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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Abia dissociates self from illegal market levy

    The Abia State government has dissociated itself from the illegal levy imposed on traders of Ekeoha Shopping Centre by the market leadership.

    It was gathered that the market leadership had been collecting an unauthorised fee for “the construction of a Flower Pot Access Road and other Projects” from shop owners, which is causing ripples in the market.

    A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, said the government frowned at the action, and at no time did it approve any such levy nor held any meetings with the market association as regards the levy.

    Ememanka described the action as the height of impunity and administrative rascality, and summoned the market leadership to a meeting at the Office of the Deputy Governor on August 14.

    Read Also: We’ll bring killer-soldier to book, Abia Gov vows

    He also directed the leadership to withdraw the demand notices it issued to the traders and refund any such levies already collected from any trader before the close of business yesterday.

    The government also warned other market unions and their leadership to desist from collecting illegal levies from traders, warning that the government would bring its full weight against defaulters.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Abia State government has been drawn to the collection of money by the leadership of the Ekeoha Shopping Centre Traders Association, under the guise of building a FLOWER POT ACCESS ROAD AND OTHER PROJECTS in the market. Traders have been levied different sums of money, ranging between N100,000 and N250,000 per shop, depending on the shop’s location. The government is saddened at this brazen display of illegality and impunity by the leadership of the Ekeoha Shopping Centre Traders. At no time did the government approve any such levy, neither has it held any meetings with the market association on this subject matter.

    “The public, and in particular traders at the Ekeoha Shopping Centre are, by this notice, informed that these levies are illegal and the notices issued by the association should be ignored.

    “The government hereby directs the association to withdraw the demand notices issued to traders and refund money already collected from any trader. This refund must be completed before the close of business today (yesterday).”

  • National seed council laments sharp practices by seed dealers

    THE National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) on Friday in Kano lamented the activities of unscrupulous seeds dealers, who sell bad and adulterated seeds to farmers, warning that such actions will attract severe penalties.

    Its Director-General, Dr. Philips Olusegun Ojo, who spoke through the Director of Seed Inspectorate Department, Mr. Agboola Adebayo, said the new NASC Act, which was recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, has empowered the council to take drastic actions against the bad eggs in the seed industry.

    Speaking during sensitisation of farmers and seed dealers on the quality specification of good seeds, with theme: “Quality Seeds, Bumper Harvest”, in Kano, the Ojo lamented the ignorance of farmers on quality seeds to buy for planting, which, he said, has adversely hampered productivity in the agricultural sector.

    According to him, “ignorance is part of the problems farmers are facing, though we may not say that it is 100 per cent ignorance; we cannot rule out ignorance; and that is the essence of this sensitisation.”

    Read Also: Kalu distributes palm seedlings to farmers

    “So, we want to say basically that where you have two or three players, you cannot rule out sharp practices.

    “We believe that the bulk of it may be as a result of sharp practices on the part of the seed dealers, who want to make quick money from little deal they are making, while the farmers are the one paying for it.

    “So, we feel that it is our duty to actually let the farmer know the right thing to do when they go to the market to buy seed.”

    Dr. Ojo noted that “the target for the council as a whole is that we want to make sure that the seed market in Nigeria is sanitised. In fact, the crusade the director-general has put forward now is zero-tolerance for adulteration of seed in Nigeria.

    “So, we are out that in the Nigerian seed market, we should not see bad and adulterated seed again. So, the farmers who go to the market to buy seed will be sure that he is buying quality seed for planting in his farm for a bumper harvest.”

  • ‘Killer-soldier will be punished’

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has vowed that justice would be served in the murder of Chimaobi Nwaorgu, a commercial motorcyclist in Aba.

    The late Chimaobi was allegedly killed by a soldier at Amaise, Umuokereke Ngwa in Obingwa council on Wednesday.

    Ikpeazu spoke at Ezido Na Ife Village, Umuokereke Ngwa, when he visited the deceased’s family to condole with them.

    The governor directed the Commissioner of Police, Ene Okon, to step up investigations ont he murder. He was accompanied by Okon, Aba Area Commander Okpara and other senior police officers. He described the Chimaobi’s murder as wicked, malicious, unprofessional and cowardly.

    Read Also: Ikpeazu woos Abia in Diaspora

    He said: “This is one murder too many. We will do everything possible under the law to get this murderous soldier and bring him to justice. Whatever it takes, we will do. We will go to Abuja or any other place to ensure that this soldier doesn’t go scot-free.

    “The death of this young man is painful and cannot go in vain. This is my position and this is the position of the government and people of Abia State.”

    The governor assured the family that he will personally ensure that the young family is not allowed to suffer. He hinted that the killer-soldier has been arrested and currently in detention, even as he thanked Okon for responding promptly.

  • NANS pickets South African businesses in Yola over xenophobic attacks

    THE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has shut down the Yola branch offices of DSTV and Stanbic Bank over xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

    The students, who started the picketing yesterday, said the exercise would be extended to MTN offices today.

    Early in the morning, the students first visited the DSTv office on Bank Road and then matched over to the Aliyu Mustapha Way, where Stanbic Bank is located.

