The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • NASS will support EFCC, ICPC in fight against corruption, says Lawan

    By Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

    Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, Tuesday assured that the National Assembly will provide the necessary support to the anti-corruption agencies in the fight against corruption.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are the leading government agencies in anti-corruption war.

    Lawan said that the 9th Senate and indeed the National Assembly is ever ready to support the anti-corruption agencies to the best of its ability to enable the country to eradicate the malaise in the country.

    The Senate President gave the assurance in Abuja while declaring open the third EFCC National Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

    A statement by the Special Adviser (media) to the Senate President Ola Awoniyi quoted Lawan to have said: “What we face today in the area of corruption requires that all hands must be on deck to fight it. And we are determined to work with other arms of government to fight it.

    “It is a fight that should be fought by all and we are ready to initiate moves that will help in ensuring we succeed in the fight.

    “We are also continuously prepared to support agencies like the EFCC and professionals like the Justices and Judges always,” Lawan said.

    The Senate President noted that corruption has eaten deep into the very fabric of “our society” and has literarily become endemic.

    He acknowledged that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has done a lot in the last couple of years in fighting corruption but added that the fight has surely not been an easy one.

    “Dealing with corruption is surely a task we must undertake very well. The consistency of the EFCC on its mandate is quite commendable.

    Read Also: EFCC arrests Instagram celebrity Mompha for alleged fraud

    “The best we can continue to do in our circumstance is to encourage anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and the ICPC discharge their mandate very well.

    “The police are also inclusive because of their statutory responsibility of enforcing law and order, by preventing and detecting crime,” Lawan added.

    He said the Justices and Judges need all the ethical, moral and institutional support to be exemplary in the discharge of their duties.

    The Senate President advocated for a review of the basic school curricula to include the teaching of anti-corruption tenets.

    “I believe that we should look at our civic education. We shouldn’t wait until people commit corruption before we start chasing them.

    “We should start educating our children in schools, basic education secondary level and even tertiary level, on the ills of corruption in any society.

    “Therefore, it is a task that requires that we review the current curricula of our basic education particularly to include something like what corruption means, the ills and the responsibility on every citizen to be part and parcel of the fight against this scourge,” Lawan said.

  • DBanj’s manager buries mum in style

    By Agency Reporter

    Damian Okoroafor, a long standing manager and now business partner of popular Nigerian artiste, DBanj buries his mother, Ezinne Okoroafor in Grand style.

    Damian took to his Instagram handle @donmessini on Tuesday to appreciate his family and friends, who graced the occasion or sent messages of condolence.

    Read Also: 2Face Idibia loses father-in-law to cancer

    @We want to say a big thank you to all our family, friends and well wishers for making out time to be with us during my mum’s funeral. @may the good Lord replenish your pockets and reach you all at the points of your needs.

    The burial for the Late Mrs Okoroafor, who died at the age of 70, was held in Ikenanzizi,Obowo Local Government Area, Imo State. (NAN)

  • Spread N7.6bn loan, Oke Ogun youths tell Makinde

    The Oke Ogun Youths Association has called on Oyo State Government to reconsider its decision to spend the recently approved N7.6billion loan by the House of Assembly on Akufo and Eruwa farm settlements only.
    They made the call when the management of Oke Ogun Green Revolution initiative of Oke Ogun Youths Association paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor Engr. Rauf Olaniyan.

    The Project Coordinator of Oke Ogun Green Revolution Bola Olalere, said spending the approval loan only on Akufo and Eruwa farm settlements will be unfair to other parts of the state.

    Oke-Ogun, as the food basket of the state, he said should benefit from such gesture.

    “Our association pleads with your Excellency to take this our concern to the Governor Seyi Makinde who we believe will amend the bill and spread the loan across the state,” Olalere pleaded with the deputy Governor.

    Olalere informed the initiative was aimed at encouraging youths from the region engaging in profitable, sustainable and commercial agriculture by creating a platform that will generate networks that will make the work easier and interesting to them.

    He said that the association has acquired 1500 hectares of land in four different locations across Oke Ogun and currently having about 1600 registered members ready to take farming as their main occupation.

    Olaniyan promised the government’s unflinching support for Oke Ogun Green Revolution initiative of Okeogun Youth Association.

