The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Omo-Agege seeks removal of oil subsidy

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege on Monday, said there is no need for Nigeria to continue with the multi-billion Naira oil subsidy regime.

    He said all that is needed to address the lingering issue of inadequate refined oil production to match local consumption, is to fix the country’s ailing refineries.

    He also expressed surprise that in spite of obvious economic realities, some people within and outside the NNPC still continue to believe that subsidy is the solution.

    Omo-Agege spoke at the Senate plenary during the confirmation hearing of ministerial nominees.

    He also expressed dismay over the insistence of some multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region on moving their headquarters elsewhere, with attendant job losses.

    Read Also: Fuel subsidy, debts bleeding treasury, says NECA

    He, however, demanded their relocation to the region.

    “I have always taken the position that there is no need for us to continue with this subsidy; all we need to do is to fix the refineries.
    “ But, today, I have seen many people in the NNPC and elsewhere moving otherwise because they believe we ought to continue with this subsidy regime.

    “I am from the Niger Delta and there are a lot of us who believe that most of the oil companies are doing business in that neighborhood ought to have their offices and their headquarters in that same neighborhood so as to provide employment opportunities

    “There is an issue that is raging right now in the Niger Delta and it has to do with the Nigerian Gas Company in Ekpan-Warri; they are also threatening to move their headquarters from Warri in Delta state to elsewhere.

    “ I am seeking a commitment today as the representative of the people of Delta Central that no ministerial nominee today will eventually superintend over the movement of Nigerian Gas Company elsewhere.

    “ I also seek a commitment that those companies that are doing business in the Niger Delta but have their headquarters elsewhere should come back to the Niger Delta area to provide jobs for our teeming youths,” the Deputy President of the Senate said.

  • EDPA boss bags CEO of the Year Award

    The Executive Chairman of the Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), Isoken Omo, has been adjudged the best female Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of state-owned housing agencies in Nigeria at the Abuja International Housing Show.

    The award is coming after her impressive commandeering of the affairs of EDPA, starting with the overhaul of the agency, with the re-enactment of its law in 2018; the development of Emotan Gardens Estate in partnership with Mixta Africa and the recertification of owners of the different estates controlled by the agency.

    Recall that on arrival at the show earlier in the week, Omo said the state government has done a lot to reposition the housing sector in the state.

    She noted that with the reforms in the state, the EDPA is now well-positioned to act as a private-sector facing agency, with a mandate to attract investment in the state’s housing sector.

    Read Also: Reps give committee 8 weeks to investigate sharp practices in housing sector

    According to her, “In the last few months, we have embarked on massive reforms in the housing sector, which have yielded positive results. Already we have completed the first phase of Emotan Gardens, which has sold out. We have also brought in sanity in the existing estates and have recertified property owners.

    We are also working on a mall in the Sopkonba Road axis of Benin city, with private partners. All these, I believe, are what we are being celebrated for at the show this year.”

    Governor Obaseki embarked on a holistic reform of the housing sector with the outlawing of Community Development Associations (CDAs) with the private property protection law, revamp of the EDPA and the sanitisation of property titles with automated Certificate-of-Occupancy (C-of-O) being issued by the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS).

  • Kidnappers free expatriate in Rivers

    Four suspects allegedly linked to the kidnap last week of an expatriate engineer working for Al Majdal Construction Company in Akwa Ibom have been arrested by the police in neigbouring Rivers state.

    The engineer, whose nationality is yet to be ascertained, was abducted while two soldiers were shot dead by unknown gunmen in an operation that took place on a road construction along Ikot Ibritam, Inen Ekeffe-Ikot Akpan-Afaha Ukanafun axis.

    Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred when the engineer was on routine inspection at the road construction project site awarded by Akwa Ibom State government.

    An eyewitness told our correspondent that after the expatriate had spent 18 days in the kidnappers den , he was released last Friday night at the same spot where he was abducted.

    “At about 8pm Friday, the hoodlums brought him ( the expatriate)from the creeks in a speedboat blindfolded and dropped at the same spot he was kidnapped. He then made calls to their project office within the community before he was picked up by heavily armed soldiers for treatment.”

    Read Also: 14 days later, whereabouts of abducted Siasia’s mother unknown

    Speaking , the clan head of Inen His Royal Highness Obong Johnson Obosi , the border community between OrukAnam and Ukanafun where the incident occurred confirmed that the abducted expatriate has been released by the abductors. ”

    “Yes, the chairman of OrukAnam local government area Prince Ubong Idiong called me this morning informing me that the abducted expatriate has been released by the abductors. All our clamour and press conference begging the kidnappers to release the expatriate are not in vain.”

