The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Runsewe thrilled with Iheanacho, Ndidi magical dance

    Runsewe thrilled with Iheanacho, Ndidi magical dance

    The Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture and President World Crafts Council, Segun Runsewe, is thrilled with the way the entire Leicester team danced to a Nigerian song after winning the English FA Cup last weekend at Wembley.

    In the dressing room of the Brendan Rodgers-tutored side shortly after lifting the cup, the song of Nigerian singer, Dr. Kid “Over the moon” rented the air with Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi leading other players from various other countries to dance.

    Runsewe said there was need to document, institutionalize and legalise the legacy of Iheanacho and Ndidi as a show of extreme love and indivisibility of Nigeria their country. Runsewe said he is prompted to put up a request for artistic impression of their actions on that day.

    He added for those who appreciate the culture of the country that moment was magical and the two players deserved huge commendation.

    “After making the country proud on the pitch, they went ahead to sell our culture to the world in a special way in the dressing room. The song was a Nigerian song and our players made their other colleagues to dance to it. That was remarkable.”

  • U.S., Russia hold talks on normalising relations

    U.S., Russia hold talks on normalising relations

    United States (U.S.) Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed normalising bilateral relations as they met in person for the first time on Wednesday in Iceland, reports said yesterday.

    Blinken said the U.S. seeks “a predictable, stable relationship with Russia” in comments ahead of the meeting, according to a State Department transcript.

    But he also said “it’s no secret that we have our differences” before the meeting, which was held on the margins of an Arctic Council ministerial meeting.

    “When it comes to those differences,” Blinken said, U.S. President, Joe Biden, had let his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin know that “if Russia acts aggressively against us, our partners, our allies, we’ll respond.”

    Lavrov responded by saying that the two countries “greatly diverge when it comes to our assessment of the international situation and our approaches towards how we should resolve it.

    “We are prepared to discuss all issues on the table with the understanding that our discussions will be honest, factual, and with mutual respect.”

    The top diplomats were expected to discuss a potential meeting between Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden has suggested a summit in a third country, but it is unclear whether Putin will say yes.

    Other topics for Lavrov and Blinken’s talks included the escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, North Korea’s and Iran’s nuclear programmes and the situation in Afghanistan.

     

  • Conflicts, disasters forced 55m to flee their country in 2020

    Conflicts, disasters forced 55m to flee their country in 2020

    The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) says conflicts and disasters forced 55 million people to flee other regions within their own country in 2020.

    The Geneva-based IDMC,  reported yesterday that in 2019, 45.7 million were on the run from war and natural disasters in their own country.

    In 2020, conflict and disasters triggered 40.5 million new internal displacements across 149 countries and territories, a figure which included people forced to move more than once.

    “It’s shocking that someone was forced to flee their home inside their own country every single second in 2020,”said the secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Jan Egeland.

    “It is particularly concerning that these high figures were recorded against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, when movement restrictions obstructed data collection and fewer people sought out emergency shelters for fear of infection,’’ IDMC director Alexandra Bilak added.

    The IDMC said escalating violence in Mozambique and Burkina Faso as well as ongoing conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan and the Congo had led to massive new refugee movements, while natural disasters also led to displacements.

    These included Cyclone Amphan in Asia and other heavy storms in Central America and the Caribbean, while in Africa and the Middle East, millions left their homes because of flooding.

     

     

     

  • USAID, firm partner on job creation, food security

    USAID, firm partner on job creation, food security

    By Robert Egbe

    A rice outgrower expansion project between TGI Group’s subsidiary, WACOT Rice Ltd in Argungu, Kebbi State, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is expected to create 60,000 jobs across Nigeria and West Africa.

    Deputy Chief of Party for USAID’s West Africa Trade and Investment Hub (WATIH) project, Karl LittleJohn stated this during the co-investment partnership launch with USAID in Argungu on Wednesday.

    LittleJohn said: “The core objective of establishing WACOT in Argungu and the launching of this partnership is to create a catalyst for investment and provide grants to more farmers.

    “We want to show that we can create jobs, and we want to also increase trade investment with our partners across West African countries.”

    WACOT Rice Chairman, Farouk Gumel, said over 2,000 jobs had already been created by the company following the USAID partnership.

    He stated that the firm’s expansion has given opportunities for more farmers to cultivate more land for rice production.

    “When the company was established in 2017, we hardly sold our product for the first three months because customers were demanding for foreign rice but today, we steadily sell Nigerian rice and people continue to ask for it. Many people have shown interest in becoming our agents and marketers,” Gumel added.

