The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Senate passes Bill seeking return to old national anthem

    Senate passes Bill seeking return to old national anthem

    The Senate yesterday passed the National Anthem Bill 2024, which seeks to reintroduce the old anthem: “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

    Last week, the Red Chamber had passed the Bill for first and second reading and committed it to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative work.

    The passage of the Bill for third reading followed the consideration and approval of the report of the committee.

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    The Chairman of the Committee, Mohammed Monguno (APC Borno North), presented the report.

    The House of Representatives had also passed the Bill for third reading last week.

    In his presentation, Monguno asked the Senate to pass the Bill, based on its importance.

    He said: “The parliament considers this Bill important and the National Anthem is a representation of the country’s history, culture and people.

    “The proposed Bill is apt, timely, and important.”

    Thereafter, the Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the clauses of the Bill and subsequently passed them.

    “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was adopted as the country’s first national anthem on October 1, 1960, but was dropped in 1978 by the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime.

  • AHF advocates for ‘Pad Banks’ In Benue schools, communities for teenage girls

    AHF advocates for ‘Pad Banks’ In Benue schools, communities for teenage girls

    AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Nigeria, has stressed the need to set up ‘pad banks’ in schools and communities that would assist teenage girls in the event of menstrual emergencies.

    The organization disclosed this while commemorating the 2024 Menstrual Health Day (MHD), held at Angwan-Jukun, Wurukum, Makurdi Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue state on Tuesday.

    Speaking to newsmen at the occasion, Steve Aborisade, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF Nigeria noted that the call became necessary because majority of teenage girls face what he termed period poverty – lacking access and means to menstrual products which compels young women and girls to seek alternatives that are detrimental to their health and wellbeing.

    He pointed out that the result is that most of the girls have to use other means to contain their menstrual flow, including the use of rags, cotton wool and in some cases tissue paper which are harmful to their health. 

    The Advocacy and Marketing Manager further stated that the inability of the teenagers to access sanitary pad has led to the call on all to end ‘period poverty’. 

    Aborisade, further informed that AHF was appealing to other partners, to contribute to the bank, adding that no matter how small their contributions were, it would go a long way to assist the girls. He said, “We came to this community, using certain criteria. We learnt that there is high prevalence rate of teenage pregnancy, sexual assault, teenage prostitution and so many more.

    “Therefore, we felt that it is important to give the young people in this community some form of education. That was what led to the formation of the Community Committee on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in this community, with other partners in Benue. 

    “This is like a follow-up to that effort; you know we work with some young people and youth peer leaders, and we train them in CSE, because one of the key challenges young girls have now is access to sanitary pads; menstruation is a big deal. They have very little knowledge and awareness about it; on what to do and what not to do. And majority of them cannot even afford sanitary pads.

    “And we have heard from speaker after speaker reinforcing the reality of our girls.” Giving further insight into the pad bank, Aborisade said, “The idea of a pad bank is to be able to create a repository of sanitary pads, for instance, in this community. So that some girls who cannot read their circle and as they are on their way to school, in school, or maybe in church or they are going out and discover that they are already wet (start menstruating) and sometime young boys are making jest of them; in such a situation the girl can quickly run to the house of the community head, for get an emergency supply to deal with the situation. 

    “And we are working with other partners that are here today, to contribute to that bank; if you contribute 10 rolls of the pads, it will go a long way”, he stated.

    Aborisade also stated that AHF would further take its advocacy to the Benue state House of Assembly. 

    The Chairman, Benue state House of Assembly Committee on SDGs and NGOs, (BNHA), Hon. Peter Uche, said his committee is ready to partner with AHF and called on AHF to subsequently involve parents in such programmes, adding that parents should handle their children with tact. He encouraged parents to listen to their children and understand where they were coming from, rather than condemning them.

    Also speaking at the event, which also served as a forum for creating awareness and education for the over 100 teenagers, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Helen Nyikaav, advised the girls to educate their peers on the harmful effects of using other means, other than sanitary pads to contain their menstruation. She said they should count themselves privileged to be exposed to such teachings at an early stage, because some of them were not privileged to this kind of information while growing up.

    Mrs. Matina Adiyia, Head, Menstrual Health Desk Officer, Benue State Action Committee on AIDS (BENSACA), said the core mandate of the agency is HIV and AIDS, but the provision of sanitary pads is crucial as it intersects with HIV transmission. She explained that she would take the matter back to the Executive Secretary of the agency, to see how they would key into the project.

    Miss. Catherine Sunday, a participant from the Agwan-Jukun community echoes the plights of other participants as she pleaded with government to come to the aid of young women and girls by providing free sanitary materials to them and to ensure that they have a conducive environment through the provisions of toilets and running water in schools and in the community so that girls can menstruate with dignity.

