The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • N7.8bn spent on intervention projects in CoE, Akwanga – FG

    N7.8bn spent on intervention projects in CoE, Akwanga – FG

    The Federal Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has spent N7, 879, 432,390 billion on intervention projects at the College of Education Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Minister of Environment Muhammed Abdullahi has said.

    The Minister added that the commissioning of the projects would further enhance teaching and learning in the institution.

    The Minister, who disclosed this during the commissioning of three newly-completed TETFund projects at the college in Akwanga, said the interventions were on infrastructure, academic staff development, and content, among others.

    He said the newly completed projects: Home Economics Department Complex; Undergraduates Programmes Complex and School of Education Complex gulped N954, 804,436.14.

    The Minister stated that the commissioning of the projects sponsored by TETFund were a continuation of the agency’s intervention in the institution.

    He said: “These projects are: Home Economics Department Complex -N348,466,368.97; Undergraduates Programmes Complex,-N174,759,172.87; School of Education Complex -N434,578,894.30; total sum—N954,804,436.14.”

    On academic staff development, Abdullahi said TETFUND has sponsored 108 lecturers from the college for Ph.D degrees, 179 for Masters Degrees, in both foreign and local institutions totaling N799,570,466.00, while 119 staff were sponsored to attend conferences, totaling N150, 925,069:00.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to education had been undaunted as observed in Buhari’s recent review of the two per cent education tax to three per cent.

    The minister expressed Federal Government’s commitment to continuous provision of needed infrastructure for enhanced teaching and learning in the country’s tertiary institutions.

    Commissioner for Education, Nasarawa State, Hajiya Fatu Jimaita, said TETFund, through its interventions, has played a remarkable role in the provision of quality education in the country.

    While describing the federal government agency as the fulcrum of educational development in Nigeria, Jimaita thanked TETFund for the projects and expressed hope that the iconic structures would not only be put to good use but also protected.

    Provost of the College, Rev. Jonathan Thani, noted the impact of TETFund on all aspects of the college, including staff training, infrastructure, and facilities among others.

    While thanking the agency for the projects, Thani called for more interventions from TETFund, lamenting that the college which has over 16,000 students does not have a befitting library, except the old one constructed since 1973.

    Read Also: APC risks disqualification in Nasarawa Eggon,Wamba, Akwanga Reps seat

    Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, said the current administration has invested heavily on infrastructure in its over seven years of existence to aid teaching and learning in tertiary institutions.

    Represented by the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at TETFund, Babatunde Olajide, the TETFund boss said the agency’s interventions across tertiary institutions were carried out in line with enabling laws.

    Echono noted that government’s commitment to the intervention was its attestation that it desired to have the nation’s tertiary institutions well ranked globally.

    While disclosing that the projects being commissioned were started in 2019 and completed in 2022 with N1 billion, he charged the management of the institution to commit the buildings to good use and ensure maintenance of the structures for the for the advancement of learning in the college.

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  • Julius Berger shuts down operations over terror alert

    Julius Berger shuts down operations over terror alert

    Construction giant Julius Berger has shut down operations in Abuja over the travel advisory issued by the United States and United Kingdom over possible terror attacks in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).

    Julius Berger is the second company to take the decision after the popular Jabi Lake Mall, acting in response to the alert on public places in the nation’s capital city decided to shut down operations till further notice.

    This is despite the Federal Government downplaying the threat, saying measures were on to keep the FCT safe.

    In a statement by the company’s Managing Director and Corporate Security Manager Engr. Lars Bichter and Poul Nielsen respectively, the company advised its staff to avoid public premises during the weekend.

    Read Also: Don’t panic over US/UK security alert, Buhari tells Nigerians

    The statement reads: “In response to the ongoing security concern within the FCT and Central Abuja.

    “It is advised to avoid all public events within the FCT environment, including: Supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and other areas where many meet. This advice is applicable from, 28.10.2022 in the evening until Monday, 31.10.2022 in the morning.

    “It remains possible to move to other JBN work or residential locations throughout the weekend.

    “Your safety is our primary concern.”

    When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh, said; “I don’t know anything about it.” On the US/UK security advisory conundrum

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  • Outrage in Enugu as youths strip widow

    Outrage in Enugu as youths strip widow

    There was outrage weekend over the alleged dehumanization of a widow in Agunese Affam-Mmaku Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    The 57 year-old widow was stripped on Friday and paraded round the village without clothes for daring to pick snails from a forest regarded as sacred in the village.

    In a viral video of the woman on the social media, a mob beat her up and stripped her, tied palm fronts round her naked waste and neck before parading her round the village.

    Her abusers, who were mostly youths of the village, also forced the widow to carry the basket of snails on her head while parading the entire community naked.

