The Nation Newspaper

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  • El-Rufai praised for health initiatives

    The President of Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Samuel Akingbehin, has praised Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for his bold initiatives towards better health service delivery.

    Akingbehin, who was reacting to the appointment of Dr. Suleiman Usman as the Provost of the Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, Markafi, said El-Rufai has demonstrated his believe in merit and competence in sustaining his achievements in governance.

    He described Usman as a seasoned professional with the capacity to ensure the school is ranked among the best in the country through the production of quality environmental health graduates.

    “The appointment of Dr. Usman, Chairman of the Kaduna State branch of EHOAN, is a good decision by Governor El-Rufai, to encourage the availability of quality health personnel for the state and the country. Dr. Usman is a rare breed environmental health professional. He is a round peg in a round hole. It shows the sincerity of the governor in ensuring high productivity through the appointment of qualified and competent hands in important positions.

    “The state, and indeed Nigeria, needs qualified personnel to ensure effective implementation and supervision of government health policies. I have no doubt Dr. Usman will justify the confidence reposed in him,” he said.

  • Lalong to rebuild multi-billion Jos Main Market

    The Plateau Government says it is set to start rebuilding the multi-billion Jos Main Market burnt in 2004

    The state government had earlier engaged experts to conduct an integrity test of what was left of the burnt market and advise it appropriately.

    Mr Yakubu Dati, Commissioner for Information and Communication told newsmen on Wednesday in Jos after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Gov Simon Lalong.

    He said that traders selling within the market had been notified to vacate the area as work was billed to commence soon.

    “Notices have already been given to traders selling within the vicinity of the market to immediately leave the area.

    “Council appeals to traders occupying Jos Main Market to abide by the plan being put in place by he Ministry of Commerce and Industry to ensure the rebuilding of the market.

    “The process involves demolition of parts of the existing structure and this can only be done when traders give way and create way for the demolition to take place for safety concern.

    “We appealing to traders and stakeholders to cooperate with relevant authorities to ensuring that the dream of rebuilding the market is achieved,” he said.

    The commissioner stated that the appeal for the traders to leave the confines of the market was to ensure safety of lives and properties when the demolition begins,

    According to him, government will enforce compliance if the people failed to willingly heed the appeal.

    Dati further said that the council also congratulated the governor and his deputy, Prof Sonni Tyoden on their re-election.

    “Council also congratulated the people of Plateau for conducting themselves peacefully during the elections”, he added. (NAN)

  • Kaduna, Enugu, Lagos, Abia, Anambra top reformed states in 2018

    Five states of the Federation on Wednesday night received awards for been top five reformed states in the year 2018.

    The states in descending order included Kaduna, Enugu, Lagos, Abia, and Anambra.

    They received their awards from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Awards 2019 held at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    Anambra State improved its score from 47 to 53.50 by making it easier to start a business and to register property in the State.  –  Abia State improved its score from 46 to 53.90 by making it easier to start a business and to register property in the State.  –  Lagos State improved its score from 48 to 54.90 by making it easier to start a business, register property and obtain construction permits in the State.  –  Enugu State improved its score from 47 to 56.82 by making it easier to start a business, register property as well as enforce contracts in the State.   –  Kaduna State improved its score from 55 to 65.97 by making it easier to start a business.

    Other companies and individuals that got awards at the ceremony included Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Corporate Affairs Commission, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion.

    Others are the Senate and the House of Representatives, Court of Appeal, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, National Assembly Environment Round Table, DFiD, World Bank, Oando Energy Resources, First Bank of Nigeria,

    Omotayo Omoniyi, who returned large sum of money found to the authorities also received award at the ceremony.

    Other awardees are FIRS, Nigeria Custom Service, Nigeria Port’s Authority, Nigeria Shippers Council, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, Lagos State Judiciary.

    Banwo and Ighodalo, KPMG Nigeria, Procter and Gamble Nigeria, Deloitte Nigeria and Aluko and Oyebode also got awards at the ceremony.

    Osinbajo said “It really is a pleasure to be here this evening to celebrate the phenomenal successes of the PEBEC reforms but more importantly to recognize specially some of those who made it all possible. Our incredibly selfless and committed private sector partners and the sterling performance of many in the public sector.I n the past three years, Nigeria has implemented more than 140 reforms to make doing business in Nigeria easier.

