The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Air strikes kill terrorists kingpin, others in Niger

    Air strikes kill terrorists kingpin, others in Niger

    Air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have killed scores of the terrorists including the dreaded terrorist and kidnap kingpin, Yellow Jambros, in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State

    The air strikes launched by the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch on Wednesday, December 6, was part of military ouslaught against terrorists and bandits in the area.

    NAF’s spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, December 10.

    Gabkwet said the terrorists met their end while attempting to cross Jikudna River in Galadima Kogo District, heading towards Wurukuvhi axis of Chikun local government area of Kaduna State.

    He said: “Prior to the strike, Yellow Jambro and his cohorts were trailed from Zamfara State into Niger State riding 13 motorcycles along the Kaduna-Niger State border, precisely heading towards Kusasu in Shiroro local government area of Niger State.

    “At Kusasu, 5 other motorcycle-riding terrorists joined Yellow Jambros’ convoy, bringing the total number of motorcycles to 18, which then headed to the bank of River Jikudun.

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    “At the river bank, the terrorists and their 18 motorcycles boarded a large motor-powered canoe in an attempt to cross and link up with other terrorists across the river. It was at this point that the authorization to undertake a strike was given.

    “The precision strike was adjudged effective as it neutralized Yellow Jambros and his colleagues, destroyed their motorcycles and sank the boat.”

    According to NAF’s spokesperson, it was unusual for terrorists riding in a convoy of 18 motorcycles to travel in broad daylight.

    He said: “It was apparent that Yellow Jambros and his cohorts had assumed that air strikes were suspended following the unfortunate incident at Tudun Biri in Kaduna State and wanted to exploit the perceived window of opportunity.”

    “Yellow Jambros and his cohort have been responsible for several kidnappings and killings along the Abuja-Kaduna Road and in several communities in Kaduna, Niger, Katsina and Zamfara states.”

  • FG to punish women who protect paedophile husbands

    FG to punish women who protect paedophile husbands

    The federal government says women who protect husbands that molest their children would also be charged with negligence.

    Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, who made the statement, emphasised that the government will no longer tolerate mothers preventing legal action against those who molest their children.

    She added that the government’s primary concern is the well-being of the child, saying that mother should not protect their husbands from legal consequences.

    Kennedy-Ohanenye made the statement in Abuja at a one day awareness creation programme on using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to address Gender Based Violence (GBV), organised by the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development.

    She said her ministry is fighting for the establishment of mobile courts all over the country to fight cases if GBV and added that the President is in support because he is a he for she.

    She noted: “Now we can fight for the establishment of mobile courts to help fight GBV and the President is supporting it. Women should not take the advantage of this establishment to start causing trouble or maltreating our men but give peace a chance.

    “As Women we also say no to violence and no to molestation. For instance, not only would men who molest their children be taken to court but the mothers would also be charged for negligence, we would no longer tolerate mothers whose children have been molested saying they don’t want their husbands to be taken to court because our interest is in the child.

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    “We want to work towards women being well empowered, no more handouts, why things has not been working in this country is because they kept us aside, the President is a he for she so we are going to capitalise on it and achieve what we want so that women can come on board. So now we have to start encouraging our girls to go into anything thry want to do.”

    The Director General of the center, Dr. Asabe Bashir, said in their effort to combat gender-based violence, at the center thry are using ICT innovative solutions to spotlight GBV cases.

    She said their Electronic Dash Board displays secondary data collated on reported and convicted cases disaggregated by sex and age.

    She noted: “These are verified cases sourced from Newspaper Reports and online news with names of perpetrators, locations of where the offences were committed and nature of judgements amongst others.”

    The DG added that in this modern age of technology, using Mobile applications, online reporting mechanisms, and virtual support networks could empower survivors to seek help and access resources discreetly and the intersection of technology and activism allows the center to break the silence surrounding these atrocities and create a supportive environment for survivors.

  • Bridge International Academies to discuss children safety at webinar

    Bridge International Academies to discuss children safety at webinar

    Bridge International Academies has concluded plans to hold a webinar for parents on a range of safety measures both at home and online as well as travel tips during the Yuletide to ensure a secure environment and equip them to navigate potential challenges.

    The interactive programme will also create learning curves for parents to navigate around security online and the tools they need to create a secure atmosphere for their children.

    According to a statement signed by the manager communications of the international organization, Olamide Oni, the interactive session is part of ongoing commitment to fostering a safe and informed community.

