The Nation Newspaper

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  • Promissory Notes: NASS approved figures sent by Executive for Delta, Taraba States, says Saraki

    The Senate on Wednesday said the letter by President Muhammadu Buhari on his reasons for declining to endorse N90.2 billion approved by the National Assembly for Delta and Taraba States as reimbursement for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government must have resulted from misinformation by his aides.

    It noted the Presidential letter to the Senate in which President Buahri claimed that National Assembly’s approval for refunds to Delta and Taraba State Governments through the issuance of Promissory Notes, for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government, was different from what the Federal Executive Council approved and the reports in the media over the issue, were wrong and must have resulted from misinformation to the President by his aides.

    The Senate in a statement by the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu, noted that the Senate approved the exact figures for Taraba and Delta States submitted by the Executive through the Ministry of Finance as stated on page 402 of a document titled “Federal Ministry of Finance Submission of Federal Government of Nigeria Outstanding Liabilities to National Assembly, May, 2018”.

    Read Also: Our decision on NASS leadership supreme – APC

    It said: “The President had claimed in his letter to the National Assembly dated March 5, 2019 that “While the Federal Executive Council approved a total sum of N78, 601, 631, 430.16 as reimbursement to Delta and Taraba State Governments, the National Assembly approved N90, 236,461, 031.36, which is higher than the amount approved by the Federal Executive Council.

    “The Senate would like to clarify that the breakdown which the Executive through the Ministry of Finance submitted to the National Assembly showed that the outstanding liability due to Taraba State is N22, 254,062,330.08 while that of Delta is N67, 982, 398, 701. 28 while the total for the two states is N90, 236, 461, 031. 36.

    “Therefore, the National Assembly approved the figures submitted to it by the Ministry of Finance as approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government. At no time did the executive forwarded the figure of N78, 601, 631, 430, 16 to us and we do not know where the President got that figure from.

    “We have decided to make this clarification in order to set the records straight and disabuse the minds of the general public.  We believe the President must have been misinformed and misadvised by his aides while writing the letter he sent on this issue to the National Assembly.”

    The Senate attached the letters forwarded to it by the Federal Ministry of Finance on outstanding liabilities of the Federal Government.

  • Pele hospitalised in Paris after meeting with Mbappe

    Brazilian football legend Pele has reportedly been hospitalised in Paris for medical examinations after feeling ill following a meeting with Kylian Mbappe, French media reported on Wednesday.

    “Pele, 78, was hospitalised as a precaution after suffering spasms and fever overnight to Wednesday,’’ broadcaster RMC reported citing his entourage.

    Read Also: Three killed, two injured at Sapele

    According to the news report, Pele had a cold and was medicated at his hotel; he woke up still feeling ill and was taken to a hospital on Wednesday.

    “The Brazilian striker was still in hospital on Wednesday afternoon but was `doing well,’’ it noted.

    Pele had come to Paris for a promotional event with Mbappe, the star striker of France’s World Cup victory in 2018, organised by watch company Hublot which sponsors both players.

    Pele has frequently been admitted to hospitals in the last few years for kidney and prostate procedures.

    Pele’s meeting with Mbappe had initially been planned for last November but was postponed because of the Brazilian’s poor health at the time.

    NAN

  • How to protect your child from predators

    There could not have been a better time than now to present a book on sex and child abuses considering the increasing spate of sexual abuses in the society today. The recent presentation of protecting your child from sexual abuse written by Pastor Bisi Adewale therefore came at an appropriate time when parents need such valuable information on how to protect their children from predators.

    Speaking at the presentation in Lagos, Pastor Bisi Adewale said the 163-page book was borne out of an urgent need to ‘mitigate this great problem in our society today and I am happy you are a witness to the coming alive of this life-changing and destiny-preserving book.’

    He stated that the menace of child sexual abuse in the society has become so alarming that one can only imagine what is happening under the roof.

    He also disclosed that statistics about child sexual abuse keep increasing every day for the worse, adding that with its presentation to the public today, ‘one child or more may be delivered.

