The Nation Newspaper

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  • Nigeria seeks Brazil’s support in combat against insurgency, terrorism

    The Federal Government has called for the support of Brazilian Government in the fight against Boko Haram terrorism and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

    Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, made the call in Rio de Janeiro, when he visited his Brazilian counterpart, Mr Fernando Silva.

    In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Media Assistant to the minister, Col. Tukur Gusau, quoted him as saying that terrorism was a global phenomenon that needed to be addressed by all nations.

    Read also: How we foiled Boko Haram’s bid to rob bank —DHQ

    Dan-Ali also requested the assistance of the Brazilian Defence Ministry to Nigeria’s effort at establishing a military industrial complex in the country.

    He added that “very soon, Nigeria will be sending its military officers to Brazil for training”.

    In his response, E-Silva pledged the support of his country to Nigeria for the combat of insurgency and terrorism. (NAN)

  • APC warns against Amosun’s last -minute transactions

    Ogun state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday advised the public against engaging in last minute transactions with the out – going administration, warning that the incoming government would review any of such transactions.

    In a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of APC in the state, Tunde Oladunjoye, it alleged Governor Ibikunle Amosun- led administration has engaged in last- minute awards of contracts, withdrawals from treasury, sales of land and illegal recruitment of Senator Amosun’s cronies into senior positions of the Ogun State Civil Service, ostensibly to tie the hands of its successor.

    APC noted such reported transactions are shocking and warned members the general public such hurried deals would not necessarily be binding on the incoming administration.

    The party stated: “It has come to our notice that the outgoing administration of His Excellency Senator Ibikunle Amosun, is busy with last minute awards of contracts, selling and auctioning of government properties, and secret recruitments into the civil service in a way to tie the hands of the incoming Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

    “While we find these reported last-minute awards of contracts, withdrawals from treasury, sales of land and illegal recruitment of Senator Amosun’s cronies into senior positions of the Ogun State Civil Service, very shocking, our party wishes to warn the members of the general public that such hurried transactions would not necessarily be binding on the incoming administration.

    “We urge Ogun State’s top senior civil servants not to be part of the desperate moves of the departing Governor to undermine socio-economic stability of our State, by engaging in, condoning or being part of any act that breaches or constitute a flagrant abuse of laid-down rules, regulations and due process.

    “It is our belief that an administration with less than two months to handover, should, by now, be preparing its handover notes for a smooth transition instead of digging pits for the incoming government.

    “May we also reiterate here that all loans, overdraft and financial obligations that do not follow due process, including the approval of the Ogun State House of Assembly, would not be honoured. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

    Read Also: Onnoghen’s resignation: Buhari is vindicated, says APC

    On Friday, the state government approved appointment of Professor Akinwale Coker, a professor of Civil Engineering as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the newly established Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (MAUSTECH), Abeokuta as part of measures for its take off.

    The university was established in accordance with Section 8 of the Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology Law, 2017.

    The government also approved the constitution of a Governing Council for the institution with Mr. Oye Hassan Odukale as Pro Chancellor/Chairman.

    Other members of the Council are Mrs. Bunmi Oke, Prof. John Oluranti Olajide, Chief Wale Taiwo SAN, Mr. Oladeji Oluwadiya, Bldr. Dapo Adesega, Arc. Ibukun Sonola, Ms. Amina Oyagbola and Engr. Segun Adeleye.

    The tenure of the Council Chairman and members shall be four years in the first instance while that of the Vice-Chancellor shall be a single term of five years, according to a release by the Secretary to the state government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa.

    Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Rotimi Durojaiye, demanded for details of the contracts and people recruited.

    “Can I have the list of contracts awarded, the names of people recruited into the civil service of the state and other information that may assist me, please? Thank you,” he stated.

    But when reminded Amosun has just approved the appointment of a Vice – Chancellor and Governing Council for MAUSTECH, Durojaiye stated: “Council members are not government employees, they only receive allowances.”

  • MNJTF refutes reported attack, killing of 18 soldiers by ISWAP

    The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) on Friday denied any recent attack on its troops and killing of 18 soldiers in its area of responsibility.

    Spokesman of the task force, Col. Timothy Antigha, said in a statement on Friday in Abuja, that online media report on the purported attack was false.

    The online reports had claimed that 18 soldiers were killed when a faction of Boko Haram affiliated to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked a military formation.

