The Nation Newspaper

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  • Police deny abduction of NURTW chairman, others in Cross River

    The Cross River State Police Command has debunked reports that the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Okuku Wing in Yala local government area in the northern part of Cross River State, had been abducted with some other people

    An indigene of the area had raised alarm through a WhatsApp message that there was tension in the area following the alleged abduction of the people, who were passengers in a vehicle, around the Ikwo/Izzi area along Abakaliki road as they were headed for a destination that could not be confirmed.

    But Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo, said the information was false. “I have reached the Divisional Police Officer in Yala, and there was no such incident,” Ugbo said.

    Read Also: Police assures corps members of safety in Cross River

    “Business and economic activities have been grounded in some communities of Yala including Okuku, Okpoma and Yahe where road blocks have been mounted preventing vehicular movement to and from Abakaliki area. All shops remained closed in these areas as the youths are protesting the uncertainties and whereabouts of their beloved ones. They also threatened a reprisal action if the abducted persons are not found, as it is still uncertain if the abducted persons are still alive or killed,” the source had said in the message.

  • Presidency clears air on Nigerian executed in Saudi Arabia

    The Federal Government on Friday said that drugs was hidden on the body of Kudirat Afolabi, who was executed in Saudi Arabia on April 1.

    It said Afolabi was among the 20 persons arrested with drugs hidden in their body parts.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Relations and the Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed this on Friday to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    She said the clarification became necessary in a bid to clear the air regarding the circumstances leading to the execution of the Nigerian.

    Afolabi was executed alongside two Pakistani men and one Yemeni man, bringing the total number of people killed by Saudi Arabia this year to 53.

    There had been attempts, especially in the social media, to link Afolabi’s fate with the activities of alleged syndicates operating at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

    The syndicate allegedly specializes in planting drugs in the baggage of unsuspecting travelers.

    Read Also: Saudi Arabia: due process followed before execution of Nigerian

    Abike-Dabiri, however, said Afolabi did not belong to the list of seven who are suspected to have fallen victim of the four-man gang hard drugs planting syndicate.

    “There are some people caught in Kano, but those they allegedly gave the drugs to are yet to face trials in Saudi.

    “What we can now do is to prevail on the Saudi authority that those people awaiting trials in their country are among the victims of the Kano syndicate.

    “If Nigeria can do this, through National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian mission in Saudi Arabia, they might not even be charged to court.

    “Ms Afolabi was one of those drugs were found on their bodies. They were 20 in number. They are the ones on the death roll, as drugs were found on their bodies, including their private parts.

    “In their case, the Saudis do not appear to waste so much time on them. What is on social media that the lady could have been saved was incorrect.

    “There was no way we could have done that. She was found with drugs on her body; just like the other 20,” the presidential aide said.

    She, however, pointed out that in the case of those awaiting trials, the NDLEA can work with the Nigerian mission in Saudi to save them.

    “Who knows, maybe if the NDLEA forward their information to the Saudis that some of these people might be innocent of the crime, they might not even go on trial.

    “But we must continue to move fast and in harmony, so that we ensure the innocent was not unjustly punished,” she said.

    NAN

  • HIV/AIDS: FG restates commitment to remove barriers on access to treatment

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has renewed the commitment of the Federal Government to remove barriers for  seamless access to HIV and AIDS interventions toward halting the spread of infection in Nigeria.

    The minister made this known in Abuja during the dissemination meeting of Alere HIV Combo Rapid Test Kit 2018 Evaluation Report and inauguration of operational guidelines for HIV self-testing in Nigeria.

    Adewole said, “we need to establish the link between testing and treatment,’’ adding that the goal could be achieved by removing all the barriers and charges relating to the condition.

    “All those charges must disappear.

    “Whatever names we call it, we need to remove them; if we do not remove them when people tested positive they may find it difficult to move forward toward treatment.

    “There is going to be a meeting today to look at how to re-strategise it and go beyond the rhetoric of banning service charges.

    Read Also: JOHESU had no agreement with FG – Adewole

    “We are working on modalities to empower civil society organisations and people living with HIV and AIDS to act as monitors so that where these service charges were being collected they (People Living With HIV and AIDS) will act as feedback mechanism,’’ he said.

