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  • NYSC to punish corps members on unapproved journeys

    The National Youth Service Scheme, NYSC has vowed to invoke relevant extant laws of the scheme and punish truant corps members who embarked on any unapproved journeys especially between local Government areas and interstates

    The Katsina State Coordinator of the Scheme, Alhaji Ahidjo Yahaya who made the declaration at the katsina orientation camp, during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2019 batch B stream 2 orientation program for corps members deployed to the state, said the rules and regulation guiding the activities of the scheme have been there since 1973, including such provisions that might lead to extending the services of erring members or re mobilizing them

    He said’’60 per cent of the journeys are usually done without permissions from relevant authorities of the scheme in the state, event the Funtua journey that recorded 3 deaths and 14 injuries on Sunday, August 18 road accident, was not authorized’’

    ‘’I warned them but they did not listen. we have structures on ground including; Zonal Coordinators, Inspectors and liaison officers from whom they could obtain permission from each time they want to travel but they will not follow that’’
    He further disclosed that 1,339 members were registered for the orientation comprising of 781 male and 558 females

    He described the orientation service as the as first of the NYSC cardinal programs designed to usher in the corps members with a view to giving them better understanding of the objectives of the scheme.

    Some of the activities slated for the orientation program include: Skill Acquisition, Entrepreneurship Development, Marshal Arts Training, Military Drill, Citizenship and Leadership Training, and so on

    The State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari in his address read by the Director of youth development in the state ministry of youth and Sports, Alhaji Hussain Abdullahi Dangani, urged the corps members to maintain discipline and participate in all activities of the orientation course.

    He said ’’you should be the best that the country will be proud of and see yourselves as agents of change agenda. You must shun corruption and other vices and embrace integrity and humility’’

  • Flood hits Yola North, four other LGAs

    Devastating flood which followed a downpour Friday through Saturday has caused much havoc in the twin metropolitan Yola North and Yola South local government areas, nearby Girei LGA, as well as Ganye and Shelleng LGAs.

    The flood has thrown residents into activities to mitigate its effect and the state government in flux, with the state-run emergency management agency opening a camp to accommodate particularly helpless displaced residents.

    Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), Dr Muhammed Suleiman, who disclosed that the camp was opened in Yolde Pate, Yola South LGA where 219 people had so far been admitted, said, however, that no death had been recorded as a result of the flood.

    Speaking about the camp and indicating during a press interview on Saturday afternoon how widespread the flood had been, the ADSEMA boss said, “Those that were displaced and cannot stay in their houses overnight, we have opened a camp for them. The government is feeding them and we have provided them with relief materials.

    “The areas affected by the flood are many. In Jimeta there are many places. So also in Yola town, and even this morning, I have received report from Shelleng where they said things were destroyed. Right now we are going with his excellency the deputy governor to Girei Local Government where there was also flooding, and I have received a report of flooding from Ganye Local Government. So, it’s flooding all over.”

    Read Also: Flood damages roads, submerges houses in Jigawa

    The flood in the indicated LGAs has come exactly a week after two LGAs in the northern zone of the state were cut off because a bridge linking them to the rest of the state was washed off.

    The bridge in Dilchim, in Michika LGA, which had earlier been bombed by Boko Haram but around which a temporary passage was created, was further rendered unusable, making it impossible for the people of Michika and neighbouring Madagali to either leave their communities or get back if they were away before the flood.

    What has happened in the state capital since Friday evening is reminiscent of the Michika/Madagali experience, as many people who left home Friday morning were unable to return home as flood had taken over their streets by evening.

    Many Yola streets remained flooded as this report was being filed Saturday evening, with many residents from whose houses the flood had receded, working to put their homes back in order.

    Communities worst affected by the flood in Yola North included Jambutu, Kofare, Bachure, Demsawo and Nasarawo.

    The Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) which was directly affected by the flood, had to plead, on Saturday, that electricity to those areas which was cut off during the rainstorm, would not be restored until after some repair effort.

    The company said in a statement mailed to our correspondent by its Senior Corporate Communications Manager, Kingsley Nkemnemel, “This is to inform you that YEDC Jambutu injection substation is out of service due to heavy rainfall yesterday that caused flooding at the substation.”

  • ‘Kanu didn’t order attack of Southeast Governors abroad’

    Counsel to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu; Barrister Aloy Ejimakor has debunked news making rounds that his client ordered violence or physical attack on Southeast Governors overseas.

