The Nation Newspaper

Tag: David Lawal

  • Diversion of arms funds, heartless – Aregbesola

    Diversion of arms funds, heartless – Aregbesola

    • Commends President Buhari for unraveling the arms scandal

    The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has on Friday described the diversion of money meant for procuring arms for Nigeria soldiers to fight insurgency as a monumental scandal.

    The Governor stated this at the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and laying of wreath in honour of fallen Soldiers held at the State House of Assembly in Osogbo.

    He commended  the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in unravelling the crime.

    He insisted all the guilty must be brought to justice to forestall future occurrence.

    This year’s Armed Forces Remembrance is the first to be held at the State House of Assembly after the cenotaph was constructed next to the parliament.

    The Governor stressed that the symbolism of holding the ceremony at the military cemetery is impeccable but bringing it to the parliament is of even greater significance.

    Aregbesola added that the Parliament is the symbol of authority of the people and so the fallen soldiers “being celebrated today in the midst of the people for their gallantry and supreme sense of patriotism.”

    He noted every well-meaning Nigerian is of the hope that all those involved in the mismanagement of the arms fund will receive full retribution.

    Aregbesola lamented the situation where some of the soldiers caught and indicted have been pardoned and some losing their commission while others face uncertain future, said it is pertinent that a fresh inquiry be set up so that justice ‎will be done.

    According to him, “It is even a monumental scandal of unimaginable proportion that funds meant for procuring arms for soldiers are shared among members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without the least compunction.

    “I commend the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in unravelling this heinous crime and I sincerely hope that all those involved will receive full retribution. Some of the soldiers caught in the maelstrom and indicted have been pardoned but some have lost their commission while others face uncertain future.

    “Considering the circumstances of this unusual event, it is pertinent that a fresh inquiry be set up so that justice will be given to all those involved and our gallant soldiers will not be punished unjustly.”

    On the roles of soldiers in the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections in 2014 which the committee set up by Military has submitted it’s report, Aregbesola said that the deployment of soldiers was avoidable.

    “‎The military high command also set up an inquiry into the roles soldiers played in the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections of 2014. The committee has submitted its report and made recommendations.

    “As a victim of the reckless deployment of soldiers in those elections, I will say it was an avoidable deployment of soldiers for a civilian duty and for which there was no threat beyond the capability of the police and other security agencies”. The Governor stated.

    Aregbesola, not oblivious of the fact that soldiers are trained to obey a command from a superior, described as a dilemma a situation where a soldier fails to carry out instruction.

    He added that, for a military command to manipulate an election in favour of a particular candidate and harass opposition candidates and members is unconstitutional and abuse of the military.

    ‎The Governor said that military high command should address the abuse of soldiers  by insulating them from carrying out unlawful commands so that the military itself will not be subject to abuse by any government in power who might be drunk with the idea that the military is the armed wing of its political party.

  • Wizkid, Krane’s scuffle gets deeper

    Wizkid, Krane’s scuffle gets deeper

    The scuffle between Ayodeji Balogun (aka WizKid) and Dammy Krane, as popularly called by his fans, got deeper on Thursday night as Wizkid reportedly threw a glass cup on Krane’s face at Quilox Club.

    Earlier on Thursday, Krane had apologised to his fans on twitter concerning his accusations of Wizkid over stealing songs and lyrics belonging to him.

    “Park, reverse baby pull over, was mine. Baba nla melodies both chorus and verses were recorded in his Wizkid’s house by me in he’s studio,” Krane said on his twitter handle.

    However, it was gathered that Obafemi Martins, former Super Eagles Striker, was hosting a party at Quilox Club and both singers were present.

    Although, both singers are yet to speak on the latest development, there were claims on Social media that Krane left the club soaked in blood.

    Find Krane’s Earlier Posts below:

     

  • Reps move to compel foreign companies to pay minimum wage

    Reps move to compel foreign companies to pay minimum wage

    The House of Representatives yesterday passed through second reading a  bill seeking to compel companies with foreign interests in the country to  pay National Minimum Wage.

