The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Lar will get a befitting burial – Tukur

    Lar will get a befitting burial – Tukur

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, on Thursday said the party would ensure a befitting burial for the late Chief Solomon Lar, its pioneer national chairman.

     

    Tukur, who said this in Abuja when he briefed journalists, said the party would greatly miss Lar who was “a light in the political firmament.’’

    He said the vacuum created by the death of Lar would be difficult to fill “because he was an emancipator of the less privileged and a democrat of repute.”

    The PDP national chairman said Lar as a former Governor of Plateau and one who had always been in the corridors of power, never compromised his stance.

    “He started young as a Parliamentary Secretary and was always in the corridors of power and politics but never compromised, “the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Tukur as saying to journalists.

    He stated that although Lar was dead, the PDP leadership would continue to work toward ensuring enduring peace in the party.

    This, according to him, was the desire of Lar as manifested symbolically in the white handkerchief he always waved at political meetings.

    “It is a pity that Lar had gone, but we will continue to pray and ask for peace which he had already prayed for, “Tukur said.

    He prayed God to grant his soul a peaceful rest and his family, the PDP family and the nation the fortitude to bear his loss.

     

  • Jonathan tasks African leaders on economic dependency

    Jonathan tasks African leaders on economic dependency

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday urged African leaders to do more to fully develop and exploit their countries’ comparative economic advantages over other parts of the world for the benefit of their people.

    He made the remark while speaking with Botswana’s new Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Louis Matshewenyego Fisher, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Jonathan, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, called on African countries to evolve and implement policies that will maximize their economic potentials in order to move away from current “dependency” partnerships with the industrialized nations of the world.

    He urged the African leaders to focus more on building domestic capacity around the strengths of their economies, instead of wasting their efforts on areas in which they lack a competitive edge.

    Acknowledging the inter-connectivity of the world economy, Jonathan said that globalization will work better when African countries take greater advantage of their human and natural resources to enhance their ability to compete effectively with other regions in world trade.

    He also expressed the view that Africa’s competitiveness could be further boosted through increased regional trade and horizontal investment partnerships.

    Jonathan said: “I want to insist that our diplomacy should be based more on trade and economic relations. We must encourage trade between our people and I see that relationship as the bedrock for diplomacy.”

    The President also received letters of credence from the new Ambassador of Czech Republic to Nigeria, Mr. Pavel Mikes, the new Ambassador of Republic of Kuwait to Nigeria, Mr. Abdulla Ahmed Al-Sharrah and the new Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Perry Calderwood at the State House.

     

  • Unsafe countries to live

    Terrorists attack has been the reason behind insecurity in most countries, especially in Africa; though it still has it root in some Arab region.

    According to ClickTop10.com, Africa houses the highest number of dangerous countries to live in, with 4, while the Arab region, North America and Asia has 3, 2 and 1 country respectively in the top ten list released by the site.

    The most affected countries where people are living their lives under constant fears include the developed and developing nations;

    Somalia top the list, with Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen making the top 5, while Sudan and South Sudan occupy the 6 position, and Haiti, Honduras, Pakistan and Niger completing the list respectively.

    Haiti is the only country on this list that is not experiencing terrorist attacks, but is facing natural disaster like earthquake and cholera outbreak.

    The site stated that peace is the greatest concern of the current political world, “Although we do not see many country to country wars, yet the new danger of violent non-state actors have emerged on the scene which has disturbed the peace of entire world. These groups have their particular agendas and adopt the violent means in pursuit of achieving their desired objectives.”

     

  • Reps panel carries out oversight function at Presidential Villa

    To inspect projects in the State House, the House of Representatives Committee on Special Duties led by Hon. Nadu Karibo on Thursday visited the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The team, comprising 20 out of the 36- member committee visited the State House Medical Centre and several offices within the Villa.

    They were conducted round by the State House Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbile, after which they visited President Goodluck Jonathan in his office.

    Speaking with the State House correspondents after the inspection, the Chairman of the Committee, Karibu said that the committee was impressed with what it saw on ground.

    He said: “What really interested me is the extension work going on at the State House Medical Centre and I was surprised. My initial impression was that State House Medical Centre was only for the President and the State House Staff but I observed that those who are not even State House staff have access to the medical facilities. It is really impressive and we also observed that there is extension work going on there, a new site is being developed, probably to cater for the upsurge of the people going there for treatment. We also saw other aspects of the State House.

    “The impression is not what you expect. The impression was a very good one and like I told you, I was impressed with the fact that outsiders have access to the facilities, we also saw the renovation work going on in parts of the Villa here, we went through.

    “We are very happy that the President will open his doors and enable members to come freely and do oversight, I think this is unprecedented. It is not a usual everyday thing. So I am really impressed that the President opened his doors for us to look what we wanted to look.”

     

  • Senate, minister disagree over CAC board appointment

    Senate, minister disagree over CAC board appointment

    The Senate and the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, on Thursday disagreed over proposed amendments to the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).