    The minister renewed the commitment of government toward eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV.

    “Our goal is that no Nigerian child should be born with HIV in this century, it has happened in many settings, we can replicate it forward.’’

    The minister said the operational guideline for the delivery of HIV self-testing in Nigeria 2018 was developed for effective implementation of HIV self-Testing in Nigeria.

    He added that the guidelines outline the principles for HIV Self -Testing delivery approaches and packages, quality assurance and coordination for HIV self- testing in Nigeria.

    NAN

  • Court threatens to order Senator Uzodinma’s arrest

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to order the issuance of arrest warrant against Senator Hope Uzodinma should his lawyer renege on his pledge to produce him in court on April 18.

    The Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) said it has, since filing a criminal charge against Uzodinma in October last year, been unable to have him attend court to plea to the charge.

    Lawyer to SPIP, Celcius Ukpong, on Friday, recounted efforts made by his agency since filing the charge, to make Uzodinma honour court’s hearing notices, but without success.

    Ukpong told the court that the SPIP was also investigating the Senator, representing Imo West in respect of a $10million contract for the dredging of Calabar Port, which he and his company allegedly failed to execute after being paid by the government.

    He faulted claim by Uzodinma’s lawyer, I. E.Ogueju-Dike that the senator, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last governorship election in Imo State, was abroad on medical grounds.

    Ukpong said it was impossible for Uzodinma to lawfully travel out of the country without being arrested.

    He said having jumped the administrative bail granted him by SPIP, he has since been placed on watch list and would be arrested anytime he attempts to leave the country.

    Ukpong then urged the court to order Uzodinma for deliberately refusing to attend court despite being served with the charge and several hearing notices.

    Ogueju-Dike faulted Ukpong’s claim and accused him of unduly portraying his client as a criminalm

    He said the case before the court was in relation to allegation of non-declaration of assets. He said the prosecution’s reference to a purported unexecuted contract was extraneous.

    Ogueju-Dike said his client was not aware of the charge on time and that he (Uzodinma) was currently outside the country on health ground.

    He prayed the court to adjourned the case to a later date to enable his client attend court.

    Ogueju-Dike undertook to ensure that Uzodinma was in court on the next adjourned date.

    Ruling, Justice Okon Abang said he would consider the passionate plea by lawyer to the defendant and his undertaking to produce the defendant in court by adjourning the case to a later date for him to attend court.

    Justice Abang said the prosecution was at liberty to repeat his application for a bench warrant against the defendant should he fail to attend court at the next adjourned date.

    The judge, who noted that no one is above the law, adjourned to April 18 for arraignment.

    Read Also: Ogun, Lagos to get Joint Development Commission – Abiodun

    The two-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/107/2018, pending against Uzodinma before the court, reads as follow:

    “That you, Senator Hope Uzodinma (M) on or about the 5th day of March 2018, being a public officer with the National Assembly Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, committed an offence to wit: refused to declare your assets without reasonable excuse and upon notice to declare your assets before the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Abuja, contrary to and punishable under S. 3 (3) (1) (a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act 2004.”

    “That you Senator Hope Uzodmma (M) on or about 5th day of March 2018 being a public officer that the National Assembly Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, committed an offence to wit: neglected to declare your assets without reasonable excuse and upon notice to declare your assets before the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Abuja, contrary to and punishable under S. 3 (3) (1) (a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act 2004.”

  • Pension arrears: Edo to verify, pay pensioners in batches

    In line with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s commitment to clear pension arrears in the state, the Edo State Government has announced the commencement of physical and documentary verification for payment of pensioners in batches 48, 49 and 50.

    In a statement, the Permanent Secretary and Chairman, Pension Bureau, Mr Saylor Juwobor, urged all pensioners in batches 48, 49 and 50 to present themselves for physical and documentary verification at the Imaguero Hall, Benin City from Wednesday, April 17 to Thursday, April 18, by 9.00am each day.

    He said, “pensioners in batches 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 who failed to participate in the previous verification exercises are urged to take advantage of the scheduled forthcoming screening alongside pensioners in batches 48, 49 and 50.”

