The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • First Lady makes case for children’s breastfeeding

    First Lady, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, has insisted that breast feeding is the right of every new-born child.

    According to her, the government of Nigeria recommends that initiation of breast feeding should begin immediately after childbirth.

    She spoke during the launch of the Zero water campaign as part of activities marking the 2019 World Breastfeeding Week at the International Conference Centre Abuja.

    The First lady, in a statement by her S. A Media, Adebisi Olumide -Ajayi, noted that refusal to breastfeed comes with a huge economic cost, vulnerability to illness and eventual death of our children, whilst the benefits of breastfeeding are enormous.

    The First Lady, who was represented by the wife of the former governor of Nasararwa state, Dr. Mairo Al Makura, further said she hoped the launch would change the narrative for nutrition in the country.

    She said the zero launch was meant to encourage women to breastfeed within one hour of giving birth and not introducing the baby to water until 6 months.

    Read Also: What you probably didn’t know about Aisha Buhari

    UNICEF deputy representative Pernille Ironside said she has been breastfeeding her child for the past eighteen months.

    She informed the dignitaries present that Breastfeeding is a unique right of every newborn and gives him or her the best start in life as well as laying the foundation for survival and ultimate good health and development.

    She noted that in a country where 1 in 8 children do not reach their fifth birthday and 1 in 10 children are stunted, optimal breastfeeding practices are known to reduce neonatal and child mortality, morbidity such as respiratory infections, diarrhoea, as well as non- communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes also decreased if a child is exclusively breast fed.

    Ms Ironside said an important barrier to optimal exclusive breastfeeding practice is the lack of family friendly policies that support maternity and paternity leave for parents of new-born children

    “Available statistics in Nigeria reveal that the rates for exclusive breastfeeding have improved from 17% in 2013 to 27% in 2018, just as Kaduna and Lagos states have increased maternity leave from 3 to 6 months.”

     

  • Sallah: Prices of livestock remain stable in Jigawa

    Prices of livestock in Dutse, Shuwarin, Sara and Gujungu markets of Jigawa have remained stable, less than one week to Eid-El-Kabir, investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has revealed.

    A NAN correspondent who went round the markets on Tuesday, observed that prices of rams, cows and chickens had not increased as used to be the case in the past.

    A cross section of sellers in the markets attributed the stability in prices to limited cash flow among people.

    Malam Ibrahim Umaru, who brought his rams to the market for sale, said that nobody even cared to price his products.

    Read Also: Seven die, 11 injured in Jigawa auto crash

    “I have spent about two hours now in this market but I am surprised nobody has come to even price them”, Umaru fumed.

    Another respondent, Malam Musa Ado, said that a ram that used to cost between N35,000 to N50,000, which price was expected to rise, had remained same.

    ” Even to have people price the rams is proving difficult, not to talk of buying.

    ” Its like the price may likely crash because the period for rushing to purchase livestocks for Sallah is gradually passing,” Ado said.

    Other livestock sellers narrated thesame experience, saying that the fate that had befallen price of food items this year (stable price), is also manifesting on livestocks.

    NAN

  • Varsity student kills old Almajiri in Kano

    A student of Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST) Wudil has killed an 18 year old Almajiri, Adamu Ibrahim at Sabon Garin ‘yan Kwaya  in Wudil local government area of Kano.

    The Nation reports that the student known as Lubsi killed Adamu Ibrahim while fetching water from a well close to the university.

    An eyewitness, Husaini Ibrahim said he and the deceased were at the well when the alleged killer asked them to allow  him to fetch water.

    Read Also: Emir of Kano Sanusi gets fourth wife

    Ibrahim said when they refused; the alleged killer hit the late Adamu with a wooden slab.

    The deceased was rushed to the hospital, but gave up the ghost.

    Spokesman of the Kano state police command, DSP. Abdullahi Haruna  confirmed the incident.

    Haruna, said the alleged killer is now at large, but the police is investigating the Matter.

    He assured that the suspect will be arrested and prosecuted.

     

  • Nobel laureate Morrison dies at 88

    Toni Morrison, the Nobel Prize-winning author of Beloved and a seminal voice in African American literature, has died at the age of 88.

    Paul Bogaards, Morrison’s publicist, confirmed the information by telephone, saying the author died on Monday night.

    Morrison received a series of honours during her lifetime, including the Pulitzer Prize, the Nobel Prize for Literature and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

    Read Also: Literature, sex and the Nobel

    Born in Ohio during the great depression, Morrison was an academic and an editor before she wrote her first novel in 1970.

