The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • PHOTOS: 59th Independence Anniversary in Abuja

    From left: Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai; Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari; Commander Guards Brigade, Brig,-Gen Mohmmed Usman; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Gabriel Olonisakin and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar during a Special Change of Guards/ Silent Drill Display in Commemoration of Nigeria’s 59th Independence Anniversary Celebration in Abuja on Tuesday
    President Muhammadu Buhari (M) flanked by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (L) former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon (2nd L) Senate President Ahmed Lawan () Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Gabriel Olonisakin and others while signing the Independence Anniversary Register during a Special Change of Guards/ Silent Drill Display in Commemoration of Nigeria’s 59th Independence Anniversary Celebration in Abuja on Tuesday (01/10/2019) Left is the former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon

    President Muhammadu Buhari (M) flanked by VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo () Senate President Ahmed Lawan (2nd R) Speaker,House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila () Chief of Defence Staff, GenGabriel Olonisakin (R) and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahima Tanko while cutting  the 59th IndependenceAnniversary cake during  a Special Change of Guards/ Silent Drill Display in Commemoration of Nigeria’s 59th IndependenceAnniversary Celebration in Abuja on Tuesday (01/10/2019) 0

  • Independence Day: Makinde calls for orientation change

    In the spirit of the celebration of the 59th independence anniversary of the country, Oyo state Governor Seyi Makinde has called for a change of orientation on the part of all Nigerians by ensuring they put national interests first and above all what he described as “egocentric concepts” that negates the progress of the country.

    Noting that the Independence Day celebration used to be marked with funfair, the governor stressed that this year’s edition calls for moments of sober reflections on the state and the nation at large.

    Makinde gave the charge on Tuesday at the main bowl of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan in an address after a commemorative march past led by officers of the Oyo State Command of the Nigerian Police Force.

    The march past which is the peak of weeklong events organised by the State Government to celebrate the nation at 59 was witnessed by members of the State Executive Council, top government functionaries, the speaker of the state house of assembly, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, who led other lawmakers, the state chief judge, Muntar Abimbola who led other members of the judiciary, commissioners, special advisers, heads of ministerial and extra ministerial boards, agencies and parastatals.

    Others are traditional rulers, security heads, religious leaders, public and private schools, paramilitary organisations, trade groups, artisans among others.

    Makinde who was represented by his deputy, Mr Rauf Olaniyan however assured that notwithstanding the plethora of challenges facing the country, his administration will continue to chart the course that will launch Oyo state into a land of great investments with economic opportunities and agricultural development.

    He used the opportunity of the occasion to solicit for the cooperation of the people of the state with his government, promising that he would ensure that all parts of the state is given a sense of belonging in the scheme of things, across religious or political divides.

    Read Also: Makinde’ll surpass Ajimobi, others in achievements

    Makinde said, “The Independence Day Celebration used to be marked with funfair, but this edition calls for moments sober reflections on the state and the nation at large.

    “There is a need to change our orientation to put national interest first above all egocentric concepts that negate the progress of the nation

    “The present administration in Oyo state will continue to chart a course that will launch Oyo state into a land of great investments with economic opportunities and agricultural development, so that the state in the not too distant future will be a state of pride to us as before.

    “Welfare programmes will be our focus in order to create a good life for all the citizens of Oyo state as we pursue our four policy thrust of agricultural development and its value chain, health, education and security.

    “We have a genuine desire to embark on aggressive strategy on mechanized agriculture and agricultural value chain that would not only provide employment for our people but one that would make Oyo State the Food Basket of the Nation.

    “In order to achieve a greater level of educational development, we must invest in all-round development of our opportunity for self-development self- reliance and self-actualization by exposing them to trainings that will assist them to become patriotic and responsible citizens in the society.

    “Hence the intervention programme flagged-off with the distribution of textbooks and exercise books to all the schools in Oyo state.

