The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • France finds wreckage of submarine that disappeared in 1968

    The French Navy has found the wreckage of its ‘Minerve’ submarine, which disappeared off the coast of Toulon in the Mediterranean Sea in 1968, leading to the loss of 52 lives.

    “We have just found the Minerve.

    “It was a successful operation, a moment of relief and a demonstration of technical prowess.

    “I would like to spare a thought for the families of those who have waited for this moment for so long,’’ said French Armed Forces Minister, Florence Parly, on Monday.

    The government decided in 2018 to renew efforts to find the Minerve, following requests from the bereaved families and found it, thanks to the use of new sonar and drone technology.

    Read Also: France president, Infantino booed at FIFA Women’s World Cup final ceremony

    The reason the submarine sank remains unknown.

    Minerve was laid down on May 1958 at the Chantiers Dubigeon shipyard in Nantes and launched on May 31, 1961.

    She had a maximum speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).

    After a shakedown cruise to Londonderry Port, Bergen, and Gothenburg in November 1962, the submarine sailed from Cherbourg to Toulon, arriving on Dec. 22, 1962.

    She was commissioned into the 1st Submarine Squadron on June 10, 1964.

    Minerve operated solely in the Mediterranean Sea.

  • “Motorists agonize daily on Lagos roads”

    Motorists and commuters have continued to agonize over the poor shape of various roads in Lagos State, compounded by daily gridlocks on the roads, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    A check on some of the roads shows that it has been tales of woe and sorrow on many of the roads from dust to dawn, prompting save-our-soul calls from residents of the state.

    The Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway appears to be one of the worst roads to ply in the state with motorists spending hours on the road daily, due to severe dilapidation of the road.

    Users of the road are appealing to the Federal Government to provide urgent repair of some damaged sections of the road for people to commute.

    NAN correspondents, who took a trip on the highway on Monday reported that craters had doted various sections of the highway between U-Turn up to Toll Gate Bus Stop on the highway.

    The craters are visible on both sides of the dual carriageway between Kola and Toll Gate bus stop, where deep gullies could be seen at Salolo and Obadeyi bus stops.

    Civil Servant Mrs Hope Imade, told NAN that commuters and motorists had been spending hours on the road because of gridlock caused on various roads.

    “These potholes are getting wider at various bus stops and motorists are not finding it easy contending with the heavy traffic all the time.

    “The potholes at Moshalasi, Salolo, Ajala are too deep. Some of them are like wells, that is what is causing the traffic on this road all the way to Sango every time,” she stated.

    A commercial motorist, Ayo Kowope, said the bad road had been taking tolls on drivers and their vehicles.

    “Our buses keep breaking down on this road because of these big potholes. Trucks and trailers are falling, trying to avoid potholes.

    “A lady lost her life on this road because a truck that fell unexpectedly at the middle of the road landed on the woman, whose car was driving beside the trailer.

    Kowope called for immediate repair of the road to save lives.

    Another motorist, Mr Godffrey Ifeanyi, lamented that the rainy season was making Lagos highways increasingly unbearable, decrying the bitter experience of being in gridlock for hours every day.

    According to him, we leave our houses early to beat traffic but end up getting stuck on the roads as a result of gridlock caused by bad roads.

    “The rain usually makes the situation worse. The gullies are covered with flood so no one know where the holes are. Many cars keep breaking down on the road,’’ he said.

    Reacting to the development, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr Adedamola Kuti, told NAN on telephone that the problem of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway was discussed extensively at a recent meeting.

    Kuti said, however, that the issues, which he declined to disclose would soon be resolved but that the contractor would soon be moved to site to work on the old Lagos-Abeokuta Road.

    “The issues we have at hand are really big problems. We are trying to resolve them but for the old Abeokuta road, I will soon move the contractor to site any moment from now.

    “The problems are things I cannot discuss, they are too confidential for now,” he said.

    (NAN)

  • BREAKING: HDP closes case in petition against Buhari,INEC, APC

    The Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and its presidential candidate in the last election, Ambrose Owuru have closed their case in the prosecution of their petition.

    HDP and Owuru are challenging the outcome of the last election and sought to be declared winners, claiming to have won a referendum purportedly conducted after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the presidential election.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Tribunal rejects move to amend petition against Buhari, others

    On Monday, lawyers to the petitioners, Eze Nnalugo called Yusuf Ibrahim as the first witness, who testified before the Presidential Election Petition Court(PEPC) in support of the petitioners’ claim.

    The court however rejected two other witnesses called by the petitioners, including a supeonaed witness,on the grounds that they had no written depositions, as required by law.

