Category: General News

Electricity bill
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
Ilorin, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, says the institution’s monthly electricity bill has jumped from N70 million to N230 million.
Egbewole, in an e-mail message sent to staff members and students of the university, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Monday in Ilorin, said that the new monthly electricity bill was not sustainable.
He said that the recent hike in electricity tariffs by Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) had seriously affected the institution’s budget.
Egbewole, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stressed the urgent need for critical re-assessment of the current electricity usage in the university.
He appealed to both staff members and students to adopt more responsible electricity consumption habits and support the administration’s efforts to implement some cost-saving measures.
According to the vice-chancellor, the management has intensified efforts in negotiations for alternative power supply to the university.
He said that all the buildings under construction in the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Environmental Science, Law and Social Sciences would include provisions for alternative power sources as part of their designs.
He added that strategies were being developed to ensure that all faculties and units were equipped with reliable alternative power options.
Egbewole also stressed the need for safeguarding the new facilities from theft and vandalism, adding that they should be protected and maintained. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
FATY/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

South-East among highest in human trafficking — NAPTIP

Trafficking
By Ifeoma Aka
Enugu, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, Director General (DG) of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), says the South-East ranks among the regions with the highest human trafficking infractions in the country.

Waziri-Azi said this on Monday at the opening of a one-day workshop organised in Enugu by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), in partnership with NAPTIP.

He was represented at the eveny by the Director of Research and Programme Development in the agency, Mr Josiah Emerole.

The NAPTIP boss said that the essence of the workshop was to validate the report of the baseline carried out for the advocacy project by NAPTIP and ICMPD.

The ICMPD is an inter-governmental organisation with headquarters in Vienna, Austria, with 20 member states.

According to him, the project was carried out in the five states of Enugu, Edo, Delta, Benue and Ogun.

Waziri-Azi said that Enugu was chosen as one of the pilot states because of the high rate of human trafficking in the zone.

He described human trafficking as the second major crime in the world but regretted that “Nigerians see it as a minor crime.”

He encouraged stakeholders to pool resources and collectively fight the menace.

According to him, the fight against human trafficking is a collaborative one because anybody can be trafficked, both young and adult, in the name of making money.

“It is time to say no to sexual exploitation, use of children to make money and organ harvesting because those children are our future hope,” he said.

He urged people to take the campaign to their various communities for effective sensitisation.

In an opening remark, the Head of West Africa Region of ICMPD, Mr Mojisola Sodeinde, lauded the significant steps taken by spme people in the fight against human trafficking.

Sodeinde, represented by ICMPD’s Project Coordinator, Mrs Rhoda Dia-Johnson, thanked their partners from NAPTIP, government officials, educational leaders and members of civil societies at the event.

He said that their commitment was fundamental to the success of the school’s Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project.

“The necessity of this project cannot be overlooked, with over 75 per cent of trafficked victims in West Africa being minors, as the urgency of our mission is clear.

“Our collective goal is to embed a strong educational framework within our schools that will not only inform and protect our students but also empower them to be vigilant guardians of their own futures,” he said.

According to Sodeinde, ICMPD promotes innovative, comprehensive and sustainable migration policies to harmonise and make migration management more efficient.

“It also functions as a service exchange mechanism for governments and organisations.

“ICMPD does this by using a holistic three-pillar approach – research, capacity building and migration dialogues, funded by the European Union under the framework of the project Support to free movement of persons and migration in West Africa (FMM),” he said

Sodeinde said that the FMM West Africa project is co-funded by the European Union and ECOWAS and being implemented by IOM, ICMPD and ILO.

“Within this context, ICMPD supports NAPTIP to strengthen the agency’s capacity in the areas of training and public education.

“Through this action, human trafficking concepts are infused into the school curricula at primary and secondary school levels.

“This innovation was achieved in collaboration with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council.

He said that ICMPD and NAPTIP recently collaborated with the National Commission for Colleges of Education to infuse trafficking concepts into teacher training curricula for NCE teachers, while updating the NCE minimum standards to include awareness on the issues of trafficking.

