The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • Why we prioritized fight against corruption – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday explained why the Federal Government prioritized the fight against corruption.

    He said corruption had become a cancer in the lives of Nigerians, hence the need to fight it.

    The president spoke at the 40th anniversary of the Commonwealth Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (CAPA), holding in Abuja with the theme: ‘Enhancing technical capacity and partnerships for industrial and sustainable economic development in Africa.’

    Buhari, who was represented by Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu stated that Nigeria has sought the collaborations of relevant international organizations and agencies to ensure that illegally acquired proceeds are confiscated and brought back to the coffers of the Federal Government.

    The President said: “In order to entrench good governance, the present government has been waging a war on corruption, indiscipline and poor governance.

    “Corruption has become a cancer in our daily lives, which is why government decided to prioritise the fight against it and in this, it has also sought collaboration with relevant international organisations and agencies, ensuring that all illegally acquired proceeds are confiscated and brought back to the coffers of government.

    “It is part of the patrimony that ought to have been used to fund TVET.

    The president stated that the challenges of matching training to employment and lack of institutional capacity were major problems confronting African countries.

    He said these challenges have fueled many criminal activities like rebellion and insurgencies which threaten good governance and democratic institutions on the continent.

    Read Also: Buhari will rid Nigeria of corruption, says Emenike

    Buhari said: “Today, the challenges of matching training to employment, lack of institutional capacity, as well as the growing problems of youth unemployment and underemployment have become one of the central concerns for most African governments.

    “At one level, these have fueled many criminal activities, rebellion, insurgencies, social instability and unrest that threaten good governance and democratic institutions in our nations.

    “It is imperative that government and non-governmental organizations rise to meet these challenges by all means possible and proffer alternative means of redefining our common heritage- a heritage defined by hard work, integrity and concern for community.”

  • NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains for Monday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted influx of moisture and increased heat energy expected to produce thunderstorms and rains over most places in the country for Monday.

    NiMet made this known in its Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Sunday.

    It envisaged Thunderstorms over Sokoto, Gusau and Kano in the morning hours and thunderstorms over most places in the afternoon and evening period.

    It added that, day and night temperature in the northern states would be in the ranges of 28 – 30 degree Celsius and 20 – 22 degree Celsius respectively.

    NiMet said that, moderate rains would be expected over Bauchi, Gombe, Mambilla Plateau, Jalingo, Jos and Abuja in the morning hours.

    According to it, thunderstorms and rains are expected over the entire north central area in the afternoon and evening hours.

    It said that, day and night temperature in the region would be in the range of 27- 29 degree Celsius and 21- 23 degree Celsius respectively, except for Jos that would be between 22 – 15 degree Celsius.

    The agency predicted light rains over Uyo, Port-Harcourt, Calabar and Eket in the morning with moderate rains over most places in the southern states in the afternoon and evening hours,

    NiMet said that, day and night temperature would be in range of 27and 28 degrees Celsius respectively.

  • Hajj 2018: Pilgrims return on Monday

    On Monday, August 27, the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims that performed the 2018 Hajj exercise will be airlifted back home, according to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

    The return flight will commence with pilgrims from Kogi State aboard Flynas Airline en route the country via Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NZIA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    This was disclosed in an official statement by NAHCON, following a meeting with Hajj carriers in Jedda, Saudi Arabia; the commission stated that the pilgrims will commence their return journey from King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah to NZIA, Abuja.

    At the conference, NAHCON and the Hajj carriers agreed on flight modalities, among other operational strategies at ensuring a hitch-free airlift of Nigerian pilgrims back to the country.

    It is expected that the return journey would be faster than the inward journey into Saudi Arabia simply over 9 per cent of the pilgrims, according to NAHCON, are ready for the airlift back home.

    Officials of the State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and FCT have been enjoined to cooperate and ensure a smooth airlift back home in accordance with the flight schedule that was given to them.

    Read also: Hajj 2018: Pilgrims return on Monday

    It would be recalled that the Nation reported earlier, that NAHCON chairman, Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, disclosed that the Kogi State contingent to the Hajj exercise will be given preference at the commencement of return flight operations.

    Muhammad made the assertion, stressing that the pilgrims from Kogi State will be the first beneficiaries of the return flight because they were the first to arrive in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj exercise.

    The first batch of 445 pilgrims from Kogi State arrived in Madinah aboard the inaugural flight for this year’s Hajj on July 21, 2018

    They were transported by Max Air to Prince Muhammad Abdullaziz International Airport, Madinah via the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

     

  • 2019: APC raises alarm over fake registration website

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised concern over a trending fake website, apcregistration.com, which it says is meant to harvest its members ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The party raised the alarm in a statement issued by Mr Yekini Nabena, its National Publicity Secretary on Sunday in Abuja.

    It said that the fake website was a scam sponsored by a “main opposition party,” stressing that it was not authorised by its leadership.

