7,000 students of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke (OSCOTECH), yesterday graduated at the institution’s sixth combined convocation.
The graduands drawn from the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 academic sessions had passed through National and Higher National Diploma levels in Full-Time, Daily Part-Time and Weekend Part-Time programmes of the college.
Also, the institution gave honourary fellowships to two prominent indegenes of the state, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and the Principal Partner of Arki-Consultants Ltd, Arch. Ebenezer Ogunbiyi, for their contributions to the development of the college.
Speaking at the event, the Rector of the college, Engr. Augustus Oke, who called on the government to give the polytechnic system and technical education a recognition, disclosed that the institution could produced bio-gas for domestic consumption.
He maintained that the polytechnic and technical education remained the only hope for Nigeria.
He said: “We can develop the use of bio-gas in our homes locally but we have not gotten to the stage of bottling it in cylinders and selling it out for people consumption.”
The college showcased an exhibition stand close to the convocation arena for parents and guardians to appreciate some of the technological breakthrough and students projects of the institution.
A convocation lecture titled “Optimising Polytechnic Education for National Development in Nigeria” was delivered on Friday by the Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Alhaji Mas’ud Elelu.
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Osun College of Technology graduates 7,000
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APC: stolen $50,000 belongs to Fayose
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said the $50,000 stolen in the Ado-Ekiti Government House belongs to Governor Ayo Fayose and not his personal assistant on Domestic Matters, Sunday Omosilade.
The party said the claim that the money belonged to Omosilade was a smokescreen.
It called on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate how a woman linked to a senior Government House official and some domestic aides allegedly stole £125,000 (N75 million).
In its reaction yesterday, APC Publicity Secretary Taiwo Olatunbosun urged EFCC to invite Omosilade to answer questions on how he came about $50,000.
The police on Wednesday arraigned two governor’s aides- Bamidele Temitope and Afolabi Sunday- and a street foreign exchange operator, Shuaibu Amidu, at the state Magistrates’ Court in Ado-Ekiti for alleged stealing and conspiracy.
Olatunbosun said: “Sunday Omosilade was among the accused and we wonder how the same man suddenly turned to the owner of the money.
“Omosilade is a 42-year-old NCE holder with no record of high profile appointment, until he was appointed personal assistant to the governor.
“The questions we ask are: How did Omosilade turn from an accused to a complainant? How did he come about $50,000?
“Why did the governor demote him and send him to the office of his wife?
“If Omosilade is the owner of the money, why did the governor punish him?
“What is his salary and how did he come about having $50,000 in his possession? Is he being paid in hard currency?
“Even though we know that he is being used to cover, Omosilade’s accounts must be probed by EFCC and he must explain how he came about having $50,000 in his possession.”
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, said the EFCC should equally investigate the Kayode Fayemi administration for alleged diversion of N850 million Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds.
Noting that there was nothing bad in the opposition asking the EFCC to probe the source of the stolen money, Adelusi challenged the anti-graft agency to also probe the APC government.
Adelusi said: “If money was stolen by the steward here in Ekiti, has it not happened elsewhere? What noise has been made? Discerning minds can even begin to think that the APC as a party knows what we don’t know concerning incessant stealing in the Government House.”
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‘FG’s N5000 stipend to poor Nigerians will reduce poverty’
The Osun Government says the monthly payment of N5,000 by the Federal Government to vulnerable Nigerians will reduce poverty, crime and other social vices in the country.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Semiu Okanlawon, the Director of Bureau of Communication and Strategy Office of the Governor, in Osogbo on Thursday.
It said the Federal Government’s gesture, coupled with the Osun government monthly payment of N10,000 to vulnerable elderly persons in the state, would reduce hunger among the citizenry.
The statement added that the implementation of the N-Power programme in which youths would be paid N30,000 monthly would reduce youth restiveness and kidnapping in the country.
“It is germane at this stage to congratulate the federal government for the commencement of payment of monthly stipends to its successful applicants for the N-Power and the payment of monthly stipends of N5,000 to vulnerable but socially responsible poor in our society,” it said.
The Osun government said it was also complementing the federal government’s fight against poverty and hunger by employing more than 20,000 youths under its Youth Employment Scheme.
According to the statement, the state is also paying N10,000 monthly to 1, 602 vulnerable elderly persons while more than 252, 000 pupils in elementary public schools are being fed under the school feeding programme.
It stressed that the nation’s many problems were not beyond redemption, adding that with the implementation of the social welfare programmes, Nigeria was on the path to recovery.
The statement further urged the federal government to intensify efforts at achieving a nationwide implementation of the school feeding programme.
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Ondo: Police deploy 26,000 as AD alleges rigging plot
Oke Campaign: Amosun, El-Rufai, INEC official behind plot
Aides defend governors
The Police will unleash a massive security cordon around Ondo State from Friday – 24 hours to the governorship election and on Election Day.
For deployment are 26,000 personnel, three helicopters, 12 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and 20 gunboats.
Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris told a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, the state capital, yesterday that each polling unit will be manned by five policemen, besides others from sister security agencies.
