The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Presco boosts Obaseki’s job creation drive

    The management of Presco Plc has said the company in the outgone financial year employed over 8000 people and expanded facilities for processing oil palm and palm kernel crushing as well as improving its energy production facilities.

    The company said it was working with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to establish one million hectares of oil palm plantation in the Youth Oil Palm programme to be implemented across the country.

    The Chairman, Board of Directors, Presco Plc, Mr Pierre Vandebeeck disclosed this at the 26th Presco Pre-Annual General Meeting cocktail, which was held at the company’s integrated industrial establishment in Obaretin, near Benin City, Edo State.

    He noted that the successful implementation of the programme would enable Nigeria to regain its glory as a major supplier of oil palm to other countries.

    According to him, “Nigeria is currently importing about a million tons of oil palm per annum which has affected domestic production and sales. This year is a difficult one for us due to massive importation of oil palm and oil palm products. The country is importing about a million tons of oil palm per annum and this is not an enviable position, but the future looks bright as we intend to revamp the oil palm industry in the country.”

    Read Also: We’re tackling insecurity, human trafficking with quality education, says Obaseki

    He expressed appreciation to the federal and state governments for making commitments to provide an enabling environment for the company to carry out its operations.

    He added that one of the company’s achievements in the outgoing business year was an improved relationship with its host community, noting that its Corporate Social Responsibility policy is one of the best in the country.

    The Managing Director of Presco Plc, Mr. Felix Nwabuko, said the company has been able to give its shareholders value for their money which would be declared at the 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM).

    He listed the achievements made by the company in the outgoing financial year to include employment of over 8000 people, the ongoing expansion of processing capacities in oil palm and palm kernel crushing plants and energy production facilities. He expressed appreciation to the state government for creating an enabling environment for the company’s operations in the state.

    Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Frank Okiye, commended the company for supporting the government’s job creation drive and bridging the unemployment gap in the country.

    Okiye noted that that Edo State Government will continue to support the company’s expansion plan, assuring of more ease of doing business incentives to support its growth.

    Other officials of the state government at the cocktail were Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, Joe Okojie and Head of Service, Mr. Isaac Ehiozuwa as well as representatives of the Delta State Government.

    Presco boosts Obaseki's job creation drive
    Managing Director of Presco Plc, Mr. Felix Nwabuko (left); representative of Edo State Governor and Head of Service, Mr. Isaac Ehiozuwa, at the 26th Presco Pre-Annual General Meeting cocktail, which was held at the company’s integrated industrial establishment in Obaretin, near Benin City, Edo State

  • Travel agent arraigned for alleged N2.7m visa fraud

    The Police in Lagos on Wednesday arraigned a Travel Agent, Oluwasegun Gbeleye, 34, before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged N2.7 million Australian visa fraud.

    Gbeleye, whose address was not provided, appeared before the court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, forgery, fraud and stealing.

    He however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted him bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Adelaja ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She however, adjourned the case till Aug. 12 for mention.

    Read Also: Businessman arraigned for allegedly receiving stolen property

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, alleged that the defendant defrauded Mr Prince Nnadozie, sometime in March 2018 at Randle General Hospital, Lagos.

    Osayande said that the defendant fraudulently obtained N2.7 million from Nnadozie, with a promise to secure five Australian visas and work permit for him, but failed to do so.

    She alleged that the defendant made his client five fake Australian visas and converted the money to his personal use.

    The prosecutor said that when Nnadozie knew that he had been swindled and asked for his money back, the defendant insisted that he was still working on the visas.

    Osayande told the court that the defendant perpetrated the crime with the aid of Rosemary Chichi, still at large.

    The offences contravene Sections 287, 314, 365 (1) and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing. (NAN)

  • Labour warn against staggered implementation of minimum wage

    Organised Labour made up of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has written the federal government warning against staggered implementation of the new national minimum wage, describing it as divisive and catastrophic.

    Labour is also concerned about the stalemate in the negotiation between the federal government, represented by a technical committee and the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council over the method to use for the consequential adjustment for over officer already earning above N30, 000.

    While the workers representatives are asking for a 30 percent adjustment for officer on grade level 7 to 14 and 25 percent for officers on grade level 15 to 17, the government team is offering 9.5 percent across board.

    The government has since issued a circular directing the immediate commencement of the implementation of the new wage, while negotiation on the consequential adjustment continues.

