The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Bakassi evictees: Third baby born in camp

    Bakassi evictees: Third baby born in camp

    Another baby has been born at the Akwa Ikot Edem Primary School in Akpabuyo temporarily serving as a camp for Nigerians who were allegedly evicted by Cameroon on March 7.

    They were living Efut Obot Ikot in the ceded Bakassi Peninsula.

    The baby  born to Mrs Mary Emmanuel Archibong last Saturday would be the third since the displaced persons settled in Akpabuyo.

    When our reporter visited the camp on Tuesday  another woman was in labour.

    A Red Cross official yesterday told our reporter that besides the newly born there were about thirty babies in the camp.

    The official who pleaded anonymity said they were worried by the poor sanitary condition of the environment and lack of potable water which he feared could lead to an epidemic.

    Speaking at the refugee camp on Tuesady when the State Emergency Manangment Agency presented some relief materials to the people, leader of the Bakassi people, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, said there was need for the Federal Government which recently set up a committee to resettle the people of Bakassi to expedite action on resettling them at Dayspring.

    She said the only way the way the recurring Bakassi problem can be stopped permanently is with the proper resettlement.

    In the meantime, Ita-Giwa, who provided them with tanks of water, called on good spirited Nigerians, government and the international community to urgently come to the aid of the displaced persons by  providing basic amenities.

    She said the people also need tents to be temporarily camped as the school where they are at the moment would reopen in a couple of weeks.

    Paramount Ruler of Bakassi, Dr Etim Okon Edet, called on the government and international community not to turn their backs on the people and hasten the process of a proper resettlement of the people.

    Member representing Bakassi in the State House of Assembly, Saviour Nyong, accused the Federal Government of being to slow in the process of resettling the people.

    He urged that something be done urgently about the situation.

    A Cameroon/Nigeria liaison officer, Prince Aston Joseph, said Nigerians living in the ceded peninsula were in a state of constant harassment by gendarmes even uptil now.

  • Kaduna: End attack on our villages, Lawmakers urges FG

    Members of the House of Representatives from Kaduna South Senatorial District rose from a meeting on Tuesday and asked the Federal Government to take immediate steps to bring to an end constant attack on southern Kaduna villages by unknown gunmen which has left several people dead in the last one year.
    Several southern Kaduna villages cutting across three local government areas have come under attack from gunmen in the last one year, killing and maiming men, women and children and leaving a lot of casualties.
    The lawmakers also asked the Kaduna state governor, Mukthar Ramalan Yero to immediately to deploy further detachment of arm security to the affected areas to ensure peace and to secure lives and property.
    The members include Hon. Gideon L. Gwani  (Kaura Federal Constituency), Hon. Godfrey A. Gaiya (Jaba/Zango Kataf Constituency), Hon. Adams Jagaba Adams (Kachia/Kagarko Constituency), Hon. Simon Arabo (Kauru Federal Constituency) and Hon. Shehu N. Garba (Jema’a/Sanga Constituency)
    A statement issued at the end of the meeting said that the members resolved “to condemn in its entirety the renewed attacks on Southern Kaduna villages particularly the one that happened in Kaura that claimed more than 20 lives already, with four villages totally burnt down by unknown assailants.
    “To commiserate with the affected communities and call on all relevant government agencies to provide, urgently relief materials to cushion the effects of the displaced persons particularly women and children sheltered at the various primary schools in Kaura L.G.A.
    “To plead to the entirety of Southern Kaduna Senatorial zone to remain calm, orderly and peaceful even in the face of the unnecessary attacks being visited on the people. Urge the communities to be law abiding but vigilant.
    “To immediately ask the Government of Kaduna State to deploy further detachment of arm security to the affected areas to ensure peace and to secure lives and property. To call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently bring to an end the incessant attacks bedevilling the people of the Southern Kaduna Senatorial Zone”.
  • FG woun’t be cajoled into granting amnesty to Boko Haram-Maku

