The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Impeachment notice on Obaseki not from us – Edo lawmakers-elect

    Members- elect of the Edo House of Assembly yet- to- be inaugurated have disowned a purported impeachment notice on Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    They stated the notice currently circulating did not emanate from them.

    In a statement by the 14 members in Abuja, the lawmakers said the document is fake and a calculated attempt to smear their names for standing on the path of truth.

    They claimed their disagreement about the inauguration of the Assembly was for the proper thing to be done, adding they were ready to work with any Speaker that would emerge from a transparent process.

    The statement reads: “We the elected members of Edo state House of Assembly, EDHA, that have been away from our state, as a result of the harassment and intimidation we faced for rejecting impunity and standing for the truth, hereby wish to inform the people of Edo state and the general public that, the impeachment notice on the governor of Edo state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, currently being circulated on social media, is not from us.

    “The document is fake, treacherous, insipid and a calculated attempt to smear our names for standing on the path of truth.

    Read Also: Oshiomhole taught us to fight godfathers, serve people with resources – Obaseki

    “In the first place, members of the public would have noticed that, two of the names mentioned in the fake document, Hon Nosayaba Okunbur and Chief Sunday Ojiezele are with the governor in Benin.

    “In fact Hon Nosayaba Okunbor has done a public disclaimer to that effect. It is also clear that, members-elect cannot impeach a governor, the most questionable aspect of the document, is the fact that, it was typed on an All Progressives Congress, APC, letterhead, but the cheap criminal/s cleverly made the heading invisible.

    “Again, we want to make it abundantly clear that, our condemnation of the nocturnal kangaroo inauguration that was carried out in Edo state House of Assembly, that all lovers of democracy, the world over has also joined us to condemn, is due to the fact that, we only want the proper, and right thing done; and any Speaker that eventually emerge from a transparent inauguration, will work harmoniously with the governor of the state.

    “We are not surprised at the appearance of a fake document on social media, as those behind the nocturnal, shameful and kangaroo inauguration, are capable of doing anything to give us a bad name so as to whip up public sentiment to support their infamous actions.”

  • Obaseki promises more opportunities for youths to acquire skills

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured that his administration will continue to provide opportunities for youths in the state to gain in-demand skills to eke out decent livelihoods for themselves, as part of his promise to create 200,000 and raise an army of highly skilled workforce who can proffer technology-based solutions to societal challenges.

    The governor gave the assurance in commemoration of the World Youth Skills Day celebrated every July 15 by the United Nations across the globe.

    He said, “As part of plans to ensure sustainable growth and in keeping to our promise to create 200,000 jobs for unemployed youths, we will continue to expand the space for more youths to gain practical skills that will make them self-reliant and provide sources of decent livelihoods for themselves and their households.”

    “in line with these, we are redesigning our educational curriculum to give priority attention to technical and vocational education as well as Information and Communication Technology (ICT),” he added.

    Read Also: Malala Day: Obaseki reiterates commitment to education of the girl-child

    Obaseki noted, “My administration will not relent in empowering Edo youth with in-demand skills and make the state attractive for investors requiring skilled labour. Today, more youths in the state are benefitting from our huge investment in the Edo Innovation Hub, Edo Production Centre, and other skill-based programmes rolled out by EdoJobs, even as we strive to replicate these innovative solutions in addressing unemployment among youths in other parts of the state, outside the state capital.”

    He said that the ongoing reconstruction of the Benin Science and Technical College (BSTC) which is nearing completion, will serve as grooming ground and a hub for training tech-based solution providers.

    “The goal of my administration is to ensure that we empower and equip the youth with the capacity to create jobs and grow their enterprises to any height they desire and contribute significantly to the state’s economic growth and development,” he added.

    According to the United Nations, “Young people are almost three times more likely to be unemployed than adults and continuously exposed to lower quality of jobs, greater labor market inequalities, and longer and more insecure school-to-work transitions. To raise awareness on the importance of investing in youth skills development, “the United Nations General Assembly decided in resolution A/RES/69/145 to designate 15 July as World Youth Skills Day.”

  • Mob justice: Police arrest five for murder

    The police in Lagos have arrested a woman Bolanle Muhammed and four others for alleged murder of a 22-year-old man wrongly accused of phone theft in Ajah.

