The Nation Newspaper

Tag: seeks

  • Tambuwal seeks investigation over death of 38 yr man in NSCDC custody

    Sokoto state Governor Aminu Waziri Tambawal has ordered the Sokoto state Human Rights Agency to conduct a full scale investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of 38 year old Jamilu Abdullahi who allegedly died in the custody of the Sokoto State command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC).

    Jamilu was reported to have died last month in the custody of the agency’s command.

    A statement on Friday by the governor’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said the Governor expressed sadness over the unfortunate situation.

    The governor in the statement vowed that the state government will get to the root of the matter.

    According to the statement, “the investigation will unravel the circumstances that led to the death of Jamilu Abdullahi and recommend appropriate steps to be taken to avoid future occurrence. The administration of Governor Tambuwal values human lives and will continue to respect the sanctity of the lives of all its citizens,” it added.

  • Boy seeks police help to locate dad

    A six-year-old boy has run to the police to help him locate his father, Abel Daniel.

    The Nation learnt that Daniel, 41, who works as a security official at Adeomo Abija, GRA Ikeja, Lagos left his Sango, Ogun State home on June 17 and has yet to return.

    According to Michael Abel Daniel, all efforts to locate his father has failed.

    The elder Daniel’s younger brother, Etim, alleged that his colleagues said they were unaware of his whereabouts.

    He said: “I am the junior brother to Abel Daniel. We live together at 3, Owoyemi Street, Sango, Ogun State. We are three living together, myself, himself and his only son. He got the son when he was in school, out of wedlock. He has a fiancée based in Akwa Ibom State whom he is planning to marry.

    “She (the fiancée) called me on Thursday June 18 the day I wanted to go to Sango Police Station to report the incident. She said that she called him on Wednesday June 17, the day Daniel left house without telling anybody where he was going with his car. She said he told her that he would not go to work on that Wednesday and Thursday. On Thursday, the following day, she called him again and the phone was switched off. After several trials to get him on phone failed she then called me and asked of Abel, that his phone was switched off. I told her that Abel left house on Wednesday and had not come back and when I tried to get him on phone, his handset was switched off. Later that day, I went to Sango police station with one woman and reported the matter, on Thursday June 18.

    According to him, Daniel is light in complexion; 6.1m tall, speaks Efik and English fluently.

    “He left with his Nissan Prado with number-plate EY118SMK. He is always at home if he didn’t go to office because of son who is schooling in a private school at Sango. He finds it difficult to sleep outside because of his son. Now I have to be taking his son to school and bringing him back. I took excuse from work place and they allowed me to go and look for my missing brother.”

  • NERC seeks Buhari’s advice on creation of EMS

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday requested the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to advise it on the relevance of the creation of another electricity  regulatory  body that duplicates the functions of the commission.

    Its Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi told reporters in Abuja that “the act is clear on what we should do and that is what we are doing. A new government is in power and they have to advise us on what to do.

    “We are an independent commission under government. So at the end of the day, I expect that government will look at the law and take a position.”

    There has been a heated debate and opposition from the commission that the last administration shouldn’t have established the Electricity Management Service Limited (EMS) even before the last Federal Government legally instituted the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Authority.

    Amadi said that even if the new government eventually allows EMS to function, it would not hinder NERC from performing its technical and commercial regulatory roles as enshrined in the act.

    The chairman noted that not only did the commission write  a letter to the immediate past President to oppose the creation of EMS, it also opposed it vehemently in the National Assembly.

    Now that a new government is in power, he said, the commission will adhere to whatever directive it receives on the issue even as there is no justification for instituting EMS.

    Amadi said: “But it is on record, NERC opposed it at the National Assembly in a heated debate. We wrote to the President why and we stated clearly and I believe till today there is no justification for that. It is law so we will wait for the new government to tell us what to do. Whatever the government tells us, we will do.”

    He confirmed his awareness of the EMS but insisted that although the law has been assigned, it has not become operational, thus the new government should review the situation and address the two agencies accordingly.

    His words: “All over the world, we know clearly that it is wrong to have double regulations, especially when a regulator does its job.

