The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FG

  • Boko Haram: FG acquires 40 attack helicopters to fight militants

    Boko Haram: FG acquires 40 attack helicopters to fight militants

    •DHQ orders troops to rescue Damboa from Boko Haram

    The  Federal Government is adding 40 attack and transport helicopters to the air force  arsenal  in the battle with Boko Haram.

    Other   sophisticated  hardware  have also been  ordered for the armed forces  by the government, according to military sources in Abuja.

    The Defence Headquarters is understood to have  ordered troops to rescue Damboa from Boko Haram insurgents who have hoisted their flag in the town.

    The Nation gathered  that  the first batch of the aircraft is  due is the country  early next month and the remaining  not later than December.

    Some security men are said to be  frustrated about their inability to storm the  Sambisa Forest  base of the insurgents on account of the unavailability of the required hardware.

    The over 200 school girls abducted in April in Chibok, Borno State, by the sect members are believed to be  kept in the massive forest.

    “With the continuing hostage of about 219 Chibok girls, the military is saying enough is enough. The military said it has reached a stage it will declare total war against Boko Haram. It is only waiting for the necessary political will to launch a campaign,” one source said yesterday.

    “A special unit of anti-terrorism forces has just been trained under an international agreement and is ready to be fully deployed to volatile  areas of terrorism activities.

    “Security operatives are not only aware of the locations of the girls, but are also closely monitoring the way that the girls are being moved around, but are afraid of the backlash should any harm befall the girls in the course of a forced rescue.

    “Past incidents  during attempts to rescue British and Italian nationals in Sokoto and SETRACO workers, which boomeranged,  are the reasons  the security forces have been reluctant in storming the forest and rescuing the girls.”

    Responding to a question, the highly-placed source added: “As a prelude to the full-scale war, the DHQ has ordered troops to chase the insurgents away from Damboa and its vicinity.

    “We have firmed up our operations in the area; troops will soon rescue Damboa which is a major transit town for the sect.”

    Another military source said: “Oh I wish we could have a consensus of opinion from Nigerians that we should storm the forest and rescue the girls.

    “The day Nigerians decide that enough is enough in one voice, to clear the forest will take less than one week.

    “Already, security forces have succeeded in ridding Zamfara, Kaduna, Jigawa and part of Bauchi states of Fulani cattle rustlers. These have been completely eliminated.

    The source faulted  what he called the politicization of the insurgency in the North-East and North-West and local support for Boko Haram by some communities.

    The source added: “Let me tell you, some communities are peculiar in their perception of the  war on terror, as some of their residents supported Boko Haram in the ambush and attacks on our troops.

    “In the past, they gathered at  village  squares to cheer the insurgents whenever military personnel were  captured and  murdered. Young ones in the town even played with severed heads of victims.

    “That is why we always warn Nigerians to report activities of these devils because giving them support is like dining with the devil or simply riding on the back of the tiger as they now turn against them.

    “That was why some soldiers were reluctant to lay down their lives in some communities where innocent troops who were out to protect them were being misled for ambush.

    “The situation is changing now as community leaders and youths are supporting the military offensives.”

  • FG urges Hungary to provide security for Nigerian Students

    The Federal Government on Wednesday urged Hungary to provide security for Nigerian students in various universities across the East European country.

    This is contained in statement signed by Simeon Nwakaudu, the Special Assistant, Media, to the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.

    Wike made the request at a meeting with the Hungarian State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Laszlo Szabo, in Budapest.

    He said the request for the protection became necessary as more than 800 Nigerian students were studying in the country.

    He said most of the students were residing off their respective campuses.

    The minister called on the Hungarian Government to consider promoting concessionary fees for prospective Nigerian students, who intended to seek higher education in the country.

    “Because of the number of Nigerian students already studying in Hungary and those who intend to study in the country, we are asking that you implement concessionary fees for our students.

    “We are also reiterating our commitment to fully implement all the aspects of the memorandum of understanding signed with your Ministry of Human Resources on the award of scholarship to our students.

    “We are pleased with the re-opening of the Hungarian Embassy in Abuja. This will ensure that prospective students get their visas there rather than in Kenya or Egypt.

    “This relationship will develop on all fronts and our Ambassador has given assurance that applicants for business visa from your country will get favourable response.

    “We believe that this bilateral relationship will lead to investments in other key areas of the Nigerian economy,’’ Wike said.

    The statement also quoted Szabo as saying that the Hungarian government would further its cooperation with Nigeria in the areas of higher education and economic development.

    Szabo called on Nigerian Government to expedite action on the signing of the proposed economic agreement to enhance development and promote bilateral trade relations.