    Besides, the programme scheduled for December 22, 2023, according to Oni will contribute to the collective goal of nurturing a generation of empowered and secure individuals.

    Oni noted that the webinar aims to empower parents with knowledge and resources to create a secure environment for their children during the yuletide season.

    He said listed Chinua Agbasi, a distinguished leadership and development expert with years of experience in child safety as one of the resource persons that will lead the conversation, providing valuable insights and practical tips on ensuring the safety of children during the festive season.

    She said: “The webinar aims to empower parents with knowledge and resources to create a secure environment for their children during the Yuletide season. Topics will cover a range of safety measures, from home and travel safety to online security, ensuring that parents are well-equipped to navigate potential challenges.

    “To add to the excitement, the webinar will include freebies for attendees and special announcements for non-Bridge parents interested in exploring the educational opportunities offered by Bridge International Academies.

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    “Parents will also have the opportunity to share live testimonials about their experiences with Bridge International Academies, offering firsthand accounts of the positive impact the school has had on their children’s academic and personal development.”

    In a related development, the school has received widespread praise from parents across the country for providing quality education as a leader in the educational landscape.

    The parents lauded Bridge International Academies for its exceptional academic results, pioneering teaching approaches, and the overall enriching experience it offers to students.

    According to them, Bridge International Academies stands out as a beacon of educational empowerment, ensuring that quality education is accessible to all.

    Recounting his experience , Mr Mahmud a parent at an Academy in Abaranje, Lagos said: “My children were attending a school at Iyana Ejigbo before now but they kept on increasing their fees to a point that I wasn’t comfortable with anymore. Although the standard was good, I couldn’t afford it and that was when I found Bridge International Academies where I even got more quality than I bargained for at a cheaper rate.”

    Another parent, Mrs Adewusi, from a Bridge International Academies school in Ikorodu whose child is now on scholarship courtesy of Bridge International Academies’ post-primary scholarship initiative, added: “Thanks to Bridge, my son got a scholarship to study at Rainbow College, one of the best schools in Lagos and he is doing very well over there. My daughter who is still at Bridge International Academies can compete with children who are paying huge amounts of money on school fees.”

  • CAN to FG, govs: donate relief packages to Nigerians in festive period

    CAN to FG, govs: donate relief packages to Nigerians in festive period

    The Ojokoro chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, has called on both the federal and state governments to distribute relief packages during the festive season, taking into account the prevailing hardships in the country.

    The CAN made the appeal during its Christmas Carol service at St. Christopher Catholic Church, themed “Wonderful Councillor,” with the text drawn from Isaiah 9:6 to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

    The chairman of CAN Ojokoro chapter, Pastor. Dr. C.G Coker said: “We appeal to the government and officials in the government to release relief packages to christians for people to have what to celebrate Christmas with, because so many people are suffering and not many have what to eat, so the government should use Christmas as an avenue to share relief packages.”

    In an interview, the chairman of Ojokoro L.C.D.A, Hamed Idowu Tijani (HID), urged christians and Nigerians to be of good conduct during and after the yuletide,

    He said: “This is another year, I give glory to God Almighty who has made it possible for us to witness another one, as we all know this is a season that we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to me I call this period a period of reflection, we need to reflect on our lives, who is Jesus Christ, why was he born, and having discovered that this person was born just because of our sake, for him to have carried our sins away, so this is a period that we need to be more dedicated to the life of others, because if God has given us his own child to take our iniquities away, so this is a period to have reflection of what we are using our lives for, this is a period that we should dedicate more to humanity.”

    Speaking on relief packages from the government, Tijani said it has been a sole responsibility of his administration to see to the welfare of the people regardless of the religion.

    He said he doesn’t wait for Christmas or festive season before he gives out to people, saying that as it is his usual practice, he will see to it.

    He stated: “The Administration we are talking about headed by my very self, we see the plight of our people as one of the cardinal point and when we are talking of the relief materials, it doesn’t have anything to with Christian, Muslim or others, the government is in interest of those that we govern so there’s no time that even at a period like this that we will not give put to the people, I don’t want to call it relief packages but giving out to the people in our local government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is not left behind, this is not our first time of doing it and we are going to do it better this time by the grace of God.”

