The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Thirteen parties adopt late Audu’s widow for Kogi Governorship Poll

    By Agency Reporter

    Thirteen political parties have adopted Prof. Aisha Audu of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) as their sole candidate for the Nov. 16, Kogi Governorship election.

    The group spokesman, Mr Abdulkadir Adebayo made this known while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Friday shortly after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the YPP candidate.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Audu is the widow of late Prince Abubakar Audu, the former governor of the state.

    Adebayo decried the sufferings and economic difficulties the people of the state were going through.
    He said that the condition of the people does not reflect what the former governor stood, fought and died for.

    Adebayo said that the decision to adopt the candidate of the YPP was to support her achieve the dreams of her late husband.

    According to him, our decision was fueled by the need for the total liberation of the people of Kogi.
    Audu, while reacting to the development, emphasised the need for a peaceful liberation and rebuilding of the state.

    She pledged that development; capacity building and service delivery to the people of the state would be given priority attention if elected as governor.

    “Kogi is sitting on wealth yet unemployment is an issue that is why I have decided to be the voice of the voiceless.

    Read Also: Kogi election: Where are the dissenting judgements?

    “I have been rendering services to the people through a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) which I founded to empower thousands of people and am ready to do more,” she said.

    Audu said that that if elected governor, accountability and service delivery to the people would be her main focus.

    NAN reports Some of the parties include the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (NDCP) Green Party of Nigeria (GPN) and Justice Must Prevail Party

  • ‘APC’s inroad to South-East will start from Anambra’

    By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it is working tirelessly to make inroads into the South-East through the Anambra State governorship election, next year.

    The National Organising Secretary of the party, Emma Ibediro, who gave the assurances in a chat with The Nation in Abuja on Friday, also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his magnanimity towards the region notwithstanding the performance of the party in the region during the general elections.

    Ibediro, who lamented the political twist in the region prior and during the general elections, thanked President Buhari for committing to the completion of the second Niger Bridge and for approvinging funds the rebuilding of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

    Ibediro, who charged the people of the region to support Buhari as he continues to rebuild Nigeria, however, assured that the losses of the party in the last election in the South-East would be compensated for in the governorship election coming up in Anambra State, noting that all hands were on deck to realise this.

    “I think what happened in the last election is a big lesson for the South-East and I believe that all hands are on deck now to make sure that the next election that will involve the party in the South-East, the party will show a better outing. We are working towards that and Anambra is the next election we are looking at, we are doing everything to make sure that our fortunes turn around in Anambra state.

    “We have to thank the president, President Muhammadu Buhari, for the reception he granted to the governors and leaders of the South-East, who paid him a visit yesterday. It has gone to show that the president is a man who is always looking forward to the future, without counting whatever must have happened in the past.

    “For a zone that showed a very poor outing as it concerned the president during the last election, one would have thought the president wouldn’t have been that magnanimous in granting that audience and going further to intensify efforts in the construction of the second Niger Bridge and now approving a whooping sum of N10 billion for the restructuring and rehabilitation of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, at a time when government is looking at every corner to cut cost in governance.

    “We must commend the president for that gesture and show of kindness towards the South-East and implore our people to reciprocate such good gesture in their support for him as he goes about trying to fix the nation,” he said.

    The party leader also dismissed insinuations that the party would disintegrate at the end of President Buhari’s rule, noting that those making the insinuation are oblivious of the party’s steady success, which he said the voting Nigerians are carefully observing, adding that those making the insinuation are far from the grassroots.

    Read Also: APC sets up committee to mobilise eligible voters on CVR

    “All these are political statements and you would not expect anything better from the opposition, but I want to tell you that with the foundations that are being laid by this government, in terms of infrastructure, in terms of bringing back those things that have been denied Nigerians for a very long time.

    “It’s not about party, politics actually belongs to the people. So when you see some Abuja tigers make some statements, it is not a true reflection of the positions in the real communities, where the actual votes come from.

    “You remember nobody believed APC was going to make any impact in the last election. Some were saying Buhari was going to lose, but by the time we attended campaigns in all the states and you saw the people responded to the president, we were sure even before the election that we were going to win.

    “I want to tell you that most of the changes that are going on silently, they are going on in the minds of the people, the actual owners of the votes, not in the imaginations of some political tigers, who play Abuja politics”, he said.

