The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Organisers of Osun Cultural carnival announce new plans

    Organisers of Osun Cultural Carnival have announced change of plans and total rebranding of the cultural event billed for August 17.

    Our Heritage Branding & Advertising LTD said the event will now be called Nigeria Cultural Carnival with its debut edition slated for Ibadan, capital of Oyo State.

    The carnival is packaged to create an event that would cause a global attraction with over 80,000 attending annually to promote the culture and heritage of 36 states in Nigeria and play host to cultural troupes from around the world.

    On what informed the total rebranding, the festival director, Wilson Chibututu, explained: “The rebranding became necessary after series of meetings with stakeholders and brainstorming sessions with the carnival team. This is an expansion of what we wanted to limit a particular state.”

    Read Also: Ado-Ekiti set to celebrate culture, history with Udiroko festival

    He added: “Nigeria is a multicultural country that deserves to be showcased and placed on the positive map of the world.

    “Instead of having the cultural carnival take place annually, at a state, with the new development, the cultural carnival will be rotated between the 36 states of the Federation, yearly.”

    Nigeria Cultural Carnival promises to be the biggest and most celebrated cultural carnival in Africa.

    In addition, it will feature exciting and interesting segments like cultural challenge, giveaways, competition, Living Legend Award presentations and performances from Africa’s biggest artistes.

    The theme of the carnival is Connect with richness with special performances from Oyo state Cultural Troop, State of Osun Cultural Troop, The Ogunde Theater Group.

    It will be hosted by the first ambassador of Nigeria Cultural Carnival and former Big Brother Naija housemate, Thin Tall Tony.

    Venue is Palms Mall, Ring Road Ibadan by 12 noon while the artiste line up will be unveiled in few days.

  • Who is who in Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet-nominees?

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday transmitted a second list of Commissioner and Special Adviser-nominees to the Assembly.

    Here is a look at some of those on the 13-man list:

    Joe Igbokwe

    Joe Igbokwe, a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, was a leading voice in the pro-democracy family.

    He was an anti-military campaigner during the June 12 struggle. It was during the dark days that the eminent politician and Afenifere Deputy Leader took notice of his honest activities and commitment.

    In 2007, Igbokwe became the Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress (AC), which metamorphosed into the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and later, All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Igbokwe is the Igbo face of APC in Lagos.

    He is a mobiliser, organiser and team worker. Under Tinubu and Fashola administrations, he was the General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Management and Regulatory Agency (LASMIRA).

    He is the General Manager of Lagos Ports Commission.

    Akinderu-Fatai

    A grassroots politician, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai is a household name in the Osodi/Isolo progressive family. He is loyal, humble and patient.

    In 2007, he was elected into the House of Representatives. That was after serving as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) under his leader and mentor, former Special Adviser, and later, Commissioner Oladele Ajomale.

    In 2011, Akinderu- Fatai was re-elected into the National Assembly. He got re-nomination after a hard battle. His detractors peddled falsehood against him.

    After his two terms in the Lower Chamber, he returned home to continue his local politics of mobilising for party candidates. He was full of hope for a brighter future.

    Akinderu-Fatai is perceived as a politician of conviction, honest and committed. He would never rock the boat in the face of transient political adversity.  He is an adjusted player who thrives on hope the elixir of life.

    Arobieke

    Yetunde Arobieke is the Kosofe Amazon, who has attracted affection and hate, owing to her rising profile and capacity for survival. She is the wife of Pa Arobieke, a Somolu based political actor. She knows her onions; bold and brave.

    She rose to prominence as the Chairman of Ketu/Agboyi Council. She was re-elected. An ambitious woman, she vied for the Kosofe House of Representatives ticket.

    During the selection process, she lost to former Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner Rotimi Agunsoye.

    Arobieke is a regular face at the empowerment programmes of Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Yeye Asiwaju of Lagos.

    Kabiru Ahmed

    Ahmed is the leader of Hausa/ Fulani bloc in Lagos APC. He is popular in Agege Council where he once served as Vice Chairman under Chief Enoch Ajiboso.

    Ahmed has also been a stabiliser. He had fostered peaceful coexistence among the diverse tribes in Agege axis. An architect, he has been part of the APC government in Lagos as a member of boards/ parastatal.

