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  • IGP warns state govts, CPs against arming militia, vigilante groups

    IGP warns state govts, CPs against arming militia, vigilante groups

    …Maintains killing is due to communal clash

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris has warned state governments and Commissioners of Police against equipping militia and vigilante groups with prohibited firearms.

    The Police Chief also directed Commissioners of Police in charge of Commands to monitor the activities of state governments as the country enters into a political era. 

    He disclosed this on Thursday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja during the monthly meeting with Commissioners of Police and other senior officers.

    He said: “Everybody is aware we are entering a tedious and serious period in this country. The political issues are coming up to the fore and I believe as officers, we must gear up in our various locations and responsibilities to ensure that we ensure law and order all over Nigeria. 

    “As police officers, we know our duties. We know some issues that must be considered very seriously because we are coming into a political arena.

    “Commands should be very conversant with arming of militia men or vigilante because before a vigilante group is established by a government, there must be a bylaw which must be passed by the House of Assembly.

    “It is the responsibility of the Commissioners of Police in charge of Commands to study the bylaw and see how it conforms with the constitution and other laws of this country but where through the connivance of some Police officers,  you have a command arming militia men under several leus, I think our officers have to brace up to face these challenges.

    He further said: “No government in this country has the responsibility to approve some prohibited firearms to any Nigerian under any guise.

    “I think it is the responsibility of CPs of Commands to put a close watch to the activities of some of these governments that are arming individuals which is against the laws of this country.

    “All of us are aware of these prohibited firearms, you cannot give approval for any individual to own a pistol or AK47 Rifles. These are prohibited weapons and only the government has the authority to give that approval. 

    “I call on CPs of  various Commands to closely watch the abuse of authority at various levels”,  the IGP said.

    On the killings in Nasarawa and Benue State and the effect of his relocation as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari, the IG said the killings have reduced drastically.

    He also maintained that the clashes were communal.

    According to him: “To be frank, I relocated to Benue for about eight days and when I came back,  I left the DIG Operations there. I must say that the incidences in Benue State and Nasarawa State have reduced drastically”.

    On the killing in Gboko, he said: “We had an attack on some travellers in Gboko town, in Benue State where seven fulani people were murdered.

    “Seven of them were travelling from Taraba to Kogi State,  they stopped in Gboko and the youths there, seeing that they were fulani, pounced on them, killed and roasted them.

    “We are investigating that issue now. Our monitoring team have been dispatched to Benue and some arrest have been made in that regard.”

    On the clash being a communal clash, the IGP said : “This issue like I said from the beginning, is communal clash. These are clashes occurring between two members of the community and like I stated in both states, as Nigerians,  we should learn to live together and tolerant of each other.

    “I addressed traditional rulers recently in Port Harcourt and I think they have a lot to do to bring peace and harmony within their community.

    “This country needs leaders that can unite the communities not leaders that create divisions and I think it is high time leaders answer their names and be among those that will bring peace and stability all over the country”, he said.

  • Wife seeks divorce over husband’s laziness, lack of love

    Wife seeks divorce over husband’s laziness, lack of love

    A house wife, Joke, has asked an Agege Customary Court, Lagos, to dissolve her 26-year-old marriage to her 54-year-old husband, Azeez Isiaka, over alleged lack of love, laziness and acts of irresponsibility.

    Joke, a civil servant, in her petition for divorce, said that her unemployed husband had refused to seek new employment since he lost his job years ago.

    She told the court that his husband had become insensitive to the family welfare because of his joblessness.

    “My husband does not beat me, but l go through psychological and verbal abuse in his hands every day.

    “He is not appreciative of all my endeavours, embarrasses me at will and `talks down at me even in the public.”

    ” The emotional stress is unbearable; l pray the court to separate us so that I can live comfortably.

    “He is lazy and frustrated, thereby transferring his aggression to everybody around him,” she said.

    The respondent, who did not object to the application for dissolution of the 26 years old marriage, did not also deny the applicant’s allegations.

    He told the court that he stopped contributing to the welfare of the children’s upkeep three years ago because he had not job, adding that the petitioner was free to re-marry.

    The court’s President, Mrs. Ibironke Elabor, who advised the estranged couple to keep the peace, adjourned the suit until Feb. 20, for alternative dispute resolution.

