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Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • Super Eagles begin camping for AFCON Egypt 2019 Sunday

    Nigeria’s final preparations for the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which will hold in Egypt is set to begin on Sunday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Friday.

    Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, said in a statement that the preparations would begin when invited players, alongside the technical crew and administrative staff, start arriving in Asaba.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Asaba hosted the 2018 Aiteo Cup finals and the international friendly between the Super Eagles and Uganda’s Cranes in November 2018.

    Since then, the Super Eagles have hosted Seychelles in the Delta state capital city in an AFCON qualifier and hosted Egypt in a friendly.

    The city was also the setting for the under-23 national team’s thrashing of Libya in an Under-23 AFCON qualifier in March 2019.

    Olajire said the Eagles’ backroom staff are expected to arrive in full on Sunday, with some players also expected, while the larger population of the players expected on Monday.

    “This first phase of camping will also take in a friendly match, against equally Egypt-bound Warriors of Zimbabwe, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium on June 8,’’ he said.

    The NFF spokesman said the players and officials would travel to the Egyptian city of Ismailia the following day aboard a chartered flight.

    “They will stay at the Hotel Mercure and spend a full week perfecting tactics and strategies, before taking on Africa’s number one-ranked team Senegal in another friendly in Ismailia.

    Read Also: Kanu gives condition for Super Eagles triumph in Egypt

    “On June 17, the three-times champions will travel to Alexandria, the venue of their Group B matches against Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar,’’ he added.

    NAN reports that the team’s Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, had invited 25 players to the camp, with six other players — among them three home-based professionals — on standby.

    25 EAGLES FOR AFCON 2019 CAMP

    Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)

    Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy)

    Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England)

    Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Middlesbrough FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassar FC, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China)

    Alexander Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjyland, Denmark); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain)

    Six On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba FC); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Ikouwem Utin (Enyimba FC); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal, Portugal); Junior Ajayi (Al Ahly, Egypt); Valentine Ozornwafor (Enyimba FC)

  • JAMB’s missing N35m: Court remands woman charged with blaming snake

    An FCT High Court Maitama on Friday remanded Philomina Chieshe and five other Joint Admission and Matriculation Board officials, over their involvement in the missing N35 million from sales of JAMB e-card in Benue.

    She was arriagned alongside Samuel Umoru, Yakubu Jekada, Daniel Agbo, Priscilla Ogunsola, and Aliyu Yakubu.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ) arraigned her and others on eight counts bordering on refusal to account for the board’s money between 2014 to 2016.

    Justice Peter Afen ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of EFCC, pending the out come of their bail application.

    He then adjourned until Monday June 3, 2019 for the hearing of their bail application.

    Read Also: N35m JAMB scam: EFCC files charges against snake-swallowing woman, five others

    EFCC alleged that Chieshe , sales clerk, with JAMB told their registrar and his team that she could not account for N36 million she made in previous years before the abolition of scratch cards.

    They alleged that she claimed that the money was swallowed by a snake in Makurdi, Benue.

    According to EFCC in February 2018, Chieshe told JAMB registrar and his team that she could not account for N36 million she made in previous years before the abolition of scratch cards.

    She alleged that it was her housemaid that connived with another JAMB staff, to “spiritually” (through a snake) steal the money from the vault in the accounts office.

    EFCC said these contravened section 139 (a) of the Penal Code Law.

    They pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr Ekene Iheanacho prayed the court to fix a date for commencement of trial and to remand the defendants in jail.

    Iheanacho also admitted receipt of the bail applications filed by lawyers to defendants, he said he hasn’t read through because he was served today.

  • US-based Nigerians to pay N15, 000 each for NIN

    Nigerians based in the United States are to pay between $40 and $50 each to be enrolled for the National Identity Number (NIN), according to an official.

    Ms Uche Chigbo, the Special Assistant to the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), stated this in New York on Thursday.

    Chigbo spoke during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Consulate shortly before the exercise was launched in the city.

