The Nation Newspaper

Tag: urges

  • Mark urges people to defend their votes

    Ex-Senate President David Mark has urged Benue South people to defend the votes given him on March 28.

    He said the annulment of his election by the Benue Appeal Tribunal on account of disagreement in the date signed by the returning officer for no fault of his, was a challenge to them to come out en masse and demonstrate that they did not make a mistake in electing him.

    A statement by Paul Mumeh, the media assistant to Senator Mark, said he addressed the people at the weekend at his Otukpo country home.

    The statement said the senator stressed that the unfolding development was a call on his people to fight for their freedom from external forces.

    He advised them to go to the polling booths and prove doubting Thomases wrong, saying: “Attempts to jump ship on account of the challenges will amount to cowardice and bowing to evil forces.”

    The statement quoted Mark as saying: “For me, this is a battle for our future and survival. I will protect and defend the interest of the Idoma nation whether as a senator or as an ordinary man on the street.

    “What I will resist is for outsiders to dictate to us who should or should not represent us. At least, not in my life. We must take our destinies in our hands.”

    It said the senator listed the projects he had brought to his senatorial district to include the multi-billion naira Otobi water dam project, creation of jobs, the multi-billion naira Oweto bridge, which would facilitate the movement of goods to other parts of the country and establishment of cottage industries in nine local governments.

    The statement said he noted that it was on record that under the David Mark Scholarship Foundation (DMSF), he ran the biggest scholarship scheme from which about 20,000 graduates benefited since inception in 2005.

    Senator Mark said he built and donated the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Otukpo study centre in 2008.

    Said he: “I will invest in quality education for our people. I believe if we give them the best education, we will liberate them from ignorance, poverty and disease.”

    The former Senate president listed the schools and health care centres he built in the councils and challenged anybody in doubt to tour the senatorial zone to verify his claim.

    He noted that he was not discouraged by critics, who alleged he had not done much, saying: “I have my record of achievements. History will judge.”

  • Ex-militant urges Tompolo to stay off election

    Ex-militant urges Tompolo to stay off election

    An ex-militant leader in Bayelsa State, Africanus Ukparasia, popularly called Gen. Africa, yesterday warned Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, to steer clear of Bayelsa politics and election.

    He spoke in Yenagoa, alleging that there were reports of plans by Tompolo to interfere in the December 5 poll.

    Africa said intelligence reports at the disposal of ex-militants showed that Tompolo had allegedly prepared a strike squad to attack parts of Bayelsa State.

    He alleged that the squad had been told to hijack election materials and use them to rig for a particular candidate.

    Africa recalled that in the past, Tompolo attacked parts of the state.

    He noted that the ex-militant leader attacked the government jetty in Yenagoa and attempted to head for the Government House to bomb it before the military repelled him and his followers.

    The ex-militant leader said the attack occurred on April 20, 2007.

    He alleged that Tompolo’s foot soldiers attacked and destroyed the home of former President Goodluck Jonathan on May 17, 2007.

    Africa alleged that Tompolo sent some of his boys in the state to disrupt the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) governorship primary election.

    He said three of the boys were arrested by the Department of State Sevices (DSS) in a hotel in Yenagoa.

    The ex-militant leader cautioned his colleagues in Delta State, saying the purpose of their agitation was not to attack sister-states and communities.

    He said he (Africa) also had the capacity to interfere in Delta State politics, if Tompolo did not desist from such activities.

    Africa warned of the consequences, if Tompolo attempted to attack Bayelsa State before, during and after the governorship election.

    He urged the police, DSS and other security agencies to place Tompolo under security watch.

    Tompolo, who spoke through his media adviser, Paul Bebenimibo, said Africa was talking rubbish.

    Bebenimibo queried Africa’s relationship with the Bayelsa poll, wondering why he should make a wild, unsubstantiated and spurious allegation against his principal, whom he described as a peaceful man.

    He said: “Who is Africa? What are his roles in Bayelsa election? Is he a contestant in the poll? Is he the Federal Government, police, DSS, military or what?

    “Who is he to get a report on Tompolo? As far as we are concerned, we don’t understand what he is saying. He is not making any sense at all.

    “My boss has nothing to do with the Bayelsa election. We don’t know his (Africa’s) relationship with the Bayelsa poll and for such a person to allege that Tompolo is planning to disrupt the election is senseless, unfortunate and unthinkable. The allegation does not make any sense to us.”