    In a letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and signed by the President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Quadri Olaleye entitled “re-issue of Negotiation of Relativity/ Consequential Adjustment of Salaries Arising from the National Minimum Wage of N30, 000”, the two labour centres asked the government to reconvene the technical committee with immediate effect.

    Read Also: New Minimum wage: Katsina to engage state NLC

    The letter reads: “We bring to you the warm compliments of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress as well as wish to refer you to the letter of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council dated 16/07/19 and referenced JNPSNC/TUS/VOL.V/402 on the stalemated discussion between the Council and the Government on the relativity/ consequential adjustment of salaries arising from the national minimum wage of N30, 000 per month. We would wish to express our concern and dismay about this needless stalemate.

    “We would wish to commence this letter by first commending Mr. President for setting up this committee in which we all had confidence to expeditiously work out the modalities for relativity and any other consequential effect that may arise from the new national minimum wage.

    “Our optimism was hinged on the fact that this would not be the first time we would be having this type of committee. We are however worried by this stalemate, and must in all honesty, point out that what the government is offering is far too small to be acceptable.

    “We recall that in the immediate past exercise, 53 per cent relativity was used across board. The resort therefore to unnecessary obduracy by the government’s team is neither helpful nor reflective of precedence.

    “The option of a staggered implementation conveyed in a press statement by the Chairman of the Salaries and Wages Commission is similarly not in good faith, for the notion of staggered implementation is both divisive and catastrophic.

    “It is important to note that the national minimum wage has always been implemented holistically in acknowledgement of the fact that we all go to the same market.

    “In the light of this and the need to head off a major industrial crisis, we would urge you to do all that is necessary to ensure that the meeting of the Committee is reconvened with NLC and TUC. As we await your necessary action, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.”

  • Man bags 8 months imprisonment for stealing bag

    The Police in Lagos on Wednesday arraigned a Travel Agent, Oluwasegun Gbeleye, 34, before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged N2.7 million Australian visa fraud.

    Gbeleye, whose address was not provided, appeared before the court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, forgery, fraud and stealing.

    He however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted him bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Adelaja ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She however, adjourned the case till Aug. 12 for mention.

    Read Also: Man bags 48 months imprisonment for stealing N326, 000 through bank app

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, alleged that the defendant defrauded Mr Prince Nnadozie, sometime in March 2018 at Randle General Hospital, Lagos.

    Osayande said that the defendant fraudulently obtained N2.7 million from Nnadozie, with a promise to secure five Australian visas and work permit for him, but failed to do so.

    She alleged that the defendant made his client five fake Australian visas and converted the money to his personal use.

    The prosecutor said that when Nnadozie knew that he had been swindled and asked for his money back, the defendant insisted that he was still working on the visas.

    Osayande told the court that the defendant perpetrated the crime with the aid of Rosemary Chichi, still at large.

    The offences contravene Sections 287, 314, 365 (1) and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing.

    (NAN)

  • Rainy Season: Wear thick clothes to avoid croup infection, expert advises

    The Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has called on residents of the state to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse and building of structures along water channels.

    Alhaji Ahmed Inga, Director General of NSEMA, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Wednesday.

    He disclosed that the agency in collaboration with the state Environmental Protection Agency (NISEPA) had embarked on sensitisation campaign to keep the public informed on the dangers of indiscriminate refuse disposal.

    “It is a yearly routine exercise that we engage communities on discussion that it is only when you are alive that you can benefit from any government assistance to flood disaster victims.

    Read Also: ‘How to prevent bacteria infections’

    “We advise people who want to build houses to be mindful of events that will make them uncomfortable and at the end of the day, as well as making others uncomfortable,“ he said.

    Inga described non-adherence to warnings by people to government and other disaster management agencies as major cause of flooding in the state.

    He advised farmers to avoid farming around river banks and go for improved crops and seedlings to have a better farming season.

    “During the last flooding, farmers under the Anchor Borrowers Scheme suffered lot of losses as their farmlands and crops were completely submerged by flood and it was close to harvest period,” he added.

    He commended the state Ministry of Agriculture for intervening to ensure that farmers did not suffer much damage this year.

    (NAN)

  • Police take battle to kidnappers den

    Edo State Police Command in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Army have taken the battle to kidnappers den in the forest along the Benin-Laģos highway.

    The forest along the highway from Ugbokun junction to military checkpoint before the Okada junction is to be cleared.

