The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Newspaper

Women drivers use seat belt more than men in Adamawa – FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Commission ( FRSC ), Adamawa Sector Command, on Thursday, said women drivers used seat belts more than men drivers in the state.

The Sector Commander, Adegoke Adetunji, said this during Ember Months Campaign Awareness in Yola.

According to him, women drivers have low involvement record in accidents compared with men in the state.

Adetunji said available records showed that “in every 10 female drivers, seven to eight used seat belts, while in every 10 males, only three to four drivers used seat belt.”

He added that investigations conducted by the FRSC command revealed that women drivers abide by road traffic rules and regulations more than men.

He noted that “our investigation also shows that of the few women drivers arrested over violation of road traffic, majority of them committed the offence mistakenly.

“Majority of women drivers show remorse after arrest, unlike male drivers who may be indifferent or give excuses.”

On the ember months campaign awareness, he said the cardinal objective was to educate the public on the need to be road safety conscious.

He added that “as the month of December and New Year approach, it is clear that the period record increase of travellings and festivities.

“Safety on our highways is our collective responsibility, hence the need to abide by traffic rules and regulations for our safety,” Adetunji said.

NAN

November 9, 2017
Falana, George, laud presidential panel on armed forces

Mr Femi Falana (SAN) and Prof. Akinseye George (SAN) on Thursday applauded the Presidential Investigation Panel on Armed Forces in Nigeria.

The panel was set up to review compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement.

The Senior Advocates of Nigeria made their commendations on the sideline of the panel’s winding up of its hearing in Abuja.

Mr Fanala (SAN) is the counsel to detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria ( IMN ), El-Zakzaky, while Prof. George (SAN) is the counsel to the Nigerian Army.

Falana, however, said that with the way the panel had conducted its proceedings he was confident that the outcome would be pleasing to all parties.

According to him, I know the panel is made up of people of proven integrity and I know that based on the evidence before them, they will write reports and make appropriate recommendations in the interest of our country.

George also said that the panel had done a great job, adding that the establishment of the panel by the Federal Government was laudable.

“We pray and hope that the report of this panel will not go down the drain, the whole world is waiting for the outcome of this panel.

“Everybody has been saying investigate and now the Federal Government has taken the bull by the horn, government has done the right thing by setting up this investigation.

“It is hoped that the reports of the panel will not end on a shelve, and that the report will be implemented by the government so as to show the good work that the military is doing and area of improvement.

Meanwhile, Prof George said that the panel had helped to show that the Nigeria military personnel were well trained, adding that they had done a great job to preserve and defence the country from being overrun by terrorists.

According to him, the efforts of the Nigeria army in various operations are like surgical operations; when a patient goes for surgical operation, certainly there must be pain.

He added that the purpose was not to kill the patient but to preserve the life of the patient, adding that this is the sense in which we must understand the operation of the Nigeria military in situations of conflict.

“The military has done a great service for the country by preventing and minimising the impact of such negative tendencies.

According to him, there are no systematic violations of human right or pattern of violation of human rights by the military; it has not been established to the best of my knowledge.

NAN

November 9, 2017
UNILAG to admit only 8,000 – outgoing VC

No fewer than 24,000 applicants to the University of Lagos ( UNILAG ) who scored 200 marks and above will still be unable to secure admission in the institution in the 2017/2018 academic session.

The outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello, gave the indication at a forum with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that although 32,000 applicants to the university scored 200 marks and above in this year’s Unified Tertiary matriculation examination ( UTME ), Unilag would not admit beyond 8,000.

Bello said that the university insisted that an applicant must also score at least 40 per cent in Unilag’s post-UTME before consideration for admission.

“We know what goes on in our public examinations. That is why we insist on candidates undertaking our post UTME and scoring at least 40 per cent,’’ he said.

According to Bello, who steps down as Unilag’s Vice-Chancellor on Nov. 11, the aim is to promote excellence.

“We admit the best so that we can produce the best,’’ he said.

He said that the university held 75 inaugural lectures during his five-year tenure in an effort to promote scholarship.

The professor of chemical engineering noted that the university had held a total of 374 inaugural lectures since its existence.

Bello said that the university produced 103 professors in the past five years, representing about 20 per cent of the 292 professors it had produced in its 55 years of existence.

“They just don’t come and get them; the process of becoming a professor in Unilag is very tedious.

“We have peer review from inside and outside and we have interview internally, so that at the end, you know why you are promoted or why you are not,’’ he said.

Bello said that Unilag had to change its curriculum in a bid to sustain academic excellence.

“We are neither a technology university nor a business university; we are comprehensive, except for agriculture.

