The Nation Newspaper

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  • Opposition parties kick against new Bauchi SIEC

    Opposition parties kick against new Bauchi SIEC

    Opposition parties in Bauchi state have kicked against the newly appointed members of the State Electoral Independent Commission (SIEC), claiming they are card-carrying members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Bauchi chapters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) last Friday unanimously rejected the reconstitution and composition of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).

    Spokesman of the opposition, Alhaji Nasiru Darazo of the ACN told newsmen in Bauchi that the appointment of only card- carrying members of the PDP into the electoral body clearly exposes the intention of the government to rig and manipulate the forthcoming local government elections.

    He said the recent approval of the reconstitution of the state SIEC by the Bauchi State House of Assembly (BAHA) as requested by the executive arm of government in the state was fraudulent.

    The BAHA approved the appointment of Alhaji Abdulmumini Kundak as chairman of SIEC.

    Other members include Alhaji Yerima Misau, Alhaji Shu’aibu Galadima, Alhaji Maikano Baraya, Mr. Idris Madaki, Alhaji Idris Zakarai, Alhaji Ahmed Mu’azu and Alhaji Danlami Iaa Siyi.

    The opposition parties appealed to the state government to appoint neutral persons to the commission in the interest of fairness and fair play to create level- playing field for all.

    Darazo said: “For now, we have lost confidence in the ability of the state government to be fair to all of us.

    “We have no confidence in the present electoral body and we will soon meet to take a common position before the preparation for the election, but we lost confidence in the present SIEC in the state.”

  • Hajj: Airlift of pilgrims to resume, eight , on standby, says NAHCON

    Hajj: Airlift of pilgrims to resume, eight , on standby, says NAHCON

    • Saudi Arabia may give limited waiver

     

    The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Mallam Mohammed Musa Bello yesterday said Nigeria still stands a good chance of meeting its target of airlifting pilgrims to Saudi Arabia once the row over Muharams (male guardians for female pilgrims) is resolved.

    He said eight states already have their pilgrims on standby having adjusted to the new rules imposed by Saudi Arabia.

    He said the visas of the 1,500 female pilgrims returned to the country from Jeddah and Medina are still valid because they were really not deported.

    There were also indications last night that the Saudi authorities might give a limited waiver to Nigeria on Muharams.

    Bello, who addressed journalists in Abuja on the impasse between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, said there is no cause for alarm.

    He pledged that all pilgrims would be airlifted before Jeddah Airport is closed on October 20.

    He clarified that Nigeria did not violate Saudi laws as being insinuated.

    Bello said: “Hajj predates Nigeria; it predates Saudi as a country. The issue of Muharam is a fundamental aspect of hajj and we couldn’t have violated it.

    “If there was any change of rule, we were not communicated. We didn’t break any Saudi law, all hajj officials at all level have always been preaching to the pilgrims to obey the law of the land.”

    “Muharam is a fundamental issue in hajj exercise. There appears to be a change of position of Saudi government on who constitutes Muharam. It is always understood that the constitutionally established bodies like us can stand as Muharam. We are going to sort out all the technical issues so that they can go back”.

    He said that airlift of pilgrims will soon resume.

    He added: “The airlift of pilgrims will soon start. Eight states with 32 flight schedules are on standby to commence operation when the challenges are sorted out.

    “We are hopeful that we will meet our target before King Abdulazeez International Airport Jeddah and Madina airport are closed to traffic on October 20.

     

    “Our carriers- Max Airline, Medview, Meridien and Kabo air lines- are all set to commence airlifting.”

    On the fate of female pilgrims returned to Nigeria from Saudi Arabia, he added: “The female pilgrims were not deported contrary to insinuations and reports; they were returned and their return was a deliberate action of the Federal Government using a Nigerian Airline so that whatever lapses regarding their travel documents would be rectified. They were brought back on Nigerian planes by the Hajj commission.”

    “These pilgrims were not deported; their visas have not been stamped, they are still valid. They will certainly go back to perform this year’s Hajj.

    “All their travelling documents are intact and we would make sure all of them are returned as soon as the issue is sorted out.

    “Actually, it was a deliberate decision by the Nigerian government to return the affected female pilgrims home to address issues raised by Saudi authorities.”

    Responding to a question, Bello said: “The Federal Government delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was also not denied.

    “It is totally unthinkable of a situation that high-ranking government officials would be denied visa. It is totally false and when they get there, the delegation will understand what happened and why it happened suddenly after over 20 flights have moved into the Kingdom.”

