The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Repentant Boko Haram fighter urges colleagues to surrender

    A repentant Boko Haram fighter, Kyari Buguma, has called on insurgents still in the bush to lay down their arms to end insurgency and restore peace to the North-East.

    Buguma made the call during the handover of 151 repentant insurgents to Borno Government by the military on Monday, at the Bulukuntu Rehabilitation Center in Maiduguri.

    The Nigerian Army had handed over the insurgents to the government after completion of 52-week de-radicalisation and rehabilitation conducted for them under “Operation Safe Corridor’’.

    The repentant insurgents comprised 132 adults and 19 minors.

    Operation Safe Corridor was designed to encourage Boko Haram insurgents to surrender and enhance de-radicalisation and rehabilitation of the insurgents to facilitate their reintegration into the society.

    Buguma said that it was time for the insurgents to surrender and embrace amnesty programme initiated by the Federal Government.

    He claimed that he had become a “Born Again’’ and patriotic Nigerian from Damboa Local Government Area of Borno.

    The former insurgent disclosed that the rehabilitation had exposed them to various trades and training and made them verse in the true teachings of Islam as against the extremisms preached by Boko Haram.

    “Apart from the skills acquisition training, we learnt true teachings of Islam as against the fanatical ideologies taught by the Boko Haram.

    Read Also: Army hands over 151 repentant Boko Haram insurgents to Borno

    “Many of us here, who were hitherto illiterate, now learnt how to read and write; they can also write names and read.

    “We are grateful to the government for supporting our de-radicalisation and rehabilitation to enable us become responsible members of society.

    “I call on insurgents still in the bush to come out and surrender. They should ignore the lies spread by the Boko Haram.

    “The government has granted amnesty and is willing to reintegrate us into the society,” he said.

    Buguma commended the Federal Government for the amnesty programme and implementation of Operation Safe Corridor, adding that the gesture would go a long to counter Boko Haram ideologies and end insurgency.

    Another repentant insurgent, Tela Dandija, who hailed from Yobe, called for support to enable them to set up their businesses.

    Danjida said that they were trained on trades, including tailoring, carpentry, welding and fabrication, fishery and poultry productions in the rehabilitation scheme.

    He said that such support was imperative to enable them engage in productive activities, contribute to sustainable social and economic development as well as be fully reintegrated into the society.

    Receiving the repentant insurgents, the Deputy Governor of Borno, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, commended Federal Government over the implementation of “Operation Safe Corridor’’ to rehabilitate and reintegrate repentant insurgents into society.

    Kadafur said that the state government had adopted effective measures to accept the insurgents who were willing to voluntarily surrender and to create an enabling environment for them to re-join society.

    He announced that the state had also directed community leaders to sensitise their people to the need to accept the rehabilitated insurgents, and warned against infringement on their rights.

    The deputy governor assured that government would support the rehabilitated insurgents to set up their businesses to enable them engage in productive activities and become self-reliant.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the repentant insurgents recited the National Anthem to demonstrate their allegiance to constituted authorities and Nigeria.

    The ceremony was attended by Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Shafa, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, representatives of humanitarian organisations and Borno’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Youth Development. (NAN)

  • Obaseki congratulates Sterling Bank Chairman, Asue Ighodalo on 60th birthday

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated Sterling Bank Chairman, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, on his 60th birthday, describing him as a respected Edo son, who has contributed immensely to corporate Nigeria.

    Obaseki, in a statement, said: “As you turn 60 today, I send you warmest wishes and pray that God grants you excellent health.”

    The governor added: “As a state we are proud of the legacy you are bequeathing corporate Nigeria and your support for charity.

    “With the culture of hard work you have built over the years, you are indeed a role model for millions of Edo youths and I pray for God’s continued guidance in your new age and beyond.”

  • PDP tenders 241 exhibits against Ganduje at tribunal

    Abba Kabir-Yusuf, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the March 23 Governorship election in Kano State, on Monday, tendered 241 exhibits before the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

    Kabir-Yusuf and his party, the PDP, are challenging the declaration of Dr Abdullahi  Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the election.

    Named as respondents in the petition are Ganduje, APC and INEC.

    The petitioners’ Counsel, Mr Adeboyega Owomolo, SAN, who tendered the exhibits before the tribunal, said his team hoped to bring additional exhibits to prove their case.

    Owomolo told the court that among the exhibits were certified true copies of results sheets from polling units contained in form EC8As, EC8Bs from Albasu, Bebeji, Bichi, Danbatta, Garun Malam, Gwarzo, Karaye, Kura, Madobi, Nasarawa, Rano, Rogo, Sumaila, Tudun Wada and Warawa Local Government Areas of the state among others.

