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Be wary of “miracle’’ centres, Abia commissioner warns

The Abia Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ikechi Mgboji, has advised parents and guardians to be wary of sending their wards to schools indulging in examination malpractice.

Mgboji gave the advice in an interview in Aba on Wednesday.

He spoke against the backdrop of the closure of St. John’s Secondary School, Umunkere, Obingwa Local Government Area, which was identified by the West African Examination Council ( WAEC ) as “a miracle centre’’ noted for promoting examination malpractice.

The commissioner for education in Abia urged parents to send their children to schools where they would learn and be able to defend their certificates.

He decried the ugly trend whereby many parents were deliberately sending their children to schools which engage in malpractice.

The commissioner vowed that government would close any schools found promoting examination fraud in the state, noting that parents and teachers now collude to perpetrate examination malpractice.

“When we talk about examination malpractice, it is something that implicates some parents and implicates society as a whole.

“You are right because it is a systemic problem. It is sad that parents even go as far as paying extra money to have their children in such schools.

“There is this undue emphasis on paper qualification which pushes people to do anything to get that paper qualification and it is just wrong and counter-productive,’’ he said.

He said that the closure of St. John Secondary School was as a result of its indulging in examination malpractice.

“We received a report from WAEC; the documents are there that the school is a miracle centre and I felt that the time to act was long overdue.

“That school will not be the last that we are going to descend heavily upon and it should be a warning for all those who have allowed their schools to be used as centres for examination malpractice.

“Once we receive credible reports, we shall not fail to act.

“ Security agencies have been drafted to the school to ensure strict compliance and any disobedience will attract severe sanctions,’’ he said.

NAN

January 3, 2018
Nigeria will be prosperous, says Osun lawmaker

A member of the Osun House of Assembly, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on Nigerians to renew their hope and trust in the imperative of a prosperous nation.

Oyintiloye ( APC-Obokun ) also said on Wednesday in Osogbo that there was the need to re-awaken the consciousness of nation building and self-esteem among Nigerians.

The lawmaker, who spoke against the backdrops of gross abuse and maltreatment of Nigerians in Libya, said the creation of a conducive environment, transparency and good governance would fast-track restoration of hope and inspire a sense of nationhood in the country.

Oyintiloye, who noted that the dehumanisation of Nigerians outside the country was unfortunate, said lack of trust and faith in the system had led to forced immigration.

Read also: ‘Osun is second wealthiest state in Nigeria’

The lawmaker, who is the House Committee Chairman on Information and Strategy, urged Nigerians, especially the youths, to “ resist the temptation of squandering their future for a morsel of bread.’’

He said there were enormous potentials and vast opportunities in the country if properly harnessed.

While calling on Nigerians to take advantage of the numerous government programmes, Oyintiloye enjoined government at all levels to intensify efforts on initiatives that would lead to job creation and improved productivity in the country.

NAN

January 3, 2018
Low turnout of workers as work resumes in Abuja

Only a few workers resumed duty on Tuesday at the various ministries of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja after the New Year holiday.

Official activities were still at a low ebb due to the poor turnout of workers at their duty posts.

It will be recalled that the Federal Government declared Monday, December 25, Tuesday, December 26 and Monday, January 1 as public holidays for Christmas, Boxing Day and the New Year.

The commercial activities at the secretariat were equally low, as many traders around the complex had yet to report for business.

Some of the workers, who spoke with NAN, however, expressed optimism that the country would experience a better turnaround in the New Year.

Mr Tony Ihuoha, a civil servant said that it was time for Nigerian workers to rededicate themselves to work for greater productivity.

“If we can work harder to improve on our contributions to national development, Nigeria will be better for it.

He, however, argued that the low turnout of workers could be because many of them who travelled for the holidays had yet to return.

At the phase 3 of the secretariat, including the Ministry of Education, some civil servants were seen treating files and attending to people.

