The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Hunters killed by Boko Haram buried in Borno

    Hunters killed by Boko Haram buried in Borno

    Duku JOEL, Maiduguri

     

    SEVEN local hunters including a vigilante killed by Improvised Explosive Device (IED), suspected to have been planted by some Boko Haram elements were buried on Wednesday.

    The incident took place at a village called Kayamala in Konduga Local Government yesterday while on routine patrol.

    Reports indicate that the leader of the vigilante identified as Bunu was among the seven victims who died in the ill-fated attack.

    Konduga is less than 40km away from Maiduguri the capital of Borno State.

    Eyewitnesses said the local hunters with vigilantes embarked on routine patrol when they came across the hidden mines and their vehicle exploded killing all seven occupants on board.

    Read Also: ASUU persistent strikes helping Boko Haram to achieve its philosophy – DG PGF

    “None of the people in the vehicle survived. They were all killed. Some of the bodies were shredded from the impact of the bomb. We gathered the remains and buried them.”

    At the prayers for the victims held at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Governor Babagana Zulum called on the Federal government to implement the six-point recommendations he submitted as part of the solution to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the state and the northeast in general.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Sports Development Saina Buba, the governor also announced that the state had taken over the medical bills of the injured people, adding that the families of the victims have also been provided with support for their immediate needs.

    The governor prayed Allah to forgive all the deceased and grant them eternal rest.

     

  • Bayelsa disowns task force on street trading

    Bayelsa disowns task force on street trading

     Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

     

    BAYELSA State has alerted residents that it did not constitute a task force on street trading.

    A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, warned anyone parading himself as chairman or themselves as members of such a task force to desist forthwith.

    Governor Douye Diri on Wednesday visited site of the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Igbogene, Yenagoa Local Government Area. The hospital is being built by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

    The project began in May.

    Diri, who expressed satisfaction with the progress of work, said: “The engineer has promised completion in six months.”

    The state has taken steps to overcome the challenges which stalled delivery of the 22 kilometre ring road started by the previous administration, it has been learnt.

    The State Executive Council (SEC) yesterday approved the re-commencement and construction of the road from Igbogene to AIT road in Yenagoa, from next year.

    Read Also: Five die in cults clash in Bayelsa

    Commissioner for Information and Orientation Ayibaina Duba spoke to NAN on plans to fund the project, amid outstanding loans of over N20 billion approved by the House of Assembly from February till date.

    Duba said the project, scheduled to restart in the second week of January, will go on despite challenges facing the state as the government had set aside N21 billion for it in the 2021 budget.

    He stressed that the government remains committed to meeting its pledge to the people despite the harsh economic climate occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and dwindling revenue.

    He said: “The government is very committed to the timely delivery of this project as part of its commitment to filling the infrastructure gap. We had planned for 18 months completion date, but we realised that given the realities, it was too ambitious so we settled for 24 months.

    “We will be very innovative and prudent; we have made feasible milestones to be achieved by the contractor and the state is currently stable and enjoying goodwill from investors.

    “We have to take these bold steps following the arrangements we made, and we are hopeful that the project will unlock the economic potentials of our state and serve as catalyst for the prosperity of our people.,

     

  • Yobe varsity to get bioscience lab

    Yobe varsity to get bioscience lab

     Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

     

    NEUROSCIENCE Specialist, Dr Mahmoud Maina has said he plans to establish a Bioscience Laboratory in Yobe State University as a way of giving back to his home state.

    Dr Maina, who is a Research Fellow at the School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, United Kingdom, said the lab would help improve on the needed infrastructure to conduct research and find solutions to local and global medical science problems.

    Maina stated in an interview that the country was not doing enough in medical research to uncover the causes of high death rate from diseases.

    Read Also: Boko Haram abducts 30 travellers on Borno/Yobe highway

    The UK-based Neuroscience specialist said: “Nigeria ranks number 7 in the list of countries by population and among the top with a high death rate from diseases. Yet, little research is done within the country to address these problems. We heavily depend on research interventions from the West.

    “Taking COVID-19 pandemic as an example, only a few laboratories in Nigeria have the necessary equipment for conducting COVID-19 testing.”

    Dr Maina who is also the Outreach Coordinator for TReND in Africa – a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which promotes scientific research and training in Africa said he will personally be leading work on areas of brain diseases in the lab.

    “The work scope in the lab will depend on the type of researchers who show interest in using the different equipment, their passion and commitment to research. The types of equipment can help us understand some aspects of diseases, such as Malaria, kidney diseases and other infectious diseases.

