The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria News

  • One dies in Bayelsa auto crash

    One dies in Bayelsa auto crash

    The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) in Bayelsa, Mr Ikechukwu Igwe, said on Tuesday that a middle-aged woman had died and more than five persons were injured in an accident in Yenagoa.

    Igwe confirmed this in an interview in Yenago

    The incident involved a tipper lorry and a Toyota bus which collided at the Swali Market.

    Igwe said the accident was caused by reckless driving, saying the corpse of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary of a hospital in the state.

    “Those who sustained injuries, including the affected drivers of the tipper and bus, are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the state capital.

    “The incident was unfortunate; the FRSC is warning roadside traders in the state to stay off the road; stop spilling trading activities to the road because our personnel will not take it lightly with anyone caught selling  wares on the roads.

    “We are going to mobilise our special marshals to monitor the Swali axis, especially the market area in order to curb roadside trading in the area.

    “The FRSC officers will work with the Bayelsa Government to ensure that all the roads blocked by traders in the state are reclaimed,” he said.

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  • Court directs respondent to pay 60% cost of maintaining his three children

    Court directs respondent to pay 60% cost of maintaining his three children

    An FCT High Court in Maitama on Tuesday directed a respondent in divorce cross petition to pay 60 per cent cost of maintaining his three children.

    Mrs Olachi Okafor had on Octomber 5, 2017, filed a cross petition against her husband Abedego Okafor.

    She sought for an interim order of the court to compel her husband to pay N100,000 monthly for the maintenance of their three children, pending the determination of the petition.

    In his ruling, Justice Jude Okeke held that the cardinal question was whether the applicant had made out a case to justify the grounds of the application.

    He held that from the records of the court, the applicant left the matrimonial home on March 27, 2016 and the children had been with her since May 19, 2016.

    Okeke noted that the applicant claimed that since then the respondent had refused to contribute to the upkeep of the children.

    He noted that the respondent in his counter affidavits claimed that the applicant took away the children from the matrimonial home on her own volition and denied him access to them.

    He added that the applicant also changed the children’s school and no address to locate them.

    The judge held that under sections 1 of the Child Rights Act of 2003 and 71 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 2004, the court had been given wide impression with regard to the custody of children in a marriage.

    “The cardinal requirement is that the court must bring the best interest of the children to its paramount consideration in any order it makes.

    “In Section 73 (1) and (2) of the Matrimonial Causes Act, the court has discretion pending the determination of the petition to make an order for the maintenance of children of a marriage.

    “The court will have regards to the earning capacity, conduct of the parties and other relevant circumstance.”

    He added that Section 71 (1) of the Act provided that the court has power to make an order for payment of lump sum weekly, monthly or yearly for the maintenance of the children of the marriage.

    “In this case, this discretion shall be applied judicially and judiciously, putting into consideration the earning capacity of the parties and other relevant circumstance as well as in the best interest of the children of the marriage.

    “The court has a duty to make such order that will be in the best interest of the children of the marriage, irrespective of what either of the party requires to provide for the children.”

    Read also: Breaking: Appeal Court orders Saraki to return to CCT for trial

    He noted that “it is against this backdrop that the court in exercise of its discretion to granting this application, taking into cognisance of earning and income of the parties.”

    The judge further held that the court reckoned with its records which showed that the applicant was working with ECOWAS, while the respondent was a level 15 officer with Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    “The parties are persons of means, either of whom can provide for the maintenance of the children.

    “Against this backdrop, the court in its discretion under Section 1 of the Child Rights Act directs that the N100,000 needed for the maintenance of the three children be funded in proportion of 60 per cent by the respondent and 40 per cent by the applicant, pending the determination of the petition.

    “In respect to the school fees paid by the applicant for the 2026/17 academic year, the parties shall also share in the same proportion.

    “In other words, the respondent shall refund the applicant only 60 per cent of the sum.”

    Okeke then adjourned further hearing in the case until February 5.

    NAN

  • NHRC begins public hearing on hate speech, electoral violence

    NHRC begins public hearing on hate speech, electoral violence

    The National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC ), on Tuesday in Jos, began public hearing on hate speeches and electoral violence, witnessed during and after the 2015 general elections in North-Central states.

    Mrs Oti Ovrawah, the NHRC’s Acting Executive Secretary, who declared the event open, said the public hearing was necessitated by a  myriad of complaints received by the commission against persons or parties.

    Ovrawah said those people and parties were alleged to have been involved in promoting hate speech and electoral violence.

