The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • 70 Niger residents benefit from Jaiz foundation’s N5m Zakat

    70 Niger residents benefit from Jaiz foundation’s N5m Zakat

    Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation has disbursed N5 million to 70 beneficiaries in Suleja, Niger State.

    Chief Executive Officer, Dr Abdullahi Shuaib, said the gesture was meant to cushion the effect of poverty in the area.

    Thanking Emir of Zazzau, Muhammad Awwal Ibrahim, for allowing the foundation use his palace for the disbursement, Shuaib lamented rising poverty in the country.

    He said: “From the North to the South, poverty has become a major concern to us at Jaiz Foundation. It is disturbing and appalling to witness agonies, pains and cries of the poorest-of-the-poor who are unable to feed their families.

    ‘’The deplorable level of deprivation, unfriendly economic policy with adverse effects on real purchasing power of the poor has continued to widen inequality gap between those economically better-off and those worse-off.

    ‘’Following this ugly situation, Jaiz Foundation is determined to make life meaningful to the less privileged. This is a responsibility that requires all hands to be on deck. We want to assure you Jaiz Foundation is committed to lend a hand to people in Suleja and beyond. We are not unaware of the deprivation.”

    Shuaib said beneficiaries went home with 10 deep freezers, 10 sewing machines and 10 grinding machines.

    According to him, some indigent students got funds for their tuition and educational materials, while others received health and humanitarian interventions.

    He urged beneficiaries not to take this kind gesture for granted. “You should all strive to make the best use of the Zakat funds and items so in coming days, you will be in a position to help others. The foundation will continue to monitor your performances through evaluation forms to be administered on you at different intervals,” he said.

  • Kaduna IRS seals bank, seven others for N419.3m tax liabilities

    Kaduna IRS seals bank, seven others for N419.3m tax liabilities

    Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) has closed eight private companies for N419.3 million tax liabilities.

    Corporate Communications head, Mr Zakari Muhammad, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the action was backed by a court order.

    Muhammad identified the companies as Access Bank N249.9 million; Transmission Company of Nigeria’s Regional Office N56.3 million; Transmission Company of Nigeria’s sub-regional office N67.7 million; and Sky Express Airways N5.4 million.

    Others are Azman Air Services N15.2 million; China Zhonghao Nigeria N8.6 million; Indomie Noodle, Kaduna N9.3 million; and Premier Feed Mills, seven million naira.

    He noted the revenue service obtained court orders to close the offices for failing to file and remit tax liabilities.

    Muhammad added KADIRS was empowered by law to seal premises of organisations that fail to remit taxes due to the state.

    He cited Section 104, sub-section 3 and 4 of Personal Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2011 and Section 37, sub-section 3 and 4 of Kaduna State Tax Codification and Consolidation Law, 2020, as the legal instruments

  • ‘We’ll do better than last four years ‘

    ‘We’ll do better than last four years ‘

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, said his administration is determined to do better than it did in the last four years.

    Sule spoke yesterday when he hosted chief executive officers of state owned boards and parasteatal, at the Government House.

    According to the governor, the dream of the administration is to see that government performs better than it did during the last four years.

    He emphasised that his administration is putting so much efforts towards ensuring it does better. He solicited the support and cooperation of the chief executive officers.

    “Our dream that we are coming onboard is to see that we do better than we did in the last four years. We are putting so much efforts to ensure that we do better.

    “For us to do better, we will need your collective efforts, your commitment, and all competencies and experience that you are going to bring into it.  I am really looking forward to that cooperation and support from every one of you,” he said.

    The Governor noted that, Nasarawa State, just like any other states, is grappling with its own challenges, particularly in the areas of finance and revenue, which will soon be tested following the removal of fuel subsidy.

    “We are going to have lots of challenges when it comes to the removal of subsidy. The impact may not be felt now, but eventually, people will begin to feel the impact of the removal of subsidies,” he added.

    He however cautioned the chief executive officers against being distracted by unfolding political events in the state but to remain focused in discharging their responsibilities.

    The Governor used the opportunity of the visit to appreciate them for the key roles they played during the last four years towards ensuring the success of the administration.

    Earlier, in an opening remarks, leader of the delegation, Hon. Musa Dangana, Chairman of Nasarawa State Civil Service Commission, said they were at the Government House to formally congratulate Governor Sule on his successful inauguration for another term in office.

    Hon. Dangana said the chief executive officers were also on hand to congratulate the Governor on his recent election as the Chairman, North Central Governors Forum.

  • Yahaya appoints agency chair

    Yahaya appoints agency chair

    Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has appointed Malam Abdulmalik Suleiman as chairman of Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO).

    This is contained in a statement signed by Malam Ismaila Misili, director-general of Press Affairs, Government House.

    Misili said the appointment was in accordance with Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA 2007).

    He said the new appointment followed the death of the former chairman, Mr Sunusi Gwani, in 2021.

