The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Minna

  • MINNA AGOG FOR ‘FASHION FUSSION’

    MINNA AGOG FOR ‘FASHION FUSSION’

    IT was a gathering of the best of fashion designers, make-up artists and beauty experts in the City of Minna, Niger State, last weekend, when they came together for the first ever fashion week in the state.

    Tagged Fashion Fussion, the event drew participants from Minna metropolis and its environs.

    The participants showcased African and English outfits made by them, handmade beaded jewelries, customized bags and various type of make-up.

    There were fashion exhibitions, make-up exhibitions, photography exhibitions and accessories exhibitions.

    At the end of the exhibitions, awards were given to the participants with outstanding designs.

    In the Designers Category, Body Armor came tops. The Make-Up category had Touch of Grace coming top while in the Photography category, Studio 91 emerged winner.

    The Judges of the event commended the participants for their creativity urging them to keep it up.

    In the words of the convener of Fashion Fussion, Mr. Ejeh Ezube, the fashion week was held to show the people in the state that they are outstanding designers and fashion experts.

  • Tribunal affirms election of Niger lawmaker

    Tribunal affirms election of Niger lawmaker

    The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Minna, Niger State, on Thursday upheld the election of Alhaji Lado Abdullahi, the member representing Suleja, Gurara, Tafa Federal Constituency.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lado’s election was challenged by Mr. Mukhtar Ahmed of the PDP on the grounds that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate was not qualified to contest the March 28 elections.

    The petitioner alleged that Lado did not possess the minimum educational qualification as stipulated by law and had forged the certificates he presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest the election.‎

    Delivering judgement after reviewing evidences adduced by parties in the matter, Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Olatunde Oshodi, ‎dismissed the petition for lack of merit.

    He ordered the petitioner to pay the sum of N100, 000 to each of the respondents.

    Reacting to the verdict, counsel to the petitioner, Mohammed Mohammed, told newsmen that they would study the judgment and decide on the next line of action.

    “Well, we are going to review the judgment of the tribunal and advise our client accordingly,” he said.

  • FUT MINNA elects union leaders

    A 400-Level Chemical Engineering student, Joseph Adeolu, has emerged the president of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA) Students’ Union Government (SUG). The election was held on Saturday at the school e-Centre on Gidan Kwano Campus.

    According to the results released by the union electoral commission, Adeolu garnered 1,388 votes to beat Kazeem Mohammed, who had 1,185 votes and Ibrahim Olayinka, with 885 votes.

    Rashidat Abdukareem was elected the Vice President 1, while and Justice Nwangbe emerged the Vice President II.

    Others elected include General Secretary, Richard Ayoola, Assistant General Secretary, Olayemi Babatunde, Financial Secretary, Benedicta Nwachukwu, Treasurer, Afolabi Olawale, Director of Sport, Dotun Lawan, Director of Social, Joshua Oluwafi, Welfare Officer 1, Saheed Tijani, and Welfare Officer II, Aminu Badamosi.

    However, some students criticised the method used by the electoral committee to conduct the exercise, saying some accreditation centres were overcrowded, which prevented many from voting.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Adenike Ojo, a 300-Level Chemical Engineering student, said the electoral committee made the process “very difficult”. She said the procedure used the previous year to conduct the union election was easier.

    A 200-Level Computer Engineering student, who identified himself as James, said the process “wasn’t as good as expected, but praised the committee for the outcome.

    Mohammed Buhari, another student, said: “The process was okay but next time, there should be an improvement.”

     

     

  • Hotelier kidnapped in Minna

    THE owner of Phoenix Hotel Ltd in Minna, the Niger State capital, Chief Cletus Ojukwu, has been kidnapped

    by gunmen.

    They are demanding N50 million ransom.

    He was kidnapped on Sunday night when six armed men stormed his home behind his hotel at Tunga in Minna.

    A family source, who witnessed the incident, said the abductors wanted to kidnap the hotelier and his wife, but realised that the vehicle they brought could not contain all of them.

    He said the victim was taken to an unknown destination and the kidnappers contacted his family on Monday evening, demanding N50million ransom.

