The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • Wounded by Boko Haram, abandoned by army

    With a hand on his head and the other resting on his amputated left leg, Sergeant Kenneth Dibie shook his head as he lamented the fate that has befallen him. He sobbed as he explained the hopelessness he has felt since his leg was cut off on Tuesday with warnings from doctors that he must deposit N800,000 for treatments within a week or risk losing his second leg to an infection that had feasted on his system after sustaining spinal cord and mine injuries in battle against Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State on July 12, 2017.

    At the orthopaedic ward of 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Yaba, Mainland Lagos which has been his abode for over a year, Dibie, a native of Edo State could be heard saying: “I fought Boko Haram. I fought with all my strength, with loyalty and with patriotism. I fought those terrorists as if I was fighting to protect my immediate family. But see where I am, abandoned to my fate in the hospital. I am in pain, I feel defeated and hopeless. I have spent all my savings to treat myself and yet, there is no hope.

    “Where do I get N800,000 to deposit so that I can be treated and my remaining leg saved? I am sad, I am in pain. I have lost appetite and it seems the army does not know I exist or the authorities just don’t care what happens to me.”

    Dibie (94NA/38/1895) said their patrol vehicle ran into a Boko Haram land mine at Burugaga in Borno State on July 12, 2017, which killed all occupants save him.

    “I was deployed to Northeast in 2015 and was there fighting terrorists until this incident happened to me. It was on July 12, 2017 while we were on patrol and preparing for an attack at Burugaga. We walked into ambush. We did not know that the terrorists have laid mines everywhere.

    Read Also: Boko Haram: Centre rubbishes Human Rights Watch report, raises three unanswered question

    “The place is a desert and there is no one distinct road. Our vehicle was first and we were nine inside. The vehicle upturned and shattered together with the other soldiers. The debris of the scattered vehicle fell on me and pressed me to the ground.

    “I was under the debris for about five minutes screaming for help. At first, the other patrol vehicles behind did not know someone was underneath until they heard me screaming for help and they lifted the debris. The vehicle was not Mine Resistant. It was a soft skin vehicle,” he said.

    He was rushed to hospital.

    “I was diagnosed of complete traumatic T12 paraplegia, posterior decompression of the thoraco-lumbar Segment T11, T12 and L1 of the spine as well as stabilisation with pedicle screw and rod. I was later referred to National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos on account of proximity to home. But due to financial constraints, I was moved to the 68NARH Yaba where I continued physiotherapy until the session was suspended as a result of bed sores.

    “I have been in this hospital for over a year. My health has degenerated. The doctor said the issue might have affected my kidney. I have spent over N5million since this accident. I have been paying my medical bills myself.

    “I paid about N500,000 for the surgery on Tuesday. It was on Tuesday they cut off this leg and now I have been told to deposit N800,000 for treatment so that the other leg can be saved but I do not have the money.

    “I am desperate. I do not want my  other leg to be cut off. I am appealing to the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), my state Governor Godwin Obaseki and all Nigerians in general to come to my rescue.

    “I sent a letter in November 2018 to the Chief of Administration and the COAS through the Commanding Officer 353 Artillery Regiment,  Commander 35 Artillery Brigade and Commander Corps of Artillery but I have not gotten any response.”

    “I am making a passionate appeal to Nigerians to save me from this situation. I do not have any other hope.”

    Spokesman for the army Sagir Musa, a colonel, denied wounded soldiers were abandoned to their fate by the army, asking our reporter to bring copies of the receipt to his office in Abuja for investigation.

    He said: “Do you believe a soldier in military hospital will pay his medical bills? If you want to do complete investigation, I will urge you to come to my office with the receipts so I will take you to the appropriate office for findings.”

  • I accept to lead Yoruba, says Akintoye

    Second Republic member of the Senate and historian, Prof. Banji Akintoye, on Thursday formally accepted the position of Yoruba leader.

    He promised to work toward unity of all groups and politicians for the unity of Southwest.

