The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Tinubu keen on peace, security in Niger Delta – PAP boss

    Tinubu keen on peace, security in Niger Delta – PAP boss

    President Bola Tinubu is keen on peace, security and development of Nigeria’s oil-rich region, the Niger Delta, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro, said at the weekend.

    He made the assertion during a consultative interactive stakeholders meeting with ex-agitators in Warri, Delta state.

    He appealed to the ex-agitators not to thwart efforts at ensuring peace and security in the area by cooperating with the federal government.

    The meeting with the theme, “Fostering, Consolidating and Collaborating for the Peace, Security, Stability & Development of the Niger Delta Region,” had delegates drawn from the 2nd Phase of the Amnesty.

    Otuaro noted that President Tinubu is not only serious about peace and security of the Niger Delta, but as well, the infrastructural development of the region.

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    “We must deepen the programme this time around to accommodate more people, especially critical stakeholders who have not benefited from the programme to be part of it.

    “Mr. President is very serious about sustaining the existing peace in the Niger Delta; hence he is doing everything possible to attend to our desires.

    “Let us discuss and proffer solutions to our immediate challenges. I’m here to serve and protect your interest and not myself.”

    He assured delegates that his administration will look into complaints of beneficiaries, even as he appealed that all groups must exercise patience.

    Several delegates who spoke applauded the PAP boss for his foresight and assured him of total commitment and support so as to maintain the existing peace.

  • Aiteo resumes production at OML 29 after oil spill

    Aiteo resumes production at OML 29 after oil spill

    An indigenous oil company, Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company (AEEPCO), operator of the NNPC/Aiteo Joint Venture at OML 29 has said it has completed a joint investigative visit to a recent spill site in Nembe Local Government Area.

    AEEPCO also said that its affected facility is safe to be reopened for production.

    A statement by the Group Head, Strategic Communications, Media & Events at Aiteo Group, Ndiana Matthew, said on Saturday that the joint investigative visit to the spill site was attended by all stakeholders as required by regulations.

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    He said that while production continues other statutory spill management protocols will run concurrently.

    Consequently, AEEPCO’s Group Managing Director, Victor Okoronkwo, was quoted as saying: “After a comprehensive evaluation of our operations and infrastructure at the Nembe Swamp Field, we are delighted to confirm the resumption of production activities.

    “Our dedicated team has worked diligently to address the issues caused by the recent incident and implemented enhanced safety protocols to prevent future occurrences.

    “We have engaged with regulatory bodies, local communities, and stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability throughout this process.”

  • Institute mulls certification of electrical practitioners to tackle quackery

    Institute mulls certification of electrical practitioners to tackle quackery

    The President of Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), Engr Felix Olu, has called for rigorous skills development and certification of electrical practitioners to tackle the rampant issue of quackery in the industry.

    He spoke yesterday at the 16th fellowship conferment of the Institute held in Abuja.

    He highlighted the critical need to address the problem of unqualified individuals handling electrical jobs, which often leads to faulty installations and hazardous conditions.

    “Quackery in electrical work is a major issue due to the engagement of unqualified individuals and the use of substandard materials,” Olu stated.

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    He said many people opt for the cheapest available options due to economic pressures, worsening the problem.

    “Recognising the impending crisis, electrical engineers across Nigeria came together to advocate for regulatory measures. These concerted efforts resulted in the proposal of a bill in the National Assembly to establish the Chartered Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering of Nigeria. This bill was successfully passed and signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

    “This new regulation mandates certification for all electrical and electronic engineering practitioners in Nigeria, encompassing engineers, technicians, technologists, and craftsmen. Certified practitioners will now carry insignia such as badges, certificates, and seals, allowing the public to identify and verify their qualifications easily,” Olu emphasised, even as he stressed the importance of regulation to reduce the incidents of faulty installations and fire hazards.

    He said the event marked the awarding of fellowships to distinguished members of the NIEEE, recognising their significant contributions to the profession and society.

