The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Enugu gets new police commissioner

    Ahmad Abdulrahman has been posted to Enugu State as the new Commissioner of Police (CP).

    He will replace Suleiman Balarabe, who has been redeployed to the Force Intelligence Burwau (FCID), Abuja, as the CP in charge of intelligence.

    Abdulrahman holds double Masters Degrees – one in Criminal Justice and another in Conflict, Peace and Strategic Studies, both from the Kaduna State University.

    Read Also: Police boss reiterates zero tolerance for corruption

    A graduate of Political Science and Administration from the University of Sokoto, Abdulrahman Ahmad also holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Corruption Studies from the University of Hong Kong.

    Until his recent posting, Abdulrahman was the Commissioner of Police in charge of Intelligence at the FCID, Abuja.

    He has held many command positions across the country, viz: Kaduna, Bayelsa and Ekiti Commands.

    A statement by the Force spokesman Frank Mba said the posting takes immediate effect.

  • Ondo to prioritise healthcare

    The Ondo State government has promised to prioritise the training and re-training of its health workers to ensure effective healthcare delivery.

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Wahab Adegbenro spoke when he opened three-day training on Essential Drug Management for Pharmacists in the Ministry of Health, Hospitals Management Board and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency.

    Dr. Adegbenro, who explained that effective drug management system is key to achieving qualitative healthcare, hoped that the training would help to ensure uniformity of procedure in drug management in health facilities.

    The commissioner promised that the government would not relent in fighting fake and counterfeit drugs, saying measures have been put in place to ensure that lives are protected at all times.

    Read Also: Kwara’s health system is on intensive care, says AbdulRazaq

    He urged participants to take advantage of the training, saying it would help them to perform better in their places at work.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye said the state would continue to do the needful in ensuring that quality drugs are available in all the health facilities across the state.

    Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr. Francis Akanbiemu described the training as training the trainers, saying participants would in turn cascade the knowledge gained to over 600 public, private and secondary healthcare facilities in the state.

    The chief trainer, Folukemi Aladenola, explained that the training is to ensure that drugs are safe, available and affordable at all times. She praised the government for procuring a Tru-Scan machine which she said has helped to detect fake and counterfeit drugs.

  • MultiChoice talent factory announces 2019 class

    MultiChoice Nigeria has announced the 20 students selected for the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Academy Class of 2019. The students were announced after a two-month selection process in Nigeria and Ghana.

    The 20 aspiring filmmakers representing West Africa will begin their 12-month training at the MTF Academy in Lagos in October.

    The final candidates were selected after a rigorous interview and adjudication process by film and television experts led by Academy Director, Femi Odugbemi.

    Launched in May 2018 as part of MultiChoice’s Corporate Shared Value (CSV) initiative, the MTF Academy is a 12-month fully-funded training programme aimed at upskilling the next generation of film and television professionals.

    Read Also: NCC, Multichoice train manpower on broadcast piracy

    The academy’s curriculum is tailored along that of MultiChoice’s partner institution, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, which will confer the course qualification upon completion of the academy programme.

    In addition, The Henley Business School offers an orientation intervention to the students at the beginning and end of the 12-month programme.

    According Odugbemi, the appetite for training opportunities in West Africa is massive within the creative film and TV industry, which is why the MTF Academy programme was launched.

    He said: “As one of the few industry players that not only tell African stories but also invest in them, the need for a dynamic training programme such as the MTF Academy has been a long time coming. We always ask ourselves: what’s next in the industry, and how can we better prepare for it? The MTF Academy is the answer to that question – giving young Africans the chance to hone their television and film production skills.”

    The class of 2019 is hot on the heels of the inaugural class of 2018, who are ready to graduate and will have their first films screened on M-Net channels and Showmax.

  • Ekiti APC elders congratulate Adebayo

    The Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders’ Forum has congratulated the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, on his appointment.

    In a statement, the elders were confident that the Minister would discharge his duties creditably following his records of public service which were undaunted.