    Read Also: Why Oyo is spending CBN’s N7.6b loan on farm settlements, by Makinde

    He declared the administration was ready to implement policies that will develop agriculture and generate employment for the youths in all regions of the state

    “Oke Ogun being the food basket of the nation would be given adequate attention. It will enjoy improved infrastructural facilities and good road networks that will make life easier for the people and boost the economy of the region,” Olaniyan stated.

    He also stated plans were on to make credit facilities available to young farmers, build silos, storage and off take most of their products after harvesting.

    He said that with the dry port coming to Ibadan, it will be easier to export agricultural products directly from the state without having to go to Lagos.

  • Border closure good for economy- RIFAN President

    By Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

    National President Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria(RIFAN),Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, has declared the closure of the country’s land borders is a good omen for the economy.

    The economy, he said, is becoming more formidably robust and transformed, translating into more tangible prosperity for the country .

    He argued the closure was necessary not just for local rice producers but also to encourage and inculcate the spirit of nationalism, patriotism and economic discipline in Nigerians for self sufficiency in food production.

    “It is to the advantage of our farmers, processors and millers. It has also created massive employment, boosted the agriculture sector as well income among Nigerians,” he pointed out.

    Goronyo, who spoke exclusively to The Nation in Sokoto Tuesday, said the directive has saved the country over N300bn spent annually in importing rice.

    “It has supported their economies in terms of infrastructural development employment and so many other developmental projects at the expense of our efforts. It is a thing to celebrate that all these have been checked and brought under control with the closure of our borders,” he stressed.

    REad Also: Border Closure: No gain without pain, says Lai Mohammed

    According to him: “Nigeria is only using 20% of such sum to produce over 10m metric tonnes of paddy rice which is above our consumption ration of 7.5m metric tonnes.

    ” It may interest Nigerians to know that between 2015 to date, Nigerians percentage of rice consumption has been significantly from local production.

    ” Therefore, I am urging Nigerians to see the Federal Government strategic border closure as a wake up call to patriotism and not about rice producers making money rather to ensure Nigerians are remarkably producing what we eat locally thus open window for export to earn foreign exchange for economic prosperity.

    “We cannot continue to be dependant on foreign rice which we have the land and fertility to produce in large quantum.”

  • Jonathan kinsmen, others dump PDP for APC in Bayelsa

    By Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

    Grassroots politicians and kinsmen of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Robert Enogha and Chief Claudius Enegesi have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

    Prior to his defection, Enogha was the Chairman, Bayelsa Environmental Sanitation Authority and former two-time member of the Bayelsa House of Assembly.

    Enogha, who was until his defection one of the restoration leaders in Ogbia, was also a former Commissioner for Environment.

    Enegesi, one of the political associates of Jonathan, was a Speaker in the old Rivers State when Ada George was the governor.

    The party stalwart, who was the pioneer Chairman of the PDP in Bayelsa when the party was formed in 1998, was a former national executive member of the party and a former caucus chairman of PDP, Ogbia chapter.

    Also In Nembe, Chief Bright Erewari-Igbeta, a former House of Assembly member and presently Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment resigned his appointment from the government and also from the party.

    In the same council, Chief James Jephthah, aka Octopus after series of meeting with leaders and supporters of PDP under the Octopus Umbrella said he and his political associates had decided to withdraw their membership of the PDP.

    Read Also: Bayelsa founding fathers declare support for Diri

    But Enigha, while joining the APC, cited dictatorial tendencies in PDP as a reason for his decision to leave the party.

    He said: “I write to formally inform you of my withdrawal of membership from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). I am doing this with so much pain as a founding member of the party which was truly democratic as at then.

    “I must acknowledge the immense benefit and experience I have gathered over the years through service as a loyal and faithful member. However I have lost confidence in the party’s ability to accept where the opinion of majority counts, hence my resignation”.

    Also in Brass, Chief Beimo Spiff the coordinator of the PDP governorship campaign council in Brass Local Government Area and brother to Senator Inatimi Rufus Spiff, Chairman of the PDP reconciliation committee, dumped the party for the APC.

    Spiff and his supporters were received by the Secretary of the party, Alabo Martins.

    Beimo- Spiff in his letter of resignation addressed to the Chairman of the party said he was resigning from the party due to some “despicable injustices in the party”

  • Magu laments widening corrupt practices in Nigeria

    By Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, Tuesday lamented the widening scourge of corrupt practices pervading the country.

    He said that corrupt practices appear to be on the rise in the country despite spirited war being waged against the scourge by President Muhammadu Buhari in the last four years.