    Who knows how many children will have their lives transformed and delivered from the hands of pedophiles? The book, which is the 92nd book from the Family Booster’s stable, contains about 51 heart rending stories of past victims of child sexual abuses.

    According to the author, the book was written to help in dealing with the menace of child sexual abuse in the society. “A study revealed that 1 in every 10 children would be sexually abused before age 18. The book seeks to open the eyes of parents to the need to protect the lives of their children from pedophiles in our society. Many of these victims, now adults, shared stories of what happened to them when they were younger. Some were as young as four years old,” he said.

    The book reveals what sexual abuse is and how a child can be abused. It also gives the differences between sex education and sexualisation, recent statistics on child sexual abuses and shows reasons why parents should be careful about people they trust with their children’s upkeep.

    A study revealed that about 80% of sexually abused children have been abused by people known closely to them (Uncles, Cousins, Aunties, Teachers, Spiritual leaders, Neighbours, Nannies, Baby sitters etc).

    Indicators or signs that a child is being sexually abused are also revealed in the book while factors that predispose a child to sexual abuse are also mentioned.

    In the book, readers will be exposed to mistakes parents make that exposes their children to sexual abuse; what to do when a child is sexually abused; how to prevent abuse and how to protect children from abusers.

    The latter chapters of the book expose how to give an age-grade sexual education by giving a practical guide on how to educate toddlers, pre-scholars, grade-scholars, pre-teens and teenagers.

     

     

  • Lalong signs N153.5bn 2019 budget into law

    Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, on Wednesday signed N153. 5 billion 2019 Appropriation Bill into law.

    Lalong said that he would use his second term to leave a lasting legacy in Plateau, shortly after signing the budget.

    “We will leave a legacy that all of us till our retirement will enjoy, but if we do not enjoy it, our children will enjoy it.

    “This is the purpose and mission for Plateau in my second tenure as I will not be contesting for another term that would distract me.

    “We have already drawn the Roadmap and we need all, if you play your roles, to actualize the target,” he said.

    The governor stated that the task of moving Plateau forward was everybody’s business and not just that of the governor.

    He commended the assembly members who worked diligently to ensure passage of the budget

    “Peace is my priority, if we get it right we have capable hands that will move the state forward,’’ Lalong declared.

    Read Also: Useni heads to court, rejects Lalong’s victory

    Mr. Silvester Wallangko, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning said that N85.5 billion representing 55.67 per cent was for recurrent expenditure.

    Wallangko stated N68 billion representing 44.33 per cent was for capital expenditure.

    The commissioner explained that the budget was prepared based on the present macro-economic variables from the medium term framework and medium term sector strategy.

    He added that the appropriation, tagged “Budget of Rescue and Infrastructural Growth’’, was prepared to address critical socio-economic and Infrastructural deficit.

    According to him, the budget will be financed from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) statutory revenue allocation and reimbursements, as well as capital receipts.

    “We expected N18.4 billion from IGR, N61.7 billion from statutory revenue allocation and reimbursements, and N69.4 billion from capital receipts,” he explained.

    The commissioner said that budget was in deficit of N40.7 billion and could be referred to as a deficit budget.

    He added that the deficit would be financed from loans, as well as internal and external sources as the need arose.

  • I’ll lead with fear of God, says Nasarawa Governor-elect

    The Nasarawa State governor-elect, Mr Abdullahi Sule, has promised to lead the state with the fear of God.

    Sule gave the assurance on Wednesday in Lafia while addressing a delegation of stakeholders from Doma and Obi Local Government Areas that visited him.

    The governor-elect promised that his administration would ensure justice, fairness to all communities in the interest of peace and national development.

    He also said that his government would accord top priority to the security of lives and property of the people of the state.

    ”I am for all and my administration will ensure justice, fairness to all groups in the interest of development of the state.

    “I urge you to continue to love your brothers as yourself as well as to tolerate each other, considering the importance of peace to national development,” he said.