    In a statement by Ejimakor, stated that what the IPOB leader told his supporters is elected leaders from Nigeria and Southeast in particular who prefer junketing and gallivanting abroad instead of working for the electorate should be ready to answer tough questions from Nigerians and the people of Southeast in general who are in Diaspora.

    According to Kanu’s lawyer, the questioning by the Diasporan Easterners and Nigerians isn’t going to be violent, but that the people will embark on protest to register their grievances.

    The statement read, “I write as the Special Counsel to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and I can tell you authoritatively that my Clients, particularly Nnamdi Kanu never made any threats of levying violence or to “physically attack” SE Governors or elected officials when sighted overseas.

    “What Kanu had said, and it’s verifiable, is that Nigerian elected officials, especially those from SE (including Governors), who derelict and still derelict their duties to the people and prefer to junket and gallivant abroad should be ‘prepared to answer tough questions from the Nigerian/SE Diaspora’.

    “And such engagements will be up close and personal; or as American say: in your face. It’s left to conjecture why Umahi-led SE Governors, more than all others, are the ones getting too personal with this.

    Read Also: South-East Govs dare Kanu over threat against Igbo leaders

    “In plain terms, the so-called threat is not of violence or battery but of gutsy demonstrations or protests, of tough questions or heckling, of getting really close to the target. Therefore, Kanu never threatened or sanctioned any threat of actual physical violence, assault or battery, or anything that is illegal or criminal. And he had also stated that you don’t have to be afraid if you have done nothing wrong.

    “So, what I believe that is fueling this misconstruing the true import of what Kanu had said is this: Nigerians at home hardly carry their protests to the face of their elected officials. They do complain but they do ever so quietly and seem to be cowed in the immediate vicinity or presence of these officials. Still, this is a dramatic departure from the era of Jonathan when Nigerians were permitted much space to protest as they desired.

    “The Nigerian diaspora is different. They demonstrate to your face, they heckle you, they come very close and express their discontent in uncomfortable words and actions that these officials are not used to back home but which, however, comport with how citizens of those foreign nations protest or confront their leaders in the public.

    “I think Nigerians, particularly Igbos need to see the Ekweremadu incident in Germany from the prism of German law, which, as we now know, is unarguably permissive of it.

    “A few days ago, the Channels TV aired a live telephonic interview with the Nuremberg police chief, where the officer stated very clearly and repeatedly that the incident was not criminal and that no charges would be brought. He suggested that it was a case of mere political heckling, which is permissible under German law. So, I ask: If the place of the incident did not consider it a crime, why should any other person consider it as one?

    “As regards reconciliation with Igbo elected political leaders, the IPOB had, in the recent past, made public their basic conditions for reconciliation.

    “They include particularly the following: (a)Immediate and unconditional de-proscription of IPOB and delisting it as a terrorist organization. (b)A truth and reconciliation commission on the Python Dance lethal military operations of September 2017. (c)A public apology for the extrajudicial killings of IPOB members and desecration of the palace of an Igbo traditional ruler at Afaraukwu, Abia State. (d)A genuine dialogue with IPOB on its demands for a referendum on the restoration of Biafra. (e)Discontinuance of the ongoing prosecution of IPOB members and forbearance of any future arrests and prosecutions.

    “Is this asking for too much?” the statement concluded

  • Weekly Round-up: Top stories you might have missed this week

    It’s been such a busy week with so many activities hence you may have missed some of our most interesting stories. We take a moment every week to bring you top stories you might have missed.

    Buhari’s new Ministers, Re-arrest of Wadume, NASU, SSANU warning strike, IPOB’s attack on Ekweremadu, EFCC’s probe of Obasanjo govt’s $16bn power project, fraudulent practices by 80 Nigerians in US, and other controversial news dominated the socio-political discourse this week.

    To make sure you’re up-to-date, The Nation brings you a brief round-up of the major stories this week. Alao Abiodun Reports

    Here is a recap of the week’s big news:

    Taraba Killing: Police Re-Arrest Suspected Kidnapper, Wadume

    The Police have arrested suspected kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Wadume who was named in the clash between the police and soldiers two weeks ago in Taraba State.

    Mr Wadume was arrested in the Layin Mai Allo Hotoro area of Kano State by Inspector General of Police (IGP)’s Intelligence Response Team.

