The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Why we cannot complete road projects, by FG

    The federal government has attributed its inability to complete ongoing road projects to paucity of funds.

    Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola stated this on Friday.

    Fashola noted that while the number of roads seeking government’s attention for completion and rehabilitation keeps increasing on daily basis “the resources required to fix them remained grossly inadequate”.
    He spoke at an interactive session of the Senate Committee on Works with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and its agencies.

    Read Also: Lagos to release hotlines for potholes, quick road rehabilitation

    He maintained that it was the responsibility of his Ministry and its agencies to ensure that the roads in Nigeria were in good condition, adding that “the inability to complete the various road projects across the country was as a result of inadequate budget and release of funds”.

    Describing roads as national assets of any nation, Fashola called on all stakeholders to come up with hard decisions on making prioritisation of roads for completion and rehabilitationon the basis of social and economic importance to Nigerians.

    The Minister recommended the prioritisation of major link roads across the states and the roads to the various sea and airports across the country.
    Fashola expressed optimism that with the calibre of the Senators that constituted the Committee on Works, the challenges on Nigerian roads would be overcome.

  • Customs seize 1,072 vehicles, 19,000 bags of foreign rice

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says it has seized no fewer than 1,072 vehicles from suspected smugglers since the closure of Nigerian borders with neighbouring countries.

    NCS Public Relations’ Officer, Mr Joseph Attah made the disclosure on Friday in Katsina during a sensitisation programme on the Border Drill Operation.

    He said that the vehicles were seized while trying to cross into the country through illegal routes.

    Attah said that over 19,000 bags of foreign rice and 4,765 Jerry cans of petrol were also seized adding that two fuel tankers were also impounded.

    The PRO revealed that thousands of ammunition were seized, while 317 suspects were arrested during the period.

    He said that 131 bags of NPK fertilisers, which would have been used to make explosive device were seized, while 146 illegal immigrants without genuine travel documents were arrested.

    He pointed out that the closure had helped in ensuring security for the citizens as well as improved the nation’s economy.

    Read Also: Customs impounds N501.6m contraband in Owerri

    “Anytime you buy a foreign rice, you have empowered foreign farmers, while our farmers are suffering in spite of government interventions like Anchor Borrower, which is aimed at boosting rice production.

    “We are now like candles burning ourselves and lightening others,”he said.

    He, however, justified why the government launched the ongoing Border Drill Operation to check the menace of smuggling and illegal immigrants into the country.

    In his remarks, the State Coordinator, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Armayau Rimaye, said that the country has potentials for self sufficiency in food production.

    He said that such could only be achieved if Nigerians continue to support government policies like the Border Drill Operation.

    (NAN)

  • Badagry youths protest against sack of lecturer at LASU

    Some youths, under the auspices of the Voice Movement of the Masses (VMM), an NGO, on Friday staged a peaceful protest in Badagry against the sacked of Dr Tony Dansu, an indigene, from the Lagos State University, Ojo.

    They staged the protest, in their hundreds, at the popular Badagry Roundabout, carrying placards of various inscriptions, including: “Badagrians Demand Immediate Recall of Dr Tony Dansu and others.

    “We Stand with Dr Tony Dansu. LASG Reinstate Dr Tony Dansu.”

    Dr Anthony Dansu, Department of Human Kinetics, Sports and Health Education, Faculty of Education, was among the eight academic staff members sacked by the institution’s authorities.

    The LASU Governing Council had at its 122nd meeting on Sept. 12, promoted 31 academic Staff, 346 non-academic staff and also dismissed eight academic staff members, including the ASUU-LASU Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer.

    The council also approved the dismissal of three non-academic staff on issues bordering on absence from duty, certificate falsification, theft of confidential documents, sale of marks, among others.

    The NGO President, Mr Samuel Salome, said that the protest was to express their sadness over the sack of Dr Tony Dansu, whom they claimed, was their role model in Badagry.

    “We are here to protest the sacked of son of Badadgry, Dr Tony Dansu, and we are using this opportunity to appeal to the Lagos State Government to set up an independent panel to revisit the matter.

