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  • NANS protests rustication of five students from UNIBEN

    NANS protests rustication of five students from UNIBEN

    Factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NAN), Comrade Aruna Kadiri, on Wednesday led a protest at the University of Benin to demand the unconditional reinstatement of five students of the institution who were rusticated last week.

    The five students who are executive members of the institution’s SUG were rusticated for protesting against increment of various fees in the institution.

    Those affected included the SUG President, Osamudiamen Ogbidi, Justus Aidenagnon, Innocent Momodu, Goodnews Ehiabhi and Patrick Majekodumi.

    The school management said the protest was meant to disrupt its 47th founders’ day lecture and 43rd convocation ceremony.

    Comrade Kadiri urged students of the institution to stay away from lecture venue until the rusticated students are recalled.

    The protest by NANS came after a meeting with the institution’s management failed.

    Sources at the meeting said the school management had asked the rusticated students to write a letter of apology.

    The source claimed that the affected students and NANS leadership rejected the condition because the protest was peaceful and geared towards expressing their grievances.

    The university’s spokesman, Mr. Micheal Osasuyi said, “The students remain rusticated and management has not given any conditional offer.

    “What happen is that people came to beg on their behalf. And if they (students) are appealing, they know the necessary step to take,” Osasuyi said.

  • We’ll invest N1.3tr annually on infrastructure  – FG

    We’ll invest N1.3tr annually on infrastructure  – FG

    In order to attract investors to the country, the federal government has said that it will continue to invest about N1.3trillion annually on capital projects to bridge the infrastructure gap.

    Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, who disclosed this in Abuja when  a consortium of 20 international investors led by a former Minister of Finance, Shamsudeen Usman, visited her.

    According to her, “government invested about N1.3 trillion on capital projects last year (2016) to develop roads, rail, power, housing and all the infrastructure government thinks would be needed to unlock this huge economy,” the Minister said. “Hopefully, the figure would be around the same for 2017 and 2018.”

    She said government’s commitment to solving the infrastructure challenges in the country was firm giving that one of the cardinal focus of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is to address the infrastructure deficit in the country through targeted spendings at projects that would unlock the economic potential of the country.

    The visiting consortium was made up of representatives of investment, capital and equities firms from London, New York, Miami, Johannesburg and others some of which buy Nigerian bonds and equities as well as those providing advisory services to clients on the foreign direct investments (FDIs).

    Adeosun described the level of interest from foreign investors in the Nigerian economy as huge, adding that very soon, these interests would translate into massive investments that would create jobs and reduce the level poverty in the country.

    She said a lot of the projects currently being handled by government were abandoned for over 10 years, pointing out that Nigerians were beginning to feel the impact of government efforts in terms of infrastructural development.

    She noted that this is “a great time for investors to be in Nigeria. For us these are better times now than last year because finally we think that we are beginning to address through deliberate policies some of the most stubborn problems that have held back Nigeria’s growth.

    Apart from undertaking difficult adjustments in fiscal policies, she said the Finance Ministry was focusing on revenue, particularly how to move the country’s tax to GDP ratio from six percent to an initial target of 10 per cent and in the medium to long term to about 15 to 20 per cent.

    With the seriousness demonstrated by government to develop infrastructure in order to unlock the potentials of the economy, the finance minister said several companies have been coming to inquire about the prospects of opening factories and land for agriculture.

    Although she did not give specific details, the Minister said the visitors included major cassava processing firms from Brazil and Thailand who have asked for between 10, 000 and, 20,000 hectares of land for cultivation and processing of cassava.

    The leader of the delegation and Managing Director, Global Chief Economist, Renaissance Capital, Charles Robertson, told the Finance Minister that the collective worth of investments by the various firms in the consortium was about $1billion.

    Robertson said the objective of their visit was to have first-hand interaction with policy makers regarding their “positive sentiments about the country’s economy and what the outlook and investment climate is going forward.”

