The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • MD Radio Kano dies in a car crash

    Malam Umar Sai’d Tudun Wada, the Managing Director of Radio Kano has passed on, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journslists (NUJ) Kano State Council, Malam Abbas Ibrahim confirmed the death to our Correspondent in Kano on Sunday.

    He said the deceased was returning from Abuja with one of his wives and a daughter when the incident happened.

    Ibrahim stressed that only Tudun Wada died in the incident around Kura Local Government Area of Kano while his wife and daughter were currently receiving medical attention at a hospital.

    Read Also: Judge, who ordered Diezani’s arrest dies

    Before his death, he was an ace broadcaster who worked for various media outfits both at national and International levels.

    Some of the media organisations he worked for included, CTV Kano, Voice of America (VOA), Radio Deutsche Welle, Freedom Radio and Radio Kano.

    He had also experienced the print media as he was a one time Editor of the Concern Magazine in Kano.

    Tudun Wada also served as the Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and as the Special Assistant and Director, Press to two Governors in the state.

    Turbanned as the Danmasanin Tudun Wada, his hometown,the deceased left behind 21 children and four wives amongst whom is the incumbent Deputy President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Hajiya Aishatu Sule.

    He has since been buried in accordance with the Islamic rites at Tarauni cemetery in Kano metropolis.

  • Trouble looms in Senate over choice of principal officers

    The Senate reconvenes plenary on Tuesday after three weeks break following the inauguration of the Ninth National Assembly.

    With the seamless election of presiding officers, the question on the lips of National Assembly watchers is who becomes Senate Leader, Deputy Senate Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip?

    This is even as senators’ scheming and jostling for headship of juicy committees have begun in earnest.

    Insiders said that the constitution of the 64 standing committees of the upper chamber will be the first litmus test for the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege.

    Multiple sources informed that lobbying for the key positions of Senate Leader and others “is getting more and more intense by the day” as the Tuesday date for the resumption of plenary draws near.

    The Senate President is expected to announce the occupants of the top Senate positions on Tuesday if the trouble shooting efforts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yields fruit, it was learnt yesterday.

    The important positions, which will form part of the leadership of the upper chamber, also referred to as the “Selection Committee” are said to be the duty of the majority party in the Senate to decide who becomes what in line with its zoning arrangements.

    The Senate President is the chairman of the Selection Committee which allocates committees to senators.

    At the last count, Senators Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West) and Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North), both from North Central, are the top contenders for the slot of Senate Leader.

    With just three days to resumption of plenary, insiders said yesterday that APC is yet to take a position on who to choose as Senate Leader.

    Findings showed that while those rooting for the Niger North Senator to emerge Senate Leader are banking on “the work and the risk he took for the emergence of Lawan as Senate President,” those angling for Adamu are pushing what they describe as the Nasarawa West Senator’s “rich experience on legislative matters.”

    It appears that the main battle is the position of Senate Leader as other principal officers’ slots are said to “have been sorted out by the party.”

    A North Central APC senator insisted yesterday that the party “must do what is right in its selection process to avoid setting senators against themselves and breeding bad blood in the Senate.”

    According to the senator, who is also part of the lobby group of one of the contenders, “what remains sacrosanct is that the Senate Leader’s position has been zoned to the North Central but the race is still open as to who will be announced on Tuesday when we reconvene.”

    Unease in PDP over minority whip position

    The camp of opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which many thought had got it right with the selection of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) as Minority Leader is already boiling.

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP is said to have concluded arrangements to tinker the list of selected principal officers of the minority party in the Senate.

    Unconfirmed reports on Tuesday said that the NWC of the PDP is pushing to drop the Edo Central Senator, Clifford Ordia, who was earlier selected as the party’s Deputy Senate Whip.

    A South-South governor is said to be behind the move to shove Ordia aside in place of Senator Sahabi Yau from Zamfara State.

    Those who emerged with Abaribe at a meeting held in the Abuja home of the National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus, included Emmanuel Bwacha, who represents Taraba South Senatorial District, as deputy minority leader.

    Senator Philip Aduda, Federal Capital Territory, emerged as the minority whip while Ordia emerged as the Senate deputy minority whip.

    Read Also: PDP swaps minority positions in Senate as Saraki leads peace move to Edo

    It was reliably gathered that the attempt to drop Ordia is being fiercely resisted by other PDP South-South senators.

    Ordia himself is said to have been livid when the news broke that he might be dropped to make way for a Zamfara Senator.

    Some South-South senators are threatening a showdown with the PDP NWC, vowing to resist what they called a plot to impose Yau on them without due consultation.

    PDP has 16 senators from the South-South geopolitical zone while APC has two.