    Nnalugo later announced the closure of the petitioners’ case.

  • Police kill four teenage robbers in Edo

    Men of the Edo State Police Command have killed four teenage armed robbers who stole a Toyota Venza at gun point.

    The robbers were killed after engaging the police in a shootout.

    Police sources said the robbers had snatched the Venza car along Etete road GRA.

    The owner of the car was said to have quickly informed the police and the robbers were tracked to Country Home Hotel Road.

    Read Also: Police kill one, injured two in shootout with robbers

    After the shootout, two of the robbers were shot dead while others who sustained injuries later died.

    Residents in the area who had earlier scampered for safety rushed out to see bodies of the robbers.

    One of the robbers, who said he was 18 years old, said they were taking the car to Lagos State for sale.

    Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Abubakar, who confirmed the incident, said it showed the police in Edo are top of the game.

    He said kidnappers along the Benin-Lagos highway would soon be apprehended.

  • Man who climbed aircraft at Lagos airport is Nigerien, says FAAN MD

    The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu, yesterday in Kano revealed the identity of the stowaway that climbed the Azman Airline at Murtala Mohammed International Airport as Nigerien-born Usman Adamu.

    According to him, FAAN has launched thorough investigation which warranted the suspension of four staff, with a view to ascertaining the remote and immediate causes of the security breach, adding that, “With regards to the identified suspect, investigation is ongoing to ascertain his intent, be it criminal or not and his mental/psychological state.”

    Briefing Reporters at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in reaction to the incident, Yadudu said, “the suspect, identified as Usman Adamu suspected to be of Nigerien origin, and who claimed to be residing at No 1 Araromi Street, Iyana Ipaja on the 19th July, 2019 was reported to have appeared at the domestic end of the taxi way and attempted to gain access to the aircraft, while it was taxing to the holding point.”

    According to him, “the pilot alerted the Air traffic control and the message was intercepted by the Aviation Security control monitoring centre who mobilised the patrol teams to the incident. He was apprehended, detained and is currently with the Airport Police Command, as our investigation progresses.”

    The FAAN Managing Director, however, admitted that, “the FAAN authority considers this incident a serious security breach and an Airside incursion. This is unfortunate and most embarrassing bearing in mind the huge effort and resources dedicated to the maintenance of the integrity of Airside and Airport safety.

    Read Also: FAAN begins investigation on how intruder climbed aircraft at Lagos airport

    “We do understand that the security wheel is ever revolving with new and emerging threats daily and we have been working with all our stakeholders and the regulatory agency (NCAA) in addressing our living security challenges.”

    The FAAN boss recalled that the same suspect had been arrested before in the same airport, pointing out that, “the patrol security team arrested the same suspect on the night of Sunday the 14th of July 2019 within the Airport premises.”

    He added that, “his profile pictures were taken and he was subsequently evacuated out of the Airport to a very far location in accordance with our standard procedure. We are now reviewing this procedure in the light of this incident.”

    Yadudu noted that, “at the conclusion of this investigation, all officers who are found negligent in the discharge of their assigned duties shall be held fully accountable.”

    He, however, said FAAN assures the travelling public that security measures would be scaled up at the airports across the country so as to forestall future occurrence.

    The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos Police Command, has also identified the stowaway as hailing from the neighbouring Republic of Niger.

    The spokesperson for the Command, DSP Joseph Alabi, who confirmed this said the Nigerien, who is currently being held by the command, could not speak or understand English Language.

    He, however, said investigation was still ongoing to ascertain how Adamu gained access to the heavily restricted area at the airport.

    Following the development, FAAN has issued indefinite suspension to the Aviation Security Unit heads that were on duty when the incident occurred.

    FAAN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, in a statement, said the agency viewed the breach as a serious security concern.

     

  • Banditry: Villagers drop corpse at Zamfara Govt House to protest killings

    Over 100 residents of Jirrawa community in Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State yesterday stormed the  Government House, Gusau, with the dead body of an alleged victim of the latest assault on the community by bandits.

    The victim was killed yesterday, according to spokespersons for the community, Muntari Abdullahi and Muhammadu Sani.

    They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the bandits invaded the village around 10am and shot sporadically in the air.

    “We later realised that they had already killed Shafiu Inusa on his farm while he was trying to apply fertilizer on his plants after the rains of last night,” Abdullahi said.

    He said the deceased was just recovering from an earlier gunshot wound inflicted on him when bandits attacked the village four months ago.

    Read Also: I joined ‘fake beggars’ after losing my husband, says Widow

    Shafiu’s father was murdered during that first attack, Abdullahi said.

