Blog

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Sharapova
Las Vegas, Oct. 11, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Maria Sharapova returned to the tennis court for two exhibition matches on Monday, her first appearance since testing positive for the banned substance meldonium at the Australian Open in January.

The Russian former world number one played at the World Team Tennis “Smash Hits” event in Las Vegas to raise money for the Elton John Aids Foundation.

Sharapova, who slipped to 93rd in the world rankings, partnered American Taylor Johnson and lost her first match to Martina Navratilova and Liezel Huber.

She told reporters before the match in Las Vegas that “it is very special to be back on the court.

“It’s been about seven months since I’ve played in front of spectators and played in a stadium environment. Obviously, very thankful for the invitation, happy to be part of this cause.

“It’s been around for 24 years and it’s my first attendance. Thrilled to be part of it.”

Sharapova, whose ban was cut from two years to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration last
week, can return to competition in April, one month before the French Open.

The 29-year-old who teamed up with John McEnroe to beat Navratilova and Andy Roddick in her second match, acknowledged that the journey back would be a tough one.

She said “yeah, I will look to play maybe a couple of exhibition events leading up to my first tournament in April.” (Reuters/NAN)
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

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Phone
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) For allegedly snatching a N150,000  phone and N30,000 cash from a woman in the traffic, a commercial motorcyclist, Sunday Ojo, was on Tuesday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

Ojo, whose address is unknown, is being tried for conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Micheal Unah told the court that the accused committed the offences on Oct. 5 at Oshodi Oke on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

Unah said the accused and others still at large conspired to snatch a phone valued at N150,000 and N30,000 cash, property of a motorist, Mrs Folashade Adebayo.
“The accused collected the complainant’s Samsung phone.”

Unah said the complainant was in traffic when the accused approached her, pointing different weapons at her threatening to kill if she refused to comply.
“The complainant was driving her car towards Oshodi and there was a traffic jam, the accused and others approached her to surrender her phone and money.

“They pointed knives, cutlasses and other weapons at her threatening to kill her if she refused to obey.
“One of the accused snatched her phone and the other took her bag which contained N30,000 and took to their heels, then the complainant raised an alarm.
“Some good Samaritans gave them a hot chase but only the accused was arrested, while his accomplices escaped with the phone and money,” he said.
The offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 285 provides a three-year imprisonment for offenders.
The accused pleaded innocence of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The Magistrate, Mrs O.A. Gbajumo, adjourned the case to Oct. 19 for mention. (NAN)
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Controlled by Dele Akinsola & edited by Razak Owolabi

Recession: Gowon urges Nigerians to support FG
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Support
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) Gen. Yakubu Gowon, a former Nigeria Head of State, has called on all Nigerians to support the Federal Government in its efforts aimed at addressing the current economic recession in the country.

Gowon, Chairman of the “Nigeria Prays’,’ made the call when he briefed newsmen at the unveiling of its 20th Anniversary in Abuja on Tuesday.

He expressed optimism in the ability of the present administration to take the country out of its numerous challenges, saying the problems that led to recession had lingered for years coupled with the current drop in the nation’s oil revenue profile.

According to him, things are not achieved overnight; we have missed out in some of these things over the years that is why industries in the country are not able to meet up.

“Let us join heads and cooperate with the government so that something can be done about it; that is why the country needs continuous and fervent prayers as well.

“The government should consult advices within and outside the government who can deal with the problems. We are at this level because of the political, economic, security problems and other problems that surround the country.’’

Gowon explained that the aims of Nigeria Prays was to promote the virtues of patriotism, transparency, and incorruptibility in leadership and governance in the entire citizenry of the nation.

He added that the organisation would provide opportunity for any Nigerian irrespective of denominational affiliation to be involved in the mission of birthing a new nation through prayers.

The former head of state explained that the anniversary would afford Nigerians an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the past, present and future of the nation politically, socially, economically and spiritually.