    Read Also: $1 billion: PDP under socioemotional distress, Says Presidency

    Counsel to the respondents, Mr Offiong Offiong and Ahmad Raji, both SANs, had opposed tendering of the exhibits.

    Offiong told the court that the petitioners had brought to court bags and not certified copies of the election results.

    “The petitioners did not make the documents available for us to see, they only brought out bags , I am only concerned with the content, ” he said.

    However, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Halima Shamaki,  dismissed the objection and accepted the documents as exhibits and adjourned sitting to July 23, for the continuation of hearing.

    NAN reports that no fewer than 785 witnesses are expected to appear before the election tribunal to testify for both the APC and PDP on the conduct of the March 2019 governorship election in the state.

    (NAN)

  • LASU renames longest road after Jakande

    The longest road at the Lagos State University (LASU) has been rechristened: ‘Dr Lateef Kayode Jakande Road.

    Jakande was the first civilian governor of Lagos.

    The road stretches from LASU main gate, courses through the Eyo masquerade junction, up to Faculty of Management and then the students’ hostel at the extreme.

    The honour was done to the patriarch as part of strings of celebrations for his 90th birthday celebrations.

     Jakande, it would be recalled, as the Lagos State governor, mooted the LASU initiative in 1981.

    The university eventually kicked off in 1983 after necessary procedures had been fine tuned.

    The commissioning was preceded by a lecture courtesy of the university’s Faculty of Arts.

    It was themed: ‘Lateef Kayode Jakande: A phenomenon of administration‘.

    Speaking at LASU main auditorium, the guest speaker Prof. Hakeem Danmole from Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, said no government in Lagos State has been able to touch the lives of the people in short period like Jakande.

    Describing Jakande as a ‘man of integrity and honesty’, Danmole reiterated the former governor’s achievements are yet to be equalled, urging authorities in Lagos to toe his legacies.

    Read Also: 10 facts about Lateef Jakande at 90

    Danmole said: “Governors have ruled in Lagos State yet we can say it anywhere that no government has been able to touch the lives of our people like Alhaji Jakande has done.

    “He was fit enough to become the governor back then because he worked in Lagos unlike the accidental leaders we have everywhere.

    “Jakande knew every part of the state and worked started immediately he assumed office.

    “I describe him as a man of integrity if not, he wouldn’t have achieved all these greatness. Only few politicians have that integrity today.

    “Alhaji Jakande worked hard to achieve all he wanted. He is someone who believes in studying before embarking on any project.

    “We know what Lagos used to be back then before his emergence as governor. Isolo was not connected to Ijegun, Iba was not connected to LASU, VI was connected to Epe and others like that. And in four years after achieving all that, he did not name anything after himself.

    “I will advise the Lagos State government and other politicians to emulate him and learn to study what Jakande has done.

    “They should also learn to study any project well before embarking on them with integrity and honesty for us to move forward,” he said.

    Vice-Chancellor of LASU Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun, said Jakande, epitomises what public servant should represent.

    One of Jakande’s friends and confidants Hon. Adekunle Ali, described the celebrant as a reference point in contemporary Nigeria politics.

    He said: “Nobody can discuss modern politics in Nigeria without making a reference to his period. For only 51 months, Jakande achieved all he did by transforming everything for good and bringing this institution to existence.”

  • FG begins enrolment for 2020 retirees

    The National Pension Commission (PenCom) on Monday commenced the verification and enrolment of employees of Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) due to retire between January to December 2020.

    The Head, Corporate Communications Department, PenCom, Mr Peter Aghahowa at the inauguration of the two-day exercise said it was meant for employees who had attained the age of 60 or 35 years in service.

    He said others included in the exercise were employees of tertiary institutions who had served for 35 years or had attained 70 years of age.

    Aghahowa said that the retirees were asked to come with their employment letters, promotion letters and other documents to enable the commission to calculate what their benefits would be.

    He also advised impending retirees to obtain their National Identity Number (NIN) because its now one of the requirements for the exercise.

    Read Also: ‘Board absence crippling PenCom’s activities’

    “The overall intention of PenCom is to calculate and transmit the total liability to the Federal Government so that adequate budgetary provisions will be made for retirees in the year 2020.

    “On the issue of Accrued Rights, I want to assure the general public that the backlog is being cleared.

    “The government is releasing funds and as they release funds, we are clearing the backlog. Right now, we have cleared up to August 2018.

    “This is why we are pushing for more funds to be budgeted and released to PenCom so that we can clear much of the backlog,’’ he said.

    Aghahowa said that the PenCom office was still open for those that could not make it for the two-day exercise for one reason or the other.

    Meanwhile, a future retiree, Hajiya Aishatu Ibrahim urged PenCom to work on their servers and network so that the enrolment exercise would be seamless.

    “My advice to those that are still in service is that they should start preparing for retirement by getting involved in a business.

