Blog

NAN-H-91
Documents
Nana Musa / Doris Esa
Abuja, Oct.11,2016(NAN) The Federal High Court, in Abuja, on Tuesday admitted in evidence, documents showing financial transactions between the Nigerian Airforce and the Ryte Builders Nigeria Limited through Zenith Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA).

The documents were given in the on-going trial of the former Chief of defence staff, Alex Badeh.

The judge, Justice Okon Abang, gave the ruling after counsel to the first defendant Akin Olujimi(SAN), raised objection to the admissibility of the said documents, by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs( SAN).

Abang in his ruling held that though the documents are public documents and they are documents that do not require payment of fees before admissibility.

The judge also held that there was no law prescribing fees for the documents to be obtained unlike that in the CAC case cited by the counsel to the first defendant.

He also held that it is sufficient that since the witness made the documents, he does not need to sign them.

Abang, while stating that he agreed with the defence that where a Supreme Court has interpreted a law all other courts must abide by the ruling.

He said the issues canvassed must be the same as the one cited adding that the situation did  not apply in the circumstances of this case.

He subsequently overruled the objection raised by the defence counsel, and admitted the documents in evidence as exhibits B6 and B7 respectively.

The matter was adjourned to Oct.12 for continuation of trial.

Earlier, the prosecuting counsel had applied to tender two documents addressed to the Managers of UBA and Zeinth Banks.

The testimony was given by the sixth prosecution witness Mohammed Sini, who was the then Camp Finance Officer of Nigerian Air Force (NFA)

The witness told the court that on assumption of office, he was intimated of the monthly disbursement of 558,200,000, officially earmarked for maintenance of the office of the Chief of Air Staff.

He said: “In 2012, I was posted to Camp NAF, as the Camp Finance Officer, my schedule involved payment of salaries, operations and miscellaneous, disbursement of funds with operations and overhead expenditure of the unit.

” In relation to accounts, I report to a Director of Finance and Accounts within the headquarters and I take instructions from him with respect to financial operations within the unit.

“I took over from Group Captain Ifeobu when I reported, he told me that a certain a figure of this amount NGN 558,200,000 is meant for the official administrative maintenance of the office of the Chief of Air Staff

Sini also told the court that he was to be reporting to the Director, Finance and Account on the details of disbursement.

According to the witness, it is the duty of the cashier to pay these balances into the accounts for payment of operation, Ration Cash Allowances and Sundry Training Beats.

The witness further told the court that the paper work carried out by his office was to generate mandate to the bank for the release of the funds to enable them execute instructions.

When asked if he knew the reason for transfer of funds to Ryte Builders’ account, the witness said there was no need for him to know that since the entire fund was meant for official maintenance.

“I did not ask because the entire fund was earmarked for the official maintenance of the office of the Chief of Air Staff. What constitutes the specifics of what the funds would be used for does not fall under my powers.

“My own as the Camp Finance Officer was to take the instructions of my director according to who is to be paid the money and I have executed as such,” the witness stated.

News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that Badeh is being accused of diverting N3.9billion while serving as Chief of Air staff.(NAN)

NHN/ ORD/YAZ

===

Edited by Yusuf Zango

NAN-H-89
School
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Kwara Government on Tuesday said it was making plans to establish a pilot model school for both the physically challenged and able bodied people in the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Alhaji Mahmud Ajeigbe, disclosed this
in Ilorin when he received the leadership of the Kwara State chapter of the Association of Persons with Joint Disability.

The commissioner said that the ministry would liaise with the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to make good the plan.

According to him, the school is being conceived to accord persons with disability a sense of belonging and to address issues of discrimination against them.

He added that the idea was to make access to education in the state all-inclusive, irrespective of status.

The commissioner, who condemned all forms of discrimination against people with special needs, said that the school, when operational, would run like the conventional public schools.

He said government would do everything possible to protect the interest of the physically challenged in the state to ensure that everyone was fairly treated.

He further added that the state government was ready to partner with the association to bring out the potential of its members by providing an enabling environment for them.

“What we intend to do is to discuss with the Ministry of Education to see how government can create a pilot school.

“It will be a small school aimed at seeing how we can run this co-education system whereby we can have physically challenged with people that don’t have challenges.”

He, however, added that the state government was collaborating with USAID to ensure the establishment of the school.

“We need to commend USAID for choosing Kwara State among the three selected states and for showing interest in people living with disability.

“Government will continue to have policies aimed at making life easier for people living with disability.”

Earlier, Alhaji Suleiman Dagbo, the Chairman of the association, said the group was poised to partner with the state government to ensure the integration of its members into the society.

