The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • AbdulRazaq to spend N14b to improve facilities in primary schools

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said on Thursday his administration will spend N14 billion on infrastructural deficits in primary schools

    He added that the state would access N7 billion from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the state’s counterpart fund will also be N7 billion.

    AbdulRazaq said no fewer than 1000 traders, market men and women and artisans will benefit from N1 billion soft loans to run their businesses under the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) under consideration by the House of Assembly.

    AbdulRazaq, who spoke to reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, at a breakfast meeting, added that the focus of his administration centres around human capital and infrastructural development, which would attract investments, combat poverty and take Kwara to the top of the table of revenue generation and competitiveness.

    Read Also: 100 days of hope, prudence and restoration in Kwara

    AbdulRazaq lamented that his administration inherited from his predecessor a culture of government officials selling off public properties to themselves at ridiculous prices, insisting the administration is disappointed at mindless mismanagement of public resources and would take steps to redress the excesses.

    He listed his major landmarks as include fixing the perennial water crisis within Ilorin metropolis, taking Kwara out of its pariah status as the least performing state in UBEC ranking, getting contractors back to work to complete abandoned or uncompleted projects, paying counterpart funds that have changed the story of the state in health and education sector, paying years of arrears owed Colleges of education, and reaccreditation of the state’s tertiary institutions, among others.

    AbdulRazaq said his administration has done these without touching the N4.8 billion it inherited from the previous government, saying the fund is reserved to kick-start the state’s social security programme and putting basic infrastructure in place.

    Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi; Secretary to the Government Prof. Mamman Sabah Jibril; Chief of Staff to the Governor Aminu Adisa Logun; Head of Service Mrs. Susan Modupe Oluwole; and All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Bashiru Bolarinwa.

    AbdulRazaq also said Kwarans should expect something concrete on cabinet formation from next week, saying the delay had been due to wide consultations with all stakeholders within the ruling party and dismissing claims of rancour within its ranks.

  • Supreme Court adjourns for judgment in appeals by Sanwo-Olu, INEC

    The Supreme Court has adjourned for judgment in the appeals by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

    The appeals, three in all, are against the August 6, judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, ordering the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to reopen hearing in two petitions, challenging the election of Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Two of the appeals were filed by Sanwo-Olu. INEC filed one.

    Justice Mary Odili, who led the court’s five-man bench, announced after lawyers to parties adopted their briefs yesterday that “judgment is reserved” in the case.

    By the court’s pronouncement, its Registry is expected to write parties on a later date, communicating to them the date scheduled for judgment.

    On Thursday, the Supreme Court noted that the appeals were against the same judgment and that issues raised were similar.

    It directed parties to agree among themselves on which one of the appeals should be taken, for the other two to abide by the decision reached.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu launches LAWMA’s blue box

    The court stood down proceedings for a while to enable lawyers to the parties to agree among themselves on which of the appeals should be taken.

    When proceedings resumed about 30 minutes later, lawyers to the parties informed the court that they have agreed that the second appeal by Sanwo-Olu, marked: SC/1011/2019, be heard.

    The court proceeded to take appearance from lawyers in the three appeals, but allowed them to adopt their briefs in respect of the second appeal by Sanwo-Olu.

    The governor’s lawyer, Victor Opara, adopted both his appellant’s and reply  briefs and prayed the court to uphold the ruling by the election tribunal and set aside the judgment by the Court of Appeal, Lagos.

    Respondents’ lawyers, Bola Aidi and Adamson Adeboro adopted their briefs and prayed the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

    Sanwo-Olu and INEC are appealing the August 6, 2019 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which directed the election tribunal in Lagos to resume hearing of the petitions by the governorship candidates of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Owolabi Salis, and that of the Labour Party, Ifagbemi Awamaridi.

    The Court of Appeal, in its August 6 judgment, upheld the appeals by Salis and Awamaridi and ordered the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to continue hearing of the petitioners’ petitions.

    “From the record, it is clear that the tribunal was wrong to have declared the petition as an abandoned petition.

    “The case is to be remitted to the lower court for expeditious hearing of the matter,” the court said in respect of Salis’ appeal, a position it repeated in its later judgment in the appeal by Awamaridi.

    The election tribunal sitting in Ikeja, Lagos had, on June 17, had dismissed a petitions by the AD and LP, challenging the victory of Sanwo-Olu at the March 9, 2019 election.

  • CDS links insecurity to proliferation of weapons

    Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin has linked insecurity in the country to proliferation of small and light weapons.

    Gen. Olonisakin spoke on Thursday at the 5th Distinguished Lecture and Award series of Ife Business School at the Obafemi Awolowo University Conference Centre, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    He said small and light weapons largely drive insurgency, militancy, banditry political thuggery, cultism and other crimes.

    Olonisakin, who was represented by the Chief of Defence, Civil-Military Cooperation, Rear Admiral Obed Ngalabak, said the spread of arms had made fighting insurgency very difficult.

    He maintained that a multi-dimensional approach must be adopted in fighting insurgence and armed banditry, acknowledging that the menace had affected the flow of foreign direct investment into the country.