  • Dasuki: Fayose urges Sultan to prevail on Buhari

    Dasuki: Fayose urges Sultan to prevail on Buhari

    The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has advised  the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar,  to prevail on President Buhari  not to allow abuse of human rights under his administration.

    While receiving  the Sultan in his office, Fayose accused Buhari of presiding over an emerging dictatorship.

    He condemned the house arrest of a Sokoto prince and former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) which he (Fayose) described as a “flagrant abuse of the Constitution and the rule of law” by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    The governor urged Sultan to prevail on President Buhari not to allow abuse of human rights under his administration, describing Dasuki’s house arrest as an example of injustice and human rights violation under the All Progressives Congress -led government.

    Dasuki is currently being probed over alleged mismanagement of N333 billion meant for the purchase of arms for the nation’s armed forces to contain the insurgency in the Northeast.

    The Sultan , however ,advised leaders in the country to discharge their duties with the fear of God, and work towards unity of people of different religious and political persuasions.

    The Sultan  who is also the  President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) was in Ekiti to witness the installation of the state Grand Imam, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere Bello as the new President General of League of Imams and Alfas in Southwest, Edo and Delta States.

    Abubakar charged Fayose to continue to carry the people along in his leadership role and treat all ethnic nationalities and religious organizations as equal entities,  for the state and Nigeria to move to a higher pedestal  in all spheres.

    Sultan said: “As leaders, we owe it a duty to lead by example and with the fear of God. If you are a leader, it is left for you to work your way to hell or heaven. God believes strongly in leadership, that is

    why people must continue to support them rather than fighting them.

    “I want Governor Fayose to treat all the various nationalities and religions in  Ekiti as one. You must be just in handling their affairs. When there is injustice, no development can take place. When we are just, then there will be security in the society.

    “I know that governor Fayose is well loved by the people, but he must continue to work hard for people and most importantly God to love him more.”

    Fayose replied: “I take the opportunity of your visit to bare my mind on some national concerns, particularly as it affects the unlawful incarceration of the former NSA, Alhaji Sambo Dasuki.

    “President Buhari has proved me right by my claims before the election that Nigeria is in the making of a dictator if he is voted into power.

    “By choosing which orders of the court to be obeyed, the President has exhibited his great disdain and disrespect to the judiciary as an independent arm of government and hope of the common man.

    “The continuous siege on the residence of the former NSA against a court order is a clear manifestation of fundamental human rights abuse.

    “If the president flouts Court orders with impunity, judicial independence will be fatally compromised and Nigeria’s embryonic democracy is in great danger. With this act, the President has left nobody in doubt that Dasuki cannot get fair hearing.

    “We hereby call on the international community to support independent human rights observers who are out to monitor former NSA’s prosecution and trial. President Buhari must honour his vow to follow due process and the rule of law.”

     

  • Buhari urges electorate to vote for progress

    Buhari urges electorate to vote for progress

    •Tinubu: Kogi can’t afford to be in opposition

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the people of Kogi State to vote for change and development by electing the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, on Saturday.

    The President, who spoke yesterday at the APC  grand finale rally at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, said the time for change was now.

    Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, noted that the country was moving forward and Kogi must not be left behind.

    APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged the people “to key into the change mantra because Kogi cannot afford to be in the opposition.”

    He added: “PDP is Poverty Development Party. This election is about our future and we cannot afford to toy with it. Kogi people should vote for Audu, who will work with Buhari.

    “We will generate 5,000 jobs and our polling agents will be the first beneficiaries. Even if you have lost your PVC, you should insist that they should check your name on the voters’ register. Vote and stay there to protect your vote.”

    The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, officially received PDP chieftains, including 15 elected council chairmen, senior special advisers and special advisers, who defected to the APC.

    He assured them of equal opportunity in the party and enjoined them to work for its victory on Saturday.

    Odigie-Oyegun said it required the responsibility of all to vote for change for the development of Kogi State, noting that the APC candidate, Prince Audu, “remains the best option at this critical moment in the history of the state.”

    He noted that Audu had records of development, stressing that he had done it before and would do it again.

    Audu urged the people to vote for the APC to rescue the state from the bad governance of the PDP.

    He said since he left office in 2003, development had eluded Kogi, noting that a vote for APC was a vote for progress and development.

    The former Chairman of  the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON),  Northcentral chapter,  Comrade Mohammed Ali, who spoke on behalf of other defectors, said they joined the progressives because they wanted change.

    He hailed Asiwaju Tinubu for championing the progressives’ cause.

    Ali assured the APC national leader that as youth leaders, they would deliver Kogi to the APC on Saturday.

