The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Lady offers to donate kidney to Ekweremadu’s ailing daughter

    Lady offers to donate kidney to Ekweremadu’s ailing daughter

    A lady, Annastasia Michael Olamma, has offered to donate one of her kidneys to save Sonia, the ailing daughter of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

    The 24-year-old made the offer via a Facebook post a few hours after Sonia took to her Instagram page to passionately appeal for any willing kidney donor.

    Olamma stated she was ready to donate one of her kidneys to Sonia if it matches.

    The lady indicated she was offering the donation for free as her way of proving that women can truly be supportive of their kind.

    She noted her letter titled: “Kidney donation to Sonia Ekweremadu’ has been sent to Sonia’s email address, which she provided in her appeal post while she awaited her reply.
    It reads: “I (Annastasia Michael Olamma) want to donate one of my Kidney to Sonia Ekweremadu to save her life. I have made up my mind to do this to prove women can help women.

    Read Also: Ekweremadu: Court hears motion against release of organ harvest victim’s biodata Sept 20

    “If any of her relatives mum, dad, siblings, cannot give out their kidney to save their Bloodline then I will donate my own to save Sonia And I demand nothing in return. I pray it matches with her own.

    “Am 24 years old, I don’t take alcohol and I believe my kidney is very healthy to donate. I have sent message to her email @helpsonialive@gmail.com and anticipate for her reply.

    “May God heal you. #womensupportingwomen #helpsonialive #sonialivematters.”

  • Akwa Ibom Information Ministry gets first-ever advertising unit

    Akwa Ibom Information Ministry gets first-ever advertising unit

    The Akwa Ibom Ministry of Information and Strategy has set up its first-ever advertising unit with a charge to generate and manage advertising contents for the State Government, in addition to other mandates.

    While inaugurating the new unit on Monday, at the ministry’s headquarters in Uyo, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong said with the latest development, generation of advertising contents for the State Government would become seamless and at lower costs.

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Akparawa James Edet, Ememobong said: “The essence of having an advertising unit in this Ministry, apart from the fact that it has the potential to generate revenue for the state, it is also very strategic in the sense that in today’s dynamic world of information management, there is the need to specialise in a wide range of areas in order to perform optimally “.

    Justifying the move, the Commissioner said: “With the level of trainings that we have acquired in the last two years, there is no way this Ministry would remain the same. It is expected that as you return from the various trainings you have attended, you would be integrated into different areas so that we can scale up our performance as a Ministry”. He stated.

    Responding on behalf of other members, the Head of the new unit and a certified member of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Mr. Idris Mabadeje, commended the initiative, describing it as visionary.

    Read Also: Jubilation as Akwa Ibom APC gov candidate presents running mate

    “I want to pledge that as pioneer members of a unit like this, and with the necessary support of everyone in this Ministry, we would do our best to deliver on our mandate in line with the ethics of the advertising profession,” Mabadeje said.

    Director of Information and supervisor of the unit, Mrs. Blessing Urua, charged members of the new unit to brace up for their new roles so as to justify the confidence reposed in them by the management of the Ministry.

    The Ministry of Information and Strategy has embarked on various trainings to equip staff for different roles, including certification in advertising practice for some of her personnel.

    According to the Commissioner, the new unit is expected to become a one stop place for the handling of government advertising contents and publicity materials.

    The unit will also integrate and collaborate with other units and departments of the Ministry to meet the diverse needs of advertising.

  • Every Nigerian deserves a place in heaven – Toke Makinwa

    Every Nigerian deserves a place in heaven – Toke Makinwa

    On-Air personality Toke Makinwa has said every Nigerian deserves a place in heaven after a hard life on earth.

    She argued being Nigerians should automatically guarantee Nigerians entrance into the ‘pearly gates’.

    Read Also: Many embracing lifestyles they castigated others for as kids – Toke Makinwa

    Makinwa noted after having to endure ‘hell’, the Nigeria citizens by all means deserve to inhabit the streets of GOLD, in heaven.

    “Every Nigerian deserves to go to heaven cos they have tasted helI already, like just show up at the pearly gates and say I’m Nigerian because after this hell of a country you deserve the streets of GOLD,” she tweeted.

  • Mr Macaroni counters Prophet Oladele on 2023

    Mr Macaroni counters Prophet Oladele on 2023

    Popular skit maker and activist, Mr Macaroni has reacted to video of Prophet Oladele’s bold declaration of support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The cleric stated  ignoring his tribe man to cast a vote for another would portray him as a bastard which he isn’t.

