Blog

Retirement: DSP tasks officers, civil servants on hard work, dedication
By Awayi Kuje
Commitment
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) Mr Kudusa Zawu, a retiring Deputy Superintendent of Police (DPS) with Keffi Area Command, Nasarawa State, has advised his colleagues and civil servants to be hard working and shun corruption in their duties.
Zawu gave the advised in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Keffi.
He also enjoined public servants to show more dedication and commitment to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
Besides, he advised security agents and civil servants to desist from any form of evil practice in order to retire peacefully and successfully from service into private life.
The out-going officer, who noted that hard work pays, urged those he is leaving behind to remain prayerful at all time in their places of their primary assignment.
“Let all officers and other workers depend on God; you must discharge your duties without fear or favour for God’s protection and for you to retire peacefully without any hitches,’’ he said.
Zawu, however, thanked God for sustaining and protecting him throughout his 35 years of service in the force.
“I want to use this medium to thank God Almighty for sustaining and protecting me throughout the 35 years I served the Nigeria Police Force.
“Some of our colleagues that we joined this work together are no more alive, some of them died while discharging their responsibilities.
“May their souls rest in peace; I want to advise my colleagues and other civil servants who are still serving to depend on God.
“I encourage them all to be hard working, to be dedicated to their duties and shun sharp practices in order to retire peacefully,” he said.
Zawu urged Nigerians to pray for security agents and other civil servants for God’s safety and wisdom to enable them succeed in discharging their duties.
The retiring officer wished those still in service God`s protection and guidance in their endeavours.
He further called on Nigerians to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities, live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliation.
According Zawu, his retirement prayers and thanks giving ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 30 at the Police Area command Headquarters, Keffi. (NAN)
AKW/VOE/MST
Edited by Vivian Emoni/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

JCT 2011 key to construction, housing growth —  Expert

Growth
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) Mr Olayemi Shonubi, Vice President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), has advocated the adoption of the “Joint Contract Tribunal (JCT) 2011’’ in the Nigerian housing construction industry.

Shonubi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that the JCT 2011 is a form of contract used for construction purposes that would boost housing delivery.

He said it was a guide to the different contract options, prepared in the best interest of the client, contractors, promoters and all stakeholders involved in construction contracts and projects.

According to the vice president, the 2011 edition of JCT provides a comprehensive mechanism for resolution of disputes/conflicts that could emanate from construction contracts.

He said there had not been much progress in the industry, as most of the operations in the building construction industry were still 20th century processes and procedures.

Shonubi said that countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Singapore among others, had adopted the modern contract concept of JCT 2011, stressing the need for Nigeria to upgrade to meet the international standard.

“The JCT 2011 is one of the reforms operators in the construction industry have been clamouring for, and if embraced, will turn round the tide in the industry.

“The quantity surveyors are becoming updated with this modern concept, and other players in the industry need to do the same because we cannot continue to operate with the old days methods,’’ he said.

Shonubi said that the JCT contract had been in use as a form of contract for construction purposes, but professionals in the country had continued to use the 1963 version.

He said that in the UK, however, it had been revised in 1980, 1998, 2005, 2011 and 2016.

“The progress has gone beyond where we are in Nigeria. The country is lagging behind.

“Nigeria must not be left behind. In order to benchmark our industry to the international standard, the construction industry must upgrade to the JCT 2011 of the world’s best practice.

“Meanwhile, the 2011 edition is a comprehensive version, tested over time and confirmed to contain all the conditions of construction contracts from the procurement stage, execution and down to completion stage.

“It also puts into consideration the cost variations and changes that might erupt in the course of a contract due to economic instability and uncertainties,’’ he said.

Shonubi said that the JCT 2011 needs to be uniformly adopted by all professionals in the housing and construction industry, particularly the Surveyors, Architects and Engineers.

According to him, it is only when the concerned operators in the industry imbibe the approach that its effects will be felt.

The vice president said adoption of the technique would bring about remarkable development in the industry.

Shonubi enjoined operators in the industry to adopt the ‘JCT 2011’ form of contract as a basis of solution in construction contracts that could jump-start business activities in the industry. (NAN)
LUC/COF/SOA
============
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Oluwole Sogunle

Scientist decries proliferation of unaccredited medical laboratories

By Blessing Odega
Laboratories
Jos, Sept. 25, 2018(NAN) Mr Oni Nelson, a medical laboratory scientist, has decried the proliferation of unaccredited medical laboratories, especially in the rural areas, and called for stringent measures to check the trend.

