The Nation Newspaper

Tag: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

  • Ex-Senate President Wayas to be buried November 30

    Ex-Senate President Wayas to be buried November 30

    •Burial coming three years after death

    The body of former Senate President in the Second Republic, Dr. Joseph Wayas, will be buried on November 30, three years after his demise.

    Wayas died on November 30, 2021.

    He was 80.

    The Secretary of the Central Planning Committee for the burial of late Wayas, Dr. Dorn-Cklaimz Enamhe, yesterday in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wayas, who died in a London hospital, was brought to Nigeria on July 10, after over two years in a United Kingdom (UK) morgue.

    Enamhe, who expressed appreciation to Governor Bassey Out and some other persons for returning the body of Wayas, urged the admirers of the late senator to join in honouring him.

    Read Also: Police confirm five dead, one arrested in Edo over food poisoning

    According to him, the Cross River State governor assured the burial organisers that no elder statesman or leader from Cross River who died abroad would be left in a foreign land.

    The secretary said the committee had to work with various authorities in Nigeria and the Nigerian High Commission in the UK to ascertain the authenticity of the body.

    “When we brought the body back, his wife and children assessed it critically and confirmed that it was their father. So, as I speak to you the body is that of the former President of the Senate.

    “Unfortunately, the body has been kept this long due to issues and disagreement among members of his family.

  • Lagos Govt empowers 98 HIV patients with trade skills

    The Lagos State Government says it is training 98 women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on various trade skills.

    Mr Peter Obialor, Coordinator of people living with HIV/AIDS, Community Department in Alimosho General Hospital, Igando Lagos, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

    Obialor said the empowerment is being conducted by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) with the aim of reducing poverty in the state.

    “This training is organised for people living with HIV to empower them and make them feel among and not to be rejected and discriminated upon.

    “This training at least will help them build their self esteem instead of losing it; and they can equally be free to showcase themselves as people who can do a particular thing.

    “The people are being trained on how to make tie and dye, bead making, makeup, gele tying, cosmetology, hairdressing, event management and catering services.

     

  • Boko Haram Insurgency: President Buhari heads to Chad

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday departed Abuja for N’Djamena, Chad, to preside over the Summit of Heads of States and Governments of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari, in his capacity as Chairman of the Summit of Heads of States and Governments of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), summoned the meeting meant to find lasting solution to the menace of Boko Haram insurgency.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja said the meeting of the Heads of States and Governments of the LCBC would take place in N’Djamena, Chad on Thursday.

    Also, the President of Benin Republic, a troops-contributing country, has also been invited to attend the meeting.

    The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), and national operations of the affected countries have appreciably degraded the capacity of Boko Haram terrorists, although the insurgents still retain the capacity to attack isolated targets in desperate search for supplies.

    According to Adesina, the one-day meeting will review the security situation in the areas affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

    He said it would also adopt measures to enhance the capacity of the MNJTF to meet the challenges of securing the areas.

    Read Also: Metele Attack: 23 soldiers killed, Boko Haram uses drones-Buratai

    “The presidents of the LCBC member countries of Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and the Central African Republic have been invited to attend the meeting.

    “The President of Benin Republic, a troops-contributing country has also been invited to attend.

    “The MNJTF and the national operations of the affected countries have appreciably degraded the capacity of Boko Haram terrorists, although the insurgents still retain the capacity to attack isolated targets in desperate search for supplies,’’ Adesina said.

    Millions of people in Africa’s Lake Chad region (north-east Nigeria and parts of Niger, Chad and Cameroon) are facing a profound and protracted crisis driven by extreme poverty, climate change and violent conflicts according to the UN.

    The crisis, the world body added has led to the internal displacement of 2.4 million people, the destruction of livelihoods, human rights abuses, and the disruption of health, education and other basic services.

    More than 10 million vulnerable people need life-saving assistance and protection today. Women and children are particularly hard hit.

    In Feb. 2017, a conference on the Lake Chad region, co-hosted by Germany, Nigeria, Norway, and the United Nations took place in Oslo where donors pledged 672 million dollars to emergency assistance and support in 2017 and beyond.

  • Police dismiss Sergeant for killing 20-year-old undergraduate

    The Bayelsa Police Command on Wednesday said it has dismissed a Police Sergeant who shot and killed a 20 year-old undergraduate, Tariela Nikadae, on Nov. 23.

