The Nation Newspaper

Category: Uncategorized

  • Youths partner Kaduna on jobs

    Youths partner Kaduna on jobs

    Kaduna state Governor Patrick Yakowa has received a delegation of youths willing to partner the state in the provision of jobs.

    The youths, drawn from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) visited him seeking to help bring down unemployment in the state by engaging the unemployed in what they called Youth-2-Farm Project.

    The visitors called PDP Youth Reap, also commended the governor for his efforts in protecting life and property in the state.

    The National Coordinator of the group, Solomon Godwin who led the team, stated that the group is a well structured organisation, determined to champion progressive ideas and policies as well as engage members to galvanize support for the present administration.

    The group also expressed their sympathy with the state on the security challenges it has faced, involving loss of life and destruction of properties.

    “As part of the core objectives of the Youth Reap to promote peaceful coexistence, the leadership and members sincerely sympathise with you and the good people of Kaduna State over the recent and multiple loss of lives accredited to the recent security threat in the country; it is our solemn belief that this [terror] will definitely come to an end.”

    He told the Kaduna State government that the group has established an agreement with the Isreali embassy and other organisations to help train young Nigerians on improved agricultural practices. He said 37 youths from across the states and FCT will be trained in Isreal and deployed to priority areas.

    Solomon also disclosed plans of establishing model youth farm settlements and catchments across the federation through a strategic partnership with the federal, state and local government.

    Yakowa who  received a delegation of the PDP Youth Reap in the state recently said he has the responsibility of protecting his citizens and will never look back.

    The governor who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Abokie Galadima, praised the agricultural development concept of the PDP, lauding its developmental inputs in the development of the nation and ensuring food security.

  • Kwara council workers protest non-payment of salaries

    Scores of Ilorin South Local Government Area workers of Kwara State yesterday marched on the streets of Ilorin, the state capital.

    They were protesting the non-payment of their three months’ salary arrears.

    The protestors marched from the council secretariat at Pake, passing through Pata Market via the popular Muritala Mohammed Road and berthed at the Kwara State Government House.

    They passed a vote of no confidence on the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) executive for its alleged inactivity.

    Some of the placards they carried read: We no go gree; No salary no screening; No retreat, no surrender and A hungry man is an angry man.

    The spokesperson of the protesters, Habib Bolaji said: “We condemn the council’s NULGE for being passive. In fact, we have passed a vote of no confidence on the executive members. That is why we protesting. Our three months’ salaries have not been paid; that is August, September and this month. We are not even talking about the leave bonus and other entitlements in arrears.

    “To add insult on injury, they slated a screening for today. Without payment, none of us will participate in the screening. We expect them to pay us our salary arrears so that the screening will be for October salary…”

    But in a statement Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed’s Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, attributed the delay in the payment of workers’ salaries to efforts to block loopholes in the wage bills of some councils.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Capital Oil boss Uba arrested for alleged N22.4b subsidy scam

    Capital Oil boss Uba arrested for alleged N22.4b subsidy scam

    Operatives of the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), yesterday arrested the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas, Mr. Ifeanyi Uba, over his alleged involvement in a N22.4billion subsidy scam

    The Commissioner of Police, in charge SFU, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, led operatives to arrest the Uba at about 2.30pm.

    As at press time, Uba was still being interrogated by a crack team of detectives at SFU office at Milverton Road, Ikoyi.

    SFU spokesperson, Ngozi Isintume, an Assistant Superintendent confirmed Uba’s arrrst on telephone.

    She said the suspect is still being interrogated but did not say if he would be detained or allowed to go home on bail.

    She said, “I cannot really say much for now because he is currently being interrogated by SFU detectives. Ifeanyi Uba was arrested because of his alleged involvement in the fuel subsidy scam.

    “We are still investigating the case so I cannot say if he would be released at the end of today (yesterday). He was indicted by the presidential committee on fuel subsidy verification.

    “Our job is to thoroughly investigate the matter and then prosecute if it comes to that. We don’t want to preempt investigation by commenting on everything. As you are aware, investigation is still on.

    “But be rest assured that the Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin, would in line with his mantra of zero tolerance to corruption see this case to a logical end.”

    She added, “Remember the law says one is innocent until otherwise proven guilty. That is the line we are towing until investigations are over.”

    However, one of his Uba’s Aids who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that his boss was arrested early in the day but that he was later released.

    “He was invited by thr police but he is back. He was in the office after he got back from SFU”, the source said.

