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  • Police arraign man, 28, over alleged forcible entry, theft

    Arraignment

     

    By Funmilayo Okunade

     

     

    Ado-Ekiti, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The police have on Thursday arraigned a 28-year-old man, Obaike Monday, for allegedly breaking into and stealing from a farm settlement.

     

    Monday, whose address was not provided, is facing a three-count charge of forcible entry, malicious damage and stealing before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

     

    According to the prosecutor, Insp Olasunkanmi Bamikole, the defendant allegedly committed the offences with three others still large in January at Bolorunduro Camp, Igbogun farm settlement.

     

    Bamikole said the defendant and his accomplices forcibly entered the farm of the complainant, Dr Ogunmilade Johnson, and maliciously damaged some economic trees valued at N5 million.

     

    He alleged that the defendant used the trees for charcoal business without the complainant’s consent.

     

    The prosecutor said the defendant also allegedly stole tubers of cocoyam, water yam, and cassava from the farm.

     

    According to him, the offences contravened Sections 65, 363 and 302 of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

     

    The prosecutor, however, asked the court for an adjournment to enable him to assemble his witnesses.

     

    The Defence Counsel, Mr Sunday Balogun, urged the court to grant his client bail, promising he would not jump bail.

     

    Subsequently, the Chief Magistrate, Mr Saka Afunso, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50 000 with two sureties in like sum.

     

    Afunso said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant.

     

    He adjourned the case until July 29 for mention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

     

    FOA/EOB/MAS

    =========

     

    Edited by Edith Bolokor and Moses Solanke

     

  • Plateau health agency engages stakeholders for enhanced service delivery

    Plateau health agency engages stakeholders for  enhanced service delivery

    Enhancement

    By Blessing Odega

    Jos, June 20, 2024 (NAN)2024 (NAN) The Plateau State Contributory Health Management Agency (PLASCHEMA), has held a stakeholders engagement with various healthcare facilities in the state on ways to improve enrollees service delivery and satisfaction in their facilities.

    The Director – General (D-G) of PLASCHEMA, Dr Agabus Manasseh, on Thursday in Jos, said the meeting was also an avenue to reflect on their achievements and to chart a path towards a more integrated, efficient healthcare delivery system in the state.

    Agubus, who was represented by Mrs Evelyn Dantak, the agency’s Director Human Resources and Administration, said that the engagement was imperative to discuss the progress in the implementation of the Plateau  Social Health Insurance Scheme and its challenges.

    He further said that the meeting would also boost the agency’s relationship with its service providers.

    Agubus, commended the various healthcare facilities for providing qualitative services to the enrollees .

    The D-G called for active participation and constructive dialogue among attendees.

    One of the participants, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dr Lenkop Danlami, the Medical Director, Hwolshe Medical centre, said the engagement organised by PLASCHEMA was salient and should be done periodically to enable service providers have regular  interface  with the agency .

    NAN, reports that healthcare facilities, stand alone laboratories and community pharmacies affiliated to the agency were in attendance.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UBO/YGA

    ========

    Edited by Gabriel Yough

  • 3 docked for allegedly tampering with transformer in Ekiti

    Arraignment
    By Funmilayo Okunade
    Ado-Ekiti, June 20, 2024 (NAN) Three men– Gbenga Oladapo, Godwin Daniel and Dennis Martins, on Thursday, appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court charged with tampering with a transformer.
    The men, Oladapo, 33, Daniel, 20 and  Martins, 25, whose addresses were not provided, are facing a charge of tampering with a transformer.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court did not take the pleas of the defendants.
    The Prosecutor, Insp Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on June 12 at 1:00 a.m., in Ijero-Ekiti area of Ekiti.
    Oriyomi said that the defendants were caught by passersby tampering with a transformer in Ijero-Ekiti community.
    He said that the passersby raised alarm and members of the community apprehended the men and then handed  them over to the police for questioning.
    Oriyomi said that the offence contravened Section 9 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP,  2024.
    The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants  pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
    However, the Defence Counsel, Mr Busuyi Ayorinde, urged the court to grant his clients bail on liberal terms, promising that they would not jump bail.
    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Olarewaju Owoleso,  granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties in like sum.
    Owoleso said one of the sureties must be a property owner or a civil servant not below grade level 14 in the employ of Ekiti State Government.
    He adjourned the case until July 29 for mention.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    FOA/EOB/AOS
    =========
    Edited by Edith Bolokor/Bayo Sekoni

