The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • U.S.-based Nigerians inaugurate 22 water projects in Ibadan

    U.S.-based Nigerians inaugurate 22 water projects in Ibadan

    The Ibadan Descendants’ Union (IDU), Dallas Forthworth Chapter, Texas, United States of America, at the weekend, formally opened 22 solar-powered boreholes it constructed across Ibadan, Oyo State, under the first phase of its ‘Ibadan Community Water Project’.

    The boreholes were officially declared open for public use at a ceremony that took place at Irefin Palace in Oke-Ofa, Irefin, Ibadan.

    The President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, who presided over the ceremony, appealed to Ibadan indigenes in the Diaspora to come home and use their exposure, knowledge and experience to develop Nigeria.

    The Ajia Olubadan of Ibadanland and National President of the IDU-USA Inc., Chief Abiola Iyiola, was represented at the event by his deputy, Alhaja Jemilat Ajibade.

    Ajewole applauded the contributions of IDU-USA to the development of Ibadan City through its various intervention projects.

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    He said: “I appreciate the good work that the Ibadan Descendants’ Union in the United States is doing for our communities. But I am advising that they should go beyond the donation of boreholes, distribution of palliatives and things like that. It’s time for our people in the Diaspora to come home and use that knowledge, experience and the good hearts that they have been using to promote other countries to develop Nigeria.

    “The argument is always that the atmosphere is not conducive in Nigeria, but you have to challenge the atmosphere. You have to challenge what is on the ground to move the country forward.

    “If things are working well in America, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, the people there are not angels; they are not from heaven. They are human beings like us. No human theory justifies colour superiority. All our brains are made of white matter.

    “They should find it necessary in their hearts to come home to develop Nigeria. Look at the issue of electricity, for God’s sake. There can’t be any growth in the economy without electricity. Why is it impossible for us?”

    The President of IDU, Dallas Forthworth Chapter, Mr. Shola Bolomope, urged the communities hosting the projects to make judicious use of the facilities and guard against their destruction or vandalism.

    He said the idea of the water project was conceived last September during the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the association.

    “We met and agreed that one of the major problems facing our people back home is lack of good water. Nobody expected what we saw at Sore Village in Ona Ara Local Government where the people are still drinking greenish stream water especially in the year 2024. But instead of waiting for government, which we know can’t do everything, we tried to see what we could do on our part. Our members put heads together, and the action plan started,” he said.

  • Biden to give 500,000 undocumented spouses legal status

    Biden to give 500,000 undocumented spouses legal status

    United President Joe Biden is set to announce a new policy that would protect hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of US citizens from deportation, according to administration officials.

    The issue of immigration has proven an election-year headache for Biden, who recently issued a sweeping executive action to curb record migrant arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border.

    The new policy will apply to those who have been in the country for at least 10 years and will allow them to work in the U.S. legally.

    The White House believes more than 500,000 spouses will benefit.

    Biden has vowed to make the U.S. immigration system “more fair and more just”. Polls show that the issue is a primary concern for many voters ahead of the presidential poll in November.

    The White House also believes the new spouses’ policy will benefit 50,000 young people under 21 whose parent is married to an American citizen.

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    It marks the most significant relief programme for undocumented migrants already in the U.S. since the Obama administration announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or Daca, in 2012.

    The announcement comes ahead of an event yesterday marking the 12th anniversary of Daca, which shielded over 530,000 migrants who came to the U.S. as children – known as Dreamers – from deportation.

    On Monday, senior administration officials said that undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens would qualify if they had lived in the country for 10 years and been married as of 17 June.

    Those who qualify will have three years to apply for permanent residency and will be eligible for a three-year work permit.

    On average, the White House believes that those eligible for the process have been in the U.S. for 23 years. A majority will have been born in Mexico.

    They will be “paroled in place” and allowed to remain in the U.S. while their status is changed.

    NumbersUSA, an organisation that advocates for tighter immigration controls, slammed the new policy as “unconscionable”.

    The organisation’s chief executive, James Massa, said in a statement: “Rather than stopping the worst border crisis in history, President Biden has overreached his executive authority to use an unconstitutional process, circumventing voters and their elected representatives in Congress, to send a message that amnesty is available to those who enter illegally into the United States.”

    Alex Cuic, an immigration lawyer and professor at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, told the BBC that while the action affected a “narrow group”, it marked a “start” for a segment of the US immigrant population that historically would face complications normalising their status in the country, even when eligible.

    “A good majority of them [would have] to leave the country in order to come back lawfully,” he said. “It’s like they physically enter the US, but their immigration ‘soul’ doesn’t come with them.”

  • China slams NATO’s chief over comments on role in Ukraine war

    China slams NATO’s chief over comments on role in Ukraine war

    The Chinese Foreign Ministry yesterday sharply criticised NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s statement that allies in the alliance should impose a cost on China for its support of Russia in the war in Ukraine.

    NATO should engage in self-reflection, rather than smear China, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in Beijing.

