The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Ekpoma residents shut AAU over workers’ sack

    Ekpoma residents shut AAU over workers’ sack

    Hundreds of protesting residents of Ekpoma have shut Ambrose Alli University (AAU), over the sack of 22 workers and poor administration, despite Governor Godwin Obaseki disclaiming the disengagement letters.

    The protesters, who yesterday carried placards, called on Edo State Government to sack a member of AAU’s Special Intervention Team (SIT) over alleged highhandedness and insensitivity.

    Displeased residents, who declined to give their names, for fear of victimisation, urged Obaseki to find a solution to the problems facing the university, which they said were capable of throwing the ancient town into chaos.

    Obaseki, on Tuesday night, disclaimed disengagement letters to the workers, describing their sack as illegal, null and void.

    Edo governor, through his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, noted that investigation of the issue had been ordered, with swift action to be taken on anyone found culpable.

    Osagie said: “The governor  maintains that his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare in the university remains sacrosanct and he has not sanctioned the action.”

    “Edo government assures people that it upholds the interest of the state university’s workers and will continue to position Edo as a suitable place to live and work.”

    Chairman of AAU, Ekpoma chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Cyril Onogbosele, said the inhumane, senseless and reckless sack of many workers, mostly lecturers, was part of attempts by Edo government and the university management to suppress the employees from demanding benefits that were due to them.

    He expressed displeasure that many workers, who were not due for retirement, were included on the list of sacked workers.

    Onogbosele hinted that the list of AAU employees to be laid off would rise to 90, based on feelers from the management.

    Obaseki and workers’ unions at AAU have been at loggerheads for over two years, over lack of infrastructural development and inadequate equipment of the university, as well as not showing concern about the welfare of the workers (teaching and non-teaching), thereby asking Edo governor to do the needful.

  • CP summons Ihedioha, Irona over alleged murder

    CP summons Ihedioha, Irona over alleged murder

    Imo State Police Command has summoned former governor Emeka Ihedioha, his deputy, Gerald Irona and the spokesperson for Coalition of United Political Parties, Ugochinyere Imo, for alleged murder, kidnapping and arson.

    A letter of invitation addressed to the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Charles Ugwu, and signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of administration, Ukachi Opara, asked the PDP chairman to produce the three opposition party chieftains on Thursday (today) at the state criminal bureau of the police command.

    The letter dated March 13, addressed to the PDP chairman in Owerri yesterday, was titled: “Re: case of murder, kidnapping and arson”.

    Contacted, spokesperson for PDP in the state, Collins Opuruozor, confirmed the authenticity of the police invitation.

    The Legal Adviser of the PDP in the state, Kissinger Ikeokwu, told reporters that the State Working Committee of the party had received the police invitation asking the state party chairman to produce Ihedioha, Gerald and Imo at the SIB unit of the command headquarters in Owerri on Thursday (today).

    Ihedioha’s spokesperson, Chibuike Onyeukwu, did not pick his calls when contacted.

    Police spokesman Henry Okoye confirmed the summon to The Nation, saying: “Tell them to comply and come and answer to the allegations levelled against them.”

  • Ex-Imo deputy governor denied bail

    Ex-Imo deputy governor denied bail

    The legal battle to release ex-Imo State deputy governor Gerald Irona from prison custody failed again yesterday, as Justice S. I.  Opara of the Imo State High Court sitting in Owerri denied him bail.

    Irona was denied bail by the judge after the prosecution argued that his bail application was filed late on Monday.

    The prosecutors argued that as at yesterday morning when the accused was arraigned, the 48 hours allowed by law to enable the prosecutors respond on points of law, subsisted.

    The prosecutors said it would be unlawful for the judge to entertain the bail application when counter bail application had not been filed by the prosecutors.

    But one of the counsel for the accused, S. I. Imo, urged the judge to hear the application and grant his client bail, arguing that as a former member of the House of Representatives and ex-deputy governor,  his client was qualified in the eyes of the law to be granted bail.

    After listening to the arguments, the judge denied Irona bail despite the plea by his lawyers to grant him bail on self- recognition.

    The judge adjourned the case till March 22, to enable the prosecutors file their counter-bail affidavit.

    Irona’s arraignment, which was supposed to be on Tuesday, was stalled after it was announced that his case file had not been transmitted to the court.

    The police had last Thursday arraigned Irona at a Magistrates’ Court in Owerri on a three-count charge bordering on treason.

    The Magistrate, C. N. Ezerioha, denied Irona bail and ordered that he be remanded in Owerri prison custody after listening to the arguments for and against his bail.

  • NLC suspends strike in Imo

    NLC suspends strike in Imo

    • Gives two weeks for crisis resolution

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended for two weeks, its ongoing strike in Imo State.

