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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • Community leader begs government over Apapa gridlock

    Community leader begs government over Apapa gridlock

    A community leader, in Lagos State, Chief Babalola Shabi, has called on the Federal Government to urgently tackle gridlock in Apapa to save Lagos State residents from more hardship.

    Babalola, the Asiwaju of Kirikiri Town, made the call in an interview on Monday in Lagos.

    He said the perennial traffic jam was impacting negatively on the lives of residents of Kirikiri and the entire Lagos State.

    According to him, indiscriminate parking of container-carrying trucks in the town had become a huge risk as bad roads could make them to fall.

    “Trailers have caused the untimely death of many people through fire outbreak and others things. It was God that saved me some days ago on this same expressway when a container wanted to fall on me.

    “Many workers have lost their jobs here because they could not get to their workplaces in time because of the gridlock.

    “The government should try to construct a bridge on the other side of the river because we have about 880 hectares  across Imoreland for construction of  a trailer park, which can be used to reduce the gridlock.

    “This zone controls the ports and tank farms; so every trailer that has consignment here can cross to the park and stay there until it wants to load instead of blocking all roads.

    Read also: Apapa ports not designed for haulage trucks – Ambode

    He suggested that the bridge should link Mile 2 or Berger with Imore Creek.

    “If that bridge is constructed, the siege by trucks will be gone.’’

    The Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Community Development Committee (CDC) had appealed to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State to save the community from “siege” by trailers and other articulated vehicles.

    The CDC Chairman, Alhaji Olatunde Balogun, who made the appeal at the 2017 Ajeromi-Ifelodun Community Day and Award Ceremony, said activities of tanker drivers were adversely affecting the community.

    Balogun said traffic congestion on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway had made truck drivers to move into the inner roads thereby destroying the roads.

    “Trucks have moved into our inner roads because of the situation at the expressway,’’ he said.

    The traffic situation in Apapa area had been a major concern to the government and people of Lagos State.

    NAN

  • NSCDC trains 380 officers on criminal prosecution

    NSCDC trains 380 officers on criminal prosecution

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) in Nasarawa State on Monday in Lafia began the training of 380 officers on criminal prosecution in lower courts.

    Its Commandant, Muhammad Mahmoud-Fari, told newsmen at the venue of the training that the exercise was being done in collaboration with the officers of the state Ministry of Justice.

    According to Mahmoud-Fari, the corps is mandated by the amended NSCDC Act 2017 to prosecute criminal offenders, hence the need to train prosecutors to handle criminal cases recorded by the corps.

    “The NSCDC Act allows us to arrest, detain, investigate and prosecute. But we cannot prosecute effectively if we don’t have trained prosecutors,” he said.

    He said the training of the prosecutors was in batches and it would facilitate the quick dispensation of criminal cases and serve as a warning to criminals in the state.

    Read also: NSCDC destroys 28 illegal refineries in Edo

    He said the first phase of the training drew participants from all the formations and intelligence department of the NSCDC in the state.

    According to him, other officers will be trained subsequently.

    Mahmoud-Fari said NSCDC was committed to training all officers and men of the command in crime fighting, especially arms handling.

    Similarly, Mrs Justina Allu, a resource person from the state Ministry of Justice, said the training was meant to give the officers footing in the prosecution of criminal cases in courts.

    Allu said the officers of the corps, even though empowered by the NSCDC Act to prosecute, could not effectively discharge that responsibility without the rudimentary training.

    “Although they have lawyers prosecuting in high courts, same does not apply in lower courts, hence the need to train them as prosecutors to appear in lower courts,” she said.

    NAN

  • NDLEA secures conviction of 10 drug dealers

    NDLEA secures conviction of 10 drug dealers

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), Cross River Command, said on Monday that it secured the conviction of 10 drug dealers in the state between October and November.

    The agency’s Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Kenneth Odili, made the disclosure in a statement made available to journalists in Calabar.

    Odili said that the convicts were handed down various jail terms by the Federal High Court in Calabar.

    According to him, one of the dealers convicted was Mr Chinedu Ogbuegbe who bagged three years imprisonment for unlawful possession of cannabis sativa (Indian) hemp.

    He said the convict spiced meat-pie and dough-nut with the substance and then sold to the public.

    “NDLEA also arrested Mr David James for being in possession of cocaine and heroin and he was sentenced to four years imprisonment.

    Read also: NDLEA arrests 119 drug traffickers

    “Other convicts and their jail terms were: Oliver Ival, one year; Aniekan Sunday, three years; Ernest Neji, two years; Edem Ene, two years; and Morris Udo, 18 months.

    “Also, one Yahaya Bello was sentenced to three years while Mr Sunday Ugah got one year and six months imprisonment,”  he said.

    The command assured the people of the agency’s commitment to riding the state of illicit drugs and advised prospective drug dealers to turn a new leaf.

    NAN

  • NNPC warns oil marketers against fuel hoarding

    NNPC warns oil marketers against fuel hoarding

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ) on Monday warned oil marketers to desist from hoarding petroleum products or risk arrest by law enforcement agencies.

