The Nation Newspaper

Category: Uncategorized

  • Customs boss seeks royal blessing

    Nigeria Customs Service Seme Border Area Comptroller, Othman Salleh has visited Oba of Lagos, Rilawan Akiolu, seeking royal blessing for his anti-smuggling campaign.

    “I am here to pay homage to you on assumption of office and for your blessing on my anti-smuggling campaign, trade facilitation, and revenue drive at Seme Border,” he said, adding that he recently took over from the erstwhile comptroller, Sadiq Sahabi.

    While assuring Salleh of his support, Oba Akiolu advised that he should “be close to people on ground to gather intelligence.” “Even though there is no patriotism on empty stomach, but if you are prayerful, your ways will always be blessed.”

  • ‘PDP plans to rig Plateau National Assembly poll’

    As the electorate in Plateau North Senatorial District prepares for tomorrow’s National Assembly by-election to replace the late Senator Gyang Dantong, the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) candidate, Col. David Dungs (rtd.), has alleged that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has perfected plans to rig the election.

    Addressing reporters in Jos, the state capital, Dungs said: “I have found out from the grapevine that the ruling party, in connivance with the state government, has lined up government vehicles to be used for rigging.

    “Already, the PDP has printed ballot papers from outside the state with which they will stuff ballot boxes. Voters are being mobilised from the southern and central zones to vote for PDP’s candidate.

    “I want to urge the people of the zone to be vigilant and resist any form of rigging. I also want to caution security agencies to resist being used for rigging because corruption in government starts from election rigging.”

    But the government denied the allegation.

    Through its Commissioner for Information, Yiljap Abraham, the government warned the voters against rigging.

    The government spoke in Jos on Wednesday at a meeting with political parties.

    Abraham denied the alleged plan to rig the election.

  • PFN builds hospital in Anambra

    Anambra state Governor Peter Obi has found good partnership in the body of firebrand churches.

    Obi is hailed for his sundry efforts in growing and rebranding the state. Now, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has stepped in to lend a helping hand, building an ultra-modern hospital in Amawbia, a community in the state.

    The hospital is known as Jesus our Physician Specialist Hospital located along Onitsha-Enugu Expressway.

    The governor inaugurated the facility, said to be the first of its kind not only in the Southeast but also in the entire country.

    Obi, who expressed happiness at the group’s commitment to healthcare, promised to tar the link road to the hospital from the expressway. He also promised to donate an ambulance to the hospital.

    He said further that such a venture is what his administration had been preaching in the state, adding that it has indicated that PFN is a group to partner with any time.

    Chairman of the group in the state, Bishop David Eberechukwu, told Newsextra that the hospital is a spiritual one where medical workers care but God heals.

    The specialist hospital has 32 private wards, in addition to an administrative block as well as quarters for doctors and nurses, equipped with standard facilities valued at over N100m.

    Before now, the group began construction of the hospital somewhere in Awka before a group of military men stormed the arena and destroyed it on the orders of their boss, who claimed to own the land.

    However, despite the distraction, the group was able to complete the project in record time of about one year after losing an initial N70m.

    Eberechukwu also told Newsextra that the Obi administration allocated about eight plots of land to the group in Awka.

    He said the group decided to embark on capacity building for the ministers of the gospel through the establishment of transformation and leadership schools for young ministers in Anambra State.

    He disclosed further that the dream of PFN is to open three hospitals and three schools in each of the senatorial zones in Anambra State.

    According to him, the hospital is not meant for members of PFN and their families alone. Rather, it is a hospital for all and sundry not only in the state but beyond.

    “We want to put smiles on the face of God and the people of this state. We believe in God and that is why integrity is our watchword.

    “We want to make healthcare available to the people. We are missionary-minded; this place is not for money-making as is speculated but a place to serve God and humanity,” he said.

    Eberechukwu further said that the hospital would be a home delivery one where the ambulance would pick the sick persons from their homes to the hospital.

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Jesus our Physician Specialist Hospital, Dr Paul Igwe, a specialist consultant family physician told Newsextra that the hospital has Accident and Emergency Department and Orthopedic section.

    Also, it has special outpatient ward, dental section fully equipped, cardiology equipment, X-ray facility among others and most importantly, the HIV unit which is always in contact with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, manned by Dr Onyekachi Nwoye.