  • Nigeria, Ghana to represent Africa in U.S. spelling bee–foundation

    Spelling

    By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

    Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN)Young Educators Foundation, an NGO, has announced  that Nigeria and Ghana will represent Africa at the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee, that will be hosted in the U.S. in 2025.

    Mrs Eugenia Tachie-Menson, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

    Tachie-Menson said that the spelling competition that tested students’ competence in spelling and vocabulary prowess had seen Ghana representing the continent for about two decades.

    She said that the foundation in collaboration with Lucid Education Initiative, Nigeria, facilitated for Nigeria to join the representation.

    “This collaboration aims to ignite a passion for spelling and literacy among Nigerian youths.

    “The Scripps National Spelling Bee is more than a contest; it is a celebration of discipline, word mastery and academic excellence.

    “Beyond giving Nigerian students and schools a global spotlight, it will boost cognitive skills, critical thinking, and mental agility in young learners.

    “It will also spark curiosity and a lifelong love for language and learning.’’

    According to her, the foundation is already working on a selection process of students to compete at the national level for the global representation.

    The chief executive officer added that they had begun the selection from some private schools and later to public schools.

    “The champion of this yet-to-be-unveiled spelling contest will earn a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May 2025,” she said.

    On his part, Mr Afolajimi Akinyoyenu, Chief Executive Officer, Lucid Education Initiative, said that Nigeria’s participation in the competition would highlight the importance of literacy and spelling education among young students.

    “This programme offers a platform for Nigerian youths to showcase their literacy prowess on a global stage.

    “It will change the tired and erroneous narrative that the African child only hungers for food,” he said.

    The 2024 edition had no fewer than 245 national competitors from schools across the U.S., in Europe, Ghana, Canada and others.

    The Scripps National Spelling Bee is a thrilling mental challenge, with spellers having just 75 seconds to ask questions and 90 seconds to spell each word.(NAN)www.nannews.ng

     

    NIU/CJ/

    ========

    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

     

     

     

     

  • 24-year-old arraigned for allegedly possessing gun

    Gun
    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
    Ibadan, June 20, 2024 (NAN) A 24-year-old man, Toheeb Oyedepo, was on Thursday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly possessing a single barrel gun.
    Oyedepo, whose address was not provided, was charged with unlawful possession of a single barrel gun, to which he, however, pleaded not guilty.
    The Prosecutor, Insp Olalekan Adegbite, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 18 at about 1 p.m. at Okeola area of Ibadan.
    Adegbite said that the defendant unlawfully possessed the cut-to-size locally-made gun, of which he could not give satisfactory account.
    He said that the offence contravened Section 417 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
    The Magistrate, Mrs Oluwabusayo Osho, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with two reliable sureties in like sum.
    She adjourned the case till July 11 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    CC/DEB/WAS
    Debo Oshundun and ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • 2 men in court over alleged shop theft, breaking

    2 men in court over alleged shop breaking, theft

    Arraignment

    By Funmilayo Okunade

    Ado-Ekiti, June 6, 2024(NAN) Two men, Zeyyanu Abdullahi, 25, and Fapohunda Ebenezer, 23, on Thursday appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged shop breaking and stealing.

    The defendants, of unknown addresses, are facing a two-count charge of shop breaking and stealing.

    The police prosecutor, Insp Sodiq Adeniyi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on May 19 at about 01:30 a.m. at Falegan Street in Ado-Ekiti.

    He alleged that the defendants broke into the shops of Daramola Tosin and Dare Ogunseeyin.

