The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nation Newspaper

  • Achebe flays Anambra health workers’ abscondment to duty

    The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe has expressed displeasure over alleged abscondment to duty by health workers in some health centres in Anambra state.

    Achebe, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues when health workers paid them courtesy visit in Awka, said the rate at which health workers abandon their duty posts was regrettable.

    He said, “Whenever I stopped to ascertain how the health workers were faring in some of the centres, I often met nobody at their duty posts.”

    While commending them for the visit, Achebe who doubles as Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, urged the workers to always do the needful for the good of the people.

    He also enjoined them to intimate the council on their activities at various health centres for improved healthcare delivery.

    Acting Chairman, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHDA), Dr Emmanuel Okafor, said the agency would soon commence checks on all the health centres.

    READ ALSO: 1,700 indigent students get Achebe’s scholarship

    He warned that anybody found wanting at their duty posts would be sanctioned.

    He said, “The state health workers have no reason to absent themselves from work going by government’s commitment toward them.”

    Okafor who said the visit was to intimate the monarchs on the activities of the health centers, described as cordial the relationship between the state government and health workers.

    Appreciating government for salary increase and promise of payment of the new minimum wage, ASPHDA boss appealed for employment of more health workers to replace the retiring ones.

  • Eight corps members renounce cultism, drug abuse in Anambra

    A total of eight corps members deployed to Anambra state for their national service on Tuesday denounced publicly their membership of cultism and drug addiction.

    No fewer than 15 of them also publicly gave up irregular migration, while others publicly embraced the Nigerian culture for the first time.

    Speaking during the closing ceremony of 2019 Batch ‘A’ orientation course at the Umunya camp, the NYSC State Coordinator, Kehinde Aremu said the achievements were recorded as result of trust and team spirit among camp officials.

    He said, “We have confidence that they have finally given up drugs especially marijuana. We also have every reason to believe that those who renounced cultism won’t go back to it again.

    “A marriage proposal of love with rings was publicly made this last Sunday between two corps members on camp.

    “Your excellency, you will be the special guest of honor when they fix their wedding date because it is Anambra wedding.

    “These are the manifestation of the spirit of Anambra, the light of the nation.”

    Aremu revealed that the repentant corps members would be handed over to the National Drug Law enforcement agencies for proper follow-up.

    He further challenged them to see themselves as revolutionary torch bearers, good ambassadors of the leading youth organization in Africa and shining examples to other youths.

    READ ALSO: Bring perpetrators, sponsors of cultism in Rivers to book, AAC’s Awara tells FG

    Governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano, disclosed his administration’s plan to improve the remuneration and allowances of corps members to be posted to the rural and hard-to-reach parts of the state.

    Obiano, represented by commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Bonaventure Enemali, was optimistic of the corps members’ readiness to positively elevate the fortunes of the state with their talents, education and high sense of responsibility.

    “Ample opportunity shall be given to you to contribute and excel in the implementation of government programmes, especially in areas of providing manpower for quality education, health care, agriculture, among others.

    “We shall not spare any effort in ensuring that your proven expertise and creative energy are fully harnessed towards making Anambra’s light more luminous and to improve the lives of the citizenry,” he assured.

  • Policemen to undergo weapon handling training

    As part of efforts to reduce casualty following misuse of weapons by policemen, the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Mohammed Adamu has disclosed that officers and men across the country will undergo weapon handling training.

    The IGP disclosed this in Lagos on Monday when he visited families of those who were injured or killed by his men in Lagos State.

    A statement in Abuja said the IGP assured the affected families that justice will not only be done but will be manifestly seen to have been done in getting justice for the deceased and the injured.

    The statement reads: “Concerned with the recurring incidence of unprofessional handling and misuse of firearms and other misconducts by a few Policemen which have resulted in the injury to, and death of some, unarmed innocent citizens, especially in Lagos State Command, the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Mohammed Adamu,  today, 15th April, 2019 paid official visit to Lagos State to primarily, condole the family, friends and well-wishers of the victims and secondly to address officers and men of the Command against involving in acts that pitch the Police against the citizens they are statutorily obligated to serve and protect. “The IGP, while addressing the over 1000 Officers and Men of the Command at the Police College, Ikeja, stated that the Nigeria Police Force, as a disciplined, transparent, responsible, responsive and accountable institution will never condone any form of abuse of power, over zealousness and sundry unprofessional conducts.”