    Anofi Elegushi

    A prince of Ikate Kingdom, Lagos State, Anofi is held in esteem in the royal household. He loves to carry himself as a blue blood that he is. He is the former Special Adviser on Transportation.

    Tokunbo Wahab

    A lawyer, Wahab is a very articulate party youth; confident, daring and adventurous. He is loved by the people of Epe.

    When certain elements from the division rebelled against the party, he objected, saying that the house should not fall. He contested for the governorship in 2015.

    Lola Akande

    Akande is a woman known for her composure in the public. This has proved an asset for her in problem solving.

    A relation of Yeye Tinubu, she is a former member of House of Assembly from Ikeja Constituency, in succession to Adeniyi Oyemade, who was appointed Commissioner for Commerce.

    Mrs. Akande is former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. She is a respected party woman.

    Bonu Saanu

    Saanu is a political scientist. He teaches at Lagos State University, Ojo. His specialisation covers International Relations, Peace Studies and Conflict Management

  • I’m ready to empower 2 million youths, says Ganduje

    Kano state Governor Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje has assured over two million youths would be empowered in his second term.

    He said they will join one million youths already empowered as a way of reducing the high rate of insecurity, drug abuse and unemployment in the state.

    Addressing reporters as part of events to mark the 2019 World Youth Day, Ganduje’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Abba Anwar, said the administration empowered over one million youths within the last four years, building several skills acquisition centres, including the N4 billion Ultra-Modern Integrated Skills Acquisition Centre at Gurjiya town of Dawkin Kudu local government.

    According to him: “Because of our worry with the extent of persisting rate of unemployment among our youths who are productive and only waiting for the right leader and implementable policies, we as a government, come up with policies and programmes that will pave way for our youth to explore the numerous opportunities in the entrepreneurship that is being explored tremendously in other developed societies.

    “To cap it all, our state government has established Ministry for Youth and Sports Development, because of the special concern we have for our youth. Not less than 1 Million youth were empowered under Ganduje administration just in his first tenure in office.”

    Anwar listed some of the interventions of Ganduje’s administration in the area of youths empowerment and development to include the construction of N258 million worth Community Skills and Development Centres at Rumfa College, Kano and Dawakin Tofa.

    “Under this, MAFITA a DFID programme has provided the equipment and Master Craft persons for the Centres. We started with 360 apprentices,” he added.

    Read Also: ILO, AEA, SMEDAN partner on youth empowerment, poverty eradication

    Anwar further stated: “About N4bn was used for the construction and procurement of modern equipment of an Ultra-Modern Integrated Skills Acquisition Centre at Gurjiya town of Dawkin Kudu local government.

    “The Centre provides 24 forms of trades. The construction is done and almost all the machines and equipment are procured. They have all being installed. The Centre is only waiting for commissioning.

    “Very soon those who will work with the new installed machines would be taken to United Kingdom for specialised training on how to use the modern machines. All the machines were procured from the United Kingdom.

    “We sent 75 youth for auto mechanic training with Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Kaduna in Batch I.

    “In Batch II the state government sent 150 youths; of which 100 were male and 50 females. They all graduated since. And auto mechanic garages were constructed for them at different locations in the state.

    “Batch III of such youths are currently at PAN Kaduna for the same training. We believe that it is high time for us to get modern way of servicing or fixing our vehicles. We train them and then empower them.

    “Kano state government, in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President then, in 2018, on Sustainable Development Goals in partnership with United Nations Human Settlement (UN-HABITAT) for the training of some selected youth on Renewable Energy Technologies and Green Entrepreneurship.

    “The state had a One Day Google Digital training for 7,000 youth that was conducted across the state.

    “State government invited some unskilled youth 8,800 males and were given tN20, 000 each as start-up capital for small businesses. They were selected from across the 44 local governments of the state.

    “Similarly 6,600 female youth were also chosen from across the 44 local governments and were given the sum of Fifteen Thousand Naira each N15, 000 as start-up capitals for small businesses.

    “A total number of 4,400 street hawkers were selected and were given the sum N20, 000 as additional capital for the growth of their businesses.

    “About 8,000 youth were selected as beneficiaries of Agri-Business/Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme, which started with the flag-off of 5,000.

