The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Six nabbed for gang-raping teenager in Anambra

    Six nabbed for gang-raping teenager in Anambra

    Six boys have been arrested for allegedly gang-raping a 19-year-old girl in Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State.

    The suspects, Afam Ezenwa, Chijioke Ifeanyi, Collins Obadom, Abuchi Okechukwu, Chima Obiekezie and Sunday Okafor were arrested following a viral video.

    Confirming the arrest, Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo said the victim had been rescued

    She said the case had been transferred to the Police Criminal Investigative Department in Awka from where they would be charged.

    Interacting with the victim and her parents in her office, Obinabo decried the high rate of crimes among delinquents and called on parents and guardians to stop spoiling their children through overpampering.

    She reassured that the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration would not tolerate any form of crime in the state, stressing that justice would take its full course.

    Narrating her ordeal, the victim said, “It all happened when I visited my maternal home in Oramaetiti and was ambushed by a group of young boys who took me to a room and took turns in defiling me.

    Read Also: Life term inmate, Obiano’s aide bag Open University certificates in Anambra prison

    “Despite my plea, the boys who were between the ages of 16,17,18,20 and 27 years old respectively did not stop but continued while one of them was filming me during the act,” she said.

    The visibly devastated rape survivor further revealed that she was attacked by another set of boys after she was rescued by neighbors who were attracted by her scream for help.

    “After my rescue and was returning home, I was accosted by another set of boys who first harassed me and forced me to pull my underwear and give it to them. I gave them because they threatened to kill me,” she added

    She however revealed that she was later taken home to her parents by a good Samaritan.

    Also speaking, the victim’s parent who pleaded anonymity, said their daughter was third victim of the suspects who they said were known for raping girls and collecting their pants which usually led to the victims’ death after a period of time.

    “We urge the government take the case seriously because our daughter’s life is at risk especially now we are yet to retrieve her personal effect,” they pleaded.

  • Sarkin Adar and Sokoto ministerial slot

    Sarkin Adar and Sokoto ministerial slot

    Nigerians have almost run out of patience as they eagerly anticipate the big announcement. Who will make the list of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new Ministers? The riddle, however, will soon be solved in less than three weeks from now.

    The Tinubu administration has started on a good note, offering a breath of fresh air. Mr. President has so far made good selections in the choice of his personal aides, and other top government functionaries. But his cabinet remains incomplete without members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    Nigerians do want business as usual, again. They want visionary minds, with unquestionable and trustworthy, and loyal members of the incoming FEC. They want Ministers who will help Tinubu aggressively drive his RENEWED HOPE agenda. Such choices must be capable hands that would break the vicious cycles that threaten the nation’s socio-economic and political development.

    Surely, there are prominent politicians and technocrats who are eminently qualified for the positions. But becoming a Federal Council member should not be an all-comers’ affair, at least. It should be an exclusive preserve of persons who have paid their dues, with regards to the development of their communities, States and the country. President Tinubu cannot afford to flunk this golden opportunity of recruiting the best of Nigerians as his new Ministers.

    Though originally an indigene of Kano State, but as someone who spent years in Sokoto State with my parents and also schooled there up to tertiary level at the famous Usmanu Danfodiyo University, I am concerned about who represents ‘Seat of the Caliphate’ in the FEC. While Sokoto is endowed with personalities that have been tested and trusted, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar stands out as the most distinguished and quintessential.

    I should mention that the APC leader in the State, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, has promoted some political bigwigs including Senator Ibrahim Gobir brought into the Senate contest in 2011 by the then Governor Wamakko and later fielded for the second and third time. In the 9th Senate, Wamako was approached to become the Senate Leader but he declined and nominated Gobir.

    One other instance is Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, the only known personal friend of Wamakko from childhood till date. He has benefited from the APC stalwart despite contesting against him in 2007 when Bafarawa fielded Dingyadi instead of Wamakko who was supposed to be the natural successor being his deputy for two terms.

    If Wamakko is to display what he has been preaching, which is elevating the next generation, it is time to consider the young ones such as Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, who has stayed consistently with him from 2007 till date despite all odds. Between 2007 and 2023, the House of Representatives member representing Gada/Goronyo Federal Constituency has put smiles on the faces of his constituents with quality lawmaking and representation.

