The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Sen. Sani empowers 150 constituents with sewing, grinding, pumping machines 

    Immediate past Senator for Kaduna Central Senatorial zone, Senator Shehu Sani on Monday distributed 50 pumping machines, 50 grinding machines and 50 sewing machines to people of his constituency.
    The items were distributed to 150 beneficiaries drawn from Giwa, Igabi, Chikun, Kaduna South, Kaduna North, Kajuru and Birnin Gwari local government areas of Kaduna state as a form of empowerment to improve their lives.
    Speaking during the distribution which took place in Kaduna, the activist said the items are not from him as gift or donation but given as part of his constituency projects which is part of dividends of democracy. He said in the last four years he has built and equipped seven hospital in Rigachikun, Giwa, three in Igabi, Tudun Wada and Birnin Gwari all over in the Kaduna Central zone.
    “These items given to you are not presents given to you by those you elected and they are neither favour done to you nor donations, they are your legitimate rights and part of the dividends of democracy for electing people into the position of office.”
    He urged them to make best use of the items for the purpose for which it was given as an empowerment tool. “Though I am not a serving senator today, I still have a duty to deliver these empowerment materials to you, these materials were allocated to my office and my person and I have a duty to deliver it to you.”

    Read Also: WARIF empowers 120 students with vocational skills and start-up grants

    He also called on them to appreciate the parliament for the purpose of equity, justice and fair play in the distribution of items to be delivered to the constituent.
    Sani called on the electorates to create self respect for themselves by not collecting anything given to them by politicians seeking positions in various offices,
    “Revolunaries don’t retire and cannot be retired, comrades are elected because they speak the truth wherever they go, I fear no one and whoever says anything which demands our response we will reply even if it is the President of Nigeria.”
    Sen Sani called on the people not to take position of silence and continue to suffer, urging them to speak truth to power and to the people in power irrespective of whether they like it or not. “We are in the centre of Northern Nigeria, the region which is faced with crisis, violence and bloodshed, whether the President is from the North or not, you all have the right to demand for equity and justice as concerned with the affairs of governance,” he stressed.
    Sani called on the people of Kaduna central to be very conscious of their place in the politics of Kaduna as they have been seriously marginalised and exploited in the politics of the state.

  • Germany’s armed forces helicopter crashes, killing one

    A helicopter of the Bundeswehr, the unified armed forces of Germany, crashed in Lower Saxony, killing one person and seriously injuring another, the German armed forces confirmed on Monday.

    The accident happened on Monday afternoon in Aerzen District, according to local German police.

    Fire had broken out around the crash site which was close to a forest area, said a spokesperson from Aerzen’s local fire brigade.

    Read Also: Austria, Germany, Swiss seek stronger ties with Nigeria

    The helicopter was part of the Buekeburg Military Aviation School, the spokesperson, who was not named, confirmed.

    The German training helicopter was in a low-flying exercise shortly before the crash.

    Only last week, two Eurofighters of the German Armed Forces collided during air combat exercises and crashed in Mecklenburg, Western Pomerania.

    Both pilots had managed to operate their ejection seats. A flying instructor had survived the accident, while the second pilot died in the accident.

    (Xinhua/NAN)

  • Army will continue to ensure security, safety in Lagos, Nigeria- Burutai

    The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Burutai has pledged that the Nigeria Army will continue to play its role in ensuring security and safety in Lagos and the entire country.

    Burutai made the pledge yesterday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

    The Chief of Army Staff who was accompanied on the visit by the military high command including the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Sanni Yusuf said he was in Lagos for the Combat Support Arms Training week and Nigeria Army Day Celebration 2019.

    He promised the governor that the Nigerian Army will support his administration security wise because security is paramount and that when there is security  peace will strive and development will be ensured; adding that “we will work with you to ensure security, we will work together to ensure security in the state.

    Burutai thanked the governor for his support on the celebration of the Nigeria Army Day and congratulated him for his emergence and inauguration as Lagos state governor.

    Read Also: Don’t misquote Buratai, monarch urges Nigerians

    He solicited for the state patronage of the Nigerian Army Engineer Corps saying they can do a lot for the state in the area of infrastructure, roads and other construction works.

    “Our engineers have a lot of capabilities, they have been engaged by some state governments and other corporate organisations, we are available,” he said.

    Burutai wished Sanwo-Olu a successful tenure in office and informed him that they are coming back to the state later in the year for a major military activity tagged, ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile’.