    Beloved published in 1987, became her best known work, telling the story of a former U.S. slave after the Civil War that was based on real events.

    It was eventually turned into a film with Oprah Winfrey.

    “Toni Morrison’s prose brings us that kind of moral and emotional intensity that few writers ever attempt,’’ then-president Barack Obama said as he awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.

     

  • Flood kills one, wipes out over 100 houses in Bauchi

    One person dead and over 100 houses were destroyed in a flood after heavy rainfall on Monday night in Dindima and Liman Katagum villages in Bauchi local government area.

    The settlement where the incident occurred is dominated by peasant farmers, who were  rendered homeless.

    Read Also: NAFDAC shuts Bauchi package water factory

    The head of Dindima, Malam Sale Ubandoma, confirmed one person died while over 100 houses were affected.

    Governor Bala Muhammed promised to rehabilitate the victims affected by the floods.

    The Governor, who was represented by the Speaker Abubakar Suleman, visited the scene to commiserate with the affected victims.

    He directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to expedite action in ensuring the welfare of the victims by providing relief materials.

    He promised that the bridge will be fixed in no time for the communities to continue with their daily activities

  • #RevolutionNow: Court to rule on Sowore’s detention order Thursday

    An Abuja Federal High Court will, on Thursday, rule in the application filed by the Department of State Service (DSS), seeking an order to detain Mr. Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC)’s presidential candidate in the 2019 elections, for 90 days pending the conclusion of its investigation.

    In an exparte order with number: FHC/ABJ/CS/915/19, Counsel to the DSS, G. O. Agbadua, told Justice Taiwo Taiwo that a video clip evidence was also attached to the application.

    He urged the judge to grant the application seeking to detain the publisher of Sahara Reports beyond 48 hours as required by the law.

    Read Also: Activists, lawyers seek Sowore’s release

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Sowore, the Convener of #RevolutionNow protests, was on Aug. 3 arrested by the security outfit and moved to Abuja on Aug. 4 for the protests he intended to hold across the country.

    Justice Taiwo, who adjourned the matter until Aug. 8, said the development was to enable him watch the video clip before delivering his ruling.

    NAN

     

  • 7UP Havard Business School scholarship winner unveiled

    Seven-Up Bottling Company Limited (SBC) has restated its commitment to consistently invest in the Nigerian youth.

    At the unveiling of Miss Anyanwu Maureen Uzoamaka as the recipient of the 7Up Harvard Business School MBA Scholarship for 2019, Managing Director of SBC, Mr. Ziad Maloof said the future of Nigeria belongs to the youths urged Uzoamaka to use the global MBA and leadership training she will acquire from Harvard Business School to make a positive impact in Nigeria.

    Maloof who told his story of humble beginning in a remote village in Lebanon said his story bears similarity with that of Uzoamaka who was raised in Ikotun, a Lagos suburb. He urged her to take the opportunity of the 7UPHBS scholarship to change the story of her family and Nigeria at large”.

    Giving the background to the scholarship scheme, Head of Marketing SBC, Mr. Norden Thurston said the 7UPHBS MBA Scholarship was established in 2010 when the company marked 50 years of doing business in Nigeria as an enduring legacy to create a pool of young Nigerians who have acquired global education and leadership training in Harvard University.

    They are expected to use the training to make social impact for a better Nigeria. He said SBC chose to partner with HBS because the mission statement of the school – “to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Achieving this mission requires an environment of trust and mutual respect, free expression and inquiry, and a commitment to truth, excellence, and lifelong learning”- is in tandem with the values of SBC.

    Read Also: 26-year old wins 7UP Harvard scholarship

    Uzoamaka, a 2014 graduate of Accountancy from the University of Lagos expressed appreciation to SBC “for making my journey to Harvard a lot easier”. She said growing up with her sisters and parents who were struggling to keep them in school was challenging.

    She is passionate about providing access to functional education to millions of youths in Africa through social intervention funds from private investors and believes that the 7UPHBS MBA Scholarship will prepare her for the task. Ms. Anyanwu, joins the honours roll of 7UpHBS scholars who have benefitted from the fully funded two-year MBA programme at Harvard Business School. They include Misan Rewane (2011), Olujimi Williams (2012), Mayowa Kuyoro(2013), Oluwasola Olaniyan(2014), Bankole Makanjuola(2015), Chidozie Ibekwe(2016),  Ahmed Alimi(2017) and Ulunma Izejiobi (2018).

