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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Bayer Leverkusen ease past Fortuna to maintain winning start

    Bayer Leverkusen scored three times in the first half to ease past hosts Fortuna Duesseldorf 3-1 on Saturday.

    The victory put Leverkusen alongside leaders Borussia Dortmund with maximum points from their first two Bundesliga matches.

    A sixth-minute own goal from Lewis Baker put the visitors ahead and Charles Aranguiz added another goal in the 33rd.

    His effort was initially ruled out for a suspected handball but following a video replay the goal stood.

    Kevin Volland, who was also involved in the first goal, set up Karim Bellarabi for their third goal six minutes later.

    Fortuna cut the deficit in the 82nd with Alfredo Morales.

    Read Also: Bayern level points with Dortmund

    Freiburg are also on six points after coming from a goal down to beat promoted Paderborn 3-1.

    Borussia Moenchengladbach, on four points, did the same for a 3-1 victory at Mainz 05.

    Dortmund beat Cologne 3-1 on Friday to lead the standings on goal difference. Champions Bayern Munich, on one point, take on Schalke 04 in Gelsenkirchen later on Saturday.

    NAN

  • Ogun to demolish houses harbouring kidnappers

    Ogun State governor Dapo Abiodun, again warned that houses harbouring kidnappers or being used by kidnappers to perpetrate acts of kidnapping would be pulled down and their certificates of occupancy revoked.

    Abiodun who issued the warning at the inauguration of reinvigorated Ogun State Security Trust Fund, assured that with the launch of the fund, the full security architecture for internal safety of lives and property has been fully emplaced.

    The Governor added that he has fulfilled yet another promise to provide good governance to the people

    He disclosed that the amended Ogun State Security Trust Fund law is a private sector-driven programme that would support the state government in addressing various security challenges facing the state.

    “It is a demonstration of our government’s unreserved commitment towards ensuring that the people have a good life and pursue their legitimate business in a secured environment.

    “The aim of these security trust fund is to have the private sector support the government in addressing various security challenges facing our dear state, these new and reinvigorated trust fund will be responsible for sourcing and efficiently deploying the resources towards achieving a safe and secured environment,” the Governor said.

    “It is our sincere belief that with this Trust Fund, our security will be further strengthened to provide a more secured environment where our people will live a more prosperous life,” he said.

    He noted that the new security trust fund would be responsible for sourcing and efficiently deploying the resources towards achieving a safe and secured environment,  adding that it would be uncharitable to believe that the state could single handedly provide all the funds that would be needed to ensure the security of lives and property.

    According to him, the inauguration of the security trust fund was another approach towards giving the people, individuals and corporate organizations a window of opportunity to contribute towards the overall development of the state.

    He urged people to have it at the back of their mind that resources given towards actualizing a sound security network would be prudently used by the team set up to manage the states security trust fund.

    The committee has Mr. Bolaji Balogun as Chairman, (Rtd AIG) Olushola Subair,  Kamar, Chief Financial Officer, Access Bank,Seyi Kumapayi, Group Executive, Commercial Banking, First Bank, Seyi Oyefeso, Executive Director, Wema Bank, Wole Akinleye, while Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje would serve as the Executive Secretary.

    Read Also: Five die, 36 injured in Ogun road accident

    The governor tasked the committee to provide money for the acquisition and deployment of security equipments and such human material and financial resources that shall be necessary to prevent crime and preserve public security in the state, promote the efficiency of all the security agencies in the state, to hold for the benefit of all residents of the state, gift, property and money for the purpose of crime prevention and public security in the state.

    He also  tasked them to mobilize funding and resources in cash or kind from the public private, corporate, institutional or all other sources and to manage those resources in a transparent and accountable manner for the purpose of public security in the state, reserve part of the fund for the training and retraining of security personnel in the state and to do all other things and perform all other functions for the purpose of public security as and contained in the Ogun State Security Trust Fund Law of 2011, as amended by the Ogun State Security Trust Fund amendment law of 2019.

