Blog

NAN-ELS-4
Death
Berlin, Oct. 27, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) German actor and singer, Manfred Krug, one of the few performers to find fame on both sides of his then divided country during the Cold War, has died in Berlin, aged 79.

Communist authorities banned him from performing in East Germany in 1977 after he expressed support for a dissident folk singer and was asked to leave soon after.

In West Germany, his career picked up again as he released songs, published books and starred in television series.

Krug became the public face for Deutsche Telekom’s gigantic initial public offering in 1996 – only to burn his bridges with his corporate sponsors later by publicly apologising to shareholders who lost money.

Berlin Mayor, Mr Michael Mueller, said “Manfred Krug’s greatest accomplishment was that he was first a star in East Germany and a star in all of Germany.

“Krug was never afraid to stand up for what he believed in,’’ Mueller said.

`Born in Duisburg, West Germany in 1937, Krug moved to Communist East Germany with his father, an engineer in the steel industry in 1949.

He started acting in 1957 and came up against the authorities less than a decade later, appearing in the East German film “Spur der Steine’’ (Trace of Stones) that was branded anti-Socialist soon after its release and banned.

Another decade on, he signed a petition against the expulsion of folk singer, Wolf Biermann, then headed west.

According to his management — K and V Event,  Krug died on Oct. 21, but his family wanted a private funeral before going public.

Mr Joachim Guack, the former president  of then West Germany said “I’ll remember Krug as one of the most authentic and popular actor of our age.

“Whether on television, in films or on stage, he showed us the strength and weaknesses of human beings with his wonderful style,’’ Guack said. (Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-H-124
Donation
By Ahmed Ubandoma
Benisheikh (Borno State), Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has launched the distribution of nutritious food items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno.

Mrs Buhari performed the launching on Thursday in company of the wife of the Borno Governor,
Mrs Nana Kashim Shatima.

She said that the items were part of donations gathered from well-meaning Nigerians through her NGO, “The GET INVOLVED” initiative which was launched in August in Abuja.

She explained that the items were donated by people from the South, East and West, as well as
the Northern part of the country to ease the sufferings of victims of insurgency.

She urged the wife of the Borno governor and other stakeholders in the state to monitor the distribution of the materials, stressing that “the items you are seeing today were donated by well-meaning Nigerians.

“They donated the items so as to ease your sufferings and act as cushion to the trauma you are going through. They send their regards to the entire people of Borno State.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Buhari distributed food items and other household utensils to more than 350 households in Benisheikh, headquarters of Kaga Local Government area of Borno.

Items distributed include bags of rice, sugar, solar lamp, wrappers, buckets, mosquitoes nets,
bags of Semovita, palm oil among others.

Mrs Buhari was accompanied by former Deputy Governor of Plateau, Mrs Pauline Tallen, wife of
Chief of Air Staff, Mrs Hafsat Sadiq Abubakar and wife of Inspector General of Police Mrs Asma’u
Ibrahim Idris.

The wife of the Borno governor, Mrs Shettima, thanked Mrs Buhari for identifying with the
people of Borno since the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

She said that the people of the state were indebted to the wife of the president because she was
always supportive to their plight and the plight of victims of insurgency.

She congratulated the wife of the President for supporting the establishment of the North East Development Commission which the Bill was before the Senate.

The Borno Governor, Kashim Shatima, commended the efforts of Mrs Buhari to the plight of
Internally Displaced Persons in Borno

Shettima said the president’s wife had shown the world that she was a true daughter of the
North East by supporting the establishment of the North East Development Commission.

The UBE Junior Secondary School in Benisheikh, which was the venue of the relief materials distribution was then named as Aisha Muhammadu Buhari Junior Secondary School, Benisheikh
by the Chairman of Kaga Local Government.

The event featured cultural dance by Fulani group. (NAN)
AMU/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-H-122
Dudafa
By Chinyere Omeire
Lagos, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) A Compliance Officer with GTBank, Kayode Olanrewaju, on Thursday,told a Federal High Court, Lagos how Waripamo-owei Dudafa laundered the sum of N270.7 million.

