The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • ‘Abuja-Kaduna railway transported 6.5m’

    ‘Abuja-Kaduna railway transported 6.5m’

    No fewer than 6.5 million passengers have been transported by the Abuja-Kaduna rail system in the last seven years, The Nation learnt.

    The railway system which was executed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) according to a document by the Chinese Embassy, the span a total length of 186.5 kilometers with a designed maximum speed of 150 km/h.

    The report further added: “This railway project has added a vital transport artery from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to the significant industrial city of Kaduna in the north. It has not only improved the investment climate but also facilitated trade, the movement of people and goods between these two major cities, propelling economic development along the route and within the urban areas. Particularly noteworthy is its role in stimulating commercial development around passenger stations.

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    “The implementation and operation of the Abuja-Kaduna Railway have had a profound impact on Nigeria’s economy. Over seven years of operation, providing a safe, comfortable, efficient, and punctual mode of travel for residents and visitors alike.

    “It has significantly integrated Kaduna into the development sphere of the capital region, driving economic growth along the railway corridor, generating substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities, and laying a solid foundation for the sustained adoption of Chinese standards.

    “CCECC has not only built infrastructure but also transferred expertise, nurturing a considerable pool of railway professionals, thus ensuring Nigeria’s railway modernization and sustainable development have ample talent resources.”

  • ‘Natural medicine needs upgrading’

    ‘Natural medicine needs upgrading’

    The Governor of Plateau state, Caleb Mutfwang, has urged the National Association of Natural and Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria to revolutionise the natural medicine to meet global best practices.

    The Governor made this call at the two-day Plateau State Natural Medicine Day with the theme “Exploring the Potentials of Natural Medicine”, in Jos

    Mutfwang who was represented by the Commissioner of Information and Communication, Musa Ashoms, acknowledged the laudable contributions natural medicine practitioners have made and are making to the growth of the society through the prevention and treatment of physical and mental illnesses cannot be over emphasized.

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    The National President of the Association of Natural and Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Nigeria, Chief Luka Doka, said that natural medicine if properly harnessed, would be a money spinner for the country especially Plateau state.

    He thanked Mutfwang for supporting the body and agreeing to host the event.

  • NAHCON seeks healthy partnership with hajj operators

    NAHCON seeks healthy partnership with hajj operators

    The Acting Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Arabi, has reiterated the commission’s commitment to provide support and assistance towards ensuring pilgrims have value for money.

    Speaking during an interactive meeting with the executives and members of the Association of Hajj and Umrah operators of Nigeria (AHOUN) as part of the consultation drive, Arabi stated that the commission would address the challenges facing the Hajj by ensuring that there is robust partnership between the two bodies.

    He described the AHUON as a dependable ally.

     “There is no denying the fact that anyone involved in pilgrimage knows the symbiotic relationship between the commission and AHUON. Though, we supervise and superintend over you, however, I extend our hands of fellowship to you, so that we can get the best for our Pilgrims,” he said.

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    Arabi said the commission would continue to discharge its responsibilities with openness and transparency.

    President of AHUON, Alhaji Yahaya Danbare, said the association is willing to support the commission to achieve its objectives.

    “We appreciate the support and backing of NAHCON which has assisted us to airlift all our Pilgrims to the Holy land during the 2023 Hajj and we look forward to more collaboration and cooperation towards achieving greater feat in the forthcoming 2024 Hajj,” he said.

  • NANS defends Bello’s record in education

    NANS defends Bello’s record in education

    The National Association of Nigerian Students has commended Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello for his administration’s achievement in the education sector.

    The students body said Kogi state institutions have being producing “excellent and bright students before and within the administration of Governor Bello.”

    The association said with what Bello has done in the education sector, the state “will in future produce more excellent and sound graduates as it has been one of our trademarks as a state.”

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    President of National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Comrade Sunday Adekanbi, said this in response to comments made by the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dino Melaye, who flayed the performance of Bello in the sector.

    The students urged Melaye to invest his energy in “providing educational scholarship to the teeming youths in his constituency and or Kogi at large rather than investing on exotic cars.

    Adekanbi, who addressed reporters in Abuja, said: “We are using this opportunity to encourage Governor Bello never to be distracted by those mischief makers that his giant strides on the educational sector in Kogi is seen and felt overwhelmingly.”

  • NOA DG challenged on national gender policy implementation

    NOA DG challenged on national gender policy implementation

    A Civil Society Organisation, Accountability Lab Nigeria has challenged the new Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, on gender equality in workspace and every other human endeavour.
    The organisation, dedicated to promoting gender equality and women empowerment, noted that this would afford women a leveled playing field.
    The organisation said this in a statement after the Programs and Learning Manager, Ehi Idakwo led a delegation to a meeting with the NOA director-general.
    During the meeting, Accountability Lab Nigeria stressed the critical importance of NOA’s commitment to implementing the National Gender Policy in Nigeria.
    It further listed key areas such as gender mainstreaming, gender-responsive budgeting, and affirmative action for women for the new DG to focus on.
    The organisation outlined innovative strategies to dismantle the barriers that have hindered women from realising their full potential.
    Issa-Onilu explained the agency’s priority areas and expressed a strong willingness to collaborate closely with Accountability Lab Nigeria.

