The Nation Newspaper

Tag: hits

  • Fresh wave of kidnappings hits Anambra

    Kidnapping has returned full blast to Anambra State, creating fresh worries for the government, which has spent millions of naira on security.

    Governor Peter Obi has paid special attention to kidnapping in his approach to the insecurity in the state.

    Mostly hit by the new wave of kidnappings are the commercial capital Onitsha and the state capital, Awka.

    Yesterday, a woman was kidnapped in her house in Fegge area of the commercial city while preparing for the Sunday church service.

    It was a sad Saturday night in Nkwelle Umudioka in Awka, when suspected kidnappers killed one man and injured another.

    Though, Anambra State Police was aware of the kidnappings, they declined to confirm the incidents, when our correspondent contacted them.

    But sources told said a man identified as Oba, was killed by the kidnappers.

    However, an eye witness said the five man gang stormed the community at 8.30pm in an L300 Mitsubishi Bus.

    An the eye witness recounted: “they kidnapped one unidentified man, but unfortunately their vehicles engine failed to start when they were about to go.

    “They then flagged down an oncoming vehicle, pulled out person in the car and shot him dead.”

    “Before they realised what was happening, they man they kidnapped was running away but they shot him in the legs and ran away before people started coming out”

    It was gathered yesterday that the two vehicles were taken to the Police station in Awka.

    A police officer who pleaded anonymity told the Nation that kidnappers had held Awka hostage since over a week, adding that about a week ago, a business man who owns a filling station in the state capital was kidnapped and released Saturday evening.

    The officer said: “ kidnapping has returned to Anambra state after a lull. and the way it is happening in Onitsha has become worrisome to everybody. It is unfortunate.“

  • Number of Internet users hits 48m, says minister

    Minister of Information Labaran Maku yesterday said t the number of Internet users in Nigeria has risen from 200,000 in 2000 to more than 48 million by the end of last year.

    Maku made this known while addressing State House Correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, at the State House, Abuja.

    The minister added that more than one million hits were recorded monthly by the Ministry of Information on social media reporting in the country.

    He underscored the need to develop the social media as an outreach, stressing that “the administration of President Jonathan will always encourage the media to thrive’’.

    The minister said regulation was one of the major challenges of the ministry.

    According to him, while government will not seek to control the media, there is the need for some level of regulation for the industry to conform to international standard.

    He said that regulations and enforcement of ethics were necessary for professional growth, quality, balance and the development of the media on sustainable basis.

    Reviewing last year activities of the ministry, Maku said that it embarked on public sensitisation to the need for deregulation of the petroleum downstream sector.

  • Telecommunication investment hits $25b, says NCC

    Telecommunication investment hits $25b, says NCC

    Investment in the telecommunication industry is in the region of $25billion, the Nigerian Communications Commission said at the weekend.

    The NCC DG Dr. Eugene Juwah, added that there are over 113million telephone lines, compared with about 450,000 active lines powered by a paltry $500million investment portfolio in year 2000.

    Juwah, who spoke during the send off dinner for the former NCC board, said the number portability project will take off by the end of the month.

    Number portability enables telephone users to retain their mobile telephone numbers when changing from one mobile operator to another.

    “Presently, investment stands at about $25billion and active lines are well over 113 million and still counting.

    “Now I can happily report that the Sim Card registration is nearly completed while the much-awaited number portability project will be taking off shortly, by the end of the month,” Juwah said.

    He also explained that the project which has already been in operation in Europe and Asia, was delayed by some factors which have now been addressed.

    “There have been obstacles to successfully implementing these projects but we have fought very hard by doing a lot of fine-tuning to achieve results.”

    Juwah also pointed out that “the telecommunication industry is a deep and delicate one with each stakeholder-consumer, industry, government and international community maintaining very voracious appetite difficult to satisfy.”

    He however said that with the support of the Communication Act, “we have always tried to strike a balance to meet everyone’s needs fairly well.”

