Blog

Police arrest 11 suspected robbers in Adamawa

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Arrest
Yola, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Adamawa Police Command arrested 11 robbery suspects terrorising travellers on major highways in the state, Mr Musa Kimo, state Commissioner of Police, said on Tuesday in Yola.

Kimo who was addressing newsmen, said the robbers were arrested in separate operations on Numan- Lafiya and Ngurore–Mayo- Belwa roads.

He said that exhibits recovered from the suspects included three single barrel guns, one locally made pistol with four rounds of ammunitions, two sharp cutlasses, three machetes, one lap top and three handsets.

The commissioner, who assumed office three weeks ago, reiterated his commitment to rid the state of bad elements.

“I pledged that my ultimate vision is to ensure that Adamawa is safe and secured, and above all for its citizens to live peacefully with each other devoid of racour and acrimony.

“It is on this premise that the command re-strategised its operations by putting in place measures to confront head-on all crimes and criminalities in the state,’’ he said.(NAN)

AMA/YMU/JPE/OU
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Edited by Joseph Edeh/Obike Ukoh
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Extension workers
Lafia, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa has pledged to revive the services of agriculture extension officers to enhance farming in the state.

The governor stated this on Tuesday after visiting the headquarters of the Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Programme (NADP) in Lafia.

Al-Makura said the services of the extension officers were vital to the government’s plan to diversify the nation’s economy.

He said the revitalisation of the agricultural sector was one of the ways out of the current economic meltdown.

The governor explained that reviewing the activities of the extension workers was part of his administration’s deliberate effort to improve the agricultural sector.

“It is no longer news that Nasarawa and by extension Nigeria is blessed with abundant agricultural resources, although the produce, which hitherto was the basis of the country’s economy had been abandoned or left untapped.

“We have decided to scale down the activities of the ADP, but we will concentrate more on extension services and demonstration farms,” the governor said.

He said that apart from reviewing the activities of the extension workers, demonstration farms would be established to improve hybrid crops in some areas of the state.

“During my last visit to the ministry of agriculture, I directed them to have a demonstration farm in each of the 13 local government areas that will specialise in the production and growing of crops that are conducive in such environment.

“We can gradually specialise in those crops so that we can increase our input and support for large scale agriculture,’’ he added.

Al-Makura said that the services to be rendered by the extension officers would help farmers to improve their crop production. (NAN)
BAB/AOS/MVO
(Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Mbadiwe Okwor)

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Health
By Azubuike Okeh
Port Harcourt, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) has said that 189,750 families enrolled in family planning between January and September.

A report by PPFN’s Project Officer in Rivers, Mr Emmanuel Owor, in Port Harcourt on Tuesday said the number recorded during the year represented a 31.5 per cent increase when compared to the enrolment figure in 2015.

It said that 29,300 out of the number were new family acceptors while 160, 450 were old and ancillary family acceptors.

The body said that it was already providing a new family planning service called VIA for women of reproductive age.

It said VIA was a service that women of reproductive age should access at least three times during the reproductive age bracket.

It further said that PPFN’s family life education and counseling programme had remained a vital tool for the sensitisation of women on reproductive health issues.

The PPFN commended its public and private partners in the state for their contributions in the crusade against unplanned parenthood. (NAN)
AZU/AOS/MVO
(Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Mbadiwe Okwor)

Woman docked for allegedly assaulting lawyer
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Assault
By Chinyere Omeire
Lagos, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) A 59-year-old trader, Mariam Abu, who allegedly tore the shirt of a lawyer was on Tuesday in Lagos granted N20, 000 bail.
An Igbosere Magistrates’ Court gave the ruling while trying the accused who resides at No. 6, Durosimi St., Somolu, Lagos.
The accused is standing trial on a count charge bordering on assault.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Oct. 17 at about 8: 20 pm at Central Police Station, Adeniji Adele, Lagos.
He said that Abu unlawfully assaulted one Barrister Charles Ola-Oni by tearing his shirt.
“The accused contacted the complainant for help to secure the bail of her brother who was repatriated from Brazil over drug related issues at the National Drug Law Enforcement ‎Agency (NDLEA) office.
“The lawyer, however, collected N30,000 from the accused, but failed to secure the bail and could not refund the money.
“While they were at the police station to report the case, the accused held the complainant’s shirt and tore it,” Osuji said.
According to the prosecutor, the offence committed is punishable under Section 170 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate Mrs A. T. Omoyele granted her bail with one surety in like sum.
She said the surety should be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to Lagos State Government and their address verified.
The case was adjourned till Nov. 11 for mention. (NAN)
OCC/ENN/TA
Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Tajudeen Atitebi

