Blog

Trafficking
By Moses Omorogieva
Lagos, Sept.18, 2018 (NAN) The British Government on Tuesday restated its resolve to ensure speedy prosecution of more Nigerians living in the UK involved in human trafficking.

The UK Minister of State for Immigration, MS Caroline Noakes, made the assertion during her visit to some facilities of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Lagos.

Noakes, a Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North, expressed displeasure over the high number of NAPTIP cases pending in different courts in Nigeria.

The minister said that she would ensure complete prosecution of all the agency’s cases in the UK.

“We had a recent good success where the UK Government, law enforcement agencies collaborated with Nigeria in prosecuting human trafficker.

“It is a huge step forward to share information and share expertise.

“I am really appreciative of the Nigeria officials coming to the UK to give evidence in court to prosecute traffickers; that is a huge forward, “ Noakes said.

She commended the works done on NAPTIP facilities in Lagos, stressing that within few weeks of approving money for renovation, the facilities had gone beyond their expectations.

“I am here to see the change made on NAPTIP’s facilities by the UK Government.

“In just few weeks, the work done is impressive. The facilities are being changed for vulnerable women and people trafficked.

“It will be a safe place for them to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into the Nigeria society.

“The facilities will help the victims to be comfortable and go through rehabilitation,” the UK minister said.

Noakes was appointed the Minister of State for Immigration on Jan. 8, 2018, while she was also elected Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North in 2010.

The NAPTIP South-West Zonal Commander, Mrs Kehinde Akomolafe, who received the Minister, on behalf of the Director-General, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, commended the British Government for the assistance.

Akomolafe said that the responsibility of NAPTIP was huge which needed more assistance in anyway possible.

She said the agency’s management was doing its best with the available resources, stressing that more suspected traffickers were being prosecuted with 11 cases currently pending at various courts in Nigeria.

Akomolafe said one of their officials was in the UK to testify in a case of human trafficking against one Cassandra Iyamu, assuring the Minister of more collaboration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UK Minister had inspected the building facility located at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, currently occupied by NAPTIP and NDLEA.

She also visited NAPTIP shelters for victims within the state.

The Airport Commander of NDLEA, Mr Ahmadu Garbage and that of NAPTIP, Mr Taiwo Waheed, were on hand to receive the minister. (NAN)
MIO/AOS/GOK
=========
Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Olagoke Olatoye

Petition

By Ramatu Garba/Tukur Muntari

Kano, Sept.18, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Abdurrahman Kawu-Sumaila, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters, has petitioned the Kano State Police Command over alleged breach of peace accord by the Senator representing Kano South District, Sen Kabiru Gaya.

The petition was addressed to the Kano State Police Commissioner, Mr Rabi’u Yusuf and made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Tuesday.

In the petition dated Sept. 18, 2018, Kawu-Sumaila alleged that some supporters of Gaya had recently destroyed some of his campaign banners and posters during his (Gaya) recent visit to southern zone.

“The most terrible scene of all is that of the Senator himself who was seen to be succumbing and promoting thuggery during his outing.

“Motorists were seen attacked, windscreens of cars were seen broken while moving with impunity, “ the petition read in part.

According to the petition, by these acts, Gaya had violated the peace agreement signed between the duo, pledging not to conduct any political activities with political thugs or weaponry.

” Sen Kabiru Gaya was captured amidst political thugs in possession of weapons during campaign processions” .

The petition stressed the need for the Police to take necessary measures to ensure strict compliance with the agreement to avoid unhealthy conflict and chaos in the state.

NAN recalled that the duo had recently signed a peace pact on the order of the state police commissioner, Mr Rabiu Yusuf, pledging not to conduct political activities with weapons or thugs.

Speaking to newsmen, the Command’s Public Relations Office , SP Magaji Majiya, said the Police received the petition and would invite the Senator to explain reasons behind his action.(NAN)
RG/MTM/AFA

===========

Edited by Felix Ajide

Bwari chairman urges council’s supervisors to ensure sanitation at health centres

Sanitation
By Veronica Dariya
Bwari (Abuja), Sept.18, 2018 (NAN) The Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Mr Musa Dikko, has urged supervisory councillors of both Health and Environment Departments of the council to ensure proper sanitation around the Primary Health centre, Ushafa and Ushafa Pottery centre.

