The Nation Newspaper

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  • Zamfara to establish own university next year.

    Zamfara to establish own university next year.

    The Zamfara Government said on Friday that it had plan to establish in 2018, its own university at Talata-Mafara town in Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of the state.

    The state Commissioner for Science and Technical Education, Malam Ahmad Maradun, disclosed this after defending the 2018 budget proposal of the ministry in Gusau.

    Maradun said that the Abdu-Gusau Polythecnic, Talata-Mafara, would be upgraded to the status of a university while the polytechnic would be relocated to another local government area in the state.

    “Though the state government has not yet decided where the polytechnic will be relocated to, it has earmarked over N2 billion for the project in its 2018 budget proposal.

    “You know the relocation of a tertiary institution, especially a polytechnic, is not an easy task. It involves building of structures. It also requires procurement of laboratory and workshop equipment, among others.

    “In our 2018 budget proposal we are going to spend over N2 billion on the relocation of the polytechnic,” the commissioner said.

    A committee had been set up to handle the establishment of the university.

    “We will also spend about N1billion on the renovation of the Zamfara State College of Arts and Science ( ZACAS ), Gusau,” Maradun added.

    He noted that the state government this year spent over N1billion on renovating two science and technical education secondary schools in Talata-Mafara and Kaura-Namoda.

    The commissioner said that two other schools had been identified for renovation in the 2018 budget proposal.

    Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari on Monday presented a N130.7 billion budget proposal to the State House of Assembly.

    NAN

  • Merkel to launch coalition talks on Wednesday

    Merkel to launch coalition talks on Wednesday

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to launch talks on Wednesday aimed at forging a new coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), an SPD leader confirmed on Friday.

    The exploratory talks between the SPD, Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and the CDU’s Bavarian-based ally, the Christian Social Union (CSU), bring Europe’s biggest economy closer to ending months of political deadlock following September’s inconclusive national election.

    “No matter what comes now or how it turns out, I believe that we need both more political argument but also more alignment between the CDU-CSU and SPD,” SPD parliamentary leader Andreas Nahles told German radio.

    She confirmed that Wednesday had been set aside for the launch of coalition talks after SPD members attending a party congress on Thursday reluctantly voted to meet with Merkel.

    SPD chief Martin Schulz told the 600 or so delegates attending the conference in Berlin that the party would ensure that key elements of its programme form part of any new coalition pact with Merkel.

    Those elements include a new immigration law and a reimagining of the EU as well as education and health reform.

    In addition to Schulz and Merkel, Wednesday’s talks are to be attended by CSU chief Horst Seehofer, SPD leader Nahles, leading CDU parliamentarian Volker Kauder and the CSU’s Alexander Dobrindt, party officials said.

    NAN

  • Court docks man for allegedly defiling teenager

    Court docks man for allegedly defiling teenager

    A 43-year-old man, Anthony Ibodhe, who allegedly detained and defiled a 12-year-old girl, was on Friday brought before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Ibodhe, who resides at No. 22, Olayinka St., Itire, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of unlawful confinement and defilement.
    ‎‎The prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, insisted ‎that the accused committed the offence at No. 22, Olayinka St., Itire Lagos at about 02.00.p.m. between Oct. 5 and Nov. 7.

    ‎‎She said the accused, who resides at the above address with the parents of the girl, was in the habit of detaining the girl and having sexual intercourse with her whenever her parents were not around.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 135 and 144 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
    ‎However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.‎

    ‎The Senior Chief Magistrate, Mrs Ipaye Nwachukwu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.‎
    Nwachukwu ordered that one of the sureties must be a civil servant, not less than level 14, while the other must be resident in his own building,

    She said that sureties should provide evidence of tax payments and have their addresses verified.‎

    ‎‎She adjourned the case until Jan. 25, pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ).

    NAN

  • Bayelsa says it’s committed to sports devt

    The Bayelsa Government is committed to developing the potentials of the state’s sports men and women as part of efforts to rebuild sports in the state, an official has said.

    The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, expressed the commitment Friday in Yenagoa during a courtesy visit by officials of Bayelsa chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

    “It is in realisation of this objective that the state government embarked on the improvement of sports facilities to encourage sports men and women in achieving their maximum potentials,’’ he said.

    The commissioner described sports as “big business’’ and called for more collaboration between the state government and SWAN to accelerate growth in the sports sector in the state.

    He said such development and collaboration would go a long way to encourage talented youths and enable them excel in national and international events.

    “We have been pushing forward to ensure an improvement of facilities, while the state sports academy has come to stay.

    “Academic activities have started, with the students on ground. We are doing this because sports is a big business.

    “The reconstruction work at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa is getting to completion stage and I believe by Feb. 14, the stadium will be commissioned as part of events marking the sixth year anniversary of the present government,” Iworiso-Markson said.