    Read Also: Edo secures N5bn loan for rice, maize production

    “State Government Pensioners in batches 48, 49 and 50 and the spillover batches of 37 to 47 are advised to check the list of pensioners scheduled for the screening on the Notice Board in the Pensions Bureau’s Office at the former Ethiope Building, Oba Ovoranmwen Square (King Square) Benin City, from Monday April 15th and Tuesday April 16,” he added.

    He urged affected pensioners to come to the venue of the verification exercise with their “Pension Authority; Retirement Letter; Letter of First Appointment; Pension I.D. Card; Biometric Slip; and Bank details including bank name and Account Number.”

    Juwobor explained, “Upon conclusion of the verification exercise, the outstanding pension arrears of those screened will be credited into the pension account of each pensioner after necessary documentation by relevant agencies involved in the payment process.”

  • #BBOG demands National Missing Persons Register at Chibok girls’ 5th anniversary

    The #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) movement on Friday in Lagos renewed its call for the Federal Government to launch a National Missing Persons Register.

    It made this demand at the commencement of a three-day global event to mark the 5th anniversary of the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction by terrorist group Boko Haram.

    The advocacy group is marking the anniversary simultaneously in Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria, London in the United Kingdom as well as New York and Washington DC in America.

    The girls – 276 of them – were kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State, on the night of April 14, 2014, making Sunday, April 14 the event’s 5th anniversary.

    112 of the girls are yet to be captured, while others, including Leah Sharibu from Dapchi in Yobe State, are also being held captive.

    Tens of BBOG members kicked off the anniversary programme with an advocacy march from the Falomo Roundabout in Ikoyi through Osborne Road to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) office and back.

    The team, including a former president of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) Ayo Obe and executive director for Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), Yemi Adamolekun, among others, presented their demands to UNICEF via a letter.

    Read Also: Shettima to Jonathan: you lied on Chibok girls

    It said it would not relent in its advocacy “and strident demands for the rescue of our school children and fellow citizens from captivity.

    “We also demand justice for the slain; resettlement and rehabilitation for people displaced by the violence; safe schools; and the launch of the National Missing Persons Register.”

    #BBOG reminded UNICEF of its focus on promoting the rights of children in Nigeria and asked that it “should join us in the call on national, regional and global influencers and authorities to support and pressure the Nigerian government to bring the nightmare of school abductions, violent extremism and insecurity to an end.

    “Beyond your work as an organization, you have also been a victim as your employee has been in captivity for over 14 months.”

    The anniversary programme continues today with BBOG sit outs at Falomo Roundabout and at 64, Adewale Adenuga Street, Orilowo Bus stop via Binta International School, Ejigbo, Lagos.

    The activities will come to a climax tomorrow, April 14 with an interfaith vigil at Falomo Roundabout, Ikoyi between 5pm and 7pm.

    Tomorrow in London, a panel of discussants will consider the topic, #BlackLivesMatter and the #BringBackOurGirls movement: Online struggle for offline justice.

    This will hold between 4pm and 7pm at The Africa Centre, 66 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0BL.

    In New York, the event will be marked with an overnight vigil at the Nigerian Embassy from 10pm on Sunday, April 14 and 10am on Monday, April 15.

  • Seven ways to win your mother-in-law’s heart

    What exactly is the fuss about mother in-laws?  Why do so many people have issues with them? Are they really the monsters people say they are?

    The answer is simple. They are not. They are simply mothers; mothers who have to give out their children to another person.

    It really is all about perception. Once you have the right perception, it will be a smooth ride with your mother in-law.

    If you are lucky to have your mother-in-law on your side, you can be sure you are off to an enjoyable marital experience.

    These are 7 easy ways to win your mother in-law’s heart:

    1. See her as your mother

    This is the very first step to winning her over. Once you stop looking at her as the black monster out to steal your spouse, you tend to love her just as you would your mother.

    1. Get to know her

    How do you love someone you do not know? Find out what she likes. Know her values , her best food, what gets her angry, etc. Do the necessary digging around.