    Head of Human Resources SBC, Mrs. Yinka Olufade said the 7UpHBS Scholarship candidates are not under any obligation to work for SBC upon graduation. She said only Nigerians who have been resident in the country for a minimum of two years and who have been offered admission at Harvard Business School are eligible to apply for the competitive scholarship.

     

     

     

  • Seven Nigerian Stars to Watch Out For as 2019/20 EPL Begins

    As actions resume this weekend in the English Premier League, there are spotlights on seven Nigerian internationals, in this report, Paul Oluwakoya beams searchlights on the players and their clubs.                Excerpt.

    football

    Nigeria and Arsenal forward, Alex Iwobi, is expected to star as Arsenal kicks off its 2019/20 campaign with Newcastle on Sunday August 11.

    The 23-year-old was an important figure for Nigeria at the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt where he helped the Super Eagles to a third-placed finish.

    Following his exploits at AFCON, the club gave the Nigerian international and other stars who had been on international duty a three-week vacation.

    As a result of the extended leave, the Eagles star missed the clubs’ six friendly matches against Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, Angers, Real Madrid, Lyon and Barcelona. He has since resumed with the club ahead the new season.

     

    Fans will be on the lookout for Wilfred Ndidi after a stellar outing also at the Nations Cup with the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Brendan Rodgers is confident that 22-year-old defender will be available for selection in their kick off against Wolves also on Sunday August 11. 

     

    For Kelechi Iheanacho, the Leicester City forward is confident that he is back after scoring three goals in two pre-season games for Leicester City.  Last season, the 22-year-old only managed nine Premier League starts and scored just twice in 35 appearances. He hoped to star if given more chances to express is potentials.

    “I am delighted, I am happy getting two goals and hopefully I can take that into the season. I think it’s important for my confidence. It has been a long time coming, but I am happy again. I think I can take it fully into the season, ” Iheanacho told Leicester City’s website.

    Isaac Success just like Iheanacho was not in action for Nigeria at the Cup of Nation . But the international football player extended his stay at Watford after signing new five year deal at the club recently. The new contract will see the attacker represent the club until the summer of 2023.  The 23 years_old attacking midfielder (Left, Right) is looking forward for a remarkable season.

    Nigerian fans are looking forward to when Tammy Abraham will declare to play for the national team. The striker believes there is no better time for him and the other young players to make their mark at Chelsea under new boss Frank Lampard.

    The striker missed Friday’s friendly against Kawasaki Frontale with tonsillitis but is fully fit again and determined to impress with the Blues this season having spent the past three years out on loan.
    ‘I am more ready than ever for the season to start,’ the 21-year-old stressed. I had a good season last season, and now I am here at the club I have always dreamed of playing for. I just have to take my chance. Being here since the age of six there is no better opportunity to try and graft and work hard for a place in the team,” he said.

    Nigeria Under-20 international who had previously represented England at youth level, Tom Dele-Bashiru will be part of Watford’s first-team squad heading into the new season. Watford recently signed the 19-year-old former Manchester City youngster.

    He made one first-team appearance after coming through the ranks at Manchester City, featuring in a Carabao Cup win over Leicester in 2017. Dele-Bashiru signed a six-year contract with the Hornets after leaving City at the end of his deal.

     

    And not forgetting Leon Balogun. The Nigeria international is focused on getting regular first team football at Brighton. Balogun left Germany to play in England in 2018. On the 22nd day of May 2018, he signed a two-year deal with Brighton & Hove Albion.

    The footballer made his debut as an early substitute when Brighton played against Manchester United. In the game which the team went on to beat United, Balogun came on to replace an injured teammate, Lewis Dunk.

    He scored his first goal for Brighton when the club played against their bitter rivals, Crystal Palace. In fact, he scored within 25 seconds after being subbed on to replace teammate Pascal Groß. Brighton ended up winning the match 3:1.

    Read Also: AFCON 2021 Draw: Nigeria leads top 12 seeded teams

     

  • Omo-Agege, NNPC bicker over NGC relocation plan

    Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege on Monday tackled the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over its alleged planned relocation of the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) headquarters from Ekpan-Warri in Delta State.

    The NNPC had in a statement, described as unfortunate statement credited to Sen. Omo-Agege where he reportedly condemned alleged moves by the Corporation to relocate NGC headquarters from the Niger Delta region.

    While calling on NGC host communities and other stakeholders to disregard the relocation tale which it described as totally false, the oil firm maintained that Sen Omo-Agege has “been misinformed or was quoted out of context noting that the subject of relocation of NGC was never on the table for deliberation by the NNPC management.”

