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Tag: Nigerian news

  • Police arraign businessman for cheating

    Police arraign businessman for cheating

    Police has forced a businessman, Daniel Datti, on Friday, to appear before a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja  for alleged cheating.

    Datti is standing trial on a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating.

    The Police Prosecutor, Haruna Musa, told the court that one Hannatu Zira of Life camp, Abuja reported the matter at the Wuse Police Station on November 17.

    “Sometimes in February, the complainant entrusted the sum of four million naira to the defendant and one Gloria Musa, who is now at large for purchase of a plot of farmland situated at Kuje, Abuja.

    “While the complainant was waiting for the land documents, she found out that the farmland does not belong to the defendant as claimed,’’ Musa said.

    He said that the complainant confronted the defendant about her findings and asked for the refund her money but the defendant kept on avoiding the complainant.

    “The defendant kept on avoiding the police when he was invited for interrogation; it took the police a while before the defendant was arrested,’’ the prosecutor said.

    Read also: Police arrest top Boko Haram kingpin in Borno

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The Senior Magistrate, Teribo Jim, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    Jim said that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction as part of the bail conditions.

    He adjourned the case to January 11, 2018 for hearing.

    NAN

  • Electronic building plan process still cumbersome — Town Planners

    Electronic building plan process still cumbersome — Town Planners

    Mr Olaide Afolabi, President of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria ( ATOPCON ), on Friday called for an improvement on the electronic method of processing building plan approvals in Lagos State.

    Afolabi said the electronic approach has yet make an appreciable impact on the process.

    He said that the electronic pattern was supposed to make the process less cumbersome and faster, but plan approvals  seemed to be more rigorous when processed electronically in the state.

    “Normally, it is not supposed to exceed three working days for an applicant to obtain building plan approvals, especially when it is being processed online.

    “But the process still consumes the same quantity of money and time. Sometimes, the manual method even seems to be preferable,’’ he said.

    Afolabi called on the relevant authorities to do the needful by taking the necessary steps to make the process efficient and reliable.

    The association president said there was also a need for more public awareness on the electronic method, to encourage people to embrace the approach.

    Read also: Building homes will stem migration 

    Afolabi suggested a review of the requirements for obtaining the building plan approvals, saying that documents like Certificate of Ownership (C of O) could be excluded.

    According to him, it is usually stated explicitly on the certificate that the approved building plan document does not guarantee ownership of the land.

    “This implies that the title document has no input in the building plan approval process.

    “Exclusion of the C of O from the requirements will help to fasten the process, considering the delays encountered in the process of getting the C of O,” he said.

    NAN

  • Waste major cause of pollution in Lagos Lagoon – NPA

    Waste major cause of pollution in Lagos Lagoon – NPA

    The Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA ) on Friday identified municipal waste as major materials causing pollution in Lagos Lagoon.

    Mr Yunusa Ibrahim, the Principal Manager, Environment Department of NPA said this in Lagos during an interview.

    According to him, most municipal waste that ends up in the Lagoon gathers around the harbour areas in the morning and disappears to the other sides in the evening.

    ‘‘The environment department of NPA always creates awareness in the communities around the water areas on proper waste disposal and how poor waste management comes back to affect them negatively.

    ‘‘It is difficult to control the waste habits of the communities and also check the flow of municipal waste from channels into the Lagoon.

    ‘‘The department carries out daily surveillance of the channels emptying water into the Lagoon and also clean- up the waste as it affects ships badly.

    ‘‘Waste causes serious problems when it enters moving vessels,’’ he said.

    Read also: Ondo Govt. tasks NPA on modern facilities

    Ibrahim said that waste from vessels that berthed at the harbour was not disposed into the lagoon as there were companies outsourced to do it in line with international law.

    Ibrahim said that the NPA’s environment department had equipment to clean up oil spills in the ocean and the Lagoon.

    He said that the department drilled its pollution response squad monthly to effectively carry out clean-up of water areas any where pollution occurred within the nation’s territorial waters.

    NAN

  • Pastor docked for criminal intimidation

    Pastor docked for criminal intimidation

    Emeka Okpocha, a 49-year-old pastor  has been arraigned by the police on Friday in a Kubwa Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja over criminal intimidation.
     
    The defendant of Kuje, Abuja, is facing one-count charge of criminal intimidation.
     
    The prosecutor, Babajide Olanipekun, told the court that the matter was reported by Chidimma Okpocha of Arab Road, Kubwa, Abuja, at Kubwa Police Station on December 5.
     
    He said the defendant sent an email to the complainant narrating a story of a man who gunned down his ex-wife and mother-in-law.
     
    Olanipekun said the defendant also told the complainant that whenever he thought of her, something bad would come to his mind.‎
     
    He added that the defendant also threatened the complainant’s life at her place of work ‎and home, which instilled fear in her.

