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Tag: News Today

  • Police hunt for couples who bought sisters stolen from Edo

    Men of the Edo State Police Command have launched manhunt for the couples who bought two sisters stolen from Utese village in Ovia North East local government area.

    The police have deployed its men to Enugu State and Portharcourt in search of the couples.

    Both sisters aged four and six and identified as Christabel and Amanda were reportedly sold to the different couples for N500,000 each.

    They were stolen by two girls, Rose and Mary, who rented an apartment in their resident at Utese village.

    Their mother left them in the care of the two girls while she went to the stream to get water.

    Police sources said Mary has since been arrested but the whereabout of Rose is unknown.

    It was learnt that the sisters were first sold to a woman identified as Joy in Agbor.

    Joy was arrested in Onitsha and she confessed to have sold the children to one Ruth Eze, a 58-year old woman based in Onitsha.

    The police source said Ruth sold one of the children to somebody living at Ogwashi-Uku while the other was sold to a couple at a Catholic Church in Enugu State through one Mrs. Favour Uju.

    A police team that visited Ogwashi-Uku discovered that the women that bought one of the sisters has died but had already sold the girl to a couple in Portharcourt.

    It was also learnt that police investigators have taken the suspects to some Catholic churches in Enugu but the suspects could not identify who they sold the girl to.

    Parents of the stolen siblings have parted ways since the incident happened last year.

    A family source said they were confused as to how the police would recover the sisters.

    Father of the children, Spark Omokpia, said he would do anything to ensure his children returned to him.

  • 2019: We will never tolerate any breach of the law, INEC warns

    As the Independent National Electoral Commission wind up activities on the submission and withdrawal of candidates for the 2019 general polls, the commission has warned that it would not tolerate any breach of the timelines provided for in the timetable for the elections.

    The warning is coming at the heel of the closing date for the substitution of candidates for the governorship, states Assembly and council polls. 

    Political parties have till midnight today 1st December 2018 for any substitution or withdrawal of candidates ahead of the 2nd March, 2019 states elections.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja noted that the commission has religiously followed the timelines and has so far executed seven of its fourteen scheduled activities.

    Read Also: 2019: Sokoto youths endorse Tambuwal, Atiku’s bid

    He said: “We did not, and will never, tolerate any breach of the strict timelines provided for in the timetable for the elections.

    “You would recall that on 9th January 2018, the Commission released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2019 General Elections. For the first time in our history, the date for General Election was announced over a year in advance.

    More specifically, the timetable lists fourteen (14) step-by-step constitutional and other legal and other statutory activities required of the Commission ahead of the elections beginning with the formal Publication of Notice and ending with the election day.

    So far, INEC has successfully implemented seven (7) out of the fourteen (14) activities strictly on schedule, including the conduct of party primaries for all elections and the processes of nomination of candidates.” 

  • Army to conduct bush exercise, advises residents to keep-off

    The Nigerian Army says its Nigerian Military School (NMS) in Zaria will conduct bush exercise from Monday, Dec. 3 to Dec. 12 and advised residents of the exercise areas to keep-off.

    The Army said in a statement in Kaduna on Friday.

    The statement was signed by Lt. Adekunle Adeyemi-Akinleye, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Nigerian Army/Nigerian Military School, Zaria, Kaduna State on Friday.

    “In line with the Nigerian Military School (NMS) Training Directives for the 2018/2019 Academic Session, the Final Bush Exercise for the SS3 Boys of the School is scheduled to commence from Monday 3 to Wednesday 12 December, 2018.”

    Adeyemi-Akinleye said the exercise was expected to hold within Chindit Cantonment, Hanwa and Shika Dam in Sabongari Local Government area and Karau-Karau in Giwa Local Government area.

    “The Exercise is tagged “EX DOGON-DUTSE”.

    Read Also: Nigerian Union in South Africa pledges support to new envoy

    He said the exercise would be training activities on Map Reading, Day and Night Navigation, Watermanship/Boating, Skill at Arms and Tent Striking as well as Field Training Exercises that will involve firing of live ammunition using small arms.

    “The activities will climax to Camp Fire Night schedule for 12 Dec. 2018 at the NMS Parade Ground from 1830hrs – 2200hrs,” he said.