“Today, we embark on a crucial journey starting with the selection of 50 schools in Enugu that will become the pillars of our project, where young minds will be nurtured to recognise, resist, and report the dangers of human trafficking.

“Our activities will include indepth discussions and collaborations to finalise the schools’ selection and review and validate our baseline report.

“This report is not just a document; it is a blueprint that will guide our strategies and actions in the coming year.

“As we move forward, let us remember that the essence of our work is to safeguard our future, a future where every child can pursue education without fear, and every community can thrive free from the chains of exploitation,” Sodeinde said.

Also contributing, the Commissioner for Education in Enugu State, Prof. Leonard Mbah, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Mr Patrick Ochi, promised to take the sensitisation to secondary schools, where clubs would be formed to educate students on the dangers of the crime.

Also, the Chairman, South-East Traditional Rulers Council, Chief Samuel Asadu, urged the organisation to partner celebrities to achieve speedy awareness. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
IFO/KOO/USO
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Sam Oditah

Conviction
By Imelda Osayande
Benin, June 10, 2024 (NAN) A Benin High Court, on Monday, sentenced a 23-year-old man, Joseph Edosa, to two years in prison for fraud.
Justice Efe Ikponmwonba convicted Edosa after he had prayed the court for a plea bargain arrangement.
Ikponmwonba, however, gave him an option of N100,000 fine.
The Prosecutor for Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr K.Y. Bello, said that Edosa had, on May 21 in Benin, found to be in possession of documents, which he knew contained false pretence.
Bello said that the offence was contrary to Sections 6 and 8(b) of Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud-related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
He said that in the plea bargain agreement, Edosa had pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of possession of fraudulent documents.
According to him, the convict shall forfeit an iPhone 12 Promax and an HP laptop recovered from him as instrumentality of the crime.
He also said that Edosa would forfeit the sum of N3.4 million in his UBA account and the N3.1 million in his FCMB account with which he was charged and convicted, to the Federal Government through EFCC. (NAN) (www.nannew.ng)
IMEL/DEB/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Court orders forfeiture of AAU graduate’s cars, iPhones to FG

Conviction

By Imelda Osayande

Benin, June 10, 2024 (NAN) A Benin High Court on Monday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to sell a Toyota Venza 2012 model, recovered from a graduate of Biochemistry from Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma AAU, Osadolor Edomwonyi.

The EFCC charged Edomwonyi with internet fraud.

Delivering judgment, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, sentenced Edomwonyi to three years imprisonment.

The judge also ordered the forfeiture of an iPhone 13 Promax, recovered from the convict .

He also ordered that balances in his Opay account, Kids Bank account and Access bank with which he was charged and convicted to the Federal Government through EFCC and the accounts be parmanently closed.

The convivt prayed the court for a plea bargain agreement.

Ikponmwonba, however, gave him an option of fine in the sum of N100,000.

Earlier, the EFCC counsel, Mr I K Agwaisaid the convict committed an offence contrary to the provisions of sections 6 and 8 (b) of the advance free fraud and other fraud-related offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act

The prosecutor said that in a plea bargain agreement, Edomwonyi pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of possession of fraudulent documents (NAN)(www.nannew.ng)
IMEL/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Pollution

By Nathan Nwakamma

Yenagoa, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Stakeholders in host communities have demanded that oil companies be compelled to address adverse health impact of oil exploration in the Niger-Delta.

The stakeholders made their position known on Monday during a public presentation of the research report on the impact of oil extraction on women’s health in Otuabagi community in Bayelsa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Dr Emem Okon, Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, an NGO, championed the event.

NAN also reports that Otuabagi community within the Oloibiri District in present Ogbia Local Government Area is where crude oil was discovered in commercial quantity in Nigeria in 1956.

Okon said that the report highlighted the adverse consequences of oil extraction which had profound negative impact on health and livelihood of women in Otuabagi community.

She said that research revealed that several of the participants had hydrocarbons in their blood sample more than World Health Organisation (WHO) threshold and therefore demanded for compensation from oil companies and government.