Nelson, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Jos, said that the prevalence of such substandard laboratories was posing a “great risk to the health sector”.

“A major concern in effective healthcare delivery is the prevalence of unaccredited medical laboratories. They litter practically every corner, especially in the rural areas, and pose a serious threat to health care delivery,” he lamented.

He regretted that lots of Nigerians patronise such laboratories whose personnel have no formal training on health matters.

Nelson, President of G50, a Non-Governmental Organisation formed by a group of medical laboratory scientists, described the situation as “very worrisome”.

“The quack medical laboratories have caused a lot of hardship and pains to patients because their diagnosis are always inaccurate.

“The medical consequences of such inaccurate diagnoses have been disastrous for patients who usually commence  treatment for an ailment they do not have,” he said.

He said that only licensed medical laboratory scientists were allowed to open such facilities, and advised members of the public to insist on sighting the license of medical scientists before patronising them.

The NGO president said that the outfit was created to address the health needs of the less privileged and minimise the risk of falling prey to quacks.

Nelson said that the NGO had offered free medical laboratory tests for less privileged persons, especially victims of attacks taking refuge at various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Plateau. (NAN) ,
UBO/ELLA/ETS

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

Edited by Ella Anokam and Ephraims Sheyin

Investors
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika has disclosed that the national carrier (Nigeria Air) project was not suspended because of lack of investors.

A statement by Mr James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Media and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, on Tuesday, said the national carrier project had an avalanche of well-grounded and ready investors.

The investors, according to Sirika, include international finance institutions such as the Afro-Exim Bank, African Development Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, aircraft manufacturers – Airbus and Boeing.

“They also include airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Air etc. and some reputable individuals and entrepreneurs.

“The Office of the Minister of state for Aviation has noted, with consternation, various opinions, comments and observations in the media regarding the status and the reasons for the recent suspension of the processes leading to the establishment of a Nigerian national carrier.

“Among the reasons being given for its suspension, especially in the social media is the absence of interested and ready investors.

“This couldn’t be farther from the truth, as the national carrier project has an avalanche of well-grounded and ready investors,” he said.

The minister also stated that the country’s participation at the Farnborough Air Show in the United Kingdom in July was not for the sole purpose of unveiling the Nigeria Air logo contrary to public belief.

He explained that the air show was also a meeting point with those potential investors who saw the event as another opportunity to market and re-emphasize their interests in the project.

“It is also pertinent to clarify that the Federal Executive Council only suspended the process for the establishment of the national carrier for the time being.

The project has not been killed,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Sirika had on September 19, announced the decision of FEC to suspend the project for ‘strategic reasons’ without giving further details.

The decision has elicited reactions from many stakeholders and other Nigerian who have suggested different reasons for the suspension of the project. (NAN)
OYS/AFA
=======
Edited by Felix Ajide

Pathologist reveals how dockworker allegedly murdered banker wife

By Moji Eniola

Ikeja, Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) A pathologist, Dr S.S. Soyele, told an Ikeja High Court on Tuesday that Ronke Shonde, the banker allegedly murdered by her dockworker husband, Lekan Shonde had suffered severe brain injuries which led to her death.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Soyele is a Medical Pathologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

He revealed the results of a post-mortem examination, conducted on Ronke, while being led in evidence by Mr Y. G. Oshoala, the lead State Prosecutor.

Soyele revealed that it was discovered during the autopsy that the deceased’s brain was heavy, swollen and filled with water and it was highly unlikely that the deceased inflicted the injuries on herself because of the multiplicity of injuries.

“The deceased died from respiratory failure, caused by cerebral edema (swollen brain), caused by a blunt force trauma to the brain,” he said.

“A bruise was found on her left jaw. During autopsy, it was also discovered that the deceased had black eyes (pupils) a tell-tale sign of brain injury.

“We opened up the body and brought out all the organs. We also opened up the skull to bring out the brain. Blood collection was discovered in the skull, just beneath the skin.

“The deceased’s uterus was also brought out and there was no sign of conception. We took samples from the brain in order to determine the cause of death which primarily was respiratory failure caused by trauma to the brain.”

Soyele, who revealed that he and his team had conducted over 1,000 autopsies, said that Ronke’s autopsy revealed that she had suffered past injuries to her brain.

“We took samples from the brain and discovered old haemorrhage (bleeding) in the brain, which suggest past trauma.” he added.

