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NFVCB seizes pirated films worth N200m

The National Film and Video Censors Board ( NFVCB ) said it seized uncensored, unclassified and pirated films worth about N200 million and arrested 12 suspected pirates between March and December, 2017.

Mr Adedayo Thomas, the Executive Director of NFVCB made the disclosure in an interview in Lagos on Wednesday.

Thomas said that pirated items were confiscated at Alaba International Market, Lagos, Kubwa, Banex Plaza and Wuse Market in Abuja, as well as Benin City in Edo and Kaduna.

He explained that the seized items include; DVD’s, CD’s, Production equipment and copies of several pirated films.

“The board has scaled up its enforcement activities for the New Year and are intensifying efforts to make this evil business of pirates becomes unbearable for those that have seen it as a means of making quick money.

“The board will ensure total sanity and get rid of pirates in the industry, while the right owners of works enjoy the fruit of their hard labour,” he said.

According to him, the 12 suspects arrested in Lagos and Abuja would soon be charged to court for prosecution.

Thomas said that such action would serve as deterrent to others thinking of going into such business and prevent such illegal products from selling in the market at the expense of genuine ones.

The Executive Director added that the action was part of the board’s enforcement operations in sanitising the Nigerian market of illegal films.

He explained that the board had lined up nationwide raid against uncensored, unclassified and pirated films to ensure that such products were completely removed from the movie market.

The NFVCB boss noted that the motion picture industry was not all about entertainment, but a big business that must be encouraged and protected to grow and bring profit to its investors.

Thomas said that the creative industry was acclaimed to have contributed 1.4 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP and can do more.

He commended the Bank of Industry ( BoI ) and Tonye Princewill, the executive producer of film “79 for supporting the board to discharge its mandate effectively.

Also Read: NFVCB confiscates pirated materials worth N150m at Alaba Market

“Bank of industry (BoI) support the Censors Board with the sum of N500,000 and three powerful motorcycles, while Tonye Princewill gives the board N500,000 to repair its abandoned operational vehicle used for raiding of pirates on the street.

“BoI and Tonye Prince will have been supporting any drive that would enhance the commercial viability of the films and creative industry.

“Recently, BoI gives two powerful motorcycles to the board as part of machinery needed to carry out its work smoothly.

“I am indeed grateful and happy towards their gesture, and I appeal to other stakeholders, individuals and philanthropists to support and partner with the board to be effective and efficient in discharging its mandate, ” he said.

Thomas said that BoI was a major financier of the creative sector, having invested heavily in the development of infrastructure and movie production in the country.

NAN

January 10, 2018
Pregnant woman bites rapist’s genitals – Police

South African Police said they are on the lookout for a man with severely injured genitalia who allegedly raped a pregnant woman, who bit him in self-defence.

Local police spokesman Leonard Hlathi told newsmen on Wednesday that the woman, who was in the third month of her pregnancy, was raped at knife point.

“She was rape in front of her young child after she hitched a lift with two men in eastern Mpumalanga province.

“One of the men forcefully raped her at knife point in front of her child,’’ a police statement read.

The crime occurred on Monday.

“The woman managed to bite the private part of the man, who ran away after the ordeal,’’ it added.

Police, however, appealed to all health institutions to contact the authorities if they find a man with “an injured private part.”

The police also put out a tweet on their official account calling for information on the case.

Also Read: Police killed 13 during 2017 protest

Hlathi told newsmen that in spite of his bad injuries, the man had managed to flee.

“It is not the first time that men bitten on the genitals have managed to escape,’’ he said.

He said that the woman is being treated by a psychologist, and noted that in South Africa “sexual offence cases are high.”

South Africa recorded a total of 39,828 rapes in 2016 to 2017, an average of around 109 per day.

However, the figures may be even higher, with think tank Africa Check warning that rape may be under-reported.

(dpa/NAN)

January 10, 2018
Oprah Winfrey ‘intrigued’ by U.S. presidential run

Media magnate Oprah Winfrey is “intrigued” by the possibility of running for the U.S. presidency in 2020.

Winfrey confidante Gayle King, however said on Tuesday after Winfrey’s speech at a Hollywood awards show thrust her name into the political arena that she was not considering it now.

King said on “CBS This Morning” that the 63-year-old celebrity’s past position that she was not interested in running for president remained unchanged.

