The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • NUT demands 65 year retirement age

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to sign into law the bill seeking to increase the retirement age of teachers/education officers from 60 to 65.
    NUT’s National President, Muhammed Idris, stated this during a briefing in Abuja to mark the International World Teachers Day.

    He said that the union would not rest on its demand to see that the bill is assented to by the president.

    According to him: “I wish to also acknowledge the collaborative efforts of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other stakeholders to see that our age-long demand for review of the retirement age of teachers/education officers from 60 to 65 is addressed.
    “We urge all of us not to rest on our oars until the bill is signed into law.”

    He commended Buhari for sustaining the sponsorship of the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award to honour and reward outstanding teachers in the country.

    Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, said the ministry has put in place mechanisms to strengthen the implementation of teacher education in the country.

    The minister listed the mechanisms to include: reviewing the quality assurance/monitoring instruments in line with global best practice, engagement of independent quality assurance teams and stakeholders in monitoring of all academic activities.

    Others are: conducting nationwide capacity building workshops for 100, 000 teachers at basic and post basic levels through the support of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

    Read Also: Obaseki is NUT’s best governor

    Adamu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, added that teacher development and motivation were central to efforts the ministry is making to reposition the education sector to meet national aspirations.

    “The ministry is systematically and fully committed to constant upgrading of the teaching standards and contents to boost teacher quality in Nigeria.

    “We are leaving no stone unturned in our quest to ensure that teachers are professionally qualified, empowered and adequately remunerated, motivated and supported for efficiency and effectiveness,” the minister said.

  • Maina’s son pulled pistol on security agents, says DSS

    Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina, the 20-year old son, of former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, pulled a pistol on security agents when operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) arrested both of them Monday, September 30, 2019.

    The Public Relations Officer of the DSS National Headquarters, Abuja, Dr Peter Afunanya, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

    According to the statement titled DSS ARRESTS ABDULRASHEED MAINA, made available to reporters in Abuja, the DSS in a combined operation, on 30th September 2019, arrested Maina at the Pennsylvania Avenue Hotel in Abuja.

    He said the arrest followed a request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Service to assist in the apprehension of the suspect.

    “Maina was arrested in company of his 20-year-old son, Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina, who unsuccessfully tried to resist the arrest.

    “The lad even pulled a pistol against the security agents involved in the operation. He was, however, disarmed and arrested. He is a final year student at the Canadian University of Dubai where he is studying Telecoms Engineering.

    “Items recovered from the suspects include a pistol with live ammunition, a bulletproof Range Rover SUV, a BMW Saloon car, foreign currencies, a phantom 7 drone and sensitive documents.

    “The suspects and the recovered items will be handed over to the EFCC for further investigations and appropriate necessary actions.

    Read Also; Arrested Maina likely for trial over N2b contract

    “It is instructive to note that the operation is as a result of a renewed interagency collaboration among security and law enforcement agencies.

    “The Service has always subscribed to such collaboration believed to be important in national security management and therefore, hopes to sustain the initiative in mitigating the current threats against public safety and national critical assets,” the statement read.

  • ‘Don’t just pray for Nigeria, do the right thing’

    The Chairman of All Progressives Congress in Scandinavia countries, Hon. Ayoola Lawal has urged Nigerians not to just pray for the country alone but to also do the right thing that would move the nation forward.

    Ayoola in his message to commemorate Nigeria’s 59th independence anniversary, said that Nigeria is heading again to greatness if Nigerians both home and in the Diaspora could return to thinking and acting Nigeria first.

    He said, “While we are celebrating and commending the struggle and efforts of our founding fathers, we should in retrospect, think of the missing pieces in our national unity and development.

    Read Also: APC Diaspora chairmen back State party leaders ultimatum to NWC

    “We should not just be praying for the country but be doing the right thing in moving the nation forward because the nation is going through her trying times due of our attitude and characters.”

    He further commended the present administration of President Muhammad Buhari that in spite of the challenges inherited, it has made significant progress in many fronts such as the international standing of Nigeria, fight against corruption, diversifying and revamping certain sectors of Nigeria’s economy, fight against insurgency and others but much more is needed to be done without any excuses.

    He implored Nigerians irrespective of political affiliations, ethnic, and religion to eschew divisive tendencies capable of dividing the nation into multiple entities.