    The suspension was announced by a statement issued by the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, yesterday.

    The statement said the suspension was due to interventions by “highly respected and well-meaning Nigerians from within and outside Imo State.”

    The statement said the lifting of the industrial action was to enable residents vote for candidates of their choice during Saturday’s assembly election.

    It said if at the end of two weeks, the government failed to reverse its anti- labour policies, NLC would resume the strike.

  • ‘No quit notice to Ebonyi indigenes’

    ‘No quit notice to Ebonyi indigenes’

    Anambra State Government said yesterday it had not issued quit notice to Ebonyi State indigenes living in the state.

    Women and Social Welfare Commissioner Ify Obinabo made this known while reacting to Tuesday’s protests by women of Umunze community, over the death of a 72-year-old woman, whose body parts were allegedly harvested for ritual purposes.

    Obinabo, in a statement by her Media Aide, Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, however, said the indigenes must be law-abiding if they must reside in the state, or relocate, stressing that government would not condone act capable of distorting peaceful coexistence of the citizens.

    The statement said: “Anambra State Women and Social Welfare Commissioner, Ify Obinabo, has reassured of her commitment in bringing to book the killers of Charity Okoli.”

    “She expressed sadness about the death of the 72-year-old woman and vowed to use everything within her power to bring justice to the deceased.

    “She urged everyone, especially Umunze women, who had gone on a peaceful protest, to give the court some time to follow the law and make their judgment.

    “She said she would not relent until others involved in the dastardly act were apprehended and arraigned at the Special Court in Awka.

    “The commissioner used the medium to debunk the news that the government has asked Ebonyi indigenes resident in Anambra to leave the state.

    “She said if you must live in the state, you must abide by their order or go to another state, as Anambra government will not condone any act that will distort the peaceful relationship of the citizens.”

  • Ikpeazu announces poly workers’ promotion

    Ikpeazu announces poly workers’ promotion

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has announced the promotion of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba workers.

    Dr. Ikpeazu, who yesterday announced this at the institution’s pavilion during a town hall meeting with workers of the polytechnic, said the promotion was across board.

    The governor, who urged the management and workers to put heads together and see how they could improve the quality of teaching, said: “The workers should give the rector the desired cooperation and the rector should engage transparently. Make this town hall meeting the highest decision-making body.”

    The acting Rector, Associate Professor Haglar Okorie, promised the governor the support of workers and students.

  • ‘My journey into piggery business’ – SMV boss Kelechi Amadi

    ‘My journey into piggery business’ – SMV boss Kelechi Amadi

    Nigerians all over the world now see the Agricultural sector as a growing and profitable business venture to invest in.

     Princess Kelechi Amadi, the founder of Supreme Meat Ventures has hearkened to the clarion call  by joining farmers league. She is into pig farming.

     Amadi stated that her pig farming  which started in 2016 at the Oke-Aro pig farm settlement, Ogun State has grown  with the assistance of her mum  who assisted her with the initial  fund.

    ”After my NYSC programme,I didn’t want to stay idle even as I was actively searching for a white-collar job. I stumbled on Oke Aro piggery farm (the largest pig farm in West Africa), and that was where my journey started. What started out of necessity to stay busy has blossomed into my passion”.

    Amadi maintained that starting young has helped her withstand some business setbacks.

    “In a way, I guess starting young has helped me withstand some business setbacks that would otherwise have been completely disastrous if I were much older. One of such setbacks was the swine flu that hit my pig farms in  2020”.

    The enterprising damsel stated that she has not faced any stereotype in her industry.

    ‘’I am not sure about the stereotypes other women face in their fields. But for me, initially it was hard to gain the respect of my staff members especially since it’s male-dominated. But over the years, they saw my diligence and tenacity. Today, they have tremendous respect for me”.

  • Hyde, Pedro shortlisted by WEF as Young Global Leaders

    Hyde, Pedro shortlisted by WEF as Young Global Leaders

    An educationist, Peace Hyde and Founder of Bella Naija, Uche Pedro  have been shortlisted by  the World Economic Forum (WEF) as Young Global Leaders .

    This is in keeping with the tradition of identifying the world’s most promising leaders under 40. 

    The  Forum  announced the Class of 2023 into the Forum of Young Global Leaders, its prestigious community of outstanding people addressing the world’s most pressing problems and driving innovation for positive change across civil society, the arts, culture, government and business.

      Ghanaian Media maven  Hyde was  selected to join this global community of gamechangers, disruptors and visionaries who are leading their countries and serving their communities and launching ground breaking initiatives inspiring new waves of social change.

      Hyde, who has achieved many ground-breaking firsts including securing the first ever Netflix Unscripted Original for Africa with the hit reality TV series, Young, Famous and African, which has been renewed for multiple seasons, also doubles as the West Africa correspondent and head of digital media and partnerships for Forbes Africa as well as an award-winning producer.

