The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • Rivers people believe in Nigeria’s unity – Wike

    Rivers people believe in Nigeria’s unity – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says Rivers people believe in Nigerian unity.

    He said that because of that they may not be part of any secession agenda.

    The Governor made this known at the 57th Independence Church Service, which held at Saint Mark’s Anglican Church in Port Harcourt.

    “God has blessed this country, we are not part of those who want to secede, Rivers State will never be part of that,” the Governor stressed.

    The governor, however, advised the Federal Government ( FG ) to ensure good governance to end the increasing agitation for self determination among ethnic groups in Nigeria.

    “In as much as you continue to have bad governance, people will continue to agitate across the country, we give God the glory that we are still one, despite the agitations and challenges,’’ he added.

    He called for justice and equity for all citizens.

    He also advised Nigerians to always speak out against injustice.

    Gov. Wike noted that politicians sometimes behaved irrationally because of their thinking that they could always manipulate election results to suit their purpose.

    The Governor called for enhanced security and a purposeful justice system for all federating units.

    He stated that such gesture will give all Nigerians a sense of belonging and reduce the palpable tension across the country.

    Wike reiterated the call for an investigation into the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Rivers.

    In his sermon, the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev Innocent Ordu, noted that Nigeria had developed despite the challenges facing it.

    The Bishop called on Nigerians to respect the constitution of the country and constituted authorities.

    He also charged them to work for the development of the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independence Church Service attracted top government functionaries, security agencies and traditional rulers

  • TINAPA woos local businesses

    TINAPA woos local businesses

    The Management of TINAPA Business Resort Calabar says it is encouraging local businesses to own shops and business outlets to boost activities in the resort.

    Mr Ayiba Ayiba, Managing Director of the Resort, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Calabar that this was part of measures to resuscitate business activities in the resort.

    “We are doing everything humanly possible to ensure that TINAPA works. We are trying to explore our local markets.

    “We are trying to encourage our local traders to come and rent our shops and do business with us.”

    He disclosed that there were 54 shops in the complex and not more than 10 were currently occupied.

    According to him, facilities at the TINAPA Water Point were also being resuscitated to make them functional, adding that a borehole had been put in place.

    He blamed the lack of activities at the point to poor water and epileptic power supply.

    “We have sunk a borehole and water tanks are being installed as alternative water supply to the pool. This will take care of regular water supply to the pool and keep the toilets clean.

    “Also, we are making efforts to provide alternative power source to ensure regular power supply to the pool, as this is one of the biggest challenges facing the resort.

    “So I am assuring tourists that by the first week of October our pool will be functioning normally,” Ayiba said.

    He also dismissed online reports which alleged that the Monorail linking TINAPA with Calabar International Conference Centre (C ICC ) had been paralysed due to stealing of its armoured cable by hoodlums.

    According to him, the monorail was in perfect condition, but was not functioning because there were no passengers to be transported.

    “The monorail is in perfect condition; nothing has happened to it but presently there is no patronage.

    “Whenever we have passengers we call the engineers to put necessary things in place for its use.

    “So the rumours making the rounds is baseless and untrue,” he added.

    Ayiba stressed the need for the state government to re-constitute the TINAPA board to facilitate the current investment drive going on in the resort.

  • Ice Prince, Seyi Law, others receive Achievers Awards

    Ice Prince, Seyi Law, others receive Achievers Awards

    Popular Hip-hop singer Ice Prince and a veteran comedian Seyi Law, have been honoured with the “Peace Achievers Awards” by the Peace Ambassador Agency, an organisation that promotes national peace.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the duo received the awards at the 6th anniversary of the annual Miss Peace Achievers Awards held on Sunday in Abuja.

    The Plateau state born artiste received the “Musician of the Year /Peace Builder” award, while Seyi Law got the “Comedian of the Year/Peace Builder” award.

    Other celebrities that were honoured at the event include fast-rising Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels and singer Praize.