    He explained that this prestigious honor is awarded after a rigorous screening process, ensuring that only the most qualified and dedicated professionals are recognised.

    “Furthermore, the NIEEE has been proactive in addressing current technological trends and their implications. The theme of the event, focused on artificial intelligence and digital transformation, reflects the institute’s commitment to staying abreast of global developments and educating both its members and the public.

  • Experts make case for protection of African child

    Experts make case for protection of African child

    Laws made to protect children, norms and local languages are the key factors that will guarantee the sustainability and development of the African child, stakeholders have said.

    They spoke at a public forum to mark the International Day of the African Child in Cross River State.

    The day, marked every June 15, was rescheduled due to the weekend and two-day public holidays, as stakeholders including the Cross River State Government, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Save The Children International, held an interface and discussion session.

    They also canvassed for qualitative education, value addition to African heritage as game changers for African children: Speaking in Calabar on the development, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon Edema Irom, warned that, “The future of Cross River, Nigeria and African children is now and the future is the children because no other future is known to us.”

    Also lending his voice, a member representing Yala 2 in the Cross River House of Assembly, Martins Achandu, said, “There is need for enforcement of relevant laws while ensuring that they are implemented fully as this would encourage children and add value to African heritage particularly language.”

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    Also, a Member representing Akpabuyo and chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon Bassey Bassey, assured of more legislations to protect children’s rights including the introduction of local languages into the educational curriculum and the broadcast stations in the state.

    On his part, Deputy Speaker, Children Parliament, Osika Kaghini-Nse Etim, maintained that to curb threats to qualitative education, there must be improved appropriations including critical assessment of the executive, legislature and judiciary, as well as strengthened infrastructure, administration and funding.

    Field Operations Manager of Save The Children International, Oluseyi Abejide, represented by Regina John, believes that every child should have the opportunity to learn, be protected and survive.

  • Students urged to apply for Spelling Bee competition

    Students urged to apply for Spelling Bee competition

    Chief Executive Officer, Youngsters Cognitive Literary and Advancement Initiative (Yspot-YCLAI) Ms. Temitope Olukomogbon has urged pupils in the country to apply for its virtual spelling bee competition.

    In a statement in Abuja, Olukomogbon said the competition was opened to students between 8-10-year-olds in grades 4-6.

    She said the virtual spelling bee competition would be held on the 3rd of August 2024.

    The 9th edition of the spelling bee is themed “Occupations” and will test the vocabulary of students on words relating to occupations. Participants will be selected based on set criteria.

    Olukomogbon said the Smart Minds Spelling Bee was focused on harnessing the potential of young minds.

    The statement said: “Participants will be drawn from countries across Africa and countries from other continents. We have sustained the virtual edition of the competition because we see the results in fostering a learning culture among youngsters. We aim to inspire young minds to soar. We have witnessed how participants are inspired to start pursuing their dreams.”

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    She said that winners will be entitled to certificates of participation, cash prizes for the top three winners (N50,000, N30,000, and N20,000), and scholarships to attend the Code Campus coding summer school.

    Olukomogbon said the coding summer school will be for the top three winners who reside in Abuja.

    She urged interested parents and students to visit the organisation’s website to register for the Spelling Bee Competition via https://yspotinternational.com/register-for-smart-minds-2024/

    Ms. Olukomogbon added that at the recently concluded physical spelling bee competition, 10-year-old Nainat Aliyu-Aynil from Science Primary School Kuje won the contest, while 13-year-old Praise Bala from LEA Primary School Kayarda, Kuje, won the Arts Creativity Competition.

    “They took home medals, competition, and scholarships,” she said.

    The Spelling Bee competitions are organised in partnership with the FCT Universal Basic Education Board, Elpida Development Foundation, Code Campus, and Smiling Faces International, Liberia.

