The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • HMO denies diverting NHIS fund as alleged by ex-employee

    Health Management Organisation (HMO) Clearline has denied allegations by an ex-employee that it was involved in over N60 million fraud against the federal government.

    An arrested former employee Funmilayo Oyelaja had alleged that the company was in the practice of diverting money paid by the National Health Insurance Scheme for onward transfer to hospitals and clinics that rendered services to beneficiaries.

    Oyelaja who was arrested alongside her live-in partner Tunde Ogunseye by the Lagos State Police Command after two years on the run, had indicted both Clearline and two other senior employees of the company in the alleged fraud.

    She claimed she diverted over N60million with the consent of the bosses and that N38million was her personal share which she used to buy properties.

    But Clearline denied the allegation describing it as the claim of a drowning man looking for others to drag along.
    At a briefing on Monday, acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Clearline Dr. Tunde Ladele said the other employees she mentioned have been handed over to the police for investigation, adding that it was the firm that uncovered the fraud while she was on vacation and reported same to the police.

    He said: “We discovered the fraud and reported to the police. We went ahead to declare her wanted and placed a N2million bounty on her head, which worked very well. The moment she was seen, we were called on the phone numbers provided and we contacted the police who arrested her and her lover.

    “It is laughable that she is accusing the company of connivance. If we have hands or we supported the crime, why should we arrest her?

    “To tell you that we are serious, we have handed over the three staff she indicted to the police. We do not cheat the system. We do not cheat the government and it is even impossible to cheat. Individuals could try, but we must find out as we did in Fumilayo’s case.

    “We are willing to cooperate with the police to get to the root of the matter that is why we have vowed to deal with any staff found culpable or indicted in this matter.”

  • Skills training: 300 women appeal for support in Kaduna

    Over 300 women in Unguwan Kudu, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Wednesday decried continued neglect of the community, and called on Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai to provide a skills training centre for them to learn skills and be self reliant.

    The women, who are members of the community’s Womanhood Forum, said the intervention was necessary, to equip them and other members of the community to break away from the cycle of poverty they found themselves.

    Their leader, Mrs Sadiya Nasir, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the village on Wednesday that a skills acquisition centre will add tremendous value to the lives of members of the community, not just women.

    She stressed that by empowering the women a lot of issues such as access to education for children and health care will be easier to manage.

    Read Also: El-Rufai’s re-election: Kaduna women demands 40% representation in cabinet

    The woman leader also urged government to offer soft loan to members of the forum.

    “We have never benefited from any gesture or asistance from the state government or any organization.

    “We are also calling on NGOs to come to our aid and teach our women how to empower themselves so as to be self reliant and assist our children and husbands.

    “Assisting us will also create employment and reduce poverty in the community,“ Mrs Nasir said.

    According to her, in spite of the challenges facing them, women under the forum support each other and also assist widows, orphans and the less privileged, whenever the need arises.

    “We also buy books and other writing materials for children in school to support our kids to get education,“ she said.

    Mrs Nasir appealed to the state assembly to prevail on the state government to site any meaningful project in the community as they prepare the 2020 budget.

    “Our Councillor has been assisting us from time to time but there are enoumous challenges affecting the community he cannot handle,“she said.

    (NAN)

  • We have created employment opportunities for 150,000 in Edo – Obaseki

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has stated that his government has provided employment opportunities to not less than 150,000 persons in the state through various skills development and job creation programmes aimed at stimulating Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state.

    He added that single-digit interest loan facilities were also extended to some of these persons, which became necessary to drive the state’s economy by leveraging the power of small businesses.

    Speaking at the Edo State Special Day at the on-going 2019 Abuja International Trade Fair (2019AITF) organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), the governor said his administration has attained 75 per cent (150,000) of his promise to create the 200,000 jobs in his first term in office.

    Represented at the trade fair by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, Obaseki said his administration is creating a business environment that is driven by the private sector to build the capacity of youths to become self-reliant.

    The governor said, “One of our cardinal pillars is to develop our youths and we have policies and programmes to equip young people with skills, not just for the artisans but also graduates. They say some of our youths are not employable even when they have the certificates.

    Read Also; Obaseki sacks SAs, SSAs

    “So, we created a skills acquisition programme both for artisans and these graduates. We have created an artisan hub, what we call the industrial hub, where you can come and establish your small businesses. The facility has 24-hour power supply to enhance productivity.”

    He added, “In Edo State, you must earn a living and the best way to do that is to ensure you are skilled. Skilled labour is what we emphasise in Edo State and we are not only emphasising it, we are creating it.”

    Edo State Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mr. Felix Akhabue said the state government was already making progress in agricultural development while also teaching the youth new techniques to make them successful in the sector.

    According to him, “We have the Edo State Skills Development Agency also called EdoJob, which is responsible for training our young ones on skills development. We are also taking our people back to the farms because, in the past, agriculture engaged the majority of the people.

    “As you know, the Edo State government is doing a lot in the area of job creation because if we don’t actively and consciously do things that will create jobs, we would be overwhelmed by youth unemployment.

