The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Liverpool enter race for Osimhen

    Liverpool enter race for Osimhen

    Liverpool  have intensified their search for reinforcements and have joined the competition for the signature of Victor Osimhen, a striker coveted by several clubs in the Premier League and beyond.

    According to Corriere dello Spornjunto Red has expressed interest in the Nigerian striker and is among the teams that could compete for his services. The forward, who has scored 16 goals this season for Napoli , has a release clause of 130 million euros, meaning that the Italian club will not be able to avoid selling him if a team activates said clause.

    For Liverpool, this move comes at a time of need following a series of adverse results in various competitions. The fans have shown their discontent, and the club has been linked to several forwards in search of solutions. Osimhen joins that list after his outstanding season in Serie A.

    Read Also: Osimhen, Ademola , Dessers , Onuachu  paint Europe with   goals 

    However, signing Osimhen will not be an easy task for Liverpool as they would have to shell out a considerable sum to activate his release clause. This could mean the need to make surprise sales to finance the transfer, which could include the departure of players such as Darwin Núñez.

    In addition to Liverpool, other Premier League teams are also interested in Osimhen. Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal are among the clubs that have shown interest in the Nigerian striker. Chelsea, in particular, could have an advantage in negotiations due to their willingness to discuss payment terms.

  • Forest bank on half-fit Awoniyi  for PL survival

    Forest bank on half-fit Awoniyi  for PL survival

    The Nottingham Forest boss has said he expects Taiwo Awonyi to recover in time to help them fight against relegation from the Premier League.

    Forest are just a point outside the relegation in yet another fierce battle to stay up in the English top league.

    Awoniyi has been battling with recurrent injury, which has kept him away from the squad and also from the Super Eagles.

    Read Also: Adamawa health commissioner confirms 42 deaths in measles outbreak

    In his absence, Nottingham Forest have been counting on the goals of Chris Wood.

    Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has admitted Awoniyi is not fully fit, but still hopes the striker could return to help out.

    Nuno said in his press conference ahead of their trip to Bramall Lane to take on already relegated Sheffield United;

    “He was out all week. He started today with the group so let’s see if he has this positive feeling. I think he can help us,” he said.

    “He joined the team today, he had good feelings, we still have to wait for tomorrow to see how it goes. And if he feels okay like he felt today, I think he can help definitely with his experience, he’s a goal scorer.

    “We are aware and we know that he’s not in his top level but definitely a helpful player for us in these final moments.”

  • Adamawa health commissioner confirms 42 deaths in measles outbreak

    Adamawa health commissioner confirms 42 deaths in measles outbreak

    The Adamawa State Government on Friday evening confirmed that 42 people have died due to outbreak of measles.

    The state Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Felix Tangwame, who provided an update on the outbreak, said the deaths occurred in Mubi and Gombi local government areas.

    Speaking to newsmen shortly after the state executive council meeting held at the Government House, Yola, the commissioner said the measles outbreak affected eight wards in Mubi and seven wards in Gombi local government areas.

    He gave the death toll of 42 out of 131 and 177 respectively of the affected persons in the indicated LGAs.

    Read Also: Speeding bus driver kills one, injures seven in Anambra

    As part of measures to avert further spread, the commissioner said all LGAs in the state had been put on red alert.

    Tangwame said his ministry, on receiving report of the outbreak, had responded swiftly, which was why it was able to manage the situation.

    He added that the government and development partners were on top of the situation.

  •  Nigeria documents over 10,000 medicinal plants to boost traditional medicine sector

     Nigeria documents over 10,000 medicinal plants to boost traditional medicine sector

    The Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has documented over 10,000 species of medicinal plants in its move to boost the country’s traditional medicine sector.

    According to the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), the documentation is part of the agency’s efforts to develop and promote traditional medicine.

    The NNMDA Director-General, Professor Martins Emeje, who spoke to Fellows of the Africa Disease Reporting Fellowship (ADReF) during a visit at his office as part of the fellowship, stated that the documentation is a critical step towards harnessing the potential of traditional medicine in addressing the country’s health challenges.

    “Every plant that is useful in treating one form of disease or the other in Nigeria has been documented by my agency. We believe that one of the best ways to move forward is to concentrate on the area of expertise. This would make us move forward. For every ailment, the solution is in that environment the disease exists.

    “We are doing massive digital registration and documentation of traditional medicine and products in Nigeria. We have mapped out all the 774 local government areas in Nigeria to enable us get the digital database of all traditional medical practitioners across the country. This is a step towards standardisation”, he said.

    Read Also: Exams fees: Sokoto govt introduces ID cards to prevent exam fraud in public schools

    He also said that NNMDA has established a database of traditional medicine practitioners and products, which is expected to enhance the quality and safety of traditional medicine services.

