The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria News

  • Buhari mourns AVM Mohammed

    Buhari mourns AVM Mohammed

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described late retired Air Vice Marshal Mukhtari Mohammed as “one of the finest, most principled, patriotic and loyal military officers’’ he had ever known and respected.

    President Buhari stated this in a condolence message issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Monday.

    The president also described late Mohammed, one-time Military Administrator of Kaduna State and Chairman of Freedom Radio Kano, as a fountain of inspiration who loved the progress of Nigeria at all times.

    “AVM Mohammed was so passionately committed to his principles and beliefs that he had to leave his military career earlier than expected on account of those principles.

    “Very few Nigerians are ready to lose their jobs or offices on account of their beliefs, but the late Mohammed was an exception to this ugly reality of Nigeria, a society where public office holders respect power more than principles,’’ he said.

    The President also recalled the significant role played by the late Air Force Officer in the realization of his people’s desire for the creation of the present Jigawa State.

    He extended his condolences to the government, the family and people of Jigawa and Kano States over the loss of this illustrious public figure.

    President Buhari prayed to Allah to forgive his gentle soul.

    Late Muhammad, who was the Wazirin Dutse in Jigawa, died on Sunday in a London hospital after a protracted illness.

    He was also the first Governor of Kaduna State, after its creation in 1977, by the defunct military administration of Olusegun Obasanjo.

    NAN

  • Anambra guber poll: AD did not submit candidates names before deadline – INEC

    Anambra guber poll: AD did not submit candidates names before deadline – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has said that the Alliance for Democracy ( AD ) did not submit necessary forms and details of its candidates for Anambra governorship election before the deadline for submission.

    INEC Director of Publicity and Voter Education, Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi disclosed this in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

    The AD had on Wednesday, in a letter written to INEC by its factional National Chairman, Alhaji Ismail Ayodele, said that the names of its candidates were omitted from the list of contestants in the Anambra governorship poll.

     INEC had on Wednesday published list of 37 political parties and their candidates for the Nov. 18 governorship election.

    Osaze-Uzzi added that from the commission’s record the National Chairman of AD was Chief Joseph Avazi, and not Ayodele.

    “The party did not make a submission of the necessary forms and list of their candidates before the close of work on the last day for submission.

    “From our records, Ismaila Ayodele is the National Treasurer of the party, not its National chairman.

    “National Chairman is Chief Joseph Avazi,” Osaze-Uzzi said.

    The party according to the letter listed Nze Valentine Favour Onwuka and his running mate Chijioke Onyekaonwu, as the names of its candidates submitted to INEC for the election.

    The party according to Ayodele complied with Sections 85 and 87 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) in notifying INEC of its primary election held on Aug. 22 in Awka, Anambra State.

    Ayodele said that the primary was monitored by INEC while the party also collected and submitted forms F001 and F002 to the commission.

    “We are therefore surprised that the names of our Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidates did not appear in your published list of candidates for the Election.

    “We urge you to use your good offices to rectify this and ensure that the names of our candidates are included in the list of those contesting the election.

    “We reaffirm our confidence in the Commission and believe that all eligible candidates for the Governorship Election are given the opportunity to participate in it.

    “This is the only way we will deepen our emerging democracy.

    “We look forward to the inclusion of our Party’s Candidates names in your list,” the statement reads.

    NAN

  • Introspection at Nigeria’s Independence

    Introspection at Nigeria’s Independence

    Fifty seven (57) years ago, the joy and happiness in the air was enough to choke sorrow out. That joy that was written on the faces of every Nigerian; that joy that showed how sweet ones freedom could be. Oh! That joy of independence!

    Our fore fathers chanted independence like their lives depended on it.

    They came together irrespective of their diversity in ideologies and political activities, they wanted this independence so badly because they never wanted the next generation to be brought forth into captivity.

    They saw a great nation that if well-handled could become the world next super power.

    Oh! That dream of independence that sounded more like a pledge that must be achieved.

