Global Naija Info

Badmus The Lagos State Government is to begin the installation of 16,000 meters to regulate water supply in the state in February, 2017. The Managing Director of the Lagos Water Corporation, LWC, Mr. Muminu Badmus who disclosed this on Friday at a news conference in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria said the installation would begin in February next year and would last for three months. Badmus listed the pilot areas where the metering system would take off to include Surulere, Yaba, Ebute Meta, Itire, Iwaya, Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki Phase One. He said the 16,000 meters would be installed in the first instance to put to rest the controversy over the volume of water supplied to each household and also curb wastage. X-raying the activities of the year, Badmus lamented that power from the national grid has been a major hindrance to water production and distribution in the State. “Equally, the absence of gas has made the Independence Power Plant (IPP) not to function eff

A 37-year old man, Victor Ojiaku, who allegedly stabbed his wife, a student, with a broken bottle in her private part, is on reprieve as an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court has granted him bail in the sum of N250,000. Ojiaku, who sells automobile parts and resides at 22, Arike John Close, White Sand, Isheri-Osun in Lagos State, had reportedly stabbed his wife for having sex with his sales representative. Magistrate Akeem Fashola, who gave the ruling, also granted the accused two sureties in like sum. He said the sureties should be working in reputable organisations and also possess three years tax clearance as well as the State’s residents identity card. The case had been taken up by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT). The Coordinator of DSVRT, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, narrated how the victim was kept indoors and punished severely by her husband. “The victim, Mrs Faith Ojiaku, 27, a student, was held hostage by her husband for two days, depriving her

DSS operatives The Department of State Services (DSS) has pledged to sustain its offensive against kidnappers and terrorists in the country in a bid to ensure a safer Nigeria. This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Tony Opuiyo of the DSS on Friday in Abuja. The Service said that as part of its ongoing tactical operations to degrade the capabilities of criminals, an offensive was launched against kidnappers, terrorists and other criminal elements. It said that the offensive had led to the arrest of the trio of one Abubakar Musa, Ismail Musa and Suleiman Mainasara on Nov. 29 at Aduwawa in Benin city, Edo. The statement said that prior to their arrest, they were members of a kidnap gang that terrorised commuters and residents of communities along the major highways between Edo and Kogi. It said that on Nov. 30, one Ibrahim Adamu and three of his associates namely; Umar Abubakar, Ibrahim Salisu and Abdullahi Abubakar that specialised in the kidnap of people along the Edo-kogi

The Lagos State Government on Friday announced the closing of its N47 billion 16.5 per cent 2023 Series 1 Bond Issuance under the N500 billion Third Debt Issuance Programme targeted at improving the physical and social infrastructure base of the State. At the signing ceremony held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, the State Government issued N47 billion Series 1 Bond maturing in December 2023, under its N500 billion Third Debt Issuance Programme. The Book Keeping was concluded on Friday, December 23, 2016 with the first issuance priced at 16.5 per cent. State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in his remarks at the signing ceremony, said that despite the continued challenges in the economy and difficult market conditions which had seen the last three Federal Government Bond auctions under-subscribed by an average 32 per cent, Lagos State sold some 80 percent of the bonds it offered at a 57bps spread to the sovereign. He expressed appreciation for the confidence inves

Abia State House of Assembly The ninth Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Chief Kennedy Njoku, has resigned his appointment, less than 24 hours after he was elected. Njoku was elected at about 4.10 p.m. on Thursday following the impeachment of Chief Martins Azubuike over alleged gross financial misconduct and autocratic leadership style. Njoku, who announced his resignation at the resumption of plenary at about 2.50 p.m. on Friday, thanked members for the confidence they reposed in him by electing him as Speaker. He, however, promised to continue to provide effective representation to his Osisioma-Ngwa State Constituency. The Deputy Speaker, Dr Cosmos Ndukwe, who presided over the session, described Njoku’s resignation as “shocking.” The Clerk of the House, Mr John-Pedro Irokansi, immediately called for an election to be conducted to fill the vacuum created by Njoku’s resignation. The member representing Umuahia East Constituency, Mr Chukwudi Apugo, nominated Mr Chikwendu Kalu,

