The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • My wife is a beast, says ex-naval officer

    Emotions ran high yesterday at the Customary Court, sitting in Agege, a Lagos suburb, when a former naval officer prayed for the dissolution his 27-year marriage.

    The petitioner, Disu Olanrewaju, who is down with a stroke, said his marriage had been stormy in the past years.

    According to him, he suffered a stroke as a result of the physical and psychological torture allegedly meted out to him by his wife, Ganiyat, and three children.

    “I met my wife in Lagos and we got married legally, according to the Native and Custom law. It has not been the smoothest of all rides because, at every argument, she beats me and throws away my clothes. In fact, it was the last beating that led to the stroke. In spite their cruelty towards me, I still cater for their needs. My wife is the head of the family; my opinion has never been useful. She talks ill of me in the presence of my friends and ex-colleagues. For five years, my wife and children deserted me, though they knew my state of health. I pray the marriage is dissolved because there is no love lost between us anymore,” he said.

    However, the respondent was absent at the court.

    Olarenwaju alleged that his wife refused to receive the court summons and vowed not to appear in court.

    The court President, Mr Adekunle Philip Williams, therefore, told the petitioner to maintain peace.

    The case was, however, adjourned till June 19, for judgment.

  • Church moves to empower the needy

    Church moves to empower the needy

    The Evergreen Christian Church of God at  Obanikoro in Lagos   has joined the league of other Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) complementing government’s efforts to improve the people’s lot.

    It held its maiden one-day empowerment seminar entitled: “Start your own business and thrive.”

    The programme was organised by the church free-of-cost to the beneficiaries – men and women – to make more entrepreneurs of Nigerians and raise business men and women of integrity.

    “Here, we do more by taking practical steps to help people live the true image of God for better society. We also encourage them on ways they can be useful to themselves and the society. .

    “People should lay their hands on something, no matter how small. It does not have to be on a large scale. One must be ready to meet the needs of the people. By doing this, the rate of unemployment and crime will be reduced in the society,” the pastor in charge of the church, Philip Babalola, admonished participants at the seminar.

    The Guest Speaker, Mr Benjamin Okwuokenye, said one major step to business is having a strong desire, knowing what you want and believing in your business.

    Francisca Oguntuyo, one of the beneficiaries, said: “As a salary earner, you find out that your salary isn’t enough. This programme has given me a guideline on what to do and how to go about it.”

     

  • FRSC to enforce colour for school buses

    FRSC to enforce colour for school buses

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) will soon begin enforcing yellow colour on buses conveying students, the Ijebu-Ode Unit Commander of the Commission, Mr. Isa Seidu has said.

    He said the step would make other road users take necessary precautions about the vehicles conveying children, adding that the commission had directed its men to educate the public on the importance of the special colour for school buses.

    Seidu who spoke at a public enlightenment campaign organised to educate members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) on child safety in Ijebu Ode, said the commission had been taking the safety of the children seriously in recent times.

    He said:”The colour for school buses is glossy yellow. The colour was chosen because of its attention-grabbing nature. It gets noticed faster than any other colour. Studies indicated that humans notice yellow colour faster than other eye-catching colours. The essence of this colour is for other road users to notice the colour and slow down so as to be mindful of the children on board.”

    The chairman of NAPPS, Ijebu-Ode chapter, Mr Olanrewaju Osunjinrin, said the association had resolved to comply with the rules and regulations of the commission, adding that he would ensure that necessary efforts would be made to remind his fellow members at all time.

    Representative of the state government at the event, Mrs. Gafaru Towobola, said checking of the school buses will be included in its accreditation process, adding that the state government would partner with the commission to ensure safety of school children.

  • I’m dying, trader cries out

    I’m dying, trader cries out

    •Woman loses breast to cancer 

    If not for her health challenge, which has laid her prostrate, Mrs Oluwabunmi Olabiyi should today be a model in industry.

    Born 34 years ago in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State capital, she left Agbeni Primary School for IMG Grammar School, Ibadan, where she obtained her first school-leaving certificate.

    She lost her mother at a tender age, following which she was sent to Lagos to learn a trade since her father lacked the financial wherewithal to educate her. She learnt trading in assorted wines, but following her inability to raise start-up capital for the business, Bunmi warded off idleness by opting to deal in provisions to eke out a living.