    He challenged his critics to attack him for his choice of candidate if they wished but stated he didn’t care or fear their anticipated actions.

    Read Also: I support Tinubu 100 percent – Prophet Oladele

    Following the viral clip, the 28-year-old activist advised Nigerians to run from any religious leader asking them to vote for the country’s next president solely on tribal grounds.

    “Dear Nigerians, If your religious leader is asking you to abandon all the qualities of a good leader and vote for the next President of this Nation just because you are from the same tribe as the candidate, then there is serious fire on the mountain. RUN!! Vote Wisely,” Mr Macaroni tweeted.

  • I Go Dye hails Bovi for primary school renovation

    I Go Dye hails Bovi for primary school renovation

    Popular, stand-up comedian, Francis Agoda aka I Go Dye has hailed his colleague, ‘Bovi‘ Ugboma for the renovation of University of Benin Staff School, Edo State; where he had his elementary education.

    I Go Dye took to his Instagram page to share the news with their fans and other colleagues to ‘inspire the younger generation in years to come’.

    He posted accompanying pictures and videos from the inauguration of the project which included rewiring, replacement of fan alongside repainting of classroom; and reconstruction of the restrooms.

    The 43-year-old social commentator applauded Bovi for displaying immense sense of purpose and gratitude by implementing the renovation of the school that nurtured him.

    Read Also: Bovi schools critics over parenting skills

    He wrote: “Today I accompany my brother #officialbovi in commissioning this project.

    “It’s really inspiring to remember one’s humble beginning and give back to nurture it.

    “Bovi has shown a great sense of purpose and gratitude by renovating this magnificent educational project, his primary school, University of Benin Staff School this will inspire the younger generation in years to come.”

  • Brazilian returnee excretes 92 wraps of cocaine at Abuja airport

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Brazilian returnee and father of two, Okolie Paulinus Nwabueze, for importing 92 wraps of cocaine, which he ingested and eventually excreted after days under observation in the Agency’s facility.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said the 53-year-old trafficker who hails from Mmaku village, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State was arrested on Friday 2nd September upon his arrival on Qatar Airline flight enroute Brazil-Doha-Abuja.

    According to the statement, Nwabueze claimed to have left Nigeria to Mozambique in 2004 and finally relocated to Brazil in 2017, where he obtained a residence permit before deciding to import the illicit substance for a $4,000 fee.

    The agency’s spokesman also said a 42-year-old man, Aliyu Bello Kwasare, was been arrested at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, MAKIA, Kano, for attempting to export a consignment of new psychoactive substance, Akuskura, to Saudi Arabia.

    The statement reads: “The indigene of Kware LGA, Sokoto, who lives in Goron Dutse area of Kano, was arrested on Monday 5th Sept. during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airline flight to Riyadh. At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos, no fewer than One Million and Ninety Nine Thousand (1,099,000) tablets of Tramadol 225mg have been seized through inter-agency collaboration between NDLEA and the Nigerian Customs.

    “The pharmaceutical opioids packed in 50 cartons weighing 2,058.90kg, were imported from Pakistan via Addis-Ababa on Ethiopian Airways. The consignment was concealed among other non-controlled pharmaceuticals.

    “Also, a freight agent, Aliyu Abubakar was on Friday 9th Sept. arrested at the NAHCO export shed of the airport over attempt to export a consignment of cannabis concealed inside bottles of Caro white body lotion.

    “Meanwhile, attempts by drug cartels to export 7.805 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine to the United States and Australia have been thwarted by NDLEA operatives attached to some courier companies in Lagos. The meth consignments were concealed in the linings of local fabric, wooden statutes, printer cartridges, handle of travel bag and cassava flakes.

    “From other parts of the country, a 25-year-old pregnant woman, Haruna Favour, was arrested in Auchi, Edo state on Friday 9th Sept with 82 pinches of methamphetamine as well as various quantities of Loud, Arizona, Colorado variants of cannabis and codeine based cough syrup.

    “In Gombe, One Hundred and Nineteen Thousand (119,000) tablets and capsules of tramadol, D5 and Exol5 were recovered from two drug dealers, Nasiru Abubakar, 22, and Umaru Bayero a.k.a Hadiza when NDLEA operatives raided their stores at the Gombe main market on Tuesday 6th September.

