The Nation Newspaper

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  • Israeli military accidentally kills  Israeli hostages in Gaza

    Israeli military accidentally kills  Israeli hostages in Gaza

    Three Israelis being  held hostage in by Hamas in Gaza were yesterday killed in what the  Israeli military called a mistake.

    The accident occurred during  a ground operation in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli military.

    The army’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said Israeli troops found the hostages and erroneously identified them as a threat. He said it was not clear if they had escaped their captors or been abandoned.

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    The deaths occurred in the Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where troops have engaged in fierce battles against Hamas militants in recent days.

    He said the army expressed “deep sorrow” and was investigating.

    The deaths were announced as a U.S. envoy said the U.S. and Israel were discussing a timetable for scaling back intense combat operations in the war against Hamas, even though they agree the overall fight will take months.

  • Nigeria’s oil and gas sector: Senate Committee commends LEE Engineering for contributions

    Nigeria’s oil and gas sector: Senate Committee commends LEE Engineering for contributions

    The Nigerian Senate Committee on Gas has lauded the patriotism and huge contributions of Lee Engineering and Construction Company Ltd, to the development of the Oil and Gas sector in Nigeria. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, who commended Lee Engineering for its unrelenting patriotism and huge investments in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria declared that the company’s patriotism, huge workforce of over four thousand employees (4,000) coupled with its value-addition drive in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria deserve the committee support in all its ramifications.

    In a letter personally signed by Senator Jarigbe (Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas) and addressed to the Managing Director and CEO of Lee Engineering, the Senate Committee said: “The Senate Committee on Gas writes to commend you on your activities in the Oil and gas sector in Nigeria. The Committee’s investigations revealed that you have invested hugely in the Oil and Gas industry, with a staff strength of over four thousand employees. We found no infractions associated with your company”.

    The Senate Committee while pledging to support Lee Engineering and Construction Company Ltd, as one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous companies in the oil and gas sector operating as a frontline Engineering, procurement, construction, operations and maintenance company (EPCOM), noted thus: “The Committee commends you (Lee Engineering & Construction Company Ltd) for your patriotism and pledge to support you in adding value and creating wealth for the Nation.”

    It would be recalled that Lee Engineering and Construction Company Ltd was among fifteen firms invited recently by the Senate Committee on Gas to throw light on operational milestones they have attained with facilities advanced to them individually under the supervision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ( which was provided by commercial banks) under stringent guidelines and protocols.

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     In its response, Lee Engineering and Construction Company Ltd, had in a detailed and convincing presentation made by the company’s legal adviser, Mr. Matthew Agbadon and, the firm’s Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, Mr. Benedict Ebalukhota, explained convincingly and explicitly its operational milestones with a multi- billionaire factory establishment in Warri, Delta State. Their presentation reads in part: “Lee Engineering has been in the oil and gas industry for 32 years with over 4, 000 employees. This particular project is one of the outfits of Lee Engineering and it’s located in Warri, Delta State. If the committee is ready to visit the project today, we are ready. It is 90 percent completed. It is billed for commissioning in the first quarter of next year.

    The company added: “Our factory is a multi-billion naira factory which specialize in the fabrication and manufacturing of vital equipment and components for the oil and gas industry facilities such as flow stations, refineries, petro-chemical gas plant processing and allied facilities.”

    Impressed with its findings, the Senate Committee on Gas consequently lauded and  applauded Lee Engineering’s enormous contributions to the development of the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria, stressing that the Committee will support the firm accordingly all the way.

  • Abia Teaching Hospital regains lost accreditation

    Abia Teaching Hospital regains lost accreditation

    The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has restored the accreditation of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) to graduate medical students, about three years after the accreditation was withdrawn by the council.

    This was disclosed to the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, yesterday, after the Accreditation Team of the MDCN, who had been in Abia to inspect the state of facilities and other prerequisites had concluded their visit and reached a verdict.

    “We just concluded our meeting with the team. To the glory of God, we have full accreditation to graduate medical students for the next five years; increase in our admission quota from 120 to 150 per session; renewed accreditation to train 60 house officers per annum for the next four years.

     “The number can be increased if we employ more full time consultants in the department of pediatrics. Thanks immensely. We are most grateful to the Executive Governor and to you. Remain blessed,” read a message sent to Dr Okoronkwo by a member of the Abia State University Accreditation Committee, led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Maxwell Ogbulu.

    Meanwhile, Governor Otti has sworn that never again would the State’s apex health learning institution, ABSUTH, be allowed to lose its accreditation by the regulatory authorities.