    He added: “It is exactly four months now that his (Shafiu) father was killed in a similar attack, because the wives of the old man are completing their four months stay at home as mandated by Islam.

    “We gathered from his farm neighbour and brother that initially, one of the bandits appeared before them saying anyone who knew he was guilty should run and who was not should stay.

    “Shafiu refused to run and when the others numbering over a hundred arrived, they opened fire and killed him instantly. Here are his remains that we brought for the governor to see and know that this peace initiative is not working for us.”

    Sani said: “these criminals have always passed by our village without any threat or harassment until the last few months.

    “So far, they have attacked us more than eight times and have killed many people.

    “Even while on our way to Gusau today, we received a phone call that they also killed one Bala Danrabi, a vigilance group leader who had always fought the bandits,” he said.

    Police Commissioner Usman Nagogo expressed shock over the attack, but told NAN that such incidents are expected during conflict resolution.

    He said: “I can confidently assure you that the peace initiative by Gov. Bello Matawalle, which I lead in the state, is working as can be seen in the release of kidnap victims and the repentance of several bandits, but that does not mean that the hardened criminals are no longer there; they are the ones that will perpetrate this now,” he said.

  • ECOWAS warn against xenophobic attack in subregion

    The Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission wants member states of the Commission to adopt policies that will enable it put in place regional mechanisms that will facilitate and enhance social integration and create decent jobs among member states that will discourage xenophobia and other forms of discriminations in the workplace.

    Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender of the Commission, Dr. Siga Fatima Jagne who spoke at a meeting of Ministers in charge of Labour and Employment in the region asked the Ministers to adopt draft directive on minimum standard towards the harmonization of labour laws of member states aimed at promoting decent work among member states.

    She said that the ECOWAS Commission recognises the fact that social dialogue contributes to the overall cohesion of the society and is crucial for productivity and a well-functioning region, adding that without active collaboration and cooperation with all stakeholders for the consolidation of peace and social cohesion, the objectives of the socio-economic development of the region would be an illusion.

    According to her, to promote decent work for the citizens of ECOWAS, it is imperative that ECOWAS stakeholders including Ministries of Labour and Employment in Member States, employers and workers organizations, civil society organizations and international partners, dialogue and reach consensus on the decent work agenda that take into account the needs of the labour market, while protecting the interests and rights of all workers.

    She said further that ECOWAS Commission recognizes that the social dialogue contributes to the overall cohesion of societies and is crucial for productivity and a well-functioning region and therefore need the active collaboration and cooperation with all stakeholders for the consolidation of peace and social cohesion without which the objectives of the socio-economic development of the ECOWAS region would be an illusion.

    Read Also: Xenophobic Attacks: Nigeria, South Africa agree terms

    She said: “as ECOWAS, we have come a long way since the adoption of the ECOWAS Labor and Employment Policy in 2009. It is with a high sense of responsibility and willingness to address the challenges in the region that ECOWAS has undertaken major projects to contribute to accelerating the process of integration and achieving the vision of our community, of moving from an ECOWAS of States to an ECOWAS of peoples, by 2020.

    Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, William Alo said Nigeria will continue to support the ECOWAS Commission in its unabated determination to holistically address knotty employment and labour issues in the sub region.

    Alo said that the critical success factor in the realization of most of the outcomes identified in the document is the political will and commitment of member States, adding that the political will lies in the Ministers in charge of Labour and Employment in the ECOWAS sub region.

    He said “we cannot continue to be paying lip service to issues of labour administration in the sub region. The time has therefore come for us to make a radical departure from the past if we are to bequeath onto future generation an ECOWAS sub region that pride itself in the attainment of the tenets of decent work.”

    He appealed to the Ministers to demonstrate renewed commitment and passion in the implementation of these programmes to engender integration in the sub region especially in the area of labour administration.

    He assured that Nigeria, as an integral part of the ECOWAS, will not shirk in its responsibilities in that direction and will continue to support the ECOWAS Commission in its unabated determination to holistically address knotty employment and labour issues in the sub region.

  • Suicide: Experts Call For Increased Mental Health Education

    Public Health experts, speaking across various platforms, have called for increased mental awareness and education to help reduce rising cases of depression and suicide in Nigeria.

    Dr.Chinomso Egemba, a global health advocate who works with Avon medical practice, identified depression as a major cause of suicide, describing depression as a medical condition, a psychological state of unhappiness or low morale which lasts longer than several weeks. It may include ideation of self-inflicted injury or in extreme case, suicide.

    According to Egemba, depression is usually caused by a decrease in the level of serotonin, a chemical in the brain, which serves as a contributor to feelings of well-being, and happiness in human. She therefore advocated for an increased awareness and education from the government and the private sector.