    “We are also appealing to the Lagos State House of Assembly to intervene in the matter so that justice will be done.

    “Youths in Badagry look toward recall of the sacked lecturer; we believe that if the injustice is left unaddressed, this will kill morale of other people of Badagry who plan to go into lecturing after completion of their education.

    “We are also very sad about the development, and this is the reason we came to protest the unjustified dismissal of our own,” he said.

    Read Also: LASU beats nine others to win Maritime debate

    Also, Mr Ayodele Hunpevi, the Secretary of VMM, said that youth in the town were sad to find out that it was one of the town’s indigenes headed the panel that sacked the lecturer.

    “It is sad to know that our Dansu was not sacked because of embezzlement, sex for mark or molestation.

    “The panel set up did not find him wanting in all these offences, and they still went ahead to sack him at this period when it is hard for people to feed themselves.

    “We want our amiable Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to look into the matter by setting up an independent panel to investigate the matter again,” he said.

    Commenting, Mr Taseyon Solomon, the VMM Public Relations Officer, said that the organisation stood for peace and believed that LASG would do justice by recalling the sack lecturers.

    Solomon said all the sacked lecturers by LASU management should be recalled, adding that the management was trying to cover up issues by sacking the lecturers. (NAN)

  • CBN: Digitisation vital to banking

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that digitisation supports effective supervision of the financial system, data access and management.

    The CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability (FSS) and Chairman, FITC Board, Mrs Aisha Ahmad (CFA), disclosed this during the opening of the 2019 CBN/FITC Continuous Education Programme for Directors of Banks and Other Financial Institutions held in Lagos.

    The Deputy Governor was represented by the Director, Banking Supervision Department, CBN, Mr. Ahmad Abdullahi at the event.

    Speaking on the theme: “Digital Transformation – Repositioning Financial Institutions: Perspectives and Imperatives for the Board” she said the world is experiencing a digital revolution and that digitisation is also supporting risk identification, regulatory compliance and enhancing sectoral performance.

    Acting Managing Director/CEO FITC, Dr Tunji Ajiboye, said financial institutions are recognising the importance of technology and must respond to digital transformation.

    He said the competition facing banks is enormous as financial technology firms and even telecommunication companies are beginning to offer some bank-related services.

    Ajiboye said: “Telcos are giving banks a run for their money. Hence, Banks need to be proactive in recognising the impact of digitisation on their services and overall operations. It is important to understand and constantly discuss how technology is transforming the banking landscape”. He said that FITC is already incorporating technology in the delivery of its training, consulting and research services to the industry.

    He said the programme, which is FITC’s 35th edition and the 14th in collaboration with the CBN, has demonstrated the readiness and commitment of the FITC board to continually upgrade the competencies and capacity of financial institutions to deliver and meet customers expectations. He said that banks have to embrace technology if they want to remain competitive while also advising Finanl Institutions’ boards to understand the impact of digital transformation in their books and their disruptive tendecies in their organisations.

    Ajiboye said the onus is on the board and management of the Financial Institutions to be more proactive in understanding digital services and the impact they can have on their organisation by ensuring that everyone in their organisations understands the role of digitisation in today’s banking services.

    Continuing, Mrs Ahmad, said digital innovations ranging from self-service technologies such as the cell phones, online and mobile banking, Artificial Intelligence, Big data, blockchain technology, distributed ledgers, among others, have greatly challenged orthodox systems and helped improve the operational efficiency of financial institutions as they respond to customer demands for more innovative services. According to her, digitalisation is affecting everything finance while its impact is transformative.

    Read Also: CBN sets $10.7b growth target for creative industry

    The Deputy Governor said digitisation offers the promise of credit facilitation, faster, cheaper, more transparent and user-friendly financial services and raises the prospect of expanding financial inclusion, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria.

    She, however, added that there are operational risks associated with digitalisation, which include; cybercrime and outsourcing, technology problems, upset between transparency and privacy, shadow banking, regulatory arbitrage, among others.

