The Nation Newspaper

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  • Catholics condemn promiscuity; insist on sanctity of human life

    Catholic faithful have been admonished to always pray against abortion and for the removal of the veil of deceit which Satan has placed over people’s hearts which then portrays promiscuity as a freedom.

    In a sermon at a special vigil on Reparation For Abortion organised by the Marriage, Family And Human Life Unit (MFHLU) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos in collaboration with the Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba Lagos Metropolitan Council at the Archdiocesan Marian Shrine, Maryland, Lagos, Mr. Egbert Imomoh, Deputy Metropolitan Grand Knight of the Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba, Lagos Metropolitan Council, enjoined Catholics to help “place over the world a renewed respect for life at the moment of conception.”

    He condemned the practice of procuring abortion in its entirety, insisting on the sanctity of human life since human life is sacred. He further urged Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill to “raise the awareness of the men and women of our country about the fact that killing the defenceless unborn child is a sin against God and against humanity”.

    Imomoh said more than 60 million unborn babies are killed each year by surgical abortion in hospitals, clinics and private homes which ,according to him, is the equivalent of one-third the population of Nigeria or four times the population of Lagos.

     

     

     

  • State creation: Igbo leaders urged to put their house in order

    AS controversy over the approval of one additional state to be created in the south-east to balance it with the other geo political zones in the country rages on, Ohanaeze Media Forum (OMF) has called on Igbo leaders to put their house in order or they would lose the state.

    According to the forum, “Ndigbo would come out with compensation list for the injustices that the Nigerian state has meted to them,” adding that “the list must be addressed before this country would move forward.”

    In a statement signed by Peter Anosike and Ngozi Emedoluibe, President and Secretary respectively, the forum said what should be of paramount importance to every Igbo man or woman is for the additional state to be created in Igbo land and not from which state it would be carved out.

    They said that if they continue to insist on the area the new state would come from, they would lose the state.

    According to them, if that happens, Igbos should have themselves to blame.

     

  • Kidnapped wife of Osun Speaker rescued in Ogun

    Kidnapped wife of Osun Speaker rescued in Ogun

    The wife of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Alhaja Muibat Salaam, who was kidnapped last Tuesday in Ejigbo, Osun State, was yesterday rescued from her captors in Ilaro, Ogun State.

    She was set free by a vigilance group while her kidnappers were making effort apparently to take her across the border to the neighbouring Benin Republic.

    It was gathered that the vigilance group became suspicious of the presence of the lone woman in the midst of nine tough men.

    They soon engaged the kidnappers in an argument and then a gun duel ensued.

    One of the suspects was killed, three were apprehended while the rest escaped.

    The woman was said to have given the vigilance men her husband’s cell phone number to speak with him.

    It was gathered that after the discussion between the Speaker and his wife, he called the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Kalafite Adeyemi, who in turn alerted her counterparts in Oyo and Ogun States.

    The Osun State police boss was said to have gone to Ogun State with some of her men to bring back the Speaker’s wife to reunite with her family in the state.

    Meanwhile, on receiving the information, the immediate family of the Speaker as well as the people across the state went into jubilation.

    Alhaja Salaam was abducted after closing from her shop in Ejigbo, Osun State where she sells foodstuff.

  • 2015 poll: INEC seeks 12 amendments

    2015 poll: INEC seeks 12 amendments

    As part of its preparations for 2015 poll, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is seeking about 12 amendments to the 1999 Constitution, including the power to determine the order of elections. The commission said it needs freedom to choose the order of elections in order not to allow a political party to have an advantage over the others.

    While calling for stringent conditions for registration of parties, it noted that it is also constitutional amendment that would prevent weak parties from being listed on the ballot paper.

    It has also called for the establishment of Election Offences Tribunal to deal with those engaging in electoral malpractices.

    While the electoral agency may shelve plans to deregister parties, it is urging the National Assembly to amend the constitution to disallow unviable or weak parties from being on the ballot paper.

    According to a position paper obtained last night, INEC has sought for 12 amendments to the Constitution and three to the Electoral Act 2011. The sections of the constitution which INEC is seeking changes are 76, 116, 132, 77(2), 134, 117(2), 178, 179, and 285.

    Areas of amendment to the Electoral Act are Sections 25, 31(1) and 87(9).Top on the shopping list of INEC is the order of elections. The position paper reads in part:

    “There is no doubt that laws guide elections and good legal framework for elections constitutes the foundation of good elections.  The 1999 Constitution was amended twice in December 2010 and January, 2011, about three months before the April 2011 general elections.

