The Nation Newspaper

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  • NYSC boss wants corpers to be security conscious

    The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Major- General Suleiman Zakari Kazaure, on Saturday charged youth corps members, particularly those posted to Katsina State, to be security conscious and  be productive in their efforts to move Nigeria forward.

    Kazaure who was represented by Barrister Ahmed Tijani, Head of Legal Unit, NYSC National Headquarters Abuja, gave the advice during an inspection visit to the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Mani road, Katsina. He urged them to avoid moving alone and also avoid following a particular track and that they should move in groups so that whatever happens, there is always someone to tell the story.

    Read Also: Police nabs kidnap syndicate, recover arms in Katsina

     He also enjoined corps members to be humble and respectful and avoid travelling alone while in the state. Kazaure commended the Mani camp corps members for being disciplined and law abiding to camp rules. The NYSC DG also described the present corps members posted to the state as the best corps members the state has ever had.

    He said “This set of corps members are fortunate to be in one of the best camp in the country and the way you comport yourself, no doubt, you are the best we have ever had”, he said.

    He said that as part of his efforts to improve the welfare of the corps members, he has given gift items to the heads of the Quarter Guards, NYSC band, Man ‘o’ war squad and the dance troupe. He equally donated a cow to the entire camp.

    Earlier, the state coordinator NYSC Katsina, Hajia Ramatu Sanda reported that over 2100 corps members were registered in the camp. She disclosed that the camp was generally peaceful and that the Corps Members were receptive and much disciplined. She said, they were very obedient to camp rules and regulations.

    Meanwhile, not less than 2200 corps members who were deployed to Katsina State, has been sensitized on the NYSC Skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development (SAED) programme.

    The state Coordinator NYSC Katsina State Hajia Ramatu Sanda who flagged off the programme, told the corps members that the problem of unemployment was not only in Nigeria but in the whole world. She urged the corps members to imbibe the spirit of SAED and participate fully in its activities.

    The coordinator made this statement at the sensitization programme organized for the members at the NYSC permanent Orientation Camp, Mani road, Katsina. She admonished the corps members to key in to the SAED/in-camp training program

  • Obaseki harps on restoring Edo’s glory in sports development

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has assured that the state would stage a comeback to the limelight in Nigeria’s sporting scene, as ongoing reforms in the state would engender a robust structure for sports development in the state.

    The governor said this in commemoration of the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace, marked every April 6, by the United Nations and its organs.

    According to him, “The International Day of Sports for Development and Peace reflects our strategy to deploy sports to drive development in urban and rural areas. As a state with immense sports potential, we have laid out a plan to tap from the talent of our people to drive sustainable development and foster peace. We are going to do this by putting the right structures in place for grooming talent and providing youths with the opportunity to showcase their talent.

    “This is why we decided to bid for the hosting rights of the National Sports Festival, which we have now gotten. With the festival, we intend to rally talent from the nooks and crannies of Edo State and bring them to national limelight.”

    Noting that some of the structures to drive development are already in place, he said, “We are a committed to the holistic development of the sporting scene in the state as shown with the setting up of the Edo State Sports Commission, which brings stability and focus to sports administration.”

    The governor added that ongoing renovation of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium will be completed in time for the National Sports Festival, and that other venues for the annual sports festival will be ready for the games, as work have commenced at the sites.

    According to the United Nations, “Due to its vast reach, unparalleled popularity and foundation of positive values, sport is ideally positioned to contribute towards the United Nations’ objectives for development and peace.

    “To raise awareness of this potential, 6 April was declared as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) by the UN General Assembly. The adoption of this Day signifies the increasing recognition by the UN of the positive influence that sport can have on the advancement of human rights, and social and economic development.”

     

  • 20 vigilantes killed, 38 injured in an auto crash

    Twenty members of vigilante group from Niger state killed while about thirty eight injured in an auto crash on their way from Tsafe local government of Zamfara state where they went on Friday to received Gun protectio concoction.

    Tsafe local government of Zamfara state has become a center of attraction Since invasion by bandits in the state where people troop from all corners of the country to received concoction for gun protection.

