The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • BREAKING: I won’t support non-restoration aspirant, Dickson insists

    Ahead of the Bayelsa PDP governorship primaries, Governor Seriake Dickson has insisted that he would not support any candidate outside his Restoration Group of the party.

    Dickson also said that the leadership of the Restoration Caucus would decide on an aspirant to support in the primaries before the September 3, 2019 elections.

    A statement by the Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the governor as having made the remarks while inaugurating the Restoration Governorship Primary Election Committee in Government House, Yenagoa on Monday.

    The governor said supporting any aspirant of the PDP outside the Restoration Group was one heavy moral burden that he was not prepared to carry.

    He stressed that his upbringing and values which place emphasis on the reward for the sacrifice of loyalty and steadfastness would not allow him to turn his back on those who stood by him throughout his years as leader of the party.

    He also hinged his decision to support a Restoration aspirant on the imperatives of continuity, effective service delivery, and commitment of Restoration caucus to the socio economic growth of the state.

    Read Also: Bayelsa 2019: Can PDP get a consensus candidate?

    The governor dismissed those accusing him of refusal to support some aspirants insisting that it was his right to decide who to back in the forthcoming gubernatorial primaries of the PDP In Bayelsa.

    Dickson also urged the members of the party to ignore the rumor masterminded by some political interest that the newly elected party chairmen and councillors were not qualified to be delegates in the election.

    He said that there was no law in the PDP that prevents elected local government officials from becoming delegates in the primaries.

    He said: “There are people who fought to stop our chairmen and councilors from participating in the last election and they failed. The propaganda out there is that our elected chairmen and councilors are not going to participate as delegates in the election.

    “Let me make it clear that no one by the rule of this party will prevent elected council officials from voting as delegates. No one will stop them from entering the venue to vote for a candidate of their choice.

    “We have agreed to elect a candidate for our party from the Restoration team. I will fail in my responsibilities and values if I abandon those who have supported me, who have been through thick and thin with me.

    “The way I was brought up, it is support for support and loyalty for loyalty. You have to be on board on this for the Restoration Team.

    “My support will go to a loyal, committed member of the Restoration team. Not to do so will leave a very heavy moral burden in my heart which I am not prepared to bear.”

    He stressed that he was not a bystander in the process to elect his own successor but a key stakeholders to support any candidate of his choice for the collective good of the state.

    He charged the party members not to sucumb to propaganda and blackmail calculated to sow seeds of discord within the party.

    He noted that, the newly inaugurated committee’s mandate involved the mobilization of the delegates both at the ward and local government headquarters for the task ahead.

    He said that the supporters and key players of the Restoration Team which recorded a resounding electoral victory over the opposition in the last election were intact.

    He urged the people to be resolute in their support for the leadership of the Restoration even in the face of glaring blackmail by some persons with the intent to rubbish them.

  • EXCLUSIVE: Why Lagos Assembly dropped Sanwo-Olu’s three nominees

    The three cabinet-nominees not confirmed on Monday by the House of Assembly were victims of high-wired politics, The Nation can exclusively report.

    A party source said the Assembly could not resist the pressure to deny them clearance, owing to the weight of allegations against them.

    According to the source, the politics of confirmation overwhelmed the Assembly, adding that “the matter was beyond the control of the lawmakers.”

    “It is now evident that nominations and screening were not final. Post-screening hurdles may arise from familiar and strange quarters,” he stressed.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu to inaugurate cabinet on Tuesday

    The source who, sympathised with the dropped nominees, said the governor may still represent them if they overcome their challenges.

    Asked to shed light on what he described as high wired politics, he said: “I suspected that the outcry against them arose from their people; from their constituencies where leaders and critical stakeholders who cannot be ignored were kicking.

    “I don’t think it was due to poor performance at the screening, although we heard that a particular nominee did not measure up during the exercise and the House Committee that screened them noted the non-display of competence.

    “They were not confirmed because of politics of preference and rejection.

