The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Three die in Lagos buildings’ collapse

    … 10 injured

    Three bodies have been recovered from a three- storey building that collapsed on another six bedroom structure beside it on Lagos Island Wednesday night.

    Eye witness said the buildings situated at number 13 and 15 Ali Street, caved in at about 9.55pm killing a four year-old girl, an 82- year-old man and a middle aged Igbo trader.

    Our correspondent also gathered that the collapsed building was already marked for demolition by the state government, with all the occupants evicted from the building.

    An eyewitness, who gave his name as Mojeed Ibrahim, said he was buying Suya at a building close by when he heard a loud bang.

    “The noise came so suddenly as if there was a bomb explosion, and as I ran for safety I saw heavy bricks from the house flying about.

    “I was lucky to have escape unhurt but the younger brother of the Suya seller was injured on his head.

    One of the residents of the affected six rooms building identified as Mr. Joseph Owoeye, told our correspondent that majority of those who escaped the incident were away watching European football match at a viewing centre.

    Owoeye said, “I usually sleep around 9.30pm, but today (Wednesday) night, I just went out to buy food and to watch a football match involving Arsenal at Bamgbose Street along with some boys living in our house when the incident occurred.”

    The Nation gathered that rescued operations were carried out by combined team of government officials, youths and members of the Community Development Association in the area.

    Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, police and the state Fire Service were also at the scene of the incident.

    The General Manager, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said emergency response was activated with all stakeholders on ground.

    He said 10 other victims that sustained injuries were rescued and taken to the General Hospital and Massey Hospital.

     

  • 2015: Observers will be responsible for their security – Jega

    2015: Observers will be responsible for their security – Jega

    … INEC to use electronic accreditation for elections

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, on Thursday warned all local and foreign observers coming for 2015 general elections to make adequate provisions for their own security.

    Speaking at a one- day workshop entitled: “Election Observation Outside Nigeria; Lessons Learnt,” he maintained that the commission would only focus its attention on engaging security agencies for the overall conduct of the elections.

    Apart from Venezuela where the state prescribes the areas where the observers should visit, he said that there is no country where the electoral commission or the state provides security for the observers.

    He said: “What we do in Nigeria is to liaise with the security agencies to give security, provide security for the overall conduct of the elections, the observers can make their own security arrangements.

    “We even have some countries like India that do not allow anybody to observe their elections. However, we accept that the presence of the foreign observers will add credibility to the outcome of the elections.”

    To ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2015, he said that both the leadership of the commission and staff have visited about 16 countries for peer review and know the importance of planning ahead for the conduct of a tasking project like elections.

    According to him, the application of latest Information communication technology has helped in most countries, especially in the developed ones, to ensure credible elections and politicians in those countries don’t take elections as a must win like what is happening in most African countries.

    “Technology has helped to remove some logistics problems which INEC will take lessons from, but I must add that the use of technology in Nigeria would be difficult in the collation of results so as to avoid what happened in Kenya where a lot of crisis ensued because of that. In matured democracies, even ordinary A4 paper is used as ballot and nothing happens,” he stated.

    Speaking earlier, the National Commissioner in charge of Election Monitoring and Observation, Dr. Ishmale Igbani, said the biggest challenge facing the commission is how to conduct a free, fair credible, transparent and clean election in 2015.

    He charged all the operatives that will play one role or the other in the conduct of the elections to be above board especially as there are now rising intimidation, death threats, blackmail and all sorts of intrigues.

    Meanwhile, INEC will use electronic accreditation for voters in the next general elections.

    The Bayelsa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Edwin Nwatalari, disclosed this on Thursday while presenting the commission’s strategic plan for 2012 to 2015 at a stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa.

    He said the commission had concluded all the arrangements to begin a pilot test of the schemes in some states where governorship elections had been scheduled for 2014.

    He said: “Although we cannot do electronic voting but we will do electronic accreditation.”

    He added that the commission introduced the scheme to consolidate the gains of the 2011 elections.

    Nwatalari stated the decision was also taken to appreciate the goodwill the commission had so far enjoyed from members of the public.

     

  • ASUU Strike: Students give FG one week ultimatum

    ASUU Strike: Students give FG one week ultimatum

    Students of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) on Thursday in Kano gave the Federal Government one week ultimatum to meet all the demands of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) or face wrath of Nigerian students.

    The students, who staged a peaceful protest under the auspices of a Student Union Government (SUG), BUK chapter, urged the Federal Government to respect and implement the 2009 ASUU/FG agreement, insisting that the two parties should come to the negotiation table and settle their scores for the interest of Nigerian students.