    “I use the occasion of this year’s celebration to seek the cooperation of all progressive minded people, civil servants, artisans, stakeholders, political leaders and followers. We shall accommodate all interest to ensure that every part of the state have a sense of belonging indifference to political or religious inclination

    “As Nigeria celebrates her 59th Independence Anniversary today, I congratulate us and pray that at our time, the dream of Eldorado is achieved. I wish you all a happy low key independence celebration.”

    Highpoint of the event includes cultural performance, distribution of prizes for winners at the march past, as well as for essay writing competitions and debate which held earlier.

    The event which was witnessed by a large turnout of the members of the public despite the early morning shower also saw heavy presence of security operatives.

  • Fed Govt marks 59th Independence Anniversary in Aso Rock

    The Federal Government on Tuesday celebrated the nation’s 59th independence anniversary at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    There was also Presidential change of guard from 177 guard battalion to 7th battalion of the guards brigade, marking the occasion at the forecourt of the State House.

    It was the highpoint of the week-long activities marking the anniversary.

    The celebration was the first under the second term tenure of the administration of President Buhari.

    The ceremony, which lasted for about one hour forty-five minutes, started around 10 a.m.

    President Buhari was ushered to the venue by 9.59am by first inspecting the quarter guards, and then walked to the Villa forecourt to receive national salute which was followed by rendition of the National Anthem

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was earlier ushered to the venue around 9.50am.

    Read Also: Buhari: Nigeria will be stronger than ever before

    While the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, was ushered to the venue by 9.46am, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, got to the forecourt of the Presidential Villa by 9.44am.

    At the ceremony were the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammed Bello.

    Service chiefs and other top government functionaries and members of the diplomatic corps also attended the ceremony.

    There was also 21 gun salute in the honour of President Buhari.

    The event witnessed the inspection of new Guard/Quarter guard, silent drills, colour party, posting of sentries and weapons and uniforms inspections to ensure conformity with military standards.

    Shortly after the no-speech making ceremony, President Buhari signed the anniversary register, released pigeons from cage and was assisted by some top dignitaries to cut the anniversary cake.

    The celebration on Tuesday replaced the full military parade, drills and entertainments which used to hold at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

    Since 1st of October, 2010 when the anniversary celebration witnessed bomb blasts at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan had marked all subsequent anniversaries under his administration in Aso Rock.

    But the Buhari’s administration broke the jinx by marking the 58th Independence Anniversary last year at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

  • Mount Zion Pastor dies while officiating member’s funeral service

    A Pastor of Mount Zion Church in Oke-Aro area of Ondo state,Femi Olorunsoromidayo, has reportedly died while conducting a funeral service for one of his members.

    It was learnt that the deceased, 42, was the founder of Divine Mount Zion Gospel Ministry.

    He was said to have died during the burial service of a 78-year-old church member, Mr Samuel Rotimi, at Erusu in Akoko North West Local Government after receiving his corpse for funeral service in Akure.

    A source said late Rotimi had before his death instructed the cleric that he should be buried at his residence in Akure as against his home town,Erusu-Akoko.

    But after his death, the pastor reportedly acted against the wish of the deceased with the support of the member’s immediate family members.

    Also, the head of the deceased family at Erusu-Akoko was said to have instructed the cleric to move the burial plans to Erusu against the earlier instructions of the deceased.

    A source said:” Since the late pastor including his immediate family had limited authority over the burial plan, he arranged for an ambulance, which took the corpse to Erusu Akoko, alongside his family members and some church members.

    Read Also; Police confirm killing of wanted kidnapper, ‘Lucifer’ in Rivers

    “While the pastor was conducting the burial service at the cemetery, he started feeling uncomfortable after which he became unconscious before he was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Akoko area,where he was confirmed dead.”

    It was learnt that the ambulance, which conveyed the remains of the late church member to his home town in Erusu for burial, was also used to convey the corpse of the Pastor back to Akure.

    The development was said to have created confusion within the church congregation and family members of the late cleric.

