The Nation Newspaper

Category: News Update

  • Subsidy fraud: ‘Tukur, Alao sons discussing with EFCC’

    Subsidy fraud: ‘Tukur, Alao sons discussing with EFCC’

    Two oil marketers, Mahmud Tukur and Abdullahi Alao on Tuesday informed the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, that they were in discussion with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, regarding the charges preferred against them.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Tukur and Alao were charged to court for an alleged N1.8 billion fuel subsidy fraud.

    The defendants are sons of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and prominent businessman, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao, respectively.

    They were arraigned alongside Ochonogor Alex and Eternal Oil and Gas Plc before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos High Court.

    The defendants had pleaded not guilty and were each granted bail in the sum of N20 million.

    At the resumed proceedings on Tuesday, the defence counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun and Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (both Senior Advocates of Nigeria), hinted the court of the talks between the parties.

    Olanipekun said:”We have studied the processes filed by the prosecution.

    “We as senior counsel, owe it as a duty to our clients to enter into discussion with the prosecution regarding the charge.

    “That is why we did not challenge the charge when it was filed.

    “We are, therefore, asking the court to give us more time to engage in this discussion, so that the matter can be speedily resolved.”

    EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) also confirmed that both parties were talking.

    The judge acceded to their request and adjourned the matter to December 15 for mention.

     

  • Why oil spill must stop – Saraki

    Why oil spill must stop – Saraki

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, said it is high time multinational oil companies in the country stop oil spills.

    He said this has become necessary because of its devastating effect on the environment and livelihoods of the people.

    Saraki spoke during the opening of a public hearing on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Amendment Bill 2012 in Abuja organized by the Senate Joint Committee.

    He lamented that the statistics on oil spills in the country is “shameful” while the impact on the environment is “offensive.”

    He noted that the Bill titled: “An Act to amend the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) establishment, etc, Act 2006 and for other matters connected therewith” was aimed at redressing the legal loopholes in the existing Act.

    Saraki said: “Oil spill is ravaging our environment and has become one of the greatest threats to our sustainable development.

    “This amendment Bill is a clarion call to us all, to put a stop to this.

    “The statistics on oil spills in Nigeria is shameful; the impact on the environment is offensive.

    “It can no longer be business as usual.”

    He noted that the level of spills in the country is a reflection of the “total disregard placed on our environment and the dignity of our people.”

     

     

     

  • Reps to investigate issuance of drivers’ licence

    Reps to investigate issuance of drivers’ licence

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday directed its Committee on Federal Road Safety Commission to investigate the indiscriminate issuance of driver’s licence.

    The committee is expected to report its findings to the house within four weeks.

    This resolution followed a motion by Hon. Ezenwa Onyewuchi which was unanimously adopted without debate.

    Onyewuchi said that the aim of the motion was to ensure sanity on our roads.

    He noted that the driver’s licence regime had been commercialised to the extent that it could be acquired from the road side.

    “It is only in Nigeria that one can purchase a driver’s licence, “the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the lawmaker as saying on Tuesday.

    According to him, the FRSC Act, 2007 empowered the commission to investigate and certify driving schools as well as minimise accidents on the highways.

    He identified lack of proper training as a major cause of road accidents on Nigerian roads.

    The motion was referred to the committee on FRSC for further legislative inputs.

    Similarly, the House has urged the FRSC to exercise its statutory function as provided in the Act to minimise accidents caused by abandoned articulated vehicles.

    This resolution followed a motion by Hon. Henry Ofonogo which was adopted without debate.

    Ofonogo alleged that instead of the FRSC carrying out its statutory function, it constituted itself into a revenue generating outfit.

     

  • ANA names five winners for literary awards

    The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) announced winners for five of its 2012 literary awards.

    It did not name a winner for the sixth category, Children Literature.

    The Vice President of the association, Mr. Denja Abdullahi, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja that a total of 86 works were entered for the six categories of the award.

    Abdullahi said “Pride of the Spider Clan” written by Odili Ujubuonu won the ANA Prose Fiction Prize, while “Children of the River” written by Nnamdi Okose, won the prize for play writing.

    The ANA/Gabriel Okara Poetry Prize went to Karo Okokoh for his work, “Songs of a Griot.”

    Other winners are Umari Ayim for the ANA Poetry Prize while the ANA Prize for Drama was won by “Hard Choice” written by Sunnie Ododo.

