The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Court orders Abdulrazaq to pay N17m to sacked provost

    Court orders Abdulrazaq to pay N17m to sacked provost

    An Appeal Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara state capital has ordered Governor AbdulRaman Abdulrazaq to pay N17 million salary arrears to sacked Provost of the state College of Education, Ilorin Prof AbdulRaheem Yusuf.

    The court also described the removal of Prof Yusuf sometimes in 2018 as illegal, null and void.

    Abdulrazaq and four others had appealed against the judgment of an Industrial Court that ordered for the reinstatement of Prof Yusuf as the provost as well as the payment of N17 million salary arrears to him.

    Lead counsel to the respondent (Prof Yusuf) Lanre Yahaya had prayed the court to grant his client both principal and alternative reliefs.

    Read Also : Ward suspends Senator, Abdulrazaq’s aide, others

    In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Bitrus Sanga, the court though affirmed the judgment of the Industrial Court but declined to reinstate the respondent as the provost of the college, stating that his tenure expires May this year.

    The court also awarded a cost of N200,000 against the sytate Government.

    Reacting to the judgment, one of Prof Yusuf counsels, Ibn Mahmud Aruna hailed the judgment.

    Mallam Aruna added that “what this appeal has taught us is that we must learn to do things by law by following due process. An employer of labour should not abuse the fundamental rights of his or her employees as it had occurred in this case.”

  • Why NNPP did not do well in 2023 polls, by Kwankwaso

    Why NNPP did not do well in 2023 polls, by Kwankwaso

    Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso has attributed the poor performance of the party in the general elections to the difficulty by its supporters to identifying the logo on the ballot paper.

    Kwankwaso said the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) muddled up the party logo in the ballot papers making it difficult to identify.

    He however said with the performance of the party in the elections where it came fourth barely one year after its existence, it was clear the the NNPP is the party for the future

    Speaking at the National Executive Committee meeting of the party, Kwankwaso said the way the way the party logo was presented on the ballot paper was enough ground to cancel.the general elections.

    He warned the Commission not to repeat the same thing in the off season elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states.

    He said the party was not in a hurry to go to court over such issues, adding that the NNPP would have done better than if the elections were free and fair.

    He said supporters and candidates of the party found it difficult identifying the muddled up logo of the party on the party paper, thereby being unable to vote for the party.

    The former Kano Governor said: “With INEC here with us, it is an opportunity to say that all our members were not happy with the way our logo was presented on the ballot papers. It was so bad that when we had the international observers, they could not tell you what was contained in the logo.

    “It is so sad that we had to face those challenges at the last minute. Most people, including myself had to struggle to identify our logo.

    “The party will work out how to present our logo for the next elections. One of the problems with our logo is the quality of the printing and I want to appeal to INEC that now that we are going for elections in about three states, we don’t want to be in a hurry to go to court on some of these issues.

    Read also : NNPP rejects Taraba governorship election results

    “I believe that under normal circumstances, what INEC presented as our logo is good enough in a civilised society to cancel the national elections because we were disenfranchisement and not properly represented on the ballot and that created so much difficulty for our candidates and our party.

    “What we were expecting is to see is what we presented which is a basket of fruits with colours so that people will know. Anything short of that in the coming elections will only be repeating the challenges we faced before.

    “We have seen in some states how people were openly displaying money, both in local and foreign currency, buying votes. We look forward to the period when elections in this country will be the way it should be. Peaceful, without guns and other dangerous weapons as well as wilful purchase of votes.

    “We are at the point of prayers because some of these things are being supported by government at all levels and the way it is going now, only God knows what will happen in some of these states. We saw what happened in Kano in 2019 and even during the last election and even in Imo.

    “We pray that the judiciary should be a better place for all of us because we have number four being the Governor of a state. Maybe he will now be number five or six and still go back to the seat supported by INEC and the judiciary.

    “I believe that too many things are wrong with our democracy and those who are heating so hard at the system are the same people who are the beneficiaries. I am not surprised because it is possible that they have lost contact with the people and the people don’t like them.

    “In a free and fair election, NNPP would have done better than what we are seeing. I urge my friends and colleagues in politics to take it easy, try and be popular and earn the love and support of your people. What we are seeing now is stealing what belongs to the people and making them so poor.

    “We are concerned about the way things turned out in the last election and maybe more in the off season elections and nobody is saying anything. People will say announce me and let them go to court because they court is their own, they know what to do with the court.”
    Ends

  • EPL: Haaland-less Man City massacre Liverpool 4:1

    EPL: Haaland-less Man City massacre Liverpool 4:1

    Manchester City maintained the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal by shrugging off the absence of the injured Erling Haaland to outclass Liverpool with a magnificent display at Etihad Stadium.

