The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • Preserving matters of historical value

    The late Herbert Macaulay is considered the father of Nigerian nationalism, yet very little effort has been made to preserve his historical records in national archives. The same situation may apply to the late Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s records, Janefrances Chibuzor reports.

    U.S. scholar Prof Judith Byfield of the Department of History, Cornell University, United States, has called on the Federal Government to partner  relevant agencies and individuals to invest in national archives.

    Prof Byfield, a former president, Association of African Studies, observed that not much has been done to preserve some vital materials that would promote the understanding of Nigerian history.

    “There are records in the archives at present, which future generation of historians shall no longer have access to, as they are at the stage being destroyed. I have used the National Archive in Abeokuta and the National Archive in Ibadan. At the two, very little preservation has been done. This is a good time to think about that since government has returned history into the high schools’ curriculum. I think this can really work,” she said.

    She suggested that the government should introduce the use of archives to history students, describing it as an important starting point for such students. She noted that African History is an inter-disciplinary that allows people to read what the anthropologists are writing and what archaeologists are doing.

    According to her, to train next generation of historians, Nigeria needs to preserve the existing documents and create a save document for the future historians.

    “Most archives in the United States have climate control that helps to protect the documents to last a long time. Skeletal electricity supply in this part of world will make it very difficult to save documents through climate control. Therefore, this is not an issue the university alone can fix. To achieve this, the broader governmental services and volunteers, states and local governments should provide infrastructure. And electricity is a very critical part of the infrastructure Nigeria needs to sustain businesses, hospitals, schools and actually preserve their archive,” she added.  Prof Byfield said there are Library Science institutions that need attention to ensure that students, who come out from such schools, are equipped with best practices of their fields.  “During my first trip to Nigeria, I stayed for three months, but in 1988 I stayed for 11 months.  And I have other trips where I stayed for eight months and on this trip I will be here for three months. I am attached to University of Ibadan, where I have spent a lot of time. My two books were done in Abeokuta and the first one was Score The Bluest Hand:  A Social and Economic History of Women Indigo Dyers from 1890-1940 in Western Nigeria. I have another book coming out this year, which is The Great Upheaval led by  Mrs. Ransom Kuti and the Abeokuta Women’s Tax Revolt in 1947.

    Byfield has been coming to Nigeria quite frequently since 1985 and currently writing a book on Western Indies women married to Nigerian men and has authored so many books aside the aforementioned.

  • Tribunal upholds Aduda’s election as FCT Senator

    The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal in Abuja has upheld the election of Senator Philip Aduda of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The tribunal in a judgment on Tuesday dismissed the petition filed by Nkechi Chinyere Doris and the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) against Aduda’s election.

    The petitioners – Doris and PDM – had sought, among others, the cancellation of the election, on the grounds that the first petitioner (Doris), having been validly nominated by PDM, was unlawfully excluded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the February 23 election.

    The petitioners

    joined INEC, Aduda and his political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as respondents in the petition.

    Tribunal headed by Justice Okwudili Ezeoke dismissed the petition for lack of merit and awarded a cost of N300,000 against the petitioners – Doris and PDM.

    It held that the petitioners failed to discharge the burden of proof placed on them by the Constitution. It noted that the petition was brought pursuant to Section 138(1) of the Electoral Act, as amended, adding that the burden of proof rests on the petitioners.

    Read Also: Tribunal sacks Dino Melaye as senator

    According to the tribunal, nomination of a candidate to contest an election was not an event but a process, which would only be completed when the name of the candidate was submitted to INEC.

    It observed that, whereas the petitioners plead to tender the photographs of the convention where the first petitioner was nominated for the election, they failed to do this in the course of trial.

    The tribunal said the presumption was that if the petitioners had produced the photographs of the convention, they could have gone against them.

    The tribunal held that the claim by the petitioners that they attempted to submit the name of the first petitioner to INEC on October 11, 2018, but was turned down and that they were only able to do so through an order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory was of no issue.

    It noted that there was nowhere in the FCT High Court order directing INEC to accept the first petitioner or any other person from the second petitioner.

    It,therefore, held that the relief sought by the petitioners has nothing to do with the alleged refusal of the first respondent (INEC) to accept the name of the first petitioner.

    The tribunal held that the petitioners withheld evidence by their failure to attach INEC Form CF001, Form CF002 and nomination form to their Exhibits D and D1 but attached the court order to the exhibits.

    According to the tribunal, PDM failed to comply with INEC’s guidelines on conducting primary election to nominate the first petitioner as its candidate in the senatorial election.