    A representative of the airline operators, Nura Harazim of Meridien Airline said: “The pilgrims were not deported. The challenge we have is that the Saudi authority did not carry us along on the change of law on the issue of Muharam.”

    As at press time, there were indications that the Saudi Arabian government might “grant a limited waiver to the Federal Government.”

    A highly-placed source said: “The Saudi Government wants substantial compliance with its laws before it could grant waiver.

    “I think in the next one or two days, this issue will be resolved.”

     

  • Nigeria at 52: Avoid obsession with the past, Atiku urges Nigerians

    Nigeria at 52: Avoid obsession with the past, Atiku urges Nigerians

     •We must reclaim our lost glory, says Fashola

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar wants Nigerians to avoid obsession with the past, which he says is capable of making them hope in today and the future.

    Atiku, in a goodwill message on the occasion of the nation’s 52nd Independence Anniversary, said a sense of nostalgia was leading Nigerians to give up about the present and the future.

    He reviewed the last 13 years of democratic rule and said it was understandable for people to be impatient for change because of their harsh experiences.

    He, however, noted that the democratic process takes some time to get rooted and in the process mistakes were bound to occur.

    According to him, the beauty of democracy lies in the power to replace leaders who have failed to deliver the goods.

    The Turakin Adamawa, however, also maintained that good governance and sincerity were essential factors in sustaining people’s faith in the system. He said democracy is a covenant between the leaders and the people and once the elected officials deviate, democracy itself will be affected.

    He advised elected leaders at all levels to see power as public trust rather than as a means of self-enrichment and suppressing perceived opponents.

    Atiku identified large-scale corruption as the biggest obstacle to making the lives of the people better and that leaders must demonstrate courage and political will to terminate this national cancer.

    The former Vice President said the luxurious lifestyles of leaders at the expense of the people could lead to disenchantment with the system.

    In a similar message, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State said the time has come for Nigeria to reclaim its pre-eminent status in Africa given the reality that the Continent has become the next frontier of world development.

    Governor Fashola, who fielded questions on the state of the nation from newsmen after the Special Friday Jumat Service to commemorate the Independence Anniversary, said in the context of the African Continent being the next investment destination of the world, Nigeria should rise and take the lead in reaping the economic benefits of that reality.

    “The rhetoric on Africa has changed. Ten years ago, I think it was an international Magazine which published the screaming headline “Africa, a hopeless Continent”. But today, that rhetoric has changed. The magazine has eaten its words and people of the nations across the world have said Africa is the next frontier”, the Governor said.

    Noting that Africa is now experiencing six to seven percent annual growth on a sustainable basis while countries such as Ethiopia and Somalia are now experiencing development and holding elections, Governor Fashola declared, “In that context, where do we lie. That is why I started with Africa; we must reclaim our pre-eminent status.”

    The Governor, however, said this would not happen “if, as a people, we continue to put ourselves down,” adding, “Those who condemned us 10 years ago have said we are the new frontier. Must we continue as a people to put ourselves down?”

    Governor Fashola expressed delight that in the last 48 hours, Nigerians have been asking very honest questions as to whether we, as a people, are the problem or the nation itself. He added, “Even the sermon today is a call to nationalism, a call to patriotism. Let us see our challenges as building blocks for greatness”.

    “This is not the worst place to live on earth and I can tell you that. Let us take the financial issues for instance, the Spanish government raised its taxes by 52 percent, Italy has raised its tax by 60 percent. Italians are leaving their country. That is not our position here. People are being struck by earthquakes, Tsunami, but we have arable land for farming here. There are challenges here alright but they should be seen as building blocks for us to aspire to greater things”, the Governor said.

    The national publicity secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr. Anthony Sani, speaking in an interview in Kaduna, decried what he called lack of quality leadership in Nigeria.

    He said: “The trouble with Nigeria is corruption which has affected every aspect of our national life. It is corruption that steals people’s empowerment, steals their opportunity and steals their future. As a result, national ideals and moral values as well as social contract among individuals and among groups have collapsed.

    “I believe there is a need for cultural renaissance in order to change our ways of doing things. Another area is leadership that is accountable to the people. But this cannot happen if votes of the people do not count. And votes will not count if the people do not regard government resources as their own.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • We’re better prepared to handle floods, Lagos assures

    Lagos State has appealed to residents not to panic over persistent downpour and the attendant flooding because measures have been put in place to manage such situations.

