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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Why we focus on security, infrastructure development – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in New York, at the sidelines of the 74th UN General Assembly, met with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal, and explained why Nigeria was investing heavily on infrastructure development.

    The president, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja, said no country would develop without investments and infrastructure.

    He said: “We are a large country, with vast population and poor infrastructure. But we need people to come and invest, that’s why we are focusing on roads, rail, power, airports, and many others. Without infrastructure, investment would be slow.”

    He thanked Portugal for its “steadfast support” to Nigeria on many fronts, adding that “concern about global issues is genetic for Portugal.”

    Buhari said the Sahel was awash with illegal small arms, exacerbating the security situation in the North East of Nigeria, but added that government was doing a lot to bring things under control.

    On security in the Gulf of Guinea, he solicited for the support of Portugal, saying most of the stolen crude oil from Nigeria and other countries pass through the region.

    Read Also: Only democracy acceptable in Ghana, Africa – Buhari

    The president said in the second term of his administration, “we will consolidate on what we started in the first term, so that I can thereafter retire in peace and comfort.”

    The Portuguese president commended what he called “the excellent relations” between his country and Nigeria.

    He said: “We have Portuguese companies in Nigeria; we share the same opinion on international issues; we share your worries; follow closely what is happening in the Sahel, and we support you in fighting terrorism.”

    Sousa, who revealed that Portugal would be hosting Euro-African Forum in 2020, invited Buhari to declare the event open in Lisbon, “even if it’s for half a day.”

    He said it would be a great honour to have the Nigerian leader in Portugal, “and we have been waiting for you to visit for three years. Many African leaders have come, but we want Nigeria.”

    NAN

     

     

  • Army to launch operation Egwu Eke IV, Ayem Akpatuma II Oct. 7

    The Nigerian Army has said that it set to commence its special routine training exercises across the six geopolitical zones of the country codenamed ‘Ayem Akpatuma II, Egwu Eke IV and Crocodile Smile IV.

    Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, in a statement said that the operation is in line with the Nigerian Army’s “spirited efforts to combat insecurity across the nation”.

    He said exercise will commence simultaneous in all the zones.

    According to the statement,  “the exercises are Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA II in the North Central and parts of North Western States of Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Taraba as well as Kaduna and Niger States in 1 and 3 Divisions Area of Responsibilities (AOR) including Headquarters Command Army Records, Guards Brigade and 707 Special Forces Brigade, Exercise EGWU EKE IV which will be carried out in the South Eastern part of Nigeria comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States in 82 Division AOR, while Exercise CROCODILE SMILE IV will as usual  take place  in the South South and parts of South Western States of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun and Rivers States in  2, 6, 81 and 82 Divisions’ AOR.

    Similarly, Operation POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION will also be extended across the nation to checkmate bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, ethnic militia, cattle rustlers as well as other sundry crimes across the various regions of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Kidnapping: Army dismisses three soldiers in Borno

    “In the same vein, as part of programmes imbued into the exercises, – the Nigerian Army Women Corps, will stage a robust show of force/confidence building patrols in some selected locations in Nigeria.

    “Accordingly, in order to consolidate on the existing cordial civil-military relations, an elaborate  civil military cooperation line of activities in the areas of community outreaches such as free medical outreach, educational outreach, rehabilitation of identified dilapidated roads, hospitals, schools and old people’s homes in various selected  communities in Nigeria.

    “Additionally, the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association, will as usual, visit and donate to motherless babies homes and other identified disadvantaged groups in selected communities across the nation.

    “These exercises will start concurrently from the 7th of October to 24th of December 2019.

    “The NA, once again, use this opportunity to enjoin all Nigerians not to panic on seeing an increased presence of military personnel and other security agencies as well as movement of Military vehicles /hardwares. The NA wishes to reassure the nation of her commitment and determination to secure the country, protect lives and properties of all Nigerians (which in addition to training of her personnel) is one of the basis for the exercises”.

     

     

  • Man ‘caught’ selling marijuana at NDLEA office

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded a man, Ayobiojo Hammed, who was allegedly caught peddling marijuana at the Lagos Command of the National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Justice Sule Hassan kept Hammed, of 7, Moshalashi Street, Empire, Surulere, Lagos, in prison custody, following his plea of guilty to a one-count charge of unlawfully distributing 630 grammes of the narcotic drug.