    The tribunal further held that the party never submitted nomination form of the first petitioner to INEC.

    It held that PDM was deemed not to have fielded any candidate in the senatorial election if February 23.

    It noted that the purported submission of its candidate’s name was done later than the date of submission of nomination of candidates to the first respondent. It is, therefore, invalid.

    The tribunal declared that the second petitioner is deemed not to have fielded a candidate in the election. The days the submitted the exhibits are less than the 60 days prescribed by the Electoral Act,” the tribunal held.

    It described the evidence given by the petitioners’ sole witness that an attempt made by the party to submit the name of the first petitioner to INEC which refused to accept but later did following a court order as “a mere tale by moonlight”

    The tribunal, therefore, held that the petitioners woefully failed to prove that Nkechi was validly nominated by the second petitioner as its candidate on the senatorial election.

    Earlier, It dismissed the preliminary objection n in which the respondents argued  that the petition was a pre-election matter, which ought to be heard by a High Court and not the tribunal.

    The tribunal held that, as against the respondents’ contention, it has jurisdiction to hear the petition, because it relates to a post-election matter, on which only a tribunal could preside.

  • BREAKING: Police grant COZA founder, Fatoyinbo bail

    Founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly(COZA) Abuja, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, has been granted administrative bail by the Police.

    Fatoyinbo was granted bail after hours of questioning by detectives over the allegation of rape levelled against him by celebrity photographer, Busola Dakolo.

    Details shortly…

    READ ALSO: JUST IN: Fatoyinbo battling for bail over rape allegation

  • Makinde to cabinet members: challenge me

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has encouraged the members of the cabinet not to refrain from challenging some of his views presented before them, saying he too will not fail from doing same in a bid to arrive at a robust decision in the interest of the people of the state.

    The governor gave the urge in his opening remarks at the maiden meeting of the State Executive Council members ongoing at the Executive Chamber of the Governors office, Agodi, Secretariat.

    The meeting has in attendance the Deputy Governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, the Head of Service, Mrs Amidat Agboola, all the newly sworn-in 17 commissioners in the state among others.

    Makinde urged the cabinet members to be passionate about their contributions reminding them that they are only privileged to serve the people of the state in their various capacities.

    He said “I, first of all, want to congratulate the commissioners and I also want to say that for all of us seated here, it’s a privilege that we have to serve the people of Oyo state and I want to say welcome on board.

    READ ALSO: Seyi Makinde: A child of circumstance

    “This is the first exco meeting for this administration and I want to say to everybody that be passionate about your contributions, nobody is going to hold anybody to ransom for your contributions here. You should be dispassionate and you shouldn’t hold anything back because the more robust the discussion the more robust the arguments, the better the decisions that will come out of this executive chamber.

    “So, I use this opportunity to welcome you and I’ll look forward to decisions that will impact the lives of our people and will bring accelerated development to Oyo state, decisions that will make us the true pacesetter state.

    “I personally like to say up front that even within my own family, I’m not the brightest and not the smartest, so also here, I won’t think my opinion should be taken all the time, please challenge it.

    “So also whatever any one of you is bringing to the table we will challenge, but at the end of the day, we want to align for the interest of our people, so we shouldn’t allow our personal interest to weigh in so much on our official conduct, we should hold ourselves accountable, so thank you and welcome to this first executive meeting of this administration.”

  • Govt shuts cooking gas plants over ‘safety defaults’

    Three cooking gas plants at Ijede in Ikorodu Local Government Area in Lagos State have been sealed off for allegedly operating illegally.

    The Federal Government through the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) last week shut the gas plants the same day, fuelling fears that it might cause scarcity of gas.

    The Head, Operations, DPR, Lagos Field Office, Sholabi Olanrewaju, who directed the team, said 25 stations had been shut recently between Ikorodu and Surulere axis.

    She said the government had vowed that the owner of the plants and others running illegal gas facilities would be arrested and prosecuted.

    Read Also: 22 danger signs to watch out for when using a gas cylinder

    Olanrewaju said the officials had to re-seal a station located on the same residential axis in Ikorodu with the help of the officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, adding that the owner did not heed an earlier warning to regularise his defaults on safety standards.

    She urged petroleum marketers to adhere to the regulations guiding the sale of petroleum products.

    The Head, Gas Operation, Etukudo Williams, said residents have been sensitised to gas safety.

