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NAN-H-56

Flood

Asaba, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Delta House of Assembly on Wednesday urged the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to send relief materials to communities in the state recently submerged by flood.

The assembly in a resolution at plenary charged the agency to also liaise with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in providing succour for the victims.

The call followed the adoption of a motion by Mr Daniel Yingi (PDP- Burutu II ), which was amended by the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Oboro Preyor (PDP-Bomadi).

Amending the motion, Preyor said that the recent flooding which affected Bomadi, Patani and Burutu Local Government Areas, destroyed farmlands, fish ponds and other sources of livelihood of the riverside people.

He listed the affected communities as Gbekebor, Ayakoromo, Okrika, Obotebe, Okpokunou, Ekodor, Forcados, Esama, Akugbene and Izon-Burutu.

The motion which was later adopted unanimously was seconded by Mr Daniel Mayuku, representing Warri South-West.

Supporting the motion, which was seconded by Mr Daniel Mayuku (PDP-Warri South-West), Dr Timi Tonye (PDP-Patani) noted that this year’s flooding in the state was not as devastating as that of 2012.

Tonye, however, said that the flood had rendered most people in the affected communities homeless.

“Farmlands were submerged, houses, markets and schools were greatly affected and most of the children are no longer in school as a result of the impact of the flooding,’’ he said.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Mr Monday Igbuya, said that the motion was timely, and said that SEMA must act swiftly to attend to the flood victims.

He directed Clerk of the House to urgently communicate the resolution to the agency and to the governor.

The house, during proceedings, also passed three bills for second readings and slated them for debate on Oct. 26.

They are a Bill for a law to provide for the establishment of Delta State Consumer Protection Agency, and a law to provide for the Regulation of Smoking in Public Places in the state.

The third one seeks for a law to establish the State School of Nursing and Midwifery. (NAN)

MOA/EMO/OPI

Edited by Ejike Obeta and Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-H-23
Charges
By Teniola Ibitola
Lagos, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) A sex worker, Grace Aghomi, who allegedly sold her daughter for N60,000, on Wednesday appeared  before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on a two-count charge.

Thirty-seven-year-old Aghomi sold her child to a woman, simply identified as Endurance, on Sept. 30 at Badagry, Lagos, according to the prosecutor, Insp. Daniel Ighodalo.

Ighodalo told the court that Endurance was at large, adding that the offences contravened Sections 142 and 274(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Chief Magistrate, Miss Abimbola Awogboro, granted bail to the sex worker in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

Awogboro adjourned the case till Nov. 21 for further hearing. (NAN)
OAT/TO/IGO
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(Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/ Ijeoma Popoola)

“Transfer of N8.5bn to JTF: Gen. Atewe is signatory to JTF’s account’’

NAN-H-9
Atewe
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) As the trial of N8.5 billion fraud case involving NIMASA and the military Joint Taskforce in the Niger Delta continues in Lagos, prosecution witness, Teslim Ajuwon, said retired Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe was a signatory to the JTF’s account.

Ajuwon told a Federal High Court on Wednesday that Atewe, a former Commander of JTF’s “Operation Pulo Shield’’, and an officer, Lt. I.M. Ogadoga, signed the instruments that debited the unit’s account.

Atewe is standing trial alongside a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, Kime Engozu and Josephine Otuaga over N8.5 billion fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned the accused persons on an 11-count charge bordering on fraud.

On Wednesday, the witness (PW1), who began his evidence on Oct. 18, continued as led by the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, in his evidence-in-chief.

He told the court that the instruments for the debiting of the account of JTF were signed by the co-signatories.

According to him, the EFCC had sometime in 2015 processed a request for statement of account and certificate of identification in respect of two firms — Lord Fem Engineering Services Ltd and First Investment and Property Ltd.

The response was forwarded to the commission accordingly, he added.

Revealing the transactions carried out on Sept. 5 and Sept. 9, 2014 on the account, the witness said there were two cash inflows from the JTF account to Jaggan Ltd for the sum of N50 million each.

On Sept. 16, 2014, N50.5 million was transferred to Jaggan Ltd, while on Aug. 25, 2014, a First Bank order transferred N7 million to Lord Fem Engineering Ltd.

After the evidence, both counsel agreed on Nov. 22 and Dec. 5 for continuation of trial.

The anti-graft agency had accused Atewe, Patrick Akpobolokemi and others of conspiring to defraud NIMASA of N8.5 billion using seven companies.

The companies are Jagan Ltd, Jagan Trading Company Ltd, Jagan Global Services Ltd, Al-Nald Ltd, Paper Warehouse Ltd,  Eastpoint Integrated Services Ltd and De-New Link Integrated Services Ltd.

The offences were committed between Sept. 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015.

The accused all pleaded innocence of the offences.