    Read Also: Fayemi, Afenifere congratulate Adebayo

    “Considering your antecedent as the former governor of Ekiti State and your good performance, we are confident that you will equally perform your duties as Minister much more creditably for the progress of Nigerians.

    “We are happy that your credibility and integrity are in tandem with the character of President Muhammadu Buhari. Ekiti State APC Elders’ Forum believe that this new appointment will usher in more federal positions and presence in Ekiti State.

    “We are assuring you of our support and constant prayers to enable you succeed in the exalted position as Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the elders said.

  • Sanwo-Olu: self-reliant women cardinal to nation-building

    Wife of the Lagos State Governor Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has canvassed more empowerment schemes for women to help them contribute their quota to nation-building.

    Mrs. Sanwo-Olu spoke at a one-day seminar and inauguration of the Lagos State Chapter of SHE COOPS Nigeria, an International Non-Governmental Organisation for women empowerment and participation in co-operatives.

    The First Lady, who was represented by Lady Roseline Idimogu, said women must be empowered for the society to move forward.

    She said: “More women should be politically active. By so doing, they can help rewrite our history. The widows need to be more focused on their business, even as I call on government to make funds available to them so that they can be self-reliant.

    Read Also: Ogun to create data base for widows

    “Women are unique set of people, who, when armed with skills and abilities, can change the world. I will like to see every woman in Nigeria having a voice.”

    Mrs. Sanwo-Olu reiterated the need to educate the girl-child and women, saying their education would reduce poverty in the country.

    She described women as pillars of the homes and society, hence the need to give attention to their empowerment.

    Country Programme Manager of SHE COOPS Mrs. Grace Adeola said the inauguration was to build a better world for every woman and improve on their well-being.

    Adeola, who urged women “to come together as a cooperative,” called for massive empowerment of the women folk to bring real change to the world.

  • Tribunal to adopt written addresses Sept 10

    The governorship election petition tribunal in Akwa Ibom state has fixed September 10 to adopt written addresses in the suit between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its candidate Governor Udom Emmanuel (first and second respondents) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate Nsima Ekere.

    The tribunal fixed the date after an intensive defence for days which resulted in the first and second respondents calling 31 witnesses.

    While the PDP witnesses affirmed the credibility of the 2019 election won by Emmanuel, the APC and its candidate alleged irregularities in the election and called for a cancellation.

    Read Also: Tribunal upholds Aduda’s election as FCT Senator

    Governor Emmanuel and the PDP on Wednesday closed their case for the third respondent being INEC to open its defence. But INEC said having examined the case before the tribunal from the beginning, it has come to the conclusion that there is nothing whatsoever to prove again by calling additional witnesses, and that the commission has adopted the first and second respondents evidence in the case.

    INEC, therefore, closed its case and called on the tribunal to fix a date for adoption of written address, which is expected to happen within one week since the tribunal will close on September 25.

    Tribunal chairman Justice A. M Yakubu praised all the lead counsels in the petition for their cooperation and orderly conduct. He also praised the participating lawyers for the roles.

  • INEC to distribute 49,819 PVCs

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will distribute 49,819 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Bayelsa State ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Monday Udoh spoke on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ forum on modalities for collection of PVCs.

    Udoh, represented by the Executive Secretary, Boco Ekong, said the distribution would begin in the eight local governments on September 2.

    He said the distributionwould hold at the Registration Areas (RAs) level from September 2 to 31.

    Read Also: Bayelsa governorship: APC disqualifies ex-Cross River REC Briyai

    A breakdown of PVCs to be distributed shows that 4,452 are for Brass; 4,707 for Ekeremor; and 2,718 for Kolokuma/Opokuma.

    “In Nembe, we have 8,206 cards; 1,682 (Ogbia); 5,091 (Sagbama); 765 (Southern-Ijaw) and 21,601 (Yenagoa).