    Reacting to the suspect’s arrest, IGP Mohammed Adamu commended the police operatives for their perseverance and painstaking efforts.

    He also thanked Nigerians for their support and empathy to the police and the families of the officers killed in Taraba.

    Buhari swears in ministers

    Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, has sworn in his 43 new ministers.

    The ministers were sworn in on Wednesday, inside the Federal Executive Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Among those present at the event was the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha and the national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.

    President Buhari had on July 23 appointed a total of 43 ministers from the 36 states and Abuja.

    Among the appointees are former Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio; senior lawyer Festus Keyamo; ex-Benue governor George Akume; and 40 other nominees.

    The president also retained Babatunde Fashola, Chris Ngige and a few other returnee ministers.

    The appointments were made across the six geopolitical zones.

    80 Nigerians charged for massive fraud, money laundering in America

    The United States Department of Justice has released a statement announcing that 80 defendants, most of whom are Nigerians have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to launder money, and aggravated identity theft.

    A 252-count federal grand jury indictment charged 77 Nigerian nationals with participating in a massive conspiracy to steal millions of dollars through a variety of fraud schemes and launder the funds through a Los Angeles-based money laundering network as uncovered by the FBI.

    The indictment was unsealed after law enforcement authorities, led by the FBI, on Thursday morning arrested 14 defendants across the United States, with 11 of those arrests taking place in the Los Angeles region.

    Two defendants were already in federal custody on other charges, and one was arrested earlier this week. The remaining defendants are believed to be abroad, with most of them located in Nigeria.

    NASU, SSANU, demand N30 billion earned allowance

    Nigerian university workers held a warning strike from Monday, to press the federal government to meet their demands.

    The one-week strike lasted from August 19 to 23.

    Non-academic staff of universities had earlier planned for a nationwide protest on July 15 ahead of an indefinite strike over the failure of the federal government to implement its agreements with them.

    The agitation is coming four months after the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) suspended their two-month strike.

    Nigerian non-academic university workers have demanded N30 billion as payment of their earned allowances from the Nigerian government.

    The union lamented that 80 per cent of the money earlier released to the universities was for academic staff which it described as ‘discriminatory’.

    In its address, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the non-academic unions, Solomon Alfa, said the five-day warning strike embarked upon last Monday to press home their demands was very successful.

    The striking unions include the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU).

    Read Also: Six fake NYSC members nabbed in katsina

    133 Nigerian refugees return from Cameroon

    Nigerian refugees

    About 133 Nigerian refugees have returned from neighbouring Cameroon.

    The returnees are part of the over two million Nigerians displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    Most of those displaced are within Nigeria, but several thousands are also living as refugees in neighbouring countries like Cameroon and Chad.

    The 133 returnees touched down at the Yola International Airport aboard Nigerian Airforce C130 at about 5:00 p.m. local time on Thursday.

    Officials of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, said the refugees volunteered to return home on their own.

    Some of the refugees described their experiences while in Cameroon as nasty, with one saying “life over there was difficult.”

    Condemnations trail IPOB’s attack on Ekweremadu

    This week, more condemnation trailed the attack on former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu by suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Germany.

    He was to give a keynote address at the Second Annual Igbo Cultural Festival and Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo in Nuremberg, Germany, on Saturday.

    IPOB claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on Sunday, saying it ordered its members in 100 countries to attack Igbo leaders when they see them.

    Reacting to the attack, the All Progressives Congress (APC) asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to apologise to Nigerians for supporting IPOB.

    APC National Publicity Secretary Lanre Issa-Onilu described PDP’s reaction to the attack as hypocritical.

    “No Nigerian should be assaulted in the manner Senator Ekweremadu was. It is an indecent action and it is below the acceptable standard of behaviour expected of our citizens, whether in Nigeria or abroad.”

    Southeast Governors’ Forum Chairman and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi said that the problem with the members of the IPOB is illiteracy.

    He said that majority of them were suffering from illiteracy and needed to be enrolled in school.

    Tribunal nullifies Dino Melaye’s election

    An election tribunal sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has nullified the election of Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi West.

    The tribunal ordered a fresh election to be conducted in the senatorial district.

    Mr Melaye’s closest rival, Smart Adeyemi of the APC, had challenged his victory at the tribunal.