    He said there is a lot of optimism in the global market about Nigeria and investors have for long been waiting for positive changes in the country’s economy, it appears that the right moment has come, with investment flows rising and reserves looking up.

     

  • Grandfather arrested for raping three girls 

    Grandfather arrested for raping three girls 

    A grandfather, Illiyasu Garba has been arrested for allegedly raping three underage girls in Maitumbi area in Minna, Niger state.

    Two of the victims are aged 12 years while the third victim is 10 years old.

    Garba who confessed to have been in the act for a long time was arrested after he raped the ten year old girl and her parents reported the case to the community head.

    After reporting the case, the accused tried to negotiate his way out of the issue by offering to pay the Community Head and the parents of the girl so that the case would not be taken further.

    However, luck ran out on him when a member of the community reported the case to the Niger state Child Right Agency who immediately swung into action by apprehending the accused.

    The Nation learnt that Garba offered to pay off the parents with N20, 000 and give N5, 000 to the community head to bury the case.

    Interrogating Garba in Minna, he admitted to have committed the offence said that he had sexual intercourse with the first and second victims who are aged 12 years a number of times, “I have slept with the first victim ten times while the second girl, I have slept with her six times. ”

    Garba who said he had four grandchildren however said that he intended to marry one of the victims but her parents refused.

    The accused pleaded for leniency saying that it would not happen again.

    The Director General of the Child Right Agency, Barrister Mariam Kolo said that Garba had been tested medically and it was discovered that he had Hepatitis which he has infected the victims with.

    She urged Community and District Heads not to try to hide such issues under the carpet but to report it as soon as it is reported to them.

    Kolo said that the accused would be charged to court and persecuted while he would be responsible for the medical treatment of the victims.

  • 2019: We must put horse first before the cart, says Obasanjo

    2019: We must put horse first before the cart, says Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Wednesday, declared that the  way to go and make the country great again is to put the youth and women forward where they would realise their legitimate interest and power in governance.

    Obasanjo said he has unalloyed passion for greater Nigeria but added that he neither has a candidate nor is backing anyone for an elective office in 2019.

    The Ebora Owu, who is championing a Third Force – Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM),  to galvanize Nigerians  to demand a paradigm shift in the  present system of things,  noted that he would not budge in his earlier resolve  to remain an elder statesman.

    He spoke at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when a youth group from Delta State, led a governorship aspirant, Frank Ufuoma Esanubi, to pay him a courtesy visit.

    He reiterated that the CNM would remain a socio-political movement, insisting he would cease to be a member of the Coalition if it turns partisan.

    The ex – President explained that that transitions that had taken place in the country since independence neglected the people at the grassroots.

    According to him, his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, was not meant to belittle the office of the president or embarrass the occupant, but to articulate his position about the situations in the country and offer sincere advice.

    Obasanjo said the press statement was well thought out, and not a product of frivolity.

    “In the year 2015, I said I would no longer participate in partisan politics. And I still stand by my decision. Everybody, irrespective of his or her political affiliation is free to come here for advice, I will gladly do that. I have no candidate, whatsoever, for any political office. I just believe that things must be done differently in Nigeria to get different result.

    “If you study our transitions since the colonial era, they have all taken place without taking the people of the grassroots into consideration. So, CNM is about the people at the grassroots. It is a socio-economic movement where youth and women, especially, will be given opportunity to appreciate their interests and power. Unlike before, I believe we must put the horse before the cart.

    “If the system and the platform sync, I believe Nigeria will get there. And like I said, the moment the Coalition gets involved in candidate sponsoring or participates in partisan politics, I will opt out of it,” Obasanjo said.

    Earlier, Esanubi said his group’s visit to Obasanjo was to pay homage to him and intimate him on their resolve to heed his clarion call for Nigerians to come together under the CNM, for a better Nigeria.

