The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • UK partners DAWN on economic development

    UK partners DAWN on economic development

    By Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

    The United Kingdom High Commission in Nigeria has pledged to strengthen its partnership with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission to bring investors and improve security, education and economic development in the Southwest.

    The Deputy British High Commissioner (Southern Nigeria), Ben Llewellyn-Jones and DAWN Director General Mr. Seye Oyeleye, disclosed this while addressing reporters at the end of their meeting at the DAWN office, Cocoa House, Ibadan, at the weekend.

    Llewellyn-Jones said the meeting outlined how to encourage economic growth in the region by facilitating investors from the UK and other rich nations as well as improving security in the region.

    He said: “We talked about a number of things, including how to encourage economic growth and how we can address insecurity in the region. We talked about other things to bring investment and jobs.

    “Some of the things I am taking away from here are, if DAWN Commission can help us to access leverage so that we can bring investors to the region. The second one is how we can work with the DAWN Commission to try and encourage technical and broadband across the region. It will be great to have states sign policies on rights of access and cost of access.”

    The British diplomat said actions in the areas of collaboration would start in earnest since it is a letter of strengthening existing partnership.

    The regional development commission has launched a committee to implement its digital literacy in the region.

    The committee, chaired by the former deputy vice chancellor (Research, Development & Partnership), University of Ibadan, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, will work to upgrade digital skill level of young people in the six Southwest states. It will accomplish this by identifying digital literacy gaps in each of the six states and galvanise human, material and financial resources through partnerships with organisations and individuals globally to plug the gaps.

     

     

     

  • 48 disengaged teachers found on Kwara payroll

    48 disengaged teachers found on Kwara payroll

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has received a report of the committee that investigated the unlawful salary payment to 48 disengaged sunset teachers for March.

    He said actions would be taken against anyone implicated in the heist.

    The governor has set up a three-person committee to probe revelations that some of the teachers, who were disengaged last December, were paid in March.

    The panel comprised Mr. Saka Razaq (chairman), Mr. Murtala Sambo and Mrs. Adenike Ojo.

    Speaking at the submission of the committee’s report, AbdulRazaq said the “integrity of the payroll of the state government is very important to us. A situation where people will upload names that are not supposed to be on the payroll will not be tolerated by the government. That’s why we set up the committee to look into it, find the culprits and recommend solution.

    “Let me appreciate your work. It is straight, fast and voluminous. Government will look into it and take action.”

    Razaq said the committee was inaugurated on April 30 to consider the circumstances surrounding the infiltration of 48 disengaged SUBEB sunset workers into the March payroll.

    “We invited the departments involved (their heads and members). We asked them to put their defence in writing and we invited them for oral cross examination and presentation,” he said.

    “In our cross examination, we examined them based on the document submitted. We even engaged forensic experts in order to detect some things. We have come up with our findings and recommendations.”

    The committee’s report confirmed the unlawful inclusion of 48 names of sunset teachers into the March payroll and recommended that queries be issued to some officers involved in the preparation of the payroll, a rejig of the Office of Accountant General and refund of the amount involved by the consultant that paid the money, while government takes steps to avoid a repeat of the ugly development.

     

  • ‘We are enhancing optimal delivery of governance to Lagosians’

    ‘We are enhancing optimal delivery of governance to Lagosians’

    Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs has organised a three-day ministerial retreat for the officials at Lekki, to ensure they are emotionally stable and well-motivated to discharge their duties.

    The retreat’s theme is: ‘Leading with Emotional Intelligence for Organisatonal Success’.

    Commissioner for Home Affairs Prince Anofiu Elegushi said the retreat became imperative to ensure that the workforce is motivated and sensitive to its emotional well-being.

    He said it is delightful that the mid-management and senior management officials, after a busy period of Ramadan and Eid-el-Fitr celebration, are gathering to strategise and reinvent ways on charting a better cause to enhance optimal delivery of service and governance to Lagosians.

    “The retreat will give workers, irrespective of their positions, the opportunity to express their opinion about the ways of improving the work ethics or mode of operations that can further enhance the progress of the ministry and Lagos State,” Elegushi said.

    He said the choice of the theme for the retreat was apt.

    “With the calibre of our guest speaker, Mrs. Titilayo  Akisanya, a seasoned administrator and the Vice President, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), participants will be well-equipped knowledge wise.