    Read also: In US church, they call me DADDY SWAGGER -Trendy RCCG Pastor Adegbile

     
    The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 397 of the Penal Code.‎
    However, the pastor pleaded not guilty to the charge against him and The Judge, Mohammed Marafa, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with one reliable surety in like sum.
    Marafa said the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must provide means of identification and livelihood as he adjourned the case until February 28 for further hearing.
  • FG to invest N180bn on Science, Technology

    FG to invest N180bn on Science, Technology

    Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, has said that the Federal Government is committed to investing N180 billion to ensure successful implementation of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmap ( NSTIR ) 2030.

    Onu said this at the ongoing 15th meeting of the National Council on Science and Technology in Benin.

    He said the amount, which would be over a period of three budget years, would be in the short term basis of the roadmap.

    Onu said the ministry was keen on implementing the roadmap, in collaboration with wide variety of stakeholders, including public and private research development centres.

    He expressed optimism that the implementation of the planned NSTIR 2030 programmes and increased investment in Science, Technology and Innovation ( STI ) would help actualise Nigeria’s dream to join the top 20 of technologically advanced countries in the world.

    Read also: Reforms, technology, attitudinal change key to curbing corruption – Obaseki

    Onu noted that though the country was yet to reach its full potentials in the deployment of STI deliverables into projects and programmes due to some identified challenges, it had been able to attain some mileage within the past few years.

    He also said that the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan ( ERGP ) 2017 to 2020 recently launched by the present administration, focused on macroeconomic policy improvement, economic diversification, competitiveness, improvement, social inclusion and job creation.

    The Minister said that the ERGP targeted that the Nigerian economy would recover strongly with a GDP growth of seven per cent, driven by non oil sector growth of 7.2 per cent by 2020.

    This, he said, would also help in the steady expansion of the agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors, adding that approximately 15 million net jobs would be created with poverty reduction from 61 per cent to 50-55 per cent by 2020.

    Onu said the ministry was committed to playing its required role in ensuring that the ERGP strategies were STI driven and successfully implemented.

    He said that the theme of the meeting “Nigerian Economy Driven by Science and Innovation”, was apt and captured the new direction the country had resolved to follow, in the quest to revive and strengthen the economy.

    Onu explained that it was aimed at “helping to strengthen and diversify the economy in a sustainable manner by encouraging the harnessing and application of STI apparatus in the Nation’s development process’’.

    NAN

  • Social benefit scheme: Enugu deploys 100 enumerators

    Social benefit scheme: Enugu deploys 100 enumerators

    Ahead of the execution of its social benefit scheme, the Enugu State Government on Friday deployed 100 enumerators  for the registration of  all adult residents and organisations in the state.

    The Chairman of  Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr Emeka Odo, said each resident would obtain the   Enugu State Social Benefit Number ( ESBN ).

    He said that the registration exercise  would be decentralised to enable residents and organisations collect their ESBN numbers without hindrance.

    Odo also  said that  registration centres would be opened in all tax collection centres at the headquarters, zones  and councils, in addition to  specially  designed centres.

    “The bedrock of any efficient and modern tax administration is enumeration.

    “Proper enumeration creates the database on which subsequent assessment, collection  and accounting is based,’’ he said.

    Read also: $42.5m loan boosts Enugu estate project

    According to him, the ESBN is unique to every individual and organisation and will be used to access and benefit from various programmes and policies of government.

    Odo, who said that the registration exercise would be done by the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service ( ESIRS ), would be free-of-charge.

    “The scheme’s exercise will run across the state to ensure that all adult residents and organisations in Enugu State are registered and given ESBN number,’’ he said.

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was the first to  register  and was issued with the ESBN number.

    “The ESBN is a giant step toward  the full tax automation system of the state.

    “It is meant to usher in a full blown Integrated Tax Management System  where the process of revenue assessment, collection and accounting is automated,” he said.

    NAN

  • Messi: I hope football repays its debt to me

    Messi: I hope football repays its debt to me

    Lionel Messi has revealed that he still bears the sad memory of losing the 2014 World Cup but hopes Russia 2018 brings good tidings for him.

    The Barcelona forward led a team of Argentine players that had lost three cup finals – 2014 World Cup lost to Germany and back to back Copa America final lost to Chile.

    The five-time Ballon D’or winner was instrumental for his country who almost missed the chance of qualifying for Russia 2018 – scoring three goals against Ecuador.

    After Argentina 3-0 win of Ecuador, head coach, Jorge Sampaoli said that “football owes Messi a World cup.

    When Messi was asked to comment on his coach assertion that football owes him a World Cup in an exclusive interview with fifa.com, the Argentine captain laughingly agreed with his coach.

    ”Yes, I did hear it, and he said it to me too. I hope football does end up paying me! (laughs).”

    Meanwhile, Messi has said that his side 4-2 loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a friendly match last month would count for nothing when the two sides lock horns once again in Russia next year.