    According to her, the public hearing is also to deepen Nigeria’s democracy and promote issue based campaigns, as against speeches that would divide Nigerians and engender electoral violence.

    “As you are aware, reports of violent incidents and the spread of hate and dangerous messages were widely recorded in the events that preceded the 2015 general elections.

    “Hate speeches and electoral violence have become more frequent in the past because there was no political will to hold the perpetrators accountable.

    “So the essence of this public hearing is to seek for accountability, where there is evidence that any person has been involved in hate speeches and election related violence in relation to 2015 elections.

    “This is also to deepen our democracy and encourage election campaigns that would be based on issues rather than the use of hate speeches capable of causing election violence,” she said.

    Read also: Boko Haram: NHRC denies indicting Presidency, others in report

    The acting Executive Secretary added that the exercise would ensure better future elections that would be devoid of rancour and hate speeches.

    She explained that the hearing would be based on complaints received and the preliminary investigations and analyses already carried out by the commission.

    Ovrawah noted that those, who would be indicted at the hearing would be recommended to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for prosecution.

    “In addition to this, a register of persons involved in hate speeches and election violence will be opened to serve as a reference point in future election related matters,” she added.

    She enjoined all parties involved to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

    Similar exercise will be held in other geo-political zones across the country.

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  • Senate urges FMBN shareholders to pay up equities

    Senate urges FMBN shareholders to pay up equities

    The Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development has urged shareholders to pay up their equities in order to actualise the planned recapitalisation of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

    A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by FMBN Managing Director, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa said the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Barnabas Gemade made the call while on an oversight visit to the bank.

    Gemade listed the shareholders to include the Federal Government, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

    He observed that the CBN had vital role to play in making the FMBN function effectively by exercising its statutory roles, especially in the areas of funding and regulation.

    “There is no way FMBN can address the plethora of daunting challenges in the mortgage industry without being supported by the CBN and the Federal Government.

    “The N5billion capital base of the FMBN is abysmally low and the shareholders should hasten up by increasing the capital base to reflect current realities.

    “CBN should sanction commercial banks that defaulted in remitting 10 per cent of their loan portfolio to FMBN as investment to the development of a virile mortgage industry as required by the law.’’

    He promised that the committee would also ensure amendment of both the FMBN and National Housing Fund (NHF) Acts to make the bank function effectively.

    Read also: Senate plans to pass 2018 budget this month

    Gemade said N100 billion was approved in 2017 budget as intervention fund to support mortgage activities in the country.

    He directed the bank to follow up the matter with its supervisory ministry, adding that the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing should contact the Federal Ministry of Finance to secure release of the fund.

    In his remarks, Dangiwa said the bank had not received budgetary allocation from the Federal Government since its establishment.

    “Therefore, we rely solely on income generated from contributors under the NHF scheme to finance our activities,” he said.

    He lamented that the current N5 billion capital base of the bank was grossly inadequate, in view of the magnitude of its mandate to bridge the housing finance gap in Nigeria which was in the region of trillions of naira.

    According to him, FMBN has commenced strategic partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc for the management of mortgage–related transactions to reduce loan repayment default to the barest minimum.

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  • Army denies suicide bomb attack in IDPs camp, ambush on soldiers

    Army denies suicide bomb attack in IDPs camp, ambush on soldiers

    The Nigerian Army on Tuesday dismissed as ‘misleading’, reports of a suicide bomb attack at an Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) camp in Pulka community of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.

    The military also described as ‘fictitious’, the purported killing of six soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents in an ambush on Damboa Road.

    Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, gave the clarifications in an interview in Maiduguri.

    Nwachukwu disclosed that two suicide bombers infiltrated Pulka town on Monday, one of the bombers was neutralised by the troops, while the other one detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) in the town, killed two persons and two others sustained injuries.

    He said a military vehicle stepped on an IED device planted on Damboa Road on Sunday, noting that two soldiers lost their lives in the incident.

    “The incident in Pulka occurred inside the town and not at the IDPs camp. The gallant troops neutralised one of the attackers even before causing harm to any one, while the other suicide bomber detonated the explosive killing two persons and injuring two others.

    “There was no ambush by the insurgents on our troops. The soldiers were involved in an IED explosion accident when their vehicle stepped on the device planted on the road.

    Read also: Army kills Three insurgents in Borno

    “Two soldiers were involved in the incident; there was no ambush, no ammunition carted away or six soldiers killed, as being erroneously reported. It is a misrepresentation of facts,” he said.