  • LG reaffirms commitment to Nigeria

    LG reaffirms commitment to Nigeria

    LG has reaffirmed its commitment to the Nigerian market despite the harsh operating environment.

    Speaking on the sideline of the launch of LG Wash Tower, one its newest form of laundry products, General Manager, Home Appliances, LG Electronics, Mr. Brian Kang, said the launch is a clear demonstration of its belief and confidence in the Nigerian market.

    He said the launch was also to improve the quality of lives of Nigerians through introducing latest and innovative technological products, adding that the Wash Tower is a perfect fit for the Nigerian market.

    Read Also: Unpacking the logic of labour union activism in Nigeria   

    He said, “Unlike competing stacked washers and dryers, LG’s WashTower is designed from the ground up combined as a “one body” solution.

    “At the beginning of the wash cycle, the integrated unit indicates how long it will take to complete both washing and drying.

    “The washer also shares information with the dryer, which automatically sets the optimal course and preheats the drum, contributing to better results and shorter overall laundry times,” he added.

  • If God was not with Tinubu, Nigeria would have collapsed — Adebisi

    If God was not with Tinubu, Nigeria would have collapsed — Adebisi

    Prophet Peter Abiola Adebisi is the President of Christ Miracle Church Mission (CMCM Worldwide), a fast-growing church with a network of branches. He is also the President of the Champion of Fire Bible Institute that is preparing and equipping the saints for the expansion of the work of God. His flair for football made him sponsor a football club for the youth to exhibit their talents. He is the Chairman of Fire Football Club.  He spoke with AYOYINKA JEGEDE on the 25 years of stable democracy in the country.

    Twenty five years of stable democracy in Nigeria, what’s your view?  

    Any journey starting with God will end well. I can say now clearly to the Glory of God that no matter the race, no matter who you are, everybody is now coming to a point of realising that there is God because they can see His finger in all things that are happening which beats science records and cannot be defined.

    Any journey that starts with God will surely end well. The problem is the inability of the people to come to the realisation of knowing God and that’s why they kill other people in the name of rituals, faking and deceiving people. Now that the hearts of people are opening towards God, I can say boldly that by the special Grace of God, we are going to end well. Nigeria will end well because God said it and the spoken word of God is very special because it can never go in vain. God told me Nigeria is number one in Africa and that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with.

    No matter what is happening presently in this country, God told me, Nigeria is number one in Africa, in agriculture, financially and in all things, and we are going to be number one.  We shall become a hub center commercially. God has a very great plan for Nigeria, and we are going to end well no matter what is happening presently in the country. 

    There has been clamour for restructuring, what is your take on this?

    Restructuring is good, but the number one utmost thing that we must do is to love one another.  To have one nation and to ensure unity in our diversity, there must be love for another. When we have love for one another, we will shun tribalism and exist as one nation. The truth is that without love, restructuring this nation will not work.

    We should unite ourselves in love, imagine when Nigeria is playing football, we come together to watch, just as football unites us together.

    Moreover, we should love and pray for this country above selfish interests, tribes, and sentiments. Americans will always say God bless America, let’s speak positivity into his country, I can assure you all will be well.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s secularism bogey

    Let’s stop cursing this nation Nigeria because of frustration and hatred. If we allow love to unite us, restructuring will work easily. Let’s harmonise and come together in love for a greater purpose, and let’s pursue a common goal.

    What’s the way forward? What are the institutions that you think we need to strengthen?

    Majorly, love is the key. We can achieve a lot with love. Also, we should shun tribalism and have a common goal to move Nigeria forward. When we strengthen all our institutions in love, everything will go on smoothly.

     Are we truly democratized?

    Yes, 25 years of stable democracy without military intervention is a testimony,  if somebody had said so 25 years ago that Nigeria can still be practising stable democracy, one would have said no. Let me note that there is a future for us and we shall all get there in Jesus Christ mighty Name.

    Myriads of problems bedeviling the country, many are of the opinion that poor leadership has been and is still our problem, what’s your view on this?