    He adjourned till October 11 for review of the facts of the case and sentencing.

    Earlier, NDLEA prosecutor Fingere Dinneys alleged that Hammed was arrested on March 26, 2019, while distributing 630 grammes of the substance to some construction workers on the NDLEA’s premises, No. 4, Shaw Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Read Also: NDLEA intercepts 238kg of cannabis in Edo

    The court heard that the defendant’s offence infringed Section 20(1)(a) of the NDLEA Act, 2004 and was punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the same Act.

    Following Hammed’s plea, his counsel, C. W. Ezeonyeziaku, who stood in for Mrs. Susan Agu, did not oppose the prosecution’s remand application.

    The charge against the defendant marked FHC/L/198c/19, reads: “That you Ayobiojo Hammed, Male, Adult, of 7, Moshalashi Street, Empire Surulere, Lagos on or about 26th March, 2019, at 4, Shaw Road, Ikoyi, Lagos without lawful authority distributed 630 grammes of Cannabis Sativa otherwise known as Marijuana, a narcotic drug similar to Cocaine, LSD and Heroin and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 20(1)(a) and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the NDLEA Act 2004”.

  • Nigeria/South Africa bi-national meeting to hold Sept. 26 – Foreign ministry

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that the Senior Official meeting of the 9th session of the Nigeria-South Africa bi-national commission will hold from Sept. 26 to Sept. 27 in Pretoria, South Africa.

    Mr Ferdinard Nwonye, spokesperson for the Ministry made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

    “The preparatory meeting would focus on consolidation of the subsisting signed Agreements/MoUs, explore the possibility of strengthening relations in the area of Defence and Security, Political, Economic and Energy sector.

    “Other areas of common interest include negotiations on pending agreements on matters of mutual cooperation, focal amongst which would be, Diplomatic Consultation and Early Warning System against Xenophobia, etc.

    “The Nigeria-South Africa Joint Commission was established in 1999 to promote relations between both countries and it was upgraded to Bi-National Commission (BNC) in 2001.

    “To showcase the strategic nature of the relationship between the two very important countries and the Commission is about to be further upgraded to the Summit level on Oct. 3,” Nwonye said.

    According  to Nwonye, Amb. Mustapha Sulaiman, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry will lead the Nigerian Delegation and will serve as Co-Chair at the Senior Officials/ Experts Meeting.

    Read Also: Cost of South Africa xenophobic attacks

    He said that following the meeting of experts, the Ministerial Meeting of the Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold on Oct. 2 would be co-chaired by Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister Geoffrey Onyeama.

    He said that Onyeama would co-chair the meeting alongside  and his South African counterpart Dr. Nalendi Pandor.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to pay a State Visit to South Africa on Oct. 3 on the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

    NAN

  • INEC urges UNDP to resuscitate support to democratic empowerment

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has beckoned on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to resuscitate the implementation of its Support to Democratic Empowerment (SDE) Phase 1, in Nigeria.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the call when he received the UNDP new Resident Representative to Nigeria, who paid a courtesy visit to the commission on Wednesday in Abuja.

    SDE is aimed at enlighten and mobilize stakeholders including the women groups, youths, traditional and religious leaders to participate massively in the general elections.

    The programme is also to conduct civic and voter education, as part of the media campaign, in order to sensitize and create awareness among the citizens for effective participation in the general elections.

    Yakubu said that the programme should have commended in 2018 but was suspended due to the challenges of time and funding.

    “There is one pending issue that we need to resuscitate immediately, which is implementation of the Support to Democratic Empowerment (SDE) Phase 1.

    “The implementation should have commenced in May 2018 through to December 2019.

    “The plan was not fully implemented for a number of reasons, but essentially the pressure on time on the commission because of general elections as well as the issue of funding.

    “I am glad to note that the plan is being revised by our technical teams. I look forward to the work of the two teams.

    “I wish to once again reassure you that we will jointly implement the recommendations in the current electoral circle and beyond,’’ Yakubu said.

    Yakubu described the UN and UNDP in particular as long term partners in support of elections, good governance and democracy in Nigeria.