    On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained her Independence; this singular declaration put a stop to the imperial domination by our then slave masters – Britain.

    The birth of Nigeria was heralded with the Green and White Flag fluttering in the cold and misty October night symbolizing the aspirations of millions who had looked forward with hope to the end of British rule with promises of a brighter future.

    Finally, the freedom was here and everyone became “tipsy” of it, yet we were not satisfied. We clamoured for a Republican state which we got.

    Everyone went about their businesses. Before we knew it greed came to play, selfish motives became the order of the day and oh!, that dream of independence became a mirage.

    Soon enough, it began to look like this so called independence was a prey in the midst of hungry wolves. It began to look like a stage set for a “political drama”.

    That independence that staged a new Nigeria devoid of the Britain’s touch; that same independence that gave power and right to the youngest child in Nigeria.

    However, it is the same independence that have become entangled and froth with political rivalry, corruption, nepotism, tribalism and an overt display of prebendal politics.

    Don’t get me wrong, I mean this same independence came with a lot of good packages too.

    It pioneered self-governance till this very moment, made us the king of Africa and showed how well we can handle this country on our own… even with a lot of hiccups here and there which is inevitable.

    At independence, the young Nation was expected to play a leading role in the world; it was expected to be a future economic and political powerhouse and the pride of the black race, however, that was 57 years ago.

    Today, the dream of a great Nation has become a nightmare.

    It has been 57 years of a failed or failing dream to many. Hopes have turned to despair; frustration and anger are widespread across the land.

    The dream at independence seems to be deferred.

    Yes, of a truth a lot has happened to us as a nation with different seceding governments throwing the masses into long nights of sorrows and short-lived joyous daybreaks.

    As a people, we have had our share of pain and pleasure, boom and gloom, economic and political crest and troughs. Let’s for a moment be oblivious of our overwhelming problems and remember to celebrate our little wins and victories.

    As we celebrate our Independence which is founded mostly on the sweats and bloods of our Heroes past, let’s ensure that their sacrifices would not be in vain.

    It’s another year to count our blessings not our curses; our gains not our losses.

    So let us look at the brighter side of a changed country and hope for a better tomorrow.

    God bless Nigeria!

  • Customs Zone B gets new coordinator

    Customs Zone B gets new coordinator

    The new Coordinator, Zone B, Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Controller General Udo-Aka Akpan has assumed duty on Friday in Kaduna.

    Akpan formally took over from ACG Aminu Dahiru, who was deployed to take charge of Zone A of the customs service in Lagos.

    Akpan was in charge of Oyo and Osun command before his deployment to Kaduna.

    The ACG explained that he plan to take the command to the next level in line with the mandate given him by the Controller General of Customs, retired Col. Hamid Ali.

    He said: “Whatever is going to give us more revenue will be improved by enforcing discipline; without discipline we cannot achieve anything.

    “We will make sure that the controller general’ s mandate is fully understood by all, and all hands will be on deck to achieve the target, there will be no room for laxity.”

    NAN

  • ‘Customs generates 75% revenue in Kaduna’

    ‘Customs generates 75% revenue in Kaduna’

    The Nigeria Customs Service, Zone B, Kaduna, has generated over 75 per cent of its revenue target for 2017, outgoing coordinator of the zone, Assistant Controller of Customs, Aminu Dahiru, has said.

    Dahiru said in an interview shortly handing over to the new zonal coordinator, that the command had a revenue target of N24 billion for the year.

    He attributed the success to the commitment of customs personnel in the zone, and expressed confidence that the zone would surpass its revenue target by the end of the year.

    “As tradition demands, I am not supposed to blow my trumpet, but the truth of the matter is that we have done well in the area of revenue generation.

    “I may not be able to give the exact figure right away, but from our calculation what we have achieved so far is almost 75 per cent in the first, second and third quarters.

    “So definitely meeting the balance may not be a problem, more so, we are expecting more revenue from the Kaduna international airport when Ethiopian airline begins cargo operation.”

