The Nation Newspaper

Category: News Update

  • Sambo renews call for peace, religious tolerance

    Sambo renews call for peace, religious tolerance

    Vice President Namadi Sambo has renewed the call on Nigerians to live in peace with one another irrespective of ethnic or religious differences.

    He made the call on Friday night in Uyo while inaugurating a two-day Unity Conference for the South-South and South-East Muslim Ummah.

    The vice president, while stressing the need for religious tolerance, urged Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan in his efforts to implement his transformation programme, especially in the power sector.

    “The president also needs support from the citizens in the area of protection of lives and property of Nigerians,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the vice president as saying at the conference.

    While speaking at the occasion, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, noted that peace and the unity of Nigerians were cardinal to development.

    “Whether we are Christians or Muslims, we must live in peace with one another in whatever part of the country we find ourselves.

    “If we are united, we will contribute better to the development of the country. So, we must put aside our differences and embrace peace and unity,’’ he advised.

    Abubakar, who described the conference as an important event, lauded Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, saying he is a strong pillar in peace-building.

    He urged other Nigerians to emulate Akpabio’s exemplary leadership qualities such as patience, humility, foresight and perseverance.

    The Sultan, who had earlier paid a courtesy visit on the governor, thanked him and the Akwa Ibom people for the hospitality accorded Muslims in the state.

    In his remarks also, Akpabio called for unity and peace not just across the inter-faith groups but among the ethnic groups in the country.

    He said unity and peace would be possible when Nigerians have learnt to work with people outside their faith and ethnic groups.

    The governor disclosed that his administration had exemplified unity and tolerance through the appointment of his personal aides.

    “My Aide-de-Camp is from Bauchi State, while my Chief Security Officer is from Kogi and my orderly is from Kaduna State,’’ he said.

     

     

  • Australian Church admits abuse

    Australian Church admits abuse

     

    The Roman Catholic Church in the Australian state of Victoria has confirmed that more than 600 children have been sexually abused by its priests since the 1930s, BBC reports.

    The Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, described the figures as “horrific and shameful.”

    They were released in a submission to a state parliamentary inquiry into the handling of abuse cases.

    Campaigners said the true number of abuse victims could be up to 10,000.

    In its submission, the church said the 620 cases went back 80 years with the majority taking place between the 1960s and the 1980s.

    The church said it is still investigating a further 45 cases.

    In a statement, Archbishop Hart said it was important to be open “about the horrific abuse that has occurred in Victoria and elsewhere.”

    “We look to this inquiry to assist the healing of those who have been abused, to examine the broad context of the church’s response, especially over the last 16 years, and to make recommendations to enhance the care for victims and preventative measures that are now in place,” the statement said.

     

     

  • Minister threatens to sue Arik

    Minister threatens to sue Arik

     

    The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, has threatened to institute a legal action against Arik Air, for leveling unfounded allegations against her.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, by the Special Assistant (media) to the minister, Mr. Joe Obi.

    It stated that a recent publication by the management of the airline was designed to embarrass the minister.

    It said that Arik Air was owing the ministry N85.4 billion and stressed that Oduah had no stake in the company.

    The release stated that the minister could not have contemplated acquiring a stake in any airline and cautioned that the time was ripe for Arik Air to change its business module to resolve its financial crisis.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Arik Air was prevented from operation since Thursday by labour unions of the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria.

     

  • UniAbuja a mockery of university system – Panel

    UniAbuja a mockery of university system – Panel

    The special visitation panel set up by the Federal Government in July to investigate the activities of University of Abuja since its establishment has described the institution as a mockery of the university system.

    Presenting the panel’s report to the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i on Friday in Abuja, the chairman of the panel, Dr Theo Osanakpo, blamed the under development of the university on poor governance system and financial impropriety.

    Osanakpo said the report indicated that the 2025 target set for the completion of the full master plan of the university might not be realised as only six per cent of the plan had been achieved after 24 years.

    He identified ranking of unapproved programmes, admission irregularities, lack of a governance system and lack of a proper accounting procedures as major challenges facing the institution.

    “Looking at all these irregularities going on in the institution, I would say that UniAbuja is a mockery of the university system; the facilities at the mini campus do not reflect the funds that the Federal Government give.

    “There are no sporting facilities for students, no good lecture halls and the facility is way below the needs of the more than 70,000 students of the institution running the undergraduate, post graduate, sandwich, part-time and distance learning programmes,’’ he said.

    Osanakpo said that the staffing of the institution and the environment were very deplorable and the government needed not just to give funds but to monitor the administration of the funds for effective usage.

    He also recommended that the Vice Chancellor be “bench marked” periodically by the governing council to guarantee standard.

