The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

Forum declares support for President Buhari

The national Forum for the Patriotic Members of APC (FOPMAPC) has declared its unconditional support and commitment to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Alhaji Lawal Garba, the National Chairman of the forum, made the declaration in Daura on Tuesday when he received Jigawa members of the forum.

He called on members of the forum to redoubled their commitment and determination to change Nigeria, stressing we expect our members to continue to educate Nigerians on good policies and programmes of the Buhari administration.

Lawal also urged the members to shun expectation for immediate benefits and place national interest at heart, adding “we will support every positive move aimed at reforming this country’’.

He said the two years of Buhari administration has brought significant changes in key areas including agriculture, security, corruption and the development of infrastructure.

The chairman admonished members of the forum not to relent on their efforts at projecting and promoting the policies and programmes of the present administration.

He described the relationship between Katsina and Jigawa states as exceptionally cordial, adding “we are very lucky that both governors are very busy replicating what the president is doing in their respective states’’.

Earlier, Alhaji Sale Bayi, the Jigawa Chairman of the forum, described the visit as home coming.

He said the forum was dutifully working in collaboration with the Jigawa government towards the success of the APC in future elections.

He commended the Buhari administration for its resilience, commitment and determination towards transforming the nation in spite of the inherent challenges on ground.

The national chairman of the forum, Alhaji Lawal Garba, is the current chairman of Katsina State Transport Authority and a former member of the House of Representatives.

NAN

October 31, 2017
Nigeria National Parks Service arrests wildlife trafficker

Alhaji Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General, Nigeria National Parks Service ( NPS ), says the service has arrested an international trafficker of endangered species of wildlife.

The Conservator-General, who said this in an interview in Abuja, gave the trafficker’s name as Zakari Yau.

Goni said that Yau was arrested at a spot near the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

He said that the service rangers had embarked on aggressive patrols of parks, with the aid of the military and other agencies, to check illegal activities in all the national parks.

“The exercise led to the arrest of Zakari Yau from Cameroon, who was in possession of a pair of elephant tusk, contrary to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora Act ( CITES ).

“The suspect had since been handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency ( NESREA ) for further investigation and prosecution,” he said.

NAN recalls that the NPS said that it had arrested 325 wildlife offenders at seven parks across the country in the first half of 2017.

Goni said that the offenders had since been taken to court, adding that some of them were fined, while compensations were paid to the NPS.

The conservator-general, however, said that in the first half of 2017, more than 5,356 tourists visited national parks across the country.

“The service is making frantic efforts to improve and maintain international global standards and services; we want to give our parks a facelift to attract more tourists, both local and international,” he said.

Goni said that the service had developed a network of national parks that could compete favourably with other national parks in the world.

“To this end, the park service is making efforts to put in place operational management plans for each park and a systems plan for the entire country.

“We want a national park system that meets the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians, and indeed the whole world, in preserving and protecting our natural heritage and the cultural relics that enliven them for generations to come.’’

Besides, Goni said that 1,986 students, who were on industrial attachment, were trained in national parks across the country.

“The national parks are not only for revenue generation but they are also for research and training,’’ he said.

He thanked the Federal Ministry of Environment, the media, military and paramilitary agencies for their support for the service.

NAN

October 31, 2017
Police nab eight kidnap suspects in Adamawa

The police in Adamawa have arrested eight persons, suspected to be behind kidnapping cases in the state.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Moses Jitoboh, told newsmen on Tuesday in Yola, that the suspects were arrested on Sept. 23 , in Mubi South Local Government Area of the state.

Jitoboh explained that their arrest was as a result of intensive security patrol by men of his command.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspected kidnappers include one locally made pistol, two live 7.62 millimeter ammunition, 58 live cartridges and seven empty cartridges.

“Others are one double-barreled gun, two masks, one ear protector, two military helmets and SIM cards, among others,” Jitoboh said.

He said the police had also arrested three suspects for criminal conspiracy, store-breaking and stealing of property belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ).

According to the police commissioner, the suspects were arrested for stealing 120 laptops belonging to the Adamawa INEC office on June 19, 2017.

He gave assurance that the command would continue to collaborate with the other security agencies in the state to protect lives and property of the citizens.