    On some challenges confronting the industry, Juwah said: “you will agree with me that just as there were legacy projects, there were also some legacy problems. The power problem still remains, multiple taxations by various government are still hydra-headed, vandalization of infrastructure is rampant, there multiple regulations from ancillary agencies and right of way for easy service deployment and expansion still constitutes a headache, although the ministry has nearly curtailed this problem.

    “Above all, operators will always remain operators and will want to maximize gains while obeying the least of laws,” he further added.

    The NCC boss is however of the hope that fourth generation regulation will maintain a hold on the industry and ensure growth and development both I. The area of quality and service deployment.

    He also noted that the Commission wants to encourage more investment in critical infrastructure to ensure there is adequate investment by operators on each subscriber.

    Juwah praised the pioneers of NCC for the great work done towards the transformation of the industry.

  • Regina Chukwu hits location again

    Regina Chukwu hits location again

    FOLLOWING what she considers a successful release and positive reviews of her last movie, pretty actress, Regina Chukwu is set to hit location for the shooting of her fifth movie.

    Entitled ‘Oge’, the movie under works, is said, will be shot at choice locations in the urban areas of Lagos, with plans to cast some of Nollywood`s finest actors and crew with the latest `camera chain`.

    Coming on the stable of Triple `R` Productions, the movie, is said to be an intriguing story of prostitution. It chronicles the escapades of a young lady enveloped with the lustful determination to engage in prostitution.

    Chukwu says `Oge` captures a dramatic illustration of the various intricacies, power play, pressure and maneuvering embedded in our family institutions that directly or indirectly reflects in the children; especially the correctional roles expected of parents.”

    Continuing, the producer stated that `Oge’ is set to actually illuminate Nigerians` thoughts on the genesis and nemesis that comes with prostitution.

    Directed by Okiki Afolayan, the film parades Nollywood stars including: Yinka Quadri, Aina Gold, Sola Kosoko, Taiwo Aromokun, Kunle Afod, Damola Olatunji, Remi Surutu, Dele Fagboyo and Regina Chukwu.

    Previous works by the producer include: ‘Oguso’, ‘Idaro’, ‘Akun’ and ‘Ebolo’.

  • Martins hits 7th goal

    Martins hits 7th goal

    A late goal from out-of-favour Super Eagles forward Obafemi Martins was not enough to spark a comeback by Levante as they fell 3-2 to Espanyol at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat on Saturday night.

    An own-goal from Levante’s Iborra had put Espanyol ahead in the 42nd minute, but Reuben Garcia levelled the scores in the second minute of the second half.

    Stuani headed Espanyol back into the lead in the 68th minute as he rose majestically to meet Sergio Garcia’s cross. The hosts would extend their lead a minute later as Stuani turned provider with his pass finding Sergio Garcia who took a touch touch before firing his effort into the bottom corner.

    Martins, who had been a torn of the flesh of the Espanyol defence all night, brought Levante back into the game when he collected a pass from Michel before firing his effort into the top corner in the 87th minute.

    But the hope of a comeback never came to be as the home team managed to hold onto their lead despite a flurry of incursions into the vital area in the latter stages of the game.

  • FIRS revenue hits N5tr

    The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) closed the 2012 financial year with collection of N5.007trillion; N1.806 trillion (36.07 per cent) of which came from non-oil taxes.

    A statement issued by Mr. Emmanuel Obeta of the Communications and Liaison Department at the weekend said this is an indication that FIRS has continued to record steady increases in the collection of the taxes. The statement recalled that the oil taxes contributed N3.201 trillion (63.93 per cent and was N3.070 trillion in 2011.

    FIRS noted that the money is more than the estimated budget of N3.635trillion for all its taxes. Compared with 2011, the all-taxes figure grew by N379.4 billion or 8.20 per cent on. FIRS collected N4.628 trillion in 2011. The contribution of non-oil taxes increased from N1.557 trillion or 33.65 in 2011 to N1.806 trillion or 36.07 per cent in 2012.

    The statement reads: “The N5.007 trillion is the highest cumulative tax collected in the history of the FIRS.

