The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Nnaji to supporters: we’ll reclaim Enugu governorship

    Nnaji to supporters: we’ll reclaim Enugu governorship

    • APC opens new office

    Enugu State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 18 election, Chief Uche Nnaji, has assured his supporters he would reclaim his mandate from Governor Peter Mbah.

    Nnaji, who is challenging Mbah’s victory, expressed confidence the courts would return him as governor. He spoke yesterday at the opening of the APC state Secretariat, behind Parklane Hospital, GRA, Enugu.

    Nnaji, who insisted he won the election, said it only remained for him to be declared the rightful winner. He appreciated the support given to him so far by members of the party, particularly, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.

    He added: “We have won the election. The only thing we’re asking God for is to help us secure our rightful victory.

    “Anyone supported by Hope Uzodimma doesn’t lose. When they were writing results of the election, we ignored them because we didn’t want blood to flow. We thought the election was a gentleman affair, but they decided to bite hard, claiming victory in the first phase. This second phase, we will bite even harder and come back victorious.”

    Nnaji also called on party members to remain united, assuring them that the party would reward hardworking members accordingly. He praised party leaders, led by Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, for their efforts in building the party to its current height, saying the new edifice showed its ambition to take over Enugu State.

    APC National Vice Chairman (Southeast), Ijioma Arodiogbu, insisted that the party won the governorship election in Enugu, and the real results would be pronounced in the fullness of time. He also congratulated the party for moving into its own office, and urged members to submit to Nnaji’s leadership.

  • Kidnap suspect shot dead, 13 victims rescued in Ondo

    Kidnap suspect shot dead, 13 victims rescued in Ondo

    A suspected kidnapper has been shot dead by joint security operatives during a mission to rescue 13 persons who were abducted at Isua, headquarters of Akoko South-East Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State.

    The 13 persons were heading to Abuja when they were abducted by gunmen and marched into the forest.

    A source said the victims were travelling in an 18-passenger bus travelling to Abuja from Lagos.

    The source said: “It was like a movie when an Abuja-bound bus was waylaid on Tuesday by some unknown gunmen at Isua, the headquarters of Akoko South East Local Government, and 13 passengers were marched to the forest.”

    Read Also : Suspected kidnapper shot dead in Ondo as 13 victims are rescued

    Security operatives comprising men of the Amotekun corp, soldiers, the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were said to have stormed the forest in a bid to rescue the victims.

    It was gathered that the victims were rescued at the Ikakumo area in Akoko North-East LGA, a distance of almost 20 kilometres from Isua where they were picked.

    The rescued victims were said to have been taken to the Isua Police Station.

    Ondo Police spokesman, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, who confirmed the incident, said one of the kidnappers was shot dead when the security men engaged the kidnappers in a shootout.

    She said: “The victims were rescued by the joint security operation. One of them was killed during a gun duel. We are on top of the situation.”

  • Police decorate 1,362, promote other ranks in Lagos

    Police decorate 1,362, promote other ranks in Lagos

    The Police have decorated 1,362 rank and file serving under its Lagos Command who were promoted last week.

    The cops were among 31,465 junior officers promoted last Thursday by the Inspector-General of Police (IG) Alkali Usman, as part of manpower development policy.

    Decorating the junior officers with their new ranks yesterday, Lagos Police Commissioner, Idowu Owohunwa, said the command had a large number of promoted officers following his passionate appeal to the IG on the state’s peculiarities.

    “We are celebrating the I-G for considering Lagos State Command’s request for promotion to deserving officers. He approved the promotion of 1,363 junior ranking officers for Lagos Command alone

    “This comprises 1,123 Sergeants promoted to Inspectors, 20 Corporals to Sergeants and 220 Constables to the rank of Corporal.

    “The IG has not just stopped there, as I am talking now, Inspectors are being interviewed at the Zonal Headquarters, Onikan, in preparation for their being promoted to the next rank of Assistant Superintendent of police for those that would be found worthy,” he said.

    The police boss urged the promoted officers to live up to expectations in their new ranks as they were expected to carry out higher and more dangerous duties.