  • Uzodimma, Onu push for APC’s victory in Anambra

    Uzodimma, Onu push for APC’s victory in Anambra

     Chris Njoku, Owerri

     

    IMO State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Minister of Science and Technology Ogbonnaya Onu have urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State to ensure the party wins the governorship election.

    They spoke on Wednesday at a stakeholders meeting.

    Uzodimma appealed to party members to shelve their differences and work towards wining Anambra for the party. According to the governor, winning Anambra will make the party stronger in the zone.

    He said: “The problem confronting APC in the Southeast is grievances, and we must begin today to address them. We need to reconcile all aggrieved members because our party would be stronger, and we also urge all of you to help secure a victory in Anambra.”

    Read Also: Uzodimma signs N346.2b budget

    Onu, who affirmed that the people want APC, maintained that this is the reason the party should win the Anambra governorship poll.

    He said: “People of the southeast wants APC, this is why we must be united and be at peace with each other. We must be united to achieve our aims; we will make sure southeast controls Anambra.”

    Former Senate President Ken Nnamani told party members that registration will begin from the unit levels where the members will cast their votes. This, he said, will afford the party know the actual number of members in every unit. He urged those who have not registered to do so immediately.

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, who was represented by Senator Anthony Agbo, expressed happiness at being a member of the party. He promised to work with Uzodimma to make sure other governors join APC.

  • David Mark a true nationalist, says Mohammed

    David Mark a true nationalist, says Mohammed

    Sanni Onogu, Abuja and David Adenuga, Bauchi

     

    BAUCHI State Governor Bala Mohammed has described former Senate President,  David Mark as a nationalist of proven record and meritorious services to man and country.

    Mohammed said Mark’s unblemished record of public service, especially as the President of the Senate of uninterrupted eight years (between 2007 and 2015), is a manifestation of his patriotism and sterling leadership credentials.

    The governor spoke when Senator Mark performed the ground-breaking ceremonies of Warji- Gwaram, Bogoro-Lusa and Boi-Tapshin road projects in Bauchi State.

    Mohammed recalled how Mark’s invocation of the Doctrine of Necessity saved the nation from political logjam in 2010 and stabilised the polity besides other progressive bills such as the amended 2010 Electoral Act to guarantee credible polls.

    He noted that Mark was a man of good character and credibility.

    Read Also: Why cost of cooking gas went up, by marketers

    “In 2015, when the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lost the presidential election and scores of members defected to the All Progressives Party (APC) for want of patronage but he (Mark) remained steadfast in his commitment to the PDP.

    “Mark had told the nation then that he remained the last man standing for the PDP and would stay back to rebuild the party. Events afterwards vindicated him as the man who saw tomorrow.”

    Mohammed expressed gratitude to the former President of the Senate for the huge role he played in his emergence as Federal Capital Territory, FCT (Abuja) Minister.

    He said the mentoring and guidance he received from Mark played a significant part in his rise politically.

    “I did not emerge from my state, that was the work of God, but he was instrumental to my becoming a Minster.

    “And when I was coming back, it was same David Mark who stood his ground and stood behind my back and said Bala Mohammed must come back as FCT Minister. I have never told anybody this; I have a deep sense of gratitude to him and gratitude to God.”

     

     

  • Council chair rejects removal

    Council chair rejects removal

     Justina Asishana, Minna

     

    THE embattled Chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, Suleiman Chukuba has said that he remained the substantive man in charge.

    Chukuba said that the plot by the legislators to impeach him did not stand as they did not follow due process in their dealings.

    He said that he had not been served any notice for the suspension which the legislators alleged to have turned his impeachment to.

    “Regarding the suspension, I have not seen or been served any letter. I am still waiting for it. You can see I am in the office and hence, that means I am still the Chairman of this Council.”

    This is coming after an intervention meeting with the Niger State House of Assembly which reversed the impeachment motion passed by the councillors.

    On Tuesday, 11 of 14 elected councillors had collected signatures to impeach the Chairman.

    However, with the Assembly’s intervention, they reversed the motion.

    Read Also: Aare Ona Kakanfo: Terrorists now in Oyo, Niger states

    The Chairman was accused of not keeping proper records of funds meant for the internally generated revenue of the council.

    However, Chukuba said insecurity had not allowed inflow of revenue for the past seven years.

    “Sometimes in a week, we do not get more than N114,000, how do you expect the council to survive on this in a week? Even the departmental programme, training, DTAs in a week is more than N114,000. Even my DTA is more than that amount.

