The Nation Newspaper

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  • Olu of Itori remains suspended, says Amosun

    ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the weekend said the Olu of Itori, Oba Abdulfatai Akamo, remains suspended pending the government’s fight decision on the report of the panel set up to look into the allegation of “public brawl” involving Akamo and the Baale of Lapeleke, Chief Gabriel Akinremi, on October 1.

    Amosun spoke with reporters in his office in Abeokuta, the state capital. He said the suspension would enable the panel perform its function.

    The governor said Akamo’s fate would be decided by the government in conjunction with the state’s Council of Chiefs.

    Akamo and Akinremi were said to have fought in Itori on October 1 and this prompted the state government to set up a one-man panel (Alhaji Samodu Adegbadun) to “look into the immediate and remote causes of the quarrel”.

    Adegbadun was supposed to submit his report last Monday.

    But the Olu Itori-in-Council, the highest traditional decision making body in Itoriland, insisted that Akamo did not fight with Akinremi.

    They said the story was being spread by the monarch’s detractors.

    They said: “Our Oba cannot fight, let alone doing it in public. It is so ridiculous that some people could come out with that kind of story.”

    They said the “purported people of Onigbedu”, who protested at the Governor’s Office and demanded Akamo’s removal, were hired.

    The Balogun of Itori, Chief Tajudeen Salawu, who spoke on behalf of the chiefs, said: “Why would the people from Onigbedu want the Olu of Itori removed from office, when Itori are not complaining?

    “What is the connection between Onigbedu and Itori? Why should some people say because the Oba of Onigbedu is not giving them money so they should remove the Olu of Itori? If a tree falls in the forest, it does not kill someone at home. It can only kill someone in the forest. We, the people of Itori, are solidly behind our Oba.

    “The protesters, who claimed to be from Onigbedu, were Egun and Igede people from Benue State. All that is being said about our Oba engaging in a brawl is false.

    “This is what really happened. Kabiyesi shares the same birthday with Nigeria. He was born on October 1, 1960 and he celebrated his 52nd birthday on October 1. Over 400 guests came to celebrate with him and while the guests were preparing to go to their hotels, someone alerted Kabiyesi that the Oro cult had come out without his knowledge and was blocking the way to the hotels.

    “If Oro wants to come out, why should it go and stay on the way to the hotels where guests lodged? Is Oro a lodger in those hotels? When Kabiyesi discovered those responsible for the development, he took the two of them to the police station.

    “Later at the Police Station, somebody came out and said he was a Baale and was arguing with Kabiyesi and that was all. The following day, he went to town saying Kabiyesi slapped him and he slapped him back. Is it possible for Kabiyesi and the Baale to be fighting at the station and the Divisional Police Officer and his men would just be watching them?”

  • Fed Govt secures $7.8b investments in agric

    The Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) has secured private sector investments worth $7.8 billion, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has said.

    The minister said the World Bank, International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, among others, also committed resources to support the transformation plan.

    Adesina spoke at the opening of the National Agricultural Show in Nasarawa State, adding that plans are on-going to setup area-based flood insurance schemes for farmers to compensate them for floods and drought in their communities.

    He said: “The Agricultural Transformation Agenda in Nigeria is well on course. We have been able to attract $7.8 billion of private sector investment commitments into the agriculture asector in the past one year.

    “The world is noticing. The World Bank is providing $500 million. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have selected Nigeria as a priority country for its investment in agriculture. The International Fund for Agriculture Development has put up $80 million. The USAID has committed $60 million. And the DFID, Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation have committed for technical support facilities.”

    Speaking on farmers affected by flood, the minister said government is to develop policies that will protect farmers from the impact of climate change.

    “The flood is a wake-up call, with changing weather patterns; we must now develop policies for protecting farmers from the impact of climate change, especially droughts and floods.”

    He said as part of the flood recovery food production initiative, the ministry is distributing 1,000 pumps to farmers to used for flood recession food production in the dry season.

    Adesina, who assured that there won’t be food crisis in the country, said government would embark on a flood recession food production intervention to support farmers .

     

  • Kwara burglary: ACN petitions police

    The Kwara State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has petitioned the police on the September 22 burglary in the Ministry of Finance.

    The party demanded a thorough probe of the incident in which sensitive documents and hard currencies were reportedly stolen.

    Quoting an online news portal, Sahara Reporters, ACN said the stolen documents covered government transactions from 2003 till date.

    The state government has confirmed the burglary.

    In the petition by the party’s chairman, Kayode Olawepo, ACN deplored the continued silence of the police on the matter, which it said was allegedly reported to them when the break-in was taking place opposite the headquarters of the police command in Ilorin.

    The party threatened to approach the court to compel the police to probe the incident, if the security agencies ignore the petition.

    The petition reads: “Given the sensitivity of the Ministry of Finance and the manner in which these incidents occurred, we are astonished that the Nigerian Police Force has remained mute. This is a matter of public interest and we believe it is the duty of the police to investigate crime and charge whoever is found culpable to court.

    “We are not asking the police to delve into political issues; rather, as responsible members of this society, we are fortified in the belief that it is proper that crimes are thoroughly investigated and should be investigated in a progressive society such as ours.