    Addressing the crowd at BUK gate, the university’s SUG President, Comrade Sani Ibrahim, said they were forced to stage the protest, “because we are tired of staying at home. Our mates in other countries are in school; why should the case of Nigerian students be different.”

    “As part of the struggle to fight for our right, I will like to salute our students for their patience while receiving the negative consequences of bad governance. We believe that the delay in resuming lectures in our universities is not only lamentable but also devastating. We believe even more strongly that now is the time to let our leaders know that enough is enough and we shall wake up and say no to injustice being meted out to Nigerian students.

    “Similarly, we call on the Federal Government to respect the 2009 agreement reached between government and ASUU. We also call on the government to review the annual budget for the education sector from eight per cent to 26 per cent, so as to ensure adequate rehabilitation of infrastructures in our universities, including hostels, laboratories, potable water and constant supply of electricity.

    “In the same vein, we are calling on ASUU to give government more opportunity to dialogue so as to quickly resolve the differences in the best interest of Nigerian students. We are giving ASUU and Federal Government one week to sort themselves out and resume lectures, otherwise, Nigerian students will look for other alternatives to fight for our right. Education is our right and no one should take it away from us,” Ibrahim noted.

     

  • Independence: Leaders have failed Nigeria – Senate

    Independence: Leaders have failed Nigeria – Senate

    The Senate on Thursday lamented the plight of the nation in view of the upcoming 53rd Independence Anniversary celebration.

    Most of the Senators spoke while contributing to a motion entitled: “Congratulations to Nigeria and Nigerians on her 53rd Independence Anniversary.”

    While some blamed the lack of development on corruption, other attributed the slow pace of development to sentimental and parochial inclination of the nation’s leaders both past and present.

    The motion was sponsored by Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and 10 other Senators.

    Ndoma-Egba in his lead debate urged the Senate to note that the country will mark her 53rd Independence Anniversary having attained Independence from Britain on October 1, 1960.

    He enjoined his colleagues to appreciate that from May 29, 1999 till date, Nigeria at 53 has had the longest reign of democratic government in her political history.

    He also prayed the Red Chamber to congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan, the government and people of Nigeria on the country’s 53rd Independence Anniversary.

    Senate President David Mark urged leaders of the country to look inwards to ensure a nation where unemployment, suppression and underdevelopment would be history.

    He informed the lawmakers that the Independence Anniversary would be celebrated inside the forecourt of the Aso Rock Villa.

    Mark called for a return to the Old National Anthem, saying it represents a way forward for the country.

     

     

  • N9m scam: Court orders arrest of Polish woman

    An Abuja High Court on Thursday issued a warrant for the arrest of a Polish woman, Mrs. Dora Gilmaska, who is standing trial for a N9 million scam.

    Justice Abubakar Umar issued the warrant at the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday as Gilmaska failed to appear before the court.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Gilmaska, the Executive Officer of Icon Media and Marketing Agency Limited, for allegedly forging and issuing a dud cheque of N9 million to one Tayo Olugbemi in 2012.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judge issued the warrant as counsel to the accused, Mr. Chris Okoye, did not offer any reason why his client failed to appear in court.

    Umar said when arrested, Gilmaska should be kept in the custody of the EFCC till October 8, being the next date of hearing.

    The judge also fixed October 8 for adoption of final written addresses by prosecution and defendant counsel.

    Earlier, EFCC counsel, Mr. Sam Ugwuegulam, told the court that the case was slated for adoption of final written addresses.

    However, counsel to the accused urged the court to adjourn following the absence of his client.

    Okoye said that his client had not communicated to him her reason for not attending the trial.

     

  • ‘Michael Jackson responsible for his death’

    ‘Michael Jackson responsible for his death’

    Michael Jackson was responsible for his own death, Maryin Putnam, a lawyer for AEG Live said.

    Putnam remarked in a closing arguments of the wrongful death lawsuit brought by relatives of the late King of Pop.

    Jackson’s family blame the concert promoter for his June 2009 death on the eve of his sold-out comeback tour, claiming the company hired Jackson’s doctor and pressured him to bend medical rules in order to ensure the tour would go ahead.

    But in his closing arguments, Putnam denied that the company had hired Dr. Conrad Murray, pointing out that he had been treating Jackson and his family for years before the tour.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Murray was found guilty of providing the insomniac Jackson with the surgical anesthetic Propofil as a sleeping aid, which a coroner found had caused Jackson’s death.

    “The evidence is very clear that Michael Jackson was the one who hired Dr. Murray.

