The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Police kill alleged armed robber in Kano

    Operatives of Puff Adder have killed an alleged armed robber in Rano local government area of Kano State.

    A statement issued by Kano Command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, said a team of Operation Puff-Adder attached to Police Area Command Rano was on Friday afternoon alerted that a gang of four armed men attacked a residence in the town.

    It stated that the team immediately rushed to the scene where they engaged the armed robbers in a gun battle.

    Read Also: London varsity honours Emir of Kano, others

    The statement said luck ran against the hoodlums when the Puff-Adder operatives with superior gunfire gunned down one of them, while the remaining three escaped into the nearby thick forest.

    “On hot chase, as they were retreating, they abandoned a locally made pistol with three rounds of live cartridges.” It said the gang has been terrorising Rano, Kibiya, Bunkure, Tudun Wada along Falgore Forest axis a while ago.

    The statement said the commissioner of police directed that the three remaining fleeing suspects be timely tracked, identified, arrested and any exhibit (s) or arms in their possession recovered.

    The command, therefore, calls on good citizens of the state to continue cooperating with the police for a timely and prompt rendition of information and intelligence on any form of crime and criminality across the state.

  • HIV and AIDS: ‘How we’re tackling stigmatisation in Nasarawa’

    Nasarawa State Coordinator of People Living with HIV and AIDS (NEPWHAN), Mr. Philip Lokoko, has stated that self acceptance and right living are ways of overcoming stigmatisation.

    Lokoko stressed that no one should allow himself to be bugged down, as testing HIV positive isn’t the end of the world neither is it a death sentence.

    Besides, he said they have embraced support groups where they mix and catch fun like every other person.

    “I really want to appreciate God because having known my status, at the initial stage it wasn’t easy. But for now with the knowledge I have received from interactions with partners and other groups involved in HIV and AIDS, I think life has become far better and I have been able to overcome stigmatisation.

    “Because, the key issue in HIV and AIDS is self acceptance of status without putting blame on others. By the time you overcome self-stigma, then I think you can live a normal life and enjoy yourself.

    Lokoko claimed that when he knew his status 15 years ago, it was like a death sentence. He said further: “Today, I am a role model to people living with the virus in the state and community.”

    Attending support group meetings has also been the game changer in the state as most of the people living with the virus in the state belong to one support group or the other, he said.

    The state coordinator explained that “joining support group helped me to overcome stigmatisation as we were equipped with knowledge that living with the virus is not a death sentence. We were told that stigma even kills faster than the virus.

    “I no longer panic when people talk about the virus now. Where there is proper pre-test counselling and orientation it is easier to overcome stigma.”

    On the impact of support groups, he said: “We started in the state with only eleven support groups, but today we have 42 support groups with 2775 members after going around the state to create awareness that people should move out of self-stigmatisation.”

    Read Also: 200 corps members seek relocation from Nasarawa

    A 42-year-old mother of four, Ruth Yakubu, noted that stigmatisation does not apply to her as she refused to be stigmatised.

    She said, “For me as a person, stigma is no longer an issue because I refuse to be stigmatised by people. You know at times people are stigmatised when they allow themselves to be stigmatised. But for me I have overcome stigmatisation long time ago.

    Only last week, the Civil Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN) protested against a purported social media publication by a practicing nurse, Ejimbe Lilian, targeted at perpetuating stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria.

    “Most worrisome is the fact that the nurse is a licensed and trained health care professional who is under oath of confidentiality to protect both the identity of her patients and the sanctity of her profession. This singular act will not only encourage other people to stigmatise and discriminate against people living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria but it will also increase the already high stigma index in the country,” CiSHAN stated.

  • Kaduna ranks highest in e-governance

    Kaduna State has emerged as the best state in an e-governance ranking carried out by the Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies, CIAPS.

    The research which was a joint project by the students of media and journalism and students of digital media saw Kaduna leading in Nigeria with 72 per cent, followed closely by Delta State with 70 per cent and Anambra State with 65.5 per cent.

    Taraba State had the lowest score with 20 per cent while Nasarawa State doesn’t have a website at all.

    Explaining how the results were gotten, a student, Appeal Tareye, said they were judged by how often they update the website and other factors.

    Read Also: Kaduna Assembly rejects commissioner nominee over social media criticisms

    “We visited the websites and compared them, then we also visited websites of other continents to see if we were being moderate with our judgments,” he said.

    On his part, Director, CIAPS, Prof Anthony Kila, said the research was necessary so that states may be aware of how poorly their websites are and take steps to improve on them because, according to him, very soon only the dead will not be actively online.

    He said: “We once in a while check those who are supposed to govern us to see if they are doing what they should be doing and we hold them accountable.”

  • Politicians encourage laziness among the youths, says Emir 

    Freebies and all sorts of monetary enticements given by politicians to seek support from the youths  are encouraging laziness among them, the Emir of Ningi Emirate in Bauchi State, Dr. Yunusa Muhammad, Danyaya has said.

    The traditional ruler criticised politicians who indulge in such and advised that they should initiate poverty reduction programmes instead of giving out gifts to lure youths during electioneering period.

