Global Naija Info

King Sunny Ade Nigerians have continued to shower encomiums on the King of Juju music, Sunny Ade (KSA) as he turns 70. Upcoming artistes, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday, described him as a cultural legend. Elizabeth Oyovwe, a gospel artist told NAN that she had always regarded KSA a “godfather’’ in the music industry because of his maturity both in style and trend. “I always play the videos of Pa Sunny Ade to enlighten my intellect on the cultural touch whenever I was planning a show and even in the composition of my songs. “I cherish the cultural touch he sustains in his music and he maintains it even outside the country,’’ she said. According to her, Sunny Ade should be named “Pride of Nigerian culture’’ as the leading projector of the nation’s cultural heritage to the world. Speaking on her latest work, “Gallant of Praise’’, Oyovwe stated that the album featured four ethnic cultures, Hausa, Edo, Igbo and Yoruba in both the lyrics and the ...

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai The Nigerian Army will launch one more operational exercise before the end of 2016 in its efforts to tackle some of the security challenges in the country. The Chief of Army of Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai disclosed this in Makurdi on Thursday at the close of the combined 2nd and 3rd quarter Chief of Army Staff Conference. Buratai, however, did not name the exercise, where it would be launched and the specific security it would address. When asked whether the exercise would be like “Exercise Crocodile Smile” in the Niger Delta, the chief of said: “Well, it is going to be like that definitely”. “It is a training programme, it is programmed in our training directory for this year (2016). “The same like the Exercise Crocodile and Kura Kuna.” Buratai had earlier said that an army Brigade would be established in Makurdi as part of efforts to tackle security issues and ensure peace in Benue and its environs. He charged officers ...

DCP Don Awunah The Nigeria Police Force on Thursday faulted Amnesty International report on the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Amnesty International had alleged in its report that SARS systematically tortured detainees in its custody as a means of extracting confessions and lucrative bribes This is contained in a statement issued by the Force Spokesman, Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Don Awunah in Abuja. He described the report as misleading and a clear misrepresentation of facts, unverified accounts and absolute distortion of current state of SARS. “The report is evidently the characteristic mindset and pattern of Amnesty International to deride and castigate public institutions especially in developing countries like Nigeria,“he said. He said that the report shows the researcher’s ignorance of the rules of engagement of SARS and the laws regulating criminal investigations in the country. Awunah said that the researcher deliberately misconstrued the cautionary ...

House of Representatives members The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to direct its finance and planning agencies to review existing monetary policies with a view to developing sustainable lending rates. The house specifically asked the government to give the directive to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Budget and National Planning. The call was sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion on ‘Urgent Need to Address the Economic Downturn in Nigeria’ by Mukaila Kazim. Moving the motion, Kazim said that a review of the country’s monetary policy will foster real sector growth and enhance economic development. He stressed the need for the Federal Government to take urgent steps to resuscitate the comatose government-owned industries. He said that the step would help to create employment, provide raw materials for local producers and preserve scarce foreign exchange. Kazim noted that the fall of oil price from over 120 d...

A Gudu Upper Area Court on Thursday sentenced two students, Azubuko Onyekachi, 27, Daniel Ododo, 18, to seven strokes of cane for impersonation and extortion of N10,000. The Upper Area court judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, ordered that the convicts should return the N10,000 to the complainant. Onyekachi and Ododo, both students, had pleaded guilty to a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, impersonation and extortion. Kagarko said he gave them light sentence following their plea for leniency and promise not to repeat the act. The Prosecutor, Mr Donatus Abah had told the court that Ndubuisi Daniel reported the matter at Kubwa Police Station on Aug. 13. He said that the convicts impersonated as members of the Nigerian Army with military uniforms and went to the shop of the complainant at Kubwa. “They told him that one of his sales boy was a member of a cult group and demanded N10,000 from him,” Abah said. Abah also said that they threatened the complainant that they would take the b...