    Responding to the NNPC statement yesterday, the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Deputy President of the Senate, Mr. Yomi Odunuga, said his principal spoke from an informed position.

    Read Also: Omo-Agege, NNPC tangle over NGC relocation plan

    “Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the NNPC stating that the Deputy President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, was either misinformed or must have been quoted out of context in his plea for multinational oil  companies to relocate their headquarters to the Niger Delta region.

    “Specifically, he had sought a commitment that the planned relocation of the headquarters of the NGC from Ekpan-Warri in Delta State should be dropped as it’s relocation could jeopardise developmental strides in the area.

    “While it is gratifying that the NNPC, in the statement signed by its General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, has assured all the stakeholders in the region that neither  the NGC nor any of its other subsidiaries would be relocated outside the area of operation, the following clarifications have become necessary.

    “First, there has been widespread anxieties among stakeholders in the Niger Delta over alleged plans for the relocation of the NGC; it has been on the front burner for many months before the Deputy President of the Senate drew attention to it during the ministerial screening.

    “The issue, it must be stressed, was the focus of a peaceful youthful protest by Niger Delta youths earlier in January this year at the premises of the NGC and this disrupted the activities of the gas firm until an official from the Delta State Government and other stakeholders  intervened and normalcy was restored. This particular event was widely reported and it was given ample coverage in The Guardian newspaper of January 8, 2019 with the title “Delta youths protest against planned relocation of gas company.’

  • EFCC raids ex-governor’s residence, uncovers 21 exotic vehicles

    ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives have raided the country home of former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari over the ongoing probe of his tenure, The Nation learnt on Monday.

    The EFCC team also searched the houses of Yari’s brother Jafaru and his intimate friend, Sha’aya Mafara.

    About 21 exotic vehicles were found in the compound of Yari, former chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) until he left office on May 29.

    Yari’s interrogation will determine how the vehicles were acquired, sources told The Nation.

    Yari, who was out of the country at the time of the raid on Sunday, has been invited by the commission.

    The former governor is being investigated for alleged questionable payment of N19 billion  from the London-Paris Club refund; N35 billion spent on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); Ecological and Stabilisation Fund and how he incurred N151, 190,477,572.02 liabilities on ongoing projects.

    EFCC operatives from Sokoto Zonal Office deployed 15 operatives in Yari’s country home in Talata Marafa. The EFCC has been on the trail of the governor since 2017 but he enjoyed immunity while in office.

    A source, who pleaded not to be named, said: “The raid of Yari’s home was in connection with the ongoing investigation of the former governor. He has some issues to clarify on his tenure.

    “Most of the issues have been in public domain for a while, especially the alleged questionable payment of N19 billion from the London-Paris Club refund to some consultants by the NGF and mismanagement of Zamfara State’s resources.

    “We are not pronouncing him guilty but we want him to appear for interrogation on some of the issues we have highlighted for investigation.”

    Read Also: Why we raided former Gov Yari’s residence, by EFCC

    Responding to a question, the source added: “Such a raid is allowed when we have superior intelligence on a Politically Exposed Person (PEP).

    “For instance, our operatives uncovered 21 exotic vehicles in his compound. Yet, we have an allegation that a part of the N35 billion budgeted for IDPs in Zamfara was used to buy choice cars.

    “The intelligence at our disposal made our operatives to search the houses of Jafaru Yari, the ex-governor’s brother and his intimate friend, Sha’aya Mafara. In fact, Yari’s brother was at his residence when our team got there.

    “The onus is on Yari to explain how he came about the exotic vehicles; whether or not he declared them in his Asset Declaration Form; and if these vehicles were in his exit Asset Form as a former governor in May.

    “Once he is able to justify the acquisition of the vehicles, the EFCC has no problem with Yari. Otherwise, he has a question to answer.”

    The source said some suspects were facing trial over the London-Paris Club refunds.

    The source said: “We need Yari to come to our office to explain his roles. He was central to the negotiation and disbursement of the funds.

    “Some suspects are already on trial. A few others escaped abroad. But since Yari has no immunity again, let him just clarify a few things.

    “We are hopeful he will honour our invitation.”

    EFCC’s  Acting Head of Media and Publicity Mr. Tony Orilade, said: “It is true we went to the house of the former governor of Zamfara State, Yari, in respect of the ongoing investigation.

    “Like we have always said, we won’t discuss our investigation with the media.

    “At the appropriate time, when the investigation is ripe, we shall proceed to prosecution and we shall carry the media along.”