Members seek enhanced funding of NYSC
NAN-H-85

By Chukwuemeka Opara

NYSC

Afikpo (Ebonyi) Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The 2016 National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Batch ‘B’ corps members deployed to Ebonyi have called for increased funding of the scheme to sustain its ideals and prospects.

The corps members made the call at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Old Mac-Gregor College, Afikpo during the swearing-in ceremony of the batch on Monday.

According to respondents interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the call in some quarters to scrap the scheme was unpatriotic, as the scheme had been a unifying factor in the country.

Mr Thomas Dakum from Plateau remarked that the scheme was a veritable tool to ensuring cultural integration of the country.

Dakum said government should ensure that the scheme was adequately funded to forestall accommodation, remuneration of corps members, postings and other factors militating against it.

“I would encourage corps members to learn entrepreneurship skills to become self reliant to solve the unemployment problem that makes people call for its scrapping”, he said.

Miss Sandra Adege from Edo described the call for the programme’s scrapping as surprising; noting that enhanced funds would take care of the various challenges confronting the programme.

“I went to school in Benin Republic and decided to serve my fatherland. NYSC colour is the aspiration of every parent, especially those in the Diaspora who want their children to learn more about Nigeria.

“The scheme’s operators should increase the monthly allowance given to corps members in order to solve accommodation and other related problems associated with postings to areas of primary assignment’’, Adege said.

Mrs Gladys Mbachi, State Coordinator of the programme, noted that 2,046 corps members comprising of 1,118 males and 928 females were registered for the batch.

“The presence of these men and women of honour and proven integrity and high standing in Ebonyi, is a testimony of the great value the NYSC adds to the country’s socio development.

“We are, however, constrained by shortage of accommodation for camp officials and corps members and the broken camp fences makes the camp community vulnerable to intruders”, Mbachi said.

Gov. David Umahi, represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Charles Akpueneika, congratulated the corps members on their successful academic pursuits and induction into the scheme.

“The scheme is designed to foster cooperation and understanding among corps members while providing an ideal environment for comprehensive distillation of ideas to enhance national unity and development”, the governor said.

Highlights of the occasion included speeches by relevant stakeholders, march past, tug of war contest, and cultural performances by the corps members, among others. (NAN)

RCO/DOR/IEA

Edited by Nyisom Dore/Idahosa Asowata

House Committee lauds PTAD on  efforts to check ghost pensioners

NAN-HE-20

Commendation

Yola, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The House of Representatives Committee on Pension, has lauded the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD’s) effort to contain ghost pensioners.

Rep. Lawal Garba, who led members of the committee on assessment visit, made the commendation on Monday in Yola while inspecting the PTAD ongoing verification of federal and state pensioners  in Adamawa.

Garba said the committee was satisfied with the smooth conduct of the exercise in Yola and hoped it would not only eliminate ghost pensioners but facilitate the smooth payment of monthly pension at all levels.

“To be very honest, I will say so far so good; I am satisfied with what I saw,” Garba said.

Garba, who is representing Yola North/South Federal Constituency, urged traditional rulers, religious leaders and politicians in the state to mobilise all pensioners in their communities to participate in the exercise.

Also, the Adamawa branch Chairman of  National Union of Pensioners (NUP), Mr Samson Almuru, expressed satisfaction with the exercise and expressed hope that it would bring succor to his members.

“This exercise is very dear to my members; we are happy about it and hoped that  the objective of eliminating ghost pensioners and ensuring steady payment of pension and gratuity would be achieved,” Almuru said. (NAN)
YMU/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

NFF clears air on Suwon tourney largess, Pinnick’s memo on scouting

NAN-H-78

NFF

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Ilorin, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)on Mondaycleared the air on the purported 110,000 dollars received from the organisers of the Suwon U-19 Football Tournament.

The Federation also cleared the air on NFF President AmajuPinnick’s trip to the United Kingdom for VIP scouting.

A statement issued by NFF’s Spokesperson, AdemolaOlajire, quoted the General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusias saying the report was ridiculous.

Sanusi recalls that a national newspaper had reported that the Federation received 110,000 dollars from the organisers of the Suwon U-19 Football Tournament, in which the U-17 National Team, Golden Eaglets, participated in October.

“Another national newspaper on the same day also reported that NFF President traveled to the United Kingdom for VIP scouting, for which he did a memo and collected money.’’

Sanusi appealed to the media to endeavour to be factual in its reportage of the activities of the Federation.

“We have nothing against criticisms but the same must be constructive and done without mischief.

“The report is ridiculous because the NFF President did not take money from the Federation to go on the trip.

“The man used his personal funds to travel, so it is unfair to say that his going to the United Kingdom was why there was no money for Falconets or Falcons. These kinds of reports are discouraging.”