    “We are particularly concerned that these incidents occurred right opposite the police headquarters’ command in Ilorin. Even more irksome is the fact that a complaint was reportedly made to the police as the burglary was ongoing on September 22. The police redirected the complainant to the Division C (Oja Oba) Police Station, Ilorin, thereby giving the burglars the opportunity to complete their dastardly act and escape.

    “As this is a matter of public interest, we demand that the police conduct a thorough investigation and make the outcome public. Failure to do so severely erodes the people’s confidence in the police.

    “In the event that there is no action taken by the police, as demanded, we reserve our right to take the matter to court and urge the court to compel the police to carry out its statutory duty to the people of the state. We trust that you will do the appropriate thing and not let things get to that point.”

  • Imo flood victims allege bias in management of intervention fund

    Victims of the recent flood disaster in Imo state have expressed doubt over the management of the Federal Government’s intervention fund by the state government, which they said have employed political sentiments in the composition of the management committee.

    They also accused the state government of diverting relief materials meant for the displaced people to loyalists of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Speaking with The Nation, the member representing Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta Federal Constituency, Gerald Irona, noted with displeasure that the state government has been playing politics with the misfortune that befell the people of the state, adding that “they have perfected plans to divert the intervention funds as a patronage to their party loyalists”.

    Irona, who faulted the membership of the committee setup by the government to manage the fundthat APGA members in communities that were not affected by the flood were given relief materials while victims who are not APGA members were denied any form of relief.

    He said: “The involvement of the Community Government Council headed by APGA Chieftains who were hurriedly selected to manage the intervention fund instead of the traditional rulers, is a pointer that the whole affair will be highly politicized. In Oguta for instance, one Ogbonna Alozie was selected to head the CGC and to manage the resources and he has been printing and selling forms to people who were not even affected by the flood”.

    The lawmaker queried the inclusion of the community of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) among the affected areas, stating that it further exposes the fact that the fund will not get to the genuine victims at last, “Egbuoma community was not among the flooded areas but because the SSG, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, comes from there it was included.

  • One dead, three injured in Ebonyi ‘illegal’ mining

    A man, said to be an illegal miner, Anele Nwite, at the weekend died in a mining pit in Ameka, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    Three others were injured and are receiving treatment in a hospital.

    The pit reportedly caved in when the “illegal miners” were scooping for salt.

    It was learnt that Nwite’s head, hand and leg were severed by a large stone which fell on him.

    Another miner, Ebube Agu, was injured and taken to Ugodinma Hospital Onueke in the same local government area, where he is said to be responding to treatment.

    The other two were taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment and are said to be in critical condition.

    The deceased was reportedly buried immediately his body was retrieved.

    The Chairman of Ezza South Local Government Area, Lazarus Ogbee, denied knowledge of the incident.

    He said: “I have not received such a report on my table. The Development Centre Coordinator and the councillor representing the ward have not brought it to my notice. I am just hearing it from you.”

    The area where the incident occurred is on lease to Royal Salt Company Limited.

    Efforts to get the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Ifeanyi

    Ike, and his Cement and Mineral Development counterpart, Sunday

    Ugwuocha, to react to the incident, were abortive.

    They were said to be attending the State Executive Council (Exco) meeting.

  • Nigerian consultant sacked for bringing HIV infected blood into Britain

    Nigerian consultant sacked for bringing HIV infected blood into Britain

    •Genito-urinary specialist Tubonye Harry breached regulations preventing spread of infections

     

    Nigerian consultant has lost his job at a National Health Service (NHS) hospital in Britain after carrying a sample of HIV-infected blood in his hand luggage while flying from Lagos to the UK, a High Court judge heard.

    Tubonye Harry – who was a genito-urinary specialist at the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk – was returning from Nigeria, where he did private work, Mr Justice Burnett was told.

    The judge said the sample should have been packed in the aircraft’s hold and Dr Harry had breached regulations designed to prevent passengers being exposed to infection.

    Dr Harry had also broken rules by opening a package containing the sample at home instead of in a laboratory, the judge added.

    He was dismissed by James Paget bosses earlier this year.

    ‘The transportation of human blood is governed by strict regulations,’ said Mr Justice Burnett.

    He added: ‘On a return journey from Nigeria in December 2010, Dr Harry accepted that he carried two samples of blood, one infected with HIV, in his hand luggage.

    ‘He said that they were appropriately packed in accordance with the regulations, but agreed that the regulations required them to go in the hold. He said that he had been unaware of this.

    ‘The second aspect is that he opened the package in which the samples had been transported at home. He then took them to the laboratory. The regulations require that samples be opened in the laboratory.

    ‘The rationale behind these strictures is not difficult to divine. Should an incident occur in which a phial of infected blood is broken there is a risk that people might inadvertently come into contact with it and be exposed to infection.”

    Details of the case emerged as Mr Justice Burnett ruled on a dispute between Dr Harry and the General Medical Council (GMC) – which registers doctors – at a High Court hearing in London.