    NNPC Spokesman, Ndu Ughamadu, said in a statement in Abuja that the warning followed the uncovering of 144 oil tankers filled with petroleum products in Kano.

    Read also: NNPC threatens to shut stations hoarding fuel

    According to him, government has intervened in an industrial action embarked upon by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( PENGASSAN ) over labour disputes with NECONDE Energy Services Ltd.

    “NNPC warns marketers not to hoard products as law enforcement agencies, working with industry regulators, have been detailed to take appropriate measures against any defaulter.

    “The Corporation further assures that there are enough petroleum products to keep the nation wet,” Ughamadu said.

    He urged motorists and other consumers of   petroleum products to resist the temptation to go into panic buying.

    “NNPC wishes to state that relevant government agencies are in consultation with industrial unions to arrive at an amicable resolution of issues over which there are threats of industrial action,” he said.

    The Federal Government has also waded into the matter, appealing to leaders of PENGASSAN to shelve its strike over the sack of workers by NECONDE Energy Services Ltd.

    Queues, which eased some days back, have now returned at filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory.

    NAN

  • NAFDAC wants public to blow whistle

    NAFDAC wants public to blow whistle

    Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Monday called on Nigerians to report any form of illegal drug production in their environments.

    Adeyeye made the call at the ongoing 8th Annual Symposium of the Health Writers’ Association of Nigeria ( HEWAN ) in Lagos.

    The director-general was represented by Mrs Abayomi Bolaji, a Deputy Director in the agency.

    The symposium had the theme “The Menace of Counterfeit Drugs, the Role of Regulatory Bodies’’.

    “One of the greatest challenges of the agency is shortage of manpower because Nigeria is a large and complex country, and its little manpower cannot be everywhere.

    “We are calling on the public to blow the whistle whenever they discover any form of illegal manufacturing or production of drugs within their vicinity.

    “Blow the whistle; most of these illegal productions of drugs are done in the night. We will ensure utmost confidentiality.

    Read also: NAFDAC refutes report of 70% fake drugs in Nigerian markets

    “NAFDAC will neither relent nor waver in the fight until the battle is won,” she promised.

    The director-general said that counterfeit drugs had many health and economic consequences.

    “Counterfeit drugs pose a public health hazard, waste consumers’ income and reduce incentives to engage in research, development and innovation.

    “The result of the use of fake drugs can be poisoning, treatment failure, untreated disease and death,’’ she said.

    Adeyeye said the magnitude of drug counterfeiting was much and required strong and sustained actions from governments, the industry and consumers.

    She highlighted strategies being used by NAFDAC to eradicate drug counterfeiting to include sustained public enlightenment and collaboration with national and international agencies.

    According to her, the agency had also engaged in capacity building of its staff, reviewed NAFDAC laws and applied cutting edge technologies to tackle drug counterfeiting.

    Adeyeye appealed to stakeholders and other members of the public to join hands with NAFDAC in the fight against drug counterfeiting.

    In his remarks, Dr Emmanuel Enabulele, Chairman, Board of Trustees, HEWAN, said that, with adequate collaboration, Nigeria would win the fight against drug counterfeiting.

    He thanked NAFDAC for sharing knowledge with the journalists, and expressed the hope that the relationship between the agency and the media would continue to yield fruitful results.

    NAN

  • Tailor jailed for absconding with wedding fabrics

    Tailor jailed for absconding with wedding fabrics

    A Masaka Upper Area Court on Monday sentenced a 37- year- old tailor, Felix Ayuba, to four months in prison for absconding with his customer’s wedding  fabrics.

    Ayuba, a resident of Angwan Jaba Masaka, pleaded guilty to two-counts of criminal breach of trust and cheating.

    The judge, Yakubu Ishaku, however, gave him an option of N4, 000 fine.

    He also ordered Ayuba to pay N53,000 as damages for the materials and another N20,000 for expenses incurred during prosecution.

    Read also: Prince Harry dump gunners fa cup final wedding

    Ishaku ordered that if the convict defaulted, he would get additional one month imprisonment.

    The police prosecutor, Frank Swem, had told the court that Albarka Danjuma of New Karu, Nasarawa State, had reported the matter at the Divisional Police Station in Masaka, on December 12.

    Swem said that on October 10, Danjuma gave the accused some fabrics to sew a kaftan and a dress for his wife.

    The prosecutor told the court that the accused did not make the cloths as agreed, instead he absconded with the wedding fabrics.

    Swem said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

    NAN

  • Two docked over theft of motorcycle

    Two docked over theft of motorcycle

    The Police on Monday arraigned two suspected motorcycle thieves at an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    The accused, Wahab Moruf, 23, and Adedeji Abiodun, 28, are facing a four count-charge, including conspiracy, theft and malicious damage.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Rasaki Abiodun, told the court that the accused committed the offences on December 5 at Ita-Olokan area of Osogbo.

    Abiodun alleged that the accused conspired with a minor ( Omisore Ridwan,14 ) to steal a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number WEN 627 QD and chassis number MDZA18A27CWJ68212 belonging to one Lateef Kolapo.

