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Explore arts and culture to revive economy – Sculptor

NAN-H-3

Arts

By Vezi Isike

Lagos, Oct. 22, 2016 (NAN)  A sculptor, Blessing Diafe,  has appealed to the Federal Government to explore arts and culture as a tool in reviving the economy of the country in this period of recession.

This call came on the heels of the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, appeal for a public- private partnership to make the sector more economically viable.

Diafe, a Lagos-based sculptor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that government exploring arts and culture would diversify the economy and create more job opportunities for youths.

He said that the involvement of government in the industry would not only generate revenue but sustain the country’s cultural heritage.

Diafe told NAN that the inherent potential of the sector was yet to be explored by practitioners for lack of resources.

According to him, art galleries and museums are under funded thereby restricting the productivity of sculptors to compete with their foreign counterparts.

”Our cultural heritage is preserved by artworks and these artworks are highly sort for by foreigners.

“But we do not have standard galleries to showcase the craft of artists so that they can be appreciated and even connected to the foreigners.

“If government gets involved, there will be steady promotion of the sector which will yield benefits for the entire economy,”he said. (NAN)

VOI/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

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Amosun
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) The trial of former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu rtd., and 10 others was on Friday stalled before a Federal High Court in Lagos, following the demand of a witness’ international passport.

Amosun is charged alongside two other officers of the Air Force – Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and Air Cdre Gbadebo Olugbenga.

Also charged are  Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil and Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd,  Trapezites BDC, and Fonds and Pricey Ltd.

The accused are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Mohammed Idris.
They were arraigned on June 26 and had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The judge had then granted them bail in the sum of N500 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

On Friday, trial of the accused was stalled due to the demand by one of the defence counsel, Mr Norrison Quakers (SAN) that a prosecution witness, one Mojeed Olatunji should produce his international passport.

Olatunji, a compliant officer with Skye Bank Plc, had commenced his testimony before the court on Oct. 20 and the court had fixed Friday for his cross-examination.

Defence counsel, (Quakers) had questioned the identity of the witness and demanded that he tendered his passport to prove that he is the same person that signed a letter he had earlier presented in court.

When the witness could not present the passport, the lawyer asked the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris to adjourn the case to enable the witness produced the document.

In spite of objections from the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, who argued that the development was a ploy by the defence to delay the matter, the judge granted the adjournment.

According to the judge, it is in the interest of justice to grant the adjournment.

He added that although a trial must be conducted without unnecessary delays, a defendant must be given enough time to defend himself.

He, therefore, adjourned the case to Oct. 24 for continuation of trial.

The charges against the accused borders on conspiracy, stealing and money laundering.

In one of the counts, the accused were said to have indirectly converted the sum of N3.6 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air force, to their own use.

In another instance, the EFCC alleged that Amosun and the others stole over N323 million from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force between March 21, 2014 and March 12, 2015.

He said the alleged theft was for the purpose of purchasing for themselves a property situated at No.1, River Street, Wuse II Abuja.

The alleged offences were said to have contravened the provisions of Sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012. (NAN)
UNS/YAZ
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NJC
By Martins Odeh
Abuja, Oct.21,2016 (NAN) The National Judicial Council (NJC) has said that the call by the President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Mahmoud Abubakar (SAN) for the suspension of the seven judges accused of corruption  is  “unacceptable”.

The Acting Director of Information of the Council, Mr Soji Oye, made this known in a statement to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.

Oye said the Council was not unaware of the various views expressed by members of the public on the matter, adding that it reserved the right to ensure the best action was taken.

He said the NJC could only recommend appointments, dismissal and if need be other punitive measures against erring judicial officials to either the President or the Governor of a State as prescribed by the Law establishing it.

“The Council’s mandate is limited by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution that established it.

“NJC is constrained to inform the general public that its Constitutional mandate is to recommend to the Executive at the Federal and State levels, the appointment, and or the removal of Judicial Officers from office.

`This includes exercise of its disciplinary control of suspending and or warning Judicial Officers after complying with due process and the Rule of Law,”  the NJC director of information said.

He further said:“since the creation of Council vide the 1999 Constitution it has exercised its powers and performed its functions within its Constitutional limitations”.

“Thus, the current position of the NBA vis-à-vis its recommendation that the affected judges under investigation by the DSS, be requested to proceed on compulsory leave until the conclusion of all disciplinary proceedings against them, is unacceptable to NJC.