    The incident occurred on July 8, at about 8pm at a beverage shop in Badore.

    Muhammed who’s the shop owner, was said to have raised alarm that the victim Olamide Omolegbe stole her phone which led to a mob descending on him.

    According to a statement by police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), the matter was reported at Langbasa Police Station the following morning and investigation led to the arrest of Wasiu Wahab,  Ramon Ibrahim, Junior Adebayo and Yusuf Adegbite.

    Read Also: Custom, police, army parade 24 suspected rice smugglers

    “The false alarm she raised led to the beating and killing of the victim by the four persons. They beat up the guy and when he died, they threw him into the lagoon.

    “His body was recovered by a team of detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) SP Ada Okafor on July 10, at Badore Jetty and deposited at Mainland Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

    “Five suspects including the woman who raised the false alarm were arrested. Wasiu Wahab who is the principal murder suspect and Yusuf Adegbite were arrested inside the lagoon where they hid themselves in order to evade arrest.

    “Investigation revealed that the phone was actually stolen by the son of the woman who wrongly accused the deceased person. The suspects confessed to the commission of the crime.

    “The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Zubairu Muazu has ordered the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Panti to take over the investigation and ensure a diligent prosecution of the suspects,” he said.

  • Breaking: Rohr retains Eagles starting XI vs Algeria

    Coach Gernot Rohr has named the same side that defeated South Africa 2-1 for the crunch semifinal match against Algeria in Cairo International Stadium.

    The match, which starts by 8pm local time, will determine whether or not the Super Eagles stands a chance for a potential fourth AFCON title.

    Read Also: AFCON 2019: Nigeria’s match against Algeria will be tough — Odegbami

     

    Find below the starting X1

     

    • Akpeyi

     

    • Ekong

     

    • Omeruo

     

    • Awaziem

     

    • Collins

     

    • Ndidi

     

    • Musa

     

    • Etebo

     

    • Chukwueze

     

    • Iwobi

     

    • Ighalo

     

  • Breaking: Bayelsa female commissioner dies

    Bayelsa state was on Sunday thrown into mourning over the sudden death of Commissioner for Local Government Administration, Mrs. Agatha Goma.

    Sources close to the family said the commissioner, who buried her husband early in the year, died in her sleep at her apartment in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    The 55- year- old was appointed into Dickson’s cabinet in 2016 and remained one of the best apostles of the governor’s restoration team.

    A source confided church members of Goma, a pastor, was praying seriously for a miracle to revive her.

    He, however, said the real cause of her death was unknown adding that a team of doctors was examining her case.

    Breaking the sudden death on a social platform, one Victoria said: “We heard this evening that, one of our mothers in Bayelsa State. Pst. Mrs. Agatha Goma has gone to be with the lord.

    “She was in the State Assembly and until her demise, was the commissioner for Local Government Administration.

    “This is a very sad day for us all. This message was sent after confirming from her aids and family members.”

  • What Buhari told NASS leaders on ministerial list, by Kalu

    Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu, has said that the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly was fruitful.

    Kalu told reporters in Abuja at the weekend that after the meeting, the leadership of the National Assembly was convinced that President Buhari was working hard to ensure that the list of ministerial nominees gets to the Senate.

    The former Abia Governor said that he decided to speak on the issue because some of the insinuations about the ministerial list were incorrect.

    He noted that President Buhari made it clear to them that he needed wider consultation before forwarding the ministerial list to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

    The leadership of the National Assembly met with President Buhari last Thursday where it was gathered that a wide range of issues were discussed.

    Read Also: Ministerial list: No more ‘go slow’

    Kalu said: “President Buhari is making all efforts to get the ministerial list to the National Assembly.

    “At least, I was in the room at the meeting. It is not good to misquote the president.

    “I am sure that the list would be ready very soon. Sooner than you people think.

    Read Also:

    “The President said that he is making a wider consultation and that in the last tenure, he was just handed over the list by party people to appoint.

    “He said that he is making a background check on everyone of them to make sure they are people he can work with.”

    Buhari, he said, should be given the benefit of the doubt to choose those to work with.

    Senator Kalu also said that contrary to allusions by some people, the Senate will not be a rubber stamp assembly.

    In the contrary, he assured that the Senate would champion people-oriented programmes aimed at uplifting the living standard of Nigerians.