    The accident occurred Saturday morning in Funtua, Katsina state where the vehicle a Mitsubishi Canter was conveying about sixty five of them back to their local government of Shiroro in Niger state.

    Read Also: Govt cautions vigilantes

    One of the accident victim simply call Buhari disclosed that they were all tired and feeling very sleepy when suddenly lose control and started tumbling according to him they have been on transit from shiroro to Tsafe and are going back to their local government in Niger state when the accident occurred.

    Sector commander of the federal Road Safety Corp Mr. Joshua Bulus Ako disclosed that the accident was caused by serious fatigue on the driver who has been traveling with them for over thirty hours.

    Ako call on commuters to ensure that they have full sleep and rest whenever they are feeling tired to ensure accident free society also urging travellers to ensure that their attention is always cast on their drivers to make sure he has full energy and is fatigue free.

    The bodies of the accident victims has on Saturday morning with representatives of their families from Shiroro local government buried in funtua according to Islamic rites while the injured victims were receiving treatment at the Shehu Sambo Idris Specialist hospital in the same local government.

  • Food shortage hits Fufore IDPs Camp in Adamawa

    No fewer than 1,400 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) including the elderly, women and children from Fufore in Adamawa State are complaining of acute food supply in the camp.

    Malam Bakura Umar, an IDP and leader of IDPs in Fufore Camp, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Yola.

    Umar complained that for the past three months the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had not supplied food to them.

    “About 1,400 IDPs, mostly women, children and elderly people are facing starvation due to acute food supply in Fufore Camp.

    Read Also: Highway robbery claims six in Adamawa

    “For the past three months, NEMA didn’t supply food for us and we are facing serious living conditions.

    “Because of the acute food supply both men and women from the camp had to go out to Fufore town and other nearby villages to look for food in order to survive,” Umar said.

    He said they were in the camp since 2014 and NEMA used to supply food items for them on monthly basis for every household living in the camp.

    The chairman said the IDPs in the camp were from Bama, Gwoza and Gamboru Ngala in Borno state.

    He said they were brought to the camp from Republic of Cameroon after Boko Haram overran their villages and towns in 2013 and they escaped to Cameroon for safety.

    He appealed to appropriate authorities concerned to come to their aid.

    When contacted, Alhaji Abani Garki, the NEMA Operational Officer in charge of Adamawa and Taraba dismissed the starvation claims and described it as “false alarm”.

    Garki told NAN that the agency was aware about the short delay in supply of the food to the camp.

    “The Agency is aware about the short delay of regular monthly food supply to households in Fufore camp but there was nothing like starvation in the camp.

    “In fact the delay was not as they claimed because we experienced a short delay of food supply in January this year due to some logistic challenges which affected the following months of February and March.

    “The Agency is trying all it can to ensure the IDPs are being taking care of properly,” Garki said.

    He said that the Federal Government was taking very good care of the IDPs including children education, healthcare provision and food supply.

  • Lawmaker to Sanwo-Olu: consult widely before forming cabinet

    A Lagos lawmaker, Prince Bisi Yusuff on Saturday urged the state Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to consult adequately before forming his cabinet in order to get it right from the start.

    Yusuff, a third-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Alimosho Constituency I, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    According to the former two-term Ipaja-Ayobo Chairman, the incoming governor should not do anything alone if he wants to succeed.

    “Sanwo-Olu should not do it alone, he should consult with leaders widely that is my own candid opinion and I would not shy away from saying that.

    Read Also: NGO urges Sanwo-Olu to revamp civil service

    “He should not arrogate the selective power to himself alone. It is when you do that, that people view it as a team work and they would have confidence in him.”

    He said that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and leader of the party in the state would never do anything alone without due diligence in consulting with the relevant stakeholders.

    “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not even do that to anybody if you know him like I do; the “Jagaban of Borgu” would never select alone.

    “He (Tinubu) would ensure that he consulted with every leader in each local government before concluding or coming up with the list.

    “The era of saying somebody is imported from somewhere has gone,” Yusuff, Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (Local) said.

