The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Newspaper

  • INEC debunks rumours of deadline for CVR

    INEC debunks rumours of deadline for CVR

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has debunked the rumour that ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) would end on January 31, 2018.

    Head of Publicity of the commission in Lagos State, Mr Femi Akinbiyi, said in a statement on Friday “it has come to the notice of the Commission in Lagos State the rumours going round that the CVR would end on January 31, 2018.

    “We, therefore, wish to inform the people that the Continuous Voter Registration is still on.

    “In line with the provision of section 9 (5) of the Electoral Act (as amended), Continuous Voter Registration will be temporarily suspended 60 days to the commencement of the General Elections scheduled for February, 2019”.

    According to him, all eligible voters in the state, who has not registered before are encouraged to register at all INEC offices in the 20 local government areas in the state.

    Also Read: 2019: INEC fixes presidential, National Assembly polls for Feb 16

    Akinbiyi said that concerned residents could also go to other officially designated areas within the state between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Monday to Friday every week, excluding public holidays, for registration.

    “In response to the citizens’ plea to have centres closer to their domain, the Commission in the State has rotation plan for some Registration Centres within the Registration Areas (Ward) in each of the local government areas.

    “Also, the names of those who registered in the first and second quarters have been uploaded in the Commission’s website.’’

    Meanwhile, said on telephone that the rumour had made eligible persons to besiege registration centres daily, to register.

    NAN

  • Protest won’t stop Osinbajo panel on herdsmen/farmers clashes

    Protest won’t stop Osinbajo panel on herdsmen/farmers clashes

    The Yemi Osinbajo Committee on herdsmen / farmers clashes is pressing ahead with its assignment regardless of the recent objection of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association to the membership of Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba) of the panel.

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association’s rejection of  Ortom and Ishaku stemmed from their introduction of the anti-open grazing laws in their states.

    However, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the vice president, Mr. Laolu Akande, said that the job of the committee was in  the interest of all Nigerians, especially all the communities and parties  affected by  the crises. 

    He said panel would ,therefore,leave no stone unturned to ensure peace and security of life and property in the affected communities.

    “Our job is to all Nigerians and in this case all affected parties and communities. The interest of the administration is peace and the first duty of government is to provide peace and security of life and property,”Akande said.

    “We note the views of all and welcome their right to their own positions. Government would also do its job to secure the wellbeing of all Nigerians including those who have expressed their opinions.

    “The Working Group has met once already and would continue to meet to ensure that all Nigerians live in peace and security.

    “The Group is made up of elected governors including those whose communities are affected. And we should not forget that all those serving in States as Governors and FG have sworn to protect the constitution. That is the guarantee by law that their actions would be fair and without fear or favour.

    “This crisis and the misunderstanding that attends it would be over under the Buhari administration by the special Grace of God.”

    The Osinbajo committee was set up by the last meeting of the National Economic Council towards finding solution to the killings in the affected communities.

  • Suspected Nigerian Boko Haram fighter arrested in Germany

    Suspected Nigerian Boko Haram fighter arrested in Germany

    BERLIN – Security agents in Germany are holding a  suspected Nigerian terrorist of Boko Haram.

    Twenty-seven year old Amaechi Fred O was arrested on Wednesday in Bavaria.

    Twenty four hours later, a court  issued an arrest warrant and ordered that he be remanded in custody.

    “He is strongly suspected of being a member of the foreign terrorist organization Boko Haram,”the chief federal prosecutor said in a statement.

    The suspect, according to him, joined the terror organization in 2013 and had admitted to actively taking part in four attacks against Nigerian civilians during his one-year membership of the group.

    He is accused of killing several people during two attacks on schools and one attack on a village and taking part in another attack on a village, during which members of Boko Haram took girls as hostages and burned down a church.

  • FCTA, ITF to collaborate on skills development

    FCTA, ITF to collaborate on skills development

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA ), has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Industrial Training Fund ( ITF ) to train youths in the territory on necessary entrepreneurial and vocational skills.

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, said this when the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of ITF, Sir Joseph Ari paid him a courtesy visit on Friday in Abuja.

    “We are ready to partner with ITF to reduce unemployment in the Territory by ensuring that our youths acquire the necessary skills that would make them self-employed and employers of labour.

    “This is especially very important now that there is so much influx of people from every part of the country into the Territory,’’ he said.

