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Lagos moves to check drink-driving

The Lagos State Government, in conjunction with Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1FM, on Friday launched an exercise to check incidents of drink-driving and resultant fatalities, especially during end of year festivities.

Mrs Kofoworola Awobamise, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, flagged off a road show at the Lagos Traffic Radio office complex in Ikeja, as part of the exercise.

Awobamise said that the event was coming at a crucial time of the year.

“For me, this is a welcome advocacy, especially at this time of the ember months usually associated with accidents.

“Accidents do not come as a result of the name of the months, but as a result of careless driving. A lot of the careless driving we get is as a result of drink-driving.

“Basically, what we’re saying is that you should not drink while driving and if you must drink, don’t drive. It’s a message to all Lagosians.

“You do not have to drink and drive if we are to take accidents off our roads. It is a very good initiative and we must say kudos, first to the governor, to have allowed this to happen at the Traffic Radio.

The General Manager of the radio station, Mr Layinka Adagun, said the road show was to complement what other sister radio stations were doing as regards forestalling accidents on Lagos roads.

According to him, drink driving is being emphasised because it has always been the main cause of accidents at this time of the year.

“So, we are trying to help the society demystify the ember months by saying ‘don’t drink and drive’.

“When you don’t drink and drive, you will find that there will be less accidents in the ember months,” he said.

Adagun said that the event was focused particularly on motor parks, as the drivers were most vulnerable to road accidents.

“We are picking motor parks across the zones of Lagos.

“We are starting today with Berger motor park and we will end up in Ikeja,” he said.

Adagun said that next week, the road show would be at Iyana- Ipaja down to Iyana Iba.

“The week after, we will go from Mazaza to Kola area. We’ll still go to Ojota, Ketu and Ikorodu. The last lap will be from CMS to Ajah, before wrapping it up at Epe,” he said.

NAN

November 24, 2017
Umahi appoints Ex- Deputy Gov. EBSU acting VC

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has appointed a former Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, as the Acting Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State University ( EBSU ).

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof Bernard Odo, made the development known in a statement in Abakaliki on Friday.

Odo said that the governor, who as the university’s visitor, directed that Ogbu would replace Prof. Francis Idike whose appointment as the acting vice-chancellor would elapse on Nov.26.

“Idike has been operating as the university’s acting vice- chancellor for the past six months while Ogbu’s tenure, which commences from Nov.27, will also last for six months,” he said.

Odo said the governor also approved the termination of Ogbu’s appointment as the university’s Pro Chancellor to enable him to assume duties in the new position.

He said the governor also approved the appointment of a former Minister of Culture and tourism, Chief Franklin Ogbuewu, as the university’s Pro-Chancellor with effect from Monday, Nov.27.

Ogbu was Deputy Governor from 2003 to 2011.

Ogbuewu is also the Chairman of the Ebonyi Elders Council.

NAN

November 24, 2017
Let’s stop violence against women today

The world we live in is satiated with various malevolent practices; one of which is violence.

Violence against women is regarded a hard crime propelled by bias.

According to Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of United Nations ( UN ) in 2006, “violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions.”

At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in their lifetime with the abuser usually someone known to her.

Women all over the world are victims of various kinds of violent treatment from the society, especially men.

Categories of violence against women include rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, female infanticide (which involves the deliberate killing of female newborns), Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)- Female circumcision.

Other forms include marriage by abduction, honour killing, sexual slavery forced prostitution and women trafficking.

Sexual harassment is the cohesion of a sexual nature.

It involves unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favours, verbal or physical harassment.

Though there are laws against sexual harassment, but these laws do not forbid offhand comments or simple teasing.

The International day for the elimination of violence against women was designated by UN on 17th December 1999,

in honour of the Mirabal sisters.

The Mirabal sisters – Patria Mercedes Mirabal Reyes,

María Argentina Minerva Mirabal Reyes and Antonia Maria Teresa Mirabal Reyes were from the Republic of Dominican.

They stood to oppose the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo (the Dominican dictator at that time).

They were involved in secretive activities against his regime.

All three of them were assassinated on their way home by Trujillo’s henchmen on November 25, 1960.

Their demise became symbols of popular and feminist resistance.

So in 1999, United Nations General Assembly chose November 25 to be the International day for the elimination of violence against women, with Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka as the Executive Director of UN women.

This day is celebrated annually worldwide.

