The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • NASS to fast track amendment of Public Procurement Act

    By Agency Reporter

    The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan says the National Assembly will fast track the amendment of the Public Procurement Act 2007 to ensure effective and efficient budget implementation.

    Lawan said this at the presentation of the 2020 budget estimates by President Muhammadu Buhari to a joint session of the National Assembly on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said that over the years, the public procurement process appeared to be encumbered by a lengthy bidding process and inadequate mobilsation of funds among other limitations of the Act as amended.

    “These tend to delay execution of government programmes and projects, or even stalled achieving the execution.

    “The national assembly will fast track the amendment of the Act to ensure effective and efficient implementation of our budgets.”

    He said that the assembly would ensure that the Federal Government was better enabled to provide enhanced security for protection of lives and property of Nigerians.

    “We will also ensure an improved and revitalised economy that is all inclusive; able to create and sustain employment opportunities for our teeming youths; taking Nigerians out of poverty to prosperity and sustainable development.

    Read Also: Full text of President Buhari’s 2020 budget speech

    “The budget estimates will remain what they are, estimates, until we are able to generate and receive the necessary revenues to fund and foot the bills.”

    The president of the senate said that it was imperative for the revenue generating agencies to be more alive to their responsibilities on how to meet their revenue targets.

    He further said that the assembly would continue to review how the revenue generation, collection and remittance would be more effective and efficient.

    “We, therefore, need to review the laws establishing the agencies responsible with a view to enhancing their capacity and capability.”

    He assured Buhari of the readiness of the Assembly to partner with the administration to achieve all the goals and targets of taking Nigeria to the `Next Level` of development and prosperity.

  • Fayemi’s wife seeks inclusion of women in decision making

    By Adesoji Adeniyi Osogbo

     

    The Osun State governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has said that women across the globe deserve recognition and commendation for being moulders of all builders of nations the world over.

    In his goodwill message at the 2nd National Women’s Conference hosted by the Osun Women Development Association (OSUNWA) in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Tuesday, Oyetola described women’s role in leadership as booster to the sustainable development of a nation.

    The wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo was in attendance with the Osun State firstlady, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola, as the host.

    Also in attendance wereg the wife of Lagos State overnor, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun and the Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr. Olatokunbo Moses Talabi, who represented Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, while the wife of Ondo State governor, Mrs. Akeredolu, was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Dickson Adeyemi.

    Speaking further, the Osun State governor, who maintained that women in Osun are given a pride of place, said his administration is conscious of women’s rights, capacity and welfare.

    He noted that the administration had, in the last ten months, been supportive of the women by giving them soft loans to float small scale businesses.

    He added that women in the state are also being mobilised to participate in politics as this is key to their involvement in the development of the state.

    The governor also acknowledged and lauded the support of his wife, Kafayat, through her leadership of Osun Women Development Association (OSUNWA), in the promotion of girl child education and women’s participation in politics, business and agriculture.

    He said: “The theme of this Conference, ‘Woman, Pioneer of Change for Inclusive Participation in Development,’ is both beneficial to the women and the nation.

    “It is an ample avenue for women, our vessels of honour, to mobilise and galvanise themselves into a formidable group for equitable and inclusive participation in nation building.

    “It is also a forum for our nation to further experience sustainable development through this initiative. Women are noted world over as great managers of men and resources, and indispensable supporters of successful ventures.

    “The real strength of a nation emanates from families where its builders are moulded. These nation builders are armed with the ethos of character and zeal imbued in them mostly by the mothers.

    “As a nation in need of change to regain our desired rebirth, the source of such reawakening can only genuinely come from the women. And when women garner their managerial skills to rouse society to action at all levels as they are doing now, the nation is on the right course to sustainable development.

    Read Also: Women moulders of nation builders, says Oyetola

    “In our 10 months in government, we have given loans to women to float small scale businesses, especially in Agriculture to reposition them for self and societal development.

    “Osun has enjoyed the contributions, cooperation and capacity of women in position of leadership. We are resolved to use them as points of contact to other women so that they can equitably contribute to governance and development.

    “Development enjoys a boost when women who reports say constitute majority of the population actively participate in developmental activities.

    “The State of Osun is a gender sensitive state and one that is conscious of the rights, capacity and welfare of women. Our First Lady has been active in mobilising the women for the development of the state.”

