The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • Buhari commends SGF’s hard work as he marks 63rd birthday

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) Mr Boss Mustapha as “a hardworking and committed public official.”

    In a goodwill message to the SGF on the occasion of his 63rd birthday, the President wrote: “I am proud of your amazing zeal and commitment to duty and your passion for the progress of Nigeria.”

    According to the President, Boss Mustapha “is a team leader who inspires others in addition to his humility, which are essential ingredients of leadership.”

    “Since your appointment as SGF, you have carried out your responsibilities with humility and impressive dedication, and I urge you not to rest on your oars”, President Buhari further noted.

    Read Also: Buhari, Osinbajo, Onyeama meet over xenophobia

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, also wished him many Happy Returns.

  • Attacks: Airlines experience uninterrupted activities, flights to South Africa

    Travelers to South Africa and other countries still troop the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja in spite of fears of reprisals over killing of Nigerians in South Africa.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that fear of reprisal attacks by angry Nigerians over attacks on their brothers in South Africa, has not disrupted any flight to that country.

    However, some of the passengers who spoke to NAN on the development condemned the actions of the South Africans against Nigerians.

    Some aviation experts in Abuja told NAN that the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa did not have a direct impact on the airlines’ operations or the aviation business.

    Mr Oche Elias, an aviation expert, said though aviation business might not be affect by the attacks on Nigerians, he, however, condemned the South Africans’ actions describing them as having “low level of intolerance.’’

    “Their tolerance level when it concerns fellow Africans is very low, especially the blacks among them, it is completely unwarranted and un-African.

    “We appreciate what the Federal Government is doing, but it is time to deepen efforts by taking into cognisance diplomacy and procedures.

    “Nigerians must feel free anywhere in the world based on UN protocols.

    “However, if we halt their infrastructure and investment in Nigeria, it will affect our brothers that work with them because it is a joint venture.

    “We must keep saying the truth, keep crying out, let the world know that xenophobic attacks by South Africans is very inhuman and should not be happening in the 21st century,’’ Elias said.

    Read Also: Tiwa Savage, Basketmouth boycott South African shows

    An official of Ethiopian Airline told NAN that flights to South Africa from Nigeria had been smooth and without any drop in traffic.

    “The attack, I believe has a political undertone, however, it has nothing to do with the aviation business and our patronage.’’

    An unnamed authoritative source from Ministry of Aviation said though the attacks might not have a direct impact on the aviation sector, he, however, advised Nigerians to follow Federal Government’s advice over the crisis.

    The Federal Government had earlier on Wednesday advised Nigerians against traveling to high risk and volatile areas of some countries until the current situation was brought under control.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave the advice in a statement issued in Abuja, through its spokesperson, Ferdinand Nwonye.

    The advice followed tension created by the current attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, which led to many death and loss of properties.

    Condemning the recent attacks in South Africa, the Ministry has assured Nigerians that the federal government was committed to protecting lives and properties of Nigerians living in South Africa

    NAN reports that the attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa, gathered momentum on Sunday.

    A protest march against drug-dealing by local residents in the centre of Johannesburg and blamed on immigrants degenerated, with shops attacked and looted.

    The violence spread to the nearby city of Pretoria, where mobs attacked immigrant traders, workers and shopkeepers on Monday.

    However, some notable Nigerians including President Muhammadu Buhari, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, had all condemned the violence.

    Buhari on Sunday sent a special envoy to the country; while Ramaphosa said he was calling in ministers with responsibility for security.

  • Photos: Shoprite Ikeja partially closed

     

  • Red line drawn against South Africa, says Foreign Affairs minister

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, on Wednesday, confirmed Nigeria’s boycott of the World Economic Forum scheduled for South Africa.

    According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari agreed with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo not to go to South Africa under the climate of xenophobic attacks.

    Read Also: Xenophobic attacks: MTN offices closed in Niger

    He briefed State House correspondents on Wednesday, stressing that red line has been drawn against South Africa.

    On the alleged recall of Nigerian ambassador to South Africa, he said that it is one of the options the government is considering and final decision will be taken after the report of the special envoy sent to South Africa.