    Speaking on Argentina’s Group D opponents in Russia 2018,  Messi added:  “Nigeria one day they score four goals, the next one, they leave plenty spaces for you to do anything.

    (Iceland) “Might seem easy, but they are tough and well organised on defence.

    (Croatia) “They give you more room to play, but have great players.”

     

     

  • Primary education should be compulsory – Northern Senators

    Primary education should be compulsory – Northern Senators

    The Northern Senators Forum ( NSF ), has called for the amendment of the section four of the 1999 constitution to make primary school education compulsory in the country.

    This is contained in a communiqué signed by the Forum ‘s Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, and issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Katsina at the end of their two-day retreat.

    The Forum also called for the establishment, equipping, and provision of adequate staffing of more learning centers as well as promotion of girl-child education in the region.

    They said that the region should strive to reduce the number of out-of-school children roaming the streets.

    “The alarming rate of out-of-school children and less number of learning institutions in the region explains why the North is both educationally and economically backward,’’ it said.

    The communiqué also called for the revival of agricultural sector, industrial as well as manufacturing sectors so that teeming unemployed youths in the region could be actively engaged and empowered to keep them away from crimes.

    It urged state governments in the region to start planning for post-oil era by improving their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and revive moribund industries to provide employment opportunities to their people.

    The communiqué assured that the National Assembly would continue to perform their oversight functions seriously to ensure meaningful implementation of all federal budget provisions as it affects the three zones in the region.

    It further stated that the North shall take a well articulated, firm and common position on the issue of restructuring.

    “Northern members of the National Assembly would be an integral part of achieving that common platform that should also include devolution of power to states and local governments,’’ it said.

    Read also: Restructuring: Northern Senators, governors to meet in Katsina

    The forum also called for the amendment of the constitution to accommodate the traditional institution by prescribing specific roles and responsibility for them as they are the custodians of peace in their domain.

    It also called for unity among people in the region irrespective of their political, ethnic and religious differences.

    The senators resolved to partner with their counterparts in the House of Representatives and Northern Governors Forum to design a plan for the Northern region development.

    NAN

  • Peace Corps asks court to hold IGP for contempt

    Peace Corps asks court to hold IGP for contempt

    The Peace Corps of Nigeria wants the Federal High Court, Abuja, to commit the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris to prison for alleged disregard of court orders.

    The corps in Form 48 on Contempt of Court filed on Wednesday prayed the court to jail Idris to serve as deterrent to others in position of authority.

    The contempt charge against the IGP was premised on the alleged refusal of the police to vacate the headquarters of the organisation which it sealed on Feb. 28, during its official commissioning.

    The suit was predicated on a judgment in a fundamental human rights suit delivered by Justice Gabriel Kolawole on Nov. 9.

    Kolawale in the judgment, ordered the police to unseal the corporate head office of the corps in Abuja.

    He also ordered the police to pay the corps N12 million as damages for infringing on its rights to own property and for freedom of movement.

    Read also: Peace Corps: Why AGF should compel police to obey court order

    The suit was instituted by the National Commandant of the Corps, Mr Dickson Akoh and 49 others.

    Speaking to newsmen, Akoh said that his organisation had been pushed to the wall to institute the contempt charge against the police boss.

    “The organisation has secured seven different judgments from different courts, all barring the police from arresting detaining, harassing or intimidating our officers in the course of their lawful duties,’’ he said.

    Akoh said that his officers would not take laws into their hands but would continue to approach the court for intervention.

    NAN

  • El-Rufai inaugurates poultry diseases diagnostic laboratory

    El-Rufai inaugurates poultry diseases diagnostic laboratory

    Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State, on Wednesday in Kaduna, inaugurated a complex called ‘Poultry Disease Diagnostic Laboratory’ to serve the 19 Northern States.

    The diagnostic centre, which is expected to reduce incidences of poultry related diseases, would do some poultry tests free for farmers.

    The governor on the occasion, encouraged poultry farmers across the 19 Northern States to patronise the laboratory in order to control poultry diseases.

    “This facility will enable poultry farmers to have a rapid response to any emergency poultry disease that might arise in the future.

    “This is a commendable investment by Olams Company, that offers some laboratory tests to their customers free, as its corporate-social responsibility,’’ he said.

    Read also: El-Rufai signs N216bn, 2018 budget into law

    El Rufai expressed appreciation to the company for its investment in the state and commitment to providing job opportunities to the youth.

    The General Manager of the centre, Rahul Khadurie, in his address said the gesture was part of the company’s support to the government to provide services for poultry farmers in the state.

    “We have the best equipment to provide services, aside from microbiology, we have PCM, which is among very few in Nigeria and the biggest integrated farm in the country.

    “The laboratory will have outreach free for all customers whether small or big,’’ he said.

    The manager highlighted some of the free services the company offered to customers to include, post mortem examination, micro-bacterial analysis of feed.

    Others are: minimum bactericidal test for antibiotics, hygiene audit for hatchery and poultry house among others.

    NAN