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The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja declared 24 and 25 August as Diaspora Days to recognise Nigerians in Diaspora as important stakeholders in national development. This is contained a statement issued by Mrs Ibukun Odusote, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation. The statement said the days were set aside to create an environment for cross fertilisation of ideas among the Diaspora experts and their Nigerian counterparts. It hoped this would lead to proffering solutions to some of the nation’s developmental challenges. According to the statement, the 2015 Diaspora Day celebration will be marked with a National Diaspora Day and Conference with the theme, “Diaspora and Nigeria Change Agenda. “It would serve as a platform for dialogue, interaction and collaboration by Nigerians in Diaspora particularly professionals who have excelled in their various fields of endeavors as health, science, sport and arts, among o...

The Hard Truth by Ubong David It is very ridiculous to see corrupt people campaigning against the same system that they are part of. For the past few weeks since the inauguration of the new administration in Nigeria, corruption has become a daily topic and I am still contemplating if we are still in the electioneering campaign. Every time I listened to network news, that is when I realized that the election was over and we have a new president in the person of Muhammadu Buhari. I can recall vividly that fighting corruption was one of his campaign promises but after the election which he won, we are still campaigning against corruption without taking appropriate actions. It is unfortunate that those who paraded themselves as anti-corruption agents are as guilty as charge. Permit me to submit that we are all guilty of corruption offences. From my observation, it seems many are ignorance of the definition of corruption and they feel it is only those who occupy polit...

By Anietie Ekong Anietie Ekong worries about the alleged interference of the Department of State Security in the election petition tribunals in Akwa Ibom State On August 6, 2015, the 49-member Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senate Caucus led by the minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio had cause to address the nation on some issues of great import to the polity. One of the issues was the worrisome meddlesomeness of the Department of State Services in election tribunal matters especially in Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Abia States. According to Senator Akpabio: “The PDP Senate caucus is worried, alarmed and shocked by the recent development in our polity, where the Department of State Security is now involved in electoral matters – a situation where officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State, Akwa Ibom and Abia States – (all PDP states) are daily being arrested, detained and questioned on politically motivated corruption alleg...

New York, 12 August 2015 - Secretary-General's message on the International Day of Youth BAN KI MOON Emerging threats, violent extremism, shifting political conditions, economic turmoil and social transformations are combining to heighten the challenges facing the world’s young people. No one knows better than them the issues at stake or the best way to respond. That is why I am calling on young people to speak out – and I am urging leaders to listen. As the world changes with unprecedented speed, young people are proving to be invaluable partners who can advance meaningful solutions. Youth movements and student groups are challenging traditional power structures and advocating a new social contract between States and societies. Young leaders have contributed fresh ideas, taken proactive measures, and mobilized through social media as never before. I applaud the millions of young people who are protesting for rights and participation, addre...

2015 International Youth Day Message From  Ahmed Adamu Chairperson,  Commonwealth Youth Council DR. AHMED ADAMU, CHAIRPERSON, COMMONWEALTH YOUTH COUNCIL Today is the 2015 international Youth Day, and like every year on 12th of August, the world celebrate and reflect on the role of young people in sustainable development, and also discuss about issues that concern them. This year’s international youth day theme is “Youth Civic Engagement” . This theme is very important for us, the young people, as the world population is becoming younger in every generation, the participation of more young people in nation building and citizenship awareness is imperative. In the wake of youth apathy in political and civic life, this day will open discussions and debate on how to ensure improved youth civic mindedness, voter turnout, confidence in government institutions and democracy as well as knowledge of history and civic rights. There are still some young people o...

Press Statement – Port Harcourt, August 9, 2015   NIGERIA: THE RIGHT TO LIFE, UNEP REPORT, AND THE OGONIS   The most broadly recognized human right is the right to life. Article 3 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of person.” This right is also captured in Ksentini Principle 2 (“human   rights, including civil and political ---rights, are universal, interdependent and indivisible.” ) and Principle 5 (everyone has “the right to freedom from pollution, environmental degradation and activities that adversely …threaten life.”) Whether the right to life is jeopardized by murder for voicing one’s opinions or a “slow” death from ecological poisoning, like Shell and others have visited upon the Ogoni people, etc, it is fundamental and universal.     The African Charter on Human and people’s Rights in its Article 24 stated very clearly: “All peoples shall have the right to a g...

