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NUC staff suit: Court fixes Nov.13 for hearing

The National Industrial Court, Abuja, has fixed Nov.13 for hearing of the suit instituted by one Victor Uyo, against the National Universities Commission, seeking the lifting of an interdiction placed on him.

Uyo, treasurer of the NUC Multipurpose Cooperative Society, had sued the cooperative challenging an alleged interdiction placed on him in 2007.

He joined the NUC Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as co- respondent in the suit.

The claimant is asking the court to lift the interdiction allegedly placed on him in 2007 by the cooperative.

The claimant also prayed the court to order the respondents to pay him all his salaries and entitlements as well as withdraw the publication of the said interdiction in the cooperative’s bulletin.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Mr Isaac Ebikwo, claimant’s counsel told the court that he had an application, seeking leave of court to regularise his processes.

The court granted Ebikwo the leave, since the application was not opposed by the respondent’s counsel, Mr M.Ofeoshi.

The judge, Justice Edith Agbakoba, by consent of parties adjourned the suit until Nov.13 for hearing.

NAN

October 17, 2017
‘INEC is working to achieve credible election in Cross River’

The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) is working towards achieving 100 per cent free, fair and credible election in Cross River in 2019.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner ( REC ) in the state, Dr Frankland Biriyai, made the statement on Tuesday in Calabar at a one-day workshop on voter Education and Publicity.

The workshop was orgnised by INEC for Assistant Electoral Officers from the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

“This training will ensure that we achieve a record 100 per cent success in Cross River in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

“We are ready to achieve that; that is why you are being trained to go to your local government areas and educate the voters that we are in a new era.

“I am sure that between now and 2019 if you do your work very well, voters will have faith in us and believe that we can conduct free, fair and credible election come 2019.

“I urge you to maintain discipline and to keep working hard so that together we can do it, ‘’ Frankland said.

The REC said the training was designed to take voter education to the grassroots through sensitisation and publicity.

He insisted that INEC was capable of conducting credible elections that could be adjudged the best in the world.

The Head of Department, Voter Education, Mrs Anthonia Nwobi, said the workshop would afford the officers the opportunity to learn new rules and guidelines that would assist them in their duties.

She described voter education and publicity as key and paramount to the success of any election.

NAN

October 17, 2017
Plateau CAN urges Christians to unite to tackle challenges

The Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ), Plateau chapter, has decried the lack of unity among Christians, and declared that the travails of the faithful would only worsen if the Church remained divided.

“The Church today is faced with a lot of problems, but the major one is lack of unity. The challenges are massive; we can only tackle them if we are united and speak with one voice,” Dr. Soja Bewarang, its Chairman, said on Tuesday.

Bewarang spoke at the 2017 Unity Service and Prayer, organised for Christians in the Central Senatorial Zone of the state, and held in Bokkos.

The service, an annual event held in the three senatorial zones of Plateau, is targeted at bringing all Christians together to encourage them to pray for peace, progress and tranquility.

The CAN chairman emphasised the need for a united Church, stressing that such unity would please the Lord and make Him open the windows of blessings to the faithful.

He said that Christians, as the body of Christ, must be united and focused so as to collectively achieve the principal goal of serving their creator.

“If Christians are not united, it means that they cannot approach one another in love and can never be good witnesses for Christ.

“We may belong to different denominations and Churches, but we all belong to the Lord and
must love one another to form a perfect bond of unity so that the enemy will not take advantage of our disunity and cause more havoc.

“We must put aside our biases, prejudices and differences and dwell more on the things
that unite us for the common mission. This is a bold step we must take collectively, because it is indeed a step in the right direction.”

Bewarang said that there was noting as tragic as a Church divided, adding that the tragedy was even more disastrous if the cause of the division was self-inflicted.

He urged Christians to be alert to the devices of satan whose first step was usually to distract the Church from its profound mission by planting seeds of internal discord.

Bewarang traced the division in the Church to the “general workings of human corruption that had often distracted and broke the peace of societies”.

Quoting the scriptures, he pointed out that wars and fighting were products of human lust that spring from ignorance, error, unbelief, prejudice, pride, passion, selfishness and carnality.

