The Nation Newspaper

Category: Uncategorized

  • Two killed in Lagos accidents

    Two people on Monday were killed in road accidents in different parts of Lagos.

    It was gathered that while one of the victims died on the spot, the other died at a hospital.

    According to the police, at about 6:20am on Monday, an unidentified driver knocked down and killed a man, who was later identified Wasiu Aliu, on Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere and escaped.

    It was learnt that the victim died on the spot and the body was later removed by traffic policemen, who deposited it at the Isolo General Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

    Also, on the same day at about 10:15am, a Toyota Hiace Bus driven by Denis Tilekaa ran over Tajudeen Ogunbiyi .Ogunbiyi was rushed to General Hospital Gbagada, where he later died. The body has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.

    Both cases are being investigated at Bariga and Ojodu Divisions.

    Twelve robbery suspects have been arrested in different parts of the metropolis by police operatives. Operatives also recovered five locally made double barrel guns and over 15 live cartridges from the hoodlums.

    Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide confirmed the accidents and the arrest.

    She said: “On October 21 at about 0355hrs, policemen attached to Bode Thomas Division, acted on a tip-off and arrested one suspected robber with bullet wound.

    “Also on October 17 at about 2100hrs, policemen attached to Ilasa Division arrested one Ikechukwu Eze, Obeha Celestine and Godwin Jacob with two stolen Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) transformers loaded in a fiat lorry.

  • Osinbajo to National Assembly: limit court’s jurisdiction

    Former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has called for the limitation of the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to end delays in the trial of cases.

    This, he said, is in line with federal principles.

    Osinbajo said the court’s jurisdiction has drawn extensive controversy and led to a waste of time.

    The former commissioner said the proper observance of federal principles could invariably mean that the federal high court’s jurisdiction should be “extremely limited” since state high courts exist.

    He spoke at the multi-stakeholder forum on civil society’s viewpoint on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution in Lagos.

    It was organised by the State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI) and the Lagos State Civil Society Partnership (LACSOP).

    Osinbajo said: “It is now proposed that the civil jurisdiction of the Federal High Court should be limited to federal revenue, admiralty and intellectual property matters while its criminal jurisdiction should cover only offences created by an Act of the National Assembly.

    “The current situation where the inclusion of a federal institution or agency as a party in an action is frequently held to confer jurisdiction on the federal high court even where the subject matter is obviously not suitable for its jurisdiction should end.”

    The ex-commissioner said the proposal to terminate all interlocutory appeals at the Court of Appeal is to reduce the extensive delays in our trial process.

    The law professor said Nigerians must ensure that federalism is a non-negotiable basis of a new constitution.

    The effect, he said, is that the courts can be compelled by express principles in the constitution to interpret its provisions to give effect to the principles of federalism.

    Osinbajo proposed two exclusive legislative lists – one Federal, the other State.

    On state police, he said: “Our proposal is that establishment of a state police force should be on the states legislative list.

    “The federal police will have jurisdiction over federal offences and cross-border criminality while the state police has jurisdiction over state offences.”

    A Steering Committee member of LACSOP, Ayo Adebusoye, said the 1999 Constitution was full of paradoxes and ambiguity.

    He argued that the constitution in its present form cannot guarantee fundamental rights nor a vibrant legislature and dynamic executive.

  • Firm launches website for teachers

    A Website to boost professionalism among teachers has been launched by the Standard Mandate International (SMI), an organisation that focuses on capacity building for all cadres of workers and pupils.

    SMI Chief Executive Officer, Pastor Nelson Ayodele, said the website, which made its debut on October 5, World Teachers Day, would showcase Nigerian teachers to the outside world, in addition to providing them a platform to share their experiences and exchange ideas.

    In an interview with The Nation, Ayodele said over 1,000 teachers have registered on the website-www.nigerianteachers.com.

    He said SMI would partner with local and foreign organistaions to provide content and other professional development opportunities for teachers.

    Urging teachers to register on the site, he spoke of the importance of teachers uploading content to contribute to the world knowledge pool and tell African stories.

    “We are trying to partner with organisations across the country to promote our own breed of teachers. You can upload your own stories and photographs on the website. There is no effort to put together stories of African teachers. Most of the books in existence contain stories of foreign teachers. We need to start writing our own stories. If you impact on a child, you can tell your story and post it on the website,” he said.

