Blog

NAN-S-5
Sports
By Uche Bibilari/Jacinta Nwachukwu
Gwagwalada (FCT), Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) Some schools in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) to provide them with more equipment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government has been donating sports equipment to about 1,000 primary schools in the six geo-political zones of the country through the fund.

The made the call while reacting to the gesture by the government in interviews with NAN on Wednesday in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

Correspondents of NAN who visited some of the primary schools in the council area report that some of them benefited from the gesture while some have yet to.

At Pilot Science Primary School, Gwagwalada, the Head Teacher, Ahmed Shangalo, said the donated kits would help to improve youth and sports development but noted that the school needed more equipment.

Shangalo listed the materials given to the school to include mats, footballs, shot-putt, first aid box and javelin.

He added that the school still needed more of such sports materials, especially mats for judo, taekwondo and karate and soccer balls.

Shangalo also solicited for more support from other relevant organisations and other levels of government to enable the school boost its sports and youth development.

“We need more volleyballs, table tennis, mats and footballs because we need to develop all sports and because the school is highly populated,’’ he said.

He also called on both the private and public schools to key into sports as it would help to improve the health of the teachers and pupils.

Meanwhile, Gbemileke Moses, Head Teacher, Gadanasko Science Primary School, said the school had yet to benefit.

He said that those in charge of the distribution came to the school and he signed the necessary forms but up till now the equipment had yet to be supplied.

“Our school is among the schools shortlisted to benefit but we are still expecting our own equipment,’’ Moses said.

NAN reports that NLTF recently launched the distribution of the equipment for football, athletics and field events, swimming, volleyball and mats for martial arts among others. (NAN)
JIN/UU/DO/PDE
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(Edited by David Onilede/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-49
Language
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) A member of Osun House of Assembly, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called for the preservation of Yoruba language, saying the language is gradually going into extinction.

Oyintiloye made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Osogbo.

He urged traditional rulers across Yoruba-speaking states to lead efforts that would guarantee the preservation of the language.

Oyintiloye expressed the need to save the language from going into extinction.

He said traditional rulers, being custodians of language and culture of Yoruba people, must speak and promote the language for the advancement of the race.

Oyintiloye said it was worrisome that people had abandoned their mother tongue for foreign language.

According to him, leaders of Asian, Arabian, French, and European countries and many other countries, prefer to speak more of their languages in public functions and have it interpreted in English language

“We are very rich in cultural values but we allow the values to be going into extinction by not paying attention to them.

“Even in our educational system, we have turned our language to a foreign language and term it vernacular.

“The foreign culture and tradition have overshadowed our thinking to the extent that the children of nowadays cannot differentiate between their own culture and foreign culture.

“This trend is extremely abnormal and if allowed to continue, would undermine development among Yoruba tribes.

“Therefore, our traditional institutions, government at all levels and well-meaning Yoruba people must rise and lead the crusade to revive the use of Yoruba language,’’ he said.

Oyintiloye commended the Osun Government for passing a law, making teaching of Yoruba language in both private and public schools in the state compulsory. (NAN)
VE/AJA
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(Edited by Adeleye Ajayi)

NAN-H-62
Workers
By Bukola Adewumi/Joan Nwagwu
Abuja, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has called on the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to fight the injustice of Ogun government on its workers.

NULGE President Ibrahim Khaleel made the call on Wednesday in a phone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said that NULGE members in all the states of the federation would be ready to back any action taken by the two trade unions in supporting workers in Ogun.

“We are fully ready to support and fight the injustice of the state on our members, not only at the state level but also at the national.”

He said that following the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum, workers in the state under the state chapters of NLC and TUC, and Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, had resumed the suspended strike.

According to Khaleel, workers’ demands included payment of outstanding 12 months check-off dues, outright stoppage of contributory pension deductions, and immediate payment of 12 months of deductions.

The president assured workers in Ogun that NULGE leadership would support them in their strike.

“Information revealed that thugs allegedly used by government officials attacked the labour leaders and some union members who gathered to prosecute the commencement of the strike,” he said.

Khaleel, who is also the National Treasurer of the NLC, said both the NLC and the TUC had taken same steps against the governments of some states, including Imo, Nasarawa, and also mediated in a similar situation in Osun and Oyo states.

“We are here for our people and we are going to do all within our power to see that our members are okay,” he said. (NAN)
BOL/JAN/ORO/NKO
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Edited by Razak Owolabi/Nkechi Okoronkwo

NAN-DS-3

Reactions

Maiduguri, Nov.2, 2016(NAN) The Commissioner of Police in Borno, Mr Damian Chukwu, says the state Police Command will investigate the alleged  sexual abuse on girls and women by officials at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

Chukwu made this known in Maiduguri on Wednesday when he was addressing newsmen.

