The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Only 18 doctors in Bauchi hospitals, says ex-governor

    Only 18 doctors in Bauchi hospitals, says ex-governor

    Former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda has lamented the shortage of doctors in the state’s health sector

    He said: “Only 18 doctors serving over seven million people; is this good for us?” blaming the past administration of Mohammed Abubakar (2015-2019) and his successor, Bala Mohammed, administrations for the shortfall.

    Yuguda lamented the deteriorating state of the infrastructure he left in 2015 when he completed his eight years tenure.

    Speaking with journalists at his residence, he said successive administrations could not maintain and continue his projects.

    “I left behind 22 hospitals, fully operational and equipped, with both local and foreign doctors – about 31 Egyptian doctors. I trained over 150 medical students; they all returned, but I cannot see any today. I left about 72 Nigerian doctors, but today there are only 18 doctors. I left all the hospitals with a two-hour power supply.

    “I left the best specialist hospital in Nigeria behind. The last time I visited, maybe it was because my time was not up, I would have had a heart attack. This is what Nigeria and Bauchi are all about. The government that took over from me should have maintained that hospital, instead of announcing ‘I want to build this and that’.”

    Endorsing the All Progressives governorship candidate in the state, former Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (rtd.), Yuguda stated that he believed the governorship candidate will revive all the moribund industries.

    In another development, Air Marshal Abubakar has promised to actualize the establishment of the Air Force University if elected.

    According to him, security will be accorded priority as it affects all social sectors under his watch.

    “The proposed Air Force University, which was conceived while in service as Chief of Air Staff, is intended to boost tertiary education as well as bring a lasting solution to the security breach in that part of the state”, he said.

  • Your Victory is sure, but….

    Your Victory is sure, but….

    • Text:” ……if we ask any thing according to His will, he hears us” I John 5:14

    By Venerable Henry O. Adelegan

    One of the most spiritually heart rendering questions from believers in the world today is that, “does God still answer prayers?” Who will blame those skeptics when in actual fact a number of them have been praying without answer to their prayers; who will convince them otherwise when they have fasted and prayed and their ‘mountains‘ have refused to move. John the beloved, from our text, confirmed that God answers prayers and that He still gives Victory over circumstances and challenges of life. The Psalmist, while asserting the greatness of God said in Psalms 94:9 that, “He that planted the ear, shall He not hear? He that formed the eye, shall He not see? (Psalm 94:9). The position of the Psalmist was further buttressed in the words of Jeremiah that, “Thus says the Lord the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it; the Lord is His name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not.” (Jeremiah 33:2-3). The precursor to prayers been answered, and a life of Victory this year however, is that it must be in tandem with His will. Anything outside that is a waste of time and efforts.

    Beloved in Christ, kindly be informed that your Victory at the polls or life is guaranteed but what will qualify you for it is by staying in His will. If you are out of His will or wander off His commandment, your season of prayers shall be mere noise, your days on the mountain of prayers shall be merely for excursion purposes and your season of fasting shall be bare religious practice which amounts to nothing, and not acceptable to God. The answer to such prayers shall be held down by the accuser of the brethren called the Prince of Persia until the wrongs are righted (Daniel 10:12-13).

    Who or what is this ‘Prince of Persia’? The ‘Prince of Persia’, apart from being a metaphor of the unseen, also stands for whatever is capable of not allowing believers have access to answered prayers. The ‘Prince of Persia’ that is reigning across the globe now, more that ever in history, is sin. We are in the perilous times that Paul told Timothy about, when people shall be “…. lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof…(2Timothy 3:2-5)

     Beloved in Christ, kindly be informed that the Almighty God is holy and He cannot behold iniquities (Habakkuk 1:13). The principal requirement of God before He answers prayers is the spotless state of man. God told the rulers of Sodom in Isaiah 1:15 that, “… when you spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear for your hands are full of blood”. In Isaiah 59:1-2, God said further that “…..the Lord ‘s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness”.

     Dear brothers and sisters, when you pray according to the will of God, He will give you all that you asked for and spice them up with the things He believes are right, good and proper for you. In Isaiah 65:24, God said that, “…. it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear”. Besides that, because He is God, the creator of heaven and earth (Isaiah 40:28), He has capacity to “….do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think….” (Ephesians 3:20; cf 2 Chronicles 1:11-12)

    For your Victory to be a done deal during season of Lent, it is imperative of you to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, confess His Lordship with your mouth, acknowledge that He came to die for your sins, ask Him to forgive your sins (Romans 4:7,8), flee the appearances of sins, restitute your ways, separate yourself from people that influence you to sin and be a committed member of a Bible believing church. Kindly be informed dear children of God, that “….the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are His. And, Let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity” ( 2 Timothy 2:19). Following that, you must be thankful to God in all situations of life and stop complaining (Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; Hebrews 5:7). And when you pray to God, you must pray in faith without doubting (Hebrews 11:1, 6. Matt. 21:22; 1 Timothy 2:8;James 1:5-7) and avoid praying repetitively for showmanship ( Matthew 6:5-8). Quite related to that, you must check your motives for prayers and pray with the right intentions (James 4:3). This season of Lent is the time for your Victory and you are unstoppable. It has been divinely established that there is no plan of hell and there is no scheme of men that shall be able to hinder your testimonies. This is your season to celebrate and be celebrated, says the Lord of hosts, and it is settled, in the name of Jesus.

