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  • Respect human rights, DIG charges police officers

    Respect human rights, DIG charges police officers

    Visit
    By Opeyemi Gbemiro
    Ado- Ekiti, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Deputy Inspector-General of Police(DIG) in-charge of South-West, Abiodun Alabi, has charged police officers in Ekiti State to always respect human rights in the discharge of their duty.

    Alabi gave the charge on Monday in Ado-Ekiti during an engagement with stakeholders as part of his familiarization tour of the South-West Zone

    The DIG affirmed that zero crime was achievable only if the police uphold professionalism and build mutual relationship with the public.

    According to him, the police can achieve much in the fight against crime without the support of the public, hence he directed commissioners of police to ensure constant engagement with stakeholders in their domain.

    He revealed that the Nigeria Police was also keying into the use of Information and communications technology (ICT) to fight crime, while noting that the welfare of officers would be given priority to boost their morale.

    “My coming to Ekiti State is to complete my assignment in the South-West geo political zone.

    “My mission is in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police(IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who directed all DIGs in-charge of the six geopolitical zones to embark on tour across the zones and access the strategic deployment of our arsenals in crime fighting and see how our officers are doing their jobs.

    “This is to enable us know the challenges they are facing in the course of their duty so that they can be addressed appropriately; so that their capacity and flexibility will be enhanced in delivering good services to the public.

    “It’s not yet over, technological improvement is more essential. Gadgets like drones that will gather information for us, that will dig into kidnappers’ hideout will help to deal with them instead of us rescuing victims.

    “Technology is very important, we will definitely migrate to imbibe the technological advances.

    “It’s obvious that we can not effectively utilize our policing work without involving technological devices to assist us.

    “We are not shying away from the usage of drones, we are going to get used to it,” Alabi stated.

    In his welcome address, the Commissioner of Police, Akinwale Adeniran said the command had successfully reduced to the barest minimum the crime rate in the state.

    He said: ”I wish to intimate the DIG that the command under my leadership has successfully many times tamed the activities of criminal elements across the state, and consequently, creating an enabling environment for the good people of Ekiti State through the adoption and implementation of the IGP’s Community Policing Strategy.

    “I want to state here that in addition to the challenges of inadequate manpower and logistics confronting the command, there is the additional problem of incessant transfer of personnel out of the command, both from the Force Headquarters and Zonal levels.

    ”In this wise, I wish to make a passionate appeal to the DIG to help in stemming the tide. The command needs more hands than the strength at its disposal, in order to sustain the peace being witnessed in the state and even do better.

    “The Command has been unarguably adjudged as one of the most peaceful states in the country.

    “This fact does not come by chance, but can be attributed to the commitment, dedication and dexterity of the personnel with the attendant partnership and cooperation of the good people of Ekiti state being the Fountain of Knowledge.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the DIG later paid homage to the Ewi of Ado, Oba Adeyemo Adejigbe where he sought the support of the traditional ruler in the fight against crime in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    OPA/IKU

    Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

  • Edo assembly passes bill to make’Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo’ official anthem

    Edo assembly passes bill to make’Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo’ official anthem

    Anthem

    By Nefishetu Yakubu

    Benin, June 10,2024(NAN) Edo House Of Assembly on Monday passed a bill for a law to declare ‘Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo’ as the official Anthem of the state.

    A motion to consider the bill was moved by the Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, (PDP Ovia North East) and it was seconded by the Minority Leader, Henry Okaka(APC Owan East).

    Considering the bill clause by clause, the lawmakers said the “Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo” as the official anthem was to promote unity, pride and a sense of identity among Edo people.

    The lawmakers said that the Anthem, composed by the wife of the state governor, Mrs Betsey Obaseki would leave a lasting legacy of her in the state.

    Aiguobarughian said the bill, when passed into law, would also promote the cultural heritage of Edo people.

    The Deputy Speaker, Maria Oligbi-Edeko, also said that late Anthony Enahoro was the first to move a motion for Nigeria independence,

    Oligbi-Edeko added that Edo was always known for initiating new policies and programmes in the country.

    The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku,  said that Edo would be the first state to have an official anthem.

    According to Agbebaku, if you listen to the lyrics and rhythm of the three stanzas of the anthem, they are all perfectly arranged and composed.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said that we should all go back to the old national anthem of “Nigeria we hail thee”, it also good that as a state, we also have our official anthem,” he said.

    The lawmakers unanimously supported and passed the bill.