    The panel also recommended that prospective students of the institution must have the JAMB requirement and write the post-UTME examination to curb the excesses of admission.

    It also recommended that the Students Union Government (SUG) should be reinstated in the institution to allow for peer interaction which also enhances their productivity level and help to bridge the gap between students and the school management.

    Responsing, the minister thanked the panel for the report, saying that “UniAbuja in spite of its proximity to the education headquarters and the regulating body, NUC, has been a challenge.’’

    Rufa’i assured the panel that the report would be implemented and that within two weeks, the ministry would produce a white paper that would be presented to the president.

    “The president approved this panel so I know that he would be glad to resolve the issues brought to the fore through this report.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government on July 25 inaugurated the panel to investigate the financial and governance system of the university since 1988 when it was established after the suspension of four courses due to irregularities.

    The courses are medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture and engineering. (NAN)

  • Court dismisses attempt to stop Ehindero’s arraignment

    Court dismisses attempt to stop Ehindero’s arraignment

    Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi of an Abuja High Court on Friday dismissed an application by former Inspector General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero, which urged the court to stop ICPC from arraigning him.

    Oniyangi also dismissed similar application filed by the suspended Commissioner of Police in charge of Budget at the Force Headquarters, Mr John Obaniyi.

    He also refused to vacate the leave granted the ICPC to arraign the duo.

    The duo had filed separate notices of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court as well as the leave granted the ICPC to file charges against them.

    They had prayed the court to quash the six-count charge preferred against them by the anti-graft agency.

    The ICPC had filed a six-count charge of alleged corrupt embezzlement of N16 million against them.

    The ICPC said the amount was the interests generated from N567 million donated to the Nigeria Police by the Bayelsa Government for the purchase of arms, ammunition and riot control equipment.

    The accused persons could be imprisoned for seven years if convicted.

    Delivering his ruling, Oniyangi held that the anti-graft agency had, by the proof of evidence before the court, successfully established a prima facie evidence against the accused to warrant their being put to trial.

    “Prima facie evidence has been shown by the ICPC through the exhibits and statements of witness to proceed with trial,” he said.

    Oniyangi also held that the ICPC was competent to prosecute the accused, adding that the ICPC Act 2000, under which the duo were charged, was a valid law.

    Oniyangi said that the submission of Ehindero’s counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), that the ICPC Act 2000 was a non existing law, was not tenable.

    He said that the offence the suspects were charged with were known to written laws, stressing that it was not correct to say the ICPC was charging the accused under non-existent law.

    The judge further held that the commission is empowered to prosecute offences which fall under the penal and criminal codes.

    Oniyangi, therefore, dismissed the objections and subsequently ordered that Ehindero and Obaniyi be arraigned.

    After the ruling, Oniyangi read the charges to Ehindero and Obaniyi.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Oniyangi, refused to grant bail to Ehindero and Obaniyi on liberal terms as made in an oral application by Ozekhome.

    He granted them bail in the sum of N10 million each and one surety in like sum.

    Oniyangi ordered that the surety must swear to an affidavit of means.

    He also said the accused persons should be detained in prison if they failed to meet the bail conditions.

    Oniyangi adjourned the case to Nov. 12 for accelerated hearing. (NAN)

  • Arik Air passengers make case for refunds

    Arik Air passengers make case for refunds

    Some passengers of Arik Air on Friday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, converged at the desk of Arik Air for the refund of their unused tickets.

    Some of the aggrieved passengers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they came to get the refunds because the airline was grounded on Thursday.

    Earlier, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, the FAAN, Assistance Director, Media, said that the airline was shut down on Thursday due to the debt it owed the aviation authorities including FAAN.

    “The FAAN union blocked the airline from flying on Thursday because they are owing FAAN and other aviation agencies,’’ she said.

    Alhaji Dogo Mahammud told NAN that it was unfortunate that the airline was grounded, adding that he came to recover his money in order to purchase another ticket.

    “I was to follow the Arik to Lagos yesterday (Thursday) but now, I will have to go back to Kano, and it is unfortunate because I don’t know which of the airline will be having problems in the next moment.

    “I bought ticket for myself and my family but now I have to collect my money so that I can buy another ticket to take us back to Kano,’’ he said.

    Miss Ngozi Alozie told NAN that immediately she presented her ticket, the desk officer attended to her and refunded her N24,900.

    Another passenger Emma Bassey said that he was not aware that the airline was grounded, “I came to board the aircraft this morning when I was told that they are not working.”

    “In fact, I was surprised to see the hall empty, I made my booking online because of the traffic that I normally experience but now, I was disappointed by what I saw.’’

