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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • ‘Come pick Corps members from Lagos camp’

    The Lagos State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Sunday Aroni, has advised employers to prepare to pick corps members after their three-week orientation programme at the Iyana Ipaja camp on September 9.

    Aroni spoke on Thursday at the opening of camp for 2,016 Batch “B” Stream II corps members posted to the state.

    The state coordinator said his request is contained in the NYSC Act.

    “Your Excellency, permit me to seize this opportunity to inform the general public that the orientation programme will be ending on September 9. I, therefore, call on all employers of corps members to come to the camp on the closing ceremony day to transport and direct the corps members to their places of primary assignment, in line with the provisions of the NYSC Act,” he said.

    Read Also: NYSC DG restricts corps members’ movements

    Aroni also said that doing so would make the corps members, some of whom were new to Lagos, feel welcomed.

    “We are just dusting the old books. Most of them are strangers in the land and may miss their way. The best way to welcome them is to come here and pick them and take them to their places of primary assignment and drop them off at the end of the service year at the venue of the passing-out parade,” he said.

    The state coordinator urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to build a new orientation camp for the scheme on the already allocated land in Agbowa so that more corps members can be posted to the state.

    Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources in the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mrs Basirat Iyabode Akinsanya, urged the corps members to be active in camp and make good use of the opportunity to acquire new skills.

  • Fayemi urges positive change

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has advised National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the state to use their academic knowledge and professional skills to tackle the socio-economic problems afflicting the country.

    Dr. Fayemi said the mandatory one-year service was designed towards ensuring elimination of ignorance, mistrust and suspicion among Nigerians from different backgrounds. The governor said the scheme was also meant to unite the nation’s diverse multi-ethnic and religious groups.

    Dr Fayemi spoke yesterday during the swearing-in of this year’s Batch “B” Stream II corps members at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, in Ise/Orun/Emure.

    Read Also: Gov. Fayemi bans use of English Language during traditional events

    Represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development, Michael Awopetu, the governor advised the 1,451 corps members to always accept responsibilities and engage in productive activities that will impact on their host communities.

    He also advised them to take the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) seriously to make them self-reliant, creators of wealth and employers of labour.

    The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Emmanuella Okpongete,  requested the assistance of the state government to complete the renovation of some dilapidated structures and construction of a lecture hall in the camp to bring it to a standard level.

  • Teenager, dad held for N1.2m ‘fraud’

    The police in Lagos have arrested a 19-year-old boy and his father for allegedly defrauding a businessman of N1.2million under the guise of selling Bitcoins to them.

    The suspects, Emmanuel Amadi and his father, John, were trailed to Iyana Ishashi on Wednesday by operatives attached to the Area ‘F’ Command, following a petition by the victim, Obinna Ekemezie.

    It was gathered that the teenager had met Ekemezie on a social networking site, Facebook, last month where they became friends and he told the victim that he was into foreign exchange (FOREX) business and was looking for buyers.

    Read Also: Man held for allegedly impregnating daughter 

    Ekemezie, who claimed to be into forex and had his businesses in Enugu and Lagos, developed interest in a proposed deal and agreed to send the agreed amount of N1.2million to the teenager’s bank account.

    Upon receipt of the money, Amadi allegedly blocked the victim on his social media platforms they usually communicated through, as well as mobile calls.

    Disturbed by the development, the victim, it was learnt, petitioned the police and supplied them the suspect’s telephone numbers, which they had used in communicating.

    “The phone numbers 0814369123 and 07053248619 were later tracked to somewhere in Iyana Isashi, Lagos, on August 21. His father was arrested because the suspect said he collected N500,000 of the money.

    “The suspect is a serial cybercrime fraudster who has been duping some naive businessmen. He exploits their desire to get forex at low rates from him. Investigation shows that he has done a similar thing to unsuspecting businessmen,” a source said.

  • Two arraigned for alleged assault, phone theft

    Two men, Taoreed Mustapha, 19, and Kareem Lawan, 21, were yesterday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for alleged assault and theft of an Infinix smart phone worth N80, 000, property of Bature Musa.

    Mustapha and co-defendant, Lawan, live in Agege, Lagos.

    They are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, assault and stealing before Magistrate Mrs. M. I. Dan-Oni.

