The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 40

  • Woman, 40, dies during scuffle in Ondo community

    A scuffle between two tenants on Ogo Street, Arigidi-Akoko in Ondo State has led to the death of a woman, Mrs Foluke Olanipekun.

    It was learnt that there was protracted misunderstanding between two families, said to be living at the same street, Arigidi, Akoko North West Local Government Area.

    The feuding families reportedly faced each other in a free for all in the night.

    An eyewitness said the altercation took a new dimension when Mrs Olanipekun allegedly slumped and died during the scuffle.

    The deceased housewife, aged 40, was described as an easy-going woman by sympathisers.

    Her remains were said to have been deposited at Ikare State Specialist Hospital mortuary, while Mrs Morenikeji Bello, 27, and her two children who were involved in the attack of the late Mrs Olanipekun, had been arrested.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Okeagbe-Akoko, Ibitayo Adetanranmi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the suspects would soon be transferred to Akure, the state capital.

  • Oil may dip to $40, warns Iran

    A fractured Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is meeting later this week to discuss a deal to cut oil production-yet again-to rebalance the market and lift oil prices that have recently slipped to below most of the cartel members’ budget-balance points.

    OPEC needs a unanimous vote to pass decisions such as curtailing production. Yet, Iran-one of OPEC’s biggest producers but also one of the most sidelined members in recent months-warns that the group is unlikely to reach an agreement on a sizeable cut of around 1.4 million bpd as some are suggesting. Such a failure to act decisively would send oil prices plunging to $40 a barrel, Iran’s OPEC Governor Hossein Kazempour Ardebili told Bloomberg in an interview.

    The cartel and its Russia-led non-OPEC allies may not extend their cooperation pact either, according to Iran’s representative at OPEC-a position typically held by the second most powerful oilman in a cartel member after the oil minister.

    Iran has repeatedly expressed frustration with the Saudi/Russia-led increase in oil production since June to offset what was expected to be a steep decline in Iranian oil supply with the United States (U.S.) sanctions on Tehran’s petroleum and shipping industries.

    Iran’s oil exports indeed dropped by some 1 million bpd, but they are likely still holding onto above 1 million bpd, while U.S. waivers to eight Iranian customers allow buyers to continue purchasing oil at reduced volumes until the end of April next year.

    Oil prices have plunged by around 30 per cent from early October as the market started to fear an oversupply is building up again, due to record high production in Saudi Arabia and Russia, and an all-time high oil output in the United States, coupled with fears of slowing economic and oil demand growth.

    “I doubt, with the failure they had in the last three months, that the declaration of cooperation gets extended,” Kazempour told Bloomberg, referring to the Saudi-Russia alliance.

    “Why institutionalize a failure? And it needs unanimity to be extended,” he noted.

    Iran, for one, will not take part in any cuts while there are U.S. sanctions on its oil, Kazempour said, adding that those who increased production should be the ones to cut, that is the Saudis and Russians and few Arab Gulf states like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait.

    “Now they are asking others to share in the cut. Whoever increased, they should cut,” Kazempour told Reuters.

    “The pilot and co-pilot crashed the plane and all 25 passengers are now in critical condition,” said Iran’s OPEC governor.

    The ‘pilot and co-pilot’, however, agreed this weekend to extend the deal, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said, although he admitted there isn’t an agreement on specific cuts, yet.

  • 40,000 seized bags of rice shared to IDPs camps, says Customs

    40,000 seized bags of rice shared to IDPs camps, says Customs

    THE Customs has seized over 40,000 bags of rice recent time, it was learnt.

    Deputy Comptroller-General Mr. Umar Ilya, said the bags of rice were shared among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

    He spoke yesterday at a joint media briefing with Acting Director General of National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Mrs. Yetunde Oni on the suspected seized plastic rice.

    Ilya, who was responding to a question, said: “We have seized over 40,000 bags of rice since the ban on importation of rice through the border. Those are rice shared to the IDP camps after we tested and certified them suitable for consumption.”

    At the briefing, the two agencies put to rest the alleged report of importation of plastic rice into the country.

    Laboratory result released by NAFDAC showed the rice was not plastic as suspected.