    She said that registrants from zero to 15 years old would pay 40 dollars each, while those from 16 years and above will pay 50 dollars.

    At the official exchange rate, 50 dollars is equivalent to N15, 300, while $40 dollars amounts to N12, 240.

    Chigbo, who is also the Deputy General Manager of NIMC, explained the commission came up with the fee after looking at the entire process and what it involved.

    She said: “NIMC does not have the legal backing and the resources to go to another country to enrol people and capture biometrics and other data.

    “It is in this light that we decided to license private sector organisations which have the legal backing to engage in such service provision for the country.

    “And they are a going concern; they made investment in terms of equipment because we didn’t give them the equipment they are using; they have to buy all of that.

    “They are also renting offices, employing people and establishing connection between whichever country they are operating in and Nigeria so that they can seamlessly send the records real time online.

    “All of these are investments they are making and as a going concern, a token should be paid for this service that they are going to be rendering.’’

    The Diaspora NIN Registration was also launched in Houston, Texas on Thursday, after it took off in Atlanta and Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday.

    Read Also: NIMC begins registration of Nigerians in UK

    Already, the exercise is ongoing in South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, and would be extended to China, Europe and India soon, according to Chigbo.

    Listing its benefits, the NIMC official said it would provide a database for the implementation of the much desired Diaspora voting.

    Besides, she said the NIN had become a requirement for access to many services rendered by government and private organisations in Nigeria.

    Mr Nicholas Ella, the Consul in Charge of Trade and Invest, said the benefits of the NIN registration could not be over-emphasised.

    Ella, who represented the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, said the mission would give the needed support for the exercise to be successful.

    “Apart from Diaspora voting, the missions too want to have data of Nigerians residing in their various jurisdictions.

    “As a mission, we should assist Nigerians to get through the initial hurdles. Once they go through it, I don’t think we should have any challenges with them in the future.

    “Once one or two persons have gone through the process and they start communicating among themselves, I do not see any challenges in executing this mandate.

    `Nigerians don’t like to leave their jobs. So, the timing for the services should be a little bit flexible to accommodate these needs,’’ he said.(NAN)

  • Alleged ‘judge bribery’: Court orders Rickey Tarfa to present fresh medical report

    A Lagos High Court in Igbosere on Friday ordered a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Rickey Tarfa, to present a fresh medical report explaining his health status.

    Justice Adedayo Akintoye made the order following Tarfa’s application for more time to recuperate from surgery.

    Tarfa is standing trial on a 26-count charge of offering gratification to two judges of the Federal High Court – Justices Hyeladzira Nganjiwa and Mohammed Yunusa – as well as alleged justice perversion.

    The case has stalled since January 21, when the Silk travelled abroad following a medical emergency.

    Upon his return, Tarfa did not set foot in the courtroom on March 11, 19 and May 8 when the matter came up.

    He always stayed downstairs in his car.

    According to his counsel, Mr Abiodun Owonikoko SAN, Tarfa was unable to climb the staircase leading to Justice Akintoye’s courtroom, even on a wheelchair, because of the severity of his condition.

    On March 19, Owonikoko filed a medical recommendation from Tarfa’s doctors which stated that the defendant required a minimum of three months medical leave to enable him recuperate.

    Read Also: Court orders reinstatement of suspended SEC DG, Gwarzo

    When the case last came up on May 8, Justice Akintoye reasoned that Tarfa might be able to access a courtroom with minimal entry challenges, such as one on the ground floor.

    The judge adjourned to find a convenient courtroom to continue the trial.

    Friday, space was freed up for the case to continue in another courtroom often used by Justice Iyabo Akinkugube on the ground floor of the nearby old High Court building on the court premises.

    But when the case was called, Tarfa still wasn’t in court.

    His counsel informed the judge that, yet again, Tarfa was in the car outside, but, this time, with his physiotherapist.

    Owonikoko told the court that he had filed an application seeking more time for Tarfa’s recuperation.
    But Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr Usman Buhari opposed him.