    The four-time National Assembly (NASS) member, aside from being a compassionate and focused public servant, has a track record of delivery of several public and national assignments. In the 9th House of Representatives, he was the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), a responsibility he meritoriously discharged with passion. Adar was the first northerner to Chair the Committee.

    Adar, a cosmopolitan personality with a chain of contacts across Nigeria, is known for his ability to connect with the young and old, as well as his humility. The grassroot politician has never changed his mobile contacts, apparently to allow the good people of his constituency and everyone who has an acquaintance with to easily reach him in times of distress. He is also a father figure to many in Sokoto, especially the youths.

    Through his many empowerment schemes, the lives of thousands of women and youths have been touched positively. Many graduates from Sokoto can be found In almost all the Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies courtesy of Adar’s efforts as a bridge builder. In terms of the infrastructural development of Gada/Goronyo Federal Constituency, Adar’s impact is glaring. The ongoing Gada-Kaffe road construction is an example.

    Adar sponsored groundbreaking Motions, Bills, and Reports including The Collapse of the Goronyo Dam in Sokoto; Need to investigate the Withdrawal of N1.17 Billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the Account of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority; Need to Provide Security and Relief Materials to Victims of Attack at Kololi, Gadonmata, and Kamitau Village in Goronyo/Gada Federal Constituency; Need to Address the Worsening Security Situation in Sokoto; Need to Provide Relief Materials to Victims of Flood in Gada and Goronyo LGAs of Sokoto, etc.

    It is equally important to highlight his expertise in Nigeria’s maritime, transport, agriculture, and oil and gas sectors. The APC chieftain has served in the State and Federal public service. He chaired some strategic committees in the National Assembly including the Committee on Land Transport, Electoral Matters, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), and was a member of the House ad hoc Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

    Read Also. Sokoto govt clears three-year scholarship arrears

    His contribution to the passage of the PIB and subsequent assent by former President Muhammadu Buhari is unquantifiable. What Nigeria now has the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) is one of the achievements of Adar. Therefore, his membership of the FEC will help revive the dormant exploration project in the Sokoto Basin to help generate additional revenue for the Federal Government and make Sokoto join the list of oil-producing States.

    Furthermore, it is certain that Adar will not fail to persuade Mr. President and the FEC to award a railway project that will, for the first time, link Sokoto to the national rail transport system. The tracks are to be laid from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

    As the permutations and horse-trading for who becomes the next Minister from Sokoto State intensifies, the President must not allow primordial sentiments to cloud his decision. He should prioritize competence, pedigree and excellent track record of performance in previous leadership positions. In the case of Sokoto, he could settle for Adar, a Founding Member of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) and a member of APC Presidential Campaign Council, 2023.

    Faisal Abdullahi writes from Kofar Famfo in Dukawuya, Kano

  • NAF, Meta win Golden World Awards 2023 as IPRA recognizes Nigeria’s IMPR, AT3

    NAF, Meta win Golden World Awards 2023 as IPRA recognizes Nigeria’s IMPR, AT3

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Meta have emerged winners of the 2023 Golden World Awards (GWA) instituted by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) for outstanding PR campaigns.

    Two PR agencies from Nigeria, Image Merchants Promotion (IMPR) Limited and AT3 Resources, were also recognized for championing the campaigns of NAF and Meta, the owner of Facebook.

    The NAF and IMPR won the Crisis Management Category for providing enablement for independent media reports and third-party news narratives on counter-insurgency operations which boosted citizens’ confidence and troops’ morale.

    Meta and AT3 Resources won Technology Category with #NoFalseNewsZone crusade in Nigeria and Ghana, a multi-pronged campaign that encouraged people to think critically about the messages seen online before forwarding them to others.

    Read Also: Two pilots survive NAF aircraft crash in Benue

    IMPR, publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, earlier bagged the African SABRE Awards organized by PRovoke Media, in partnership with African Public Relations Association (APRA) and GWA. It was also declared the Most Creative PR Agency in 2020.

    Speaking on the latest prize, the Managing Director, Mr. Yushau Shuaib expressed excitement that PR firms in Nigeria are now acknowledged on the global stage beyond regional recognition.

    “I am delighted that more Nigerian agencies have grown beyond being local champions and are competing with the very best in the world. We should continue to strive in ensuring that PR campaigns demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism, creativity, integrity and impact,” he said.