    He told the court that the offences contravened Sections 516, 390(9), 430(2) and 415 of the Criminal Code cap. 34 vol. 11 laws of Osun, 2003.

    Read also: Task force impounds 163 motorcycles

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Their counsel, Mr Najite Okobie, prayed the court to grant his clients bail in the most liberal terms.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Fatima Sodamade, granted bail to each accused in the sum of N200, 000, with one surety in the like sum.

    She ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and should show evidence of tax payments to the Osun Government.

    Sodamade also directed that the sureties must present two passport photographs and an affidavit of means.
    She adjourned the case to January 31.

    NAN

  • No civilian killed in BH attack on WFP’s convoy – Army

    No civilian killed in BH attack on WFP’s convoy – Army

    The Nigerian Army on Monday denied the killings of civilians in an attack coordinated by the Boko Haram insurgents against the World Food Programme’s  ( WFP ) trucks on Saturday.

    Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, gave the clarification in a Short Service Message ( SMS )

    Nicholas said that the troops escorting the trucks had killed six insurgents and recovered weapons.

    He explained that there were no civilian casualties in the attack, adding that he was at Dikwa when the incident occurred.

    “There was an ambush but the soldiers killed six Boko Haram insurgents and recovered weapons. No civilian was killed.

    “I was in Dikwa that Saturday and this happened while I was within,” Nicholas said.

    Read also: Army sentences soldier to death for killing five civilians

    However, the Wold Food Programme ( WFP ) on Sunday said a driver of its hired truck and three other persons were killed in an attack at Ngala in Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Area of Borno.

    Adedeji Ademigbuji, the Communication Associate of the WFP, said in a statement issued in Maiduguri that a convoy of the WFP’s hired trucks conveying food items were attacked by gunmen 35 kilometres South-West of Ngala on Saturday.

    He disclosed that the convoy escorted by the military were conveying foodstuff for distribution to the vulnerable Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) in the area.

    He said that a driver of the hired truck, his assistant, and two other persons were killed in the attack.

    “WFP confirmed that a convoy escorted by the Nigerian Military including WFP hired trucks were subject of attack by armed groups, 35 km southwest of Ngala in Borno, on December 16.

    “Four people, including the driver of a WFP hired truck and his assistant, were killed in the incident.

    “WFP is working with the authorities to determine the whereabouts of the trucks,” Ademigbuji said.

    NAN

  • Yuletide: FAAN assures air travelers of safety

    Yuletide: FAAN assures air travelers of safety

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) has assured air travelers and other airport users that her network of airports across the country were fully prepared for the usual surge in passenger traffic that is the norm during the yuletide.

    FAAN gave the assurance in a statement signed by its General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, on Monday in Lagos.

    Yakubu noted that security had been beefed up at all airports, especially the major international gateways in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.

    According to her, this is to ensure that passengers and airport users make use of airport facilities, without any security threat.

    She said: “At our premier airport, the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, a multi-storey car park was recently inaugurated to ease ground facilitation.

    Read also: 2 people killed as Boko Haram ambush travelers

    “The VIP lounge has also been renovated to enhance passenger comfort, the carousels are working optimally, amidst other facilities upgrade currently ongoing.

    “The stories are similar at all other airports, as the authority has put in place facilities, procedures and systems to ensure maximum comfort, safety and security of airport users during this season and beyond.”

    Yakubu, however, advised travelers to get to the airports early to conclude all check-in procedures in good time, in order to avoid the experience of missing their flights.

    “This is important because of the heavy passenger traffic that is usually the experience around this time and the ongoing construction work by the Lagos State Government on Airport Road, Lagos,’’ she added.

    NAN

  • NLC wants affordable workers’ houses

    NLC wants affordable workers’ houses

    President of Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC ), Mr Ayuba Wabba, on Tuesday in Abuja called for a realistic housing scheme that would enable workers afford houses in the country.

    Wabba made the call at a two-day public hearing organised by House of Representatives Committee on Housing.

    The hearing was sequel to the adoption of a motion on “the need for stakeholders to ensure full compliance with the National Housing Fund (NHF) Act for effective housing delivery in Nigeria’’.

    “For us to address the issue of housing deficit, we must have an agreeable interest rate that is affordable to citizens and workers, if not the houses will be built and will not be affordable,’’ Wabba said.

    Read also: NLC calls for upward review of pensions

    He called on the Federal Government to intervene by providing the necessary funds required to drive the housing scheme in the country.

    The NLC president, who decried the violation of the NHF Act by some stakeholders, added that failure of commercial banks to contribute to the fund also retarded progress of the scheme.

    “The major issue has been the interest rate on the loan that is now available with our commercial banks.

    “This has been a serious burden and cannot be called a mortgage,’’ he said.

    He expressed worry that Nigerian workers could still not afford the houses in spite of putting in 2.5 per cent of their monthly salaries to have shelter.

    “We actually keyed into the scheme but along the line in 2003 and 2004, we had challenges because the houses were built and workers could not afford them.

    “The type of houses required were not the type built, so hundreds of houses are lying fallow in Abuja because nobody can afford them,’’ Wabba added.

    He stressed the need to take the houses to rural areas to enable workers have access to them.

    NAN