Global Naija Info

•Bala Mohammed, former FCT Minister A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Details of Mr. Mohammed’s arrest remained fuzzy as at the time of filing this report, but sources confirmed he was in detention at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday night, Leadership newspaper reports. “Yes, we have him in our custody,” a source said. Another source said Mr. Mohammed’s detention was still being processed at about 8:45 p.m. on Monday. He is expected to spend at least Monday night at the commission’s office. The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, could not be reached for comment late Monday. Mr. Mohammed, a former senator from Bauchi State, served as the Minister of the FCT under President Goodluck Jonathan between 2010-15. An anti-corruption crackdown launched by the Muhammadu Buhari administration shortly after assuming office last year had seen dozens of the Jonathan administ...

Textile-industry The Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA) has urged the Federal Government to channel proceeds from Textile Development Levy to boost the competitiveness of the textile industry. Mr Hamma Kwajaffa, Director-General of NTMA, said in Lagos that the accrual from the levy would bridge the infrastructure deficits that presently impeded the industry. The Federal Government set aside 10 per cent import levy on imported fabrics to develop operations of local textile manufacturers. The levy was to be collected on behalf of the government by the Nigerian Customs Service. According to Kwajaffa, no textile manufacturers has accessed the 10 per cent import levy on textile materials since it was established in 1997. “We are supposed to have 10 per cent of any fabric coming into the country as textile development levy. Till date, nothing has come to the coffers of textile manufacturers. “The levy was to cushion the infrastructure decay that has impeded our compet...

Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates after scoring for Man City Nigeria striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, has appealed to Manchester City fans to exercise patience with the team following underwhelming performances in recent matches. Iheanacho, saved Coach Pep Guardiola’s blushes, coming off the bench to score for Manchester City in their 1-1 draw with Southampton at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The goal was Iheanacho’s third for the season though it was not enough to earn his side the full points against Southampton. The Citizens have failed to win in their last five games in all competitions and had to come from behind to rescue a point against Southampton in the English Premier League (EPL) on Sunday. Iheanacho was quoted on the club’s website as calling for restraint while insisting that the team would soon turn the tide around. “There is no problem (with City manager, Pep Guardiola’s system), we need to get our heads straight and focus on the next games. “The fans need to know that we...

UNICEF The UNICEF has embarked on the repair of 110 hand pumps in Malammadori Local Government Area of Jigawa, to enhance access to portable water in rural communities. The council’s Chairman, Alhaji Ali Alkali, said this on Monday in Malammadori. Alkali said that 10 hand pumps would be rehabilitated across the 11 wards of the area with the support of the UNICEF. He said that the gesture was to enhance water supply and ease the difficulties experienced by the people in accessing portable water. Alkali added that the council had so far rehabilitated 33 broken hand pumps at various communities and a wind pump at Akurya grazing land to enhance water supply to human and animals. While commending the state government efforts toward enhancing access to portable water, the chairman called on the people to protect basic amenities provided in their communities by the government.

The arraigned suspected kidnappers of Oniba of Iba at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere – Duba Furejo; Ododomo Isaiah; Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh, on Monday. The Lagos State Government on Monday arraigned the key suspects arrested in connection with the kidnap of Oniba of Iba Town, Oba Yishau Goriola Oseni before a Lagos High Court in Igbosere. The suspects-Duba Furejo, Ododomo Isaiah, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh were arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo on an eight-count criminal charge of conspiracy to murder, murder, armed robbery and Kidnapping. The suspects, who allegedly carried out the crime on July 16, 2016 at the palace of the monarch, were said to have murdered a security detail attached to the palace, Sunday Eniola Okanlawon, and a commercial motorcycle rider, Joseph Okeke. They were also said to have attempted to kill the monarch’s wife, Olori Abosede Oseni while making efforts to dispossess her of her property at gun point. When the case was called, the Stat...

Nigerians-traveling Mr Jiten Vyas, the Chief Operating Officer of VFS Global in Africa, a visa processing company, says U.S. and UK are Nigerians most travelled destinations. Vyas said in Lagos on Monday that his organisation’s statistics had also revealed a rise in the number of Nigerians travelling to Europe, South Africa, Dubia and India. ‘’There has been a significant rise in Nigerians travel, be it student travel, leisure or business, largely due to the improvement in income levels in the last few years. ‘’Several multinational companies have also set up base here and more Nigerian residents are becoming increasingly keen to travel or study abroad. ‘’The U.S. and UK remain popular travel destinations amongst Nigerians today; they also travel to Europe, Dubai, India and South Africa,’’ he said. Vyas said that more countries had in the last decade taken advantage of outsourcing their visas application services to his organisation. The company boss said that Nigeria had alwa...