“And on the story on Suwon tourney, I am saddened by the report because the writer called me on phone and I told him the correct situation of things.

“The NFF did not receive any 110,000 dollars from the organisers of the Suwon U-19 Tournament.

“The organisers made public what they would give to the participating teams, and for coming fourth at the competition, the Eaglets were entitled to 10,000 dollars, which has not even been paid to the NFF,’’ Sanusi said.

He urged the media to cross check their facts when  reporting the activities of the NFF, adding that the impression of many people about the Federation was usually incorrect.

“People assume there is money everywhere here and we are only being unfair not to pay players and coaches.

“If that is the situation, how come as management, we cannot pay ourselves even as we are being owed a lot of money?

“One is not saying the media should not report if they have facts that the Federation has the wherewithal and yet is deliberately with-holding the entitlements of players and coaches.

“However, reporting falsehood and agitating on behalf of persons without having any facts is outright mischief and is condemnable,’’ Sanusi said. (NAN)

BAY/EEE

========

Edited Ese E. Ekama

NAN-H-
Deposits
By Moji Eniola
Ikeja, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on Monday heard a witness describe how foreign currency was moved from Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia chambers and deposited into her account in Diamond Bank.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Ademola Oshodi was testifying at the ongoing trial of Ofili-Ajumogobia, a serving Justice of the Federal High Court, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), alongside Mr Godwin Obla.

The duo, who are being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged corruption, have been jointly charged with two counts of perverting the course of justice.

Obla, was charged with additional two-counts of offering gratification in the sum of N5million to Ofili-Ajumogobia, a public official while carrying out her duties as a judge.

Ofili-Ajumogobia, however, faces a 26-count charge of unlawful enrichment, taking property by a public officer, corruption by a public officer, forgery and giving false information to an official of the EFCC.

The accused persons both denied all the charges.

The EFCC alleges that between 2012 and 2015 Ajumogobia received a total of 788,000 dollars from various sources into her Diamond Bank Account with number 0032091183.

While being led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, Oshodi told the court that he met Ofili-Ajumogobia at her chambers at the Federal High Court when he opened an account for her with the bank.

Oshodi, a Branch Manager with Diamond Bank Plc, is the account officer for Ofili-Ajumogobia.

The banker alleged that he often visited the justice’s chambers and also her home whenever she needed his services to make such deposits which was mostly in dollars.

“I used to meet the judge in her chambers and sometimes in her home, where I’d receive the foreign currency, which was U.S. dollars to deposit into her bank account.

“I introduced one Abba Said, a Bureau de Change operative to her when there was a need to change the dollars to naira.

“This mostly happens when she was not comfortable with a particular transaction.

“There were instances where the deposits exceeded the maximum amount for an individual account, when such instances occur, I pay the maximum amount into her account.

“I then deposit the remaining cash into my account which is paid into her account in subsequent days,” Oshodi told the packed courtroom.

Counsel to Ofili-Ajumogobia, Mr Olawole Akoni (SAN), however, raised objections when EFCC attempted to tender his client’s account statements as evidence on the grounds that he had not reviewed the bank statements.

“The first defendant has been in incarceration since Nov. 10. She needs adequate time and facility to defend herself. I humbly seek an adjournment,’’ Akoni said.

Supporting his request for adjournment, lawyer to Obla , Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), also said the second defendant had been in incarceration since Nov. 8.

“Given the circumstances in which we had our meetings, it was not even possible to prepare adequately for trial.

“I will like to request for an adjournment so that we can make judicious use of the time to prepare adequately for trial,” Adedipe said.

Justice Hakeem Oshodi in granting an adjournment said; “for the purpose of fair hearing, the court will accede to the request for adjournment of this trial.

“The case is adjourned to Jan. 9, 2017 for continuation of trial,’’ Oshodi said. (NAN)

MAE/DOR

Edited by Nyisom Dore

NAN-HG-11
Induction
By Alex Enebeli
Enugu, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) on Monday inducted and swore in 96 medical students into the medical profession.

Performing the ceremony at Ituku-Ozalla, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, said the graduating students passed through a lot of training and experiences before emerging victorious in their chosen career.

The vice chancellor said that more than 200 students were admitted into the college but only 96 scaled through.

Ozumba said that the management was committed to restructuring the fallen standard of the college of medicine as it was made financially autonomous.

He urged the doctors to always approach the institution for assistance whenever they encountered challenges in the course of their profession.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Prof. Hygienus Ezegwui, commended the graduating students for their perseverance and hard work which saw them through.

“This is not the end, you have enormous responsibilities and the remarkable experiences you had and shared have shaped your ideas and choices in life.

“Your responses to the opportunities and challenges you faced have affected your sense of value, discipline, focus and passion.