    Obong Obosi said though the expatriate has been released , the council of chiefs would not rescind its decision to use traditional means of invoking native injunction against the perpetrators of such crime so that government can continue the development projects in our community with confidence.

    “Despite the fact that the abductors have freed the expatriate, we would still have meeting tomorrow to explore traditional means by invoking some native injunction against the gunmen and their collaborators so that government would continue in the development projects in our community.”

    Obong Obosi disclosed that four persons have been arrested in Port Harcourt including the son of a village Head in connection with the kidnapping of the expatriate in the area .

    He said the Village Head was arrested and detained but the chief was later released immediately the suspected son was nabbed by the police.

  • Ten ways to get a lady say yes to your proposal

    It is one thing to find that person you love and it is another thing to make that person say YES to your marriage proposal.

    It is the dream of every woman to hear this question from her man, will you marry me? Love is a strong word, feelings that brings two persons together to become one.

    Finding the perfect marriage proposal idea might be hard for some lovers especially when making plans to spent the rest of your life with the person you love.

    Below are proposal tips that can make you end up with your dream lover:

    Read Also: Why Nigerian men delay marriage proposals

    1. Propose by hiding the ring inside of a box of her favorite snacks.

    2. Propose by telling her it is over between the two of you.

    3. Propose by hiring a skywriter to write Will You Marry Me in the sky.

    4. Propose by attaching the engagement ring to your dog’s collar and letting him bring it to her.

    5. Propose by putting her ring in the bottom of her champagne glass at a restaurant.

    6. Propose by writing the message in Christmas lights.

    7. Propose by inviting her with another lady for a date.

    8. Propose by paying her a surprise visit to her office.

    9. Propose by arranging with the police to arrest you for a crime.

    10. Propose by having your child (or younger sibling or cousin) ask the question for you.

  • Senate resumes ministerial screening Monday

    The Senate will on Monday resume confirmation hearing to screen 12 remaining ministerial nominees forwarded to it by President Muhammadu Buhari for confirmation as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The Upper Chamber had already screened 31 out of the 43 nominees referred to it for confirmation by Buhari.

    While it screened ten nominees on Wednesday July 24, 14 others were screened last Thursday.

    The Senate suspended its rules to sit on Friday 26, 2019 when seven nominees were screened.

    Those remaining to be screened are former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola (Osun); former Information Minister Lai Mohammed (Kwara); former Lagos Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola; Dr. Muhammad Mahmoud (Kaduna); Engr. Sabo Nanono (Kano) and Engr. Saleh Mamman (Taraba).

    Others are Senator Gbemisola Saraki, who is likely to be asked to take a bow and go (Kwara); Goddy Jedy-Agba (Cross River); Engr. Sulaiman H. Adamu (Jigawa); Amb. Maryam Katagum (Bauchi); Clement IK Anade Agba(Edo) and Geoffrey Onyeama (Enugu).

    Read Also: Ministerial screening: ‘Senate to conclude on Tuesday’

    Onyeama is the immediate past Foreign Affairs Minister.

    Of the remaining nominees, fire works is expected between the Senate and Lai Mohammed due to his sensitive portfolio between 2015 and 2019.

    Mohammed as the Information Minister, was the image maker of Buhari Presidency during the period.

    Tough grilling by the senators is also expected to be handed Fashola due to the sensitive nature of the three ministries he superintended over as minister from 2015-2019.

    Fashola is the immediate past Minister of Power, Works and Housing, a position, it is being speculated he might be re-appointed to if he is confirmed by the Senate.

    In all, it is expected that the confirmation hearing may be concluded on Tuesday and the ministers- designate inaugurated on Wednesday for the government to hit the ground running.

  • Police arrest billboard thief in Niger

    Niger state Police has arrested a 35-year-old man who specializes in stealing billboards.

    Abdullahi Sarki confessed to have stolen billboards worth N1.2 million before he was arrested by the Police.

    The suspect was trailed and apprehended by the operatives of GRA Police Station in Suleja after one Mohammed Ibrahim of Kwamba Garage, Suleja reported that four of his billboards were stolen.

    The owner of the billboards said while inspecting his billboards installed in different locations in Minna, he discovered that four out of the 12 were vandalised and stolen by unknown person.

    He reported to the police who went to the place where irons are sold and discovered the billboard while inquiries led them to the suspect.

    Read Also: Police kill alleged armed robber in Kano

    Sarki blamed poverty as the cause for stealing billboards adding that he sells the irons of the billboards to welders.

    “Poverty made me to commit crime without thinking of the repercussion. I have nobody to assist me in any way, then i resorted to stealing and vandalising peoples billboards in Niger state.