Prices of grains have reduced significantly in various markets in Nasarawa State following the arrival of new farm produce, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. A survey conducted by a NAN correspondent in some markets in Keffi and Akwanga revealed that the prices of maize and local rice have reduced. A bag of maize, which sold for between N23,000 and N25,000 two months ago, now goes for between N 9,000 and N10,000, depending on quality. In the same vein, a measure of maize, hitherto sold for between N230 and N250, has come down to between N90 and N100 Also, a measure of local rice, which sold for N550 some few months ago, is now selling for between N400 and N450. The foreign brand, however, is N550 for a measure. Mrs Jacinta Luka, a resident of Keffi, expressed happiness at the development. “We are now happy that the harvest of new agricultural produce has led to a drop in the prices of food items, especially the prices of maize and local rice. “This will reduce people’s...

NDLEA operatives The Sokoto Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said on Thursday that no fewer than 134 suspects were arrested in eight months with 118.695 kgs of cannabis sativa otherwise called marijuana in the state. Alhaji Musba’u Idris, the state Commander of the agency, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto that 132 of the suspects were male, while four were female. The state commander said that 45 of the suspects had already been convicted. He solicited the support of the general public to volunteer useful information that would assist the command in dealing with hard drugs syndicate operating in the state.

Godwin Obaseki, APC governorship candidate for Edo State Chief Lucky Imasuen, a former Deputy Gov.in Edo, on Thursday, described Mr Godwin Obaseki, a governorship candidate in Edo, as an economy driver the state needed now. Imasuen made the observation during the endorsement of Obaseki by the state chapter of Pool Promoters and Agents in Benin. He said what the state needed at this point of economy difficulties were persons like Obaseki because of his wealth of experience as an investment expert and chairman of the state economic team. He said having been part of Oshiomhole’s government in this last seven years, Obaseki already knew what needed to be done to take the state to the next level. Imasuen said that Oshiomhole had provided the basis for the growth of the state and what was left now was for Obaseki, who had been part of the government, to continue on the foundation that had been laid. He expressed confidence that Obaseki would become the next governor of the state. “E...

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos Kazeem Ugbodaga Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday justified the decision of his administration to engage indigenous contractors for the construction of 114 inner roads simultaneously across the State, just as he disclosed that about N1 trillion is needed yearly to address the deficit in road construction. Ambode, who spoke in Oshodi-Isolo at the ongoing inauguration of 114 roads constructed across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), said indigenous contractors were engaged for the project not only to boost employment but also encourage the local construction industry to grow. Speaking through the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson at the commissioning of Kalejaiye Street, the governor assured residents that any mistake committed by the indigenous contractors in the course of the project would be addressed, adding that the construction of the inner roads ...

Dr. Jide Idris, Lagos State Health Commissioner Lagos State Government says it has recorded six deaths from cholera outbreak out of 45 cases in some communities in Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA). Dr Jide Idris, the State Commissioner for Health, who made the disclosure on Thursday at a news conference in Lagos, however, was not specific about the timing of the incident. Idris said that state government was already taking appropriate measures and had contained the outbreak. According to him, the ministry was notified of an upsurge of diarrhoea diseases in some communities in Isolo LCDA. “Following this, 45 cases were line-listed by the Epidemiology Unit of the ministry. “Six deaths were recorded among the 45 cases. “Majority of the cases did not present with the classical rice-water stool, rather they presented with atypical diarrhoea and vomiting. “Ano-rectal swabs were collected from 15 cases and taken to the Central Public Health Laboratory, Yaba. “Initially, ...

A Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Thursday granted N50,000 bail to an unemployed man who allegedly stole a carton of chicken and that of gizzard. Magistrate Abiodun Etti granted bail to Emeka Ifererike after he pleaded not guilty. Etti also ordered the accused to provide a surety in like sum. Ifejerike, whose address is unknown, was charged on one count. The prosecutor, Insp. Innocent Uko submitted that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 17 at Olowololowo Market, Morogbo, Badagry. Uko said that the accused stole the items from Mrs Morenikeji Badmus, adding that they worth N7,700 each. “The accused went to the shop and, when he noticed that no one was in the shop, he took a carton of chicken and gizzard. “Before he could get away with them, the complainant caught him,” he said. Uko noted that the alleged offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Further hearing in the case has been fixed for Oct. 5.

Mr Sam Olumekun, Edo INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday said that the postponement of the state governorship election to Sept. 28 would not negatively affect the outcome of the poll. Mr Sam Olumekun, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC) in Edo, said this at the commission’s organised Stakeholders’ meeting on the election on Thursday in Benin. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that INEC postponed the governorship election from Sept. 10 to Sept. 28 following security advice from the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS). But Olumekun said the commission was ready and willing to conduct free, fair, credible and conclusive election for Edo people. The REC, therefore, appealed to all the security agencies to deploy their personnel early enough to man their duty posts. The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, Benin, Mr Isaac Eke, said that security agencies would do everyth...

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has given the management of Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) a 14-day ultimatum to review its workers’ condition of service. The union threatened to embark on strike if the company would not accede to its demand. NUATE gave the notice in a letter signed by its General Secretary, Mr Olayinka Abioye, which was addressed to the Managing Director of SAHCOL, Mr Rizwan Kadri. A copy of the letter was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday. NAN reports that SAHCOL is a leading provider of aviation ground handling support for international and domestic airlines operating within and into Nigerian airports. The union requested the company’s management to urgently call for a meeting toward the review. “All concerted efforts of the union formally and informally to bring management to the table has been frustrated severally by your management. “By this letter, therefore, and unless you commence discuss...

BRT An operator of the Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme, Primero Transport Services, on Thursday in Lagos launched its in-transit television network. Mr. Fola Tinubu, the company’s Managing Director said the introduction of the television network was aimed at improving commuters’ experience and transportation in the state. “Everyone is used to the exterior branding of buses, but we are trying to change that paradigm, just as we are trying to change the paradigm of transport in Lagos or Nigeria. “While on the bus, commuters will be more educated and entertained, and advertisers have better opportunity to get more information to the public, instead of some other forms of outdoor advert. “We believe that the future is transit television and we are hoping to add more buses, hence, we hope to move at least a million people daily in Lagos; there is no television station can give that. “Do not forget that unlike in the case of traditional media, commuters or audience have no...

On Thursday a 44-year old man, Eseosasere Gift Osifo, appeared before an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court over alleged impersonation and fraud. Osifo was in court for creating a Facebook account using details of Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Nigeria, to defraud unsuspected victims. The Prosecutor, Mr Onoche Ekwom, Principal Legal Officer, Department of State Services (DSS), told the court that the accused committed the offence between January and August before he was arrested and brought to the court. Ekwon said the accused used the account to extort money from unsuspected victims on several occasions before he fell prey to the last victim which led to his arrest. He said the offence contravened Sections 484 and 422 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun, 2002. The accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of impersonation and fraud. Counsel to the accused, Mr Peter Ofoyeju, prayed the Magistrate to grant his client bail on the most liberal terms. The Magi...

A 17-year-old boy, Godfrey Bonshak, died on Thursday in Pankshin Local Government of Plateau following an attack by a mob that accused him of stealing a motorcycle. The Plateau Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Tyopev ATema, who confirmed the incident, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Panskhin that already the corpse had been buried in the morning. “There was a distress call to our men in Pankshin Divisional Office on Wednesday evening that somebody was being attacked by angry youths and they took action immediately. “Our men were able to rescue the boy from the hands of the mob and rushed him to the General Hospital Pankshin, where he, unfortunately, gave up the ghost,” the PPRO said. Tema said arrests had not been made in respect to the incident but the corpse of the boy had already been buried by the family members. But an eyewitness, however, told NAN that “only the police would unravel the truth about the allegation laid against the boy,” But the f...