    “Some of the  successful reforms include the ability to: Reserve a business name within 4-hours, Complete the registration of a company within 24 hours online, Apply for and receive approval of a visa-on-arrival electronically within 48hrs, File and pay taxes online; and, Access specialised small claims commercial courts in Lagos and Kano, The World Bank also reported in 2018 that 32 states of Nigeria improved their Ease of doing business environment led by Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, Lagos and Anambra

    “In 2019, PEBEC set a goal to move Nigeria into the top-100 on the 2020 World Bank Doing Business Index (DBI). To achieve this, we will be pursuing the continued implementation reforms across all indicators, including

    “implementation of legislative reforms, specifically the  passage of the new Companies and Allied Matters Act  and the  Omnibus Bills, the expansion of the regulatory reform program started with NAFDAC and NAICOM to include other regulators, the establishment of a National Trading Platform for ports; and the concession of our major international airports.”

    Stressing that PEBEC has now commenced the fourth 60-day National Action Plan (NAP 4.0) on Ease of Doing Business, he said, NAP 4.0 is running from the 1st of March to the 29th of April, 2019.

    Read also: No controversy over status of Nigeria SEZ Investment Company – Presidency

    “It aims to deepen the reforms delivered over the past 3 years and drive institutionalization.

    “We have highlighted key action items in all of the focus areas to ensure they do not unravel, and to ensure we drive sustainability

    “Some of the targets achieved in the last NAP 3.0 include driving registration for utilization of the National Collateral Registry to facilitate access to credit for SMEs; Clearance of all pending NAFDAC registration applications to improve efficiency; and Creation of a strengthened single joint cargo examination interface in all airports & seaports for import and export to reduce the time spent at the ports.”

    He added “NAP 4.0 will focus on initiatives such as enforcing compliance with SLAs across all indicators/focus areas, driving the passage of the CAM Bill 2018 for improved effectiveness of company law in Nigeria, enhancing efficiency in the small claims court, and enhancing the application and approval system for visas on arrival, to mention a few.”

    The Council, he said, will continue to work extensively with all MDAs, the National Assembly and other key stakeholders.

    He said “All of us who have been involved in this incredible journey will agree that it has been both exciting and fulfilling even if admittedly sometimes frustrating. But that is the way of progress. I congratulate you all for the great successes and thank you all for keeping faith with our joint vision. In particular we must commend our private sector partners who have contributed immensely to the technical output of the EBES through the secondment of professional staff to the secretariat. Let me specially mention the KPMG Professional Services, Deloitte, Procter and Gamble, Banwo&Ighodalo, Aluko and Oyebode.

    “The NBA-SBL was also particularly instrumental in the drafting of the omnibus bill. About 40 law firms worked pro-bono towards this effort. Our nation is truly grateful to you.

    “We must also commend the Hon. Minister of Industry Trade and Investment Dr OkeyEnelamah for his focused and forthright leadership, and the incomparable and tireless Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry Trade and Investment Dr JumokeOduwole and her team.

    “To the rest of us I think we have demonstrated that the work of creating a world-class environment for commerce will be done by like minds in the Nigerian private and public sectors, and these are the  exceptional ladies and gentleman such as yourselves who form the PEBEC family, well-done everyone God bless you.” he stated.

  • PDP, Secondus congratulate Wike, others on victory

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers on his victory in the just-concluded governorship election in the state.

    The governor was declared winner of the poll by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday in Lagos after a resumed collation of ballots of the poll held across the country on March 9.

    Collation of the votes was suspended by the INEC, which cited violence and other electoral irregularities during the election in the state, as reason for the action.

    The PDP in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan,
    described Wike’s re-election as “victory for the people of Rivers and triumph of good over evil.”

    INEC declared that Wike won the election with 886,264 votes, while his opponent, Mr Biokpomabo Awara, of African Alliance Congress (AAC) trailed with 173,859 votes.

    Ologbondiyan said that Wike’s record 700,000 votes margin of victory “speaks volume of the resilience of the people of the state in the face of intimidations, harassment and manipulations by oppressive forces”.

    He said that the victory reinforced the confidence of the people in the resoluteness of asserting their democratic choice of leadership as well as standing in defence of their mandate to the end.

    The party’s spokesman added that the victory also demonstrated that the will of the people would always prevail against every form of suppression.

    He said that All Progressives Congress (APC) wanted to forcefully take over control of the state against the wish of the people.

    Read also: Updated: INEC declares Wike re-elected in Rivers

    “The party salutes and venerates all compatriots who were killed by agents of the oppressors during the election. These compatriots did not die in vain and those who shed their innocent blood will surely be
    brought to book.

    “The PDP commends Wike, the people of Rivers and all lovers of democracy across the board for standing firm until the end to hand this disgraceful defeat to the enemies of the people.”

    Ologbondiyan also congratulated all PDP candidates, who won elections at all levels across the country.

