The Nation Newspaper

Category: Uncategorized

  • Four killed in Berom-Fulani clash in Jos

    Four persons were killed yesterday as renewed clash between Fulani and local ethnic group, the Berom, entered the third day in Plateau State.

    It was learnt that the four persons were killed in Riyom and Barkin Ladi in the morning.

    The two warring ethnic groups have been reportedly regrouping since Tuesday morning when three people were ambushed and killed by unknown gunmen.

    The Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Emmanuel Loman, imposed a 24-hour curfew on the affected community.

    The police deployed their men in the area.

    The clash was said to have begun at dawn, leading to the casualties.

    The member representing Riyom/Barkin Ladi in the House of Representatives, Prince Simon Mwadkwon, accused security agencies of failing to arrest and prosecute suspected perpetrators of the killings.

    Mwadkwon narrowly escaped death in the July attack when Senator Gyang Dantong and House of Assembly member Gyang Fulani died in a stampede, following an attack by gunmen.

    A Fulani cattle breeder in Mahanga village, Riyom Local Government Area, Usman Yakubu said: “The fight began in the morning because some people we don’t know attacked Fulani cattle and shot many cows. About 10 cows were killed.

    “Also in Kakwi village, near Ganwuri in Riyom, Fulani houses were burnt.”

    The Nation learnt that the Division Police Officer (DPO) in Riyom, James Alesoki, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), led a police team to Bangai village to quell the clash.

    The team was reportedly attacked by Fulani, leading to another clash between the police and the Fulani.

    It was learnt that the Fulani abandoned their homes and hid behind rocks from where they shot at the police.

    The police reportedly invited the Special Task Force (STF) on Plateau State Crises, code-named Operation Safe Haven, to deploy its helicopter in the area.

    The use of the helicopter was said to have been hampered by poor visibility after a downpour in the area.

    Yakubu alleged that the place the Fulani used for Sallah prayers (eid) was demolished.

    He said: “…We woke up yesterday morning to discover that, despite the curfew, some people went out at night and destroyed our praying ground. They pulled down the fence.”

    Another Berom resident, Bitrus Dalyop, said: “Some armed Fulani this morning (Thursday) attacked people with knives on the road. Many on foot had to run; people on motorcycles had to abandon them and run. So far, the police have recovered two motorcycles left by their owners to escape being killed by the armed Fulani. You would expect our youths to retaliate the unprovoked attack.”

    Dalyop said: “The home of Mr Garba Makeri was razed by suspected Fulani in Riyom during the attack.”

    The Fulani in Riyom have reportedly complained to security agencies that 39 of their cows were missing during the attack.

    The clash has spread to several villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas, including Jol, Dalyam, Ranchol, Rankung, Gassa, Sho, Ganawuri, Kakwi, Sara, among others.

    Police spokesman Emmanuel Abuh, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said he was not aware of the killings.

    But he said the curfew in the area hads been extended to 24 hours.

  • Abia urges monarchs to protect pipelines

    Abia urges monarchs to protect pipelines

    The Abia State government has called on traditional rulers of pipeline host-communities to identify individuals in their domain who perpetrated pipeline vandalism for appropriate sanctions.

    The state Commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Minerals Development, Chief Don Ubani, gave the order in a statement in Aba.

    It would be recalled that some persons perished while attempting to scoop petroleum products from a vandalised pipeline at Umueke village in the Umueze Autonomous Community of Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of the state.

    “Henceforth, any traditional ruler in whose community the PPMC pipeline is vandalised should be prepared to identify such hoodlums for appropriate action by government or face the consequence of nonchalance.’’

    Ubani urged hospitals or traditional healers currently treating any suspected pipeline vandal to report such persons to law enforcement authorities.

    “Any medical practitioner or traditional healer who fails to heed this clarion call will be regarded as an accomplice and will be treated as such.’’ he said.

    The Managing Director of Pipeline and Petroleum Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr Haruna Momoh, said at the re-opening of the NNPC Aba depot in July that it lost products worth N7.6 billion to pipeline vandals between the Port Harcourt and Aba segments since 2007.

    He said that over 30 million litres of PMS (fuel) was readily available at the reopening of depot, while assuring that the trend would be maintained if the pipelines were not vandalised.

    The depot was commissioned about 33 years ago with the capacity for over 133 million litres of petroleum products, including petrol, kerosene and diesel to serve Imo, Abia, Anambra and some past of Akwa Ibom.

    NN

  • Oshiomhole assures monks of govt’s support

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has assured monks in the Order of St Benedict in Ewu of the government’s support.

    The governor spoke in his office in Benin, the state capital, while hosting the monks, who were led by their Prior, Rev. Peter Eghwrujakpor.

    Oshiomhole said: “Since you are not a profit making organisation and you are part of Edo State, the state government can be of help to your activities with our state-owned electronic and print media.

    “You are involved in a spiritual lifestyle of total abstinence in the service of God. You need support to help mankind in the way you have chosen to.