    Read Also: Onaiyekan, CAN criticise Buhari over killing of priests, insecurity

    He said: “Shifting from core security actions of containing internal conflict and asymmetric warfare to evolving in-depth solutions to solving the root causes of these issues are necessary.

    “An all-inclusive security sector reforms involving the military, paramilitary and other stakeholders is expedient. More emphasis would be on improving strategic communications and information sharing to facilitate effective coordination of operations for a robust national situational awareness.

    “The military and other security agencies now operate in more dimensions which would require new skills set in line with international best practices. Security agencies would, therefore, need to ensure capacity building to cope with the ever-changing nature of national security requirements.”

    He said the military is working towards gaining the trust of Nigerians to understand the enormity of its task, adding that it would further enhance multi-agency cooperation in ongoing operations.

    The rector of the school, Dr. Makinde Adereti, said security cannot be separated from good governance.

    He said it was regrettable that Nigeria lately had been battling insecurity, which, he said, was alien to the country.

    He added that the issue of security is very important for a peaceful and united country.

  • World-class doctor operates Fregene in major surgeries

    FORMER Green Eagles’ goalkeeper, Peter Fregene is recuperating at the Intensive Care Unit of the Reddington Hospital after undergoing two major successful surgeries.

    About three months ago, Tina, wife of the former goalkeeper who won the Nigeria FA Cup with both ECN and Stationery Stores, cried out for a lifeline for her ailing husband.

    Contrary to the widely held opinion that the former shot-stopper suffered from stroke, his wife said it was discovered that he had paralysis as a result of a spinal cord injury.

    Fregene had battled this ailment for 18 years before billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola came to his rescue and offered to pick up his medical bills after Tina’s passionate appeal to Nigerians to save the life of her husband.

    Last Wednesday, two major operations were performed on Fregene at the Reddington Hospital Victoria Island Lagos by one of the Best Neurosurgeons in the World, the United States-based Dr Olawale Sulaiman.

    Otedola flew in Dr Sulaiman into the country from the United States, to perform the surgery on Fregene who had been bedridden for three years.

    Before Otedola’s lifeline, the 71-year-old former Nigeria International moved only on his buttocks or was supported to move around his house, a routine which drained his energy and that of his ageing wife.

    Former Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola took Reneger to Lagos where he had an operation some years ago but further treatment was discontinued due to lack of funds.

    Similarly, the former Delta state governor, James Ibori, also funded his treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) during his tenure. Apart from these, no further help came the way of the septuagenarian former footballer.

    The Delta state-born footballer was a member of the Nigerian team that participated at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City and two years after Fregene broke into the Green Eagles squad.

  • Ogun govt inaugurates ICT hub

    The Ogun State government on Thursday inaugurated an Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub in Abeokuta with a vision to develop and export technological solutions to meet challenges.

    Governor Dapo Abiodun, at the event, said recent events had shown that the people of the state possess high technological capacity toward solving some challenges.

    “Although latent, Ogun has long had a great capacity to be a leading driver of innovation and technology in Nigeria.

    “This Ogun Tech Hub, therefore, is a demonstration of our commitment to position Ogun as a key centre for innovation in the country.

    Read Also: Gbajabiamila: ICT tool to fight poverty in Africa

    “We intend to make Ogun the One-Stop-Shop for Innovation in Africa, thereby making our dear state one of the most conducive places to build a start-up company on the continent.

    “Our administration is committed to further drive our dream of being a globally recognised technology base by investing heavily in research and development.

    “This is with the aim of identifying and developing local talents and indigenous social innovations to solve our local and national challenges,” he said.

    Abiodun said, by this, Ogun would stop being importers and consumers of foreign technologies.

    He said the state would become solution creators by harnessing the combined power of technology, high concentration of academia and a youthful population.

  • Road repairs: MFM relocates monthly PMCH programme

    The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) has temporarily relocated its monthly “Power Must Change Hands” programme from the Prayer City on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to its international headquarters at Onike, Yaba, Lagos, with effect from the September edition.

    The programme is held in the morning of the first Saturday of every month.

    According to the Assistant General Overseer in charge of Administration, Pastor Gbesan Adebambo, the relocation, approved by the General Overseer of MFM Worldwide, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, is an interim arrangement.

    Read Also: MFM lifts 314 first class graduates with N500,000

    Adebambo said it was informed by the current road reconstruction and the partial closure of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    “Consequently, all MFM Lagos regional headquarters are directed to hook up to international headquarters for live streaming of the programme by 7a.m prompt.

    “Accordingly, you are required to disseminate this information adequately at the regional headquarters, zones and branches in the region under your supervision,” the statement said.

  • Sanwo-Olu launches LAWMA’s blue box

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu said on Thursday that the state could longer rely on the old waste disposal method, which stood at 10,000 tonnes yearly.

    He spoke at the Simpson Transfer Loading State, Sura, Lagos Island, at the launch of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) blue box.