    “The preceding underscores the need for repositioning the financial ecosystem to help extract the many gains while mitigating the attendant risks. Interestingly, to remain competitive, financial institutions rather than play catch-up, are at the fore of the digital revolution through the provision of innovative digital services; such as the UBA “Leo” App, “Tamada” by Access bank and other innovations aptly illustrate this point.

    Mrs. Ahmad, also pointed out that regulatory authorities are exploring digitalisation, which has birthed the terms “RegTech” and “SupTech”. She commended FITC and other partners for the effort in sustaining this programme, adding that the forum presents a unique platform for knowledge sharing and continuous capacity development for top management- a key requirement in keeping up with the ever competitive and rapidly evolving banking and financial services industry.

  • Security: Enugu to deploy automated drones for surveillance

    Enugu State government Friday gave approval for the purchase of eighteen (18) automated drones for air surveillance within and outside the state for effective security management.

    It also approved the immediate construction of three pedestrian bridges in Enugu urban to be located at Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, by Holy Ghost Cathedral, Garki Awkunanaw and Mayor Bus-stop by Agbani Road.

    This was disclosed to newsmen by the commissioner for information, Chidi Aroh at the end of the state executive council meeting which was chaired by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    The government also approved the overlay of major roads in Enugu city, which were constructed by past administrations, as soon as the rains stop as a lasting measure to take care of potholes created during the rainy season.

    Explaining further on the above, Aroh said that the planned overlay of the roads was in addition to the ongoing repairs of identified potholes in Enugu urban and intercity roads. He added that this is to ensure that the major roads across Enugu city are sustained.

    On security, the information commissioner further disclosed that the council ratified the earlier approval given by the last State Executive Council on May 28, 2019, approving the purchase of one hundred (100) Innoson Hilux vans to enhance the capabilities of the security agencies in the state. Aroh also stated that 260 vehicles as well as motorcycles and bicycles are to be handed over to Forest Guards, Neighborhood Watch groups, among others, for community policing.

    Read Also: Technology and future of real estate practice

    Aroh, who noted that the security vehicles have been supplied, revealed that communication gadgets and other security facilities are being installed on the vehicles to ensure maximum effectiveness.

    He added that the choice of indigenous manufactured vehicles from Innoson Motors demonstrates the state government’s commitment to encourage local industries, create jobs for teeming youths and protect local investments.

    According to the commissioner, “we have extracted commitment from Innoson Group to establish a service centre in Enugu, consequent upon this purchase. This service centre is going to provide part of the technical services for the maintenance of these vehicles, in addition to a one-year maintenance guarantee that was given to the state government by Innoson Motors in line with our purchase agreement”.

    Aroh said that the state government has now completed the recruitment and training of one thousand, seven hundred (1,700) Forest Guards, representing one hundred personnel from each local government area. He added that their salaries and emoluments including other local security groups were deliberated and approved for them “to move into the field immediately to ensure proper security of lives and property of the people”.

    He stated that the council, following the request made by the governor, approved an increase in the allowance payable to members of the Neighborhood Watch groups “to boost their morale.”

  • Five musicians that have attacked govt since 1960

    1. Fela Anikulapo Kuti


    Fela and the Afrika ’70 released the album Zombie, a scathing attack on soldiers using the zombie metaphor to describe the methods of the Nigerian military.

    The album was a smash hit and infuriated the government, setting off a vicious attack against the Kalakuta Republic, during which one thousand soldiers attacked the commune.

    The Kalakuta Republic was burned, and Fela’s studio, instruments, and master tapes were destroyed. Fela claimed that he would have been killed had it not been for the intervention of a commanding officer as he was being beaten. Fela’s response to the attack was to deliver his mother’s coffin to the Dodan Barracks in Lagos, General Olusegun Obasanjo’s residence, and to write two songs, “Coffin for Head of State” and “Unknown Soldier”, referencing the official inquiry that claimed the commune had been destroyed by an unknown soldier.

    In 1984, Muhammadu Buhari’s government, of which Kuti was a vocal opponent, jailed him on a charge of currency smuggling which Amnesty International and others denounced as politically motivated
    Baba 70 still remain in the heart of many Nigerians till today.

