The Nation Newspaper

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  • JUST IN: Six kidnapped on Kaduna-Abuja highway

    No fewer than six persons were kidnapped on Kaduna-Abuja highway on Sunday evening.

    The victims, our correspondent learnt, were travelling from Offa to Kaduna on board commercial bus of a transport company, Okin Motors

    The incident, according to sources, happened around Rijana axis of the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

    Though, police were yet to confirm the incident as at the time of filing this report, the Development Associations of Offa people Offa Descendants’ Union (ODU), said it was already making efforts to secure the victims’ release.

    National Public Relations Officer of the Union, Maruf Olalekan Ajenifuja, in a statement in Kaduna on Monday said, ODU has waded in and efforts are in top gear to secure the release of the victims.

    The statement added that all the abducted people would be released soonest.

    According to him: “The Offa Descendants’ Union (ODU) has received the sad news of the Kidnapping of 6 people travelling with Okin Motors from Offa to Kaduna yesterday.

    Read Also: Kidnappers of Siasia’s mum release victim, hold ransom payer captive

    “This worrisome incident happened at Rejana along Abuja – Kaduana Express Way thereby throwing many families into period of sorrow.

    ‘ODU has waded in and efforts are in top gear to secure the release of the victims and we hope they would be released soonest by the special grace of God.

    “We may not be able to give you details at the moment due to security reasons.”

    Meanwhile, Chairman Yoruba Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs in the 19 Northern states and Abuja, Ambassador Muhammad Arigbabuwo, has called for release of the victims

    The Monarch made the plea while speaking with reporters in Kaduna on Monday, appealing to their abductors to free them because they are people in search of means of survival.

    He also asked the government to improve the welfare packages of all security agents, especially those on the frontlines

  • IMN remains banned, says IGP

    The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu has described the proposed procession by the members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) as an act of terrorism.

    The IGP also noted that the group remains banned adding that any form of procession by it would be treated as a gathering to promote terrorism.

    The Force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba in a statement in Abuja on Monday, also stated that all Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police across the country have been directed to put measures in place to stop the procession.

    The statement reads: “It has come to the knowledge of the Nigeria Police Force that some members of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) intend to embark on a nationwide procession, ostensibly to cause disruption of public peace, order and security in the Country.

    “The Force notes that in line with the Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice 2019 of 26th July, 2019, the activities of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have been proscribed. Consequently, all gathering or procession by the group remains ultimately illegal and will be treated as a gathering in the advancement of terrorism.

    “To this end, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has directed the Commissioners of Police in all the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to put in place concrete measures to avert any planned procession and/or disruption of public peace by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, anywhere in the country.”

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    The IGP also urged members of the public to avail the Force with useful information as regards the activities of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

    The Police boss also advised parents and guardians to prevail on their children and wards not to be persuaded into embarking on illegal and ill-motivated activities by anyone or group of persons, under any guise whatsoever.

    On the claim that 60 of the IMN members were still in police custody, Mba said: “I don’t have information on that but I will check and revert.”

    As at the time of filing this report, he was yet to revert as promised.

  • Residents flee homes as cultists lay siege on parts of Uyo

    Residents of some parts of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, have vacated their homes following incessant attacks and harassments by hoodlums suspected to be cultists.

    Areas mostly affected, according to investigations by our correspondent, are School road, Itu road, Ikot Ekang, Church road, Nelson Mandela Street, Ikot Ndem Street, Udoette Street among others.

    The areas mentioned are situated within the axis of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) and the Uyo City Polytechnic, a private tertiary institution.

    Findings reveal that residents of these areas live in morbid fear due to the deadly operations of suspected cultists who invade houses and shops with guns, machetes and other weapons both day and night.

    A source who pleaded anonymity said, ”These boys who are members of various confraternities carry out their operations anytime it pleases them. Sometimes, they divided themselves to different directions for them to be faster.

    “Their major operations are entering people’s shops collecting phones, money, drinks and others valuable items. This happens in almost all the areas I have mentioned especially in Itu and School roads,” he said.

    A shop owner at School road told the Nation she used to stay in her shop up till 10pm or 11pm to do business but can no longer that due to frequent attacks by cultists.

    ”I used to keep my shop open to customers till 10pm or 11pm but I close early these days for fear of being robbed or killed by these bad boys.

    Read Also: Police demobilise 115 MOPOLs

    ”Many people who own shops around here now close. I have personally been robbed four times since i opened this shop. Some of us have ran away because we don’t want to be killed.

    ”There was a lawyer who owned a house in this area. His name is Barrister Umoh and we learnt he is the state director public prosecutions in the Ministry of Justice. He ran away and abandoned his house because of these cultists.

    ”Right now there is this information we got that the barrister is planning to sell his house. But who will be bold enough to buy such a house in an area that is not secure, she queried.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Odiko MacDon DSP said the police are aware of the situation and have beefed up security around the University of Uyo and its environs.

