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  • Council chair to cultists: stop or go to jail

    The Chairman of Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Dr Ahmed Apatira yesterday warned members of cult groups to desist from the act or face the wrath of the law.

    Apatira spoke in the wake of a fracas between members of Aiye and Eiye cult groups at the weekend.

    10 suspected members of the groups were arrested.

    The council boss urged youths in the area to shun any overture from members of cult groups.

    He said, “My advice to them is to desist from the devilish act, or be arrested. Anyone caught will be prosecuted and eventually jailed. So, instead of wasting your youth life and end up behind bars, why don’t you engage in something meaningful? We will not condone criminal activities in this council.”

    Apatira urged the youth to take advantage of various vocational training going on in the council.

    “Our vision is to create something out of nothing by using the power of imagination and creativity. The process of innovation will lead to wealth creation through those acquired skills. Those that have graduated are creating jobs for others. We want our youths to channel their energies to doing something meaningful. This is the time to give their lives proper direction. Whatever skill they learn will be useful to them forever,” he said.

  • Lagos-Ibadan train goes into operation in November, says Amaechi

    Commercial activities may begin on the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge train this November, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has said.

    Amaechi spoke on Monday, when he and the Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemi Saraki, led other stakeholders on tour of the project.

    He said the Federal Government would also begin a free trial train service between Lagos and Ibadan for commuters.

    ”Our ambition is that by November we should begin trial of train services between Lagos and Ibadan for free,” the minister said.

    He, however, admitted that the pace of the project had been slow, adding that there was the need for the contractor to increase the pace of the project.

    Amaechi said: ”They (contractor) need to increase their speed. They reduce their speed within the period that the government dissolved the last cabinet.

    Read Also: President to unveil Transportation varsity, rail factory in September, says Amaechi

    “Now that we are back, my colleague, the minister of state, and I resolved to push back the pressure to ensure they stick to the completion timelines.”

    The minister disclosed that the double lane speed tracks had been laid up to kilometre 155, adding that where the project was recording challenge now was the completion of the stations, which according to him was impeded because the cabinet was not in place.

    “The tracks are no longer the problem, the problem now, is how to get them to finish the stations on time,” he said.

    Amaechi disclosed that the contractor, CCECC, had promised to complete all the minor stations in three months, but six months after, they had yet to do so.

    The minister added that he would continue to put pressure on the contractor to ensure that all the minor stations were completed in due course.

    “We know that by January next year, they are going to finish both the minor and major stations so that we can move on,” Amaechi said.

    Speaking on the Railway University and the manufacturing factory projects, Amaechi said while the Ministry of Transportation had secured a date for the factory’s ground breaking ceremony from the Vice President, it was waiting for the President to return to the country to give a date for the ground breaking ceremony for the university project.

    He also said the government was waiting on the Chinese government and the China EximBank for the loan for the Ibadan-Kano standard gauge line.

    The minister said the Federal Government was ready with its own counterpart funding, but would require the ChinaExim Bank to grant the facility for the project to begin.

    Saraki expressed happiness that the Ministry of Transportation was delivering on the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari to make the train the backbone of the nation’s economy.

    She said once the speed train fully come on stream, it would be able to unlock the huge potential of the sector to create jobs for teeming Nigerian youths.

    Saraki, who supervises the maritime sector of the transportation ministry, said she was determined to work with other stakeholders to unlock the potential and opportunities of the maritime sector.

  • Edo 2020: Okunbor yet to be approached, says aide

    Edo business mogul and billionaire Captain Hosa Okunbor has denied reports he was approached to contest the 2020 governorship election.

    Capt. Hosa said he had never muted the idea to contest for governor, neither had he been approached for same.

    His aide, Sir Solomon, who spoke to reporters in Benin, said the state’s development remained uppermost to him.

    Solomon said the reports in the social media were attempts to drag his boss into the political mess in the state.

    According to him, his boss was concerned about the development and advancement of the state, and described those behind the lies as busybodies.

    Read Also: Edo 2020: Will Ogie contest against Obaseki?

    He said: “His major preoccupation is how to manage his growing business interests across the globe, and not the issue of governorship. He is always ready to contribute his quota to the development of the state anytime he is called upon, without necessary being political.

    “I am sure you all know the kind of man Captain is. He will not come out to address this issue but has confided in me …on it. Being a man who is very close to him, and from our discussions over time on the same subject matter, nobody has actually approached the Captain to vie for the governorship in 2020.

    “Whatever information, especially in the social media, you hear about him, are all figments of the writers’ opinion and meant to arouse ‘silly’ political discuss.

    ‘’Okunbor, who remains committed to the development of the state, is more concerned with managing his expanding business interests.”

  • Two arraigned for ‘killing’ politician in Imo

    The police in Imo State on Monday arraigned two suspects over the alleged murder of a frontline politician in the state, Hon. Agorua Christopher Eme Eji at Egwe village in Oguta Local Government Area of the state.