    “Like in other developed countries, it is the private sector that should engage over 70 per cent of the population. Therefore, Nigeria must go that way and Edo State has started. We are looking at the private sector. We are already collaborating with the private sector; Edo state government is creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.”

  • AfriBritish NGO holds Lagos retreat

    The African-British Diaspora Returnees Organisation had a retreat in Lagos on Tuesday to chart a course for the organisation to fit into objectives of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).

    The retreat which was coordinated by the deputy country manager, comrade Hassan Bode, was also a period to reflect on Nigeria at 59 and align with the agenda of the NGO, with headquarters in UK, towards making Nigeria a better place as well as for Nigerians in diaspora.

    According to the country manager, Demola Sanyaolu, the retreat was necessary to revamp the organisation for better performance after 10 years of operations.

    In attendance were team leads of Ogun (Adeola Adegbenro), Lagos (Olajide-Ojora Oloruntoyin) and Edo (Godwin Aghedo) amongst others.

    African British Diaspora Returnees Organisation has a three-pronged objective for migration, rehabilitation and women/children empowerment.

    The northern version of the retreat is billed to hold later in the month.

  • Alleged Sexual assault: Israeli court orders arrest of Australian school principal

    An Israeli court on Wednesday ordered a former Australian school principal, suspected of sexual assault, and who Australia is seeking to extradite, released from prison to house arrest.

    Implementation of the Jerusalem District Court’s decision was delayed until Friday to give the prosecution time to appeal.

    Australia has been pressing Israel to extradite Malka Leifer, who fled from Australia in 2008, with what Australian authorities believe was the assistance of the insular Adass Jewish community, after accusations against her surfaced.

    “The (court’s) decision strengthens our argument that the evidence is not there,’’ one of Leifer’s attorneys, Tal Gabai, said.

    Leifer is the former principal of Adass Israel School, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish girls’ school in Melbourne.

    She is wanted by Australian Police on 74 sexual assault charges, including rape, involving girls at the institution.

    The Israeli court ruled in 2016 that Leifer, who has denied the charges, was mentally unfit to face extradition and trial.

    She was re-arrested in 2018 after a police investigation raised questions about the state of her health and has been in prison in Israel awaiting an extradition ruling.

    Read Also: Ondo varsity decries sexual assault on student

    Yehuda Fried, another lawyer for Leifer, said he hoped that house arrest would lead to his client “returning to her home (in Israel) and receiving the medical care she deserves’’.

    In September, the district court, in considering extradition said more psychiatric evidence was needed before it could decide the issue and ordered a new panel of experts to assess Leifer’s mental condition and deliver a report in December.

    In August, Israeli Police recommended indicting Israel’s Deputy Health Minister on suspicion he tried to pressure court-appointed psychiatrists to support Leifer’s mental illness claims.

    It will be up to state prosecutors to decide whether to accept the police findings and charge the politician, Yaakov Litzman, who has denied any wrongdoing.

    (NAN)

  • Int’l day of older persons: charting a course for the elderly

    October 1st, every year is a time to raise awareness on the impact of an ageing population and the need to ensure people grow old with dignity and continue to live in the society as citizens with full right and style.

    In Africa like other parts of the world, the role played by older persons both to their families and the community where they live, cannot be over-emphasized.

    No wonder the United Nation set out a day (October 1) to celebrate the older persons while at the same time chart a course for their betterment in the society.

    In ensuring fairness and justice in all ages, the United Nations has developed a slogan of “Leaving No-One Behind” which necessitates the deep understanding that age matters for suitable and sustainable developments and that the population should be shaped into the key changes in the world.

    According to the UN, if our ambition is to “Build the Future We Want”, we must address the population of over 60 which is expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2030.

    The theme for this year International Day of Older Persons is The Journey to Age Equality.

    The 2019 theme is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10 and focuses on pathways of coping with existing and preventing future old-age inequality.

    Read More: Don urges govt to make provisions as older persons’ population rise

    SDG 10 sets to reduce inequality within and among countries and aims to “ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of the outcome,” including through measures to eliminate discrimination, and to “empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.”

    Often, disparities in old age reflect an accumulated disadvantage characterized by factors such as location, gender, socio‐economic status, health, income etc. Between 2015 and 2030, the number of people aged 60 and over is expected to increase from 901 million to 1.4 billion- In this regard, trends of ageing and economic inequality interact across generations and rapid population ageing, demographic and societal or structural changes alone can exacerbate older age inequalities, thereby limiting economic growth and social cohesion.

    The objectives of this year International Day of Older Persons are:

    To help draw attention to the existence of old age inequality, and how this often results from a accumulation of disadvantages throughout life -and highlight intergenerational risk of increased old-age inequality.

    To bring awareness of the urgency of coping with existing and preventing future old age inequality.

    To explore societal and structural changes in view of life course policies: life-long learning, proactive and adaptive labour policies, social protection and universal health coverage.

    To reflect on best practice, lessons and progress on the journey to ending older age inequality and changing negative narratives and stereotypes involving “older age”.

