The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Europe-bound teen arrested at Abuja airport with Meth consignment

    Europe-bound teen arrested at Abuja airport with Meth consignment

    ..Female lawyer, others held over illicit drugs

    • ….NDLEA intercepts 116.5kg Colorado from Canada

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja have arrested a 19-year-old student, Benjamin Nnamani Daberechi, for attempting to export 7.2 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in crayfish to Europe where he was going for undergraduate studies.

    Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, revealed this in a statement on Sunday.

    Daberechi was intercepted on Wednesday 12th July, during an outward clearance of passengers on Turkish Airlines flight TK 0624, Babafemi said.

    According to the statement, while being interviewed by operatives, Daberechi claimed he was a student on his way to Cyprus for studies, but upon a thorough search of his luggage, he was found in possession of 7.2kg of whitish substance neatly concealed inside a sack of crayfish.

    Babafemi said a field test of the substance however proved positive to Methamphetamine.

    The NDLEA Spokesman also said operatives of the Tincan Port Command of the Agency on Tuesday 11th July intercepted 116.5kg consignment of Colorado, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in bags hidden in a heap of used vehicles parts on the floor of a container marked FCIU 8459700, bearing three units of used vehicles imported from Toronto, Canada.

    The statement reads, “Based on intelligence, the Agency had requested for a 100 per cent examination of the container which arrived the TICT terminal of the port on 14th June. A joint examination with the Nigeria Customs, DSS and other stakeholders on Tuesday 11th July however led to the discovery of 233 parcels of the illicit substance stashed inside travelling bags on the floor of the container, covered with used vehicles spare parts.

    Read Also: NDLEA intercepts 64,863kg ‘laughing gas’ consignments

    “Also attempts to export various quantities of illicit substances through courier companies were equally thwarted by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigations, DOGI in Lagos.

    “While 336 grams of skunk stuffed inside computer hard drives going to Dubai, UAE, were seized at a courier firm, a suspect, Ibrahim Analu, 28, was arrested at Iddo motor park, Lagos while attempting to send 151,700 pills of opioids to Kaduna.

    “A total of 4.830kg skunk was also discovered at another courier firm in a shipment from Douala, Cameroon passing through Nigeria to Oman. The drug was concealed in 10 of 12 cans of palm fruits paste, locally called Banga, packed in a carton.

    “Meanwhile, a Lekki Lagos-based female lawyer, Ebikpolade Helen, who specialises in production and distribution of skuchies, a mixture of cannabis, opioids and black currant has been arrested in a follow up operation in Awka, Anambra State following an earlier seizure of 5kg cannabis and 12 bottles of prepared skuchies in her apartment at Lekki.

    “While Abubakar Shuaibu was arrested on Thursday 13th July at Cappa, Mushin/Oshodi road with 86 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup weighing 8.6 litres in his Toyota bus marked FFA 241YB, two other suspects: Razak Ogunbo and Adeola Idowu were nabbed Tuesday 11th July at Ikorodu with 51 litres of skuchies. This is even as 372kg cannabis sativa and 48 bottles of skuchies measuring 48 litres were recovered from the home of a fleeing drug dealer at Akala, Mushin Lagos on Wednesday 12th July.

    “In Ondo state, operatives stormed a building at Ehin-Ala, Akure South LGA where they arrested one Abubakar Zayanu Gyambar, 28, with 162 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 1,944 kilograms, while another suspect, Henry Wilson, 50, was nabbed at Ogume town, Ndokwa West LGA, Delta State with same substance weighing 216.5kg.

    “A total of 45.41kg cannabis was recovered from Adam Hassan, 27, along Inga wa-Mani – Mashi road, Katsina enroute Niger Republic, while 70kg of same substance was seized from Mamman Nur Shettima on Saturday 15th July along Kano – Nguru road, Yobe state. In Kano, a suspect, Abdulhamid Lawan Bayaro, 48, was on Friday 14th July nabbed at the Dan Agundi area, Kano with 114 blocks of cannabis, weighing 71.7kg, just as operatives recovered 50,000 pills of Tamol, a brand of Tramadol at Kofar Waika area of the state.

    “While a total of 912,600 pills of pharmaceutical opioids including tramadol were recovered from two commercial vehicles; one coming from Lagos to Kano, the other was intercepted along Abuja-Jere-Kaduna expressway, with a suspect, Sahabi Lawal, 25, arrested. In Borno State, 32-year-old Umar Tijjani Mustapha was arrested at Gangamari, MMC, with 55.25kg skunk on Thursday 13th July.