    According to Misili, the governor’s approval had also been conveyed via a letter to Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

  • Corper dies, 274 pass out in Gombe

    Corper dies, 274 pass out in Gombe

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said274 corps members successfully completed their one-year mandatory service in Gombe State.

       NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mr Dawut Jidda spoke during the passing-out of the 2022 Batch ‘B’ Stream II corps members, yesterday in Gombe.

    Jidda said one corps member died in the service year, adding the deceased lost her life in the course of child-bearing.

    According to Jidda, two corps members got extension of service for offences after facing the Corps Disciplinary Committee.

    Jidda commended outgoing corps members for their efforts in Community Development Service.

    “I will like to express my gratitude to those who used their time and energy to mobilise resources in order to touch lives positively in their host communities,” he said.

    He encouraged outgoing corps members to use the skills acquired during their service year to impact positively on their communities and become self-reliant.

    “The era of white collar jobs is far gone. Your tomorrow lies in your hands; remember, the effort you will put into achieving your dreams is entirely your responsibility.

    “We await good news about your progress soon. It is your responsibility to play your part in developing this country.

    “The time to start is now,” he said.

    The state coordinator also cautioned them against embarking on night journeys as well as engaging in social vices. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • Corps members get awards in Bauchi

    Corps members get awards in Bauchi

    Four National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members of 2022 Batch B Stream II deployed to Bauchi State, have received merit awards from the government.

    Mrs Rifkatu Yakubu, Bauchi State Coordinator of NYSC, said this in Bauchi yesterday, during the collection of Certificates of National Service by the corps members.

    She said the corps members received the awards for impacting positively on the lives of members of their host communities.

    According to her, this was through meaningful Community Development Projects and Services executed during their service year.

    Yakubu said the corps members had written their names in the good books of NYSC, and urged them to keep the spirit alive, even after their service year.

    She, however, said 10 of the corps members would have their service year extended for at least three weeks or one month, for various misconduct during their service year.

    The state coordinator said while some of the corps members absconded, others absented themselves from the scheme during the service year.

    She reiterated that the scheme has zero tolerance for truancy and would not hesitate to punish any erring corps member.

    “I want to use this opportunity to urge you all to avoid night trips while traveling back to your various destinations, and ensure that you go straight home to reunite with your parents.

    “Also, those of you taking part in the post skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development training, should ensure that you complete your training as this will help you to become employers of labour.

    “To those of you who failed to learn any skills, you can start doing something even with the last allowance you were paid.

    “Your parents want to see you doing something, no matter how little; it is better than staying at home doing nothing,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 401 corps members comprising 269 males and 132 females of the 2022 Batch B stream II passed out in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • ‘10th Assembly will make Nigerians proud’

    ‘10th Assembly will make Nigerians proud’

    The lawmaker representing Ile-Oluji/Oke Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency of Ondo State in the House of Representatives, Festus Adefiranye, has said the 10th Assembly would ensure Nigerians have a sense of belonging in the democratic process.

     The lawmaker said he was aware of his new responsibility in view of the current socio-economic challenges, which he noted are threatening to push Nigerians into frustration and despair.

     Adefiranye spoke to reporters at Ile-Oluji, during a reception to appreciate the people for electing him as their representative. He promised to go the extra mile to influence basic social amenities materials or institutions which would have direct impact on his constituents at the grassroots. The lawmaker promised that his constituency projects would be living testimonies for the populace.

     He also urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, even as he hoped that the prospects of better days were already manifesting with critical decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu to rewrite the country’s history.

     He said: “Nigeria is lucky at this time to have a dogged democrat, innovative economic genius and detribalised unifier in the person of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. There is need for sincere sacrifice from all and sundry. The gains at the end of the tunnel outweigh the little pains of discomfort which may arise from certain policies aimed at sanitising the system.

     “Party supremacy, equity and fairness took centre stage in the entire process of electing principal officers of the National Assembly. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has the ability to coordinate the House to making laws that would bring desired transformation in all facets of national development.”

  • How to be a good leader, by Fayemi

    How to be a good leader, by Fayemi

    Former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday highlighted the conditions for good and transformational leadership.

     The ingredients, he said, included vision, drive, capability, education, collaboration, grooming and mentorship.

     Fayemi, who received a honorary doctorate degree from the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, during its convocation, also spoke on the value of learning, which results into a change in behaviour, and self-renewal.

     ‘Leadership is a continuous process of learning and self-renewal’, he said, adding that the process is helped when the leadership figure,  particularly a governor, benefits from worthy sparring partners, including  the Ekiti State Executive Council, the State House of Assembly, and local government functionaries.

     The former governor and one-time Minister of Steel and Solid Minerals, said he owed a debt of gratitude to these colleagues for their honest feedback, open engagement, and willingness to think out of the box.

     Fayemi, who spoke on behalf of other awardees, paid tribute to President Bola Tinubu, saying he had immensely benefitted from his wisdom and guidance.

     He said: “Leadership is a collective endeavour, even if at different times, individuals emerge as the arrowheads of a shared project of transformation. In my years in Ekiti and national service, I have been a beneficiary of the wisdom, counsel, and guidance of other leaders, both in government and outside government.

     “I include in this category – our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and all other living Nigerian former heads of state, our esteemed traditional leaders, and various statesmen and women too numerous to mention here. Honour, recognition, and appreciation goes to all my brother governors and various members of the Federal Executive Council with whom I have been privileged to collaborate.

     “I must also not fail to acknowledge the support of my fellow activists at the barricades agitating for democracy in our country 30 odd years ago.”

     Fayemi paid tribute to the memory of two scholars -Profs. Kunle Lawal and Abubakar Momoh – who taught in the institution before they passed on. He also hailed the vision and foresight of the founding Governor, the late Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, whose colleagues in Ondo, Oyo, Ogun and Bendel states, also pioneered the establishment of state universities.

     The former governor also commended the diligence and passion put into the growth and development of LASU by successive governors.

     He added: “A cursory glance at the latest University Webometric Survey indicates that in terms of quality and standard, Lagos State University ranks among the most sought after in the country. We must commend the university leadership for building on the success over the years.”

     Fayemi noted that the honorary degree was conferred on him for services rendered in defence of human rights, national integration and security in Africa.

     He said: “Blessed is the political figure who, at the end of a period of service, is able to wake up and finds himself buffeted with such goodwill. I want to pledge before this august gathering that we shall be worthy ambassadors of this great university.

     “Although my work as governor of Ekiti State is done, nation-building is a journey and not a destination. One can only pledge that one will continue to be an active partisan in the ranks of that battalion of Nigerians determined to ensure that we see the country of our dreams in our life time. Let us hold the dream that Nigeria will rise again.”

  • Tribunal to Mbah: clarify alleged certificate forgery

    Tribunal to Mbah: clarify alleged certificate forgery

    • NYSC refuses to tender evidence against governor

    Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah is to appear before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, today, to clarify issues surrounding his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the March 18 governorship election.

    This is just as the NYSC refused to tender the letter of disclaimer that they issued against Mbah’s certificate, which showed that Mbah’s certificate was forged.

    Tribunal Chairman Justice Kudirat Akano issued the subpoena at the resumed hearing brought against Mbah’s victory by candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Christopher Agu.

    Agu, through his counsel, Alex Amujieogu, told the tribunal that Governor Mbah was evading service to be subpoenaed and, therefore, asked the tribunal to make an order empowering the court bailiff, or himself, to use substituted means to serve the governor through his lawyer in court.

    Lawyers to INEC, Mbah and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opposed the application, saying it ought to have come during pre-trial.

    The tribunal, while granting the application, ordered that Mbah be served through his lawyer, Ikechukwu Onuoma, and adjourned the matter till today.

    Meanwhile, the NYSC cited an Abuja High Court order as excuse for refusing to tender the letter of disclaimer it issued against Mbah.

    The legal officer, Aliyu Muhammadu, who was in the court in compliance with the subpoena issued to the DG, however presented an affidavit of facts of the matter to the tribunal.

    Also, in a motion for interrogatories, LP’s lawyer, Eyitayo Fatogun (SAN), said Mbah’s presence would help clear doubts about the issues at stake – place of service, when he was appointed chief of staff to the governor, among others. But lawyers to INEC, Mbah and PDP opposed the application, saying it amounted to the accuser asking the accused to prove his case.

    But the tribunal adjourned till tomorrow to decide whether Mbah should answer the questions or not.

  • Abians in Anambra to Otti: probe Ikpeazu

    Abians in Anambra to Otti: probe Ikpeazu

    Abia State indigenes resident in Anambra State have urged Abia Governor Alex Otti to probe the former Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.

    A statement yesterday by the chairman Onyemechi Orji and Secretary Collins Azunna, said Ikepazu ‘committed a lot of things against the Abians’.

    They insisted that ‘those Abia property sold by the Ikpeazu to his cronies must be retrieved’.

    They listed the properties to include premises of the Nigeria Television Authority, Aba, premises of Willcox Memorial Secondary School, among others.

    The statement reads: “Dr Okezie made his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lose the governorship election in Abia State. He was not better than Chief Theodore Orji in any way. When he took over as governor, everybody hailed him thinking that a messiah had come to liberate the state, but we were wrong. He ended up being the worst.

    “Workers are owed months of salaries, roads were abandoned, but he was using Abia money to play jogo-bonito, his son was moving about in long convoys when workers were dying because of hunger and suffering.

    “The only thing that would please us is to recover all state properties which were acquired illegally by Ikpeazu’s allies.”