“That breaches the 2014 Revised Judicial Discipline Regulations formulated by NJC pursuant to Section 160 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended,” it said.

“By the provisions of Section 158 of the 1999 Constitution, NJC shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person while exercising its disciplinary power of control over Judicial Officers in the Federation, ” he said

Oye said the mechanism to determine erring judicial officer to proceed on compulsory leave or be suspended from office was a disciplinary power that NJC could only exercise after such officer was found culpable.

“Therefore, to act on the recommendation of the NBA, it is not only contrary to the provisions of Section 158 of the 1999 Constitution, but it means NJC will direct any Judicial Officer that has been petitioned even if the allegations contained therein are frivolous and baseless, to proceed on compulsory leave or be suspended from office without complying with the Rule of Law.

“That is not the understanding of NJC of the intention of the framers of the Constitution vis-à-vis its Constitutional powers and functions on initiation of disciplinary proceedings culminating in suspension of Judicial Officers.

“Thus, to act on the request of the departments of government and the recommendation of the NBA, means the 808 Judicial Officers that had been petitioned and accused of professional misconduct and or corrupt practices, without investigation by NJC, would have all been suspended or sent on compulsory leave and the Courts would have been deserted,” Oye said.

The NBA boss  on Oct.20 at the valedictory Court session in honour of retiring Justice Sotonye Denton-West, called on NJC to order the stepping down of the embattled judges pending the resolution of the allegations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association had vehemently criticised the Department of State Services (DSS) for treating the judges the manner it had done.

The DSS had on Oct.7 and Oct. 8, swooped on seven federal judges including two Justices of the Supreme Court, in sting operations, designed to catch them red-handed. Huge money in local and foreign currencies were recovered from the judges.  (NAN)
OMO/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

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Workshop
Lagos, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Abel Edinomo, Secretary-General, West African Amateur Golf Association (WAAGA), on Friday said the Lagos State-sponsored secondary school open workshop on the sport would open a new vista in the game.

Edinomo made the assertion when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the gains to be made by the state and the country from the golf workshop.

NAN reports that the training was part of the Lagos State Sports Commission’s (LSSC) efforts at promoting sports at the grassroots and it was in collaboration with Lagos State Golf Association.

The event, held at the Agege Township Stadium, is part of the activities for the 3^rd Awa Ibrahim Junior Golf Open Championships taking place at the Ikeja Golf Club.

It is aimed at exposing the young players to the rudiments of golfing and has in attendance about 200 children from across the state.

Edinomo said the workshop; the first of its kind for secondary school students in the country was a veritable platform for exposing them to the game at a tender age.

“I wish to commend the Lagos State Government for this laudable initiative, the first of its kind in the history of the game. At least, the government is setting a pace.

“The workshop is successful and I am sure it will open a new vista in golf in the country because these little ones are the future of the game.

“We are happy to embrace such a school developmental programme where budding talents are discovered. This also shows that the game is for all and not the rich alone.

“It is expected that this kind of programme will be sustained for the future of the game so that the country will have a name in golf globally,’’ he said.

Also, the spokesperson for LSSC, Titi Oshodi, told NAN that the government had provided training programmes for young golfers because of its belief in grassroots sports development.

“The Awa Ibrahim Junior Golf Open commenced in 2013. The private initiative has annually recorded over 200 players, including boys and girls in both junior and senior secondary schools.

“The tournament has afforded the young Nigerian golfers ample opportunity to strengthen and build on their outstanding performances.

“It also serves as a pool from which the Lagos State Golf Association has identified budding talents over the years, so, we are happy to be part of it.

“It is pertinent for the government to consider the training programmes which will serve as a platform in the pursuit of grassroots promotion, development and administration of golf,’’ she said.

Oshodi said the championships would help in identifying potential stars in the future that will represent the country and so, the need for the workshop could not be over-emphasised.

“The training will also serve as a platform for the continued development of the game in Lagos State towards the discovery of the next world class golfers by the year 2020.

“It will also, with time, draw tourists’ attention to the city of Lagos,’’ she said.

NAN reports that at least 200 students from 15 government and private schools participated in the training. (NAN)
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(Edited by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-74
Property
By Olaitan Iris
Lagos, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Two men and a woman, were on Friday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged theft of their employer’s property worth N9.5 million .