    Ayodele also said the desire to enhance the pedagogical skills of teachers, was what informed the organisation of a symposium by SMI to commemorate the World Teachers Day.

    Held at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the symposium discussed the theme: The Facilitation of Learning: Strategies, Risks and Opportunities.

    Lead Paper presenter Chief Kaoli Olusanya, who runs Kith and Kin Educational Schools, Ikorodu, told the teachers that they should disabuse the thought that they are more knowledgeable than their students. On the contrary, he urged them to facilitate learning, which entails helping learners to explore rather than forcing concepts on them.

    “Teaching is defined in terms of the facilitation of a lasting process of meaningful learning which is deep and pervades the learners’ life and behaviour. The teacher’s role is defined as facilitator of learning. Facilitation is about helping people to explore, learn and change,” he said.

    Other speakers, including Mrs M Malaka, Administrator of Deeper Life School; Dr Femi Ogunsanya, CEO of Oxbridge College, Ikeja, who was represented by Mrs Akin Ajayi, made contributions to the topic.

  • Female is valedictorian

    At the head of the 115 graduands of Crescent University, Abeokuta last Saturday was 21-year old, Fatimo Adebukola Adeniyi who graduated with the highest Cumulative Grade Points Aggregate of 4.58 in Accounting.

    The valedictorian was one of the three that finished with a First-Class. Twenty-three other graduated with Second-Class Upper; 52, Second-Class Lower division, while 37 made Third-Class grades.

    In her speech, Adeniyi, described education as a very vital aspect of life, implored leaders to look into youth empowerment and “life-enhancing opportunities”.

    Delivering his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kehinde Okeleye said that the university was able to execute some capital projects including the completion of the College of Law quadrangle (comprising the ultra-modern administrative block, classrooms, moot court, Law library and student and staff common room) and a 120-bed female hostel.

     

     

    Okeleye also said tremendous success has been recorded by the university’s undergraduate programmes.

  • Address religious extremism, urges Mark

    Nigeria yesterday demanded immediate and sustained global action against religious extremism in some parts of the world.

    Senate President David Mark made the demand at the 127th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Quebec, Canada.

    Mark said steps should be taken to address the crippling effects of ethnicity.

    The Senate President said tackling religious extremism and ethnicity would help to reduce divisive tendencies in some parts of the world.

    He reiterated that “though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we want.”

    He restated that more than ever before humanity has come to understand that despite language, ethnic, cultural, race, religious, gender as well as political inclination and economic diversities, it is in brotherhood that progress could be achieved in the world.

    Mankind, he said, has also come to appreciate the more that no community, whether local or international, is an island to itself.

    The Nigerian High Commissioner, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, said the crippling insecurity in the country can be resolved.

    Maduekwe noted that with a vibrant parliament, option for peaceful resolution of the country’s challenges remains bright and potent.

    He said the Nigerian National Assembly is the most robust, the most visible and the most structured indication that democracy is not only surviving in country but will also transform the nation.

  • Lagos, British Council partner on capacity building

    The final workshop in the “School Leadership Mentoring Programme” aimed at building and improving the capacity of headteachers and education authorities on school leadership and creating a system of mentorship and coaching on school leadership and development was held last week in Lagos.

    Speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, said the workshop was a partnership between the British Council and the Ministry of Education; it will assist in improving teaching and learning in Lagos public schools.

    She said the school system would be aligned with new trends in entrenching ICT into the teaching methodology to enhance performance and promote administrative efficiency, thereby. bringing Lagos schools to world standard.

    She added that the state government in its quest to promote ICT education has provided facilities in 110 schools, while 35 secondary schools were provided with e-tutor software in addition to other necessary infrastructure such as furniture, laboratories and books for the rapid development.

    Earlier in her address, the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Gbolahan Khadijat Daodu, appreciated the British Council for its continuous efforts towards the development of education and enjoined the beneficiary school principals and Head teachers to rededicate themselves and show more commitment in their leadership styles in their day to day activities.

    Both Mr. Alan Curry, Regional Director, British Council, Sub-Sahara Africa and Mr. David Higgs, Country Director, said the School Leadership Mentoring Programme started with a gathering of relevant stakeholders and policy makers to discuss school leadership..

     

  • Elizade Varsity offers scholarships

    The Founder of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo has announced a scholarship of N100,000.00 for each of the 250 pioneer students of the institution.

    According to a release signed by the Registrar of the Institution, Mr. Omololu Adegbenro, the scholarship is to assist the students.