     

  • UNICEF, WHO to vaccinate over 2 million children in Borno, Yobe

    UNICEF, WHO to vaccinate over 2 million children in Borno, Yobe

    Over two million children are expected to be vaccinated against the children killer diseases within Borno and Yobe with the support of WHO, UNICEF and other development partners working in the states.

    In Borno State, the State Ministry of Health with the development partnership is to vaccinate more than 1.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) across 57 wards in 25 Local Government Areas in Borno State, while Yobe State is to vaccinate a total of 771,778 children between the ages of 1-6 years against Cerecbro Spinal Meningitis.

    According to Dr. Chima Onuekwe, Health Communication/Promotion Officer WHO, more than 3,000 WHO-trained volunteers, including senior supervisors, monitors, healthcare workers and community leaders, will immunize1.2 million IDPs aged from 9 months to 45 years at designated health facilities. The campaign began on 5 February, and is expected to continue until14 February.

    Dr. Chima was also quoted as saying that, UNICEF supported the Borno State Government with logistics for vaccine distribution and social mobilization. Through the deployment of over 2,000 community volunteers and key influencers, UNICEF enhanced community engagement for yellow fever preventive vaccination and ensured that community is aware of the campaign and yellow fever risks.

    “If we miss out on children of Borno, often living in very difficult conditions, we deprive large number of children of lifesaving vaccines. It is not only their right but our collective duty to ensure that they survive and thrive,” said Mohammed Fall, UNICEF Nigeria Representative.

    To ensure a high-quality campaign, WHO worked with the Borno State Ministry of Health to coordinate and facilitate the training of healthcare workers at all levels, arrange logistics for vaccine distribution and deliver messages on health risks to communities.

    “Although Borno State has not reported an outbreak of yellow fever this year, vaccinating internally displaced persons is an exercise of high public health importance to protect most-at-risk populations living in high-risk conditions and prevent the spread of yellow fever, if an outbreak occurs,” said Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, WHO Nigeria Representative.

     

    The Borno State Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Haruna Mshelia, emphasized the   importance of vaccinating IDPs in camps and host communities.

    “The vulnerable living conditions of millions of people in Borno State and the tide of outbreaks across 16 States in Nigeria make it imperative to target the most-at-risk people with yellow fever vaccination in the State.”

    These efforts are part of a larger yellow fever vaccination campaign that seeks to vaccinate more than 25 million people throughout 2018, in the largest yellow fever vaccination drive in Nigeria’s history. This fits into a wider public health goal to eliminate yellow fever epidemics globally by 2026 through the Eliminate Yellow fever Epidemics (EYE) Strategy, steered by WHO, Gavi and UNICEF.

    In Yobe State, the state is embarking on a massive vaccination and enlightenment   campaign against Cerecbro Spinal Meningitis as the heat period sets.

    The commissioner of Health in the State Dr. Bello Kawuwa said a total of “771,778 children would be vaccinated”, adding that, “it will be conducted at health centres and designated fixed posts. The exercise is staggered into two phases; the first phase which encompasses 8 LGAs begins today, Wednesday 7th to 11th of February 2018, while the second phase in 9 LGAs commences on 14th , 10th , 18th of February 2018”.

    Dr. Kawuwa also disclosed that Yobe is the only state that secured a golden opportunity to implement the MenAfric vaccination campaign across all her local Government Areas, stressing that, “some states are implementing outbreak response only in the most affected LGAs”.

    He urged parents and caregivers to ensure that all children of the age category are immunized regardless of their immunization status.

     

  • Knocks, Kudos for Corps member who turns trouser to skirt

    Knocks, Kudos for Corps member who turns trouser to skirt

    In connection with the controversial picture  on social media on Tuesday of a Youth corps member, who turned her trouser to skirt, Nigerians have been quick to reacting.

    while some thinks her action was right, others feel she should be punished for it.

    Some of the reactions are:

    Adesimbo Oluwasusi, backing up his point with a picture of Sweden Police in skirt, he said:

    “If female officers can wear skirts, why can’t “youth corper” wear one. The important thing is that modified attire does not interfere with her responsibilities and she is comfortable. We worry too much about other people’ headache o! Na wa!”