    The second alteration of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) gave the Commission the power to fix the date of elections between 150 and 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of the various elected office holders.

    ”The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) as well as the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) need further amendments. These further amendments will inevitably enhance the functions of the electoral commission and impact positively on the conduct of elections.

    “Some of the sections are: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is mandated by Sections 76, 116, 132 and 178 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to appoint dates for conduct of elections in accordance with the Electoral Act.  “It is proposed that these sections/provisions be amended by deleting the phrase ‘In accordance with the Electoral Act.’

    “The rationale for this proposal is that the Commission should be allowed to determine the order of the conduct of elections in such a way that no political party will have undue advantage over the others.

    “The provisions of Section 25 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), which repeals the above provisions of the Constitution, is null and void in accordance with the rules of constitutional interpretation.”

    Regarding voting, the agency has asked for legal powers to determine what form of voting to adopt, including the use of electronic machines.

    INEC said: “Section 52 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) prohibits the use of electronic voting machine. While we appreciate the apprehension of Nigerians in the past that electronic machines could be misused, best practice in many parts of the world is that for efficient conduct of elections and timely declaration of results, electronic means offer a solution.

    “Consequently, the Commission would like to see an amendment of the law that allows it to determine what form of voting to adopt. This will also be in line with its legal powers to determine how elections are conducted.”

    Although INEC is asking for stringent conditions for registration of political parties, it is no longer keen on de-registering weak or unviable parties.

    Instead, the electoral commission has pleaded with the National Assembly to ensure that only serious-minded parties are on the ballot paper.

    The document added: “Sections 222 – 223 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) should be reviewed to have stringent conditions for registration of political parties.

    “The current provisions only focus on the constitution and programmes of the association seeking registration.

    “The rationale for the proposal for stringent requirements is to avoid the proliferation of political parties in Nigeria which invariably causes serious administrative problems to the commission and avoidable expenditure by the county.

    “Section 78 of the Electoral Act (as amended) provides for the de-registration of political parties that fail to win presidential, or governorship election or a seat in the national or state assembly election.

    “INEC’s position is that parties should be free to exist. However, it should have the power to determine the crite get on the ballot. This will be consistent with best practice in many parts of the world.”

    It sought for sanction against political parties that breach internal democracy and timeline for resolving pre-election matters.

    The document stated: “Neither the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) nor the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) provided for sanctions against political parties that violate internal party democracy.

    It is proposed that the Constitution be reviewed to allow the Commission to sanction political parties that breach their internal democracy as that will enhance the democratic process.

    “In the spirit of Section 285 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the provision for time limit for the determination of pre- election matters need to be made in the Constitution.

    “The rationale for this proposal to limit the period within which to institute and determine pre–election cases is to reduce the volume of unnecessary litigations against the Commission and elected officials.

    Timeous determination of pre-election matters will reduce distractions and allow the elected officials to settle down early enough in their respective offices.”On electoral offences, the commission said only a designated tribunal could bring culprits to book.It said: “INEC has consistently made the point that it lacks the capacity to deal adequately with the number of election offenders. Yet, strengthen the electoral process requires that the impunity of election offences be curbed. “In line with the recommendation of the Uwais Committee, the Commission recommends strongly that an Election Offences Tribunal be established for investigating and prosecuting electoral offences.

    The commission is also after a law to reject candidates who did not win primaries from contesting any strand of election.

  • Boko Haram: We’re disappointed, Borno elders tell FG

    Boko Haram: We’re disappointed, Borno elders tell FG

    Eminent citizens of Borno State yesterday deplored Federal Government’s combative approach to resolving the insecurity challenges  in the state.

    The citizens, made up mainly of elder statesmen, made their position known five  days  after  soldiers allegedly went on a reprisal attack, killing 35 residents of Maiduguri, the state capital and setting dozens of houses ablaze.

    The soldiers’ action was provoked by the killing of a lieutenant  in a bomb attack on a patrol van of the Joint Task Force (JTF).

    The army has since denied the involment of its men in the mayhem.

    However, a forum of Borno elders, at a meeting they held yesterday to review the situation, opined that the Federal Government had failed the people of the state.