This movement started with the aim of raising awareness that women all over the globe are subject to all forms of violent practices; this is a pointer to the fact that the scale and true nature of the issue is often hidden.

Some people believe that women should not do some kind of jobs because they are women (gender inequality). In fact, some totally go against women having a say in their homes or choosing who they want to spend the rest of their lives with (forced marriage).

Others see them as punching bags that are readily available for them to vent their anger (domestic violence).

This is why we should all arise to fight against this menace that it eating deep into our societies.

Cases of domestic violence, rape and the likes should have weighty penalties which would serve as a lesson to others.

It starts with you, whoever you are, wherever you may be, support the elimination of violence against our mothers, our sisters, our daughters and friends and the world be a better place to live in.

Orange your world!

November 24, 2017
NLC advises FG’s committee on minimum wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ) has called on the Tripartite Committee for the new National Minimum Wage to consider the plight of workers and pensioners during its deliberations and initiate decisions that will improve the lives of the generality of Nigerians.

Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, made the call in an interview on Friday in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, appointed a 30-member Tripartite Committee for the negotiation of the New National Minimum Wage for workers in the country.

The committee has its members across both federal, state and the private sector and would be inaugurated on Nov. 27.

While commending the President for the appointment of the committee, Wabba said it was timely and long overdue.

“We hope that after the inauguration, the committee can commence work immediately so that we can cover some mileage and also cover the times that have been lost.

“This is something that workers have long anticipated and our expectation is that we want a speedy process and that the fact that the issues are very obvious.

“If you look at the exchange rate, the N18,000 Minimum Wage of 2011 when we signed the agreement, it was almost equivalent to N110 dollars; today, the N18,000 is less than 46 dollars.

“So, this is the reality and with the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerian worker, with the high cost of transaction, our expectation is that the committee should look at the conditions of the Nigeria workers and pensioners.’’

He, however, expressed dismay that there were places where pensioners were still receiving less than N4000 and that this called for an urgent consideration.

The NLC president said that the consideration was imperative to address the issue of social imbalance, inequality and the wide gap of poverty in the country.

“As you are aware, there is lack of employment in the country, therefore, workers have a lot of burden like taking care of their children and other dependents.

“So, there is no worker today that does not cater for dependents.

“Therefore, our expectation is that the process must be driven with all commitment and above all, they should take into consideration, the condition of workers and pensioners,” he added.

NAN

November 24, 2017
CAN, Muslim council condemn Adamawa killings

The Adamawa Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) and Muslim Council have condemned the perpetrators of the Mubi Mosque suicide attack and the killings in Numan that led to loss of many lives and properties in the state.

The groups, in separate news conferences in Yola, presided by the Chairman of CAN, Most Rev. Stephen Mamza, and his counterpart of Muslim Council, Alhaji Abubakar Sahabo, called for the fishing out of the perpetrators to face justice.

While calling for panel of inquiry to fish out the perpetrators of the killings, the faith organizations called on their members to be extra vigilant and check persons and vehicles entering places of worship to curtail suicide attacks.

“We are deeply distressed over the killings of women and children in some villages of Numan LGA on Monday. CAN condemns in strong terms, the killings of unarmed civilians especially little children and women.

“This is by all standard of war, condemnable and unacceptable. We call on the government to bring to book the perpetrators of this wicked act to forestall any future occurrence,” Mamza said.

He reiterated CAN’s commitment to peaceful coexistence with all individual and groups.

“We call on all to embrace peace, shun hate speech and anything that will incite the general public to breach of public order.”

Sahabo on his part, called on the state government to take full responsibility of injured victims including compensation for the dead, and tasked security agencies to provide adequate security cover in all vulnerable places.

“The Muslim Council wishes to reiterate its commitment to help in the maintenance of peace and peaceful coexistence among diverse people of the state.

“However, we urge the state government and security agencies to always take decisive and necessary lawful measures on those elements and agents who provoke state of fear and destruction in the state,” Sahabo said.

The many people died in Monday’s Numan attack and Tuesday Mubi mosque bomb blast suspected to be perpetrated by Boko Haram and a militia group.

NAN

November 24, 2017
Enugu approves N1.5b for rehabilitation of 14 rural, urban roads

The Enugu State Executive Council has approved N1.5 billion for the reconstruction of 14 critical roads in Enugu metropolis and some rural communities.

