The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Obaship Tussle: Ekiti community petitions Fayemi over alleged imposition

    By Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado Ekiti

    The leaders and indigenes of Iloro Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State have petitioned Governor Kayode Fayemi over alleged imposition of a traditional ruler on the town by the Finance Commissioner, Mr. Dapo Kolawole.

    In a petition dated October 22, 2019 and addressed to Fayemi, the town alleged Mr. Dapo Kolawole of militarising the town on September 9, 2019 and coerced the kingmakers to begin the process of installation for Prince Olwafemi Olugbesoye.

    They accused the Commissioner of working in cahoots with a First Class Traditional Ruler in Ijero Council to truncate the installation of the town’s preferred candidate, Prince Oluwasanmi Aje as Oluloro.

    The petition was co-signed by Oluwo of Iloro Ekiti, Chief Michael Ogundele, Chief Alice Eegunjobi (Eyebaasa), Chief Ayo Joseph (Inunrin) and Hon Segun Ogundele(Youth representative).

    The petition stated how the town had rejected three nominees from Arojojoye ruling house under the Governor Ayodele Fayose’s government and urged him to allow the next ruling house to produce the Oba, in line with the norms guiding the rotation of Obaship title in the town.

    “Unfortunately, the government of Fayose failed to accept the people’s wish throughout his tenure despite the overwhelming support shown.

    “It is a known fact that the last government was a one man show led by an emperor. Every Ekiti man knows your Government came to restore our values. We thought those you put in position of responsibility will live above board. Alas, how mistaken we were. Mr. Dapo Kolawole stepped in and started using his influence in government to settle old scores with his old friend and cousin, who incidentally is the people’s choice and ensured that the wish of the town never materialised”.

    Stating the alleged divisive action being taken by Kolawole and how he muzzled the kingmakers to submission in the Obaship tussle, the community added that he also imported a foreign Ifa divinator into the town to manipulate the process in favour of his anointed candidate without contributions from the home -based Ifa priests.

    Read Also: Tension in Ekiti over LG Headquarters relocation

    “We hereby urge the Governor to reverse the process and order a legal review of our demands and approve our request as contained in the kingmakers’ report and their letters requesting for selection of new Oba from Arojojoye ruling house or allow the two ruling houses to participate in the process,” he said.

    But the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prof. Adio Folayan, described the allegation of imposition as spurious and baseless, saying the state government or its appointee had never interfered in any obaship tussle.

    “There is no iota of truth in the allegation. The government of the day and its appointees has not imposed any Oba since we came.

    “We used to follow the Chieftaincy law strictly in whatever we do. Before we select an Oba, we used to observe the procedure of selection and always carried the town along in a transparent manner, so the accusation is not true,” he said.

    The stool became vacant following the demise of Oba Michael Arowolo, in May, 2015.

  • Anambra sacks three road contractors

    By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

    Anambra government has sacked three contracting firms working on the state roads for incompetence.

    The state has also set up Anambra Design and Review Committee on roads headed by the Commissioner for Works, Engr Marcel Ifejiofor to monitor developments on the roads.

    The Commissioner disclosed these in his office in Awka,in an interactive session with members of the state’s Correspondents’Chapel.

    He added that the government had all the rights to sue any contractor that failed.

    Ifejiofor said the state had listed 14 contracting firms to intervene on the dilapidated roads in Anambra North and South respectively while Anambra Road Maintenance Agency ARMA, would take care of the Central.

    He said Governor Willie Obiano administration was not sleeping on the bad roads that had almost taken over the state, assuring those coming for the Yuletide would see a different Anambra before Christmas.

    However, he lamented that the state had over 1,000 active erosion sites scattered across the 179 communities, which according to him were the exclusive right of the federal government

    Read Also: Family appeals to Obiano over paralysed daughter

    He said that findings by the government had shown that most of the gully erosion sites were caused by wrong channelling of water .

    He further regretted that some people in the state intentionally built and dumped refuse on water channels which resulted in blockage of water flow.

    Ifejiofor said the government was worried about the rate at which some people in the state ignored advice on ways to check the menace of erosion.

  • Three killed, others injured as truck rams into petrol station in A’Ibom

    By Bassey Anthony, Uyo

    Three persons were killed and others seriously injured in an accident that occurred Wednesday at about 6.45am around Urua Ekpa Junction in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

    Among the dead are two women.

    Eyewitnesses told the Nation that the accident occurred after a Mack Truck with a Rivers State registration number, “BNY 137 XA” skidded off the road while to dodge a Keke driver who was driving against traffic.

    The truck is said to have rammed into SG filling Station, destroying three Keke vehicles beyond repairs.