    He also urged Nigeria to fill the scholarship slots offered to the country as stipulated in the memorandum of understanding.

    He said this would enable benefiting students to resume classes in September.

     

  • ASUP’s demands are genuine – Mark

    ASUP’s demands are genuine – Mark

    Senate President, David Mark, Thursday expressed the Federal Government’s commitment towards addressing the ills in the education sector.

    Mark who spoke when the Executives of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) visited him in his office noted that the demands by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) are genuine.

    He noted that the biggest investment any government can give to its citizenry is education at all levels. This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja.

    He said: “The demands of ASUP indicate that the Union is not selfish. They are requesting for not only their welfare but infrastructural development that would promote learning in the Polytechnics.

    “I was delighted when I heard that the Union gave room for the new Minister of Education to settle down and look into the demands of the Union. This shows some level of understanding.

    “We must continue to dialogue. What we need is to resolve all the issues raised and bring back our students to classes. Polytechnic education is a unique form of education no nation desirous of development can ignore”

    Mark assured that the Senate under his leadership will continue to do the needful to make sure normalcy returns to our Polytechnics, “the Senate will continue to do the needful to bring back our students to classes and ensure normalcy returns to the sector.”

    Earlier, the President of ASUP, Dr. Chibuzo Asomuogha, commended the National Assembly for the steps taken so far at resolving the strike and return the lecturers to classrooms.

    He called on Mark and the Senate to prevail on the Federal Government to attend to the demands of the union before the expiration of the three months suspension of the strike.

    He added that lecturers are always ready to put in their best to develop the Polytechnic education across the nation.

  • IAEA, FG to work out legal framework for nuclear power

    IAEA, FG to work out legal framework for nuclear power

    The International Atomic Energy Council (IAEC) Deputy Director-General, Mr. Kwanu Aning, yesterday revealed that having got the assurance of the Federal Government of Nigeria for the development of nuclear power in the country, the next stage is to put the legal framework in place.

    His words: “There should be a legal framework that covers the use, liability and emergency  preparedness, among others. So, all of these things have to be in place. And then, of course, the actual development of the facility which is something you are going to be doing with vendors.”

    He led a delegation of the council to Abuja where he visited the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who assured him of the country’s readiness to adopt energy mix, including the nuclear power.

    Aning, who had visited  Vice President Namadi Sambo and  took a tour to the  Nuclear Power Facility in Sheda, Abuja, noted that the council is working with the ministry and other relevant organizations to get set because of the complex undertaking for safety issue.

    Nebo  told the delegation in his office that it  is no longer acceptable for the nation to put all its eggs in one basket, insisting that Nigeria will need to correct and avoid in the future hiccups occasioned by lack of gas to power plants.

    He said:  “We need coal, biomass, small hydros, solar, even nuclear, if it is designed it is the best as it remains the cleanest and safest form of energy”.

    The minister  told the delegation in his office  that with regard to implementation, the ministry has a national mandate to superintend over the entire power supply in the country from generation to transmission to distribution.

    He explained that there will be a framework for the building and transferring of a nuclear power plant between Nigeria and its partners.

    The minister noted that whatever the case may be, there must be a bilateral agreement between the Federal Government and its partners for them to forge ahead.

     

  • Suspension: FG doubts Sanusi’s intention to withdraw suit

    Suspension: FG doubts Sanusi’s intention to withdraw suit

    The Federal Government is not convinced about the  sincerity of  the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Lamido Sanusi, in withdrawing  the suit he filed to challenge his suspension from office.

    Mallam Sanusi   applied to withdraw the suit   following his assumption of office as Emir of Kano.

    Counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), told the court yesterday that although he was not opposed to Sanusi’s decision to file a notice of discontinuance, he was unwilling to withdraw his own pending motion for stay of execution of the judgment by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on which basis the case was transferred to the National Industrial Court (NIC).

    Ozekhome said he was not sure of  Sanusi’s next move and was unwilling to be taken unaware because the ex-CBN governor was yet to withdraw his appeal against the judgment by Justice Kolawole and the motion for stay of execution of the judgment which he also filed before Justice Kolawole.

    He told Justice Babatunde Adejumo, President of the NIC (the trial judge in the case) that if the plaintiff really meant  business, he should  also discontinue his appeal and the motion for stay of execution pending before Justice Kolawole.

    Sanusi had, shortly after he was suspended on February 20, 2014 by President Goodluck Jonathan, sued, challenging the President’s action and sought to restrain the Inspector General of Police (IGP) from arresting him.

