The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria

  • Fire guts building in Mushin

    Fire razed the second floor of a two-storey building on 152 Agege Motor Road in Mushin Olosha, Lagos state on Tuesday.

    It destroyed household materials.

    The Nation learnt that the fire, which began around 3 pm, was put out around 5:30pm .

    It was gathered that there was an electric spark when power was restored in the area which led to the fire outbreak.

    The goods on the second floor were burnt.

    Occupants of the building were said to have fled immediately the fire began.

    Read Also: Unity Bank head office on fire

    An official of the Lagos State Fire Service at the scene, Mr. Usman Ibrahim said the cause of the fire was yet to be known.

    “We responded immediately we got the calls but the bad roads and reckless driving by some motorists caused the little delay,” he said.

    An official of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Mr. Adekunle Sunday, said a resident told him that a tenant put on gas and suddenly exploded.

    He added that the residents were also helpful in the process of vacating the leftover goods not engulfed in the fire.

    A trader on the ground floor of the building, who simply identified himself as Mr. Chukwudi, said he was the one who called the firefighters.

    He added that the fire outbreak was due to electric spark.

    “Thank God none of my goods caught fire,” he said.

    A resident, who pleaded not to be named, said some hoodlums seized the opportunity of the incident to steal valuables from the building. He said he was one of the rescuers before some other boys in the area joined.

  • NANS hails improved security in Katsina

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari on the improved security in the state following his dialogue with bandits.

    Read Also: Xenophobia: NANS advises youths to shun violence

    The President of the Association, Mr. Danielson Akpan, who addressed a press conference at the NUJ secretariat in Katsina, told newsmen that they have been in the state for 4 days to inspect projects executed by the present administration in the state and from what they have seen during the tour of the three senatorial districts in the state, the state is peaceful and secured.

    He said’’ I want to state quite frankly, we have visited the three senatorial districts in the state, we didn’t notice pandemonium, and from what we have seen during this visit, there is peace now in the state and considering the way he has reached out to the bandits, peace has returned to Katsina State.”

  • Phone ‘thief’ burnt in Delta

    An unidentified phone ‘thief’ was burnt to death at the popular Effurun Roundabout in Uvwie council area of Delta State.

    The Nation gathered that the incident occurred on Sunday at about 7am.

    Witnesses said the suspect  snatched a woman’s phone outside the Delta Mall premises and was headed for the bush across the mall, when an angry mob caught him and immediately lynched him.

    A wristwatch trader who sells at the roundabout narrated the incident.

    Read Also: Black market petrol seller burnt to death

    “It happened on Sunday morning here. As he was running, the people around pursued and caught him. After seriously beating him, they put a tyre on him and set him on fire. They burnt him near were those buses are parked.

    “It was yesterday they removed the body,” the trader who did not disclose his name said.

    A man, Chuks Ifeyinwa, corroborated the story. He said he was on his way to church and saw the alleged thief being set ablaze for “stealing a lady’s phone”.

    When The Nation visited the scene on Tuesday, a bystander simply identified as Mabel claimed to have witnessed a robbery attack on some people who were just returning from a business trip in the same area.

    Stating that the area as from 10pm is “a deadly zone,” she called for security operatives to be drafted to the area in order to reduce attacks on unsuspecting persons.

    The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke said he was “not aware,” of the case but  promised to “find out,” but was yet to give feedback as at the time of filing this report.

  • Oyo declares war on vandals

    Worried by the ceaseless theft and vandalism of public schools properties  in Oyo State, the government has declared war on vandals, saying that anyone caught in such acts will face the music.

    Some members of staff of the affected schools were also accused of conspiring with the vandals, but none has been arrested.

    It was reported that due to the absence of security guards in public schools, as a result of the ban on payment of school fees by the government, some criminal elements have taken advantage of the seeming collapse of security system to cart away valuables in the schools.

    Some head teachers had raised the alarm in a report, calling the attention of the government to the grave danger faced by the schools, especially when most of the schools could no longer afford to hire security guards because of the ban fees and levies.