    1. Act accordingly

    Cook her that special meal she likes from time to time. Call her as you would someone you genuinely love. Avoid doing things that piss her off, make her know you have taken her as a mother.

    Read Also: ‘My husband takes care of his Mother than our kids’

    1. Do not overdo it

    Overdoing everything has negative consequences. Overdoing your acts of love with you mother in-law might just turn into a case of familiarity breeds contempt. The key is maintaining a balance.

    1. Prove your love for her child

    She needs to know that her child who she has nurtured for decades is in safe hands. Prove to her that you are the right partner for her child. This is where knowing her comes to play. If she is particular about healthy feeding, cook balanced diets for her child.

    1. Make sure her child fulfills parental responsibilities

    This is very important. It will make her feel less like her child was stolen from her. Make sure financial and emotional needs are fulfilled. Emphasize seriously on this.

    1. Appreciate her:

    Nothing softens the heart like a good dose of appreciation. Call her up one day and tell her how you appreciate how well she brought up her child, tell her how she has been a blessing to you and how you’d rather have no other as a mother in-law.

    Follow these steps, and watch your mother in-law love you like her child.

  • One killed, two injured in tricycle, waste truck collision in Ibadan

    A female student of the University of Ibadan, Balikis Adeniyi, died on Friday in an accident involving a commercial tricycle and a waste disposal truck at Leventis area of the Oyo State capital.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accident occurred at about 9:30 am when the tricycle marked 152 UP ran into the waste disposal truck.

    NAN also reports that two other persons were critically injured.

    According to an eye witness, Omobola Bamgbose, the crash was due to over speeding by the tricycle driver.

    ”The lady was coming from Guaranty Trust Bank at Ajibade where she went to pay her school fees.

    ”Her bag and phone were recovered and this was what made it easy for us to get in touch with her parents.

    ”The two other victims who had fractures on their head and legs had been taken to the hospital for treatment,” said Bamgbose.

    Read Also: Tricycle union warns members

    Another eyewitness, Adelowotan Adelani, accused the driver of the waste disposal truck of wrong parking.

    “The tricycle route was from Orita Merin to Sango, this accident would not have occurred if the waste disposal truck was not packed beside the road side.

    “We are appealing to the present and the incoming government in Oyo State to stop these trucks from parking on the road.

    “The Oyo State Government should look for another way of evacuating refuse instead of using these trucks and people should also stop dumping refuse on the road side again,” he said.

    When contacted, the Oyo State Police Public Relation Officer, SP Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the incident.

    He said that the corpse of the deceased had been deposited at the Adeoyo Hospital in Ibadan while the two injured persons were being treated in an undisclosed hospital.

    NAN

     

  • Ogun, Lagos to get Joint Development Commission – Abiodun

    Ogun state Governor-elect, Prince Dapo Abiodun has disclosed his administration and of that of his counterpart in Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo – Olu had mulled plans to establish a “Joint Development Commission” to drive the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of both states.

    He said the proposal is also geared towards enhancing rapid development and transformation of border communities of the two neighbouring states.

    Abiodun also disclosed that improved security and upgrading of infrastructures would form parts of the major thrust of his government in the Gateway state.

    The successful entrepreneur, oil magnate and real estate player spoke on Friday during a  “Strategic meeting” with the state chapter of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and other members of the Organised Private Sector at the factory of the Flour Mills in Agbara, Ado-Odo-Otta local government of the state.

    The Governor – elect was accompanied to the meeting by the Deputy Governor-elect, Engr. Noimot Oyedele – Salako, Otunba Rotimi Paseda, ex – Deputy governor in the state, Prince Segun Adesegun, immediate past Youth and Sports Commissioner, Mr Afolabi Afuape, Senator Gbenga Obadara and Hon. Babatunde Olaotan among others.

    Abiodun said he would resuscitate the Ogun State Road Maintenance Agency (OGROMA) within 100 days of being in office to address the deplorable township and inner city roads across the state.

    Read Also: Ogun APC celebrates Abiodun’s victory

    OGROMA, the initiative of the administration of Governor Gbenga Daniel, which perfected the art of roads repairs and rehabilitation in the state, was phased out by Governor Ibikunle Amosun hours after he took his Oath of office in 2011.