    In assessing the entries, the GWA jury of experts from Austria, Bulgaria, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, United States and United Kingdom met for the first time since the pandemic at London’s Institute of Directors.

    IPRA’s Secretary General, Philip Sheppard announced a total of 70 winners for 2023, noting that a number of entries focused on emerging issues such as cryptocurrency, influencer management, and virtual reality.

    “This year, we had entries covering multiple subjects and there was a notable demonstration of creativity from all around the world. We learnt of stories such as prejudice in Peru, solitary bees in Croatia, and tackling fake news in Ukraine,” Sheppard said.

    The prestigious Grand Prix has been chosen but the judges sworn to secrecy. Along with the Global Contribution Award for PR with an objective of meeting one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the Grand Prix will be announced at the GWA Gala on 20 October in Barcelona, Spain.

  • I have no secret children, says Don Jazzy

    I have no secret children, says Don Jazzy

    Nigerian business mogul and music producer Michael Collins Ajereh aka Don Jazzy, has revealed the strangest rumours he heard about himself on the internet.

    The talent manager was recently a guest on a podcast with Fisayo Fosudo where he spoke about his feats as an icon in the music industry. 

    He also spoke about how he deals with fake news on the internet about himself.

    When asked about the weirdest rumours he had heard about himself, Don Jazzy disclosed that some people believe that he secretly got married and bore children under the radar. 

    “A lot of people still think I’m married with four children, but I’m hiding them”, he said, laughing.

    The Mavins boss added: “I don’t know why I would have children and just be lying for years. How would the children even feel? Do I look like someone that wants to be hiding? No, I don’t have any child, to the best of my knowledge.”

    Read Also: Cheapest clothes have earned me more compliments – Don Jazzy

    He also highlighted and debunked the rumour that he was unmarried because he was a homosexual or a child groomer, saying, “People are mad!”

    In 2021, the 40-year-old revealed that he was once married to an American model named Michelle Jackson.

    He got married to her at the age of 20, but got divorced two years later because he was too dedicated to his music.

    According to Don Jazzy, he had learned to let some things go and to always fact-check what he sees about anyone online.

    “When I just look at it, I just let it go. But they say a lot of things and paint it the way you did not say it”, he said.

  • Actress Susan Pwajok debunks alleged affair with Singer Ruger

    Actress Susan Pwajok debunks alleged affair with Singer Ruger

    Nollywood actress Susan Pwajok has responded to rumour making the rounds that she was in a romantic relationship with singer Ruger.

    Recall that Ruger admitted last year via an Instagram post that he was dating actress Susan Pwajok after his initial denial on Clout Africa’s Clout Talk Concert 2.0.

    His claim was trailed by disbelief on social media.

    Ruger wrote: “So Susan Pwajok is my girlfriend. Y’all can get off her d*ck now, thank you.”

    Read Also: I haven’t had time for women in long time – Ruger

    Retracting the statement while featuring on MTV Base Africa’s Let’s Get Chatty recently, Susan said her alleged affair with Ruger would remain a rumour until she mentioned that they were dating.

    She said even if they were seen kissing, it was still a rumour until she confirmed that she was dating the singer.

    Her colleague, Genoveva Umeh, asked: “Babe, I heard that you are dating somebody famous. Can you clarify to the people?

    Pwajok said: “At the end of the day, it’s a rumour until you see or hear it from my mouth. 

    “Until I come and say I’m dating this person, please, it’s fake news. Even if you see a video of me kissing the person, it’s fake until I say yes, I’m with this person”, she said.

  • Why I didn’t sign Wizkid, Davido, by Don Jazzy

    Why I didn’t sign Wizkid, Davido, by Don Jazzy

    Music producer, Michael Collins Ajereh, aka Don Jazzy, has revealed why the Afrobeats stars Wizkid and Davido, didn’t get signed on to his now-defunct record label, Mo’hits.

    The Mavin head honcho said he couldn’t sign Wizkid to the label because EME boss, Banky W signed Wizkid before him.

    He said he had the opportunity of signing Davido but didn’t because he figured out that he would succeed without a record label’s support.

    Don Jazzy also regretted not signing Simi and Teni. 

    He said he almost signed rapper, Falz The Bahd Guy but the deal broke down.

