Global Naija Info

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday sentenced a 29-year-old man, Sammar Abdurasak, to two years’ imprisonment for impersonating a police officer. The chief magistrate, Mrs O.A Layinka, who pronounced the judgment ordered that Abdurasak should undergo hard labour at the Kirikiri Prisons without an option of fine. “It will serve as a deterrent to others,” Layinka said. The convict, who was arraigned on June 17 on a two-count charge of impersonation and unlawful possession of arms, had pleaded guilty to the charges. Abdurasak, who lives at Alabukun area of Festac, Lagos State, is unemployed. Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Donjor Perezi had told the court Abdurasak committed the offences on May 16 at a Warehouse in Apapa, Lagos. Perezi said that the police on patrol got to a scene where Abdurasak, who wore a police uniform, was beating a man. “They were taken to the police station where the police got to know that the accused was a fake police officer,” he said. Perezi said

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State said on Monday that the state government would collaborate with the Kingdom of Morocco in the areas of solar energy and agriculture. Tambuwal stated this after a meeting with the Moroccan Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Mosidfa Bouh, in Abuja. This is contained in a statement issued in Sokoto on Monday by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam. It quoted Tambuwal as saying, “Morocco has distinguished itself in some critical sectors, as such relationship between the two states will be of utmost importance to the two parties. “We discussed a number of issues which we hope to concretize in follow-up discussions. “We sought a closer working relationship between our two states, especially in areas like solar energy and leather works. “Other areas are agriculture, especially irrigation, educational and cultural integration, as well as fertiliser management. “In terms of fertiliser, we informed the Ambassador that Sokoto

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the Director, Legal Services of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to appear before it and explain why he should not be held in contempt. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba gave the order in Abuja on Monday following information that Abubakar Rilwan, a defendant in a case brought before him by the service had died in custody. Rilwan’s Counsel, Ms Laura Oviawe, told the court that Rilwan died on July 13, a day after he appeared in court and the judge ordered that he should be given medical attention. Oviawe said that she went to the customs headquarters on July 13 to inquire if the court’s directives to take the defendant to the hospital had been followed only to find out that he had died. “So, they did not obey my order to take him to the hospital? I told them on that day to take him to the hospital because he did not appear well but the counsel said he was only pretending,” Dimgba said. He ordered that the director of legal services along with the cou

Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, new Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC) Prof. Julius Okojie on Monday in Abuja completed his tenure as Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC) after serving two terms of five years apiece. Okojie handed over to Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, Deputy Executive Secretary 1, who would operate in an acting capacity. Okojie was appointed on Aug. 3, 2006. In a farewell remark, he said he was able to achieve much because of teamwork. He said the university system was better at present than he met it. “I came for the restoration of the glory of the Nigerian university system. “NUC, as a regulatory body, has come of age and will continue to improve”, he said. He said he was going back to the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta to teach. In his response, Mafiana said he was delighted to serve as the acting executive secretary. He said he had been working with NUC since 2003 but formally joined the commission in 2007. Mafian

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Monday appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to redeem the promises he made to the people of the state during his campaign. Speaking at a town hall meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Information in Enugu on Monday, Ugwuanyi said that the appeal had become imperative following the epileptic power supply in the country. He said that the poor state of electricity in the country was discouraging investments. He also appealed to the Federal Government to make a substantial investment in the Ugwuoba Gas Field in Oji River local government. “I recall the president’s campaign promise to revive the coal mines in Enugu and utilise it to generate electricity. “Coal is a major energy source in some countries of the world and we have it in abundance in the state. If this is done it will directly or indirectly create job opportunities for millions of Nigerians,” he said. Ugwuanyi also reminded the Fe

Alhaji Rabi’u Idris, the Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State on Legislative Matters, has called for total scrapping of security votes. Rabi’u said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Funtua, Katsina state, that such funds should be used to execute meaningful projects. According to him, the security votes are tagged in approved budgets as miscellaneous, without any specific projects attached to the provision, thereby giving the president, governors and local council chairmen the chance to do as they like with it. “I vehemently condemn the security votes allocation and call for its scrapping,” Idris said. Idris, a former member of Katsina State House of Assembly, said scrapping the security votes would enhance accountability and proper utilisation of public funds. The governor’s aide urged federal lawmakers to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his effort to promote transparency in governance. He criticised ongoing attempt to provide immuni