    Her journalistic work has won her the prestigious Sanlam award for excellence in Financial Journalism as well as a winner of four prestigious film festival awards including the Los Angeles Film Festival and the UK Top Shorts Film Festival for her documentary “Inside Nigeria’s push to end police Brutality” for Vice News.

    Hyde an education activist is also the founder of ‘Aim Higher Africa’, an initiative designed to empower impoverished children and young adults with skills and tools to help them create long lasting and sustainable opportunities that will transform their communities for the better. The charity drives skills training and entrepreneurship initiatives across Ghana and Nigeria.

    Among her many achievements, Hyde was also shortlisted as an Obama Foundation leader, an initiative launched by US president Barrack Obama which selected from a rigorous vetting process only 20 leaders from a group of 35,000 leaders across the African continent who are impacting Africa.

    Joining her on the list is leading media entrepreneur  Pedro, Founder of Bella Naija as well as Margaret Zhang, Editor-In-Chief, Vogue China.

    Over the next three years, the Class of 2023 will convene to identify innovative solutions and champion ways to scale up and accelerate each other’s impact. From Harvard Business School to Davos, the Young Global Leaders are going to be engaged on several stakeholder levels to help provide solutions to some of the worlds pressing issues.

    During the announcement, the head of the forum of Young Global Leaders, Wadia Ait Hamza said: “The aim of the forum is to create a proactive multi stakeholder community of the world’s most dynamic and innovative leaders to inform decision making and mobilise transformation. This year’s class is no different as it is packed with brilliant minds and passionate leaders from business, civil society and academia”

  • Is Debo Fadola game changer in Ifedore politics?

    Is Debo Fadola game changer in Ifedore politics?

    Ifedore is one of the 18 Local Government Areas in Ondo State and that is where Prince Adebowale Emmanuel Fadola hails from. Ifedore is however one of the most politically conscious local government in the Sunshine State.

     Anyone that is familiar with the politics of Ifedore in the last one decade would readily agree that the local government has been in the hands of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. Despite the fact that Ondo is an APC controlled state, the umbrella party won the 2019 presidential election in Ifedore while the incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu also lost in the same local government during his re-election  bid in October 2020. These are few instances to buttress the claim that Ifedore was a stronghold of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

    However, this narrative has since changed from the very day that Prince Adebowale Emmanuel Fadola joined the Ifedore chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Although the oil marketer has been neck deep in philanthropic activities across Ondo State even before he ever thought of venturing into partisan politics. Prior to the time he joined the APC in Ifedore, Prince Aderosoye as he is popularly known across Ondo State has already amassed a large number of organic supporters within and outside of Ifedore Local Government Area.

    Meanwhile, the inroad of Prince Dero into Ifedore Politics can be described as very seamless due to  the effective influence of his goodwill and charismatic personality. Upon joining the APC in Ifedore, the Lagos State University alumnus promptly made his influence felt and began charting a new and better course for the political party.

    Since a golden fish would naturally not have any hiding place, the Ilara-Mokin born Aderosoye was prevailed upon by his supporters in 2022 to vie for a seat in the Ondo State House of Assembly. He nonetheless agreed, albeit reluctantly and opted to put his popularity to test in the primary election. He however narrowly lost the election to the preferred candidate of the state governor and APC state chairman.

    As a true party man, Fadola still offered to support the man that was imposed on the party in the House of Assembly primary election contrary to the wish of majority of party members. This display of sportsmanship spirit in addition to the strong political influence largely informed the choice of Dero as the Campaign Director General of the APC in the 2023 general elections in Ifedore Local Government Area.

    Upon his appointment as the Campaign Director General of APC elections in Ifedore, the 46-year-old graduate of Public Administration immediately rallied all gladiators of the party and also ensured that every member of APC in Ifedore was on the same page ahead of the 2023 general elections. The favourable outcome of the elections was simply unprecedented in the political history of Ifedore. Prince Aderosoye worked extremely hard and was able to deliver landslide victories for the APC presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates in Ifedore.

    Prince Fadola has undoubtedly become a household name across Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency of Ondo State. He is genuinely loved by the people and impacts of his selfless service to humanity resonates across his immediate local government and other parts of Ondo State. The Chief Executive Officer of Faetoaig Nigeria Limited has really touched and transformed so many lives through his Aderosoye Fadola Foundation. Several indigent but brilliant students have enjoyed academic lifelines through the magnanimity of Aderosoye Fadola Foundation.

    He has also organized several health outreaches for the people of his immediate community and across the length and breath of Ifedore Local Government. The Aderosoye Fadola Foundation has on several occasions given succour to the downtrodden within and outside of Ifedore. The foundation had on several occasions selflessly given palliatives items to the people of Ifedore during the Covid-19 lockdown.