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State A new Speaker was on Friday elected by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. He is Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani representing Andoni Constituency. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani was the pioneer Speaker of the present 8th House of Assembly but substituted with Adams Dabutorudima, representing Okrika constituency when the former had his mandate nullified by the Appeal Court. Ibani who was elected Speaker was among the 12 lawmakers sworn in today. Both APC and PDP have six members each. The 2017 budget estimate of N470 billon presented by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Wednesday was also passed by the 17 lawmakers present at today’s sitting. Curiously, the budget was passed before the swearing in of 12 new lawmakers with APC and PDP having six each. The hurriedly passed budget denied the newly sworn lawmakers the opportunity of having an input. Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, representing Rivers South East condemned the deliberate denial of APC legislators of the

Outgoing United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has appealed to the United Nations to halt further killings in Southern Kaduna by asking the federal government to intervene. In a petition to Ms. Agnes CALLAMARD, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, SERAP urged her to “prevail on the Nigerian authorities to halt further killings of innocent citizens in Southern Kaduna. The organization also asked her to urgently investigate recent allegations of killings of over 800 citizens mostly women, children and the elderly in that part of the country by suspected herdsmen, and to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, and to provide reparations to victims” The organization advised Ms. CALLAMARD to “request to visit Nigeria to conduct fact-finding mission into the circumstances surrounding the killings.” In the petition dated 30 December 2016 and signed by SERAP executive director

Muslim Folami (left) handing over the transformer to Lieutenant Kolo Ibrahim Lagos State Government has restated its determination to deliver the dividends of democracy to people at the grassroots in the state. Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami said this on Thursday during the hand-over ceremony of a new 2.5MVA and 33/11KV capacity Transformer to the 243 Recce Battalion, Army Barracks, Ibereko in Badagry, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Folami stated that the barracks requested for the transformer due to the electricity challenges they had been facing in the last two years, saying that due to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s magnanimity, he responded swiftly by ensuring that electricity was restored to the area without further delay. According to him, the state government had also delivered six different transformers of various capacities to various communities, adding that 10 transformers would also be handed over to other communities very soon. He said

APC The remains of a former Commissioner for Agriculture in Plateau, Mr Sargwah Wazhi, who was killed by armed robbers on Dec. 22, was laid to rest on Friday amidst tears. Wazhi, who was also a former Plateau House of Assembly member, was shot dead by robbers at Deika, Mangu Local Government Area while returning from an APC stakeholders meeting in Shendam Local Government Area. The robbers had blocked the road and were robbing travellers when Wazhi, who was in company with the Chairman of Langtang South Local Government Council, Mr Nicholas Vongsing, ran into them. Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, in his tribute, described the death of Wazhi as shocking. “His death is one of the mysteries of life you cannot explain because it looks like a fairytale. “We were together at the APC stakeholders meeting; we had a fruitful meeting and he told us to work hard to promote peaceful coexistence in the state only for me to be told in the morning that he was killed on his way back to Jos,” he

Nigeria-police The Taraba Police Command on Friday said no All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain was killed in the state by miscreants. The news of the killing was said to be contained in the news flash of a private television station on Friday. The police spokesman in the state, Mr David Misal, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jalingo that the story of a purported killing of an APC chieftain in the state was false. He, however, said two people had sustained injuries from a violent attack shortly after they attended a recent campaign rally of a politician at Dampar in Ibi Local Government Area of the state. Misal said: “ It is not true. No APC chieftain was killed in the incident. “What actually happened was that two people sustained injuries from a violent attack when they returned from a campaign rally of a politician at Dampar. “I will not give you any name because when you are dealing with political cases, you have to be careful to avoid misinterpretation. “Th

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Friday shut down the lubricant section of French oil giant, Total over allegations of anti-labour practices. The South-West Chairman of NUPENG, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the clampdown was as a result of a threat by the management of Total to sack 70 workers for belonging to the union. Korodo said that members of the union were deployed at the main entrance to Total’s blending plant to disrupt activities. He alleged that the management of Total had engaged a contractor, named Jomoy Nig. Ltd., to employ casual worker for the lubricant section of Total at Kirikiri in Apapa, Lagos. “Because of the inexperience of the management team of Jomoy, they are planning to sack over 70 workers of the company because they joined the union. “The company has now directed all staff of the company to report at the office of Jomoy to collect cheques for December salary. “The memo requ