    In his response, the chairman of the Ogun State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Bolaji Balogun acknowledged the effort of the state governor, to have a secured state, describing him as a man of history, who came in as governor at the right moment.

    Balogun assurred that the Committee would work hard and not disappoint the state, saying the activities of the states security trust fund would be transparently done.

  • We have no budget for thugs, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday dissociated itself from the N13 million allegedly given to the suspected kidnap kingpin, Alhaji Hamisu Balla, a.k.a Wadume for the Presidential election.

    In his confessional statement, Wadume allegedly confessed being given N13 million by the APC, but spent N7 million of the money for the election, in addition to collecting about N6 million from an unnamed sitting governor.

    However, reacting to the claim, National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu said the party has no budget for political thugs, stressing that it would be better for the suspect to name who gave him the money.

    Onilu said “It is expected that the alleged kidnapper, having come face to face with justice, would throw whatever he could lay his hands on into the fray. In any case, our party did not have budget for thugs.

    Read Also: Anambra 2021: APC, PDP, APGA in verbal war

    “Unlike the period when the ruling party dipped hands into the public treasury to fund political campaigns and elections, APC had to rely on its own resources. Even if we had all the money, we would never allocate money for kidnappers and murderers. That era ended with PDP.

    “Perhaps, he can name whoever gave him money. Definitely, it was not APC. From his purported confession, he claimed to be a PDP member before he went on to contest under another party.”

  • Ikpeazu inaugurates hospital, electricity project in Ibere community

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, on Saturday, inaugurated the Obuohia cottage hospital and electricity project in Obuohia-Ibere community of Ikwuano Local Government area of the state.

    Speaking at the event, Ikpeazu said that the improvement of healthcare access and power supply in rural communities was essential to achieving even development in the state.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Ude Oko-Chukwu, added that the health facility and electricity project would improve the state government’s developmental efforts.

    He charged the leaders of the community to evolve strategies that would be utilised in protecting the projects against vandalism.

    Ikpeazu directed the state ministry of health and the state Primary Health Development Agency to expedite action in ensuring that medical personnel and supplies were sent to the hospital.

    He commended the member representing Umuahia/ Ikwuano Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, for playing a pivotal role in facilitating the projects to the community.

    The governor appealed to political office holders to collaborate with relevant agencies to facilitate dividends of democracy to their constituencies.

    In his address, Onuigbo said that the projects would, no doubt, improve the welfare of the people of the community.

    Although the lawmaker said that the hospital was built in 1984, he, however, added that it had degenerated to a state of gross dilapidation owing to long years of neglect.

    Onuigbo said that in the past, people of the community used to travel to neighbouring community to access healthcare services.

    Read Also: Ikpeazu lays foundation stone for destitute home

    He expressed delight with the efforts made in rehabilitating the hospital, adding that it would address the healthcare delivery gap in the community.

    “We will continue to attract development projects that will address the needs of our people. I urge communities in Umuahia/Ikwuano Federal Constituency to embrace peace and unity,” he said.

    Earlier, Chief Sam Eke, National President, Obuohia Development Union, said that he was delighted with the inauguration of the projects which, he said, would improve the wellbeing of the people.

    Eke appealed to the state government to expedite action in providing relevant resources for the optimal operation of the hospital.

    He assured that the community would do everything possible to protect the projects from vandalism and make maximum use of them.

    NAN

  • EPL: Crystal Palace stun Man. United at Old Trafford

    Crystal Palace stunned Manchester United with an injury-time winner to record their first victory at Old Trafford since 1989.

    Full-back Patrick van Aanholt scored in the 93rd minute, smashing in as the ball broke loose following Wilfried Zaha’s burst forward.

    Daniel James thought he had rescued a point for United when he curled in a delightful equaliser in the 89th minute following neat build-up from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

    But Rashford will rue striking the post from the penalty spot – the second spot-kick the Red Devils have missed this week.

