The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Newspaper

  • HFN begins Camp in Kaduna

    HFN begins Camp in Kaduna

    The Handball Federation of Nigeria ( HFN ) has opened camping for Under-18 and 20 players ahead of the African qualifiers for the International Handball Federation competition coming up in Niger Republic.

    Our reporters,  reports that the camp commenced from March 5-30, 2018 at the Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna.

    Emeka Oko,the under U-18 coach said ” selection would be on merit. If you play well we will pick you and if you don’t we will drop you. We want to field the best for the country. ”

    Technical Director, Nigerian Handball federation, Ferdinand Emana, expressed confidence that the talents at their disposal would do the nation proud.

    “There is no doubt in my mind that this group of talented young players will spring  surprises in Nigeria as they were carefully selected from previous competitions last year.”

    A cross section of coaches said final selection of players would be tough because of the pool of talented players in camp.

    Read Also: AHCN rues govt’s disposition to NHF

    Chairman Kaduna Handball Association, Ahmed Abubakar expressed gratitude to the federation for starting the camp early, stressing that it would boost the confidence of the players.

    “The confidence is that the players will get to know each other and it will foster team spirit and cohesion and its a good development for the game”.

    Our reporters, reports that 28 players each for the under U-20 and U-18 teams are in camp out of which 14 players will be selected for each category.

    Nigeria is pitched in zone 3 of the IHF qualifiers alongside Ghana, Siera Leone, Burundi, Togo, Benin Republic and host Niger.

     NAN

  • Reps to probe alleged loss of N2bn, $3.8m interests from sale of PHCN

    Reps to probe alleged loss of N2bn, $3.8m interests from sale of PHCN

    The House of Representatives is to investigate the alleged loss of two billion naira and 3.8 million dollars through banks’ non-payment of interests on the proceeds of the sale of PHCN successor companies.

    The decision followed the unanimous adoption of a motion by Rep. Chukwuka Onyema ( Anambra-PDP ) at the plenary on Tuesday.

    The session was presided over by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

    The house resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to carry out the probe and to report back to the house within six weeks for further legislative action.

    Onyema had said that the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 unbundled the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) into 18 successor companies.

    He said the companies were six generation companies, and 12 distribution companies covering the 36 states of the federation as well as National Power Transmission Company.

    Onyema said following the divestiture of Federal Government from PHCN through privatisation, the company was divided into separate companies known as the Local Electricity Distribution Companies.

    He said the successor companies made payment to the Federal Government through Standard Chartered Bank, Fidelity Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Access Bank, FCMB, Skye Bank, Sterling Bank, Zenith Bank and Unity Bank.

    “The accrued interests due to the Federal Government to the tune of two billion naira and 3.8 million dollars were alleged to have been diverted by those banks in collaboration with officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria,’’ Onyema said.

    He pointed out that the Nigerian Constitution empowers the House to conduct investigations for the purpose of exposing corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws and management of funds.

    NAN

  • Businesswoman remanded for fraud

    Businesswoman remanded for fraud

    A businesswoman, Olaremi Dilureni, was on Tuesday remanded by an Ikeja Special Offences Court at Kirikiri Prisons for allegedly defrauding one Dr Anthony Rapu and three others of N23 million and 50 million dollars (N18 billion) in a business deal.

    According to our reporter, Dilureni, who traded under the name — Creadon Ventures — faces an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretenses and stealing slammed on her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    She however denied the charge.

    Mrs Fadeke Giwa, the lead prosecutor for the EFCC, said Dilureni committed the offence of conspiracy alongside four others who are now at large between March and May 2013.

    He gave the names of the accomplices as Lola Anjorin, Tunde Oladunmaye, Oluremi Osubo and a company — Home Concepts.

    “On April 16, 2013, Dilureni obtained N10 million from Rapu under the guise that the money was for investment in diesel supply business with a monthly interest rate of 6.5 per cent.

    “On April 17, 2013 the defendant received another N10 million from Rapu for the business deal,”she said.

    According to the prosecution, Dilureni defrauded two members of a popular Lagos family.

    “On March 2013, Dilureni had fraudulently received the sum of 50million dollars belonging to Mrs Eyitope St. Matthew Daniel and converted the money to her use.

    “On May 8, 2013, the defendant fraudulently received N320,000 from Mrs Nellie St. Matthew Daniel on the pretext that the money was for the diesel supply business.”

    Giwa said the businesswoman also dishonestly received N3 million from another individual, Mr Adeojo Babasegun, for the business deal.

    Read Also: Mechanic to Court: My wife is having affair with herbalist

    The offences violated Sections 1(1), (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Offences Act 2006, Sections 5(2), 278,  285(1) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2012.

    After, Dilureni’s plea was taken, Giwa told the court that she had just received the summons for bail for the defendant from her lawyer and as a result, needed time to respond in writing.

    Mr Tunde Kolawole, Dilureni’s defence counsel, however, in his submission asked the court not to remand his client in prison but rather at the custody of the EFCC.

    “She is a nursing mother and she has been in the EFCC custody since Thursday and she was just brought to court today.”

