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  • Navy begins enlistment for Direct Service

    The Nigerian Navy has commenced the enlistment of graduates and HND holders into the Direct Short Service Commission.

    Navy Director of Information, Commodore Suleman Dahun, announced this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Dahun said interested applicants, who must be Nigerians by birth, should possess a minimum of Second Class Upper Division for first degree holders and Upper Credit for HND holders.

    “Male applicants must not be less than 1.68 metres tall while female applicants must not be less than 1.65 metres in height.

    “Applicants must possess NYSC Discharge/Exemption Certificate and should be between 22 and 28 years by Feb. 20, 2020,

    Read Also; Navy nabs six rice ‘smugglers’ in A’Ibom

    “Except for Imams, Chaplains and Medical Consultants who should not exceed 30 years and 40 years respectively by Feb. 20, 2020,” he said.

    Dahun said guidelines for the enlistment could be accessed on the Nigerian Navy Enlistment Portal: www.joinnigeriannavy.com.

    He said the portal will remain open till Nov. 14, 2019 for interested candidates to apply online.

    “Candidates are to note that all the processes ranging from online registration, aptitude test and the selection interview are free of charge,” he said.

    He advised candidates to be wary of scammers and refrain from giving money to any individual under any guise.

  • Abiodun sets up business council

    Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said he will set up a Business Advisory Council to maximise the set objectives of his administration on Public Private Sector Partnership (PPP).

    According to the Governor, the council will be saddled with the responsibilities of monitoring and evaluating the framework to actualise the agenda his administration “considers fundamental to the creation of an enduring economic development and individual prosperity of the people of Ogun State.”

    Abiodun said the state government’s economic blueprint provided a conducive and competitive environment for business enterprises to thrive.

    He said this while addressing labour leaders, activists, unionists, students and market women at the OK Centre, venue of the reception ceremony for Nigeria’s 59th independence anniversary.

    Read Also: How Ogun’ll remain top most investment destination, by Abiodun

    The council, he said, would set clear predictable standard of engagement that would apply to all development partners.

    He noted that a Public-Private Partnership office had already been created with the aim of ensuring that the business environment and partnership were system-driven, rather than being personality-driven.

    “We are sincerely committed to a Public-Private-Sector Partnership approach, in ensuring our resolve to have a sound PPP approach. We now have a Business Advisory Council that comprises stakeholders and focuses on ensuring that the business environment remains conducive and competitive for investments to grow in Ogun State,” the governor said.

    He also said that the state government was committed to attracting and retaining investments as well as promoting the prosperity of its citizens.

    His government, he said, had signed into law the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency Bill (Ogun Invest) to boost the facilitation required to invest in the state.

    “The purpose is to boost the facilitation required to invest in our dear state and commence operations e.g. land acquisition and ownership, community relations, statutory documentation, and linkages with the suppliers, especially farmers,” he said.

    The governor further informed the people, especially the Small Medium Enterprises owners, of the government’s determination to boost their capacity as major producers of raw materials.

    He assured them that he had engaged off-takers made up of big industries to which they could serve as distributors, adding that to provide incentives to them an Enterprise Development Agency would be established to assist in the facilitation of all available intervention funds from the Federal Government.

  • Ondo Assembly gets make-shift chamber

    Three months after a strange reptile reportedly appeared in the hallowed chambers of the Ondo State House of Assembly and sacked the lawmakers, the Assembly is now set for a ‘robust’ legislation.

    The incident was then blamed on the dilapidated state of the Assembly complex, especially the floor of the house.

    However, the state assembly yesterday inaugurated a make-shift chamber to be used as a temporary avenue for conducting the plenary sessions of the House.

    The inauguration of the temporary chamber was witnessed by the Assembly members, staff and invited Christian and Islamic Clerics, including the Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Rev. Simeon Borokini.

    Read Also: ‘Ondo Assembly worst in infrastructural facilities’

    The clerics, who prayed for the lawmakers, the staff and the Ondo State Government, highlighted the importance of the legislature to the sustenance of democracy.

    Borokini spoke on the mace and the covenant box in the Bible, noting that as important as the covenant box was to the Israelites, so is the mace to the assembly and the people.

