The Nation Newspaper

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  • APC local govt chairmen oppose call for Kwara chair’s resignation

    The 16 local government chairmen of Kwara State All Progressives Congress have opposed call for the resignation of the state party’s chairman, Bashir O. Omolaja.

    The council chairmen called the people behind the move as self-serving and agents of destruction, adding that they were crying wolf where there was none.

    A group known as Congress of Kwara Youths, had on Monday this week issued a quit notice to Bolarinwa, urging him to resign his appointment with immediate effect.

    Read Also: APC may review disqualification of 12 Kogi governorship aspirants

    Spokesperson of the group, Mr. Ishaq Ibrahim, who read the resolutions, gave the party seven days ultimatum to remove the APC chair from office.

    But in a statement, the 16 local government APC chairmen said “as party chairmen at the local level and members of the state exco, we should know better. To the best of our knowledge, every member of the state exco has a voice in all decisions taken. The state chairman is a democrat to the core. We have implicit confidence in his leadership and style. We consider the group’s claim as merely playing to the gallery and doing the bid of its sponsors.”

  • NECO releases May/June 2019 exam results

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the results of 2019 June/July examinations with 829,787 candidates, representing 71.59 per cent, making five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

    Its Acting Registrar/Chief Executive, Abubakar Mohammed Gana, added that the number of candidates, who made five credits and above, irrespective of English Language and Mathematics, is 1,041,986 – representing 89.90 per cent.

    Gana, who announced the release at the NECO Headquarters in Minna, adjudged the 2019 June/July SSCE as a huge success, stating that NECO has “once again delivered on its mandate”.

    He recommended three schools in Kastina, Kebbi and Oyo states for de-recognition from conducting its Senior Secondary School Examinations (SSCE) for two years.

    According to him, the schools were de-recognised for their involvements in mass cheating and being special centres.

    Gana said 17 supervisors were also blacklisted for various offences ranging from poor supervision, aiding and abetting and connivance with non-candidates to write answers on the chalkboard.

    He added that 40,630, representing 3.53 per cent of the candidates who sat for the examination, were involved in various forms of malpractice. The number of malpractice cases when compared to 2019 increased with over 50 per cent, the Acting Registrar said.

    Read Also: WAEC releases May/June WASSCE results, withholds 180,205

    He explained that the reason for the higher figure of malpractice cases in 2019 was not unconnected with the deployment of the new biometric verification device used in the 2019 SSCE, “more robust monitoring by staff and external monitors also contributed to more sensitivity in detecting malpractices”.

    Gana said some members of NECO staff alleged to have been involved in malpractice cases have been recommended to face the appropriate disciplinary measures, stressing that once they fail to satisfactorily defend themselves, they would be dismissed or punished appropriately.

    Giving an analysis of the performance of the candidates, the acting registrar said 1,151,016 candidates, including 146 blind candidates, sat for the 2019 June/July SSCE examination.

    He said 984,152, representing 85.50 per cent of the candidates, made credit and above in English Language while 954,399, representing 83.03 per cent of candidates, made credit and above in mathematics.

    The registrar also debunked an online publication which urged candidates to log on to a different website to assess their results even when the results were not yet released by purchasing scratch cards.

    Gana emphasised: “NECO has abolished the use of card in all its operations as everything is now 100 per cent online.

    “The approved website of NECO remains www.neco. gov.ng and has not changed. We advise parents, schools and candidates to disregard that publication and to visit only the approved site to check their results as well as to get information on our operations.”

  • APC may review disqualification of 12 Kogi governorship aspirants

    The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is to review the screening of aspirants contesting the governorship primary of the party in Kogi State on a case-by-case basis, it was learnt on Tuesday.

    The Nation, however, gathered that there is pressure on the leadership of the party to avoid unnecessary legal tussle that may cost the party dearly like it happened in Zamfara and Rivers states during the last general election.

    Due to the pressure, the party may give a clean bill to some of the aspirants, especially those who have contested the party primary in the past with records of service to the party.

    Babatunde Irukera, Yakubu Mohammed and Hadiza Ibrahim contested the party’s governorship primary in 2015, but lost the ticket to late Prince Abubakar Ibrahim. Mohammed Abubakar Audu has been an active player within the party since 2015.

    But one of the aspirants disqualified, however, confided in some people that she did not sign her affidavit because the court did not ask her to do so.

    Read Also: Court dismisses suits over Kogi APC leadership dispute, choice of primary

    However, APC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu said there was no need for the controversy surrounding the screening, as those disqualified have an option of approaching the Appeals Panel, which is also independent of the party’s National Working Committee.