    Read Also: Don Jazzy’s mom’s demise inspired ‘How Are You My Friend’ – Johnny Drille

    He stated this while featuring as a guest on the Leaderboard podcast hosted by Fisayo Fosudo.

    “I like Simi. I didn’t sign her. I wish I did. I like Teni, but I didn’t sign her. I wish I did.

    “I had the opportunity of signing Davido but I didn’t because I kind of figured that he would be fine. Wizkid, obviously, I couldn’t because Banky W got to him first. That would have been amazing.

    “Falz, I love his work. We almost had a deal”, Don Jazzy said.

  • I was never a bus driver, vigilante operative, says Enugu LP Rep member

    I was never a bus driver, vigilante operative, says Enugu LP Rep member

    The member representing Enugu North and South federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chimaobi Atu has debunked claims that he worked as a bus driver and vigilante operative before being elected as a lawmaker in the last general elections.

    Atu became very popular after he was announced the winner of the election after defeating then-incumbent and three-term member, Ofor Chukwuegbo.

    His popularity followed reports that he was a vigilante leader in his Ugwuaji village and a commercial mini-bus driver, operating between Holy Ghost and Ugwuaji in Enugu before his nomination as the candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

    But, writing in his profile which he presented during his inauguration thanksgiving and civic reception in his community, Atu said he was the youth leader and later, secretary of the community’s town union before his election.

    Read Also: 11 prisoners graduate from NOUN, 50 others matriculate in Enugu Custodial Centre

    The brief profile read: “As a thorough community leader, he played a critical role in the establishment of the Community Policing Initiative in Ugwuaji and environs. He was unanimously appointed the chairman of the initiative.

    “During his tenure, he dealt with the growing security concerns in Ugwuaji and other adjourning communities. He received several commendations for ensuring a near-perfect security system in his community. He was elected youth leader and secretary-general of Ndiaga Ugwuaji. It is worth noting at this juncture that Atu was never a bus driver nor a vigilante as insinuated in some quarters”.

    The lawmaker, who is a graduate of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), disclosed that he had equally worked as elan executive assistant and technical assistant to the governor of the state and adequately made his mark in the service if his people.

    He added that following his community service and philanthropic gestures in his community, he was honoured with a chieftaincy title of Aharu-ama of Nkanland in 2021.

    He vowed to use his position to give his people a voice and work for them at the national assembly.

  • Child’s death: We’re investigating Asaba shooting, says NDLEA

    Child’s death: We’re investigating Asaba shooting, says NDLEA

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it is investigating a shooting incident involving its officers during the raid of a drug joint at Okpanam area of Asaba, Delta state, which resulted in the death of a child.

    The child was hit by a stray bullet and succumbed to his wounds while undergoing treatment in a hospital.

    The Agency, in a statement by its Spokesman, Femi Babafemi on Saturday, said the Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) after receiving initial briefings from the agency’s Delta State Command, set up a panel of top officials from the national headquarters in Abuja to immediately proceed to Asaba for an on-the-spot investigation of the incident.

    Read Also: NDLEA intercepts 64,863kg ‘laughing gas’ consignments at Lagos port, Imo

    According to the statement, this follows an initial incident report, which revealed the following:

    “A team of NDLEA operatives carried out an intelligence-based raid of the joint of a notorious drug dealer located at Okpanam area of Asaba at about 1600 hours on Thursday 13th July.

    “In the process of the operation, a Toyota Camry 2008 model, light blue colour at the scene suddenly zoomed off and knocked down one of our officers who is currently in critical condition, undergoing treatment in a hospital. 

    “In a bid to demobilize the car and prevent it from escaping, another officer fired a shot aimed at the tyre of the car, which eventually escaped. 

    “While the injured officer was rushed for treatment, the officers got reports of a stray bullet hitting a young person and immediately located the father of the victim, followed him to the hospital and supported in facilitating his treatment but the person unfortunately died in the process. 

    “We’re in touch with the family to provide necessary assistance while we conclude our investigation of the incident. We would like to assure the family and members of the public that we’ll get to the root of the case and take necessary action(s).”

  • Fake news publishers risk prosecution, online publishers’ president warns

    Fake news publishers risk prosecution, online publishers’ president warns

    President of the Association of Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria (AMPON), Mogaji Wole Arisekola has warned publishers of fake news to desist saying they could face prosecution if they crossed the line.