    He urged the lawmakers to work in harmony with the Executive arm in order to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

    The Chief Whip of the House and lawmaker representing Owo State Constituency II, Adeyemi Olayemi hailed Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his timely intervention by facilitating the renovation of the temporary chamber.

    He noted that it would further enhance the performance of their legislative duties.

    He said: “We now have a more convenient place to carry out our legislative duties pending the complete and total rehabilitation of the old structure by the Executive arm.”

    Also speaking, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, said the House was not standing akimbo as being insinuated in some quarters.

    He maintained that while the renovation of the temporary chamber was on , members were busy with other legislative assignments such as committee meetings and oversight functions.

    The legislators suspended all legislative duties in the old chamber sometime in July, following the dilapidated form of the Assembly complex.

    The state government came to the rescue by renovating a space in the assembly complex to temporarily facilitate execution of legislative activities, pending the rehabilitation of the old Structure.

  • 15 suspects paraded in Enugu

    The police in Enugu State have paraded 15 suspected criminals involved in various heinous crimes in the state.

    The command in three weeks recovered four locally-made guns, four live cartridges, 13 handsets, three vehicles, one tricycle and an English sword.

    Parading the suspects in Enugu yesterday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmad Abdurrahman said the arrest of the suspects followed intelligence as well as collaboration with sister security agencies.

    Abdurrahman noted that the command arrested the suspects within three weeks in various locations within and outside the state.

    He said that within the period, the command through painstaking intelligence was able to bust a seven-man robbery gang in the country.

    “This group, whose members were arrested in Lagos, Port Harcourt, FCT, Aba and Enugu, has been terrorising and snatching vehicles all along within the state and move them to other parts of the country for sale.

    Read Also: ‘Internet fraudster’ remanded in Kwara

    “The Command through its intelligence operatives and the Independence Layout Police Division travelled most parts of the country to round up this well networked criminal group.

    “The recovered items from the suspects included a Toyota Corolla; a Toyota Spider Camry Car, one Honda Odessey, one locally-made pistol and one English sword,” he said.

    The commissioner also said three suspects were arrested for conspiracy and armed robbery as well as disturbing the peace of Umuebi community in Udi Local Government Area of the state.

    Abdurrahman said that police operatives also arrested one Pastor Chukwuemeka Ezeh for allegedly murdering his girlfriend and church-member within the Railway axis of Enugu metropolis.

    He noted that Ezeh allegedly murdered the girl and carted away all her belongings and N2 million cash.

    “The command also arrested a 75-year-old man, one Boniface Onoja, for allegedly defiling a 11-year-old girl within the premises of Community Secondary School, Ogbunite in Igboeze North Local Government Area,” he said.

    The commissioner solicited the cooperation of residents in prompt reporting of suspicious persons and objects within their neighbourhoods to the nearest police station.

  • ‘Why Makinde is reviewing inherited projects’

    The Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe, has revealed the reasons behind the cancellation and review of some projects inherited by the current administration.

    Ogedengbe explained that his principal had been canceling and reviewing projects after determining the motive behind their establishment.

    For Makinde, who he said had zero tolerance for corruption, Ogedengbe said any project, which establishment was motivated by personal gains or which was not serving the interest of the state and its people would be axed or reviewed to ensure public good and accountability.

    The cleric disclosed this while speaking at a thanksgiving service organised by the Special Strategic Group (SSG) for Makinde’s election at Maranatha Chapel, Iwo road, Ibadan, during the holiday.

    Read Also: ‘It’s unfair to assess Makinde now’

    Since his inauguration, Governor Makinde has cancelled the N3,000 annual levy paid by pupils in public secondary schools in the state. He has also cancelled the Ibadan-Iseyin road contract, among others.

    The executive assistant also said Makinde’s election was a fulfilment of a long time prophecy about Nigeria, pointing out that the governor came at a time God ordained a new Nigeria to emerge, starting from Oyo State.

    He explained that Oyo would not just be a pacesetter of a new nation of Nigeria, but that of Africa at large.

    According to Ogedengbe, Governor Makinde stands at a vantage position to carefully assess the achievements and mistakes of past leaders in the state to learn from them and move the state forward.

    While giving the assurance that Makinde’s achievements would surpass those of his predecessors, he admonished Christians to prayerfully consider going into politics once they had got the assurance that God was directing them.