    Issa-Onilu said: “Screening of aspirants is a constitutional issue. There are clear procedures for the conduct of screening of aspirants in our party’s constitution and the Electoral Act. The screening itself is not the final stage in the qualification process.

    “Aspirants who have objections to outcomes of screening have the opportunity of presenting their case before the Appeal Panel. It should be noted that both the screening and appeal committees are independent of the National Working Committee as far as their activities are concerned.

    “By practice, having selected the people believed to be credible as members of these committees, the NWC does not interfere in any way in their activities.

    “Aspirants have the comfort that the reports would eventually be presented to the National Working Committee, where a final look will be taken on a case-by-case basis to ensure the outcomes are in strict compliance with our party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

    “There is, therefore, no basis for any controversy on the current screening process to choose eligible aspirants who will contest at the party’s primaries to choose our candidates for the upcoming governorship elections in both Kogi and Bayelsa states.”

  • Women seek end to moral decadence

    The Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) in Lagos State has called for action against moral decadence.

    It urged parents, religious bodies and governments to curb moral decadence among  youths.

    Speaking at the opening of the Southwest Zonal Youth Camp in Lagos, FOMWAN’s Southwest Zonal Coordinator Alhaja Nimotallah Salam said the theme: Moral decadence in the society: causes, effects and solution, was apt.

    She said the camp would orientate youths with Islamic orientation, reduce social vices and encourage them to take part in society building.

    “We have decided to give our youths the right orientation because we are getting old; we want our youths to continue our good work. That is why we decided to equip them with basic knowledge that will make them good ambassadors of Islam and Nigeria,” she said.

    Read Also: Muslim group seeks greater focus on security

    She urged the government to prevail on agencies that bar hijab, noting that a Muslim woman was incomplete without hijab.

    “There is nothing wrong in the use of hijab to school… Muslim women were enjoined by Allah to dress well by covering all parts of their body… That makes it necessary for our girls to wear hijab. We are not mandating children of other religion to wear hijab…” she said.

    FOMWAN’s Lagos Amirah Dr Halimat Egberongbe said youths would be educated on negative effects of drug abuse and addiction to social media.

    “FOMWAN has made series of advocacy on moral decadence but we cannot do it alone, the society and government have to be involved…” she said.

    Wife of Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs Oluremi Hamzat hailed the group’s laudable initiative.

    Represented by Hajia Olaide Ibrahim, Mrs Hamzat said the theme of the camp was timely coming at a time society is morally bankrupt.

    She urged parents to bring up their children properly.

    Assistant Coordinator in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) Mrs Omolara Dava advised youths to desist from following fashion trends.

    “Instead of following fashion trends, set achievable goals for yourself. The trends you are dying to keep up with were all started by someone… And that’s their identity. We shouldn’t lose our identity whenever a new style hits the market,” Mrs Dava said.

  • Row over Ihedioha, FBI suspect’s relationship

    The social media is buzzing with the photo of Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha and Chika Augustine Odionyenma, a Nigerian indicted for alleged fraud in the United States by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

    Odionyenma posed with Ihedioha after the latter appointed him to the Sub-Committee on Logistics for his May 29 Inauguration Planning and Handover Committee.

    The appointment letter signed by Ihedioha reads: “Following my successful declaration as Governor-elect of Imo State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and my subsequent receipt of Certificate of Return …I have duly constituted an Inauguration Planning and Handover Committee with the responsibility of liaising with the existing government to ensure a smooth handover of power to our party on May 29, 2019.

    “I will be pleased if you can serve as a member of the Sub-Committee on Logistics. The committees will be inaugurated on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, Rockview Hotel, Owerri by 12 noon.

    “I trust you will avail us your expertise and time in carrying out this assignment to support our quest to rebuild Imo.”

    Many Nigerians on social media were surprised that an alleged fraudster was given appointment by a government.

    Imo Professionals Group, an association of persons from different sectors, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate any business link between Ihedioha and Odionyenma, popularly known as ‘’Nwakanwa’’ or ‘’Tony Chika.’

    Read Also: US massive wire frauds: EFCC’ll fish out suspects, Magu vows

    A statement by its President and Director of Media Relations Julius Chinedu and Dr. Amaka Nwosu, the group said they were concerned because stories of possible political deals between the governor and Odionyenma had dominated the media, especially the social media.

    The group said: ‘’And the questions we are asking are: Is it true that Odionyenma was one of the multi-millionaires who bankrolled Governor Ihedioha’s governorship campaign between 2018 and 2019, as reported by the media?

    ‘’Is it correct that the … indicted businessman was one of the highest donors to Governor Ihedioha’s campaign purse..? Is it also true that Odionyenma’s rapport with Governor Ihedioha predates the 2019 general election..?’’

