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  • “I smile to bank with N.3m monthly”, says cobbler

    “I smile to bank with N.3m monthly”, says cobbler

    Mr. Benjamin Daniel, a cobbler, says he smiles to the bank with about N300,000 monthly.

    Daniel, who makes foot wears in Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, made this known to newsmen on Wednesday at Manchok.

    The cobbler said that shoe making and repairs was a “gold mine for job creation’’.

    He called on governments at all levels to exploit the huge potential in foot wears to get the youth gainfully employed.

    Daniel said that with N10,000 daily, it was possible for a cobbler to earn about N260,000 monthly, if he or she was serious and committed to the work.

    “I make an average of N10,000 daily from selling all kinds of foot wears that I make ranging from N700 to N6,000, which takes me a day or two to finish, depending on the kind of foot wear.

    “This is in addition to an average of seven to 10 foot wears brought to my shop daily for repairs, which cost between N200 and N1,000.

    “All in all, I am smiling to the bank with about N300,000 monthly. This is more than what most civil servants get as monthly salary,’’ he said.

    Read also: Cobbler pleads guilty to rice fraud

    According to him, the trade, if well tapped, can take thousands of idle youths off the streets.

    “The country’s huge population is a ready market with enough space for millions of youths to tap from the lucrative trade,’’ he said.

    Daniel, who said he had been in the business for 12 years, said it took him four and a half years to learn the trade.

    He said: “I started making footwear in 2005, from just making a pair, sell and reinvest the money.

    “Gradually I raised money to rent a shop and slowly increase my production from a pair to two.

    “I kept growing slowly, and now I produced an average of 10 different foot wears daily and so far trained four youths who have set up their own businesses and are making huge money.

    “Five youths are currently undergoing training and would soon graduate.’’

    Daniel said that he needed government support with capital to expand production capacity as well employ and train more hands.
    Besides, the cobbler urged the Federal and State Governments to partner with the organised foot wear producers to train thousands of unemployed youths in the country.

    NAN

  • Police shoot suspected cultist on Christmas eve

    Police shoot suspected cultist on Christmas eve

    The Police Command in Bayelsa said its operatives had shot and wounded a suspected cultist who later died in hospital, in response to a distress call on Christmas eve

    The Spokesman of the command, DSP Asinim Butswat, told newsmen in Yenagoa on Wednesday that the incident took place at Obele Area of Ovom in Yenagoa.

    “On December 24 2017, at about 2100 hours, Policemen responded to distress call of cult activities at Arieta lane, Yenagoa.

    “The team of Policemen responded swiftly and on sighting the Police, the cultists opened fire on the team.

    “In the ensuing gun battle, one Thankgod James Indoni, aged 23, a suspected cultist, was shot, he was subsequently arrested and taken to Federal Medical Centre for treatment where he later died.

    Read also: Police to arrest, prosecute vendors of police uniforms – FPRO

    “Efforts have been intensified to arrest his cohorts and bring them to book,” Butswat said.

    He said that earlier reports that a policeman was shot and killed in error by a fellow policeman was false and misleading.

    “Contrary to media reports that a Policeman mistakenly shot a colleague, the command wants to categorically state that the report was false and misleading.

    Butswat said the command had worked tirelessly to ensure crime-free Christmas festivities across the state.

    He also said that the command had intensified patrol and surveillance to provide a peaceful atmosphere for residents to enjoy the holidays.

    The police spokesman urged the residents to continue with their lawful endeavours and support the police by providing timely and credible information on criminal activities.

    “I also urge them to continue to enjoy the Christmas celebration and steer clear of every criminal activity,” he said.

    NAN

  • WAEC pledges collaboration on prisoners’ access to education

    WAEC pledges collaboration on prisoners’ access to education

    The West African Examinations Council ( WAEC ) says it will always partner relevant organisations to assist prison inmates to have easy access to education.

    The council’s Head of National Office ( HNO ), Mr. Olutise Adenipekun, said on Wednesday that such collaboration would enhance the inmates’ transformation and development.

    Adenipekun was speaking against the backdrop of the need to encourage educational pursuit in prisons nationwide.

    He said such pursuit would  assist the inmates to achieve life-long learning irrespective of where they found themselves.

    Read also: WAEC  official dies in hotel bathroom

    According to the WAEC boss, there is life after prison and, therefore, the need to encourage the inmates to acquire education.

    “Education in the prisons is an area I am passionate about as a key stakeholder in the education sector.

    “If anyone should find himself or herself behind the bars, that does not mean the end of the world for such.