Mrs Dorcas Babatunde, a civil servant, said the holidays had come and gone and it was necessary for workers to be at their duty posts.

Babatunde said that though, work had resumed, full activities had yet to pick up in the offices.

“The year has started on a good note; some workers have resumed work while others are yet to return to office.

“I believe that by Monday, activities would have taken shape at the secretariat.

Miss Chinenye Eze, a recharge card seller said that business was dull as many of her customers had not resumed work.

Read also: ‘24 trucks meant for Abuja diverted to South East’

Eze, who was hopeful that things would get better as soon as many of the workers return, said sales were very low on resumption of work.

Also Mrs Iyabo Agbaje, a food vendor, said it was a normal thing on the resumption of work to experience low sales.

“I have learnt from experience that there would always be a low turnout of workers the first day of work.

“What I did was to cook little food that I know I can finish selling before the close of work, as I have had the experiences of having to throw food away due to low patronage,” she added.

The ever busy car park at the Eagles Square was empty, as few vehicles were parked there.

A car park attendant, Mr Abdul Ilori, described as unimpressive, the resumption of work by civil servants after the New Year holiday.

Ilori admitted that patronage was also low, blaming the situation on the fact that most civil servants had yet to resume.

NAN

January 2, 2018
NSCDC arrests 26 suspects for various offences

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), Nasarawa State Command, says it has arrested 26 suspects for various offences committed between December 28, 2017 and January 1, 2018.

The Corps Commandant, Muhammad Mahmoud-Fari, told newsmen while parading the suspects on Tuesday in Lafia, that they were apprehended for cultism, theft, defilement, breach of trust and assault.

Mahmoud-Fari said that seven of them were arrested for theft, four arrested for assault, 13 for cultism, one caught for defilement and another suspect for breach of trust.

He said they were apprehended from various locations in the state.

“Eleven suspected cultists, belonging to a group known as ‘Assist Group’ were arrested, while two others belong to another group known as “Touch and See’’.

Read also: NSCDC deploys personnel to filling stations

The suspected cultists were arrested at the polytechnic in Lafia.

“After completion of our investigations, the suspects will be charged to court and prosecuted accordingly to serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

Mahmoud-Fari said that the arrest of the suspects was done in collaboration with the officers of Nasarawa Youth Empowerment Scheme ( NAYES ) and members of the public who shared information with NSCDC.

“That is why I always appeal to the public to assist us.

“We need their understanding and co-operation, because when you fight collectively, you succeed.

“We are not calling civilians to go and fight, but to be our informants,” he added.

NAN

January 2, 2018
Workers resume in Anambra after holidays

Federal and state offices in Awka, Anambra, opened for business on Tuesday after the Yuletide and New Year holidays.

Some of the workers ( in Anambra) told newsmen that they were thankful to God for making them to come this far.

Others said they were hopeful that government would listen to them on their plight by increasing their salaries.

Jerry Obodo, the Personal Assistant to the Chairman of Anambra Christians Pilgrims Board, said that it was a thing of joy to be back to work, while calling on fellow workers to be productive.

“It is a welcome development and thanks to God that we are back in our respective places of work.

“Workers should adopt punctuality, increase in productivity by being efficient and effective in service delivery to the general public.

“Workers should be properly remunerated by their employers for embezzlement, looting and lukewarm attitude to work to be a thing of the past,” he said.

Read also: Anambra Central: Has a Daniel come to judgement?

Mrs. Nkoli Okoye, a civil servant, said that workers were happy with the performance of the governor for keeping to his words to give a bag of rice to workers after paying their salaries.

“Gov. Willie Obiano gave us ( workers ) a bag of rice each to celebrate the Yuletide as promised, while promising to look into our salaries as soon as the state internally generated revenue improves.

“Based on these, we workers have no option than to put in our best in supporting the government to make the economy of the state grow,” she said.

Mr. Emma Ibe, a civil servant, called on workers in the state to work hard and pray for their colleagues in other states who were owed salaries.