    Governor Otti spoke on Thursday when he received the Accreditation Team of the MDCN, who had visited him at Nvosi, Isialangwa, as matter of courtesy.

     The Governor assured that his government would look into all shortcomings identified by the accreditation team with a view to attending to them timeously.

    Read Also: National Assembly commends Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Affairs Policy

    He said his administration would do it’s best to remedy the lapses, adding that the restoration of accreditation to ABSUTH was a major priority to his government.

    Governor Otti remarked that the essence of governance is for the promotion of welfare and security of the people, hence the resolve of his administration to dedicate 20% and 15% of the state’s 2024 annual budget to education and health, respectively.

    The Governor also assured that his administration was committed to the proper staffing of all healthcare institutions in the state even as he stated that his focus was to ensure that Abians and residents had unhindered access to quality healthcare.

    Speaking earlier, the Registrar Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr. Tajudeen Adisa Sanusi, represented by the Deputy Registrar, Dr. Nnaemeka Nwakanma, thanked Governor Otti for the infrastructural uplift being witnessed in Abia State, but particularly in ABSUTH and other health institutions in the state.

    The Vice Chancellor, Abia State University (ABSU), Professor Maxwell Ogbulu; the pioneer Provost, ABSUTH, Professor Akpuaka; the Acting Provost, ABSUTH, Associate Professor John Chikezie; and other management staff of the institution were present during the visit by the MDCN accreditation team.

  • Lafarge restates commitment to development of host communities

    Lafarge restates commitment to development of host communities

    • •Gives bursary to students, donates classroom, motorcycles, others to residents

    Lafarge Africa PLC  has pledged  its commitment to the development of its host communities in Ogun State. To underscore its pledge, the cement-manufacturing company yesterday  held its community day , tagged: “Lafarge Community Day”, in Ewekoro, where it inaugurated series of community development projects and presented economic empowerment tools to residents of its host communities.

    Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, noted that in commemoration of its 2023 Community Day Celebration, the company inaugurated  several  Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)  projects in its various host communities across the country.

    The CEO ,who was represented by a staff of the company, Titilope Oguntuga, said the event is an annual event by Lafarge Africa to celebrate with its host communities, give back, and demonstrate its commitment to doing sustainable business in Nigeria as a responsible corporate citizen.

    According to him, the community day is celebrated across all the communities where the company has its operations – Ashaka, Gombe State; Mfamosing, Cross Rivers State and Ewekoro, Ogun State.

    He said in Ewekoro, the company had inaugurated several projects in each of the host communities around.

    He said: “These projects are results of meticulous planning and collaboration with community. We have engaged in training and equipping 48 individuals from our host communities with skills and tools to establish their businesses. We have  granted  bursaries to support 204 local students enrolled in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria. We also distributed educational materials such as school uniforms and writing supplies to enhance learning standards in public schools within our host communities.

    “The company provided business equipment to 192 elders residing across our host communities, supplies  health centres in Papalanto community with essential equipment and medicines. We constructed  a culvert in Wasinmi Alafia to improve access to the outside world.We furnished  staff quarters at Elebute community’s health centre and erected  a fence around the community town hall.

    The company   built a 100-meter reinforced concrete road in Alagutan community; renovating and fencing the Egbado Ajegunle health centre. It constructed a  staff quarters for the Itori community magistrate court. There is ongoing construction of a culvert in Olapeleke community, while we are  extending electrification services to the newly relocated Okeoko Egbado community.

    “We replaced  a 330KVA transformer at Okeoko Sekoni community and  another 330KVA transformer was given to  Akinbo community.

    Read Also: Shettima inaugurates core working group on fight against malnutrition

    The firm conducted medical outreach programmes and other initiatives aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of the Ewekoro community members. We also  distributed  over 5,000 exercise books to primary and secondary schools in the host communities.”

    Alade-Akinyemi assured that the company would not relent in its efforts at community development, restating its dedication to enduring legacies of progress and prosperity.

    Chairman of the Ewekoro Community Relations Committee, Chief Dotun Oderinde, who was represented  by Rev. Gbemisola Sunday, called on the company to increase budget for CSR as a result of inflation in the country.  He thanked the company for all it has done for the host communities. He urged the company to give more employment opportunities to youths in the communities.

    “The company has been doing well for these communities. Various projects have been launched, many women and youths have benefitted from their CSR programme. Over 200 students are benefitting from their bursary award every year. They give uniforms and notebooks  to indigent pupils in  various schools.