    According to Abdullahi, a few older writers sent in their new works for consideration, adding that it was a good sign that creative writing was still thriving in the country.

    He called on publishers to improve the packaging of the materials and editing of the manuscripts.

    ANA did not select a winner for the Children’s literature category because “the entries did not follow ANA’s guidelines.

    Prof. John Sarpong of Ghana, who headed the selection panel, told NAN the entries did not qualify as Children’s Literature because the authors used “big” English.

    To write a children’s book, “one must come down to the level of a child and think like one to get a good result,” he said.

     

  • Airlines get ultimatum on new safety device

    Airlines get ultimatum on new safety device

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has given domestic airlines six months ultimatum to install the newest safety gadget in the aviation industry, Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) in their aircraft or face severe sanctions.

    The Director-General of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos while fielding questions from journalists at the ongoing Airbus Industry Workshop for indigenous airline operators.

    He, however, said that so far, all the country’s airline operators were interested in fixing the equipment into their airplanes and disclosed that it cost NCAA about $30,000 to acquire and install the equipment in its headquarters in Lagos.

    For the airlines, he said it would cost them more, but they could pay in installment to the manufacturer of the equipment after the initial payment of about $60, 000 on each aircraft.

    He said, “I think we are giving them six months to install the gadgets in their airplanes. We need to give them sometime. It is not a thing you can do in one day. After that, no aeroplane would operate in the public category without the safety device. I think it is good to promote safety in the industry.

    “Any snag would be detected automatically. Every one of them wants to do it. Look, if you think this is expensive, go and try accident. It is the latest in the world. You know we have been complaining that pilots don’t record snags in their logbooks, but this automatically records everything. You can’t hide or change it. Everyone would have it; the airline and even the NCAA. We will know the problem and we would be able to fix it.

    “It is a fraction of the money they will use to buy an airplane. It’s nothing. The system entirely for NCAA cost us about $30, 000. For the airlines, we are talking of initial payment of $60,000 and then a yearly payment till they finish paying.”

    On the workshop, Demuren commended the aircraft manufacturer for conducting the training for Nigerian airline operators, saying that this would further boost safety in the Nigerian aviation industry.

    Also speaking on the issue, the International Safety Programme Director, Airbus, Mr. Marc Ballion, said that the AFIRS would automatically be fixed on all its aircraft from 2015.

     

  • Nine feared dead in Delta community clash

    Nine feared dead in Delta community clash

    Irate youths on Tuesday razed down the palace of Ovie of Idjerhe, Ethiope West local government area of Delta State, after the monarch insisted on handing over a suspected murderer to the police.

    It was learnt that the youths insisted on meting jungle justice to the suspected murderer whom the youths fingered in attacks on residents.

    The Nation gathered that the monarch, HRM Erhiekevwe 1, Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom and his immediate family are in hiding after he escaped with severe injuries.

    But in swift reaction, Delta State Police Command has arrested 12 persons over the mayhem

    The Police image-maker in the state, DSP Charles Muka, who confirmed the incident, said security agents have been drafted to quell the crisis

    Eight persons, our correspondent gathered, have been shot dead after soldiers stormed the community in a bid to quell the crisis.

    However, one soldier has been reportedly killed after youths attacked army personnel deployed to the area.

    The Nation gathered that trouble started following incessant machete attacks on residents by unknown persons.

    Five persons, according to residents of the community, have been attacked since Sunday, resulting in the death of a woman.

    The attacks which continued unabated have caused apprehension among residents.

    Many had refrained from going to farms as a result of the attacks.

     

  • Abductors of journalist’s wife demand N10m ransom

    The four unknown gunmen, who kidnapped Marian, the wife of Jimitota Onoyume of Vanguard Newspaper, have demanded N10 million ransom.

    Onoyume’s wife was kidnapped on Monday morning.

    The Nissan Quest car, with which Marian was taking their two daughters to school at about 7:30am, has been recovered, but the journalist’s wife’s whereabouts remain unknown.

    Onoyume, a Port Harcourt-based journalist, is pleading with the fully-armed kidnappers to release his wife unconditionally.

    His wife was kidnapped at the Onoyumes’ Eku hometown in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State and moved to an unknown destination.

    “They (kidnappers) called me with my daughter’s MTN line (08109808162), demanding N10 million as ransom.

    “I pleaded with them that I had never held a million naira before. They said I have an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle), that I am a rich man.

