The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • APC takes campaign to Wuse market

    Supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari has taken the Next Level campaign to the market place in Abuja, beginning with Wuse market.

    Chairman of the Central Working Committee of the APC Women and Youth Campaign Council, Brig. General Mohammed Buba Marwa said they were delighted with the trust and love shown by them for the President and appeal to them to go back to their communities to encourage them to vote for Buhari.

    He said Buhari was a candidate that is easy to sell because of his qualities and achievement in office, pointing out that those who collected the trader moni has demonstrated that it was for political reasons.

    Former Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba said President Buhari was interested in rebuilding the country and therefore need the support of all Nigerians to complete the work he has started, appealing to the traders to give Buhari their votes.

    Another speaker, Prince Odinaka said this was the first time in the history of Nigeria that women and youths are given the opportunity to decide on who will lead Nigeria, adding that Nigerians should not allow those who loot the treasury to return to power.

    Leader of the Wuse Market Association, Mrs Oluwatoyin Badmus, said President Buhari is for the masses and not the elite, stressing that they were endorsing him for caring about them.

    She said most of the people gathered are beneficiaries of the trader moni and not propaganda, adding that while being given the money, they were never asked for their PVC as against the propaganda being peddled by the opposition.

  • Nigerian airports record 15.2m passengers, 227,834 aircraft movements

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says a total of 15.2 million passengers passed through Nigerian airports in 227,834 aircraft movements in 2018.

    This was revealed in FAAN’s 2018 Annual Report obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

    The report posted an increase of 2.5 million passengers from 12.7 million passengers recorded in 2017 representing 19.11 per cent increase.

    It also revealed an increase of 27,068 from the 200,766 aircraft movements recorded in 2017 representing 11.48 per cent increase.

    According to the report, 11.02 million passengers travelled within the country (domestic), while a total of 4.2 passengers traveled into and out of the country (international) through the airports during the period under review.

    The data further showed that 182,924 domestic and 44,910 international flights were operated across the nation’s 22 airports during the period.

    The total cargo movement, according to FAAN, stood at 245.89 million tonnes per kilogramme compared to the 169.50 million tonnes per kilogramme recorded in 2017.

    The statistics also indicated that 174.91 million tonnes per kilogramme arrived in the country through the airports, while 70.89 million tonnes departed during the year.

    A look at the four major airports in the country showed that Murtala Muhammed Airports, Lagos, (Domestic and International Wing) recorded the highest passengers and aircraft movements during the period.

    The data indicated that Lagos airport recorded 6.7 million passengers comprising 2.8 million on domestic routes and 2.9 million on the international routes.

    The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja recorded 4.6 million passengers comprising 3.7 million on domestic routes, while the international routes recorded 941,182 passengers.

    FAAN also disclosed that Port Harcourt International Airport recorded 1.14 million passengers comprising 1.05 million domestic passengers and 92,050 international.

    Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano recorded 567,537 passengers comprising 398,266 domestic and 169,271 international passengers.

  • Commercial motorcyclists, Police clash in Abuja

    Some commercial motorcyclists, popularly called okada riders, on Saturday clashed with some policemen in Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja.

    Eyewitnesses said trouble started at about 2.00 p.m. around Total Filling station, at 2.2 Junction, when an unidentified policeman, allegedly on illegal duty, hit the arm of one of the motorcycle riders with his baton, and supposedly causing a dislocation on the arm in the process.

    According to one of the witnesses, Mr Daniel Ibe, the cry of the injured motorcyclist attracted the attention of his colleagues, who parked near the scene of the incident, prompting a show of solidarity.

    “The policeman hit the motorcyclist with his stick because he refused to stop for the usual extortion, causing his bone to dislocate,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that scores of motorcyclists cordoned off the ever-busy Gado Nasko Road, thereby causing heavy traffic and anxiety among road users.

    The commercial cyclists made a bonfire on the road, forcing motorists to retreat on getting to the spot.

    Policemen drafted to the troubled spot may have added to the anxiety in the air, as they shot several bullets in the air, even as the cyclists remained obstinate.

    Calm, however, returned to the spot when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kubwa Police Station came to personally appeal to the aggrieved motorcyclists.

    The DPO invited them to his office for settlement, thereby dousing the tension and threat of violence. (

    NAN

  • Teenager wins N7.5m InterswitchSPAK 1.0 prize

    Sixteen year old Akachukwu Anumudu of Apostolic Faith Secondary School, Anthony, Lagos, has emerged winner of the first edition of the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition held in Lagos. He beat eight other contestants in an intense quiz session to win the grand prize of N7.5 million worth of tertiary education scholarship spread over five years, a laptop and a monthly stipend during the course of the scholarship.