Dikko made the call while inspecting both centres on Tuesday in Abuja, after a storm on Monday night that left part of the rooftop of the centres destroyed.

The chairman asked both departments to ensure that they work together to make the environment a sight to behold and not “an eye sore .”

” This is supposed to be a health centre and it has all the grasses and the bushes around it like this; this can make patients to in-cure more sickness when they come for treatment.

” And what if tourists come to check the pottery centre and happen to come in for one medical assistance or any other thing and they happen to witness this unhygienic environment.

” It just shows we are not working or doing enough.

” Please, work together and ensure this is straightened out, ” the chairman said.

He also assured members of the community that the council would work round the clock to ensure their needs are met.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the council’s attention was call by members of the community, after some parts of the debris caused by the storm was left hanging on electric cables on the street.

However, the intervention by the council chairman and other members of the council led to prompt action by the officials of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). (NAN)
DVK/AFA
=======
Edited by Felix Ajide

Umpire who gave pep talk to Kyrgios at U.S. Open suspended by ATP

Suspension

London, Sept. 18, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) The Swedish chair umpire who gave a pep talk to Australian Nick Kyrgios during a U.S. Open match this year has been suspended for two weeks, the ATP Tour said on Tuesday.

Mohamed Lahyani got down from his chair to offer some words of encouragement to Kyrgios, who was a set and a break down to Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert during a second-round clash in New York.

The Swede gestured and pleaded with Kyrgios telling him: “I want to help you” and “I’ve seen your matches: you’re great for tennis … I know this is not you.”

Kyrgios has been previously fined by the ATP in the past for lack of best efforts.

Kyrgios’s level of play rose dramatically after the bizarre incident and went on to win the match in four sets.

An internal ATP review decided Lahyani’s actions were deemed to have compromised the impartiality required of an official.

“Mohamed is a world-class and highly-respected official.

“However, his actions during the match crossed a line that compromised his own impartiality as a chair umpire,” Gayle David Bradshaw, the ATP’s Executive Vice President of Rules & Competition, said in a statement.

“Although well-intended, his actions were regrettable and cannot go without disciplinary action on our own Tour.

“We know that he will learn from this experience and we look forward to welcoming him back in October.”

Lahyani, who was next scheduled to work at the China Open and Shanghai Masters, will return to the umpire’s chair during the Oct. 15-21 Stockholm Open.

While the incident took place at a tournament that falls under the jurisdiction of the United States Tennis Association, it was still subject to ATP disciplinary action.

This is because of Lahyani’s position as a full-time ATP employee. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/AFA

=======

Edited by Felix Ajide

Champions League
Barcelona (Spain), Sept. 18, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick as Barcelona kickstarted their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win at home to Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.

However, their victory was marred by defender Samuel Umtiti sent off in the second half.

Barca’s all-time top scorer Messi broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute at the Nou Camp with an immaculately struck free kick.

It was his second free kick goal in three home games this season.

Coached by former Barca and Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel, PSV had produced an admirable performance in their first visit to the Nou Camp in 21 years.
But they began to tire late in the second half.

In the first period they successfully shut down most of Barca’s attacks and also plotted several dangerous breaks.

The Spanish champions began to demonstrate the gulf in class as the second half progressed and they doubled their lead in the 75th minute.

It was a lovely curling strike from in-form French forward Ousmane Dembele, who scored a fifth goal from sixth games in all competitions this season.

Messi got his second and Barca’s third goal two minutes later, turning Ivan Rakitic’s dinked pass into the near corner with one flick of his boot.

He then completed his treble in the 87th by receiving another chipped pass, this time from Luis Suarez, and ruthlessly smashing home.

The mood was briefly dampened when France defender Umtiti was dismissed in the 79th minute for a second yellow card.

He is therefore ruled out of Barca’s next Champions League game away to Tottenham Hotspur on Oct. 3.

Barca lead Champions League Group B on goal difference after Inter Milan beat Tottenham 2-1. (Reuters/NAN)
KIA/AFA

=======

Edited by Felix Ajide

Domestic Violence

By Oluwatope Lawanson and Moji Eniola

Lagos, Sept. 18, 2018 (NAN) Prof. Fatal Badru, a Professor of Sociology at the University of Lagos, on Tuesday said statistics indicated that a minimum of five cases of domestic violence were being reported daily in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Badru spoke at a Symposium organised by Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) in Lagos.

