The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • APC governorship aspirant seeks healthy competition

    APC governorship aspirant seeks healthy competition

    AHEAD of the April 14 Bayelsa State governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), one of the frontline aspirants, Festus Daumiebi, has urged fellow aspirants to promote the spirit of healthy competition and check their supporters.

    He spoke against the backdrop of smear campaigns aimed at undercutting the virtues of other aspirants. 

    Daumiebi said as an opposition party in the state, APC members could not afford the luxury of running down one another or tossing hot coal under the seat of one another to whip up bad press. 

    He noted that rather, it was the time for members to show the world the beauty in their ability to act with decorum and moderation.

    The governorship hopeful in a statement after receiving his Certificate of Clearance from the Bayelsa State Governorship Screening Committee of the APC in Abuja, said he was competing on the basis of competence, to enthrone a new Bayelsa, which everyone would be proud of. 

    He said the party’s primary was a family exercise from which one person would emerge at the end of the day.

    Daumiebi said: “Agreed that in the vortex of the political industry, throwing dirt at another is expected, the ugly development, if not well managed, may tear the party down the middle in Bayelsa State.

    “As an opposition party in the state, APC members cannot afford the luxury of running down one another or tossing hot coal under the seat of one another to whip up bad press. Rather, this is the time for members to show the world the beauty in their ability to act with decorum and moderation.

    “I am competing on the basis of competence to enthrone a new Bayelsa, which everyone will be proud of.”

  • Senate urges banks to resume operations in Akwa Ibom

    Senate urges banks to resume operations in Akwa Ibom

    The Senate yesterday urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to prevail on Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) that operate in Oron Local Government of Akwa Ibom State to resume operations.

    It also directed its Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to probe the closure of some banks from 2010 to date, to enable CBN strengthen money deposit banks across the country.

    The resolutions of the upper chamber followed its consideration of a motion titled: “Urgent need for the Central Bank of Nigeria to liaise with commercial banks to resume operation in Oron Local Government of Akwa-Ibom State”, sponsored by Senator Akon Etim Eyakenyi (PDP – Akwa Ibom South), during plenary.

    The lawmaker in her lead debate noted that banking operations in Oron Local Government had been suspended since February 17, 2023 to date following the protests and commotions caused by customers over acute scarcity of the Naira.

  • Foundation urges women to support one another

    Foundation urges women to support one another

    The founder, Arise Monlisa Foundation, Monalisa Chinda has urged women to stop competing with one another and begin by supporting, mentoring and being financiers of their fellow women.

    Chinda spoke at the first Arise Monalisa Foundation Annual International Conference, with the theme, ‘Equity v Equality: Redefining Gender Roles’ in Abuja, stating that women must start from becoming their biggest supporters, fans, trust anchor, mentors and financiers of their fellow women.

    She noted that the idea behind the conference is to celebrate women who are doing well in a male dominated space like the female mechanic, pilot and others, which she said are women worth celebrating.

    She said: “We are using this platform to see how women can serve the nation better which is part of redefining gender in this context. There is a need for women to come under this kind of platform to network and talk to each other seeing that there is a lot of competition out there amongst women.

    “The competition I believe comes out of ignorance, women should stop being in competition with one another, they need to do a lot of research to liberate them from competitiveness with each other. It is not always easy for women when not encouraged by their male counterparts. The idea of women submitting to men is an age”

    Chief Executive Officer Zulu films  Zik Zulu Okafor, said “since 1999 till date, only 157 women have been elected Nigeria’s National Assembly, 38 Senators and 119 members of the House of Representatives. Now compare this to 2,657 men elected. We have 616 Senators and 2,041 members of the House of Representatives. Out of 192 countries, Nigeria is number 184 in terms of women participation in politics, it is not a good story”.

  • Cleric urges faithful to be dutiful

    Cleric urges faithful to be dutiful

    The Chief Imam of Falomo Lagos Central Mosque, Dr Tajudeen Adebayo yesterday urged Nigerians to embrace the act of being dutiful to God, to attract divine blessings.

    The Muslim cleric gave the admonition during his Day 7 Ramadan message at the Falomo Central Mosque.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the message was to keep the faithful on track with the dictates of the fasting and prayer period.

    Adebayo described Ramadan as the time God shows greater mercy to mankind, charging the faithful to use the period for self, societal and national advancement through supplications to God.

    “With our prayers to God during this period, there is  no hindrance to our aspirations.

    “He is all ears now to help us out of challenges that have been our lot as individuals and people.

    “The faith has prescribed ways of life during the period. It is you and you alone that can say if you are keeping to the requirement or not.

    “The faith need not monitor you or police you to ensure you live up to expectations during this period. It behoves you to ask God to give you the strength to persevere through the period and reap the benefits at the end,” he said.

    He implored faithful to remain focused after Ramadan and project the good lessons learnt during the period to the society, for good interpersonal relationships.

  • Kwara Grand Khadi tasks leaders on good governance

    Kwara Grand Khadi tasks leaders on good governance

    The Grand Khadi of Kwara Shariah Court of Appeal, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen, has enjoined Muslims and those in position of leadership to rule with fear of Allah as they will account for their actions, either here or hereafter.

    Kamaldeen stated this in Ilorin during his Ramadan Lecture, organised by the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN).

    In his presentation, entitled: “Accountability and Good Governance: Islamic Template”, the Grand Khadi, stated that accountability was one of the core values of Islam.

    According to him, in Islam ‘taklif’ or accountability, is derived from the belief that every person is responsible for his or her actions and inactions, on the day of judgment.