  • Police confirm killing of wanted kidnapper, ‘Lucifer’ in Rivers

    A notorious kidnapper, Ekweme Brown, popularly known as Lucifer has been shot dead by policemen in Rivers, an official said.

    Rivers Police Command Spokesman, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the killing in a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    Omoni said that Brown was killed during a sting operation launched by the police to apprehend the deceased.

    “Ekweme Brown, a.k.a Lucifer, was killed by men of Operation Sting, in a sting operation led by ACP Shem Evans.

    “Brown is responsible for all the kidnappings and hijack of commercial buses on the Ndele axis of the East West Road in the state.

    Omoni said the police command had declared the deceased wanted following intelligence that fingered him as mastermind of several abductions on the road.

    Read Also: Why we sealed Emmanuel’s Church, by Police

    “The most wanted notorious kidnapper is an indigene of Egamini Rundele in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers.

    “The entire Rundele community has been thrown into wild jubilation following announcement of his death,” he said.

    The police spokesman said the command was currently on the trail of gang members of the deceased suspect.

  • 31 victims of human trafficking return to Katsina

    31 victims of human trafficking, who were tricked and sold into slavery in Benin Republic to a Beninoise lady by one Alhaji Usman from Kankara town in Katsina state, now at large, have returned to Katsina.

    A Press Release from Abdul Labaran Malumfashi, DG Media, and made available to newsmen in Katsina on Tuesday, said seven of the victims who were initially sold in Benin Republic and later taken to Burkina Faso, had earlier been assisted to return to Nigeria by the Nigerian Embassy in Burkina Faso

    He said ‘’Contrary to the news making the rounds in the social and new media, the 31 Katsina State citizens were not kidnapped but tricked and sold into slavery in Benin Republic to a Beninoise lady by one Alhaji Usman from Kankara town, whose mobile phone numbers are in the possession of security and other government officials’’.

    ‘’The Benin lady thereafter took her ‘slaves’ to Gaoua, a town 150 kilometers from Ouagadougou, the Burkina Faso capital, where she kept them in servitude without food or money. The lady was later apprehended by the local authorities in Gaoua.”

    Read Also: Buhari pledges more funding for judiciary

    The release further added that the remaining 24 victims were due to arrive in Katsina on Tuesday to be received by Governor Aminu Bello Masari at the Government House in Katsina

    Mr. Labaran further added that the release of the victims was also facilitated by the Nigerian Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Hajiya Rahmatu Ahmed who contacted and informed the Katsina State Government about the plight of the trafficked victims, currently under the care of the Chief of the Hausa community in Ouagadougou.

    He said on receiving the information, Governor Masari dispatched the Special Adviser on Drugs, Narcotics and Trafficking, Alhaji Hamza Brodo with a 30-seater luxury bus to go Ouagadougou and bring back the remaining 24 victims.

  • BBNaija: Mixed reactions trail Diane’s eviction

    Nigerians have continued to express mixed reactions over the surprise eviction of housemate, Diane Russet, from BBNaija Season Four show.

    Diane was evicted on Monday night in a funny game of chance.

    Frodd, as the ultimate veto holder, had previously nominated five housemates for eviction and as a result, Elozonam, Cindy and Ike were evicted from the pool.

    On Monday night, he was asked to perform the final eviction as veto holder in a game of chance between Omashola and Diane.

    Diane and Omashola wrote their names on their gold Bet9ja coins and dropped it in a magic hat with the rest of the Coins.

    This left Frodd with the final Ultimate Veto job of picking who among the housemate would go home through an unlucky draw.

    It was a tense moment in the House as Frodd reached into the sac picking again and again till he eventually picked Diane.

    The eviction sparked a lot of emotions as Frodd and Mercy could not hold back their tears. Mike, Omashola and Seyi tried to maintain their composure.

    Read Also: #BBNaija: Eight things to know about Diane

    On social media, fans expressed mixed feelings about the method of eviction. While some felt it was cruel to put housemates on the spot, others supported the twist.

