The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Nigeria bound to succeed, says Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has reiterated his conviction that Nigeria has great hopes towards development as its success is key to Africa’s development.

    Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement in Abuja, said that the Vice President delivered the 8th Convocation Lecture of the Osun State University on Saturday in Osogbo.

    Osinbajo spoke on the topic, “Six Decades of Chequered Nationhood: Nigeria Still Holds the Key to Africa’s Development”.

    Read Also: Osinbajo to speak today at LCCI policy forum

    The Vice President told the audience that there was hope that Nigeria would achieve its potential.

    “This country is bound to succeed; we will get there.

    “Our founding fathers were all right, even though they had not even then seen Nigeria’s true potential Nigeria.

    “And indeed as Nigeria grows, so does Africa,” he said.

  • Xenophobia: Nigerian Union in S/Africa lauds Air Peace boss for benevolence

    The Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) has lauded the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, for his benevolence towards evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the management of Air Peace, in collaboration with the Federal Government, evacuated 187 Nigerians from South Africa on Sept. 11.

    They also evacuated another set of 320 that arrived Nigeria on Wednesday.

    NUSA President, Adetola Olubajo, said in a statement that the gesture was an act of absolute humanity to nationhood displayed by Air Peace.

    Read Also: Runsewe hails Air Peace efforts

    According to NUSA, the umbrella organisation of Nigerans in South Africa,  the gesture came at a point when all hope seemed to have been lost in a far-away nation.

    “It was great and humbling to hear Allen Onyema say he would do whatever it took to rescue the situation.

    “He emphasized his disposition to make a difference in the society for national interest and for this, we say he is a rare breed in our generation,” N said

    Olubajo also added that Onyema had constantly been a source of inspiration to people who appreciate philanthropic gestures.

    NAN

  • Fayemi confirms passage of Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, condoles with family

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti on Saturday confirmed the passage of one of the prominent traditional rulers in the state, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, Oyinyosaiye Uyin II.

    Fayemi, describing the monarch’s demise as a huge loss to the state, said that the state had lost a great and highly respected ruler.

    Oba Ajakaiye, the 17th Oluyin, a lawyer and judge, before ascending the throne, was the pioneer Chief Judge of Ekiti.

    He was also a former Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, (NJI), Abuja.

    The governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, that he received the news of the Oba’s passage from the royal family.

    Fayemi, however, expressed his condolence to the late monarch’s family, the people of Iyin-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government area and the entire citizens of Ekiti.

    The governor said that the state had lost one of its “most cerebral and colourful royal fathers, who combined brilliance with admirable traditional flamboyance”.

    Fayemi, also described the late monarch as a successful lawyer and respected bencher during his years in the legal profession.

    He said the late Oluyin was ever willing to avail the government his wise counsel on issues of development and social justice.

    The governor said that the late monarch was committed to Christianity, and the rich cultural heritage of the ancient town, which was flourished under his leadership.

    He said that Iyin-Ekiti witnessed unprecedented level of development, peace and prosperity during the reign of the late monarch.

    The governor said that the late oba would be remembered as “one of the patriots, whose commitment led to the creation and successful take off of Ekiti in 1996”.

    Fayemi recalled how the late monarch vacated his official residence as the Chief Judge of Ekiti for the Military Administrator of the newly created Ekiti, while he travelled to Ado-Ekiti daily from his personal residence in Iyin-Ekiti.

    “On behalf of the government and the good people of Ekiti, I commiserate with members of the immediate and extended families of the late monarch.

    Read Also: Fayemi hails Wike as Mr. Project

    “I also condole the Oluyin-in- Council, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the entire people of Iyin-Ekiti, on the passage of our highly revered Kabiyesi, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye. Oyinyosaiye Uyin II.

    “Kabiyesi, indeed fought a good fight, made his mark in his chosen profession and in the traditional institution.

    “He left a legacy of honour and good name. We shall miss his wise counsel and intellectual input to traditional and developmental issues,” Fayemi said.