Dele Odule A veteran Nollywood actor, Mr Dele Odule, on Monday urged the National Assembly to enact a law enforcing stiffer punishment for anybody or group found guilty of piracy or plagiarism. Odule, who is the National President of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Producers of Nigeria (TAMPAN), made the appeal in llorin on Monday while speaking with newsmen. The Nollywood actor said that piracy, though a global problem, occurred at an alarming rate in Nigeria. He attributed the high incidence to the low penalty meted out on the perpetrators and non-enforcement of laws against the offence. “Film producers in Nigeria do not have retirement benefits like civil servants and ordinarily, their production should be their benefits after retirement. “However, in a situation where these works have been pirated, they are doomed and have nothing to look forward to in future,’’ Odule said. He appealed to the Federal Government to borrow a leaf from developed countries by assisting film p...

The gavel of justice A 28-year–old woman, Jamila Idris, on Monday prayed a Grade 1 Area Court in Gudu, Abuja, to grant her the custody of her three children from her former husband, Umar Musa. Jamila a tailor of Durunmi 3, Abuja, also prayed the court to order Musa to provide monthly N30,000 allowances for maintenance of the children. She said the marriage, which contracted in 2007 produced three children, and was dissolved in July, 2016. The mother of three told the court that all the children were in her custody when her former husband came and took them in September. She told the court that when the children were of age they could be with their father. “He doesn’t know the pains of caring for a child. The day I went to his house, I saw my two-year-old son sleeping on the floor, exposed to the cold because it rained heavily that day. “He cannot take proper care of the children because they are not under anybody’s care’’. Musa in his response told the court that he had tried...

court-of-law A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday fixed Nov. 25 to hear a N2.4 billion suit filed against a company- Innosson Nig. Ltd over alleged falsification of shipping documents. Charged alongside Innosson Nig. Ltd are Innocent Chukwuma, Charles Chukwu, Maximian Chukwura, Mitsui Osk Lines ‘C’ and Anajekwu Sunny, who are facing a four-count charge. At the hearing of the case on Monday, Mr J.I. Ajakaiye, announced appearance for the prosecution, while Chief George Uwechue (SAN), Prof. C. Mbadugha, and Mr Olusola Abioye announced appearance for the accused. The prosecutor informed the court that he had served the court processes on all the defence counsel on Oct. 21 at about 4.18 pm, while the counsel to the third to sixth defendants were served in court before the commencement of trial. In his response, Uwechue confirmed to the court that he had received the processes, but required adequate time to study and file a response. Based on the agreement of counsel, Justice Sal...

court-of-law court A 24-year-old saleswoman, Anabel Akuneziri, on Monday appeared before an Apapa Senior Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly converting N420,000 belonging to her employer to her own personal use. Akuneziri is charged with stealing. The prosecutor, Sgt. Kokoye Olusegun, said that the accused committed the offence at Abia Plaza BBA Market, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos on Sept. 14. He said that the accused stole N420,000 belonging to one Oraemedo Sunday. Olusegun said that Akuneziri was supposed to deposit the money at Diamond Bank on behalf of her boss, but instead converted the money to her own personal use. “When Sunday did not get any alert from his bank, he became worried and decided to confront his employee, who claimed she paid the money into his account. “Sunday went to the bank to inquire about his money, only to discover that the accused did not pay any money into his account. “The complainant said that by the time he got back to his shop, the accuse...

Jigawa state governor The Jigawa Board of Internal Revenue has warned commercial drivers in the state to comply with the directive on the use of the newly introduced passengers manifest or face the consequences. Alhaji Salisu Sani, Coordinator of Road Taxes in the board, gave the warning in Dutse on Monday. “Commercial drivers should immediately comply and begin to use the new passengers manifest. “Any driver that fails to comply will have himself to blame for whatever action we may take against him. “This is because the policy was introduced to ensure safety and security of passengers and goods,’’ he said. The Jigawa government had on May 26 introduced the use of passengers’ manifest in all motor parks in the state. Sani said proper documentation of passengers and vehicles would help to protect lives and properties of motorists and other road users, as well as ease transportation. He said that the policy was introduced in order to get accurate information of passengers leavi...

Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, wife of Rivers State Governor Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, the wife of the Rivers State Governor on Sunday, reacted to the recent comment by President Muhammadu Buhari about his wife belonging to his “kitchen, living room and the other room”. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike backed the President, by saying that she belongs to the kitchen, the living room and every room created by God while speaking at the 10th Biennial Diocesan Women’s Guild Conference Thanksgiving Service of the Anglican Diocese of the Niger Delta North in Saint Thomas Anglican Church, Diobu, Port Harcourt yesterday. According to her, “All women have been through a lot as they strive to build the society. “Our contributions to societal development cannot be underestimated. “I belong to the kitchen, I belong to the living room and I belong to every room created by God. So also other women. “We are created by God to do more. In my own case as a judicial offic...

The gavel of justice The police on Monday arraigned one Amina Mohammed on a two-count charge of fraud. Mohammed was dragged to court with her company, Albarka Property and Investment Limited, by one Abdulkareem Isa for allegedly defrauding him of N6 million. She pleaded not guilty to both counts. The prosecuting counsel, Mr Dennis Abi, said that the offence contravened Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act, adding that investigation into the matter had been completed. Abi objected to an oral application for bail brought by the defence Counsel, Mr Joel Obaike, saying that the defence team should bring a written application for bail. He prayed the court to remand the defendant in prison and order an accelerated hearing into the matter. Obaike had made an oral application for bail for his client, saying that she was receiving treatments due to an accident. The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, ruled that since the prosecution opposed the oral application for bail, the defendant...

Police cell A 27-year -old man, Essien Effiong, who allegedly defiled a four-year-old girl was on Monday arraigned in Lagos. Effiong, who resides at Ajegunle in Lagos, is facing a count charge of defilement at an Apapa Senior Magistrates’ Court. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Kokoye Olusegun, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 8 at his residence. Olusegun said the accused lured the girl into his apartment with biscuit and had carnal knowledge of her without. “When the girl tried to escape the accused forcefully dragged her back into his room and started putting his fingers into her private part. “When the pain was too much for the girl, she started screaming and a neighbor, who was passing by the room at the time, heard her voice. “The woman immediately bashed into the room and to her surprise the accused was naked and was inserting his finger into the girl’s private part. “The case was reported to the police and the accused was immediately arrested,’’ Oluse...

Dele Odule A veteran Nollywood actor, Mr Dele Odule, on Monday urged the National Assembly to enact a law enforcing stiffer punishment for anybody or group found guilty of piracy or plagiarism. Odule, who is the National President of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Producers of Nigeria (TAMPAN), made the appeal in llorin on Monday while speaking with newsmen. The Nollywood actor said that piracy, though a global problem, occurred at an alarming rate in Nigeria. He attributed the high incidence to the low penalty meted out on the perpetrators and non-enforcement of laws against the offence. “Film producers in Nigeria do not have retirement benefits like civil servants and ordinarily, their production should be their benefits after retirement. “However, in a situation where these works have been pirated, they are doomed and have nothing to look forward to in future,’’ Odule said. He appealed to the Federal Government to borrow a leaf from developed countries by assisting film p...

Charlie Boy One of Nigeria’s renowned entertainers, Charles Oputa, popularly known as “Charlie Boy”, on Monday took to Social Media to say he will spearhead a revolt against corrupt politicians in Nigeria. Charlie boy who now calls himself “President of Frustrated Nigerians” added that he would take the first bullet in the proposed revolution to restore change to the country. He said “Like my friend Obinna said and I agree with him, henceforth… “don’t ask for a revolution; be the revolution. “Be the change. Do not wail for that which is troubling this country; Fight to fix it and make the country great again. “Do not hail the corrupt and destroyers of our Dreams; Expose and ridicule them. “The Politicians are corruptly connected, criminally bonded and fearful of the people. “We must be audacious in our demands; we must be Fearless in our Agitation and we must be ready to sacrifice our all for this Country, “he said. He continued by saying, “I will take the first bullet; let m...

