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  • CHI rewards three essay winners

    Consolidated Hallmark Insurance (CHI) Plc has rewarded three winners of its yearly National Essay Competition to increase insurance education and boost  skilled manpower for the industry.

    The underwriting firm said this was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    The winers were an undergraduate from the Insurance Department of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (Fedpoffa), Kwara State, Korede Amole, who emerged the first prize winner, with N250,000 and an opportunity of getting a job with the firm after graduation.

    A student of the Insurance Department of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Balogun Obabi Olorunkosi emerged second and recieved N150,000. Ernest Oyemike Orjieh from University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, came third with a prize of N100,000.

    CHI Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Eddie Efekoha, said the contest was part of the company’s contribution to the industry’s awareness creation as well as enhancement of skilled personnel.

    The contest, he said, started in 2011, based on the insurer’s belief in developing talents and expanding the industry knowledge, while encouraging research.

    Efekoha, also the President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), promised to work with CIIN to enhance skilled manpower for the industry, adding that, the students who would manage the industry in the near future must be properly groomed.

    The Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Alhaji Mohammed Kari, represented by Mrs. Ogbonna Benedetta, applauded CHI management for the initiative.

    He stressed that the initiative would spread insurance and deepened iits education among students.

  • Politicians encourage laziness among the youths, says Emir 

    Freebies and all sorts of monetary enticements given by politicians to seek support from the youths  are encouraging laziness among them, the Emir of Ningi Emirate in Bauchi State, Dr. Yunusa Muhammad, Danyaya has said.

    The traditional ruler criticised politicians who indulge in such and advised that they should initiate poverty reduction programmes instead of giving out gifts to lure youths during electioneering period.

    The Emir of Ningi spoke at his palace yesterday when members of the Society for Water and Hygiene Network (NEWSAN), Bauchi branch, paid him a courtesy visit in furtherance of the Fullfil Your Promise  campaign on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)  in the state.

    Read Also: London varsity honours Emir of Kano, others

    The octogenarian  also  warned youths to desist from demanding monetary gifts from their leaders, saying the act only creates a bottleneck for development.

    He said that corrupt politicians were responsible for lack of water, sanitation and hygiene in rural communities where preventable diseases are endemic.

    He called on representatives in government to be committed to provision of WASH facilities in public places to fight the menace of cholera, diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases.

    Speaking earlier, NEWSAN Programme Officer, Mr. Nichol Kankani, sought for the support of traditional rulers in prevailing on newly elected political office holders to fulfil their electioneering promises on provision of water and toilet in public places in the society.

  • Kogi ‘crisis’: Presidency summons Deputy Governor Achuba

    THE Presidency on Friday summoned Kogi Deputy Governor Simon Achuba to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, over the ongoing misunderstanding between him and the Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    Achuba had complained that Bello deliberately denied him his accumulated entitlements amounting to N819.7 million, and issued an ultimatum to the state government for the payment of the said amount.

    According to him, the amount comprises travel allowances, hotel bills, outstanding monthly imprest, as well as allowances and salaries.

    The deputy governor, who met with the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, behind closed doors, did not reveal details of the deliberation when asked by anxious State House correspondents.

    Read Also: Controversy over shadow poll in Kogi APC

    He, however, revealed that discussions were ongoing to resolve the ‘problems’ between him and the state governor who, he said, was responsible for the stoppage of his allowances for the past two years.

    “Well, it is a private discussion in relation to my office. From my discussions with him, there is hope that all the issues will be resolved. With God, all things are possible,’’ he said.

    On how he has been ‘coping’ as deputy governor without allowances and imprest in the past two years, Achuba said: “Well, you know in life what sustains a man is God. So if your hope is in God, you will be very much alive.

    “If you have money and don’t have God, you will be living like a dead person. But if you have God you can live, He is the one who provides to man.

    “So, if one source closes, God opens another source for you to live. Supposing I was not a Deputy Governor, won’t I be alive?”

