The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • NU MI showcases best of Nigeria interior, product designs

    The best of Nigeria’s interior and product designers will exhibit their products from 21st September to 22nd September in Lagos.

    The exhibition is the initiative of NU MI Design House, the integrated interior, procurement, bespoke furniture manufacturer and homeware product designer.

    Nigerian art, according to the organisers, has captured the imagination of a global audience and introduced a new generation of world-renowned artists to an eager public. But far less known, and equally innovative, is the emerging Nigerian design sector and a range of creative collaborations between art and design are taking it to a new level.

    To showcase this unique new sector, NU MI Design House is curating the NU MI Design Exhibition, featuring a combination of leading Nigerian artists alongside established and emerging Nigerian furniture and other product designers and a unique selection of NU MI founder, Tanwa Newbold’s own work that includes a stunning collaboration with artist Polly Alakija.

    Building on 2018’s first edition hosted at the Oando Wings building, the 2019 NU MI Design Exhibition will take place at LASWA Yard, Falomo Jetty, the new headquarters of maritime Lagos.

    Read Also: Erelu to fashion designers: don’t imitate others

    It features works from product designers like Studio Lani, Tosin Oshinowo, Alaga Collections, Funferekoroye, Kelechi Odu and Oguma Adegoke alongside renowned artists Polly Alakija, Ghariokwu Lemi, Olumide Onadipe and a curated selection from the Nike Art Gallery.

    Speaking at the launch, Creative Director and Founder, Tanwa Newbold, said: “Whether you are looking for the luxury of a world-renowned furniture producer, the highest quality local design and production or African-inspired unique homeware, the NU MI Design Exhibition has something for you. We are privileged to be able to bring together so many talented designers, and I am hugely encouraged by the innovation and creativity that is coming out of Nigeria at the moment.

    “At NU MI, we combine contemporary interior design, with the ability to produce or procure unique pieces, specifically designed to suit your vision. We believe that in a world where choice and flexibility is increasingly important to consumers, we are able to offer a service that maximises your ability to achieve your vision, whether you want to source locally, or internationally.”

    The event is supported by LASWA, the owners of the Yard venue, Bank of Industry, Plascon Paints and La Connaisseur, the exclusive concept store for wine lovers.

  • We are adopting Edo-HIP to revamp Edo healthcare sector – Obaseki

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that his administration has adopted a reformist agenda to transform the state’s healthcare sector with the Edo Primary Healthcare Improvement Programme (Edo-HIP).

    Obaseki said this at an interactive session with healthcare stakeholders at Government House, Benin City, the state capital, on Friday.

    The governor, who presented the Edo State Health Improvement Programme (EDOHIP) to the stakeholders during the session, said the purpose of the interactive session was to have an honest and open discussion on how to make the state’s healthcare sector more effective and efficient.

    “Our healthcare system in Edo State must be restored. We want to make this state a destination for medical tourism. I don’t want to see any patient passing through Edo to other states. Rather, I want them to stop in Edo State for treatment.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s initiative to fix points of failure on roads kicks off

    “Our goal as a government is to ensure that by the time we finish with all the reforms in the health sector, Edo will become the healthcare hub of the nation”.

    He said he is championing a reformist administration that prioritises programmes and policies that make life better for the people of the state.

    According to him, “We are a reformist government. We try to prioritise our programmes as a government and the healthcare sector is not left out as we have a road map to guide us in developing the sector and making it more efficient and effective.

    “Healthcare is not cheap; we need a system to identify who pays for healthcare and how the payments will flow. We don’t have all the resources but we can create the enabling environment and pull in the resources. We will create the structure and bring all elements on board to ensure the sector works effectively.”

    “By the end of next year, we would have enough diagnostic centres. There will be five to seven centres with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines and Computed Tomography (CT) scan machines for basic diagnosis. We will have 10 to 12 centres for dialysis. It is not the money but the way to organise the system.”

    Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Osamwonyi Irowa, said the Governor Obaseki-led administration has done well in developing the healthcare sector and needs the support of stakeholders to move the sector to the next level with Edo-HIP.