    “The influence of powerful people who didn’t want them dwarfed those of their supporters in their respective constituencies.

    “They did not play their cards well at home. It can happen because it is politics.”

  • Armed policemen to intensify patrol on UI campus

    Armed policemen from the Oyo State Police Command will compliment the Campus Security Service in patrolling the entire University of Ibadan Campus with immediate effect.

    This statement was made known on Monday, after the University Security Committee met to review the current security situation on the Campus.

    The Vice-chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka disclosed that some key decisions were taken after reviewing the security situation which were;

    READ ALSO: UI: Premier university at the mercy of outlaws

    “All business outfits, including restaurants, should close not later than 9 pm every evening.

    “The Campus Security Service will embark on random checks of staff quarters to identify unauthorized occupants of university residences.

    “The Physical Planning and Project Management Unit will embark on demolition of illegal structures in residential areas.

    He reiterated that measures were taken in order to ensure the safety and security of life and property on campus.

  • Court strikes out theft case against trader

    A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna, at the weekend, struck out a case of theft against a 29-year-old trader, Mary Joshua.

    The trader, who lives in Kaduna, was charged with theft on July 2.

    Magistrate Hajara Dauda struck out the case after the prosecution counsel, Inspector Sunday Baba, told the court that parties in the matter had agreed to settle out of court.

    Dauda, therefore, discharged the trader.

    Read Also: Trader allegedly absconds with clients’ $2,900

    “Based on the reconciliation made by the complainant and the defendant to settle out of court, the case is hereby struck out and the defendant discharged.

    “The defendant should write an undertaking that she will not steal or commit any crime as the court won’t take it lightly with her,” Dauda said.

    The prosecutor told the court that on June 24, at about 2:30 pm, Janet Moses of Sabo Tasha Kaduna lodged a complaint against the defendant at the Sabo Tasha Police Station.

    Baba said on the same day, the defendant came into the complainant’s shop located at Sabo Tasha to get some change, but in the process stole her purse.

    The prosecutor added that when the complainant raised the alarm, the defendant was searched and the said purse was found on her.

    The offence, he said, contravened Section 270 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

  • Court sentences man to three months for stealing generator

    A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kuje, FCT, at the weekend sentenced a 23-year-old artisan, Luka Gaza, to three months in prison for stealing a generator from a building site.

    Magistrate Jim Taribo sentenced Gaza after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy and theft.

    Gaza, who lives at Paseli area in Kuje, however, begged the court for leniency.

    Read Also: Ex-banker to spend 10 yrs in prison for stealing depositors’ money

    Taribo, who did not give the convict any option to pay fine, said the punishment would act as a deterrent to others

    Prosecuting counsel Oliver Orgen had told the court that the complainant, Mr Ayuba Sule, reported the matter at the Kuje Police Station on August 10.

    Orgen said Gaza and two others at large entered the complainant’s building site and stole a generator valued at N150,000.

    The offence, he said, contravened sections 96 and 287 of the Penal Code.

  • Afrobasket 2019: Buhari hails D’Tigress for retaining title

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with national female basketball team, D’Tigress, for a highly impressive outing at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket 2019 in Dakar, Senegal, that saw them coasting home to victory at the finals, winning the hosts, 60-55.

    He congratulated the team for the remarkably synergised play that enabled them to outpace and outplay all the teams at the tournament to retain the title they won in 2017, further consolidating their position as African champions with four titles.

    Read Also: Buhari congratulates female basketball team, D’Tigress

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, commended the team for discipline, maturity and focus all through the tournament, and deliberateness in promoting the Nigerian flag and accompanying virtues of resilience, persistence and dogged pursuit until victory was achieved.

    He sent appreciation to all the officials and technical hands that guided the team to win the African title.

    The President urged them to remain focused in deploying such energy and talent in subsequent global tournaments.

