Global Naija Info

A Nigerian vessel. The Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) recently constituted a three-man electoral committee, chaired by Mr Uzor Odigbo, to oversee by-elections into the offices of the Provost and the Welfare officer. Presenting their manifestoes, the contestants of the vacant positions promised to do everything at their disposal to elevate and add more positive value to the organization if voted into office. Among those who vied for the position of provost was Mr Andrew Utulu of Daily Independent newspaper and Mrs Vera Osokpo for Welfare Officer. Utulu emerged as the provost while Mrs Vera Osokpo emerged as the Welfare Officer of the association. Before the swearing in of the new officers, the President of AMJON, Mr Ismail Aniemu, nominated Mr Gbenga David Adekunle of Voice of Nigeria (VON) and Mr Uzor Odigbo as ex-officio members of AMJON. MOSES FALOBI

NANS’ Lagos chapter chairman, Comrade Moses Samson Adewale, Agege LG Sole Admin, Gbenga Abiola, NANS Secretary, Comrade Owolabi Olwaseyi and PRO, Comrade Abduqowwiy Adelaja. The Sole Administrator of Agege Local Government, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, Gbenga Abiola, has charged the nation’s leaders across the country to always place premium on the youth development He said that ignoring the youth would spell doom for the future. Abiola spoke when he was awarded with the prestigious Pride of the Youth Award 2016. The award was given to him by the Lagos State chapter of the Joint Campus Committee (JCC) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). It was presented to the council boss by the NANS Chairman, Comrade Moses Adewale; Secretary, Comrade Owolabi Olwaseyi and the PRO, Comrade Abduqowwiy Adelaja in Lagos on Wednesday. He was also honoured as the NANS youth ambassador. The association stated that Abiola was carefully selected for the award having met the criteria t

Adeniji Kazeem The Lagos State Government has opened a new Citizens Mediation Centre, CMC, in Epe area of the state to help in resolving disputes among residents rather than going to court. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem, said the establishment of CMC in Epe demonstrated the commitment of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to the welfare of the citizens. According to Kazeem, the top priority of Ambode’s administration was to ensure peaceful co-existence of every residents of the city, saying that services would be at no cost. “The closest CMC hitherto is Ibeju-Lekki, but now Epe is having its own, making it 18 Centers across the metropolis”. He listed Agege, Alimosho, Ojokoro, Yaba, Lagos Island, Ibeju-Lekki, Epe, among others as areas where the centres were located, adding that the CMC’s philosophy is where Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is taking place. The commissioner said the newly established ones were located in Epe, Eredo LCDA and Ikosi-Ejinri

Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engineer Adeyemi Saliu at the December 2016 Monthly Briefing on Friday. The Lagos State Government on Thursday said that the ongoing reform in waste management in the state will make the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) to play only regulatory and monitoring roles, while conceding policy implementation to private entities. The Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare disclosed this at the December monthly press briefing of the Ministry. Adejare said that the new direction in waste management in the State would allow for the infusion of needed technology and resources into waste management through partnership with world renowned waste managers. He stated that the days when LAWMA veered from its traditional regulatory role into being a player in the sector would soon be bygone since Lagos as a mega city had grown enough to have a proper waste management agency

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged people of the South East zone to shy away from the spirit of individualism and unite to achieve the political aspirations that had eluded them for the development of the region. Speaking on Thursday at the South East Security and Economic Summit in Enugu, Obasanjo, said that the zone would not achieve much with continued individualism and lack of cohesion amongst them. He said the people of the area seemed to have forgotten their spirit of enterprise and communal efforts, which stood them apart from other ethnic groups in the country. He said the zone was unique and that it needed to use its uniqueness to its advantage to negotiate the actualisation of their aspirations. “The South East is known for their spirit of enterprise and adventure and you have to utilize it for improved development and security. “You must work together and not be divided. You must shy away from the spirit of individualism and must earn

court-of-law A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Thursday sentenced four men to five months imprisonment each for robbery. The convicts: Habib Ibrahim,22, Buhari Nasiru, 21, Salisu Adamu,25, and Nasiru Ruffai, 21, were all convicted after they pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and robbery. The judge, Mr. Umar Kagarko, however, gave the convicts an option of N40,000 fine each. In his plea for leniency, their counsel, Oluwadamilola Olaofe, said they were first-time offenders and that they were remorseful. In addition, the judge ordered that the recovered stolen items be returned to the rightful owners within 30 days. Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr. Joshua Ayanna, told the court that a team of policemen on surveillance from Apo Division Police Station arrested the convicts on Oct. 26. Ayanna said that the team, led by Sgt. Bulus Jidai, acted on a tip-off. He also said that upon their arrest, one Gulf II salon car with reg. no. AGL 527 AF, a Gionee phone, As

Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Director-General, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) has shut down three facilities for non-compliance with provisions of the ISPS code. This is in pursuance of the organization’s mandate as the Designated Authority (DA) for the implementation of the International Ship and Port Security(ISPS) Code in Nigeria. The closed facilities include: Heyden Petroleum Jetty, Ijora Lagos, Waziri Jetty, Dockyard road Apapa, Lagos and Starz Marine Shipyard Limited, Onne in River State. These facilities have continually failed to comply with ISPS code which has resulted in their closure in order to forestall a situation where security breaches in such facilities will have a negative impact on the compliant ones, the DG of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, stated. Peterside explained that the organisation has just exercised its powers in line with the proficience of part VII of the ISPS c

Some residents of Ado-Ekiti on Thursday lamented the high cost of foodstuffs and other essential commodities as the festive period approaches. The people, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti, complained that while there is no money in circulation, market prices keep skyrocketing by the day. They attributed the situation to the economic recession facing the country. A resident, Pastor Sunday Faluyi of Glorious Christ Gospel Church (GCGC), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that many people would not celebrate Christmas elaborately this year because the recession was biting harder. He advised Christians not to avoid being extravagant and that they should believe that the grace of God was sufficient for them. Faluyi urged them to take advantage of the festive period to pray to God to intercede on the economic problem facing the country. Another resident and teacher, Mrs. Maria Fasuyi, lamented the irregularity in payment of workers’ salaries by the State

dialysis machines The Kwara Government has purchased dialysis machines and other accessories for the treatment and management of kidney diseases. Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed announced this at the Free Eye Test sponsored by Ilorin-West Local Government Council in Ilorin on Thursday. Ahmed, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Suleiman Alege, said healthy eyes were vital to the physical and spiritual development of every individual. He said his administration had employed consultant nephrologists and 203 medical personnel to actualize the state government’s dialysis programme. Ahmed described the free eye test as timely and well – directed, stressing that the health intervention would alleviate the eye care challenges facing the people of the area. Chairman of the Council, Mr. Abdul- Hameed Alli promised to prioritize quality health care and underscored the importance of eye as a sensitive organ in the body. Alli said the free eye test was to commemorate the 5

Federal Road Safety Corps vehicles The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Thursday said it had deployed 36,000 personnel comprising regular and special marshals across the country to ensure smooth traffic during the yuletide. The Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Abuja. Oyeyemi said the end of year operations which would last for 28 days from Dec. 19 to Jan.15, 2016 would address traffic challenges. He said this year’s special patrol was planned after conducting studies on traffic trends during the last operations, adding that logistics such as ambulances, patrol vehicles and rescue equipment had been deployed. “I wish to point out that from the strategic goals of 15 percent reduction in road traffic crashes and 25 percent in fatality rate set for 2015, the corps is on course. “For instance, as at September 2016, we had achieved 77.19 percent of the expectation in road traffic crashes reduction, while 83.33 per cent was achieved

Youths in Mangu on Thursday staged a protest over the blockage of highways by security agencies in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the youths led by their leader and spokesman, Mr. Matthew Kwarpo, marched to the Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Mangu, Chief John Hirse. The youths, who were in their hundreds, marched through the single road in Mangu town chanting “We no go gree o”, “Enough is enough of their harassment”. At the Palace, Kwarpo told the District Head that they were in his office to intimate him of their displeasure over the activities of the security agents in the council in recent times. “Sir, we are here to register our displeasure with the way and manner security agents maltreat motorists and commuters on our highways, especially in Mangu and Panyam. “It is a common trend in Panyam and Mangu checkpoints where motorists and commuters are unnecessarily delayed on their journeys without any just cause. “We hereb