    Uzor Okomah, of Edo-HIP, said the state government was working hard to meet objectives set for the programme in the state.

    She explained that the government’s focus is on improving the state’s primary and secondary healthcare systems; enhancing healthcare financing and revamping training institutions to produce quality health workers.

    Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Chapter, Dr. Omoifo Valentine, urged government at all levels to improve services at the healthcare centres with good facilities and trained manpower.

  • P&ID $9.6bn judgment: FG arraigns ex-Petroleum Resources official on bribery charges

    The Federal Government has arraigned a former Director, Legal Services of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Grace Taiga on charges relating to acceptance of bribe in connection with the controversial gas supply contract awarded in 2010 to Irish firm, Process and Industry Development (P&ID) Limited, over which a $9.6bilion judgment is now pending against Nigeria.

    On Friday, Mrs. Taiga pleaded not guilty to the eight-count charge brought against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and on which she was arraigned.

    Read Also: $9.6bn judgment: Court liquidates P&ID, affiliate

    The arraignment took place before filed Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of Court 14, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Apo, Abuja.

    In the charge, Mrs. Taiga is accused among others, of receiving bribe through her offshore bank account in signing the Gas Supply Processing Agreement (GSPA) between P&ID Limited and the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Petroleum Resources Ministry on January 11, 2019.

    The then Minister of Petroleum Resources, Rilwan Lukman (now late) was said to have also signed the contract.

    Details shortly.

  • Buhari meets Ag. Head of Civil Service, Yemi-Esan

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed doors with the Acting Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, at the State House, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yemi-Esan took over from Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, who was asked to proceed on indefinite leave to allow conclusion of the investigation being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    Read Also: Eight things you should know about Yemi-Esan new Head of Service

    NAN reports that the agenda of the meeting between the president and the new acting HoS was unknown as at the time of filing this report.

    However, NAN learnt that Yemi-Esan, who was in the Presidential Villa for the first time since her appointment on Wednesday, might have used the opportunity of the visit to formally introduce herself to the president.

  • Troops eliminate seven top commanders of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists

    Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force and Nigerian Armed Forces have eliminated not less than seven commanders of Boko Haram terrorists in Tumbus of Lake Chad region, Army Headquarters says.

    The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Musa said that the neutralised commanders were Abba Mainok, Bukar Dunokaube, Abu kololo, Abor Kime, said to be of Arab origin and likely their ISIS trainer.

    Others according to him are, Mann Chari, Dawoud Abdoulaye from Mali and Abu Hamza.

    “All these were said to be commanders of various Tumbus controlling fighters before they were decisively dealt with l by the military bombardment.

    “Although these names may not be real and may likely nicknames.

    Read Also; Boko Haram: Army assures Maiduguri residents of safety

    “Nonetheless, it is an unprecedented feat to our quest of clearing the remnants of these criminals in the area.

    “Consequently, efforts are ongoing to get more information on their true identities,” he said.

    Musa disclosed that the troops were in celebration mood as a result of successes of their combined efforts of artillery and air bombardments of suspected hideouts of the terrorists.

    He added that it was mourning and a monumental set back to the erstwhile Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters hibernating at the triangular area of the region.

    Musa said information coming from the criminal group’s enclave escaping to Sudan and CAR, indicates that at least not fewer than seven of their key commanders have been wasted by the superior forces of the MNJTF.

    Army spokesperson said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai had commended the troops for this great efforts and enjoined them to do more.

  • Video: Tanker falls, spills fuel on Otedola bridge

    A truck laden with diesel fell off while driving inward Berger shortly after the Otedola bridge Lagos.

    The truck has been spilling Its contents since the accident and a Physical assessment is being conducted in order to avert the occurrence of fire incident.

     

    Details shortly

  • Police arraign 15 for attempting to kill Patience Jonathan

    The Bayelsa State Police Command has dragged 15 persons to the state High Court sitting in Yenagoa for robbing former First Lady, Patience Jonathan of jewellery worth N200m and plotting to kill her.

