The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Akeredolu to Ondo Assembly: Probe appearance of snake

    The controvesy over the purported invasion of the Ondo state House of Assembly complex by a snake has assumed another dimension as Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Sunsay ordered the probe of the appearance of the reptile in its hallow chamber.

    The Governor who expressed dismay on how snake scared at the state parliament, inspected the facilities at the State House of Assembly.

    He said his government would investigate what brought the snake into the law chamber while the lawmakers were in session.

    Lawmakers had on Thursday scampered for safety when a snake dropped from the roof and landed on the hallow chamber during the plenary.

    It led to hasty suspension of proceedings as directed by the speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun.

    Read Also: Ondo will get LCDAs soon, says Akeredolu

    Akeredolu however blamed the lawmakers, alleging blackmail in the such a circumstance.

    He said his inspection of facilities at the premises of the House did not suggest that snakes could penetrate into the chamber.

    The Governor alleged that members of the House of Assembly diverted the money earnmarked for maintainance of the facilities in the Assembly complex to other things.

    Although he admitted that the facilities at the Assembly complex need renovation, the Governor said he could not believe that a live snake could jump from the roof into the chamber.

    But, the Speaker, Oleyelogun said that the matter was painted more than the actual incidence in the social media.

    According to him, the House had requested for fund for the total renovation of structures and facilities at the Assembly’s complex before the incident.

  • NGO urges FG to ensure release of Sharibu, others

    The United Global Resolve For Peace (UGRFP), an NGO, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently direct security agencies to secure the release of Miss Leah Sharibu and others in captivity of boko haram.

    The Executive Director of UGRFP, Mr Shalom Olaseni, who made the call in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said efforts should also be made to verify the claims made by Miss Grace Taku, an aid worker kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Taku, who works with Action Against Hunger, was kidnapped on July 18 alongside five of her male colleagues in Borno state.

    Olaseni, however, called on government to be cautious in its approach as the terrorists group could be seeking to attract attention for the release of their men or monetary gains.

    “As a group, we must first caution against taking at a face value all the information passed on in the widely circulated video of Miss Grace Taku.

    “It may as well be one part of a script by the insurgent group known for its propensity for propaganda and untruths.

    Read Also: We are confident Leah Sharibu is alive – ECWA

    He blamed the recent development surrounding Shuaribu’s life and others like her on failure of government to act or ‘do something’ since the kidnap of the girls.

    “The public was informed that efforts would be intensified to negotiate the release of Miss Leah Shuaribu who was reportedly still in captivity for her refusal to deny/renounce her Christian faith for Islam.

    “Over 400 days later, amidst waning calls for actions on her behalf, the claims made by Miss Grace Taku in a video made in captivity has jolted the populace back into outrage and recentered discourse around a lonesome yet brave school,” he said.

    The group pleaded with Nigerians to proffer constructive resolutions devoid of politics and sentiments on how to ensure the release of the girl..

  • Summon Buhari over $1bn ECA fund, PDP tells NASS

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the National Assembly to invoke Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution to summon President Muhammadu Buhari to answer questions on the $1 billion withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA).

    The Presidency had, in 2017, withdrawn the fund for the purchase of Tucano fighter aircraft from the United States of America without the approval of the National Assembly.

    In a statement Sunday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party specifically called on the federal lawmakers to set up an ad hoc committee to “recover” the sum, allegedly “missing” from the ECA.

    “The party craves the National Assembly, as true representatives of the people, to be firm in invoking its powers under sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to invite President Muhammadu Buhari to give account of the money, which was drawn from the ECA by his Presidency, without recourse to legislative appropriation,” the PDP said.

    According to the party, the call for Buhari’s interrogation was predicated on allegations of complicity in the public space against the Presidency, following its failure to address the matter since.

    The PDP recalled a recent media report allegedly credited to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Babagana Mongunu (rtd), claiming not to be aware of the status of the fund.

    Read Also: Reps to summon Buhari over security situation

    The statement further stated, “Whereas section 88 gives the National Assembly the overriding powers to conduct investigations to, among other things, expose corruption and inefficiency in administration of public funds, section 89 empowers it, among other things, to summon ANY PERSON in Nigeria to give evidence or produce any document under his possession or control, related to the issues under investigation.

    “The PDP therefore urges the National Assembly to uphold the constitution by inviting President Buhari to produce documents that approved the withdrawal of the money, the terms of withdrawal, the channeling of the funds, as well as those involved in its handling.

    “The party further implores the federal legislature to stand in the interest of the nation and resist all plots by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the cabal at the Presidency to sweep the matter under the carpet”.

