The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria News

  • Lagos-Ibadan Expressway gridlock: residents turn refugees on Island, Churches

    As the gridlock along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway occasioned by the ongoing reconstruction of the road by Julius Berger Construction Company bites harder, residents working in Lagos now take refuges on the Island, mainland and in churches.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hundreds of residents living in the adjourning communities along the ever busy expressway but working in Lagos now squat in various places ranging from churches to relatives and friends.

    The residents who spoke to NAN lamented the lackadaisical attitude of the contractor (Julius Berger) handling the road that reputably has 250 vehicles on it every day.

    The 127.6-kilometre-long road inaugurated by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1978 is one of the largest road network in Africa and the busiest inter-state route in Nigeria.

    The only accessible road that leads to the commercial capital of the country is however awarded for reconstruction after years of neglect by the previous governments.

    The reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, according to the commuters is moving at a snail’s speed owing to the years already spent on building it.

    The section being handled by the Julius Berger from Sagamu to Lagos, however, looks the guiltiest of the commuter’s complaints as the company has been accused of unprofessional conduct in handling the reconstruction.

    There are times when accidents involving articulated will cause gridlock for hours on the road because there are no recovery vehicles to pull them away, especially the Ogun State axis of the road.

    There are also times when commuters are forced down from their vehicles to resort to trekking which may take hours, some getting home by 2 a.m. against 5 p.m. when they left their offices.

    The gridlock is compounded by road diversion by the Berger Construction Company to allow reconstruction of the 600 meters stretch of the expressway from Kara Bridge inward Berger.

    The Kara Bridge inward Berger road has become a nightmare since its partial closure on Sept. 2 as motorists and commuters spend hours in the gridlock close to two hours everyday.

    One of the complaints of the commuters is on the absence of recovery vehicles to tow away breakdown vehicles from the road, especially articulated trucks and tankers.

    Mr Abiodun Obadan told NAN that the reason for the regular occurrence of vehicular breakdown was due to the stress on the road, adding that most of the car engines would have worn out before getting to Berger.

    “We are facing a lot of problem on the road. Julius Berger handling the section of Sagamu to Lagos has not been fair to us at all because they are just reconstructing the road in bits.

    “From Mowe where I stays to Berger, there are about three to four diversions which cause traffic, so imagine a car in traffic for four hours daily, what do you expect from that car.

    “Most of the vehicles plying the roads will develop fault as a result of overheating occasioned by the heavy traffic. And if I may ask, what is the wisdom in reconstructing the roads in bits?

    “Another problem is the mismanagement of the road, the road which should have been four lanes has been narrowed to two lanes yet, Berger will not patch the potholes on the narrowed lanes,’’ he said.

    Mr Femi Adelola, one of the residents living in Asese but forced to relocate to his friends place, said he took the decision so as not to lose his job.

    “I am almost on the edge because I already have two queries as a result of coming late to work and this is nothing else than hours spent on getting to Lagos.

    “Before I relocated, I will have to leave my home around 5 a.m., but will not be able to get to work until 9.a.m., because I am working on the Island.

    “The worst part of it is that the long hours spent in the traffic is already taking toll on my health because I barely sleep, the contractor, Berger is the one mismanaging the road.

    “They don’t care about the gridlock on the road at all. Is it proper for Julius Berger’s workers to close from the site as early as 4 a.m, for a road that is as busy as that?

    Mr Soji Martins who now relocated to Gbagada, said the decision to relocate was best for him, adding that he almost lost his life to armed robbers attack on the long bridge.

    “I had to abandon my house and seek for tenants because I cannot cope again. Imagine that I was attacked when coming from work on the long bridge because there was no presence of security personnel.

    “On that fateful day when I was attacked, the robbers had a field day and the worst part of it is that it was around 10 p.m. after we have spent hours on the road,’’ he said.

    A retiree of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Mr Oladotun Owamokele, told NAN that he had to be sleeping in the church to avoid sleeping on the road.

    “I am now a refugee in the church because I cannot stand the rigour of spending hours in the traffic.

    “I don’t understand the reason for leaving broken down vehicles on the narrowed lanes without being attended to. Sometimes, it can take two hours to remove them from the busy road.

    “If Julius Berger cannot afford to buy recovery vehicles, why can’t government a agency such as Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) buy them to easy the traffic?