    All through the protest match, the students held placards with various inscriptions, namely: “NANS  say no to xenophobia”, “Why kill our citizens and loot their properties?”, “Enough of spiral silence”, “Nigerian students can no longer keep quiet while South Africans kill Nigerians”, among others.

    At the Stanbic Bank branch, the students addressed the management through the NAN National Financial Secretary, Danladi Jonah, who said the bank branch would remain shut throughout yesterday and today as directed by NANS’ national leadership.

    Read Also: Five feared dead as rain flood hits Yola

    “We are giving South African businesses in Nigeria seven days to relocate,” he said, adding that NANS would decide the next plan of action after the ultimatum.

    The bank’s Zonal Operations Manager, Abubakar Usman, who addressed the students, assured that he would communicate their grievance to the bank’s headquarters.

    In an interview, the NANS National Financial Secretary explained that the protest and picketing of South African firms was part of a phased nationwide action by NANS to condemn killings of Nigerians by South Africans.

  • 500 stories received for Heroes Award

    Five hundred stories have been received for the 2019 edition of the Indomie Independence Day Award (IIDA) .

    The award is organised by Dufil Prima Foods, makers on Indomie noodles. IIDA is a national award which identifies, celebrates and rewards the exemplary accomplishments of children who have shown courage and determination in situations that ordinarily would bring fear. The award also encourages excellence and diligence in children.

    Majority of the stories came from the field search with 403 entries. The Southwest had 99 entries, followed by the North West (85 stories), Southeast (77 stories), Southsouth (74 stories) and North Central (68 stories). The online and social media platforms matched with 102 entries, totalling 505 stories.

    Read Also: Masari, Safana bag heroes award in Katsina

    The Group Public Relations and Events Manager, of Dufil Prima Foods, Tope Ashiwaju, said the progress report from the search team has proven that Nigerian children exhibit outstanding acts daily which should be rewarded.

    He said: “I can guarantee that from the entries we got this year, we came across several stirring, inspiring and altruistic acts exhibited by these children. As a company, our duty through the IIDA is not only to search out these kids, but also to appreciate their effort and reward them for their ingenuity.

    “This year’s edition, which is the 12th, promises to be the best so far as the quality of entries received no doubt shows that Dufil Prima Foods was on to something when it started IIDA 12 years ago.”

    Brand Manager, Indomie Mr. Nikhil Das was delighted at the heroic kids who have once again been discovered.

    Emphasizing the importance of the search, Das said: “The main objective of the search is to collect true and reliable experiences about children who, at one time or the other, have performed selfless acts of bravery, combing thoroughly for cited events to get deserving children for the award. The search process also includes authentication of identified stories through a thorough verification of witnesses, neighbours, teachers and all primary parties associated with the acts.”

  • Kogi APC suspends Deputy Governor Achuba

    THE Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended the embattled Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba.

    Achuba was suspended for alleged “anti-party activities before, during and after the 2019 general election”.

    The party based the suspension on “some actions the deputy governor took that constitute an embarrassment to APC family in Kogi State”.

    Its chairman, Abdullahi Bello, at a news conference in Lokoja, said the party received several petitions from stakeholders in Iyano Ward, Ibaji Local Government Area, where the deputy governor hails from.

    He alleged that Achuba discretely and openly worked for candidates of opposition parties during the presidential, national and state assembly elections.

    Bello added that the activities of Achuba during the last elections were against the APC candidates while he (Achuba) held the position of deputy governor.

    He noted that the report of the disciplinary committee constituted by the Iyano ward and Ibaji Local Government of APC, which probed the crises in the area, allegedly indicted the deputy governor.

    Read Also: Kogi poll: What is Omebije up to?

    According to him, the disciplinary committee also recommended for his suspension to be followed by expulsion, if he did not show any remorse.

    He stated that the party’s state working committee, after deliberation on the recommendations of the disciplinary committee, resolved and upheld Elder Simon Achuba’s suspension until he responds to the letter that the party will serve him.

    “As we are all aware, the APC does not condone acts of indiscipline, indiscretion and anti-party activities from any party member; no matter how highly placed,” the chairman said.

    Bello said the deputy governor’s alleged “series of reckless, damaging and unsubstantiated allegations against the state government constitute a serious violation of Article 21A (ii), (v) and (vii) of the APC Constitution and amount to acts of disloyalty and embarrassment to the party”.

    He added that the decision of the state working committee will be communicated to the APC National Working Committee in due course.

  • Ariya Repete final holds today

    After two months of stunning musical performances across the Southwest, nine contestants have been shortlisted to compete at the Ariya Repete grand finale today in Lagos.

    The contestants are some of the most talented budding acts in Nigeria and winners will earn a share in the N20 million grand sum.

    The finalists were shortlisted from the just concluded semi-final which held in Trans amusement park Ibadan last week, whereby 15 contestants participated.

    The six eliminated contestants from the 15 include Taofeek Adeyinka and Wasiu Onilewura (Fuji category); Seun Adebayo and Muyiwa Alayo (Juju category), Ayeni Olajuwon and Ashley Oluwasegunn (Yoruba Hip-Hop category).