    “I must single out and salute the courage of the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Adebunmi Adekanye, who has brought her administrative dexterity and ingenuity to the fore in the planning and execution of this retreat,” the commissioner said.

    Adekanye said for a worker to deliver optimally, he/she has to be emotionally stable and well-motivated.

    The guest speaker, Mrs. Titilayo Akisanya, enjoined all, including the participants, to ensure that they use emotional intelligence in their day-to- day dealings and interactions, to take Nigeria to the Promised Land.

     

     

     

  • Lagos council: I have no anointed candidates, says Tinubu

    Lagos council: I have no anointed candidates, says Tinubu

    By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Editor

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said yesterday that he has no anointed candidate for the local government elections holding in Lagos State in July.

    “Don’t use my name as a cover,” he told the people he described as name pushers and agents of falsehood.

    Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State, spoke about the antics of electoral speculators fuelling the rumours about imaginable anointed candidates, shortly after the meeting of Southwest APC leaders at the State House, Marina.

    He said he has not asked aspirants to either withdraw from the race or refrain from contesting for offices.

    No fewer than 1,200 aspirants, who had indicated their interests in the councillorship and chairmanship elections, are being screened by a panel chaired by Prof. Durosinmi-Etti.

    The complaints arising from the screening are expected to be resolved by the Appeal Committee headed by former Deputy Governor Olufemi Pedro.

    The primary election holds on Saturday, according to the guidelines released by the party Chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun.

    Tinubu said every Lagosian has the right to participate in the local government poll as registered party members.

    “Nobody is my favourite candidate,” he maintained, urging party members to disregard the antics of rumour peddlers.

    The party leader also explained his position on consensus option, which he said can be adopted, based on mutual consent of stakeholders.

    He said: “I encourage consensus. But, the consensus candidature must be ratified at the grassroots by the party members. I have not endorsed or proclaimed anybody as my candidate.”

    Tinubu emphasised that all contestants must come with the party guidelines.

    He warned name droppers and troublemakers to stay away from the grassroots electioneering.

    He said: “We want to celebrate and promote democracy as it is being done all over the world with civility and respect.”

     

  • Police begin probe of Ogun gas explosion

    Police begin probe of Ogun gas explosion

    By Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

    Ogun State Police Command, in conjunction with other security and government agencies, has constituted a technical investigative team to unravel the cause(s) of the recent explosions in Abeokuta metropolis, killing six and injuring eight other persons.

    Also, two oxygen gas plants suspected to have supplied the gas and the cylinders that caused the explosions have been shut by the command, while samples of the gas from the plants have been taken for analysis by the Standard Organisation  of Nigeria (SON).

    The command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi,  in a statement said that pending the outcome of the investigation, which would  also be made public, welders had been advised to stop using oxygen gas simultaneously with liquified petroleum gas-LPG (cooking gas) while carrying out their welding jobs.

    Abimbola stressed that police area commanders and divisional police officers have also been directed to disseminate this information to welders and their associations as well as maintenance technicians in their jurisdictions and monitor compliance.

     

  • COVID-19: 90 travellers from India, Brazil, Turkey wanted

    COVID-19: 90 travellers from India, Brazil, Turkey wanted

    By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

    The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 has mounted a manhunt for 90 travellers, both Nigerians and foreigners, whom it described as dangers to Nigeria’s public health.

    In a statement by the Chairman of the PSC and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, the committee said the 90 persons, who are currently at large across the country, had violated the guidelines issued for travellers entering Nigeria from India, Turkey and Brazil.

    The Federal Government, after identifying the danger posed to global health by new variants of COVID-19, which were predominantly found in the three countries, had introduced a travel advisory, mandating travellers from any of the countries, or who had visited any of them 14 days prior to arrival in Nigeria, to undergo a compulsory arrival quarantine and testing protocols.

    However, according to the statement, the said 90 offenders, whose names and passport details were also made available in the schedule released by the PSC yesterday night, sneaked into the country without respecting the advisory.

    They have been accused of endangering Nigeria’s public health regulations, which attract spelt out punishments.

    “The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 on May 1, 2021 issued a Travel Advisory for Passengers arriving in Nigeria from Brazil, India and Turkey.  These precautionary measures are a necessary step to mitigate the risk of importation of variants of concern and break the chain of transmission to the population.