    “This performance reflects the FIRS’ unwavering commitment to its vision of making taxation the pivot of national development. It is noteworthy in this regard that all the non-oil components of the taxes collected by the Service maintained the rising trend seen in previous years.

    “Compared with the N715.4billion seen in 2011, Companies Income Tax (CIT) returned N847.5 billion in 2012. Value Added Tax (VAT) was N710.5billion against N659.15billion in 2011, while Education tax (EDT) recorded N188.43 billion against the N130.74 billion in 2011. National Information Technology Development Fund (NITDF) accounted for N9.13 billion against the N8.67 billion it returned in 2011. The sum of N51.59 billion was realised from the Personal Income Tax (PIT), Pre-Operational Levy (POL), Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Stamp Duty (SD), all pooled together in the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund account.

    “However, the total tax yield with the inclusion of Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) for the year ended 2012 stood at N5, 007 trillion resulting in a landmark achievement when compared with the annual provisional budget of N3.635 trillion.

    “By implication, the Service surpassed the provisional annual budget with N1.372 trillion or 37.74 per cent more than the total realisation of tax revenue collection for 2011, which stood at N4.62 trillion.)”

  • Ex-Militant leader hits Dokubo-Asari, Ateke, others

    President Goodluck Jonathan has received the backing of one of the key commanders of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) who accused his former ‘comrades’ of criticising the president because of ‘failed expectations.’

    Chief Bibopiri Ajube, alias ‘general shoot-on-sight’ during the militant days, urged government not to succumb to the blackmail by his ‘compatriots.

    Former leader of the Niger Delta peoples Volunteers Force Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo, Ebikabowei Victor-Ben (Boyloaf), Ateke Tom and Pastor Reuben have criticised the government for alleged inaction and the President’s plan to vie in 2015.

    They are also urging the president to ease out some of his ministers, especially Niger Delta Minister Godsday Orubebe and Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison- Madueke, both from the Niger Delta for alleged incompetence.

    But Ajube who was the operations leader of MEND in a statement at the weekend said: ‘Asari, Boyloaf, Ateke and others have lost the goodwill and character expected of leaders of freedom fighters’

    He said: “I am particularly amazed at some media reports to the effect that certain leaders of the Niger Delta struggle have now resorted to smear campaign against some targeted officials of the government including Mr. President.

    “In all honesty, I do not hold brief for such government officials, however, as a matter of morality and conscience, it behoves on me to put the records in proper perspective.

    “To be precise, Boyloaf, Ateke Tom, Farah Dagogo and a few others either deliberately inflated the actual number of disarmed youths under them.

    “Today, it is either that the boys feel cheated and vent their anger on the ordinary Niger Deltan, therely heightening insecurity in the region or they have confronted most of their leaders to the extent that they no longer go their communities. The noise about third phase amnesty is the consequence of this unfortunate development.

    “As if this is not painful enough, these compatriots of mine also later became beneficiaries of the NNPC pipeline security contract. The idea of the deal was, and still remains, that all such jobless youths who did not pertake in the amnesty be meaningfully engaged.

    “It is therefore very sad that people like Asari-Dokubo, Farah, Ateke and Boyloaf decided to show the failed side of leadership in this noble direction because in spite of the millions of naira paid to them by the NNPC, they refused to justify the huge payments. They are the least qualified to label anyone as fraudulent and non-performing as they have done in the past few weeks.

  • Division hits rebels’ camp

    Division hits rebels’ camp

    A FACTION of Mali’s Islamist movement – Ansar Dine has split off. The faction has opted for open dialogue with Malian Government, according to a statement seen by AFP.

    Alghabass Ag Intallah, a senior member of the faction which has controlled Northern Mali for the past 10 months, claimed he has formed a new organisation called the Islamic Movement for Azawad (IMA).

    Azawad is a term used by Tuareg rebels for the North, where they want independence.

    Intallah announced that the IMA is poised to seek a peaceful and negotiated solution to the unrest in Mali.

    “We want to wage our war and not that of AQIM,” Intallah said, referring to al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the militant movement that French-led military forces have been trying to repel after their surprise push towards the capital Bamako.