The gavel of justice A 23-year old, self-acclaimed pastor, Nkechinyere Ndukwe, on Thursday appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing jewellery valued at N10 million. Ndukwe is facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and obtaining under false pretence. When the charge was read out to the accused, she entered a plea of not guilty. The Magistrate, Mrs Helen Omisore, granted Ndukwe bail in the sum of N1 million with two responsible sureties in like sum. The magistrate ordered that one of the sureties must possess land property within the court’s jurisdiction. Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Cousin Adams had told the court that the accused and others now at large committed the offence on March 9, at GRA, Ikeja. He further told the court that Ndukwe had asked the complainant, Ifeoma Isiuwa, to bring all her jewellery valued at N10 million for her to commence prayers on behalf of Isiuwa. “When the complainant asked that her...

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is to establish additional zonal offices across the country as part of efforts to enhance its operations. Mr. Abdullahi MaiKano, NCC Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, disclosed this at the 78th edition of its Consumer Outreach Programme (COP) in Kano on Thursday. The Forum had the theme: “Education and Information as Catalyst for Consumer Protection’’. The NCC director said establishing zonal offices would give the commission the opportunity to decentralise its operations for the benefit of consumers, service providers, and the industry as a whole. MaiKano, who was represented by a Deputy Director, Dr. Femi Atoyebi, said the commission had also developed a number of initiatives aimed at protecting consumer rights. He said these initiatives would also ensure consumer choices and provide them value for money. “The NCC recognises the fact that the rights of every telecoms consumer must be protected; one of their fundamental rights is th...

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State Workers in Enugu State Civil Service not captured in the recently concluded biometric verification will cease to receive salaries, the Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele, has said. Addressing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council Meeting held on Wednesday night, Udeuhele said the decision was taken to end the ghost-worker syndrome in the service. He said that the current administration on assumption of office observed leakages of state funds and moved to block the loopholes. “As a result, the biometric verification was introduced at the inception of the Bank Verification Number which makes it impossible for somebody to earn salaries in more than one point. “Before today, some people were in the local government system and state government receiving salaries from three points when they were actually not working in any of those places. “The dead were even collecting salaries. I’m surprised to see that the dead...

Cross River Government says on Thursday it expects over 50,000 tourists from across the world to visit the new Calasvegas tourism city during this year’s Calabar Carnival. Mr George Ekpungu, the Commissioner for New Cities Development, said this while on advocacy visit to traditional rulers and elders of Nsutan community in Calabar South Local Government. He told the traditional leaders that the government would transform the Twins island located in the area into a city, to boost tourism. Ekpungu, accompanied by Mr Oliver Orok, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Sustainable Development, said the city would be completed before the 2016 Calabar carnival. “My chiefs and traditional rulers, I am here today to solicit your supports and cooperation in view of the state government plan to transform the Twin island into Calasvegas city. “Every community belongs to the owners; this city cannot come into limelight without your supports. “Tourism is one of the most essential commoditie...

King Sunny Ade The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has congratulated King Sunny Ade on his 70th birthday, describing him as a cultural icon and a trailblazer. In a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, the Minister hailed Sunny Ade’s contribution to the growth of Nigerian music “which is fast becoming a global brand”. He credited him and other musical stars of his generation for charting the path for today’s generation of “Young Turks in the industry”. “It is particularly delightful that in spite of his age, King Sunny Ade has remained active on the music scene, thus reinforcing his position as a cultural ambassador. “He has done so much to project a positive image for the country over the years,” he said. The minister prayed that God would grant Sunny Ade many more years in good health so that he could continue to be a source of inspiration to aspiring music artists in particular, and indeed the entire Nigerian youth in general. Sunday Adeniyi, a Ju...