     

    2. Charly Boy


    His most popular album was 1990 – the title was a reference to Nigeria’s corrupt military government which was expected to hand over power to civilians in that year, although civilian rule did not start until 1999).

    1990 earned Charly Boy mixed reviews due to its political nature and caused national controversy, and a number of radio stations refused to play the title track.

    Despite this, 1990 was one of Nigeria’s best-selling albums of 1988, and Charly Boy was credited with using his music to stand up to his government, a lá Fela Kuti.
    Charly Boy is known as an advocate of the masses as he has fought for the rights of the average Nigerian. He has on several occasions been tortured by the Nigerian police and the military for standing up to his country’s government. However he is also, on occasion, regarded as their friend, depending on the sensibility of those in power.

     

    3. Idris Abdul-Karim (Mr Jaga Jaga )

    In 2004 Abdulkareem released his third album Jaga Jaga, a Yoruba term for a shambles, declaiming corruption and suffering in Nigeria. The title track was banned from radio by President Olusegun Obasanjo, but continued to be played in nightclubs.[4] The album cover was by artist Lemi Ghariokwu, known for creating many album covers for Fela Kuti.

    In November 2005, Abdulkareem launched his own record label, La Kreem Music and released his fourth album, Letter to Mr. President. The album’s title track addressed Obasanjo’s criticisms of “Jaga Jaga”; the album also featured “Flash Up Unu Lighter”, a tribute to Obasanjo’s wife, Stella, who died while undergoing surgery in Spain, and the victims of the Bellview Airlines crash of October 2005.
    He released a sequel to “Jaga Jaga” in January 2012 during the Occupy Nigeria protest against lifting of fuel subsidies.

    4. Tuface Idibia

    popularly known by his stage name 2Baba, is a Nigerian singer,songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur. We all know 2Face Idibia has always been very vocal about the state of the affairs of the country. It would be recalled that back in 2017, the music star announced a planned nationwide protest which actually didn’t get to see the bright of the day.

    According to him: “I will no longer be quiet. My partners, colleagues and I have come together to create a platform for Nigerians to communicate their real pains to government at all levels in a peaceful and articulate manner with a view to getting lasting solutions to our problems. This march is about demanding that our leaders connect with all the people in Nigeria.”

    He dissed Nigerian government in his music like “ for instance “….

    Burna Boy, Ruggedman and Davido declared support for the legendary musician’s cause of leading a nationwide protest against the Nigerian government.

    5. Abolore Adegbola Akande (9ice, Ancestor, Adigun, Baale, Bashorun Gaa, Hitmaker)

    9ice went weird, e no even look uche face as he blasts the hell out of the “Change” led APC Government and those who led our dear country astray in the past for their own selfish interests.

    9ice came out fearless, he voiced out for the common Nigerians at this time when many entertainers are quiet for God knows why.

  • Edo teachers endorse Obaseki for second term

    Teachers in Edo State under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) have endorsed Governor Godwin Obaseki for a second term in office.

    The teachers made their opinion known when they paid a mega thank you visit to Governor Obaseki at the New Era College hall in Benin City.

    Chairman, Edo State chapter of the NUT, Comrade Pius Okhueleigbe, said their endorsement was because the achievements of Obaseki in three years surpassed achievements of his predecessors that spent eight years in office.

    Comrade Okhueleigbe noted that Obaseki is fixing infrastructures in schools, embarked on training and re-training of teachers as well as attended to their welfare.

    Okhueleigbe hailed Obaseki for approving nomenclature for primary school teachers to enable them rise beyond grade level 15.

    He listed areas where Obaseki has boosted teachers’ welfare and condition of service to include appointment of six teachers as Permanent Secretaries, prompt promotions, restoration of annual incremental credit amongst others.

    Obaseki said he was in talks with the World Bank to restructure Junior Secondary School.

    He faulted the current 6-3-3-4 system of education saying it made education mere schooling without learning.