    He also noted that there might be the need to tinker certain aspects of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) where necessary.

    Kalu noted that it was completely unfair to tag the Ninth National Assembly as an appendage of the Executive arm of government.

    He insisted that there was no basis for such insinuation.

    He said, “I believe that we are going to bring about a lot of changes than what it used to be in the past. But it is another thing whether those who are going to bring about the change will have the capability of executing the change.

    “We are not afraid of taking decisions. Many of you have been writing that this Senate is a rubber stamp. Even President Buhari himself knows we are not going to be a rubber stamp.

    “We are not afraid of President Buhari. But we think more of the Nigerian people and for Ahmad Lawan, Nigerian people come first before friendship with Buhari. For me, friendship will not affect our plan to champion the needs of the Nigerian people.

    “But we are not going to openly wear our hand gloves and start exchanging blows with the president because we just want to be independent. No, we need to sit down to agree to disagree and tell Mr. President what is the right thing.

    “Buhari will never ask anybody to go against the law. He would not look at your face and he owes no one any apology.”

    “President Buhari believes in the laws of the country and will never go against the law.”

  • Updated: Sanwo-Olu nominates 25 commissioners, special advisers

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday nominated 25 persons to serve as commissioners and special advisers pending approval by the State Assembly.

    Prominent among the nominees are Editor, The Nation Newspaper Mr. Gbenga Omotoso and immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello.

    A statement by his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said the governor carefully picked the nominees based on their cognate experience in their respective professions.

    The list, Akosile said, comprised names of technocrats and politicians, who understand the challenges of the state, noting the painstaking and laborious selection process was aimed at constituting the best team that will serve Lagos in line with the agenda of his administration vision of delivering a city-state that will rank among the top most liveable cities in the world.

    “We took our time to pick the best hands for the tough job Lagosians have elected us to do.

    The nominees for the twenty five Commissioner and Special Adviser positions include women and men who have made their mark and at the zenith of their professional callings,’’ Akosile added.

    The list, according to him, include ” a blend of youth who are under 40 among nominees for Commissioners and Special Advisers.

    “Women too are well represented in the list. We believe Lagos deserves the best and we cannot give the people anything less than that.”

    Other nominees are:

    1. Mr. Rabiu Olowo Onaolapo

     

    1. Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo

     

    1. Prof. Akin Abayomi

     

    1. Dr. Idris Salako

     

    1. Mr. Tunji Bello

     

    1. Mr. Gbenga Omotoso

     

    1. Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka

     

    1. Mrs. Bolaji Dada

     

    1. Mr. Lere Odusote

     

    1. Dr. Frederic Oladeinde

     

    1. Mr. Gbolahan Lawal

     

    1. Ms. Adekemi Ajayi

     

    1. Mr. Femi George

     

    1. Dr. Wale Ahmed

     

    1. Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo (SAN)

     

    1. Mr. Hakeem Fahm

     

    1. Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle

     

    1. Engr. Aramide Adeyoye

     

    1. Mr. Segun Dawodu

     

    1. Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf

     

    1. Mr. Sam Egube

     

    1. Ms Ruth Bisola Olusanya

     

    1. Princess Aderemi Adebowale

     

    1. Mr. Tunbosun Alake

     

    1. Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo

     

    Their names have been forwarded to the Assembly for screening and confirmation.

  • Former Gov Audu’s son picks APC nomination form

    Mustapha Audu, son of late Kogi governor Prince Abubakar Audu, has picked the nomination and expression of interest form of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He picked the form at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja to give Governor Yahaya Bello a big fight at the August 18 primary.

    Addressing supporters from the three senatorial districts of the state after picking the form witness the ceremony, Prince Mustapha assured he has all it takes to defeat the incumbent in the contest.

    Mustapha, the son of late governor of Kogi state, Prince Abubakar Audu, said he was dedicating the purchase of form to the  civil servants of the state being owed salaries for more than 30 months as well as  the indigents  whose legion has increased as a result of mismanagement of the state ‘s resources  and  jobless youths .

    Read Also: Late Audu’s son set to dump YPP for APC

    He promised an-all inclusive government should he be elected, adding he would focus on human capital development, empowerment of women as well as youth empowerment through employment and sports development.

