Blog

NAN-H-33

Resumption

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) Academic activities are to resume at the Yaba College of Technology on Tuesday, five days after they were suspended in the aftermath of a fire incident.

Dr Charles Oni, Director, Public Relations Unit of the college, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that following the resumption, semester examination would begin on Wednesday.

NAN reports that the management had on Nov. 23, directed that all academic activities and ongoing examinations be suspended, following a fire outbreak in the Bakassi female hall.

The incident left several students with injuries, some of whom were hospitalised.

Oni said: “Academic activities will resume on Tuesday, Nov. 29, while examination continues on Wednesday.

“As at Friday, when the representative of the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, visited the college, only two students were still on admission at the Military Hospital, Yaba.

“The college did not completely close; normal work is going except the academic activities that were suspended.’’(NAN)
OOG/AIB/SOA

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

Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-H-49
Wife
Ibadan, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) A woman, Aderonke Ojediran, on Monday, approached a Grade C Customary Court, Agodi-Ibadan in Oyo State, to seek for dissolution of her five-year-old marriage with Oyeleke Ojediran, for allegedly comparing her with goats.

Ojediran also complained that she was seeking for divorce because Oyeleke had refused to pay her bride pride and had been
threatening her life.

Another reason for the divorce, the plaintiff said, was the lack of care for the only child of the union.

She told the court that “ I packed out of my husband’s residence in 2013 when I could no longer cope with the bad characters of my husband.”

According to her, sometime in 2013, her husband brought goats inside their sitting room and compared her with the animals, saying she is the same as the goats.

“He used to beat me and had been careless about my welfare and that of the innocent child we have. In fact, I am tired of the marriage and I don’t want to die young.

“To make the matter worst, he refused to pay my bride price, instead, he turned me to a punching bag and treated me as he wishes,” she added.

The woman further prayed the court to allow her to take custody of the child for proper care.

The defendant, who admitted that he brought two goats inside the sitting room, explained that he compared his wife with the goats because of her bad attitude.

He also agreed with the divorce suit, alleging also that the plaintiff’s troublesome way of life was responsible for his hypertensive health condition.

The President of the court, Chief Mukaila Balogun, then declared the marriage dissolved.

He said “having listened to the evidence of both parties, it is clear that there is no more love between the couple and they should go their separate ways as they stand unmarried.

“Custody of the only child of the union is to remain with the plaintiff and the sum of N3,000 is awarded against the defendant on monthly basis, being money for the upkeep of the child.” (NAN)
DAK/DOE/HA
============
Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

DPR uncovers 87 illegal filling stations

NAN-HE-5
Stations
By Yunus Yusuf
Lagos, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Monday said it had discovered 87 filling stations operating without its approval in the last six months.

Its Director, Mr Modecai Ladan, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on the sideline of the ongoing 17th biennial conference on Health, Safety and Environment organised by DPR.

He said that the agency had already clamped down on the illegal filling stations.

The DPR boss said that the agency was collaborating with other agencies and relevant stakeholders in nipping the problem in the bud.

He urged potential filling stations owners to be law abiding and adhere strictly to rules governing registration of filling stations.

Ladan also said it was untrue that the agency had no record of crude oil produced by the country, saying the new DPR was on top of the situation.

He said that the theme of the conference reflected the agency’s commitment to harmonising valuable recommendations to the government.

“It is noteworthy that the DPR has leveraged on the principles and suggestions presented by delegates in previous editions of this conference,’’ he said. (NAN)
YO/ENN/TA
(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Tajudeen Atitebi)

PTAD begins verification of pensioners in North East

NAN-HE-14

Verification

Yola, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) on Monday began verification of federal and state core civil service pensioners in the north east.

A statement by the Executive Secretary of the directorate, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor, made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Monday in Yola, said the exercise bwgan in Yola and would hold in four centres, Adamawa, Jalingo, Gombe and Bauchi.

The statement said that the exercise was aimed at identifying ghost pensioners and stopping fraudulent payments.

It also said that the exercise would facilitate the restoration of monthly payment of pension to genuine pensioners, including those that had not been paid any pension or gratuity for over 10 years.

It also noted that complaints received from the verification already done in North West and South East were being resolved.

“We will be reinstating 4,137 pensioners who were unjustly removed from the payroll even as we continue the civil service verification.”

