Ado-Ekiti, June 7, 2024(NAN The police, on Friday, arraigned a 35 year-old woman, Chinanso Chinyere, in an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting a vice principal.
The defendant, of no fixed address, is standing trial on a three-count charge of breach of peace, assault, and malicious damage.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendant and others at large, committed the offences on June 1 at about 08:30 a.m at St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Basiri, in Ado-Ekiti.
He alleged that the defendant and others at large, conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by invading the office of, Bello Toyin, the vice principal, , of the school and attacked her.
Oriyomi also alleged that the defendant, mother of a student in the school, got complaint from her child, that she was punished by the school management.
Reacting to this, she and others at large invaded the school, assaulted the vice principal and inflicted injuries on her face.
He said that the defendant and others at large, maliciously damaged one HP laptop worth N250,000 and one head phone worth N15,000 belonging to the complainant.
According to him, the offences contravene Sections 181, 186 and 363 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
The prosecutor asked the court for adjournment, to enable him study the case file and assemble his witnesses.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against her.
Counsel to the defendant, Mr Perebo Monde, urged the court to grant the defendant bail, with a promise that she would not jump bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Olarewaju Owoleso, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum.
He adjourned the case till July 15 for hearing.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Bill
By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
Awka, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Youth Wing of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide has lauded the Senate for ensuring that the Bill seeking to establish ranches at herders’ states scaled the second reading.
Mr Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, the Acting National Youth Leader of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, made the commendation during an interactive session with newsmen in Awka on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the bill was sponsored by Sen. Titus Zam (APC- Benue North-West Senatorial District).
It passed through the second reading on Wednesday.
It is entitled: “A Bill to Establish a National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission for the Regulation, Management, Preservation and Control of Ranches Throughout Nigeria; and for Connected Purposes, 2024”.
Okpalaezeukwu said that the bill would serve as an antidote for the perennial clashes between farmers and nomadic herders.
He described farmer-herder clashes as a recurring crisis that had claimed lives and property and affected the country’s economy.
According to him, the establishment of ranches will control and manage the incessant and unnecessary crisis.
“The basic responsibility of any government is to protect the lives and property of its citizens and open grazing is detrimental to it.
“Rearing of cattle is not an ethnic phenomenon, it has become a matter of national security and not something to be sentimental about.
“There are many countries that produce more cattle and do other dairy businesses than Nigeria but do not encounter such crisis, and that is because they do not engage in open grazing.
“We urge Nigerians to consider ranching as a viable option at this critical time,” Okpalaezeukwu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Lagos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Some Nigerians on social media have expressed reactions following the decision of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal to fine Multichoice Nigeria, owners of popular Pay-TV services , DSTV and GOTV, the sum of ₦150 million.
In addition to the fine, the tribunal has ordered the company to provide a one-month free subscription to its subscribers.
Justice Thomas Okosu-led panel issued the ruling on Friday in Abuja.
Before the ruling, Multichoice Nigeria hiked the subscription rates for its DStv and GOtv packages despite the orders of the tribunal.
The Tribunal had stopped Multichoice from increasing its subscription tariffs and cost of products and services scheduled to begin on May 1.
The tribunal’s ruling has sparked debate online, monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), with opinions sharply divided.
@TolaOlaosebikan, on X, formerly Twitter, wrote that the ruling should be appealed.
“Multichoice has always been on the receiving side of court rulings in Nigeria. Is it because it is a foreign firm?
“Subscribers have the right to boycott their services if they are perceived to be too expensive, and go for competitors.
“Our court rulings should not be draconian in nature but fair and just. Multichoice is a business entity for goodness’ sake.
“Who bears the operational expenses for the one month? Taxes, third-party subscriptions, rentals, salaries.”
Also, @Osi_Suave said, “I think Multichoice should exit this market because I don’t understand why a private business that doesn’t provide an essential service is constantly hounded like this.
“When they leave, maybe ‘una eye go clear’,” he said.
@NwabuwaChidume, wrote, “Multichoice and arbitrary subscription charges didn’t just start today. The corruption in the system is responsible for these extortions.
“The vulnerability of the common masses to some of these economic vampires is scary. Believe me, today’s fine won’t stop the increment.”
On the contrary, Mathew Dubem on Facebook said, “Finally, justice for the consumers! “Multichoice has been exploiting Nigerians for too long with their exorbitant subscription fees.
“This fine and the free subscription are a welcome relief, I think I will have to go get back my Gotv decoder to enjoy the one month free subscription.”
Another Facebook user, Adegoke Ademole commended the Tribunal for standing up for consumer rights.
“This ruling sets a precedent and will hopefully lead to more accountability from service providers in Nigeria.