    “Under the new measures, passengers arriving from/or that have visited any of these three countries within 14 days prior to the visit to Nigeria, are required to follow mandatory arrival quarantine and testing protocols in designated facilities.

    “The PSC has, however, observed that while most of the arriving passengers dutifully observed the guidelines, some (Nigerians and Foreigners) have violated them in contravention of the provisions of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Regulations Protection, 2021.”

    “Accordingly, the underlisted persons who arrived in Nigeria between 8th May 2021 and 15th May 2021 through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and whose names and passport numbers are displayed, have been declared Persons of Interest (POI) on account of posing considerable danger to overall public health  and for the violation of Nigeria COVID-19 travel protocol by evading the mandatory seven-day quarantine for persons arriving from restricted countries.

    “Members of the public are by this notice advised that these persons of interest constitute an immediate health hazard to the society. They must, therefore, transport themselves safely, to the nearest state public health departments within 48hrs of this notice for immediate evaluation and call the Port Health Services, Federal Ministry of Health on 08036134672 or 08032461990 for further directions.

    “The PSC shall in addition take further steps to sanction these violators. These steps include: disabling their travel passports for a period not less than one year; cancellation of visas/ permits of foreigners that have abused our hospitality; and prosecution under the 2021 Health Protection Regulations.

    “Additional list of Batch II defaulters shall be published in subsequent announcement by the PSC,” the statement said.

  • GIG Logistics digs deeper into north, dares unfriendly investment climate

    GIG Logistics digs deeper into north, dares unfriendly investment climate

    By Ibrahim Adams

    Nigeria’s leading logistics service provider, GIG Logistics (GIGL), is digging deeper into Nigeria’s northern markets in spite of what many business watchers see as an uncertain investment climate.

    It announced over the weekend a network expansion to five Northern states in the country. The growth sees the launch of new experience centres in Yola, Zamfara, Sokoto, Jalingo and Kebbi states.

    This would not be the first of such daring investment moves. A bullish mentality has seen GIGL build a rapidly growing network of experience centres totalling over 133 locations in Nigeria, Africa and the United States of America.

    With a business model built and driven essentially by technology, the company supports social commerce , e-commerce and other enterprises by providing innovative delivery solutions to domestic and international destinations.

    GIGL’s top executives continue to maintain that they see limitless opportunities in the Nigerian market and that in spite of perceived volatilities, the parameters hold bright prospects for investors who are not averse to risk-taking.

    Speaking on the development, Dafe Ojonah, Head of Expansion & Growth at GIGL, said: “The northern experience centres represent a strategic need-meet for us and our customers; they further drive home our commitment to providing easily accessible logistics services to businesses and individuals.

    “For us, it is more than just business expansion, it has always been our core focus to empower businesses by creating avenues that support ease of service offerings to their existing and potential customers in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. This is what we daily strive to achieve by being one of major linkages between B2B and B2C relationships, offering easily accessible core logistics services to all.

    “Leveraging on our global network and professional services expertise, these experience centres will enable us create a cohesive service network and further strengthen our capabilities in this region.”

    GIGL experience centres also create a channel for businesses to transact without barriers and meet the needs of both potential and existing clients whilst reaching new markets, the company stated, noting “It is not just about local deliveries, as we also ship overseas from all locations nationwide to over 230 countries worldwide through our outbound shipping channels”.

    Ocholi Etu, GIGL Director of Operations, expressed elation at the launch of the new experience centres, saying that they would significantly contribute to bridging the regional and national logistics infrastructure gap in the country.

    He pledged superior service delivery on the part of GIGL, adding that technology and innovation would continue to form the bedrock of the company’s operations in the digital age.

    Etu said: “We are focused on creating the best experience for our partners, be they individuals, small businesses or large corporations; and that is why technology is at the centre of all that we do.”

  • Marriage may soon go extinct, says Funnybone

    Marriage may soon go extinct, says Funnybone

    By Adeniyi Adewoyin

    Comedian Funnybone has said that with the level of intolerance and selfishness among modern couples, marriages may go extinct.

    The popular stand up comedian and actor said this while commenting to Cool FM OAP Dotun’s post on Instagram.

    Dotun had posted that certain questions must be asked before two individuals agree to get married.