    “We have to take advantage of our state media to inform the public on the need to take advantage of the services you provide.”

    Rev. Eghwrujakpor congratulated the governor on his victory in the election and prayed for wisdom and strength to enable him serve the people.

    He said: “We do not come out often, but hear of the good things you are doing and we assure you of our prayers.

    “With over 200 workers in the monastery, we are considered one of the best job creators in the Esan region as well as our impartation of spiritual and psychology wellbeing, it is against this background that we seek government’s assistance”.

  • Falseinformation may attract 10-year jail term, says ICPC chair

    Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) chair, Mr. Ekpo Nta, a laywer, has said false information to the agency by any petitioner could attract 10 years imprisonment

    According to a statement by ICPC’s Head of Media Folu Olamiti, the commission’s chairman made this disclosure while responding to the address by the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Mallam Muntaka Rabe Dama, who led the management and the Anti-Corruption and Transparent Unit (ACTU) of the agency on a courtesy visit to ICPC headquarters in Abuja.

    The statement said the ICPC chairman agreed with the views of the Executive Secretary about the destabilising effect of incessant invitation of busy Chief Executives and staff of government departments to anti-graft agencies as a result of numerous petitions.

    Nta said several man-hours were often wasted in the course of coming to answer questions and it might take several months to investigate a petition.

    He said: “At the end of the day it is most demoralising to all parties when you discover that the petition was sent with malicious intent.

  • Jonathan’s commitment to education thrills Sultan

    Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his commitment to turn around the nation’s education sector.

    Speaking in Sokoto yesterday while hosting the Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, said the education vote in the 2013 budget confirms the President’s interest in kick-starting national development through functional educational in the past one year.

    According to him, the nation’s education sector has witnessed the desired growth as a result of the passionate implementation of policies and programmes by officials of the Federal Ministry of Education.

    He said: “For the first time, education is taking the lion share of the budget. We as partners in progress, will always support every effort geared towards developing education in the country. We urge a focus on technical and vocational education to engage our youths”.

    Alhaji Abubakar said that investments in Almajiri education will help the affected states in resolving social and developmental challenges facing them.

    Wike assured that 80 per cent of the almajiri schools will be handed over to states by november.

    The minister that 50 per cent of the schools have been fully completed, while the remaining 50 per cent have reached 80per cent completion level.

    He restated President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s commitment to using education in the vehicle to lift the living standard of Nigerians.

    After inspecting blocks of classrooms, hostels, libraries and perimeter fencing of the schools, the minister expressed satisfaction with the level of work at the library project at Federal Government Girls College, Tambuwal, despite the non mobilisation of the contractor.

  • Man charged with N19m theft

    A 31-year-old man, Abumike Okoliagu, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing N19 million.

    Okoliagu, a former branch manager of Etus World Connection Nigeria Limited, Ojo-Alaba, a suburb of Lagos, with others now at large, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The police prosecutor, Mr Samson Ekikere, alleged that Okoliagu stole phone accessories valued N19million, property of Mr Cletus Ogbu, the chairman of Etus World Connection Nigeria Limited.

    Ekikere told the court that Okoliagu and others, had on September 15, around 12:30 pm, in Ojo-Alaba, stolen the property of his boss worth N19million.

    According to Ekikere, the offence is punishable under Section 285 (A) Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011. When the charge was read to him, the accused, who resides at number 9 Jassere Street Okokomiko, pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate J. A. Anabor granted him N1 million bail, with two sureties in the like sum. The judge said the sureties must be gainfully employed and have evidence of tax payment. He adjourned the matter till November 5.

     

  • Why constitution amendment is imperative, by Mark, Ekweremadu

    Senate President David Mark yesterday said the amendment of the 1999 Constitution became necessary, following various contradictions and inconsistencies.

    Mark spoke at a Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review in Abuja.

    He said Nigerians agreed that the 1999 Constitution is far from perfect.

    The situation, Mark said, has brought complaints from Nigerians.

    The Senate President said the clamour for a review of the Constitution made the Sixth Senate to inaugurate a review committee in May 2009.

    He said last year’s general elections and the other elections thereafter became the instant beneficiaries of the amendment in 2010.

    “A realisation that impunity can no longer be condoned in our electoral system has been enthroned, even though I concede that our elections are yet to attain an absolute degree of perfection. I believe with time we will get there.”

    The Senate President said the review of the Constitution is work-in-progress, a fact which prompted the Seventh Senate to continue the unfinished task of constitution review.

    “The new Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (SCRC) embarked upon its task with zest.

    “And since constitution review is too serious a business to be left to politicians alone, the SCRC at once called for memoranda from the public.

    “I have been informed by the chairman that the response was enthusiastic.

    “Today, the SCRC has invited Nigerians to a public hearing on those identified areas distilled from received memoranda.