    Meanwhile, traditional rites, signalling the passage of the traditional ruler had begun in the ancient town, especially with the cutting of some sacred trees.

    This came, even as many residents, who spoke to NAN, expressed sadness over the death of their king, describing him as highly influential Oba, who used his position to bring development to Iyin-Ekiti.

    NAN

  • Bernardo Silva gets hat-trick as Manchester City whip Watford 8-0

    A Bernardo Silva hat-trick helped Manchester City to secure the joint second biggest English Premier League (EPL) victory in history on Saturday.

    They thrashed a bewildered Watford 8-0 at the Etihad Stadium, in an immediate response to their first league defeat since January at Norwich City last weekend.

    They blew Watford away by becoming the first side to score five goals in the first 18 minutes of a Premier League game.

    David Silva got Manchester City up and running after finishing off a delightful pass from Kevin De Bruyne in the first minute.

    Sergio Aguero’s 100th Premier League goal doubled the hosts’ advantage from the penalty kick spot thereafter.

    Riyad Mahrez curled a brilliant free kick into the net in the 12th minute, with a Bernardo Silva header and a Nicolas Otamendi tap-in completing the 18-minute rout.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Man. City wins 2018/2019 EPL title

    Watford brought on an extra defender just after the half-hour mark to try to stem the tide, seeing themselves through to half-time without further damage.

    Bernardo Silva added a sixth goal three minutes into the second period.

    He completed his first top-flight hat-trick with a close-range finish to make it seven.

    De Bruyne hammered home a superb eighth as Manchester City came up one short of Manchester United’s record 9-0 victory over Ipswich Town in 1995.

    NAN

  • ATM fraud: Correctional service to sack staff if culpable

    Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), has vowed to dismiss its officer who was arrested alongside others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) over alleged Automated Teller Machines (ATM), Fraud, if found wanting.

    Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Office of the EFCC according to a statement issued last Wednesday by its spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren arrested six fraudsters who specialize in defrauding innocent Nigerians by using bank details obtained through sim swaps and Automated Teller Machines (ATM).

    The suspects include Urulo Ikenna Henry, an Inspector with the Enugu Command of Nigerian Correctional Service. Others are Ugonna Nelson Owete, Ugonna Samuel Okafor Obinna, Chigbo Paschal Chidiebere, Oha Chukwujekwu Kingsley, Ahamefula Francis Izuchukwu

    They were arrested in separate operations, sequel to a petition by a customer of Access Bank, alleging that monies were illegally transferred from his account without his authorisation.

    According to the petitioner, sometime in February, 2019, he opened an account with Diamond Bank (now Access Bank) which he funded to the tune of N5m and instructed the bank to open a fixed deposit account, with the sum of N1m from the earlier account, as opening balance.

    NCS spokesman, Francis Enobore who spoke with our correspondent on the development assured that the said officer will not be speared adding that the Controller General (CG), NCS, Ahmed Ja’afaru, has zero tolerance for corruption and criminal activities.

    Enobore said: “As it is now, it is an arrest that has just been made. Investigations I believe have not been concluded to ascertain if they are guilty or not. If it is found that there is merit in the allegations and found guilty of cause there is a provision in the public service rules of actions that could be taken. And that is a purely criminal offense and so it will be treated as such.

    Read Also: NBTE rates Edo high on readiness for technical education

    “But I do not want to jump the gun. Let’s wait for the outcome of the investigation. If they are guilty they will be shown out of the service. The Controller General (CG), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Ahmed Ja’afaru, has zero tolerance for corruption.

    “The CG has also that if you do not have that attitude and integrity that will distinguish you above those that are suppose to be under your control to be corrected you have no buisness in the correctional service.”