    Leaders of thoughts as well as political leaders across Ifedore Local Government had shared great testimonies about Prince Adebowale Emmanuel Fadola. The Chairman of APC in Ifedore Local Government, Hon. Tunde Fawoyi glowingly spoke about the obviously kind hearted Prince Aderosoye thus, ” Aderosoye is a major financier and pillar of support for APC in Ifedore. He is also a philanthropist and I am one of the beneficiaries of his kindheartedness . I can confirm to you that I and the other 9 executive members of Ifedore APC have been on the payroll of Fadola since he joined our party.

    “Aderosoye has bought cars, motorcycles, laptops and other important items for our party members across Ifedore. He is a very refined politician and his style of politicking is a total departure from the politics that we are used to. As a matter of fact, he is so magnanimous and selfless that most of us are tempted to see him as a spirit being.

    “The most shocking thing about him was the empowerment  he organised for  3,500 persons shortly after he lost the House of Assembly primary election. More shocking was the fact that he even agreed to serve as the Campaign DG for the election of his opponent that was practically foisted on the party by the  powers that be. He was even the one begging us at a point not to have issues with the governor and state party chairman.

    “I can confirm to you that our victory in the last general election was largely attributable to the roles, support and influence of Prince Aderosoye. The man is never tired of helping people. He spent so much of his personal money to support Ifedore APC in his capacity as the DG of our campaign and everyone in our local government can attest to this fact. Honestly, the man is from a different planet”.

    Another APC chieftain from Ibule community in Ifedore, Mr. Richard Adeyemi also gave wonderful testimony about Prince Aderosoye Fadola thus, ” Prince Dero is a very humble and down to earth man. He is a rare breed politician whose clout cut across the three zones in Ifedore Local Government Area. Prince Aderosoye is fully on ground and genuinely loved by the old and young in Igbara-Oke, Ilara and Ijare zones of Ifedore. He is an extremely generous person and this is a fact.

    “He is not occupying any political office, yet people are always flocking around him. This should speak more on the extent of his generosity. Aderosoye is a poltician with a uniquely good heart. He contested an election and lost to the power that be, yet he did not run away or stop offering assistance to Ifedore people. Any politician that is desperate for power would have easily defected to another political party after he had lost the primary election and Aderosoye would have truly caused a major upset in the political firmament of Ifedore.

    “It is more surprising that he agreed to serve as the Campaign DG of APC in Ifedore and this truly turned things around for the party. The victories recorded by the Ifedore APC  in both the 2023 presidential and national assembly elections were simply unprecedented and all thanks to God and uncommon contributions of Prince Aderosoye

    He has been able to bring every member of the party together through his uncommon leadership style. He is a major financier of APC in Ifedore and the result is there for everyone to see”.

    More so, the Assistant Treasurer of APC in Ondo State who also hails from Ifedore,  Mrs Damilola Oluyemi popularly known as Jargaban equally gave her own testimony about Prince Emmanuel Fadola. She said:  ” Aderosoye is an important member of APC in Ifedore and Ondo State at large. He has been using his resources and time to support all our party members in Ifedore. Even without being a political office holder, he has taken it upon himself to give financial support to widows and the needy in Ifedore.

    “He contested for House of Assembly seat but lost to the zoning arrangement of our party leaders. Prince Fadola was subsequently made the DG of APC Campaign in Ifedore and he surprisingly accepted the offer. He spent his money and time to mobilize and organize all our party members in Ifedore for the 2023 election. At the end, our party won the presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives elections in Ifedore with landslide margins”.

    The alumna of Brunel University in London and the widely travelled Depot Operational Supervisor of Aiteo Energy Resources is a devout Christian. He is happily married to his heartthrob with responsible children. Aderosoye Fadola unwinds by engaging in travelling, reading and keeping abreast with Nigerian politics.

  • Seven held over Ebonyi monarch’s murder

    Seven held over Ebonyi monarch’s murder

    Police in Ebonyi have confirmed the arrest of seven suspects in the murder of a monarch, Eze Igbokwe Ewa.

    The 76-year-old was killed on February 27, in his Umu-Ezekoha community, Ezza North council by gunmen.

    Police spokesperson Onome Onovwakpoyeya, in a statement, said the arrest of the subjects followed a formal complaint at the Divisional Police Headquarters Achiagu Ezza North LGA by his son Igbokwe Samuel Onyema.

    She noted that a petition dated March 1, 2023, was also received by the police from St. Sen Solicitors on behalf of Prince Igbokwe Collins Emeka and family.

    “Shortly, the complainant made useful statements to the police indicting one Prof. Bernard Odoh and nine others,” she said.