Dagbo, who applauded the state government for its support to the association, also urged
public-spirited individuals in the society to contribute toward enhancing the wellbeing of people living with disability.

He thanked the commissioner and the state government for having the interest of members of the association at heart. (NAN)
AUO/EEM/HA
============
(Edited by Emmanuel Mogbede/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-H-88

Panel

By Uche Bibilari

Abuja, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The FCT administration has set up a Construction Information Panel to check illegality and quackery in any construction site, says, Mr Muktar Galadima, the Acting Director, Department of Development Control of that  Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC).

Galadima made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that the panel was  set up to inform development control of any ongoing building project in FCT.

“There is a policy in the FCT now; for every construction site, there must be a construction information panel, a board that tells us what project is ongoing.

“It also tells us sponsor of the project, the consultants, the building plan approval number and the approval date.

“This is to check illegality and quackery because any project site where there is no information panel, then it has no approval’’.

He said that with this policy, members of the public could now monitor more effectively development work in the FCT.

Galadima said that anybody who wanted to develop any structure must obtain design guidelines on the said  project.

“For anybody that intends to do any development in the FCT,  before you even commence your design, we expect you to come down to the office,  get your design guidelines on what you are to build.

“Once the necessary requirements are provided, it will reduce the time of granting building plan approval.”

Commenting on the FCT building code, he said that it provides for all regulatory standards.

“We have a building code and without the code, Abuja will not be as it is today; we have provision for building height, ventilation, lighting, specification of material and all regulatory standards.

“We have what we call the ‘development control manual’ in  which we have extracted some information from the national building code and the relevant law.

“We are in the process of revealing that manual in line with global best practice; that is why you will notice the differences between Abuja and other neighbouring states.”

He said that the code was being enforced through the building inspectorate division which visits the site inspect the foundation and whether the setbacks were in line with what was approved.

He added that on completion, the team  would also inspect the building to ascertain compliance with the approved plan after which they would issue a a certificate of completion and habitation, if satisfied. (NAN)
UU/DO/NKO

==========

Edited by David Onilede

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

NAN-H-63
Chickens
By David Adeoye
Ikole (Ekiti) Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) A 30-year-old man, Tope Ojo, who allegedly stole two chickens valued at N4, 000, was on Tuesday released on a bail of N100, 000, an Ikole Magistrates’ Court in Ekiti State has ruled.

Magistrate Adedayo Oladija, who gave the ruling, also granted the accused two sureties in like sum, one of who should reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Gbenga Adebayo, told the court that the accused had on Oct. 6 at Ilamo Ekiti stolen the fowls valued at N4, 000, property of a man simply identified as Tunde.

Adebayo also alleged that the accused had on Oct. 3 at Otunja Ekiti, stolen a motorcycle marked QC 333 SSE, valued at N120, 000, property of Mr Luke Ajayi.

He said that the accused, who resides at Otunja Ekiti, was arrested with an unregistered motorcycle worth N80, 000, believed to have been stolen.

The offences violated Sections 390 (3), (109) and 430 (1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti, 2010.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused, who was not represented by any lawyer, however, pleaded guilty to the charge of illegal possession of unregistered motorcycle.

He pleaded not guilty to the theft of two fowls and another motorcycle.

Further hearing has been fixed for Oct. 20. (NAN)
DAK/FF/DA
=========
Edited by Fela Fashoro/ Dele Akinshola

NAN-H-84
Pensioners
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The 33 councils in Oyo State have appealed to the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in the state to adopt dialogue in their agitation.

Mr Wasiu Olatunbosun, the Caretaker Chairman, Ibadan North-West Local Government Council, made the appeal on behalf of the council areas on Tuesday in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NUP had on Monday issued a 14-day ultimatum to the State Ministry of Local Government.

It called on the ministry to address the payment of gratuities and monthly pensions of retired primary school teachers and retired local government staff, saying members might commencing picketing if this was not addressed.

But Olatunbosun cautioned the pensioners on being confrontational over the issue, adding that government was working assiduously to ensure the payment was made.

He said that primary school teachers, retired primary school teachers and local government pensioners would in the next 48 hours begin to receive payments.

Olatunbosun blamed the delay in payment on the N6.8billion pension scam committed under a previous administration.

He said that the ongoing verification exercise by the state government had helped government in discovering 400 ghost pensioners across the state.

Olatunbosun, who is also the Coordinator, Ajumose Coalition, urged the pensioners to support the administration of Gov. Abiola Ajimobi in its effort at making life more meaningful and comfortable for the citizenry.