    Confirming the incident, police spokesman Bala Elkana said the hotelier was still alive, adding: “We are on top of the situation.”

    He said the abductors had contacted the family, adding that the police would ensure the victim was rescued.

     

     

     

     

  • IBB @ 74: I thank God for surviving Okar’s coup 25 years ago

    IBB @ 74: I thank God for surviving Okar’s coup 25 years ago

    oday Nigeria’s former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) clocks 74 years. He spoke with Journalists in his Hilltop residence in Minna on wide range of issues. Read his response on how he survived a coup 25 years ago.

    Cast your mind back 25 years ago when your friend, Gideon Orkar planned to terminate your life. Today you are celebrating your 74th birthday, how do you feel that in the last 25 years, despite attempts to eliminate your life?

    IBB- I will continue to remain grateful to God. The incident strengthens my belief that no matter what happens, if God doesn’t will it, nothing will happen to you. So it is a matter of believing that no matter what happens, either good or bad, nothing happens without the approval of Allah. I am grateful to God for sparing my life up to this time despite what we went through. Those of us who participated in combat we say thank God. I did not die during the civil war in 1969 which was some 21 years before the 1990 direct attempt on my life. God has kept me going, so I am very grateful, God has kept me and I remain grateful to Him and grateful to you all for your support.

    Q – So how did you escape Okar’s bullet?

    IBB – (Adjust seat with calm and ponder for awhile) I can remember fairly well, I had some loyal officers who are supposed to be my protectors and my body guards. Initially they told me to leave but I told them no, I am not leaving for anywhere but they remained stubborn and later I took my family outside Dodan barracks and joined my guards. So we went out of Dodan barracks and we went to a safe house where we got in contact with loyal troops. May God bless Sani Abacha. Sani Abacha was the Chief of Army Staff, he got in touch with me, I got in touch with him and we sat down and talk on what we were going to do. Abacha and I rallied round the loyal troops and then I left my state house and joined Abacha in his house. (Pause) That is what happened.

  • Photo: Sword crossing at Captain Gana’s wedding

    Photo: Sword crossing at Captain Gana’s wedding

    FROM LEFT: FATHER OF THE BRIDEGROOM, GEN. MOHAMMED IBRAHIM-GANA; DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF NIGER, ALHAJI AHMED KETSO; THE BRIDEGROOM, CAPT. SADIQ IBRAHIM-GANA AND HIS WIFE, AISHA, AT THE WEDDING RECEPTION IN MINNA.
    FROM LEFT: FATHER OF THE BRIDEGROOM, GEN. MOHAMMED IBRAHIM-GANA; DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF NIGER, ALHAJI AHMED KETSO; THE BRIDEGROOM, CAPT. SADIQ IBRAHIM-GANA AND HIS WIFE, AISHA,AT THE WEDDING RECEPTION IN MINNA.
  • Jubilation in Ibadan, Lagos, Kano, Minna, Uyo, others

    Jubilation in Ibadan, Lagos, Kano, Minna, Uyo, others

    NIGERIANS took to streets yesterday in Ibadan, Lagos, Kano, Niger, Lokoja, Kaduna, Sokoto, Maiduguri and others jubilating from the moment it was confirmed that All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) would be declared as the country’s president-elect.

    Men, women, youths and children, in joy, shouted: “Sai Baba, Sai Buhari” as they celebrated.

    At Sabo area of Ibadan, residents, most especially northerners, brought out brooms, shouting “Sai Baba”, “Sai Buhari” as motorists had hectic time linking Adamasingba due to gridlock.

    Some of the celebrants were on bikes, riding up and down the streets. A cow with the logo of the APC was bought for residents’ entertainment. A disc jockey was on hand to entertain the people.

    It was the same story at Challenge, Gate, Iwo-Road, Felele, Ojoo and other areas.

    Lagos residents also trooped  out in their thousands yesterday night to celebrate the emergence of the APC presidential candidate and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

    The Hausas took over Ketu and Mile 12 axis of Ikorodu road, shouting: “Say Baba, Say Buhari”.