    “That is out of the 45,000 potential beneficiaries slated for the programme.

    “Young pastoralists, 60 in number, were selected and sent to Turkey for training on Artificial Insemination.

    “They came back already and would be part of our workers for our upcoming RUGA God’s Grace. These are young and promising Fulani youth.

    “Operators of barbing shops, popcorn delicacies makers, spaghetti makers, tea vendors and other young men and women, over 5,000 of them were trained and were given N20, 000 as additional capital for them to grow well.

    “The state government sponsored 100 youth for a National Innovation Diploma programme at the Digital Bridge Institute, Kano.”

  • Operator gets four years for car theft

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has sentenced a 23-year-old car wash operator, Adeyemi Adetula, to four years imprisonment for stealing a car valued at N3million.

    Magistrate Mrs. B. O. Osunsanmi pronounced the verdict after the defendant pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    Osunsanmi, who did not give Adetula an option of  fine, sentenced him to a term of one year with hard labour on the first count of conspiracy and three years for stealing, but ordered that the sentences should run concurrently.

    “You are hereby sentenced to one year imprisonment for conspiracy and three years for stealing.

    “The sentences will act as a deterrent to others who may want to engage in similar acts,’’ she said.

    Read Also: Police arrest suspected robbery, car theft kingpins

    When the case was called last Friday for a review of facts and sentencing, Adetula still admitted guilt and the magistrate consequently convicted and sentenced him.

    Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ezekiel Ayorinde told the court that the defendant, a resident of Abule-Egba, Lagos, committed the offences in May at Abule-Egba, Lagos.

    He said the defendant bolted with Mr. Lucky Onaghise’s car valued at N3million.

    “The complainant drove his car to the car wash centre and gave it to the defendant for washing.

    “By the time the complainant looked at the direction where he parked his car for washing, he could not see the defendant or his car and he raised the alarm.

    “Colleagues at the carwash centre called the defendant’s phone several times, but he refused to answer the calls.’’

    Ayorinde said the defendant’s phone was tracked and he was arrested in Ondo State, but he had already sold the car.

  • Teenagers arraigned for ‘belonging to unlawful society’

    Four teenagers have been brought before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly belonging to an unlawful society and terrorising their neighbourhood.

    The defendants, Moshood Samad, Sikiru Rasaq, and Amzat Yahaya – all aged  19 – and 18-year-old Taiwo Amzat were charged with conspiracy, membership of unlawful society and breach of the peace.

    They, however, pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Inspector Donjour Perezi said the defendants committed the offences at 11:30pm on July 27, at Ijora, Lagos.

    Read Also: Police arrest 32 suspected cultists, recover arms in Lagos

    He alleged that the defendants were members of an unlawful society called “Eiye” confraternity.

    Perezi said the defendants were arrested while chanting war songs and disturbing the peace of the community.

    “My lord, they were having a meeting and set up a bonfire on the road, where they were singing and disturbing the area.

    “Residents reported the incident at a police station, which led to their raid and arrest.

    “Some of them, however, escaped during the raid,” he said.

    Magistrate Bukola Mogaji admitted the defendants to N50,000 bail each, with two sureties each in like sum.

    She said one of the sureties must be a clergyman or a community leader.

    The case was adjourned till September 4.

  • Slain woman’s mum seeks justice

    The mother of the woman, who was allegedly shot dead by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at Ijegun, Lagos, Mrs. Abosede Taiwo, is seeking justice.

    She said she wants justice at all costs.

    Speaking to The Nation on Monday, the woman alleged that the deceased, Mrs. Busayo Owoodun, was hit by a stray bullet during a shooting that ensued when suspected SARS operatives chased some people suspected to be cyber fraudsters (yahoo boys).

    Amid sobs, Taiwo urged the Lagos State Government to support the deceased’s three children.

    She said Busayo was her only child and her death portended doom for her.

    Read Also: Mob ‘critically’ injures ASP, two other policemen for shooting pregnant woman dead in Lagos

    The woman said: “They have taken my only child, my joy, my everything. She fed me morning, afternoon and night because I am jobless. How will I cope?