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State The Katsina State Government has upgraded its sports facilities to facilitate the smooth conduct of the Nigerian Air Force Games in Katsina metropolis. Gov. Aminu Masari made the assertion on Monday while inspecting the rehabilitated sports facilities in Katsina. “All our sports equipment and facilities have been given a facelift so that the Air Force sportsmen and women will make good use of them during their competition. “The state government has rehabilitated the old township stadium where tracks and field events will take place. “We have also renovated the Tennis, Handball and Basketball courts near Katsina Club in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) of the metropolis. “The government is currently rehabilitating the Katsina Golf Club. “In fact, the Katsina State Government is 100 per cent ready for the Air Force Games as all the sports facilities have been given facelift,’’ the governor said. Masari said that after the Games, the ...

magistrate-court A 33-year-old man, Godwin Otobo, was on Monday docked at a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.For allegedly defiling a nine-year-old girl, ‎Otobo, who lives at No. 10, Borrow Pit St., Sangotedo-Ajah area of Lagos, was said to have defiled the underage girl whose parents also reside in the same compound. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the accused committed the offence at about 9.00 p.m. sometimes in September. “The accused defiled the girl in the night when she was fetching water.‎ “The offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011,’’ Osayande told the court. The accused pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of defilement. Ruling on a bail application filed by the accused, Chief Magistrate Ipaye Nwachukwu, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum. She said one of the sureties must be a property owner in Lagos State, while the other must be a civil servant on grade...

Nigeria Immigration Service Operatives Alhaji Muhammad Ahmad, the Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Sokoto State, has canvassed for adequate logistics and manpower to curtail the issue of illegal mining in the state. Ahmad said this during a courtesy visit by the Chinese Ambassador, Dang Ying, to the State Command on Monday in Sokoto. “With logistics and manpower, you know we can cover a lot on the issue of illegal mining. “All the foreigners that come in without valid travelling documents and permission to stay in the country are considered as illegal immigrants,” he said. Ahmad also said that the command had made efforts to curtail the issue of human trafficking, adding this had, however, been hindered by the porous state of the Nigerian border. In his remarks, the ambassador said that his visit was to strengthen the relationship between the Chinese government and the Nigeria Immigration Service. “Our aim is to ensure a cordial relationship between the Chin...

Charlie Boy One of Nigeria’s renowned entertainers, Charles Oputa, popularly known as “Charlie Boy”, on Monday took to Social Media to say he will spearhead a revolt against corrupt politicians in Nigeria. Charlie boy who now calls himself “President of Frustrated Nigerians” added that he would take the first bullet in the proposed revolution to restore change to the country. He said “Like my friend Obinna said and I agree with him, henceforth… “don’t ask for a revolution; be the revolution. “Be the change. Do not wail for that which is troubling this country; Fight to fix it and make the country great again. “Do not hail the corrupt and destroyers of our Dreams; Expose and ridicule them. “The Politicians are corruptly connected, criminally bonded and fearful of the people. “We must be audacious in our demands; we must be Fearless in our Agitation and we must be ready to sacrifice our all for this Country, “he said. He continued by saying, “I will take the first bullet; let m...

Oba Goriola Oseni Four men, who allegedly kidnapped Oba Goriola Oseni, the traditional ruler of Iba in Lagos State, were on Monday remanded in prison custody by a Lagos High Court. The accused: Duba Furejo, Ododomo Isaiah, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh, are standing trial before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of a Lagos High Court in Igbosere, Lagos on eight-count charge. The charges are conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and kidnapping. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 74-year-old monarch, who celebrated his 40 years on the throne on Nov. 22, 2015, was abducted in his palace at Iba ‎on July 16 at about 8.00 p.m. Four days after the abduction, the kidnappers demanded N500 million as ransom, which the family claimed they could not raise. The Prosecutor, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, the Attorney-General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 16 at the oba’s palace in Iba. Kazeem, a Senior Adv...

court-of-law Two pool agents, Ola Obafemi and Muritala Adeyemi, were on Monday arraigned in Lagos for allegedly denying three customers the sum of N386,000 they won in a lottery. Obafemi, 38, a female and Adeyemi, 50, both residents of Agege area of Lagos, are standing trial before an Ikeja Magistrates Court on charges of breach of peace, conspiracy and fraud. The prosecutor Insp. George Nwosu told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 8 at No. 3, Akinola Close, Agege, a suburb of Lagos State. He said that the accused conspired with others still at large to cause a breach of peace by withholding the coupon results of Gbenga Karonwi, Ben Olaoluwa and Sunday Ubah. Nwosu said that the complainants went to the pool office to play and won, but the accused refused to give them their money. “The complainants went to play and their numbers were among the winning numbers which was to the tune of N386,000. “The accused refused to give them the money but kept asking ...

