The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Housing Reforms: EDPA plans 369-unit Estate in Ekpoma

    As part of efforts to boost the development of affordable housing in the state, the Edo State Government has said that plans are being finalised to develop a 369-unit Estate in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of the state.

    The Executive Chairman, Edo Development and Property Agency (EDPA), Isoken Omo, who disclosed this during an interview with journalists in Benin City, the state capital, said the agency is spearheading the development of the project.

    Omo noted that EDPA is pursuing a holistic plan to maximise its land bank across the three senatorial districts to drive affordable housing development for the masses.

    She said, “We are planning a 369-unit Estate in Ekpoma. We have concentrated in Benin City, Edo State capital in the past two years, but we want to expand our scope now. We want to expand our projects to other parts of the state where we have land banks, especially in Uromi and Ekpoma.”

    Read Also: As housing sector reforms begin with FMBN

    She explained that the development of the estate would commence before the end of 2019 and would be driven with an affordable payment plan, noting, “We have started finalising the designs. It is going to be an Estate for civil servants and low-income earners.

    “The prices will be between N3million to N4million with four housing types. There will be 2 and 3-bedroom types.”

    She said the first phase of the Emotan Gardens Estate being developed in Benin City has been completed, as arrangements have been concluded for owners to move into their properties.

    “Between June 2018 to January 2019, we completed the first phase of 100 units in the estate and all the housing units have been bought. We have started the second phase and the plan is to deliver the 1,400-units estate within four years.”

  • Okowa swears in 8 commissioners

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Wednesday in Asaba swore in the first batch of eight commissioners with a charge on them to add value to the peoples’ lives through selfless service.

    The commissioners are Mrs Flora Alatan, Chief James Augoye, Mr Basil Ganagana, Mr Peter Mrakpor, and Prof. Patrick Muoboghare and Chief Festus Ochonogor, Chief Chika Ossai and Chief Patrick Ukah.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor did not announce their portfolios dur the swearing-in ceremony.

    Okowa described them as seasoned politicians and tested administrators and tasked them to work with the civil servants to ensure development in the state.

    Read Also: Okowa swears in five Special Advisers

    He emphasised that the new commissioners should be punctual, creative and have the zeal to go extra mile in carrying out their duties so as to transform the state’s economy and impact on the people.

    He said: “you must lead by example. Do not expect your staff to be punctual if you are in the habit of coming late to the office.

    “As the saying goes, everything rises and falls on leadership. The buck stops at your table.”

    Responding on behalf of the others, Muoboghare thanked God for the appointment and appreciated the governor for finding them worthy to serve.

    He pledged the commissioners’ resolve to render effective and efficient service to the people.

    In an interview, Ukah, who was the immediate past Commissioner for Information, thanked God for his reappointment.

    He noted that his re-appointment was a testimony of his stewardship in the past administration and pledged to justify the gesture.

    (NAN)

  • Aide sues ex-minister, Adebayo Shittu over alleged unpaid salaries

    Mr Victor Oluwadamilere, an aide to former Minister of Communication, Mr Adebayo Shittu, on Wednesday dragged his former boss before the National Industrial Court, Abuja over alleged non-payment salaries.

    Oluwadamilere, who was Shittu’s media special assistant, is asking the court to compel the defendant to pay him N11.7 million, being salary arrears for 28 months.

    The plaintiff is also seeking the court’s declaration that the non-payment of his arrears of salaries was wrongful, illegal and unconstitutional.

    In addition, the plaintiff is seeking an order of the court directing the defendant to pay him N50 million as aggravated and general damages among other claims.

    The plaintiff in his statement of claim said he approached the court to seek redress upon the defendant’s termination of his appointment on March 14, 2018.

    Read Also: Shittu’s suit: Court grants NYSC’s application inviting OAU

    He alleged that the defendant only paid him three times out if the 28 months he worked for him.

    According to him, defendant paid him N500, 000 twice, N1.3million once, making a total of N2.3 million.

    The plaintiff alleged that the defendant paid put him on a monthly N100, 000 salary as SA as against the approved federal government rate of N500, 000 for SA to Hon. Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, before Justice Benedict Kanyip, the plaintiff’s counsel, Mr Adewale Lawal, informed the court that the matter was for mention.

    The defence counsel, Mr Oluwafemi Davies-Awe, confirmed that though he had been served with all relevant court processes, he needs time to respond to the claimants’ averments.

    The judge adjourned the matter until Nov.13, for hearing.

    NAN reports that the claimant, Oluwadamilere in his statement of facts said he approached the court to seek redress upon the terminated of his appointment on March 14, 2018.

