The Nation Newspaper

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  • I’m overhauling Police force to overcome insecurity says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja said the entire structure of the Nigerian Police Force is being overhauled, re-positioned and primed with modern technological gadgets to meet rising challenges across the nation.

    He also said an intelligence loop among all security outfits has been created.

    The President spoke while receiving traditional rulers from the North led by His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III at the Presidential Villa.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, the President said the ongoing reform of the police will include recruitment of more hands, cultivation of stronger local intelligence and networking with communities, traditional rulers and adequate training.

    He noted that the return of the Ministry of Police Affairs was purposely to drive the new initiative of ensuring proper provision of security for lives and property, with proactive intelligence gathering to nip crimes in the bud before they escalate.

    “I have decided to meet with Your Highnesses to assure you that government is determined to tackle and deal decisively with all security challenges facing us as a nation.

    “This consultation therefore is to engage you, our royal fathers, so that, collectively, we can arrive at solutions to any and all security problems in the country.

    “We must all play our part to finally address these security challenges, particularly traditional rulers, in your respective communities, where you feel the pulse of the people, being the closest to the populace at the grassroots level,’’ he said.

    Read Also; RUGA: We didn’t receive N6.2b from Buhari – Ohanaeze

    President Buhari urged the traditional rulers to provide more support to security agencies with their versatile knowledge of communities and individuals.

    “These policies and programmes include a robust revamping of police intelligence gathering capacity and the significant boosting of the numbers of security personnel in our local communities. This in specific terms will include recruiting more police officers and doing so whenever possible from their local government areas, where they would then be stationed in the best traditions of policing world-wide.

    “Working with the State governments also, we intend to improve the equipping of the police force with advanced technology and equipment that can facilitate their work. To drive this, I recently created a full-fledged Ministry of Police Affairs.

    “As I said during my meeting with the Traditional Rulers from the South-West, directives have been issued to the appropriate federal authorities to speedily approve licensing for States requesting the use of drones to monitor forests and other criminal hideouts,’’ he added.

    The President said CCTVs will be installed on highways and other strategic locations so that activities in some hidden places can be exposed, more effectively monitored and open to actionable interventions.

    In his remark, the Sultan of Sokoto assured the President of the full support of traditional rulers in the country.

    “We have come to assure you of our total support, total commitment and undiluted dedication to moving the nation forward as one of the best countries of the world,’’ the royal father noted.

    He said the traditional thrones in various communities predated the amalgamation of the protectorates, and all the forefathers had always upheld the virtues of peace, unity and stability, assuring the President that royal fathers across the country had been in constant communication on the security challenges, promising to support the government to succeed.

  • Oyo-Ita is not corrupt, says C/River Deputy Speaker

    The Deputy Speaker of Cross River House of Assembly, Mr Joseph Bassey, has expressed confidence in the character and integrity of the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, declaring she is not corrupt.

    Bassey told reporters in Calabar on Friday that the allegations of fraud within her office were false and baseless, stressing that she has exhibited good character and integrity in service.

    According to the Deputy Speaker, Oyo-Ita cannot be associated with any financial impropriety and therefore should be given a chance to fair hearing by the Presidency.

    “First and foremost, if there is anyone I can vouch for that has character and integrity in service, it is Oyo-Ita because I have known her right from when I was growing up; I know her track record from her civil days in Cross River.

    “President Buhari is a man of integrity and the Head of Service has worked under him while he was in charge of Petroleum Task Fund and that was where Buhari built the confidence in her.

    “Even when she was been screened for the position of the Head of Service, she was not found to be corrupt or involved in any financial scandal before. She is a civil servant who loves her career.

    “Oyo-Ita is not a politician, she got to her present position by merit and God’s grace, so we should support her to continue to deliver service to Nigerian populace,’’ he said.

    The Deputy Speaker, who said that Oyo-Ita’s name should not be dragged to the mud, added that she has distinguished herself as a civil servant and a professional with impeccable character and integrity.

