The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria News

  • World Hello Day

    World Hello Day

    With the concerted efforts of Brian McCormack, a Ph.D graduated from Arizona State University and Michael McCormack, a graduate of Harvard University, the World Hello Day was first celebrated in 1973.

    It was an event dedicated to encouraging settling of conflicts through communication and not force.

    It preaches that world leaders should shift from the ancient way of resolving conflicts which is always a fight or war to communication.

    In a bid to make sure everyone got the message of the World Hello Day, the McCormack brothers mailed 1,360 letters in seven languages to government leaders worldwide so they could participate.

    Any person can participate in World Hello Day simply by greeting ten people or more.

    This demonstrates the importance of personal communication for preserving peace.

    World Hello Day was begun in response to the conflict between Egypt and Israel in the fall of 1973, known as the Yom Kippur War.

    People around the world use the occasion of World Hello Day as an opportunity to express their concern for world peace.

    Nigeria, the most populated country in Africa and the seventh in the world has more that 500 tribes and this in a way has divided.

    We have been set apart on different stands. Religiously we are on three most popular feet. Politically, we are on countless feet. Our diversity is so interesting but it has, instead of making us appreciate each other separated us.

    On the rise now is the agitation in the South East is a move for secession. An action that will disintegrate this great, one but divided country more.

    Today is a day we can breach this gap and redefine our lives. It is time to keep our differences and see them as our diversity and strength. We can just do that with a ‘hello’, especially today.

    The first celebration gained the support of 15 countries and since that time, it has been celebrated by people in 180 countries of the world.

    We believe that the world can only thrive and become a better place when there is peace and not war.

    If you do believe the same thing, then show it by saying Hello to ten or more people today.

    Make sure they are people you have not said Hello to before, especially people from other tribes. Let us make the world a better place with just ‘hello’.

    Go on with it, it is the World Hello Day. Cheers!!!

  • China, others complete border disarmament inspections

    China, others complete border disarmament inspections

    China has completed the last round of inspection on the obligation of border disarmament agreements with four countries, the official newspaper of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), has said.

    The PLA daily said the countries that signed the agreements with China are; Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.

    The newspaper reported on Tuesday that China and a team, representing the other four countries, inspected each other’s border defence forces in mid-August.

    According to the PLA, the five countries signed agreement on Confidence-Building in the Military field along border areas in 1996.

    Similarly, in 1997, they signed agreement on Mutual Reduction of Military Forces in the border areas.

    The PLA reports that the agreements opened the cooperation process of the “Shanghai Five” and laid solid foundation for the establishment and development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation ( SCO ).

    During the past two decades, the two sides convened more than 30 meetings and organised more than 140 mutual inspections along the borders, with over 7,600 kilometers between China and the other four nations, according to the report.

    Currently, the number of military personnel and amount of arms and military technology equipment are below the limits set by the agreements in applicable areas, said the report.

    The two sides also stepped up exchanges by visiting each other’s border defence posts and border cities, as well as organising literary and sports contests and military training and performances, it added.

    They have organised several “Peace Mission’’ joint military exercises under the SCO framework, carried out regular joint patrols, and regularly reported border situations to the other side, it added.

    “Though the staff are different in their professional backgrounds, language and culture, they can trust and understand each other and cooperate closely,’’ Huang Xiaodong, head of the office for the obligation of border disarmament agreements, Ministry of National Defence of the People’s Republic of China, was quoted as saying.

    The report said the China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan would continue to deepen implementation of the two agreements and cooperation on border defence.

  • NDLEA arrests mother with 40kg of cannabis

    NDLEA arrests mother with 40kg of cannabis

    The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) has apprehended a 50-year-old mother of seven, who allegedly hid 40kg of cannabis in a consignment of vegetables.

    The state Commander of the agency, Mr Buba Wakawa, confirmed the arrest in Benin on Tuesday.

    Wakawa said that the suspect, who lives in Ibadan, was arrested on the Uzebba-Ifon Road on her way to Oyo State with the substance.