    Jordan Ayew had scored the opener in the first half against the run of play, latching on to Jeffrey Schlupp’s flick-on and coolly converting Palace’s first goal of the campaign, before the late drama.

    Elsewhere, Substitute Harvey Barnes’ majestic strike helped Leicester City inflict a first Premier League defeat of the season on Sheffield United in a pulsating affair at Bramall Lane.

    Six minutes after coming on, Barnes fired a half-volley from the edge of the box which flew past home keeper Dean Henderson to dampen what had been a spirited United fightback.

    The superb finish came just eight minutes after the home side had cancelled out Jamie Vardy’s first-half opener, when record signing Oliver McBurnie found a first goal for the club after coming off the bench.

    McBurnie’s header, low into the bottom corner, sent Bramall Lane into raptures and United appeared to have momentum.

    But Barnes then lashed in to give Leicester a first league win of the season and Chris Wilder’s side only their second defeat in 21 matches.

    Moussa Djenepo scored moments after coming on as a substitute to help Southampton secure their first win of the season at Brighton, who had Florin Andone sent off.

    The 21-year-old Malian broke the deadlock in the second half, cutting inside from the left wing before curling a sumptuous effort past Mat Ryan and into the far corner.

    Southampton sealed the points in second-half stoppage time when Nathan Redmond slid home Sofiane Boufal’s cross from close range.

    Brighton had been reduced to 10 men on the half-hour mark when Andone was shown a straight red card following a high, rash challenge on Saints defender Yan Valery.

    The Seagulls had looked comfortable up to that point, with Neal Maupay and Martin Montoya going close to breaking the deadlock in the first half.

    Lewis Dunk thought he had given the hosts the lead seven minutes before the interval, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside against defender Dan Burn.

    Second-half substitute Jurgen Locadia struck the post for Brighton late on, but Redmond’s late goal sealed the points for the visitors.

    BBCSports

     

  • Abraham scores twice as Chelsea earn first win under Lampard

    Tammy Abraham repaid manager Frank Lampard’s faith in youth as his two goals against Norwich helped Chelsea to their first win of the season.

    In a frantic start, Abraham opened the scoring inside three minutes for the Blues, whose starting line-up had an average age of 24 years and 208 days – their youngest in the Premier League since February 1994.

    But Norwich equalized just 156 seconds later, Todd Cantwell finishing from close range from a Teemu Pukki cross.

    Read Also: I knew I’ll score against Chelsea, says Ndidi

    Mason Mount restored the Blues’ lead midway through the first half with his second goal of the season, but the Canaries soon pulled level once more as Pukki slotted in from a tight angle for his fifth of the campaign.

    Chelsea dominated the start of the second half and were rewarded through Abraham’s second – an unstoppable drive past Tim Krul – before Kurt Zouma had a goal ruled out by the video assistant referee after substitute Olivier Giroud was judged to have fouled the Norwich keeper.

    The result means Chelsea are unbeaten against Norwich in 16 meetings.

  • Sterling Environmental Makeover berths in Sokoto

    Sterling Bank Plc has donated more than one thousand pieces of uniforms to the Sokoto State Government as part of an effort to boost sanitation and hygiene in the state and in furtherance of the bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative known as the Sterling Environmental Makeover (STEM).

    The uniforms, which will be passed on to the Sokoto Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to enhance the performance of sanitation workers in the state, are intended to give the sanitation workers an identity while on duty, according to the management of Sterling Bank.

    While presenting the overall uniforms to the Sokoto State Commissioner for the Environment, Sagir Attahiru Bafarawa, the duo of Ibrahim Aliero and Ado Shehu, Sterling Bank’s Branch Manager, Institutional Banking and Branch Manager respectively, urged the state government to intensify efforts at keeping the state clean, adding that the bank is aware that government alone cannot realise its objective of keeping the environment clean.

    According to Ibrahim Aliero, “the essence of the presentation is to compliment the state government efforts towards maintaining a clean environment.