    Asinim Butswat, Spokesman of the Command, who told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Yenagoa, added that the sergeant would soon be arraigned in court.

    The incident happened during a police raid and detention of residents by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Command.

    The detained residents were later screened and freed by the Police following intervention of their relatives.

    “The Bayelsa State Police Command regrets the unfortunate incident involving a Police Officer and a resident of Tenacious Road, Edepie, Yenagoa.

    “Sergeant Timadi Emmanuel attached to a patrol team of Akenfa Division, while on patrol at Tenacious Road, Edepie, under questionable circumstances shot one Tariela Nikade, male, aged 20.

    “The Policeman has been dismissed after preliminary investigations into the incident and he will be prosecuted as soon as investigations are concluded,” Butswat said.

    Read Also: Police recover N.3m from kidnappers

    Meanwhile, residents have continued to lament the harassment and assault of members of the public.

    Several victims of the arrest told NAN that the policemen did not screen them or listen to their explanations before the arrest and detention.

    Mr Prosper Jacobs, who was arrested alongside many others on Thursday night, said that he was assaulted and bruised for pleading.

    “The team just packed their van on our street at Ebis Mechanic Road, Amarata. When they wanted to force me into their van, I insisted on knowing what my offence was and they assaulted me and left me afterwards with injuries.

    “Many others were then taken away in the van and detained overnight; their relatives have to intervene before they were freed,” Jacobs said.

    Another victim, Michael Gibson, a civil servant said that he was arrested when he went to buy recharge cards in Amarata area of Yenagoa.

    “They never cared to listen to any explanations, I told them that I am a teacher and they could verify my claim from my neighbours, but they took me and others and locked us up,” he said.

  • 2019: FCT youths task politicians on job creation

    Some youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have called on politicians, especially the Area Council Chairmen in FCT, to create employment opportunities for the unemployed youths in the territory.

    The youths, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday, said that the creation of job opportunities by politicians would reduce social vices in the area.

    Mr Daniel Yaro, a resident of Dagiri community in Gwagwalada, stressed the need for every area council administration to develop employment programmes that would engage the youths.

    “Engaging youths as thugs during campaigns increases crimes, as they will be used and dumped by the politicians.

    “It is only during elections that many politicians engage youths to do unorthodox jobs.

    “The youths should be engaged in productive ventures, this will help in reducing crime in all the FCT area councils,” Yaro said.

    Read Also: Rising youth unemployment worrisome, says Fed Govt

    Ms Sarah Kaka, a resident of Kuje Area Council, called on the council chairmen to adequately fund youth empowerment initiatives in order to tackle unemployment.

    She also identified the popular Kuje forest as a good location for tourism development in the country if properly funded and handled by professionals.

    “The Kuje forest is a good relaxation area that can be used for tourism development in the country”.

    Kaka urged the government to focus attention on how to adequately engage youths in the country.

    Mr Timothy Sunday, a resident of Abaji Area Council, emphasized the need for the council chairmen to empower the youths to enable them become self-employed.

    According to Sunday, the idea of taking bank loans to start business was not encouraging, as the interest rate was too high for a beginner.

  • 2019 Campaigns : NPC urges media to avoid bias, elevate political discourse

    The Nigeria Press Council (NPC) on Monday urged media professionals to emphasise the objective of quality journalism by reporting issues that would elevate political discourse as 2019 campaigns began.

    Mr Nnamdi Njemanze, the Executive Secretary of NPC, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), advised the media against reportage that would derogate issue-based campaigns.

    Njemanze also enjoined the media to shun tendencies of trying to take side or project any political party or candidates at the expense of others.

    He said the media as professionals, should ensure that their self-inclination did not jeopardise the need for quality journalism, saying “ if that happens, then the moral tone of the profession would be weaken.

    “ At every time, the media should stress and emphasise the objective of good journalism by reporting issues that will elevate the political discourse rather than reporting issues that will derogate quality discourse.

    “As campaigns for the 2019 elections begin, we need to draw attention of the media to the code of ethics of journalism that guides elections campaigns.

    “ We do know that politicians are in the habit of accusing each other and use words that are inflammatory in order to score cheap points against their opponent.