    In her remarks the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, who was the keynote speaker at the event, called on Nigerian women to rise up to the societal needs by being supportive to their husbands in the quest to move the nation forward.

    She described women as vanguards of development, saying their role in the achievement of sustainable development and national unity cannot be over-emphasised.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the chairperson of OSUNWA and wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola, thanked the governor for his continuous support for women in the state.

    She said OSUNWA had created a platform for the wives of government officials to meet and deliberate on the development of the state, adding that the association has registered a footprint in developmental and empowerment projects in the state.

  • Sexual Harassment: Kano Court remands lecturer

    By Agency Reporter

    A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Kano on Tuesday ordered the remand of a 36-year-old lecturer, Ali Shehu, in prison custody for breach of trust and sexually harassing his female student.

    The accused, a lecturer of Kano State School of Technology, is facing trial on a two-count charge of breach of official trust and attempt to commit an offence, contrary to Sections 95 and 98 of the Penal Code.

    Chief Magistrate Muhammad Idris ordered the remand of the accused person and adjourned the matter until Oct. 15, for sentence.

    Read Also: OAU Sexual harrassment: Probe panel submits interim report

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, ASP Badamasi Gawuna, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Aug. 19, in Kano.

    He said this followed a sting operation conducted by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission.

    Gawuna said on the same date at about 11 a.m, the accused who happens to be a lecturer of School of Technology Kano, took one of his female students (name withheld) to Ummi Plaza in Kano, to help him in marking the final semester exams.

    “In the process, the accused admitted to touching the said victim’s private part,’’ the prosecutor said.
    The accused pleaded guilty to the charge.

  • Women moulders of nation builders, says Oyetola

    By Ismail Omipidan

    Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the State of Osun said on Tuesday that women across the globe deserve recognition and commendation for being moulders of all builders of nation the world over.

    The governor, who said this while delivering a goodwill message at the 2nd National Women’s Conference held in Osogbo, described women’s role in leadership as booster to the sustainable development of a nation.

    This is even as the wife of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, who was the Keynote Speaker at the event, called on Nigerian women to rise up to the societal needs by being supportive to their husbands in the quest to move the nation forward. She described women as vanguards of development, saying their role in the achievement of sustainable development and national unity cannot be over-emphasised.

    Governor Oyetola further maintained that women in Osun are given a pride of place as government is conscious of their rights, capacity and welfare, adding that Osun is a gender sensitive state.

    He noted that the administration had, in the last ten months, been supportive of the women by giving them soft loans to float small scale businesses.

    He added that women in the state are also being mobilised to participate in politics as this is key to their involvement in the development of the state.

    The governor also acknowledged and lauded the support of his wife, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola through her leadership of Osun Women Development Association (OSUNWA), in the promotion of girl child education and women’s participation in politics, business and agriculture.

    He said, “The theme of this Conference, ‘Woman, Pioneer of Change for Inclusive Participation in Development,’ is both beneficial to the women and the nation.

    “It is an ample avenue for women, our vessels of honour, to mobilise and galvanise themselves into a formidable group for equitable and inclusive participation in nation building.

    “It is also a forum for our nation to further experience sustainable development through this initiative. Women are noted world over as great managers of men and resources, and indispensable supporters of successful ventures.

    “The real strength of a nation emanates from families where its builders are moulded. These nation builders are armed with the ethos of character and zeal imbued in them mostly by the mothers.

    “As a nation in need of change to regain our desired rebirth, the source of such reawakening can only genuinely come from the women. And when women garner their managerial skills to rouse society to action at all levels as they are doing now, the nation is on the right course to sustainable development.

    “In our 10 months in government, we have given loans to women to float small scale businesses, especially in Agriculture to reposition them for self and societal development.

    Read Also: Osun APC to Oyetola: You’re on threshold of distinguished governance

    “Osun has enjoyed the contributions, cooperation and capacity of women in position of leadership. We are resolved to use them as points of contact to other women so that they can equitably contribute to governance and development.

    “Development enjoys a boost when women who reports say constitute majority of the population actively participate in developmental activities.

    “The State of Osun is a gender sensitive state and one that is conscious of the rights, capacity and welfare of women. Our First Lady has been active in mobilising the women for the development of the state,” the governor added.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairperson of OSUNWA and wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola thanked the governor for his continuous support for women in the state.