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap four women in Nasarawa

    Sule called on communities not to relent in their effort toward ensuring unity and peaceful co-existence among themselves.

    He, therefore, solicited the support and cooperation of the people of the state to enable him succeed.

    According to him, every leader needs the support from his people to succeed in delivering the much needed dividends of democracy.

    Earlier, Mr Rabo Sani, the Leader of Doma delegation, said that the visit was to congratulate Sule on his victory at the governorship poll.

    Sani, who is also the Chairman of Doma Local Government Council of the state, assured the governor-elect of their total support to enable his administration succeed.

    NAN

     

  • History as Southwest produces first ALGON National President

    The representative of Lagos State in the All Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Kolade Alabi has been elected the National President of the association.

    The election was conducted by Odunayo Ategbero-led Board of Trustees (BoT) in conjunction with the members of the Transition Management Committee (TMC) in Abuja.

    Alabi emerged victorious after his challengers from Akwa Ibom and Delta states stepped down.

    He becomes the first person in the Southwest to emerge National President in the 20 years of the association.

    At the Chelsea Hotel in the Central Area of Abuja where he was sworn in, Alabi thanked ALGON members for trusting him with the leadership of the association.

    He promised not to betray their trust by moving the association to the next level.

    Read Also: ALGON lobbies for passage of autonomy bill

    He said: “The sustainable legacy that our out-going executives are leaving behind is well taken with “Applied Wisdom” in every sense of it and will serve as a lamp of experience for the next generation of leaders of ALGON.

    “In the light of the foregoing, it is with utmost temerity and joyful heart that I accept to serve as elected the President of the ALGON.

    “Within the political space of our dear nation and having given me the opportunity to steer the ship of ALGON, the kernel of advancing our cause towards an enviable trajectory is my vision and an unbiased or subjugated relationship is my mission.”

    He promised to liaise with the state governments to ensure a smooth transition of one council administration to another.

    “The panacea to the above challenge is to liaise with the State Governments continually so that we can transit effectively from the tenure of one administration to the next without acrimony. With this mindset and notwithstanding our diversity, we shall align, co-operate and collaborate with our respective state authorities for the general advancement of our people,” he said.

    To achieve this, he vowed to be guided by “our collective understanding that the following concepts regardless of our generational bracket ‘particularly as your President, I will always initiate, create opportunities to listen to divergent views, dynamic and adopt the principle of inclusion, representatives in action as well as decision-making committees.

    “Neither will I marginalise nor gag anyone for that matter. More importantly, l will be flexible with conventions and traditions.  The need, to move ALGON forward is key, instinctive and already placed in the front burner,” he said.

    Ategbero congratulated Alabi, who he described as a credible person capable of leading ALGON to the next level.

    He urged him not to disappoint the association.

    Other members of the executive include Mohammed Mahmoud Aliyu from Kaduna as the Deputy President, Ezekiel Pabuet (Plateau) – Auditor, Sani Hassan Dogarai (Gombe) – Treasurer, Toafik Isa (Kogi) – Legal Adviser, Frank Archibong (Akwa Ibom) – Financial Sec and Augustine Mbagwu (Imo) – Publicity Secretary.

     

  • UNICEF to Fed, state govts: recruit more female teachers in North

    The United Nations Children’s Fund has urged the federal and state governments to employ more female teachers in schools in northern Nigeria .

    UNICEF said this will drive girls’ enrolment in schools and eradicate the out-of-school children growing population.

    It stated this during the release of two reports: “Effect of Female Teachers on girls’ enrollment and retention in Northern Nigeria, and C4D Assessment in Basic Education” on Wednesday, in Abuja.

    UNICEF said the effects of female teachers on girls’ enrolment and retention in Northern Nigeria were positive, going by its research reports conducted in eight states in the north.

    Some of the states are; Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Taraba.

    The reports said some schools in urban and rural areas will need to recruit 58,121 females across 17,576 rural schools and an additional 3,775 female teachers across 4,225 in urban schools.