  • Oyebade’s contributions to humanity recognised

    Oyebade’s contributions to humanity recognised

    The MD/CEO of Iconic Global (Cargo) Service Corporation, Tosin Oyebade is set for a worthy honour come June 8.

    The honour is coming to Oyebade in faraway Ontario, Canada for his contributions towards humanity and the Nigerian community in Canada.

    The Lions Club International in Ontario, Canada, is set to honour Oyebade and many others at the 2024 awards and anniversary night scheduled to be held at the Karis Event Center.

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    The honours for Oyebade is a testament to his tireless efforts and dedication to creating a better world for all. His recognition will serve as an inspiration to others, encouraging them to follow in his footsteps and make a positive impact on their communities.

    Olusina Bolarinwa, the chairman Organizing committee of the awards, emphasised that Oyebade was carefully selected from a pool of exceptional candidates to receive this esteemed accolade. This recognition acknowledges his outstanding contributions to humanity and his steadfast commitment to the advancement of black and Nigerian communities in North America and beyond.

  • Major shake-up as IGP appoints AIG Longe as Force Secretary

    Major shake-up as IGP appoints AIG Longe as Force Secretary

    Inspector – General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has approved the posting of two senior officers to strategic positions within the Police Force as part of ongoing efforts to bolster the efficiency of the Force and multinational approach to tackling crimes.

    AIG Yetunde Longe has been appointed as the Force Secretary. 

    In this capacity, AIG Longe will be responsible for overseeing the secretarial functions of the Force Headquarters, ensuring that policies and directives of the IGP are implemented effectively as well as coordinate the affairs of senior police officers.

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    According to a statement on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi: “Similarly, AIG Idowu Owohunwa has been assigned to the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja. He is tasked with enhancing international police cooperation and ensuring that Nigeria fulfills its obligations within the global INTERPOL framework.

    “The Inspector General of Police while commending the senior police officers for their dedication and service to the Nigeria Police Force, emphasized that their new assignments is a proof of their exceptional abilities and the trust the Force places in their capabilities”.

    Adejobi said the postings are with immediate effect and follows the retirement of their predecessors.

  • Death toll in Kano mosque explosion hits 21

    Death toll in Kano mosque explosion hits 21

    The death toll in the Kano mosque explosion has risen from 17 to 21, it was learnt on Tuesday.

    Thirty-eight-year-old Shafi’u Abubakar attacked a mosque at Gezawa area of Kano State leading to the death of many worshippers.

    Abubakar was said to have allegedly sprayed the mosque area with petrol, locked the door, and set the mosque on fire when some 32 worshippers were observing their morning prayers (Subhi prayers).

    When police arrested him, he said he did so to take revenge after spotting his family members who allegedly cheated him in inheritance sharing praying in the mosque.

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    A resident of the area, Hamisu Abasawa, who confirmed the number of casualties, said they are left with only four patients in the hospital with various degrees of injuries.

    “We have so far lost 21 persons. We are now left with only four patients in the hospital.

    “The patients are three youths and one adult,” Abasawa said.

    The suspect had been arraigned before an upper Shariah court presided over by Halhalatu Zakariya and remanded in the correctional facility until May 31 for hearing.

  • Bichi emirate asks Kano Assembly to reverse new law

    Bichi emirate asks Kano Assembly to reverse new law

    The Bichi Emirate Council, under the auspices of the Inuwar Masarautar Bichi Emirate Council of Kano on Tuesday asked the Assembly to reverse the new law back to the law that established the five emirates that produced five emirs of first class status.

    The Secretary of the Inuwar Masarautar Bichi, Engr. Bello Gambo, who spoke on behalf of the group, warned the State Government from enforcing the new law to allow the five Emirates continue to exist for the good of the State.

    The group told reporters in Kano that the new law and abolishment of the five emirates council was unacceptable.

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    Gambo said dissolution of the emirates will make over 3000 citizens of the area lose their jobs, which would pave the way for serious insecurity.

    He said the state had lost focus and did not consider public opinion before abolishing the emirates.

    “The state government lost focus when it went ahead blindly and dissolved the emirates without recourse to the fact that they (emirates) are making frantic development gains in the areas of healthcare, agriculture, rural infrastructure among others.

    “We will resist the government’s plan to appoint 2nd Class Emirs or District Heads for us. What we want is our Emir; nothing less.

    “Our Emir should be allowed to continue; nothing less. We will not accept any other anything,” Bello Gambo said.

    The Inuwar Masarautar Bichi further reminded that when the five Emirates Council were created, it was to bring rural communities closer to the Government, and overtime they have achieved a lot in that regard.

    “We are witnesses today of the fact that apart from stopping urban/rural migration, they emirates have ensured that many enjoyed the dividends of democracy in various means and ways.

