The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • SGF warns against fraudulent job information on social media

    By Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

    The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), on Wednesday warned those using social media and other platforms to lure members of the public to a non-existing appointment at the Office.

    A statement by the Director Information, Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, also noted that false information are also being circulated concerning constituency projects being executed under SGF supervision.

    He said “The attention of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, has been drawn to unrelenting activities of faceless persons using the social media and other platforms to lure unsuspecting members of the Public to submit their Curriculum Vitae at a fee, to a non-existing desk at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, for Federal Government appointments.

    Read Also: I’m least qualified for SGF, says Boss Mustapha

    “The Office is similarly aware of inaccurate information being peddled around regarding constituency projects being executed under its supervision. For the avoidance of doubt, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation neither executes nor supervises constituency projects.

    “Also, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has become aware of numerous forged introductory letters purportedly issued from his office seeking diverse favours from individuals and corporate entities for personal gains.

    “The general public is by this notice advised to beware of the clandestine activities of these dubious and fraudulent persons and their cohorts going about to fleece unsuspecting members of the public. Assuredly, the Government has evolved measures to track these unpatriotic and faceless persons and will bring to justice anyone found engaging in these unwholesome activities.

    “For any enquiry and clarification, the official communication channels of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation are: Website Address: www.osgf.gov.ng, Email Address:info@osgf.gov.ng.”

  • Supervising ministry hijacked our jobs, FHA tells Reps

    By Tony Akowe, Abuja

    The Management of the Federal Housing Authority on Wednesday told the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat that its supervising ministry, the federal Ministry of Works and Housing hijacked its assigned responsibility of driving the National Housing project.

    The agency also told the House Committee that since it was commercialised in 2005, the federal government has not been funding the organisation as there has been no budgetary allocation to it for its operation.

    Acting Managing Director of the FHA, Umar Sabiu Gonto who spoke at an interactive session with members of the Committee that said the act setting up the agency mandated it to drive the process of National Housing Scheme, adding that at the moment, the Ministry has taken over that role and was now driving it.

    Sabiu Gonto said as a result of the takeover of the functions of the agency by the ministry, it had to engage itself in developing commercial mass housing for Nigerians, but lamented that it is confronted with series of challenges in its attempt to achieve the mass housing programme.

    According to him, most state government have refused to allocate land to the agency within or close to the city centres, but always allocate land to them outside the cities, making it difficult for them to sell the houses built on such lands.

    He said further that currently, the agency was planning a housing scheme for Nigerians living in the diaspora in collaboration with developers, adding that the FHA is discussing with the Nigeria Diaspora Commission and the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation to gain their confidence so that they can buy into the project.

    The FHA Chief Executive lamented the lack of funding for the agency, stressing that the commercial housing it is currently building and selling is what has been sustaining it and asked the lawmakers to assist it in getting back into the national budget.

    Read Also: FG may complete 2nd Niger bridge before 2022–Works Ministry

    He said “we submitted our budget to our supervising ministry when the call circular went out. But unfortunately, we were called by the ministry of finance to defend our proposal. We are appealing that you help us get back into the budget.

    “We also appeal that you help us amend the Act setting up the agency. It was enacted in 1973 and since then, it has not been amended. That act gives us the responsibility of driving the National Housing Project which, like I said is not handled by our supervisory ministry.

    He also disclosed that the FHA was working on building houses for Internally Displaced Persons in Borno state.

    On the Apo Housing project, he told the lawmakers that the project was not abandoned as being reported; adding that the delay in the completion of the project was as a result of the pending court case, but assured that the project will soon be completed.

  • FG launches 2020 Armed Forces emblem fund with N10m

    By Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday launched the 2020 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem and Appeal Fund with N10 million.

     

    The launching took place at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

     

    The event was an annual tradition towards acknowledging and appreciating the gallantry and sacrifices of veterans in the first and second world wars, peace keeping operations around the world and internal security operations, including the ongoing campaign against terrorism in Nigeria.

     

    January 15th of every year is celebrated as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

    Read Also: Muhammadu Buhari: Slavery still exists – We must take action

    From Wednesday 16th of October 2019 to 15th January 2020, top government officials and other Nigerians are expected to hang the emblem on their clothes as a mark of appreciating the efforts of the soldiers.

     

    Buhari, during the launching, urged corporate organisations and business concerns to support the veterans’ cause through voluntary donations, employment and welfare support.

     

    He also urged Nigerians to avoid issues that promote the differences of Nigerians.

     

    The President also insisted that Nigeria’s security was not negotiable.

  • Clamour for 2023 presidency too early-Igbo Youth Assembly

    By Agency Reporter

    The Igbo Youth Assembly (IYA) Worldwide has described as too early calls for zoning of 2023 presidency by some elder statesmen in the country.
    In a statement signed by its President General, Mr Ifeanyi Nwaudunna, IYA called on Nigerians and concerned citizens to stop politicking with 2023 Presidency.

    According to Nwaudunna, this clamour is political madness.

    “How can the so acclaimed leaders or elder statesmen be talking about the zone or region to produce the President in 2023 while the present government is barely five months in office.

