The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Breaking news today

  • No regrets having Tinubu as godfather, says Sen. Adeola

    Senator Solomon Adeola (APC-Lagos) says he does not have regrets having the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Tinubu as his godfather.

    Adeola, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja said there was nothing wrong in having a godfather in politics.

    He was reacting to the belief by some Nigerians that his actions and inactions, particularly on the floor of the senate were geared towards pleasing Tinubu rather than his constituents.

    The lawmaker said while the interest of his constituents remained paramount to him, he had high regards for Tinubu, who had nurtured him through his political career.

    Adeola, who is Chairman Senate Committee on Local Content recently won the APC primary election for Lagos West Senatorial District.

    He expressed optimism that with Tinubu and the people’s support, he would return to the senate in 2019.

    “I want to thank my father, mentor and role model, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu who endorsed me as the party flag bearer.

    “If not for God and Tinubu, I would not have been here today.

    “I also want to thank all the party members for seeing me fit to go for another election.

    “I am here on a mission, to protect and defend our democracy.

    Read Also: 2019 Polls: Police will be fair to all Parties – DIG

    “I believe in the power of the people and they are the ones to decide those that will represent them,” he said.

    Adeola said the electorate had seen his performance over the years and were prepared to give him their mandate to represent them in the 9th National Assembly.

    He said, “I have had the opportunity of serving as a House of Representatives member and now I am in the Senate.

    ” In the last three years, I have sponsored 15 bills and two have been assented to by the President.

    “I have also sponsored several motions on matters of national importance.

    “I have also tried as much as I can to give my people a voice and I know they are pleased with my performance.”

    The lawmaker added that he had carried out constituency projects that impacted greatly on the lives of his constituents.

    “The things I have done in my constituency are evident. As we speak, we are planning a constituency outreach by first week of December.

    “All we are doing is to ensure that we remain in constant touch with the people.

    “It is a yearly thing and we will ensure that this year’s outreach impacts as much as the ones in the past if not better.”

  • Court orders Fidelity bank to pay dismissed worker

    The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Monday ordered Fidelity Bank Plc to pay N340, 361 to its dismissed staff, Mr Alah Jonathan.

    The amount is the ex-worker’s one month’s salary in lieu of notice of termination of his employment.

    The dismissed worker had sought redress in the court after his dismissal without being paid a month’s salary in lieu of notice of termination of his employment.

    In her judgment, Justice Rakiya Haastrup, held that there was no evidence before the court to prove allegations of misconduct and fraud made by the bank against the ex-worker to justify his summary dismissal.

    According to her, since the bank failed to justify the dismissal, the proper thing for the court to do was to convert the summary dismissal to termination of employment.

    Haastrup also held that Fidelity bank must act in accordance with the terms and conditions regulating its employment as contained in the ex-worker’s employment letter before the court.

    The terms and conditions, according to the judge, stipulate that one month notice is required before termination of employment or a month’s salary in lieu of notice of termination of employment.

    Read Also: 2019 National Sports Festival: Ambode receives torch of unity

    She, therefore, ordered the payment of N340, 361 in lieu of one month notice of termination of employment and any other entitlements that may be due and accruable to the ex-worker.

    The judge also ordered that the payment must be done within 60 days from the date of the judgment, after which the defendant (Fidelity bank) shall be liable to pay 10 per cent interest on the judgment sum.

    She awarded N100, 000 against Fidelity bank as the cost of prosecuting the suit in favour of the claimant.

    The judge, however, remarked that any wilful disobedience of a lawful and reasonable order of an employer by an employee was misconduct that should attract summary dismissal.

    Counsel to Fidelity bank, Mr Etukwu Onah, had told the court that the ex-worker was dismissed because he was inconsistent in his responses to queries over allegations of misconduct, fraud and disappearance of N4.7 million in his custody as a cash officer.

    He said that the ex-staff member failed to defend himself even before a disciplinary committee.