    “I am appealing to the government to help her three children. They must not suffer.” The deceased’s husband, Yusuf Owoodun, said it had been a task coping since his wife was pronounced dead at a neighbourhood hospital.

    He implored the government and well- meaning individuals to assist him regarding the education of their children.

    Owoodun said: “I am calling on the government to help us. I cannot train these children with my tailoring work.”

    The Nation gathered that the deceased was felled by a stray bullet in front of her house when she attempted to shield her youngest child from danger when the shooting began.

  • Team meets Apapa residents over gridlock

    The presidential task team on the decongestion of Apapa gridlock will today hold a town hall meeting with Apapa residents, Vice Chairman Comrade Kayode Opeifa has said.

    Opeifa, in a statement yesterday, said the meeting, scheduled to hold at St Andrew’s Anglican Church hall, Oscar Ibru Way (formerly Marine Road), Apapa, is aimed at generating better ways of sustaining the successes of the team and keeping the traffic in Apapa and its environs flowing.

    The statement said: “The meeting will enable residents come up with how to keep the traffic in Apapa moving, as well as informing them about efforts and plans to resolve the perennial traffic challenges.”

    President Muhammadu Buhari on May 23 issued a presidential order giving trailer and tanker drivers and operators 72 hours to leave the roads and bridges leading to Apapa ports.

    Read Also: Apapa gridlock: End to a nightmare

    He mandated a task team headed by Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo to restore order and discipline on Apapa roads and ensure the drivers comply.

    The committee’s initial two-week terms of reference ended on June 12. It was extended and the committee was mandated to work until the area is sanitised.

    Opeifa said the team has achieved success in its terms of reference.

    “What remains is for the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) to put in more efforts at enforcing traffic regulation at Apapa and ensuring that the truck transit parks at Lilypond and Tin Can transit park work as intended.

    “We urge leaders of the transport unions such as the Coalition of Maritime Transport Unions Association (COMTUA), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Association of Road Transport Operators (NARTO) and Association of Maritime Transport Owners (AMARTO) to manage their drivers,” he added.

  • Police nab 100 robbery suspects

    Over 100 robbery suspects were arrested on the Mile 2-Badagry Expressway between January and this month, Lagos State Police Command has said.

    Deputy Police Commissioner (Operations) Mr. Mohammed Ali made this known yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    He was reacting to public complaints about incessant robberies on the road.

    Ali said the command’s security strategies were still in place, yielding positive results.

    He said at peak periods, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) are to monitor traffic situation under them, to decongest traffic and check criminals operating during such period.

    “Our major challenge on the Badagry expressway is the bad road and the articulated vehicles and tankers parked on the road from Mile 2. They are not helping security.

    “The tankers block the expressway. Heavy traffic is built up daily and this attracts robbers.

    “Yet our men are moving round to secure people.

    Read Also: Police foil bank robbery, arrest kingpin in Lagos

    “Our monitoring men are in parts of the metropolis,’’ Ali said.

    He added: “We have officers sent out from morning till night for traffic control, to complement other traffic officials and monitor black spots.”

    Ali debunked the allegation that the police always looked the other way when some military personnel and their wards were involved in robbery on the expressway, particularly around Ojo.

    Said he: “It is not possible for anyone to commit crime and the police will look the other way. No matter who you are, you will be arrested if you commit crime.

    “No one is above the law, even if you are a uniform person. Over 100 robbers have been arrested on the Badagry Expressway this year.’’

    On rape cases, Ali said over 60 persons, including some men who slept with their daughters and got them pregnant, were arrested and arraigned.

    “We don’t waste time on rape cases. Once arrested, there is a special court in Ikeja where the suspects are arraigned.

    “Rape is a special offence that needs special attention,’’ he said.

    Ali said the police did not have to wait for 24 hours before beginning investigation in a case of a missing person, adding that such was not the practice of the command.

    “The Commissioner of Police did not give such an instruction that the police should wait for 24 hours to start investigation whenever people report a case of a missing person.

    “That is dangerous to the survival of the victim. We believe that within 24 hours, such a victim should be found.

    “When any officer receives a report of a missing person, the first thing to do is to make a radio announcement to alert the command, so that if such person is kidnapped, the men on the road can search all areas, vehicles and not wait for 24 hours.

