The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • BBNaija organisers reportedly scrap Jury system

    BBNaija organisers reportedly scrap Jury system

    In response to the demands of the show’s viewers, the organisers of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija), have decided to discontinue the use of the Jury system.

    The jury system was responsible for determining which housemates should be evicted and who should remain on the show, giving them significant influence over the housemates’ fate.

    The group of ex-Big Brother Naija participants, known as the eviction jury, recently made decisions about which current housemate should continue in the competition.

    Read Also: Kiddwaya’s mother celebrates son’s eviction from BBNaija All-Stars reality show

    They selected one person to be saved from a pair of housemates with the lowest votes, a move that drew criticism from BBNaija fans who alleged bias in their choices.

    Reports now indicate that the Jury system will no longer be in place on Sunday nights but evictions would be solely based on the votes of fans of the ongoing BBNaija All-Stars season.

  • Lala Akindoju lambasts Seyi Awolowo over ‘disgusting’ remarks

    Lala Akindoju lambasts Seyi Awolowo over ‘disgusting’ remarks

    Nollywood actress and producer, Kemi Lala Akindoju, has berated BBNaija All Stars housemate, Seyi Awolowo, over what she terms ‘disgusting’ and an unflattering comment he uttered to his fellow housemates.

    The Nation reported that Seyi while in a discourse with some male co-housemates, affirmed that he would train his sons to ‘run train’ on people’s daughters.

    He added that he would create a miscellaneous account where he would deposit money to give to his sons to enable them to carry out his plans for them.

    ‘Run a train’ means when multiple men take turns to have s3x with a woman with or without consent.

    Reacting to Seyi’s comments via a series of posts on Twitter, Akindoju lamented that the comment is disgusting” and smacks of irresponsible parenting.

    She opined that Seyi does not like women but sees them as objects.

    The thespian also urged viewers to take note of those who laugh over Seyi’s comment.

    Read Also: Olu Jacobs still alive, says Lala Akindoju

    She said: “Seyi actually doesn’t like women. Sees women as objects and believes he is superior to him and his kind to trample on. He has consistently made this very clear. It’s also important to note that there are people who listen and giggle with him when he’s making these comments.

    “From the chief monitoring spirit of other people’s home training.

    “This is disgusting sha.

    “Irresponsible parenting, then boasting about it.

    “It’s this jury system that caused it sha.”

  • Chukwuemeka out for six weeks after knee surgery

    Chukwuemeka out for six weeks after knee surgery

    Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is expected to be out for six weeks after having knee surgery on Monday.

    Chukwuemeka, 19, sustained the injury in Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat by West Ham in which he scored the Blues’ only goal.

    A £20m summer signing from Aston Villa, he started in Chelsea’s first two Premier League games of the season.

    Read Also: Chelsea’s Chukwuemeka leaves door open for Eagles call up

    “Bitter sweet feeling scoring my first goal for Chelsea but picking up an injury and not coming home with three points,” Chukwuemeka said.

    “Minor setback but I’ll be back very soon. Thank you Chelsea fans for your love and support.”

    Confirming Chukwuemeka had undergone surgery, Chelsea added the player would now begin rehabilitation, working with the club’s medical department at their Cobham training facility.

  • Actress Laide Bakare loses grandmother

    Actress Laide Bakare loses grandmother

    Popular Nollywood actress Laide Bakare is in a mourning state as she announces the passing of her grandmother.

    Taking to her Instagram page, she shared photos of her late grandmother and conveyed the news that their family’s matriarch had left this world.

    She stated that though her heart is heavy, her soul is strong because she knows she is at peace now.

    She added that now she understands that no matter the age, it’s still so hard to say goodbye.

    Laide said: “My heart is heavy but my soul is strong for I know my grandma is at peace now. Our family lost a Matriarch but heaven gained an Angel. May your soul rest in perfect peace Mommy Agba. Now I understand no matter the Age, it’s still so hard to say goodbye.”

    Read Also: My 13-year-old daughter gifts brother, 9, Benz, claims Laide Bakare

    In another post, she expressed gratitude for the condolence messages received and reflected on her grandmother’s fulfilled role on earth.

