The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Newspaper

  • PDP condemns protest against Ambode at Lagos Assembly

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has condemned the recent protest at the state House of Assembly, calling for the probe of  former Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.

    A statement by Mr Taofik Gani, Lagos PDP spokesperson on Thursday in Lagos, said that the protest lacked sincerity of purpose and obviously calculated at embarrassing the immediate past governor.

    A group, under the aegis of the Lagos Youth Vanguard, led Rasak Olokooba, and Ibrahim Ekundina, had on Tuesday stormed the Lagos Assembly, demanding a probe of the former governor.

    “Disturbing is the tendency of such protests to overheat the polity and increase the already created loss of confidence in the government,” the PDP said.

    Read Also: Protesters storm Lagos Assembly, demand probe of Ambode

    The PDP accused Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu led APC government of being behind the protests.

    “The governor himself is sponsoring such protests against his predecessor, unfortunately overheating the polity and to distract Lagosians away from his abysmal performances.

    “To the PDP, Governor Sanwo-Olu has created “Official Vendetta” in Lagos governance; unfortunately for him, his ranking is going down whilst he needlessly goes after his predecessor,” the statement said.

    The PDP, however, called for a holistic probe of the administrations of Bola Tinubu, Raji Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, rather than restricting it only to Ambode’s regime.

    “Lagosians are eager to know the stewardship of their former governors.

    ” From 1999 till 2018 over N17 trillion was realized as IGR, royalties, Federal Allocations, investments and crude oil discovery.

    “Unfortunately, much of these monies are linked to Hotels, Airlines, Oil Companies, construction companies, home & Abroad,” the PDP said.

    (NAN)

  • ICPC recovers three ambulances, 500KVA Transformer from Senator Buruji Kashamu

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday said it has recovered three ambulances and a 500KVA Transformer which are Constituency Project items from Sen. Buruji Kashamu.

    The agency said the items were part of 2016 Constituency Projects meant to be distributed to Ogun East Senatorial District.

    The items were discovered at his Constituency Project Office in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

    A statement by the Spokesperson for the Commission, Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, mni, said the commission uncovered the items following intelligence alert by a concerned citizen.

    Read Also: Constituency projects: Our findings will shock Nigerians – ICPC

    The statement said: “The three ambulances which were procured at the cost of N6m each, were meant to be supplied to Obada Healthcare Centre, Oke Sopin in Ijebu North Local Government Area; Community Health Centre, Itele in  Ijebu East Local Government Area; and Community Health Centre, Ogijo in Sagamu Local Government Area respectively.

    “The transformer is the last of an initial eleven meant for distribution to various communities of Ogun East Senatorial District which were procured at the cost of N3.6m each, bringing the total for the entire eleven transformers to N39.5m.

    “The commission received intelligence about the items from a concerned citizen who became aware of the commission’s Constituency Project Tracking Group initiative which exercise has so far covered 12 states of the federation.

    “The recovered items were seized and the vehicles were moved to a Police Station while the 500KVA Transformer was marked with the Commission’s seizure seal and in the interim, kept in the custody of the Manager of the Senator’s office.

  • ‘Slandering Osinbajo won’t stop the will of God’

    A group, Southwest Youth Congress, has declared Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is the target of a campaign of calumny because of his perceived presidential ambition in 2023.

    It however stated that no amount of gimmicks or lies that can stop Professor Osinbajo from becoming president if God so wills.

    The group in a statement on Thursday said: “The campaign of calumny against a decent character like the Vice President would not hold water in the eyes of right-thinking Nigerians.”

    The statement was signed by Comrade Bamise Akintomide, leader of the Ondo state chapter of the group.

    It added: “While we are confident that the perceived threat against Professor Osinbajo bears the imprints of a desperate cabal’s wicked strategy for relevance, sadly they have also enlisted the support of agents of calumny of an equally desperate opposition.

