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  • Bank seeks forfeiture of senator’s school over N150m debt

    An Akwa Ibom state government-owned bank, Akwa Savings and Loans ltd, has filed for the forfeiture of Ritman College, Ikot Ekpene, a top class school owned by Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, over his failure to defray a debt of over N150m.

    Already the bank has filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Uyo Division on the matter.

    The suit dated September 10, 2019 with registration number FHC/UY/CS/135/19 is also applying for the winding up of the institution.

    The ailing bank had recently published a long list of debtors topped by Senator Ibok Essien alleged to be owing  N150,976,092.74k.

    Having exhausted all avenues of compelling Ibokessien to pay the humongous debt, the bank took the matter to the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Uyo Judicial Division.

    Read Also: Fed Govt to spend N2.45tr on debt servicing in 2020

    In the petition, the bank explained that despite persistent demands by the petitioner, Senator Ibokessien has wilfully failed, refused and/or neglected to repay the outstanding sums due on the said facilities.”

    The bank declared that “the Respondent (Ibok Essien) is insolvent and therefore unable to pay the debts because (1) More than  Twenty-One (21) days has since elapsed and the company has not made the payment demanded in the petitioner’s Solicitor’s letter dated Monday, July 15, 2019; (2) the amount demanded exceeds Two Thousand Naira (his current account balance with the bank).

    Akwa Savings and Loans Limited therefore prayed that “Ritman College of Agriculture, Science and Management Studies Limited be wounded up by this Honourable Court under the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act Cap C20, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004 and the Companies Winding-Up Rules 2001.”

    The bank also prays for “further orders as the Honourable Court may deem just to make in the circumstances.”

    The Respondent was served the Winding Up Petition on Wednesday, September 25, 2019.

    The Nation gathered the protracted case has led the school management to hike levies even as some staff have been laid off.

    A parent, who craved anonymity, said he has decided to enroll his son and daughter at another school for the new school session.

    Another parent said despite assurances from the school management, he may consider withdrawing his child.

    “Ritman College, as you may know, is a high quality school, the standard there is high. Whatever issue the school is having with any bank will be sorted out. I even think that the issue is mostly between the proprietor and the bank.

    “Parents have been reassured that the situation has nothing to do with the running of the institution but I may have to withdraw my child if the court and bank go ahead to liquidate the institution. Well, I hope it does not get that,”, the parent explained.

    In a related development, staff and ex-staff of Akwa Savings and Loans Limited recently crippled activities at the bank on a peaceful protest

    The aggrieved staff under the aegis of National Union of Banks, Insurance and Other Financial

    Institution Employees (NUBIFIE) protested non-payment of over 24 months salaries owed them.

  • Untreated fungal infection may lead to death – Expert

    Dr Samuel Fayemiwo, the Convener of the University College Hospital Mycology Research/Study Group, says untreated fungal infection in patients may result in death if not treated on time.

    Fayemiwo, a microbiologist, made this assertion while addressing a news conference on the 2019 Fungal Disease Awareness Week on Thursday in Ibadan.

    The Medical Mycology Society of Nigeria (MMSN) in collaboration with the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention organised the week to highlight the critical need for increased recognition and awareness on fungal diseases.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for 2019 was tagged: “Think Fungus”.

    Read Also: Bad wines cause kidney, heart diseases, says vintner

    Fayemiwo said that it was important to recognise serious fungal diseases early enough in the course of a patient’s illness to provide life-saving treatment.

    The medical practitioner also said that some fungal diseases could also be perceived as flu or pneumonia, making them widely underecognised and misdiagnosed.

    “Life threatening serious fungal infections affect about 11.5 million patients worldwide and account for 1.5 million deaths annually.

    “Some of these fungal diseases may go undiagnosed and cause serious infections in people leading to illness and death,” he said.

    According to him, some of the most common fungal diseases in Nigeria include meningitis, pneumonia, recurrent yeast infections, fungal hair infections in children and fungal asthma.

    He said that outbreaks of fungal diseases were not well documented in the country, thereby contributing to its burden and lack of awareness.

    “There are very scarce data on antifungal resistance from Nigeria. It is likely that we have between 50,000 and 100,000 deaths from fungal disease in Nigeria every year.

    “Besides, without diagnosis, this is impossible to accurately estimate.

    “Increased awareness about fungal diseases is one of the most important ways that we can improve early recognition and reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment.

    “We encourage helthcare providers and their patients to ‘think fungus’ when symptoms of infections do not get better.

    “A key clue to when a sick person may have a fungal infection is that he or she is being treated with medications for other types of infections but does not get better, ” he said.

