The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Reps committee order suspension of sales of Kaduna Polytechnic property

    Reps committee order suspension of sales of Kaduna Polytechnic property

    The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has asked the Management of Kaduna Polytechnic, the Ministry of Education and the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on government property to halt the allocation and sale of property belonging to Kaduna Polytechnic.

    The committee’s resolution followed the consideration of a petition to the House by some serving and retired staff of the polytechnic.

    Property belonging to the Polytechnic all over Kaduna, including land, staff quarters and guest houses are currently being sold to staff and non-staff of the polytechnic.

    The committee also summoned the Rector, Kaduna Polytechnic, Dr. Suleiman Umar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Head of Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) as well as Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) in the institution to an investigative hearing.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets, Hon  Ademorin Kuye said the specific date, time and venue for their appearance will be communicated to them.

    The polytechnic staff had alleged that most of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the polytechnic were not aware of the sales.

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    The Committee said all further allocations of plots of land and staff quarters of the Polytechnic to non-staff of the school, pending the conclusion of investigation into the alleged sharp practices in the sale of the properties should be suspended.

    Hon. Kuye said the suspension becomes necessary because if most of the plots of land and houses of the school are sold to non-staff, the future lecturers and non-teaching staff will not find it easy to operate.

    “We have a lot of students who are in school now who will become staff of the Kaduna Polytechnic tomorrow. If you sell all the land and staff quarters, particularly to non-staff of the school now, where will they be tomorrow?”

    He said in the out-of-court settlement by relevant parties on the issue presented to the committee by the Presidential Implementation Committee, there was no provision for non-staff members of the school to be beneficiaries of the allocations.

    The Head of the Presidential Implementation Committee, Bala Sanusi said the agreement reached by the parties in a legal battle that lasted over ten years, led to the resolution which was approved by Kaduna Polytechnic Board, PIC and Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    The petitioners on their part said contrary to the resolution as presented by the PIC, most of the school properties for lease were sold to non-staff while several staff members were not aware that such things were ongoing.

    Speaking on behalf of the petitioners, Dr. Omale Apochi and Isiaka Bankole said they only got information of the process on owner – occupier basis, adding that most of their colleagues were ignorant of the process.

    They alleged that despite meeting all the requirements, including payment of between N4.7 million and above, the authorities of the institution through the acting Director, Works of the Institute, Abdulrahaman Tukur, a consultant with PIC, Nura Usman and one Gimba Elisha, their plots of land were carved out and sold to non-staff of the school without remitting the proceed to government account.

    Though Abdulrahaman Usman who represented the Rector, Dr. Suleiman Umar, first denied knowing Nura Usman, he later agreed to knowing him when reminded of the implications of telling lies to the committee while on oath. 

  • School joins cholera awareness campaign

    School joins cholera awareness campaign

    Pupils, teachers and staff of Masterguide Schools, Egbeda, Friday, trooped out to join the ongoing public awareness campaign on the recent cholera outbreak.

    The entourage, led by their college principal, Mr Olufemi Oluyinka, walked for almost two hours through major streets of Orelope-Olugbede axis of Egbeda, spreading information about the dangers of cholera.

    As they went, they distributed leaflets, spoke to people and relayed information with a public address system to highlight causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention of cholera.

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    The principal said it was another aspect of the normal community reach out mission the school embarks upon annually, adding that they chose cholera awareness this year due to its current infestation in the country.

    “We do one form of activity or the other every year as part of our corporate social responsibility,” Oluyinka explained.

    “Support for the community around us has always been our concern at Masterguide Schools, in both our primary section and the college.

    “That was why we all did it with total dedication and enthusiasm today.”

  • Tenure of FCT council chairs to end June 2026, says INEC

    Tenure of FCT council chairs to end June 2026, says INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday said the tenure of office of all elected chairmen and councillors in the six area councils of the FACT will come to an end in June 2026, warning those interested in contesting the election to be guided by the provisions of the Law.

    Speaking at a meeting with members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, said by the provisions of the law, the tenure of office of every elected official begins the day such a person takes the oath of office.