    He said the launch was being held to minimise waste and create a green economy that would provide jobs and make the people healthier.

    Sanwo-Olu said the programme would start from Victoria Island, Surulere and designated estates under the health and environment programme.

    He hailed LAWMA for the launch and promised to give out the boxes free for now in the pilot programme.

    The governor urged Lagosians to take ownership of the programme and ensure the green environment generates enough fund, especially from donors.

    He said if successfully implemented, it would ensure the production of fertilisers that would help farmers to generate enough food for the citizenry. Sanwo-Olu advised traders, women, men and children to own the programme to make it work.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu inaugurates 492-unit estate

    LAWMA Managing Director Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin said the blue box programme is a single stream recyclable collection programme that will encourage separation of recyclable materials from the general waste at the point of generation.

    He enjoined Lagosians to endeavour to have two containers – a black container for waste and a blue container for recyclables.

    Gbadegesin said: “To kick-off the blue box programme, we are distributing these colour-coded recycling bags to each household through franchised recyclers for separation of recyclables. The bags will be collected on designated dates by the assigned recycler and transported to the sorting hubs within the area at designated days of the week. Recycling companies, who are franchise holders, will come to pick up the boxes.”

    He said the colour-coded bags would be distributed by recyclers and environmental volunteer corps, who would educate and encourage participation, as well as collate data on the field.

    The managing director said the collected recyclables would then be transported to the community recycling centre in the area for further sorting and sale to off-takers.

    He added that as a way of encouraging compliance, LAWMA would promote the sorting culture with a reward system. Participatory households would accumulate coupons distributed by the franchisee, which would be exchanged with several redeemable options that included, but not limited to reduction in the amount paid for waste bills.

    Gbadegesin said the state is moving towards a green economy where citizens will be empowered, children used as change agents and cart pushers shown how best to make a living.

    Commissioner for the Environment & Water Resources Mr. Tunji Bello said the launch was a good beginning to reduce waste, encourage recycling, create jobs and have a healthier environment.

    He observed the challenge of the state as that of having a small land space compared to the millions who migrate to Lagos on a daily basis in search of greener pasture.

    The commissioner encouraged residents to key into the modern way of waste management to create wealth.

  • Governor hands over 120 patrol vehicles, 35 patrol motorcycles to security outfits

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the state will remain safe, as security will never be taken for granted.

    He spoke on Thursday at the Lagos State House, Alausa, Ikeja, when he presented 120 security patrol vehicles and 35 patrol motorcycles to security personnel.

    Read Also: LSACA screens 6,000 for HIV to mark Sanwo-Olu’s 100 days

    The governor said although security was everybody’s concern, his administration would, however, take the lead by supporting security operatives with equipment and tools for effective performance.

    He assured security organisations that his government would engage them, saying: “We have all been working tirelessly and we must continue to work and ensure security of life and property.”

    Sanwo-Olu promised to raise the bar, re-strategise and introduce innovation soon in security infrastructure.

  • Lagos begins implementation of e-tendering, e-bidding

    The General Manager of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (PPA), Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote, has said the agency has begun the implementation of e-Tendering, e- Publishing/Notification, e-Bidding and e-Award modules of  e-Procurement Solution.

    The implementation of the four new e-Procurement Solution Modules, he said, began with three ministries – Health, Education and Works and Infrastructure.

    Read Also: HoS urges MDAs to comply with procurement law

    Onafowote added that the introduction of the e-procurement solution modules was aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability and contributing to the ease of doing business by existing and potential contractors of the government and its MDAs.

    With the implementation of the e-Procurement Solution Modules, registered and would-be contractors, he said, no longer have to visit the ministries for papers submission, “because a platform for official communication and interaction to facilitate the procurement process has been provided online.”

    Onafowote said some of the procurement officers had undergone the requisite training to ensure a seamless implementation of the new policy, while others would also be exposed to similar training in due course.

  • Retirees get N4.25b with discounted medical treatment

    The Lagos State Government has paid N4.25 billion accrued pension rights to 1,268 retirees in four months, with discounted medical treatment.

    Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle, who spoke at the Lagos State Pension Commission’s (LASPEC’s) 66th retirement benefit bond certificate presentation ceremony in Lagos, said while N2.75 billion was paid to 881 retirees in the last three months, N1.50 billion was paid to 387 retirees.

    She said the government was committed to the welfare of workers and retirees, adding that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had been briefed on the backlog of outstanding pension entitlements and had promised that priority would be given to the payment of accrued pension rights.

    Read Also: Benue pensioners protest unpaid 24-month entitlements

    “The governor is aware that without the payment of their accrued pension rights, the retirees will not be able to access their retirement savings accounts to draw monthly pension.

    “To show commitment, the state has begun the issuance of identification cards to retirees in its bid to make life comfortable for retirees.

    This will enable them use access discounted medical treatment in the state’s hospitals and board the state’s mass transit buses free,” Ponnle said.

    LASPEC Director-General Folashade Onanuga told the retirees that their Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) had been directed to ensure that they were granted access to their retirement savings accounts.