    “Go to Bichi and see how the emirate Council played a role in turning around the area to a city just like other areas of Gaya, Karaye and Rano emirates.

    He added: “We are not begging for the government to sustain our Emirates; we are asking and insisting that all the emirates should be allowed to continue, that is our position.”

  • Customs dissociates self from officers in confrontation with VIO

    Customs dissociates self from officers in confrontation with VIO

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dissociated itself from officers engaged in confrontation with Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) in AYA, Abuja.

    Chief Superintendent of Customs

    National Public Relations Officer Abdullahi Maiwada made this known in a statement..

    He said the NCS was drawn to a video circulating on social media showing some officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in a confrontation with Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO). 

    The statement reads: “The Service wishes to express its deepest concern and empathy for those affected by this regrettable incident. Furthermore, the NCS unequivocally dissociate itself from the actions of these officers. 

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    “Their condemned behaviour, which appears to be self-motivated, is under thorough investigation, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken to forestall future occurrences.

    “It is essential to state that this incident contradicts the values and operational standards of the NCS. Such behaviour undermines one of the key policy thrusts of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which is to foster collaboration with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians and their properties. 

    “The NCS, under the leadership of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his Management Team, strongly condemns such conduct and does not tolerate any actions that jeopardise the commitment to professionalism and inter-agency cooperation. 

    “The Service remains steadfast in its mission to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling to support a more robust and secure economy for all Nigerians.”

  • Senate postpones public hearing on CBN, NDIC bills

    Senate postpones public hearing on CBN, NDIC bills

    The Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions on Tuesday postponed its public hearing on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act (Amendment) Bill and the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (Amendment) Bill scheduled for Thursday, 30th May, 2024.

    The Clerk to the committee, Mrs Tinuke Ogunrinde, said the public hearing was postponed due to conflicting schedules and clash of national events in commemoration of the first year anniversary of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

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    On the sideline of the May 29 commemoration, the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be hosted by the National Assembly on Wednesday May 29, 2024.

    Also, Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Olawale Edun;  Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, among other key stakeholders who are expected to make presentations on the critical Bills will be engaged with the President who would be commissioning several projects all over the country during this period.

    She said: “Members of the public are hereby informed that the Public Hearing of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions on the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (Amendment) Bills earlier scheduled for Thursday, 30th May, 2024 has been postponed till further notice. A new date and time for the public hearing will be communicated.”

  • Oyo to rename two tertiary institutions

    Oyo to rename two tertiary institutions

    Oyo Government has approved the renaming of two state-owned tertiary institutions.

    The decision forms part of resolutions at the State Executive Council meeting on Tuesday.

    The institutions include: Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery and the Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki.

    The government said the legislative requirement to effect the name change has been transmitted to the House of Assembly. 

    Speaking during a briefing, the Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, said while the request for the renaming of the College of Nursing and Midwifery was made by the regulatory body, the need to rename the Saki based Polytechnic was to honour a former Secretary to the State Government,  Chief Micheal Adeniyi Koleoso. 

    Aikomo said: “Council considers the renaming of the Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwery. This was necessitated by the request of the Nursing and Midwery Council that the name of the institution be changed. It was considered and approved. 

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    “Council considered the renaming of the Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki to be renamed Micheal Adeniyi Koleoso Polytechnic, Saki. Chief Adeniyi Koleoso had served Oyo State in various capacities, and he has contributed immensely to the development of Oyo State and Oke Ogun in particular.

    “There’s a shift from what we used to know. People are immortalised when they are long gone but Governor Seyi Makinde considered it necessary and fit to appreciate people while they are still alive, when they can appreciate and reap the fruit of their labour.

    “So, this was considered and council approved the name change for onward transmission to the Hosue of Assembly for passage to law. The same thing will happen to the Nursing and Midwery College to be renamed because these institutions were set up by the law, amendments will also be considered by the Assembly.”

    He added the government also considered and approved a reorganising of the state-owned Mining Development Company with a plan to increase its shareholding from N10 million to N100million.

    “Council also considered the reorganisation of the Pacesetter Mining Development Company. The Oyo State government recognises the opportunity that abounds in the sector and we also want to play in that space to earn revenue for the state and reposition the state for better efficiency. 

    “Council considered possible reorganisation and injection of capital to the Pacesetter Mining Development Company and it was approved. Consequently, the shares authorised capital of the company will be increased from N10million to N100million. 

    “Before now, the N10million shares were owned by persons on behalf of Oyo State. But, going forward, substantial, super majority shares will be heldby OYSIPA which is the investment arm of Oyo State. OYSIPA will be holding 99 percent shares and the Managing Direcror of the company will be holding one percent share, just nominally to satisfy the requirements of the law. 