    “You cannot cope with retirement allowance alone. You need to augment your income and that’s why its important to start a business now,’’ she said.

    Mr Chinedu Kosisochukwu appealed to the government to take steps to resolve on time the delay in payment of Accrued Rights.

    “I am afraid to think that when I retire, it will take up to a year before I start receiving my pension. Please Government should do something about that.

    “At least when one retirees, within one to two months payments of entitlements should start. We hope that the government achieves this soon,’’ he said.

    Kosisochukwu said that delay in payments was also one of the causes of corruption in the civil service, as workers steal to “save for the rainy day.’’

    (NAN)

  • Stop heating up the polity, play father figure, Group tells Oyegun

    A socio-political group, the Edorisiagbon Network, has urged Chief John Odigie-Oyegun to stop heating up the polity and played the father figure to douse tension in the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress.

    it said the attack on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by Chief Oyegun was out of place.

    The group said it has begun embarking on holding meetings with all the principal actors for resolution of the crisis.

    A statement by President of the group, Chief Idahosa Ray Amasowomwan, said the Edo APC crisis was complicated by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Chief Amasowomwan said the Machiavellic inauguration of minority rule at dead hours of the 17th of June was against all relevant sections of Nigeria’s constitution and established moral culture of Edo people.

    He said, “Chief John Odigie Oyegun has been fanning the embers of discord, disloyalty and utter irresponsibility against the National Working Committee of the ruling APC.

    Read Also: Why Edo will give me second term, by Obaseki

    “We can’t side a Governor who out of his desperation to cloth his abuse of due process, alleged crass mismanagement of State resources wickedly sidelined 15 members from inauguration. Edo people were not brought up that way, it is thus an alien culture.“

    Also, the Ezomo of Benin Kingdom, Chief Okponmwense Ezomo urged all parties in the crisis to comply with whatever decision the National Assembly come out with to resolve the crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly.

    Chief Ezomo, in a statement made available to journalists in Benin, likened the crisis to the biblical case of the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob.

    He said, “I see an invisible hand mesmerizing the Edo State House of Assembly. Edo State remains a peace loving state as the role the Oba of Benin has played lately speaks volumes. I am of the opinion that the cards need to be reshuffled again for the sake of peace and so give credence to the revelations of the two senior houses in Abuja and as well as their projections”

  • Anambra traders suspend ex-leader over alleged treachery

    The Board of Trustees of the embattled Amalgamated Market Traders Association of Anambra State (AMATAS) has suspended its former President General, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo.

    The board said the decision to suspend Ezenwankwo followed alleged connivance with the State Government to destroy the association.

    In a letter dated July 20 2019 titled “Suspension from AMATAS Board of Trustees”, by the association’s acting Chairman and Secretary, Chief Emma Udegbunam and Chief Chuma Eruchalu, respectively, the board said the suspension was with immediate effect.

    The letter made available to newsmen in Onitsha partly reads: “After a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Amalgamated Market Traders Association of Anambra State, AMATAS, on Saturday, July 20th 2019, the Board directed us to inform you that you are suspended as a member of the Trustees of the association forthwith.”

    Read Also: Anambra traders back SON’s fight against fake products

    “The Board was constrained to take this decision because of your recent activities of aligning with the State Commissioner for Trade and Commerce and the Anambra State Government to destroy AMATAS.

    “You will recall that the Board had taken you and the government to court and cannot be challenging your actions in court and still be meeting with you.

    “You will also recall that the Board’s Attorney, on the instruction of the Trustees had earlier written to you to handover the keys to the AMATAS secretariat to the Secretary of the Board which you have not done till now.

    “Instead, you arranged with the State Commissioner of Trade and Commerce, to give him the keys anytime he was ready for it according to the Commissioner.

    “These actions of yours showed that you were in total alliance with the government to destroy AMATAS, which you know too well to be a corporate body, duely registered with Corporate Affairs Commission.

    “All these while, you have not as the immediate past President General of the association, spoken to the State Government against their activities and actions against the association.

    “In the light of foregoing and in compliance with Article 18, 3vi of the AMATAS Constitution, you are hereby suspended with immediate effect.

    “It is most unfortunate that you are supporting the destruction of what you laboured so much to build.”

    Commissioner for Trader Commerce and Wealth Creation last Monday banned AMATAS and took over its Secretariat after breaking into the two store building located at 52 Modebe Avenue Onitsha.

    Government further declared AMATAS banned in the state and resuscitated the old traders union, Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA).

    The Commissioner had, while addressing newsmen after taking position of the AMATAS Secretariat, also known as ‘Traders House’, alleged the State Government had earlier agreed with Chief Ezenwankwo, that the keys to the Secretariat be handed over by Chief Vincent Ifeme to the state government anytime they came for it.

