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  • Senate commiserates with Tinubu over son’s death

    Senate commiserates with Tinubu over son’s death

    The Senate on Thursday expressed sadness over the death of Mr. Jide Tinubu, son of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after a brief illness on Wednesday.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who earlier paid a condolence visit to commiserate with Tinubu in Abuja, in a statement he personally signed on behalf of his colleagues, described the death as an “unfortunate incident”.

    “All of us in the Senate are deeply saddened by the untimely passage of Mr. Jide Tinubu, the son of former Senator and top political leader,  Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Jide was not only a promising young man but had what it takes to contribute to the overall wellbeing of his family in particular and the nation in general.

    “It is highly unfortunate that we lost him so early and we are still pained by his demise,” Saraki stated.

    While praying God to guard, guide and grant Tinubu, his wife, Senator Oluremi and the entire Tinubu family the grace and fortitude to  bear the irreparable loss, he also asked God to grant the deceased eternal rest.

  • Gov. Umahi drops Attorney-General and commissioner for justice

    Gov. Umahi drops Attorney-General and commissioner for justice

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has dropped the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Augustine Nwankwagu, from the cabinet with immediate effect.

    Chief Clement Nweke, Principal Secretary to the Governor, via a statement issued on Thursday in Abakaliki, said Nwankwagu was dropped for “`acts inconsistent with his office.’’

    According to Nweke, Nwankwagu, who was a former Speaker, Ebonyi House of Assembly, is to handover all government property in his possession to the permanent secretary in the ministry.

    “This directive should be carried out before close of work on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017,” he said.

    Nwankwagu had previously been suspended indefinitely in early 2017 for negligence of duty.

    NAN

  • Ijebu Ode LG generates N22m in eight months

    Ijebu Ode LG generates N22m in eight months

    Ijebu Ode Local Government, Ogun, generated over N22 million as Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR ) between January and August 2017, its Executive Chairman, Mr Gbolade Oduwole said on Wednesday.

    Oduwole spoke while playing host to members of Ogun Assembly House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, during their oversight visit to the council.

    He attributed the size of the IGR to the fact that two Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) were carved out from the original local government.

    The lawmaker disclosed that the council, this year, cultivated one hectare of cassava farmland at Isire and also planted pawpaw within the local government secretariat.

    “This we believe will go a long way to increasing the IGR after sales; we have taken agriculture so serious in this local government.

    “We have also embarked on the repair, renovation and purchase of the standard generator at the abattoir. This is to ensure that the meat sold at the place is good and hygienic for human consumption,” he said.

    Oduwole urged members of the state House of Assembly to continue to make laws that would give good leverage to the local governments to enhance their IGR profile for the greater development.

    In his address, Mr Olusola Sonuga, the committee chairman, urged the council to improve in the area of agriculture, saying that it would bring more revenue into its coffers.

    Sonuga advised LG councils and LCDAs to explore the available economic potentials in their areas to boost IGR.

    He said that the essence of their creation was to fast track infrastructure development at the grassroots.

    The lawmaker called for synergy between the executive and the legislative arms to move the local government and the LCDAs to enviable heights.

    Sonuga urged the council areas in the state to concentrate on capital projects that would make the people within the locality feel the dividend of democracy.

    Other members of the committee include Messrs Akinpelu Aina, Adebiyi Adeleye, Olusola Bankole, Ganiyu Oyedeji and Mrs Juliana Akintayo.

    The committee also visited Ijebu Ode South Local Council Development Area.

    NAN

  • CAC Designs Portal For Company Registration To Curb Fraud

    CAC Designs Portal For Company Registration To Curb Fraud

    The Acting Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission ( CAC ), Lady Azuka Azinge yesterday in Kano said the Commission has introduced online registration method aimed at curbing the menace of fraudsters and middle men.

    Speaking during a sensitization progarmme in Kano, Lady Azuka said the online registration method will go a long way in removing hiccups and ambiguities hitherto associated with registration of companies in the country.

    According to her, the sensitization visit is organized in collaboration with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council ( PEBEC ).

    She added that its intention was to bring together the management of the Commission, stakeholders and members of the public to interact on issues pertaining to the current reform initiatives of the Commission to provide enabling business environment in the country.

    “The Kano sensitization programme which is the second in the series is in pursuant to the 60 days Action PLAN OF THE Federal Government on Ease of Doing BUSINESS IN Nigeria. The first visit was held in Lagos on the 19th October, 2017.”

    In her goodwill message, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Senior Special Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Trade and Investment, represented by Ms Rebecca Dokun, a Reform Leader with EBES, hailed the CAC reform initiatives and urged stakeholders and members of the public to take advantage of the Company Registration Portal (CRP) to register their business directly without hitches.

  • Jide Tinubu’s death, huge loss to Nigeria – Obaseki

    Jide Tinubu’s death, huge loss to Nigeria – Obaseki

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has commiserated with the national leader of the All Progressives Congress and former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the loss of his eldest son, Jide Tinubu.