    “It is our considered opinion that such a campaign of calumny against a decent character like the Vice President will not hold water in the eyes of right-thinking Nigerians.”

    The group continued: “We do know that the orchestrated allegations against Professor Osinbajo, especially the baseless accusation of misusing a non-existent N90 billion campaign fund, are all targeted at achieving the singular objective of dissuading the vice president from considering the idea of running for the presidency in 2023.

    “While Mr. Vice President has not told anyone that he will be running for office in 2023, the South West Youth Congress will like to emphasise that the leadership shown by Professor Osinbajo over the period he has worked alongside President Muhammadu Buhari to pilot the affairs of this country has proven his capacity for effective and result-driven governance, and it is our hope and desire that come 2023 he is on the ballot to run for the highest office in the land.

    READ ALSO: You cannot waive your immunity for adjudication, Lawyer tells Osinbajo

    “If he decides to contest, it’s our belief that he is immensely qualified and therefore he has our support and deserves the support of all well-meaning Nigerians.

    “While it’s true that there is no amount of gimmicks or lies that can stop Professor Osinbajo from becoming Nigeria’s president if God so wills.”

    The group called on all stakeholders and political leaders in the southwest “to be circumspect and unite in support of the vice president who has displayed the attributes of competence and loyalty, both of which have brought honor to the entire Yoruba race and the southwest region.”

  • Tiv/Jukun leaders in Taraba agree to ceasefire

    The leaderships of the Tiv and Junkun waring factions in the Southern part of Taraba on Thursday, agreed to a ceasefire to allow the return of normalcy to the area.

    This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day peace meeting held in Jalingo, Taraba, with representatives of the tribes, government officials and state security chiefs.

    Government officials and security agencies in the state also attended the meeting.

    According to the communiqué, speakers at the meeting condemned the crisis and stressed the need for cessation of all forms of hostilities between the two communities to have way for the peace building effort being spearheaded by the state government.

    Read Also: Jukun-Tiv conflict: Catholic bishops call for peace

    “The meeting noted that the crisis had been hijacked by criminal elements from both the Jukun and Tiv communities and therefore, the two communities should expose the criminal elements amongst them.

    “We also resolved to stop reprisal attacks or revenge from both parties but report all from of security breaches to the security agencies for appropriate action.

    “There is every need for government to take deliberate steps to encourage the Internally Displaced Persons to return to their homes since adequate security operatives have been deployed to the affected communities to protect lives and property,’ the leaders said.

    The leaders urged journalists to be more positive in their reportage while the parties also charged the communities to be wary of rumours that are capable of inciting the people and destabilising the entire peace process.

    The communiqué was signed by the Deputy Governor, Haruna Manu as representative of the state government, Mr Danjuma Adamu and John Mamman signed for the Jukun community while Mr Jime Yongo and Mr Isaac Waakaa signed on behalf of the Tiv community.

    The communal crisis between Tiv and Jukun of Taraba has claimed many lives and property worth billions of Naira in Takum, Wukari and Donga local government areas of the state.

    (NAN)

  • National Hospital losing original focus – Maryam Abacha

    The National Hospital Abuja is losing its original focus on women and children, widow of former Head of States, Maryam Abacha has stated.

    She stressed that it is becoming a secondary care provider instead of playing the role of a national referral facility.

    Mrs. Abacha disclosed this on Thursday in her address at a lecture organised for the 20th anniversary celebration of the National Hospital Abuja.

    The former First Lady said: “Conceived as National Hospital for women and children, this hospital is a principal and cardinal outcome of the FSP as outlined by the blueprint in the health sector.

    “The hospital has carved a niche for itself institutionally, not only within our nation but beyond our shores, especially ECOWAS sub region and the African continent.

    “I have since its establishment, even after leaving office, taken keen interest on the activities, progress and developments at the hospital. Please permit me to highlight equally some other developments which I think, do not augur well for the image and progress of the hospital.