    Prayer: Oh Lord arise and deliver me from whatever is standing between me and my Victory in the name of Jesus.

  • Why Sanwo-Olu deserves second term

    Why Sanwo-Olu deserves second term

    The leadership of the Eko Foundation has urged voters in Lagos not to pander to sentiments by voting for persons with unknown leadership records in Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly election.

    It said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu deserved a second term because he has delivered on his campaign promises of developing the state.

    The foundation stated this in a statement by its President Prof Wole Smith (SAN), Secretary Dr. Mobolaji Akerele and Legal Adviser Lawal Pedro (SAN).

    “We urge the good people of Lagos State to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “His Excellency Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu deserves a second term as governor for his striking and enviable achievements in the administration and development of the state.

    “Sanwo-Olu’s administration is an inclusive one and over the years, APC has been magnanimous towards all tribes within the state.

    “It is safer to go with the benevolent APC with a convincing pedigree rather than risk the unknown.

    “We urge the good people of Lagos State to vote for progress, continuity, consolidation and sustainability,” the foundation said.

    It urged every tribe in the state to avoid comments capable of creating disunity in the state and to reciprocate the accommodative disposition of Lagos.

    The foundation also congratulated the president-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on his victory in the February 25 election.

    “We congratulate His Excellency, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu on his election as the next President of Nigeria,” it added.

  • Ekiti monarchs greet poll victors

    Ekiti monarchs greet poll victors

    Ekiti State Council of Traditional rulers has congratulated president-elect, Bola Tinubu, and elected members of Senate and House of Representatives on their victory.

    It hailed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the poll, but  urged it to correct the glitches.

    In a statement by its Chairman, Onisan of Isan, Oba Ayodele Adejuwon, the council praised  the electorate for their peaceful conduct despite the tension of elections.

    The council urged elected lawmakers to give the best representation to Ekiti people and work with Governor Biodun Oyebanji for the state’s development.

    It appealed to political stakeholders to approach the remaining election with the same mature conduct demonstrated on February 25 for the peace and progress of the state.

  • Cleric urges peaceful, violence-free governorship poll

    Cleric urges peaceful, violence-free governorship poll

    ASSEMBLY Pastor of Stand on His Promised Evangelical Mission (SOHPEM), Revd Caleb Babatope, urged leaders and the electorate to promote peace and eschew violence before, during and after declaration of governorship results.

    The clergyman spoke shortly after service at the church’s headquarters in Lagos.

    He said prayers, sustainability of peace and orderliness are weapons to return the country’s lost glory.

    “As Nigerians prepare for elections  on March 11,  I am calling on Lagosians, and Nigerians to embrace wisdom …

    “We must eschew violence and assist Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a transparent and credible exercise because democracy does not express itself through violence…” Babatope, said.

    He cautioned youths against being used as thugs.

    “Every youth should vote their conscience in line with democratic principles. You have rights to protect your votes but avoid violence,” the clergyman said.

  • Artisans, technicians root for Sanwo-Olu

    Artisans, technicians root for Sanwo-Olu

    ASSOCIATION of Lagos Artisans and Technicians (ASLAT) has said it is supporting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s re-election bid because his administration invested in members’ capacity and empowered them with mdern tools and machinery.

    Executive Secretary, Adeshina Akinyemi, spoke yesterday, noting Sanwo-Olu is developing solutions to improve their productivity.

    Read Also : Tinubu, Sanwo Olu ‘to get huge’ votes

    “Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration has invested in capacity building of artisans and technicians through training and retraining of over 35,000 members, and has empowered them with modern tools and machinery.

    “The provision of safety helmets, 100 hardhats, 100 ear muffs, safety eye goggles, by Lagos State Safety Commission to artisans and technicians is part of initiatives to enhance our growth and prosperity.

    “Sanwo-Olu has proven himself capable and he is the one we can trust. Thus, ASLAT has adopted and will support Sanwo-Olu as next governor.”

    Akinyemi urged residents and the association to also support candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) and vote them on Saturday.

  • Fix technical, logistics problems ahead of elections, say CSOs

    Fix technical, logistics problems ahead of elections, say CSOs

    COALITION of civil society groups under the aegis of West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) have urged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to solve technical and logistics problems ahead Saturday’s poll.

    It noted while Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machine is a welcome development, there is a lacuna in capacities of electoral officers to operate it.

    They urged INEC to ensure logistical issues were taken care of, as late arrivals of officers and materials to polling units poses threat to a free, fair and credible poll.

    Speaking during a briefing in Abuja, WACSOF President, Dr. Sanwo Olatunji-David, said: “INEC still has a few days to address foreseeable technical glitch before the elections. We will advise INEC to finetune and expand data capacity and other technical requirements relating to results upload to INEC portal.

    “We appeal to INEC to put all in place to make the election a success. Like we observed, one major challenge was as good as BVAS, if you don’t know how to use technology, you will  fail. We hope they overcome that.

