The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Jonathan behind Rivers, NGF crises, says APC member

    President Goodluck Jonathan and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar came under fire over their refusal to redeploy Rivers State Police Commissioner, Joseph Mbu.

    A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former National Chairman of Social Progressive Party (SPP), Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu said Jonathan should order the redeployment of Mbu to end the political crisis in Rivers State.

    The IGP Abubakar had, at the State House Abuja, disclosed that Mr Mbu will remain in office, dashing the hopes of those expecting a change in the leadership of the police in Rivers State.

    Reacting to the development at a news conference, Izuogu said that even the blind man knows that Jonathan has ordered the IGP not to remove Mbu following his involvement in the lingering crisis.      He also accused President Jonathan of being behind the unending crisis in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and that of Rivers State.

    His words: “I can swear a million times that Jonathan has a hand in the crisis rocking the governors’ forum and that of Rivers State. Let us stop deceiving ourselves. If Jonathan did not have a hand in them, he would simply have ordered the Commissioner of Police out of Rivers State. Rivers people elected only one governor and not two. It’s like we have two governors in Rivers State at present.

    “The Commissioner of Police is repeating what Bishop Eyiteme did when Jim Nwobodo was the governor of Old Anambra State. The commissioner does not have the mandate to act from anybody except from those who appointed him.

    “The powers that be may not want Mr. A but the masses want him. And if you want peace in the state, then you should allow the masses to have their way. In a democratic dispensation, I had expected President Jonathan and his party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to have congratulated Amaechi as the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum just like the PDP had congratulated the APC. That is the only way we can survive as a people and keep our democracy alive. Let there be tolerance. If there is no beauty in Nigeria’s democracy then nobody is safe.

    “It means that in 2015, somebody else can win and they would want it to be announced. All these crises do not speak well of President Jonathan’s administration. The international community is watching all these.

    “Tambuwal is doing well. He is a progressive and he has no place in the PDP.  He cannot remain in the PDP. Many PDP members will move to APC soon for the 2015 election. You just watch and see.

    “The position is that let the masses decide who becomes their Presidential candidate in 2015. Let there be transparent congresses at the ward level.   We are going to adopt option A4 system. Parties divide when there are manipulation and imposition of candidates. There should be no hand-picking of candidates in the APC. The big men who have oil blocs are the problems of this country. APC will learn from the mistakes of PDP.”

  • NSITF wants Social Security act amended

    The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund is seeking an amendment to the enabling Act establishing the fund in order to reposition it to fully carry out its mandate for all Nigerians in line with global best practices.

    This, it said, is in line with the recognition of social security as a basic human right as enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Social Security Convention Recommendation.

    To this end, the fund is preparing a draft proposal that would give impetus to the new Bill which it plans to submit to the National Assembly.

    According to the fund, the Act that established social security system in Nigeria is different in many ways, due partly to the Pension Reform Acts in 2004 and also the fact that the Acts establishing it only takes into cognisance a negligible population of the working class in the public and private sectors as against the global best practices of accommodating all the citizens.

    It therefore cited examples of countries where similar schemes have been successfully implemented to include South Africa, India, United Kingdom and United States of America, saying that everyone, as a member of the society, has the right to social security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age and other lacks of livelihood in circumstances beyond the control of an individual.

    Consequently, the proposed Bill has, as its focus, the need to give relevance to the mandate of the NSITF which states that “it shall provide social security insurance services other than pension to all Nigerians. It also seeks to respect the role of the fund in the administration of the employee compensation fund created by the Employee Compensation Act of 2010 and finally to give the requisite statutory backing to the adoption of the ILO Social Security Convention and Social Security Act of 1952.

  • Foundation urges media to promote community awareness

    An Abuja-based non-governmental organisation, Faridah Wada Foundation (FWF) has called on the Nigerian media practitioners to rise up to the challenge for development by supporting non-profit institutions and publicising their activities in order to stimulate awareness on their numerous programmes and projects in different locations in the the country.

    Chief Executive Officer of the foundation Mrs. Faridah Wada, represented by the Programme Manager Terkula Arems, said this in a communiqué to mark the one-year anniversary of the foundation in Abuja.

    She decried the slow pace of development in Nigeria’s rural communities, blaming the absence of proper communication channels and the free flow of information as a serious challenge facing development efforts in the country.

    The organisation said that so much work was going on in several communities in the country but little or nothing is done to promote such efforts. The group said it was the social responsibility of the mass media to ensure that such efforts do not go un-noticed.

