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Tag: Nigeria News

  • 3250 have been repatriated from Libya – FG

    3250 have been repatriated from Libya – FG

    The Federal Government said 3250 Nigerians have so far been repatriated from Libya in recent times.

    This is even as 300 other Nigerians are to be repatriated from Libya every week.

    Charge d’Affaires of Nigeria in Libya, Mr Illiya Fachano revealed this in an interview and said government continue to make efforts to save Nigerians that are trapped in Libya.

    “We, the embassy of Nigeria in Tripoli, Libya, have been doing our best to register Nigerians.

    “We have visited  the detention camps, and also collaborated with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to repatriate migrants weekly.

    “We also ensure that we are up to date with the number of Nigerians in specific detention camps.

    “I want it to be clear that the mission and Nigerian government have been doing this long before the CNN report.’’

    “We have asked the Nigerian presidency to provide us with an extra airplane to assist with quick repatriation of registered Nigerians who are willing to return.

    “I want the public to know that we have some Nigerians who are not willing to return despite the unfavorable situations and the fact is that we can’t get them on the flight without their consent.

    Fachano said that the  repatriation exercise would wont  be a temporary thing – as he promised it would be a continuous exercise.

    He said that the government would continue to engage the legitimate government in Libya and other stakeholders in addressing the plight of Nigerian migrants in that country.

    Read also: Obasanjo condemns resurgence of slavery in Africa

    The Foreign Ministry has urged citizens to reach the Nigerian Embassy in Libya for assistance through these emergency numbers: +218910144487, +218925099384 and +218917953365.

    “The contact email addresses for the embassy and the ministry are: nigeria@nigeriantripoli.org and help@foreignaffairs.gov.ng.

    The ministry said that the embassy had received requests for intervention from some relations of the victims based in Nigeria through these contacts.

    NAN

  • JAMB begins registration for UTME 2018

    JAMB begins registration for UTME 2018

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board said it has begun registration for the 2018 unified tertiary matriculation examinations ( UTME ) registration.
     
    JAMB said the registration would take place in over 700 computer based test (CBT) centres in 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
     
    The organization’s Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, made the announcement in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
     
    He said the exercise would end in February next year.
     
    Dr. Benjamin urged candidates to register within this time frame, noting that the board would not extend the registration period.
     
    The statement reads: “We will also want to state clearly that the board does not post candidates to any examination town other than the one chosen by the candidate at the point of registration. 
     
    “Candidates are, however, advised to register on time before the available spaces in their town of choice are exhausted.
     
    “The registration exercise started on Wednesday 6th December, 2017 and as at today so many candidates have text their names using their phone numbers to 55019 and got their profile registered. After which they equally proceeded to the CBT centres for registration. 
     
    “The exercise from our tour of centres today clearly showed that this is one of the best registration regime of the board in recent time. It is easy, smooth and hitch free. This system is simple and convenient, candidates are requested to do it themselves to avoid being defrauded by anybody.
     
    “Candidates can purchase the e -pins using their ATM or through Interswitch, Remita and other online platforms at the comfort of their homes.
     
    “The Board offices are available for any challenge encountered by candidate while trying to obtain the e -pin to register for the 2018 exercise.
     
    “Candidates who desire to register for the optional mock are also urged to do so as the platform will be withdrawn by the 30th of December, 2017 and only those who registered and indicated their interest on or before that time will be enlisted to participate. 
     
    “The board again reiterated its avowed commitment to conduct a hitch free examination and advance the cause of any Nigerian child desirous of qualitative tertiary education in the country. This is the beginning of the 2018 process.”
     
  • Obasanjo condemns resurgence of slavery in Africa

    Obasanjo condemns resurgence of slavery in Africa

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday, condemned the resurgence of slavery in some parts of Africa, saying that the development was worrisome.

    Speaking at the 2017 Annual Conference of the Comptroller General of Immigration held at the MITROS Residences in Abeokuta, Obasanjo said that slave trade in the 21st century should be condemned in the strongest  term possible.

    The theme for the conference was : ” Managing Migration and Facilitating Trade and Development in 21st Century Nigeria : NIS’ Perspective”.

    The former president noted that the current development in Africa should be a sober reflection for African leaders.

    He explained that the leaders must feel a sense of regret on what they ought to do, what they had done and what they had not done.

    “I believe that slave trade in the 21st century should be condemned in the strongest language possible and nobody who is involved in it should be excused.

    “What can we do and what must we do? We must ensure that conducive atmosphere is created for genuine exchange of goods and ensure development within our country, sub-region, continent and the world which we live.

    “But then today, migration has a very nasty connotation particularly when you watch the television and you hear the story of thousands of our youths daring to go through the desert.

    “Then after they have embark on such perilous  journeys, some of them are sold as slaves. Slaves in the 21st century, Africans being sold by Africans and maybe to Africans.

    “All of us as leaders must feel a sense of regret and have sober reflection on what we have done or what we have not done to bring this about to our own people, ” he said.