    She noted: “Goodbye, Mama. You have taught us well, your work here is done. You deserve to rest in peace Momi Agba. We love you but God loves you most. My mother is now an orphan! Ha. Thanks, everyone for the condolences. Truly appreciate.”

  • BBNaija All Stars: Fighter girl may turn lover girl this season, says Lucy

    BBNaija All Stars: Fighter girl may turn lover girl this season, says Lucy

    A newly introduced housemate, Lucy Edet has opened up on the possibility of being romantically involved with a colleague in the ongoing show.

    Lucy alongside three others from previous seasons including, Omashola, Kim Oprah and Prince were brought on to join the remaining 17 participants following Kiddwaya’a eviction from the reality TV show on Sunday.

    Albeit, the host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, announced the four new housemates were ‘special guests’ and won’t be contesting for the N120 Million grand prize.

    Read Also: Why my future hubby may need vasectomy – BBN’s Lucy

    In her BBNaija All Stars launch clip, the chef who stayed clear from a ‘ship’ or form of entanglement during her previous appearance on the show in 2020 assured that was sure to change this time because there are currently a number of her ‘kind of man’ in the House.

    She said: “I might get into a ship with….It turns out that they have a lot more of my spec in the house this time. Who knows? There’s no guarantee that a fighter girl might not turn into a lover girl.”

  • Speed Darlington condoles Wizkid, says singer’s loss his greatest fear

    Speed Darlington condoles Wizkid, says singer’s loss his greatest fear

    Rapper, Speed Darlington has commiserated with grieving Afrobeats star, Wizkid, over the death of his beloved mother.

    Wizkid’s mom, Mrs Jane Dolapo Balogun, aged 64, died in the early hours of Friday, August 18.

    Expressing deep sorrow about the loss of the Afrobeats sensation, the singer of “Seredebe” disclosed that this is his most significant fear in life.

    He claimed to beseech God daily to grant his mother longevity due to the fact that he wouldn’t be able to handle news of her demise.

    According to the Speedometer, as he’s also referred to, no child or wife would ever equate to his mom.

    In an emotive clip culled from his Instagram live session, the US-based entertainer could be heard saying; “Every day, I beg God that before my mother passes, let it be that I’ve grown old myself. So that it won’t be long, till I join her. My heart can’t handle being by myself. That’s what I’ve been begging for.

    Read Also: I don’t know attention-seeking Burna Boy- Speed Darlington

    “I’m not sure any child I give birth to or woman I marry, can ever measure up to my mother. No child, no wife can measure up to my mother. Without her, I won’t be here.

    “So, I cannot imagine what Wizkid is going through right now. You are experiencing my greatest fear in life. My greatest fear in life is losing my mother.

    “Massive shout out to Wizkid. Stay strong bro! Stay strong, it’s all I can say. Stay strong Wizkid. I cannot imagine your pain.”

  • My appointment was not by mistake, says Keyamo

    My appointment was not by mistake, says Keyamo

    The minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, has said his appointment to head the aviation ministry was not a mistake.

    He said he would continue to build on the aviation roadmap developed by the immediate past administration.

    Keyamo stated this while assuming office on Monday, August 21, in Abuja.

    He said: “My appointment by President Bola Tinubu was not by mistake. The president would have thought it well before appointing me.”

    On his plans for the sector, he said: “I have read the roadmap developed in 2016. I read it thoroughly and our intention is not to disrupt things that have been done so well, if there are things that have not been done so well, we will look at it thoroughly.

    “We may have to add to the roadmap but not pull it down totally because I know it was a product of a roundtable held in 2016, so it was well thought out and I like the structure that I saw.”

    Keyamo further said he intends to get briefings in the next few days and come up with proposals to develop the sector.

    He also stated that he has noted some items in the roadmap that needs to be improved upon.

    He added: “For me, my watchword is transparency. At every point, Nigerians must understand what we are doing and we must carry everyone along so that we don’t have some of the complaints we had in the past. We are serving the Nigerian people. Everything I do has always been to satisfy the Nigerian people.

    “We are going to move from very complex issues to simple issues that every Nigerian faces. They may not know the work we are doing behind in terms of safety, but usually, people appreciate what they see every day like the cleanliness of the environment, and how early they get their flight among others.”