Mr Fatai Owoseni, Lagos State Commissioner of Police. The Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences on Thursday said it had arrested four notorious land grabbers and recovered two locally-made guns with other dangerous weapons. The arrest was sequel to a petition submitted to the Lagos State Committee on Land Grabbers by the people of Oko-Olomi Golf Course area of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. The petition, which was subsequently copied to the Lagos State Police Command, was directed to the Chairman of the Task Force SP Olayinka Egbeyemi for a raid by the Police. Egbeyemi said he led the operatives of the agency to raid Oko-Olomi Golf Course area and made the arrests. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, after being well briefed about the arrest, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, Lagos for further interrogations. “We urge members of the public to report any activity of land grabber

an Aero aircraft Aero Contractors is yet to resume flights at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in spite of promise made by the management of the airline that it will soon commence operations. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) check at the airport on Thursday morning saw some members of staff of the airline at the ticketing and reservation stand idle. One of the staff who pleaded anonymity told NAN that they have yet to receive signal from the head office to commence operations, but however, assured that flight operations would commence soon. He said that Aero had already commenced operations at Port Harcourt, while other stations were still awaiting signals. The staff who said he could not explain why the signal had not been received, also said that they have not commenced sales of tickets to passengers. NAN recalls that Aero had suspended all its scheduled flights since August due to the inability of the airline to raise forex for C-check and D-check of most of

Few days to Christmas, traders in Abeokuta on Thursday decried low patronage, which they attributed to the current economic recession in the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited some markets in Abeokuta, discovered that prices of food items and clothing had increased as most of the traders complained of low patronage. Mr. Chukwudi Opara, a trader, who sells foodstuffs in Kuto Market, said that the increase in the price of bag of rice was due to the ban on the importation of rice. “The price of a 50kg bag of rice ranges from N15,000 to N18,500 and it’s so unfortunate we have been having low patronage compared to what we had during Easter period. “Last year’s Christmas, a bag of rice was sold for between N8,000 and N9,000 depending on the size of the bag. “We are selling a bag of beans for N27,000 while it was sold for around N22,000 last year. “The patronage has been so low but we heard that the state government has promised to pay the civil servan

Alan Pardew, sacked Crystal Palace coach Crystal Palace have sacked manager Alan Pardew, only seven months after they lost in the FA Cup final. In a statement chairman of the club, Steve Parish said: “I would like to put on record our sincere gratitude for the tremendous service Alan has given us, both in his time here as manager and previously as a player. “Following a fantastic second half of 2014/15, the 2015/16 season culminated in only narrowly missing out on winning the FA cup as well as securing our Premier League place for a record breaking fourth time. “During his tenure Alan’s hard work and dedication were without question, he has improved so many areas of the club and we wish him the very best for the future. “With games now coming thick and fast over the holiday period the club are hoping to put someone in place as quickly as possible but have nothing to say about a replacement at this time.” BBC

The gavel of justice A Makurdi Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded three men over alleged illegal arms deal and membership of a militia group. Stephen Ijachi, Eric Otache and Emmanuel Ikechukwu were charged on three counts before Magistrate Isaac Ajim. The prosecutor, Sgt. Daniel Kwaghlaade told the court that the accused were arrested at the Riverside Hotel, Makurdi. He said that the police recovered from them, two Barretta pistols with 16 rounds of live ammunition, a bunch of charms, a green beret, a wallet containing complimentary and automated teller machine cards and N1,152,620. The prosecutor also said that the police recovered a Toyota Corolla with registration number LSD 679 DC from the accused. He said that the accused told the police during interrogation that two men simply named as Daudu and Dogo, who were still at large, sent them with the money to purchase three AK 47 riffles. “The accused persons further told the police that the fleeing men wanted to us

NSCDC Operatives The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State Command, says it has made adequate deployment of personnel across the state to ensure the security of lives and properties during the Yuletide celebrations. NSCDC’s state Commandant, Alhaji Adeyinka Fasiu, gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen in Akure on Thursday. Fasiu said that the command had deployed officers and men which comprised intelligence officers, armed personnel and regular officers in strategic areas to curb activities of criminals. “The Command has also beefed up security around critical national assets, pipelines, oil and gas facilities across the state. “So let me warn vandals to steer clear of the state as the corps is positioned to deal decisively with anyone who contravenes any of these core mandates of the corps,“ he said. The NSCDC boss decried the increase in fraudulent activities, human trafficking-cum-prostitution, robbery and cultism in the state. He warned tho