A number of event planners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said that the current economic recession in Nigeria caused a drastic reduction in the number of events organised in 2016. The event planners made this known in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday. Stefanie Okerafor, a wedding planner, told NAN that there was a reduction in the number of wedding events organised as the year drew to an end. “The major wedding months are June, July, August and December. “The recession hit hard in September and since then there has been a decline in the number of events organised. “I have clients that had set dates for events but ended up making deductions or cancelling their wedding dates due to financial difficulties. “I was looking forward to making more profit in December but this month has really been slow,” she said. Tonye Jack, another event planner said, “it has been really hard this December and I think it is the worst month I have had since I

Putin and Obama Russian President Vladimir Putin has ruled out a tit-for-tat response after the US expelled 35 Russian diplomats amid a row over hacking. He said Russia would not “stoop” to the level of “irresponsible diplomacy” but would work to restore ties with the US under President-elect Donald Trump. Russia’s foreign ministry had formally asked Mr Putin to expel 35 US envoys. The country denies involvement in hacking related to the US election, calling US sanctions “ungrounded”. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev accused the outgoing US administration of President Barack Obama of ending in “anti-Russian death throes”. Mr Obama, who will be replaced by Donald Trump on 20 January, had vowed action against Russia amid US accusations that it directed cyber-attacks on the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Emails stolen from her campaign manager and from the servers of the Democratic National Committee – some containing embarrassing information for Democrats – were r

court A Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in ‎Lagos on Wednesday granted two men, Onifade Adefila and Tijani Sikiru, N200,000 bail each, in their trial over the theft of N670,000 property from a company.‎ Adefila, 32; and Sikiru, 28, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. M.I. Dan-Oni, who granted them bail, said they should produce two sureties in like sum. Dan-Oni said the sureties should produce evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and their addresses should be verified.‎ ‎ The Prosecutor, Sgt. Christopher Okoliko had told the court that the accused, and one other now at large, committed the offences at No. 9, Alhaji Masha St., Surulere, Lagos, at about 6.30pm on July 18.‎ ‎ Okoliko said the two men went to a sachet water factory belonging to one Princess Adefoju and stole 200 metres of armoured cable valued at N600,000 and 70 bags of sachet water worth N70,000. H

Theresa May, British Prime Minister British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday criticised U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s speech on peace in the Middle East as an attack on the Israeli government. Although Kerry’s speech was in line with British policy, May said it was an inappropriate attack on the Israeli government that focused too heavily on settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as a hurdle to achieving peace. “We do not believe that it is appropriate to attack the composition of the democratically elected government of an ally,” the statement read from Downing Street. “The government believes that negotiations will only succeed when they are conducted between the two parties, supported by the international community,” it said. Kerry on Wednesday described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as “the most right-wing in Israeli history”. Britain is one of 14 members’ states that voted in favour of a UN Security Council resolution la

Nigerian-Prisons-Service The Prison Command in Kwara on Friday commended the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Mallam Jaafaru Ahmed, for promoting 232 officers across the ranks in the state. The state’s Controller of Prisons, Mr Adetoyi Akangbe, gave the commendation while decorating the promoted officers in Ilorin. He advised the newly promoted officers to work hard and be more committed to the service to achieve common set goals. Akangbe commended the Controller-General for putting an end to stagnation of staff on particular ranks. He described the Controller-General’s gesture as a great motivation to officers and personnel of the service. According to him, the promoted officers who are in high spirit are thankful to the Controller-General. He said the promotion would further motivate the officers to do more for the service and the country as a whole. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 1,000 officers of the service were promoted

The gavel of justice For allegedly stoning and pursuing bank’s staff and customers with a nailed plank, a 33-year-old man, Taiye Jimoh, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Jimoh, a resident of Akute area of Ogun, is being tried for a breach of the peace, intent to commit felony and threat to life. According to the prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu, the accused committed the offences between Oct. 15 and Nov.8 at Iju, in the outskirt of Lagos. He said that the accused entered the premises of a branch of Union Bank PLC with the intent to commit felony. “The accused was found wandering for an illegal and disorderly purpose,” he said. Nwosu said that the accused was intimidating the bank’s staff and customers by throwing stones and pursuing them with a nailed plank. “The accused was always in the bank’s premises in the past three weeks; threatening the staff and customers with stones and a nailed plank on it. “Whenever he was asked to leave as he may be a