  • Teenagers docked for stealing cellphones, ipad

    Two teenagers, Mohammed Jelani and Samaila Shehu accused of stealing a two cellphones and an iPad valued at N101, 000, on Monday appeared in a Sokoto Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    The police charged Jelani and Shehu with two counts of criminal conspiracy and theft.

    The prosecutor, Sergeant Monday Kennedy, told the court that the offence was committed on September 12 and reported at Uguwan Rogo police station, Sokoto.

    Kennedy alleged that the teenagers conspired and entered into the complainant’s room(name witheld) at Izalat headquarters, Uguwan Rogo area Sokoto and stole the items.

    Read Also: Psychiatrist decries silence of victims, families on rape cases

    He said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 288 of the Penal Code.

    The Chief Magistrate, Nuraddeen Bello, who admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100,000, ordered the accused persons must produce one surety each in like sum.

    Bello adjourned the case until November 30, for hearing.

  • NECO extends registration of 2018 SSCE

    The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced an extension for the registration of the on-going 2018 November/December NECO Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

    The Acting Registrar of NECO, Mr Abubakar Gana, disclosed this in a statement, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Gana said applicants wishing to sit for the examination could still register as `walk-in* (late registration) candidates.’

    The Registrar said the extension became necessary because some of the candidates could not register at the expiration of registration deadline of November 17.

    He advised all the candidates who failed to meet the registration deadline to take advantage of the window provided by the management.

    The NECO boss urged candidates registering after the closing date to adhere to the guidelines of the registration process.

    Read Also : Mike Adenuga, others nominated for awards

    He, however, warned that such candidates must complete the registration within twenty-four hours to the scheduled time of examination for the subject(s) that they intended to sit for.

    Gana also advised those who wish to register as walk-in candidates to contact the nearest NECO State Office for full details on the registration procedure.

    It would be recalled that NECO had on Nov. 14 announced a change in its examination date from November 15 to November 19.

    NECO said the changes were necessary to ensure that no candidate missed the examination and for the council to ensure a successful conduct of its examinations.

  • “God will restore, rebuild Nigeria,” says Okoh

    The Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, on Thursday, said God’s plan to restore and rebuild Nigeria would manifest soon.

    Okoh stated this in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the 2018 Divine Commonwealth Conference (DIVCCON) scheduled to hold at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, from Monday to Friday.

    He announced the theme of the conference as “I Will Restore”, saying restoration meant returning to original position.

    According to him, it also means bringing back what existed before, a return of something to a former or unimpaired position and restitution of something taken away or lost.

    “One common denominator in all the meanings of restoration is the return of something to its original form,” he explained.

    The primate said that God had promised to guide, satisfy, prosper, refresh, rebuild, raise up, repair and restore Nigeria and its citizens for greater glory.

    He said that the conference would bring down the mercy of God to tackle the several challenges that had hindered the nation’s economic prosperity, sustainable security and overall national development.

    According to him, God has plans for Nigeria, but sin distorted God’s plan for the nation.

    Read Also: Fuel supply: NNPC seeks to increase retail outlets

    “God is not just a builder, but an architect. He has good plans for Nigeria, but somewhere along the line, something tampered with the plans.

    “Sin came in, the plan was distorted. God being God, in his wisdom has decided to restore and rebuild the nation,” he said.

    Okoh said that the original plan of God for Nigeria was that the people would multiply, be fruitful, have dominion, prosper and be in control.

    “Then signs and wonders will follow,’’ he said.

    The primate said the inspiration for DIVCCON came as a result of serious meditation by clerics.

    “We discovered that most of our meetings, though avenues for prayers, worship and all sorts of things, they are essentially administrative in nature.

    “So, I felt, eight years ago under God’s guidance, we should just gather for purpose of spirituality.

    “We do nothing else but speak to edify people, ministrations, prayers, fellowship and let people who are not necessary Anglicans come to join in worshipping and praising the Almighty God.”

