The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerians

  • Sen. Bukar trains 400 youths on yoghurt making, poultry production

    Sen. Bukar trains 400 youths on yoghurt making, poultry production

    Sen. Mustafah Bukar ( APC-Katsina North ), has commenced the training of 400 unemployed youths in his Senatorial District on yoghourt making and poultry production for self reliance and economic sustainability.

    Malam Safiyanu Daifa, his Media Secretary, said at the launching of the exercise in Daura on Monday that it would last for 30 days Daifa said that the resource persons were drawn from the  National Research Institute for Chemical Technology  ( NARIC ), Zaria.

    He said that 33 trainees were registered from each of 12 local government areas in the Senatorial District with Daura getting 37 being the Zonal Headquarters.

    READ ALSO: Bukar secures freedom for 60 prisoners

    He called on the trainees to make good use of the opportunity to enable them to reap the lofty objectives of the training.

    “We would after the training provide them with seed capital to enable them to set up their own businesses,” he said.

    The media secretary said Sen. Bukar was determined to make the zone economically viable and independent through innovative projects that would have direct impact on the people.

    According to him, the lawmaker is also determined to completely eradicate indolence, idleness and political thuggery in the area.

    One of the beneficiaries, Zainab Ahmad, from Ingawa Local Government Area, lauded the efforts of the lawmaker for his youth empowerment projects.

    She said Sen. Bukar had made many of them productive and self reliant.

    NAN

  • Falana asks Govt to bring back deported naturalised Nigerians from Cameroon

    Falana asks Govt to bring back deported naturalised Nigerians from Cameroon

    Activist lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has accused National S ecurity Adviser (NSA) Babagana Monguno of “acting illegally” in the deportation of 52 naturalized Nigerians to Cameroon two weeks ago.

    He said yesterday in a statement that under the National Security Agencies Act (Cap N74) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and the Immigration Act 2015, NSA Monguno is not competent to arrest, detain and deport any alien or immigrant from Nigeria to any other country.

    Falana  urged President Mohammadu Buhari to bring back the naturalised Nigerians, who were deported  to Cameroon by the NSA.

    Falana disagreed with General Monguno that the deportees were illegal immigrants in the country.

    In an open letter to the President yesterday Falana, who claimed to have the mandate of the affected persons to represent them, said:

    “Our clients are not illegal immigrants in Nigeria. Three of them are naturalized Nigerian citizens while others are recognized refugees and political asylum seekers in Nigeria”, he stated adding that their names and status are set out in the list of deportees attached to his open letter to the President.

    ”Out of the 52 people who were expelled from Nigeria the Government of Cameroon has maintained that the National Security Adviser handed over to it 47 deportees. Up till now, the National Security Adviser has not accounted for the whereabouts of the remaining five detainees

    ”The National Security Adviser knew that two of our clients are naturalized Nigerians, six are refugees while 37 others are political asylum seekers who are entitled to be protected by the Federal Government of Nigeria. For the avoidance of doubt, the Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees in Nigeria drew the attention of the National Security Adviser to the legal obligations of Nigeria to respect the rights of our clients”, he contended.

    The letter read in part: “Twelve of our clients who are the leaders of the people of Southern Cameroon and who have been living in Nigeria for several years were assembled for a meeting at Nera Hotel, Abuja on Saturday, January 6, 2018 to discuss the challenges faced by the over 10,000 Cameroonians who have sought political asylum in Nigeria due to persecution and repression under the Paul Biya regime in Cameroon.

    ”But before the commencement of the meeting a team of armed security personnel invaded the venue, abducted our clients and took them away to an undisclosed place.

    “The Police and the security agencies denied knowledge of the abduction of our clients. Consequently, all efforts made by the lawyers, doctors and family members of our clients to visit them in custody were frustrated without any legal justification. Even Mrs. Nalowa Bih who is pregnant was denied medical attention by the National Security Adviser.

