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  • Court remands man over theft of plasma TV

    Court remands man over theft of plasma TV

    A Kano Senior Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of Auwalu Yahaya, 25, accused of  criminal conspiracy and house-breaking.

    Yahaya, an unemployed, who resides at Sharada Quarters, Kano, is facing a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, house-breaking and theft.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Yusuf Sale, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Feb. 9, at Sharada Quarters, Kano.

    Sale alleged that the accused and his accomplice, Baffa now at large, conspired and broke into the house of one Alhaji Alhassan Suleiman, and stole a plasma television worth N65, 000.

    ALSO READ: Court remands mechanic accused of defiling neigbour’s daughter

    The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 97, 348 and 287 of the Penal Code.

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

    The Senior Magistrate, Aminu Fagge, who ordered the remand of the accused in prison, adjourned the case until March 1, for mention.

    NAN

  • Court dissolves 15-year-old marriage over negligence

    Court dissolves 15-year-old marriage over negligence

    An Idi-Ogungun Customary Court, Agodi, Ibadan, on Tuesday dissolved the 15-year-old marriage between one Wuraola Adekunle, and her husband, Rufai, over the latter’s lack of care for their three children.

    Chief Mukaila Balogun, the President of the court, said the evidence of both parties had proved that the union lacked love and care.

    Balogun said the court could no longer play a reconciliatory role for settlement of the rift since both parties had agreed to path ways.

    He dissolved the marriage and ordered that the three kids of the marriage should be in the custody of the respondent “as agreed by the couple.”

    Earlier, Wuraola, 43, a resident of Apete, Ibadan, had prayed the court to uphold her request due to her husband’s negligence to take care of her and the three children of the union.

    The petitioner said that her 78-year-old husband was in the habit of threatening her whenever she demanded for money.

    Wuraola also said she shouldered the responsibility of school fees, feeding and other needs of the children alone.

    The respondent did not object to the dissolution, but denied the allegation of negligence.

    He urged the court to allow the children to be in his custody so that he could effectively take care of them.

    NAN

  • Court remands headteacher for defiling pupil

    Court remands headteacher for defiling pupil

    David Eyo, a 31-year-old headteacher, who allegedly defiled his 10-year-old pupil, was on Tuesday remanded in Kirikiri Prison on the orders of an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi, who gave the ruling, directed that the case file should be duplicated and a copy sent to the State Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) for advice.

    The accused, a resident of Aguda in Surulere area of Lagos, is on trial for defilement.

    Police Prosecutor Benson Emuerhi had told court that the accused committed the offence at 2.00 p.m. on Feb. 10 in the premises of Promise Land Ministry School situated at No. 17, Aminu Jinadu St., Eric Moore, Surulere.

    “He defiled his 10-year-old pupil (name withheld) several times in the premises of the school,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the case was reported by the pupil’s parents to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT).

    According to Mrs Titilola Rhodes-Vivour, the Coordinator of the DSVRT, who was present in court for the arraignment, the child had informed her classmate about the defilement which had occurred several times within the school premises.

    “The classmate who is the girl’s friend, told her mother who in turn informed the father and the case was reported to the Eric Moore Police Station in Surulere.

    “At the police station, it was referred to the Gender Desk and the desk got in touch with the DSVRT for further investigation,” she said.

    Elaborating further on the circumstances surrounding the alleged defilement, the DSVRT coordinator said: “The survivor could not tell her parents because the accused threatened to flog her, telling her that she will die if she tells anybody of the defilement.

    “According to the survivor, who was preparing for her Common Entrance Examinations, the pupils used to stay after school hours to be tutored by Eyo who works also as the headteacher, choir master and class teacher.

    “Eyo had the habit of isolating the survivor from her classmates and defiling her in the classroom and infected her with a Sexually Transmitted Disease ( STD ).

    “The survivor alleged that the sexual abuse had started since September 2017 when she was in Primary Five.”

    Rhodes -Vivour also lamented that survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence had to fund their cases for justice to prevail.

    The offence contravenes Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. The section prescribes a life sentence for offenders.

    The case has been adjourned until June 25

    NAN

  • Daura youth groups visit Buhari

    Daura youth groups visit Buhari

    Forty-six associations, under the aegis of the Daura Emirate Coalition of Progressive Youths, on Tuesday visited President Muhammadu Buhari in his Daura residence and pledged to fully  support his fight against corruption.

    The youth groups also expressed their unconditional support for the President’s efforts to transform Nigeria into a nation its nationals would be proud to serve, promote and protect.

    Alhaji Ali Rabe, their chairman, who spoke at the visit, told Buhari that the coalition was already sensitizing Nigerians on the impact of his administration’s efforts and the need to support them.

