The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Osinbajo to APC members: Anambra must join Next Level in 2021

    Vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has assured the members of the All Progressive Congress APC in Anambra State, that 2021 governorship election is a sure bet for the party

    His assurance came Friday at the Prof Dora Akunyili Women’s Development center in Awka, Anambra, during the interactive round table meeting with the APC stakeholders.

    It was entitled, ‘Repositioning APC Anambra State Chapter in the Next Level era’

    However, he called for unity among the party faithful in the state, adding that without that, it would be difficult to recover the state from the ruling party.

    According to Osinbajo, “no spirit can come and win elections for us in this state; it is time for us to take over Anambra state in 2021”

    “Anambra APC must move on. Party leadership must be united, if we don’t work together, nothing will work and must equally show commitment”

    Read Also: Anambra APC leaders to APGA, PDP: prepare for ‘war’ in 2021

    “I’m here to open a new chapter, a new beginning, in 2021, we must have a Governor in this state, but it is not going to be easy without being together and hard work “Osinbajo said.

    The interactive round table meeting had some of the stakeholders in attendance including, Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige, Hon Dr Tony Nwoye.

    Others were the National Auditor of APC, Chief George Moghalu, Director, Budget, Pastor Ben Akabueze among others.

    Addressing the crowd, the Acting state party Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike, appealed to the Federal government to bring the party leaders in the state together, adding that the party also lacked funds to execute its projects in the state.

    He maintained that party members in the state were hungry and abandoned, adding that FG should equally intervene in the recent appointment of APGA member by the Speaker of the House of representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila as one of his Aides for Southeast.

    For Hon Nwoye, Chief Forte Dike, Hon Raph Okeke and others, the benefits from the federal government to Anambra members were not getting to genuine APC members, rather strange members from APGA.

    However, Ngige called for patients, adding that the patient dog always took the fastest bone.

    He maintained that 2021 governorship election would be a stepping stone for APC in Anambra, stating that precious mistakes would not be repeated.

  • #BBOG wants FG to confirm or deny Leah Sharibu’s death

    Members of the #BringBackOurGirls movement have called on the federal government to confirm or deny the video by Boko Haram stating that Leah Sharibu and Alice Loksha have been killed.

    The group said it has read the statement put out by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, as the Government’s reaction from the presidency and are not satisfied.

    #BBOG, in a statement signed by Florence Ozor, Gapani Yanga and Nifemi Onifade, said it is the constitutional duty of the government to uphold the dignity of life of all Nigerians.

    They stated: “#BringBackOurGirls Call On The FG To Confirm Or Deny Claim Of The Death of Leah Sharibu and Alice Loksha With A ‘Proof Of Life’ Video.

    “The claim that Leah Sharibu, the sole remaining Dapchi schoolgirl of the 110 students abducted by Boko Haram on 19 February 2018, and Alice Loksha Ngaddah, an Aid Worker with UNICEF may be dead is extremely troubling.

    Read Also: Chibok girls are abandoned, says #BBOG

    “Grace Taku, a recently abducted aid worker with Action Against Hunger, made this claim of Leah and Alice’s death in a ‘proof of life’ video released by the insurgents on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. She stated that Leah and Alice were killed by the insurgents because of Federal Government’s inability to do something.

    “We have read the statement put out by a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, as the Government’s reaction from the presidency to this disconcerting news. We are, however, not satisfied, especially given that the statement is characterised by too many innuendos as well as lame assurances that are not backed up with any credible evidence. We, therefore, call on the President, Muhammadu Buhari, directly – as is usually done by leaders of other nations – to:

    “Provide an update to the people of Nigeria on the status of Leah Sharibu and Alice Loksha Ngaddah. Are they still alive? What is the Government under his leadership doing to secure their release from terrorist enclave that has lasted over 522 and 512 days respectively? Or has the President forgotten his numerous promises to bring them back?

    “Give belated justice of rescue to our 112 remaining Chibok girls who have been in captivity for 1,929 days and end the shame of his failure to keep promises made to ensure that all of them are rescued before December 31st 2015 – about four years ago.

    “We remain resolute and determined to never cease demanding action for our citizens. The constitutional duty to uphold the dignity of life of all Nigerians must be performed by the Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari. As a citizens movement committed to keeping government accountable, we are not for turning until Leah, Alice, Grace, her five unnamed colleagues, Chibok girls, and other abducted citizens are rescued.”

