The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Soludo’s wife weeps during visits to orphanages in Anambra

    Soludo’s wife weeps during visits to orphanages in Anambra

    • Promises surgery for child with cerebral palsy
    • Promises surgery for child with cerebral palsy

    Wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, was in tears yesterday as she visited orphanages in Onitsha and its environs 

    As a result, she has promised to undertake surgery for a child with cerebral palsy in one of the children’s homes in Onitsha.

    She visited three registered homes where she discussed with the management of the homes on the need to take up the treatment of one of the inmates.

    The governor’s wife, who had visited five of the 39 registered homes, promised to visit all community homes in the state before Christmas.

    She said the visit was to extend love and kindness to the children’s homes, as a way of reassuring them that they are not alone in their plight.

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    She described Christmas as period of showing love, compassion and support to one another. 

    Mrs. Soludo urged well-meaning individuals, corporation organisations and groups to reach out to the needy and make the Christmas celebration a special one for them.

    The Manager, Onitsha North Children’s Home, Mrs. Rita Anekwe, expressed appreciation to the governor’s wife, saying the gesture would put smiles on the faces of the children. 

    Mrs. Soludo distributed items such as bags of rice and beans, tubers of yam, toiletries, beverages, as well as cash to the homes. They are Onitsha North Community Children’s Home, In-land Town; Onitsha South Motherless Babies Home, Odoakpu and Missionaries of Charity/Gift of Mercy Community Children and Compassionate Home/ Orphanage, Fegge-Onitsha.

  • With N1.5b, Warri varsity will take off, says Omatseye

    With N1.5b, Warri varsity will take off, says Omatseye

    • Foundation visits Olu of Warri

    Chairman of the Concerned Iwere People for Higher Education (CIPHE) Foundation, Prof. Jim Omatseye, has said with N1.5 billion, the doors of the proposed University of Warri in Koko, Warri North Local Government of Delta State, would be opened for academic activities.

    He disclosed this during a visit to the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III.

    Omatseye, briefing the monarch on how far CIPHE had gone with preparations for the beginning of academic operations, said the money would ensure the completion of infrastructure at the takeoff of the campus and payment of workers.

    He further revealed high expectations of getting the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC), and starting academic activities by next June.

    “We are hoping that before the end of January, we will have this visit (from the NUC) and we will move on from there. We are saying, barring complications from NUC, if we have this money, we are going to open our doors by next June or thereabout,” the professor said.

    The traditional ruler expressed sadness about the attitude of modern-day Itsekiri towards education, stressing his value for it.

    Speaking about a merger between the establishment of the university and the Itsekiri Education Trust, he said it would make it easier for people to invest. 

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    “If we are able to successfully merge and prioritise the university to get the Itsekiri home and abroad to invest, I think it will be wonderful if we are able to do that.

    Speaking about the outcome of the visit, Prof Omatseye told The Nation that from interactions with the traditional ruler, there was likelihood of merging the university plan with the Itsekiri Education Trust, which is a scholarship programme.

    Breaking down the planned use of the fund, he said: “N500million will be used to finish the infrastructure – classrooms, furnishings, laboratories, clinic, cafeteria and those things that are needed. Then N1billion will be used to pay workers, professors, lecturers and administrators.”

    Other members of the foundation present at the meeting were Prof. Festus Ogisi, Dr. Paul Ireyefoju, Mr. Joseph Edema Sillo, Pastor Tony Mejebi, Mr. Omagbemi Eyinsan and Mr. Eruwa Nelson.

  • BIM-MASSOB chieftain digs own grave in Imo 

    BIM-MASSOB chieftain digs own grave in Imo 

    The rising insecurity in the Southeast has forced the Senior Special Assistant to Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) on Media and Publicity, Mazi Chris Mocha, to dig his grave at Okwe community in Imo State.

    He said in a statement  yesterday that the tomb  was  a place he wished that after his death following active service, he would like to be buried there.

    The BIM/MASSOB chieftain, who decried the incessant arrests and secret killings of members of his organisation by security agencies, said nobody knew when death would come calling.

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    Mocha said: “The repeated onslaughts by the security agencies have, on many occasions, resulted in casualties on the part of members of our group, not knowing who will be the next victim of death.”

    He said he had consequently dug his grave in advance at a cemetery at Umunamu village, Okwe, in Onuimo Local Government of Imo State.

  • Governor to UNICEF, UNDP: we’re determined to eradicate poverty in Anambra

    Governor to UNICEF, UNDP: we’re determined to eradicate poverty in Anambra

    Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has given a rundown of the programmes his administration is implementing and other efforts being made to stamp out poverty.

