The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • Britain: Zimbabweans ‘suffered for too long’ under Mugabe

    A British foreign office spokesperson says Zimbabwean people “suffered for too long” under the “autocratic rule” of late former leader Robert Mugabe.

    “There are mixed emotions in Zimbabwe today at the death of Robert Mugabe,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

    “We express our condolences to those who mourn Robert Mugabe’s death,” the statement said.

    “However, Zimbabweans suffered for too long as a result of Mugabe’s autocratic rule.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns Robert Mugabe

    “We hope that in this new era, Zimbabwe can continue to be set on a more democratic and prosperous path.”

    Zimbabwe’s long-time president Robert Mugabe has died at the age of 95 in Singapore, officials said on Friday.

    Zimbabwe’s current president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who announced the death on Twitter, praised Mugabe for his role in the liberation of his country from white-minority rule.

    “His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Mnangagwa tweeted.

  • 10 signs your teenage child or sibling is being bullied

    A child being bullied is not something to be taken lightly, if you suspect your child is being bullied; here are 10 signs to look out for. You should know that involvement is key in combating this issue. You should know the child well so that you can easily identify these signs in the child.

    Vanishing friends

    If you notice your teen’s usual friend(s) are no longer calling or inviting them over. If you ask your teen about his/her friend(s) and they reply with something like ‘I have no friends’, then that’s a red flag and you need to find out more. Vanishing friends can be an indication that bullying is taking place.

    Changes in your child’s moods

    Look out for significant changes in your teen’s behavior and personality. Teenagers who are being bullied typically appear anxious, clingy, withdrawn or sullen. They also tend to appear sad, moody, depressed or teary, especially after school or after being online. You should also consider it a warning signal when your teen starts to suffer from low self-esteem, starts to blame themselves for things and start to voice out how they are not good enough. Bullying, whether emotional or physical, is a likely cause of this.

    Minor health complaints and injuries

    Teens who are being physically bullied tend to come home with constant injuries: unexplained cuts, bruises and scratches. You might also notice they tend to come home very hungry even after being given a lunchbox to school and pocket money for snacks. A likely cause of this hunger is that they are being bullied for their food and money.

    Changes in sleeping habits

    If your teen suddenly starts to have trouble sleeping, if he/she seems to be having more nightmares, if you notice he/she sleeps more than normal or cries himself/herself to sleep, these indicate that something is amiss with the child and it can be caused by bullying. Quality sleep is crucial for a healthy lifestyle; sudden changes in your teen’s sleep patterns should be investigated.

    Grades beginning to fall

    When your teen, whose grades are known to be consistently good, suddenly starts performing badly, you should look deeper. When a child is being bullied they usually find it difficult to focus on schoolwork, as a result their grades tend to drop. You should also occasionally ask your child in direct and indirect ways if they like school. If their response is along the lines of them ‘hating’ school, dig deeper, bullying might be the cause.

    Deviating from their usual routine

    If your teen stops doing things they once loved to do, if they lose interest in their favorite activities and start skipping school-related or social activities involving their peers, even going as far as deceitfully reporting these activities have been cancelled, you need to gently and wisely find out why. Bullying is a likely cause of this evasiveness.

    Report of lost possessions

    If your teen, who typically isn’t careless with his/her possessions suddenly starts to lose personal belongings and property, it might be a sign that the child is being bullied out of his/her possessions. Don’t be quick to dismiss this as irresponsible behavior, investigate, dig deeper to understand the cause of this sudden carelessness.

    Intense emotional reactions

    If your teen starts to have intense emotional reactions towards people, conversations or activities, it could be a sign that they are holding anxiety for or around these things or people due to either physical or emotional bullying. Dig deeper to find out.

    Read Also; ‘Prohibiting child marriage will boost girls’ health’

    Acting out against family and sibling

    If your teen suddenly starts to withdraw from family, talking and interacting less than usual with family members, it could be a sign that something is amiss. If the teen has siblings and suddenly starts acting out against them, shouting or reacting aggressively to them, this could also be a more prominent sign of bullying. It should not be ignored.