    NAN

  • Police, parents, NASU members in free for all as pupils are locked out

    Police, parents, NASU members in free for all as pupils are locked out

    The long-running strike of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities ( NASU ) got messier on Thursday morning as police officials, parents, members of the union and school teachers brawled over closure of school gates.

    Campus Life reports that on early hours of Thursday morning, the gates of International School and Staff School respectively at the University of Lagos ( UNILAG ) were under key and locks leaving pupils, parents and care givers stranded.

    Police vans from Sabo Police Division, Yabo were mounted at different locations on campus and specifically at the schools frontage.

    Pupils in their hundreds were seen lurking around the school fences while some of the pupils at ISL took to shooting match.

    At Staff School, the atmosphere was completely different as armed policemen, parents wrangled with members of NASU, who insisted that the gates must under locks and keys.

    Apparently aggrieved parents expressed grief at the action while they profusely bicker with the school teachers at the gate.

    While some of the parents regretted that the strike has taken tolls on the academics of their wards, others said the NASU members couldn’t have locked out pupils if their children were enrolled in the school.

    A parent at staff school, who was seen ranting said, “This is completely wrong and embarrassing. It is not in anyway rational to lock these young children out of school because of anything whatsoever. At the end of the day, the children who don’t know anything about the strike will be the ones to suffer most.”

    She added that the term has very few more weeks to end while there are lots to cover for the pupils.

    A male parent at ISL regretted that the timing of the strike was wrong because secondary school are meant to be prepared for West African Senior Certificate Examinations.

    He said NASU engaged in their demonstration but, it shouldn’t be at the detriment of school children.

    It will be recalled that UNILAG chapter staged a protest on campus few week ago to further press for their demands.

    Meanwhile, NASU on Wednesday staged another protest shortly after they distrupted the power and water supply across the university campus.

  • Aviation unions ground operations at Bristow, Caverton helicopters

    Aviation unions ground operations at Bristow, Caverton helicopters

    Aviation Unions on Thursday grounded the operations of Bristow Helicopters and Caverton Helicopters over refusal of their management to address issues bordering on the welfare of their members. The unions comprised of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers ( NAAPE ), Association of Aviation Professionals ( ANAP ), and other affilates in the United Labour Congress ( ULC ).

    Members of the unions in the two helicopter companies withdrew their services, including the supply of fuel until issues raised by the unions are equitably resolved.

    At the General Aviation Terminal ( GAT ), wing of the Lagos Airport, scores of union members blocked the entrance and exit gates of Bristow Helicopters to prevent passengers and others planning to patronise the firm from gaining access.

    Singing solidarity songs and dancing to music blaring from loud speakers, the union members expressed disenchantment over the way and manner the management of Bristow Helicopters maltreats and humilate its Nigerian workers.

    They dislayed placards with inscriptions that drives home the maltreatment of Nigerian workers by the helicopter company.

    Some of the placards reads: “Racism in Bristow must stop”.

    “Nigerian Jobs for Nigerians”

    “We say no to forced labour in Bristow”.

    “Stop abusing and violating our rights and privileges “.

    Addressing members of the unions, National President of NAAPE, Comrade Galadima Abednego said they were forced to shut down Bristow and Caverton Helicopters because of the failure of their management to address issues concerning their members.

    He said attempts by NAAPE in the last four years to impress it on the management of Bristow to do the needfull has failed despite interventions by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA ).

    He said : “The management of Bristow Group has been unrelenting in violating both the spirit and letters of the Conditions of Service wittingly agreed to by them. 

    The airline has kept pilots and engineers progression at bay.

    Refusal to pay for forced work rotation which they kept in place for the whole year January to December of 2017. 

    Declared redundancy but refused to offer any justification as required by labour law and Condition of Service, while bidding for time to render potential victims helpless. 

    Commenced a policy of witch-hunting, intimidation and victimization of union members leading to arbitrary sacking of a pilot without recourse to the procedures established in the Conditions of Service. 

    Created and forced engineers into a shift pattern that requires them work for in excess of what is agreed in the Conditions of Service.

    Read also: Buhari vows to improve aviation infrastructure

    “Our union has tried its best to be calmed, composed and matured under this maze of malfeasance on the part of the management. 

    “We have tried every form of engagement with the hope of securing an amicable settlement of these issues. But our forbearance has been taken for granted, and our patience has been repaid with scorn and mocking by the management.

    “Having no further means to get amelioration, our union has no alternative than to embark on this industrial action.” 

