The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Jonathan commissions remodeled Enugu airport

    President Goodluck  Jonathan on Saturday commissioned the  remodeled Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu.

    Jonathan who also laid the foundation stone for the new International Terminal building at the airport, said his administration will not rest on it’s oars until all it’s campaign promises have been delivered to the people.

    He noted that the commissioning of the remodeled terminal is part of ” a national effort at transforming the country’s air transport industry into one that is pivotal to socio-economic development of the country as it ought to be”.

    “The programme is ambitious, covering all 22 airports under the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. It involves the remodeling of all 22 airport terminals within three years, by modernizing them, expanding them and upgrading the facilities to bring them in line with international standards.

    The President noted that already, the General Aviation Terminals (GAT) in Lagos and Abuja, the Benin and Kano remodeled terminals were all commissioned in quick succession earlier in the year, adding that in the following weeks, the Dr. Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport terminal as well as the the remodeled Yola airport would be commissioned.

    “I also know that work in Jos, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Sokoto, Ilorin, Maiduguri and the Murtala Mohammed International Terminals are at various stages of completion and that these projects will completely change the airport experience of Nigerians and our visitors alike, when completed.

    The President regretted that ever since the various airports in the country were built about three decades ago, little or no developments have happened therein until the current effort began, following his approval of the Aviation Master Plan and Road Map.

    On the new International terminal , the president  said the project, to be built at a cost of about N13 billion will provide for 500, 000 international passengers and provide Enugu and the South East region not only “a modern, efficient, functional, safe and secure gateway, but most importantly a prestigious edifice that will offer a befitting welcome and goodbye from the region and Nigeria”

    Earlier in her address of welcome, Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah said the occasion calls for celebration, not just for the people of the South East geo-political zone of the country, but indeed for all Nigerians, enthusing that the Transformation Agenda of Mr President “is being actualized tangibly at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu”.

    Princess Oduah said the new international terminal with a total floor area of 25,000 square meters will have capacity to handle 500,000 passengers per annum and will be completed in 24 months. “On completion of the terminal, this airport will finally answer it’s name in the real sense of the word “Akanu Ibiam International Airport”.

  • Mba, Agbim out of Confederation Cup tie

    Mba, Agbim out of Confederation Cup tie

    Sunday Mba and Chigozie Agbim will miss Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup tie against Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien as they are away with the Super Eagles.

    Both players were among the nine home-based players who flew into Germany Friday morning ahead of a training camp to prepare for a Super Eagles friendly against Mexico in the United States of America.

    Rangers coach Okey Emordi informed MTNFootball.com the team will cope in the absence of the duo.

    “It would have been lovely to have both Agbim and Mba in the team to tackle CS Sfaxien, but we have to make do with what we have. There are capable players to take their place and their absence will not be felt too much in the game,” he said.

    “I expect to see a very tactical game from the Tunisians but if we get it right from the blast of the referee’s whistle, victory is certain.”

    Media officer Foster Chime added:“With or without both players, Rangers will reign supreme over the Tunisians.

    “They are a tough side, but I strongly believe that we have all it takes to make victory a certainty so as to make the return leg a mere formality.”

    Rangers has been boosted by the return of defence strong man Cyril Oriaku, who has returned from an ankle sprain, while Ekene Iwuorie and Senegalese import Pape Ousmane Sane are all available for selection after injury lay-offs.

    Sunday’s third round, first leg match is slated for 3.30pm Nigerian time with Kenyan match officials handling proceedings inside the main bowl of the 18,000-capacity Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

     

  • British girl drowns at Egyptian resort

    A six-year-old British girl has drowned in a pool while on a family holiday at an Egyptian resort on the Red Sea, Sky News reports.

    The youngster died in one of the pools of a water park at the Coral Sea Water world hotel in Sharm el Sheikh on Friday.

    They were travelling with First Choice which issued a statement promising a “full and thorough investigation”.

    The tour operator said: “First Choice can sadly confirm that a child has died while staying at the Coral Sea Water world hotel in Egypt.

    “The incident occurred in a pool in the hotel’s water park.

