Coronavirus
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, March 5, 2020 (NAN) The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has urged Nigerians to always source for relevant information on preventive measures about coronavirus from reputable health agencies and organisations.
Mrs Blessing Ejiofor, UNICEF Communication Officer, Lagos Office, in an electronic statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday said the organisation in collaboration with WHO was supporting the Nigerian government’s response to the outbreak
Ejiofor said UNICEF was aware of messages being circulated that were being falsely attributed to the organisation.
She, however, said that all genuine information could be found on its website, www.unicef.org.
Ejiofor said people could also see the WHO website for further updated information.
According to her, UNICEF is leading on preventative actions in communities with risk communication, providing hygiene and medical kits to schools and health clinics and monitoring the impact of the outbreak to support continuity of care, education and social services.(NAN)
VE/KOO/OJO
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(Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Mufutau Ojo)
Re-arraignment
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, March 4, 2020 (NAN) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, re-arraigned social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, alias Mompha, in a Federal High Court Lagos, for alleged N32.9billion fraud.
Mompha was first arraigned by the commission on 14 counts bordering on fraud, money laundering and running a foreign exchange business without the authorisation of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He was arraigned alongside his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd.
The EFCC Counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court of a second amended charge against the defendant and urged the court to allow a fresh plea by the defendant.
The amended 22 count charges was read over to the defendant and he pleaded not guilty.
After his plea, defence counsel Mr Gboyega Oyewole,SAN, urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable him study the new charge.
He told the court that he had only seen the new charge few minutes ago before the court commenced sitting and consequently, urged the court to allow him study same.
Justice Mohammed Liman, ordered that the defendant’s bail of N100 million continues.
Following agreement of parties, the court adjourned the case untill March 18 for continuation of trial.
So far in the trial, the commission had called witnesses from commercial banks, CBN as well as the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML),
In the charge EFCC accused the defendant of procuring Ismalob Global Investment Ltd and retaining in its account, an aggregate sum of N32.9billion between 2015 and 2018.
The Prosecution alleged that Mompha laundered the sum through Ismalob Global Investment Ltd.
Both defendants, were alleged to have negotiated foreign exchange transactions in various sums like N9.4million, N20 million, N10.4 million, N2.4million, N100million, N61million, N40.7million, N42million among others.
Mompha was alleged to have aided the Ismalob to retain an aggregate sum of N 14billion in its account, which was procured from Pitacalize Ltd.
He said the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 15(2) and 18(3) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.2011 as amended. (NAN)
Abuja, March 3, 2020 (NAN)A man, Abdulateef Abdulquadiri, on Tuesday begged an Area court not to grant his wife’s application for divorce.
The wife, Khadija Adeniyi, a public servant, in her petition prayed the court to dissolve her marriage to Abdulquadiri, on grounds of battery and neglect.
Abdulquadiri told the court that that he feared something bad might happen to him if he went through with the divorce.
”I plead with the court not to grant my wife’s request for divorce. I am afraid something bad will happen to me,” he pleaded.
Earlier, Adeniyi told the court that she married Abdulquadiri under Islamic Law on Sept.1, 2018.
”We do not have any children. My husband has abandoned his duties.
”He also beats me. I plead with the court to dissolve the marriage,” she said.
The judge, Muhammad Adamu, advised the couple to explore an out-of-court reconciliation.
Adamu adjourned the case until March 17 for continuation of hearing or report of settlement.(NAN)
National Sports Festival: Edo ready to host the nation?
By Kevin Okunzuwa, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
The forthcoming National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged ‘Edo 2020,’ to hold in Benin City, the capital of Edo, from March 22 to April 1,will be the 20th edition in the series.
Edo secured the hosting right at the 19th edition in 2018, held in Abuja.
There were doubts if Edo would put the necessary infrastructure in place before the festival date, because the major sporting arena, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and many of the proposed designated centres, were at the time, in a state of disrepair.
However, about 20 days to the opening ceremony, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, has re-echoed his earlier optimism of the state’s readiness to host the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory, to the best NSF ever.
The governor on Feb. 21, at the launching of the countdown to Edo 2020, said the state, would use the platform of the festival to unite the entire nation.
Speaking at the countdown and sensitisation rally at the Government House, Benin City, the governor noted that “it is exactly 31 days to the NSF.