    Speaking with journalists shortly after the September edition of the sanitation exercise yesterday, the Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe, said Lagos will not experience the devastating floods recorded in other parts of the nation.

    Ogunlewe, who led the monitoring team, said government had cleared many of the drainage channels, adding that expansion of canals is ongoing to tackle the challenges of flooding.

    According to him: “We are well prepared and the drains this year have been cleared and we have also warned that all those living close to the canals evacuate those areas for the government to have easy access. We will work to ensure that that flooding is reduced to barest minimum.”

  • Obi seeks aids for communities submerged by floods

    Obi seeks aids for communities submerged by floods

    ANAMBRA State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on organisations, the Federal Government and the International community to rescue the state from flooding.

    He said Anambra is the worst affected by the current flood ravaging many parts of the nation.

    Obi spoke yesterday during a tour of affected local governments of Ayamelu, Ogbaru, Anambra West and Anambra East.

    He said he was calling off a trip to Mexico to oversee rescue missions.

    According to him: “The only trip I am disposed to undertaking for now is answering calls to help the affected communities or for discussions on how to mitigate the suffering of those affected.”

    The governor held meetings with stakeholders at the communities he visited on possible way of rendering immediate assistance.

    He set up camps for the displaced and sent vehicles and boats to evacuate those trapped, while ordering cabinet members to stay with affected communities.

    According to him: “We will continue to do everything possible to see that our people are taken care of even if it means borrowing this time around.”

     

  • Rain of encomiums from Jonathan, Sultan, Obasanjo, govs as Adegbite is buried

    Rain of encomiums from Jonathan, Sultan, Obasanjo, govs as Adegbite is buried

    The late Secretary-General of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr. Lateef Adegbite, was laid to rest in his Abeokuta hometown yesterday amid eulogies and deep feelings of sense of loss from President Goodluck Jonathan, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saa’d Mohammed Abubakar, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and his Lagos State counterpart, Mr Babatunde Fashola(SAN), among others.

    President Jonathan in a condolence message called Adegbite a bridge builder while Sultan Abubakar, Obasanjo, Amosun and Fashola described him as an icon and a patriot who invested his time, energy and resources toward uplifting mankind.

    Adegbite who ,until his death on Friday, was the Baba Adini and Seriki of Egbaland was buried in his private residence at Onikolobo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, after a brief jannazah (Islamic burial rites) led by the Sultan and the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Liad Orunsolu.

    His remains encased in a silver colour casket and draped in clothes bearing Arabic inscriptions and designs of the Holy Kabba, arrived his compound at 3:35pm in a Mercedes hearse marked TOS 7.

    The arrival of the body elicited a spontaneous chanting of “Allahu Akbar,” from the large number of sympathisers, friends and relations who gathered in and around the compound.

    He was lowered into the grave at 3:56pm.

    At the burial were Governors Amosun and Fashola, the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the NSCIA, Abubaker Sa’ad, former President Obasanjo, former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan and former Governor of the old Western State, Brig-Gen Oluwole Rotimi in whose administration Adegbite served as the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and later, Attorney – General and Commissioner of Justice.

    Also present were former Ogun State governors, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Gbenga Daniel, Senator Gbenga Kaka, Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Prince Surajudeen Adekumbi, Chief Alani Bankole, former Minister of Mines and Steel, Alh. Sharafadeen Tunji Ishola and a host of others.

    President Jonathan in a condolence message said of the deceased: “Dr. Adegbite’s tenure as the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) would forever be remembered for fostering peace and unity among religious groups in the country and for his moderating influence.”

    “He was a devout Muslim leader, distinguished lawyer and academic,” the President further noted, adding that the late Seriki Musulumi served meritoriously as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Public Awareness on Security and Civic Responsibilities.”

    President Jonathan urges the Adegbite family, the people of Ogun State, the Muslim community and Nigerians to take consolation in the knowledge that the late renowned Muslim leader made indelible contributions to the development of the country. He prays that God Almighty would grant his soul eternal rest.

    The Sultan said :”Words are not enough to express how the Muslims accept the loss of this great servant of Allah. We have worked with him for six years and I know how much he had put his energy and resources to serve the Muslims. The family has not lost any body, the loss is for the Muslim Ummah.

    “The Almighty took him for reasons best known to him. Let’s continue to remember Baba Adinni whenever we are praying, because he has paid his dues to Islam. May the Almighty Allah in his own wisdom who knows that we have worked for Him and reward him.”