    The first runner-up was 16-year-old Henry Umunna of the Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja.  Umunna won N4 million worth of scholarship spread over three years; while the second runner-up, 16-year-old OnyedikachiKanu from Dority International School, Aba, got N1million worth of scholarship for one year.

    Akachukwu came tops after advancing through various levels of the competition. Expressing gratitude, Akachukwu said he never expected to make it this far, explaining that competitions like this would help in discovering brighter young stars in Nigeria.

    He said: “Whenever I see people win at competitions, I always wondered if I could ever get that lucky.  But now, I know it’s beyond luck and I am glad that all my sleepless nights and hard work paid off. I am very grateful to Interswitch because they made me who I am today. Before now, I was very shy and reserved, but my whole experience at the InterswitchSPAK 1.0 has helped build my confidence and prepared me for the future.”

    Another highlight of the day was the presentation of the Founder’s Award to Team Neptune- winners of the Innovation Challenge.  The team made up of nine SS2 kids, collaborated to develop a technology-driven solution aimed at providing Nigerians with easier access to National Health Insurance.  Each student was presented with a medal and a laptop. The nine students also get a chance to partake in a two-week internship programme at Interswitch Group’s head office in Lagos during the holidays.

    Group Managing Director/Founder, Interswitch Group, Mitchell Elegbe, said the firm is particularly passionate about the healthcare sector and is already working on the proposal that emerged from the Innovation Challenge. He added that the winning team will get to join the Interswitch team to further develop the proposed solution.

    After presenting the cheque of N7.5 million to the grand winner, Elegbe, in his short remarks,reiterated the importance of emotional Intelligence.He said: “You have emerged winner of this competition and that makes you a very special person.  However, you must remember that although having a high IQ is necessary, it is not sufficient for success in life.  We hope you will take all you have learnt during this competition and apply it where necessary.  We wish you greater success in life and we will be with you every step of the way”.

    Acting Registrar/Chief Executive, National Examinations Council (NECO), Mr. Abubakar M. Gana, in his address, drew a connection between STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and national development.  “STEM education, if adequatelypursued, can be described as the bedrock of anynation’s technological take-off or development.  The era of pen-paper quiz has given way to technology.  Quiz administration is now computerized as we can see here at InterswitchSPAK 1.0”, he said.

    He also lauded Interswitch for their investment in the competition as well as for being a major player in Nigeria’s economy through their electronic payment system which eases business transactions.

    Besides the three major prize winners, the other six contestants were awardedN500,000 each, as consolation prizes for earning a spot in the ‘Top 9’.  15-year-old Glory Okoli of Ambassadors College, Ota, was gifted an additional N250,000 by the Interswitch boss for being the last female standing in the competition.

     

  • AEDC launches €2.2m service to reduce losses

    The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) at the weekend commissioned its €2.2million Integrated Commercial Management Systems (InCMS) project designed to reduce commercial losses.

    The chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. James Momoh, who commissioned the service in Abuja, said the system will help the company to improve the quality of services it renders to customers and allows the customers to use electricity efficiently.

    The NERC’s boss said “will in prove the quality of service in terms of the energy you use and reduce losses. I believe it will also provide for us the opportunity of efficient energy usage.”

    With the system, consumers of electricity may not leave on their power when it is unnecessary, he said, urging other distribution companies (DisCos) to take a cue from the AEDC.

    According to him, the company has actualised what the commission has been advocating that the Discos should reduce losses, resolve complaints quickly and give consumers the human face they deserve.

    The Managing Director, Engr. Ernest Mupwaya, who spoke with reporters after the commissioning, explained the InCMS is meant to manage all the company’s commercial operations, including customers’ service.

    He said that it will provide value to both business and customers, stressing that from the customers’ point of view, “it will provide visibility in all customers’ activities so that we can enforce compliance in terms of meeting target and for processes to be respected.”

    Mupwaya noted that “it is a system that covers all our franchise areas. We will be able to provide uniform service because we have visibility at every level of delivering service.”

    Asked what it cost the firm to procure the system, the Managing Director said that “the cost of this system is roughly €2.2million. But even if it sounds expensive, the value which will be derived from the service will be much more than that.”

