The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • Court docks man for cable theft

    Court docks man for cable theft

    A 28-year-old mechanic, Ahmed Abubakar, on Friday appeared in a Kuje Upper Area Court in the Federal Capital Territory, for allegedly stealing electrical cables belonging to a widow.

    The defendant, of no fixed address, is facing a three-count charge of criminal trespass, mischief and theft.

    The prosecutor, Maria Olagunkoye, told the court that the offences were committed on Sept. 10.

    She said that the complainant, Ruben Timothy, a security man attached to Enal Primary School, reported the crime at the Kuje Police Station on the same date.

    According to her, Abubakar entered an uncompleted building and stole the electrical cables.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 342, 326 and 287 of the Penal Code.

    The judge, Malam Abdullahi Abdulkareem, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20, 000, with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case until Oct. 31 for further hearing.

    NAN

  • ‘Anambra needs change in leadership’

    ‘Anambra needs change in leadership’

    Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, former President of Nigeria Union, South Africa, says Anambra needs a change in leadership to take the state to greater heights.

    He spoke against the backdrop of the governorship election in Anambra which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Nov. 18.

    Anyene told reporters on telephone from Pretoria, South Africa on Friday that the people of the state had the right to choose a leader that would satisfy their yearnings.

    He said that the people should come out on the Election Day and make the choice of candidate to steer the state.

    Anyene said that from analysis, Mr Oseloka Obazee, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate had potential to move the state forward.

    “As Secretary to the State Government, Obazee assisted in the building of a new Anambra State under the leadership of former governor, Mr Peter Obi.

    “Given his experience as a tested administrator, he will deliver because he has the pedigree.

    “The choice of Chidi Onyemelukwe, as deputy gubernatorial candidate is a good combination that will move the state forward,” Anyene said.

    He urged the candidates to focus on issues and expected quality service to the people.

    “The parties and their candidates should talk less on individuals or character assassination. Anambra is matured enough to have credible leaders.

    “They should focus on issues that will impact positively on the masses.

    “ I also appeal to the people to make the right choice by coming out to vote on the Election Day,” Anyene said.

    NAN

  • Fashola to represent Buhari at Nigeria, Zambia match

    Fashola to represent Buhari at Nigeria, Zambia match

    Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, will represent President Muhammadu Buhari at Saturday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying showdown between Nigeria and Zambia in Uyo.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made the disclosure in a statement by Ademola Olajire, its spokesman, saying it learnt on Friday morning that Fashola would fly into Akwa Ibom on Saturday.

    He noted that Fashola, a former governor of Lagos State, frequently hosted the grand finale of the Federation Cup (now AITEO Cup) competition and was a notable football enthusiast.

    The NFF spokesman said that top officials had also confirmed that the President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki, Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung would be in attendance.

    “The Chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Sports, Sen. Obinna Ogba and Rep. Goni Bukar Lawan will also be guests at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

    “The host, Gov. Udom Emmanuel and members of the Akwa Ibom Cabinet, NOC President Habu Gumel and Members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management will also be present,’’ he said.

    Nigeria is three points ahead of second-placed Zambia going into the penultimate day of the African qualifiers.

    The Super Eagles require only the minimum win against the Chipolopolo on Saturday to join 10 other nations that have already qualified for the 32-team football showpiece in Russia in 2018.

    NAN

  • Kaduna SIECOM postpones LG elections indefinitely

    Kaduna SIECOM postpones LG elections indefinitely

    The Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission ( Kad -SIECON ) on Friday announced the indefinite suspension of local government elections earlier slated to hold on December 30.

    The Chairperson of the commission, Saratu Dikko made the announcement after an emergency meeting with the state House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary in Kaduna.

    “The elections have been postponed,’’ she told newsmen after the meeting.

    According to her, the postponement was necessary as the assembly has not passed the new law to guide the election.

    “So when the law is passed and signed into law by the governor we will make a new announcement on the election,’’ she said.

    Also, Chairman of the committee, Mr Kantiok Ishaku, said it was erroneous for the commission to announce a date for local council elections when the assembly had not concluded work on the law for the election.

    “We have told them to tarry a while until the necessary amendment to the Independent Electoral Commission Law of 2012 is concluded,’’ the chairman said.

    NAN

  • Niger updates death toll from militant attack to 7

    Niger updates death toll from militant attack to 7

    Four Nigerien troops and three U.S. soldiers were killed in an attack earlier this week in southwest Niger near the border with Mali, the Defense Ministry said on Friday.

    The ministry updated the casualty figures from the ambush on Thursday, adding the death toll of their own forces to the three soldiers already named by the U.S. side.

    Eight other Nigeriens were wounded, as were two members of the U.S. forces who are providing training to the Nigerien Army on combating extremists in the region.

    The joint patrol was ambushed by terrorist elements in a dozen vehicles and on 20 motorbikes,” Niger’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.

    Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou said in an earlier address that the terrorist attack had claimed “a significant number of victims.”

    “Our country has once again been the victim of an attack by terrorist groups,’’ Issoufou said in a speech on Thursday at the opening of an economic forum in the capital Naimey.

    The U.S. Africa Command has said their two injured servicemen have been evacuated to Germany for medical treatment.

    The attack took place around 200 kilometres north of Niamey, near the border with Mali, where the terrorist group al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is active.

    NAN

  • Why Super Eagles must qualify for 2018 World Cup

    Why Super Eagles must qualify for 2018 World Cup

    When the Super Eagles class of 1997 qualified for France ’98 World Cup, they did so with a match to spare; and 20 years later history is about to repeat itself.

    But for the Super Eagles to qualify the way their illustrious predecessors did in 1997, under the tutelage of Phillipe Troussier, the famed “White Witch Doctor’’; the team must scale the Chipolopolo obstacle.

    With three points separating the two archrivals, with the Super Eagles topping Group B with 10 points and closely followed by the Chipolopolo with 7 points; the Zambians believe that they can close the gap.

    The back-to-back victory recorded by the Chipolopolo over hapless Desert Foxes of Algeria, and the 1-1 draw with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at Yaoundé; the Zambians are now hopeful of qualifying for the World Cup.

    Even though the Super Eagles have all, but qualified for the 2018 World Cup, they must affirm their qualification by beating the Chipolopolo in Uyo; before the final qualifying match against the Desert Foxes.

    This is where the tactical acumen of Coach Gernot Rohr must be brought to bear on the Super Eagles as they engage their very worthy opponents; who are hell-bent on knocking the Eagles off their perch.

    The likely defensive quartet of Shehu Abdullahi, Leon Balogun, Troost Ekong and Elderson Echiejile must play as a cohesive unit, and maintain their shape against the expected onslaught from the Zambians.

    As for the midfield, depending on the combination, Mikel Obi is expected to roam box-to-box, Wilfred Ndidi and Ogenyi Onazi or whoever, must provide a near impregnable cover for the defence line.

    Victor Moses and Odion Jude-Ighalo and others in the attack must be razor sharp in front of goal, and make hay when goal scoring opportunities come their way.

    The Super Eagles must be focused, must be professional in their approach, must be their “brother’s keeper’’; so to speak; by closing ranks when the team is under attack from the rampaging Zambians.

    The team must guard against conceding a goal before scoring their own, because where the Zambians should score before the Super Eagles; we stand the chance of conceding more goals from counter attacks.

    Even if the Zambians should score against us, let it be after we might have scored a couple of goals that would likely swing the match our way; even a 1-0 scoreline and the vital three points would be enough to take us to Russia.

    The fans must not relent in their support for the Super Eagles, even if the team is not living up to their expectations, their ultimate aim is to cheer the team non-stop until victory is achieved against the Chipolopolo.

    Even a draw against the Chipolopolo; much less a defeat can reduce our chances of qualifying for the World Cup to the barest minimum; hence the need to go for an outright win against the Zambians.

    By beating the Chipolopolo, the Super Eagles will automatically qualify for the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia with a match to spare, thereby making the final qualifying match against the Desert Foxes a mere formality.

    NAN

  • Pregnant at 19, Married at 20, Separated at 23

    Pregnant at 19, Married at 20, Separated at 23

    Biola Makanjuola a Canada-based Nigerian relationship coach took to her Facebook page to share her experience of getting pregnant when she was 19 and her marriage to her baby daddy at age 20 thinking a marriage to her child’s father would fix things for her and then separation at 23 due to emotional abuse and a toxic relationship.

    She encourages people who have experienced similar feelings of despair.

    She says:

    “Got pregnant at the age of 19, was zero’d out, condemned, alone and lost. Became a mother & thought it best to make it official with my son’s dad at the age of 20

    Got into unhealthy patterns in our relationship that led to emotional abuse and toxicity for the most part. Finally got the courage to separate at the age of 23 after going through an abortion and Sexually Transmitted Disease.

    This started my downward spiral into involving myself in multiple toxic relationships between the ages of 24 – 27 Confused, lost, dark, toxic relationships was my drug of choice. Felt unworthy, self-esteem dragging on the floor begging to be picked up, had little or no confidence, gave up my power to define who I was to other people because I just hated the woman I had become. I constantly questioned why I was so different and abnormal.

    My body defined my worth. I clearly had nothing to offer. My single motherhood didn’t even help. They said I couldn’t do any better because of my baggage. I agreed with them and gave them my power. It was their word over mine.

    Finally got tired of engaging in this toxic cycle and decided to embrace my difference. At this point, I was tired! I was sick! I was done! I found my light towards the end of 2016.

    Found the love I had been seeking the whole time in myself. Things started clicking. I found my purpose. I realized I had a story to tell and was determined to share. I was worthy and enough the whole time and didn’t even know it. I finally found my voice and I promised myself to speak my truth.