  • Army trains 1,856 customs men on weapon handling in Kaduna

    The Nigerian Army 1 Division, Kaduna on Friday completed the training of no fewer than 1,856 personnel of Nigeria Customs Service on weapon handling.
    The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports the 1,856 customs men, who were trained in 10 batches in 40 days, were drawn from Zone B of Nigeria Customs Service.
    NAN reports that the training was held at the Martin Agwai International Leadership and Peace Keeping Centre, Jaji, Kaduna.
    In his remarks at the closing ceremony, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Maj- General Faruk Yahaya, said the personnel had been grounded extensively on basic weapon techniques.
    The GOC was represented by Brig. Gen. Tonye Numbere, Commander, 1 Division Engineering.
    Yahaya explained that the overall objective of the training was to enhance their ability to handle and operate small arms and light weapons effectively while discharging their duties.

    Read Also: Army trains 2,000 Customs personnel as smugglers’ become defiant

    “I am sure that you must have acquired the basic skills and knowledge on how to handle AK47 rifle and pistol which are commonest and simplest weapons that can be used to counter armed bandits in any circumstances.
    “I am convinced that you are leaving this training institution today better equipped with the requisite knowledge on general use of small arms and light weapons to carry out your roles efficiently for effective policing of the nation’s border,” he said.
    Yahaya expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff for the opportunity to impart professional knowledge to the customs personnel in the quest to develop their capacity to tackle the contemporary challenges confronting the country.
    Earlier, the Coordinator of the training, Col. Emmanuel Agada, said that the participants were trained in 10 batches for a period of 40 days.
    Agada said the weapon handling training for the customs men covered series of lectures, outdoor exercises as well as practical shooting.
    “Topics such as marksmanship principles, stripping and assembly, aiming and holding of weapons as well as safety precautions, among others, were delivered to the participants to broaden their knowledge on the AK47 rifle and pistol,” he said.

    (NAN)

  • Police confirm release of 3 kidnapped Ekiti civil servants

    The Ekiti State Police Command on Friday confirmed the release of three civil servants, abducted along the Ayede-Isan Ekiti road in the Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP. Caleb Ikechukwu, said the release of the three men was secured after the men had spent a couple of days with their captors.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workers are employees of the Ekiti State Road Maintenance Agency.

    A source close to the kidnapped men, confirmed that their captors initially demanded a ransom of N10 million for the release of the workers.

    According to the source, who pleaded not to be identified, the families of the kidnapped workers could only afford one million naira, which he said, the kidnappers accepted, realizing that the people abducted were civil servants, not having much.

    Read Also: Edo, Police to LGAs: replicate bush clearing in your domains to flush out kidnappers

    “Yes, they were released yesterday after they paid N1m each,” said the source.

    But the police spokesman claimed that the workers were freed, following prompt and decisive actions taken by the police.

    “Immediately we heard about the kidnapping, our men bombarded the forest located between Ayede Ekiti and Isan Ekitu, up to Ijesamodu, where they were taken to.

    “We combed everywhere and when they knew we were closing in on them, they quickly released those they held hostage and fled.

    “Our men were very careful to avoid crossfire with the abductors, so that the hostages won’t be killed in the process and it worked out.”

    Ikechukwu said, however, that the police were not told whether the families of the abducted people paid ransom to anyone.

    “I can’t confirm whether ransom was paid because we were not told and there was no need for that with the level of strategies that we deployed,” he said.

    Abductors appear to be having a field day, kidnapping travellers on many highways in south western Nigeria in recent times.

    On July 12, the daughter of Yoruba leader, Reuben Fasoronti, Mrs Funke Olakurin, 58, was murdered by suspected herdsmen at Kajola on the Akure-Ore highway in Ondo State.

    (NAN)

  • Maize farmers envisage bountiful harvest this year

    Mr Sam Kwa’na, the Chairman, Maize Association of Nigeria, Benue chapter, has assured Nigerians of bountiful harvest this year.

    Kwa’na gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Friday.

    He said that maize farmers had worked very hard in taking adequate care of their farms with a view to having bountiful harvest this year.

    He said: ”We are optimistic that we will reap bountifully during this year’s harvesting period.

    ”Even now, some of our members who planted the crop early have started harvesting theirs and the yields are good.

    The association chairman further said that members embarked on massive cultivation of maize this year “in order to tackle food insecurity in the country.”

    He said that the harvest would have been much more than what they were expecting, if they had received improved seedlings.

    According to him, what most farmers planted were not improved seedlings.

    Kwa’na said, ”Since the commencement of this cropping season, we had expected to get the improved seedlings from Kaduna and the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi but they have not been made available to us.”

    He however said that seedlings could be planted anytime it was made available, provided there was water.

