The Nation Newspaper

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  • Edo inducts over 1,000 newly recruited civil servants

    In line with Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s vision to reposition the state’s civil service for optimal performance, the state government has commenced a 3-day orientation programme for over 1,000 civil servants who were recently recruited into the state civil service.

    While declaring the orientation programme open at Imaguero College in Benin City, the State’s Head of Service, Mr. Isaac Ehiozuwa, said the programme was organised by the state government for officers on Grade level 07 and above who were appointed into the mainstream of the state’s civil service between 2017 and 2018.

    According to him, “These officers were absorbed into the mainstream of the civil service in 2017. They also include those recruited in 2018 by the Edo State Civil Service Commission.

    “The main thrust of the exercise is to develop their capacity on rules guiding the civil service and train them on how to conduct themselves as civil servants while discharging their duties.”

    Read Also: Edo to invest N2.1b Azura power proceeds in industrial park

    Ehiozuwa urged the participants to take advantage of the programme to understand what is required of them in the discharge of their duties, adding, “Edo State government, under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, is committed to ensuring training and re-training of every category of staff in the state public service to achieve efficiency and ensure effective service delivery to taxpayers.”

    He said civil servants must continue to represent government positively and show respect for constituted authority, noting, “These are sacrosanct in the service, as the government rewards hard work. There is also a mechanism that exists in the service designed to call erring staff to order.”

    Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Establishments, Training and Manpower Services in the office of Head of Service, Mrs Deborah Enakhimion, said the purpose of the programme is to formally acquaint participants with necessary guidelines for conduct in the civil service, including financial instruments and other government regulations.

    Enakhimion noted that over 1000 participants from different state ministries are scheduled to partake in the programme, which has been spread for a three-day duration to accommodate everyone.

    In a lecture entitled ‘Rules and Ethical Principles of Civil Service,’ a retired Permanent Secretary, Barr. Steve Omorodion urged the new civil servants to acquaint themselves with the civil service rules, other regulations and extant circulars so as to provide optimal service to Edo people.

  • JUST IN: Osinbajo, Ortom meet over Benue/Ebonyi land crisis

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday met behind closed doors with Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, over the land crisis between the two states.

    The meeting was attended by the Acting Director General of the National Boundary Commission, Adaji Adamu.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Ortom said “We came at the instance of the vice president to discuss the lingering problem between Benue and Ebonyi states in particular between Agila in Benue and Ngbo in Ebonyi.

    “We are also here with the acting DG, National boundary commission and we had taken far-reaching decisions to ensure that we demarcate the boundary between these two states so that we can hold our people responsible.

    “As it is now its difficult to identify the criminal elements who are creating tension and creating more of these problems.

    Read Also: Osinbajo and the hounds

    “So I believe that very soon the boundary commission would be coming out with a program that both Benue and Ebonyi will team up together to provide the necessary logistics and security to ensure that the boundary is demarcated.

    “Well, it’s a border crisis because we are talking about two states. We should know the limits of each states. It’s a border problem more like communal problem.” he said

    On TIV/Jukun crisis, he said, “Well, I know that there is a spillover. This is largely TIV and Jukum in Taraba. I have Jukun in Benue state. We are not fighting. There were issues in the past and I decided to set up a judicial commission of enquiry which is still sitting to look at the remote and immediate causes of this strife so that we will find a lasting solution to it.

    “This other one is more of a problem in Taraba but because there are TIV people in Benue and we are talking about TIV people so each time people are displaying some run back to Benue so that’s the spirit of it.

    “But I think that the governor of Taraba state is doing well. Recently they met and they agreed that there should be ceasefire even though I saw in the press that there were some issues with that peace agreement but you know each time there are efforts to try to solve problems, criminal elements will come in and I think that the steps that the governor took by inviting two sides, both the TIV and the Jukum to sit together and find means of how they can resolve this matter is the best approach.

    “And I believe that once that problem is sorted out in Taraba state, we will not have anything in Benue state.” he said

  • Biafra was not defeated, Igbo groups disagree with Nwodo

    Two pan Igbo groups have disagreed with the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chief Nnia Nwodo that the stillborn Republic of Biafra was defeated.

    Nwodo was said to have stated at the just concluded Dr Michael Okpara leadership and Good Governance lecture at Umuahia in Abia state that Biafra was defeated at the civil war.

    The disagreeing groups, Igbo Peoples Congress and Igbo Aborigenes, however, argued that the war ended on a “no victor, no vanquished” note.

    Spokesmen for the groups Obisiike Chidi and Okey Colbert noted that both sides of the war got tired and weak of the battle and itched for its end.