    As the years rolled by, fortunes smiled on her as she soared to become a successful business owner with high returns. Bunmi was sought after by a good number of individuals and corporate entities.

    She joined the league of married women and got rewarded with three lovely children – Kayode, 13; Adeola, 9, and Emmanuel, 4. Sadly, cruel fate played it hard on her after Emmanuel’s delivery. She noticed an unusual trend in the boy’s feeding habit: Emmanuel refused sucking her right breast and would cry anytime she tried to force it on him. Eventually she noticed a lump in the breast and sought medical advice.

    At the hospital, she was informed that she had developed a breast lump, which she immediately got removed on April 22, 2010. Though the surgery claimed her right breast, her family breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that her travails had ended. But some months later, she was diagnosed with a cancerous growth in the other breast.

    From that point, the downslide of her fortunes began. The family weathered the storm of her second surgery which was done on June 10, 2011.

    After spending several months in the hospital, her savings got depleted as she was left with only one option: To tap into her goodwill to raise money to facilitate her return to business despite her pains. But more as she struggled to revive her collapsed business, the cancer in her lone breast grew worse to threaten her life. Now, relations fear that if urgent help does not come her way, she may give up the ghost.

    “She needs N7million for her undergo treatments in India and there is no way we can afford it. The public and government should please help her. This is why we have opened an account with Zenith Bank with number, 1004542305 under her name, Bunmi Olabiyi,” one of her relations told The Nation at Bunmi’s 8, Kikelomo Street, Ijoko Road, Ijoko-Ota, Ogun State home last Friday.

    “Please, help me; I don’t want to die like this. I can no longer bear this pain; I’m dying,” Bunmi muttered as two of her children gave her consolatory words while the third was in tears.

  • Victims of abuse assured of police protection

    Victims of abuse assured of police protection

    Victims of domestic and child abuse can now speak out and be sure of support.

    The Police gave this assurance at a conference on safeguarding Nigerian Children With theme; Building a Child Protection System fit for 21 century, organized by Africans Unite Against Child Abuse ( AFRUCA) and Centre For Children’s Health and Education and Orientation and Protection (CEE-Hope) held in Lagos.

    A police representative CPS Monday Agbonika said the police is presently partnering with Ford Foundation, medical experts, psychologist and counselors under Family Unit Initiative to ensure better support for victims of child abuse and domestic violence.

    Aware of the fear of stigmatization by victims, Agbonika said the unit of the police though carved out from the police station, provides privacy and keep cases confidential.

    According to him, police officials are cut off from victims dealing with only reports with coded with no trace of personal details.

    To help victims mentally, the office is comfortably furnished with provision for juvenile offenders. The facilities for the modern police project section addressing grassroot policing are said to be available in Adeniji, Ilupeju,and Isokoko.

    Agbonika stressed the need for parents to teach their children sex education early and implored the public to always report any criminal act to the police without fear or believe that laws are not being enforced in Nigeria.

    Meanwhile Dr Josephine Effah- Chukwuma, Executive director Project Alert, also emphasized the importance of parents teaching sexual education at an early stage knowing that 69 percent of victims of sexual abuse are children and the act is done by people they are familiar with and trust most.

    She said parent should double their efforts in raising their children and teach them what they need to know because of the advancement in technology.

    Chukwuma challenged the authorities responsible for child care organizations and relevant service providers to ensure strict adherence to policies guiding their operations.

    She added that schools and child care organizations and even parents should teach their children self defense, ensure that employees are screened and certified fit

    Modupe Debbie Ariyo Obe,  founder and chief executive director of AFRUCA, a United Kingdom registered charity promoting the rights and welfare of African Children in United Kingdom, noted the impact of insurgency on school children  and the need to safeguard schools.

    According to her many children have been orphaned, families obliterated, homes destroyed and communities wiped out.

    She added that parents have either been hurt or harmed, leading to inability to work while community economic activity are affected.

    Other highlighted impact included reduction of family income generation, children living on the streets, closure of school and disruption of education.

    Due to Boko Haram’s focus on schools, Ariyo Obe advocated for urgent training of all education workers across the country on terrorism to focus on how it can affect them, how to detect signs and what to do to keep schools and children safe.