    “We have been educating the public on safe practices for handling their cooking gas, what to do when cooking gas leak is detected and in the event of Liquified Petroleum Gas fire,” he added.

  • ‘Alakija/Navy Town axis of Badagry expressway ready in 10 days’

    Reconstruction of segment 2 of the Agboju-Trade Fair section of the Lagos/Badagry Expressway will be delivered in 10 days, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Olujimi Hotonu has said.

    Hotonu, who spoke at the weekend in a statement in Alausa, Ikeja, said the completion was in fulfilment of the promise by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to complete the reconstruction of the Lagos section of the express way by the end of this year.

    The statement, issued by the Director of Press Affairs, Mr. Adesegun Ogundeji, said the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), has been mobilised and mandated to complete the construction on Alakija/Navy Town Junction within 10 days to ease traffic.

    Honotu assured Lagosians that the construction would not exceed 10 days.

    He said the government had made alternative arrangements for road users to ensure a hitch free journey.

    Hotonu said alternative arrangements had been provided for them to ease their journey to and fro during the period.

    Read Also: Bail us out of deplorable roads, Akoko communities beg Akeredolu

    According to the statement, while road users going from Trade Fair/Abule Ado to Mile 2 on the service lane should detour to the left before the flyover at Alakija and use the flyover to continue their journey, those on the toll lane should go straight and make use of the flyover.

    “Road users going to old Ojo Road /Navy Town/Satellite Town from Trade Fair on the service lane are advised to turn at Dantata Junction through Old Ojo Road to continue their journey, while those heading for Festac Third Gate on both the toll and service lanes are to make a detour to the left before the flyover bridge at Alakija and use the corridor between the two flyovers.

    “Commuters going to Festac from Mile 2 on the service lane should turn right at Festac First Gate or Agboju (Second Gate), while those on Toll-Lane should go and turn at the Trade Fair,” the statement said.

    For those commuting from Festac to Badagry, the permanent secretary advised that they should make use of the First Gate or Agboju.

    He urged those going to Satellite/Old Ojo Road/Navy Town to use First Gate or Agboju and turn at the Trade Fair.

    Hotonu said directional signs have been erected on both sides of the road to assist commuters.

    He added that besides the signs, Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) officials would be on ground throughout the period to assist road users and ensure free flow of traffic.

    He appealed to the residents, especially those living on the axis, to cooperate with the contractor.

    The permanent secretary said the government would deliver on its campaign promises.

    He enjoined road users to obey traffic diversions put in place, to avoid gridlock.

  • Operation Crush arrests 25 cultists at Ijora, Mushin, Bariga

    The Lagos State Police Command said on Sunday that operatives of the Operation Crush from the Anti-Cultism Unit had arrested 25 cultists at Ijora, Mushin and Bariga.

    Lagos police spokesman Bala Elkana stated this on Sunday

    Elkana said Olaitan Rilwan, male, 20, was found at Ijora roundabout with an automatic pistol concealed in his bag.

    “The suspect confessed to be a member of ‘Aiye’ confraternity, Elkana said in the statement.

    He said Mustapha Oseni, male, 23, and 22 others were arrested during a follow-up operation at Bariga by operatives of Operation Crush.

    Read Also: Police arrest eight ‘cultists’ at initiation venue

    Elkana added that operatives from the Anti-Cultism Unit also nabbed Olaitan Rilwan, male, 20, on Gaskiya Road in Mushin.

    “One locally-made pistol with eight rounds of live cartridges was recovered from him. Investigation is on. The suspects will be arraigned after investigations,” he said.

    Elkana said the anti-crime patrol team from Mushin Police Station, led by Inspector Atipi Agasa, while on patrol at Olorunsogo, Mushin, intercepted two hoodlums.

    He said Omisogun Mathew, male, 25, and Yetunde Lawson, female, 28, were intercepted on a motorcycle.

    “On sighting the police team, the hoodlums attempted to escape, but were given a hot chase. One locally-made-double barrel pistol with two live cartridges was recovered from them.

    “The suspects belong to a five-man armed robbery syndicate operating at Mushin, Ikotun and Igando areas of Lagos State. The suspects have been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for discreet investigation and will be charged to court after investigations,” Elkana said.

  • Ekere, cleric warn church against politics

    Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State Nsima Ekere and Rev. Effiong Isangedighi have decried the meddling of Christian leaders in politics.

    They spoke at the weekend during the funeral of Apostle Patrick Jerome, the Prelate of the Christ Believers (Evangelical) Mission.

    Ekere urged Christian leaders to concentrate on propagating the gospel and refrain from partisan politics.