    The report said upon arrest, items recovered from Urulo Ikenna Henry included a Toyota Camry, documents of 2 plots of land, 2 Nigeria Housing Fund Passbook (one belonging to him and the other bearing Ani Wilfred Ochechukwu), 17 ATM cards of different banks bearing different names, 2 Nigerian Correctional Service Identity Cards, 2 smart phones and 2 Nokia phones, 1 NHIS card, 1 voter card, 26 Starter Packs and 15 SIM cards of various networks.

    Two sachets of Cannabis Sativa, 8 ATM cards bearing different names and banks, 6 Starter Packs, and 4 SIM cards of various networks, One empty ECOWAS Passport, 1 NDA dependant ID card and a voter card were also recovered from Francis Izuchukwu.

  • Nasarawa: Tribunal affirms Gov Sule’s election

    The Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2019 general election, Hon. David Emmanuel Ombugadu against Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Governor Abdulahi Sule and the All Progressive Congress (APC)

    The Tribunal presided over by Justice Abba Bello Mohammed in a nine-hour judgment said, “the petition lacks merit and so thereby dismissed”.

    According to him, the petitioner was supposed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt for alleged over voting, disruption of votes, falsification of results among others.

    Read Also: I won’t resign, Bayelsa Speaker dares Dickson, others

    He said, petition was not in compliance with the provision of the 2010 electoral Act, so failed to establish acts for his claim.

    The Judge further added that none of the witnesses who testified for the petitioner were able to establish facts or tendered any documents that can substantial the allegations made.

    Reacting to the tribunal judgement, counsel to the Petitioner, Affiku Gambo, said they will make consultation before taking any further decision.

    Also speaking on behalf of the State Governor, the Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Akabe, commended the tribunal for the judgement, stressing that the ruling has affirmed the people’s votes count.

  • Jubilation in katsina as Masari floors Lado at Election Petition Tribunal

    There was wild celebration on the streets of Katsina, as the people jubilated over the decision of the election petition tribunal which on Saturday in Abuja upheld the re-election of Governor Aminu Bello Masari

    The Nation reports that the re-election of Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina state was confirmed by a majority decision taken by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Katsina State which ruled that the election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate was lawful and valid

    The tribunal had by a split 2-1 decision, dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Senator Yakubu Lado, challenging Masari’s victory at the poll.

    This is the second time this year that Governor Masari is defeating Senator Yakubu Lado of the PDP, having defeated him in the March 9 Guber election

    While delivering its judgement, the Tribunal which delivered its judgment in Abuja, dismissed all the grounds of the petition, saying that the petitioner did not prove them beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.

    Reading the verdict on behalf of two other members of the three-man tribunal, Justice Augustine Ityonyiman affirmed that Governor Masari was the duly elected governor of Katsina State, having scored majority of lawful votes cast in the election.

    He said: “There is no shred of cogent evidence in proof of their allegations as required by relevant laws. In the circumstance, the petitioners are not entitled to any of the reliefs sought in their petitions. The petition is therefore dismissed in its entirety for lack of merit.”

    Read Also: We’ll retake Adamawa in 2023, APC vows

    The minority judgment, however, came through the Chairperson of the three-man panel, Justice Hadiza Ali Jos, who told other members that Governor Masari “does not have the requisite qualification to contest the election”.

    But her move was overruled by the other two members of the panel, leading to the victory of Governor Masari at the tribunal.

    Meanwhile, there was jubilation galore in at the Governors lodge in asokoro Abuja, as both the victorious Governor and top government functionaries, APC supporters present were seen jubilating and thanking Allah for the victory

    The State Chairman of the APC, Alhaji Shitu Shitu described the verdict as a victory for democracy and called on opponents to join hands with Masari to move the state forward

    Also reacting to the judgment, the state Chairman of the PDP, Salisu Yusuf Majigiri, expressed displeasure over the judgment, insisting that the party and its candidate would Appeal the court ruling

  • Obaseki, dignitaries storm Ekpoma for Ambrose Alli’s 30th memorial

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will on Sunday, September 22, lead a retinue of high society icons in business, academia and politics to Emuado in Ekpoma, Edo state, for the 30th Memorial Day Celebration of former Governor of old Bendel State (now Edo and Delta states), late Prof. Ambrose Alli.