    According to him, Tinubu has trained thousands of his foot soldiers in Lagos, in other parts of Nigeria and even outside the shores of Nigeria on democratic norms.

    NAN

  • 2019 polls: Ikpeazu commends Navy for ensuring adequate security in Abia

    The governor of Abia state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has commended members of the Nigerian Navy for the security role they played in the state during the last general election which led to a peaceful and orderly elections.

    Ikpeazu said that the navy in conjunction with other security agencies operating in the state played significant roles that made the state to have a secured and protected environment devoid of election violence before, during and after the elections.

    Speaking during the convocation ceremony of the Nigerian Navy Finance and Logistics College (NNFLC) Owerrinta, Abia state, Ikpeazu praised the efforts of the commandant/rector of the school for the successful packaging of the diploma courses.

    Ikpeazu represented by his deputy, Sir Ude Oko-Chukwu recalled that since the school was established in the state that it has gone a long way in ensuring the security of life and property of the people of Owerrinta in particular and the state at large, while calling on them to continue in securing the state.

    The Abia state governor assured the navy of the readiness of his administration to continue to provide logistics and infrastructure for the college within the resources available so that they could continue to protect the host community and the entire state at all times.

    In his address the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command and chairman of the governing board of the college, Rear Admiral S. I. Enoch described the ceremony as a partial fulfillment of the vision and mission of the navy which encourages acquisition of knowledge by its personnel to enhance their operational duties.

    Admiral Enoch noted that, “Nigerian Navy believes very strongly that knowledge is power and that by giving personnel relevant knowledge through education, they can thrive and prosper in a globalized world especially in support of military operations”.

    He told the graduating students, “I am glad that you made good use of the opportunity offered to you by the Nigerian Navy and the navy college at Owerrinta in particular to improve yourselves, which will make you good ambassadors of the college wherever you operate”.

    In his welcome speech, the Commandant/Rector of the college, Navy Capt Omotola Omotayo Olukoya said that the event was the maiden edition which is for three different sets of graduating students of 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018.

    Navy Capt Olukoya said, “It is worthy to note that since the inception of the academic branch which is National Diploma (ND) section, the college has turned out three sets of ND graduates in accountancy and they include, one Distinction, 22 Upper Credit, 42 Lower Credit and 4 Pass”.

    He noted that reports available to the college showed that where the students were posted for their industrial experience and one one work experience, “Your out put showed that you are well grounded in your chosen discipline”.

    The Commandant/Rector of the college explained that they are making efforts to get the National Board for Technical Education to accredit the Higher National Diploma in accountancy and some course such as ND in Hospitality management, Purchasing and Supply and Marketing.

    In his valedictory speech on behalf of other students, the over all best graduating student, Ezemonye Michael thanked the navy and the college for the opportunity given to them and for teaching them well and pledged to be good ambassadors of the college.

    The high point of the event which was attended by sister agencies was the institutionalizing of award of the sum of N100,000 each year for the best graduating accountancy student by the deputy governor, Sir Oko-Chukwu a chartered accountant.

     

     

  • Bore hole operators, drillers to pay tax in Katsina

    The Katsina State Government said it would tax borehole owners and operators in the state as part of measures aimed at generating revenue for the state and also to address indiscriminate drilling of borehole by several private houses in the state without following due processes

    The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Salisu Gambo Dandume, told The Nation on Saturday in an exclusive interview, that the situations where owners of private houses embark on drilling of boreholes even without observing the mandatory kilometer spacing have become worrisome

    He further assured that the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, RUWASSA, shall be strengthened to enforce laws the drilling and installation of bore holes in the state

    In a related development that the State Government has assured that the recent water scarcity that hit the state in the past two weeks shall be over by the end of April following the expected delivery of two new water pumping machines on April 8 which when installed will immediately boost water supply in the state.

    Read Also: Police nabs kidnap syndicate, recover arms in Katsina

    The Commissioner attributed the scarcity water in the state to the failure of the water pumping machines to deliver supplies

    He said ’’the water scarcity that is noticeable in the state is largely caused by the failure of the water pumping machine, which has aged between 5-6 years now, and has experienced inadequate maintenance and lack of spare parts’’.