“This is a win for all DSTV and GOTV users. It’s high time these big corporations understood that they can’t just bully their way around. Kudos to the tribunal,” he said.
Efforts by NAN to reach out to Multichoice for a comment proved abortive as the PR manager, stated that the company has yet to issue an official statement regarding the tribunal’s ruling. (NAN)
FCCPC Team in a group photograph with students of Baptist Group of Schools, after the sensitisation program on Friday in Lokoja
Sensitisation
By Stephen Adeleye
Lokoja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Friday in Lokoja, sensitised secondary schools students in Kogi on their rights and responsibilities as consumers.
Mr Ibrahim Bello, Assistant Chief Consumer and Business Education Officer, FCCPC, while addressing students at Baptist Group of Schools, said the sensitisation was to educate consumers on their rights and responsibilities.
Bello said the commission embarked on the exercise to ensure that consumers were adequately informed in order to get value for their money on purchased goods and services.
According to him, consumers have responsibilities to speak out, think independently, complain, share experience, and be alert to the quality and safety of products and services before purchase.
He added that consumers have rights to information, product labelling, trade descriptions, price disclosure of products, sales record, select suppliers, fair dealings, return goods, as well examine goods.
“Others are rights to safe, good quality products, cancel advance bookings or order, implied warranty of quality, and right disclosure of used or reconditioned goods, and so on.
“One of the functions of FCCPC is to educate consumers, and we are doing this sensitisation simultaneously across the six States of the North Central geo-political zone ,” Bello said.
Bello said said that FCCPC would collaborate with schools to establish clubs in schools – Fan Club in Primary schools, and Young Consumer Club in secondary schools to sustain the sensitisation programme.
He added: “the FCCPC mandate is to protect and promote the interest of consumers by providing them with a wider variety of quality products at competitive prices.
“We are also ensuring the adoption of measures to guarantee that goods and services are safe for intended or normally safe for use”.
He advised consumers to always seek knowledge of what they are buying so as to have value for their money, noting that there are many fake and substandard products in the market.
Bello urged consumers to always report issues of purchased fake or substandard products to the commission through their diverse complaints platforms.
“We are calling on consumers to report any sale of fake and substandard products to FCCPC through our portal, social media handles, including our telephone hotline and offices,” Bello said.
In their separate remarks, the Principals of Baptist Group of Schools, Mrs Victoria Olaleye, and that of Kellen International School Lokoja, Mr Joseph Okpanachi, commended FCCPC for the gesture towards their schools.
“We appreciate the gesture because we have manufacturers, producers, as well as consumers among our students.
“So, when all parties know their rights and responsibilities, they would be able to enlighten others. This will help to form a sane generation that will compete fairly,” Okpanachi said.
“We are very lucky to have FCCPC in our school to sensitise our students to make us aware of our rights and responsibilities as consumers.
“We will immediately inaugurate the Young Consumer club in our school,” Olaleye said.
One of the students, Maria Umoru, appreciated the commission for the sensitisation programme, which she said was an eye-opener to the students.
“We have also been advised to always check the expiry date on any product, and never patronise roadsides sellers,” she said.
Schools visited included Baptist Group of Schools, KELIEN International, Sunnah Academy, Christ Field, Julitola International, and Irawo secondary school, all in Lokoja.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Impersonation
By Joy Akinsanya
Abeokuta, June 7, 2024 (NAN) An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court on Friday sentenced a 30-year-old man, Oluwadamilare Salako, to two weeks community service for impersonating a police and army officer.
Salako, whose address was not provided, had pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of impersonation.
In her judgment, Mrs O.O. Odumosu, noted that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty as charged.
Odumosu held that the evidence presented by the prosecution were tenable, thereby sentencing Salako to two weeks community service without an option of fine.
She ordered that the sentence be served within the court premises.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, ASP Olakunle Shonibare, had told the court that the defendant committed the offence sometime in 2018 at Asero area of Abeokuta.
Shonibare said that the convict impersonated himself by wearing both the police and army uniforms to pose on his Facebook account, knowing it was false representation.
He said that the convict impersonated himself with the intent to deceive the public that he was a member of the armed forces and also a police officer.
According to him, the offence contravenes Sections 109(a) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
IOJ/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
Katsina Govt. recruited over 10,000 workers in 1yr – Radda
Workers
By Abbas Bamalli
Katsina, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State, on Friday, said that his administration had recruited at least 10,000 workers in the state since his assumption of office.
Radda disclosed this during an interactive session with some journalists in Katsina, saying that the number comprised 7,300 teachers.
According to him, his administration is giving the education sector more attention than other sectors due to its importance, hence the need to recruit more teachers.
He further disclosed that his administration was doing everything possible to make youths in the state self-reliant, instead of relying on government jobs.