    “Some of these developments include alleged negligence. There have been other complaints such improper or inadequate attention to patients, long registration processes and waiting time by patients, attitude problem by hospital staff towards patient, unavailability of prescribed drugs, etc.

    “It must be acknowledged that these complaints may not be peculiar to only the National Hospital. However, the National Hospital as centre of excellence needs to do better in service delivery devoid of complaints of this nature.

    READ ALSO: American Council on Education accredits Maryam Abacha varsity in Niger

    “Added to this is the pain I have that the hospital with its original focus on women and children, is seemingly losing focus and becoming a secondary care provider instead of playing the role of a national referral facility.”

    She said that the hospital was a product of Family Support Programme, which was one of her husband’s policies on heath development and meant to cater for women and children.

    “The National hospital as well known is a symbolic national monument for all Nigerians which should be devoid of prejudices, politics, creed, religion, ethnic bias or sentiment.

    “Also through my interaction with some persons who frequented attend this hospital, I got to know of some other observations.

    “The hospital is not fully IT compliant as it does not have area network arrangement between preawith no network arrangement between prescribing doctors, laboratories, pharmacies and other departments, such that patients do not have to physically hand-carry lab examination results to the doctor for action,” she added.

  • Ekiti varsity bows to pressure, suspends new tax policy

    The management of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti on Thursday suspended implementation of its new tax policy and presentation of primary six certificates by the its staff.

    The decision was reached after EKSU management, under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edward Olanipekun, met with the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) of the university over the controversial issues.

    The meeting followed a protest by NASU members on Thursday against the new tax regime and presentation of primary six certificates by the staff.

    The workers in their large number barricaded the entrance to the administrative block to press home their demands.

    READ ALSO: Ekiti varsity student ‘kills’ boyfriend over hair money

    They alleged that the new tax regime was 70 percent and to be implemented in arrears, describing the initiative as an exploitative policy.

    A statement by EKSU Head, Directorate of Information, Bode Olofinmuagun, said the “management has decided to put on hold both issues”.

    According to him: “Management agreed to meet with the national leadership of NASU to further deliberate on the grey areas, particularly bothering on the presentation of primary school leaving certificate and implementation of the new tax regime”

    He, however, advised members of the university community to go about with their normal official duties.

  • One killed, several injured as commercial drivers clash in Ekiti

    A violent clash among members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has claimed one life in Igogo-Ekiti, in Moba Local Government area of Ekiti State.

    Several others, who were also injured in the fracas, are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility in the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State command, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, confirmed the death of one of the drivers.

    “We heard that it was a clash between two drivers and one of them was said to have hit the deceased with a substance suspected to be a charm and died.

    “Due to the fact that a life was lost, it got escalated, but the Commissioner of Police, Mr Asuquo Amba, quickly drafted more men to the area and normalcy has since been restored,” he said.

    Ikechukwu said that the principal suspect had been arrested and detained by the police, adding that investigations had commenced on the incident.

    READ ALSO: One killed, five injured in drivers, volunteers clash

    Sources within the town disclosed that trouble started over issuance of daily tickets, as one of the drivers, who disagreed over the ticket, allegedly beat his colleague to death.

    An eye witness said one of the drivers had obtained a ticket earlier and reportedly declined payment when asked to come and pay after some hours.

    The situation, the source added, resulted in hot argument which thereafter snowballed into a free for all.

    “As they started exchanging blows, one of them brought out a substance suspected to be a charm and hit the other.

    “He fell immediately and became unconscious, and all efforts to revive him proved abortive,” the source explained.

    Another source said that the commercial drivers used all kinds of dangerous weapons like cutlasses, cudgels and bottles during the fracas.

    The clash paralysed commercial activities in the town before the policemen were drafted to the scene.

    When contacted, the state Chairman of NURTW, Mr Osho Farotimi, condemned the incident, describing it as a sad development.

    (NAN)

  • EU supports Nigeria with 150m euro

    The European Union (EU) has supported Nigeria with 150 million euro to tackle the challenges of climate change in the country.