    “Like we say in law, you are an interested party. The law has been assigned but the law has not been operationalized. It is for government to review and address parties accordingly.”

    According to him, prior to the existence of the NERC, the National Electric Power Policy of 2000 stipulated that there shall be one regulatory body for the power sector.

    He also said that in its electioneering campaign, the present government vowed to recognize only one regulatory body, noting that when Ghana opted for two electricity regulatory bodies it was chaotic for the country.

    He said: “Even before NERC was there, it clearly stipulated that there will be one  regulator doing technical and commercial regulations. We see example in Ghana, where attempt was made to divide that jurisdiction and it ended in chaos.”

    The chairman maintained that inspection is clearly linked in the act with the work of the regulator, stressing that the act allows the regulator to appoint inspectors.

    According to him, there is a conceptual link between technical and commercial regulation because it is the product of technical regulation that feeds into economic regulation.

    He added that  in setting commercial review in tariff, NERC relies on the data it gets from technical inspection, be it network, grid, health and safety code inspection.

    He argued there is no lack of technical regulatory framework in the NERC, stressing that one of the arguments about technical regulation in the commission is that of technical inspection.

    Amadi added that the grid code has been signed into the rule, the stream code is also there alongside  the metering code.

  • Lawmaker seeks divine intervention

    The lawmaker representing Oyo federal constituency, Prince Akeem Adeyemi has urged Muslims to use the Ramadan period to pray for God’s divine intervention over the numerous problems facing the nation.

    Adeyemi said despite enormous human and material resources the country is blessed with, the problems of insecurity and financial mess have deeply affected governance, calling on Nigerians, irrespective of tribes, religion and political affiliations, to join hands to over these problems.

    According to him, this holy month of Ramadhan can be religiously used to seek God’s intervention “because we cannot continue like this if we are to witness developmental projects and economic transformations. We may say that insecurity is the problem of the northern people but are they not part of Nigeria? Anything that happens to any part of the country would definitely affect us a whole”.

    He prayed for the success of the administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

    “President Buhari has what it takes to take us to the Promised land because of what he represents,” he said.

  • Labour seeks retention of credible ministers, DGs

    Labour seeks retention of credible ministers, DGs

    The President–elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, has been urged to reappoint ministers and director-generals (DGs) who performed well in the outgoing administration, adding that his attention should be focused on job creation, corruption and security.

    In an interviw with The Nation, TUC President, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, said the president-elect should look beyond his party when appointing his cabinet members.

    According to him, credibility and qualitative performance should be used as criteria for appointments.

    He said though successes had been recorded by the administration, there were more grounds to cover. He listed some of the areas as terrorism, violence, hate speeches, corruption, devaluation of the naira, casualisation of workers, outsourcing, unemployment, poor healthcare facilities, and infrastructure.

    He noted that as the government prepares to hand over to a new one later this month, the working class, must crystalise to consolidate the  democratic gains and economic progress and march on to new horizons.

    He said the world acknowledges that Nigeria is a great nation, but that many have lost hope due to decades of looting of the national treasury by a privileged few who have subjected the majority of the nation’s populace to untold hardship.

    On the contribution of workers to national development, he said that the labour movement had been involved in national conferences and committees set up by governments at various levels to fashion out ways for the growth and development of the nation, adding that at the National Conference held last year, the Congress presented a comprehensive position paper that canvassed the views of workers on national and international issues.

    Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Non-Academic Staff Union of University (NASU) has urged the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the challenges in the education sector.

    The JAC, which comprises members of the National Association of Academic Technologist (NAAT) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU),  spoke at a briefing in Abuja.

    At the event, Comrade Chijioke Ugwuoke of  SSANU, Mrs Ladi Iliya of NASU and Alhaji Sani Suleiman of NAAT criticised the Federal Government for the non-implementation of its agreement with non-teaching staff of universities in 2009, adding that it deferred its strike as a mark of respect for the president-elect.

    “We heartily congratulate the president-elect for the electoral victory, but wish to remind him that he is inheriting debilitating labour issues in the universities,” they said.

