The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • Breaking: Goje withdraws from Senate Presidency, backs Lawan

    A major contender for the senate presidency, Danjuma Goje, has withdrawn from the race.

    He has endorsed Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan for the number one seat in the National Assembly.

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai disclosed this after meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential villa Abuja.

    Read Also: Buhari, Lawan, Goje meet in Aso Rock

    He was surrounded by Senators Lawan, Goje and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang while briefing State House Correspondents.

    Details shortly…

  • PDP’s victory in Zamfara is God’s decision, says APC

    The Zamfara Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has promised to provide credible opposition to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    The state’s chairman of the party, Alhaji Lawal Liman disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Gusau on Thursday, saying that his party members would continue to be law abiding citizens.

    “We believe that the victory of PDP in the state is God’s decision and we accept it in good faith, our concern is how the state could move forward,” he said.

    Read Also: 16 killed by bandits in Zamfara on Sallah day

    He expressed sadness that some unknown persons were destroying APC billboards across the state.

    He, therefore called on the State Government and the PDP leadership to sensitise their supporters against unrully behaviours.

  • AbdulRazaq denies alleged sack of workers

    Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has denied rumours of his alleged sacking of some workers in the state civil service.

    The governor added that some category of workers hurriedly employed by the immediate past administration were not paid May salary.

    In a statement, Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the governor Agboola Olanrewaju said “in view of some misinformation going viral regarding some workers hurriedly engaged by the previous administration, we state the that the Kwara state government has not sacked any worker — new or old.

    “That the category of workers not paid for the month of May were those who were employed only two or three weeks ago but had their employment letters dubiously backdated to November 2018.

    “That most of these workers have never been captured on the government’s payroll before — and so couldn’t have been paid May salary; that those appointments are called ‘sunset’ appointments (appointments made by a governor/administration on the eve of departure).

    Read Also: Kwara under me will join school feeding – AbdulRazaq

    “That instead of summary sack, what the government resolved to do is to look at their qualifications and ascertain that they are qualified to be employed. In Ogun, Bauchi and some other states, ‘sunset’ employees were sacked with immediate effect; that former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed did not deem it fit to employ them until a few weeks to leaving office; that some were employed last week and backdated to November 2018 (last year); that in 2003, former Governor Bukola Saraki sacked all of the late Governor Mohammed Lawal’s sunset appointments and also demoted some civil servants.”

    The statement added “that a dubious interview process was conducted in which only cronies of the last administration were employed over and above those that excelled with flying colours.

    “We state again that these sunset workers have *not* been sacked; their employment status will be looked into and salaries reinstated for those above board.”

  • N3.4m debt: Court fixes June 24 for ruling in ex-Enyimba FC coach’s suit

    The National Industrial Court, Abuja on Tuesday fixed June 24 to rule in the suit filed by former Coach of Enyimba International F.C., Samson Unuanel, over alleged unpaid N3.450 million sign-on- fee.

    When the matter came up for hearing of motion on notice, which raised two issues by the defence counsel, Mr. Chidike Iheukwumere, he informed the court that they were going to withdraw the second prayer.

    Issue number one sought the court to strike out the suit for lacking merit and the second issue prayed that in the alternative, the matter be transferred to the Owerri Division of the court.

    Iheukwumere informed the court that the motion on notice was supported by an eight-paragragh affidavit.

    He further argued that said he has filed written address relying on it as their oral submission.

    The presiding judge, Justice Kiyersohot Damulak, directed him to adopt his written address.

    At the end of Iheukwumere’s adoption, the claimant counsel Akeem Olasupo who appeared with Ayodele Justice informed the court, that in response to the defendant’s motion on notice, they had filed reply on point of law.

    Olasupo in addition said they were relying on all point of law raised as submission to the defendant’s motion on notice and adopted same.

    He also urged the court to discountenance the defence argument; citing Section 21, sub rule 2 and 3.

    Damulak thereafter adjourned the matter until June 24 for ruling.

    The claimant, Unuanel in his statement of facts said he was employed as Chief coach by the defendant for a season contract panning through 2009/2010 football season.

    He further averred that he was placed on sign-on-fee of N5.5 million and at the expiration of the contract in 2011, he was only paid the sum of N1.750 million and later an additional instalment of N300,000, totalling N2.050 million.

    The coach said he approached the court to seek redress when the defendant failed to pay the remaining balance of N3.450 million.