Dudafa, former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan alongside Joseph Iwuejo and four companies are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They are standing trial on a 23-count charge bordering on N5.1 billion fraud.

The companies involved include, Seagate Property Development & Investment Ltd, Avalon Global Property Development Company Ltd; Iwejuo Joseph Nna and Pluto LUTO Property and Investment Company Ltd.

Others are Iwejuo Joseph Nna and Rotate Interlink Services Ltd, Ibejige Services Ltd; DE Jakes Fast Food and Restaurant Nigeria Ltd; and Ebiwise Resources.

At the resumed trial on Thursday, Kayode, the third prosecution witness, was led in-evidence by the EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo.

Kayode informed the court that his bank received a letter from the EFCC requesting for the account opening packages of DJakes Fast-food and Resturant.

He said that Dudafa, his wife; Preye, his son, Dudafa Junior and one Florence Itekesi, were the directors of the restaurant.

Kayode also told ex the court how N63.2 million was deposited into the account of DJakes Fast-food and Resturant on March 18, 2013.

He, however, said the money was deposited into the fast-food accounts by instalments.

The prosecution witness also stated that N20 million and N79.2 million were deposited into the Fast-food account from a Bureau De Change named 313 on Jan. 23 and 26, 2015.

He added that N88 million was paid into the account by Danbazau Global Ltd and Bambura Global Company.

He added that the sum of N20.3 million was paid into the Fast-food account by Dambazua Global Ltd on Jan. 30, 2015.

However, the witness was cross-examined by the counsel to the accused, Mr Gboyega Oyewole and Sunday Abumere.

The witness said during cross-examination that the Fast-food’s account were domiciled at the Yenogoa branch of the bank and was opened in the year 2007.

He also said that there were inflow of cash in the account when it was opened but would not know if the account was sometime dormant.

Another compliance officer, Mr Adeniyi Tunde, testified how the accused managed the accounts, contrary to the banking regulations.

Justice Mohammed Idris, after listening to the witnesses, adjourned the case to Dec. 8 for continuation of the trial. (NAN)
OCC/JEO/DA

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Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Dele Akinsola

NAN-H-123
Schools
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Oyo State Government on Thursday shut five schools indefinitely over the protests on cancellation of automatic promotion in public schools.

Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, announced this at a news conference in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that three of the five schools are located in Oyo East and Atiba Local Government Areas while the remaining two are in Akinyele.

The schools shut down are Community Secondary School, Iyana Idi-Ose, Ojoo High School, Ojoo, Ibadan and Isale Oyo Community High School, Oyo.

Others are Anglican-Methodist Secondary School, Oyo, and Oba Adeyemi High school, Oyo.

The commissioner said that government was determined   to enforce its policy of no automatic promotion in all public schools.

He said that the policy was contained in a circular sent to stakeholders in the education sector across the state on April 23, 2015.

“ The effort was to address our examination preparedness strategy with the immediate cancellation of automatic promotion in all classes.

” This is because we are usually ill-prepared for external examinations; our state always come embarrassingly short, even behind states that are traditionally considered to be educationally backward,’’ he said.

Olowofela said that it was saddening that some hoodlums, parading themselves as students,  had decided to cause mayhem in some schools, thereby disturbing the peace in the schools.

“It is our moral responsibility and sacred duty to protect lives and properties of members of the public.

“Therefore, any hoodlum caught in any form of breach to public peace shall be dealt with according to the laws of the land,’’ he said.

He urged well-meaning students to continue with their studies with the teachers on hand, saying, security agents had been alerted of the development.

Olowofela also called on parents and guardians to advise their wards to concentrate on their studies and refrain from anti-social acts.. (NAN)
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-DS-17
Donation
Maiduguri, Oct. 27, 2016(NAN) The Nigerian Army on Thursday donated educational materials worth thousands of Naira to the Chibok community in Borno as part of its social responsibility programme.

Brig.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, the acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 division of the Nigerian Army, presented the items to members of the community at a ceremony in Maiduguri.

Col. Mustapha Anka, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Department, stated this in a statement in Maiduguri.