    Senators from Edo, Cross River, Delta and Akwa Ibom states are insisting that the South-South cannot be without holding a principal position in the upper chamber.

    One of the aggrieved South-South senators explained that election was conducted at a meeting held at the Abuja home of PDP National Chairman, Secondus, on June 14.

    He added that nominations were also made before winners emerged. According to him, those who emerged were unanimously backed by the various PDP organs.

    He claimed that the plot to drop Ordia does not have the backing of the caucus of the party.

    He said: “Under the rules of the Senate, it is not the responsibility of the National Working Committee to select principal officials.

    “It is the responsibility of the senators themselves to select who leads them. The minority senators have freely elected those they want and nothing will change it.

    “The argument that they want to represent every part of the country is false.

    “There are eight positions open to the PDP in the two chambers of the National Assembly. Even if you share one to each geopolitical zone, two will still get an extra slot.

    “Those we selected are known to us. They are the people we can work with. Some governors causing this division don’t know how the Parliament operates. They want to control everything in the party for their selfish interests.

    “Maybe the NWC has not learnt its lessons. The APC tried this imposition in the eighth Senate and they paid for it dearly.

    “It is up to the PDP to allow us have our way or allow strangers destroy its fold in the Senate.

    “The wish of senators must be respected for sustainable peace in the Senate.”

    APC and PDP senators’ caucus meetings are said to have been scheduled to hold ahead of the resumption of plenary on Tuesday.

    Although the agenda of the meetings are not known, they may not be unconnected with the need to reconvene a crisis-free Senate on Tuesday.

  • Driver gets N500,000 bail over theft of 2 truck tyres

    An Abeokuta Magistrates Court on Friday granted N500,000 bail to a 23-year-old driver, Lukeman Muhammed, who allegedly stole two truck tyres from his employer, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

    Magistrate Sam Obaleye also ordered the defendant to produce two sureties in like sum as part of the bail conditions.

    Obaleye said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and show evidence of tax payment to the Ogun Government.

    Muhammed, who has no fixed address, is facing a charge of stealing.

    He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Read Also: 69-old jailed after suspect jumped bail

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Adejoke Adebari, had told the court that the defendant, committed the offence on June 3, at 2.00p.m. at Olomore area of Abeokuta.

    He said that the tyres worth N240,000.

    Adebari said that the defendant was employed as a truck driver by the CCECC which attached to him a truck with registration no KJA-402 XW.

    He said that the defendant intentionally removed two original tyres of the truck and replaced them with fake tyres, in contravention of Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Law of Ogun, 2006.

    The court adjourned the case until July 16, for trial.

    (NAN)

  • Otto-Awori residents cry out over open sales of drugs, robbery

    Residents of Halidu Avenue in Ekunpa Area of Otto Awori LCDA in Lagos State have cried out over the nefarious activities of drug dealers, smokers and open robbery by hoodlums in the community.

    One of the residents, Samusideen Akano, who spoke to The Nation, lamented the situation, which he said  has reached an alarming level.

    “The situation has become so bad that marijuana is peddled and smoked openly, even as the hoodlums engage in open-day robbery, snatching bags, phones and other valuables from passers-by.”

    Akano said what makes it more annoying is the fact that the criminal activities are taking place, not too far from the palace of the traditional ruler of the community, Kabiesi Elekunpa, Oba Rafiu Kosoko, raising tacit suspicion of complicity.

    Read Also: Outrage as flood sacks residents from Lagos community

    Investigations by our reporter revealed that the leader of the hemp dealers, who lives in nearby Etegbin Road, uses his dark spot at the entrance of Halidu Avenue to attract hoodlums and drug addicts, thereby constituting nuisance and threat to safety in the area.

    Another resident who craved anonymity said, “We now live in constant fear of attack, even when going for our day-to-day business.

    “More worrisome is the fact that law enforcement agencies, that come around only patronize them for settlement and drive off. We are using this opportunity to appeal to the appropriate authorities, including the state government, local government, Shibiri Police Post, Area ‘K’ Command and other security outfits to wade in and rid the area of the hoodlums.”

    However, when the kabiyesi was contacted, he said he is not aware of any such activity. He advised anyone who has such allegation “to petition the police,” stressing that as a monarch, he hardly ventures out, except on important occasions.

  • Five-month-old needs N3m for heart surgery

    A five-month-old baby, Odunayo Aboyeji, who is struck by hole-in-heart problem needs a sum of N3 million for corrective surgery.

    According to the 33-year-old mother of the ailing baby, Abosede, Odunayo, who was born on January 5, 2019 took ill barely two months after she was born.

