BRIEFSFORMER United Nations Secretary General,Kofi Annan has urged the Kenyan government to make adequate preparations for the next general elections.Speaking as the Chair of the panel of Eminent African Personalities on conclusion of his visit to Kenya, Annan said: 'I have taken note of the ongoing debate concerning the date of the next general elections. It is important that the matter be settled quickly and in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution to remove uncertainty. Similarly, constituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) remains critical'.On the issue of national healing and reconciliation, Anna expressed concern that more than three years after the post-election violence, there has not been much progress as the people expected.Umuahia Club Inducts New MembersA SOCIAL cultural organisation, Umuahia Premier Club (UPC), will next Saturday induct new members at the Rock View Hotels, 17B Park Lane, Apapa, Lagos.The organisation's National President, Chief Kamdi Ehighibe, in a statement on the sixth induction ceremony, lamented that some communities in Umuahia suffer infrastructure decay and experience erratic power supply, while potable water has become a rare commodity.Ehighibe urged the Abia State government to establish industrial parks in the state capital and revive the Golden Guinea Breweries which has remained comatose. He said the group is ready to assist in developing a road map for industrialization of Umuahia and the entire state, adding that the group has established a scholarship scheme for indigent students in tertiary schools.Ijaw Youths Showcase Culture TodayLOVERS of boat regatta and masquerade dance in Lagos will converge at Bics Garden Waterside, 20 Wole Olateju Crescent, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, today by 12pm as the Ijaw Youth Council Lagos (IYC) seeks to revive its cultural heritage.Its Chairman, Anthony Oki, said the event was planned to not only revive the cultural heritage of the Ijaw, but also bring together youths and indigenes resident in the state as well as to foster peaceful coexistence between the Ijaw and Lagosians in general.He expressed hope that the initiative would spur Ijaw youths towards contributing to national growth 'We are determined to change the wrong label on the Niger Delta Youths. We are a peaceful and peace-loving people only fighting for our rights. Nobody should deny us that', he said. The IYC in Lagos is in the vanguard of re-orientating the youths so that they could channel their energies positivelyThe event is expected to attract prominent Ijaw leaders in Lagos and will be presided over by Mr. Ken Etete as chairman. Special Guests of Honour Chief Timipre Sylva, Governor of Bayelsa State and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Executive Governor of Lagos State. Guests of honor are Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, DG, NIMASA, and Comrade Joseph Evah, coordinator Ijaw Monitoring Group.NIIA Organises Conference On TerrorismBy Ibukunoluwa KayodeAS part of its contribution to ensure security in the country, the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in conjunction with the Centre for Criminal Justice Reform and Citizen Awareness (CCJRCA), will be holding a four-day conference with the theme: 'Challenges of Terrorism in the 21st Century Global Community'.The conference which holds from November 29 to December 2 at the Conference Chamber of the NIIA in Victoria Island, Lagos, will bring together diverse security experts from Nigeria, Africa and different parts of the world.Kingdom Gospel Awards Hold TomorrowBy Daniel AnaziaTHE Kingdom Gospel Awards aimed at honouring and celebrating talented and hard working artistes and leading role models in the gospel music industry, will hold tomorrow at the bespoke Centre, Lekki, Lagos.Headlining the award nomination list are Bouqui, Sammie Okopso and Rooftop MCs with three nominations each. Other artistes with two nominations include Midnight Crew (MNC), Kenny K'ore, Asu Ekiye, Lara George, Inifinity, Mike Aremu, Tim Godfrey and Extreme Crew and Pastor J, son of late Bimbo Odukoya, who will also be honoured posthumously for her contributions to the building of homes.Rhema Chapel International Churches Senior Pastor, Rev George Adegboye will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.Osun Group Holds AGM, Reunion DinnerBy Jeremiah Kinglsey UyojoOSUN Development Association (ODA), a non-partisan and non-sectarian group of Osun State indigenes established to promote non-governmental development initiatives in the state, will hold its Annual General Meeting on November 25, 2011.Scheduled to hold in the state capital, Osogbo, the meeting, which will be preceded by a courtesy call on the Governor of the state, Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, will be rounded-off with a re-union dinner.The association seeks to support measurable development initiatives within and outside the state, and helps to provide a forum for mediation and resolution of issues involving the state government officials and functionaries.
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