    “Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the tenacity of the officers and men of NAIA, Tincan, Lagos, Ondo, Katsina, Yobe, Delta, Kano, Kaduna and Borno Commands as well as those of DOGI. He charged them and their compatriots across the country to remain vigilant.”

  • NEMA partners media for accurate, proactive emergency reporting

    NEMA partners media for accurate, proactive emergency reporting

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) weekend urged the media to continue to uphold accurate and proactive disaster, and emergency reporting to foster development.

    Director General, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, made the appeal at a workshop for media practitioners on disaster reporting organised by NEMA in Lagos, Saturday.

    Ahmed, who led senior officials of NEMA to the workshop, said it was an opportunity for the agency to interact with media practitioners, share learning, insights and equip them with the knowledge that would help in their reportage as well as enable them to curb misinformation, disinformation and fake news while building resilience in the sector.

    According to him, by working together, the media and NEMA could raise public awareness, enabling individuals to make informed decisions and take necessary precautions when faced with emergencies.

    He urged media practitioners to act as gatekeepers in this era of widespread disinformation, expressing trust in their ability to counter misinformation, fake news, and the activities of citizen journalists and fifth columnists.

    He said: “We intend to foster collaboration and networking between media practitioners and NEMA. Our shared goal is to facilitate effective information dissemination during emergencies.

    “By working together, we can ensure that timely and accurate information reaches the public, creating much-needed awareness and enabling them to make informed decisions and take necessary precautions where applicable.”

    Read Also: NEMA, governors meet over flood threat

    The workshop featured technical presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions.

    NEMA’s Director of Special Duties, Dr. Onimode Bandele Abdullahi, provided a comprehensive overview of the agency’s history, mandate, and efforts in disaster management within Nigeria.

    A panel discussion, moderated by Dayo Alao, focused on “Navigating Challenges in Disaster Reporting: Insights from Media Practitioners.”

    Panelists included NEMA’s Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, Dr. Daniel Obot; the agency’s Head of Lagos Territorial Office, Ibrahim Farinloye; Managing Editor Daily Trust, Hamza Idris and Publisher of Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo.

    Two additional technical presentations enriched the workshop’s agenda. Communications Management Expert, Chido Nwakanma, led a session on “Collaborative Approaches in Disaster Reporting: Strengthening Partnerships for Effective Communication,” while PR and Development expert, Toni Kan, facilitated a presentation on “Ethics in Disaster Reporting: Balancing Sensationalism and Responsible Journalism.”

    The workshop concluded with feedback from the media practitioners, who commended NEMA for organising the insightful and timely event.

  • JUST IN: Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to claim first Wimbledon title

    JUST IN: Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to claim first Wimbledon title

    Carlos Alcaraz has won his first Wimbledon title after beating Novak Djokovic in five sets

    Carlos become the youngest Wimbledon men’s champion since Boris Becker in 1985.

    Read Also: ‘Phenomenal’ Djokovic targets record Grand Slams at Wimbledon

    The 20-year-old young Spaniard defeats Novak Djokovic 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 to claim his second Grand Salm title.

    Details shortly….

  • Reps panel to screen Service Chiefs Monday

    Reps panel to screen Service Chiefs Monday

    The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee set up to screen the recently appointed Service Chiefs will engage the appointees on Monday.

    The panel, headed by the chairman of the Committee on Defence in the 9th House, Rep. Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos), was constituted last Tuesday.

    Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who announced the setting up of the panel at plenary, said all the eight principal officers of the House from the majority and minority parties would be part of the ad-hoc committee.

    The Majority Caucus has Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) as Majority Leader; Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims (APC, Kogi), Deputy Majority Leader; Bello Usman Kumo (APC, Gombe), Chief Whip; and Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga (APC, Ogun) as Deputy Chief Whip.

    The Minority Caucus equally has Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) as Minority Leader; Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano), Deputy Minority Leader; Ali Isa (PDP, Gombe), Minority Whip; and George Ozodinobi (LP, Anambra) as Deputy Minority Whip.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Senate okays appointment of Service Chiefs

    Consequently, the ad-hoc panel has scheduled a screening session with the newly appointed Service Chiefs on Monday, July 17.

    The appointees billed for screening by the committee are Maj. Gen. C.G Musa as Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Gen. T. A. Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral E. A. Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff and Air Vice Marshal H.B. Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on June 19 approved the immediate retirement of the former Service Chiefs, the ex-Inspector-General of Police and the ex-Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service and appointed their successors.

    The President had conveyed the nominations and request for confirmation to the National Assembly via a letter dated July 5, 2023, addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen.