    Abosede, a tailor, who resides in Abule Odu area of Egbeda, a Lagos suburb, said Odunayo’s problem started after she developed catarrh.

    “It all started around 4am on March 31st this year. We were preparing for church when I discovered her nostrils were blocked. Initially I thought it was her umbilical cord that was responsible for her discomfort. I called a nurse to examine her and she discovered Odunayo’s palms and feet were pale. She also had irregular breathing.”

    According to her, the baby was immediately taken to Igando General Hospital where she was placed on oxygen and treated after several tests were carried out on her.

    “We were referred to the pediatric unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta where it was discovered that she had a hole in her heart.

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    ”The doctor even drew a figure of the heart to explain the problem and show how the blood was mixing together in her heart and how she would be short of breath.

    ”We were told there was nothing FMC could do about her situation and were again referred to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitltal, OAUTH, Ile Ife where they said the surgery could be carried out. My husband went there and obtained the cost of the surgery. We were told it would cost N3 million. Doctors also said the surgery should be done as early as possible to ensure her full recovery.

    ‘’A medical report signed by Dr Adeyemo A.O. on behalf of the Head of Paediatric Department of the FMC, Ebute Metta, said Odunayo was brought to the facility with difficulty breathing and cyanosis  the lips among others. It confirmed a diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot (hole-in-the-heart) and recommended surgical correction.

    Abosede added: ‘’Odunayo is my second child.My husband, Tayo, is from Kwara State. We are poor and struggling to survive.

    ‘’We are appealing to kind-hearted Nigerians to help us raise the money for our ailing daughter’s surgery.’’

    Donations should be forwarded to Odunayo Deborah Aboyeji, Account No. 2051265302, Zenith Bank, while her parents can be contacted on 08189881250 and 08179331000.

  • Two drivers nabbed for stealing boss’ car in Anambra

    Two drivers have been arrested by the police for allegedly stealing a car belonging to their boss in Onitsha, Anambra state.

    The suspects, Ifeanyi Jude and Okwudili Okoli were said to be drivers attached to a monarch in the commercial city of the state.

    The Nation gathered that the suspects conspired to steal the car where it was parked in the monarch’s residence.

    Confirming the incident, police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed said the arrests were made by police detectives attached to Central Police Station Onitsha in collaboration with Federal Highway Patrol team attached to Enugu State Police Command.

    He said the case was being investigated.

    Read Also: Two drivers nabbed for stealing boss’ car in Anambra

    He said: “The suspects conspired with one Okwudili Okoli, 30, and stolen a Toyota Corolla car with Registration Number HRH -01-NEN belonging to His Royal Highness, Igwe of Adazi Ani Community, Robert Nwankwo in his compound at No.1 Niger Drive GRA Onitsha.

    “The suspects who are drivers attached to the Igwe (monarch) initially are denied having any knowledge of such incident when the vehicle was stolen until the principal suspect Ifeanyi Jude was intercepted with the vehicle along Nsukka road Enugu State before he confessed and also indicted his accomplice.”

    Mohammed added: “Consequently, following Intelligence report, a Lexus ES 300 car with registration number ENU 654 NX stolen from one Okafor Cyril Chima of No.4 Oforma Street, Enugu, was also recovered at No.5 Achalla Street Nkpor by detectives attached to Ogidi Police Division.

    “Vehicle was stolen at the complainant’s residence. Efforts are being intensified to get the suspect arrested and bring him to Justice.”Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

  • Troops rescue women, children in major Boko Haram onslaught

    No fewer than eight women and six children held hostage by Boko Haram insurgents in Ngaba, Borno State, have been rescued by troops of 152 Task Force Battalion under 21 Special Armoured Brigade.

    The troops serving in ‘’Operation HALAKA DODO’’, an Hausa phrase meaning “kill the devil”  rescued the hostages yesterday morning in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force members  and neutralized many of the terrorists they encountered during a major clearance operation Nbaga and Gero villages.

    A statement released Friday morning by army spokesman Sagir Musa, a Colonel, said the “sudden attack of terrorists’ camps, simultaneous and swift employment of voluminous coordinated fire power bombardments led to serious destruction of the terrorists’ camps which forced the criminals to flee their hideouts in disarray, while an unconfirmed number of the bandits were effectively extirpated.

    “Accordingly, eight women and six children were extricated and freed from the terrorists, while their (terrorists) makeshift camps were totally destroyed.

    Read Also: Troops neutralise Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe

    “The liberated women and children will be handed over to the appropriate agency for further necessary action.

    Musa said the troops recovered three AK47 rifles, five bicycles and a flag belonging to the insurgents.

