The Nation Newspaper

Category: News Update

  • Twin blasts rock Damascus suburb

    Twin blasts rock Damascus suburb

    At least 20 people have been killed and many injured by two bomb explosions in a south-eastern district of Syria’s capital, Damascus, activists told the BBC.

    The Sana news agency said “terrorists” were behind the blasts in Jaramana.

    Television pictures showed firemen hosing down the charred wrecks of two vehicles. Several buildings also appeared to have been damaged.

    BBC says there were clashes between government forces and rebels there earlier on Wednesday.

    There has been fierce fighting in recent days in the countryside around Damascus, known as the Ghouta, particularly in eastern areas.

    The Local Co-ordination Committees (LCC), an opposition activist network, said 48 people were killed in the capital and its suburbs on Tuesday. It put the nationwide death toll at 131, including 12 children.

    The rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) overran an air force base in the Sayyida Zainab area, to the south of Damascus, and fought off several attempts by security forces to storm several suburbs, the LCC added.

    Activists estimate that more than 40,000 people have died since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011.

     

  • ‘7.5m female students drop out of schools’

    ‘7.5m female students drop out of schools’

    The Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday said that of the 10 million primary and secondary schools drop out nationwide 7.5 million were females.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu in Abuja.

    It stated that Wike made this known while declaring open a capacity building workshop to scale up Mothers’ Association at senatorial level in Sokoto.

    According to the statement, the figure is not good for the future of the girl-child in the country.

    The statement said the workshop was organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) office for the seven states of the North West geo-political zone.

    Wike tasked mothers in the North West zone to shape the future of their female children and to ensure that they enrolled them into schools.

    The minister was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Education in the ministry, Mrs. Elizabeth Omotowa.

    Wike also said the capacity building workshop was aimed at empowering mothers to shore up the enrolment capacity of children in their communities.

    “We believe that the children are closer to their mothers and that the mothers can make impact in the lives of the children, especially the girls in their community to encourage them to attend school,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the minister as saying in the statement.

    Wike expressed optimism that the capacity building would meet the ministry’s set objectives through improved enrolment among girls.

     

     

  • BPE DG Onagoruwa sacked

    BPE DG Onagoruwa sacked

    The Director -General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises, Mrs. Bolanle Onogoruwa, has been relieved of her appointment.

    The sack which was contained in a terse statement signed by the media aide to the Vice President, Mr. Umar Sani is with immediate effect.

    She is to hand over to the most senior Director in the Bureau, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, who is to hold the position in an acting capacity.

    The statement reads:

    “The Director -General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) Mrs. Bolanle Onogoruwa has been relieved of her appointment with immediate effect. She is to hand over to the most Senior Director in the Bureau, Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki who is to hold the position in an acting capacity.

    “Mr. President extends his sincere appreciation to Mrs. Onogoruwa for her services to the nation and wishes her the best in her future endeavours. “

    Though no official reason was given for the sack, but findings revealed that it might not be unconnected with the controversy generated by the Manitoba power management agreement.

    The Nation learnt that though the process leading to the award of the contract to the Canadian firm was transparent, the former BPE boss was however said to have acted unilaterally on the issue.

    Besides, the country was said to have been short changed as the contract was undervalued.

    BPE, by laws certified all contracts entered into by the government.

     

  • Jonathan approves two nominees for Merit Award

    Jonathan approves two nominees for Merit Award

    President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the conferment of Nigerian National Order of Merit Award on two distinguished Nigerians for 2012.

    A statement signed on Tuesday by Secretary, Nigerian National Merit Award, Mr. Adamu Mu`azu, named the nominees as Prof. Samuel Ohaegbulam, a pioneer in the field of neuro-surgery in Nigeria and Prof. Emmanuel Yoloye, an expert in Education Psychology, Chemistry and Science Education.

    The statement stated that the duo would be decorated with the NNOMA on December 6, by President Jonathan at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to the statement, the duo had passed through the litmus test of NNOMA.

    In line with the Transformation Agenda of the present administration and to enhance further research works, each recipient would be given a cash award of N10 million, it said.

    It added that the recipients would also be entitled to a medal and a certificate.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the NNOMA has been conferred on only 60 Nigerians from all walks of life since its inception in 1979.

    Prospective recipients are either nominated by persons or a group of persons who feel that the nominees have distinguished themselves nationally and internationally in various spheres of life.

     

  • JTF recovers buried ammunition in Damaturu

     

    The Joint Task Force in Yobe on Tuesday said it recovered 5,207 rounds of assorted ammunition buried in a hideout in Kandahar area of Damaturu.

    JTF spokesman, Lt. Lazarus Eli, said in a statement in Damaturu that the items were recovered on Monday during a search operation in the area.

    He said two pistols, a rifle, three hand grenades and Improvised Explosive Devices were also recovered during the operation.

    “The ammunition were lubricated to avoid rust, concealed in plastic cans and buried,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the JTF spokesman as saying in the statement.

    He urged members of the public to report suspicious persons and materials in their areas and restated the determination of the force to provide security to the people of the state.

     

  • NFF meets Wednesday on AFCON, others

    NFF meets Wednesday on AFCON, others

    The Nigeria Football Federation will meet on Wednesday in Abuja to deliberate on among other things the country’s preparation for next year’s African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    MTNFootball.com reports that the NFF executive committee will also discuss the issues concerning the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), which has caused a delay in the kick-off of the new season.

    President of the NFF, Aminu Maigari, told MTNFootball.com several other issues concerning the game will be discussed at the meeting.

    Maigari maintained that the board members are united and committed to deliver results.

    “There is no crack whatsoever in the executive committee of the NFF.