    He assured that the conference would concentrate on strengthening people’s faith, adding that it would feature exposition on sub-themes and seminars in the mornings, with the evenings devoted to revival services.

    Okoh disclosed that more than 7,500 Anglican faithful from Nigeria and Diaspora would attend the event.

    “Speakers and Great servants of God from all over the world will be ministering”.

  • Fuel supply: NNPC seeks to increase retail outlets

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it is set to increase its 14 per cent market share in the nation’s downstream petroleum retail market.

    The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, said this during NNPC Special Day at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair on Thursday in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria, reports that the fair was organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

    Represented by Mr Ikem Obi, Chief Operating Officer, NNPC Downstream, Baru said the corporation aimed to go beyond its current 14 per cent market share of the downstream sector.

    “To aid in achieving this target, we have expanded our retail outlets, notable examples are, indeed, located here in the South-West.

    “For example, we have the newly constructed ultra-modern mega station along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    “The corporation is leaving no stone unturn to ensure that Nigerian Pipeline and Storage Company’s existing infrastructure are rehabilitated and new ones added as necessary steps to guaranteeing efficient storage and distribution of petroleum products across the nation, thereby ensuring supply reliability and energy security,” he said.

    Read Also: Minister clears air on suspension of National Carrier

    Baru said NNPC had recently completed the rehabilitation and restoration of the vandalized 36” and 42” QIT and 48” Forcados Oil Terminal (FOT) Export pipelines leading to resumption of production operations.

    “The corporation has also completed the repair of the vandalized 20” ELPS-A pipeline, thereby ensuring gas supply to gas-fired power plants and also supply into the West African Gas Pipeline.

    “We have also awarded the contract for the construction of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) line gas infrastructure projects,” he said.

    He said that NNPC was expanding and integrating its gas pipeline network system to meet the unprecedented domestic gas demand and have recorded significant progress in the execution of key on-going gas pipeline infrastructure projects.

    He said that all these activities would invariably impact positively on the economy in view of the role of the oil and gas industry as the number one foreign exchange earner for the country and NNPC’s position as managers of government interests in the sector.

    Earlier, Mr Babatunde Ruwase, President of LCCI, said that the role of NNPC could not be overemphasised in ensuring petroleum products supply.

    He urged the Federal Government to expedite the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and also create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

  • Man docked for alleged conspiracy, trespass

    A 33-year-old man, Bitrus Boyi, was on Thursday arraigned in a Gombe Chief Magistrates’ Court, for alleged conspiracy, trespass and theft.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Kabiru Shu’aibu told the court that the accused person on Oct. 29 at about 10.00 p.m. conspired with two others at large to commit the offences.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 96, 343 and 286 of the Penal Code.

    He said that they scaled into Lucy Kalai’s house, behind Evangel School Tumfure and charted away 2,000 litres of plastic water tank valued at N80, 000.

    Read Also: Man bags 12 months imprisonment for stealing motorcycle

    The prosecutor, who gave the names of the two other accused persons as Jerry and Abel, said the police was on the hunt for them.

    Boyi, however, denied committing the offences.

    Shu’aibu further told the court that investigation into the matter was still in progress.

    He applied for adjournment of the trial to enable the police complete investigation.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Japhet Maida, ordered remand of the accused person and adjourned the case until November 15 for further mention .

  • Man bags 12 months imprisonment for stealing motorcycle

    A Mararaba Upper Area Court in Nasarawa, on Thursday sentenced a 36-year-old man, Shagari Ali to 12 months imprisonment for stealing motorcycle worth N150,000.

    The judge, Mr Ibrahim Shekarau, sentenced the convict accordingly as he pleaded guilty to the charge.

    He however, gave the convict an option of N18, 000 fine and warned him to desist from committing crimes after serving out his punishment.

    Shekarau also ordered the convict to pay N20,000 as compensation to the complainant.