    He  further pledged to lift the state that God has so much endowed with mineral resources and tourism potentials to find its true bearing if given the mandate by the people to govern them.

    He said: “My ambition to be the governor of the state is simply for the benefit of the people of the state and it is not a do-or-die affair.”

    He said contrary to false information peddled about his family, they are all united and focused towards getting power to perpetuate the ideals which his late father and political icon, Prince Abubakar Audu stood for.

  • Enough is enough of herdsmen killings in Southwest- Ooni

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has declared that the South West has heard enough of the killing by the herdsmen.

    He declared it was time for the region to be united in purpose in combating the security challenges headlong.

    Oba Ogunwusi, who spoke on Sunday in Kota Ekiti, Ekiti East Local Government area of Ekiti State, at the thanksgiving ceremony of Olufemi Bamisile, who represents Ekiti South Federal Constituency 11 in the House of Representatives.

    He said Yoruba people could no longer fold its hand and allow people to be killed, urging the Yoruba people to unite and defend itself against bandits from killing people.

    Read Also: Tackling Boko Haram, herdsmen killings my priority, says Jang

    “I call on all the people of Yoruba race at this time to be united. The time has come end this killing. This killings must end, enough is enough.

    “We could no longer fold our hand and allow people to be killed. So, we must be united at this time and protect our territory,” Ooni added.

    Bishop Diocese of Ekiti, Reverend Emmanuel Abejide of Methodist Church Nigeria, Ekiti State, declared that the current security situation in the country was unfortunate.

    He warned that unless the leaders put on their thinking caps things might get worse.

    He said: “W have failed so much. Many of our political leaders have failed to develop our potential. If by God give you have opportunity to be in a position, its by God grace please use it for the benefit of mankind “.

    As for Bamisile, he said that the various stakeholders in the South West are already talking, adding that the region would defend itself against any aggression.

    “The death of Pa Fasoranti’s daughter is one of the greatest mistake that ever happened in the South West. With the step that we are taking, we are moving ahead to stop the killings. “

  • Muslims, traditional leaders worship at ECWA to promote religious harmony

    Islamic and traditional leaders on Sunday worshipped at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Lemu road, Kaduna as part of measures to promote peaceful and religious coexistence.

    Their attendance was at the invitation of the church in its efforts at strengthening religious harmony and peaceful coexistence among all regardless of religious differences.

    Also among those who attended the church service were Nigeriens living within and around the community where the church is located..

    Some of those who attended include District head of Barnawa Alhaji Kabiru Zubairu; the Wakilin Shehu Borno; HRH Bata Madaki Auta; President Borno Community Retired Captain Jauro Musa Liya and Sarkin Dutse Alhaji Shuaibu Abdullahi.

    No fewer than 50 other Muslims who did not only attend the church service but were seated from the beginning of the service till the end.

    Read Also: Kaduna ECWA leads quest for religious tolerance

    Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai represented by Mr Seth Ali commended the church for what he called a good gesture and initiative worthy of emulation.

    He assured of the governments support in whichever way possible to ensure that religious coexistence is promoted and sustained in the state.

    Rtd Captain Liya said he has been a friend of the Church for over 52 years and was trained by the missionaries, stressing that without the church perhaps he won’t be who he is today.

    He lamented however the situation is no longer the same today and wondered what went wrong, while urging all and sundry to join hands together and bring back the good old days where Christians relate with Muslims as brothers and vice versa.

    Speaking in the same vein, the District Head of Barnawa, Wakilin Shehu Borno and the Sarkin Dutse all commended ECWA for such good initiative and urged other churches and Islamic bodies to toe the same line going forward.

    Senior Pastor of the Church, Rev. Haruna Dauda said, the church is willing more than ever before to relate with their neighbours regardless of their religion.

    “We do this annually, basically to promote religious and peaceful togetherness among ourselves, and we are thankful that whenever we call they respond.”

    The Chief Operating Officer of the Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) Mrs. Teman Liti Agera also commended the church for the initiative.

    Rev. Zumjnta Ahmed Bashayi, the District Secretary who preached during the church service, admonished all to be an advocate of peaceful coexistence.

    The chairman community relation committee of the church, Senator Haruna Azeez Zego said, the thought of inviting the Muslim within their host community to worship with them is borne out of love to sustain peaceful coexistence.