Ronaldo and Bale Wales forward Gareth Bale and Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo are on the shortlist for the 2016 Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player. Manchester City pair Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne, and Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic are also on the list. France Football magazine is revealing the 30-man shortlist in batches of five players throughout Monday. Fifa ended its association with the award last month. The award has been given by France Football every year since 1956, but for the past six years it became the Fifa Ballon d’Or in association with world football’s governing body. Barcelona forward Lionel Messi won the award last year for a record fifth time. The last time a player other than Messi or Ronaldo won was in 2007, when then AC Milan playmaker Kaka took the honour. Five Premier League players – City trio Yaya Toure, Aguero and De Bruyne, Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard – made a 23-man shortlist last year, with...

The Police on Monday arraigned a 41-year-old businessman, Olawunmi Oladele, at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly fighting and beating two policewomen. Oladele, residing at Fagba area of Lagos, is being tried for breach of peace and assault. The Prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu told the court that the accused committed the offences on Oct. 12 at Iju in Agege, near Lagos. He alleged that the accused and one other person now at large, unlawfully assaulted two policewomen Insp. Patricia Okhide and Sgt. Funmilayo Adeamo, fighting and beating them while they were performing their lawful duties. Nwosu told the court that the accused allegedly obstructed the complainants from arresting one Mrs. Kemi Saka now at large. “The complainants were controlling traffic when they arrested Saka for blocking the road with her car and prevented other road users from having right of way. “They ordered Saka to follow them to the station but the accused who was only a passerby stopped and interru...

NSCDC operatives The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nasarawa State Command, has shut down two private security outfits for operating illegally in the state. Lawan Basir-Kano, the Nasarawa State Commandant of NSCDC made this disclosure in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Lafia. The State Commandant listed the names of these companies to include, Nigid Guards Limited (NGL) and Scott-Brain Global Security Services (SGSS). He explained that NGL was shut down for not renewing its licence while SGSS was not even registered at all by the NSCDC, as a private security outfit. “There were also other private companies that were shut down but had been reopened when their managements provided proofs of registration and renewal,” he added. He directed the Divisional Officers in the 13 Local Government Areas and 18 Development Areas to ensure that no illegal private security outfit is allowed to operate in the area. “We cannot close our eyes and do nothing about situ...

Ondo APC governorship candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu The All Progressives Party (APC) in Ondo State says it will pay the backlog of unpaid workers’ salaries within six months if elected. Mr Abayomi Adesanya, the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, made the promise in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday. Adesanya said that Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), the party’s candidate in the Nov. 26 governorship election, had a meeting with the leadership of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the state where he promised that he would not retrench workers. Adesanya assured that APC government in the state would also pay all pension arrears within six months of assumption of office. NAN reports that workers and pensioners in the state are being owed six months salaries and other entitlements. “Considering the suffering of the people due to non-payment of salaries and pensioners’ entitlements, Akeredolu has resolved, with the party leader...

Boko Haram members Chairman of Madagali Local Government Council in Adamawa, Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed, on Monday, solicited for government’s intervention over the poor state of infrastructures in the area. Muhammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gulak, the council’s headquarters, that the Federal Government needed to assist in rehabilitating facilities damaged by Boko Haram insurgents. NAN recalls that the local government is one of the several areas in Adamawa taken over by the insurgents but was later liberated by security forces. He said that government facilities like schools, hospital and markets, among others, were no longer functioning. “Gulak town, the headquarters of the local government, is about 15 km from Sambisa forest. the den of the insurgents. “The destruction of schools, health facilities, markets, houses, places of worship and community civic centre, is beyond imagination. “The council secretariat has been completely vandalised and there is no single i...

A-house The Kebbi State Government on Monday promised to build 2,000 houses in order to ease accommodation challenges confronting residents of the state. The State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi that the move would help to reduce the housing deficit in the state. He said that following the deficit, the state government had received over 27,000 applications for allocation of land. “The number of applications we have received from individuals and organisations in the state who are keen to acquire plots to build houses has reached about 27,000. “This is an indication that the deficit is in thousands because, definitely, there are some people who did not even apply,’’ Ladan said. He said discussions were ongoing between the government and the Federal Mortgage Bank to construct houses using private developers. The commissioner said the houses would be allocated to individuals who would be expected to ...