    He assured those pursuing their mandates at the tribunals that the party was fully behind them, “given that they all have water tight cases at the courts”.

    Similarly, PDP National Chairman, Mr Uche Secondus, commended the resilience of party members across the country, particularly the elected ones, for extraordinary show of capacity to resist and withstand brutality, blatant intimidation, harassment and political terrorism.

    In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Mr Ike Abonyi, the chairman said that PDP was proud of all its flag bearers and their conduct during and after the elections.

    “By your peaceful conduct in the face of provocations, you have demonstrated truly that democracy is in your DNA and this we will continue to exhibit until all non-democrats pretending to be one are flushed out of our polity.”

    Secondus said that the victorious PDP flag-bearers did not only contest with All Progressives Congress (APC), but with some INEC and military personnel allegedly compromised.

    He said that the introduction of inconclusive and suspension of polling in the country’s electoral process was ostensibly to aide APC to victory through supplementary balloting.

    Secondus said that the APC, however, could not achieve it aim in Rivers, Bauchi, Adamawa, Sokoto and Benue because of the doggedness of committed democrats in the PDP.

    He particularly commended PDP governors for their re-election which, according to him, revealed their overwhelming performances in the last four years in their various states.

    “From 11 states when we started this journey in December, 2017 to 13 before the election and now, 15, with a very high hope of victory coming our way in five other states of Osun, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kano and Nasarawa.”

    Secondus said that the strategic spread of the PDP victories spoke volume of the character and strength of the party as the only true national platform in the country. (NAN)

  • Abuja-Kadunna Highway kidnapping: NAF to provide geospatial intelligence

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reiterated its commitment to support the Police and other security agencies with imagery intelligence to tackle security challenges in Nigeria.

    NAF Spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said this was part of inter-agency cooperation to address security challenges in the country, especially, the issue of kidnapping and banditry along the Abuja-Kaduna highway and Kaduna-Birnin Gwari axis.

    Daramola said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this when the Acting Inspector General of Police, (I-G), Mohammed Adamu, and the Director-General DSS (DG DSS), Yusuf Bichi, visited him at NAF Headquarters, Abuja.

    He said the I-G and the DG DSS on arrival went into a closed-door meeting with the CAS before undertaking a guided tour of facilities at the newly established, state-of-the-art Geospatial-Intelligence Data Centre (GIDC) and Strategic Air Operations Centre (SAOC).

    Read also: NAF, Police, DSS plan joint action against bandits, kidnappers in Northwest

    He said that the GIDC, equipped with high-tech computer hardware and software, was established to enhance the acquisition, analysis, interpretation and exploitation of imagery and geospatial information to provide actionable intelligence for the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

    He said the equally well-equipped SAOC is expected to greatly enhance the coordination of air operations in support of internal security operations across the country.

    Adamu while inspecting the facilities, expressed delight and satisfaction with the cutting edge technologies and sophisticated computer software at the Centres.

    He said the essence of the visit to the CAS was to explore possibilities of using NAF air assets and the products of the GIDC to improve the effectiveness of operations to deal with issue of kidnapping and armed banditry.

    ” Especially along the Kaduna-Abuja Highway and other parts of the country including Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Niger and Kogi States.”

    According to him, the criminals had moved towards the Abuja axis to carry out their nefarious activities, ” as a result of the onslaught by security agencies against the bandits in Zamfara.

    “I felt that as a security agency, we need to synergize with other security outfits.

    ” We don’t have the air capability but the NAF has them, with this, we can have a joint operation to deal with this security issue.”

    The I-G appreciated the CAS for making NAF air assets available for the operation and also availing the police and DSS of the capabilities of the GIDC and SAOC.

    He also congratulated Abubakar for emplacing such facilities and making them available to other security agencies to enhance internal security operations for the benefit of the Nigerian people.(NAN)

  • I gave Ajudua money to get me the best lawyer, not to bribe judge – Bamaiyi

    Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ishaya Bamaiyi on Wednesday told an Ikeja High Court he gave money to Fred Ajudua to get a very good lawyer to secure his freedom.

    He denied claims by the defence that he gave money to Ajudua to bribe Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, who was then handling his trial in 2006 at Ikeja High Court.

    Bamaiyi stated this while been crossed examined by counsel to Ajudua, Olalekan Ojo ( SAN).

    Bamaiyi explained he agreed to suggestion by Ajudua to reach out because he was in prison and wanted to get freedom by all means.

    Ajudua is standing trial before Justice Josephine Oyefeso for allegedly defrauding Bamaiyi of $8.4m in 2004 while they were both in custody of the Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos.

