The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • PDP jittery as Wike ignores chieftains in project inaugurations

    PDP jittery as Wike ignores chieftains in project inaugurations

    Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has continued to keep the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) guessing following his decision to ignore chieftains of his party in events scheduled by his administration to inaugurate some of the completed projects.

    It was observed that the development was the first time in a long while the Governor failed to invite significant members of PDP for series of project commissioning and inauguration.

    In the programme of events billed to start on Monday, Wike extended unusual invitations to the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to inaugurate completed projects in Rivers.

    While Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was invited to inaugurate the Orochiri-Worukwo flyover, a former Governor of Sokoto State, would be in the State on Tuesday to inaugurate the Ogbum-Nu-Abali Eastern Bypass dualised road.

    Among the invitees are Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, who would inaugurate the House of Assembly quarters on Friday and Olusegun Mimiko, a former Governor of Ondo State, who would commission dualisation of Azikiwe Illoabuchi Road.

    There were indications that the bad blood created by the PDP at the national level and the party’s Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, during the process that led to the emergence of Atiku’s running mate was far from over.

    Sources in the party said Atiku had made it worst with his utterances and body language that he could win the next election without Wike and Rivers.

    There were signs that Atiku was making efforts to divide the Rivers PDP by bypassing Wike to establish contacts with other party leaders in the state.

    Efforts to confirm reports that Atiku had further incurred the wrath of Wike by meeting some Rivers PDP leaders secretly including former Senator Lee Meeba, Austin Opara and former Governor Celestine Omehia proved abortive.

    It was further gathered that the recent dissolution of the Governing Council, Elechi Amadi Polytechnic and the removal of Lee Meeba as its Chairman was part of the fallout of the alleged meeting with Atiku.

    Last week, Wike dissolved the Governing Council of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic with immediate effect.

    The dissolution was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prince Chinedu Mmom.

    The statement asked members of the council to hand over all properties of the school in their possession to the school management.

    Wike was said to have accused some leaders and elders of the party of holding secret meetings with Atiku during a meeting that ended in deadlock.

    But the governor, it was gathered, took some drastic steps to reorganise the leadership of the PDP in local government areas where their former leaders showed signs of disloyalty.

    Read Also:PDP crisis: Makarfi seeks accommodation for Wike, others

    One of the leaders of PDP, who spoke in confidence, however, said the purported meeting of some Rivers PDP stalwarts with Atiku was speculative.

    He warned that it would be suicidal for anybody to think he could get the support of Rivers people especially PDP members without governor Nyesom Wike.

    He said: “These issues are still speculative. There hasn’t been any official statement to confirm them. But anybody who thinks he can bypass the governor to get the support of Rivers people should simply think again. It is politically suicidal to think so.

    “I think that PDP leaders in Rivers should come together and hold a meeting. Governor Wike has surpassed the promises he made to Rivers people and the people love him. He also has total control of the PDP. Therefore, it will not be possible to bypass him”.

    Another PDP stalwart, Ogbonna Nwuke, however, said people should not read political meaning into the the governor’s project commissioning and inauguration.

    Nwuke said it was not the first time the governor would invite leaders of opposition APC to either inaugurate and commission his projects, recalling that Wike once invited former Governor Rochas Okorocha for a similar purpose.

    On the recent comment of Atiku that PDP could win the forthcoming election without the governor, Nwuke reminded Atiku that “pride comes before a fall”.

    He said: “We are worried that the one, who claims to be a unifier and the one, who claims to be patriotic Nigerian can utter those words. It is a shame if it is true. I want to believe he was misquoted.

    “At this point, we are not talking about whether or not he will win an election with or without anyone. What we are thinking about is the unity of the PDP that he belongs to. If what happened was wrong, he had the responsibility to correct them. Pride goes before a fall.

    “I am worried that at his age given the level of his exposure, he can make those comments. It is wrong for someone, who has been beneficiary of the PDP to make those comments. We wish him luck. We cannot reply a man, who has suddenly become drunken by some arrogance”.
    END

  • Military, police beef up security in Imo

    Military, police beef up security in Imo

    Military and security agencies in Imo State have beefed up security around the border points to arrest fleeing hoodlums who bombed a police station and killed four personnel on Saturday at Agwa in Oguta Local Government Area, The Nation learnt on Sunday.