    Magu admitted that despite determined and stringent fight against graft, “corruption is still rampant (in the country) and, overall, the institutional responses to it are in some instances, weak.’’

    The EFCC boss spoke in Abuja at the EFCC-National Judicial Institute (NJI) capacity building workshop for justices and judges.

    Magu also noted that the scenario becomes even more worrisome considering the huge achievements made by the anti-graft commission under his watch in the fight against graft in the country.

    He noted that from 2017 till date for instance, the convictions profile of the commission has improved dramatically.

    According to him, ‘’while the commission secured 190 convictions in 2017, the record for 2018 was 312. From January to October 2019, over 882 convictions have been recorded. This is unprecedented.

    ‘’The positive trajectory of conviction record is replicated in assets recovery. From 2015 to date several hundreds of billions of naira have been recovered by the Commission.

    ‘’Furthermore, within the same period several properties, including automobiles, motorcycles, lands, farmlands, housing estate; company shares, ocean-going vessels, petroleum products, plazas, hotels, fuel stations, bank accounts and jewelry were forfeited to the Federal Government by order of court.

    ‘’While we celebrate these milestones, we must remind ourselves that there is still so much to be done. Corruption is still rampant and, overall, the institutional responses to it are in some instances, weak.’’

    Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC)’s Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO), Justice Suleiman Galadima, (rtd) on his own agreed that the fight against corruption and financial crimes had been dogged.

    He said, ‘’Going by the summary obtained from courts handling corruption and financial crimes cases from all states, as at September 2019, the Supreme Court has delivered a total of 52 judgements, 88 from all Divisions of the Court of Appeal, 12 by all the divisions of the Federal High Court, 5 from the FCT High Courts, 188 from the state High Courts and 838 judgements have been delivered as per the update report from EFCC.

    ‘’EFCC has announced this morning that N939.51 billion was recovered in four years, about 1,636 convictions were secured within the same year, while N1.28 trillion cash was recovered between 2009 and 2019.’’

    Read Also: Battle rages over Magu’s fate as EFCC chairman

    Galadima, a retired justice of the Supreme Court noted that in line with the mandate of his committee, which was divided into three sub-committees, they have since embarked on scheduled visits to various part of the country to interact with the judges and also to perform other oversight functions.

    Also in attendance in the opening ceremony of the 2019 Seminar on Economic and Financial Crimes for Judicial Officers held in the National Judicial Institute (NJI) collaboration with the EFCC are the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, NJI Administrator, Justice R.P.I. Bozimo, Justices of the Court of Appeal and Chief Judges of the Federal High Court and state High Courts.

    The CJN commended the theme for the three-day workshop, ‘’Contemporary Issues in the Investigation and prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes – The Way Forward’’, saying it is apt, because corruption has been a perennial bane to sustainable development in Nigeria.

    ‘’The EFCC, being the body saddled with the responsibility of investigating, preventing, and prosecuting economic and financial crimes in our polity, it rightly deserves the collaboration it has with the judiciary; as the Seminar will further avail us the opportunity of considering the provisions of the laws and regulations relating to same. ‘’Indeed, the EFCC is a worthy collaborator with the Judiciary in the fight against crime and criminality, hence this Seminar,’’ Justice Tanko Muhammad said.

  • Bayelsa founding fathers declare support for Diri

    By Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

    Some Bayelsa State founding fathers have thrown their weight behind the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Douye Diri and his running mate, Senator Lawrence Ehwrujakpor.

    Those who declared support for Diri, described as ridiculous the reported endorsement of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) candidate, Chief David Lyon, by some founding fathers.

    The Director of Media and Publicity, Dr. Jonathan Obuebite, in a statement said the chairman of the group, Chief Benedict Guembe, made their position known when the candidate and his running mate visited them at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa.

    He said that the group which claimed to have adopted Chief Lyon was not recognized and lacked the credibility to endorse any candidate on behalf of the founding fathers of the state.

    The chairman disclosed that since the commencement of the electioneering process, only two candidates have made their intentions known to the group.

    He said that after critical assessment of their manifestos, the group decided to endorse Senator Diri adding that the candidate possessed the qualities to step into the big shoes of Governor Seriake Dickson.

    Other members of the forum are Dr. Amba Ambaowe, Professor Kingsley Alagoa, Professor Akwagbe, Professor Dimie, and Bishop Jumbo.