    The alleged agreement did not go down well with the AMATAS BOT members, hence Ezenwankwo’s suspension, whom they also alleged had never called them week after the alleged plan to hand over their secretariat to government.

  • Youths critical for Igbo unity, survival – APC chieftain

    Youths in the South East region have been urged to see themselves as critical elements for the unity and survival of Igbo race.
    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Johnbosco Onunkwo, stated this in Awka on Monday during the summit of Ohanaeze Youth Wing Worldwide with the theme “The Fate of Igbo Youths in Present Nigeria”.

    He urged the youths to optimise their potentials towards contributing to national development.

    Onunkwo, who was installed as the Grand Patron of the body, said youths must eschew internal rancour and resist bribery capable of smearing the image of the association.

    He pledged to use his status as the Grand Patron of the body to galvanise youths and the association to play the leading role in the development of Igbo nation.

    He said: “Our agenda is to bring together all Ohanaeze youths, reconcile them and hold symposia on the importance of Ohanaeze youths in the uplift of Igbo nation.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze youths warns against denying Southeast presidency in 2023

    “What we are doing is for the good of our people, every son and daughter of Igbo must join Ohanaeze youth so we can bridge the gap in the Igbo question.”

    He further called on members of Ohanaeze to insulate the organisation from partisan politics, just as he urged the youths to engage in active politics especially at the national level.

    “In Ohanaeze, we have people from different political shades and even non partisans, our goal is to insulate Ohanaeze from partisan politics while ensuring that our members participate actively in national politics.

    “The challenge of the youths could be resolved through constructive engagements and warned those distabilising the organisation with monetary inducement to desist from such acts,” he added.

    National Leader of Ohanaeze Youth Wing Worldwide, Chief Arthur Obiora, said the summit was to appraise the condition of youths and recognise those that contributed to the progress of the body.

    He described the Igbo youth as hardworking and industrious who needed fair environment to express their ingenuity, just as he pledged his readiness to sacrifice his blood for the Igbo cause.

    The summit attracted participants from Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Enugu, Delta and Rivers states.

  • I’ve solution to end insecurity in Nigeria, says Olumba Olumba

    Founder of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), Olumba Olumba Obu, weekend revealed that the current insecurity in the country will never end unless the leaders come to him for lasting solutions.

    The spiritual leader of the BCS said this during a press briefing in Warri, Delta State; ahead of its 2019 spiritual Mega Events tagged ‘Heavenly Father’ which will be taking place on the 18 – 24 November 2019.

    Obu who was represented by the Chairman, Sensitization Committee of the 2019 Mega Event, Arch Bishop Samuel Inok, said that for the security challenges been faced by Nigerians to come to an end, the leaders must humble themselves before him and ask him to put an end to the security challenges.

    He said it was only when this is done that Nigeria will know peace, adding that he has the solution to all the crisis Nigeria is facing and that all he needed to do was to make a pronouncement.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Buhari moves to check tension in Southwest

    “What is a problem to man is not a problem to God because he has the solution to every problem. What is happening in Nigeria is like man trying to solve the problem that God would have solved without stress. There are problems you can solve by just making a pronouncement.

    “Ever since we started battling insecurity in this country, have we been able to put it to an end? Everybody is blaming each other. Some are even blaming the government.

    “What we are suggesting to Nigeria and the world is that the one who can say ‘please be still’ to insecurity and whatever problem we are facing in the world is right here. You can put him to the test.

    “The day Nigeria Government will go to His Holiness, Olumba Olumba Obu, I will want the press to be there to record everything. If he makes a pronouncement and it did not come to pass, let the government come and demolish Brotherhood. We are talking with such authority because we know that anything he says must come to pass”, he said.

    On the Mega Event, Inok said that the event was a mystery that God has unraveled which will include the unraveling of the twelves heavenly throne of God.

    The event which is a yearly event, according to Inok, will also witness the sharing of the unleavened bread and the administration of the living water to all that will attend the mega event.

  • Russian beauty queen Killer sentenced to 21 years in prison

    A man, who killed a Russian beauty queen to steal her car has been sentenced to 21 years in prison, the Russian news agency Interfax reported on Monday.

    The victim had previously won the title of Mrs Chelyabinsk, a region in Russia’s Ural Mountains, and was a contender in the Mrs World Russia pageant.

    The killing resonated throughout the region.

    The victim went missing in July 2018 when she met the 24-year-old man to sell him her Skoda car for the equivalent of about 8,000 dollars.

    Her body was found soon after in the rural community of Kizilsky, with signs of a violent death.

    Authorities say the man, whose name has not been disclosed, struck her several times with a hammer, killing her, and fled the scene in her car.

    He is to serve his sentence in a “strict regime” penal colony. (dpa/NAN)