    The country was thrown into panic early this month when a report said Customs  intercepted some bags of imported plastic rice meant for distribution during the Yuletide.

    But Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole debunked the report after preliminary studies.

    He said there was no truth in the report, assuring Nigerians there was no cause for alarm.

    The final result made public yesterday confirmed the earlier declaration by the minister.

    NAFDAC, however, said the rice failed other integrity test, which ruled it out for human consumption.

    Mrs. Oni said the rice was contaminated, not suitable for human consumption and should be destroyed.

    She said: “Based on the laboratory result, the product is not plastic but rice contaminated with micro-organisms above permissible limit. Hence, the seized rice consignment is unsatisfactory and therefore unwholesome for human consumption. The consignment upon handover by the NCS shall be destroyed.”

    Ilya said irrespective of the outcome of the findings, the service would continue to do its work and ensure that fake and banned goods were not allowed into the country.

    Explaining the circumstances surrounding the alleged plastic rice, Ilya said the service only responded to security alert issued by the Office of National Security Adviser on the importation of plastic rice into the country.

    “You may recall that recently, our operatives in Lagos intercepted a consignment of rice, based on credible intelligence. Customs action was based on earlier intelligence received from the Office of National Security Adviser, alerting us and other frontline agencies that large consignments of plasticised rice were said to be shipped from the Far East to Africa.

    “As the largest market for imported rice in Africa, Customs took the alert serious and charged officers to watch out for such imports that do not conform to regulatory requirements.

    “When the consignments of rice in question were brought to Customs warehouse, our apprehension became heightened when we observed glaring lapses in the packaging. The bags of rice had no NAFDAC number, batch number, manufacturing or expiry dates. We could also not see any detail about the manufacturers on the bag. We were left with no option than escalating our findings to the agency that is statutorily charged with the responsibility of confirming the true status of the import.

    “As required by law, officials of NAFDAC were invited to draw samples for laboratory analysis. However as we know social media works in our clime, the outcome we are about to hear today was pre-empted.”

  • ‘If you are over 40, check your BP’

    For a drastic reduction in deaths associated with High blood pressure, the Nigerian Hypertension Society (NHS) has recommended a comprehensive medical checkup once in a year for persons above the age of 40.

    NHS said it is set to embrace a new guideline for the treatment of the systemic hypertension.

    Already, the NHS has discovered a sharp difference between hypertension in the tropics and those in such continents as America and Britain as a multi-drug therapy or at best “an additional drug” could be needed for an African patient of the disease unlike his American or British colleague, it was gathered.

    President, NHS, Prof Ayodeji Arije told The Nation on the sidelines of this year’s annual conference of the society, adding that the current guidelines for the treatment of the disease was last reviewed some 12 years ago.

    The conference is entitled ‘Management of Systemic Hypertension: From Guidelines to Real World Practice.’

    Besides, Arije said in some cases, doctors have discovered that on the field, some cases of the disease often defy treatment by the guidelines hence the need to do a holistic review of the treatment methodology.

    The NHS has in its team, cardiologists, nephrologists, pathologists, neurologists paediatricians and other specialists in relevant medical fields. They are called “hypertension specialists”.

    He said: “it is true that many people are becoming aware of this dangerous disease. We are happy that some of the measures we supply are working well for the society with good results. But we have gotten to a level now where we don’t want to depend on the American or British guidelines. It is high time for us to have our own guidelines because I is being said now that while some hypertension drugs could work for the Britons or Americans they don’t work for Africans.

    “Between 28 and 30 per cent of Nigerians are hypertensive. These are the ones who surrendered themselves for medical examinations. Countless others don’t even know that there is a need to check their blood pressure status. Some are even using drugs but they are not controlling their Blood Pressure.”

    The President of the association while urging Nigerians to reduce their salt intake and shun sedentary ways of life, said the two conditions are the commonest cause of hypertension in the country.

    Also, he said some diseases especially Diabetes Milletus and hereditary factors could also be causation of the sickness.

    Though, Arije recommended regular exercise for Nigerians across board, he added that before engaging in any rigorous exercise doctors must first give a clean bill of health, to avoid cases of over working the cardiac system.