    The NGO therefore noted that it has donateed goods worth millions of naira to three orphanage homes in Abuja as part of activities to mark its one-year anniversary. The homes that benefited from the foundations donations according to the statement included , Talitha koum orphanage home in Nyanya, Alpha and Omega orphanage and Hope for survival orphanage home.

  • 20 pupils off to US

    It was a mixture of fun and lecture for 20 pupils of Pacesetters College, Abuja as the school management took them on a three-week  summer study tour of the United States of America (USA).

    The trip led by the chairman of the School, Kenneth Imasuagbon alongside other four staff, exposed the students to different perspectives of American curricula.

    The  students who were received on arrival by the Nigerian Ambassador to United States, Ade Adefuye also visited  the White House, the American Embassy in Washington DC, the Kings Dominion among other places.

    Kenneth Imasuagbon while speaking with Abuja Review last week after returning from the trip said the aim of the summer study was to make the students have a comparison between what is obtained in the Nigerian Educational system and that of the United States.

    “The School aims to make  the children  have a comparative educational and  vocational knowledge,to see how the American Educational  system is, the setting there,to see what we can learn from the American educational system and how we can use it  to restructure the Nigerian Educational system and most especially  Pacesetters school”

    “They were taught the rudiments of  Algebra, calculux among other things, it was a mixture of academics and fun”he added

    The students were also taught the basic  English writing skills and word formations among others things”

    “Beyond the learning and academic aspect, they were also exposed to the various characters and traits of hardwork and discipline”

    “ They have also learnt things that they can do to take Nigeria to the next level as future leaders of the country”

    Imasuagbon while speaking on the interest shown by the pupils throughout the tour said with all what they have been exposed to, he believes that they are well groomed to compete with their contemporaries anywhere they find themselves in the world.

    “The student are now well  prepared and with their various experience and interest while in the United states, they are set to do exploits in their studies here in Nigeria”he assured

    He commended the  American Embassy for facilitating the visa of the students which he said was made possible within a very short period which he said was  due to the great importance the US Government attaches to the education of the Nigerian Child.

    “The Americans are wonderful people, when  it comes to education, I can tell you the Americans are one of the best, they assisted the school to make the trip a successful one”he said

    The Vice Principal of the Wuye Campus of the School, Roseline Olumobi was also part of the trip alongside the School Director and wife of the Chairman, Mrs Kate Imasuagbon, Segun Awogbade, the Principal of the Wuse Campus and Amaechi Osuji, the Head of English Department of the Gwarinpa Campus of the Pacesetters School.

    Mrs Olumobi who also narrated her experience said it was really a great opportunity for the students to improve on their academics after been exposed to foreign studies and tutelage for a period of three weeks.

    She commended the school management for the  gesture that was extended to them as it was an opportunity that they never dreamt of.

    “This opportunity is what we never dreamt of but by the grace of God and with the passion we have for the school , Pacesetters management have  make it possible”

    “The Chairman and the wife sponsored the teachers’ trip,they paid for the visa, accommodation and the flight ticket,they made us have a wonderfull stay in the United States”she added

    “The students learnt a lot from  the American system as well as modern technology in teaching ,interactive teaching and discipline as well”

  • APC stalwart sure of party victory

    APC stalwart sure of party victory

    Former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) National Financial Secretary, Hajia Fatima Muhammed who is now a member of All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that Prof. Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disappointed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as it registered the APC.

    But she assured that APC will not disappoint Nigerians.

    Reacting to the registration of the APC, Hajia Muhammed said: “We are very happy with the registration. INEC has demonstrated the true independence of the commission. We now have confidence in INEC. PDP should start parking its luggage now that Nigerians have an alternative.

    “I urge all other opposition political party members to unite irrespective of their religious and tribal leanings and join hands to push PDP out of power in 2015. By God’s grace, APC will win 2015 presidential election as well as states and local government council polls. A new dawn has come.

    “I want to state ones again that we are happy with the distribution of positions in the new APC. We are not divided like the PDP are. Our hope now that APC is registered is to move Nigerians out of poverty; a situation that the ruling party has since put them.

    “We are here for a change and so shall it be. APC has come to stay no matter the tribulations. Nobody, not even the powers that be can stop APC members from achieving their goals to salvage Nigeria.

    “In APC, we understand ourselves and the next thing to do now is to mobilise ourselves for the future and make sure that we do not disappoint Nigerians. INEC should be commended for this glorious step. I am confident that the 2015 elections will be hitch-free with the way INEC is going,” she said.

