The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • UN adopts Nigeria’s model for post conflict nations

    The United Nations has adopted Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (TAC) scheme as a model for post conflict reconstruction in countries emerging from conflicts.

    The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs 11, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, disclosed this on Wednesday in a chat with the Western Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in London.

    It would be recalled that the TAC scheme was established by the Federal Government in 1987 to assist states in Africa, Caribbean and specific regions in their social-economic development effort through the participation of Nigeria experts in various fields of human endeavour.

    Mohammed, who spoke against the backdrop of Nigeria’s engagement in South Sudan, said both countries were in partnership under the TAC agreement to provide technical assistance in health services and other areas.

    He also said that government under its economic diplomacy was also encouraging the private sector to invest in South Sudan.

    “Nigerians operating businesses within and outside the country are engaged in small, medium and large scale, sometimes the President includes the private sector in his delegation during his state visits to countries abroad.

    “Where ever you see the President and foreign ministers, the aim is to increase the profile of Nigeria, and to protect the interest of Nigerians including those of would be investors, so government is giving full backing to the private sector to invest in South Sudan,’’ Dr. Mohammed told NAN.

    NAN reports that the TAC Scheme is an alternative to direct financial aid to African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries by sharing Nigerian’s know-how and expertise with them on the basis of their assessed and perceived needs.

    It also serves as a critical vehicle for Mutual Corporation and understanding between Nigeria and the recipient countries.

    Some of the beneficiaries of the scheme include The Gambia, Senegal, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Ethiopia, Niger and Benin Republic.

     

  • Nigeria, S/Africa to focus on intra-regional trade – Jonathan

    Nigeria, S/Africa to focus on intra-regional trade – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan has said that Nigeria and South Africa will give priority to intra-regional trade and play leading roles in boosting inter-regional trade in the continent.

    Jonathan made this known on Tuesday at the start of the Nigeria/ South Africa Business Forum which took place in Cape Town, South Africa.

    According to the president, the forum which has been long overdue is expected to bring significant improvement to trade and investment between the two countries.

    “My aspiration is that the vision of President Jacob Zuma and I will be realised in the near future,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted President Jonathan as saying at the forum.

    Deliberations at the forum focused on mines, power, banking, finance and oil and gas

    Jonathan said the success story of the forum would not only bring about stronger bilateral and economic relation between the two countries but would strengthen bonds of business and friendship among Nigerians and South Africans.

    “The forum is also expected to improve on other socio-economic activities, as well as increase the volume and value of trade between the two countries,’’ Jonathan said.

    In his remarks, President Zuma said that the two countries already have growing and warm bilateral relations, structured through the Bi-National Commission which was inaugurated in 1999.

    “We have today witnessed the signing of new agreements and Memorandum of understanding between our countries,” he said.

     

     

  • One dies in Lagos collapsed building

    … Four others trapped

    A three -storey building under construction at No. 24, Bashiru Street, Ojodu Berger, Lagos, collapsed on Tuesday and killed a worker on the site.

    Four others were also trapped under the rubbles.

    The Information Officer of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the incident by telephone to the News Agency of Nigeria.

    Farinloye said: “A three-story building has collapsed and we have confirmed that one person is dead while four other people are still trapped in there.

    “Our search taps located and recovered one body and four people were also located at different locations under the rubbles.

    “We are working towards rescuing the trapped workers.”

    Farinloye said that an apprentice to the workers escaped because he was sent on an errand.

    He also said the lucky apprentice confirmed to NEMA the number of people who were trapped inside the rubbles.

    Farinloye said that while the rescue operation was on, a voice was heard calling for help.

    “We just heard a voice speaking in Hausa language from under the rubbles and we are working to rescue him and others who have been trapped,” he said.

     

  • UK to announce tougher immigration rules

    UK to announce tougher immigration rules

    The government is expected to announce tougher immigration rules as part of its programme for the next year.

    The Queen’s Speech will include a parliamentary bill aimed at making it easier to deport foreign criminals and those who enter the United Kingdom illegally.

    Other bills will cap social care costs in England and introduce a single state pension of £144 a week.

    The Duchess of Cornwall is to attend the State Opening of Parliament for the first time.

    The last time her husband, the Prince of Wales, attended the ceremony was in 1996.

    The Queen’s Speech, part of the State Opening of Parliament, allows the government to set out its proposed bills for the next parliamentary session.

    The list will be read out by the monarch at a special gathering of the House of Lords and House of Commons at about 11:30 BST. Prime Minister David Cameron will then set out the proposals in detail in the Commons, beginning at 14:30 BST.

    Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the BBC while the government would not be publishing the full set of 15 bills, it would set out the main problems it wanted to address.

    After the government’s repeated setbacks in its efforts to deport the radical cleric Abu Qatada, an immigration bill will be announced, allowing foreign criminals to be deported more easily, as well as people who are in the UK illegally.

    If passed, it would also ensure illegal immigrants cannot get driving licences, and change the rules so private landlords have to check their tenants’ immigration status.

     

  • Man Utd Manager Ferguson steps down

    Man Utd Manager Ferguson steps down

    Sir Alex Ferguson will step down as Manchester United manager at the end of the season after 26 years in charge, BBC reports.