    Adeniyi said that the defendants stole one generator valued at N450,000 belonging to Daramola Tosin and also stole wears valued at N650,000 belonging to Dare Ogunseeyin.

    According to him, the offences contravened Sections 324(1)(2) and 302(1)(a) of the Criminal Laws of Ekiti State, 2021.

    The prosecutor asked the court for adjournment to enable him study the case file and present his witnesses.

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

    Counsel to the defendants, Mr Adefolaju Ayobioloja, urged the court to grant them bail, with a promise that they would not jump bail.

    The Chief Magistrate, Dolamu Babalogbon, granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N50,000 with one surety each in like sum.

    She adjourned the case till July 18 for hearing.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    FOA/AMM

    =========

    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • Another cargo ship seized on suspicion of violating UN sanctions on N/Korea

    Another cargo ship seized on suspicion of violating UN sanctions on N/Korea

    File photo shows a cargo ship, DEYI, on March 30, 2024, in waters off Yeosu committing alleged activities in violation of UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea. (Yonhap).

    Seizure

    Busan (South Korea), June 20, 2024 (Yonhap/NAN) South Korea seized a 2,900-ton cargo ship near the Korea Strait on Thursday on suspicion of violating UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea, sources said.

    The foreign-flagged freighter, reportedly carrying coal and iron ore with 10 crewmembers, was en route from Russia to China, presumably via North Korea, when it was seized.

    The vessel is now anchored at an anchorage in Busan on the country’s southeastern coast.

    “With the vessel’s suspected violation of the UNSC sanctions, relevant government agencies are taking necessary steps in line with the international and domestic laws,” the foreign ministry said in response to a Yonhap query about the ship, without providing further details.

    In late March, another 3,000-ton cargo ship, DEYI, which was heading to Vladivostok, Russia, was seized in waters off Yeosu, along the southern coast, under similar suspicions.

    The ship is also currently anchored at the anchorage at Busan Port, with the captain and other crew onboard. (Yonhap/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    YEE

    ===

    (Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

  • A’Ibom govt. distributes farm inputs to cooperative societies

    Inputs
    By Isaiah Eka
    Uyo, June 20, 2024 (NAN) Akwa Ibom Government has commenced distribution of farm inputs to farmers group and cooperative societies in the state, as part of measures to boost food production.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the distribution of the items was flagged off by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Offiong Offor in Uyo on Thursday.
    Offor, while addressing farmers and other stakeholders during the exercise, reiterated government’s resolve to support different categories of farmers in the state.
    “We have already distributed inputs to some groups during the official flag-off of the first planting season.
    “Government will reach out to more groups in order to boost food production.
    “Farmers will be supported with agricultural machinery to aid land preparation for farming, farm inputs, agro-chemicals and access to finance, for the overall aim of expanding farming activities,” he said.
    Offor stated that the ministry had deployed extension agents to each of the benefiting cooperative societies, schools and farming groups to offer technical support, monitor and evaluate progress.
    She urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items to enhance food sufficiency in the state.
    The commissioner commended members of Women Agro-Link International Foundation (WALIF) for being passionate about agriculture.
    She said that that her visit to the farm owned by the group and other groups was an indication that they were taking agriculture seriously.
    According to her, the exercise is a fulfillment of government’s determination to equip farmers with improved farm inputs for better yields.
    Offor urged the farmers to be focused on proper cultivation of the inputs in order to reduce the current high cost of food in the country.
    The commissioner warned the beneficiaries against selling the inputs, stressing that anyone caught in such act would be penalised.
    In his goodwill message, Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in the state, Mr Bassey Enwang, thanked the government for supporting farmers from time to time.
    Enwang pledged to ensure maximum utilisation of the farm inputs provided by the state government.
    Leader of Women Agro-Link International Foundation, (WALIF), Mrs Theresa Akpan, said that the group was massively cultivating its 60 hectares of farmland at Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the state.
    Akpan commended the state government for supporting farmers with inputs, saying that they would help in boosting food production in the state.
    NAN reports that the farm inputs distributed to the cooperative groups included: improved cassava cuttings, coconut seedlings, raised pepper seedlings and agro-chemicals. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    IE/WAS
    Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • NGO commends NDLEA’s commitment to rehabilitate illicit drug users

     

    Mrs Soludo with officers of NDLEA

     

    Drug

    By Bukola Adetoye

    Abeokuta, June 20, 2024 ( NAN) The Useful Youth Vision Concepts (UYVC), an NGO, has commended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA), on its resilience towards rehabilitating illicit drug users in the country.

