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Court sentences husband killer to seven years imprisonment

Oyo State High Court 1, Ringroad, Ibadan, has sentenced an accused husband killer, Yewande Oyediran, to seven years imprisonment for finding her guilty of the death of her husband.

The term is to run from the day of her arrest.

The court which held that although, evidences showed that she was responsible for the death of her husband, none of the witnesses was about to establish the intent of the accused or described seeing her commit the crime.

It however noted that the killing was done without intent going by the fact that the couple were married at the time of the incident.

The accused was alleged to have stabbed her late husband, Lowo Oyediran, on February 2, 2016 at their number 30, Adeniyi Layout, Abidi-odan, Akobo, Ibadan residence, following a misunderstanding that broke out late in the night

Yewande was arraigned on a lone count charge of allegedly killing her husband with knife.

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 316 and punishable under section 319 of the laws of Oyo State.

The accused however pleaded not guilty to the charge when the count was read to her in court.

The Court presided over by Chief Justice Muntar Abimbola who earlier apologised to the court for deferring the judgement initially slated for Friday, said other official engagement at the Nigerian Judicial Commission necessitated the postponement of the judgement till Monday

Noting that the incident was a fall out of a spontaneous fight between the couple, the court said none of the witnesses was able to establish the case of intent in the incident that led to the injury that caused the death.

Justifying the reason for the sentence, the judge maintained that there was no need for a second attack on the deceased as given by the oral evidences of the witnesses.

According to the judge, the witnesses had told the court that there had been an initial attacked where Yewande was said to have stabbed the late husband with scissors but that the matter was settled before the one that led to the death of the deceased couples of hours later.
Details later……

November 27, 2017
Osun empowers 350,000 people with N15bn loan

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, on Monday, said his administration had given more than N15 billion loans to 350, 000 people in the state, especially women, in the last seven years.

Aregbesola made this disclosure in a state-wide broadcast in Osogbo to mark his seventh anniversary in office.

The governor said his administration had also engaged more than 40,000 youths in public works through the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme ( OYES ).

“Most of them eventually got soft-landing in teaching, agriculture, information and communication technology among other others.

“For this reason, the incidents of crimes have drastically reduced in the state”.

In the area of education, Aregbesola said his administration had constructed 20 elementary schools, 22 middle schools and 11 high schools.

“In addition, we rehabilitated existing schools and created a decent environment for learning.

“We have, for more than five years, been feeding 262,000 elementary school pupils with nutritious meals. We also gave free uniforms to all pupils in public schools”.

On agriculture, the governor said his administration had provided assistance to farmers, sent peasant farmers on training abroad and laid the foundation for agriculture to boom.

He also said that in the last seven years, his administration had constructed more than 1,500 kilometres of roads in the nooks and crannies of the state.

The governor said his administration also given protection and succour to the elders, by giving them access to health care as well as put them on a monthly allowance.

“We took care of the destitute and the mentally challenged by giving them medical care, rehabilitated them and resettled or reunited them with their families.

“We have come and seen the challenges and conquered poverty, ignorance, disease and fear of the known and unknown these seven years”.

“In the remaining one year, I will be committed to the service of the people; to accelerate the pace of development and increase our efforts at ushering in prosperity in the state,” he added.

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November 27, 2017
Journalists urged to embrace immersive storytelling with multimedia devices

In the wake of immersive journalism, otherwise called 360 journalism, there have been calls on Journalists on the need to begin to employ multimedia tools and data in their storytelling to tell important stories in new ways.

Facilitators comprising multimedia journalists, IT and tech experts made this plea at a training session tagged “Hacks/Hacker Lagos,” organised by Code for Nigeria, a member of the continental Code for Africa federation.

Code for Nigeria on using storytelling

The training which attracted print and broadcast journalists as well as Mass Communication undergraduates from the University of Lagos ( UNILAG ) and Lagos State University ( LASU ) held on Saturday at Civic Hub, Yaba, Lagos.

Yemisi Adegoke, a multimedia journalist and documentary film urged journalists to intensify efforts at building their capacity in research and investigation in order to tell unique stories.

Noting that investigative journalism helped to unravel the problems confronting our society, she said it was imperative for journalists to use modern technologies to their advantage in proffering sustainable solutions.

Flourish Chukwurah, a freelance multimedia journalist noted that immersive storytelling is the future of journalism saying it was high time journalists keyed into the idea.

“We must begin to demonstrate this new form of journalism as well as significant technical, storytelling, ethical and cultural challenges that immersive storytelling – from 360 degree video to VR - present to journalists and media organizations.”

“Journalists must be equipped with engaging narrative techniques, video editing skill, and ethics among others.”

She urged media organizations to in teaching learning and teaching of multimedia journalism.

