The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Journalists get tips on sight protection

    Journalists get tips on sight protection

    To prevent eye problem, Journalists have been urged to use protective lenses because of their frequent use of computers.

    “This is the only way they can protect their eyes from the VV rays coming from the computers” says renowned consultant ophthalmologist Prof Adebukola Adebule-Ositelu.

    Prof Adebule-Ositelu led experts from the Guinness Eye Centre of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), to conduct free eye test for staff of The Nation yesterday.

    The event tagged “NUJ/Jude Isiguzo Health Day was in honour of former chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Nation Chapel, the late Jude Isiguzo, who was this paper’s Crime Correspondent.

    Isiguzo died six months ago.

    Prof Adebule-Ositelu urged other media houses to take a cue from The Nation, saying: “The Nation is a friend with the ophthalmologists at LUTH Guinness Eye Centre. Everybody has a right to good sight. We at Guinness Eye Centre are ever ready to discover eye problems and nip the problems in the bud. So we are happy that The Nation NUJ Chapel did this in honour of their late colleague.

    “As experts, we are particularly interested in the media because with good sight, they bless the economy. There is also freedom for everybody to move everywhere and utilise the information provided by the media, to work and make a living.

    “Once the sight is lost, there is reduction in the quality of life. The blind become dependent on others; such people cannot appreciate food, colours and the environment. And it is more terrible for somebody, who has had sight, then lost it, than for the one born blind. The one born blind has gotten used to such situation, but for somebody who has had vision, and enjoyed useful vision, it is more devastating, so it is better if we keep what we have. And that is why we are interested any day to help prevent blindness.”

    On her findings during the exercise, she said: “I have not collated my observations of the staff here at the moment. But largely, from the case notes recorded today, glaucoma is very common. Majority is developing or living with glaucoma; cataract is also common; and also refractive error is also common. All these indicate that these staff need to wear protective eye lenses that have UVR. Almost everybody here needs to wear glasses. This is informed from the fact that they are all using the computer so much. I have told The Editor, Mr Gbenga Omotoso to obtain screen protector for the computers. This is because the unprotected eyes will be damaged by the UV rays coming from the computer. They should be wearing UV protective glasses or they will suffer from computer syndrome. And I recommend that for all media houses throughout the federation. Journalists and people working in the media should regularly go for eye examination. Glaucoma is number one cause of irreversible blindness. It occurs globally, but it is worse in the black race than in their Caucasian counterparts, and as such we need to prevent or treat it vigorously. Good nutrition should be taken for it nourishes the body. Foods that affect or damage the eyes should be avoided, such as one day old garri (cassava) because it has saline in it; that can easily damage the optic nerve. People should also avoid drugs that can damage the eyes such as chloroquine that damages the retina. Whatever food you are allergic to, avoid it.”

  • Man held for internet ‘fraud’

    A man, who allegedly impersonated All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and others, to dupe people through internet has been arrested by Lagos State Intelligence Bureau (LSIB) operatives.

    Emmanuel Eto, 19, a student of Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara, was paraded yesterday by Commissioner of Police Kayode Aderanti.

    The suspect, Aderanti said, was caught on May 9, with six SIM cards, 13 empty SIM card packs, six photographs of his foreign victims, one brown bottle containing a liquid substance and one Ipad 3.

    His arrest followed a complaint by a victim, Gbenga Idowu Adeyemi.

    Adeyemi reported that on April 18, an unknown person claiming to be Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, created a facebook account in the same name, posted Tinubu’s pictures and information notifying the public of in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other Federal Government parastatals.

    The impostor, it was learnt, requested applicants to pay N26,850 for form and processing.

    Following the petition, operatives traced Eto to Warri in Delta State, where they arrested him. They also discovered that he hails from Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.

    The suspect said he used the fictitious name, Adewale Victor, to open a bank account, adding that three persons had paid.

    Eto, who operates another account in the name of Alonso Dennis, “a Spaniard”, confessed to having United Kingdom and United States (US) phone numbers, which he uses to talk with clients (victims) abroad.

    He said he was introduced to the game by his school mate whose he gave simply as Kelvin. He added that only the account he opened with Tinubu’s name fetched him N26, 850 each from three victims.

    Eto said he did it to enable him pay his school fees, help his mother financially and take care of his younger siblings.