    “I am overwhelmed to see, gathered under this roof, an impressive array of citizens, drawn from all walks of life, eager to make suggestions and contributions to our search for the way forward.

    “Your patriotic and enthusiastic response is evidence once more that our people desire to live in a democratic, united and prosperous Nigeria , governed in accordance with constitutional norms.“

    In reviewing the constitution, Mark said the National Assembly will hold certain fundamental ideals sacrosanct and will resist any attempt to erode them.

    “Any constitution worth its salt, must guarantee periodic elections, fundamental rights, a system of checks and balances, the principle of separation of powers, a vibrant legislature, a dynamic executive, an independent judiciary, and a free press.

    “We will work to deepen these fundamental principles, and to strengthen the institutions which guarantee them,” the Senate President said.

    Mark called for attitudinal change by Nigerians to make the constitution work.

    He said: “At the risk of sounding like a broken record, may I re-emphasise that we must pursue attitudinal change concomitantly with constitution review.

    “Constitution review alone guarantees nothing, without a renewed civic consciousness.”

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said the National Assembly is following in the step of well established democratic tradition that when a constitution, or any law for that matter, falls short of salient provisions that guarantee and promote the constitutional needs of a polity and the aspirations of the people, such constitution is reviewed.

    According to him “laws are made for man, not man for the law.”

  • ACN donates materials to Kogi flood victims

    The Kogi State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday donated materials to victims of recent floods.

    The items, which were said to have cost N500,000, were presented to displaced persons at Adankolo, Lokoja, the state capital.

    ACN Chairman Mallam Haddy Ametuo presented the items.

    He said the party shared gifts during campaigns and presented materials to people in their moments of joy and grief.

    Ametuo said: “Though we are not in government, but as an organised political party, we are very responsible. That’s why we’ve come to the aid of our people. These items were donated because of the party’s policy of assisting the less privileged, not necessarily during electioneering campaigns.”

     

     

     

     

  • Expert advises parents on child upbringing

    If parents would look after their wards and inculcate in them such values as morality, hard work, honesty and integrity, the job of teachers would be made easy and the society will be better for it.”

    The above were the words of Deputy Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, Mr. Adedotun Babalola, during a chat with NewsExtra in the week. His view came on the heels of a keenly competition held to promote reading culture in Africa, where Miss Oluwatobiloba Ojenike outshone over 3,000 pupils from different secondary schools across the country to win a trophy with a prize tag of N3 million.

    Ojenike who is of the Poly Staff College of the Polytechnic, did the institution proud at what was dubbed ‘Read to Lead Africa’, a television reality show organised by a non-governmental group, ‘Reading Awareness Society for Development in Africa (RASDA).

    “Our parents must not leave their wards to the teachers alone. Their future lies with both the teachers and parents. Parents must not shirk in their responsibility of ensuring that their children are imbued with adequate reading culture and improved moral standards,” Babalola charged.

    Babalola explained that parents must show concern in what their wards do lest they bring shame on their families. “Our moral and ethical web is weak and parents and the society at large must down-play the get-rich-quick-at-all-cost syndrome,” he advised.

    Babalola was full of praise for the executive of RASDA, Mrs Bukola Ladoja, wife of former ex-Oyo State Rashidi Ladoja, who had earlier revealed that the idea behind the gesture was to encourage reading culture among more youths.

    Babalola said: “It is sad that our youths have been wasting away instead of engaging in reading books where most things that could change their lives are hidden. Our youths find pleasure in engaging themselves with frivolities that can’t give their lives any meaning.”

  • NDE trains 500 youths

    NDE trains 500 youths

    The Cross River Office of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has said that it trained 500 unemployed youths under the National Open Apprenticeship Scheme in 2011.

    The State Coordinator, Mr Edem Duke, gave the figure at an orientation workshop for trainees under the Advanced National Open Apprenticeship Scheme in Calabar.

    “We trained a total of 500 unemployed youths across the state last year on different vocational skills under the Vocational Skills Development Department of the directorate,’’ he said.

    Duke said the youths benefitted from various skills training programmes on computer, fashion designing, catering and electrical installation.

    He said that 25 unemployed youths were selected to pilot the advanced scheme in the state.

    “This year, we are recruiting 212 unemployed youths in addition to 88 unemployed from the spill over from last year,’’ he said.

    According to him, the intention is to develop their professional skills to enable them get good jobs or go into self employment in their areas of competence.

    The coordinator said the advanced scheme was designed to upgrade the experience of those who had already gone through the Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme.

    Duke said that the training would take place in organisations for three months.

    “It is our belief that as participants of this orientation workshop, you will observe the working ethics of the various establishments which you are sent to or attached,’’ he said.

    He urged the participants to show high sense of discipline and adhere strictly to the rules and regulations of the training centres.

    “If you are found wanting, you will be sanctioned and withdrawn from the programme,’’ he warned them.

    Duke urged the participants to be more committed to the training and exhibit high sense of discipline in the training centres.