    Mr Melaye was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2007 to represent Kabba/Ijumu federal constituency. He served two terms and later won election as a senator in 2015. He was declared winner of the February 2019 to serve another term in the Senate.

    Mr Melaye in June confirmed he would be contesting the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State. The Kogi governorship election holds on November 16.

  • I faked kidnap to see my boyfriend – Teenager

    One of the reported kidnap victims in Enugu last Thursday has been found by the operatives of the anti kidnap team of the Enugu Police command.

    According to the police spokesman, Superintendent Ebere Amaraizu, the ‘victim’ Kosisochukwu Anioma confessed that she was never kidnapped but faked it in order to meet her school’s boyfriend in Owerri.

    Until the time of filing this report, Kosisochukwu, who is a daughter of an Enugu politician and a former aide to former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, Frank Anioma was still in custody of the police.

    Read Also: I’m overhauling Police force to overcome insecurity says Buhari

    Anioma had reported on Thursday that his daughter, Kosiso was on her way to the New Haven market when she got missing.

    “Her phone was ringing when we called her number but there was no reply. Thereafter, it went into busy,” Anioma posted.

    The police based on the report immediately swung into action where she was traced to Owerri in Imo state.

    According to Amaraizu, the teenage girl confessed: “I faked kidnap in order for me to travel to Owerri to meet my school boyfriend.”

  • We will deliver affordable houses to Nigerians – FG

    The Federal Government Saturday said it would build affordable houses for low and middle-income earners across the country.

    The government said its target was cut the 20 million housing deficit in the country by 2033.

    To do that, the government said it would build one million housing units annually.

    Minister of State, Works and Housing, Abubakar Aliyu, stated these when he visited the Federal Government Housing Estate, Zuba, Abuja, on Saturday to inspect the level of work done on the project.

    He said: “By the time we are able to provide the enabling environment and remove all these problems and create a level playing ground for investors to come in I think we will be able to reach our target at 2033 where we will close the gap of over 20 million (housing) deficit.

    “Now the production is very low, around 100, 000 houses per year in the formal sector.

    “We hope to improve it to one million houses per year so as to close the gap of 17-20 million housing deficit by 2033. That is the target of the government.

    “We are on board and committed to doing that (closing the housing deficit gap).

    He said the government would ensure the speedy competition of the project.

    According to him, the project is already at 75 percent and would be delivered to Nigerians soon.

    Read Also: ‘Kanu didn’t order attack of Southeast Governors abroad’

    The minister said the government would extend the housing project to other states.

    “This project was approved in 2017. This is the pilot and we hope to replicate them in other states.

    “We already have the project in two sites here in Abuja. We will look at ways to replicate them in other states.

    “As you know, we have a huge deficit of housing, mostly middle and low income.

    “We will complete this project as one of primary objectives.

    “The project is already at 75 percent, we will make sure there is no delay by ensuring its speedy completion,” he added.

  • Buhari congratulates Jibril Aminu at 80

    President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the academia, other statesmen and political leaders in celebrating Prof. Jibril Aminu, who turns 80 on Aug. 25, 2019.

    President Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Saturday, lauded Aminu’s pedigree of excellence, stewardship and dedication to the growth of the nation and humanity.

    The President felicitated with the medical doctor, consultant and scholar for scoring many firsts in his chosen career, and promoting a culture of multi-disciplinary impact through commitment and focus.

    He also commended him for serving the nation variously as a minister, diplomat, administrator and senator.

    Read Also: Buhari and the population explosion ogre

    President Buhari affirmed that ”Aminu’s exceptionality stems from his forthrightness, strong sense of fairness, love for learning and unwavering support for issues that affect the livelihood of the ordinary people.”

    While highlighting the Professor’s many counsels to leaders and interventions as a lawmaker from 2003 to 2011, the president applauded his versatility and contributions to national development.

    He acknowledged that Aminu had served the country as a Minister of Education and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, believing that the scholar played a significant role in representing and projecting Nigeria at the global stage, which generations would remember.

    President Buhari rejoiced with family members, friends, academic and political associates of the physician, praying that the almighty God would grant him longer life and good health.

  • We will deliver on Buhari’s mandate, says Minister

    Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mrs Ramatu Aliyu, has assured Nigerians that she will work cordially with her counterpart, the FCT Minister, Malam Mohammed Bello on the prompt delivery of the mandate given to them by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    She said this during her speech at a dinner organised in her honour by friends and women of worth, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

    “The President has assigned us workable action plans to move the ministry forward in terms of economic development and job creation, and we want to assure him and Nigerians on prompt delivery of our mandate, ” the minister added.