    They acquire a victim stance

    Teens who are being bullied often develop a lack of assertiveness and ability to stand up for themselves. They develop a victim stance that sees them walking with their heads down, talking themselves down and being unwilling to comment or speak their mind. This is one of the effects of prolonged bullying and at this stage patience is needed to help the teen build back confidence.

  • Suspected ritualists strike in Ondo community

    A young boy suspected to be insane has reportedly escaped from suspected ritualists who assaulted him on Friday at Jubilee area of lkare Akoko, headquarters of Akoko Northwest local government area of Ondo state.

    Sources hinted that the incident happened directly opposite Lennon Jubilee High School where he was matcheted severally and abandoned in the pool of his blood littering the spot.

    The victim was said to have managed to escape up to Idi-mango, opposite St. Gregory Mega School before he became unconscious.

    It was learnt that Police in Ikare-Akoko discovered the young boy reeling in pains and quickly rushed him to an undisclosed hospital for emergency treatment, to sustain his life.

    It would be recalled that two female lunatics were also killed last year along Ilepa road, while their private parts removed by suspected ritualists.

    Read Also: Abductors kill police officer

    Sources said Police were trailing the culprits to arrest them.

    Many shop owners in Jubilee and Idimango areas have reportedly closed their shops for fear of arrest.

    All efforts to speak with Ikare Divisional Police Officer(DPO),Chika Odeh, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) failed.

  • Xenophobia: We’ll work with Buhari to protect Nigerians in S/Africa – Gbajabiamila

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Friday pledged the support of the lower chamber to President Muhammadu Buhari towards protecting Nigerians against xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

    According to him, the President has been taking proactive steps on the issue.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Buhari at the State House, he said that he is on the same page with the President on the issue.

    Asked his purpose to the Presidential Villa, he said; “Engagement with Mr. President is not out of place even on a normal day but these are not normal days. The country in the last few days has witnessed unfortunate incidence in the last few days in South Africa.

    “As you are aware, I cut my trip to Tanzania to return with the hope of reconvening the house so that we can discuss this very important issue.

    “We have called that off because events have overtaken, the government has taken proactive steps, same we would have taken. We are all on the same page with the President and the government.

    “So I came to fully discuss that with Mr. President and other national issues that require the attention of both the legislature and the executive, and we had very fruitful discussions on those issues.”

    Asked if there are moves to cut bilateral ties with South Africa, he said “We are not there yet but nothing is off the table, we will take each day as it comes. As of now Mr. President has proactive steps in evacuating our citizens using recalling the high commissioner, we will stand with and by Nigerians.

    “We have issued a statement today and is in tandem with what the executive is doing and we stand by our citizens. Our priority is to protect the welfare of our citizens and that is exactly what we are doing and that is what the president is doing.”

    Read Also: S’Africa rules out redress as govt mulls legal option

    On the report alleging that South Africa won’t pay compensation to Nigerian victims of xenophobic attacks, he said “I don’t know if that statement is official or off the cuff statement by somebody. When it’s official we will take further steps. After the delegation in South Africa, I’m sure there are probably other avenues that are international that we can pursue.

    He disclosed that other issues discussed with the President included returning national budget cycle to January to December, the $9.6 billion judgement against Nigeria and security issues.

    He said “We discussed the issue of the budget, as you are aware we want to bring the budget circle back to what it used to be, January to December and the only way to do that is for an early presentation of the budget and we have discussed that.

    “We discussed security issues and the issue of the recent $9 billion award against Nigeria. I say that with a smile but not really smiling. Clearly we are in opposition to that and steps will be taken.

    Asked if the budget will get to the National Assembly this month, he said “I cannot give you a definite answer but I know the budget is going to come as early as possible. It maybe the end of this month or shortly thereafter, but I cannot give you and definite date.