    “There is nothing wrong for Christians to go into politics. Once you are sure God is leading you towards that direction, pray very well, join a political party, attend their meetings from ward level, make sure you participate actively in all the activities of the party of your choice and make up your mind to make a positive difference as a Christian,” he said.

    Speaking earlier at the meeting, the convener of the Special Strategic Group, Dr. Olatunde Oladoyinbo, thanked members for their selfless and relentless service at the time needed.

    He urged them to pray daily for the success of Makinde’s administration.

  • ‘Security is a collective responsibility’

    The newly-installed monarch of Ayetoro-Budo community in Ayetoro, Ogun State, Oba Adewumi Adeniji has stated that government alone cannot tackle insecurity in the country.

    Speaking at a press briefing in his palace, the monarch noted that the issue of insecurity remains the concern of everybody, hence government should be supported by all agencies and stakeholders involved to put an end to it.

    Oba Adewumi Adeniji stressed that insecurity in the country has become alarming, urging citizens to be security-conscious.

    He said, “The security challenge in the country is mind-boggling, to say the least. You get to hear different frightening stories of murder and kidnap on a daily basis. However, it is the business of every citizen to ensure that the country is safe and secure. Everybody needs to come together to proffer a lasting solution. We should not leave it for the government alone.”

    Read Also: Man arraigned for ‘false information’

    He praised the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari for his sustained efforts towards tackling the scourge of insecurity in the land.

    The monarch disclosed that if everyone supported government in fighting insecurity, the country would experience peace and harmony.

    He said, “If we all rise up to support government in tackling insecurity, we will all benefit from it. Everyone will move freely without fear of being kidnapped, murdered or raped.”

    Oba Adeniji who built a police station in his community, wants community leaders to borrow a leaf from him as a way of demonstrating support for  government.

  • ‘Internet fraudster’ remanded in Kwara

    Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital, on Wednesday remanded a-36 year old re-arrested suspected internet fraudster Ilorin zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned the accused Abolarin Kayode before the court over offences bordering on internet fraud and other fraud related offences.

    The accused was first arraigned in February 2019 before Justice Babagana Ashigar of a Federal High Court in Ilorin but absconded after he was granted bail.

    He ran out of luck in August this year when operatives of the commission traced to G.R.A, Ilorin and got him arrested.

    At yesterday sitting, EFCC arraigned Abolarin on seven count charge before the court presided over by Justice Sikiru Oyinloye.

    Read Also: Man arraigned for ‘false information’

    One of the count reads “that you,  Abolarin Kayode (Alias Lauren Saint) on or about the 6th day of February 2019, in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kwara state, with intent to defraud, had in your possession a document containing false pretence, to with; a gmail titled paid to drive initiative by your budweiser which you sent to one Chad Bakichan American citizen through your acclaimed email laurensaint345@gmail.com, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 6 read along with section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1 of the same Act.”

  • Xenophobic attack: Oyo promises to assist returnees

    Oyo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Rauf Olaniyan, on Wednesday formally received 30 victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, who are indigenes of the state.

    Olaniyan, who received the returnees on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, assured them of the state government’s assistance.

    He said the assistance would not be monetary “but a proper profiling of the returnees will be done to know specific areas to assist them; thereafter, they would make their proposals.”

    Olaniyan said that the state government would consider those that qualified for government jobs, when the state was ready to recruit workers.

    Read Also: Xenophobia: ECOWAS citizens seek access to African Court

    He enjoined the returnees to abstain from any criminal acts, but see their return to their home-state as an opportunity to excel.

    Olaniyan said the current administration in the state was working hard to provide favourable atmosphere for everyone to prosper.

    The deputy governor announced a donation of a token of N30,000 to each of the 30 returnees as transport allowance back to their respective towns and villages.

    Some of the returnees, Temilade Olakojo, Oluwaseun Okeleye and Bolatito Lawal, pleaded with the state government to assist them, saying they returned to Nigeria with nothing as they had lost everything in South Africa.

  • Man arraigned for ‘false information’

    Ondo State Police Command has arraigned a 39-year old man, John Abiodun before a Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital, for allegedly providing false information on his sworn affidavit before the Commissioner for Oaths to mislead the general public in the state.

    Abiodun was arraigned before Magistrate Ruth Olumilua by the police on allegations of providing false information and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace.

    The accused was said to have committed the offence on March 28.

