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  • Tax force officer docked over alleged N264,000 fraud

    Tax force officer docked over alleged N264,000 fraud

    Fraud
    By Aderemi Bamgbose

    Okitipupa (Ondo State) June 27, 2024 (NAN) A 45-year-old tax force officer, Ayodeji Aiyeku, on Thursday appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ondo, over alleged N264,000 fraud.

     

    The defendant whose address was not given, is facing a two-count charge bordering on breach of peace and advance fee fraud.

     

    The Police Prosecutor, Insp Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendant on Dec. 10, 2023, around 10.00 a.m at Broad Street, Okitipupa in Okitipupa magisterial district conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace.

     

    Orogbemi said that the defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of N264,000 from one Kehinde Abdulateef with pretence of supplying him with a palm kernel shell without doing so.

     

    He added that the offences contravened and punishable under Sections 249(d) and 419, Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

     

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.

     

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Philip Akinlosetu granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500, 000 and a surety in like sum.

     

    He added that the surety, who must reside within the court jurisdiction, must also show and present evidence of two years tax payment made to the state government.

     

    The magistrate adjourned the case until July 4 for further hearing. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    BAA/BRM

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

    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • APC Women Leader wants NWC to restore sanity to Benue chapter

    Ms Nancy Torher, Benue APC Women Leader, briefing newsmen in Abuja
    APC
    By Emmanuel Mogbede
    Abuja, June 27, 2024(NAN)Ms Nancy Torher, All Progressives Congress (APC), Women Leader in Benue, has appealed to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), to help restore sanity to her state chapter.
    Torher made the appeal in Abuja when she led Women Leaders in Benue’s 23 Local Governments and three Senatorial Zones, on a protest to the party’s national secretariat.
    Torher, while speaking with newsmen after submitting a petition to the party’s national leadership, said that there was a need for it to address issues of impostors.
    “This has become necessary because suspended officials of the party in Benue, are still parading themselves as officials.
    “It is particularly unfortunate that some of the party’s national executives are associating with such impostors in spite of their suspension from the party.”
    She accused the APC National Women Leader, Dr Mary Idele, of associating with an impostor who parades herself as Benue APC women leader.
    This, Torher said, is a violation of the decision of the party’s NWC which suspended the Austin Agada-led Benue APC executive.
    “The APC national women leader, as a member of its NWC, is aware of this decision and suspension and she is expected to adhere to it,” she said.
    She said it was shocking to see the party’s national woman leader violating the NWC’s decision by inviting an impostor to an event “as Benue APC Women Leader”.
    She added that Idele had also been recognising one Benjamin Omakolo as the state’s chairman.
    “Allowing this breach of order to proceed will further deepen the APC’s  intra-party crisis in Benue and could lead to the collapse of the party’s structure.
    “It is critical for the party’s leadership to intervene in the matter by drawing the attention of Idele to the abnormality and ensuring that she aligns with its decision,” Torher declared.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
    EEM/ETS
    ========

  • WOFAN, stakeholders mull agricultural extension, revitalisation bill

     

    Bill

    By Femi Ogunshola

    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) and others critical stakeholders in the agriculture sector have resolved to present Agricultural Extension Revitalisation Bill (AERB) to the Senate Committee on Agriculture for consideration.

    Hajia Salamatu Garba, Executive Director, WOFAN, disclosed this at the WOFAN ICON 2 project, supported by the Mastercard Foundation in Abuja.

    Garba said that the bill would sustain food security in Nigeria and also strengthen and prioritise the agricultural extension system.

    She said that if the bill became and act, it would help Nigerians farmers to get things right in the agriculture sector.

    According to her, WOFAN is currently working with 675,000 farmers in 10 states in Nigeria and 1500 extension workers.

    She said extension workers were not properly supported.

    “It is one of the reasons why they are supporting a system that will bring in more extension services,” she said.

    Garba emphasised that once the capacity of retention workers was built, the capacity of farmers would also be positively affected.

    Prof Ikani Emmanuel, the Executive Director, National Agricultural Extension Research Liaison Services, Zaria, highlighted the importance of an extension bill.

    According to him, so far, extension delivery service in Nigeria has been unorganised and there is no law backing it.

    He explained that, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, they were able to produce an agricultural extension policy that was passed by the Federal Executive Council.

    “That makes it a policy but to implement or enforce it, we needed to convert it to an act of parliament.

    “And that is why, for six months, we have been working on how to convert the policy into a language that can go to the National Assembly as a draft bill for them to consider and pass so that it can become a law.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng

     

    ODF/MAM/CJ/

     

    Edited by Modupe Adeloye and Chijioke OKoronkwo

     

     

     

     

  • EU nations bordering Russia, Belarus ask bloc for financial boost

    EU nations bordering Russia, Belarus ask bloc for financial boost

    Boost

    Brussels, June 27, 2024 (dpa/NAN) EU member states Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia are calling on the bloc to provide more support for military and civilian protection for their borders.