    He said: “My appeal to all of us, especially the church, is that we should emulate this man of God and go back to the old ways of God. Most importantly, the church should please leave politics out of church. In the memory of our Apostle Jerome, our Christian fathers should concentrate on the teachings of the gospel of salvation and Christ-like life.

    Read Also: Churches must do more than preaching, says cleric

    “I believe if Christian leaders do that, we will have the peace we want in this state and the country. My prayer is that God will heal the church and bring the peace we need.”

    He eulogised the late Apostle as a great man of God who always insisted on one’s personal relationship with God.

    Rev. Isangedighi, in his sermon titled “Stop playing the fool,” lamented that “some Christians and Church leaders have abandoned what God asked us to do and are now doing what God has asked us not to do.”

    He condemned politicians who kill and kidnap for rituals to achieve their ambitions, even as he lamented that “politicians have joined to destroy the church.”

  • Kalabari billionaire Lulu-Briggs’ puts assets in Trust

    Seven months after his death, the Will and Last Testament of a billionaire Kalabari high chief, Benson Lulu-Briggs, has been read despite opposition by some family members.

    The late Lulu-Briggs, chairman of oil exploration and production company Moni Pulo Limited, died last December 27 on a trip to Ghana.

    His senior son, Dumo, a chief, politician and oil mogul who chairs Platform Petroleum, had alleged that the deceased’s wife Seinye had questions to answer about the 88-year-old philanthropist’s death.

    It was learnt that despite opposition from Dumo and his siblings Senibo and Sofiri, the Will was read on July 26.

    A source said the High Chief left most of his assets in a trust to be managed on behalf of his children and their offspring.

    Former Cross River State GovernorDonald Duke is said to be named as one of the four trustees.

    The deceased was said to have left substantial wealth to Seinye.

    Read Also: ‘Banks should not invest in public assets’

    It was learnt that the late High Chief did not accommodate any of his three elder sons in the Will, but stated that they should be taken care of.

    The Will was to be read in April because the High Chief’s lawyers were reportedly aware that it contained his funeral wishes.

    However, Dumo secured an ex-parte order from a High Court in Umoku, Rivers State, barring the reading. The order was later set aside.

    It was learnt that in the Will, the late statesman expressed a wish to be given a Christian burial and specified that his wife be involved.

    Before his death, High Chief Lulu-Briggs lived with and managed increasingly debilitating Parkinson’s disease for close to two decades.

    Following his death, there were disagreements in the family, with allegations of harassment, extortion and fraud.

    The Amanayabo of Kalabari, King J.T. Princewill Amachree, was said to have waded into the internal crisis.

    The police is said to be investigating Lulu-Briggs’ death.

    Policemen from Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Abuja were said to have invaded Moni Pulo Limited in Port Harcourt on June 3, spending several hours.

    After Lulu-Briggs’ death, seven chiefs from Oruwari Briggs House of Abonnema, Rivers State, claimed in an advertorial that the late High Chief was missing, despite earlier announcing his death.

    An autopsy was carried out at the Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana on July 19, but Dumo and his brothers reportedly objected to the procedure and requested that another autopsy be carried out.

    It was learnt that Ghanaian authorities rejected the request.

    A source said the late Lulu-Briggs made it clear in the will that he considers the settlement payments made to Dumo in 2003 and Senibo and Sofiri in 2004 as their inheritance.

    “Now that it has been read, we hope the family can come together, close ranks and show respect to their greatly loved and admired patriarch – the most successful Ijaw man ever in history – by burying him with the simple dignity he has personally requested in his Will,” the source said.

  • AbdulRazaq mourns death of 17 admission-seekers

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Sunday lamented the death of 17 students in an road crash on their way back to the state from Kano.

    He described the incident as a painful one that could have been prevented.

    A ghastly automobile accident had on Thursday claimed 17 lives of students. The accident also left two persons injured.

    Read Also: Bishop Kukah condoles Katsina NYSC over death of corps members

    The unfortunate incident was said to have occurred at Bacita junction on Jebba/Ilorin highway, Moro Local Government Area.

    The accident involved an 18-seater Toyota Hiace passenger bus and an articulated DAF container truck.

    The accident was said to have been caused by over speeding and dangerous driving as the two vehicles had a head-on collision at a bend on the highway.

    In a statement, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, AbdulRazaq commiserated with the parents and families of the students and prayed to God to avert such calamity in future.

    “We, however, believe that we can avoid this calamity in the future.”