    On whether he will support or contest against Gov. Bello, who has since indicated interest in the governorship election slated for November, the deputy governor ruled out the possibility of doing that in spite of what he described as ‘unfair treatment’ being meted against him by his boss.

     

  • Lagos pilgrims complete Umrah

    No fewer than 2,269 Lagos pilgrims have completed the performance of Umrah in the city of Makkah.

    The Amirul hajj of Lagos State, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef said the pilgrims had also completed their pre-visit to Jabal Nuru, Jabal Thor, Jabal Arafat, Muna and Musdalifah.

    He said: “This is to prepare the mind of the pilgrims for the task ahead of them in the course of preforming the proper Hajj.

    ” This will also awake the determination of the pilgrims to be ready to withstand the challenges that are likely to come with the exercise,” he said.

    He urged the pilgrims to be patient as more tedious hajj exercise are ahead of them.

    “Avoid stressing yourselves especially in the sun. Rest as much as possible to prepare yourselves for the big task.

    “Your major goal is the main hajj rituals; we should not exhaust ourselves before those period.”

    Dr AbdulLateef, also urged pilgrims from the state to pray for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to succeed in office.

    Addressing the pilgrims in Makkah, Saudi Arabia on Friday, Dr AbdulLateef said the governor and his deputy, Dr  Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, deserve the support of Lagosians.

    Read Also: Amirul hajj urges pilgrims to pray for Sanwo-Olu

    “We have no doubt in their competence to take Lagos to a greater height, but our support for their administration will go a long way to make it easy for them,” he said.

    According to him, governing a state like Lagos is an onerous task, saying “Lagosians need to be patient with the duo. They have been in the system before; they understand the task ahead and I am sure they will not disappoint us.”

    The Amirul hajj also enjoined the pilgrims to pray for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Nigeria, he said, needs Allah’s help to move forward.

    He said: “Issues of insecurity, food crisis and economy among others, battling our country are too numerous for those at the helm of affairs to resolve. Only Allah can help them resolve it.

    “Allah can because of one person’s prayer show mercies on Nigeria and make our country overcome the myriad of challenges.”

  • Visa’s Andrew Torre reappointed to PAC-DBIA

    Andrew Torre, Visa Inc.’s (NYSE:  V) Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa has been reappointed to the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA), a U.S. private sector council which advises the President of the United States, through the Secretary of Commerce, on strengtheningU.S.-Africa commercial engagement. Torre was first appointed to the council in September 2016.

    “I have had the great privilege to work in Africa for many years and know it to be a diverse, energetic, and dynamic continent,” said Torre. “We believe that the fintech sector, coupled with African dynamism and entrepreneurship, will play a critical role in bringing sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and that companies like Visa can help increase the bonds of economic cooperation between the United States and African nations.

    “Our involvement in African economies can help attract more inward investment and stimulate local African businesses to export their ideas to the rest of the world. We want to be a catalyst for African innovation and growth, and a partner in helping to bring inclusive economic opportunity for everyone. This is why we are proud to participate in this important Advisory Council and look forward to continued cooperation with our U.S. and African partners.”

  • Success in cleaning products

    A Lagos State University (LASU) Biochemistry graduate, Bunmi Savage, has come up with solutions to tackle mosquitoes and insects, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Lagos State University (LASU) Biochemistry graduate Bunmi Savage had thought she would work as a scientist.

    She searched for a job to no end.  Then she realised that rather than waste her time and energy looking for a job, she could deploy her knowledge of science to tackle the menace of mosquitoes and insects.This led to the establishment of Savage Purity Products, which manufactures  repellants and cleaners, among  others.

    She started the business with N2, 500 in 2014. Now she has two employees.

    She is happy that her dream of self-employment has come true.

    She explained that her training   gives her an edge in the business.

    But being an entrepreneur has its share of challenges, she said. There’s a payroll.

    Yet she is undaunted with the support from her family and the motivation to succeed.

    Despite the competition in the market, Bunmi is focused.

    For her, there is large market for household cleaning detergents. In addition, there is high demand for personal care products.These trends indicate that the future looks bright as more women entrepreneurs go into the renewable energy sector.