    Unuanel, who is the current Coach of Osun United, is also seeking for an order of the court for payment of N100 million as general damages and another N10 million for cost of prosecuting the suit.

    News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN), reports that Unuanel was a former Kwara United, Niger Tornadoes, Sunshine Stars Coach and Assistant Coach of Nigeria’s Women National team, Super Falcons.

    NAN also reports that the coach had filed a similar suit against Sunshine Stars of Ondo before the same court.

  • Breaking: Buhari, Lawan, Goje meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Danjuma Goje at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The duo walked into the President’s office around 11.45am.

    Read Also: Peterside: Buhari committed to Nigeria’s growth

    They had in the weeks indicated interest to run for the Senate Presidency of the incoming 9th National Assembly.

    The All Progressives Congress had endorsed Lawan for the office of the Senate President.

    The elections and inauguration of the 9th National Assembly come up next week Tuesday.

  • Court adjourns FG’s $406.7m debt recovery suit against Shell until June 19

    A Federal High Court Lagos on Thursday, adjourned until June 19, hearing in a debt recovery suit filed by the Federal Government, against Shell Western Supply & Trading Ltd, over alleged 406.7 million dollars shortfall in Crude Oil shipment.

    The suit numbered FHC/L/CS/336/16, was filed by FG’s counsel, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN.

    It has as defendants, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd and its subsidiary, Shell Western Supply & Trading Ltd.

    The money was said to be for crude oil lifted in 2013 and 2014.

    The suit is pending before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

    The case was adjourned until June 19, due to the Eid-Il-Fitr celebrations.

    The new date has already been communicated to respective parties.

    In the suit, the plaintiff, (FG) is claiming the sum of 406.7 million dollars, from the defendants, representing the shortfall of money it paid into the Federal Government account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    In a supporting affidavit, the FG had accused the Anglo-Dutch company of not declaring or under-declaring crude oil shipments during the period.

    It said that this was following forensic analysis of bills of laden and shipping documents, alleging that Shell cheated Nigeria of deserving revenue.

    According to the affidavit, the consortium of experts tracked the global movements of the country’s hydro-carbons, including crude oil and gas.

    Plaintiff said that they identified the companies engaged in the practices that led to missing revenues from crude oil and gas export sales to different parts of the world.

    They also revealed discrepancies in the export records from Nigeria with the import records at U.S. ports.

    Plaintiff averred that the undeclared shipments between January 2013 and December 2014 brought the total value of the entire shortfall to 406.75 million dollars.

    The defendants were alleged to have failed to respond to a Federal Government letter through its legal representative, seeking clarification as to the discrepancies.

    The Federal Government, is therefore, seeking a court order to compel the two companies to pay 406.7 million dollars, being the total value of the missing revenue and interest payment at 21 per cent per annum.

    Read Also: More suits await Nigeria in foreign courts over navy’s action, says Falana

    In addition, the government is also asking Shell to pay general exemplary damages in the sum of 406.7 million dollars as well as the cost of the legal action.

    The Federal Government had also brought similar actions against Chevron and Total.

    The FG is asking for a total of 12.7 billion dollars over alleged non-declaration of 57 million barrels of crude shipped to the U.S. between 2011 and 2014.

    The oil companies are among 15 oil majors targeted by the government for the recovery of over 17 billion dollars in deprived revenue.

  • Health benefits of drinking water

    Health benefits of drinking water

    Water is one of the most essential elements for staying healthy in life. To prevent dehydration and ensure survival, it is essential that the body should have a specific drought management system in place.

    Research has it that, more than-two-third of the human body weight is made up of water molecules. The human brain is composed of more than 90% water, the human blood about 82% and the lungs about 90%. If there is a 2% drop in the body’s water supply, it can trigger signs of dehydration, which can cause

    •       Fuzzy short-term memory

    •       Dizziness

    •       Headache

    •       Tiredness

    •       Decrease urine output

    •       Dry skin

    The importance of water to the mechanics of the human body cannot be overemphasised. It serves as a lubricant to the digestive system and all other body processes.

    The water in our saliva helps facilitate swallowing, ensuring that food slides easily down the esophagus. It also lubricates and allows edibles to move more freely. The body cells and organs depend on water for their functioning. Without water, living things, including humans will die in a few days.

    The human body does not have the ability to replenish itself with water when dehydrated. That is when there is harmful reduction in the amount water in the body. A lot of people ignorantly move around dehydrated most of the time.

