Blog

NAN-S-2
T/Tennis
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Nov. 21, 2016 (NAN) Unseeded Shola Oyetayo of Civil Defense has attributed his victory at the men’s single event final of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) National Championship to determination.

The championships held from Nov. 14 to Nov. 19 at the National Stadium, Lagos.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos, that he had lost hope after losing the first three sets, adding that determination kept him going.

“This is the best game I have played so far in table tennis because I thought I had lost the match after failing to win any of the first three sets.

“I maintained my focus and did what my coach told me to do which eventually gave me victory at the end,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Oyetayo dramatically defeated number-one seed, Jamiu Azeez of G20 club 4-3 (11-6, 11-5, 11-8, 9-11, 7-11, 4-11, 6-11) in the final.

Also, Cecilia Otu-Akpan of Cross River defeated Fatima Bello of Union Bank in the women’s singles event wining 4-1(6-11,11-6, 11-5, 11-7, 4-11).

Akpan, seeded No. 1, who was no match for her opponent, wasted no time to seal her victory against number three seeded Bello who struggled all through the game.

Akpan, after her victory, boasted that she went into the game with a winning mentality and did the needful to surmount her opponent.

“I’m far much better than my opponent in every area of the ping pong game and that was what I proved by winning her,’’ she said.

NAN reports that the winners in the men and women singles events received cash prizes of N200, 000 each, while the runners-up in both event received N100, 000.

The third position winners in both categories also got N50, 000 each. A total of 18 events were featured at the championships.

The total prize money for the competition was N2.8million. (NAN)
KOA/MJO/ENN
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(Edited  by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-8
Arraignment
By Martins Odeh
Abuja, Nov. 21, 2016 (NAN) Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court on Monday appeared a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering and judicial misconduct.

Ngwuta appeared before Justice John Tsoho on a 16-count charge.

The judge, however, pleaded not guilty.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ngwuta, his colleague, Justice Inyang Okoro, and five other judges had been suspended on allegations of fraud.

The Department of State Services (DSS) raided their homes on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8 and allegedly discovered large sums of money.

In the charge sheet, the prosecution stated that Ngwuta illegally retained N35, 358, 000.00, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

The prosecution also accused the judge of illegally retaining in his possession 319,596.00 dollars and 25, 915 pounds.

According to the prosecution, the monies were part of the proceeds of unlawful act, contrary to the Money Laundering Act.

The prosecution also stated that, during the raid, the DSS found four diplomatic passports, one official and two standard Nigerian passports, all in the name of the defendant.

It said that the judge obtained multiple passports contrary to the provisions of Section 10 of the Immigration Act, 2015, and punishable under the same section.

It added that the judge made false statements to the Nigeria Immigration Service concerning his date of birth for the purpose of procuring an additional diplomatic passport.

The Federal Government also stated that the judge had in his possession, two valid diplomatic passports in contravention of the provisions of Section 10 of the Immigration Act.

The defendant’s application for bail is yet to be decided on. (NAN)
OMO/IGO
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(Edited by Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-H-5
Jauro
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Nov. 21, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday fixed Dec. 13 for the continuation of trial of a former acting Director General of NIMASA, Haruna Jauro, alongside others, facing a N304.1 million fraud charge.

Jauro, who assumed leadership of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in acting capacity in July 2015, is charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He is standing trial alongside Dauda Bawa and Thlumbau Enterprises Ltd on 19 counts, bordering on the offences.

They were arraigned on April 12, and had pleaded not guilty to the charge, while the court had admitted them to bail in the sum of N5 million each, with two sureties each in like sum.

The suit, which was scheduled for continuation of trial, was stalled on Monday, following the absence of the trial judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.

No reason was given for her absence.

The prosecution and defence counsels were present in court, and the trial is now fixed for Dec. 13.

At the last adjourned date on Oct. 24, the defence counsel had informed the court of his client’s intention to enter into a plea bargain with the EFCC.

This position was also confirmed by the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, who told the court that the accused had approached the anti-graft agency to explore a bargain option.

The court had then adjourned the suit for a report on the process.

Jauro assumed leadership of NIMASA, after an erstwhile Director General of the agency,  Patrick Akpobolokemi, who is also being prosecuted alongside others, for an alleged multi-billion naira fraud.

