The Nation Newspaper

Tag: N10m

  • Lagos rewards debaters with N10m

    WINNERS in the Grand Finale of the Lagos State Schools Debate Season IX were yesterday rewarded with cash prizes totalling over N10 million for their outstanding performance at the Blue Roof, LTV8 Lagos venue of the event.

    Apart from the prizes given to winning teams of each categories  (primary, junior and senior secondary), which ranged from N250,000 to N1,000,000, and the individual debaters’ prize (N250,000 for four winners), Governor Akinwunmi Ambode also gave additional N50,000 to participants that made the finals.

    Deputy Governor Idiat  Oluranti Adebule announced the special prize from the governor.  It was the second time in one week she would do so.

    Last Wednesday, at the same venue but different event, the Lagos State Schools Governor’s Quiz Competition, Dr. Adebule had announced an extra N100,000 addition to the prize money, courtesy of Ambode.

    She said the gift was the governor’s way of rewarding the pupils for their hard work.

    At yesterday’s quiz competition, the duo of Eunice Adedotun and Godswill Ogedengbe from Agbede Senior Secondary School, Ikorodu beat Dennis Akinyemi and Oluwatobiloba Odebowale of Vetland Senior Grammar School, Agege, to win the N1million grand prize.

    The Vetland team got N750,000 for their effort, third placed Oregun Senior High School, Ojota got N500,000 and fourth placed CMS Grammar School, Bariga got N250,000.

    In the Junior Secondary School category, it was Community Junior High School, Alapere that carried the day debating: “Behind Every Successful Government is a Vibrant Civil Service” and won N1 million.  Lagos State Model Junior College, Igbonla, came second and Alimosho Junior Grammar School, Alimosho and Lagos State Model Junior College, Ojo came third and fourth.

    Ayetoro Primary School, Somolu came first in the primary school category, followed by Odo-Abore Primary School, Mushin, in the second position.  Onilekere Primary School, Agege, came third and Ire Akari Primary School, Apapa, came fourth.

    In the Individual Speaker’s category, Abayomi Ahmadu of Oregun Senior High School, Ojota, dazed the audience with his debate on the topic: “In Every Nation, Government are Better Economic Managers” and got N100,000 as prize.  Dennis Akinyemi of Vetland Senior Grammar School, Agege, got N75,000 for coming second. Fellow classmate, Oluwatobiloba Odebowale, got N50,000 for coming third.  Fourth placed Eniola Ekemode of the Lagos State Senior Model College, Igbonla, was rewarded with N25,000.

  • Abductors cut ransom on Otun Olubadan’s twins to N10m

    The kidnappers of the twins of Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, yesterday  reduced the ransom from N40 million to N10 million.

    The abductors had demanded N100 million to release the twins, a boy and a girl.

    They initially reduced the amount to N40 million.

    The children were kidnapped last week at gunpoint in Akobo, Ibadan.

    Oba Balogun confirmed yesterday the ransom was reduced to N10 million.

    He hoped that his twins would soon be released.

    Efforts to get the police to react were futile, as calls to the command’s spokesman, Adekunle Ajisebutu, came unanswered.

  • Court orders Tsav to pay N10m for libel

    A Makurdi High Court, presided over by Justice Maurice Ikpambese, has ordered Alhaji Abubakar Tsav and the a newspaper to pay N10 million, jointly and severally, as damages to Governor Samuel Ortom’s aide, Mr. Abrahams Kwaghngu, for libel.

    They were also ordered to publish a retraction of the defamatory publication in three dailies, as well as a paid advertorial on the prime beat of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Radio Benue, and Harvest FM.

    Mr. Kwaghngu instituted a suit against Tsav and the newspaper, for describing him as a “killer, thug, and vandal”, who killed Hausa and Kabawa people during a 2013 crisis in Gbajimba.

    He was also accused of destroying their property, as contained in a story published in the Pilot Newspaper of August 31, 2015.

    Justice Ikpambese said: “Considering the falsity of the story, the first defendant had no moral, social or legal interest or duty to have published it.

    “It is an abuse of powers for the first defendant to enlarge his coast by renewing and wading into Gbajimba crisis, when he found nothing against the plaintiff during the Gen. Atom Kpera-led panel.”

