The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Local contractors to fix Kwara schools, hospitals, says Governor

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said local communities will have the option of nominating trusted indigenous contractors to fix their schools and hospitals, while the government will fund the projects.

    He said the contractors would be picked only after going through the government’s procurement processes, as spelt out under the law.

    AbdulRazaq said the government has retooled the 2019 budget to focus on rebuilding basic infrastructure such as township roads, schools, hospitals and toilets, to tackle the menace of open defecation.

    “For each community where we want to rebuild the schools or hospitals, we want to use the local contractors from those communities, so that we have trickle down effects and regenerate the economy by investing in the economy,” AbdulRazaq said in Kaiama town while touring public facilities.

    Read Also: 100 days of hope, prudence and restoration in Kwara

    He visited communities such as Gwaria, a major hub for yam flour production in Nigeria, Junga Aboki and Kaiama town — all in Kaiama Local Government.

    “When we got there, we realised that there are big issues with our roads, hospitals and schools. They are practically down, and I am here to make sure I understand in full the problems with all the hospitals and schools,” the governor said.

    He added: “They all have peculiar problems. We have seen the different challenges in different hospitals and schools and we are going to make sure the right people are used in order to reposition the hospitals and schools.”

    AbdulRasaq said while his campaign thrust of development and change remained valid, he is constantly rejigging the campaign promises to reflect the realities of Kwara he now sees, especially because basic infrastructures for education and health are almost non-existent and must first be put in place before other things.

    The Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Umar Shehu Mu’azu, told the governor that the engineer had been sabotaging the project despite getting money from the government and the community.

    He urged AbdulRazaq to prioritise roads in the agrarian axis, especially Kishi Kaiama road and hailed him for approving the construction of the Kaiama township road.

  • Fayemi hails Wike as Mr. Project

    Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said the frequency with which Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike churns out quality projects justifies his world acclaimed title: ‘Mr. Project’.

    A statement by Wike’s media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, said Fayemi spoke yesterday at the opening of the Rumuwoji International Market in Port Harcourt. Fayemi praised Wike for his outstanding performance.

    He said: “We are proud of Governor Wike; we are proud of the work he is doing in Rivers State. He will continue to inaugurate projects till September 27, which is almost 10 days from now.

    “Even if it is one project per day, it will be almost 10 days. Now I understand why they refer to him as Mr. Project.”

    Read Also: Fayemi: no Mosque demolished in Rivers 

    Governor Fayemi, who noted that governance was about improving the people’s standard of living, said Wike had worked hard for Rivers people.

    “The promise that the governor made is what he is fulfilling today. That is what governance is all about; it is about affecting the lives of our people. Governance is about improving the quality and condition of our society; it is about ensuring that we fulfil promises that we make to the people,” he added.

    Wike said opening the Rumuwoji Market is a fulfilment of his pledge to rebuild it.

    “I made a promise to build this market; we started from the foundation to its completion. When we make promises, we are bound to fulfil them. Hold us accountable to our promises because there is no need for excuses. We made a promise and we have fulfilled that promise,” he added.

    The governor reiterated that the government had finished paying for the project. He also raised a management committee to ensure the market serves the people.

  • Expert debunks myths about fibroid operation

    A medical expert, Dr. Rosemary Ogu, has allayed fears of becoming barren or dying from surgical removal of uterine fibroids among women suffering from the condition.

    Ogu, former Chairperson of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Rivers State Chapter,said that there were no risks so long as sufferers seek early medical diagnosis and treatment and only from qualified medical personnel and reputable hospitals.

    She spoke ahead of a free medical outreach programme at which 100 patients will benefit from cost-free fibroid surgical operations in Port Harcourt on Saturday. The event, which will also feature enlightenment talk, free medical screening, consultation and counselling, is organised by the O.B. Lulu -Briggs Foundation in conjunction with the MWAN, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and its University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) counterpart.

    Read Also: ‘How I carried 66 fibroids in my womb for 13 years’

    Fibroid is a swelling of the soft tissue in womb that causes bareness, miscarriage, excessive menstrual bleeding and severe bodily pains in women. Medical treatment is by surgical removal of the womb or tumour, which, according to experts, affects 50 percent of the female population of reproductive age. But, most patients avoid surgeries over  fears that they could die or unable to conceive.

    However, Dr. Ogu, a consultant gynaecologist at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, said there was no room for such fear if the cases were handled by doctors and facilities with requisite skills and equipment, such as the teaching hospitals involved in the programme. She stressed that the teaching hospital where she works has not recorded any fatality, despite carrying out scores of fibroid operations.