    Lining up the two sides of the express road, they carried high the campaign banners of Buhari/Osinbajo and the state APC governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode from Mile 12 market towards Ketu/Ojota shouting: “Sai Baba, Sai Buhari”.

    The crowd caused gridlock among vehicles going to Owode/Ikorodu, forcing motorists to chorus the victory slogan.

    Some northerners also took to beating drums and playing their traditional flutes as others danced in circles in celebration.

    In Kano, it was wide elation, as the news of Gen. Buhari’s victory filtered into town. Youths in their hundreds stormed the streets in celebration.

    Some of the youths engaged in acrobatic display with their motorbikes and tricycles, with majority of them waving brooms – the symbol of the APC.

    Minna, the Niger State capital, was also enveloped with joy as the youth, party members and supporters rejoiced.

    As soon as the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Returning Officer for the presidential election, Prof. Attahiru Jega, adjourned sitting for the collation of result from Borno by 6pm, the youth took to the streets.

    In what was like an instantaneous reaction, horn blaring cars and motorcycles with jubilating youths took to the streets, waving brooms and APC flags, Buhari’s banners and posters.

    From Chanchaga through Tunga to Mobil, Bosso and Tundu-Fulani, the jubilating teams took over the roads.

    At Maitumbi, Saiko, Limawa, Nikangbe, Dutsen Kura, Maikukunle and Kapgunku, youths were seen rejoicing and celebrating.

    Thousands of APC supporters also trooped to the streets of Kaduna in wild jubilation.

    The supporters, who were on motorcycles, bicycles, Keke NAPEP and cars, carried brooms and started chanting ‘Sai Baba’ and sweeping major Kaduna streets.

    Though Kaduna city was very quiet in the early hours of yesterday, at about 4pm, APC supporters stated gathering at major junctions like Ungwar Sarki, Tudun Wada and Ahmadu Bello Way.

    As at the time of filing this report, rumour of dusk-to-dawn curfew was going round, but the residents were unconcerned.

    In Sokoto, thousands of APC supporters and well-wishers of its presidential candidate yesterday started jubilating the anticipated victory of the candidate before the official announcement by Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

    The streets of Sokoto, the state capital, were agog with jubilant youths, most of who entertained the crowd with their bikes.

    Maiduguri and Emir Yahaya roads were taken over by the youth.

    Residents also took to the streets in Lokoja, even as results from Borno State were yet to be officially announced by INEC.

    Thousandsof Maiduguri residents also rejoiced before Gen. Buhari was officially declared winner of the election.

    Security operatives also joined in the celebration, shooting sporadically in the air and blowing sirens on high speed with their vehicles on the streets of Maiduguri.

    In Yobe State, Damaturu, the state capital, also went into wild celebration as APC supporters trooped out to celebrate the victory.

    The youth besieged the Damaturu central roundabout and major streets, chanting party slogans.

    The Nation gathered that Potiskum, Gashua, Nguru, Geidam and other major towns were also in celebration mood.

    Many of the people were happy that their votes counted.

    In Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, supporters of APC were not left out.

    They brandished brooms, singing and dancing along the major roads in the state capital.

    The state APC governorship candidate, Umana Okon Umana, described the victory as a historic moment for Nigeria.

    Umana explained that Gen. Buhari has the required skills, experience and capacity to turn Nigeria around economically and politically.

    Also, a member of the Board of Trustees of PDP, Don Etiebet, said the victory was as a result of rebellion against the PDP.

    Etiebet described President Goodluck Jonathan’s action in congratulating Gen. Buhari victory as a new beginning for the nation’s politics.

  • Minna Prison Break: 64 inmates re-arrested

    Sixty four out of the 275 inmates who escaped during an invasion by a gang of unidentified gunmen ‎on the Minna Medium Security Prison have been arrested.

    This leaves 211 of the escaped inmates still at large.

    The Controller General of Prisons, Dr. Peter Ezinwa Ekpendo ruled out the dreaded Boko Haram as being responsible for the attack on the Prison facility.