    @Razzi said, “Biggie is the main pepper in this game of BBNAIJA. See how he is peppering the Viewers.#BBNaija”

    @Joneslotty tweeted, “For how much I wanted Diane to Leave. I cried watching her leaving this evening; I really felt for Mercy. Let the housemate with the highest vote win come Sunday.”

    @Miss_Shazzy said, “This show is emotionally exhausting!!! All the best baby Diane can’t wait to see you in the movies.”

    @Jones said, “This made me shed a tear….. Biggy this was so unfair and the most painful way of evicting someone.”

    @Sampee tweeted, “I think Diane left at the right time, they saved her the stress of staying an extra boring week among strong competitors.”

    Mercy, Mike, Seyi, Ike and Omashola are the top five housemates left to contend for the Grand Prize worth N60 million.

  • Ogun govt rehabilitates roads

    Ogun State Government has begun the rehabilitation of over 30 kilometres of intra-city roads across the state through its Public Works Agency (OPWA).

    Leading a government delegation on an inspection tour of the projects, the Consultant to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, said that besides the road construction and rehabilitation, the state government had also begun the re-designing and proper channelisation of drainages in different parts of the state.

    Read Also: Customs boss lauds Ogun command over joint border security

    He said that the works were being done with a view to checking flooding being experienced by residents and road users in the state.

    Akinsanya listed some of the roads currently undergoing rehabilitation to include: Bright Fashion junction, Surulere-Baruwa/Eleja road, Hospital-Ajegunle in Sagamu axis, saying full construction had also commenced at Molipa-Fusigboye, Asafa-Oke, Asafa-Isale roads in Ogun East Senatorial District, Fajol-Ajegunle road in Obantoko, Elite road-Oke Lantoro- Isale Ake, as well as Vespa-Olose Titun, Ikorita Meje in Ifo area, in Ogun Central.

    He added that Osi-Ikola-Navy and Ray-power road at Ota, Ogun West Senatorial District were also being reconstructed and assured that all ongoing projects embarked upon by the agency and the ones inherited from the previous administration would be completed in due course.

  • Nigeria @ 59: Interesting facts about Nigeria’s National anthem, Pledge

    Nigeria is a country with rich history and culture. An anthem is an important rendition which represents the culture of the nation singing it. It is also a piece of music intended to be sung to express patriotism, love, or commitment.

    This solemn patriotic song is officially taken by a country as an expression of national identity.

    In Nigeria, there were several national anthems in the course of its history.

    Nigeria used the British National anthem “God Save the Queen” as her patriotic song in 1914 to 1960.

    However “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was used as the first official anthem of the country, which was composed by Lillian Jean Williams who created the lyrics as well as Frances Berda who composed the music.

    They celebrated the freedom Nigeria got from the UK.

    This anthem was first introduced in 1960 and was sung continuously until 1978.

    In 1978, there was a discourse on the need to chart a way forward for a new anthem; this therefore prompted the government to organize a contest for the “best lyrics” for a new Nigerian anthem.

    As a result of this, the committee selected the best of all the suggested lines and phrases, and these led into the composition of a brand-new anthem.

    Officially, the phrases and lines of five different authors were used in the song.

    • Eme Etim Akpan
    • John A. Ilechukwu
    • B. A. Ogunnaike
    • P. O. Aderibigbe
    • Dr. Sota Omoigui

    After the certain time, the special committee picked their lines because they found it most suitable.

    Their words were skillfully integrated into the composition that today revives the spirit of patriotism in the hearts of the Nigerians.

    A retired Deputy Commissioner of Police and the Director of Music in the Nigeria Police Band at the time, Pa Benedict Odiase, took all the words and organised them in a song which we know today as the “Arise, O Compatriots”, unfortunately, he died in 2013 at the age of 79.