“The only agriculture we do is marine.’’

He expressed satisfaction at the performance of the university in its new fields of study such as cell biology and genetics.

“When we started them, they were almost nothing.

“Cell biology and genetics, for instance, are the ones that drive the health sector when you talk about working in the sub-cell region, especially in the area of In-Vitro-Fertilisation ( IVF ).

He also expressed delight at the performance of the university’s creative arts department.

“When we started it, some saw it as laughable. Today, most of our graduates are the ones making money in Nollywood,’’ Bello said.

Bello, the 11th Vice-Chancellor of the university, came into office in 2012, following the death of the then Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adetokunbo Sofoluwe.

Bello will be succeeded by Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics).

NAN

November 9, 2017
Melania Trump visits elementary school in Beijing

U.S. First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday visited Banchang Elementary School in Beijing, accompanied by Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump and Peng joined the students in their English, astronomy and Peking Opera classes, and watched their singing and dancing performances.

Peng told Trump that Banchang is a public school.

Teaching facilities have been improving in recent years, and the standard of education rising.

The students showed their self-designed Qipao, a kind of traditional Chinese dress, and invited the guests to help finish their wash painting of a little panda.

In a cookery class, Peng and Trump joined the pupils in making a famous Beijing snack and apple pie.

The students also presented their calligraphy and handicraft to the ladies, and gave performances at the school auditorium.

Peng and Trump agreed that Chinese and American children could and should know more about each other and make friends.

Melania Trump is in Beijing with U.S. President Donald Trump for a three-day visit.

Read Also: UK’s Daily Mail to pay Melania Trump damages over modeling claims

November 9, 2017
Kogi House of Assembly extends tenure of LG administrators

The Kogi House of Assembly on Wednesday approved a six-months tenure extension to local government administrators in the state.

The Wednesday extension is the second this year after the law makers gave a similar approval six months ago.

The approval followed the adoption of a letter from Gov Yahaya Bello requesting the extension of the tenure, after it was read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Prince Matthew Kolawole.

Bello, in the letter, cited paucity of funds and insecurity as responsible for the inability of the state to conduct elections into the local government councils as provided for, in the 2017 budget.

The tenure of the local government transition committee had earlier expired on May 5, but was extended by the House to Nov. 5, following the adoption and approval of a similar letter from the governor.

The latest approval extends the tenure of the administrators to April 5, 2018.

Deliberating on the matter, Kekere Sanni (APC Okehi), who supported it, explained that reasons adduced by the executive were enough to endorse the request, in view of its necessity.

However, John Abba (APC-Ibaji), reminded his colleagues that N450million was appropriated for the conduct of local government polls in the 2017 budget, and wondered why the executive failed to conduct the exercise.

Sani urged his colleagues to promote and protect democracy at all times, saying that the appointment of caretaker committees to lead local governments was an illegality.

“We should approve this request but make it clear to the executive that it will be the last; we must tell the executive that we can no longer continue in illegality. No more extension.

“We must sound it clear to everyone that election must be conducted within the period,” he said.

In their separate contributions, the Majority leader, Bello Abdullahi-Hassan (APC-Ajaokuta) and Linus Eneche (APC-Olamaboro), urged their colleagues to approve the request to avoid a vacuum in the running of local governments.

Mr Sunday Shigaba (PDP-Bassa) in his contribution, challenged the legislators to always strive to avoid illegality.

“It has become practically impossible for the state government to conduct election; but whether we like it or not, we cannot continue like this. We must strive to install democratic governance in the local governments,” he said.

NAN

November 9, 2017
Magu in Austria, says EFCC recovered N738.9bn in two years

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) on Wednesday in Austria said it recovered loots totaling N738.9 billion or $2.9 billion between May, 2015 and Oct. 20, 2017.

Its Acting Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu, stated this at the ongoing 7th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption holding in Vienna.

Spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, gave account of Magu’s engagement in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

In a presentation titled: “International Cooperation in Relation to Tecnical Assistance: The Nigerian Experience”, Magu said the sum was exclusive of smaller currencies in Durham, CRA and British Pound.

He stated that the commission had made a lot of recoveries locally using the mechanism of the non-conviction based forfeiture provided under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

“Within this year alone, the commission recovered stolen assets running into several millions of US Dollars and billions in naira.

“These include the sum of $43 million recovered from Deziani Allison-Madueke, Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum and N2 billion spread in seven accounts within three Nigerian banks laundered from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command Salary Accounts”, he explained.

Magu, who was said to be a panelist at the Implementation Review Group attended by over 100 delegates, detailed the Nigerian efforts in asset recovery.