    Read Also: Court jails men 22 months each for criminal conspiracy, fraud

    Ali was charged under Section 287 of the Penal Code.

    Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Sgt. Godwin Ejeh, told the court that one Ibrahim Haruna of Abacha Road reported the matter at Abacha Road Police Station, Mararaba on Oct. 24.

    Ejeh said that the complainant alleged that sometime in July, 2018, the convict dishonestly went to his compound located at the above mentioned address and stole his motorcycle, valued at N150,000.

    The prosecutor said that all efforts made to recover the motorcycle proved abortive.

  • Many Nigerians yet to understand insurance, says Ajimobi

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State says many Nigerians are yet to understand what insurance is and how it works.

    Ajimobi made the assertion on Thursday while playing host to the leadership of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) led by its President, Mr Eddie Efekoha, in Ibadan.

    The visit was to keep the state abreast of the institute’s forthcoming 46th Education Conference with the theme: “Increasing Insurance Penetration through Value Creation’’.

    The education conference is a-three day programme holding from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10 at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan.

    Ajimobi, represented by his Deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo, said that insurance was not well accepted in the country compared to other developing and developed countries due to lack of knowledge.

    “Insurance is as good as any bank product, and if properly promoted, it will contribute better quota to the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GPD).

    “I urge the CIIN to intensify its insurance awareness and enlightenment programmes to ensure that insurance penetrates all households to attract more Nigerians.

    Raed Also: NYSC decries condition of Niger State camp

    “As insurance professionals, it is your duty to ensure that Nigerians understand insurance and the pivotal role it plays.

    “You must also adjust your strategies to attract Nigerians into insurance net, even if it involved returning some of the premiums collected,’’ he said.

    The governor also urged insurance practitioners to improve on the claims payments to change the citizens’ wrong perception toward insurance.

    According to him, Nigerians who buy insurance policies are discouraged to make further purchases due to inability of some underwriters to fulfill their claims obligations when the need arises.

    He said that the state was currently floating Special Health Insurance Scheme (SHIS) in which it subscribed N650 monthly per employee of the state.

    “At the beginning of this administration, we kicked-off a SHIS in which it played N650 monthly for each worker.

    “This contribution enables the workers and their families to access medical treatments up to any amount, once they are state employees,’’ Ajimobi said.

    He said the state government would support CIIN to ensure the knowledge and service of insurance spreads across the state.

    Earlier, Efekoha commended the governor on various impressive projects he had executed.

    According to him, the achievements attracted the institute to schedule the education conference in the state.

    “We commend the government for making insurance a household name in the state through its SHIS,’’ he said.

    Efekoha said that the institute would intensify its efforts to expand insurance enlightenment to all parts of the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Director-General of CIIN, Mr Richard Borokini and the institute’s Education Conference Chairman, Mr Mufutau Oyegunle, were among those who visited the governor.

    Also, Chief Yemi Soladoye, President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes and the first insurance practitioner in Oyo State was among the delegates.

  • Three dead, five missing in Lagos boat mishap

    Three persons have been confirmed dead as a boat carrying 20 passengers capsized between Liverpool and Coconut Under Bridge in Lagos.

    Mr Adesina Tiamiyu, the General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said that the incident happened on Wednesday at 8:20p.m.

    Tiamiyu said that the rescue team were still searching for five other missing passengers.

    The boat enroute Ojo from Liverpool capsized few minutes after take-off.

    He said: ”12 of the passengers were rescued alive by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) officials and local divers.

    Raed Also:Two men face trial for public smoking in Ogun 

    ”Two males and one female were confirmed dead, while search and rescue operation have been put on hold till the following day for the remaining five missing people.

    ”The three bodies have been bagged, and the men were handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) to be deposited at the morgue.

    ”The woman victim, identified as Alhaja, was handed over to her family after proper documentation by the Marine Police Officers,” Tiamiyu said.