    “It is too early and unpatriotic to start politicking about 2023 Presidency while some state governments are yet to inaugurate their cabinets or Executive Council to fulfill their campaign promises.

    “Unfortunately, the perpetrators of this social nihilism care less about good governance in their respective states.

    “IYA therefore call on the acclaimed elder statesmen and old brigade leaders to stop distracting the peace and unity of Nigeria by shelving the clamour for zoning 2023 Presidency,”Nwaudunna said.

    Read Also: IPOB attack on Ekwerendu, wake-up call – Igbo Youth Assembly

    According to him, Nigerians should be focusing on how to engage and make the government at all levels accountable on their campaign promises in order to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

    “Igbo Youth Assembly worldwide urges Nigerians to do away with these enemies of the country because they don’t mean well for the country.

    “They are just after their inordinate and selfish political ambition and desires.

    “Why are they not supporting and promoting good policies and programmes of the Federal Government geared towards delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians,” Nwaudunna said. (NAN)

  • 10 dead, 469 communities affected in Niger flood

    By Justina Asishana – Minna

    A father and a son as well as eight others were killed in various flood incidents across five local government areas in Niger state.

    A breakdown of the deaths include a father and son in Edati; three primary school pupils in Gurara; three children in Yuna village in Borgu; one child in Kontagora and seven-year-old Khadijat Adamu Aliyu in Fadikpe in Chachanga local government area of the state.

    The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMS), Ibrahim Ahmed Inga, made these disclosures while briefing Niger Assembly on the activities of the agency.

    According to him, 469 communities were affected in the 2019 flood adding that 123 communities in 20 local government areas were submerged.

    “469 communities in 20 local government areas were affected with 123 communities submerged. We recorded 10 deaths, over 21,223 persons were affected and 2,714 houses were destroyed,” he reiterated.

    The DG further said that over N200million allocated to the agency in the 2019 budget has been expended for flood relief, disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness, adding the funds were exhausted due to response to various disasters across the state.

    Read Also: Three dead, 500 displaced in early morning flood in Niger

    Inga further said that roads, bridges, culverts and residential buildings were revised to have succumbed to the force of the floodwater adding that the Agency has not responded to some communities affected by disasters due to insufficient funds.

    The NSEMA DG was invited to the House of Assembly to give an update of flood activities and address accusations that he has not reached out to victims of flood in Edati.

    In his reply to the query, Inga stated that the agency does mapping of flood-affected areas and come up with priority areas to reach out to adding that all communities are reached out to according to their level of priority.

  • Another Nigerian stabbed to death in South Africa

    By Agency Reporter

    The Nigerian community in South Africa has confirmed the killing of one of its members, Ikenna Innocent Otugo.
    Mr Sylvester Okonkwo, Acting Chairman of Nigerian Union, South Africa (NUSA) in the Kwazulu Natal Province, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that the deceased was killed at Empangeni, in the province on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

    He said that Otugo, 41, and a native of Nimo in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra, was allegedly stabbed to death by unknown assailants over a business disagreement.

    Okonkwo told NAN on telephone from Empangeni that Otugo had repaired a cellphone for a client in the area.

    He said that information made available to the union indicated that the female client was not satisfied with the work done by Otugo.

    Read Aslo: Xenophobia: Why Buhari shunned retaliatory steps – Presidency

    Okonkwo said that the client brought some men who allegedly stabbed the victim.

    “Otugo died on the way to the hospital following the stabbing. We have reported the incident to the police and national secretariat of our union, NUSA.

    “His (Otugo’s) body is now in the mortuary awaiting autopsy,’’ he said.

    The acting chairman said that the victim is survived by a nine-year-old son.

    Contacted, Mr Adetola Olubajo, President of NUSA, said that the national secretariat had been informed about the incident. (NAN)

  • Moment of joy for Hauwa Indimi, Mohammed Yar’Adua

    By Sofowora Oladapo

    The blessing of every union is children. Hauwa Indimi and her heartthrob, Mohammed Yar Adua are the happiest couple at the moment. They just celebrated the arrival of their bundle of joy. The couple welcomed a bouncing baby boy named Noah

    Moments from the superlative wedding of Hauwa Indimi, daughter of billionaire oil mogul, Mohammed Indimi, to Mohammed Yar’Adua, son of the late Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Abubakar Yar’Adua, in July 2018 is still fresh.

    Those privileged to attend still make it as a reference point as one of the weddings which shook the country with the display of opulence and splendor. The wedding was graced by high-flying personalities, businessmen and women as well as top socialites in Nigeria and beyond.

    Read Also: Behold hot celebrity couples!

    Few days before the wedding, unconfirmed reports had it that Mohammed had once dated the bride’s sister Fatima Amma. We gathered that he allegedly dumped Fatima after they both fell apart before he was eventually captured by Hauwa’s love.

    The story allegedly caused a bad blood in the family, as Fatima reportedly fought to reclaim her man back.

    But an unperturbed Hauwa stood her ground as they both tied the nuptial knot.