NAN

October 31, 2017
Police arrest burglar of Sen. Nwaoboshi’s residence in Asaba

The Police in Delta said they had arrested one Emeka Ezeonyi who allegedly broke into the residence of Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi in Asaba and carted away cash and other valuables.

The Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO ) in the state, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Asaba.

According to Aniamaka, the suspect stole cell phones, laptop computers and cash from the residence of Sen.Nwaoboshi..

He said the suspect, who hailed from Umuchu village in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra, had confessed to have burgled Sen. Nwaoboshi’s residence.

Aniamaka said the suspect had also confessed to partaking in many other robberies and burglaries in Asaba, Owerri, Makurdi and Enugu.

“The Delta Police Command, with effective collaboration of the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team on Oct. 24, 2017 arrested one Emeka Ezeonyi for his involvement in series of burglaries and stealing.

“Upon his arrest, the suspect confessed to have burgled the residences of many identified prominent personalities in Asaba, Owerri, Makurdi and Enugu metropolis,” he said.

The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Zanna Ibrahim, had commended the officers who arrested the suspect as result of the effective deployment of tactical intelligence.

NAN

October 31, 2017
Rangers International FC to be on Nigerian Stock Exchange soon

Rangers International Football Club of Enugu will soon be floated on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), an official of the Administrative Commission of Inquiry on Rangers confirmed on Tuesday.

Based on the submissions mate by the commission, the Enugu State Government will likely divest its shares and stakes in Rangers soon.

About two months ago the state government had set up the Administrative Commission of Inquiry, which had been looking into the club’s activities.

The seven-time league champions who won the 2015/2016 title about 32 years after the last time had a poor outing in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

A member of the commission, Norbert Okolie, told NAN on Tuesday that putting the club’s shares at the NSE was part of the major recommendations made by the commission.

Okolie, who is also the Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria ( SWAN ), Enugu State, said the commission’s report was submitted to the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Friday.

He said the commission, after duly considering a deluge of memoranda submitted, noted that Rangers being a big brand in the football business should enjoy and leverage on this.

“This can only be, by lifting the burden of sponsorship from the state government.’’

Okolie disclosed that the commission also suggested that the club’s ownership should be spread to other South-East states and other lovers of the club.

“Thirty-five per cent of the shares will be reserved for the Enugu State Government, while 32 per cent will be for the four states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo at 8 per cent each.

“Twenty-five per cent will be for the general public, six per cent for the Amalgamated Traders Association, one per cent for Rangers Supporters’ Club and one per cent for Ohaneze Ndigbo.

“This is what was suggested by the commission headed by Prof. Gab Agu,’’ he said.

Okolie also said the formation of Rangers’ female football club and basketball team were equally recommended by the commission.

“This is for maximum benefits to be gained by the shareholders and teeming youths of the states in particular and the nation in general,’’ he said

Ugwuanyi, while receiving the commission’s 52-page report, had promised to present the document for State Executive Committee (SEC) deliberations and quick implementation of recommendations.

NAN

October 31, 2017
2, 045 corps members to pass out Thursday in Kwara

A total of 2, 045 corps members are expected to pass out from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme after the completion of the mandatory one year national service in Kwara.

Mr Oladipo Morakinyo, the State NYSC Public Relations Officer, via a statement issued on Tuesday in Ilorin, said the ceremony would be low keyed.

“The management of the scheme scheduled a low-key passing out ceremony for the 2016 Batch B, Stream 1, for Thursday, Nov.2,’’ Morakinyo added.

He added that adequate arrangements have been made to issue certificate of national service to the deserving corps members at some designated locations across the state.

Morakinyo said that three Nysc members that distinguished themselves during the service year were nominated for the NYSC State Honours Award, while another eight will receive commendation certificates.

He added that 25 Nysc members would be sanctioned for committing various offences during the service year.

“They were sanctioned for various offences committed during the service year; some out rightly absconded from the service, while others contravened various sections of the NYSC bye laws.”

Morakinyo announced that three corps members lost their lives during the service year.

NAN

October 31, 2017
MTN calls $4.2bn claim by Turkcell opportunistic, baseless

MTN on Tuesday called a 4.2 billion-dollar claim by Turkcell in a South African court over a disputed Iranian mobile phone licence “opportunistic” and “baseless”, the company said on Tuesday after filing a defence plea.