Edo-FRSC Mr Friday Ekhator, the Edo State Coordinator of Special Marshals of FRSC, has called on all road users to comply with highway regulations to stay alive during the ember months As the ember months are the last four months of the year. Ekhator made the appeal in Benin on Monday while speaking with journalists on the programme of activities of his members during the ember months. He said the call became imperative because of the increased vehicular activities on the roads during the festive periods when drivers were always in a hurry. “It is this unnecessary haste and disregard for traffic laws that are responsible for major road crashes. “The problem we still face is that many road users do not obey regular and special marshals when we try to stop and caution them. “They feel that stopping for us will always result in punitive measures to them, but it is not all stoppages that culminate in bookings. `Most times we stop them, we educate them on the proper use of the road...

FILE PHOTO: Women protesting. Protesters on Monday blocked the Uselu/Ugbowo section of the Benin-Lagos highway over plans by Egor Local Government Area of Edo to relocate traders. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesters, under the aegis of Uselu Market Women Association, were resisting the directive to move to lock-up stores built by the council. The women, displaying placards, blocked both sides of the highway, preventing motorists from continuing with their trips. Some of the women said the N1.2 million charged for the stalls was too expensive for them, especially given the type of businesses most of them do. The women said their problem was compounded by the action of the local council, which commenced the removal of their makeshift shops on Monday. Mrs. Celena Okon, one of the market women, described the council’s action ”as an act of wickedness”, in view of the current economic situation in the country. “What am I selling that you will force me to pay...

chickens A Public Health Expert in Bauchi, Dr Alkasim Ibrahim, has expressed concern over the increase in the number of people rearing animals in their homes with little or no concern for public health. Ibrahim, who specialized in veterinary medicine, stated this on Monday in Bauchi. “Zoonotic disease is a disease that can be transferred from animals to humans and is caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. These diseases are very common. “Diseases such as Avian influenza, Brucellosis, Ringworm and Animal Influenza, among others,’’ he said. According to him, such diseases are a threat to public health if not contained appropriately, can spread rapidly where animals and humans co-exist closely. He said that apart from the issue of threat to personal health, some of the animals kept at home were not meant to be caged but were supposed to move freely, adding that restricting them was also a violation of animal welfare rights. He therefore advocated for a change in the c...

Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa State The Jigawa Government on Saturday said it spent N6.92 million to train 363 women in various income-generating trades in the state. Alhaji Muhammad Mujaddadi, the Special Assistant to Gov. Muhammad Badaru on Economic Empowerment, made this known in Dutse on Monday. Mujaddadi said that the training was sponsored by the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. He explained that 108 women were trained in Beads-Making and were given N20,000.00 each as seed capital to set up their own businesses. The special assistant added that another set of 108 of women were trained in Stone Work and Embroidery and were also given N25,000.00 each as seed capital. According to him, 147 women received training in Spices-Making, and were given N15,000.00 each to establish their own businesses. Mujaddadi said that additional 250 women had been identified for training in leather works (bags and shoes making) and poultry. He pointed out that the gest...

Seized fake products Mr Sunday Badewole, the Coordinator, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in Osun, has described importation of substandard goods into Nigeria as an integral part of the corruption that should be tackled. Badewole told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo that importation of substandard goods was “stealing with style”. “By importing substandard goods, it means you want to defraud the people, and when you defraud people of their money, it is part of corruption. “It is stealing with style, and it must be reduced to the barest minimum in our society.” Badewole decried the influx of substandard products through the nation’s porous borders. He said that SON would not relent on the enforcement of standards and standardisation of products in the markets. The coordinator said that the organisation would organise a public enlightenment workshop for importers and consumers on the need to avoid buying and selling fake products. Badewole said that the organis...

National Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) The Lapeke Community of Owode-Ede in Osun has commended the National Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for its intervention in a crisis with MTN. The community has been at the loggerheads with MTN over the environmental hazard caused by an electricity generating set at the MTN base station in the community. On Monday, the Secretary of the Landlords Association in the community, Mr Ayinde Richard, lauded NESREA for its intervention. Richard also commended the Federal Government for establishing an agency like NESREA to protect the lives of Nigerians from environmental hazards. The secretary particurlarly thanked the NESREA Coordinator in the state, Mr Muhammad Maike, and his team for their professional and exemplary role in resolving the crisis. “We are grateful to NESREA for their urgent intervention in settling the rift between our community and MTN amicably and the Osun ...

Aminu-Maigari, ex NFF president The immediate past President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, has commended the League Management Company (LMC) for conducting a successful 2015/2016 football season which ended on Oct. 2. Maigari gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos. The former NFF president said that the LMC’s effort toward repositioning the league was beginning to pay-off. “The LMC has done well; there is improvement in officiating and kudos for this goes to the LMC. “The organisation of the league has improved and the league is getting more competitive; this is a good thing and I hope it gets better. “Our league is described as one of the best in Africa following this resounding success and that is a plus for us; it means the league is on the right path. “They have done so well,’’ Maigari said. He also commended the efforts of winners of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Rangers Inter...

Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa State Residents of Takur Adau community in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa have appealed to the State University Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to construct a primary school in the area. Making the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Dutse, they said their children had to trek long distance to attend schools in other communities One of the residents, Hajiya Maryam Umar, said that there was “no single public primary school” in the area, adding that children from the community had to trek a long distance to attend classes in a town called Kazama. She explained that the establishment of a primary school in their community would increase pupils’ enrollment and enhance the level of literacy among children in the locality. Another resident, Abubakar Sani, said that providing a primary school in the area would enable their children to acquire necessary knowledge and skills that would guide their lives. “We are d...

Kwara state -governor The Kwara Government has rejected the demand by the state’s chapter of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for a refund of N33.6 billion to local governments in the state as illogical and baseless. A statement by Dr Muideen Akorede, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to Governor, made this known to newsmen in Ilorin on Monday. Akorede described NULGE’s demand as unfortunate and that there was no basis for demanding a refund of that or any other amount from the government. He said that the government, on the contrary, had augmented allocation to local governments several times in recent months to enable them pay workers. The media aide maintained that the state did not tamper with local government funds as alleged by the workers. “Funds are shared among Basic Education teachers, local governments, pensioners, traditional councils as prescribed by law and the distribution is done transparently on a monthly basis. “...

Girl-child-defilement Arrida Relief Foundation, a civil society organisation, on Monday pleaded with the Kaduna State Government to take urgent actions to stem the rising cases of defilement of underage girls. Hajiya Rabi Ibrahim, the founder of the foundation,said in Kaduna that reported cases of rape had risen from an average of two to eight every week. According to her, the age of the victims range from between four and 10 years. “Many of the cases of defilement are not reported by the victims’ parents due to either fear of stigmatisation, lack of awareness, poverty or threat by suspected culprits. “Cases of defilement that we are prosecuting in various courts in the state are increasing at alarming rate. “Therefore, we call on the Kaduna State Government to declare a state of emergency because our children are no longer safe,’’ Ibrahim said. She appealed to the state government to give free medical examination and proper treatment to victims. “We are also seeking for spee...

Some Nigerian judges Mr Jonathan Taidi, a former Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Minna Branch, on Monday said there was no basis for condemning the Department of State Security Service (DSS) over the recent arrest of judges. Taidi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna that the DSS acted within the realm of the law. He challenged those criticizing the action, to show any court order which declared the DSS action illegal. He explained that from information available in public domain, the DSS obtained valid search warrants before conducting the search on the judges’ premises. “Why are we condemning the DSS when they are in possession of valid search warrants,” he queried. The former NBA chairman stressed that the affected judges have a moral burden to establish their innocence before members of the general public. Taidi insisted that the judges must strive to defend their reputation and integrity, so as to insulate the judicial institution from ridicule. He a...

Mr Festus Ovie Agas, Secretary to the State Government of Delta. Mr Festus Ovie Agas, the Secretary to the State Government of Delta, Mr Festus Ovie Agas, is currently being held hostage in Delta State. Osissa community in the Ndokwa-East Local Government Area of Delta State staged a protest and has held the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Festus Ovie Agas, and his convoy hostage over the alleged killing of three members of the community by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The protesters which were numbering over one thousand intercepted the convoy of the SSG who was traveling to Asaba after spending the weekend with his family in Ughelli at about 6:55am along the Ughelli-Asaba express on Monday. According to PUNCH reports, sources said other travellers, including those going to Onitsha market in Anambra State, were also trapped in the protest. Suspected herdsmen over the weekend repeatedly invaded the agrarian community injuring at least one person. Two members of the rampagin...

Myanmar president Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw on Monday hailed the achievements scored by the United Nations in maintaining international peace, security and sustainable development over the past decades. In his message on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the UN, U Htin Kyaw said peace, security and development were inter-related and inter-connected. “Sustainable development cannot be achieved without peace. “Peace is not sustainable without development. “Poverty eradication stands as one of the solutions in addressing many of today’s challenges,’’ he noted. The president said that realisation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable Development Goals was a priority for the UN and its member states. According to him, cooperating with the UN is a cornerstone of Myanmar’s foreign policy, He pledged his country’s commitment to continuing its strong support for the world organisation in addressing common challenges through international cooperation. He also reaffirmed Myanmar...