    The NAAPE President said the strike could only be called off, if the management of Bristow takes steps to resolve pending issues.

    He said : “Accordingly, this strike action will remain in place until the following demands are met.

    “That the  management of Bristow Group justifies their extraordinary recruitment of expatriates, or streamlines the  number of expatriates in its employ to be in alignment with Nigeria’s Expatriate Quota Laws.

    “Recalls the NAAPE member sacked arbitrarily with due apology and immediately locate all pilots and engineers appropriately on the progression matrix established by the Conditions of Service.

    “Pay  arrears of all work done as per approved pay structures in the company  as  contained in the Conditions of Service,  abrogate all shift systems that are contrary to the progressions of the Conditions of  Service and for work done presently in excess of approved hours of work in the  Conditions of Service. 

    “Undertake to abstain from current strong arm tactics, impunity, intimidation, manipulation of facts, and general recklessness.

    “We call on the Minister of Labour and employment, the Minister of Interior,  Minister of State, Aviation, the leadership of the National Assembly, the Director General of the NCAA and all agencies of government connected to these issues to come to our aid  in confronting and bringing under control, this hydra-headed monster called Bristow Helicopters. 

    This will be in the general interest of Nigeria and her citizens, as well as the orderly development of the aviation sector in Nigeria.” 

    On Caverton, the NAAPE boss said the firm’s operations was shut because it has been shortchanging its members.

    He said : “We shut down Caverton Helicopters operations because the the condition of service has expired. The management has been using delay tactics.”

  • Fed Poly Adikpo will ensure equity, says Gemade

    Fed Poly Adikpo will ensure equity, says Gemade

    The Senator representing Benue North East, Barnabas Gemade, yesterday said that the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State will ensure equity.

    He also said that the polytechnic will provide qualitative education in technology, applied science management and other fields of studies.

    Gemade stated this during the second reading of a Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo, Benue State to provide full time courses in technology, applied science management and other fields of studies and to make provisions for the general administration of such polytechnic, 2018.

    He said that the development of polytechnic education is fundamental  and a sine qua non in creating a work force for the desired economic diversification and also bridging the unemployment gap and emancipation of the people.

    He added that the Bill is therefore a r right step in the right direction as it seeks to address not only the technological needs of “our populace but also provide training in the fields of applied science management, technical and vocational training  of artisans for the development of the nation’s diverse economic potentials and industries.”

    The Bill scaled the crucial second reading in the Senate with most of the senators speaking in favour of its approval.

    In his lead debate, Gemade noted that the Federal Government policy to site federal institutions in every state was established with the creation of 19 states in 1976.

    He said that the policy continued and with the creation of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, successive governments have maintained the policy in ensuring that every state of the Federation has a Federal University, a Federal Polytechnic and a Federal College of Education.

    The lawmaker noted that commendable as the policy is, the need has arisen to bring about equity in its implementation.

    Gemade said that the report of the committee on the modalities of establishing federal polytechnics, colleges of education and universities across the country considered and approved by the Senate on 18th January, 2018, it its findings confirmed the fact that Benue does not have any Federal polytechnic of federal college of education.

    “It is against this backdrop that this Bill is being proposed to address these challenges by extablishing a federal polytechnic at Adikpo in Kwande Local Government Area which is very central within the North-East Senatorial District of Benue State which does not have any federal tertiary institution,” he posited.

  • Lassa fever: Enugu trains health workers on use of kits

    Lassa fever: Enugu trains health workers on use of kits

    The Enugu State Ministry of Health trained over 100 health workers on  proper use of Lassa fever kits as part of the state’s preventive measures.

    A total of 15 cases of the disease had been confirmed by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC ) through Federal Government laboratory in Benin: Edo, while the disease claimed four lives.

    The four deaths, which included health workers, were recorded in Ebonyi (3) and Kogi (1).

    Declaring the training open on Thursday at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital ( ESUTH ), the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Finta Ekochin, said it was to teach health workers on ideal way to use Lassa fever kits.

    Ekochin said the state government bought some of the kits, while some donor agencies also donated some to the state.

    He noted that having pre-requisite knowledge and what to watch out for about the disease were highly necessary for the state and its health workers.

    The commissioner stressed the need for the state government to take proactive measures to stem the spread of the disease, noting that “apart from display and learning how to put on the Lassa fever kits, health practitioners would undertake refresher course on case definition and symptoms.