    “At every point in time, we must put the people first. I intend to start getting briefings from the directors first, then agencies starting from tomorrow. The Permanent Secretary should draw a schedule up for the briefings.”

    Read Also: UPDATED: Senate screens Keyamo after apology over misconduct

    The permanent secretary, Emmanuel Meribole described the minister as somebody who is well grounded and result oriented.

    He also said his appointment as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace development was not a mistake but divinely arranged.

    He said the ministry is set to reposition the aviation sector through the aviation roadmap, assuring that the staff of the ministry are committed to giving the minister the needed support.

    Meribole also urged the minister to use his in-depth knowledge to address some litigation issues in the ministry

  • Kiddwaya’s eviction: Viewers applaud jury’s choice

    Kiddwaya’s eviction: Viewers applaud jury’s choice

    Viewers have applauded this week’s decision by the jury to eliminate Terseer Waya, popularly known as Kiddwaya, from the ongoing BBNaija All Stars reality TV show.

    The jury consisting of Elozonam, Saskay and Vee unanimously saved Tolanibaj, the other housemate up for eviction and sent Kidd home.

    Last week’s eviction caused viewers to criticize the jury and question their intentions after they saved Seyi for two consecutive weeks despite receiving the lowest votes.

    But the response to this week’s eviction has been largely positive, with substantial positive comments circulating following the billionaire son’s eviction.

    Read Also: Doyin laziest person in Biggie’s house, says Kiddwaya

    A few days into the show, Kidd had gloated about not being in need of the N120 million grand prize.

    He also offered to give CeeC the grand prize if she voluntarily exited the BBNaija House.

    Among other things, Kidd was accused of being extremely boastful, plotting for his fellow housemates’ disqualification and several more.

    Edna Amaechi said: “Kidd always making mouth and talking about his father’s money. He will be like Biggie all these people in the house are my children and cannot be in the same house with me they know… How he flew from London to bidabi or were ever. I’m tired of his mouth making let him just leave…”

    Suzy Amadi wrote: “Serves him right.”

    Chidimma Pleasure Stephen stated: “This is how the jury should work with a clear conscience. I love the juries.”

    Florence Nkechi said: “Good news. Pride goes before a fall.”

    Augustine Idibo Ekwenuya wrote: “Well deserved eviction.”

    Samuel Idoko stated: “Best decision from the jury.”

    Read Also: BBNaija: Kiddwaya becomes third housemate to be evicted from the Allstars show

    Queen Sadia said: “Commissioner for biggie. In fact, this Master planner is out 0000, the planning eviction has been vetted and approved by the gaming and planning commission of Nigeria.”

    Andrew Oyibo wrote: “I don’t need the money.. I don’t need the money… they don commot am there, now the poor can breathe.”

    Alhaji A S Irfan stated: “Best decision.”

    Josfin Desmond said: “Good for him. He should look for another work, big brother is not for him Dude was feeling he can never be evicted after he promised to give Cee C 120 million. Na mumu dey follow Kidwayya sweet mouth. Terry Waya pikin.”

  • Lalong resumes office, pledges to resolve pending labour disputes

    Lalong resumes office, pledges to resolve pending labour disputes

    The minister of labour and employment, Simon Lalong, has promised to resolve all pending labour disputes by working closely with the two labour groups – the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.

    The minister also promised to address with strong determination the new minimum wage and other palliatives arising from the removal of fuel subsidy.

    Lalong said this when he resumed office on Monday in Abuja along with the minister of state for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha.

    He said: “On the relationship with the organised Labour, the government through the ministry shall work closely with the NLC, TUC and their affiliates towards not only ensuring that all pending industrial disputes are settled amicably but also addressing with strong determination the new minimum wage and other palliatives arising from the removal of fuel subsidy.

    “I use this opportunity to specially convey the appreciation of Mr President to the organised labour and Nigerian workers in general for exercising tremendous understanding and patience with the current situation. The Government does not take this for granted and Mr. President has directed that we move on with negotiations to arrive at amicable resolutions that will make our workers overcome the current pains.

    “Overall, the Ministry shall leverage on Technology, skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, agriculture among others to open up more employment opportunities for all Nigerians. This is in addition to current Safety Net Jobs and new ones that this government will initiate within the coming weeks and months.”