    Prof. Soludo, at a two-day Partnership Roundtable Meeting attended by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), said his government was making efforts to uproot poverty.

    Launching the event organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, in collaboration with UNICEF at Best Western Meloch Hotel, Awka, Soludo said through the massive employment of teachers, health care workers, promotion of industrialisation and others, his administration had reduced poverty.

    The governor, represented by his Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, assured UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other social development organisations of more partnership next year and beyond; saying their working relationship so far had been cordial.

    He said the government would continue to partner the international organisations on programmes that would help his administration to end poverty and improve the well-being of ‘NdË Anambra’ and other residents of the state.

    “The current administration is making efforts towards industrialising the state.

    “Anambra State has taken steps towards promoting inclusive growth, equality, security and a life of dignity for all. Over the past 20 months, the state government has reformed social sectors in the state,” he said.

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    The governor said he was working to improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state through the expansion of economic activities, attraction of more investments and exploitation of the abundant resource deposits across the state.

    “Our administration is clear about its governance philosophy of transparency, traceability and holding public office holders to account,” he said.

    Soludo hailed UNICEF, UNDP and others for their support, saying they had added value to the state through their programmes.

    UNICEF Enugu Chief of Field Office, Juliet Chiluwe, praised Soludo for his efforts to develop the state for the benefit of the people, especially the children.

    She said the social protection policy of the government would improve key aspects of human capital development in the state, including social assistance, social care, social insurance, labour market interventions, micro and small enterprises development and complementary measures for social protection in the state.

  • 80% of primary schools in Southeast lack toilet facilities, says survey

    80% of primary schools in Southeast lack toilet facilities, says survey

    • ‘Pupils sit on floors’

    More than 80 per cent of public primary schools in the Southeast lack toilet facilities, according to a survey by the Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE).

    The survey, which covered 1,387 public primary schools, showed that most of the schools did not have access to toilets and running water, contrary to the Universal Basic Education Commission’s recommendation of at least two toilets for pupils in a primary school.

    The lack of these facilities, according to the survey, forces pupils to defecate in the open, exposing them to risks such as snake bites, insect bites and sexual assault.

    The report also highlighted the inadequate availability of textbooks and other learning materials, as well as absence of doctors and ambulances at primary health care centres.

    The survey’s findings underscore the need for improved infrastructure and resources in the region’s primary schools and health care facilities.

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    CSAAE Founder Rev.Fr Dr. Godswin Agbagwa, who made this known to reporters in Owerri, Imo State capital, said the organisation in 2021/2022 trained 190 youths to carry out the Local Government Good Governance Monitor (LGGM) project launched with the aim to advance good governance at local government level in the country.

    He expressed sadness that in all the states where the project was carried out, they performed poorly in the provision of toilets and running water.

    Agbagwa said only 29.08 per cent of primary schools in Anambra State, for instance, had access to toilet and running water, while in Imo and Abia, 26.44 per cent and 14.38 per cent of their primary schools boast of toilets and water facilities.

    He said: “Lack of toilets in our primary schools is a serious issue because the pupils are forced to go into the bush to empty bowels,” adding that they could be bitten by snakes, insects and other reptiles. “They can also be raped; the girls can contract diseases that may affect their health in years to come.”

  • Expert advocates functional feedback mechanism

    Expert advocates functional feedback mechanism

    Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the government in Ebonyi State have been advised to provide adequate and functional feedback mechanisms. 

    A communications expert with the State Accountability, Transparency, and Effectiveness (State2State) Activity, Nneka Acholonu Egbuna, gave the advice in Abakaliki at an orientation workshop on Communication Strategy for Priority Ministries and the Internal Revenue Service. 

    The workshop is part of the working relationship between USAID and Ebonyi State Government and Civil Society Organisations.

    It is geared towards transparent, accountable and effective governance for improved service delivery in three priority sectors, including Education, Health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

    She told participants that ways of getting feedback included maintaining active social media channels for their organisations and also by providing contact details in all their messaging.

    Egbuna said having feedback channels would help the MDAs to get important feedbacks in real time that would help them to improve on their services and also checkmate fake government agents where necessary. 

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    She said the objective of the workshop was to acquaint information officers with the state’s communication strategy and its implementation action plan.

    The Special Assistant to the governor on ICT, Tony Nwizi, said the orientation would deepen the knowledge of information officers on how to better explain the activities of the government in the chosen sectors to the public.