    Mr. Kwaghngu was happy that the court restored his dignity. He said it was sad that a man, old enough to be his father, tried to tarnish his image.

  • Govt spends N10m to refurbish 30 police vehicles

    Govt spends N10m to refurbish 30 police vehicles

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has refurbished 30 vehicles belonging to the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) with about N10 million.

    The 30 vehicles include one water canon used for crowd control, two Armoured Personnel Carriers, one lorry, 21 Toyota Hilux Jeeps and five Toyota Corolla cars.

    FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello, who inaugurated the refurbished vehicles, described the FCT Police Commissioner, Muhammad Mustafa as an exceptional police officer that should be recommended to the highest authorities for this marvelous job.

    According to him, “the repairs of all these vehicles are not up the cost of one brand new Hilux vehicle in the country”.

    His words: “This kind of achievement is the kind of change President Muhammadu Buhari is talking about, because for us to salvage this country, we must return to the maintenance culture we have thrown away”.

    Bello reiterated that this indeed is the face of change and that he is

    highly impressed by this act of the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force, particularly its leadership.

    The Minister revealed that he sat down with the Police Commissioner where they discussed some of the major challenges of the Command, which is mobility, and that he told him that FCTA cannot afford to buy new vehicles for the Police now but resolved to approve the sum of N9 million to refurbish what can be repaired amongst the rickety ones on ground.

    He lamented that public institutions seem not to be taking good care of their assets and promised that since this has been achieved, the next phase would be the renovation of Police Stations across the Federal Capital Territory.

    The Minister however charged the Police high command to come back with the idea of having mechanical workshops as it used to be in the past, which could make a lot of difference.

    Mustafa appreciated the minister for releasing funds to the Police.

    The Police Commissioner called on corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to embark on corporate social responsibility by giving back a

    little to the society that has done so much for them.

    He revealed that the Chinese Embassy has also donated one brand new Honda Car to the Command in addition to the N1 million donated by one hotelier to augment the repairs.

  • Patient needs N10m for kidney transplant

    Patient needs N10m for kidney transplant

    At 45, Okere Osondu has lost the reason to smile. His bubbling and healthy life hit a hitch early last year when tests revealed that his two kidneys had become dysfunctional.

    His world seemed to come to an end with hope of life dimming to the lowest ebb. His continued survival and health hang on raising N10 million to fund kidney transplant abroad. Otherwise, he will have to spend the rest of his life undergoing dialysis which costs huge sum of money every week.

    He visits the hospital for dialysis thrice a week and buys medication and supplements to support his ailing system. The combination of the three costs him N75, 000 per week.

    “Since February last year, I have been a renal patient but my kidneys started failing before I found out fully what was happening to me,” he said

    Osondu, who is an accountant, said he experienced signs and symptoms such as intense headache and swelling of the feet but thought it was as a result of a rise in his blood pressure.

    “I eventually went to see a doctor but he didn’t know what was wrong. I did a few tests and nothing revealed what was wrong. It was long after I did a test that they found out that my kidneys are bad,” Osondu said, wearing a sad look.

    His visiting the hospital three times a week and buying medications and supplements worth N75, 000, Osondu said if he had known that this would have happened to him, he would have done things differently to safeguard his health.

    His words: ”Normally, I would go to University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan twice per week. But because I now have a build-up of fluid in my belly, I have to go an extra day for what is called ‘topping’, which entails extracting the fluid from my belly because the machine won’t be able to do it. It can only filter the blood.”

    Nausea, muscle weakness, erratic breathing, sleepless nights and dependence on family members have become the order of the day. He feels life will be unbearable for him if he didn’t undertake the kidney transplant soonest.

    “I don’t know for how much longer I can manage. I have spent all my life savings on weekly dialysis because I am not working again. The doctor said if I can change one of the dysfunctional kidneys then I can be fine. They said it will cost N10 million. The donor will take N2.5million while the balance goes for surgery and treatment,” he said.

    To this end, Osondu is pleading to the public for financial assistance in order to stay alive.

    He said:” This is not an easy sickness. I would really like people to help me financially for my kidney transplant because as a renal patient, you know you have to be on a strict diet. I would be so grateful to those who would assist me.”