    Meanwhile, the university has concluded arrangement to introduce internship and work-study programme for its students so as to give them practical experience in their chosen disciplines.

    Adegbenro added that the students would be attached to reputable industries for holiday jobs during long vacations to expose them to the work-place even before graduation.

    He said the university will also give priority to mentorship as a way of grooming them for future leadership roles.

    The Institution’s post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) holds on Friday 26 and Saturday 27, on its campus, while the resumption date for the pioneer students is Sunday January 6, 2013.

     

  • Illegal varsity proprietor sentenced to five-year imprisonment

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) has recorded a major feat in its fight against illegal universities.

    Francis John Agbo, the proprietor of illegal Middle Belt University and North Central University, was convicted on a two-count charge of impersonation and forgery.

    He was sentenced to five and a half years imprisonment without an option of fine by Mr Ali Tari Changbo of the Upper Area Court, Keffi, Nasarawa State.

    Agbo was said to have posed as the Director of Research and Innovation of the NUC.

    The convict also claimed to be a senior academic official of the Nasarawa State University, Lafia, and defrauded unsuspecting admission seekers.

    A bulletin of the NUC made available to The Nation yesterday by the commission’s Chief Information Officer, Mrs. Bukola Olatunji, listed the evidence tendered before the court by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Aaron Zamani, a Legal Officer in NUC.

    These include fake admission letters and fliers advertising the Nasarawa State University, Lafia; testimonies of witnesses, including victims; the accused’s claim of being the Coordinator of the university’s Nyanya Study Centre; tellers of a new generation bank as well as those of Aso Savings and Loans, Oturkpo branch, Benue State, bearing his name and that of his wife.

    The prosecution tendered 12 exhibits and they were admitted by the court.

    The accused had jumped bail granted him during trials on related charges at an Abuja High Court and the Chief Magistrate Court, Oturkpo, Benue State. This prompted the issuance of bench warrants against him.

    The presiding Magistrate said the evidence against Agbo was glaring, including those by Blessing Peter, one of his victims.

    Miss Peter said she met the accused at different locations, such as Nyanya Primary School, as he had no permanent address.

    He had also failed to issue receipts to the victims for the payments they made to him.

    Agbo was said to have collected between N8,500 and N45,000 for admission forms and school fees from his victims.

    The evidence showed that more than N100,000 was extorted from four victims, who testified before the court.

  • Students protest non-refund of money

    Students of the College of Education, Ekiadolor (COLBEN), Edo State, yesterday protested the non-refund of N5,000 from their school fees by the institution’s management.

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole, in July, announced a reduction in the fees and instructed the management to refund N5,000 to the students.

    The peaceful protest disrupted examinations, which were to begin yesterday.

    President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) Augustine Oriakhi said the authorities were yet to refund the money.

    Oriakhi said some students would be graduating after the examination and may not be able to get the money.

    The Provost of the institution, Prof. Amen Uhunmwangho, said: “The refund is a promise, which the government will keep. I urge the students to remain calm and write their examination, which is the primary reason they are in school. The management is on top of the situation. We are sure reason will prevail.”

  • Niger signs MoU on Minna Five-Star hotel

    The Niger State Government will build Nigeria’s first Five-Star hotel in Minna, the state capital.

    The project is coming on stream four years after the government committed N500million to it.

    The 305-bedroom hotel will be executed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for the Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (D.B.O.T) at a concessionary cost of N19.6billion.

    The government and private developers yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the project.

    The Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Cooperatives, Alhaji Yahaya Dansalau, signed on behalf of the government.

    He said the hotel would be constructed within 24 months and managed by the developer for a maximum period of 25 years before handing it over to the state.

    The commissioner said the government may take possession of the hotel as soon as the developer is able to recoup his investment.

    The Niger State Government will build Nigeria’s first Five-Star hotel in Minna, the state capital.

    The project is coming on stream four years after the government committed N500million to it.

    The 305-bedroom hotel will be executed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for the Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (D.B.O.T) at a concessionary cost of N19.6billion.

    The government and private developers yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the project.

    The Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Cooperatives, Alhaji Yahaya Dansalau, signed on behalf of the government.

    He said the hotel would be constructed within 24 months and managed by the developer for a maximum period of 25 years before handing it over to the state.

    The commissioner said the government may take possession of the hotel as soon as the developer is able to recoup his investment.