The offences contravened Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Laws of the Federation, 2004. (NAN)
UNS/DA
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Edited by Dele Akinsola

Coronation: Police, NSCDC deploy 5,300 personnel in Benin

NAN-DS-6
Deployment
Benin, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Edo Police Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) have deployed 5,300 personnel to provide security within Benin metropolis during the coronation of Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as the new Oba of Benin on Thursday.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Haliru Gwandu, told newsmen in Benin that his command would deploy 5,000 policemen for the occasion.

Gwandu said the deployment was necessary in view of the number of high profile personalities from across the world that would attend the ceremony.

“The process of coronation is ongoing and I think the last day will be on Thursday and quite a number of personalities are expected to grace the occasion.

“We have decided to remain proactive to make sure that the town is not infested with unguarded elements who will disrupt public peace.

“We will try to provide an enabling environment, having discovered that the number of very important personalities who are going to attend the ceremony is very high.

“We have information that the occasion is very attractive to the international community. Ambassadors from US, ambassadors from the UK, our neighboring countries, our paramount rulers, and of course, other very important personalities are expected to attend.

“So, we have to ensure that the society is safe, our people are secure.

“We will do everything humanly possible to protect them and prevent the influx of misguided elements because of these important dignitaries that are coming,” the commissioner said.

The NSCDC Spokesperson, Mr Efosa Ogbebor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the command would deploy 300 personnel for the event, which include the arms squad, anti-bomb unit as well as the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) unit.

Ogbebor also disclosed that the corps patrol vehicles would be strategically located around the city to forestall any circumstances.

“Though we are not expecting any form of security challenge, but there is need for us to plan adequately to ensure the ceremony goes and ends well,” he said.

NAN reports that Eheneden Erediauwa will become the 39th Oba of Benin after the completion of all coronation rites on Thursday.(NAN)
ESI/KOO/AMY
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-15
By Uche Eletuo
Lagos, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) A maritime operator and Director Marlog Ltd., Mr Tony Iroegbu, on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to encourage the construction of scrap yards to stimulate indigenous ship owners.

Iroegbu said that countries like India and Singapore derived much revenue from scrap yards.

The director said that the Nigerian maritime sector was in dire need of scrap yards which would  stimulate the sector.

“The Nigerian waters are replete with ship scraps (wrecks) that could be recycled to create wealth.

“A whole lot of our maritime engineers are jobless and are longing for avenues to practice their career.

“Operators are losing businesses due to delays in spare parts transits,’’ Iroegbu told NAN.

He said that Nigeria was losing by not encouraging the construction of scrap yards, adding that jobs were lying fallow in that sub-sector.

Iroegbu urged the Federal Government to provide the leeway for willing private investors to harness the resources. (NAN)
EUC/AJA
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(Edited by Adeleye Ajayi)

NAN-H-21
Google
By Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, the Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Anglophone West Africa, on Wednesday urged Nigerians to diversify on the usage of Google’s search engine.

Kola-Ogunlade said in a statement that Google was not just a search engine, but could be a “Personal Person’’ to its users.

“It is quite interesting to know that Google can be a guy’s interesting partner, helping one to get through the night’s outing.

“So, you want to have some fun this night and cannot think of where to go? Stay cool. Google has got your back.

“Google is not just a search engine. Many of us do not know that Google can actually become that “personal person” you can ask to help you for directions.

“It can wake you up in the morning, suggest places you can go when you are bored stiff, maybe help you sound really urban and cool and act like you own the city,’’ he said.

The Google manager said that there were eight ways the search engine could be one’s “Late Night Wing Man’’ when needed some after lights-out fun.

He asked, “thirsty for a beer?’’, long press on the home button of your phone, and say: “Ok Google, show me bars close to me’’.

Kola-Ogunlade said that if one does not want the Michelin tyres (fat) forming in the belly, but wanted fun and needed to count calories, because he is watching the diet, he should ask Google.

“Here is the drill, OK Google, how many calories are in a glass of beer and the response comes out.

“Calculating beer rounds should also not leave you dazed. It is not like you are drunk, not really drunk, it is just that Maths has never been your buddy.

“You will not have to leave friends waiting any longer, just bring out the phone, OK Google 7000 divided by three,’’ Google’s Public Affairs manager said.

He said “to kill nostalgia with Google, hit me some old time music, Ok Google music by Sunny Okosun.’’

Kola-Ogunlade said that in getting romantic, Google could help one to connect with one’s other partner with a clear voice.

“Ok Google, send a sms to the person and then speak all the mushy-gushy feelings into the phone,’’ he said.

The manager advised its users on ways to use the search engine in waking up early after getting into bed late.

“What to do? Speak your wake-up time into your phone. Ok Google, wake me up for work at 7.30. And then sleep tight,’’ he
said. (NAN)
CAN/COF/GOK
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Olagoke Olatoye
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NAN-S-9
Tennis
By Franklin Ohaegbu
Lagos, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) Top male seeded at the ongoing Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis tournament, Spain’s Enrique Lopez-Perez, says Nigerian players don’t excel because they fail to interact with their foreign counterparts.