    They said the military option, as against dialogue, had only  succeeded  in  encouraging  the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The   Secretary of  the Borno Elders Forum, Alhaji Bulama Mali Gubio, who briefed  newsmen at the end of the meeting, said  that on the evidence of the prevailing situation in the state, the people had come to the conclusion that the  Federal Government had abandoned them to their fate and Boko Haram.

    The people, he stressed, could not understand why government  would prefer the use of force to dialogue; a situation they said had been claiming their lives and property.

    ‘’It is clear nowthat the Federal Government is not interested in solving this problem, for there is no part of the world where the use of force crushes an insurgency like this,’’ he said.

    Gubio said the meeting, which was convened at the instance of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, resolved that it was time the people of the state held the bull by the horn and say enough is enough to the insecurity problem that has crippled social and economic activities.

    Before  the leaders commenced the  closed door deliberation, the Shehu  appealed to  all  residents to continue to pray for peace to return to the state.

    The palace, he said, is not in a position to tell the JTF how to conduct its operations, adding that thebest it can do is to plead with the soldiers to exhibit professionalism in the discharge of their assignments in the state.

    Among those who attended the meeting  were Second Republic governor of the old Borno State, Alhaji Mohammed Goni, and his successor, Alhaji Asheikh Jarma.

    Reacting to reports that JTF soldiers went on the rampage lastMonday, spokesman for JTF, Lt-Col Sagir Musa, said: “There was no incident involving the killing of 30 civilians. Also, there was no arson and harassment by the JTF troops in Borno State.” Only on Thursday, Human Rights Watch (HRW), in a report, indicted both the military and the Boko Haram sect for alleged habitual killing and maiming of innocent  people.

  • Presidency votes N5.8bn for Mark, Tambuwal, other lawmakers’ new quarters, offices

    Presidency votes N5.8bn for Mark, Tambuwal, other lawmakers’ new quarters, offices

    New residential quarters and an office complex are to be made available to principal officers of the National Assembly with a princely sum of N5.8 billion this year, according to the budget estimates now before the legislature.

    The said sum will cover the design and construction of the buildings.

    The Federal Capital Territory is saddled with the responsibility of executing the projects for which N2.3 billion of is earmarked for design and construction of the presiding officers’ (Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker) residences and guest houses.

    The ministry is also expected to spend N3.5 billion to construct the National Assembly Complex Phase lll, Part ll and Part lll in Abuja. The National Assembly appropriated N500 million for the construction of the complex in this year’s budget.

    Other projects to be executed by the FCT ministry include the Abuja cultural Centre and millennium tower at the cost of N2 billion, and the design and construction of the Vice President’s residence also at the cost of N2 billion.

    The sum of N2.5 billion was appropriated for the cultural centre and millennium tower this year.

    Similarly, the ministry plans to spend N5.6 billion on the provision of water for residents of the FCT. The project entails the construction of the 20,000M3/HR Lower Usuman Dam water treatment plants for N529 million; tanks 1 and 6 and associated trunk mains at a cost of N2.25 billion and the design and construction of dam treatment plants, tanks and other bulk water supply infrastructure to Karshi satellite town for N2,832,700,000.

    The sum of N1 billion is to be spent on renting office space for displaced personnel of the United Nations office, Abuja following its bombing last year by Boko Haram.

    A separate N700 million is earmarked for the settlement of outstanding rent for international organisations in the FCT as against the N370,189,600 that it spent in 2012.

  • Keystone Bank gets new MD

    Keystone Bank gets new MD

    Keystone Bank yesterday announced Shehu Muhammad as its new Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer. Until his appointment, Muhammad was Executive Director, Corporate Banking within the bank.

    The Board of Directors had after a meeting, formally accepted the resignation of former Managing Director/CEO of the bank, Oti Ikomi, who resigned on Thursday, October 11.

    In a statement, the Corporate Communications Unit of the bank described Muhammad as an astute and experienced banker. He holds a doctoral degree in Development Economics from Universite de Granoble II, France (1989), Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Business Administration from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

    According to the statement, Muhammad brings to Keystone Bank robust intellectual capital, strong management consultancy skills and extensive commercial banking experience acquired over 18 years of engagement at ICON Limited (Merchant Bankers), Bank of the North Limited and Unity Bank Plc.

    He is also experienced in strategy development, corporate planning, corporate banking, treasury marketing and product development.