    ”However, a representative of the Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees in Nigeria was allowed to visit our clients at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the visit, the United Nations representative found that our clients were held in an underground cell at the headquarters of the Defence Intelligence Agency on the orders of the National Security Adviser.

    ”On account of the refusal of the National Security Adviser to allow access to our clients by their lawyers, relatives and doctors we filed an application at the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday, January 25, 2018 for the purpose of securing their fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

    ”Notwithstanding the pending suit and the intervention of the Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees, the National Security Adviser expelled our clients from Nigeria and deported them to Cameroon on Friday, January 26, 2018.”

    “By a consent judgment delivered by the Court on March 5, 2002, the Federal Government was directed to file a suit at the International Court of Justice to have a judicial confirmation of the human right of the people of Southern Cameroon to self determination. Attached herewith and marked annexure A is a certified true copy of the judgment.

    ”The Federal Government also undertook to take other measures as may be necessary to place the case of the people of Southern Cameroon for self determination before the United Nations General Assembly and other international organizations.”

    ”Even though the suit has not been filed at the International Court of Justice the Federal Government has continued to recognize the human rights of our clients and other people of Southern Cameroon to self determination”, he stated

  • German government invests 50m euros to train Nigerians in five years

    The Federal Republic of Germany has spent over 50million euros to build the capacity of Nigerians in various technical expertise in the last five years.

    Making this disclosure at the weekend was Kehinde Stephen Awoyele, the Project Coordinator, German Dual Vocational Training Partnership with Nigeria (G-DVTPW-N) programme.

    According to him, “The first phase of the project ran successfully from 2012-2015, and it is now in the second phase that will terminate in 2018.”

    Giving further insight on the project, Awoyele informed that, “German Dual Vocational Training Partnership with Nigeria, is an initiative  geared towards raising the employability of Nigerian youths and reducing poverty in the country. It is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and conducted by sequagGmbH. It’s steered by the CCI Giessen-Friedberg as the German project partner.

    Partnering bodies include:  Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (AHK), Nigeria; Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (LCCI), Nigerian German Business Association (NGBA) Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Abuja and Ogun States (ACCI and OGUNCIMA).”

    A statistical report made available by the Assistant Coordinator of the project, Segun Okejimi revealed that, 180 trainers were trained in Lagos, 72 in Abuja, and 69 in Abeokuta.

    In the apprenticeship category, the report showed that 124 apprentices were trained in Lagos, while 31 and 18 apprentices were trained in Abuja and Abeokuta respectively.

    While making a case for the training, in a statement during the graduation ceremony held in Abuja for the second batch of youths  trained in Technical Facility Management profession, German Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Bernhard Schlagheck, noted that: “Dual Vocational Training System is the commonest  form  of vocational training in Germany. Dual in this context means a combination of practical, on-the-job training and theoretical education at a vocational school, ensuring a proper balance of theory and practice.”

    Echoing similar sentiments, during a graduation ceremony in Lagos for one of the batches of apprentices trained in Office Administration, German Consul General to Nigeria, Mr. Ingo Herbert, tasked Nigerian government to give Dual Vocational Training (DVT), special attention by borrowing from Germany that brought its economy out of doldrums through DVT.

    Elucidating on the devices, German Senior Dual Vocational Training expert, Ludwig Gruenter said the projects came with electronic timer to produce beeping sound of 800 hertz.

    In a statement of assurance to back the sustainability of the programme, Chairman, Board of Business Education, Services and Training, LCCI, Soboma Ajumogobia, expressed that, “Our Nigerian partners will rise to the unique challenge of shouldering the onerous responsibility for this important project and also for sustaining it in the years and decades ahead of 2018 as we collectively strive to build a critical mass of competitive, productive and highly skilled workers.”

  • Falana to Obasanjo: stop insulting Nigerians’ intelligence

    Falana to Obasanjo: stop insulting Nigerians’ intelligence

    Human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), yesterday asked  former President Olusegun Obasanjo to stop “insulting the collective intelligence and memories of Nigerians.”