    She enjoined women in the state who may suffer from the scourge to avail themselves of the opportunity offered by the foundation, as the cost of surgery is expensive, hovering between N260,000 and N300,000.

    Coordinator of Programmes, O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, Mrs. Ineba Tongkam, said the health programme, envisioned by the body’s founder, Dr. Sienye O.B. Lulu-Briggs, was a follow-up to an earlier one in Bakana community in which 22 women were diagnosed of fibroid during a screening.

    She said the foundation was emphasising on women’s health and uterine fibroid this time, because of the disturbing social prevalence of the disease. “We realised that for every case of diagnosed fibroid, there are still about a thousand more.”

    Tongkam said the philanthropic body planned to collaborate with the government to eradicate the problem among women in the state.

    She listed the foundation’s activities to include empowering youths, micro-business schemes, rehabilitating schools and awarding scholarship to students, caring for old people, 500 of whom enjoy free feeding, medical treatment and recreational facilities under its “Care for the Elderly Programme.”

  • Lagos to crack down on land grabbers

    The Lagos State government has assured residents of Ayobo of its determination to tackle activities of land grabbers in the area.

    The assurance was given in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday signed by the Coordinator, Lagos State Special Task on Land Grabbers (LSSTF/LG) Owolabi Arole.

    Some residents of Ayobo and other communities in the area had staged a demonstration to protest against activities of land grabbers allegedly led by one Moruf Owonla aka Kaka who have been allegedly terrorising their communities.

    Arole, in the statement, assured them that government has already started investigating the incident.

    He said government, through the Special Task Force on Land Grabbers, is committed to reducing to the barest minimum, the activities of persons who use force and intimidation to dispossess or prevent any person or entity from acquiring legitimate interest and possession of property acquired.

    Arole advised persons and communities whose land is forcibly taken by land grabbers to formally file their complaints in writing to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

    Read Also: Five killed, seven injured in Lagos crashes

    The statement further stated: “We receive with serious concern, the land grabbing reports levelled against certain persons in Ayobo area and we have since commenced Investigation into the allegations.

    “We would like to assure affected residents of the area that the Lagos State Property Protection law of 2015 would take its full course in this regard.

    “Although, the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers has not received any formal reports from the affected communities, the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers in conjunction with the Lands Bureau and Directorate of Public Prosecutions will look into the matter and ensure appropriate actions will be taken.

    “We therefore use this medium to call on representatives of the affected communities in Ayobo and all residents of the State, that in the event of any illegal dispossession or attempt to dispossess them of the rightful possession of their land, a formal complaint in writing should be made to the Honorable Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice”, the statement added.

  • Obasanjo’s son to court: I haven’t served my wife divorce papers

    OLUJONWO Obasanjo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday told an Ikeja High Court that he had not been able to serve divorce papers on his estranged wife, Temitope.

    Olujonwo and Temitope, daughter of a frontline lotto magnate, Sir Kessington Adebutu alias “Baba Ijebu” were absent when the matter came up in court before Justice Bisi Akinlade.

    Olujonwo’s counsel, Olayinka Kujembola, told the court that they have made series of attempts to serve Temitope in Abeokuta to no avail.

    Kujembola said the court sheriff who visited her Ikoyi, Lagos residence complained of tight security  around the place, making it impossible to serve her.

    The trial judge expressed her displeasure that the petitioner has not been able to serve his wife,  Temitope.

    Justice Akinlade noted that the divorce suit has been popular in the media since it started about five months ago, adding that efforts should have been made to serve Temitope in Ogun where she works and resides.

    The judge declined to grant the applicant’s request for an order of substituted service in Lagos.

    Read Also: SANs to Malami: obey all court orders

    “The respondent stays in Ogun State. Why do you want me to grant an order for substituted service for Lagos where she does not stay?.

    Justice Akinlade  opted to adjourn the case the second time to enable the bailiff serve Temitope directly.

    She adjourned the case until October 2 for hearing of pending applications.

    During the last proceedings held May 23, Olujonwo’s counsel, Ms Omo Omofoma had told the court that several attempts were made to serve Temitope by Olujonwo to no avail.

    Olujonwo and Temitope had a grand wedding  between May 11 and 13, 2017 but which crashed few months after.

    Prior to their wedding, Olujonwo’s mother, Mrs Taiwo Obasanjo had filed a suit at Ikeja High Court seeking the postponement of the wedding.

    The then trial judge, Justice Lateefa Okunnu dismissed the suit on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear it in view  of the fact that Olujonwo was then 33, and an adult.

     

  • Senate flays criticisms over plan to buy N5.5b vehicles

    The Senate on Wednesday flayed public outrage over plans by the National Assembly to buy Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) estimated to cost N5.5 billion for the 469 members in the bicameral federal legislature.