“At this point, the media should facilitate online and in-person workshops, events and trainings to encourage more journalists, journalism educators and newsrooms to use tools available from various technology platforms to explore emerging forms of visual storytelling and to engage users,” she said.

Speaking on How to Use Data in Story, Blaise Aboh, a Code for Nigeria Innovation fellow, said journalists need to double efforts at probing government functionaries and corporate institutions on the data they provide to the public.

Noting that journalists are provided with abundant repository of data online, Aboh urged journalists to always verify and validate data before publishing their stories to ensure open data and open government system.

He said, “There is need to change the power dynamics that govern our society, giving ordinary citizens more and deeper information in real time, along with digital tools for engaging citizens and with those in positions of power.”

He added that journalists should go beyond the data generated by the government and explore more repositories of data in the course of discharging their constitutional duty.

The country lead for Code for Nigeria, Nkechi Okwuone, noted that the goal of the training was to build capacity and expand the community of media and technology professionals.

She said the organization would continue to help journalists explore opportunities and combat the challenges 21st century through the evolving form of journalism.

She added that Code for Africa seeks to empower active citizenry and strengthen civic watchdogs to help government shape and improve its services to citizens.

“Our goal is to bring experience supporting communities of journalists committed to learning and exploring how technology can strengthen reporting and storytelling,” she said.

November 27, 2017
NRA to commence fitness test, Dec. 4

Nigeria Referees Association ( NRA ) has fixed Dec. 4 for the commencement of fitness test for referees and match assessors nationwide.

The test is to be conducted at the National Stadium in Abuja.

The General-Secretary of the NRA, Moroof Oluwa, made the disclosure in an interview in Abuja on Monday.

Oluwa said the fitness test was imperative for healthier and better officiating of matches.

He said that the physical test, which would be preceded by medical tests, would be done in batches of north and south groups.

“All Premier League referees from the southern states are to report for medical test on Dec. 3; undertake physical test on Dec. 4 and seminar on Dec. 5 and Dec.6.

“Northern states would do their medical test on Dec.5 and undertake physical fitness test on Dec. 6 while seminar would be Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 for them,” he said.

It can be recalled that the Nigeria Football Federation had postponed the fitness test, scheduled earlier for Nov. 6 indefinitely on medical grounds.

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Read Also: NRA promotes 862 out of 1,350 referees

November 27, 2017
Ezenwa dumps FC Ifeanyi Uba

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa has dumped FC Ifeanyi Uba of Nnewi for another Nigerian club side.

He has yet to disclose the new club.

Ezenwa made this known in Abuja on Monday that he took the decision “after making some consultations and putting considerations in place.’’

He said that his new club would be made known soon in grand style.

“The new club will be unveiled very soon in an occasion that I will sign a new jersey.

“Although my contract with FC Ifeanyi Uba is over but I have considered leaving them after contract expiration,’’ Ezenwa said.

The Super Eagles goalkeeper said he was expecting to do better with the new club.

“I am always focused and determined to excel at goal posts which is the secret of my success.

Ezenwa has been with FC Ifeanyi Uba as number one goalkeeper.

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Read Also: Enyeama ’s needless controversies

November 27, 2017
Final year student killed, others injured as students fight in Bayelsa

A final year student of law was at the weekend shot dead with many others injured in Bayelsa State following a bloody clash that broke out in an election organised by the National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ).

It was gathered that the election, which was held in Otuoke, the hometown of former President Goodluck Jonathan, snowballed into a cult war as students fight with assorted rifles, machetes and other weapons.

Details soon…

November 27, 2017
Prince Harry to marry his American girlfriend, Meghan Markle

Prince Harry is to marry his American actress girlfriend Meghan Markle, Clarence House has announced.

The prince, fifth in line to the throne, will marry Ms Markle next spring and will live at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace in London.

The couple, who have been dating since July 2016, got engaged in November.

In a statement, Prince Harry said he was “delighted to announce” the engagement and had received the blessing of Ms Markle’s parents.

The prince and Ms Markle made their first public appearance as a couple this September.

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November 27, 2017
Fires razes two female hostels at FGC Keffi

Fire has razed down a block of two female hostels at the Federal Government College ( FGC ), Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The fire, which started around 7.45 pm on Sunday and raged on to Monday morning, reduced the entire structure to ashes.

“The students were in the dining hall when the fire started. Books and properties of the students were all razed down, Nothing was removed,” a senior staff of the school told our correspondent, craving anonymity.

The source, however, said that no one was killed.

“One student, who did not go to the dining hall and was sleeping in one of the hostels, was almost affected.

“Immediately she sensed the smoke, she jumped through the window and sustained some slight injuries. No one else was affected,” the staff said.

The source described the incident as “shocking and devastating”, saying that it was the first in the history of the 18-year-old school.