    Owohunwa warned them against corruption, human rights abuses and other unethical conduct, stressing that anyone found wanting would be punished accordingly, including dismissal where necessary.

    “You must show responsibility, you must justify your new rank. How do you do this? You must learn first and foremost to detest any act of corruption.

    “As you are aware, I have made it clear, if you are involved in corruption, if you are involved in acts of gross incivility to members of the public, my understanding is that you are not fit to remain within the police family.

    “For me, I will process such an officer through the disciplinary procedures and certainly, I will not be a party in keeping you within the system,” he warned.

  • 1,108 Lagos men suffer domestic violence

    1,108 Lagos men suffer domestic violence

    No fewer than 1,108 men in Lagos reported incidents of domestic violence committed against them in the last six years, according to the latest data from the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA).

    DSVA Executive Secretary Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi stated this at the launch of the ‘Hidden Crime –Violence Against Project” held at the Adeyemo Bero Auditorium Alawusa Ikeja.

    She said the figure did not include male children that have experienced one form of gender-based violence (GBV) or the other.

    Read Also : 1,108 Lagos men suffer domestic violence in six years

     Mrs. Vivour-Adeniyi also disclosed that a recently concluded community engagement in over 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) revealed that there have been less enlightenment and spotlight on men victims or survivors of SGBV.

    She added that out of the 140 sex convicts interviewed during a 2016 research conducted in 2016 in partnership with the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), 80 per cent of them said they were sexually abused at an early age.

    Some, as young as six years old, were exposed to unhealthy sexual relationships.

    Vivour-Adeniyi lamented that the majority of them did not receive the needed psycho-social support and became abuse perpetrators themselves.

    A facilitator at the event, Tobi Ikudaisi claimed that in 2022 alone, 281 men in Lagos said they suffered domestic violence at the hands of their spouses.

    He added that many men keep quiet when they suffer domestic violence at the hands of their wives so that they are not labelled as weaklings.

    He listed factors preventing men from coming out to disclose that they suffer violence at the hands of women including children, culture, religious attitude, and society among others

  • EFCC arraigns Katsina Deputy Accountant-General over alleged N289m fraud

    EFCC arraigns Katsina Deputy Accountant-General over alleged N289m fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned the Deputy Accountant-General of Katsina State, Sani Lawal BK, before the state High Court on a five-count charge of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.

    According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, the Commission arraigned him alongside Saadi Maiwada, the state’s former Sub-Treasurer in the Office of the Accountant-General.

    It was alleged that the defendants allegedly conspired and converted the sum of N289 million from the state’s coffers.

    According to the statement, an investigation revealed that the defendants laundered the stolen funds through the account of Integrated Gas Services Limited, a company where the first defendant (Maiwada) is a director.

    Read Also : Internet fraud: Court orders student to clean EFCC premises for 2 weeks

    The sum of N49 million was also allegedly transferred from the account of Integrated Gas Services Limited to the personal account of the second defendant (Lawal BK).

    One of the counts read, “That you, Saadu Miawada and Sani Lawal BK sometime in 2017 at Katsina within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court while being entrusted with dominion over money belonging to Katsina State Government dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of N120,790,942.86 which was transferred from the Katsina State Government Sub -Treasury Expenditure Account number 1012424374 domiciled in United Bank for Africa (UBA) PLC to Integrated Gas Services Company Limited’s Fidelity Bank account no 4010693761 (CO1717299). You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 297 of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State 2021.”

    Both defendants pleaded not guilty.

    The court admitted each defendant to bail in the sum of N5 million, among other terms, and adjourned till July 24 for trial.

    Gunmen paraded over alleged plan to stop Gov Abiodun’s swearing-in

    The Police in Ogun State yesterday paraded four men for allegedly attempting to disrupt the second term inauguration ceremony of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

    Abiodun was on May 29 sworn in for his second term at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

    Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Oladimeji identified the suspects as Adedapo Taiwo, Arogundade Idowu, Noah Jogunomi and James Abiodun.

    He alleged that they were arrested at Kobape area of Abeokuta “for planning to disrupt the inauguration ceremony of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s second term.”