    Adamu also noted that the misconduct of some policemen negates the professional calling of the Police, adding that such acts are unacceptable as they create distrust and disdain between the citizens and the Force, thereby widening the trust gap between the two.

    He also assured the entire public that the Force has embarked on administrative actions and policies targeted at giving a new orientation to the personnel especially on human rights and international best practices.

    While noting that there will be personnel re-organisation in Lagos State, the IGP also directed nationwide training and capacity development programmes on weapons handling and laws and policies regulating the use of force. Earlier, in a private meeting with the family of the victims, Ada Ifeanyi and Emmanuel Akomafuwa, the IGP commiserated with them and assured them that justice will not only be done.

    Responding, the spokesperson of the family of the deceased, Barr. Obuesi Philips thanked the IGP for his timely response and appealed to him to ensure that he walks his talk.

  • Boko Haram kills seven soldiers in Chad, says Army

    Seven Chadian Soldiers have been killed in an attack by Boko Haram, Azem Bermendoa Agouna an army spokesman said on Monday.

    The Islamist militants injured 15 others when they attacked an army position in Kaiga Kindjiria, in western Chad, on Sunday, according to Agouna.

    READ ALSO: Troops kill 27 Boko Haram terrorists, recover arms, ammunition

    The army claims it killed 63 Boko Haram fighters during the fighting near Lake Chad.

    Boko Haram is a Nigerian jihadist group but also carries out attacks in neighbouring countries.

  • El-Rufai appoints new Commissioner of Finance, Accountant-General

    Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has appointed another commissioner of finance and Accountant-General.

    In statement by his spokesman Mr Samuel Aruwan, the governor said the ministry has not had a substantive commissioner since the resignation of became effective on 7th January 2019.

    He disclosed that Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Finance.

    Saidu is one of the original 13 commissioners cleared by the Kaduna State House of Assembly in 2015.

    He took the position of Commissioner for Local Government in the first cabinet.

    He was appointed Chief of Staff in December 2016.

    Saidu’s mandate, according to the statement, is to “restructure and reposition the Ministry of Finance within the shortest possible time for the challenges of the second term of the Nasir El-Rufai government.

    READ ALSO: Kaduna killings: El-Rufai visits Kajuru, begs against reprisal

    “He will be assisted in that task by Mr. Idris Samaila Nyam, the erstwhile Permanent Secretary in the ministry, who has been appointed Accountant-General.

    “Umar Waziri, the former Accountant-General, becomes Managing Director of the Kaduna Investment and Finance Company.

    “The most senior director in the ministry will act as Permanent Secretary until further notice.

    “Dr. Salisu Suleiman, the Principal Private Secretary, will cover the duties of the Chief of Staff in the absence of Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu.

    “All the new appointments become effective immediately,” the statement concluded.

  • 14 die in A’ Ibom oil community from waterborne diseases

    No fewer than 14 persons have reportedly died between last December and April this year in Okoroutip, an oil bearing community in Ibeno local government area Akwa Ibom state from water borne diseases.

    The Nation gathered that natives of the community do not have access to potable drinking water as their only source of water is from contaminated stagnant ponds.

    Our correspondent reports that the community is also threatened by frequent flood incidents and water surge resulting in the displacement of natives and destruction of houses.

    A youth leader of the village, Mr. Henry Ekpe Nkan lamented that they depend on existing ponds and other

    stagnant water that flows from creeks as their daily drinking water.

    “As a riverine area where there is no bush to dispose waste, the community dispose faeces and other organic substances in the water and still drink from it.”

    He said this unhealthy disposition throw the entire community into water borne epidemic that has claimed fourteen lives from December last year.

    “From December last year, we have buried 14 people that died from water borne sicknesses and more would be buried as nothing is done to help us”

    Nkan said the only borehole drilled by ExxonMobil many years ago has collapsed and the well contaminated while the entire plumbing system has decayed leaving many generations of people to help themselves with any available water despite the unsanitary conditions.

    Mr Isaac Williams, supervisor for Education in Ibeno local government who hails from the community said people abandoned borehole drilled by ExxonMobil when it was discovered that the water contained some dirty particles suspected to be crude oil as they were fetching the water for domestic use.