    On smuggling, Dahiru said the zone had fought it to a standstill, and had made several interceptions and seizures especially of illicit drugs and other contraband.

    He put the total value of the seizures made during the year at over N1.4 billion, adding that 1,500 different items including vehicles and rice were confiscated.

    The customs official commended communities in the zone for their support to customs personnel, which had facilitated effective patrols and protection of the land borders from smugglers.

    “We have taken sensitive security measures in all identified illegal routes used by smugglers and it will be a continue process,” he added.

    Dahiru commended customs personnel in the zone for their support and sacrifice and urged them to extend the same level of cooperation to his successor.

    Reports that Dahiru has been moved to Lagos to take charge of the Nigeria Customs Service, Zone A.

    NAN

  • UNN to conduct 2017 post-UTME Oct. 3

    UNN to conduct 2017 post-UTME Oct. 3

    University of Nigeria, Nsukka ( UNN ), is to conduct the 2017 post-University Tertiary Matriculation Examination ( UTME ) from Oct. 3 to Oct. 9, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Charles Igwe, has said.

    Igwe made the disclosure in an interview in Nsukka, Enugu State, on Friday.

    He said that measures had been put in place to ensure a successful 2017 screening examination.

    “Qualified candidates for the exam are those who scored 200 and above, made UNN  their choice university and have registered online for the exam.

    “Invigilators, supervisors  as well as other personnel that will be involved have been mobilised  and are ready for the exam,” he said.

    He said the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps would provide security for the exercise.

    “The army,  police, civil defence and SSS will help to ensure adequate security as they will patrol 24 hours in UNN and Nsukka town,’’ he said.

    Igwe said that the university would provide hostel accommodation at the cost of N3,000 for two nights for candidates who had no relatives to accommodate them  in Nsukka.

    “The two nights include night of the day of arrival for the exam and night of the day the candidate writes the exam,” he said.

    He appealed to Nsukka residents, especially the motorists, tricycle operators and motor-cyclists to assist candidates by directing them appropriately as some of them might be coming to Nsukka for the first time.

    “We should treat candidates who will come from different states across the country as our sons, daughters, brothers and sisters.

    “We should be fair and assist them instead of exploiting them financially  by collecting N100 where we are supposed to collect N50 as transport fare.

    “Candidates for the exam should also conduct themselves orderly before, during and after the exam as anyone caught in any form of violence or crime will be arrested by law enforcement agents.

    “UNN management, staff and students wish candidates success in the screening exam,” he said

    NAN

  • Court sentence man to death for killing father

    Court sentence man to death for killing father

    A Plateau State High Court on Friday sentenced a 20-year-old man, Ponjul Yakubu, to death by hanging, for shooting his father to death.

    Reports says that Justice A.I. Ashoms gave the sentence after he found Yakubu guilty of a one-count charge of culpable homicide, punishable with death under section 221 of the Penal Code.

    “Going by the findings of this court, you, Ponjul Yakubu, mercilessly took the life of your father, Mr Domsing Yakubu, in cold blood.

    “You have, however, shown remorse and appeared sober throughout your trial; however, this sentence is mandatory as the law states that any person convicted of murder shall be punished with death by hanging.

    “The sentence of this court upon you is that you, Ponjul Yakubu, will be hanged until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul,” he declared.

    Reports suggest that Yakubu was arraigned on July 8, 2015, to face a one-count charge of culpable homicide punishable with death, after allegedly committing the crime on May 5, 2015.

    Yakubu was specifically accused of using his father’s dane gun to kill him ( father ), while the old man was taking an afternoon nap under a tree in their home at Dorowa, in Vwang Gwong Village, Shendam Local Government, Plateau State.

    When Yakubu appeared in court, however, he pleaded not guilty to the allegation of killing his father.

    The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Gideon Azi of the Plateau State Ministry of Justice, who investigated the matter, however, told the court that Yakubu had confessed to killing his father for refusing to buy a motorcycle for him.