    “Our thoughts and condolences are with the family at this extremely difficult time.

    “The British Consulate officials were immediately informed and they are now working with our dedicated resort team in Egypt, to offer every assistance possible to the family in resort.

    “In partnership with the hotelier, our resort team is working to understand how the incident occurred, and we will be carrying out a full and thorough investigation.

    “At this time our priority is to provide support to the family.”

    The hotel described the girl’s death as a “tragic accident” in a message on its Facebook page.

    It said: “We can sadly report that today a young child died at the Coral Sea water world. The incident occurred in one of the pools in the water park. It is believed to be a tragic accident.”

     

  • France legalizes gay marriage

    France legalizes gay marriage

    France’s president has signed into law a controversial bill making the country the ninth in Europe, and 14th globally, to legalise gay marriage.

    On Friday, the Constitutional Council rejected a challenge by the right-wing opposition, clearing the way for Francois Hollande to sign the bill, BBC reports.

    He said: “I have taken [the decision]; now it is time to respect the law of the Republic.”

    The first gay wedding could be held 10 days after the bill’s signing.

    But Parliamentary Relations Minister Alain Vidalies told French TV he expected the first ceremonies to take place “before July 1”.

    Mr. Hollande and his ruling Socialist Party have made the legislation their flagship social reform since being elected a year ago.

    After a tortured debate, the same-sex marriage and adoption bill was adopted by France’s Senate and National Assembly last month.

    The bill was quickly challenged on constitutional grounds by the main right-wing opposition UMP party of former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

    But the Constitutional Council ruled on Friday that same-sex marriage “did not run contrary to any constitutional principles,” and that it did not infringe on “basic rights or liberties or national sovereignty.”

    It said the interest of the child would be paramount in adoption cases, cautioning that legalising same-sex adoption would not automatically mean the “right to a child.”

     

  • Katsina attack death toll now eight

    The Katsina State Police Command on Friday confirmed the death of five suspected gunmen who attacked two police stations and four banks on Thursday in Daura.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Nigerian Army had earlier announced the death of three soldiers during the shooting.

    Briefing journalists in Daura, the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji, said one of the suspects was killed on Thursday night while the other four were trailed and killed on Mani-Dutsi road around 9.30am on Friday.

    Magaji refused to confirm the death of two policemen in the incident.

    The police commissioner said 10 guns, ammunitions and improvised explosive devices as well as two vehicles belonging to the suspects were recovered.

    He said a police special squad was combing the area to smoke out some of the gunmen who escaped and appealed to residents to cooperate with security agents by exposing the hideouts of such criminals and their activities.

    Meanwhile, economic activities have been paralysed in Daura town as many shops, filling stations and other businesses remained closed.

    NAN also reports that security personnel are patrolling the area to ensure the maintenance of law and order, while many residents remained indoors.

     

  • Jonathan approves 12 new judges for Industrial Court

    Jonathan approves 12 new judges for Industrial Court

    President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of 12 new Judges for the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NIC).

    This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja, on Friday, by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, Mr. John Tergema.

    They judges are; Justices Edith Agbakoba, Anthonia Ubaka, Olufunke Anuwe, John Peters, Oyejoju Oyewumi, Kenneth Amadi, Peter Lifu, Rakiya Haastrup, Waziri Abali, Rabi Gwadu, Lawal Mani and Ebeye Isele.

    The statement said the appointment was sequel to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the appointment of 12 Judges for the National Industrial Court.

    “The approval is sequel to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of the Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam Muktar.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that before the appointment the court had eight judges, including the president, Justice Babatunde Adejumo.

    According to the statement, the judges will be sworn-in by the CJN on May 22 at the Supreme Court.

  • Nigeria seeks ‘prisoners’ swap’ with South Africa

    Nigeria seeks ‘prisoners’ swap’ with South Africa

    Nigeria and the South African governments are working towards a prisoners’ exchange agreement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Olugbenga Ashiru said on Friday in Abuja.

    Ashiru said discussions on the swap were one of the positive outcomes of the recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to South Africa.

    During the visit, Jonathan had lamented the huge number of Nigerians in South African prisons, which was put at some 400 inmates.