    Political leaders? What about the voters, it takes two to tango; it is worrisome that people collect money from politicians before they vote in this country. Voters sell their consciences at will for a pittance.  Our problem starts when we collect money from people to vote, believe me, the best candidate will emerge when we stop selling our conscience. If politicians spend billions of naira before they get into power, be very sure they will want to get it back by all means. We, the followers, the masses too should work on ourselves before pointing accusing fingers. 

    What’s your advice?

     25 years of stable democracy, I am very happy this is happening while I’m alive.  There is a brighter future for us all in this country.  God told me Nigeria is number one in Africa and I believe in the word of God more than anything.  Let’s all be rest assured, believing the word of God.

    How would you assess President Tinubu-led administration, one year in office?

    We give glory to God, if God was not with the President,  Nigeria would have collapsed. There is a lot of evidence to show that God is with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.  Since God is with him, surprisingly you will see that things will turn around for good.

    How has the church, Christ Miracles Church Mission (CMCM) helped in strengthening democracy?

    By God’s Grace here at the Christ Miracles Church Mission (CMCM), we have been preaching, and we shall continue to preach the raw undiluted word of God, which is the truth. We tell members to live Godly and love everyone no matter the tribe, race, sex, or religion.

    We teach people to be selfless and respect others,  we tell people to obey laws and place the country’s Interest above selfish ambitions.

    In respect of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR),  CMCM gives scholarships to indigent students, and cash gifts to widows, the needy, and the less privileged no matter their religious affiliation.

    In a bid to help youths fulfill God’s purpose for their destiny and to snatch them from myriads of ills bedeviling them in the present world, Christ Miracles Church Mission (CMCM) worldwide has given scholarships to over 100 indigent students who are members and non-members of the church.

    We teach youths,  young adults, and teenagers on  developmental teachings, health seminars, skills acquisitions, career counseling, and mentoring as well as ICT training which  featured among other things; how to  stream church programmes , how to snap and edit pictures for social media page, live coverage of church services using phones and video camera,  how to bring audio into live stream for online members, how to use Vmix to mix video images and also to  display Bible verses, project information, and announcements, how to set up  a Web Page as well as digital Evangelism

    To ameliorate the sufferings of the masses likewise, CMCM constantly gives food items such as rice, beans, garri, yams, and other food gifts every service day in the church.  We teach youths how to discover God’s purpose for their lives and work in it. It is a means of evangelism and mainly to capture the youths, teenagers, and young adults for Christ.

  • Odeleke cautions pastors on taking church matters to court

    Odeleke cautions pastors on taking church matters to court

    Founder of Christ Message Ministry, Bishop Bola Odeleke has cautioned pastors who resort to police to handle matters arising from the church, saying that God is not glorified by such action.

    Odeleke made her views known in a recent interview with Asabe Afrika as she celebrated her 74th and 50th in ministry monitored by The Nation.

    Odeleke clocked 74 on June 19.

     She was consecrated as an evangelist in 1974.

    Reacting to the action of the MFM founder, taking a matter to the police, Odeleke said, “I heard the story. I have been looking for an opportunity to see Pastor Olukoya. I know him as a man of God. But then, I believe the stories flying around about him and the people making allegations against him should be treated with caution. We have only heard one side of the story.”

    When asked if Olukoya’s action in taking people to court was right, Odeleke said, “Why don’t we release him to God.”

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    Adeleke explained further that the MFM Founder might have had cases of being badly treated in the past. “He probably didn’t want what happened in the past to happen to him again, that is why he had to resort to the police and the court.”

    On some of the other unfounded stories about the MFM leader, Odeleke said, “If it is true that what is being said about Olukoya is true, he should repent. If it is not true, God will vindicate him.”

    She said if she were in the shoes of Pastor Olukoya, the best approach would have been to relieve people who were found wanting of their employment rather than going to court.