    “I must also say that Julius Berger as a construction company looks incapable of handling the reconstruction the road using the other contractor handling other side as yardstick,’’ he said.

  • Gunmen attack army general’s house, kill guard

    Malual Ayom Dor, the former deputy military chief for administration, said that his residence at Hai Nyakuron West in Juba was attacked by unknown gunmen on Sunday evening.
    Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, Lieutenant General Malual Ayom said his security guard, Garang Deng, who was posted outside the residence was killed when unknown assailants opened fire outside the house, adding the attackers also took phones from his nephew.

    “The incident occurred when the security guard and my nephew Ayom Lueth were returning home from my late brother’s house where they normally have dinner,” he said.

    “When the two people were coming home, two armed men in plain clothes emerged from the gate and asked my nephew who was ahead to kneel down, so after they asked my nephew to surrender his wallet and phones, they shot Garang when he appeared,” he added.

    Read Also: Unknown gunmen attack Ebonyi community kill 10 persons

    The security guard was rushed to Juba Military Hospital after being shot but died on Monday while being treated, he said.

    The South Sudanese army general pointed out that he was not present when the incident took place. “I left Juba for Nairobi on Sunday, but I will go back to Juba to attend the funeral,” he said.

    Malual pointed out that the motive of the attack that left his security guard dead remains unclear.

  • Two killed as angry ‘Okada’ riders set police vehicle ablaze in A’Ibom

    The attrition war between the police and commercial motorcyclists otherwise called ‘Okada’ over government’s regulation of motorcycle operations in Akwa Ibom state is yet to abate.

    This is as the police and the ‘Okada’ riders clashed on Tuesday in the oil city of Eket resulting in the death of two commercial motorcyclists and the burning of a Volvo station wagon car used by the police for surveillance.

    Police spokesman, Odiko MacDon SP confirmed the incident and said that 19 suspects have been arrested in connection with the fracas in Eket.

    MacDon said the suspects arrested had defied government’s restriction order which allows Okada riders to operate between 6 am and 6 pm.

    He insisted that the police cannot be intimidated to stop the enforcement of government’s directive.

    Saturday’s incident happened just a week after the police allegedly killed an ‘Okada’ rider in Uyo which sparked off wild protest resulting in the torching of the NTA station and massive destruction of properties in the capital city.

    The Nation gathered that tension in Eket reached a breaking point following an order placed by Eket local authorities restricting the operation of Okada riders to 6pm and 6am. The government had said the decision was to check the upsurge in crime in the area.

    It was gathered that some okada riders did accept the restriction order and went ahead to operate beyond the government time limit.

    An eyewitness Emman Okposin said the police surveillance team chased them away from the road from 5:30pm as against the 6pm deadline and that they beat his colleagues and impound their motorcycles.

    Okposin said , last Sunday night one their members was shot dead by the police while chasing the operators from road.

    ” Last Sunday our member was shot dead in the night and the corpse has been deposited in mortuary at Immanuel General hospital , Eket.

    Continuing, Okposin said the incident that caused them to revolt occurred yesterday when a policeman beat a motorcyclists and he collapsed on the spot before the victim was rushed to hospital.

    He said the victim identified as Udo from Idung Udoe in the area died previous night while receiving treatment at Immanuel General Hospital , Eket.

    Read Also: Police confirm killing of wanted kidnapper, ‘Lucifer’ in Rivers

    ” Our member udo from Idung Udoe in Eket died last night from injuries he sustained in the hands of police so we revolted.”

    He said the youths and all motorcyclists operators took the corpse to Eket local government council and later to the area police station as the council chairman Frank Archibong was not available to address them .

    Okposin said the police prevented them from entering their station and they returned the corpse to the mortuary.

    He said all the cyclists and the youths regrouped and moved to police checkpoint along James Town road and burn down their patrol vehicle as policemen at the checkpoint escaped.

  • Eleven suspected cultists in Police net

    Eleven persons suspected to be members of Aiye Confraternity have reportedly been arrested in Okwu Olokoro community in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.

    Reports have it that street cults have been sprouting in different parts of the state especially areas where there is presence of higher institutions as unconfirmed reports have it that members of various cult groups go beyond their respective institutions to canvass for membership. This is even as they took the advantage to lure youths of secondary schools among others into their fold.