    Other tributes :

    Obasanjo: “We know that we are missing an icon. But we take consolation in the fact that he lived a worthy life and legacy worthy of emulation. His place will be difficult to fill within our community, Egbaland. We pray that God will not leave us mourning and groping in the dark for a worthy replacement.”

    Amosun: “Another national icon of Ogun State extraction is gone. One by one, the ranks of those whose toils and sweats got Nigeria Independence and nurture the nation is being depleted. His life was an admirable confluence of religion, tradition and civilisation, leaving indelible footprints in the sands of time.”

    Fashola: “I am privileged to know that if he puts himself first, he would probably have lived longer, but he spent much more time; Islam came first, community came first, Nigeria came first. And that is the life of service that should be cherished by all of us and perhaps our multi ethnic, multilingual and multi religious gathering here will help us move closer to the unity, the peace and the kind of Nigeria we he lived and died for.”

    Oluwole Rotimi : “He was not just my Commissioner but my personal friend. We entered King’s College together in 1950 and left in 1956. I left for the University College, Ibadan and then to the army. He travelled to England to study law and he too became a lecturer at the University of Lagos.

    “In 1971 when I became to the Military administrator of Old Western Nigeria, I invited him over to serve his father land. He was my Commissioner between 1971 – 75 first as Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and later the Attorney – General and Commissioner for Justice.”

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) : “Dr Adegbite died preaching religious tolerance and coexistence because he was a true and strong believer in one united Nigeria inhabited by people who are socially diverse, economically empowered and politically active.”

    The Jama’atu NasrilIslam (JNI) :”Dr. Adegbite was upright, fearless, committed and an accomplished Islamic worker and a lawyer of high pedigree, alhamdulillah. It is on record, that he was the pioneer National President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN).

    Senate President David Mark: “He was a colossus of sort, a true statesman and a passionate believer in the unity of Nigeria.”

    Speaker Aminu Tambuwal: “ the death of Dr. Lateef Adegbite, is a monumental loss to the Muslim ummah and Nigeria. He lived an exemplary life of service, humility, and dedication whose impact would forever be felt by all Nigerians.”

    Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State: “Dr. Lateef Adegbite was an illustrious citizen of this country. He was always ready to offer sincere advice to successive governments on peaceful co-existence and religious harmony in the country.”

    Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State: “Nigeria has lost a bridge builder between the North and South who worked tirelessly for the unity and progress of the country.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • I am the next governor of Ondo, Oke boasts

    I am the next governor of Ondo, Oke boasts

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, at the weekend reassured supporters of the party he would win the October 20 poll.

    According to him, the party would win the election with the majority votes without rigging the poll. He spoke at Akure while addressing crowd of the National PDP Youth Vanguard Ondo State chapter and South West zone.

    Oke said his experience as a public office holder and antecedents where of serving the people put him in a better position to win the election.

    He said he will surely win because the people of the state know him and his economic blueprint will earn him victory in the next election. According to Oke:”By the grace of God and the support of the good people of Ondo State, I am the next governor of Ondo state.

    “The people of Ondo State know me and my running mate. We have a unique economic agenda that is genuinely designed to give Ondo State an economic solution. We must salvage this state together because of the younger generation.

    “We are confident that our economic agenda will earn us the mandate of our people.”

    The former national legal adviser of the PDP said the youths must support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure votes count in the October election. He said all the politicians must also support any effort that will guarantee free and fair election.

    Oke said this becomes necessary because of the desperate plots of the incumbent to rig the election.

    The southwest coordinator of the National PDP Youth Vanguard, Comrade Dele Dumiye, said the PDP candidate is a worthy ambassador and his record as the National Legal Adviser of the party is worthy of emulation.

    He described Oke as an experienced politician that can add value to the state if elected.

  • N600m LG fund: Mimiko has case to answer, says Ogele

    N600m LG fund: Mimiko has case to answer, says Ogele

    An Akure-based activist, Barrister Morakinyo Ogele, who is seeking to have Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, prosecuted over alleged misappropriation of about N600m earmarked for the creation of additional local governments in the state, has insisted Mimiko has a case to answer.

    He told our correspondent yesterday he is set to approach a court of competent jurisdiction to have the Mimiko-led administration questioned over the money.

    Ogele said the failure of Mimiko to respond to his request for a public explanation on how the fund was spent has convinced him the money must have been misappropriated.