Lopez- Perez made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos at the 16th edition of the competion at Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Lopez-Perez, the winner of the first leg, said that most of the time, Nigerian players tended to train with themselves and did not mix with the foreigners.

“The locals here have a good game going for them. They can play well but most of them don’t mix with us.

“I think it is not a good thing for them because no man is an island.

“You cannot learn new tricks with people you see and train everyday with, they can learn from us and we also can learn from their experiences.

“I try to mix with them most times and learn a thing or two but I have noticed that most of them keep to themselves.

“Let me tell you my secret, I win in most tournaments I attend because I try to interact with everybody, because I know I will learn something new in life and, most especially in tennis.

“Exposure is one major problem here, they don’t go for international competitions and the only one they get to have they are not utilising it to the fullest,’’ he said.

NAN reports that players at the competition came from 39 countries of the world and are fighting for ranking points and 50, 000 dollars prize money in the men and women’s events.

The grand finale of the second leg will hold on Oct. 22 and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Ambode Akinwunmi will be present. (NAN)
FOE/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-HG-13
Needs
By Talatu Maiwada
Abuja, Oct.19, 2016(NAN) The President,  International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mr Peter Maurer, has met met with President Muhammedu Buhari in Abuja  to discuss the  humanitarian situation in the country.

Mr Adewole Ajao, Media Officer of ICRC, made the fact known in a statement on Wednesday, saying the discussions focused on addressing the scale of humanitarian needs in the Middle Belt and Niger Delta regions.

He said that the livelihoods of millions of people had been affected by conflict in the Northeast, Middle Belt and Niger Delta hence the need for urgent intervention.

Ajao said that Maurer also met and supported persons affected by urban violence in some shanty towns in Port Harcourt.

He said that ICRC gave grants to 240 women breadwinners to start small businesses, drilled a borehole and installed water pipes to increase access to water in the communities.

Ajao said  Maurer also met with the Nigerian private and corporate community in Lagos to discuss innovative partnerships.

He said the partnership was to encourage them in supporting humanitarian efforts to respond to the needs of people affected by armed conflicts and violence.

Ajao said ICRC president opened a workshop in Abuja on the integration of international humanitarian law and international human rights law into the operations of the Economic Community of West African States.

He said the workshop would address, among others, the inclusion of relevant legal concepts into the planning of military operations.

He said, “50 participants, including the ECOWAS Stand by Force Chief of Staff, two members each from the 15 troop contributing countries, officials from the police and civilian components would attend the ICRC workshop.’’  (NAN)
TIM//COA/JCE
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Edited by Constance Athekame/Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-H-14
Passengers
By Joy Odigie
Benin, Oct.19, 2016 (NAN) Operators of motor parks in Benin said on Wedensday that they had been experiencing normal passengers’ traffic since Monday, ahead of the coronation of the Crown Prince and Edaiken N’Uselu, Eheneden Erediauwa on Thursday.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who went round some major motor parks in Benin, observed that there had been no significant increase in the number of visitors into the city.

The operators of the parks said here had been no major increase in passengers’ influx to Benin.

The Vice Chairman of Umagbae Motor Park, Prince Uyi Ewela, located at Ramat Park, told NAN that transporters had not witnessed any major increase in passengers from neighbouring states into the city for the coronation.

“I can attribute this to information technology which allows people to see whatever may be happening during the coronation activities via the social media.

“People will prefer to watch it live on Television or on social media rather than travelling from the various local governments to witness it.

“I witnessed the coronation done 37 years ago. It was colourful and was witnessed by a large crowd.

“ICT was not really in use them; so people came out en-masse to witness it.

“But the turnout might be affected by the present use of ICT which enable people to get information as they unfold, he told NAN.

At “God is Good Motors’’ and other major Lagos motor parks on New-Lagos Road,  NAN observed that activities on Wednesday were not different from their normal operations.(NAN)
OOJ/KOO/AJA
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(Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Adeleye Ajayi)

Israeli ambassador wants UN to cut funding for rights group

NAN-F-6
Funding
Tel Aviv, Oct. 19, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Israeli Diplomat, Danny Danon plans to call for a suspension in funding for the B’tselem Human Rights group at a special UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, the report said.

Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the UN that it was “no accident” that B’tselem, which documents alleged human rights violations against the Palestinians, had been invited to address the group at a special meeting last week.

According to the pro-Israel NGO Monitor, B’tselem received a total of nearly 115,000 dollars in 2016 from three UN-associated groups: UN Women, UNICEF and UN Development Programme.

Israel-based B’Tselem, along with Americans for Peace Now, had called on the council to take action against Israeli settlement activity, noting that it imperils the prospect of a two-state solution.

“The rights of Palestinians must be realised, the occupation must end, the UN Security Council must act and the time is now,” Hagai El-Ad, the Executive Director of B’Tselem, said. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Julius Enehikhuere)