The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • Court remands suspected killer of police corporal

    A Senior Magistrates’ Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ordered the remand in prison custody of 23-year-old Ndifreke Jonah, for alleged murder of a police corporal, and armed robbery.

    Ndifreke and others at large allegedly shot dead Cpl. Godknows Iworima at an hotel, before snatching N4,000 from another victim.

    A court document obtained by our reporters showed that the incident occurred on March 7, 2018 at Varlin Hotel, Rumueke Mgbuoba, Port Harcourt.

    Iworima was reportedly shot on the left side of his chest by Ndifreke’s gang, who were armed with guns, including a locally made revolver pistol. He died from the gunshot wound.

    Read also: Court orders service of processes on Magu over detention of lawyer, ex-Senator

    The accused was also alleged to have dispossessed Obinna Irondi of N4,000.

    The suspect was charged with a three-count charge of murder and armed robbery, but the charges were not read to him; hence he did not take any plea.

    Magistrate Sunday Abel said the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter and ordered that Ndifreke’s case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

    He said the accused should be remanded in prison custody, and adjourned the case till May 2.

     

  • Garlands for Dangote at 62

    THERE is overwhelming empirical evidence of the brilliance and excellence in business leadership and uncommon philanthropy demonstrated by Africa’s richest man and President Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote who clocks 62 on Wednesday April 10, 2019.

    From cradle to his looming presence and leadership in African entrepreneurship, Dangote has surpassed global imagination. In fact, in Africa and the black race, the Kano-born billionaire, who is affable and media-shy dwarfs all superlatives.

    His faith in the brand Nigeria and indeed Africa, despite all odds and damning negative economic indicators, has perhaps motivated the business mogul to invest massively and establish industries producing essential items required by the low and mighty in the society.

    Little wonder then that brand Dangote rings a bell in virtually every nook and cranny and won several accolades across Nigeria and beyond even though he has not held any public office including that of President or Governor.

    Deeply religious and one with a great passion for alleviating the plight of the most vulnerable members of society, Dangote before plunging into full business in 1981 in Lagos State, must have imbibed the American billionaire Warren Buffet’s wise counsel that three virtues namely intelligence, energy and integrity are a must for any man to succeed in any chosen endeavor in life even though the third is the most important.

    In other words even though he has become a role and business model for many across the globe, the billionaire at a young age realized that there is dignity in labour which clearly has been one of his abiding principles in life journey. Therefore, it is not surprising that he has never been a guest to any of the nation’s anti-graft bodies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.

    His flawless business record so far should serve as a big lesson to all especially upcoming youths some of whom are currently very desperate to succeed in life by cutting corners and engaging in all manner of criminality.

    Reputed to be the second employer of labour coming after the Federal Government and the leader in indirect employment through his numerous business chain churning out wide ranging products like sugar, flour, cement and services in Nigeria and across the continent, his latest foray into the petrochemical industry through Dangote Refinery which is expected to bring permanent relief to the nation’s troubled petroleum sector when it comes on stream later this year, is outstanding.

    Aliko Dangote holder of Nigeria’s second highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Niger, GCON had an estimated net worth of US$10.6 billion as of March 2019. He is ranked by Forbes magazine as the 100th-richest person in the world and the richest in Africa.

    According to Wikipedia, “Aliko Dangote, an ethnic Hausa Muslim from Kano State, was born on the 10th of April 1957 into a wealthy Muslim family. He is the great-grandson of Alhaji Alhassan Dantata, the richest African at the time of his death in 1955”.

    Dangote was educated at the Sheikh Ali Kumasi Madrasa, and Capital High School, Kano. He has a bachelor’s degree in business studies and administration from Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

    Speaking on his foray into the unpredictable world of business, he recalled: “I can remember when I was in primary school, I would go and buy cartons of sweets (candy) and I would start selling them just to make money. I was so interested in business, even at that time.”

    However, like the mustard seed, Dangote Group which was planted as a small trading firm in 1977, the same year the upcoming entrepreneur relocated to Lagos, the company has blossomed to the consternation of many. It is also on record that his path to stardom didn’t come easy as the young Aliko started his business with the NGN 500,000 loan he took from his uncle, Sani Dangote in 1977 after laying out his plan to establish a business outfit and his uncle’s decision to grant his request to start the business.

     

  • CSO trains undergraduates on technology

    A pan-African social enterprise working on digital rights and digital inclusion, Paradigm Initiative (PI) has commenced a tuition-free programme to empower undergraduates with Python programming skills.

    The first edition of the training was held last Saturday with 36 trainees from three higher institutions in Lagos – University of Lagos (UNILAG), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) and Lagos State University (LASU).

    Paradigm Initiative said the training is in conjunction with the Python Nigeria group.