The men — Ore-Ofe Brama, 42; Oyakhilomhen Qaikira, 28; and Oluwabunmi Vivian,  whose residential addresses were not stated, are standing trial on a six-count charge bordering on  conspiracy, stealing and fraud.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Roman Unuigbe, told the court  that the accused and others still at large  committed the offences between Jan. and Sept., 2016 at 17A, Ajao Road Off Adeniji Jones Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

He alleged the first and second defendant who worked with House Affairs Nigeria Ltd. stole paint worth N9.5 million from their employer.

He said the men, altered, and falsified documents to conceal the number of paints they stole from the beginning of the year till September.

He explained that the third defendant, a mother to one of those still at large, was apprehended as an accessory to conspiracy when it was discovered that she made charm to assist her son escape.

Unuigbe added that the woman   did not only make charms for her son, but assisted thieves with the intention of delaying their detention and conviction of the offences committed.

The offences, he said, contravened Sections 97,  133(a), 285 (7), 335, 409, and 413  of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

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

The Magistrate, Mr P.A Ojo, admitted the accused  to a bail of N1 million each and two responsible sureties in like sum.

Ojo ordered that each of the  sureties must deposit N500,000 at the Chief Registrar’s account and adjourned the case till Dec.7 for substantive trial (NAN)
IOI/DA
Edited by Dele Akinsola

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Impersonation
Lagos, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Two men, Hammed Sadiq and Daniel Ezenwaka, charged with stealing from a customer’s bank account and impersonation, were on Friday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The duo, Sadiq, 31 and Ezenwaka, 24, whose residential addresses were not stated, is standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and stealing.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp. RomanUnuigbe told the court  that the duo, and others still at large committed the offences on Sep. 22 at  about 2:00 pmat First Bank Plc, Oba Akran Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said the duo and their  accomplices fraudulently impersonated oneChukwuma Uguru and manipulated his  email which was presented at First Bank to withdraw the sum of N2 million from the account.

He explained that after the men were apprehended, it was discovered that the sum of N2 million was transferred to a UBA account No 2086975742.

The offences, Unuigbe said contravened Sections  285 (1)(5)(e),  378, 389, and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate Mr P.A Ojo, admitted the accused  to a bail of N500,00 each and two responsible sureties in like sum.

Ojo said the sureties must be from the success father’s side and also enjoy get a letter from a community leader and adjourned the case till Dec. 7 for mention.(NAN )
IOI /DA
Edited by Dele Akinsola

NAN-HE-26

Revenue

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) said on Friday that it lost N27.6 billion annually to unpaid bills by customers.

Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Jay McCoskey, made this known to newsmen at the launch of the company’s ‘Energy Efficiency’ programme in Port Harcourt.

He said that huge figure accrued because some customers could not locate where to pay or how to pay the bills.

According to McCoskey, every month, PHED has a revenue loss of N2.3 billion which amounts to N27.6 billion annually.

“Most of the cases of non-payment are because people don’t know where and how to pay their electricity bills.

“So, we have come up with an online payment service that will enable customers to, within five minutes, make payments without difficulty.

“This online payment service will complement other channels of payment, which means that customers will spend few minutes to pay their electricity bills,” he said.

McCoskey added that the firm had also provided other avenues for consumers to pay their bills without hassles.

He announced that the company would spend N1.7 billion to improve electricity supply to its customers in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers.

“This spending is part of our energy efficiency programme which targets 24-hour electricity supply to our areas of coverage,” he said.

The company’s Programme Manager, Energy Efficiency, Mr Frank Ajaegbu, advised customers to use their electricity in an efficient manner.

He said that efficient management of electricity by customers would enable PHED to spread electricity to homes, adding that “consumers can save about 30 per cent of energy consumed if they embrace energy saving methods.

“Customers should turn off their appliances when going out while they use efficient energy saving equipment to conserve energy.” (NAN)

DES/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa Ifeajika

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Donation
Yola, Oct. 21, 2016 ( NAN) The Nigerian Army on Friday donated teaching and learning materials worth several millions of naira to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Schools in Yola.

Presenting the items to the camp’s management, Maj.-Gen. Leo Irabor, Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, said that the gesture was to create quick impact to uplift the plight of the IDPs.

Irabor explained that the gesture was from the Nigerian Army quick impact project, soldiers of the education corps, and other officers deployed to teach in the various IDPs schools in the camps across the north east region.