    In his remarks, the Kwara state’s Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Atolagbe Alege urged the doctors to use the conference to fine-tune modalities that would make rural populace to know the inherent dangers in leaving hypertension untreated, as they form he largest chunk of the nation’s population.

    In his speech, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee Professor Ayo Omotosho a Consultant Cardiologist said the conference especially the theme was intended to showcase advance in blood pressure controls in the rapidly changing sub-Saharan Africa and at the world stage.

     

  • Banke Balogun joins league of 40-yr-olds

    Banke Balogun joins league of 40-yr-olds

    Banke Balogun is radiating a lot of happiness these days. And society watchers are not surprised as things have been going smoothly for her of late. The radiant mother of four recently eased into her 40th birthday with the grace and elegance befitting someone of her status.

    Not one to shy away from public celebrations of achievements in grand venues, the fashion forward wife of First City Monument Bank’s Managing Director, Ladi Balogun, had birthday dinner at Dochester Hotel in London to celebrate the occasion. In attendance were family and friends who thronged the venue like a flock of sheep responding to the shepherd’s summons.

    Grapevine has it that Banke plans to throw a bigger party in Lagos to celebrate her new age. Perhaps unsatisfied with the relative exclusivity of the London event, she plans to hold the celebration in the full glare of the approving Lagos social scene.

    It will be recalled that the beautiful lady, whose husband is one of the sons of banking guru and Oloori Omooba of Ijebuland, Otunba Subomi Balogun, had her wedding over a decade ago amidst fanfare and glitterati. The upcoming celebration is set to match or surpass that August event.

  • When billionaires converged to celebrate Ogun @ 40

    There is a world of difference between the wealthy and the comfortable. Wealth involves the ability to fully enjoy life, while being comfortable entails the grace to go through life without experiencing excruciating lack. Last Monday, Ogun State witnessed a convergence of the wealthy; it was a perfect blend of fame, power, prominence and opulence. Lawmakers, celebrities and nobles gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the state.

    Leading the pack of the men of opulence was Dr. Mike Adenuga, the Globacom boss and Apesin of Ijebuland, who made a rare appearance at the event; Chief Kessington Adebutu; Otunba Subomi Balogun; Aare Rasak Akanni Okoya and many leading lights. They really added colour to the memorable event, especially Dr. Mike Adenuga who doesn’t grace just any event. The highly revered king, Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, and Governor Ibikunle Amosun were the perfect hosts.

    This elite class was the cynosure of all eyes as everybody was trying to catch the glimpse of these rich and famous individuals. The event reached its peak when President Muhammadu Buhari made an appearance and even delivered a speech. In his speech, he expressed satisfaction with the programmes of the state, which Governor Ibikunle Amosun said would bring change to the health, housing, education and agriculture sectors, among others.

  • Celebrating Ogun State at 40

    Celebrating Ogun State at 40

    WHEN it was carved out of the old Western Region in 1976, there was no doubt as to how Ogun State will evolve.

    From day one, Ogun indigenes decidedly took up the mantle and marched doggedly into progress and greatness.

    Perhaps this determination lies in the fact that several of the nation’s founding fathers hailed from  the state.  In the fields of law, medicine and accountancy, the state had produced first class brains like Sir Adetokunbo Ademola,- the first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria-, Dr Elizabeth Awoliyi- the first female doctor – and Mrs Toyin Olakunri, – the first female Chartered Accountant.  As far as Nigeria’s political history is concerned, the state has also produced among other noble men, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, world class citizens, who became Military Head of State and a two–term civilian President.

    The State has however come very far from the mid-1970s.  It has been blessed with visionary leaders, men and women of valour, who have successfully put to good use, its rich supply of natural, agricultural and human resources. Ogun is also home to tourists ‘monuments such as Olumo Rock, Abeokuta and Bilikisu Sugbo Shrine, Oke-Eri; both steeped deep in rich cultural histories.

    Leading the roll call of astute politicians and fore-sighted leaders, is of course the revered late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, an indigene of Ikenne in Ikenne Local Government of the State, who as Premier of the Western Region, tapped into the rich potentials of Cocoa and laid the foundations for deep socio-economic changes.Awolowo remained a national icon and his legacy set the pace for the state’s resilience and creativity in good governance and development.

