WordPress

Blog

  • Man who murdered pregnant woman jail for life in Denmark

    Man who murdered pregnant woman jail for life in Denmark
    Woman
    Copenhagen, June 11, 2024  (dpa/NAN)  A man in Denmark has been sentenced to life imprisonment and subsequent preventive detention after stabbing a heavily pregnant woman to death in 2016, the district court in Glostrup announced the sentence.
    The now 30-year-old man is said to have stabbed the woman 11 times with a knife in a park near Copenhagen and then cut off a piece of her nose, according to the court’s statement.
    The man denied the crime and his defence lawyer said that he would appeal against the judgement.
    The murder weapon has still not been found and there is no technical evidence such as fingerprints or DNA to prove the man’s guilt.
    In 2020, the police deployed an undercover investigator as a cellmate of the suspect, who was serving a prison sentence for the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend.
    The undercover investigator recorded the man describing how he had killed the pregnant woman, which contributed to the court’s decision to find him guilty.   (dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/EAL
    ========
    Edited by Ummul Idris/Ekemini Ladejobi

  • Our target is to set a world stage record for players-NTF

    Our target is to set a world stage record for players-NTF

    Athletes

    By Aderonke Ojo

    Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Shammah Makpa, the Secretary General of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), says the Federation`s target is to develop and set a world stage record for players.

    Makpa disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the just concluded International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour Junior J30 in Abuja.

    He said the competition is a component of the federation’s long long-term plan for development of players.

    “It serves as a means of providing a stage on which young players showcase their abilities before we choose the best among them.

    “The selected ones in the future would take over from the aging ones.

    “ Prospective players that performed exceptionally during this tournament will be eligible to compete in future competitions,” he said.

    Mapka said that having the competition in Nigeria has saved the federation from sourcing for money to sponsor players for competitions abroad.

    “By holding the tournament here, we were able to accommodate more than 30 to 60 Nigerian players that chose to participate in the competition.

    “This kind of competition can only accept a maximum of six players if it is held outside Nigeria,” he said.

    NAN reports that the Junior International Tennis Federation (ITF) event is a flagship tournament to help junior players gain global rankings and points.

    NAN reports that ITF World Tennis Tour Junior J30 which started on June 5, ended on Sunday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    STJ/JPE

    ======

    Edited by Joseph Edeh

  • 3 bus conductors jailed 3 months each for fighting in public

    3 bus conductors jailed 3 months each for fighting in public

     

    Sentence
    By Blessing Odega
    Jos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) An Area Court in Jos on Tuesday, sentenced Isah Abubakar, Abdulrazak Salihu, to three months imprisonment each for fighting in public and constituting a nuisance.

    The judge, Shawomi Bokkos, sentenced the convicts after they pleaded guilty to the offence.

    The judge, however gave the convicts an option of N 10,000 fine each or three months imprisonment for disturbing the peace of the public.

    Earlier, the police prosecutor, Insp Monday Dabit, told the court that information was received at the Laranto police station that the convicts were engaged in a fight behind the St Auustine Major Seminary.

    Dabit said that during police investigation,  the suspects confessed to the crime.

    The police prosecutor, said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 83 of the Plateau State Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UBO/SH

    =======

    edited by Sadiya Hamza

     

  • Security man, friend jailed 18 months each for stealing tricycle

    Security man, friend jailed 18 months each for stealing tricycle

    Theft
    By Blessing Odega

    Jos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) An Area Court in Jos on Tuesday, sentenced Murtala Gamboo a security man and his friend, Abdullahi Ibrahim, to 18 months imprisonment each for stealing a tricycle worth N N2.7m

    The judge, Shawomi Bokkos, sentenced the convicts after they pleaded guilty to the offence.

    The judge, however gave the convicts an option of N 20,000 fine each or six months imprisonment for criminal conspiracy.

    He ordered them to pay a compensation of N2,7m or spend 12 months in default.

    Earlier, the police prosecutor, Insp Labaran Ahmed, told the court that the case was reported at the C Division police station Jos, on May 15, by Mr Mohammed Ahmed.

    He said the complainant said he parked his tricycle, in the custody of Gambo, who conspired with Ibrahim.

    stole his tricycle valued at N2,700,000, from where it was parked.

    The prosecutor, further told the court that during police investigation, the convicts confessed to have committed the offence .