    Ashiru told reporters that the agreement when concluded would allow Nigerians “currently serving prison terms in South Africa to return to Nigeria to complete their prison terms.

    He said Nigeria already has existing agreements on prisoners’ swap with countries such as United Kingdom, Italy Spain and Portugal.

    The minister offered harsh words to Nigerians violating the laws of foreign countries, saying “we must make it clear that this government is not in support of illegality.’’

    “This government is not in support of any of our nationals going to carry drugs across the continents,’’ he warned.

    On the gains of Jonathan’s visit to South Africa, Ashiru said both countries have agreed to cooperate on international issues, particularly as it concerns the continent.

    He said the recent action by both countries to abstain from a United Nations vote calling for political transition in Syria was “ another example of the type of leadership we want to show and we will continue to stress this point going forward.’’

    “I can tell you without any hesitation that we have decided that it is in interest of the African continent that South Africa and Nigeria must work together.

    “There is no doubt that we are the two power houses in the continent politically, economically and socially and we believe that we have a duty to move the continent forward.

    “Nigeria and South Africa must work together to realise this goal.

    “If we both work together we will discover that the majority of other African countries would line up behind us, “the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the minister as saying on Friday.

  • Nigeria, Benin to cooperate on security

    Nigeria, Benin to cooperate on security

    With the rising insecurity in the country, Nigeria and Benin Republic are currently working together to secure the border towns between both countries.

    To check the activities of the sect and other terrorist groups, President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday declared emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

    Similar cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroun has also been initiated.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, said the two countries have also agreed to maintain peace on the borders and boost the cordial relations between citizens of the two neighbouring countries.

    He said: “We have just attended a stakeholders’ meeting with the Vice President presiding on several issues on Nigeria and Benin Republic borders. These are meant to address issues of common interest between the Republic of Benin and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “And of course because Nigeria and Benin are relatively two brotherly countries that enjoy some level of cordial relations. We have all agreed on the need to continue to maintain peace on our borders and also maintain the level of cordial relations between the citizens of both countries.

    “That is the decision we have just arrived at during the stake holders meeting that involved the governors of the border states, relevant ministries and agencies of government,” he said.

     

  • ‘My Pikin’ manufacturers get seven-year sentence

    ‘My Pikin’ manufacturers get seven-year sentence

    A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday sentenced two employees of Barewa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Adeyemo Abiodun and Ebele Eromosele to seven years imprisonment.

    The company was the manufacturer of “My Pikin” a killer teething mixture, which reportedly killed over 80 children in 2009.

    The firm and its employees were arraigned for producing the killer syrup.

    They were arraigned on an amended six-count charge following the demise of the company’s chief executive officer, Gbadegesin Okunlola, last year.

    Trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, in his judgment, convicted Abiodun and Eromosele on two counts, while he acquitted them on four others.

    The Judge sentenced the accused to seven years imprisonment each on the offence, while he ordered the “compulsory winding up” of the company and its assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

    He said, “The prosecution tendered several exhibits in the trial of the accused persons, but failed to prove evidence that they actually produced the adulterated drugs.

    “I hereby discharge the accused persons on counts one, two, five and six, dealing with production and adulteration of drugs, while I find them guilty on counts three and four which is conspiracy and sale of the drugs.

    “They are hereby convicted as charged.”

     

  • Gunmen raid police station, bank in Katsina

    Gunmen stormed a police station and a bank in a town in Katsina, just outside a region covered by military crackdown on the Boko Haram sect.

    It was not clear who carried out the attack.

    Several gunmen were killed during a clash with police in the remote town in Katsina State, army spokesman Ikedichi Iweha told Reuters, without giving specific figures or police casualties.

    Security experts believe a crackdown in the northeast could push insurgent attacks into other regions, or awaken smaller cells that operate in other parts of the north.

    “It’s difficult to tell if this is a criminal attack or part of another Islamist cell,” one security source said.

    “There have been incidents in the past in Katsina but it certainly hasn’t been an insurgent stronghold.”

    Another security source said a bank was raided and prisoners were freed from the police station.