    The bill is titled: “An act to amend the National Minimum Wage Act 2004″,  seeks to exclude the establishments that have foreign participation from  the list of establishments exempted from the payment of National Minimum  Wage and for other related matters.”

    The bill sponsored by Hon. Peter Akpatason (APC-Edo), also seeks to put  companies which employ minimum of 20 workers on the list of establishments  that will be paying national minimum wage as stipulated in subsection 1a of the piece of legislation.

    According to him, companies that make profits worth billions of naira in  Nigeria do not have up to 50 workers,  but do not pay the N18,000 national minimum wage.

    Akpatason noted that to have excluded foreign owned companies from the payment of minimum wage was no only a great disservice to the nation, but has robbed the country huge revenue.

    He said there is need to delete subsection 1e which provides that “person  working in ships and airplanes were excluded in the principal Act, to effectively address the lacuna,

    Similarly, he noted there is also the need to delete section 4 of the  principal Act which granted “permit for exemption for worker affected by  infirmity or physical injury as it is discriminatory against the disabled.

    Akpatason argued for the amendment of Section 6(3) of the principal Act, that grants the Attorney-General of the Federation discretionary powers to determine who or not to prosecute for contraventions of the minimum wage law.

    He said the interpretation of the foreign companies in the last amendment to the existing Act, included those that have up to 50% equity participation by foreigners.

    He further said: “in addition to broadening the scope of participation to incorporate more categories of Nigerian workers eligible to benefit from minimum wage payment, these proposed amendments also represent a clear demonstration of this 8th Assembly to timeously address issue of obsolete laws in support of the change agenda of this government.”

    The bill was referred to the House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity for further legislative inputs after it was passed by the House.

  • UN solicits media support for SDGs campaign in Nigeria

    UN solicits media support for SDGs campaign in Nigeria

    The National Information Officer of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, Mr. Oluseyi Soremekun, has called on Nigerian Media to give their full support to the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in continuation of the unflinching support they accorded the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the past fifteen years.

    Mr. Soremekun said this recently during a radio programme, ‘Civil Society (C.S) Weekly’ on Radio One 103.5 FM., where he commended the media for their contribution to the success of the MDGs.

    The UN Information Officer acknowledged that the media remained a strategic partner of the United Nations in its quest to disseminate the SDGs to the generality of Nigerians.

    He urged the various media organisations in the country to regard the SDGs campaign as a public service geared towards improving the society. ‘The media should develop variety of programmes within the framework of the SDGs to widen the knowledge base of their audiences.

    Speaking on the plans of UNIC Lagos to publicise the SDGs, Soremekun disclosed that the SDGs have been translated into four local languages: Pidging English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba to enhance the understanding of the SDGs and its goals and for greater uptake and buy-in by the people.

    “Besides,” he continued, “UNIC Lagos on 1 January 2016, launched the ’17 – 17 SDGs campaign’ on the social media to reach the bulk of youths who socialize every second on the social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.” He added that the campaign was meant to highlight the 17 goals of the SDGs in the first 17 days of every month from January to December.

    Mr. Soremekun rounded up the radio interview with a brief insight into UNIC Lagos activities for this year, which according to him, included school outreach, media outreach, programmes on climate change and the SDGs as well as observance of International Days.

  • Police over-power robbers on Zuba/ Kaduna Express

    Police over-power robbers on Zuba/ Kaduna Express

    Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on escort duty ran into a gang of armed robbers on Tuesday along Zuba/Kaduna Road at about 02:00 a.m.

    According to the Force, a gun duel ensued and two of the robbers were fatally wounded while others fled after they were over-powered by the police personnel.

    “The area was combed but no arrest was made.

    “Three (3) AK-47 rifles, one hundred and four (104) rounds of live ammunition, N57,130 cash and a red coloured Toyota Corolla car with registration number KSF 58 AJ, were recovered from the hoodlums,” the Police said.

    The force added that injured suspects were taken to University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada where they were confirmed dead, and their Corpses were deposited at the same hospital mortuary.