    In addition, this year celebration is expected to focus on the care sector as a contributor of decent work, lifelong learning, proactive and adaptive labour policies, universal health coverage and social protective measures for older people.

  • Court remands conductor for defiling, impregnating 14-year-old girl

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday ordered that a 22-year-old conductor, Dapo Amakwe, who allegedly defiled and impregnated a 14-year-old girl, be remanded in prison, pending the receipt of legal advice.

    The magistrate, Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi, did not take the plea of the defendant.

    Osunsanmi ordered the investigating police officer to send the case file to the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPPs) for legal advice and adjourned the case until Oct. 11 for mention.

    The defendant, who resides in Bariga area of Lagos state, is being tried for defilement.

    Earlier, Prosecutor Ezekiel Ayorinde had told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Nov. 23, 2018 in Bariga.

    He alleged that the defendant and one Kazeem Bello, now at large, conspired and had carnal knowledge of the teenager.

    “The girl went to buy something when the defendants accosted her, dragged her into an uncompleted building and they defiled her in turns.

    Read Also: ‘Bus driver defiled my two-year-old’

    “They threatened to kill her if she should expose them.

    “The teenager got pregnant as a result of the defilement and was delivered of a baby in August.

    “The defendant was arrested while his accomplice ran away,” the prosecutor said.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence violates Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 which prescribes life imprisonment for convicted offender.

    (NAN)

  • Lawmaker shot dead by suspected assassins in Delta

    A  councillor and Majority Leader of Sapele Local Government Legislative Arm, Delta state Chief Venture Kagbude, has been reportedly shot dead by suspected assassins.

    It was gathered that the tragic incident occurred at about 6 pm on Tuesday along the Sapele/Effurun/Warri Road.

    Chief Kagbude, was the Chairman of Okirighre community in Sapele council area, as well as the chairman of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), in the local government area, until his death.

    According to reports, the deceased was returning from Okuoke community located along the said road, where he had gone to inspect a house under construction for his mother.

    Unfortunately, the unknown gunmen waylaid and shot him dead.

    Director of the Asaba and Osubi International Airport, Austin Ayemidejor, while reacting to Kagbude’s death said, “it is sad news, a young man dreams to build a better society and is cut short by gunmen. He will surely be missed”.

    However, an undisclosed source related to the victim claimed that the late lawmaker was one of the frontiers against cultism and ritual activities in the area, adding that his demise must have resulted from his efforts, alongside the LGA chairman, “against cultism few months ago. I am sure his death must have come from there.”

    A senior police officer at the Sapele Police Area Command, name withheld, confirmed the development, stating that a search for the killers has commenced.

    But efforts to get official comments from the Delta State Police Command proved abortive, as repeated calls to the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke, mobile phone were not answered as at the time of filing this report.

  • BREAKING: Senate probes loss of $21bn to non-review of PSC Act

    The Senate on Wednesday directed its revenant committees to probe the loss of $21bIllion revenue accruable to the Federal Government due to the failure to amend the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) Act.

    This resolution followed a motion entitled: “Urgent need to review and recover additional revenue accruable to the government of the Federation from the Production Sharing Contracts pursuant to Section 16 of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act CAP D3 LFN 2004 and amend the Extant Act.”

    The motion was sponsored by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra South) and co-sponsored by 16 other senators.

    In his lead debate, Ubah urged the Senate to note that “as a result of the non-review and amendment of the PSC Act, the Federal Government has lost about US$21 billion (about N7trillion) over a period of 20 years due to the failure to review and amend the PSC Act as stated by the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources following the meeting of the Federal Executive Council on the 14th day of December, 2017.”

    Read Also: MTEF to be tabled before House of Reps on Thursday

    Senator Ubah’s prayer which is to: “Mandate the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream to investigate the reasons for the failure to review the salient provisions of the PSC Act, identify the best fiscal regime for the PSCs and review the provisions of the PSC Act to ensure that beyond the crude oil price of US$20, the share of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in the additional revenue is adjusted in accordance with the provisions of the Act,” was unanimously adopted when it was put to voice vote by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

    Details shortly…

     

     

  • Suspected hoodlums kill LG majority leader in Delta

    Suspected hoodlums on Tuesday allegedly killed the Majority leader of Sapele Local Government Legislative Arm, Chief Venture Kagbude along the busy Warri/Sapele Road in Delta State.

    Kagbude who is also the Chairman of Okirighre Community in Sapele was allegedly returning to Sapele where he had gone to inspect a house he was building for his mother at Okuoke along Warri road, when he ran into the gunmen at Okwadede, close to the Sapele/Warri main road, at about 5pm.

    The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Onome Onovwakpoyeya could not be reached for comments but a source at the Sapele Police Area Command confirmed the incident.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Nigerians in Diaspora deplore killings, back state police

     

    A young lady who is a family relation to the late Community Chairman said Kagbude was killed by suspected assassins, saying that it was painful that hoodlums have been having their way along the Sapele/Warri road with full comfort without interruption from security agents.

    She said the late Chairman had always led the battle with the local government Chairman against cultism few months ago, and that she is sure his death must have come from there.