News

UNDP Fostering Peace, National cohesion To Enhance Nation Building In Nigeria

Published

5 months ago

June 18, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria as a nation has experienced spates of civil unrest, insecurity arising from insurgency, kidnapping, banditry in the last decade and this has resulted in economic hardship, disunity among others.

According to Matthew Alao, Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security at the United Nations Development Programme UNDP, parents must start from their wards and children by addressing leadership from the family unit.

Alao who stated this at the graduation ceremony of the Leadership and National Cohesion Course 01 of 2024, at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre in Jaji, Kaduna State, asserted that effective leadership and national cohesion are critical for fostering stability, progress, and prosperity within our great nation.

According to Alao, the principles of leadership and national cohesion learned by the participation are not just theoretical concepts but are practical tools that can drive real change in our diverse communities.

”Leadership start with us as parent that brings little children to this world. Leadership starts from grassroots.

”Unfortunately, we have lost it. Nigeria today is very individualistic. It’s all about i and my family. And this is leading us to no where. This is why this course is very critical at this moment.

”If nothing is done to address the leadership deficit from the family unit, from the community unit and community level, we are not going anywhere. Money can not save our society,” he said.

Everybody is looking for downfall of our leadership. We don’t build up by looking for downfall of our leaders”, he stated.

No doubt in the world today effective leadership and national cohesion cannot be overemphasised. Nigeria today is faced with diverse challenges from economic crisis, political divides to security challenges, Alao said at such times leaders are needed who will aspire, unite, mobilise communities towards common goals and this is what the participants have been equipped with.

The graduation is a significant step towards the advancement of peace, security, and unity within our beloved nation, Nigeria and ECOWAS sub-region and Africa at large.

Participants for the training were drawn from the Armed Forces, Paramilitary, Civil Society Organisations and have shown commitment all through the programme.

“Over the past two weeks, you have dedicated yourselves to an intensive programme that not only on leadership skills but also fosters an understanding of the essential tenets of national cohesion.

“Your presence here signifies a commitment to making Nigeria a better, more unified country.

”Today, we recognize your accomplishments and the bright future that lies ahead.

”I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Commandant and his team of instructors and resource persons at the Centre for your unwavering commitment to equipping our future leaders.

”Also acknowledge the generous financial support and strong partnership of the Government of Japan,” he said

UNDP Representative reiterated that the funding and partnership made the course possible, even as he said dedication to promoting peace and stability in the continent, ECOWAS and Nigeria was deeply appreciated.

He believes that “Together, we are working towards a brighter and more unified future for our planet”.

In the last three years the African Continent has experienced 7 coup detat in Mali (two coups in 9 months -August 18, 2020 and May 24, 2021), Sudan (Sudan -October 25, 2021 and April 15, 2023), Niger (July 26, 2023) Burkina Faso (two putsches in 8 months -January 24 and September 30, 2022), and Guinea (September 5, 2021), disrupting democratic governance in the region, bringing about economic hardship and underdevelopment.

This leadership course is the brain child of past commandant of the MLAILPKC, Major General Obinna, an it was born as a result of the spate of the coup that was happening in the West Africa sub-region.

“They felt that providing a leadership training to the middle level military and civilian is an antidote to it. They felt that because that quality training, that orientation on subordination is weakening in the military and political space of west Africa. They felt that UNDP with the funding that is made available by government of Japan is sponsoring it”, Alao explained.

The Chief of Training, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Sani Mohammed, who was represented Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry, noted that the collaborative effort between MLAILPKC and the Japanese Government through the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) gave raise to the course.

According to him, a country without national integration was often implied as the country deprived of social cohesion, sense of nationalism and with a failed socio-politico-economy; and in bringing up these values, there lies a strong leadership role

The Chief of Training further revealed that the overall objective of the course was to develop human capacity to equip the participants to be able to handle challenges that arises with leadership.

“It was aimed at identifying, analyzing and evaluating the drivers of disunity, disintegration and insurrection in the polity in order to provide a pathway for national integration and cohesion”, he added.