    “But it’s going to be an early presentation so that we can pass the budget before the end of the year and return to the January to December circle,” he said.

  • Cybercrime: Use culprits brain to fight crime, Ooni urges Magu

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to create a unit that would help to positively redirect the wrong orientations of youth caught committing financial crimes.

    He said the unit should also seek to explore the wisdom, ingenuity and brilliance of such youths positively to fight financial and economic crimes in the country.

    The First Class monarch gave the advice while playing host to the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu who paid him a courtesy call in his Ile Odua, Ife, palace.

    Magu was represented by the Ibadan Zonal Head of the anti-graft agency, Mr Friday Ebelo who was accompanied by top officials of the commission.

    Appreciating the visitors on the initiative of paying courtesy call on critical stakeholders, particularly traditional rulers, the Ooni noted that if the commission can up its game in changing the get-rich-quick mentality of the youths, it would help the EFCC and the nation as a whole to spend less in combating crimes.

    Urging the team of visitors to be politically neutral in the discharge of their duties, Oba Ogunwusi reiterated that the goodwill and integrity enjoyed by the commission, as the hope for the oppressed and downtrodden in both the public and private must not be taken for granted.

    Read Also; Ooni of Ife to inaugurate maiden Oduduwa Mobile Library

    He said “It is unlike the EFCC to pay a courtesy visit. This is a wonderful development to form a sane society for the generation yet unborn and that something good can come from our country. The EFCC is the only hope for the downtrodden and oppressed both on the public and private sector and we will continue to pray for you as a Co-Chairman of the traditional rulers’ council of Nigeria alongside the Sultan of Sokoto.

    “We are doing our very best to have a crime-free society. I can assure you that we will continue to work together for Nigeria to be a better country. Today, you have honoured me with your visit to my palace, and I will assure you that we will work together to ensure that our country is a better place even for the generation unborn.

    “We have had many presidents and many chairmen of EFCC that have gone, but we will always have one country, and that is the Nigeria that we still have. Your approach is good and you have developed goodwill to do well. You have sanitised and cleaned the private and public sector. But my advice is that, don’t be one-sided. You should be known as a neutral body. Don’t let any politician push you. Do what is right because politicians will come and go but EFCC will still be there.

    “I will also advise the EFCC to always look at things in a pragmatic manner. Once the youths are arrested, there are positive ways their thoughts can be redirected. There are many ways you can redirect the bad things on the mind and bring out the good ones because many of them are even ignorant of what they are doing.

    “You should have a unit to see how to develop the brains of those engaging in financial crimes and redirect it and use the same to block others from committing the same crime. Use them as anti-venom anytime they are apprehended, especially as to how they were able to carry out successful operations.

    “Each and every staff of the EFCC should know that it is very important to lead by examples. Let us encourage our youths with such advocacy that you are doing now for them to put behind them the bad intentions that they may have.”

    Speaking earlier on the purpose of the visit, Mr Ebelo said it is the directive and initiative of the EFCC Acting Chairman, Mr Magu to solicit the support of the traditional ruler in the campaign against financial and economic crimes.

    Assuring the monarch of the visit of his boss later, the EFCC Ibadan Zonal Head said the commission is aware of the significant roles the traditional institutions among others have to play to ensure victory in the anti-graft war.

  • BREAKING: FG approves construction of Ebonyi International Airport

    The Federal Government has approved the request for the construction of a new International Airport in Ebonyi State.

    This followed a request for the approval of the airport by the state government.

    Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika conveyed the approval in a letter to Governor David Umahi.

    In a letter signed on his behalf by the Director Safety and Technical Policy, Capt T A Alkali of the Ministry, the Minister said the approval followed the visit of a Technical team from the ministry and its agencies to the state on inspection of the proposed site for the airport.

    “I am directed to convey the approval of the Honourable Minister of Aviation for the construction of a state-owned/financed International Airport on the inspected site”, he wrote.

    The Minister, however, noted that the approval is subject to the State Government’s fulfilment of certain requirements.