    “Even in a family, members disagree to agree and this is what is happening, but on Wednesday all issues would be put to rest,” he said.

    Maigari also confirmed that the NFF Annual General Assembly will take place in Port Harcourt on December 13 despite opposition by some stakeholders after the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amechi, dismissed the NFF as a corrupt body recently.

    “The AGA will take place on December 13 in Port Harcourt. Arrival of delegates is December 12 and on the morning of December 13, we will pay the Governor a courtesy call,” he disclosed.

     

  • FG restates commitment to diversification of economy

    FG restates commitment to diversification of economy

    Federal Government has reassured that it is committed to the diversification of the nation’s economic base.

    Vice President Namadi Sambo said the government is already looking beyond oil and gas revenue.

    He spoke on Monday at a Command Performance/Dinner in honour of participants of the ongoing Abuja National Carnival where he stood in for President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Sambo noted that Federal Government would continue to promote the rapid and sustainable growth of the tourism and culture sector of the national economy.

    The sector, he said provides economic development option with high capacity for economic empowerment, employment opportunities, poverty reduction as well as good returns on investment.

    He further noted that the sector had potentials to make Nigeria a number one tourists’ destination in the world.

    He said,”The laudable dreams that gave birth to the carnival have continued to motivate its annual celebration, anchored on the recognition that there exists a nexus between culture and the economic and technological growth of a nation.

    “The economic dimension of the carnival is quite exciting. It embraces a chain of activities ranging from street carnival, durbar, children fiesta, cultural night, traditional food fair and bush bar, boat regatta, command performance and contemporary music fiesta.

    “The sector provides economic development option with high capacity for economic empowerment, employment opportunities, poverty reduction as well as good returns on investment. It also has potentials to make Nigeria a number one tourists’ destination in the world.

    “Interestingly, the Abuja Carnival has proven to be one successful step in directing attention to the untapped huge investment opportunities in Nigeria’s exceptionally rich and diverse cultural and artistic heritage.”

     

  • Insecurity: PDP is not a security agency -Tukur

    Insecurity: PDP is not a security agency -Tukur

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Bamangar Tukur, has replied critics over the spate terrorists’ attacks in the country.

    He said on Tuesday that the PDP should not be blamed for the current security situation in the country, saying that the party is not a security agency.

    He however, said PDP is worried by the challenge of insecurity in the country.

    He spoke against the backdrop of the last Sunday’s bombing of a church at the Staff and Command College, Jaji, Jos, and subsequent attack at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on Monday in Abuja.

    Tukur while responding to questions from state house Correspondents shortly after a meeting with top officials of the African National Congress (ANC) led by its Treasurer-General, said the security situation in the country requires all hands to be on deck; adding that this informed why the party is laying emphasis on the need for everyone to be security conscious and pass any vital information to the security agencies that will facilitate check-mating the spate of insecurity.

    The PDP national chairman further expressed optimism that the security agencies in the country were doing their best to ensure that the challenge of insecurity is addressed.

    On the meeting between the PDP leadership and that of the ANC, Tukur cited that ANC being a big party with volume of experiences could collaborate in exchange of ideas with the PDP.

    Earlier, the ANC Treasurer- General, Matthew Fosa, explained that the meeting of the two parties was meant to foster relationship between the two countries for socio-economic development.

    He cited that the relationship can further stimulate trade between the two countries.

     

  • Fashola approves new Governing Council for LASU

    Fashola approves new Governing Council for LASU

    The Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has approved the constitution of a new Governing Council for the Lagos State University (LASU).

    The state`s Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe, announced the approval of the 12- man council in a statement released on Tuesday in Ikeja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that those listed by the state government are – Mr. Olabode Agosto, a foremost financial expert, as the Chairman of the council, Mr. Leo Ekeh, Chairman, Zinox Computers and Dr. Leke Pitan, a former Commissioner for Health.

    Other members, according to the statement, are Mrs. Ibikun Awosika, Mr. Yomi Hotonou, Mr. Sam Omatseye, Prof.Shafideen Amuwo, Mr. Jide Adeoye, Mr. Karim Olaseinde, Mrs. Fatima Wali-Abdulrahman and Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya.

    The statement said the governor also approved the replacement of three members of the Governing Council of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), whose tenure had expired.

    It listed the new council members as Mr. Abiodun Ogunleye, Mrs. Victoria Peregrino and Mrs. Oludapo Odunlami.

    While commending the outgoing council members of the two institutions for their dedication to service, Ogunlewe enjoined the appointees to do their best to further move the institutions forward.

     

     

  • First organ transplant surgeon dies

    First organ transplant surgeon dies

    Dr. Joseph Murray, the surgeon who performed the world’s first successful human organ transplant, has died.

    He was 93.

    BBC says the Nobel Prize winner passed away at the same Boston Hospital where, almost six decades ago, he performed the surgery that would transform medicine.

    In December 1954, Dr. Murray made history when he transplanted a kidney between identical twins.

    He learned his craft during World War II, treating badly burnt soldiers.

    By performing skin grafts on troops, he realised the biggest obstacle in the procedure was the immune system’s rejection of foreign tissue.

    Working at Boston’s Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, he and colleagues managed to successfully transplant kidneys on dogs.

    Using the new surgical techniques, he took the healthy kidney of 23-year-old Ronald Herrick and transplanted it into his identical twin, Richard, who had kidney failure. Richard lived another eight years.

    In 1962, with the arrival of drugs to suppress the immune response, he completed the first successful organ transplant from an unrelated donor.

    His work led to hundreds of thousands of transplants in America alone and sparked an ongoing ethical debate.

    Dr. Murray was a deeply religious man. He told the Harvard University Gazette in 2001: “Work is a prayer. And I start off every morning dedicating it to our Creator.”