9th Nigeria Media Nite Out Award is here again and this will no doubt mark the 9th year of rewarding with excellence the efforts of performing media personalities , corporate bodies and supporting individuals, many good jobs have been rewarded in the past and we are still working to ensure the media industry is getting the necessary accolades in this edition, the event comes up September 20th, 2015 @ Time Square Entertainment Event Center. Chairman Board Of Trustee Nigeria Media Nite Out Award:  Hon Dr. Bello Mohammed ( Mon) Former Chairman House Committee on Security and Intelligence. Host: Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode ( Governor of Lagos State) Co/Host: Mr. Udom Emmanuel (Governor of of Akwa Ibom State) Guest Speaker:  Lai Mohammed (National Publicity Secretary of APC) Hard working journalist from various categories listed for award are: Political Writer of the Year, Society Writer of the Year , Editor of ...

August 5, 2015 PRESS STATEMENT IYC CONDEMNS THE ARREST, DETENTION AND CONTINOUS HARASSMENT OF MRS. GESILA KHAN, RESIDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER (REC) RIVERS STATE, SAYS THAT IS IT CONTINUATION OF THE PERSECUTION OF NIGER-DELTANS BY PRESIDENT BUHARI’S ADMINISTRATION The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide condemns the arrest, detention and continuous harassment of Mrs. Gesila Khan, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Rivers State by the Directorate of State Security (DSS) in respect of the conduct of the general elections in Rivers State. This is a continuation of President Buhari administration’s resolve to persecute Niger Deltans and especially those perceived to be close to former President Goodluck Jonathan. It is on record that Mrs. Khan has meritoriously served Nigeria in different capacities without blemish. From July 14, 2015 till date, Mrs. Khan from Bayelsa State has been arrested and detained twice and subjected to continuous harassment by the ...

By Ubong David For the past two weeks I have taken my time to study the antecedents of young Nigerians who are making Nigeria proud as a nation with great potential. These youth have stand out among the crowd though we have thousands of them in and out of Nigeria but within 20 years interval, we will be able to identify at least 1000 Nigerian Youth Role Models. When you mention Youth Role Models of course you can't escape these names. We have Kingsley Bangwel l, Sam Itodo, Nkiruka Nnaemego Hassan Hassan Rilwan Ahmed Adamu Linus Okorie, Timi Dakolo, Onofiok Luke, Chinedu Ogar, Audu Maikori, Dayo Israel, Zainabu Jallo, Tony Akan, Gbenga Sesan, Jennifer Ehidiamen, Cynthia Mosunmola Umoru, Mikang Longjan, Tara Durotoye, Esther Esther Kelechi Agbarakwe, Mina Ogbanga, Toyosi Akerele, Sandra Duru-Eluobi, Sandra Aguebor, Ola Orekunrin, Innocent Idibia, Tolu Ogunlesi, Cobham Asuquo, Nnaemeka Ikegweno, Moses Siasia, Ohimai Amaize, Anne Imafidon, Aliyu Gebi, Uche Nnaji, Sab...

By Ubong David * URGE YOUTH TO EMBRACE PEACE  Yesterday August 01 was a moment of excitement as youth in Esit Eket local government area came out in their hundreds to performed a sanitation exercise around the Council Secretariat and it's environs. The sanitation which was conducted at the instance of the Transition Committee Chairman, Mr Iniobong Robson Nnamso featured youth from the ten wards of the local government area. The Transition Committee Chairman who was accompanied by some Council officials later assembled the youth at the residence of member representing Esit Eket and Ibeno in the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Usoroh Akpan Uso to thank them for responding to the clarion call. Pastor Isaiah Abia praying at the event with Rt. Hon. Usoroh Akpan Uso kneeling down while Transition Chairman and others bow their head in the attitude of prayer Before making his remarks, the member representing Esit Eket and Ibeno in the State House of Assembly, Rt. H...

By Ubong David It was author Max Depree that says, “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality” and Tim Redmond in his treatise submitted that, “There are many things that will catch my eye, but there are only a few things that will catch my heart.” Those two submissions are applicable to the Transition Chairman of Eket Local Government Area, Hon. Frank Archibong. Few days after his inauguration by the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Hon. Frank didn’t waste time to make his plan known to the good people of Eket LGA. He was quick to define his priority of restoring the culture of cleanliness in Eket local government area by embarking on an intensive environmental sanitation drive.  Hon. Frank Archibong, Transition Committee Chairman of Eket LGA Like most politicians who made empty promises just to solicit votes from the electorates and after assumption of office, they quickly forget their promises and all accessibility t...