    The ex-Senior Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor and former House of Representatives member, Duro Meseko, said the defectors would work for APC’s victory.

    Among dignitaries at the rally were Chief Segun Oni, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Niger State Governor Abubakar Sanni Bello, his counterparts from Edo, Plateau and Sokoto, Adams Oshiomhole, Solomon Lalong and Aminu Tambuwal.

    Others included Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and Senator Dino Melaye.

  • Faleke urges Kabba community to vote for APC

    Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, James Abiodun Faleke has urged residents of Kabba community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area to vote for the party to enable them enjoy the benefits of change.

    Faleke spoke on Kabba Day, held last weekend at St. Augustine’s College, Kabba.

    He said it was time the people changed their style by voting for APC in the governorship poll.

    The people, he said did not gain anything for their loyalty and commitment to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last 16 years.

    Faleke noted that this year’s Kabba Day was significant because it was holding in the month the electorate would choose between a performer and a non-performer, competence and incompetence as well as experience and inexperience.

    The APC chieftain said it was sad the PDP has nothing to show for running the state for 13 years.

    He said the state of the infrastructures in Kogi exposed the level of maladministration of the PDP government over the years, adding that the government could not fix the roads.

  • Omeruo urges Eaglets to keep up the good work

    Omeruo urges Eaglets to keep up the good work

    Kenneth Omeruo has congratulated the Golden Eaglets for qualifying for the quarter – final of the FIFA Under 17 World Cup.

    The Chelsea loanee, who played for Nigeria at the 2009 edition of the tournament, has urged the boys to keep firing on all cylinders.

    “Congratulations to the Nigerian under 17 boys who trashed Australia 6-0 to get to the quarter finals.. Keep going boys, ” Omeruo tweeted on Thursday morning.

    The central defender has also congratulated Middlesbrough, the club he spent last season on loan, for knocking out Manchester United from the Capital One Cup.

    He said : “Another big congrats to @Boro great game yesterday and an amazing result against Manchester United. ”

    Kenneth Omeruo  has resumed full training with Kasimpasa after recovering from a hamstring complaint but only made the substitutes bench against Bursaspor.

     

  • Ex-NUC chief Okebukola urges varsities to spend wisely

    The former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, has urged public universities to spend the funds given to them by the government judiciously.

    Prof. Okebukola, who spoke at a news conference in Lagos heralding the 19th Fafunwa Educational Foundation (FEF) annual lecture scheduled for October 8, said the problem in the educational sector was beyond funding.

    Said he: “The real problem is lack of accountability and honesty by the universities’ administrators. The money budgeted for the public universities is not being judiciously spent. Even if the funds are increased, they will not have much effect because they will not translate into the universities’ development. When the issue of judicious spending is addressed, our universities will experience development.”

    The ex-NUC boss said FEF, a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit making organisation, was founded in January 1995 by the late Professor Emeritus Aliu Babatunde Fafunwa, former Minister of Education and Youth Development, with the purpose of providing fresh insight and practical ideas on improving education in the country.

    Prof. Okebukola went on: “The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees (BoT) and the Academic Committee comprising eminent people, including policy makers, administrators, academics and educational icons. The chairperson of the BoT is Mrs. Doris Fafunwa, while the Academic Committee is headed by Prof. Kayode Alao of the Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

    “Over the years, the foundation has organised 18 annual lectures with eminent speakers in the field of education and allied areas. This year’s lecture titled: ‘The Dynamics of Higher Education and Graduate Employability in Nigeria’ will have Prof. Joel Babalola of the Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan and Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman, Zinox Group, Lagos as guest speakers. The programme, which will hold at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos on October 8 by 10am will be chaired by the former Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau. The target audience includes top policymakers, academics, educators, students, other government and private stakeholders in education and the public.”

    He said the post-doctoral award in education, a brainchild of the foundation’s Academic Committee, headed by Professor Emeritus Ayotunde Yoloye and assisted by the late Prof. Akin Osiyale, came into operation from the 2001-2002 academic year, adding that it was conceived, among other objectives, to reward excellence in education.

    According to him, “the post-doctoral candidates are from the faculties of education in 10 selected universities, namely Bayero University, Kano; University of Ibadan, Ibadan; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Lagos State University, Ojo; University of Calabar, Calabar; University of Benin, Benin; University of Ilorin, Ilorin; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Lagos, Akoka and University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

    “The award is always preceded with a post-doctoral seminar by the winners on their dissertations, before the presentation of the award on the FEF Annual Lecture Day. This year’s seminar will hold at the Faculty of Education auditorium, University of Lagos on October 7 by 10am.”