    The Speaker directed the Clerk, Yahaya Omogbai to forward clean copies of the bill to the governor for his assent. (NAN)
    (www.nannews.ng)
    NY/JI

    Edited by Joe Idika

     

  • Egypt’s Sisi, Blinken agree to intensify efforts toward Gaza ceasefire

    Egypt’s Sisi, Blinken agree to intensify efforts toward Gaza ceasefire
    Ceasefire
    Cairo, June 10, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN)  Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed on Monday to intensify efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
    In a meeting in the Egyptian capital Cairo, Sisi and Blinken reviewed the latest developments pertinent to joint efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza as well as a hostages-prisoners swap between Israel and Hamas.
    The meeting also discussed Egyptian efforts to secure access to humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.
    Sisi emphasised the importance of international cooperation to remove obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the necessity to end the war in the region and prevent the escalation of conflict.
    He said the two-state solution should be implemented.
    The Israeli army launched a military operation in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah in early May, then took control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
    The move led to the closure of the vital crossing, with Egypt demanding Israeli withdrawal to resume the crossing’s operation.
    During the talks, Blinken expressed the U.S. appreciation for Egypt’s ongoing efforts on both the political and humanitarian tracks and its commitment to continuing work and coordination with Egypt to restore security and peace to the region.
    The United States, Egypt, and Qatar managed to mediate a week-long Israel-Hamas truce in late November 2023.
    However, Israel and Hamas, engaged in a deadly confrontation in Gaza since October 2023, failed to reach another ceasefire agreement after talks in Cairo in May.  (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannes.ng)
    UMD/YEE
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    (Edited by Ummul Idris/Emmanuel Yashim)

  • Oyebanji urges tree planting to mitigate effects of rainstorms

    Rainstorm
    By Funmilayo Okunade
    Itapaji- Ekiti (Ekiti), June 10, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, has appealed to residents of the state to embrace tree planting to mitigate the alarming destruction of buildings by rainstorms.
    The governor said this, on Monday, in Itapaji-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area , while inspecting some buildings that were destroyed by rainstorm in the town.
    Oyebanji, represented by the deputy governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, said the recurrent havoc in some communities could have been averted, if residents had planted trees capable of serving as buffers against wind storms.
    He said that available records indicated that 10 buildings including a public institution were affected by the rainstorm while 50 people had been rendered homeless
    Oyebanji also advised landlords to ensure that not only quality building materials are used, but that qualified professionals are employed for construction works.
    The governor sympathised with the victims, and pledged the support of the state government to provide temporary accommodation to those who had  been rendered homeless.
    “This is one occurrence that is heart-rending, very devastating. I have never seen any rainstorm of this extent.
    “Not long ago, we went to inspect some buildings that were destroyed at Ijelu-Ekiti and Omu-Ekiti in Oye Local Government.
    The reccurrence of this kind of incidence is becoming worrisome to us as a government .
    “We thank God that nobody died, but losing property under this avoidable situation is painful.
    We want our people to embrace tree planting around their houses. Trees are wind breakers that can help us protect our structures against damage,” Oyebanji stated.
    The deputy governor visited the home of a 120-year-old victim, Chief Fabunmi Ajayi to sympathise with her over the damage to her building.
    Conducting Adefuye and other officials round the community, the Olu of Itapaji-Ekiti, Oba Abdulazees Adebanjo, thanked the state government for promptly visiting the scene and showing compassion to the victims.
    Oba Adebanjo, who was represented by Oluketu of Itapaji, Chief Olaoye Olusesan, appealed to the government to come to the aid of the victims and give support that could bail them out their current precarious situation.
    The traditional ruler also implored the governor to assist in restoring electricity  to the agrarian community, which had been in darkness for 16 years.
    “The last time we had electricity supply here in Itapaji was 2008. This had affected our local economy.
    “Some of those who were into private businesses had either folded up or left the town. We need help in this regard”, Oba Adebanjo said.
    On the governor’s entourage were: Chairman of Ikole Local Government, Mr Bayo Omojola, his counterpart in Ajoni LCDA, Mr Michael Ogungbemi, Director General, Office of Community Engagement, Mrs Mary Oso- Omotoso, General Manager, Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Kayode Asaolu, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    FOA/AOS
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    Edited by Bayo Sekoni

  • Hungary detains 32 Ukrainians who fled across border

     

    Hungary detains 32 Ukrainians who fled across border

    Ukrainians

    Kiev, June 10, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Hungary has detained 32 Ukrainian citizens who fled across the border in a lorry, the Ukrainian border guard agency said on Monday.

    “The neighbouring side reported that they had discovered a vehicle and detained 32 Ukrainian citizens,” Andriy Demchenko Ukrainian border guard spokesman said.

    Demchenko acknowledged there had been speculation that the lorry belonged to the Ukrainian military on the basis of its green paint and black number plate, which is normally seen on army vehicles.

    But he said the truck is not believed to have come from the military.

    There was initially no confirmation from the Hungarian side.

    Martial law was imposed in Ukraine with the onset of Russia’s invasion in February 2022 and men of conscription age are barred from leaving the country with few exceptions.