    She said OSUNWA had created a platform for the wives of government officials to meet and deliberate on the development of the state, adding that the association has registered a footprint in developmental and empowerment projects in the state.

    The event was graced by the wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of Ogun Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun and the Secretary to Ogun government, Mr. Olatokunbo Moses Talabi, who represented Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, while the wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Akeredolu, was represented by the state’s commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Dickson Adeyemi.

  • Policeman kills two, injures seven at burial ceremony

    By Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri

     

    No fewer than two persons were reportedly killed and about seven others severely injured in a case of ‘accidental discharge’ by an officer of the Nigerian Police Force.

    The incident, which happened at the burial ceremony of the late mother of the traditional ruler of Umuakoli Urualla in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, HRH Eze Martin Aladi, penultimate weekend, reportedly recorded multiple casualties.

    The policeman who was not immediately identified, was said to be an orderly of one of the prominent indigenes of the town, Mr. Remy Chris Nwagbo.

    It was gathered that the incident happened when members of the Ideato Committe of Friends went to the king’s Chambers to pay him a condolence visit.

    According to community sources, members of the group were leaving the king’s chambere when they saw Nwagbo, who is also a member of Ideato Committe of Friends, and decided to accompany him to pay his own visit to the Eze.

    “Before they made to move, they stayed to exchange pleasantries as members of the club. It was then that a police orderly guarding Remy Chris tried to give them some gun salutes.

    Read Also: Policeman kills two women at Edo funeral

    “As he made to lift the gun up, it opened fire, destroying the jaws of the man exchanging greetings with Chris as well as injuring about seven other persons waiting to greet Remy Chris”, one of the sources told our correspondent.

    The source added that the last person the bullet touched died instantly because the bullet blew his brains to smitterins while the other person was confirmed dead in the hospital.

    The spokesman of state police command, Orlando Ikeoku simply responded ‘Get back to you please’ to a text message sent to him by our correspondent.

    However, as of the time of filling this report, he did not get back as promised neither did the state commissioner of police, Rabiu Ladodo answer calls and messages sent to his phone.

    But, a senior police officer told our correspondent in confidence that the officer had since been arrested and that he was facing orderly room trial.

  • UI Deputy Vice-Chancellor canvasses trans-disciplinary approach to produce competitive students

    By Agency Reporter

    The Nigerian educational system needs to adopt trans-disciplinary approach to produce globally competitive students and fill the existing knowledge gap in the labour market.

    Prof Olanike Adeyemo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnership, University of Ibadan, stated this while speaking on human capital development for the institution’s students, on Tuesday in Ibadan.

    Adeyemo, who noted that the world was going trans-disciplinary, however condemned the country’s educational system where students were categorised, even while in junior secondary school.

    “By the time students are in JSS III, they are either in science students or art students, and this has been causing deficiency.

    “There is a knowledge gap, and when you interrogate some university students who are in humanities, most of them don’t have any idea about medical science or science generally.

    “Similarly, when you speak with some students in science, they don’t have social skills because they have been made to drop all the courses in humanities; they are so deficient, whereas they need all to have complete education,” she said.

    Read Also: Sex-for-grades investigation: my life under threat -BBC’s Kiki Mordi

    She said that the institution, through its various programmes in innovations, had been equipping students with soft skills that would make them to be competitive in the job market and be employment providers.

    “The gap we identified is that potential employers say graduates are not employable; so most organisations spend millions of naira in training graduates so that they can be functional.

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    “What we should have are graduates who will fit in at the job market as well as students with entrepreneurial mindset.

    “I do tell my students that what education does for them is to open their minds, and I encourage them to be whatever they want to be.

    “Now, the terrain outside is changing, and if our students must remain competitive, then we have to try to see how we can enrich their learning experience through trans-disciplinary approach.

    “Through this, they will not just come to the university to learn only their courses of study but they will equally be endowed with other skills such as emotional intelligence, communication skills and negotiation skills that will make them competitive,” Adeyemo said.

    The deputy vice-chancellor added that the university, through her office, was collaborating with private companies and other corporate bodies to fill the knowledge gap

  • Bayelsa Assembly reverses impeachment, accepts resignation of ex-Speaker

    By Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

    The Bayelsa House of Assembly has reversed the impeachment of its former Speaker, Mr. Tonye Emmanuel Isenah.