     

     

  • Boy, 12, allegedly killed by guardians

    A 12-year-old boy was allegedly beaten to death by his guardians over his tardiness in carrying out domestic duties.

    Onyedikachi Mbanozo was allegedly beaten to death by Mr and Mrs Paul Obiefule of 22, Omitola Street, Agege, a Lagos suburb, around 2pm.

    Police sources said an anonymous caller informed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Pen Cinema Police Station, Agege, about the incident.

    It was gathered that the Obiefules were always beating the boy and neighbours had always warned them of its implications.

    The Nation learnt that Mbanozo was asked to carry out some domestic duties by his guardians, but he allegedly went to play with his peers on Children’s Day.

    When his guardians saw him playing, they started beating him until he died, a source said.

    Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), confirmed the incident.

    She said: “The DPO, while on patrol with his men, received an anonymous call that a man and his wife had beaten a boy living with them to death.

    “On receipt of the information, police patrol vehicles moved to the scene and brought the suspects and the deceased to the station for detailed investigations. The case is under investigation at the Pen Cinema Division.”

  • Daleko market traders seek help

    Daleko market traders seek help

    From her looks, her heart was troubled. She held her head in her palms, took a deep breath and exclaimed: “It is well.” Indeed, it was not a cheering moment for Mrs Mosun Oladehinde, a trader, yesterday.

    For years, she had patronised the popular Daleko Market, Mushin in Lagos, buying food stuff in wholesale. She looked lost as she beheld the charred remains of the market which was razed down by fire about two weeks ago.

    “I heard nothing about the incident as I was away for some time. I have been trading this market over the years because I sell food stuff in retails. Seeing the market a shadow of itself, I tried to go round, unknown to me that I had passed my customers’ shop. I could not locate it because everything was burnt to ashes,” she said.

    The ever-busy market looked desolate. Traders, who lost goods and other valuables in the incident, displayed their wares on make-shift metallic structures and rickety counters.

    Mrs Ayo Otitoleke, whose shop was burnt, said: “Since the incident, sales have been very low; things have changed. This is a rainy season; no shops to stay. We run whenever rain begins. Now, we are struggling to adapt to the situation.” To another shop owner, Idowu Ribigbe, it’s been tough since the incident.

    Wahab Opomulero, who chairs the market’s oil sellers’ body, told The Nation: “We are contributing to revive our business, but we are financially handicapped. We want government to add its own quota to rebuild the market for us.”

    Now, the traders are of the hope that the visit by the Iyaloja General of Lagos State, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, to the market after the incident will make them smile soon.

  • Children remember abducted girls

    Children in the Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos, in their thousands, joined others across the world yesterday to call on the Federal Government and the international community to expedite effort at bringing back the Chibok school girls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State over a month ago.

    Instead of the celebrations that usually accompany the yearly Children’s Day, the children staged a solidarity walk from the Gaskiya College to the council’s secretariat at Amukoko to convey their demand to President Goodluck Jonathan through the council’s chief, Hon. Shuaib Fatai Ajidagba

    The children displayed placards bearing inscriptions such as: “Bring back our girls safe and alive”; “Bring back our sisters”; “Bring back our future mothers,” and “Bring back our future leaders.”

    The council’s Supervisor for Education, Hon Fatai Hamzat, who addressed them, said: “Today is supposed to be children’s day celebrations but because of the mode of the nation, it has been cancelled. We feel for the children who were abducted.”

    He promised that the children’s demands would be passed to the appropriate authorities as he prayed for the safe return of the girls.

  • Tejuosho Market: Charge against bank struck out

    Tejuosho Market: Charge against bank struck out

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday struck out contempt proceedings initiated by Access Bank Plc against First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

    Justice Okon Abang held that the Form 48 and Form 49 (notices of disobedience of a court order) were not properly served on First Bank.

    According to the judge, the court’s leave was not obtained before the processes were served on the alleged contemnors.

    “For the plaintiff to commence a valid contempt proceedings, it requires the leave of court. The plaintiff did not obtain leave of court before serving the alleged contemnors. These processes are, therefore, incompetent,” Justice Abang held.