    The 15 suspects were slammed with a 17-count of conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit felony with armed robbery, malicious injury to property, conspiracy to commit a felony with stealing and burglary.

    The suspects were identified as Golden Vivian,40; Erama Deborah, 45; Precious Kingsley, 20; Vincent Olabiyi, 28; Ebuka Cosmos, 25; Williams Alamo, 29; Tamunokuro Abaku, 32 and Boma Oba, 42.

    Others are Emmanuel Aginwa, 42; Emeka Benson, 33; Tamunosiki Achese Frisberesima, 30; Wariboko Salome, 28; Sahabi Lima, 35; Reginald Sunday, 20; and John Dashe, 39.

    Read Also: Jonathan’s absence delays decision on PDP’s running mate

    The charge sheet was signed by S. A. Ofoegbu of the Legal State Criminal Investigation Department, Yenagoa Bayelsa State.

    The lawyers listed as defendants to the accused persons are Stanley Damabide, Padiowei P.P. Tamuno, E. Samuel and Chuks Momoh.

    But they all pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

    One of the counts accused the arraigned persons of conspiring to commit murder which is an offence punishable under section 252 of the Criminal code law cap.C14 laws of Bayelsa State.

    Others are: “All the accused and some at large, sometime in the month of June,2019 at Otuoke community in Ogbia local government within the Ogbia Judicial Division of the state High Court did conspire to kill Her Excellency, Dame Patience Jonathan, former First Lady.

    “That you and some other persons at large, on the same date and place aforementioned Judicial Division of Bayelsa did steal seven gold bangles and jewellery, five Samsung Air Conditioner,Two sets of upholstery chairs, six Samsung flat-screen television stands at two hundred Million naira (N200,000,000). These are property of Dame Patience Jonathan”.

  • We’re sorry for cashless policy inconvenience but… -CBN

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has apologised to bank customers for the inconveniences the newly introduced cashless policy will cause.

    CBN governor Godwin Emefiele rendered the apology at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja when he was asked of his reaction to the push back from Nigerians over the return of charges on deposits and withdrawals beyond certain threshold.

    According to him: “I sympathize and regret inconvenience cashless policy will cause bank customers.”

    Despite the apology, he insisted that the policy will progress as announced and gave reasons why it will continue.

    Read Also: Suspend cashless policy, Reps tell CBN

    Speaking on the controversial judgement debt of $9.6 billion awarded to P&ID, the CBN governor maintained that “by the grace of God there is no treat to the reserves…..and we have received presidential approval that those indicted should be prosecuted.”

    At the end of the meeting, the MPC retained interest rates at 13.5% as well as other parameters.

    Details shortly…

  • AbdulRazaq floors PDP, Atunwa at tribunal

    Kwara State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ilorin, the state capital on Friday dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s petition seeking the nullification of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s election on the ground that he lacked the academic qualification to run.

    PDP and its candidate Razak Atunwa had approached the tribunal to order for a rerun of the March 9th, 2019 governorship election on the ground that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq presented forged West African Examinations (WAEC) certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The petitioners also alleged that AbdulRazaq presented affidavit to INEC containing false information to contest for the election.

    The tribunal said the PDP and its candidate Razaq Atunwa failed to prove the allegations, holding instead that “all evidence before us show that (AbdulRazaq) sat for the examination and was, therefore, qualified to run for the office of governor.

    “From all the evidence before us, we hold that the petition lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” Justice Bassey Effiong, chairman of the three-person panel.

    He added that “from the evidences before us, we hold that the petition lacks merit.”

    Read Also: Tribunal judgement: I won’t give up until I get justice, says Atiku

    Effiong said the law is that where a petitioner makes the commission of a crime the kernel of their petition, then they must prove it beyond reasonable doubt.

    He asked “has the petitioner discharged the burden of proof expecte of them? From the evidence in this case, the answer is a resounding no. The petitioners have not discharged their burden of proof that the APC candidate (2nd respondent) presented a forged certificate.

