The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Sule appoints Jega as Pro-Chancellor of Nasarawa Varsity

    Sule appoints Jega as Pro-Chancellor of Nasarawa Varsity

    Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has approved the appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega as the Pro-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK).

    A statement by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr Aliyu Ubandoma, yesterday in Lafia, said the appointment was based on the powers bestowed on Sule as the visitor of the institution, adding that the governor approved the appointment in furtherance to the commitment of the administration to achieve academic excellence in the university.

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    He said the governor had also approved the appointment of Mr Shuaibu Kore, Mr Thomas Ogiri and Mrs Mary Enwongulu as members of the governing council. He said that the governing council would be inaugurated on a date to be announced later.

  • Bago gives Niger workers seven days public holiday

    Bago gives Niger workers seven days public holiday

    Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago has given the state workers seven days public holiday to celebrate the Christmas and New Year.

    The governor made the declaration during the end of the Year cutting of the cake held at the Government House, Minna.

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    According to him, the holiday will commence from Friday the 22nd of December 2023, to Monday the 1st of January, 2024.

    Bago also said that there would be distribution of food stuff to the less privileged across the state to enable them get something to celebrate the yuletide season.

  • Jigawa approves N6b for 1,500 housing units

    Jigawa approves N6b for 1,500 housing units

    The Jigawa Executive Council has approved N6 billion for the construction of 1,500 unit of houses to address housing deficit in the state.

    Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Alhaji Sagir Musa, said this in a statement in Dutse.

    Musa said the houses would comprise of three-bedroom and two-bedroom semi-detached flats in different parts of the state.

    “The project will be executed in line with Governor Umar Namadi’s 12-points agenda toward provision of affordable and accessible shelter to the people,” he said.

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    He said N5.9 billion had already been released for the project.

    The commissioner added that 600 units of the houses would be constructed in Dutse, while 200 units would be constructed in Hadejia and 100 units constructed in Kazaure, Gumel, Ringim and Binin-Kudu Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    ‘’Babura and Kafin Hausa LGAs will have 150 units each to address paucity of accommodation in the areas,’’ he said.

  • Yuletide: FERMA begins road rehabilitation

    Yuletide: FERMA begins road rehabilitation

    The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commenced rehabilitation and maintenance of Trunk A roads ahead of the yuletide to ease movement of passengers and goods across the country.

    Speaking during the year-end program, “Flag-Off Operations: Connect to Your Destination,” in Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa state, Managing Director of FERMA, Chukwuemeka Agbasi, said the agency was committed to providing well-maintained roads for users during the festive season as they travel across the country.

    Noting that FERMA was mandated to enhance the socio-economic value that the roads provide to Nigerians, he urged road users to adhere to traffic rules and drive cautiously as the year ends.

    “The purpose of this rehabilitation is to make our roads drivable and ensure a pleasant journey for users moving from one location to another, maintaining the roads in a serviceable condition,” he added.

    Agbasi emphasised that having good roads does not warrant drivers to engage in over speeding, citing the example of Abuja, which boasts the best roads in the country while still experiencing facility challenges.

    Speaking on the essence of the projects, Acting FERMA Field Engineer in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), George Offor, said: “The essence of this program is to guarantee a safe and smooth journey for all travelers throughout this period.

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    “Our intention is to patch all potholes on this road, making it pothole-free, allowing vehicles to travel smoothly without any issues. We urge road users to cooperate with us, understanding that roadworks might cause temporary inconveniences. However, we promise a safe travel experience in a short time.”

    The Outpost Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Goshen Gidado, commended FERMA for consistently providing effective service to humanity in the region.

    Gidado emphasised the importance of road users adhering to traffic rules and regulations for a safe journey to their destinations.

  • Community hails Bello on road project

    Community hails Bello on road project

    The residents of Ogane-Inugwu community in Dekina Local Government area of Kogi State have expressed their gratitude to Governor Yahaya Bello for the inclusion of their road in the  approved 2024 budget.

    The road, titled: “170000010266 Construction of Iyale Odolu Ogane-Inugwu Agbada Etutekpe Roads,” holds significant importance for the community, which has long grappled with the challenges posed by its dilapidated state.

    Speaking to reporters in Lokoja on Wednesday, shortly after the budget was signed into law, the community leader of Odolu-Efu, Oganenigwu, Mal Seidu Alhassan, representing the community, conveyed heartfelt thanks to Governor Bello for addressing the longstanding issue.

    He emphasized that the construction of this 25KM road would not only enhance the quality of life for the residents but also stimulate economic activities across Kogi East by connecting numerous communities.

    Governor Bello, on Wednesday, signed the 2024 budget amounting to N258,278,501,339.00 into law.

    The 2024 budget, named ‘Budget of Consolidation and Continuity for Inclusive Growth,’ earlier passed by the State House of Assembly.