    Bassey, who described the allegations as blackmail and politics, said that Oyo-Ita should not be accused wrongly because she stood her grounds for the right things to be done in the civil service.

    He maintained that the allegations before Oyo-Ita were not substantial, adding that it was on that premise that the Presidency rejected her resignation letter and asked her to resume work.

    Read Also; Oyo-Ita: President asked me to return to work

    The Deputy Speaker, who commended President Buhari for asking her to resume work, said that Mr President was aware of the track records of Oyo-Ita.

    “A group of cabal are operating even without the knowledge of the president and by this doing; they are tarnishing the good name of the President whom we all know is a man of integrity.

    “Buhari that we know cannot subject to this cheap way of blackmailing people, it is not nice. Oyo-Ita was not brought up to steal or to be found bending; that is not her style.

    “People should stop tagging a dog with a bad name because they want to kill it. What the Head of Service is going through is purely political and I thank the President for his swift respond,’’ he said.

    He advised the President to checkmate the activities of some of his aides with a view to maintain the integrity and dignity of his office.

  • Police in Enugu investigate death of woman in a farm

    The Enugu State Police Command has directed for a full scale investigation into the alleged murder of a woman in her farm in Emene community near Enugu.

    Commissioner of Police, Mr Sulaiman Balarabe, gave the directive in a statement by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ebere Amaraizu in Enugu on Friday.

    The commissioner said that a thorough investigation would establish what actually happened and persons involved as well as their motives among others.

    “The Command is advising members of the public to continue to be law abiding and avoid anything that will truncate the existing peace and security in the state.

    Read Also: Police arraign dismissed cops for alleged extrajudicial killing 

    “Security operatives will leave no stone unturned towards unmasking those behind the dastardly act,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that the corpse of the deceased woman had been deposited at the hospital mortuary of the Annunciation Hospital, Emena for autopsy.

    It would be recalled that the mutilated corpse of Mrs Pat Ngwu, from Nchatancha axis of Emene community, was on Thursday found by a stream.

    She went missing the previous day in her farm, which was her last known destination.

  • APC will rule Nigeria beyond 2023, says Oshiomhole

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has expressed confidence that the party will continue to rule the country after the expiration of the second term of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

    Speaking at a meeting with governors of the party on the platform of Progressive Governors Forum, Oshiomhole called for synergy among party members to move the party and the country forward.

    While admitting that the task of leading the party has been quite challenging, Oshiomhole said: “It is quite a challenging experience for me. I try to compare myself as a governor and now as chairman of a party, coming in at the eve of primaries and dealing with fall outs of the previous congresses. And then proceeding to conduct elections.
    “Then conduct primaries and campaigns across the 36 states and the FCT. And, working hard to ensure that we secure as many votes we can for our president.
    “As, well as support our states particularly where we didn’t have state governors to ensure that we are able to lend a helping hand.

    “I am happy to say that at the end of the day even though we lost some states we also gained some states.
    ”We gained Kwara, which for us is extremely important. And, we also gained Gombe state which is also very strategic among others.
    “Of course, we have a clear majority in the National Assembly. We have more senators elected on our platform. We also have more of House Representatives elected on our platform.

    “As it stands there are many cases in court. And until those cases are resolved, we won’t be able to say for sure where we stand. It is our prayer because we believed that a lot of our cases in court have merit. We hope that there will be justice and they are resolve in our favor.

    Read Also: APC Governors, Oshiomhole meet in Abuja

    ”We also want to congratulate you for having being reelected. Sometimes it is easier to be elected the first time. But to be reelected implies a huge vote of confidence by the people of your respective states.
    “And Looking at things from here, I know a lot went into trying to seize the deliberate attempt by the opposition to discredit the good ones. Like, we have said during the retreat, we believed our party has made a lot of progress in the three key areas that were reflected in our manifesto.

    “But, there is a lot to be done. And I am sure working together at both the executive, state and federal by the special grace of God, we will do better in this second time. As to merit, our party will continue to govern the country post 2023.”