    He said that the agency recovered four bags of dried weeds which tested positive to cannabis from her consignment of vegetables which included bitter leaves and pumpkin leaves.

    According to him, the command has commenced a strategic motorised patrol across the state to intercept cannabis shipment.

    “Drug barons usually target end of year.

    “This arrest is a product of motorised patrol embarked upon by the state command as a counter strategy to intercept illegal movement of narcotics.

    “The target is to promptly cut off supply and prevent drugs from getting to the end users,” Wakawa said.

    According to the commander, the suspect claimed that she was a divorce and needed money to register some of her children for West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination.

    The commander told our correspondent that the suspect would soon be charged to court while her accomplice would be arrested.

    NAN

  • Court dissolves marriage over wife’s poor cooking habit

    Court dissolves marriage over wife’s poor cooking habit

    A Nyanya Customary Court in Abuja on Tuesday dissolved a 22-year-old marriage of a driver over his wife’s habit of cooking only once in a week.

    The court presided over by Mr Jemilu Jega granted the request of Mr Garba Pakachi, ruling that the union was irretrievable.

    “This court has tried everything within its powers to resolve the issues between the parties, but all efforts proved abortive.

    “The irreconcilable differences between the two parties showed that they are no longer compatible; therefore, the marriage is hereby dissolved,’’ Jega said.

    He gave the custody of three of the four children of the marriage to their father and granted their mother, Martha, the custody of the last child, aged six years.

    Jega ordered the man to pay N20,000 monthly for upkeep of the child.

    “Because he is the biological father of the child, he must provide N20,000 for the upkeep of the child,” he said.

    He also directed that Garba should take responsibility for education and healthcare of the child.

    Earlier, Garba, told the court that Martha cooked for her family only once in a week.

    He submitted that Martha could not spend time with the family but gave all attention to her business.

    Responding, Martha denied the allegations, but said she was no longer interested in the marriage.

    NAN

  • UN rebukes Burundi, Philippines president over threats

    UN rebukes Burundi, Philippines president over threats

    The UN human rights office on Tuesday condemned attacks and threats made against its investigators by senior Burundian officials and by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

    “On Nov 9, Duterte threatened to slap UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard if she investigates him for alleged extrajudicial killings,” human rights spokesman Rupert Covlille said.

    In April 2016, the ICC announced it had launched a “preliminary examination” of the situation in Burundi, at the time more than 430 people had reportedly been killed.

    This ongoing step, which under ICC procedures determines whether a full investigation should take place, focuses on “killing, imprisonment, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence, as well as cases of enforced disappearances that have been allegedly committed since April 2015.”

    In October 2016, President Pierre Nkurunziza signed legislation calling for Burundi’s withdrawal from the ICC, notification of which was later that month sent to the UN secretary-general.

    Under the Rome Statute, actual withdrawal takes place a year after such notification.

    The Burundian government rejected the commission and did not allow members to visit the country.

    Interviews were conducted in neighbouring countries, to where hundreds of thousands of Burundians have fled since 2015.

    On Sept. 1, Burundi’s parliament announced it would set up its own commission, made up of 12 lawmakers, to look into the UN commission’s findings.

    Speaking to overseas Filipino workers in Vietnam, Duterte railed, “I will slap her in front of you. Why? Because you are insulting me.

    “Why? Because you yourself do not believe in the research of your own organisation.”

    The Philippines leader’s new beef with the French UN official is that she supposedly brought in an expert who

    supposedly said on television that drugs are harmless.

    Duterte did not name this “doctor” but identified them as “itim (black).”

    NAN

  • Reps begin debate on 2018 budget estimates Nov. 28 – Deputy Speaker

    Reps begin debate on 2018 budget estimates Nov. 28 – Deputy Speaker

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yussuf Lasun on Tuesday said that members would commence debate on the general principles of the 2018 Appropriation Bill ( budget ) of N8.6 trillion from Nov. 28.

    Lasun, while announcing the date during plenary session, said that the debate would be concluded on Nov. 30.