    According to Antigha, the reported attack and killing are falsehood being orchestrated by the media arm of ISWAP in its desperate attempt to revamp it parlous and deplorable image.

    He said that the desperation followed several weeks of devastating operational losses the group suffered in the Lake Chad Area.

    Read also: Air Force kills Boko Haram leaders, others

    “It has been widely reported and it is now common knowledge that sustained offensive actions by MNJTF troops and national forces have resulted in over 200 ISWAP personnel casualties and defections as well as numerous equipment seizures and destruction.

    “The claim of killing 18 MNJTF personnel in an unnamed location is, therefore, very strange and completely untrue.

    “Consequently, the general public is advised to disregard the ISWAP falsehood in its entirety, ” Antigha said.

    He urged the media to remain vigilant in order to frustrate attempts by terrorists to spread falsehood and propaganda in a bid to disrupt public order, peace and civility. (NAN)

  • Ajimobi’s lovely letter to wife on birthday

    The Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi on Friday displayed how much he still loves and cherishes his wife Florence.
    This he displayed via a beautiful birthday message published in some national newspapers (including The Nation) Friday, to celebrate and wish her what he described as ‘Diamond Birthday.’

    Here is the letter:

    At times like this, writing about you is something I would ordinarily hesitate to do. This because it would compel me to share a lot about our intimacy.

    READ ALSO: Ajimobi and the power in the tongue

    Besides, given the deep affection we both share and how invaluable you have been to me, there is absolutely no way I would be able to recount all your matchless attributes in this limited space.

    But since it’s your Diamond Birthday celebration, this momentous occasion should not pass by without a worthy toast to you, my priceless jewel and supportive companion.

    Mr and Mrs Ajimobi

    At a time when the privileged in our society are wont to blow their own trumpet, you have chosen to allow your numerous altruistic deeds speak for you.  You are a quintessential quiet achiever, a philanthropist extraordinaire and devout Christian, who relates with humanity with the fear of God.

    Because of your signature ebullience and warmth, you have been described in glowing terms and honorifics as caring, affectionate, accommodating, generous, beautiful, loving…by others over time. But, these are snippets in comparison with what you truly represent to me, our children and grandchildren.

    Be assured that you will forever remain the Snow in my Winter,…because of your uniqueness

     

  • Court declines jurisdiction in Rivers SDP matter

    A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has declined jurisdiction on a suit filed by the governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP),  Precious Elekima, against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Elekima had earlier alleged that he was excluded from the pre-result collation meeting between INEC and other parties that participated in the March 9 elections.
    He further prayed the court to make an interlocutory order stopping INEC from all collation activities until the court says otherwise.
    Justice Henry Oshoma Friday dismissed all interveners application before him declaring that in so far that the facts pertains to an ongoing election, he declines jurisdiction and prefers to that the Plaintiff goes to the Elections  Petition Tribunal.

    Read also: SDP disowns Senatorial candidate in Anambra

    Reacting to the above, SDP maintained that INEC has done Rivers State and people wrong and did not conduct any elections in the state.
    They urged their supporters and Rivers people to remain calm because there will be victory at last.
    They promised to carefully study the judgement and seek advice from party heads before taking any actions

  • ‘Lawmaker’s daughter worked in PenCom with fake degrees’

    A federal lawmaker and Pension Ad Hoc Committee Chairman’s daughter, Deborah Ighiwiyisi Agbonayinma has been working with the National Pension Commission (PenCom) with fake foreign and local university degree certificates, The Nation has learnt.

    Deborah’s father is Ehionzuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, the member representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha of Edo State in the  House of Representatives.

    A source at the National Assembly, who pleaded anonymity, said Deborah Agbonayinma was sacked about four weeks ago. She worked at the commission for three years.

    The source said Miss Agbonayinma worked in other government agency with the fake certificates before joining PenCom.

    PenCom confirmed that she was sacked on February 27.

    In a telephone conversation with The Nation,  Agbonayinma who spoke on his Committee’s probe of Pension Fund Administrators, declined comment on the allegations against his daughter.

    Miss Agbonayinma’s curriculum vitae with which she was employed in PenCom stated that she obtained a B.Sc degree in Accountancy with certificate number 12129 on August 8, 2012 from Irish University Business School located on 219 Bow Road, London E3 2SJ.

    A verification committee at PenCom, however, found that no such university existed as a valid UK degree-awarding institution.