He noted that “the Nigerian Army today donated over 500 learning materials to pupils of Chibok community.

“The event took place at the Headquarters of the 7 division of the Nigerian Army in Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.”

Anka stated that Ezugwu was represented by the Chief of Staff of the division, Brig.-Gen. John
Ochai at the event.

He said “Ezugwu reminded the Chibok community that education is the bedrock of any
developed community.

“He (Ezugwu) also advised the community on the need to maximise the renewed peace in
Chibok by encouraging their children and wards to return to school.”

Anka also quoted Alhaji Mala Kyari, the Education Secretary of Chibok Local Government Area,
who received the items on behalf of the community as commending Nigerian Army“for the
continuous selfless service to the nation and in particular the fight against insurgency in the North East.”

He said “no doubt the donation will revamp our educational system in Chibok.”

The secretary further said that with the assistance of the Army, 13 schools in the community
have re-opened, with a total enrollment of 7,534 students/pupils.

Present at the event were principal staff officers of the division, the Chairman of All Progressives
Congress in Chibok, Mr Pogu Lawan, who led the Chibok delegation, as well as Mr Femi Owolabi
and other dignitaries from Chibok. (NAN)
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-DS-16
Parade
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, Oct, 27, 2016 (NAN) The Oyo State Police Command on Thursday paraded 64 suspects for alleged involvement in series of criminal activities ranging from rituals, fake currency operation, murder, human trafficking, robbery to impersonation.

The State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Adegbuyi, paraded the suspects to newsmen at the Command headquarters in Ibadan.

He said that a number of robbery gangs, who had been terrorising the people of Elebu, Challenge, Orita and its environs in Ibadan were nabbed in the operation.

He said that among the suspects was a team of robbers, who were recently caught while attempting to break into the vault of a new generation bank in Oyo town.

A gang of robbers operating on tricycle, who recently killed the son of their victims in Elebu area of Ibadan after robbing the family of a huge sum of money, was among the suspects paraded.

The CP assured the public of a crime free yuletide.

He said that the command was conscious of the approaching yuletide and its attendant rise in criminal activities by unscrupulous criminal elements.

“The command has restructured all its security architecture to brace up for this challenge.

“In doing this, the command has embarked on intensive stop and search, purposeful and aggressive vehicle patrol, sustained intelligence-led raid and crackdown on Okada riders carrying more than one passenger.

“All these efforts are deliberate and are intended to achieve the desired objective of providing adequate security for all and sundry in the state before, during and after the festive period.” he said. (NAN)

SYS/JEO/AEA
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Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-113

Witness

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja,  Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN ) Two alleged armed robbery suspects told on Thursday told an FCT  High Court that they never took part in what they were being accused of

The defendants, Shederack Clement, Wisdom Sunday and Awal Mohammed, were alleged to have robbed Yemisi  Bamigbode of Hajj Camp Gwagwalada, Abuja, sometime in Sept. 2013.

At the last hearing, Clement, the first defendant and prosecution witness, told the court that he was not aware that any robbery took place that day he was arrested.

He said he was beaten and was asked to sign a statement.

At the resumed sitting  before Justice Peter Affen, Sunday, second  defence witness and defendant, told the court that he was picked up by the road as he was going.

‘ I was arrested at Hajj  camp Gwagwalada by vigilante  group by the road along CKC.

“I was told that robbery took place within  where I was,  they took me to the venue of the robbery and I was handed over to Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) he told the court.

He said that he was beaten, injured and could not hear for three months.

Wisdom told the court during cross examination by the prosecutor, Mr Patrick Ogele, that he had never worked before for Mrs Bamigbode.

“I don’t know the first defendant and was not given any N10, 000 . I did not confess I told them I was ready to die than accept what I didn’t commit,” he said.

Awal Mohammed, the third defendant and witness, told the court that she was a businesswoman at Gwagwalada  Pantaker market.

“Police arrested me from my house, they took me and showed me Shederack.

“They said Shederack and his gang committed robbery at Hajj Camp and sold the stolen property to me,” she said.

She said she was surprised to hear that Shederack said she bought some electronics from her.