    Williams recalled that the water from the borehole turned dark within an hour confirming that it was not fit for drinking.

    “The problem of water in Okoroutip community is a consequence of the terrain of the area as a result of heavy presence of oil. We are still pleading with multinational oil companies to come to our rescue by giving us good water. We believe that someday succor would come our way”

    When our correspondent visited the borehole provided to the community by ExxonMobil, it was a tale of neglect and outright abandonment as it was overgrown by weeds and other mangrove shrubs only for community women to hang their washed cloths on the rusted water tank stand.

    The youth leader said the situation is worsened by absence if medical facility  to provide urgent treatment for victims of water related sicknesses in the area.

    Nkan complained that the only Health Centre in the area constructed by the former council chairman Mrs Regina Egbe is not equipped and there was no personnel to attend to patients.

    “Some health workers only come here to give immunization vaccines to our children and left but nobody to attend to patients during emergencies”

    He said lack of medical facility increased adult and infant mortality rate in the oil rich community as many people felt sick and died monthly through suspected water borne diseases.

  • Adamu vows to prosecute police operatives involved in extra-judicial killings

    The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Abubakar Mohammed Adamu on Monday vowed to prosecute operatives involved in extra-judicial killings.

    He spoke during a courtesy visit to  his office at the Lagos House, Alausa.

    He said he came to Lagos State to talk to his men about good behaviour and adherence to the ethics of the profession as well as to address the issue of extra-judicial killings.

    He said the recent two incidents of extra judicial killings in the state involving SARS men were unfortunate and uncalled for.

    Assuring the officers involved have been arrested and are being tried by the police authorities, he stressed they will eventually be charged to court for prosecution.

    “We are to serve the public by protecting lives and property and we are doing this dutifully but the act of few of us is denting the good work the majority is doing,” Adamu stated.

    The Acting IGP thanked Ambode for his support to the police in the state, saying that without his support the police wouldn’t have recorded the level of performance and achievements in the state.

    Welcoming the Acting IGP and his team, Ambode congratulated him over his new appointment and commended him for the successful 2019 general elections under his supervision.

    He said in the past four years of his administration, the police have kept Lagos safe and contributed immensely to the success of one of the tripod of his administration at inception which is security of lives and property.

    Acknowledging that the police was under severe pressure and being overstretched because of inadequate personnel, equipment and resources, Ambode promised that the state will continue to support the police to ensure that have the human face to ensure peace in Nigeria and Lagos State.

    “Policing Nigeria is a huge challenge but the IGP is up to the task. Whatever we have done we will continue to do more to ensure security and peace,” Ambode promised.

  • FG cash call arrear exit payment hits $1.5b

    The Group General Manager (GMD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Dr. Maikanti Baru on Monday revealed the corporation has paid $1.5billion out of the $5billion cash call exit to Joint Venture (JVC).

    He said: “We negotiated settlement between 2016 JV cash call arrear. Also championed indigenous cash exit, self- funding. So far we have paid over $1.5billion out of the $5.1billion cash call arrears to date.”

    The development, according to him, has not only restored the confidence of IOCs, JV partner, in Nigeria, it has also led to reserves growth and improved oil production.

    Baru was represented by the Chief Operating Operating Officer, Mr.  at the 12th Annual International Conference of the Nigerian Association for Energy Economics (NAEE) holding in Abuja.

    The theme of the conference was: “Energy access and efficiency imperatives for sustainable development in emerging economies.”

    He said: “In 2018, which was the second year in the roll, we concluded the fiscal year without any cash call arrears.”

    Baru said the development culminating in the corporation not recording any cash call arrear in 2018.

    NAEE President, Prof. Wumi Iledare, who had at the weekend advised Nigeria to heed the advice of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stop subsidising the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit, said that it was to forewarn the country of retrogressive to the Venezuela’s condition.

    His words: “From my opinion, benefits from petroleum subsidy of over 40 years compare to the cost are not comparable.

    “I stand to be corrected that the cost to the economy of petroleum subsidy is significantly higher to benefits.

    “Subsidy is a gorilla to the Nigeria economy and something has to be done. Otherwise, Venezuala is knocking at the door and it is not a good experience.”

    He also disclosed that in the last year, Nigeria’s national average daily crude oil production stood at about 2.019 million barrels.