“Prayer can solve problems better and more permanent than generals and soldiers can do with physical weapons for war. I have no doubt in my mind that God will honour our collective prayer and intercession for our dear nation,’’ Gowon said.

On the recent arrest of judges by the DSS, Gowon appealed to the government to ensure that security agencies operate within the ambit of law and respect the fundamental rights of all citizens.

Gowon added that nobody could be arrested outside the precepts of the law. (NAN)
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Edited by Felix Nwadioha

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Landlord
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) For allegedly beating a landlord to a pulp for preventing him from committing murder, Sunday Ugah, was on Tuesday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

Ugah, 29, who is unemployed and resides at Iju-Ifako area of Lagos, is facing charges of breach of the peace, willful damage to property and assault.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Yomi Egunjobi told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept.7  at Agege, a Lagos suburb.
He said  the accused assaulted a landlord,  Mr Musiliu Lawal, by tearing his clothes and beating him until he became unconscious.

Egunjobi said  the complainant was beaten because he intervened when the accused wanted to kill his sister.
“The accused went to his elder sister’s shop to ask for N2,000 but his sister refused; he descended on her and dealt her several blows on the face and body.

“When he was not satisfied with the beating, he picked a broken bottle threatening to stab her to death if the money was not given to him.

“The sister took to her heels and ran into the complainant’s house for her dear life, but the accused pursued her.

“When the complainant saw the accused was running towards his building with a bottle, he locked the entrance door to prevent him from entering.

“When the accused got to the door and discovered that it was locked, he damaged the door and broke into the house but could not find his sister.
“He approached the complainant, tore his clothes to pieces and beat him up until the complainant was unconscious,” the prosecutor said.

The offences contravened Sections 166, 171 and 348 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 171 and 348 provide  a three-year imprisonment for offenders.

The accused pleaded innocence of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mrs M.O. Oshibajo, adjourned the case to Nov. 29 for mention. (NAN)
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Controlled by Dele Akinsola & edited by Bayo Sekoni

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Sport
By Idris Olukoya
Lagos, Oct.11, 2016 (NAN) The Chairman of Friends of Rugby Football, Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu, has appealed to the Federal Government to give equal attention to all sport disciplines to enable them to thrive.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that the ultimate aim was to create a variety for sport lovers.

The rugby enthusiast added that even though the average Nigerian was more conversant with soccer, there were other sports that are equally interesting.

Mbagwu, who is the Managing Director, CMB Building, Maintenance and Investment Company Ltd., said that there was need for government to play a “fatherly’’ role.

“The Lagos State Government has been supporting the game for some years now; but it will need the involvement of the Federal Government to take the sport beyond its current level.

“I know that if government shows more commitment and interest in the game, it will become more popular than it is now,’’ he said.

The chairman applauded the Lagos State Government’s support for the successful hosting of the 2016 Independence Rugby 7s Tournament.

He said the tournament was an annual event organised by CMB Building, Maintenance and Investment Company Ltd, Friends of Rugby and Lagos State Government.

He expressed satisfaction with the successful hosting of this year’s competition and added that the 2017 edition would be better.

Mbagwu also thanked the teams that participated in the 2016 event, and congratulated the winner; Samurai Bulldogs.

Meanwhile, Mr Deji Tinubu, the Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission, has expressed the state government’s commitment to the promotion of sports in the state.

He told NAN that the goal was to create a sport culture to make Lagos a sports hub in Africa.

“Our support and participation in the 2016 Independence Rugby 7s event is in line with the state’s government objective for supporting sporting events in the city,’’ Tinubu said. (NAN)
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

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Collaboration
By Kate Obande
Abuja, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government has solicited for more collaboration with development partners to improve girl-child education in Nigeria.

Mrs Anne Okonkwo, Director, Basic and Secondary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at an event to mark the 2016 International Day of the Girl-Child.

The event with the theme: “Girls Progress Equals Goals Progress, a global girl data movement’’ was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All and National Centre for Women Development.