    He insinuated that intending couples must know their genotype, salary earned by both individuals, number of kids to have, how to split bills among others.

    “These questions are not sacred – How much do you earn, what antics provides you the greatest sexual pleasure?, what is your genotype?, how many kids do you intend to have? what would you pay for & won’t pay for?, What do you believe to be your spiritual gift?” Dotun posted on his page and captioned it “ Ask and confirm now and be patient before water and garri turn to semo”.

    Responding to the post, Funnybone replied: “21st century pre marriage questions. Marriage will soon go extinct and I say it will all sense of saying it”

    “The entire idea is now transactional and selfish on both sides. No more sacrifices on both ends. Soon marriage will be gone”

    He continued: “if you find the right answers to this questionnaire today it fail to sacrifice and be tolerant. E go still spoil later. This transactional move is not the ultimate, the onus is on both partners to fashion out ways to work it through.

    “Remember people change and these answers you seek are temporary. Tomorrow, he or she might want another thing. Las las it’s two imperfect people willing and trying to be perfect”.

  • Mighty help in the name of the Lord

    Mighty help in the name of the Lord

    Bishop Taiwo Akinola

    Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth ~ Psalms 124:8.

    Introduction:
    Truth be told, times do come in life when we don’t know what to do. Dark and ominous times when evil reports are rampant, when deadly darts are flying and the sparrows are falling, and yet human helpers are sleepy. Something must be done, and urgently too, but we don’t know what to do.

    The present situation in Nigeria is a classic example of the kind of time described above. Many things are grossly wrong, and something needs be done, but the poignant question is, “what”?

    Such sordid experiences of life occasionally perch upon individuals, on families and even on organizations and, when they do, those who should bring help appear incapacitated and the dark frightening silence seems to last forever. Men and brethren, that is the midnight experience of life!

    Meanwhile, there is nothing new under the sun. From the history of God’s way, both ancient and modern, the last joker in such situations is staying hooked to the Lord, recognizing Him as the Most High God and praising Him in the light of that truth. Then, the wrath of man shall truly praise God (Psalm 76:10).

    Midnight experiences are undesirable interludes in the music of life. Even then, with the Most High God in the factors, any believer can still tell a beautiful testimony in the name of the Lord.

    In fact, lest we forget: midnight is not only the middle of the night, it is also the beginning of a new day! No adverse wind, present or future, will require more than the revelation of the Most High God to attract God’s help at moments of dire need.

    Whenever the Most High God is revealed, recognized and adored, an incredible power is made available to positively alter the storyline. At the rendition of the Name, “Most High God”, help becomes accessible, the enemies drop their charges and long-term stationed demons bow.

    No doubt, God’s power surpasses all other powers, and nothing compares with Him. That is why He is called the Most High God and, for the same reason, He cannot be questioned or resisted by the vicissitudes of life. Truly, absolute power belongs to the Most High God (Psalm 62:11).

    The Most High God in the Affairs of Men

    The Most High God, (Hebrew, El-Elyon), is the God over all gods (Exodus 18:11). He is the Founder and Possessor of heaven and earth, the Maker of all things.

    He alone has both power and right to dispose anything in heaven and on earth in our favour at will. He is the True and Living God who is greater than any need, and bigger than any oppressor.

    Our enemies tremble when they know He’s the One on whom we depend. However, you must recognize Him for Who He is — the One that reigns and rules in the kingdoms of men — before He overrules situations in your favour (Daniel 4:17, 25, 32; 5:21).

    Abraham was like a common struggler before he had an encounter with the Most High God. God called him and made him some terrific, life-changing covenant promises, and he began to take some steps to access them, yet he remained a wanderer for some time (Genesis 12:2-3).

    However, the promises were validated when he caught the revelation of the Name, Most High God, owned it and was blessed by the authority of the same through Melchizedek, the King of Salem (Genesis 14:14-20).

    Paul and Silas also, at a point in their line of duty, ran into trouble with the then authority and were put in prison, but instead of grumbling or bemoaning their fate, they chose to praise God (Acts 16:25)

    They didn’t sing in order to psyche themselves into an emotional high, or to just enjoy the thrills of the song. No, not at all. Rather, they used the songs to recognize the almightiness of God, and He in turn propelled to them mighty help of a seismic dimension.