    According to him, this is in a bid to curtail the rate of unemployment in the territory and the country in general.

    The minister, represented by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Chinyeaka Ohaa lauded the enormous contributions of the ITF in repositioning the nation’s economy on the path of sustainable growth and development.

    “We know that ITF is one of the foremost institutions that have helped Nigeria’s economy tremendously.

    “In fact, your role is even more critical now that we are having unemployment issues,’’ he added.

    Earlier, Ari, the ITF director-general, said that given the position of FCT as the gateway of Nigeria, the agency believed in partnership with FCTA.

    “This partnership particularly in the area of skills acquisition will assist immensely to achieve the dream of President Muhammadu Buhari, to empower young people with requisite skills.

    “We are here to synergise with FCTA being the gateway of Nigeria to achieve the dream of Buhari which is hinged on empowering people with skills in different areas,’’ he explained.

    The ITF boss further said that the agency had keyed into the policy of Federal Government on the “Ease of Doing Business and other international trends.

    NAN

  • Buhari departs for Addis Ababa to attend AU Summit

    Buhari departs for Addis Ababa to attend AU Summit

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate at the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

    The president left the Presidential Villa, Abuja, via the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for Addis Ababa two hours after observing the weekly Friday’s Juma’at prayer.

    The President alongside with hundreds of other Muslim faithful performed the two Raka’at Juma’at prayer at the Aso Rock Mosque.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, had on January 25, in a statement disclosed that the highlight of the President’s engagements during the visit would be his statements under the historic theme for the AU Summit, namely: “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.”

    “This is the first time in the 54-year history of the AU that anti-corruption will be made a theme of the gathering of the regional leaders,’’ the statement said.

    It would be recalled that, on July 4, 2017, during the 29th Session of the AU, African leaders unanimously endorsed President Buhari to champion the fight against corruption on the continent.

    The endorsement was in recognition of his personal commitment and widely acclaimed anti-graft drive at the domestic level.

    On July 25, 2017, the President, in a letter to President Alpha Conde of Guinea, who is also the out-going AU Chairperson, formally accepted his nomination to lead members of the AU on this crucial crusade against a veritable socio-economic vice that is anti-development.

    While thanking his colleagues for the honour, Buhari reiterated his “commitment to contribute towards our collective efforts to strengthen good governance and development on the continent.’’

    Adesina said that apart from anti-corruption, other issues lined for consideration by African leaders and their delegations would include peace and security (transnational terrorism). institutional reforms of the continental body and free movement of persons.

    Also Read: Buhari signs eight bills into law

    Others are climate change, trade; aviation, education, gender and development.

    He said President Buhari would also hold bilateral meetings with some of his colleagues on issues of common interests.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau and the Minister of State (Aviation), Hadi Sirika, are in the President’s delegation to the summit.

    Others are the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, and the  Ag. Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ), Mr Ibrahim Magu.

    NAN

  • Akwa Ibom seals up two hospitals for malpractices

    Akwa Ibom seals up two hospitals for malpractices

    The Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, said on Friday that two hospitals had been sealed up for malpractices.

    Ukpong made this known to newsmen in Eket.

    “I have shut down two hospitals for malpractices. We inspected them and found that they do not conform to hospital standards.

    “We have shut them down and we are not going to re-open them again.”

    Ukpong refused to give the names of the hospitals but only said that one of them was owned by someone from a neighbouring state.

    He added that the ministry had sacked one medical doctor for allegedly stealing beds while some health practitioners were also sanctioned for negligence in their duties.

    “I caught some health workers either sleeping on duty or careless about their patients.

    “Those who were negligent in their duties, I have moved them to my office.

    “They cannot practice their profession again.”

    Ukpong said that the ministry conducts regular checks to identify negligent health workers.

    According to him, the state government has commenced the construction of a state-owned hospital at Itu-Mbang in Uyo which will be inaugurated by May 2018.

    “We are constructing a state-owned hospital at Itu-Mbang; we don’t have a state-owned hospital in Uyo, the state capital.

    The commissioner said that state government also planned to build quarters for doctors and house officers.