L-R: Executive Secretary, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mr. Akin Oyebode, presenting an offer letter to a successful applicant, Mr. Charles Chike Obi during the distribution of offer letters to beneficiaries of the N25 Billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) Pilot Scheme at the LSETF Office, Oregun, Ikeja, on Friday, December 30, 2016. With them is Director of Strategy Funding & Stakeholder Engagement, LSETF, Mrs. Abosede Alimi. The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) on Friday distributed offer letters to some of the beneficiaries of the pilot scheme of the N25 billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF), with a pledge to create at least 300, 000 direct and 600, 000 indirect jobs by 2019 through the initiative. Executive Secretary of LSETF, Mr. Akin Oyebode, during the distribution ceremony at Billings Way, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria said the award of the offer letters was in fulfillment of one of the cardinal promises of the Gove

Nigeria-police The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested five people, including a ‘notable’ politician for allegedly killing a Chinese miner and three others in the state. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Abubakar Sadiq-Bello, made the disclosure on Friday in Lafia while addressing newsmen on the development. He said that the suspects were arrested following security intelligence sharing and collaboration with other agencies since the killing on Nov. 28. The commissioner said that investigations revealed that one Yahuza Yahaya was the leader of the criminal gang responsible for the ambush and killing of the three miners and their police escort. He disclosed that one AK-47 riffle, military uniform and two photographs of the gang leader were recovered from the suspects. “In one of photographs, the gang leader was dressed in military uniform and brandishing an AK-47 riffle. “Investigation is still on to apprehend other accomplices in the case and all the suspects

Mr Akintunde Oyebode The Lagos State Government says it has so far approved funds for 281 micro-enterprises, of which 150 have received offer letters under the pilot scheme of its Employment Trust Fund (ETF). Mr Akintunde Oyebode, the Executive Secretary of the ETF, made the remark on Friday in Lagos, at the presentation of offer letters to some of the beneficiaries. According to Oyebode, the pilot scheme of the ETF seeks to support 1,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Oyebode said the distribution of the offer letters was in pursuit of government’s overall goal to support 100,000 MSMEs and create 300,000 and 600,000 indirect jobs by 2019. He said that under the pilot scheme, beneficiaries would be given five per cent interest loans between N300, 000 and N500, 000 and are expected to repay within 12 months. “Subsequently, we will roll out the SME loan programme of up to N5 million for three years,’’ Oyebode said. He said that a lot of organisations were engaged i

Geoffrey Onyeama Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, says he has a high taste for local food and attire. He said this when he featured on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) platform in Abuja. Well, polished Onyeama with a Master of Law from Cambridge University appreciates the traditional attire and loves to wear them. The minister, who also holds Political Science Degree from Columbia University New York, however, said though he had passion for Nigerian fashion but never liked putting on cap or hat to match. “Cloth-wise I love traditional attire; I always love them even before now. “The only thing I don’t put on, and a lot of people have remarked; they always say I don’t put any hat on my head even if I put on `agbada` or whatever. “The only time I did that was for my traditional wedding and I obliged because they had prepared a traditional cap for me,” the intellectual property specialist said. The fourth son of Nigeria’s first judge at the International Cour

Lawyers in Kuala Lumpur said on Friday that a 9-year-old Malaysian boy got his penis amputated in the second botched circumcision operation in December. The Lawyers said was due to negligence on the part of his surgeon. The doctor accidentally cut off the head of the boy’s penis during the operation on December 15. He then tried to stitch the penis head back on, but did not align it properly, lawyer P. Uthayakumar told reporters at a press conference outside the main hospital building in Kuala Lumpur. The child was referred to another hospital for immediate further surgery, but the penis head started turning black, and the whole penis later had to be amputated. “I am very stressed out I don’t know what to do,” the father of the child, who did not want to be named, said. The boy’s parents are seeking compensation to cover reconstructive surgery and are hoping for their son to be treated at a hospital abroad. “He asks me: Why are you sad mother? I try to control crying in front o