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    In his comments, the chairman carol organising committee who is also the Chairman Organised African Instituted Churches (OAIC) CAN Ojokoro Chapter, Gen. Sup. Ap. Atobatele Wonderful, said Christmas is a period of celebration to celebrate the birth of our Lord, adding “and that is what we have come to do today, to celebrate Jesus who is the reason for the season.”

    He also enjoined Christians to behave like Christ and share what they have with one another in this Christmas season.

    He noted that anyone who has enough should share with someone who has none.

    He stated: “We all that the country is passing through hardship now, but i urged us all as Christians to celebrate Christmas with love, celebrate with what you have, give unto others when you can and let’s continue to leave in harmony, God bless us all.”

  • Innovative financing key for lifting MSMEs, says Wema Bank chief

    Innovative financing key for lifting MSMEs, says Wema Bank chief

    Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, has identified innovative fiancing, among others, as key to resolving fundamental issues impacting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Women in Nigeria.

    Oseni spoke during the Bank’s Donor Roundtable, tagged: “Innovative Financing: Gender-lens and climate resilient solution, held in Lagos. 

    He lamented that MSMEs, despite being the largest employers of labour across the country, suffer from problems of access to capital, development of critical managerial skills, access to markets, logistics challenges, a slowing economy, and heightened inflation which prevents most of them from growing or surviving.

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    The CEO bemoaned the complication of climate change, saying it spurred significant shifts in human behaviour, while adding further strain to societal dynamics.

    According to him, to address these problems, there is a need to create bespoke and innovative financing models that bridge funding disparities. 

    Oseni stressed the need to ensure that these funding options offer flexibility and ease of access to the unique needs of Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs).

    He said: “The world we face is a transformed one. The COVID-19 pandemic shut millions of people inside their homes and completely disrupted the global economy and the supply chain that underpins it. Global growth has been firmly below double digits for the last few years. 

    “Climate change has also unleashed a flood of migrants from the developing world into more developed countries. Pockets of conflict on the global stage have further exacerbated the growth problems we were already experiencing.

    “The burden of this transformed world disproportionately falls on the youth and women in particular who face higher unemployment rates across every strata of society.

    “We must ensure that funding options offer flexibility and ease of access to the unique needs of SMEs.”

    Co-founder, Africa Sustainable Trade, Dr. Ama Onyerinma, stressed the need to tackle the issues of gender inequality, noting that there is a challenge for women in entrepreneur.

    Over the years, Wema Bank has sustained a reputable history of empowering and supporting its customers financially, digitally, and in every other significant way. In 2023, the bank disbursed over N28 billion in loans to businesses across Nigeria.

  • NDLEA storms wedding party in Katsina arrests groom, 25 others over drugs

    NDLEA storms wedding party in Katsina arrests groom, 25 others over drugs

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives in Katsina state have disrupted a pre-wedding party, which involved a drug abuse competition, in a community popularly known as Shola Quarters and arrested 25 youths who were participating.

    The director, media and advocacy, NDLEA headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who made this known in a statement on Sunday, December 10, said the operatives acted on intelligence.

    Babafemi said the operatives swooped on the suspects “while they were busy taking turns abusing all sorts of illicit substances including a mixture of multiple drugs mixed in a plastic bucket.”

    He said though the groom, Musa Gwandi who organized the drug party along with his friends was not at the venue at the time the 25 others were arrested, he was however nabbed on Sunday 3rd December following a manhunt for him.

    Babafemi also said operatives intercepted at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, AIIA, Enugu, 12 consignments of cocaine belonging to members of a Drug Trafficking Organisation.

    He said a businessman, Augustine Justine Emeka, 44, who claims he deals in copper wire was arrested at the airport upon his arrival from Douala, Cameroon via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Ethiopia airline with the 12 consignments consisting of 797 pellets of cocaine weighing 17.6 kilograms.

    The NDLEA spokesman said during a preliminary interview, the suspect admitted the cocaine consignments were for delivery to 12 different persons in the country.

    “In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos on Friday 8th December arrested a fleeing suspect, Onyejiuwa Prince Ifeanyi, who has gone into hiding since 8th September following the seizure of a United Kingdom bound 20kg cannabis consignment concealed in tomato pastes tins at the SAHCO shed linked to him.

    In the same vein, operatives of the Seaports Operations of the Agency on Monday 4th December arrested a 45-year-old Beninoise, Jamila Fatiu at Ebute Ero Jetty in Lagos Island with 398 bottles of codeine cough syrup on her way to Seme border via a boat service,” Babafemi said.