The commissioner of police expressed reservation over the authenticity of the shocking report.

Recently, Human Rights Watch, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), alleged that there were cases of sexual abuse on females at the IDPs camps in its latest report.

However, the commissioner said, “we have not receive any complaint or report from any of the IDPs’ camp on the issue, so everything is strange to me’’.

“I have always been keeping a constant monitoring on the situations in the camps, but I have never received such report, ‘’ he said.

“We are going to investigate the matter; we are going to get to the root of the matter to ensure justice.

“We are also going to introduce new measures that are only known to us to prevent future re-occurrence of such things, even if it is true, ‘’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Borno Government had indicated its plans to collaborate with security agencies to investigate the issue.

Gov. Kashim Shettima made this known when he was receiving members of the National Universities Commission (NUC) who paid him a courtesy visit in Maiduguri.

The governor had concluded plan to write letters to heads of security agencies in the country “to dig out the truth of the matter’’. (NAN)
ABI/YMU/MO/

Edited by Morayo Omolade

NAN-H-44
Study
Birnin Kebbi, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) Some officials of Kebbi State Independent Electoral Commission (KSIEC) are to understudy the conduct of local government elections in four states in North west, the commission Chairman, AlhajiAliyu Mera, has said.

Mera told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday that the states to be visited include Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara and Niger.

He said that the measure would go a long way to enable the officials to understudy how the four states had successfully conducted their local government elections.

The chairman said that the four states recently conducted local council elections, which were acclaimed free and fair, “hence our resolve to emulate them’’.

Mera said that no specific date had yet been fixed for the council polls, but the commission was working round the clock to ensure peaceful conduct of the elections.

NAN reports that Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi had recently inaugurated members of the electoral body and directed them to hasten the conduct of elections into the 21 local councils. (NAN)
BKD/AOS/MO/
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Morayo Omolade

NAN-H-14
Impersonation
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) A 43-year-old man, Idowu Fatoyinbo, who allegedly impersonated an official of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), is facing trial at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

Fatoyinbo, who claimed to be an electrician and lives at No. 4 Adigun St., Ifako-Ijaiye, a Lagos suburb, is standing trial on a two-count charge of impersonation and unlawful possession.

According to the prosecutor, Sgt. Babaji Ishaku, the offences were committed on Oct. 25 at 6.30 p.m. at Mohammed Lawal Street, Ogba, Obawole in Iju area of Lagos.

He said the accused had in his possession Ikeja Electric Company’s identity card card, safety belts, hand gloves, wires and pliers when he was arrested.

“He also wore an IKEDC uniform and had a ladder with him as at the time of his arrest.

“He could not give a satisfactory account of how he came about the items; the accused had deceived members of the public as he presented himself as an IKEDC official, fraudulently collecting money and doing illegal jobs.”

The prosecutor said that while a team of IKEDC on field operation at Iju, sighted and intercepted the accused before handing him over to the Police.

The offences contravened Sections 78 and 383 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused under the criminal law is liable to imprisonment for three years on conviction.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr. J.A. Adegun, admitted the accused to a bail of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He said one of the sureties must be a community leader and adjourned the case to Nov. 4 for mention. (NAN)

LAW/AIB/DA
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Dele Akinsola

2 docked in Benin over rape of girl, 18
NAN-H-2
Rape
By Monday Ajogun
Benin, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) Two men, who were arraigned in Benin for raping an 18-year-old girl, were on Wednesday granted N250,000 bail each over the offence.
An Egor Magistrates’ Court granted each of the accused N250,000 bail with a surety in like sum.
Magistrate Igho Braimoh also ruled that the sureties must be civil servants not below Grade Level 15.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Osayomwanbor Omoruyi, had told the court that the accused – Kelvin Ogiede (24) and Bamidele Ighele (25) – committed the offence at Iguoshodin Secondary School, Benin.
Omoruyi said that the accused on Oct. 23, conspired among themselves and unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the victim without her consent.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 516 and 358 of the Criminal Code.
The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty.
The magistrate adjourned the case to Dec. 7, for hearing. (NAN)
AJOM/KOO/WOJ
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(Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa / Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-39
Baby
By Muhammad Baba-Busu
Lafia, Nov 2, 2016 (NAN) The Nasarawa state police command has taken into its custody a female baby abandoned by her yet-to-be identified mother.