    Falana claimed  that the same Obasanjo instituted a culture of impunity when he ruled between 1999 and 2007.

    The rights activist, who was reacting to the former president’s recent open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, told reporters  in Benin that Obasanjo had the opportunity to make Nigeria great by providing good leadership and getting rid of corruption.

    “If Obasanjo, who ruled this country for 11 and a half years,    had institutionalized democracy, rule of laws, respect for human rights, we would  not be in this mess.We would  be having an Eldorado by now,” he said.

    “So, please, let Obasanjo and others be honest to admit that they brought us to this shameful episode. So, nobody should grandstand when it comes to the mis-governance  of Nigerians.

    “President Obasanjo is entitled to form his own political party or his own movement, but he should please desist from insulting the collective intelligence and the collective memories of Nigerians.

    “With great respect to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, apart from the allegations of nepotism and clannishness, which cannot be disputed, every other allegations made, there  is nothing to write home about.

    “In another words, all the other allegations took place under Obasanjo and in fact, he institutionalized  the culture of impunity under the democratic dispensation  in Nigeria.

    “Many of us have forgotten the abduction of Governor Chris Ngige. Many of us have forgotten the fact that the National Assembly, the House of Representatives, displayed bales of naira with which it was alleged that the presidency wanted to bribe the legislators.

    “Many of us have forgotten about the third term agenda or  the fact that many people  who were also close to the seat  of power were treated like sacred cows even in the fight against corruption but I do not want to join issues with Obasanjo for now on his letter so that one is not seen as endorsing impunity in our country, but other than the allegations of nepotism and clannishness which the presidency is notoriously noted for, I think, they are birds of same feathers.”

    On the court ruling that up held the right of the Senate to reject the nomination of Mr. Ibrahim Magu as substantive chairman of the EFCC, Falana said the senators should not to celebrate yet, as the court made no pronouncement on the appointment of Magu as acting chairman of the agency.

    “It is not a judgment to celebrate with great respect. I have read the judgment of the case filed by a private lawyer based in Abuja, Mr. Tolu Ajaomo, against the Attorney of the Federation and the Senate. Mind you, EFCC is not a party, Mr. Ibrahim Magu was not a party, so no court in Nigeria can make order against a person who was not joined in any suit,” he said,

    “But having read the ruling, with great respect, the case was struck  out. If a case is struck out, you cannot rely on it. The court held that the lawyer has no locus standi to file the action and therefore struck it out.

    “However, in an academic exercise, the court said, having regard to section 2, 3 of the EFCC Act, the senate has the power to confirm or reject the nomination of the president. The court never ever made any pronouncement on the appointment of Mr.Ibrahim Magu as the acting chairman of the EFCC. No statement

    “So, there is nothing to celebrate in the judgment. So, I was, therefore, flabbergasted  when I read that the senate was asking the president to bring a fresh nomination.

    “It is the prerogative of the president. He cannot act more than the tenure of the substantive chairman. He cannot act in perpetuity.”

  • NIMC enrols 28m Nigerians

    NIMC enrols 28m Nigerians

    The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has enrolled over 28 million Nigerians and legal residents into the National Identity Database and issued them the National Identification Number (NIN). This figure was reached on Wednesday.

    The director-general/CEO of the commission, Aliyu A. Aziz,  said it planned to enrol additional 50 million Nigerians and legal residents as well as issue them the NIN by December, 2018.

    Its statement reads: “In December, 2016 when the enrolment figure stood at only 14 million, the NIMC DG had set the target to double the figure so as to capture 28 million Nigerians and legal residents into the database by December 2017, a target that was met few days after the end of December 2017.

    “The remarkable achievement could not have been possible, but for the dedication, commitment and sacrifices made by members of staff of the Commission on the one hand and the unalloyed support of government at all levels despite the economic meltdown recently witnessed in the country.”