    FG woun’t be cajoled into granting amnesty to Boko Haram-Maku

    The Federal Government has said that it would not be cajoled into entering into announcing amnesty to the fundamentalist militant group, Boko Haram.
    It insisted that amnesty would not be the first option in the line of action towards seeking an end to the activities of the group.
    According to the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku the issue of amnesty would only cone up after the sect might have open up discussion line  with government.
    “It can only come up in the process of discussion,”  he said noting that it would be difficult to grant  amnesty to a group that is still evasive.
    He cited the case of Borno state government which has announced a sort of ceasefire agreement entered with the group only for the group to strike few hours latter.
    He also denied any form of credible discussion with the group noting that in the last one year, ” we have not seen anybody come up to say that they can negotiate with the group”.
    He also noted that  government has done everything possible to contain the sect.
    The minister while also reacting on the call by Sultan of Sokoto calling for amnesty and dialogue with the group, said though the Sultans call was done in good fate, but it cannot be he first option.
    He reiterated that government is open to discussion with the sect, but said right now the condition for amnesty is not there, stressing that government is dealing with a group that is secretive.
    Besides, the minister noted that there is no clear one person who can speak on behalf of the group.
    He did however not over rule the possibilities of some individuals talking to the group, but insisted that, “it will be too early to say that there are credible conversation” between government and the group.
    The minister assured that government will continue to look forward to the day when  formal discussion with the group will commence, stressing  “but the condition for amnesty is not there.”
    He also claimed that the security situation in the northern part of the country is not overwhelming, stressing that the security agencies have succeeded in their strategy to contain the group, adding that what is required is the participation of the people.
    Citing the case of Niger Delta crisis, he said people came out and discussed with the militants, including the governors which explained the success recorded in the area.
    He insisted that without the support and cooperation of the people, the situation in the north will fester.
    On the failure of government ending the activities of the sect by middle of last year as promised by the president, Maku said a lot of success has been made since the president gave the assurance.
    The minister who also down played the role of corruption in the whole scenario, however admitted that issues of governance in some of the states affected may not be ruled out, but insisted that it will be totally wrong to blame corruption for the activities of Boko Haram, saying that terrorism is a global phenomenon.
    The minister also lampooned some politicians who accused of speaking on issues of national security without any sense of responsibility and patriotism.
    The minister who was apparently reacting to a statement credited to former Abia state governor, Orji Kalu that it was the government that were behind most of the bombing in the northern part of the country said, it was just unfortunate, adding that what the country, especially past leaders owe members of the security and their families are appreciations for their efforts at containing the activities of the sect.
    “the least we can say is to appreciate them (security agencies). For some one to come out to make such claim is so unfortunate and irresponsible.”
    Adding, ” there are people who we feel should guide their tongue. Government has maintained some maturity and expected patriotism.
    Once you have become a leader, there are things you cannot say.
    He also accused the media of reporting politicians and not governance and democracy.
    He explained that there are states that were making great progress yet they are not heard.

  • 19 killed as gunmen attack Kaduna village

    Barely 24 hours after the umbrella body of the southern Kaduna people, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union raised an alarm of Fulani herdsmen flooding their community, about 19 persons have been reportedly killed and four villages displaced in Kaura local government area of the state.
    The affected villages of Mafang, Zilang, Taliki and Zangkan which are southern Kaduna villages are on the border between Kaduna and Plateau state.
    Chairman of Kaura local government, Kumai L.J Badun attributed the killing to gunmen suspected Fulani herdsmen apparently on a revenge mission over the poisoning of two cows at Mafang Village.
    The local government chairman told journalists that the attack was first to take place in Atakar Chiefdom, saying “there was a young man, Aboi Stephen (21), in Mafan who had been complaining that some cattle have been grazing into his dry season farm.
    “I was told that the cattle destroyed a good portion of the farm, and that there was no end in sight to the destruction. Only the Fulanis own cattle there. About two weeks ago, two cows were found death, apparently of poison. The owner of the cows was said to have publicly warned Aboi of the grave consequences of his actions. I don’t know if it was Aboi that poisoned the cows or not or even if they had died of poisoning.”
    Spokesman of the Kaduna state police command, DSP Aminu Lawal, confirmed the incident, but declined to give the number of the dead, saying “I know that there was an attack in the two villages you mentioned at the weekend, I know that people were killed, some were injured, but I am not in a position to tell you the number of those killed for now, but I will let you know soon.
    “The two villages are neighbouring the troubled areas in Plateau state, located on the hilly and rocky areas of Kaura local government bordering Plateau and Kaduna state.
    “The area has a very difficult terrain, but a joint task force comprising that military and the police have been dispatched to the area to maintain order and to fish out those behind the distardly act” Lawan said.
    Kaduna state governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero has however directed security agencies in the state do everything possible to bring the perpetrators of such inhuman act to justice.
  • 25 soldiers wed in Army barrack

    25 soldiers wed in Army barrack

    Twenty-five soldiers on Monday  took their heartthrobs to the altar in a special mass wedding at the 302 Artillery Regiment of the Nigerian Army, Onitsha as part of activities to mark the Easter celebration.