    Nwachukwu said the military authorities had sympathised with the victims of the suicide bomb attack in Pulka, and reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives and property.

    The army spokesman also called on the people in the region to be vigilant and provide useful information to the military on suspicious activities in their respective communities.

    “Security and peace building is a collective responsibility; I call on community and religious leaders to mobilise their people and cooperate with the military in the fight against insurgency.

    “Boko Haram insurgents do not wear uniform to easily identify them. People must be vigilant to report suspicious persons and contribute to the restoration of peace in the region,” he said.

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  • Stakeholders urge FG to penalise National Housing Fund Act violators

    Stakeholders urge FG to penalise National Housing Fund Act violators

    Some stakeholders in the housing sector on Tuesday in Abuja called for stiffer penalties against violators of the National Housing Fund (NHF) Act.

    They made the call at a two-day public hearing on a motion on the need to ensure full compliance with the National Housing Fund Act for effective housing delivery in Nigeria.

    Mr Oluseyi Lufadeju, a trustee at Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria (REDAN), accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and some commercial banks of not contributing to the fund in violation of the law.

    According to him, Section 5 of the NHF Act stipulates that commercial or merchant banks shall invest in the fund 10 per cent of its loans and advances.

    “The loan or advance will be at an interest rate of one per cent above the interest rate payable on current account by banks.

    “Also, every registered insurance company shall invest minimum of 20 per cent of its non-life funds and 40 per cent of its life funds in real property development.

    “Of this, not less than 50 per cent shall be paid into the fund through the Federal Mortgage Bank (FMB).

    “Section 11 of the NHF Act provides that the CBN shall collect from commercial and merchant banks at the end of every year and not later than one month after, the percentage of their contribution to the fund.’’

    Lufadeju, however, said that without full capitalisation, the FMB could not fulfil its obligation of providing affordable houses to Nigerians.

    “This non-compliance by the financial sector is hampering efforts to address housing deficit in the country and it should be made to be enforceable that anybody that fails to comply with the law should face stiffer penalties,’’ he insisted.

    Executive Partner, Nord Consult, Mr Mohammed Khalil, said since the enactment of the NHF Act, deposit banks and insurance companies had not invested in the fund, in flagrant violation of sections 5(1) and 11 (1) of the NHF Act.

    Read also: Stakeholders seek special intervention fund for housing

    “Figures of loans and advances by Nigerian banks from 2011 to 2016 from the CBN amount to N67 trillion for the six-year period.

    “At 10 per cent investment of their loans and advances into the NHF, about N6.7 trillion should have been invested in the fund by the banks over the period,’’ Khalil said.

    He added that an analysis of total loans and advances by the commercial and merchant banks in 2016 was N15 trillion.

    “At the rate of 10 per cent, the CBN pursuant to Section 11 is supposed to have credited the NHF with the sum of N1.5 trillion by March 2017,’’ he added.

    Khalil said if the Federal Government was to create at least one million new homes through a national mortgage single digit interest rate, it would require N6 trillion.

    “It follows, therefore, that at the current official figure of 17 million housing deficit, the Federal Government will require a staggering N102 trillion,’’ he said.

    Also, Mr Emmanuel Atama, Executive Secretary, National Cooperative Financing Agency of Nigeria (CFAN), stated the need for regulatory bodies, government agencies and other stakeholders to facilitate the funding for providing houses in Nigeria.

    He called for constant supply of loans to Nigerians for the purpose of building, purchasing and improvement of residential houses.

    Mrs Hannatu Fika, Executive Secretary, Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB), said providing incentives for the capital market to invest in property development was crucial in proffering sustainable solutions to housing deficit in the country.

    She urged the Federal Government to encourage the development of specific programmes that would ensure effective financing of housing development, particularly low-cost housing for low income earners.

    Mr Victor Uchendu, representative of the Nigeria Law Reform Commission, called for severe punishment for violators of the NHF Act, to serve as deterrent to others.

    “Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the NHF Act must be carried into effect and all those in violation ought to be brought to book and answerable for their act of violation before a court of competent jurisdiction.

    Uchendu urged members of the committee to champion the efforts to re-enact a Bill to establish a Fund that will meet the expectations of Nigerians on housing and other related matters.

    NAN

  • ICPC tasks professional bodies on enforcement of codes

    ICPC tasks professional bodies on enforcement of codes

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged Business Management Organisations (BMOs) and Professional Associations (PAs) to ensure effective enforcement of their codes of ethics.

