The Nation Newspaper

Tag: News Updates

  • Atiku’s visit to U.S. an attempt to score cheap political point -APC UK

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) United Kingdom Chapter, says Abubakar Atiku’s visit to the United States would not change Nigerians perception about him.

    Mr Ade Omole, Leader, APC UK chapter stated this while reacting to the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja.

    Atiku’s visit to the U.S was the first in 12 years, following an alleged corruption case.

    Mr Paul Ibe, his media adviser, in a statement said Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, left Nigeria on Thursday for the U.S.

    He was accompanied by the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation and President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki.

    Ibe claimed that Atiku in the course of his trip would hold meetings with U.S officials, the business community and the Nigerian community.

    But Omole faulted the claim, describing the visit as a kangaroo trip meant to score cheap political gain, adding that Nigerians are wise enough to read between the lines and could not be hoodwinked by such untoward arrangement.

    “Abubakar Atiku certainly has reasons for not visiting the U.S in the past years, especially because of corruption allegation against him,” he said.

    Read Also: FG to Atiku: you have questions to answer over collapse of Bank PHB

    He recalled that records at the U.S congress had it that Atiku engaged in money laundering through his wife who was resident in the country.

    Omole maintained that Atiku’s entry into the U.S. is a mockery of President Bush’s Presidential Proclamation 7750 which affirmed denial of entry VISA to foreign officials involved in corrupt practices by the congress.

    He, however, said that Atiku’s visit to America would not absolve him of the corruption allegation which had been hanging on him.

    Omole stressed that he does not object to Atiku or any Nigerian gaining entry into the U.S., especially when he meets the entry VISA requirements.

    He, however, maintained that the visit of the former Vice President, more or less made a mockery of him and the PDP.

    “Whether he visits U.S., or outer space, it doesn’t change anything in Nigeria, the electorate have already made up their minds to re-elect President Buhari for a second term come Feb. 16,” Omole said.

    He added that the questionable character of an individual no matter how highly placed he may be, does not evaporate by a mere visit to America.

    Omole said an individual with questionable character remains so no matter where he visited at any given time, especially if such visit is to score political point.

    He noted that while Atiku is busy trying to prove himself clean from corruption allegations with his U.S visit, Buhari is busy campaigning to Nigerians on why he should be re-elected.

    He added that the APC had continued to use its scorecard and achievements in all sectors to campaign to Nigerians on why Buhari deserves a second term in office to consolidate on his achievements.

  • Police hunt for couples who bought sisters stolen from Edo

    Men of the Edo State Police Command have launched manhunt for the couples who bought two sisters stolen from Utese village in Ovia North East local government area.

    The police have deployed its men to Enugu State and Portharcourt in search of the couples.

    Both sisters aged four and six and identified as Christabel and Amanda were reportedly sold to the different couples for N500,000 each.

    They were stolen by two girls, Rose and Mary, who rented an apartment in their resident at Utese village.

    Their mother left them in the care of the two girls while she went to the stream to get water.

    Police sources said Mary has since been arrested but the whereabout of Rose is unknown.

    It was learnt that the sisters were first sold to a woman identified as Joy in Agbor.

    Joy was arrested in Onitsha and she confessed to have sold the children to one Ruth Eze, a 58-year old woman based in Onitsha.

    The police source said Ruth sold one of the children to somebody living at Ogwashi-Uku while the other was sold to a couple at a Catholic Church in Enugu State through one Mrs. Favour Uju.

    A police team that visited Ogwashi-Uku discovered that the women that bought one of the sisters has died but had already sold the girl to a couple in Portharcourt.

    It was also learnt that police investigators have taken the suspects to some Catholic churches in Enugu but the suspects could not identify who they sold the girl to.

    Parents of the stolen siblings have parted ways since the incident happened last year.

    A family source said they were confused as to how the police would recover the sisters.

    Father of the children, Spark Omokpia, said he would do anything to ensure his children returned to him.

  • Dickson to Sylva: verdict of history will be hard on you

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has said the verdict of history would be hard on a former Governor of the state, Timipre Sylva.

    Dickson said that politicians, who desecrated the opportunities to serve and abuse state resources to lure Bayelsa youths to violence would face condemnation in the courts of posterity.

    The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, stressed that politicians buying guns for Bayelsa youths and fanning the embers of violence would have their place of rejection on history’s pages of villainy.

    Dickson was reacting to a publication in which Sylva alleged of media plot by the governor to pitch him against the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

    The Governor said that it was rather unfortunate that Sylva descended to level of scavenging for imagined information from the gutters.

    He said that while genuine and responsible political leaders responded to real issues, Sylva continually showed that he was yet to extricate himself from the agony of excruciating rejection by Bayelsa people at the polls.

    Soriwei said that Dickson was too occupied with execution of his responsibilities as Governor of Bayelsa to devote attention to trivialities especially imagined media reports.