    The Fellows also visited the Zee Herbal Pharmacy where the CEO, Zainab Ujudud Shariff, a traditional medicine practitioner and proprietor of Zee Herbal Pharmacy disclosed that 80 per cent of people living in the rural areas patronise traditional medicine, urging the media and other stakeholders to improve on it rather than castigate it.

  • Discrimination: Buratai calls for expulsion of Chinese supermarket

    Discrimination: Buratai calls for expulsion of Chinese supermarket

    The TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation has called for the expulsion of the Chinese family owners of the Abuja supermarket, which allegedly denied access to Nigerians.

    The foundation, led by its chairman, Ambassador Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi and Betara of Biu, expressed deep concern over the discriminatory practices of the supermarket, which only allows Chinese citizens to enter and purchase goods while barring Nigerians from doing the same.

    The Grand Patron of the Foundation, His Excellency Ambassador Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd) CFR, former Chief of Army Staff, condemned the discriminatory actions of the supermarket owners, likening it to racism. He emphasised that no foreign citizen should be denied his rights in Nigeria as long as he or she abides by the country’s laws.

    Read Also: Judges, lawyers seek reduction of CJN’s role in judicial officers’ appointment

    Gen Buratai also questioned the audacity of foreigners dictating terms to bona-fide citizens on how to live or stay in their own country.

    He further criticised the discriminatory policies of the supermarket owners, stating that there is no valid reason for a company in Nigeria to refuse to sell to Nigerians. He labelled the actions of the Chinese family-owned establishment as a clear case of racism and called for decisive action by the federal government against any individuals, foreign or Nigerian, who flout the rules and regulations of the nation.

  • Residents embrace community policing in Benue

    Residents embrace community policing in Benue

    Communities in Guma and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State have taken ownership of community policing initiative as part of solutions to insecurity.

    The concept of community policing which is in line with Section 113 of the Police Act 2020, was introduced by a non-governmental organisation, Lawyers Alert, to enhance trust between the people and the security structure, so as to improve security in the state.

    The community-led solution was introduced in 2023 to dampen tensions amidst insecurity by strengthening public-police relations in the state with a 20-member committee in each area spearheading the activities.

    Read Also: Judges, lawyers seek reduction of CJN’s role in judicial officers’ appointment

    At a monthly meeting of the committee in Gbajimba, the Directors General Services and Administration (DGSA) of Guma Local Government, Mr. Waku Christopher, on behalf of the entire Guma local government, donated office space to the members of the Community Policing Committee (CPC) to serve as a secretariat and operational hub.

    Mr Waku said the donation is an appreciation of the good work that the CPC is undertaking in Guma to strengthen relationships and bring about harmony in the community.

    He said “This project implemented by Lawyers Alert has already started changing the interface between the community and the security personnel in the region. On behalf of the Guma Local Government Council, we thank Lawyers Alert and the CPC for spearheading this community-driven initiative.”

    In Katsina-Ala, Hon. Justine Orangoholga Shaku, the Caretaker Chairman, lauded the initiative and the good work the CPC is doing in the communities.

  • External candidates: Sokoto to issue ID cards to counter back-door infiltration

    External candidates: Sokoto to issue ID cards to counter back-door infiltration

    ● Says govt spending N1bn on WAEC, NECO

    As part of efforts to keep accurate records and statistics of students in public schools for payment of examination fees, the government of Sokoto State has decided to commence the issuance of identity cards to its students to separate them from external candidates.

    The identification cards are to check excesses of some suspected school principals and staff.

    “This will assist us in knowing the exact number of our students, especially those that will sit for SSCE.”

     It was a resolution reached at the State Executive Council meeting on Friday chaired by Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto.

    Read Also: Exams fees: Sokoto govt introduces ID cards to prevent exam fraud in public schools

    The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Tukur Arkali disclosed at a briefing in Sokoto.

    Alkali explained that the decision was informed by the huge amount being spent by the state government on Senior Secondary School Examinations for students.

    Alkali said: “Some principals and examination officers used to enlist external candidates, thus adding more burdens on the state government.”

    He added that the state government spent N1bn on NECO and WAEC alone for its students, stating that it was humongous.

    “And this year, we are anticipating 33,000 candidates and with the current increment in registration fees by WAEC and NECO, we will spend not less than N1.9 billion,” he pointed out.

    Meanwhile, the state has approved the purchase of 1000 motorcycles and 500 tricycles for youth empowerment.

    The council also approved the construction of water ways at Tudun Wada cemetery and renovation of Hajj Camp, which it named after Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, the former Governor of the state.

  • Idahosa sues Ighodalo’s ally for defamation, demands N2b damages

    Idahosa sues Ighodalo’s ally for defamation, demands N2b damages

    The  deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 21, 2024 election in Edo State, Dennis Idahosa, has sued Rev. Olu Martins, an ally of the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, over a malicious and defamatory publication.