    According to him, “the suspects were in possession of a Beretta pistol, live ammunition and assorted criminal charms”.

    The Police also paraded 36 others suspects at the police headquarters, Eleweran for alleged involvement in cultism, murder and armed robbery.

    Oladimeji said the suspects were apprehended within and outside Ogun State.

  • Ondo deputy governor’s kinsmen kick against ‘impeachment’ plot

    Ondo deputy governor’s kinsmen kick against ‘impeachment’ plot

    Ilaje Development Summit Group (IDSG), kinsmen of Ondo State Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, have kicked against alleged plots to impeach him.

    They said recent events and developments in the state were a great cause for concern for the Ilaje Nation.

    According to the body, there were plans to unlawfully impeach Aiyedatiwa from office so as to achieve objectives that are antithetical to the people’s welfare, good government and interests. It called on Governor Akeredolu to caution those behind the plot as it could strain the relationship between him and Ilaje.

    An open letter to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, signed by the Deputy Executive Administrator, Rev. Ola Ajidibo, reads: “We have confirmed that the allegations of domestic abuse against the Deputy Governor, by his wife Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, is a fabrication from the pit of hell and designed to generate an impeachable offence since there is no other ploy the plotters could employ. Aiyedatiwa could not be accused of financial impropriety, of being unfaithful to his wife, or of generally not living a disciplined life.

    Read Also: LP Rep – elect backs committee chair, Onuoha for deputy speaker

    “He has been a man of proven absolute loyalty to Your Excellency, hence the resort to crafting domestic abuse allegations. We also know that based on your own knowledge of your deputy, and interactions with him and his wife, you will easily give short shrift to such ridiculous allegations.

    “It is a great disservice to Ondo State and we respectfully urge you to call the perpetrators to order. It is possible you know what is happening while you are away, and feel reluctant to get involved, believing that politicians will always solve problems themselves. It is also possible that you are aware of what is going on and it is also possible that you are not completely aware of what is happening. Whichever is the case, Your Excellency, at this point as the Chief Security Officer of the state, your immediate intervention is of utmost urgency.”

  • Chef Stone set to embark on Culinary adventure across Europe

    Chef Stone set to embark on Culinary adventure across Europe

    The esteemed culinary virtuoso, Mr. Abiola Akanbi (aka Chef Stone)  is embarking on another extraordinary culinary adventure across Europe from June 25th to July 15th, 2023.

    Chef Stone will take food enthusiasts on a captivating culinary tour through six magnificent countries: Italy, Germany, Denmark, France, Spain, and Portugal. This epicurean adventure promises to be an unparalleled celebration of Europe’s rich and diverse culinary traditions.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu cheers chef for global prize

    His European culinary tour is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for food lovers to experience the unique flavors, techniques, and cultural influences that define each country’s cuisine. With a relentless passion for creating extraordinary dishes, Chef Stone will immerse himself in the local ingredients, traditions, and techniques of each destination, fusing his expertise with the essence of European cuisine.

    Chef Stone’s European adventure will take him to some of the continent’s most iconic culinary destinations, where he will explore local cuisines, interact with fellow chefs, and share his passion for Culinary Arts.   The tour’s itinerary includes the following states and cities: Milan in Italy, Berlin in Germany, Copenhagen in Denmark, Lisbon in Portugal, Madrid in Spain, and Paris in France.

  • Amaewhule is Rivers Assembly Speaker

    Amaewhule is Rivers Assembly Speaker

    The lawmaker representing Obio/Akpor constituency I, Martin Amaewhule, has been elected speaker of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly.

    Dumle Mao (Gokana) was elected Deputy Speaker.

    Amaewhule was nominated by Linda Somiari Stalwart (Okrika), and seconded by Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), and thereafter elected after the 10th Assembly was proclaimed yesterday by Governor Siminialayi Fubara.

    He promised a top class Assembly that will come up with legislations that will stand the test of time. The speaker also thanked members for electing him, and promised not to betray their confidence, but lead an Assembly the state will be proud of.

    Amaewhule also promised that the 10th Assembly will be a unifying factor while ensuring that all they will do will benefit the state.