    During a visit to the United States, Stoltenberg said China was ostensibly keeping out of the conflict, while in reality fuelling the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

    “And at the same time, it wants to maintain good relations with the West. Well, Beijing cannot have it both ways.

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    “At some point – and unless China changes course – allies need to impose a cost,” Stoltenberg said.

    Lin responded that China was not party to the Ukraine crisis and was committed to promoting peace talks.

    Beijing is seen in the West as Russia’s staunchest ally, offering support on the international stage while remaining ostensibly neutral.

    The U.S. has imposed sanctions on a number of Chinese companies for supplying Russia with technology for manufacturing arms.

    Lin called on the “relevant parties” to stop deflecting the blame and fuelling the flames and to take concrete actions to promote the political settlement of the crisis.

  • South African govt partners poised for cabinet battle

    South African govt partners poised for cabinet battle

    South African political parties that last week agreed to form a governing alliance after May 29 elections failed to produce an outright winner are limbering up for a tussle over cabinet positions, as President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to be sworn in for a new term.

    Senior leaders of Ramaphosa’s African National Congress met on Monday to prepare for formal talks on how key posts will be shared in the next administration. While five parties have signed up for the so-called government of national unity, the bulk of posts will go to officials from the ANC and the Democratic Alliance, its biggest rival.

    The structure of the next cabinet will be closely watched by investors anticipating an acceleration of economic reforms under a more centrist-leaning government. The rand has strengthened more than 3% so far this month as bonds and stocks have rallied on optimism about pro-growth policy continuity.

    The currency gained 0.4% to 18.1965 per dollar by 10:12 a.m. in Johannesburg yesterday, while the main stock index jumped 2.3%.

    “The new coalition government faces a myriad of economic challenges including sluggish growth, acute unemployment, and fiscal pressures,” HSBC sub-Saharan Africa Economist David Faulkner said in a note. “We think the government of national unity opens the possibility for more growth-friendly structural reforms and prudent macroeconomic policy choices.”

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    The DA, a centrist party that espouses free-market principles, is eying key portfolios in the economic cluster in the new administration, though they will be opposed by the ANC, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified as they aren’t authorized to comment. The economy cluster includes the trade and industry, public enterprises and finance ministries.

    Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has been sworn in as a lawmaker, making him eligible for reappointment, though he said Ramaphosa has the prerogative to decide whether he retains the portfolio.

    Asked on June 14 by Bloomberg if he expected to remain finance minister in the next cabinet, he said: “I can’t answer that question. The president will.”

  • Putin lauds North Korea’s support for Russia

    Putin lauds North Korea’s support for Russia

    Ahead of his visit to North Korea yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Pyongyang for its support in Moscow’s fight against Ukraine.

    Putin praised North Korea’s “unwavering support for Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine,” using the Kremlin’s wording to refer to the war, in a letter published in Pyongyang’s official newspaper Rodong Sinmun.

    The Russian leader also thanked North Korea for its solidarity on important international issues.

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    He added that it was committed and like-minded and ready to counter the West’s aspiration to restrain the establishment of a multipolar world order.

    According to Putin, both countries have plans to collaborate on building security architecture in Eurasia.

  • Extreme heat: Nigerian pilgrim dies in Saudi Arabia

    Extreme heat: Nigerian pilgrim dies in Saudi Arabia

    A Nigerian pilgrim in Saudi Arabia collapsed and died while on his way to Jamarat to perform the ritual of throwing stones against satan.

    Head of Nigeria’s Medical Team for the 2024 Hajj, Dr Abubakar Adamu, confirmed this in an interview with reporters.

    The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had, around 11am to 4pm, stopped pilgrims from proceeding to the Jamarat Bridge for the ritual due to excessive heat. The pilgrims were cautioned against flouting directive that prohibits them from the ritual of throwing stones within the stipulated time.

    Adamu said even before the start of the hajj operation, he sensitised members of the medical team on ways to prevent heatstroke that could arise from heat wave. He advised pilgrims to use umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun.

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    The doctor also implored the pilgrims to always seek shade whenever possible to avoid direct sunlight, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty water throughout the day, even if they do not feel thirsty.

    He said: “Pilgrims are also advised to pay close attention to all health advisories and instructions provided by the medical team. To limit sun exposure, pilgrims should avoid going outside during peak heat. They should also refrain from walking in the sun.”

    The Assistant Director of Public Affairs, NAHCON, Mrs. Fatima Usara, said the commission had been doing its best to educate pilgrims about the risk factors associated with exposing themselves to sun.

  • El-Rufai visits Kaduna amidst N423b fraud indictment

    El-Rufai visits Kaduna amidst N423b fraud indictment

    Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai yesterday joined issues with his successor Governor Uba Sani, saying the latter “will fall like candy after prancing”.

    Sani’s spokesman Muhammad Lawal Shehu declined comment when contacted for reaction. “No comment”, he said.

    El-Rufai retuned to Kaduna barely two weeks after he and his commissioners were indicted by the State House of Assembly for allegedly misappropriating N423 billion between May 29, 2015 and May 29, 2023.