    The Founder, Mrs Adetokunbo Shonibare-Ayantunji made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abeokuta.

    Shonibare-Ayantunji said that the estimated global rise in the use of illicit drug in the next six years should be a huge concern to everyone.

    She quoted the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, as saying that illicit drug intake would witness about 40 per cent rise globally.

    “The projections also indicated a significant rise in drug intake in Africa, and particularly in Nigeria, by 2030,” she said.

    The UYVC founder, said that in spite of rise in drug intake, NDLEA had remained focused and committed to the campaign against drug abuse

    She said that the agency had made remarkable impact in the rehabilitation of illicit drugs users, saying, “this involves counseling and treatment”

    “Only recently the NLEA published that between January 2021 and March 2024, it counselled and treated no fewer than 32,402 drug users.

    “The agency also secured about 9,034 convictions with no fewer than 12,000 other cases ongoing in different courts, this is a great feat.

    “We should not leave these remarkable achievements to go without being marked out and appreciated. You have indeed shown true commitment to your duty” she said.

    Shonibare-Ayantunji, said that there was need to address the root causes of the rise drug abuse and addiction in the interest of a saner and more productive society.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    OBA/DE/AZU
    ==========

    Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Azubuike Okeh

  • S/Korea slams N/Korea-Russia treaty, hints at potential arms supply to Ukraine

    S/Korea slams N/Korea-Russia treaty, hints at potential arms supply to Ukraine

    Condemnation

    Seoul, June 20, 2024 (Yonhap/NAN) The South Korean government on Thursday said it would reconsider its stance on arms supply to Ukraine after North Korea and Russia signed a treaty to mutually provide immediate military assistance if one of them is attacked.

    National Security Advisor Chang Ho-jin also condemned “the comprehensive strategic treaty” signed during the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on Wednesday.

    “The government expresses grave concern and condemns the signing of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between North Korea and Russia, which aims to strengthen mutual military and economic cooperation,” Chang said in a press briefing at the presidential office.

    Chang said any cooperation that directly or indirectly aids North Korea’s military enhancement is a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and will be subject to international scrutiny and sanctions, and vowed to take corresponding measures.

    “We plan to reconsider the issue of arms support to Ukraine,” Chang also said, suggesting a shift in South Korea’s policy of not providing lethal aid to Ukraine.

    A presidential official said South Korea will maintain strategic ambiguity regarding the types of weapons that could be supplied to Ukraine.

    “Specific measures will be revealed later, and it will be interesting to see how Russia responds, rather than revealing our plans in advance,” the official told reporters.

    Air defense systems could be on the list as Ukraine is in desperate need of missile shields to counter Russian air strikes, according to government sources.

    South Korea will also slap additional sanctions on four Russian ships, five organizations, and eight individuals involved in the transfer of weapons and oil between Russia and North Korea, Chang said.

    There are 1,159 items subject to export controls to Russia following the Ukraine war, and South Korea will add 243 new items, bringing the total to 1,402 items under sanctions.

    Chang said it is “troubling” that North Korea and Russia, with their history of initiating the Korean War and the Ukraine War, respectively, pledged military cooperation based on the hypothetical scenario of a preemptive attack.

    “This is a fallacious and irrational argument that disregards international responsibility and norms,” he said.

    In light of deepening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, the government vowed to sternly respond to any security threats in coordination with the international community.

    “We will further strengthen the extended deterrence of the S. Korea-U.S. alliance and the security cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan to deter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats,” Chang said. (Yonhap/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    YEE

    ===

    (Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)