The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Mbah orders closure of schools, businesses observing sit-at-home

    Mbah orders closure of schools, businesses observing sit-at-home

    Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has ordered closure of schools and businesses observing the Monday sit-at-home directive of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

     The governor, in a statement at the weekend, said the directive follows his annulment of the sit-at-home, effective from tomorrow. He urged residents to go about their activities without fear, assuring them that ‘adequate security measures have been taken to guarantee their safety’.

    The statement reads: “In view of the cancellation of Mondays’ sit-at-home, all schools, markets, retail outlets, hospitals, transporters, malls and the public have been directed to go about their normal businesses and activities every day of the week, including Mondays.

     “The above-mentioned bodies and others alike are required to comply with the directive. Members of the government’s task force will be moving around to monitor compliance. Any market, transport outlet, or any other body that fails to open for business risks being shut immediately.”

  • Nwifuru appoints special assistants on security, others

    Nwifuru appoints special assistants on security, others

    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).”

  • ‘Politics without morality cause of leadership failure’

    ‘Politics without morality cause of leadership failure’

    Imo State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Samuel Anyanwu has described politics without morality as the cause of leadership failure in the society.

     Anyanwu said if present day politicians could remember that genuine power only comes from God, the desperation to foist themselves on the masses will reduce.

     He spoke at the first session of the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Mbaise, at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Owutu Parish, Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area. The theme was ‘Occupy Till I Come’.

     Anyanwu regretted that God, having created human beings in His image, expects them to love one another in everything. He wondered why the same people ignored God’s directives and resorted to immorality, describing it as ‘an unpardonable sin that has given the society a heavy cut which will take time to heal’.

     The candidate therefore admonished religious leaders to rise up against thuggery, violence and electoral malpractices, noting that in the cause of subverting and scuttling people’s mandates, Imo people became vulnerable to insecurity.

     He said: “The level of greed, wickedness and desperation to retain power at all cost has created an unsecured society, leading to unwarranted killings of Imo youths. Instead of politicians to work towards liberating the society from underdevelopment to an enviable height, they are busy accumulating wealth and recruiting thugs ahead of the November 11, 2023 election.

     “No viable leader or administration can achieve its policies if such government does not anchor its vision on morality. Consistently creating good relationship with the church and men of God remains a major solution to violence and immorality.’

      While urging politicians to invest in God’s vineyard, Anyanwu advised them to take good care of those ordained to render spiritual assistance to humanity.

     He was accompanied by the deputy governorship candidate Jones Onyereri, Evang Myke Ikoku, Ngozi Ogbu, Mike Ahumibe (PDP Organising Secretary, Southeast), Chief Law Biadou (PDP Organizing Secretary, Imo State), Collins Opurozor (PDP Publicity Secretary, Imo State, among others.

  • African Refinery backs Fed Govt on subsidy removal

    African Refinery backs Fed Govt on subsidy removal

    African Refinery Port Harcourt, NNPC Joint Venture Partner, being developed in Port Harcourt Refinery Complex has hailed Bola Tinubu government in removing petroleum subsidy.

      In a statement, Chief Executive Officer, Omotayo Adebajo, called on Nigerians to support the President, and be patient with him.

     Acknowledging the subsidy removal has resulted in higher pump prices, he noted  the President’s action will boost investment and free money to be channelled into projects.

      He called on the President to deepen previous commitment by Muhammadu Buhari to support local refinery projects  through NNPC Limited’s equity in African Refinery’s 100kbd project and Dangote Refinery in Lagos.

     Adebajo said these projects are critical to the drive to stop fuel importation and guarantee energy security.

    He reiterated the call in many circles for the government to support private sector investors, especially in accessing feedstock and government backed low interest finance.

      The chief executive noted his refinery project will increase local production and safeguard a more competitive market of multiple producers in more than one region.

    He said it will with similar projects help in positioning Nigeria as a net exporter of petroleum and petrochemical products and commodities.