NAN reports that at the previous court proceedings on Sept. 20, Ronke’s sister, Miss Bolatito Bewaji, had revealed during her testimony that Ronke had approached a lawyer to file for divorce on the day she was allegedly murdered by Lekan.

She also revealed to the court a history of domestic violence Ronke had endured from Lekan.

Bolatito, also a banker, said that Lekan was overly possessive of his wife, and would beat her frequently, leaving her with bruises.

“My sister even told me that her husband would lift her up and slam her against the wall, whenever they had an argument,” an emotional Bolatito had told the court.

Giving further insight into the couple’s troubled marriage, Bolatito had revealed that she had advised her sister several times to leave the marriage.

“I was not surprised when I got the call on that fateful day that her lifeless and bloodied body had been found because I knew with the way things were going, he would one day kill her,” she said.

NAN recalls that Shonde, who was arraigned on Oct. 24, 2017 on a charge of murder, had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution had alleged that Shonde committed the offence at 8.30 p.m. on May 5, 2016 at his residence at No. 3, Tiemo Close, Egbeda, near Lagos.

According to court documents, Shonde was involved in an altercation with his wife, which led to her death.

After Ronke’s death, the dockworker allegedly locked up the home and fled, leaving his spouse’s corpse in the living room.

The alleged crime scene was discovered by neighbours, who heard the cries of their two young children, struggling to “wake up” the lifeless body of their mother.

Shonde was said to have surrendered to the authorities five days later, after an extensive manhunt.

Justice Josephine Oyefeso adjourned the case untill Oct. 24 for continuation of trial. (NAN)

MAE/SN
========

Edited by Silas Nwoha

2018 FRSC Recruitment: Traders record brisk sales
By Talatu Maiwada
Sales
Abuja, Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) Traders are recording brisk sales at the ongoing Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recruitment and physical screening at the National Stadium in Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Some of the traders told NAN in separate interviews on Tuesday that the exercise was an opportunity for them to sell their wares.
The traders said they had to close up their shops temporarily at Utako, Wuse and Garki markets in order to display their wares at the recruitment venues in view of the high patronage.
Pastor Peter Umeh, a trader who sales white canvas, shoes, stockings and short trousers at the venue, said the sales were encouraging but decried the low profit margin he recorded.
“My goods are essential for the candidates like white canvas shoes, T-shirts and others; the sales are encouraging but the current economic challenges, customers are begging for discount.
“We are encouraged by the turn over because the candidates are many and patronage is quite high.
“For instance, we sell the shoes at N1,500 in the market but here they priced it down to N800, the T-shirts are from N1,000 but they are pricing them at N700 and we have to sell,’’ he said.
Also speaking, Mr Timothy Chukwuma, a professional photographer at the recruitment venue, said the patronage was not adequate because most candidates came with their passport photographs.
He however added that the photographs were taken and printed in two minutes at a subsidised rate of eight copies at N700 and four copies at N400 for candidates who forgot or misplaced their passport photographs.
In the same vein, Mr and Mrs Samuel Akhigbe, who were engaged in photocopying business, said they were excited over the sales recorded since the commencement of the screening.
They noted that the candidates were mandated to make photocopies of their documents which had resulted to high patronage, adding that each copy is done at N50 because they use generating plants.
Similarly, food and confectionery vendors were not left out as they also record high patronage from the exercise.
Mrs Irene Okoro, who sells soft drinks and snacks, said she was happy with the patronage from candidates and people around.
“I have been selling since morning; I thank God for this exercise, I wish they will continue till next month; I am so happy with my sales.
“I thank God for everything,’’ she added.
NAN reports that the exercise, which began on Sept. 24, will last on Sept. 30. (NAN)
TIM/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Oyo-Ita urges military, civil servants to embrace technologies for enhanced productivity

Technology
By Kate Obande-Okewu
Abuja, Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, has called on the military and civil servants to embrace and apply new technologies in discharging their duties for enhanced service delivery.

Oyo-Ita made the call while presenting paper at the Inaugural Lecture of Nigeria Defence Course 27, titled: “Civil Service Reform and National Development,’’ on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said that adopting new technologies would boost the nation’s economy and ensure accountability.

“We need to have a breath of fresh air in carrying out our jobs; civil servants should be courageous to try out new reforms.

“Archaic ideas should be done away with, new innovations and technologies should be embraced for better service delivery.

“Many old workers believe things should remain and be done  the way it used to be when they started but that shouldn’t be the case, because these technologies are to make our jobs easier and improve efficiency,’’ she said.