Our correspondent, who visited the school on Monday, saw smoke still billowing from the rubble of the burnt hostels, while fear-stricken staff and students watched from a distance.

Teachers, staff and prefects were seen trying to pacify and calm the students, especially the distraught girls that lost everything in the inferno.

A source said that the incident was particularly devastating to the unity school because first term examinations were expected to have started on Monday.

“The first term examination was scheduled to start today, but with this development, no one is sure of what to do next. We shall wait for further directives from the Federal Ministry of Education,” he said.

Efforts to contact the Acting Principal, Alhaji Babatundet Usuma, were not successful as he was said to have traveled to Kano for the annual meeting of Principals of unity secondary schools, while calls to his line kept ringing out.

Mr Gideon Gutap, Vice Principal (Academic 2), however, disclosed via a telephone text message, that the school was yet to take a decision on the next like of action.

“Parents will be communicated in due course,” Gutap stated.

He said that no one was hurt, adding that a meeting was ongoing to consider the next line of action.

We gather that officials of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) were invited for the emergency meeting chaired by Mr Ezekiel, Vice Principal (Academy 1).

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November 27, 2017
PDP will not fail followers – Bafarawa

A former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Atahiru Bafarawa, said the Peoples’ Democratic Party ( PDP ) would not afford to fail its numerous followers at the Dec. 9 national convention.

Bafarawa stated this in Sokoto on Sunday while receiving an aspirant of national chairmanship of the party, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, who was on a campaign visit to the state.

He said that it was unfortunate that the party encountered crisis after its convention in Port Harcourt in 2016, noting that the party was on “intensive care” at that time.

“Now that the party is out of the intensive care unit, there is need to put the party in order.

“We stand at risk if we don’t put our house in order. We will fail our millions of followers who are in support of this great party.

“Honestly, what we can do is to unite ourselves and pray to God to guide us to choose leaders who will lead our party,” Bafarawa said.

The former governor said that the North-West was yet to take any decision on who to support for the national chairmanship position, noting that the people would make the decision.

He described Dokpesi as a man of wisdom and experience, the criteria needed by the man who lead PDP as chairman.

“We believe that God chooses leaders, and I know that you are qualified to aspire for any position in this party and country,” the former governor told the aspirant.

Earlier, Dokpesi had said that he knew that Bafarawa was a man who loved and always wanted the best for his people, state and the country.

At a meeting with state executive members and convention delegates of the party at the Secretariat, he said he was in the state to seek support of party members for his aspiration to lead PDP.

Dokpesi pledged to work with the state executive committee and members to return PDP to power in Sokoto in 2019.

Dokpesi was also in Gasau, where he met officials and delegates of the PDP in Zamfara.

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November 27, 2017
NNPC to select core investor for Benue bio-fuel project – Baru

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ) says it has almost concluded discussion on the choice of a core investor for the proposed bio-fuel plant in Benue.

The Group Managing Director of the corporation, Dr Maikanti Baru, said this in a statement issued by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC Group General Manager Public Affairs Division in Abuja on Sunday.

Baru, after a follow-up meeting with a Benue State delegation led by Dep. Gov. Benson Abounu, said arrangements had been finalised to name the prospective investor in the weeks ahead.

Represented at the meeting by the Chief Operating Officer, Ventures Directorate, Dr Babatunde Adeniran, Baru explained that the core investor would provide 70 per cent of the required funding for the project.

According to Baru, the Benue State government and the NNPC will take up the balance equity contribution.

He said upon completion, the plant was projected to generate about one million direct and indirect jobs for the populace, noting that the project would help link the energy sector with the agricultural sector through the commercial production of bio-fuels from selected energy crops.

The NNPC boss listed other components of the project to include a sugar cane feedstock plantation of about 20,000 hectares; a cane mill and raw/refined sugar plant capable of producing 126,000 tonnes annually.

According to him, it also includes a fuel-ethanol processing plant with production capacity of 84 million litres annually.

“The bio-fuels projects will also help to establish the bio-gas cogeneration power plant which will generate 64 MW; a carbon dioxide recovery and bottling plant that will produce 2, 000 tonnes annually as well as an animal feed plant that will produce 63, 000 tons annually.’’

The statement also quoted Abonu, Benue deputy governor as saying “Benue State is offering the 20, 000 hectares of irrigable land space along the bank of the river Benue as its equity contribution to the project’’.

“In addition to a yet to be specified tranche of funds to shore up its stake to the level of directorship in the yet to be constituted board.’’

Abonu also commended the NNPC on the strides so far recorded, and assured that the state government had since taken concrete measures to sensitise the host communities on the bio-fuel project.

According to the deputy governor, the state government has also sensitised host communities to ongoing effort by the corporation for fresh hydrocarbon found in the Benue trough.

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November 27, 2017