“There is therefore a need to demand for compensation and restoration of polluted sites as well as health actions to keep us alive and to resist death, poverty and injustice,’’ she said.

She said that the findings and data would serve as a tool for policy makers, community leaders and all those who strove for a more equitable and sustainable future.

Meanwhile, Dr Bieye Briggs, a public health physician and head of the research team, said from the findings of the report, it was revealed that there was very high and unacceptable level of exposure of the people to hydrocarbons.

Briggs advocated for the Federal Government to carry out health audit in Otuabagi community and other oil producing areas in the Niger-Delta region.

He explained that such audit was with a view to instituting intervention program to halt and reverse the impact of oil exploration.

Similarly, Chief Daniel Amangi, the traditional ruler of Otuabagi community, commended Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre for undertaking the project and urged the Federal Government to focus on developing the community.

Amangi also called for the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the research findings for the overall benefit of the people.

In the same vein, Alagoa Morris, a stakeholder, lamented that life expectancy was lower in the Niger-Delta region than in other parts of the country due to the hazards caused by oil exploration.

He called for compensation to be paid to host communities to ameliorate the health impact of oil extraction in the region.

The ceremony also featured a drama presentation by Otuabagi women and panel discussion on the findings of the report. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

NN/DCO/CJ/

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Edited by Deborah Coker and Chijioke Okoronkwo

Tinubu greets Arthur Mbanefo at 90

Congratulation

By Salif Atojoko

Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu on Monday extended his congratulations to elder statesman, Chief Arthur Christopher Mbanefo, on his 94th birthday.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, said this in a statement in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mbanefo is Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Pro-Chancellor of the Universities of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello.

He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

“President Tinubu salutes the accomplished accountant and administrator, and describes him as being from one of the finest stock and vintage class of Nigeria’s statesmen set apart by integrity, hard work, and patriotism.

“The President prays for more years in excellent health for the elder statesman,” Ngelale said.. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

SA/SOA

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Dangote Refinery: Bode George advocates shareholding for host communities

Dangote

By Adeyemi Adeleye
Lagos, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has advised President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to ensure members of the refinery’s  host communities  benefit as shareholders.

George ,in a statement on Monday in Lagos, urged Dangote to learn from the mistakes made by companies in the Niger Delta and not allow same to happen in the Ibeju-Lekki/Epe axis of Lagos State, which hosts his refinery and petrochemical projects.

According to him, making communities  part owners will reflect inclusivity.

George, while congratulating Dangote for his investment in Lekki/Epe through his various projects in the axis , described Dangote as a businessman and patriot.

He said that Dangote had through his achievements and businesses  projected  Nigeria’s image globally.

“I want to congratulate Alhaji Aliko Dangote. All Nigerians should be proud of him. But, let me advise him: What happened in the oil-rich Niger Delta should be avoided in Lagos.

“I was told he is helping the indigenes of that axis by giving scholarships. This is commendable.

“He needs to go further by ensuring that host communities housing the massive refinery project benefit as shareholders, which would reflect their inclusivity as part owners.

“The project is so massive and is eternal that the indigenes of the communities deserve more than employments and trainings,” George said.

According to him, it is through equity holding in the company that the people can truly have a sense of inclusiveness.

He said by this, the people would know that their inheritance had not been taken away from them for nothing.

He said: “Being a life -time business, pollution may soon start and the communities stand to lose from the degradation which the operations of the refinery would impact on the people of the communities in years ahead as the company continues in business.

“This may result in the pollution of their water which will, in turn, affect their fishing activities.

“The part ownership in the refinery is the only way to assuage the pains of indigenes of the host communities for the loss of their inheritances,” he said.

George said that scholarships, training and other empowerment initiatives were good move.

The PDP elder,however,said that  host communities  should be fully involved in  the business .

He said that only part- ownership of the refinery would make a lot of sense in terms of inclusiveness.

“That project is a very massive one, and is eternal, we are talking about the effect of the environmental degradation of the company’s operations which will be felt by the communities for several years by generations of people of the communities.