    The EFCC alleged Ajudua defrauded Bamaiyi of the money while they were both on remand at Kirikiri Prison, Lagos.

    While Ajudua was in the prison for an alleged fraud related offence, Bamaiyi was in the facility in relation to the attempt on the life the publisher of The Guardian, Mr Alex Ibru.

    General Bamayi was later discharged and acquitted of the alleged offence.

    At resume of the proceedings on Wednesday, Ojo reminded Bamaiyi of the oath he took earlier before the court after which he confirmed that he gave money to Ajudua to help him get “a good lawyer” who will bring him out of prison.

    Read Also: Bamaiyi and perfidious Generals

    Responding to questions from Ojo, Gen. Bamaiyi said: “I agreed with Ajudua’s suggestion because I believe they were truthful.

    “He brought the idea to me and I agreed because I wanted to secure my freedom. If anybody is in trouble, he will do anything to get out of trouble”.

    Bamaiyi maintained that he knows it is wrong for anyone to offer any judicial official bribe.

    “I know it is wrong to compromise a judicial official. I don’t see anything wrong in reaching out to anybody as long as what you are sending him for is reasonable.

    “He deceived me, he never told me he was going to pay any judicial official on my behalf.  His suggestion to me is to get a very good lawyer, not judicial official,” he maintained.

    Bamaiyi however said Ajudua never suggested meeting officials of Lagos State Government to him and that he never sent him to bribe any official on his behalf.

    He also denied sending one Daniel Amos to bribe anybody to facilitate his release from prison.

    Asked by Ojo the number of times he sent errand to any judicial officer, Bamaiyi said: ”I never did”.

    He also told the court that he was not aware that Daniel Amos made a written statement on his behalf at the EFCC but that he personally made some statements at the commission’s office.

    “I can remember I wrote one of such statement in June 2006 but I can’t recollect when I wrote other statements.”

    At this stage, the defence counsel, Ojo then called for the original copy of the statement the witness made at the EFCC’s office from the prosecuting counsel, Seidu Atteh.

     Atteh told the court that he might have mistakenly put it in another matter involving the defendant.

    Atteh, urged the defence counsel to continue with his cross-examination on other areas promising to produce the statement at the next adjourned date.

    But Ojo refused, insisting the prosecution lacks the competence to dictate to him how to conduct his cross-examination of Bamaiyi and asked for an adjournment.

    Ruling on the matter, Justice Josephine Oyefeso held that the prosecution cannot tell the defence how to conduct its cross-examination.

    She thereafter ordered the prosecuting counsel to provide the relevant documents as required by the defence on the next adjourned date.

    Justice Oyefeso subsequently adjourned till May 8 for continuation of cross examination and trial.

  • EFCC nabs five internet fraud suspects in Uyo

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has arrested five suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

    Spokesman of the commission, Mr Tony Orilade, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said that the suspects were Uchendu Denis, Osinachi David, Chikezie Bright, Francis Martins and Okafor Emmanuel.

    He said that the suspects were arrested by EFCC personnel of Uyo Zonal office, at Nsini Odeyop Street, Shelter Afrik Estate, Uyo, following intelligence report.

    “At the time of arrest, it was discovered that the suspects, who were lodging in a three-bedroom flat, used one of the rooms for cyber-crime activities.

    Read also: Policeman attacked by scavenger in Kwara dies

    “Items recovered from them include 123 sim cards, which had a Turkish sim card; six Laptops and 13 expensive mobile phones.

    “Other recovered items were books and diaries containing phone numbers and over 300 email addresses, amongst others.

    “They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” Orilade said. (NAN)

  • FG approves hand over of N15.3bn ecological projects to communities

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the handing over of N15.3billion worth of ecological projects to benefitting communities in nine states of the federation.

    The Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, stated this at the end of the meeting of the council which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

    He said that the Federal Government had awarded 166 contracts on ecology in which 93 of the projects mainly on erosion and flood control were completed and handed over to the various communities, while another 20 projects worth N15.3 billion had been also completed.

    “In the life of this administration 166 projects have been awarded under the ecological fund project.

    “So far 93 have been completed and handed over to the different communities and 20 are ready as we speak now. Most of the projects are erosion and flood control works.

    “The total sum of the ecological projects was N15.3 billion,” he said.

    The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Abubakar Bwari, told the correspondents that the Council approved N486.9m for the purchase of coal drilling rig for the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency, Kaduna, Kaduna State.

    Read also: No controversy over status of Nigeria SEZ Investment Company – Presidency

    He said the equipment would be used for the exploration of solid minerals in rural areas across the country.