    City’s 42-goal striker was ruled out with a groin injury, but Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions demonstrated their all-round strength by coming from a goal down against a Liverpool side who have made life so difficult for them in the past, to run out convincing winners.

    Liverpool caught City with a counter-attack after 17 minutes to take the lead, Diogo Jota making the break before Mohamed Salah applied a thumping finish.

    City responded in devastating fashion with the outstanding Jack Grealish, who made a crucial intervention on Salah when Liverpool had the chance to double their lead, crossing for Julian Alvarez to equalise after 27 minutes.

    Read Also : €180m Halaand: Dortmund set transfer fee for world’s most wanted striker

    Alvarez was the creator as City went ahead 53 seconds after the break, his raking pass finding Riyad Mahrez, who crossed for Kevin de Bruyne to slide home from close range.

    John Stones delivered a master class in an unaccustomed role which saw him advance into midfield but also drop back into defence when required, and with City in total control Ilkay Gundogan added the third after a goalmouth skirmish.

    Grealish deserved a goal and it duly arrived in the 74th minute when he timed his arrival perfectly to turn in De Bruyne’s cross as Liverpool ended beaten and bedraggled.

  • I remain Ondo Deputy Speaker, says Aderoboye

    I remain Ondo Deputy Speaker, says Aderoboye

    Hon. Samuel Aderoboye representing Odigbo Constituency II has dispelled reports on social media that the Court of Appeal has sacked him as Ondo Deputy Speaker.

    He said the Court of Appeal was yet to deliver judgement in an appeal filed filed by the Ondo Assembly against the reinstatement of its former Deputy Speaker, Hon Iroju Ogundeji.

    An Ondo State High Court presided by Justice Adetan Osadebey, had in January 2023, ordered the reinstatement of Hon Iroju as the Deputy Speaker.

    Justice Osadebey had described as illegal, null and void the removal of Iroju as the Deputy Speaker in November 24, 2020, by some lawmaker.

    Aderoboye who insisted that he remained the Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, said no date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.

    He recalled that the Ondo Assembly through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Charles Titiloye, filed a Stay of Execution and appeal against the High Court judgement at the Court of Appeal.

    Read Also : Ondo Afenifere rejects suspension of two officials

    A statement from the office of the Attorney General and signed by Kola Adeniyi, the Special Assistant to the Attorney General, said the appeal is seeking to set aside the High Court ruling which he said relied on the evidence of the claimants marred with inconsistencies and contradictory evidence.

    “The House of Assembly in another application before the trial Court urged the Court to stay the execution of its Judgment pending the determination of the appeal before the Court of Appeal.

    “The application further sought for an injunction restraining the Claimants/Respondents from giving effect to the said judgment by resuming in office as the Deputy Speaker of Ondo State pending the determination of the appeal before the Court of Appeal.”

  • Mr Eazi gets Latin Grammy recognition

    Mr Eazi gets Latin Grammy recognition

    Banku Music pioneer Mr Eazi has made history by becoming the first Nigerian artiste to win a Latin GRAMMY. 

    He also received nominations in four categories at the 21st edition of the annual Latin GRAMMY awards. 

    The recognition come from his contribution to projects that sweep each categories nominated for.  

    The acclaimed Nigerian singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur, was a featured artiste on the song Arcoíris off ‘Colores – J Balvin’ which won the Best Urban Album category and also on ‘Oasis – J Balvin x Bad Bunny’ album in the same category.

    His contribution to both Oasis and Colores were widely acclaimed for its genre-bending sound and innovative approach to Latin music. 

    The featured tracks COMO UN BEBÉ and Acoiris has garnered over 198 Million streams and 54 Million streams respectively on Spotify alone helped to bring a fresh perspective to the projects. 

    Read Also : Mr Eazi joins DJ Khaled, Gigi Hadid, others for Hugo Boss campaign

    Eazi officially received the certificates for his appearance in Oasis by JBalvin/ Bad Bunny for Album of the year 2020, Oasis by JBalvin/ Bad Bunny for Best Urban Album 2020, Composer on Colores Album of the year 2020 and in Colores by J Balvin – Best Urban Album (Winner) 2020

    Mr Eazi’s success in the Latin music world is a testament to his talent and his commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a truly global sound. He is also scheduled to release a new body of work later this year.

  • Fintiri to first female Northern Admiral: you’re our pride

    Fintiri to first female Northern Admiral: you’re our pride

    Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has congratulated Jamila Sadiq Malafa on her elevation to the rank of Rear Admiral. 