    Welcoming the COAS and the military high command, Sanwo-Olu said the Army Chief has since demonstrated capability, loyalty to country and dedication to work since taking over as the army chief.

    Saying he was excited and happy to have the Army chose Lagos for the celebration of the 2019 Army Day, he wished the Army a successful celebration.

    “The Nigerian military is a very disciplined profession with high level of ethics and professionalism in its operations,” adding that “we are willing to support you in whatever way we can,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu thanked Burutai for the “high level of support your men have been giving us in Lagos, they have demonstrated a high level of commitment, on two occasions we called them they responded to our distress call.

    “We see ourselves as partners in progress, we take the issue of security serious and we will continue to encourage you to ensure peace because with peace direct foreign investment will come and everybody can also go about their lawful businesses too.

    The governor thanked the military for supporting his administration’s drive for a cleaner Lagos by its clean up exercise in the state last Saturday and for obeying the state traffic laws especially against driving one way.

    “Your presence in Lagos sends a signal that Lagos is very safe, we are willing to collaborate with you in whatever way we can, I urge you to continue to keep the country safe,” Sanwo-Olu told the Army Chief.

  • Botched INC election: Bozimo calls for reconciliation of Ijaw stakeholders

    A former Police Affairs Minister, Chief Broderick Bozimo, Monday called for reconciliation among different Ijaw stakeholders following the Saturday’s disruption of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) convention by thugs.

    Hundreds of thugs invaded the Ijaw House in Yenagoa and disrupted the convention at the point of collation of votes.

    Bozimo, a frontline Presidential aspirant at the election, was said to be in clear lead when the youths carted away ballot boxes and other electoral materials.

    But the elder statesman, who spoke in Yenagoa, appealed to other aspirants and Ijaw stakeholders to rally round his team to ensure effective protection of Ijaw interests amidst a troubled country.

    Bozimo said he earlier had no intention to run for any position in INC but changed his mind out of his love for Ijaw nation following some uncomfortable developments in the country.

    Read Also: Tension in Bayelsa as thugs disrupt INC election

    The octogenarian said: “The insecurity in the country and the attack on our people are some of the reasons why we ended up coming into this race. So, as a father the point I am trying to make is that some of us are truly worried that this great nation is being tried from right, left and center.

    “We feel compelled and obliged to work for peace in the Ijaw nation. So, this is an appeal by a father to all the contestants especially from Delta State where I come from. All the presidential candidates are from Delta. Some have earlier dropped out to support this team.

    “Therefore, we are in a reconciliation mood as elders and fathers and we are seizing this opportunity to appeal to our children, contestants, delegates to join hands and put our house in order, stay united and strong as a vibrant Ijaw nation that we are.

    “It will not be my portion to try to be divisive in this awesome Ijaw nation. So, am making an appeal to the contestants to embrace peace. We must find a way forward as brothers, sisters, fathers and children”.

    Bozimo explained that following the zoning of the INC presidency to Delta, most of the aspirants stepped down for him and members of his team adding that he would not be drawn into conflict with Ijaw leaders.

    He added: “You can understand in my present frame of mind. I will not be drawn into these things because as a father we are trying to resolve the differences. This nation, great Ijaw nation, will remain united and move forward and not be ridicule by other nationalities.

    “All of us must make sacrifice. Inam prepared to make sacrifice for the good of the Ijaw nation. We don’t want to score point. We are not in politics. We are Ijaw people who want development, security and peace for our beloved Ijaw nation. Ijaw nation must move forward”.

    Also, the Interim Steering Committee (ISC) of INC expressed regret at the invasion of the Ijaw House by hoodlums, they led to the disruption of vote counting and collation processes of the Elective Convention.

    The ISC in a statement signed by its acting Chairman, Dr. Godknows Igali and its Secretary, DIG Michael Zuokomor (rtd) described the invasion as sacrilegious and called on security agencies to arrest the perpetrators.

    The ISC said: “That such a sacrilegious act could be carried out in the sanctity of our Ijaw House, Yenagoa and in the presence of some of the members of the highly respected Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (CITRE) as well as members of INC Interim Steering Committee and the Electoral Committee (ELECO) of this our flagship organization is totally condemnable.

    “Indeed, this is unacceptable. For the avoidance of doubt, the Interim Steering Committee wishes to recall that counting of votes after very peaceful and orderly elections held in the open, was almost concluded.