    The incident has expectedly drawn condemnation from the members of the public, particularly women groups in Enugu State, who described the act as dehumanizing.

    In a joint statement, the women groups said it was inhuman to strip a woman of her pride which is her covering for mere pieces of snails.

    “It hurts further to know that these snails are not lab-manufactured or already offered to the god’s but termed sacred on the basis of archaic laws.

    Read Also: APC chieftain donates branded vehicles, billboards for Tinubu in Enugu

    “We raise our voices in the loudest to condemn this impunity, this shame called protecting a supposed sacred site. We outrightly lend our voices and actions to declare to the world that this is totally unacceptable. This act is wild and desperately annoying.

    “How do we preserve this woman’s nudity after parading her nakedness to the world. The swiftness and virality of the social media is not one to be joked with as we can shamefully agree that half of the world must have seen this by now .

    “We condemn every part of this and say that the culprits must be brought to book. They must apologize to the women folk nationwide and pay a huge sum to this woman after packing bags of snails to plead with her.

    “As we write this, we wish it never took place, how much longer will the women continue to be a societal ridicule and thrash. This is totally unacceptable and devastating. We condemn every spot of chauvinistic decision taken on this woman. Would they have done this to a man ? Yes!! Maybe if he was caught as a high-way thief or a killer absolutely not for picking snails.

    “God have mercy on the future of women in our society. No single man said hold on, not even one. It’s totally regrettable and no amount of plea can cover our minds eye from remembering her nakedness.

    “We condemn this with all of our hearts as women, human rights activist, organizations for women and all humans.”

    Those who signed the statement are:
    Amb. Onyii mamah, Executive Director/President Heroine women foundation and president women support women

    Amb. Mrs Amaka Nweke JP, Country Director/Executive Director, Global Society for Anti-Corruption and Amaka Nweke Foundation.

    Mrs Ndidiamaka Ikeobi
    Coordinator Anambra Women General Assembly Enugu State Chapter

    Lolo Ngozi Mbah BOT Nigeria Association of Women Journalist, South East zone.

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  • Niger LG council suffers setbacks

    Niger LG council suffers setbacks

    The Niger Local Government election has suffered several setbacks after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) denied the request of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission(NSIEC) to use INEC ballot boxes for the elections.

    Also, the Federal High Court in Minna has called for the suspension of the process of local government elections scheduled for November 10.

    The letter denying NSIEC the use of the INEC ballot boxes has the memo number INEC/SEC/442/VOL.1 dated October 28 and was signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, the Secretary to the Commission.

    The letter reads: “Re: Request for use of INEC Ballot Boxes by the Niger state Independent Electoral Commission. Your letter No. INECNGS/SEC/189 dated 21 October 2022 on the above subject refers.

    “Be informed that the request by the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission for use of INEC Ballot Boxes is NOT APPROVED. Furthermore, you are directed not to release any of the Commission’s facilities beyond the Voters’ Register in view of our heightened preparations for the 2023 General Election. Please be guided.”

    Read Also: INEC can’t force candidates to attend debates

    The Federal High Court also insisted that the NSIEC suspends the local government polls.

    Justice Aminu Garba asked the Attorney General to advise the State Independent Electoral Commission on the reasons why it needs to suspend the process and obey the court’s orders.

    Garba stated this when he sat over the case of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which had approached the court alleging a violation of the provision of the Constitution and the electoral act on the procedures related to the conduct of the election.

    Responding to the argument by the Attorney General, Nasara Danmallam, who said that the Court cannot make an order suspending the process of the elections, the Judge adjourned the case to November 2 to address the jurisdiction of the court in hearing and determining the case.

    Danmallam argued that the action of the State Independent Electoral Commission does not amount to impunity as it had already issued a notice of elections in July 2022 in furtherance of its mandate under the constituted tuition and Local Government laws.

    The Attorney General also argued that the local government election is time bound adding that the law requires that the election must be conducted 39 days before the expiration of the tenure of the occupants of the various elected offices in the Local Government Areas.

    Pending the hearing of the case on the 2nd of November, the Judge insisted on his earlier directive that the Attorney General of the State should advise the State Independent Electoral Commission on suspending the process of the Council’s elections.

    The House of Assembly has also directed the NSIEC to suspend the election process as it does not follow the constitutional provision as the Chairman of the Commission has been removed due to his unwillingness to follow the due process regarding the election process.

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  • CBN replies Minister on naira redesign, says Nigeria under threat

    CBN replies Minister on naira redesign, says Nigeria under threat

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has officially responded to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning‘s claim that she was not informed of the decision to redesign the naira notes.