    NAN

  • Ambode to deliver UNILAG convocation lecture

    Ambode to deliver UNILAG convocation lecture

    The Lagos State Governor,  Mr Akinwumi Ambode, is to deliver the University of Lagos  ( UNILAG )convocation lecture for the 2016/2017 academic session.
    Dr Taiwo Ipaye , the Registrar, University of Lagos, said in a statement on Friday in Lagos that the lecture, slated for February 19, has the theme `Inclusion: The Path to a New Nation`.
    The lecture is part of programmes lined up for the convocation ceremony proper.
    According to Ipaye, a pre-convocation  news conference to kick start the ceremony has already been  slated for February 14.
    She said that an opening exhibition and the inauguration of the 12th Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe would precede the lecture.
    Ipaye  said the convocation ceremony proper had been scheduled for February 20  to February 22.
    According to her, Day 1 of the ceremony will feature the congregation for the award of first degrees, diplomas, certificates and the announcement of prize winners for graduating students of the Faculties of Education and Social Sciences for the morning session.

    Also Read: Beware: Only UNILAG has full accreditation for Law

    She said graduating students for the Faculties of Arts, Environmental Sciences and Sciences would be attended to during the afternoon session on the same day.
    The Registrar said on February 21, there would be award of first degrees, diplomas, certificates and the announcement of prize winners for graduating students of the Faculties of Engineering, Law and Management Sciences for the morning session.
    She said that graduating students from the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Pharmacy and the Distance Learning Institute would be conferred later on the same day (afternoon session).
    Ipaye said that on February 22, the final day of the ceremony, there would be the congregation for the award of Higher degrees of the School of Post graduate Studies.
    She said there would also be the ‘Best Researcher Award’ and the conferment of the title of ‘Distinguished  and Emeritus Professors’  on the same day.
  • UPDATE: Buhari signs eight bills into law

    UPDATE: Buhari signs eight bills into law

    President Muhammadu Buhari has signed eight bills into law including the National Senior Citizens Center Act, 2018. 

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Ita Enang, briefed State House correspondents on Friday. 

    According to him, the National Senior Citizens Center Act, 2018, establishes the National Senior Citizens Center in the country to cater for the needs of the senior citizens.

    Others bills signed into law are Legislative Houses (Power and Privileges), 2018, National Institute of Legislative Studies (Amendment) Act, 2018, and Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Spain (Domestication and Enforcement ) Act, 2018.

    Others are Rail Loan (International Bank) (Repeal) Act, 2018, Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2018, Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration Act, 2018 and Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (Establishment), Act, 2018.

    The Legislative House Power and Privileges Act, Enang said, grants the Legislative Houses in the National Assembly and State Houses of  Assembly immunity from litigation for actions taken in plenary or committee proceedings of the House or committee. 

    It strengthens the power of the Legislators to carry out their Legislative functions.

    The powers include powers to summon any person to appear before her, give evidence, including power of an officer of the legislative House to arrest any person who commits an offense against the Act.

    The National Institute for Legislative Studies (Amendment) Act establishing the Institute and widens her Powers to include powers to provide training courses and Award Degrees on Democracy, Party Politics, Electoral Process, Legislative Practice and Procedures among others.

  • FRSC to reduce road crashes, fatality in Zamfara

    FRSC to reduce road crashes, fatality in Zamfara

    The Zamfara Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) said on Friday in Gusau that it was determined to reduce road crashes and road fatality this year.

    The Sector Commander, Mr Jones Malomo, told our reporter in an interview that the command would reduce crashes by 15 per cent and fatality by 30 per cent.

    Malomo said that part of the command’s 2018 strategic goal was to reduce road crashes, enhance professionalism and enforce rescue services.

    “Road safety is a professional job; so there is need for regular in-house training, seminars, and retreats as well as practical aspect of road traffic management,’’ he said.

    The sector commander also urged road users to get the new driver’s licences, adding that it was very important and useful in Nigeria and other countries.

    “The patronage of new driver’s licence is low and there are some drivers’ licences at the Board of Internal Revenue waiting to be collected by their owners.

    “The new driver’s licence entails going to driving school and undergoing a driving test at the VIO’s office and the licence is valid for between three and five years.

    He said that the validity period depended on the amount paid during registration, emphasising that a driver’s licence was an important document to any driver.

    NAN

  • Buhari signs eight bills into law

    Buhari signs eight bills into law

    President Muhammadu Buhari has signed eight bills into law.
    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Ita Enang, briefed State House correspondents on Friday.
    Details Later.