    It was gathered that the truck killed three persons instantly while three others sustained serious injuries and have been taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

    But the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has put the causality figure at two, including a man and woman and two injured.

    “I was just standing directly opposite the SG filling station when the truck came from Itam market probably on it way to Calabar. There was a Keke driver trying to cross the road so while trying to avoid the Keke, the truck diverted and ran into the filling station.

    “The three people who were standing there and three Keke vehicles were damaged beyond repair” the source said.

    Read Also: One feared killed in multiple accidents on Otedola Bridge

    The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Sunday Oghenekaro, who confirmed the incident blamed the crash on the recklessness of the Keke rider and called for serious orientation for them.

    He said” from the information I have received from my field Officer, two people including a man and a woman died and two were injured. The incident happened due to recklessness of the Keke rider who was trying to cross the road. The truck was trying to avoid him before it finally crashed.

    “This is the issue we have been emphasising to them that there is need for them to be enlightened and licensed before getting into the road. But because of the love for money some of them jump in to the road and the result is what we are seeing today.

    On whether his office has organised any orientation for them, the Sector Commander said “they have not been availing themselves of the opportunity” adding as a body they were supposed to be properly licensed before operation.

  • National assembly to pass 2020 Appropriation Bill in Dec.

    By Agency Reporter

     

    The Chairman of the National Assembly, Sen. Ahmad Lawan ,said that the assembly would ensure the passage of the 2020 Appropriation Bill of N10.33 trillion in December.

    Lawan who is also the President of the Senate said this at the two-day Joint National Budget Hearing on the 2020 Appropriation Bill in the National Assembly Complex on Wednesday.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had on Oct. 8, presented the budget proposal to a joint session of the national assembly with a call on the legislators to change the present budget cycle to January-December.

    “We have set between the two chambers; and we have resolved that this time around, we must pass this budget before the end of Dec.

    ” We are hopeful that the budget will be passed before we go on Christmas break by God’s grace.

    ” And of course, I am glad to say that President Buhari had shown commitment to what the national assembly desires.

    “This was seen when the government issued a statement asking ministers and heads of agencies not to travel without defending their budget; that is a total commitment to what we desire in the national assembly,” Lawan said.

    He said that the public hearing on the 2020 appropriation was no doubt a special one because it was another important step in a bid to resolve the undesirable budget cycle.

    “This cycle has created problems for planning and for the proper implementation of the nation’s macro-economic framework.

    Read Also: Budget 2020 may precipitate industrial unrest, NECA warns

    “The macro economic framework needs to be reasonably predictable the way it happens in other climes.

    “It is when the framework is predictable that it can positively influence the micro details in the budget proposal.”

    He said that the 9th National Assembly was committed to correcting the anomaly in budget cycle.

    “We are assured that it is only a wholesome commitment to these mandates that can give us the much needed growth and development,” Lawan said.

    The president of the senate said that budget was critical to economic development and it was even more so for a nation like Nigeria where the economy needed continues stimulation.

    “The importance of the Budget proposal in national development cannot therefore be overemphasised. This is the reason why inputs have to be all inclusive as we are now set to do.

    “We understand that the budget proposal is about fiscal targets, resource allocation, public expenditure policy, productivity and efficiency.

    “We also understand that the process is one of passage, mobilisation and execution.”

    He further said that the lawmakers were determined to ensure that when the budget was passed, it would be properly implemented.

    In his remark, Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, called on stakeholders to critically examine the document before the legislature exercised its full authority as provided for by the Constitution.

    Gbajabiamila said that the budget of any country represented the blueprint of the direction its economy was going to take adding that it was the basis upon which everything else was built.

    He said that the outcome of the hearing should reflect the true federal character of Nigeria.

    “No lopsidedness; everybody has a part of what is the national cake. We are all stakeholders,” he said.

    Earlier, Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation Jibril Barau said that the event was to allow the public to be part of the 2020 appropriation process.

    He commended the President of the Senate for his uncommon determination exhibited to see to the restoration of the budget cycle of the country to begin from Jan. and end in Dec. of every year.

    Barau said that the new cycle would assist the government and the private sector to properly plan their yearly activities and make more reliable predictions.

    “We request that this gathering should make inputs that will assist the national assembly to work to achieve its targets for the passage of 2020 appropriation bill in the first week of Dec. 2019.”

    (NAN)

  • Police arrest suspect for luring, raping, robbing ladies in Enugu

    By Agency Reporter

    The Police in Enugu State have arrested a suspect who specialises in luring unsuspecting victims mostly ladies to hotel to rape and rob them of their valuables.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ebere Amaraizu said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Enugu.

