The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • JUST IN: Gov Oborevwori visits ailing ex-NUPENG chief Kokori

    JUST IN: Gov Oborevwori visits ailing ex-NUPENG chief Kokori

    Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Friday visited elder statesman and erstwhile General Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Chief Frank Kokori, where he is hospitalised in Warri.

    The unexpected visit came after information reached the Governor that the senior citizen was sick.

    Speaking during the visit, Oborevwori assured that the Delta State Government would do everything possible to assist the former labour leader in getting quality treatment.

    According to him, Kokori deserved the attention and support of the State Government as a renowned elder statesman who had paid his dues for good governance for the nation at large.

    He noted that despite their political affiliations, he would ensure Chief Kokori gets the attention he deserves as an illustrious elder statesman from the state.

    He said: “I know people will think that because he is an APC chieftain I won’t be here, Deltans voted for me as Governor. It is not a party matter now because we have finished election and all of us are one.

    “Whether he is APC or not, I’m Governor for all Deltans, so I’m here as Governor for all, not for any party,” he emphasised.

    Read Also: IPCR calls for violent free election in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

    The Governor also cleared the hospital bills of two other patients, Nnadi Silas and Adenusi Michael at the hospital.

    Responding, Chief Kokori commended Governor Oborevwori for behaving like the Yorubas, who treat their elders well irrespective of political leanings.

    “I never knew Governor Oborevwori is a good man because immediately he heard about my condition, he came to see me.

    “He wasn’t close to me, it is Great Ogboru and Ovie Omo-Agege and co that are close to me so am so happy that he is not a mean fellow.

    “He is a real Governor, a man who has such a heart is a good man and I have told him certain things privately how he will make his name in the history of Nigeria.

    “I have told him to do certain essential things for the people. I am happy with him and have also prayed for him,” he said.

  • Telecom operators complain over multiple taxation

    Telecom operators complain over multiple taxation

    The Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has complained about  multiple regulations and taxation.

    The President of the association, Mr Tony Emekpe, said this when he led the executive members of the association on a courtesy visit to the House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunication on Friday.

    He said these taxes impact negatively on their business and money earmarked for network expansion.

    “As technology advance, you need to continuously expand and upgrade your network, hence the complex needs of the telecom industry is never ceasing. We keep on investing and investing.

    “When you invest certain amount of funds in the sector, even within that community, there is increase in business and more IGR is generated.

    “But if you stifled our ability to invest our end profits by taxation, you are actually impeding our ability even to increase IGR in this situation,” he said.

    Emekpe urged the committee to drive a strategic agreement with the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, on behalf of the sector, to bridge the infrastructure funding gap by providing accessible low-cost intervention funds for rapid development of mobile infrastructure nationwide.

    Read Also: IPCR calls for violent free election in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

    He said there is a need to have a marginal increase in tariffs, as telecom operators in the country are operating on old tariffs.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Telecommunication, Hon Peter Akpatason, said they would set-up a sub-committee to work together with the executives of the association to identity the challenges facing the sector, especially the local content issue.

    Akpatason added that a colloquium would come up before the end of this year to bring on experts and brainstorm on issues affecting the telecom sector.

  • PDP, Diri using FG’s palliative to induce voters hours to election, APC alleges

    PDP, Diri using FG’s palliative to induce voters hours to election, APC alleges

    Hours to Bayelsa governorship, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Governor Duoye Diri of using the palliative provided by the Federal Government to induce voters.

    APC alleged that after months of hoarding the items, the governor and his party just chose to distribute truckloads of palliative hours to the election in the state to unfairly induce voters.

    This allegation was contained in a statement by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka in Abuja on Friday night.

    Read Also: IPCR calls for violent free election in Imo, Bayelsa, Kogi

    The statement reads: “After months of hoarding the palliatives provided by the Federal Government to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal, Governor Duoye Diri, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is now offloading and distributing truckloads of palliatives hours to Saturday governorship election aimed at illegally unfairly inducing voters in the state.

    “Governor Diri bears a solemn duty to put the welfare of citizens of the state over and above his personal or political ambition. His action of withholding distribution of critical palliatives for electoral manipulation is a betrayal of, and a gross disservice to, Bayelsa people.”

    On the allegation of stockpilling of arms and ammunition by leaders and chieftains of the PDP, the ruling APC urged relevant security agencies to urgently and thoroughly investigate reports, amid alleged rife plots to disrupt the electoral process and intimidate voters, particularly in APC voting strongholds.”

  • Yomi Fabiyi calls out Iyabo Ojo over drug claims on Naira Marley

    Yomi Fabiyi calls out Iyabo Ojo over drug claims on Naira Marley

    Movie producer Yomi Fabiyi has called out his colleague, Iyabo Ojo for alleging that the embattled Naira Marley used to drug her children through food and drinks.