  • UCH oversubscribed, overwhelmed by patients — CMD

    The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, has said that high patient influx and inadequate personnel prevents the hospital from meeting the demand for high quality and optimum healthcare.

    The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, told reporters in Ibadan that the inadequacies of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and secondary health facilities, including the General Hospitals in many states of the federation has imposed a heavy burden on UCH.

    Oyegbayo, spoke at a news conference to herald the activities marking his first 100 days in office, stated, that, the uneven distribution of patients seen by UCH, is not an effective and sustainable approach for improving healthcare delivery in the country.

    He said:  ”UCH is oversubscribed and overwhelmed. Most of the state governments have neglected the secondary tier of healthcare such that these hospitals have no accreditation needed to train even the lowest cadre of doctors, which are the house officers.

    Read Also: Police nab four-man robbery syndicate in Bauchi

    “Low confidence in the quality of care provided by primary and secondary healthcare facilities, have pushed patients to seek general outpatient services from tertiary hospitals. This has effectively overcrowded the hospital and overburdened our workers.

    “We are calling on state governments to strengthen the general hospitals which form the larger part of the secondary tier of healthcare delivery,” he said.

    Otegbayo said the burden of healthcare delivery need to be shifted from tertiary hospitals to primary and secondary healthcare facilities, to enable doctors in tertiary hospitals focus on their specialties with a reduced workload.

  • Tiger Woods sued over death of drunk bartender

    Tiger Woods has been sued by parents of a bartender at his Florida restaurant who died in a drink driving accident after allegedly being over-served alcohol.

    TMZ reported that the parents of Nicholas Immesberger, who died last December at age 24, filed the lawsuit saying their son had worked as a bartender at The Woods in Jupiter, Florida, and knew the golf star personally.

    The news broke hours after Woods played his opening practice round for the 101st PGA Championship, the year’s second major golf tournament which starts Thursday at Bethpage Black on Long Island in New York.

    Woods snapped an 11-year major win drought by winning the Masters last month and seeks his 16th career major title this week. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom last week at a White House ceremony.

    The restaurant’s manager is Erica Herman, who is Woods’s girlfriend and, according to TMZ, recruited Immesberger to the restaurant.

    According to TMZ, Immesberger finished his shift on December 10 but stayed at The Woods to drink at the restaurant and was allegedly served to the point of “severe intoxication” before being sent out to his car.

    Immesberger lost control of his car that evening while driving home and crashed, dying in the accident, according to the report, which also said Immesberger had a blood alcohol level of .256, more than three times the legal limit.

    Read Also: Tiger Woods, golf and life

    The family claims Woods and Herman knew Immesberger had a habitual problem with alcohol but allowed him to be served anyway.

    The lawsuit alleges Woods and Herman had been drinking with Immesberger just days before the crash and “reasonably should have known” he was a “habitual drunkard,” according to TMZ.

    Immesberger’s parents sued Woods directly claiming he “was directly responsible for ensuring that his employees and management … were not over serving its employees/customers,” according to the report.

    The lawsuit was filed in Palm Beach County, Florida. It seeks medical costs and funeral damages plus other “appropriate damages.”

  • Man sentenced to death for killing brother in Lagos

    An Ikeja High Court on Monday sentenced to death a 33-year-old man, Abiodun Allen, for killing his immediate younger brother, Wale, with a broken bottle.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abiodun, who was first arraigned on Oct. 6, 2015, was convicted of killing Wale by stabbing him in the throat and stomach.

    Justice Raliatu Adebiyi, while convicting Abiodun, said that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and all the necessary ingredients to secure a conviction for murder had been established.

    The judge noted that the testimonies of the four prosecution witnesses (Mr Sunday Abogunrin who is a family friend of the convict and three police officers) corroborated the confessional statement of Abiodun to the police.

    She noted that the convict during his testimony acted strangely and the defence never raised the defence of insanity.