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State The National Association of Kwara State Students(NAKSS), on Monday, passed a vote of confidence on the State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed. The vote of confidence was passed on the governor at a news conference organised by the students in Ilorin. The National President of the Association, Mr Abdulafis Oyedepo, said the decision to pass the vote of confidence on the governor came as a result of his commitment to the requests and maximum attention to the association for dialogue. Oyedepo called on the state government to ensure adequate welfare of the entire over 1.2 million members. He sought for 50 percent discount on transportation of the students studying outside the state when returning to schools through the state-owned transportation company. Oyedepo also urged the state government to quickly intervene in the ongoing strike action in the College of Education, Oro, and other colleges of education affected. He demanded that the

Acting INEC chairman, Amina Zakari The National Electoral Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hajia Amina Zakari, has said that rising global cargo freight is giving room for the development of mega container ports across the globe. Zakari stated this in a paper entitled “Logistics and Its Challenges in the 21st Century” on Monday in Lagos. She spoke on the sideline of the Women In Logistics and Transport (WILAT) Conference 2016, held in Lagos. According to her, ocean shipping is vividly known to handle over 70 percent of global cargo freight. “This leads to the growing capacity and size of ships, the expansion of Panama Canal and the development of mega container ports across the globe. “The ownership and operations of global shipping has also been expanding toward creating mega players that tend to control greater percentage of international cargo freight,” she said. Zakari said that this development would tend to shift patronage away from older p

An Indian forest ranger said that a leopard terrified a couple holidaying in the town of Nainital in northern India after it broke into their hotel room. Pramod Tiwari, Nainital Forest Ranger, said on Monday that the couple Sumit Rathore and his wife Shivan were woken by the sound of breaking glass and discovered a leopard walking around their room. Rathore said that the big cat that had broken a window pane to get into the room and moments later entered their bathroom. “I quickly covered my wife and myself with a blanket as I saw the leopard enter the bathroom. “I rushed to close the bathroom door and called the hotel management”, he said. He said that a forest department team was dispatched to trap the leopard but it jumped out through the bathroom ventilator and escaped into nearby forest before the team arrived. Leopards and other wild animals often stray into cities and towns in India, sometimes attacking people. In February, a leopard that had strayed into an empty school

Russian president, Vladimir Putin A Russian helicopter with five people on board has been shot down after delivering aid to the Syrian city of Aleppo, the Russia Defense Ministry said Monday. The Mi-8 helicopter was shot down by ground fire with three crew members and two officers on board as they returned to a Russian base, according to a ministry statement cited by Russian state TV. The condition of those on board is unknown, the ministry said. CNN reports that the helicopter downing comes with deadly fighting underway in eastern Aleppo, where rebels are trying to break a Syrian government siege, in an offensive that has given way to days of airstrikes by regime and Russian warplanes. Between 200,000 and 300,000 people are believed to be trapped in eastern Aleppo. According to the BBC News, the helicopter was returning from delivering humanitarian aid to the city of Aleppo, Russia’s Interfax news agency quoted officials as saying. It is not clear which group brought the helico

Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC), has announced the results of Local Government Election held in the state on Saturday. The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Isa Shettima said on Monday in Yola that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the chairmanship seats of 18 local governments where results were announced. Shettima said that the commission had cancelled the elections in Michika, Lamurde and Numan Local Government Areas, and fixed Aug. 6, for fresh polls. “There will also be election in two wards in Guyuk Local government on the same date,” the ADSIEC chairman said. He said that results of councillors for the 226 wards in the state would be announced at the headquarters of the three senatorial zones. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that shortly after the announcement of the results, the winners were presented with Certificate of Return by the chairman. Speaking to NAN after receiving her certificate, the only female candidate, who was elect

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Monday, called on political leaders to build one Nigeria devoid of partisanship, ethnicity and religious differences. Mohammed made the call when he led a team of ministers on a courtesy visit to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State. He commended the governor for the reception accorded his entourage not minding that he is in an opposition party. He noted that political parties and their leaders must have the single goal of serving the interest of the nation. “It is unique that we are here today in Enugu, an opposition state, and since we came we have not seen any difference whether we are in APC- or PDP-controlled state. “This is very important because this is the kind of Nigeria we want to build, a Nigeria where people will have one agenda to build Nigeria,” he said. The minister thanked the governor and his cabinet members for the cooperation and support