“We are embarking on the training of youths to engage them in modern farming and we are targeting those with either secondary school certificate, diploma, NCE or graduates.
“Anyone promising to give jobs to all graduates is lying because there’s no job.
“From our inception, we recruited no fewer than 10,000 people.
“And recently, the Umaru Musa Yar’adua University has graduated at least 10,000 with first degree.
“Therefore, we have to provide an enabling environment for them.
“That’s why we inaugurated the disbursement of about N5 billion for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the state,” the governor said.
He also said that the state government had provided N500 million as a matching fund, while the Small Medium Enterprises Devwlopment Agency also gave the same amount to support the people.
He further said that there was also a recent approval of N2 billion by the NEXIM Bank for the farmers to access as loan to export their farm produce.
“Anyone interested in exporting his or her farm produce can get a loan from that fund.
“All these funds are available now, our youths should apply, indicating their interest.
“They will undergo screening to see if they are eligible to access the loans,” Radda said.
He also disclosed that 10 small businesses with growth potentials were selected across each Local Government Areas of the state.
He said that the operators of those small businesses would be supported to see if they could improve their businesses.
“There’s also a revolving loan available.
“If our youths can utilise these opportunities, they can become job givers, instead of job seekers,” the governor said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Hemp
By Funmilayo Okunade
Ado-Ekiti, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The police on Friday arraigned a 23-year-old man, Akinola Ajewole, before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged possession of hemp.
The defendant, of no fixed address, is standing trial on a charge of possession of hemp.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp Elijah Adejare, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 26 at about 3:30 p.m. in Ado-Ekiti.
Adejare said that the defendant had in his possession weeds suspected to be hemp.
He said that the offence contravened Section 5(b) of the Indian Hemp Act LFN, 2004.
The prosecutor urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him to study the file and assemble his witnesses.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.
Counsel to the defendant, Mr Gboyega Abiola, urged the court to grant the defendant bail, with a promise that he would not jump bail.
The Chief Magistrate, Dolamu Babalogbon, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000, with one surety in like sum.
Babalogbon adjourned the case till July 10 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
FOA/GOM/WAS
Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam and ‘Wale Sadeeq
Yola, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The USAID State2State activity has called on Adamawa officials and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to sustain its various reforms in the state to improve service delivery in education , health and WASH sectors.
Suzanne Myada, Adamawa State2State Team Lead, made the call at the Year four Quarter three Public Financial Management (PFM) roundtable discussion with stakeholders in Yola, Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the roundtable was “Strengthening the Policy, Planning and Budget Linkages for Improve PFM”.
Myada said State2State had been in the state since 2020, reforming key areas for effective service delivery, and the intervention would be rolled out in August 2025.
She listed some of the reforms to include PFM, Cash Management, Citizens Engagement, Monitoring and Evaluation, Budgeting and Budget Management forms.
According to her, sustaining the reforms will help to ensure transparency, accountability and effectiveness in the state.
“When partners come in to the state, remember they will not stay forever.
“So, everything we are doing is not for State2State. it is for Adamawa. Take full ownership of the reforms to improve service delivery in education, health and WASH,” she said.
Mr Abubakar Usman, Coordinator PFM Support, earlier said that among the objectives of the roundtable was the need to increase ownership and sustainability of State2State PFM intervention in Adamawa.
“To discuss the implementing policy, planning and budget Linkages and how state can use to develop MTFF, MTBF and MTSS,” he said.
Mr Emmanuel Bwala, Citizens Engagement and Capacity Building Consultants, said most of the reforms reviewed in the state were audited and now is up-to-date need to be fully implement.
“Government should be up and doing on my implementation of the reforms for the effective service delivery and the benefits of citizens in the state,” he said.
Makallan Akila, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, appreciated USAID for the intervention and assured to do everything possible for effective implementation for the development of the state.
Mr Shafa Salma, who spoke on behalf of the CSOs, said the meeting was timely and that it increased the consciousness of MDAs to know the importance of CSOs as partners in progress.
He assured continued collaboration and networking with MDAs for effective service delivery for the citizens (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Down: 3rd left, Managing Director of LBSL Mr Idowu Oguntona, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and LBSL staff
Bus
By Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos Bus Services Ltd. (LBSL) has trasported more than 52 million people in the past five years.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LBSL, Mr Idowu Oguntona, made the disclosure on Friday in Lagos during a fitness walk organised by the organisation.
The walk was part of activities to mark the organisation’s five years of operation.
Oguntona said that, on a daily basis, the company provided mobility for 60,000 Lagos residents, adding that it had covered over 27 million kilometers.