“I do think she’s intrigued by the idea, I do think that,” King said. “I also know that after years of watching ‘The Oprah (Winfrey) Show’ you always have the right to change your mind. I don’t think at this point she’s actually considering it.”

Social media lit up about a presidential run after Winfrey’s speech at the Golden Globes awards show on Sunday night promoting the “Time’s Up” movement against sexual harassment and assault.

CNN, citing two of her close friends, reported on Monday that the television and movie producer and actress was actively thinking about making a White House bid.

Also Read: Oprah Winfrey acquires Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Republican PresidentGolden Globes awards would gladly face Oprah Winfrey – one of the United States’ wealthiest women and long associated with Democratic politics and fundraising – as in the 2020 presidential race, a White House spokesman said on Monday.(NAN/Reuters)

January 9, 2018
9mobile biggest losers as Internet users hit 94.8 million in November – NCC

The internet users increased marginally to 94 .8 million in November, the Nigerian Communications Commission ( NCC ), has said.

The NCC made this disclosure in its Monthly Internet Subscribers Data for November 2017 on its website on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the data, Airtel, MTN and Glo gained more internet subscribers during the month, while 9mobile was the big loser.

The data also showed that overall, internet users increased by to 94, 818,553 in November from 93,887,184 in October showing an increase of 931, 369.

The data breakdown revealed that MTN gained 428, 596 new internet users increasing its subscription in November to 33,426,931 from 32,998,335 in October.

It showed that 9mobile lost 180, 044 internet users in November decreasing its subscription to 11,407.180 as against October when it recorded 11,587,224 in October.

It said Airtel gained the most with 632, 506 new internet users in November amounting to 23, 074,163 users as against 22,441,657 users in October.

The data showed that Globacom also gained 50,311new users in November as the figure recorded was 26,910,279 as against 26,859,968 it had in October.

Read Also: NCC gives out N17m to winners of tennis championship

NAN

January 9, 2018
CBN cries out over fake Emefiele twitter handles

The Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ) has raised alarm over the existence of several twitter handles purportedly owned by the Governor of the Bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communication, Mr Isaac Okorafor in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, urged Nigerians to ignore messages from such twitter handles.

“We wish to inform members of the public, particularly members of the social media community that Emefiele presently has no twitter handle.

“We wish to state categorically, that the twitter handles bearing his name and photographs are fake and targeted at misleading unsuspecting members of the public.’’

Also Read: CBN stops banks from taking charges on bulk transfers

Accordingly, we wish to advise all members of the social media community and the general public to be wary of the fake accounts and discountenance whatever message conveyed therein.

NAN

January 9, 2018
Presidency urges Senate to lift embargo on confirmation of nominees

The Presidency has urged the Senate to lift the embargo on confirmation of nominees sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It would be recalled that Senate on July 4, 2017 resolved to suspend all issues relating to confirmation of nominees submitted by the executive over what it termed as a move to reduce its legislative powers.

The senators had said the decision would remain until the issues of confirmation as contained in the Constitution and the laws of the federation were adhered to.

All the same, the presidency had in October 2017 nominated Mrs. Aisha Ahmad as a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ) to replace Dr. Sarah Alade, who retired from the bank in June.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) Mr Ita Enang said “the president had submitted as required by law and the confirmations are pending before the legislature.

“We are engaging with the legislature within the law.

“Therefore we are conscious that the legislature, in particular the Senate, is very responsive and very concerned about the economy.

“And the Senate is also conscious that nothing should be done that will be detrimental to the international image of Nigeria and perception of Nigeria.

“So we are engaging with the legislature particularly the Senate on this and the Senate is very sensitive to the public to what is likely to happen.’’

He said the senate must have been engaged with a number of bills last year and were prioritising issues.

“They are going to attend to it. Any matter that is standing as an issue between the executive and the legislature which may be the reason for the embargo, we are going to address it and make sure it is surmounted.

“Therefore, Nigerians should be comfortable that the Senate will answer questions within the law,” Enang said.

NAN

January 9, 2018
I washed dead bodies to survive as a student abroad — Ajimobi

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Tuesday said that he washed dead bodies as a youth to pay his tuition fees while schooling abroad.

Ajimobi said this at a South-West Youths Regional Summit in Osogbo.

The governor, while urging the youth to have a positive mindset toward hard work, said he spent eight years abroad washing dead bodies to survive.

He said his parents only sent him 30 dollars all through his stay abroad, adding that he had to look for a way to survive.