    Obasanjo, charged the men of the NIS  to imbibe the culture of training, professionalism, integrity, loyalty, and service, saying that all these must not be taken for granted.

    Read also:Politics not about life and death – Obasanjo

    In his address, the Comptroller – General of NIS , Muhammad Babandede, said that the service was committed to safe and regular migration of Nigerian citizens and foreigners.

    He disclosed that the current issue being witnessed  in Libya was not new to the NIS and it had regularly engaged in measures and activities to reduce the menace.

     

    Earlier, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun who declared the conference open, also condemned the resurrection of slave trade in Libya, saying that African leaders should rise to condemn the act.

    Amosun charged all the participants at the conference to see the programme as an avenue to brainstorm and come up with practical solutions that would be of benefits to the Nigerians and the country.

    NAN

  • Obasanjo condemns resurgence of slavery in Africa

    Obasanjo condemns resurgence of slavery in Africa

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday, condemned the resurgence of slavery in some parts of Africa, saying that the development was worrisome.

    Speaking at the 2017 Annual Conference of the Comptroller General of Immigration held at the MITROS Residences in Abeokuta, Obasanjo said that slave trade in the 21st century should be condemned in the strongest  term possible.

    The theme for the conference was : “Managing Migration and Facilitating Trade and Development in 21st Century Nigeria : NIS’ Perspective”.

    The former president noted that the current development in Africa should be a sober reflection for African leaders.

    He explained that the leaders must feel a sense of regret on what they ought to do, what they had done and what they had not done.

    “I believe that slave trade in the 21st century should be condemned in the strongest language possible and nobody who is involved in it should be excused.

    “What can we do and what must we do? We must ensure that conducive atmosphere is created for genuine exchange of goods and ensure development within our country, sub-region, continent and the world which we live.

    “But then today, migration has a very nasty connotation particularly when you watch the television and you hear the story of thousands of our youths daring to go through the desert.

    “Then after they have embark on such perilous  journeys, some of them are sold as slaves. Slaves in the 21st century, Africans being sold by Africans and maybe to Africans.

    “All of us as leaders must feel a sense of regret and have sober reflection on what we have done or what we have not done to bring this about to our own people, ” he said.

    Obasanjo, charged the men of the NIS  to imbibe the culture of training, professionalism, integrity, loyalty, and service, saying that all these must not be taken for granted.

    In his address, the Comptroller – General of NIS,  Muhammad Babandede, said that the service was committed to safe and regular migration of Nigerian citizens and foreigners.

    He disclosed that the current issue being witnessed  in Libya was not new to the NIS and it had regularly engaged in measures and activities to reduce the menace.

    Babandede however warned travel agencies, individuals and officers in  the passport offices at various borders who are engaged in smuggling of migrants to desist from it, saying anybody found wanting would be made to face the law.

    He said that the service have some cases of smuggling under investigation, urging his men to step -up their activities through intelligence gathering, speedy investigations to allow the law to take its full course .

    Babandede added that starting January, 2018, the National  Identity Number  would be part of requirements for issuance of Nigerian passport with the National Identity Management Commission.

    He noted that the aim of the conference was to review the E- passport, after 10 years of its introduction in order to better the services they rendered.

    “I wish to state that NIS is committed to safe and regular migration to prevent the sad stories of loss of lives and sources of Nigerian citizens and others, occasioned by the desperate journey through the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean sea.

    “The recent media revelations of the sad events in Libya are not new to the NIS and we had regularly engaged in measures and activities to reduce the menace in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, ” he said.

    Earlier, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun who declared the conference open, also condemned the resurrection of slave trade in Libya, saying that African leaders should rise to condemn the act.

    Amosun charged all the participants at the conference to see the programme as an avenue to brainstorm and come up with practical solutions that would be of benefits to the Nigerians and the country.

  • Farmer docked for stealing transformer cable

    Farmer docked for stealing transformer cable

    A 22-year-old farmer, Rasheed Falere, was on Thursday brought before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan for allegedly stealing a transformer cable worth N1m.

    Falere, of the Local Authority School area, New Eruwa, Eruwa town is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The Prosecutor, ASP Sunday Ogunremi, told the court that Falere allegedly conspired with others now at large to commit the offences.

    Ogunremi said Falere was alleged to have stolen the transformer cable, valued at N1,000,000 property of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.

    He said the offence was committed on Nov.17, at about 4:30 a.m. at opposite motor park, Maya, via Lanlate.

    Ogunremi said the offences contravened Sections 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him in court.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abdulateef Adebisi, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
    Adebisi, thereafter, adjourned the case till Jan. 31, and ordered that the case should be transferred to Lanlate.

    NAN

  • Fayose approves N200m car loan for workers

    Fayose approves N200m car loan for workers

    Gov. Ayo Fayose of Ekiti on Thursday approved the disbursement of over N200 million as car loan to 645 workers in the state’s service.

    The State Commissioner for Finance, Chief Toyin Ojo, said that the loans would be disbursed to beneficiaries in sums ranging from N80,000  to N1.5 million.

    According to Ojo, the amount accruing to each individual depends on their status and grade level.