    Speaking at Lagos Airport Hotel in Ikeja, during a news conference attended by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain, Dr. Amos Akingba and veteran journalist, Chief Tola Adeniyi, among others, Prof. Akintoye said he would commit himself to continuing as resolutely non-partisan as he has been for decades toward the enhanced progress, prosperity and the right destiny for the Yoruba nation.

    Akintoye was elected as Yoruba leader on August 22 by many Yoruba organisations that met in Ibadan.

    Prof. Akintoye said he was humbled that he was so highly regarded as the new Yoruba leader by those who assembled at the Ibadan meeting, although he was not present and was not party to their meeting.

    Read Also: Stakeholders advised on Yoruba leadership

    “I hereby humbly respond yes to your call, fully and gratefully confident that you all will rise and work dedicatedly and faithfully with me in all efforts to advance the best prospects, the best achievements and the right destiny for Yoruba nation,” he said.

    With his acceptance, the Yoruba now have a leader to succeed Senator Abraham Adesanya, who was the last elected Yoruba leader. Since his demise, the Yoruba have never had a unifying leader.

    The new Yoruba leader faulted the claims in some quarters that Yoruba leader has never emerged through election, noting that the late sage and former Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and former Afenifere leader, Senator Abraham Adesanya, were both elected at different times by people at a specific meeting as Yoruba leaders during their life.

    The Yoruba leader assured all Yoruba at home and in the diaspora that he and those who will work with him will in all things, uphold and showcase the Awolowo legacy as the noblest and proudest modern legacy of the Yoruba nation.

    “We commit ourselves to relating and interacting positively without discrimination with the Yoruba politician, the elected Yoruba public official and professional bureaucrat at every level of government in Nigeria, the governments of all Yoruba states and the governments of our local government areas, all to the end that they will all consciously employ their positions, power and influence for uplifting, uniting, empowering and enriching our Yoruba nation.

    “Our whole perception of the leadership of today’s Yoruba nation shall be that it does not interfere with partisan politics and politicians but that it encourages our whole nation and its leading citizens to strive bravely for excellence, prosperity and power, and towards the true national destiny of our nation,” the Yoruba leader said.

  • Group honours four Akure indigenes

    A group, the Akure Division Unity Forum (ADUF), covering four local government areas of Ifedore, Akure South, Idanre and Akure North, led by the Ojomu of Idanre, Aare Agboola Akintan, has honoured four distinguished indigenes of Akure community.

    A statement by the Secretary, Prof. Olu Aboluwoye, said the exemplary leadership award was in appreciation of the outstanding achievements and contributions of the awardees to the human capacity development in the division.

    The beneficiaries are the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, the lawmaker representing Ondo Central District, Senator Ayo Akinyelure (All Over), the lawmaker representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Alhaji Tajudeen Atenidegbe and the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun,  representing Ifedore Constituency.

    The chairman urged them to be good ambassadors of the division and remain steadfast in the development of the area.

  • I will recover looted funds, says Makinde

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has wooed banks’ executives to assist the government in ensuring that looted funds are recovered.

    He said the funds would be used for development.

    The governor vowed to recover looted funds, saying they should be kept in a special bank account for the use of the state.

    He spoke when he hosted the management of Unity Bank Plc at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan.

    According to him, the account will be made open to everybody to prevent the recovered money from being looted again.

    The Managing Director of the bank, Mrs. Toyin Somefun, said the purpose of the visit was to request for partnership with the new administration under Governor Makinde.

    Read Also: Makinde to verify number of state workforce

    Relief yesterday came the way of thousands of people who had expressed concern about the future of the first Technical University (Tech-U) in Ibadan, Oyo State, as Governor Makinde assured of his support to the institution.

    The university was established by the former Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration, but some of his legacies are being cancelled or altered by the new government.

    Tech-U is a fee-paying institution, but with scholarship offered by the state government and other funders.

    Makinde said his administration would support the institution.

    He spoke when members of the Governing Council of the university visited him.

    The governor, who received the team led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, noted that he was impressed with the calibre of professionals, who constituted the council.