    During the years of military administrations, Ogun State was to find its dynamism and passion for breaking new grounds.   The sprawling Agbara Industrial and Residential Estates were established to take advantage of the state’s proximity to Lagos State. Today, the layout serves as a template for industry and housing sectors.

    Fast forward to the 1979 elections in which the State’s first civilian governor, late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) came into office. Through Chief Onabanjo’s policies and programmes, he charted a way for the state. Thus, through carefully-designed socio-economic development agenda, he was able to move the state on the path of economic growth.

    The Ogun State University, later renamed Olabisi Onabanjo University, was founded in 1982; located in Ago-Iwoye as a model for the ‘Gown meets Town’ development became a template for developing local manpower for the emerging giant.

    By the time the Military took power in 1983, the state, through Onabanjo’s efforts, had commenced broadcasting from its own television and radio stations. Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation as Onabanjo declared at the time was created: “to evolve a distinctive character of its own and come out with a choice of programmes appealing to different interests”.   Tourism and the hospitality industry were also high on the administration’s agenda when he established the Gateway Hotels in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode and Sango Ota respectively.

    Other flagship projects reaped over the past four decades across the sectors including health, education, social welfare and roads, became the norm, as Ogun continued to blossom.

    The peace and stability the state has enjoyed is not without the input of its traditional rulers who without exception, have contributed immensely to the state’s rich trado-cultural harmony. The social cohesion enjoyed by the citizenry is evident throughout the state.

    Mention must also be made of the civilian governors who worked assiduously from Oke-Mosan to maintain the pace and growth.  Formers state governors, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, further took Ogun State to new heights during their tenures, creating an enabling environment and human capacity building.

    Under their charge, the state grew in leaps and bounds.  Its vast areas of land and welcoming nature of its citizens attracted numerous private sector investors including faith-based groups to build their businesses, industries and organisations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway axis.

    Certainly over the years,  Ogun State has become the investors’ destination of choice.  This feat was not achieved overnight but through painstaking planning of its leaders and administrators, both military and civilian.  Of course, the state’s dedicated and vibrant civil service still serves as the engine room of government’s policies and programmes.

    Ogun State which comprises 20 Local Government Areas and 236 Wards is blessed with mineral and agricultural resources including Limestone, Phosphate, Cocoa, Kola nuts, Cotton, Timber scattered around the state. It has enormous potentials to become a hub for mining, or solid minerals production and agro-processing.

    Perhaps in recognition of this the current administration under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun disclosed plans by his administration to produce a mineral data map to guide investors.

    This laudable policy demonstrates the profound nature of the Governor’s socio-economic agenda for the state.

    Governor Amosun has in recent years also altered the physical landscape of the state through his massive construction of roads and bridges as part of the drive to usher in new phases of development and investment. Indeed, the state’s first bridge constructed in Abeokuta.

    The beauty of this policy is that the physical infrastructure is not limited to the state capital of Abeokuta.

    Governor Amosun has through his broad-based socio-economic plan, ensured that the major towns of Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu, have also become beneficiaries of his administration’s re-building mission.

    Expansive new housing estates and new model schools are some of the components of his first tenure. Indeed, the administration with its current crop of technocrats’ and politicians looks set to do even more.

    As Ogun marks 40 years of existence, I salute the leaders, past and present, for their vision and the citizenry for their support and resilience.

    • Odeneye represents Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives

     

  • Wike buys 40,000 tickets for fans

    Wike buys 40,000 tickets for fans

     

    Rivers State governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has paid for the 40,000 thousand tickets available for today’s match between Nigeria’s Under-23 team and that of Congo.

    The 40,000-seater Adokiye Amiesemaka Stadium situated in Omagwa in Port Harcourt will be throw open for all fans .

    Wike made this disclosure yesterday while playing host to the National Executive Members of The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria in Port Harcourt.

    He called on fans in Port Harcourt and its environs to come out in their numbers and cheer Nigeria’s Dream Team VI to victory

    “Now, we will give our support and all the necessary arrangements for the success of this game, it behoves on coach Samson Siasia to go down deep in his soccer armoury to select the best legs that will reciprocate the kind gesture of the state government .