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  • Lagos plans night operation for BRT

    Lagos plans night operation for BRT

     

    The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts on the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative aimed at lighting up every nook and cranny of the State.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, in a post on his website, said most major highways and streets have been lightened up, while massive repair of street lights are being carried out in other strategic places.

    In keeping faith with the actualization of the project targeted at creating an enabling environment that will ensure 24-hour power supply to residents in the next two years, Governor Ambode had set up an Advisory Council chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Idiat Oluranti-Adebule, with a charge on them to make electricity available to Lagosians for both business and domestic use.

    Ambode had equally urged individuals and corporate bodies to light up their streets and neighborhood, with a promise that such gestures would be duly rewarded and recognized by the State.

    The main idea behind the setting up of the Advisory Council was said to have been for members, who were drawn from the public and private sector, to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Power to actualize the dream.

    Speaking on the progress made so far on the project, a source said: “If you notice, in the past few months, if you move from Berger to Lekki, Ikorodu to Lagos Island, the entire Ikeja axis, Victoria Island, Ikoyi and so on, it is very clear that there are more street lights in Lagos today more than ever before.”

    While expressing confidence in the sincerity of the Ambode administration, the source however expressed hope that government would be able to sustain the project and make sure that street lights are on at all times in the State.

    When contacted, Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Wale Oluwo confirmed the efforts being made by government toward lighting up every nook and cranny of the State, and recalled that same were in line with the campaign promise made by Governor Ambode to the people.

    Oluwo said to underscore the commitment of government, arrangement has been concluded on having Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) buses to work at night once the light up project is completed.

    His words: “This is one of the campaign promises made to the people by the Governor and just like he has fulfilled others, this project will not be an exception.

    “The intention of government is to light up all highways in the State. In fact, the Governor is about to embark on 114 road reconstruction which will be done two per each Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in the State with walkways and street lights.

    “You see, the street light project is more or less complimentary to the security equipment worth N4.8 billion recently donated by the Governor to the police, and the ultimate goal is that when all the street lights are on, we will start having BRT buses working at night.

    “You will recall that the Governor also promised to make Lagos city a 24-hour economy, this exactly is the change that the people voted for. We just appeal and pray that the Governor will continue to have the energy and resources to consummate all the promises and Lagos will be in the real sense of the word a megacity.”

    “We are assuring Lagosians that the process of lighting up every corner of the state has begun in earnest and we are not going to stop until we achieve our aim.”

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  • MTN, Yudala others nominated for Consumersng awards

    MTN, Yudala others nominated for Consumersng awards

    In a bid to turnaround the diminishing ethical business standards in Nigeria, Consumersng, an online consumer rights advocacy platform established to ensure a more consumer-centric culture in Nigeria has released names of nominees of its maiden awards which aims at celebrating brands who are delivering premium services to Nigerians.

    In a press statement released by the organizers of the award, the Rights Advocacy Platform explained that part of the keys to unlocking the desired customer appreciation policy in the country is to showcase organisations doing things RIGHTLY and position them as models for others to emulate in a country where consumer appreciation is continually on the decline.

    “This year, we set our theme on rewarding companies deploying the best and latest technological solutions to providing world class services to their customers.

    In selecting the winning brands, consumers themselves will be voting their choice brands and this is what makes the award different from others.  We have kick started a voting process online which will be complimented by other criteria such as comments and recommendations from panel of judges which comprises majorly of stakeholders, analysts and watchers from the respective sectors will also be considered.

    The various categories and nominees include; E-governance: LASRA (Residency Card), Ondo E-card (Kaadi Igbe Ayo), Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (E-wallet), Nigeria Immigration Service (64 Page E-Passport); Bank of the year: Diamond Bank, GTBank, UBA, Zenith; Printing (Innovation of the year): Instantprint, Printivo, Printmagicng, Hospitality/Tourism (Innovations): Cleartrip, Hotelsng, Jovago, Education Site of the year: Prepclass, Passng, Tutor.ng, Myedu.ng, Car Search site of the year: Nigeriancardealers, Cheki, Carmudi, Nigeriancarmart, Beauty and Cosmetics (Innovations): Natures Gentle Touch, Yangabeauty, Eyeslipsface, Real estate site of the year: Lamudi, Propertysearch, Hutbay, Castles.