He said the country had also made progress in specific cases related to Abacha loot, Malabu Oil, Diezani and associates, and the arms procurement scandal.

These efforts, he said, cut across Switzerland, USA, UK, UAE, Jersey Island and Panama.
In his recommendations, the EFCC boss sought improved coordination and cooperation among state parties in asset recovery.

He said this could be done through the consideration and adoption of measures that would remove traditional barriers such as bank secrecy in line with Article 46(8) and dual Criminality Article 46(9) as well as simplify legal technicalities in the recovery and repatriation of stolen funds.

He further sought measures to reduce cost of recovery of assets for developing countries and ensure speedy return of all stolen assets to victim states in line with the current resolution sponsored by Nigeria.

He also called for sanction and prosecution of any financial institution that violates AML/CFT measures and the maintenance of a public register on beneficial ownership.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has received global commendation for its doggedness in tracing and recovery of its solen assets, according to the commission’s spokesman.

Uwujaren said the commendation came at a meeting between Magu and Dr Nassar Abaalkhail, the Head of International Collaboration, National Anti-Corruption Commission, Saudi Arabia.

The meeting, which held on the sidelines of the conference, followed Magu’s presentation, Uwujaren said.

He quoted Abaalkhail as saying that Nigeria’s efforts at loot recovery were remarkable.

“From what I have heard, Nigeria’s effort at asset tracing is remarkable. Nigeria is indeed a role model for countries, including developed countries.

“We have so much to learn from Nigeria”, he said.

Uwujaren said the Iranian National Focal Point for the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, Dr Mohsen Mardal, also commended the Nigerian presentation.

Similarly, the Commissioner, Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Agency, Ady Macauley, said the EFCC was not only “formidable, but a pride to the African States”.

“My men were in Nigeria a fortnight ago to understudy your operations, I must confess, we have a lot to learn in investigation, prosecution and asset recovery”.

NAN

November 9, 2017
REC advises INEC staff to earn public trust ahead of 2019 elections

Mr Mike Igini, the Resident Electoral Commissioner ( REC ) in Akwa Ibom, has advised staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to work hard to earn public trust ahead of 2019 elections.

Igini gave the advice in Uyo at the end of a tour of INEC local government offices in the state.

The REC, who reported for duty in the state in September, noted it had been observed all over the country that the electorate do not trust INEC staff, adding that this situation was worrisome.

“Before my posting to this state, the commission has been doing so much in the course of preparing for the 2019 elections.

“I have now come to join all of you to help make that preparation. There is need for change or re-orientation of mindset of staff as it will no longer be business as usual.

“No election can be credible where people believe that votes are sold and bought and election outcomes do not reflect the wishes of the people as expressed at the polling units.

“INEC staff must earn public trust and confidence, as these are bedrock principles that underpin a credible electoral process.”

Igini advised urged all staff members to create and sustain an environment of trust, openness and inclusiveness.

“The perception of impartiality on the part of INEC staff lends credibility to the commission and the electoral process.”

He said that his tour of the 31 local government area offices of INEC had helped to acquaint him with the staff and their working environment.

The REC stressed that staff members were the most critical asset of the commission and emphasised the need for them to demonstrate competence, impartiality and neutrality in the elections.

“I have toured the entire local government areas and today, Uyo, which is the state capital and the biggest with 175 polling units is the grand finale of the tour.

“And having gone round the 31 local government areas, I have been impressed by what I have seen since Oct. 30 that the tour commenced.”

He observed that though some areas had challenges in terms of physical infrastructure, the state was blessed with good road networks.

Receiving the INEC Commissioner, the Uyo local government Electoral Officer, Mr Onyemaeze Mba, complained of poor facilities in the office and appealed for urgent repairs or replacement.

Mba, who was represented by the assistant Electoral Officer, Mr Sebastian Etefia, explained that the office had no electricity for over eight years, following disconnection due to unpaid bills.

The electoral officer further said that poor work environment had resulted in truancy as staff members had no desks to enable them to settle down and perform their duties responsibly.

“The office has remained without electricity since 2009 when the Power Holding Company cut the light because of outstanding unpaid bills.

“There are no furniture for staff to use and no borehole for water supply. The office has an uncompleted fence, the doors to the offices are all in a deplorable condition.

“The office building needs a facelift. As INEC office in the state metropolitan town, it should ordinarily serve as an annex to the commission’s state Headquarters office,” the electoral 0fficer said.

NAN

November 9, 2017
Yobe approves N1.4bn for irrigation, health, electricity projects

The Yobe Executive Council has approved the sum of N1.4 billion for the execution of irrigation, health, electricity and education projects across the state before the end of 2017.