    Read Also: Shell loses N202 million daily to vandals, oil thieves

    The state governor Seyi Makinde promised grants to public schools, but the government is yet to make the grants available.

    A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun yesterday warned that anyone caught in the act would be dealt with according to the law.

    Quoting the chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, the statement said those behind the vandalism shall be treated as saboteurs and enemies of the state.

    Speaking on the destruction of properties at a new model school completed by the state government in Ibadan, Adeniran said that perpetrators of such acts would be punished with extreme severity.

    Adeniran said, “It is unfortunate that these deliberate destructive acts on one of our model schools reportedly were aided by some teachers and staff members of the school, but let me assure you that this administration would tackle the menace of thugs among our teachers in the interest of our children.

    “This government frowns at such shameful acts and we promise to fish out those who masterminded this. As a government, we will not allow anybody mortgage the future of our children, for their selfish interests,” he added.

  • Doctor re-arraigned for cutting off patient’s kidneys

    A medical doctor in Adamawa State Yakubu Hassan Koji who cut off a patient’s kidneys during a surgery was on Tuesday re-arraigned before a tribunal on a 12-count charge.

    The tribunal is sitting at the instance of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

    Dr Koji was questioned on issues bordering on negligence in the handling of a patient Mr. Isa Hamma, now deceased.

    The accused doctor performed an operation on the patient without informing him of the risks involved. In the process he ‘mistakenly’ cut off the patient’s kidneys.

    One of the 12 charges reads: “That you, Dr. Yakubu Hassan Koji, registered medical practitioner and practicing as such, between 25th June and 7th July, 2016 or thereabouts at Jimeta Clinic and Maternity, Jimeta, Adamawa State, were negligent when you undertook a surgical operation on one Isa Hamma and removed an organ you could not identify and by the said fact, conducted yourself infamously in a professional respect contrary to Rules 29.4f of the Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria, 2008 Edition, and punishable under section 16 (1) (a) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act CAP M8 LFN 2004 (as amended).”

    Read Also: Doctor performs abortion on the wrong woman

    Although in earlier arraignment, Koji pleaded not guilty to one or two of the charges, in a new twist, the respondent pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges.

    The Defense Counsel, B. E Olowonubi pleaded with the members of the tribunal for a little time to opt for plea bargain for his client. However, the prosecution counsel vehemently opposed the position, saying a plea bargain can only be reached if the respondent accepts that he is guilty of the charges.

    According to the Prosecution Counsel, Dr. Musa A. Aliyu, “We remember that this respondent had earlier pleaded guilty to a count or two; that would have been the proper pedestal to build a leniency of any punishment that can be meted to him.

    “But he, after he has taken his plea, has taken a step to say ‘I am not guilty’, what are you bargaining again? Plea bargain will only result in, I am guilty.

    “This is a tribunal established by law, and the proceedings are guided by law. In criminal crime, in the new development there are issues of plea bargain which the administration of criminal justice have introduced into our criminal justice system, which is accepted in the court.

    “But to the best of our knowledge Mr. Chairman, there is no provision either in the medical ethics of Nigeria or in the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act, which empowers the prosecution or the Medical and Dental investigation panel to enter into any bargain with somebody it has investigated and found that he has a case to answer, as a result of which a charge is proffered against him.”

    He went further to say that if the respondent admits to the charges and pleads guilty then the issue of plea bargain will suffice, if not he  (prosecution counsel) and his team are ready to proceed with the prosecution and call their witness and tender all the evidences they feel that are enough to have the respondent convicted of professional misconducts on all the charges proffered against him.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Prof. Abba Hassan, reminded everyone that the respondent initially when he was arraigned pleaded guilty on one or two of the charges. But because he didn’t have a counsel then, the tribunal granted him some time to prepare with one. Now he has changed his plea to all of them that he is not guilty.

    “The issue is the removal of functional kidneys in an individual, which has led to the death of the patient. Even if you are going to do a plea bargain, the important thing which you raise is not our law now.