    Aderanti, who said investigation was ongoing, added that the suspect would be arraigned.

  • Man ‘stabs’ neighbour in the head

    A 34-year-old trader was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly stabbing his neighbour on the forehead.

    Babatunde Oladejo, who resides at Oluwole Olaniyan Street, Iyana- Ipaja, Lagos, is standing trial on a charge of aggravated assault.

    He pleaded not guilty

    The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Eranus Nnamonu, said the accused committed the offence on April 21 in front of his house.

    Nnamonu said the accused stabbed his neighbour, Taofeek Oyerinde, on the forehead with a knife following a disagreement.

    “A fight ensued following a heated argument. Oladejo then picked a knife and stabbed Oyerinde on the forehead, causing near fatal injuries,” he said.

    Nnamonu said the accused resisted police arrest after the attack.

    Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe granted the accused N100, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum and adjourned the case to June 11.

  • ‘Don’t stigmatise expectant Boko Haram mothers’

    ‘Don’t stigmatise expectant Boko Haram mothers’

     A social advocacy group, Change Monitor, has urged Nigerians not to stigmatise the expectant mothers among those rescued from Boko Haram insurgents by the military.

    A statement by its Coordinator, Olatunde Fasanya, yesterday in Lagos absolved the victims of any blame.

    The group also hailed the army and allied forces on their accomplishment so far on the war against Boko Haram.

    “We also received the information of the over 200 women liberated with great pleasure and optimistic that other girls and women including the famous Chibok girls will be brought back to us momentarily,” the group said.

    The statement reads in part: “However, the news of some of the women being pregnant has been of major concern to us at the Change Monitor. We consider it unfortunate, pathetic and traumatic. Thus, the need for a quick resolution by the government with support of Non-Governmental Organisations like ours; to enrich the decision of the government, Change Monitor has considered the moral, legal, and religious implications of aborting these pregnancies and the possible effects on the mother and the country, both now and in the nearest future.

    “We posit that the women should be considered first and their feelings cannot be overlooked in the issue that touches their lives directly. However, the decision should be left to them only after they must have gone through a complete process of psychotherapy and counselling. We reiterate that these women are the focal issue and their opinions should be given thoughtful consideration.

    “After perceiving that many men serially raped some of these women for days, and that some of the pregnancies looked very much older than 16 weeks, we believe that these women are not guilty of any immorality. Though abortion from the moment of conception is immoral, irreligious and not culturally acceptable to us as Nigerians, we undoubtedly considered the rape of these women by misguided elements in our society as a strong reason for these women and their families to consider the option of an abortion. For the reason that they might hate this foetus; the result of these wicked kidnapping by the Boko Haram.

    “Therefore, we expect the society to give these women concession because it has become a necessity. For those who wish to deliver their babies among the women, they should be allowed and such babies should be adopted by the state or rather allow women who wish to nurture such babies after birth, with the support and monitoring by the government.

    “Nigerians had envisaged such happening and should be ready to help the women on whatever decisions they take on their lives and the pregnancies. Safety of mother and her opinion should count in whatever decision we agreed on as people who care a lot about them.

    Change Monitor after an extensive consultation discovered that this type of anticipated abortion is known as ‘medical abortion’ and it is allowed medically. Noting that the psychological trauma the woman will go through seeing such baby delivered may be overwhelming, thus, to protect their physical and mental health, the abortion is preferred medically. It must be stated that medical abortion is very safe, no damage at all to reproductive organ of the woman involved. Medical abortion is done using many approved methods. Consequently, if the country provides these women with experienced doctors and a very worthy hospital, we can securely say that the prognosis is good.”

    , Change Monitor urged Nigerians and the NGOs to support government in quick rehabilitation of the women and girls.

  • 2015 Afribaby emerges

    Afribaby, a company, which specialises in selling baby care items, yesterday hosted a breast-feeding competition for exclusive mothers at the MRC Auditorium, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja Lagos.

    Xavi Ugbana, a seven-month-old baby boy who was crowned the Afribaby of the Year as the grand winner went home with a lot of items including Vitafoam mattress, baby chair and baby mattress.

