The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • We ‘ll reply Obasanjo’s letter soon – ACF

    The mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has reacted to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Northern socio-cultural organization said it was still studying the letter and will speak on it soon.

    ACF, in a one-sentence statement sent to The Nation by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, did not give further details.

    Read Also: Full text of Obasanjo’s open letter to president Buhari

    According to the forum, “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is studying Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari and will make it’s position known soon.”

    Obasanjo in the letter released by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, had expressed worry over high level of insecurity in the country.

    He called on the president to take decisive action to prevent the situation from escalating into a full-blown crisis.

    According the letter: “I am very much worried and afraid that we are on the precipice and dangerously reaching a tipping point where it may no longer be possible to hold danger at bay. Without being immodest, as a Nigerian who still bears the scar of the Nigerian civil war on my body and with a son who bears the scar of fighting Boko Haram on his body, you can understand, I hope, why I am so concerned.”

  • Kwara Assembly probes alleged transfer of chalet to Saraki

    The Kwara House of Assembly on Tuesday directed its Committee on Land, Housing and Urban Development to investigate the alleged transfer of the ownership of a four-bedroom chalet to the immediate past Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

    The building named Alimi Lodge is located on Alimi road in GRA, llorin, the state capital.

    The directive of the House followed the raising of the issue under matters of urgent public importance by Omotayo Awodiji (APC-lrepodun).

    Awodiji, while raising the matter, said that the lodge was transferred to Saraki under the state’s Pension Law for Governors and Deputy Governors.

    Read Also: Kwara generated N16.1b revenue in six months

    Saraki was a two-term governor of the state.

    Awodiji, however, insisted that the ownership of the lodge was not transferable as it was meant for an incumbent Chief Executive of the state.

    The Speaker, Danladi Yakubu-Salihu, while reading the resolutions of the House, said there was the need for the House to investigate the matter.

    This, he said, was to put an end to all forms of abnormality in the state in order to enhance the well- being of the people and fast track the socio-economic development of the state.

    The committee was mandated to report back to the House on Thursday.

    (NAN)

  • Lagos declares Lekki, Ikoyi toll free on Wednesday again

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has again declared the two toll plazas at Lekki and Ikoyi-Lekki link bridge toll free during peak hours on Wednesday.

    This is in continuation of the government’s real simulation survey of traffic situation in the axis with the aim of reducing traffic congestion around the Lekki-Epe and Ikoyi axis.

    A statement by the Governor’s Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, explained a toll-free passage  on Lekki-Epe Expressway and the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge would run between 6:30 am and 9:30 am  and 4:30pm to 7.30pm.

    The toll free hours, Sanwo-Olu stated, is to allow traffic consultants to the government carry out a comprehensive study of traffic flow around Lekki-Ikoyi-Victoria Island axes, which is part of the initiatives the government is bringing to diffuse vehicular gridlock in major Business Districts.

    Read Also: Buhari, Sanwo-Olu meet on Lekki, Badagry ports, others

    According to the governor, the cost of the toll fees for the study period will be borne by the government.

    The governor said the administration was undertaking a traffic study with a group of experts to know where the traffic would go when the tollgates are left open for steady movement.

    “It is only when we do this activity at the peak hour that we will be able to understand how to deal with congestion in these places,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    He stated the undertaking was necessary for the government to take actions that would lead to reduction of traffic on the axes by 50 per cent.

    The resultant effect, he said, would lead to decrease in travel time and improved productivity.

  • Fact check: Claims of 80,000 poisoned cows from north false

    Claim – Are there 80,000 cows from the North with the virus of cow pox?

    Conclusion – No

    Full text

    A recent WhatsApp message circulated in groups claim there are currently 80,000 cows from the north with virus of cow pox.

    The broadcast reads: “Poison 80,000 cows from the north with the virus of cow pox. Please call all your family, tell them not to buy or eat cow meat from tomorrow by Nigeria government. There is virus of cow pox now. Send to people you know, you might save life. Please make sure you inform your loved ones.”

    This message may have been making rounds due to the current agitations against Ruga settlements, which many states and individuals have rejected, leading to its suspension by the federal government.

    Verification of claim

    Cow pox is an infectious disease caused by cowpox virus. The virus is zoonotic, meaning it is transferable between species such as from animal to human.

    The transferal of the disease was first observed in dairymaids who touched the udders of infected cows and consequently developed the signature pustules on their hands.

    Cowpox is more commonly found in animals other than bovines, such as rodents. Cowpox is similar to, but much milder than, the highly contagious and often deadly smallpox disease.

    The Nation and Dubawa check revealed a similar message was released in October 17, 2017 in a Facebook page titled “Never Give Up”.

    A google reversed image search revealed the picture attached to the 2019 claim making round is the picture of small pox vaccine blister popped while the first possible post that showed the picture was in August 10, 2011.