    “He ( Yakubu ) confessed that he returned home on the said date and found his father sleeping on a mat under a tree, went into his ( father )’s room, took his loaded gun and shot him at close range,” Azi told the court.

    Azi submitted Yakubu’s confessional statement to the court as evidence, and quoted the accused as saying that he committed the crime alone.

    Yakubu promptly owned up to the statement that bore his thumb print.

    Azi further quoted the accused as saying that his father, after harvesting about a thousand tubers of yam and several   bags of maize and millet, promised to buy a motorcycle for him after selling them.

    The accused was further quoted as saying that his father sold the farm produce without consulting him, and also refused to buy the motorcycle as promised, an action that provoked him into killing him.

    Speaking to reporter after the judgement, Mr Singa Zhatau, the Defense Counsel, said that the judgement was right in view of the evidence presented in the court.

    “Before taking any further step to appeal, I want to state that the reasoning in this judgement is valid.

    “Justice is a three-way traffic – justice for the state, the accused and the victim.

    “I believe that this judgement would further reassure the society that justice can be obtained in the courts.

    “This confidence building will go a long way in addressing the rampant instances of jungle justice that are becoming common in the country,” he said.

    NAN

  • Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s surrogate spotted

    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s surrogate spotted

    Reality queen Kim Kardashian and her Grammy winner husband Kanye West’s surrogate carrying their third child has been pictured for the first time.

    According to MailOnline, Kim confirmed the news that she and Kanye are having a third child, on Thursday night.

    The reality TV couple were said to have paid the surrogate an estimated $75,000 in June to carry a sibling (due in late January) for their daughter North, four, and son Saint, 21 months.

    Pictured in September, this is the first sighting of the expectant African-American 27-year-old following Kim’s confirmation that they are having a third child.

    The secret surrogate wore a white T-shirt over her five-month bump, cuffed blue jeans, and black sandals, while strolling through a playground in September.

    ‘She’ll also receive a $4,500 monthly “discomfort” allowance; if she gives birth by cesarean, she’ll earn a $2,000 bonus and she’ll receive a $5,000 bonus if she has twins,’ an insider told Radar Online.

    ‘Kim liked her immediately and Kanye thought she looked a little like Kim, which no doubt helped her get selected.’

    The stay-at-home San Diego woman was previously paid to be a surrogate in 2014, and it didn’t hurt that she’s a big fan of Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

    ‘She’s watched all of the shows, and Kim’s vanity was touched when she found out,’ a source added.

    Also, TMZ recently reported that the surrogate, a registered Democrat and college graduate has two sons of her own with her husband of five years, and their marriage is ‘solid.’

    The 36-year-old mother-of-two confirmed the baby news Thursday by sharing a preview for the 14th season of her E! series airing Sundays on cable TV, with her 188.1million social media followers.

    Kim, a devout Atkins dieter who finally whittled her surgically enhanced 5ft3in figure down to 115lbs, cannot carry anymore children due to complications from pre-eclampsia.

    It comes amid mounting speculation that her 33-year-old sisters, Khloé, as well as her 20-year-old half-sister Kylie Jenner are pregnant from NBA basketball player Tristan Thompson and Grammy-nominated rapper Travis Scott, respectively.

    They are both reportedly due in February; one month after Kim’s surrogate will give birth to a daughter, if sources are to be believed.

    The most famous, wealthy and entrepreneurial of her siblings, Kim has a net worth of about $175 million.

    Over the last year, Kim made $45.5 million, making her the 47th richest celebrity on the Forbes list of the 100 highest-earning celebrities in 2016.
    Kim was robbed at gunpoint in her hotel in Paris, during Fashion Week in October 2016 .

    The robbers stole nearly $9 million worth of jewelry including a $4 million diamond engagement ring from Kanye.

    Known for her frequent use of social media, Kim kept a low profile in the months after the traumatic event and has since recounted the robbery in detail on the family’s show.