    Giving further reason why the decision was taken, CBN spokesman Osita Nwanisobi in a statement said: “Currency management in the country had faced several escalating challenges which threatened the integrity of the currency, the CBN, and the country”.

    The Minister Zainab Ahmad on Friday disowned the policy, stating she was not aware and warning the CBN of its dire consequences.

    But Nwanisobi reminded the Minister that “every top-rate Central Bank was committed to safeguarding the integrity of the local legal tender, the efficiency of its supply, as well as its efficacy in the conduct of monetary policy”.

    On the timing of the redesign project, Nwanisobi explained that the CBN had “tarried for too long considering that it had to wait 20 years to carry out a redesign, whereas the standard practice globally was for central banks to redesign, produce and circulate new local legal tender every five to eight years”.

    He urged all Nigerians to support the currency redesign project, stressing that “it was in the overall interest of Nigerians”.

    Nwanisobi stressed: “Some persons were hoarding significant sums of banknotes outside the vaults of commercial banks. This trend should not be encouraged by anyone who means well for the country”.

    The CBN spokesman assured Nigerians that “the currency redesign exercise was purely a central banking exercise and not targeted at any group”.

    Nwanisobi expressed optimism “the effort will, among other goals, deepen Nigeria’s push to entrench a cashless economy in the face of increased minting of the eNaira”.

    This, he said, is in addition “to helping to curb the incidents of terrorism and kidnapping due to access of persons to the large volume of money outside the banking system used as a source of funds for ransom payments”.

    Nwanisobi urged Nigerians to support the Naira redesign project, as it is for the greater good of the economy.

    Read Also: Introducing new notes affords CBN opportunity to enforce financial inclusion

    He insisted the CBN in redesigning three series of the naira, “followed the law and due process to carry out the exercise, which is 12 years due”.

    According to Nwanisobi: “The CBN remains a very thorough institution that follows due process in its policy actions. The Management of the CBN, in line with provisions of section 2(b), section 18(a), and section 19(a)(b) of the CBN Act 2007, had duly sought and obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari in writing to redesign, produce, release and circulate new series of N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes.

    Also reacting to the Minister’s outburst at the National Assembly, Dr Boniface Chizea Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BIC Consultancy Services and one time contributor to CBN’s Quality Assurance FSS 2020 project said “the CBN has the sole authority to issue legal tender currency in Nigeria. The Bank alone is able to determine the quantum of currency to release as to align with other critical objectives particularly macroeconomic stability”.

    According to Dr. Chizea: “the CBN designs the face of the currency. This is one reason why the mint which prints currency is a department supervised by the Central Bank. I speak authoritatively here”!

    The CBN, he said, “does not report to the Minister of Finance even if one should have expected that she should have been taken on board. But remember that when you ventilate such policies there will be so many reasons to convince one not to go ahead.

    He stated “the rate of exchange will fall as we are now witnessing because the race to convert illegally held Naira has now commenced with this announcement. The challenge confronting the CBN now will be how to determine measures to counter the slide”.

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  • PHOTOS: Protest in Abuja estate over security threat.

    PHOTOS: Protest in Abuja estate over security threat.

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  • Protest in police estate over security threats

    Protest in police estate over security threats

    Residents of Kurudu Police Estate Abuja are protesting what they described high security threats by robbers, violation of building plan and poor basic amenities.

    They blocked the entrance of the police estate preventing vehicles in and out to drive home their demands.

    The protesters are displaying placards with different inscriptions calling on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba to intervene.

    They are also chanting various songs of displeasure.

    Read Also: One die, others wounded in Police, IPOB shootout

    Vice Chairman of Kurudu Police Estate Owners and Residents Associations Oregbesan Olalekan said about 30 letters have been written to the office of the IGP through the office of the FCT Commissioner of Police but all to no avail.

    Olalekan said armed robbers are disturbing owners and residents of the estate and also accused the contractor of mishandling the affairs of the estate.

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  • Union Bank shares: Titan Trust N7 per share MTO excites shareholders

    Union Bank shares: Titan Trust N7 per share MTO excites shareholders

    Minority shareholders of Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) have expressed satisfaction with the announcement of a N7 per share premium Mandatory Takeover Offer (MTO) by Titan Trust Bank Limited (TTB), the new owners of UBN.

    The shareholders also commended Titan Trust Bank’s transparency and trust in offering the same MTO to both the minority and majority holders of Union Bank, a gesture not common in the Nigerian banking industry.

    This development has further consolidated TTB’s stance to protect Nigerians and their investments in the bank and create wealth for its shareholders.

    TTB, in pursuit of an expansionary course with the objective of building a stronger brand capable of taking on a larger market share of a continent striving for financial inclusion, took the financial industry by surprise after it announced its acquisition of 93.41% holding in 105-year-old UBN in barely three years of its establishment.