    He listed the requirements as strict compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority requirements; compliance with all relevant environmental regulations, adherence to the provisions of the subsisting Civil Aviation Act 2006, Nigeria Civil Aviation Policy 2013 and other regulations that may evolve with time; and payment of statutory fees.

    Read Also; Zamfara govt reinstates 556 teachers left out of payroll

    Other requirements according to the Minister include: Issuance of Security Clearance fro the Department of State Services(DSS); removal of all obstructions on the site and involvement of the Ministry and its relevant agencies at every stage of the development of the airport to ensure compliance with Standards and Recommend Practices (SARPs).

    With the approval, all is now set for the smooth take-off of the construction of the airport.

    The airport is to be sited in a big expanse of land at the boundary between Ezza South and Ezza North local government areas.

    The approval comes at a time when the only International Airport in the Southeast, located in neighbouring Enugu State has been shut down by the Federal Government indefinitely.

    The Federal Government said it shut down the airport to effect repairs on its dilapidated infrastructure including the runway.

    Despite playing host to two out of the top three market hubs in the country located in Aba, Abia State and Onitsha Anambra state, the Southeast have lacked adequate infrastructure to aid import and export of goods from the region.

    The new airport is expected to help in opening up the zone as well as neighbouring Cross River and Venue States in the South-South and North-Central zones.

  • Oshiomhole to Kogi aspirants: no refund of money

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole has dashed the hope of a possible refund of money to aspirants, who sought the party’s ticket for the governorship election in Kogi State but lost

    Oshiomhole said the party was not about to change its tradition by refunding their money even though the party has not received any request for any refund.

    He spoke with reporters after holding a meeting with the 16 aspirants who purchased the party’s nomination form to contest the primary.

    The party’s NWC has named three-man appeal committees for the primaries conducted in Kogi and Bayelsa.

    Kogi’s Indirect Primary Appeal Committee members include Senator Abdulahi Umar Yandoma (chairman), Hajia Amina Muhammed (secretary) and Tony McFoy (member).

    Members of Bayelsa Direct Primary Appeal Committee are Shuaibu Aruwa (chairman), Edith Newman Amadi (secretary) and Abdul Malik El-Yakub (member).

    According to the party’s chairman, it was not the first time the party was conducting primaries and has a tradition, which has to be maintained.

    Read Also: APC will rule Nigeria beyond 2023, says Oshiomhole

    Of the 16 aspirants that bought the nomination and expression of interest form at the cost of N22.5 million, seven of them were not cleared to participate in the exercise for various reasons. Nine others, including Governor Yahaya Bello, were cleared.

    At the end of the primary conducted by a committee led by Jigawa State Governor Badaru Abubakar, Bello was declared winner and the APC governorship candidate for the November 16 governorship election.

    Asked whether the party was considering refunding money to some of the aspirants, Oshiomhole said: “Our party is guided by rules. If there are issues that we need to discuss, those are APC issues and not meant for the press. We are not doing an election for the first time. We have traditions and we don’t have any application before us.”

    Oshiomhole added: “This afternoon, we had extensive conversation as APC family to talk through issues arising from the Kogi State governorship primary, which was conducted last week.

    “I am sure that you know some of those who participated or attempted to participate in the process. They are men and women who, by any criteria, can be said to be fit and proper persons to govern a state. But as you know, in democracy, if you have 16 angels, as we had, seeking the mandate of the people to produce just one person as governor, it means that 15 angels will not get it.

    “So, winning or losing a primary is not a statement of your integrity, your capacity, your capability or your intellect. It is simply a fact that once you have more than one candidate and you have only one vacancy, only one person will win.”

    The APC Chairman announced that all those who lost out in the process have assured the party that they will not challenge the outcome of the exercise in court, but will work for the success of the party during the election.

    All the governorship aspirants that bought nomination form, including those cleared and those not cleared, except Admiral Usman Jibrin attended the meeting.