    Read Also: Why I’m candidate to beat, by Godwin Obaseki

    The Governor stated that plans were on to revamp all Junior Secondary school and equipped them with laboratory and workshops.

    Obaseki noted anybody that passed out of the revamped junior schools would have a skill.

    He pledged to build a technical school in each of the 18 local government areas.

    The Governor said the technical schools would train workforce that would work in industries that are coming to the state.

  • Over 200,000 prepaid meters for deployment in Delta – BEDC

    Electricity consumers in Delta State are to be provided with over 200,000 prepaid meters, the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has said.

    The company said deployment will be spread over a two years period.

    Executive Director (Commercial), Mr. Abu Ejoor made this known at the weekend in Asaba, during the official flag off of the metering roll out by the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) in Delta State.

    He said during the take off period, the scheme will have up to three months of buildup roll out with expected monthly run rate of 10,000.

    Ejoor said 5 MAP’s approved are G-Unit Engineering Ltd, Sabrud Consortium Big Ltd, Inlaks Power Solutions Ltd, FLT Energy Systems Ltd and Turbo Energy Ltd.

    He listed the locations for flag off to include NTA Rd,Behind Government House,Ameachi Iyio Way, Ken Mozia Rd, Maryam Babangida Way and environs among others.

    Ejoor said 37 percent of BEDC’s energy allocation comes to Delta State, adding that an average of 84,516 MWh is delivered to the State monthly.

    He lamented that 14 percent of power generated is lost due to poor network infrastructure.

    The executive director noted that 36 percent of power generated is lost through commercial theft or illegal consumption and none payment of bills.

    Read Alos: Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company warns against electricity hazard

    Ejoor said transmission problems have hampered BEDC’s ability to receive power for onward transmission to consumers in Delta North and Warri.

    He said other transmission limitations include limitations in rearranging distribution network to improve power supply due to public inflexibility, stressing that network and equipment vandalisation is on the increase.

    According to him, the MAP scheme will assist in reducing customer’s complaints on metering, wrong and estimated billings which accounts for over 60 percent of complaints.

  • Confer national honour on youth corps members, NCYN tells FG

    President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Ambassador Oladele Nihi has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to consider the conferment of National Honour on Stephen Teru, the youth corps member who volunteered his skills to produce desks, tables, benches and shelves for the comfort of over 80 students and pupils.

    The apex youth body also asked the federal government to establish Teru in furniture business so he can further use his skills to produce more desks, table, benches and shelves for public schools in rural areas.

    Nihi, in a statement on Friday said:”Stephen Teru is one of many Nigerian Youths we should not just be proud of but encourage. He out of nothing used his skill to make something that is today trending on social media. Nigerian Youths are on a daily basis breaking records both at the continental level and the world at large with little or no support from government.”

    “This is why we are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgent importance consider awarding Stephen Teru the Nigeria National Honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) and establish him.

    Read Also: ‘NYSC didn’t post Corps members to religious organisations’

    “This will no doubt encourage other Youth Corp Members to serve faithfully, diligently and use their skills and creativity to contribute to the country particularly the rural areas where they are posted to serve”

    Nihi thanked Teru for showing to leaders that youths are not lazy but are creative and always willing to contribute their quotas to the development of the nation.

    He urged other youths to emulate Teru to showcase their potentials to the world.

  • Flood destroys 3,000 farmlands in Jigawa – AFAN

    The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Jigawa State has declared that reoccurring flood destroyed over 3,000 farmlands in Guri Local Government Area of the state.

    Most hit were Guri, Wareri, Adyani, Margadu, Zoriyo, Lafiya, Arin, Dagana, Zugo, Kazaga and Garmaguwa.

    Farm produce destroyed by the flood include rice, cotton, sesame, maize and guinea corn,Alhaji Yakubu Dolon-Zugo,AFAN Chairman in the area,told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Guri.

    Read Also: Farmers hail Buhari for free fertilisers

    Dolon-Zugo appealed to government at all levels to assist the farmers with farm inputs with a view to cushioning the effect of their losses.

    “We are desperately in need of this support because the losses we recorded will have adverse effect on our income levels,” the chairman said.