Nigeria’s Super Eagles Nigeria’s Super Eagles are ending 2016 on FIFA’s world ranking in the 51st position. The ranking table on the website of the world football governing body on Thursday indicated that Nigeria dropped by one spot compared to where it was last month. Nigeria still has 616 points, equal to the last ranking when it was jointly ranked 50th with Burkina Faso. However, the one spot dropped has also moved Nigeria to the eighth place in Africa, behind Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Congo DR and Burkina Faso respectively. On the global scene, Argentina has ended the year on top of the world, leading the way in the final ranking of 2016 with neighbours Brazil in second place. NAN reports that with only 15 men’s international ‘A’ games played since the release of the last ranking, there have been few significant changes. There were also no movements inside or into the top 10.

federal-high-court A bricklayer, Friday James, who allegedly defiled a six-year-old girl, was on Thursday remanded in prison on the orders of an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court on Lagos Island. An Igbosere Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling, had refused the accused’s bail application. The Magistrate, Mr Martins Owumi, directed the prosecutor, Sgt. Ajaga Agboko to send the case file to the State Director for Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. James, 56, who resides in Pedro area of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of defilement and indecent treatment of a child. Earlier, the prosecutor had told the court that the accused committed the offences on Nov. ‎2 at 10:30 a.m. at his apartment. He said ‎the accused forcefully removed the pant of the six-year-old girl and thrusted his finger into her private part. The offences contravened Sections 135 (1) and 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Defilement carries life imprisonment. The case has been adjourned to Feb.

Sanitation Exercise The Bayelsa Government says it is targeting N150 million monthly revenue from activities of the state environmental sanitation authority. Mr. Robert Enogha, Chairman, Bayelsa Environmental Sanitation Authority, disclosed this on Thursday in Yenagoa at the inauguration of the state Environmental Authority Enforcement House. Enogha, who hailed the state government’s support for its activities, said the office could make about N150 million monthly. According to him, there was the need to improve activities of the authority because it would go a long way in boosting the revenue of the state. “I am appealing for more support including supply of equipment like wheelbarrows, patrol vehicles among others,” Enogha said The Deputy Governor retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah, who spoke said the government was poised to achieve a clean environment. “Clean environment does a lot of good to human health, therefore, we cannot neglect nature of cleanliness. We will con

Ephraim Mashaba, South African football coach Ephraim Mashaba has been sacked as South Africa coach, the country’s football association confirmed on Thursday. His sack was coming weeks after leading the side to a crucial World Cup qualifying victory over Senegal last month. A disciplinary committee found Mashaba guilty of several offences following his public outburst aimed at the association president, Danny Jordaan and guests. This happened directly after the 2-1 victory over Senegal on November 12. Mashaba was reportedly unhappy at what he perceived was a lack of support from his superiors. He has had several scrapes with South African Football Association (SAFA) officials during four stints in charge of the side. “Due to the seriousness of the coach’s actions, we had to release our head coach with immediate effect,” SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble said in a statement on Thursday. “We shall immediately institute a search for a new head coach familiar with African football competitio

Orhifi Orovwagbarha, the Ovie of Agbarha-Warri Kingdom. The Delta Police Command on Thursday in Warri said that has rescued the Ovie of Agbarha-Warri Kingdom, Orhifi Orovwagbarha, who was abducted by suspected Fulani herdsmen along Asaba-Warri road on Wednesday. The Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Mr Zanna Ibrahim, said that the monarch was rescued in the early hours of the day. Ibrahim said he led a team of 100 police operatives and 30 local vigilantes to search the Ossissa forest close to where he was abducted. ”The Ovie was rescued by a police crack team personally led by me. He has been conveyed to Asaba where he was travelling to before the incident. ”His abductors were fleeing with him to a different location after our men had combed the entire bush in search for him. “He was abducted by herdsmen; they are very conversant with the bush even more than the indigenes. ”Our men sighted the movement of the hoodlums through a touch light and we shot into the air and

Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa said the state government had developed strategies to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through its agricultural programmes. Badaru told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Thursday that his administration was determined to utilize the abundant agricultural resources in the state to create wealth for the people. He noted that agriculture had been neglected, hence his decision to boost the sector to lift farming activities from subsistence to commercial level. Badaru said that he had concluded arrangements with Dangote Group of Company to cultivate 300 hectares of land to produce rice with a view to increasing IGR and also providing employment for the people. The Governor also disclosed that a Chinese firm had shown interest to invest in the state by establishing a sugar manufacturing company. He said that when fully operational, the company would provide the market for sugarcane farmers in the state, as well as provide employment

Lake Rice The residents of Lagos State on Thursday crowded the centres where the state government’s “Lake Rice’’ is being sold for N12,000 for a 50kg bag and N6,000 for 25kg. The government commenced the sale of the rice on Wednesday in centres across the 57 local governments and local council development areas. Lake Rice is a product of the joint agricultural venture between Lagos State and Kebbi State Governments, designed to ensure food security and showcase Nigeria’s ability to become a rice producing nation. The name Lake Rice is borne out of the acronyms of the state with LA standing for Lagos and KE for Kebbi. Mr Sanni Okanlawan, the Special Adviser on Food Security to Gov. Akinwumi Ambode disclosed that the government was fulfiling its promise of giving residents a blissful Yuletide. Okanlawan said that the price of the rice was reduced N12,000 from N13,000 to ensure that Lagosians had access to it for an enjoyable Christmas celebration. “We are happy to inform Lagosian

A fire in Japan has consumed 140 buildings. A wind-fanned fire engulfed 140 buildings in central Japan on Thursday with hundreds of residents advised to evacuate their homes, local media reported. The Niigata prefectural government called on the military to dispatch troops to help contain the fire in Itoigawa City on the Sea of Japan coast, 250 kilometers northwest of Tokyo. The media report said that two people were injured after the fire broke out in a restaurant at around 10:30 am (0130 GMT) and spread quickly, enveloping about 140 buildings. The city issued an evacuation advisory to 740 people as firefighters were battling the raging blaze. “I’m astonished to see the fire spread so quickly. “I first thought one or two houses would be burned in the fire,’’ a witness told newsmen.

court A Mararaba Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday sentenced a 30-year-old driver, Peter Daniel, to six months imprisonment for manslaughter. The Magistrate, Vincent Gwehmeba, pronounced the verdict after Daniel had pleaded guilty to causing the death of Mr. Amodu Attah through dangerous driving on Dec. 8. Gwehemba, however, gave him an option of N7,000 fine. He advised the deceased’s counsel based on the oral application for compensation to collect records of the case from the court if he was interested in suing the convict to any High Court of his choice for compensation. Earlier, the deceased’s counsel, Mr. Abraham Owobi, had made an oral application for the sum of N500,000 as compensation for hospital bills and other expenses. Owobi told the court that the convict gave them N300,000 instead of N500,000 as agreed. Prosecutor Donald Herman also told the court that on Dec. 8 at about 10.00 a.m., the accused drove a truck with registration no. KUJ 473 VP from Sharp Corner,

Lake Rice The Lagos State Government on Thursday commenced the sale of Lake Rice as part of the MoU between the state and Kebbi Government at the rate of N12,000 per 50-kilogramme bag. At some of the centres, trucks were dispatching the rice, while residents were seen making payments through Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal. Mrs Felicia Ajiroba, a teacher, commended the government for the initiative, adding that the rice would ensure that residents have food during the festive period. She said “when I learnt that the price of rice was N20,000 in the market, I was worried because I felt I would not cook rice for my family during Christmas. “It was too expensive and I cannot afford it with my meagre salary. “The subsidised price of Lake Rice is a comfort and blessing to many residents of Lagos. It shows that government is concerned about our plight.” Mrs Wosilat Elegbede, a trader at Ikorodu market in Lagos, said that the rice would alleviate poverty and hunger in the state. “The ca

Workers in the employment of Taraba State Government under the auspices of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) on Thursday shut down the state secretariat in Jalingo to protest against the non-payment of their salaries. Addressing the workers, Mr. Peter Gambo, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said the state government had continued to be insensitive to the plights of the workers. Gambo said that they were protesting against other irregularities in the payment of salaries of workers and pensions of retirees in the state. He said that local government workers and teachers had not been paid for eight months, pointing out that they had been subjected to untold hardship. The chairman listed such irregularities as illegal deductions from salaries and subjection of workers to meaningless screenings and futile verifications by the government. Gambo also alleged that the union dues were deducted indiscriminately without being remitted to the respec