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    He announced the commitment of NOA to work hand in hand to drive the necessary changes required to break down the obstacles that have impeded women’s progress in the country.

    Accountability Lab said the meeting marks the first step in a series of engagements with various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) aimed at implementing the National Gender Policy comprehensively.

    Furthermore, the CSO expressed steadfastness and dedication to fostering gender equality, encouraging affirmative actions, and creating an environment where every woman can thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.

    “This initiative is supported by the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives, underlining the international commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women globally.

    “Accountability Lab Nigeria continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future, where every individual, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive and make meaningful contributions to society,” the statement added.

  • Bayelsa making progress under Diri, says Obasanjo

    Bayelsa making progress under Diri, says Obasanjo

    Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has praised Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri for his sterling performance.

    He said the state is making progress in all sectors of the economy.

    Chief Obasanjo hailed the governor for consolidating the legacies of his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson.

    He spoke yesterday during the 12th Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene-Yenagoa.

    The former president said: “What I saw is more than what I expected. What you have here in Bayelsa that you have to cherish is peace. Comparatively, you have greater peace than other parts of the country.

    “You have security. Peace without security is no peace. Security without peace is no security. Here you have security, you have peace and you have stability.

    “If what is happening here is replicated in other states in Nigeria, then we will say we have a good country.”

    Governor Diri thanked Chief Obasanjo for honouring and identifying with the people and government of the state.

    He attributed his achievements to the support and cooperation of ‘Bayelsans’ and divine grace.

    The governor said: “Bayelsans want peace and development. The former governor laid the foundation upon which we are building and everybody who comes to the state acknowledges the peace and security. So, we cannot go back to the era of violence, impunity and brigandage. The essence of government is to bring peace, development and progress.”

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    “Today, we have added value to the development of Bayelsa. We are embarking on meaningful projects and programmes and we thank God for His grace to do these things.”

    He appreciated leaders of the state, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that he would have attended the event if he had not travelled out of the country.

    The lawmaker representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District and former governor of the state, Senator Seriake Dickson, appreciated Diri for sustaining the legacies of his administration, particularly road projects, annual thanksgiving, morning devotion at the Government House and monthly praise night.

    He said he was a fulfilled man because he successfully handed over power without rancour and the state was peaceful and on the path of development.

    The guest preacher, Pastor Lazarus Muoka of The Lord’s Chosen, Charismatic Revival Movement, delivered a sermon with the theme: “Blessed Are You.”

    He described Bayelsa as a blessed land, which God gave mineral resources.

    Chief Obasanjo inaugurated the second phase of the ongoing Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie senatorial road from Igeibiri to Angiama in Southern Ijaw Local Government.

    The former president lauded the developmental efforts of Dr. Jonathan, who started the project as well as Senator Dickson for continuing it.

  • Fish out perpetrators of Abia massacre, says Ohanaeze

    Fish out perpetrators of Abia massacre, says Ohanaeze

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing has appealed to security agencies to work in synergy to fish out those behind alleged killings, resulting in the discovery of over 50 bodies recently at Lokpanta cattle market, Umunneochi in Abia State.

    National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Chika Adiele, in a statement, said the group would launch a fact-finding mission into the discovery to set records straight and support efforts to stem further killings.

    The group called for an end to assassination, banditry and kidnapping in the state, assuring Governor Alex Otti of the backing of Igbo youths in his fight to rid the state of criminals.

    It restated its call for unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that his release would usher in peace “and guarantee security of lives and property of our people.”

    The statement said: “It is unacceptable to keep silent and allow these evil of monumental proportion to be swept under the carpet.

    “Nothing can further assuage our painful feelings, except facts and justice.

    “Sadly, despite military/police check points on that axis, innocent commuters are subjected to all manner of humiliating experience, while suspected herdsmen move unhindered into the bush, destroying people’s means of livelihood.

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    “We are miffed by the audacity of these mindless herdsmen and their military agents, traversing the nooks and crannies of Ala Igbo with a trail of blood of innocent people on their footpath.

    “We say to them, enough! Assassination, banditry and kidnapping must be brought to an end along Umunneochi/Isuikwuato federal constituency with immediate effect.

    “Igbo youths are brave, industrious, enterprising, peaceful and above all ready for any uncertainty. Our silence is not cowardice. Thus we hereby launch a fact finding mission into this awful discovery in order to set records straight and support ongoing efforts to stem further impasse.

    “We have kept quiet for too long, while these bandits launch monumental destruction, purely orchestrated by overzealous security personnel.”

  • Obi laments 20 headless bodies, skeletons found in Abia

    Obi laments 20 headless bodies, skeletons found in Abia

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed shock over reports that 80 bodies, including 20 headless ones, as well as countless skeletons, were discovered in Abia State.

