The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Patience Ozokwo becomes brand ambassador of Powell Homes

    Patience Ozokwo becomes brand ambassador of Powell Homes

    Powell Homes & Shelters Limited has unveiled of veteran actress Mrs. Patience Ozokwo as its new brand ambassador.

    The unveiling ceremony took place in Enugu at the inauguration of the company’s maiden estate in partnership with Enugu State Government through the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) which is billed to be the best fully serviced plots ready for development at a very affordable price.

    Speaking at the ceremony, the chief executive officer of the company, Arc. Chibuike Onyekachi expressed delight at the deal.

    He said: “We’re excited to announce that veteran and award wining nollywood actress MRS Patience Ozokwo (MFR) who has graced the Nigerian entertainment screen for several decades would be joining our team.

    Read Also: Olu Jacob irreplaceable in Nollywood – Patience Ozokwor

    “We’re delighted to say that Mrs Patience Ozokwo (MFR) aka Mama G is officially the brand ambassador of Powell Homes & Shelters Limited as we unveil our maiden estate in partnership with Enugu State Government through the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) which is billed to be the best fully serviced plots ready for development at a very affordable price.

    “We look forward to serving you better. Welcome to Powell Homes & Shelters Limited”.

  • Iyabo Ojo shares photoshopped faces of singers in female bodies

    Iyabo Ojo shares photoshopped faces of singers in female bodies

    Popular actress, Iyabo Ojo, has given an interesting description of some top male Afrobeats artistes whose images were photoshopped unto female bodies.

    She shared a post which captured the faces of singers photoshopped on the bodies of nurses.

    The singers include Davido, Wizkid, Olamide, Kizz Daniel and Tekno.

    They all had different facial expressions with only Davido displaying a wide infectious smile.

    Read Also: My Igbo lover not a married man – Iyabo Ojo

    While describing each of them according to nurses and other personalities she knows and have had encounters with in reality, Ojo wrote; “Big wiz reminds me of one nurse Bolanle I know. Davido, nurse Bisi always smiling.

    “Olamide reminds me of one senior Alaba I knew then very very strict”.

    “I will give Kizz sisi Omolara oloju come & do & finally my dear Tekno, nurse Ifeoma no stress zone.”

  • Northern Govs mourn Unongo

    Northern Govs mourn Unongo

    The Northern Governors Forum has mourned the demise of elder statesman Dr. Paul Unongo.

    Chairman of the Forum Governor Simon Lalong said the late Paul Unongo was an achiever who served Nigeria with passion and patriotism.

    Lalong, who described him as a thorough intellectual and notable politician, said the deceased played a great role in the democratic journey of Nigeria and will be remembered as one who stood for justice, equity and fairness.

    The Plateau Governor said as Minister for Steel Development in the Second Republic and pioneer Secretary General of the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP), Unongo demonstrated capacity and ability to work with Nigerians from all works of life and different parts of the country towards building a greater nation.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Northern governors resort to prayers

    He recalled that Unongo was the Convener and former Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum which took a special interest in issues regarding the development of the region and the nation at large.

    Read Also:Northern governors and state police

    Lalong, in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, said such interventions drew attention to and mobilised support for the plight of the people of the Northern Region particularly in the areas of peace and security, agriculture, education, health and infrastructure among others.

    Unongo, according to the Governor, never failed to speak out on national issues and advance solutions to resolving them.

    While commiserating with his family, Government and the people of Benue State, the Northern Governors Forum prayed to God to grant his soul eternal rest.

  • Suspected kidnap kingpin John Lyon arraigned

    Police in Bayelsa State on Wednesday arraigned a suspected kidnap kingpin Mr. John Ewa, aka John Lyon, and his accomplice, Emmanuel Charles Angase, before a High Court sitting in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    The suspects allegedly abducted bankers, businessmen and prominent Bayalsans for ransom before they were nabbed by police operatives in September.

    The suspects pleaded not guilty to the 14- count of kidnapping, armed robbery and criminal felony preferred against them.

    The Bayelsa Police Command on September 16 paraded an Abuja socialite, John Eka Ewa, alleged to have colluded with others to terrorise the State for years through kidnap of top bankers, businessmen and prominent persons.