    There are other men of God who made sure that the dream became a reality. They are Bishop Vin Nzeakor, who is the PFN Vice-Chairman, Rev Uba Nebo and Dr Joseph Ajujungwa who is the South-East Public Relations Officer of the group, among others.

    For Dr. Joseph Ajujungwa who is also the Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Enugu State, there are other numerous projects PFN in South- East would soon embark on.

    However, Eberechukwu thanked people like PFN SAC/SEC, Bro Obumselu, Dr Foster Ihejiofor and Pastor Emma Obiora and the family of Erinne of Okija and Project Cure, Colorado, USA for their support.

  • Floods: Niger releases N150m to feed 42,000 families

    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu yesterday said the state has released N150million to feed over 42,000 families who were displaced by floods.

    The governor said the flood victims would need government assistance in the next 15 months.

    Aliyu spoke in Minna, the state capital, when he hosted the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

    The minister was on an assessment tour of the communities affected by floods.

    Aliyu said 50 people have died in the floods, adding that over 500 communities were destroyed by the raging waters.

    The governor urged the Federal Government to assist the state in alleviating the suffering of the victims because the state was overwhelmed by the floods.

    He told Adesina that some of the affected communities have agreed to be resettled away from the disaster zone.

    Aliyu said 60 youths from the state would be sent to Kenya to study rice farming technology to enhance its production.

    The governor said the state has a comparative advantage over other states in the production of the staple.

    Adesina said the Federal Government, through the ministry, was ready to partner the state in the introduction of high yield seedlings, especially cereals, to farmers.

    The minister said high breed rice seeds, which can produce 10 tonnes per hectare, would be made available to farmers in the state.

    He added that maize seedlings, which take two months to mature, would also be supplied.

  • Rep seeks Fed Govt help for flood victims

    A House of Representatives’ member, Chricato Ameke, has urged the Federal Government to assist his constituency in Anambra State to forestall the outbreak of epidemic following the floods that recently ravaged the community.

    Ameke, representing Anambra East/West, addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja.

    He showed video footages of several communities that had been submerged in the floods.

    According to him, over 1,000 people were rendered homeless and property worth over N1billion were destroyed.

    The lawmaker said torrential rains, which began on September 1, as well as the water purportedly released from a dam in the Republic of Cameroon, caused the floods in Anambra East and West.

    He said the victims might face starvation following the destruction of food crops in his constituency.

    Ameke urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to bring materials to the victims.

    He said the Federal Government had not sent materials to his people, adding that a part of the Ecological Fund should be released to address the disaster.

    The lawmaker said he had spent about N2.2million on materials for the victims.

    He hailed Governor Peter Obi for his prompt visit and for the materials sent to the victims.

  • Free medical check-up for Down Syndrome patients

    The Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA) will provide free medical checkup to people living with Down Syndrome (DS) from next year.

    Its General Manager, Dr. Babatunde Awelenje, said its decision was informed by the fact that those living with DS were one of the most vulnerable of the cluster of people with Disabilities (PWDs).

    He disclosed this at a press conference to commemorate this year’s DS Awareness Week, starting tomorrow with a charity walk at Festac Town, Lagos.

    Awelenje said: “Down Syndrome is not a disease, but a human condition where a person is born with an extra chromosome. As a result of the extra chromosome, it comes with some health issues. 50 per cent of people living with Down Syndrome are prone to congenital, visual and hearing disorders, among other health challenges.

    “A yearly intervention is imperative, so routine medical checkup would be made available for them taking cognisance of their vulnerability.”

    He said his office would begin the collation and registration of PWDs and their organisations across the state by the end of the year.

    “Lagos State government is determined to provide PWDs a level playing field with which to operate in the state. And by December/January when the data collation would have commenced, we would be able to provide the biodata of people with DS in the state before the end of next year. Aside medical support they need care and support of their family members,” he said.

    Also speaking, DSFN National President Mrs Rose Mordi lamented the neglect of PWDs, especially those with DS across the country urging other states to take a cue from Lagos State by devoting more resources to disability issues.

    She said: “PWDs have been most neglected by the government. Lagos State government is the only government partnering with us. There are no structures on ground to properly cater for PWDs.