He regretted that divisions had become entrenched in the Church with efforts to unite the folk getting more difficult by the day.

On Christians’ involvement in partisan politics, Bewarang rejected suggestions that politics was a dirty terrain that good Christians must avoid.

“Politics simply means the ‘science of government’’; government inevitably has profound consequences for those who are governed. It is unthinkable that the Christian voice should not be heard in the political arena.

“There are other people, who believe that Christians in responsible positions can do great good and that political power should not be allowed to be a monopoly of those who might abuse it. I agree with such people.

“A good Christian politician can persuade his fellow citizens to raise their standards. Wilberforce abolished slave trade; Shaftesbury and his friends prevented child labor. Both groups acted as Christian politicians on Christian principles.”

He said that CAN was motivating Plateau Christians to be agents of change by scrutinizing the activities of the various stakeholders in politics.

Bewarang, who regretted the endemic corruption permeating all sectors of the nation, lamented that the fear of God was no longer in the hearts of many Nigerians.

“The situation is bad, but we should be hopeful as Christians; we must trust God that things will take a positive shape. We must continue to condemn violence and encourage peaceful coexistence,” he said.

The CAN chairman commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts toward fighting corruption and reviving the agriculture and solid minerals sectors, but said that the efforts were being thwarted by persistent attacks on rural communities.

“Farming and mining are carried out in the fields. The fields have been dangerous with persistent attacks by gunmen. Government must strive to end the attacks to restore hope to the populace,” he said.

Bewarang also spoke on the Plateau Local Government elections slated for Feb. 17, 2018, and declared that the Church would not tolerate money politics, smear campaigns, denominational and tribal politics.

“Such vices have robbed us of credible leaders in the past and must be discarded. We shall encourage Plateau residents to choose leaders on merit regardless of party, tribe, religion and denomination,” he said.

Dignitaries at the service included Plateau Governor, Simon Lalong, his deputy, Prof. Soni Tyoden, former Plateau Governor, Joshua Dariye, members of the national and state assemblies, religious and traditional leaders.

NAN

October 17, 2017
Enugu Govt. to explore new ways of encouraging investors

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State says his administration will exploit new ways of encouraging investors, with a view to making the state the economic hub of the South-East.

Ugwuanyi said this on Tuesday in Enugu during a courtesy call on him by the management and staff of Aqua Rafa Investment Nigeria Ltd., led by the Managing Director, Mr Sunday Nwankwo.

He said that it was his aspiration to positively turn around the economic fortunes of the state through policies and programmes that would ease investment bottlenecks in the state.

“In line with our aspiration to make Enugu the economic hub of the South-East, we will continue to exploit new ways to make business encouraging,” he said.

Ugwuanyi said that the European Quality Award won by the company was not just an honour to the organisation but also to the country in general and the state in particular.

“This much coveted international recognition has brought glory to Nigeria and Enugu State and will come as a challenge to other local manufacturers to boost the quality of their products.”

The governor said that the company’s contribution to job creation is a clear testimony of the success of Public Private Partnership initiative in the state.

Earlier, Nwankwo said that they were at the Government House to present to the governor the award which the company won recently.

He said that by the products of the company would find their way into European markets.

He said that the company had also contributed to job creation by absorbing unemployed youths in the state.

Nwankwo, however, noted that their operations were not without fundamental challenges which they had grappled with.

He said that the economic situation of the country had come hard on the company and appealed for the governor’s intervention, especially in the area of taxation.

The company produces bottled and table water, yoghurt and mineral drinks.

NAN

October 17, 2017
Court grants Lawan’s application for transfer of case

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court, Jabi on Tuesday granted the application of Farouk Lawan seeking transfer of his case from Justice Angela Otaluka of FCT Lugbe High Court.

The judge will now hear the case in his court from 24 October.

Halilu said that the administration of criminal justice must be followed in the interest of justice, adding that the transfer of cases from one court to the other remains the administrative powers of the Chief Judge.