“We are lucky here that our governor has managed our resources efficiently that our salaries are paid as at when due.

“But in some states, It is not the same for workers there are not finding it easy all I am asking fellow workers to pray for them so that God will touch the heart of their governors to pay them,” he said.

NAN

January 2, 2018
France invests N150 billion in Nigeria

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to France, Dr. Modupe Irele, on Tuesday announced that France
invested about N150 billion ( 350 million euros ) in Nigeria in 2017.

Irele told newsmen in Lagos that the amount was disbursed as soft loans to the Federal and State Governments,
as well as the private sector.

“It is estimated that in 2017 alone, France invested around 350 million Euros (about N150 billion) in Nigeria, mostly through soft
loans to both the Federal and State governments and the private sector.

“Available records also state that at the end of the first quarter of 2017, the trade volume between France and Nigeria stood at N668 .75
billion ( 1.9 billion euros ).

“And in 2016, the volume of trade transacted between Nigeria and France was ₦339.77 billion,’’ she said.

Irele said that France and Nigeria’s economic relations had over the past 100 years been dominated by businesses in oil and gas,
construction and other enterprises.

Read also: France convicts Equatorial Guinea vice president of money laundering

According to her, Nigeria remains France’s first trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Ambassador said that more French companies and businesses were prepared to take advantage of the nation’s ongoing initiatives at enhancing the Ease of Doing business in Nigeria, for foreign investors.

“The French, like many other business people, are showing interest in the drive to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria and welcome the policies as positive developments.

“The over 100 years plus of Franco/Nigeria economic relations, have largely been dominated by big businesses in oil and gas,
construction and others.

“However, we are witnessing a significant shift of interest to areas, including the agro-allied industry, SMEs, renewable energy, technology and start-ups, among others,’’ she said.

Irele said that she was currently working at increasing socio-cultural exchanges between France and Nigeria, as well as expanding mutually beneficial economic ties between both countries.

The Nigerian Representative in France added that her embassy would also exploit unexplored investment and export opportunities between both countries.

“We are also encouraging cooperation in the areas of technology, research and development, given the critical role technology is
playing in defining our today and tomorrow,’’ she added.

The trade volume between France and Nigeria hit 1.9 billion euros ( about N668 .75 billion ) in the first quarter of 2017.

NAN

January 2, 2018
Work resumes in Osun as Labour Unions suspend strike

Workers in Osun on Tuesday returned to work after the Joint Labour Unions in the state called off the indefinite strike embarked on last week Wednesday.

The leadership of the labour unions in the state had called for indefinite strike, which commenced on December 27 to demand for outstanding salaries and promotion of workers.

The Industrial action was, however, called off on Saturday after the state government acceded to their demands.

A visit to the state secretariat at Abere, Osogbo, indicated that workers are back to their duty posts after the holidays as the secretariat gates, which were shut during the strike, are now open to workers.

A staff in the secretariat, Mr. Akeem Ajagbe, said: “workers are like sheep being led by the labour unions, and whatever their decision they make must be complied with.

“As long as the welfare of workers, which includes our full salary payment and promotion is assured, we are glad to return to work.” he said.

He said that although he celebrated the New Year with mixed feelings as they were yet to receive full salary for December as promised by the government, he was happy to see the beginning of a new year with the hope that things would be better in 2018.

At the two local government secretariats of Olorunda and Osogbo, both in Osogbo, workers were equally back to their duty posts.

Some workers were, however, seen in groups discussing, while some were seen cleaning their offices to start the day’s work.

Read also: Labour union rejects bill on hate speeches

Workers at state health institutions (state hospital, Asubiaoro, and Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital, LAUTECH ) in Osogbo were also seen attending to patients.

An elderly patient, Mrs. Oloyode Awoniyi, who was at the eye clinic department of LAUTECH, told newsmen that she was scheduled for appointment with doctors on Thursday, but because of the strike, she had to return today to reschedule and if possible be attended to by a doctor.