    Governor Fubara earlier proclaimed the 10th Assembly, after dissolving the Ninth Assembly. He solicited the cooperation of the lawmakers in administering the state and providing good governance to Rivers State.

    Read Also: Governor of Rivers State

  • Environmentalist makes case for quality of life, environment

    Environmentalist makes case for quality of life, environment

    A frontline environmentalist, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, has urged governments at all levels to make policies and changes that will enhance the quality of life of residents and the environment, in order to enable the people to realise their potential, and move the nation forward.

    Bassey, who is also the Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), spoke yesterday in Benin at the celebration of World Environment Day, with the theme: “Solution to Plastic Pollution.”

    He noted that if governments could make laws and changes that would improve the environment, the country would have a healthy population, which would lead to healthy work force.

    The renowned environmentalist stated that fossil fuel industry had conspired to ensure that the people continued to rely on them for plastic, even if the world shifted away from the use of petrol, diesel and others for energy.

    Bassey pointed out that most people had been living in very degraded environment in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, with the challenge cutting across the whole world.

    He said: “We have a duty to advocate a safe and clean environment, where people can live in dignity, so as to develop to their great potential.

    Read Also: My plan for sustainable future, by environmentalist Okpokam

    “We also need to inform policy and policy change that we need to make the environment batter. This is a very good opportunity for the government to begin to think of the environment in a deeper way than has been the case.

    “There is no need for Nigeria to engage in single use of plastic. There is no way the big pollutants should go without paying heavily. Environmental issues are endless, and we want to emphasis the fact that a safe environment is the right of the people, in accordance with Africa Charter on Human Rights.

    “Without a healthy population, you cannot have a healthy work force. If you want Nigeria to work again, we must have people who live in clean environment.”

    The HOMEF chief also stated that the fossil fuel industry, the backbone of the plastic industry, was leading the world towards destruction, in view of its influence and power.

    He said: “The world is moving away from using petrol, diesel and other petroleum products. People should not continue to use plastic, so as not to keep its production alive for profit, as its producers do not really care about the safety of the environment and the people.”

    The iconic environmentalist also urged the stakeholders to always show special care for the environment, in order to prolong the lives of residents and ensure their healthy living.

  • ‘NDDC will support efforts to tackle mental health’

    ‘NDDC will support efforts to tackle mental health’

    Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said the commission will support efforts to create awareness on mental health challenges and help tackle them.

    He spoke during the 13th Eveafrique Redball, with special focus on mental health awareness and management, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Ogbuku, who lamented that such challenges were often compounded by the myths and stigma attached to them, was given the ‘Heart of Gold Award’ for his contributions to spreading awareness on mental health management and other health issues in the Niger Delta, as well as the challenges involved in the emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

    Ogbuku, who was represented by the Commission’s Director of Health and Social Services, Dr. George Uzonwanne, noted that mental health issues affect ‘how we think, feel, and act. It also helps to determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices’.

    He added: “If we conduct a psychiatric evaluation of everyone in this room, we will find out that a good number of us are dealing with one mental health challenge or the other. Stress is part of life and will always be part of life, but how we react to it determines how well our mental health will be.”

    Ogbuku, in a statement by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Dr. Ibiyoye Abosede, said the mandate of NDDC was beyond building physical infrastructure.

    He said: “It encompasses building human capacity and caring for the well-being of the people of the Niger Delta.”

    A Consultant Psychiatrist at Elpida Rehabilitation Centre, Dr. Ayodeji Oluwaseun, said an increasing awareness of mental health helped the society to work towards eliminating its stigmas and addressing the challenges associated with it

    He noted that developing a greater understanding of mental illness could allow people to recognise those who may be dealing with anxiety, depression, or other conditions that affects their mental wellbeing.

    Read Also: Senate passes N1.4tr NDDC’s 2021, 2022 budgets

    Oluwaseun stressed that reducing the stigma surrounding mental health could be a vital step for an individual seeking treatment.

    The convener of Eve Afrique Red Ball, Mrs. Ivy Davies Etokakpan, emphasised the importance of celebrating ‘remarkable individuals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the Niger Delta region and its people’.