    The EU ambassador to Nigeria and Head of delegation, Mr. Ketil Karlsen, disclosed this at the European Union Climate Sustainability Event with the theme: “Renewable energy for a sustainable future”, held on Wednesday at the Dangote Business School, Bayero University, Kano.

    He said the union would also give Nigeria additional eight million euro for technical support for effective implementation of renewable energy projects so that the country could be in tune with the issue globally.

    “We are supporting Nigeria with €150 million for the renewable energy programme. Another €8 additional millions specifically targeting technical assistance on non-climate change issues. It is a huge priority for us and one of our biggest priorities.”

    Read Also: Lagos, NCC, EU, others support innovation

    Karlsen said there was an urgent need for the Federal Government to rise up to the challenges of climate, which could affect agriculture and the environment as well as human beings.

    “I want to urge the Federal Government to take the issue of climate change seriously so as to find a way forward and the biggest players should rise to the occasion by coming on board where everybody should play their roles and responsibilities.”

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said the government would partner and continue to support EU to ensure success in the renewable energy project.

    Ganduje, represented by the Head of Service, Dr. Kabiru Shehu, noted that electricity was in bad shape in the country and stressed the need to take urgent steps and action that would ensure that Nigerians benefit from the renewable energy project.

  • Bayelsa guber: Dickson moves to fortify Southern Ijaw

    Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson has undertaken measures to regain the confidence of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, popularly called the Bayelsa Kano in terms of voting, ahead of the November 16th governorship election.

    There were fears that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Southern Ijaw, which has the second voter population after Yenagoa, were making plans to move to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after losing the party’s governorship ticket.

    Dickson and the party leaders were said to be worried by defections of PDP members in the council and the likely mass exodus that could hit the party in the area if nothing was done to assuage them.

    About eight out of the 21 PDP governorship aspirants in the just-concluded primary election came from Southern Ijaw but they all lost the poll to Senator Douye Diri, who hails from Kolokuma-Opokuma, in the same Central Senatorial District.

    Despite pressure mounted on the governor to back down on Diri and support one of the Southern Ijaw aspirants especially the state revenue boss, Dr. Nimibofa Ayawei, Dickson was said to have insisted that since the council had produced a governor, the slot should go to Kolokuma-Opokuma in the same district in the interest of justice and equity.

    It was, however, gathered that following the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hand over its flag to Chief David Lyon, who hails from Southern Ijaw, the governor was making moves to counter the APC raging influence in the council.

    The decision of the governor and PDP leaders to appoint Ayawei, the Director-General of Diri’s campaign organisation was said to be one of the moves to reposition the PDP in Southern Ijaw.

    A statement by the State Secretary of the PDP, Chief Godspower Keku, said that Dr. Ayawei’s appointment was part of the key resolutions of a meeting of the Gubernatorial Campaign Advisory Council of the State Chapter of the PDP.

    It is believed that with such key positions, confidence and a sense of belonging would be restored in the council and aggrieved PDP members would be persuaded to work for the party at the main election.

    Sources said the decision of the PDP leaders to force the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Tonye Emmanuel Isenah, to resign his office was also part of the moves was in the interest of votes from Southern Ijaw.

    Though Isenah earlier said he was not going to resign, it was learnt that following sustained pressure mounted on him, the speaker would have no option but to leave his position.

    The Special Adviser to the speaker on Social Media, Ranami Afagha, indicated that PDP leaders were blackmailing the speaker to leave the office for a lawmaker from Southern Ijaw.

    He said they were telling Isenah that his stepping down was crucial for the PDP to win the forthcoming poll.

    He wrote: “‘Mr Speaker Rt Hon Tonye Emmanuel Isenah if you step down as speaker then the PDP will win the governorship election.

    “If PDP did not win then then you are the cause because you refuse to stepdown as speaker’. One of the blackmail against Mr speaker”.