    NAN

     

  • Qatar calls for conflict to settle migration issues

    Qatar calls for conflict to settle migration issues

    Qatar says the best way to resolve the issues of refugees and migration is to eliminate the major causes that forced those to leave their home countries, Qatar news agency( QNA ) reported on Friday.

    Qatar’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Al-Marri, stated this in Doha in his speech at the opening session of the regional consultative meeting on international migration.

    Al-Marri said that factors responsible for migration are conflicts, marginalisation, economic and social weaknesses as well as instability.

    He said that Qatar would continue to support the efforts made by the UN Economic and Social Commission for West Asia ( ESCWA ) and others to reach global consensus on the issue of refugees for the benefit of the international community.

    Others are the Arab League and International Organisation for Migration ( IOM ).

    Eighteen Arab countries make up ESCWA and it is aimed at promoting economic and social development in western Asia through regional and sub-regional cooperation and integration.

    NAN

  • Merkel, Macron pledge to lead EU forward post-Brexit

    Merkel, Macron pledge to lead EU forward post-Brexit

    French President, Emmanuel Macron, won backing from Angela Merkel for plans to reform the EU after Brexit, founded on what the German chancellor called “intense” cooperation between Paris and Berlin.

    But during an EU dinner in Estonia that lasted till midnight ahead of a formal summit on Friday, some leaders sounded wary of the youthful new French leader’s ambitious ideas, set out in a speech at the Sorbonne on Tuesday, for deepening EU integration.

    Merkel, re-elected for a fourth term on Sunday but weakened by the rise of an insurgent eurosceptic opposition, met Macron for half an hour before dinner and, according to a French aide, welcomed his speech as “visionary” and a return of co-founder France as a driving force in the European Union project.

    But she also noted differences.

    Some of her potential new coalition partners, along with northern governments like the Dutch and Finns, are very dubious about his suggestions for pooling budgets with less fiscally austere states in the south.

    “As far as the proposals were concerned, there was a high level of agreement between Germany and France.

    “We must still discuss the details, but I am of the firm conviction that Europe can’t just stay still but must continue to develop,” she said.

    French officials said Macron, who they said spoke again with Merkel at length after the late-night dinner, was not trying to impose his ideas but to show others that they were in their common interest and recognised that some needed time to reflect.

    “The idea is not about forcing people to give a binary response.

    France cannot force things,” one said, adding that Paris hoped leaders could agree on a way to work on the ideas in the coming weeks before an October summit in Brussels.

    “The dinner,” a Macron aide said, “Was a chance to share further the Sorbonne project … Things are on the move.”

    An EU official said that the dinner had shown there was a “strong and shared willingness to maintain the unity” and that the EU should be “open to address new ideas” while continuing to work to deliver concrete results for citizens.

    Summit Chair, Donald Tusk, would consult governments in the coming two weeks and make proposals for how to follow up on the debate about reform at a summit in Brussels on Oct. 19-20.

    European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, proposed similar but different reforms earlier this month and called for a landmark summit of the 27 in Romania on the day Britain leaves the EU in 18 months time, on March 30, 2019.

    British Prime Minister, Theresa May, also attended the dinner in spite of Britain’s increasing isolation as it prepares to quit.

    She took the opportunity of Friday’s “digital summit” in Tallinn to visit British troops on a NATO mission in northern Estonia and pledged post-Brexit security cooperation with European neighbours confronting Russian threats.

    May arrived with a better sense of whether her keynote major Brexit speech last Friday has succeeded in unblocking talks in Brussels on Britain’s divorce package.

    The chief EU negotiator, Michel Barnier, praised on Thursday a “new dynamic” to Brexit negotiations created by concessions made by May although progress was still not sufficient to allow discussions on future trade relations.

    EU officials said she should not expect direct feedback in Tallinn from the other leaders.

    But she was expected to talk to Merkel and others individually as she pursues her quest for agreement to open talks on close ties with the bloc.

    Friday’s talks on a “digital agenda” for Europe will range from ways to ease cross-border flows of data while protecting privacy to cyber security and taxing online businesses.

    NAN