    She is the first female in the north to attain the rank. 
     

    Admiral Jamila, who hails from Gombi, a local government area in the central zone of Adamawa State, was recently decorated with her new rank in Abuja.

    Fintiri said in a statement by his Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, that Admiral Jamila had over the years proven her mettle, and that her elevation was thoroughly deserving.

    “You are an inspiration to other women striving to make a name in the profession,” Fintiri said, adding, “The cap fits this Adamawa born strong woman, Rear Admiral Jamila. She has a record of excellence in the Navy, which has seen her rise through the ranks to the pinnacle of the profession.”

    Read Also : PDP’s Fintiri beating APC’s Binani in Adamawa units

    Urging the first high ranking officer from the State to bring her wealth of experience to bear on her duties, Fintiri said, “I urge you to see your promotion as one that comes at a time in our national life when we need the Military to be more circumspect and developmental in playing its role as the defender of the state and its interests in democracy.”

    The Governor urged the Admiral more successes in the Navy. 

  • Police arrest Lagos Eze Ndigbo over IPOB threat

    Police arrest Lagos Eze Ndigbo over IPOB threat

    Frank Nwajugu, who threatened to bring The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos State, has been arrested by the police.

    On Friday 31st March 2023, the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos State, in a video claimed he was going to invite IPOB to secure South Easterners and their property in Lagos State. 

    Boldly making the proclamation he said:

    “IPOB, we will invite them. They have no job. All of the IPOB will protect all of our shops. And we have to pay them. We have to mobilise for that. We have to do that. We must have our security so that they will stop attacking us at midnight, in the morning, and in the afternoon.

    Read Also : Four feared dead as Police, suspected IPOB members clash in Aba

    “When they discover that we have our security before they will come, they will take caution. I am not saying a single word to be hidden. I am not hiding my words, let my words go viral. Igbo must get their right and get a stand in Lagos State.”

    A source confirmed Nwajugu was arrested on Saturday morning by a joint team of policemen and operatives of the Department of State Services.

    He said: “A team of police and DSS went to his palace but he had already fled. He was later traced to a hotel in Ejigbo where he was arrested.”

  • Ogun’s IGR increased to N74bn within nine months under Abiodun- Sujimoto group boss

    Ogun’s IGR increased to N74bn within nine months under Abiodun- Sujimoto group boss

    CEO of Sujimoto Group Dr. Sijibomi Ogundele has claimed Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration in Ogun State witnessed increase in Internally Generate Revenue (IGR) to N74 billion within nine months.

    Sijibomi, who said this on Saturday, noted that Abiodun replaced stomach infrastructure with projects, transforming the Gateway State into a shining beacon of diligence, integrity, and excellence.

    The CEO said the re-elected Governor revolutionised the political landscape, replacing it with long-lasting infrastructure that will endure for decades to come. 

    Ogundele noted the Governor’s reign in Ogun State witnessed an unprecedented surge in growth, particularly in the areas of technology, road construction and infrastructure since 1999. 

    Sujimoto explained the state has attained a newfound financial stability, with its internally generated revenue (IGR) skyrocketing to an impressive N74 billion within just the first nine months of 2021. 

    He said that the Governor had taken a barren forest, turning it into an asset and aerotropolis of epic proportions spanning 50 million square metres, describing it as a feat that had never been seen before in Africa. 

    The CEO said the Ijebu Ode-Epe express road that he had constructed was a work of art, rivalling the best road construction projects in Nigeria.

    Ogundele also said the extensive construction and reconstruction of over 270.88 kilometers of roads, coupled with the rehabilitation of an additional 300 kilometers, have dramatically transformed the state’s infrastructure. 
    Read Also : One dies as police, hunters battle kidnappers in Ogun

    According to him, the impact of these initiatives has not gone unnoticed, as even national authorities have taken notice. The Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has begun construction on a new jetty in Iwopin Beach, a testament to the state’s progress under his stewardship. 

    “The State has attained a newfound financial stability, with its internally generated revenue (IGR) skyrocketing to an impressive N74 billion within just the first nine months of 2021. 

    “Ogun State Governor-Elect, Prince Dapo Abiodun has replaced stomach infrastructure with projects in the state.

    “Prince Dapo Abiodun has transformed the Gateway State into a shining beacon of diligence, integrity, and excellence.

    “The Governor-Elect revolutionised the political landscape, replacing it with long-lasting infrastructure that will endure for decades to come. 

    “The Governor’s reign in Ogun State witnessed an unprecedented surge in growth, particularly in the areas of technology, road construction, and infrastructure since 1999. 