    Read also: Pension assets stand at N8.906 trn – PenCom

    Having learnt that her foreign degree was ‘fake’, Miss Agbonayinma brought another degree in Accountancy to the Commission as a replacement from Olabisi Onabanjo University, which the university also disclaimed as fake.

    A probe of the documents showed that the Accountancy degree with 09083854 as a matriculation number was not listed as part of her academic qualifications in the original curriculum vitae submitted to PenCom, when she was employed.

    The Olabisi Olabanjo University (OOU), in Ogun State, in a letter dated February 6, 2019 and signed by the University’s Principal Assistant Registrar in charge of Exams and Records, Mrs O. L. Kaka, told PenCom that Miss Agbonayinma’s academic records and transcripts were fake.

    Her CV showed she was mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from 2014 to 2015, but details are still sketchy on the certificate she presented to the NYSC for the mobilisation.

    The CV also showed that she served as an Accountant in the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Development in Edo State during her Student’s Industrial Work Experience Scheme (Scheme) from June 2008 to November 2008 one year after she was enrolled to study Accountancy in London in 2007.

    PenCom said: ’’We confirmed through the UK government’s site that the university is not recognised as a valid degree-awarding body.”

  • 2019 ITTF World Junior Circuit: Nigeria sweeps medals in singles

    Just like the boys’ contingent did in the team event, they once again showed their class after sweeping majority of the medals in the singles event of the 2019 ITTF World Junior Circuit tagged Ghana Open.

    Azeez Solanke and Taiwo Matti claimed gold in the junior and cadet singles with both players adding the doubles titles in the junior and cadet to emerge as the best team in the competition.

    Despite not winning the gold medals in the girls’ event, Sukurat Aiyelabegan settled for silver and bronze medals in the mini-cadet, cadet and junior events as the most successful female player in the Nigeria team.

    To emerge as champion in the junior boys’ singles, Solanke had to dig deep to beat southpaw Matti 4-0 while Matti put the disappointment behind him by beating compatriot – Jamiu Ayanwale 3-1 to win gold medal in the cadet boys’ singles while he partnered with Ayanwale to claim the gold medal in the cadet boys doubles.

    Solanke partnership with Ayanwale also added another gold medal in the junior boys doubles after beating the pair of Matti and Augustine Emmanuel 3-1 in the final.

    However, this is indeed the best of times for Ghanaian players following the staging of the ITTF World Junior Circuit as majority of them could not hide their excitement about the hosting of the tournament.

    Despite not making it to most of the podiums, they were magnanimous that the knowledge acquired playing against some of the best juniors would fire them up to continue to work harder.

    Nathaniel Kwesi Somuah, Media Officer of Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) and Samuel Amoesi of Daily Graphic conducted separate interviews with some of the players.

    Richard Ofori, 11, who plays in mini- cadet division (Under-13), shared an experience in playing in his first ever international competition.

    “I have never played in such a competition; I felt nervous earlier which made me lost most of my matches. However, I have gained some experience and am happy about it,”

    Emnanuella Yaa kyere, also played in the girls’ mini-cadet division, said: “I am excited about playing in the competition. I have gathered a lot of experience which would help me in the future; I hope to learn from that to make me a better player.”

    For Samuel Hagan, who played in the junior division (U-18), it is an exposure for him. “I have never represented Ghana in a competition. I have learnt to be focus; I was under pressure to win which made me commit a lot of errors causing me to lose more matches at the initial stage.”

    Another Ghanaian talent, Matilda Fodu, U-18 player, recounted her joy to compete for Ghana. “The feeling is great, to represent the country on home soil, I never thought it will come soon. I have lost some matches but i hope to build on the experience and do better next time.”

     

  • Breaking: David Malpass is World Bank 13th President

    The Executive Directors of the World Bank on Friday unanimously selected David Malpass as President of the World Bank Group for a five-year term beginning on Tuesday, April 9, 2019.

    The Board expressed its deep gratitude to Interim President Kristalina Georgieva for her dedication and leadership in recent months.

    The Executive Directors followed the selection process agreed in 2011. The process included an open, transparent nomination where any national of the Bank’s membership could be proposed by any Executive Director or Governor through an Executive Director. This was then followed by thorough due diligence and a comprehensive interview of Malpass by the Executive Directors.