    “And we hope that when the government pays for the share of the company, the government is able to inject the necessary capital in the company and the company can compete with other stakeholders in the business so that more revenue can come to the state,” Aikomo added.

  • Naira rallies on back of rising foreign reserves

    Naira rallies on back of rising foreign reserves

    The naira rallied to a recovery at the weekend on the back of sustained increase in the country’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves.

    The naira appreciated by 1.0 per cent to N1, 482.81 per dollar at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM).

    This came as the nation’s forex reserves rose by additional $73.05 million to $32.74 billion. It was the fifth consecutive accretion in the continuing buildup of the reserves.

    Penultimate week, the reserves had added $195.01 million. It had grown by $89.76 million, $132.68 million and $10.76 million in recent weeks.

    At the forwards market, naira contracts closed on the upside at the weekend with the one-year contract appreciating by 1.1 per cent to $1,504.10 per dollar. The three-month contract recovered by 1.4 per cent to N1,546.65 per dollar while the six-month contract appreciated by 0.6 per cent to N1,621.89 per dollar. However, the one-year contract slipped by 0.1 per cent to N1,769.62 per dollar.

    Finance and economy experts were unanimous that the buildup in external reserves was a good indication for the country’s currency management and macroeconomic stability.

    Analysts expected that changes in forex management rules, steady improvement in crude oil production and upbeat in global oil price could help the country mitigate its volatile forex situation.

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    President, Association of Capital Market Academics in Nigeria, Prof Uche Uwaleke, said any increase places the CBN in a stronger position to meet forex obligations as well as intervene in the forex market.

    “If this development is sustained, we are likely to witness an appreciation of the naira in the forex market and more stability in the exchange rate following improved liquidity. This is one positive development capable of keeping away destructive speculators from the forex market,” Uwaleke said.

    Uwaleke however said Nigeria needs to curb excessive import dependence to support its forex recovery.

    “It goes without saying that export-based diversification remains the oly sustainable solution to the present forex crisis,” Uwaleke said.

    According to him, to curb the demand pressure, government should compel a change in consumption behaviour by enacting a ‘Buy Nigeria law’ akin to the ‘Buy America Act’ of 1933 and recently the ‘Build America, Buy America Act’ of 2021.

    “Also, Nigeria’s import data support revisiting and scaling up the CBN’s currency swap deal with the Peoples Bank of China. Given that the bulk of Nigeria’s imports are from China, it stands to reason, therefore, to explore ways of bypassing the dollars and settling these transactions in the Yuan. This was the idea behind the currency swap with China which was largely inadequate in size. In order to increase the stock of Yuan in our external reserves, Nigeria can issue panda bonds, which are bonds denominated in the Chinese Yuan and are considered cheaper than Eurobonds,” Uwaleke said.

    Managing Director, Arthur Steven Asset Management, Mr. Olatunde Amolegbe, said the continuing increase in forex reserves will support government’s current efforts aimed at fostering liquidity and stability at the forex market.

    “The increase is a positive signal for improved liquidity in the forex market. This should ultimately help to stabilize the exchange rate of the naira or even strengthen it against the dollar if the increase is steady and consistent,” Amolegbe said.

    In its latest macroeconomic assessment report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had sounded upbeat on the Nigeria’s macroeconomic reforms citing the improvement in oil production, ongoing efforts to boost food production and social welfare programmes among others.

    Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Olayemi Cardoso, has outlined that ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s forex position would lead to increased stability in forex reserves and naira. 

    According to him, the collaboration with Ministry of Finance and the NNPCL to ensure that all forex inflows are returned to the CBN will greatly enhance forex flows and contribute to the accretion of reserves.

    “The expected stability in the foreign exchange market for 2024 can be attributed to the reduction in petroleum product imports and the recent implementation of a market-determined exchange rate policy by the CBN. This reform is designed to streamline and unify multiple exchange rates, fostering transparency and reducing opportunities for arbitrage. The resulting consistent and stable exchange rate will not only boost investor confidence but also attract foreign investment, elevating Nigeria’s appeal to global investors.

    “We are implementing a comprehensive strategy to improve liquidity in our forex markets in the short, medium, and long term. Our focus is on addressing fundamental issues that have hindered the effective operation of our markets over the years,” Cardoso said.

    He pointed out that the apex bank understands that upholding the integrity of financial markets is crucial for building confidence, thus it remains committed to decisively address any infractions and abuses.

    He noted that in efforts to stabilise the exchange rate, the CBN prioritises transparency and a market environment that enables the fair determination of exchange rates, ensuring stability for businesses and individuals alike.

    “We believe that the naira is currently undervalued and, coupled with coordinated measures on the fiscal side, we will expedite genuine price discovery in the near term. This coordinated approach will contribute to a more balanced and stable exchange rate,” Cardoso said.