    ‘’We have placed an order for a new one, 3 to 4 months ago with delivery expected to be made April 8.each pump costs about N94m’’

    ‘’When installed it will ease the suffering of Katsina people in the area of water supply, and the issue of scarcity will be addressed once and for all

    Alhaji Dandume also disclosed that the expected commencement of water supply from the Zobe Dam project represents another big relief in the delivery of water to the people.

    ‘’The delay in commission the Zone water project was caused by series of testing the project was subjected to. We tested the water pressure and the booster pumps and the area gravity that should empower water supply’’

    “We encountered canalization of some Zobe water pipelines and stealing of heavy water metals which needed repairs all of which contributed to the delays’’

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that some of the areas affected by the scarcity include: Layout, GRA, Dandagoro, Rafindadi, Abatour, Kofar Sauri, and Goruba Road among others.

    Residents combed the streets with their kegs to fetch water from any available sources, while water vendors were seen crowding available water boreholes in vain, waiting to buy water and sell to their growing number of customers

     

     

  • ‘Kainji, Jebba plants lose N900m monthly over stranded 150mw’

    Following the stranded over 150Mega Watts (MW) in Kainji and Jebba Hydro Power Plants, the operator Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited Limited (MESL), is currently incurring excess of N900 million monthly.

    The Executive Director, Siraj Abdullahi disclosed this to reporters that were in Kainji plant, Kainji in Niger State, to get first hand information on the stranded power issue.

    He said that ” On an average we loses N900million every month as a result of power that we have that is ready to go to the grid and it is not taken either by ram down or by high grid frequency. There are worse months we lose over a billion.”

    Due to the losses, the  company has planned to sell its stranded power to some local and international eligible customers.

    Abdullahi, however, noted that the only snag that is delaying the company from vending its electricity directly to the consumers through the eligible customers policy is the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

    According to him, the commission that has been sitting on the customers and generation companies’ applications  for the operation of the eligible customer policy, has not formally approved any application for eligible customer operation.

    His words: “They (NERC) have been putting a lot of impediments on the eligible customer policy. Our customers have applied, we have applied, we have given all necessary documentations. But till today, they (NERC) have not given anybody any formal approval. So, I am not sure they are helping us, as much as they should be helping us.”

    He admitted that the company has been through the arrangement of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) shopping for eligible customers for the stranded power from neighbouring countries of Niger, Bukinafaso, and Benin Republic.

    Read Also: AfDB approves $100m for Kainji, Jebba hydro power projects

    In preparation for the supply of power for the international customers, the MESL has opened idle pits in the plants to install two turbines that produce 120mw each for onward transmission to the West coast.

    Abdullahi noted that “that is why we are full members of WAPP. We want to plan to see if we can get to Niger, Bukinafaso, and beyond.

    Continuing, he said that “We are working on another unit one G9 that will give us 80mw. We have started decoupling one G7 that will give us another 100mw. We are doing two G6 in Jebba for 96mw. Even for the local market we are rapping up. This year we are going to start two G6 in Jebba.”

    According to him, there is a limit to what the company can sell to the eligible customers because the commission does not allow 100% eligible. He stressed that it will be a fantastic idea if the firm is allowed to send 250mw to eligible customer.

    He disclosed that on the average on the grid, the MESL has never done 650mw, noting that “the day we did 822mw, on 16th of September, 2018, we killed a cow here to celebrate.”

    Mr. Oladele Sunday, who conducted the reporters round the plants explained that the stranded power in Kainji at that moment was 34mw that was rammed down (load reduction) , noting that the case of Jebba was different as it was outright shutdown of 120mw.

    Enumerating the five eligible customers of the company, he said they are Came Industries, Ilorin; Came Integrated Steel Rolling Mill; Olam Farm, Ilorin; Lord Smith Techno Nigeria Ltd in Ewekoro, Ogun State and Inland Galaxy in Aba, Abia State.

    He further revealed that other Chinese companies were already requesting to become their eligible customers.