    “We alert our supporters, members, and indeed the general public about a purported membership registration website of the All Progressives Congress (APC) – apcregistration.com.

    “The website which is trending on social media is unauthorised and a scam.

    Read also: FG flags off N22.7bn road rehabilitation project in Adamawa

    “Our internal investigation has revealed that the fake website is sponsored by one of the main opposition political parties in its desperate and criminal plot to harvest APC members ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    “We have deliberately not named the political party and hereby call on relevant security agencies to urgently investigate the website and its sponsors,” the party said.

    It urged its teeming supporters and members to take advantage of the on-going nationwide APC membership registration in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT to register.

    According to the party, the exercise will include both fresh registrations and revalidation of existing membership for the purposes of issuance of its permanent membership cards.

  • Buhari leaves for Daura

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday left Abuja for his hometown, Daura in Katsina State.

    Buhari, who returned to Abuja from London on Saturday after 10-day working holiday, is to observe the Eid-el-Kabir sallah in his hometown.

    Read Also: Buhari,  service chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    His convoy left the forecourt of the State House, Abuja around 3.06 p.m

    Before embarking on the trip to Daura, the President presided over the Security Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

  • Buhari, service chiefs meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed doors with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    It was one of the President’s first major engagement since returning to Abuja on Saturday after 10-day working holiday in London.

    The meeting, which was held at the President’s office stated around 11.27a.m

    It was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • Abuja building collapse: NIOB calls for professionalism

    The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has called for professionalism in the building industry, to curb cases of building collapse in Nigeria.The NIOB President, Mr Kenneth Nduka, made this known in a statement issued on Sunday, in Abuja.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a four-storey building located at Jabi, Abuja, collapsed at about 1.30 p.m on Friday, Aug. 17, killing one person and injuring six others.

    Nduka, who was reacting to the incident, called for a drastic action by the government and stakeholders to stop compromises from unqualified builders and developers.

    He said those involved in suspected professional lapses that led to Friday’s incident should be called to answer questions, and if found culpable, should be properly sanctioned.

    “We need no more crocodile tears over incessant building collapses. Enough of the media razzmatazz and political speeches soon after the damage is done.

    “The sour setting needs be responded to with the due action it merits.

    “This may not be the time for political speeches since the evil factors, processes and procedures that excite building collapses are still lurking around with unfettered intimidation and impunity.

    “What are we doing about them? We can’t be waiting idly for the next site to collapse so we can take pictures and express condolences again,’’ he said.

    He urged all relevant professional bodies in the industry to demand for immediate reconciliation of all the urban and physical planning laws.

    This, according to him, should be in responsive domestication of the National Building Code, which demands immediate enactment into law.

    “The prevailing disregard for professionalism must stop. The prevailing compromise by professional and developers must stop.

    “We all must stand up against the prevailing structured blight on professionals and professionalism. This avoidable but deliberate assault on our national resources must stop.

    “Enough of the political talk. Our people must be protected from avoidable careless death,’’ he said.

    He, however, expressed sincere condolences to all those who have unfortunately been sent to their early graves due to the incident.

  • ‘Nigeria’s leadership is the missing link in Africa’s greatness’

    …SOTA advocates for coalition of alternative political parties and aspirants

    Renowned Kenyan legal scholar, Professor Patrick Lumumba, has noted that Nigeria is the missing link in Africa’s greatness.

    He made this known in his keynote speech at the Summit of The Alternatives (SOTA) held in Abuja on the 15th and 16th August, 2018.

    According to him, “Until African politicians, and by extension, the people get its politics right, Africa cannot realize its potential.

    “Chinua Achebe in his book The Trouble With Nigeria, explained that the problem of Nigeria is simply that of leadership.

    “I remember so vividly in 1963, when African leaders assembled in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, they were as passionate as they were correct; they were all envied in the early days…they all made sense.

    “When one listened to Nnamdi Azikiwe, he made sense. When one listened to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, he made sense. When one listened to the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, He made sense. A lot of other Africa leaders made sense.

    Read Also: Anti-graft war: Lessons from Singapore

    “We soon began to see a new breed of coup d’état leaders; the men in arms in the political arena.

    “That was when the rain started to beat us as a Nation.”

    He further added that: “Nigeria occupies such an important place not only in Africa, but in the world.

    “Nigeria is a leader when it comes to producing some of the greatest thinkers in Africa.

    “What continues to hold Nigeria down are the political elites; the politics of money. They should realize that when they lead Nigeria, they are also leading Africa.

    “When Nigeria sneezes, Africa catches a cold. Nigeria should realize that she should be the political mecca where African leaders pay pilgrimage.

    “Nigeria must improve agriculture, health, so that our president does not sojourn abroad for medical tourism.

    “Nigeria is blessed with everything you can think of but leadership; Nigeria has showed its leadership position in the African region through various peace keeping operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone and mention it, Nigeria is the only link to Africa’s success.”