    “Our kind gesture is geared towards giving Nigerians and visitors the best of traditional Rivers State hospitality .

    “Our state has graciously paid for the tickets and as such , fans will enter the stadium for free ,” Wike said.

  • 40,000 houses for Abuja workers

    Workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja are to benefit from a 40, 000 housing units, FCT Minister Bala Mohammed has said.

    The minister has laid the foundation for the development of the 40,000 housing units for workers in Abuja.

    The multi-billion-naira housing project, which is in partnership with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and some private developers have the capacity of alleviating the suffering encountered by workers in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Mohammed said that President Goodluck Jonathan personally gave the FCT Administration a matching order to initiate a viable housing scheme that would cater for the needs of the Nigerian worker who are the engine of the country’s economy.

    Mohammed remarked that the project will contribute greatly to the reduction of the housing deficit in Nigeria particularly, in the Federal Capital Territory; adding that the project has been designed in a manner that would ensure affordability by the workers.

    His words: Ensuring affordability by Nigerian workers through the provision of wavers on premium for the plots by the FCT Administration”.

    According to him, the gigantic sites will also provide avenue for over 7,000 skilled and unskilled job opportunities to Nigerians, which will go along way to reduce unemployment.

    The Minister at the occasion directed the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to immediately commence arrangement to provide basic infrastructure to the site in line with the instructions of President Jonathan.

    The workers housing projects are located on 329.93 hectares of land in parts of Lugbe District and 298.59 hectares in Apo Taphi District of the Federal Capital City.

    “The financing of the infrastructure aspect of the project is to be driven under the SURE- P Progaramme of the Federal Government,” he stressed.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the NLC President, Comrade Abdul-Waheed Omar thanked the Minister for his foresight and commitment to the workers welfare.

    The NLC President described the project as historic saying that no government has ever initiated a viable and sustainable housing project such as this for the Nigerian workers.

    He therefore urged workers in the country to take advantage of the scheme to own a house.

    The TUC Secretary General, Barrister Musa Lawal who represented the President Comrade Babboi Kaigama also commended the FCT Minister and the Administration for providing a land in strategic areas for the actualization of the scheme.

    The occasion was attended by the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, Senator representing FCT, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu and well as other top management staff of the FCT Administration.

    Meanwhile, an agreement was signed between the FCT Administration and Good Homes Development Company Limited at the occasion for development of the houses.

  • 40 air traffic controllers for training

    A total of 40 Air Traffic Controllers are to proceed for training this month on Performance Based Navigation (PBN) in Cairo, Egypt as part of efforts by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to enhance capacity of its critical manpower in operations.

    According to the Managing Director, Mr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, the training is part of the wider effort of management in ensuring the continuous training and retraining of personnel to keep pace with dynamics of evolving technology. Abdulsalam  who was represented  by the Acting  Direrector of Operations,  Mr Edward Ogedegbe, at this year’s Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) Annual General Meeting (AGM),which held in Kano, also stated that another five Air Traffic Controllers have been billed for   Wind Shear Equipment training in Germany by December, 2014.

    The NAMA boss said that with the Mode ‘S’ Data link and Controller/Pilot Data Link (CPDLC) almost ready for takeoff, much of verbal communication between pilots and control tower would give way to digital/data communication, leading to less fatigue and increased flight precision.

    Abdulsalam also expressed delight that management’s effort in staff training has boosted the area radar control service introduced last year with more Air Traffic Controllers, successfully obtaining ratings from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA).

    Similarly, the NAMA boss  also stated that the collective and harmonious collaboration of the Army, Navy, Air Force and NAMA in airspace coordination will guarantee the safety and security of both civil and military users. He spoke at the 2014 Airspace Management Seminar held at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State.

    He noted that since the airspace is a single resource, the flexibility of its usage by both civil and military will make for more flight efficiency and economic air navigation.

    He said  NAMA is committed to providing technical and operational support for the planned deployment of military radars in support of national security as well as ensuring the interoperability of civil/military components of TRACON.

    Air Commodore Bello Garba of Command Evaluation, Headquarters Command, Kaduna, called for ‘’more concerted liaison between NAMA and the Nigerian Air Force at both strategic and unit levels to ensure effective airspace coordination.