    “Though Biafra was in bad shape then due to immense food shortages and ammunition, the spirit to fight on was in the Biafran troops. Infact several Biafran troops in the trenches were shocked to hear that the war had ended when they were ready to launch attacks on the enemy then. But they had to lay down their arms on hearing the message on Biafra radio from Gen Philip Effiong. Ojukwu’s deputy. Even though Uli Airport had fallen into the hands of federal troops then, Biafra’s other airports in the bushes were still functional then and they were ready to go into guerilla warfare.

    Read Also: IPOB threatens protest against Buhari at UNGA

    “In fact some Biafran guerillas in Gabon and SaoTome and the Biafran Rangers that later turned into Rangers international football club at the end of the war were ready to recover all lost Biafran territory when the war ended. So Nwodo was wrong in his comment,” the groups asserted.

    But in a sharp reaction, the deputy spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu noted that Chief Nwodo was misquoted.

    “Nwodo did not say that Biafra was defeated. He could not have said so. He was misquoted. What he said was that Igbo Youths and Easterners should emulate the virtues of Dr Michael Okpara who made the old Eastern region the fastest growing economy in the developing world in the 60s and avoid anything that would lead into another civil war in Nigeria.

    “He did not say that Biafra was defeated. Don’t forget that Nwodo fought as a lieutenant in that war and saw the bravery of Biafran troops despite all odds.
    I know also that the war ended in a stalemate. Nobody defeated anybody as both sides got tired and simply ended hostilities. The activities of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the then Ivorian President Houphet Boigny, France and USA led to Ojukwu’s journey to the then Ivory Coast in search of Peace and his second in command Gen Philip
    Effiong simply halted hostility and announced the end of the war to Biafrans.
    You Know some Biafran units had not tested battle then and were itching to be engaged when the war ended so Nwodo was misquoted,” Ibegbu defended.

  • Poly rector warns students against cultism, indecent dressing

    Graceland Polytechnic in Offa, Offa local government area of Kwara state has warned students of the institution against cultism, anti-social behaviour and indecent dressing.

    Rector of the private polytechnic, John Oyeleke made this charge in Offa at the maiden matriculation ceremonies of the school, where 96 students took oath of allegiance.

    Mr. Oyeleke added the institution has zero-tolerance for misconduct, adding the authorities would not hesitate to sanction anyone caught, tried and found guilty of misbehaviour.

    Said he: “I implore you to show respect to your colleagues and members of staff in the polytechnic to make your stay fruitful and productive; be modest and decent in your dressing and approach to issues and adhere strictly to the rules and regulation enshrined in the students’
    handbook.

    “I wish to assure you of adequate security on the campus. We, we however, plead with you not to hesitate to report any suspicious activity to the Director of Students Affairs, security officers or
    indeed any staff of the polytechnic for immediate response.

    “I charge you to make the most of the opportunity afforded you by your parents/guardians, ensure that you attend classes, shun all forms of deviant behaviours and other vices and focus on why you are here.”

    He added that the new students were admitted into seven accredited departments of accountancy, business administration, computer science, computer engineering electrical electronics and laboratory technology and statistics/mathematics.

    In a remark proprietress of the institution Princess Ayodele Oyeleke told the students that irresponsible dressing, hairstyles and outlook would not be tolerated under the school’s watch.

    “We expect students to take good advantage of the standard being laid down and continue with the hard work we expect from them. You are expected to be presentable at any time within and outside the polytechnic. You should focus on proper dressing to reflect your discipline.

    “In as much as we allow wearing of shoulder length hijab, long and purdah styles of hijabs are not allowed within the campus. There is need for all students to be seen and recognized at all times,” Prince Oyeleke who is also the Chairman, Governing Council of the polytechnic
    added.

  • Metuh: Court hears application of alleged misrepresentation by EFCC Oct. 7

    The Federal High Court Abuja has fixed Oct. 7 to hear an application by former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh alleging misrepresentation of facts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

    At the resumed hearing on Monday, counsel to Metuh, Mr Abel Oziokor, informed the court that the EFCC, which is trying Metuh, had published a contemptuous publication against his client.

    Oziokor said that the anti-graft agency, in its publication said that Metuh described how he shared funds he received from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

    “Contrary to claims in the EFCC publication, Metuh never admitted to receiving any money from Dasuki, neither did he admit to have shared the N400 million duly released to him by President Goodluck Jonathan, for an approved special national assignment to individuals for other purposes.”

    Oziokor said that the publication was deliberately designed to injure and drag the integrity of the court in the mud and derail a fair trial.

    Read Also: Police foil attempt to cart away property in Okorocha’s warehouse sealed by EFCC

    He said this was by selling to the Nigerian public an impression that Metuh admitted receiving N400 million from Dasuki and shared it for political purposes.

    Oziokor described the publication as malicious, mischievous and a deliberate misrepresentation intended to mislead the public, blackmail the court and derail the course of justice.