Kemi Adeosun, Nigeria’s Finance Minister The federal, states and local governments have shared N2.53 trillion as proceeds of revenues from the Federation Account from January to July, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The figures were derived from documents obtained from the Federal Ministry of Finance, showing that the total revenue generated for the months under review was N2.73 trillion. However, deductions were made for cost of collection to Nigeria Customs Service (seven per cent); Federal Inland Revenue Service (four per cent) and Department of Petroleum Resources (four per cent). The revenue is usually shared in arrears; for example, revenues generated in January is shared in February; thus, the revenue shared between January and July was actually generated between Dec. 2015 and June, 2016. In the months under review, the Federal Government alone received a total of N1.1 trillion; States got N727.5 billion and the local governments got N544.9 billion. This was sha...

President Muhammadu Buhari A lawyer, Daniel Makolo, has sued President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly failing to appoint a minister to represent Kogi in his cabinet. Makolo said his suit FHC\L\CS\44\2016 at the Federal High Court, Lokoja on Thursday was pursuant to Order 34 Rule (1) and Order 5 Rule (1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009. He queried the absence of Kogi representative in the Federal Executive Council meeting since March. He particularly faulted Buhari for failing to appoint a replacement for the late James Ocholi (SAN), former Minister of State for Labour and Employment from the state. Ocholi, his wife and son, died in an auto crash on Abuja-Kaduna Road on March 6. Makolo, among others, urged the court to order that the failure of Buhari to appoint a qualified indigene of Kogi as a Minister after Ocholi’s death was “wrongful, unlawful and unconstitutional.’’ He said that failure to appoint a minister from Kogi “is an attempt to and has denie...

Godwin Emefiele Central Bank Governor: promises reforms The Dutse Micro-Finance Bank (DMFB) has disbursed N75 million loan to farmers in Dutse Emirate Council. Alhaji Safiyanu Sulaiman, Managing Director of the bank, disclosed this at the disbursement ceremony on Thursday in Dutse. Sulaiman said that the loan was given to farmers working under the council and others in the area. He explained that the gesture was part of the bank’s effort to assist farmers in the area. The managing director added that it was also to encourage and enhance agricultural activities among people. He explained that the beneficiaries included district, village and ward heads. Safiyanu said salary earners among the beneficiaries would pay back the loan between 10 to 12 months, while others would pay between five to seven months after the sale of their farm produce. “Those who earn salary among the beneficiaries would pay back the loan through deduction from source, while those who are mainly farmers wi...

A 32-year-old man, Odunayo Adebayo, was on Thursday docked over the theft of property worth N139,000 belonging to a parish of The Redeemed Christian Church of God in Ota, Ogun. Adebayo, who lives at No.13, Adeyemi St., Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, is facing a charge of stealing at an Ota Magistrates’ Court. The Prosecutor, Cpl. Abdul Kareem Mustapha told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 3 at about 4.p.m., at Iyana-Iyesi, Ota. Mustapha said that the accused stole a stabilizer and other valuable items belonging to one Redeemed Christian Church of God, Victory Parish, Iyana-Iyesi, Ota. He said that the offence contravened Sections 390(9) and 415 of the Criminal Code, Vol.11, Laws of Ogun, 2006. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.I. Adelaja granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum. Adelaja said that the sureties must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction and should be gainfully employed....

Farm lands in 24 communities in Niger had been destroyed as a result of flood that ravaged Mokwa Local Government Areas of the state on Sept. 19. Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Minna. He said that farms in eight communities in Gbara, six in Muragi, and ten in Ja’agi were destroyed by the flood that occurred on Sept. 19. The director general added that due to the proactive step of the agency, there was no life loss in the disaster. “After the predicted flood warning by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, we at state level had to embarked on awareness and sensitisation programmes to communities that are likely prone to flood. “The people in these communities were advised to evacuate to higher ground and desist from water based activities that will lead to loss of lives. “Such step has gone a long way to reduce flood disaster to the barest minimum in the areas,” he...