  • Tobi Amusan wins 100m Hurdles at Silesia Diamond League

    Tobi Amusan wins 100m Hurdles at Silesia Diamond League

    The Nigerian star produced a strong finish to win the competitive women’s 100m hurdles at the Silesia Diamond League in Chorzow, Poland.

    The world record holder (12.12 seconds) finished ahead of the stacked field in 12.34s to equal the meeting record.

    She was just ahead of her rivals for next month’s Budapest World Athletics Championships, with United States of America’s Keni Harrison second in 12.35s and Nia Ali, another American, third in 12.38s.

    Read Also: Gadzama salutes Amusan, Ese over AFN Athletics trials

    The reigning Commonwealth gold medalist wrote on her Facebook “One race at a time, my coach has always told me that, and I’m happy to have finished here with another season’s best and the meeting record,” she said.

    “All Glory to God and a big shout out (to) my coach and my entire team as well as my ever-supportive fans.”

  • N70b allocation not palliatives for lawmakers, says NASS

    N70b allocation not palliatives for lawmakers, says NASS

    The Senate on Sunday denied reports by a section of the media that N70billion allocated to the National Assembly in the recently passed N819billion Supplementary Appropriation Act Bill was ‘palliatives’ for lawmakers.

    The red chamber also debunked reports that the lawmakers ‘padded’ the supplementary budget.

    The Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC – Ekiti South), who gave these clarifications in a statement in Abuja, said the money is meant for “facelift” of the National Assembly and not for individual lawmakers.

    He added that presently, some lawmakers had to bring in some of their personal effects like “chairs and tables” for temporary usage as their offices were undergoing renovation.

    Adaramodu said the Senate was not ready to join issues with mischief makers who claim the N70b was a ‘gift’ from the Executive arm of government to the lawmakers.

    He insisted that the passage of the Supplementary Appropriation Act Bill was part of the constitutional duties of the Senate to accommodate funding for the Federal Government’s Palliatives for the Nigerian public among other national demands.

    Adaramodu said: “After the passage of the Supplementary Budget to accommodate funding for Federal Government’ Palliatives for the Nigerian public, among other urgent national demands, the socio-political space has been inundated with spurious, inaccurate and irreverent misinterpretations.

    “Suffice to say that the passage is part of the absolute constitutional duty of the Senate. We would, therefore, not wish to join issues with the mischief and misrepresentation that a portion of the just passed Amendment Act that appropriated N70billion was a ‘gift’ to the Legislators.”

    Read Also: UPDATED: House approves Tinubu’s request for palliatives

    According to the Ekiti South lawmaker, “a visit to the suites, offices and the general structures of the National Assembly Complex would reveal a yawning gap and the need for exigent attention.

    “Many Senators had to bring their chairs, tables and electronics and in many cases, do sundry repairs.

    “The so much debated allocation will not be paid to any Legislators. This will be managed by the National Assembly’s bureaucracy.

    “It’s pertinent to also note that the National Assembly complex does not house only the Legislators. There are thousands of workers and service providers, whose working environment needs a face-lift, and/with necessary tools.

    “Since the Assembly Complex is not owned by legislators who are merely political birds of passage, such allocation cannot be termed by anyone as a palliative to the legislators.

    “The alleged padding of the palliative budget by the National Assembly only exists in the minds of those who are all out to discredit the 10th Assembly. There is nothing like padding as is being alleged by some misinformed media outfits.

    “We wish to urge fellow compatriots to see the National Assembly as partners in the progress of Nigeria. The National Assembly is the soul of democracy and the 10th Senate shall join hands with other arms of government and our forward-looking Nigerians to sing new songs of progress, development, safety and all-round economic recovery and growth.”

  • Navy recovers AK-47 rifles, ammunition from sea robbers

    Navy recovers AK-47 rifles, ammunition from sea robbers

    Naval operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS SOROH) have recovered two AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition from sea robbers in Bayelsa State.

    The Navy also deactivated a local wooden boat used to convey illegal crude oil products in the state.

    The Commander, NNS SOROH, Commodore Olushina Ojebode, disclosed this yesterday during a press briefing at the Naval Base in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    Ojebode stated that the personnel of NNS SOROH during a water patrol at Gbaram community of Agbadam-Foropa encountered six armed men in a speedboat who attempted to attack the troops.

    According to him, the troops overpowered the armed men with superior firepower in the fight that ensued which made the sea robbers to flee.

    Ojebode said: “The items recovered from the armed men include arms and ammunition; two AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, 133 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and one small Techno phone, among others.

    Read Also: Navy seizes N29b worth cannabis

    “In another development, own troops during an anti-crude oil theft operation at Southern Ijaw discovered a wooden boat laden with illegal crude oil products. Accordingly, the boat was deactivated in line with extant regulation and standard operating procedure.”