Alhaji Mala Musti, the state Commissioner for Information, disclosed this to newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting in Damaturu.

Musti said that the council had approved contracts worth N464.7 million for the construction of concrete lining of irrigation canals at Garin Gada.

He further said that N106.7 million was also approved for the transportation of medical equipment worth N1.8 billion donated to the state by the World Medical Relief, U.S.

According to him, N186.7 million was also approved for the linking of 33kv transmission power line from Bayamari to Giedam.

“The council approved N298.5 million for the purchase of furniture and equipment for the Medical College of Yobe State University as well as fencing of the college at the cost of N81.5 million.

He said that the council also approved landscaping of the frontage of Yobe Mosque and Islamic centre, Damaturu at the cost of N60.6 million.

Read Also: Yobe to empower farmers with Irrigation scheme

November 9, 2017
Bayelsa Deputy Gov. expresses confidence in Nigerian engineers

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd), has expressed confidence in the capacity of Nigerian engineers to build refineries in the country.

Jonah said this when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers ( NSChE ), who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Yenagoa.

He said that building refineries and producing equipment and components in the country would go a long way to boost the local content and manpower base.

He emphasised the need to discourage reliance on foreign equipment and materials for the country’s industrial needs and services.

According to him, allowing Nigerian engineers to handle refineries and other industrial requirements will increase the country’s Gross Domestic Product ( GDP ) and stimulate the economy.

He said he was delighted by the association’s determination to ensure the commencement of manufacturing in-country.

Jonah also challenged the association to champion the advocacy for safe environment, stressing that Nigerian waters especially, were not safe due to massive pollution.

“We can get things right when we start thinking inwards, and start producing things for ourselves.

“I agree with you that Nigeria, today, has the capacity to provide local refineries. If you produce equipment locally, the amount that you spend increases your GDP.

“If you procure outside the country, you are adding to the GDP of other countries.

“There are several advantages in producing things locally. That’s the only way we can develop ourselves; that is the only way we can create opportunities for the young ones,’’ Jonah said.

Earlier in his remarks, Prof. Sunday Adefila, the National President of the society, had said that the courtesy visit was part of the activities of the Annual General Meeting/Conference scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Port Harcourt.

He said that The meeting would be hosted by the Rivers/Bayelsa branches of the body.

He explained that chemical engineers were essentially process engineers at the centre of the construction of refineries and related facilities, using indices of environment, economic, energy and improved quality as major planks of consideration for such ventures.

Adefila, who described Bayelsa as the seat of Nigeria’s local content, given the large oil and gas deposits in the state’s environment, said “NSChE can, and is able to do Nigerian refineries.

He added that members of the society were ready to be worthy stakeholders and were also available to be used for worthwhile partnerships with the state government.

NAN

November 9, 2017
Adeyemi college will soon be converted to varsity – Provost

Prof. Olukoya Ogen, the Provost of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo on Wednesday in Akure said that the college would soon be converted to a university.

The Provost who made this known when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman, Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ), Ondo State chapter, Mr Ojo Oyewamide.

Ogen, who was represented by Mrs Oluseto Olatuyi, the Head of Media of the college, noted that the converting process of the college was at the last stage at the Senate.

The Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo has appealed to the Senate to fast-track passage of the bill seeking to convert the institution to a university.

“The bill is at the last stage at the Senate and we pray that it will have President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent when finally passed.

“Though if we attain that level, our responsibilities will be increased but we are up to the task,’’ he said.

Ogen, who was represented by Mrs Oluseto Olatuyi, the Head of Media of the college, noted that the public hearing had been held where the institution defended the need for the college to be converted to a university.

According to him, the college has since been operating as a university in terms of learning modules and research, thereby competing with other universities’ programmes.

Ogen urged the chapel to collaborate with the institution in the area of information dissemination.

The provost, who stressed the need for better and improved relationship between the college and the Chapel, described it as a major stakeholder in information management.

“We are primarily here to seek your support and improve relationship in any area that you can be of help to our college as it relates to information dissemination and development of the school.’’

On the issue of security on the campus, Ogen said that the school had taken preventive measures to forestall breach of security in and around the campus.

He disclosed that the college had installed Close Circuit Television (CCTV) in strategic locations on the campus as part of efforts to ensure security.

The provost also maintained that all students had been issued mandatory identity cards to students of the institution.

Responding, Chapel chairman, Oyewamide commended the provost for his visit and for appointing an expert to manage its Public Relations Unit.

He said that the chapel would continue to collaborate with the college by propagating its activities with a view to boosting its image and for mutual benefits.

NAN

November 8, 2017