It urged pensioners to ensure participation in the ongoing exercise, adding that they needed to come along with documents such as original and photocopies of their relevant retirement credentials.

It advised sick and infirm pensioners to contact the directorate at the centres so that the mobile verification team could reach them at their homes or hospitals for the exercise. (NAN)
YMU/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Summit University in Offa set to take-off December
NAN-H-35
University
Omu-Aran (Kwara), Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Summit University in Offa Local Government area of Kwara is to commence academic activities in December, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Prof. Oseni Oloyede, the Institution’s Vice-Chancellor, who disclosed this to newsmen on Monday in Omu-Aran, said that all the necessary facilities for its take-off had been put in place.
He said that the institution would commence its academic programmes with three colleges of College of Management and Social Sciences, College of Humanities as well as College of Basic and Applied Sciences.
Oloyede, who expressed dismay over the rate of indiscipline in tertiary institutions in the country, said the anniversary would maintain zero tolerance against illicit acts.
He said out that the institution intended to take a cue from Islamic ethics to tackle moral decadence and other anti-social behaviours.
Oloyede said that the university was designed to rank among the best in the country within a short period of commencement of activities.
He promised that the institution’s admission would not be restricted to a particular religion.
Oloyede said the university’s knowledge sharing would emphasise training students to be God fearing and highly intelligent with positive attitude to their immediate environment.
“We are to train and bring out graduates who will be proud professionals and at the same time retrain their staunch attachment to the worship of Almighty Allah.

“We are also keeping tab on the state government’s programme of developing human capital which is important to assist in promoting the goals of our great state, Kwara,” he said. (NAN)
ISHO/FAT/TA
Edited by Fatima Sule/Tajudeen Atitebi
 

NAN-DS-4
Arrest
Pankshin (Plateau State), Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) The police in Plateau on Monday said they have arrested three persons in Kapil village of Chip District in Pankshin Local Government Area over alleged killing of a 26-year-old man, Mr Chinme Daniel.

Mr Tyeopev Terna, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Police Command in the state, confirmed the arrest of the suspects in Jos.

The command’s image maker said the arrest of the suspects, whose names remained withheld, followed a complaint by a family of the deceased,
Mr Lawi Dabwen.

He said “we have the three suspects in our custody and we shall try them before a law court, even though we are still investigating the incident.”

He added that the three suspects who reside at Kapil village were alleged to have committed the crime at 6 a.m. on Nov. 25 in the area.

The PPRO urged the public to be conscious of the activities of criminally-minded persons and alert the police whenever they suspected any strange movement.

This, he said, became necessary in order not to fall victim of people of questionable character.

Terna also warned the public to guard against jungle justice, adding that the police would deal decisively with anyone found indulging in such act. (NAN)
TYC/DUA
========
Edited by Dada Ahmed

NAN-S-11
Championship
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) Obrien Adoki, the Head Coach, Nigeria U-23 Wheelchair Basketball team on Monday in Lagos expressed confidence that their chances of qualifying for the U-23 World Championship in 2017 was bright.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the team’s preparation at the National Stadium, Lagos that they were well prepared for the Africa Qualifiers coming up in South Africa.

“We have worked hard toward grabbing the only available world championship ticket in the forthcoming Africa U-23 Championship in South Africa which begins on Dec. 3.

“We are going to play against four other countries and we are confident of progressing to the world championship by beating all other contenders to the ticket.

“We know it is a tough task because every other opposition are coming with the best players and also with the determination to achieve but we will rise to every challenge,’’ Adoki said.

He added that the final team list would be ready on Wednesday while the players continued to fight for a place.

“The players on ground are doing well to make the team, as it is, it is very competitive.

“All of them are home-grown and we will only pick the best players to represent the country,’’ Adoki said.

He added that all logistics were in good control to see the team depart on Sunday to compete for a spot in the world championship.

Adoki assured Nigerians that the players would return with victory and would not disappoint.

“We have won silver medals in the 2012 and 2014 editions, but unfortunately did not qualify.

“We are aiming for the gold and we are confident of achieving our aim.

“The competition is very key to us as we understand the need to fly the nation’s flag at an international event,’’ Adoki said. (NAN)
BAO/ENN/PDE
===========
(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-29
Dwellers
Lagos, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) Miss Segun Taylor, a documentary photographer, has urged government at all levels to focus on the plights faced by citizens in the rural communities.

