JONATHAN HAS PERFORMED MORE THAN PAST PRESIDENTS - Information Minister

"Contrary to what people have been saying, that the present administration in Nigeria have not done anything so far, no government in recent years have performed effectively like Goodluck Jonathan's."

The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku made this known today while addressing the press on achievements recorded so far in economy and power sector at the monthly world press conference held in Abuja.

The minister further stated that Goodluck Jonathan is a performing president who has helped rapidly to develop the agricultural sector, restore railway transportation, growing the capital market, building the economy sector among others.

Speaking on the economy sector, Mr. Labaran Maku who said that "Nigeria is not broke, our economy is robust", also hinted that there are various developmental projects going on in the country. He explained further that political issues are reported in the media more than developmental issues which make Nigerians to be less informed about developmental projects that have been embarked upon by the Jonathan administration. He therefore advised Journalists to focus more on developmental projects reportage which will help Nigerians to make well meaning decisions.

According to the Minister, with the recent privatization in the power sector, stable electricity is on the way and the economy will be boosted. He encouraged Nigerians to be patient, now that the power plants have not been handed over to the private companies.

On the proposed National Conference, Mr. Labaran Maku said it came out of the agitation of the people to reform the federation, discuss the management of revenue and allocation of resources, among many other bothering issues.

He butressed further that "it is not a way of dividing Nigeria as many people opines, but an avenue to discuss our problems so that our country can become stronger."

GIRL CHILD- THE FUTURE OF A NATION

In most developing countries including Nigeria, women’s literacy rates are significantly lower than men’s. In Northern Nigeria in particular, the gender gap remains particularly wide.

This assertion was made by the president of Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Josephine Okei-Odumakin at the 2nd Annual International Day of the Girl Child commemorated by Hacey’s Health Initiative at the Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State.

While discussing the theme of the programme; “Education as a Catalyst in Promoting the Health, Education, Empowerment, and Rights of the Girl Child”, Dr. Odumakin said that when you educate a girl you educate the nation, because a nation is produced through a girl.

Dr. Odumakin spoke further that the right to education is universal, therefore every girl child should not be deprived of it. Also, a girl child should not be seen as being inferior to a boy child.

In her keynote address, the Commissioner for Education in Lagos State, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye duly represented by Mrs A.K. Musa, said that education is a tool for empowering a girl child. Adding that the education given to a girl child can help to build the child which can also help to determine the development of the nation.

Speaking from the medical angle, Dr. Dizzie said that when a girl child is educated for 6years or more, as an adult her parental care, post natal care and child birth survival rates will dramatically and consistently improve considerably.

Dr. Dizzie ended on the note that, education is not a mortgage, neither is it a luxury or business, it is the right of a girl child.

In her contribution, Miss Yemisi Ransone Kuti encouraged every girl child to be focused and ignore all the physical, mental, psychological, or religion barriers that may want to hinder them from achieving their goals but instead they should take the responsibility of who and what they want to become.

As their own contribution to advocate for the right of every girl child, presentations regarding the rights of girl child were done by various schools and individuals across Lagos State.

It is therefore hoped that every stakeholder in the society, particularly the government must consider our collective prosperity as a nation by encouraging a mandatory education of the girl child which is a key ingredient to the Socio Economic prosperity of any given society.

SOCIETY UNVEILS FREE DRUGS PROGRAMME

The major problem facing our society is the lack of love towards one another, and this has to a large extent deprived the society of achieving great things.
This was made known by Dr. Adeolu Olusodo during the briefing and registration for Free Hypertension and Diabetes Drugs Programme, organized by The Society for Love and Social Justice in Ebute-Metta, Lagos today.

Dr. Olusodo who said that our society can be a better one if people show love to one another, hinted that The Society for Love and Social Justice was established to teach people about love, how to express it to others and to advocate for Social Justice.

He added that the free Hypertension and Diabetes Drugs Programme is meant for those that are above 60years who suffer strictly from hypertension and/or diabetes.
It was also noted that beneficiaries should not focus on collecting drugs as the only benefit from the society but to also be present at lectures where they will learn how to live a healthy life.

Dr. Olusodo acknowledged the Stars Clinic for providing their staff as a support to the programme and urge registered elders to come on Tuesdays and Fridays for consultation and collection of drugs.

The Society for Love & Social Justice intend to register fifty elderly people for the programme.

GOVERNMENT YET TO TOUCH LAGOS URBAN PROBLEMS

A lawyer with the Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC), Barrister Emmanuel Nwaghodoh, said that the Lagos State government is only scratching on the surface the urban problems facing the state.

He stated this today at a rally organised by the organisation in conjunction with Lagos Marginalised Communities Forum to mark the 2013 World Habitat Day. Speaking further, he said that a huge sum of amount will be needed to make urban mobility effective in Lagos considering the way the government is approaching urban renewal issues.

The rally and clean up exercise was meant to enlighten people on the need for them to live in a clean and healthy environment.

Partakers in the rally with the support of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) engaged in cleaning the streets and drainages along the route of the rally which took off from Church Street, Railway Line in Badiya East passing through Sari-Iganmu, Badiya West, Apapa Iganmu before terminating at Badiya.

In his speech, the Advocacy Co-ordinator, LAWMA, Mr. Sunmola Jamiu, advised people to always pack their dirt and dispose it properly. He further stated that most of the waste are recyclable, and anyone who have the recyclable waste at his disposal could sell it to LAWMA, instead of littering the whole environment with dirt.

The Chairman, LAMCOFOR, Mr. Yemi Ogunyemi showed his appreciation to those that partook in the rally and clean up exercise.

The World Habitat Day is celebrated every first Monday in October every year, and this year’s theme is “Urban Mobility”.

FLOATING OF THE LOVE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE SOCIETY ANNOUNCED

Dr. Adeolu Olusodo

The setting up of The Love and Social Justice Society was made public today by its Promoter, Dr. Adeolu Olusodo, at the October 1st Declaration in Lagos.

He pronounced that the motto of the society shall be "healing the world" and stated that the society will be used for the effective education and enlightenment of Nigerians on the need for social justice as well as empowering them to demand for it in a legitimate way. 

He stated further that the ultimate goal is to fill Nigerians with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare so that social justice can be attained. 

From his declaration speech it can be deduced that the society will be a platform for assisting the poor and the needy in taking care of their health needs amongst others.

The programme was well attended and had in attendance members of the Lagos Marginalized Communities Forum, Slumdweller De Great Agbodemu, Akinlade Babafemi, Hassan Ganiyu Ayodeji amongst others.