    “Also, the ideal process of contact tracing for people that come into contact with any person confirmed to have the disease.

    “The method of information gathering on health and channel of reporting a suspected case to superior health authorities within the state with dispatch.”

    In a lecture entitled; “Epidemiology of Lassa fever’’, Dr Mariam Ajuba of Community Medicine Department, ESUTH, enumerated the various means of contacting the disease and its causes.

    Ajuba advised that morticians must be cautious on how they handle corpses, especially those of suspected Lassa fever victims.

    She said “don’t take anything for granted; always wear your health gears and if you sense or feel that a corpse cannot be easily defined, make sure you put on your kits immediately.

    “Since health workers are the first major contact; always read and re-read your symptoms and case definition manual if possible daily so that nothing takes you unaware.

    “Then, report promptly to the hospital boss, who would report to Disease Surveillance Department of Ministry of Health.

    A participant, Dr Chinemerem Onwuliri, Senior Registrar, Department of Community Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital ( UNTH ), Ituku/Ozalla, said the workshop was educative.

    Onwuliri said health workers had learnt and practiced the triaging, screening, isolation and notification process for Lassa fever.

    NAN

  • FG urges enumeration of electricity consumers

    FG urges enumeration of electricity consumers

    …NERC explains how to get transformer refund from DisCos

    …World Bank willing to provide $2.6b for Programme

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has said that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry ( NESI ) needs to embark on the enumeration of electricity consumers.

    He noted that the electricity market lacks the knowledge of how much or how many people are utilizing the power since some customers bear the burden of paying for stolen energy owing to lack of meters for billing consumption.

    The minister however urged for social justice between the consumers and the service providers, calling on whistleblowers to assist the NESI with intelligence of energy theft that could lead to the arrest of the thieves.

    Fashola spoke during a workshop for the Civil Societies Organizations (CSOs) on the Power Sector Reform Programme in Abuja. 

    Blaming the commercial losses of the Distribution Companies (DisCos) on energy theft, he said that : “Energy theft is the cause, if you sell the product and you don’t collect the money, that business is in danger. So, I my opinion: we need to know how many people are using the electricity. We don’t know.  So, some people are paying for what others are using and we need meters to achieve justice between consumers and service providers. 

    “And as I said before this is a place we need a lot of whistleblowing, if you know anybody who is stealing energy call us so we will come and pick the person. So that he will stop being a problem to his community.”

    Some of the CSOs had lamented that the ministry was only considering the commercial losses of the DisCos, yet reticent about customers and communities that have also become investors, providing electricity cables, transformers and other equipment to the companies, who also charge them exorbitant estimated bills. 

    Fashola asked the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to respond to the CSOs position.

    Reacting, the Commissioner on Consumer Affairs, Dr. Moses Arigu, explained that the due process for community to follow to procure equipment as transformers for the DisCos is to start from informing the DisCo, the Nigerian Electricity Management Service Agency to arrange and ensure of the standard of the transformer prior to its procurement. 

    He added that “the money is supposed to be refunded. Again, you have to work it out with the DisCo and that is not physical cash but through energy crediting. So it is not that when we invest why should they send a bill again?”

    He revealed the final consultative forum for the metering regulation was held in Lagos on Monday and Tuesday. The document, according to him, will solve problems of estimated billings. 

    The Power Sector Recovery Programme Components aims at the definition of a “tariff adjustment trajectory, so that tariffs cover the revenue requirement of efficient service provision by 2021.

    “Establish the revenue requirement of DisCos and transmission (TCN), and consistently apply tariff adjustments according to the defined tariff trajectory with automatic adjustments as service delivery improves.”

    The Programme is also to develop a financing plan to fully-fund the shortfall (the difference between the sector revenue requirement and revenue under effective tariffs based on a defined tariff trajectory) until tariffs attain cost recovery levels, and support sector liquidity.

    The World Bank Group, according to the federal government, World Bank Group has indicated potential support for the  Programme totaling up to $2.6billion.

  • Lassa fever: Delta donates protective kits to FMC Asaba

    Lassa fever: Delta donates protective kits to FMC Asaba

    The Delta Government has donated personal protective medical equipment to the Federal Medical Centre ( FMC ), Asaba, as part of efforts to curtail the scourge of Lassa fever in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Azinge, presented the items to the Chief Medical Director of the centre, Dr Victor Osiatuma, on behalf of the state government on Thursday in Asaba.