    He also disclosed that on Sunday 3rd December, operatives in Anambra state intercepted a truck marked BEN 302 YS (Edo) and after a search, 5,612 bottles of codeine-based syrup; 57,800 capsules of tramadol and 5,100 ampoules of pentazocine injection, among others were recovered.

    He said the driver, Ambrose Oyamedan, conductors – Samuel Otejere and Obey Jonathan as well as the truck were taken into custody for further investigation.

    The statement read: “Two ladies:  Chiemenam Akusoba, 25, and Chidinma Ibenwa, 28, were also arrested on Saturday 9th December with 15.8503kg of Cocaine,  Heroin, Methamphetamine and  Cannabis sativa in Umuogbu, Nnobi and Onitsha respectively.

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    “At least, three suspects: Monday John, 50; Maryam Adang, 48; and Mohammed Lawal Musa, 36, were arrested in different parts of Kaduna state. While John was arrested with 28.4kg cannabis on Thursday 7th December, Maryam was nabbed with 18.6kg of same substance on Saturday 9th December, same day Musa, an indigene of Damagaran, Niger Republic was arrested with 34 kilograms of cannabis sativa along Abuja- Kaduna highway while he was on his way to Niger Republic with the exhibit.

    “In Kogi state, a 20-year-old Adamu Nuhu was arrested on Monday 3rd December along Okene- Lokoja- Abuja expressway while coming from Onitsha, Anambra enroute Kaduna with 2,700 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 11,900 pills of tramadol 225mg and 100mg as well as 124,000 tablets of diazepam.

    “In Borno state, NDLEA operatives recovered a total of 81,975 pills of tramadol from three suspects: Mohammed Abubakar, 25; and Hassan Mohammed, 25, both in Response Area, Bayo town while Suleman Hamidu, 27, was nabbed by soldiers on a follow up operation in Mubi town, Adamawa state.

    “While Taye Ali, 43, and Okon Peter, 60 were arrested with 97kg cannabis at Kanisuru, Ipele area of Ondo state on Saturday 9th December, Nnabuke Christian, 29, was nabbed with 46,000 tabs of diazepam, 4,900 pills of tramadol and 6,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection at Gwagwalada area of the FCT Abuja. The suspect admitted that the consignment was for onward supply to illegal miners at Sabongarin Doguwa in Kano state.

    “The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign of the Agency continued in equal measure in schools, markets, worship places and others across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA town hall sensitization lecture by Zone N command in conjunction with the Rivers State command of NDLEA for principals of secondary schools in Rivers State; WADA sensitisation lecture at Community Basic School, Abojupa Idi Igba Ilora, Oyo state; WADA advocacy lecture for students of Obalaoye Junior and Senior Secondary School, Ede, Osun;  students of Government Secondary School, Michika, Adamawa;  WADA sensitisation town hall meeting with principals of secondary schools in Cross River;  WADA sensitization lecture at Government Girls Day Secondary School, Gusau, Zamfara and same  lecture for traders at Cow Market, Awka, Anambra state.

    “While commending the officers and men of the AIIA, MMIA, Katsina, Anambra, Kaduna, Kogi, Borno, Ondo, and FCT Commands as well as those of Seaports Operations for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to maintain the offensive action tempo while creating a balance with their drug demand reduction efforts.”

  • BREAKING: Nigerian senators donate one month salaries to survivors of Kaduna bombing

    The leadership of the Senate on Sunday, December 10, announced that all 109 senators have resolved to donate their one month salaries to the people of Tudun Biri community.

     Senate President, Godswill Akpabio made this known during a condolence visit to Kaduna over the recent error bombing attack at Tudun Biri.

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    The Senate president, who was represented by the deputy Senate president, Jibrin Barau, said the Senate was disturbed by the incident and that it would work closely with President Bola Tinubu to unravel the remote causes of the incident.

    Senator Barau said the salaries amounting N109million will be made available to Governor Uba Sani.

    Details shortly….

  • Katsina set to probe anchor borrower programme, operations

    Katsina set to probe anchor borrower programme, operations

    The government of Katsina State has set up a 12-member committee, with Abdullahi Garba Faskari, the Secretary to the State Government, serving as the chairman, and Aliyu Isah from the governor’s office as the secretary.

     The committee was charged to investigate the involvement of the state in the anchor Borrower Programme, and to determine the level of commitment of the state government in the programme.