    Xavi’s mother, Mrs Uche Ugbana was grateful to Afribaby for the opportunity given to her and her baby to participate in this year’s award competition. She also praised the organisers of the programme, Chief Mrs Bintu-Fatima Tinubu, Iyalode of Lagos; Board of Trustees; founder and president of Afribaby, Dr Oscar Odiboh; Director of Afribaby, Mrs  Olayinka Odiboh and the editor, Mr Adet Udoh, among others.

  • Don’t aid my kidnappers’ bail, victim plead

    Don’t aid my kidnappers’ bail, victim plead

    A Lagos businessman has cried out over plans by some “powerful” people to get those who kidnapped him freed.

    Alhaji Ahmed Fashola, Kings Petroleum Limited Managing Director alleged that they are planning to get bail for the suspected who are in custody of Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Ikeja.

    Fashola was kidnapped last November 13 at Idimu in Lagos and was rescued some days later by the police.

    He told reporters in Lagos yesterday that those who shared out of the ransom the suspects got are planning to hire lawyers to release one of them.

    Fashola said: “The suspect (Afam) should not be released. If he is released, I will not be the only one that will live in fear and threat to life, a lot of people’s lives will be in danger.

    “Why do you arrest kidnappers if they will not end up in jail completely away from the society for peoples’ lives to be safe? Please don’t release Afam because he is a dangerous kidnapper,” he said.

    According to him, releasing Afam is tantamount to aiding kidnapping business in Alimoso.

    “I thank God that the suspects were arrested especially Afam. I will say that I am lucky too because I am alive; I was rescued and no ransom was paid. I wish to use this opportunity to thank the police and commend them for the excellent way they handled the kidnap case professionally. I am impressed. Their excellent performance gives me more hope that we should have confidence in the police,” he said.

    Relieving his ordeal when he was kidnapped, he said: “That fateful day, I closed from work; a Honda Pilot car doublecrossed my car. Five hefty men emerged with guns and forced me into their car. I later found myself in a toilet at Isheri Ikotun, in a bungalow. They wore police Tee-Shirt but I know that police will not behave like that. They broke two side glasses, took my phone and blindfolded me.

    “A man came and chained my leg and hands before removing the cloth they used to blindfold me. I heard voices of children and a woman which made me to know that the house is residential. The woman was taking children to school and bringing them back. I recognised IK. There were two guys on ground. One asked me whether I needed food, I said no but I took table water.

    “I did not know that they had taken my phone. They called my wife demanding $400,000. My wife said where do they expect her to get that kind of money?

    “When police came and rescued me, I heard gun shots. I told police that the leaders IK and one other said they were coming the following day. So they waited. When IK and the guy came in, IK scaled the wall and escaped. I stayed four days in the toilet.

    When police busted the house they met two men, three children and a woman. They arrested everybody.”

     

  • Rainstorm destroys homes, electricity poles

    Rainstorm destroys homes, electricity poles

    Rainstorm on Sunday destroyed houses, electricity poles and properties worth million of naira at Iloye community in Adalemo-Sango.

    The community’s major road has been rendered impassable by the fallen electric poles.

    Yesterday, residents, with the help of sympathisers were still evacuating and sun-drying their properties; many others were thinking of how to re-roof their houses.

    A landlord, Mr Ahmed Adam, whose roof was blown off, said: “I have never witnessed such a rainstorm in my life. Initially, it did not appear as if it was about raining to that extent. As it began with heavy storm, suddenly, I heard a loud sound and before I realised what was happening, my building was stripped naked – its roof was gone!”

    Adam was also hit and injured by the debris while trying to salvage some of his documents.

    “The incident has caused me and other affected victims serious pains and losses”, he said.

    Adam appealed to Governor Ibikunle Amosun to come to prevail on the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to repair the damaged poles and cables, noting that it is dangerous for it to be on the ground.

    A woman, Mrs Rekiat Adebayo, described the situation as pathetic, adding that she was deep in prayers with her children as the storm was threatening their apartment.

    She also sought IBEDC’s quick intervention to ensure safety of lives in the area.

  • Lagos orders tanker drivers to leave Eko Bridge

    Lagos orders tanker drivers to leave Eko Bridge

    The Lagos State Government has ordered tanker drivers off Alaka and Eko bridges to ensure public safety and free flow of traffic.