    According to Mr Kinsley Amafibe, the Project Director of the organisation, the  artistes are recognised for contributing to the growth of  the Nigerian entertainment industry which has empowered many youths, thereby promoting peaceful coexistence.

    He added that some of the recipients had also been involved in humanitarian gestures over the years, which had promoted social peace and harmony, which was in consonance with the objectives of the organisation.

    “These veterans have contributed a lot in building social harmony and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria, using the entertainment industry.

    “They entertain and bring happiness to Nigerians, which are crucial keys to peace, in spite of tribal and religious differences.”

    In his remark, Ice Prince expressed delight that the award was an indication that the society was interested in what celebrities do.

    He, therefore, pledged his continuous commitment towards growing the entertainment industry.

    “I hope to strive to continue to put in my best both as a professional and a patriotic citizen of this great nation,’’ he said.

    The 2017 edition of the prestigious awards cuts across over 20 categories with recipients picked from various field of human endeavours.

    Other recipients of the Peace Achievers awards include the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, who was honoured with the “Award for Excellence in Peacekeeping” and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu.

    Mr Kenneth Emejuru was honoured with the a ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’,and  the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS ), Mr Tunde Fowler was also honoured.

    Amb. Louis LuLu Mnguni, The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, also received the Peace Builder awards, and Raymond Dokpesi of DAAR Communication got the “The Peace Builder of the Year Award”.

    NAN reports that the Peace Achievers Award is a flagship initiative of the Peace Ambassador Agency.

    The organisation promotes tolerance and peaceful coexistence by organizing beauty pageants, peace education and campaigns.

    Its peace education campaign, which is targeted mainly at the youths, trains and empowers students of higher institutions and other youth communities, irrespective of their religious and cultural backgrounds.

  • CISLAC urges FG to establish trust fund for recovered loot

    CISLAC urges FG to establish trust fund for recovered loot

    The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre ( CISLAC ) has urged the Federal Government to set up a separate trust fund to manage funds and assets recovered from proceeds of corruption.

    CISLAC stated this in a communiqué  signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa and Global Board of Trustees members, Mr Francis John and Dr Afia Zukiya and issued at the inauguration of the CISLAC global office in U.S. and the SDG 16 Shadow Report.

    The inauguration was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

    The centre urged the Federal Government to “expedite action on asset recovery by setting up a special integrity trust fund to be monitored by the civil society.

    “This is to ensure that repatriated funds are duly channelled to sustainable development efforts.”

    It urged African countries, specifically Nigeria, to strengthen bilateral relations that would enable them to obtain the necessary information that would facilitate the repatriation of stolen funds from abroad.

    CISLAC, however, said that it was regretable that no clear institutionalised bilateral efforts had been made to curb illicit financial and arms flow or recover stolen funds of Africa, specifically Nigeria, domiciled in foreign countries.

    The civil society group expressed regret at what it termed the presence of an obnoxious CSO bill sponsored by a member of the National Assembly to scuttle the voice of the people.

    The centre stated that the bill is aimed at closing the space that should enable civil society groups to participate in the developmental efforts.

    CISLAC called for the discontinuation of the bill, saying it “poses no good intent for the development of citizens and further robs the country of inclusivity in governance.”

    In his remark, CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Musa,  acknowledged that Nigeria is in a critical period of  its history going by the current ethnic tension across the country.

    He, however, said the civil society had the mandate to advocate for peace, fairness and social justice as this would bring the much needed development.

    He added that sharing the SDG 16 Shadow Report was critical to inform of the current anti-corruption efforts of the Federal Government and entrench sustainable development.

    SDG 16 is dedicated to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels.

    Musa urged the civil society and all other stakeholders to lend their voices to the clarion call on peace and stability and eschew corruption.

    The Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande, commended CISLAC on its giant strides and efforts at strengthening good governance.

    Bande said corruption was the bane of underdevelopment and social unrest in the country adding, it is the worst epidemic among religious, ethnic and socio-cultural factors affecting the country’s development.