    He said that it was the determination of Dickson to finish his administration well and strong insisting the Sylva was one distraction which serious leaders should avoid.

    Soriwei said that Sylva’s statement was a product of blackmail inspired by the feared and anticipated consequences of hidden guilt.

    He said it was rather sad that Sylva in his desperation to prove his political relevance to his political overlords saw casting aspersions on Dickson as the only route to political relevance.

    He said: “Again, we are constrained to react to spurious claims and distractions from Sylva and his cohorts who are bent on misinforming the Nigerian public.

    “It is indeed unfortunate that Sylva has descended to the level of scavenging for imagined information in the gutters for the purpose of attacking the Governor.

    “While it is the standard for genuine leaders and serious members need politicians to respond to real issues, Sylva is yet to recover from bitterness occasion by his excruciating rejection by his own people.

    Read Also: Sylva to Dickson: you have no fear of God

    “Now that Sylva knows that a leaked audio is not emanating from Bayelsa, he may try to catch some sleep. Dickson has great plans for bayelsa and Sylva is a costly distraction no leader would want to afford.

    “The recent invectives from Sylva are a product of Blackmail inspired by consequences of some tormenting sense of guilt. When Sylva talks about conscience, Bayelsans shiver! There couldn’t have been better way to advertise hypocrisy.

    “While Sylva is worrying over the imagined consequences of a badly buried corpse, we are mindful to remind him once again that the only thing in hot pursuit of him is his shadow.

    “When he looks back, he shall find no Dickson. The Governor is miles ahead of him”

  • Expect more medals, Ondo Sports Council GM assures

    The General Manager, Ondo State Sports Council, Wande Fabuluje says more medals are being expected to improve the medal haul of the state in the ongoing 19th National Sports Festival in Abuja.

    Fabuluje, who made the promise, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, expressed satisfaction on the performance of the state athletes in the festival, so far.

    NAN reports that Ondo state clinched five gold, one silver and five bronze medals.

    Three athletes representing the state won two more gold medals in Track and Field and Para-swimming events to increase the state total medals won so far to eleven.

    Powell Ofoyeju defeated other competitors to win gold in the 100 Metres Breast Stroke para-swimming.

    Read Also: 2019: I’ll reward hardwork, loyalty this time — Buhari

    Boluwatife Bukola triumphed in the 100m Women event gold medal in 11.45seconds by defeating Akwa Iboms Peace Uko who crossed the line with the time of 11.52s and Joy Gabriel of Delta with 11.53s.

    Fabuluje said the athletes had justified the confidence reposed in them by the state government.

    “I am proud of these youngsters. They are doing us proud. We will win more medals in Volleyball and wrestling, in semi final stage,” he said.

    He appealed to the athletes whose competitions have been rounded-off to stay behind and support those still competing.

  • Edo athletes protest non-payment of allowances

    Edo athletes on Tuesday shut the gates of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, venue of the state’s training camp for the 19th National Sports Festival (NSF), against their coaches and other workers at the sports arena.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the athletes were protesting against the non-payment of their two weeks’ camp allowances.

    NAN reports that the protesting athletes, in their hundreds, prevented workers and other staff of the stadium from gaining entrance into the arena.

    The athletes said that they have been in camp for two weeks, training without the necessary facilities, feeding and transporting themselves to and from the stadium, for the morning and evening sessions.

    The athletes, who all joined in the protest, said they would no longer train for the sports festival, until their outstanding camp allowances were paid.

    Read Also: PDP chieftains seek Northwest votes for Atiku

    NAN reports that following about an hour of consultations between the athletes and the Edo Director of Sports, Sunny Airende, the athletes agreed to back down on the protest.

    Airende, who later addressed them, assured the athletes that efforts were being made to pay their outstanding allowances.

    He said although the money had been approved, it was yet to hit the camp, from where it would be withdrawn.

    According to him, “I am with you in this. Your camping allowances is not the only issue affected. As we speak, the state is yet to pay the participation fee for the festival.

    “Government officials had to rally round on Monday to raise some money for the advance team to travel on Tuesday, to make arrangements for accommodation, as well as pay the participation fee.

    “All I can assure you is that your camp allowances will surely be paid before you depart Benin for Abuja on Wednesday.’’

    NAN reports that the state is expected to be represented at the festival with 350 athletes.

  • NYSC: DG cautions corps members’ against bribery

    The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, has cautioned corps members’ against bribery ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Kazaure gave the warning on Wednesday while visiting corps members at the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Suru Local Government Area, Darkingari, Kebbi State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the DG was represented by Mrs Victoria Ango, a Deputy Director in the Evaluation Department, NYSC headquarters, Abuja.

    “I urge you to please avoid bribing and fraud during the 2019 general elections. You are not covered by any immunity; anybody caught violating electoral acts is going to face the full wrath of the law.