Medical Laboratory Dr. Sunday Etukudoh, Provost, Federal School of Medical Laboratory Technology, Jos, says the inability of the 62-year-old school to move to its permanent site is affecting its activities. “The school was established in 1954 but it is still stuck at a temporary site which has affected its desire to expand and get the best for its students,” Etukudoh said in Jos on Monday. He said that the school’s situation was peculiar because no institution in the country had been left at a temporary site that long. The provost said that the permanent site at Lamingo was still being constructed, noting that the Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Enahire, inaugurated some structures at the site recently. He, however, said some of the completed structures had not been paid for, adding: “Currently, we need two billion naira to pay for work already done there. ‘’We want to appeal to the Federal Government to help us.” He said that the permanent site had no hostels, staff q...

Nigeria-police The Police Niger have arrested two suspects in connection with a misunderstanding between two transport unions at the Abdulsalam Abubakar Motor Park, Minna. The squabble, which Occurred on Oct.22, resulted in the death of one person. The fight happened between members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and their counterparts of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria. The Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, ASP Bala Elkaina, confirmed the arrest in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Minna. Bala said an investigation into the fracas had commenced, and that the command would ensure diligent prosecution of the culprits.

Rehab facility More than 500 addicts have escaped from a drug rehabilitation centre in southern Vietnam, an official said on Monday. Huynh Van Tinh, director of Dong Nai province’s social affairs department, said the addicts broke through the gates of the centre in Dong Nai province on Sunday before heading towards the trans-Vietnam highway. “As of 11 am local time (0400GMT), we have rounded up 334 out of 562, and are hunting for the rest,’’ Tinh said, adding that the centre holds 1,481 addicts. Tinh said a group of people who had recently been sent to the centre incited others to escape and threatened to beat others if they did not help break down the gate. He added that some escapees reportedly used sticks and machetes to rob bystanders. According to Tinh, mass escapes from drug rehabilitation centre have occurred before in Vietnam, where drug addicts, if caught, must serve a mandatory two-year sentence at state-run facilities. Report says there are an estimated 180,000 drug...

Gov Atiku Bagudu The Kebbi Government has expressed its commitment to the training and retraining of teachers to upgrade their qualities and skills in core subjects. The Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Magawata Aliero, made this known at the commencement of a five-day workshop for 500 secondary school teachers in Birnin Kebbi on Monday. Aliero said the training would focus on techniques and methodology of teaching of five core subjects, English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology for greater performance. He urged the participants to concentrate on the training and utilize the knowledge acquired positively in classrooms while promising that government would reward exceptional performance and sanction laxity and indolence. Aliero said that the state government would not relent in building the capacity of its teachers. The Kebbi government had voted N3.6 billion for construction and rehabilitation of schools and N86 million for training and retraining of teachers.

Governor Seriake Dickson Bayelsa government on Sunday has said that it will evict victims of the 2012 flood still remaining in the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, (BDGS) Yenagoa camp, by Monday. Hundreds of victims of the 2012 flood disaster that affected the state have been taking refuge in the school premises since 2012 and refused to vacate the school when the flood receded. The threat is contained in a statement issued by Deacon Markson Fefegha, Bayelsa Commissioner for Education. The statement called on the staff and students of BDGS to commence movement to its original site in Yenagoa Local Government Area as directed by the government by Oct. 24, 2016. The original BDGS is currently being occupied by Law Faculty of the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) and some residents that are yet to vacate the premises. The state government blamed the delay in the movement of the school to its original site on the activities of illegal occupants. “All illegal occupants of buil...

Pauline-Tallen A former deputy governor of Plateau, Mrs Pauline Tallen, has said that she turned down her ambassadorial nomination in order to be fair to other parts of the state in terms of federal appointments. Tallen, a former Minister of Science and Technology and Labour Party governorship candidate in Plateau in 2011, made this known in Abuja on Monday. “I hail from the same local government and tribe with Gov. Simon Lalong. I turned down the nomination because of balancing of appointments, I don’t think it is right for me to accept the appointment. “Secondly, proper consultation was not done, my governor was not consulted because I called him when he was in United States of America to ask but he said that he was not aware. “For me, I was consulted and I turned down the appointment even before the announcement was made,” adding that “my husband’s ill-health is another reason why I will not accept the appointment. Tallen said that Mr President gave her another option and al...