    There had been agitations by political parties and candidates interested in contesting the Area Council elections on what they considered delay by the Commission in releasing the time table in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    The INEC chairman said that Section 108(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 under which the current chairmen and councillors were sworn-in on 14th June 2022 is clear and therefore unambiguous

    According to him, the law states “(1) An Area Council shall stand dissolved at the expiration of 4 years commencing from the date –

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    (a) when the Chairman took the oath of office; or (b)  when the legislative arm of the Council was inaugurated whichever is earlier”.

    Yakubu said “the Commission had earlier received inquiries from some law firms, an individual, a political party and one FCT Chairmanship Aspirants’ Forum.

    “Their inquiries are based on the provision of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which was the subsisting law at the time elections to the Area Councils were held on Saturday 12th February 2022. The Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides for a three-year tenure for Chairmen and Councillors which, in their opinion, expires next year.

    “However, Nigerians are aware that the National Assembly has since repealed and re-enacted the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) as the Electoral Act 2022. In particular, in the exercise of its powers as the law-making body for the FCT, the National Assembly extended the tenure of the Area Councils from three to four years, thereby aligning it with executive and legislative elections nationwide.

    “This is one of the important provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. The Act came into force on Friday 25th February 2022, two weeks after the last Area Council elections in the FCT. By the time the elected chairmen and councillors were sworn-in four months later on 14th June 2022, they took their oath of allegiance and oath of office on the basis of the new electoral Act (i.e. the Electoral Act 2022) which provides for a four-year tenure. Consequently, their tenure therefore expires in June 2026.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, tenure is not defined by the date of election but the date of the oath of office for executive elections or the date of inauguration for legislative houses. For the executive, the tenure belongs to the elected individual while for legislators; the tenure belongs to the Legislature.”

  • Ajaero urges FG to explore alternative medicine in Nigeria

    Ajaero urges FG to explore alternative medicine in Nigeria

    •As NLC admits new union

    The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has called for serious exploration of herbal medicine in Nigeria and its integration into the country’s mainstream health system.

    The NLC president said this would boost access to healthcare and grow the nation’s economy.

    Ajaero said this when the leadership of NLC received the newly registered member of the Congress – the National Association of Herbal Medicine Employers (NAHME).

    The newly registered union was at the NLC headquarters to formally present their certificate of registration and officially declare their affiliation with the NLC.

    Ajaero stressed the need for the Federal Government to explore herbal medicine as an alternative to the conventional.

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    He also noted the potential of herbal medicine to generate trillions of naira for the country through exports.

    The NLC leader stressed the need for the government to establish herbal hospitals to further legitimise traditional medicine within the country’s healthcare system.

    He further called for ethical practices and proper research within the sector to uphold standards and ensure efficacy in treatment.

    Ajaero said: “If herbal medicine or alternative medicine is explored in Nigeria, the country will be making trillions through exports of these drugs, and that is an area that I would tell the Nigerian government, that since they are thinking of ways of diversifying the economy, they consider exploring it adequately.”

  • AICL, Centenary City partner on development

    AICL, Centenary City partner on development

    The Group Managing Director of Abuja Investments Company Limited, Her Excellency Ambassador Maureen Tamuno and Centenary City’s management have expressed optimism about future collaboration.

    This was disclosed when Amb Tamuno visited the Centenary City Free Zone, Abuja. They were received by the MD, Dr. Ike Odenigwe.

    The purpose of the visit was to explore potential partnership opportunities, reflecting the renewed commitment to accelerating the development and investment prospects of Centenary City and ultimately, Abuja.

    The duo discussed the current development status aimed at assessing the latest developments and the current state of construction and infrastructure within Centenary City.

    “Investment potential aimed at identifying strategic investment opportunities that can enhance economic growth and urban development.

    “Sustainability Efforts targeted at evaluating the initiatives in place to ensure the project’s environmental sustainability and adherence to international standards and technological advancements that will explore the incorporation of smart technologies designed to create a modern, efficient, and sustainable urban environment.