    He called for training and sensitisation of healthcare workers to build their capacity in identifying and rightly diagnosing fungal diseases.

    “Many lives are being lost due to limited diagnostic capabilities for fungal diseases and an unnecessary antifungal therapy on wrong patients.

    “Our Mycology Reference Laboratories in teaching hospitals across the country need well-trained and committed leaders in medical mycology,” he said.

    (NAN)

  • Police arraign artisan over alleged theft of cell phone

    The Kuje Division of the Nigeria Police, FCT Command, on Thursday arraigned a 27-year-old artisan, Mubarak Sani, before a Kuje Magistrate’s Court over alleged theft of a cell phone and a power bank valued at N250,000.

    Sani, who resides at Anguwan Gade area in Abuja, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and theft.

    According to the Prosecutor, Doris Okoroba, one Sule Balla of the same address reported the matter at the Kuje Police Station on Sept. 19.

    “Balla’s report indicated that Sani and two others, now at large, entered the complainant’s shop and stole a cell phone and a power bank valued at N250, 000.

    “The offences contravened the provisions of sections 96 and 287 of the Penal Code,” she told the court.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Magistrate, Vera Tukurah, granted the defendant bail with a “reasonable surety”, who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court, and .adjourned the case till Oct. 29, for further hearing. (

    NAN)

  • Flood sacks 5,000 homes in Kogi

    Over 5, 000 families in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State have been displaced by flood.

    It also destroyed property running into millions.

    Mostly affected are communities close to the River Niger and Analo River, which overflowed their banks, submerging residential buildings, schools and farmlands.

    The residents were forced to vacate their homes, to seek refuge on higher grounds not affected by flood. Some of those affected raised wooden platforms above the water level to serve as their beds.

    Chairman of Ibaji LGA Caretaker Committee,  Mr. William Iko-Ojo, who led some officials of the council on an inspection tour of some of the affected areas, on Tuesday, lamented the plight of those displaced.

    He noted that residents of the affected areas are faced with severe hardship, with many forced to reside in makeshift structures.

    According to him:  “The situation calls for urgent intervention, because Ibaji is totally submerged. From Onyedega, the council headquarters, up to Ujeh,  down to the boundary, no structure is spared and unless the government comes to the rescue of the affected people the situation might degenerate into a major calamity.

    “The local government is working hard to create Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, to resettle those rendered homeless, but their immediate need is food. The situation is so bad now, even the palace of the traditional ruler of Ibaji,  Chief John Egwemi has been submerged.”

    He appealed to the federal and state governments and donor agencies to come to the aid of the flood victims.

    Eyewitness accounts had it that farm produce were washed away by the flood, while the major road leading to the council headquarters from Idah, is cut off at different points.

    Travelers engaged speed boat as alternative mode of transportation.

    Read Also: Appeal Court headquarters groans under floods

    One of those affected, Mrs Agnes Apeh, a native of Onyedega, bemoaned the situation, saying, “many of us have lost our homes and belongings as the flood that ravaged our homes at night after a heavy downpour took us by surprise.

    “We could not recover anything as everybody was running to safer places with their children. We are now sleeping on bare floor since we have no mattresses.

    “It is so disturbing that we have continued to suffer on account of flooding every year, without a permanent solution. We lack everything in Ibaji. It is the only council area in Nigeria without electricity, asphalted road, functional hospital nor good schools, as if we are not part of Nigeria.”

  • JUST IN: Senate gives Committee one-week to submit MTEF/FSP report

    The Senate on Thursday gave its committee on Finance one week to consider the 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Frame Work (MTEF) and the Fiscal Responsibility Paper (FSP) and submit its report.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday submitted the 2020 MTEF/FSP to the Senate for consideration and approval as a prelude to the presentation of the 2020 Appropriations Bill.

    The Committee on Finance is chaired by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, representing Lagos West Senatorial District.

    President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, while referring the MTEF/FSP to the Committee directed them bring it back to the floor within one week.

    “The document is hereby referred to the Senate committee on Finance and they should lay their report before the Senate on Wednesday next week,” Lawan said.

  • BREAKING: UK court rules Nigeria can appeal $9.6b judgment

    The English Commercial Court has granted Nigeria’s application for leave to file an appeal against the award of $9.6billion to ab Irish firm, Process and Industrial Developments( P&ID).

    Another application for a stay of execution of the award was still in progress.

    P&ID secured the damages against Nigeria following a failed Gas Supply Project Agreement (GSPA) contract between it and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

    A brief by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami(SAN) from London said: “Application for leave to appeal against the award and enforcement of the award is granted.