    The Senate and the minister spoke at a public hearing on the proposed amendment to the CAMA in Abuja.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade, Senator Odion Ugbesia, had explained that the Bill entitled: “Companies and Allied Matters Act CAP. 20, LFN 2011, Amendment Bill 2013” seeks to empower the Upper Chamber to approve the appointments of board members and the budget of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

    Ugbesia said: “The highlight of this amendment is to subject the appointment of the Chairman, members of the Board of Corporate Affairs Commission, to the confirmation of the Senate.

    “Similarly, the Bill seeks to subject the Commission’s annual budget to the scrutiny and approval of the National Assembly, as the institutional arm of government vested by the constitution with the power of appropriation.”

    He added: “In an emerging democracy such as ours, this is certainly an aberration. The minister is neither an appropriating authority nor the President.

    “The time has come for all to stand up and be counted on the side of the constitution which we all swore to uphold and protect by putting a stop to this objectionable practice.”

    However, Aganga faulted the Senate on the proposed amendment.

    Aganga said the proposed action of the Senate would infringe on the powers and independence of the executive to appoint competent and qualified professionals to manage the affairs of the CAC.

    He insisted that since the budget of the CAC, like other agencies and parastatals, is always part of the national budget presented to the National Assembly annually, there was no need to demand for a separate budget from the agency.

     

     

  • Lar detribalised Nigerian, political icon – Dickson

    Lar detribalised Nigerian, political icon – Dickson

    Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has described the late first civilian Governor of old Plateau State and pioneer National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP), Mr. Solomon Lar as a detribalised Nigerian and political icon.

    The governor said the death of Lar was “most shocking,” describing it as a terrible and painful loss to his immediate family, the government and people of Plateau State and the nation.

    In a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the governor said the late Lar played a pivotal and selfless role in enthroning and sustaining democracy in the country.

    He said the late governor was known for always placing national interest above his personal considerations.

    As a detribalised Nigerian, he said the late political icon always used various offices he held at the state and national levels as vital links of unity.

    He said: “As a government and as a state, we are grieved by the passage of this great and principled Nigerian, who gave his all to the service of our nation, politics and our great party, the PDP.

    “Solomon Lar’s impeccable record of service as Governor of Plateau State and later pioneer National Chairman of the PDP has remained a reference point to the younger generation of politicians and even in death, we would remain grateful to him.

    “To us in Bayelsa State he was a true statesman, a father in many ways and an inspiration, because he was too good to be faulted in most of his actions, especially in the political landscape of our nation.”

    Dickson resolved that the deceased had in a way contributed to the development of Bayelsa State by inaugurating a number of projects in the state during the administration of the first civilian Governor of Bayelsa State.

    “This is a clear manifestation of his detribalized disposition and large-heartedness.”

     

  • Rights commission, groups seek alternative to death penalty

    The Nigerian government has been asked to review its stand on the issue of death penalty for capital offences.

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and some Civil Society Organisations (CSO) made the call in Abuja on Thursday at an event held to mark this year’s World Day Against Death Penalty.

    Speakers at the event queried the rationality for sustaining the death sentence in the nation’s statute book, in the face of a defective justice administration system and poor investigation by the police.

    They urged the government to sustain the existing moratorium on death penalty if it was yet to device an alternative means of punishing people convicted for capital offences.

    The event was jointly organised by the NHRC, Lawyers Without Borders – Avocats Sans Frontieres (ASF) and Access to Justice.

    The Executive Secretary, NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe, contended that since the nation’s Constitution guaranteed the right to life, the pronouncement of death penalty on offenders should be placed under review.

    Angwe, who was represented by an officer of his commission, Murphy Okwa, suggested a review of the law on death penalty on a case-to-case basis.

    “That is, in the case of an armed robbery that does not result in death, the state should consider the use of other sentencing in place of death penalty.”

    “This is given the fact that the criminal justice system has flaws, which need to be amended,” he said.

    Head of Office, ASF, Angela Uwandu, faulted the practice of sentencing people to death for offences committed as minors.

    She said her organsation has sued the Nigerian government at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court in relation to the case of a nursing mother, Maimuna Abdulmumini sentenced to death by a High Court in Katsina State for the murder offence she committed while she was 13 years.

    Uwandu, who noted that Maimuna was currently imprisoned with her baby, noted that 69 of such babies, incarcerated with their mothers, are currently in the nation’s prisons.

    She urged the Federal Government to initiate measures to improve the living condition of people on death row in the nation’s prison.

     

  • Dickson to RMAFC: Revisit era of 100% derivation

    Dickson to RMAFC: Revisit era of 100% derivation

    Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, on Thursday lamented injustice in revenue sharing formula and asked the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to revisit the era of 100 per cent derivation principle.

    Dickson insisted that for Nigeria to practise true fiscal federalism, the era of 100, 50 or 30 per cent derivation formula must be reconsidered by RMAFC.

    The governor spoke in Yenagoa at a three-day South-south zonal public hearing on the review of revenue allocation formula organised by the commission.