    According to Adeyemi-Akinleye, the authority has put in place safety precautions to ensure a safe and hitch free exercise.

    The Army image-maker called on residents around the exercise areas to go about their daily activities without any form of panic.

    Adeyemi-Akinleye, however, advised the residents to stay clear of the exercise areas during the period.

  • FRSC warns market women against displaying goods on highway

    The Ifo Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) has advised sellers in Ogun to desist from selling goods on highways in order to avoid unnecessary loss of lives.

    Mr Joshua Ibitomi, the Ifo Unit Commander of FRSC, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria  on Friday in Ota, Ogun.

    According to him, the advice is important so as to prevent vehicles running into those selling goods on the roads.

    Read Also: We’ll dump street kids in Govt House, says Falana

    He said that such sellers, apart from obstructing flow of traffic, expose their lives to danger on the roads.

    ”There is the need for sellers to have consideration for other road users to prevent traffic congestion on the roads,” Ibitomi said.

    He said that traders who spread their wares on the roads made it difficult for commercial buses to drop passengers at some locations.

    The Unit Commander urged the state government to provide affordable shops for the sellers.

  • Money Laundering: Zamfara SUBEB boss jailed 41 years

    The Chairman of Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Murtala Adamu Jengebe has been sentenced to a 41-year jail term.

    This was disclosed in a tweet by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) via its official twitter handle: @officialEFCC on Thursday.

    EFCC disclosed that a five-man panel of the Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto and presided over by Justice Hannatu Sankey sentenced Jengebe to a cumulative jail term of 41 years.

    The tweets further reads: “Jengebe was convicted by the court after the appellate court found him guilty on the seven out of the 10 counts for which he was earlier acquitted at the Federal High Court, Gusau, Zamfara State.

    Read ALso: ‘Buhari will enhance democratic governance, if re-elected’

    “In the lead judgment of the Court read by Justice Habeeb Abiru, the earlier acquittal of the embattled Chairman by a Federal High Court in Gusau was set aside.

    “The appellate court held that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt seven out of the ten counts of the money laundering charge brought against him by the EFCC.

    “He was consequently sentenced to five years imprisonment on each of four of the counts and seven years each on three other counts respectively. However, the Court ordered that the sentences shall run concurrently.

    “It would be recalled that on the 12th day of May 2017, the Federal High Court sitting in Gusau presided over by Justice Z.B Abubakar discharged and acquitted the convict on the 10 counts charge of Money Laundering but convicted him for engaging in private business while he was still in public service. An offence he was never charged for by the Commission.

    “Dissatisfied with the judgement of the lower court, the prosecution approached the Court Of Appeal seeking it to set aside the judgement of the lower court.”

  • Centre trains 51,000 youths on skills

    Over 51,000 youths have benefited from various skills acquisition programmes in Lagos State.

    The founder of the Lagos Youth Skills Acquisition, Centre, Chief Owolabi Salis has said.

    Addressing reporters at the one year celebration ceremony of the Shomolu Centre, Lagos, he said the beneficiaries would contribute to the development of the society.

    He said some of the areas of specialization include hair dressing, building technology, electrical and plumbing, fashion design, shoe making, soap making, catering, film and audio editing, gas refilling, mechanics and printing.

    Salis added that the country would be better if other well meaning Nigerians and corporate organizations get involved in project like this, noting the country would be free of social deviants.

    He said: “It is an efforts to make the country better to make Lagos great and assist in reducing the incidents of prostitution and other social deviants.

    “We have been commended by our brothers in the Diaspora on the project, particularly as it affect the lives of women who are vulnerable. Our young boys would also face better lives instead of being a willing tool in the hands of those who use them to foment trouble.

    Read Also: Lagos Govt empowers 98 HIV patients with trade skills

    “I am really overwhelmed by the responses of our youths who embrace the project. The turnout in Badagry, Agege, Ikorodu and Shomolu has been impressive. For instance, the clothes I am wearing are products of the beneficiaries who are being awarded certificates.

    Salis said what he was doing had no political undertone, but genuine intention to make life meaningfull for the Nigerian youth.

    ” Let me say, people who are benefiting from the Owolabi Salis initiatives cut across political party and religious lines. We simply want to add value to lives of our youths.