Kagoro hills The Kaduna State Government said on Monday that it plans to make Kagoro hills a world-class tourists site, as part of efforts to improve the state’s revenue base. The Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Dr Shehu Adamu, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna. Adamu said that Gov. Nasir El-Rufai had visited the hills located in Kaura Local Government Area of the state and made a commitment to develop them, like Obudu hills in Cross River. “The governor has directed that a contract for the access road to the hills be awarded between now and the end of the year. “We have already entered into discussion with Julius Berger to design and build the access road,” he said. The commissioner disclosed that the government had identified other sites for development into tourists’ sites. Adamu said that Matsirga Waterfalls and Gen. Hassan Katsina Park (Gamji Gate) had been “pencilled down” for development. “Matsirga Waterfalls,

Dr Mustapha Jibrin, Niger Commissioner for Heath and Hospital Services, says excessive lead in pregnant women can cause deformity and make children become dull academically. Jibrin on Monday said that the acceptable composition of lead in the body should be below 10 microgram. The commissioner added that the presence of 100 microgram of lead would lead to damage of vital body organs which can result in death. “Lead is a by-product of metals attached to the stones that people mine. When there is illegal mining in an area, the soil in that area is prone to lead contamination. “Aside from the accident that can occur at the site, there will be inhalation of different kinds of dust particles and it can lead to all kinds of chest diseases especially for those who are unaware of being asthmatic. “Other ways people can have excessive lead in the body is through the water they drink and the food that is contaminated with lead. “Lead is difficult to excrete and when it get to a very high l

Three persons were killed while foodstuff and cash crops worth millions of Naira were washed away during a heavy downpour in Hayin Gwarmai village in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State on Sunday. The Chairman of the Local Government, Alhaji Mudansiru Bebeji, told newsmen in Kano on Monday that the flood also washed away several farms in area. Bebeji said a number of houses had also been destroyed during the disaster. He said he had since paid a sympathy visit to the victims of the disaster and called on the Federal state governments to come to the aid of the victims to alleviate their sufferings. “We are calling on the Federal and Kano State governments to assist the victims to reduce their sufferings,” he said. The Director, Operations, Kano State Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SERERA), Alhaji Abdullahi Dambatta, said the agency had not received any official report on the incident from the local government council. Dambatta, however, said as soon as the agen

Mr Ernest Mupwaya The Board of Directors, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), has approved the appointment of Mr Ernest Mupwaya as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. A statement by the AEDC Head of Media Ahmed Shekarau on Monday in Abuja stated that the appointment of Mupwaya took effect from August 1,2016. It stated that the appointment was subject to the approval of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). It stated that the appointment followed the retirement of the outgoing Managing Director of AEDC, Mr Neil Croucher, after three years of service. It stated that Croucher, who played a significant role in steering AEDC successfully through the challenges of post-privatisation from 2013 to date, had over 37 years of experience in electricity supply industry. It stated further that the AEDC board approved a new management structure for the company with the creation of a Corporate Services Directorate . According to t

Hon. Jibrin Abdulmumini Since his decision to resign as Chairman of the Appropriation Committee of the House of Representatives, Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin has been in the media limelight for his crusade against what he calls institutionalized corruption in the House. At 39, he is one of the youngest lawmakers in Nigeria country. But who exactly is Abdulmumin Jibrin? Born on September 9th 1976, Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin represents Kiru-Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State in House or Representatives under the aegis of ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC). He was educated at the University of Abuja and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Jibrin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, obtained from the University of Abuja in 1999. He followed up with a Master of Science degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2003. He then returned to the University of Abuja to obtain PhD in International Relations in 2009. In 20

The military is relentless in its continued bombardment of the hideouts of the militants who have in recent times been terrorising Lagos and Ogun creeks. The operation which started like a one-off operation on Thursday has been persistent over four days now. The bodies involved in the ongoing operation include the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, DSS, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Police Force. Deploying aerial and land arsenals, the military has dealt severe blows on the criminals that have long engaged in vices like pipeline vandalism, robbery, murder, rape and kidnapping. More shelling and airstrikes were On Sunday, rained on Ishawo, Igando, Igbolomu areas of Ikorodu in Lagos State, and Arepo, Awawa, Elepete and Ibafo in Ogun State. The latest operation, which saw the use of three fighter jets, among others, led to the rescue of abducted persons kept at the creeks. The operatives of the

