The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Gowon committed to Nigeria’s unity, prosperity, says Lawan

     Sanni Onogu, Abuja

     

    SENATE President Ahmad Lawan has hailed former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon for his as commitment to the nation’s unity, peace and prosperity.

    In a statement on Sunday in Abuja by his Special Adviser (SA) on Media, Ola Awoniyi, the Senate President congratulated Gowon on his 85th birthday.

    He thanked God for giving the elder statesman good health, longevity and unblemished integrity that is evident in his exemplary life.

    Lawan recalled that General Gowon assumed the nation’s leadership as a youth and at a time the country was at the precipice of disintegration.

    “In very difficult circumstances, General Gowon rallied his troops and indeed all Nigerians to defend and preserve the unity and territorial integrity of their country.

    Read Also: Senate President Lawan decries poor roads

    “He did this through his inspirational call of ‘Go On With One Nigeria’ during the unfortunate civil war, and after it through his policy of ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’ and the three ‘Rs’ of Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation.

    “It is to his eternal credit that Nigerians from across the deep divide embraced themselves after the conflict and again integrated as one nation specially blessed by God.

    “Even after exiting power, General Gowon has been unwavering in promoting the unity, peace and prosperity of the country he loves so much,” he said.

    The Senate President said Nigerians will always appreciate General Gowon’s legacy of patriotic and compassionate leadership as well as the prayer programme he institutionalised for the well-being of the nation.

    Lawan wished General Gowon many more years in good health and honour.

     

  • BBNaija’s Mike meets Famuyiwa, other Pulse staff

    BBNaija’s Mike meets Famuyiwa, other Pulse staff

    Mike, the first runner-up of the Big Brother ‘Pepper Dem’ edition, recently took his media tour to Pulse Nigeria, where he met the staff of the company, including Damilare Famuyiwa.

    Famuyiwa is a journalist that covers the metro beat for Pulse Nigeria. He’s as well renowned for his digital media consultations.

    During his visit, Mike, however, graced Pulse’s ‘One-on-One’ programme, where he expressed his fulfillment in being able to change the stereotype against men.

    He went on to say that BBNaija made his dreams come true.

    “While I was in the house, all I wanted to focus on was to have fun, and to ultimately learn from other people’s experiences. I’ve also always wanted this and to connect to a lot of people.

    “Now that I have the platform, the voice, and they love me for it, I just feel overwhelmed and over-excited. I was also able to change the narrative against men during my time on the show. I’ve grown and I am delighted about what is next.

    “Thank you again to all my fans,” he added.

  • One trader dies as fire razes Santana market

    By Osagie Otabor, Benin

    Goods worth millions have been razed at the popular Santana Market along Sapele road in Ikpoba-Okha local government area.

    Fire fighters were said to have watched helplessly after they failed to put out the inferno.

    Some witnesses said the fire outbreak was caused by power surge.

    On Sunday morning, some of the affected traders, who were not aware of the incident, collapsed when they saw their wares destroyed.

    Mrs. Cecilia Awala, who said she has been selling in the market for the past 20 years, said it was the first time she experienced fire incident in the market.

    “I was told the fire started around 9 pm and as at that time we have closed from the market.

    “I received a call that the market was on fire and before I get here everything was gone including my child’s store.

    ‘All his goods and the money he left in the store, everything is gone.

    “My fish, everything I have in my shop is gone, as I stand here I have nothing at home to eat I mean nothing at all,” she said.

    Awala said there was no power supply before she left market.

    “We understand that power was restored later in the night so we are suspecting that the fire might have been caused by power surge.”

    Another trader, Mrs. Ese Peter, said she just bought fresh supplied for her store on Friday.

    “I don’t even see a pin to bring out of the fire, everything in my shop was reduced to rubles.

    “I have been in this market for over twelve years and this kind of thing has never happened.

    “My friend called me around 2 am and before I got here everything is gone in my two shops.

    “I lost everything, I just stocked my store this last Friday with over one million naira now there is nothing left.”

    Read Also: Ijegun fire outbreak: Lagos CP warns pipeline vandals

    A trader was said to have collapsed and died upon seeing that the whole shops including his goods got burnt.

    His identity could not be confirmed as at press time.

    Mrs. Eukaria Ezeribe, who sells clothing materials and households items such as ceramic, cooking utensils said her shop was burnt to ashes.

    Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha local government council, Dr. Eric Osayande was on ground to access the extent of damage.

    Osayande, who addressed some of the victims, assured them that government would investigate the cause of the fire incident which he said is the first time since the history of the market with a view preventing a reoccurrence.

    He promised that the local government would cry out to the state government because the extent of damage is not something the council can solve alone.

  • FG suspends MTN’s N4 USSD charges

    By Blessing Olaifa, Abuja

    The federal government has ordered the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC) to suspend the N4 per second imposed by MTN on subscribers to USSD access to banking services charges.

