The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Firm unveils health plans for critical illnesses

    Firm unveils health plans for critical illnesses

    To ensure that people have access to medical cover in critical illnesses and life-threatening health emergencies, Avon Healthcare Limited (Avon HMO) has introduced ‘Critical Care Top-Up Plans’, a new range of health plans.

    At the product launch in Lagos, Avon HMO’s CEO, Adesimbo Ukiri, said the new Critical Care Top-up health plans – Avon A.C.E. Global; Avon Revive; Avon Secure and Avon Secure Lite – are designed to provide people with extra protection from severe or terminal illnesses at affordable premium.

    She said: “These health plans have been designed to cater for a wide range of people at various income levels by providing them with increased coverage for hospitalisation, treatment and required rehabilitation in the event of critical, acute, and life-threatening health conditions and emergencies.

    “Their benefits include coverage for all consultations, necessary investigations, medications and other treatments necessary for conditions such as cancer, renal failure, heart attack, stroke etc. For many Nigerians, having a plan from this range can be the difference between life and death, especially as they would not have to resort to crowdfunding on social media to pay hefty medical bills.”

    The critical care top-up plans also provide support services like care coordination across reputable hospitals nationwide, case management by experienced medical professionals, and post-treatment rehabilitation.

  • Adeleke signs dissolution order to end Seventh Assembly

    Adeleke signs dissolution order to end Seventh Assembly

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has signed the proclamation order for dissolution of the Seventh Assembly led by the All Progressives Congress (APC), and issued an order composing Eighth Assembly. 

    A statement yesterday by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, explained that the action is backed by Section 105 (3) of the constitution.

    The statement reads: “In two separate letters to the Clerk of the House, the governor cited relevant sections of the Constitution to affirm that the Assembly is dissolved with immediate effect, while the new Assembly is to be inaugurated on June 6, at 10am.”

    The letters, titled ‘Dissolution of the seventh Assembly of Osun State House of Assembly’, reads: I write to convey the dissolution of the Seventh Assembly. Whereas it is provided in Section 105 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, that a House of Assembly shall stand dissolved at the expiration of a period of four years commencing from the date of the first sitting of the House.

    “Now, therefore, I, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, the Governor of Osun State of Nigeria, in exercise of powers bestowed upon me by Section 105 (3) aforesaid, and of all powers enabling me in that behalf, hereby proclaim that the seventh Assembly of Osun State House of Assembly is hereby dissolved with immediate effect.

    “…now, therefore, I, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, the Governor of Osun State of Nigeria, in exercise of powers bestowed upon me by Section 105 (3) aforesaid, and of all powers enabling me in that behalf, hereby proclaim that the First Session of the Eighth Assembly of Osun State House of Assembly shall hold on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 10am in the House of Assembly.”

  • Why Cole lost in Rivers, by APC leader

    Why Cole lost in Rivers, by APC leader

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, has said the party’s governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, lost because of his anti-party activities during the presidential election.

     Okocha, who was the Chairman, Independent Campaign Council (ICC) for Tinubu-Shettima, renewed allegations of anti-party activities against Cole at the weekend in Port Harcourt. He told Cole to forget his matter at the tribunal and channel the energy in clearing the anti-party allegation against him.

     He said: “Cole has not challenged the burden of anti-party activities against him, during the February 25 presidential election. It was his anti-party activities that infuriated the mainstream APC members, who believed in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to sway support to the PDP governorship candidate, Siminalayi Fubara, in reciprocation of former Governor Nyesom Wike and PDP’s support for Tinubu.”

     Okocha also enumerated reasons why the national APC withdrew its petition from the election tribunal and abandoned Cole. 

    He said: “It is rare to have a party withdraw a petition and allow the petitioner to his fate. Many reasons abound. First, the party may have found it a waste of time and resources knowing that the grounds of challenge are puny. Secondly, the party may have been irked too by the candidate’s infidelity to the party.”

  • Delta community establishes trust for PIA implementation

    Delta community establishes trust for PIA implementation

    • Issues seven-day ultimatum to Shell

    The Ugborodo community in Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State has established the Ikpere Host Community Development Trust to aid implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    The community also gave a seven-day ultimatum to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), starting June 3, to meet with the community as regards the PIA. The community remains autonomous in the implementation of the PIA, it added.

    The people spoke at a general meeting of its five federated communities – Ode-Ugborodo, Ogidigben, Ajudaibo, Ijaghala and Madangho, at the community town hall in Ode-Ugborodo, at the weekend. It was attended by the Igbajor of Ugborodo, Prince Perry Atete; All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Ayirimi Emami; the Eghare-Aja of Ugborodo, Daniel Uwawah; former Executive Director, Projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, the Olare-Ojas of the five Ugborodo communities and several other leaders.