     

  • Obi hails Glo for helping to revamp Nigeria

    Anambra State  Governor Peter Obi has hailed telecommunications giant Globacom for initiating projects that will help to build a better nation.

    The governor spoke in Onitsha at the inauguration of a block of classrooms which the company built at the Metropolitan College.

    The project is part of the company’s sponsorship of the Ofala Festival, a popular yearly event in the town.

    Obi said Globacom has demonstrated that “it is a company that truly cares about the future of this great country”.

    The governor noted that the burden would be less on government, “if corporate organisations can do what Globacom is doing and partner the people and the government to bring about a better society”.

    After inspecting the facilities in the classrooms, he said: “I must confess that this structure and the facilities therein show the passion Globacom has for this country. This is because when you train the young ones and give them a solid foundation, you can have a better future and society. The facilities in this block are world-class and we sincerely commend Globacom for bringing this to Onitsha.”

    The governor was in company of Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha.

    The monarch said it was heart-warming to note that Globacom kept the promise it made a year ago at the foundation-laying ceremony of the block of classrooms.

    He said most schools in Nigeria have “become dilapidated and have become relics of their past ”.

     

    Igwe Achebe added: “We need private and corporate interventions, like this, to help salvage the educational system in Nigeria. We are happy that Globacom kept its promise to deliver this structure in 12 months and it is important for us to maintain this structure. I want to use this opportunity to call on other corporate bodies in Nigeria to emulate Globacom and bail out our educational system.”

    Globacom Chairman Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. said the banquet “is a celebration of the Obi of Onitsha as a man of honour, a distinguished and detribalised Nigerian, an accomplished captain of industry and an iconic figure who, in the last 10 years on the throne, has devoted his energy, wisdom and resources to improving the lives of his people and putting Onitsha Kingdom in the global economic and cultural maps”.

    Highlight of the banquet was the cutting of the anniversary cake by Igwe Achebe. The cake was donated by Globacom.

    At the inauguration of the block of classrooms, the principal of the college, Mr. C. C. Anazonwu, said the building of the structure “is geared towards empowering our youths by creating an enabling environment for effective teaching and learning”.

    Globacom’s Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Mrs. Ben Ayede, explained that the partnership between Globacom and Onitsha residents on Ofala Festival had begun to yield good results with the empowerment of over 100 youths and the building of classrooms.

    Mrs. Ayede said the company “is irrevocably committed to any projects that are tagged at eliminating poverty and empowering the Nigerian people in all facets of life”.

    At the Ofala Royal Banquet, organised in honour of the monarch to mark this year’s festival and his 10th year anniversary on the throne, Igwe Achebe said Globacom has brought succor to the people.

    He said the likes of Adenuga Jnr. “are few and hard to come by in Nigeria”.

     

     

     

     

  • INEC ‘ll conduct free, fair poll, says REC

    INEC ‘ll conduct free, fair poll, says REC

    Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Akin Orebiyi, has assured stakeholders that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct a free and fair election on October 20.

    He urged the political class and voters to show patriotism and commitment by cooperating with the electoral body and law enforcement agencies to ensure the success of the exercise in the 18 local governments.

    Orebiyi spoke with our correspondent in Akure on the preparations for the exercise.

    He described the poll as a joint responsibility involving INEC, political parties, candidates, voters, security agents and other stakeholders, adding that success can only be achieved if they work together in harmony.

    The REC said INEC would conduct a free, fair and credible election by avoiding the mistakes of the past, stressing that security agents would be on ground to maintain law and order at every polling unit.

    Orebiyi said: “We can say that INEC is prepared for the governorship election. As we speak, we have been receiving non-sensitive materials from INEC headquarters. We have also held quite a number of meetings with stakeholders. We have finished the voter education forum at the local government level.

    “The essence of the forum is to educate the voters on their responsibilities, their duties and also the procedures for the conduct of the election and the election process on the election day. It has been a useful experience and a unique one. This effort is being sponsored by the International Federation of Electoral System (IFES), a partner of INEC in the last 13 years.

    “The voter education forum involves two major activities. One, there is a stakeholders’ meeting at the local government level, which runs for three hours. There, the electoral process is explained to the stakeholders, political parties, members of the civil society organisations and officials of the National Orientation Agency and INEC officials in the local government. Questions are taken and answers are provided by INEC. After that, we did a road show and distributed flyers and posters. IFES provided 540,000 flyers and nearly 200,000 posters in English, Yoruba and Ijaw languages for the benefit of the electorate. We have been distributing them at the forum and various religious worship centres.