    He  revealed that the company has been using transmission and DisCo network  to distribute power to its eligible customers. He said that “without using DisCos or TCN, we have to run a line from our facilities.”

    The arrangement, according to him, is that the MESL pays wheeling charge for using their facilities.

    One of the officials in charge of Business Development, Mr. Umar Aliyu, noted that for one to qualify as an eligible customer, there are customers that operate within the space of TCN’s 330 and 132 KV, those ones only need to do transmission use of system agreement.

    He added that “but where an eligible customer’s prospect falls within a DisCos space, we still give him power but we have to do a distribution use of system agreement.

    According The Sunday, at times, the operator releases  the water from the dam because of the stranded power.

  • Global cooperation inevitable to defeat terrorism, other challenges – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday declared that the only way to defeat predatory and divisionary forces globally was cooperation among nations.

    He spoke in Jordan at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa, with the theme of “Building New Platforms of Cooperation”.

    President Buhari noted that the global problems are compounded by physical borders that no longer exist to protect even the most secured nations in the current digital age.

    He said “In this digital age where physical borders no longer exist to protect even the most secured nations, the only way to overcome predatory and divisionary forces is for all well-meaning nations to work together for the greater good of mankind.

    “Simply put, cooperation amongst sovereign nations is no longer a choice. It is an absolute necessity,” he said

    According to him, the world in the last ten years has completely changed.

    He said “We have seen and experienced significant shifts on many fronts. In Technology; Population and Migration; Trade and Geopolitics; Climate change; and many more.

    “For some nations, these trends have had positive impacts. But of course, we have also seen the negative and destructive outcomes of these trends in other countries.

    Read Also: Buhari keeping promises, says presidency

    “It is my view, that no region of the world has felt the full impact of these dramatic shifts and shocks like the Middle East and Africa – North and Sub-Sahara.

    “On one hand, our region is blessed with a very young, vibrant, enterprising and dynamic population. We also have valuable natural resources that are the envy of many nations,” he said

    These assets and endowments, he said, has contributed to Nigeria’s region experiencing some of the highest economic growth rates in the world.

    On the other hand, he pointed out that the region has also been hosts to some of the deadliest conflicts in recent history.

    Lack of social and economic inclusion, he said, are mainly responsible for the problem.

    He said “The deaths, damage and destruction caused by terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda, ISIS and Boko Haram over the last ten years will take decades to repair.

    “By the special grace of God, today, most of these terrorist organizations have been significantly degraded. The world came together to achieve this. Now, we are faced with the task of rebuilding.

    “It is at this point that we must ask ourselves how we, as a region, got to this point. The answer, at least in the case of Nigeria, is the lack of social and economic inclusion.

    “As Nigeria celebrated being the largest economy in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Nigerians were migrating in droves through harsh desert conditions and across treacherous seas to seek what they believe would be a better life in Europe.

    “I strongly believe that the lack of social and economic inclusion was the root cause of many challenges we are experiencing.”

    Efforts, he said, must be put in place to start engaging the increasing population, productively.

    “Today, our population is one hundred and ninety million people. By 2050, it is estimated that we hit three hundred and ninety million making us the third most populous country in the world. This means we must start working now to ensure this population is productively engaged.”

    He said that Nigeria in the last four years focused on security while implementing inclusive policies.

    He added “On the security front, we made significant gains in fighting Boko Haram. We have recaptured all territories held by Boko Haram in 2014. We have liberated thousands of Nigerians held against their will.

    “Today, I am pleased to say no territory in the Federal Republic of Nigeria is held or controlled by Boko Haram. We are extremely grateful to the many countries that have stood with Nigeria to confront this global scourge and in particular, the Kingdom of Jordan under the leadership of His Majesty, the King.

    “Furthermore, our economic diversification and social inclusion policies are also yielding positive results. Our country has now returned to the path of growth. We are making gains in the ease of doing business indices.

    “A key driver for growth is the agricultural sector where we aggressively pushed agricultural policies that empowered millions of our rural citizens.