    The Board looks forward to working with Malpass on the implementation of the Forward Look and the capital package agreement as articulated in the Sustainable Financing for Sustainable Development Paper.

    Malpass previously served as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs for the United States.  As Under Secretary, Mr. Malpass represented the United States in international settings, including the G-7 and G-20 Deputy Finance Ministerial, World Bank-IMF Spring and Annual Meetings, and meetings of the Financial Stability Board, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

    In his role as Under Secretary, Malpass played a crucial role in several major World Bank Group reforms and initiatives, including the recent capital increase for IBRD and International Finance Corporation (IFC).

    He was also instrumental in advancing the Debt Transparency Initiative, adopted by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), to increase public disclosure of debt and thereby reduce the frequency and severity of debt crises.

    Read also: World Bank to compensate 30,000 affected by Ekiti water project

    Prior to becoming Under Secretary, Malpass was an international economist and founder of a macroeconomics research firm based in New York City.

    Earlier in his career, Malpass served as the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Developing Nations and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Economic Affairs.

    In these roles, he focused on an array of economic, budget, and foreign policy issues, such as the United States’ involvement in multilateral institutions, including the World Bank.

    Malpass has served on the boards of the Council of the Americas, Economic Club of New York, and the National Committee on US–China Relations. Malpass earned his bachelor’s degree from Colorado College and his MBA from the University of Denver.  He undertook advanced graduate work in international economics at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

    The World Bank President is Chair of the Boards of Directors of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). The President is also ex officio Chair of the Boards of Directors of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the Administrative Council of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

  • Flooding: Shaibu assures of conducive resettlement camps for Edo residents

    The Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has assured of conducive resettlement camps for residents of the state in flood-prone areas, as part of proactive measures to mitigate the impact of flash floods as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

    Shaibu gave the assurance when he visited the Internally Displaced Persons’ camp at Ekperi in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State.

    NiMet predicted the possibility of isolated flash floods due to high-intensity rainfall at the peak of the season, especially in places that are naturally prone to flooding.

    The acting governor said the visit to the camp was part of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s proactive measures to prevent a reoccurrence of last year’s experience when residents in some part of the state were displaced by flooding.

    He noted, “As the rainy season approaches, there is a need for the Edo State Government to put modalities  in place in order to safeguard the life and property in Edo State.”

    Shaibu assured that adequate arrangements have been put in place to ensure a conducive environment for persons who will be camped at the facility when the need arises as the state government anticipates heavy downpour.

    He urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to collaborate with the state government in sustaining the proactive measures and work to ensure that the impact of the floods is limited.

    During a visit to Illushi, a community on the bank of the River Niger in Esan South East LGA, the acting governor said there is urgent need to prepare ahead of time and watch out for early warnings signs, as the rains approach.

  • EFCC convicts two for Internet fraud in Ibadan

    The Ibadan zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday secured the convictions of Oyinloye Jubril and Bamidele Adegboyega before Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court 1, Ibadan.

    Oyinloye was earlier arraigned on March 7, 2019 on a four-court charge bordering on attempt to commit offence under the Advance Fee Fraud Act and obtaining by false pretence, contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

    Bamidele’s initial three-count charge when he was arraigned on March 1, 2019 borders on possession of fraudulent document.

    The duo pleaded not guilty to the initial charges. But before the adjourned date for trial, they approached the prosecution for a plea and sentence bargain.

    Consequent upon the plea bargain agreement, their earlier charges were amended and the convicts re-arraigned on one count charge each of Fraudulent Impersonation, contrary to Section 22 (3)(a) and punishable under Section 22 (4) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015.

    They both pleaded guilty to the amended charges.

    READ ALSO: EFCC nabs five internet fraud suspects in Uyo

    Adeola Elumaro and Mabas Mabur, prosecution counsel in Oyinloye’s and Bamidele’s respective cases, prayed the court to convict them based on the plea bargain agreements.

    Justice Ajoku while considering the terms of the bargain, convicted and sentenced them to four months imprisonment with effect from their days of arrest.

    The court also ordered that Oyinloye forfeits to the Federal Government his Honda Accord car, one Techno Phone, One Aitel Phone, One HP Laptop, $1, 250 USD being assets recovered from him in the  course of his investigation.

    Bamidele was, however, ordered to restitute to his victim through Federal Government the sum of $200 USD, one Techno Phone and one Dell Laptop being part of the benefit he derived from his fraudulent act.