  • Anambra speaker to Nigerians :emulate Ekwueme’s virtues 

    Anambra speaker to Nigerians :emulate Ekwueme’s virtues 

    The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon  Rita Maduagwu, has called on Nigerians to emulate the virtues of the late former vice president, Dr Alex Ekwueme

    In her tribute yesterday in Awka, the speaker commended the president,  Mohammadu Buhari,  Anambra state Governor,  Chief Willie Obiano for their commitment towards giving Ekwueme a befitting burial.

    She said  Ekwueme showed himself to be an invaluable asset in governance of the nation by being highly commited  to the growth and development of the country.

    She also,  commended various Houses of Assembly in the South East Zone that held special plenary sessions as well as the Nigerian senate which, which according to her,  suspended its planned national summit on security in honour of the late Dr. Ekwueme, whom she said was the highest political office holder  in Igbo land before his death.

    Maduagwu,  who is the Chairman, South-East Conference of speakers , urged the Federal Government to implement the resolutions and calls from different quarters to immortalize the late former Vice President.

    And this would come by way of   naming an important Federal establishment after him.

    The speaker said   the life and times of late former Vice President remained a thing of pride to Ndi Anambra, Igbo land  and the Country as large.

    Maduagwu therefore, urged  the present-day politicians to emulate late Dr. Ekwueme’s sterling qualities especially his humility and patriotism.

     

  • NAPTIP evacuates 13,000 Nigerians from Libya

    NAPTIP evacuates 13,000 Nigerians from Libya

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) evacuated over 13,000 illegal migrants from Libya between November and January, the Zonal Commander for Edo and Delta states, Mr. Nduka Nwanwenne, has said.

    He spoke yesterday at Ubiaja in Esan South East Local Government of Edo State during an advocacy and sensitisation visit to schools.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise was in collaboration with the Global Initiative Against Illegal Migration (GIAIM), a non-government organisation (NGO).

    Nwanwenne said the Federal Government had documented another 5, 035 persons to be brought back from Libya.

    He said the agency had in its custody about 100 victims trafficked for prostitution from both states, with one confirmed  HIV positive.

    The zonal commander decried the alarming rate of human trafficking and illegal migration despite the ills associated with the trend.

    He said the pains of human trafficking and illegal migration outweighed the benefits.

    Nwanwenne said the reasons people gave for illegal migration were unemployment and poverty, noting that most victims did not live to enjoy the wealth they made.

    He admonished students to shun the quest for quick money and the desire to travel abroad.

    The commander advised parents to stop mounting pressure on their children to travel overseas and make money for them.

    Mr. Emmanuel Obinyan, the executive director of GIAIM, said human trafficking had eaten deep into the society because of the desire for quick and easy wealth.

    He advised students to be dedicated to their studies, as the best and easiest way to good life is through education.

    Obinyan urged them not to be deceived by anybody that it is easy to make quick money in Europe.

    NAN reports that 12 schools participated in the sensitisation at St. John Bosco Secondary School, Ubiaja.

  • Anambra Speaker to Nigerians: emulate ex-VP’s ’s virtues 

    Anambra Speaker to Nigerians: emulate ex-VP’s ’s virtues 

    The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rita Maduagwu, has called on Nigerians to emulate the virtues of the late former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme

    In her tribute yesterday in Awka, the Speaker praised the President  Mohammadu Buhari,  Anambra State Governor,  Chief Willie Obiano for their commitment towards giving Ekwueme a befitting burial.

    She said  Ekwueme showed himself to be an invaluable asset in governance of the nation by being highly commited  to the growth and development of the country.

    She also  hailed various Houses of Assembly in the Southeast  that held special plenary sessions as well as the  Senate which, according to her, suspended its planned national summit on security in honour of the late Dr. Ekwueme.

    Mrs Maduagwu,  who is the Chairman, SouthEast Conference of Speakers,  urged the Federal Government to implement the resolutions and calls from different quarters to immortalise the late former Vice President.