    The Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Abdullahi Bako, made the call at a one-day colloquium organised by the anti-graft agency for BMOs and PAs in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Bako said business management organisations and professional bodies had a critical role to play in the fight against corruption, especially in the area of prevention.

    “The essence of this colloquium is to identify areas in which ICPC can collaborate with BMOs and PAs towards ensuring that their activities are conducted with utmost sense of integrity and high ethical standards tailored at preventing corruption in the system.

    “Once that is done, corruption practices such as bribery and gratification, cutting corners, quackery and other infractions in the operations of professional associations will reduce drastically,” he said.

    Bako said the commission had embarked on similar interventions in critical sectors such as education, health, transport and water resources.

    He said the exercise paid off with the closure of 63 illegal degree-awarding institutions and a fake NYSC orientation camp whose proprietors were currently being prosecuted.

    The Secretary of ICPC, represented by a commissioner, Mr Gad Bako, said the forum was in continuation of the commission’s efforts at securing public commitment to the fight against corruption.

    Read also: ICPC arrests former SMEDAN DG for alleged corruption in contract awards

    “Our partnership with BMOs and PAs like yours is borne out of our belief not only in your contributions to the development of this nation but also as being vital in the pursuit of professional excellence.

    “You are in a position to regulate the activities of your members and ensure that their conducts are in consonance with the ethics and values of their professional and in a manner that is devoid of corruption in all ramifications.

    “With the increase in the population and the rapid expansion in the membership strength you have witnessed over the years, quacks have infiltrated your ranks and adherence to these codes has become seriously compromised for obvious reasons.

    “Working in close collaboration with BMOs and PAS, we will not only block corruption-prone areas in the conduct of professional transactions but also highlight those punishable under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000,” he said.

    The ICPC secretary said the commission began its engagement with professional bodies in 2014 resulting in the infusion of integrity standards into their codes of professional practice.

    He listed the bodies to include the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, and the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.

    According to him, the commission has also engaged 18 other BMOs and PAs since then in addition to organising a validation and adoption exercise of the integrity infusions made by ICPC into their codes of the practice.

    Bako said the colloquium was a follow-up on the validation done and its positive impact on their activities so far.

    He said that the commission would continue to support the BMOs and PAs toward strengthening their codes of professional practice.

    NAN

  • 29 bag 1st Class at August 2017 law exams – DG

    29 bag 1st Class at August 2017 law exams – DG

    The Nigerian Law School on Tuesday said 29 out of the 4,294 candidates called to the Nigerian Bar bagged First Class after the August 2017 bar examinations.

    The Director-General of the school, Mr Olanrewaju Onadeku (SAN) disclosed this at the Call-to-Bar ceremony in Abuja.

    Onadeku said the students were those successful at the August 2017 Bar final examinations and others from previous examinations as conducted by the school under the supervision of the Council of Legal Education.

    He said the 29 students were produced by the University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Uyo, Obafemi Awolowo University, Babcock University, University of Ibadan and Osun State University.

    According to him, others are from University of Ilorin, Lagos State University, Ambrose Alli University, Afe Babalola University, Adekunle Ajasin University and Igbinedion University.

    “I particularly commend the 29 students; theirs is the highest number ever attained.

    “They have worked hard to merit their grades after a very thorough assessment and have done the Nigerian Law school and their families proud.”

    Onadeku disclosed that 72 per cent success was achieved after the August examination as 211 obtained the second class upper grade, 1,046 made second class lower division and 3, 000 got the pass grade.

    He said that there had been a sustained level of focus and diligence among the students whom he noted had demonstrated a commendable sense of maturity and drive,  adding that some were involved in various forms of examination malpractices.

    The Director-General, while congratulating the newly called to lawyers, also urged them to make the best of the legal profession.

    “Since it is your freewill to belong to the noble profession of law, you must ensure strict adherence to its norms and ethics.

    “As you are aware, globalisation has impacted on the legal profession with the challenge of bench marking on minimum international best practices.

    “You must ensure you exceed the minimum in all that you do. ”

    Onadeku also noted that the successful students had completed the vocational training at the school as prescribed by the Legal Education Act.

    According to him, they have also met all other conditions set by the Council, while also exhibiting good manners and decorum during their training.

    “They have also been groomed in the best ethics and ethos of our noble profession.

    Read also: Law school gets luxury hostel

    “The screening committee of your distinguished body has carefully perused the records of each of the aspirants and have found them worthy to be presented for Call to the Nigerian Bar.

