The Nation Newspaper

Category: News Update

  • Power bid: Consortium denies link with Babangida

    Power bid: Consortium denies link with Babangida

    Barely 24 hours after the Bureau of Public Enterprises conducted the bids for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, one of the preferred bidders, North South Power Company Limited, on Wednesday condemned the news linking it with the former military President, Ibrahim Babangida.

    In a statement made available to The Nation, the management said the consortium was neither backed nor sponsored by the former military president as widely reported in the media.

    The statement, signed by Dr. Olubunmi Peters on behalf of the management, listed four companies registered in Nigeria and another one registered in the United States as well the Niger State Government, as members of the consortium.

    The companies are XS Energy Limited (Nigeria), BP Investment Limited (Nigeria), Urban Shelter Limited (Nigeria), Transatlantic Development and Investment Company (United States), Roads Nigeria Plc (Nigeria), and Niger State Government.

    The statement said, “The attention of the management of North South Power Company Limited has been drawn to some news report in the national dailies, that North South Power Company Limited is backed or sponsored by General Ibrahim Babangida.

    “Our original inclination was to ignore the publication, but in order to set the records straight, we wish to bring to the knowledge of the media that Gen. Babangida is not a promoter or sponsor of North South Power Company Limited

    “The consortium is also backed by their technical partners, China International Water Electric and China Three Gorges Corporation.”

    The North-South Power Company Limited emerged the preferred bidder for Shiroro Generating Plant for $23.602m.

    Transnational Corporation emerged the preferred bidder with an offer of $300m for the 100 per cent government’s equity in Ughelli Power Generation Plant. The consortium beat two other bidders: Amperion Consortium, which offered $252m and Feniks Electricity’s offer of $54m.

    The second thermal station, Sapele Power Generation Plant, was won by a consortium – CMEC/EUAFRIC Energy which beat German Construction giant Julius Berger Nigeria Plc with the highest bid offer of $201m.

    The third thermal station, Geregu plant was won by another consortium – Amperion Power Distribution Company for $132m. The group was a lone bidder for the plant.

     

  • Senate seeks FG’s intervention over detained pilgrims

    Senate seeks FG’s intervention over detained pilgrims

    The Senate on Wednesday asked the Federal Government to explore necessary diplomatic means to ensure that over 1,000 Nigerian women pilgrims being prevented from entering Jedda perform this year’s hajj.

    This followed the adoption of a motion entitled: “Refusal of the Saudi Arabian authorities to grant entry to over 500 Nigerian female pilgrims.”

    The Senators unanimously urged the Federal Government to take all necessary steps and prevail on the Saudi authorities to grant the pilgrims entry to perform their religious obligation.”

    Emirs have already begun consultation on the next line of action following the refusal of Saudi Arabian authorities to allow the women pilgrims to enter Jedda.

    The motion was sponsored by Sen. Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi Central).

    Senate President David Mark noted that from the efforts made, it is clear that only the direct intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan can save the situation.

    He said: “We should ask the President to talk to the Saudi King. The Foreign Affairs Ministry officials have done all they can.

    “Let’s see that pilgrims perform their pilgrimage since they have gone thus far.”

    In his lead debate, Bagudu urged the Senate to note that starting from July 2012 that over 500 Nigerian female pilgrims from various states of the federation who arrived Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj were denied entry upon arrival at the airport in Jedda and Medina.

    He observed that Hajj is mandatory upon all Muslims who can afford it, at least once in their lifetime.

    He said it was in this respect that the pilgrims applied for and obtained visa to Saudi.

    He informed the Senate that all the requirements for visa and entry into Saudi Arabia had been met by the pilgrims and were still denied entry.

    He further noted that the Sultan of Sokoto who is the Amiral Hajj, Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi and Minister of Foreign Affairs have all intervened but to no avail.

    In his contribution, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) bemoaned intentional racism against Nigeria in Saudi Arabia.

    He lamented that inhuman treatment and discrimination against Africans especially Nigerians has been on the increase in the Islamic holy land.

     

  • Boko Haram insurgence causing internal migration – NPC

    Boko Haram insurgence causing internal migration – NPC

    The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Eze Festus Odimegwu on Wednesday raised an alarm that the Boko Haram insurgence is causing internal migration.