    According to a statement issued on Saturday by her Special Assistant, Media, Aderonke Bello, the minister further expressed her gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment, adding that: “I am very grateful to the President for finding me worthy of this role and I promise to work vigorously to actualize the confidence in me, I will not let him and every Nigerians down in my duties.

    Read Also; Buhari and the population explosion ogre

    “I am soliciting for the support of the staff for us to work together as a team in my office. I also want to solicit for your prayers, pray for my Honourable Minister, Alhaji Muhammadu Bello, pray for God’s guidance and protection for us, the path to grow FCT is what we will take,”

    In her goodwill message, Mrs Chinwendu Amba, on behalf of Women of Worth said she believes in the strength of Mrs Aliyu to succeed in office.

    Mrs. Amba said: “Her elevation is a testament to her incredible tenacity, perseverance, determination to succeed and exemplary life; we are aware that the task before you is daunting and the challenges are varied and multi-dimensional but we trust you to be able to weather the storm and overcome all challenges as you have always down.”

  • Man United suffer embarrassing defeat at home to Crystal Palace

    It was a moment of disappointment on Saturday as Manchester United lost at home 1-2 to Crystal Palace in continuation of the new English Premier League (EPL) season.

    Recall that United drew against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday after Paul Pogba missed from the spot kick in their second game of the 2019/20.

    The team needed a win against Crystal Palace on Saturday to revive the confidence in the young players.

    However, a late Patrick van Aanholt strike which squeezed past David De Gea was all Crystal Palace needed to seal victory.

    United had most of the possession which stood at 75 percent, but they failed to utilize it allowing Jordan Ayew to put Palace ahead in the first half.

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils failed to score from the spot for a second time running after Marcus Rashford saw his effort hit the post to go straight to safety.

    Nevertheless, James, the Welsh winger bestowed a short-lived hope on the United fans when he curled home a stunning finish into the top corner to level the scores in the 89th minute.

    Read Also: EPL: Crystal Palace stun Man. United at Old Trafford

    But then it was Crystal Palace who went home with all three points when Manchester United defence slacked at the dying minutes of the encounter.

    Aanholt picked a loosed ball, curled a powerful strike to the left post which ultimately escaped United’s goalkeeper, De Gea.

    Manchester United will face Southampton, while Crystal Palace tackle Aston Villa in their next game on Saturday, Aug. 31.

     

    NAN

  • Aregbesola to correctional officers: focus on reformation of inmates

    Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has urged officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), to always focus on the reformation of inmates.

    Aregbesola gave the advice in Abuja when he visited the headquarters of the NCS.

    He said all hands should be on deck to ensure that inmates are better citizens when they leave the walls of the correctional facilities.

    Aregbesola reinstated the sanctity of governance as the guarantee of security and safety of the entire Nigerian people.

    He expressed his readiness to contribute his own ideas to improve the internal security of the country with collaboration and cooperation of the security agencies in intelligence gathering.

    The minister promised to set up a synergy between the agencies in his Ministry, the Police and other security agencies in the country in intelligence sharing, so as to improve on the security situation in the country.

    His words: “we have seen a new approach in all the agencies that are to support the ministry in executing it primary mandate which is internal security and safety of Nigerians. I am impressed. I am impressed with the level of commitment in terms of investment of the government in all the agencies.

    Read Also; Aregbesola vows to set new internal security agenda

    “I am prepared for the task ahead this is just a motivation. I am prepared for the work of the Ministry of Interior. What I must tell Nigerians is that leadership is for all. We must never assume that leadership is for those at the apex level of it. Everybody has a role to play particularly in security.

    “We must take internal security very seriously. Changing this name from a custodian service to a correctional service is a great move for this administration. Our focus on this service should be on the new name in reforming and correcting the inmates. We should focus more on reformation of inmates.

    “As a result of our commitment to a proactive security agenda for the country, we are going to set up an early warning-alarm system in all the geopolitical zones, in other to nib in the bud any security breach before it happens”.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Barr. Georgina Ekeoma Ehuriah, said, given the achievements recorded as the Governor in the State of Osun, she has no doubt that the Minister would make remarkable impacts in the Ministry in order to curb insecurity in Nigeria.