Blog

NAN-H-22
IDPs
By Lizzy Agbaji
Abuja, Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Nigeria, will on Friday hand over 100 bungalows of its Guma Shelter to Benue Government.

Mr Hanson Tamfu, External Relations Officer, UNHCR, Nigeria, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
He noted that Guma Shelter was constructed for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
According to him, the Gulma project is the brainchild of the UNHCR Country Representative to Nigeria, Ms Angel Dikongue-Atangana.
It was conceived after the 2012 massive flooding in the state.
Tamfu said that the flood had rendered 250,000 persons homeless with several hectares of farmlands and houses destroyed in Makurdi and other local government areas.

He said that the most affected local government areas were: Apa, Agatu, Otukpo, Guma, Buruku, Tarka and Katina-Ala.

Tamfu said that the shelters were constructed in collaboration with the Benue Government.
He said that the commission contacted the Benue Non-Governmental Organisations Network (BENGONET) to implement the shelter project in realisation of its objective to reduce the suffering of IDPs.

He noted that, as part of UNHCR’s assistance to IDPs in the state, the agency intervened with the distribution of non-food items to the IDPs in 2014.

Tamfu explained that long after the floods, the state had continued to witness an increase in internal displacements resulting mostly from communal clashes and attacks from herdsmen.

He said that the situation was compounded by influx of displaced persons from neighbouring Nasarawa and Taraba.

“According to a data made available by the international Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in August, about 30, 584 individuals have been displaced in Benue,’’ he said.

The official said that 95 per cent of the displacements was caused by communal clashes while five per cent was due to flood.

“To be able to accommodate these vulnerable people, there are currently seven IDPs’ camps in four local government areas across the state – Guma, Buruku, Logo and Ukum,’’ he said.

He said that UNHCR had changed its modus operandi from direct cash vouchering for screened IDPs to provision of physical shelter. (NAN)
LIZ/JPE/IGO
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(Edited by Joseph Edeh/Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-H-21
Laptop

By Boboye Moronke Tinuola
Lagos, Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) For allegedly stealing his employer’s apple laptop valued at N250,000 at a night club, a 26-year-old waiter, Cosmos Ikpeama, was on Thursday arraigned in Lagos.

The accused, who resides at 5, Fadiya St., Ketu, a Lagos suburb, is facing a charge of stealing before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Donjor Perezi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Oct. 18 at Bar Continental Night Club, G. R. A., Ikeja.

Perezi said that when the complainant found out that his laptop was missing, he reported the matter to the police who then decided conduct searches in the homes of the employees.

“The missing laptop was recovered from the accused’s house,’’ he said.

The offence contravened section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs O. A. Layinka, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case to Dec. 12 for mention. (NAN)
MTO/EOB/SOA
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(Edited by Edith Bolokor/Oluwole Sogunle)

NAN-ELS-11
Patron
By Babajide Awoyinfa
Lagos, Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) One of Nigeria’s renowned writers, Odia Ofeimun, on Thursday mourned the demise of an art patron, Rasheed Gbadamosi, whom he described as a man who stood behind literature all his life.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gbadamosi, who was a leading industrialist, art collector and writer, died on Wednesday at the age of 72.

He was said to have suffered from multiple strokes since 2015 and had recently gone abroad for medical treatment.

Ofeimun, who is the author of many volumes of poetry, books of political essays and on cultural politics, said Gbadamosi’s death was a big loss as far as literature was concerned.

“The man stood with literature all the while, he was always where the literary arts were being promoted.

“He was a very sensible businessman. It is difficult to find businessmen who are genuinely committed to literature.

“Rasheed Gbadamosi was committed to literature almost as much as he was committed to being a businessman.”

Ofeimun added that the deceased, an art patron, always identified with every known literary activities in different parts of the nation.

“Though his foray into literature did not bring money, but he still spent most of his time on it, and joined every group that promoted literature.

“There are few civilised people we have in this country; Rasheed Gbadamosi is one of them.

“May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

As a playwright, he authored “Trees Grow in the Desert’’, which was widely performed.

He was a founding member of the MUSON Centre, Lagos, and he was one of Nigeria’s biggest art collectors.

