The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Gov. Sule submits 15 commissioner- nominees to Nasarawa Assembly

    By Donatus Nadi, Lafia

    Nasarawa Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule on Wednesday submitted 15 commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

    Speaker Ibrahim Abdullahi, announced this after the Majority leader of the house, Alhaji Tanko Tunga (APC-Awe North) submitted the list of the nominees on behalf of Sule in the House in Lafia.

    “The nominees are Ahmed Baba Yahaya, Toto LGA, Philip Dada, Karu LGA, Othman Bala Adam, Keffi LGA, Dr Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, Kokona LGA, Obadiah Boyi, Akwanga LGA, Yusuf Aliyu Turaki, Awe LGA, Dr Salihu Ahmad Alizaga, Nassarawa Eggon LGA).

    “Dogo Shammah, Wamba LGA, Prof.Otaki Allahnanah, Keana LGA, Haruna Ogbole Adamu, Obi LGA, Ibrahim Musa Ekye, Doma LGA, Mrs Fati Jimeta Sabo, Nasarawa LGA, Abubakar Muhammed Imam, Lafia LGA, Hajiya

    “Halima Ahmadu Jabiru, Lafia LGA and Mohammed Bashir Aliyu, Lafia LGA),” he said.

    Read Also: Gov. Sule directs LGs June, July salaries payment before Friday

    Balarabe directed the nominees to submit 30 copies of their curriculum Vitae (CV) on or before Friday, October 18th.

    “The House will commence their screening from Monday October 21st to Tuesday Oct. 22,” he added.

    “Those that will appear for screening on Monday, Oct 21st are commissioner- nominees from Toto, Karu, Keffi, Kokona, Akwanga, Awe, Nassarawa Eggon, Wamba and Keana local government areas.

    “Those that will appear for screening on Tuesday, Oct 22nd, are commissioner nominees from Obi, Doma, Nasarawa and the three nominees from Lafia Local government,” he said .

  • Former Speaker Dimeji Bankole’s headache

    By Sofowora Oladapo

    Having held sway as the youngest Speaker in the history of Nigeria, Dimeji Bankole has indeed witnessed immense favour and grace from his creator, attaining a feat that was uncommon for his age at that time.

    Dimeji, at just 37, became Speaker House of Representatives against all odds after the first female speaker, Patricia Etteh was ousted from office due to an alleged series of corruption.

    During his tenure, he was indeed powerful. His baritone voice shrouded the house in excitement, his charisma carried a stamp of authority in the house, as he enjoyed massive support from his colleagues.

    However, his political misfortune started in 2011 when he failed to secure a return into the Green Chambers. He was defeated with a landslide victory by the opposition. Ever since the shocking defeat, Bankole had remained stagnant politically. His once large political influence was cut off like a cable.

    According to sources, Dimeji was hit hard to the bones. He was shocked by the unexpected defeat. “He felt he deserved to be re-elected but his constituents spoke through the ballot. They openly told him he will not return as their representative. They claimed as a speaker of the house, his emergence did not develop his constituency, his impact was not felt in project and representation. They claimed he neglected them, only to resurface during the period of election,” a source informed.

    However, years after his unceremonious exit from the National Assembly, he is still eager for political relevance. He suffered another defeat when he contested for the number one job in Ogun State under the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
    His ambition never saw the light of day as Gboyega Nasir Isiaka was handed the party’s ticket as the gubernatorial candidate.

    Like the proverbial ram that moves back to bring more fire power, typical of an unrepentant optimist, in 2018, he threw his hat into the ring again for the number one job in Ogun state under the Action Democratic Party (ADP), trying to slug it out with other political gladiators in the state.

    During the cause of the elections, political pundits stated he should be aware that he was no longer a force to be reckoned with in the political circle of Ogun State. We gathered that some close friends advised him to sit and watch from the sidelines but he opted to go into the ring to contest.

    “He was advised by his close friends and some top political influencers in the state but his ego has taken over him. He failed to realise that he is no longer a force to be reckoned with politically,” a source further added.

    Read Also: International Breweries lauds Ogun State

    At the just concluded elections, we learnt that he opened his financial vault generously with a single aim of realising his long term ambition to govern the rocky state. But to his chagrin, he spent millions only to get less than 10,000 votes in the entire state with 3.7million residents, according to the 2006 population census.

    Sadly, the soft-spoken politician’s inability to clinch the number one job in the state is like adding salt in his wound. He has since been a subject of ridicule in the state.