    The Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, also disclosed that the Council approved N689.96million for the appointment of Transaction Parties for the Promissory Note Programme and Bond Issuance for the settlement of inherited local debts and contractual obligations of the Federal Government. International Accounting Firm:

    She said the seven transaction parties included KPMG Professional Services (N164,657,195.67);

    Joint Financial Advisers: Zenith Bank Plc & Zenith Capital (N14,294,331.50); Coronation & Access Bank Plc (N14,294,331.50) and UBA & United Capital (N14,294,331.50)

    Others are the Joint Legal Advisers which included SimmonsCooper Partners (N53,703,771.80); D. D. Dodo and Partners (N53,703,771.80) and Perchstone & Graeys (N53,703,771.80).

    The minister disclosed the programme would provide stimulus to the economy and unlock investment across a number of sectors currently having liquidity issues.

    The Federal Executive Council at its meeting of July 12, 2017, had approved the establishment of a Promissory Note Programme for the settlement of Inherited Local Debts and Contractual Obligations of the Federal Government (the Programme) estimated at N3.4trillion.

    The breakdown of the Creditors is as follows:

    1. Pension Liabilities N400billion
    2. Unpaid Salaries and 3rd party deductions N24.95billion

    iii. Staff Claims N270billion

    iiii. Part of Contractors Claims N45.36billion

    1. Fuel Supply Accrued interest and Foreign Exchange differentials N514.29billion
    2. Part of State Governments Claims N487.85billion

    vii. Ministry of Health Outsourced Liabilities N9.04billion

    viii. Major Contractors N596.51billion

    1. Export Expansion Grant (EEG) Scheme N350.12billion
    2. Judgement debt N112.96billion
    3. DISCOS N26.71billion

    xii. GENCOS N495.67billion.(NAN)

  • Policeman attacked by scavenger in Kwara dies

    A policeman attached to Omu-Aran Police Division in Kwara, who was attacked by a suspected mad man, is dead, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports

    The deceased, simply identified as Sgt. Abu, was said to be within the premises of the police station when he was attacked on Tuesday afternoon by the assailant.

    The assailant, who was armed with a cutlass and other dangerous weapons, was said to be showing signs of insanity before the attack.

    NAN reports that the assailant was said to be a scavenger.

    The deceased was said to have been rushed to a private hospital in the town, but was later transfered to Ido Medical Centre in  Ekiti State where he died on Wednesday.

    The assailant, who hails  from Aran-Orin,  was said to have first approached the station with a shovel and a wooden stick, but was disarmed.

    He was said to have later returned to the station where he attacked the deceased.

    An eye witness told NAN that it took the combined efforts of some commercial motorcyclists and a police patrol team before the assailant, who took to his heels  after the attack, could be apprehended at the Taiwo Area of  the town.

    “I was on my motorcycle when I saw the fleeing man holding a cutlass and a wood.

    “He was wearing a red attire and we followed him. Later, some other motorcyclists joined in the chase and on getting to Taiwo Area, he stopped, dropped his weapons and raised up his hands.

    “It was in the process that he was arrested by the police and moved to the station,” the eye witness, who preferred anonymity, said.

    The atmosphere in the police command was tense on Wednesday afternoon when a NAN correspondent visited as the policemen were still in shock following the death of their colleague.

    When contacted, Ajayi Okasanmi, the police spokesperson in the state, confirmed the incident.

    Okasanmi said investigation into the case was being carried out in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officer in Omu-Aran.

    NAN

  • Court adjourns Kebbi APC primaries hearing to April 5

    The Federal High Court in Birnin Kebbi has again adjourned to April 5 a case challenging the validity of Sen. Bala Na’Allah’s candidacy for Kebbi South Senatorial District.

    Alhaji Sule Sami has challenged Na’Allah’s validity to contest for a second term at the All Progressives Congress primary election conducted in October 2018.

    Justice Bassey Onu adjourned the matter upon oral application made by the first and third respondents, Sanusi Samaila and Ifeoluwa Adeyemo and which the second respondent, Mr Afraimu Jingi, collaborated with the submission seeking for adjournment of the matter to one week.

    Read Also: Bagudu wins in 10 Kebbi councils

    Responding to the submission, Onu adjourned the hearing to enable both respondents file their replies on the amendment of the writ of summon.

    He also ordered that all the replies be filed before the court on or before the adjourned date.

    “You all know that this matter must be heard and determined within 180 days from the date of filing the case and this matter was filed on Nov. 1, 2018 and has less than a month to expire now.

    “Justice must be served within the stipulated time,” Onu said.

    The counsel to the plaintiff, Usman Hajji, expressed confidence on the court to determine the matter within the stipulated time.

    NAN