The Nation Newspaper

Tag: The Nation newspaper

  • 10 held in Lagos cult clash

    IT was a weekend of horror. Suspected cultist Aliu Lamidi, 29, was Saturday night stabbed to death after rival groups clashed at Chukwuma Hotel in Babashola Street, Itire, Lagos.

    The hotel and some vehicles parked around it were also set ablaze in the fight that started  around 10:50pm.

    It was gathered that violence erupted after an altercation between rival cult groups in the hotel which led to the owner’s son stabbing Lamidi in the neck.

    Lamidi, a resident of Aboredhade Street, was said to have died at the hospital he was rushed to, a development that provoked his colleagues.

    Although the immediate cause of the altercation was unknown, The Nation reports that the Aiye and Eiye cult groups have been embroiled in age-long rivalry that has claimed many lives across the state.

    Read Also: One dead, seven arrested in Lagos cult war

    Angered by the killing of Lamidi, his members were said to have torched the hotel, vehicles and moved in droves to the home of the owner in a bid to kill anyone found.

    Wielding cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, the hoodlums were said to have threatened firefighters and policemen from Itire who got to the scene to put out the inferno.

    It was gathered that the violence continued Sunday morning and extended to Oseni Street which prompted the deployment of reinforcement from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Area Command led by Deputy Commissio of Police (DCP) Tunji Disu.

    The police were said to have prevented the cultists from wreaking further havoc as they chased the hoodlums and eventually arrested eight of the culprits. Two more suspects were added to the number, bringing those arrested to 10.

    Confirming the incident spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said security has been beefed up.

    He said the hotel’s owner’s son was currently at large, adding that investigation was ongoing and all suspects would be charged to court.

  • Bad wines cause kidney, heart diseases, says vintner

    Most Nigerians are suffering heart and kidney diseases for consuming wines and other alcoholic beverages made for extremely cold countries, it has been said.

    Chief Executive Officer (CEO) JAMEK Beverages James Iweh, who stated this, explained that a lot of the high-priced brands were tested in German laboratories and found to be too harsh for Nigerian residents.

    Imeh spoke at the weekend at the opening of a new distribution outlet on Ago Palace Way in Okota, Lagos State.

    The company chief executive said JAMEK was in the business to serve Nigerians quality drinks.

    He said it was not surprising the company was the sole importer of German brands, including Dr. Zenzen and premiere producers of the cocktail concentrates, quality wine and spirits approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    “Our wines are produced to soothe our weather because we make it in compliance with best recommendations. There are so many wines in Nigeria today that are too harsh because of the hot weather. But if you drink JAMEK wine, you will see how smooth it is because it won’t give you a headache or heartburn.

    Read Also: Woman seeks N11m for kidney transplant

    “Germany, where we produce our wine, is known for not compromising quality. Our wines may not be the same price with other wines in the market but we are after the quality of the product and not the quantity.

    “Again, whenever I want to produce any wine, I get sample of different wines and take it to Germany and we analyse it, I can tell you today that there are some spirits that people drink in Nigeria that are made for countries whose whether are cold. If I want to produce any spirit, I will make sure it won’t harm your health by giving you heartburn or work against your kidney,” Imeh said.

  • SERAP faults charges against Sowore

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abukabar Malami (SAN), on the detention of Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore.

    The organisation urged him “to without delay enter a nolle prosequi (the dismissal or termination of legal proceedings by the Attorney General) and discontinue the prosecution of Sowore and Olawale Bakare (aka Mandate) for apparently politically motivated charges of treason, fraud and ‘insulting President Muhammadu Buhari’”.

    Read Also: FG charges Sowore with money laundering, treasonable felony

    SERAP said: “We urge you to use your role as a trustee of the public interest under Section 174 of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) to end several of similar trumped-up cases going on in several states.”

    In the letter, dated September 21 and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the group said: “Sowore’s case and several similar cases instigated/brought by state governors make a hideous mockery of Nigeria’s criminal justice systems, rule of law, freedom of expression and media freedom.

    “These cases are persecution and not prosecution. As guardian of the public interest, you have a role to end this travesty now and to maintain the sanctity and integrity of Nigeria’s justice system.”

    Also, a group of activists, under the aegis of Peoples Alternative Front (PAF), has demanded the unconditional release of Sowore and Olawale Bakare from the Department of State Services (DSS) for alleged terrorism and treason.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Obaseki reassures on kidnapping, other crimes

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has reiterated the commitment of the State Government towards ending kidnapping and other crimes in the state.

    The governor gave the assurance yesterday at the 30th Memorial Day in honour of late Prof. Ambrose Alli, held in Emaudo, Ekpoma, in Esan West Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alli was a former governor of the old Bendel State, now comprising of Delta and Edo States.

    Obaseki said part of the measures include the restructuring of the state’s security architecture.