    Also, the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional rulers gave its royal blessings to Diri.

    Read Also: Why APC will win Bayelsa, by Omo-Agege, Oshiomhole, Sylva

    Diri and his running mate alongside members of the campaign team visited the Secretariat of the traditional rulers council in Yenagoa to intimate royal fathers of their decision to run for the office of Governor and Deputy.

    The chairman of the Council, HRM King Alfred Diete Spiff, who led other traditional rulers across the state to receive him described the visit as a symbol of respect for the traditional institution.

    He asked Diri to work together with the Federal government at ensuring the review of the 1999 constitution to give recognition to the traditional institution.

    Diete Spiff said such review became imperative following the contributions of the traditional rulers to the sustenance of peace in their respective domains and contributions to the socio economic development of the Country.

    He said the review of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was long over due.

    Diri expressed his readiness to tap into the wealth of experience of the traditional rulers at ensuring the growth of the state economy.

    He said: “My respected elders, many of you prior to this time had served the state and indeed our Country in various capacities. Your wealth of experience and connection will be needed in re-positioning the state economy.”

  • AbdulRazaq sends six commissioner-nominees to Kwara Assembly

    By Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

    Kwara Governor Abdul-Rahman Abdul-Razaq has forwarded the names of another six commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly for confirmation.

    The nominees comprise of five women and one man

    The latest list, which reflects the state’s demography, means that Kwara has nine women (56.25 percent) and seven men (43.75 percent) commissioner-nominees.

    They include top bureaucrats, enterpreneurs, educators, professionals and grassroots politicians.

    Kwara has 16 local government areas.

    The latest nominees are: Afolabi-Oshatimehin Adenike Harriet (Ifelodun); Ahmad Fatima Bisola (Ilorin West); Aremu Bose Deborah (Irepodun); Oyedun Juliana Funke (Isin); Oyeyemi Olasumbo Florence (Oke Ero); and Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu (Moro).

    Read Also: Kwara Court remands FBI wanted suspect in custody

    In a statement, Chief Press to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said that the full list came five months after the governor apologised to and pledged to compensate for women’s loss at the general election in which 100% of the elective positions went to men.

    Unveiling the names at the floor of the House of Assembly Speaker Yakubu Danladi said the screening of the nominees would begin on October 29.

    AbdulRazaq had initially released a four-woman list which was followed a few weeks ago by another list of six men.

  • Police hand over eight rescued children to Kano Govt

    By Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

    The Police have formally handed over eight out of the nine rescued kids kidnapped in Kano and sold in Anambra state to the Kano government.

    The ninth child was said to have taken ill and receiving medical attention at a hospital in the state capital.

    Receiving the liberated children at Africa House, Government House, Kano, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, described the discovery of the children as divine act, pointing out that the Police had demonstrated high capacity to deal with criminality.

    “I must commend the CP and the Special Anti – Kidnapping squad for rescuing these children. Since this incident happened, the Police have appropriately managed the situation, to the extent that no breach of the peace occurred anywhere.

    “On this matter, specifically, the government of Kano state has been in constant contact with the security agencies because of the gravity of the situation and the need to make sure that situation does not degenerate to something else. We have vowed to protect lives and property of the people and the government is remaining resolute in that direction”,

    “In this connection, I want to appeal to parents of these rescued children to always watch their words and restrict themselves and the kids from unnecessary media exposure and dealings with NGOs, as some people may likely exploit the situation for selfish reasons.”

    According to him, the parents must understand “that investigation into the case of their children and similar cases is going on and their words and actions are capable of jeopardizing the work of security agencies”. He appealed to them to shun any action that would lead to social unrest.

    He announced that the government would unfold a special arrangement for the rescued kids during a special meeting with them and their families, at a date to be communicated to their parents soon

    Presenting the children to the Governor, the Commander Anti Kidnapping Squad, Nigeria Police, Kano Command, CSP Babagana Saje, explained it was the reported kidnap of one child that led his men to promptly apprehend the suspects, leading to the discovery of a kidnapping racket in Kano and Onitsha.

    He explained: “We have arrested some of the suspects including a man and his wife, who kidnap children here and sell them off in Onitsha.

    Read Also: How police arrested kidnappers of Lagos landlords

    They sell the children for about N200, 000 to a lady in Onitsha who in turn sells them to her customers in Lagos. In fact, two of the children were found with her, as domestic servants.”