    “So, WAEC as an organisation, has brought into the vision that behind the bars life must continue.

    “Because after getting out of prison, they still come back to the society to carry on with normal life.

    “That is why we should partner those organisations that may want to assist the inmates to access education and other external examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination ( WASSCE ) for private candidates,’’ he said.

    Adenipekun added that the council would continue to partner the various prison commands on the need for them to establish examination centres located within prison facilities with education officers attached to them.

    He noted that the education officers had been working in collaboration with the council across the country.

    “So, we are prepared to continue to inspect and give approval to more examination centres in prison facilities to train and teach inmates to be able to write our examinations as private candidates,’’ Adenipekun said.

    NAN

  • Fire guts N183m TETFund project

    Fire guts N183m TETFund project

    Zamfara Government has described the fire that gutted the N183 million Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETFund ) intervention project at the State College of Education, Maru, as unfortunate.

    The acting State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala who visited the College on Tuesday to assess the damage, noted that the inferno caused a great loss to the institution and government.

    Wakkala said government had directed the state’s Ministry of Education to set up a committee to ascertain the level of damage and cause of the fire and present its findings.

    “Government will support the College to continue with its activities. I also urge communities in the state to always be conscious of fire, especially in the current harmattan season to avoid future incident.

    Earlier, Provost of the College, Alhaji Nasiru Sarkin-Fawa, told the deputy governor that seven departments, multimedia languages laboratory, School of Languages Dean’s office and Languages Office were lost to the disaster.

    Read also: TETfund : Open letter to President Buhari

    Sarkin-Fawa said that the college had lost its 16 years valuable records to the disaster, and needed urgent support from the state government and TETFund so that their academic activities would not stop.

    “About 2,083 students, 42 academic and 18 non-academic staff will no longer have classes and offices as a result of the disaster,’’ he said.

    He appealed to the government to assist the college with additional structures like staff accommodation.

    “We have about 400 staff, including academic and non-academic.

    ” Only 20 per cent out of the total number of staff are residing in the College while the remaining staff are living outside due to lack of accommodation.

    “We have about 8,000 students in this College, but we are facing serious challenge of lack of infrastructure, including water,’’ he added.

    The fire occurred on Dec. 23 and razed the 2013 intervention complex project of the College.

    It comprises four departments, one dean’s office and other offices.

    NAN

  • Kane beats Shearer record for most goals in a year

    Kane beats Shearer record for most goals in a year

    Harry Kane scored a Premier League record 37th goal in 2017 on Tuesday in Tottenham Hotspur’s game against Southampton at Wembley Stadium.

    The England forward thus toppled a 22-year-old record held by former England striker Alan Shearer.

    Read also: Kane suffers angle ligament damage

    The 24-year-old Kane headed in Christian Eriksen’s free kick in the 22nd minute to overtake Shearer’s 36 goals in 1995 with Blackburn Rovers.

    Kane had equalled the 36-goal tally while scoring a hat-trick in Spurs’ 3-0 win at Burnley on Saturday.

    NAN

  • Residents return home after insurgents’ attack

    Residents return home after insurgents’ attack

    Normalcy has been restored to the Moloi area of Maiduguri, after the Boko Haram insurgents attacked the area on Christmas day.

    Hundreds of villagers, who fled the area in the wake of the attack, had returned to their homes.

    Moloi is about five kilometres away from Maiduguri, located on Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu High way.

    The residents are mostly engaged in crop and livestock production.

    A group of insurgents, moving on gun trucks, attacked a military post there, resulting to serious gun battle on Monday evening.

    Hundreds of residents in the area and adjourning villagers scampered for safety and fled into Maiduguri metropolis.

    Read also: Residents decry foul language by herbalists

    Mrs. Yaana Idris, a mother of three, said she was terrified by the insurgents who detonated Improvised Explosive Device ( IED ) and shot sporadically in the area.

    Idris said she fled with her children into Maiduguri to protect them from the insurgents’ attack.

    “My children were playing outside when I heard the explosion, followed by serious gunshots and then people shouting Boko Haram, Boko Haram.

    “My home is few metres away from the main road. I hurriedly gathered my kids and moved towards the town.

    “There was chaos and people were running towards Maiduguri from all directions,” she said.

    Idris said she spent the night with her relatives in Maiduguri, adding that her husband asked her to return home as normalcy returned.

    Amin Modu, a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force ( CJTF ), added that most of the people who fled the area had returned home.

    Modu said that people were terrified and fled the area for safety.