    “In Kogi, a suspect, Paul Ali, 47, was arrested along Okene-Abuja highway with 1,404 bottles of Codeine based syrup weighing 190.94kg and 2,040 ampoules of pentazocine injection coming from Onitsha to Sokoto. A follow up operation in Sokoto has also led to the arrest of the receiver of the consignment on Tuesday 6th September.

    “A raid at the cannabis plantation camp in Emure forest, Owo LGA, Ondo State has led to the arrest of Monday Onoja, 20; Daniel Kehinde, 25; and Obinna Okechukwu, 35, where sixteen (16) bags of the illicit substance weighing 179.5kg were seized from them.

    “Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) in his reaction to the arrests and seizures, commended the officers and men of the NAIA, MMIA, DOGI, MAKIA, Kano, Kogi, Edo, Ondo and Gombe Commands for their resilience. He charged them and their compatriots in other commands to remain focused and vigilant in their areas of responsibility.”

  • Gunmen kidnap Vice Chairman in Delta

    Gunmen kidnap Vice Chairman in Delta

    Gunmen have abducted the vice chairman of Isoko North LGA, Frank Esiwo Ozue.

    It was learnt Ozue was kidnapped on Sunday at Ogor Town, Ughelli North LGA Delta State on his way to Patani Town.

    The Nation gathered that the victim was alone when he was abducted and whisked to an unknown location.

    A family source said: “The abductors left his car and his phones behind.”

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap cleric, Chief Justice’s brother in Plateau community

    The source added that the gunmen have not contacted the family as of the time of filing this report.

    Delta Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe said he was yet to get the details of the kidnap.

    He assured the victim will be rescued.

  • American rapper messages Portable for collaboration

    American rapper messages Portable for collaboration

    American rapper Trippie Redd has reached out to self-styled ‘wahala singer’, Portable for a possible collaboration.

    Last Tuesday, the rap star via his Insta story, shared clips from the “Zazu” crooner’s latest single, “Clear”.
    Trippie contacted Portable via his DM to intimate him about his desire to work with him.

    Read Also: Portable fires back at Goya Menor over illiterate claim

    The visibly excited street-hop made this known as he took to his insta story to share a screenshot of their chats.

    Trippie’s message reads: “We gotta work Brother.”

    Responding, Portable wrote: I’m with you. Zazzuh. Akoi Grace.”

    Attachments area

  • Gunmen kidnap cleric, Chief Justice’s brother in Plateau community

    Gunmen kidnap cleric, Chief Justice’s brother in Plateau community

    Suspected gunmen on Sunday abducted a cleric with the Chuch of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Reverend Bung Fon Dong and a younger brother to the Chief Justice of Plateau State James Mann in Ganawuri District of Riyom local government area of Plateau State.

    Sources said the gunmen invaded the community around 8:30 pm on Sunday with sophisticated weapons and shot sporadically into the air.

    It was gathered the gunmen forced themselves into the official residence of the cleric and abducted him at gunpoint while his wife, who was attempting to rescue him, was shot in the leg.

    Reverend Dong was immediately taken away on a motorcycle while his wife injured was later taken to the nearby health centre by neighbours after the gunmen bolted away on motorcycles.

    Read Also: Soludo, lawmakers, groups react to gunmen’s attack on Ubah

    It was also gathered that another set of gunmen invaded the house of Mr James Mann, a Principal of Government Secondary School Bum in the same Ganawuri community, who was a younger brother of the Chief Justice of Plateau State Mr Justice David Mann.

    He was however lucky as a combined team of vigilantes and hunters engaged the gunmen and rescued him from the kidnappers.

    The President, Atten Youths Mr Song Mare who confirmed the incident, said the community for quite some time has been under the siege of kidnappers adding that no fewer than four persons were abducted in recent time.

    Plateau Police spokesman DSP Alfred Alabo, who confirmed the incident, said men of the Command were on the trail of the abductors .

  • Tinubu as fit as fiddle – Campaign Council

    Tinubu as fit as fiddle – Campaign Council

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has debunked the rumour on social media that the ruling party’s standard presidential flag bearer Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withdrawn from the race on health grounds.

    The council described the rumour as nothing but a figment of the warped imaginations of the sponsor of the false and misleading posts.

    A statement by the Council spokesman, Festus Keyamo in Abuja on Monday said that the APC standard bearer “is strong, healthy and fit enough for the coming campaigns.”

    Keyamo added: “The opposition will hear loud and clear from him (Tinubu) soon.”

    It was alleged that supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi were responsible for the false and misleading posts on some social media handles.

    The Council also faulted an offensive and hate-filled video, allegedly made and circulated by the Labour Party flag bear, in which he accused an amorphous and non-existent “Tinubu’s Group” of spreading a Whatsapp message calling on Yorubas not to vote for him.

    In the purported message, according to Obi, Yorubas were forewarned that a vote for him would be a vote for a seaport in South/South and South/East.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to an offensive, hate-filled video made and circulated by the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, in which he accused an amorphous and non-existent “Tinubu’s Group” of spreading a Whatsapp message calling on Yoruba not to vote for him. The purported message, according to Mr. Obi, forewarned the Yoruba that a vote for Peter Obi would be a vote for a seaport in South/South and South/East.”

    The transcript of the purported message as relayed by Mr. Peter Obi in the 1 minute 45 seconds video reads:“Yoruba shine your eyes o, if you vote for Peter Obi, it is automatically voting for seaports in South-South and South East. The Igbos will stop coming to Lagos State to invest, rather they will go to Delta and Rivers States, they may even stop building houses in Lagos. It will affect a lot of Yorubas. Yoruba ro nu o.”

    Denying the purported WhatsApp message and existence of any of such “Tinubu Group”, the Council spokesman said that all the groups supporting the APC Presidential Candidate and his running-mate have clear designations with well-known promoters.

    The council insisted: “It is only messages released by the APC Presidential Campaign Council that are officially authorized and for which we take responsibility.

    “We challenge Mr. Peter Obi to reveal the source and name(s) behind that nebulous Whatsapp message.

    Read Also: Tinubu and 2023: Deconstructing naysayers’ mendacity

    “We wish to state that it is obvious Mr. Peter Obi deliberately concocted that message and circulated that offensive video himself as a campaign strategy in order to come across as a victim of some kind of ethnic agenda, whereas in truth, he is the real agent provocateur of an ethnic agenda.

    “As the takeoff date for campaigns draw closer, Mr. Peter Obi has suddenly realised that Nigerians are beginning to burst his bubbles as his messages are bereft of ideas, depth and clear-cut solutions to our challenges. His messages are only full of false data and highfalutin jargons in what is clearly a disingenuous ruse to distract a scrutiny of his empty records as a Governor of Anambra State and nothing else. Hence his easy recourse to playing ethnic card and fanning the ember of hate.

    “We have it on good authority that part of the “US Strategy” (just like the failed “Dubai Strategy” his former boss and himself adopted in 2019) was to return to the country and spread ethnic hatred amongst the voters and cause chaos, then pose as the victim. They have just kick-started that plot by orchestrating and circulating the said video.

    “We find it utterly disgusting, demeaning and insulting to the sensitivities and sensibilities of Nigerians for a Presidential Candidate of the ilk of Peter Obi to make such a video parroting a spurious, unverified and sham message that has the potential of deepening our fault lines as a nation and further promoting ethnic tensions.

    “This is completely unbecoming of a Presidential Candidate that hopes to unite this country. Again, we note that Mr. Obi’s latest stunt is consistent with what is now widely perceived as his adoption of hate as campaign strategy, having consistently failed to rein in his known and identifiable supporters, mostly domiciled on social media, threatening political opponents with violence and death.

    “Moreover, here is a man known as a sectional irredentist, with public records showing him expelling Nigerians from a section of the country from Anambra State while he was Governor and has decidedly resorted to an ethnoreligious card in his activities and messaging thus far, now accusing his better of being an ethnic champion. What a supreme irony!

    “We are also aware that plans are afoot by Mr. Peter Obi to fake an assassination attempt on himself and hire Labour Party boys dressed in APC caps and T-shirts to attack some Labour Party offices. It is all part of the “US Plan”. It is the first in a series of incendiary actions planned by this ill-prepared but desperate candidate.

    “We call on all well-meaning Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic origins or political divides, to rise up and condemn these tactless tactics and cheap manoeuver by a desperate non-starter of a presidential candidate who has decided to resort to crude revisionism, ethnic jingoism and crass insensitivity with a view to whipping up the undeserved sentiment to fuel his faltering ambition that is nothing but a flash in a pan.

    “Our advice to Mr. Peter Obi is to quit the race if he has nothing more to tell Nigerians,” Keyamo counsell