    “We have presented to the political parties and electorate, soft copies of the voters’ register. We have explained to them what to find inside the voters’ register and how the information could help them to muster greater efforts in canvassing for votes in the 18 local governments, 203 wards and 309 polling units across the state. We have trained the party agents, 334 agents of 13 political parties.

     

  • PDP to Mimiko: don’t deride Fed Govt projects

    Barely 11 days to the governorship election in Ondo State, the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olusola Oke, has warned Governor Olusegun Mimiko through his campaign organisation, the Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation (OOCO), not to deride Federal Government projects.

    Speaking with reporters in Akure, the Director-General of OOCO, Dr. Dare Bada, said the frustration of Mimiko is understood as his attempts to rig the election are on a daily basis being uncovered.

    Bada said the governor has engaged mercenaries who will disrupt election in the areas where he is not popular.

    He said the targeted areas are Ondo North and Ondo South.

    Bada alleged: “Mimiko has been lobbying the Presidency to disorganise our party. He has bribed a lot of people with the state money. The bribes are given out in hard currencies.

    “We have it on good authority that some thugs have been hired by the LP. Also, Toyota Hilux Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) have been purchased and branded in security colour to be used by the hoodlums.

    “Security uniform to be used by the thugs have also been sewn.

    “The coming of Vice-President Namadi Sambo has deflated his bubbles of lies in the minds of our loyal party members and the people of Ondo State.

    “His latest attempt is the dragging of the amnesty programme of the Federal Government into his dirty politics. I think it is a disservice to play politics with the amnesty programme of the government, considering its level of success and advantages.”

  • Woman, 38, attacked by ‘shark’ in Forcados River

    IT was narrow escape for 33-year-old Mrs. Torugbene-ere Aboh. But for Providence, she would have been attacked by a Shark in Forcados River where she was having her bath in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

    She was said to have gone for a three-day religious programme at the Holy Zion Church, Oboro and decided to have her bath at the Focardos River when she escaped the attack.

    Narrating the ordeal to reporters, Mrs. Aboh said she had a deep cut on her right leg shortly after entering the river.

    According to her, she screamed for help and that she was saved by the quick intervention of brethren who pulled her out of the water.

    She was rushed to a nearby a patent medicine store at the Oboro community for first aid before she was taken by her husband, Mr. Patrick Aboh to a private clinic at Bomadi for further treatment.

    Mr Aboh told reporters that her wife, the mother of five was lying critically ill due to the attack, which she blamed on the ravaging floods.

    A community leader in Bomadi, Chief Godspower Oporomo, warned residents against going near the fast flowing current of the Forcados River.

    He specifically cautioned parents and guardians to keep an eye on the children.

     

  • Ajimobi seeks increase in Oyo’s education intervention fund

    Ajimobi seeks increase in Oyo’s education intervention fund

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday urged the Federal Government to increase the state’s education intervention fund.

    He said this would help his administration actualise its education agenda.

    Ajimobi spoke in his office in Ibadan, the state capital, while receiving members of the Senate Committee on Education, led by the Chairman, Mr. Uche Chukwumerije.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, said a huge amount was required to reposition the education sector.

    He said Oyo was one of the states with the highest number of public schools in the country, hence the need for an increase in the intervention fund.

    Ajimobi described education as the bedrock of meaningful development in any society.

    Chukwumerije said the visit was in fulfilment of his committee’s oversight function, aimed at ensuring the judicious use of intervention fund by various educational institutions in the state.

    He hailed the visionary leadership of the governor and the achievements recorded by his administration.

    Chukwumerije said: “We are visiting a distinguished senator, who, when he was in the Senate, was very popular. Ajimobi left an indelible mark in the Senate and we are happy with his visionary leadership. We are very happy with the execution of projects in Oyo State, particularly in the education sector.”

    He regretted that Oyo State had not accessed the 2011/2012 intervention fund and said the committee would help the state actualise this.

     

  • INEC may review voting rules

    INEC may review voting rules

    THE widespread flooding that has ravaged many states and communities in the country may force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review its voting rules in the country.

    The hint was dropped yesterday in Awka, the Anambra State capital, during a one-day interactive session for senior staff of the Commission drawn from Anambra, Abia and Benue states.

    The interactive session by INEC was on its strategic plan for 2012–2016. It was attended by more than 140 senior officials of the commission.

    The output of the plan would be used to conduct the elections during the strategic plan period.

    The flood has submerged thousands of communities and innumerable houses across the country and rendered over 10 million Nigerians homeless.

    INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu said the need for a review of the rules governing voting in elections has become imperative because a sizable number of voters had lost their voter cards.

    He said that INEC’s documents in the local government areas submerged by the floods had equally been destroyed.

    Onukaogu said: “I will enjoin you as you go on to draw a strategic plan for 2012 – 2016 to focus your mind on how elections would be administered in these areas with our offices submerged by water, with the residents fleeing and their belongings, including voters’ cards destroyed or washed away by the flood.”

    He wondered whether INEC could still stick to the rules that said it was the voters’ cards only that could admit a prospective voter to the polling stations when for no fault of theirs, they had lost their voters’ cards.

    He also expressed fears that with the poverty the floods might have inflicted on voters in the affected areas, they might fall victims to vote buyers if proper voter education was not given to them on their rights and duties to the state during elections.

    Onukaogu said the government would need to move in immediately to alleviate poverty among the flood ravaged communities.

    He said: “We cannot run a credible and sustainable operational strategic plan in a socially depraved and economically threatened environment.”

     

  • Govt ‘ll mitigate impact of floods, says Jonathan

    Govt ‘ll mitigate impact of floods, says Jonathan

    Fellow Nigerians,

    Over the past few weeks, unprecedented floods have ravaged many parts of our country, rendering tens of thousands of fellow Nigerians homeless, and causing massive destruction of property, farmlands, and infrastructure across the country.

    I wish to express our deep commiseration with all those who have lost loved ones; those who have lost their property; as well as all the affected communities and institutions.

    It is sad that this global phenomenon of devastating floods has come to Nigeria at this time.

    I want to reassure all Nigerians that the Federal Government is prepared to do everything possible to mitigate the impact of this natural disaster.

    I had earlier set up a Presidential Technical Committee to visit all affected areas with a view to properly assessing the impact of the floods. The Committee has since submitted an interim Report.

    The Report, which contained a number of recommendations, was presented to key stakeholders including the leadership of the National Assembly and Governors of the affected States.

    The Technical Committee will continue to go round the country while the Vice President and I will also visit some of the affected communities. When we receive the Committee’s final Report, the Federal Government will further initiate medium and long-term measures to check future flood disasters.

    In the meantime, relevant government agencies have intervened to provide relief to the affected persons in collaboration with the State governments.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has so far spent N1.314 billion to provide immediate relief materials. The Ministry of Works has spent N556 million on the repair of collapsed bridges and the construction of bye-passes; while the Ministry of Environment has spent N95 million on sundry relief measures.

    In addition to this, the Federal Government has decided on a number of measures to further ameliorate the situation. These include the immediate provision of a total of N17.6 billion in direct financial assistance to the affected States and some Federal Government Agencies responsible for disaster management. The States will receive a total of N13.3 billion while the Federal Agencies will receive N4.3 billion.

    Based on the present assessment, the States have been categorized into four groups: A to D. All Category A States will receive N500 million each; Category B States, N400 million each; Category C States, N300 million each; and Category D States, N250 million each.

    Category A States: Oyo, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra.

    Category B: Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, Taraba, Cross-River, Edo, Lagos and Imo.

    Category C: Kwara, Katsina, Gombe, Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Abia and Rivers.

    Category D: Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Yobe, Enugu, Ekiti, Osun, Akwa-Ibom, Borno and FCT.

    To further intensify their intervention activities, the following agencies of the Federal Government have also been allocated funds as follows:

    Ministry of Works – N2.6 billion· National Emergency Management Agency

    N1.1 billion· Ministry of Environment – N350 million· National Commission for Refugees – N150m· Technical Committee on Floods Impact Assessment – N100 million

    I have also set up a National Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation to assist the Federal Government to raise funds to mitigate the pains and ensure the effective post-impact rehabilitation of victims. This Committee will be co-chaired by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, while Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr. will serve as the Chief Funds Mobiliser.

    The full membership of the Committee will be announced immediately after this broadcast.

    Fellow Nigerians, let me use this opportunity to thank State Governments, members of the National Assembly, private individuals, agencies of government, private sector institutions, NGOs, faith-based organizations, and philanthropic groups who individually and collectively have risen to the aid of persons and communities affected by the floods.

    This humanitarian and compassionate spirit that has been on display in the past few weeks reassures us that, at critical moments, Nigerians are able to come together in pursuit of a common purpose.lk

    My Fellow Compatriots, let me once again reassure you that this Administration remains fully committed to the welfare and well being of all Nigerians at all times.

    May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    I thank you all.

    •Being text of the President’s broadcast