    Obaseki, who expressed shock at the sad news, said Jide’s death is a huge loss to the country and prayed for the repose of his soul.

    “On behalf of my family, the Government and the good people of Edo State, I express our heartfelt sympathy to the Tinubu family and pray that God grant you the strength beyond normal, to bear this irreparable loss,” Obaseki said.

    He assured that he has joined “other friends and associates of the Tinubu family in prayers as they go through these trying times.”

  • EFCC to go after human traffickers – Magu

    EFCC to go after human traffickers – Magu

    Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ), Mr Ibrahim Magu, has expressed the commission’s resolve to go after human traffickers.

    Magu said this when a delegation from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons ( NAPTIP ) visited him in Abuja.

    Spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, who reported the visit in a statement, said the NAPTIP delegation was led by its Director-General, Dame Julie Okah-Donli.

    Magu said the anti-graft agency had jurisdiction over human trafficking, which he said, was an offshoot of corruption.

    “We are prepared to go after human traffickers, because we strongly believe that it is an aspect of corruption, and corruption is the greatest enemy of Nigeria.

    “Corruption is the reason why young Nigerians are risking their lives walking through the Mediterranean up to Spain and other European countries in search of greener pasture.

    “It is a very sad situation, and we must change the trend by ensuring that we join hands to fight corruption, as this is the only solution to the ills militating against our country’s development,” he said.

    While calling for NAPTIP’s partnership in the fight against corruption, Magu assured Okah-Donli of the EFCC’s support in combating the increasing cases of “organ harvesting” involving Nigerians.

    “EFCC has an enormous task in the fight against corruption, and NAPTIP is also a stakeholder in the fight, so we also need your assistance and collaboration,” he said.

    Okah-Donli, who said the visit was part of the agency’s familiarisation efforts, used the opportunity to highlight NAPTIP’s strides in combating human trafficking in the country.

    According to her, the agency has busted a number of criminal activities, recorded 331 convictions since 2004, with various other ongoing cases at advance stages in courts.

    She added that NAPTIP had rescued many trafficked youths who were being rehabilitated and given a new lease of life.

    Okah-Donli said: “organ trafficking, which is now becoming a big business, is another form of human trafficking”.

    She said many youths were being lured into it and they become afraid to come out to tell their stories.

    The DG requested for assistance of the EFCC in confiscating assets of traffickers, and also in the area of training and developing its own academy. NAN

  • NYSC records 72 births from 2016/17 batch B corps members in Oyo

    NYSC records 72 births from 2016/17 batch B corps members in Oyo

    The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ), Oyo state, has disclosed that the 2016/17 batch B (stream1) Corps Members deployed to the state gave birth to no fewer than 72 children.

    The Oyo state NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Ifeoma Anidobi made this known in an interview in Ibadan.

    Anidobi noted that the state also recorded 20 marriages by the corps members and three deaths out of the total of 3,406 corps members passing out in the state on Thursday.

    “The 3,406 consists of 1,504 males, 1,902 females, 3 members received state’s awards while 1 received chairman’s award; 38 have commendation letters, 28 have disciplinary cases.

    “Those with disciplinary cases are to serve extension of service ranging from two weeks to four months,” she said.

    She urged the corps members not to view the country’s economy negatively but to see it as an opportunity to maximize their potential and utilise the knowledge acquired during Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development ( SAED ) training.

    Anidobi assured them that the skills would definitely help them not only to meet the expectations of the society but overcome the challenges that may come thereafter.

    “Develop positive attitude towards the gains of the SAED programme, within a foreseeable future, you will not only be smiling to the bank but will become a great force to reckon with as outstanding entrepreneurs and industrialists,” she said.

    The Coordinator further advised the outgoing corps members to always strive to do the right thing at the right time and abide by the law all the time.

    She urged them to remain focused and be good ambassadors of the NYSC and their respective families.

    Anidobi, however, commended the corps members for leaving their host communities better than they met them.

    “As you take your final bow out of this prestigious, noble scheme, God will order your steps and make all crooked ways straight.

    “The lines will fall into pleasant places for you distinguished ones, safe journey to your respective glorious destinies,” the coordinator prayed.

    NAN

  • ‘My hubby is a thief, serial pickpocket, not a businessman,’ woman tells court

    ‘My hubby is a thief, serial pickpocket, not a businessman,’ woman tells court

    “My husband is a criminal, a serial pickpocket. I did not know I am married to a thief,” divorce-seeking woman tells an Ibadan Customary Court.

    Mary, who is married to an Ibadan-based businessman, Mr Ibrahim Gbadamosi, said he was deceived into marrying him for about 20 years unknown to her that the man is a criminal.

    “Neither Ibrahim nor his friends told me that he was a criminal until he was jailed at Ile-Oluji in Ondo State.

    “There was a time I sold some of my property to secure his bail until I got to know that he was a serial pickpocket.

    “My Lord, Ibrahim is yet to pay my bride price,” she also told the court.