    Lawan Ajimi

    “See hypocrisy of Nigerian just imagine recently a one Muslim girl deny her to call to bar just because she wear hijab ? but when this girl change her trouser to skirt they started compare her with Sweden police skirt”

    Yinka Afe

    “NYSC should by now develop strict (printed) rules, give to 400Levels across institutions, if you concur, you sign before collecting a call up. After this process, if you get there to alter the rules and regulations, you’re fired. The same goes for the Law School. It’s indiscipline to alter the rules you’ve agreed to uphold”

    Benny Odhomi 

    “She should be decamped as she has violated the dress code! Every religion forbids disobedience of constituted authorities.”

    Israel I-sax Adeyanju

     “NYSC uniform is a paramilitary uniform and not religious uniform. We really need to stop these religious hypocrisy. The problem with us in this country is that we lack discipline. We don’t respect the authority. We always want to justify irregularities.  This is a great sign of failure on the part of our religious leaders.”

    Efe Obibi

    ” She should be given a robust exemption certificate if she can’t comply to the set down practice of the board.”

    Ogboji Ikwuta 

    “funny though but its her choice… I think d main reason why it all comes in trouser is bcus it makes you look smart and active at all times.”

    Orlarwoying Newton D’or

    “It’s a stupid choice.. She’s gonna engage with another of work out in the camp and skirt won’t be appropriate..”

    Abimbola Omolara Asegbeloyin

    “You can’t choose what to wear on camp ground, there is a uniform that everyone must comply with. She just want to be disobedient”

    Idara Udo-inyang 

    “So putting on a skirt makes her more of a Christian than every other person huh?…. I feel disgusted when people try to mix religion and law. You’re meant to put on a trouser for the rigorous exercises you’d undergo. You can still cover all parts of your body, from your head to your toe and still go to hell!!!!!”

    Engr Suleiman Mora Zakariya 

    “Nothing wrong about it. After all the most discipline organization (armed forces) that train them also have skirt as part of their dressing regulations. So bravo to her.”

    Igwilo Noble Ngozi

    “Is her choice to make but i do belive d NYSC board has got some do’s and dont moreover d trouser of a thing is due to the numerous activities which involves stretching d legs like jogging climbing and lots more. Nw she has turned it to skirit dats simply exempting herself from most activities in d camp.”

    Read Also: NYSC chief warns against parties, trips

    Olayinka Gbenga

    “she is supposed to be sent out of the camp for this. it’s disobedience to constituted authority. Is a skirt part of the NYSC uniform?”

    Olushola Ogunmodede 

    “It’s a sin for you, if u don’t obey the law that guide an organization. Help me to tell her that she is a siner.”

    Mpi Kenneth Chinaka 

    “Nigerians and the spirit of destruction,they will soon destroy the beauty and respect of this program.”

    Mcox Otobo 

    “All Corps member are addressed as gentlemen Corps member. She should be decamped instantly.”

    Hussaini M Labbo 

    “What wrong with this outfit. ? Do what is right and leave what’s legal .“

     

     

    What do you think?

     

     

  • Cultism: Police dismiss two officers in A’Ibom

    Cultism: Police dismiss two officers in A’Ibom

    The Police Command in Akwa Ibom has dismissed two of its officers over alleged aiding and abetting of cultism in the state.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit on the Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Hon. Onofiok Luke, in Uyo on Tuesday.

    Ogunjemilusi disclosed that the dismissed officers would be prosecuted with other arrested suspected cultists.

    He called on the State House of Assembly to impose stiffer penalties on cultism in Akwa Ibom, by reviewing the relevant laws.

    He also appealed to the lawmakers to support the police in ending criminal activities, under the guise of cultism.

    “We have caught two police officers, we have dismissed them and we are prosecuting them.