“It is pertinent to accord the people of Epe and Ibeju-Lekki part ownership of the company.

“I am looking at 0.1 per cent for Epe and same for Ibeju-Lekki. It can even be higher than this ratio, depending on the magnanimity of Alhaji Dangote and his team.

“I am offering this patriotic advice because it is not only the immediate host communities within Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area that would be affected by the environmental impact of the refinery operations,” he said.

He said that the impact of the refinery would be felt by coastal communities  in Epe Local Government Area.

According to him ,several communities beyond Ibeju-Lekki will be affected due to the magnitude of the refinery operations.

“For a massive refinery worth close to $20 billion and which is expected to produce 650,000 barrels of petroleum daily, one can only imagine the impact of environmental degradation that would be unleashed on the host communities.

“So, this fractional percentage in terms of equity holding would be beneficial to the communities, whose commercial activities would be affected by the operations of the refinery,” George said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/BHB

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

Jigawa Govt. releases N32m for adult radio literacy programme

Literacy
By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
Dutse, June 10, 2024 (NAN)
The Jigawa Government has released N32 million for the implementation of its literacy programme by radio with 2, 700 learners for the 2024 session.

Inaugurating the programme at Gidan Kwari Community in Dutse Local Government Area, the Executive Secretary, Jigawa Agency for Mass Education, Dr Abbas Abubakar, said the programme, designed for adult learners, was aimed at boosting the state’s literacy level.

Abubakar further said that the programme also aimed at eradicating illiteracy, particularly among adults in rural areas.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2,700 participants received solar-powered radio sets, learning materials, including primers, from the State Government for the smooth take-off of the programme.

He said that the programme would be conducted at 108 centres for the learners, including nomads in the state.

“This includes the payment of airtime to Radio Jigawa for the programme, payment of  facilitators’ stipends as well as training the facilitators,” he said.

The executive secretary also said that the agency was striving to move the state’s literacy level from 65 per cent to 71 per cent by the end of the year.

In a remark, the Leader of a Fulani socio-cultural group in the state, called Kautal Hore, Muhammad Dubuntu, commended the agency for including nomads in its literacy programmes.

Also, the District Head of Sakwaya, Alhaji Zaharaddeen Basiru, lauded the State Government for the programme.

Sakwaya, who is also the Ward  Head of the area, said the programme would enable the women participants to ensure proper upbringing of their children.

They said that it would ensure brighter future for all the beneficiaries.

“Don’t sell that radio set and we will ensure proper and adequate supervision to ensure that you face your studies,” they said.

A beneficiary, Birni Adamu, also thanked the agency for initiating the programme.

“On behalf of my colleagues, I want to say thank you and promise you that we will do our best to excell,” Adamu said.

On his part, the Special Adviser on Adult Education to Gov. Umar Namadi, Ibrahim Manama, advised the participants to reciprocate the gesture by being serious with their studies. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

MNB/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

Sallah

By Ige Adekunle

Sango-Ota (Ogun), June 10, 2024(NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)  command in Ogun, has advised motorists against excessive speeding during the Sallah celebration to minimise crashes

Mr Anthony Uga, the Sector Commander, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ota.

NAN reports that Muslim faithful will celebrate Sallah across the country on June 16.

Uga implored motorists in the state to be more safety cautious during the period as the volume of traffic would automatically increase.

“The FRSC urges motorists in state to celebrate safely, we should remember that only the living can celebrate.

“Motorists should check their vehicle tyres, they should also ensure that their wipers are effective, remember that this is rainy season,” he said.

The sector commander further enjoined motorists to strictly obey traffic rules and regulations to prevent unnecessary loss of lives.

“Do not drive when drunk, avoid wrongful overtaking to reduce mishaps during the period and beyond.

“Many lives will be saved if motorists can adhere strictly to traffic rules and regulations,” he said. (NAN)

(www.nannews.ng)

IGE/DCO/AZU

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Edited by Deborah Coker and Azubuike Okeh