  • BUK non-academic staff commence warning strike

    The Bayero University of the Non Academic Staff Union of Universities has embarked on a one- week warning strike aimed at making government meets their demands.

    A statement by Public Relation Officer of the Students’ Union Government Executives (SUG) of BUK, Mahraz Muhammad, noted: “We wish to let BUK Students know that it is just a warning strike and as such there would not be a total shut down of the system.

    “During this one week of warning Strike, Power and Water supply will be given to various Halls of Residence as usual while Academic Activities will continue at our various Faculties.

    Read Also: UI: Premier university at the mercy of outlaws

    “BUK Students are therefore enjoined to disregard any speculation telling them to go home.”

    The statement explained that, “members of the Union, Heads of various Halls of Residence and security personnel will be fully on ground to ensure students are okay.

    It stated that, “If there is any new Development it will be communicated to everyone by the Union, let us therefore stay calm as we hope for the best.”

    ln conclusion, “our message of warm greetings to the entire Bayero University Kano Students in the name of the struggle.”

  • Bricklayer gets 10 months for breach of trust

    A Magistrates’ Court in Minna at the weekend sentenced a 45-year-old bricklayer, Ahmadu Garba, to 10 months imprisonment for breach of trust.

    Magistrate Christiana Barau sentenced Garba to three months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of breach of trust and criminal misappropriation.

    Barau, however, gave the convict an option to pay a fine of N5000 for each offence or serve out the three months.

    Read Also: Ogun bricklayer allegedly caught with human skulls, body parts

    The magistrate also ordered the convict to pay N100, 000 to the complainants as compensation or seven months in prison in the event of a default.

    Prosecuting Inspector Ahmed Ali had told the court that Messrs Dele Martins and Simon Iko reported the case at the Tudun Wada Police Station last year.

    He said the complainants contracted the defendant to renovate a house on Talba Estate, Minna, where he stole some building materials.

    “He carted away two bundles of zinc, seven flush doors, four door frames, two shower trays and wooden planks, which were entrusted in his custody.

    “The defendant sold the items and converted the proceeds to his use,” the prosecutor said.

    When the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency.

    The prosecutor thereafter prayed the court to try him summarily in line with Section 157 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

  • NYSC: 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 Orientation exercise begins Tuesday

    The 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation exercise will begin across the country on Tuesday, August 20.

    In a statement on Monday, NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, felicitated with all the Prospective Corps Members of Stream 2, 2019 Batch ‘B’ on their successful mobilisation.

    He advised them to make best use of the opportunity as they are on the threshold to begin a new phase of life.

    The NYSC boss admonished that life is precious and must be treated with great circumspection.

    He enjoined prospective Corps members to make adequate travel plans, “as every successful journey starts with a good plan” and also charging them to abhor night journeys; as such journeys make one susceptible to falling on harm’s way.

    Read Also: Ex-NYSC DG hails re-establishment of area offices

    He strongly advised the Prospective corps members to avoid edibles from strangers as they could be laced with sleep-inducing substance that could make one a victim of kidnappers, robbers, ritualists and rapists.

    “While in the vehicle, never get involved, either actively or passively on discussions that border on religion, politics and tribe. Just mind your business.

    “Ensure that you board a registered vehicle from approved park. Doing otherwise could spell danger. Please, ensure that the vehicle you want to board is roadworthy.

    “When you arrive the Orientation camps, abide by all the rules and regulations guiding the camp which is a regimented environment.

  • BREAKING: Lagos market Katangowa on fire

    Popular second-hand cloth market, Katangowa in Agbado/Okeodo Local Council Development Area, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, is on fire.

    Several second-hand clothes and shops have been affected by the inferno, which residents started around 3am.

    Read Also: Fire razes 90 shops at Edo market

    Men of the state fire service located just a stone-throw away and officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency have been mobilised to quench the fire.

    Policemen from the Oke Odo Divisional Headquarters are also on ground to prevent the looting of unaffected shops.