    Prosecutor Inspector Victor Eruada told the court that the defendants with others at large committed the offences on August 13 at 24, Adeniyi Street, Agege.

    Read Also: Six in court for alleged membership of cult

    He alleged that the defendants stole the phone belonging to the complainant, Musa.

    Eruada also alleged that the defendants assaulted Mr Muhammed Sani by using a cutlass to inflict injury on his hands and head.

    The prosecutor said the defendants allegedly inflicted injury on Sani while attempting to steal from him.

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Dan-Oni granted each of the defendants N100,000 bail with one surety each in the like sum.

    She adjourned the case till September 19.

  • ‘Anambra NYSC camp becoming too bad’

    The Anambra State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Kehinde Aremu, has said the temporary orientation camp in the state was becoming unconducive for corps members. He said the absence of power and water supply as well as decent accommodation continued to constitute serious challenges to the smooth running of the camp.

    Aremu spoke on Thursday during the swearing-in ceremony of this year’s Batch “B” Stream II corps members at Umunya NYSC temporary orientation camp.

    The state coordinator said the situation was worsened by the current construction work by the owners of the property as most camp activities were confined to small spaces.

    Read Also: Kwara NYSC camp not fit for human living, says AbdulRazaq

    “As you can see, today’s parade did not take place at the usual parade ground due to the ongoing construction work at the camp.

    “The same is applicable to lectures and morning devotions. We’ve now been boxed to a corner. It’s really inconveniencing,” he said. Governor Willie Obiano urged the NYSC to be patient with his administration to fix the facilities.

    The governor assured them that the permanent camp would be completed before the end of the year.

  • Illegal medicine stores shut

    The Ondo State Joint Task Force on Fake and Counterfeit Drugs has clamped down on illegal Patient Vendors at Ayede-Ogbese and Shasha markets in Ondo State.

    They shut 10 medicine stores.

    The Chairman of the Ondo State Joint Task Force on Fake and Counterfeit Drugs, Mr. Olugbenga Lasekan, a pharmacist, who led the team, decried the recalcitrant attitude of most patient medicine vendors in the areas visited, “as they open premises without recourse to rules of practice.”

    He said according to the rules laid down by the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN), no medicine outlet should be opened without consulting the PCN for approval, premises should not be sited at filling stations, markets and motor parks; and containers should not be used as shops.

    Lasekan said: “Shops that open without following laid down rules and are not licensed are illegal, while drugs without NAFDAC registration are fake.

    Read Also: Kano seals up illegal pharmaceutical company, patent medicine stores

    “By the rules of practice, patient medicine vendors have list of drugs they are permitted to sell, which does not include antibiotics, injections and control drugs.

    “People are not allowed to hawk drugs because the drugs are supposed to be stored under certain temperature, which the practice of hawking violates, thus making the drugs unhealthy for human consumption.”

    He added that that the state has zero tolerance for fake, adulterated and unwholesome products as well as illegal premises and will not rest on its oars until the state is rid of defaulters.

    Lasekan warned that the government will not hesitate to prosecute recalcitrant vendors and association leaders who aid and abet illegality.

    He advised vendors to obtain licences from PCN, to avoid harassment and embarrassment.

  • Wike: NYSC contributes to rural development

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on Thursday praised the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the positive impact it has made over the years.

    The governor spoke at the swearing-in ceremony of the Batch “B” Stream II at the NYSC permanent orientation camp at Nonwa-Gbam in Tai Local Government Area.

    The governor, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. George Nweke, said the scheme had made positive impacts in youth reorientation and nation-building.

    He noted that the graduate youth programme had contributed immensely to community and rural developments.

    Read Also: We’re ready to tackle insecurity, says Wike

    He said: “I am happy to state that the scheme has over the years impacted positively on the psyche of Nigerians and the nation, especially in the communities where the services of corps members are more evidently felt and appreciated.

    “Over the years, corps members have contributed to the development of the nation through initiation and execution of viable community development projects in the areas of education, agriculture, healthcare delivery and rural infrastructure.

    “These projects have impacted positively on the lives of members of the communities where they are executed and have given them a sense of belonging. You are, therefore, charged to also do the same by carrying out quality and quantity community development projects in your own time to positively impact the lives of the people you will be posted to their communities.”