The EFCC accused Jauro and others of conspiring among themselves to defraud NIMASA to the tune of N304.1m between January 2014 and September 2015.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the accused converted the sum to their own use.

The prosecution told the court that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012. (NAN)
UNS/PIO/PIO
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(Edited by Idonije Obakhedo)

1. The 6th Business Forum of Small and Medium Enterprises takes place in Abeokuta.

2.The 6th South-West Governors’ Economic Forum comes up in Ibadan.

3.The Ondo State Governorship election campaign train of Alliance for Democracy moves to Okitipupa and its environs.

4. FADAMA III Additional Financing (AF) begins second phase of inspection in Lagos.
5. Poultry Association of Nigeria meets with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in Abuja.
6. Federal Government arraigns Supreme Court Judge Sylvester Ngwuta in Abuja.
7. Nigeria Partnership on Education Programme holds stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

Security: Police advise tinted glass car owners to obtain new  permit

NAN-H-4
Permit
Abakaliki, Nov. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Ebonyi Police Command says it will start impounding and prosecuting drivers of vehicles with factory fitted tinted glasses who have not obtained the newly approved permit.
Mr George Okafor, its Public Relations Officer (PPRO), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Monday that the new permit, with unique security features, was to prevent hoodlums from using such vehicles for crimes.

According to him, the new permit contains bio data of the car owner which include the photograph, finger prints, name and date of birth, among others.

“The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, on assumption of duty as the new IGP, left no one in doubt on his readiness to fight crime to standstill, hence he came up with the idea of computerised tinted glass permit.
“The idea is to enable the police to have vital information about persons being issued with the tinted car permit which will assist in checking usage of such cars for crimes.

“Many suspects have been known to hide inside tinted glass cars to commit heinous crimes and this is what the police want to checkmate, “Okafor said.

He said that the command had carried out sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns through radio and television jingles as well as advertisements.

He said that the online registration and issuance of the permit, done at the command headquarters, were free and urged motorists with factory fitted tinted glass to obtain the permit.

“Both the online registration and issuance of the permit are done at our headquarters here and I want to use this opportunity to advise people who use tinted car glasses who have not obtained the new one to do so.

“We have created enough awareness on the issue and the police want cooperation of the affected people in this regard since security business is everyone’s business,’’ he said.

The police spokesman assured of the commitment of the police in maintaining the peace, law and order during the ember period.

He said that criminals would have no place to operate in the state before and during the Christmas period. (NAN)
ODO /TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

Supreme Court Judge,  Sylvester Ngwuta,  facing trial on charges of fraud and judicial misconduct at Federal High Court, Abuja, pleads not guilty and applies for bail.

NAN-DS-1

Hirse

By Thompson Yamput

Jos, Nov. 21, 2016 (NAN) Chief Alexander Mwolwus, a PDP Chieftain in Plateau on Monday appealed to the Federal Government to facilitate the immediate release of the abducted ex-foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Bagudu Hirse.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Hirse, who was on a condolence visit to the family of Malam Mamman Daura in Kaduna, was kidnapped by gunmen on Sunday morning.

The former minister’s whereabouts has yet to be known by security operatives and family members, who confirmed his abduction, as no word was heard from him or his captors as at the time of filling this report.

Mwolwus, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Jos, described Hirse’s abduction as “very sad and unfortunate’’.

“I am appealing to the Federal Government to rise to the challenge and ensure that Hirse is released by his captors with immediate effect giving the fact that he is an elderly man.

“Our elder brother and father is an old man, a gentleman to the core, who does not deserve what has befallen him at this material time,” he said.

Mwolwus, who was Chief of Staff to former Gov. Joshua Dariye of Plateau, decried the rate of kidnapping in the country and called for urgent steps by stakeholders to stem the tide.

According to him, “we can’t continue tolerating this kind of misgiving in our society, which desires to prosper or progress for the good of the people especially the younger generations.’’

“We are appealing to the government, especially the security agencies to do something drastic to ensure that Hirse is released unharmed for him to continue with his laudable contribution to the development of the country,’’ Mwolwus said. (NAN)

TYC/ASS/IS

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Edited by Saidu Adamu/Ismail Abdulaziz

Be wary of quackery in lab services, expert warns Nigerians

NAN-HG-1

Quackery

By Maureen Ojinaka-Nwanosike

Enugu, Nov. 21, 2016 (NAN) A Medical Laboratory Scientist, Mr Chinenye Nwekpe, on Monday warned Nigerians   against patronising quack laboratory services.