    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of the Plateau State Penal Code law of Northern Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UBO/SH

    =======

    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Service Delivery: Presidency, NIPPS, SGF to harmonise inter-sectoral policies

    Service Delivery: Presidency, NIPPS, SGF to harmonise inter-sectoral policies

     

    Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, the Chairman of the Committee (4th Left), Prof. Ayo Omotayo, DG of NIPSS (3rd Left) and other members of Committee after the meeting on Monday

     

    Harmonisation

    By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

    Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Presidency and the National Institute of Policies is to partner with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau to review and harmonies inter-sectoral policies to enhance effective service delivery.

    The partnership is in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and others.

    Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, the Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination to President Bola Tinubu stated this at the meeting of the Committee for the Review and Harmonisation of Sectoral Policies in Abuja.

    Bala-Usman, who is also the Chairman of the committee, said that the team comprised of representatives from NIPPS, Office of the Vice President, SGF and others.

    She noted that in view of the absence of inter-relationship across sectoral policies, the federal government has deemed it fit to constitute the team.

    “This team or committee is expected to look at how sectoral policies would be reviewed and coordinated with enhance collaboration across the sectors.

    “We have noted with concern some outdated policies are still within our sector, and the need for us to engage with respective Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) and relevant stakeholders.

    “The aim of the engagement is to come up with current policy deployment that speaks to the reality of what is needed to achieve our eight presidential priorities.

    “So we are going to lean on subject matter experts across the sectors; we are going to work with respective ministries and heads of agencies.

    “This is to see what needs to be done to enhance our policies deployment across sectors and ministries of federal government to enhance effective service delivery, ” Bala-Usman said.

    She further explained that the committee was working on a work plan, adding that it is an assignment that would take within 12 to 18 weeks to wrap up on priority on sectoral policies being updated.

    She said that the committee had already identified few MDAs that have outdated policies and was working with them to upgrade and improve on them.

    According to her, the work the committee is doing will not stop or negatively affect the activities of any sectoral ministries, department or agencies.

    Also speaking, the Director-General, NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo said the composition of the committee indicated that no organisation want to work in silos any more.

    “One thing I want to assure everyone is that the NIPPS and presidency together with other collaborative agencies will deliver to the nation workable plan, development and implementation framework.

    “This will be done in such a way that policies in Nigeria will no longer contradict themselves. We will ensure the resolution of cross-sectoral issues that have contradictions in our policies,” Omotayo said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that those in attendance are Bashir Maiduguri, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Legal, Research and Compliance in the office of the Vice President and many others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    CMY/DCO/SH

    ===========

    Edited by Deborah Coker/Sadiya Hamza

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • UN Security Council backs Israel-Hamas ceasefire plan

    UN Security Council backs Israel-Hamas ceasefire plan

    Ceasefire

    United Nations, June 11, 2024 (Reuters/NAN) The United Nations Security Council has backed a proposal outlined by President Joe Biden for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and urged the Palestinian militants to accept the deal aimed at ending the eight-month-long war.
    Hamas welcomed the adoption of the U.S.-drafted resolution, saying in a statement that it is ready to cooperate with mediators over implementing the principles of the plan “that are consistent with the demands of our people and resistance.”
    Russia abstained from the UN vote, while the remaining 14 Security Council members voted in favour of the resolution supporting a three-phase ceasefire plan laid out by Biden on May 31 that he described as an Israeli initiative.
    “Today we voted for peace,” U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the council after the vote.
    The resolution welcomes the new ceasefire proposal, states that Israel has accepted it, calls on Hamas to agree to it, and “urges both parties to implement its terms without delay fully, and without condition.”
    Algeria, the only Arab member state in the council, supported the resolution because “we believe it can represent a step forward toward an immediate and lasting ceasefire,” Algeria’s UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama told the council.
    “It offers a glimmer of hope to the Palestinians,” he said, adding: “It’s time to halt the killing.“
    The resolution also provides details on the proposal and indicates that “if the negotiations take longer than six weeks for phase one, the ceasefire will continue as long as negotiations continue.”
    However, it did not contain enough detail for Moscow.
    Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia asked what Israel had specifically agreed to and said the Security Council should not be signing up to agreements with “vague parameters.”
    “We did not wish to block the resolution simply because it, as much as we understand, is supported by the Arab world,” Nebenzia told the council.
    Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan was present for the vote but did not address the council.
    Instead, senior Israeli UN diplomat Reut Shapir Ben Naftaly told the body that Israel’s goals in Gaza had always been clear.
    “Israel is committed to these goals – to free all the hostages, to destroy Hamas’ military and governing capabilities, and to ensure that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future,” she said.
    “It is Hamas that is preventing this war from ending. Hamas and Hamas alone,” she added.
    The council in March demanded an immediate ceasefire and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas.
    For months, negotiators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar have been trying to mediate a ceasefire.
    Hamas says it wants a permanent end to the war in the Gaza Strip and Israeli withdrawal from the enclave of 2.3 million people.
    Israel is retaliating against Hamas, which rules Gaza, over an Oct. 7 attack by its militants.
    More than 1,200 people were killed and no fewer than 250 were taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies.
    More than 100 hostages are believed to remain captive in Gaza.
    Israel launched an air, ground, and sea assault on the Palestinian territory, killing more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. (Reuters/NAN) (www.nan.ng)
    YEE
    ====
    (Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