    A statement by PI Communications Officer Sodiq Alabi quoted its official, Olayinka Taiwo, as saying: “We are pleased to welcome 36 students to the first edition of this important training program. 12 students will be trained on Python for Data Science while 24 undergraduates will be trained on Python for Web. The training is under our Techtiary programme which is dedicated to helping undergraduates acquire technical expertise before they graduate.”

    Taiwo added: “By learning Python, beneficiaries can position themselves for various opportunities in the ever-expanding information communication technology space. Python has been lauded as one of the most lucrative programming languages to learn and its applications are wide-ranging. With the faculty support from the good people of Python Nigeria, we are excited to be introducing this language to more young Nigerians.”

     

  • Pension complaints and solutions

    JIMOH: Dear ma, my name is Jimoh. I retired as Head Messenger on grade 4, step 15 from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency on  September 7, 2005. I was duly verified at the PTAD liaison office in Lagos in August 2018. My complaint is that I have not been paid my pension salary since April, 2018. Please kindly come to my aid. Thank you.

    PTAD: The pensioner’s pension benefits have been computed and is awaiting Federal audit clearance. He should receive his payment soon. Thank you

    JOHNSON:  I, Johnson, wish to complain of non-payment of pension salary as from August, 2008. My pension salary since August, 2008 is yet to be paid till date.  Help appeal to PTAD to check its records and make the said amount payable to alleviate my financial burden.

    PTAD: The pensioner’s pension benefits have been computed and is awaiting Federal audit clearance. He should receive his payment soon. Thank you

    GENESIS: My name is Genesis. I retired from the service of National Orientation Agency (NOA) on February 28, 2007. I was paid part of my gratuity on July 17, 2008. Since then, I have not heard anything about the balance from my former department of NOA or from PenCom. My question is: who is responsible for the payment of the balance of my gratuity?

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to PenCom. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

    JOSHUA: My name is Joshua. I retired as a Force man in 1997. I did my verification with PTAD ABUJA, but not paid my pension till date. I travelled to Abuja twice to complain, yet nothing happened. My rank is Sgt, Grade Level 05 Step 4. Date of first appointment was January 1986. Please, I am in penury, help  tell pension boss that.

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to PenCom. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

    GHEGHOR: Thanks for helping pensioners. I wrote before. My pension was reduced from N10,024.70 in May 2018. I retired on March 1, 1986. I was asked to send my statement of account. Kindly oblige me with PTAD email address. From Benin City. Edo State.

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to PenCom. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

    AKUTSE: My name is Akutse and I am from Plateau State. I retired on grade level 14/11. My first appointment was August, 1975. My last promotion was in 2003 and I retired in August, 2010. My complain is that I have not been paid my gratuity for about nine years since I retired.

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to PenCom. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

    YOHANNA: My name is Yohanna, I retired from the Nigeria Police in 2006. My gratuity was paid on September 7, 2015 without nine years’ arrears. I submitted all the documents requested in Januray 2016 and October 2018, but to no avail. I was on step 6 but was placed on step 4 after spending nine years in the rank of ASP.

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to PenCom. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

    NICHOLAS: My name is Nicholas. My problem is no payment of gratuity after retirement.

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to PenCom. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

    ANONYMOUS: I was promoted to the rank of ASP Police after the pension verification in July, 2017.  I sent my submission of evidence of promotion after verification dated December 2017 through  the South-South  Zonal Office of  your commission  in  Calabar, Cross River  State,  but I was paid  below  my grade  and step.  what can I do now?

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to PenCom. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

  • DMO: Sukuk, green bonds’ll promote financial inclusion

    The Debt Management Office (DMO) yesterday said the issuance of Sukuk and green bonds, also known as ethical investments, by the Federal Government will promote financial inclusion and increase investment in ethical financial products.

    Speaking at a business rountable in Abuja, its Director-General, Ms. Patience Oniha said based on the experience garnered from issuing oversubscribed Sukuk bonds in recent times, government was favourably disposed to invest in ethical products to swell its investment products base.

    “The experience from the issuance of Sukuk bonds has been beneficial to the government. The Sukuk is one of the landmark achievement not only in terms of fund but the projects being implemented. We will like to do more with Sukuk because it’s transparent but the major issue for us now is to increase the investor base for ethical products,” Oniha said.

    Another speaker at the roundtable and Managing Director of Sigma Pensions, Mr. Dave Uduanu called for the broadening of ethical investments in the country to help government achieve its financial inclusion drive.

    Uduanu said:  “While there have been increasing penetration of financial solutions, the ethical investment space had yet to be fully developed. Despite the under developed nature of ethical investments, there are significant opportunities for growth and innovations in that segment of the economy.”