    Sir Ferdinand Rogers alleged on twitter that “he (Odionyenma) singlehandedly sponsored his (Ihedioha’s) election.”

    Felix Fabeku lamented that “our country has lost its dignity and strength… when did our country lost its dignity? how and why?”

    @ovbiudu tweeted: “Many of the 80 alleged fraudsters under investigation by the FBI are bosom friends, associates of many Nigerian politicians. The net should be cast wider.”

    Governor Ihedioha has said Odionyenma did not sponsor his election.

    Ihedioha described the report as false and malicious, noting that dubious characters were behind it.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Chibuike Onyeukwu, said he was not aware that Odionyenma was involved in any crime or being investigated for financial crimes.

    The statement reads: “It has become necessary to disclaim as false and malicious, a social media report that the 2019 electioneering campaign of Governor Emeka Ihedioha was bankrolled by Mr Augustine Chika Odionyenma, who is reported to have been implicated by the Federal Bureau of Information (FBI)…for offences connected with money laundering and wire transfer.

    “His Excellency was not aware if he is involved in any form of crime or being investigated for financial crimes.

    “We are not unaware that the false report is sponsored by some elements, who have held Imo State down over the years and are known to have perpetrated various fraudulent acts. Their attempt to malign the hard earned reputation and integrity of His Excellency has already failed.

    “Nigerians have received the malicious report with disbelief, given the credibility and upright trajectory of His Excellency, who is a role model to the younger generation.”

  • ‘I killed my landlady out of provocation’

    The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested a 39-year-old man, Tunmise Abraham, who allegedly raped and strangled his landlady, Mrs. Bukola Olanrewaju, in Ado-Ekiti.

    The deceased, a 39-year-old tailor and mother of three, was killed last Thursday in her home at Olorunda area of Ado-Ekiti by Tunmise, who hailed from Ikole-Ekiti.

    Police Commissioner Mr. Asuquo Amba said Tunmise was arrested at a church in Akure, the Ondo State capital, after linking up with the family.

    “The suspect, after committing the offence, ran to Akure. He hid in a church and that was where he was arrested.

    “He had called his family and told them why he did not come to their place. He said he had killed somebody in Ado-Ekiti.

    “We have already done our homework and gathered that her sister is selling chemicals. Detectives had to trick her that they wanted to buy something from her. It was her sister who later led us to where he was,” Amba said.

    He said the suspects would be prosecuted to act as a deterrent to others.

    Read Also: My landlady sent me packing for greeting her `enemy’ – tenant tells court

    Confessing that he actually committed the crime, Tunmise said he did it out of provocation.

    He said the deceased had allegedly provoked him over a disagreement on rent with the husband of the woman, Mr. Raphael Olanrewaju, an indigene of Igogo- Ekiti from Moba Local Government.

    He denied the accusation that he raped the landlady to death, explaining that he only hit her on the head with a big stick before making efforts to tie her hands to make her weak during a fisticuff.

    “I called her that day that I wanted to leave the house after paying N23,000 in June and this will last till next year May for one year rent and I said  that the husband needed to refund part of my money to get another apartment, but the woman said that would never happen.

    “We started the argument and she called me names. She abused me by calling me derogatory names, which angered me. She later held my clothes and I slapped her and pushed her away from me.

    “The woman then came with a stick and I overpowered her and collected the stick, which I used to hit her on the head and she fell.

    “When I realised that she had died, I became worried and escaped to a church in Akure.”

    The deceased’s husband, Raphael, said the disagreement he had with the suspect was resolved when his family paid N23,000 rent, comprising the new and backlog of debt he owed.

    “He had a misunderstanding with my wife, but it was settled. I never knew he had the intention to kill her. He killed my wife around 11am when everybody had left home.

    “It was my daughter who discovered that he was the one who did it. When the police came to search his room, we saw a lot of incriminating goods that suggested that he was an armed robbery. I never knew I was harbouring a robber.

    “All I want is justice,” Raphael said.

  • ‘How CMD was abducted in Edo’

    Details have emerged on how the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Prof. Sylvanus Okogbeni, was abducted.

    The Nation learnt that Okogbeni was kidnapped by gunmen, who blocked his car at the Ramat Park in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

    Two policemen were killed and their guns carted away, while drivers of the two vehicles in his convoy escaped with bullet wounds.

    The two policemen were identified as Sergeants Odion Jonathan Ajibola and Etinosa Erhuegbea, both of Irrua Police Divisional Headquarters.

    Read Also: ‘Nabbed suspected kidnapper of toddlers is a specialist’  

    An eyewitness, who was controlling traffic at Ramat Park, said the attackers wore police uniforms and T-shirts.

    He said the operation lasted for about six minutes, adding that the shooting made everyone to run for safety.