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    The passage followed the adoption of the report of the House Standing Committee on Appropriation, Budget Monitoring, and Economic Planning.

    At the clause-by-clause consideration by the committee of supply, the Speaker, Aliyu Umar Yusuf, said the bill had in it an authorised recurrent expenditure of over N145.7 billion naira, while the authorised capital expenditure stood at over N112.5 billion naira.

    He said the bill, which showed the allocation of funds to each ministry, department, and agency, would take effect on January 1, 2024, and end on December 30, 2024.

  • AAAU begins postgraduate admission process, says Keyamo

    AAAU begins postgraduate admission process, says Keyamo

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has expressed the readiness of the African Aviation and Aerospace University to commence admission process for its post-graduate programme.

    He also said the institution has begun its academic journey with the admission of 28 undergraduate pioneer students for both Aviation Business and Meteorology courses.

    Keyamo said the University has devised a system that will provide students with international qualifications, including ICAO and WMO certifications.

    He further stated that the university was partnering with Qatar Government, Swinburne University Australia, University of Coventry UK, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, and Emirates Aviation University, Dubai, as part of AAAU’s commitment to global excellence.

    He stated this while inspecting facilities at the temporary campus of the university in Abuja.

    The minister also said plans were ongoing to begin the construction of the permanent site for the university.

    Keyamo said: “Our academic journey has commenced with the admission of 28 undergraduate pioneer students with 14 students each in both Aviation Business and Meteorology. This was done via the successful collaboration with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

    “After a successful resource verification by NUC, the commission has granted AAAU the approval to commence postgraduate programmes. The AAAU School of Postgraduate is opening the application portal for M.Sc. programmes on 22nd December, 2023.”

    He added that the university has introduced ten short professional training programmes for individuals seeking expertise in the aviation sector.

    Read Also: Prioritise your health, strengthen bonds with loved ones, God – First Lady tells elderly Nigerians

    The minister also revealed that in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Emmanuel Meribole, will chair a committee that would scout for a capable Vice Chancellor for the University.

    On the construction of the permanent site for the institution,  Keyamo said: “While the preparation to commence development of AAAU’s permanent site is on top gear, the university is currently situated on a temporary campus owned by the NSIB. With the obvious potentials of this institution, we’ve found ourselves at a juncture where expansion is imperative.

    “I will be directing the new Director-General of NSIB, to allocate additional space for AAAU within the NSIB training School. This expansion is not merely for the accommodation of the incoming Vice-Chancellor but also to facilitate the presence of other essential Principal Officers and more lecture rooms.”

    The university Registrar, Mustapha Sheik, who said the university currently offers two courses for undergraduates,  added that it intends to increase the courses in the next year’s academic session.

  • Diri faults report on Bayelsa’s viability

    Diri faults report on Bayelsa’s viability

    • Swears in two judges

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has again made a case for the practice of true federalism and restructuring of Nigeria in order to determine the real viability of states.

    He spoke yesterday during the 124th state executive council meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa, against the backdrop of a recent report on the economic and financial viability of states.

    Recall that the Economic Confidential, in its 2022 Annual States Viability Index (ASVI) report, listed Bayelsa among six states that were allegedly financially insolvent. 

    In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the governor faulted the report, saying it focused on only federal allocation and internally generated revenue to determine a state’s viability without considering how their resources were being expropriated by the Federal Government.

    He insisted that Bayelsa was not financially insolvent and that such reports came from “prophets of doom.”

    Diri said Bayelsa, with its huge oil resources, is one of the richest states, but that the lopsided federalism in practice in the country had deprived it from controlling its resources and natural wealth.

    He described as unacceptable the situation where states’ resources were being taken by the government at the centre, leaving the sub-nationals to depend on monthly allocation. 

    He said: “The prophets of doom will always make predictions that Bayelsa State is insolvent and I think they need to stop those predictions.

    “We have called for a true and structured federalism. One of the richest states in Nigeria in terms of resources is Bayelsa. By no means will anybody convince me that our state is insolvent. 

    Read Also: Yuletide: Don’t think of vacation this season, we’ve burden of Nigerians on our shoulders, Shettima tells NEC

    “We have been saying return our resources to us and let us compare what Bayelsa has with other states and see if we are one of those that cannot generate internal revenue. 

    “Now we depend on federal allocation where our resources have been expropriated, taken to Abuja and shared to other states. And you call us a poor state. This has to stop.”

    Before the meeting, Diri swore in two judges to enhance the administration of justice in the state.

    They are Amaebi Orukari, who was sworn in as a state High Court judge and his counterpart, David Opokuma, as a judge of the Customary Court of Appeal.

    The newly judges were formerly chief registrars in their courts before the elevation.

    Delivering his charge to the jurists, Diri said his administration had made modest strides in providing an enabling environment for the state judiciary to be independent.