President Muhammadu Buhari A lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Dr Lawrence Aderotimi has urged the Federal Government to seek an alternative solution to the current recession rather than focusing on the sale of Nigeria’s assets. Aderotimi made the appeal during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja on the current economic situation of the country. According to him, “the act is unprofessional if the Federal Government will descend so low to sell the jewel of the strongest nation in the Africa continent.” Aderotimi said that the government could take the option of borrowing from the international organisations rather than selling the assets of Nigerians and those yet unborn. He said that selling these assets would be termed “barbaric, unprofessional and evil’’. “Government at this critical state of recession should look beyond selling off the assets of the nation. The government can look for other alternative solutions. “It will n...

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State Sokoto State Government on Thursday said it had established three new Arabic Secondary Schools at the cost of N500 million. Executive Secretary, Arabic and Islamic Board in the state, Alhaji Ahmed Baba-Altine, stated this at a news briefing in Sokoto. Baba-Altine stated that each of the schools was located each of in the three senatorial districts in the state. He listed the new schools as Sultan Muhammadu Tambari Arabic Secondary School, Illela, Modibbo Adama Girls’ Arabic Secondary School, Maruda and Muhammadu Moyijjo Arabic Secondary School, Dagawa “Students for these schools had since been admitted and they will take off at the beginning of the 2016/2017 academic session at the end of September. “With the new schools, Sokoto state now has 15 Arabic secondary schools across the state, with four dedicated to females. “The schools run an integrated system of education encompassing both western and Islamic education,” he said. Baba-Alti...

The gavel of justice A 44-year-old man, Eseosasere Gift Osifo, on Thursday, appeared before an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court over alleged impersonation and fraud. Osifo was in court for creating a Facebook account using details of Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Nigeria, to defraud unsuspected victims. The Prosecutor, Mr Onoche Ekwom, Principal Legal Officer, Department of State Services (DSS), told the court that the accused committed the offence between January and August before he was arrested and brought to the court. Ekwon said the accused used the account to extort money from unsuspected victims on several occasions before he fell prey to the last victim which led to his arrest. He said the offence contravened Sections 484 and 422 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. 11, Laws of Osun, 2002. The accused pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of impersonation and fraud. Counsel to the accused, Mr Peter Ofoyeju, prayed the Magistrate to grant his client bail on the most...

Mr Akinyemi Akinlabi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has lauded the state assembly over the passage of the Local Government Amended Bill 2016. Akinlabi, who gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Thursday, noted that the assembly had, by the action, shown it was much responsive to the people’s demand. NAN reports that the assembly had on Sept. 20 passed into law the amendment to the Oyo State Local Government Creation Law 2002. The newly amended law would allow for the smooth creation of 35 new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state. “This action has established the responsiveness of the House to the demand of the people,’’ he said. He said that the assembly had also demonstrated that cordial relationship existed between the legislative and executive arms of government in the state. Akinlabi stated that the tiers of government had proven to the people of the state that the focus and ...

A 29-year-old businesswoman, Odor Oyinyechiwho, who allegedly poured hot water on her 14-year-old niece, Esther Ariserekwu, is facing trial at a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. The court, however, granted her bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties, the court said, must be a blood relation of the accused with evidence of tax payment to the state government. The accused, a resident of No.139, Adetola St., Aguda in Surulere, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault. ‎ Earlier, Prosecutor Anthonia Osanyade told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 5 at No.139, Adetola St., Aguda, Surulere. ‎“The accused poured hot water on her 14-year-old niece, Esther Ariserekwu, who has been with her for more than a year for mistakenly pouring dirty water into her pot of soup that was stored in the freezer.” ‎The offence contravened Section 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Ipaye Nwach...