    The call is in the light of their geographical proximity to Russia and Belarus.

    In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel, the four Eastern European countries, that either border Belarus and Russia or both.

    According to the letter, our countries can feel what it means to be the EU’s frontline states, more than two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

    Stressing their unwavering support to Ukraine, the countries said, ”We need to spend more and coordinate on defence initiatives within the EU and with NATO.

    “This remains the foundation of collective defence, combining our capabilities to protect, deter and defend our people and our territory.

    “We are fierce supporters of Ukraine’s military efforts and invest massively in our armed forces, defence production and protection of our borders with Russia and Belarus.’’

    The letter still, much more needed to be done and in a more concerted way.

    Among other things, they named instrumentalisation of migrants, sabotage, disinformation as well as cyber-attacks as specific threats coming from Russia and its ally Belarus, issues that ultimately affect the entire EU.

    They said in the letter signed by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina.

    Poland and the Baltic states have been some of Ukraine’s most outspoken supporters following the Russian invasion.

    Their plea came ahead of an EU leaders’ summit scheduled for Thursday and Friday where they are to agree on the package deal.

    The package deal would be to divide up the European Union’s top jobs following the recent European elections.

    EU leaders would also debate the Israel-Hamas war, financing the defence industry, economic competitiveness, as well as adopt a strategic agenda for the next five years.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected in Brussels to sign a security agreement with the EU and to brief EU leaders on the situation on the front line in Ukraine. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/BRM
    ===============

    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Bashir Rabe Mani

     

  • ECA reforms to achieve mandate, Executive Secretary says

     

    Reforms

     

    By Kamal Tayo Oropo

    June 27, 2024 (NAN) The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is undergoing reforms to ensure greater effectiveness in achieving its mandate.

     

    ECA Executive Secretary, Mr Gatete Claver, made this known in a statement on Thursday by the Communications Section of the UN body.

     

    The 2nd mid-year review meeting of the activities of the commission started on Tuesday with the theme: “Enhancing Programme Monitoring and Performance through Tracking the Progress of the Annual Business Plan Implementation”.

     

    The four-day Accountability and Performance Review Meeting (APPRM) is aimed at providing the commission with an opportunity to evaluate its mid-year performance.

     

    They include challenges, opportunities, lessons learned and how to ensure the organisation’s targets are met by the end of the year.

     

    The meeting involves presentations by all thematic areas of the commission and a review of those presentations.

     

    Claver said that the commission’s success in achieving its mandate would hinge on cutting-edge policy research and technology.

     

    According to him, this will be a catalyst for enhancing its work.

     

    He tasked all thematic areas of the commission, including Data and Statistics; Economic Development and Planning; and Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women.

     

    Others are macroeconomics and governance; poverty, inequality and social Policy; private sector development and finance; and regional integration and trade; and technology, climate change and natural resource management.

     

    The ECA boss also tasked the sub-regional offices to work in a concerted effort for collective results and impact.

     

    He further urged commission members to develop more focused programmes that would ensure that the planned activities were achievable.

     

    They are also to strengthen their partnerships with partners, including the African Union Commission (AUC), to avoid duplication.

     

    On his part, Director of the Strategic Planning, Oversight, and Results Division (SPORD), Mr Said Adejumobi, described the meeting as essential for assessing progress and making necessary adjustments for effective results delivery.

     

    SPORD is responsible for organising and coordinating the APPRM.

     

    According to Adejumobi, the commission is on track to meet its 2024 strategic goals.

     

    He noted that this was primarily based on the UN Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development and the Agenda 2063 of the African Union member-states.

     

    Adejumobi explained that in 2024, the commission supported 254 interventions in 46 countries, as part of its effort to contribute to the continent’s development.(NAN) (nannew.ng)

    KTO/AWA
    =========

    Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

  • Digitilisation of capital market ‘ll address unclaimed dividends – SEC assures

    Digitisation

     

    By Rukayat Adeyemi

    Lagos, June 27, 2024 (NAN)The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) says the digitisation of the Nigerian capital market will address issues related to unclaimed dividends, among other benefits.

     

    The Director-General of SEC, Dr Emomotimi Agama, stated this during a new conference and stakeholder engagement session on the NGX E-Offering Platform held on Wednesday in Lagos.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that, in preparation for the bank’s recapitalisation exercise, the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) has concluded plans to launch an E-Offering Platform, pending SEC’s approval.

     

    The digital platform is set to revolutionise public offerings and the rights issue process in the Nigerian capital market by providing a more efficient, convenient and smart way to manage public offers.

