WordPress

Blog

  • Man, 24, remanded for allegedly stealing plastic can valued N7,000

    Stealing

    By Raji Rasak

    Badagry (Lagos State) June 21, 2024 (NAN) A Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on Friday remanded a 24-year old man, Jimoh Eluah, at a correctional facility for allegedly stealing a plastic can valued N7,000.

    Eluah whose address was not given, is being charged with unlawful entry and stealing to which he pleaded guilty.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr L.A Aina ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Awhajigoh Correctional Centre, Badagry.

    He thereafter, adjourned the case until June 4, for facts and sentencing.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Clement Okuoimose told the court that the defendant committed the offences at about 6.00a.m on June 17, at Jubau Petrol Station, Badagry, Lagos.

    Okuoimose said that the defendant jumped across the fence and entered into the petrol station with an intent to steal.

    He said the defendant stole one empty plastic can valued N7,000, belonging to the fueling station.

    Okuoimose said that the offences violated Sections 308 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    ROR/KOO/AZU
    ===========
    Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Azubuike Okeh

  • Prison congestion: NCS official canvasses use of non-custodial measures

    Prison
    By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
    Ilorin, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Mr Okunola Adebayo, the Assistant Controller of Corrections, Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS), Kwara Command, has advocated for use of non-custodial measures in punishing offenders to reduce congestion in correctional centres across the country.
    Adebayo made the call on the sidelines of a two-day Performance Appraisal Workshop on the Legal Framework on Parole and the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria, in Ilorin on Friday.
    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that victims should not always rush to take cases to court, but should endeavour to explore other means, such as alternative dispute resolution, out of court settlement and community service.
    ”One of the ways to reduce congestion of our custodial centres is the introduction of non-custodial measures, which include the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
    ”For instance, instead of allowing all cases to go through the court process, we should use the ADR vis-a-vis restorative justice. We should try to mediate between warring parties to ensure out of court settlements.
    ”Another way is through community service. Menial offences that are not criminal in nature, instead of giving them jail term, you can make them go through community service.
    ”Those are some of the measures that the present Controller-General of NCS is encouraging judicial personnel to explore,” he said.
    NAN reports that the workshop, which started on Thursday, had representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Federation of Women Lawyers, National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Police Force, Legal Aid Council, Civil Society Organisations, NGOs and Nigeria Customs Service in attendance.
    NAN also reports that the workshop was organised by Cleen Foundation, with support from MacArthur Foundation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    BAY/WAS
    Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Ukraine, Moldova talks to join EU begins June 25

    Ukraine, Moldova talks to join EU begins June 25

    Talks

    Brussels, June 21, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Negotiations on Ukraine and Moldova  joining the European Union will begin on June 25, the Belgian Government announced on Friday.

    Belgium, which is acting on behalf of EU member-states until the end of this month, said on X that ministers had approved plans for talks with the two countries.

    This would allow the negotiations to begin next week.

    Ukraine and Moldova applied for EU membership after Russia’s full-scale invasion of the former in February 2022.

    Moldova, like its larger neighbour, Ukraine, has a breakaway region called Transnistria that aligns itself to Russia.

    The start of talks does not mean the two countries would be joining the EU any time soon.

    The Belgian Presidency said that every step of the process would require unanimous agreement among current member-states.

    It said that several other countries had been waiting longer.

    EU leaders formally recognised Ukraine and Moldova as candidates for membership in June 2023.

    They granted candidate status to Georgia in December 2023.

    The other official candidates are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey.

    The last country to be admitted into the EU was Croatia, which joined in 2013.

    Romania and Bulgaria joined in 2007, and 10 countries joined in 2004. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    COO/IGO
    ========
    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Ijeoma Popoola

  • Ogun doctors threaten strike over poor working conditions

    Strike

     

    By Yetunde Fatungase

     

    Abeokuta, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun chapter, says it will go on strike over poor working conditions at the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum issued to the state government.

    The association’s chairman, Dr Kunle Ashimi, said at a news conference in Abeokuta on Friday that the ultimatum, issued on June 7, would expire on Thursday.

    According to Ashimi, members will have no choice but to embark on strike unless the government addresses their concerns.

    He mentioned the non-payment of the reviewed CONMESS salary scale and failure to recruit new doctors as some of the issues requiring government attention.

    He noted that despite ongoing discussions with relevant government officials, there had only been verbal assurances without official commitments.

    He, therefore, urged the citizens of Ogun to call on the government to take necessary steps to prevent the looming strike, which would disrupt healthcare services across the state.

    “The State Executive Council of NMA Ogun issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government on June 7, which will elapse on June 27.

    “This indicated that industrial harmony may not be guaranteed after this date as the pressure of work on the few doctors holding forth is yielding dire consequences.

    “Ongoing conversations with relevant government officers only came with verbal assurances but no official commitment yet.