  • Foreign trips fallout: Eight arrested over Senators’, Reps’ missing passports in federal agency

    A Female member employee of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (names withheld), her male friend and six cleaners are being interrogated by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) over the theft of four international passports belonging to National Assembly members.

    Sources at the National Assembly told our correspondent in Abuja yesterday that the passports were submitted to the protocol department of the ICRC by the lawmakers for the procurement of visas to India for a capacity building course which was to be sponsored by the government agency.

    Although it was not known if the India trip enjoyed the blessings of the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, our correspondent gathered that the affected lawmakers had initially visited the corporate office of the ICRC on oversight function and had expressed displeasure over some fiscal matters.

    The relevant committees that visited the office last week were the Senate Committee on Works and the House Committee on Special Duties.

    It was gathered that after the visit, the ICRC mooted the idea of the foreign trip and it was agreed that two senators and two members of the House of Representatives from both committees should embark on the trip.

    The missing passports were subsequently forwarded to the arrested protocol officer for the processing of visas before other logistics would be addressed.

    A source said: “I can tell you that about eight persons are being detained over the missing international passports of four lawmakers who visited the ICRC last week on oversight function. The Senate President and the Speaker have been briefed on this matter.

    “A lady who works in the ICRC protocol office and her brother were the first to be quizzed by detectives and we were told that she insisted that she kept the passports in the office and could not understand how they developed legs and walked out of the drawers.

    “The detectives from SARS then returned to ICRC office and arrested all the cleaners, about six of them, and they are currently being detained at the Area 10 office of the command.

    “The affected lawmakers are not happy about the development because those missing passports have valid visas to some important countries and you know what that means. For now, no one is sure if the passports will be retrieved as those arrested are yet to give any relevant clue on how to track them.”

    A lawmaker, who spoke with our correspondent, questioned the haste with which his colleagues submitted their travelling documents to a government agency they were expected to oversee, but dismissed insinuations that the capacity building training in India might be a smart way of settling the lawmakers who apparently were not happy with how most government agencies have implemented the 2012 budget.

    “If the passports had not gone missing, we wouldn’t have known that some of us still accept such perks from Ministries, Departments and Agencies despite the warning by the leadership of both chambers and our joint resolve to be careful this time.”

  • PDP suspends National Vice Chair

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended the party’s Vice Chairman, North East, Alhaji Girigiri Lawal, for one month.

    The suspension, which took effect from yesterday, was announced by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement. Metuh said Lawal breached Articles 51(1) (b) (c) (h) of the constitution of the party.

    According to him, the action was in furtherance of the resolve of the leadership of the party to entrench discipline at all levels.

    The statement reads: “Following the breach of the constitution of the party by Alhaji Girigiri, he was invited by the National Working Committee for preliminary hearing in accordance with Article 57(3) of the constitution of the PDP.

    “After the preliminary hearing, the National Working Committee resolved to suspend Alhaji Girigiri Lawal for a period of one month with effect from October, 12 , 2012”.

  • …Yobe Governor urges security operatives to sustain success against sect

    Yobe State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, has tasked security operatives not to relent in their efforts to restore peace to the state.

    The call of the governor is coming in the wake of the gradual return of peace to the state, following the intensive house to house raid for members of the Boko Haram sect by men of the JTF in Damaturu.

    Governor Gaidam, who spoke while receiving the AIG Zone 12, Ibrahim Abdu, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Damaturu, noted that the state government was taking adequate measures to ensure the safety of the citizenry, while commending the JTF for containing the situation.

    “As part of our efforts to maintain peace, the present administration in Yobe State is taking measures aimed at ensuring the safety and protection of lives and property of all, irrespective of their affiliations or background.

    “I, therefore, wish to seize this opportunity to re-assure the people of the state, including the non-indigenes. It is in view of this that I would like to commend the efforts of the military, police, SSS and other security operatives in containing the present security challenges in the state.

    “I urge them to intensify their efforts and not to relent by adopting various strategies in order to achieve the desired objectives of peace and tranquility in the state,” Gaidam appealed.

    Earlier in his remarks, AIG Ibrahim Abdu called for a synergy between the six governors and the police commissioners and other security operatives in the north-east in order to arrest the deteriorating security situation in the region.

    “I think there is the need to harmonise the security operations in the entire north-eastern states. If we have this kind of harmonization, these hoodlums will not have a hiding place. But in the absence of this synergy, they can move to another place if they discover that a particular state is no longer safe for them.”