Okonkwo, who was represented by Mrs Loretta Ogbobilea, Deputy Director in the ministry, said that such collaboration would ensure harmonisation of intervention programmes and enhance development.

“I urge development partners’ and Non-Governmental Organisations, who are involved in alleviating the plights of the girl-child in Nigeria to collaborate with the ministry to harmonise all the interventions with regards to girl-child education in Nigeria.

“The FG through the ministry has been working assiduously to ensure that every Nigerian child, particularly girls, have access to basic education, retention, completion and transition to higher educational levels,’’ she said.

The director said the ministry had been partnering with UNICEF since 2003 to promote girls education through its Strategies for the Acceleration of Girls Education in Nigeria programme.

Okonwko expressed hope that the theme of the event would stimulate enthusiasm among stakeholder across the globe to invest more on girls in all areas of life.

She explained that such investment would enable the girl-child harness her talent for sustainable living and contribute to national development.

Prof. Abba Haladu, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Mass Literacy (NMEC), urged stakeholders to come together to highlight, discuss and take action to advance rights and opportunities for girls in the society.

He said that the day was meant to promote human rights of girls, highlight gender inequalities between boys and girls and address the various forms of discrimination and abuse suffered by girls.

“It is necessary for us the stakeholders to build a consensus on the need to pay more attention to girls as a way of closing gender gaps in education.

“Girls need to be empowered to lead campaign for themselves by themselves.

“Therefore we need to begin to build future leaders in them by empowering them with information and knowledge that will create self confidence in them,’’ he said.

Haladu said that the commission had keyed into the Girl-for-Girl initiative of UNICEF which would assist in the fight against illiteracy in Nigeria. (NAN)

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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Archibong Asuquo

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Policy

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Lagos, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) on Tuesday said that the country would get out of recession with sound fiscal and monetary policy, innovation and development of all value chains.

Mr Yomi Adeyemi, the Managing Director, Fortress Capital Limited, expressed the view at a news conference in Lagos to unveil the institute’s 20th Stockbrokers Annual Conference.

Adeyemi is the chairman organising committee of the conference.

He said that sound fiscal and monetary policy, innovation and development of all value chains were necessary to revamp Nigeria’s economy from its current recessionary status.

Adeyemi said that all the stakeholders needed to work together for the growth and development of the economy.

He said that the institute’s 20th annual conference, in line with the present realities, would centre on “Building New Pillars, Creating New Values for Sustainable Development”.

Adeyemi said that the conference was coming at a period when all hands were on deck to address the challenges facing the nation’s economy and the effects on the capital market.

He said that the theme of the conference was based on the compelling need to strengthen the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy, of which the capital market was the hub of medium and long-term source of finance.

Adeyemi said that the conference was coming at “this critical stage of the Nigeria’s economy which is in dire need of double digit growth.”

He described the annual conference as a strategic forum to articulate issues that can move the Nigerian capital market and indeed the financial market forward.

“The conference is strategically packaged to provide a platform for aggregating robust ideas aimed at creating a sustainable development and reinforcing investor confidence in our capital market,” he said.

Adeyemi said that the 2016 conference would attract finance and industry experts who were expected to discuss the theme from various perspectives and proffer workable solutions.

He said that the forum would attract top government delegates, captains of industries in both the private and public sectors and capital market regulators, operators and investors.

“An important segment of the conference is the induction of our Associate members and Conferment of Fellowship to deserving members,” Adeyemi said.

Also speaking, Mrs Lilian Olubi, the Chief Executive Officer, Primera Africa Securities Limited, said that the country needed to diversify to achieve meaningful growth and development.

“Nigeria cannot rely again on one pillar, which is oil, but needs to explore other opportunities offered by the capital market, agriculture and solid minerals, among others, to develop the economy,” Olubi said.

She said that good leadership qualities were paramount to achieve the needed growth and development.

Some of the expected speakers at the event coming up on Oct. 27 and 28 in Lagos are Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President of Nigeria; Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor, and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of Nigeria.