    With the deployment of the service, Mupwaya said the firm will meet up with customers’ satisfaction, loyalty, which will increase their willingness to pay their bills.

    He also noted the system can check power theft which occurs from meter installation loopholes. But with the system, the firm will now be able to view what is happening at every stage.

    He insisted that “it is an intelligent system, which you can use to do energy balance. You would have known at a transformer level how much energy came out and how much was sold to the customers and where the gap is coming from.”

    He submitted that the system will protect revenue losses by showing whether customers bypass the meters.

    The Managing Director revealed that AEDC is currently installing the meters it procured at N10billion last year, noting the customers only need to register with the company that they need meters and they will receive them.

    He also announced that the company has finished procuring the Meter Asset Provider process that the NERC introduced and it will start massive installation of the meters as soon as it gets the “no objection” approval from the commission.

  • 2019: FG directs missions to issue visas to foreign media

    The Federal Government ( FG ) has directed all Nigerian Missions abroad to issue visas to foreign journalists willing to cover the 2019 General Elections in Nigeria.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, said this in a statement issued by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Mr George Edokpa, on Friday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 2019 General Elections is scheduled for Feb. 16 and March 6.

    “The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama has directed all Nigerian Missions to issue visas expeditiously to journalists travelling to cover the forthcoming 2019 General elections in Nigeria,” the statement said.The Federal Government has directed all Nigerian Missions abroad to issue visas to foreign journalists willing to cover the 2019 General Elections in Nigeria.

    Read Also: FG committed to digital education

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, said this in a statement issued by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Mr George Edokpa, on Friday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2019 General Elections is scheduled for Feb. 16 and March 6.

    “The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama has directed all Nigerian Missions to issue visas expeditiously to journalists travelling to cover the forthcoming 2019 General elections in Nigeria,” the statement said.

  • I remain APC Niger East senatorial candidate, says Umaru

    Senator David Umaru has declared he remains the All Progressives Congress (APC) Niger East senatorial candidate despite a ruling by Federal High Court, Abuja to the contrary.

    The incumbent lawmaker said: “I was the candidate that was duly screened and cleared to contest the 5th October 2018 primaries for my senatorial zone.

    “I remain the bona fide candidate of APC in the forthcoming senatorial election in Niger East Senatorial District until the decision of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.”

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declared Alhaji Mohammed Sani as the authentic APC candidate of the Niger East Senatorial District.

    But Umaru argued the Court has no power to nominate a candidate for a political party, declaring the party is supreme and has the final say and decision.

    He faulted the Judge for ignoring the evidence of the defence and assuming the responsibility of nominating its preferred candidate.

    “The learned trial court ignored the evidence of the defence and assumed the responsibility of nominating its preferred candidate.

    “I am therefore appealing the decision of the trial court because it is the responsibility of the court to determine who should be the candidate of a political party at elections.

    Read Also: Umaru tackles Bello on incessant travels abroad

    “Another fundamental reason why I am challenging the decision of the learned trial Judge is that the trial court proceeded to hear and determine the matter without jurisdiction as the suit was filed in breach of the provisions of section 285(9) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.”

    Umaru disclosed that he has filed a notice of appeal and stay of execution against the judgements.

    According to him: “The law is tried and there is a plethora of Supreme Court decisions affirming the finality of the decisions of political parties regarding nomination if candidates.”

    The Senator, who urged his supporters to continue with their campaign activities, said he is no stranger to court battles and is determined to fight the battle to the last.

    “I am not a stranger to court battles as my entire political career has been shaped by court decisions. On several occasions in my political career, I relied in courts for justice.

    “I do believe that the decision of the trial court which gave judgement to the Plaintiff was based on erroneous understanding of the law and facts placed before the court.“

  • Army spokesman retires voluntarily

    The Director of Nigerian Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen Sani Usman on Thursday announced his voluntary disengagement from the military.

    Brig. Gen Usman, in a statement in Abuja, said though a new spokesman has not been named, he would hand over to Colonel A A Yusuf who is the Chief of Staff of the Directorate of Public Relations.

    Brig Gen. Usman described his career as exciting and fulfilling, saying he would be proceeding on Terminal Leave from February 8.

    Brig Gen Usaman said: “I wish to inform you that with effect from Friday 8 February 2019, I will be proceeding on Terminal Leave, thus marking the end of my exciting and fulfilling career in the Nigerian Army.