    Similarly, the traditional ruler of Shomolu, Oba Timson Jagunmolu said Salis yeoman’ s job was addressing the social and economic inequalities in the society.

    “If a man of Salis capability found himself in the corridors of power, I am very sure life will become much meaningful for the people. The man is really doing a yeoman’s job and the people are excited.

    ” To the beneficiaries, let me urge you to reciprocate the efforts of the initiator by ensuring you equally put smile on the faces of those who train under you because you got everything for free.“

  • Lagos Govt. empowers HIV patients with trade skills

    The Lagos State Government says it is training 98 women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on various trade skills.

    Mr Peter Obialor, Coordinator of people living with HIV/AIDS, Community Department in Alimosho General Hospital, Igando Lagos, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday.

    Obialor said the empowerment is being conducted by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) with the aim of reducing poverty in the state.

    “This training is organised for people living with HIV to empower them and make them feel among and not to be rejected and discriminated upon.

    “This training at least will help them build their self esteem instead of losing it; and they can equally be free to showcase themselves as people who can do a particular thing.

    “The people are being trained on how to make tie and dye, bead making, makeup, gele tying, cosmetology, hairdressing, event management and catering services.

    “ We give them starter packs which comprises of what their chosen venture required,’’ Obialor said.

    According to him, the participants are from various general hospitals in the state.

    He assured people living with the virus to believe that they had a future and urged them not to think that having “HIV is a death sentence”.

    He said: “HIV is not a sickness, it does not kill; malaria kills faster than HIV.

    “But HIV can live in the body for about three years without one knowing; it is the panic that kills.’’

    Read Also: 360,000 adolescents expected to die of AIDS by 2030 -UNICEF

    He commended the state government for its initiative on this disease, noting that “this is the second time the people of Alimosho local government is benefiting from the state government goodwill”.

    Miss Happiness Chidinma, one of the trainees on Cosmetology, told reporters that she was blessed to be part of the beneficiaries.

    “I feel great and blessed about the training I am currently receiving, I will use the skill to establish a big firm to enable me cater for my children,’’ she said.

    Miss Owolabi Olabisi, an apprentice on Makeup and Gele, expressed joy that she finally learnt the skill she had always had passion for.

    “I am very happy about the scheme because makeup and Gele tying have always been what I have been trying to learn on my own.

    Mrs Amarachi Okafor, a trainee on Catering, also thanked the state government for empowering people living with HIV and “I am determined to set up my business after graduation”.

    Similarly, Mrs Rosemary Chukwuma, the event and decoration instructor, urged the women to be creative to enhance their economic development.

    NAN reports that the training will last for one month.

  • PHOTOS: Buhari arrives Maiduguri for COAS conference

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday declared open the 2018 Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Conference in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    The conference was originally scheduled to hold in Edo State, but was moved to Maiduguri.

    COAS Conference

    Photo credit:@HQNigerianArmy

  • Plumber docked over alleged N170, 000 fraud

    A 35 -year-old plumber, Emeka Nwanga, on Tuesday appeared in a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State for allegedly obtaining N170,000 by false pretences.

    Nwanga, with no fixed address, is charged with two counts of stealing and obtaining by false pretences

    Police prosecutor, SP Thomas Nurudeen, told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 24 at 12 p.m. at Ogba area of Lagos.

    Nurudeen alleged that Nwanga, charged the complainant; Mr Segun Adeyemo, N170,000 to drill a borehole for him.

    He further said that the accused had then requested for additional N8,000 to complete the job.

    While transferring the money, the prosecutor said that the complainant mistakenly paid N800,000 into the accused’ bank account.

    Read Also: How Ajudua duped me of $8.4 million, by Bamaiyi

    “My Lord, upon realising that he mistakenly paid N800,000 into the accused account, the complainant tried to inform the accused to return the money.

    “The accused disappeared with the money. It took us a few months to apprehend him and charge him to court,” Nurudeen said.

    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 287 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    After the charges were read to him, the accused pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate K.B. Ayeye admitted granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Ayeye ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, show two years evidence of tax payment to Lagos Government and be gainfully employed.

    The case was adjourned until Jan 29 for further hearing.

  • 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.”