    The UNICEF reports said: “To provide additional perspective on the magnitude of female teacher deficit in both urban and rural areas, we calculate that in the eight states under study, rural schools will need to hire about an additional 58,121 females across 17,576 rural schools and an additional 3,775 female teachers across 4,225 urban schools.

    “This deficit is much more significant in rural schools where on average, each school will have to hire additional three female teachers.”

    Read Also: UNICEF: we’re committed to clean environment in Anambra

    The UNICEF reports also recommended that female teachers being posted to rural areas should be given adequate financial compensation to attract first rate candidates to the teaching profession.

    “One approach that teachers and head teachers have mentioned in this report is that teachers with rural posting must be provided with allowances to compensate for the quality of life discrepancies between living in urban and rural areas.

    “Another recommendation is helping female teachers navigate the societal and gendered expectations of their dual roles as caregivers and professionals. This is critical to increasing the number of female teachers in rural schools.

    “Also like male teachers, female teachers are consistently motivated by the professional development and career advancement opportunities and would likely take positions in rural schools if those positions are available.

    “The historical shortage of educated women in northern Nigeria must be addressed for the long-term to increase the pool of potential female teachers,” the reports added.

  • Breaking: Court sacks Delta North senator-elect, Nwoboshi

    The Federal High Court Abuja on Wednesday, sacked Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi, the senator-elect for Delta North Senatorial District.

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed gave the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Mr Ned Nwoko challenging the election of Nwaoboshi as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Oct. 2, 2018 primaries of the party held in Delta.

    The court held that Nwaoboshi, a serving senator, was not the duly elected candidate of the PDP in the primary election.

    Justice Mohammed ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the name of Nwoko as PDP candidate, having established before the court that he scored the highest number of votes in the said primary election.

    The court also barred Nwaoboshi from parading himself as the candidate of the PDP for the senatorial zone.

    Nwoko through his counsel, Mr Ahmed Raji, SAN, had dragged INEC, the PDP and the Nwaoboshi to court praying for an order to prohibit the electoral body from publishing the name of Nwaoboshi as the candidate for Delta North Senatorial District.

    He also asked for a separate order compelling PDP to forward his name to INEC as the authentic candidate of the PDP for the senatorial area.

    In his suit predicated on seven grounds, 20 paragraphs affidavit evidence and five exhibits, Nwoko claimed that he was screened and cleared to contest the primary election by the PDP electoral committee.

    He also claimed that at the end of the election, he scored 453 votes to beat Nwaoboshi to second position who scored 405 votes while another contestant, Paul Osaji came third with 216 votes.

    Nwoko told the court that he was surprised that the PDP jettisoned the result of the primary election and forwarded the name of Nwaobosi to INEC as its candidate for the senatorial district.

    He further alleged that all efforts to redress the injustice through the PDP appeal panel proved abortive.

    Read Also: NJC concludes probe of Onnoghen, Muhammad, silent on findings

    In their defence, the three respondents; INEC, PDP and Nwaoboshi urged the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that it was not filed within time allowed by law.

    They said that based on that ground, the suit was state barred and also constituted an abuse of court process, the plaintiff having filed a similar suit at the FCT High Court which was struck out upon its withdrawal.

    Justice Mohammed after reviewing the claims and counter claims of parties, held that the case of the plaintiff was not status barred and did not also amounted to forum shopping as alleged by the defendants.

    The judge held that Nwoko was entitled to his claims and prayers having established that he emerged victorious in the PDP Delta North Senatorial primary election of Oct. 2, 2018

  • NSA vows to ensure safety of nuclear materials

    The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has expressed commitment to promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy, nuclear security culture as well as ensure security of nuclear and other radioactive materials out of regulatory control within Nigeria.

    The NSA Major General Mohammed Monguno (retired), who was represented by the Director, Policy and Strategy (ONSA), Aminu Lawal, made this promise in his goodwill message in Abuja during the national workshop to raise awareness on nuclear security for decision makers in Nigeria.