    “If anyone is found to do that in Lagos Command, such a person will be dealt with, because that is not our practice,’’ he said.

    On the activities of “No Salary Boys”, Ali said more than 30 of them had been arrested in the last one week, noting that the police were arresting them daily and would continue to raid them.

    The “No Salary Boys’’ have been on the rampage in the last two weeks at Igando. They go from house to house robbing people of their belongings and inflicting injuries on some residents.

  • Sanwo-Olu’s wife urges Lagosians to be united

    Wife of Lagos State Governor Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has urged Lagosians to live as one.

    She said it is in doing so that the government will remain focused to deliver on its promises and develop the state.

    She spoke on Monday at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja during the celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir.

    Mrs. Sanwo-Olu admonished Lagosians to be thankful to Almighty Allah that peace and harmony reigned in the state.

    She said Islam does not only preach unity, but also laid down rules and practices, which help to promote unity and togetherness.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu: I’ll be open and transparent

    “For example, the Jama’h (congregational) prayers and the Hajj are meant to foster togetherness; togetherness and mutual co-operation bring prosperity to all. This creates bond of friendship and helpfulness to one another in times of need. It gives rise to strength and power to face an enemy,” Mrs. Sanwo-Olu said.

    She added that the Sallah brings everybody together not as Muslims or Christians, but as one family either by blood or by friendship.

    “The Holy Prophet (Peace Be upon Him) said: ‘Togetherness promotes goodness and separation causes misery. Allah (God) supports those living together, eating together. The blessings (of Allah) lie in togetherness.’”

    The governor’s wife said the celebration is significant because it symbolises the faith of Ibrahim in Allah, which made him want to sacrifice his only son to Allah in obedience to His command.

    Delivering a lecture earlier, Dr. Luqmon Abdulraheem from the Nigeria America University, Yola, Adamawa State, said Prophet Ibrahim’s life demonstrated sound faith in Allah, submission to the will of Allah, nation building and hospitality, which everybody must emulate.

    He implored Lagosians to key into the development agenda of the Lagos State Government as contained in the THEMES programme of the Governor Sanwo-Olu administration.

    Dignitaries at the celebration included former governors of Lagos State Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Rear Admiral (retd.) Ndubuisi Kanu, ex-Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat Adebule, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor’s Advisory Council, Lanre Razaq, Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU) Prof. Lanre Fagbohoun, Lagos APC Chairman Tunde Balogun, APC Women Leader for Southwest and Lagos Yeye Kemi Nelson, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas and others.

  • No rift with Oshiomhole, says Obaseki

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has said there is no rift between him and his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole. The governor said the assumed rift is created by third parties.

    Obaseki spoke yesterday at St. Paul Catholic Church, Benin, at a mass to mark the 80th birthday of the first Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

    He said: “I thank you very much for the remarkable homily. I listened very attentively; I have taken every word to heart and very seriously. I assure you that we are in pursuit of peace and we will have peace in Edo State.

    “We have met – me and my predecessor in office – and fortunately, we do not have any fundamental issues. And because we do not have any fundamental issues, I believe that whatever third parties are trying to propagate, we can talk over it. I assure you that very soon things will return to normalcy in Edo State.”

    Governor Obaseki said the government, in line with the spirit of Nigeria’s national anthem, will not forget the labour of past heroes.

    Read Also: Resolution of issues created by third parties in Edo on course – Obaseki

    “Today, we are here to celebrate our own Chief Odigie-Oyegun. On behalf of the people and government of Edo State, I congratulate you on your 80th birthday,” he added.

    The governor named the Civil Service Training Centre, still being built, after Chief Oyegun.

    “For your contributions and what you have done for our dear state, I have decided to name the public service academy, which is under construction, after you. We know your passion for public service; we know and acknowledge the contributions you made to public service in Nigeria. Therefore, we have decided to name this edifice which will be completed in the next 60 days, by the grace of God, after you.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari will open the academy with you standing beside him. It will be known as the John Odigie-Oyegun Institute for Public Administration,” Obaseki said.

    Other dignitaries at the service include Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu; Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and wife Betty; Speaker of the House of Assembly Frank Okiye; Chief Judge Justice Esohe Ikponmwen.