    He explained that the principles of transparency and accountability in the Qur’an guaranteed social control and report, wide public participation, kind public service, self-honest, self-control and self-responsibility, so that various forms of distortion, such as corruption or discrimination can be avoided and controlled.

    He explained further that good governance cultivates conformity to constitution, rule of law and Shari’ah law.

    Kamaldeen cited Umar Bn Kattab, the companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and Caliphate of the Islamic empire, as a just ruler, who set exemplary leadership acumen for all Muslims to emulate.

    Also speaking, Gov AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, who was represented by Prof. Mamman Jubril, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), enjoined Muslims to strive to reap the blessings of the holy month of Ramadan.

    He emphasised the importance of women, especially mothers, in Islam, saying the Prophet enjoined goodness by and to mothers.

    According to him, it is against the injunctions of Islam to maltreat any woman, and that everyone would be identified by the name of his mother on the day of judgment.

    Earlier, Hajia Ni’mat Labaika, the state Chairman of FOMWAN, explained that it was part of the tradition of the association to organise weekly Ramadan tafsir (Lecture).

    She stated that as mothers, the association felt that it was key to exhort the newly elected and appointed leaders in different positions in Nigeria to rule with the fear of Allah, as they would be accountable for their actions.

  • Rainstorm destroys over 100 houses in Ondo

    Rainstorm destroys over 100 houses in Ondo

    Heavy rains, accompanied by strong wind, have destroyed over 100 houses in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    The incident occurred on Tuesday evening and affected areas such as Danjuma, Ayedun, High School and Leo.

    Roofs of buildings were blown off, while electricity poles and perimeter fencing of houses were pulled down.

    Affected residents were seen packing their belongings to perhaps live with relatives.

    They appealed to the state and federal governments to provide relief materials for them as soon as possible.

    InIkaram community, Akoko Northwest Local Government, roofs of many houses were blown off by a rainstorm that lasted for about 45 minutes.

    Affected areas in Ikaram included Iyotu, Oyagi and Ikaram Akoko Central Mosque.

    A community leader, Sheik Basiru Aminu, said it was a disaster for affected victims, whom, he said, were facing cash crunch.

    He said it would be difficult for the affected persons to rebuild their houses.

    The Akala of Ikaram-Akoko, Oba Andrew Momodu, described the disaster as very unfortunate.

    He appealed for aids for the affected residents.

  • INEC to issue Certificates of Return to lawmakers

    INEC to issue Certificates of Return to lawmakers

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State said it would issue Certificates of Return to the 26 elected members of the House of Assembly today.

    In a statement signed by the Osun INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, yesterday, he said the event would hold at the Osun INEC office in Osogbo.

    The statement said INEC, in compliance with Section 72 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022, is mandated to issue a certificate of return within 14 days to every candidate who has been returned elected under the law.

  • AbdulRazaq to conduct council poll

    AbdulRazaq to conduct council poll

    • Sends names of KWSIEC board to Assembly

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has set machinery in motion for the conduct of local government election.

    He has in the last four years been running the 16 local governments with transition chairmen.

    The governor has submitted to the House of Assembly, seven nominees for the board of Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC).

    “Having cleared all legal logjams on its way, the process for the conduct of the local government election has begun. This begins with the constitution of the KWSIEC board, once the nominees have been confirmed by the parliament,” Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said in a statement.

    “This will be followed by other steps stipulated in the law, including notice of election,” he added.

  • ‘Tinubu a dogged fighter’

    ‘Tinubu a dogged fighter’

    The lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, yesterday rejoiced with President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his 71st birthday.

    Hunpe, in a statement, described Asiwaju Tinubu as “a dogged fighter in a cause he believes in.”

    He said the former Lagos State governor had through his actions and engagements inspired many to stand up and be counted in the areas of political participation and excellent service delivery.

    “I thank God for your service to the nation as a senator, governor and a founding leader of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “You have demonstrated an uncommon and an unyielding commitment to a progressive and prosperous Nigeria.

    “Your victory at the presidential election on February 25 wasn’t a magic. It was as a result of your steadfast services to our nation and the sterling contributions you have made in the public and political spheres of our dear country.

    “On behalf of myself, family and all good people of Badagry Federal Constituency, I celebrate you on this milestone,” Hunpe said.

  • Ignore destructive critics, expert urges President-elect

    Ignore destructive critics, expert urges President-elect

    The Convener/National Coordinator of Social Rehabilitation Group (SRG), Dr. Marindoti Oludare, has urged President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard destructive criticisms from the camps of his political opponents.

    He said Asiwaju Tinubu should instead concentrate on the task of setting Nigeria on the path of greatness, as he had vowed to do during his campaigns.

    Oludare gave the advice in a congratulatory message on the occasion of Tinubu’s 71st birthday.

    He said the president-elect’s political antecedent was enough conviction that he was capable of steering the ship of the country to the Promised Land and that “he should not allow tantrums from bellicose election losers to distract him.”

    “One thing worthy of commendation is that despite attacks and fabrication of lies against his person by those who are still dazed for being defeated in the last presidential election, Asiwaju Tinubu has refrained from engaging in any face-off with them.

    “Instead, he keeps hoisting the olive branch and asking them to come and team up with him with a view to taking Nigeria to her Olympian heights. We encourage that he sustain the tempo,” Oludare said.

    Oludare, a US-based medical doctor and toxicologist, enjoined Asiwaju Tinubu to reverse the plummeting exchange rate, use his renowned strategic and tactical acumen to stop the fraudulent subsidy regime and overhaul critical sectors such as industry, education and health.