    Global speakers and regional representatives joined participants at The Summit of The Alternatives (SOTA) to call for young, gender sensitive, competent, capable and credible leadership through the 2019 elections in Nigeria, as the two-day event focused on shaping narratives to redefine Nigeria’s political landscape through a coalition of credible alternatives.

    Giving the welcome address, the convener of the Red Card Movement, Dr. Oby Ezekwensili extensively introduced the idea behind the Summit of The Alternatives.

    She emphasized on the need for a new Nigeria of our dream and the economic implication of having a visionary leadership, with character, competence and capacity.

    The summit comprised of influencers and thought leaders that have demonstrated model character, competence and capacity in their various fields, with a strong desire to build and remodel through active engagement in Nigeria’s political space.

    The first day kicked off with a keynote speech the ‘A Rallying Cry for an Alternative’, as speakers and partners made presentations that centred on the need for Nigeria to get it right and insist on leadership criteria of character, competence and capacity.

    The event also included panel discussions to further drive the new agenda for a new Nigeria. Campaign/Party Finance; Cultivating Grassroots Movements; Media Approaches to Elections; Nuances and Metrics of Youth and Women Inclusion in today’s Democracy; INEC: An Overview of Electoral Preparations in the areas of hardware, software and process; Youth Inclusion and Building a Political Brand.

    The second day of the event had alternative political parties and presidential aspirants such Sowore Omoyele, Fela Durotoye, Dr Elishama Ideh, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, Emmanuel Etim, Dr Thomas- Wilson Ikubese, Engineer Martins Onovo, and Tope Fasua who addressed citizens on topical issues centred around the new Nigerian of our dream. These aspirants and political parties considered the need for a coalition of the 89 alternative political parties that will further strengthen the objectives of the summit.

    SOTA is a collaborative idea of different groups such as Red Card Movement, Centre for Democracy and Development, Yiaga Africa, Nigeria First Project, BudgIT, EiE Nigeria and passionate citizens Framing the New Nigeria of our dream.

     

  • FIRS to partner on modern tax innovation, manpower development

    The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler has promised to deploy the required resources and facilities to upgrade the capacity and operational base of Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS).

    He also proposed to sponsor a one week training session by FIRS for management and staff of the State Tax Agency at any location of its choice within the country as a way of exposing them to all modern global tax administration and practices.

    Speaking further in his office in Abuja when he received his former Assistant Director of Planning Research and Statistics department and the new Acting Executive Chairman of BIRS, Mr. Terzungwe Atser, Fowler charged tax authorities in the country to explore other strategies of revenue generation to raise enough Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)  that would enable them take up the task of funding budgets of their various states.

    Mr. Atser who led management of BIRS on the courtesy visit thanked the FIRS Chairman for the opportunity to serve under him and his magnanimity to promptly granting his request for release to Benue State government.

    “I am mostly grateful to you Mr. Chairman sir, for your prompt approval and permission to my request to serve my State as the Chairman of the Revenue Service.

    “As I resume duty at BIRS, I humbly further request the support and a sustained partnership with FIRS to raise the standard of our operations in the State”, he said.

    Read Also: States owe FIRS N41b tax

    According to Fowler, “we do have a relationship with BIRS and some of the things that we do are not new to you since you have been part of it.

    “We are willing to partner BIRS on management and staff training as well as the provision of the required equipment and facilities to boost the operational base of your agency”, he stated.

    Expressing his profound gratitude to the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom for finding one of his dedicated staff worthy for the appointment as Chairman of BIRS,  Fowler said he is very optimistic that Benue IGR will witness significant improvement.

    He restated that FIRS will sustain the existing relationship with BIRS assuring that his office will also provide all required support to ensure the successful tax operation and administration of the Benue State Revenue agency.

    He stated further that FIRS has set up a solution based platform through the Joint Tax Board (JTB) where all States tax agencies are encouraged to take advantage of it for easy online operation.

     

  • 20 trapped under rubble of collapsed building in Abuja

    – BUILDING AFFECTED BY THISDAY BOMBING OF 2012

    – NEMA, FIRE SERVICE, NSCDC IN RESCUE OPERATION

     

    About twenty persons were trapped under the rubble of a four-storey building that suddenly collapsed in Abuja on Friday.

    Two corpses were evacuated from the building which is situated within the Jabi /Utako motor park, opposite Panda Shopping Mall, close to Sigma Estate in Abuja..

    The building was affected by vibration and shrapnels during Boko Haram’s bombing of nearby Thisday newspapers office in 2012 and scores of its window glasses remained shattered .

    Read Also:  Four-storey building collapses in Abuja

    Offcials from the Federal Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other responders were busy with the search and rescue operation at the scene on Friday evening.

    The usual busy busy traffic around the area was turned into a serious traffic jam because of the situation and the heavy downpour while people driving through Utako to Jabi/Life Camp were particularly affected.

    The cause of the building collapse is yet to be established.