    The PDP urged the legislators to reflect on the pains of Nigerians, particularly, victims of killings, bloodlettings, kidnappings and other acts of violence, which the party said, had continued unrepressed, while funds meant for security were reportedly being frittered.

    “This is especially as allegation in the public space remains rife that funds meant for security in our nation were diverted to finance APC 2019 election campaigns, while insecurity festers in our country.

    “The PDP notes that since the Buhari Presidency and the APC do not have any cogent clarifications, the National Assembly should exercise its investigative powers under the constitution to interrogate the issue as well as recover the money in the general interest,” the statement added.

  • HOW TO CHECK WAEC RESULTS

    If you were one of the candidates that participated in the 2019 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), you would have been aware by now that results are out and they are available online.

    Checking the result is very simple. Remember the smart identity card used during the exams? Well the result checker pin and serial number contained on it are all that is needed.

    Read Also: BREAKING: WAEC releases 2019 May/June 2019 results

    All you need to do is:

    1. Go to https://www.waecdirect.org. which is the WAEC result checking portal.

    2. Enter your WAEC Examination Number in the required column.

    3. Select your Examination Year which is 2019.

    4. Select your Examination Type which is “school candidate result”.

    5. Then enter the Card Serial Number.

    6. Enter the Card PIN afterwards.

    7. Finally, click “Submit” button to get your 2019 WAEC Result.

  • BREAKING: South East govs meet on insecurity

    South East Governors are in a meeting over insecurity in Enugu.

    But Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha is absent at the meeting that would have been his first with South East Governors’ Forum.

    Details shortly….

  • 14 days later, whereabouts of abducted Siasia’s mother unknown

    It is exactly 14 days unknown gunmen abducted Beauty Ogere, the mother of a former Coach and skipper of the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia.

    Investigations at the weekend showed that the whereabouts of the 80-year-old kidnapped with 66-year-old Florence Donana and her 17-year-old granddaughter, remained unknown.

    The victims were whisked away from their Odoni community, Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, on July 15 at about 2am.

    Two days after the incident, the kidnappers established contacts with Siasia’s family and demanded N70m to set the victims free.

    Siasia, however, begged the kidnappers to set his aged mother free unconditionally saying he was out of job and had no such money to pay them.

    Read Also: Revealed: Desperate, callous manner Siasia’s mother was abducted

    Speaking at the weekend, a family member said the kidnappers brought down the ransom from N70m to N50m without consideration to the health of the woman.

    He said the family offered to pay N500,000 to secure the freedom of the woman but the kidnappers rebuffed the offer saying it was too small.

    He raised concerns over the health of Ogere and her ability to survive the rainy season and extremely cold weather.

    He said the police and other security agencies such as the Department of State Security (DSS) had done nothing about the abduction adding that nothing tangible came out of a recent security meeting held on the matter.

    “We are begging the abductors to set our mother free. We dont have the kind of money they are asking for. They should please respect the age of the woman and release her,” he said.

    But when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Butswat Asinim, said the police were working seriously on the matter.

  • Gov Fintiri loses father

    Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has lost his father.

    The father, Alhaji Umaru Badami, died on Sunday after a protracted illness.

    He was 82.

    The Director General of Media and Communications of Government House, Yola, Solomon Kumangar, who made the official announcement in a statement to newsmen Sunday afternoon, said the governor’s father died at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola, at 2.30 pm.

    Kumangar said the deceased was an ex-service man who retired from the Nigerian Army in 1984.

    He added that the funeral prayer would take place by 4pm at the Lamido’s Palace, Yola.

  • Umahi transmits final list of Commissioner-nominees Assembly

    Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has transmitted the second and final batch of his commissioner nominees to the Assembly for screening and possible confirmation.

    Governor Umahi had earlier sent 16 nominees to the House for screening and confirmation as commissioners.

    Former Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr. Kenneth Uhuo and the immediate past Commissioner for Environment, Donatus Odii Njoku were among the seven nominees who made the final list.

    Others are Sunday Inyima, Ude Ogbonnya, Jonah Egba, Odoh Stephen and Mrs.Uchechi Okah.

    Read Also: Benue Assembly confirms Ortom’s 15 commissioner nominees

    The nominees were consequently invited by the State House of Assembly to appear before the Assembly on Tuesday, 30th July 2019 for screening and possible confirmation.

    This was made known in a statement by Mr.Okene Oketa, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House, Rt.Hon.Francis Ogbinna Nwifuru.

    The House directed the nominees to submit their Curriculum Vitae, photocopies of their relevant credentials and tax clearance certificates with evidence of payments of their property taxes, in 30 file copies, to the office of the Clerk of the House not later than Monday 29nd July, 2019.