    Iyabo Ojo, who has been vocal in the fight for justice for late singer, MohBad, recently claimed that Naira Marley laced her children’s food with drugs whenever they visited him.

    She alleged the singer gave her two children drugs during their visits and emphasised that she had witnesses who could corroborate her accusations.

    But Yomi Fabiyi questioned why Iyabo Ojo had not taken any action on these allegations if she truly believed them as a mother.

    He also wondered why she was sending her adult children to his house if she harboured concerns about their safety.

    Yomi went on to express his belief that Iyabo Ojo had fabricated these allegations as a means to further implicate Naira Marley.

    Read Also: Actress Ruth Kadiri, husband celebrates 5th anniversary

    He said: “I don’t know why Iyabo was sending her children who are adults to Naira Marley’s house in the first place. She stated that Naira was putting drugs in their food and She called herself a mother.

    “She never came out to fight for her children then…maybe she just cooked up this lie to implicate Naira. Why was her daughter laced with drugs if she was not into drugs already? Which mother will keep quiet in such a situation?

    “The NDLEA and the police heard what she said and they are keeping mute. How will this country get better? I expect The NDLEA to invite her to bring her children and investigate her”.

  • Singer Teni diagnosed with throat infection

    Singer Teni diagnosed with throat infection

    Celebrity singer Teniola Apata aka Teni has opened up on how she was diagnosed with a life-threatening throat infection.

    The entertainer Teni disclosed that during the process of producing her second album, ‘Tears of the Sun’, she was afflicted with throat infection.

    This occurred just a few months after she opened up to her fans about her weight-loss journey.

    She disclosed that following several episodes of transient voice loss, medical professionals recommended a major operation to avoid the possibility of irreversible voice loss.

    She was hospitalised in September after repeated cases of exhaustion.

    Without doing the surgery but undergoing treatment, Teni shared a clip of her journey, which showed her in the hospital.

    Read Also: Actor Soji Taiwo becomes ‘Baba Ijo’ in Abeokuta church

    Towards the end of the clip, the singer assured fans that her new album, “Tears Of The Sun”, is heartfelt and would be out on the 17th of this month.

    She added that one of her singles “Malaika” is her song of gratitude to God.

    “TESTIMONY TIME. WHEN YOU FINALLY GET TO HEAR THIS ALBUM, I WANT YOU TO LISTEN FROM YOUR HEART, EMBRACE IT WITH YOUR SOUL AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW, THAT I GAVE IT MY ALL, AND SPOKE MY TRUTH, STRAIGHT FROM MY HEART, AGAINST ALL ODDS. TEARS OF THE SUN,” she wrote.

  • BBNaija All-Stars for those who didn’t utilise first chances – Tacha

    BBNaija All-Stars for those who didn’t utilise first chances – Tacha

    Ex-BBNaija housemate and radio host Natacha Akide aka Tacha, has opened up on why she didn’t participate in the just concluded All-Stars edition of the reality show.

    According to the reality star, the All-Stars season was mainly for former housemates who “probably did not utilise their first chances”.

    She stated this during an interview with The Will Downtown Magazine where she emphasised that she doesn’t fall into the category.

    Tacha, who was disqualified from the BBNaija ‘Pepper Dem’ season in 2019, said since then, she has grown so much, stressing that she is now “a serial entrepreneur with many businesses and brand ambassador to certain brands.”

    Read Also: Actor Soji Taiwo becomes ‘Baba Ijo’ in Abeokuta church

    She added: “Some specific deliverables and obligations must come through for me, plus I am constantly getting back-to-back bookings from brands.

    ” To leave all of this and then go on a show where I’m going to get paid peanuts isn’t worth it. I’m enjoying my work at Cool FM every Friday, and I won’t leave my fans hanging.

    “In my opinion, the show is really for, let’s say, people who probably do not utilise their first chances, and honestly, to just be fair, I do not fall into that category.”

  • I don’t know you, you are not a celebrity, policeman tells Phyna

    I don’t know you, you are not a celebrity, policeman tells Phyna

    Reality star, Josephina Ijeoma Otabor aka Phyna, has stirred reaction online after a mild drama with police operatives over the weekend.

    Phyna’s vehicle was stopped by officers on a highway in Lagos for a stop-and-search operation.

    But their mode of operation didn’t sit well with her as the situation quickly degenerated into a verbal altercation.

    Phyna went live on Instagram in the midst of the altercation.

    In a recorded clip from the live session, Phyna could be heard saying that she went live because one of the police officers was recording her with his phone when she was alighting from her car after they ordered her to.