    Information available to our reporter has it that the suspects were in one of the forest in the community to carry out initiation exercise when luck ran out on them.

    Sources in the community disclosed that the community has launched manhunt on the alleged cult leader identified as Chinomso Ochulo also known as “Agwa Ojoo” (bad character).

    Read Also: ‘Killers’ of police officer arrested in Aba

    Some members of the community who pleaded not to be mentioned told our reporter that the suspects who confessed to be members of Aiye Cult were indigenes of Abia and Imo State.

    The sources added that the suspected members of the cult group claimed that they were in the bush between Okwu Olokoro and Nnono Oboro in Ikwuano local government area for a meeting and not for any initiation reasons.

    When contacted, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Okon Eneh confirmed that the eleven suspects were in police custody.

    Eneh stated that investigation at the time of filing the report was ongoing, adding that the suspects would be arraigned in court after the investigation.

    The State Police Boss, who disclosed that an axe was recovered from them, also urged parents and guardians to monitor the friends their children/wards keep both at home and in school.

     

  • Beware of those who wants us divided, Alaafin warns Yorubas

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has called for unity and oneness among the Yoruba speaking people of the country, saying only through that can the desired development of the region be accomplished.

    The monarch made the call on Tuesday while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected executive council and committee members of the umbrella body of all Ibadan sociocultural groups, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) at Ibadan House, Oke Are, Ibadan.

    Some of the prominent dignitaries at the event include the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola, Ex-Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Chief Bode Amoo, the state commissioner of Police, Shina Olukolu, CCII President-General, Mr Yemi Soladoye among other prominent indigenes and friends of Ibadan.

    The event also saw the Ibadan House headquarters of the Council, a police station among others commissioned by the dignitaries.

    Alaafin who chaired the event, in a brief remark noted that there are some indications that some elements are bent on dividing the Yoruba’s for different reasons, but warned that the people must be careful and ensure unity of purpose.

    He also emphasis the place of living in love and peace for unity to be achieved in the region.

    He said, “Some people want to divide the Yorubas but we should be very careful.

    “We should continue to live in peace, in one love and in unity so that we can have the desired development for our region.

    “There is no love within us in Yorubaland, and we have to learn how to live in love and peace within ourselves and I can assure you that this will foster the development we are yearning for in our region.”

    In his speech, former Governor Ajimobi said the quality of the leadership of the CCII often makes him a proud Ibadan man any day and every time, noting that the exemplary leadership styles of the Soladoye led Council is worth commending.

    Read Also: Alaafin: talking straight to Buhari

    He recounted that during his tenure as Oyo state governor, some amount of monies were raised to build an ultra-modern central palace for the Olubadan, but was quite surprised that the project has remained uncompleted till date.

    He however assured that he will not be discouraged from doing more in his capacities to contribute more to the completion of the project.

    He said, “During my tenure as governor of this state, we raised the sum of N240 million to build an ultra modern palace for Olubadan but it is quite unfortunate that the palace is still yet to be completed.

    “I suspected that some people that are in charge of that money and the project were not judicious in its usage. But I will continue to contribute my efforts to make sure that the project is completed.”

    Earlier in his address, CCII President-General, Mr Yemi Soladoye called on all indigenes of the ancient city to always be ready to contribute to the development of the city, especially on terms of ongoing projects to uplift the state.

    He recounted the various achievements of the immediate past executive which he led, noting that the city is still a long way to go.

    He said, “Despite the fact that we have made some modest progress in the life of Ibadanland, there is still a long way for us to go as a people.

    “The fate of Ibadanland has been left for too long in the hands of basically nobody. Most of us see just the privileges of being Ibadan indigenes and not the responsibilities.

    “The aspects of Ibadanland that is known to the rest of the world are a people that lack political unity, people with crisis in their traditional system, people with fragmented leadership and the most populated single ethnic group in Nigeria that does not have its own state, palace or united ethnic agenda.

    “We are a people that do not appreciate our self-worth and the leadership role that we must play in Yorubaland in Nigeria. We are loved and respected by others, but we hate ourselves with passion.

    “We are a people that prefer to cede our love outsiders than to ourselves and our fighting strength exhibited more at home than outside”, Soladoye lamented.