The Commissioner for Works, Mr Greg Nnaji, made the disclosure in Enugu on Friday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the council meeting held at the government House.

Nnaji said that the approval was given after an extensive deliberation on various issues affecting the state, especially with regard to infrastructure, security and human capacity development.

He said that contracts for the urban roads were awarded with the aim of rehabilitating feeder roads to ease traffic on major city roads.

According to him, the focus on rural roads is consistent with the current administration’s vision to improve the living standards of rural dwellers and build new cities.

The commissioner said that the council decided to decongest the Nike Lake Road as part of government’s urban renewal strategy.

“The council approved the linking of Ezike-Mgbowo-Nike Lake Road extension in Enugu East Local Government Area.

“This is a popular road, and once this road is linked, people coming into Enugu from other states can drive through it to access the airport or continue their journey to destinations such as Anambra State,” he said.

Nnaji noted that all the roads were strategic, adding that some would serve as necessary bypass to decongest the ever -busy Nike Lake Road.

The commissioner said that some of the rural roads including the Ogrute-Umuogbo Ulo-Isiugwu-Umuokpu-Ette Road in Igbo-Eze North LGA, linking neighbouring Benue State, had for years not experienced any form of construction.

He gave the breakdown of the contract to include reconstruction of Ohom-Orba-Amajioka-Umuikeoha-Agu Orba Road and Okpu-Agu Orba Road in Udenu Local Government Area at the cost of N377 million.

Also approved is the reconstruction/rehabilitation of Ngenevu Road and Broderick Street in Coal Camp, in Enugu North council area at the cost of N117 million.

Others include the rehabilitation of Njemanze Entrance, Bonny Lane, Asata Chemist Lane and New Market Roundabout-Civil Defence Headquarters-Works Road, all in Enugu North Local Government Area.

Equally approved are procurement of an incidence response vehicle for the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ) and the establishment of the Enugu State Multi-Door Court House for connected purposes in the state Ministry of Justice.

The state executive council also approved fumigation of 425 primary, secondary, science and technical schools to ensure a conducive environment for teaching and learning.

NAN

November 24, 2017
Security guard in court for theft of phones, laptops

A 31-year old security man, Jimmy Ushie, who allegedly stole laptops, mobile phones and money from his company, on Friday appeared at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

The accused, whose address is unknown, is being tried for burglary, stealing and causing damages.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Mike Unah, told the court that the offences were committed on Oct. 19 at 7, Seinde Calisto St., Oshodi, a suburb of Lagos.

Unah alleged that the accused burgled Tee By Link Security Company, where he worked.

‘‘The accused stole two laptops valued at N350,000, three mobile phones valued at N27,000, an MTN modem and N21,500 cash.

‘‘The accused also damaged keys valued at N29,500, CCTV cameras valued at N178,000 and POP ceiling valued at N25,500, property of Tee By Link Security company,’’ he told the court.

Unah also said that the accused was captured on the CCTV camera and handed over to the police.

The offences contravened the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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

The Magistrate, Mrs A. O. Gbajumo, admitted him to bail for N200,000 with two sureties.

Gbajumo adjourned the case until Dec. 4 for mention.

NAN

Read Also: Court remands man for alleged theft

November 24, 2017
INEC fixes Anambra Central senatorial district election for Jan 13, 2018

The Independent National EIectoral Commission ( INEC ) has fixed Jan. 13, 2018 for the conduct of the rerun Anambra Central Senatorial District election.

The seat became vacant following the nullification of the 2015 election for the position by an election tribunal.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct re-run election within 90 days of the judgment.

Mr Haruna Mohammed, INEC National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee ( IVEC ), made the development known in a statement on Friday.

Mohammed the commission met on Thursday and discussed the case of the outstanding election to fill the seat for the Anambra Central Senatorial District among other issues.

“Following the determination of this case, lNEC has decided that all encumbrances to the conduct of the rerun election have now been removed.

“There is presently no court order restraining lNEC from conducting the election.

“The Commission has considered all the circumstances surrounding the election particularly the 90-day time-frame ordered by the Court of Appeal.

“It also considered the demands for preparing adequately for the election as well as the coming Yuletide and decided that the rerun election shall take place on Saturday Jan. 13, 2018,” Mohammed said.

The Commission commended all stakeholders, particularly the people of Anambra Central Senatorial District for their patience.