Awoniyi said the strike caused her so much stress, coming from a distance as it had caused so many others too.

She said that the crowd at the eye clinic had doubled due to patients missing out previous appointments because of the strike.

Mrs. Ayoka Lawal said: “I am a patient on health insurance ( NHIS ) and I register with LAUTECH. I was unable to get treatment on Saturday due to the strike.

“Thank God, my condition is not life threatening. Only God knows what would have happened to me.”

Other private businesses and federal establishments in the state were back to full operation from the Yuletide and New Year holidays.

NAN

January 2, 2018
2017: 143 die, 843 injured in Edo auto crashes

The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) in Edo says a total of 143 persons died and 843 others were injured in various auto crashes across the state in 2017.

Mr. Samuel Odukoya, the FRSC Sector Commander, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Benin on Tuesday.

Odukoya said 226 auto crashes were recorded in the state during the period involving 2,285 persons comprising 1,539 males, 598 females and 148 children.

The sector commander in Edo disclosed that during the yuletide alone, 21 cases of traffic crashes were recorded with 101 casualties of which 11 were killed and 90 persons injured.

Read also: Obaseki: Gains of transformational leadership in Edo

According to him, a greater percentage of the accidents were due to over speeding, followed by mechanical deficiencies in the vehicles with brake failure alone accounting for about 10 per cent.

Odukoya added that two per cent of the accidents were due to tyre burst, while road traffic violations and wrong overtaking also accounted for two per cent each.

NAN

January 2, 2018
Nigeria hosts first int’l shooting coaching course

Brig.-Gen. Oladeji Adeoye (rtd), President, Nigeria Shooting Federation ( NSF ) says the International Shooting Sport Federation ( ISSF ) Grade D Coaching Course will begin in Abuja from January 21 – 26.

Adeoye told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday that the global event was the first to be hosted by the federation since its establishment in 1986.

He urged the nation’s coaches to register for the course so as to become ISSF certified coaches instead going abroad to acquire the certificate.

“I am very happy to see our board’s efforts yielding significant fruits since it was inaugurated on July 21, 2017.

“Applicants for ISSF Grade D coaching certificate in pistol and riffle from around the world will participate in the course.

“We assure participants of wonderful time because of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development’s support for the event,” he said.

Read also: IPC seeks probe of reporter’s shooting

Adeoye called on corporate organizations and philanthropists to support the federation in its bid to make the nation the hub of shooting sport in Africa.

The ISSF Grade A tutors and ex-world shooting champions will serve as resource persons during the course.

NAN

January 2, 2018
U.S. to withhold $255m military aid to Pakistan

The U.S. authorities decided to withhold 255 million dollars in military aid to Pakistan after President Donald Trump’s critical remarks about the south Asian country, local media reported.

On Monday, Trump wrote on his Twitter page that the U.S. had allocated millions of dollars in aid to Pakistan, while the latter had not contributed to countering terrorism and provided safe harbor to terrorists from Afghanistan.

The U.S. president vowed to stop providing financial aid for Pakistan.

“The U.S. does not plan to spend the 255 million dollars in ( Fiscal Year ) 2016 Foreign Military Financing for Pakistan at this time…

“The president has made clear that the U.S. expects Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorists and militants on its soil, and that Pakistan’s actions in support of the South Asia Strategy will ultimately determine the trajectory of our relationship, including future security assistance,” a national security official told the Fox News broadcaster on Monday.

Read also: Pakistan finance minister denies corruption charges

The official added that Trump would continue to review Pakistan’s level of cooperation.

Pakistan is a U.S. partner in southern Asia but the Afghan Islamist movement of Taliban, outlawed in Russia, uses territories in northern Pakistan for its bases.

Moreover, Osama bin Laden, the former leader of al-Qaeda terrorist organisation ( also banned in Russia ), who was responsible for the 9/11 attacks, was found and killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan in 2011.

NAN

January 2, 2018