    The Commissioner however applauded Bayelsa SWAN’s planned effort to hold the maiden edition of Clinton Thompson Football Competition in the state, describing it as a welcome development.

    The competition fixed for Dec. 18 is being organised by Bayelsa SWAN to immortalise the late sports journalist who died earlier this year.

    The late Thompson, who was a veteran reporter and the pioneer President of SWAN South-South Zone, was at a time the General Manager of Radio Bayelsa, Glory FM 97.1.

    Alambo Datonye, the state SWAN Chairman, said the competition which would involve practising journalists in Bayelsa, was aimed at encouraging physical fitness and mental alertness of media practitioners through sports.

    He said the Association was ready to work with the state government to encourage athletes in the state, especially from the grassroots level.

    “We organised a six-kilometre road race earlier this year and that competition was successful. We are not going to stop, because sports is a veritable tool we and the present government can use to rebrand the state.

    “There are talented youths in Bayelsa. These talents can be groomed and promoted to the highest level in areas of sports,” the chairman said.

    NAN

  • Mechanic in court for absconding with vehicle

    Mechanic in court for absconding with vehicle

    A 42-year-old mechanic, Isah Danjuma, who allegedly absconded with a vehicle valued at N750,000 was on Friday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    The accused was arraigned before the Magistrate, Mrs Y.O Ekogbulu, on a charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

    Danjuma, who resides at the Agege area of Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge and was admitted to bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Ekogbulu said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

    According to the Prosecutor, Insp. Clement Okuoimose, the accused committed the offences on Dec 28, 2014 at Oredapo Street, Agege, Lagos.

    He said that the accused obtained N750, 000 from Madi Abdullahi, under the pretext of selling his vehicle to him.

    “The accused approached the complainant telling him to buy his DAF vehicle 28 model at N750, 000.

    “The complainant did not have the money, so he contacted his brother in the North to come and buy the vehicle.

    “His brother came to Lagos and inspected the vehicle and he liked it, paid N400, 000 into the accused’s bank account and promised to pay the balance the following day.

    “Immediately the balance of N350, 000 was paid the following day, the accused relocated with the vehicle to an unknown destination and was nowhere to be found again.

    “All efforts made by the complainant to retrieve the money or the vehicle proved unsuccessful,” he said.

    Okuoimose said that the accused was later arrested after three years of his disappearance with the vehicle.

    The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

    The accused may be jailed for 15 years, if found guilty of obtaining money under false pretences, according to the provisions of Section 314.

    The case was adjourned until January 10  for mention.

    NAN

  • LCM donates N5m to welfare homes

    Lagos Channel Management (LCM), a Lagos-based dredging company, on Friday donated N1million each to five orphanage homes in the state.

    The beneficiaries include Oyiza Orphanage and Foster Foundation in Mushin and Lady Oyindamola Memorial Home for the mentally challenged in Badagry.

    Others are: Special Correctional Centres for Boys in Oregun, Olubukola Fowowe Memorial Children Centre in Ogba and Correctional Homes for Boys in Yaba.

    Mr Danny Fuchs, the Managing Director of LCM, said that the donation was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to the society.

    Fuchs said that the government alone should not be saddled with the responsibility of caring for the less privileged in the society, and urged other corporate entities to do likewise.

    “I know what we have given can’t solve all the problems in in your various homes, but it is just our own little way of identifying with the children in your care.

    “Over the years, we have taken it as a point of duty to give to the society and this has become the norm in LCM.

    “I also commend the care givers for dedicating their time to take care of these children and I hope they will use the money judiciously to better the lives of the children,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Mrs Yewande Falugba, the Director of Administration and Human Resources in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, praised the company for its enterprise and gesture to the less privileged.

    Falugba said that the government was doing everything possible to ensure that the children in government-owned homes get adequate care, while those owned by private individuals are properly run.

    “We appreciate LCM for what they are doing because their support will go a long way to put smiles on the faces of the children.

    “The Lagos State Government is doing a lot to keep these homes running in order to impact positively on the life of children and we hope more companies will support the government, ” she said.

    Three out of the five homes that benefitted from the largesse are owned by the Lagos State Government.

    Thirty-five orphanage homes have benefitted from the company’s yearly donation in the past seven years.

    NAN

  • Mechanic arraigned for phone theft

    Mechanic arraigned for phone theft

    A 20-year-old mechanic, Tola Lebile, on Friday appeared before an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State over alleged theft of  a Tecno V8 phone valued at N8,000.

    The accused, who has no fixed address, is facing a two-count charge breaking in and stealing.

    According to the prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, the accused stole the phone from Mr Ogunyemi Adewunmi at 2.30a.m. on Nov. 6 at No. 10, Lebi St., Okitipupa.

    Orogbemi told the court that the mechanic entered  Adewunmi’s house to steal the phone.