    The Minister of Communications Dr Ibrahim Ali Pantami gave the directive through a statement by his Media aide Uwa Suleiman on Sunday.

    The Minister said MTN should stay action on the matter pending when he is properly briefed on it.

    Read Also: Minister gives NCC uptill Sep 26 to rectify improperly registered SIM cards 

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Communications has been drawn to the viral text message allegedly sent by the Mobile Network Operator MTN Nigeria and other Mobile Operators notifying subscribers of a N4:00 charge per 20 seconds on USSD access to banking services from the 21st of October 2019.

    “The office of the Honourable Minister of Communications Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami FNCS, FBCS, FIIM is unaware of this development and has hereby directed the sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) ensures the operator suspends such plans until the Honourable Minister is fully and properly briefed. “

  • Kogi 2019: One dies as hoodlums attack Wada’s convoy

    By James Azania, Lokoja

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governership campaign council in Kogi State has decried attacks on its members

    The campaign organisation in a statement said a PDP supporter, Yusuf Seidu Uhiene, was killed in Ayingba, in Dekina local government, when the party’s governership candidate, Engr. Musa Wada was there for a stakeholders meeting.

    In the statement by the Deputy Director, Public Communication, Mr. Austin Okai, the PDP said that the spate of attacks was unbecoming and a threat to next month’s governorship election in the state.

    According to him, political thugs attacked the convoy of the PDP governorship candidate, on Saturday, when he visited Anyigba for a stakeholders meeting.

    He alleged that the young man, Uhiene, was killed by thugs believed to be supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He stated that two PDP supporters, Nasiru Sule and Ilemona sustained serious injuries.

    “Our candidate, Engr. Musa Wada was in Anyigba today to attend the Kogi East PDP stakeholders meeting. Between the main road and Harbour Bay, the venue of the meeting, APC thugs unleashed mayhem on our supporters killing one and injuring two others,” he said.

    Read Also: Kogi poll: SDP candidate rejects disqualification

    He said that the PDP chairman for Anyigba ward, Alhaji Amidu has made formal report to the police over the attack.

    He appealed to the police authority in the state to checkmate what he described as deadly activities of hired armed men of the APC.

    According to him: “The new system of laying ambush before attacking is a new trend devised by APC thugs to discourage the PDP from prosecuting its campaign due to commence soon.

    “We deplore the killing of a promising young boy who was going about his own personal activities innocently before the attack.”

    He urged the law enforcement agencies to protect the interest of opposition party supporters who he said have become the targets of the ruling APC in Kogi State.

    The campaign organisation commiserated with the family of the deceased, and prayed for the repose of his soul.

    It called on the security agencies to apprehend and bring to justice the culprits behind the attack.

  • ASUU plans showdown against FG payment system

    By Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is poised for another showdown with the federal government over planned imposition of Integrated Personnel Payroll System (IPPIS) on her members.

    The leaders of the union had summoned an emergency National Executive Council meeting of the Union where it was agreed that the leadership should begin mobilisation of members for an action against the federal government.

    President Mohammadu Buhari had reportedly directed that any worker not on the IPPIS would no longer receive salary.

    The Chairman, University of Ibadan Chapter Professor Deji Omole on Sunday in Ibadan said that the union is not against accountability but will resist attempt by the government to violate existing laws and autonomy of the university.

    According to Omole, ASUU has offered to help the federal government design the appropriate template that will factor in the peculiarities of university lecturers in the IPPIS but that the government seemed bent on using the world-bank designed exploitative template.

    The ASUU boss said the template designed by government plans to enslave intellectuals as it does not make provisions for payment of arrears of promotion, study leave allowance, responsibility allowance among others.

    According to him, the federal government template was designed to phase-out university lecturers who are above 60 years which is against the new policy where professors retire at 70 years.

    Read Also: Between ASUU and CONUA

    Omole lashed out at the Buhari led government for consistently demonstrating his hatred for public funded universities by introducing many illegal policies that negatively affected the smooth running of the universities.

    The ASUU boss noted that Federal government has also failed to honour any policy that that will improve the quality of education in Nigeria.

    “Forceful imposition of IPPIS on university workers is a violation of the university autonomy act. It is therefore illegal. While ASUU is not against accountability on the part of the university administrators government should not be allowed to destroy public universities in its purported claims of fighting corruption. Our members should remained focus and committed in our struggles to protect public university education by resisting forceful imposition of IPPIS on university workers, ” ASUU said.

  • Minister hails Onoja’s emergence as Kogi deputy governor

    By: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

    Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Aliyu has supported the emergence of Chief Edward Onoja as Deputy Kogi Governor following the impeachment of Simon Achuba by the Assembly.

    Aliyu, in a statement in Abuja described the choice of Onoja, as a perfect political combination for the state and the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) in the November 16 governorship election.