“I left Nigeria in 1963 to study abroad, but throughout my stay there, I was washing dead bodies to support myself to go to school.

“When ever I got home from work, I will be weeping, remembering the number of dead bodies I washed.

Read also: Ajimobi wife celebrates four newborns

“My boss at work then said I should not be afraid or fear, adding that such feeling is normal for first comers.

“He encouraged me to always see those dead bodies as iced fish.

“But against all odds, I survived and that is why I am urging youths to see hard work as the only way to success.

“I am saying this to challenge the youth of our next generation not to give up.

“This is our chance as youths and as Yorubas to come together to chart a successful pathway for the country.’’

Ajimobi, however, urged Yoruba leaders and governors to unite for the progress of the Yoruba race.

NAN

January 9, 2018
NECO releases 2017 Nov/Dec SSCE results

The National Examination Council ( NECO ) has announced the release of the 2017 November/December Senior School Certificate Examination results.

The Registrar of the Council, Prof. Charles Uwakwe, announced the results on Tuesday at its headquarters in Minna. ‎
‎
Uwakwe said a total of 42, 985‎ candidates registered for the examination and 42, 429 wrote the examination in 28 subjects.

He said 24, 098 candidates representing 56.79 per cent ‎had five credits and above.

The registrar said 32, 917 candidates representing 77.58 per cent had five credits irrespective of English Language and Mathematics.

Uwakwe explained that 32, 701 candidates representing 78.82 per cent had credit and above in Mathematics‎.

He said 29, 258 candidates representing 70 per cent had credits and above in English Language.

According to him, 4,425 candidates, representing 10.43 per cent were involved in examination malpractice.

The registrar noted that the number represented ‎5.9 per cent reduction in examination malpractice compared to 2016 record.

Uwakwe said the results were released on time to enable candidates who needed them for the admission for 2017/2018 academic session.‎

“It will please the general public to know that this is the first time the council is releasing result of Nov/Dec ‎SSCE results barely 38 days after the test.

“The early and timely release of the 2017 Nov/Dec SSCE result is in line with the council new work ethos that borders on efficient service delivery,” he said.

Read also: WAEC releases Nov/Dec WASSCE results

Uwakwe said the feat was possible as a result of deployment of improved logistics that ensured appropriate standards.

He urged the candidates to access their results on NECO Website – www.mynecoexams.com, using their examination registration numbers and the council approved result checker.‎

Ogun State was best in performance of the 2017 SSCE Nov/Dec ‎examination.

Ogun had a percentage of 91. 42 per cent of candidates had five credits and above followed by Akwa – Ibom with 87.97 per cent and Oyo with a percentage of 86.90 per cent.

Plateau‎ topped the list of the examination malpractice with 943 cases, representing 21.31 per cent followed by Oyo with 884 cases, representing 19.97 per cent.

Adamawa is the third on 464 cases of examination malpractice, representing 10.48 per cent.

NAN

January 9, 2018
Benue killings: Don urges FG to unmask groups fomenting trouble

A don, Prof. Lai Olurode, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to unmask the groups instigating the recurring crises between the farmers and herdsmen in Benue for peace to reign.

Olurode, a professor of Sociology at University of Lagos, said the government should initiate a policy aimed at earmarking some resources for the production of feeds for the cattle of herdsmen.

He also said a sociological survey should be conducted to establish the kind of symbiotic relationship existing between herdsmen and farmers, adding that incidents, which were aggravated by some faceless groups in the affected areas, could also be isolated.

“So, I think through that way, the hostilities between the two sets of people will cease, as we begin to see a more symbiotic and simpler co-relationship between the herdsmen and the farmers.

“But government needs to put down a lot of resources to encourage people to do this; otherwise people will not be encouraged and then, the hostilities and killings will continue.

“Whether we like it or not, we cannot completely say that the herdsmen are not part of the society, they are; some of them don’t even eat the meat of their cattle; they produce the meat for the entire Nigerian community.

“The same thing applies to farmers; all the crops that are being destroyed by the cattle are meant for you and me. We need to live in this country together and the earlier we understand this, the better for everybody.

Read also: Benue Attack: Humanitarian crises overwhelm Guma LGA

“What we need is a more beneficial relationship between the two groups (herdsmen and farmers) because all these demarcations, rulings and approaching the issue through the legal point of view, as some states have done, are not really going to perfectly work.