    A community leader, Alex Eyengho, who addressed reporters after the meeting, said deliberations centered on a recent protest against Chevron Nigeria Limited and other internal issues.

    According to him, the protest was suspended to allow dialogue.

    He said: “We suspended the protest to give room for further discussion. It was a tripartite meeting between the community, Chevron and the regulatory commission of the PIA. A follow up meeting will be held this Tuesday (tomorrow). “Chevron is showing commitment; they have visited this community twice and talks are ongoing. Parts of our demand at the protest are that Ugborodo community wants to have its own PIA. Our own trust is different from any other trust in Itsekiriland.

    “Ikpere is synonymous to Ugborodo. The indigenes at this meeting have resolved that our PIA be called Ikpere Host Community Development Trust.

    “We have issued SPDC a seven day notice from yesterday (Friday), to do what Chevron is doing, by coming to Ugborodo to discuss with us because the PIA and its accompanying regulation by the regulating agency is very clear. We are only saying follow the extant law of the PIA in constituting the three organs of the PIA – the Board of Trustee, the Management Committee and Advisory Committee.

    “We expect Shell to take us seriously. We have written to them several times and we expect them to take us seriously.”

  • Nwifuru appoints special assistants

    Nwifuru appoints special assistants

    Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has appointed special assistants on internal security.

     A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor, said the governor also appointed special assistants on Primary Education and New Media.

     “The appointees include Emerike Chinedu (Senior Special Assistant on Security) Felix Okemini (SSA Security); Sunday Ogbonna (SA Security) and Mbam Obinna (SA, Internal Security).

     “Others are Ogbonna Tobias (SA Internal Security); Chukwuemeka Nwokpo (SA, Internal Security); Godwin Okum (SA, Internal Security); Desmond Edeke (SA, Internal Security) Easy Okike-Uzo (SA, Internal Security); Chukwu Godwin (SA, Internal Security); Obinna Oko-Enyim (SA, Internal Security).

     “Chima Nnachi Okoro (SA, Internal Security); Cletus Nga (SA Internal Security); Boniface Nwankwo (SA Documentation); Leo Ekene Oketa (SA New Media); Mrs. Ifeoma Agwu (SA Primary Education); Dr. Sabinus Nwibo (SA, Primary Health Care) and Pan Christ Ikechukwu Eze (SA, Capital City).”

  • Over 40 killed in terror attacks on Sokoto, Zamfara villages

    Over 40 killed in terror attacks on Sokoto, Zamfara villages

    • Troops kill five suspects
    • By Muhammad Sani and NAN

    At least 40 persons have been killed and many others injured in  weekend attacks by gunmen on villages in Sokoto and Zamfara states.

    Thirty-seven of the victims were said to have been murdered in Raka, Raka Dutse, and Filin Gawa communities in Tangaza local government area of Sokoto State over their alleged refusal to pay the ‘levies’ imposed by the criminals.

    The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed 30 died in the attacks, adding that the criminals who stormed the villages aboard 20 motorcycles, also razed two vehicles and six huts, while one Bajaj motorcycle believed to belong to them was recovered at the scene.

    The terrorists were said to have dispersed sympathisers who came to perform burial rites for the deceased.

    Immediate past chairman of the area, Bashar Kalenjeni, said 18 people were killed at Raka, 17 at Filin Gawa, and two at Raka Dutse.

    “We wanted to bury them in the night, but the bandits came back and dispersed us. As at this morning, the deceased are still there unburied,” Kalenjeni said.

    According to him, the “offence” of the villagers was their refusal to pay levies imposed on their communities.

    “The bandits imposed levies on their communities, which was meant to take charge with immediate effect, and also dictating to residents what to and not to do.”

  • 22 killed, 28 injured in Kano, Kwara road crashes

    22 killed, 28 injured in Kano, Kwara road crashes

    • By Precious Igbonwelundu and NAN

    Twenty-two persons including children were at the weekend killed and 28 injured in road accidents that occurred in Kano and Kwara states.

    In Kwara State, four persons were crushed to death and 16 injured by construction firm’s truck along Olooru-New Jebba Road in Moro Local Government Area, Sector Commander, Frederick Ogidan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Ogidan said the truck belonged to Chinese firm, CGC Construction Company, adding that the accident was caused by over-speeding

    Ogidan said relatives of the deceased had claimed the bodies while the injured were taken to a hospital at Kambi village in the area.

    The Kano incident happened around 8:35pm on Friday, at Zakirai Village, along the Kano-Ringim Road, killing 18 persons including children and injuring 12 others.