    Read Also: How Masari’s dialogue caged banditry, kidnapping in Katsina

    “I want residents of the state to be rest assured that we are dealing with the issue of banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges in the state.

    “We are registering local vigilantes in the villages; we are training them and giving them communication gadget for easy communication,” Obasaki said.

    Rev. Francis Omonlumen, of the St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Emaudo, called on the governor to ensure that insecurity in the state is addressed as a matter of priority.

    Omonlumen said if farmers cannot cultivate their land without fear of being attacked or kidnapped, there would be famine in the state.

    “Let me appeal to all our leaders to help tackle kidnapping in our various states. The insecurity is not going to help us as a nation, but rather, it would make us poorer,” he said.

  • Activists decry ‘threats’ to constitutional rights

    A COALITION of civil society organisations (CSOs) has condemned what it called threats to constitutional democracy and human rights from security and law enforcement agencies.

    It said security and law enforcement agencies must prioritise respect for the Constitution over a sitting government.

    “The use of state powers to serve political ends represents a corrupt use of that power,” the coalition said in a statement.

    It was jointly signed by Joseph Otteh and Daniel Igiekhumhe of the Access to Justice, Collin Okeke (Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS), Chinonye Obiagwu (SAN) (Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), Emmanuel Ikule (Rule of Law and Accountability Centre (RULAC) and Okechukwu Nwaguma (Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN).

    Read Also: Activist rallies support for Sanwo-Olu govt

    The coalition recalled that last Wednesday, the Lagos office of Sahara Reporters was allegedly barricaded by soldiers, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police.

    “Simultaneously, the premises of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) were invaded by officers from the DSS and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).

    “Last week too, soldiers invaded the Damaturu and Maiduguri offices of an international humanitarian organisation, Action Against Hunger (AAH), a body that has been operating in Nigeria since 2010,” the statement said.

    The CSOs condemned the actions, saying they constitute arbitrary and warrantless violations of the fundamental rights of citizens to assemble peacefully and to express themselves, as enshrined in sections 39, 40 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights.

    The coalition said the army allegedly overreached its powers through its unlawful siege of AAH.

    “We are worried that ominous clouds of authoritarianism are thickening in Nigeria.”

    The coalition urged the Army to immediately lift its siege to AAH’s offices, apologise for the provocative actions and hold those responsible for the invasion accountable.

    “The Nigerian government must release Omoyele Sowore and all those arrested in connection with the public protests he was leading.

    “Criminalising civil society actors who campaign for good governance is undemocratic and vindictive, and serves no useful public purpose,” the coalition added.

     

  • Makinde, wife to receive special recognition award

    Arrangements are on for the conferment of a special recognition award on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and his wife, Tamunominini, by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), the Governance Searchlight.

    The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NGO, Otunba Tokunbo Babs-Olurinde, in a statement at the weekend signed by the Publicity Secretary of the organisation , Cornelius Kayode, said following monitoring of the first 100 days of first-term governors in the Southwest, the NGO found Governor Makinde outstanding.

    She said: “Without doubt, following our research and close monitoring, members of the Governance Searchlight found His Excellency, Governor Makinde, outstanding among his peers in the Southwest and unique in his approach to governance. He has an exemplary style of leadership that we cannot but recognise .”

    Read Also: Makinde, Oyo ALGON trade words over council funds, OYSIEC members’ sack

    Babs-Olurinde said besides the aforementioned, the governor had excelled in security, health, education, expansion of the economy, workers’ welfare, reconstruction, rehabilitation and renovation of schools through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Ministry of Education, among others.

    She said the feat performed within Makinde’s 100 days at the helm in Oyo State showed that he is a man of the people, who doesn’t only listen to their plight, but also has a large heart and care for their welfare

    This, she said, would take Oyo State to the next level.

    Babs-Olurinde said the organisation was proud to associate with the style of leadership of Governor Makinde, hence the special recognition award, “Beacon of Hope for a Greater Nigeria”, to be conferred on him and his wife before the Independence Day celebration.

  • Nigeria loses slot in Africa’s aviation body to intrigues

    INTRIGUES among officials of the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have denied Nigeria the chance to have a representative in the continent’s regulatory body, African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC).

    AFCAC’s responsibility is to foster a safe, secure, efficient, cost effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly civil aviation industry in Africa.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that the politics of succession into the office of the Director General cost Nigeria the slot of its representatives.

    The NCAA is yet to send a replacement for its former Director General, Fidelis Onyeyiri, who was Nigeria’s representative in AFCAC for a decade.

    Onyeyiri was sent to AFCAC by the Federal Government in 2006, following his ouster as former helmsman of NCAA.

    Following the completion of his tenure as the country representative a few years ago, the NCAA is yet to send another representative for Nigeria.

    The reason for the delay, investigations revealed, followed the intrigues and politics surrounding succession plan for the office of the director general for NCAA.