“This festival is a festival of unity, to unite Nigerians. It is a festival to encourage Nigerian youths to take the country to the next level.
“We are here to begin the countdown. For a big event like the NSF, we have to commence the publicity from now.’’
Obaseki commended media houses for the support being given to the Edo Government in its desire to host the best festival.
At the event, Philip Shaibu, Edo Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee ( LOC), said that accommodation had been secured for about 11,500 athletes and officials expected to participate in the festival.
Shaibu added that proprietors of hotels across the state had agreed to give 30 per cent discount for guests and spectators.
“From 10 days to the opening of the games, we will publish the names of the hotels and the prices of the rooms to enable our visitors check and know which of the hotels to patronise.’’
On the readiness of the venues, LOC Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Igbinosa, said aside the reconstructed Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, 16 other centres in Benin, with state of the arts facilities, were ready to play host to the 39 sporting events.
Veltrop Limited, the firm handling the upgrading of the swimming pools at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium said that the pools can host any Olympic championship.
“It’s an old pool, what we did was to remodel it and upgrade it, so that it can meet international standard.
“All the things that you need for competitions are here, the starting blocks are there, the lanes are there, and the timing system will eventually be fixed before commencement of the games.
“With all of these, you have a standard pool which can entertain any world competition.
“The pools essentially are ready; all we are waiting for is water supply to fill the two of them.
“The training pool is a five-lane, and this one, which is eight lanes and for competitions, are both ready,” Femi James, the Project Manager of Veltrop said.
He added that the pools had been test run with the just concluded Edo Sports Festival, and found to be excellent.
Corroborating, Godwin Dudu-Orumen, Chairman of Edo Sports Commission, added that” the tracks and lanes are being marked now.
“All utilities are being put in place; the swimming pool has gone through a test run.
“We are just in the final stage of cleaning up the indoors sports hall, with the former South-South gymnasium hall, being acquired by Edo Government from the Federal Government.
“The former South-South gymnasium hall was also used for the just concluded Edo Sports Festival.
“The Imaguero College hall is in good shape, Idia College hall is in good shape too, the University of Benin sports complex is undergoing renovation,” he said
On security, Dudu-Orumen assured of adequate security for both the athletes and officials, stressing that “Benin City and indeed Edo are safe.
“People are going about freely conducting their businesses without fear or molestation of any kind.
“So much investment has gone into preparation for the sports festival.
” The sub-committee in charge of security within the LOC has been busy taking proactive steps to ensure seamless organisation of the games without any security threats,” he said.
Secretary of the LOC, Dr Emmanuel Igbinosa, disclosed that no fewer than 1,000 volunteers would be engaged and deployed to the various centres during the games.
He said that the two campuses of the University of Benin as well as the Benin Technical College were chosen to serve as the games villages.
On the preparedness of the medical personnel, LOC Chairman Shaibu, said that government had ensured that the games villages were equipped with basic health amenities, and prepared to give health tips to the athletes and visitors.
“We will be sensitising them on how to avoid and prevent any disease.
“We will ensure that the games villages do not also lack water and other necessities that will help to prevent any outbreak of epidemics,” he said.
Shaibu, who assured that the games villages and event centres would have clinics, added that the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) would serve as referral centre for extreme cases.
According to him, the issue of logistics, especially transportation, will not be a challenge during the festival.
Shaibu said that adequate buses had been provided to convey athletes and officials to games venues and games villages, adding that visitors would also be provided with good transportation system.
“We have made provisions for enough buses during the games, and routes have also been mapped out to ensure seamless movement during the festival.
“As part of the mapping, special routes have been dedicated to the athletes and officials. We have also worked the transport system in such a way that ensures free flow of traffic.
“We will not be allowing any vehicular movement within 200 to 300 metres close to the stadium and other sporting centres for the visitors,” he said.
He added that athletes and officials would however, be allowed 50 metres close to the stadium.
Shaibu also said that the opening and closing ceremonies would be beamed live to viewers within and outside the country by Multi Choice, owners of DSTV.
Gov. Obaseki had at the unveiling of the festival’s mascot and theme song, said “sports is native to us. We are renewing that nativity.”
Mr Tony Akiotu, the Chairman, Media and Publicity Sub-committee of the LOC, reiterated that the use of mascot during sports, promotes the spirit of sportsmanship, hard work, and hope.