Lawan’s lawyer had petitioned the Chief Judge of FCT, Ishaq Bello, alleging bias and lack of confidence in Otaluka’s court.

He argued that the Chief Judge of the FCT has the prerogative to reassign cases, based on Section 168 of the Administration of Criminal Justice.

Justice Halilu however said that the chief Judge did not need to consult anyone to take any action. He thus dismissed the counter-application by the prosecutor, for lack of merit and authority.

He said that the administration of criminal justice system has to do with the liberty of the citizens.

“This matter has been transfered back and forth and this is not good for the image of the bar and the bench, though the prosecutor has the right to appeal against the judgment.

“The court has no interest in this case other than to ensure that justice must not only be done but it must be seen to have been done,” he said.

Mr Jude Odi, the prosecuting counsel, said that he would require time and a specific instruction from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to go ahead with the matter based on the court ruling.

He asked for time to brief the office of the AGF. He said the ruling has made it necessary to consult his principal.

He said he could not proceed with the case because he was not prepared to do so.

Mr Sekup Zumka, Counsel to the defendant said that there was no legal basis for the court to defer an arraignment to a latter day, adding that the court could proceed after its ruling.

According to him, taking the plea of the defendant does not signify a miscarriage of justice; there must be significant ground for adjournment.

“I hereby urge the court to dismiss the application of the prosecuting counsel and proceed on arraignment.

Justice Halilu however granted the prayer of the prosecuting counsel and adjourned arraignment till Oct 24.

Lawan is facing prosecution for receiving $600,000 bribe, from oil mogul, Femi Otedola during a probe by the House of Representatives of the scandalous oil subsidy regime during the Jonathan era.

Mr. Otedola’s companies, Zenon and Synopsis, allegedly paid Mr Lawan bribes to get their names off the indictment roll of the House.

NAN

October 17, 2017
Kaduna Assembly sets deadline for 2018 Budget defence

The Kaduna State House of Assembly on Tuesday set Nov. 14 deadline for Ministries, Departments and Agencies to defend their 2018 budget proposals.

Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i had on Oct. 13, submitted a budget of N216.5 billion to the assembly for approval.

The budget provides N85.4 billion for recurrent expenditure and N131.1 billion for capital projects.

The assembly, at its sitting presided by the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Shagali, referred the bill to its Committee on Appropriation and Implementation, to work on the budget and report back on Nov. 14.

Earlier, members had spoken on the budget, with some describing the document as comprehensive.

Kasim Iliyasawa, member representing Zaria constituency said the huge provision for capital projects was unprecedented in the history of the state.

Isaac Zankhai, representing Kauru/Chawai constituency, noted that the government had been good in preparing budgets, but always failed in releasing funds to effectively finance the budget.

He urged the assembly to expedite action on the passage of the budget.

Nuhu Shadalafiya, the member representing Kagarko, said the assembly should encourage the government to boost internal revenue generation.

“We should encourage them when they come for budget defence to ensure that they put in the mechanisms to realize the money needed to finance the budget.

“It is not just putting the figure but working hard to actualize it; I know we can do it,” Shadalafiya said.

NAN

October 17, 2017
Over 500 residents benefit from NYSC free medical services

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has provided free medical services to over 500 residents of Akun Development Area of Nasarawa State, the state Coordinator, Mrs. Zainab Isah, has said.

Isah said this on Tuesday in an interview in Akun.

The state coordinator said that the Scheme Health Initiative Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme was designed to assist poor Nigerians, especially those at the rural areas unable to cater for their medical treatment.

She said that the programme would also strengthen national unity and integrity in improve the health conditions of the people of the state, especially rural dwellers.

“As you can see, the drugs will be given to the community free of charge, medical services free of charge and everything we are do to in the community is free of charge.

“The programme will benefit rural dwellers because it takes healthcare delivery to their door steps.”

Isah added that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation, hence the need for the programme.

The state coordinator commended the Federal Government for funding the programme and called for its sustenance.

Also speaking, the Head of the Medical Team in the state, Dr. Bello Mohammed, explained that the free medical outreach was part of the Community Development Service to their host state.