    Few of his followers are still skeptical of his move politically. Some are of the opinion that he might still contest in 2023. Only time will tell if he can weather the political typhoon directed at him or if he would retire into his cocoon and bid politics farewell.

  • Just in: Gunmen kill police Sergeant, injure principal in Edo

    By Precious Igbonwelundu

    Gunmen on Tuesday killed a police Sergeant identified as Yusuf Igoche and injured his principal along the Lagos-Benin Expressway.

    It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 3pm around the Benin Bypass while Igoche with force number F/462248 was escorting his principal to Lagos.

    The Nation gathered that the gunmen who came out of surrounding bushes, rained bullets on the Lexus GX470 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) the victims rode in.

    The unnamed principal was said to have sustained several injuries and rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for emergency care.

    Read Also: Gunmen attack army general’s house, kill guard

    A source who hinted on the development said the victims were enroute Lagos when they came under attack.

    He said that police and military operatives were deployed to comb the forest and arrest the culprits.

    The Nation reports that ambushes such as these have been occurring in that part of the country’s highway since April leaving several people killed and others injured.

    Despite assurances by the police and other security operatives, motorists and passengers plying the Lagos-Benin Expressway have continued to be attacked and kidnapped by marauding armed men pretending to be herders.

     

     

  • What next after sex-for-grade scandal?

    By Femi Akinwande

    Nigeria is not wanting in theatrics or public outcry after any untoward happening. Immediately BBC Africa Eye showed its documentary on the UNILAG lecturers business of sex- for- marks. Nigerians rose in the usual outcry. While some commended BBC for the covert investigative journalism, others wondered why BBC did not do same in their own clime.

    Even the church action against one of the lecturers, Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu , was considered cosmetic and not serious enough. Are we a set of court jesters?

    For me, we must all think beyond entertaining ourselves over this ugly incident. Sex- for-grades is bad, degrading value of girls and our educational system in a globalised world. Every men and women of conscience must not only condemn it but suggest possible solutions. If we fail to do just that, another one will soon hit us like the wave of the sea.

    Pragmatism should suggest that we change our approach to solving trading marks for sex in our ivory towers. And that should start with policy review. The Ministry of Education, be it federal or state, should think out of the box.

    Equally, the Governing Councils should not wait for this kind of incident to happen only to issue statement. They can do more by being proactive. After all, it is commonly said attack is the best form of defence.

    Read Also: Sex for grades: ‘9th Assembly to put school administrators on their toes’

    Having codes of behaviour for lecturers in terms treatment of female students is not enough, engage it in intelligence gathering to checkmate male lecturers from unzipping their trousers whether in the office, hotel, or coldroom over helpless teens whose only crime is beauty and carrying God’s sacred gift in between their legs.

    Imagine emotional trauma and damage some of this victims will go through in their lives without God helping them! Think for a moment of their perception of seeing men as not being better than a he-goat! Imagine what the civilised world think of our educational system and certificates!

    We must go beyond creating slogans out of the mess.

    Akinwande, a marketing communication consultant and lives in Lagos

  • African literacy science network takes off in Nigeria

    By Justina Asishana

    In a bid to address the growing public misconceptions about science in Nigeria, a network for effective convocation between journalists and scientists, African Literacy Science Network, has been launched in Abuja, Nigeria.

    The platform is an initiative of TReND in Africa in collaboration with the University of Sussex, Francis Crick Institute (London), Yerwa Express News and Science Communication Hub Nigeria.

    At the launch in Abuja, a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Professor Isa Hussaini Marte, lamented the dearth of research in Nigeria and Africa, urging government to infuse more money into science and research.

    He pointed out that without research and development, Nigeria was doomed as a nation and society.

    “Science is what develops the whole world but in Nigeria, we do not know the value of Research and Development (R&D). Everyone in Nigeria is only interested in the finished product, no one is interested in research, no state or federal government not even TETFund.

    “We have to put our house in order if we want to talk about science and research, money needs to be pumped into research. If we want to do research, someone must come out with the money. Any country that does not prioritize research and development is doomed to fail”, he said.

    Marte, a Nigerian professor of pharmacology, further called on Journalists to also place priority on science reportage stating that the collaboration between scientists and journalists needs to be strengthened in Nigeria.

    The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu, called on scientists not to keep their innovations to themselves or their laboratories urging them to project their innovations to the World.

    Nabasu who was represented by Dr. Rose Maxwell Gidado, a Deputy Director at the Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, said: “Scientists need to be encouraged to enclose their findings to the public. African scientists need to comprehend the central role of science and communication in societal development.”