    The JAC listed some of the problems in the sector as the sack of 58 staff of Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, the crisis in the Abia State University, Uturu, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

    Other are: the funding of universities’ primary schools and secondary schools, and the non-payment of earned allowances, which was part of the 2009 agreement.

  • Group seeks relocation of Rivers election tribunal to Port Harcourt

    Group seeks relocation of Rivers election tribunal to Port Harcourt

    A group, the Society for Good Governance (SGG), has urged the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, to relocate the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja to Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    The group faulted the decision of the Court of Appeal President to allow the tribunal to sit in Abuja when Port Harcourt is peaceful and there is no threat to the lives of the tribunal members.

    The group’s coordinator, Tamuno Greg, said in Abuja that there was no basis for compelling the tribunal to sit in Abuja.

    Greg said that law, equity, justice and fair play demanded that the tribunal should sit in Port Harcourt. He added that it will be in the interest of all the parties to ?have the tribunal relocated to Port Harcourt.

    He urged  the people of Rivers State to put the rancour associated with the elections behaind them and work together for the interest of the state.

    Greg said: “If the city is not peaceful as they would want us to believe, why has the President of the Court of Appeal not relocated the Court of Apppeal in Port Harcourt to Abuja?

    “Our argument is that if the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court can continue to sit in Port Harcourt, what is the justification for bringing the tribunal to Abuja?

    “Look, all the witnesses are in Rivers State. The plaintiffs’ witnesses and the defendants’ witnesses are in Rivers. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff, who conducted the elections, are in Rivers. So, why putting everybody under inconveniences?

    “We therefore, call on the President of the Court of Appeal to rescind her decision by relocating the tribunal back to Port Harcourt.”

  • Expert seeks increased FDI in oil palm estates

    Expert seeks increased FDI in oil palm estates

    The Provost, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure,Dr Samson Odedina, has called for increased foreign direct investment in oil palm plantations and estates as such ventures improve local economic opportunity and reduce poverty.

    He said not only does such projects boost the local economies where they operate,but that they drive inclusive economic growth, improve food security and create job opportunities for skilled natives.

    Since workers hired by such companies are offered good incomes, he said this would have   a multiplier effect on the communities by way of improved quality of living.

    He stressed that investment in cash crops agriculture could help lift many out of poverty.

    While location of such agri venture are beneficial,the Provost said promoters should set aside fund to address the need of the local communities.

    He said there should be measures to protect the local communities while steps should be taken to prevent land degradation.

    While yearning for sustainable agricultural development,he said agrobusiness organisations should consider development projects in communities, including empowerment through poverty allieviation programmes,capacity building as wellas environmental protection.

    Interventions,he stressed should impact on livelihoods and enable people earn decent incomes from their agricultural activities.

  • Chibok girls: Akume seeks global cooperation against Boko Haram

    Senate Minority Leader, George Akume, has called on the international community to rally round Nigeria in the effort to secure the release of schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents one year ago.

    In a statement made available to The Nation, Akume said it was doubtful if the Nigerian government could singlehandedly secure the release of the schoolgirls and other Nigerians held captive by the sect.

    The statement reads: “One year ago, over two hundred girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok were forcibly taken away from their school by armed men from the Boko Haram group. Since then, while a few of them have escaped and returned, about 219 still remain in captivity and at the mercy of Boko Haram.

    I wish to use the opportunity of the first anniversary of this captivity to appeal to those holding the girls to release them immediately. The predicament of the Chibok girls has not only brought agony to their family members and Nigerians, but has brought the country to shame and international ridicule.

    “The girls did not commit any crime and do not deserve to be forcibly imprisoned even for one day. It is a crime against humanity to have incarcerated them for one year now.

    “Unfortunately, the refusal of their abductors to release them and the failure of the Nigerian government to negotiate their release or forcefully secure same has prolonged their plight and the agony of their families.

    “It is now doubtful if the Nigerian government, acting alone, can secure their release and that of many others who are held in captivity by Boko Haram. We, therefore, call on the international community acting through such agencies like the UN, AU and ECOWAS to come to Nigeria’s aid in securing the freedom of the girls.”

