The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Obaseki sacks eight commissioners

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has sacked eight commissioners. Obaseki reshuffled his executive after he returned from Abuja.

    Immediate past Speaker of the House of Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto, was appointed a Special Adviser.

    Those sacked were Joseph Ugheoke (Energy and Water Resources); Magdalene Ohenhen (Women Affairs and Social Development) and Osahon Amiolemen (Commissioner for Infrastructure).

    Others were Dr. David Osifo (Health); Mika Amanokha (Youths and Special Duties); Mariam Abubakar (Budget); Emmanuel Usoh (Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment); Dr. Christopher Adesotu (Science and Technology).

    Read Also: Breaking: Edo monarchs seek Buhari’s intervention in Obaseki, Oshiomhole feud

    A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, reads: “The following persons have been nominated for appointment as commissioners – Damian Lawani; Joe Ikpea; Felix Akhabue; Moses Agbakor; Momoh Oise Omorogbe and Marie Edeko.

    “The government offers its gratitude to the outgoing commissioners for their service and assures of continued cordial relations in the years ahead, while congratulating the newly appointed commissioners and special advisers, urging them to serve the people with integrity.”

    The statement advised the outgoing commissioners to hand over all government property in their possession to the Permanent Secretaries in their ministries, and wished them well in their future endeavors.

    Others appointed Special Advisers are Magdalene Ohenhen; Osaigbovo Iyoha; Andrew Momodu and Ojo Asien.

  • Buhari support organisations hold thanksgiving

    The Buhari Support Organisations (BSO), Southwest Zone, led by Prince Felix Awofisayo, has held a thanksgiving service in Osogbo, Osun State.

    The service was to thank God for the successful and peaceful outcome of the 2019 presidential election in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari, and to offer prayers that the impending Supreme Court judgment on the Osun governorship election will be decided in favour of Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

    Prominent clerics present at the thanksgiving were Dr Taofeek Abdulhameed, Deputy Imam of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede; Special Apostle J. F Ogunsola from the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, and others.

    Governor Oyetola, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Binouyo acknowledged the impact of support organisations in politics, and gave great kudos to the strategic efforts of the organisation.

    Read Also: Buhari assents to Police Trust Fund bill, others

    Prince Awofisayo thanked God for the re-election of President Buhari, who he described as a believer in social justice “and the solidarity of communities”. He also prayed for Oyetola’s success at the Supreme Court.

    He said: “The Next Level will be pivotal for the good health of the republic as well as the consolidation of what President Buhari has already started, which is the creation of a political economy that will benefit the majority. We give thanks that under the guidance of our creator, the president is committed to waging a no holds barred attack on poverty.

    “In the Next level, the war will be fought with rigour, the foundation laid for poverty to be eradicated. When the history of our time is written, those who rallied around the ordained banner of social justice through the Next level will have their names on the pantheon of the honourables.”

  • ‘Buhari, Sanwo-Olu should develop economy’

    Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos East, Kaoli Olusanya has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to show Nigerians clear-cut vision that will enhance development, peace, progress and unity.

    The former Commissioner for Agric and Cooperatives said a leader must lead, and “that is why Mr. President must show us where we are going in the next two, three and four years”.

    Olusanya, who addressed reporters at the party secretariat on ACME road, maintained that there must be equity, justice and fair-play in the actions and in-actions of President Buhari.

    Read Also: Buhari meets Sanwo-Olu over Lekki, Badagry seaports, others

    The ex-commissioner, who called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to maintain the momentum, stressed that the governor has three assignments at the moment. The first is speedy completion of the Lagos/Badagry Expressway and township roads that will provide accessibility to homes, ease traffic gridlock, save manpower and ensure bonding with families.

    According to him, sustainable infrastructure must be put in place as well as clearing of canals and drainages during this raining season to checkmate flooding and unexpected deaths.

    His words: “The number of out-of-school children will become a time bomb if the situation is not succinctly addressed. We have over 10 million out-of-school children in the country and I am sure Lagos, with its large population, could have up to 1 million. These are the root causes of crime and insurgency. We need to revive peoples hope because joblessness and poor living conditions can aggravate tension against the government.”

  • Vehicle bonded terminal gets final approval from NCS 

    Habbas Multiventures Limited on Wednesday obtained a ‘Final Approval’ from the Licenses and Permits Directorate of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to commence operation as first private vehicle begin in Nigeria.

    The Managing Director, Hamisu Sumaila, after receiving the approval in Abuja, thanked Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali, and his management team, for creating a legitimate alternative to discourage trans-border vehicle smuggling in Nigeria.

    Sumaila described the final approval as a mark of confidence reposed in Habbas Multiventures, promising that the company will strive to justify it and add value to national economy through its terminal in area of automobile business.

    Read Also: Hurdles before Nigeria, Benin Customs pact

    He said: “We are happy that after an earlier provisional approval, followed by inspection visit to our terminal facility in Kano, the Nigeria Customs Service found us worthy for this final approval. Our members of staff are ready and willing to offer world class service in an environment for vehicle purchase, sales, and be of resource to importers of vehicular cargoes destined for the north.