    The Commander vowed that with the successful operations at Tebidaba, Furopa and Ezetu, combing the Bayelsa maritime environment for oil thieves and operators of illegal bunkering and sundry crimes was non-negotiable.

    He assured Bayelsans and by extension, Nigerians of a renewed effort to provide adequate security within Nigeria’s maritime domain, saying it was in pursuant of the mandate of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ikechukuwu Ogalla.

    Ojebode urged those involved in illegal activities to have a rethink and seek legitimate source of livelihoods or else the full weight of the Force would catch up with them.

    The Commander, while commending the troops for their gallantry and high level of professionalism, urged all law-abiding Bayelsans to continue to support the military and other security agencies with credible and actionable information that would assist in operations against the criminal elements.

    The Commander later took a five-minute boat ride through the Epie Creek to Famgbe in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa where his personnel deactivated the local boat used for oil theft.

  • Old Boys vow to restore glory of unity schools

    Old Boys vow to restore glory of unity schools

    The Unity School Old Students Association (USOSA) has reiterated its commitment to work with stakeholders to advance public secondary education in the country.

    USOSA’s President-General, Michael Magaji, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Saturday, ahead of its National Education Summit billed for July 20.

    Magaji said the summit would bring about a policy redirection towards developing the country’s education sector.

    He said: “We are going to design a roadmap and work plan that will chat a way for stakeholders to address the numerous challenges facing the sector.

    “We as alumni of unity schools have come together to advance the course of public education at the basic and secondary levels.

    “We believe that in public education today, quality has declined for many reasons- poor funding, lack of infrastructure, and high enrolment without commensurate capacity in terms of teaching and infrastructural decay.

    “So what we want to do as an association is to help in reversing this decline to promote and advocate public education where taxpayers money can be effectively used for the good of everyone, particularly the education sector.

    “So at USOSA, we are in the solution mood around education to do something about it. We will continue to partner with the owners of the schools – the federal government to see how we can improve quality and introduce digital innovation.”

    Read Also: Produce another President, Obasanjo challenges BBHS old boys

    Magaji described education as the responsibilities of all and should therefore not be left in the hands of the Federal Government alone.

    “The education summit is targeted at bringing stakeholders together to design a road map that can address the challenges in the sector.

    “In education, two key elements are important, which are access and quality. So, we are going to be working with the government on how to support them to improve access to infrastructure and infuse digital technology into learning experiences,” he added.

    He, therefore, said that promoting the teaching of the curriculum in Nigerian languages would be the focus of the summit.

    When asked about the proposed 12 years as minimum admission age for entry into JSS 1 of the unity colleges, Magaji said age should not be a barrier if the candidates could demonstrate an aptitude and behaviour that would enable him to lead in the community of learners.

    The president-general said the association would be working with the Federal Ministry of Education to proffer strategies in transforming the sector in the next few years.

    While acknowledging the efforts of some Nigerians in their inputs towards public and private services of education, Magaji said that awards would be given to them to provide inspirational models for others to follow.

  • There is beef in make-up artist industry, says Obieroma

    There is beef in make-up artist industry, says Obieroma

    Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Revysbeauty, Orevaoghene Obieroma is one of the wave-making make-up artists in town. Obieroma takes DAMOLA KOLA-DARE through the ups and downs of her world of working with top celebrities, society women, party rockers and preparing brides for the glam look on their wedding day.

    Background

    I am the creative director of Revys beauty. I’m a make-up artist based in Lagos. What we basically do is to enhance women’s beauty, making women feel very comfortable about themselves.

    Why I chose make-up as career

    Honestly, I never thought I would be a make-up artist. Make-up generally is something I have passion for. And with the fact that there are no jobs in the country, I have to create one for myself. I found myself on this path and I’m loving every bit of it, trust me it’s very lucrative.

    Duration in make-up business and coping

    It’s been five years now and I have been surviving by keeping up with the make-up trends. Makeup has evolved over the years. What we did last year is not what we are doing this year. So, you just have to follow the trends and keep evolving, keep improving on your craft as well as remain updated about what’s going on in the make-up industry

    Carving a niche in a competitive industry

    First and foremost, improving my craft has been very helpful. My niche for my make-up is in the area of bridal makeup and party guest services. My make-up style is very soft and calm. And I feel like that’s what is most suitable for brides. That’s what they like. My niche is to create soft glam that any bride would want to rock on their wedding day. I tend to shy away from loud make-up and I intend to create a soft make-up style that my brides can relate to.