    The Nigerian envoy observed that Nigeria had had some strong leadership whereby everything revolved around the leader but not around creating strong institutions.

    Bande called for the creation of strong institutions saying, building strong institutions should be everybody’s business.

    The Nigerian envoy urged Nigerians to promote Nigeria’s image abroad by highlighting the great achievements made by Nigerians while not losing sight of the challenges.

    The launch was attended by Nigeria’s Deputy Permanent Representative Amb. Samson Itebgoje, House Committee Chair on Poverty Alleviation, Muhammed Wudil, and Africa and Middle East Coordinator of the UN SDGs, Mr Hilary Ogbonna, among others.

  • APDA lauds CJN’s order on special courts for corruption cases

    APDA lauds CJN’s order on special courts for corruption cases

    The Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance ( APDA ) has commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen, on his order that special courts be established for corruption-related cases.

    The party in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Tosin Adeyanju, also applauded the whistle blower policy of the Federal Government.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria had directed heads of various divisions of courts to establish a special court to tackle the delay in the hearing and determination of corruption and financial crime cases.

    Onnoghen also directed heads of courts to compile and forward to the National Judicial Council ( NJC ) comprehensive lists of all corruption and financial crime cases they are handling.

    APDA stated that the establishment of such special courts would help to fast track trial of corruption cases in the country.

    “The APDA lends its support to the Nigerian Judiciary under the headship of the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    “We commend Onnoghen and the Federal government by extension for the historic policy of establishing special courts to fast track the trial of corruption cases in our fatherland.

    “The APDA also wishes to commend the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for his unrelenting effort to bring all the persons who looted or aided in looting our commonwealth to justice.

    “We are of the unrepentant stance that corruption is the biggest challenge to the sustainable development of our country.

    “Only its eradication can return our nation back to the path of development, national cohesion and social inclusiveness.”

    APDA urged all Nigerians to stand up and expose corruption and corrupt practices in all ramifications.

    It commended Nigerians who spoke against the agents of destabilisation, while urging them to stand together and work towards a united, peaceful and prosperous nation.

    “APDA rejects hate speech and hateful conduct.

    “We urge the relevant agencies to resist agents and promoters of hate speech, impunity and disregard for our ethics and values.’’

    The party also urged all Nigerians to get their Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs ) and ensure that only credible persons were voted into positions of public trust.

  • Kebbi confirms 656 cases of meases

    Kebbi confirms 656 cases of meases

     The Kebbi Government on Friday said it had recorded 656 suspected cases of measles in 21 local government areas of the state.

     The Executive Secretary, State Primary Health Care and Development Agency,  Dr Mannir Jega, who described the figure as alarming, said it was largely due to refusal of residents to go for routine immunisation.

    The executive secretary said at a news briefing in Birnin Kebbi, that the state had recorded poor coverage due to low turnout for routine immunizations in previous campaigns in 2016.

    “We have 656 Measles cases in the 21 LGAs in the state, out of which 77 cases had been confirmed in 12 LGAs and the victims were treated and discharged,” he said.

    The Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Usman Kambaza, revealed that 1,131 vaccination teams would be deployed to undertake immunisation to counter the upsurge of measles cases across the state.

    “To counter this, the state is planning measles campaign with the support of the National Primary Health Care and Development Agency and other partners.

    “The campaign is expected to start on Sept. 26, and about 898,174 children are expected to be vaccinated.

    “The vaccination is for all children from 9 months to 5 years irrespective of vaccination status,” he said.

    Kambaza explained that vaccinators would be stationed at specific locations closed to residences in all the 225 wards in the state, adding that “no caregiver will travel more than one kilometre to get their children vaccinated.”

    The commissioner urged the media, traditional and religious leaders, and other stakeholders to join in mobilizing women and caregivers to come out en-mass for the measles immunisation.

  • IG urges new recruits to eschew corruption

    IG urges new recruits to eschew corruption

    The Inspector-General ( IG ) of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, on Friday, urged the 465 new police recruits to eschew any act of corruption and be dedicated to their duties.