    He highlighted some of the opportunities and benefits of ethical investment to include: “vibrant ethical financial system will help crowd in a new class of institutional and retail investors into the Nigerian financial system which will help deepen the breadth and sophistication of the fund management industry.

    Read also: Finance, DMO approve N195bn to exporters for EEG settlement

    “A key tenet of robust financial markets is the existence of many players on both demand and supply having diverse opinions, desires and needs which allow for a more efficient price setting mechanism.

    “It will help drive greater financial inclusion and pension enrollment. Nigeria’s financial exclusion rate at the end of 2018 was estimated at 37 per cent with large exclusion observed in the northern regions.

    “Among other reasons, the reluctance towards the formal financial sector in the north likely reflects unease with conventional products.

    “With the option of retirement savings products suited to ethical preferences, it is easy to see a ready outlet for raising financial inclusion.”

    Holding the roundtable discussion he said has become necessary “to provide a platform to attract fresh investors and drive increased market participation by investors looking to maintain their values and principles while building their portfolios.”

     

  • Buhari condemns latest violence in Kaduna

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the recent violence in Kaduna State, which led to the death of 20 members of the Adara community.

    These unfortunate deaths are the latest incident between the Adara and Fulani peoples in the state, who have a long history of mistrust between them.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also condemned the resurgence of cultist killings in Rivers State and ordered for increased community and law enforcement action against its escalation.

    He appealed for peace and decries the on-going culture of ‘an eye for an eye’ that has fuelled a number of attacks and reprisal attacks, with the two communities at different times, suffering casualties in Kajuru and Kachia local governments in Kaduna States.

    The President also appealed to indigenes of Kaduna and other Nigerians to refrain from comments in the traditional and social media, especially by people who have little knowledge of the history of the longstanding conflict.

    Such comments, he noted, can fuel further conflict in the area and between the two groups.

    Read also: Buhari to Nigerians in diaspora: expect more successes

    Buhari made a special appeal to traditional and religious leaders to be cautious with their comments on the conflict, insisting that whatever words they share publicly should not be inflammatory but be inspired by an interest in peace.

    The President condoled with those who lost loved ones in the attacks: “The entire nation grieves with you. The Nigerian army and police are already in the area to ensure that peace and security are restored.”

    In response to reports of the resurgence of cultism leading to loss of lives in Rivers State, President Buhari called on law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts to end the menace before it further escalates.

    The President urged quick and effective intervention by community and civic leaders in support of law enforcement efforts, in all such areas bedeviled by cultist attacks and inter-communal violence.

  • OGFZA gets Fed Govt’s ease-of-doing-business award

    The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) was at the weekend, decorated as the best parastatal of the Federal Government in the implementation of the policy on the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria by Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

    PEBEC which reviewed the implementation of the policy by 44 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government in 2018, ranked OGFZA number one with a score of 94 per cent. The Federal Ministry of Finance trailed it in second place.

    Managing Director of OGFZA, Mr Umana Okon Umana, was called onto the podium to receive the award in a well-attended ceremony held at the banquet hall of the State House, Abuja. The ceremony was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is the chairman of PEBEC, and Dr Okechukwu Enelemah, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who is the vice chairman of PEBEC.

    The Ease of Doing Business initiative, which came as Executive Order number 1, was signed into force on 18 May 2017 by Vice President Osinbajo, who was then Acting President.

    The first of a series of executive orders meant to improve governance in the country, Executive Order 1 (EO1) seeks to promote transparency and efficiency in the business environment. The PEBEC office projects that “EO 1 will transform the way the FGN and its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) serve the business community and the public at large.”

    EO1 has six directives designed to eliminate limitations in the civil and public services systems. The directives target transparency, default approval (to fuel efficiency), One government (for efficiency), entry experience of visitors and travelers, port operations and registration of businesses.

    In 2017, OGFZA won global recognition when the FDi Magazine, a publication of the Financial Times of London, named the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zones, administered by OGFZA, as world number one in incentives granted to free zone enterprises and the best in special services to investors.

     

     

  • Senate Passes Police Trust Fund Bill

    The Senate on Tuesday passed the Nigerian Police Trust Fund Bill (HB 1583).

    Recall that last week, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, had promised the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, that the Senate would fast-track its work on both the Police Trust Fund Bill and the Police Reform Bill.

    Reacting to the Senate’s passage of the Bill, which has also been passed by the House of Representatives, Saraki said: “By passing this bill, we will be creating big strides towards providing and improving security and the policing in our country.

    “One of the major concerns has always been the issue of funding. We believe that this bill will provide the funding needed for training and recruitment.

    “I am confident that by the time we lay the report on the Police Reform Bill, we would have gone a long way in moving the police in the right direction.