Dr. Nathaniel Adawole, a gynaecologist, has warned that untreated malaria in pregnancy could lead to miscarriage and stillbirth. Adewole with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja. He said that malaria affects pregnancy five times more than other diseases like AIDS, leprosy put together. According to him, the effect of malaria on pregnancy is usually more among pregnant women who reside in endemic areas like African countries. “There can be a spontaneous abortion or miscarriage because of malaria; you can have pertained labour and delivery; you can also have low birth weight and even death of the baby. “That is still birth; those are the possible ways malaria can affect the baby. “When the parasite gets into the blood it will attack red blood cells, and it is the red blood cells that carry oxygen. “When the rate of destruction on the red blood cells is high the woman can have reduced red b

Ahmed Wadada A three-term member, who represented Karu/Keffi/Kokokona Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wadada, has moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on Thursday at the APC State Secretariat in Lafia, Wadada said he was attracted to the party as a result of the developmental strides of the APC-led government at the national and state levels. He said that his decision to decamp with all his supporters was done in consultation with the critical stakeholders and communities from his constituency. Wadada said that, though he was in PDP for more than 16 years, he dumped the party due to his concern and love for his people and in response to their calls. He said that it was not a one-way traffic as he benefited a lot from the PDP while he was there, adding that the party had also benefited so much from him. “The name I have today, the honour I have today and the credibility I have today, all came due t

Chief Areoye Oyebola President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated renowned journalist, author and publisher, Chief Areoye Oyebola, as he clocks 80 years on Dec. 23. The congratulatory message is in a statement in Abuja on Thursday issued by Mr. Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. Adesina stated that “the President joined the media industry, publishers, family and friends of Oyebola in celebrating the lofty achievements of the octogenarian.” Buhari said that the patriotism and commitment displayed by Oyebola in nation-building had been clearly demonstrated in his early participation in politics. He added that Oyebola’s relentless pursuit of justice and fairness in joining NADECO and Afenifere during the troubling times in Nigeria’s democracy were a clear demonstration of his patriotism. President Buhari commended the untiring efforts of the veteran journalist and publisher in contributing to the development of Nigeria through the writing of arti

NDLEA operatives Alhaji Hamza Umar, the Commandant of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano, on Thursday said his officers had raided and cleared five major drug joints in the metropolis. The Commandant disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano. The Commandant said the areas were in Kofar Nasarawa, Dan-agundi, Kofar Ruwa, Plaza and Island in Nasarawa area According to him, the action was to ensure the reduction in drug usage among the youths, especially during festive periods. Hamza said that: “festivities are characterized by activities of youths, therefore, we had to take measures to make sure that the drug use will not increase”. “Most of the major crimes committed by the youths are out of the influence of drug use. “During festive periods like now, drug users take it more because they say it is the end of the year and they will not take again untill new year,” Hamza said. He said that the agency did not only raid

Ahmed Wadada A three-term member, who represented Karu/Keffi/Kokokona Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wadada, has moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on Thursday at the APC State Secretariat in Lafia, Wadada said he was attracted to the party as a result of the developmental strides of the APC-led government at the national and state levels. He said that his decision to decamp with all his supporters was done in consultation with the critical stakeholders and communities from his constituency. Wadada said that, though he was in PDP for more than 16 years, he dumped the party due to his concern and love for his people and in response to their calls. He said that it was not a one-way traffic as he benefited a lot from the PDP while he was there, adding that the party had also benefited so much from him. “The name I have today, the honour I have today and the credibility I have today, all came due t

Marriage put asunder A 38-year-old woman, Amudalat Agboola, whose husband on Thursday approached a Lagos Island Customary for dissolution of their five-year-old marriage, has described her husband as a gold digger. Amudalat, who owned a boutique but now seller hot drinks (paraga), told the court that her husband had collected all that she had and wanted to abandon her in the name of recession. “I now sell `Paraga’ in the same shop I used to sell clothes from Turkey and Saudi Arabia,” she said. She said that he tricked her into the marriage by lying to her that he was a Magistrate and would help her secure hers and late husband’s property from her in-laws. “My husband lied to me that he was a Magistrate, but I got to know that he was a Court Registrar when he brought me to this court for dissolution. “I met Agboola in 2010, he was the Community Development Association Chairman of Magboro Village in Mowe where my late husband and I built our four bedroom flat. “He was chosen as