    Contacts were made to the various groups this was posted but no one seemed to know where it originated from. Everyone simply said they spread the news to educate others.

    Read Also: Fact Check analysis: Why Niger Governor’s May Day claims may not be true!

    Emails to the Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Agriculture through their official email on the issue were not replied as at the time of filing this report.

    Boko Haram is a deadly Islamic sect operating in North East Nigeria, Cameroon and some neighboring countries. Its usual methods, namely bombings, shooting, destruction of properties and kidnap is well known but in saying the sect could have poisoned 80,000 cows with the “Cow Pox” virus would mean that Boko Haram may have added bioterrorism to its method.

    However, truth is it is nothing but a hoax.

    The message on WhatsApp and Facebook platforms is not based on any information from competent authorities.

    A nutritionist in the Niger Ministry of Health, Dietitian Asmau Abubakar Muhammad said cooking meat in high temperature can kill bacteria and virus, except for some that have been said to withstand high temperature which she said cow pox is does not belong to.

    “High temperature can kill bacteria and virus but there are some bacterial that can withstand high temperature but a micro-biologist can classify these bacteria.

    “But I can tell you that cooking to the right temperature can kill any virus or bacteria in meat.”

    Conclusion

    The claim that there are 80,000 poisoned cows from the north with the virus of cow pox and its picture is false and misleading. It is meant to create fear and panic among Nigerians.

    • This fact-check was done by a Dubawa Fact-checking Fellow in collaboration with The Nation.

  • Two held for ‘robbing’ Uber driver

    An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday remanded two men at Kirikiri Prisons for allegedly robbing an Uber driver, Charles Ekwamu, of his Toyota Camry car.

    Daniel Anagor, 28 and Samuel Effiong, 21, were also accused of attempting to strangle their victim after dispossessing him of his car.

    They are facing a three-count charge of armed robbery, conspiracy and attempted murder before Chief Magistrate M.I. Dan-Oni.

    Prosecuting Inspector Victor Eruada said the defendants committed the offence with others at large on June 14 at Abijo, Lekki, Lagos.

    Read Also: Three held for robbing women of cash, phones

    He said Ekwamu was attacked while driving the defendants and his accomplices. They suddenly brought out a rope and a knife and attacked him, he said.

    Eruada alleged that the defendants tried to strangle him with a rope while he was being robbed of his car with number-plate KJA 116 EY.

    He said they also robbed their victim of his phone, five Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards and N250,000.

    The prosecutor said the defendants were arrested by some policemen while trying to escape.

    Chief Magistrate Dan-Oni did not take the defendant’s plea.

    She ordered that the defendants be remanded at Kirikiri pending an advice by Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    The case continues on August 5.

  • Army denies threatening Ibadan communities with shooting range

    General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division Maj-Gen. Okwudili Azinta has debunked the claims by residents of six communities in Arulogun-Igbo Oloyin, Ibadan that the Army’s shooting range in the area is a threat to their lives and property.

    The Army boss, who said bullets from the division’s shooting range do not go beyond the cantonment, added that the Army as a disciplined organisation will not engage in any act that is capable of endangering the life of any Nigerian nor bring the institution into disrepute.

    The GOC spoke on Monday at the headquarters of the division in Ibadan after reporters were conducted around the shooting range and were also made to witness the firing of the projectiles by officers.

    Residents of Ajobo, Omilabu, Idi-Omo, Anilelerin, Keda and Oluseyi in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State recently staged a protest walk, saying bullets from the Army shooting range have damaged many houses, vehicles, as well as injured many people in the communities.

    Read Also: Why Army trains, retrains officers, soldiers, by GOC

    Many of the residents claimed that bullets from the shooting range had often escaped the stop-buff at the army shooting range into the communities, hurting people and property.

    Azinta, who was supported by the Garrison Commander of the Division, Brig-Gen. Oluyinka Soyele and Deputy Director, Army Public Relations of the Division, Col. Hassan Mohammed, stated that the Army was conscious of the fact that soldiers are being paid from taxes being paid by the people.

    He added that the military would not use the weapon given to them by the people against them.

    According to him, a distance of 2,000 metres exists between the stop-butt of the range and the nearest community, adding that the effective range of the main weapon – AK47 rifle – being fired at the range is 800 metres.

  • Senate backs deployment of soldiers in Southsouth

    Towards checking insecurity in the southern part of the country, the Senate may support the deployment of soldiers in the area.

    The Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, addressed State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa yesterday.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the weekend canvassed for deployment of soldiers.

    He said: “Absolutely. On a good day it is not something we would encourage because as much as possible you will want to keep the military in the barracks, but because of the exigencies of the moment, we have no choice but to encourage that.

    Read Also: Senate urges IG to curb killings

    “Nigerians need to be assured of their safety at all times, which is the essence of governance as guaranteed by the constitution. Therefore, as canvassed and indeed ordered by the Vice President, that we have the Army provide security at check points, if that will go a long way in preventing kidnapping and banditry, why not?