    Some Nigerians, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), are already in court challenging the decision of the management of the National Assembly on the matter.

    But Senate Leader Yahaya Abdullahi described the criticisms over the planned purchase of the vehicles as “highly insulting”.

    Abdullahi said the public outcry was uncalled for, stressing that every member of the two chambers of the National Assembly deserved to have a functional official vehicle.

    He said: “To say that a senator of the Federal Republic cannot ride a jeep in Nigeria is an insult. The N5.5 billion is from the National Assembly fund and not money being sought from any other source. Besides, the scheme, as it has always been with previous Assemblies, is a monetised one requiring each of the lawmakers to pay back the cost of whatever vehicle given to them.

    Read Also: Senate President Lawan, Gbajabiamila, CJN Tanko under probe

    “The outcry over it is very unnecessary and insulting to the institution of the National Assembly and status of the federal lawmakers.

    “When I was a Permanent Secretary, I know what ministers got. We cannot even compare ourselves with ministers; we are higher than the ministers.

    “Go and tell the people that the work that we do is more than the work of ministers. As representatives of the people, the money we spend on daily basis on all forms of indigent people far outweighs whatever they as ministers or executive officers spend.”

    Abdullahi said Federal legislature would be ready to engage any group of people on its operations and spending, adding that the actions of the National Assembly had always been in tandem with the principles of transparency and accountability.

    “Each of the ministers moves in convoy of three to four utility vehicles without anybody raising an eyebrow, while some people, who, either as a result of ignorance or mischief, always cry to high heavens anytime the management of the National Assembly wants to buy just one utility vehicle for a lawmaker on the template of monetisation,” he added.

    The Senate Leader hailed the Executive for rolling out the 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

    The two documents form the basis upon which the 2020 budget proposals will be presented by President Muhammadu Buhari anytime soon.

    With the move, the country may revert to the old tradition of January to December budget circle.

    The country has been operating a May/June cycle as a result of delay in budget passage over the years.

  •  Two brothers arraigned for ‘duping’ PFN boss

    TWO brothers, Avan Smart, 61, and Avan Jerry, 29, have been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court for allegedly duping President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Rev. Felix Omobude, the sum of N3m.

    The two brothers were arraigned on a seven-count charge bothering on forgery, stealing and obtaining under false pretence.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Police Prosecutor, ASP Patrick Agbonifo, informed the court that the suspects committed the offence on May 31st and June 24, 2019 at the headquarters of the New Convenant Church, Benin City.

    ASP Agbonifo said the suspects presented themselves as contractors to the Edo State Government and bid to construct road within the Light House Polytechnic, owned by Rev. Omobude.

    Agbonifo said the suspects presented forged documents of an unregistered company to Rev Omobude.

    Read Also: Why I shunned PFN panel on Busola Dakola, by Fatoyinbo

    He said they collected the sum of N3m under false pretences.

    It was gathered that the brothers were arrested following a petition to the State Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Abubakar.

    Presiding Magistrate, I A Osayande granted the accused bail to the sum of N200,000 each and a surety in like sum.

    Osayande adjourned the case to September 26, 2019.

  • Oil vandals getting more sophisticated

    CRUDE oil vandals in the Niger Delta are said to be upgrading their tactics in order to remain a step ahead of security agencies, Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has said.

    Disclosing this at a media workshop on Pipelines Right of Way held in Ekpan, Uvwie council area of Delta State, the company noted that the effects of these illegal activities on Nigeria’s economy, as well as the environment, call for collaboration among stakeholders.

    General Manager, Igo Weli announced that the company now has in place high definition aerial cameras to facilitate detection, quick response to crude oil mishaps and track  vandals across its assets in the region.

    Weli who was represented at the event, said, “The thieves are getting more ingenious in their theft menace each day. Some just go and cut our pipelines into pieces just to sell the steel without looking at the consequences to their lives in case of an explosion or spill to the environment.

    “They have devised all manner of methods just to steal the oil. Sometimes they just bring in a large vessel and connect it directly to the pipeline and siphon crude from it.”

    Read Also: Lagos to wage war against pipeline vandals

    He added that the high definition air “cameras are attached to specialised helicopters which carry out daily overflight on our facilities. This measure has improved the surveillance of our joint venture assets.”

    Emphasising that the loss of a barrel of crude is a loss to the nation, he explained that 55 percent of the business goes as revenue to the federal government to provide Nigeria’s needs.

    He also pointed out that the Niger Delta states are “dependent,” on the 13 percent derivation from the petroleum industry, hence the effect of sabotaging oil installations will trickle down to the grassroots.