    The State NYSC Coordinator, Chinwendu Chukwu, advised the corps members to make the best use of the rare privilege the scheme provides them to upgrade themselves mentally, emotionally and otherwise.

  • Oyetola urges hard-work, patience, humility

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has urged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state to imbibe the virtues of hard-work, patience and humility during and after their service year.

    The governor advised prospective corps members posted to the state to complement the gestures of the NYSC and the government by being good ambassadors and advocates of peaceful co-existence in Nigeria.

    Oyetola spoke yesterday at the official opening and swearing-in ceremony of this year’s Batch “B” Stream II orientation course at the NYSC permanent orientation camp at Ede.

    Read Also: Oyetola warns youths against cybercrimes

    He advised the corps members to live up to the scheme’s objectives of fostering bridges of love, harmony and productive integration across the country.

    Oyetola, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Wole Oyebamiji, admonished the corps members to channel their energy, vigour and drive towards the achievement of national lofty ideals and aspirations.

    He warned them to abstain from drug abuse, advance fee fraud (419), kidnapping, robbery, cultism, violence and cyber-crimes.

    The governor, who described youths as the most productive segment of Nigerian population, added that the nation’s plans for the future cannot be actualised without the involvement and active participation of youths.

  • ‘Shell should stop exploration in Niger Delta’

    Youths under the umbrella of Oil Producing Communications of Niger Delta on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at the Unity Fountain in Maitama, Abuja, demanding that Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) quit oil exploration in their land in two weeks.

    They carried placards, such as “SDPC stop operations in the Niger Delta;”“Sack MD Shell Now;” “Stop divide-and-rule among our people;”“SPDC obey court judgment,’’ among others.

    The protesters were, however, prevented by policemen from moving out of the precinct of Unity Fountain.

    They said they wanted President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene, adding that they would disrupt the operations of Shell in Niger Delta  if it failed to meet their demands.

    Read Also: ‘Shell JV, SNEPCo have paid $2b to NDDC’

    Led by Chief Hezekiah Odede from Okolo and Ayiba Shedrack from Azagbene in Bayelsa State, the youth said Shell owed families over N6.9 billion land rent.

    Odede said they mobilised youths in Abuja to impress on the authorities to know they were prepared for a showdown with SPDC.

    According to him, Shell has consistently refused to pay N600,000 per hectare to land owners where they have oil rigs, even after a court had ordered it to do so.

    He said Shell had been paying only N200,000 to some people, while many were left out.

    The chief said if the company failed to meet their demands in two weeks, the youth would disrupt oil exploration in the region.

  • PDP tenders results to justify Wike’s victory

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State on Thursday tendered results from local governments to the election tribunal to justify Governor Nyesom Wike’s victory.

    This followed a petition by candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Victor Fingesi.

    PDP’s lawyer Godwin Obla (SAN) said the results were from 356 polling units, adding that result sheets were from Obio/Akpor, Khana, Ogu/Bolo, Bonny, Akuku-Toru, Ahoada East, Opobo/Nkoro and others.

    According to him, PDP to tendered the results to prove that elections were held and results declared.

    Obla said since INEC’s and Wike’s witnesses proved that the election was conducted in line with the Electoral Act, PDP chose to show this through documentary evidence.

    Read Also: Court restrains AGF, RMAFC from deducting Rivers’ statutory allocation

    The lawyer, who addressed reporters after PDP closed its defence, said documentary evidence and oral testimonies by witnesses showed that the governorship election complied with the Electoral Act.

    He said: “On behalf of the third respondent, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I tendered 356 exhibits in support of our case. We feel satisfied that the requirements of the law have been fully met and that is why we decided to close our case today.

    “Don’t forget that the first respondent (INEC) called witnesses, the second (Wike), who is the candidate of the third respondent (PDP) also called relating to the subject matter. The interests of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents are actually the same.”

    ADP counsel Dolapo-Telle Attoni said: “The PDP presented from the bar a bundle of electoral documents they claimed INEC used in conducting the governorship election. They tendered results of about 356 polling units. We had asked for few minutes to study these same documents and also obtain Certified True Copy of the said documents which INEC declined.”

    The tribunal adjourned till September 16 for adoption of addresses.