The baby was picked along Shandam road, Lafia in the early hours of Tuesday.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Idirisu Keneddy, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lafia that the baby is in the custody of the police.

“We have commenced investigation to see if we can arrest the mother of the baby, who has committed this ugly and ungodly act,”he said

Kennedy said the police would soon handover the baby to officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for proper upbringing.

Mrs Yomi Adagazu, the Director, Child Development in the ministry, said that she and some staff of the ministry rushed to the place the child was abandoned when a good Samaritan called the ministry.

She said that a similar case was recorded last month when a baby was abandoned at a farm in Wakwa village

The director appealed to parents to monitor their female children for sign of pregnancy.

She urged that young girls to seek advise if they are pregnant instead of giving birth and abandonding their new born child. (NAN)

BAB/AEA/AEA
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Edited by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-HG-8
Chocolate
By Tinuade Adeshiyan

Lagos, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) Mr Olusola Malomo, a dietician, has advised chocolate lovers to eat the dark variety as they are healthier than other types.

The dietician told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday that dark chocolates contain appropriate energy content, fat, minerals and antioxidants to help maintain overall health.

“Another distinguishing difference is that the dark chocolate contains a high percentage of polyphenol from cocoa, which is responsible for its bitter taste but provides various health benefits.

“In contrast, all other chocolates get their sweetness from pasteurised milk and sugar; this can lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, if eaten too much.’’

According to him, one of the benefits of dark chocolates is that it helps to modulate type 2 diabetes, protect brain health and lower the risk of heart attack.

“Small amounts of dark chocolate can cut the risk of heart attack because, it has a biochemical effect that reduces the clumping of platelets, which causes blood to clot and block blood vessels.

“The formulated raw cocoa powder has the potential to prevent cardiovascular disease in diabetics because of the high flavonol content.

“Also, the epicatechin (a strong antioxidant that has insulin mimic action and improves heart health) compound that is present in dark chocolate can protect the brain after a stroke attack, by increasing cellular signals that shield nerve cells from damage.

Flavanol is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in various types of plants. Its antioxidant qualities can be extremely important to maintaining a healthy body.

According to Malomo, dark chocholates contain various minerals.

“Eating dark chocolate provides you with a variety of minerals including iron, magnesium, copper and manganese.

“Copper works with iron to help form healthy red blood cells; it is also essential for proper functioning of the immune system and nerves, while magnesium helps to maintain healthy bones.

“Manganese supports bone formation, regulates blood sugar and calcium absorption as well as, helps maintains normal nerve and brain function,’’ he said.

The dietician, however, advised people who love chocolates to eat it with moderation, stressing that excessive consumption could be detrimental to health.

NAN reports that chocolates are produced from cocoa beans subjected to roasting, grinding and mixing with cocoa butter and sugar to form a solid bar.

Several types of chocolates are classified according to the proportion of cocoa used in a particular formulation.

Chocholate varieties include milk chocolate, dark chocolates, Swiss white, organic, raw, unsweetened and semi-sweet chocolates. (NAN)

TAL/VIV/NKO

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Nkechi Okoronkwo

NAN-H-19
Fraud
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, Nov. 2, 2016 (NAN) Two men: Samuel Olaniyan, 60, and Raphael Uchenna, 30, were on Wednesday docked at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly obtaining N360,000 under false pretences.
The accused are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.
Olaniyan, a caretaker, and Uchenna, a businessman, both residents of Agege, a Lagos suburb, were alleged to have sublet a shop without remitting the money to the land lady.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Joseph Ajebe, told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 18 at Shop A5, Oke-Odo Market, Abule-Egba, Lagos.
Ajebe said that the accused promised to secure a shop in the market for the complainant, one Saheed Akanmu.
The duo connived and collected N360, 000 from the complainant which later led to a misunderstanding between himself and the landlady of the shop
Ajebe said the accused failed to remit the money to the landlady but converted it to their personal use.
“When the complainant got to the shop, he discovered that the accused and his accomplice had collected money for the same shop from other people.
“They were arrested and taken to the police station for further questioning,’’ the prosecutor said.
The offences contravened Sections 57, 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 prescribes a three-year imprisonment for stealing while Section 312 prescribes 15 years for obtaining under false pretences.
The court, however, granted the accused N100,000 bail and a surety each in the like sum.
Chief Magistrate Alexander Komolafe ruled that the surety must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government (LASG).
Komolafe adjourned the case to Dec. 12 for mention. (NAN)
LAW/DEB/PAD
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Edited by Debo Oshundun, controlled by Peter Dada