    Tight security presence was noticed within the Owerri metropolis and around Orogwe in Owerri West Council Area where seven guards were murdered at different locations in the area last Monday.

    Sources told The Nation that the fleeing suspects who perpetuated the act are still within the neighborhood and have not gone far as some of them were wounded in the gun exchange.

    “We have beefed up security around riverine areas in case the hoodlums would want to escape through the creeks,” the source said.

    He disclosed that the latest attacks came from outside the State and took the security personnel by surprise.

    There is tension and anxiety at Agwa as residents are said to be relocating to avoid attack.

    However, police have alleyed such fear saying that they are fully on ground to protect lives and property in the state.

    Imo Police spokesman, Michael Abattam, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), told The Nation a detachment of police with other security agencies are on constant patrol of the areas particularly at Agwe, Orogwe and border points of the state.

    “Already we have a detachment of policemen at join with other security agencies. They are patrolling that area and they on ground just to prevent future occurrence. We have more policemen there now and also at Orogwe.

    Read Also:Gunmen kill four police officers in Imo, raze station

    “We also have robust stop and search at the border points of the state to prevent these hoodlums from coming in and prevent those who commit offence from going out. We have within the metropolis,” he stressed.

    He advised residents not to panic, adding that only a criminal who has committed an offence would want to run away from been apprehended because according to him!”Agwa is safe and that people are fleeing cannot be true. So, any person running away might be that person has committed an offence.”

    He also informed the Police Commissioner, Mohammed Barde has visited families of bereaved police officers.

  • One killed, driver injured as tankers, truck fall in Lagos

    One killed, driver injured as tankers, truck fall in Lagos

    An unidentified man was on Sunday killed and a driver injured after a 40-ft container truck plunged into the canal at Ajegunle inward Toll Gate in Lagos.

    Also, many escaped deaths after two trucks laden with Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were involved in separate accidents at Oregun and Alakuko areas of the State

    .
    The three accidents, it was gathered, brought traffic to a halt for several hours in the affected areas with rescuers battling to contain a fire that erupted in the Oregun incident

    It was gathered that the Oregun tanker laden with 45,000 liters of AGO, fell on a high tension electric pole while the driver was trying to negotiate a bend into Etal Avenue.

    Fortunately, the driver and his motor boy were said to have fled before the inferno which was eventually put out by rescuers to prevent an escalation into a nearby gas station and other facilities.

    These accident which occurred within the time worshippers were going to and fro worship centers, was said to have caused heavy gridlock that extended to other parts of the State.

    Motorists along the affected roads took to social media to raise alarm, just as they lamented delays experienced.

    At Oregun for instance, the traffic was said to have extended to the the Berger Bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on one side and up to Oworonshoki on the other side.

    According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), no life was lost or injury recorded in the Oregun incident.

    LASEMA said the tanker started discharging its content, adding that it immediately caught fire when it fell on the High Tension cable.

    “No mortality nor injury recorded at the scene of the incident, however, trans-loading operations ongoing.
    Other agencies on ground include, Lagos State fire service, LASTMA, NSCDC and Police.
    “The agency’s super metro will be required for swift recovery of the fallen tanker. Trans-loading operation ongoing,” Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary LASEMA, said.

    At Alakuko, Oke-Osanyintolu said the fallen tanker was laden with 10,000 litres of PMS, adding that it fell as a result of brake failure.
    “The truck veered off the road and subsequently crashed into the ditch. The driver as well as the motorboy escaped unhurt.
    “Further investigation revealed the leaked products didn’t portend any significant risk to the incident scene (which is bushy and swampy by topography).

    Read Also:12 escape as bus catches fire on Niger bridge

    “The Lagos and Ogun Fire & Safety Services have dampened the incident scene as threat of possible ignition have been averted. The agency’s crane is being used to remove the affected truck from the road,” he said.
    Giving updates on the fallen truck, Oke-Osanyintolu said it was conveying a 40ft container when it sufferer mechanical fault a d plunged into the canal.
    He said the truck driver sustained injuries and was taken to an unknown hospital by onlookers before the arrival of emergency workers.