    “Thank God we have a government in Lagos with human face. They have started putting structures in place and we believe, in the future, our children would fully be integrated into the society.”

    Caring for people living with DS, Mrs Mordi said, poses “enormous challenges” and it has been difficult bringing their plight to the front burner.

  • NURTW members attack ACN supporters after rally

    Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) said to have sympathy for the Labour Party (LP), on Wednesday allegedly attacked supporters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) after the Redemption Rally in Ondo.

    An eyewitness, who was travelling from Lagos to Akure, said the NURTW thugs barricaded the road near their terminus on Ondo/Akure Road.

    He said they brandished weapons and vandalised vehicles belonging to supporters of the ACN who came from the six local governments in Ondo Central Senatorial District.

    Some of the vehicles reportedly damaged by the thugs were a Mitshubishi bus with registration number Lagos DF 796 KDU and a BMW with registration number Lagos RZ 75 AA.

    The source said the thugs smashed the windscreens of the vehicles.

    He said the intervention of men of the Mobile Police Force (MOPOL) and soldiers prevented the situation from degenerating into a fracas.

    Narrating his ordeal, a member of the Planning Committee, Aketi Campaign Organisation (ACO), Chief Ademola Adetula, described the situation as worrisome.

    He said Governor Olusegun Mimiko began his campaign in Owo town where the ACN standard bearer hailed from without hitches, even with rented crowd from the 18 local governments.

    He added that it was unfortunate that the attack occurred in his (Mimiko’s) town.

    Adetula described LP as a violent party, adding: “No matter the level of violence by Mimiko and his cohorts, the people of Ondo State, particularly his kinsmen, have rejected him and will vote him out on October 20.”

    The National Youth Leader of the ACN, Mr. Miriki Ebikina, has described the alleged vandalism of the ACN vehicles by suspected LP thugs as a sign that Mimiko has lost the October 20 poll.

    Ebikina, who spoke with The Nation on the phone, said Mimiko is jittery over the large turnout of his kinsmen who trooped out to welcome the national leaders of the ACN in his home town.

    The ACN National Youth Leader warned the LP to desist from attacking members of the ACN and urged the security agencies to investigate the attack allegedly spearheaded by the leaders of the NURTW loyal to Mimiko.

    According to him, “it is disheartening that ACN members were attacked despite the presence of security operatives. We doubt if they are capable of guaranteeing a peaceful election on October 20.

    “We are aware that the hoodlums are being protected by a top police officer. He gives them courage to be lawless.

    “Governor Mimiko should know that no amount of harassment or intimidation will deter the people from exercising their franchise on October 20.”

  • ACN kicks as tribunal nullifies council chair’s election

    The Lagos State Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal yesterday nullified the election of the Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) Chairman, Mr. Adewale Adeniji of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    The five-man panel, chaired by Justice Dolapo Akinsanya (rtd.), declared Mr. Babajide Obanikoro of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner Adeniji was declared winner in the October 2011 local government election.

    ACN Assistant Publicity Secretary Chief Funso Ologunde said the tribunal’s verdict was not the true reflection of the facts.

    He said ACN would appeal the judgment.

    Ologunde said: “The tribunal has only delivered the judgment based on their understanding of the issues before them. We disagree with the judgment and have directed our counsel to file an appeal immediately.

    “We are very optimistic that the appeal tribunal would see the issues involved in their true perspective.”

    In a unanimous decision, the Akinsanya-led panel held that Obanikoro scored the highest number of valid votes and consequently ordered the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to revoke the Certificate of Return issued to Adeniji.

    It declared that the petitioner had proven to the tribunal that election results were not collated at the unit and ward levels as shown in the LASIEC Forms 9A, which were admitted as exhibits.

    The tribunal said:”Section 11(2) of the Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal Law 2011 empowers this tribunal to nullify any election that does not comply with the laid down regulations.

    “The petitioners have been able to discharge the burden of proof vested on them as regards the collation of results. It transferred the onus to the respondents, who did not tender any LASIEC Form 9A, which is the first stage of any election.

    “The petitioners have shown that the non-collation of the results at the units and ward levels substantially affected the outcome of the result declared by LASIEC.”

    The panel said from the available evidence before it, Obanikoro had 3,770 votes. Adeniji had 3,248.