    NAN reports also that the claimant’s statement of facts revealed that he was paid N100,000 as his monthly salary contrary to the approved salaries and allowances for SAs to Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which he claimed was N500,00.

    (NAN)

  • Photos: protesters demand prosecution of Senator Abbo over alleged assault

    Protesters on Wednesday gathered to demand justice for the assault Senator Abbo unleashed on a nursing mother in a sex toy shop as seen in a threading video.

    The protesters are seeking for the lawful prosecution of Senator Abbo over the alleged assault.

  • Driver arraigned for allegedly selling company car without boss’ consent

    A 28-year-old man, Yunusa Hassan, on Wedneaday appeared before a Mararaba Upper Area Court, sitting in Nasarawa State, for allegedly selling a company car valued at N1.8 million.

    The police charged the defendant, who resides at Kabayi, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, with three counts of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and cheating.

    The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Ejeh, told the court that Malam Ma’aji Akwanga of New Nyanya Transport Company, Mararaba, reported the matter at the Sani Abacha Road Police Station, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, on June 6.

    Read Also: Two men arraigned for ‘theft’ of N2m jewellery

    Ejeh said the defendant conspired with another man, at large and sold the company car with Registration number MKD987SB, valued at N1.3 million.

    The offenc, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 97, 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

    The judge, Ibrahim Shekarau, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100,000 and one surety in like sum.

    Shekarau ordered that the surety must be resident within ​the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case till July 17, for further hearing.(NAN)

  • Police shortlist over 1,600 candidates in Ebonyi

    The Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi Command, said that no fewer than 1,679 applicants were shortlisted to take part in the ongoing screening/recruitment exercise into the Constable cadre of the Force.

    Mrs Loveth Odah, Police Public Relations Officer, Ebonyi Command, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Wednesday.

    Odah said that the exercise slated to hold in the state at the Police Officers’ Mess close to the Command’s Headquarters between July 1 and July 20 started as scheduled.

    She, however, decried the poor turnout of the shortlisted candidates for the recruitment, saying that the number of applicants who had so far reported for the exercise was abysmally low.

    Odah regretted that the poor turnout of candidates for the screening exercise was affecting the number expected to be screened daily.

    She advised candidates shortlisted for the screening /recruitment exercise to show up for the exercise to forestall the state losing its quota allocated to it.

    Read Also: Police recruitment: 1,113 begin screening in Lagos

    “We shortlisted 1,679 applicants from the 13 local government areas who applied for the 2018/2019 Police Recruitment exercise.

    “The exercise which is mainly for the lower cadre is for the recruitment of constables into the force but the challenges we are having in the screening is that those shortlisted are not coming forth for the screening.

    “It is actually affecting the number of candidates we are expected to screen per day and this development is not good for the state because it may affect Ebonyi quota for the final intakes.

    “The command has intensified announcements using radio and television stations in the state to urge the shortlisted applicants to come forward for the recruitment exercise,’’ Odah said.

    She said that candidates who were successful in the ongoing certificates and physical fitness screening would move over to the next stage of writing final examination.

    Odah said that the command recorded hitch-free screening /recruitment exercise since the exercise began on July 1.

    (NAN)

  • Buhari re-appoints Aghaeze as PA on Photography

    President Muhammadu Buhari, has re-appointed Mr Sunday Aghaeze, as his Personal Assistant on Photography.

    The appointment, according to a letter signed by Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, took effect from May 29.

    ”I am pleased to inform you that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved your appointment as Personal Assistant to the President (State Photographer),” he said.

    Aghaeze was first appointed in 2016 by the president to the same post, where he served till his reappointment.

    Read Also: Buhari appoints Aliyu as NACA DG

    Aghaeze, an award-winning photojournalist, prior to his appointment, was a photo editor with THISDAY Newspapers in Abuja.

    He holds post-graduate diploma in Business Administration of University of Abuja, Higher National Diploma and National Diploma in Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra and Auchi in Edo, respectively.

    A widely travelled photo-journalist, Aghaeze has covered the UN, World Bank, IMF, African First Ladies’ activities, in several countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa.

    He was 2007 Best Photo Journalist of the year, and 2010 second runner up photo journalist, at Prof. Wole Soyinka Award 2010, among others.

    He is a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), ‎Photo-journalists Association of Nigeria (PJAN), among others.

    (NAN)

  • NGO donates 40 machines to Jigawa Govt. to improve family health

    An NGO, Marie Stopes, has donated 40 autoclave machines to the Jigawa Government to enhance reproductive family health in the state.