  • INEC fixes October 26 for Katsina bye-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday October 26 for the conduct of the bye-election for Sabwa Constituency of Katsina State, which became vacant as a result of the death of the incumbent, Mustapha Abdullahi, who died on July 5 through road accident

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Katsina State, Alhaji Jibrin Zarewa, who made the above disclosure on Wednesday in Katsina said the decision to conduct the bye election on this date as agreed by the stakeholders at the meeting, was as a result of the declaration of the vacancy by the State House of Assembly through a letter addressed to the commission dated September 26

    He said: ’’The purpose of this meeting is to inform you of the vacancy and position of the law with regards to elections and filling vacancies thereto. Even though a lot of activities are involved spanning from those of INEC, the political parties, Security agencies, and other relevant agencies, we are bound to respect the position of the law’’

    The INEC boss further disclosed that the constituency has 10 registration areas, 74 polling units and 61 voting points, making up a total of 125 voting centers with a voting population of 63,435 registered voters.

    Read Also: Independent National Electoral Commission and 2019 elections

    He further disclosed that the commission will source the 512 required numbers of electoral personnel from the NYSC and Tertiary institutions from the state

    He assured that the distribution of sensitive materials through to the conduct of the election proper shall remain open and transparent to the satisfaction of all stakeholders

    In a related development, the REC has declared that only 8 Political Parties are existent with functional offices in the state, adding that the remaining numbers only exist on paper

    He said: ’’We may stop corresponding with parties that has no clearly identifiable and functional offices. When we write, we only communicate with 7 or 8 parties that we know are functional and the rest of the letters we dump them at IPAC.

    ‘’Imagine a political party came here to rent our vehicles to conduct rallies and ward congresses’’

  • Buhari congratulates Kano, Plateau governors over election tribunal victories

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Governors Abdullahi Umar Ganduje(Kano) and Simon Lalong (Plateau) on the affirmation of their victories in the March 2019 gubernatorial polls by the respective State Governorship Election Petition Tribunals.

    President Buhari, who is travelling with the two victorious All Progressives Congress (APC) party governors to South Africa on a State Visit, extended his goodwill to the duo on Wednesday shortly before departure from the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The President, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, described the verdict of the Tribunals as a victory for democracy.

    Read Also: Elections petitions tribunal: Wamakko cautions APC supporters

    He commended the people of Kano and Plateau States for maintaining the peace, and allowing the due process of law to prevail by respecting the role of the judiciary in a democracy.

    With the elections and tribunals now behind, the President urged the governors to unite their States by focusing more on inclusive and accountable governance and ensuring that all APC programmes targeted at improving the welfare of Nigerians are fully implemented.

    President Buhari assured them that the Federal Government will continue to work with States to create economic growth that benefits everyone, and security for human lives, investments and the environment.

  • Buhari congratulates Kano, Plateau governors over election tribunal victories

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State and Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on the affirmation of their victories in the March 2019 gubernatorial polls by the respective State Governorship Election Petition Tribunals.

    President Buhari, who is travelling with the two victorious All Progressives Congress (APC) party governors to South Africa on a State Visit, extended his goodwill to the duo on Wednesday shortly before departure from the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The President, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, described the verdict of the Tribunals as a victory for democracy.

    He commended the people of Kano and Plateau States for maintaining the peace, and allowing the due process of law to prevail by respecting the role of the judiciary in a democracy.

    Read Also: Wild Jubilation in Kano as Ganduje floors Abba at Tribunal

    With the elections and tribunals now behind, the President urged the governors to unite their States by focusing more on inclusive and accountable governance and ensuring that all APC programmes targeted at improving the welfare of Nigerians are fully implemented.

    President Buhari assured them that the Federal Government will continue to work with States to create economic growth that benefits everyone, and security for human lives, investments and the environment.

  • BREAKING: Court orders substituted service on Lyon, running mate

    A frontline aspirant in the concluded governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bayelsa State, Preye Aganaba, has moved a suit he filed against the party and its candidate, Chief David Lyon, from the state to the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    A copy of the court proceeding showed that the case came up on Wednesday for mentioning at the Federal High Court 4, Abuja presided over by Justice I.E. Ekwo.

    Granting a motion ex parte file by Aganaba, Ekwo ordered substituted service of all the processes in the suit on David Lyon and his running mate, Biobaekuma Degi.

    The judge ordered that the substituted service should include pasting the originating process or other processes on the wall or any part of the National Headquarters of the APC.

    Ekwo also described the mode of service he issued against the APC candidate and his running mate as sufficient.

    But the court turned down one of the prayers by the plaintiff asking the court to abridge the time which the defendants may enter appearance, file and serve their respective defence process to 14 days.

    Ekwo, who said he could not issue such order in the absence of other parties, adjourned the case to October 16.

    Read Also; Confusion over Bayelsa Assembly speaker’s removal

    Aganaba in the substantive suit asked the court to void the primaries that produced Lyon as the candidate of the party for the Novermber 16 governorship election in the state.

    Aganaba, a founding member of the APC in Bayelsa, dragged the APC, Lyon, Degi and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the court as defendants in a suit he personally filed on Seprember 12.