    The Emir of Ningi spoke at his palace yesterday when members of the Society for Water and Hygiene Network (NEWSAN), Bauchi branch, paid him a courtesy visit in furtherance of the Fullfil Your Promise  campaign on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)  in the state.

    Read Also: London varsity honours Emir of Kano, others

    The octogenarian  also  warned youths to desist from demanding monetary gifts from their leaders, saying the act only creates a bottleneck for development.

    He said that corrupt politicians were responsible for lack of water, sanitation and hygiene in rural communities where preventable diseases are endemic.

    He called on representatives in government to be committed to provision of WASH facilities in public places to fight the menace of cholera, diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases.

    Speaking earlier, NEWSAN Programme Officer, Mr. Nichol Kankani, sought for the support of traditional rulers in prevailing on newly elected political office holders to fulfil their electioneering promises on provision of water and toilet in public places in the society.

  • Stakeholders urge Cross River REC to join Bayelsa guber race

    Hundreds of stakeholders in Bayelsa State at the weekend marched the streets of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State calling on the Cross River Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Frankland Briyal, to join the November 16 governorship race in Bayelsa State.

    The stakeholders under the auspices of the Bayelsa Grassroots Development Initiative (BDGI) were led in the solidarity march, which started from Tombia to Alamieyeisegha road, by Prof. Emiemokumo, Augustine-Neto Adakaigbe, Tamaranebi Richard and Gilbert Inesei.

    Inesei, who read the group’s communique after the march, appealed to Briyal to return to his state as a matter of urgency and contest the election.

    Inesei assured the REC that their group was spread across the eight local government areas in Bayelsa and would mobilise to win the election.

    Read Also: Nobody intimidated INEC officials, witnesses tell tribunal

    He said after the general meeting of the BDGI all members of the group unanimously agreed that Briyal possesses the requisite knowledge, experience, education and achievements to govern Bayelsa.

    Inesei said: “The caucus and indeed the entire members of the BDGI resolved to support a candidate fresh and new, who we believe can deliver, irrespective of where he comes from, to vie for the governorship race as all Bayelsans are united in their quest for a governor, with proven integrity and capacity.

    “Having taken time and studied a highly detribalised technocrat, seasoned administrator and retired career military officer with an impeccable character and pedigree, we have come to recognize that the man Dr. Frankland Oyins Briyai, has what it takes to move Bayelsa state to the next level, beyond the mundane issue of zoning and party sentiment.

    “Dr Frankland Oyins Briyaihas been unanimously chosen across the state and we encourage him to honour the request of BDGIand  join  the governorship race”.

  • Kinsmen pass vote of confidence on Oshiomhole

    Kinsmen of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, have passed a vote of confidence on his leadership of the party.

    The kinsmen who are members of the APC in Etsako West Constituency 2 also expressed support for the member-elect representing the constituency at the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Seid Oshiomhole, the lawmakers-elect currently holed up in Abuja waiting for Governor Godwin Obaseki to issue fresh proclamation before presenting himself to be sworn-in.

    Read Also: Edo APC crisis: Is peace now in sight?

    Speaking at an enlarged meeting of APC leaders and stakeholders, at Iyamho-Uzairue, leader of the APC in the constituency, Chief Pius Akpaibor, poured encomium on  Comrade Oshiomole for successfully leading the party to victory before, during and after the general elections despite political landmines.

    Chief Akpaibor said Oshiomhole has provided effective leadership for the APC across the country.

    He said Seid has shown uncommon courage, loyalty and doggedness in the struggle for rightness and justice.

    The APC leaders passed absolute vote of confidence on Seid for being obedient to his constituent.

    They vowed to resist any attempt by anybody or group to rubbish their son, Comrade Oshiomhole.

  • Nobody intimidated INEC officials, witnesses tells tribunal

    Witnesses of the All Progressives Congress, APC and its candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency, Hon Dennis Idahosa, have told the National and State Assemblies Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Bénin City that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were not intimidated at their various polling units.

    The witnesses said INEC officials present during the elections did not take instructions from party leaders or agents.

    They spoke during the resumed hearing of the petition filed by Barr. Omosede Igbinedion, who lost her return bid to the House of Representatives.

    Barr. Igbinedion is asking the tribunal to declare her winner of the election on grounds that Idahosa did not score majority of lawful votes.

    Read Also: Court dismisses Ortom, PDP, INEC appeals against APC

    Igbinedion closed her case last week after calling 19 instead of 71 witnesses pencilled to be called.

    A total of 73 witnesses are expected to testify for the APC and Idahosa in defence of the electoral victory.

    A witness, Mr. Bakassi Isaac, who said he voted in Unit five, Ward eight Ovia South West local government said he did not go home after the Presiding Officer announced results of the election.

    Isaac said all agents of political parties present after the results were announced signed the result sheets.

    Another witness, Ekhator Godwin, said there was peace during the conduct of the elections in his unit.

    Further hearing of the petition was adjourned to August 1st, 2019.

  • WHO, UNICEF, others hail Ugwuanyi on polio immunization

    International Health Development Partners in Enugu State have commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration towards the tremendous improvement recorded in the health indices of the state.