    “I usually sell the iron to people that will use it to construct gates and some other things, is a good business,” Sarki said

    The Command Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar said the security operatives recovered the stolen billboards and 45 pieces of iron from the suspect during his arrest

  • Ibadan residents flee as NURTW factions engage in bloody clash

    A deafening sound of gunshots boomed at the weekend at Egbeda area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, causing panic and pandemonium as residents ran for cover to avoid needless bodily harm and injury.

    Many residents around the trouble zone were said to have remained indoors under lock and keys, while shop owners hurriedly closed their business and ran for safety.

    Two factions of the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were alleged to taken to the streets, with guns , cutlasses and other dangerous weapons , as they engaged in violent clash.

    It was learnt that trouble started when a former chairman of the union in the state, Mukaila Lamidi (aka Auxiliary), in company of some of his men and two officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps invaded the house of an estranged aide, Musliudeen Muideen, with guns, axes and other dangerous weapons.

    It was gathered that apart from beating and shooting Muideen, members of his household including his brothers were dealt with, as residents who had sporadic gunshots fled.

    Read Also: Oyo NURTW factional leaders reach compromise

    However, Auxiliary when contacted, denied the allegations, saying that the claim was not true.

    The NURTW chief alleging that some members of the union, were out to paint him in black for the Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde to stop his impending announcement as the new NURTW chairman.

    Auxiliary who spoke through one of his aides, Alhaji Ahmed Raheem, said the allegation was an attempt to destroy his reputation, stating that as a peace loving person, he would never engage in acts that would bring disrepute to the state.

    Raheem disclosed that Auxiliary had intelligent report that some hoodlums were planing to attack people to tarnish his name and went there with the NSCDC officials to arrest them and subsequently handed them over to men of the state joint security task force.

    However the victim, Muideen confirmed the attack on him, while speaking with journalists on Sunday, saying that his house was invaded by six vehicles loaded with NURTW members and two NSCDC men brandishing dangerous weapons, stating that he if it were to be in the night he would have been killed.

    He added that after he was beaten to the point of death and his family members traumatized, he was driven to the headquarters of the state joint security task force, Operation Burst, and handed over to the state Commander.

    Another member of NURTW attacked, Kabiru Adekunle, said he bolted away from his house immediately he was informed by a source that the members of the union were heading towards his house.

    The duo then called on Governor Seyi Makinde, to save the state from being turned into a battle field with those they described as miscreants lording themselves over others.

    When contacted, the Commander of the Operation Burst, Captain Osolo, who confirmed that some NURTW men were brought to the outfit, said he released the men when he discovered that nothing incriminating was found on them.

  • Why FG Must Construct the Lekki coastal road, by Reps member

    A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adebayo Balogun (Ibeju-Lekki federal Constituency, Lagos) has given reasons for the need to construct a coastal road from Akodo Ise to Victoria Island, Lagos.

    In a chat with reporters at the weekend, the lawmaker said that it is evident that the existing road infrastructure in Ibeju Lekki especially the Lekki axis, cannot accommodate the emerging industrial revolution in the area.

    He noted that already, there are serious damages being caused to the existing roads.

    He also urged the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to commence the process of completing the whole stretch of the Port Harcourt – Lagos coastal road.

    The Ministry in the interim, should make provisions in the 2020 budget estimates for the construction of a coastal road from Ise in Ibeju Lekki to Victoria Island in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, he said.

    Recall that on Thursday, the lawmaker moved a motion in the issue titled; ‘ Urgent Need to Construct the Lekki Coastal Road from Akodo Ise to Victoria Island, Lagos State.

    In the motion, he noted that Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area is located along the coastal line of Lagos State and is probably the fastest growing economic and industrial hub especially with establishment of the Lekki Free Trade Zone which sits on a total land area of 16,500 hectares.

    He further stated that “Dangote Oil Refinery which is the largest in Africa with its conglomerates like, a fertilizer plant, a petrochemical plant and a sub – sea gas pipeline project, is expected to commence operations at the local government in less than 2 years’ time.

    ” And with a daily production of 650,000 barrels per day will transform the Nigerian economy from a net importer of refined petroleum products to a net exporter of petroleum products;

    He also noted ‘that the Annual Statistics Bulletin (ASB) Report for 2019 shows that the value of exports of petroleum products by the country in 2018 amounted to $54.513 billion while its import was $54.645 billion, making export growth by $16.53 billion in 2018 from $37.983 billion in 2017 to have no impact as the value of imports already outweigh exports.’