PHCN official Two men, who allegedly beat up a Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) worker for disconnecting their power supply, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. The accused – Joseph Olawole (60) and Ibrahim Adeyemo (42) – are both residents of Ogunsetan Close, Agege, Lagos. Olawole, an engineer and Adeyemo, a photographer, however, pleaded not guilty before Magistrate A.A. Adesanya, who granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties in like sum. According to the prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu, the accused committed the offences on Dec.16 at their residence. Nwosu said that the accused and others still at large conspired to assault Mr Adebiyi Mohammed while performing his duty. He submitted that the accused beat up the complainant because he disconnected their power supply for failing to pay their bills. “The accused had threatened to beat up the complainant if he would disconnect their power supply, claiming that their electricity sup

EKEDC logo The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc (EKEDC) has called on customers within its network to settle their outstanding bills during the festive period to avoid being disconnected. The General Manager, Communications, Mr Godwin Idemudia, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday. Idemudia said the company would not hesitate to embark on a network-wide exercise to disconnect delinquent customers who owed. He said the company had invested massively on its network to improve power supply and service delivery to its teeming customers. The EKEDC spokesman urged customers to take advantage of the various payment platforms available to settle their bills. “Eko Disco has invested in multiple robust platforms that will make bill settlement easier and more convenient. “As we deploy more resources to improve the stability of power supply across our network, we will also appreciate a situation where customers prom

FILE PHOTO: Fire-disaster The victims of the Dec. 27 fire-incident in Ikotun area of Lagos State died from severe injuries sustained from burnt and carbon-monoxide. Dr Kehinde Akingbehin, the Medical Director of the Do-alars Maternity Hospital in Ikotun, Lagos State, where they were rushed to for treatment disclosed this on Friday. Akingbehin said that one of the children was brought dead to the hospital while the remaining two were in critical conditions as at the time of arrival. The three victims, who were children of the same parents, died in the hospital where they were taken to for treatment following injuries sustained from the fire outbreak. NAN also reports that the ill-fated accident occurred in their single-room apartment at No. 15, Ikuuna Str., Liasu Road, in Ikotun. Mrs Ngozi Ifediba, a widow was said to be the mother of now deceased: Chiamaka, Emmanuel and Chiagozie Ifediba. She was alleged to have locked the children who were under 10 years of age, in the house

The gavel of justice A 32-year-old man, Ibrahim Lawal, who allegedly used a master key to steal a car from a park, on Friday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. The accused was arraigned before Magistrate A.A. Adesanya on two counts, but he pleaded not guilty. Lawal, whose residential address was not disclosed, was admitted to bail in the sum of N400,000 with two sureties in like sum. According to the prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu, the accused committed the offences on Dec. 6 on the Old Abeokuta Road, Agege, Lagos. He said that the accused used a master key to steal a Volkswagen Vento valued at N500,000. Nwosu said that the car belonged to Mr Okanlawon Abiodun. “The accused has a master key he uses to open any car. He opened the complainant’s car while he was sleeping at night. “Unfortunately for him, when he got to the gate of the street, some street boys who usually greet the complainant whenever he drives his car through the gate, discovered that he was not the o

Obama Russian Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev said “RIP’’ to the outgoing U.S. administration of Barack Obama said on Friday, after the White House decided to expel 35 Russian diplomats. “It is regrettable that the Obama administration, which started out by restoring our ties, is ending its term in an anti-Russia agony, “Medvedev said. Obama announced on Thursday that he had passed executive actions to impose sanctions on Russia’s cyber intelligence community, including several companies, and expel 35 Russian diplomats. The measures were in response to hacking of Democratic Party emails that exposed favouritism toward Hillary Clinton over rival Bernie Sanders. The exposé, which the U.S. leadership believes was perpetrated with support from the Russian government, was a boon to Republican candidate Donald Trump, who went on to win the election. The vice speaker of Russia’s lower house of parliament, Irina Yarovaya, said Friday that the U.S. sanctions against Russia were Obama’s

Russian president, Vladimir Putin Russia on Friday announced plans to expel 35 U.S. diplomats and ban U.S. diplomatic staff from using a dacha and a warehouse in Moscow in retaliation to Washington’s sanctions, Russian news agencies reported. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted by the agencies as saying he had proposed the measures to President Vladimir Putin. President Barack Obama on Thursday ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian suspected spies and imposed sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies over their involvement in hacking U.S. political groups in the 2016 presidential election. Lavrov said Russia would not leave the sanctions unanswered and said that allegations that Russia interfered in U.S. elections were baseless.

NSCDC Operatives The Osun command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has put measures in place to secure the state during the New Year celebrations. Its Public Relation Officer, Mr Babawale Afolabi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo on Friday that the command had stationed its officers in strategic places to prevent any breakdown of law and order. “This is based on the security warning that some Boko Haram members are on the run and our men are extra-vigilant and prepared to ensure that such individuals are apprehended when sighted or discovered,’’ he said. Afolabi said that officers of the command were on regular patrol and that extra patrol would be deployed on New Year’s eve to fortify the state. “The NSCDC is working with other paramilitary and security agencies to organise special programmes to promote and foster peace and security in the state. “We are praying for peace to reign in Nigeria and that this recession comes to an end,” he sai

FILE PHOTO: Abbattoir Chicken dealers and butchers in Keffi, Nasarawa State, have expressed concern over possible epidemic from the slaughterhouse as they continue to operate in limited space and filthy environment. They made their views known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Keffi. They drew the state government’s attention to the ripple effect of an epidemic should there be any outbreak as a result of the filth in the place. Mr. Musa Muhammed who sells chicken in the Keffi market said the space for them was small, which made it dirty as both the seller’s and butchers were together. He cautioned that “if government did not create separate places for sellers and for chicken dressers, an epidemic might soon break out. “The job of chicken dressing is also very important because it is the people’s means of survival.” Mr. Hassan Bala who slaughters chicken at the market also said it had not been easy for him and his colleagues as they charge N50 p

sokoto fire Tragedy struck on Tuesday night in Sokoto when a couple and their one-year old son reportedly lost their lives in an inferno at the Gandu area, in the Sokoto-North Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The Director-General of the State Fire Service Department, Alhaji Ibrahim Dingyadi, confirmed the incident in Sokoto on Friday. Dingyadi said: “The unfortunate incident actually resulted in the death of the couple and their son. “The fire was said to have been caused by an electrical fault and the deceased husband’s attempt to save his wife and son proved futile. “All three of them reportedly died as a result of smoke inhalation.” Dingyadi lamented that the incident was aggravated by the inability of the Department’s fire engines to gain access to the scene of the fire, due to the blockage of the access road by some buildings. The three deceased persons had since been buried according to Islamic rites.

FILE PHOTO: Some smuggled poultry products being destroyed. Poultry products worth over N147 million illegally imported for the yuletide season have been impounded and destroyed by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operation Unit, Zone C, in Benin, Edo State. The products which were destroyed on Thursday in Benin included 16,422 cartons of imported frozen products. The Officer-in-Charge of the Benin Axis of NCS, Federal Operation Unit, Zone C, Mr. Usman-Shehu Dahiru, confirmed the development to journalists in Benin. He said the imported frozen poultry products have a Duty of N29.56 million and Duty Paid Value of N177.36 million. “The items were carried inside a container with number GEXU 1329084 and conveyed in a Mack truck with registration number BDG 654 XL. “The items were seized by officers and men of NCS on Wednesday at Ovia River, along Benin-Ekiadolor Express way at about 8 pm. “The items were destroyed at Customs House destruction site in complia

Nigerian soldiers Despite claims by the Nigerian military that the Boko Haram insurgents had been crushed, fighters of the murderous sect on Friday engaged Nigerian soldiers in a fierce fighting in Borno State. During the encounter, at least 15 Boko Haram fighters were killed. The leader of the sect Abubakar Shekau had on Thursday in a video denied that his fighters had been crushed in Sambisa forest. He boasted that his fighters would soon launch attack against the Nigerian Army. Military insiders told PREMIUM TIMES that Friday’s battle ensued at 6 a.m this morning and did not end until after 9 a.m. Our sources said the battle began when fighters of the terror group launched a surprise attack on troops location in Rann, in northern Borno, shooting sporadically. Troops from 3 Battalion and 112 Task Force Battalion are stationed in the area, our sources said. The soldiers responded promptly, killing an unknown number of the terrorists, and wounding several others. The battle ra

domestic violence Some Lagos based lawyers have stressed the need for adequate measures to be put in place to check the spate of domestic violence in the society. The lawyers said in Lagos on Friday that the weight of domestic violence in the society was far-reaching, and called for a proper remedy of the situation. Mr Ogedi Ogu, who is also a social critic, said that women were worst hit as they mostly suffer cases of domestic violence. He noted that while some women would choose to quit such marriages, others would prefer to stay and suffer in silence. According to him, this is either due to family pressure or simply because of the children produced by the marriage. Ogu noted that domestic violence in the society, especially against women was on the increase, adding that it must be given serious attention by the the appropriate agencies. A constitutional lawyer and rights activist, Sir Anthony Makolo, blamed the situation on the failure of women so far battered to lodge a re

Yahaya Bello, kogi-state-gov A security expert in Kabba, Kogi, Mr Olutola Obamero, has called on the state government to check the activities of criminals at the Kabba end of the Obajana-Kabba Road‎. Obamero, who made the call in Kabba on Friday, said that the spate of crime on the road was high. He appealed to security agencies to collaborate to reduce crime in the state. Obamero also appealed to the Dangote Group to expedite rehabilitation of the road to improve transportation and security. He hailed the state government’s efforts in providing vehicles for security agencies, and hoped that the gesture would go a long way to combat crime.

Hajj The Kano State Government has directed the Pilgrims Welfare Board to commence preparations for the 2017 Hajj operation. The Acting Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, gave the directive in a statement issued by Alhaji Balarabe Abdullahi, the Public Relations Officer of the Deputy Governor’s Office, in Kano on Friday. Abubakar, who is also the Chairman of the committee on Hajj, made this known when he received the report on the 2016 Hajj activities. He said the administration of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje was committed toward giving all the necessary support and cooperation to the board to ensure better results of the subsequent Hajj operations. “Despite the current economic situation and considering the tedious nature of this work and its challenges, the government will continue to do everything possible to improve the Hajj operations,” he said. He said the state government would try to complete the board’s additional offices and recruit more tutors to enlighten intending pilgrims

NDLEA operatives The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Friday, said it had seized 2.5 tonnes of Rohypnol valued at over N20 million in Sokoto State. The State Commander of NDLEA, Mr. Misbahu Idris, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto. “These seizures were recorded by the command in the last 12 months,’’ Idris said. The NDLEA boss said the command had within the period under review, seized 200 kg of cannabis sativa, as well as 450 kg of assorted cough syrups with codeine. Idris lamented that more than 45 percent consumption of illicit drugs was recorded in the North West. “This obnoxious development is taking its toll on the most productive segment of the society, the youth. “The youth are regrettable more vulnerable and unfortunately they are the future leaders of the country. “The earlier this ugly trend is reversed, the better for the future of Nigeria; otherwise, the consequences will be colossal,” Idris said. The

Magistrate-court A 50-year-old building contractor, Henry Chibueze, who allegedly obtained N755, 000 under false pretences, was on Friday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Chibueze, who resides at No. 12, Brickfield Line, Ebute Metta West, Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of breach of peace and fraud. The prosecutor, Insp. Ingobo Emby, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Dec. 20, 2015, at 11.30 a.m. at Mission Street, Lagos Island. “The accused obtained N755, 000 from Mr Ezeoka Echezona, under guise of procuring an approval for a building plan and converted the money to his own use.” Emby said the accused knew that he was not qualified to procure a building plan approval and yet presented himself as one. He alleged that the accused also conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace. The offences contravened Sections 166 (1) (d) and 312 (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused plea

Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has queried David Babachir Lawal, the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) and Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in corrupt practices President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the AGF to query Lawal over the alleged fraud at the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE) while Magu was to be queried over allegations of fraud levelled against him by the Senate and the Department of State Service (DSS). The AGF sent the query as directed by the President and both the government officials have already responded before the expiration of time given by the query while the AGF is presently reviewing the responses. The SGF ran into a storm of corruption allegations over the N2.5 billion Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE) contracts and wa

bee farmers Women in bee farming (apiculture) have appealed to government at all levels to encourage and support bee farming to attract more entrants in the business. Mrs Obianuju Okpo, the President, Women in Beekeeping, Nigeria, made the appeal in Abuja on Friday. She said the support would empower and sensitise more women to join the beekeeping business and create a better livelihood for families in the country. Okpo noted that the business was capable of creating jobs, generating more income for women and boosting the economy of the country. According to her, there is so much money in honey and pollination services. “We have 2,600 women currently in bee keeping business across the country, but we want more of them to join. “A woman that is involved in modern beekeeping can earn about 500 dollars per hive annually, so when you have more than 20 hives, you can imagine what you will make in a year. “We are appealing to governors to launch and support apiculture (bee-farming)

Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto state gov The Sokoto State Government has approved N164.4 million for the renovation and expansion of the Giginya Memorial Stadium, Sokoto. The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Musa Ausa, made the disclosure on Friday during an oversight visit by the state House of Assembly Committee on Sports and Youth Development to the stadium. He said: “The state executive council has since approved the sum to standardise the stadium in order to improve and encourage sporting activities across the state. “Moreover, the renovation will boost youth development and serve as a revenue generation avenue.’’ He thanked the committee members for the visit, and pledged continued cooperation of the ministry in the discharge of their constitutional duties. The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Gidado (APC- Sokoto South I), said that the visit was to ascertain the level of implementation of the 2016 Budget by the ministry. “One of the constitut

Hyginus Umeje, Lagos FRSC boss The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) impounded 255 vehicles across Lagos State during the Christmas holiday. Mr Hyginus Umeje, the Lagos State Sector Commander of FRSC, disclosed on Friday that they were impounded during the operation `Zero Tolerance’ patrol. Umeje said that the drivers arrested then were no fewer than 1,172 that committed no less than 1,270 offences. “We started the operation `zero tolerance’ patrol on Dec. 19 along designated routes and highways. “We impounded no less than 255 vehicles under various offences during the Christmas time and about 1,172 people were also arrested for various traffic offences,’’ Umeje. He said that 61 out of the suspects had been charged to one of the three mobile courts where 58 were convicted and three of them were discharged. Umeje also said that two lives were lost in the eight different crashes recorded by the sector during the period. He said that the accidents which involved about 50 passenger

fireworks The police says there is little they can do to effectively enforce the ban on the use of fireworks and ‘knockouts’ without public support. The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Don Awunah, said this when the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) contacted him to get an update on enforcement of the ban, in Abuja on Friday. NAN reports that the use of the explosives continues unabated nationwide, despite the prohibition, prompting insinuations that the police are not enforcing it. But Awunah insisted that the ban was being enforced, adding that it seemed ineffective because citizens were not reporting violations to the police. According to him, the effectiveness of policing generally depends on the willingness of members of the public to assist law enforcement agencies with information on activities of bad eggs in the society. Awunah, who could not immediately give statistics of arrests so far made in connection with the ban, claimed that the use of fireworks and `knockouts’ h

Wizkid, Yemi Alade: are brands Nigerian singers Wizkid and Yemi Alade, have been named ‘African Artiste of the Year’ and ‘Best Female Artiste’ respectively at the maiden edition of the Soundcity MVP Awards Festival. The artistes emerged best winners at the event which held on Thursday night at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The Star boy, Wizkid, edged out five other nominees, including Vannessa Mdee of Tanzania, ‘Sarkode’ of Ghana and his Nigerian counterparts Yemi Ajade and Olamide, to pick the ‘African Artiste of the Year’, trophy. Wizkid also emerged the ‘Best Male Artiste’ in Africa at the event. Alade, the ‘Mama Africa’ crooner emerged ‘Best Female’ amid other nominees, including Tiwa Sawage, Cynthia Morgan, Victoria Kimani of Kenya and Vanessa Mdee of Tanzania. Nigeria topped the award list, with 11 awards won by different artistes. Hip hop artiste Kiss Daniel picked the ‘Best Hop’ award, and Tekno emerged the ‘Digital Artiste of the Year.’ Nigeria

IDPs The House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has urged the Federal Government to come up with its contingency plan for displaced persons from the liberated Sambisa forest. The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Sani Zoro, spoke with newsmen in Dutse on Friday on the captured Sambisa forest by Nigerian military. Zoro said the Federal Government should expect a floodgate of IDPs and other forms of crises that characterised a war situation of this nature. He said IDPs that would emerge as a result of the captured territories would be mostly children and women who had suffered from squalor and malnutrition while in the forest. According to him, quite number of them have lost their means of livelihood hence the need for government to come up with emergency interventions to take care of them. “Those rescued from liberated territories have no money to buy food, clothing and even sanitary pads for women in particular,” he said. The chairma