    Speaking in Abuja when the Regional Policy Lesion Officer of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ms. Alexia Scarlett visited the NPC headquarters, Odimegwu said urgent steps must be taken to avoid further crisis.

    Migration, he said is a critical issue which must be tackled by government with all supports from donor agencies.

    His words: “We are happy that you are a development partner involved in the promotion of migration as it affects development in Nigerian. We will ask that you continue to give us attention because migration has become a critical issue even in security of nations.

    “With some of the happenings in Nigeria, in our northeastern region which has to do with the Boko Haram insurgency and the problem of kidnapping in the South east there are obvious implications for internal migration from some of these regions to the other parts of the country.”

     

  • Strike suspension: Lagos teachers, pupils fail to report in schools

    Strike suspension: Lagos teachers, pupils fail to report in schools

    Teachers in public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State on Wednesday failed to report for duties, despite the suspension of their two-day old strike.

    Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria, who went round the metropolis, report that virtually all the schools did not open for business.

    The state NUT Chairman, Mr. Samson Idowu, had on Tuesday night announced the suspension of the strike at the end of the union’s meeting with Governor Babatunde Fashola in Ikeja.

    At Iponri Estate Junior and Senior High Schools, students failed to show up as the gate was locked.

    The security man at the gate told NAN that the news of the suspended strike was received at 9.00 am on Wednesday.

    “I just heard the news of the resumption this morning and since I was not sure, I asked some students who came to go back,” he said.

    The situation was the same at Cleg Junior and Senior High Schools and Gbaja Boys Senior High School in Surulere as some boys were seen playing football.

    Two teachers, who were returning home, said they were disappointed with the short strike called by the NUT.

    However, at Adebola Baptist Senior High School, Surulere, Ijegun Junior and Senior High Schools and Community Primary School, Ilupeju, some teachers reported for duty without the pupils in attendance.

    Teachers also reported for work at St. Paul Catholic Nursery and Primary School, St. Peter Catholic Nursery and Primary School and United African Methodist Church Nursery and Primary School, all in Ebute Meta.

    The Headmistress of St. Paul Catholic Nursery and Primary School, Mrs. Abioye Ayanbajo told NAN that the teachers’ turnout was impressive.

    “We are ready to work, but the students had refused to show up.

    “I heard this morning that the strike had been suspended till further notice. My teachers and I are ready to work. We expect that the pupils will resume fully by Monday,’’ she said.

     

  • NMA threatens strike

    NMA threatens strike

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has threatened to embark on a strike action if the Federal Government bowed to demands of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU).

    It said the demands of JOHESU which included skipping of CONHESS 10 by Allied Health Professionals were unjustifiable.

    The NMA noted that it was shocking and disappointing that members of JOHESU/Allied health professionals are demanding to continue in acts reminiscent of stealing from government by threatening and blackmailing government to allow them jump a whole grade level in the public service.

    A statement signed by NMA President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, said there was no “justifiable reason to warrant that immoral concession.”

    Dr. Enabulele said the federal government would have to elongate the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for medical/dental practitioners if it succumbed to JOHESU demands.

    It reads in part: “If government succumbs to this threat and blackmail by allowing the Allied Health Professionals under the aegis of an amorphous body to skip a grade level, then government must also allow skipping of grade level not just for doctors, but for the entire Federal Civil Service workforce.

    “In as much as we recognize the right of any group of workers to demand for improved conditions of service, we reject and oppose any form of blackmail, deceit, injustice, discrimination and practice that is against global best practices as currently being championed by JOHESU. We would not allow our patients to be hurt, deceived, confused or exploited.”

     

  • CJN tasks justices on public confidence

    CJN tasks justices on public confidence

     

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, said on Wednesday in Abuja that the Supreme Court had the onerous task of sustaining public confidence in Judiciary.

    The CJN said this in her address at the swearing-in ceremony of two justices, Kumai Akaahs and Stanley Alagoa, as justices of the court.

    “The task of service in the Supreme Court as you are aware is, indeed, demanding but I am confident that you are both equal to the task given your track record and past experiences.

    “We have taken off on the threshold of a viable judiciary that will command public confidence and the time to give up is not anytime soon.

    “I implore you to disregard every consideration and always be faithful to your oath of office, observe the Code of Conduct for judicial officers and most importantly, your conscience,’’ she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that with their inclusion, the justices on the Supreme bench are now 17.