    The delegation of the Progressive Governors was led to the meeting by their Chairman and Kebbi Governor Atiku Bagudu.

    It included Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara and Deputy Governor of Yobe state, Idi Barde Gubana.

    The meeting, which held behind closed doors lasted for about two hours.

    But neither the party nor the Governors were forthcoming about the outcome of the meeting.

    The meeting was however believed to have discussed the lingering crisis in the party, the need for true reconciliation and how to move forward.

    Apart from the letter written to Oshiomhole by the Deputy National Chairman North, Senator Lawan Shuaihu asking him to resign, the Director General of the Governors Forum, Salihu Lukman also wrote Oshiomhole on the needs for immediate and total reconciliation.

  • Truck crushes Army officer to death in Ogun

    A truck loaded with granite on Friday crushed an Army officer identified as R. A. Nata’ala to death in Iyana Mortuary area of Abeokuta.

    The accident was said to have occurred around 10:30 a.m.

    According to an eyewitness, the victim was on his motorcycle with number plate: PKA 567 QD when a truck with registration number JJJ 833 XW had brake failure.

    The eyewitness said that the truck swerved off from its lane and crushed the soldier who was riding his motorcycle to death.

    The truck was said to be coming from Ajebo-Idi-Aba road, and heading toward Ijaye when the incident occurred.

    The eyewitness explained that the traffic light had stopped some vehicles going toward Idi-Aba including the victim’s motorcycle when the truck rammed into his soldier’s motorcycle and killed him.

    Read Also: Ex Ogun governor underscores entrepreneurship

    Also, the spokesperson of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta.

    Akinbiyi said that the truck after losing control hit a Mazda car marked APP 272 DH before hitting the motorcycle marked PKA 567 QD.

    He said that the corpse of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary of the State Hospital, Ijaye.

    Akinbiyi, however, said that the truck driver ran away.

  • FG, Labour meet to end minimum wage logjam

    The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) and the representatives of the Federal Government are currently meeting to put an end to delays in the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

    The meeting, holding at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, is expected to bring to an end continued disagreements in the percentage of consequential adjustments.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new minimum wage bill was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in April.

    However, deliberations between government and labour had been stalled over the issue of relativity/consequential adjustment of salaries.

    The Federal Government had, on May 14, inaugurated the relativity/consequential adjustment committee, which, in turn, set up a technical sub-committee to work out the template for the adjustment of salaries of public service employees.

    At a meeting between the government and labour in July, the former had proposed a 10 percent increment for workers on GL. 7 to 14 and 5.5 percent for those on GL. 15 to 17.

    Mr Richard Egbule, the immediate past Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, had attributed the delay in the implementation of the “consequential adjustment” of the N30,000 new minimum wage to the unrealistic demands by labour unions.

    Egbule explained that the current demand of the labour unions would raise the total wage bill too high, and that was why government could not accept their proposed salary adjustments.

    Labour, on its own part, had also turned down government’s offer, proposing, instead, 30 percent increase for workers on GL. 7 to 14 and 25 percent for those on GL. 15 to 17.

    Read Also: Labour, FG meet again over minimum wage adjustment

    The JNPSNC had initially demanded for 66 per cent increment across board for all workers, basing it on the fact that the increase in wage from N18, 000 to N30, 000 was 66 per cent.

    Mr Lawrence Amaechi, an executive member of the labour group in the negotiating council, told NAN that public service workers were expecting government to finally agree with them on reasonable adjustments to the salaries for immediate implementation of the minimum wage.

    Amaechi, who is also the National President, Nigerian Civil Service Union, said that the payment of the new minimum wage was long overdue.

    He urged government to be proactive in order not to accumulate arrears which, he said, might result in another round of agitations by employees.

    Amaechi said although the two labour unions – NLC and Trade Union Congress – were not part of the eight unions that made up the JNPSNC, their representatives had been invited as observers, should negotiations break down.