    “Also all other nominees of the Governor for appointment as Commissioners who were earlier scheduled for 13th August, 2019 are to now appear for the screening exercise on Tuesday 30th July, 2019”, the statement added

  • AfCFTA: Buhari okays establishment of action committee

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved establishment of a National Action Committee (NAC), for the implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area, (AfCFTA) Agreement.

    The President had signed the AfCFTA on behalf of Nigeria at the 12th Extraordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State on 7th July 2019, in Niamey, Republic of Niger.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Sunday, said that the National Action Committee will comprised of representatives of Ministries and Agencies with competent and relevant jurisdiction and selected stakeholder groups from the private sector as well as the civil society to coordinate the implementation of all the AfCFTA readiness interventions.

    He said: “The National Action Committee (NAC) will upon inauguration, undertake a process of engagement with stakeholders to sensitize them on the opportunities and challenges of the AfCFTA, with preparedness plans for Nigerian economy.

    Read Also: 26 benefits of AfCFTA to Nigeria, by experts

    “Upon ratification, Nigeria will domesticate the Agreement by incorporating it into existing laws or enacting new laws, as appropriate. Engagement shall shortly start with the Ninth National Assembly.”

    President Buhari had earlier approved recommendations of the Committee on Impact and Readiness Assessment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.

    The Committee, which was inaugurated by the President in October 2018, submitted its report on 27 June 2019.

    Shehu in the statement said, “The Report of the Presidential Committee was comprehensive, analytic with the full engagement of Stakeholders in the Nigerian economy. The work of the AfCFTA Presidential Committee was preceded by a nation-wide sensitization process directed by Mr. President.

    “The Report and consultative process raised the bar in engagement by Government with Stakeholders and set a standard for building support for strategic areas of public policy with clarity on concrete parameters for implementation action.

    “The AfCFTA Agreement, which creates a single market for goods and services and movement of persons to increase intra-African trade and deepen African economic integration, has Phase I and Phase II negotiations.

    “The Phase I negotiations culminated in the Agreement establishing the AfCFTA, the Protocol on Trade in Goods; Protocol on Trade in Services; and, the Protocol on the Rules and Procedures on the Settlement of Disputes.

    “These were adopted by the African Union Heads of State in Kigali on 21st March 2018. The Phase II negotiations are expected to commence in January 2020 and will cover competition, investment and intellectual property rights.

    “The recommendations approved by President Buhari include: signature and ratification of the AfCFTA Agreement; engaging in the ongoing negotiations of the annexures of the Agreement to incorporate safeguards for the economy, such as: a longer period to achieve AfCFTA’s trade liberalization ambition; common exclusive and sensitive lists for ECOWAS; import quotas for exclusive and sensitive products; security and customs cooperation and other measures to tackle smuggling, non-tariff barriers to trade and predatory trade practices.

    “The President approved sustaining the trade reforms at ECOWAS including the establishment of a common trade policy, improving the operation and welfare gains from the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and establishment of an ECOWAS peer review and audit mechanism; and establishing and championing programmes at AU/AfCFTA to resolve the critical continental level challenges to the success of the AfCFTA including smuggling, abuse of rules of origin, low production and service capacities, poor infrastructure and revenue loss.

    “On the list of the President’s approval are: fast-tracking domestic work, for the implementation of AfCFTA readiness interventions to enhance productivity, competitiveness and facilitate trade which include policies to grow local capacity to produce and export goods and services; infrastructure projects, trade facilitation, ease of doing business and trade rules enforcement initiatives. And support, actively, Micro- Small and Medium Enterprises.

    “Following the signing of the Agreement, Nigeria plans to participate in the ongoing negotiations on the annexures of Phase I agreement and protocols to incorporate the above safeguards approved by the President.

    ” For Trade-in-Goods Protocol, the annexures will include schedule of tariff concessions; rules of origin; customs cooperation and mutual administrative assistance; trade facilitation; transit trade and transit facilitation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, non-tariff barriers and trade remedies, for the protocol on trade in goods.

    “For Trade-in-Services Protocol, the annexures will include schedules of specific commitments, Most Favoured Nation (MFN) exemption and the annex on air transport.

    “Overall, the implementation of the AfCFTA is going to be a long journey. The Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to ensuring that Africa achieves a free and fair trade environment governed by rules that are predictable, enforceable, and in line with the intent and objectives of our continent which are growth, through increased intra-African trade, job creation and improved terms of trade in a rapidly changing global economy.” he said

  • Photos: Trailer driving against traffic in Lagos

    A trailer on Sunday drove against traffic in the Alakuko area of Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, causing panic among road users.

    The Lagos-bound driver suddenly moved to the other side of the road, ostensibly to access Alakuko.

    He was nearly lynched by angry street urchins and road users.