    “If I know somebody is stealing, there will be a reason why the person is stealing. I will find out and try to make the person have a change of heart. If the person does not change, I would rather ask him to go. It is better than going to court. The moment the people of the world intervene in our matter, it would become messy.”

    While noting that the Church has a responsibility to accommodate all people, she said, “A big ministry must have a way of handling issues like the MFM case. We have seen bad people but after counseling and prayers, they became mighty instruments in God’s hand.”

    She pleaded with Nigerians not to judge what they don’t know adding, “To ministers of God generally, I would say, why don’t you hand over to God. We can’t wait for God, so we try to help him. Those who call the police are doing so because they can’t trust God to handle their matter”.

  • True love beyond romance – Ashimolowo

    True love beyond romance – Ashimolowo

    The Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo has said that true love entails sacrificing, sanctifying, sustaining,

    The cleric disclosed this while ministering at the wedding of Adebayo, son of Dr Segun Oshinaga and Olufunmilayo, daughter of Pastor Amos Fenwa in Lagos.

    The wedding attracted the who is who in the Pentecostal circle including Pastor Tunde Bakare, Archbishop Alagbala John Osa-Oni, Pastor Paul Sodeke, Prophet A.T Joel, Joseph Akinyele and the newly elected Chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria Pastor Yemi Davids. Others at the event include Archbishop Isaac Nwaoji,  Pastor Bolaji Idowu, Pastor Victor Adeyemi, and a host of others.

    Ashimolowo preached on the topic, ‘How to know if a man loves you.’

    He said, “In Ephesians Chapter 5, Paul gives us a powerful picture of love. By the way, the book of Ephesians is the only book where Paul did not make any corrections. In the book, he made us know that if a woman will submit to a man, the man has to love”

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    He noted that the English language which is just about 600 years old has only one word for love while the Yoruba, the language of the newly wedded couple has only one word too.

    He emphasized that beyond kiss and sex, the love a man should have for his wife has to be sacrificial, sanctifying, securing, sustaining, and solid.

    Facing the couple he said, “You are the one to protect her. The word sanctify means to make pure in Hebrew. It means to build a world of fire around something. There will be things thrown at your home, but you must sanctify your home.

    “Let them know they will have to come through you to get to your wife. Show her sustaining love. Provide for her. The man is the number one provider. You are to be the king of your castle.

     “Then we have the Sustaining love. It is love that does not have to look up to her father’s house. It is tough out there. I speak of 43 years of marriage. Keep your wife from getting hurt. Keep her from danger. When a man loves a woman, he sacrifices, sanctifies, sustains, secures her, and gives her solid love.

  • Church blames failure of govt on sycophants, saboteurs

    Church blames failure of govt on sycophants, saboteurs

    Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos Central, has blamed the failure of government on those who surround the presidency but do not mean well for the generality of the citizenry. 

    Speaking during the 15th Diocesan Annual Synod, with the theme: ‘Arise and Build’, Bishop of Lagos Central, Williams Memorial Methodist Cathedral, Ago-Ijaiye-Circuit, Ebute-Metta (West) Lagos, the Rt. Rev Dr. Samuel Ransford Nortey expressed the concern that one year down the line, the impact of the present government appears not to be visible in the various sectors of the nation’s economy, adding rather than things improving, we have things going the other way round.

    Nortey, however, identified elements of good intentions in the scheme of the Present Tinubu’s administration through its various economic policies.

    Meanwhile, the Bishop of Lagos Central has urged the Christian community to consider venturing into politics.

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    He said: “We want to encourage them to go into politics because when you allow those who do not mean well for the generality of the people to take over governance, what do you expect other than what we’re currently witnessing in the country at the moment”.

    He admitted the policies of the President and the current administration were laudable, going by economic analysis of the needs of the people as a nation at the moment. “But unfortunately, one year down the line, the impact of this appears not to be visible in our economy”, which has been given to the works of saboteurs and so on, he added.