    Since early last year, his wife has almost abandoned her job to render 24-hour care to Osondu. The Ibadan-based accountant hails from Imo State.

    Donations can be made to Osondu’s bank account. Bank: Diamond Bank. Name: Okere Osondu, Account number: 0005247595 or Skye Bank: 1040726562. You can also call him on 08033776286 or 08186768020.

  • Foundation empowers 20 with N10m

    Foundation empowers 20 with N10m

    The maiden edition of the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, (ZSF) Business Plan Competition has empowered over 20 people. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO reports that the organisation gave out a whopping N20 million to beneficiaries to enable them become self-reliant.

    In order to encourage youths to strive towards self-reliance, the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, (ZSF) has organised its maiden edition of Business Plan Competition during which 20 winners emerged.

    The event, which held at Westwood Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, penultimate Wednesday, was part of the Entrepreneurship Development Project (EDP); a brainchild of ZSF. The ZSF was assisted by Jaiz Bank Plc and Al-Barakah Micro-finance Bank.

    The project was divided into two categories; namely growth track and idea track.

    According to ZSF, EDP intends to promote entrepreneurship skills among the youth to enable them to be self-reliant and become job creators instead of job seekers.

    At the event, 20 out of 128 participants won N10 million.

    The lucky 20 participants had earlier made physical presentations of their business ideas and models before a panel of experts from which the best four applicants from the idea track and the best four applicants from the growth track categories were shortlisted for final award.

    •From left: Dr Ashiru assisted by Lagos State University (LASU) lecturer Hajia Muslihah Ajala to present a N500,000 dummy cheque and certificate to Mrs Risqat Olaiwon
    •From left: Dr Ashiru assisted by Lagos State University (LASU) lecturer Hajia Muslihah Ajala to present a N500,000 dummy cheque and certificate to Mrs Risqat Olaiwon

    The best four finalists in the growth track were rewarded with N1.5 million, N1 million, N750,000 and N500,000 for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions respectively, while the best four finalists in the idea track were rewarded with N1 million, N750,000, N500,000 and N250,000 for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions respectively.

    The other participants received N100, 000 each as support for their businesses.

    ZSF Executive Director, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib expressed optimism that the scheme would go a long way in tackling the endemic problems of poverty, unemployment and hopelessness confronting Nigerian youths.

    According to him, ZSF is committed to tackling problems of poverty and unemployment among Muslim youths through its Entrepreneurship Development Project (EDP).

    He enjoined the beneficiaries to utilise the seed capital judiciously for the growth of the businesses.

    “We have fulfilled our own part of the contract; it is left for you to fulfil yours. Our monitoring and evaluation officers will keep a tab on you from time to time and we implore you to furnish us with progress reports regularly. Be reminded that we shall render accounts, so will you on the Day of Judgement,” he said.

    Chairman of ZSF Advisory Board, Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab praised the participants for believing in the foundation.

    Alhaji Mutallab, who is also the chairman of Jaiz Bank said: “In line with the philosophy of our foundation, we are committed to providing opportunities for the teeming Nigerian youths endowed with various potential but lacking the required seed capital or having difficulty with gaining access to grants to expand their small and medium-size enterprises.

    “In addition, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation is in partnership with Jaiz Bank Plc and Al-Barakah Micro-finance Bank Limited to complement the efforts of government in the area of job creation and employment opportunities for future leaders of this great country.

    “It is against this background that we have gathered here today to reward some of the Nigerian youths that emerged best among their colleagues in the just-concluded competition with various cash prizes, certificates and plagues, among others. I am also very glad to inform you that we have a win-win situation for all the remaining contestants because they will be appreciated by the foundation in another way beyond this gathering.”

    Leader of the team that selected the winners, Dr Lukman Raimi, a Senior Lecturer at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) enjoined the winners to keep in touch for continuous monitoring.

    Ameerah (President) of Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Lagos State chapter, Dr Sariyu Ashiru, praised ZSF for the initiative. She said it will play a major role in achieving one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations.

    She expressed her regrets that government has failed to achieve some of its economic targets in 2010 and 2015, while it is currently pursuing the Vision 2020 agenda.

    Ashiru, however, urged other stakeholders to emulate ZSF in a bid to eradicate poverty in the country through youth empowerment.