    Afagha, however, advised the speaker to step down if the PDP insisted they needed his office to win the election with less than 50 days to election.

    He said some of the leaders also resorted to blackmailing the Speaker with an allegation of bribery to change the tide of public opinion against him.

    READ ALSO: Bayelsa graduates back Diri on guber race

    He said: “Please kindly disregard any blackmail being peddled by those who want the Rt hon Tonye Emmanuel Isenah the Bayelsa 6th Assembly speaker out of office.

    “Their blackmail is to incite the public who are always standing with the speaker from when he becomes an Assembly member from the labour party to when he was elected speaker, this they are doing to incite the masses to rebel against the speaker, who are always there standing with the speaker.

    “This is why they are out with this blackmail that the speaker has collected money to step down as Speaker. All they want is public rebellion against the Speaker.

    “The Speaker will not betray the trust of the masses. The Speaker still stands with the public and whatever decision he will take is for the good of the public and the masses who have always stood with and by him from the day he was elected speaker.

    “The Speaker has not collected a kobo from anyone and will not collect. The Speaker will address the public and tell you why he will step aside for the house of Assembly to function in full for the sake of the masses and the public”.

    To reach the aggrieved youths of Southern Ijaw ahead of the poll, Dickson redeployed the Commissioner for Youth Development, Udengs Eradiri, to the Ministry of Environment.

  • The Nation reporter wins International security award

    In recognition of her diligence and deep-rooted investigative journalism, Security Watch Africa (SWA) has awarded The Nation’s Correspondent Precious Igbonwelundu Best Investigative Crime and Security Reporter in West and Central Africa (print).

    Ms. Igbonwrlundu’s story “Southern Cameroon’s chilling tales” beat two other nominees to cliche the coveted Silver Crystal which will be presented to her in November at Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Inspector General of Police (IG) Mohammed Adamu and Anambra Governor Willie Obiano are billed to deliver keynote and other addresses at the event.

    Other award recipients this year include Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu; Chief of Army Training and Operations (CTOPS) Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun; Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Logistics Taiwo Lakanu; Lagos Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu; Commander Rapid Response Squad (RRS) DCP Tunji Disu; former General Manager Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Adesina Tiamiyu; Commander Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Lagos Command, CSP Peter Gana and military/police officers who have distinguished themselves in various internal security operations across the country.

    In 2017, Ms. Igbonwelundu’s story “Inside war-torn Lagos, Ogun communities” also clinched the Best Investigative Crime and Security Reporter in Nigeria at a star-studded event held in Ghana.

    SWA is the highest security and safety sector award in the continent with previous recipients cutting across West, Central and South African countries.

    Presenting the letter at the Lagos Police Command in Ikeja, International Coordinator of the award Patrick Agbambu said the panel of judges considered her entry after a meticulous assessment of her official and personal drive in the support of crime fighting, provision of security and safety “through deep-rooted investigative journalism in Nigeria.

    READ ALSO: The Nation reporter, seven others are safety ambassadors

    The letter, which was co-signed by former Chief of Ghana’s Armed Forces Gen. Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (rtd), who’s Chairman SWA Board of Trustees said: “We, on behalf of the Security Watch Africa’s Board of Trustees, Executive Committee and 2019 International Awards’ Panel of Judges, write to notify you, that you have been found worthy to be conferred with this award.

    “The award conferment will be at the 16′” Africa Security Watch Awards, Conference and Exhibition scheduled to hold on November 6 and 7, 2019 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    “The final decision to confer you with this award was made after a careful assessment of your intellectual disposition, intuitiveness and incisive write-ups in security information dissemination which has contributed to the provision of security and safety in Nigeria.

    “This year’s event which is in partnership with the Stellenbosch University, South Africa promises to be credible, classy, glamorous and full of finesse and will be attended by top dignitaries and participants from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Liberia, Kenya, The Gambia, Senegal, Cote D‘Ivoire, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Namibia and Mozambique.”