Affen adjourned the case till Dec. 1 for adoption of addresses within which the counsel would serve and reply. (NAN)

NEO/OFN

Ecited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-118
ICT
By Constance Athekame
Abuja, Oct 27, 2016 (NAN) With proper focus, good policies and strategies, Information, Communication Technology (ICT) can be a major revenue earner for the government, Mr Sunny Echono, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, has said.

A statement issued by Mr Ozoya Imohinmi, Assistant Director, Press in the Ministry, quoted Echono as making the remark at the 4th regular meeting of the National Council on Communication Technology in Kaduna.

The statement was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Echono described ICT as a “game changer’’ in achieving economic advancement.

He said that there was consensus of opinion that ICT ”has a very vital role to play in the diversification of economic growth of the country in view of its multi-layer contributions to various sector of the economy.”

He said that the council would take decisions on policy issues that would advance the economy of the country through ICT.

Alhaji Adamu Mansur, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Kaduna State, said that the choice of Kaduna to host the meeting of NCCT was significant.

He said that the meeting was significant as it would assist the state to roll out programmes for its transformation into ICT based public service.

He said since the inception of the new administration, ICT remained the focal point in governance in cleaning up the pay roll system. (NAN)

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Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Archibong Asuquo

NAN-ELS-3
Sentence
Los Angeles (U.S.), Oct. 27, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Grammy Award winning rapper, Leon Ivey, also known as Coolio, was on Wednesday sentenced to three years of probation after he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of firearm.

The 53-year-old recording star was also ordered to perform 45 days of community service under a negotiated plea deal sparing him prison time.

The rap artist was charged earlier this month with illegal possession of firearm, an offence that carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.

At his hearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Wednesday, he pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of carrying a concealed weapon.

Mr Ricardo Santiago, Spokesman for prosecutors, said the rapper could return to court in a year to have his latest felony conviction reduced to misdemeanour.

He said “this will only be possible if he fulfills his community service obligation and stays out of trouble with the law.

“He already has two prior felony convictions on his record; one in 2001 for carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle and the second in 2009 for possession of cocaine,’’ Santiago said.

The judge told Coolio that if he was found to be in possession of even a single bullet during the next three years, he would end up back in court and face jail term for violating his probation.

The rap star sounded a note of contrition in remarks to reporters after the hearing, saying his latest brush with the law resulted from a “mistake.

“It was a misunderstanding; I do not condone the use of firearms, legal or illegal.

“Thanks to the court and the attorneys handling this for me; so, I can still do the work that I do,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rapper was arrested at the Los Angeles International Airport on Sept. 17 with a stolen loaded handgun.

The gun was discovered in his backpack on the X-ray screening belt as his entourage was going through the security checks to board a flight en route a concert.

Coolio, a Los Angeles-area native, is perhaps best known for his 1995 Grammy Award-winning hit “Gangstar’s Paradise’’, the No. 1 U.S. chart-topper that year and one of the bestselling singles of all time. (Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited By Hajia Sani/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-AE-9
Export
Aisha Ahmed
Kano, Oct., 27 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Custom Service says it will begin to export farm produce to Europe from some Northern States.

The Comptroller in charge of Kano and Jigawa States, Mr Abutu Mathias made this known on Thursday during the quarterly stakeholders’ forum in Kano.

Mathias said that the aim was to complement the efforts of the Federal Government towards boosting the non-oil sector to revive the nation’s economy.

He said that the process was set to begin during the November and December harvest of 2016.

The officer revealed that some of the produce to be exported are sesame and gum arabic grains among other types of exportable grains.

The comptroller appealed to all agencies involved to give the effort a maximum cooperation to achieve the desired goals.

On the achievements recorded by the command this year, Mathias noted that the revenues collected so far in every month of this year exceeded the revenues generated in the corresponding months of the year 2015.

He expressed optimism that the command would maintain the tempo in order to meet up with the 2016 target.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Kano and Jigawa states command of the Nigeria Custom Service, had conducted its quarterly stakeholders’ forum in Kano where vital issues were discussed to improve the services of the NCS. (NAN)
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Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Felix Ajide
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