     

     

  • Xenophobic attacks: MTN offices closed in Niger

    The office of MTN telecommunications in Minna, the Niger state capital was closed over fears of reprisal attacks over killings of Nigerians in South Africa.

    The office which is located along the Minna-Paiko Road, before the ever-busy Tunga Market was said to have been opened in the morning but had to close down at about 10 am.

    However, the most of the shops housing DSTV operators remain open as some of them who spoke to The Nation said they have not received any threat from anybody and they have been assured that they can operate in peace.

    The state has been peaceful and quiet and there was no sign of attacks or agitations from anybody or group. There has also been no street protest in the state.

    Read Also: Xenophobic attacks: Youths burn MTN office in Ibadan

    There was also no heavy police presence or postings of policemen to these facilities across the state capital, even in the places said to be flashpoints.

    When the MTN office was visited, it was already under lock and key while the neighbouring shops explained that the staff had closed for the day.

  • Xenophobic attacks: Youths burn MTN office in Ibadan

    Some yet-to-be-identified arsonists have set ablaze an MTN office located along Bodija-Agodi secretariat, Ibadan apparently to protest the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

    According to sources in the axis, the perpetrators were said to have reportedly attacked the security men on duty around 11pm on Tuesday and threw petrol bombs into the building, setting it ablaze.

    While a source claimed that the unknown arsonist were led by two young men who came to the office on motorcycles, another source claimed that only two young men carried out the attack after beating the security guards on duty to a pulp.

    While contacted on phone, Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Gbenga Fadeyi confirmed the attacks, adding that all South African investment in the state has been properly secured.

    When The Nation visited the scene, the building was being manned by officials of the anti-crime task force team and officials of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) monitoring human and vehicular movement to calm tension and ensure free flow of traffic on the busy road.

    Speaking on the incident, Commander of ORTMA, Mr Ayoade Adeoye, said that the men of the traffic agency arrived at the scene of the incident at about 10:30pm on Tuesday when it got the information of attack on the MTN building.

    Adeoye said: “Some people on motorcycles were said to have arrived at the building and were asking the security men on duty some questions which they were unable to respond to.

    Read Also: Xenophobic: Actress Genevieve Nnaji condemns xenophobic attacks

    “They then descended on them and beat them. They came with a can of petrol which they used to burn the building.

    “The police and other security agencies were here with us. We have been here since that time ensuring that there is no traffic problem as people come down here to see what has happened”

    Many of the officials and staff of MTN who had reported for duty Wednesday morning could not believe their eyes at the incident.

    Some of them wore shocking looks while some others were seen making long phone calls.

    But, none of them was ready to speak to journalists on the incident as they looked depressed and afraid.

    A man, who had come to telecommunications office to retrieve his SIM card which he claimed, was stolen the day before expressed disappointment and shock at the development.

    He said: “I was not aware that something like this has happened. I was coming down to retrieve my line because my phone was stolen yesterday. I am shocked to see this now”

    An on-air personality, Adedeji Ademola, who had come to see the incident, however said Nigerians should consider other approaches other than violence.

    He noted that the property that housed the MTN building belonged to a Nigerian, who along with other Nigerians working in that office have become victims

    “We may decide to boycott their services. Stay away from buying from them and allow government to step up diplomatic relations. Doing this (burning) is not good for the livelihood of Nigerians who are already pushed below poverty level,” he advised.

  • Kogi guber: PDP aspirant condemns attack on party primary

    One of the governorship aspirants of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi state, Dr Victor Alewo Adoji has condemned the attack on the party primary in the early hours of Wednesday which left several persons injured.

    Adoji who described those behind the attack as enemies of democracy said the action was unfortunate and an unacceptable development which situates the State and democracy in the realm of war and limitless desire to conquer.

    In a statement made available in Abuja, Adoji ask his supporters to remain steadfast in their resolve to right the wrongs in the state.

    The statement reads “in the early hours of today, during the ballot-sorting of the PDP gubernatorial primary election in Kogi, the enemies of our democracy came in to disrupt the process with sporadic gunshots that left all of us at the mercy of divine intervention.