    Arisekola, publisher of Street Journal magazine, spoke with journalists on Friday in Lagos.

    He said: “I have said it at different fora and I will continue to maintain that the fake news phenomenon is a serious scourge that must be fought headlong in Nigeria and stakeholders need to help in changing the narrative.

    “More importantly, I equally urge the government through its law enforcement agencies to bring the purveyors of fake news to justice. The media space must be rid of irresponsible journalism and social media must also be sanitized to pave the way for decency and propriety.

    “Gone are the days where someone will hide behind the computer or his or her smart phones and will be misleading the public with all manner of information that is not only untrue or fake but very damaging, repugnant or capable of causing unrest or setting the country on fire.

    “There are technologies now that can track any purveyors of fake news wherever they are. People with negative energy aren’t fit to practice journalism. Journalists must be balanced in their reportage, they must be investigative, thorough, unbiased and must also be ambassadors of truth, which is very sacred.”

    He also warned that “newsmakers should as well be guided that there is no law restricting security agents from prosecuting any individual who crossed the line, particularly those feeding the public with lies, deceptions and misinformation.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Police to go after purveyors of fake news in Anambra

    “Journalists should also stop acting as if they are still in the era of imperial colonialism or fighting the unpopular apartheid regime. They must be socially responsible while upholding the principles of ethical practice.

    “This is what I always tell every social media influencer, content maker, news publisher and also members of AMPON who today by God’s grace I am their President, and I can say they are very disciplined and law-abiding professionals who have passion for the job and I am proud of them all.”

    Arisekola advised that journalists “must have a penchant for enhancing national unity and the public good, promote universal principles of human rights, democracy, justice, equity, peace and international understanding.

    “They must continually take into consideration the socio-cultural condition under which they operate, even as they don’t lose sight of the universal commitments and requirements of the profession as well as the core values.

    “This is why we are appealing to Nigerians not to ever engage in a knee-jerk reaction to any news, and to subject every piece of information to a very serious scrutiny before admitting them as fact.”

    The Ibadan-born celebrity journalist and businessman described the fake news phenomenon as ‘the scourge of our time’ noting that it would “probably get worse if not nipped in the bud”.

    He, therefore, called on all Nigerians to be very vigilant so that fake news purveyors do not succeed in their quest to sow the seeds of chaos, psychological trauma and confusion.

    He also appealed to the traditional media, which has a reputation to protect, to as well join the campaign against the purveyors of fake news “so that the noble profession would not be hijacked by few unqualified hands who want to give it a bad name.”

  • Anambra govt seals Onitsha school over negligence to injured toddler

    Anambra govt seals Onitsha school over negligence to injured toddler

    The Anambra State government has announced the immediate closure of Blessed Wisdom Model School at No. 26 Ide Drive, Federal Housing Estate, Onitsha.

    The closure followed a report to the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh about the grievous bodily harm sustained by a two-year-old pupil, Ifechukwu Egbuninwe.

    According to the report, the victim broke her arm and sustained injuries on her tongue under mysterious circumstances.

    The report reads in part: “The proprietress of the school never reached out to the parents and/or guardian of the child to inform them of her injury nor was first aid treatment administered to her when she sustained the said injury.

    Read Also: Life term inmate, Obiano’s aide bag Open University certificates in Anambra prison

    “Again, the said proprietress failed and/or refused to reach out at any point to the family of the victim to ascertain the welfare of the said victim. 

    “They continued carrying on their school business as if the life of the said Ifechukwu Davida Egbuniwe meant nothing.”

    Reacting, Commissioner Chuma-Udeh condemned the irreverent attitude to human life by the school management.

    She frowned at the school’s proprietress’ disobedience and blatant refusal to appear before her when invited on Friday for an explanation in the presence of the child, her parents and their lawyer. 

    “This failure to appear on the part of the proprietress led to the decision to close down the school. Every child belongs to the state, we cannot condone irreverence to human life” she warned.

    While calling on officers of the State Joint Enforcement Team to ensure strict compliance with the closure order, the Commissioner directed that the school remain closed till Governor Chukwuma Soludo directed otherwise.

    She further disclosed the setting up of a seven-man committee to investigate the matter, advising the proprietress to ensure she appeared before the panel for explanation or risk arrest and prosecution over failure.