    But, we want Lafarge to increase  its budget for CSR because of  inflation in the country. We need more cooperation in the area of employment of sons and daughters of the community too,” he said.

    Other leaders and residents lauded the company for committing to the progress and development of their communities, while also pledging their support.

    Highpoint of the event was the presentation of the bursary cheque of over N20million   to students of tertiary institutions, distribution of  motorcycles, tricycles, educational materials, agricultural implements,among others.

    The 12 host communities hosting Lafarge include, Olapeleke,Papalanto, Akinbo, Ewekoro,Oke Oko Sekoni, Oke Oko Egbado, Wasinmi Alafia,Olujobi, Elebute, Alaguntan, Egbado Ajegunle and Itori.

  • Help retrieve our mandate, Bayelsa APC begs to Ganduje

    Help retrieve our mandate, Bayelsa APC begs to Ganduje

    Concerned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State on Friday stormed the National Secretariat of the party to appeal to the Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led National Working Committee (NWC) to help retrieve the victory of the party’s candidate in the November 11 Governorship Election.

    The group in a 3-page letter dated 6th December 2023 titled: “SOS: Bayelsa State APC Can No Longer Continue To Be The Sacrificial Lamb,” appealed to the National Chairman and the party not to abandon the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, his running mate, Great Joshua Maciver; insisting that they were robbed of victory.

    They complained that the party has abandoned the candidates, alleging that the state chapter of the party has again been used as a sacrificial lamb to satisfy some vested interests at the expense of the teeming members who worked for the party.

    The group also decried the reported acceptance of the outcome of the state’s governorship election by the national chairman shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Governor Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner.

    Read Also: National Assembly commends Tinubu’s 4D Foreign Affairs Policy

    The group also stated in the letter: “We also find very disheartening the statement credited to you (Ganduje) on the 24th of November 2023, wherein you were reported to have said, ‘We lost the election in Bayelsa, and we have conceded in good faith. You directed that the elections should be free, fair, and peaceful, and it was so.’ Mr. Chairman, sir, we make bold to say the governorship election in Bayelsa State was neither free nor fair, as it was characterised by intimidation, violence, and manipulation of results in favour of the PDP. “

    “We therefore with profound respect, beg to differ with your position on the Bayelsa State governorship election.

    “We, therefore, humbly, and passionately appeal that the party spares nothing at ensuring that the stolen mandate freely given to our party’s governorship candidate and his running mate is duly restored, as we can no longer afford to be the sacrificial lamb in every governorship election.”

  • IYC flays killing of soldiers, drivers, abduction of Koreans in Rivers

    IYC flays killing of soldiers, drivers, abduction of Koreans in Rivers

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has condemned in strong terms the killing of four soldiers and two drivers by unknown gunmen in Abua-Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State by unknown gunmen.

    Also, the council in a statement on Friday by its national spokesman, Ambassador Binebai Princewill, condemned in its entirety the kidnapping of two South Korean expatriates during the attack.

    Recall that yet-to-be-identified gunmen on Wednesday ambushed a convoy of Daewood Construction workers returning to their office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, along the Ahoada/Abua section of the East-West road in Rivers State, shooting dead four soldiers and two drivers.

    The gunmen also abducted two expatriate Korean workers in the convoy.

    Princewill called on those behind the dastardly act to urgently release the foreigners and desist from such acts forthwith.

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    He said: “Such kidnapping, attack and killing are not in line with the Ijaw and the Niger Delta struggle for resource control and self-determination. This is barbaric and highly unacceptable.

    “It is a clear case of criminality and a setback to efforts towards peace and stability of the region.  We therefore call on the relevant security agencies to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous crime, to serve as a deterrent to others.”

    The group, however, called on the military to display utmost professionalism in their pursuit of the criminals.

    “The innocent people of Abua-Odual Local Government Area and its neighbouring local governments in Rivers and Bayelsa states must not be subjected to unnecessary pains in the attempt to get the criminals.”

  • FG to facilitate investment in digital public infrastructure

    FG to facilitate investment in digital public infrastructure

    The Federal Government has announced its decision to develop a legal framework that will streamline and attract investment in digital public infrastructure.

    The initiative, spearheaded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), aims to attract investors and foster the automation of governance processes.

    Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, the Director-General of NITDA made this disclosure in Abuja at the 4th Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Lecture Series.

    The forthcoming legal framework, currently in its final stages, Abdullahi said will make it easier for both local and international investors to participate in the development of digital public infrastructure.