    “Everyone helplessly scampered for their lives, leaving at least two dead and another two in life-threatening condition.

    “My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives and the several who were injured by either direct hits or by reason of an attempt to fly to safety. Our agent who was particularly targeted is currently treating bullet and assault wounds and so are many others including Captain Joe Agada whose head is currently been held in place by stitches.

    Read Also; Gunmen disrupt Kogi PDP gov primary

    “This is an unfortunate and unacceptable development and situates our State and democracy in the realm of war and limitless desire to conquer, to destroy and to kill. As we sit back to reflect on this and think of our wounded brothers and lives lost, I want to make it clear that while it is human to be shaken by such bestial acts, our will or resolution are imperturbable.

    “Your love and participation in the processes leading-up to this process is why some of us can’t rest on our oars until we right wrongs and begin to result our future. I covet your support, love and encouragement and assure you that I shall not treat your sacrifices with levity.

    “Tonight, my tears flowed freely and unstoppable as I reminisce the pains and sacrifices you have to go through to stand for what is left of our democracy and humanity. As for the perpetrators, you have only stalled a process and I assure that you lack the capacity to upset the ultimate outcome.

    “Let the fear of our winning that motivated your actions haunt you, for the results you feared will still be called and your heads will bow in ignominious shame. You only tested our resolve, strengthened our love and ignited the flames of patriotism. WE ARE STILL STRONG.

    “I am now safe and out of danger and I am deeply grateful to those who gave me legs to ‘escape’. I appeal to supporters and well-wishers to remain calm and steadfast as events unfold.”

  • JUST IN: MTN closes service centres, orders workers to stay home

    Telecoms giant, MTN Nigeria, said it has confirmed attacks on its facilities in three major cities of Lagos, Ibadan and Uyo in Lagos, Oyo and Akwa Ibom states respectively, ostensibly in retaliation for ongoing xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

    Its Company Secretary, Uto Ukpanah, in a statement, explained that sequel to the attacks and the premium the firm has placed on its human capital and other stakeholders, all service centres and offices will remain shut.

    Ukpanah said: “MTN Nigeria Communications Plc confirms that over the last day, our facilities, customers and some of our stakeholders have been the subject of attacks in retaliation for the ongoing xenophobia situation in South Africa.

    “We have confirmed reports of attacks in Lagos, Ibadan and Uyo.

    “While we remain committed to providing uninterrupted services, the safety and security of our customers, staff and partners is our primary concern.

    Read Also: Xenophobic attacks: Protesters, security operatives clash in Abuja

    “All MTN stores and service centres will therefore be closed as a precaution until further notice.

    “MTN condemns any acts of violence, prejudice and xenophobia and remains absolutely committed to ensuring a peaceful harmonious and respectful relationship with all communities in Nigeria and across Africa.

    “We are engaging all relevant authorities in this regard and we urge them to act swiftly to reduce tensions both in South Africa and Nigeria. We will provide further updates as and when possible”

  • Xenophobic attacks: Protesters, security operatives clash in Abuja

    The protesters are still throwing stones at the police while the security operatives are also shouting in the air to dispatch them.

    Meanwhile, the policemen have regrouped and doubled their numbers in front of the Shoprite complex.

    Details shortly…

  • Family of seven, guest found dead in Lagos

    Fear has gripped residents of Mafoluku in Oshodi after a family of seven and their guest were found dead on Wednesday morning.

    There is apprehension at Olowora Street as the man, his wife, their four children and a pregnant guest were all discovered lifeless around 10 am on Wednesday.

    At the moment people are suspecting a likely food poisoning. Policemen at Makinde are said to have been notified and were at the residence to evacuate the bodies.

    Read Also: Wadume: Inspector dies as police arrest more suspects

    A source who hinted on the development said: “There is problem in Oshodi now. People are afraid as a family of seven and their pregnant guest were all found dead in their room. It happened at 19, Olowora Street, Mafoluku. People are suspecting food poisoning.”

    Details shortly…