    “ The media as a moderator of the process, should be mindful of reporting such or project some of the statements that are capable of stirring up mischief, “ Njemanze said.

    Read Also: Falana to speak at IPC’s tweet, media roundtable

    The NPC boss noted that the code of ethics for journalists was a pointer to the need for quality journalism that ensured the truth was projected.

    Njemanze advised media professionals to ensure that the essential element of good journalism like verification, balancing, fairness and truth were projected at all times.

    According to him, on reporting the political space, the media must be mindful of the electoral guideline and laws for elections and they should also be mindful of the code of ethics for election coverage as reviewed.

    “ Let the electoral laws and code of ethics of the profession, including the NBC media code, be the guide during the campaigns and election.

    “ We do know that some politicians will go over the board to say one or two things that might not promote national unity.

    “ It is incumbent on the media to filter those extraneous elements that will derogate the quality of the news reportage,“she added.

    Commenting on editorial independence, Njemanze said decision concerning content of news should be the responsibility of professional journalists and not the responsibility of any other interest group to avoid undue influence.

  • Cyber Security: Expert advocates physical access control technologies

    An expert in the cyber security space on Monday in Lagos advocated for the introduction of more facial recognition and physical access control technologies at Nigerian airports.

    The Regional Sales Manager of Genetec, Mr Brent Cary, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it had become necessary for the government to upscale security technologies.

    Cary said that the necessity to tackle the growing threats in the cyber space as a result of lack of facial recognition and integrative communication systems would curb the growing violence and local terrorism.

    According to Cary, there is need for local intelligence agencies in the country to adequately upscale technologies they currently have and should be in constant interactions with security providers.

    “For the 12 years I have been coming to Nigeria, I have noticed that the threat level have not gone away, it has, however, deteriorated which has definitely increased local terrorism with the threat of major violence across the country.

    “However, the local intelligence agencies, unfortunately, do not get to interact with organisations saddled with the responsibility of providing cyber security; I cannot say they are doing a good or a bad job.

    “It is what you will find with any government around the world but they can always do more and try to enhance technology and also incorporate new technologies that will ensure that the borders are secure.

    “The Nigerian airport technology is not really there yet, we can still leverage on new physical security technology as with other countries like Hong-Kong, Angola and others.

    “So, as you get off a plane, your face is captured and if it matches with the database of Interpol or any global security agency, you are flagged and pulled out of the line before you get to the passport control.

    “Also, there is not enough physical access control being implemented within or some specific areas because when you walk through the customs, I feel like I can freely roam around, ‘’ Cary said.

    Read Also: EFCC arrests 24 undergraduates, others over cyber crime

    He said that he could not say if these technologies were in place but it they were, he had not noticed and called for more education on better securities for the citizens.

    Meanwhile, Dizengoff West Africa Ltd, a subsidiary of Bolton CP Group, had earlier held a forum tagged: “Smart Security Solutions: Unification versus Integration” to engage stakeholders in the sector on smart cyber security.

    Mr Guy Rabinovich, General Manager Communications Technology, Dizengoff Nigeria, urged government to toughen physical security solutions platform with cyber secure measures.

    Rabinovich explained that many CCTV and access control platforms could not be relied upon as they left security loop holes that are easily exploitable by hackers.

    He said: “Although, one could say that there are some form of response to the issue from quite a few quarters at the moment, looking at it closely, you will find that what is being done is too feeble.

    “This when compared to the magnitude of the problem of cyber security, including physical security threats across all sectors of the economy, ‘’ he said.

    Mr Anti Ritvonen, Chief Executive Officer and Country Manager of Dizengoff, said that businesses and organisations, including individuals need to take cyber security issues more seriously.

    Ritvonen said that there was need to move away from the paradigms of the past by implementing smart systems that provide real and cost effective solutions.

    “Security challenges in the environment now require that you have the capability to prevent breaches,” he said.

    Dizengoff was partnering with Genetec, Motorola and Abloy to sensitise government, businesses and organisations on the need to upscale and deploy modern cyber security technologies.

  • Lagos skaters rated best in Nigeria – Technical Director

    Kings Kedron, Technical Director, Roller Sports Federation of Nigeria (RSFN), on Monday rated the skaters from Lagos State as the best in Nigeria and could match their own in Africa.