    Though all the governors in the zone were not present at the event held at the state Cultural Centre, they sent representatives.

    The Government of Akwa Ibom State received commendations for bankrolling the live broadcast of the event.

    Dickson, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Edmund Allison-Oguru, recalled that 100 per cent derivation principle formed the basis for revenue sharing when agricultural products were the mainstay of the country’s economy.

    He said such percentage was once given to regions that produced cocoa, groundnut, cotton and other agricultural products before the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities.

    He said the formula was later reviewed to 50 and 30 per cent, observing that there was no time such regions were paid below 30 per cent.

    While lamenting that the country abandoned agriculture after discovering oil and gas, he said it was only just for the Niger Delta region to enjoy better derivation formula considering the pains of oil exploration.

    He said: “It is a well-known fact that the exploration of oil in the Niger Delta region has not only exploited the people of the area but has also made the area toxic resulting into polluted environment which has adversely affected the agrarian and subsistent lifestyle of the people.

    “The current 13 per cent derivation principle has become increasingly inadequate to surmount the huge developmental challenges confronting the area.”

    He appealed to the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

    He said when passed into law the bill would help to address the lopsided and disparity in revenue allocation formula especially to the oil-producing states and communities in the region.

    He urged other regions to show understanding to the problems of the region by supporting the passage of the bill.

     

  • Nigerian designer for Skywalk fashion show

    Nigerian designer for Skywalk fashion show

    Helen Apreala, a Nigerian born international designer will on November 1 take part in the world highest catwalk at the Grand Canyon Skywalk, on the Colorado River, United States.

    The open air catwalk will feature an exquisite combination of Haute Couture and Prêt-à-Porter collections from America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

    Spanish artist Diego Cortizas is bringing his bold colours of red, yellow, and green to the grand catwalk.

    Expressing abstract creativity, Russian sensation Lidia Demidova is combining texture and shapes based on the laws of geometry.

    On a softer side, Portuguese fashion house Joana Montez and Patricia de Melo will focus on the usage of multiple layers, light materials, transparency, and floral designs. Lebanese Haute Couture designer Ziad Nakad will demonstrate a captivating fusion of material and colours while celebrating simplicity and sophistication.

    In the handbag sector, Hong Kong luxury leather brand Homanz is blending contemporary and classic style with a unique twist. Other participating brands are Nigerian pride Helen Apreala, Russian talent Polina Raudson, German artist Nina Athanasiou, and U.S’ very own creative brand Intrepid By Ao’c.

    Jessica Minh Anh, Director of J Model Management has gained exclusive permission to host her phenomenal catwalks at some of the most outstanding venues around the world. The young director has continuously redefined modern fashion show standards at the incredible speed of three shows per year in different continents.

    This time, she chose the famous Grand Canyon Skywalk. “This time, I want to go all the way to the sky. Challenges motivate me. The element of surprise empowers me. I cannot wait to present ‘the perfect

    catwalk,’” said Jessica Minh Anh.

    But what makes the upcoming J Autumn Fashion Show really special, is that it celebrates the rise of the young generation who make dreams a reality. With a vision to go beyond imagination, model and entrepreneur Jessica Minh Anh is bringing high fashion to the Eagle’s point on November 1. And she has picked Nigeria’s Apreala to join her in the phenomenon.

     

     

  • UN owes Nigerian peacekeepers, others $795m

    A sizeable deficit in the United Nations peacekeeping budget has led to a backlog of payments to some of its main troop contributors – many of them developing nations, Yukio Takasu, UN under Secretary-General for Management has said.

    Takasu said the UN currently owed a total of 795 million dollars to countries that contributed troops and needed to be reimbursed for the costs of the peacekeepers and their weapons.

    Developing countries such as India, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Rwanda and Nigeria are on top of the list of outstanding payments.

    Talking about the current financial status of the UN, Takasu said that peacekeeping operations currently had a 35 per cent deficit amounting to 3.4 billion dollars because of unpaid dues from member countries.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that to date, only 33 member states have paid all of their contributions to this year’s peacekeeping budget.

    “This sounds alarming, but it isn’t,” Takasu said, explaining that recent changes in budget guidelines had caused delays in payment flows from countries.

    The under secretary-general said the UN was working to reduce the amount owed to peacekeeping contributors to 423 million dollars by the end of the year.

    “Between now and the end of the year, we are going to make serious efforts to pay more to those countries,’’ Takasu said.

    Takasu called the organisation’s financial situation “overall sound,” adding that a record 134 countries had already paid their dues in full towards this year’s regular UN budget set at 2.6 billion dollars.

    However, with less than three months left until the end of the year, 945 million dollars are still outstanding from the regular budget, with the United States owing 795 million dollars.

    Takasu defended the U.S, saying the country contributed 22 per cent of the UN regular budget and had recently paid more than 1.5 billion dollars in dues to peacekeeping operations.

    UN owes Nigerian peacekeepers, others $795m