He delivered a keynote address at the Symposium, themed “Securing the Home Against Violence”, and put together to commemorate the 2018 Domestic and Sexual Violence Month in Lagos.

Badru said: “According to the DSVRT statistics, there has been an increase in domestic violence daily in Lagos.

“At least, a minimum of five incidences of domestic violence are reported daily.”

The sociologist said recent doctoral studies also showed that domestic violence was more prevalent in the urban areas than the rural areas.

He attributed the high level of domestic violence in urban areas to psychological factors and stressful living conditions.

“People with disabilities are also highly vulnerable to violence.

“Both men and women with disabilities are vulnerable to domestic and family violence at higher levels than men and women without impairments.

“Women with disabilities experience higher level of sexual abuse,” Badru said.

He advocated the protection of persons with disabilities from domestic violence.

The sociologist called for a need to understand the gendered nature of domestic violence as well as the factors that make individuals vulnerable to domestic violence.

“A key barrier to seeking help for domestic violence is when the survivor depends on the perpetuator for upkeep and survival.

“The principle of respect and value for one another should be re-informed throughout the community.

“This should be done by the education system, community leaders, social and sporting organisations and leaders of faith.

“Securing the home against violence is everyone’s responsibility, ” he said.

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, at the event, highlighted the role of the home in the upbringing of wholesome children.

Represented by Mrs George Onafowokan, his Special Adviser on Social Development, the governor said, “The home is the first place the child lives.

“The parents are the primary educators of the children and the home is the first place of security of the children.

“Every kind of behaviour begins from the home; it is from our behaviour that children learn, and they are the direct representatives of who we are.”

He said that parents should be cautious in bringing up children because of the effect it has to the larger society.

Also, Justice Sybil Nwaka of the Lagos Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court said the Lagos State Judiciary was taking up the fight against sexual and domestic violence.

“Domestic and sexual violence cases are being expressly disposed of and justice is being served.

“The Lagos State Government and Justice Sector are coming to the doorsteps of people, creating awareness, encouraging survivors to come forward and not be afraid of stigma,” Justice Nwaka said. (NAN)

LAW/MAE/AOM/SOA

====================
(Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Oluwole Sogunle)

Inter Milan strike 2 late goals to sink Tottenham

Champions League

Milan (Italy), Sept. 18, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Inter Milan struck twice late on to secure a stunning 2-1 victory over a crestfallen Tottenham Hotspur in their Group B opener at the San Siro on Tuesday.
Mauro Icardi’s superb volley levelled the scores in the 86th minute and Matias Vecino headed a stoppage-time winner to give Inter a victory that for most of the night looked unlikely.
Spurs had taken the lead in the 53rd minute with Christian Eriksen’s deflected effort off Inter’s Miranda and looked comfortable as the full-time whistle approached.
The match was turned on its head though in dramatic fashion as Tottenham suffered a third straight loss in all competitions.
Inter are level on three points with Barcelona, who cruised to a 4-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven to move top of the group. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/SA

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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

NSCDC deploys disaster officers to flood affected states

Deployment

By Kelechi Ogunleye

Abuja, Sept.18, 2018 (NAN) The Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana, has deployed officers of the corps’ Disaster Management Department to all areas affected by floods in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the affected states include: Kogi, Niger, Delta and Anambra.

A statement by Ekunola Gbenga, the Media Assistant to the Commandant-General on Tuesday said the Corps Disaster Managers would assist victims affected by floods in the affected states.

Gbenga said the officers were also to be deployed to all disaster prone areas in the country to handle victims of floods that had ravaged some states in the federation.

“A team of trained and experienced disaster case managers is on the ground in the states in collaboration with National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other agencies in helping those impacted by the devastating floods in the affected states.

“I have tasked senior disaster managers to travel across the affected states to focus on impacted communities

“These states have been ravaged by floods, hence the need to have disaster officers in these areas in case disaster strikes,” Gana said.

The commandant-general was also quoted as saying that the corps was setting up disaster risk reduction centres in all the states.

“It is extremely critical to train community leaders in disaster risk reduction so as to form disaster committees in the communities,” he said. (NAN)
KAYC/AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf