The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • NEDC trains mechanics on digital vehicular diagnostics, maintenance

    NEDC trains mechanics on digital vehicular diagnostics, maintenance

    The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has trained automobile technicians aka mechanics on digital vehicular diagnostic and maintenance..

    The commission sponsored the training which took place at the Digital Bridge Institute in Yola, Adamawa State with over by 150 automobile technicians drawn from the six States of the North East.

    During the graduation ceremony at the Digital Bridge Institute located in Duware, Yola on Saturday, each of the 150 participants was given a working kit which includes a digital scanner and other tools.

    The Chief Trainer of the NEDC programme, Engr Saminu Haladu, said the trainees had three weeks of tutorials on digital diagnostic systems, which are very different from the regular mechanic who do not have the knowledge.

    “The participants were trained on many aspects of digital vehicular diagnostics and maintenance. And they now have scanners, among other tools,” Haladu explained to The Nation on the sideline of the graduation ceremony.

    Read Also: NEDC trains 30 in fabrication of energy-efficient stoves

    He added that to assess the faults in a vehicle, the trainees at their workshops would now use a scanner to be sure before they tell a vehicle owner what is wrong with their vehicle.

    Our correspondent reports digital scanners are designed to scan vehicle components and systems to check for issues with the components.

    Haladu said vehicle diagnostic tests require specific devices and expertise to read correctly, and automobile technicians need training to attain the required expertise.

    NEDC Managing Director, Mohammed Alkali, explained that the three-week Digital Vehicular Diagnostic and Maintenance Training for Automobile Technicians was one of those training programmes that have been carried out in view of NEDC‘s finding that unemployment is a huge challenge in all the six states that make up the North East, namely Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.

    “We went round to each of the North East state and confirmed that they are filled with unemployed youths eager to be employed,” he said, adding that only properly trained youths are guaranteed of self or paid employment

  • I’ll continue to be voice of the voiceless – Oluremi Tinubu

    Concerned by plights of the vulnerable, wife of the presidential candidate for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has vowed to continue to give voice to the voiceless.

    She gave this assurance on Saturday in Abuja when she led some women, including the wife of the APC vice presidential candidate, Hajiya Nana Kassim Shettima to visit some widows, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and people with special needs in Karon-Majigi Ward of Gwarimpa and Yar Goje Community of Abuja Municipal Area Council.

    She said her visit was part of efforts to familiarise and give support to the less privileged and to let them know she feels their pains.

    “I’m here today because of the work ahead of us. You don’t just jump into the waters without learning how to swim.

    “This is like a familiarisation tour to every part of Abuja to know the people who have special needs and to see how we can ameliorate their sufferings.

    “Because in a situation like this, they are more like voiceless. So we are here to see and assure them that they are not alone and that we feel their pains.

    “So at least, if God happens to get us to that exalted position, we don’t just go there blindly without really understanding what is in our communities and environs,” Tinubu said.

    Read Also: APC support group begins grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu

    To get more first hand information on the plights of the needy in the local communities and fashion how best to meet them, the Lagos Central Senator said she would embark on visitation to other communities ahead of 2023 general elections.

    Commending President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government social welfare package despite obvious challenges, she assured the Tinubu-Shettima presidency would leverage on the achievements to ensure better living for all Nigerians.

    She presented cash gift, 250 clothes for babies, 600 pieces of wrappers and food items, including rice, maize, beans, cartons of Indomie noddles, vegetable oil and food condiments to the less privileged in the communities visited.

    On the entourage of Tinubu and Nana Shettima were APC National Women Leader, Dr. Betty Edu; Federal Commissioner, Federal Character Commission Hon Ginika Tor and former APC National Women Leader, Stella Okotete among other dignitaries.

  • Tension as police teargas monarchs, others in Anambra

    Tension as police teargas monarchs, others in Anambra

    There is tension in Awka, Anambra State over the sealing off of Palace of an acclaimed traditional ruler Austine Ndigwe, by security operatives.

    The Policemen also teargased the traditional rulers and other guests at the palace before shooting in the air to disperse the crowd.

    It was gathered some influential monarchs from the length and breath of the country visited the Palace on the invitation of the factional monarch of Awka Kingdom, Austine Ndigwe.

    Before the sealing of the arena, the Policemen, suspected to have come from the Zone -13, Ukpo, Dinukofia local government area of Anambra State, dispersed guests at the palace for the new yam festival.

    Ndigwe, who parades himself as the traditional ruler of Awka Kingdom, is not recognised by the Anambra State government.

    Sources alleged billionaire oil mogul, Prince Arthur Eze, influenced the sealing of the palace.

    But one of his media aides told The Nation the allegation was from the pit of hell.

    The source said the oil mogul was above doing such things, adding that emissaries of rift should give the man space to enjoy his peace .

    Another source alleged that the invasion was on the orders of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

    Read Also:Plateau Police parade suspected criminals

    However, speaking with The Nation Saturday, the Anambra Commissioner for local government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Collins Nwabunwanne, said people should leave his boss out of it.

    He said security operatives who invaded the place knew the kingdom had only one traditional ruler, which was Obi Gibson Nwosu.

    Nwabunwanne maintained Ndigwe was impersonating, adding that the State Government does not recognise him as one of the monarchs in Anambra.

    According to him: ” Our principal, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has no hand in what is happening, but one thing is clear, Austine Ndigwe is not the traditional ruler of Awka. The traditional ruler is Obi Gibson Nwosu, who is still alive.

    “Before now, a letter was sent to him to stop parading himself as a traditional ruler, yet, he insisted on celebrating New Yam festival like a king by inviting people.

    “The Policemen who stormed his house are aware and know the monarch of Awka. They’re doing their job and I equally believe they know all the traditional rulers in Anambra State “.the Commissioner said

    Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ikenga Tochukwu denied knowledge of the incident.

    He told The Nation that he would make enquiries and get back but was yet to do so as of the time of filing this report

    One of the Senior Police Officers in Anambra, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the incident.

    The source said they would not allow such celebration to hold when the government was not aware of it, adding that the acclaimed monarch was impersonating.

    The source hinted the monarch would soon be arrested and prosecuted for impersonation

  • Bayelsa seals collapsed church building, orders probe

    Bayelsa seals collapsed church building, orders probe

    Officials of the Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board (BSPPDB) led by Mr Gideon Ekeuwei have sealed off a collapsed building on Ebis Mechanic Road in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    The building, reportedly owned by the Assemblies of God Church, collapsed over a month ago but was allegedly hidden from the relevant authorities.

    It was, however, noticed by officials of the Board who were on routine patrol on Monday.

    It was gathered that some worshippers reportedly escaped death by a whisker during the building collapse.

    The leadership of the church was said to have relocated but planned to rebuild the church later.

    The Head of the Public Relations Unit, BSPPDB, Mr Stanley Gbalipre Imgbi, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday.

    The statement said investigation into the circumstances that led to the collapse of the said building had commenced.

    Read Also:Bayelsa Diagnostics Centre: Concessionaire exonerates ex-Gov Dickson

    It reiterated the need for land developers to always engage the Board before carrying out any form of projects development in the state.

    The statement said: “The Board will make available the outcome of the investigation and the collapsed Assemblies of God Church building off Ebi’s Mechanic Road has been sealed and under the custody of the Bayelsa State Government.

    “The action is in compliance with the provisions of Sections 59 and 62 of the Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Law 2015. All individuals or group of individuals are hereby barred from the precinct of the church.
    “In line with the provisions of the law establishing the Board, it is compulsory that land developers must first seek approval from the Board before embarking on any form of development.
    “It should be noted that the Board has the personnel with the requisite technical know-how in building construction. It is therefore disheartening for land developers to always engage quacks to carry out their development.”
    End.

  • ‘Why I resigned as Anglican cleric to support polygamy’

    ‘Why I resigned as Anglican cleric to support polygamy’

    An Anglican priest of the Nnewi Diocese in Anambra State, Rev. Ogbuchukwu Lotanna, has explained why he quit the priesthood to support polygamy.

    Lotanna said he received a divine mandate to float a movement in support of polygamy.

    He claimed that the mandate, targeted at encouraging polygamy, was informed by the vision to reduce the rate of sexual sins in society.

    The cleric, a lawyer from Mbanagu Otolo Nnewi, saud his new movement would be called “Gideonites” while the place of worship would be called “Gideonites’ Temple”.

    He said he would set up a foundation to encourage persons in polygamy.

    According to him: “Contrary to what is generally being preached, polygamy is not a sin. What God hates is divorce of any type, sleeping with another man’s wife and sleeping with someone that is not someone’s wife.

    “God desired men to even marry more than one wife, instead of going for someone’s wife or ladies they were not married to.”

    Regretting that the church had hidden the information from members for a long time, the cleric stressed it was time people were told the truth.

    Read Also:Anglican Bishop to ASUU: FG not ready for you, return to class

    He encouraged men to marry their side chicks to escape hell fire, maintaining that the only thing wrong with polygamy was to stay in a church that was against the practice, “because two cannot work unless they agree.”

    “It is obvious that the church, especially the Anglican Church, has been teaching against the concept of polygamy, but the Lord has opened my eyes to the reality that polygamy is not a sin,” he added.

    The Nation gathered that Lotanna, a native of Mbanagu Otolo Nnewi, was ordained an Anglican priest on December 22, 2019, at Cathedral Church of St. Mary’s Uruagu, Nnewi, and married to Chinyere Abigail.

    The Diocese is yet to officially react to the development as at time of filing the report.

  • Man kills newly married woman, sets husband ablaze

    Man kills newly married woman, sets husband ablaze

    A man in Adamawa State, Ibrahim Muhammadu, has been arrested by the police allegedly for setting ablaze a newly married woman and her husband because the woman jilted him.

    Ibrahim Muhammadu, who hails from Gadawaliwol in Jabbi Lamba, Girei Local Government Area, got someone to set fire on the couple earlier in the week, September 6, barely two weeks after their wedding.

    It was learnt on Saturday that the woman died due to severe burns while the man is receiving treatment in hospital.

    It was gathered Muhammad, who is married with four children, fell in love with the deceased and spent about N150, 000 on her after she agreed to marry him.

    Read Also:Truck crushes pregnant woman, minor in Ogun

    The deceased, allegedly after collecting the money, declined the proposal and got married to another suitor, who is battling with his life at the hospital.

    Muhammadu reportedly hired Ibrahim Savanna, paid him N5, 000 and gave him four measures of rice to get the couple killed.

    After collecting the money and the rice, Ibrahim Savanna, armed with petrol and matches, went to the room of the couple in the night and set it on fire after locking it up.

    The arsonist ran off and is yet to be found.

    Muhammadu has however been arrested and is in police detention.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa State, SP Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the development, saying the Criminal Investigation Department of the Command is investigating the matter after which the suspect will be charged to court.

    He assured the suspect would be duly investigated and prosecuted, and advised the general public to desist from taking the law into their own hands.

     

  • Stay away from Buhari’s visit to Imo – IPOB

    Stay away from Buhari’s visit to Imo – IPOB

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has described as affrontry to people of Southeast, President Mohammadu Buhari‘s visit to Imo State same day its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu would be appearing in court.

    The group which declared Tuesday, September 13 as sit-at-home in the region in solidarity with its leader, said Buhari could not afford to visit Imo State while he continued to keep Kanu in detention.

    In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB warned traditional and religious leaders, women and other groups contemplating honoring the event to have a rethink or have themselves to blame.

    The statement reads in part: “We wish to announce to the general public especially Biafrans that Tuesday 13th of September has been declared a day of civil action in the form of sit-at-home in Biafra Land.

    “The Tuesday 13th September, 2022 civil action is very important for two reasons: first, our Leader’s Appeal court hearing that was supposed to be on October 11th has been brought forward to 13th September, 2022. As usual we call on Biafrans and lovers of freedom to demonstrate our solidarity with our leader who is bearing our yoke in detention for over a year now.

    “IPOB never issued a new directives to Biafrans but is simply implementing an existing order to lock down Biafra Land any day the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra will appear in court at Abuja.

    “It was based on such agreement with our leader that informed the suspension of the initial Mondays sit-at-home declared by IPOB leadership in August of 2021. It is imperative that our people understand this and go about their daily work and businesses on Monday and get prepared for Tuesday the 13th of September 2022 because Biafraland will be LOCKED DOWN COMPLETELY.

    Read Also:IPOB to NASS – don’t assent to Buhari’s waterways bill

    “Secondly, it has come to the knowledge of the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra that the Vulture in IKONSO HOUSE in Owerri the Imo State Government office has decided to insult the memories of our gallant men and women and of the youths of Imo State by inviting Buhari to Owerri the Imo state capital Tuesday the 13th of September 2022 the very same day the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be appearing in Court. What an affrontry and insult upon the land of Biafra and the people of Biafra.

    “There shall be a TOTAL LOCK DOWN of the whole of Biafraland on Tuesday the 13th of September 2022 Buhari cannot be coming to Imo State while he continues to detain our leader Mazi Nnamdi in the DSS custody.

    “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be released unconditionally because he committed no crime known to law.

    “We must warn women ģroups, the clergy men and women, traditional rulers, PGs and others who may be contemplating going to Owerri on Tuesday the 13th of September to join in this dance of shame to advise themselves properly or be ready to contend with the Spirit of our ancestors, our Heroes and Heroines and the Spirit that own and guard Biafraland.

    “If you are in support of Buhari detaining the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Mazi Nnamdi KANU, then go to Owerri on Tuesday the 13th day of September and welcome the President.
    .

    “We therefore, expect all markets, schools, banks, businesses and companies including police stations in Biafra Land to be under lock and key next week Tuesday, September 13th, 2022 in solidarity with our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    “IPOB members are peaceful. We don’t enforce sit at home, nevertheless we wouldn’t tolerate people flouting IPOB leadership directives. Therefore, everyone in Biafran territory must adhere to this Civil action in the form of Sit -at home on Tuesday 13th September 2022.

    “Biafrans are not known to be cowards because we stand without fear before our enemies. Almighty creator CHUKWUOKIKEABIAMA will bless us all for abiding to this clarion call.”

  • APC support group begins grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu

    APC support group begins grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu

    The All Progressives Congress(APC) Grassroots Governance Group also known as the APC G3, has assured that the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to the unity and economic development of the country.

    The group, which gave the assurance at the inauguration of the Lagos State chapter, tasked members to embark on massive campaign for the party’s candidates at both the Federal and state level.

    At Lagos, the APC G3 National Coordinator, Amechi Chuks. Oyema, enjoined members of the Support Group to ensure the message of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential ticket is taken to the grassroots.

    He maintained that Tinubu has what it takes to unite Nigeria and promote economic development.

    Onyema said that the Support Group with solid grassroots structures in the 36 states and the FCT is poised to deliver between 300,000 and 500,000 votes to the APC presidential candidate.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s chances in north east very high – Gombe Gov

    He also enjoined the members to work for the re-election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to continue the ongoing socio-economic development in Lagos state.

    The Lagos State Coordinator, APC G3, Mr. Gbenga Aguda, commended the National Coordinator for his vision to deepen the party across the country.

    He said the chapter is committed to the Tinubu/Shettima ticket while working assiduously to ensure Governor Sanwo-Olu gets a second term.

    Deacon Banjo Omole, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the Ifako/Ijaiye Local Government Area, commended the group for working to ensure the victory of the party in the 2023 polls.

    He called for intensive mobilisation of the electorate to ensure they come out on voting days.

    The inauguration was witnessed by party functionaries and members of the group across the State.

  • FRSC confirms 15 dead in Lanlante-Eruwa crash

    FRSC confirms 15 dead in Lanlante-Eruwa crash

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Oyo State Command has confirmed 15 persons dead in the accident that occured on Friday at Eruwa-Lanlate road in Ibarapa East Local Government area of Oyo State.

    No fewer than 20 persons were said to have burnt to death on the accident that occurred around 2.05 pm on Friday.

    Confirming the actual number of death, the FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Joshua Adekanye said that 15 persons died in the accident.

    Adekanye said that the accident, which involved two vehicles, occurred on Friday at Eruwa-Lanlante road at Maya junction.

    The sector commander said that the two vehicles; a Toyota Sienna Bus and Toyota Hiace, had an head on collision resulting in the accident.

    Read Also:FRSC begins investigation into driver’s alleged murder

    He said that all the 15 persons involved in the accident were burnt to death.

    Adekanye attributed the cause of the accident to speed violation in an attempt to avoid a pothole.

    The sector commander said the corpses of six of the victims were immediately recovered by their families while the remaining nine were deposited at General Hospital Eruwa.

    He said that the rescue was carried by the community and witnessed by the Chairman, Eruwa Local Government, Hon. Gbenga Obalowo.

  • Senatorial candidate condemns attack on LP members in Enugu, demands probe

    Senatorial candidate condemns attack on LP members in Enugu, demands probe

    The Labour Party senatorial candidate for Enugu West, Comrade Uchenna Ekwe, has condemned an attack on members of the party in Agwu Ward 1, Agwu Local Government and Aninri Local Government last Sunday.

    Ekwe said it was unfortunate that while the rest of the country was beginning to make a fast break from the “politics of bullets, bombs, biceps and triceps, certain interests in the ruling political establishment in Enugu State were bent on testing the resolve of the people.”

    The candidate urged the police and other security agencies to conduct investigations into the “devilish attacks against members of the Labour Party in different parts of Enugu state to identify the culprits and their sponsors and bring them to justice.”

    Ekwe, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, noted a particular party, was afraid of the popularity of the Labour Party in Enugu state.

    He said the people of Enugu State had made up their minds to vote massively for the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, noting that no amount of subterfuge and intimidation could stop “this moving train.”

    “The cowardly attempt to scare the members of the Labour Party in Enugu State shows that the sponsors of the recent attacks are already at their wit’s end and totally frustrated.

    “The truth is that no cartilage of bullets and cache of bombs can silence a peoples’ agenda and resolve which time have come.

    Read  Also:INEC publishes final list of presidential, senatorial candidates Sept. 20

     

    “The people of Enugu State have since made up their minds to vote massively for the Labour Party in the 2023 general election and no amount of subterfuge and intimidation can stop this moving train,” the statement said.

    It added: “We call on the Police and other security agencies to immediately conduct investigations into the devilish attacks against members of the Labour Party in different parts of Enugu State to identify the culprits and their sponsors and bring them to justice. No one and no political party are above the law.

    “We also call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take note of this brazen maelstrom against the pillars of electoral democracy in Enugu State.

    “This attack is what it is – a brazen rape of democratic values. It would be apt for INEC to work with the Nigeria Police to make the perpetrators of the blood chilling attacks against Labour Party members in Enugu State the guinea pigs of the budding Electoral Offences Commission law currently being shaped into law.”

    The senatorial candidate “urge the people of Awgu, Aninri and Oji River Federal Constituency and indeed the millions of ‘Obidient’ supporters in Enugu West Senatorial District and Enugu State generally to remain calm, courageous, and committed to our collective resolve to rescue Enugu State from the vicious grips of those who co-habit with the devil and demons in the ministry of stealing, killing and destruction.”