BRIEFS
A GROUP, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to support the judiciary and anti-corruption institutions in their handling of corruption cases. Speaking on Thursday at a conference to commemorate the president's 100 days in office, CACOL's Director, Debo Adeniran, said: "We all have the impression that President Goodluck Jonathan is the best thing to happen to Nigeria, but all we see are selective anti-corruption wars."
A statement issued by the group cited a report by the Human Rights Watch in its 2011 review released in August which said: "There were high hopes for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as Nigeria's most promising effort to tackle corruption since the end of military rule, but its efforts have fallen short because of political interference, institutional weakness and inefficiency in the judiciary".
Also speaking at the conference, the Secretary General of the United Niger Delta Energy Development and Security Strategy (UNDEDSS), Tony Uranta said the report of the Oronsaye panel which probed the allegations of impropriety levelled against the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) should be immediately released and those indicted brought to book.
Baptist Convention Opens Microfinance Bank
By Olushola Ricketts
THE Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) yesterday took a step to alleviate poverty by commissioning Bowen Microfinance Limited situated at Obanikoro in Lagos.
In her speech, the Managing Director of the bank, Mrs. Adebimpe Ogunleye disclosed that although there will always be poor people in the society, the Baptist faith is determined to assist them economically.
"It is a matter of responsibility that we use the tools that God has given us to help raise the standard of living of everyone in our nation. We shall advise, guide, mentor our customers and also monitor their activities to ensure judicious application of the facilities extended to them," she said.
The Chairperson of the Microfinance Bank, Mrs. Abiola Otaniyi disclosed that the bank won't depend on the money raised from the public to run it as it has adequate funds.
"We have well trained customer care employees to advise customers on relevant products. Once we access the project proposed and it is accepted, we would make the loan available no matter how small," she said.
Firm Introduces New Audio Visual Product
FIRM, Rapido Ventures Ltd, marketers and distributors of audio visual products is redefining learning experience in Nigeria with its TraceBoard Interactive Whiteboard which was showcased at a recent trade exhibition organised by Edumark Nigeria in Lagos.
It represents a new dimension in learning experience for schools, training institutions, office seminars, workshops and conferences.
The firm's Assistant General Manager, Sales, Mr. Nick Anyanwu, said the TraceBoard Interactive Whiteboard "is a unique technology in learning, which combines computers, projectors, speakers and network perfectly to make teaching and learning more lively and exciting to maximise the full advantages of interactive teaching and learning."
He noted that the exhibition provided a rare opportunity for Rapido to present the latest technology in the Interactive Whiteboard business to a very important segment of the market - school owners , teachers, and others involved in any form of formal teaching.
Fasehun's biography for launch Sept 21
HUMAN rights activist and founder of Oodua Peoples' Congress (OPC), Dr. Frederick Fasehun is to launch his new authorized biography, 'Gold and Crucible' on September 21, to coincide with his 76th birthday.
Written by Isibor Nosakhare James, the book narrates the ordeals of the OPC leader both as a young boy struggling to attain education in his father's polygamous household, and his travails as an activist during the military regime of General Sani Abacha.
The birthday anniversary ceremony and the book launch will hold at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos at 11.am.
Cleric Laments Insecurity, Urges Conflict Resolution
From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri
THE first and former Archbishop of Jos Province and now Bishop of Maiduguri, Rev. Emmanuel Kana Mani (rtd), yesterday lamented the insecurity of lives and property in the country, saying corruption has eaten deep into the marrows of Nigerians and their leaders.
The cleric made the observation in a 10-point communiqué issued by the Diocesan Synod at the end of the third session and seventh Synod held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Maiduguri.
He said in overcoming the insecurity of lives and property in the country, "unity in diversity and good governance" should be adopted, fully enhanced and implemented to ensure "the provision of basic socio-economic amenities, including free education, health care delivery services, housing and efficient infrastructural facilities to achieve Vision 20:2020."
To overcome the challenges of security and communal and religious clashes, Rev. Mani said: "Conflict resolution through dialogue should not only be embraced, but fully implemented by both government and the organized labour."
Citing the dialogue between the Federal Government and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the minimum wage of N18,000, he said: "We commend the two parties over resolving the issue of minimum wage," adding that governments at all levels should honour all agreements to promote industrial harmony among all stakeholders in the country.
Imansuangbon Delivers Ambrose Alli Lecture Sept 22
POLITICAN, educationist and philanthropist, Hon. Ken Imansuangbon has been confirmed as keynote speaker at this year's Prof Ambrose Alli Distinguished Lecture.
The theme of the lecture is, 'Unemployment and leadership question in Nigeria: The leadership challenge'.
The lecture, the fourth in the series, holds at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, off Airport Road, Benin, on Thursday, September 22 at 10.30am under the chairmanship of Hon. Josef Omorontiowman, erstwhile federal lawmaker, writer and public commentator.
Past speakers at the lecture series include ex-minister, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and Mrs. Farida Waziri, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Guardian
Corruption, the cankerworm eating up Nigeria!