“As from today, your life is embedded in certain ethical standards which you must follow and as you are celebrating with your families and friends, you have enormous responsibilities ahead of you in the coming year as a doctor,” the dean said.

Ezegwui thanked the parents for the financial support and encouraged the young doctors to take the opportunity that might come their way seriously as well as be good ambassadors of the university.

The guest speaker and former Governor of Anambra, Mr Peter Obi, urged the youth to take back their country as their leaders had failed them.

Obi said that corruption and wastes were the major problems facing the country, saying that they were unacceptable.

He urged the students to create a future for themselves, saying that working for the government in future would not give them the desired satisfaction.

“You do not need to depend on the government for jobs because the society we abuse today will take revenge on us in the near future,” he said.

Some of the inducted doctors who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), including Nnenna Oji and Chimdi Nnamani, expressed joy at the event and pledged to practice the profession without fear or favour.

A parent, Dr Ejike Oji, urged parents to always support their children in their academic pursuit. (NAN)
AAE/MNA/MVO
(Edited by Maureen AtuonwuMbadiwe Okwor)

NAN-H-80
Judgment
By Edith Nwapi
Abuja, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) An FCT High Court on Monday discharged and acquitted Mr Ikenna Okoro, who is charged with the misappropriation of N25 million.

In his ruling, Justice Peter Affen held that the prosecution failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt.

“Accordingly, I will issue an order discharging and acquitting the defendant, Ikenna Okoro, from the two-count charge preferred against him.

“The EFCC should release the defendant’s international passport and other items deposited on his behalf for the bail condition imposed by the court.

“The prosecution has a duty to thoroughly investigate every defence put up by the defendant in order to render it false and it is only when this is done that the trial court will be put in a vantage position to reject any such defence,’’ the judge added.

He said that it was noteworthy that the prosecution did not deem it necessary to cross examine the defendant on crucial proof of evidence on the circumstance in which a dishonoured cheque was issued by the defendant.

“Since the above evidence remains unchallenged and uncontroverted, the court is obligated as a matter of law to act on it without further ado.

“The defendant has reasonable ground to have believed that the cheque would be honoured at the time it was issued and the cheque was issued the second time and the prosecution could not ask why,’’ he held.

He also held that the complainant conceded that the N25 million she gave to the defendant was made to be invested with a group of accountants in a normal banking system for a period of 90 days.

“She received interest from the defendant at the expiration of those 90 days.

“The question that agitates my mind is whether it can be said that the defendant misappropriated the N25 million given to him and converted the same to his use,’’ he said.

The judge also held that the defendant testified that the N25 million was invested with the Easy Trade Concept Nig. Ltd for tenure of one year with interest payable every 90 days.

“The defendant tendered the receipt and agreement between him and the investment company as exhibit D13 (a) and (b) and also called the Managing Director, Mr Isreal Audu, as DW 4 who corroborated the defendant’s statement.

“But the prosecution did not deem it necessary to cross examine both the defendant and PW4, thereby rendering their testimony un-contradicted and uncontroverted.

“It had been held in a number of cases that the failure to cross examine a witness on an issue constitutes an acceptance of the truth of the evidence of that witness,’’ the judge held.

He held that the repayment cheque was given after much pressure on the complainant against the maturity date, written for the Sept. 4, 2009 and presented twice and bounced on the two occasions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okoro was charged with dishonest misappropriation and conversion of money to his personal use, punishable under the Penal Code, CAP 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

He was alleged to have issued a cheque in the sum of N25 million to the complainant, Dr (Mrs) Ada Okwosa, as a broker/agent. (NAN)
NEO/ESAN/MVO
(Edited by Abiodun Esan/Mbadiwe Okwor)

NAN-H-76

Infrastructure

Kano, Nov. 28,2016 (NAN) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state has reassured of his administration’s determination to ‎develop sustainable infrastructure in the state.
‎
Ganduje gave the assurance during ‎the opening of public dialogue of the Kano State Transport Policy Green Paper at the Government House, Kano on Monday.‎

‎
“We are determined ‎to develop sustainable infrastructure in the state to unlock the economic potential of the state,” he said.

He said that the state government in spite of low oil revenue, had completed inherited projects and initiated new ones across the‎ state to boost economic activities.

‎The governor added that the state government had awarded contract for the construction of underpass and flyovers to ease traffic congestion across the state.

“The state government constructed and rehabilitated over 200km of roads in the state.”

‎He added that technical assistance had been sought from the Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NIAF) to prepare ground for the state to undergo urban transport reform in line global best practices.