    Justice Sherifat Solebo, however, declined Kolawole’s request, saying she is no longer the responsibility of the EFCC because her plea has been taken.

    The judge adjourned the case until March 14 for hearing of the bail application.

    NAN

     

  • Senate receives report to grant Nigerian Financial Intelligence

    Senate receives report to grant Nigerian Financial Intelligence

    The Senate on Tuesday in Abuja received the Conference Committee report on a bill to establish the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) as an independent entity.

    Receiving the report, submitted by Sen. Chukwuka Utazi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption, Deputy President of the Senate Ike Ekweremadu said there was need to expedite action on it.

    Ekweremadu commended Senate and the House of Representatives Committees on Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption for the report which would ensure Nigeria is not expelled from the EGMONT Group.

    The EGMONT Group is a network of 152-member countries that share information relating to criminal intelligence and financial information.

    The group had threatened to expel Nigeria permanently by March 11 if the Nigerian government failed to grant the unit the autonomy required to become its member.

    Ekweremadu said the senate would consider the report on Wednesday.

    “It is a very important bill and I am happy that you have come into agreement with the House of Representatives.

    “It is important that we consider the report tomorrow so that Nigeria will be out of the suspension and be counted among the comity of nations in the EGMONT Group,’’ he added.

    Read Also: ‘Foreigners must not take digital switch over from Nigerians’

    Our reporters,  reports that Nigeria is currently serving a suspension from the EGMONT group which has accused the EFCC of sharing confidential information to media.

    The Senate and House of Representatives had differed over the passage of the bill establishing the NFIU as an independent entity.

    Utazi had raised a point of order, accusing the House of non-cooperation.

    He warned that failure to pass the bill ahead of the next Egmont Group meeting would cause a major economic crisis for Nigeria.

    In a reaction, his counterpart, Rep. Kayode Oladele, denied the allegation, saying that he never derailed the process.

    Oladele said “on the contrary, Utazi shoved off all efforts for us to meet’’.The lawmakers eventually met on Monday evening and came up with the report.

    NAN

     

  • Kebbi, FG partners to revive Argungun fishing festival

    Kebbi, FG partners to revive Argungun fishing festival

    Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, yesterday said plans have reached advanced stage with the Federal Government to revive the popular Argungun fishing festival.

    The governor said, the fishing festival was earlier suspended in the state due to Boko Haram insurgency.

    Bagudu, who spoke during media briefing in Kebbi, revealed on going moves to seek supports from both private and public sector to boost the tourism sector and make the festival an international affair.

    “We always avoid the raining season and there are lots of infrastructure decay and  accommodation problem because of the suspension, so we want to upgrade them all. That’s what we are doing with the federal ministry of Information,” he said.

    The governor called for greater funding for the sector, especially through the Anchor Borrowers Programme ( ABP ) to increase rice production in the 36 states.

    According to him, the N54 billion disbursed for the ABP across the federation was insufficient, thus need for the federal government to consider upward review of the loan.

    Bagudu insisted that the N54 billion was very little compared to what’s alloted to develop other sectors such as banking as well as oil and gas sectors.

    “Let me use this medium to call for more greater lending to agriculture and better public support. For instance, NNPC indicated that fuel subsidy alone is about N180 billion. Yet, lending to agriculture to farmers across 36 states is just N54 billion,” he added.

    While calling for massive investments in Agriculture, he said, “countries that achieved food sufficiency spent decades supporting agriculture, subsidizing among other producer supports.”

    The Governor, who acknowledged water as major challenge, said rice farmers cultivated on 400, 000 hectares of land.

    He said cost of purchasing fuel increased to as high as N300 per litre, which according to him led the state government to partner with major fuel stations and the Kebbi State Assembly to subsidise the product.

  • Edo assembly considers bill to prohibit human trafficking

    Edo assembly considers bill to prohibit human trafficking

    Edo House of Assembly on Tuesday began consideration of a bill for a law to prohibit human trafficking and establish the Edo State Task Force against trafficking in persons.

    The majority leader, Roland Asoro, the member representing   Orhionmwon South constituency, moved the motion for the house to dissolve into a committee to consider the bill.

    The Chief Whip of the house, Iyoha Osaigbovo, member representing Oredo East constituency, seconded the motion.

    The committee consequently considered sections one to seven of the bill.

    Read Also: Human trafficking: NAPTIP hands over 17 victims to relatives

    According to the house, appointment of members of the task force shall be by the governor and subject to the ratification of the house of assembly.

    The Speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, directed the majority leader to schedule further consideration of the bill for the next sitting day.

    Our reporters, reports that Gov. Godwin Obaseki had in January sent the bill in person to the house for consideration.

    NAN

     

  • Trader, remanded over alleged theft of satellite dishes

    Trader, remanded over alleged theft of satellite dishes

    A Sokoto Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday remanded a 26-year-old trader, Hassan Mohammed, over alleged theft of satellite dishes.

    Mohammed, 26, who resides at Gusau road, Sokoto, is facing a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, trespass and stealing.