    “I again begged them that the jeep was bought as fairly used and it is 1995 model of Pathfinder.

    “I begged them to please release my wife. That I am a reporter and journalists are not known to be rich. We may be seen on television, but we are only doing our job. They later said I should send MTN airtime, which I did.

    “My wife’s car has been recovered. It was abandoned at Abraka, Ethiope East LGA of Delta state (the seat of Delta State University, DELSU), “ the apparently perplexed husband said on Tuesday.

     

  • DMO appoints Stanbic IBTC as FG’s broker

    DMO appoints Stanbic IBTC as FG’s broker

    The Debt Management Office has appointed Stanbic IBTC Brokers Limited as stockbroker to man Federal Government’s bond in the capital market.

    The Director -General of DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, made this known in Abuja on Tuesday at the signing of the agreement between the two organisations.

    He said the process of selecting the national stockbroker was transparent and that the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the National Pension Commission were part of the selection process, among others.

    Nwankwo said that the involvement of the three organisations and others had made the process acceptable and would help to improve the bond market.

    He urged the stockbroker to adopt the best practice and be guided by the fact that there might be shocks in the market.

    Nwankwo said the appointment of IBTC stockbroker to man government’s bond was also aimed at ensuring that the bond market was properly listed and accepted at the stock exchange.

    Responding, the Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, gave assurance that the company would carry out the function effectively.

    She said the bank would educate the public on the issue of bond and ensure best practice, and noted that the capital market was deep and could accommodate shocks or turbulence.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that as a result of the agreement, Stanbic IBTC Brokers Limited will now be responsible for providing price for Federal Government bond on the floor of the stock exchange to enable retail investors to buy or sell.

    It will also liaise between the DMO, NSE, other stockbrokers and participants to ensure that all activities concerning the bond and Federal Government securities listed in the future are effective in the market.

     

  • Ameobi joins Eagles for Venezuela match

    Ameobi joins Eagles for Venezuela match

    Newcastle United striker, Shola Ameobi has joined the Super Eagles in Miami, United States, for Thursday’s international friendly with the Venezuelan national team, MTNFootball.com reports.

    However, late invitee Bright Ejike is still being awaited.

    “Ameobi was the last player to join the squad after his flight from England was rescheduled. As a result he could not be part of our first training.

    “But he is very excited to join the team for the first time and even called up his family on his arrival,” Eagles spokesman, Ben Alaiya, told MTNFootball.com.

    He is expected to be taken on a special drill before joining up with the rest of the squad for full training at the match venue.

    Timberwolves striker, Dike, who was a late call-up after the withdrawal of Chelsea stars Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, is the only player still being expected.

    Levante striker Obafemi Martins, Elderson Echiejile from Portuguese club Sporting Braga, Ogenyi Onazi from Lazio and goalkeeper Austin Ejide were among the players who trained at the Miami International Stadium.

    “Martins was all over the place in training. He wants to prove he deserves to be part of the team after a long absence.

    “He has promised to put in his best and see that Venezuela fall to justify his recall and make Nigerians happy,” Alaiya added.

    The match will kick off 8pm Miami time, which will be 2am Thursday in Nigeria.

     

  • Jonathan tasks African scientists on climate change

    Jonathan tasks African scientists on climate change

    President Goodluck Jonathan has stressed the need for African countries to key into global activities aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.

    The president spoke at the opening ceremony of the Annual Meeting of African Science Academies (AMASA 8) with the theme: “ Climate Change in Africa: Using Science to Reduce Risks.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the meeting took place in Lagos on Monday.

    Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Ita Ewa, said, “as a continent, we must now vigorously key into global activities to mitigate the effects of the phenomenon.

    “Beyond science, climate change is also about the future of Africa and the survival of its citizens.

    “Rather than discuss simply as representatives of science academies, participants should seize this platform to relate science and climate change to the future of our continent and humankind.”

    The president said that if the factors affecting climate change in the country were not adequately addressed, the situation would negatively affect food security.

    The Director- General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Dr. Anthony Anuforo, said the meeting would discuss how to mitigate disasters, especially flooding.

    Anuforo, who represented the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Odua-Ogiemwonyi, said the theme of the programme was appropriate against the background of recent events in Nigeria.

    The Chairperson of the African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI), Dr. Enriqueta Bond, said that engaging policy-makers through the outcomes of the meetings could create a voice for African science academies.