    The swearing of the justices followed the retirement of Justices Dahiru Musdapher and Francis Tabai.

     

  • Scarcity: NNPC pledges to sustain fuel supply

    Scarcity: NNPC pledges to sustain fuel supply

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has pledged to sustain its increased fuel supply and distribution to avoid a reoccurrence of the recent fuel scarcity in the country.

    The General Manager, Media Relations, NNPC, Dr. Omar Ibrahim, gave the assurance in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Ibrahim said the NNPC had taken radical measures to ensure that the lingering fuel scarcity in most parts of the country abated.

    He said, “As you will have noticed the fuel queues have disappeared as a result of the radical measures we put in place.

    “What we did was to take responsibility of our partners, including private and independent distributors and stepped up our daily supply to all the states experiencing the scarcity.”

    Ibrahim said the corporation had to increase its daily truck supply to more than 100 in Abuja and more than 200 trucks daily to Lagos so as to clear the shortage experienced.

    The general manager said the corporation also opened up its strategic reserve to ensure there was no shortage in the supply to all parts of the country.

     

  • Police arrest suspected kidnapper of ESUT VC

    Police arrest suspected kidnapper of ESUT VC

    The Abia State Police Command said that it has arrested one of the suspected kidnappers of the Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Technology, Prof. Cyprian Onyeji.

    The command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ezekiel Onyike, confirmed the arrest in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria in Aba on Wednesday.

    Onyike said the suspect had been transferred to the Enugu State Police Command because that was where the crime was committed.

    He told NAN that the suspect, from Ugwunagbo Local Government Area of Abia, had been declared wanted by the Enugu State Police Command over his involvement in kidnapping of prominent personalities, including the ESUT’s vice chancellor.

    A senior police officer from the Aba Area Police Command, told NAN that the suspect was arrested on a tip-off by a combined team of the Police Mobile Force and anti-robbery operatives.

    He said the suspect was arrested while trying to withdraw money in a bank at Port Harcourt Road, Aba.

     

  • Gunmen kill mobile policeman, one other in Kano

    Gunmen kill mobile policeman, one other in Kano

    Gunmen have killed a mobile policeman and one other person in Sheka area of Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.

    An eye-witness told the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano that the incident happened around 6.30pm on Tuesday.

    According to the witness, three gunmen went to the area on a motorcycle, trailing the policeman who was in plain clothes.

    NAN gathered that on reaching a secluded part of the area, the gunmen fired several shots into the air to scare away people around the area before killing the policeman.

    The other victim of the gun attack was reportedly killed by a stray bullet.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majiya, confirmed the incident.

    He, however, said the police were yet to know the identities of the deceased persons.

     

  • Nigeria undeterred, unflinching in protecting citizens – Jonathan

    Nigeria undeterred, unflinching in protecting citizens – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan said Nigeria remains undeterred and unflinching in its resolve to protect the citizens and other persons living within its borders.

    Addressing the 67th United Nations General Assembly’s General Debate on Tuesday in New York, he said Nigeria would also extend such protection to other countries within its region.

    “ We know that no country has unilaterally defeated the dark forces of violence and terrorism. This is evidently an endeavour that requires international collaboration.

    “We therefore call upon the international community and all like-minded stakeholders to address this matter with all the seriousness that it deserves,’’ Jonathan said.

    He pointed at Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to the promotion of issues of particular concern to Africa, saying this has been widely acknowledged.

    President Jonathan said Nigeria had stood firm and played critical roles in all the recent developments in Africa.

    He said this included the struggle for independence and self-determination, the fight against apartheid, colonialism and discrimination.

    “Today, we are in the vanguard of the fight against extremism, terrorism and all forms of mindless violence,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Jonathan as saying in his address.

    He explained that sustainable development and progress were two ultimate aspirations of any nation which could not be achieved without peace and security.

    Jonathan however said that Nigeria, being guided by this realisation, had committed and should continue to commit herself to the attainment of regional and international peace and security.

    He said the West African sub-region had suffered some setbacks in terms of unconstitutional change of government and the emergence of insurgency, among others.

    On the political crisis threatening the unity of Mali and Guinea-Bissau, Jonathan said Nigeria and ECOWAS were working in concert to address the threat.