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     “Being on the ground provides a different perspective, allowing us to see things first hand. Our primary duty is to facilitate and create favorable conditions,” said the GMD of AICL. She emphasized the importance of a detailed work plan and understanding project phases for active progress. Additionally, she reaffirmed AICL’s commitment to stimulating Abuja’s economy through the partnership with Centenary City on behalf of their parent organization, the FCTA.

     Appreciating AICL’s proactive approach, Dr. Ike said: “Today marks a significant moment for Centenary City as we receive the first-ever visit from a Group Managing Director of AICL. This visit is a testament to the commitment of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, and it fulfills President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.”

  • Imo police parade 17 suspects for terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery

    Imo police parade 17 suspects for terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery

    •Killers of DPO, five others arrested

     The Imo State Police Command on Friday paraded 17 suspects in connection with various crimes, including terrorism, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

    Also, the killers of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and five police officers were among the suspects paraded.

    Briefing newsmen at the Command Headquarters in Owerri, the police spokesman in the state, Henry Okoye said the suspects were arrested in different parts of the state, including Nkwesi in Oguta Local Government Area, Umuogu Amuzu in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, and Irete in Owerri West Local Government Area.

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    The police recovered various exhibits from the suspects, including two pump action guns, one single barrel gun, two locally made pistols, twenty-five rounds of live cartridges, various denominations of Biafran currencies, one live tortoise, one live crocodile, and various criminal charms.

    Some of the suspects arrested include Okechukwu Olumba, 45, of Ezi Isu in Isu Local Government Area; Olumba Chukwuemeka, 21, of the same address; Arinze Olumba, 23, of the same address; Bernard Okorie, 40, of Mgbelle in Oguta Local Government Area; Emmanuel Okechukwu, 45, of Ochi Ogwa in Mbaitoli Local Government Area; and Ewurum Chigozie, 40, of Amandugba in Isu Local Government Area.

    The police also arrested one Oluomachi Iheanacho, 28, of Amato Umulolo Amuzu in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, in connection with the murder of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Ahiazu Mbaise, SP Magnus Abalu, and Inspector Ikechukwu Nwanchor on November 27, 2023.

  • Housing Minister performs ground breaking of Renewed Hope Estate 250 housing units in Abia

    Housing Minister performs ground breaking of Renewed Hope Estate 250 housing units in Abia

    •Otti commends Tinubu’s initiative

    The Minister of Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa, has performed the groundbreaking ceremony of 250 housing units; an initiative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme.

    The 250 housing units, just like in each of the states, will consist of 50 units of 1-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, 150 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalows, and 50 units of 3-bedroom semi-detached bungalows.

    The ground-breaking event in Abia State was a follow-up of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates programme launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in February 2024.

    Dangiwa told the developers of the Renewed Hope Estate project across the country to ensure completion of the project within the months stipulated period to enable Nigerians in the respective states to occupy the houses as quickly as possible.

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    The second round of groundbreaking covers eight states in the South and North-Central zones of the country, namely; Ebonyi, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Osun, Oyo, Benue, and Nasarawa State, each comprising 250 housing units, making a total of 2,000 units in the round.

    Dangiwa said, “By the end of this second round, we would have broken ground for a total of 6,612 housing units across the country since February this year, creating direct and indirect jobs for over 165,000 at an average of 25 jobs per unit.”

    On the sales of the houses, the minister said “We have created different options to enable everyone who has a source of income and livelihood to own these homes when they are completed.”

    He listed the options to include; single-digit mortgage loans that beneficiaries can repay over 30 years; rent-to-own schemes provided by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, and outright purchase options for those who can afford to pay upfront.

  • Uzodimma appointed into Niger Delta Power Holding Company Board

    Uzodimma appointed into Niger Delta Power Holding Company Board

    Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has been selected by the National Economic Council (NEC) to join the Board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), representing the Southeast geopolitical zone.

    “I am honored to be appointed to this strategic position, and I appreciate the confidence reposed in me by the NEC,” Governor Uzodimma said in a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Prince Ugochukwu.

     “I am committed to working with other board members to promote economic development and stabilize Nigeria’s electricity supply system.”