    “We hold that all the evidences presented by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) — which the petitioners had relied upon and subpoenaed —were at variance with the pleadings of the petitioners.

    He insisted that the petitioners failed to prove that the governor forged a certificate or presented a forged certificate in support of his candidature as alleged in their petition.

    The judge said WAEC confirmed to the tribunal that AbdulRazaq’s certificate was “genuine and authentic”, adding that a classmate of the Governor also told the panel that the latter sat in front of him in the secondary school leaving certificate examination of June 1976.

    Effiong said WAEC, which is the only statutory body to issue such a certificate, had made it clear that AbdulRazaq’s credential with all the relevant security details had emanated from it and that no other person ca make contrary claim.

  • Closure of borders yielding positive results -Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari says the closure of Nigerian land borders for a limited period due to massive smuggling is already yielding positive result for the economy.

    The president stated this when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Association for Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) at the State House, Abuja, on Friday.

    The delegation also comprised of the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) and representatives of the Organised Private Sector (OPS).

    Buhari said that the closure was necessitated by the lack of adherence to the business ideals by various stakeholders which was detrimental to the country and its people.

    ”After many years of diplomacy and aggressive regulatory oversight which yielded few results, we decided to close our land borders for a limited time to assess the impact of this measure.

    ”Within a few short weeks, we are already seeing a decline in the volumes of counterfeit smuggled goods in some of our major markets across the country.

    ”This validates our action as a Government when we insist that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) must not only promote free trade, but legal trade of quality made in Africa goods and services,” he said.

    Buhari says everyone must play by the rules when it comes to trade and business activities that are central to Nigeria’s economic development.

    He added that his administration would ensure that the trade and business sector continues to flourish in job creation.

    He said: ”Unfortunately, in recent times, many traders simply do not play by the rules.

    ”Our markets are flooded with smuggled and counterfeit goods. By these selfish practices, we help keep foreign factories working while closing ours.

    ”From medicines to electronics to food items, our potential to manufacture and create jobs locally is severely hindered by a handful of Nigerians who choose profits over patriotism.

    ”We have all heard stories about the dangerous and sometimes, fatal impact of fake drugs and foods on our citizens.

    ”We have also seen how fake electrical items have led to fires in homes and markets thereby destroying lives and properties.

    ”Most of these substandard and illegal items are smuggled through our land borders.’’

    According to the president, his administration will continue to solicit the support of the organised private sector, both in Nigeria and across West Africa, to bring an end to the dumping of substandard items.

    He urged the Association to continue its ‘‘positive and patriotic contribution’’ towards achieving a free trade area that employs Africans to produce quality made in Africa products.

    Read Also: Buhari orders security chiefs to end crude oil theft

    ”We will soon finalise the National Action Committee on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Your Association is a member of this committee.

    ”I expect you to continue your positive and patriotic contribution to support us in achieving a free trade area that employs Africans to produce quality made in Africa products,’’ the President said.

    In her remarks, Hajiya Saratu Aliyu, President FEWACCI, NACCIMA and OPS, commended the recent decision by the President to constitute a new economic team to steer the Nigerian economy on the path of sustainable growth.

    On the Economic Advisory Council (EAC), she said: ”NACCIMA, FEWACCI and indeed the OPS are full of hope that a new era is on the horizon with the calibre of persons on the team which reassures us at the OPS that Government is ready to turn around the story of Nigeria.”

    Aliyu also hailed significant accomplishments recorded in all sectors of the economy including but not limited to reduced corruption, foreign exchange stability, bottom of the pyramid programmes, increased ease of doing business, increased capital expenditures, among others.

    The president of NACCIMA appealed for the President’s intervention in the provision of property within Abuja for the location of FEWACCI headquarters.

    She also briefed the President about the 21-point NACCIMA programme, tagged ‘‘Unleash the Giant’’.

    She added that the association intended to engage the Federal Government on 16 of those stated points with the goal of ensuring business growth and socioeconomic advancement through public and private sector collaboration.

     

    (NAN)