    The proposed legal framework aims to remove roadblocks for private investors, simplifying the process of financing and participating in the development of critical digital infrastructure like data centers, fiber optic networks, and cloud computing platforms.

    This strategic decision is expected to have a profound impact on the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises while bolstering the overall digital transformation of the country.

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    Abdullahi emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, “We are rounding off with a legal framework that will make it easier for investors to come and invest in digital public infrastructure because this will make it a lot easier for SMEs as well aid the automation of governance.”

    Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of DBN, Dr Tony Okpanachi acknowledged the transformative impact of the internet on human interaction and commerce.

    While recognising the challenges of security and poor infrastructure in Nigeria, he stressed the need for technology and a digitised business environment to overcome these obstacles.

    Okoanachi maintained that leveraging technology within MSME operations could enhance efficiencies, thus addressing one of the key obstacles to doing business in Nigeria.

  • Budget: Wike asks NASS to approve N17.1bn allocated for FCT

    Budget: Wike asks NASS to approve N17.1bn allocated for FCT

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has asked the National Assembly to approve the N17 billion appropriated for FCT Administration in the N27.5 trillion 2024 proposed National Budget.

    Wike made the appeal when he appeared before the Joint Session of the Senate and House Committees on FCT, in Abuja on Friday.

    He explained that N17.1 billion was allocated to the FCT Administration, adding that the amount was allocated to complete abandoned projects to sustain the implementation of critical projects.

    The minister said of the amount, N5 billion was allocated as a counterpart fund for the Greater Abuja Water Supply projects and N4.5 billion for the design and construction of Nigeria Cultural Centre and Millennium Tower.

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    He also said N3 billion was allocated for the rehabilitation of the Federal Secretariat, while N4 billion was allocated for the completion of the Vice President’s Residence.

    Wike added that N609.7 million for settlement of residential and office accommodation for international organisations in FCT.

    “The money is just N17.1 billion, so what can I say other than to say, please help us pass it,” the minister said.

    On the performance of the 2023 budget, Wike said a total of N15.5 billion was appropriated for infrastructural development, adding however, that only N8 billion was released representing 52 per cent.

    Responding, the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Mr. Ibrahim Bomai, acknowledged that all the projects were ongoing ones, adding that the funds would not be enough to complete the projects.

  • Lonely man kills self by hanging

    Lonely man kills self by hanging

    A lonely middle-aged man identified as Yakubu Mamza, has killed himself by hanging.

    Yakubu Mamza who lived in an uncompleted building at a housing estate in Jimeta, Yola, was found dangling from a rope tied to a rod on the fence of his abode, according to information obtained by The Nation Friday morning.

    Apart from the fact that he lived a lonely life and was a father of three children, all of them girls, there was no indication of what might have prompted the man to take his own life.

    This particular suicide comes just about two days after a young lady in neighbouring Viniklang, Girei Local Government Area, drank a local poison called Otapiyapiya and reportedly died after losing her lover to beer poisoning.

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    People with knowledge of the late Yakubu Mamza said he was separated from his wife about two years ago, following which he had been living alone.

    He was on his own at an abandoned housing project in the Yola neighborhood called 80 Housing Unit where he committed suicide.

    The Adamawa State Police Command was yet to speak on the incident up to Friday afternoon when this story was filed.

  • Tinubu is tackling banditry – Ansar-ud-Deen

    Tinubu is tackling banditry – Ansar-ud-Deen

    The Ansar-ud-Deen society of Nigeria has commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for tackling insecurity in the county.

    The Deputy National President of the association, Dr Adebayo Ibrahim, who gave the commendation while briefing reporters in Abuja on the commencement of the association’s centenary celebration, said banditry has reduced. Ibrahim urged Nigerians to continue to offer prayers for the leaders.

    He said: “Insecurity has been before this government. The previous government has done their best.

    “It is our duty as an Islamic organisation to offer prayers for our leaders. This administration has started very well. You can see that banditry is reducing. We can see that the budget of this year is a little better than last year. I’m sure in the near future security challenges will be over.”

    Read Also: Shettima inaugurates core working group on fight against malnutrition

    The Ansar-ud-Deen society of Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to provide quality education for the growing youths to enable them to be better citizens.

    Ibrahim, who expressed delight at the celebration, said that achieving a century was a significant milestone by any measure and by any organisation.

    According to him, a legacy that encompasses the paths of Islam and education, as advocated by Prophet Mohammed (SAW), which means to “read, read, and read.”