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Convulsion
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) Dr Safiya Ojo, a medical doctor at the Wuse General Hospital, Abuja, on Tuesday advised Nigerians against the use of cow and human urine in the treatment of convulsion.
Ojo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that there was no scientific evidence to proof that urine can treat convulsion.
According to her, convulsion is when a person’s body shakes rapidly and uncontrollably as well as repeated contraction of the muscles.
“There is no need to use urine for treating convulsion because it could lead to infection or disease.
“When one is convulsing, the best thing to do is to take the person to a hospital.
“Sometimes, when a person’s temperature is too high or there is abnormality in the brain, the person could convulse,” Ojo said.
She said seizure or convulsion could occur at any age and result in uncontrollable muscular activity and loss of consciousness.
“There are many types of seizure, with some being relatively mild and others, severe and prolonged,” the medical expert said.
Ojo advised Nigerians to always consult a doctor and avoid the traditional methods of treating convulsion as such practices could be dangerous to health. (NAN)
OEO/MNA/WOJ
(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu / Wale Ojetimi)

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Project
By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said it has assisted the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), and Small Grant Programme (SGP), to execute 113 projects in 25 states in the last five years.

Mr Muyiwa Odele, UNDP`s Team Leader on Environment and Sustainable Development Programme, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Odele said that GEF through SGP would continue to carry out projects to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable utilisation of environmental resources.

He said that the two programmes had supported non-governmental and community-based organisations to protect the environment while generating sustainable livelihood for the poor and marginalised.

Odele said that GEF-SGP was implemented by UNDP on behalf of the GEF agencies and partners and was being executed by the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

“Presently, GEF-SGP has supported about 25 states and executed more than 113 community based projects.

“This is to demonstrate that community action can maintain the balance between human needs and environmental imperatives,” he said.

He also said that the implementation of the programme had helped individuals and communities in the various states to benefit from agriculture, social amenities among others.

According to him, Nigeria has demonstrated how much community-driven initiatives can contribute to national and global goals.

“The grant may be small, but through commitment and dedication of the guarantees to environmental preservation, the initiatives undertaken by recipients of these grants continue to fulfil its goals.’’

Odele said that GEF-SGP believed that global environment problems can best be addressed if local people are involved and there are direct community benefits and ownership.

The team leader said that one of the objectives of GEF-SGP was to develop community-level strategies and implement technologies that could reduce threats to the global environment.

He added that GEF focal areas include; Biodiversity, Climate change, International Waters, Land Degradation and persistent Organic Pollutants. (NAN)
VOE/DUA/AFA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Felix Ajide
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Unwashed hands threat to public health – Scientist

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Contamination

Jos, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) Mr Solomon Chollom, a medical laboratory scientist with the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom near Jos, says unwashed hands are a threat to public health and major means of transmitting infectious diseases.

Chollom disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Jos.

He said that the situation constitutes a threat to public health as most people have failed to inculcate the act of hand washing in their daily lives.

He explained that the hand is an instrument of feeding and touching, and as such, oral contact with unclean hands may at times lead to the transmission of either infectious diseases or face and oral diseases, this is when infectious particles (pathogens) are ingested through the mouth.

According to him, this occurs when people involved with food preparation fail to wash their hands or fail to wash their hands thoroughly after going to the restroom and in the process of preparing the food the pathogens are transmitted to the food and then ingested.

Chollom further explained that the hand is used actively in public relations as such it is key in public health issues.

“Unwashed hands (dirty hands) are most times contaminated hands and a threat to public health, as many a times, people get to exchange handshakes immediately after leaving the rest room without washing their hands,

“and in that process various infectious and communicable diseases are transmitted to the other person’s hand and if the person fails to wash or sanitise their hands such invisible pathogens are ingested when such uses the hand to eat.

“Unwashed or contaminated hands of a public career means a grave public health challenge to the consumers of the food,” he explained.