    This volume, according to him translates to an increase of 9% above the 2017 average of 1.86 million barrels and comes as significant improvement from the unimpressive production levels recorded on my assumption of office in July, 2016.

  • ‘We’re still searching for Chibok girls’, says Buratai

    Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, on Monday said the search for the remaining abducted Chibok girls was still on.

    He however said activities of Boko Haram have been confined to Lake Chad region and fringes of Sambisa forest.

    Buratai spoke while delivering the maiden lecture of the Centre for Contemporary Security Affairs at the Igbinedion University, Okada headquarters of Ovia North East local government area.

    He stated that complex security challenges like the Boko Haram activities required political and security solutions that ensure that democracies rebound stronger after a crisis.

    Buratai said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has fulfilled the pledge to support the by donating the sum of $100 million.

    The Army Chief said the current political leadership has demonstrated strong political will, purposeful direction and resourcing that galvanised the nation against the common enemy.

    He informed the gathering that adequate resources were provided to re-kit, procure more arms and ammunition, vehicles and other logistics required to prosecute the campaign against insurgency.

    According to him: “Military leadership invariably draws inspiration from the political leadership and this allows it develop military strategic objectives that are to be achieved

    “One of the silent but radical changes in the operations was changing the orientation and mind-set of troops from a defensive to an offensive posture. We also created the Theatre Command to coordinate the activities of the divisions involved in the operations.

    READ ALSO: Chibok girls are abandoned, says #BBOG

    “Socio-economic activities and free movement of people and goods have resumed in many areas.

    “Significant improvements can be attributed to the systematic campaign led by the NA in conjunction with other Services and elements of national power

    “Success recorded so far is an indication that for Nigeria’s democracy to be consolidated, the military must not only play its part but must also fulfill the constitutional roles assigned to them.”

    He assured the Army under his leadership would partner with the institution to build officers’ intellectual capacity.

    Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, said the centre when operational would carry out research that interrogates emerging security challenges of local and global concern.

    Prof. Ezemonye noted the strategy was to create a Faculty that provides knowledge based interventions for effective enforcement response, being a rich blend of academic researchers in security affairs and practitioners from the military and allied agencies.

  • Lover shoots girlfriend dead in Bayelsa for infidelity

    Tragedy struck in Oluasiri, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, following gruesome murder of a young girl identified simply as Victoria Ekalamene by her male lover known as Munado Tomworio.

    Munado said to be 28 years old reportedly shot his girlfriend in the face, killing her on the spot after accusing her of infidelity.

    He was said to have held the deceased at gunpoint while querying her about an unknown man and suddenly the gun went off and shattered the girl’s face.

    It was gathered that the ugly incident, which occurred at about 11pm on Sunday unsettled Oluasiri community.

    Following the sound of the gun, residents in the community were said to have rushed to the scene of the disaster, overpowered and apprehended the culprit.

    Sources said he was immediately handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution.

    An eyewitness, who spoke in confidence, wondered why a man would kill a girl he had not paid her bride price on suspicion of cheating.

    He said: “We live in a society that you don’t trust anybody including your own shadow.

    “This young guy was a well- known respectful and jovial friend to all and sundry but proved himself to be a heartless evil doer.

    “He raised his gun and shot this innocent lady called his girlfriend at Oluasiri Nembe, not any part of her body but her precious face.

    “As a soil of the community, he lives in Okipiri, Nembe. The offence is a suspicion of cheating, a lady whom you have not even paid the bride price?

    “What a condemnable act and demonic wickedness. Brother, we don’t believe that you have such a wicked heart. You disappointed many. You must face the law”.

    READ ALSO: Suspected cultists kill driver over girlfriend

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Asinim Butswat confirmed the incident saying the suspect was being detained at the command headquarters in Yenagoa.

    Butswat, a Superintendent of Police, said: “On 14/04/2019 at about 2245 hrs one Munabo Tonworio ‘m’ 28 years shot dead his lover one Victoria Ekalamene ‘f’ after a quarrel at the residence of the deceased in Oluasiri, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    The murder weapon, a locally made gun and expanded AA ammunition were recovered from the scene. The suspect has been arrested and is being detained at the SCIID, Yenagoa. Investigation is ongoing”.