    “As a matter of fact, the outcome of majority of the positions had already been declared awaiting counting of the ballots for the offices of National Secretary, Vice President (East), Vice President (Central) and President of Congress, when this act of cowardice occurred.

    “Arising from this development, the Interim Steering Committee has since brought the matter to the attention of the respective Security and Law Enforcement authorities for urgent but thorough investigations. This is, with a view to bringing the masterminds and immediate perpetrators to book.

    “The Interim Steering Committee, therefore, wishes to enjoin all Ijaw sons and daughters, in our various communities, in the rest of Nigeria and around the world, to remain calm as the matter is being fully dealt with. An emergency meeting of CITRE is also expected to hold soon to discuss the matter, including reviews of results of investigation so far and charting a way forward”.

  • Omo-Agege condoles NGE, Kano Govt. over Tudunwada’s death

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Monday expressed sadness over the death of the Deputy President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mallam Umar Tudunwada.

    Omo-Agege, in his condolence to the NGE and the Kano State Government, said it that was unfortunate that the experienced and widely travelled journalist died in the auto accident on his way from an official engagement in Abuja.

    While praying for the repose of the soul of the dead, he said the death has created a vacuum in journalistic reporting especially in a democratic setting that needed the informed interventions of the likes of Tudunwada.

    Omo-Agege said, “I received with sadness, the shocking news of the death of the Deputy President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NOE) Umar Tudunwada, in an accident.

    Read Also: ‘PDP attack on Omo-Agege’s choice of media aides myopic, inconsequential’

    “Tudunwada, who until his death, had worked for various local and intemational media organisations, was returning from a meeting of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) when he met his untimely death.

    “My thoughts and prayers are with his immediate and extended families as well as the good people of Kano State as I pray God to rest his lovely soul in perfect peace.

    “Let me also extend my deepest condolences to the Nigerian Guild of Editors over this irreparable loss. Tndunwada’s untimely passing has, no doubt, created a vacuum especially at this period of our democratic journey.

    “May God console us and may He glide and protect us all.”

  • I’m innocent of EFCC charges- Saraki

    Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Monday said that he is not in any form of media war with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He also said that he is innocent of the allegations of fraud leveled against him by the anti-graft agency.

    Saraki, in a statement by his media adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, noted rather than engage in any media war with the EFCC, he has been the one at the receiving end of the media onslaught allegedly sponsored by the EFCC against him.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Media Office of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has been drawn to the claims contained in the Press Statement issued yesterday (June 30, 2019) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and we believe we should make some clarifications for members of the public to have a better understanding of the issues raised therein.

    Read Also: Alleged N12b diversion: EFCC faults Saraki’s claim

    “Dr. Saraki has not engaged in any media war. Rather, Dr. Saraki has been the one at the receiving end of the media onslaught sponsored from the office of the EFCC.

    ‘’Various documents and court processes from the agency have been given to a particular newspaper for publication. In fact, while the EFCC distributed copies of its letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court immediately it was submitted, we are still surprised how Dr. Saraki’s response written early May found its way into a newspaper last Sunday.

    ‘’It should be known that if we were interested in leaking the letter, we would not wait for seven weeks to do that. Dr. Saraki believes he is on firm ground on the points of law and has nothing to be afraid of. He is innocent of the charges.

    “We need to reiterate that Dr. Saraki is not interested in obstructing any investigation by the EFCC or any security agency. While the EFCC claims that it is investigating the Office of the Senate President between 2015 and 2019, we make bold to say that it is just on a wild goose chase.

    ‘’That Office has nothing to do with contract awards and handling of the finances of the National Assembly. These are functions of the bureaucracy of the National Assembly, otherwise known as the National Assembly Management.

    “On its persistent probe of the tenure of Dr. Saraki as Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011, we maintain that all the issues the EFCC are presently raising were the same issues that are contained in four of the charges filed before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and taken before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

    “The CCT case went beyond the subject matter of asset declaration. They raised issues about the assets, how and when they were acquired, the sources of their funding and the banking transactions of Dr. Saraki.

    “That is why we maintain that since the issues have been determined by the courts up to the Supreme Court, the EFCC is just on a persecution and smear campaigns with its current investigations.

    “At the time the CCT charges were filed, it was generally believed some of the charges should not have been lumped up with the asset declaration issues.