    The Scot, 71, has won 38 trophies for the club and will now become a director and ambassador.

    His haul includes 13 league titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups.

    “The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about. It is the right time,” Ferguson said.

    Jose Mourinho has been installed as favourite to take over from Ferguson by bookmakers, with Everton’s David Moyes and Borussia Dortmund’s Jurgen Klopp also in the running.

    Ferguson is confident his successor will take over a club in good health after winning their 20th top-flight title 17 days ago.

    “It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so,” he said.

    “The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.”

    Ferguson praised the people he felt helped him build the club from a team that had not won a title for 26 years into one of the biggest in the world.

    He said, “I must pay tribute to my family, their love and support has been essential,” he added.

    “My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career, providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement. Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me.

    “As for my players and staff, past and present, I would like to thank them all for a staggering level of professional conduct and dedication that has helped to deliver so many memorable triumphs. Without their contribution the history of this great club would not be as rich.”

     

  • 2015 poll: Reps to probe Dokubo, Kuku’s utterances

    2015 poll: Reps to probe Dokubo, Kuku’s utterances

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday mandated its Committees on Police Affairs and National Security to liaise with the Inspector-General of Police on the comments allegedly made by Asari Dokubo and Kingsley Kuku on 2015.

    It urged the IGP, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar to invite Dokubo and Kuku for thorough investigation on their statements on President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election.

    The House also condemned the statements credited to the duo.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Dokubo and the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Kuku, had said at different fora that unless Jonathan was returned as president in 2015, there won’t be peace in Nigeria.

    This resolution followed a motion by Rep. Ali Madaki (PDP-Kano), which was unanimously adopted.

    According to him, if left unchecked the utterances credited to Dokubo was capable of creating disunity and disaffection among Nigerians.

    He said that while Nigerians were praying for peace, some were already out sowing seed of discord.

    Madaki said that since the country became independent in 1960 and a republic in 1963, all differences had been buried.

    He said that for over three years now, security had become a challenge in the country as the Federal Government was partnering relevant stakeholders to arrest the situation.

     

  • NLC frees 15 prison inmates in Kano

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kano State Council, on Tuesday facilitated the freedom of 15 prison inmates from the Central Prison, Kano.

    The state NLC Chairman, Malam Isa Danguguwa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano that the gesture was part of activities marking the May Day celebration in the state.

    ‘’You know we limited our activities during the May Day celebration to visiting hospitals and prisons due to the security challenges.’’

    He said the union paid about N200, 000 as fines for all the beneficiaries of the gesture.

    ‘’You will be surprised to hear that one woman among the inmates was indebted to only N5, 000 but because she could not pay, she was sent to prison,’’ he said.

    Danguguwa said the union had directed its women committee to identify some of the women who had a meagre fine in the prison with a view to paying the amounts to set them free.

    ‘’We want to show the public that NLC is not only concerned about welfare of workers or salary increase for workers, but it is concerned about the welfare of the common man in general.’’

    The NLC chairman, who expressed concern over the deplorable condition in the prison, called on the state government to assist the inmates with drugs and food.

    Danguguwa also urged well-to-do in the society to emulate the gesture of the union, to reduce congestion in the prison.

     

  • Nigerian Air Force jet crashes in Niamey

    Nigerian Air Force Alpha jet has crashed in Niamey, Niger Republic, killing two pilots.

    Defence spokesman, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade confirmed the incident according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

     

  • Chelsea 1 Man United 0

    Chelsea 1 Man United 0

    A  Juan Mata’s deflected late goal on Sunday earned victory for Chelsea over 10-man Manchester United.

    A victory for Chelsea against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday will seal a top-four spot based on their superior goal difference.

  • 2,000 bags of Indian hemp found in ‘grave’ in Ondo

    Officers  of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ondo State, have impounded 2,000 bags of Indian Hemp valued at over N20 million.
    The bags of marijuana were confiscated by the NDLEA officials after three days operation carried out in the forest at Ago Dada in Akure North Local Government area of the state.
    The bags were evacuated from a grave-like path of a bush where they were buried to conceal them from being detected.
    The State Commander of the Agency, Mr. Walter Nicholas  said the activities of Indian hemp planters and cultivators have assumed dangerous dimension in the state.
    He explained that the barons have continued to devise new methods of concealing their drugs.
    “It is sad that these barons have continued to devise means of concealing Indian hemp from us. This time around they hid the substance in grave like hole to deceive our men”.
    The NDLEA boss lamented that despite the efforts being made by the agency, drug barons are discovering new methods of hiding the substance from the agency’s officials
    He said, “As an agency, whenever we stumble on any form of strategy adopted by these drug barons, we immediately expose it to the public so that collectively, we can provide surveillance that may lead to the interception of actions.

    He said the agency is aware that most of the drug barons have moved to the forest where most of their activities are now taking place, adding that the command is ready to put up 24-hour surveillance around the state.
    For the illicit to be reduced to the barest minimum, Mr. Nicholas said much is still being expected from the law court despite all efforts that have been put in place by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in trying to make Nigeria a drug free society. “.,