    While inaugurating the committee at the Government House in katsina, Governor Dikko Umar Radda, charged members of the committee to justify the confidence reposed in them, by diligently carrying out the assignment they were given.

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    A statement by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Radda, said the committee is expected to submit its report within two weeks.

    He said: “Among the terms of reference given to the Committee is to investigate and identify the beneficiaries of the Program and whether they paid back the loan they were given, as well as to verify the creditors to the program.

    ‘’The committee will also provide suggestions that will assist the Government in solving the challenges hindering the programme’s successful implementation.”

  • Firm celebrates 20th anniversary

    Firm celebrates 20th anniversary

    Gogzee, a confectionery and decoration enterprise has celebrated its 20th anniversary in Abuja.

    The founder,  Dr Oghogho Mudasiru , a graduate of Dental Surgery, is passionate about cake baking and decoration. She founded the outfit in 2003.

    She was born in Ibadan on 29 June, 1970. Her primary education was at the Ridge Church school in Accra, Ghana.

    She is an alumnus of Queens College Yaba, Lagos where she had her secondary education.

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    She graduated with distinctions in Dental Surgery from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos in 1995 and thereafter worked both in the government and private sectors.

    She is also a graduate of  the Rhema Bible Training College in Abuja.  As an entrepreneur with a passion for youth empowerment, she has two confectionery outlets in  Abuja  with over 35 staff members.

    She is happily married and has a  daughter.

  • FOI: Disclose how much oil Nigeria produces and exports daily, SERAP tells NNPC

    FOI: Disclose how much oil Nigeria produces and exports daily, SERAP tells NNPC

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kolo Kyari, to promptly publish details of barrels of oil Nigeria produces and exports daily and the total amounts of revenues generated from oil since the removal of subsidy on petrol in May 2023.

    SERAP urged Kyari “to disclose how much of the revenues generated from oil have been remitted to the public treasury since the removal of subsidy on petrol.”

    The demand was contained in a Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated December 9, 2023 and signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

    Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had last week alleged that “the NNPCL is failing to remit enough foreign exchange into the treasury despite the removal of fuel subsidy,” asking: “Where is the money?.

    Sanusi said: “There is a legitimate public interest in disclosing the information sought.”

    The organization gave the NNPCL seven days to accede to its request failure of which the organization said it would take appropriate legal actions to compel the NNPCL to comply with its requests in the public interest.

    SERAP said: “According to our information, the NNPCL has failed to disclose the amounts of barrels of oil the country produces and exports.

    “The NNPCL has also reportedly failed to publish details of revenues generated from the production and exportation of oil and the amounts of revenues remitted to the public treasury as required by Nigerian laws.

    “According to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, ‘It is only the NNPCL that can give the figures about how much oil we produce daily, how much we sell, and where the money is going. We are no longer paying subsidies so where are the dollars? Where is the money?

    “The NNPCL has a legal responsibility to promote transparency and accountability in barrels of oil the country produces and exports every day, and to ensure that the revenues generated from such production and exportation are dully remitted to the public treasury.

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    “The NNPLC also has a legal responsibility to disclose details of payment of N11 trillion subsidy.”

    SERAP urged the NNPCL  to disclose details of payment of N11 trillion as subsidy, and to clarify allegations that the corporation has failed to remit revenues generated from oil to the public treasury since the removal of subsidy on petrol.

    “Opacity in the amounts of barrels of oil the country produces and exports daily, the revenues generated and remitted to the public treasury would have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens and the public interest.

    “Transparency would ensure that the revenues are not diverted into private pockets, and increase public trust that the money would be used to benefit Nigerians.”

    The letter, read in part: “The public interest in publishing the information sought outweighs any considerations to withhold the information.

    “SERAP is seriously concerned that years of allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the oil sector and entrenched impunity of perpetrators have undermined public trust and confidence in the NNPCL.

    “Ensuring transparency and accountability in the operations of the NNPCL would improve the enjoyment by Nigerians of their right to natural wealth and resources.

    “SERAP is concerned that despite the country’s enormous oil wealth, ordinary Nigerians have derived very little benefit from oil money primarily because of widespread grand corruption, and the culture of impunity of perpetrators.

    “Combating the corruption epidemic in the oil sector would alleviate poverty, improve access of Nigerians to basic public goods and services, and enhance the ability of the government to meet its human rights and anti-corruption obligations.”