    He stated that the kits would enable the medical personnel in the hospital to effectively fight the disease which recently re-emerged in the state.

    The commissioner revealed that so far two confirmed cases had been recorded in the state and the victims receiving medical attention at the facility.

    He said the first case of the disease brought to the FMC was a 43-year-old man resident in the state who was successfully treated and later referred to the Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo.

    Azinge further stated that family members of the man and the ambulance driver who conveyed him to the hospital are being closely monitored while other contact tracing are on-going.

    He assured residents that relevant authorities are on top of the situation, assuring that there is no cause for alarm as the state had effectively handled the disease the last time it emerged.

    According to the commissioner, all primary health care centres in the state have been activated and sensitised on how to respond to any suspected case of the disease.

    He therefore advised the residents to report suspected cases of malaria and typhoid that are not responding to treatment to the nearest medical facility as early report of cases would help save lives.

    Azinge disclosed that he was in contact with his counterpart in Anambra regarding the death of the second victim brought into Asaba.

    He said the corpse would be handed over to his Anambra colleague to ensure proper burial of the corpse in order not to expose more persons to the disease.

    Receiving the items, Osiatuma expressed gratitude to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for the gesture and assured of the effective use of the items.

    The protective items included 250 pieces of disposable coat/suit, 500 pieces of Elbow Length Gloves, 50 packets of surgical hand gloves and 50 sets protective boots, among others.
    On the death of the second victim of the disease in the hospital, Osiatuma revealed that the woman was brought in from Anambra last Sunday, but unfortunately died on the next day.

    He said the hospital is strictly following the protocol of handling the corpse in order not to spread the disease as workers were following laid down procedure in handling such cases.

    Osiatuma assured residents of the state on the ability of the hospital to handle the disease, saying with the donated items and training given to their personnel the disease would be effectively curbed.

    NAN

  • Army donates sports items, others to IDPs in Borno

    Army donates sports items, others to IDPs in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Thursday said it had distributed sports and economic empowerment equipment to Banki Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) camp in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

    The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 21 Brigade,  2nd-Lt. Chinonso Oteh, disclosed this in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

    Oteh said that the items were presented to the displaced persons by the outgoing Commander, 152 Battalion, Lt-Col. Peter Elayo.

    Elayo was quoted as saying that the gesture was part of civil-military relations aimed aimed at assuaging the plight of the IDPs and improving their living condition.

    The commanding officer listed the items to include a complete barbing saloon, tailoring shed and an electric generator.

    Two sets of football kits were also donated to the Banki IDPs Football Club.

    Elayo called on the IDPs to be law abiding, cooperate with the military and report suspicious movement and persons to the appropriate authorities.

    Elayo handed over the command of the battalion to the incoming commander, Lt.-Col. I. Ogundele.

    Elayo was redeployed to the Department of Training and Operations, Army Headquarters.

    NAN

  • Chelsea stunned 3-0 at home by buoyant Bournemouth

    Chelsea stunned 3-0 at home by buoyant Bournemouth

    Bournemouth stunned Chelsea with three second-half goals in a 3-0 Premier League victory on Wednesday, inflicting on the champions their first home defeat in four months.

    The visitors scored on the break in the 51st minute after midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko lost the ball and Callum Wilson played a neat one-two with Jordan Ibe before slotting home.

    Wilson was also involved in the second goal, when he pushed the ball to Junior Stanislas who flicked it into the net off sprawling goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the 65th minute.

    Former Chelsea midfielder Nathan Ake made it three barely three minutes later, prodding the ball in from a Stanislas shot.

    Chelsea’s first home defeat since Sept. 30 exposed the London side’s lack of firepower, with Alvaro Morata injured, Michy Batshuayi on his way to Dortmund on loan and Olivier Giroud signed from Arsenal only a few hours before kickoff.

    Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe expressed joy at the performance of his team, adding that it was the best result the club has ever achieved.

    The result matched Chelsea’s defeat at Roma in the Champions League on 31 October, and was also the joint-heaviest defeat of Conte’s two-and-a-half-year spell in charge of the Blues.

    “That has to be our best result and the best performance in getting the result,” he said.

    “We were very aggressive and everyone was magnificent. Our aggressiveness, work-rate and endeavour – it all came together. Although it was a game of few chances, we deserved the victory and scored some great goals.”.

    Reuters/NAN