    A member of the APC and former National Chairman of Social Progressive Party (SPP), Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu at a briefing in Abuja on the registration of APC, said with the development, Jega has established credibility towards the 2015 elections.

    Izuogu said: “I congratulate all progressives across the length and breadth of the country for agreeing to work in one political party to save our nation from the tyranny of the PDP.

    “I call on all progressives to leave the conservative PDP so that the nation can have a clear ideological divide. This will augur well for democracy and the stability of the nation.

    “I say kudos to PDP for having the courage to congratulate the APC. This is the spirit of democracy that all mature politicians should imbibe.”

  • FCT School principals urged to be effective leaders

    The Secretary for Education, FCTA, Mallam Kabir Usman has admonished principals in FCT schools to be effective leaders if they are to meet desired results of imparting knowledge and good moral character to their students.

    The Secretary made this charge at the second  International Best Practices  Retreat for  School Principals, Proprietors and Administrators  organised by the Exam Ethics Marshals International in Accra, Ghana.

    In his keynote address titled “Leadership Skills for Principals” for which he received a prolonged standing ovation from principals and education administrators from several African countries, Mallam Kabir Usman said that principals must always lead by example and not be afraid to “jump into the fray” if they are to win the respect and loyalty of their teachers.

    He also said that the FCT Education Secretariat takes the process of appointment of school principals very seriously indeed and has always ensured that whoever is appointed as a principal has all the prerequisite academic qualifications and leadership qualities.

    He emphasised that a principal must first of all be a teacher as the position of  a principal is simply an elevation to an administrative capacity. No principal or school head should therefore not be able to handle himself well in the classroom

    He also listed some qualities which all effective school principals must imbibe. They include the ability to communicate, the ability to listen, to be easily accessible to staff and students, to be able to meet challenges effectively, to be able to propose and implement laudable initiatives, to be team player and be flexible and adaptable to change.

    The consequences of leadership failures in the school he concluded will lead to students not reaching their full potentials and eventually become victims of social vices. Unleashed into the larger society he said, these students will bring “nothing but grief to all”

  • Recycling comes to town

    Recycling comes to town

    Recycling is here. And its first port of call is the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    It is just as well.

    Ridding the FCT of filth is an ongoing project. But how do you conserve funds or even make money simply by disposing of waste?

    Recycling is the answer, and it has started in earnest at the nation’s capital, beginning right from the AEPB headquarters itself.

    In a brief ceremony, the Acting Director, Mrs. Aishat Adebayo said it was important to start the process of sorting our waste at home before it gets to the landfill site, noting that what most people regard as waste is not actually waste but wealth.

    According to the Acting Director, the process of sorting waste at source is being introduced so that wastes that could be recycled can be retrieved, because if we carry all our waste to the landfill site, it will get filled on time.

    Mrs. Adebayo further said: “In line with the popular saying that charity begins at home, Abuja Environmental Protection Board has decided to commence the pilot project within its premises. The blue bins have been made available to all the offices for materials that could be recycled.

    “Waste materials meant for the recycle bins, (blue bins) are plastic bottles, cans, newspapers, nylon bags and other materials that can still be put to use.”

    Continuing, Mrs. Adebayo said: “The Federal Capital Territory Administration is building more waste transfer stations that will make recyclable materials to be easy to manage.”

    She appealed to members of the public to co-operate with the board so that the scheme will achieve its aim of ensuring a cleaner environment.

    “For now, we plan to introduce it to our headquarters in Area 2 and other offices. This mini-launch is an awareness programme aimed at enlightening the public on how to sort their wastes at home. Please, ensure that only dry waste goes into the blue bin,” she said.

    Mrs. Adebayo further said the scheme was meant to serve the residents of the Federal Capital City better and it is expected that all hands will be on deck to ensure its success.

    The Acting Director said she was optimistic that the introduction and use of the blue bins will be a success because it’s working in other cities.

    “Abuja residents are intelligent and cultured; and I know that they will work with AEPB,” she added.

  • ‘Blame politicians for disunity among FCT Yoruba’

    His Royal Highness, Oba Olusegun Salau has said that some politicians who feed fat on crisis were responsible for the current controversy in the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the Yoruba community council.

    The traditional ruler disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Abuja, saying the Yoruba community has witnessed unprecedented peace and unity in the territory under his leadership until politicians started making use of some ‘unscrupulous element’ to cause crisis among the Yoruba race in the city.

    Oba Salau, who clocked 60 years this month, debunked a report making around that there was no Oba in FCT.