King’s College Lagos The Federal Ministry of Education on Thursday assured that salaries of the striking teachers of King’s College, Lagos, would be paid next week. The Deputy Director of Information, Mr Benjamin Goong, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that government was making efforts to pay the teachers so that the students could resume for the new academic session. Members of staff of the 107-year-old institution had embarked on an indefinite strike over arrears of salaries owed them since May. They claimed that their names were omitted from the salary payroll since May and blamed it on a mix-up between the Budget Office and the Ministry of Finance. The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, which waded into the matter, shut down the college, vowing that the workers would only resume after all outstanding salaries are paid. Goong, however, told NAN that the government was addressing the problem, assuring parents and students that resumption was in sight. “Th...

A 40-year-old housewife, Amudalat Afolabi has told an Ilorin Area Court that her husband,Tajudeen, sent her out because she refused to terminate a six-month-old pregnancy. Amudalat made this known when she testified in a divorce petition filed against her by Tajudeen in Ilorin on Thursday. “My husband sent me away from our matrimonial home because I refused to terminate the six pregnancy am carrying,” she said. Amadalat, 40, did not oppose the dissolution of the 20-year-old marriage, but described Tajudeen as “an irresponsible man”. She said that was tired of being enslaved by a useless man. Tajudeen,50, a residence of Edun Area, Ilorin, had prayed the court to dissolved for his wife’s alleged infidelity.amorous behaviour. He said the marriage was contacted in 1996 and had produced five children, Monsurat,18; Ibrahim,16; Mohammed,12; Lateefat, 10; Fatimoh, eight; and they were all living with him because their mother had left the matrimonial home. “I am fed up with her waywardn...

Ayuba Wabba, President of NLC The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday dismissed as misleading, speculations that talks between it and the Federal Government on new national minimum wage had collapsed. Comrade Ayuba Wabba, President of the NLC said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, that the talks had not even started. According to him, the government is foot-dragging on the issue. He said that the tripartite structure that should consider the modalities for the implementation had not been inaugurated. “Up til now, the government is still dragging its feet on talks about the minimum wage; the tripartite structure has not been put in place.” He said that the speculation that talk on minimum wage had collapsed was misleading, adding that the talk had not even started. “The point we are making is that we have only agreed on the structure, but the structure has not been formed. “We have agreed on the membership and the structure of the negotiatin...

The Sokoto State Police Command on Thursday advised residents of the state to be security conscious, always. The Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Sokoto. Abdulkadir said that already various forms of security measures had being put in place to guarantee the safety of lives and property in the area. “We have put in place security measures in and outside the metropolis that will enable the people to move about and conduct their legitimate businesses without hindrance,” he said. The commissioner solicited for more support from the people of the state especially by giving the command intelligence reports that could assist it to arrest and prosecute criminals.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Osun Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA) are working to provide relief materials to victims of flood disaster in the state. Mr Olanipekun Olanrewaju, the General Manager, OSEMA on Thursday in Osogbo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the agency in collaboration with NEMA is working to bring succour to victims. Olanrewaju said that OSEMA, which is saddled with the responsibility of providing relief materials to victims of disaster, had already sent official report to NEMA, through its Zonal Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti. He said with the assistance of the state government and NEMA, OSEMA would provide relief materials to victims of the flood disaster soon. The general manager, however, said there were procedures to follow for the distribution of relief materials. He explained that victims of the flood have to formally request and present their case to the agency with photographs of their property that were damaged during...

The gavel of justice A Jos Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday sentenced two women, Mrs Karkuzu Raymond, 50, and Mrs Stella Alechenu, 45, to 10 months imprisonment each for receiving stolen rice and beans. The convicts, both of Jenta Adamu Street, Jos, were charged with receiving stolen property. The magistrate, Mr Jovita Binjin, sentenced them after they pleaded guilty to the crime and begged for leniency. In their plea, the convicts attributed their action to the harsh economic times. “It is the current hardship that led us to it; we just wanted to provide for our families. “Rice is very expensive now; we wanted to sell and make profit. It is the work of the devil, we will not do it again,” they pleaded. After the plea, the magistrate sentenced them to 10 months each in prison, with an option of fine of N5, 000 each. Earlier, the police prosecutor, Sgt. Thomas Amuku had told the court that one Agbat Luke, a security man attached to the Satelite Market, Jos, reported the ma...