    The government urged the drivers to comply with its Road Traffic Law, which is aimed at keeping the state moving.

    Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) General Manager Babatunde Edu, said yesterday after a tour that the disorderliness and chaos on Eko Bridge/Funsho Williams Avenue, were intolerable. He said it had become necessary to curb the drivers’ excesses to cushion the hardship on other motorists.

    Edu noted that the axis was gradually becoming an eyesore, adding that if not properly managed, it could aggravate to lawlessness and indiscipline being witnessed daily at Apapa.

    According to him, government being responsible and responsive would ensure that every citizen has a right to the roads, which he said, were not constructed only for articulated vehicles.

    “Section 21 of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority Law of 2007 restricts driving or propelling, whether mechanically or otherwise, of articulated vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, lorries, trailers and tankers on the BRT Lite Corridor between 11am and 4pm and between 11pm and 5pm”, he said.

    The tankers, Edu said, should make use of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway which is primarily designed for such purpose, urging them to stay away from all bridges except during the time frame stipulated by law.

    He attributed the perennial gridlock being witnessed around the state to the spill over of traffic from the Ijora entrance of Eko Bridge connecting Apapa. “This act of insensitivity has crippled the economy of the state denying other people their rights to livelihood”, Edu said.

    The LASTMA chief said government is not unaware of the problems of petrol scarcity,  and appealed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other stakeholders to live up to their responsibilities.

    He enjoined tank farm owners to ensure that only tankers booked for immediate loading allowed to come to Lagos in order not to compound traffic.

    He enjoined the Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD) Branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to urge their members to comply with traffic laws.

     

  • Children accused of beating up father

    Children accused of beating up father

    Two siblings yesterday appeared before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly assaulting their father, Mr Ihiomah Ogidinta. They were said to have beaten up their father and tied a skipping rope round his neck.

    The accused – Flora Ogidinta, 36, and Chiedoziem Ogidinta, 29, who live at Flat 18, in Festac Town, Lagos, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, attempt to murder and threatening violence.

    The Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Soji Ojaokomo, said the accused committed the offence last April 1 at their residence.

    The accused, he said, attempted to unlawfully kill their father by jointly beating him up and tying a rope round his neck.

    The prosecutor said the accused confessed they carried out the action because their father was having an affair with their late mother’s friend.

    “The complainant said his children threatened to do worse things to him the next time he brings the woman home,” Ojaokomo said.

    Ojaokomo said the offence contravened Sections 56, 228 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Senior Magistrate Patrick Adekomaiya granted them N50, 000 bail two sureties in the like sum each and adjourned the case till May 21

     

  • Guard charged with N11, 000 theft

    Guard charged with N11, 000 theft

    A Tinubu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos yesterday granted security guard, Samuel Moses, N50,000 bail for allegedly stealing N11,000.

    Magistrate Olaitan Ajayi, ordered him to produce two sureties in the like sum.

    Moses, who lives in Jakande Housing Estate, Lekki, Lagos denied the charge.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Sergeant Daniel Ighodalo, told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 28 at Ikoyi Branch of UBA Plc on Awolowo Road.

    He said the guard stole the money from one Mr Mohammed Adamu under the pretext of helping him to pay it into his son’s account.

    “The complainant, who is an illiterate, had approached the accused in the banking hall to help him fill a teller for N11, 000 which he intended to send to his son.

    “Moses filled the amount on the teller in his own name instead of filling it in Adamu’s son’s name.

    “The accused also filled Adamu’s name and phone number as details of the depositor.

    “After the accused had completed his fraudulent act, he gave the teller to Adamu who ignorantly went to pay the money into Moses’ account in the bank,” Ighodalo said.

    The prosecutor said the next day, Adamu went back to the bank to lodge a complaint that his son had yet to receive the money he sent to him the previous day.

    “Fortunately, the complainant had a copy of the teller in his possession.

    “When the bank officials inspected the details on the teller, they discovered that the accused had substituted his account details with that of Adamu’s son.’’

    Ighodalo said the bank officials immediately blocked Moses’ account, adding: “On May 4, Moses tried unsuccessfully to withdraw money from his account and he went to report his inability to access the money in his account to the bank staff.

    “The staff, on noticing that his account was blocked due to fraud, alerted the authorities.”

    The case has been adjourned to June 6.