    The grand prize winner, Dolapo Taofik Olalekan, on behalf of other beneficiaries, appreciated the foundation for the support, promising to utilise the fund judiciously for the growth of their businesses.

     

     

  • Ex-worker sues oil firm for N10m over ‘unlawful’ dismissal

    Ex-worker sues oil firm for N10m over ‘unlawful’ dismissal

    A former employee of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, Mrs Loveline Jaiyesinmi has sued the company at the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Lagos over the alleged wrongful termination of her employment.

    She is seeking N10million damages and an order compelling the firm to pay all her entitlements.

    Jaiyesinmi, through her lawyer Mrs Ifeoma Obi, is claiming that she was employed as a Front Desk Officer on August 1, 2010, but the company, contrary to the terms of her contract, refused to confirm her employment after a six month probation period.

    According to her, she was instead given additional duties and was surprisingly issued a reviewed letter of employment dated June 4 last year, which placed her on probation again despite the fact that her probation ended in February 2011 as contained in her first appointment letter.

    She said she applied for maternity leave and was shocked to receive a termination letter on October 8 last year, the same day she was delivered of her baby.

    The basis for her sack, she said, was that she was not entitled to proceed on maternity leave as she was neither confirmed nor had attained six months in the firm’s employment.

    According to her, her dismissal was “unjustifiable and misconceived” because she had been in Waltersmith’s employment for over three years.

    “The letter of employment in June 2013 merely reviewed some terms of my employment and no more,” she said.

    Jaiyesinmi said despite her protests, the company paid her N200,000 as her final entitlements, adding that all through her employment, her pension deductions were never remitted to any fund administrator.

    The claimant said her former lawyer, the late Bamidele Aturu, wrote to the company, but never got a reply even Waltersmith did not pay her while she was on maternity leave nor gave her any leave allowance.

    Jaiyesinmi, therefore, is praying the court to declare as illegal the termination of her employment; order the payment of her salaries (N83,306.20) from October last year till judgment is delivered; and order remittance of N5,365.24 from August 1, 2010, being monthly pension deductions, till judgment.

    The claimant also claimed N115,883.6, being default fee for failing to remit the pension; N106,557.97, being her leave allowance for three years; N10million as damages for her unlawful sack, and N900,000 being cost of the action.

    But the company said Jaiyesinmi was employed as a contract staff, an appointment which ended on May 30 last year. It said she was only offered a permanent employment on June 4 last year.

    Waltersmith said the claimant was not entitled to leave having only just become a permanent staff, adding that she could only proceed on vacation after producing a medical certificate signed by a doctor, which the claimant allegedly did not do.

    “The claimant did not meet the requisite criteria for proceeding on maternity leave neither did she obtain the required approvals,” Waltersmith said.

    The case has been adjourned till December 1 for hearing.

     

  • MTN empowers forum winners with N10m

    MTN has empowered winners of this year’s MTN Link Forum budding entrepreneurship challenge with N10million.  The presentation took place at the grand finale of its four-city mentorship and career-transforming platform-MTN Link Forum held in Abuja.

    Nwaje Lucky, Akinwole Oludayo, Muhammed Salisu and Ogunlana Olumide emerged the overall winners out of 497 young business professionals that participated in this year’s budding entrepreneurship challenge. Each of the winners received N2.5 million business grants. While 10 participants with the best business ideas were also selected for a fully sponsored trip to the 2014 World Entrepreneurship Forum taking place in Lyon, France.

    General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi who spoke at the event said: “MTN is committed to initiating ideas that make life better for all its customers. The MTN Link Forum is one of the platforms that provide budding entrepreneurs and business professionals the opportunity to connect to their dreams. What MTN has done is to create a platform where budding entrepreneurs can interact with accomplished entrepreneurs and role models, so as to garner insights and knowledge on making a success of their businesses.”

    The forum brought notable business icons to teach best business practices and to interact with Abuja budding entrepreneurs. Speakers at the event include the Director of Operations of Mara Group &Mara Mentor, an online mentorship community, Mr. Hetal Shah; the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Suntrust Mortgage Bank, Mr. Muhammad Jubrin and the Executive Director of United Healthcare, Dr. Kazeem Mustapha.