  • 10 held in Enugu for ‘vandalising’ EEDC facilities

    The war against vandals in Enugu is yielding fruit as no fewer than 10 persons suspected to have damaged and stolen facilities belonging to Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) have been arrested.

    The arrests were made betweeen August and September by government security agencies and local vigilance groups across the firm’s franchise area.

    Three of the suspects have been arraigned in court.

    This was made known to reporters by the Head of Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh.

    Ezeh expressed concern over the increasing rate of vandals’ attack on the company’s installations, despite series of engagement and sensitisation to the general public on the negative effects of such attacks on its operations.

    According to him, Chigozie Nwamba, aged 24, and Chibuike Igboke, 20, who were arrested for their alleged involvement in vandalising St. Dominic 300KVA distribution substation located at Umuosum  Obinagu Udi.

    The pair were last week arraigned before the Enugu State Magistrate Court. They were later remanded in prison custody at Enugu prison, while the matter was adjourned to 2September 23, 2019.

    Read Also: ‘Sniper’ suicide averted in Enugu

    Also, a 30-year-old man identified as Moredays Ambrose, who was arrested with some quantity of transformer oil at Owerrinta, Isialla Ngwa South Local Government Area, was arraigned before the Magistrate Court of Abia State at Umuvo/Umuika, where he pleaded guilty on the first three charges, but pleaded not guilty on the fourth charge. He was subsequently remanded in prison custody, while the matter was adjourned to  September 12, 2019.

    At Ihiala, five suspected vandals were arrested by a vigilance group for being in possession of some electrical materials belonging to EEDC. The suspected vandals who claimed to come from Orizu town in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State are: Sunday Nwafor, Godwin Monday, Nwafor Ikechukwu, Chinaemere Oguta and Chinonso Nwafor.

    Items said to be in their possession include: Bare conductor, Intermediate cables and Feeder Pillax box, which they claim were purchased from one Ebubechukwu Ebube and Chike Obijiekwu, who are currently at large.

    In a related development, the trio of David Okpani, Agwu Sunday Alazu and an alleged buyer of the stolen items- Siraji Abubakar were arrested through the efforts of some youths of Ukpa community in Afikpo North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, for allegedly vandalising P&T 200KVA substation, belonging to EEDC.

    “We spend millions of Naira on a monthly basis to replace and repair vandalised facilities, coupled with the revenue loss incurred by the business as a result of this challenge,” Ezeh recounted.

     

     

     

  • ‘Cultists’ raid Uyo varsity neighbourhood

    THE vicinity of University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was thrown into panic as suspected cultists raided shops in the area. Residents of Udoette and other streets near the institution ran for safety as the assailants closed in on Monday night.

    The Nation exclusively reported last week that some streets close to the university and the Uyo City Polytechnic were under siege by hoodlums suspected to be cultists.

    Our correspondent who carried out a thorough investigation on the situation mentioned Udoette and Ikot Ekang streets as well as Itu Road as the black spots in Uniuyo and Uyo City Polytechnic areas.

    The report further stated that some residents of the affected areas in Uyo, the state capital, had vacated their rented apartments while landlords were selling their houses for fear of being killed.

    In a fresh attack which occurred Monday night between 8 and 9pm, our correspondent gathered that shop owners and passers-by were attacked and robbed by the assailants.

    The Nation learnt that the gangsters started their operations from Udoette and proceeded to Itu Road collecting money, mobile  phones, drinks and other valuable items from their victims.

    A source who pleaded anonymity disclosed that Udoette is a secret cults and armed robbers zone, adding that the hoodlums normally trooped out from Udoette Lane with dangerous weapons such as axes, guns and knives.

    He stated further that from 6pm the areas are very dangerous for the residents, passers-by and shop operators.

    The source said, ”Udoette is a very dangerous area because of these cultists who are bent on robbing, raping and making life unbearable for us.

    Read Also: Gunmen raid UniUyo female hostel

    “Government should send in security men to these areas and especially Ebong Essien Street.”

    Also speaking, a businessman disclosed that the perpetrators usually hide at Essien Inyang Street after concluding their their operations.

    He expressed dismay that businesses in the affected have been adversely affected due to the high cases of insecurity.

    “We are now leaving here  in morbid fear and discomfort whereas it is not supposed to be so. As I speak we don’t have peace and we can’t move freely at night.

    “We want the government to come to our aid by sending security men to this area to protect us.

    “Cultists are not stronger than the government, so they should take immediate action concerning  the menace because  nothing  has been done positively to curb the situation,” he said.

    Efforts to reach the state police public relations officer, Odiko MacDon proved abortive as he did not respond to phone calls and text message sent to him.