    He recalled that the Office of the NSA in 2015, after the Nuclear Security Summit, was tasked to set up Nigeria’s Nuclear Security Support Centre (NSSC).

    According to him: “A four-man committee was constituted from representatives of ONSA, NNRA, NAEC and the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT).

    ONSA, in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) successfully carried out this task.

    “The NSSC was eventually set up and is domiciled in the NNRA. However, ONSA remains a member of the Board. The Centre is tasked to strengthen local capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to nuclear security and related threats, develop National Competences in nuclear security, as well as collaborate with international organizations in the implementation of the country’s nuclear security training and educational programmes.”

    Read Also: Anambra Senatorial poll: Returning Officer has no case to answer- Court

    He submitted that from “the few above examples, and other policies and actions yet to be implemented, it is evident that ONSA, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is committed to promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, nuclear security culture as well as ensure security of nuclear and other radioactive materials out of regulatory control within Nigeria.”

    These measures, he said, will guarantee an effective and efficient nuclear security regime within Nigeria in line with international best practices.

    The NSA said as coordinator of all security related matters in the country and considering the current security challenges facing the country, the workshop was apt.

    He expressed fears “the challenges of terrorism and criminality confronting Nigeria would be aggravated if nuclear materials fall in the hands of non-state actors, especially terror groups.”

    He urged the stakeholders to ensure that nuclear materials and radioactive sources remain secure and in safe hands within the country.

    The NSA noted that as a member state of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Nigeria’s responsibility is to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.

    According to him, the Office of the NSA in raising awareness of the importance of security nuclear materials and radioactive sources in Nigeria included nuclear security into the National Security Strategy (NSS) 2014.

    He recalled that in February 2019, ONSA coordinated relevant Agencies to develop a national policy on Nuclear Security Detection Architecture (NSDA).

  • Anambra Senatorial poll: Returning Officer has no case to answer- Court

    The Federal High Court sitting in Awka has vindicated Prof Meshach Umenweke, the Returning Officer for Anambra South Senatorial zone in the just concluded 2019 general election from any wrong doing during the poll.

    Umenweke had declared Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, winner of the election but one of the losers took him as second respondent, INEC as first respondent and Ifeanyi Ubah as 3rd respondent to court for investigation and prosecution for false declaration of result.

    Delivering the judgement, the presiding Judge, Justice IB Gafai said Umenweke has no case to answer and at best would serve as principal prosecution witness in the matter.

    He held that the court was not dealing with a criminal trial, but to satisfy itself on whether there was a prima facie ground to proceed to investigate the allegations of the Applicant or not.

    He said, “What I can however safely say categorically here, with all humility, arising from the facts is that the 2nd Respondent Prof Umenweke, in fairness, may at best be a principal prosecution witness on the combined facts, for he it is who knows who and who it was and there may be many that committed the alleged threats and intimidations on him, if at all”.

    Read Also: Court resolves ownership crisis of Ekiti communal land

    The judge argued that the duty to investigate and prosecute lies with the 1st respondent,

    INEC and not the Nigerian Police force or any other investigative body as it seems to be erroneously contended by the respondents that they have not been investigated by the Police.

    The court further asked the 1st respondent to “within 14 days from day of the judgment to conduct or cause investigation into the criminal allegations of the applicant.

    “Prosecute, if the investigation result so warrants, the 3rd respondent and any other persons implicated in its investigation.”

    Chief Chris Uba had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof MN Umenweke and Chief Ifeanyi Ubah for prosecution over alleged declaring of inconclusive election result.

    Uba sought for an order of Mandamus compelling the 1st Respondent, INEC to undertake the prosecution of 3rd respondent and cohorts involved in disorderly conduct that took place in Nnewi North LGA that led to announcement of inconclusive election to elect Senator representing Anambra South.

    Ifeanyi Ubah was announced winner of that election eventually but Chris Uba went to court contesting that.

    But the court never ordered the investigation of the returning officer as was erroneously reported in the dailies.