She said that there was a strong correlation between a strong civil service and a strong economy, adding that if the civil service is weak the nation will also suffer economically.

The Head of Service said that for an improved service to be achieved, government should invest more on human capital development, saying that the budget for training keep declining every year.

She, however, appealed to the Ministry of Budget and Planning to consider the training budget and improve on it.

Oyo-Ita also complained about the poor salaries of civil servants describing the situation as unfair compared to the salary of the military.

“A level eight officer in the civil service earns N42, 000 at entry and after over 30 years before becoming a director he or she goes home with only N348,000 this is not fair.

“I appreciate the sacrifice the military is making for this country; I really admire and respect the military because without them we won’t even have a country.

“The military and the civil servants should continue to strengthen the relationship they have for national development,’’ she said.

In his response, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, Commandant National Defence College, thanked Oyo-Ita for honouring their invitation and presenting a detailed paper.

He said that the lecture had provided the Course 27 participants with the much needed knowledge they required.

“This lecture has met the aspirations and requirements of the college; this platform has provided one of the needed knowledge to bridge the psychological gap between the military and the civil servants,’’ he said.

Osinowo said that the impact of technology in our life, public sector and the way we fight as military had become more pronounced than before and it must be embraced.

He also stressed that the relationship between a strong civil service and the nation’s economy was proportional.(NAN)
KTE/AFA
=======
Edited by Felix Ajide

Lagos CJ vows to prosecute lawyer who allegedly forged court judgment

Judgment
By Moji Eniola
Ikeja, Sept. 25, 2018 (NAN) Justice Opeyemi Oke, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, on Tuesday vowed to prosecute Mr Edward Oseghale,
a lawyer, who was nabbed by police at the premises of Surulere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly forging a court judgment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oseghale allegedly forged a judgment purportedly given by Mrs Toluwalase Abayomi, the Magistrate of Court 4 , Surulere Magistrates’ Court.

The forged judgment pertained to a landlord and tenancy case.

The accused, who was the counsel to the landlord, used the alleged false judgment to evict a tenant.

He was, however, caught “red handed” when the tenant’s lawyer came to the Surulere Magistrates’ Court to verify the authenticity
of the judgment.

Addressing newsmen, the Chief Judge, who was represented by Mrs Taiwo Olatokun, the Chief Registrar of the Lagos State Judiciary,
said the forgery of court documents was rampant in the state.

“The issue of false judgments, rulings and orders have become a source of great embarrassment to the Lagos State Judiciary.

“We have gotten emails from various embassies as well as countries like the United Kingdom and the United States requesting to
confirm the authenticity of some of these documents.

“In a lot of instances, they turn out to be false,”she said.

The Chief Registrar threw more light on the events that led to Oseghale’s arrest.

She said: “We had a report that a supposed defendant asked for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a judgment.

“He (the defendant) produced what he had and the Magistrate in this case realised there is a fake suit number in the document.

“The lawyer involved (Oseghale) also had another matter in another court which had the same suit number, but different dates
and we also confirmed that there was no such matter before that court.

“The false judgment also had the the stamp of the Assistant Chief Registrar, who admitted that she had not signed the document.”

Olatokun said the Chief Judge of Lagos is keen to prosecute those caught falsifying court documents to serve as a deterrent to
other perpetrators.

“The matter is already in the hands of the police and we will ensure that he is prosecuted, the officers of the Lagos State Judiciary
who are involved are willing to testify against him.

“This is a serious matter, it is painful to the Chief Judge, because some of these forged documents have been acted upon abroad.

“The lawyer (Oseghale) would have gotten away with it if the defence counsel had not come to court.

“I have been a victim of individuals forging court documents, my signature has been forged on some of these documents,”
Olatokun said.

The Chief Registrar said that the Chief Judge had introduced the seal on affidavits issued by the High Courts in Lagos with a
view to combating the menace of false court documents.

“We have introduced the use of a seal, even though the seal is now being forged, the original one has a distinct feature.

“When placed under a light, parts of the seal will turn blue, that will prove its authenticity,” she said.

NAN reports that the Lagos State Judiciary did not give further details on the landlord and tenancy case in which Oseghale
allegedly forged the judgment evicting the tenant.

“We do not want to jeopardise the investigations of the police,”Olatokun said. (NAN)

MAE/KOLE/DA
============

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Dele Akinsola

Ex-saraki’s aide seeks Kwara APC governorship ticket