    Dr Harry, who also faced a number of other allegations relating to his work, has been suspended pending the outcome of GMC disciplinary proceedings, the judge was told.

    But he argued that the GMC’s 18-month interim suspension was unfair and unnecessary – and the judge agreed.

    Mr Justice Burnett terminated the suspension, which prevented Harry from seeking alternative work, saying it was ‘disproportionate’.

    Dr Harry qualified as a doctor in 1979 and had been a consultant since 1996.

    He carried the infected blood from Nigeria in 2010 and lost his job at the James Paget in January. Hospital bosses had then referred the case to the GMC, the judge was told.

     

    Courtesy: The Mail of London

  • Task force arrests ‘notorious’ pirate in Lagos

    Task force arrests ‘notorious’ pirate in Lagos

    A suspected kingpin of pirates linked to the hijack of oil vessels on the West African coast has been arrested in Lagos by a joint task force of the navy NIMASA and Global West.

    The suspect who has reportedly made useful confessional statement to security agencies described himself as commander of ‘ship hijackers in the country. “If you call me commander of ship hijackers in the country, you might be right because I am the leader,” he was quoted as saying.

    He confessed to have been part of the recent hijacking of the vessel MT Energy Centurion, for which he got N10million as his own share of the proceed of the operation.

     

  • Diet tips

    IN spite of the harsh conditions most Nigerians are forced to survive in, the proper lifestyle and diet can play a role in keeping headaches at bay or getting rid of them.

    1. Limit alcohol. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, drawing fluids out of the body, which is the perfect set up for the serious hangover headache and dehydration.

    2. Drink plenty of water: Drinking 3 to 4 glasses of water before sleeping, after a long nap, can prevent the dreaded morning-after headache. Even if you don’t drink alcohol, drinking water regularly reduces the chances of getting headaches related to dehydration.

    3. Limit red wine: Some women, and probably men, say they get headaches from red wine. This could be either psychosomatic or due to the increased blood pressure sometimes triggered by the amines present in red wine.

    4. Limit coffee: An extra cup of coffee on a sluggish morning may not be the best choice. Coffee contains caffeine, which is a diuretic and can contribute to headaches associated with dehydration.

    5. Limit chocolate: While rumoured by some people to be better than sex, chocolate can contribute to headaches, due to the presence of caffeine.

    6. Eat properly and regularly: A diet lacking in the proper nutrients can cause headaches. Lack of protein for breakfast, for example, can contribute to headaches later in the day. Also, try to eat regularly, with more whole foods and reduce the amount of processed/ convenience foods consumed, as these tend to lack valuable nutrients. Finally, eat regularly.

    7. Reduce fried foods. Fried foods can serve as a trigger for certain types of headaches. However, reducing fried foods is a good idea for improving over-all health, as well. Better nutrition and health in general can serve to decrease the number and severity of many types of headache.

    8. Lemon juice. Used both internally and externally, lemon juice can be an effective means of dealing with a headache. Some remedies suggest drinking a bit of lemon juice and water, possibly with freshly grated ginger root. Externally, the clean citrus scent of lemon juice and lemon skins applied to the temples can clear the mind and ease a headache away.

  • FRSC makes case for physically-challenged

    FRSC makes case for physically-challenged

    THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has emphasised the need to have a 100% concentration and all the five senses at work while driving.

    According to the Corps, this need has become more necessary due to the usage of Nigerian roads by the physically challenged.

    Speaking through its RS 2.19, Oshodi Unit commander, Samuel Aderemi Ogundayo, over the weekend at a safety campaign seminar organised in conjunction with Golden Penny Foods for the physically challenged in Lagos, the Corps observed that most motorists drive without bearing in mind that there are physically-challenged ones on the road.

    He, therefore, called on motorists to always watch out for the visually-impaired, who cannot see an oncoming vehicle and the hearing-impaired who cannot hear the hooting sounds from vehicles while using the road.

    He particularly called motorists’ attention to reflexive “white or guide or canes” being held by the visually-impaired.

    According to the Head of Training, Vocational Training Centre for the Blind, Oshodi, Nicholas Obot, another item motorists need to watch out for is the help sticker that is normally pasted to the rear of the vehicle being driven by a physically- challenged person, in case of a deflated tyre, or any other mechanical breakdown.

    Obot lamented the situation whereby the physically-challenged are avoided by co-road users, thereby causing them to spend hours on the road while waiting for assistance.

     

  • Nicki Minaj won’t headline this year’s Calabar festival

    Nicki Minaj won’t headline this year’s Calabar festival

    Multiple-award winning American super star, NIcki Minaj, would not be headlining this year’s Calabar Festival, organisers have said.

    The media, particularly the online media, had been awash with reports that the songstress would be storming Calabar, the Cross River State capital, for the festival.

    But a statement issued by the organisers said though Nicki, like many other world-acclaimed musicians, was under consideration, a deal with her was never reached owing to her asking price.

    The online media had also claimed that the super star was paid about 200,000 dollars to perform at the festival. But the organisers said to bring the pop sensation to Calabar would cost at least one million dollars.

    The organisers, however, assured of a fun-filled festival that would offer unrivalled entertainment.