  • Kogi voters hoping on us to save them – SDP

    By James Azania, Lokoja

    Ahead of the November 16 Login governorship election, chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi state, Mouktar Atimah, has said that the people of the are waiting for his party to save them from the “present predicaments.”

    He said this during the party’s state executive and stakeholders meeting, in Lokoja, adding that the peoples hope was on the SDP to save them.

    He asserted that the SDP will not only overcome the disqualification of its governorship candidate, Natasha Akpoti by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but go on to win at the poll.

    According to him: “We are prepared for winning. We will overcome the illegal disqualification and salavge the people of kogi State.

    Read Also: Bayelsa/Kogi polls: PDP moves to appease Jonathan, Idris

    “The people of Kogi State are hoping on us to save them from the present predicament; we cannot afford to fail the people of state. The party will set a new dawn in Nigeria, when it produce the first female elected governor.”

    The Director General, Natasha/Khalid Campaign Organisation, Dr Baba Abdul said that the members of the party have shown a strong commitment, by standing with the it at all points.

    He called on them not to relent in selling the party’s vision, and making changing the narrative a reality.

    Engr. Khalid Adam enjoined supporters to work for the interest of the party at all levels, and with sincerity, “having in mind that we are on a mission to save the people of Kogi state.”

  • Olori Ajoke Adeyemi’s 30th birthday gift to humanity

    By Sofowora Oladapo

    Ever since she shot into limelight when she tied nuptial knot with revered octogenarian and highly influential Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Olori Badirat Olaitan Ajoke has not failed to show she was properly trained and nurtured for royalty. She embodies royalty with blue blood flowing in her veins.

    The stylish queen and serial entrepreneur personifies beauty, class, panache laced with an alluring gait. Her persona and fashion sense has gained her several admirers from different strata of life.

    If there is one thing she cherishes with passion, apart from her marriage, it would be celebrating her birthday. She always celebrates with the single motive of impacting her immediate environment positively with her wealth of influence.

    Read Also: All I did as governor was in the interest of Oyo State – Ajimobi

    The HRM logistics boss will on the 3rd of November turn 30. In the course of her 30th birthday celebration, she will be holding a week- long empowerment programme for indigenes of Oyo in October.

    The proud mother of twins plans to teach soap making, skin care, cake baking, shoe making, makeup, Aso-Oke stoning, bag making and nails at a venue in Oyo town.

    She is changing the narrative from just throwing a birthday soiree to putting smiles on the faces of people around her by equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for self sufficiency and sustainability.

     

     

  • Konga head Honcho, Nnamdi Ekeh’s touch of gold

    By Sofowora Oladapo

    The utmost joy of every parent is to be blessed with promising, creative, ambitious and responsible children who would make them proud in every way. This, today, is what Nnamdi Ekeh, head honcho of leading online e-commerce store Konga, means to his parents.

    He has not only made them super proud, he has also crested his name with gold in the good book of his parents with his giant strides in the E-commerce business.

    When Nnamdi wanted to kickoff his project “Yudala”, a multi billion naira e-commerce project while he was still in the university at 19, he shared the idea with his multi- billionaire father and Chairman of Zinox Computers, Leo Stan Ekeh.

    Stan knowing fully well his son always showed the trait of an astute businessman like him supported the idea with a billion naira capital take- off fund.

    Nnamdi, tapping from his father’s wealth of experience in business, quickly agreed that integrity plays a pivotal role. It was gathered that after eight months of full operation, Nnamdi payed back half a billion to his father. This further sealed his father’s confidence in him.

    Indeed, within the first one year of operation, Yudala rose astronomically to become the best online retail market in the country. After consistently dominating the market for years, Nnamdi and his team led the acquisition of Konga.com in what was considered one of the biggest acquisitions in E-Commerce sector in Africa.

    After the acquisition, the rest is history. The brand has since strengthened its tentacles across Africa, redefining the sector by selling lasting and trusted products to their numerous customers across the country.

    Interestingly, despite his success in business, Nnamdi dared to be different from his peers who have access to financial war chests, by going around, spending money frivolously and living flamboyantly. Nnamdi loves to keep a low profile.

    Read Also: ‘Ecommerce ‘ll contribute up to 20 per cent Nigeria’s GDP’

    A close source said; young Ekeh is an introvert who always find solace in reading motivational and business books, playing basket ball and involving in business and market research all the time.

    Though, Yudala started with sales of ICT products. It has since diversified into a one-stop online and offline retail outpost for a wide assortment of goods, including consumables, choice wine and groceries. It is also considered to be the preferred channel for shoppers with eyes for quality, real time delivery and customer relations.

    Today, Konga can conveniently boast of over 1000 staff with the figure increasing substantially with its growing network of experience stores and warehouses all over the country.

    An Economics graduate of the University of Lancaster as well as an alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School (LBS), Ekeh also holds a certificate in International Business and Economics from Harvard.

    A savvy entrepreneur and online enthusiast, his mission is to ensure that Africa is not ignored during conversations on technology and innovation.