    Idahosa, the representative of Ovia constituency of Edo in the House of Representatives, also demanded N2 billion as general, punitive, aggravated and exemplary damages against the defendant (Martins, the Deputy Director of the media team of Ighodalo campaign organisation), for the libellous and malicious publication.

    Read Also: NSITF pledges to help Tinubu achieve agenda on social investment

    The suit was filed yesterday by Idahosa’s lawyer, Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa, SAN, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja Judicial Division.

    The claimant (Idahosa) wanted a declaration that the content of the online publication made vide various WhatsApp group chat pages, Facebook page and other social media outlets by the defendant, with the headline: “APC guber candidate, Okpebholo, mocks Oshiomhole, as Idahosa returns from foreign trip,” published by the defendant on several dates, including May 2, 2024, is libellous and discredited the personal and political reputation of the claimant in the eyes of the general public.

    Idahosa equally demanded public apology, running for four weeks on the social media outlets, and withdrawal and removal forthwith of the offensive publication, and payment of N15 million as cost of the action.

  • Okpebholo kicks as Obaseki inaugurates five of eight High Court judges

    Okpebholo kicks as Obaseki inaugurates five of eight High Court judges

    The  governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21, 2024 election in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has kicked against yesterday’s inauguration by Governor Godwin Obaseki of five of the eight Edo High Court judges, eleven months after their June 2023 recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    The newly-inaugurated judges are Justices Obayuwana Osarenren Mathias, Ehinon Anthony Okoh, Ovenseri Otamere, Bright Eraze Oniha, and Osayande Ikwuemosi Awawu.

    Another displeased stakeholder was the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which condemned Obaseki’s delay in inaugurating the judges, describing it as an abuse of power and disregard for constitutional provisions.

    Read Also:APC’s Okpebholo kicks as Obaseki inaugurates five out of eight Judges

    NBA’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) specifically highlighted the constitutional obligation of the governor to promptly inaugurate the recommended judicial officers.

    SPIDEL declared that the unnecessary and ridiculous delay in inaugurating the recommended judges hindered the functioning of the justice delivery system, and greatly affected the hardworking and committed judicial officers.

    Obaseki, while inaugurating the judges at the New Festival Hall of Government House, Benin, urged them to do right to all cases brought before them.

    The Edo governor said: “It is with delight that today (yesterday), I am swearing-in five additional judges to the bench of the Edo State High Court. When I came into office in 2016, one of the commitments we made was to strengthen the judiciary. This is because of its role in the democratic process. As a government, we are going to ensure that we support the judiciary.

    “Let me start with the latest reforms which is, for me, assenting to the law providing for the autonomy of the judiciary. I believe that we are one of the few states in Nigeria today that have signed the bill of the autonomy of the judiciary into law.

    “In line with the other reforms, which we are undertaking in the state, we are encouraging the judicial arm of government to take advantage of the digital infrastructure that the state is currently investing in, as we have built over 2,000-km fibre optic connection across the state. We now have digital infrastructure in every area where we have a high court. Please, take advantage of the investments made.

    Speaking on behalf of the new judges, Osayende Ikwuemosi Awawu, said: “We are going to do our jobs and perform our duties to the best of our ability.”

    Okpebholo, in a press statement by his campaign organisation, signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Prince John Mayaki, declared that inaugurating five of the eight judges was similar to Obaseki’s polarisation of Edo House of Assembly between 2019 and 2023, where the state’s governor debarred 14 APC members in the 24-member Assembly from being inaugurated or sitting for four years, until the expiration of their tenure.

  • APC Grassroots Movement elects new excos

    APC Grassroots Movement elects new excos

    National  Chairman of Consolidated APC Grassroots Movement (CAGraM), Engr. Salisu Magaji and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) have congratulated the newly elected executive members of the Lagos State Chapter on their successful election.

    In the statement signed by the Acting National Secretary of the group, Engr. Keruwole Murisik Abiodun, who was present at the Lagos State Chapter election, stated that the NWC is equally proud of the transparent conduct of the state electoral committee under the watch of the trustworthy CAGraM South West Zonal Executives led by the Vice Chairman, Com. Kolawole Okedara.

    The national executives shall always be behind their progressive initiatives for the advancement of CACram in Lagos State politics.

    Read Also:APC’s Okpebholo kicks as Obaseki inaugurates five out of eight Judges

    “Let it be known that CAGraM is a consortium of all support groups registered under APC at all levels. It is one unique body nationwide with a common goal to benefit all members. No individual owns CAGraM as it is collectively your duties in line with CAGraM bye and rules as may be enacted by CAGraM NWC, it noted.

    Com. Okedara emphasised that the group is about building effective partnerships, collaboration, communication, and critical engagement with all, stressing that doing so is vital to achieving necessary success, productivity, and good performance as a grassroots movement.