    ”We are trying our best to handle the situation but we urge residents of the affected areas to provide us with information that will help us fish out these hoodlums”, he said.

  • Rape: Busola Dakolo lists Ashimolowo as witness in case against Fatoyinbo

    Mrs Busola Dakolo, wife of Nigeria’s inspirational singer, Timi Dakolo, has finally dragged the Founder and Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, to court over her rape claims.

    An FCT High Court in a writ of summons obtained on Monday by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) dated Sept. 6 and served on Fatoyinbo, ordered the Pastor to appear before it within 14 days of the service or judgment may be given in his absence.

    “You are hereby commanded that within fourteen (14) days after the service of this writ on you, inclusive of the day of such service you do cause an appearance to be entered for you, in an action of Mrs Busola Dakolo.

    “And take notice that in default the claimant may proceed, and judgment may be given in your absence,” the summon read.

    NAN reports that the court may subpoena Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, the Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), as he has been listed among the witnesses Busola will be using to establish her case.

    Busola through her lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi & Co., is seeking the order of the court to compel Fatoyinbo to publish a clearly worded apology to Busola on the front page of at least two (2) National Newspapers and two National Televisions for seven days running consecutively.

    Read Also: Rape Case: Court summons Busola Dakolo, Fatoyinbo over rape allegation

    Busola Dakolo had two months ago made a shocking revelation in a detailed interview with Chude Jideonwo, a lawyer and journalist of how the Abuja-based cleric raped her as a teenager.

    She claimed that Fatoyinbo had sexual intercourse with her on Sept. 23 and Sept. 26, 2002, caused her continuous emotional distress and amount to intentional infliction of emotional distress.

    The viral video report had set social media and other online platforms on fire, evoking shock, backlash and criticisms from Nigerians, especially the Christian community.

    It will be recalled that Pastor Fatoyinbo was detained during interrogation over the rape allegation at the Force Headquarters in Abuja in August.

    He was eventually released on bail.

    He had earlier boycotted the panel set up by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to investigate the rape allegation against him, claiming that he was advised by his lawyers not to appear.

  • JUST IN: Xenophobia: 320 Nigerians to arrive Wednesday from South Africa

    The first batch of 320 Nigerians for evacuation from South Africa aboard Air Peace Airlines is expected to arrive the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday, Chairman of the airline Mr Allen Onyema has disclosed.

    The returnees, Onyema said, will touch down at the cargo wing of the Lagos Airport in collaboration with the airport and other security agencies.

    He said the first batch is part of the over 700 Nigerians so far captured to be brought back home by the indigenous carrier.

    Speaking in a telephone interview in Lagos, Onyema said the carrier has secured the necessary approvals from the relevant aviation and other authorities in Nigeria and South Africa for the exercise.

    He said the aircraft deployed for the operations and its crew will

    depart Nigeria Tuesday to return Wednesday in the afternoon.

    The aircraft, he said, will return to South Africa Wednesday to return with other Nigerians that could not be accommodated in the first batch.

    According to investigations, the cargo wing of the Lagos International Airport is already in preparatory mood to receive the returnees.

    According to a source, officials of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and others are already on the alert for the operations.

    Read Also: Xenophobia: Evacuation exercise may involve more than one flight

    Giving further details on the operations, Onyema said: “Air Peace

    is fully mobilised for the operations to return Nigerian stranded in South Africa.

    “Our mission is a patriotic offer to support the government and save the lives of Nigerians. Our crew will depart Lagos on Tuesday and return with the first batch of 320 on Wednesday. It is going to be a back- to- back operations until the over 700 so far captured are air lifted home.”

  • NYSC rewards doctor, geographer for Lagos projects

    A medical doctor, Saudat Ayomide Aminu and a Geographer, Babatunde Ajiwokewu, who completed their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in June were honoured during the closing ceremony of the three- week orientation programme for 2019 Batch B Stream II corps members at the Lagos camp on Monday.

    Dr Aminu was presented with N200,000 for donating a library to Military Primary School, Ikeja while Ajiwokewu got N150,000 for training teenagers from two orphanages art skills they can use to make a living.

    The duo was applauded by the NYSC Lagos Coordinator, Mr Sunday Aroni, and the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Dr Yusuf Jimoh.

    Speaking on her project, Dr Aminu said she decided to donate a library to the school because of her love for books and the role reading played in helping her cope with loneliness and peer pressure.
    “I have a passion for books. It was a personal project for me. I found succour in reading when I was growing up. I was alone most of the time. During the transition phase of my life I read to find solace because we were living in a place where you could not just move out to meet people.