    “My lord, we have filed a motion challenging the applicant’s application,” Buhari said.
    Unlike previous proceedings, Justice Akintoye did not require confirmation that Tarfa was actually outside.
    Rather the judge ordered that before Tarfa’s application was taken she wanted to see a medical report on the defendant’s health from a general hospital or a teaching hospital.

    She adjourned further proceedings till June 21.

    Tarfa was arraigned by the EFCC on March 9, 2016 and subsequently re-arraigned on November 16, 2016 on an amended charge.

    The anti-graft agency claimed that between June 27, 2012 and January 8, 2016, Tarfa paid a total of N5.3 million in several tranches into Justice Nganjiwa’s bank account.

    He was also accused of paying into Justice Yunusa’s account, N800,000 in three tranches between February 9 and November 30, 2015.

    The commission alleged that the payments were to compromise the judges.
    The SAN was equally accused of age falsification.

    Tarfa pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on self-recognizance.

    The EFCC has since closed its case, following which Tarfa opened his defence after the court dismissed his no-case submission.

  • No hiding place for criminals in Kano, declares CP Adamu Illyasu

    The newly posted Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ahmed Illyasu on Friday declared there is no hiding place for criminals in the as his officers and men are battle-ready to flush them out of the ancient commercial city.

    In his maiden press briefing, the police boss said he is prepared to fight against all forms of violent crimes, drug abuse, kidnapping, banditry and the menace of street urchins.

    “We will not accept any form of crime and criminality. As such, we sound a note of warning to those who are nursing the idea of perpetrating any form of criminal activities to vacate Kano and move elsewhere because I am telling them that there is no vacancy for criminals in Kano,” he stated.
    He added: “We will not fail the people and government of Kano state in our quest to make Kano safe for living and business transactions.

    “You all are aware that Kano has a great history dating back to over 200 years. All we need is to continue to plan towards sustaining peace and order in this great state called Kano.”

    He also pledged to use the policy of community policing, traditional rulers, religious leaders, opinion leaders and other relevant stakeholders to combat crimes.

    Read Also: Police arrest armed robbery suspects in Nsukka

    CP Illyasu charged parents to imbibe the spirit of discipline and attitudinal change on their children, pointing out that there should be social re-orientation so as to help the youths abstain from crime and desist from drug abuse.
    According to him: “Our intention is to see that we protect the lives and property of citizens with respect to the Rule of Law.

    “As such, we will not allow any infraction on the part of our officers and men.
    “We will ensure that our men change their attitude for good in terms of policing the people.

    “Our officers must be disciplined and they must not abuse the fundamental human rights of the people.”

  • PENGASSAN mourns Comrade Johnson

    The Central Working Committee (CWC), members and staff of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has announce the untimely and painful death of Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, President PENGASSAN in the early hours of Friday 31st May 2019 at National Hospital Abuja, after a brief illness.

    According to a release signed by the General Secretary of the Association, Comrade Lumumba Okungbawa, Late Comrade Johnson until his passing on was a staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and was on his final lap of his eventful and transformational six years tenure as President PENGASSAN, having been elected to that position in June 2014 and re-elected in 2017.

    Read Also: Police arrest 12 over kidnapping, armed robbery in Jigawa

    “Comrade Johnson will be remembered by his comrades, co-workers, family and friends for being thoughtful, humorous, compassionate and transparent as he touched the lives of so many and was the very embodiment of strength, patience, and perseverance.

    “These attributes propelled him to develop a deep connection with nature, zest for life and the total transformation of PENGASSAN National Secretariat and initiating the e-library and Events Resources Centres in all of our Zonal offices. His joyous laughter and giving spirit will forever be ingrained in our memories,” the statement said. .

    Burial rites will be communicated to the general public as soon as we receive information from the family.

  • Breaking: Makinde scraps NURTW, takes over motor parks

    Following the spate of violence across Ibadan, the Oyo State capital in recent times, Governor Seyi Makinde has proscribed the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.