The Leadership and National Cohesion Course was also aimed at equipping participants to become role models in their various establishments and in addition, good ambassadors of the MLAILPKC.

The Commandant of the Centre Major General Ademola Adedoja, said the course was designed to provide the participants with the skills and knowledge required to operate effectively in a complex dynamic multi-disciplinary, multi- cultural and religious environment.

“As you graduate today, as the pioneers of the LNC, please know you are vanguards of improved Leadership and National Cohesion.

“You must always remember that so much has been given to you and as such, so much is expected from you as trained Leadership and National Cohesion Officers, “Adedoja said.

As the participants embark on this new chapter od nation building, ut is a call to remain steadfast in their commitment to the principles of peace, security and national cohesion.

It is a time to engage their various communities to foster dialogues, and build networks of trust and cooperation.

More than ever they must strive to be change makers who bridge divides, heal wounds, respect boundaries and create a more inclusive and harmonious society, but also having in mind their actions can have ripple effects that will transform lives and strengthen Nigeria as a nation.

News

HoR to Hold Interactive Session on Executive Tax Return Bills

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives is set to host an internal Interactive Session on the four Executive Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly, on Monday, November 18, 2024, in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi, on Sunday in Abuja.

According to him, this initiative, championed by the House Leadership, underscores our commitment to ensuring robust engagement and informed legislative action on critical policy reforms.

The statement reads in part: “It aims to provide Members of the House with a platform to engage directly with the principal promoters of the tax reform bills from the Executive arm of government.

“Thus, this engagement will enable Honourable Members seek clarifications, pose critical questions, and gain deeper insights into the proposed reforms. Such understanding is vital to strengthening the legislative process and enhancing Members’ contributions to the deliberations on these bills.

“Recognising the national significance of the proposed reforms and their implications for fiscal policy and governance.

“The 10th House of Representatives remains committed to its mandate of advancing the nation’s development through transparent, inclusive, and informed legislative processes.

“The public is invited to note that while this is an internal interactive session, it does not foreclose the customary public hearing—a crucial step in the lawmaking process. At such hearings, members of the public are provided with an opportunity to gain deeper insights into legislative proposals and make meaningful inputs aimed at shaping effective reforms”, Rotimi stated.

News

FG Commends Governor Bago For Intervention In Federal Road Projects Across The State

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government has commended Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for his intervention in several federal road projects across the state.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, gave the commendation during an interactive session in Abuja with Niger State Government, and contractors handling various federal road projects in the state, to reviewed ongoing federal road projects in Niger with the goal of addressing outstanding issues.

Umahi praised the Governor’s efforts, calling them “unprecedented,” and acknowledged his exemplary leadership in personally leading the state delegation to the meeting, this is even as he urged other state governors to follow the example set by Governor Bago, emphasizing the importance of effective and continuous project supervision.

The Minister also stressed the need for improved collaboration between federal legislators and the Ministry to ensure sufficient funding for the execution of these projects, and warned contractors to adhere strictly to project specifications, stating that failure to do so would result in contract termination.

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, who also lauded Governor Bago, described him as a hardworking and passionate leader, and highlighted that the Governor’s people-oriented programs reflect his deep commitment to the wellbeing of his constituents.

In his remarks the Niger Governor revealed that the state government is intervening in 18 federal road projects, aimed at complementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Bago suggested that such peer reviews should occur quarterly and encouraged his fellow governors to participate, as it would motivate the Federal Government to further support the people.

The Governor also applauded the Minister of Works for his courage, capacity, and competence in managing his responsibilities.

News

#OndoDecides2024: APC congratulates Aiyedatiwa, applauds Ondo electorate

Published

6 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The All Progressives Congress has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election in the just-concluded governorship election.

Aiyedatiwa won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

He defeated his closest rival — Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 117,845 votes.

In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Sunday, and made available to PUNCH Online, the party described Aiyedatiwa as a “clear attestation” that his administration’s policies “resonated deeply with the electorate.”

The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election.

“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.