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ebonyi State, Comrade Samson Nwafor, thanked  USAID and the State Team Lead for considering Ebonyi State for the orientation.

    One of the participants, Sylvester Egede, thanked the organisers of the programme, saying they would put into practice all they had learnt at the workshop.

  • Shettima hails youths as ‘pillars of today’ at awards gala

    Shettima hails youths as ‘pillars of today’ at awards gala

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared young Nigerians the “pillars of today” and pledged unwavering support for their entrepreneurial dreams.

    Addressing the 5th Annual Under 30 CEOs Awards and Gala Night at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja on the theme “A Flower for the Nigerian Youth”, VP Shettima, who was represented by Rukaiya El-Rufai, Special Adviser to the President on National Economic Council (NEC) and Climate Change at the Office of The Vice President emphasised the crucial role young people play in shaping the nation’s future.

    In a statement issued by his Spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said: “we believe that none of you belongs to tomorrow, for we are a young nation by our demography, by our history, and by our pursuits,” acknowledging his own inclusion among the “young” while affirming their rightful place at the decision-making table.

    Highlighting Nigeria’s median age of 19, the Vice President framed it as a “demographic dividend” ripe for investment. “You are our inspiration to focus on cultivating a robust human capital,” he said, envisioning a future where young Nigerians ascend to corporate heights, build billion-dollar empires, and inspire generations of entrepreneurs.

    Recognizing the challenges of managing a nation’s aspirations, Shettima emphasized the need for an enabling environment.

    “This is a phase in the life of this nation where the drive for change must meet our commitment to creating an enabling environment,” he stated, vowing to make young people “ambassadors in a world coming to terms with the inevitability of the Nigerian as a pathfinder, a pace-setter, a trend-setter, and a champion.”

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    He further pledged collaboration, stating, “We are going to work with you because strategic governance isn’t just an interplay of diverse perspectives and synergy; it’s an investment in succession planning.”

    This collaboration, he explained, would bridge the gap between generations and sectors, fostering an exchange of ideas and ensuring the best minds contribute to the nation’s progress.

    VP Shettima aligned the aspirations of young Nigerians with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he described as seeing “young Nigerians as harbingers of progress, the drivers of whatever reform we have set in place.” This vision, he elaborated, would be realized by creating an ecosystem that spawns “more Aliko Dangotes among you.”

    Acknowledging the economic challenges, Shettima countered with optimism and action. “Our vehicle to where we are heu8*aded isn’t just optimism,” he declared. “We are driven by our collective strategic thinking and commitment to putting it into practice.”

    The Vice President pointed to the resilience of Nigeria’s business landscape, boasting 23 billion-dollar enterprises even amidst the pandemic. “Today, we take a step forward one more time to declare that we are here for business, literally,” he asserted.

    Reassuring the young entrepreneurs of the government’s support, VP Shettima promised, “We will be here to give you your flowers, we will always celebrate your ascent up the ladder, and I want you to see this government as your partner, as your ally.”

  • Kano guber: Yusuf, Gawuna know fate as Supreme court fixes date for hearing

    Kano guber: Yusuf, Gawuna know fate as Supreme court fixes date for hearing

    The Supreme Court has fixed Thursday December 21, for hearing of the Kano Governorship Election Petition.

    This was contained in a notice to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) – the parties in the suit.

    The Court of Appeal had on November 17 upheld the decision of the election petition tribunal, which sacked Governor Abba Yusuf of the NNPP and declared the APC candidate, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna, winner of the governorship election in Kano.

    The three-member panel of the appeal court dismissed the appeal filed by Governor Yusuf based on his membership status in his party.

    Confusion, however, ensued on Tuesday, November 21 when the CTC of the court judgment which surfaced four days after the judgment had been delivered showed contradictions in the conclusions.

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    In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Moore Adumein, the judge held in one of the concluding paragraphs on Page 68, “I will conclude by stating that the live issues in this appeal are hereby resolved in favor of the 1st respondent and against the appellant.”

    Dissatisfied with the judgment, the NNPP filed its notice of appeal before the Supreme Court to challenge the November 17 judgment of the Court of Appeal which upheld the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal, sacking Governor Abba Yusuf and declared Dr. Nasiru Gawuna, of the All-Progressives Congress, APC as the duly elected governor of Kano State.

    In the notice of appeal dated November 22 and filed by Gboyega Awomolo SAN, leading seven other senior advocates and 10 other lawyers, the NNPP listed 10 grounds for challenging the appeal.