    Read Also: Nigeria far from SDGs target on water, sanitation, says WaterAid

    “At Sterling Bank, we are concerned about our business environment. The overall sanitation kits donated to SEPA is part of our bank’s corporate social responsibility idea to sustain a clean environment, more so we believe that a clean environment is important for conducive business activities.”

    “These overall kits are durable and of good quality that will endure the vagaries of the weather for a long time.”

    In appreciation, Bafarawa applauded Sterling Bank for the significant role it is playing in ensuring a sustainable environment as part of its corporate social responsibility.

    The commissioner also called on all other stakeholders to emulate the good gesture of Sterling Bank towards the state government in the effort to keep Sokoto State clean.

    He said, “Sanitation is not the responsibility of government alone. I therefore enjoin all other stakeholders and corporate organisations to support government efforts in ensuring a clean environment.”

    Sani Abdullahi, a street sweeper who spoke on behalf of his colleagues during the presentation ceremony, commended Sterling Bank for the donation.

     

  • New Olowo, Ogunoye installed

    The new Olowo of Owo in Ondo state, Prince Gbadegesin Ogunoye, was on Friday installed as the 33rd Owo monarch.

    The traditional rites started very early and were witnessed by residents of the town and other guests.

    Speaking to reporters, the Ojumu of Owo, Chief Olanrewaju Famakinwa, said that the rites became necessary as being laid down by customs and culture of the ancient town.

    Famakinwa said that the monarch chose sword of peace in the course of the rite.

    He said: “Oba Ogunoye who is being installed today chose a sword which signifies peace.

    “Traditionally, before Olowo is installed, he will have to choose a sword at Oke Mapo and it is believed that whatever one he chooses will tell how his reign will be.

    “Coincidentally, he chose the same sword chosen by his father more than 30 years ago and the sword represents sword.”

    Read Also: Olowo stool: Why I’m most qualified –Ogunoye

    Also, the Agbaomolowo of Owo, Chief Idowu Oludaye, said the day was a good one for the ancient town because there was a new monarch.

    He described the new Olowo as a man of honour, patience and humility, hoping his reign would bring peace, prosperity and development to the town.

    Oludaye urged Oba Ogunoye to accommodate all and sundry, advising the residents of the town to support him.

    He said there will be coronation of the new Olowo in the next 17 days.

    Also the Adanigbo Onula, Chief Kunle Ijalana, said the day was spectacular because it was another success recorded in the town.

    Ijalana prayed that the new monarch would reign longer than those before him.

    Oba Ogunoye was selected as Olowo after getting 14 votes out of 15 on July 12 after demise of late Oba Victor Olateru- Olagbegi who died on April 18, 2019, aged 77.

    The legal practitioner voluntarily resigned as Permanent Secretary in the state civil service on Thursday to ascend the throne of his ancestors.

  • Alleged N3b scam: Let me retire honourably, Oyo-Ita begs

    AS the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) steps up investigation into a N3 billion contract scam, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, has pleaded that the case against her be stepped down.

    The number one civil servant is begging that she should be allowed to “retire honourably.”

    Although she admitted introducing some people to some Permanent Secretaries for assistance, she said she was doing so “without realizing the implication.”

    She said she does not own proxy companies under any guise and has no many upscale assets in Abuja.

    She said although she collected Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) without traveling, the indulgence was not a regular occurrence.

    She also alleged that the EFCC had planned to arraign her on August 19 but she had to remain in a hospital to take care of her health.

    Her plea came against the filling of witness forms by some Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Finance and Administration in order to testify against some contracts when the formal trial of some suspects begins.

    Detectives have also discovered that the Project Accountant, in whose account N600 million was found, is on Grade Level 12.

    Oyo-Ita, however, said the Accountant in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) was not her aide but he reports to a Director of Finance and Administration who also reports to a Permanent Secretary before the Head of Service comes into the picture.