    “I attest that they are fit and proper persons for Call and admissions to the Nigerian Bar,” he said.

    In his address, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers and also Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, charged the candidates to practice the profession with diligence and sense of responsibility.

    He charged them to promote the course of justice and rule of law, adding that their level of proficiency was of immense significance to the efficiency of the justice system of the country.

    “I urge you to acquaint yourselves with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and all other relevant laws as far as administering justice is concerned.

    “You must not handle a matter without adequate preparation, neither should you handle a matter, which you know or ought to know that you not competent enough to handle.

    “It is advisable to consult your seniors or colleagues in areas you know you are not well groomed, ” he said.

    Onnoghen said that the Body of Benchers, whose role also includes disciplinary committee, would not hesitate to bring to order any erring practitioner whose conduct might negate the standards of the profession.

     The Nigerian Law School has to date graduated 117, 385 lawyers including all the judges of the superior courts of the country and almost all the legal practitioners.

    The event was attended by past and present Body of Benchers, Attorney-General of the Federation, past Directors-General of the school.

    Others are members of the National Assembly, some ministers, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the Judiciary sector.

    NAN

  • Federal varsity Kebbi starts relocation to new site

    Federal varsity Kebbi starts relocation to new site

    The Federal University in Birnin Kebbi has commenced movement of Administrative and Academics Departments from the temporary to the permanent site to enhance service delivery.

    The temporary site was located at Kilometre Eight along Birnin Kebbi to Kalgo road, while the new site is located along Kalgo to Bunza road.

    A statement by Mr Jamilu Magaji, the Acting Head of Information and Public Relations unit of the institution indicated that the Administrative Block comprising the Vice-Chancellor’s office, Registry and Bursary have relocated to the new site.

    The new library has also been commissioned at the new site in addition to the library located at the old site.

    Other departments at the new site included the Department of Physical Planning and Development and Security Division, Health Services Department; Faculty of Science; Entrepreneurship Centre; Faculty of Arts, Social and Management Sciences; the Students’ Centre and the ICT Centre.

    Read also:

    “In line with the captivating mission, a well-equipped ICT Data Centre is put in place linking all faculties, departments and units with fibre optic cables for speedy and effective local and internet connectivity.

    “A dedicated and secured network connectivity is also made available in the university library for better accessibility to global teaching and learning resources aimed at producing ICT-trained graduates as well as maintaining ICT-equipped workforce,” Magaji said.

    The departments still located at the temporary site included Faculty of Environmental Sciences, School of Basic and General Studies, College of Health Sciences, Students’ Affairs Division and Admissions Office.

    NAN

  • UNICEF spends N200m to tackle HIV in Kaduna

    UNICEF spends N200m to tackle HIV in Kaduna

    The officer in-charge of UNICEF Field Office, Kaduna, Dr Idris Baba on Tuesday said the organisation has scaled up support to tackle high HIV prevalence among adolescents in seven local government areas of Kaduna State.

    Baba, who made the disclosure in Zaria at a forum with media executives in the state, said: “HIV in adolescents remains a big concern; the seven LGAs have higher prevalence of HIV among adolescents in the state.”

    According to him, only seven per cent of the adolescents surveyed at the beginning of the intervention programme in March had tested and received their HIV result.

    He explained that the support being offered by UNICEF was on HIV prevention, treatment and care in the seven local areas.

    The official disclosed that UNICEF had budgeted about N200 million to run the Adolescent and Young Persons (AYP) programme in Chikun, Igabi, Lere, Kagarko, Birnin Gwari, Jaba and Jema’a local government areas.

    Read also: 160,000 died of AIDS-related illness, says UNICEF

    He noted that in spite of the decrease in new HIV infections in the areas due to improved access to information, the rate of death among infected adolescents remained high.

    The official stressed that the main objective was to raise AYP access to HIV testing from 20 to 40 per cent by the end of the intervention programme in May 2018, and increase condom usage among adolescents from 30 to 50 percent in the seven local areas.

    He said the programme was also aimed at raising the use of anti retro viral therapy from one to 21 per cent among HIV positive persons and increase the number of schools providing Family Life Health Education from the present 25 per cent to 45 per cent.

    Baba noted that UNICEF had trained no fewer than 1, 300 persons to facilitate the success of the programme in all the local government areas.

    According to him, the programme has helped to achieve 52 per cent awareness on HIV due to improved access to information among adolescents in the seven local areas, while the number of those who had tested had gone up to 46.6 per cent.

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