    “The policies of your administration have transformed the lives of many Nigerians, especially the rural dwellers. We are sensitising them to take advantage of the opportunities in the agriculture sector to improve their economic fortunes,” he said.

    Rabe urged Buhari to seek a fresh mandate in 2019 so as to consolidate on the gains so far recorded.

    Read Also: EU plants 736 trees in Daura LG

    The group blamed the rising cases of insurgencies and crimes in some parts of  the country on people bent on distracting the President from fighting crime and insecurity, and advised him to remain focused.

    “When you fight corruption, corruption will fight back; when you fight insecurity, it will also fight back. But we want the Federal Government to remain focused and be assured that all Nigerians of good will are behind them,” he said.

    The coalition also commended Buhari’s efforts toward infrastructural development, especially roads, electricity, agriculture and the railways, and urged him to sustain the tempo.

    It said that the N-power programme had created job opportunities for many young Nigerians and reduced redundancy and idleness.

    Responding, Buhari vowed to intensify the fight against corruption, describing it as “a cancer that kills the spirit of a nation and retards its progress”.

    “I have always said and would say it again. Corruption is responsible for the myriad of problems Nigeria is facing today. We have to either kill it, or it will kill us,” he said.

    The President advised members of the group to remain honest, transparent and God-fearing in their activities.

    NAN

     

  • Venezuelan calls on Trump to start dialogue between Caracas, Washington

    Venezuelan calls on Trump to start dialogue between Caracas, Washington

    Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro has invited U.S. President Donald Trump to launch dialogue between Caracas and Washington, setting the date and time for a meeting.

    “Trump has urged against interference in other countries’ internal affairs. It is time to implement this (call) and engage in dialogue instead of aggression.

    “A dialogue in Caracas or Washington? Time and place, and I will be there,” Maduro posted on Twitter.

    On Feb. 4, U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson said Washington was weighing sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector to increase pressure on the country’s authorities and make them “return to constitutional process.”

    In 2017, the U.S. sanctioned almost 50 Venezuelans for undermining democracy, according to the State Department.

    Read Also: Venezuelan President wants stronger ties with Nigeria

    Venezuela is mired in a deep economic and political crisis prompted by the fall of oil prices, and has been facing mass protests since spring.

    “The manifestations were initially a response to the decision of the country’s highest court to severely limit the parliament’s legislative powers.

    NAN

  • Nigeria ranked 11th highest on newborn deaths – UNICEF report

    Nigeria ranked 11th highest on newborn deaths – UNICEF report

    The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund ( UNICEF ), has ranked Nigeria 11th position on newborn deaths globally.

    This is according to a new report on “Newborn Mortality’’ released by UNICEF, which was obtained on Tuesday in Lagos.

    According to the report, eight of the 10 most dangerous places to be born are sub-Saharan Africa, where pregnant women are much less likely to receive assistance during delivery due to poverty, conflict and weak institutions.

    “With the newborn mortality rate of 29 deaths per 1,000 births, the global estimates rank Nigeria as the 11th highest on newborn deaths.

    “In the recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted by the Government of Nigeria in 2016/17, the rate of newborn deaths per 1000 births is 37.

    “This national average hides the differences between the 36 states and the slow progress in some of them,’’ the report said.

    On the causes of newborn deaths, the report said that more than 80 per cent of newborn deaths were due to prematurity, asphyxia, complications during birth or infections such as pneumonia and sepsis.

    “These deaths can be prevented with access to well-trained midwives during antenatal and postnatal visits as well as delivery at a health facility.

    “These should be along with proven solutions like clean water, disinfectants, breastfeeding within the first hour, skin-to-skin contact, proper cord care, and good nutrition.

    “However, a shortage of well-trained health workers and midwives means that thousands don’t receive the life-saving support they need to survive,’’ it said.

    The report said that globally in low-income countries, the average newborn mortality rate was 27 deaths per 1,000 births, while in high-income countries, it was three deaths per 1,000.

    A statement by UNICEF issued by Eva Hinds, UNICEF Nigeria, quoted Mohamed Fall, UNICEF Nigeria’s Representative as saying “a fair chance in life begins with a strong, healthy start.

    “Unfortunately, many children in Nigeria are still deprived of this, MICS data tells us that the trend is improving but urgent action needs to be taken for Nigeria to reach the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ).’’

    The statement also quoted Henrietta Fore, UNICEF’s Executive Director as saying “we have more than halved the number of deaths among children under the age of five in the last quarter century.

    “We have not made similar progress in ending deaths among children less than one month old.

    “Given that the majority of these deaths are preventable, clearly we are failing the world’s poorest babies.’’