  • Food most popular, most searched content on You Tube — Google Official

    By Agency Reporter

    Food is popular online and social media platform enthusiasts often get tempted by pictures and videos of delicious food prepared by Nigerian amateurs and professionals, says Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google West Africa Spokesman.

    In a statement on Friday, the Google official said that food was embedded in the ways that people interacted socially, entertain guests, have business lunch meetings, dinner dates, and celebrate with food.

    According to him, apart from the health benefits, the memory of a delicious meal could linger as food play an integral part in our lives from our well being to our social norm.

    He said that the aroma, the colours, the plating and the taste of the food, all worked together to create a lasting experience.

    ”In Nigeria, there are some passionate food enthusiasts who are doing a wonderful job of creating and sharing food content online.

    ”They share food recipes, food hacks, tips and tricks on how to prepare delicious dishes and information that can help us make better cooking and eating decisions

    ”We picked five of our favourite YouTube food content creators that you should know about.

    ”Which are Zeelicious Foods: SisiYemmieTV, Flo Chinyere, Chef Lola’s Kitchen, Naija Food Tube,” Kola-Ogunlade said.

    Read Also: Cars45, Google, others empower SMEs

    He noted that Zeelicious Foods channel is dedicated to teaching people how to make mouth-watering dishes in a fun and creative way while SisiYemmieTV, is popularly known as the Nigerian food channel with wholesome content that also focused on lifestyle, relationships and parenting.

    “How to prepare meals and must-try Nigerian meals are some of the things that you will find on Flo Chinyere’s YouTube channel.

    “Chef Lola shares recipes and instructions on how to make delicious dishes and also shows how to bake mouth-wateringly good bakes like white bread, lemon yogurt cake and Chinese hot dog buns.

    “On Naija Food Tube you would find delicious Nigerian cuisine and will be guided on how to quickly become a guru at making these meals,” he said. (NAN)

  • PFN pledges support for Osinbajo during visit

    By Agency Reporter

    A delegation of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN) led by its President, Dr Felix Omobude, on Friday visited Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Omobude, who spoke with State House correspondents afterward, said the fellowship was solidly behind the vice president.

    The PFN president said it was a family visit as the vice president was one of PFN’s constituents.

    He said that Osinbajo loved Nigeria and was passionate about the country which he always displayed in the discharge of his duties.

    Omobude said that the vice president always identified with PFN in its conferences and programmes; hence it was important the fellowship appreciated what he was doing for the nation and for the church.

    The PFN President also said that the church supported the government in its right polices and criticised it when went wrong.

    “The vice president loves God and there’s no doubt about that and he loves Nigeria; he passionately displays this in his services, and we are praying for him.

    Read Also: Insecurity: PFN urges Southeast governors to sit up

     

    He said: “We know it is not easy; we are solidly behind him; the church continues to stand with the government when the policies are right.

    “The church speaks against what it considers inappropriate; the church speaks as a voice for the very many voiceless that cannot come to a place like this.

    “So, when government is doing well, we will commend it; synergise with government; this is a great nation; in spite of all our challenges

    “We have people who are dedicated and committed to the cause of national development.

    “And then, for us in PFN, we are just glad to be part of that.’’

    He urged Nigerians to join hands in building the nation; adding that the process of building was not easy.

    Omobude said everyone had a contribution to make.

    “ So, we call on all Nigerians to shrink what divides us and strengthen what unites us;  then we can have a better nation.’’(NAN)

  • ISSUP calls for stronger policies on drug demand reduction

    By Moses Emorinken, Abuja

    The Nigerian Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals (ISSUP, Nigeria Chapter), has called for a stronger policy on drug demand reduction, stating that the extant policies are not sufficient enough to tackle the greatly evolving trend of drug demand.

    The National President of the ISSUP, Martin O. Agwogie, made this known on Thursday in Abuja during the formal inauguration of the organization.

    According to him, “Based on the scientific fact that the field of drug demand reduction is rapidly evolving, the policies and laws of yesteryears have been found inadequate to address present day drug situations. Thus we must contribute to reversing this unwholesome trend.”

    He explained that a lack of professional practice among stakeholders in the field of drug demand reduction in Nigeria has caused more grievous damage to the health and well-being of individuals and our nation.

    He further added: “We are in full collaboration with relevant stakeholders towards the introduction of addiction prevention, treatment and policy as a standard international course of study in our higher institutions of learning in Nigeria.