    Arraigning the suspects, Chimezie Unachukwu, 32, and Onyeamachi Solomon, 27, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police Imo State, the prosecutor,Sergeant Timothy Eke, alleged that on March 11, 2019 at Egwe village in Oguta LGA, the suspects conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit murder thereby committing an offence punishable under section  324 of the criminal code cap 30 vol.11, laws of Eastern Nigeria, 1963 as applicable in Imo State.

    According to police prosecutor, in count 2, the suspects were accused of unlawfully killing the deceased by firing loaded guns severally at him and thereby committing an offence punishable under section 319 (1) of the criminal code, cap 30 vol. 11 laws of the Eastern Nigeria 1963 as applicable in Imo State.

    Read Also: Man jailed for robbing policeman

    The accused persons in count 3, on the same day at Egwe village, while armed with guns and other offensive weapons did rob one Agorua Ifeyinwa Ursula of one Nokia phone, one Samsung phone, a laptop computer values yet to be determined and thereby committing an offence punishable under section 1(2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special provisions) acts cap.R11 laws of the Federal of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Imo State.

    The presiding Magistrate, Naomi J Achinulo, however ordered the remand of the suspects in prison custody and referred the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.

    The case was then adjourned for further hearing on October 31, 2019.

  • ‘Why I pardoned my attackers’

    The recuperating Alara of Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Aderemi Adefehinti, who was chased out of the palace a few days ago following an attack on him and his wife by some youths, has said he would not seek police investigation of the matter.

    The royal father,who returned to the palace at the weekend after his medical treatment, said though police were invited during the mayhem, they were asked to keep their distance and made no arrest.

    Oba Adefehinti said, “We have decided to keep the peace by not asking for police investigation into the matter, we are very conscious of the fact that the miscreants are still our children.

    “We therefore do not want to confine anyone into detention as a result of the crisis. However, I wish to appeal to the concerned youths to caution themselves against the repeat of such mayhem.”

    The monarch, who ascended the throne in 1998, pointed out that they were all witnesses to the peace, development and progress in the university’ community to date, stressing that they would not allow any devilish act to distrupt them.

    The traditional ruler said, “I have been serving Ilara-mokin since leaving university in 1968 and I will continue to seek its greatness.

    He disclosed that he had to go to a private hospital in Akure to treat himself and his wife(Olori) who according to him,was bleeding profusely on her forehead after being hit by the stone.

    Oba Adefehinti said he returned to his community a few days ago after medical treatment,while his wife was still being treated of head injuries she sustained from the attack.

    He assured that she would be discharged soon from the hospital.

    Some youths in the community last week laid siege on the monarch’s palace, accusing him of refusing to partake in this year’s new yam festival. The youths accused him of shirking his royal responsibility following his alleged ‘born-again’ stance.

    However,Oba Adefehinti while speaking with reporters in his palace, said the ‘Ijesu festival’ was the most important annual celebration to the sons and daughters in the community but the changes in celebrating it became inevitable for obvious reasons.

    The monarch said he had several meetings with his chiefs, youths and other leaders of the community earlier this year on the possible changes in the programme of event especially because of his age.

    The traditional ruler sued for peace in the community to facilitate progress.

  • Warri/Benin highway reopened

    The Delta State government has reopened the Warri/Sapele/Benin highway. The road was shut for reconstruction.

    Commissioner for Information Charles Aniagwu, who announced the reopening at the weekend, said: “As earlier promised, the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration has continued to show concern for the pain road users experience following the road’s deplorable condition. It is to the glory of God that we announce the re-opening of the road today, September 20, as against September 21 earlier promised.

    Read Also: Still on the nation’s hell highway

    “This is in fulfilment of our avowed commitment to ameliorate the sufferings of road users. I must hail the contractors, Obakpor J. U. Construction, for their resilience and sacrifice to deliver on target.

    “The government hails Deltans and other road users for their patience and cooperation while the road was shut. Work will now begin on the other side of the road.”

  • Navy holds retreat for medical personnel in Kwara

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) has held the first medical retreat for its heads of medical services.

    The retreat, which took place in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, was organised by the Directorate of Medical Services (DMS) of the navy.

    At the event, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for investing in the medical services of the Navy.

    Vice Admiral Ibas also charged heads of departments and units of the medical services on performance.

    Represented at the occasion by Head, Administration, Policies and Planning of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Bec-Ibe Enwo said as a result of the resources made available by President Buhari’s administration, the Navy has been able to upgrade its medical equipment, train many of its medical personnel and employ 11 consultants for a start with plans to make further employment of them.

    Read Also: Nigerian Navy showcases local ship building ability

    He said the retreat illustrates the commitment to capacity development of medical personnel in the Navy, adding that all the investments made on his watch are aimed at improving the capacity of medical personnel, and providing the right tools as well as the enabling environment to work to improve productivity.

    He said the long-term strategic goal is to emplace a fully functional medical service with the right mix and number of medical personnel capable of delivery safe and efficient health care services to personnel.

    Ibas said,  “It is pertinent to state that a lot is expected of the medical services in the delivery of safe and quality healthcare in the Nigerian Navy.  Improving the quality of care has to be a priority for each medical personnel especially the heads of the medical units. It has been noted that where there are no consequences when heads of units and departments are found wanting, there is usually no impetus to make added effort.