    “Application for stay of execution is being considered.”

    Details shortly…

  • Just in: Senate begins consideration of legislative agenda

    The Senate Thursday commenced the consideration of its Legislative Agenda.

    The Senate had on Wednesday received the report from its ad-hoc committee on the 9th Senate’s Legislative Agenda.

    Senator Adamu Aliero representing Kebbi Central Senatorial District, chaired the ad-hoc committee.

    Details later..

  • Buhari hails Bill Gates, Dangote for service to humanity

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday applauded the contributions of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Aliko Dangote Foundation to humanitarian and developmental activities in Nigeria.

    Meeting with the duo at the sidelines of the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York, the President said they have touched humanity in many positive ways, and congratulated them “for achieving what you had set out to do.”

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, the President added “Thanks for deriving pleasure in helping people. Congratulations to you for returning part of your wealth to the people in diverse ways. Whatever we save in areas in which you have intervened, we can deploy to other areas like building of infrastructure,”

    On agriculture, in which Alhaji Dangote makes huge investments, the President noted that farmers were very happy in Nigeria now, “as we have made fertilizer available, cut the price by half, and given many other incentives. They have no regret going back to the lands. The more we invest in agriculture, the better for us.”

    Read Also: Gates exposed me to challenges in our health system, says Dangote

    Mr Gates congratulated President Buhari “for assembling a cabinet that excites us,” saying he was pleased that one of the priorities of the administration was human capital development, of which health, nutrition and education are key components.

    Noting that Bill and Melinda Gates and Aliko Dangote Foundations keep track of Nigeria’s attainments on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as enunciated by the United Nations, he submitted that they were encouraged that there was improvement in reduction of child mortality.

    “Every local government area has better health/education situation today than in year 2000. We are delighted about that. Nigeria is our biggest commitment in Africa. It’s only in India we do more in the world,” Mr Gates said.

    On polio eradication, he said Nigeria reached a zero wild polio virus free milestone for three years in August, noting that the next six months were critical, so that the country could finally be declared polio free.

    Alhaji Dangote appreciated the Nigerian military for helping with vaccination in the theatres of war while fighting insurgency, thus adding to the advances in the country’s polio status.

  • Murdered Navy Commander’s spouse moves to Jaji

    THE spouse of murdered Navy Commander Oluyemisi Ogundana has relocated to Jaji to ensure thorough a investigation on the matter, The Nation learnt on Wednesday.

    Sources said Tunde Ogundana, a lawyer, had not come back since the news of her disappearance reached him.

    Identified simply as Mr. Ogundana, the man was said to have told family friends he would be in Kaduna State until autopsy was conducted.

    “We planned to visit the family but were told that her husband was still in Kaduna. He has been there since and said he would not be back until after autopsy.

    “It is true that they were very close. The woman was a peaceful person. She was the type that would apologise to you even if you were the one that offended her.

    “She was a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) member, a strong one at that. She was also telling me to follow her to church,” a family friend told The Nation yesterday.

    Some of her colleagues told our correspondent they were pained such cruelty was done to her, noting that she did not deserve to be killed like that.

    “I wished you knew her. She was an amazing soul. I used to wonder why she joined the military because she was too calm and simple. If it was a loud person or someone that was known to be troublesome, maybe, I would not feel so bad.

    “Yemisi was a good person. She did not deserve such wickedness, not her,” said another source.

    It was gathered that Mrs. Ogundana who was the Commandant, Command Secondary School at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji was billed to stop by at her Lagos home before proceeding to Sapele where she was redeployed to.

    The Nigerian military was yet to make any comment on the incident at press time.

  • Buhari to Pa Ayo Fasanmi: You’ve truly upheld Awolowo’s legacies

    President Muhammadu Buhari has warmly congratulated national leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayorinde Fasanmi, who turns 94 on September 27, 2019.

    He commended him for consistently projecting the noble and progressive ideas of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, also joined family, friends, professional and political associates of the pharmacist, who joined politics to serve the nation at a young age.

    The President noted that he has demonstrated his love for the country by working for the welfare of the poor and underprivileged, and holding leaders to account on their promise of good governance.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns former SGF, Ufot Ekaette

    As a legislator, who served in the House of Representatives and Senate, the President believed Pa Fasanmi’s focus on people has shaped his life philosophy and politics, noting that government can only remain relevant when it caters for the needs of the vulnerable and voiceless.

    President Buhari extolled Pa Fasanmi’s courage in standing for democratic governance and fighting for democratic ideals and values, praying that the Almighty God will grant him longer life, good heath and strength to keep serving the nation.