    The charge sheet reads, “That you John Abiodun on the 28th day of March, 2019 at Chief Magistrate Court, Akure did falsely swear to an affidavit on oath before the Commissioner for Oaths knowing fully to be false with intent to mislead members of the public and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under section 188 of the criminal code cap 37, vol 1 laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.

    Read Also: Group leader killed in Adamawa

    “That you John Abiodun on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magistrate court made a false statement on oath knowing fully to be false and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under section 191 of the criminal code cap 37 vol 1 laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.

    “That you John Abiodun did insult the religion of the Church of God, Promised land Prophetical Ministry, Shasha Area, Akure in order to prevent free officiating and worship of the Church and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under section 204 of the criminal code cap 37, vol 1 laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.”

    The prosecuting counsel, Inspector Martins Olowofeso told the court that the accused person has committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under sections 188, 191 and 204 of the criminal code cap 37, vol 1 laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.

    Inspector Olowofeso however prayed the court to adjourn the case for him to study the case file, adding that he had about four witnesses to call on the matter.

    The accused who was represented by Mrs. Maria Bolorunduro pleaded not guilty to the three count-charge leveled against him.

    Mrs. Bolorunduro urged the court to allow her client to be bailed on liberal terms, saying the offence he was charged with is bailable.

    According to her, the accused person would not jump bail if passionately granted bail, stressing that he is ready to provide a credible surety.

    Magistrate Olomilua granted the accused person to bail on the sum of N500,000 with two sureties who must resident within the court jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.

    Magistrate Olomilua  adjourned the case till October 18 for hearing.

  • Council primaries: Ekiti APC aspirants, reject imposition

    The crisis rocking the All Progressive Congress in Ekiti State on Wednesday deepened as some of its aggrieved local government chairmanship aspirants protested alleged imposition of candidates for the December 7 council election.

    The protesters led by two chairmanship aspirants, Mrs. Tosin Aluko and Tajudeen Gidado, besieged the party secretariat at about 9.30 am to express their grievances.

    The party had last week Saturday suspended primaries in Ado, Ikole and Ekiti East local government areas over alleged security threat and rumour that some members were planning to disrupt the process in a violent manner.

    It was gathered that the Deputy Governor and leader of the party in Ado Ekiti council, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, and 35 others, had picked Mrs. Omotunde Fajuyi against the wishes of the two other aspirants.

    Read Also: Ekiti APC suspends local government primary elections indefinitely

    The two aspirants faulted and rejected the consensus process that produced Fajuyi as the candidate, saying it was a flagrant violation of party’s constitution, which stipulates that there must be indirect primary, when consensus option fails.

    They said the decision didn’t reflect the interest and free will of the party members, saying the principle of internal democracy should not be inhibited, but rather strengthened.

    But the APC State Publicity Secretary, Hon Ade Ajayi, said the party was not interested in the imposition of candidates.

    Ajayi also exonerated Governor Kayode Fayemi of complicity in the crises that dogged the primaries, warning that nobody should bring the governor into the controversial issue.

    He said: “Some group of people came to protest here today and said they rejected the consensus option in Ado Ekiti. They were led by Mrs. Tosin Aluko and Mr. Tajudeen Gidado. They came with placards carrying inscription that they rejected imposition; that they wanted primaries. We have never contemplated imposition as a party.

    “The party will look into their protest vis-a-vis the letter signed by the deputy governor and 35 leaders. You know that the deputy governor is the leader of the party in Ado Ekiti and you know what it means for him to have signed for consensus. The state exco will meet on the issue and take a position.

    “We are not ready to impose anybody and nobody must bring the name of Governor Kayode Fayemi into this matter.”

    Ajayi said the party had set up intervention and reconciliation committees to interface with the aggrieved aspirants on how to resolve the crises trailing the conduct of the primaries in the three councils.

    He said the party took proactive measures by postponing the primaries in the three councils on Saturday upon realising that some hoodlums wanted to hijack the process and burn down some marked houses.

    On the efforts being made to pacify the aggrieved candidates, the APC spokesman said: “We are getting representations from various communities, because we recognise the right of every individual to contest in our party without being deprived.

    “We have invited leaders from Ikole, Ekiti East and Ado Ekiti; so all the issues are being attended to and it will be resolved amicably.”