    “We believe this will help to consolidate and sustain the professionalization of drug demand reduction in Nigeria. To this end, I am pleased to state that the introduction of addiction studies has reached an advanced stage in two Nigerian universities. In few years from now we shall have addiction studies being offered from first degree to doctoral levels.

    “Our vision is to build a united, trained, skilled, knowledgeable and effective multidisciplinary national network of substance use prevention, treatment, recovery professionals and researchers undertaking and promoting high quality evidence-based substance use prevention, treatment and policies.”

    The Chairman of the occasion Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, in his address explained that professionalizing the field of drug demand reduction will subsequently contribute significantly towards addressing the challenges of substance abuse in Nigeria.

    According to him, “The lack of professional practice among stakeholders in the field of drug demand reduction in Nigeria has caused more damage to the health and well-being of individuals and our nation. Therefore, practitioners need to be professionally guided.

    “This inauguration is coming at a time when the Federal Government of Nigeria is taking holistic steps towards addressing the challenges of substance abuse in Nigeria. One of which was the setting up of a Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse under my supervision.

    “The setting up of the committee was a demonstration of political will on the part of this present administration to reverse the alarming trend of substance abuse in the past few years which has become a threat to public health, national stability, peace and security.

    Read Also: Diagnosing Nigeria’s mental health

    “Statistics shows that while global prevalence of drug use is 5.6%, in Nigeria it is 14.4% (14.3 million people). 1 in 7 persons in Nigeria between the ages of 15 and 64 years use at least one psychoactive substance as against global average of 1 in 20. 1 in 5 persons who use drugs in Nigeria are suffering from substance use disorders.

    “14% of the world population who misuses pharmaceutical opioids are in Nigeria, thereby making Nigeria one of the countries in the world with the highest population of people who misuses tramadol and codeine cough syrup.

    “These are not figures we should be proud of as a nation. More worrisome, is the ingenuity and complex mixture associated with drug use where poly drug use is a norm among drug users.

    “Another major concern is the age of drug initiation where primary school ages are already exposed to drug use. This has more long term implications in the development of substance use disorders because of the stage of their brain development.”

    “As a committee, we are taking a holistic look at addressing the drug situation both from the supply side, in terms of supply suppression and the demand side.

    “Once we are able to address the demand side sufficiently, we would have succeeded significantly in our drug control efforts,” he said.

    The ISSUP currently has a membership capacity of over 700 Nigerians in the field of drug demand reduction. Also, its membership cuts across different professions/disciplines and organizations.

  • Navy arrests seven alleged impostors escorting oil vessel in Rivers

    By Agency Reporter

    The Navy has announced its arrest of seven alleged impostors parading themselves as security personnel in Port Harcourt.
    Commodore Murtala Rogo, Base Operations Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt said the suspects, who were onboard a ‘rogue vessel’, MV Workhorse, were intercepted while escorting an oil tanker, MV Osamewe to an undisclosed location without permit.

    Speaking at the handing over of the suspects, Rogo said: “In line with the Nigerian Navy policing role on the maritime domain, on Sept. 6, we got a tip-off of a vessel carrying out illegal escort duty for an oil tanker.

    “Based on this intelligence, we deployed NNS Pathfinder patrol gunboats to Bonny Anchorage to make the arrest.

    “On reaching there, our patrol elements arrested seven crew members onboard MV Workhorse for providing illegal armed escort to an oil tanker, MV Osamewe.

    “The suspects could not provide the appropriate permit to operate as a private maritime logistic support security vessel at the time of arrest,” he said.

    The Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) are the two leading security agencies with mandate to police the nation’s waters.

    Rogo said it was a crime to carry out oil and gas activities within the nation’s maritime environment without approval from the Navy and relevant government agencies.

    “So, based on this development, the vessel was remanded in our custody to enable us carry out thorough investigation on the matter.

    “We have concluded our investigation and we are hereby handing over the vessel and seven suspects to NSCDC.

    “The NSCDC will conduct further investigation and possibly prosecute the suspects in court,” Rogo said.

    The naval commander expressed optimism that the arrest and prosecution of the suspects in court would serve as deterrent to criminals on the waterways.

    Read Also: Nigerian Navy hands over seven suspects to NSCDC

    Receiving the suspects and vessel, Mr Abdullahi Umar, Assistant Commandant of NSCDC in Rivers, lauded the navy for the collaboration that exists between the two security agencies at the state level.

    Umar promised that the suspects would have their day in court.

    “We will immediately launch credible investigation for possible prosecution of the suspects and any other culprits involved with the case,” he assured.