Chollom further disclosed that unwashed or contaminated hands of medical personnel are a major source of nosocomial infections (hospital acquired infections which are caused either via viral, bacterial or fungal pathogens) such as urinary tract infections, respiratory pneumonia, surgical site wound infections, bacteremia, gastrointestinal and skin infections.

He called on people to inculcate the act of proper hand washing in their daily lives as it would drastically reduce the spread of infectious diseases. (NAN)
UBO/ASS/MST

Edited by Sadiq Adamu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

2 men bags 2 months imprisonment over generator theft
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Sentence
By Ugochi Ugochukwu
Abuja, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) Two men, Adamu  Lawal and Bello Jibril, were sentenced to two months imprisonment each for stealing  generator.

Lawal, 25, and Jibril, 28, of Citec Estate, Abuja, had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing and begged for leniency in a Karmo Grade 1 Area Court in the FCT.

The Area Court judge, Abubakar Sadiq, gave each of the convicts an option of N10,000 as fine, and warned them to desist from committing further crime.

Prosecutor Dalhatu Zannah had told the court that the convicts committed the offence on Oct. 8 at Road Ab Citec Estate, Abuja.

Zannah said that following a tip-off detectives led by Sgt. Simon Madalla, attached to Life Camp Police Station, Abuja, went on crime prevention patrol and arrested the convicts.

Zannah said the convicts and one Danborno real name unknown now at large at about 7 p.m dishonestly stole an Elemax Generatior valued yet unknown at Road Ab Citec Estate, Abuja.

The prosecutor said that the convicts took the generator to pan taker shop at Efab Estate Road to sell it before they were arrested.

He added the convicts admitted stealing the generator at Road Ab Citec Estate during police interrogation and the generators was recovered.

Zannah said the offence contravened sections 79 and 288 of the Penal Code. (NAN)
UGO/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Coronation: Use Indigenes describe Crown Prince’s visit as historic

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Visit
By Monday Ajogun
Benin, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) Prominent indigenes of Use community in Edo, have expressed gratitude to God for witnessing the planned visit by  Prince Eheneden Erediawa’s to the village as part of his coronation activities.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Prince Erediawa  is expected to visit the Use community as part of coronation requirements.

Some of the residents said they were  happy that culture was being fulfilled, and that they were grateful to God for the opportunity to be alive to witness the occasion.

NAN reports that Prince Erediauwa is expected to visit Use from Usama Palace to choose a name for his coronation on Thursday at Urho-Okpota in Benin.

Justice Esther Edigin, who hail from Use, said  she was happy to be alive witness and experience today’s “Akhue ” (a game of marble).

She said that traditional ceremony like this, is significant in the life of every Benin person.

Edigin said that the historical event at Use Palace, “is as important as its significant in the then Benin kingdom.’’

Prince Blessing Abieyuwa, said that it is significant because “the Prince will visit as a Prince, but will return as an Oba after choosing his coronation name.
“This is a joyous moment and an unforgettable historical occasion.

“It is a very special moment for the community as prominent sons and daughters will be expected to be back home to witness it.

“The occasion will also attract dignitaries from all walks of life to Use palace to observe the `Akhue’ (the magic marble), from which the name will be pronounced,’’she said.
Others, who spoke, told NAN that they were excited as they look forward to witnessing the Crown Prince’s visit to Use palace. (NAN)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Julius Enehikhuere

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Tenant
By Ummul Idris
Abuja, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) A Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, on Tuesday ordered one Baba Garba to pay N900,000 rent arrears to Larix Properties Ltd.

The senior magistrate, Teribo Jim, gave the order after listening to the submissions of Hadiza Zarma, counsel to Larix Properties.

Zarma had told the court that since the beginning of the tenancy year of May, 2014 till date, the defendant had not been paid his annual rent of N450, 000.

She informed the court that the claim before the court was for payment of arrears of rent for the tenancy year of May, 2014 to June 2016.

When asked whether he was liable to the claims or not, Garba admitted the claims as presented.

“I am not denying, but I lost my job and have no money to pay my rent” he said

The magistrate delivered judgment in favour of Larix Properties Ltd.

“ Having admitted the claims, I hereby enter judgment in favour of the plaintiff.

“The defendant shall pay N900, 000 as arrears of rent to the plaintiff for the period mentioned,’’ the court ruled. (NAN)

UMD/HS/AEA
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Edited by Halima Sheji/Archibong Asuquo