    Read also: Senate okays N1.64tr borrowing plan

    “It is our view that once we have these Police Bills as laws, we will relieve the burden on the military, so that it can focus on its Constitutional responsibility,” the Senate President said.

    The Police Trust Fund Bill, which was initially passed by the House of Representatives, aims to provide a legal framework for the management and control of the special intervention funds established under the Act for the training of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.

    The Trust Fund will also be utilised to enhance the skills of the personnel of the Police, in order to ensure their efficiency, overall performance, and constant improvement while they perform their duties.

    In addition to this, the Trust Fund will be used to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force has the necessary operational equipment, instructional materials, police stations and living quarters.

    The Bill will now be transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent.

  • Empowering women to pursue innovation

    A conference designed to encourage female student entrepreneurs has been held in Lagos, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Founder, AWP Network, Mary Olushoga, is a United States-based start-up coach working for the advancement of women.

    She prepares undergraduates aspiring to found or join a startup firm to gain deep understanding of the central challenges and choices innovators face in developing their ventures.

    She does this through workshops and fora, where students and aspiring entrepreneurs learn how to use best practices to design and implement ventures for impact and scale, and learn about leadership and the financial resources needed for a new enterprise.

    Today, she supports a community of talented, ambitious women who could share vital information with one another to accelerate their progress in business.

    She was in Lagos to share her thoughts on the importance of innovation-driven entrepreneurship and the women who have made it.

    She listed the women to include Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, Tomi Otudeko, Saudat Salami, Odunayo Eweniyi, Adia Sowho and Tomi Otudeko.

    For more women to succeed, she observed that the government must create entrepreneurial sufficient entrepreneurial ecosystem that will encourage more women to go into innovative entrepreneurship.

    She was also the moderator at the just-concluded African Women in Technology (AWIT) conference in Lagos.

    The event hosted women innovators from various fields aimed at encouraging student entrepreneurs.

    A common theme at the event was the importance of doing more than just thinking about technological disruption and how to use technologies to infiltrate and yield the outcomes from the society that Nigerians want. The conference highlighted the key role technology-based innovation could play in fostering growth and to help identify evidence-based solutions.

    Learning Design & EdTech expert, Simi Lawoyin noted that innovation and artificial intelligence provide more robust environments for turning new ideas into sustainable businesses.

    A software expert, Blessing Malumi,  said innovating in any sector requires a keen understanding of artificial intelligence technology.

    She stressed the need for youths to explore transformational technologies and pursue business opportunities.

    AWIT is a network of women who are redefining the technology space in Africa.

    Founded by Anie Akpe, it has become a platform for technological advancement in Africa and beyond.

    The AWITconference has held in Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique and the United States in 2016 and has touched the lives of over 1000  women.

    Since its inception, the conference has received been sponsored by Google, Flutterwave, Renmoney, Ibom LLC, Innov8tiv, ABAN Angels, among others.

  • Ex-deputy governor sues Ondo over unpaid entitlements

    FORMER Ondo State Deputy Governor Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo has sued the state government over non-payment of his outstanding emoluments and monthly pension.

    Oluboyo, through his counsel, Olu Ogidan, prayed the court to mandate the government to pay his gratuities and pension running into millions of Naira.

    The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice had affirmed in a letter that Oluboyo was entitled to his gratuity.

    However, he did not make reference to his monthly pension as passed into law by the State House of Assembly.

    Oluboyo, who is from Ikare-Akoko, replaced Alhaji Ali Olanusi from the neighbouring Supare-Akoko after his impeachment by the state Assembly.

    He faulted the content of the letter, which only recognised the two-year period he served as the deputy governor.

    He insisted that he is entitled to all benefits attached to his former office as deputy governor as stipulated in the laws of the state.

    The letter is entitled “Re: Request for payment of arrears of monthly allowance of Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo” and addressed to the Acting Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Department, Governor’s Office.

    The Commissioner for Justice’s letter reads: “I am directed to advise you that His Excellency, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, is entitled to his emoluments and monthly arrears yet unpaid covering the period for which he was in office between 27th April, 2015 and 24th February, 2017.”

    But, Oluboyo’s suit filed in the High Court of  Justice, Ondo State, has the governor, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as well as the Ondo State Pensions Board as defendants.

    The claimant asked for the payment of what is lawfully due to him as former deputy governor.

    He sought for “a declaration that the claimant having assumed the office of the Deputy Governor of Ondo State and having served meritoriously in that capacity, is entitled to the payment of arrears of his pension, allowances, benefits and all other entitlements due and payable to him as former deputy governor of Ondo State.

    “The claimant is consequently seeking the sum of N10 million as damages to compensate for his “untold hardship, emotional distress, scorn and ridicule to which the action of the defendants exposed the claimant to.

    The court is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the suit.