    “The Akwa Ibom Police command under my leadership is resolute to dismantle cultism and contain its spread in the state.

    “We are determined to confront violent crimes headlong, put an end to senseless killings amongst our youths and stamp out criminality in all forms.

    “I would like to call on this honourable house to review the state law against cultism, imposed stiffer penalties and create special programmes to reform the youths,’’ he said.

    He said the command would soon begin a clamp down on vehicles without number plates.

    He requested for the provision of patrol vehicles, gun boats, communication gadgets and equipment to aid police investigations.

    He said, “I am particularly concerned with the level of development of our youths with negative impact on peace and security.

    “The youths represent the future and this great assembly cannot afford to stand aloof and watch the youths waste away.

    “You can stand with the Nigeria Police, to bring an end to criminal activities under the guise of cultism.

    “Non use of number plates or covering of number plates are unlawful. They facilitate crimes and hinder investigations.

    “I therefore plead for the cooperation of all honourable members and government officials to ensure that their number plates are in place.

    “The command will start to impound all vehicles without number plates.”

    In his response, the Speaker commended the Police Commissioner for his quick response to security issues and community policing in the state.

    He condemned the rise of cultism in the state and said anyone caught, no matter how highly placed, should be prosecuted.

    “We are here to work for the peace, security, and lives of the Akwa Ibom people.

    “We can achieve that through good governance, and our responsibility here is to legislate for the peace, order and security of  lives and properties.

    “We will not act in any way that will hinder you from achieving that core mandate of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Police Act.

    “We share with you the concern on the rise of cultism in the state. We condemn it in its totality,’’ Luke said.

    NAN

     

  • Allegation of evading EFCC mischievous, says Oduah 

    Allegation of evading EFCC mischievous, says Oduah 

    The Senator representing Anambra North, Senator Stella Oduah, Tuesday described as mischievous, a publication that she was evading invitations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    In a statement issued in Abuja, Oduah said that the report was the handiwork of political detractors whose aim was to pitch the anti-graft agency against her.

    Reports in some national dailies and online media had indicated that the Chairman Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration was evading invitations to the commission to defend a N9.4 billion contract awarded during her time as Aviation Minister.

    However the senator claimed that the story was mere fabrications which did not emanate from the EFCC.

    She said that she had been in constant correspondence with the commission.

    Oduah said that she is willing to defend her stewardship during her time as minister, adding that she followed due processes in all her dealings while in charge of the ministry.

    “The season of politics is here again and some people must play the politics of pull down syndrome, this is what perhaps informed the fabrications in the story.

    “How else do you explain that a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a law abiding citizen, a chief executive officer of multinational companies, would be evasive to honour an invitation if not a mere mischief, that is informed by dirty politics.

    “Even the publication did not say that I stole any government money or awarded contracts to myself,” she said.

    The senator said that she had carved a niche for herself in the business world, within and outside the shores of Nigeria even before she ventured into the murky waters of Nigerian politics in 2010.

    According to her, she is a citizen of Nigeria, who has no other home but Nigeria and would not be distracted by activities of her detractors.

    She stated further that this would not be the first time her detractors would want to use the media to tarnish her hard earned image.

    Oduah stressed that the sinister purpose of the news story is to pitch her against the Commission and the general public.

    She therefore urged her detractors to leave her alone and learn to play the politics of hard facts and issues.

    She stated that contracts awarded under her watch as a minister were done in her official capacity and they went through due process.

    The senator added that in her time as minister, she transformed the aviation sector and followed all established processes and procedures.

     

  • Macron to address joint session of NASS in July

    Macron to address joint session of NASS in July

    A joint session of the National Assembly, is to be addressed by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, when he visits Nigeria in early July, Ambassador of France to Nigeria Mr. Denys Gauer, has said.

    Gauer spoke during a visit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Yakubu Dogara, at the National Assembly Tuesday.

    President Macron has interest in the future and development of Nigeria, he said.