    The Nation reports Abia State Governor Alex Otti said the bodies were discovered by security operatives during a raid on the forest around Lokpanta cattle market in Umunneochi axis of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

    Reacting to the development in a thread on his official X page yesterday, Obi described the development as “barbaric and cruel.”

    He said: “I read the bone-chilling story coming out of Abia State, where over 80 bodies were reportedly recovered around the cattle market, with about 20 headless decomposing bodies.

    “This level of barbarism and extremely cruel act only reflects how insecure our environment has been.

    “It unearths how insecurity has continued to ravage many parts of the country, taking innocent lives and killing the economy.

    “I thank Governor Otti for taking such a bold step against insecurity in the state. This is highly commendable.”

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    Obi said while he was governor of Anambra, he faced a similar situation.

    “I recall facing a similar situation in 2013 as the governor of Anambra State.

    “I was accompanying President Goodluck Jonathan to an official engagement outside the country when I received a sad report of about 35 decomposing bodies floating on Ezu River in Anambra State.

    “I had to leave everything, rushing back to the state to attend to the situation and ensure that order was restored to the vicinity.

    “Investigation was immediately commenced, with autopsies conducted, before the Federal Government took over the process and asked the state government to hands-off it,” he said.

    Obi added that security of lives and property remained the primary duty of any government and the key to any development.

    He urged governments to make more efforts to tackle insecurity.

  • Oil communities urge settlors on agreements, others to reduce face-off

    Oil communities urge settlors on agreements, others to reduce face-off

    Indigenes of host communities across Delta State have called on oil firms to abide by the agreements, interact with the right leaders and tackle pollution, in order to reduce conflicts and ensure smooth oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta.

    They spoke at a Peace Building and Conflict Management training organised by the Partnership Initiatives for the Niger Delta (PIND) Foundation in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government of Delta State.

    The 20 participants drawn from selected oil host communities, while identifying issues that caused face-off between them and oil companies (both multinational and indigenous firms), mentioned bad community leadership.

    A participant, Peter Satu, said delay in payment for executed contracts by companies often led to disruption of oil operations.

    Another participant identified as Femi said execution of substandard projects in the communities due to “lack of monitoring and inspection by the oil companies and no rise in pay, despite the current economic realities, are among concerns of the host communities.

    Yet another participant, Perez, noted that throwing only “casual jobs at indigenes, when there are qualified persons to take up technical jobs”, brings strife.

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    Stanley Boyo and Oyen Omawumi decried the environmental degradation across the oil producing areas and the seeming lack of will by the settlors to address the situation.

    They said fishing, a major means of survival in the communities, had become unproductive due to the polluted waters.

    However, Solomon Ofoaramieyere pointed accusing fingers at the indigenes and their penchant for holding on to power.

    He recalled the early 1990s when issues concerning oil operations were tabled at town hall meetings with every community member present to give their input in decisions to be taken.

    Steven Etsano lamented that despite promising to convert to staff, community workers who have been with Chevron Nigeria Limited for many years, the company has failed to do so, leading to protests.

    The participants were, however, optimistic that if the findings of the training were acted upon, there would be “peace and harmony” among stakeholders.

    In a chat with reporters, Dr. Chukwudi Njoku, the capacity building coordinator for PIND Foundation, said the training and interaction would improve the capacity of the participants in peace building, as well as conflict management and prevention in their communities.

  • NDDC to collaborate with Port Harcourt Club to boost social activities

    NDDC to collaborate with Port Harcourt Club to boost social activities

    Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said the commission would partner Port Harcourt Club to boost social activities in the Rivers State capital.

    He spoke when members of the club’s executive paid him a visit in his office at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    Ogbuku said the commission was open to a sustainable relationship that would bring back the past glory of Port Harcourt city by reviving social life in the Garden City.

    He recalled with nostalgia the serene atmosphere created by the older generation, insisting that such beautiful scenery would be reignited to keep the old memories alive.

    He said the current generation would not allow social activities in the city to retrogress, vowing to galvanise progressive residents of the city to pull resources together to build a society that would be stronger and socially active.

    Ogbuku took the opportunity to request for the revival of the W.W. White football tournament among secondary school pupils in the state.

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    He said while growing up in Port Harcourt, it was through the football competition that pupils in secondary schools were brought together to socialise.

    The President of Port Harcourt Club, Soberekon Dikibo, while congratulating Ogbuku on his reappointment as the Managing Director of the NDDC, hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making the right choice. He described him as a true Port Harcourt man.

    As a mark of honour, the leadership and members of the Port Harcourt Club conferred on the NDDC managing director an honorary membership of the club.

    Dikibo, while conferring the honour on Chief Ogbuku, said although membership followed a strict process of nomination and subscription, it was customary of the club to offer it to deserving public officers like service chiefs and heads of selected federal parastatals serving in the state.

    The Port Harcourt Club, founded in 1928, is family-oriented sports and recreational club South of the River Niger. It has been in existence for nearly a century and has over 1,800 members.