    Read Also: NCAA audits Air Peace over landing incident

    A source hinted that some individuals in NCAA, who are interested in the slot, have allegedly colluded not to send the name of any representatives after Onyeyiri completed his tenure.

    Another Nigerian, who is and staff member of NCAA and works at AFCAC, Ms Iyabo Sosina, is said to be a ready replacement for Onyeyiri.

    She was seconded to the office of the President of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

     

     

     

  • Osinbajo, British, French ambassadors for UNILAG International Week

    Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, British High Commissioner to Nigeria Catriona Laing and French ambassador Jerome Pasquier will lead other eminent personalities to the maiden edition of University of Lagos International Week

    The event, scheduled to hold between October 13 and 16, is themed: Education in a Connected World.

    A statement by the university said expected delegates include members of the diplomatic community, African education policy makers , representatives of Nigerian and international education institutions, leading Academicians, members of industry and development partners as well as members of the University Alumni.

    Universities from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, European Union, Asia as well as many African countries will join the UNILAG and other local universities to discuss how education will help shape the future of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Nigeria bound to succeed, says Osinbajo

    Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Executive Secretary Prof Suleiman Elias Bogoro will deliver a keynote address.

    UNILAG Vice Chancellor Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe is the Chief Host.

    The week, according to the institution, will be both an academic and policy-driven.

    “It is organised to address the requirements of educating students effectively in the 21st century. The objectives of the program are: to provide a forum for cross fertilisation of ideas between industry and academia, between institutions from the global north and south as well as within the global south on the place of Nigeria in the fourth industrial revolution; to promote the African Union objective of a more integrated Africa and provide a platform to discuss strategies that could assist Nigeria benefit from the opportunities provided by education in a connected world,” the statement said.

  • Dangote empowers 106,000 women with N1.1b in four states

    ALIKO Dangote Foundation (ADF) is to empower 106,000 women in four states of the North with N1.1 billion, it was learnt on Sunday.

    To achieve the feat, ADF has begun the identification of eligible beneficiaries to implement the programme across these states.

    The foundation will empower 23,000 women in Sokoto, 34,000 in Katsina, 21,000 in Kebbi and 28,000 in Zamfara states.

    The programme has N10 billion targeted at 1 million indigent and vulnerable women.

    It was launched in Kano State in 2011 and is being systematically rolled out nationwide to cover the 774 local government areas of the country.

    So far, 334,500 women and youths have benefitted from the programme in Kano, Jigawa, Kogi, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Lagos, Nasarawa and Niger states.

    The Dangote micro-grants are among the empowerment programmes of ADF, which provides disadvantaged women as well as disadvantaged youths, with a one-time N10,000 cash grant to boost their household income generation.

    Read Also: Dangote Cement promo rewards 21,000 customers

    This, ADF said, will reduce the vulnerability of the beneficiaries and meet their livelihood needs.

    Beneficiaries also receive training to bolster their income-generating activities, which are critical to the welfare of millions of Nigerians.

    Also, the beneficiaries of the programme are evenly selected from the target community/ward/hamlet based on the following criteria: vulnerable women, food-distressed household with infant or children under five years old, disabled, divorcee, widow with multiple dependents, extremely poor and resident in the community and at least 18-year old, irrespective of marital status.

     

     

     

     

  • Oyedepo urges Christians to offer timely thanksgiving

    The Founder and General Overseer of the Living Faith Church aka Winners’ Chapel International, Bishop David Oyedepo, has urged Christians to offer a timely thanksgiving to God.

    Oyedepo, the guest speaker, who preached at the weekend in Oregun, Lagos at the 70th birthday celebration of a popular gospel musician, Pastor Joseph Adelakun {alias Ayewa}, said Christians should offer a timely, not a belated thanksgiving, to God Almighty.

    He said the purpose of a thanksgiving such as a birthday celebration was to get more blessings from God.

    The cleric said: “Thanksgiving is a powerful force. It should be done to secure blessings, perfect blessings and multiply blessings.

    “Christians should always thank God, no matter the situation. They should not murmur, they should not grumble. For sleeping at night and waking up in the morning, you owe God a thanksgiving. If you offer God a timely thanksgiving, it will spur him to pour more blessings on you.”

    He congratulated the celebrator for turning 70 and wished him more prosperous years on earth in good health.

    The chairman of the occasion, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, noted that Evangelist Adelakun usually smiled regardless of what he was going through.

    Read Also: Mechanised agric solution to Nigeria’s unemployment, say Oyedepo, expert

    He described him as being humble and generous, saying he is a prayer warrior who wins souls for Jesus Christ through music.

    Pastor Adelakun thanked God for sparing his life to turn 70.

    He expressed gratitude to people for honouring him with their presence.

    Evangelist Adelakun launched a book titled: “Stepping stone to enjoying success”. He also launched an album titled: “New Glory”.

    Personalities at the event included clerics, gospel musician Tope Alabi, who sang to bring the celebrator and his wife, Clara, to the high table, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey and others.