    Defendants in the suit were  President Jonathan, the AGF and IGP. IGP’s name was later struck off the case in a ruling by Justice Kolawole, on the ground that the IGP was not a proper party.

    The suit originally filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja was transferred to the NIC by virtue of Justice Kolawole’s judgment of May 20 this year.

    The judge had held that his court was without jurisdiction to hear the case, which bordered on employment and labour issues.

    Both Sanusi and the AGF appealed Justice Kolawole’s decision to transfer the case.

    The plaintiff, in his appeal, faulted the judge’s decision to transfer the case, arguing that his case was not labour and employment-related.

    The AGF is contending in his appeal that the judge ought to have dismissed the case on realising that he lacked jurisdiction.

    When the case first came up before the NIC on June 13, plaintiff’s lawyer, Mr.Kola Awodein (SAN), sought time to enable him consult with his client on what further steps to be taken; a request that prompted the court to adjourn to yesterday.

    Before yesterday, Sanusi had filed his notice of discontinuance, a development Awodein announced to the court yesterday.

    Shortly after Awodein informed the court about his client’s notice to discontinue the case, Ozekhome said although he was not opposed to the plaintiff’s intention, he would prefer that his pending motion for stay of execution be sustained until he receives further instruction from his client.

    He said before the last date and yesterday, further steps have been taken in respect of the plaintiff’s appeal. He added that the plaintiff’s motion for stay of proceedings was still pending before the Federal High Court.

    Ozekhome said although he chose not to oppose the plaintiff’s notice to discontinue, because it was within his (plaintiff’s) right, he needed time to confer with the AGF on what next step he should take in respect of his pending motion before the court.

    Lawyer to the President, Mathew Echo, was indifferent. He did not object to Sanusi’s discontinuation notice, and refrained to comment on Ozekhome’s position in relation to the pending motions and appeals.

    Ruling, Justice Adejumo struck out the substantive case on the ground that the plaintiff had filed a notice of discontinuance under Order 19 Rule 17 of the NIC Rules.

    He however adjourned hearing to November 7 on the pending motion for stay of execution of Justice Kolawole’s judgment.

    Justice Adejumo, relying on the provision of Section 20 of the NIC Act, implored parties to further explore ways of ensuring that the case was eventually settled amicably.

  • FG to introduce farming in schools

    The Federal Government has disclosed plans to introduce farming programme in secondary schools.

    The programme is expected to take off in 12 states across the country’s six geo-political zones.

    Speaking in Abuja yesterday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Schools Agriculture Programme, Dr. Baraka Sani, explained that the programme will alleviate poverty, create jobs and close the age gap of the existing farmers

    According to her, “in the pilot phase, students agriculture club will be established in selected schools from 12 states of the federation, two from each geo-political zone. Each club would compromise approximately 120 members.

    “The multiplier effect of this programme in the respective household would definitely play great role in poverty eradication, help with nutrition and at the same time create jobs, especially at the rural level.

    She explained that it will expose participants to various skills in the areas of agriculture.

    Speaking on the goals of the programme, she said: “The programme is expected to develop positive attitude amongst youths towards agriculture, equip school leavers for job opportunities through practical teaching of skills for life, build entrepreneurship skills in students to run agriculture as a business, to offer the young farmers a voice and to create a stronger spirit of working together and unity amongst students.

    Dr. Sani, while urging youths to embrace the initiative, said involvement in agriculture will reduce the rate of unemployment.

    She advised youths not to depend on white collar job.

    “Farming can be done before the white collar job comes and it will reduce the agitation of the young ones that they are out of school and the government is not giving them job.

    “Really, the white collar jobs are not meant for everybody.

    “Some people are meant to work in the private sector or be self reliant; it depends on where your luck is and where you think you can do better. But I tell you, even if you have the white collar job, it is better to acquire skill and agricultural skill is a good option.

    She added: “It is a skill for life, and it will give people better standard of living and make life more comfortable for everybody.

    The programme is expected to focus on food/vegetable production, including small scale irrigation where needed, fisheries and aqua-culture, poultry, nutrition, processing and packaging, apiarist training for honey production, livestock production and entrepreneurial programme for members of the club.

  • FG to review importation of waste

    THE Federal Government will review the importation of waste, the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Laurentia Mallam, has said.

    The government, she also said, is committed to the management of hazardous chemicals harmful to the environment.

    Mallam said government will take a wholesome look into how electronic waste is imported, inspection of container ships and aggravated sensitisation.

    She also added that the government will embark on campaign and advocacy to farmers on the use of the correct type of pesticides and the need to comply strictly with international conventions on the use of chemicals.