Nwekpe, who is the former Chairman of Medical Laboratory Scientists Association of Nigeria, Enugu Chapter, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.

He noted that fake laboratory scientists  jeopardise good healthcare delivery in  the various rural communities, advising  the public to report activities of quacks to the relevant authorities  for appropriate sanctions.

Nwekpe said that the Medical Laboratory Scientist Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) was the statutory regulatory body that was empowered by the MLSCN Act 11 (2003) to regulate the practice of Medical Laboratory Science in the country.

He explained that any practitioner not duly certified by MLSCN is a quack and should be shunned at all costs by patients interested in quality health care.

According to him, the quacks make patients suffer untold hardship and pains because they lack the requisite training to discharge their responsibilities.

“Anywhere you go for lab test without a MLSCN certificate being hung on the wall for public to see and read; it might suggest that you might be engaging the services of quack laboratory scientists.

“Again, anybody who practises or claims to be a medical laboratory scientist without due certification by MLSCN must be avoided and reported to appropriate quarters for sanctions,’’ he said.

He said that the council had received several complaints which had led to many arrests, adding that some quacks had been charged to court while others were awaiting arraignment. (NAN)

OJI/OSA/OU

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Obike Ukoh

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NAN-H-3
Farmers
Birnin Kebbi, Nov. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Kebbi State Government has called on the farmers who benefited from the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ agricultural loan programme to hasten repayment for others to benefit.
Alh Garba Dandiga, the state Commissioner of Agriculture, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
He said the beneficiaries were expected to repay the loans in cash or in kind, adding that “an individual farmer or group may repay in cash or with bags of paddy rice”.
He said the loans were not free and warned the beneficiaries to hasten repayment to avoid sanctions, stressing that all those who received the loans must repay.
Dandiga said government had directed APC chairmen at local government and ward levels to deliver the message to the beneficiaries, adding that “we will soon begin media jingles on repayment of the loans”.
He said 78,000 farmers benefited from the loans which were aimed at mass production of rice and wheat to boost food security.
NAN reports that the Federal Government is targeting production of one million metric tons of paddy rice under the programme. (NAN)
BKD/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-S-6

Commendation

By Victor Okoye

Abuja, Nov. 20, 2016 (NAN) Youth and Sports Minister Solomon Dalung on Sunday congratulated the Super Falcons on their massive 6-0 victory over Mali in the opening group B game of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that four goals from Asisat Oshoala as well as a goal each from Uchechi Sunday and Fransesca Ordega put the Super Falcons in top position with three points and six goals.

In a statement by Nneka Anibeze, the Special Adviser to the minister on media and made available to NAN in Abuja,the minister said the victory was a sign that the team was ready to retain the cup.

“It’s a good start for the Super Falcons.

“Six goals in a game is heartwarming and a sign that the team is ready to retain the cup they won two years ago.

“I’m very happy for this great start in the competition” Dalung said.

The statement also said the Minister congratulated the National U-20 team the Falconets who defeated Spain 2-1 in their last group game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea .

NAN also recalls that the Falconets despite the win, however bowed out on goals difference following their 0-6 loss to Japan in their opener.

Nigeria, Spain and Japan ended the group stage with six points each but the Falconets scored fewer goals.

Japan and Spain advanced to the last eight.

It said Dalung praised the team for their determination and hard work.

” I congratulate you on your victory over Spain and a big thumbs up for Chinwendu Ihezuo who won the FIFA Live Your Goals Player of the Match award.

“Although you lost out on goals difference, you have shown that in future, you can conquer the world.

“I urge you not to be downcast because Nigerians at home watched and supported you.

“You played very well but the better team advanced to the next round.

“We hope that some of you will also gain promotion to the senior national team where you will be given the opportunity to fight for a shirt in the Super Falcons team”.

The Super Falcons take on Ghana’s Black Queens on Wednesday in their second group B match of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations taking place in Cameroon. (NAN)

VO/YAZ
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