    “I just want to affirm the commitment of this administration to the welfare of workers.

    “As we speak, since the inception of this administration, N896.8 million has been given out as car loans to 2,942 workers in the state not counting the just disbursed loans.

    “Also, 2,165 workers have received N490,730,000 as housing loans during the same period.

    “It must be noted that government’s gesture is in spite of the paucity of funds in the state occasioned by the general economic downturn and dwindling allocation from the federation account,’’ the commissioner said in a statement.

    Read also: Fayose presents N98b budget

    He advised the loan beneficiaries to make the most use of it, and cautioned them against spending the loan on items that would not add value to their lives.

    Ojo solicited the continued support of workers for government’s efforts to improve their lot and develop the state.

    The commissioner said that the state’s workforce was the engine-room of government.

    He stressed that it would be difficult for the government to achieve its set goals without the workers’ support and dedication to duties.

    NAN

  • Man jailed three months for drug peddling

    Man jailed three months for drug peddling

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday sentenced a 32-year-old man, Shola Adewuyi, to three months imprisonment for dealing in 33.3g of hemp.

    The convict faced a charge of dealing in restricted narcotics, brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA )

    Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo sentenced Adewuyi after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

    Oguntoyinbo held that the accused was guilty as charged.

    “You are hereby sentenced to three months imprisonment, beginning from the date of your arrest,’’she said.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on September 22 at Coker Estate, Shasha Egbeda, Lagos.

    He said the accused was caught with about 33.3 g of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as hemp.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened the provisions of Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    In his review of the facts of the case, Aernan tendered in evidence a written statement of the accused, the hemp, a request for scientific aid form and a drug analysis form as exhibits.

    The court, accordingly, admitted and marked them as exhibits.

    Before his sentence, the accused had begged the court to temper justice with mercy, promising that he would never commit such crime again if pardoned.

    NAN

  • Guild of Medical Directors in FCT seek review of taxes, levies

    Guild of Medical Directors in FCT seek review of taxes, levies

    The Guild of Medical Directors in FCT on Thursday asked an FCT High Court for judicial review of taxes and levies paid by members to Abuja Municipal Area Council ( AMAC ).

    Mr Akinwale Aderele, counsel to the plaintiff made the plea in an application brought before Justice Charles Angbaza of Jabi court.

    He said the group was seeking judicial review of taxes and levies paid to AMAC so as to reduce the burden on members.

    He added that the application would help to determine whether the demands and the summons served medical directors and private hospitals by AMAC were in line with the law.

    According to him, there is a law that guides the kind of taxes and levies payable to government by operators of any income generating ventures
    in the country.

    “Under the law, local governments can only collect taxes and levies ontenement rates,” he said.

    He explained that there had been cases where members of the guild were
    asked to pay radio and television fees, environmental fees, trade and operating licence fees.

    The counsel said some hospitals were sometimes charged between N500,000 and N1 million as taxes, stressing that it was affecting the capacity of medical doctors to deliver quality services in FCT.

    He noted that Nigerians were being affected because once such hospitals were forced to pay up to N3 million on regulatory fees, they could not buy medical equipment.

    He said the quality of health in the country would suffer considerably, noting that medical directors would have no choice than to increase the price of consultancy.

    He added that “we are in court to ensure that Nigerians get quality healthcare; that doctors can have means to engage in research and
    provide quality health services to citizens.”

    He announced that the FCT had about 411 land plots designated for hospital use, saying that of the 120 doctors that formed the Guild in Abuja, only 10 of them had allotted plots on hospital land.

    He claimed that “people who are not medical practitioners have managed to get plots meant for medical use and they have deprived doctors of those plots.”

    Aderele appealed to the FCT Minister, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, to revoke plots illegally given to non-medical practitioners and give same to genuine doctors.

    He also sought the assistance of the court to enable a representative of the doctors to be listed in court instead of
    all the 112 private hospital owners in the territory.

    The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) reports that AMAC, the defendant in the matter was absent in court.

    Justice Angbaza, however, granted the two prayers by the plaintiff and adjourned the matter until Feb. 1, 2018 for hearing.

  • Pope Francis calls for change in ‘The Lord’s Prayer’

    Pope Francis calls for change in ‘The Lord’s Prayer’

    Pope Francis has said the Roman Catholic Church should adopt a better translation of the phrase “lead us not into temptation” in the ‘The Lord’s Prayer,’ the best known prayer in Christianity.

    “That is not a good translation,” the pope said in a television interview on Wednesday night.

    Francis said the Catholic Church in France had decided to use the phrase “do not let us fall into temptation” as an alternative and indicated that it or something similar should be applied worldwide.

    Read also:Pope Francis prays for peace in Nigeria

    The prayer, also called ‘Our Father’, is part of Christian liturgical culture and memorized from childhood by hundreds of millions of Catholics.

    It is a translation from the Latin vulgate, which was translated from ancient Greek, which was in turn translated from Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus.

    Liturgical translations are usually done by local Churches in coordination with the Vatican.

    NAN