He said that the present administration in the state had not reneged on its commitment at repositioning the state inspite of the economic recession. (NAN)
TAA/ORO/OJO
============
(Edited by Razak Owolabi and controlled Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-85

Audit

By Uche Bibilari

Abuja, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Department of Development Control, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), says it will soon commence a pos-development audit particularly at mass housing sites.

Mr Muktar Galadima, the Acting Director, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that the audit would enable the department to verify whether the contractors obtained the required  approval before building.

“I want to use this opportunity to tell members of the public that the department will soon commence what we call post-development audit, particularly at mass housing sites.

“Some of them just go ahead and build what was not approved for them, even in the satellite towns.

“Most of them, we believe,  built even without approval; so, we are going to visit them and and see if it is something we are going to regularise.

“If we cannot regularise it, we remove it, particularly where your document is doubtful; or we may penalise you heavily so as to correct the mistakes.”

On the issue of slums in some parts of the city centre, he said that the department,  in conjunction with other related agencies, would embark on sanitisation of those areas.

He said that the exercise would help to reduce the problems being experienced in those areas.

Galadima noted that the slums in places like Jabi, Mabushi, Utako  and  Durumi, among others, were pockets of indigenous settlements that were  expanding.

“These are pockets of indigenous settlements that are expanding; unfortunately other Nigerians come to settle among this people.

“As a result, they have become a nuisance not only to the FCT authority but the whole Abuja.

“There are several instances where people of questionable character go there and perpetuate some illegality and go into these places and hide. The good thing now is that the authority will soon embark on a sanitation exercise soon.’’

According to him, plans are under way to resettle the inhabitants of these slums in places like Sheregaluyi in Bwari Area Council and Wasa, adding that the settlements had yet to be completed. (NAN)
UU/DO/NKO

==========

Edited by David Onilede/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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

Economic Summit: Panelists advocate clear policies, incentives to generate employment

NAN-HE-25

Employment

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Abuja, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) Panelists at the ongoing 22nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) on Tuesday in Abuja advocated formulation of clear policies and incentives for companies as means of generating employment in the country.

These were the views of some panelists who spoke at the Plenary on Roundtable with the Vice President on Job Creation, Skills and Employment at the summit.

One of the panelists, Jay Ireland, General Electrics based in Nairobi, said formulation of clear policies on how to create jobs would help to address unemployment.

Ireland said that government should have consistent policies that would work and the policies that both government and private would be accountable for.

He said that continued training of personnel would also help so that the unemployed could learn from those already working in the companies.

“We should make companies invest locally and hire locally and build up their supply chains which will have multiplier effect

“Big companies drive small companies so we need big companies if we do that we will continue to increase employment,’’ he said.

Aliko Dangote said that providing incentive for companies would motivate them to create jobs or provide opportunities for industrial training.

He, however, urged the government to focus on real sectors of the economy to create jobs, saying that the economic recession was a lesson for the country to implement its diversification drive.

He also said that his company would be able to make fertiliser available by 2017 through the good policies of the Federal Government.

“I think by the end of next year, people who are going to sell fertilisers, you will buy it cheaper than what you were buying it now

“We will be begging you to buy it, there will not be scarcity of fertiliser anymore; we have three million tonnes of capacity coming into the country by that time,’’ he said.

Also, Alhaji Abubakar Baguda said that the country needed political will to implement some of its policies on job creations.

“I have mentioned political will; we are not alone, other countries are competing with us.

“Just two weeks, there was disapproval by the U.S. that there was a complaint by World Trade Organisation (WTO) against China, that rice, wheat and corn subsidy in China was distorting the market.

“They are distorting the market particularly those of America, wheat and rice farmers since it created WTO by countries again conducts of others.

“If we have this clarity or policy direction, it will enable us to conform and compensate for those distortion that are coming from outside,’’ he said.

He said that NAFDAC had a news conference last week on the quality of rice coming into the country through the land border.

He said that the agency concluded that huge percentage of rice coming into the country was not fit for human consumption.

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said that the government had formulated a framework on job creation in the country.

“ What can be done is to continue with this engagement, tilling the issues and try to address the issues.

“We are engaging all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are facilitating trade; they have to encourage business and promote it.

“This is the only way to create jobs; it is not from government alone.

“The Federal Government and states are very focused on creating jobs and improve environment for creating jobs,’’ he said. (NAN)

CIA/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

NAN-H-83

Treatment

By Victor Adeoti

Osogbo, Oct. 11,  2016 (NAN) Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun  has commended the management of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), for organising free medical treatment for rural dwellers in the State.

Aregbesola made the commendation during the NYSC free medical programme tagged:  `Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers’ in Sekona on Tuesday.