    The health bodies also lauded the governor for his roles towards the attainment of good health services through the repositioning and revitalization of the Primary Health Care programme and the routine immunization coverage of the state.

    Speaking during the flag-off of the first round of the 2019 National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) in the state, which was performed by Gov. Ugwuanyi, the bodies, through their representatives, Dr. Ada Erinne and Dr. Ibrahim Conte, congratulated the governor for maintaining a polio-free state since 2006.

    Dr. Erinne, State Director, WHO, said they were impressed with the governor’s presence at the event, describing such commitment as “a very bold step towards supporting the cause of children especially those under the age of five”.

    She encouraged the state government to continue to strengthen all activities that would help it maintain a routine immunization status of 85 percent especially in the rural communities.

    Read Also: WHO set to declare Nigeria polio free

    On his part, UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Enugu, Dr. Conte, stated that the organization was delighted that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration “has yielded good results in the signing and establishment of Primary Health Care under one roof transition committee to revitalize PHC service delivery”.

    The UNICEF representative told the governor that he has demonstrated high political will towards the progress of the health sector, noting that “this activity is another indication of government’s readiness and the people’s preparedness to ensure that Enugu State, and indeed Nigeria remain polio-free”.

    In their separate remarks, the Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi and the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. George Ugwu, pointed out that the immunization programme was to ensure that there is no case of polio in Enugu State and Nigeria.

    Flagging off the programme, Gov. Ugwuanyi described the NIPDs as “a much welcome complement to the ongoing initiatives and campaign of the state government against Wild Polio Virus and other vaccine preventable diseases in the state”.

    The governor maintained that his administration is not only more determined to ensure complete eradication of polio in Enugu State but already taking proactive measures to ensure that the menace never recurs in the state.

  • Suspected tricycle snatcher nabbed for stabbing operator

    A 22 year old man, Ikwumelu Emmanuel, was on Saturday arrested for allegedly stabbing a commercial tricyclist in Abatete, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The suspect, a native of Ire Ogbu Abatete was said to have attacked the victim, Monday Elom, in an attempt to snatch his tricycle from him.

    Confirming the incident, the Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, said the suspect was arrested by Police patrol team attached to Eziowelle Division in conjunction with vigilante group in Abatete.

    “Suspect boarded a tricycle along Olulu-udu, ogbu abatete and stabbed the tricyclist, one Monday Elom, aged 34 years of Nkwelle Ogidi on his shoulder right inside his moving Keke-Napep in a bid to snatch the tricycle.

    “The victim was rushed to hospital for treatment while the knife used in the attack was recovered as exhibit.”

    Read Also: Thief jailed four years

    The PPRO also confirmed the arrest of two other suspected tricycle snatchers in Okpoko, near Onitsha.

    He said the suspects, Ekene Offorka (19) and Ekene Ndidigwe (18) both of Ezeagu in Enugu State, were arrested by Police detectives attached to Okpoko Division.

    He however said the tricycle has been recovered from the suspects.

    “Suspects who specialise in stealing tricycles at night using high technical knowledge of defusing any tricycle security stole a tricycle belonging  to one Ekeson Pius of Udeaja street Okpoko,” he added.

    He assured that the suspects would be charged after investigations were concluded.

  • We’re not intimidated by threat to relocate FUTO – Host communities

    Host communities of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), have described the recent claim of hostility against the institution by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, as a ploy to blackmail and intimidate the communities to abandon the ownership of their lands and legitimate demands.

    The Federal Government had on Friday, threatened to relocate FUTO over encroachment of the University’s land by the host communities, which it said will no longer be tolerated.

    Reacting to the threat, the communities described the allegation of encroachment on the University land as a misrepresentation of fact, intended to paint the communities in bad light, adding that the University has not complied with laid down procedure on land acquisition in line with the Land Use Act.

    They insisted that, “the hue and cry and probably threat to remove the University does not move us in any way, we are dealing with people in citadel of learning and we expect them to come with facts, not with propaganda, they are not politicians”.

    Read Also: OML 25 protest: Shell seeks peace with host communities

    The communities however restated their willingness to cooperate with the Federal Government to resolve the impasse, “we are willing to cooperate with the Federal Government to see that the issue is resolved in the interest of both parties, in the interest of those that willingly allowed their land to be acquired and in the interest of the Federal Government itself and not in the interest of any individual in FUTO”.

    Addressing journalists on behalf of the eight communities, an Estate Surveyor, Sam Anokam, disclosed that the University has not paid full compensation for the land 37 years after it was acquired.

    According to him, “the allegation of hostility and encroachment intends to make the host communities look wicked or that they want to eat their cake and have it, but land acquisition has a procedure as set out in the Land Use Act and due compliance of the procedure obviously will not create any problem with any acquiring authority or institution of government that has been given the land in any way but in the case of FUTO, there was no compliance with procedure of land acquisition and that has been the crux of the matter”.

    He continued that, “when you acquire land, there is an understanding, even if the state government acquires land and hand over to the Federal Government, the expectation is that there must be payment of compensation, whole and entire in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Land Use Act.