    Reacting to the report, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Mamaye Evidence for Action, said that the deaths were needless and could be prevented through more concerted efforts by the government and all stakeholders.

    Mr Laide Shokunbi, Media Advisor of the NGO, urged more support from the Federal Government to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths in the country.

    “Maternal and neonatal deaths could be prevented when women receive proper health care from skilled providers during pregnancy, at the time of delivery and shortly after birth.

    “Our health facilities should be well-equipped and they should also have skilled providers including doctors, nurses, and midwives always available,’’ he said.

    Also, Mr Akin Jimoh, the Project Director, Development Communications Network (Devcoms), said there was the need for increased sensitisation on how to achieve good maternal, newborn and child health.

    “There is the need for aggressive awareness campaign on maternal and newborn health, especially in rural, semi-urban and hard-to –reach areas, everyone has to be involved.

    “Women and men need to have the right knowledge, our government needs to strengthen our institutions especially the health sector, it has to be well –funded and monitored.

    “Also, our medical and health professionals need to be dedicated and conscientious,’’ Jimoh said.

    NAN

  • Senate to probe N3.4b NNPC / Agip security account

    Senate to probe N3.4b NNPC / Agip security account

    The Senate on Tuesday mandated its Committee on Public Accounts to investigate the rationale behind a security account allegedly operated by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ) and Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

    This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Sen. Dino Melaye (Kogi-APC).

    Moving the motion, Melaye said there was the need for the Senate to unravel the objective of the account and source of its funding.

    He alleged that the account opened with the name NNPC/AGIP Oil Company IPP Security Account with address NNPC Garki, Harbert Macauley way is domiciled in First Bank Nigeria Plc with account number 2006367288.

    Melaye allaged that the account had an opening balance of N31.7 billion and a closing balance of N34. 5 billion as at April 25, 2017, adding that there were lodgments and withdrawals since January 2017.

    “A lot of questions are begging for answers as regards this account.

    “While we need to know the objectives of this account, we also need to know the signatories to the account ; is the account known to the Federal Government and what are the sources of the account’s funding.

    “About N2 trillion is kept in various accounts of government, we are operating a Treasury Single Account yet money is kept in various personal accounts.

    “If these monies are properly remitted to government purse, we will have no business borrowing.

    “This Senate will continue to expose any corrupt practice in the country because it is time to protect the future of Nigerians unborn,” Melaye said.

    The Committee has four weeks within which to carry out its investigation.

    NAN

  • Ondo Govt. distributes 362 ICT tablets

    Ondo Govt. distributes 362 ICT tablets

     

    Ondo State Government on Tuesday began the distribution of 362 data management tools known as clinipak tablets to health workers to enhance primary healthcare delivery across 18 local government areas of the state.

    The distribution was inaugurated by Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, who was represented by Dr Wahab Adegbenro, the state Commissioner for Health in Akure on Tuesday.

    He said that the state government decided to embark on the project to enhance effective management of health information data, which was key to the delivery of qualitative healthcare.

    According to him, health workers had earlier been trained on the use of the ICT tools.

    He added that the state procured the tablets while the technical partner, Instar Global Health Solution, designed and installed the Clinipak application.

    Read Also: SSG: Akeredolu’s govt will uplift Ondo

    The governor said that the tools had been tested and proven to be the ideal solution for data management.

    Akeredolu commended the state health workers for working tirelessly to put the state at the forefront in healthcare delivery.

    He urged them to hit the ground running as the tablets were meant to improve both their efficiency and effectiveness.

    In his remark, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on ICT, Mr Olumbe Akinkugbe, applauded the state Primary Healthcare Development Board for the initiative, which he said would enhance healthcare delivery.

    Akinkugbe expressed delight that the state was moving in the right direction using modern ICT tools in the management of health information data.

    Similarly, Mr Abiola Oshunniyi, Director, Business Development International, said that with the Clinipak application, health facilities in the state would move from just collecting and reporting patients data to leveraging on mobile solutions for improved decision from facility level to the policy making level.

    Oshunniyi added that the application was currently being used in some states in Nigeria, but that of Ondo State was the largest deployment.

    NAN

     

     

  • Buhari leaves Katsina for Yola

    Buhari leaves Katsina for Yola

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday departed Katsina State, for Yola after a five-day private visit to his home in Daura.

    The president was in Daura to commiserate with members of his extended family, who were bereaved recently.

    The presidential aircraft took off from Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, Katsina, about 10.30a.m. And headed for Yola where he is expected to declare open an anti-corruption conference.

    The conference theme is “Performance Based Governance: Transparency, Accountability and Social Value’’.