    The flamboyant suspected kidnapper was paraded with some of his gang members and other criminals by Commissioner of Police Ben Nebolisa Okolo at a briefing in Yenagoa.

    In view of the plea, the Prosecution Counsel, Bayelsa State Director of Public Prosecution, Apulu Iyabosa, said the briefs of the case were served on the defendants’ counsel and prayed for a trial date.

    Read Also: What to know about suspected notorious kidnap kingpin John Lyon

    Counsel for the defendants, Francis Gbaionna, said he had not received the statement of charges from the prosecution lawyer, adding the he had no objection to the application.

    Ruling on the matter, the presiding Judge of court, Justice I. Eradiri, ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Okaka Correctional Centre, Yenagoa.

    Eradiri adjourned the case until December 5 and 21, 2022 for a hearing.

  • Nkechi Blessing replaces Range Rover one year later

    Nkechi Blessing replaces Range Rover one year later

    Actress Nkechi Blessing has acquired another Range Rover one year after she disposed the previous one.

    NBS in 2021 revealed she sold her car, a Range Rover SUV to facilitate the completion of her house.

    Striking several poses with the new automobile parked in front of her bungalow, the movie star expressed gratitude to God and also the brands she works for playing a huge part in her success story.

    “One year later, I bought the same car I sold to finish this Small bungalow behind me. One whole year of hard work and sweat, 2022 wasn’t my best year but it ended in praise.

    Read Also: Nkechi Blessing visits ‘jovial’ Ooni

    “To God alone be all the glory and to all the brands that entrusted their business to me to deliver, you all are the biggest part of my success story and I will continue to carry your business on my head.

    “Feel free to tap ooo Cus na Contribution money I use buy this car (Ajo) Thrift. I no get any sponsor anywhere, but I don’t mind sha Cus I am tired of doing it all by myself,” the 33-year-old wrote.

  • Pele hospitalised, fighting cancer

    Pele hospitalised, fighting cancer

    Three-time FIFA World Cup winner Pele has been hospitalised in Sao Paulo amid his long battle with cancer.

    His daughter, Kely Nascimento, said on Wednesday that while there was ‘no emergency,’ her 82-year-old father was required to regulate his medication in his fight against a colon tumour.

    Read Also: JSS 2 student needs N36m to treat cancer

    Kely Nascimento took to Instagram to inform the fans about her father’s health. Amid all the alarm in the media, Nascimento said that there was no reason to panic and that she appreciated the concern everybody showcased. Meanwhile, ESPN in Brazil had reported earlier that Pele was taken to a hospital due to General Swelling.

  • NDLEA burns 24.6 tons of illicit drugs in Kwara

    NDLEA burns 24.6 tons of illicit drugs in Kwara

    Kwara State Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday openly burnt 24.6 tons of illicit drugs and substances it confiscated.

    The command added it had convicted 171 persons on the seized drugs, describing it as a major achievement of the agency.

    State Commander, NDLEA Ibrahim Saidu said this in Ilorin, the state capital at an event to destroy 24.6 tons of illicit narcotics, drugs and psychotropic substances.

    He acknowledged the important roles of the state government and other stakeholders in achieving such feats.

    He appealed to them to sustain their support for maximum success in the fight against drug abuse.
    IGovernor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the administration would not relent in its partnerships with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Kwara State Command, in checking the menace of drug abuse.

    “We all know the menace of drug abuse and addiction, and how it destroys families, communities and the State, to the extent that non-state actors are now using drugs as a form of investment and means to continue to perpetrate violence in the society,” he said.

    Read Also: .NDLEA arrests suspected Abia drug kingpin

    “As far as the government is concerned, the issue of drugs in our society is huge and must be combated. That is why I had to re-arrange my plans to be part of this occasion to show that the government has a buy-in in it,” he added

    AbdulRazaq expressed delight that Kwara which was in 2018 rated high as one of the states abusing drugs is now gaining strength in the control, promising to continue to support the State Command on advocacy campaigns.

    “We know the job of the NDLEA Chairman across the nation is huge. We need to continue the advocacies. We will partner with NDLEA to sponsor programmes on Radio and Television stations to pass the message to our communities and so on,” the Governor added.

  • Kerosene price rises by 145% in one year

    Kerosene price rises by 145% in one year

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said the average price of kerosene rose by 145% in one year.

