Blog

NAN-H-62
Archive
By Mercy Osajiugo
Minna, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) An archivist in Niger State, Alhaji Mohammad Kolo, has called on the federal and state governments to introduce e-archiving to save documents from destruction by rodents and termites.

Kolo, who is the Director of Archives at the Office of the Head of Service, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Tuesday that important documents such as government gazettes should not be destroyed in heaps of files.

“Record keeping is an important issue that should not be treated with levity.

“The state as a matter of urgency should save the archive from losing its valuable records‎ through parasites,’’ he said.

The archivist said that when parasites invaded his archive, the state government lost some important books and that prompted the engagement of a fumigator to destroy the pests.

“Every Friday, we fumigate ‎the archive; the whole of this place is an enclave of termites so we have to fight them with chemicals.

“For now we are trying to manage the place till ‎we have a better place,” he said.

The director explained that data archiving was the process of moving data that was no longer actively used.

Kolo pointed out that books and files in archives ought to be preserved and protected from dust in glass shelves.

He said that students in tertiary institutions regularly visited the archive to gather information. (NAN)
MNO/MNA/MVO
(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Mbadiwe Okwor)

Man, 26, in court for alleged N500 theft

NAN-H-29

Theft

By Sylvester Thompson

Abuja, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) A 26-year-old man, Lucky Afolabi, was on Tuesday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, over alleged theft of N500.

Afolabi of Durumi II, FCT, is standing trial on a two-count charge of joint act and theft.

The Prosecutor, Mr Gabriel Ayana, told the court that one Madueke Ifeanyi reported the matter at the Garki Police Station on Nov. 19.

Ayana alleged that the theft was carried out by the defendant and his accomplice, one Abubakar Abubakar, now at large.

He said that Afolabi and Abubakar criminally stole the sum of N500 and an Itel phone valued at N5,000 from the complainant.

“This incident happened while the complainant was sitting in front of Mr Biggs, along Lagos Street in Garki, Abuja,’’ Ayana said.

“The money and phone were removed from the complainant’s breast pocket.

“The defendant was caught in the act; while Abubakar fled with the phone, the N500 was found in Afolabi’s possession,’’ Ayana said.

The prosecutor also said that during police investigation, the defendant admitted that he committed the offence, which was contrary to sections 79 and 287 of the Penal Code.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.

The Presiding Judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, admitted the defendant to bail of N10,000 with one surety in like sum.

Kagarko also ordered that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned hearing in the matter to Jan. 27, 2017. (NAN)
SET/HAS/MST

Edited By Hajia Sani/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-63
Vehicles
Makurdi, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue on Tuesday gave out Sport Utility Vehicles to 13 permanent secretaries to facilitate their work.

Ortom, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Terwase Orbunde at the presentation ceremony, said the vehicles had become necessary as it would enable the permanent secretaries to perform their duties efficiently.

The governor commended workers in the state for their commitment and loyalty to his vision and mission, adding that their welfare was his priority.

Also speaking, the Head of Service, Mr Adaikwu Iwanta, who received the cars on behalf of the permanent secretaries, commended the governor for prioritising workers’ welfare.

Iwanta said that the cars would end the hardship and suffering of the permanent secretaries as some of them were climbing motorcycles to the office.

“I was so worried following the plight of the new permanent secretaries, particularly the female ones who are climbing motorcycles to the office and other official engagements.

“On behalf of the Benue workers and the new permanent secretaries, I wish to assure the government of our commitment and loyalty to its vision and mission,’’ he said. (NAN)
AEB/FAT/MVO
(Edited by Fatima Sule/Mbadiwe Okwor)

Ember months: Be more conscious on the road, NURTW scribe counsels motorists

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Road

By Ajibola Olaniyi

Osogbo, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) Comrade Rasaq Adeyemi, the Secretary of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osun, has enjoined motorists in the state to be more vigilant during the ember months.

Adeyemi gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday on the likely congestion on roads during the ember months.

He said that the tradition of speeding on the highway by motorists during Yuletide in the bid to make more money must be stopped due several accidents in the past.

According to him, motorists must be more conscious and protective of their lives and those of their passengers by not engaging in the `mad rush for money’ during this festive period.

“Cases abound where those who were reckless because of their lust for money during festive seasons eventual ended up unable to live to enjoy the money.

“It is always advisable for motorists, especially commercial drivers, to be patient and conduct themselves in a manner that will afford them the opportunity to see another festive period.

“Also, those who are travelling with their private cars should not be in a haste to get to their destinations; they must know that it is better to be late than to be the late,” he stressed.

The NURTW scribe also called on government to rehabilitate deplorable roads to reduce incidence of road accidents during festive periods.

He said that the number of road users usually increased during festive periods and “this puts more pressure on the roads with the attendant crashes where the roads are not in good condition”.