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    He said on Friday that the appointment recognizes Governor Uzodimma’s leadership and commitment to economic development in the region.

     “This selection is a testament to our governor’s dedication to driving economic growth and prosperity in Imo State and the South East region.”

    The NDPHC was established to hold the assets of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), a government-funded initiative to improve Nigeria’s electricity supply system. The board’s diverse membership will foster collaboration and effective governance in the energy sector.

    Uzodimma joins governors from Borno, Katsina, Ekiti, Kwara, and Akwa Ibom States on the board, representing the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

  • NSCDC nabs four suspects for alleged illegal mining in Anambra

    NSCDC nabs four suspects for alleged illegal mining in Anambra

    Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command has arrested four suspects allegedly involved in illegal mining activities in the state.

    Anambra NSCDC Commandant, Maku Olatunde, while parading the suspects in Awka on Friday stated that the suspects (names withheld) were apprehended on Thursday at about 1300 hours at the Tollgate Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area.

    He said the arrests were effected in collaboration with the  Federal Mines Officer, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in charge of Anambra State in strict compliance with the directives of the Commandant General to end illegal mining activities across the country.

    He listed the exhibits recovered from the suspects to include a truck loaded with laterite with registration number LAGOS T- 13038 LA, 9 heavy-duty batteries, one heavy-duty hydraulic jack, and four fuel filters.

    “These suspects were caught mining laterite without approval from the relevant authorities, causing environmental degradation in the area. With what we have done today, it is an indication and a strong signal to those illegal miners that it is no longer business as usual.

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    “The suspects are currently in custody and facing further investigation and legal action,” he added.

    Maku regretted that illegal mining had continually constituted economic sabotage with its attendant environmental risks, emphasizing the need for stakeholders to operate with valid licenses and approved mining sites.

    He commended the Solid Minerals Unit led by ACC Ewogu Chinedu for sustaining the tempo of stamping out illegal miners in Anambra State.

    Federal Mines Officer, Anambra State,  Engr. Henry Bolarinwa, while commenting on the synergy between NSCDC and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, warned stakeholders in the sector to ensure they operate with valid licences and approved mining sites.

    He said the warning had become necessary to block the revenue losses and prevent environmental hazards associated with illegal mining activities.

  • Well-run MSME scheme’ll unlock Enugu’s $30 bn economic target – Mbah

    Well-run MSME scheme’ll unlock Enugu’s $30 bn economic target – Mbah

    •Honoured with VP Shettima’s National MSME Award

    Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has identified well-run Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as a key for his administration to unlock the growth of the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in the next four to eight years.

    Mbah stated this while speaking to journalists at the State House, Abuja, after being conferred with a National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Award by the Office of the Vice President on the World MSME Day for his outstanding contributions to the MSME sub-sector in his state.

    Mbah emphasized that the state’s economic growth strategy is closely tied to the viability and growth of MSMEs, stressing that their success is pivotal to creating jobs and reducing unemployment.

    This bold economic development plan aligns with the Governor’s commitment to fostering a favorable business climate, upskilling youth, and supporting small businesses through initiatives like the Enugu SME Centre and Office of Digital Economy.

    Mbah described the award as an elixir to do more, describing MSMEs as the lifeblood of any economic development.

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    He described the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shetimma, as a champion of MSMEs, commending his tireless commitment to the Light-Up Nigeria Project, which he said would help to ramp up power supply to industrial clusters in the South East.

    “Let me, on behalf of the government and people of Enugu State, express our profound gratitude to the Office of the Vice President for recognising our modest effort in supporting the growth of MSMEs in our state.

    “MSMEs are the lifeblood of economic development. But as desirous as they may be, their success is no chance occurrence. They thrive only through painstaking policies that enhance the ease-of-doing-business climate.

    “We believe that governments thrive when MSMEs are in good shape. So, starting a business does not have to seem like a leap of faith. Neither is it a zero-sum game, because small businesses create jobs, thus reducing the social burden typically created by huge unemployment rate. “From the outset, we recognised that our goal to substantially grow Enugu State’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in the next four to eight years is closely-tied to the viability of MSMEs.”