    ”Even during dry season, it can be planted and it will yield bountifully. So, it is never too late to plant improved seedlings,” he said. (NAN)

  • 23-year-old drowns in Kano

    A 23-year-old man, Aminu Abdullahi, has drowned while bathing in a pond at Hotoro Quarters, of the Kano metropolis, in the Nasarawa Local Government Area.

    The Public Relations Officer, Kano State Fire Service, Mr Saidu Mohammed, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Friday.

    Mohammed said that the incident happened in the morning hours when the deceased went to take his bath.

    “We received a distress call today from one Mr Habila John, at about 08:30am that Abdullahi’s body was found floating in a pond.

    “On receiving the information, we quickly sent our rescue team to the scene at about 08:35am but the cause of the incident is still under investigation for now.

    “Abdullahi was rescued unconscious and was handed over to the police,’’ he said.

    Mohammed advised the general public, especially parents and ward heads, to stop their children from going to take their bath in any open water, as such could be dangerous.

    (NAN)

  • Assign returning Ministers to old ministries, APC Chieftain tells Buhari

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state, Prince Tonye Princewill has asked political stakeholders in the state to bury their political differences within the APC family and join hands in rebuilding the party.

    Princewill also asked President Muhammadu Buhari to reassign returning Ministers to their previous ministries for continuity in government programme as there was no time to waste as they should hit the ground running.

    In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, Princewill said “the release of the Ministerial list and the speedy commencement of nominee screening by the Senate is significant for several reasons but I want to use this opportunity to thank the President for not only bringing in fresh faces with good records, but returning a few good men and women who have proved themselves not only diligent to their work, but committed to their people.

    Read Also:

    “First on the list of returnees of course is my friend and brother Rotimi Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation. His contributions to the party and this government, including what we have suffered here in Rivers state, make his own nomination and his now successful screening, all the more sweet. We thank the President for standing by him. He will more than justify your confidence.

    Read Also: Ministerial nominees screened so far

    “While we await the screening of significant others and the assignment of portfolios, it is worthy to note that continuity in areas where we performed is the surest way to consolidation. I look forward to seeing the returnees in familiar roles, while the newcomers hit the ground running. Time is not on our side. Nigerians need results. There will be no honeymoon period.

    “Which is the more reason why we in the ruling party need to bury all our political differences within our APC family and join hands, especially here in Rivers state? If we cannot learn from our mistakes, we will be doomed to repeat them.

    “Anywhere we find a brother or a sister, let us do our little bit to provide them support. To our members and to our fellow Nigerians I say, let’s be positive, no list is perfect, but the pursuit of perfection is itself a major motivation.”

  • UBA pledges more funding for SMEs in Africa

    The United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has pledged more funding for the growth and development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME’s) in Africa.

    The General Managing Director, UBA, Mr Kennedy Uzoka disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at the opening of the UBA Market Place.

    The UBA Market Place is an entrepreneurial fair, with exhibitors from 20 African countries, taking place on the sidelines of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Forum.

    Uzoka said that the bank had made specific initiatives to make SMEs more viable and better established across Africa with a view to stimulating and deepening the economy of the continent.

    “We bank a lot of customers across the continent and in doing that we have discovered that there is a gap in the business value chain.

    Read Also: Access Bank gives N37b loans to SMEs

    “That void we discovered is how to bring more buyers and sellers together and that is what we have done today.

    “The UBA market place has brought together under one roof, more than 5,000 SMEs from across Africa. We want to create a platform in Africa similar to Alibaba and ebay,” he said.

    Uzoka said that Africa’s youth were full of ideas that could change the standard of living and reduce poverty on the continent and that was why the bank was passionate about supporting SMEs.

    Also, the UBA Group Head, Retail Banking, Mr Jude Anele said that 10 per cent of the bank’s total balance sheet has been earmarked to support SMEs in countries where the bank operates in Africa.

    The countries are Nigeria, Chad, Cote D’ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Congo Brazzaville, France, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, and Mali.

    The other countries are Sierra Leone, Zambia, Cameroon, Congo DRC, Gabon, Mozambique and Tanzania.

    In Nigeria, Anele revealed that about N50 billion had been set aside from the bank’s portfolio for SMEs financing. (NAN)

  • Dealing With airline incidents

    Any aviation industry observer who is paying attention would notice the slant in which Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has reacted to the incidents involving Air Peace on July 23, 2019, when the aircraft nose wheel collapsed on landing at the Runway 18R at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    It was the same day that Medview Airline flight from Abuja to Lagos suffered depressurisation incident but this was not reported by AIB, rather, it concentrated on Air Peace only to issue a statement on the incident the following day.

    In the statement issued by AIB on Medview, the Bureau did not say the airline had pressurisation incident, although it described it as major incident. It was Medview Airline in its own statement made it clear that it was depressurisation.

