The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Kwara to access N1b from World Bank for projects

    Kwara State Community and Social Development Agency (KWCDA) is to access over N1billion from World Bank to implement micro-projects in interested communities in the 16 local government areas of the state.
    This development followed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s approval of N60 million counterpart funds to key into the World Bank-funded Community and Social Development Projects (CSDP).

    The projects are meant to help attract development to rural areas, as the payment is a requirement for any state to be considered for the initiative

    Each community can benefit up to N10 million project in the areas of health, education, water supply, environment, infrastructure, and gender/vulnerable group project empowerment, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Planning and Economic Development AbdulAzeez Tayo Oyelowo said in a statement.

    Read Also: World Bank Commences 200kms Rural Agric marketing project in Ekiti

    “In addition, vulnerable and physically challenged are to benefit from micro-projects to be implemented through access to funds. This will help through skills acquisitions and support with tools for operation,” the statement added.

    The CSDP is different from the multi billion naira Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) for which the Governor had paid the first tranche of N200m counterpart fund earlier in his administration. Under RAAMP, several rural roads would be constructed to facilitate access to agricultural produce.

  • Kogi 2019: Faleke agrees to work with Gov Bello

    The running mate to late Prince Abubakar Audu during the 2015 Kogi governorship election, Hon. James Faleke, has confirmed that he will support the reelection bid of Governor Yahaya Bello in the November 16 poll.

    Pictures of Faleke and Governor Bello, together with his running went, Chief Edward Onoja, taken together, in Abuja, had gone viral earlier on Sunday.

    Faleke said it was true that he had agreed to support Bello’s reelection bid.

    He said: “Yes. Following the decision of the leadership of Audu/Faleke group to work with the governor, and as loyal party men and women, I on behalf of the group, met with the governor, to chart the way forward and build a strong and united APC, before the election.

    “We have put all issues in the past, and also, will be in a better position to always assist and advise the party and government in the state to execute people friendly programs.”

    He said that since he has returned to Lagos, it will be bad of him not to align the members of the Audu/Faleke group with the government and the main politics of the state.

    Read Also: Yahaya Bello sprays money, causes gridlock in Abuja

    “It is therefore necessary, as loyal party members, to assist, by bringing the party faithfuls who have been with me through tick and thin in the last four years, to the governor.

    “By the Grace of God, We will arrange to hand them over at a future meeting, as soon as possible. Even though I have no vote in Kogi, I have numerous followers in the state.

    “Let us be clear that, though I have no vote in Kogi State, but I have massive followership and have a strong voice which will be seen in the outcome of the elections,” he said.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mohammed Onogu, in a statement said that the decision was arrived at meeting between Faleke and the governor and his running mate, Edward Onoja.

  • Car dealers seek immediate halt to Customs’ raids

    Jolted by the recent car marts raids by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) has asked the Federal Government to halt sealing of car marts nationwide immediately.

    National President, AMDON, Prince Adedoyin Ajibade who made the appeal at a press briefing in Abuja, also urged the NCS to facilitate the regulation of importation and car dealership in the country.

    Ajibade insisted that “NCS should treat car dealers with respect as we pay taxes and are contributing to the economic growth of the country.”

    The AMDON President, who said that government should create the enabling environment by reducing customs duty and unnecessary bureaucracy in clearing of goods, also prayed government to employ the use of modern technology in combating smuggling which will discourage defaulters.

    He said that the use of modern technology to curb smuggling is what is obtainable in most countries.

    He also said the Federal Government should bring relevant security agencies together to collaborate and checkmate defaulters at the point of registration of vehicles.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze youths to Customs: stop extorting traders

    He said: “We were in rude shock when we woke up to a new dimension of sealing of car marts for days without justification, only for the suspicions that 90 percent of vehicles in the premises did not pay custom duty.

    “Sealing of car shops can never be a solution to the issue of non-payment of duty. Most of the vehicles on our roads that did not pay customs duty are brought in by individuals who have no registered companies and do not pay taxes.

    “It is a well known fact that motor dealers have been grappling with similar difficulties for the past four years without any respite despite extending our hand of fellowship to the NCS in the collection of duties nationwide.”

    He further urged members of the association across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to maintain calm and be law abiding while AMDON uses every peaceful and legal means to pursue the resolution of the matter as quickly as possible.

    END

  • BREAKING: Amusan hits final in hurdles

    Tobi Amusan continued her fine form at the IAAF 2019 World Championships as she repeated her 12.48secs time again to qualify for the final of the women’s 100m hurdles.

    Amusan led from the start to the finish in heat three of the semifinal to beat Jamaica’s Janeek Brown to second place.

    Read Also: IAAF World Championships – Ekevwo relishes running against Gatlin

    Despite dominating Heat Three, Amusan’s time is still the third best in the semifinal behind, Jamaican Danielle Williams and America Nia Ali who both have the fastest time in the semifinal. Williams ran 12.41secs, while Ali ran 12.44secs to finish first and second place respectively in Heat one.

    The final holds later today.