    As at press time, bulldozers were yet to arrive the spot.

    Edo Police Commissioner, Danmallam Abubakar and Edo Commander of the NSCDC, Ayela Makinde, took a walk through the route suspected to be used by kidnappers.

    Some live ammunition and expended ammunition were recovered under a shade closed to the highway believed to be he hiding spot of the kidnappers.

    Some wrappers of suspected victims were recovered.

    Read Also: Kidnappers kill eight-year-old girl

    Abubakar assured the contractors that adequate security would be provided during the period of clearing the bushes.

    He said the height of the grasses provided an easy cover for the kidnappers to hide.

    “You can see that from these spots they can see our men but we cannot see them. This road must be kept safe and we will not allow kidnappers to remain.

    “The battle line has been drawn. We want to be seeing the kidnappers.”

    More details later…..

  • Shi’ites protest: Channels Reporter, Precious Owolabi for burial Thursday

    Remains of the Channels Reporter, Precious Owolabi who was shot dead during the Monday protest by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), is to be buried in Zaria on Thursday.

    Corpse of the 23 years old corp member was sent to his parents in Zaria, Kaduna State on Wednesday.

    The Nation gathered that, the corpse was immediately moved to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Mortuary.

    Parents of the late Precious, Mr. and Mrs. Owolabi were still in shock and could not talk to the press as at the time of filling this report.

    A source close to the family however told The Nation that he will be buried tomorrow (Thursday)

  • Businessman arraigned for allegedly receiving stolen property

    A 40-year-old businessman, Hussaini Abubakar, on Wednesday appeared before a Karmo Grade I Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly receiving stolen property.

    Abubakar of Angwan, Rogo Idu Karmo Abuja, was arraigned on a count charge of receiving stolen property.

    The prosecutor, Ijeoma Ukagha, informed the court that one Nyam Simon of Kwaochason Global Security Guard Idu Yard, Abuja, reported the matter at the Karmo Police Station on July 17.

    Ukagha said that on the same date, the complainant reported a case against one Felix Audu and Peter Dagba, security guards attached to CCECC Company Idu Yard, for stealing two industrial air conditions and iron pipe all valued at N1.54million.

    Read Also: Woman arraigned for alleged N1m fraud

    She said during police investigation, Audu and Dagba confessed that they sold the items to the defendant.

    Ukagha added that during police interrogation, the defendant could not give satisfactory account of the property.

    She said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 317 of the Penal Code.

    The judge, Alhaji Inuwa Maiwada, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1.5million and a surety in like sum and

    adjourned the case until Aug. 28 for hearing.

    (NAN)

  • Pension fund not for budget deficits – Oshiomhole

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole on Wednesday declared that monies from staff pension deductions are not meant to be used for budget deficit by the Federal Government and State governments.

    According to him, it is meant to address the critical issues of the masses who contributed the money.

    He spoke during opening ceremony of the Presidential Policy Retreat at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had declared the retreat open.

    Oshiomhole also called for rejig of security architecture in the country.

    Read Also: N3.4 billion pension funds ‘unremitted’

    He urged the retreat to brainstorm towards getting practical solutions to the problems facing Nigeria.

    On corruption, he urged the government to effectively plug leakages with all the Ministries Departments and Agencies reviewing ‘how’s to achieve it.

    Oshiomhole also recommended long term national economy plan to replace the current Economic Growth and Recovery Plan.

    Those at the retreat included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

    State governors included those of Kebbi, Plateau, Kano, Kaduna, Kogi, Imo, Bauchi, Ekiti, Edo, Borno and Lagos.

  • FIFA bans Liberia’s Bility for 10 years

    FIFA has given Liberian official, Musa Bility, a 10-year ban from football for financial offences, the sport’s world governing body said on Wednesday.
    Bility, a member of the African Confederation (CAF) executive committee and former president of the Liberian federation (LFA), was found guilty of misappropriating FIFA’s funds, according to the organisation.

    Read Also: FIFA bans Chelsea from transfers over irregular signing of young players

    An investigation opened after an audit of LFA accounts revealed various payments made and received from entities owned by Bility or his family, said FIFA.
    Bility was also fined 500,000 Swiss francs (507,300 dollars).
    Earlier this week Bility had said he would contest FIFA’s decision to take oversight of the operational management of CAF from Aug. 1 to Jan. 31, 2020.

    (dpa/NAN)