    I promised God that if he took me out of my misery and showed me the way, I will spend the rest of my life serving.
    Currently serving and growing a tribe of women who believe in their power to create their stories and would do anything to make it happen”.

     

     

  • Don’t invade pitch, Umar urges fans

    Don’t invade pitch, Umar urges fans

    CP Garba Umar, Senior Security Advisor to the Super Eagles, has urged football fans to be orderly as they throng Uyo to watch the team’s World Cup qualifier against Zambia on Saturday.

    Umar made the appeal when he spoke with a reporter on Friday in Awka on the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier against the Chipolopolo of Zambia at the Godswill Akpabio  International Stadium, Uyo.

    He said that the team had been talking to fans on the need to be ruly as well as the consequences of field encroachment.

    The Police Commissioner in Anambra said that enough mobilisation of personnel had been done ahead of the game in the light of the high expectations and excitement that would surround the game.

    “We have been working towards a hitch-free game, talking to fans against pitch invasion or encroachment because FIFA is very strict about such behaviours.

    “Our men have been mobilised and are on ground, we understand the nature and tempo of the game, it is a crucial one.

    “And we hope that with the preparations on ground, it will be a very free security atmosphere,’’ he said.

    Contributing, Arthur Ebunam, the Chairman of ex-Rangers International players in Anambra, said that though pressure would be on the Eagles, they would come out triumphant.

    Ebunam, a former Green Eagles player, said they should approach the game with positive minds and attack their opponents and score as many goals as possible.

    He the Eagles were almost World Cup-bound but should play the Zambians as though their qualification depended on the game.

    “Our team is under pressure whether you like it or not; they have almost qualified, people are hoping they win the game; they are at home unlike their opponents who are here to spoil their fun.

    “Technically, they should attack, attack and attack, get many goals in the first half and consolidate in the second half, I am confident we will win,’’ he said.

    A win over Zambia in Uyo will be enough to see Nigeria return to the Mundial after reaching the second round in Brazil in 2014.

    NAN

  • Court dissolves 8-yr-old marriage in Ibadan over infidelity

    Court dissolves 8-yr-old marriage in Ibadan over infidelity

    Mr Ademola Odunade, the President of a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan, on Friday  dissolved  the  eight-year-old marriage between one Temitope  Osunbote, and her husband, Elijah,  over infidelity.

    Odunade held that the couple had refused to be pacified and he consequently terminated the union in the interest of peace and order.

    “Temitope is awarded custody of the two children produced by the union, while Elijah is directed to pay a monthly feeding allowance of  N8,000 for the upkeep of the children.

    “This is in addition to being responsible for their education and other welfare needs,” he said.

    Earlier, Temitope, who resides at Imalefalafia area of Ibadan,  had described her  husband as a womaniser  who had no regard for  the sacredness of the marriage institution.

    “My Lord, Elijah is deeply engrossed in infidelity because he brings his concubines to our matrimonial home every now then and even takes them to our matrimonial bed without any  respect for me.

    “Besides, Elijah often beats  me at the slightest mistake.

    “In fact, he is too troublesome and highly irresponsible.

    “ That is a part of what I have been facing in addition to frequently starving the children and I.

    “There is no more love between Elijah and I. Please, separate us,” Temitope said..

    In his response, Elijah, who consented to the dissolution,  denied all the allegations levelled against him.

    “Temitope is a thief and can also never be trusted for a moment as I have noticed that she has been sleeping with different men in my house.

    “With my experience as a computer engineer, I installed a camera to monitor her activities while I am away and that monitoring device revealed her unfaithfulness to me.

    “I have been paying the children’s school fees regularly till  date.

    “I no longer have any feelings for her,” Elijah said.

    NAN

  • ‘TETFUND provides N900m basic infrastructure in Zungeru Poly’

    ‘TETFUND provides N900m basic infrastructure in Zungeru Poly’

    The Rector of Zungeru Polytechnic in Niger, Dr Umar Ahmed, on Thursday lauded the Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETFUND ) for spending over N900 million to provide basic infrastructure in the institution.

    Ahmed disclosed this while conducting newsmen round some of the capital projects executed by the fund.

    He said that already, all capital projects executed by the fund had been inaugurated.

    He explained that the School of Engineering, School of Environmental Studies, ICT Centre, Quantity Survey Department and solar power were constructed and inaugurated.

    He said that the provision of the facilities had greatly assisted in improving the learning atmosphere in the institution.

    He said that the institution was preparing additional proposal to the fund to construct new Department of Agricultural Technology.

    He said that the department would provide required power to rapidly develop the sector for optimal goal.

    He explained that the institution was going into commercial farming to generate revenue, to ensure proper management.

    “We don’t have to wait for government’s monthly subversion to run our affairs, hence the need for us to utilise what we have to get what we want.

    “We will go into all-year farming system to produce assorted food crops for sale to members of the public.”

    NAN