    The foregoing snippets are contained in Oyo-Ita’s plea to those she is begging to intercede on her behalf before President Muhammadu Buhari.

    A part of the snippets saw her saying: “Please, please, please, have mercy on me. I am begging for mercy that this case against me should be stepped down and I should be allowed to retire honourably.

    “I do not own proxy companies. Several people came to me to introduce them to Permanent Secretaries. I have been doing this without realising the implication.”

    On DTA, two top shots who are mediating on her behalf said she confessed to have collected these estacodes without traveling only “a few times.”

    One of the sources, a former bureaucrat, quoted her as saying: “Due to work pressure, I am not able to travel after collecting DTA or estacodes.”

    The source added: “She wants soft-landing from the Presidency because some of the contracts under investigation predated her appointment as the Head of Service. They were awarded between 2013 and 2014. “Her greatest fears border on alleged moves by the EFCC to put her on trial alongside a former minister. “She said there was an initial plan to arraign her in court on August 19 but for providence that she was in the hospital for medical treatment.”

    A second source, who is one of the strong supporters of the President, said: “She evoked much emotion when she was begging for mercy. “Apart from reliving the past, especially PTF days with President Muhammadu Buhari, she said she has been ‘absolutely loyal’ to this administration.

    Read Also: Oyo-Ita: President asked me to return to work

    “She also said the Project Accountant is not her aide at all despite the fact that he is a staff in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

    “Her argument is that the Project Accountant with N600 million in his account reports to a Director of Finance and Administration who also reports to a Permanent Secretary before the Head of Service is in the picture.

    “We have done our best to lay all the cards on the table before the powers that be. It is left for the President to determine her fate in the light of the investigation report of the anti-graft commission and her defence.”

    No record of her resignation, says Presidency

    On the circumstances surrounding her resumption yesterday, there were rumours that the Presidency might have rejected her plans to either resign or retire. It was learnt that the Head of Service confided in the staff in her office that the Presidency directed her to go ahead with her work pending the conclusion of investigation.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said last night: “We are not aware of any letter of resignation. There is no record of it in the registry. So, questions pertaining to it ought not to arise.”

    At press time, there were indications that the anti-graft agency had uncovered that the OHCSF officer with N600 million in his account is on Grade Level 12.

    A reliable source said: “So far, we have discovered that he is a GL 12 officer. He is answering questions on how he came about such a huge amount in his account.

    “Officially, the amount allowed in any project account at any time is between N10 million and N15 million. The ongoing investigation might reveal the real purpose for keeping such a huge cash.

    “We have various bends to the investigation and some Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Finance and Administration have filled the witness form to testify on some contracts when a formal trial of suspects begins.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “We may still invite Oyo-Ita for interrogation. The amount involved is huge.”

  • Two brothers arrested for defrauding people with fake currency

    Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have  arrested two brothers, Sunday Durosinmi Onikoyi, 29, and Felix Durosinmi Onikoyi, 20, for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting members of public with fake currency.

    The arrest of the duo who reside at 30 Akala Street Idi-Oro Mushin Lagos followed a complaint  by one Moses Nwese of Gas-line area of Ijoko in Sango- Ota, who claimed that two men came to his shop to buy two bags of rice and gave him the sum of N29,000 (Twenty Nine Thousand) in one thousand Naira denomination.

    He stated further that they left his shop hurriedly and while counting the money, he discovered that all the one thousand naira notes were fake.

    Read Also: Maid bolts with employer’s N1. 6m six hours after she was employed

    Police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said that a police patrol team went after the suspects  and caught  up with them  in an Honda Odyssey car with registration number LSR 504 AZ.

    “On searching them, N78,000 (Seventy Eight Thousand Naira) fake one thousand naira notes were recovered from them. Also recovered from them were  one unregistered Bajaj motorcycle and 10 bags of rice,” he said.

    Oyeyemi said the suspects would  be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction as soon as investigation is concluded.