     

     

     

  • I won’t interfere in Ibadan traditional chieftaincy system – Gov. Makinde

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday promised not to interfere in the Ibadan traditional chieftaincy system, but work to achieve its  desired goals.

    The governor gave the assurance during the 86th birthday anniversary and chieftaincy celebration of High Chief (Mrs) Theresa Oyekanmi.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

    Oyekanmi was recently installed as the 14th Iyalode of Ibadan land after the demise of Alhaja Aminat Abiodun.

    Makinde was represented by Mrs Funmi Orisadeyi, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

    Read Also: ‘It’s unfair to assess Makinde now’

    “As your son, I am reassuring you of my support for the progress of Ibadan.

    “Let me re-state that I will not interfere in the Ibadan traditional chieftaincy system,” he said.

    He solicited the support of traditional institutions across the state for his administration in transforming the state.

    The governor congratulated the new Iyalode of Ibadanland, praying that she would live long.

    The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, also prayed that his reign and that of the Iyalode would last long and bring the desired growth to Ibadan land.

    NAN reports that the event was attended by prominent sons and daughters of Ibadan land as well as associations.

    Among the dignitaries are Oba Lekan Balogun, Otun Olubadan of Ibadan land; High Chief Lekan Alabi, Agbaakin of Ibadan land; and Chief Sarafadeen Alli, a former Secretary to Oyo State Government

    NAN

     

  • Poll: EFCC grills INEC accountant, three others over diversion of N84.6m allowances

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and quizzed four officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for alleged diversion of N84, 696,000 meant for the payment of ad hoc staff engaged for Presidential and Governorship elections.

    The suspects, who were grilled by the Sokoto Zonal Office of the anti –graft agency, are from Zamfara State office of INEC.

    The suspects are the Administrative Secretary, Hassan Sidi Aliyu, the Head of Operations, Hussain Jafar, the State Accountant Abdullahi Yusuf Abubakar and Abdulmumin Usman.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said the suspects were grilled for “alleged case of conspiracy, breach of trust and criminal diversion of Ad Hoc staff allowance to the tune of N84, 696,000”

    The statement said: “The petitioner, one Abdullahi Nasiru, who wrote on behalf of all presiding officers that worked for INEC during the 2019 Presidential and Gubernatorial elections in Zamfara State, alleged that the Ad hoc staff were denied payment of their N6,000 movement allowance each for the two elections.

    Read Also; I have sold over 30 children, says suspect

    “He further alleged that what the INEC officials in Zamfara paid to them was different from what other states paid their Ad hoc staff. The INEC office in Zamfara allegedly paid its staff N9000 while in other states like Sokoto State, the electoral commission paid N12000 each.

    “Investigation by the EFCC revealed that none of the 10,500 presiding officers who participated in the elections were paid their entitlements cumulatively put at N84, 696,000

    “Efforts are being made by the Commission to recover the money criminally diverted by INEC heads of department and Electoral Officers of the 14 local governments in Zamfara State namely; Abdullahi Sambawa (Zurmi LGA); Aliyu Jafaru Goronyo( Maradun LGA); Balarabe Ahmed S Gobir (Gummi LGA); Amadu Ibrahim (Gusau LGA); Mohammed Bashir Musa (Kaura Namoda LGA); Dalhatu Usman Musa (Birnin Magaji LGA); Abdulmumin Usman (Maru LGA); Muhammad Nasir Saidu (Talatu Mafara LGA); Abdullahi A. Ukashatu (Tsafe LGA); Tukur Garba Kaita (Bungudu LGA); Salihu Musa Abdullahi (Bukuyun LGA); Sadiq Abdullahi, Fari (Anka LGA); Lawali Muhammed, Argungu (Bakura LGA); Jafaru Gide, (Shinkafi LGA); Tanimu Muhammad (Shinkafi LGA); Hassan Abdullahi (Shinkafi LGA).

    “The suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is completed.

     

  • Nigeria at 59: Youths urge FG to tackle unemployment

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Ogun Youths Advocates, has urged the Federal Government to tackle unemployment, as Nigeria celebrates its 59th independence.

    The group, led by its Chairman, Mr Alao Oluseyi, spoke with newsmen after a courtesy visit to the Stella Obasanjo Children’s Home on Tuesday in Abeokuta, where food items were distributed to the inmates.