    Read Also: Is science about to make Nigerians live up to 150 years?

    Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni, who chaired the occasion, said that his state has made Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) a priority area.

    The launch of the African Literacy Science Network preceded a two- day science communication and journalism workshop in which 74 journalists and scientists selected from across the country would be trained on effective public engagement skills on science communication.

    TReND Outreach Director, Mahmoud Bukar Maina, believed that a partnership between scientists and journalists will help in addressing the public misconceptions about science in Nigeria which is affecting the livelihood and the potential of Nigeria in science and technology.

    “Scientists and journalists share many things in common, both have a great enthusiasm to reveal new knowledge that can be shared with others to enhance livelihood and better our societies.”

  • Ganduje vows to punish kidnappers of Kano nine kids

    By Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

    Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has vowed to punish the arrested kidnappers behind the theft of nine Kano children sold in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The Governor also promised to ensure justice for the children and assured that all legal instruments would be used to address the situation.

    He assured the arrested kidnappers, who allegedly participated in the heinous act, along with their accomplices would be prosecuted, so that they face all legal consequences.

    “Kidnapping is seriously abhorred and condemnable. What is more worrisome is the age of the victims, kids for that matter. My administration, Kano people and any right thinking individual or groups of individuals, condemn this from all standpoints,” he stated.

    Read Also: How police arrested kidnappers of Lagos landlords

    Arguing that protection of human rights, irrespective of age, ethnicity, religious or political affiliations, is a strong pillar and the responsibility of any government, the governor warned no criminal will go scot-free.

    “Government will invite the parents of those rescued from the alleged kidnappers for further discussion and relationship. While at the same we are seriously working with the security agencies to unearth similar cases. No stone will be unturned,” he promised.

    He revealed a powerful committee was in the pipeline to see to find lasting solution to kidnapping and similar criminal activities in the state.

  • ‘Obaseki will not continue Oshiomhole bad policies’

    By Osagie Otabor, Bénin
    Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Chief Taiwo Akerele, has picked holes in comments by some supporters of Governor Adams Oshiomhole that the Governor did not continue with projects and policies of his predecessor.

    Chief Akerele said it was not proper for Obaseki to continue with certain bad policies of Oshiomhole’s administrations.

    Akerele, who spoke with newsmen, said Obaseki continued with the good ones in the educational sector and other areas especially infrastructural development.

    He said Governor Obaseki is blending investment with politics and governance to ensure Edo people are happy.

    Akerele also insisted that Obaseki would win the APC primaries because those opposing his second term bid are not in control of the Edo APC structure.

    Read Also: Edo Assembly crisis: Obaseki visits Oshiomole

    He said there was no decision taken by Governor Obaseki that the party structure was not carried along.

    According to him, “If the Governor wanted to be a dictator, he would take charge and not concede these decisions. He does not want to appropriate authority to himself. He wants the will of the people to prevail. He had come under pressure to be in charge of the party but he said no that there is a party structure.

    “There is continuity everywhere. Was the governor not given an award recently by the Nigeria Union of Teachers? It was as a result of the fact that we continue from where the former government stop which we were part of. The former government built structures but now we are building the human capacity in the school.

    “We are now training teachers. That was not the priority of the former government. It made sure the roofs are not leaking, to make sure there are tables and chairs. We have to move and progress. We have to now train the human beings teaching the students and we have committed a huge resources into building the capacity of teachers.

    “They said continuity. There are certain things that were bad in the previous government that we cannot continue. The good ones we will continue. They should leave the governor to work and allow him be the leader of the party in the state.

    “The governor must be the leader of the party and nobody should wrestle that with him. We know how party structures are managed in Nigeria. Why will Edo State be different? There cannot be two Captains in a ship.”

     

  • Nigeria owed N25.7trn debt as at June 30 — DMO

    By Agency Reporter

    The Debt Management Office (DMO), says as at June 30, Nigeria owes N25.7 trillion in debt both domestically and externally.

    The DMO said this in its ‘Total Public Debt Portfolio’ obtained from its website on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as at Dec. 31, 2018, Nigeria’s total debt stock stood at N24.38 trillion.

    The present figure shows an increase in debt stock of N1.32 trillion.

    Read Also: Nigeria, others’ external debts rise at slow pace, says World Bank

    The DMO said that the current total debt stock comprised both the Federal Government debt, that of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    For the Federal Government, the DMO said it owed N20.42 trillion, while the states and FCT owed N5.27 trillion.