    Read Also: Actress Ruth Kadiri, husband celebrates 5th anniversary

    Phyna: “You would have handled me better.”

    Police officer: “I never knew you from anywhere, you call yourself a celebrity. That your celebrity is for you.”

    Phyna: “Baba, you for no video. My own be say, you go let me waka from the motor side. You would tell me step out, I would step out, then you video. Not that I’m coming down and you’re carrying camera. No na.”

  • South African artist Tyla addresses relationship status with Rema

    South African artist Tyla addresses relationship status with Rema

    South African singer Tyla Laura Seethal aka Tyla has broken silence over rumoured romantic relationship with Nigerian star, Rema.

    Addressing the speculations in the latest episode of the ‘We Need To Talk’ podcast, the ‘Water’ crooner said Rema is just a “friend.”

    She clarified that the viral picture of them holding hands that sparked the dating rumours was taken after she attended one of the Afrobeats star’s concerts.

    Read Also: Actor Soji Taiwo becomes ‘Baba Ijo’ in Abeokuta church

    “We are just friends. I went to his show and he happened to hold my hand. And obviously, people will always interpret it the way they do.

    “He is not my boyfriend. He’s not my man,” she said.

    The Nation reported that Tyla recently mentioned Rema in an interview with Apple Music as the celebrity she would love to take to a prom date.

  • Why colleagues are unhappy with me – Yul Edochie

    Why colleagues are unhappy with me – Yul Edochie

    Controversial actor Yul Edochie has addressed  the beef his colleagues have towards him. 

    Yul Edochie ushered in the week by posting a stunning his picture on his Instagram with a complimenting message on how good he looks.

    He claimed that many had beef with him because he is fresher than them.

    Read Also: I started music style before Asake, Seyi Vibez – Danny Young

    He wrote: “One of the reasons they beef with me so much, I’m fresher than all of them.

    “Happy new week lad!es and gentlemen. This week, we go use container pack blessings. Amen”.

  • Dafinone congratulates Ajagba for defeating Australia’s Joe Goodall In Nevada

    Dafinone congratulates Ajagba for defeating Australia’s Joe Goodall In Nevada

    Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta North) has felicitated Nigerian boxing heavyweight, Efe Ajagba, for defending his World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title after defeating Australia’s Joe Goodall on Sunday.

    Dafinone also congratulated Nigerian musician and former winner of BBNaija, Michael Efe Ejeba, famously called Efe, for his remarkable performance to welcome Ajagba into the fighting arena.

    Ajagba defeated Goodall in the fourth round through a knocks-out after the Aussie failed to recover from uppercut punches from the Nigerian hard-hitting puncher.

    The fight was held at the Reno Tahoe Event Center in Nevada, United States, on Sunday morning (Nigerian time).

    Ajagba hails from Ughelli Kingdom while Efe hails from Okpe Kingdom both in Delta State.

    In a statement on Sunday, Dafinone said he received the victory of Ajagba and the successful defence of his WBC heavyweight title with joy and fulfilment.

    Dafinone said he was particularly elated watching two Urhobos collaborating to make Urhobo and Nigeria proud on the global stage.

    He noted that Nigeria is richly endowed with talents in sports, music, education and entertainment, but only waiting to be properly harnessed for the country’s benefit.

    Read Also: Rivers crisis: Fubara lauds Tinubu’s intervention, apologises

    The Delta Central lawmaker, however, called on Delta and Federal Governments to harness the abundant talents inherent among the youths for the betterment and development of the state and country.

    Senator Dafinone added that he enjoyed Efe’s performance which had a fusion of Urhobo and English. He enjoined Nigerian musicians of Urhobo extraction to use their craft to protect and sustain the Urhobo language just as their counterparts from Yoruba and other tribes are currently doing.

    “I congratulate Efe Ajagba on his victory against Australia’s Joe Goodall early this morning. I watched the duo of Ajagba and Efe doing Urhobo and Nigeria proud on the global stage. It was fascinating watching a fellow Urhobo singing for another to defend his title.

    “Urhobo from time immemorial has been the centrepiece for producing legendary sportsmen and women, accountants, musicians, comedians, and entertainers. Urhobo’s contribution to Nigeria’s good name on the global stage was reechoed today through Ajagba’s victory.

    “I congratulate Efe Ajagba for defending his title. Knocking out his Aussie opponent in the 4th round, clearly shows, he is ready to be a World champion in the boxing arena and I can’t wait to watch this happen.

    “Also, I commend Efe for his performance while opening the fight for Ajagba. Such collaboration and brotherliness is what the Urhobo youth need to emulate and win together.

    “All Urhobos including our musicians have a task of protecting the Urhobo language through their songs and communication from going into extinction,” the statement added.