    “Concerned affiliates of NMA Ogun have been engaging the government on the need to commence the payment of the reviewed CONMESS salary scale for doctors in the state in order to motivate and retain those who have not left and to attract new ones.

    “We use this opportunity to call on well-meaning citizens of Ogun state to impress upon the Ogun government to do the needful to avert any industrial action,” Ashimi said.

    The NMA chief said Babcock University Teaching Hospital witnessed a monthly electricity bill surge between N80 million and N100 million to N300 million.

    He called for concessions to be given to health institutions to prevent increased costs from being passed onto patients, potentially making healthcare inaccessible for many.

    “While we appreciate the zeal of the government to develop the energy sector, we appeal strongly that concessions be given to health institutions.

    “These humongous tariffs will eventually be passed on to our poor patients, thereby driving them further away from access to appropriate healthcare services,” he said

    On the Cholera outbreak, Ashimi said there were ongoing sensitisation programmes by the association in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and various media organisations.

    He stressed the importance of preventive measures and provided contact numbers as released by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, to report suspected cholera cases.

    He said the cases would be treated free of charge at designated facilities.

    “We use this opportunity to appeal to our people to imbibe preventive measures for the prevention of the spread of Cholera.

    “This includes avoiding open defecation, avoiding indiscriminate refuse dumping, washing hands regularly, washing fruits and vegetables well before consuming and treating water before consuming it, either by boiling or treating it with chemical purifying agents.

    “We advocate that where there is no wherewithal to do this, two drops of plain household bleach in a litre of water can be a good alternative.

    “We also implore schools to monitor food, fruit and snack vendors around the schools to ensure that they practice proper hygiene.

    “As well, schools should reintroduce handwashing stations like it was done during the COVID-19 period,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.com)

    YAF/MAS

    Edited by Moses Solanke

    ====

     

     

  • 3,074 lawyers register for NBA annual conference

    Conference

    By Sandra Umeh
    Lagos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) No fewer than 3,074 lawyers have registered for the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBA-AGC), Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, the Chairperson for the 2024 edition of the conference, has said.

    Badejo-Okunsanya told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that the figure was commendable when compared with 2,000 registered lawyers in 2023.

    NAN reports that the 64th NBA-AGC is billed to hold from Aug. 23 to Aug. 28 in Lagos.

    The theme of the conference is: “Pressing Forward, A National Posture for Rebuilding Nigeria”.

    Badejo-Okunsanya expressed optimism that a good number of lawyers would emerge at the end of July going by the registered delegates so far.

    “As of Thursday, we already had 3,074 registered delegates and this is very encouraging because within same period last year, we had about 2,000 and it was quite worrisome.

    “But by June 30, we should see a lot of activities in preparation for the conference and I am very optimistic that this conference will be mind blowing.

    “Already we are feeling the excitement because Lagos State is special and is always an exciting venue to have the conference,” she said.

    She described Tafawa Balewa Square, the venue for the conference as quite significant, considering the huge number of lawyers.

    She expressed confidence that everything would work out for the good of the bar.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    UNS/JNC
    ========
    Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • AbdulRazaq announces minor cabinet reshuffle in Kwara

    Reshuffle
    By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo
    Ilorin, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, on Friday, announced a minor reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
    This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, in Ilorin on Friday.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those affected include: Mrs Justina Afolashade, Commissioner for Social Development, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Women Affairs.
    Also, Mrs Bosede Buraimoh, who was hitherto in charge of the ministry of women affairs was moved to the Ministry of Social Development.
    Similarly, Mrs Nafisat Buge, the Commissioner for Youth Development, was moved to the Ministry of Environment, while Mr Shehu Usman, who was hitherto in charge of the ministry, moved to the Ministry of Youth Development.
    According to Ajakaye, the cabinet reshuffle takes immediate effect. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AGF/DCO/WAS
    Edited by Deborah Coker and ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Scouts council ready to develop self-confidence, leadership skills in students 

    Scouting
    By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
    Lagos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Scouts Council has expressed readiness to partner with schools in Lagos State to address indiscipline and moral decade among students.
    The Commissioner of Lagos State Scouts Council, Mr Adebesin Olohuntoyin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that there was need to make students to play constructive roles.
    He  appealed to the three tiers of government to provide the council with an enabling environment and other forms of support to achieve the goal.
    According to him, scouting helps students to develop  self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills and citizenship skill.
    “The failure of parents, schools and leaders to engage Nigerian students in scouting activities and other impactful events that can build culture and  morals in young people has been blamed for  vices, including drug addiction, fraud and insurgency.
    ‘Scouting breeds culture; every tribe has its own culture/tradition, and scouting goes into the tradition to see how we can come back to good days.
    “Scouting plays a significant role in the physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development of students,” he added.
    He said that Lagos State Scouts Council had been a reference point due  to the state government’s commitment to youth development using scout method over the years.
    “This longstanding tradition puts scouting in Lagos at an enviable position,” he said.
    On challenges faced by the council, Olohuntoyin identified inability to access schools on Saturdays for open troop meetings as a key challenge.
    He said that open troop meetings would enable participation of indigent students in scout trainings.
    According to him children,  adolescents and yound adult aged from  six years to 26 years can belong to the various categories of scout troop. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    MIL/IGO
    ========
    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

  • Ministry collaborates to foster youths self reliance, development in Plateau

    Collaboration
    Jos, June 21, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Goselle Nanjul, the Plateau Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, says the state is  collaborating  with the  Federal College of Forestry in area of technology to develop the youth.