    United States Ambassador to Nigeria Mary Bert Leonard said the United States government’s partnership with WACOT was to sustain food security and creation of more jobs in Nigeria.

    Leonard said more than $8 million (about N3.1 billion) would be injected into the economy through the partnership.

    Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Bagudu said the presence of WACOT Rice in the state had positively impacted its economy, adding that the development attracted the USAID investment.

    Through the partnership with USAID, WACOT Rice is registering an additional 5,143 farmers to complement its already existing outgrower network in the state and they will cultivate over 5,000 additional hectares of land thereby producing over 20,000 tons of paddy which will be utilised at WACOT Rice’s 120,000-ton rice mill in Argungu.

     

     

  • Sanders seeks halt to $735m arms sale to Jewish State

    Sanders seeks halt to $735m arms sale to Jewish State

    United States (U.S.) Senator Bernie Sanders has submitted a resolution to block the $735 million sale of precision-guided missiles to Israel as pressure mounted in the Democratic Party for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

    The joint resolution of disapproval (JRD) — similar to the House version submitted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday — is almost certain not to pass, given strong support for Israel in both the House and Senate.

    The legislation is expected to spark further debate on the issue of Israel in Congress, where a growing number of Democrats have been taking a more critical stance against the longtime ally.

    “At a moment when U.S.-made bombs are devastating Gaza, and killing women and children, we cannot simply let another huge arms sale go through without even a congressional debate,” said Sanders, an independent who votes with Democrats, upon submitting the resolution to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

    The top panel’s chair, Sen. Bob Menendez, said he opposed the measure and added that he was not certain the JRD could be brought to a vote as it was filed on the last of 15 days where Congress can still block the sale before US President Joe Biden is allowed to sign off.

    Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs committees backed the $735 million purchase during an informal review before May 5 — five days before the fighting in Gaza began.

     

  • Israel, Hamas agree Gaza truce

    Israel, Hamas agree Gaza truce

    Israel and Hamas agreed to cease fire across the Gaza Strip border as of 2 a.m. today, an official with the Palestinian Islamist faction said, bringing a potentially tenuous halt to the fiercest fighting in decades.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said his security cabinet had voted unanimously in favour of a “mutual and unconditional” Gaza truce proposed by Egypt, but added that the hour of implementation had yet to be agreed.

    Within minutes of the announcements, in the countdown to the ceasefire, the sides were trading blows again. Sirens warned of incoming rockets in Israeli border communities, and a Reuters reporter heard an air strike in Gaza.

    There was no immediate word of casualties.

    Amid growing global alarm at the bloodshed, U.S. President Joe Biden urged Netanyahu on Wednesday to seek de-escalation. Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations ventured mediation.

    A Hamas official told Reuters the ceasefire would be “mutual and simultaneous”.

    Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had ordered two security delegations into Israel and the Palestinian territories to work towards upholding the ceasefire, Egyptian state TV reported. It also confirmed the 2 a.m. hour.

    Rocket attacks by Hamas and allied Islamic Jihad had resumed after an eight-hour pause earlier yesterday, as Israel continued shelling that it said aimed to destroy the factions’ military capabilities and deter them from future confrontation after the current conflict.

    Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said on Twitter that the Gaza offensive had yielded “unprecedented military gains”.

    Since the fighting began on May 10, health officials in Gaza say 232 Palestinians, including 65 children, have been killed and more than 1,900 wounded in aerial bombardments. Israel said it has killed at least 160 combatants in Gaza.

    Authorities put the death toll in Israel at 12, with hundreds of people treated for injuries in rocket attacks that have caused panic and sent people rushing into shelters.

    Yesterday, Biden discussed Gaza with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the White House said reports of moves toward a ceasefire were “encouraging”.

    UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed that UN Middle East Envoy Tor Wennesland is in Qatar, adding: “We are actively engaged with all the relevant parties for an immediate ceasefire.”

     

     

  • PHOTOS: Lawan visits IBB in Minna

    PHOTOS: Lawan visits IBB in Minna

  • Govs beg FG to defer bailout repayment

    Govs beg FG to defer bailout repayment

    By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

    Governors have requested further deferment of repayment of bailout loans taken from the Federal Government billed to start in May ending.

    According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande, this was one of the major highlights at the National Economic Council (NEC).

    The NEC meeting, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo comprised the 36 Governors, the Federal Capital Territory Minister and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) besides other Federal Government officials.

    During the meeting, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) Kayode Fayemi had insisted the Governors wanted the loan repayment due in May to be deferred.

    However, Emefiele insisted the States should begin the repayment without future delay especially the monies owed to the banks.

    The CBN boss stressed there were challenges arising from delays particularly as it concerned auditing.