    Of the Federal Government debt, N7.01 trillion was categorised as external debt, while N13.412 trillion was categorised as domestic debt.

    For the states and the FCT, N1.309 trillion was owed externally, while N3.966 trillion was owed domestically, the DMO said.

    Giving details of the Federal Government’s domestic debt stock by instrument, the DMO said Bonds accounted for N9.691 trillion and Treasury Bills N2.651 trillion.

    Others are Treasury Bonds N125.9 billion, Savings Bond N10.431 billion, Sukuk N200 billion, Green Bond N25.69 billion and Promissory Notes N707.7 billion.

    Meanwhile for debt service in the second quarter of 2019, the DMO said that the nation had spent N76.951 billion.

  • Minimum wage: Sanwo-Olu promises to pay above N30,000

    By Oziegbe Okoeki

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured that the state was ‘technically’ ready to pay the N30,000 minimum wage, reinterating his promise to pay above N30,000 to Lagos workers because of the special status of the state.

    This assurance is coming just as he sued for continued harmonious and peaceful relationship between government and Labour Unions in the state.

    Sanwo-Olu spoke when he hosted members of Lagos State Public Service Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC at the Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday.

    Read Also: Babajide Sanwo-Olu: My encounter with the biggest change Lagos has ever seen

    He also charged the Labour leaders to key into government’s agenda on the environment, as well as partner government in sensitizing members on need to have positive attitude on environmental issues.

    Chairman, Lagos State Public Service Joint Negotiating Council, Razaq Falade commended Sanwo-Olu for making the welfare of workers a priority.

    Falade called for prompt implementation of the minimum wage to reduce poverty among workers, saying that in two weeks time, the proposed consequential adjustments on the wage issue would be forwarded by the NJC to the Governor.

    Earlier in a separate interaction, NLC Chairperson, Lagos Council, Funmi Sessi and TUC Chairman, Lagos Council, Gbenga Ekundayo, requested improved welfare package for workers which included insurance policy, Local and International Training, free social services for Senior citizens and operational buses for affiliate union members of the unions for easy mobility.

    However, Sanwo-Olu promised to look into Labour’s requests for relevant Training to improve their skills, while the union leaders assured government of their support for a greater Lagos.

  • Sylva leads APC campaign council in Bayelsa

    By Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

    The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has inaugurated its 2019 Governorship Campaign Council with the Petroleum Minister, Chief Timipre Sylva as the Director-General.

    A statement by the Secretary, Media and Publicity Committee, Doifie Buokoribo, said the state chairman of the party, Jothan Amos, formally inaugurated the council in a ceremony attended by party elders, stakeholders and other loyalists.

    Amos, who performed the ceremony at the party secretariat in Yenagoa, said the APC had the best chance to win the November 16 governorship election in the state.

    The statement named Professor Seiyefa Brisibe as the Alternate Director-General while Eddy Orubo, Christopher Enai, Chief Sonme Ogilogi and Festus Daumiebi were inaugurated as the deputy director-generals.

    While a former Acting Governor, Chief Nestor Binabo and a former Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi emerged the advisers to the campaign council, the State Secretary of APC, Alabo Martins, was named the Campaign Secretary.

    Governorship candidate of the APC, Chief David Lyon, promised to change Bayelsa State for the good of all.
    He said: “To defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a task that must be done. Everyone has seen the hardship in the state. We are in total darkness. We cannot continue to remain a civil service state. Together, we will change the narrative”.

    Brisibe said the APC represented the hope and yearnings of the people of the state and expressed confidence of victory.

    “We are going to Government House, Yenagoa. We will banish hunger. We will banish poverty. We will banish insecurity. We will banish darkness. We will banish dictatorship”, he said.

    Ebebi, who recently defected to the APC from the PDP, also thanked the leadership of APC in the state for appointing him as Adviser to the Campaign Council.

    He promised to put in his best in ensuring that APC emerged victorious in the governorship election on November 16.

    Read Also: Inside Bayelsa State’s crowded guber race

    Also a popular politician from Bayelsa East, Dr. George Allen Fente, congratulated all those appointed into the various committees, advising that the coming election presented an opportunity to “choke” the PDP.

    An elder stateswoman, Lady Anne Yougha, who spoke on behalf of Bayelsa Central zone, said the people of the state were tired of living in darkness.
    She said the APC ticket of Chief David Lyon and Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo represented light.

    “The time has come for change, to move Bayelsa State to the next level. The Ijaw people have always played politics with political forces at the centre. If we join hands with the centre our fortunes and material conditions will change for the better. We will not remain beggars”.