    “The Nigeria Police (Sango Ota and Alagbado divisions) further confirmed a bystander (adult male), lost his life before the truck veered off the road and plunged into the canal.

    “The accidented truck laden with 40ft container has been recovered off the with the aid of the agency’s heavy duty (Crane). The wreckage and the incident scene were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police (Alagbado and Sango Ota) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    “Operations concluded as the ease of vehicular movement along the carriageway has been restored, he said.

  • Ilebaye to Groovy: don’t allow Beauty control you

    Ilebaye to Groovy: don’t allow Beauty control you

    Following Beauty’s outburst after the Saturday night party, housemate, Ilebaye has advices Groovy to stay true to himself and not allow anyone control him.

    Ilebayo said this during a conversation with Groovy while trying to cheer him up.

    She advised Groovy to be himself and stand his ground against being controlled by Beauty.

    Read Also:#BBNAIJA: Beauty enjoys Groovy’s warmth at pool party

    “Don’t allow anybody to control you, have a stand in your relationship or situationship.

    “I know we are friends and I see you as a genuine friend, stand and speak for yourself. If you really like her go for her,” Ilebaye said.

  • 12 escape as bus catches fire on Niger bridge

    12 escape as bus catches fire on Niger bridge

    No fewer than twelve passengers on Sunday escaped death when a commercial bus went up in flames at the Niger bridge in Onitsha Anambra State.

    The incident, which occurred around 1.02pm, was said to have been caused by electric fault.

    The Nation gathered that the occupants of the bus heading to Onitsha from Warri escaped before the vehicle caught fire.

    Confirming the incident, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps

    Read Also:JUST IN: Bus catches fire on Niger bridge

    (FRSC), Adeoye Irelewuyi put the time of the incident at 1302HRS, saying no life was lost.

    “A Hummer bus is on flame inside the bridge. The Fire Service have been alerted. All passengers are safe. The bus has been removed. There is free flow of traffic on both section of the expressway,” he said.

  • EPL: Brentford fight back to draw against Leicester

    EPL: Brentford fight back to draw against Leicester

    Brentford produced a terrific fightback from 2-0 behind to secure a point against Leicester in a thrilling match at the King Power Stadium.

    A header by Belgium defender Timothy Castagne opened the scoring for the Foxes, the only Premier League club not to have signed a player in the summer transfer window so far.

    Leicester were the dominant side in the first half with Youri Tielemans hitting the post before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall doubled the lead 25 seconds into the second half.

    Read Also:EPL: Ten Hag begins Man Utd era with Brighton’s defeat

    Brentford hit back when Ivan Toney scored from close range after Rico Henry’s pass.

    Toney wasted a great chance to equalise when he headed wide after Leicester’s Wesley Fofana nodded against the post at the other end.

    But Brentford were not done as substitute Josh Dasilva struck an 86th-minute equaliser, starting the Bees’ second successive season in the top flight with a point. BBC

  • Trade volumes between D-8 member countries hit $129b

    Trade volumes between D-8 member countries hit $129b

    The Trade volume between D-8 countries has reached $129 billion, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Dr. Abdul Momen, has said.

    The envoy put the volume of intra-trade among member States at the inception of the organisation 25 years ago at $13 billion.

    He expressed hope that within the next 10 years intra-trade will increase by 10 times or at least to $1.3 trillion.

    The envoy spoke at the just–concluded meetings of the 45th Session of D-8 Commission and the 20th Session of the Council of Ministers held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

    The D-8 countries, also known as Developing-8, is an organisation for development cooperation among: Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkiye.

    Speaking further, the Minister underscored the importance of youths in member countries to the overall development agenda of the D-8 organisation.

    In a statement on Sunday, he called on member countries to tap into the ideas and fearless energy of the youths to bring the much-needed change, which could be utilised by providing them with education and job opportunities.

    On the role of women, Dr. Momen described women power as a major force in every country, adding that the time has come to recognize their potential and involve them in economic development.

    Also, the Secretary General of D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation, Ambassador Isiaka Imam restated commitment to the vision of the body.

    While addressing the well-attended meetings of the Organisation hosted by the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Ambassador Imam briefed the Commission and the Council of Ministers on the activities and programmes undertaken in the last six months of being on the saddle, as the chief scribe of the Organisation.

    Read Also:Nigerian becomes D-8’s Secretary-General

    He restated his commitment to his vision of increasing intra-trade relations amongst member countries of D-8, as well as increasing the visibility of the organisation within and outside member states, through project implementation and partnership with the organised private sector and development partners.

    Speaking further, the Secretary General told the gathering that significant progress had been achieved in the area of trade cooperation among member states with the conclusion of all issues around Trade Facilitation Strategy (TFS) and Dispute Settlement Mechanism (DSM) of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

    He added that with this positive development, the operationalisation of the PTA, which would serve as catalyst in boosting intra-trade relations among member countries, can now take off later this year as agreed to by member countries.

  • Beauty fights Amaka for dancing with Groovy

    Beauty fights Amaka for dancing with Groovy

    Beauty has engaged in war of words with her fellow housemates over Groovy.

    The level one housemates got pissed because other girls danced with Groovy at the Saturday night party and she couldn’t hide her emotions.

    She was seen lashing out at Amaka for dancing with Groovy at the party.

    Read Also:#BBNAIJA: Beauty enjoys Groovy’s warmth at pool party

    “I’m pissed please don’t talk to me, the only person I want to talk to this night is Cyph,” Beauty said.

    Responding to Beauty, Amaka said she would have hijacked Groovy from onset if she had known Beauty was so insecure.

  • Calabar Carnival returns December two years after

    Calabar Carnival returns December two years after

    Cross River State Government has declared the Carnival Calabar will return in December after a two-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Speaking in a briefing to unveil activities lined up for the Carnival, Commissioner for Culture & Tourism Eric Anderson said it will witness the entry of two new competing Bands, increasing the total number of bands to seven.

    The two new are Calasvegas and Diamond Bands.

    They join the former five of Seagull, Bay side, Passion4, Freedom and Master Blasts Bands.

    The Commissioner said: “The truth is that just as we wanted to sustain our tourism economy, the world was hit by a pandemic, So the government had held firmly to the commitment to always offer an experience that is safe and fair to all concerned and further more following global standards and expectations, it was only in our best interest to observe global sanctions against social gatherings.

    “Decisions were made and steps taken in 2020 and 2021, earlier to curb the spread of
    the COVID-19 pandemic and save humanity from this creeping scorch but when we were to unveil 2021, the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 was not in any way to be undermined.

    “We will agree that it was ingenious and a carefully considered decision to halt the Calabar Festival experience for this two years.

    “Lessons have been learnt on the contributions and vacuum the Carnival Calabar & festival experience has on the state tourism and local economy.

    “Therefore as a tourism cluster, we wish to expressly convey the decision of the State Executive Council and the commitment of His Excellency, Sen Prof. Ben Ayade, the Governor of Cross River State, on the assurances that Cross River State will be hosting the 2022 CARNIVAL & FESTIVAL come December.

    Read also:Calabar Carnival returns in December 2022

    “We have also expanded the brand with innovations for increased participation and patronage while ensuring that the socio-economical benefits trickles down.

    “As we gear up for the 2022 experience, we are starting with full engagement of the public and private sector with a participatory innovation.”

    “We are calling for entries for suggestible carnival theme for 2022 and the person with the selected theme will be carting home a cash reward of N1m. Entries opened 2nd August and close in 10days.

    “To our sponsors, this is a bigger and better opportunity, I know you won’t miss the mark, all instrument are set in place for a much further national and international reach and a numerical increase in participation, with an open market for product and services.”

    “There is no other moment than now and a very special thanks to our dear Governor Senator Prof. Ben Ayade for ensuring that we start early and committing to a successful 2022 Carnival Calabar & Festival.”

  • Nnamdi Kanu has no government in exile – IPOB

    Nnamdi Kanu has no government in exile – IPOB

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has dissociated itself from the purported Government in Exile, saying its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has not set up such government.

    The group described those claiming to be behind such government as fraudsters on jamboree, urging governments across the world to disregard them.

    In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB explained that it has legitimate, well established and structured administrative hierarchy that oversees day-to-day running of Biafra affairs.