    “Our workers have been directed to distribute the cards on September 2 by moving from RA to RA, Monday through Friday. I, therefore, urge all eligible persons yet to collect their PVCs to use the opportunity to collect them,” Ekong said.

    Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Mr. Eneyi Zidougha and stressed the need for stakeholders to support INEC to enable it to achieve a credible election.

  • Bayelsa governorship: APC disqualifies ex-Cross River REC Briyai

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election screening commit in Bayelsa State has disqualified the former Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Frankland Briyai, from participating in the August 29 primaries.

    Briyai was reportedly disqualified because he was said not to have been a card-carrying member of APC for up to one year.

    Those cleared for the primaries are Preye Aganaba, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, Ms. Diseye Poweigha, Mr. Lyon David, Prof. Ongoebi Etebu and Heineken Lokpobiri.

    A report by the Isa Song-led committee, addressed to the national chairman, said only Briyai was not cleared.

    The report added that the committee conducted its exercise in line with the party’s guidelines.

    Read Also: I’ve not been disqualified from Bayelsa guber race, says ex-Cross River REC

    It said the guideline stipulated that aspirants must have been card-carrying members for one year; must show their original credentials, and in the case of multiple declaration of age, harmonise same.

    The report reads: “Each aspirant was questioned in relation to qualifications and conduct in line with both party constitution and election guidelines. We also asked them to produce evidence of their membership of the party, voters’ card and payment of the prescribed fees, as well as the original copy of their credentials for sighting.

    “Therefore, Dr. Frankland Briyai was not cleared and disqualified on the grounds of Section 3 paragraph ‘L’ of the guideline for nomination of candidates.”

    But Briyai has denied being disqualified from the governorship race, saying his waiver to contest the election was being processed.

    He said: “How did you know I was not cleared? Don’t forget that my waiver is being processed. That I am not cleared doesn’t mean that I have been disqualified. The NWC is looking into the waiver issue; it is being processed. There is an online report that says that I have been disqualified, it is only NWV that can disqualify anybody.

    “What the screening and appeal panel do is to recommend to the NWC their findings; disqualification comes from the NWC. So, I have not been disqualified.”

  • Yobe okays N365m for council retirees

    Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the release of N365 million for payment of accumulated pension arrears and gratuities to 279 local government retirees.

    Director-General, Media Affairs to the governor Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, in a statement, said the  approval followed the recommendations of the Committee on the Payment of Local Government Staff Pensions Arrears, Death Benefits and Gratuities headed by the Auditor-General for Local Governments.

    Read Also: Yobe’s push for quality education

    “Of the 279 beneficiaries, 71 are deceased and their benefits, amounting to N110 million, will be paid to their next-of-kin through the probate division of the State High Court.

    “The remaining N254 million will be electronically paid directly to the remaining 208 living retirees.”

    Buni in July, also approved N228 million for the payment of the benefits of  l98 other local government retirees.

  • APC local govt chairmen oppose call for Kwara chair’s resignation

    The 16 local government chairmen of Kwara State All Progressives Congress have opposed call for the resignation of the state party’s chairman, Bashir O. Omolaja.

    The council chairmen called the people behind the move as self-serving and agents of destruction, adding that they were crying wolf where there was none.

    A group known as Congress of Kwara Youths, had on Monday this week issued a quit notice to Bolarinwa, urging him to resign his appointment with immediate effect.

    Read Also: APC may review disqualification of 12 Kogi governorship aspirants

    Spokesperson of the group, Mr. Ishaq Ibrahim, who read the resolutions, gave the party seven days ultimatum to remove the APC chair from office.

    But in a statement, the 16 local government APC chairmen said “as party chairmen at the local level and members of the state exco, we should know better. To the best of our knowledge, every member of the state exco has a voice in all decisions taken. The state chairman is a democrat to the core. We have implicit confidence in his leadership and style. We consider the group’s claim as merely playing to the gallery and doing the bid of its sponsors.”