The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • UNILORIN 49 leader, two others become professors

    UNILORIN 49 leader, two others become professors

    • ‘Varsity should backdate promotion’

    The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) Governing Council has approved the elevation of leader of the UNILORIN 49 fame, Dr Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju, to his professorial chair.

    The promotion is coming after 24 years of waiting, it was gathered.

    The council also approved the promotion of two other members of the group to their professorial chairs. They are F. Dunmade and K Adeniyi of the departments of English and Pathology. Dr Oloruntoba-Oju is also of the department of English.

    But spokesperson of the institution Kunle Akogun did not confirm the information when contacted. “I am not aware, but I will find out,” he said.

    A source at the university however confirmed to our reporter that the ‘cherry news was posted on lecturers’ platform’. The source added that “the University of Ilorin Council has approved the promotion of Drs. T Oloruntoba-Oju, F. Dunmade and K. Adeniji to the rank of Professor in the Department of English, Faculty of Arts and the Department of Pathology.”

  • Abiodun appoints six special advisers

    Abiodun appoints six special advisers

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has appointed six Special Advisers to take charge of some agencies.l

    Secretary to the State Government Tokunbo Talabi, in a statement yesterday, said the measure is to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of government.

    According to the statement, the appointees and their agencies are Dapo Okubadejo (Ministry of Finance), Olaolu Olabimtan (Budget and Planning), Jamiu Omoniyi (Ministry of Housing), Adebowale Akinsanya (Works and Housing) Olusina Ogungbade (Justice) and Dr. Tomi Coker (Health).

    The statement recalled that the Ninth House of Assembly earlier approved the governor’s request to appoint 20 special advisers to maintain the momentum of his administration pending the appointment of commissioners.  

  • Lagos to subsidise blood transfusion

    Lagos to subsidise blood transfusion

    Lagos State government is negotiating a bearable amount as subsidy for the cost of preparing blood products, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said yesterday.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu said this yesterday at a symposium to mark the 2023 World Blood Donor Day, organised by the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service.

    Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, reiterated his commitment to subsidising blood costs for the state’s transfusion service, saying while conversations are ongoing, blood is still available at the same rate for users.

    He said: “Conversations are ongoing. There are a lot of calculations we need to do because it needs to be based on what the actual blood consumption is. In two or three months, it will be sorted out. We are keeping blood at the same rate. The blood is still getting to the user so it is not affecting the user at all.”

  • Aiyedatiwa to Ondo residents: pray for Akeredolu

    Aiyedatiwa to Ondo residents: pray for Akeredolu

    • Youths search for governor’s successor

    Acting Governor of Ondo State Lucky Aiyedatiwa has urged the people to pray for Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s quick recovery.

    Aiyedatiwa said rumours about disruption of government activities were misplaced. According to him, the rumours arose due to impatience and lack of proper understanding of how government runs.

    Aiyedatiwa, in his first official message to the people, said such misrepresentations and baseless allusions were to be expected ‘when political gladiators try to heat up the polity’. He, however, assured the people that governance was on course.

    He said: “Mr Governor has laid a solid foundation for One Administration in the state and there is, undoubtedly, no politically-debilitating division in the government.

    “Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, my boss, is a revered democrat who has always demonstrated his respect for the rule of law and the Constitution.

    “He is human like all of us. Whenever the need arises, everyone finds time to rest and take care of their health when medically-challenged.

    The State Executive Council (SEC) and the Parliament will continue to enjoy mutually beneficial relationship in our avowed duties to move the state forward.

    “We, therefore, enjoin the people not to relent in their prayers for Mr Governor’s quick recovery so he can resume after his medical vacation.

    “I cannot but enjoin the political class to be guided by good conscience in the pursuit of ambition in order to sustain the atmosphere of peace and unfettered development that we have been witnessing in the last six years. Service to our people should be the ultimate goal of our politicking. The sustained welfare of our people, the success of our administration and the victory of our great party in successive elections should be our guiding principles. Our administration shall neither be deterred nor distracted.”                          