    The government who declared the activities of the Union illegal with immediate effect also announced the taking over of all parks and garages in the state.

    A statement signed by the Governor and read by his Chief of Staff, Bisi Ilaka enjoined the people of the state to go about their lawful duties without fear of molestation, adding that combined security task force in every community of the state have been charged to take control and maintain peace and order.

    Ilaka who revealed the disclosure at the Executive Chamber of the Governors office said the decision was reached after a meeting with security stakeholders including the security chiefs in the state and government officials.

    He said “While appreciating the good people of Oyo State for your steadfastness overtime and support for our administration, I want to reiterate our stand on the need to maintain peace and tranquillity in our state in order to engender commercial and human development.

    “After today’s deliberation with Security stakeholders meeting involving security chiefs and Government, we have resolved to proscribe the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) until further notice.

    “All activities of the Union remain illegal henceforth and we urge the people of the state to go about their lawful duties without fear of molestation, as combined security task force in every community of the state, have been charged to take control and maintain peace and order.

    “To this end, all parks in the state have been taken over by the state government with immediate effect.”

    Read Also: Police arrest six NURTW members in Ibadan

    Rival faction of the union has been in leadership battle since the electoral victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Government in the last Governorship and House of Assembly elections, with a group who claimed to be loyal to the new government has been threatening to take over power as soon as a new government is sworn in at the state government levels.

    Pockets of violence skirmishes have been reported in different parts of the capital city including Iwo Road, Challenge, Beere, Ojoo among others with sporadic gunshots heard.

    The fear of a return to reign of violence has engulfed the state since the victory of the PDP.

    The intervention of the National leadership of the NURTW, led by Alhaji Najeem Yasin who visited the state to clear the air and assures that changes of leadership in the union is only through state congress and national convention and not violence, seems to have fallen on deaf ears as the factional group purportedly led by a former state chairman of the union sounded resolute on the change of power the moment the PDP government takes over at the state level.

  • Lassa fever: NCDC announces end of emergency phase in Nigeria

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), on Friday, announced the end of the emergency phase of Lassa fever outbreak in the country.

    This was made known in a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, on Friday, in Abuja.

    Ihekweazu said that the announcement followed a joint epidemiological review by the NCDC, WHO Nigeria and other partners.

    According to him, on the 22nd of January 2019, the NCDC activated a national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), to coordinate response activities.

    He said that the EOC was in response to an increase in Lassa fever cases at the beginning of the year.

    Ihekweazu added that since the beginning of the outbreak, 578 confirmed cases including 129 deaths have been recorded from 21 states as at May 26.

    He said that the NCDC, Federal Ministry of Environment, and that of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as other partners coordinated by WHO Nigeria, led response activities across the country.

    He, however, noted that lessons from the 2018 outbreak and strategic response had improved preparedness through training of health workers across the country and communications campaign before the outbreak.

    According to him, this included “early deployment of One-Health Rapid Response Teams, to affected states and support for surge staff deployment.

    ”Establishment of new treatment centres in Kebbi, Benue and Kaduna and strengthening of existing treatment centres.

    “Re-positioning of medical and treatment supplies in all 21 states with confirmed cases in 2018.

    “Improved collaboration with agricultural and environmental health stakeholders and introduction of rodent control strategies among others,” he said.

    Ihekweazu said that following a robust response, the Lassa fever case count has significantly declined in the past seven weeks and has now dropped below levels considered to be a national emergency.

    He added that this year, there was also a decline in case fatality rate of Lassa fever, from 27 percent in 2018 to 22 percent in 2019.

    The NCDC boss said that despite the end of the emergency phase of the outbreak, NCDC expects that sporadic cases may continue to be reported in endemic areas.

    Read Also: Our Lassa fever ordeal, by Ebonyi doctors

    He also said that the agency would coordinate preparedness and response activities through a multi-sectoral Lassa Fever Technical Working Group.