    The Nigerian National Anthem remains on famous, awe-inspiring, passion-rousing melodious 2-stanza poem

    National Pledge

    The national pledge was written in 1976. Its author is Prof (Mrs.) Felicia Adebola Adedoyin born in 1938 as the second of six children.

    She was a princess from the Iji ruling house of Saki, Oyo State.

    Her children were familiar with the tradition of reading pledges as they passed this ritual at an American school and during studies at Accra Ghana.

    Everyone knows that kids are inquisitive creatures. So they asked the mother why they did not read the pledge when they were in Nigeria. Felicia had to tell them the truth about the fact that their homeland did not have its own pledge.

    This situation inspired her to write beautiful and patriotic words that we all say with pride today. Her work appeared in one of the publications of the Daily Times in July 1976. The article devoted to this topic was called “Loyalty to the Nation, Pledge”.

    This newspaper was read by Barrister Adewusi who was a common friend of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo and the author.

    In August 1976, Obasanjo got acquainted with the article and decided to introduce the pledge as he was the head of the state at that time.

  • Ex-bank’s chief seeks more time for settlement over ‘fraud’

    A former Chairman of a defunct new generation bank, on Monday prayed a Federal High Court in Abuja to allow him more time to conclude settlement talks with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the alleged money laundering charge brought against him and another person.

    The EFCC, on March 7, 2019, arraigned the former bank chief with the bank’s ex-managing director, and two firms – Control Dredging Company and Royaltex Paramount Ventures Limited – at the Federal High Court in Abuja, for allegedly laundering N4.75 billion and $5 million.

    The duo were accused in the eight counts preferred against them of illegally delivering the cumulative sums of the bank’s N4.75 billion and $5 million between 2014 and 2015 in violation of various provisions of the money laundering law.

    Both men pleaded not guilty and were granted bail at N100 million each, with one surety each.

    Read Also: Alleged N3.1bn fraud: Suswam, ex-Finance commissioner lose bid to stop trial

    But before trial could begin, the defendants announced their intention to work out an out-of-court settlement with the prosecution.

    Proceedings were then adjourned to enable the parties report the settlement.

    When the parties returned to court yesterday, lawyer to the prosecution, Suraj Saeda (SAN), said the defence had not had any discussion with the EFCC since the last adjourned date in July.

    Saeda said the case was adjourned on the request of the defence, who sought time to enable them explore the out-of-court settlement.

    He added: “Today is supposed to be for a report of settlement. But there has not been any approach regarding settlement. Accordingly, my lord, we are ready to proceed to trial.”

    Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu said she could not order the trial to start because the prosecution did not give prior notice to the court that the settlement talks had broken down, as it ought to.

    She adjourned till November 21 for parties to report of settlement.

    Defence lawyer Dele Adesina (SAN), who led the ex-bank’s chief legal team, confirmed that the defence had not engaged the EFCC in any talks.

    But he averred that there was an ongoing discussion with the bank, at the end of which he said the EFCC would be involved.

    “The first defendant had a discussion with me on Friday and briefed me on how far he had gone with the bank, not with the EFCC. Yes, the first defendant has not approached the EFCC. So, my learned brother for the prosecution was only saying it as it is when he said we have not approached the EFCC.

    “Once there is a truce between the bank and the defence, we then go to the bank. In order to make this come to fruition, we plead that you give us another opportunity,” Adesina told the court.

    The lawyer said the allegations in the charge were on “transactional disagreements” which could be resolved out of court.

    He averred that foreign investors, who had indicated interest to invest in Ayeni’s companies, which are also joined as defendants in the matter, would be discouraged, if trial was allowed to begin without the settlement option exhausted.

    “I think the bank is more interest in recovering its money than having somebody jailed,” he added.

    Wale Akoni (SAN), who led Oguntayo’s legal team, agreed with Adesina.

    But Saeda insisted that the defendants’ acts, which formed the charges, were criminal infractions.

    “The defence has not approached the EFCC either for plea bargain or any form of settlement,” he said.

    The lawyer prayed the court to allow the trial to begin.