    The tribunal awarded N100,000 cost in favour of the petitioner.

  • Ndigbo celebrate day in Asaba

    Asaba, the Delta State capital, witnessed a flurry of activities as it hosted Ndigbo from all walks of life gathering to observe the Igbo Day.

    The event, hosted by the state governor Dr. Emmanuel Udua-ghan, featured speeches by Igbo leaders, cultural dances and goodwill messages.

    The occasion began with lectures at the Grand Hotel Asaba. The lectures were delivered by renowned political scientist Professor BIC Ijeomah, Professor Raph Nwokedi and Dr Mrs. Ofomata, author of several works on culture and history.

    In his message to Ndigbo, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue went down memory lane on the uncomplimentary history of the ethic group in the Nigerian project. He called on Ndigbo to unite and pursue their goals in Nigeria with an unwavering candour and resilience. He reiterated the commitment of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to the project of Nigerian Presidency of Igbo extraction.

    In his keynote address, Governor Uduaghan declared the event a historic one in the sense that it was the first time and during his regime that such event was holding in Delta State. He advocated an increased geo-political rapport between the Southeast and the Southsouth, even as he emphasised that the geo-political and even economic interest of both zones are similar.

    He traced the history of the geo-political and economic cooperation between the two zones which culminated in the massive Igbo vote for a Southsouth indigene Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 Presidential election. He declared that he is an Igbo man.

    Governor Uduaghan reiterated his commitment to promote inter-ethnic harmony among all the ethnic groups in Delta State. He also shared the view of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on the handshake across the Niger.

    In his speech, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and chairman of the Forum of Southeast Governors, congratulated the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, the chairman of the 2012 Igbo Day Planning committee Dr Joe Nwaorgu and the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for organising the historic event.

    He said: Ndigbo should unite and speak with one voice on national issues while strengthening the bond of fraternity with their nearest neighbours and brothers in the Southsouth.

    Contributing, Senator Ben Obi who represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, stressed the need for Ndigbo to keep the dreams of their forebears alive and assert themselves in the larger Nigeria family.

    The chairman of the event and former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe saluted Ndigbo for their resilience and courage.

    He reiterated that Igbo everywhere irrespective of geographical or spatial diversity remain one. He called on Ndigbo to remain focused and demand their legitimate rights in Nigeria.

    The former Vice-President Dr Alex Ekwueme harped on Igbo unity and the

    urgent need for Igbo re-discovery.

    The representative of Abia State governor, Chief T. A. Orji and the Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Emeka Ananaba traced the dialectics and unpleasant history of Ndigbo in Nigeria and congratulated the Ohanaeze Ndigbo on their awareness of the historical imperative of building bridges and knitting together Igbo from all corners of Igbo land.

    The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State who represented the Governor Chief

    Seriake Dickson congratulated Ndigbo on finding it necessary to build bridges with their brothers in the Southsouth, even as he expressed the hope that such bond would continue in the years ahead.

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha was also present to give his support to the event.

    The President of the Igbo World Assembly (IWA) Dr Anakwenze whose organisation had earlier had a lecture on September 27 with the theme “Actualisation of Igbo Agenda and Youth Empowerment,” expressed his happiness over the success of the event and assured Ndigbo that IWA would always work with Ohanaeze Ndigbo to protect the interest of Ndigbo all over the world.

    Highlights of the event were cultural dances, processions and youth activities. Many top Igbo dignitaries like Pa Onyenso Nwachukwu, Dr Anagha Ezikpe; Chief J. D. Maduako, Dr George Obiozor, Dr. A.B.C. Nwosu, His Royal Highness Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Ohanaeze chieftains, Igbo youth leaders and Umuada Igbo attended the event.

  • Obi gets Legend of True Leadership award

    Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has been conferred with the Legend of True Leadership Award by the National Association of Nigerian Student Nurses and Midwives.

    At a ceremony at Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing and Midwifery in Ihiala, the National President of the association, Comrade Dauda Ahmed said the award was in recognition of the governor’s contributions to infrastructural development in Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, either government-owned or missionary.

    He noted that besides his support to rebuild hospitals and a new teaching hospital, Obi had also built or is building over 25 structures in various Schools of Nursing and Midwifery.