Ali Bongo Ondimba, Gabon President Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba has warned of possible unrest during the August 27 election which he said was the “strategy” of the opposition challenging his eligibility to seek a second seven-year term. “It is to be feared because it is the opposition’s strategy for many years,” Bongo said in an interview with the weekly “Jeune Afrique” published Sunday which asked him if he feared “abuses and even violence” after the vote. The opposition “has started to heat things up by announcing that the election will not be transparent, that we will steal a victory,” the president said. Bongo described as “nonsense” the arguments of critics who have opposed his re-election on the grounds that he was a Nigerian who was adopted in the 1960s by his father, long-ruling former president Ali Bongo and was, therefore, ineligible as a foreigner under the constitution. “If they come to this kind of argument — challenging my eligibility, my birth and other nonse

No fewer than 3000 persons in Busi 4, one of the communities at the base of the famous Obudu Ranch Resort in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State, have been displaced following a communal conflict, at the weekend. Sources in the area confirmed that five of the Busi communities, Busi 1, Busi 2, Busi 3, Busi 5 and Busi 6, allegedly joined forces to attack Busi 4, following a dispute over a parcel of farmland. When Vanguard visited the conflict area, which is located over four hundred kilometres away from Calabar, several houses in Busi 4 were set ablaze with farmlands and water sources destroyed, and the villagers had escaped to the divisional police headquarters and the council headquarters at Sankwala, to seek refuge. Mr. Emmanuel Okobere, a community leader in Busi 4, who spoke with newsmen said, “Neighbouring communities of Busi 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 invaded us in a protracted dispute over a parcel of land, which has spanned several years. “We got court judgement in our

Nwakoby First City Monument Bank Plc has finally opened up on one of its managers, Olisa Nwakoby who committed suicide last Friday in front of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Lekki, Lagos State. The bank disclosed that Nwakoby, a father of a 10-year old daughter, had personal challenges and became frustrated. Before shooting himself in the head, Nwakoby reportedly went to his pastor in the church and told him to tell his wife to take of the children. Thereafter, he shot himself in front of the church. The bank, however, noted that neither the management nor colleagues of the deceased were aware of the challenges, adding that it was working with Nwakoby’s family and the police to unravel the nature of the challenges. It was gathered that 44-year old Nwakoby, the manager of the bank’s branch in Lekki, shot himself in the head over a bad debt estimated at N350m. The deceased was said to have given out the sum as loan to a bank customer, who allegedly failed to service t

Suspected cult members of a six-man gang, over the weekend, shot dead four persons at 24 Road, in the Igbogbo, Ikorodu area of Lagos State. It was gathered that the suspected cultists arrived the community around 8pm on two motorcycles. Rasheed Yusuf, aka Low Banger, a 63-year-old native doctor, who was walking along the road, was the first target. The attackers according to reports also shot at Rasheed’s wife, Falilat, and a two-year-old girl, Kehinde, both died on the spot. The Punch reports that the heavily armed gunmen reportedly ambushed and shot dead two men, identified as Yusuf Cisco and Lukman Apetu, who were returning from work on a motorcycle. Another person whose identity could not be ascertained at the moment was also killed in the attack. Policemen from the Ikorodu division and members of a vigilance group in the area were said to have arrived at the area to remove the corpses after the attackers left. An eyewitness, who did declined anonymity, said the gunmen were o

Conte has not been impressed with the work rate of the Brazilian Photo: Getty Images Chelsea boss Antonio Conte will let Oscar sign for Inter Milan for around £30million. The Italian does not think Oscar, 24, works hard enough for the team and was lazy during a 3-2 loss to Real Madrid in Detroit on Saturday. Asked if Oscar has a future at Chelsea, Conte said: “All 29 players are Chelsea’s players at the moment. After this period I speak with my club. “I agree after this tour to see all the players and then to take a decision. When we finish this period I will take the right decision for the player and for the club. “There are players who will stay and others will go. This is football. It is important to be clear with all. “My aim is to become a team on and off the pitch. “To reach our target at the end of the season. “My experience in my career as player and manager teaches me if you want to fight for the title you must be a team on and off the pitch. It’s very important.” T

Controller of Prisons, Ja’afaru Ahmed The Controller-General of Prisons, Ja’afaru Ahmed, has confirmed that five of the 13 prisoners who escaped from Koton Karfe prison in the early hours of Saturday have been re-arrested. This is contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Service, Francis Enobore and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja. The statement said that Ja’afaru confirmed the re-arrest of the inmates when he made on-the-spot assessment of the prison. It said that the five pre-trial detainees among escapees were re-captured with the assistance of other security agencies and local vigilante groups, adding that have been returned to the prison. It said that the Controller-General had constituted a three-man panel to carry out detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape and forward the report to his office for necessary action. The C-G assured that appropriate measures were being put in place to address congestion in prisons