    “The Governor had taken a barren forest, turning it into an asset and aerotropolis of epic proportions spanning 50 million square metres, describing it as a feat that had never been seen before in Africa. 

    “The Ijebu Ode-Epe express road that he had constructed was a work of art, rivalling the best road construction projects in Nigeria.

    “The extensive construction and reconstruction of over 270.88 kilometers of roads, coupled with the rehabilitation of an additional 300 kilometers, have dramatically transformed the state’s infrastructure. 

    “The impact of these initiatives has not gone unnoticed, as even national authorities have taken notice. The Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has begun construction on a new jetty in Iwopin Beach, a testament to the state’s progress under his stewardship.” he said.

  • Audit 2023 polls, Lukman tells INEC

    Audit 2023 polls, Lukman tells INEC

    The National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr Salihu Moh Lukman has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately initiate an internal review of the electoral management of the 2023 general elections.

    He questioned the ethical conduct of some staff of the electoral agency during the just- concluded elections, especially the Returning Officers, which he complained fell below expectations. 

    Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the former Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum ( PGF) suggested to INEC not to deploy staff used in the last Governorship/House of Assembly election to States where supplementary elections will hold on April 25.

    Adjudging the management system of the last general elections as an improvement of previous elections in the country since 1999, the APC leader however observed that gaps were witnessed in the last election, hence the call for an urgent review of the process.

    Read Also: Enugu seals hotel where INEC issued certificates of return over structural defect

    According to him: “We have seen imperfect elections in this country, where counting is being done and results are already being declared. The last election is not one of those elections. I believe we have made some progress in our electoral management system. I believe very strongly the gap we are witnessing has to do with the conduct of a number of us – politicians

    “We go into elections with the mindset that we must win the election. And when we don’t win, everything is bad about the election. I think the introduction of BVAS has helped a lot.”

    Admitting some problems were recorded during the last elections, Lukman said: “I want to use this opportunity to call on INEC, we must as a matter of urgency initiate the process of an internal review of how the 2023 elections were managed. And as part of that review, (INEC) must address issues of ethical conduct of their staff, including the returning officers.

    “I am a critic of the choice of using academic staff as Returning Officers. I don’t believe being an academician is equivalent to competence in managing public service, such as a Returning Officer in an election. There are many cases of Returning Officers compromising themselves to politicians.”

    This, he said, was responsible for the reason why different standards were applied in different states during the governorship election.

    Citing the governorship election in Kebbi State, the former PGF boss demanded a total overhaul of the staff that conducted the last governorship election from participating in the areas where the supplementary election of April 25 will hold in the state.

    He noted that there were cases where the election had been declared inconclusive, which ordinarily if the same standard had been applied, results would have been declared.

    “One of those cases is Kebbi state for instance. Not because I’m APC and I think being APC, we have a right to complain about that. There is also the case of Kano, which should be declared (inconclusive) if the standard of Kebbi had been applied to Kano. But these are general issues which for me, I thought I should call on INEC to do an internal audit of the management process of the last election and begin to fix things.

    “That way, if it is possible, some of the infractions that have happened could be corrected before the rerun election.”

  • Haaland out as Man City face Liverpool

    Haaland out as Man City face Liverpool

    Erling Haaland does not feature in today’s game for Manchester City against Liverpool.
    The 22-year-old Norwegian was a doubt for Saturday’s fixture, after withdrawing from international qualifiers with a groin problem.

    Haaland has scored 42 goals across all competitions this season, breaking records with his ability to find the net.

    On Friday, Man City boss Pep Guardiola told reporters that after speaking to Haaland, he ‘feels good’, but the matter of selection would be postponed until the last moment.

    It followed reports that the striker would be given one final training session to prove his fitness ahead of the Liverpool match.

    Read Also:

    Manchester City versus Liverpool has turned into an intense rivalry over recent seasons, with both teams usually fighting for the top spot of the Premier League. Liverpool won the 2019-20 season, but Man City have won the other four of the last five top-flight campaigns.

    The situation is slightly different this time around though, as Guardiola’s Citizens try to catch up an eight point deficit to current league leaders Arsenal.

    Meanwhile, following a turbulent few months at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are now racing to get themselves back into a top four finish, starting today’s contest in 6th place.

    It is the start of an important week for Liverpool, with games against Chelsea on Tuesday and Arsenal on Easter Sunday, as they try to save their season having been eliminated from all other competitions.

    Yesterday, it was confirmed that Nike had re-signed Haaland for a lucrative boot deal, with the American sports giant saying he will leave ‘his stamp on the future of the game’.