    “In the review of the Act, if this comes in, but as far as I am concerned, the members of the tribunal have no option than to go ahead with the prosecution because the case is an issue of somebody who lost both of the organs and the patient is dead. It is only fair to the complainants that we conclude this case to a surgical conclusion,” he said.

    The case continues.

  • IPOB threatens protest against Buhari at UNGA

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has vowed to stage a peaceful protest against President Mohammadu and his government at the United Nations General Assembly in the United States of America.

    It said the demonstration was to prove its resoluteness and determination for the actualisation of Biafra republic and Buhari’s tyrant style of leadership.

    The group, in statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said its members in the US had perfected arrangement necessary for the protest.

    It noted that it was aware Buhari departed Abuja for New York with three governors and seven ministers to attend the General Assembly.

    The statement partly reads: “IPOB family worldwide especially our great family members in the US are on ground waiting for Buhari to appear in the United Nations General Assembly this week, the General assembly is scheduled to start deliberation from 25th of September 2019 in the city of New York.

    “Our people in the US perfected every arrangement necessary to protest against Buhari and his government in Nigeria during the summit to prove our resoluteness and determination for the coming of Biafra and how tyrant Buhari has become.

    “The world must understand why Biafrans need outright freedom from unworkable system of Nigeria without much delay.

    Read Also; IPOB takes independence agitation to UN

    “Buhari and his Fulani government in Nigeria have totally destroyed this country and we must let the world know what transpired between Biafra and Nigeria since 1945 till date.

    “IPOB is going to stage a powerful and unprecedented protest against him in US for the purpose of continued and incessant killing, arrest, destruction of properties and secret abduction of Biafrans both men, women and children every day and night in Biafraland.

    “The plans by Fulani government of Nigeria to stop IPOB from demanding their right for free state and independent nation of Biafra will not work.

    “The whole world must see IPOB right in front of UN headquarters in New York.”

  • Accidents: FRSC urges states to establish traffic management agencies

    Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has urged states yet to establish traffic management agencies to do so to enhance national safety and security.

    Oyeyemi made the call at a conference of Heads of State Traffic Management Agencies held in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The theme of the conference was “Sustaining Inter-Agency Collaboration toward Improved Road Safety Culture management in Nigeria”.

    He said that the positive multiplier effect of such agencies would include enhanced safety and security.

    Oyeyemi said that the meeting was an intentional approach toward sustainability in inter-agency relationship in the true value of team spirit approach for the betterment of national development.

    The corps marshal, while noting that only 18 states had established the traffic management agencies, said that the corps would synergise with those yet to establish to do so to enhance safer roads.

    Read Also: Six disasters to watch out for in the ‘ember months’

    He said: “The FRSC as the lead agency cannot do it alone. That is why you have the policy evolution encouraging the states to set up the traffic management agencies.

    “We look at the United Nations Decade of Action on Road Safety 2011-2020. The pillar one of the action is on road safety management which encourages member states to set up the lead agencies on traffic management..

    Oyeyemi said that the corps was encouraging states to set up these traffic management agencies due to “the chaotic and worrisome urban traffic”.

    He said this would enable the corps to pull out from the state roads and focus more on the federal roads with about 36, 000km of total road network.

    “The federal roads are where most of the traffic crashes occur. We will continue to encourage the states.

    “It is in the policy document of the Nigerian Road Safety Strategy and we will make sure before the end of next year, almost all the states must have complied,” he said.

    According to Oyeyemi, it is not enough to set up the agencies but such agencies have to be well funded.

    “And they must be made professional the way FRSC is. That is why we are availing the states of the services of our academy and the training school so that we can all be at par,” he Oyeyemi said.

    He also called for synergy between the various management agencies to harmonise operations and the database for the good of the country.

    “For the states that have their agencies in place, I also appeal to the respective governors to fund the agencies well so as to ease their achievement of set goals.

    “This is important because underfunding will simply result in money down the drain without any meaningful return to the expectant members of the communities.”

    He said that Nigeria was the 10th nation globally to endorse all the six UN Conventions on Road Traffic following President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent to the Geneva Convention on Road Signs and Signals in 2018.