The governor described the initiative as a landmark achievement in the history of the scheme in the area of offering selfless service to rural dwellers.

Aregbesola, who was represented by Mr Akinyinka Esho, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, said the initiative was commendable.

The governor said the increasing awareness of the potency of orthodox medicine and the attendant increase in the demand for it had made government’s health facilities inadequate.

The Director General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Zakari Kazaure, explained that the free medical programme was designed to cater for the health of the downtrodden.

Represented by Mrs Regina Illuebbey, the NYSC State Coordinator, Kazaure said the free medical outreach which was conceived two years ago had achieved its goal of saving lives.

He said the NYSC, in the past 43 years, had not relented in pursuing its mandate and making meaningful impacts on the lives of people in the different communities across the nation.

“Against this backdrop, the goal of the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers is to mobilise corps medical volunteers to provide health interventions through diagnosis and treatment for the general well- being of the rural dwellers’’, he said. (NAN)

VE/JPE/IEA

Edited by Joseph Edeh/Idahosa Asowata

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

NAN-HE-24
Market
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian stock market on Tuesday sustained an upward trend with  capitalisation appreciating further by N38 billion due to impressive third quarter results released by some companies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation improved by N38 billion or 0.39 per cent to close at N9.629 trillion against N9.591 trillion posted on Monday.

Also, the All-Share Index rose by 109.32 points or 0.39 per cent to close higher at 28,034.32 compared with 27,925.00 achieved on Monday.

Market analysts attributed the development to investors’ positive sentiments for corporate news in the market.

They said that investors were reacting positively to improved earnings released by some companies this quarter in spite of the present economic downturn.

NAN reports that some blue chips posted price appreciation which was led by Nestle with a gain of N25 to close at N825 per share.

Seplat followed with N17.50 to close at N367.51 and Presco gained N1.30 to close at N4.50 per share.

Zenith Bank chalked up 49k to close at N15.04, while Dangote Sugar grew by 15k to close at N6.50 per share.

On the other hand, Guinness led the laggards’ chart with a loss of N3.83 to close at N76 per share.

Lafarge Africa trailed with 91k to close at N48.09 and Flour Mills dropped 30k to close at N20.70 per share.

UACN shed 25k to close at N20.80, while FBN Holding was down by 10k to close at N3 per share.

Similarly, the volume of shares traded closed higher as investors staked N2.72 billion on 234.19 million shares transacted in 3,335 deals.

NAN reports that this was against the 171.46 million shares worth N1.73 billion traded in 3,045 deals on Monday.

United Bank for Africa emerged the most traded, accounting for 83.06 million shares valued at N346.24 million.

Zenith Bank traded 18.93 million shares worth N282.46 million and GT Bank sold 12.72 million shares valued at N303.44 million.

FCMB Group exchanged 10.74 million shares worth N12.44 million, while Hallmark Insurance exchanged 10 million shares worth N5 million. (NAN)
JNC/HA
=======
(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

NAN-HG-21
Women
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Oct 11, 2016 (NAN) A former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih, has urged the Federal Government to allocate more funds for the ministry to enhance the nation’s social and economic development.

Anenih made the plea at a programme commemorating the International Day of the Girl-Child organised by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oct.11 of every year is set aside by the United Nations as the International Day of the Girl-Child.

Theme for 2016 is: “Girls’ Progress = Goals’ Progress: A Global Girl Data Movement’’.

According to her, women constitute the largest population in the country, and they are positive change agents if given the opportunities.

“Women are involved in all the key sectors of the nation’s economy like health, education, family and children.

“If they are empowered financially, they can embark on developmental projects that have direct impact on the society,’’ Anenih said.

Also, Dr Ibironke Sodeinde, a former Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare Board in Lagos State, urged relevant stakeholders to intensify advocacy campaign on the complications from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Sodeinde said that the best way to stop the practice was to improve the education and social status of women to discern abuse and disabuse of rights.

“There is need for joint agreement among community leaders, religious leaders, community members and other stakeholders in the implementation of FGM to justify putting a stop to the practice.

“Also, stakeholders should develop alternative income for those who take it as a vocation and engage them in vocational skills relevant to their environment to stop the practice,’’ she said.

Sodeinde said that the media have a role to play in the dissemination of information and the communication campaign that would impact on the public understanding of societal attitude.

“It is time we all stand up to the task of putting an end to the cankerworm abuse or lack of respect for human rights and gender inequality.

“We should all strive to put smiles on the faces of our girls, the future great role models, to give them hope to live,’’ Sodeinde said. (NAN)
OEO/GOK
(Edited/controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)