     The press release also announced that the company has commenced Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) activities, which marks a significant and critical milestone towards turning the vision of the refinery into a reality; the company also gave notice and as part of these activities a team of its foreign experts and consultants will arrive in Nigeria in June 2023 to conduct critical surveys and to hold meetings with our partners and other industry stakeholders.

     The press release concluded by reaffirming African Refinery’s full support for the President’s removal of all petroleum subsidies and strongly believe that this bold action is the critical first step towards our nation’s drive for a brighter and more prosperous future.

  • NDIC seeks stakeholders’ input on proper premium assessment

    NDIC seeks stakeholders’ input on proper premium assessment

    Following review of its Differential Premium Assessment System (DPAS) framework, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has sought input from stakeholders to make the document more robust and inclusive.

    Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Bashir Alhassan Nuhu, in a statement, said the framework was reviewed to make it more risk sensitive and account for developments that had taken place in the banking system.

     It noted the review was informed by need to ensure the framework conforms to recommendations of International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) and others.

     The statement urged urged stakeholders to forward their input, comments and recommendations to NDIC Director, Insurance and Surveillance on aliyuam@ndic.gov.ng  on or before month end.

     NDIC adopted DPAS in 2008 following issuance of its framework in 2007 to differentiate premiums payable by Insured Financial Institutions based on  risk profile. 

    DPAS introduces fairness into premium assessment, encourage risk management and apply risk differential approach in deposit insurance premium assessment.

     DPAS was also to enable banks in lower risk categories pay relatively lower premium, charge banks in higher risk categories more, incentivise regulatory compliance and mitigate moral hazard.

  • Commission to create jobs for 7,000 youths

    Commission to create jobs for 7,000 youths

    National Commission Against Proliferation of Arms, Light Weapons and Pipeline vandalism has said it will embark on creation of jobs to employ 7000 youths in each state as its contribution to curb youth restiveness.

    Acting Director General, Dr Otunba Adegbenro, who spoke in Abuja, said the commission will clampdown on sellers, ammunition, chemical weapons, importers and hoarders of light weapons.

     Adegbenro appealed to President Bola Tinubu to assent to the bill to deliver on their mandate, saying “our core mandate is to stop importation of illegal arms, ammunition and chemical weapons.

     “It meanswe have to go down even to the fishermen to make sure we comply with Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) treaty which Nigeria is a signatory to in 2006, to stop all ammunition coming through the borders, and seas…’’

    Adegbenro said the commission is in tandem with ECOWAS Commission to battle importation of illegal arms, ammunition, small weapons and chemical weapons.

     “The commission is meant to work with other ECOWAS member states. We are suffering insecurity in Nigeria because of this illegal importation of arms and ammunition…

     “It will be nice for the government to embrace us, and give us backing, including the National Assembly.

     “We have many youths out there yearning for jobs, in 100 days of our president, we want to embark on making sure we employ 7000 youths in each state, that takes unemployment out of the window”, he said.

  • ‘How Auxiliary was busted without Makinde’s knowledge’

    ‘How Auxiliary was busted without Makinde’s knowledge’

    Facts have emerged as to how leader of commercial drivers’ union in Oyo State, Mukaila Lamidi (aka Auxilliary), was busted last week.

    A reliable police source told the nation that the police decided to go after Auxiliary after intelligence confirmed his plans to attack major motor parks on Wednesday.

    Governor Seyi Makinde had hinted Auxiliary of his intention to dissolve the PMS management and reconstitute it to accommodate other factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to assuage them and ensure lasting peace at parks. But Auxiliary insisted that the control of motor parks had always being a winner-takes-all decision.

    The governor, The Nation learnt, tried to make him understand why other tendencies must be accommodated for a broad-based management and inclusiveness, but Auxiliary did not budge.

    It was learnt he intended to go on with his plans, unknown to Governor Makinde, who was still counting on continuous dialogue.

    The source said: “With intelligence confirming his plan, and knowing full well the enormity of arms and ammunition at his disposal, the police leveraged on Makinde’s new body language to tame Auxiliary once and for all.