    The police boss made the call at the Passing Out Parade of the police constables at the Police Training School, Minna.

    Represented by Deputy Inspector-General ( IG ) of Police, Finance and Administration, Shauibu Gamb.
    He said “I will not hesitate to deal decisively with any police officer found in acts which violate the law of the land, including the prosecution of such persons to act as deterrent to others.”

    Idris added that the 465 constables would be posted to their states of origin to ensure effective
    community policing.

    He stressed that “you are, therefore, advised not to engage in any corrupt practices and any other nefarious activities.

    “Nigeria is in a democratic system of government where the rights of citizens must be respected.”

    The police chief assured the public that the Nigeria Police would continue to operate within its constitutional mandate.

    He explained that “this made the police high command to launch `Our Creed,’ aimed at guiding officers’ actions while on their professional duties in line with international best practices.

    “We shall ensure the rule of law prevails in our action and activities and operate within the principles of democratic governance.”

    He lauded the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the recruitment of 31,000 police officers yearly.

    Earlier, Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ibrahim Ketsu, lauded police efforts in the state.

    Bello expressed the state government’s determination to continue to support the police for effective policing.

  • Man in court for stabbing neighbour

    Man in court for stabbing neighbour

    Olusegun Coker,36,-who allegedly assaulted his neigbour ,Moshood Ogun, by stabbing him with a broken bottle, was on Friday charged in a Surulere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
    ‎
    Coker, who resides at Block 15, Rabiatu Thompson St., Surulere, Lagos, is facing a charge of assault.‎

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 8 at Block 15, Rabiatu Thompson St., Surulere, Lagos.

    Osayande said the accused stabbed Ogun several times on both hands and caused him harm based on a misunderstanding they had.
    ‎

    “It took some neighbours to stop him and the matter was reported to the police,’’ she said.

    She said the offences contravened Section 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 172 stipulates a three-year jail for offenders.
    ‎

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    In his ruling, the Magistrate, Mr Aro Lambo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    He said the surety should be a civil servant from grade level 12 and above who should show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

    Lambo adjourned the case until Oct. 17 for mention.

  • Man in court over fraud

    Man in court over fraud

    The police on Friday arraigned a 25-year-old man, Adura Garba in a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State over alleged N300,000 fraud.

    Garba, whose address was not provided, was facing a three-count charge of obtaining money on conspiracy, false pretext and stealing.‎

    ‎The prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that Garba collected the money from Faidat Alao on false pretext to treat her of an ailment.

    He said that the defendant and others now at large committed the offences on Sept.15 at about 11 a.m. at Orile Iganmu, Lagos.‎

    According to her, the defendant obtained N300,000 from Alao on the pretext of treating her of an
    ailment which you did not.

    She added that Garba also stole Alao’s two phones, valued at N17,000.‎

    ‎The offences contravened sections 287(1), 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised)., the prosecutor noted.

    However, the defendant pleaded not guilty and the Magistrate, Mr Aro Lambo, granted him bail in the sum of N300,000 with one surety in like sum.‎

    Lambo said the surety must be a property owner and should provide evidence of tax payments and address verified as he adjourned hearing in the case until Oct. 17.

  • Police organise conference on crime prevention

    Police organise conference on crime prevention

    The Nigeria Police in Enugu say the Force School of Public Relations will involve professionals in delivering lectures during the police Inter Agency Public Relations Conference on Oct. 5 in Enugu.

    Enugu State Public Relations Officer Ebere Amaraizu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in that involving professionals would curb the rate of crimes.

    He said the provost of the school, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu and other chartered public relations professionals would participate in the conference entitled: “Inter-Agency Relationship: A Panacea for Effective Crime Prevention and Control’’.

    He also said the Nigeria Police in Enugu would host the conference aimed at consolidating cordial working relationship among security agencies in the state.

    “They will through lectures and practical sessions to x-ray how public relations could be used as veritable tool for sustenance of cooperation among sister security agencies,’’ he said.