  • Delta monarch frowns on illegal mining

    Delta monarch frowns on illegal mining

    • Warns of imminent collapse of high tension lines 
    • ’Mining not illegal’

    The Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, has warned of danger to the lives of residents, following the activities of miners excavating laterite under high tension power lines at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba and its environs.

    He said the activities had degraded the environment and exposed residents to danger.

    The monarch, who spoke through an aide on land matters, Ogbueshi Ofili Mordi, yesterday in a statement, described the mining as illegal and capable of endangering residents’ lives.

    He alleged that the Provost, Prof. Josephine Anene-Okeakwa, supported the miners.

    The traditional ruler said the activities of the miners, carried out near pylons of the national power grid, “is a big threat to the nation’s power sector and its economic development.”

    He said the mining might lead to erosion, loss of arable land, loss of lives and property.

    He challenged the management of the tertiary institution to produce documents which empowered it to give out the land for mining.

    The institution’s management said the mining was not illegal.

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    It added that the institution was aware of the excavation.

    Prof. Anene-Okeakwa in a statement said the monarch or his representatives had never contacted the school authorities regarding the true state of affairs.

    She said she was taken aback by baseless allegations on some social media platforms. 

    Anene-Okeakwa said: “To set the record straight, the college authority gave approval for excavation for the construction of Koka Road and a road behind the college with a view to reclaiming the land thereafter. I wonder how a genuine approval will amount to illegal mining.” 

    She added: “They are not miners. Federal College of Education is aware. We gave them the place to excavate for the construction of Koka Road and the road behind the college to reclaim thereafter. Did they try to find out from us? Mr. Ofili Mordi, who just came back from where he went to, jumped into selling our land, and claimed that Asagba of Asaba is aware.

    “Does Asagba of Asaba have the mandate to sell Federal Government land that has a master plan and is lodged with the town planning office? Their article and posting are to scare us and confuse people because they know we are aware. The Federal Government is aware of our activities, as I cannot embark on any illegal act.”

    The provost warned land grabbers against selling the institution’s land, saying anyone colluding with unscrupulous elements in Asaba community to encroach on the college land does so at his or her peril. 

  • House of Reps: PDP loses again to APC in Imo

    House of Reps: PDP loses again to APC in Imo

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos State yesterday upturned the tribunal victory of the member representing Nkwerre/Nwangele/Isu/Njaba federal constituency, Ugonna Ozuruigbo.

    The court declared Harrison Nwadike, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the February 25 House of Representatives election, as the winner of the exercise.

    Ozuruigbo, a second-timer at the National Assembly and a former deputy speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, won at the lower court (tribunal), but unfortunately faced a reversal of his victory with the ruling of the appellate court yesterday.

    This decision by the court brings to an end the prolonged legal battle surrounding the representation of the federal constituency, adjudged as the biggest in the country, comprising four local governments.

    Ozuruigbo, a former APC member under ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha had defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he secured ticket and won at the polls.

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    It will be recalled that his declaration as the winner of the election came 63 days after the exercise due to some irregularities witnessed in the election as claimed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He had served a successful one year tenure at the lower chamber of the National Assembly and a two-term Imo State House of Assembly member, who represented Nwangele State Constituency.

    With the sack of Ugonna Ozuruigbo, Imo State PDP has again lost another at the National Assembly, after losing Jonas Okeke of Okigwe South Federal Constituency, who was earlier sacked by the Appeal Court to usher in a three-term member, Chike Okafor of the APC extraction.

  • Assembly passes Akwa Ibom N849.97b 2024 budget

    Assembly passes Akwa Ibom N849.97b 2024 budget

    Akwa Ibom House of Assembly yesterday passed the state N849.97 billion 2024 budget.

    This followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation at plenary.

    Presenting the report, Mrs Itorobong Etim, the chairman of the committee, said that the budget was made up of N359.07 billion recurrent expenditure and N490.91 billion capital expenditure.

    Etim said the budget was raised from the original N845.62 billion presented by Governor Umo Eno to N849.97 billion, representing an increase of N4.34 billion.

    She said the committee adopted participatory approach in the budgeting process where MDAs, Non-Governmental Organisations and other relevant publics were invited to attend public hearing on the budget.

    After a Clause-by-Clause deliberation at the Committee of Supply, the lawmakers unanimously adopted

    the report and the budget was subsequently passed.

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    The Speaker, Mr Udeme Otong, in his remarks, commended the Committee on for the speedy passage of the budget.

    Otong commended government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that appeared before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation during budget defense, adding that the overall objective was to give priority to areas of immediate importance to the people.

    He directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs Nsikak-abasi Orok, to communicate the House decision Eno for assent.

    Meanwhile, the House adjourned plenary until Thursday, Jan. 18.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Governor Umo  Eno had on November  21 presented a budget of N845.62 billion for 2024 to the House for consideration.