Responding, Sunday Anzaku, one of the beneficiaries, commended the NYSC for the gesture and called for its sustenance.

He said that the gesture would go a long way toward improving their health and standard of living of the rural dwellers.

The free medical services involved testing, counselling, consultancy services and drug administration, among others.

NAN

October 17, 2017
Plateau set for peaceful LG polls

Gov. Mr Simon Lalong of Plateau signed the act establishing Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission on Aug. 9, indicating further empowerment of the commission to regulate local government elections.

The signing of the act to law also gives the commission the impetus to set the ball rolling for the conduct of the next local government polls in the state on Feb. 17, 2018.

The commission began with a familiarisation visit to the 17 local government areas of the state, meeting with the traditional rulers and other stakeholders and intimating them of its plans to conduct free, fair and peaceful polls.

Also to ensure free, fair and credible council polls in the state, the Plateau State Coalition on Electoral Reform and Good Governance recently, engaged the commission, security agencies, political parties and some key stakeholders in a town hall meeting in Jos.

The town hall meeting was supported by Community Action for Popular Participation Actionaid Nigeria, Ukaid and BBC Media Action.

In a keynote address at the meeting, the Senior Adviser, Search for Common Ground in Nigeria, Mr Chom Bagu, stated reasons why the commission must conduct local government elections that would be acceptable to the majority of the people.

According to him, credible and acceptable polls would further consolidate the peace being enjoyed in the state.

“It is also important to ensure that the poll is not only free and fair, but it should be credible and acceptable by a majority of the citizens.

“Democratic process must be adhered to so that the people can attest and accept the outcome of the elections.

“We have gone through turbulent times in the state; now we are enjoying relative peace. So we will not want a situation whereby the local government elections will draw us backwards.

“We advise that the commission to improve on its past efforts and ensure that the elections are conducted in a manner that will consolidate on the existing peace in the state,’’ he said.

Bagu further advised the electoral umpire to be transparent and show a high degree of credibility while conducting the council polls.

Also speaking at the event, a public affairs commentator, Mr Steve Aloko, said the onus lay on the police to ensure free, fair, credible and acceptable local government elections in Plateau.

He noted that the police reserved the duty to ensure the forthcoming local government polls in the state were conducted in an environment devoid of electoral frauds.

“The onus lies on the police and other security agencies to ensure peaceful atmosphere is provided for free, fair and credible local government elections in Plateau.

“As an institution, it reserves the right and powers to prevent people from committing electoral crime before, during and after elections.

“We rely solely on them to ensure hoodlums and desperate politicians do not hijack the electoral process, but to provide an environment where every citizen can exercise their civic rights,’’ he advised.

Aloko further urged the police to discharge their duties devoid of fears or favours, and called on the public to support and cooperate with them.

He also charged the police to give serious considerations to improving rural policing before, during and after elections.

“The bulk of the issues that mars free and free elections in Nigeria emanates from the rural areas, and it is a serious challenge,’’ he observed.

He said the police should work towards confidence-building as most populace had, over the years, lost confidence in the police.

He also called on government to adequately mobilise the police with all that would be needed in the discharge of their duties to minimise the risk of compromise.

In his view, the Policy and Governance Advisor, Actionaid Nigeria, Mr Kenneth Okoineme, urged political parties to entrench internal party democracy to ensure peaceful and acceptable local government polls.

According to him, the forthcoming local government polls would only be free, fair and credible when parties adhere and ensure inclusiveness.

“We all know that political parties play key role in deepening and shaping our polity, but the most important thing is the issue of parties adhering to the principle of internal democracy.

“There is also the need for parties to ensure an all-inclusive system that accommodates and engages all of its members; a situation where people should be the centre of its decision.

“So sentiment, personal interest and things that may breed conflicts and disagreements within the parties must be kept aside to ensure peaceful polls in the state,’’ he said.

Okoineme also urged parties to desist from hate campaigns and canvass for votes, using matured and more civilised ways.

He cautioned candidates against campaigns that could truncate the existing fragile peace being enjoyed in the state.

“You have very important role to play in ensuring that the relative peace being enjoyed in the state is sustained, and if possible consolidated.