    Read Also: Hollywood actress, singer Doris Day dies at 97

    The judge said that Abiodun might have been acting strangely to get a favourable sentence from the court.
    Convicting Abiodun, the judge said: “Abiodun Allen is hereby found guilty of the murder of his brother Wale Allen, I so hold.”

    Following his conviction, Allen’s defence counsel, Mrs Y. A Ajayi told the court that she was not going to give an allocutus (plea for mercy) on the defendant’s behalf.

    Sentencing the convict, Justice Adebiyi noted that Section 221 gives a mandatory death sentence and does not give the court discretionary powers while meting out the sentence.

    “Abiodun Allen having been found guilty of murder is hereby sentenced to death. May God the giver of life, have mercy on your soul,” she said.

    Upon hearing the sentence, Abiodun remained expressionless as he left the dock to be led away by prison officials.

    NAN reports that during the trial, Abogunrin (PW2) had testified before the court that Abiodun was notorious in the community for ingesting illegal substances, beating up people and randomly killing animals.

    Abogunrin, who is also the landlord to the Allen family, said that in the early hours of the morning of the incident, he caught Abiodun dragging the body of the deceased to the bush behind their residence to secretly bury it.

    Abiodun, however, was the only witness to testify in his defence.

    In his testimony, the convict claimed he was a student and that the aunt whom he had been living with for over 20-years claimed he had killed her son and that following her claims, he was apprehended by some youths in the community.

    He also denied that the deceased was his brother and claimed that his mother was Chinese.

    The prosecution, led by Mrs O. R Ahmed-Muili, said that the convict committed the offence at 11p.m. on Feb. 20, 2013 at Imudo Village, Oto Awori, Lagos following years of toxic sibling rivalry between the pair.

    According to the confessional statement of the convict, he was asleep in the living room when he suddenly saw Wale, his younger brother, standing with a torchlight in his hand.

    “He alleged Wale woke him up and started saying that he was going to kill him if he was not careful.

    “He got up angrily and took up a broken bottle which he kept beside him and stabbed him in the throat.

    “While Wale lay dying, the convict allegedly told Wale that he must die before him because he has been threatening him for over two years,” he said.

  • IG ascribes 80 per cent of Police success to SARS

    The Acting Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Mohammed Adamu, said in Benin on Monday that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has contributed up to 80 per cent of the successes recorded by the Nigerian Police Force.

    Adamu made the remark at the commencement of a three-day Human Rights Training Programme for officers of SARS in Edo.

    The I-G, represented by CP Abiodun Odube, Commissioner of Police in charge of Training and Development, said this was in spite of the protests by Nigerians against the activities of SARS.

    He noted that one area of conflict between the public and SARS was in the area of human rights.

    The I-G said the training was, therefore, a holistic approach to enhance the performance of the squad.

    He also said that the force was committed to the training and re-training of its officers and men across the country to respect the human rights of the citizens.

    According to him, the training seeks to improve professionalism of officers, who are expected to take the training down to their subordinates and the rank-and-file.

    He stressed that the training was part of a holistic reform to get police personnel adequately equipped to discharge their duties and win the trust of Nigerians.

    Meanwhile, CP Mohammed DanMallam, Edo Commissioner of Police, commended the I-G for approving the participation of officers of the command in the intensive training.

    He said he believed that the training would aid the repositioning of the police for more efficiency and put them in good relations with members of the public.

    Earlier, Dr Uju Agomoh, Executive-Director, Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), said it would be the first time such training on human rights would be scaled down to the unit levels.

    Agomoh, whose organisation provided the technical support for the training, noted that it was not enough to call for banning of police units.

    Read Also: Police arrest three suspected kidnappers

    According to her, the units should be supported with training and re-training, to get the best out of them.

    Meanwhile, Mr Hartmut Zander, Project Manager, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GIZ, (German society for international cooperation), said GIZ had been sponsoring reforms and training in the Nigeria Police through its Police Programme Africa.

    He said that the exercise had been running for more than three years.

    Zander said that GIZ aims at ensuring holistic reforms in the way police jobs are carried out and to promote international best practices in policing within Nigeria, in particular, and Africa, at large.