    The House, however, accepted a resignation letter from the ousted speaker, who was removed in controversial circumstances on September 30 following an internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the November 6 governorship poll.

    It was learnt that the new understanding was reached after Governor Seriake Dickson intervened and resolved the crisis.

    Isenah was said to have officially tendered a resignation letter, backdated September 30, 2019, the day he was impeached following his refusal to honour a gentleman’s agreement he reached with his party leaders to relinquish his position.

    In the letter addressed to the Speaker, Monday Obolo, Isenah expressed his appreciation to the state government, his fellow lawmakers and the public for the support they accorded him while in office saying that the resignation became necessary for peace to reign.

    Drawing from Order 1 subsection 2 of the House Standing Orders, empowering the House to regulate its procedures through motions, the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Bernard Kenebai moved the motion for the acceptance and adoption of the letter as a working document of the House.

    The motion was seconded by the member representing Ogbia Constituency 1, Mr. Mitema Obordor.

    Read Also: Bayelsa House of Assembly holds public hearing on Child Bill

    Speaking shortly after the adoption of the letter, Obolo, thanked his colleagues, especially Isenah for their understanding, saying it demonstrated superiority of the state’s interest.

    He said: “We have once again demonstrated that we can subordinate our personal interest to the interest of the State and that we stand united as a House in spite of minor understandable differences.”

    Explaining further after plenary, he said the adoption and acceptance of the resignation letter replaced the impeachment proceeding against the former Speaker.

    Writing on the development, Isenah said: “Appreciation to all those who stood by me through this period.

    “Special thanks to my worthy constituents, friends and well-wishers for the show of love and support. When I gather my memoirs and document my story, a whole lot will be revealed. Life itself is a struggle”.

  • FUOYE Killings: Family of shot student petitions Gbajabiamila

    By Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado Ekiti

     

    The family of Dada Oluwaseyi Kehinde, a student of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti(FUOYE) allegedly shot by the police during the protest by his colleagues, has demanded for justice.

    The father of the deceased, Mr. Dada Adedayo Emmanuel, in a petition dated 23rd September, 2019, addressed to Gbajabiamila called on the the House of Representatives to investigate the killing.

    The family said the killing arising from unprofessional conduct of the policemen was a great injustice and should be investigated to ensure sanity in the policing system.

    Kehinde was shot dead during the September 10, 2019 protest by the university’s students against incessant power outage in the host town.

    The 23- year- old student of the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture was allegedly shot by the police operatives trying to rescue Mrs. Bisi Fayemi from possible attack by the rampaging students.

    The incident saw wanton destruction of over ten vehicles in Mrs. Fayemi convoy as government officials and journalists on the entourage were severely injured.

    The petition said it was pathetic that the killer of Kehinde, one of the future stars who was sent to early grave without lawful and justifiable reasons has not been arrested.

    “The need to investigate the circumstances surrounding this extra judicial and unlawful killing cum unprofessional conduct of these killer policemen was necessitated by the fact that; the said police personnel were members of the security team of the State First Lady who accompanied her to the venue of a programme being organized by her Office across Local governments.

    ” The arrival of the first lady motivated the protesting students to gather once more to present their plight at the venue of her programme.

    “The behaviour of the police and other accomplices was said to have angered some students who might have participated in the peaceful protest and this led to the unprofessional handling of the situation.

    “There are contradicting claims on the happenings on the said date, but the decision of the police to use maximum force of shooting sporadically at the students as available on various social media platform substantiate the claim that, the police were directed by a superior authority to aim the protesting students and treat them as hostile elements to the First Lady.

    “These acts led to the death of two indigenous students while many were injured. Among the dead, was our son, Dada Kehinde Oluwaseyi , whose death was believed to have been caused by lapses and conduct of the security operatives.

    Read Also: Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila’s large heart

    “The members of the family are deeply sorrowed by this development and appreciate the condemnation from the State governor and his Wife.

    “We are also concerned by ill treatment of the incident by the police authority knowing the fact that, the actions of their personnel fell below globally acceptable standard operational practice and procedure of security agencies”.

    The family requested the House, to as good representatives of the people, commence detailed investigation on the development and the issues surrounding the incidence to determine the remote and actual cause of the sad development to forestall future occurrences.