Movement will be restricted from midnight on Friday, he said, adding that security men attached to political office holders and VIPs would be withdrawn.
Also yesterday, the Alliance for Democracy (AD) alleged a rigging plot, spearheaded by some governors and top federal government officials.
The party alleged that a plot was being hatched by the ruling party to compromise the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) to manipulate the outcome of the election in favour of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Rotimi Akeredolu.
Yesterday, the IG said: “We will dominate areas especially the waterways together with the Navy. We are going to support the deployment along the major ways with 20 gun boats. We are going to ensure we have security along the waterways.
“We are going to use dogs and horses especially to protect the INEC headquarters.
”We are going to reinforce the police officers with three helicopters to cover each senatorial district.
”We are bringing 300 vehicles to assist us in patrolling the state.
“Purely for this election, we are going to deploy a commissioner of police for each senatorial district and the whole operation is going to be coordinated by Deputy Inspector General Police of Operation”.
“Each of the police officer for the election will carry a tag. So if we see you outside with police or military uniform in an area that you are not supposed to be even as a serving police officer or a serving military, you are going to be arrested and be dealt with”.
He warned the electorate to shun violence before, during and after the election, and urged the public to cooperate with security agencies in ensuring a peaceful conduct of the election.
“We cannot do it alone because security is the responsibility of all,” he said
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) restated that the election would hold as scheduled.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu told the stakeholders including party chiefs, community leaders and traditional rulers, that the yet to be resolved legal crisis involving one of the parties contesting the election, did not warrant a postponement.
He said: “I wish to assure you of INEC’s preparedness and neutrality. We are not unaware of the partisan insinuation of bias in the nomination of candidates by one of the political parties.
“We are equally aware that party primaries for the selection of flagbearers by some of our political parties tend to be rancorous.
For this reason, while each activity under our election time table is tied to a specific day, the conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from the nomination of candidates, was allocated a whole month from 18 August to 19 September 2016.
”However, where an intra-party dispute becomes the subject of litigation resulting in specific orders of court, INEC shall obey such orders until they are set aside by a superior court. We remain guided by this principle.
”We have taken every step within the powers of the commission to ensure that the election this weekend is held as scheduled and that it is free, fair and credible.
”We have also been assured by the security agencies that they are equally prepared to ensure that there is a conducive atmosphere to support the elaborate plans we have put in place for the success of the election.
We are fully prepared. We see no reason to activate the provisions of section 26 or section 36 of the electoral act and there is no other ground in Law to postpone an election”. -
Fed Govt trains 5,000 graduates in Anambra
Over 5,000 graduates have been trained in Anambra State under the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS).
Before the training in Awka, the state capital, about five groups of 50 graduates each had been trained, with additional five groups taking their turn next.
Speaking at Geo-Gold Hotels in Awka, the project Director, Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), at career development and entrepreneurship skills said the federal government was trying its best in making sure that the youth are employed.
He was represented by Mr. Fola Jimoh, who said that the FG’s scheme had given hope to thousands of youths in the country.
Jimoh said, “The federal government is not ready to fail on this exercise; rather the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is doing everything possible to fight graduate unemployment.
The era of unemployment is over in this country with this (GIS) programme, but whatever stipend being owed to anybody will soon be paid by the government”.
Jimoh was in Anambra State with Mr. Johnson Iyiola, project implementation unit (GIS), Garba Shehu, Principal Officer Ministry of Finance and Jamey Yakubu of Nansel selzing-N-Miz International Limited for the programme.
He said the initial plan by the previous administration was to recruit 50,000 which according to him did not work until the present administration came in and raised the stake.
“However as long as thousands of graduates still remain unemployed, we will continue to improve the capacity of the scheme to absorb more applicants”
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‘Rice’ll sell for N9, 000 before December’
The agro-business scheme run by the Lagos State government in Kebbi State will put an end to the high cost of foodstuff in the Southwest, Chairman, Alimosho Local Government in Lagos, Mr. Ganiyu Quadri, said on Tuesday.
Specifically, the council boss said the price of a bag of rice, which is N18,500, will drop to N9,000 before December.
Quadri gave the assurance while receiving a delegation of Rotary Club of Akowonjo 9110, led by its District-Governor, Patrick Ikheloa, and President, Shola Abidakun.
According to the council chief, the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in Lagos swung into agro-business to ensure food security for its people.
“By the end of this year, or first quarter next year, things will change in Lagos. Already, we are into agro-business in Kebbi State. We have massive land on which we planted grains, among which is rice, our people’s staple food. And it is expected that the truck-loads of rice will storm Lagos soon.
“So, I can assure you that before the end of this year, the price of a bag of rice, which is N18,000, will drop to N9,000.”
Quadri, who regretted the financial strains in which councils found themselves, said one of the mandates of sole administrators was to see how they could pay up debts owed by councils.
Earlier, the Rotary Club’s President, Abidakun, who said the club was welcoming its governor, Ikheloa, to the district, stressed the need for partnership between the Rotary Club and government organs in alleviating the people’s suffering.