    “Consequently, it would no longer be business as usual.  Going forward, heads of units and departments, many of whom are represented at this retreat, are going to be held responsible when it is evident that their units or departments are not performing despite resources provided.

    “Therefore, you are all enjoined to pull up your sleeves, utilise resources efficiently and improve services in your various units and departments. You are also encouraged to think, be innovative, proffer solutions and make recommendations to the Directorate of Medical Services, even after this retreat, on ways of moving the medical services beyond the 21st Century. A working and vibrant Nigerian Navy

    Medical Services providing safe and quality healthcare services would be of tremendous benefit to us all in the long run,” he stated.

  • 15 Akwa Ibom towns get N135m

    Fifteen communities in Akwa Ibom State have received N135 million from the government and the World Bank to enhance development.

    The cheque was presented on Monday by the Commissioner for Economic Development (Deep Seaport), Akan Okon, during the second batch of training for the  Community Project Management Committee (CPMC) and other stakeholders in Uyo.

    Okon said the funds would beb used to execute micro projects in the communities, adding that the government would enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of the poor and less-privileged.

    He advised the communities to utilise the funds effectively as misappropriation of funds would not be tolerated.

    Read Also: Akwa Ibom moves to combat flood

    Okon said: “His Excellency’s robust commitment has deepened the government’s penetration into rural communities … Each of the benefiting communities have signed an MoU…as a financial agreement with the Community and Social Development Project Agency (CSDP) to guide them in their expenditure…

    “This project has zero tolerance for corruption and misapplication of funds; funds not utilised effectively and prudently will be refunded by the communities. It, therefore, becomes imperative for participants to take this training as very important.”

    The commissioner noted that the government had contributed its counterpart fund before the World Bank released the money. He warned members of the CDCs to be prudent.

    The communities are Ikot Esen Oku and Mbioto Ekpene Ituen (Etinan council); Ibam Edet, Mbiafun Ikot Abasi and Nkwot Etok (Ini council); Nto Uso (Ika council); Offot Ikot Abasi Esu and Ibesit Okpokoro (Oruk Anam council).

    Others are Ikot Obom (Nsit Atai council); Ikot Ukana and Okpo Eto Edem Idim (Obot Akara council); Ikot Udo Obobo (Ukanafun council); Ukana Ikot Ide, Ikot Ono and Ukana and Ikot Akpabio (Essien Udim council).

  • Man jailed for robbing policeman

    An Oredo Magistrate Court has sentenced an 18-year old boy, Chetamu Ominyi, to five months imprisonment for assaulting and stealing the cell phone of a policeman, Sergeant Danguma Abdul.

    Chetamu was said to have committed the offence on September 18, 2019 at Adesuwa Junction off Mission Road, Benin City.

    Sergeant Abdul was going to have lunch when he was attacked by Chetamu and his gang now at large.

    A three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and assault was preferred against Chetamu.

    Read Also: Politics of police and policing

    The convict pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him.

    Police Prosecutor, ASP Patrick Agbonifo, informed the court that the offences were punishable under sections 516, 390 and 351 of the Criminal Code, laws of the defunct Bendel State 1976 now applicable to Edo State.

    Presiding Magistrate, Ivie Akere, found the accused guilty on all the three charges.

    Akere sentenced Chetamu to five months imprisonment or an option of N50,000 fine.

  • Dickson ‘not worried about defection threats’

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has said the party’s leadership is not worried about defections.

    Dickson said although no party would want to lose any member, the defections would not affect the chances of PDP in the poll.

    The governor, in a live media chat in Yenagoa, recalled that the defections were a child’s play compared to the mass exodus of PDP leaders to APC in 2015 when he sought a re-election.

    According to him, over 150 PDP leaders dumped him and the party to identify with APC when the Minister of State, Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, contested against him.

    He said most of the people who defected then, including his commissioners and special advisers, lost their units and wards in the election.

    Read Also: Dickson in romance with Sylva for soft-landing, says APC stalwart

    The governor noted that the defections were neither based on the election of Senator Douye Diri as the party’s candidate, nor the rancour over the running mate slot, but anchored on politics of survival.

    Dickson said he was yet to hear that core members of his Restoration team were among persons defecting to the opposition.

    He said: “This is a season of defection. If politicians don’t defect now, when will they? Is it when elections are over. The defection has been blown out of proportion.

    “In 2015, over 150 prominent leaders, including the chairman, defected. You have not seen any defection like in 2015. Commissioners defected. I am not aware of prominent Restoration members defecting now.

    “The other side has no qualified candidate for this election and they will find out very soon. The other side has nothing to offer our people, they know that already. We don’t want to lose anybody but most of what is going on is politics of blackmail. Those who could not get ticket are sponsoring people to say if they had won people would not have left the party. When I was contesting in 2015 and they defected, was it because Senator Diri was a candidate. I, an incumbent governor, was a candidate. There was no issue with deputy governor but people were defecting.

    “What is happening is normal Bayelsa politics of belle …when during election people look for where they will be offered something better. A number of these names were not really part of our success story. Maybe one or two worked with us in the last election.”