    “Similarly, on Wednesday June 26, troops of 26 Task Force Brigade located in Gwoza while on clearance operation from  Southern Borno axis to Agapalwa village and surrounding localities came in contact with some terrorists which led to an exchange of fire that caused the decimation of one terrorist and the destruction of some terrorists’ camps,” said Musa.

    He said the operations followed reinvigorated strategies, robust, aggressive and dynamic counter terrorism operations injected into the Theatre Command, Operation LAFIYA DOLE by the Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai.

    According to him, troops have continued to successfully sustain aggressive long range mobile fighting patrols, raids, searches and ambushes which resulted in the recent successes recorded.

    “Recall the devastating ambush of terrorists yesterday at Goniri Yobe State by the indefatigable and patriotic troops, as well as the resultant recovery of five gun trucks and one VBL among others.

  • Woman seeks Kwara gov’s help over trespass on property

    A woman, Madam Sadaatu Mamadelo Belukor has cried out to the Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, over alleged trespass on her property.

    In a petition dated June 21, 2019, Madam Belukor said it had been difficult retrieving her inherited property despite the fact that some the culprits had been jailed.

    She claimed that some people, who are not the original owners of the property were wrongly paid compensation by a government agency.

    She claimed some person had unlawfully sold her inherited property to local, state and federal governments.

    The woman said that despite a court judgment sentencing six accused persons to jail over the matter, nothing was done to restore her ownership of the property.

    Read Also: Police arrest robbers who used sedative drug to snatch cars

    The petition reads: ‘’The accused persons were sentenced to six years imprisonment  or an option of N15,000 fine by an Ilorin Chief Magistrate’s Court. During the trial, the people behind the accused persons ran to Akerebiata Upper Area Court IV, with another application on the subject matter.

    ‘’ I was served to appear before the court, but surprisingly these people did not show up till the matter was struck out.’’

    She added that none of the customary land owners numbering 82 tendered any valid documents to back up their claims before they were paid millions of naira as compensation from 1975 to date.

  • 69-old jailed after suspect jumped bail

    An Oredo Magistrate’s Court has jailed a 69-year-old man, Amen Solomon Omere, after a suspected fraudster he stood surety for jumped bail. The suspected fraudster identified as Mene Terry was arrested for defrauding one Helen Imariagbontua the sum of N1.547m.

    Amen was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and perverting justice. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

    Read Also: Six jailed for internet fraud

    Police prosecutor, Patrick Agbonifo, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) told the court that the offences are punishable under Sections 516 and 216 of the Criminal Code cap 48 Vol II laws of the defunct Bendel State now applicable in Edo State.

    Presiding magistrate, Mrs Ivie Akhere, after hearing witnesses sentenced Amen to three months imprisonment or an option of N150,000 fine. Amen was also asked to pay the sum of N1m in bond to the federal government coffers.

  • Outrage as flood sacks residents from Lagos community

    Several residents of Jimoh Akinremi area of Akowonjo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State have been sacked from their homes after one week of downpour.

    The flood, according to residents had paralysed commercial activities as well as human and vehicular movement in the area.

    The anguish of the residents started after a channelization of collector drainage following ongoing construction work in the area.

    Residents told The Nation that the diversion of drainage water to the area was causing serious flooding and untold hardship with negative effects on lives and property.

    The submerged street had prevented residents and traders from accessing their homes and shops in the community.

    The situation forced distraught residents to remove their shoes and wade through the dirty water to reach their homes.

    A number of residents trapped in their homes were seen salvaging some of their submerged personal effects from the flood.

    Distraught residents who spoke with The Nation urged the state government to rescue them from the situation.

    It was learnt that several letters had been written to concerned authorities including the contractor handling the project, without any solution to the problem.

    A resident, Adejumo Olatunde, told our correspondent that the area had always been flooded since the rebuilding of the road with interlocking blocks started several months ago.

    Read Also: Photos: Lagos flooded after heavy downpour

    He noted that several government officials had visited the community to ascertain the situation but nothing was done to solve the problem.

    ‘’We started experiencing this problem when the reconstruction of the road began several months ago. We have written many letter to the state and local authorities but nothing was done in spite of the visit by officials to this area.’’

    ‘’Lagos State government should save us from being wiped out by flood caused by improper channelization of water,’’ said another resident, Wale Ojomo, who claimed he could not access his home.

    One of the landlords in the community, Elder Durotoye said: ’’ We have nowhere to go . The channelization is giving us a nightmare especially when it rains here. Several houses and properties have been ravaged by flood.

    ‘’The situation is becoming unbearable considering the fact that the rainy days are just around the corner. We therefore appeal to the state government to save us from the negative consequences of this man-made flooding.’’