    “On the Budget Support Facility, State Governors restated their request to defer the repayment of the loans, which was to have started this month.

    “Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who is also Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, reported interactions with the Finance Minister and the CBN Governor regarding the matter.

    “The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, also emphasised the importance of the timely repayment of loans, especially those owed to commercial banks, indicating the challenges inherent in a further delay in payment, including audit concerns. He said the repayment of the commercial loans should resume this month.

    “In addition, the Vice President stated that he will be holding a meeting soon with representatives of the State Governors, the Finance Minister and the CBN Governor to resolve the issue raised,” the statement reads.

    A session was devoted to holding the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) where reports and financial statements, including the audit, were presented.

    Managing-Director of the NSIA, Mr Uche Orji, disclosed the authority had recorded a 343% growth in total comprehensive Income totalling N160.06 billion in 2020 compared to N36.15 billion in the previous year and 33% growth in Net Assets, rising up to N772.75 billion from the previous N579.54 billion.

    The NSIA Managing-Director told the Council that the authority achieved core income of N109 billion compared to N33.07 billion in 2019, excluding forex gains of N51 billion in 2020 and N1.29 billion in 2019.

  • Two die as rival OPC groups clash in Osun

    Two die as rival OPC groups clash in Osun

    By Toba Adedeji, Osogbo

    Two persons died on Thursday in Ikire, headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, when members of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) and Odua Peoples Congress Initiative (OPCI) clashed.

    The Nation gathered the rival groups started their supremacy fight on Saturday, which led to some members sustain injuries.

    It was learnt the groups engaged in gun battles, creating tension in the town.

    Coordinator of OPC Osun State, Prince Deji Aladeshawe, confirmed the incident.

    He said: “The incident is true, one Olayode was killed on our side while one Wasiu was killed at the side of OPCI.”

    Special Adviser to Osun Governor on Security, Mrs. Abiodun Ige, said the State Government has intervened in the matter with the help of police.

  • FG sets up committee to resolve NLC, Kaduna dispute

    FG sets up committee to resolve NLC, Kaduna dispute

    By Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

    The Federal Government has set up a 10- member bi-partite committee to resolve the labour dispute between the Nigeria Labour Congress and Kaduna State Government.

    Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Jafaru Sani, who led the delegation jointly with the State Head of Service, Bariatu Mohammed and leadership of NLC led by its President, Ayuba Wabba, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

    They promised to settle their dispute and embrace peaceful correlation, by desisting from any further industrial action or victimisation of workers.

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who addressed reporters at the end of the meeting, said the committee, with representatives from the State Government and the NLC, will critically look at the issues under contention and resolve them based on provisions of Section 20 of the Labour Act.

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai was absent during the meeting.

    The NLC had commenced a five- day warning strike and protest in the state over the sack of workers on Grade level 14, compulsory retirement of workers who have attained the age of 50 years irrespective of their Grade Levels, reduction of Local Government staff strength to 50 in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs), and the casualisation of workers on Grade Level 1-6.

    The MoU reads in part: “The meeting agreed that all the listed issues fall within the ambit of redundancy therefore, it was resolved that the principle of redundancy as stated in section 20 of Labour Act, Cap L 1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) should apply.

    “The meeting also recognised that the current impasse was caused by communication gap between the State Government and NLC occasioned by both the local chapter and even the Kaduna State Government Officials.

    “In view of the foregoing, the meeting resolved: To constitute a ten (10) man Bi-partite Committee comprising six (6) representatives of State Government and three (3) officials of the NLC to engage further with the objective of reverting with a work plan on how to integrate the provision of section 20 of the Labour Act CAP L1 LFN 2004 to resolve the impasse between the State Government and the NLC.

    “The meeting also resolved that the Committee should have as Chairman, the Head of Service of the Kaduna State Government and assisted by a Deputy National President of the NLC. The Committee is expected to revert with the work plan for peaceful resolution of all issues in contention to the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment by Tuesday 25th May, 2021.

    “The work plan is to itemise the structure and sub-structure in the State and Local Government of their activities, time of commencement and envisaged final tenure of the Committee or make recommendations if in its wisdom it thinks the Committee should be a Permanent Standing Committee.

    “It was agreed that there shall be no further industrial action on these issues and no worker shall be victimized on account of his or her participation in the industrial action.”

    In their opening statements before the meeting went into closed-door section, Ngige said Kaduna and any other state must dialogue with the Organised Labour as enshrined in the International Labour Organisation Conventions, to which Nigeria is a signatory.

    He said though labour has a right to go on strike according to the provisions of the law, it should not obstruct the provision of essential services.