    Gbadamosi had approached a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan seeking the dissolution of the union, accused her of infidelity and attempting to kidnap him being masterminded by his wife.

    Marry added: “My husband is a thief and not a businessman as he claimed.

    “My Lord, although, I have agreed to part ways with Ibrahim, I must reveal some ‘hidden truths’ about this man that calls himself a businessman.

    “I never knew what he was doing for a very long time and I became very uncomfortable with his lifestyle.

    “All I knew was that security operatives used to come and arrest him and his friends used to run from one place to another to gather money for his release.”

    The estranged wife, who said she would not object to the request of her husband for the dissolution of the marriage, described it as good riddance to bad rubbish.

    “He doesn’t worth it; let him go,” Mary said.

    Earlier, Ibrahim, who resides at Soka area of Ibadan, told the court that his wife let him down in his time of “trouble and persecution”.

    He regretted that his wife’s situation degenerated to the extent of her becoming a prostitute.

    “This hit me like a big stick. I can confirm to this honourable court that our landlord’s younger brother impregnated her and had been sleeping with her ever since.

    “Moreover, Mary usually lunch attacks on me with the intention of inflicting bodily injuries or even terminating my life.

    “As if that was not enough, Mary and our first child conspired to kidnap my child given birth to by my second wife.

    “The matter was reported at the police station where they were both made to sign an undertaking never to involve in kidnapping again,” he said.

    Ibrahim, who said he was incarcerated for 16 months for importing contraband, alleged that Mary did not visit his shop, thereby allowing all the goods to rust.

    “Please, this honourable court should allow her daughter to be with her. I am ready to give her anything she wants on a monthly basis to cater for her.”

    The President of the court, Mr Ademola Odunade, while adjourning the case to Nov. 28, asked the couple to continue to be of good behaviour.

    NAN

  • IBB University gets $30m TETFund grant for research

    IBB University gets $30m TETFund grant for research

    The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University ( IBB ), Lapai in Niger on Wednesday said it received 30 million dollars grant from Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETFund ) for critical research projects.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Maiturare, made this known in Lapai when executive members of Correspondent Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ), Niger council, paid him a courtesy visit.

    Maiturare said that the grant was the Institutional Based Research component of TETFund, which would be utilised to explore potential benefits for socio-economic development of the state and the country at large.

    “The research projects which cut across fields of sciences, technology, education and humanities will go a long way in fast tracking the development drive of Niger State and Nigeria in general,’’ he said.

    He commended the chapel leadership for the visit and assured members of the institution’s management’s readiness to sustain collaboration with its members.

    The vice chancellor advised the journalists to always be objective in their reportage, describing them as critical stakeholders that would contribute to the development of the institution.

    Earlier, Mr Aideloje Ojo, Chairman of the Correspondent Chapel, Minna, lauded the initiative of the university in the development of the education sector, especially on research that would contribute to the development of humanity.

    Ojo assured that the correspondent chapel would support the university by promoting its activities.

    NAN

  • Osinbajo says financial inclusion key in economic recovery plan

    Osinbajo says financial inclusion key in economic recovery plan

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesdays in Abuja said that the country needs to ensure financial inclusiveness for all towards the revamp of the nation’s economy.

    He stated this while hosting Queen Maxima of Netherlands who is also the UN Secretary General’s Special Advocate for inclusive finance for development.

    According to Osinbajo, financial inclusiveness is important for development of the individual, community and country.

    “Of cause financial inclusion is absolutely important for us as an economy.

    “We need to be able to ensure that all of our people, wherever they live, no matter how far away they are can be reached with financial products; have bank accounts.

    “Payments can be made to them and they also can make payments; in other words they can participate in the entire financial architecture that the country offers and even that the international community offers.

    “And that really is important for development, for their development as individuals and as communities.’’

    The Vice President acknowledged the Queen’s second visit to the country to find out how far the country had gone with its financial inclusion plans and projects.

    Responding, Queen Maxima said that “Nigeria is a country of enormous potential where financial inclusion should be playing great role for your development.’’

    The Queen stated that having access to savings, insurance payment credit could make the people move out of poverty and invest in small businesses, create income, employ people and save for the rainy day.

    “Financial inclusiveness is a key element to support the economic growth recovery plan being championed by you.

    “Since 2008 Nigeria has actually made progress growing from 23 per cent to 48 per cent of financial inclusion.

    “But still more than half of Nigerians have to deal without very basic financial services that you and I rely on every day.

    “And in the last couple of years progress has been stalled and there is a moment to renew this commitment and leadership on financial inclusion,’’ she added.

    The Queen urged Nigeria to maximize the use of mobile money and make it sustainable, responsive and safe for all Nigerians.

    According to her the country has many potentials in that respect while many countries have already achieved it.

    She said only two per cent of Nigerians could use mobile money in contrast to 70 per cent in Ghana and higher numbers in other parts of the world.

    She stressed the need for strong ICT systems and assured that the UN would assist the country build a strong financial inclusive system.

    NAN