    He said; “it is not true but I don’t want to talk much about it because the father of Abuja, the owner of Abaji, Adamu Baba Yunisa is handling the matter. It is not the Oba Yoruba they want to disgrace but him because he was the one who turbaned the Oba, the indigenous chiefs are the one who turban Obas, even we Yoruba can not take somebody to them and whoever they turban we Yoruba must accept the person whether you like it or not, or else you have to live their place and go to another place”

    The monarch who said the problem has been going on for decades therefore reminded the people being used to remember that politicians will come and go but traditional rulers will remain.

    He also advised politicians in FCT and the country in general to be mindful of comments they make as the 2015 general election is approach.

    “I advise is simple, we all see what is going on in Egypt not, we have to give peace a chance so that our country will not turn to that, so we all have to be law abiding citizens” he stated.

  • 1, 200 midwives get USAID scholarship

    About 1,200 midwives from the six geo-political zones of the country have benefitted from the USAID midwives scheme.

    The scheme, organised in partnership with a non-governmental organisation, Capacity Plus, was aimed at improving the knowledge of midwives as well as addressing maternal and child-mortality in the country.

    Speaking at an award ceremony in Abuja, the Chief of Party, Capacity Plus, Samuel Ngobua said the scholarship will also extend to prospective individuals who choose to pursue the career.

    He disclosed plans to procure direct institutional support for 11 additional health training institutions drawn from the current six priority states.

    The overall goal of ‘Capacity Plus’ work  in Nigeria is to increase the availability of health workers to meet the priority health needs of underserved populations through sustainable Human Resources for Health (HRH) interventions.

    This, he said, is in line with the US’ President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) reauthorization and US Government congressional mandate of adding 140,000 new health workers globally by 2014 to the existing pool of health workers in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

    The project activities are aligned with the nation’s 2010 – 2015 National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP) and in strong collaboration with the Nigerian

    Deputy Director, Health Systems Strengthening and Innovation, Capacity Plus; Washington, Mr. Malik Jaffer, representatives from WHO, USAID, and the scholarship recipients were in attendance.

    Ngobua said: “This 2013/2014 aw ard is built on the success of the 2012/2013 exercise in which 1200 students of Midwifery from the 54 schools of Midwifery nationwide and from 30 states of the Federation and Abuja are expected to benefit from the exercise.”

    He stated that the problem of training midwives up to professional level and then losing them to other countries has been one of the challenges faced.

    Midwives in the country travel abroad to work once they have completed their training in this country and this is a waste, he says.

    ”We are also working in collaboration with the family health department of the federal ministry of Health recently concluded two Training of Trainers (TOTs) on Life Saving Skills (LSS for Midwives) and Modified Life Saving Skills in Makurdi and Ibadan in which 44 staff from the 11 health training institutions were trained,” Ngobua added.

    According to him, the rationale behind this was to strengthen the teaching capacity of the benefitting staff to enhance performance of the students in their final examinations.

  • Honour for industrialist in Abuja

    Abia State indigenes in Abuja, includinghave honoured one of their illustrious sons, Mr. Benson Ezem for his hard work and contributions to the development of the state.

    The occasion was the opening and inauguration of Jades Hotel in Abuja. The event attracted dignitaries from the state and outside the state.

    Governor Orji, who attended the occasion after his state visit to China, commended Ezem for building such a magnificent hotel, even as he encouraged other indigenes of Abia State to endeavour to make the state proud wherever they are.

    Governor Orji stated that “Abians are not only making the state proud but also the entire country. He cited an example of an Abian who had set up an industry in Wanzai, a county of Yichun in the Chinese Province of Jiangxi.

    He insisted that his administration has been able to bring peace and unity to Abia, thereby giving Abians the room to concentrate on their work.

    “The serenity that I have accomplished in Abia State now attracts investors who feel safe because of the security that exists. I am the type of governor that enjoys encouraging my people, which is why I came to grace this occasion after my visit from China where I met other Abians that are doing the state proud.”

    The occasion which was chaired by Prof. Jerry Gana, also had in attendance, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Vincent Ogbulafor and former chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission Chief Onyema Ugochukwu.

    Also in attendance was Senator Nkechi Nwogu, several royal fathers and men of God.

    Benson Ezem. CEO COSMO Base Group and owner of Jades Hotel said that the journey to build a hotel that can compete with any 5-star hotel in the world

    began about 13years ago.

    Ezem explained that the COSMO Base Group had come together to make the dream a reality without any financial assistance from anyone.