    Another expert, Dr.Chioma Nwakanma, a public health advocate and digital media strategist, said common health problems such as depression and anxiety affect one in four people and it may not be easily noticed.

    Read Also: ‘Mental health diagnosis should resonate with patients’ experiences’

    “Many people still find it very difficult to discuss issues of depression and mental health. That may mean that many people keep their feelings about having a mental health problem a secret, even from family and friends,” she lamented.

    Nwakanma, however, called for increased care from friends and family of susceptible persons who may be having depression or any other mental case: “These are times to support each other and help those who are not coping well to get the needed help. Family members must be deliberate in monitoring each other, to pick up unusual behaviour or attitude, which may be signs of depression and quickly call them out to medical attention.”

    Meanwhile, Dr.Tajudeen Abiola, a neuro-psychiatrist with the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, advocated for deliberate education and awareness programme to increase the awareness and level of understanding around what constitutes mental health issues.

    “Everyone in the community can help prevent suicide risk by learning about the warning signs and how best to respond effectively. It may not be to figure out if someone is at risk of suicide however, the warning signs may include: excessive worrying or fear, extreme mood changes, avoiding friends or social activities, changes in sleeping or eating habits, difficulty perceiving reality, changes in behaviour and personality, substance abuse and thinking or always talking about suicide,” Abiola noted.

  • Building collapse: Four dead in Delta

    At least four persons were feared dead with an unspecified number of persons still suspected to be trapped under a building that collapsed this morning in Abraka, Ethiope East Council Area of Delta State.

    The building, a yet-to-be completed structure, identified as the new 206 Hotel, is located along Aghwana Avenue in Abraka. It was gathered that the owner of the building had taken to his heels.

    Although the cause of the accident could not be immediately ascertained, it was gathered that it had been raining in Abraka since Friday evening. It was also gathered that the casualties caught under the structure when it crashed were some of the construction workers who arrived early for work.

    “The new 206 Hotel under construction at Aghwana Avenue, Abraka, this morning collapsed after today’s heavy downpour. Four construction workers who had arrived early for the day’s job were trapped and later confirmed dead. Rescue efforts are still ongoing to see if there are others trapped to be rescued.

    Read also: Couple fall from 9-storey building while making love

    From what I gathered, the building fell between 5.30am and 6.00am and it could have been because of the heavy rains since yesterday. It is still under construction, so any other reason could have still been responsible for the accident”, the source, a resident of Abraka, who gave his name as O’tega, said.

    Another source said the site engineer has a lot of questions to answer on whether or not the structure is below specification.

    When reached for confirmation and details, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Onome Onowakpoyeya, said there had been a building collapse, but said the Police Command had not been informed of any death record.

    “It is true there has been a building collapse, a hotel still under construction. We have no record of death because from what we know for now, it is still under construction,” she said.

     

  • One dead, eight others injured as tanker transporting PMS loses control

    The Ogun State Command of the Federal Road safety Commission (FRSC) has confirmed the death of one person in an accident involving  two vehicles and a motorcycle at Joju  Area, on  the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Sango-Ota yesterday

    Eight others were injured in the accident.

    The Ogun Sector Commandant of the FRSC, Mr. Clement Oladele, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota, that the accident happened at about 12.45 p.m.

    He said that a Mack truck with registration number:  SMK 311 XE, loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) that was heading toward Lagos lost control due to a brake failure.

    According to him, the truck rammed into a Highlander SUV, with registration mark:  KRD 18 EZ and a motorcycle.

    The sector commandant said that nine persons were involved in the accident in which one person died and eight others sustained various degrees of injury.

    Oladele said,  “The corpse of the victim which happened to be the passenger on the motorcycle was still trapped under the tanker as at the time of filing this report. The injured persons had been taken to General Hospital, Sango-Ota, Ogun for treatment.”

    The commandant said that his men were having challenges with retrieving the corpse from underneath the tanker due to the possibility of a fire outbreak.

    Read Also: FRSC: accidents claim 49 lives in Lagos

    He said that the men from the Fire Service had been contacted to be on standby saying that trans-loading of the PMS would start as soon as they arrived.

    He said that the firemen would also be able to avert any fire outbreak.

    Oladele said that was the standard practice to follow when an incident like that occurred.

    He said that his men were making efforts to remove the vehicle off the road to ease free flow of traffic in the area.

    The commandant advised motorists to always be patient and to cooperate with the FRSC personnel and those of the traffic and emergency agencies managing the traffic situation.

    He also advised them to use the alternative corridor of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.