    He added that it would be followed by a public hearing scheduled for Dec. 4.

    The Deputy Speaker urged the lawmakers to ensure they get copies of the 2018 budget proposal presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the joint session of the National Assembly.

    “Members are to indicate the date they wish to contribute to the debate as there is need for us to participate actively and that the bill is given expeditious attention,’’ Lasun said.

    It can be recalled that the president, while presenting the 2018 budget proposal to the National Assembly, said that it would consolidate on the achievements of previous budgets to improve the country’s economy.

    NAN

    Read Also: FEC okays 2018 Budget proposal

  • FG provides agro chemicals, tools for farmers in Ondo

    FG provides agro chemicals, tools for farmers in Ondo

    The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development says it has provided 6,975 different agro-chemicals and 48,334 pieces of agricultural equipment for sale to farmers in Ondo State.

    Mrs Funke Omagbemi, the state Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said this in an interview on Tuesday in Akure.

    Omagbemi said that 4,048 different agro-chemicals and 125 pieces of equipment were made available for sales in July.

    She also said that 2,927 different agrochemicals and 48,209 pieces of equipment were also presented for sale to farmers in September.

    “In the first batch, the state received 24 gallons of Super Grow; 692 sachets of Ultimax Plus; 1,406 litres of Champ D; 397 packs of Aflasafe (Cereal) and 169 litres of Cypermetrin.

    “Besides, 45 litres of Grammazone; 573 litres of Paraquat; 147 litres of Pendimentaline; 204 of Retrazine and 392 litres of Uproot were received,’’ she said.

    Omagbemi also said that in respect of agricultural equipment, the state received 29 3HP water pumps, six 2HP water pumps; 11 double-action solo pumps; two jab planters; 74 knapsack sprayers and three multipurpose threshers.

    She said that under the second batch, the state received 16 gallons of Super Grow; 461 litres of Ultimax Plus; 936 sachets of Champ D; 265 kg. of Aflasafe and 113 litres of Cypermetrin.

    Also, 115 litres of Cranston Spectrum; 382 litres of Paraquat; 98 litres of Pendimentaline; 136 litres of Retrazine; 261 litres of Uproot; 74 litres of Round Up and 70 kg. of Amine Salt were received, she added.

    “In terms of equipment, the state received 20 3HP water pumps, four 2HP water pumps; 11,765 cocoa polythene bags and seven double-action solo pumps.

    “Others include 36,250 oil palm polythene bags; one jab planter; 160 knapsack sprayers and two multipurpose threshers,’’ she said.

    Omagbemi said that the items were sold to farmers across the state in highly subsidised prices.

    “We tried as much as possible to make sure that those items were sold to real farmers, and not to those who wanted to resell them,’’ she said..

    The state director said that if the state government could support the Federal Government’s efforts, the cost of agricultural production in the state would go down, while food prices would consequently be reduced.

    “The Federal Government is not only encouraging farmers go into production, it is also providing inputs with highly subsidised prices for them so as to enable them to make more profit,’’ she said.

    She, therefore, called on farmers in the state to key into Federal Government’s agricultural schemes so as to enable them to benefit maximally from government support.

    Besides, Omagbemi said that the ministry had trained 12 unemployed graduates in fish farming.

    “Each of them received 500 species of juvenile fish, six bags of feeds, farm booth, farm overall, weight scale, tank and N10, 000 financial support,’’ she added.

    NAN

  • Army raids militant camp, uncovers human skulls

    Army raids militant camp, uncovers human skulls

    The Nigerian Army says it recovered from militant camp in Omoko, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers, cache of arms and seven decomposed human skulls.

    Col. Aminu Iliyasu, Spokesman of 6 Division in Port Harcourt told newsmen on Tuesday that five males and two females were arrested at the camp.

    Iliyasu alleged that some militants and their fleeing leader, Don Wanny, kidnapped and killed several innocent citizens in Rivers and Bayelsa states.