    “However, in their desperation to nail Dr. Saraki, some of the charges that contained insinuations that Kwara State funds were paid into accounts owned by him and companies in which he has interests were filed. And twice, the charges went before the highest court in the land and he was discharged and acquitted.

    “It is also the reason that Dr. Saraki believes that the current investigation constitutes an infringement on his fundamental human rights.

    “And in the exercise of his belief in the judiciary, he filed a case seeking the court’s intervention for the protection and enforcement of the rights.”

  • Makinde to probe LGs, LCDAs accounts

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday set up a seven -man committee to investigate and probe the accounts and finances of the 33 Local Governments (LGs) and 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.

    The committee, which was given six weeks to submit its report has the mandate of the governor to look into the Council accounts from January 2018 to May 2019. It is to be chaired by retired Justice S. L Popoola.

    Also inaugurated alongside the committee at an event at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s office were two separate visitation panels to Ibarapa Polytechnic Eruwa and another visitation panel to The Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki.

    The event was witnessed by the Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka, the Head of Service, Mrs Amidat Agboola, Chairman, State Advisory Council, Senator Hosea Agboola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matter, Mr Babatunde Oduyoye and the PDP state Chairman, Alh Kunmi Mustapha among other dignitaries.

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    Speaking at the inauguration, Governor Makinde assures that the committee was not set up in anyway to go after the past administration, but a way of setting the stage for his government to take off and deliver dividends of democracy to the entire citizenry.

    He said “The committee constituted to look into the accounts of the LGs and LCDAs from January 2018 to May 2019. This is highly needed at this time when there is the paucity of funds and also the need to re-strategize and device means to fund activities of the government.

    Read Also: Photos: Makinde inaugurates new SSG in Ibadan

    “Let me reassure you that this government is not in anyway going after the past administration, we are only setting the stage for our government to take off and deliver dividends of democracy to the entire citizenry.

    “In fact, I must say that the committee we are inaugurating today is pursuant to the Public Property and Funds Investigation and Recovery Panel law Cap 138 Vol 4 of the Oyo state Law, 2000. Section 3 of the law states thus;

    “Whenever it shall appear to the government of the state that any person or body of persons in the custody of any property belonging to the government or any company in which the state government has any interest, however arising or is accountable to the government for any contract, entered into or purported to have entered into between him and the government or monies in which he may have collected on behalf or for the purpose of the government, the Governor may set up a panel to investigate or ascertain the identity and the extent of such property or funds and make an order for recovery of such property or fund.

    “The seven-man committee is expected to investigate any dealings with the funds of Local Governments Council and Local Council Development Areas and other matters as they affect the local government and retrieve all monies traceable to any individual and impound any equipment traceable to any individual.

    “Let me at this junction, admonish the members of the committee to carry out this task efficiently and effectively. The task ahead is not that of the governor, but that given to them by the entire citizens of Oyo state.

    “You are all on this committee to serve the people of Oyo state. The LG is the government at the grassroot level and they are the closest to the people. It is therefore important to take into consideration all matters that affect our people as we have promised them, a sound service agenda.

    “Let me promise straightaway, our unquantified support in this assignment as we are determined to get to the root of any form of mismanagement that the Councils have been subjected to this past years.

    “We, therefore, give this committee six weeks to complete their assignment. On this note, I appreciate all members of the committee for accepting to serve in this capacity and I wish you all success in these endeavours.”

    Earlier, while inaugurating the first female Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, the governor   said he made a lot of introspection in making a decision to pick the new SSG out of the very eminently qualified personalities he had before him.

    He said “In taking the decision to pick her out of the very eminently qualified personalities I had before me, I did a lot of introspection. There is this usual divide between politicians and technocrats.

    “Some people would argue that the best person for the job is a politician, who understands the terrain as they put it. Others would say the engine room of government must be manned by a technocrat, who knows his or her onions.

    “But I must say we need a focused government which will deliver on its terms. We need capacity and lots of efficiencies and we need a packed personality who in a way, encapsulates all of that.

    “I must tell you that a number of questions agitated my mind as I moved to take the final decision. How do we marry all these qualities needed in one person? How do we satisfy the contending interests?”

    “These are concerns that must be answered and when I finally zeroed in on Mrs Adeosun, I need not think twice to conclude that we have made the right choice.”

    He charged the new SSG to live up to expectation, saying many men are lurking by the corner, adding that the appointment was not based on sentiment, feminism or other undue sentiments.