    It accused former Deputy to its leader and those it termed expelled dissidents of taking advantage of absence of its leader to “sell the Biafra struggle to our enemies”, insisting they had failed woefully.

    The statement reads: “We wish to reiterate once again to Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom across the globe that IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu KANU has not set up any Government In Exile (GIE). We, therefore, dissociate ourself completely from the purported Government in Exile.

    “IPOB has legitimate and well established Institutions and well-structured administrative hierarchy that oversees the day- to-day running of Biafra affairs. Already, all Diplomatic Missions and countries of the world know about Biafra agitation and they communicate with IPOB as the responsible authority that overseas the affairs of the Biafran people be it Nationally or Internationally.

    “IPOB has international contacts and connections not through any worthless Government In Exile but through our established Institutions and Structures . So, anybody or group peddling or claiming to have set up Government In Exile has again embarked on a jamboree like those who came before them claiming to have formed a government in Exile at one point in time.

    “They simple do not deserve to be given any attention because this is the avenue that the Nigerian government wants to us to water down our agitation for total freedom.

    “We are not unaware that some dissidents expelled from IPOB including a former Deputy to our Leader had once suggested this Government In Exile to our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, but he did not buy into it knowing fully how needless it is at this stage of our struggle.

    “But unfortunately, now that our Leader is in detention, these same elements saw it as an opportunity to actualise their selfish ambition by quickly claiming to have set up the non-existent GIE. We know that their ultimate aim is to use it to sell the Biafra struggle to our enemies but they have failed woefully.

    “We knew that many infiltrators sponsored by some unfortunate politicians are fighting strongly to sell Biafra freedom through their main Infiltrator hiding in Finland. He has run out of gimmicks to stay afloat, hence, he decided to resort to the latest claims of purported GIE gimmick to deceive his gullible followers.

    “Therefore, everybody should ignore and disregard the purported GIE because the motive is ulterior and sinister. Biafra has established and recognised channels through which it operates and communicate with world leaders and government without needing or having to call that channel a government in exile.

    “One pertinent question to ask is how many government in exile has been formed by different individuals in the past and what become of them. In fact we have lost count of governments in exile formed at different times by impostors.

    “These are people whose intention from unset was not actually to secure the liberty and freedom of Biafrans but rather to secure for themselves one form of pecuniary gain or the other albeit economically or political positions.

    Read Also:UPDATED: IPOB/ESN killed four operatives, burnt station in Imo-Police

    “They are simply not freedom fighters because freedom fighters have no business whatsoever with forming governments whan they have neither secured the freedom of their people nor of their territory. An Igbo adage says (Azotacha ani tutu azowa ute)

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (DOS) headed by Mazi Chika Edoziem is at the helm of affairs of the Biafra movement whenever our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU comes out he hands over IPOB structure back to him. The DOS gives letters to our people for asylum and every Government of the world accepts it and grants asylum to such asylum seekers and they communicate IPOB. There is no other Government more than that.

    “Since 2007, different groups have always claimed to be Biafra Government In Exile and have done nothing to demonstrate that truly they represent the Biafran people. In 2007, Ralph Uwazuruike of MASSOB formed Government In Exile in Washington DC USA and he could not achieve anything but IPOB having gone extra mile and having solely the well being of Biafrans as its motivating factor as well as ultimate goal has achieved unimaginably humongous results. Rather than pursue the BIAFRA cause with their so-called GIE, the only achievement of the promoters is to build female hostel in Owerri.

    “Biafra struggle championed by IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has recorded tremendous achievements that we cannot afford to be taken backwards by retrogressive elements. Biafra already maintains its presence in many countries of the world.

    “IPOB defends her people in judicial and humanitarian matters across the world and in different occasions. People should stop supporting and making caricature of the Biafra restoration project by announcing Biafra Government In Exile any time they want to defraud Biafrans or sabotage our course for freedom.

    “We urge Governments across the world to disregard and ignore this fraudsters claiming they are forming Biafra Government In Exile. This new wind of setting up another Biafra government in exile is a distraction that should not be given any serious thought or attention as it will soon fizzle out like others before it but it is important that Biafrans and the International community are properly informed thus this need to set the facts straight.”