“Dodging potholes on the highways by motorists has been the major cause of fatal accidents which have claimed many lives and left others incapacitated.

“Government at all levels have greater role to play in the area of ensuring accident-free celebration; it is no more news that many of our roads are nothing, but death traps.

“The government must strive to fix the roads to make them motor-able in order to save the lives of innocent citizens as the number of vehicles plying the roads tends to increase during festive periods.

“I will also advise motorists to desist from dodging potholes at random; it is better to enter the potholes than to have a collision with an oncoming vehicle,” Adeyemi said. (NAN)
DOO/HAS/TA
Edited By Hajia Sani/Tajudeen Atitebi

Court sentences money lender to 6 months in Warri
NAN-H-28
Court

Warri (Delta), Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) A Warri South Chief Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a money lender, John Ugbowhioba, to six months imprisonment with an option of N40,000 fine.

Chief Magistrate E. M. Sowho gave the judgment on Tuesday in a case of forgery levelled against the accused.
Ugbowhioba, 54, was alleged to have forged the signature of the document of a Mercedes Benz Saloon car belonging to Mrs Vivian Ezenwenyi.
The Prosecutor, Seagt Ejiro Ololo, told the court the case started in 2006.
According to the prosecutor, the complainant borrowed N300,000 from the accused and deposited her land deed and car as collateral.
She said that the complainant met the stipulated one month to refund the money with the agreed interest rate of N75,000.
Ololo said after the payment the accused refused to release the car based on flimsy excuses.
“It was later discovered that the car had been sold to someone.
“The accused forged the signature of the complainant and sell the Mercedes car to one lecturer in a college of education.
“The matter was taken to Alagbon police division to confirm the finger print, and the signature was discovered to be forged,” she told the court.
The prosecutor said that the accused was arraigned with an intention to defraud and forged a signature, an offence punishable under Section 467 of the Criminal Code of Delta. (NAN)
EDI/MST/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-50
Graduation
By Adekunle Williams/Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) Ethiopian Aviation Academy, the largest aviation academy in Africa, on Tuesday said it has graduated 47 pilots, 92 aviation maintenance technicians, 50 cabin crew and 133 marketing professionals.

Mr Ikechi Uko, the Media Consultant to Ethiopian Airlines, made the disclosure in a statement made available in Lagos.

Uko said that the ceremony took place on Nov.17 at the Ethiopian Airlines Headquarters in Addis Ababa.

Also, Mr Tewolde GebreMariam, Group Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines, in the statement, congratulated and welcomed the new graduates to the airline’s dedicated workforce.

GebreMariam said, “We believe education is the greatest equaliser in the 21st century and Ethiopian Aviation Academy has strategically positioned itself to train the African youth in the latest aviation technology and skills.

“This will enable them to own, manage and operate indigenous home grown African airlines to lead safe, economical and reliable aviation industry with global standards.

“We shall continue to scale up our capacity and continue nurturing the youth and prepare them for the 21st century African aviation development.’’

NAN reports that the Ethiopian Aviation Academy is a full International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Trainer plus Member and International Air Transport Association (IATA) Authorised Global Training Centre.

It is certified by the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and IATA Safety Audit (IOSA).

Currently, the academy which was established in 1956, trains 1,500 youths per annum and it envisages to enhance its’ intake capacity to 4000 by 2025. (NAN)
WAC/ASO/ENN/GOK
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Olagoke Olatoye

NAN-H-61

Strike

By Mohammed Baba-Busu

Keffi (Nasarawa State) Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) Dr Nghargbu K’tso, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nasarawa State chapter, has called on the Federal Government to fulfill the demands of the union to avert indefinite strike.

K’tso made the appeal when he spoke with newsmen in Keffi, Keffi Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.

He added that this would also bring peace in the education sector.

He said if the Federal Government released the outstanding N880billion meant for critical intervention projects of university education, it would not only avert strike but would also improve the standard of education.

“The one week ASUU warning strike which began from 12.01 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16 will be ending today, Tuesday, Nov. 22, by 12.00 might night and the warning strike is to compel government to address our demands.

“It is in view of this that I appeal to the Federal Government to respond sufficiently, adequately and responsibly so as to ensure that there would be no more warning strike or even indefinite strike in the interest of the education of the poor children.

“I am also appealing to Nigerians for understanding, the goal of the strike is to improve on the quality or standard of university education as no meaningful progress could be achieved in a country without sound education.

“Nobody wishes for strike because strike has its own consequences either in the economy and social life among other negative effects.

“There is need for government to show more commitment to the funding of universities and welfare of lecturers in order to save the country’s universities from collapsing’’, he said.

K’tso said that adequate funding of universities would address the problems of infrastructure decay, research development and would also boost the nation’s revenue base thereby discouraging people from studying abroad.