    He stated that the Police found out that the kidnapped children were renamed and converted to Christianity to conceal their original identity and prevent them from being discovered.

    According to CSP Saje: “Parents of seven out of the nine have identified their children, following the necessary security procedures, but two are yet to be claimed. I, therefore, want to urge parents whose children have been kidnapped in Kano to please come forward and identify the remaining two kids in our custody.

    “All the suspects in this case will be taken to court as soon as the Police complete investigations.”

    Speaking on behalf of the parents, Malam Muhammad Ali, explained that his daughter Aisha, was abducted in 2016.

    He said all the parents were overwhelmed with joy reuniting with their kids and thanked the Nigeria Police for doing a wonderful job.

  • Osinbajo tasks NIPSS to lift 100m Nigerians out of poverty

    By Agency Reporter

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has charged the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to help the country achieve its national target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

    Osinbajo, who was represented by Mr Ade Ipaye, the Deputy Chief of Staff to President Muhammudu Buhari, gave the call in Abuja on Tuesday at a stakeholders forum organised by NIPSS to commemorate its 40th anniversary.

    The theme of the forum is: “The National Institute in the Context of Challenging Environment’’.

    The vice-president also urged the institute to work toward tackling the impact of climate change on communities across the country and the existing complex security challenges.

    “These are worthy goals for NIPSS to pursue as the institute considers its role in our fast changing environment.

    “Research for its own sake will not move society forward. Research such as that undertaken at NIPSS must always address priority areas which are rooted in the Nigerian reality and require ideas that can propel us forward.

    “Some of these areas should, for instance address our national target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

    “As you undertake this important task, I must stress the following areas to be taken into consideration as you deliberate – resource mobilisation which is the freedom to think and develop new ideas.

    “In addition to what is provided by the Federal Government, financial resources through the pursuit of grants and partnerships with like-minded interlocutors must be developed and cultivated to support the institute’s work.’’

    Osinbajo further stressed the need for the institute to make research more result-oriented and disseminate the outcome of research findings to relevant stakeholders for their practical uses in day-to-day activities.

    “It is evident that the environmental complexity within which the national institute operates has changed considerably over time and there are emerging challenges toward the optimum fulfilment of its objectives.

    “ It is, therefore, commendable that the management of the institute has convened this forum to deliberate on its current challenges and map out the way forward.

    “ However, in the context of a changing global environment, it is expected that the institute is better positioned to fulfil its role as the nation’s foremost policy think-tank,’’ he said.

    The vice president, therefore, called on Nigerians at home and abroad to shun all forms of divisive rhetoric which could weaken the fabric of national unity.

    He pledged the continued commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the institute to enable it play its significant role as the apex policy think-tank of the nation.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu called on the institute to change its approach to the changing environment, not only in Nigeria but across Africa.

    Adamu noted that adapting to the changing environment required the institute to own a community radio station for discussing researches and disseminating its findings.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, who is also the interim Chairman, NIPSS Board of Governors pledged the support of the board in repositioning the institute.

    Read Also: Buhari commissions state-of-the-art Yemi Osinbajo Primary School

    Olonisakin, who was represented by AVM Nurudeen Balogun called for more funding for the institute to enable it drive the process of national development.

    Earlier, the Director-General, NIPSS, Prof. Habu Galadima said the forum would offer a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to help update NIPSS business models for effective engagement in public policy.

    Galadima said that it would also strengthen the evidence based inputs into the decision-making process of government.

    “This stakeholders’ forum was specially convened to assemble all the leadership and participants of the past 40 years of the institute together and see how the institute can be more relevant to the government.

    “This is to provide evidence based research to support public policy in Nigeria to better perform its function within the country.

    “Every year, the government provides an area of focus that the institute will devote most of its time to conduct actionable research.

    “We advise the government with clear implementation strategies on how to implement many of those strategies.’’

    Dr Yakubu Sankey, the Director of Administration, NIPSS stressed the need for the institute to adapt to the forces and characters of the environment for its survival and long term relevance.

    Sankey called on the national institute to resist any attempt to being compromise in the decision-making process for the country as a matter of patriotism.

    “NIPSS can only become a think-tank if it put in practice what the law wants it to put in practice by dialoguing on existing issues.

    “They must not allow themselves to be over bloated in decision making process but focus on the areas of decision that will impact on the country,’’ he said. (NAN)