    Mrs Hadiza Abdulwahab, the organisation’s Advocacy and Partnership Coordinator in the the state, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Wednesday.

    Abdulwahab, a fomer  Commissioner for Women Affairs in the state, said the gesture was part of the organisation’s contributions to improve family planning and child spacing in the state.

    She explained that the machines were expected to be used at the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) facilities in the state.

    “WISH is a DFID supported programme which is addressing reproductive issues of women, including family planning.

    Read Also: Ebola: Death toll in DR Congo rises to 1,540, says WHO

    “It is a three-year programme which is targeted at demand creation, improved service delivery, increased supply of commodities, improved financing and policy environment.

    “It is working in partnership with four Consortium – Marie Stopes, Option, Ipass and IPPF – in 13 Nigerian states,” Abdulwahab said.

    The organisation’s advocacy and partnership coordinator said the 13 states were those in the North-west, excluding Kaduna, all states in the North-east as well as Benue in the North-centra.

    When contacted, the Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Primary Health Development Agency (JSPHCDA), Dr Kabir Ibrahim, confirmed the receipt of the machines.

    Ibrahim, who thanked the NGO for the gesture, added that the machines would be put to proper use.

    (NAN)

  • Kunle Afolayan’s movie “Mokalik” acquired by Netflix

    Netflix, America streaming giant, has acquired award-winning director and producer Kunle Afolayan’s acclaimed movie ‘Mokalik.’

    Afolayan disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday on the sideline of the French-Nigerian Cinema Days holding from July 2-3 at the Alliance Francaise, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    “I wish to inform you that Netflix has acquired “Mokalik” and some other of my films,” he said.

    However, Afolayan did not disclose the value paid for the acquisition, but added that the company has not announced when the films will be released on the platform.

    The acquisition represents Netflix’s ongoing aggressive interest for Africa motion picture sector in recent times where there is still relatively untapped source of talents and contents.

    The company had reportedly signaled that it planned to get serious about ordering/acquiring original series and films from the African continent, created by Africans.

    Read Also: Seven Nollywood movies you can watch on Netflix

    At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF 2018), the streamer acquired Nigerian drama “Lion heart,” the directorial debut of Nollywood veteran actress Genevieve Nnaji.

    It was also picked as a Netflix Original movie and was released worldwide on January 4, 2019.

    NAN reports that ‘Mokalik’ features singer Simisola Ogunleye, a.k.a Simi, in her debut acting role and Big Brother Naija ex-housemate, Tobi Bakre among other actors.

    Other stars in the all-Yoruba cast movie include Femi Adebayo, Ayo Adesanya, Faithia Williams and Lateef Oladimeji.

    Comic actors, including Wale Akorede (Okunu), Ayo Ogunshina (Papa Lolo) and Dayo Akinpelu (Alabi Yellow), also starred in the movie.

    ‘Mokalik’, written by Tunde Babalola and directed by Kunle Afolayan, is set in an automobile repair workshop (mechanic village).

    The plot follows the story of an 11-year-old boy, Jaiye, from the middle-class suburbs, who decides to find his path in life as an apprentice at a mechanic workshop.

    When his father arrives to take him home, Jaiye has to make up his mind if he wants to return to school or take on his apprenticeship full time.

    “Visiting the mechanic workshop after about 15 years opened my eyes to a lot of things that I believe the world should know about our local auto car repairs industry,” Afolayan had said of the movie. (NAN)

  • BRT driver in court over alleged manslaughter

    A Bus Rapid Transit (B.R.T) driver, Theophilus Nsofor, on Wednesday appeared in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly causing the death of a 25-year-old woman.

    The police charged Nsofor, who resides in Ijoko area of Ogun, with reckless driving, manslaughter and driving without particulars.

    The Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Victor Eruada, told the court that Nsofor committed the alleged offence on May 27, at Iyana-ipaja Road by Danco Filling Station, Lagos.

    Eruada alleged that the defendant being the driver of a B.R.T bus with Reg. Number JJJ 152 XL, drove recklessly and caused the death of a 25-year-old Blessing Philip.

    Read Also: BRT drivers suspend strike

    He also alleged that Nsofor drove on the public highway without a driver’s license, vehicle license, certificates of road worthiness and insurance.

    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 19, 172 and of the Road Traffic Law of Lagos State, 2012.

    The Magistrate, Mrs M.I. Dan-Oni, admitted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    She ordered that the surety must be gainfully employed and possess evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The magistrate adjourned the case until July 24. (NAN)