  • Police rescue driver, female passenger from gas suffocation

    Policemen attached to Bariga Division have rescued a cab man and his female passenger from gas suffocation.
    The duo Abiodun Balogun, 32, and Ginika Odisha, 21, were rescued at about 10:45pm on Thursday along Shobande Street, Akoka in Lagos.
    It was gathered that they were found unconscious on their respective seats by policemen on patrol who rushed them to the hospital for medical attention.
    The occupants were said to have been revived at the hospital and later discharged.
    According to spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), preliminary investigation revealed that they became unconscious as a result of a poisonous chemical substance or gas they inhaled due to leakage from the air conditioning system.
    Meanwhile detectives attached to Festac Division on same day arrested a suspected armed robber dressed in military camouflage.

    Read Also: Police rescue kidnapped 7-year-old boy in Gombe

    The suspect Chizoba Okeke, 30, was arrested around 11:30pm followomg a distress call from a gas station at Second Rainbow.
    Police said two phones, a sword, house breaking implements, two daggers, a Point of Sales (POS) machine and ATM card were recovered from him.
    “Investigation is ongoing to ascertain where and how he got the military uniform he operates with and to also identify other members of his gang.
    “It is not yet established whether he belongs the the gang of dismissed soldiers arrested some weeks ago. The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded,” said Elkana.

  • 17-year-old dumps newborn in drain

    A 17- year-old girl(name withheld) has reportedly dumpd her newborn in a drain along McDermott Road in Igbudu, Warri South council area of Delta state.

    Residents woke up to the gruesome sight of the baby, already dead, on Saturday morning in the gutters and quickly alarmed the community authorities on the incident.

    Sources claimed that investigations by the community leaders led to the discovery of the teenage girl, who allegedly hails from the north, as perpetrator of the act.

    There are also suspicions that the young lady may have murdered the baby after birth.

    Read Also: Abandoned babies: a nation’s rising scourge

     

    According to a witness, when asked why she disposed her newborn, she claimed not to know the father and declared her unreadiness to nurture a child.

    It was gathered that the leaders handed her the disposed baby and demanded she returned to purge the land of the abominable crime.

    “She was asked to go and bury the child and then return to carry out rites that will clean the land. She took the baby in a bag,” the witness said.

  • Outrage as herdsmen kill one in A’Ibom

    There is palpable tension in Nkek village, Ukanafun local government area of Akwa Ibom state following the death of one Lucky Christopher Udoakpan by suspected to have been killed by herdsmen.

    The council chairman, Mr. Uko Idiong, who disclosed this to our correspondent on Sunday, via a telephone call, said the Udoakpan was killed on Friday when he went to weed grass in his farm.
    Idiong said the deceased was in his farm when some herdsmen entered and insisted on feeding their cattle with his crops which led to a quarrel.

    He said the herders had in the fit of rage pulled out machetes and inflicted cuts on the deceased leading to his death. ”The incident happened in Nkek village. Nkek village is in Ward 3 in Southern Ukanafun, Ukanafun local government area. “Youths of the village called to inform me of the incident and I quickly went there with the House of Assembly member, Hon. Charity I do to inspect the scene.

    “But before I went there I had to call my Divisional Police Officer, Edet Offiong who was ahead of me. The police saw the corpse and took it to compound of one of the chiefs in the village. So I told them to wait till I arrive. When I got there the youths of the village were aggrieved and I had to talk to them to remain calm.
    “The villages informed me the deceased went to his farm to weed. When he was there he saw the herdsmen with their cattle. He told them to leave his farm because the cows were destroying his crops.”

    Read Also: Enumeration of Fulani herdsmen begins in Anambra 

    He added: “They said that when they were talking the herdsmen challenged him and brought out daggers and machetes and cut the man in about three places on his body and the man died.

    “I directed that the corpse should be deposited in the mortuary that same day. It is regrettable and sad that the man died leaving behind his new born baby who is still breastfeeding, a young wife and aged
    mother. “I told my DPO that they should look for the herdsmen who killed the man.

    “But the police reported back to me, saying they could not find them as not even the footprints of the herdsmen or the cows were seen,” the council chairman added.
    The Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), SP Odiko MacDon confirmed the incident and said, “The police is aware of the incident and investigation is ongoing”.

  • Lawyer donates keyboard, land to beaten Pastor

    A Benin- based lawer and Notary Public, Barr. Olayiwola Afolabi, has donated a new keyboard and a parcel of land to Pastor Destiny Eguavoen, who was beaten last Sunday for defiling Urora community orders.

    Pastor Eguavoen was beaten and some of the church properties destroyed by youths of Urora community during the celebration of the annual Ikpoleki festival.

    The community had asked churches to end services by 8am but Eguavoen held his service till after 9am before irate youths beat him and chased the church members away.

    Afolabi donated the items when he visited the church, City of God Rest Ministry to show support for standing firm.

    Afolabi commended the Nigerian police and the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on the manner the issue was handled.

    He stated that matter would have degenerated to a breakdown of law and order.

    According to him: “We thank God that police did not allow it degenerate, you can see them here now to protect the church to forestall further activities.