    In a letter to the governor through the Commissioner for Finance last Tuesday, Ogele asked the governor to explain how N7billion palm tree seedlings project at Ore and Bagbe and the N2.7 billion “Igbe Ayo” project were spent.

    He vowed to initiate litigations against against

    officials of the ministries of finance and budget

    planning if Mimiko failed to respond on time.

    Speaking yesterday, he said he will now proceed to institute a case against the Governor as he is convinced Mimiko has no plan to respond to his request.

    Ogele also urged Ondo indigenes to be wary of

    the politicians and political party the will entrust the state to on

    October 20.

    According to him: “With politicians like Mimiko and political parties like Labour Party(LP) we just need to be more careful the way we vote. Our votes as our power will save us from further looting of our treasury.”

  • Mimiko, Oshiomhole not similar, says ACN

    Mimiko, Oshiomhole not similar, says ACN

    The Ondo State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has appealed to indigenes of the state to ignore attempts by the ruling Labour Party (LP) to draw a similarity between Governor Olusegun Mimiko and Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    The party said attempts by Mimiko and his handlers to use distorted statements credited to Oshiomhole to hoodwink the people ahead of the October 20 governorship election will not succeed.

    A statement by the party read: “The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State wishes to bring to the attention of the good people of Ondo State the latest antics of the drowning Labour Party (LP) and Governor Olusegun Mimiko in their bid to deceive and hoodwink the people.

    “Having failed to shore up his dwindling popularity, Gov. Mimiko in his usual deceitful manner is trying to ride on the popularity and credibility of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.

    “The Ondo governor, using manipulated statements credited to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governor, is trying to deceive the people to the effect that he has been endorsed by the iconic labour activist for the coming October 20, governorship polls.

    “This has been running as an advert paid for by Mimiko on an Independent Television in Edo State. Our findings, however, revealed the comments packaged as documentary were the comments (Oshiomhole) made three and half years ago at the inauguration of Governor Mimiko, which was attended by all the leadership of ACN with hopes that Mimiko would run a purposeful and progressive government.”

    It added: “The question the people of Ondo State should ask Mimiko is what has he done in the last three years to make Oshiomhole, who is eager to see the victory of ACN in Ondo, to endorse him?

    “How does Mimiko think Oshiomhole will support the candidate of another party when ACN has Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), a man of honesty, integrity, vision, pedigree like Oshiomhole in the race?

    “How does he think that Governor Oshiomhole will support him when it is on record that the Labour Party in Ondo mobilised materially and financially to back the notorious Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the ACN in Edo during the last election?

    “Therefore, we see this latest move as a desperate bid to use credible people like Governor Oshiomhole and others to promote his image.

    “But that will not work as Mimiko and his amorphous LP will be rooted out of Ondo State on October 20, 2012.”

  • Bauchi restates commitment to NYSC scheme

    Bauchi restates commitment to NYSC scheme

    BAUCHI State has expressed commitment to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    According to the government, the scheme has come to stay as one of the binding factors among Nigerians and it is a pointer to the indivisibility of the country.

    The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaji Mohammed Lasi, disclosed at weekend when he inspected the on-going construction of accommodation and other facilities at the NYSC Orientation Camp at Wailo, 63 kilometres from Bauchi along Maiduguri Road.

    Among facilities inspected were the old hostels, exercise and recreational and parade grounds.

    Commenting on the four blocks of new hostel being constructed by TBC Africa, the commissioner expressed confidence that “the new hostel accommodation will be ready before the next orientation camp scheduled for November 2, 2012.”

    The new hostels are designed to accommodate 1,000 corps members with each block housing 250 members and spread across the camp.

    Among facilities in the new hostel are conveniences, laundry space and a sentry box at the entrance into the building.

    Appreciating the government’s gesture, Bauchi State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Nuhu Kwagi, represented by Mrs. Sarah Kure, said the new hostel will alleviate the acute shortage of accommodation being experienced during orientation camp.

    ”Besides, the provision of other facilities will be beneficial to the corps members and the staff of NYSC and enhance our camp activities,’’ she added.

    Giving assurance that his firm will deliver the project on schedule, Ade-Omotosho Austen, Business Director of TBC Africa Construction Ltd, said: “I am assuring you that the four hostel blocks will be ready on schedule,” adding that ,“even though we have not been paid mobilisation fee, we will deliver, because we do undertake turn-key projects.”