, food security and security of lives and property.
“If the president takes the proceeds of our mineral resources to pay a minimum percentage of Nigerians who are working for government, what happens to the larger population of the people that need road, education, health and security that are not government employees?
“The amount demanded by organised Labour is unrealistic especially now that Nigeria is picking its pieces in the area of security and other challenges.
“I believe that they should accept whatever the government presents to them now, so that the country can move forward.”
Jallo assured that the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas would work with the executive arm to achieve the desired goal of the present administration.
“We are partners in progress with the executive arm of government and whatever comes from the president and it is for the benefit of Nigerians, will be given a speedy attention at the House.
“Just as the president said he would forward the bill for the minimum or living wage to the National Assembly, we will give it an expedite action.
“The challenges faced by Nigerians are also the challenges of the National Assembly because the speaker talks about the hunger of many Nigerians, unemployment, insecurity and the rest.
“So, I urge the president to marshal out plans to solve these challenges of insecurity and bad economy,” Jallo said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

June 12, 2024