children clothes Some parents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have said that buying Christmas clothes for their children is tradition that must be fulfilled at all cost. The parents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, noted that in spite of the economic recession, provision must be made in the family budget to accommodate their children’s need. According to them, you don’t need to break a bank to get new clothes for your children to celebrate Christmas. Mrs Bola Asaolu, a civil servant said buying Christmas clothes for children was a necessity, but must be bought in December. “Buying Christmas clothes for the children is a necessity if you really want their joy to be full in the special season. “I buy clothes before December to avoid the usual hike in the price of products this period. This will save you the headache of rush hour. “Children like to wear new attire for festivities, so you can buy weeks or months before the

Magistrate-court A 21-year-old woman, Abidemi Omotowon, who allegedly stole a phone worth N10,000 and N10,000 cash, was on Thursday released on bail on the orders of a Surulere Chief Magistrate’s’ Court in Lagos. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Ipaye Nwachukwu, who gave the ruling, granted the accused bail in the sum of N10, 000 with one surety in like sum. Nwachukwu said the surety should provide evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government. The accused, a resident of No. 12 Araromi Oke-Ode St., Orile-Iganmu, Lagos is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.‎ ‎ She, however, pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge preferred against her. ‎ Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the accused committed the offences at No. 12 Araromi Oke-Ode St., Orile-Iganmu, Lagos at about 5.00 p.m on Dec. 14. ‎She alleged that the accused who lived in the neighbourhood with the complainant, Oluwakemi Amadi, walked a friend out of the street

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said the guiding principle of his administration since inception has always been the implementation of policies and programmes that would engender true happiness and make life more simpler and comfortable for the people. Governor Ambode, who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting with religious leaders held at Lagos House in Ikeja, said all along, the State Government under him, has worked assiduously to scale up the provision of critical infrastructures that would bring comfort to the people, assuring that such remained a priority. He urged religious leaders in the State to use the Pulpit, the Mimbar and other platforms to preach patience, perseverance and tolerance amongst all Nigerians, and also pray for the success of not just his administration but the overall development of the State. The Governor said as the closest to the people, religious leaders are partners in the development of

federal-high-court A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Wednesday sentenced 31-year-old Salisu Abdullahi to 14 years imprisonment, for defiling an eight-year-old girl. The Prosecutor, Mr Abdullahi Babale, told the court that the convict had forceful carnal knowledge of the minor in Unguwar Fulani, in the Kumbotso local government area of Kano. The convict pleaded guilty to the one-count charge, which was an offence contrary and punishable under Section 16 (1) of the Trafficking in Persons Act, 2015. The Presiding Judge, Justice James Omotosho, also ordered the accused to pay a fine of N2m, in addition to the 14-year jail term.

NUJ The Media Rights Agenda (MRA), an NGO for protecting and promoting press freedom, on Thursday called on media house owners to equip journalists with adequate relevant trainings to guarantee their safety. Mr Ayode Longe, Programme Manager, MRA made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He also called on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to make continued training and safety of journalists its priority. Longe noted that journalists in advanced countries were able to undertake dangerous investigations as well as coverage of war because they had insurance and had been equipped with the right training. “The journalists need to be trained; they need to get insurance cover. “They need to be given the right gadgets and it is a responsibility for media houses and NUJ because these are people working for you,” he said. He also advised journalists to carry out research and take advantage of several training opportunities available online to inc

Christmas tree Parks and recreation owners in Abuja have geared up preparation ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebration to make brisk business. Some of the parks visited by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) have received decorations and make-up in anticipation of an influx of fun seekers during the yuletide. With Monday and Tuesday declared by the Federal Government as public holiday in commemoration of the Christmas celebration, such spots are expected to be full to capacity with fun seekers. NAN correspondent who spoke with some managers of relaxation centres expressed optimism that business would be rewarding this season irrespective of the economic downturn. Mr Paul Oko, the manager of Magicland Amusement Park, said they are fully prepared for the festivities with many special programmes at no added cost. He said that the park was usually full with clients during the weekends so there would be no cause for alarm during the yuletide season. “We are fully prepared for