    The counsel lamented that the publication did not reflect the proceedings in court but held outright falsehood and distortions.

    He therefore prayed the court to protect its integrity and put an end to what he described as the media trial of Metuh’s case.

    He urged the court to order the EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwajeren to appear before it to show why he should not be committed to prison for contempt and misrepresentation of proceedings.

    The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang fixed Oct. 7 to hear the application.

    He adjourned the substantive matter to Oct. 2 for continuation of trial.

  • Police foil attempt to cart away property in Okorocha’s warehouse sealed by EFCC

    The police in Imo State on Monday foiled an attempt by some people to cart away the property stocked in one of the warehouses seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Owerri, the state capital.

    The police also impounded two trailers allegedly deployed to evacuate the property stocked in the warehouse and arrested 12 suspects in connection with the crime.

    The warehouse, owned by Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha, wife of the immediate past governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, is situated along Aba Road, Owerri.

    According to one of the police officers at the facility, the police acted on tip-off, adding that 12 persons were arrested in the act.

    “Following a tip-off last night (Sunday), after two trailers had moved into the warehouse late in the night, a police team was dispatched to the premises”, said the officer, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity.

    He added, “Those inside the premises, however, refused to open the gate. The police team, therefore, cordoned off the building till this morning (Monday, 30/9/19) when we stormed the premises. The two trailers were impounded and 12 persons arrested.”

    Read Also: Court vacates forfeiture order on Okorocha’s properties

    The spokesman of the state police command, ASP Orlando Ikokwu confirmed the incident, adding that two trailers were impounded and taken to the premises of the command headquarters, Owerri.

    It could be recalled that EFCC had last two months ago sealed some properties traced to the former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, as well as those of his family members and cronies.

    The properties include: Dews of Hope Hospital traced to Dr. Paschal Obi, former Principal Secretary to Okorocha and current member of the House of Representatives; Market Square Super Market; All in One Shop; and premises belonging to Imo State Broadcasting Corporation now housing Rochas Foundation College owned by Senator Okoroacha.

    Other properties seized by the EFCC include: East High Academy and East High College, owned by Okorocha’s daughter, Uloma Okorocha-Nwosu and Royal Spring Palm Hotel and Apartment, a 16 block cum 96 flats and eight bungalow multi-million naira estate traced to Okorocha’s wife.

  • Insurgency can’t be defeated by warfare alone – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, Monday said that Boko Haram and other terror groups operating in the country cannot be defeated by warfare alone.

    He said that finding appropriate narratives that will counter the ideologies of the terror groups will greatly enhance the efforts of the Nigerian Army against terrorism and terrorist groups.

    Buratai, who observed that terrorism cannot be totally eliminated, noted that the insurgents’ belief in their ideologies remains their strongest driving force, adding that it is easier to kill members of a terrorist group than to eliminate their ideologies.

    The COAS stated this at the opening ceremony of a Spiritual Warfare Seminar organized by the Nigerian Army for religious leaders and clerics at the Army Resource Centre in Abuja.

    Buratai, who was represented at the event by Major General Sani Yusuf, said that the seminar was aimed at evolving narratives to defeat the ideologies of religious based terrorists groups operating in the country.

    He challenged the religious leaders to produce appropriate narratives that can effectively counter the ideologies of the insurgents, urging them to leverage on their daily interface with the society to protect the vulnerable people from succumbing to wrong ideologies.

    According to him, “the Nigerian Army has attained great feats in the fight against the insurgents, breaking their ranks and degrading their will to fight, however the insurgents’ belief in their ideologies remain the driving force, as such ideological battle can in many ways be more important than the kinetic battle. It must that it is easier to kill members of a terrorist group than to eliminate their ideologies.

    “It is a well-known fact that terrorism and terrorist groups cannot be totally eliminated by mainly Military actions, this means focusing our efforts on the underlying narratives through ideologies that employed by these terrorists to lure innocent citizens to their fold.

    Read Also: Buratai deplores importation of military hardware

    He added that “in the case of Boko Haram its ideology is classifying Western education as sin, while the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) is the one that challenges the rational of democratically elected government. By its nature, ideology has the power to manipulate what people think, form their opinion and direct their attitude. This often results in controlling people’s mind to the extent that they accept social contracts that equal denial of rights.

    “The need to defeat the ideologies of Boko Haram and ISWAP is based on the awareness that it is the ideologies that enhance their resource and help to recruit new fighters to their fold and as such, kill their ideology and terrorist movement withers and dies.

    “The importance of this seminar is premised on the key roles clerics have to play in producing appropriate narratives required to counter the ideologies of these religious terror groups.