    ”The group’s focus is to continue monitoring cases, as well as improve disease prevention, surveillance, diagnosis and response activities across all levels in Nigeria.”

    According to Ihekweazu, the agency will continue to improve its knowledge, preparedness and response to Lassa fever outbreaks.

    ”Given that Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria, it is likely that the country will continue to record cases of Lassa fever.

    ”However, we have several research strategies to improve our knowledge of the disease.

    ”We are also working with states and partners to establish more long-term strategies, such as improved risk communication, infection prevention and control, regular environmental sanitation.

    “Others are; enhanced capacity of health workers and improvement of treatment centres, among others, ” he said.

  • Sallah: FRSC deploys 36,000 officers for patrol

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced 2019 Eid-el-Fitr special patrol with the deployment of 36,000 of its personnel.

    The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

    He said that the patrol was in line with the FRSC’s tradition of organising special patrols during festive periods to avert road obstructions, crashes and deaths due to heightened traffic movement.

    According to him, the special patrol is to also put necessary measures in place to ensure that the Eid-el-fitr celebration is observed under an atmosphere of peace, safety and free movement of people and vehicles across the country.

    Kazeem said that the special operation would ensure free flow of traffic.

    He said that the operation would also ensure prompt rescue services, timely clearance of obstructions on all major roads and critical corridors across the country during and after the festive period.

    “It is also aimed at minimising road traffic crashes on the nation’s highways,’’ Kazeem said.

    Read Also: Apapa gridlock ultimatum: we’re making progress — FRSC

    He noted that the focus would be on light sign violation, overloading violation, driver’s licence violation, fake/expired licence; lane indiscipline, removal of rickety vehicles on the roads, among others.

    “To ensure the effectiveness of the operations, 52 critical corridors across the country have been identified to be covered within the period.

    “Commanding officers operating along such corridors were given specific directives to ensure that the routes are properly manned.

    “As part of the strategies, mobile courts will also be in full sitting to promptly try traffic violators, ’’ Kazeem said.

    He appealed to motorists to cooperate with the personnel of the corps and other security agencies who would be engaged in traffic management to ensure free movement of traffic. (NAN)

  • Breaking: PENGASSAN confirms death of President, Johnson

    The National President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Francia Olabode Johnson has died.

    Johnson who was also a deputy President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) reportedly died at about 2.00am at the National Hospital, Abuja after a brief illness.

    He was one of the those eyeing the Presidency of the TUC in the forthcoming election scheduled for the last week of June 2019 and was reelected for a second term as President of PENGASSAN in 2017.

    Confirming the death in a statement signed by the General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa and Deputy President, Comrade Frank Esanubi, PENGASSAN said Comrade Johnson will be remembered for being thoughtful, humorous, compassionate and transparent as he touched the lives of so many and was the very embodiment of strength, patience, and perseverance.

    Read Also: PENGASSAN, NUPENG kick against 2% levy for nuclear agency

    The statement reads: “On behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC), Central Working Committee (CWC), members and staff of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), we announce the untimely and painful death of Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, President PENGASSAN in the early hours of Friday 31st May 2019 at National Hospital Abuja, after a brief illness.

    “Late Comrade F.O. Johnson until his passing on was a staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and was on his final lap of his eventful and transformational six years tenure as President PENGASSAN, having been elected to that position in June 2014 and re-elected in 2017.

    “Comrade Johnson will be remembered by his comrades, co-workers, family and friends for being thoughtful, humorous, compassionate and transparent as he touched the lives of so many and was the very embodiment of strength, patience, and perseverance.

    “These attributes propelled him to develop a deep connection with nature, zest for life and the total transformation of PENGASSAN National Secretariat and initiating the e-library and Events Resources Centres in all of our Zonal offices.

    “His joyous laughter and giving spirit will forever be ingrained in our memories.
    Burial rites will be communicated to the general public as soon as we receive information from the family.”