    He said: “Looking at the composition of the Council, I can say you are men and women of great accomplishment that is beyond the ordinary. You are some of the best we can get around.

    “When we were dissolving boards, we made an exception to Tech-U, because we looked at the profile of the people involved and we were convinced that you are there on merit.

    “If I were to choose members of the Council, I would have also chosen the majority of you. We gave exception for Tech-U because of the work you’re doing for Oyo State.”

    Makinde said he exercised caution on the university because he wanted more information on its ownership profile.

    Noting the dire financial state of the state, he encouraged the university management to embark on a sustainability drive that would sustain the vision for which it was established.

  • Oyetola seeks monarchs’ support on tax payment

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has solicited the support and cooperation of traditional rulers on the need to mobilise their subjects to pay their taxes regularly.

    He said the call was necessary to help the administration actualise its dreams of boosting the revenue profile of the state.

    Governor Oyetola spoke on Thursday during the presentation of Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to the newly appointed Olulamokun of Yakooyo, Oba Meschack Oyewole Oyediran, at Yakooyo in Ife-North Local Government.

    Read Also: Osun and continuity: Aregbesola, Oyetola example

    He said the government would remain faithful to its avowed commitment to make life bearable for citizens.

    The governor urged the monarchs to support the lofty policies and programmes of his administration designed to move the state forward.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, hailed the Oyetola administration for being responsive to the people’s needs.

    He urged the government not to relent in its efforts to take the state to next level of development.

  • ‘Deplorable roads will soon become things of past’

    Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has assured industrialists of his administration’s readiness to fix deplorable roads affecting manufacturers and other road users.

    He stated this at the 40th celebration of Honda’s existence in Nigeria.

    Abiodun said getting in and out of Ota, Agbara and other places had been a bit challenging, adding that intervention was ongoing.

    The governor spoke through his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

    Read Also: Adigbe-Opako bridge ready this week, says Abiodun

    He said his administration would leave no stone unturned to surmount the challenges of road network, stressing that collaborative effort with his counterpart in Lagos State had started, to find a solution.

    “The policies of our administration will enhance and make it easy for companies to practise in the state, especially in the existing industrial areas such as Ota, Agbara and Sagamu. The government is also working with manufacturers to make sure the challenges experienced in the past are solved,” the governor said.

    While congratulating the company for going through turbulent times, he also commended Honda for a good relationship with the host community.

  • Civil Defence inaugurates squad to curb herders/farmers clashes

    Adamawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has inaugurated a special squad to tackle clashes between herders and farmers.

    Commandant Nurudeen Abdullahi said at the inauguration of the Agro Rangers Squad that members were trained with additional combat skills to protect grazing reserves.

    He said the NSCDC, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, conceived and developed the idea of the squad to curb clashes between farmers and herders.

    “The idea to form and train the squad is aimed at finding a solution to the farmers/herders crisis. I assure you that with our special squad, farmers/herders conflicts will be over in Adamawa State,” Abdullahi said.

    Read Also: Osinbajo flags off livestock transformation plan in Adamawa

    The inauguration came barely two days after Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo launched the implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) at Gongoshi Grazing Reserve in Mayo-Belwa Local Government, a plan intended to minimise contacts between farmers and herders when fully operational.

    Earlier during the inauguration of the squad, the Permanent Secretary in charge of Security, Ahmadu Baji, who represented Governor Umaru Fintiri, said the recent inauguration of security vehicles, to be distributed to security agencies, was aimed at improving security.

    The Lamido of Adamawa, represented by the Galadima Adamawa, Alhaji Mustpha Aminu, urged the NSCDC to sensitise the people on the operations of the squad.

  • Troops neutralise three terrorists in Borno

    Troops have neutralised three Boko Haram terrorists during a clearance operation in Kirawa area of Borno State, the Army said on Thursday.

    Its spokesman, Col Sagir Musa, said no soldier was killed, missing in action or injured during the encounter.