  • Ikpeazu urges FG to fix roads in Abia

    Ikpeazu urges FG to fix roads in Abia

    The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has urged the Federal Government to look into the poor state of federal roads in the state.

    The governor, who spoke while inspecting the progress of work on ongoing road projects embarked upon by his government in Abia North senatorial zone, said there is the need for the Federal Government to fix their roads in the state.

    Ikpeazu said that he was particularly worried about the deplorable state of the Umuahia-Ohafia – Arochukwu federal road, pointing out that repairing the road will give inhabitants of the area reprieve, as well as attract investment to the area.

    According to him, Arochukwu boasts of large deposits of limestone that could be tapped to enhance the economy of the state, stressing that reconstructing the roads will lead to investors flooding the state.

    The governor disclosed that that the state is ready to rehabilitate the Arochukwu road and collect tolls to collaborate with Federal Government and repair the road on 50/50 or70/30 ratio.

    Ikpeazu, who revealed that the Federal Government is planning some package for the states, expressed optimism that something positive would come the way of the state soon.

    He said he was happy that all the contractors handling the road projects were on site, and commended them for their expertise, saying that he was especially pleased with the quality of work at the Okon brigde in Ohafia council area.

    He, however, regretted that the major problem hampering the job was bad weather, but assured that 90 percent of the roads would be ready in the next 100 days.

  • Saraki’s associate urges court to stop arrest

    Saraki’s associate urges court to stop arrest

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to show cause why it should not be restrained from arresting Managing Director of Carlisle Properties, Mr. Kennedy Izuagbe.

    Justice Mohammed Yunusa directed that the status quo be maintained until the commission appeared in court on October 12.

    EFCC, last Thursday, declared Izuagbe, who manages Senate President Bukola Saraki’s property company, wanted.

    Izuagbe is wanted for alleged N3.6 billion money laundering.

    He was alleged to have conspired with others to launder the money as the managing director of the defunct Societe Generale Bank.

    EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity Wilson Uwujaren said the 45-year-old banker was declared wanted because he could not be reached by the anti-graft agency.

    But in an ex parte application, the applicant’s lawyer Efot Okoi prayed the court to stop the EFCC as well as its  Director of Operation, Olaolu Adegbite, from further unlawful harassment and intimidation of Izuagbe and the firm’s directors.

    The lawyer said Izuagbe’s intimidation was unconstitutional, null and void and a gross violation of his fundamental rights as guaranteed by sections 34, 35 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution.

    Okoi argued that until the hearing/determination of the motion on notice, the EFCC and its agents should be restrained from intimidating Izuagbe and Carlisle Properties.

    He also asked the court to stop the commission from carrying out any unlawful arrest and detention of the applicants, their agents and associates.

    The lawyer prayed for an order setting aside an invitation from EFCC to Izuagbe and Carlisle Properties pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

    According to him, Izuagbe was only head of Internal Control at the SGBN and was never directly involved in loan approval.

    Justice Yunusa, in his ruling on the ex-parte application, ordered that the status quo be maintained.

    He said EFCC should be put on notice.

  • Falana urges President to review cases of convicted officers, soldiers

    Falana urges President to review cases of convicted officers, soldiers

    Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to review the cases of officers and soldiers convicted by military tribunals in relation to the fight against Boko Haram.

    In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday, Falana said this has become necessary since the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Barde, has admitted that the armed forces led by him lacked the equipment to prosecute the war on terror.

    The learned silk remarked that it was gratifying to note that the Buhari administration and the Chief of Army Staff have decided to reinstate 3,032 among the dismissed soldiers.

    “We urge the Federal Government to extend the commendable gesture to several officers and soldiers who are currently standing trial.

    “The trial should be terminated while the courts-martial are dissolved forthwith. In the same vein, the cases of those who have been convicted ought to be reviewed with a view to pardoning them in the interest of justice and fair play”, he said.

    He recalled that the immediate past military authorities put several soldiers on trial for  demanding for equipment to fight the war on terror and that 70 of the soldiers were convicted and sentenced to death while scores were jailed by courts – martial.

    He  argued that since  the demand of the soldiers was legitimate,  the military hierarchy could not justify the spurious sentences.

    He argued that it was to avoid further embarrassment that thousands of other soldiers who were indicted for the same “offence” were summarily dismissed from the army.

    He remarked that it was because they were convinced of the illegality of the treatment meted out to the soldiers that  they approached the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court for redress.