    It said from the N423.32 per litre paid in October 2021, it rose to N1,041.05 per litre in October 2022.

    The Bureau stated these in its document titled: “National Household Kerosene Price Watch (October 2022).’

    The data said the average retail price per litre of Household Kerosene (HHK) paid by consumers in October 2022 was N1,041.05, indicating an increase of 9.90% compared to N947.30 recorded in September 2022.

    “On a year-on-year basis, the average retail price per litre of the product rose by 145.87% from N423.42 in October 2021,” it said.

    NBS noted that on state profile analysis, the highest average price per litre in October 2022 was recorded in Cross River with N1,304.17, followed by Enugu with N1,300.00 and Lagos with N1,294.44.

    Read Also: Kerosene price up by 118.08% in one year- NBS

    It also noted that on the other hand, the lowest price was recorded in Borno with N783.33, followed by Rivers with N804.17 and Bayelsa with N805.67.

    According to the NBS, analysis by zone showed that the South-East recorded the highest average retail price per litre of Household Kerosene with N1,191.14, followed by the South-West with N1,142.60, while the North-East recorded the lowest with N905.18.

    The document also said the average retail price per gallon of Household Kerosene paid by consumers in October 2022 was N3,516.87, showing an increase of 8.67% from N3,236.27 in September 2022. On a year-on-year basis, this increased by 126.46% from N1,552.96 in October 2021.
    Ends

  • Elegbe warns Freddie, Peggy against social media love

    Elegbe warns Freddie, Peggy against social media love

    Actor Osagie Elegbe has warned his newly married colleagues Fredrick ‘Freddie’ Leonard and Peggy Ovire, against bringing their love displays to social media.

    His remark was elicited by a video of the duo engaging in a public display of affection in the car.

    In the video, Freddie could be seen smothering his wife with kisses all over her body while teasing her that there weren’t any more husbands in town as she protested to be left alone so that she could meet up with her appointment.

    According to her, whenever she has an appointment, her hubby always manages to delay her with his romantic displays.

    Sharing the video, Peggy wrote: “Every damn time I’m stepping out, the appointment of 10am, this man delayed me till 1 pm.”

    Though the video garnered heartwarming responses from social media users with many gushing over the couple.

    Elegbe warned the love birds against flaunting their affection on the internet.

    Read Also: Win or win I remain ‘Obidient’, says Fredrick Leonard

    He advised them to take a cue from persons who are already suffering the consequences of flaunting their love online.

    The “Blood of Enogie’ actor said: “Another error, showing how much you love each other on SM is not desirable, there are others waiting to tear it apart. Learn from others who are already eaten their bitter pie”, he wrote.

    In October, the couple, who have been having an on-and-off relationship dating back to 2015, shocked their fans when they announced that they were getting married.

    The traditional wedding ceremony themed #meettheleonards which held in Warri, Delta State on Saturday, 19 November was witnessed by family, friends and colleagues of the couple.

  • Pray for Nigeria, leaders, Buni enjoins clerics

    Pray for Nigeria, leaders, Buni enjoins clerics

    Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni has urged religious leaders to continue praying for the prosperity of the country and its leadership.

    He made the call on Tuesday when the National Leader of Jama’atul Izzalatu Bid’a wa ikhamatu Sunnah (JIBWIS), Shiek Abdullahi Bala Lau, paid him a courtesy call in Abuja.

    The Governor, who is the immediate past Chairman of the caretaker committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in a statement by his Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, Mamman Mohammed, reminded religious leaders of their roles in shaping the thinking of leaders, the people and the government for a better country.

    “You serve as reminders, guiding leaders in government and society.

    “Your summons and preaching should guide leaders to serve God and humanity for the improved welfare of the people.

    “You should always and continuously remind leaders of their roles in serving God and the people.

    “You should not abandon leaders to their ideas and wisdom in piloting the affairs of state or country,” Buni said.

    Read Also: Buni unveils 10-year masterplan for Damaturu

    Shiek Bala Lau said he led Yobe state leaders of the Islamic organisation to congratulate Buni on the award of the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger CON to the Governor.

    Lau assured Buni of JIBWIS support for his administration to succeed.

    “We will continue praying for Yobe state and Nigeria for sustainable peace, progress and prosperity,” the cleric assured.