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Otuoke, Prof Seth Jaja, on Thursday, said that his administration would ensure harmonious relationship between the campus and host community. He made the promise when youths of Otuoke community paid him a familiarisation visit on campus. The Vice Chancellor enjoined the youths to be ambassadors of change in the community and assured them of the university’s support in activities that would promote the development and growth. Earleir, Mr Nahbil Idumangi, Youth President of Otuoke community, had assured the Vice-Chancellor of their total support to move the institution forward and to prevent crime in the community. He maintained that the institution had brought development and employment to the state in general and the host community in particular. Idumangi added that the youths had resolved to collaborate with the university and relevant security agents in the state to ensure adequate security of lives and properties in the community. ...

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun To promote Osun government’s drive to take youths off vices, the Osun Football Association (FA) and Friends of Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, say they will organise the 3rd Governor’s Golden Cup football competition. The Project’s Coordinator, Lawrence Ayeni, told a news conference on Thursday in Osogbo, that the competition would also be used to identify talents at the grassroots. Ayeni said that arrangements for the competition to mark the second year of Aregbesola’s second term in office had been concluded. He said that some of the players who participated in the previous two editions of the competition were now playing for major clubs in the country. “During the previous editions, many talented players were discovered by different professional football clubs from across the country and cash prizes were also given out. “Kits were equally provided for all the teams that took part in the first two editions and this helped to solve some of the problems of th...

Arrested cultists Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt Some repentant cultists and criminal gangs have surrendered their arms and ammunition to the Rivers State Amnesty Committee. Members of two cult groups, Degbam Avengers and Iceland Confraternity publicly surrendered their arms and ammunition and accepted the state government’s amnesty offer. Chairman of the Amnesty Committee and Special Adviser to the Governor on Amnesty, Mr. Ken Chinda commended the youths for embracing the amnesty and warned them never to return to crime. He assured them of employment and empowerment by the government. “Under the amnesty scheme, those of you who have skills and those who don’t have will have the opportunity to be trained and to those of you who are graduates will be gainfully employed”. He also stated that embracing the amnesty will afford them the opportunity to be reintegrated back into the society. Paramount Ruler of Omofo, one of the communities in Rundele, Edison Omeodu, commended the state...

Mr Geoffrey Onyeama The Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, has advocated the formation of broad coalitions around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Onyeama made the suggestion on the sideline of the stakeholder engagement in the implementation of SDGs in Africa at the ongoing 71st UN General Assembly. “The implementation of the SDGs is a pressing and pivotal task that requires all hands to be on deck and firmly so. “From inception, the achievement of the SDGs has been predicated on the combined efforts of the sub-national, national, regional and global actors. “Thus, it is imperative that all stakeholders appreciate the importance of their unique roles in the matrix of the common intent to achieve the SDGs. Onyeama said the implementation of the new agenda was happening in much tougher times than those which prevailed when the Millennium Development Goals were launched in 2000. He said although government commitment was vital, it was insufficient on its own...

An e-center in Nigeria The Internet, video games, television, and filmed entertainment segments of sub-Saharan Africa’s entertainment and media industry are projected to continue to grow in the following years but the publishing industry is having to work very hard to make any headway, according to PwC’s (www.PwC.com) Entertainment and media outlook: 2016 – 2020 report (South Africa – Nigeria – Kenya) released today. Despite a relative slower growth projection for the industry, the Outlook forecasts that South Africa’s entertainment and media industry is expected to grow from R125.7 billion in 2015 to R173.3 billion in 2020, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. “In spite of widespread disruption in the entertainment and media industry, as well as intense competition for consumer attention, there are growth opportunities aplenty for companies to capitalise from in the new media landscape,” says Vicki Myburgh, Entertainment & Media Industry Leader for PwC Southern Afri...