  • Zamfara govt reinstates 556 teachers left out of payroll

    Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has approved the reinstatement of 556 teachers recruited by the immediate past administration but left out on the state’s payroll.

    This was contained in a press statement signed by Yusuf Idris, the Director-General of Press Affairs and made available to journalists in Gusau on Friday.

    He said that the governor had directed the state Head of Service to immediately commence payment their salaries effective from September.

    Matawalle commended the affected teaches for their patience over the situation and urged them to be of good conduct as they join the state civil service.

    He said that their absorption was part of his administration’s policy of listening to and addressing reasonable and genuine complaints that affect the wellbeing of the peoples.

    Read Also: Court sentences teenager to 8 weeks in prison for traffic violation

    The 556 teachers had during the week, complained to the governor on their plight, where he immediately directed the Head of Service, Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe to verify the genuineness of their complaints and report back to him.

    After the Head of Service findings showed that the complaint was genuine, the governor approved their full absorption into the civil service with immediate effect.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that last month, the governor also approved the reinstatement of 1,040 out of the 1,400 workers also employed by Yari administration but were not captured on the payroll for over 18 months.

    The affected workers had sought for redress at the National Industrial Court in Kano which ruled in their favour.

  • PHOTOS: Trailer crashes into River in Bayelsa

    Residents in some communities in Ogbia, the Local Government Area of former President Goodluck Jonathan, have been rendered stranded following the collapse of a major bridge in their area.

    It was gathered that the only bridge connecting Emeyal and Kolo and Jonathan’s Otuoke community collapsed and cut off the area.

    Residents watch an articulated vehicle laden with crushed rock, which crashes an access bridge and falls into the river at Elebele community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Thursday
    An articulated vehicle laden with crushed rock crashes an access bridge and falls into the river at Elebele community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Thursday
    Residents watch an articulated vehicle laden with crushed rock, which crashes an access bridge and falls into the river at Elebele community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Thursday

  • BREAKING: Xenophobia: Relations with South Africa must change – Gbajabiamila

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives has declared that the old arrangement that made it possible for South Africans to maim and kill Nigerians must be revoked.

    The speaker spoke while addressing a world conference in response to the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

    Gbajabiamila, who spoke from a prepared speech and with the full compliment of the House leadership members further said: “We do not intend to speak many words .

    “The time for speaking has long passed, and the time for action has arrived upon us with a fierce urgency demanding nothing less than our total commitment to revoking the old arrangements that have made such abominations against our people possible.

    “Nigerians have long travelled far and wide in search of knowledge, of experience and prosperity.

    “As we have travelled, we have opened also our borders to those who will seek their greener pastures here.

    Read Also:  Buhari, Gbajabiamila meet in Aso Rock

    “In Africa, we have demonstrated our commitment to the brotherhood of nations, sacrificing life, labour and wealth to achieve peace and restore freedom from Sierra Leone to Liberia, Sao Tome to South Africa.

    “We have sought nothing in return, we have made no claims to the land and resources of our brothers.

    “Our commitment has always has been to the advancement of Africa, to freedom in all our lands and prosperity for all our peoples.

    “Yet today and too many a time, we are called to stand as pallbearers, bringing home to burial the bodies of our brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, our children, savaged and decimated. What is their offence? That they dared to dream of glory and profit beyond our borders, and having dreamt, they endeavoured to make real the visions of their heart.”

    ” We did not provoke, nor do we deserve the violence that has been visited on our people in South Africa. We reject entirely the obvious attempt to change the true narrative of events by casting the recently organised acts of violence as merely internecine conflict between gangs fighting for turf.

    “Unless it is the position of South African government that all Nigerians living in South Africa are gangsters and criminals, we demand that they reject these claims without equivocation.

    “The vile images of violent devastation and death randomly visited on innocent people seeking their way in the world, strikes at our heart, causing pain that words alone cannot express. Let no one add insult to our grief.”

    Details shortly…