Taylor made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

She said that in the course of her job, she had captured the challenges of rural dwellers through her photographs, adding that their sufferings must be addressed to enhance their welbeing.

Taylor said that she encountered the plight of the rural dwellers because she had always wanted to project their sufferings, especially in shelter, food, healthcare and clothing.

“As a documentary photographer, I was opportune to take photographs of many helpless children to project them to comfortable Nigerians.

“I always feel like shedding tears each time I sight children who lacked shelter and means of livelihood.

“Most of my works are on rural dwellers because I want comfortable Nigerians to empathise with these hapless people and stretch helping hands to them.

“I have the pictures where some sleep and eat near refuse dumps; that account for the reasons they die of strange ailments,’’ she said.

The photographer called on philanthropists, NGOs and corporate organisations to bail the rural dwellers out of their sufferings. (NAN)
PTB/PDE
======
(Edited by Peter Ejiofor)

G9 unites to integrate, curb border crimes

NAN-H-3
G9
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Nov. 28, 2016 (NAN) Dr King Adie, President, Global Peace and National Reconciliation Organisation, on Monday in Abuja said that G9 countries would unite to integrate neighbouring countries to curb border crimes.

Adie made this known at a World Press Conference held by the organisation towards the proposed maiden G9 International Multilateral Peace Education, Security, Trans-border Cooperation and Integration Summit scheduled for Tuesday (Nov. 29) in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the G9 countries comprise Nigeria, Benin Republic, Cameroun, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Niger, Togo, Sao Tome and Principe, and Ghana.

He said the summit would provide a strategic blueprint for the governments of the participating countries on ways to tackle the pressing challenges of peace and security posed by criminals across the borders.

“Most of these challenges are as a result of the porous nature of most of our country’s international borders.

“We have to educate ourselves on the way to truth, peaceful co-existence and being our brothers keepers,” he said.

Dr Philemon Gora, the President Global Funds Inc Florida, U.S.A., said that the summit would re-awaken continuous effective mobilisation and sensitisation of the peace initiative among the countries.

“This will re-orientate the border inhabitants in gateway states and communities on the need for trans-border cooperation, ethics, values and attitudinal change.

“It will also promote socio-economic investment and activities that will foster genuine peace, love, unity and good neighbourliness.

According to Gora, it will equally curb or stop the excessive menace of terrorists entering and staying in our border communities.

In his contribution, Malam Denja Abdullahi, President of the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), said that genuine organisations like that of Global Peace and National Reconciliation Organisation should be supported by all.

“We must support anyone or organisation that comes with the message of genuine peace which will lead to the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians and Africa at large,” he said.

However, Denja called on the citizens of these G9 countries to support the respective governments with the vision of lasting peace in their countries.

“The governments and leaders have visions and want the best for their countries but we must work together with them to bring peace because these criminals live amongst us.

“They have homes, friends and relatives who know what they do and their activities but fail to report them to the appropriate authorities,” the ANA president said. (NAN)
EPA/MST/MST

Edited by Razak Owolabi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-28
Inauguration
By Adekunle Williams/Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Nov.28, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has inaugurated a modern automated car park at the Domestic Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

FAAN’s Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, disclosed this in a statement she released to newsmen on Monday.

The statement said that the facility, inaugurated by the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Saleh Dunoma, would curb leakages and boost FAAN’s revenue base.

“This modern facility is uniquely designed to ensure that parking fees are paid at the payment booths by its end-users before they exit the car park unlike in the past when they were paying at the entry point.

“This facility also has a special billing system which is programmed to give the end-users the exact amount for time spent at the parking lots,” it said.

The statement said that it would automatically eliminate long queues, reduce traffic, speed up passenger and vehicular movements at the landside of the terminal.
It would also ensure seamless facilitation of passengers and airport users, it said.

It said this automation would also key into President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to transparency since all the Federal Government Agencies revenue-points had been mandated to pay all revenues generated into the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).

The statement said: “The inauguration of this facility is in line with FAAN’s desire to give passengers and airport users improved air travel experience in line with global best practices.’’

FAAN assured the traveling public of her commitment to give the best of its services to the travelling public despite the economic challenges currently facing the country.

The statement also assured them of safety as they were approaching Yuletide, the peak period of air travel, which is usually associated with high passenger and vehicular traffic movements. (NAN)

WAC/ASO/PAD
=============
Edited by Peter Dada