    The spokesman listed weapons recovered from the camp as two AK 47 rifles, one General Purpose Machine Gun, 18 AK 47 magazines, three FN rifle magazines, 39 7.62mm Nato ammunition and 20 9mm ammunition.

    Others, he said were 7.62 mm ammunition, five Icom and Mag hand-held radios, two 25kg bags of cannabis, nine pairs of military camouflage, 10 human skulls and several bones.

    According to him, the raid is part of renewed strategy by the division to restore law and order in Omoku which has been terrorised by criminals for long.

    “On Monday, we received a tip-off, and thereafter, troops raided the camp and shrines of a notorious militant, cultist, kidnapper and an ardent oil thief popularly known as Don Wanny.

    “After about an hour of gun fight, our troops overpowered the criminal elements due to superior fire power that sent the criminals scampering for safety,” he said.

    Iliyasu said some of the alleged criminals, who sustained gunshot wounds escaped by jumping into Orashi River in the area.

    “However, seven of the suspects including two ladies were arrested, while they attempted to escape in the encounter that occurred at about 2:35 a.m. on Monday.

    “It is believed that the main culprit, Don Wanny was not at the location during the encounter but concerted efforts are on to track, arrest and bring him to justice,” he said.

    Iliyasu thanked residents of the area for cooperating with security agencies and urged them to continue to provide timely information that would lead to arrest of criminals in the state and its environs.

    NAN

  • 26 countries to participate in 2017 Calabar carnival – official

    26 countries to participate in 2017 Calabar carnival – official

    No fewer than  26 countries are participating in the 2017 Calabar carnival, Mr Ikobi Ikobi, a Commissioner in the Carnival Commission in charge of Media and Publicity has said.

    Ikobi, who spoke in an interview on Tuesday in Calabar, listed the countries to include, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Greece, Brazil, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Rwanda amongst others.

    According to Ikobi, the countries have shown interest to participate in the 2017 edition with the theme, “Migration’’.

    He said that the annual month-long carnival brings tourists from all over the world to the state and has been the melting point of Africa’s hospitality due to its diverse tourism events and sites, the green environment and the warm hospitality of the people.

    “The 2017 edition of the carnival will play host to over 26 countries. Countries that have indicated interest include Brazil, South Africa, Greece, Kenya, Thailand, Ghana, Mexico, Rwanda and others.

    “Most of them will have their own band on the grand finale of the carnival which is scheduled for Dec. 27 and Dec. 28.

    “Top in our priority is security; I can assure tourists coming in for the event of adequate security because we are liaising with all the security agencies in the state to ensure a peaceful and fun-fill celebration’’, he said.

    Similarly, Mr George Ekpungu, Commissioner for New Cities Development in the state, told NAN that the carnival had promoted talent and creativity since its commencement in 2004.

    Ekpungu added that the event has united the people of Cross River and Nigeria in general due to its robust activities and mass participation. (NAN

  • Buhari congratulates Obiano, says electoral reform paying off

    Buhari congratulates Obiano, says electoral reform paying off

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra on his re-election, and urged him to rededicate himself to building on his achievements that endeared him to the electorate.

    The President’s congratulatory message is in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Buhari assured the governor that the Federal Government was ready to work with him for greater harmony, peace and development of not only Anambra but the entire country.

    He wished the returning governor a successful new term in office.

    He also commended the people of Anambra, other governorship candidates, as well as security agencies and other stakeholders, on the peaceful conduct of the Nov. 18 gubernatorial election in the state.

    He lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) and election observers for the smooth conduct of the election.

    According to him, the processes leading to the election and its peaceful conduct and outcome have shown that the nation’s electoral reform is bearing positive fruits.

    “This is very encouraging and I am determined to give Nigeria free and fair elections, no matter which way the results swing,’’ he added.

    He particularly expressed delight at the conduct of the candidates post-election results, describing it as “heart-warming and a renewal of confidence in the sanctity of the ballot which deepens our nation’s democracy.”

    President Buhari urged INEC to improve on areas of logistics as the nation braces for coming governorship elections and the main general elections in 2019.

    NAN