He said the Treasury Single Account (TSA), has affected the education sector negatively and urged the government to exempt universities from the policy.

“TSA has affected the universities system, research grants have not been accessed because TETFUND too is having problem of accessing its fund and young academics who are to benefit from grant for local and international training had no access”, he added.

The ASUU chairman restated the commitment of the association to continue to initiate policies and programmes that had direct bearing on the lives of their members and students for the overall development of the country.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the demands of the union include: funding for revitalisation of public universities based on the Federal Government/ ASUU MoU of Nov. 2013 and non-release of subvention to state universities by their visitors.

Others are payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA); shortfall in salaries leading to payment of fractions of staff salaries; registration of NUPEMCO and exemption of universities from TSA. (NAN)

BAB/FF/IEA

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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Idahosa Asowata

FRSC saves N996m for staff housing, others — Corps Marshal

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Deduction

By Tijjani Mohammed

Kaduna, Nov. 22, 2016 [NAN] The Federal Road Safety Corps, said on Tuesday that a total of N996 million have been realised under a compulsory staff welfare programme introduced two years ago.

The Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, who made the disclosure in Kaduna said the money was for staff housing, personal loan and procurement of vehicles.

The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that Oyeyemi was in Kaduna to distribute Certificate of Occupancy for plots of land valued at N38 million acquired for 100 staff of Kaduna Sector Command.

According to him, N110 million of the money generated was disbursed under the staff medium loan and N200 million for purchase of vehicles by the staff.

The corps marshal added that N56 million went into procurement of landed property in Lagos and Ilorin, N42 million in Masaka and Mararaba, N50 million for land in Kaduna and N38 million at Lape in Nasarawa State.

He also said that N250 million of the amount was deposited in a fixed account to generate income.

“The Post Service Scheme [PSS] is a novel idea based on our belief that as public servants, we must not consume all that we have today, but save some for the rainy day when we should be out of service.”

Oyeyemi urged road marshals to be more committed to duty and ensure zero crashes across the country.

Bulus Darwang, FRSC Zonal Commander, Kaduna, said the land for the 100 staff was located at Kutungare, on Kaduna International Airport road.

He said that road marshals were no longer sceptical about the scheme, as it had benefited a greater number of them.

Darwang urged the Corps Marshal to give special consideration to the zone on issues of welfare, as it has the highest number of commands and staff in the country.[NAN]

TJ/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Nuclear deal can’t be renegotiated, says Iranian minister

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Deal

Tehran, Nov. 22, 2016 (dpa/ NAN) – There will be no renegotiation of Iran’s nuclear deal, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi said on Tuesday, despite concerns that incoming U.S. president-elect Donald Trump might scrap the deal.

In an interview with the Iranian newspaper Etemad, Ravanchi insisted on keeping all arrangements of the nuclear deal, saying further changes are non-negotiable.

The agreement is supposed to make sure Iran uses its nuclear capabilities for peaceful purposes, preventing the regime in Tehran from gaining nuclear weapons instead. In exchange, the international community pledged to lift economic sanctions.

The deal was negotiated between Iran and all five permanent members UN Security Council, plus Germany, in Vienna last year.

It is important for all parties to keep their commitments, Ravanchi pointed out. He said it might be time to undo the whole deal if signatory countries can opt out at will.

Trump has repeatedly pledged to do just that.

Nevertheless, Ravanchi said the agreement could still be in danger.

He criticised US sanctions which were not part of the deal that make it difficult for banks to invest in Iran.

In order to ease financial boundaries, Iranian officials are currently in Brussels, negotiating with representatives of the European Union.

A lack of foreign investment could also endanger a possible re-election of moderate Iranian President Hassan Rowhani next May.  (dpa/ NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Man gets 7-year jail for rape in Kano

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Sentence

By Aisha Ahmed

Kano, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Tuesday sentenced a 45-year-old electrician to seven years in prison for raping a teenager.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Saleh Kogo, gave the verdict after the convict pleaded guilty to the charge.

The offence was contrary and punishable under Section 16(1) of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2015.

The Prosecutor, Mr Abdullahi Babale, while mentioning the case before the court, said that the convict, Sallau Muhammed, 45, had forceful canal knowledge of a 13-year-old girl.

Muhammed, an indigene of Katsina State and a resident of Agadasawa area of Kano, took advantage of the girl when she demanded for money from him and took her to his house where he raped her.

The young girl (names withheld) is a Junior Secondary three student of Hasiya Bayero Secondary School in Kano Municipal, whom the convict paid the sum of N200 after forcing her to bed, the prosecutor said.

Justice Kogo, after listening to all the pleas, then sentenced the convict to seven years imprisonment with no option of any fine.

He warned the public to be wary of such acts. (NAN)

AAA/DS/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola