The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Ibadan to host first pensioners’ radio in Africa

    Oyo State Chapter of Nigerian Union of Pensioners’ (NUP) Radio station, “Pensioners Radio” will be commissioned in September by Governor Seyi Makinde.

    The union’s secretary, Comrade Segun Abatan, broke the news when the management of Oyo State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, led by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Bashir Olanrewaju, visited the Pensioners’ House at Jericho, Ibadan, to witness the test transmission of the radio station.

    Abatan said the radio station was the first of its kind in Africa and it would focus on broadcast of issues relating to the welfare of pensioners in the state among other issues.

    He said the feat was achieved because of the relative peace, financial empowerment and confidence that the Governor Seyi Makinde administration had restored back to workers in Oyo State.

    Read Also: Challenges before Makinde

    Abatan stressed that the union built its edifice, the radio station, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre and pensioners’ clinic from the meager resources that members contributed from their monthly pensions.

    “Today is another day we shall never forget in the lives of Oyo State pensioners. Despite our meager earnings, you can see all we have been able to achieve. Even NLC, despite their humongous income, has not achieved this.

    “Now that we have Omituntun (referring to Makinde), everywhere is calm and people are now happy. We have started the test transmission of the station today and we are happy the ministry of information is here to honour this event. It is our plan that the executive governor of Oyo State will commission the radio come September.”

    Olanrewaju said the pensioners’ radio came as a challenge to all other workers’ unions as the pensioners that would be expected to be resting after retirement were the one achieving many commendable feats.

    He admonished the leadership of the NUP to monitor the activities of the radio station so as not to be a source of misinformation and propaganda against government and politically-exposed individuals.

    “Let this be the flagship of responsible journalism. I hope ‘Pensioners Radio’ will not be used to peddle rumour and tarnish the image of the establishment. Make sure you employ workers that will not put the image of the establishment down.”

    The Pensioners House at Jericho in Ibadan has a 1000-capacity hall for events, an ICT centre powered by The Polytechnic, Ibadan and a standard clinic.

  • 109 babies born as RCCG’s annual convention ends

    THE ordination of 1,850 pastors and a special thanksgiving service yesterday dropped the curtain on the 67th annual convention of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

    Tagged: “And God Said”, the weeklong convention opened on Monday with the ordination of Deacons and Deaconesses as well as the graduation of 5,443 students from the Redeemed Christian Bible College (RCBC).

    Given an overview of the convention, the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, said 106 babies were born at the RCCG maternity during the convention. He gave the breakdown as 56 boys and 53 girls.

    Appreciating RCCG members for their contributions for the success of this year’s convention, Pastor Adeboye assured that next year’s convention will be much more glorious.

    He gave the theme for the 2020 Convention as “wonderful.”

    Read Also: Why I don’t take Holy Communion in other churches – Adeboye

    In his sermon, the Assistant General Overseer of the church in charge of Administration and Personnel, Pastor Johnson Odesola challenged the newly ordained pastors never to despair as they go about task of evangelising the world for Christ.

    He reminded them that preaching the gospel message remained a task that must be carried out by all Christians as  they await the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, saying “and we have an assurance that God is with us and is strength we can rely upon no matter the tides that may blow our way.”

    He said rewards await every faithful minister in heaven.

    “We have herd of patriarchs of old who fought the good fight of faith and have long gone to heaven where they received their rewards,” Odesola said.

  • We need one another to succeed, says cleric

    Nobody can become anything in life without the input of others, President of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide Pastor Abraham Akinosun has said.

    He reiterated the need to acknowledge contributions of others so as not to be seen as an ingrate.

    Pastor Akinosun spoke yesterday at the Regional Headquarters in Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, at the induction of Pastor Emmanuel Olusoko as the second regional superintendent of Olutimehin Region.

    He was represented by the General Superintendent, Pastor Samuel Oladele, who was accompanied by the General Secretary, Pastor Emmanuel Mapur.

    In his sermon:“The Well of Jacob”, taken from John 4:1-6, the cleric said: “Ours is a very rich heritage. It is good for us to be constantly reminded that all the benefits and privileges we are enjoying today have become ours, not necessarily by our achievements, but by inheritance. We also need to smoothen the paths for others to tread. There is need to acknowledge the persons who laboured before us.

    “There is the grace of God who always shows mercy, but we must learn to acknowledge the input of other people. What is the purpose of your existence? Are you fulfilling the very purpose of your existence? Are you wiping tears from people’s faces or are you causing them to shed sorrowful tears? No meeting in life is accidental.

    Read Also: Clerics canvass unity, seek national revival

    “What legacies are you bequeathing to the generations coming behind you? Always emphasise unity, love, purity, honesty, holiness, revival, righteousness, discipline, cooperation, good character, dignity, truth, integrity and fear of God, like our forebears. Our generation must not be different. Will your labour last? Do not be a useless person. Always make positive impact in the lives of the people you come across. Strive to leave legacies behind.”