    “The command believed that informing the governor might give room for pleas and counsel for delay, and any other soft approach which may help the 61-year-old escape justice.

    “On learning about the raid of the hotel where Auxiliary was said to have hidden arms and ammunition, and arrest of some of his men, Makinde was shocked. He called the commissioner of police to confirm and commended him for the effort, though it was not clear if he had any reservation about the raid.”

  • Hoodlums attack ex-Lagos council chair

    Hoodlums attack ex-Lagos council chair

    Some hoodlums in Ifelodun Local Council Development Area on Friday attacked the former chairman of the council, Alhaji Fatai Ajidagba (aka AJIFAT).

    Ajidagba was left with a dislocated arm and bruises on fingers and cheeks after the attack.

    The former council chief was approaching his vehicle parked inside the secretariat after a meeting with leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) when the hoodlums pounced on him.

    According to him, the hoodlums were armed with various dangerous weapons like cutlasses, cudgels, broken bottles, charms and guns.

    Ajidagba told The Nation the attack was sponsored by a lawmaker and a leader in the council.

    According to him, the lawmaker had earlier physically assaulted him during the meeting before mobilising the hoodlums to attack him.

    “No one came to my rescue while the attack was going on within the council premises. When no one came to my rescue, I knew the attack was a directive from the leadership of the council.

    “I was nearly killed before escaping from the hoodlums. One of them wanted to shoot me before an official of the Neighbourhood Watch stopped me,” he said.

    He said he immediately went back to the meeting hall to report to the leadership of the party.

    “I was rushed to the General Hospital. They referred me to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi. They couldn’t attend to me due to ongoing industrial action by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). From there, I was taken to the Military Hospital, Yaba where I was eventually treated,” he said.

    He promised to name those behind the attack in his petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 2.

  • We’re pressing ahead with planned strike, says NLC

    We’re pressing ahead with planned strike, says NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) has vowed it is going ahead with planned industrial action to protest the removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

    The Congress said all the affiliate unions of the NLC are united with unshakeable resolve to prosecute, on Wednesday the strike, except the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited(NNPCL) and Federal Government revert to the old pump price of petrol.

    Head of Information and Public Affairs, NLC, Benson Upah said this in a statement on Sunday in response to a news report published by a national daily.

    The statement denied any division in the NLC, saying the news item “only plays in their imagination” of the paper.

    Read Also : Sanwo-Olu to NLC: this is no time for strike

    The statement reads: “The lead story on the front page of ThisDay of Sunday, June 4th, 2023 entitled _NLC Divided as North, South-West Chapters May Shun Planned Strike, is a laughable and desperate attempt by enemies of the people to polarise Nigeria Labour Congress along ethnic or regional lines on an issue with a national spread.

    “Happily, this scenario only plays in their imagination as Nigeria Labour Congress continues to be the biggest pan-Nigerian organisation united by a common vision/ mission and shared national values.

    “On the looming strike action, we want to assure that all the affiliate unions of the Congress stand together with an unshakeable resolve to prosecute, come Wednesday, except the NNPC and Government do the needful.

    “Whereas, primordial sentiments such as religion, region or ethnicity may be a refuge for some, at the Nigeria Labour Congress, they have no place. What counts for us are issues such as the mindless and criminal increase in the pump price of pms whose burden will be borne by the already impoverished communities of the poor across Nigeria.

    “The burden of this malevolent policy will not be borne by other segments of the country to the exclusion of the North or South- West. Thus, there is no reason for these regions to back out of the strike.

    “We do not know from where ThisDay got their story. However, if this is their way of making up for the gaps in their relationship with the new entities in power, we would say, it is rather excessive!”

  • Sweden makes s3x an official sport

    Sweden makes s3x an official sport

    Sweden has become the first country in the world to officially register s3x as a sport and will also host the first-ever European S3x Championship in Gothenburg on June 8.

    A panel of judges will decide the winners of the s3x competition while the audience will also influence the final decisions