    The Chief Magistrate, Abubakar Adamu, ordered the remand of the accused in prison following the prosecution’s request to allow the Police to conclude investigation into the matter.

    Adamu adjourned the case until March 15 for hearing.

    Read Also: CBN begins disbursement of small naira notes to traders

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpt. Faruk Bala had told the court that the offences were committed in December 2017 along Shinkafi road, Sokoto.

    Bala said that the accused unlawfully entered into the residence of one Bishop Yabugbe, Abdullahi Bliss, Obinna David and Uzoma Sam all of Shinkafi road and stole their satellite dishes all valued at N37, 000.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 349 and 288 of the Penal Code.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    NAN

  • Police arrest suspected cultist, pipeline vandal in Bayelsa

    Police arrest suspected cultist, pipeline vandal in Bayelsa

    The Police Command in Bayelsa on Tuesday said it had arrested a suspected cult member and pipeline vandal, Temona Alison, that had been operating in the state.

    The Spokesman of the command, DSP Asinim Butswat, disclosed this in a statement which he made available to newsmen in Yenagoa.

    Butswat said four hand grenades, one live cartridge, a pair of military uniform, one machete and one SIM card were recovered from the suspect.

    “On 4th Feb, 2018 at about 1 p.m., the Bayelsa State Command Strike Force, a team that specialised in tracking down wanted criminals, arrested one Temona Boleigha Alison ‘m’ based on a tip-off.

    “The suspect was arrested in possession of four hand grenades; one live cartridge; a pair of military uniform; one machete; one SIM card and twelve wraps of substance suspected to be cocaine.

    “The suspect is undergoing a thorough interrogation,” he said.

    NAN

  • AHF wants FG to bridge gap on HIV/ AIDS services

    AHF wants FG to bridge gap on HIV/ AIDS services

    AIDS Healthcare Foundation ( AHF ) has urged the Federal government to bridge the HIV/ AIDS services gap through women empowerment and access to reproductive and healthcare services.

    Terri Ford, Chief of Global Policy, Advocacy for AHF, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of the 2018 International Women’s Day celebration on March 8.

    She said it would be a befitting honour to the courage and resilience of Nigerian women if the government empowered them by bridging the gaps of inequality and access to healthcare services.

    “The world cannot go on talking about the end of AIDS while HIV remains one of the leading causes of death among women, especially young women and girls in developing countries.

    “From the smallest community clinic, all the way to the national health programmes and at the international level we must keep the promise to women.

    “We must ensure they have access to HIV treatment, testing and prevention without long waiting times and without fear of intimidation and stigma,’’ Ford said.

    Also, Dr Greg Abiaziem, Acting Country Programmes Manager, AHF Nigeria, stressed the need for Nigerians to make conscious effort to ameliorate challenges that women faced in accessing quality healthcare.

    Abiaziem said the need to promote safer sexual conducts and women’s ability to negotiate safe sex and education to reduce transmission of HIV from mother to child must be structurally put in place.

    He said that efforts and resources must be invested into policies that had been proven to work globally, such as the HIV test and treatment policy as well as a comprehensive prevention strategy.

    The AHF Country Programmes Manager, quoting UNAIDS, said “a third (32 per cent) of all cases of mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in the world happened in Nigeria.

    “In 2016, just 32 per cent of pregnant women living with HIV in Nigeria received antiretroviral treatment.

    “According to WHO, almost 18 million women over the age of 15 make up over half of all adults living with HIV while women aged 15 to 24 account for 60 per cent of those infected in that age group.

    “HIV positive women in many countries are not afforded equal access to treatment and are often victims of discrimination and increased violence, including infringement upon their sexual and reproductive rights.

    “AHF calls on policy makers, organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to help narrow identified gaps and ensure women have unimpeded access to lifesaving HIV testing, prevention services and treatment,’’ Abiaziem said.

    AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the largest global AIDS organisation, currently providing medical care and services to over 872,000 clients in 39 countries.

    AHF Nigeria has been operating in the country since 2011 and has presence in six states.

    NAN

  • Gunmen didn’t free suspects at Lemu Police station

    Gunmen didn’t free suspects at Lemu Police station

    The Police Command in Niger has dismissed claims that suspects detained at its Lemu Divisional Police Headquarters in Gbako Local Government, were freed by gunmen that invaded the station on Feb. 27.

    Its spokesman, Mr Mohammad Abubakar, in a statement on Tuesday in Minna, said that no suspect was in custody when the gunmen came.

    “Gunmen actually invaded the police station on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Their target was the armoury, but the station guards engaged them in a fierce gun battle and prevented them from accessing the facility.

    “There have been misrepresentations of the facts on the attack. Some reports claimed that the attackers made away with arms and ammunition. That did not happen.

    Read Also: Police arrest four robbery suspects

    “Some also claimed that suspects were also freed by the gunmen  which is also a lie because there was no suspect in detention when the gunmen came,” he said.

    The statement, however, said that an AK47 rifle belonging to one of the station guards was lost to the gunmen.

    “We lost one AK47 rifle and concerted efforts are being made toward recovering the firearm,” it said.

    NAN