    He noted that the soldiers had fought gallantly to repel the attack and destroyed motorcycles used by the insurgents.

    “The insurgents escaped after their failed attempt to attack the military post; a truck and insurgents’ motorcycles were vandalised in the attack.

    “One person in the village was killed by stray bullet,” Modu alleged.

    However, the military command said that its troops repelled the attack.

    Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, said that no live was lost among the troops and normalcy had been restored.

    Nicholas disclosed that the troops, with air support, were pursuing the fleeing insurgents.

    NAN

  • Exam Ethics collaborates with ICPC to curb malpractice

    Exam Ethics collaborates with ICPC to curb malpractice

    The Exam Ethics Marshal International ( EEMI ), an NGO said that it would strengthen its collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related offences ( ICPC ) to check examination malpractice in the country.

    Mr Ike Onyechere, the Founding Chairman of EEMI said this in an interview at Abuja on Tuesday.

    Onyechere said that the large scale of corruption being experienced in the society was traceable to corruption in examinations which if not handled properly could jeopardise the integrity of the country.

    He said that there were challenges militating against the continued fight against exam malpractice and other related vices which informed the decision of his NGO to partner with ICPC to check the trend.

    He said the challenge of exam malpractice ranges from the use of sophisticated modern computer components, micro-chips and associated materials.

    According to him, not too conducive exam environment, impersonation of candidates and nepotism have also been identified to have aided exam malpractice in the country.

    Read also: ICPC closes 63 illegal degree-awarding institutions, fake NYSC camp

    He added that the role of the organisation had been to work closely with relevant agencies to stop the scourge of examination malpractice in the education system.

    “As an organisation, we are keen to working tirelessly to stop the problems of exam malpractice encountered in our various education institutions.

    “We find a lot of infractions in our education system and we make reports to the appropriate agencies.

    “We work very closely with ICPC. This is because we cannot make any arrest but when we get a case of exam malpractice that has to do with corruption, fraud and extortions, we alert ICPC and they take it up.

    “But like any other individual in this country, there are instances when something becomes so close to your heart and you seek leave of government to do prosecution but we have not reached that level.’’

    According to him, arrest is not the only measure one can use to curb malpractices, we are looking at other areas that we can deploy to curb the menace.

    He noted that prevention, sensitisation and getting people to change their mindset was key to eradicating malpractices in the education sector.

    “Eradicating corruption is everybody’s responsibility and must start from the primary schools.

    “Developing the minds of the young people to the dangers of malpractices will be translated to a nation with corrupt-free citizenry.

    “ If we must have a nation that is devoid of corruption, we must begin to tell our youths that examination malpractice is not an option to a bright future.’’

    He therefore urged other stakeholders to join in the fight to eradicate exam malpractices in the country.

    NAN

  • Inform us on road accidents, others – FRSC

    Inform us on road accidents, others – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) has urged travelers and road users to use its toll-free 122 line to report any urgent negative development on roads.

    The Enugu Zonal Commander of FRSC, Mr Samuel Obayemi, gave the advice while speaking in Enugu on Tuesday.

    Obayemi, who is in-charge of Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States, noted that the toll-free line should be used to get to FRSC National Operations Control Centre Abuja, where assistance can be received for any issue on the roads in the country.

    He said that the line, also known as FRSC code number, was the surest and quickest means to get the attention of the corps even when its patrol teams and unit command situated on the roads were not easily visible.

    “The toll-free 122 line is an express dial emergency number to get the FRSC National Operations Control Centre, Abuja for compliant on any development or issues on the road.

    “You can dial and report any accident involving vehicles or other objects on the road.

    Read also: FRSC confirms 11 women conveying bride die in Kano auto crash

    “You can report on activities of road users especially drivers, who drive recklessly at the detriment of lives of other road users, so that the control centre can get to the nearest FRSC patrol team on the same road to stop the reckless driver.

    “Even, you can use it to report any of our staff, who is deviating from his duty or becoming unprofessional in the discharge of his or her duty on the road,’’ he said.

    The zonal commander also said that the control centre also received criminal and hoodlums threats on the road, related to the nearest unit or sector command to get the attention of the law enforcement agencies.

    “The FRSC National Operations Control Centre, Abuja has been instrumental to the smashing of activities of criminals on our roads through road users report to the centre via 122.

    “Since, we have effective collaboration with the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), and the military, they usually respond to the intelligence on crime the centre gives to the nearest unit and sector command,’’ he said.

    Obayemi, however, thanked motorists for the co-operation with the corps’ personnel so far, adding that it had led to a hitch-free FRSC Special Yuletide Operation within some days now.