    According to him, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, which will also be sited along the coastal line of Lekki will, after completion, increase the revenue from Lagos ports from its present value of over N250b to over N600b, as importers who are currently using the plots of neighbouring countries would switch to the Lekki Deep Sea Port;

    “The Lekki Coastline road starting from Akodo Ise in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area to Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island in Eti-Osa Local Government Area is part of the Federal Government’s proposed Port Harcourt to Lagos Coastal road project.

    “The Niger Delta Development Commission in partnership with Ondo State Government has awarded a contract for the construction of coastal road from Araromi in Ondo State to Akodo Ise in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area,” he said.

    Balogun noted that another Apapa Traffic Gridlock situation may happen in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area which can negate all the benefits enumerated above, if a futuristic and proactive measure is not taken to expand the road infrastructure.

    “If the economic projects that contribute majorly to the federation’s account are not nurtured for sustainability, we might gradually be walking ourselves into a state of permanent recession,” he warned.

  • Orubebe floors Okowa on projects allocations in Delta

    Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe has accused Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of deliberately marginalising some sections of the state in allocation of projects.

    Elder Orubebe, said in a statement in Abuja, he would soon make public on-going evaluations of the works done by Delta State government in the last 50 months.

    He said he was not surprised by criticisms trailing his earlier remarks on his position that the Governor sidelined his ethnic Ijaw people in the scheme of things in the state.

    He declared no one can crucify him on his avowed stance on democracy and good governance as far Delta state is concerned.

    According to Orubebe: “In Nigeria most of the times the people you want to fight and protect, unfortunately are gullible in most of the cases. Illiteracy and poverty are largely responsible for this challenge.

    “I made a statement to the people of Delta State with particular reference to the Ijaw people about physical and human development. I also knew that some few uneducated and ill informed Ijaw people were going to attack me as sycophants and as expected, I have been proved right.

    Read Also: Okowa assures on development of Asaba as capital

    “Those reactions will not stop me from fighting for the majority of the Ijaw people and Delta people in general.

    “I want Gov Okowa to tell the people of Delta State how he spent billions of naira with particular reference to each ethnic community in Delta State.

    “I have already engaged the services of some consultants to value the works he has done in Delta State in the last 50 months. I am sure that Deltans will be pleased to know the outcome of this verification exercise.

    “Very soon we shall also come out to tell the people of Delta State about ”Okowa before he became governor, Okowa after 50 months as a person and as a government.”

    Recently Orubebe attacked his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, saying it is a party dominated by ungrateful elements.

    He also alleged marginalisation of the Ijaws in Delta State by the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

  • Hotel owners, transporters, others laud Obaseki’s investment in sports

    Following the Federation International Football Association (FIFA) tour of facilities in Edo State as part of Nigeria’s bid to host the 2020 Under-20 female soccer fiesta, hotel owners, transporters and other stakeholders in the hospitality sector have lauded the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s investment in sports development.

    A cross-section of operators in the tourism sector said that the endorsement of sporting facilities in the state by the visiting FIFA delegation led by FIFA Consultant, Mainasarawa Illo, showed that Edo State is ready to host the world which will benefit businesses and residents in the state.

    Mr Austin Egbe, owner of a hotel in Benin City, said: “With the visit of the FIFA team, players in the hospitality sector are ready to take full advantage as the state prepares to host the 2020 Under-20 female soccer event. The state government has done well by investing in sports development with the renovation of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium into a world-class sports centre.”

    He said the state government’s investment in road infrastructure has boosted the profile of operators in the hospitality business, noting, “The state government’s complete turnaround of sporting facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is heartwarming. Those of us in the hospitality business, especially those of us who are owners of hotels, are also upgrading our facilities to be of a world-class standard to host visitors from around the world for the soccer event.”

    Read Also: Obaseki rallies behind Georgia Oboh on British open qualification

    Asemota Osaretin, a taxi operator with one of the ride-hailing services in the state, said, “The state government’s unprecedented reconstruction of the roads in Benin City has also shown that Edo State is ready for business and we are happy with the development. Visitors in Edo State could easily access any part of the town because of the roads in the city.”

    Recall that FIFA, last week, scored Edo State high in its preparations towards hosting the Under 20 World Cup tournament in the state capital, Benin City, in the event that Nigeria wins the hosting right.

    FIFA Consultant, Mainasarawa Illo accompanied by Amaju Pinnick of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) during a tour of facilities said that the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City is one of the venues proposed for use by FIFA.

    Illo explained that “there was need to know before time, exactly what’s on ground, see the progress of work, so as to know if adequate preparations have been made to accommodate all the required facilities”

    After the inspection, he declared that the facilities on ground were “absolutely breath-taking. It is scenic, picturesque, functional, strong and very promising.”