    The aspirant urged the court to make a declaration that the primaries scheduled for September 4 across the 105 wards in the eight local government areas of the state did not take place.

    He also asked the court to make a declaration that since there were no primaries, the declaration of results that produced David Lyon as the candidate of the party was illegal, unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect.

    The aspirant further demanded an order setting aside the results of the APC primary election, which returned Lyon as the candidate of the party for November 16 election.

  • BREAKING: P&ID: UK judgment saved Nigeria’s assets from seizure – FG

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed has said that the judgment of the United Kingdom’s Commercial Court saved Nigeria’s assets from being seized by an Irish firm, Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID).

    He also said the Federal Government has mandated its lawyers to file an appeal against the court order for a security deposit of $200million to make the stay of execution of the $9.6billion award given to P&ID effective.

    He said contrary to the claims of P&ID, the Federal Government had a good outing in the UK Court.

    The minister made the clarifications at a briefing in Abuja on the outcome of the proceedings in the UK Commercial Court.

    Mohammed said: “Finally, and this is the most important point: For those who may still not understand the gravity of the judgement of the Commercial Court in London last week, let me say this: Had we lost our quest for a stay of execution and application to appeal in London last week, P&ID would by now be attempting to seize our assets all over the world.

    “Remember they boasted, before the judgment, that they have started compiling a list of our assets which they will attach. But now, that’s an empty boast, thanks to the successes recorded in the court of law and the court of public opinion last week.”

    Read Also; P&ID: Fed Govt probes six other suspicious petroleum deals

    He said Nigeria did not lose out in the UK Commercial Court.

    He added: “Gentlemen, I have gone the extra mile to summarize our week-long activities in London as well as the judgement of the London-based Commercial Court on the arbitration award of 9.6 billion US dollars to P&ID in order to put the record straight and knock the bottom off the argument by P&ID and its cohorts that we did not score a big victory in London last week.
    ” It was indeed a huge victory, and P&ID has every reason to be worried that the 9.6 billion US dollars arbitration award to it has a good chance of being overturned.”

    Details shortly…

  • Police arrest one-eyed man over serial murder of 15 people in Ogun

    Police have arrested one-eyed man and suspected leader of the dreaded Eiye confraternity in Ikenne, Sunday Paul, in connection with the killing of 15 people in Ikenne and its environ, Ogun State.

    Sunday who is popularly known as Blade and has been on the wanted list of the Ogun State Police Command was arrested on September 21, following surveillance and technical investigation into his activities.

    It was discovered that he had been arrested in the past and charged to court on three different occasions, spent time in prison custody over alleged murder related case before coming out recently.

    Read Also; Police uncover another baby factory in Lagos

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, Abimbola Oyeyemi who made this known in a release on Wednesday, said there was wild jubilation in Ikenne when news of Blade’s arrest filtered into the town.

    Abimbola, a Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP) added that upon interrogation, the suspect admitted being the leader of Eiye cult group in Ikenne and its environ.

    He also confessed to have been responsible for the killing of one Kabiru who he claimed to be a member of a rival cult group.

  • Lagos closes Costain bridge, roundabout, issues travel advisory

    The Lagos State government on Wednesday disclosed plans to shut down the Costain roundabout inwards Funso Williams Avenue for three months, beginning from Thursday, October 3.

    The closure, according to the statement, is to facilitate the completion of the ongoing construction of the bridge.

    The federal government had embarked on the construction of a new flyover bridge in replacement of the existing one which headroom had been inadequate for the speed train being proposed to connect Apapa Ports for wet and cargo freight services.

    In the statement, government issued a travel advisory for commuters and motorists on the road.

    According to the advisory, “motorists coming from the Funso Williams Avenueenroute Apapa road/Iganmu to Apapa, can make use of Alaka to Eric Moore to Abebe Village (Nigerian Breweries) and continue the journey, while those heading to Lagos Island from Funso Williams can connect through Eko Bridge from Ijora Olopa or Apongbon.

    Read Also: Lagos State government demolishes fishing community

    “Those heading to Lagos Island from Orile can use Iganmu Road to connect Eko Bridge through Costain.

    “Motorists coming from Lagos Island that have no business in Costain and its environs can make use of Eko Bridge to Funso Williams Avenue.

    “Motorists that want to use Costain Roundabout or head to Alaka or Ebute Meta can make use of Apapa Road to Abule Nla Road to connect Funso Williams Avenue by Leadway Assurance building to continue their journey, or Iddo to Oyingbo, to connect Ebute Meta.

    “From Lagos Island to Iganmu Road, Orile and Apapa, motorists can make use of Costain to connect Iganmu to continue their journey.”

    The statement solicited the cooperation and understanding of motoring public during the construction.