    He said that INEC valued their partnership and it would continue to work with UNDP in promoting democracy and good governance.

    Yakubu recalled that in 2017 the UN Secretary General sent a Need Assessment Mission to Nigeria, as well as the Special Representative for West African and the Shahel, Mohammed Chambas who also visited before and after the last general elections.

    “We profoundly appreciate the support of the union and its agencies in promoting peaceful elections and good governance in Nigeria. We have worked closely with the UNDP in many areas since 2011.

    “These include technically and advisory support for voter registration in 2011; the formulation and validation of the commission gender policy; the formulation, validation and revalidation of the commission’s communication policy; down to support to voter education and publicity.

    “Induction and retraining for new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Uyo in 2017: the printing of two volumes election project plan in 2018; and many other activities to build capacity of the commission both technical and human.

    Read Also: INEC trains security personnel for Kogi Gov race

    “I want to reassure you of our continue willingness to collaborate, cooperate and work in partnership with you. We will extend the support to you that we have extended to all your predecessors.’’

    Speaking earlier, the UNDP Resident Representative, assured the country of the organization’s continue support and engagement with INEC in deepening credible elections and democracy in Nigeria.

    He said that the UNDP recognised INEC as a critical institution for deepening democracy.

    He said, “For UNDP globally, electoral commissions have been a key part for the work that we do, in deepening democracy and delivering the voices of those who have voted in a way that is credible and transparent.

    “So, the work that you do, commissioners and chairperson, is critical for democratization to take its root in this country and across the continent.

    “For me coming here is one of the key aspects of my duties.

    “I want to thank you and your team for the work you have done in the past, but also to congratulate you for delivering 2019 general elections.

    “Also listening and learning from the experiences that you had in the last circle and also listening to what we can do together as we move forward,’’ Yahaya said.

    On his agenda in Nigeria, Yahaya said that the UNDP would supports Nigeria’s plans, including making INEC stronger.

    “We are a leading development agency in the UN system, specifically the work on governance, reduction of poverty. For today engagement we are focus on how to engage INEC to make it stronger than it is.’’

     

  • NUT hails Obaseki on basic education reforms, teachers’ welfare

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has hailed Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on reforms in the basic education sub-sector and his administration’s commitment to teachers’ welfare in the state.

    The NUT said Governor Obaseki’s deftness and diplomacy in dealing with issues of teachers’ welfare in the state should be emulated by other governors in the country.

    The commendation was contained in a letter addressed to Governor Obaseki and signed by NUT’s National Deputy Secretary, Rev. M.M. Braimoh, on behalf of the Union’s Secretary General, Dr. Mike Ike Ene.

    Recall that the Governor Obaseki-led administration has trained over 8700 teachers and equipped them with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices for improved learning outcomes. This has positively impacted over 150,000 school children in the state under the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme.

    The National Executive of NUT, in the letter, said its communication with the state chapter of the union showed that the governor has maintained a harmonious relationship with them, ensuring that issues do not degenerate into strike actions.

    Read Also: Obaseki reassures on kidnapping, other crimes

    According to them, “It is the tradition of the NUT and its national leadership to receive Monthly Reports from each of her 38 State Wings in order to be abreast of issues and events affecting our members.

    “On 20th August 2019, we received a communique issued by the NUT Edo State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) after its meeting of 19th August 2019 on a number of issues. While we were busy strategising on the way forward, we received another communique from NUT Edo State Wing dated 2nd September 2019 with cheering news of how Your Excellency has addressed all issues to the satisfaction of the entire teachers of Edo State within a short period of time.”

    “Sequel to these, it behooves on us to commend Your Excellency for your various roles in improving Basic Education and Teachers’ Welfare in Edo State. These are achieved without any Strike Action,” the NUT added.

    The union urged other governors in the country to emulate Governor Obaseki’s feats, noting, “On behalf of the National President, National Executive Council (NEC) members and the entire teachers of Nigeria, we wish to most heartily congratulate and appreciate Your Excellency for this feat. It is our belief that some of your brother governors will take after you.”

     

     

  • Scores killed as suspected kidnappers shoot passenger bus in Kogi

    Suspected kidnappers have opened fire on an Abuja- bound passenger bus around Kotin-Karfe, Kogi State, killing an unspecified number of the occupants while others escaped with bullet wounds.