    The deal, regarded as one of the largest acquisition deals in the history of the banking industry, with an off-market deal worth N191 billion, was however, formalized earlier this year with Tropical General Investments Limited (TGI Group), the parent company of TTB, becoming majority shareholder and core investor in UBN.

    Read Also: EFCC warns banks, currency hoarders  on new naira notes

    The deal has, however, received applause from shareholders, investors and industry watchers who have described it as a win-win for Nigerians and the Nigerian economy.

    As required by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) regulations, the mandatory offer allows Titan Trust to purchase the remaining 6.59 per cent shareholding equivalent to N1, 927, 532, 558 (one billion, nine hundred and twenty-seven million, five hundred and thirty-two thousand, five hundred and fifty-eight) ordinary shares, a tender bid to be priced at N7.00 per share and offered at a premium above the market price, standing at N5.9 per share on Monday, the day the offer was announced.

    The N7.00 per share was “the price at which the block trade was executed,” the bank said.

    Titan Trust has received the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s approval to launch the MTO.

    Since the announcement of the shares offer, some of the shareholders of UBN commended the new owners and management of the bank for the offer.

    Within a few months of the acquisition of Union Bank by the TGI Group, the retail lender is beginning to gain a lot of stability and also earn confidence of the public following the emergence of a new leadership team which the group has assembled to make the lender a bank of first choice for Nigerians in the very near future.

    Business analysts are optimistic that the new measures and innovations being injected in UBN by TTB will pay off soon even as the lenders continue with their integration process.

    TTB was established to take advantage of the identified gaps in the banking sector and address the unmet needs of the retail mass market, SMEs and corporates.

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  • 30 die in Kwara multiple crashes

    30 die in Kwara multiple crashes

    Multiple auto-crashes have claimed no fewer than 30 lives in Kwara State in a week, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Frederick Ogidan has said.

    Ogidan stated this to reporters in Ilorin, the state capital on the sidelines of the launch of this year’s ember months campaign and mega rally.

    The FRSC chief added that “there were three separate incidents. One involved four casualties, another one nine and the last one had 16 persons involved who all died in the process.

    “Most of them were actually multiple accidents with the last one happening on the weekend along the Ilorin/Jenna/Ogbomisho highway”, he added.

    Read Also: Kwara Gov approves N200m grant for 4,000 artisans

    He appealed to motorists to avoid overspeeding, overloading and use of unsafe tyres to reduce accidents adding that all stakeholders should redouble efforts at ensuring safety on our roads.
    “As the year draws to an end, you can only but expect an increase in our patrol operations, enforcement and rescue operations as this is the only way to ensure we arrive alive,” he added.

    The Sector Commander explained that as the year ends, the increase in vehicular movement may increase road crashes if all hands are not on deck to ensure safety on the roads through public enlightenment and education, effective patrols and prompt rescue services.

    He urged commercial drivers who carry the highest number of passengers involved in road traffic crashes to ensure they drive with valid driver’s license among others.

    In his remarks, FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Kwara, Kogi and Ekiti states, Hyginus Omeje, observed that the aerial night view of Ilorin metropolis is not good enough, particularly when aircraft land at night in Ilorin.

    Omeje appealed to the state government to improve the situation by installing solar power lights.

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  • Obi’s life no longer his but the peoples’ – Charly Boy

    Obi’s life no longer his but the peoples’ – Charly Boy

    Showbiz icon, Charly Boy has claimed the life of the Labour Party (LP) preseidential flag bearer, Peter Obi no longer belongs to him.

    He frowned at Obi’s act of ‘throwing himself into a crowd’ at every given opportunity.

    The veteran entertainer, a devoted ‘Obidient’ reacted to a video that sees the LP principal in the midst of a crowd with many struggling to hug him.

    The video Charly Boy shared on his Twitter handle captured a crowd waiting to receive Obi while he walked out of a building towards his car.

    In-between, many struggled to hug and express their love for him with the former Anambra State governor giving them a warm reception.

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    When the security personnel tried to stop the crowd from coming too close, Obi told them not to until they eventually managed to get him into his car.

    Remarking on Obi’s ‘extraordinary warmness’ to his ‘supporters’, Area Fada expresses discomfort over him ‘throwing himself anyhow into a crowd’.

    Charly Boy noted though Obi was merely acknowledging the love shown him by his supporters but shouldn’t forget wickedness still abounds in the world.

    He said: “Make una help tell Peter Obi for us say we are not comfortable with him throwing himself anyhow into a crowd.

    “He no longer owns his life, it belongs to the people. We know he loves his people but there is still wickedness in the world and the opposition can’t be happy with him.”

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