     

    Agama noted that with the necessary digital payment infrastructure in place, issues associated with unclaimed dividends, such as access to accurate identity and contact details of beneficiaries, would be fundamentally addressed.

     

    He explained the complexities of the financial market infrastructure, including the payment system, depository, exchanges, repository and other supporting elements.

     

    Agama said, “Why should there be unclaimed dividends with the E-offering platform? This is going to help us address that problem.

     

    “Any issues associated with dividend payments can be managed because we are connected to the payment gateway and have the necessary payment infrastructure in place.”

     

    Describing the new system as akin to a plumbing system in a house, he emphasised the importance of the straight-through process in the capital market.

     

    “Previously, we had direct cash settlement as part of the process.

     

    “Now, we are going to complete it. With the press of a button, everyone entitled to receive a payment will get what they are entitled to without any human intervention.

     

    “This is digital innovation. That is the future. That’s what we are going to do,” he added.

     

    The director-general stated that the digital approach would ensure the issue of unclaimed dividends is resolved.

     

    He also said that the e-offering initiative was expected to significantly contribute to the current administration’s goal of achieving a one trillion dollar economy.

    According to Agama, leveraging technology can attract a younger generation of investors, enhance regulatory oversight and create a world-class market.

     

    “This digitisation will play a crucial role in setting a new standard for capital raising in Nigeria and enable the capital market to support the achievement of the one trillion dollar economy target of the current administration,” he said.

     

    Agama commended the NGX Group and other capital market stakeholders on the initiative and pledged the commission’s support in actualising this feat.

     

    He emphasised that the digital transformation initiative is a testament to the shared commitment to fostering an innovative, efficient and reliable capital market embedded in the capital market masterplan.

     

    Earlier, Mr Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director of NGX Group, remarked that the e-offering platform marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Nigerian capital market.

     

    He stated that the platform would distribute financial products, particularly for public offers and rights issues, using an online platform that provides a level playing field for all participants.

     

    Popoola noted that as banks aim to fulfil their revised minimum capital requirements via primary markets, SEC and NGX Group had committed to facilitating a seamless process to help them and other issuers meet their business objectives.

     

    “This partnership between the SEC and NGX Group represents a major advancement in the modernisation of Nigeria’s capital market infrastructure, aiming to improve efficiency, transparency and accessibility for all participants in the market.

     

    “This innovative platform represents a significant advancement in digitising the capital raising process for issuers.

     

    “I can assure the investing public that robust payment systems, comprehensive Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, and strong fraud and risk management measures are fully integrated on the platform.

     

    “The e-offering platform ensures that standard capital market intermediation is upheld without compromise,” he added.

     

    According to Popoola, the e-offering platform is designed to increase retail engagement in the capital market, enhance financial inclusion and expand the available capital pool in line with the transformation goals specified in the updated capital market masterplan.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    RUKY/AWA

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

    Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

  • Climate change: Group unveils Nigeria’s first carbon literacy programme

     

    Carbon

    By Patricia Amogu

    Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Green Waka, a developmental and communication-based organisation, in collaboration with the UN – recognised Carbon Literacy Project, has unveiled Nigeria’s first carbon literacy programme to ensure smooth transition to net-zero emissions.

    Mr Michael Bisong, Co-founder, Green Waka, who spoke at the event on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the carbon literacy training framework presented a platform to sensitise Nigerians and enable them to contribute to achieving a low-carbon economy fairly and inclusively.

    Carbon Literacy (CL) is an awareness of the carbon dioxide costs and impacts on everyday activities as well as the ability and motivation to reduce emissions on an individual, community and organisational basis.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project, which is already widely adopted across the UK and rapidly expanding internationally, will help lay the foundation for Nigeria’s just transition to net-zero emissions.

    It will motivate people from all walks of life to devise and deliver their best climate action in order to ensure the nation’s future prosperity.

    “This will also ensure that the benefits and burdens of the transition are shared equitably.

    “The training will foster widespread low-carbon culture in Nigeria as it is doing in the 26 nations with more than 700 unique Accredited Carbon Literacy courses  already being delivered,’’ Bisong said.

    Phil Korbel, Co-founder and Director of Advocacy, the Carbon Literacy Project, who delivered a keynote address via a webinar, said that the training propelled everyone in their individual spaces to devise their best action in such a way as to make it do-able.

    According to Korbel, carbon literacy is the renewable fuel for a just transition in Nigeria.

    “The renewable power that will drive Nigeria towards a net zero future is that of its people.

    “Urgent action on climate change is driven by facts agreed by the world’s scientists but this language sometimes needs ‘translating’ so that everyone becomes aware of its relevance to them, whoever and wherever they are,” he said.

    Eche Asuzu, Coordinator, Climate Change Unit, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), while speaking on the topic “The Role of Civic Engagement in Accelerating Nigeria’s Just Transition, said that what “Green Waka was doing would greatly translate to action among individual work spaces.