  • System collapse: DisCos deny dropping load allocation

    Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) Monday denied the allegation of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) that the system collapse that was experienced on Sunday was “due to high voltage following massive drop of load by the electricity distribution companies.”

    Speaking with The Nation on phone, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Oyebode Fadipe, said “We didn’t drop any load.”

    Asked whether it was true that the Discos dropped load allocation on Sunday, the Director, Research and Advocacy, Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors (ANED), Mr. Sunday Odutan, said “not true.”

    Read Also: System collapses as DisCos drop load

    He said that power allocation to the AEDC as at Monday had increased to nearly 500mega watts. The company gets 13 percent of the total power generation from the national grid on daily basis. This shows that Monday power generation was about 3,692mw after the Benin inferno led to the system collapse. 

    According to the release by the General Manager Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, on Sunday, the high voltage also caused a fire incident in the 75MXreactor in the Benin Substation, Sapele Road in Benin City, Edo State.

    The massive load drop led to high voltage in the system, which shattered the lightning arrester in close proximity to the 75MX Reactor in Benin Substation. The shattered lightning arrester porcelain hit the reactor bushing causing further explosion on the reactor resulting in fire outbreak.

    Restoration of the Grid commenced immediately and as at 1.30pm, bulk power supply to most parts of the nation had been restored.

    The Management of TCN commends the efforts and support of the Government of Edo State and Benin Electricity Distribution Company as well as the Fire Service in putting out the fire and restoring normal power supply.

    Meanwhile the Management has commenced the movement of another reactor to Benin City to replace the burnt reactor and ensure voltage stability in the City as well as prevent a re-occurrence. 

    Management would also ensure a review of the entire protection and earthing system nationwide. This is done in addition to the overall upgrading of the system through the TREP program being financed by multi-lateral donors.

    The installation of 3no reactors on the Ikot- Ekpene- Ugwuaji –Jos line has reached an advance stage. It is expected that once these three reactors are installed and commissioned, the grid would be further stabilized.

    TCN Management wishes to assure Nigerians that it is doing everything possible to modernize, upgrade and stabilize the National Grid.

  • Two jailed for internet fraud in Ibadan

    Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division on Monday convicted two young men of internet related offences and sentenced them to jail.

    The duo of Olubayo Oluwaseyi (a.ka.Rachel Erick) and Abe Tolulope Emmanuel (a.k.a. Victoria Grant) were found guilty of fraudulent impersonation and sending pornographic and indecent pictures in the respective one-count charges filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office.

    Due to the plea bargain agreement between them and the Commission, the original charges were replaced with the amended charges as presented before the court on Monday.

    Read Also: Six jailed for internet fraud

    Olubayo’s offence was contrary to Section 22(3)(b) of Cyber Crime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015, and punishable under Section 22(4) of the Act.

    Sending pornographic and indecent picture, the charge against Abe runs contrary to Section 24 (1)(a) of Cyber Crime (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015, and punishable under Section 24 (1) of the Act.

    They pleaded guilty to the latest charges when they were read to them.

    After the pleas, the prosecution counsel, Iyabo Daramola, prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

    In delivering her judgment, Justice Ajoku upheld the terms in the respective plea bargain agreements as she sentenced Olubayo to six months in prison, and jailed Abe for five months.

    The convicts were also ordered to restitute to their victims the money they fraudulently collected from their victims, and also to forfeit all the items recovered from them to the Federal government of Nigeria.

  • Presidential election dispute: Atiku, PDP gets 10 days to call 400 witness

    The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) has allocated 10 days to the petitioners – Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – to call the 400 witnesses they planned to call to prove their case.

    The PDP and its candidate in the last presidential election, are by their petition, challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Party (APC).

    Respondents to the petition – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Buhari and the APC – have equally been allocated six days each to call their witnesses.

    Read Also: Presidential election dispute: Tribunal to hear Atiku’s, PDP’s fresh motion July 1

    The allocation of days to parties in the case was agreed at the tribunal’s pre-hearing session. conducted on Monday, where the scheduling of the hearing process was equally agreed.

    Petitioner’s lead lawyer, Livy Uzoukwu disclosed, at the commencement of proceedings on Monday that Atiku and the PDP planned to call 400 witnesses to prove their case.

    Also on Monday, the tribunal also heard the motion by the petitioners, seeking the re-hearing of the motion filed by the APC, praying it to dismiss the petition for being incompetent.

    The tribunal has adjourned ruling on the motion till Wednesday.

    Details shortly.