    There are frequent attempts by men trying to illegally flee across the border into neighbouring EU states and Moldova.

    The bodies of those, who fled have been found in the border river Tisza and in the Carpathian Mountains. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannes.ng)

    UMD/AMM
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    Edited by Ummul Idris and Abiemwense Moru

  • Man sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering pregnant woman

    Imprisonment

    Copenhagen, June 10, 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 on Monday.

    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 judgment.

    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)

    HS

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    Edited by Halima Sheji

     

     

  • 36-year-old arraigned for allegedly threatening man’s life, demanding N1m

    Threat

    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
    Ibadan, June 10, 2024 (NAN) A 36-year-old man, Wasiu Abdulahi, was on Monday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, for allegedly threatening a man’s life and demanding N1m.
    Abdulahi, whose address was not provided, was charged with a threat to life, malicious damage, land grabbing and unlawful demanding of money.
    He, however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
    The Prosecutor, Insp. Olusegun Adegboye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 5, at about 5.00 p.m, at the Moniya area, Ibadan.
    Adegboye alleged that the defendant threatened the life of one Emeka Anichebe with the intent to collect his land situated at Moniya.
    He also alleged that the defendant demanded the sum of N1m from Anichebe and threatened to kill him if he did not provide the money.
    Adegboye alleged that the defendant damaged Anichebe’s iron gate and fence and stole his N350,000.
    The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 451, 406 and 399(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
    The Magistrate, Mrs Sofia Babalola, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million and two sureties in like sum.
    Babalols adjourned the case until July 22 for hearing. (NAN)
    CC/CEO/JNC
    ============
    Edited by Chidi Opara/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • Afreximbank supports Fidelity Bank’s acquisition of Union Bank UK with $40m

    Afreximbank supports Fidelity Bank’s acquisition of Union Bank UK with $40m

    Facility

    By Okeoghene Akubuike

    Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Afreximbank said it has disbursed 40 million dollars Intra-African Investment Facility to Fidelity Bank Nigeria Plc to support Fidelity Bank’s acquisition and recapitalisation of Union Bank United Kingdom.

    A statement issued by Mr Vincent Musumba, Manager, Communications and Events, Afeximbank, on Monday said the acquisition was part of Fidelity Bank’s international expansion.

    Musumba said the facility was provided in two tranches of 20 million dollars each.

    He said the first tranche of the facility enabled Fidelity to part-refinance the acquisition of a 100 per cent equity stake in Union Bank UK.

    Musumba said the second tranche was used to support its recapitalisation via the injection of additional equity into the acquired bank, as approved by the United Kingdom’s regulator.

    “With this acquisition, Fidelity Bank can birth a new pan-African financial institution capable of providing correspondent banking and offshore banking services to banks in Africa and servicing the banking needs of Africans in the diaspora.

    “The acquisition is expected to contribute to Africa’s economic growth and development by increasing intra- and extra-African trade finance and trade flows between Nigeria and the UK.

    “It will also support the integration of the African Diaspora into regional and continental supply chains and enable small and medium-sized enterprises across the continent to improve their export competitiveness and light export manufacturing capabilities.”

    Musumba quoted Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice-President, Intra-African Trade Bank and Export Development Bank, Afreximbank, as saying the disbursement of the facility was part of Afreximbank’s effort to promote African control and ownership of capital while improving intra-African trade and investments.

    “Fidelity Bank’s acquisition of Union Bank UK aligned with Afreximbank’s Intra-African Investment Facility. It was a significant milestone for the institutions, reinforcing African ownership and control within the global financial landscape.

    “By supporting this strategic transaction, we are not only bolstering Nigeria’s banking sector but also fostering greater financial integration between Africa and its Diaspora.”

    Awani said the initiative was a testament to Afreximbank’s commitment to enhancing intra-African trade, promoting economic stability and driving forward the objectives of Agenda 2063 for a prosperous and self-reliant Africa.

    She said Afreximbank’s bank acquisition strategy, empowered African entities to acquire financial assets, divested by foreign entities in Africa and the diaspora.

    “This is also in line with the bank’s Diaspora Strategy which seeks to promote and finance the integration of the African Diaspora with the rest of the continent.”

    Awani said through the facility, Fidelity was extending its services to the UK, in particular, to Africans and African-owned businesses in the UK, including products to support diaspora investments.

    Musumba quoted Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director/CEO, as saying, we are very thankful to Afreximbank for supporting our expansionary initiatives for international growth.

    “It is, indeed, the result of a strong partnership between the two institutions over the years that has produced this good outcome.