“The figure of the mascot, a leopard, named ‘Etin’ means strength in Edo language,” he said.
The 20th NSF will be the third the state will be hosting.
The old Bendel, with Benin City as capital, hosted the 1981 edition, while Edo in 2002, also hosted the sports festival. (NANFEATURES)
**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Remand
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Feb. 28, 2020 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday ordered that a 27-year-old man, Kareem Osho, who pleaded guilty to trafficking 150g of cannabis, be remanded in a correctional facility.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) charged Osho with drug trafficking.
Justice Chuka Obiozor, who ordered that Osho be remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Centre, adjourned the case until March 3, for review of facts before sentencing.
Earlier, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, said Osho committed the offence on Jan. 13.
Aernan alleged that Osho was arrested following a tip-off in Lagos, with 150g of Cannabis, a prohibited drug similar to Cocaine and Heroine LSD.
He said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation 2004. (NAN)
Accident: Stakeholders commiserate with Okomu Oil Palm Company
Condolence
By Kevin Okunzuwa
Benin, Feb. 27, 2020 (NAN) The Managing Director of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc., Dr Graham Hefer, has thanked stakeholders for the concern shown to the company, following the loss of six members of staff in a road accident.
A statement by the company’s Media officer, Mr Fidelis Olise, in Benin on Thursday, quoted Hefer as thanking the stakeholders as the list of sympathisers visiting the company continued to grow.
According to the statement, the Chairman of Ovia South West LGC, Mr Destiny Enabulele and the management team of National Park were among those that joined the list of visitors to the company.
Olise quoted Hefer as saying that the support and encouragement shown had gone a long way to strengthen the management and staff of the company during the very sad time in its history.
The managing director said that numerous stakeholders had either called or visited to commiserate with him on the untimely death of his workers.
These include the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief Edebiri; the Iyase of Udo, and many other Nigerian stakeholders and foreign investors from Brussels and Switzerland.
According to the statement, the Conservator of the National Park and his team have also visited the company to commiserate Hefer.
The managing director said that the tragic event and the solidarity shown by everyone had once again shown that the world is a global village where what touches one, touches all.
Speaking during his visit, Enabulele said he was deeply touched by the tragic event.
He said that Okomu oil company had been a good partner and some of those who died were from his LGA.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deceased were among the nine staff involved in the accident that occurred along Iguobazuwa Road in the state on Feb. 14.
The company had in an earlier statement announced the incident.
It said that on Feb. 14, on the Siluko public road, a minibus carrying nine Okomu PLC employees was involved in a head on collision with a tipper lorry.
The company said that six employees lost their lives in the tragic accident.
According to the statement, three other workers were seriously injured when the minibus in which they were travelling collided with the tipper lorry carrying sand and subsequently burst into flames. (NAN)
Calls for sack of Service Chiefs, misplaced- Edo Deputy Governor
Service
By Kevin Okunzuwa
Benin, Feb.24, 2020(NAN) Edo Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, says calls for the sack of Service Chiefs by some critics, was a misplaced priority that will not solve Nigeria’s security challenges.
Shaibu made the assertion at a meeting with Heads of Media Organisations in Benin on Monday, as part of preparations for successful hosting of the forthcoming National Sports Festival tagged ‘Edo 2020’.
While describing the Service Chiefs as some of the best and competent officers Nigeria could boast of, he said the cause of insecurity was traceable to unresolved poverty in the land.
He explained that even if the President changed his Service Chiefs several times without effectively addressing poverty, people will find excuses to be allowed to be used as tools or weapons of destruction by unpatriotic elements.
” I know this because I was one of those who screened them and their credentials as a member of the House of Representatives.
” We know that Gen. Tukur Buratai is a solid combatant soldier with a UN medal; ditto others.
“But there has to be peaceful coexistence among the people. And this can happen only if the people are happy; and the people can be happy only if they are legally gainfully occupied both in their minds and hands.
“And part of ways of finding solutions to the issue of insecurity is through sports. The State Government is determined to contribute its quota in that direction,” he said.
Shaibu said the State Government placed great premium on youths development to prepare them as future leaders.
” We have seen this huge opportunity and we have invested in it through putting in place massive infrastructure across the 18 Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state, which has created windows of employment for hundreds of youths.