    In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the governor has made the Memorial Day celebration an annual event to mark the enormous contributions of late Prof. Ambrose Alli to the development of Edo and Delta states.

    He said, “We were in Emuado, Ekpoma last year to mark the 29th Memorial Day celebrations. This year, Governor Godwin Obaseki will also lead a large entourage to the same town to celebrate the late Ambrose Alli. We are proud of what he represents and his achievements while he lived.

    “A lot of middle-aged Edo people enjoyed the numerous projects and policies implemented by the late Ambrose Alli. They benefitted from him in one way or the other, so much so that their lives were positively impacted. A good number of them would have attended either one of the over 600 secondary schools or the Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University). So, for them, it is an opportunity to once again pay homage to a quintessential leader and an enviable son of the state.”

    Read Also: Obaseki nominates Iyase as commissioner

    The governor’s aide maintained that the former governor of old Bendel State has his name etched in gold in the state as, during his stint as governor, the state witnessed remarkable records in governance and probity in public life.

    He said the governor will be leading the delegation to Emuado, for the memorial mass service, which will host a lot of people from within the state and across the country.

    According to him, “A Memorial Mass will hold at the St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Emaudo, Ekpoma. There will also be laying of wreath and a lecture at Ambrose Alli’s compound, in Emuado, Ekpoma.”

    Late Prof. Alli was a Professor of Morbid Anatomy, and governed old Bendel State from 1979 to 1983.

  • Unauthorized activities: FAAN seals off business outlets at Lagos Airport

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during the week sealed off some business outlets and shops at the cargo wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos over unauthorized activities.

    The directive to carry out the sanitization exercise, sources hinted was on the orders of its managing director, Captain Hamisu Yadudu.

    Part of business outlets sealed off at the cargo wing of the airport, it was learnt include food vendors, clearing and cargo agents offices and other businesses at the terminal.

    Investigations reveal that FAAN management was irked over the uncouth attitude of some of the business outlets, who besides operating crossed the threshold in terms of time of operations at the airport.

    Read Also: FAAN to close Enugu airport runway August 24

    Sources hinted that some of the affected outlets were using their premises for unauthorized activities not covered by the terms of their contractual agreement with the airport authority.

    Irked over the unauthorized activities, the FAAN boss, the source said has insisted that the sealed off premises will remain closed until the operators sign a performance bond to desist from activities that will subject them to ridicule.

    Investigations reveal that FAAN has set up a task force to sanitize the activities of persons carrying out business at the cargo section of the terminal.

  • Okene-Lokoja road an eyesore, says Bello

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Logo State, has described the deplorable condition of Okene-Lokoja federal road as an eyesore.

    He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to immediately commence with the rehabilitation of the road to alleviate the sufferings of commuters.

    The governor who made the call on Saturday, while on his way to Okene, said that his administration had intervened in the maintenance of the road in the past.

    He lamented that such maintenance work cannot stand the test of time due to heavy vehicular traffic on the road.

    According to him: “Constant damages done to the road by heavy vehicles, cannot be sustained through maintenance by the state government, due to dearth of funds.”

    Read Also: Kogi, Bayelsa polls: PDP steps up efforts to unite aggrieved members

    He expressed displeasure over the hardship suffered by commuters that Travers the road.

    “They are citizens who have fulfilled their civic rights by electing their leaders at all levels of government, therefore, they do not deserve to spend days on a journey they would have made in hours,” he said.

    He appealed to the Minister of Works and Housing, to as a matter of urgency look into the condition of Lokoja-Okene-Ekiti road, saying that, “as the major road that connects the North and the Southern part of the country, the road suffers heavy traffic and so, millions of Nigerians suffer the deplorable condition of the road.”