“We started in 2019 with just five routes, and under the five years, with the commitment of the governor, those five routes have since turned to 19 routes, giving people options across the whole of Lagos State.
“In addition to that, we started with about 50 buses, but the governor, keeping his promises to Lagos residents, has scaled the buses to 300.
“What the governor promised in terms of providing reliable, efficient and safe public transportation has happened, and that is why we feel that there is need to celebrate the achievements of this company,” he said.
The LBSL boss added that the organisation’s academy had trained 2,000 Lagos residents and equipped them with skills to be able to secure jobs.
The managing director said that the company had committed workers.
“As early as 5.00 a.m., buses leave the post. The captains that will man the buses leave their homes as early as 4.00 a.m. to get to the station to provide transportation for early risers in Lagos.
“The last bus does not come in until past eleven in the night.
“This is not also the end of the service because, as people are sleeping, that is the time mechanical work happens on the buses. The buses are washed and fueled to be ready for the next day,” he said.
He said that workers could get so soaked in in their jobs that they might not pay attention to their health.
“We decided to promote the wellness, a health walk, and beyond that, we are checking their vitals – blood pressure, sugar level – to ensure they are sound,” he said.
He said that being a socially-responsible organisation, LBSL carried out corporate social responsibilities within communities and recognised efforts of hardworking staff.
“All of these achievements are because of the policy of the government in ensuring that there is a sustainable and well-integrated public transportation which we keyed into.
“Going forward, there is much to expect, and in keeping in line with the vision of President Bola Tinubu on blue economy, it means that public transportation will be running on clean energy, leveraging the huge gas possibility that we have to power our locomotive.
“We will de-carbonise our fleets so that we will be environment-friendly. Lagos residents will see buses with compressed natural gas and electric engines.
“We have started a pilot with the private sector under the leadership of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority to see how the buses can adapt to our environment,” he said.
The managing director said that Lagos residents should expect wider coverage.
“Currently, we have about 33 routes, we want all Lagosians to have these options, to have a feel of what government is doing to ensure full social inclusion,” he said.
He regretted that the company lost about 55 buses to the Endsars protest of October 2020.
He, however, said that the company had recovered through commitment, doggedness and resilience of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The state Commissioner of Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said that movement of goods and services was an integral part of the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda of the state government.
“We have an ever-growing number in Lagos when it comes to population.
“Seven or eight years ago, we were talking about seven million people. Today, we have about 24 million, and this gave birth to our intermodal transportation system.
“In land, we are intentional in moving people, and over time, we will be doing a lot of re-routing in high capacity routes. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Group donates N2m to victims of Ogige Nsukka Market demolition
Foundation
By Benson Ezugwu
Enugu, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The Ikechukwu Ezeugwu Foundation, on Friday, donated N2 million to the victims of the recent demolition of stalls in Ogige Market, Nsukka.
The Founder and Director General of the foundation, Dr Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, said the donation was made on the auspices of the “Ogige Nsukka Traders Support Fund, a call for empathy”.
Ezeugwu, who is the immediate past Majority Leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly, said that the gesture was to cushion the effect of the demolition on the traders.
“Most of us are aware of the recent development at the Ogige Market, Nsukka.
“The affected traders are in a state of despondency.
“In order to demonstrate our love for them in practical, measurable and verifiable terms, I am appealing for financial assistance on their behalf in order to assuage their plight.
“On behalf of Ikechukwu Ezeugwu Foundation, I have made a donation of N2 million only to kick-start this drive.
“This effort will help them to stabilise emotionally even before the money we are able to raise is given to them and before they are compensated by the government,” Ezeugwu said.
He further said that he was aware that the leadership of the market was working with the government agencies to ensure a seamless verification of the affected shop owners.
“This is with a view to doing the needful within the shortest possible time,” he said.
Ezeugwu appealed to other good spirited individuals and groups to come to the aid of the victims to enable them to recommence their means of livelihood.
“May God reward you abundantly and always meet you at your point of need as you make your donations, notwithstanding the economic realities we are presently facing in our country.
Also, the Chairperson of the Ogige Market Traders Association, Mrs Ngozi Ozioko, said that the demolition took a big toll on the lives of the affected traders.
Ozioko claimed that no fewer than 1800 affected shop owners were allegedly given only 72 hours to vacate their shops without compensation or alternative shops.
“We want the government to do something very urgently to resettle the traders, ” she said.
A victim of the demolition, Mr Ikechukwu Agbo, however, alleged that the market leaders were informed about the exercise about eight months ago.
“The government said it informed our leaders about the development since eight months ago but nobody told us until they came last week and gave us 72 hours,” Agbo said.
NAN reports that the State Government recently embarked on the demolition of some market stalls and structures to pave the way for its proposed transport terminals in the capital city. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