    “Your life is very important to us; you are the future leaders, so do not lose your life for politicians,” he said.

    The DG lauded the improved collaboration between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and NYSC since 2008.

    The collaboration, he said, had assisted in the successful execution of elections across the country, just as the Election Security Committee had ensured the safety of corps members.

    The DG explained that corps members would be sensitised on the right morals while discharging their duties.

    He added that the scheme had set up a security committee in charge of the mechanisms to monitor the corps members.

    “INEC will also train corps members on how to discharge their electoral duties during the polls,” he said.

    Kazaure also urged corps members to respect the social and cultural beliefs of the community they would be discharging their primary assignments.

    He reiterated the importance of the skill acquisition training in becoming self-reliant citizens of the country.

    NAN reports that the State Coordinator, Mr Usman Bards, commended corps members for complying with camp rules and regulations.

  • Woman docked for biting man’s ear

    A 25-year-old woman, Edet Gift, was on Wednesday brought before an Ota Magistrates ‘ Court in Ogun for allegedly biting a man’s ear.

    Gift, who lives at No. 4, Ojubanire St., Off Joju, Ota, is facing a charge of assault.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Rosemary Samson, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Oct. 30, at about 9.30am at his residence.

    Samson said that the accused assaulted the complainant, Mr Oily Mayowa, by biting his left ear when a fight broke out between them.

    She said the incident caused the complainant bodily harm.

    Read Also: 2019: ‘Resist violence for Nigeria’s sake’

    The offence contravened Section 338 of Criminal Code, Vol. 1, Law of Ogun, 2006.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Magistrate, Mrs B. S. Abdulsalam, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to Ogun Government.

    Abdulsalam adjourned the case until Nov. 12, for further hearing.

  • Deputy Senate President escapes assassination

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu in the early hours of Tuesday escaped assassination attempt alongside his wife and one of his sons.

    But one of the assassins was overpowered and arrested.

    The suspect has been handed over to Apo Police Station for investigation.

    The incident was confirmed in a statement by Uche Anichukwu, who is the Special Adviser on Media to Ekweremadu.

    The statement said: “The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, and son escaped an assassination attempt at about 4am on Tuesday.

    “The armed men discreetly evaded the security at Ekweremadu’s Apo Quarters residence, to gain entry into his house.

    ” The attackers, who could not immediately shoot in order not to attract the attention of the security personnel on duty, took hold of his son, and commanded him to lead them to the Senator’s bedroom.

    ” It was in the ensuing struggle in the Senator’s bedroom that security was alerted, leading to the arrest of one of the assailants with dangerous weapons and housebreaking devices, while the rest managed to escape.

    “The arrested member of the gang has, however, refused to divulge any information on the operation and has been handed over to the police.

    “Ekweremadu, his wife, and one of his sons were in the house at the time of the attack.

    “It could be recalled that the lawmaker narrowly escaped an attempt on his life in Abuja on November 17, 2015.

    “Although the 2015 incident was reported to the security agencies, nothing has been heard about the matter till date.”

  • Minimum wage: Bagudu appeals to NLC to shelve strike

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate unions to shelve its scheduled strike in the interest of the citizenry.

    The governor made this call in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Dakingari, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

    He urged the workers to await the report of the tripartite committee on minimum wage and President Mohammadu Buhari’s decision on the wage increase.

    “I want to assure the Nigerian workers at all levels of the government’s readiness to promote their welfare. The government is willing and ready to do everything possible to uplift workers’ welfare,’’ he said.

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    The statement said that Bagudu left Birnin Kebbi for Abuja this morning to partake in the 12th meeting of the tripartite committee on the National Minimum Wage.

    The committee is expected to finalise deliberations and submit its report to Mr President.

  • PLSG cautions residents on bush burning

    The Plateau Government, through its Ministry of the Environment, on Monday cautioned residents in the state to desist from indiscriminate bush burning.

    Mr Abdullahi Abbas, the Commissioner for Environment, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Jos.

    He said that the act was detrimental to the environment as it helps in depleting the ozone layer.

    According to him, the act is highly detrimental to the environment.

    “Besides its depletion of the ozone layer, which leads to greenhouse effects, it also destroys the microorganisms, humus and scrubs on the top layer of the soil which gives flora to the soil and protects it from harsh climatic conditions,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Buhari revives abandoned projects – Fashola

    Abbas said that the act would lead to loss of property and lives, especially with the onset of the harmattan winds, as the winds would spread the fire, thus making it uncontrollable.

    He also noted that the ministry has organised various sensitisation workshops to educate the populace on the ills and dangers of indiscriminate bush burning in the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

    “In October, we went to each of the LGAs in the state to sensitise the people on the implications of indiscriminate bush burning.

    “The ministry also holds talks with the local government chairmen and the traditional rulers to further sensitise their subjects and residents on the detrimental effects of the act,” he said.