    The suspected kidnappers, on Tuesday, laid seige on Abuja bound vehicles, killing all the occupants of the Sharon bus, said to be coming from Port-Harcourt.

    Occupants of another car, a Toyota Camry, coming from Ibadan to Abuja, that made for escape after running into the scene sustained various degrees of injuries.

    A survivor, who narrated his ordeals, told our correspondent that the incidental occurred at about 5.58 pm.

    Speaking under the condition of anonymity, the victim said that he, along with four others in the Toyota Camry, were headed to Abuja from Ibadan, when they suddenly they sighted some masked men in military gears about two kilometers ahead.

    He said that the attackers wore military camouflage with black mask and were stopping vehicles.

    According to him, some of the occupants of the vehicles that they stopped were being marched into the bush.

    He said that the Sharon bus coming from Port-Harcourt, on sighting them, tried to escape but got shot at, deflating its tires, adding that the vehicle somersaulted, killing all the occupants.

    According to him: “It was at this point we noticed that they may be kidnappers. Our driver then engaged reverse gear and they started firing at our car.

    READ ALSO: 40-yr-old transporter killed during police shootout with suspected kidnappers

    “The driver was hit on the shoulder with the bullet coming out at the other side, and it hit the man at the back seat on the head.”

    He said that they drove to the Gegu police station from where arrangement was made for their evacuation to the Koton-Karfe General Hospital from where they were taken to the Federal Medical Center Lokoja.

    He said the driver was transferred to the National Hospital Abuja while an occupant of the back seat that sustained bullet wounds on the head was referred to the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, to remove bullets lodged in his head.

    According to the Police Extract diary obtained by our correspondent, the incident was reported on Wednesday by one of the victims.

    Kogi Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Hakeem Busari, confirmed the incident.

    He said that he got a report that a car stopped by kidnappers dressed in camouflage was shot at, which made it to summersault, killing all the occupants, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from Edo State.

    He said that investigation into the incident has been opened.

  • Kogi gov poll: PDP will struggle to get 25 percent votes – Adeyemi

    The Director-General of the Governorship Campaign Committee of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State, Sen. Smart Adeyemi has declared the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) will struggle to secure 25 per cent votes in the November poll.

    He said PDP has no candidate yet since its governorship primaries is still being disputed in court.

    He also said more than 15,000 defectors from PDP and other parties will be received by the APC in Kogi State in the next few days.

    Adeyemi, who gave insights into the preparation for the poll, said even if PDP’s candidate, Engr. Musa Wada survives the court hurdles against him, he cannot defeat the incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello of the APC.

    Adeyemi said: “PDP cannot defeat APC in the forthcoming governorship poll in Kogi State. The main opposition party in the state will strive to secure 25 per cent of the votes.

    “In any case, PDP has no candidate because about 35 leaders of PDP are in court to seek the nullification of the results of their party’s governorship primaries. Even ex-Governor Ibrahim Idris who should be the backbone of the party’s campaign has rejected any offer from the party.

    “PDP is in disarray in Kogi State, it is too weak to win the governorship poll. But we are interested in PDP resolving its dispute to enable Governor Yahaya Bello to win in a free and fair poll.

    Read Also; Kogi NPC Chairman resigns

    “APC wants a candidate to compete with at the poll. We are fully on ground, it will be difficult for PDP to defeat APC candidate, Governor Yahaya Bello.

    Adeyemi said although more than 15,000 defectors from PDP and other parties will defect to APC in the next few days, the party will not make any commitment to anybody.

    “As the election is fast approaching, APC is receiving more defectors on daily basis. We are not going to make personal commitment to any defector. We will not promise anyone slots of being a commissioner or Special Adviser or other personal gains.

    “We will accept people to join our party on the basis of vision, needs and aspirations of the masses. We want those who are committed to the ideals of the APC.”

    Meanwhile, the APC has appointed three Deputy Directors-General for its campaign committee.

    They are Hon. Haruna Isa(Kogi West District); Hon. Abubakar S. Adagu Danguruma(Kogi Central District); and Hon. Idoko Musa Haruna(Kogi East District).