The Rotary Club also visited the Akowonjo Health Care Centre and donated mosquito nets and other clinical facilities.
It visited Little Saints Orphanage Home in Akowonjo, also donating foods, toiletries, beddings and others to the children.
A baby girl was born during the club’s visit to the Akowonjo Health Centre. Abidakun named the baby, ‘Sholape’, meaning, ‘the child’s prosperity is complete.’
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Toyota recalls 1.4 million cars worldwide
Toyota Motor is issuing a global recall of 1.43 million vehicles to repair a possible curtain shield airbag inflator defect, the company said on Wednesday.
The world’s largest car maker said in a statement that subject to the latest recall were the 2008 to 2012 models of the Prius hybrid, Prius plug-in hybrid and Lexus CT 200h vehicles.
Report says the recall comprised 743,000 units in Japan, 495,000 in North America, 141,000 in Europe, 9,000 in China and 46,000 elsewhere, Toyota said.
The recalled vehicles were equipped with curtain shield airbags in the driver- and passenger-side roof rails that have airbag inflators composed of two chambers welded together, Toyota said.
Some inflators might have a small crack, which could grow over time, and lead to a separation of the chambers.
The curtain shield airbags in question were not made by embattled Japanese supplier Takata, the car maker said.
The car maker said it was not aware of any injuries or fatalities related to the latest recall.
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EFCC arraigns six for ‘swallowing $115,000’
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission yesterday arraigned Onwuasonya Augustine and five others at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly swallowing $115,000 in a bid to conceal it.
He was charged for alleged money laundering with Christian Okoli, Kingsley Nwokenta, Nwokenta Emmanuel, Ezenwa Ikenna and Ezenwa Uzoma.
The EFCC prosecutor, Ayokunle Fayanju, alleged that Onwuasonya and the others committed the offence on August 25 in a bid to avoid declaring the money to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The alleged offence, he said, was contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012 and were liable to being punished under Section 2(5) of the same Act.
Uzoma was accused of obstructing an NDLEA official, Bello Tsanya, in the discharge of his duty.
According to Fayanju, the offence runs foul of Section 22 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012).
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke adjourned till December 11 for hearing in their bail applications.
He ordered that they be remanded in prison.
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Emirates celebrates 859,000 flights with Boeing 777
Emirates, the world’s largest operator of the U.S. Boeing 777, has celebrated the fleet completion of 859,000 flights.
Emirates pilots globally have logged over 4,720,000 flight hours since the delivery of its first Boeing 777 in 1996.
Last week, the airline and Boeing marked the 150th Emirates 777 delivery milestone, with a triple delivery of two Boeing 777-300ERs and one Boeing 777 Freighter.
Emirates has an order book of 196 Boeing 777s valued at $93 billion at list prices.
“Emirates’ approach to global air travel has created substantial additional demand for U.S.-made aircraft and engines, and benefited millions of travellers,” said its President, Sir Tim Clark.
“The Boeing 777 makes up the majority of our fleet, and gives us the range and flexibility to provide non-stop services to almost any city within a 16-hour flying range of our hub in Dubai. Our orders for these efficient jets have come on the back of our steady growth in the U.S. and globally. We are proud to connect U.S. cities to tourism and trade opportunities in destinations across Asia, Africa and the Middle East which were previously underserved by direct air transport links.
“It’s clearly a win-win situation when our investments in U.S.-made technology together with our global operations help to support U.S. jobs and strengthen American prosperity,” he added.
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Six held for alleged bid to swallow $156,000 cash
SIX persons, including a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator, have been arrested for allegedly trying to swallow $156,000 in a money laundering bid.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Joint Task Force (JTF) smashed the money laundering syndicate at a hotel on Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos.
This is the second suspected money laundering case involving a BDC operator in two months.
The suspects are: Kingsley Nwokenta, the BDC operator, who is also known as Buchito, Augustine Onwuasoanya and Christian Ifor, who are based in Brazil.
Others are Emmanuel Nwokenta, Ikenna Ezenwa, and Uzoma Ezenwa, the hotel manager.
[ad id=”403656″]NDLEA JTF Commander Muyiwa Adeniyi described the BDC operator as the brain behind the criminal act.
He (Nwokenta) allegedly supplied $120,000 to be swallowed and exported to Brazil.
Onwuasoanya swallowed 74 wraps of dollar bills amounting to $111,000; Ifor wanted to swallow $45,000. Nwokenta, manager of Amazon Bureau de Change, played a supportive role in the alleged crime, it was alleged.
Ezenwa was hired to wrap the money.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade promised to track down smuggled narcotics and currency.
He warned that BDC operators who fail to work within the law establishing them would be sanctioned.
“The agency will continue to rely on manpower training to outwit criminal syndicates. We shall take reasonable measures to dislodge drug cartels and eradicate narcotics from our society. Any bureau de change operator that violates the law shall be punished accordingly,” Giade said.
Giade directed that the suspects be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).