    “There is freedom of worship, the law is there and I am also happy that CAN is working to ensure this does not happen again.

    Read Also: Christian corps member gets traditional title for mosque donations

    “When I heard in the news media about what happened, how the church properties were destroyed I felt bad. I bought a new keyboard and its accessories.

    “I bought a bag of rice for the pastor. I also gave him a piece of land 100ft by 100ft.

    “I also vowed that I will give the pastor one suit per month from October to December and a pair of shoe.

    “This is a call also for other Christians, don’t hide your identity whether you are in government or anywhere let them know who you are.”

    Eguavoen appreciated God for what had happened.

    “I feel very great for this support from Bar Afolabi. I am so grateful to God, I appreciating Him for touching Barrister Afolabi to be a blessing not only to the church but to myself and my entire family. God of heaven will continue to honour and take him far for identifying with us in this time,” he said.

  • World Bank Commences 200kms Rural Agric marketing project in Ekiti

    The World Bank has said Ekiti would soon join the list of states that will benefit from the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) in year 2020.

    The World Bank Team Leader, Engr. Fahard Ahmed, made this disclosure in Ado Ekiti on Saturday when the World Bank team and the National office of RAAMP paid a visit.

    Ahmed said with the existing robust relationship between the World Bank and Governor Kayode Fayemi, the state was in a good position to join the project by January 2020.

    He added that his team was impressed with the magnificent settings of the Ekiti RAAMP office and the readiness of its staff to hit the ground running once the project agreement and all other modalities were completed between the World Bank and Ekiti State.

    “Ekiti State was added to the list of other 22 states on the project because Fayemi made a special request to the World Bank and the request was expressly accepted”.

    Fayemi appreciated the World Bank for accepting to include Ekiti State on the project.

    Read Also: World Bank, IFC agree to support Nigeria’s devt

    Fayemi, represented by the Senior Special Adviser on Road Transport and Infrastructure and the State Project Coordinator of RAAMP, Hon. Sunday Adunmo, revealed that the World Bank initiative when it begins would connect and upgrade about 200 Kms of Ekiti rural roads to the urban centres and market places across the state in its first phase.

    According to Adunmo, the project would also provide easy transportation of farm produce to various markets in the state, thereby removing the pain and agony the rural farmers faced on a yearly basis.

    “The initiative will also enable us to provide basic amenities at some abandoned farm settlements thereby encouraging our farmers in those areas to focus on their agricultural activities and better their living conditions,” Mr. Adunmo said.

    On the World Bank team are Engr. Fahard Ahmed, World Bank RAAMP Task Team Leader (TTL); Mr. Shailendra Jha, ILO Representative, Engr. Aminu Mohammed, Representing the RAAMP National Coordinator and Mariam Chinda, National Project Secretary.

  • Bayelsa poll: traditional ruler, chiefs back Diri

    The Traditional Ruler of Epie Kingdom, King Malla Sasime and his Council of Chiefs at the weekend backed the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Douye Diri and his running mate, Senator Lawrence Ewhrujakpo ahead of the November 16 election.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Mr, Fidelis Soriwei, said the king and his Chiefs took the decision when Governor Seriake Dickson presented Diri and Ewhrujakpor to them at their palace in Igbogene, Yenagoa.

    The king commended Dickson for his administration’s achievements in the state and assured the PDP Flagbearer of the Epie Kingdom’s support at the poll.

    He was quoted as saying: “You have come to ask for my blessings; the blessings of the Epie Kingdom and that I will willingly give to you. And I will not give it to you for the fun of it.

    “I will give it to you with all seriousness hoping that, you receiving the blessings will know the seriousness with which you are receiving it and the seriousness with which you are supposed to execute the purpose of the blessings.

    “It is our prayer and hope that his successor will do better than him so today we will give you our blessings hoping that you will do better. You will give us more hope and progress and at the end of the day, not only Bayelsa but the entire Ijaw nation will be proud of you.”

    In his remarks, Dickson said that Diri and Ewhrudjakpor’s ticket remained the only one with the capacity to guarantee continuity of his developmental agenda in the state.

    He expressed the confidence that the ticket would ensure completion of the critical projects, which were stalled following economic recession that hit the country.

    Dickson said the PDP candidate and his running mate represented competence, capacity, experience, stability, consolidation and security.

    He said: “The PDP is the only party that has engendered the level of development being witnessed in Bayelsa since 1999 till date, unlike the opposition party that is coming to experiment in governance of the state.

    “Let me say that this ticket is the ticket that will complete the several things that we were doing which were slowed down because of the economic recession.

    Read Also: Senator Douye Diri shows love for sports and youth development

    “This is the ticket that I can trust to complete the Igbogene by-pass road because we have already finished the portion of the AIT road. The contractors will be re-mobilized to site before I hand over.

    “Every other demand or request that this clan has, this is the ticket that i believe and trust that will perform and even do more.”

    Also speaking, Diri expressed the commitment that if elected, the government would take over all the projects to ensure their completion.

    He noted that having been part of the Restoration Government, he and his running mate would also ensure the execution of the second fly over at Tombia-Etegwe roundabout.