    “With this approval, we can now strengthen our move to ship in vehicles by sea and air, taking advantage of the unique privilege of paying duty and other charges later, as approved by government.”

    The company’s venture into the business is in response to the 2017 Federal Government ban on importation of vehicles through land borders and approval for the creation of private car terminals to meet local demand.

    It is pursuing a seamless and hitch-free vehicle sales and purchase business with flawless documentation and perfect completion of Customs formalities including duty payment.

  • Leader of pan-Biafra group freed

    Leader of the pan Biafran group, Biafra Zionist Federation (BZM), Benjamin Onwuka has been released from prison.

    Onwuka was arrested on August 20, 2018 in Enugu during an agitation. He was kept incommunicado for several months.

    He was later transferred to Owerri Prisons from where he was released on July 1.

    Addressing journalists shortly after he arrived at Enugu, Onwuka said he had become more strengthened in his push for Biafra. He said with the support of the United States, his inauguration as Biafra President would hold on July 30 at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.

    Onwuka also claimed that while in detention, he met with President Muhammadu Buhari, and he told the President there was no going back on Biafra.

    He said: “I am happy to inform our people that our victory is here. I have always said they cannot stop us. They took me on August 20, 2018, and dumped me at an underground cell in Aso Drive, Abuja. I spent three months and four days inside that terrible place.

    Read Also: I’ll be inaugurated Biafra President on July 30, Onwuka declares

    “Throughout that period, I was fed with a slice of bread in the morning, a spoon of rice in the afternoon, and few lobes of semovita at the night. From there, I was taken to Owerri prison where I spent seven months, before I was finally released on July 1.

    “The craziest part of it is that I was not charged of anything. When they brought me before the court in Owerri, the judge said I jumped earlier bail granted to me. But I wonder how someone held inside an underground cell jumped bail.

    “However, all that is now history; we are marching forward and that is why I am asking all Biafrans to turn out en-masse for the inauguration of Biafra government.”

    On claims that he met Buhari while in detention, Onwuka said: “At the meeting facilitated by the US, I told Buhari that there was no going back on Biafra. I chronicled all the injustice and marginalization Biafrans are facing, and made him understand that Biafra is a different entity and has nothing to do with Nigeria.”

    The Zionists leader, who equally spoke on the controversial Ruga proposal, warned that such would not be tolerated in any of the ‘Biafra areas’.

    “The Nigeria government should limit its Ruga, or whatever they call it to 10 states of Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno and Yobe. Any other place outside these 10 is a no-go-area.

    “We are sending this clear warning because this is nothing but another push towards the realization of the on-going islamisation agenda in the country.”

  • Ganduje hails police for rescuing Magajin Garin Daura

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has hailed the police for rescuing the Magajin Garin Daura, Alhaji Musa Umar, from his abductors at Gangar Ruwa quarters, Samegu area of Kumbotso Local Government Area.

    Since his abduction on May 1, the district head had been with the kidnappers before he was rescued in Kano.

    The governor said the rescue was due to diligence on duty and patriotic commitment of the police and other security agents.

    He specifically hailed the Inspector General of Police for the exemplary role played by IG’s Operation Puff Adder Intelligence Response Team and Kano State Police Command,  explaining that the feat was a pointer to how security agencies work in synergy.

    Read Also: Omo-Agege condoles NGE, Kano Govt. over Tudunwada’s death

    Lauding those who provided tips on the alleged kidnappers, Ganduje assured that his administration would not relent in its effort in cementing good relationship between members of the public and security agencies, through community policing strategy.

    “We shall continue supporting our security agencies for securing our land. People should come to understand that growth is only possible when security is given paramount importance. Peace and development are, but inseparable concepts, which must be treated as such.

    “We have great concern for how well to secure our people and how strategic we should continue on making sure that security of the land becomes joint effort between security agencies on one hand, and between security, the state and members of our communities,” he said.

    Ganduje congratulated the rescued traditional ruler, his family, Daura Emirate Council, Katsina State and the nation, praying for continued Allah’s protection on the traditional ruler and Nigerians.

  • Adamawa APC: we haven’t withdrawn petition against PDP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State has not withdrawn its petition against the election of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), it was gathered on Wednesday.

    The party, through its Legal Adviser, Shagnah Pwamadi, said the alleged withdrawal of the case, made on Tuesday, was the product of a  plan by some party ‘renegades’ working with the PDP to subvert the petition filed by the party.

    The petition challenged the emergence of Fintiri, following the last general election.

    A section of the media reported on Tuesday that the APC had withdrawn its petition.

    But, it soon became evident that only a couple of persons took the decision at a sitting of the governorship election petitions tribunal in Yola.

    Read Also: Breaking: INEC declares Fintiri winner of Adamawa guber election

    Reacting to the development on Wednesday, the APC legal adviser stressed that the APC never contemplated withdrawing its petition against Fintiri and the PDP.