    The visibly sad Controller General who assumed office barely 24 hours before the invasion of the Prison told newsmen after on-the-spot assessment of the attacked facility on Sunday described the incident as “unfortunate, embarrassing and completely unacceptable”.

    He said the service in conjunction with other security agencies have launched massive search parties within and outside the state to effect the re-arrest of escaped prisoners.

    The Prison boss said that full scale investigation has since been instituted to x-ray the sad incident and vowed that “any officer found culpable in the unfortunate incident will face the full wrath of the law”.

    Ekpendo then ordered the immediate transfer 55 officers from the state and zonal headquarters of the service to the Minna Medium Security Prison and Minna Old Prison to beef up the security in the two facilities.

    On speculations that the attack may have been masterminded by the outlawed Boko Haram group, Controller General said, “preliminary report shows that there is no evidence to link Boko Haram to the Prison break incident of Saturday.”

    The Controller General then assured the President and the nation that the recent security challenges and attacks on prison yard will be tackled head-on.

    “I am assuring the President and Minister of Interior that the security challenges facing us will be tackled head-on. Justice must be done and restoration security of the prisons shall be paramount.”

    The 160 bed prison facility was on Saturday attacked by unknown gunmen at about 4:30pm leading to the escape of 275 inmates.

  • Jail break in Minna, 270 Inmates freed

    A gang of armed men on Saturday stormed Minna Medium Prison yard, broke into the cells and set 270 inmates free.

    The gang stormed the facility at about 4:30pm over powered the Prison officials, broke into the record room, armoury room and carted away some weapon and bullet proof vests.

  • Resumption blues at FUT MINNA

    The Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) has resumed for the 2013/2014 session. But, lectures have not started, creating fear that the semester may be prolonged, writes UCHECHUKWU EKWUEME-DURU (300-Level Industrial Technology).

    The session should have started last year but the 10-month Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike delayed the 2013/2014 academic calendar at the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA).

    The session has begun but the students cannot wait to see the end of the first semester, especially those into one trade or the other outside the campus.

    According to the calendar, academic activities were to begin last Thursday but they did not.

    When CAMPUSLIFE visited the campus, there were few students in lecture halls; many were yet to resume. Course outlines and timetables were yet to be released.

    Some students, who spoke to our correspondent, are afraid that the session may be prolonged because of the low activities on campus.

    Benjamin Ekhalia, a 300-Level Industrial Technology student, said he would be happy to see the semester end fast to make up for the months lost to the strike. “The last semester was unnecessarily prolonged, but I adjusted myself to fit into it. This time, I am planning to do the same thing,” he said.

    The previous semester was dramatic, Olawale Adediran, a 300-Level Physics Electronics student, said, adding: “We had to rush our studies to make up for the months wasted on ASUU strike.” He said he believed the new semester would not be different because students only have less than three months to study.

    Oluwatosin Eweje, a student of Biochemistry, said students would be put under pressure to finish the course outline just as they did last semester. She said: “With the way things are going, we may be put under pressures the way they did last semester. It was a very tough time for us, but we scaled through by God’s grace.”

    Akpan Iberedem, a 400-level Mechanical Engineering student, said last semester was his most trying period on campus. “I don’t pray to pass through what I experienced the previous semester. It was the most tedious and trying time for me because I was stressed beyond limit,” he said.

    He hopes the current semester would be fruitful and less stressful.

    Unlike other students, Abdulfatai Abdulraheem, is not in a hurry to leave the campus. Whether the semester is prolonged or not does not matter to him. He said he was interested in what the school would leave in him. The final year student of Geology said last semester was not as stressful as other semesters. “One thing about this school is that, things are really not predictable. Last semester was not as stressful as some other semesters. The exam date was hurriedly announced and everybody got prepared. I am not expecting anything less, this semester,” he said.

    Patience Wada, 300-Level Industrial Technology Education, said: “I thank God for a successful semester that has passed. Everything went well and good for me as I planned. I hope this new semester would be better. I am preparing for the new semester and I can’t wait for lectures to start.”