    The IMA said it wanted the “Malian authorities and France to cease hostilities in the zones that we are occupying in the Northeastern regions of Kidal and Menaka to create a climate of peace which will pave the way for an inclusive political structure.

    It was unclear how many fighters had joined the new faction.

    But the twist will encourage international negotiators who have long sought to scuttle the Islamist alliance, seen as a major threat by the United States (U.S.) and other Western and regional powers.

    Something in-between a movement and a representative group, is a mix of Arabs, Tuaregs and Harratin, even though they like to portray themselves as mainly Tuaregs.

    Many of the militants involved are refugees and fighters coming from Libya after the fall of former Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

    Nicknamed Les Rebels, Ansar Dine is the radical and militant wing of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA). It uses religion to gain more visibility and alliance.

  • Keshi hits 51, shelves celebrations for AFCON

    Keshi hits 51, shelves celebrations for AFCON

    Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, was a year older on Wednesday, January 23, as he turned 51-years-old, again reiterating that he never used football age in his playing career, hence his long years of active football.

    In fact, most officials and players of the team were oblivious of his birthday as at lunch time as he went about the business of the day as if nothing had happened. Last year’s own was also marked while the team was in camp in Abuja preparing for the qualifiers for the ongoing Nations Cup.

    Occasionally, people called from far and near to wish him luck and success in life but he kept it under raps, wishing as he told close camp confidants to celebrate after the AFCON 2013 championship has come to a glittering end for Nigeria. “There may be a minor birthday song for him at dinner time but nothing serious will happen until we achieve our aim here in the Nations Cup,” a source hinted.

    Meanwhile, national team’s midfield talisman, John Mikel Obi, has said he has started dreaming of the 2013 trophy for Nigeria after a long trophyless time for the two-time African champions. “We may have drawn our first game but we need to settle down and forget it and concentrate and I can see us smiling home with the trophy at the end of the day,” he said during Tuesday’s evening training session.

  • Boko Haram: President hits Obasanjo again, says ‘we do not need lecture’

    Boko Haram: President hits Obasanjo again, says ‘we do not need lecture’

    For the second time in 24 hours, the Presidency yesterday again hit ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo over his comments on President Goodluck Jonathan’s handling of Boko Haram menace.

    But the former President has banned his aides and associates from replying the President.

    Obasanjo decided to take direct charge of whatever he would say on the state of the nation.

    The Presidency took up issues with Obasanjo on twitter by claiming that it does not need a lecture on how to handle Boko Haram crisis.

    The tweet posted by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, reads in part: “Jonathan administration has shown creativity and purposefulness in handling the Boko Haram challenge. Hence, the progress we witness.

    “One report says OBJ is recommending a multifaceted approach to Boko Haram. This government certainly doesn’t need a lecture on that!

    “OBJ’s position on Boko Haram= Contradiction and Confusion writ large.

    “In Jan. 2013, OBJ tells CNN that the government should adopt a carrot and stick approach to Boko Haram. Genocide & dialogue? Where exactly does he stand?

    “In Nov. 2012 in Warri, former President Obasanjo accused Federal Government of being soft on Boko Haram. He recommended the Odi solution: genocide.”

    Investigation revealed that the latest onslaught from Obasanjo suggested a breakdown of communication between him and the President.

    A highly-placed source said: “The two leaders had tried to mend fences in December but I think things did not work out as envisaged. There is certainly a breakdown of communication.

    “This is the first time a former Head of State, who should serve as the nation’s ambassador extra-ordinary, trying to disparage the nation. The appearance of the ex-President on CNN really shocked the presidency because it was a breach of protocol.

    “But were it not for the security issue involved, the presidency would not have responded to Obasanjo.”

    Meanwhile, the ex-President has asked all his aides and associates not to join issues with the administration of President Jonathan.

    A source said: “The former President said he does not want any of his aides or associates to get involved in a media war or propaganda against the government or the President.

    “Obasanjo said he would take direct charge of whatever he would say instead of anyone running media errand for him. He does not want a loose media approach which could heat up the polity.

    “So, none of the aides or associates can talk now.”