    Col Musa said:”In continuation of the clearance operations to get rid of the remnants of terrorists in line with the newly introduced Super Camp Concept of Operation, troops of Special Response Area Pulka, Operation HALAKA Dodo, Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in collaboration with the Civilian  Joint Task Force, have conducted a successful raid operation at Kirawa community in Borno State where crouching terrorists reportedly hibernate.

    “The troops came in contact with terrorists, which led to a serious engagement, forcing the criminals to flee in disarray as a result of superior fire power from the troops.

    “Consequently, three terrorists lost their lives during the operation and unconfirmed number were wounded.

    “A cordon and search mission was conducted in the area and the following items were recovered: six bicyles andsome quantities of food items.

    “Investigation revealed that the eliminated terrorists are members of the terrorists’ logistic cell.

    “No soldier was killed, wounded or missing in action during the encounter.

    “Troops will continue to  deny the terrorists freedom of action. Morale and fighting spirit of the soldiers remain high.”

  • IDPs protest govt’s failure to address insecurity

    Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in a temporary camp at Tegina in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State on Thursday marched on the streets.

    They blocked the Tegina-Minna road, protesting the failure of the government to address insecurity.

    The protesters, mostly women and children, accused the government of handling their situation with levity.

    The demonstration occurred less than 24 hours after youths protested over the same issue.

    The protesters said for the past four days after they were sacked from their homes by bandits, they have been living under harsh condition without attention from the government.

    Read Also: Samsung donates to IDPs

    The IDPs rejected government’s intervention in terms of foodstuffs, which were brought to them by Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) Director-General Alhaji Ibrahim Inga.

    They said they need security to return to their homes and not foodstuffs brought by the government, “which will not satisfy us.”

    In the last one week, armed bandits have attacked four communities in Shiroro and Rafi local governments in renewed onslaughts.

    Over 500 persons have been displaced following the attacks.

  • INEC to publish names, particulars of candidates for Kogi, Bayelsa polls

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to publish names of candidates and their particulars for Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections today, The Nation gathered on Thursday.

    Fifty-two parties submitted lists of nominated candidates for Bayelsa State, while 49 parties submitted for Kogi.

    INEC monitored 64 primaries in Bayelsa and 59 in Kogi.

    The publication of the list and particulars, according to the National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, is in accordance “with the Electoral Act and in line with the timetable and schedule of activities for the Bayelsa and Kogi governorship elections.”

    He said in a statement that the particulars of the nominees “will be published on the notice boards of our offices in Yenagoa and Lokoja.”

    Okoye urged the parties to comply with the guidelines and schedule of activities.

    Read Also: EFCC’s intervention gave credibility to 2019 elections – INEC

    “As we continue to prepare for the Bayelsa and Kogi governorship elections scheduled for November 16, the commission once more reminds the parties of the timelines in the timetable and schedule of activities and requests in strict compliance with them. We look forward to working with the parties and other stakeholders to make the forthcoming elections in the two states free, fair and credible,” he said.

    The national commissioner said as required by law, the commission monitored the parties’ primaries, adding that the list of aspirants who emerged had been published.

    “From our records, 64 parties conducted primaries in Bayelsa State as against 59 in Kogi State. Out of these, 52 parties for Bayelsa State and 49 for Kogi submitted the list of candidates and their particulars at the close of nomination at 6pm on September 9. While some of the parties that conducted primaries did not submit any list and particulars of candidates, a few failed to submit within the time limit prescribed by the commission. Out of the 101 nominees for the two states, 91 are men, representing 90 per cent, while 10 are women, representing 10 per cent of the nominees. Of the 52 nominees for Bayelsa State, six are women, while 46 are men. The corresponding figures for Kogi State are four women and 45 male nominees.

    “The publication of the particulars of nominees is for the public to make claims and objections regarding these candidates, as required by law. Similarly, the commission has observed from a preliminary review of the list and particulars submitted by the parties that some of the governorship and deputy-governorship candidates are below the minimum age prescribed by the constitution for these positions. The commission will notify the concerned parties soon and subsequently consider further action,” he said.