“Personal sentiments within your parties must be jettisoned and the interest of the majority should always take the day.

“That way, we will have not only free and fair, but also a peaceful and acceptable local government election in Plateau,’’ he said.

Okoineme also charged the party leaders to create rooms for youths to contest elections on the platforms of their (leaders) parties.

He said the council poll was coming at the time when Nigerians were yearning for the younger generation to take up leadership roles and the parties ought to support their aspirations.

Beside this, Mr Nelson Ananza, Acting Director, Community Action for Popular Participation, said the meeting was aimed at engaging critical stakeholders with a view to improving the electoral process through active citizen participation.

Ananza expressed optimism that the resolutions reached at the end of the meeting would further add value to the electoral process and ensure credible council polls in Plateau.

Considering the importance of an electoral commission to credible elections, Mr Fabian Ntung, Chairman, Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, promised to conduct free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

He, nonetheless, appealed to concerned political stakeholders to abide by the laid down rules and regulations during the electioneering to deliver a peaceful and acceptable polls.

NAN

October 17, 2017
Kogi refutes monkey pox infection vaccination rumour

The Kogi Government has described as false, rumours that some unidentified men are infecting children with monkey pox virus in schools in the guise of vaccination.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu, in a statement by his media aide, Mr Audu Haruna, on Tuesday in Lokoja, said that government had investigated the claim and found that it was untrue.

According to him, “the rumour is baseless and unfounded, as it is similar to the rumour that gripped Abia, Enugu and Imo a few days back.’’

“The only parts of Kogi where we have an ongoing vaccination exercise is in Yagba West, which will soon be extended to two contiguous wards in Yagba East Local Government Area.

“This vaccination, which will last for 10 days, started on Oct. 14.

“Recalled that two cases of yellow fever were detected in Yagba West Local Government which prompted this reactive vaccination.

“So far, no case of reaction to the vaccines has been reported as the residents of Yagba West are cooperating with designated officers.

“Vaccines are meant to prevent child killer diseases and as such we will continue to carry out routine immunisation and immunisation plus days.

“This is the only known way to prevent vaccine sensitive diseases and as such we seek the cooperation of Kogi indigenes to help in refuting this rumour and ensure that immunisations continue to record the usual success,” he said.

The commissioner noted that a lot of resources had already been committed to the vaccination and as such people should endeavour not to waste the opportunity.

He restated that the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello would continue to do everything possible to bring healthcare to the doorsteps of the people.

October 17, 2017
Zimbabwe bans fruit, vegetable imports as forex deepens

Zimbabwe has banned imports of fruit and vegetables with immediate effect to preserve scarce foreign exchange, the agriculture minister said on Tuesday.

The country which dumped its currency for the U.S. dollar in 2009 because it was wrecked by hyperinflation is now running short of dollars as well as quasi-currency “bond note” introduced last year to ease cash shortages.

Last year Zimbabwe spent more than 80 million dollars on fruit and vegetables, according to national statistics agency Zimstat.

The produce included tomatoes, onions, carrots, grapes, apples and oranges.

Agriculture Minister Joseph Made told the Herald newspaper he had been directed by President Robert Mugabe to stop the importation of fruit and vegetables because “they waste much needed foreign currency.”

“This means that the importation of fruit and vegetables will be stopped immediately.

“We are finalising on the exact list of foreign-produced fruits that are occupying shelves in shops,” Made said.

Made declined to comment further when contacted by Media.

Zimbabwe relies heavily on cheaper imports from neighbouring South Africa, its biggest trading partner, and has over the years struggled to produce enough to meet domestic demand.

In June, the government also banned maize imports, saying the country produced enough to satisfy domestic demand.

Made said the ban would allow local farmers to increase output while saving the country foreign currency.

A majority of banks have stopped giving out cash and when they do, it is in the form of bond coins.

Most Zimbabweans are keeping U.S. dollars at home while those who want to travel or pay for imports buy currency on the black market.

The same thing happened during the period of hyperinflation a decade ago.

NAN

October 17, 2017