    The source said the gunmen riddled the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) of Okogbeni with bullets before taking him away in their car.

    Police sources said the two drivers in their brief said they first saw their attackers at Ehor town.

    The driver of the abducted CMD, Mr. Edewele Thadeus, said the vehicles started trailing them from a bad spot at Ehor town, but they didn’t realise that the occupants had criminal motives.

    He said the CMD was on his way to catch an Abuja bound flight where he was expected to attend a conference.

    Police spokesman Chidi Nwabuzor said information about the incident was still sketchy, “but the command has begun investigation.”

  • Teenager killed at ex-Speaker’s home

    Gunmen have shot dead a 20-year-old man, Aondowase Tagher, at the Northbank home of the first Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, the late Him Ayua Num, in Makurdi.

    The Nation learnt that the incident occurred on Sunday night.

    The hoodlums, about 30, reportedly stormed the Federal Low Cost Housing Unit Northbank home of the late Speaker at about 10:30pm.

    Narrating the incident, the son of the late Speaker, Mr. Cosmos Num, told The Nation that he was sleeping in his house at a different location within the Federal Housing Low Cost Housing Estate when he was called on the phone that gunmen had invaded his father’s house.

    Read Also: Death toll in attacks on Benue communities hits nine

    Num said the incident shocked him, adding that his mother, Mrs. Patricia Àyua Num, narrowly escaped death, as the gunmen shot directly on the window side of her bedroom, but the bullets missed target.

    He said the incident was an attempt to kill his mother.

    Num urged security agencies to fish out the killers of his cousin and bring them to book, to act as a deterrent to others.

    Police spokesperson Kate Sewuese Anene confirmed the incident.

    She said investigation has begun.

  • Housewife ‘kills’ husband to remarry ex-hubby

    A housewife in Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State has allegedly killed her husband so that she can remarry her former husband.

    The police said the housewife, whose name was given as Auta Dogo Singe, conspired with Garba Hassan and Sahabi Garba at Sabon Gari village, Illo district area of Bagudo to kill her husband, Abdullahi Shaho, to enable her remarry her former husband.

    Briefing reporters on Tuesday at the command headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, Police Commissioner Garba Muhammed Danjuma said the woman’s ex-husband was Idris Garba, a resident of Tugar Bature village at Illo district area of the local government.

    Read Also: ‘My husband slapped me for asking him to wash plates’

    He said the housewife and the two men she conspired with have been arrested. “They will soon appear in court,” the CP added.

    He said Yahuza Ibrahim of Gotomo village in Argungu, Murtala Abdullahi, Malam Nasiru and Dansilami, who were at large, forcefully entered the home of Adamu Yaro with weapons at Kalgo area of the state and robbed him of his motorcycle valued at N253,000 and other valuables.

    Danjuma said “The command SARS and Puff Adder personnel attached to Kalgo division investigated the incident and the suspects were arrested at their hideouts.”

  • Lagos vows to curb fraudulent acts in real estate

    Lagos State Government has vowed to explore legal means in protecting the interests of the people from real estate swindlers, Housing Commissioner Moruf Akinderu-Fatai has said.

    The commissioner, who spoke yesterday in Alausa, Ikeja when some defrauded accommodation seekers from Alapere Ketu visited him to complain, added that the government would also help citizens to seek redress in cases of fraudulent transactions.

    He said: “The government has declared a war against fraudulent practitioners in the real estate sector. We are determined to make Lagos a no-go area for unscrupulous individuals who prey on Lagosians under the guise of real estate business.”

    Speaking earlier on behalf of the victims allegedly defrauded by an estate agent, who collected rents from over 260 prospective tenants for only 15 units of accommodation, Aliyu Toyin feared that the accused might not be brought to book.

    Read Also: ‘Shun unregistered estate agents, developers’

    Akinderu-Fatai assured them that “justice will definitely be served to the fraudulent property developer, who swindled them out of their hard earned money.”

    The commissioner said the government was aware of the issue and had instituted legal actions against the developer on behalf of the victims.

    He urged the public to report dubious estate agents and developers to the office of Lagos State Real Estate Transaction Department (LASRETRAD), Block 7, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

    “I assure you that the government under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is very responsive and will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the culprits are brought to book,” Akinderu-Fatai said.

    He advised the victims to remain calm and be law-abiding “since the matter is already in court.”

    Permanent Secretary Mr. Wasiu Akewusola enjoined Lagosians seeking accommodation to transact business with estate agents and developers who are registered with LASRETRAD, a directorate under the ministry.

    He said the directorate is saddled with the responsibility of registering, regulating and monitoring real estate operators across the state and

    appealed to the victims to maintain peace and order, while the government takes action on the matter.