    The official said the corps had secured several convictions of suspects in court with many serving different jail terms.

  • Julius Berger to divert another section of Lagos – Ibadan expressway Monday

    By Agency Reporter

    The ongoing reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is to be extended from Magboro to Punch section of the road by Monday, according to an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
    The Ogun State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr.Clement Oladele told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota.

    That stretch of the road covers 1.3 kilometers.

    The rehabilitation work will cause a temporary diversion of Lagos bound traffic to the Sagamu bound carriageway from Magboro to Punch.

    “This temporary diversion of traffic will transfer the Lagos inbound traffic to the same carriageway conveying traffic outward Lagos thereby making both the traffic inward and outward Lagos accommodated on the same section of the expressway within the 1.3 kilometers stretch of the road from Magboro to Punch in Ogun State,” Oladele said.

    The sector commander advised motorists to take note of the development and plan their trips by allowing more time to their traveling time, in view of the construction work that would narrow the carriageway which may impair traffic.

    “Motorists are also enjoined to observe lane discipline and avoid driving against traffic, as violators risk impoundment of their vehicles and liable to payment of N50, 000 traffic fine,” he warned.

    Read Also: FRSC craves attitudinal change for truck drivers/ haulage operators

    The FRSC boss cautioned motorists to drive within the maximum speed limit of 50km per hour, the maximum speed at construction zones as prescribed by the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012, to avoid road crashes.

    Oladele, however, commended the public for their patience and cooperation, adding that they still have to bear with the inconvenience the temporary diversion might cause.

    He also implored motorists to continue to cooperate with the FRSC and other traffic and emergency agencies that would be strategically deployed to control the diverted traffic around the rehabilitation sections.

    The sector commander said that motorists observing traffic emergencies could contact the FRSC toll free number 122.

    There is currently a partial closure of the Lagos end of the expressway to allow for reconstruction work on the 600-metres stretch between Ojodu Berger and the beginning of Kara Bridge.

  • Wendy receives ‘star’ on Hollywood Walk of Fame

    By Agency Reporter

    An American media personality, writer and businesswoman, Wendy has received the 2,677th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the talk show host and radio legend Williams, received her star on Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday night, accompanied by her son Kelvin Jr.

    After receiving the award, the media personality was quoted by E-News, as saying, “the elephant in the room is that I’ve been having a very, very tough year.

    “But, slowly but surely, I’m climbing out of the pit and this is one of those monumental days that makes me say, you know, if you don’t believe in yourself who will believe in you?

    HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA

    Sometimes life is a very lonely path and you’ve got to make some hard decisions,” she said.

    The talk show host in her speech appreciated her family, fans and her “loyal hard-working staff” at “The Wendy Williams Show,”

    Williams also appreciated Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein of Debmar-Mercury, the dispensers of her programme.

    She, however, noted that her greatest talk-show inspirations were Mike Douglas and Dinah Shore.

    “Jack and Elvis and Mitch and people have said throughout the day … I’m successful because I’ve done things my way. No, not exactly. It’s because I’m a good listener to advice, and if I don’t like the advice, then I do things my way.

    “I did not know I would be a talk-show host, but I liked the chit-chat — I’ve always liked the chit-chat.

    “When they told me, ‘It’s going to be a live talk show,’ I was frightened — frightened. Doing it by myself, I had no problem with it because most of my career I’ve been by myself.

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    “Even in a room full of a thousand people, I always feel like the person who doesn’t belong.

    “If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry, so I’ll keep it light and laughter-y,” Williams said as she took the stage to accept her honour, choking back tears all the same.

    The media personality also said the honour also meant a lot to her 19-year-old son, Kelvin Jr, whom she had with her separated husband, Kelvin Hunter.

    “My son is here with me … he’s only 19, he’s only known me as Mom with the microphone, and then Mom in the headlines, and Mom saying out-of-order stuff,” “So, this star means everything.

    “Because now he’s got something to look at and say, ‘my mom did it.”

    NAN reports that Williams is an American actress, fashion designer, and media personality.

    She has hosted the nationally syndicated television talk show “The Wendy Williams Show” since 2008.

    She is also a writer and actress and have starred in movies such as Think Like a Man (2012, 2014) Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates in 2016.

    Hollywood Walk of Fame comprises more than 2,600 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California.