    “This is the real action on creating functional awareness in the workplace because we have established that the work place is at the heartbeat of climate change challenges because more than 90 per cent of climate change is emitted in the work place

    “Yes, we need to transit and for us at the NLC; this must address the welfare of workers; we must ensure workers are free to express these issues around their work spaces.

    “The questions of what will happen to the jobs? What trainings are workers going to be given? How will gaps in the workplace be filled?

    “Workers must have some cover; we must create new jobs and create a just transition to achieve net-zero emissions in Nigeria,’’ he said.

    Mr Osadebamwen Patrick, Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja Council, presented the training certificates to the first two Nigerians and co-founders of Green Waka project in Nigeria, who were selected for training in the UK. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    PAO/CJ/

    =======

    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

  • 3 killed in Israeli strike on outskirts of Damascus

    3 killed in Israeli strike on outskirts of Damascus

    Strike

    Beirut, June 27, 2024 (dpa/NAN) At least three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus, a war monitor reported on Thursday.

    It added that 11 others were wounded as a result of shrapnel that fell on houses from a Syrian air defence missile that was launched to confront the Wednesday night attack.

    The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of sources across the country, said the strike targeted the Jihad al-Bina Foundation, which is affiliated with the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah and Iranian groups.

    The target was about 700 meters from the Sayyida shrine, an important Shiite religious site frequently visited by Iranian and Lebanese loyal to Hezbollah.

    It also said explosions were heard at the Tal Sahn radar site, east of the town of Malah in the eastern countryside of Suwayda.

    It is not known whether it was the result of Israeli targeting or from Syrian rockets which were launched from the site to confront Israeli missiles.

    There was no comment by the Israeli army.

    Israel’s air force repeatedly bombs targets in neighbouring Syria in an attempt to prevent Iran and its allied militias from expanding their military influence in the country.

    There have been more attacks since the Gaza war began on Oct. 7. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/BHB
    =====

    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Buhari Bolaji

  • Middle-aged man docked for assault, breach of peace

    Middle-aged  man docked for assault, breach of peace

    Arraignment

    By Olawale Akinremi

    Ibadan, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Police in Oyo State on Thursday arraigned a middle-aged man, Ismaila Oladipupo, before a Mapo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, over alleged assault and breach of peace.

    The police prosecutor, Insp Oluseye Akinola, told the court that the defendant committed the  offence on June 19, at Challenge bus Terminal, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Akinola alleged that Oladipupo violently attacked one Kazeem Adewumi with a broken bottle, stabbing him several times on his forehead, arms and stomach following a minor disagreement.

    The prosecutor told the court that the injured victim is on admission in the hospital for medical attention.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Latunji consequently admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.

    Latunji adjourned the matter until July 16 for hearing.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    SEM/KOO/SH
    ===========
    Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Sadiya Hamza

  • EU leaders to finalise deal on package of top jobs

    EU leaders to finalise deal on package of top jobs

    Final

    Brussels, June 27, 2024 (dpa/NAN) EU leaders are set to agree on a package deal to divide up the European Union’s top jobs at a two-day summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.

    The pre-packaged pact, informally agreed among EU leaders, and confirmed by dpa, would see current European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen nominated for a second term.

    Former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa should be the next European Council president and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is to be the EU’s new foreign policy chief.

    The agreement on the top jobs was negotiated among the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), the centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group and the liberal Renew Europe group.

    The EU’s top jobs were shared out after European Parliament elections in an intricate process that was meant to account for the results of the vote, according to the EU treaties.

    In practice, the path to power is more complicated, and national and European politics took over, with EU leaders haggling over their preferences to fill the bloc’s most important policy positions.

    Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni has pushed hard for her far-right party’s results in the European elections to be recognised and has harshly criticised the process to divide up the jobs.

    Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also hit out at the deal.

    In a post on X, the conservative prime minister said “EU top officials should represent every member state, not just leftists and liberals.’’

    The three names were the front runners for the roles over a week ago in Brussels the last time EU leaders tried to reach a deal amongst themselves.

    But they did not reach the finish line.

    After her nomination by EU leaders, von der Leyen needed to be elected to the commission by a majority in the European Parliament in the coming weeks.

    The EU legislature must also approve Kallas for the role of EU foreign policy chief.

    Costa does not require parliamentary approval to assume his role as European Council president.

    EU leaders are also set to debate the Israel-Hamas war, financing the defence industry, economic competitiveness, as well as adopt a strategic agenda for the next five years.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected in Brussels to sign a security agreement with the EU and to brief EU leaders on the situation on the front line in Ukraine. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/BHB
    =====

     

    Edited by Cecilia Odey/Buhari Bolaji