  • Community engagement has reduced crimes in Kano – CP

    Community engagement has reduced crimes in Kano – CP

    Crimes

    By Aminu Garko

    Kano, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Kano State said that its community engagement strategy and preventive measures have reduced the level of criminal activities in the state.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Usaini Gumel, stated this at the Ungogo Local Government Area chapter Law Week held on Monday in Kano.

    “Our community engagement and preventive measures have not only reduced crime rates but also fostered a sense of security and trust among the populace.

    “Kano known worldwide for its political consciousness and proactivity provides an environment where policing efforts are always under public scrutiny, both locally and internationally.

    “Rather than seeing this situation as a hindrance, I viewed it as a catalyst for us to excel in our duties.

    “From the onset, I emphasised the importance of collective effort and community collaboration in promoting our policing activities,“he said.

    “Our strategy has been straightforward: engaging with the communities we serve, listening to their concerns, and working together to overcome emerging security challenges.

    Gumel  said the approach has enabled the police to effectively address socio-economic crime dynamics and create a safer environment for all residents of the state.

    He said that armed robbery, cell phone snatching, theft and sale of minors, inter and intra-communal thuggery and illicit drug dealings had reduced in the state.

    The commissioner said the  successes were  the result of a robust synergy with allied security agencies and the support of the larger community, including the state Government, traditional institutions, religious organisations and the NGOs.

    “A notable initiative under my watch has been the integration of repentant notorious youths back into the society. This non-kinetic approach has proven to be highly effective.

    “Over 718 influential youths have renounced their involvement in crime and surrendered their weapons.

    “I am aware that the State Government, under the leadership of Gov. Abba Yusuf, is currently working assiduously to support these individuals through scholarship and skills acquisition,” he said.

    He said 50 of the repentant youths had joined the Police Special Constabulary, and are presently assisting in crime prevention efforts in their respective local communities.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    AAG/JPE

    =======

    Edited by Joseph Edeh

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Our target is to set a world stage record for athletes-NTF

     

    Tennis

    By Aderonke Ojo

     

    Abuja, June 9, 2024 (NAN) Shammah Makpa, the Secretary General of Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), says the Federation`s target is to develop and set a world stage record for athletes.

    Makpa disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the ongoing International Tennis Federation ( ITF ) World Tennis Tour Junior J30 in Abuja on Sunday.

    He said the competition is a component of the federation’s plan for long-term growth of athletes.

    “ It serves as a means of providing a stage on which young athletes showcase their abilities before we choose the best among them.

     

    “ The selected  ones in the future would take over from  the aging ones.

     

    “ Prospective players  that excel exceptionally during this tournament will be eligible to compete in future competitions,” he said.

     

    Mapka said that having the competition in Nigeria  have saved the federation from sourcing for money  to transport  players abroad.

     

    “ By holding the tournament here, we were  able to accommodate more than 30 to 60 Nigerian players that chose to participate in the competition.

     

    “ This kind of competition  can only accept a maximum of six players if it is held outside  Nigeris,” he said

     

    NAN reports that Junior International Tennis Federation ( ITF) event is a flagship tournament to help junior players gain global rankings and points.

     

    NAN reports that ITF World Tennis Tour Junior J30 which started on June 5 ended today  at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    STJ/JPE

    ======

    Edited by Joseph Edeh

  • Democracy: It’s criminal for states to misappropriate LG funds- Ex Gov. Chime

     

    Funds

    By Alex Enebeli

    Enugu, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The former Governor of Enugu State, Mr Sullivan Chime, says it is criminal for states in the country to misappropriate Local Government funds, saying that it hinders development at the grassroots.

    Chime stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Enugu while reacting to how far Nigeria has gone with her democracy after 25 years.

    He said that any governor that ran the local government system without a democratically elected council as stipulated by the Nigeria constitution, amounted to misappropriation.

    According to him, Nigeria has a perfect local government system as the constitution empowers states to make laws for the existence of the local governments under a democratic elected council.

    “But sadly, I don’t know how many states in this country since 1999 that obeys that constitution.