    According to him, Macron had worked in the French embassy in Abuja early in his career for six months some years ago and that whereas relations between the two countries in the last few years have centered on security, the French President hopes to use the visit to further deepen relations with Nigeria especially in areas such as youths, culture and creativity.

    Dogara in his response said that members of the Green Chamber and indeed the National Assembly will want to listen to the French President whom he described as “a man of our generation”.

    The Speaker further added: “He has brought a lot of youthful zest, dynamism charisma and appeal to French politics and we will want to yield the floor to him”

    Dogara while commending the French government for assisting Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, pledged to give expeditious passage to all bilateral agreements that will be signed between Nigeria and France during Mr. Macron’s visit.

  • 2019: Senate, Reps joint committee adopt reordered sequence of election

    2019: Senate, Reps joint committee adopt reordered sequence of election

    Senate and House of Representatives joint committee on Electoral Act amendment Tuesday adopted the proposed reordered sequence of elections in the country.

    The National Assembly conference committee on electoral Act (amendment) bill which met in Abuja said that reordered sequence of elections, which places the Presidential election last in the order of elections, is that best for the country.

    The House of Representatives committee on electoral act (amendment) bill had in its amendments to the 2010 Electoral Act included section 25(1) into the Act by reordering the sequence of the elections to start from that of the National Assembly, followed by governorship  and  state assembly election before the Presidential election.

    This is against the old sequence by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which slated the Presidential and National Assembly election first before governorship and state assembly elections.

    Adopting the reordered sequence of elections as contained in the House of Representatives version of the   amended Electoral Act, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North), put it to a voice vote.

    The 12 members committee unanimously answered in the affirmative.

    After the adoption of the reordered sequence of elections, Senator Nazif insisted that the bill did not in any way violate any provisions of Section 76 of the 1999 Constitution which empowered INEC to fix dates and conduct elections.

    He noted that the words which empowered INEC to fix dates and to conduct elections were duplicated in the bill just as the power that confers on the National Assembly by Section 4 subsection 2 of the Constitution were exercised in relation to rescheduling of elections ..

    Nazif said, ” For the avoidance of doubt , this bill with the inclusion of Section 25(1) which makes provision for sequence of election different from the one earlier rolled out by INEC has not in any way violated any provisions of the laws governing the operations of the electoral body. ”

    The Chairman, House Committee on INEC, Hon. Edward Pwajok, on his own, said that what the House did and concurred to by the Senate was very necessary in giving credibility to the electoral process in the country.

    He said, ” The sequence of election provision in the bill is not targeted at anybody but aimed at further giving credibility to the electoral process by way of giving the electorate the opportunity to vote based on individual qualities of candidates vying for National Assembly seat.”

    Pwajok noted that if the bill was not assented to by the President, the lawmakers, would, based on national interest, “surely used constitutional provisions at their disposal to make it see the light of the day.”

    He said, “On whether it would be assented to or not by the President, as far as we are concerned remains in the realm of conjuncture for now but if such eventually happens, we will know how to cross the bridge.”

    A member of the Committee, Senator Dino Melaye ( Kogi West), noted that date for election is the prerogative right of INEC.

    Melaye said that the extant laws of the land give the schedules for such elections as sole responsibility of the National Assembly.

    He said, “So contrary to reports and comments by some Nigerians on the reordered sequence of election, National Assembly have not overlapped its boundaries.”

    Other members of the committee including Senator Shehu Sani ( Kaduna Central), Gilbert Nnaji ( Enugu East), Abiodun Olujimi ( Ekiti South), Peter Nwaoboshi ( Delta North), all spoke in favour of thh reordered sequence of elections .

    The sequence of elections adopted by the 8th National Assembly was first proposed by the 4th National Assembly in the 2002 electoral bill.

    It was later amended by merging Presidential and National Assembly elections.

    The chairman Senate committee on INEC and his counterpart in the House of Representatives will report back to their respective chambers for final adoption before the amendment will be transmitted to the President for his assent.