    “We are not happy like most Nigerians about what is going on, most especially in Zamfara. We believe the head of the security architecture in Zamfara, being the Commissioner of Police, can do more than they have already done. We are encouraging them to do that because Mr. President has provided everything they need; everything in terms of funding and acquisition of weaponry.

    “It is now left for them to justify the positions they hold in Zamfara, and other states of course.”

  • DPR lifts sanctions on Petrocam’s 89 filling stations

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has lifted sanctions placed on Petrocam Trading Nigeria Limited, a downstream marketing company, for violating the agency’s rules and regulations.

    This is coming after Petrocam’s operation nationwide was suspended for 10 days.

    The Acting Director of DPR, Ahmed Shakur, said Petrocam committed an infraction against DPR in one of its gas plants in Ayobo, a suburb in Lagos State.

    According to him, the DPR had a case with Petrocam Trading Nigeria Limited and it sealed its over 89 retail outlets nationwide.

    Shakur said DPR’s surveillance team found Petrocam operating a big gas plant, a facility that was sealed twice for committing an infraction. Unfortunately, the company went against the rules of the agency and unsealed the facility without approval.

    Read Also: DPR shuts 17 illegal LPG outlets in Ibadan

    He said: “Unfortunately, the company went against the rules of the agency and unsealed the facility. The team also went back to seal the facility for the second time. However, the company had the audacity to remove our seal. So, on that basis, the agency had no option than to impose some sanctions and these affected all its retail outlets nationwide.

    “We stopped supply of petroleum products to the company. As at today, the company has complied with the rules of the DPR and it has shown remorse for its actions. Also, we have reviewed their position and decided to lift the suspension against the company.”

    The DPR chief noted that DPR has zero tolerance for any act of infractions by licensed operators in the oil and gas industry, adding that the agency was committed to creating an enabling environment for business to strive.

    “We are aware of the trial moment in our economy, and we know few of those companies that are operating in downstream that are adding value. We will also collaborate to ensure conducive environment to operate in.

    “The department will not tolerate any act of infractions from marketers. This should serve as a warning to all that marketers that henceforth, the department would not hesitate to sanction on any defaulting marketer. We are willing to guide and collaborate to make sure we deliver products safely to the public,” Shakur added.

  • Fayemi, Opadokun, others for leadership summit

    Ekiti State Governor and Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairman Kayode Fayemi is billed to deliver a keynote lecture on “Leadership and societal justice” at a three-day National Leadership Summit opening today in Iwo, Osun State.

    Other speakers expected at the summit scheduled for the Bowen University, Iwo, are: Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Olusegun Abraham, Prof Kassey Garba and Dr. Israel Akanji.

    The summit has been organised through the collaboration of three out of the various organs of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (Bowen University, lwo, Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Ogbomoso and the Directorate of Ecumenism for Development and Peace Initiative (DEDPI).

    It will be opened by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Dr. Supo Ayokunle.

    Read Also: Render selfless service, get reward, Fayemi tells corps members

    The objectives of the summit include among others:

    • to apply the principles of transformational leadership for the development of the society;
    • to respond to the challenges associated with the practice of leadership in the Nigerian society;
    • to prepare contemporary generation of young people for leadership responsibilities that will transform the society.

    Also expected are political stakeholders, captains of industries, public office holders, religious leaders, academics, opinion leaders, traditional leaders, civil society and members of the public.

    Besides Rev Ayokunle, others expected are NBTS President Prof. Nihiniola Emiola, Bowen University Vice Chancellor Prof. Matthews Ojo and DEDPI Director Dr Testimony Onifade.

  • Police arrest three herdsmen for allegedly killing farmer

    The police in Ogun State have arrested three herdsmen for allegedly killing a farmer, Rafiu Sowemimo, 40.

    The suspects, Muhammed Adamu, Saliu Ismail and Saliu Adamu, allegedly killed Sowemimo on Sunday at Adao village, Alabata, in Odeda Local Government.

    The suspects were said to have allowed their cattle stray into the farm of the deceased, thereby destroying his crops. An action Sowemimo protested.

    He was said to have accosted the herders, querying their destructive attitude, which led to an altercation.

    Angered by the confrontation, the herders were said to have stabbed Sowemimo dead.

    Read Also: Enough is enough of herdsmen killings in Southwest- Ooni

    Confirming the incident, police spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said the command received a distress call from villagers and sent officers to the scene, led by the Deputy Commissioner in-charge of Operations and State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID).

    “With information from the indigenes, they were able to arrest the three herders who perpetrated the heinous crime.

    “Police Commissioner Bashir Makama has visited the village to condole with the family of the victim. He ordered the transfer of the suspects to the Homicide Section of the SCIID for proper investigation and prosecution,” said Oyeyemi.