Ganduje said that the state government would also establish Kano Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (KAMATA) to ensure effective and robust transportation system in the area.‎

In his remarks, the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to rehabilitate major roads, arteries, aviation and rail infrastructure in the country.
‎
Amaechi, who was represented by Mrs Foluke Oni, said that government would continue to create environment for a robust multi-modal transport system, through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

He said that such effort would improve transport networks, connect cities and provide the platform for sustainable growth.

Amaechi said that the ministry was working with ECOWAS and United Nations to make the Lagos-Jibiya trade and transit corridor safe and secure.(NAN)

MNT/EAL/DUA
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Dada Ahmed
=====================================

Loans: NASSI seeks Kwara Govt’s intervention for SMEs loans

NAN-HE-17

Loans

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Ilorin, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Kwara chapter, has called on the state government to facilitate access to loans by members from the Bank of Industry (BoI).

Chairman of the association, Mr Solomon Olawoyin, told newsmen on Monday that the requirements by the BoI in acquiring Federal Government funds for SMEs were too stringent and frustrating.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government recently released N200 billion intervention fund through the BoI to boost the small and medium scales enterprises.

Olawoyin listed credit worthy promoters required to prove their commitment to the project by contributing at least 25 per cent of the project cost excluding land as one of the conditions.

There must also be a project that uses largely domestic raw materials with at least provision of a sponsor and financier with one’s local environment.

“Also it must be technically feasible, commercially viable and economically desirable and the conditions for collateral are not within reach of members, “he said.(NAN)

BAY/GOM/IA
===========

Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Idris Abdulrahman

30 killed as villagers stand up to al-Shabaab in Somalia

NAN-F-17
Attack
Mogadishu, Nov. 28, 2016 (dpa/NAN) About 30 people were killed Monday as Somali villagers attacked al-Shabaab militants who tried to impose taxes on them, officials and residents said.

Residents and local security forces clashed with the militants in Dumaaye village and its surroundings near the port of Harardheere in central Galmudug region.

“Locals, including nomadic people, took up arms against al-Shabaab fighters who want to loot their resources, including livestock,” a regional senior official said.

The 30 fatalities included 26 militants, Galmudug Security Minister Osman Isse Nur said.

He added that the regional authorities had sent additional security forces to help villagers keep al-Shabaab at bay.

The Islamist group, which has battled the Somali government for a decade, issued no comment. (dpa/NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere

Foundation organises silent protest on sexual violence against women

NAN-HG-9

Protest

Abuja, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) Aids Healthcare Foundation, an NGO, on Monday in FCT organised a silent protest on sexual violence against women seeking to break the culture of silence around rape.

Ms Kemi Gbadamosi, the Senior Manager, Public Relation and Communications of the fo0undation, said this while briefing newsmen in Abuja.

She said the silent protest was a peaceful solidarity march against sexual violence and to raise awareness on Post Exposure Prophylaxis for victims of rape in order to reduce HIV infections.

Gbadamosi stressed that the silent protest also seeks stiffer penalties for perpetrators and full implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP Law).

“It is a symbolic show of solidarity for those who have suffered sexual and gender based violence as it has continued to thrive and put a lot of people at risk.

“Daily we are inundated with news of sexual assaults on both young and old.

“We however believe that putting the discourse at the forefront will empower survivors and send a strong message to perpetrators,’’ she said.

She added that the protest was one of AHF Nigeria’s strategy of ensuring that  issues of gender based  violence especially violence against women and young girls were brought to the fore.

Gbadamosi said young girls were raped on daily basis, women experience domestic violence in their homes and nothing was done about it.

She added that the laws in our environment do not support the girls, adding that it is hard to make a diagnosis or establish a rape case which causes victims to be silent and not stigmatised.

She called on relevant stakeholders including lawmakers, ministries and agencies responsible for the group, to take up the challenge and find a lasting solution to the menace.

In the same vein, Dr Kema Onu, Site Coordinator of the foundation, said the protest also seeks to reverse the trend of HIV which affects mainly women between the ages of 15 to 24 years.

He said the social economic challenges surrounding a girl child between the ages of 15 to 24 were overwhelming and they were most vulnerable at this age.

“Young girls within these age range are just beginning to realise more about their sexual reproductive health, and they cannot take hold of their sexual reproductive rights.

“This is the age when some of them are given out in marriage without their consent, some are sexually abused, raped and can’t speak out rather they die in silence.

“There is need for more awareness of where they can seek redress so they don’t die in silence by not knowing where to go or who to talk to,’’ he added.

Onu also urged parents and guardians to create an enabling environment where children can talk about their sexual and reproductive health and freedom to speak out whenever they are abused.

He further called on more lawyers to provide free services in getting justice for them, activists and ambassadors to stand up and speak out to create more awareness on gender violence. (NAN)

TIM/LAB/MST

Edited by Lydia Beshel/Muhammad Suleiman Tola