    The soldiers and their brides filed up at the St Peter’s Military Church (Anglican) as early as 10 am to take their nuptial vows as the Vicar and officiating Minister, Capt. (Rev) B.G Newton called on the newly wedded couples to always put God first in whatever they do in order to bless their marriage.

    Capt. Newton reminded the 25 couples of their responsibilities to the society, adding that since family is the first society, the need to train their children in the fear of God and in accordance to the rules and norms governing the society is apt.

    He challenged the soldiers and their spouses to take their spiritual lives very seriously as well train their children to obey the laws of the land in order to raise good leaders of tomorrow instead of allowing them to stray from the will of God.

    One of the couples Sgt and Mrs. Chindo Larai on behalf of others thanked God for giving them the opportunity to be united in love through wedding and promised to use the new status given to them to make a better society.

  • Sciences: UNN records over 50% increase in female students

    University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) has recorded more than 50 per cent increase in the number of female students studying sciences since 2009, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bartho Okolo, said.

    Okolo made the statement in an interview with the Western Europe correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Paris when  two Nigerian female scientists received the  2013 UNESCO-L’Oreal awards.

    “Science is the centre of development in the world. As a university, we have taken it  as a key priority  to train 60 per cent in science courses while 40 per cent in other fields.

    ” In the past five years,  the level of literacy in science has gone up very  high, more  girls are now interested in various science related courses.

    “On a scale of 100,  I will say more than 50 per cent of girls have been admitted to study sciences since 2009, ”  he said.

    He  said that the university would continue to create the enabling environment to encourage students in sciences.

    The vice-chancellor said  the award  to the women “will motivate others in the field of science”.

    The UNESCO-L’Oreal  awardees were recognised  each  in the ” Laureates and fellows” honours categories.

    Prof. Francisca Okeke , the first female Head of Department at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, bagged the 2013 Laureate award for her significant contributions to the scientific study on climate change.

    She was the only recipient in that category from Africa and the Arab nations, and the third Nigerian laureate since the UNESCO- L’Oreal  partnership was established in 1998.

    Four others also got awards in the Laureate category with each representing Europe, Latin America, North America, and the Asia Pacific regions.

    Dr Eucharia Nwaichi, an environmental biochemist  from the University of Port Harcourt  joined 15 other young scientists in the ” International Fellows” honours  category. (NAN)

  • Flood victims reject N3,000 as compensation

    Victims of the 2012 flood disaster in Kogi have rejected the offer of N3, 000 compensation from the state government, describing the gesture as inadequate.

    Some of the victims told newsmen in Lokoja on Sunday that the N3, 000 offered to them by the government was far below the losses they suffered individually during the disaster.

    The flood, which affected nine local government areas of the state, destroyed more than 500 houses and rendered15,00 residents homeless.

    Some of the victims said that they were paid N3, 000 compensation on Thursday by a team of government officials at LGEA Primary School at Gadumo, Lokoja.

    Among the victims were  Mr  Zacheus Momorebe, Mr James Oguche, Mr Suleiman Ogidi and Mr Olaitan Ayorinde, who claimed to be landlords.

    They said that their houses located on Ganaja Road and the old polytechnic quarters were completely submerged by the flood.

    The victims said that the amount could not in any way ameliorate the losses they suffered.

    They alleged a lack of transparency in the sharing of the money given victims by the Federal Government, organisations  and individuals.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state government recently released N139 million to the nine affected local government areas.

    The local governments received sums ranging from N10 million to N20 million to be disbursed to victims.

    Reacting to the complaints, the state Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abdulrhaman Wuya, said that the money paid to the victims should not be regarded as compensation but assistance.

    He said that considering the method used to allocate the N139 million to the affected  areas and in the bid to spread the assistance, the amount each person would receive would be in the range of N3, 000.

    “ More post-flood measures that will benefit all of them are on the way. They should remain calm and bear with the government,’’ he said.

    Wuya also appealed to people living along river banks and waterways to relocate to avoid the experience of the last year during which  many lives and property were  lost. (NAN)

  • Gunmen kill university lecturer in Maiduguri

    Gunmen on Sunday shot dead Malam Murtala Mohammed, a lecturer at the Mass Communication Department of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) at his residence in Maiduguri.

    Eyewitnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that Mohammed was shot at his 202 Housing Estate, opposite the university campus.

    “He was shot at close range by a group of teenagers shortly after observing the Zuhr Prayers in front of  his house,.’’ the witness said.

    Also speaking, Malam Yusuf Ibrahim, a neighbour of the deceased, said the victim appeared to have been trailed by his killers from the university campus before coming to his house.

    “Apparently the killers must have trailed him from the university campus where he had gone to perform some official assignment in the morning,” he said.

    Ibrahim also said the killers fled immediately after shooting the deceased severally at close range.

    Also confirming the incident, Malam Ahmed Mohammed the UNIMAID Chief Information Officer, said he heard about the sad event in the afternoon.

    He said however that the university authorities could not take immediate action as the lecturer was killed outside the campus.

    “I learnt that his remains were taken to the University Teaching Hospital (UMTH) mortuary by a team of operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) who were alerted by neighbours after the event,” Mohammed said. (NAN)

  • Jonathan visits HID Awolowo, says son’s death painful

    Jonathan visits HID Awolowo, says son’s death painful

    Amid heavy security within and the outside the Ikenne home of the Awolowos, President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday paid a condolence visit to the matriarch of Awo’s family,  Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu  Awolowo, over the death of her sone, Evangelist Chief Wole Awolowo.

    Oluwole, until his death last Wednesday at Wellington Hospital, St. Johnswood, London, was Mama and late Papa Awo’s only surviving son and  Publisher/ Vice Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc,(publishers of Tribune Titles). He was aged 70.

    Jonathan who was ushered into the  sprawling Awolowo’s compound by the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun, where he met Mama HID, assured the family that his administration would render necessary support to the children of the deceased.

    The former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, and the family members were already ground waiting for the President.

    Earlier before his arrival  around 2: 55p.m in a military chopper marked NAF 571, heavy security – under cover agents, operatives of the State Security Service(SSS),  the Nigerian army, the Police and a sleu of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) were sighted keeping vigil at located strategic locations in Awo’s home and streets leading to it.

    Visitors and vehicles that happened to be at the area were frisked and asked to keep moving.

    Jonathan who sounded philosophical over the death of Oluwole said it was painful but added that only God knows why it happened at the time it did.

    He condoled  with Mama, the family and prayed that God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Jonathan said:”Mama accept our condolence. It’s a period that we lack words even though as a teacher and politician in some cases though I’m generally somebody of very few words. But in some situations, even the very few words disappear.

    “So we really lack words to express our feelings. Ordinarily at that 70, which is why I have said that from Biblical injunction, three scores and ten, is an age where you thank God to attain, especially in a country where the average life span is quite below 50.

    “But under the circumstances, his death is painful to all of us. To me, I’ve seen the way the Awolowo family has taken me as their own and I would have loved to be here almost everyday.

    “Gbenga Daniel can attest to that. You have taken me as your own; this is not the period to say it and I have the opportunity to say that and the whole world can know. I remain grateful to you for integrating me into the great Awolowo family.

    “That is why I asked the first time I heard about the death that have they informed mama? It was Douglas that told me that they have not informed her and I asked him to go to Lagos and follow this.

    ” I pay my personal condolence to mama and the entire members of the family and I also condole with the children, especially the younger ones that are still expecting significant parental care.

    “I join the bishop to say God knows everything and he knows the reason for everything. On our part, we will continue to be members of the family and any little thing that God has given us the privilege to do the children, they are my children and my brothers.

    ” So mama, it is painful but God knows best and we pray that you don’t experience this again and God will see you through. Mama, I’m your son, I will continue to be with you.”

    Mama’s first daughter, Mrs Tola Oyediran who spoke on behalf of the family, lauded the President for identifying with them in their moment of grief and prayed the good Lord to reward him for his efforts.

    She said: “On behalf of the family, I want to really appreciate you. You have no doubt identified with us in this journey, even when we thought it was too big for us to carry, you were there to help us carry the load. We did not think at all that you would come and see us.

    “What you have done today, it will remain forever in our hearts and we pray for you and your entire family that you will never sorrow in Jesus name. Everything that you desire in your heart, we pray that the Lord will grant it to you.

    “I want to welcome you on behalf of Awolowo family and mama and to assure you that your stay here will be peaceful. And to all of you I welcome you all.”

  • Asiwaju Bola Tinubu @61 Dinner

    Asiwaju Bola Tinubu @61 Dinner