    Nanjul, who received the Acting Provost of Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Prof. Stephen Chomini who was on  courtesy visit on Friday in Jos,  said that the partnership would stimulate technological revolution.

    Chomini said that the aim of the visit was to foster self reliance and development among the youth.

    The provost said that it was in line with the colleges’ mandate to train middle-level manpower to sustain and enhance the environmental ecosystem management.

    He said that the collaboration would also provide education programmes for young people  who could be interested in forestry.

    The commissioner said that the mission of the school had been to leverage technology to make the environment green and friendly.

    He also observed that the collaboration would improve the lives of many youths by providing new jobs and providing new tools that would make forest work more efficient.(NAN)
    OIZ/CHOM/KAY
    ============

    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Kayode Olaitan

  • “Stomach infrastructure” bane of good governance, Ex-Osun Speaker

    Governance
    By Victor Adeoti
    Ede (Osun), June 21, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Mojeed Alabi, a former speaker of  the Osun House of Assembly, has blamed the politics of “stomach infrastructure,” for the low delivery of  good governance in the country.
    Alabi made the assertion while delivering  the 40th anniversary lecture of Ede Unique Club, in Ede town.
    He said that the politics of stomach infrastructure, which entails public office seekers giving handouts to curry votes, had prevented Nigerians asking their leaders questions on good governance.
    Alabi said that due to politics of stomach infrastructure, the electorate no longer care about good governance, but only what they get as immediate benefits.
    “By the time you reduce vote catching strategies to merely inviting people to your house, killing cow, feeding, and giving them one or two Naira to vote, it compromises the future of what they ordinarily should have asked for,” he said.
    Alabi, who is the current Provost of College of Law, Osun State University, said that due to politics of stomach Infrastructure, people no longer ask questions about the capacity of politicians vying for elective posts.
    He said that instead of the electorate to ask questions on whether the aspirant has capacity to lead, “what they are after is whether the person has money”.
    Alabi said that stomach infrastructure was a function of a debased society and put the blame on both electorate and the leadership.
    He appealed to political leaders to always put the interest of the masses first by providing them with the real dividends of democracy.
    In his remarks, Alhaji Ganiu Omowabi, the President of the club, said the group in the last 40 years of its existence had been known as a breeding ground for leaders in various fields of endeavours.
    Omowabi said  the group, which was founded in 1983 as an organisation of young men, had grown to become one of the longest surviving bodies of its kind.
    The president said that as part of activities to celebrate its anniversary, the club had donated a N5.5 million solar power facility to Ede general hospital.
    He tasked other non-governmental organisations to continue to support government in providing basic amenities to the people.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  highlight of the event was the presentation of fellowship award on infrastructure development to Gov. Ademola Adeleke.
    Other personalities were also given special recognition award, including Mr Wale Abass, a retired Assistant Inspector General of police (AIG).(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    VE/CHOM/AOS
    ============
    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Bayo Sekoni

  • AbdulRazaq charges on recognition of indigenous culture, heritage

    AbdulRazaq charges on recognition of indigenous culture, heritage

    Culture

    By Olubukola Aiyedogbon

    Igbaja (Kwara), June 21, 2024 (NAN) Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara on Friday charged the people of Igbaja on continuous recognition of the rich cultural heritage and diversity that make the community unique in the state.

    AbdulRazaq said this when he attended the 2024 Igbaja Day celebration.

    He congratulated the Elese of Igbaja, who doubles as the Jagunmolu of Igbaja and founder of Al-hikmah University, Chief AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, and all sons and daughters of Igbaja community on the celebration.

    He advised the people to continue to unite for accelerated growth.

    “Let us embrace and celebrate our diversity and continue to build bridges of understanding and empathy.

    “As you are aware, our administration has embarked on various projects that touched the lives of everyone across the state, including Igbaja land.

    “We will continue to do more to improve the lives of our people,” the governor said.

    In his response, Chief Oladimeji appreciated AbdulRazaq for time management, and many laudable programmes and projects in the town and across the state.

    He prayed that God would continue to support the AbdulRazaq-led administration to do more for the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    OJB//FON/AMM

    =============

    Edited by Florence Onuegbu and Abiemwense Moru