    Working with other brands

    Aside from being a bridal make-up artist, I’m a content creator. I create a lot of contents with a lot of models for brands like Merak Cosmetics, Slyvimak, Ms metics, Omaricode, Zaron cosmetics and some others brands that I have worked with. They probably have gone through my page, and have seen that I’m a content creator and that’s how they were drawn to my page.

    Experience with top celebs

    I have actually worked with lots and lots of celebrities. To mention a few, I have worked with brands Like Swanky Jerry who is a fashion god, Mercy Eke, Nengi, Lillian Afe, Beauty Tukura, I have also worked with some of the Real Housewives of Lagos, Like Chioma good hair, Caroline and Mariam and others I can’t even remember. Honestly, working with celebrities is a blessing but very stressful. They give an appointment on a set at a time and when you get there, you wait and end up spending the whole of your day with them, which can be quite adventurous because I learn a lot.

    Journey so far and mentors

    Honestly, my make-up journey has not been easy. When I first started, I got discouraged by low engagement. You know you have to post your content on Instagram as Instagram is our major platform to showcase our creative work. So Instagram’s reach was very low. I hardly got booked by clients. I can remember a day Chisom of Beautified, one of my colleagues, reached out to me having noticed how greatly I was doing in the industry. She said I shouldn’t mind if I didn’t get recognition from clients. She said I should remain focused and keep doing my thing and I’m so glad I held on to her words. The make-up journey was really tough on me until I got my major break after COVID-19. It was after the COVID-19 period that I started getting clients and here we are now. Other people who guided me and influenced my profession are the likes of Layefa Beauty, Jennifer of Talk Glam Cosmetics, and Bola of BolaBlaque Beauty Store. So these are the people that really inspired me and made sure I got it right.

    Read Also: Davido appreciates South African artiste for album feature

    Profession I would have delved into

    If not makeup, I probably would have one random 9 to 5 job. Before I started make-up, I was working with Jumia as a customer service representative. I would have still been there and probably grown up the ladder.

    Plans to venture into other things

    Aside from Make-up, I would like to work with international brands for product production. I would also want to have a very big make-up academy where I love to train a lot of students from all over the world. I would like to have my own brand and products in the near future.

    Fulfilling moments on the job

    When I get gifts from my clients for a job well done, because it’s not what you get on a daily basis. When a client gives you a gift, it means she genuinely appreciates your service.

    Challenges of young make-up artists

    I think brands get discouraged by low followers. Clients go to your page and love what you do but get discouraged about the number of followers therein. To be honest, that’s actually a real-life scenario. And, secondly, when brands are not willing to collaborate with upcoming make-up artists. When we want to create a content, we reach out to photographers, and we reach out to hairstylists. So, for someone that has like 1k followers reaching out to a photographer to make content and get a negative response because of the fact that the said person’s Instagram, has low followers on Instagram. Thirdly, there is beef in the industry where you don’t want to see your make-up artist grow and it’s bad.

    Advice to start-up entrepreneurs

    I would say, keep being yourself, keep doing you, keep showing up till you get that big break. Trust me you may feel people are not watching, but they are. So keep pushing and with God all things are possible.

  • Daddy Showkey, Baba Fryo inspired me to pursue music, says Don Jazzy

    Daddy Showkey, Baba Fryo inspired me to pursue music, says Don Jazzy

    Veteran producer and singer, Michael Collins Ajereh aka Don Jazzy has revealed that his role model while growing up in Ajegunle, was legendary musician Daddy Showkey.

    The Mavins record label boss said Daddy Showkey and “Dem go dey pose” crooner Baba Fryo were his inspiration to pursue music.

    Don Jazzy started his music career in church as an instrumentalist because he couldn’t afford studio sessions.

    The music executive disclosed this while featuring as a guest on the latest episode of the Leaderboard podcast hosted by Fisayo Fosudo.

    Read Also: Why I didn’t sign Wizkid, Davido, by Don Jazzy

    He said: “My music inspiration started from Ajegunle because of dem Daddy Showkey, dem Baba Fryo, a lot of all these Ajegunle musicians that we looked up to.

    “I used to tell my guys that when I started making music, I pretty much just wanted to blow and be Daddy Showkey because anywhere you went to in the country, you would hear, ‘If you see my mama, Hosanna’ or ‘Somebody call my name, Showkey.’

    “Trust me, the lyrics are national anthems. I pretty much wanted to do that. So, I used to go to church and play instruments. It was the only place that you can….Unless you want to go to studios which would cost money. At that time, we couldn’t afford to have sessions.

    “So, the best place that you can get free equipment is the church. Instead of doing the reggae, the reggae, you go and do gospel first”, he said.