    Stomberg Engineering Company Limited (the defendant) and its owner Mr Dolapo Atinmo, allegedly entered into separate funding agreements with Access Bank and First Bank over the Tejuosho Ultra-modern market.

    In their bid to recover their money, both banks filed separate suits against Stomberg Engineering and Atinmo.

    Access Bank’s lawyer Mr Kunle Ogunba (SAN), who was appointed as the the market’s Receiver/Manager, initiated contempt proceedings against First Bank officials, alleging that they flouted the court’s order by obstructing the performance of his functions.

    The court had empowered Ogunba to take over the assets of Stomberg in respect of the market, and restrained the defendant from interfering with the Receiver/Manager removing its funds in the Alausa Branch of First Bank.

    Justice Abang added that Access bank did not specify which First Bank officials disobeyed the court’s order.

    First Bank’s lawyer, Mr Kemi Balogun filed an application seeking to be joined as a defendant in the suit by Access Bank against Stomberg before Justice Abang.

    First Bank accused Access Bank of misleading the court  with half truth.

    Justice Abang adjourned till June 16 for hearing of First Bank’s application to be joined in the suit, and Access Bank’s motion for interlocutory injunction against the defendant.

     

  • Customer to banks: return my N840, 000

    A CUSTOMER has threatened to sue  two banks to court should they fail to return the N840, 000 allegedly withdrawn from his account illegally.

    Mr Alex Ogugua, a car dealer, accused the banks of taking N840, 000, which one of his customers, Abdullahi Shuaibu, paid into the accounts on August 30, 2013, for a Mercedes Benz car he bought from his company.

    Ogugua is angry that after six months that the money was deposited into his company’s accounts, it is yet to be credited. Ogugua is alleging that the banks connived with the customer and returned the money into his (Shuaibu’s) account.

    He alleged that Shuaibu had gone underground since February, while he has been using the money for his own business.

    In a petition entitled: “Unlawful Debit Of N840, 000.00 on Account No: 0019646658,” which was addressed to the branch manager of Sterling Bank, Kudaisi Street, Olodi-Apapa, Lagos, Ogugua said few minutes after he received credit alert for transfer of N1,340, 000.00 into his account, he received a debit alert  of N840,000. Ogugua said he raised the alarm that attracted the branch’s head of operation, who told him that a prior transfer earlier made to his account on August 30, 2013 by Abdullahi Shuaibu, through First Bank account, had been reversed (in February, 2014) by First Bank and consequently by Sterling Bank, which received the transferred sum (N840, 000.00) in August.

    In the petition, which was copied to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Trinity Police Station, Olodi-Apapa, Lagos, the complainant’s lawyers, said: “Our client cannot suffer the financial loss as a result of inefficiency or lapses on the part of the transferer (First Bank) and Sterling Bank Plc, assuming but not conceding the fact that fraud was suspected in the transaction”.

    “From the totality of the fore-going, there is no misgiving that the debiting of our client’s account in the circumstances, negates all known banking principles and the same has impacted negatively on our clients’ business transactions and has virtually kept them out of business.”

    In the second letter written by the Corporate Associates and addressed to the legal department of Sterling Bank Plc, on May 6, the lawyers resolved to go to court because of the delay in paying the ‘victim’ his money and compensation.

    Sterling Bank replied through its legal department and secretary, Said Balogun and Justina Lewa, respectively, in a letter dated May 14.

    Sterling Bank said there was an inflow of N840,000 from Shuaibu Abdullahi of First Bank into Alex C. Merchandise Limited’s account on August 30, 2013.

    It said the money was later reversed into Abdullahi’s account through First Bank.

    The bank said: “The transaction failed during NIP transfer from First Bank and the amount was reversed from the account after the fact of failure was discovered during accounts reconciliation.”

    The bank said that during investigations, Abdullahi was contacted and he agreed that the money was lodged back into his account and that he “applied the proceeds for other purposes”.

    The bank said Abdullahi had agreed to refund the money to its owner.

    Ogugua suspected that the staff of the two banks connived with Abdullahi to withdraw the money that he (Abdullahi) paid to his company for the Mercedes Benz car he purchased in August.

    He wondered how a bank could withdraw cash from somebody’s account without notice and pay it to who it pleases after six months.

    The man said the bankers used his money for their business and should repay him with compensation because his business was collapsing.