    The Speaker said   the life and times of late former Vice President remained a thing of pride to Ndi Anambra, Igbo land  and the country at large.

    Mrs Maduagwu  urged  the  politicians to emulate  Dr. Ekwueme’s sterling qualities especially his humility and patriotism.

  • Archbishop to Nigerians: work hard for better life

    The Archbishop and Supreme Head of Christ Church of Cherubim and Seraphim (TCCC&S), Rev. George Aderehinwo, has urged Nigerians to work hard this year to enable them reap bumper harvests from their endeavours.

    The cleric spoke at this year’s edition of the church’s annual seaside programme, with the theme: For the Lord God will help me; therefore, have I set my face like a fliat, and I know that I shall not be ashamed, taken from Isaiah 50:7.

    The programme was held at Ode-Omi in Ogun-Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    Attendees at the programme said they gained spiritual uplifting.

    Aderehinwo advised Nigerians to be steadfast in their spiritual quests, to be successful this year.

    The annual gathering, the cleric said, was aimed at enriching the lives of Christians across the country and beyond.

    According to him, hard work brings success but laziness causes misery.

    The church’s Central Executive Council (CEC) Chairman Bishop Tola Ajayi said the programme was an annual spiritual-cleansing of dipping the cross into the sea by some select elders of the church.

    It holds on the third day of the annual spiritual service.

    Ajayi said: “There is every need for Nigerians to be prayerful, if they must be prosperous in 2018.”

    To enrich the spiritual welfare of the attendees was the king of Zion music, Apostle Debo Ojubuyi.

    He preached to the congregation with spiritual songs.

    The gospel artiste advised the attendees to be strong in prayers for things to work out for them this year.

    There was also a Bible quiz and a debate competition among the various districts of the church across the world.

    Notable clerics at the event included Rev. E. I. Alaba, Rev. M. A. Amele, Rev. S. A. Elijah, Arch-deaconess Odoroye A. A, Bishop C. A. Ajayi,  Bishop Z. A. Akinwande, Ven. D. D. Babatunde, Venerable Japhet Odukoya Plato, Ven. S. K. Popoola, Pastor Omoyele King, General Solomon, Rev. Mother Akingbohungbe, Ven. M. A. Isekoya, Ven. S. S. Fatoyinbo, among others

     

  • Avoid giving birth at home, expert advises pregnant women

    Avoid giving birth at home, expert advises pregnant women

    A public health physician, Dr Shehu Martins, on Monday advised pregnant women to avoid giving birth at home, saying it can lead to serious complications.

    Martins, who works St. Mary’s Hospital, Gwagwalada, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Gwagwalada.

    The physician said that though, every mother has the right to choose where she wants to be delivered of her baby, “it is important to consider the risks associated with home child birth’’.

    According to him, the dangers associated with home delivery are much depending on the presentation as at the time the woman is deliver of her baby.

    “If a woman has high blood pressure, diabetes, among other ailments, the risk could be more.

    “For example, if a woman is hypertensive and she doesn’t know, there can be complication of convulsion and the person attending to her may not know how to handle the situation.

    “In first time pregnancy, complication from obstructed labour to foetal distress cannot be monitored at home and when she continues pushing, it can lead to vaginal fistula.

    “Vaginal fistula is when there is a leakage of urine from the bladder without the woman knowing due to poor management of child labour.

    “This prolong labour can lead to death of the baby before she gets to the hospital,’’ he explained.

    The physician, therefore, advised that every delivery should be monitored in the hospital, saying “a poorly assisted home birth can lead to serious complications’’.

    READ ALSO: Vaccination : Zamfara targets 3.2 million for Yellow fever

    He said that if a woman prefers to deliver at home, a skilled attendant or medical expert should be involved to handle any emergency situation.

    Martins warned that a traditional birth attendant should not be allowed to handle real complications from child birth.

    NAN