    “The second was logistics. Elections were supposed to start at 8. am or 8.30 am, but for most polling units, elections did not start till 12 noon or 1 pm. That’s four hours, and when you this to the day, you have moved into the night. So, we expect INEC to ensure they finetune their logistics such that election must start at 8:30 am.”

  • Sokoto APC coalition to INEC, security agents: ensure peaceful polls

    Sokoto APC coalition to INEC, security agents: ensure peaceful polls

    A Sokoto-based pressure group, Coalition of APC Groups, has urged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement agencies to ensure that Saturday’s governorship poll in the state is devoid of electoral violence, manipulation and avoidable challenges.

    It gave the advice in a statement by its spokesman, Abdulrahaman Umar Aliyu.

    The group also commended a former governor of the state, Aliyu Wammakko, for ensuring that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has wide acceptability across all the state’s ocal governments areas.

    Aliyu said: “We deemed it necessary to issue this statement in order to brief the world on the stand of Sokoto State APC, and how we will always comply with law and order in whatever circumstances.

    “In Sokoto State, it is so strange that the failed PDP government is always on the offensive in almost all APC-controlled polling units during elections.

    “The 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections were not an exception.”

    He alleged that the opposition “instigated  chaos” in almost all APC strongholds in the state.

    According to him, “It’s crystal clear that Sokoto is an APC state, because the good people of Sokoto State are solely behind  former Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.”

    He described Wamakko as “a  leader of APC in the state” , saying he made the party to remain the most widely accepted political party with a larger number of supporters across 23 LGAs.

    Aliyu argued that from the foregoing, it could be reasoned that “the deliberate violence in some polling units, was deliberately caused to disrupt elections in order to destroy votes belonging to APC” by opposition thugs.

    He wrote off the PDP in the state, adding that the “PDP in Sokoto is totally at a loss, looking at what happened at their meeting on March 2, 2023, at Kasarawa Conference Centre Sokoto, where they urged their supporters to see the election as a do-or-die affair.

    “We advise the PDP to play politics within the rules. I know the law enforcement agencies are there for the masses and will no doubt do the heedful.”

    He appealed to law enforcement agencies to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for the electorate to exercise their rights on election day and prevent hoodlums from destabilising peaceful coexistence in the  state.

    Aliyu added: “We are also calling on INEC to as a matter of fairness and justice play the game by being fair and just to all parties.

    “As for INEC adhoc staff, conduct yourself in line with the rules and don’t let unpatriotic leaders to ruin your reputation by bribing you to destroy the choice of the electorate. We are aware of a series of attempts to influence the outcome of the elections.

    “Finally, we call on our teeming party faithful to  come out  and cast their votes as provided by the law. After casting your votes, protect your votes.”

  • Be father of all, Nigerians tell Tinubu

    Be father of all, Nigerians tell Tinubu

    • Urges Lagosians to vote for continuity

    PRESIDENT-elect, Bola Tinubu has been urged to address the suffering facing Nigerians.

    Speaking for Nigerians, Christian Conscience, a non denominational group, spoke   in a statement signed by National Chairman, Dr Yetunde Akinluyi, and National  Secretary, Rev Kolawole Verrals.

    It said the tension and anger must be doused. ‘Give people food, security, infrastructure, and provide jobs for youths as you promised’.

    It hailed Tinubu and wish him God’s guidance and success in setting the nation right.

    “Don’t be a winner who takes all, but form government of inclusiveness where people have a sense of belonging.

    ‘’In your speech you offered the contestants opportunity to join you in nation building;  this is good.

    “Though you have done it before with what you achieved in Lagos as governor, as president-elect, all eyes are on you.

    Just like Abraham, who was father of nations, Tinubu should be father of all and ensure he is fair and just.

    Congratulating Lagosians for peaceful conduct of the presidential elections, it enjoined them to vote continuity for more good governance.

  • Customs arrests 18 suspects, impounds nine trailer-loads of rice

    Customs arrests 18 suspects, impounds nine trailer-loads of rice

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’

    keja Lagos, has arrested 18 suspected members of a smuggling syndicate.

    Two of the suspects allegedly specilised in forging Customs clearing documents to import vehicles through Cotonou port to the country.

    The Acting Controller of Customs Zone A Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu said the arrest followed the apprehension of one Shuaibu Kolo with a 2007 Mercedes Benz along Ajilete-Idiroko Road in Ogun State.

    After Kolo’s arrest, the Customs officials found over 600 pictures of vehicles domiciled in Benin Republic awaiting to undergo forged clearing process before being smuggled into the country by the syndicate.

    Ejibunu disclosed that items recovered from the suspects included fake Customs valuation stamp, fake Customs duty chart book on vehicles, fake Customs documents and vehicle registration documents, four computer monitors, three computer processing units, one keyboard, and a printer.

    Ejibunu said that 18 suspects were arrested in connection with various offenses being investigated.

    He said “Notable among the wares seized are: 5,328 x 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to nine trailer-loads) and 1×40 ft. container of 512 cartons of generators, among others.