    Mr Muhammed Abani, the airline Station Manager, told NAN that the airline was refunding the ticket money to its customers who booked at the counter with evidence.

    He added that those who made their booking online would have to contact the head office in Lagos through a mail and assured them that they would definitely get their money back.

    It will be recalled that the Arik Air on Thursday suspended its domestic operations across the country alleging “persistent hostility of the Ministry of Aviation and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) management.

  • Ethiopia swears in new prime minister

    Ethiopia swears in new prime minister

    Ethiopia’s parliament has sworn in the country’s new leader.

    Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who was sworn in on Friday, succeeds former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, The Associated Press reports.

    Meles died August 20 after ruling Ethiopia for more than two decades.

    Last weekend Ethiopia’s ruling political party, the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front, named Hailemariam as chair of the party, which controls parliament.

    Ethiopia is a strong United States ally in East Africa, particularly on security issues.

    David Shinn, the U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia from 1996 to 1999, said it’s unlikely U.S.-Ethiopia relations will change significantly with Hailemariam as prime minister.

    Shinn said Washington, though, will be interested in seeing a renewed focus on human rights policies, for which Ethiopia is frequently criticized.

     

  • Jonathan orders increase allocation for health institutions

    Jonathan orders increase allocation for health institutions

    President Goodluck Jonathan has directed increases in the 2013 budgetary allocation for health training institutions to ensure increase in the number of medical and dental specialists.

    The president announced the decision in Lagos on Thursday at the 30th convocation ceremony of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

    The president, represented by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chuwku, said the step was aimed at strengthening the training of medical specialists both within and outside the country.

    Jonathan said: “Similarly, I have also directed that there be increased envelope for the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. This will be in a step wise manner for the next two years.

    “Government has decided that 56 residents and young consultants will be sent for overseas training this year.

    “While some institutions have concluded arrangements, others have not done so.

    “The hospitals that have yet to comply should immediately do so before the end of this financial year.

    “I also want to urge the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria to support these institutions in finding appropriate placement for the residents and consultants overseas.”

    The president said that government in collaboration with health professionals in the Diaspora, Association of Nigeria Physicians in Americas, and the Medical Association of Nigeria Specialist in Great Britain had produced a medical curriculum template.

    “The curriculum to which senate of universities could adapt for use, is important to address deficient areas that have been observed in schools,’’ the president said.

    Jonathan said he was aware that the college had not benefitted from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) in spite of the challenges facing it in the area of funding.

    “I have directed the Ministry of Health and the management of TETfund to meet and explore ways and manner the college can benefit from this fund,” he said.

     

  • Suicide bombers kill 15 in Somali capital

    Suicide bombers kill 15 in Somali capital

    Two suicide bombers walked into a restaurant in central Mogadishu and killed at least 15 people on Thursday, police said, highlighting the security challenges facing the country’s new president.

    There was no immediate claim of responsibility. However, suspicions will fall on the Islamist militant group al Shabaab which has carried out a campaign of suicide bombings since it withdrew from the capital last year under military pressure.

    The al Qaeda-linked group claimed responsibility for suicide bombings last week outside a hotel where President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was holding a news conference just two days into the job, an attack interpreted as a warning from the insurgents that they are far from defeated.

    Police spokesman General Abdullahi Barise told Reuters 15 people were killed in Thursday’s attack. A Reuters photographer saw several bodies, the severed heads of the two bombers and pools of blood on the floor.

    The blasts targeted The Village restaurant, owned by well-known Somali businessman Ahmed Jama, who had returned to his home country from London to set up business against the advice of friends.

    “My relatives, whom I created jobs for, have perished. My customers have perished. All innocent people. I cannot count them, their dead bodies are before me,” a distraught Jama told Reuters.

    Three local journalists were among the dead, including a reporter at the state-run Somali National Television, the National Union of Somali Journalists said.

    The al Shabaab-linked website www.somalimemo.net said in a statement that those killed “supported the infidel government” but stopped short of saying the group was behind the attack.

     

  • Lagos teachers begin strike Monday

    Lagos teachers begin strike Monday

    …No going back on industrial action – NUT

    The Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers, Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Samson Idowu, said that teachers in the state would begin a strike on Monday.

    Idowu said the teachers would go on strike over the refusal of the government to pay them 27.5 per cent Teachers Peculiar Allowance.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria at the end of a meeting, that the state government had not responded to the demands of the union.

    “As at Thursday, we have not received any positive response from the government and the strike goes on,” he said.

    Idowu said the union gave the government enough time to respond to its demand without any positive response.

    He said the union had dispatched a directive to all its members asking them to stay at home from Monday.

    The chairman said the payment of the allowance was approved in 2008 and that 17 states in the country had implemented it.