    He said the ministry would unveil detailed plans of President Bola Tinubu’s vision for labour and employment.

    Lalong noted: “In the coming weeks, we shall unveil detailed plans of President Tinubu’s vision for Labour and Employment and also spell out the role that the Ministry and its agencies, development partners and Nigerians, in general, will play in actualizing it.

    “We shall be engaging all relevant partners and receiving briefings towards a robust performance.”

    Lalong said the administration would escalate relations with the private sector, development partners, international agencies, and non-governmental organisations, among others to make sure that unemployment and underemployment were reduced to the barest minimum according to the plan of the Tinubu administration.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Ex-Govs Lalong, Oyetola, Matawalle, others make Tinubu’s additional ministerial list

    He added: “Because of the level of unemployment, underemployment, and challenges associated with the work environment, we have been mandated by Mr President to ensure that Nigerians get decent employment and are adequately remunerated for their labour both in the public and private sectors. We shall not spare any effort to protect the Nigerian worker and guarantee his dignity at all times.”

    “Under my stewardship, the ministry of labour and Employment will fulfil its mandate of ensuring decent work for all Nigerians and making sure that our citizens particularly the youth and women get the opportunity to deploy their energy, creativity, talent and gifts to the development of the nation.

    “We shall therefore mobilise and deploy all the resources of the Ministry towards ensuring that the matters relating to Labour and Employment are galvanised across relevant MDAs and sectors of the economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President. Our workers must get value for their labour and operate in a safe and conducive environment.”

  • Brain drain: Show us we are valued, appreciated – Nurses tell FG

    Brain drain: Show us we are valued, appreciated – Nurses tell FG

    Nurses on Monday appealed to the Co-ordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, to ensure adequate investment in manpower and infrastructure to transform Nigeria’s health sector.

    Mr Toba Odumosu, Secretary, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Lagos Zone, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

    Odumosu also urged the minister to ensure that budgetary allocation to the health sector aligned with the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration pact.

    NAN reports that Heads of State of African Union countries met in April 2001 in Abuja and pledged to set a target of allocating at least 15 per cent of their countries’ annual budgets to improve the health sector.

    Read Also: Film on brain drain exposes a lot

    According to Odumosu, the health sector has been grossly underfunded for years, leading to emigration of healthcare workers.

    He also told NAN that the Nigeria’s current system did not support professional development of nurses and midwives.

    He, therefore, urged the minister to ensure that adequate manpower development and robust reward measures were put in place to discourage brain-brain in the health sector.

    He advised the minister to remove disparities in salary structures of healthcare workers to give a sense of belonging, fulfillment and inclusion to all of them.

    Odumosu said that disparities in salaries had led to series of strike by NANNM and Joint Health Sector Unions, noting that while adjustment was made for medical doctors, salary structures of other health professionals had yet to be adjusted.

    He said that there was the need for a radical approach to Nigeria’s primary healthcare system development, noting that there were many non-functional Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across Nigeria.

    According to him, the non-functional PHCs were putting a strain on the secondary and tertiary healthcare.

    “We need to improve the funding of PHCs so that they can deliver preventive and quality healthcare to citizens.

    “The minister has a wealth of experience in PHC system; so, he is familiar with the terrain,” he said.

    Reacting to the plan of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to develop a migration policy to curtail brain-drain in the health sector, he said: “What we expect are policies that should encourage people to stay back.

    “One of the major concerns to nurses is working in a system that doesn’t support one to practise to the full extent of one’s professional qualification and training.

    “Imagine an instance that the Federal Ministry of Health had to issue circular before midwives were allowed to take child delivery in tertiary hospitals in the country.

    Read Also: Film on brain drain hits Abuja

    “If you seal up the ceiling of legitimate aspirations, how do you expect people to stay or thrive there?” he asked.

    According to him, the policies should show that nurses are valued, recognised and appreciated.

    Odumosu appealed to the Federal Government to ensure inclusivity of various health professionals in its cabinet and boards of health ministries, departments and agencies.

    “The last time we had a nurse as a minister of health was when Sulaiman Bello was there during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    “Nurses want to participate in leadership, they want to be members of boards, have a sense of belonging and inclusion in healthcare service delivery system,” he said. (NAN)