Sport

By Adewumi Faniran

The Ayedero of Yorubaland and former House of Representatives member, Mr Shina Peller, has called on the Nigerian government at all levels to create a more enabling environment for citizens to thrive in their various businesses and fields.

Mr Peller made this call while congratulating Super Eagles and Nigerians for defeating Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the semi-final match played Wednesday to qualify for the final match of the African Cup of Nations 2023.

While commending the entire Super Eagles team for their resilience, courage and fighting spirit from the beginning of the tournament till the moment, the former federal lawmaker acknowledged the impressive leadership role demonstrated by the captain, William Troost-Ekong, from the beginning of the tournament to the last match.

He noted that Captain Ekong has leadership ability to observe his colleagues, communicate with them in different ways, charge, correct and encourage them to press on in each match played.

Also, Ayedero observed that almost everyone in every part of the country, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation, is so happy to identify with Nigeria and celebrate the victory with fellow Nigerians, notwithstanding the challenges being confronted with. He added that it is a testament to the fact that majority of Nigerians are patriots who want the best for their country.

In addition, the Oke Ogun-born businessman cum politician argued that the majority of Nigerians love Nigeria passionately, noting that what they clamour for is an enabling environment for them to thrive.

He, therefore, called on the government at all levels to leverage the momentum being enjoyed by all to make decisions and policies that will further strengthen Nigeria as a nation and unite all as a people.

In the same vein, he stressed the need for the government to focus on enhancing farming business which argued will bring about food security. He also advocated for the well-being and safety of the farmers and by extension, Nigerians.

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Politics

As part of measures to ensure improved elections in 2023 and address requests for creation of more polling units, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is set to convert existing voting points and voting points settlement into polling units.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo state, Mr. Mutiu Agboke made this known at the enlarged stakeholders’ meeting on the state of voter access to polling units in Oyo state held in Ibadan.

Mr. Agboke highlighted the benefits of the exercise to include decongestion of existing polling units and improved access to electoral services by Nigerians.

The REC, who hinted that INEC Continuous Voters Registration, CVR, will begin on 28th June and continues for a year, stressed that the commission is migrating from Direct Data Capture Machine, DDCM, to INEC Voter Enrolment Device, IVED.

Mr Agboke also disclosed that the commission is building a new online registration portal to enable new registrants begin registration online and complete the capture of their biometric data at designated registration centres.

In their remarks, two members of the House of Representatives, Mr. Shina Peller, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola Federal Constituency and Mrs Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, representing Oluyole Federal Constituency commended INEC for early preparations towards credible elections in 2023.

Also speaking, Oyo State Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mrs Folake Ayoola, promised to collaborate with INEC in addressing low voter turnout.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo state, Mrs Ngozi Onadeko represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gbenga Ojo, urged state and non-state actors to prioritize what they can do to make Nigeria greater, while calling on politicians to shun violence and thuggery for peaceful elections.

The meeting had in attendance Federal lawmakers, Inter-party Advisory Council, IPAC, National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN and political party stalwarts.

Representatives of Nigerian Army, NSCDC, DSS were also at the programme.

Sheriffdeen Nasirudeen

Health

As part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 60th anniversary, a lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju, Kajola, Iwajowa, Federal Constituency, Mr Shina Peller has donated some personal protective equipment PPE, to the University College Hospital, UCH Ibadan.

Our correspondent reports that the items were donated through a Non-Governmental Organisation, Lead Generation Initiative, LGI, founded by Mr Peller.

Donating the items, the lawmaker urged Nigerians to keep hope alive despite challenges confronting the nation.

Mr Peller said plans were underway to provide more equipment to UCH, Ibadan to enhance service delivery.

Receiving the items, the Chief Medical Director of UCH, Professor Jesse Otegbayo pledged to use the items judiciously.

Professor Otegbayo while commending Mr Shina Peller for the gesture, appealed to the government to be more committed to the health sector.

Items donated included 300 pieces of KN95 masks, two rechargeable pulse oximeters, fifty packs of ppE gowns, 10 pieces of Nebulizer, 50 pieces of pulse oximeter and fifty packs of facemasks.