    According to the statement on Sunday by her Special Assistant, Austine Elemue, the minister also described the relationship between Governor Yahaya Bello and Onoja, as trustworthy and cordial, noting that their relationship predates the emergence of Bello in 2016.

    Aliyu said: “Onoja has been an ally of the governor for long as their relationship goes way back. A friend is someone difficult to find. A friend is someone you can always count on when times are tough.

    Read Also: PDP faults removal of Kogi Dep. Gov

    “A good friend is there when you are struggling. When your heart is broken a good friend walks you through it and offers a shoulder to cry on.

    “A friend understands that you may not always get along, but you should always try and be there for them and look out for them.

    “Onoja is kind, trustworthy, loyal and dependable. A good friend must be kind because being kind is when they look out for you no matter what! And that has played out in Kogi politics”.

  • Kogi 2019: Kogi West elders endorse Bello’s second term bid

    By James Azania, Lokoja

    Some leaders from the Kogi West Senatorial district have declared supporting Governor Yahaya Bello’s second term bid will better position the zone for the governorship position in 2023.

    They stated that their support for Bello was to embolden their political emancipation in the next election year.

    The members, in communiqué at the end of Kogi West political summit with the theme: “Renegotiating Kogi West position for 2019,” at Kabba, the senatorial headquarters, stated their position.

    Reading from the communiqué endorsed by all in attendance, Chief J. O. Yusuf, said their support for Bello was to position Kogi West ahead of 2023.

    Read Also: Kogi 2019: Only Yahaya Bello can defeat GYB – APC

    It reads in part: “Speakers after speakers all aligned with Governor Yahaya Bello of APC as their preferred candidate for the November 16 governership poll.

    “The President of Okun Development Association, Barr. Femi Mokinkan and other professional bodies all endorsed the candidacy of Governor Yahaya Bello for second term.

    “The decision of the senatorial axis to support the governor is hinged on the political calculation of securing the central zone support in 2023 for total power shift.”

    Those in attendance included the chairman, Okun Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, representative of the Ohimege of Koto and other prominent traditional rulers from Kogi West.

  • APC state chairmen support forensic audit of NDDC

    By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

    The forums of All Progressives Congress (APC) states’ chairmen in the South-East and the South-South have registered support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s order for forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) accounts.

    The forums, in two statements made available in Abuja on Sunday, also called on Buhari to urgently inaugurate the new board to superintend over the commission’s activities for a holistic review and reforms.

    The statements signed by the chairman, APC in Akwa-Ibom State, Hon. Ini Okopido and leader of the South-South chairmen of the forum, and his Abia State counterpart, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, who is the leader of South-East chairmen of the forum respectively, said the new board will do a good job probing the past of the commission.

    The forum expressed satisfaction on the caliber of those the President has already appointed to take over the task of the region’s development and appealed for their inauguration to pilot the affairs of the Commission, bringing to bear their wealth of experience.

    Read Also: How APC can retain power

    “The forum is of the view that since neither the Chairman nor Managing Director designate of the newly constituted NDDC board has served in the Commission in the period 2001 to 2019 in reference, they will be able to dispassionately carry out reforms that will revamp the Commission and correct the inadequacies of the previous boards vis-a-viz address the infrastructural decay in the region,” the statement said.

    Describing the other appointees as having the capacity and right attitude to revamp the region, the APC state chairmen unanimously called on President Buhari to urgently inaugurate members of the new board because the appointees have distinguished themselves as men and women of integrity, who have also laboured for the growth and development of the party.

    However, they noted that anyone who has served in the previous boards under investigation should be dropped by the Senate to avoid interference with the audit process.

    The statement added that the development of the region is a collective task that is paramount to the state chairmen as sound legacies bequeathed to the Niger Delta people will have overall impacts on the region’s socio-economic well being.

  • Okonkwo rewards young entrepreneurs

    By Agency Reporter

    The Chief Executive Officer of NEDCOM Oaks Limited and Victoria Crest Comes, Dr. Kenny Okonkwo, has empowered five young entrepreneurs in the Tech Industry at the maiden edition of KOPETECH 2019.

    The annual event, held in Lagos where the five lucky entrepreneurs were picked by the 6-man panelists.

    For emerging the winner, a company that develops software and discouraging paperwork, Swift Medispark went home with $5,000 while the runner ups got N1,000,000 each.

    The winners will also be awarded with office space in Lekki Lagos as well as mentorship class with Dr Kennedy for a year.

    Read Also: Minister seeks entrepreneurship training for Corpers

    Okonkwo, one of Nigeria’s foremost real estate entrepreneurs, charged young entrepreneurs to be hard-working resilient and never expect anything on a platter of gold.

    He further urged them to expect many discouragements and knock-downs but should not give up.

    Also the Chairman of Insight Communication, Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe, advised youths to always channel their energies to solutions rather than complaints as there are a lot of opportunities in the country.