    Both parties are expected to either agree with government’s proposed additions of 10 percent for GL. 7 to 14 workers and 5.5 percent for those on GL. 15 to 17 or come to a middle point away from labour’s demands for 30 and 25 per cent increase respectively.

  • Buhari approves license of online radio, TV stations

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved wide ranging reforms in the broadcasting industry, including the licensing of online radio and television stations

    According to a statement by Mr. Segun Adeyemi, Media aide to the Minister of Information and Culture, the initiative is to bring sanity to the industry.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed it in Abuja on Friday when he received members of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) on a courtesy visit, was responding to a request made by BON for the review of the Broadcasting Code.

    “I just want to use this opportunity to inform you that Mr. President has actually already approved a review of the Broadcast Code that is going to take care of many of the issues you have already raised here.

    “In particular, the President has approved that Web TVs and radio stations, including foreign broadcasters beaming signals into Nigeria, will be licensed because we must bring sanity into this industry.

    “Mr. President has also approved a wide range of reforms in the industry which, at the appropriate platform, I will let you know,” he said.

    The Minister, who promised to carry along members of BON in the review of the Broadcasting Code, restated the commitment of the present administration to free media.

    “I have said it on many platforms that this administration is not

    about to gag the press. No!

    “But we will appeal to the press to please self-regulate for the sake of this country and also for the sake of the industry itself,” he said.

    Mohammed also appealed to BON to partner with the government in the promotion of peaceful co-existence and cohesion to engender progress and national development.

    “Today, if anybody listens to what is being said on some radio or television stations, you will think that this country is at war or that Christians actually cannot live with Muslims or that there is a dichotomy between the North and the South.

    “I think we need to appeal to you to use your platforms for the unity and cohesion of the country,” he said.

    Acting Chairman of BON, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, said the re-appointment of the Minister was deserved because he brought life and great innovation to the broadcast industry during the first tenure of the administration.

    He pledged the readiness of BON to key into the government’s agenda, especially the fight against fake news.

  • BBNaija: ‘Omashola TV’ steals the show

    Omashola Oburoh, a housemate in the ongoing Big Brother Naija reality show, has stunned fans with his creative project, ‘Omashola TV’.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Omashola’s makeshift television was part of the wager presentation by his group, ‘The Icons’.

    The television was modeled after the old box televisions that required aerial tuning, and contained programmes such as the BBNaija show and Warri TV.

    Omashola designed the television entirely from scrap, waste material in line with the theme of the wager task.

    The innovation earned him praise from other housemates, especially Mike who specially congratulated him.
    Fans also shared their thoughts on Twitter.

    @Halimasucre said, “Omashola’s Box Tv Dey burst my brain.He creatively thought out of the Box totally!

    “We #TeamOmashola never saw this coming! I Re Stan my Stanship! I’m Very Proud of You Omashola! Go Icons #theicons.”

    @Rainebe tweeted, “That is a strong exhibition of a true winner who is fighting so hard to win a deserving tittle and Price.

    “It takes only people with genuine judgement to see how necessary it is to root, support and sponsor Omashola to win.”

    @Egedec said, “Well Deserved victory icons. Very creative items ( ready to buy) omashola’s TV great prototype bill board for every shop in the streets. I learnt a lot. Items, presentation and good spirit. #BBNaija”

    @MissBarosi wrote, “Omashola’s tv was mind blowing,unexpected. The fact that it changed channels, that was a Bomb.”

    NAN reports that Ike’s handmade chess board was another highlight of the wager presentation.

    He collaborated with Cindy and Khafi to paint and make chess miniatures from waste materials.

    Omashola TV, Ike’s chess/checkers board and Khafi’s quote were major contributors to ‘The Icons’ win over ‘Cruisetopia’.

    The team had their third win in a row on Thursday, following their last wager and nomination task win.

  • Buhari seeks support for health, education

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday in Abuja, said his administration will maintain focus on health and education and would require the support of well-to-do individuals in the country to achieve success in these areas.

    The President, who noted the attainment of three years without a recorded polio incident, achieved by his administration with local and international support, said it was something not only to cherish, but one that also requires sustained vigilance.