    Mr Isaac Adetimiro, Deputy General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, said that the agency was managing the high level of traffic in the state.

    “With the support of the federal and state governments, we are able to manage traffic perfectly in Lagos, especially in Apapa.”

    Adetimiro appealed to motorists, especially tanker and truck drivers, to ensure the maintenance of their vehicles to reduce accidents and high volume of traffic on the road.

    Retired Col. Abdulkadir Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer, Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority, said that the traffic situation in the state was a little bit difficult because of the influx of commuters.

    He, however, said that the government was doing its best on road expansion under the rural renewal project.

    (NAN)

  • Makinde appoints UI don as Economic Adviser

    Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the appointment of Dr. Musibau Babatunde, an Economist from the University of Ibadan, as his Chief Economic Adviser.

    Mr Taiwo Adisa, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, said in a statement on Tuesday in Ibadan that the appointment was with “immediate effect”.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor’s 4-point Development Agenda is aimed at expanding the economic frontiers of the state.

    Adisa said that the governor’s appointment of an economic adviser, was to enhance the successes already achieved and help to turn around the economy of the state.

    Read Also: Makinde, wife to receive special recognition award

    The statement indicated that the new adviser earned a doctorate degree in Economics at the University of Ibadan.

    It further read: ”Babatunde emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student in the Masters of Science Degree in Economics at the University of Ibadan and became a recipient of the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), Nairobi, Collaborative PhD Scholarship Award for African Scholars.

    ”He was a recipient of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doctoral Internship Visiting Scholar Support Award, Geneva, Switzerland, in September 2005,

    ”He had equally served as Consultant to the National Factsheet on the Impact of Economic Partnership Agreement on Selected Sectors of the Nigerian Economy; Export Supply Response Capacity Constraints In Nigeria; Output Market Initiatives.

    ”He also worked  as Chief Consultant on Niger State Economic Development Strategy in December 2008; Coordinating Consultant on Niger State Vision 3:2020 Document and Niger State Local Governments Vision 3:2020 Document in March 2010.

    ”He is currently, a Senior Lecturer in the Economics Department of University of Ibadan and is being assessed for the rank of Professor.”

    (NAN)

  • Google celebrates Nigerian food culture

    Google is celebrating Nigerian food culture with the world through its project ‘Come Chop Bellefull: A Taste of Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was launched in collaboration with the Centenary Project on Tuesday at the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Lagos.

    The Centenary Project had since its inception in 2014 focused on digitally capturing and showcasing the cultural and historical expressions of the Nigerian nation.

    Google Spokesman for West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, said Nigeria demonstrated a unique ability to combine culinary innovation with cultural knowledge through food.

    “If you live in Nigeria or visit Nigeria regularly, then you will understand that Nigerians do not mess around when it comes to food.

    Read Also: Food as human right

    “Regardless of where you’re from, you will have a favourite dish that drives an eagerness to find and taste more.

    “In recognition of this, Google Arts and Culture has paid tribute to Nigeria’s vibrant and diverse food culture with the “Come Chop Bellefull: A Taste of Nigeria’’ project,” Kola-Ogunlade said.

    He said that the project was a way to inform and educate the world about the wealth of creativity and human resources the country had.

    The Google spokesman said that the project was opening the doors to foodies and lovers of culture from across the globe and helping them experience Nigerian cooking culture for themselves.

    “A Taste of Nigeria” boasts 2,000 high-resolution images and 30 stories that represent iconic local dishes and unforgettable flavours for which Nigeria is known.

    “A few of the local cuisine recipes showcased on the Taste of Nigeria site include Jollof Rice which is must in order to be truly Nigerian.

    Another Nigerian meal that is undeniably sought after across all geographical regions is made from raw groundnuts and rice, Kunun Gyada. It is a light porridge that can be enjoyed alone or accompanied with kosai (bean cake), masa (rice cake) or fried meat,” he said.

    He said that soups form a staple part of any Nigerian diet, adding that the starch and Banga Soup from the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria is made by extracting the juice from the seeds of raw palm kernel fruit.