    “The PDP is using Aliyu Bakari (zonal state chairman, Central), Alhaji Saidu Naira (State Financial Secretary) and Alhaji Babangida Talasse (Mayo Belwa Local Government chairman) through Smart Ukpanah, who was handling the case at the election petition tribunal, to frustrate the case,” Pwamadi stated.

    He said neither the three party leaders nor the lawyer had locus standi to withdraw the case.

    “The lawyer could only withdraw from representing the party in the case if he no longer wishes to continue with it,” he asserted.

    He announced that the APC National Secretariat had engaged Ibrahim Effiong and Co to take over the case from Ukpanah, “as the APC has no option than to officially disengage him and pay him off to enable the party execute the petition effectively”.

  • Kwara assets managed in shady circumstances, panel tells AbdulRazaq

    The management of Kwara State’s assets is shrouded in controversy and needs to be reviewed for posterity, a 21-man committee Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq set up to probe the state of public assets said on Tuesday evening.

    Chairman of the committee Senator Suleiman Ajadi said at the presentation of its interim report on Tuesday evening that the panel made far-reaching recommendations upon which the governor would need to take urgent decisions.

    The presentation was attended by AbdulRazaq, House of Assembly Speaker Yakubu Danladi and the 20 other members of the Assets Recovery Committee.

    Ajadi said: “There are so many thorny issues surrounding the control and management of some assets like the Kwara Hotel, the International Aviation College, the amorphous case of the Shonga Farms and the entire Harmony Holdings structure.

    Read Also: We saved N10b from being misappropriated by past Kwara govt, says EFCC

    “We are also looking into the issue of the amusement park, which was sold in very unclear circumstances for a princely sum of N100 million in 2010, but which, perhaps fortuitously, has been bogged down since because of litigation.”

    The committee chairman urged the governor to look critically at the issues and make pronouncements in the immediate future even before the panel makes available its final report.

    “This is because quite a few of the issues highlighted are going concerns, which will require prompt government attention and action,” Ajadi said.

    AbdulRazaq thanked the committee for the good job, adding: “You can count on us to face up to the challenges and make sure that justice is done to the issues raised.”

    The committee, however, has said government has not authorized the sale of any of its properties within or outside of the state.

    In a statement on Tuesday, the committee cautioned “the public against buying or sale of government properties in which government has interest now/before ranging from government quarters, chalets, farmlands, vehicles and equipment etc.”

    The committee said anyone, who buys such properties does so at their own risk.

  • Kwara Govt reinstates salary of ‘sunset workers’

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has reinstated the payment of salary to workers employed in the twilight of the last administration.

    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, in a statement on wednesday, said: “The governor has directed that the workers be paid their May and June salary. As a statesman and father to all, His Excellency believes the government should not punish these workers for decisions they didn’t take.”

    The workers are popularly known as ‘sunset workers’, with most governors often disengaging them for fear that they had been engaged to wrong foot the new administration.

    Former Governor Bukola Saraki sacked the workers his predecessors had engaged in 2003.

    “This governor dares to be different. He has shown goodwill and magnanimity to all. It is expected that the affected workers will do their part by serving the state diligently,” according to the statement.

    Read Also: Kwara College’s workers lament over non-payment of six months salaries

    AbdulRazaq has also approved N100 million gratuity to demonstrate his commitment to the welfare of retirees, the statement added.

    The last administration had in the twilight of its reign recruited hundreds of workers into the civil service, including teachers and ministry workers.

    The recruitment triggered allegations that the beneficiaries were mainly members of the People’s Democratic Party and that the due process was not followed in engaging them.

    AbdulRazaq, meanwhile, continued his tour of government facilities in the state yesterday, with visits to some markets in the Ilorin metropolis, where he pledged to give them basic amenities like water, access roads and solar-powered electricity.

  • Benue deputy governor visits tanker fire victims in hospitals

    Benue State Deputy Governor Benson Abounu on Wednesday visited Ahumbe, Gwer West Local Government Area, scene of Monday tanker fire accident, to convey Governor Samuel Ortom’s message and condole with the people over the tragic accident.

    The explosion claimed over 45 lives.

    Abounu, who visited the victims in four hospitals at Aliade, where some of them are receiving treatment and sympathized with them, made cash deposits with the hospital managements for their treatment.

    The deputy governor, who was received by the grieving community, said only God could heal the wound in their hearts.

    He expressed the deepest condolences of the government and people of the state to the immediate families and the Ahumbe community on the tragic loss of lives and destruction of homes.

    Read Also: FRSC puts number of deaths in Benue tanker explosion at 35

    Abouno told the people that the immediate concern of government was how to take care of the survivors of the accident; most of who carry various degrees of burns.

    He announced that the government would bear the cost of their treatment as well as the burial of those that lost their lives.

    The deputy governor, who said the many potholes on the Makurdi-Aliade-Otukpo road might have been responsible for the tanker accident, called on the Federal Government to speed up the rehabilitation of the road, which seems to have stopped.

    Speaking on behalf of the people, former Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Alex Adum, thanked Ortom, his deputy and the Benue State government for quickly responding to the disaster and coming to their assistance.