    ”Jackson was responsible for his own health, certainly his own healthcare, and he’s responsible for his own choices, no matter how bad those choices turn out to be.

    “The truth here is a tragedy … It’s a tragedy for this family, a tragedy for his mother, a tragedy for his kids. It’s horrible and it’s incredibly sad. But it’s not a tragedy of AEG Live’s making,” Putnam said.

    The lawyer insisted that Jackson never told AEG Live about his reliance on the dangerous medication.

    “AEG would have never agreed to finance this tour if they knew Mr. Jackson was playing Russian roulette in his bedroom every night,” Putnam told jurors.

    During the five-month trial, AEG Live argued that it was Jackson who hired Murray.

    Murray is due to be released next month after serving two years in prison following his conviction for the involuntary manslaughter of the late pop star.

     

  • Killings: Abuja uncompleted buildings to be demolished

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Bala Mohammed, has said that illegal and uncompleted buildings in Abuja metropolis will be demolished.

    Mohammed made this known in Abuja on Thursday at a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Public Safety and National Security.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that on September 20, seven persons, alleged to be members of the Boko Haram sect, were killed by security operatives at an uncompleted building near Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja.

    He said the FCT administration would no longer condone any delay by developers in completing their buildings after being allocated plots of land.

    According to him, very soon, we will take a decisive action on uncompleted buildings in the FCT.

    “We will ensure that all buildings that have exceeded the two year period approved for building will be demolished.

    “If we cannot demolish, we will make it a Police Post, this time around we will take a definite action,” he said.

    The minister blamed the inability of the FCT Department of Development Control to carry out its mandate on frivolous court injunctions obtained by developers.

    He said that between 3,000 and 5,000 double allocations existed in the territory due to revocation and re-allocation of plots as a result of court injunctions.

    According to him, 100,000 illegal buildings have been identified since he took over as minister of the FCT.

     

  • ‘I may not live long’ – Kunle Afolayan

    ‘I may not live long’ – Kunle Afolayan

    Multi- award winning actor cum movie producer, Kunle Afolayan posted a shocking statement on his Facebook page, sending chills down the spines of his fans.

    The filmmaker whose efforts in the industry have earned him respect and recognition, said he is afraid he may no live long due to his obsession with film making.

    He wrote: “My Obsession with filmmaking makes me think I may not live long. I forbid it though. I got back to Lagos yesternight very tired and sleepy after 42days of shoot, got home ate then went to bed. All I see through out my sleep are the shots I took and those that I felt I should have done differently. Woke up this morning and all I have in my head is the deadline of the Trailer release which is October 1 2013, in about 11 days and the completion of the whole project. Yes, am very passionate about film making but I think being too obsessed is not healthy”.

    There are reports that the movie has already gulped about  N100million while N200million is still needed to complete the project.

  • Mandela now sitting up, looking around – Grandson

    Mandela now sitting up, looking around – Grandson

    Former South African president, Nelson Mandela is “sitting up and looking around’’ almost a month after being discharged from hospital, his grandson told a local newspaper `The New Age’ on Thursday.

    Mbuso Mandela said his grandfather was able to spend time with his children and grandchildren.

    “I just saw him again on Wednesday at lunch. He is doing very well,’’ the grandson said.

    “He is sitting up and looking around. We are keeping him company.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 95-year-old global icon was discharged from hospital on September 1after spending about three months at the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria for a recurring lung infection.

     

     

  • ‘12 Kirikiri inmates narrowly missed freedom’

    At least 12 convicted persons serving jail terms for offences categorized as “special and simple offences” narrowly missed being released by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips.

    The convicted persons are serving jail terms of about 390 days for violating the state environmental sanitation laws.

    A director of an NGO, Prisoners’ Rights Advocacy Initiative(PRAI), Mr. Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem, said the convicted persons, some of whom are under aged, were sentenced by a Special Offences Court in Alausa, Ikeja, sometimes between July and September for violating the state environmental laws.

    Adetola-Kazeem, whose NGO is handling some of the convicts’ cases said the chief judge declined to order their release because they had gone through trial and convicted.

    In views of this, she reportedly said that it’s only the governor that can grant them amnesty.

    The Director of PRAI said one of the convicts, Chinedu John, for instance, was sentenced to 390 days imprisonment by the court for allegedly violating the state environment sanitation laws.

    Another convicted person – Dotun Owokiigbe (15) was sentenced in July 15 to one- year imprisonment for similar offence.

    Adetola-Kazeem said the convicts were sentenced to prison terms in spite of a subsisting directive of the CJ that magistrates of the Special Offences Court should desist from sending convicts to jail terms in prison alongside hardened criminals.