    Kedron gave his assessment in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the closing of the Lagos State Rollers Sports Association (LSRSA) Championships in Lagos.

    The two-day championships, held at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, ended on Sunday.

    The championships had over 200 participants with from Lagos and neigbouring states of Ogun and Oyo, but the host got all the prizes at stake.

    Kedron in his assessment of the performances of the skaters said that the athletes had never been found wanting in any competition.

    “For me, I will rate the performance of the skaters as almost 100 per cent because they always give it all in any championships both at home and abroad.

    “We have talented skaters in Lagos, not minding that skating as a sports in Nigeria has its root in Lagos, so, we are not surprised with the level of performances displayed by the skaters.

    “The skaters here are doing great with the type of training they are exposed to and judging from the past event they have attended.

    Read Also: How roller skaters dare death for love of lucre

    “This competition is also a means of showcasing them to the world, their ability and the level at which they are, in which they did not disappoint,’’ he said.

    Kedron said that skaters from Lagos State always take the lead at any international meet they attended, adding that they had the highest number of medals in Nigeria.

    “To stamp their authority as the best in Nigeria, skaters from Lagos State dominated the last two editions of the West Africa Skating Championships in Republic of Benin in 2016 and Togo 2017.

    “In Republic of Benin Championships 2016, Lagos State skaters took five gold out of nine at stake and in 2017, the same tournament, held in Togo they also got five gold.

    “They have proven to be the best in terms of energy and skills. So, I hope they continue the dominance in years to come,’’ he said.

    The competition had 76 medals, while certificates of participation was awarded to all skaters that competed in the championships.

  • DISCOs: MURIC calls for revocation of contracts

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), on Monday, called on the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola to revoke contracts of non performing power supply stakeholders.

    MURIC made the call in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    The group accused the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) of sabotaging efforts of the Federal Government to boost electricity supply to Nigerians because it worked at cross roads with the interest of government.

    Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director, MURIC making reference to a recent protest by electricity consumers in Lagos, said that protests were being staged in various geopolitical zones of the nation because customers were not satisfied.

    Akintola recounted the ordeal of electricity consumers on the Iba axis in Lagos where power supply was for about six hours daily.

    He accused the EKDEC, some DISCOs and greedy politicians of frustrating the impact of the good work which President Muhammadu Buhari administration had been doing.

    The director appealed to the Minister of Power, Mr Babatunde Fashola, to come to their aid.

    “We are really suffering. It is high time the Federal Government called the bluff of the DISCOs.

    “If it is true that the contract of the DISCOs will be expiring this month (November, 2018), we strongly advise that the contracts should be revoked. These DISCOs are not on the same page with the current administration.

    “They are cogs in the wheel of progress. Let them go back to their avariciously gluttonous politicians and superfluously voracious capitalist bourgeoisie.

    “For the sake of microscopic clarity, we affirm that the concern of MURIC is the welfare of the masses. We are greatly concerned that the DISCOs are supplying darkness instead of light.

    “We are concerned as socio-intellectual jihadists seeking 24-hour electricity supply to Nigerians, freedom for the oppressed, food for the hungry, healing for the sick, clothing apparels for the naked and shelter for the homeless.

    Read Also: Electricity supply: Edo condemns failure of BEDC

    “We remain oppressed until these welfare objectives are attained. The struggle for better life for the poor masses is a noble jihad and we will not abandon this great path,’’ he said.

    Akintola said the residents of Iba were suffering, adding that activities of the huge academia population on the axis were also distorted by lack of adequate power supply.

    “The case of Lagos State University (LASU) is pathetic. Although the university’s visionary, purposeful and dynamic leadership has taken the university to world class status with several initiatives; lack of regular power supply constitutes a potent threat to the sustenance of LASU’s current enviable status.

    “In an effort to ensure regular power supply in Ojo campus, the University management spends a humongous amount every month on diesel and maintenance of the big generators which are installed all over the campus. This eats deep into the coffers of the university.

    “Apart from students who are in the hostel and who must use electricity at night, LASU students also read on campus during the night and this poses another big challenge.

    “It is the height of sadism to give consumers light in the daytime only,’’ he said.

    He called on the EKDEC to turn a new leaf, describing the performance of the DISCOs as disappointing, adding that they worked at variance with the passion of Fashola.