    According to the Federal Road Safety Commission’s (FRSC) Public Education Officer (PEO), Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Marshal, Dauda Ali Biu, blamed Friday night’s accident on wrongful overtaking and overspeeding.

    Kazeem in a statement yesterday, said the Corps Marshal cautioned motorists against dangerous overtaking , overloading and night travels across the country.

  • Army rescues 21 expectant mothers, girls, two children from baby factory

    Army rescues 21 expectant mothers, girls, two children from baby factory

    • Chef held, body parts seen around building
    • Babies used for rituals, trafficked, Army alleges

    Soldiers attached to the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks; 14 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia State, yesterday rescued 21 heavily pregnant women during a raid on a baby factory.

    The pregnant women were between ages 17 and 25 years. Two babies were also rescued from the centre and human parts allegedly seen around the centre which the army alleged was trafficking children and also using them for ritual purposes.

    The Nation gathered that a 34-year-old Chef, Katherine Oyechi Ngwanma, was equally arrested in the raid while the owner of the facility, Mrs. Nma Achumba, who apparently knew about the raid, escaped arrest.

    The facility known as Nma Charity Home, was said to be located near the popular Umunkpeyi Market, along old Umuahia-Aba Road, Isiala Ngwa South local government area of the state, and was registered with the Abia State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as a charity home.

    Our correspondent reports that Nma Charity Home has been raided by security operatives within and outside the state on several occasions and each time the place was raided, several pregnant girls were rescued while the operator, Mrs. Achumba would escape arrest.

    The last of such raids before yesterday’s was in November 2019, when the Imo State Police Command, under the leadership of then Police Commissioner, CP Rabiu Ladodo, acted on a tip-off, raided the home and rescued 14 pregnant teenage girls and four children.

  • JTF neutralises 10 gunmen

    JTF neutralises 10 gunmen

    • Catholic priest kidnapped
    • Manhunt for abductors of Chinese in Abia

    At least 10 hoodlums have been reportedly killed by the Joint Task Force (JTF) on security at Orsumoghu and Orsuihteukwa in Ihiala and Oru East Council Areas of Anambra and Imo states, respectively.

    The Nation gathered that the deceased were neutralised when security operatives stormed some of the camps of the suspected gunmen in both communities.

    Sources said the deceased might be loyalists of a kinpin killed three weeks ago by security forces alongside four of his members.

    This is just as a Catholic Priest, Fr. Stanislaus Mbamara, was weekend kidnapped by gunmen in Nnewi, Anambra State.

    The young priest was said to have been whisked away  Friday evening, while driving from Awka, the state capital, to Nnewi, where he serves.

    Catholic Diocese of Nnewi confirmed the incident in a statement signed by the Chancellor, Fr. Raphael Ezeogu.

    The chaplaincy called for prayers for the priest’s release, expressing hope he would come out unhurt.

    “Our priest, Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Mbamara, a student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, was kidnapped yesterday (Friday) evening, on his way from Awka to Nnewi.

    “Let’s storm heaven with humble and insistent prayers for his quick release in sound health of mind and body. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Help of Christians, pray with and for us,” the statement read.”

  • LP Rep – elect backs committee chair, Onuoha for deputy speaker

    LP Rep – elect backs committee chair, Onuoha for deputy speaker

    The Labour Party (LP) member-elect representing Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Obika Chinedu, has expressed support for the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Disabilities and Special Needs, Princess Onuoha for  deputy speaker .According to Chinedu, having Onuoha as the deputy speaker is like using a stone to kill three birds.

    He described Onuoha as competent, detribalised, and believes she has the capacity to fill the role of deputy speaker.

    He also acknowledged the significant contribution of women in Nigeria’s development, noting that women voted more than men in the country.

    Speaking with newsmen in Abuja yesterday Chinedu noted that minorities in the house should have a say in the selection process of principal officers and emphasised the importance of a smooth run for the government.

    He said it was not right for non-members to decide the fate of their representatives.

    The rep – elect opposed the idea of micro-zoning the position of principal offices without allowing members to vote for their preferred candidate.

    Chinedu stressed that his position reflected his own perspective, and clarified that the Labour Party has not officially endorsed any particular candidate at the moment.

    He acknowledged Onuoha’s competence and highlighted her previous roles as the chairman of committee on disability in the ninth assembly, indicating her qualifications for the Deputy Speakership.

    Chinedu called on fellow members and colleagues to consider healing of past wounds through the kind of politics they will practice in the 10th Assembly.

    He stated that President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Sen Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stating that the appointment has already contributed to the healing process.