    “I would like seize this opportunity to thank you all for your friendship, love, support and encouragement over the years that tremendously assisted me personally and repositioning the Directorate of Army Public Relations to the enviable height attained, thus far. I also wish to thank the Nigerian nation for the wonderful opportunity to serve the country and humanity in various capacities for over three decades.

    “I am leaving highly fulfilled after contributing my best to national development, the Nigerian Army, gaining great wealth of knowledge, experience, inestimable network of friends which I will treasure forever.

    Read Also: Army repels Boko Haram attack in Yobe

    “I am thankful to the Nigerian Army also for giving me wonderful opportunities and work exposure to practice Public Relations to the point of being a Fellow of the prestigious Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR), Member of the National Institute (mni), among other honours, awards and qualifications, as well as attaining the highest level of command of the Directorate of Army Public Relations twice.

    “Although a new Director has not been appointed yet, I am handing over to Colonel AA Yusuf, the Chief of Staff, Directorate of Army Public Relations.

    “As I exit this noble profession voluntarily, I wish you all continued God’s blessings, guidance and protection, amen.

    “I will certainly miss you all and will continue to cherish the friendship and bond among us. I enjoin you to continue to support the military while discharging your professional duties.”

  • Wabba returns as NLC President

    President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba was on Wednesday evening reelected for a second term of four years with a pledge to double his efforts at protecting the interest and rights of the Nigerian workers.

    In his acceptance speech after he was returned unopposed at the end of the 12th Delegates Conference of NLC in Abuja Wabba said the leadership of labour will double its effort to ensure that the rights and interests of workers are protected.

    The newly elected officers will be in charge of the workers union until 2023.

    Wabba said “The board will respect the will of members and consolidate on what we are doing. We will continue to conform to the tradition of the union and speak the truth to those in power. The daily challenges of workers at work place will be confronted.

    “We have been able to work assiduously in the past four years and we will move forward to build workers poser. I assure our members of our commitment and dedication to the resolutions of the conference” he said.

    He called on the political class to imitate the rancour-free election of the NLC, adding that it was important to address the global in balance where more people live below poverty line despite the growing global wealth.

    Read Also: Wabba elected ITUC president

    Among those returned are first deputy president, Amaechi Asuguni; second deputy president, Muhammed Idris; and third deputy president, Najim Yasim.

    Others are National Treasurer, Ibrahim Khaleel First Vice president, Abdulrafiu Adeniji; Second Vice president, Peters Adeyemi; Third Vice president, Lawrence Amaechi; Fourth Vice president, Oyelekan Lateef, Fifth Vice president, Mercy Okezie and National Trustee, Adewale Adeyanju.

    Also elected are financial secretary, Mustapha Adamu; first internal auditor, Simon Ankavar; second internal auditor, Benjamin Anthony; third internal auditor, Olatunji Babatunde; first ex-officio member, Funmilayo Issa; and second ex-officio member, Comfort Okoh.

  • Nigeria to penetrate $100bn Asian market with pigeon pea, sorghum exports

    Nigeria is set to penetrate the Indian and Chinese crop market worth over $100 billion with exports such as pigeon pea, sorghum and groundnut, according to the federal government.

    Director General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr. Vincent Isegbe, stated this at the maiden NAQS media parley which took place in Abuja on Wednesday.

    According to Isegbe, the results of recent surveys of pigeon pea and sorghum crops will pave a way for Nigeria to enter the multi-billion dollar market in Asia, catalyzing the export potentials of Nigerian agricultural resources.

    “The Chinese government is coming in with plans to establish five plantations for forage sorghum,” he informed.

    “That means that our sorghum exports will more than triple as from next year.

    “A local company is expected to ship out the first batch of its consignment in the first quarter of this year.”

    The Director General reiterated the obligation of stakeholders across the value chain to ensure their produce is exportable, stating “their inability to meet relevant sanitary and phytosanitary requirements applicable in the destination countries is the most serious impediment to Nigeria’s participation in foreign trade.

    “We can produce and export every agricultural produce found in this country and there are markets for it. Our only challenge is to make sure it is done properly.”

    He added: “Nigeria loses huge revenue, servicing narrow market export options. This is because many countries prohibit the import of produce with mycotoxin contamination, high pesticide residue, microbial contamination, and sloppy packaging and labeling.

    “It is our goal to make Nigerian agricultural produce acceptable everywhere in the world. That way, we will earn more foreign exchange from more destination countries.

    “We are also working expeditiously to expand our export frontiers. In addition to the traditional agro-export items, we have identified underutilized yet high premium, emerging agricultural commodities.”