    “When we moved to a livelier area where there was more fun, I learnt the good sides and the bad sides. When I was able to mix, there were no external influences as I already had values I held on to because of the books I read. So I felt if I can introduce books to the children perhaps it would help them the way it helped me,” she said.

    Dr Aminu said she spent N69,000 out of her allowance to provide shelves and books for the library. She however got some publishers and others to donate books.

    Ajiwokewu trained orphans from Bethlehem Orphanage in Ikotun and Compassionate Orphanage in Igando to make craft, paper design, tie and dye, and stencil printing for three months.

    He said the beneficiaries can now produce bow ties, clutch purses, slippers, sandals, paper flowers for wall designs and tie and dye to earn an income.

    “I discovered that aside from looking at the orphans as less privileged, they deserve more than just being kept in a home where they are being looked after. I wanted to make an impact on their lives,” said the Geographer.

    Read Also: NYSC warns corps members against abuse of social media, indecent dressing

    In his speech, Aroni urged the 2,108 corps members beginning the primary assignment part of their service year to identify needs to meet in the communities they are posted to.

    “While you are in your place of primary assignment, respect the culture and traditions of the people and do your best to identify with their problems and aspirations. I urge you to identify areas of need of your host communities and mobilize community members to execute projects and programmes aimed at overcoming those challenges,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu counselled the corps members to shun hate speech and other vices.

    “You should avoid and preach against hate speeches and other divisive tendencies capable of provoking unrest and threatening te unity and peace of our beloved nation,” he said.

    He also urged employers to accept and support corps members posted to their organisations “with necessary welfare facilities.”

  • Kim Kardashian in tears as she tests positive for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis

    Kim Kardashian was left in tears as she tested positive for autoimmune condition lupus as well as rheumatoid arthritis.

    According to physicians, lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks sufferer’s own tissues and organs.

    Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems, including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.

    Before her diagnosis, Kim, who also suffers from psoriasis, an autoimmune condition, had complained of aches, swollen joints and fatigue, Metro reports.

    “She began to fear the worst as she worked full steam ahead on her career and law studies, while at the time she was also expecting her fourth child, son Psalm,” Metro had reported.

    “Lately, my wrists have started to hurt again, but it’s definitely a different feeling than before. I feel this, like, in my bones,’ she reportedly said.

    Expressing fear for her life, 38-year-old Kim had said, “I just am, like, freaking out.

    “I have a baby on the way, I have law school. It just really can scare you when you start really thinking about how much this is gonna really change my life.”

    Read Also: Kim Kardashian shares adorable photos of children

    Metro reports that, after undergoing certain tests, it was confirmed that she had tested positive for lupus antibodies as well as rheumatoid arthritis – which affects the joints and causes pain, throbbing, swelling and stiffness.

    Her physician, Dr. Daniel Wallace, confirmed to her, “Your antibodies are positive for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.”

    However, he confirmed that the diagnosis didn’t mean that she conclusively had the disease, as he added, “Sometimes, you can get false positives in these screenings.”

    Meanwhile, her mother Kris Jenner and sisters Khloe Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner have expressed support for her.

    Kim said she would be finding out the test results later.

  • Onaiyekan’s Foundation, NDLEA, Czech embassy rehabilitate 30 drug addicts

    The Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) on Monday said it had rehabilitated 30 youths in Abuja who were subjected to treatment in 2018 for drug addiction.

    Rev. Sister Agatha Chikelue, Executive Director, COFP, made the disclosure on Monday during its “Youths Living Above Drug Addition (YOLDA)’’ programme in Abuja.

    The programme was supported by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Czech Republic Embassy in Abuja.

    Chikelue said the youth after their rehabilitation were trained on skills acquisition such as tailoring, hair dressing, hair cutting, makeup, cobbling, pastries and soap making, among others.

    She also announced that the foundation had engaged another 30 youths for rehabilitation this year.

    “The foundation will also graduate another 30 youths this year, so 60 youths are going to be graduating between 2018 and 2019,’’ the executive director said.

    Chikelue said that the objective of the programme was to ensure that youths were put on the right track to live more dignified lives in the future.

    The executive director said that the beneficiaries went through series of tests such as heart, liver, kidney and STDs in order to determine if they had been affected by the drugs, while those with issues started treatment.

    She said that the empowerment stage afforded the participants the opportunity to identify skills they had a passion for and the organisation paid for their training and gave them start up kits.

    Chkelue said the participants were made up of 21 males and nine females drawn from the FCT and environs.

    Mrs Beata Matusikova, Economic and Commercial Affairs, Embassy of the Czech Republic, Abuja, said that the embassy collaborated with the foundation to help Nigerian youths come out of the ugly act.

    Matusikova said that the embassy decided to come to their rescue and also engaged them in economic empowerment related skills acquisition.

    She urged the beneficiaries not to relent in whatever thing they are doing and assured them that the embassy would not abandon them after their graduation.