    Others include; Online retailers; Yudala, Kaymu, Jumia, Konga, Health service: Oleander Health Shop, Malbo Pharmacy, Nigeria Pharmacy, Flying Doctors Nigeria, Telecomms: MTN, Airtel, Etisalat, Glo, Foods/drinks related services: Hellofoods, Forfoodonly.com, Easyappetite, Drinksng, Employment/Job creation: Ejobs, Jobberman, Careers24.com, Hot Nigeria Jobs, Transport: Oya, Wakanow, Ajala, Easy Taxi, Logistics (Innovations): Konga Express, Jumia Express, ACE, Quo Nigeria, New Media (Innovations): Iroko TV, Gamesole, Ibaka TV, Online payment platform: Cash Envoy, Interswitch, GTpay, Etranzact, Social Enterprise (Impact) Gidi Traffic, BudGiT, Mamalette, Risenetwork, Corporate Finance: Quest Advisory, Dunnlorenmerrifield, RMB Nigeria, Agriculture: Nosak group, Hellotractor, Erisco Group.

  • Niger Delta declares ‘War on Books’

    Niger Delta declares ‘War on Books’

    • “A book must stir you up to do something. To be, we have to think.” ~ Ken Saro-Wiwa”

    For decades, the Niger Delta has been engaged in agitations over the exploitation and neglect of the region by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The region is responsible for over 90% of the revenue that accrues to the Nigerian State.

    Isaac Boro, an Ijaw Nationalist is a forerunner of the Niger Delta struggle. Being a man of conviction, youthful passion and exuberance, he led the region into an historic declaration of the Niger Delta Republic characterized by arms bearing which has since defined the Niger Delta struggle.

    But things are changing in the Niger Delta, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, an Ijaw man became President of Nigeria and the zone was pacified.

    Niger Delta Books 2The former President, who launched a National bring back the books campaign and oversaw a Niger Delta amnesty programme that witnessed a lot of emphasis on education and training, seems to have set an agenda for his people unsuspectingly.

    Mr. Udengs Eradiri, the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) who was preceded by the fiery Asari Dokubo and Kaima declaration signatory, Mr. Felix Tuodolo has taken up the charge and has decided to declare a war on books in an attempt to change the course of the struggle in changing times.

    What is not lost upon him is the simple quote ‘Knowledge is Power’ and Mr. Eradiri has taken this message to the Niger Delta youths as the new alternative to violence, arms bearing and insurgency.

    Eradiri’s IYC has sent a strong message to impress this philosophy with the launch of a Library and Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. He said ‘First of all, they must be educated’ and added that the initiative was set up ‘to create an environment to develop young people’, he said the motives of  ‘a library and an ICT centre’ is primarily ‘to change the perception of our young people’ while it o provide costless means of studying and quality research through internet-linked laptops and computers.

    Mr. Eradiri, said that the center will be used as a resource and also a training hub for youths while noting that it shall develop programmes and ‘enter into agreements to encourage learning among the youths’.Niger Delta Book 1

    Mr. Eradiri’s IYC has entered into partnership with Books to Africa, a UK based international Non-governmental Organization, which donated about 1000 books that formed the first stock of the library and ICT center which has dozens of Computers. The NGO is known to give books from donors majorly in the UK to need areas in Africa.

    The library was named in the honor of the late Dr. Oronto Douglas, a renowned intellectual and writer who has traversed the globe in pursuit of the Niger Delta struggle.

    The Ijaw Youth Council pledged to contribute its quota to ‘ensuring that it (the forum) becomes a breeding ground for leadership.’

    ‘And how do you breed leaders?’ asked Eradiri who intimated the people present at the launch of the facility of the Educational Endowment which his leadership has instituted. He challenged other eminent indigenes and business interests  in the Niger Delta region to contribute to the endowment funds.

    Meanwhile the fortunes of Oil which the bedrock of the agitation is in steady reversal. The instruments of the impending Ijaw resurgence will be data not bazookas.