    Oluseyi, who noted that government was doing its best in the area of employment, emphasised that crimes would be reduced in the country, if the youth were gainfully employed.

    The chairman advised politicians to stop seeing the youth as veritable instruments during elections, adding that they (youths) too should have a say in government.

    He expressed the group’s commitment to fighting for the interest of youths, especially in the area of employment.

    Oluseyi urged Nigerian leaders to serve as sources of inspiration and role models for youths in the country rather than seeing them as touts who should be used for selfish political interest.

    “We are advocating for employment for youths, but we are here today to visit the motherless babies so that they can know their importance in the society.

    Read Also: ‘Don’t turn disabled youths to beggars’

    “We are also celebrating the Independence Day with them.

    “In Ogun Youths Advocate, we are trying our best to make sure that all the youth in Ogun enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group donated money and food items to the Home.

    In another development, the Federation of Informal Workers’ Organisation of Nigeria (FIWON), an NGO, has also called on government at all levels to focus on developing the industrial sector to check the current unemployment statistics and create more jobs and wealth.

    The state Coordinator, Mr Olayinka Ibrahim, made the call in an interview with NAN on Tuesday in Osogbo.

    Ibrahim said “The collapse of the industrial sector has led to the continuous influx of unemployed youths from the formal sector to the informal one, which demands urgent attention.

    “People, who could not secure white collar job, are now trying to acquire learning skills.

    “Government must pay attention to the sector by investing directly on industries, and this is key to development and growth.

    He congratulated Nigerians on the 59th Independence anniversary and urged them to continue praying for the country.

    Ibrahim, however, appealed to the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to pay more attention to human growth through wealth and job creation.

    NAN

     

  • Independence Day: Bello pardons 35

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has granted pardon to 35 inmates and commuted the sentences of 13 others in correctional centres across the state.

    This was contained in his Independent Day address to the people of state.

    The governor noted that the Kogi State Advisory Council, in consonance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), on the prerogative of mercy Law, 1995, visited several correctional centres in different parts, to this purpose.

    According to him, after careful scrutiny of various applications, supporting documents and testimonies by officials, the council compiled the list of those recommended and deserving of a second chance.

    Those pardoned include Shaibu Zakari, James Sheidu, Muhammed Yahaya at Okene prisons, and Sunday Adeyemi at Idah prisons.

    Read Also: Why APC will retain Kogi, by Bello

    Others are Ugbede John, Ojonugwa Mathew, Abdulmumuni Yakubu, and Muhammed Haruna (Ankpa), while Daniel Ochonu and Abdulrahman were freed from the Koton-Karfe prisons.

    The governor called on the communities of those that were pardoned to tolerate and absolve them and be given another chance in life.

    ”It is human to err but the act of forgiveness is divine; the beneficiaries of this exercise should be given every form of assistance that would be required by them for a restart.

    ”I, therefore, also expect the beneficiaries to reciprocate this gesture by eschewing evil and living at peace in their respective communities,” he said.

     

     

  • Kwara workers yet to receive N18,000 minimum wage – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kwara Council has said that workers in the state have never enjoyed full implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage since 2011.

    Mr Saheed Muritala, the state acting Chairman of NLC, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Ilorin while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Muritala said that workers on Grade Level 07 and above were being paid what he described as ‘amputated wage’ which, he said, was different from what was contained in the approved table.

    He urged Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to fulfil his pledge of ensuring full implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage ahead of the circular on the modalities for the implementation of the new N30,000 minimum wage.

    “What we know as it affects us in Kwara state here is the need to act fast on the implementation of N18,000 minimum wage across board.

    “We don’t enjoy the regular minimum wage here. The payment on ground now is an amputated wage which does not follow the national table, especially from Grade Levels 07 and above.

    Read Also : ‘Minimum wage non-payment is forced labour’

    “The present governor gave a promise that if voted in, he would pay full N18,000 minimum wage for all categories of civil servants in the state.

    “I so much believe that if this is done, whenever the circular for the new wage is out, we will not be cheated”, he said.

    The labour leader also urged the governor to approve the request for a meeting with labour leaders so that he could be briefed on the challenges facing the union in the state.

    Muritala stated that the union was ready to work with the present administration to serve the interest and welfare of the workers.