    Abiodun stressed that he would also build industrial parks and farm settlements across the three senatorial districts.

    According to him, all uncompleted projects by Amosun’s administration would be completed because Ogun State tax payers money have been invested in such projects.

    He pledged to provide conducive environment for businesses to thrive with improved security and Critical infrastructure.

    He said: “I have known the governor-elect in Lagos state, Babatunde Sanwo Olu for a long time and we have both agreed to set up a Joint Development Commission to enhance  transformation at our border areas and also to enhance the IGR of the state.

    ”Any uncompleted projects by the outgoing governor will be completed during my administration.”

    The chairman of the state branch of MAN, who is also the Managing Director, Rite foods Limited, Mr Saleem Adegunwa, said MAN would work “hand-in-hand” with the government to construct Atan -Agbara carriage road.

    ”We are really excited about the presence of the governor- elect, because we believe his administration will favour us.

    ”It is when there is enabling environment that we can be able to generate more funds for the government,” he said.

     

  • How proxy orphanages storm Niger Customs Command to claim Rice for IDPs

    Hundreds of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) posing as owners of orphanages besiege the Nigeria Customs Service Command in Niger state when they heard bags of rice would be shared to IDPs and Orphanage homes.

    A Source in the Command said that before the Committee responsible for sharing of the foodstuff came, the Command had recorded hundreds of applications.

    The proxy Orphanage homes stayed on at the Customs office in Minna on Thursday and Friday despite warnings that they will not be attended to as most of them were found not to be fake.

    As at 11 am on Friday morning, out of over 50 applicants screened, only 15 were verified to operate genuine orphanage homes.

    The Spokesman of the Committee, Ikepi Kadiri Angulu who spoke to newsmen disclosed that 70 per cent of the applications they received were not genuine orphanage homes neither were they operating an IDP camp.

    “I will not say they are fake NGOs but over 70 per cent applications we received were not running orphanages or IDP camps. Some are not orphanages; they are foundations or welfare homes.

    “Before we came, we had sent intelligence to investigate the addresses provided by these orphanages and we discovered that most of them were not orphanages.

    “We are doing verification before we allocate the bags of rice to them and immediately after each verification, we tell them if they met with the requirements or not.”

    Stating some challenges faced by the Committee especially from government officials, Angulu said the Committee had to refuse a letter from a Permanent Secretary in Niger state who wanted to lay claim on some bags of rice and the state Prisons Service.

    “Those that came claiming to have come from Government House were refused. Government knows NGOs that deals with orphans, so they should direct us to them or ask them to come.

    “A letter by a Permanent Secretary was refused. The PRO of Prisons came but they were also refused. We cannot come as a Committee and give to those who are not verified and who do not meet our mandate. ”

    He assured that the Committee will make sure that only genuine orphanage homes and operators of IDPs camps are given allocation for the foodstuff.

    Read Also: Customs seizes smuggled items worth N10.6b

    “As many verifiable orphanages and IDP camps that are in Niger will be given allocation. It is sad that some people will tell you they have orphanages but at the end of the day, it was discovered that they were not orphanages.

    “We discovered one of the addressed submitted was a religious institution which does welfare and assist the less privileged but the committee essence is to deal directly with the operators of these orphanages and IDP homes, we do not want intermediaries, we want to give it to them directly.

    “We cannot go beyond our mandate. We briefed them on our mandate and terms of reference and we expect them to adhere to it. So if they are still outside the gate waiting to be called, maybe they are confident that they have genuine orphanage homes.”

    The Spokesman said that for the Niger/Kogi/Kwara Command, 12,000 bags if rice would be distributed but only 1,900 bags would be distributed in Niger state.

    He disclosed that 250 bags of rice had already been allocated to the IDP camp in Zugeru while 150 bags to the Niger state Orphanage home in Minna.

    “We saw IDPs in Zugeru with our own eyes, 1,100 IDPs in camp and we have allocated 250 bags of rice to them. We have also verified the Government orphanage in Minna and allocated 150 bags to them.”

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