    He submitted that the offences contravened Sections 412 and 390(9) of the  Criminal Code, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

    Read also: Mechanic in court for absconding with vehicle

    The Magistrate, Mr Banji Ayeomoni, granted him bail in the sum of N30,000 and a surety in like sum.

    He ordered that the surety must provide evidence of a year tax payment to the Ondo State Government.

    The magistrate adjourned the case until Dec. 15 for mention.

    NAN

  • I believed woman who accused Zuma of rape – Deputy president

    I believed woman who accused Zuma of rape – Deputy president

    South Africa Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, said he believed the woman who filed rape charges against President Jacob Zuma in 2006.

    Zuma was tried and acquitted of raping Fezekile Kuzwayo, also know as Khwezi, 11 years ago, when she was a guest in his home.

    In spite the acquittal the trial damaged Zuma’s reputation, not least because Khwezi – who died in 2016, was HIV-positive and Zuma told the court that he had taken the precaution of “showering” after unprotected sex.

    Ramaphosa, who is vying with Zuma for leadership of the ANC and, therefore, the country, made the remarks during a radio interview on Thursday night.

    When pressed on the rape allegations, Ramaphosa at first demurred before saying: “Yes, I would believe her.”

    “I know how difficult and painful it is for a woman to garner up the courage to stand up and say, ‘Yes, I was raped.

    “It must be one of the most difficult decisions that she has to make,” he said.

    Ramaphosa has been Zuma’s deputy since 2014.

    Read also: Probe Okorocha over ‘statues of Zuma – Johnson Sirleaf

    On Friday, the presidency released a terse statement in response to Ramaphosa’s remarks.

    “The rape allegations against President Zuma were properly considered by a Judge of the High Court.

    Having evaluated the totality of the evidence, the court acquitted Zuma of the rape charges.

    NAN

  • Man gets N50,000 bail for N8000 theft

    Man gets N50,000 bail for N8000 theft

    A 22-year-old man, Jamiu Habeeb, who allegedly stole 10 shirts worth N8000 from a trader, Mohammed Isah, was on Friday in Lagos granted a N50,000 bail.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A. Etti, who gave the ruling at an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, ordered the accused to provide one surety as part of the bail conditions.

    Etti said the surety must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
    The accused, who entered a ‘not guilty’ plea, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the accused, who resides at the Ajegunle area of Apapa, Lagos, committed the offences on Nov. 21, at Ijora Market, Apapa, Lagos.

    Kokoye said that the accused and his accomplices, now at large, conspired to steal 10 shirts worth N8000 from Isah’s shop at about 3:00 pm.

    The prosecutor claimed that the accused and his accomplices went to the complainant’s shop pretending they were customers interested in buying shirts.

    He said they picked 10 shirts and ran away without paying.

    Kokoye explained further that the complainant raised an alarm about his stolen shirts and other traders ran after the accused.

    He said that Habeeb was apprehended by some traders, while his accomplices escaped with the shirts.

    Kokoye said that the complainant reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
    Section 287 prescribes three years’ imprisonment for stealing, if convicted.
    The case was adjourned until December 21, for mention.

    NAN

  • Argentina must improve to succeed in Russia – Messi

    Argentina must improve to succeed in Russia – Messi

    Argentina captain Lionel Messi believes they need to improve if they are to stand a chance of winning next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    Argentina, who reached the final in 2014, struggled during qualification for Russia, going through three coaches before securing their place at the tournament.

    And it was all thanks to a Messi hat-trick in a 3-1 win away to Ecuador in the final qualifier.

    Messi’s side will kick off their World Cup campaign against Iceland on June 16, before facing Croatia and Nigeria in their other group stage fixtures.

    Next year’s tournament may be the last chance for the 30-year-old Messi to win a major trophy with Argentina and the FC Barcelona forward is already concerned.

    He says they need to make changes in order to overcome more fancied countries.

    “We had a difficult time (in qualifying), but we had our moments,” Messi said.

    “But it’s true that we need to improve if we want to be world champions. Right now we’re not far off, but there are better sides than us, such as Brazil, Germany, France and Spain.”

    As well as losing to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, Argentina were also defeated by Chile in successive Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016.

    Messi, however, believes they should have celebrated at least two victories.

    “I never went back over the finals (we lost). We deserved to win them, in spite of not playing that well. We still had the best chances, both in the World Cup and Copa America,” he said.

    “I’d have to watch them again to see what we didn’t get right in order not to win them. But right here I believe we should have won at least two of them.”

    Messi and his team mates have had a tumultuous relationship with the Argentine media, boycotting them 12 months ago due to what the national team perceived as unfair treatment.

    He said that media criticism has created a culture of fear within the squad.

    “Criticism went above and beyond what is normal and became personal,” he said.

    “The bitterness we feel is because we know what’s coming if things don’t go well for us. People want results and if they don’t get them, they want to see fresh blood. We don’t feel that way.”

    NAN