Lilian Ibomor

Politics

A member of the House of Representatives from Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Mr Shina Peller has called on all Nigerians never to give up on the country notwithstanding the numerous challenges the nation may be battling with even at 60.

Mr Peller made this call in an official statement issued by his media office on 1st October 2020 on the occasion of Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary, where he also maintained that the country’s strength lies in her diversity which must be leveraged on.

The statement read in full:

“I felicitate with fellow compatriots on the occasion of Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary which is very significant to our existence as a sovereign nation.”

“At our 60th Independence Anniversary, it is true that we are still confronted with so many challenges such as insecurity, high rate of unemployment, economic volatility, corruption and many others. However, we still have so much to be hopeful for as a country especially our huge natural and human capital resource potential and our ever enduring and resilient and creative citizens.”

“Fellow compatriots, we must not give up on Nigeria, it is our country. Nobody will come from outside to build the Nigeria of our dreams, we must do it ourselves bearing in mind that we are a nation of huge potential, notwithstanding our challenges.”

“Also, we should know that in our diversity lies our strength, and so we should leverage on this rather than allow it to tear us apart.”

“In the same vein, we shouldn’t forget that we are first and foremost Nigerians before we are Muslims or Christians, Igbos or Hausas, Fulanis or Yorubas. Therefore, the interest of the country must always come first.”

“Furthermore, the political class must consider future generations when making decisions. We should build for the coming generations a Nigeria that they will be very proud of.”

“It is clear that it is time for a paradigm shift, we need a new crop of leaders. That is why I actively support creative ideas like the Lead Generation Initiative (LGI), a non-governmental organization which is committed to providing opportunities for a new generation of leaders for the purpose of rebuilding Nigeria through the next decade and beyond.”

“Importantly, the youth need to get involved in politics right from the ward level up to the national level. We can’t continue to lament endlessly about the maladministration of our country, it is high time we took charge. We must be the change we seek.”

Adedayo Adelowo

Politics

A member of the House of Representatives representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Honourable Shina Peller, has charged youth to be agents of positive change and good governance in their respective immediate communities.

Mr Peller made this call in a statement he personally signed, which was titled “Engaging for the Decade” and made available to the press on Wednesday in celebration of the International Youth Day 2020.

Read full text of the statement below:

Engaging for the Decade (2020 – 2030)

“With only ten years left to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda, the enormous challenges facing our country and humanity continue to remain apparent. Nigeria is clearly lagging behind in most of the 17 SDGs. At this point, what is required is concerted action, meaningful engagements and active participation of young people in engaging the polity in the next decade for the formulation of laws, policies and their implementation for the common good of our communities, constituencies, country and the world at large.”

 “For the creative engagement of the youth to enrich local, national and global institutions and political processes, young people must first understand that they are the bedrock and backbone in shaping this next decade with solutions that resolve complex social challenges. This decade is not for armchair complaints and social media critics, this decade is not for complacency, this decade is not for docility and this decade is not for nonchalance. It is a decade to get involved, take action, stay woke, rebuild, renew and reposition our nation for relevance.”

“We have crossed the Rubicon in our pursuit of nation-building and we must go beyond mere rhetoric. But no one can solve all the problems alone. Hence, we must all work together with a shared purpose of traversing the decade productively. Going forward, I shall actively engage and apply my time, intellect and resources both in my capacity as the Voice of the Common Man (VCM) in the House of Representatives and as an advocate of the youth engagement for global action movement, to galvanise our generation for the task of the decade – achieving sustainable and inclusive development in Nigeria.”

“At the parliament, I will continue to engage for the reform of our electoral and political institutions to ensure that young people are given the necessary institutional support to actively participate as key stakeholders in our socio-political and developmental processes.”

“Together we can take action on good governance, active citizenship, social accountability, transparency and commitment to nation-building. We owe the next generation the duty to build our country through this decade. The time is now. We must fix this.”

Honourable Shina Peller

Member, Federal House of Representatives,

Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola and Iwajowa Federal Constituency.