    “MURIC will not hesitate to spearhead a massive but peaceful demonstration against them if they do not perform.

    “We urge the federal government to put an end to the DISCO’s contracts as quickly as possible because they have failed Nigerians,” he said.

    He said that MURIC delegation met with EKDEC management in Iba area about eight months ago to lodge complaints of having power supply for an average of six hours daily at night but the trend had continued.

    He explained that dissatisfied residents dragged EKDEC to court over a year ago.

    According to him, EKDEC treats consumers in high brow areas like Ikoyi with special respect but treats those in Iba area with contempt. That is class segregation.

  • DStv subscribers demand pay-as-you-view billing system

    Digital Satellite Television (DStv) service subscribers in Nigeria are grumbling over the continued payment for services not rendered by MultiChoice, the major distance-to-home service provider in Nigeria.

    In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday, DStv subscribers pleaded with the Federal Government to enact a law to compel MultiChoice to introduce “pay-as-you-view billing’’ system.

    The subscribers said that there was need for such billing system, as it would ensure value for subscription.

    Many of the subscribers complained of paying for what they did not get services for, saying that after several complaints, MultiChoice did not listen.

    Mr Uzochukwu Nwafor, a businessman said that MultiChoice was not considerate on how it was handling the issue of pay-as-you-view.

    “They need to put a regulation in place to help subscribers enjoy the money they paid to view the programmes.

    “With that (pay-as-you-view billing), we can save some money, I see subscribing to DStv programmes as a waste of money; it does not happen abroad or even in South Africa, ‘’ he said.

    Mr Silvanus Nwankwo, a civil servant, said that the National Assembly (NASS) was supposed to look into the operations of MultiChoice.

    “Many companies come to Nigeria and rip us off because our policies are not being implemented.

    “Again, DStv does not have serious competitors and that is why the company is behaving as it pleases.

    “The Pay-As-You-Go billing that telecommunications operators offer is supposed to be applicable to DStv,’’ he said.

    Nwankwo, however, said that the NASS should focus on the number of Nigerians that subscribed to the company’s service and insist on reducing prices of its bouquets.

    A Hip Hop Artiste, Ishmael Lawal, popularly known as ‘King Songo’ said that MultiChoice was defrauding Nigerians, as its decoder did not work properly.

    Lawal said that after subscription, he hardly watched the programmes because the signal was poor.

    He also said: “The company cuts off subscriptions two days before expiration, without warning.

    “Again, they keep repeating programmes, when one had paid to get new and trending programmes.’’

    Read Also: MultiChoice crashes DStv Explora price at Lagos fair

    A source at the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), who pleaded anonymity, said that the council had already taken MultiChoice to court over the issue.

    The source said that CPC received complaints from consumers against MultiChoice, among which was the refusal of the company to offer pay-as-you-view billing on both DStv and GOtv.

    The complaints included failure to receive signal after subscription paid; subscription disconnection prior to end of billing cycle with no credit applied for paid time lost; and lack of clarity in terms and conditions.

    Other complaints were: non-activation of free to air channels except when a consumer complained; and confusing toll-free customer care telephone channels.

    Others complaints were: arbitrary charges; confusing billing; blocking some channels already subscribed; poor picture or signal quality with excessive and un-compensated downtime during both inclement and clear weather conditions; and lack of responsiveness.

    Martin Maputo, the General Manager, Sales and Marketing, MultiChoice, said that for two months, the company would cut prices for its bouquets.

    Maputo said that MultiChoice wanted subscribers to enjoy the 2018 Christmas with their families, while enjoying music, food, movies, among others.

    According to him, this year’s Festive Together theme is: “It is a Good Time to Gather and There is no Place Like Home’’.

    “We want families to be together and watch different programmes on our DStv Sports, Wrestling, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Cross River Festivals, The Experience – a Church Programme with a lot of artistes playing.

    “Others are Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival, Children’s programmes and cartoons, Miss Africa Pageant and others.

    “We want to use all these again to help raise funds for the less-privileged people, because they have no one to help them,’’ Maputo said.

    Maputo said that the new prices for some bouquets are – HD premium normal from N11,900 to N9,900; GOtv from N6,900 to N3,200, Explora from N52,000 to N29,900 and the Premium is N38,000.