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Kogi governorship poll for November 16.

    Although 22 candidates are jostling for the governorship seat the battle appears to be between APC candidate and his opponent in PDP.

  • El-Rufai’s son public school enrolment, deceptive game for 2023 – Shehu Sani

    Senator who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the eight National Assembly, Shehu Sani has reacted to the action of the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who recently took his six-year-old son Abubakar to a public school for his primary education.

    Sani said the governor’s intention was to deceive people outside the locality who may not know the level of decay in public schools in the State saying, it was designed to score political goals ahead of 2023 political dispensation.

    He, however, described the move as a badly written Kennywood or Nollywood script, designed for the media preparatory for 2023.

    Addressing newsmen in Kaduna, he said, the governor’s action, “was simply a 2023 political stunt set up for the media and people who reside outside Kaduna because those who reside here know what public primary school look like in the state.

    According to him, “It is not because I have a political difference with him, no, but whoever lives in Kaduna State knew that what the governor did with his son been enrolled into public school was just a comedy.

    “Though, it was a badly written Kennywood or Nollywood script, but as far as am concerned that was a bad and poorly written script for the media preparatory for 2023 and nothing else.

    “He would have done better by upgrading schools in Kaduna. You cannot spend N195M in a particular school and then take your son and the media to that school and think you have done anything different.

    Read Also; El-Rufai enrols son in public primary school

    “Let me tell you, we had a governor in this state, Balarabe Musa who has never lived in the government house during his reign and all the while he was a governor he lived in his private house and I also know that the children of former governor Ahmed Makarfi attended this same Capital School.

    “I also know that other public officials’ children go to that school too. So if you are not been cony, deceptive and comical, you would have allowed all your children to enrol into public schools. Public school doesn’t mean primary schools alone, there are public secondary schools and public universities.

    “He is not new in this kind of drama. It was the same person who was moving around Kaduna-Abuja road with cameras that he was chasing kidnappers. So, this is a new script but as far as am concerned, that is comedy sinnce we are in an era in this state of using public utilities, public hospitals and now public schools.

    “So it is also in order that public officials, both elected and appointed should also patronise public toilets in Kaduna. That is the highest form of patriotism and selfless service. You should use what the masses are using which is public toilets.” He said.

  • Seplat, NNPC support communities

    SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc, operator of the NNPC-Seplat Joint Venture, will focus on health, education and economic empowerment in its host communities and other communities in line with its mandate to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

    To this end, the joint venture brought succor to community members of its areas of operation and to other indigenes of Imo State, as it held the 2019 edition of its Eye Can See and Safe Motherhood programmes, the company’s signature Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) health programmes.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony, which took place at the Medical Health Centre at Izombe, Imo State, Wife of Imo State Governor, Lady Ebere Ihedioha who flagged off the medical outreach commended the joint venture noting that if all the corporate organisations were to tow this route of Seplat, the burden of underdevelopment and social restlessness particularly in the oil producing areas in the state would be greatly reduced.

    “This programme therefore places Seplat at the top of the corporate social responsibility in the state, and by extension, has won the hearts of our people,” Ihedioha said.

    The Eye Can See and Safe Motherhood Programmes are Seplats CSR initiatives executed yearly across the Company’s host communities, with focus on providing comprehensive, quality and free healthcare to members of the host communities and states. These programmes align with the Sustainable Development Goals 3, Health for All and the respective state governments’ aspirations of providing good health for their people.

    General Manager, External Affairs & Communications, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, who represented Mr. Austin Avuru, the Chief Executive Officer, said people were at the centre of everything  the company does.

    According to her, the NNPC-Seplat  joint venture takes delight whenever it has opportunity to deploy these two key programmes specially designed for the wellbeing of community members and for other indigenes of the state who wish to access the benefits of these health programmes.

    She noted that through the Eye Can See and Safe Motherhood initiatives, Seplat has provided premium health care in line with its commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of people living in its host communities.

    The company began in 2017 to run these programmes annually in these communities. The Eye Can See initiative has brought community dwellers face to face with specialist optometrists. Within the two year period, a total of 7,343 patients have benefitted from the initiative, 2,200 reading glasses have been given to patients while over 233 successful eye surgeries have been conducted.