    Secretary of Olutimehin Region Pastor Samuel Essien, in his welcome address, said the region was among the 12 created by CAC’s authorities in 2017 for proper governance and decentralisation of administrative power to reach the local assemblies and members with ease.

    Essien said: “Olutimehin Region, which consists of Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, faces peculiar challenges, such as communal and cult-related crises, which have made members desert their churches in relocating for safety. The economy of the members is grossly affected, while many of them have lost their sources of income.

    “We have been trying our best to be loyal and submissive to the church authorities. We solicit prayers and cooperation of all members, knowing full well that the challenges will soon end by God’s grace. The region will soon be the pride of everyone and the authorities.”

    Pastor Olusoko, who assumed duty in January, promised to put in his best in the service of God, even as he thanked the personalities who honoured him.

  • Gunmen kidnap provost in Benue

    Gunmen have abducted the Provost of College of Education, Katsina Ala, Mr Tsavwua Gborigyo.

    He was kidnapped last Friday.

    The victim was said to be travelling on the Kwande- Vandeikya Road when the hoodlums waylaid his car and forcefully took him to an unknown place.

    At press time, the management of the college said the kidnappers were yet to open discussion with the family.

    Police spokesperson Kate Anene confirmed the report.

    She said investigation has begun.

  • Police vow to arrest culprits as robbers invade UI

    The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Shina Olukolu, has said the command has intensified efforts to arrest the hoodlums who invaded Abdulsalam Hall of the University of Ibadan (UI).

    He spoke yesterday about the attack which occurred early in the morning.

    The attack happened one month after robbers invaded Obafemi Awolowo female hostel in the university.

    A Deputy Communication of Police (DCP) in charge of Operations, Mr. Kehinde Alonge and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Sango Police Station, Joyce Mayaki, yesterday led other senior police officers to the scene of the robbery to access the situation and order manhunt and investigation into the crime.

    Olukolu, who spoke through police spokesman Olugbenga Fadeyi, a Superintendent of Police  (SP), confirmed that one student was injured in the attack.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Robbers attack UI New Hall hostel

    Robbers attacked Obafemi Awolowo Hall on July 11 and injured female students.

    The state police chief said officers of the command have begun manhunt to bring the robbers to book.

    He said about five hoodlums invaded the hall, with weapons such as knives and cutlasses to attack the students.

    Olukolu said the injured have been treated at the Jaja Clinic.

    He said the robbers, who attacked only the female wing of the hall, reportedly tied the security guard.

    Two male students, who tried to obstruct their mission, received machete cuts. The hoodlums escaped through the nearby bush, carting away phones and other valuables.

    The Director of Public Communications, Mr.  Olatunji Oladejo, while reaffirming that only one student was injured, said the security unit of the university had intensified efforts to prevent a recurrence.

    The Chairman, Council Committee on Security,  Prof. Ademola Aremu, said the university is reviewing the security design.

    Aremu, who visited the hall in company of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, said the police are working hard to arrest the invaders.

  • Civil Defence operative ‘kills’ varsity student

    There was anger in Bayelsa State at the weekend following the killing of a 100-level student of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, Southern Ijaw, allegedly by an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    It was gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 10:30pm on Saturday, threw the student community into mourning.

    Sources said the incident was avoidable and blamed it on the alleged unprofessional conduct of the NSCDC operative.

    Read Also: Police kill alleged armed robber in Kano

    The Nation learnt that the security personnel, attached to a politician, allegedly cocked his gun to fire some shots, announcing the arrival of his principal at the area, but discovered that the bullets hooked in the magazine chamber.

    He was said to have attempted to free the magazine chamber without pointing the nozzle of his rifle downwards or upwards.

    While the nozzle pointed at passersby, the gun fired and killed the student identified as Obinna, at Efeke Ama area of the university community.

    Obinna was said to be a student at the Petrochemical department, Faculty of Engineering, before his death.

    It was gathered that the victim was pronounced dead at the Tantua Hospital, while the NSCDC operative was handed over to the police in Ammassoma.

  • Driver, conductor who ‘rob’ passengers arrested

    Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) have arrested a commercial bus driver, Ezekiah Andrew Ovotu, 31, and his conductor, Abdulmon Mustapha, 32, for allegedly using their bus to rob passengers on the Oshodi-Mile 2 Road in Lagos.

    According to source, the SARS operatives got an intelligence report about the suspects’ nefarious activities along the Oshodi-Mile 2 Expressway through the Directorate of the State Secret Service (DSS) and arrested them after days of surveillance.

  • Man allegedly rapes girl, 10

    A 28-year-old man, simply identified as Juwon, has allegedly raped a 10-year-old girl.

    The incident allegedly occurred at Alafia, Itele, Ota, Ogun State.

    The victim was said to live with her grandmother.

    It was gathered that on the day of the incident, she (grandmother) implored the suspect to hand over the keys to their room to her granddaughter when it was time for lunch.

    Unknown to the grandmother, the man had an ulterior motive. He allegedly took the girl to his room and raped her.

    Read Also: Man rapes daughter to confirm her virginity

    The Nation learnt that the grandmother, upon arrival, discovered bloodstains on the victim’s dress and inquired what had happened. The girl told her that the suspect defiled her when she was not around.

    The visibly-shaken girl, who was said to have had bruises in her private parts, alleged: “Brother Juwon took me to his room and removed my panties. He then penetrated me. When my grandmother returned, she noticed my blood-stained dress and I told her what happened.”

    When questioned why he raped the minor, the suspect did not respond.

    The grandmother said Juwon should be made to face the wrath of the law.

    The matter was later reported to the Ogun State Community Social Orientation and Safety Corps.

    The Commander, Ejigun Unit, Mr. Talabi Ojo, said the suspect was apprehended and taken to their headquarters in Ota before moving him to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Obada, in Abeokuta.

  • Families cry out over alleged attack by land grabbers, murderers

    The Ominiha and Shosoyan families of Ibeshe in Ikorodu, Lagos State, have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu to rescue them from hoodlums.

    They alleged that the hoodlums were led by a suspected notorious land grabber, Kamurudeen Lamina, alias Sir K.

    The families accused policemen at Zone II headquarters, Onikan, Lagos and the Monitoring Unit, Ikorodu of aiding Lamina, a suspected serial murderer alleged to have unleashed terror on Ikorodu, Ogijo and other Lagos-Ogun border communities since 2005.

    They appealed to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun to rescue them by ensuring that land grabbers hiding at the border towns and unleashing mayhem on residents are dislodged.

    Read Also: ‘We live in perpetual fear of land grabbers’

    The families, who spoke through their lawyer, Adefolaju Oloko, said their outcry followed Lamina’s alleged forceful and illegal encroachment on their 138.70 acres of land at the instance of a family that has no claim to the land.

    They said their worries were not unconnected to killings and maiming of innocent people for over a decade by land grabbers, which has forced many victims to desert their homes.

    Lamina, however, denied the allegations.

    He said he was neither a murderer nor a land grabber as being alleged.

    Said he: “I am not a land-grabber, but a property developer, car dealer and hotelier. I am not into land grabbing. People meet me always to help them develop their land. The problem is that people are jealous of my progress. They want to kill me and take over the properties I am managing.”

  • Prepaid meter: IE sensitises customers on registration process

    Ikeja Electric (IE) Plc has begun the rollout of meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme to unmetered customers, the Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Folake Soetann, has said.

    She spoke at the weekend in Lagos at the Customers Engagement Forum to sensitise customers in Shomolu Business Unit on the registration process, survey, payment and installation of meters.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that lkeja Electric, alongside one of its MAPs partners, Mojec Metering Asset Company, held an engagement forum to sensitise customers in Shomolu Business Unit.

    The MAP scheme is in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to bridge the metering gap.

    It entails empowerment of third party companies identified Meter Asset Providers, by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), to procure and install meters for electricity consumers under the scheme.

    She said in the first phase, which culminated at the end of July, metering was restricted to only customers in Ikorodu, Abule-Egba and Shomolu business units.

    Soetan noted that from the beginning of August the exercise has been extended to customers in Ikeja, Akowonjo and Oshodi business units.

    She reiterated the company’s commitment to leverage the opportunity provided by the MAP scheme to close the metering gap across its network and remove estimated billing.

    “The scheme will ensure accelerated meter deployment to unmetered customers, totally eliminating every form of controversy regarding the accuracy of electricity bills.

    Read Also: How to get prepaid meters, by Ikeja Electric

    “We have taken actions in terms of planning and manpower deployment for adequate metering,” the IE boss said.

    In order to ensure a seamless registration for meter under MAP scheme, she advised the unmetered customers to register through IE website map.ikejaelectric.com, using their Ikeja Electric’s account number on the bill to update their KYC (Know Your Customer) details after which a survey will be carried out to determine the type of meter suitable for their premises.

    Soetan said the company had set up a debt resolution panel in its six business units to address disputed outstanding bills and ensure reconciliation.

    She said customers must always pay into the designated bank account provided on the online MAP Portal and always quote their Application Reference Number (ARN) when making any payment.

    Soetan advised new customers to visit the nearest Ikeja Electric office for account creation and set up to enable them start their registration for meter.

    “As part of the registration process, customers will be required to provide a valid email address and telephone number, as they will be contacted through the information provided,” the Ikeja Electric boss said.

    She urged customers to ensure they provide accurate data during the registration process.

    She directed tenants who share the same service cable to separate their service wires by engaging the service of Licensed Electrical Contractor Association of Nigeria (LECAN).

    The Chief Executive Officer of MOJEC Meter Asset Company, Ms Chantelle Abdul, said the company had adequate meters in stock for the MAP scheme.

    According to her, the single phase meter costs N38, 850, while the three-phase meter costs N70,350, both inclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT).

    She said processes have been put in place, including bank loans for customers who could not afford to pay for the meter.