    The former governor, who met with his political associates and followers at his Alimi Road residence where he celebrated the Eid-al-Adha, said he remained unperturbed by the ongoing probe of his administration by the House of Assembly.

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    El-Rufai in a short video clip that went viral after the meeting, predicted that the probe of his government will not yield any result.

    He urged his followers (in sarcasm) to pray for the new Governor (Uba Sani) and his cabinet to do the right thing, the former governor said in Hausa.

    At a town hall meeting in Kaduna on March 30, Sani said his administration inherited a huge debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and N115 billion contractual liabilities from the administration of El-Rufai.

    He also lamented that due to the rise in the exchange rate, the state was paying back almost triple of what was borrowed by the previous administration.

  • We’ll not be distracted from our responsibilities, say police

    We’ll not be distracted from our responsibilities, say police

     Commissioner of Police in Kano State Usaini Gumel has said the command remains steadfast in maintaining law and order.

    Gumel, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the police and other security agencies will not be distracted from discharging their responsibilities to the people. He warned against politicising the security situation, and urged the people to support the police in its duties.

    He said: “We will remain focused on our mandate and will not be distracted from providing a peaceful atmosphere for residents.

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    “The Police Command and all heads of relevant security agencies appreciate the continuing stakeholders collective supports, advise and direction that keep us together in sustaining peace in the state.”

    The police chief also urged the public to provide the police with necessary information towards identifying, apprehending and prosecuting criminals in the society.

  • APC to Kwankwaso: your allegations insensitive, unhelpful

    APC to Kwankwaso: your allegations insensitive, unhelpful

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has berated presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso for alleging that the Federal Government is trying to create a new breed of Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents in the North.

    The party described Kwankwaso’s allegations as ‘insensitive, unhelpful, incendiary and unconscionable’ for an individual of his standing.

    A statement by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka said the outburst is ‘grossly insensitive, unwarranted, and unacceptable’.

    This is also as the local chapter called for Kwankwaso’s arrest for ‘maliciously’ accusing the Federal Government of breeding new crops of Boko Haram terrorists in Kano.

    State Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, said: “Let him bring evidence to prove his allegations. That is how he also lied that the APC-led federal government is plotting to declare a state of emergency in Kano.”

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    The statement by Morka reads: “Our attention has been drawn to comments reportedly made by Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, accusing the APC-led Federal Government of attempting to create a new breed of Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents in Northern Nigeria.

    “Without any shred of evidence, he further alleged that certain individuals in the APC are goading the government with the goal of reclaiming Kano State through the declaration of a state of emergency. Kwankwaso’s wild and unhinged comments were made with reference to the lingering Emirate tussle in Kano.

    “We consider Kwankwaso’s comments to be disappointing, highly incendiary and unconscionable for an individual of his standing. As a former governor and Minister of Defence, we expect Kwankwaso to demonstrate high grade discretion, and a better grip of the severe social, political and security implications of unguarded utterances capable of fueling tension and strife in Kano.

    “It is disturbing that Kwankwaso would so casually accuse the Federal Government of attempting to create a new breed of Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents, the same Boko Haram that has inflicted unspeakable terror, destroyed innocent lives and our heroic men and women in uniform.

    “It is grossly insensitive, unwarranted, and unacceptable for Kwankwaso to bandy such a serious allegation in such a cavalier manner. In his unhinged bid to lash out, Senator Kwankwaso ignored government’s glaring neutrality on the emirate crisis in Kano from the very outset. As a government that thrives on respect for the rule of law and constitutional liberties, the Federal Government has confidence in our courts to fairly adjudicate the matter, and has no need or reason to side with any of parties in the Emir-ship dispute.

    “Unguarded accusations like these coming from the highest level of leadership of the NNPP such as that made by the Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Abdulsalam Gwarzo, against the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, which he has since retracted and apologised for, are utterly unhelpful in the delicate context of Kano, and must be avoided.

    “President Bola Tinubu is a pan-Nigeria bridge builder for peace, security and unity in our land, and will not, cannot, must not be directly or remotely tainted with flimsy and unjustifiable allegation of promoting violent crisis in any part of our country where he is the President and Commander-in Chief-of the Armed Forces.

  • Gunmen kill motorcyclists’ ticket officer in Ekiti

    Gunmen kill motorcyclists’ ticket officer in Ekiti

    Unknown gunmen yesterday killed an officer of the Okada Riders Association, Ekiti State, Samuel Omoyajowo, in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    It was learnt that the victim was shot in the day by two gunmen riding on a commercial  motorcycle around the popular Okesa Roundabout.

    Omoyajowo was said to have been shot moments after he asked if the gunmen had obtained a ticket for the day.

    Witnesses, who knew the victim before his death, said he was one of  the officers engaged to issue tickets to commercial motorcyclists at the roundabout.

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    The witnesses said the assailants sped away after the shooting.

    People scampered for safety, as many hurriedly closed shops and offices for the fear of reprisals from members of the Okada union.

    It was gathered that the body of the victim had been deposited at the morgue of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.

    The Ekiti State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the development, said investigation into the case had begun.