    Amaraizu said that the suspect was arrested on Tuesday at Old Park axis of the state by police operatives acting on intelligence information.

    He gave the name of the suspect as Anthony Okeke from Amac.

    “It was gathered that Anthony Okeke alongside with his cohort has been on the wanted list of the police following intelligence information gathered in regards to their alleged nefarious activities.

    “Their nefarious activities included tricking their victims to hotel mostly females and allegedly raping and robbing them after stripping them naked and blindfolding them in the hotel.

    “The suspect reveals that they usually get their victims, females from among commercial sex workers and pretend to be going to lodge with them.

    Read Also: Lagos Prophet under fire for alleged rape of minors

    “They usually rob them of their phones, force them to reveal their bank details and PIN number and at times rape them too,’’ he said.

    According to Amaraizu, the suspect revealed that while in the hote, his cohorts will emerge with sharp dagger from their hideouts in the bathroom and blindfold and strip the victims naked and rob them.

    The police spokesman said that the suspect, who is based in Awka, go to Enugu to hunt for victims.

    Amaraizu noted that the suspect, who claimed that he was a secondary school dropout, revealed that he joined a cult group during his early days in secondary school and from then, had been exposed to negative tendencies.

    “The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmad Abdurrahman has directed full scale investigation into the incident,’’ he added. (NAN)

  • Man reneges on death threat, begs Obaseki

    By Osagie Otabor, Benin

    An hotelier, Mr. Tony Adun, popularly known as Tony Kabaka, who vowed to die if the Edo State Government demolishes his multi-million hotel, has opted to beg Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Tony had used unprintable words on Obaseki in a viral video.

    He issued the death threat after a seven- day order to remove his ‘illegal structure’.

    But he said he was targeted because he refused to support Governor Obaseki’s second term bid.

    In the video, he said he would die if the hotel, his only investment, is demolished.

    Tony, in another video, was seen in a remorseful mood and addressed the Governor as “His Excellency” unlike in the first video when he said, “Look at the letter Godwin Obaseki brought”.

    He apologised to Governor Obaseki for the words he used in the previous video saying he was “angered.”

    Tony was engaged by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s administration to collect taxes from drivers.

    He and other private revenue contractors were sacked by Obaseki who insisted the state government has the ability to collect its revenue.

    Read Also: APC defectors allege death threats

    Edo State Government had said it would commenced demolition of illegal structures erected on government property, including public schools and waterways as well as roof eave-extensions and structures erected on the right of way of roads/streets, moats, river banks, TCN high tension lines, among others in Benin City and other major settlements in the state.

    It said the exercise was to address the challenge incessant cases of flooding in urban centres adding that the cost of such action would be recovered from the violators in a law court of competent jurisdiction.

    Responding to his allegations, Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the hotel was erected on a primary school land.

    Osagie said there would be no sacred cow in the exercise as all those affected have been served or where being served.

  • Bread: NAFDAC decries lack of commitment to standard practice

    By Agency Reporter

    National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has decried the lack of commitment to standard by members of Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN) in bread making.

    The NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a one-day sensitisation workshop for bread producers in FCT.

    Represented by Mrs Clementina Anyakkora, NAFDAC Director in FCT, Adeyeye said that the agency’s surveillance activities and routine inspections discovered the lack of commitment by most bakers to good hygiene practices, especially in bread making.

    She said that the lack of good hygiene practices made it necessary for the agency to collaborate with relevant stakeholders through workshops and grassroots sensitisation to ensure compliance in that regard.

    She explained that “the illegal use of potassium bromate and other unapproved condiments in bread has been of concern to food safety.

    “Effective protection of over 170 million consumers against cancer requires consistent preventive management approach, as bread is one of the stable foods in Nigeria.

    Read Also: NEPC, NAFDAC blame poor packaging for rejection of Nigeria’s exports

    “It is expected that all regulatory interventions are employed to ensure that bakeries produce safe bread for consumption.”

    The NAFDAC boss, therefore, urged bakery owners in the FCT and the country at large to comply with good hygiene practices, principles and other regulatory requirements.

    The FCT Chairman of AMBCN, Mr Ishaq Abdulraheem, appealed to regulatory agencies to create an enabling environment that would make the business to thrive.

    According to him, the issue of multiple taxation from regulatory agencies has been affecting the growth of the business.
    He said “the issue of multiple taxation is killing our business; we are investing in FCT because there is no industry in FCT that has employers like bakery.“Many bakeries in FCT have been victims of one challenge or the other and

    some of these problems are caused by members; we are working toward educating members on modern standards.“We are appealing to NAFDAC to give offenders time by way of warning, rather than shutting the bakery because closure will increase unemployment in the country.”

    He also appealed to NAFDAC to regulate other bakeries outside the FCT to check any malpractices. (NAN)

  • Consider public interest in discharging your duty, Bureau advises public servants

    By Agency Reporter

    Mr Chijioke Obi, Director, Education and Advocacy Services, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), has advised public office holders to consider public interest first in the discharge of their duties.

    He gave the advice at a two-day workshop on ‘strict compliance with asset declaration and code of conduct for Nigerian public officials’, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Obi, who said that public office was a ‘trust’, added that a public officer’s actions and behaviours must conform to the code of conduct of public servants.

    “All public officers must exhibit attributes of integrity, transparency and openness in whatever they do.

    “For instance, those in the procurement units should not use their office to embezzle government funds.

    “You must maintain a high sense of morality in the conduct of government’s business,” he said.

    Prof. Samuel Ogundare, a board member of the bureau, urged public office holders to declare their assets, as at when due.

    He said the bureau was working to make the forms available to public office holders, online, for easy access and effective documentation of the process.

    Read Also: CCB won’t publish Buhari’s, Osinbajo’s assets

    “You know that the bureau has been kind enough to defaulters who do not declare their assets as at when due.

    “As public servants, we are meant to declare our assets every four years or once you assume a political position, let us not wait until we are compelled to do it.

    “We can walk into any of our state offices and pick the form and ensure that we fill and return. We should ensure that our slip is given to us for our personal documentation.

    “We are also working toward going online but before then, let us endeavour to comply with the code of conducts for public office holders, ” he added.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants for the workshop were chairmen of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

    (NAN)

  • Samsung updates software to fix fingerprint recognition problem

    By Agency Reporter

    Samsung Electronics Co Ltd has updated software to fix problems with fingerprint recognition features on its flagship Galaxy S10 and Note 10 smartphones, it said on Wednesday.

    Samsung issued an apology through its customer support app Samsung Members and told its Galaxy phone users to update their
    biometric authentication to the latest software version.

    A British user told The Sun newspaper that a bug on her Galaxy S10 allowed it to be unlocked regardless of the biometric data registered in the device.

    Samsung has said the issue can happen when patterns appearing on certain protectors that come with silicon cases are recognized along with fingerprints.

    “Samsung Electronics takes the security of products very seriously and will make sure to strengthen security through continuing improvement and
    updates to enhance biometric authentication functions,” the company said on its Korean app.

    Once touted as a revolutionary feature by Samsung, its ultrasonic fingerprint sensors were fooled by tech reviewers.

    Read Also: Samsung unveils Galaxy A10s, A20s, A30s

    Videos on tech community websites show Galaxy devices can be unlocked through silicon protectors using a persimmon or a small doll.

    Samsung said it would send notifications for software updates to Galaxy S10 and Note 10 users who have registered their biometric data.

    The Bank of China has pulled fingerprint payments from certain Samsung devices and Alipay’s fingerprint payment verification function app
    has been temporarily suspended for some Galaxy devices. (Reuters/NAN)

  • Court fixes Nov. 5 for N200m suit against Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy’s record label

    By Agency Reporter

    Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed Nov. 5 for hearing in a suit filed by a Nigerian Musician, Olumuyiwa Danladi a.k.a Danny Young, against fellow Music star, Tiwatope Savage, over alleged copyright infringement.

    In the suit, labelled FHC/L/CS/230/2019 and pending before Justice Mohammed Liman, Young is claiming N205 million in damages against Savage for allegedly, using his Musical work titled ‘ONE’ without lawful authority.

    Also joined in the suit is Marvin Records, a Nigerian record label, founded by record artist, Don Jazzy, on May 8, 2012.

    The ‘Omo Lepa’ hit singer filed the suit through his counsel, Mr Justin Ige, of Creative Legal, claiming the sum of N200 million in damages against the defendants for copyright violation.

    He is also claiming N5 million as cost of action, as well as demanding an account for profits accrued to the defendants from the use of the infringing musical work titled ‘ONE’

    Although the Plaintiff filed the suit since Feb. 13, the defendants failed to file any response to the suit.

    Read Also: We’re not living our best life in Nigeria, says Don Jazzy

    The court has consequently, now set down the suit for definite hearing on Nov. 5

    Plaintiff is seeking a declaration, that by copying, recording, reproducing and broadcasting his musical composition and melody without his authorisation, the defendants have infringed on his copyright.

    He is seeking a declaration that by copying, performing, and distributing literary work and music lyrics authored and owned by him without lawful authority, the defendants have infringed on his copyright.

    He, therefore, seeks an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves or their agents, from further copying, performing, recording, reproducing, or communicating to the public, his musical composition. (NAN)