    While in Daura, Buhari received hundreds of sympathisers at his private residence to console the president over the deaths of two extended family members, Hajiya Halima Dauda and Hajiya Ai’sha Alhaji Mamman.

    They also sympathised with him over the auto-crash involving his son, Yusuf.

    Among the early callers were state governors from All Progressives Congress (APC), including the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Zamfara Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari.

    Others were Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Aminu Masari (Katsina State); Abubakar Muhammed (Bauchi State); Kashim Shettima (Borno); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo State) and Malam Nasir El-Rufa’I of Kaduna State.

    Also Gov. Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa, Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano State); Godwin Obaseki (Edo); Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger) and Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State.

    The governors of Benue, Osun and Ogun were represented by their deputies at the meeting.

    The governors of Yobe and Plateau were also represented at the meeting.

    Okorocha, who spoke to newsmen after the visit, said their mission to Daura was to condole with the president over the loss of two members of his extended family.

    He said the governors also used the opportunity to commend the president for appointing Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as APC Chief Mediator in the party’s conflicts.

    The governor, however, dismissed the assertion that their meeting with Buhari which was held behind closed doors, was politically motivated and aimed at convincing the president to seek re-election in the 2019 presidential election.

    He said: “We are yet to discuss that. That would be in next the meeting where we will discuss whether we want to support him to run or not.

    “But for now we came on the issue of the death of his two relatives and to commend him for action taken on Tinubu as a conciliator.’’

    Similarly, the Emir of Maradun in Zamfara, Alhaji Garba Tambari, on Sunday paid a condolence visit to the president.

    Tambari, shortly after the visit, pledged the unflinching support of the traditional institution to Federal Government policies and programmes geared toward improving the welfare of Nigerians.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Awolowo-Dosunmu at 70

    The emir said that some traditional rulers across the country had resolved to ensure the re-election of  Buhari in 2019.

    “Anybody who wishes this country good, who wishes this country well, will want Mr President to continue after 2019. So, we wish he will continue by the grace of God,’’ he added.

    Also on Sunday, Buhari received Katsina Senior Citizens led by Masari where he called on all citizens, particularly the elite, to be prepared to make sacrifices as a foundation for national growth and development.

    Masari, after the meeting, said they were in Daura to condole with the president over the death of his two relatives.

    He said the forum would soon issue an advertorial on the letter written to Buhari by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    On Monday, Buhari met with members of Daura Emirate coalition who also condoled with him over the demise of two relatives.

    The president, at the meeting, disclosed that all unclaimed looted assets, including landed property recovered by the Federal Government, would be sold and the proceeds deposited into government treasury.

    The president said he would not allow a repeat of what happened in the 1980s when buildings and other ill-gotten property seized by his military administration were returned to corrupt officials following his ouster as Head of State.

    The president told the groups that the APC-led government would consolidate on the gains and monumental achievements in the development of infrastructure across the country.

    “For most ordinary Nigerians, if you give them good roads, railway and stable electric power they will be happy to carry on with their lives.

    ‘‘We are doing so much for our country and we will continue to do more out of the fear of God,” the president said.

    The president promised that the Federal Government would sustain the provision of funds, improved seedlings and fertiliser to farmers to ensure that the sector remained the largest employer of labour to Nigerians.

    He said records of achievements on security, war against corruption and the revival of the economy had remained very impressive.

    The president is expected to return to Abuja later in the day.

    NAN

  • Police say no lives lost to insurgents attack on GGC Dapchi, Yobe

    Police say no lives lost to insurgents attack on GGC Dapchi, Yobe

     Mr Abdulmaliki Sumonu, the Yobe Commissioner of Police, said on Tuesday that there was no loss of live in the suspected Boko Haram insurgents attack on Government Girls College in Dapchi town.

    The News men reports, terrorists attacked the town on Monday and carted away foodstuffs at the Government Girls College, while firing sporadically forcing staff and students to flee into surrounding for safety.

    Sumonu told newsmen in Yobe, three males were later abducted by the insurgents in a remote community in Geidam Local Government Area after the attack on Dapchi.

    He said so far, there was no report of abduction of any of the girls in the school.

    Read Also: Police warn Enugu residents against bank fraud

    “We are still collecting the details on the attack, census of the girls and the general public,” he said.

    The news men gathered from Dapchi residents that there was no casualty recorded and no injury sustained as the terrorists sporadically shot in the air to scare people away when they arrived in the town.

    According to the residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the terrorists carted away food items from the stores of the Government Girls College, Dapchi, and petrol from hawkers, who abandoned their products to run for safety.

    The news men recalls, there were fears on Monday over the safety of students of the Government Girls Secondary School, GGSS Dapchi, in Bursari Local Government area of Yobe State, over the reported presence of insurgents in the area.

    NAN