    This is because thirst is a poor indication of dehydration. Some people drink beverages instead of water when thirsty. This is quite wrong. A bottle of soda or a cold soft drink may feel so nice when you drink it at first but after a while, you will start to feel thirsty again and it does not totally replenish the body. Beverages with caffeine are not meant to be consumed either. Water serves as the best remedy for dehydration.

    Drinking water often helps to maintain a healthy balance. Mild dehydration can decrease one’s energy level and mental functioning and increase stress on the body while severe dehydration can have more damaging effects. To avoid dehydration drink at least eight glasses of water every day as an adult

    Read Also: Ijaw community worried over water, air pollution, health hazards

    Here are the benefits of drinking water.

    1. It helps maintain the balance of body fluids

    2. It can help control calories

    3. It helps in energizing the muscles.

    4. It help keep the skin looking beautiful and healthy.

    5. It helps your Kidneys against diseases.

    6. It helps Maintain Normal Bowel Function.

    7. It lubricates the joints

    8. It forms saliva and mucus

    9. It will deliver oxygen throughout the body

    10. It will cushion the brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive tissues

    11. It will regulate body temperature

    12. Digestive system depends on it

    13. It will flush waste from the body

    14. It will help maintain blood pressure

    15. It makes minerals and nutrients accessible

    16. It prevents kidney damage

    17. It boosts performance during exercise

    18. Weight loss

    19. It will help reduce the chance of a hangover

  • Tambuwal appoints Ubandoma SSG, reappoints Chief of Staff, Magori

    A new Secretary to the Sokoto State Government, Honourable Saidu Umar has been appointed following the approval of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

    Before his appointment, Umar who is also a title holder of ‘Ubandoman Sokoto’ was the immediate past Commissioner of Finance in the recently dissolved Executive Council.

    Similarly, Governor Tambuwal has approved the reappointment of Alhaji Muktar Umar Magori as Chief of Staff, Government House, Sokoto.

    Read Also: New Katsina NYSC boss resumes, focuses on Corpers’ training

    Magori was the Chief of Staff to the Governor in the last tenure.

    The two appointments were contained in a release signed and made available to reporters on Thursday by Malam Abubakar Shekara, the Director General, Media and Public Affairs to the governor.

    However, the governor congratulated the two appointees and enjoined them to re-dedicate themselves to the service of the people, while praying Allah to guide them in their assigned tasks.

  • We’ve not sacked any worker, says Kwara govt.

    Kwara Government said it had not sacked any worker in its employment as being rumoured.

    A statement signed by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Agboola Olarewaju on Thursday in Ilorin, said it was not true that Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq sacked workers engaged by the previous administration.

    The statement titled: “10 facts about sunset workers engaged by Gov. Ahmed,” explained that the category of workers not paid for the month of May were those employed two or three weeks ago, but backdated to November 2018.

    According to Olarewaju, most of these workers have never been captured on the government’s payroll before and so couldn’t have been paid May salary.

    “Those appointments are called ‘sunset’ appointments (appointments made by a governor/administration on the eve of departure).

    Read Also; Kwara College’s workers lament over non-payment of six months salaries

    “Instead of summary sack, what the government resolved to do is to look at their qualifications and ascertain that they are qualified to be employed.

    “In Ogun, Bauchi and some other states, ‘sunset’ employees were sacked with immediate effect,”Olarewaju said.

    He wondered why they were not employed until a few weeks to the expiration of the former administration’s tenure.

    Olarewaju reiterated that the “sunset workers have not been sacked; their employment status will be looked into and salaries reinstated for those above board.’’

  • Pope Francis to welcome Russia’s Putin to Vatican for 3rd time

    Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Pope Francis for the third time in the first week of July, the Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti confirmed on Thursday.

    NAN reports that the two leaders first met on Nov. 25, 2013, and again on June 10, 2015.

    The last meeting in 2015 proved particularly challenging as it came at the height of a conflict with Ukraine.

    Read Also: Emirates delights passengers with local meals

    It was a subject that Pope Francis raised repeatedly with Putin as the pontiff called for peace in the region, though Russian media still portrayed the visit as a diplomatic success at a time of confrontation with the West.

    Other topics discussed by the two leaders in the past include the war in Syria, the persecution of Christians in the country as well as relations between the Catholic and Orthodox Church.