    Read Also: 9 finalists selected for ‘Ariya Repete’ finale in Lagos

    Goldberg Brand Manager Olufunmilayo Ogunbodede said it was important the semi-final held in Ibadan granting lovers of indigenous music witness first class quality of its performance, adding that traditional music lovers will also be getting a dose of awesomeness when the likes of KSA, Taye Currency and Pasuma step on stage.

    Judges include Yinka Davies, Puffy Tee, and Sir Shina Peters.

    The final will hold at Ikeja City Mall Car Park today and the winner will get a share in N20 million.

  • Ojukwu hospital gets oxygen plant

    The Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) in Awka, Anambra State, has gotten a three million litre medical oxygen plant.

    At the opening yesterday, Governor Willie Obiano said it is part of his administration’s effort to boost healthcare services.

    He said: “Today we are opening a new chapter in our growing healthcare delivery. Health is wealth and without health nobody can do anything. Because of my belief in health care delivery, I prioritised it. Under my watch, the teaching hospital here met all that is required for the graduation of medical doctors.

    “We are also working hard with our primary healthcare services, because it is a first point of call in health care. We have about 500 primary healthcare centres in the state and they all have well equipped ambulances.

    Read Also: Hospital installs 3500kg incinerator

    “We have done a lot to reach the hinterlands with over eight water ambulance and have upgraded some hospitals.”

    Obiano said each primary health Centre would get two free cylinders.

    “We will give two cylinders to every primary healthcare centre in the state. The first set is free but they will pay for subsequent ones,” he added.

    Commissioner for Health Dr Vincent Okpala said the medical oxygen plant had the capacity to produce three million litres yearly and about 76,000 cylinders of 40 litres. He noted that without medical oxygen, mortality rate would be high as every clinician needed medical oxygen.

  • RevolutionNow: 90-day detention must be challenged, says Falana

    Is it constitutional for a judge to order the detention of a citizen for 90 days as provided under the Terrorism Prevention Act? Activist-lawyer Femi Falana SAN said yesterday that it is time to find out.

    Falana said the detention of the convener of #RevolutionNow protests, Omoyele Sowore, has provided that opportunity.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday granted a Department of State Services (DSS) request to further detain Sowore for 45 days pending the conclusion of its investigation.

    The DSS had applied for a 90-day order, but Justice Taiwo Taiwo exercised his discretion and slashed the period by half in the first instance, noting that it could be renewed upon an application.

    In the motion ex parte brought by the DSS under Section 27(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, the agency accused Sowore of engaging in acts of terrorism.

    According to Falana, the country’s human rights credentials was at risk of worsening under a democratically elected government, than “under the worst military dictatorship” if the 90-day order is legitimised.

    Read Also: #RevolutionNow: SERAP seeks UN council’s session over attacks on journalists, protesters

    He said: “I met Mr. Omoyele Sowore in detention yesterday (Wednesday). He is in high spirits. In anticipation of today’s (Thursday’s) ruling, he had instructed us to challenge the refusal of the SSS to charge him with the alleged offences of terrorism or treason within 24 hours of his arrest as stipulated by Section 35 of the Nigerian Constitution. More so, that some of those who participated in the Revolution Now protests in Lagos and Calabar have since been charged with unlawful assembly and breach of the peace!

    “It is, however, pertinent to note that the Terrorism Prevention Act as amended which empowers a judge to order the detention of a citizen for a period of 90 days was not enacted under the Buhari regime. It was enacted by the national assembly in 2011 and amended in 2013. But it has never been invoked to justify the detention of placard carrying protesters in any part of the country!

    “We had convinced the authorities to repeal the obnoxious provision of the Act. Instead of acceding to our request the national assembly enacted the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which permits a pre-trial detention period of 14 days subject to renewal.

    “No doubt, the Sowore case provides an opportunity to test the constitutional validity of the 90-day detention period.

    “Even under the worst military dictatorship in Nigeria the maximum detention period was three months subject to renewal by the detaining authorities. Our situation should not be worse under a democratically elected government.”

  • NEITI to engage NNPC regularly

    THE Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) says its constant engagement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on its operations was based on its mandate to promote corporate ethics, transparency and accountability in the oil and gas industry.

    Its Executive Secretary, Waziri Adio made the clarification in Abuja while on a courtesy visit to the NNPC Group Managing Director, Mr. Mele Kyari.

    According to a statement, Adio advised Kyari and his team to publish the Corporation’s audited financial reports and expand on what had been achieved so far towards making NNPC’s operations open and accountable.

    He also reminded the GMD of the need for the NNPC to take up its full responsibility in the implementation of the new Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) standards on Beneficial Ownership disclosure, Commodity trading, Mainstreaming and application of the 2019 EITI global standard approved in Paris, France.

    Read Also: NNPC to re-start Chad Basin oil search

    Adio said the impression that NEITI report was never complete without an attack on NNPC’s operations was a misconception the agency’s role as an anti-corruption watchdog in the oil, gas and mining sector.

    “We have nothing against the NNPC; we request that it runs an open, transparent and accountable process required to build public trust and citizens’ benefits of the abundant natural resources in the country,” he was quoted to have said in the statement.