     

  • Uzodimma flags off rural roads reconstruction

    Uzodimma flags off rural roads reconstruction

    Chris Njoku, Owerri

     

    IMO State Governor Hope Uzodimma has flagged off the reconstruction of rural roads in the 27 local government areas.

    He promised to apply the 3R mantra of rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery of his administration to dilapidated infrastructure.

    Performing the ceremony at the Heroes Square on Concord Avenue, New Owerri, Uzodimma said some of the equipment to be used were recovered from those who stole them, to complement those that were purchased by his administration to ensure maximum effect.

    Read Also: Uzodimma signs N346.2b budget

    He reiterated his administration’s concerted efforts to recover every stolen state property, noting that government will continue to put machinery in place to do so, and deploy such equipment and property in areas that will benefit the people.

    Commissioner for Special Projects Kingsley Ononuju noted that the flag-off was borne out of the governor’s desire to ensure that rural dwellers have motorable roads that will make life easy and improve their economic well-being.

     

  • Buhari, Sanwo-Olu greet Peterside at 50

    Buhari, Sanwo-Olu greet Peterside at 50

     Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

     

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu have greeted immediate past Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, as he clocks 50 years today.

    The President and the governor joined family and friends to celebrate the milestone.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the President rejoiced with the former Federal lawmaker who equally served Rivers State as a public servant in many capacities.

    President Buhari noted that the celebrant has consistently taken up every responsibility with quintessential grace, using his wealth of knowledge to reform public institutions for greater efficiency.

    Read Also: Peterside steps down as Cadbury chairman

    In a letter to Peterside, Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “It gives me great pleasure to write this hearty goodwill message in felicitation with you and your family as you celebrate the anniversary of your 50th birthday as well as the presentation of a book in your honour.

    “I have followed your remarkable career and contributions to the growth of the Niger Delta and Nigeria over the years and I can confidently say you are one of the most outstanding men to emerge from Rivers State.”

     

  • APC mourns LP National Chairman Abdulsalam

    APC mourns LP National Chairman Abdulsalam

     Jide Orintunsin, Abuja

     

    THE ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the death of the National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, is a major loss to the country’s opposition politics and democracy.

    In a condolence message on Wednesday in Abuja by its Secretary Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, the APC eulogised Abdulsalam for his contributions to the country’s democratic development.

    The statement reads: “The APC extends condolences to members of Nigeria’s Labour Party over the death of the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam.

    “We mourn the late Abdulsalam, whose passage is a major loss to Nigeria’s opposition politics and our democracy.”

    Read Also: APC faction kicks as Appeal Court sacks Aguma

    “In line with the Labour Party’s mantra, as its National Chairman, the late Abdulsalam will be remembered for his efforts to entrench Labour Party as the party for social democracy and advocate for the welfare of workers, particularly the increment of minimum wage.”

    The party also commiserated with the immediate family of Abdulsalam and prayed “Almighty Allah to forgives his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Fir’daous”.

    Abdulsalam reportedly slumped on Tuesday and died.

     

     

     

     

  • Gunmen kill mechanic in Delta

    Gunmen kill mechanic in Delta

     Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba and Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

     

    GUNMEN on Wednesday killed a generator mechanic, Kelvin Asaboro.

    The incident, which occurred at Uduerhe Street, near the palace of the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, HRM Wilson Ojakovo Oharisi III, caused unrest, as youths made bonfire to protest rising insecurity in Ughelli town.

    The Nation learnt the hoodlums also shot four other persons during the robbery.

    It was gathered that the gunmen trailed a traveller from Otovwodo motor park axis to the area, robbed and shot the victim (traveller), before they killed the generator mechanic and injured others.

    A youth, who identified himself as Kpabor, said there were no security operatives on ground to arrest the gunmen.

    However, a community leader simply identified as Shokare calmed frayed nerves.Police spokesman DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya confirmed the incident.

    Read Also: Gunmen in army uniform kidnap businessman in Ibadan

    He said: “Yes, it’s true.”

    Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed two persons at Luubara community in Khana Local Government of Rivers State.

    A member of the community, Barry Nwibani, who broke the news to reporters in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred at a drinking joint about 8pm.

    He said two of the victims, who he identified as Timothy Baridapdo and Bariyaa, died immediately, while two women, who sustained gunshot injuries, were taken to hospital by police officers from Bori Divisional Station.

    Command spokesman Nnamdi Omoni could not confirm the incident.

    He said he was yet to receive report from the area.