    Depressurisation is the reduction of air pressure in the cabin of an aircraft. Sudden depressurisation can result from a failure in the pressurisation system, a structural failure or can be initiated deliberately by a crewmember of the aircraft.

    Read Also: Air Peace aircraft makes emergency landing at Lagos airport

    Below is the press statement issued by AIB on Medview:

    “The Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria has been notified that an aircraft operated by Med-View Nigeria Limited, Boeing 737-500 with registration marks 5N-BQM was involved in a serious incident en-route Lagos from Abuja on the 23rd July, 2019 at about 3:07p.m. local time with 27 passengers and six (6) crew members on board. There was no fatality.

    “From the information gathered so far, cabin altitude warning came ON at FL 320 followed by deployment of oxygen masks, which necessitated the crew to carry out emergency descent procedure.

    “Our team of safety investigators has commenced investigation .

    “As the investigating agency, AIB needs and hereby solicits for your assistance. We want the public to know that we would be amenable to receiving any video clip, relevant evidence, or information any members of the public may have of the accident; that can assist us with this investigation.”

    Below is the statement issued by Medview Airline on the incident:

    “Medview Airline said its flight VL2105 was on its way to Lagos about 1510p.m. on Tuesday when the Captain noticed a warning sign of cabin depressurisation while descending from 32000ft altitude.

    “He quickly briefed the passengers and he referred to his checklist and applied the necessary procedure to mitigate the situation.

    “The oxygen masks dropped and were in good working condition for the passengers’ usage.

    “The Captain called for priority landing because he had been on number 7 on the queue.

    “He was obliged and he made a safe landing and the passengers were calm as it did not pose a serious danger.

    “The incident promptly reported to the authority and investigation is ongoing.

    “The situation was professionally handled according to required operational standard procedures.”

    Medview correctly noted that it was depressurisation incident, but AIB failed to identify that; rather, it talked about cabin altitude warning. It is also worth noting that the incident happened the same day that of Air Peace incident also happened but neither AIB nor Medview reported it.

    Another issue to point out that while issues concerning Air Peace is being drummed everywhere; there is silence on the issue concerning Medview.

    It is also worth noting that when the depressurisation incident happened to Air Peace flight the video was circulated everywhere and even AIB, which is silent on the Medview incident ensured that it was circulated in the industry.

    It is also worth noting that it is the same depressurisation incident that happened to Air Peace last year, which was celebrated in the media that also happened to Medview on July 23, which AIB is not giving the same severity of comment and which people seem to be glossing over.

    Such unfair treatment cannot serve the aviation industry well but it is an indication of bias and with those incidents involving favoured airlines be kept from public view while that of the other airline could be exaggerated, which is what has been happening for some time now.

    But the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) should be commended for the mature way it is attending to these issues. It does its work without media visibility and it is obviously neutral from the way it conducts itself. The Director-General has shown that so much could be done in silence in an industry that is safety and security-sensitive, which detests noise making.

    .Ngwuli writes from Lagos

  • HIV/AIDS: Group urges FG, states to procure self-testing kits for citizens

    The Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN) has called on government in all the three tiers to procure self-testing kits to help increase testing for the virus in the country.

    Besides, the group also urged the government to, as a matter of urgency, disseminate the HIV self- testing guidelines.

    These, the group argued in a statement, would help bridge the HIV testing gap and ensuring that the country achieve ninety (90%) percent testing target for 2030.

    The statement which was signed by the group Executive Secretary, Dr. Walter Ugwuocha also noted availability of the self-testing kits will further provide access to people who don’t feel comfortable going to health facilities for testing.

    Read Also: UNAIDS targets 2020 to end HIV/AIDS epidemics in Nigeria

    He said: “Availability of HIV self-test kit in Nigeria is a welcome development as it will facilitate access of persons. It will also facilitate HIV testing as many times as any individual wants.

    “The National rollout of the HIV self-testing programme in Nigeria can help close the huge HIV testing gap and ensuring the country achieves the first 90 in the HIV response.

    “CiSHAN calls on the Federal ministry of Health, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and various state ministries, agencies and departments involved with the HIV/AUDS response to disseminate the HIV self testing guidelines urgently.

    “CiSHAN call on all state governments to procure self-test kits and deploy same to institutions of learning, place of worship and facilitate its use during oytreaxhes to community members as a way to Bridge the gap in HIV testing coverage.”

    Also, the group mandates all its state chapters to develop a plan on how the information of the HIV self m-testing will be disseminated to the grass m-riot communities.

    CiSHAN also urged the media to join in enlightening the general public on the HIV self- testing services availability in Nigeria.