    “Interestingly, the Efik/Ibibios call it Abak Atama and the Yoruba’s call theirs Obe Eyin Ikpogiri.

    “Banga is best served with catfish and fresh fish and is a meal that is seen as fit for kings, no matter where it is being served.

    “Snack lovers would want to order one of Nigeria’s favourite deep fried snacks, akara, which is a popular breakfast meal made with brown or black-eyed beans and spices, it is just one of many snack type meals available.

    “Suya is probably the most popular street food in Nigeria, sold on street corners almost everywhere in Lagos and elsewhere.

    “It is skewered meat that is roasted and served with spices, which gives it a unique aroma and taste,” he said.

    According to him, visitors would be hard pressed to find a reason to shut their browsers once they start exploring Come Chop Bellefull: A Taste of Nigeria.

    He encouraged visitors to find the project online at https://g.co/arts/BrEendr24cgttjWQ9

    (NAN)

  • Bayelsa guber: APC not ready for election, says Dickson

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was preparing to unleash mayhem and manipulate the outcome of the November 16 governorship poll in the state.

    Speaking in a live media chat in Yenagoa, Dickson claimed the APC lacked the requirements to win any elections under a peaceful and democratic atmosphere in the state.

    Dickson in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, maintained that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would beat its major opposition to retain political control in Bayelsa in the election.

    He said that the PDP Candidate, Senator Douye Diri, had a robust history of productive public service driven by his passion and love for Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation.

    He said the outcome of the APC controversial governorship primaries reflected the pitiable credentials of the party, and its level of unpreparedness in terms of engaging the PDP in a free, fair and credible political contest.

    Describing the APC governorship candidate as unsellable, the governor called on the media to provide a platform for all the governorship candidates to debate on issues bordering on their party manifestoes, the polity and development of the state.

    Read Also; Plots to retain running mate tear Bayelsa PDP

    He said: “This election is a very important election where you will either vote for stability or instability, security or insecurity, development or retrogression. But knowing the kind of people you are, I know the party you will cast your votes for.

    “The candidates are all there. As a party, we are preparing to kick-start our campaigns. I know the other side (the APC) is not prepared for election. They are preparing to kill and maim. They are preparing for a fight and intimidation of our people.

    “As usual, they are also preparing to write and announce fake results. But my party will be going out to all the nooks and crannies to talk to you the people.

    “I urge you all to shun violence. Say no to those young men who are carrying arms and driving their fellow brothers and sisters from their communities because of partisan differences.

    “Let me use this opportunity to again call on security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities. I also call on the leaders of these communities to rise to the occasion because communities are bigger than political parties. The historical, cultural and even the blood we share are more important than any partisan differences.”

    Dickson said his administration raised the standard of governance for the people to make an informed choice that would sustain the prevailing peace, stability and development in the state.

    He dismissed the allegation of hobnobbing with the APC, stressing that as a politician of conviction, he would continue to play opposition politics for as long as possible.

    Dickson, however, pointed out that he acted in the best interest of the state and the Ijaw nation when he congratulated some APC chieftains of Bayelsa extraction on their appointments at the federal level.

    He specifically mentioned the ministerial appointments of Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva who is the leader of the APC in Bayelsa.

    According to the governor, his political liberality and maturity also culminated in the appointments of other APC stalwarts, including the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and the immediate past Managing Director of the NDDC, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa.

    Dickson who decried what he described as pettiness in Nigerian politics, urged politicians, particularly in the South-South to turn a new leaf to enhance the political and economic development of the region.

    The Governor explained that, although, he was opposed to Chief Sylva’s brand of politics, kicking against his nomination as a minister would have done a great disservice to the state.

    He, however, called on Chief Sylva to work with the state government as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, to ensure the actualization of the Nembe-Brass Road, Brass Natural Liquefied Gas and Fertilizer Company projects.

    Governor Dickson expressed his desire to collaborate with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and other patriotic stakeholders to ensure that, such critical development and economically viable projects are brought to the State.