    “The House should help compel the police authority to investigate the actions if their personnel on the fateful date in line with standard operational practice and globally acceptable Standard on the rules guiding the use of fie arms as regard protective pecurity and other functions of police personnel.

    “They should also prosecute all parties who where found culpable and ensure the payment of compensation to the families of the dead and surviving vctims of the incident,” the family pleaded.

  • Emmanuel presents N598bn 2020 budget

    Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel has proposed a total budget estimate of N 597, 800 for the 2020 fiscal year before the House of Assembly.

    This is made up of N111.225billion for Recurrent Expenditure, N369.642 billion for Capital Expenditure.and N116.933billion as Consolidated Revenue fund charges.

    The total projected recurrent revenue for 2020 budget is estimated at N381.556billion as against the approved provision of N374.758billion in 2019.

    Presenting it on Tuesday, Emmanuel said the 2020 budget christened, “the budget of Industrialisation for Poverty Alleviation phase 11′ was designed as a key milestone in actualising his administration’s completion agenda.

    He noted that the 2020 is predicated on an oil benchmark of $55 per barrel at a production rate of N2.18 million barrels per day, with an estimated exchange rate of N305/US dollar in line with the National budget benchmark projections.

    His words: “Mr. Speaker and honourable members , considering the fact that my completion agenda is predicated primarily on the rapid industrialization of this state, we have christened the 2020 budget “The budget of Industrialization for Poverty Alleviation phase 11”.

    “It was so named because the state had started witnessing major breakthroughs in industrialization through construction and commissioning of some industries that are currently in full operations or ongoing.

    “The 2020 budget aims to support areas that will deliver inclusive growth and massive employment opportunities such as the construction of the Ibom Deep Seaport, completion of Airport projects, purchase of more airplanes and competition of the 21-storey Intelligent building among others”.

    Read Also: Ondo begins citizens engagement on 2020 budget

    He further said that the 2020 budget is predicated on the 8-point agenda that forms the policy thrust of my completion agenda of Industrialization, Aviation development, security, infrastructure, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, Human capacity development, Agriculture, and Rural and Riverine Area development”

    Emmanuel expressed the believe that the full implementation of the provisions the budget would ensure for the state a society that is self-reliant and less dependent on statutory allocation from the centre.

    He appealed to the House for speedy approval for the 2020 budget proposal, and support for its implementation, adding, “We promise to faithfully implement the provisions of the budget for the general good and well-being of our people

    Speaker Aniekan Bassey assured the governor that they would ensure speedy approval of the budget proposal to enable him achieve his completion agenda.

  • Herdsmen arrest another kidnap suspect in Ondo

    Herdsmen in Akoko area of Ondo state have reportedly arrested another member of seven suspected kidnappers terrorising residents in the area.

    It would be recalled that four of the gangsters were arrested last Saturday by Soldiers and men of the Department of State Security Service(DSS)at Ajowa-Akoko, after abducting a Muslim cleric, Alhaji Jamiu Zakariyahu, who was coming from the mosque.

    It was learnt that the herdsmen apprehended one Jimoh Imoru in the forest.

    According to sources,the suspected kidnapper was roaming about in the bush when he approached the Fulani herdsmen to give him direction to the nearest town.

    The herders had the knowledge of how kidnappers were operating in the area ceaselessly,which most of the time were linked to Fulani herdsmen.

    They quickly sensed that Imoru must be one of the suspects that escaped from being arrested recently by security men after their operation.

    The herdsmen immediately brought him to Ajowa-Akoko where large number of locals trooped out to see him.

    It was learnt that some soldiers led by one Captain Emmanuel and the DSS officers later led the suspect to the forest where he kept his gun which was recovered from him.

    Read Also: Miyetti Allah defends Fulani herdsmen over Catholic priest’s murder

    He confessed to the crime,adding that he hails from kwara state.

    Residents of Ajowa-Akoko Northwest local government area of were said to be excited over the recent activities of soldiers on security in the area.

    A monarch, the Oluro of Uro-Ajowa Akoko, Oba Micheal Ipinmoroti praised security agents ,local hunters and Fulani herdsmen for their performance in protecting life and properties of the inhabitants.

    The suspect was said to have been transferred to Akure,the state capital for further interrogation.