    “In the spirit of “Building New Platforms of Cooperation”, we partnered with the Kingdom of Morocco to domesticate fertilizer production in Nigeria and revive over two million tons of abandoned fertilizer blending plant capacity.

    “The outcome is we created tens of thousands of jobs in agriculture, logistics, manufacturing and retail sectors. We are able to achieve moderate growth. But it was inclusive.

    “Nigeria is now at a new dawn and embarking on a new development trajectory. We are determined to industrialise Nigeria leveraging our comparative advantage.

    “We recognize the private sector as the engine of growth and a veritable partner in our economic agenda. The Middle East is a natural partner.”

    Africa and the Middle East, he said, must therefore focus on policies that will deliver shared economic prosperity for the citizens.

    “On trade and investments for example, we can do more. Africa represents only five percent of Jordan’s trade with the world. But we have the resources, the people and the markets to do more.

    “Opportunities exist in key job creating sectors such as Agriculture, Health, Tourism, ICT, Infrastructure as well as Textile and garmenting to mention a few.

    “Our new, inclusive and diversified Nigeria is definitely open for business. Our population, resources, policies and programs make it the most attractive investment destination in Africa.

    “As friends and allies, we must therefore cooperate and leverage on our relative strengths. We must remain open to “Building New Platforms of Cooperation”.

    “As we deliberate over the next two days, I would ask all leaders present to reflect on our collective experiences. We must identify how we can work together.

    “Today, we are living in a new world. In this new world without borders, my personal view is stability and sustainability can only be achieved through inclusive economic growth, and enhanced cooperation amongst nations,” he stated.

  • Reps give last warning to Madonna University VC, others

    The House of Representatives has warned the Vice Chancellor (VC) of Madonna University, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Edeh till 9th of this month to appear before it or be forced to comply.

    Others expected to appear with the VC include other officials of the school, Rev. Fr. Francis Nwachukwu, Rev. Fr. Francis Nginga and Mr Ogbonna Okey.

    They were expected to give account on the alleged abduction and torture of two students before the Uzoma Nkem-Abonta-led House Committee on Public Petition.

    The Committee regretted that rather than appear before it and shed light on the issue, the VC and the others ignored the invitation and sought to bar the House from investigating the issue by filling a case against the jurisdiction of the House to wade into the matter.

    An Abuja Federal High Court however last week, on 26th March disclosed the suit on the ground that the parliament was constitutionally empowered by Section 88 (2) (a) and (b) to carry out investigation on such matters.

    Committee Deputy Chairman, Simon Arabo, who chaired the proceeding said there is a need to unravel the truth of the incidence.

    The Committee also expressed its eagerness to understand why a criminal case before a course of competent jurisdiction had to adjourn sine die (indefinitely).

    “That is why the VC and the others must come and give their own accounts to assist the Committee.

    “When you are pursuing a legal course, make some assumptions, so that when the court action arise, your action does not become statute barred, based on the law of the State where the incidence happened.

    “If they are students, they have not been rusticated, have they been barred from going to school, why are they not in school?

    “If they have been barred, steps must have been taken that they are readmitted to complete their courses.

    Read Also: Madonna varsity alumni support the blind

    “Two years out of school is not funny for a student.

    “So looking at it critically, again, we have to look at the fact that the case supposed to have been prosecuted and all of a sudden they adjourned the matter sine die. In a criminal matter? No, why? There is no court anywhere in the country that does that”.

    He adjourned the hearing till 9th of March for all parties to appear.

    For being abducted and tortured by the school’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) and the Dean of Student Affairs, the two students, Stanley Okoye, a final year Engineering student and Ga-Lim Aondofa were allegedly abducted requested the House to compel the school to compensate them for their medical treatment.

    The two also prayed that  the costlitigation and loss of earnings be paid to them  because most of their course mates that graduated are working

    ”We are asking that House compel the school to pay themnN150m because some of them sustained life threatening injuries during the ordeal.

    “One of them has an injuring at the back below his neck and supoosed to travel abroad for treatment but he couldn’t because his father has exhausted all he has on him already treating him locally,” counsel to the students told the Committee.