“We hope that the delay has served to clarify some grey areas in our electoral process to make it stronger, freer, fairer and more credible,” Mohammed said.

NAN

November 24, 2017
Mnangagwa sworn in as Zimbabwe’s new president

Former vice-president, Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in as Zimbabwe’s president in the country’s capital, Harare.

This is after the rather dramatic exit of Robert Mugabe after 37 years of ‘draconian’ rule.

Mnangagwa’s dismissal few weeks ago led the ruling Zanu-PF party and the army to intervene and force Mugabe to quit.

It can be recalled that he fled the country in the wake of the political upheaval, only return on Wednesday.

Mnangagwa who was accompanied by his wife Auxilia took the oath of office and was led by Chief Justice Luke Malaba.

Emmerson Mnangagwa and his wife Auxillia arrive at the presidential inauguration ceremony in the capital Harare on Friday. Photograph: Ben Curtis/AP

Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans gathered at a stadium in Harare, jubilating and congratulating one another amidst singing and dancing.

Raised banners with writings such as “Dawn of a new era” and “No to retribution” brandished the atmosphere.

“I Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa swear that as the president of the republic of Zimbabwe I will be faithful to Zimbabwe and obey, uphold and defend the constitution and all other laws of Zimbabwe,”

Read also: Mugabe’s disGraceful end

Details soon…

November 24, 2017
N-Power begins physical verification of 300,000 volunteers on Dec. 4

The 300,000 successful candidates pre-selected under the Federal Government’s N-Power Scheme will undergo its physical verification phase from Dec. 4 to Dec. 14 in the 774 local government areas of the country.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation/Youth Employment, Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede said the verification would be done with the N-Power stakeholders in the states such as the National Orientation Agency, N-Power State team, National Assembly Monitors and Observers.

Imoukhuede explained that pre-selection could not be equated to final recruitment as those who fell short of the verification criteria and made faulty declarations in their applications would still be disqualified.

Accordingly, the presidential aide noted that after the compilation of successfully verified candidates, the final selection would be done followed by the deployment of the volunteers in the Agro, Teach, and Health categories across the country.

He noted that out of 2.54 million applicants, 2.25 million had their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) validated prior to the assessment test phase while only 1.75 million responded to invitations to write tests.

In the State-by-State application breakdown, the North West geo-political zone had 33,039 applicants from Jigawa; 113,960 from Kaduna; 97,748 from Kano; 40,742 from Katsina; 30,975 from Kebbi; 22,501 from Sokoto and 32,186 from Zamfara.

From the North East, 50,552 applications came from Adamawa; Bauchi had 51,920; Borno had 55,264; Gombe had 27,980; Taraba had 36,987 while Yobe had 32,201.

In North Central, FCT led with 120,198 applications followed by Benue with 89,734 and Kwara with 77,338 while Niger had 73,236 applications; Nasarawa with 72,732; Plateau with 68,955 and Kogi with 61,789.

Enugu State led the applications in the South East with 81,891 followed by Anambra with 61,075 and Imo with 60,283; while Abia had 54,216 and Ebonyi with 39,030 applications.

In the South West, Lagos had 174,994 applications; Oyo had 133,281; Osun had 87,281; Ekiti had 37,594; Ogun had 74,940 while Ondo had 69,224 applications.

The highest applications from the South South came from Rivers with 145,773 followed by Delta with 106,509 and Edo with 63,507. Others are Akwa Ibom with 56,143; Bayelsa with 23,659 and Cross River with 49,596.

From the statistics, states with highest applications were Lagos, Rivers, Oyo, FCT and Kaduna in while states with the lowest were Sokoto, Bayelsa, Gombe, Kebbi and Zamfara.

Imoukhuede observed that the selection process was transparent with the first priority being the full validation of BVN to payment account details of applicants, to avoid a repeat of inability to pay any of the new volunteers as a result of unmatched payment details.

He further stated that other factors considered were equity and fairness by linking selection to population, using federal constituencies and addressing demand distribution of unemployed graduates across the country.

He added that the process considered correcting the deployment/utilization challenges arising from the 2016 edition as well as rural-urban distribution balance where priority was given to rural areas especially N-Agro applicants.

The first batch of 200,000 graduates will, in December 2017, begin their second year of the two-year paid volunteer scheme, while the process of mobilising and deploying non-graduate programme began about a month ago.

NAN

November 24, 2017