    “I can beat my chest that from 2007 when I became governor until we left, we ran a local government system in Enugu State by the democratically elected council uninterrupted for eight years.

    “When we came in, there was none in place so to meet the requirements of the law, we had transitional government, as we came in May 2007 and by December same year, we held our first local government election.

    “And from that December 2007, it was held every two years until we left office in 2015,” he said.

    He explained that council chairmen under his administration built paved roads because they had access to their money.

    “So it is a criminal for states to misappropriate local government funds, that is, states dealing with local government funds other than the system provided by the constitution,” he said.

    The former Enugu governor observed that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was not up and doing in arresting former governors who failed to conduct council elections which had resulted the country into the mess.

    He added that if one or two former governors had gone to jail for misappropriating local government funds, the serving governors would take caution.

    “Federal Government is wasting money to take serving governors to Supreme Court over Council’s funds. Send one or two former governors to jail or all who did not observe the law, and it will stop.

    “We don’t need any reform but implement the law as it is and even the Supreme Court that has course to make pronouncement on the illegality of caretaker committee, yet it is going unabated,” Chime said.

    On calls for INEC to conduct LG elections, Chime said it would be difficult for the commission to handle it.

    He said that states had the capacity to run the council election in accordance to the law saying “if you feel SIECs are not performing, take them to court.

    “The INEC you are rushing to conduct the election, are they any better?” Chime asked.

    The former governor however, congratulated Nigerians on the 25 years of uninterrupted democracy and prayed for a better Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AAE/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

  • Singapore Airlines compensates passengers after turbulence incident

    Compensation

    Bangkok, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Singapore Airlines has offered compensation to passengers who suffered injuries during a flight that hit major turbulence last month.

    A 73-year-old man died of a suspected heart attack and more than 50 others were injured in severe turbulence during a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore on May 20.

    The Boeing 777-300ER plane carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew members plummeted almost 1,800 metres over the west coast of Myanmar and had to be diverted to Bangkok for an emergency landing.

    “Singapore Airlines (SIA) deeply apologised to all passengers for the traumatic experience on board flight SQ321 on 20 May 2024,” the airline said in a statement published on Facebook on Tuesday.

    The airline confirmed that compensation would be offered to passengers.

    “For passengers who sustained minor injuries from the incident, we have offered 10,000 dollars in compensation,” the carrier wrote.

    “For those who sustained more serious injuries from the incident, we have invited them to discuss a compensation offer to meet each of their specific circumstances when they feel well and ready to do so.”

    The airline will offer an advance payment of 25,000 dollars to passengers who have been medically assessed and determined to have sustained serious injuries requiring long-term medical care and are requesting financial assistance to address their immediate needs.

    Additionally, the airline said it offered a full refund of the air fare to all passenger who were on flight SQ321, including those who did not suffer injuries and that all passengers were provided 1,000 dollars to cover their immediate expenses in Bangkok.

    “All passengers will also receive delay compensation in accordance with the relevant European Union or United Kingdom regulations.”

    The airline said it has also covered the medical expenses of injured passengers and arranged for their family members and loved ones to fly to Bangkok upon request.(dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    HS

    ==

    Edited by Halima Sheji

     

  • U.S. push for Gaza ceasefire, peace deal in Israel visit

    U.S. push for Gaza ceasefire, peace deal in Israel visit

    Ceasefire

    Tel Aviv, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken met the Israeli President, Isaac Herzog on Tuesday to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

    The negotiation was part of the efforts by the U.S. Qatar and Egypt on Gaza, the meeting was delayed for months.

    Antony Blinken’s trip to the Middle East aimed to garner support for the latest proposal for a ceasefire in three phases.

    The UN Security Council clarified the multi-stage plan presented by U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday in New York.

    According to the U.S. only the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement had not agreed to the plan.

    However, the government of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has not given its clear and public approval to the plan either.

    Antony Blinken arrived in Egypt on Monday for the first leg of the tour and later held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

    According to a statement by the U.S. State Department, Blinken told Netanyahu that “the United States and other world leaders will stand behind the comprehensive proposal outlined by President Biden”.

    Blinken in the statement also “updated the prime minister on ongoing diplomatic efforts to plan for the post-conflict period”.

    He also met opposition leader Yair Lapid on Tuesday and is due to hold talks with Israeli lawmaker Benny Gantz.

    Benny Gantz had just quit the Israeli emergency government formed following the Oct. 7 attacks.

    Antony Blinken’s Middle East tour is expected to last until Wednesday and also includes a stop in Qatar. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MERCY/COO/YEE

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

    (Edited by Cecilia Odey/Emmanuel Yashim)