    “Communities and the state need to be joined with a common purpose of rejecting the ideologies of these groups and challenge those who espouse them. These can be better achieved through the provision of appropriate counter narratives targeted at the ideologies of the terror groups. It means starting at the grassroots where families and local communities are at the fore front of the effort to protect the vulnerable people from succumbing to wrong ideologies.

    “It is in this regard that I see you the religious leaders and clerics who regularly interface with members of the society making value contributions to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism.

    “I urge you to fashion out ways of stepping up your roles; remember that the fight against terrorism is a collective responsibility that cannot be left for the troops alone. It is therefore my candid opinion that this seminar provides with the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian Army’s effort to ensuring a secured Nigeria”.

  • ‘Semen leakage cause of impotency in men’

    An Abuja-based Sex Therapist, Mrs Hauwa Tayyib, has identified leakage of semen as one of the lead cause of impotency in men.

    Tayyib, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday in Abuja, said that frequent leakage of semen could cause impotency, low semen volume and lesser number of sperms in male of any age.

    Semen leakage occurs when semen seeps out of the penis.

    Semen is a whitish fluid that contains sperm and it usually leaks out during sexual activity, regardless of whether ejaculation occurs.

    The sexologist said that semen leakage was one of the commonly occurring male sexual disorders.

    She also said that excessive masturbation was another factor that could contribute to the leakage of semen.

    She said that the condition was embarrassing and could also cause several health issues.

    Tayyib explained that semen leakage in urine was triggered by weak genital passage nerves, enlarged or swollen prostate, bad habits like alcoholism, weak bladder sphincter and poor blood sugar levels.

    Other causes, she said, were retrograde ejaculation, side-effects of medicines, infections and surgeries on reproductive parts.

    She said that the leakage also led to fatigue, back pain, hair loss, pain in the testicles, pelvic cavity cramps and a burning sensation after urination.

    According to her, it may also result in some unpleasant sexual disorders such as premature ejaculation, weak erection and sexual weakness.

    The sex therapist explained that impotency could be classified into two types, erectile dysfunction and interference with conception.

    “Males not able to produce children may not see or show any signs of weakness and are capable of having intercourse.

    “They are impotent because they do not possess ability to fertilize a woman’s egg and cause conception.

    “Semen leakage can cause both type of impotency in male of any age. A regular loss of semen strains entire reproductive system including prostate and testicles,” she explained.

    Tayyib added that a regular loss of semen could also cause damaged or deformed sperms incapable of fertilizing a woman’s eggs.

    “A man who has semen leakage problem suffers with low testosterone level that makes reproductive system sluggish and weak.

    “A man with low testosterone level suffers with low libido and lesser drive for lovemaking.

    “All these issues stop a male from gaining arousal and quick erection in bed, and even caused weak, softer or no erection, which are all types of impotency,” she said.

    Tayyib noted that the problem of regular semen leakage was highly debilitating and affected reproductive system and male’s health negatively.

    “This problem should be treated without delay to avoid impotency and other serious sexual dysfunctions,” she advised

  • Three ‘one chance’ operators killed in Abuja

    Three men suspected to be “one chance“ operators were burnt to death around Dutse in Abuja on Monday morning.

    “One chance” operators are people who pretend to be commercial drivers and carry unsuspecting victims to be robbed or killed for ritual purposes.

    The Nation gathered from an eyewitness that the three men who were in a vehicle had carried a young woman who raised alarm and attracted the attention of people around who managed to accost the vehicle.

    Read Also; Robbers planning to attack banks in Abia- Police

    Thereafter an angry mob rescued the lady and set the three men as well as the vehicle ablaze.

    Federal Capital Territory Police Public Officer, DSP Manzah Ajuguri condemned the action, saying an investigation has been launched into the matter.

    “We condemn jungle justice. We condemn the act of people taking the law into their hands. If there is a crime we expect our attention to be drawn so that arrests are made, “he said.

    He didn’t say if any arrest had been made but stressed that investigation has commenced into incident.

  • JUST IN:Tribunal rules on Ganduje, Abba case Wednesday

    The Kano state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has fixed Wednesday, October 2 for judgement.

    The PDP and its candidate, Abba Yusuf, had filed a petition challenging the declaration of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje as winner of the March 9 governorship election by INEC,

    Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the APC Governorship candidate, in his counter-reaction, sought tribunal to dismiss the PDP’s petition claiming won the governorship election in the state.

    The date for the judgement was communicated to parties through the secretary of the tribunal.

    Read Also; Arson: Man arrested over death of three family members in Kano

    The Nation recalled that the Tribunal on Wednesday, September 18th reserved judgment in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Abba Kabir-Yusuf.

    On Monday, the tribunal communicated to the parties on the fixed date for judgment.

    One of the Lawyers in the case informed The Nation today of receiving notification from the tribunal of Wednesday, 2 October as fixed date for the judgment