    Mr Boniface Donald, one of the beneficiaries, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the participants would continue to remained grateful to the foundation and other stakeholders.

     

    (NAN)

  • EFCC’s intervention gave credibility to 2019 elections – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has attributed the level of credibility recorded in the 2019 general elections to the involvement of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in monitoring the elections across the country to prevent compromises through vote buying and vote selling.

    The election management body’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Mr Mutiu Agboke, made the remark in Ibadan on Monday, during a “thank-you visit” to the Ibadan zonal office of the EFCC.

    He said “Your intervention in the 2019 elections is not something that can be wished away. In fact, it gave credibility to the conduct of the elections. I was monitoring the analysis of the elections on the radio one day when somebody said he saw for the first time EFCC men around Oluyole area and Ibarapa axis.

    “The point I am making here is that even while you were waging war against vote buying on one hand, we were still able to see in you, as an agency of government trying to checkmate vote compromises in other forms. That actually made the elections to be acceptable.

    “Apart from playing laudable roles during the buildup to the elections, throughout the exercise you were there. Your own computation during the collation was even more superb than what we were doing with the excel. I discovered that each time we were showing the results, you were the one telling me the margin between all of those figures. It is a commitment. It is not just because you are doing an official duty. It is a support. We thank you very sincerely. We thank all your personnel.”

    Agboke also specially thanked the acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu, for agreeing to work with the electoral body to help discharge its duties to the satisfaction of most Nigerians.

    “The mandate given us was that we should collaborate and interface with all the agencies of government to deliver acceptable elections.

    “I know at the national level your chairman too was also interfacing with my chairman (Prof. Mahmud Yakubu) and that was what was responsible for the successes we recorded,” Agboke noted.

    While informing that the INEC has started preparing for the 2023 elections, the Oyo REC also informed that more than 700,000 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) belonging to prospective voters in the state are yet to be collected.

    “The commission is going to start the process of Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) very soon. Those who were unable to register will register. Those whose cards are still in our custody will be able to come and collect their PVCs. As I speak, we have over 700,000 PVCs uncollected,” he informed.

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    In his welcome address presented on behalf of the EFCC acting Chairman, the Commission’s Ibadan Zonal Head, Mr Friday Ebelo, appreciated staff of the electoral body ‘for putting Nigeria first’ in the discharge of their constitutional duties.

    According to him, all public servants should make such commitment their watchword in order to end well in their chosen careers.

    “I always tell my people that as the head of an agency of government or leader of a people, you must always remember that you have a name to protect. That should be the motivation for you to stand your ground at all times.

    “If you want to be compromised, you can be compromised. But if you can remember that you have a name to protect and you have a tomorrow ahead of you, you will guide against being compromised. That is the kind of commitment I saw in you and your team during the 2019 elections when I was working with you,” Ebelo noted.

    He also assured the INEC team that the EFCC’s door is always open to offer any assistance within its powers to help further sanitise the country’s electoral processes.

  • FG committed to bringing prosperity to Nigerians -Sylva

    Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has declared that the Federal Government was committed to bringing prosperity to Nigerians through solving the nation’s energy challenges.

    A release by the NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said Chief Sylva made this disclosure on Monday while speaking on the sidelines of the 24th World Energy Congress (WEC), taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

    “Energy is always at the heart of our prosperity because in Nigeria, oil is central to our national development. Power today has become very central to everything we do,” Sylva stated.

    The Minister, who described as apt the Conference’s theme: “Energy for Prosperity”, maintained that addressing Nigeria’s energy needs would go a long way in Nigeria’s march towards industrialization.

    “A lot is being done by the Federal Government to improve the energy situation in the country. Government has since recognized the need to improve the nation’s energy situation and that is exactly what we are poised to do,” Sylva added.

    Read Also; ‘Why Sylva is backing Lyon for governor’

    Earlier in his opening address, the President of the 24th WEC and UAE’s Minister of Energy & Industry, Suhail Al-Mazrouei, said there was need for global collaboration among energy stakeholders towards addressing the numerous challenges facing the Industry.

    “It is through foresight, commitment and unity that we can collectively meet the growing energy demand of the world,” Al-Mazrouei added.

    He also emphasized the role of innovation as the cornerstone of the progress that is been witnessed, especially in clean energy development and allied sectors.

    He explained that the annual global gathering will challenge participants’ thinking and ultimately drive action towards better energy solutions for the benefit of future generations.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the WEC, Mr. Younghoon David Kim, said the Council would continue to rally global energy leaders towards a more sustainable energy future.

    Tagged the world’s premier energy gathering, the 24th WEC is a four-day interactive programme designed to address the critical issues facing the global energy Industry today.

    This year’s Congress is attended by over 150 participating countries and features 80 panel discussions that focus on the entire energy spectrum.