    The minister spoke at the on -going United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi, Kenya.

    Mallam, in a statement in Abuja by her Special Adviser on Media, Josephine Lohor, called for more partnership from other governments to deal with the issue of chemical management.

    She said: “The role partnership could play to address the worrying issue of chemical management including with small businesses on importing electronic waste cannot be over emphasized.

    “The commitment of Nigeria on the management of chemicals cannot be rivaled and this includes training on the importation of electronic waste, reduction of illegal electronic waste transfer through inspection of container ships, information to farmers about the use of pesticide and strict compliance with International Chemicals Conventions.”

    Other issues to be discussed at the United Nations Environment Assembly include illegal trade in wildlife, financing the green economy, rule of law as it concerns the environment and sustainable development goals.

  • JNI to FG: Seek way to end insecurity

    The Muslim umbrella body in the north, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has appealed to the federal government to seek urgent ways of addressing the growing insecurity in the country and consider the universally accepted dialogue as a way of resolving insurgency in the region.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of its national conference on practical steps in uniting the Nigerian Muslim ummah, the organization also appealed to Nigerians to follow the path of truth and justice for peace to the achieved in Nigeria.

    The communiqué signed by the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the conference, Prof. S.W. Junaidu and the Secretary General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, also asked leaders at all levels of governance to abide by the rules of accountability and justice as the surest means to peace, stability and development.

    They lamented that apart from the multitude of challenges faced by the Muslim community in Nigeria; disunity seems to be the greatest challenge that prevents the Muslim Ummah from harnessing its immense potentials and moving progressively on the path of development and progress.

    The communiqué observed that ignorance and personal interest are among the vices that aggravate disunity among Muslims, adding that “It is Allah’s divine will that human beings will always have diversity and   differences in their understanding and interpretation of religious issues.”

    They observed that Nigeria was undergoing difficult times with belligerent insurgency, incessant killings, maiming and abduction of innocent citizens in the country, especially in the North-East.

     

  • ASUP/FG face- off: We are in a fix – Minister

    ASUP/FG face- off: We are in a fix – Minister

    Hope of a speedy resolution of the lingering dispute between the members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and the Federal Government dimmed considerably on Tuesday as the Minister for Education, Nyesom Wike, confessed that the Federal Government “is in a fix” on how to progress with the issue.

    Speaking at a meeting with the Aminu Suleiman headed House of Representatives Committee on Education, the minister said resolving the almost a year old dispute would be tricky as the proposal he made on the payment of the outstanding N40 billion arrears to both COEASU and ASUP has been overtaken by events.

    “We are now in a fix. We are now trying to resolve the issue with salaries and wages Commission,” he said,

    Explaining what transpired between the government and ASUP in particular, Wike said “I took a risk that I’ve never taken in life when I arranged a meeting with ASUP and proposed the payment of the outstanding arrears in installments.

    “I asked that we solve the major issues. They said there were arrears of N20 billion for COEASU and N20 billion for ASUP.

    “I asked the Permanent Secretary to write a memo on how it would be paid. I made a memo to Mr. President that I have made the offer. They now wrote a letter back that they are not accepting the proposal.”

    According to him, sequel to the rejection of the proposal by ASUP, the Wages and Salaries Commission wrote a letter also rejecting the proposal, thereby compounding the problem.

    “Government is not sleeping on the issue. It is nobody’s desire to see schools closed down for almost a year. People should know that what we are trying to do is not personal. Nobody wants children to stay at home. The matter started with the former minister,” Wike said.

     

  • FG, FAO provide N109million to develop National Irrigation Policy

    The federal govern-ment in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) have provided N109million to develop and finalise a National Irrigation Policy document for the country.

    The FAO country representative to Nigeria, Dr. Louise Setshwaelo, disclosed this in Abuja at the Inception and sensitisation workshop on Development of a National Irrigation Policy and Strategy,.

    She said her organisation gave a grant of $317,000, while the federal government provided a counterpart fund of 50.2million to finalise the 2006 draft of the National Irrigation and Drainage Policy and Strategy (NIPD).

    She noted that the absence of an officially approved irrigation policy and strategy has been responsible for the bottleneck that limits progress and efficiency in irrigation development and expansion in the country.

    Lamenting that irrigation in Nigeria has developed at a slower pace, she pointed out that Nigeria has 200,000 hectares developed under formal irrigation, compared to  India that has a policy to develop 700,000 hectares of farmland under irrigation.

    She said: “What is important now is the need to update the irrigation policy and the need to update the irrigation policy and the strategy necessary to guide develops in the sub-sector.