“If states continue to say `don’t come to our states to rear cattle’; it will continue to bring acrimony between brothers and sisters,’’ he added.

The don also called for a comprehensive sociological study of the protracted farmers-herdsmen crisis so as to enable the government to tackle all the contentious issues more scientifically and contain the conflict.

Olurode, who is a former INEC National Commissioner, disagreed with calls from certain quarters on the government to declare herdsmen as terrorists because of the attacks in Benue.

“I think the government needs to carry out a sociological study, a survey, to know where there were serious crises; where there have been very serious breakdowns of law and order like Benue State. There should be a thorough study to ascertain who the groups really are.

“Maybe, not all Fulani herdsmen were involved. Besides, what kind of relationship hitherto existed between the Fulani herdsmen and the communities?

“When we ask such questions and have concrete answers, we can then use the facts to fashion the way forward.

“People, who are urging the government to declare the Fulani herdsmen as terrorist groups, are ignorant and sentimental.

“What is the basis for that? Is it just because of reported incidents of violence all over the place? That will not get us into the root of the matter.

“What we need is a better understanding; we need to know if the ranks of the herdsmen have been infiltrated by unscrupulous politicians or the Boko Haram insurgents.

“Or maybe, the herdsmen are working for other purposes; only a scientific study will give us reliable answers to some of these issues and problems,’’ Olurode said.

However, Mr Nkem Lemchi, the Lagos State Chairman of African Democratic Congress, said: “The killings are becoming gruesome and threat to the unity of the nation.

“It is a pity that the Federal Government is not really decisive over the matter; it should attack the activities of the herdsmen with the same vehemence it applied on the IPOB (Indigenous Peoples of Biafra) matter.

“All we hear from the government is mere condemnation of the dastardly acts of the herdsmen. They should be declared terrorists; while their financiers are fished out and dealt with,’’ he said.

NAN

January 9, 2018
Former petroleum minister wants IPMAN licenses revoked

A former Minister of Petroleum, Alhaji Umaru Dembo, on Tuesday advocated for revocation of licences granted members of Independent Marketers’ Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN ) to end fuel scarcity in the country.

He also called for the re-introduction of major marketers to take charge of all fuel distribution and supply to motorists across the country.

Dembo, who served as a petroleum minister during the reign of late Gen. Sani Abacha, made the call in an interview in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The ex-minister said the appeal became imperative in view of the fact that IPMAN threw Nigerians into an untold hardship toward the end of 2017 through 2018.

According to him, the most appropriate solution to the lingering fuel scarcity in Nigeria is for the Federal Government to resort to stick approach against the erring independent marketers.

“Remember, government is working for the interest of generality not few, however, majority of Nigerians are suffering at the expense of few, who exploit the opportunity to their advantage.

“Therefore, stick approach is the best answer to this problem, government needs to treat IPMAN with an iron hand, revoke their licenses and re-introduce major marketers again.

“Anybody willing to continue with fuel business should be directed to register with a major marketer; this will give government a level of control over the business.

“When there is fuel problem government will eventually know whom to talk to, at the same time, these major marketers will not allow selfish individuals to tarnish their image built globally over time,” he said.

He said the IPMAN members were accused of hoarding the fuel to create artificial scarcity in order to maximise profit, describing it as an unpatriotic act and a national tragedy.

Dembo cited companies like Texaco, Total, Mobil, National and Agip as reliable firms who had curved a niche for themselves globally hence they won’t allow someone to spoil their hard earned names.

Read also: 42 ships laden with petroleum products, food items to arrive Lagos ports

The former minister recalled that Petroleum Equalisation Trust Fund was introduced during late Gen. Sani Abacha’s administration while he was the minister to assist IPMAN, who were now abusing the gesture.

“IPMAN had engaged in activities detrimental to the livelihood of the common man, which is also inimical to national growth.

“I want to use this medium to advise both officials and ordinary members of IPMAN to always have the fear of God Almighty in all their dealings with Nigerians.

“They should bear in mind that one day they will stand before God, our creator to account for all they have done in this world,” he said.

Dembo also advised the federal government to invite the company which constructed Nigerian refineries to refurbish and rehabilitate all moribund refineries across the country.

He said such move would certainly make Nigeria sufficient in fuel production, thereby drastically reduce cost of fuel importation.

NAN

January 9, 2018