    “The refinancing of the Union Bank (UK) acquisition by Afreximbank will unlock additional value and help create a scalable and more sustaining service franchise that will support trade businesses in Africa and diaspora banking.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    OKE/AMM

    ==========

    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • Ohanaeze Ndigbo mourns ex-NIMASA boss, Agu

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo mourns Ex-NIMASA boss, Agu

    Condolence
    By Alex Enebeli
    Enugu, June 8, 2024 (NAN) The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has mourned the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Maritime Authority, now Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Ferdinand Agu, who died on Friday.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, conveyed the group’s condolences in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen in Enugu on Monday.

    Ogbonnia stated that the organisation “received with a rude shock, the sad news of the tragic passing of yet another Igbo prodigy, Agu”.

    He described Agu as “an exceptional moral edifice, an outstanding man among men, a vivacious exemplar, orator and mobile encyclopedia”.

    He further stated that Agu was former Secretary, Ohanaeze Committee on Planning and Strategy; former member, Ohanaeze Committee on Diaspora; former Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria; former Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Oturkpo.

    “Ferdy, as he was fondly called by his peers, was a thorough-bred Igbo, with immense patriotic zeal for a restructured Nigeria.

    “He worked closely with Prof. Charles Soludo to produce the Ohanaeze document for the restructuring of the Nigerian Federation, which was presented to the public on May 21, 2018 at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.

    “When it mattered most, the Ferdy social skill was sought in conducting the election that produced the Late Prof. George Obiozor as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo at Owerri,” Ogbonnia added.

    According to him, in the clamour to develop the Igboland, Agu worked closely with a renowned economist, Prof. Osita Ogbu, to develop a template that, if implemented, would transform Igboland to a self-sustaining economy.

    Ogbonnia added that the likes of Agu, an architect, “are very scarce to find, owing to his amazing public relations; character comeliness; marital exemplariness; oratorical skill; political sagacity and dispositional humility”.

    He added that the group’s President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, “could not withhold his sorrow when he heard the sad news”.

    He also stated that Iwuanyanwu was devastated “over the loss of another Igbo genius.

    “He lamented that Nigeria could not tap or harness the enormous resource reservoir in Agu, before he passed on,” Ogbonnia stated.

    He conveyed the condolences of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to the bereaved family, especially Agu’s wife, children, his aged mother, siblings; the Obinagu Udi Community and the people of Enugu State “over the irreparable loss”.

    “While we pray that the Almighty God will grant the soul of Agu an eternal rest in his bosom, we urge the bereaved to accept with serenity the things we cannot change,” he stated. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    AAE/FON/USO
    Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Sam Oditah

     

  • Academics Says 18m in UK suffering hearing loss

    Hearing

    London, June 10, 2024 (dpa/NAN) More people are affected by hearing loss than previously thought, academics said as they estimated that 18 million people could be affected across the UK.

    Previous estimates suggested a figure of 12 million, but researchers have re-evaluated the existing data on the number of deaf people, those with hearing loss, and tinnitus.

    In a news paper, published in the International Journal of Audiology on Monday, experts used new calculations to estimate the number of people affected.

    Academics from the University of Manchester and University of Nottingham used data from the latest census carried out in Scotland in 2022 and the remainder of the UK in 2021 instead of the 2011 census.

    This is the first time the it included data on people with lower levels of hearing loss and also those who experience hearing loss in one ear.

    The national hearing loss charity RNID welcomed the new estimates and said the data now “captures the true total number of adults with hearing loss in the UK.”

    Prof. Kevin Munro, a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) senior investigator at the University of Manchester, said: “These data more accurately reflect the number of adults in the UK who have impaired hearing that will cause listening difficulty, especially in background noise.”

    Co-author Prof. Michael Akeroyd, NIHR senior investigator from the University of Nottingham, said: “The way we define hearing loss puts us at odds with most other countries.

    “By modernising these numbers, we align with the latest international practice. We hope it will encourage more people to realise how common hearing loss is.”

    Commenting on the analysis, Victoria Boelman, director of insight and policy at RNID, said: “RNID welcomes this new insight as a step forward in our understanding of the UK’s community of people with hearing loss.

    “The updated statistics now reflect and include the real-life experience of the 18 million people in the UK who have different and diverse experiences of deafness and hearing loss.

    “By previously excluding people with milder hearing loss or hearing loss in a single ear, society had effectively dismissed millions of people’s experiences and not factored them into national conversations.”

    Martin McLean, senior policy adviser at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “It’s good that it’s becoming more widely recognised that hearing loss of any level can significantly affect a person’s quality of life.

    He said, for instance, children and young people with even mild or unilateral deafness can experience difficulties that often seriously affect their confidence, language development and educational prospects.

    “We hope this new definition will lead to a greater acknowledgement of the impact that deafness of any level can have and lead to more action to support deaf people of all ages.

    “We firmly believe that, with the right support, there’s no reason why a deaf child shouldn’t be able to lead a happy, fulfilled and productive life.”McLean said.(dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    HS

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    Edited by Halima Sheji