    Buhari spoke during a courtesy call on him by Mr. Andrew Young, the former Ambassador of the United States to the United Nations, accompanied by the board of Emeka Offor Foundation in Nigeria.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said: “The best asset to give to the people is health and education. You free them from the tendencies of under-development, especially religious and ethnic manipulations which are challenges facing us at this stage of our development”.

    He however expressed optimism that these challenges will wither away with time.

    “We have to march gradually. It is impossible to be in a hurry. We are seeking inclusive development without leaving a majority of our people behind,” the President said.

    He also commended the social and humanitarian activities of Sir Emeka Offor, especially in the areas of education and health:

    “You are translating the success you achieved into social service. This is what the government is doing, so you are helping us in many ways. I commend your activities in the area of health and education to other successful Nigerians.”

    In his address at the meeting, Ambassador Young expressed happiness with the Buhari administration’s effort toward Polio eradication.

    Read Also: Buhari reshuffles permanent secretaries, accounting officers

    He commended the President’s leadership of the country, saying, “at a time when nations of the world are pulling apart, we are happy that Nigeria is stable and secure under you. We will continue working with Nigeria because we consider ourselves as part of the family.”

    In his remarks, Ambassador Howard Jeter, a former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria said President Buhari’s re-election was, “a real boom for the future of Nigeria.”

    He outlined on-going efforts of the Emeka Offor Foundation, in partnership with the Andrew Young Foundation, to supply millions of books to schools, ensure the complete eradication of polio, attack River Blindness with about 40 million afflicted mostly in the South-east and the South-south areas of the country and, in the near future, also start a campaign against cervical cancer, for which Nigeria holds a world record.

  • Buhari to attend TICAD7 in Japan

    President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja on Sunday for Japan to participate in the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) holding in the City of Yokohama, August 28-30, 2019.

    President Buhari’s participation, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,Chief Femi Adesina, will be his second, having attended TICAD6 in Nairobi, Kenya, in August 2016.

    With the theme, “Africa and Yokohama, Sharing Passion for the Future,” the Opening Session of TICAD7 will be performed by the Japanese Prime Minister and host, Shinzo Abe.

    President Buhari will deliver Nigeria’s Statement during Plenary Session Three in which he will appraise Nigeria-Japan relations and takeaways from TICAD6.

    He will attend a State Banquet and also honour the invitation of Emperor Naruhito to a Tea Reception at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo. In addition to a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Abe.

    Read Also: Border closure: Senator urges caution

    The Nigerian President will also attend some side-events and meet chief executive officers of some Japanese companies with huge investments in Nigeria.

    Formed in 1993, the now triennial TICAD, which has been convened alternately in Japan and Africa since TICAD6, according to the organisers, is the largest international conference held in Japan which “provides an open forum that generates innovative discussion among various stakeholders on African development.” Participants are drawn not only from African countries, but also international organisations, private companies and civil society organisations involved in development.

    TCAD7 is expected to focus on Africa’s “economic transformation and improvements in business environment and institution through private investment and innovation; promotion of resilient and sustainable African society for human security; and peace and stability in support of Africa’s domestic proactive efforts.”

    Nigeria has gained tremendously since her participation in TICAD6 at the highest level, during which Japan pledged $30 billion investment “for the future of Africa combined with the private sector;” $10 billion infrastructure investment, and $500 million for vocational training of 50,000 Africans.

    Since the Nairobi Conference, Japanese government and companies have been very active in supporting Nigeria’s agriculture, healthcare, electricity and youth empowerment.

    President Buhari and his delegation are expected in Yokohama to push for broader Japanese assistance in the areas of science and technology, innovation, human resource development, education, agriculture, power, health and disaster risk reduction, among others.

    President Buhari will be accompanied by Governors Babagana Zulum, AbdulRaham AbdulRazaq and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Borno, Kwara and Lagos States respectively; ministers and other top government officials.

    The President is expected back in Nigeria on Saturday, August 31.