    Please carefully note here that the praises and the exploits that resulted from there were established on the premise of the Name, the Most High God (Acts 16:17).

    In their midnight experiences, Paul and Silas sang praises to the Supreme King in God, and that was what moved Him to act dramatically in their situation. Faith pleases God, but praise moves Him to act in our favour.

    Jesus Christ Is the Incarnate Most High God

    In Luke 8:26-36, we read the story of the Gadarenes madman and his incredible encounter with Jesus Christ. The affliction of chronic madness lingered for a long time because of the oppressive legion of demons and nothing, including physical chains, had worked to bring any reprieve.

    However, at the appearance of Jesus Christ, the madman and the demons that had bowed to nothing before ran towards Him, fell and bowed at His feet. Never doubt it, at the appearance of the Most High God, demons beg and bow.

    It is pertinent, at this juncture, to ask “what did these demons see for which they bowed to Jesus Christ”? Without equivocation, what they saw in Jesus Christ was the express image of the Most High God (Luke 8:28).

    Jesus Christ is the Incarnate Most High God, and whenever we see Him for who He is, clear testimonies of positive changes occur in our lives (Hebrews 1:1-4). He is Yehoshua, Jehovah-Our-Deliverer! There’s mighty help available whenever we pray in the Name of Jesus Christ!!

    Man In Desperate Need for God

    Demons always attack as a team or a legion, and this is how they sustain their grounds to build their bulwarks against destinies of men. Legions of demons continue to exercise a rule over those who dwell in their region, but the believers’ secure location is in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

    In the story referenced above, we can see clearly that the legions were comfortable for as long as the madman was in torment. Tormentors are always happy at the unhappiness of the tormented. We must therefore race in passionate prayers against destiny tormentors, and readily pay the entire price necessary to secure the help of God.

    The condition of David at a time was very traumatic, but he opted to call upon the Lord and he enjoyed a dramatic testimony eventually (Psalm 18:7-48). Desperate situations always call for desperate solutions; to prevail, you must be desperate in your calls for divine assistance.

    It is worthy of note also to read that the legion ‘prayed’ to Jesus to order them in a particular manner. So, demons do pray? It must be very obscene and embarrassing that some believers don’t.

    Friends, as you cry for divine help, I pray God will overrule Himself, if need be, to ensure that the wishes of demons against your life remain ineffective, in Jesus Name (2 Kings 20:1-6). Amen.

    Happy Sunday!

    Bishop Taiwo Akinola is the Presiding Bishop of Rhema Christian Church & Towers, Sango Ota, Ogun State.

  • ‘Lagos made N127b IGR in first quarter’

    ‘Lagos made N127b IGR in first quarter’

    By Oyebola Owolabi

    Lagos State realised an Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N127 billion in the first quarter of 2021, an increase from the N658 billion realised as at December 2020, it was learnt yesterday.

    Commissioner for Finance Rabiu Olowo stated this when he addressed reporters as part of activities to mark Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in office.

    Olowo said the state was able to achieve the feat despite the biting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic because it was proactive in preventing and blocking leakages.

    He said: No institution or organisation is immune to economic sabotage and leakages, but we are proactive enough to predict such sharp practices and prevent them. We are also leveraging on technology to predict and prevent fraud by digitising our processes.”

    The commissioner stressed that the state has a good debt profile, with its debt sustainability ratio currently standing at 17.8 per cent, even when regulators put debt ratio at 30 and 40 per cent.

    “Lagos’ debt sustainability ratio is currently at 17.8 per cent, though the regulators – World Bank (for guidance) and Federal Ministry of Finance – put the sustainability ratio at 30 and 40 per cent. This tells a lot about our ability to own and manage debts effectively; and as our revenue grows, and we pay our debts, we will continue to take more loans so far they are used to fund capital projects that would ensure the economic success of the people now and in future.

    “Debt is very good, especially for a mega city status that Lagos wants to enjoy. The most important thing is management; and one of the most respected metrics to measure debt management is the debt sustainability ratio; how much debt do you have and how does it compare with the revenue potential, your ability to pay. That is the most important thing for everyone to consider,” he noted.

    Olowo added that the government, through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSTF), has helped over 9,000 businesses in the last 18 months, especially in the aftermath of COVID-19 and #EndSARS protests.

    He also said that the government achieved 88 per cent budget performance in 2020.