“The Nigerian Army introduced a humanitarian dimension to the IDP camps to uplift their plight.

“And as part of the quick impact, Army deployed officers and soldiers of the education corps to teach in various IDPs camps in the North East region,’’ he said.

Irabor, who was represented by Brig.-Gen. B. Akinroluyo, said that the tragedy of insecurity is a global concern and Nigeria shares part of it.

He said that the activities of terrorists and insurgents and threats posed by the duo were among the maladies affecting the Nigerian state.

The commander explained that the army had been in the forefront of all the challenges with all its might and resources to contain the terrorists and bring back normal life to affected citizens.

Speaking earlier, Alhaji Sa’ad Bello, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Camps Coordinator in charge of Adamawa and Taraba said the gesture came at the right time.

Bello thanked the army for the humanitarian assistance adding that their gallant efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the area in general, and the IDPs camps in particular, cannot be over emphasised.

Mr Mahmud Abubakar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, said that the state government’s top priority was provision of education to all.

Abubakar said that the state government would continue to partner with well-meaning organisation in transforming the education sector in the state. (NAN)
AMA/FF/AFA
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Felix Ajide
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IFAD lauds RUFIN for improving living conditions of rural communities

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Impact
By Suleiman Shehu
Owotoro (Oyo State), Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Dr Kanayo Nwanze, President of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has commended Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) for improving the lives of the rural dwellers.

Nwanze, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Mr Liam Francis, gave the commendation on Friday during the assessment on the impact of operation of RUFIN by IFAD in Owotoro in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The IFAD president said that he was satisfied that the programme has significantly improved the lives of the rural communities that had benefitted from the activities of RUFIN.

“I can see their condition has improved in items of access to finance, increased productivity, health and better accommodation.

“The benefits are translating into transformation of this community as children have access to schooling, which was exactly what IFAD is hoping to see,’’ he said.

He encouraged the beneficiaries of RUFIN programme to partner among themselves to increase group and association so as to be stronger in strength.

Nwanze said that this would give them the ability to access finance from microfinance and other financial institutions.

In his contribution, Mr Emmanuel Ogundiran, State Programme Coordinator of RUFIN, said that the rural dwellers have ideal but no money to turn those ideals into food on their table.

Ogundiran said that RUFIN was able to assist through interaction with microfinance bank and other financing institution that deal in given out money at a cheap rate.

He said that microfinance bank were able to borrow the beneficiaries money without collateral with the assistance of RUFIN.

The RUFIN State Programme coordinator, however, called on the state governments, especially Oyo State to partner with them to be able to cover more rural areas.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Titilola Ajibade, said that the programme has helped her to start a business of her own.

NAN reports that RUFIN is a programme sponsored by the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The seven-year programme is being implemented in 12 states across the six geo political zones in the country through group formation methodology.

The programme seeks to lift millions of rural dwellers out of poverty by providing access to finance and capacity building.  (NAN)
SYS/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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Weather
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted partly cloudy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Saturday morning.

NiMet’s Weather Outlook issued on Friday in Abuja by its Central Forecast Office, predicted chances of localised thunderstorms over Mambila and Obudu during the morning hours.
It said that there are prospects of isolated thunderstorms over Abuja, Lafia, Bida, Kaduna, Lokoja and Jos in the afternoon and evening hours with maximum temperatures of 29 to 34 degrees Celsius.
The agency predicted that the southern states would experience cloudy morning over the inland and coastal cities with prospects of localised thunderstorms over Ibadan, Oshogbo, Akure, Awka and Enugu.
It also predicted that localised rains were likely over Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Eket and Benin in the afternoon and evening hours with maximum temperatures of 31 to 33 degrees Celsius.
According to the prediction, the northern states will experience dust haze conditions over Katsina, Nguru, Kano, Dutse and Maiduguri with partly cloudy conditions around Yelwa and Gombe in the morning hours.
It said that sunny conditions would prevail over the entire region later in the day with maximum temperatures of 34 to 37 degrees Celsius.
“Dust haze to sunny conditions is anticipated over the extreme northern parts which might affect horizontal visibility slightly.
“There are prospects of isolated thunderstorms around the central and southern cities in the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicted. (NAN)
OYS/ORO/AEA
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Edited by Razak Owolabi/Archibong Asuquo