    Meanwhile, youth leaders from the 203 wards of the state said they have begun the search for a ‘vibrant youth’ to succeed Governor Akeredolu.

    The youth leaders appealed to President Bola Tinubu to support a young person to become governor of the Sunshine State.

    They said their appeal reflected the demand of artisans, market women, students, farmers, non–indigenes and other groups across the state.

    Chairperson of the Coalition of Ondo State Youth Leader and Women Leaders (COSYAWLA), Mrs. Kemisola Bashiru, at a news conference, said the positive contribution of youths to nation-building could not be underrated.

  • Ogundoyin re-elected Oyo Assembly speaker

    Ogundoyin re-elected Oyo Assembly speaker

    • Makinde solicits lawmakers’ support

    The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin has re-emerged speaker of the 10th Assembly.

    Ogundoyin was declared winner yesterday after he was nominated without any opposition. He thus becomes the first speaker in Oyo State to be elected for a second term.

    Deputy Speaker Abiodun Fadeyi was also re-elected.

    Ogundoyin was first elected a lawmaker in 2018 in a by-election following the death of Micheal Adeyemo, also from Ibarapa East, then speaker of the Eighth Assembly. He was duly re-elected into the Ninth Assembly where he became the speaker at the age of 31.

    Ogundoyin was unanimously elected after his nomination by Adeola Bamidele (Iseyin/Itesiwaju) and seconded by Babajide Gabriel (Ibadan North II).

    Governor Seyi Makinde, who proclaimed the 10th Assembly, described it as a momentous occasion that symbolises not just the continuity of the state’s democratic journey, but also the vital role of the legislative power in the system of governance’.

    Makinde noted that some believed that political opposition is all about perpetually fighting the ruling party, but said ‘they do not grasp the basic principle that we cannot progress in disunity. They do not understand that trade-offs lead to progress. But here in Oyo State, we are setting the pace and showing them what is possible when we put aside partisan politics and put the interests of the good people of Oyo State first. As a result, we witnessed accelerated development in our dear state’.

    He added: “As we usher in sustainable development under Omituntun 2.0, I again ask that you work with us. I ask that you work with us as we continue to make education a priority. We have promised the people that we will continue to allocate 15-20 per cent of our budget to education, and that we will take all actions necessary to return another 20 per cent of our out-of-school children to the classrooms.

    “Of course, these budgets will be sent to this House to be passed into law. Our expectation is that when we present our budgets, they will be passed in good time. I ask that you work with us in continued infrastructural development…”

    Ogundoyin promised to work with the executive for greater progress of the state. He said the 10th Assembly will work to surpass the records of the Ninth Assembly.  

  • Police arrest Kuje prison escapee, 17 others

    Police arrest Kuje prison escapee, 17 others

    Nasarawa State Police Command, said it has arrested a Kuje prison escapee and 17 other suspects for various offences.

    Spokesman for the command, Ramhan Nansel, stated this at a press conference yesterday in Lafia.

    According to the command, a burglary and theft complaint was received on June 8, at about 2:30pm, at Masakq Divisional Headquarters.

    It said upon receipt of the report, police detectives attached to the division launched diligent investigation into the case.

    “Consequently, one Haruna Sunday was arrested in connection to the case, upon the interrogation, the suspect confessed to have escaped from Kuje prison when it was attacked in 2022,” he said.

    The command said the supect would be handed over to Nigeria Correctional Service for further action.

    Also, operatives attached to Nasarawa Eggon arrested two persons suspected to have killed one Jibrin-Mohammed Sani on May 29, at about 7:15am. The command said unknown armed men attacked a house at Galle, Nasarawa Eggon and killed one the deceased, adding that diligent investigation led to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of a locally fabricated pistol.

    It said four suspected kidnappers, four suspected armed robbers, two suspected marijuana dealers and seven others were also arrested.

    The command said four firearms and three ammunition were recovered from suspects.

  • Man sends fake alert to sex workers after service

    Man sends fake alert to sex workers after service

    The Police in Ondo State have arraigned a 25-year-old man identified as Oluwafemi Damilola, for having sex with four sex workers without paying them the agreed N45,000.

    Damilola reportedly ‘paid’ the sex workers with fake alert.

    He was arraigned at a Magistrate Court in Ondo Town on two-count charge bothering on fraud and breach of public peace.

    The police brought Damilola before the court for sending the women fake alert with the aim of defrauding them.

    According to the prosecutor, Akao Moremi, Damilola committed the offence in October 2022, at Sabo Road Ondo State.

    The alleged offence, the prosecutor said, was contrary to and punishable under Sections 249 and 360 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Volume 1 Law of Ondo State, 2006.

    Moremi said he would be calling five witnesses to testify in the case but Counsel to the defendant, S. A Iluyemi said steps have been taken for settlement.

    He prayed the court to release the defendant to him and promised that the defendant would pay the complainants money before the next day of adjournment.

    Presiding Magistrate, Mrs Charity Adeyanju, granted the application made by Iluyemi and ordered the money paid to the complaints before the next day of adjournment.

    Adeyanju said the court’s orderly must confirm the payment and report back to court.

    She adjourned the case till June 25, for the final report of settlement.

  • I’m Imo NNPP chairman, Duruimo insists

    I’m Imo NNPP chairman, Duruimo insists

    Imo State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Charles Duruimo, has insisted he remains the authentic chairman.

    Duruimo, who was purportedly sacked by the Local Government Zonal chairmen and some other executive members, said those behind it were former party members who were suspended for gross misconduct.

    He queried his removal after a vote of confidence was passed in him by the National leadership.

    While dismissing his sack and other allegations levelled against him, Duruimo maintained that he is still in charge and ‘the authentic chairman of NNPP in Imo. I urge other members including stakeholders to disregard my sack’.

    He said: “It’s the handiwork of members suspended from the party for gross misconduct, and they are only trying to attract attention of opposition parties for financial inducement towards the upcoming governorship election.

    “So, I call on the opposition parties to disregard their antics as they do not have any political value. They are just political merchants trying to seek relevance for their selfish gains.”

  • Ex-Imo deputy governor for burial July 21

    Ex-Imo deputy governor for burial July 21

    Former Imo State Deputy Governor Douglas Acholonu, who died on June 4, will be buried on July 21.

     Traditional ruler of Ishiobiukwu Gedegwum Ancient Palace, Igwe of Orlu, Patrick Acholonu, announced the death through the Palace Secretary, Dr. Henry Acholonu. He described the deceased surgeon as an elder statesman with impeccable and unimpeachable character.

     According to the statement, details of the burial will be made public in due course as the family was in still consulting with the Imo State government and Catholic Diocese of Orlu in order to give the deceased a befitting burial.

    The late Acholonu was medical director of St. Catherine’s Hospital, Ikenegbu, Owerri and Brendalin Hospital, Surulere, Lagos State, before his foray into politics.

  • ‘Akpabio should support Tinubu with robust legislation’

    ‘Akpabio should support Tinubu with robust legislation’

    A board member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, has admonished President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to maintain a robust legislative agenda that will support the ‘Nigerian ideal’ of President Bola Tinubu.

     Okumagba described Akpabio’s victory as an achievement for the Southsouth, ‘as the Senate has, for the first time since the return to democracy in 1999, chosen a Senator from the region to preside over its proceedings’.

     In his congratulatory yesterday, Okumagba noted that Akpabio’s election comes at a time when governance, under President Tinubu, is being re-tooled for the benefit of the masses.

     He urged the Senate president to be a strong partner in this effort because ‘it will reaffirm the people’s trust and interest in the national project of good and progressive governance’.

     The statement reads: “This is a crucial time in our country when the people need a parliament that will further improve on the legislative accomplishments of the Ninth Assembly and work for the people.

     “Senator Akpabio is coming at a time when President Tinubu has committed to governing according to the constitution and rule of law; to defend the country from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten its peace and stability; and to remodel our economy to bring about growth and development through job creation, food security and an end to extreme poverty’.