NAN reports that Gbadamosi was a very influential businessman with vested interest in many blue chip companies. (NAN)
BAG/ERO/MZA/PIO
===============
(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Maharazu Ahmed/Idonije Obakhedo)

500,000 worshipers storm Calabar for Olumba’s birthday – Spokesman
NAN-H-20
Brotherhood
Calabar, Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) says more than 500,000 worshipers are expected at the birthday celebration of its founder, Olumba Olumba Obu, underway in Calabar.
Archbishop Princely Ibeabuchi, spokesman of the organisation, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Thursday.
Ibeabuchi said that the week-long event would feature community service, visits to orphanages as well as Calabar Prison, among others.
“We celebrate the birthday of our father yearly to show love to the people and as a mark of humility by the spiritual leader.
“Father Olumba is a symbol of humility and love.
“As part of the activities to celebrate his birthday, the organisation will visit orphanages, prison yards and carryout community service around Calabar metropolis.
“There will also be an open kitchen where food will be served free to all participants and worshipers at the BCS World Headquarters, Calabar,” he said.
He said that this year’s celebration was organised by BCS’s Blessed Mothers of the New Kingdom. (NAN)
BEN/VOE/WOJ
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(Edited by Vivian Emoni / Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-53
Tourists
By Taiye Baiyerohi
Lagos, Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) Mr Tunde Omotosho, Head of Education Department, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Lagos, says 6,759 tourists visited the museums between July and September 2016.

Omotosho made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.

He said that the number increased with a difference of 1,278 against 5,481 recorded in the same period last year.

According to him, out of the figure, 420 are foreigners while 6, 339 are Nigerians.

“I am happy that there is improvement in visitors’ patronage here in the museum. This is very significant and encouraging,’’ he said.

Omotosho, however, advised Nigerians to cultivate the habit of visiting museums in order to tap from the enriching knowledge that could be achieved from the nation’s history.

“We have so much depicting national history that can improve the knowledge of people; here history is brought closer to us.

“Nigerian cultural practises from the pre-colonial age to the post-colonial era are also openly displayed.

“Presently, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments manages and oversees 45 museums and outlets spread across the country.’’

These include museums in Abeokuta, Aba, Akure, Asaba, Benin, Calabar, Enugu, Esie, Ibadan, Igbo-Ukwu, Ile-Ife, Ilorin, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Lafia, Lagos, Lokoja and Maiduguri.

Others are Markudi, Minna, Nok, Osogbo, Oyo, Oron, Owerri, Owo, Port-Harcourt, Sokoto, Umuahia, Uyo, Yola and the Institute of Archaeology and Museum Studies in Jos. (NAN)
PTB/ENN/MO
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Morayo Omolade

NAN-H-‎52
Equipment
Minna, Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Niger State Government has approved N84.408 million for the purchase of science equipment and construction of laboratories in four tertiary institutions in the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatima Madugu, made the disclosure on Thursday in Minna while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting of the state executive council.

She said that books would also be purchased for the libraries in the four institutions.

She said that the four institutions were being equipped to meet up with accreditation                        requirements.

“Most of the programmes in those schools are due for accreditation; if these items are not put in place, there is no way the programmes can be accredited,” she said.

The Commissioner named the four schools as: Fati Lami Abubakar Institute of Legal and Administrative Studies, Institute of Technology and Innovation both in Minna.

Others are the School of Health Technology Tunga Magajiya and School of Agriculture Mokwa‎. (NAN)

AMEN/AEA/AEA
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Edited by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-51
Courts
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Osogbo Business Hub, has called  on the Federal Government to establish mobile courts   to try energy theft offenders.

IBEDC Branding and Communication Manager, Kikelomo Owoeye, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Osogbo.

Owoeye said that due to the problem of illegal connection and energy theft, the company could hardly get 30 per cent revenue of the energy supplied to customers.

“We are expected to collect 100 per cent  of what we have supplied but it is quite unfortunate that we don’t even get 30 per cent  of what we have pushed out for customers’   consumption.

” There are different factors affecting this and it has to do mainly with vandalism, illegal connection and energy theft.

“But if the government could provide mobile courts  to tackle  such issues it will not be out of place rather than trying such cases in the regular courts.

“It takes a long time considering our judiciary system,’’ she said.

Owoeye said government should play its role by empowering distribution companies in prosecuting offenders, adding that this would curb energy theft

She said government needed a strong policy that would make Nigerians perceive energy theft and vandalism as national sabotage.