    “I must laud other sister security agencies, the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Air-Force, the National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ) and the motoring public for their support to our special operation,’’ he said.

    The FRSC also has a 12-digit emergency line – 0700 2255 3772.

    NAN

  • Aderonke made me impotent, cries husband

    Aderonke made me impotent, cries husband

    An Igando Customary Court in Lagos on Friday dissolved a 20-year-old marriage between Olarenwaju Bammake and Aderonke, after he accused her of making him impotent.

    Olarenwaju, a 52-year-old businessman, also accused Aderonke of threatening his life and fetish act.

    Delivering judgment, the president of the court, Mr Akin Akinniyi said the court granted the request of the petitioner because he was adamant in spite of all mediation from the court and family.

    “Since the petitioner insisted on divorce after several interventions, the court has no choice than to dissolve the union in spite of the fact that the wife still claims she loves her husband.

    “The court pronounce the marriage between Mr Olarenwaju Bammake and Mrs Aderonke Bammake dissolved today, both parties henceforth ceased to be husband and wife.

    “Both are free to go their separate way without any hindrance and molestation,” Akinniyi ruled.

    Earlier, the petitioner, Bammake, has told the court that his wife, Aderonke of 20 years was fetish and a threat to his life.

    “There is no herbalist my wife does not know, she patronages them and even brings them home.

    “Aderonke made me impotent through her diabolical mean, I married another wife but my manhood refused to perform.

    “Everywhere I went for a solution, I was told that Aderonke was behind my predicament and I strongly believe it because I am also a witness to her devilish acts,” he told court.

    He accused his wife of belonging to a cult.

    “There was a day I came home unexpectedly to pick what I forgot, I caught my wife holding a meeting with a cult member,” he said.

    According to him, his wife wanted to kill him by poisoning his food.

    “My wife put poison in my food and I started purging and getting sick.I almost died of the poison but God intervened.

    “She chased our housemaid away because the girl told me she once saw her putting her devilish substance in my food.

    “The woman cleaning our compound also told me about her fetish behavior and because of what I saw myself and heard from people, I ran away from my house in 2012 to save my life,” he said.

    Read also: I became impotent after sleeping with my wife, says man

    He begged the court to dissolve their union that he was no longer interested.

    However, Aderonke denied all allegations and accused her husband of infidelity.

    “My husband was sleeping with our housemaid and that was why he was against me sending her back to her parent.

    “He was also dating the woman he claimed was feeding him that I am fetish,” she said.

    The respondent said that she was not fetish that she was a prophetess and do not know any herbalist nor invited any into their house.

    The 47-year-old trader said she never made her husband impotent neither did she poisoned his food.

    “I did not prevent him from marrying another woman neither did I rendered him impotent, he married another wife because he needed a male child.

    “ I was having delay in having another child after having a daughter 15 years ago, I know nothing about his impotency, ” she said.

    The mother of one pleaded with the court not to grant her husband’s wish for the dissolution because she was still in love with him.

    NAN

  • Many Lagosians now pay taxes voluntarily — Ambode

    Many Lagosians now pay taxes voluntarily — Ambode

    Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State says more residents of the state are now voluntarily paying their taxes and levies to the government, with a positive effect on state revenues.

    Ambode told media executives in Lagos on Thursday that this was partly because the state government was spending money to create tax awareness.

    Aside this, he said that people in the state were also seeing their taxes working for them.

    “Many of them now walk to the Tax Offices on their own, to voluntarily pay their taxes because they have been able to see for themselves what we have been able to do with revenues generated from taxes and levies,’’ the governor said.

    He said that Lagos State had survived mainly on internally-generated revenue ( IGR ).

    “It represents two-thirds of our total revenue.

    “We are trying to make the people of Lagos State to become aware that if they pay more taxes, the state government would be able to do much more for them,’’ Ambode said.

    The governor said that the state government had a monthly wage bill of about N9 billion.

    Read also: Ambode presents N1.046trn budget for 2018

    He recalled that the state government paid out about N700 million as compensation to property owners at Oshodi, and N500 million to those at Abule-Egba.

    “Compensation to property owners around the planned flyover at Pen Cinema, Agege may gulp up to N1 billion.

    “It is not that these property owners have the appropriate documents, but we have just been trying to be humane,’’ the governor said.

    On Lake Rice, which is being sold at N12, 000 per bag, Ambode said that the product was being subsidised, “because it is consumed by all’’.

    “We are only trying to create a paradigm shift,’’ he said.

    NAN