    Akume also called on all Nigerians to continue to support the incoming APC government led by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari “who in the early days of his government will be faced with the difficult task of finding solutions to our security challenges, including the intractable problem of the Chibok girls.”

    In a related development, rights activist and senator-elect from Kaduna State, Shehu Sani, yesterday recalled how the Federal Government bungled the opportunity to secure freedom for Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents.

    Speaking during an interview anchored by CNN’s Christianah Amnpour, Sani lamented the refusal by the government to embrace a  deal he brokered with the insurgents for the release of their members from detention in exchange for the abducted girls.

    He said: “What we tried to do the last time was to open a window of communication with the insurgents and explore the possibility of securing the release of the abducted girls.   Unfortunately, the government turned down the offer and the insurgents too refused to release the girls and that was the end of that intervention.”

    Sani expressed optimism that the incoming administration of General Muhammadu Buhari would seek an end to the activities of Boko Haram.

    “There were abductions before and after  Chibok, but President Jonathan has not learnt anything from the past and they keep making mistakes. I believe that Buhari would do something different going by his promises since his victory at the presidential poll.

    “I believe that when Buhari is sworn in, there would be fresh effort towards getting the girls released,” he added.

  • Don seeks economic diversification

    A DON has advised Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to diversify the economy.

    The Dean, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Kaduna State University, Dr. Ahmad Abdul-Qadir, Abdul-Qadir, who spoke  with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Kaduna, said it was imperative to develop a long-term policy to regenerate the economy and it on the path of growth.

    “When the new administration takes over, it should have a good long-term policy that even after 20 years, successive administrations would be able to follow up the legacy,’’ he said.

    He said priority should be given to agriculture sector, including crop production, livestock, fisheries and forestry.

    According to him, some of the policies in the sector have become archaic and should be reviewed in line with modern practice.

    “The government should try to bring agriculture experts, especially soil scientists and work with them, so as to improve the sector,’’ he added.

    The university teacher also said that the incoming administration should review some laws to strengthen the fight against corruption.

    “The system breeds corruption. For example, if a public servant commits an offence, he or she is suspended, but if a lawmaker has a case, he or she is allowed to be part of the assembly until the determination of the case.

    “If they can also be suspended or their seats declared vacant for committing an offence, then corruption will reduce,” he argued.

    Abdul-Qadir also urged the incoming administration to address the problems in the energy sector to ensure steady power supply, so as to enhance the economy.

    “Every year, the government puts millions of naira into the refineries, yet the country cannot refine crude oil. We need electricity, so that the small and medium enterprises will pick up and the cost of production will go down.

    “By so doing, the economy will improve greatly and the importation of goods will reduce. With electricity, we will use less fire wood, which is having negative effects on our forests,’’ he said.

    The don also urged the President-elect to address insecurity, especially insurgency in the northeast and other crimes, such as kidnapping in some parts of the country.

    “I believe we can overcome insurgency since within a few weeks before the election, the government did something commendable and the efforts still continue,’’ he added.

    Abdul-Qadir urged Nigerians to be patient with the incoming government, as it needed to plan well in order to meet the high expectation of the citizenry.

  • Eguma seeks succour in State FA Cup showdown

    Eguma seeks succour in State FA Cup showdown

    Dolphins FC coach Stanley Eguma has declared that his team will not take anything for granted in their bid to regain lost confidence.

    Eguma, speaking before the team’s Bayelsa State FA Cup quarter final rescheduled game against Port Harcourt City team yesterday, noted that success at the end of the season is paramount .

    In a chat with footballlive.ng, Eguma assured that Dolphins will not underrate their opponent and will do everything possible to see that the team bounces back to reckoning once again this season.

    “State FA Cup is a different competition and it’s a different organisation where the approach is to show 100 per cent concentration. The game is very sensitive because it’s a game that must be decided in a particular day and anything you are presented with, you will have to prepare for it.”

    “Our players know the importance and advantages of the competition and are ready to make sure that we maintain a good run in the competition.”