  • Lagos, Ogun, five others named most viable states

    Lagos, Ogun, five others named most viable states

    A report released by Economic Confidential, an Intelligence Magazine, has named  Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Kaduna, Kwara, Oyo and Edo States as most viable states in the country for 2022.

    The organisation in its seventh Annual States Viability Index ( ASVI) disclosed that six states to include; Bayelsa, Kebbi, Katsina, Akwa-Ibom, Taraba and Yobe States are insolvent as their Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) in 2022 were below 10 percent of their receipts from the Federation Account Allocations (FAA) in the same year.

    The Managing Editor, Economic Confidential, Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, who disclosed this on Monday in Abuja said, the IGR of the 36 states of the federation totalled N1.8 trillion in 2022 was above that of 2021 which was N1.76tr.

    Abdulraheem stated that the report was compiled from figures released by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, and the Federal Account Allocation Committee.

    He said Lagos remained steadfast in its number one position in IGR among the states with a total revenue generation of N651bn compared to FAA of N370bn which translated to 176 percent in the twelve months of 2022.

    According to him, the IGR of Lagos State of N651bn is higher than that of 30 other States put together whose Internally Generated Revenues are extremely low, and poor compared to their allocations from the Federation Account.

    However, he said Ogun State which generated IGR of N120bn compared to its FAA of N113bn representing 106%, followed by Rivers with generated N172bn IGR compared to FAA of N363bn representing 48%; Kaduna State with N58bn compared to FAA of N155bn representing 37%; Kwara with IGR of N35bn compared to FAA of N99bn representing 36% and Oyo generated N62bn compared to FAA of N181bn representing 34% and Edo generated N47bn IGR compared to N147bn FAA representing 32%.

    “The total internally generated revenues of N1.15tr from the seven most viable states in 2022 was almost twice the total IGR of 29 remaining states put together that merely generated about N650bn.

    “ Others with impressive IGR include Anambra with IGR of N33bn compared to FAA of N127bn representing 27%; Enugu with IGR of N28bn compared to FAA of N111bn representing 26%; Ondo with IGR of N32bn compared to FAA of N135bn representing 24% while Nasarawa State earned N19bn IGR against FAA of N92bn representing 21%.

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     He further said Delta State generated N85bn IGR against its receipt of N428bn from FAA representing 20%. And Osun with IGR of 24bn compared to its FAA of N122bn representing 20%.

     “The six states with impressive IGR generated N225bn in total, while the remaining 23 states generated a total of N426bn in 2022. The report provides an amazing discovery. While some states have improved their IGR compared to previous years, others performed poorly. In 2022, six states generated less than 10% IGR compared to two states in 2021”.

    Abdulraheem added that Adamawa narrowly escaped as it generated N13.1bn compared to FAA of N116 represting 11.29% in 2022 which was less than 2% over its 13% last year.

    He said the six states that may not survive without the Federation Account due to their extremely poor internal revenue generation of less than 10% compared to their federal allocations are Bayelsa, Katsina and Akwa Ibom.

    Others, he said areOthers are Taraba, Yobe and Kebbi states.

    “The Economic Confidential ASVI further showed that only three states in the entire Northern region have IGR above 20% in comparison to their respective allocations from the Federation Account.

    “They are Kaduna, Kwara and Nasarawa States in that order. Meanwhile, eight states in the South recorded over 20% IGR in 2022”.

  • Lagos 2024 budget scales second reading

    Lagos 2024 budget scales second reading

    The 2024 Appropriation Bill presented by Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu has passed the second reading.

    Speaker Mudashiru Obasa therefore committed it to a joint-committee of the House for proper scrutiny.

    He urged the joint-committee on Economic Planning and Finance to produce a well-scrutinised budgetx in three weeks, for the people’s benefit.

    Chairman of the joint committee Sa’ad Olumoh said the budget aims to address various issues resulting from the removal of subsidy and exchange rate.

    He added that the budget would be made to minimise waste.

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    Femi Saheed, who heads the Finance Committee, said with the budget, ‘Lagos is moving away from relying on federal allocations’, while his colleague, Kehinde Joseph, said the budget should address situations where some agencies of government exist in rented buildings.

    Deputy Majority Leader Adedamola Kasunmu said “the budget can be self-sustaining and realistic if the right thing is done. He added that focus should be given to health and education.

    Desmond Elliot called for an improvement in the budget for social protection to effectively reach the people, while Nureni Akinsanya said applications for Certificates of Occupancy can be made lighter for the government to make more money.