    The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce holds trademark rights to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

  • IYC hails Buhari’s decision to audit NDDC

    By Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

    The umbrella body of Ijaw youths, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his decision to audit the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The IYC, in a statement by its spokesman, Daniel Dasimaka, described the move by the President as a show of leadership and commitment to the development of the region.

    The group called on stakeholders to support the transfer of supervisory powers of the NDDC from the Presidency to the Niger Delta Ministry to reduce the level of harassment and political interference especially from National Assembly members and other political gladiators that had stifled the operations of the commission.

     

    Dasimaka said: “We support this decision of Mr President to audit the activities of the NDDC from 2001 to date with a view at ensuring that we see concrete results on the ground for the resources allocated to it rather than our commonwealth becoming an instrument of patronage that enriches a few while the generality of our people wallow in abject poverty.

    Read Also: Ijaw council demands end to fuel importation

     

    “Already N80.88 billion has been proposed in the 2020 Budget for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Although this amount is still not commensurate with the contributions of the Niger Delta to the national wealth and despite the high cost of executing projects in the region which the President rightly pointed out, it would be tragic for these funds to be spent without improvements in the region.

     

    “We would like to use this medium to call on the President to use his good offices to ensure that the provisions of the NDDC Act is followed in the composition of the Management Board of the Commission.

     

    ” For instance Bayelsa State is supposed to produce the next Managing Director of the Commission and since the president said he tries to “follow the Act setting up these institutions especially the NDDC”, we urge him to correct the legal flaws in the composition of the Board earlier announced.”

  • Bridge bank initiative protected N1.759trn depositors funds, says NDIC

    By Moses Emorinken, Abuja

    The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has revealed that a total of N1.759 trillion of depositors funds have been protected by the bridge bank initiative till date in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    It explained that in the discharge of its statutory role, it adopted the Bridge Bank mechanism to resolve the failure of three (3) Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) namely – Afribank, Spring Bank and Bank PHB in 2011. Similarly, in 2018, that mechanism was used to resolve the failure of Skye Bank Plc.

    Managing Director and CEO of the NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, made this known on Friday during a press conference to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Corporation in Abuja.

    According to him, “It should interest you to note that the bridge bank initiative safeguarded 12,667 jobs, protected deposit liabilities of over N1.759 trillion which ensured that depositors had uninterrupted access to their funds, and prevented the systemic repercussions of the failure of the bank on the entire financial system.

    “The Bridge bank option engendered macro-economic stability, sustained daily operations of the failed banks including meeting maturing obligations and enhanced the confidence of depositors and other stakeholders”.

    Represented by the Director of Communication & Public Affairs, Mr. Sunday Oluyemi, he added that: “Since its inception, the Corporation successfully responded to economic realities and yearnings of depositors by periodically increasing the Maximum Deposit Insurance Coverage to enhance the confidence of the public in the Nigerian financial system. On average, this is done every five years in line with Global best practice.

    “To date, the NDIC has paid a cumulative sum of over N8.25 billion as insured amount to 442,999 depositors of closed DMBs; paid over N2.97 billion to 83,415 depositors of closed Microfinance Banks (MFBs), and over N70.53 million was paid to 869 depositors of closed Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs)”.

    Read Also: NDIC pays N116.258b to customers of dead banks

    In pursuit of its mandate to ensure that depositors of liquidated banks do not suffer loss or pain, the NDIC boss explained that between 1994 to date, 53 DMBs, 325 MFBs and 51 PMBs were put under liquidation without disruption to the nation’s payment system.

    According to him, “NDIC’s liquidation activities involved recovery of debts and realization of assets of closed banks. To date, a cumulative amount of over N29.112 billion was recovered from debtors of DMBs in liquidation. N129.10 million was realized from debtors of failed MFBs, while that of PMBs stood at N300 million.

    “On realisation of assets, currently N21.502 billion was collected from the disposal of physical assets of closed DMBs, while N404.74 million and N78.17 million were realised in respect of MFBs and PMBs, respectively.

    “Debt collection and assets sales culminated in the payments of over N116.258 billion as Liquidation Dividends to depositors, creditors and shareholders of closed DMBs, MFBs and PMBs as at today.

    “It is important to stress that through sustained and diligent liquidation activities, NDIC has realised assets to pay in full, deposits of the customers of 17 of the DMBs (In-liquidation). In effect, all the depositors of the 17 defunct banks who came forward to file their claims have been paid all their monies (both insured and uninsured) erstwhile trapped in those banks”.