Turkcell first sued MTN in a U.S. court in 2012, alleging the company used bribery and wrongful influence to win a lucrative Iranian license that was originally awarded to Turkcell.

It dropped the suit in 2013 after U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a separate case made clear that U.S. courts would not have jurisdiction in a claim involving two foreign firms in an overseas dispute.

In 2916, it filed in South Africa, where the case has been stuck in procedural wrangling since.

“Turkcell’s claim is opportunistic, an abuse of the process of Court, baseless and without merit,” MTN said in a statement after filing a defence plea.

Turkcell was not immediately available to comment.

MTN obtained the license in Iran in 2005 and maintains that Turkcell missed out because it would not comply with an Iranian rule that caps the shareholding in the license at 49 percent.

Iran is MTN’s third largest market out of the 22 countries the company operates in.

MTN previously appointed a retired British judge to lead an external investigation into Turkcell’s allegations. That probe dismissed the accusations as “a fabric of lies, distortions and inventions”.

NAN

October 31, 2017
Anambra Poll: Group urges candidates to embrace issues-based campaign

The Democrat, a Non-Government Organisation, (NGO), has urged political parties and their candidates in Anambra to embrace issues-based campaign and shun comments that could incite their followers during campaigns.

The organisation’s National Leader, Mr Kehinde Ojuawo, who made the call in a statement on Tuesday in Ibadan, said it had become necessary as the November 18 governorship election in Anambra state draws closer.

Ojuawo maintained that the political parties and their candidates should refrain from abusive utterances and hate speeches, so that the electorate can know what candidates want to do if elected.

He called on the people to use the period of the campaign to assess the candidates and also shun any form of financial inducement from the candidates or their agents.

According to him, the relevant authorities should begin voter education, so as to ensure that there large turnout of the people on the election date.

Ojuawo urged the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to monitor the electioneering in the state and evoke necessary sanctions on political parties and candidates that cause violence during the campaign.

“Disqualification of the political parties and candidates that cause violence should be enforced,” he said.

NAN

October 31, 2017
Kogi United resumes training for new NNL season Nov. 18

The management of Kogi United Football Club of Lokoja on Tuesday said the team would resume camping on Nov. 18, ahead of the 2017/2018 Nigeria National League ( NNL ) season.

The club’s Team Manager, Ameh Henry, said in a statement in Lokoja that the players have been directed to arrive at the club’s camp on or before 11 p.m. of Nov. 18.

“This is for training to commence the next day,’’ he said.

Henry added however that the club would not tolerate lateness to camp by players.

“Such an attitude will attract a fine as the club intends to intensify preparations for the new season early,’’ he said.

Kogi United’s coach Tunde Abdulrahman has already expressed delight at the team’s performance in the 2016/2017 season.

NAN

October 31, 2017
Plateau FA Chairman calls for committee to help Plateau United

Plateau Football Association (PFA) Chairman, Sunday Longbap, has called for an immediate constitution of a committee to help Plateau United Football Club successfully play in the 2018 CAF Champions League.

Longbap said this on Tuesday in Jos that the committee was imperative for the club to succeed.

“Playing continental football is different from playing in the country’s league.

“On the continent, apart from a quality team, you need a vibrant committee to help the team achieve its target.

“And, for Plateau United who are debutants in continental football, the need for the committee becomes even more imperative,” he said.

The chairman said the committee must be composed of all critical stakeholders in the football circle in the state.

He said there was need for adequate preparation because, this time around, Plateau United would be going beyond the state level to represent the entire country as a continental showpiece.

“Representing the country brings about the need for adequate and timely preparations,’’ Longbap said.

The Plateau FA Chairman, who said winning the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title by Plateau United was the Association board’s happiest moment commended the state governor, Simon Lalong.

“His unwavering support for the club ensured their emergence as NPFL champions,’’ he said.

Longbap also commended Lalong for the resumption of work at the ultra-modern new Zaria Road Stadium in fulfillment of his promise.

“The governor promised the team that they will play their continental matches in the new stadium if they win the league and work has since resumed in the stadium.

“We believe that the stadium will be ready in February when the 2018 CAF Champions League will start,” he said.

Longbap assured the team and the state government that the PFA would do all that was needed of it in ensuring that Plateau United gave its best on the continent.

NAN

October 31, 2017