Owoeye said if power was stable in the country, there would be economic development.

Aside the challenges of energy theft and vandalism, Owoeye also said that most of the equipment to produce and distribute the required energy were obsolete.

“On our transmission, even if the Gencos generate enough megawatt or gigawatt as the case may be, the equipment at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) cannot wheel out all the required supply.

“There are challenges on the equipment; most of them are obsolete.

“The issue of power is such that there had been  decadence of over 50 years and people want the Discos to turn things around in three years.

” This  will require long term patience, sincerity and hard work,” Owoeye said.(NAN)
VE/TO/OJO
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(Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-18
Stealing
By Boboye Moronke .
Lagos, Nov. 17, 2016(NAN) For allegedly stealing a motor cycle valued at N125,000, an hotelier, Aaron Micheal, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The accused, who resides at 14, Funmilayo St., Papa Ashafa, Agege, a suburb of Lagos, is facing trial for stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Oct. 23, at Omodende Street, Agege.
Ogu said that the complainant, one Mr Abubakar Sheu, had parked his motor cycle along the road to buy some goods from a superstore.

“On his return from the superstore, he discovered that his motor cycle had disappeared.
“He then sighted the accused riding it and he shouted for help and the accused was apprehended,” he said.
The prosecutor said that offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The chief magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Akanni adjourned the case to Dec. 7 for mention. (NAN)

MTO/EOB/PAD
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(Edited by Edith Bolokor, Peter Dada)

Court adjourns trial of Kuku’s aides
NAN-H-17
Adjournment
Abuja, Nov.17, 2016 (NAN) An FCT High Court in Wuse on Thursday adjourned hearing in a case of alleged corruption against Lawrence Pepple and Henry Ogbulue to Jan. 19, 2017.
The defendants were aides to Kingsley Kuku, the Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Justice Mamman Kolo granted the adjournment after receiving a written application from the Counsel to the Defendant, Mr Jay Ezeuko, stating that he lost his mother and was out of town.
At the last sitting, Kolo had adjourned hearing in the case at the instance of the Prosecuting Counsel, Faruk Abdullahi, who also sent an application notifying the court of being on official engagement outside the jurisdiction of the court.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Pepple and Ogbulue were separately arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged criminal conspiracy and fraudulent acquisition of properties while in office as public servants.
Their offences contravened Section 26(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and are punishable under Section 12 of the same Act. (NAN)
UMD/HAS/TA
Edited By Hajia Sani/Tajudeen Atitebi

Breach of contract: contractor sues Mangu LG over unpaid N16m debt
NAN-H-14
Debt
Pankshin (NAN) Nov. 17, 2016 (NAN) A contractor, Sunday N. Madu Ltd., has dragged Mangu Local Government Council before Justice Nanpon Dadi of Plateau State High Court in Pankshin over alleged N16.25 million debt.

The contractor, in its statement of claim, alleged that the council in 2004 awarded it a contract in the sum of N45, 649, 702.38 for it to furnish the council’s new administrative block in the secretariat complex.

The counsel to the contractor, Mr Gideon Kuttu, told the court that the council only paid N27, 389, 821 out of the contract sum, leaving a balance of N16.25 million.

Kuttu, therefore, prayed the court to make an order compelling the council to pay the outstanding N16.25 million with a monthly 25 per cent interest on the amount with effect from Dec. 2014.

“My Lord, the plaintiff on several occasions approached the defendant for the payment, but the defendant has remained defiant and uncooperative, ’’ he said.

He asked the court to compel the defendant to pay the liability and another N2.008 million being interest accrual from the said contract sum after tax and another payment of 10 per cent per annum on the said unpaid amount.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Mordecai Chup, who consented to the liability of N16.25 million, however, objected to the two million naira liability, saying the said amount had been paid to the contractor.

“My Lord, even though my client is aware of the N16. 25 million debt, it had paid the alleged N2.008 million to the plaintiff long ago, ’’ he said.

Chup, however, applied for adjournment to enable him prepare his defence.
The plaintiff’s counsel denied receipt of the said money and argued that the onus was on the defendant to prove he had paid the alleged sum.

Justice Dadi, after listening to the lawyers’ arguments, adjourned the ruling to Jan 19. 2017. (NAN)
TYC/KOO/TA

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Tajudeen Atitebi