“It is when government creates conducive environment and creates job opportunities for the teeming youths that we can aspire for peace.
“But when youths become idle with virtually no hope in sight that their minds begin to absorb lots of negative vibes.
“That’s why we are calling for collaboration with the media to effectively assist the Local Organising Committee (LOC) propagate the huge benefits that will accrue to all and sundry from hosting the festival,” he said.( NAN)
KOO/ABI
Benin Feb. 17, 2020 (NAN) The Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, in Benin, Edo has expressed shock over the death of its six staff in a road accident on Friday in Ovia South-West Local Government Area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deceased were among the nine staff involved in the accident that occurred along Iguobazuwa Road of the local government in the state.
Managing Director of the company, Dr Graham Hefer, in a statement signed by its Media officer, Mr Fidelis Olise, in Benin on Monday, commiserated with families of the deceased staff.
Hefer also wished the other three who sustained injuries speedy recovery.
The statement said, “On the 14th of February, on the Siluko public road, a minibus carrying nine Okomu PLC employees had been involved in a head on collision with a tipper lorry.
It added that six employees not five as earlier reported in the media, lost their lives in the tragic accident.
“A further three workers were seriously injured when the minibus in which they were travelling collided with a tipper lorry carrying sand and subsequently burst into flames.
“Apparently one person also died in the lorry,” it said.
The statement said the company doctor and his team would continue to provide medical support to the injured employees until their recovery.
It also said the Board, management, workers and all fellow stakeholders of the company sent their heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families for the loss of their beloved. (NAN)
Institute to register 30 feed mills industries in 2020-Registrar
Registration
By Felicia Imohimi
Abuja, Feb. 13, 2020 (NAN) The Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) has pledged its commitment to register additional 30 feed mills from now to December in addition to the 20 registered so far.
Prof. Eustace Iyayi, the Registrar of the institute gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
Iyayi said that the registration would ensure that feed mills produced by the industries were of standard.
He said that the measure would avail livestock producers using finished feed mills opportunity of knowing which companies had been inspected and production process certified by the institute.
The registrar, who noted that plans were on to achieve the set target, emphasised that registration of feed mills industries required lots of processes including inspection.
According to him, three out of the targeted 30 feed mills have already been inspected.
“The purpose of registering feed mills is to let livestock producers who use finished feed know the companies whose premises have been inspected and their production process certified as compliant by NIAS.
“As at 2019, we had about 20 registered feed mills across the six geopolitical zones in the country and this year we are looking forward to doing more. We are looking at registering 30 more feed mills.
“The ones that we have registered, we are confident that they are operating according to best standard,” he said.
The registrar commended the Federal Government for its financial support among others to the industry so far.
He, however, solicited for more supports, especially in the area of funding to enable the institute achieve its set targets and to effectively execute its mandates.
NAN reports that NIAS was established by Act No. 26 of 2007 as amended in 2015 to regulate all matters pertaining to animal husbandry in Nigeria.
This includes advancement of the education, science, technology and the art of animal science and livestock production. (NAN)
FUA/ KOO/GY
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By Adenike Ayodele
Ikeja, Feb. 13, 2020 (NAN) The police on Thursday in Lagos arraigned two teenagers allegedly roaming the streets.
Babatunde Iwalehin and Emmanuel Chibueze, both aged 18, appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on charges of conspiracy and conduct likely to breach the peace.
The teenagers, whose addresses were not provided, were arraigned alongside one Ibrahim Olanrewaju, 20.
The trio, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Michael Unah, alleged the defendants conspired and portrayed themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by roaming aimlessly on roads.
Unah told the court that that the defendants committed the offences on Jan. 7, at 10.30p. m. on the Itire-Ijesha Road in Lagos.
“The defendants could not give a satisfactory answer as to where they were going and why they were walking aimlessly at the time they were caught,” the prosecutor said.
He said that the alleged offences contravened Sections 168 and 411 of the Criminal laws of Lagos State 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr A. A. Fashola, granted each of the defendants N50, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Fashola ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
He added that such sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and adjourned the case until Feb.27, for mention.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that that conspiracy is punishable with two years’ imprisonment while breach of the peace attracts six months’ jail term or N50, 000 fine. (NAN)
OAR/ KOO/IGO
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Ijeoma Popoola