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  • One die as robbers besiege Ekiti highway

    Barely 12 hours after armed robbers struck along Aramoko-Igede Highway in Ekiti State leading to the death of one person, another robbery has been reported on the road.

    The second robbery which occurred late on Wednesday happened at a spot not far from the place where an 18-seater bus was attacked leaving the driver, Toyin Kajiko, dead.

    The two robbery incidences have struck fear in the minds of residents, motorists and commuters plying communities along Ado-Aramoko-Ilesa Highway.

    The state police command has arrested one person in connection with the Wednesday morning robbery which claimed Kajiko’s life.

    This was disclosed to journalists on Thursday by the Police Spokesman, Alberto Adeyemi, saying a man “who claimed to be a hunter” is now cooling his heels in detention and is telling his interrogators all he knows about the incident.

    Adeyemi recounted how the Police arrested the suspect: “We have arrested a man in connection with the robbery. Our men arrested him around 4:00 a.m this morning.

    “The suspect claimed that he is a hunter but we wonder what manner of animals he wanted to kill at that time of the day, even baring in mind that robbery took place there recently.”

    According to him, the command has launched investigations into the unending spate of robberies along Aramoko area recently.

    He urged members of the public to assist the police with information which could lead to the arrest of suspects expressing optimism that they will soon be nabbed.

  • Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Aregbesola advocates reward for war veterans

    Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Aregbesola advocates reward for war veterans

    Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Thursday said the Nigerian society must device means to reward and support war veterans that has kept the country together always and not annually.

    The Governor while launching the Emblem to commemorate year 2016 Armed Forces remembrance Day at the banquet hall of the Government House stated that veterans should not be made to regret serving their fatherland.

    ‎He noted that the least that Nigerians and government can do is to keep the memory of these soldiers alive, supporting those that are active and taking adequate care of the families of the departed.

    Aregbesola averred that the emblem being launched is a reminder of their service and sacrifice hence an obligation on Nigerians to support them.

    He enjoined all to encourage the effort by wearing the emblem with pride during the week of remembrance, saying President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians and visitors to wear the emblem throughout this week.

    The Governor said, “they must be well supported, they took up soldering as a divine call, or else they could have taken to other more lucrative and less tasking vocations. They should not be made to regret serving their fatherland in its defence.

    “Our own society must devise means to specially reward and support our veterans. Their plight should not be an annual event, during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration only.

    “In other lands, stores give them special discounts; those returning to school have their tuition fees slashed while veterans are given free passes to gated events. In several instances, they enjoy free medical care and other social services”. Aregbesola stressed.

    He lamented the engagement of veterans for sentry duties, saying it is not enough and in many cases amounts to under utilisation of resources.

    The Governor held that there are diverse ways veterans can be engaged productively and maximally as most of them have acquired advanced skills in many vocations that could be deployed into nation building and development.

    “Those of them with combat experience can be re-programmed and put in a special police units needed to engage armed bandits and other violent criminals in our urban centres. They will be glad to resume their defence duties in civilian capacities.

    “It is also important that we review our philosophy of soldering by having a productive citizen’s army. In a peacetime like this, a lot of our teeming but idle youths can be absorbed into the armed forces.

    “Apart from giving them excellent professional training, they should also be given excellent vocational training and deployed for services where needed.”

    Earlier in his address, the Deputy Commandant-general and Chairman Nigerian Legion Osun, Col. Alimi Samotu‎ commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his fatherly assistance towards the plights of the legion since inception of his administration.

    Speaking on the significance and plight of ex-servicemen, he explained that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Appeal Week is a familiar event set aside by Nigeria to express concern and appreciation for the fallen heroes.

    He said the fallen heroes must be forever remembered because of the supreme sacrifice they made particularly during the Nigerian Civil War.

    “The gallant fighters lost their lives on the battle field without a farewell to their families and other dependants and many who did not die became maimed. They suffered from mental degradation and all other forms of evils of war.

    “While remembering the Fallen Heroes today, we must as a matter of responsibility, remember their dependants, their children, the aged and those Ex-servicemen who had been maimed in the course of defending their fatherland”.