Others are General Ibrahim Babangida, a former President of Nigeria; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria; Sen. Bola Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State; Mr Peter Obi, former Governor, Anambra State, and Mrs Kemi Adeosun, Finance Minister. (NAN)
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Edited by Adeboye Ajayi and controlled by Oluwole Sogunle

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Driver
By Chinyere Omeire
Lagos, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) A driver, Friday Pius, and a security guard, Samson Andrew,  who allegedly stole their employer’s N3.6 million at his Victoria Island house, were on Tuesday docked at an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Both Pius, 27, and Andrew, 22, whose addresses were not given, are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The duo denied the charge and was granted N500, 000 bail each with two sureties each in like sum.

Magistrate Mrs A. T.  Omeyele, who gave the ruling, also granted them two sureties each in like sum.

She said the sureties must be gainfully employed and that their addresses should verified.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Cyriacus Osuji,  had told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 20 at Prudential Estate, Aremu Adesegun Street, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said  the accused conspired and stole N3.6 million belonging to their employer (names withheld).

Osuji alleged that the accused broke into the bedroom of their employer where the money was kept and stole it.

The offences violated Sections 285 (7) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The duo, however, denied the charges.

The case was adjourned to Oct. 25 for mention. (NAN)
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Dele Akinsola

Court jails applicant for house breaking, theft

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Jail
By Ugochi Ugochukwu

Abuja, Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Tuesday sentenced a 22-year-old applicant, Okoye Udemueze, to five months imprisonment for house breaking and theft.

Udemueze, who resides at Gwina village, Abuja, was arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal trespass, house breaking and theft, offences he admitted committing.

Senior Judge Abubakar Sadiq , however, gave the convict N20, 000 option of fine.

Sadid said that the punishment would have been more severe if he had not pleaded guilty, and saved the court the pains of prolonged prosecution.

He warned him against taking to crimes again.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Dalhatu Zannah, had told the court that on Oct. 7, one Oluwakemi Makin of Abrahim Plaza Utako reported the matter at the Utako Police Station.

Zannah told the court that the convict criminally went into the complainant’s office at 3rd floor of Abrahim Plaza Utako at about 2.30 a.m.

He said that the convict broke the iron burglary of Makin’s office and gained entry into the office with intention to steal.

He said that the convict was apprehended and handed over to the police

Zannah said that during police investigation and interrogation, the convict admitted committing the offence.

The prosecuting counsel said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 342, 347 and 288 of the Penal Code.

Following the plea of the convict, the prosecutor prayed the court to try him summarily under Section 347 of the Administration of Criminal Justices Act, 2015. (NAN)
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Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Obike Ukoh

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Commission unveils roadmap to enhance civil military relationship
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Relationship
By Edith Nwapi
Abuja, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The National Human Rights Commission has unveiled a roadmap that will address the challenges and gaps in Civil Military Relationships (CMR).

Prof. Ben Angwe, NHRC Executive Secretary, made this known at the presentation of the Roadmap for fostering civil military relations in Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday.

The commission organised the programmed in collaboration with the Centre for Law Enforcement Education in Nigeria (CLEEN) and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Angwe said this was the first of such efforts in enhancing CMR.

“The roadmap addresses certain challenges and gaps in civil military relationship and lays a good foundation for a sustained synergy and understanding between the military and the civil population.

“In the past, the CMR in Nigeria has been quite appalling, however, there has been significant departure from the old norm, and this road map intends to develop and build upon the robust civil military relations in the country” he said.

He said that efforts are being made by the Nigerian Army to observe and respect human rights in its operations and interaction with the civil populace.

He said that this road map is a relationship between the civil societies on one part and the military and other paramilitary out fits on the other.

Also, Mr Benson Olugbuo, CLEEN Executive Director, said the major aim behind the project was to bridge the gap in relationship between civilians and security agencies.

He said the project could not come at any other time than now when the developments in the polity today continue to strain the relationship between Nigerians and the security agencies.

The Chief of Army staff, Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, represented by Maj.-Gen. Richard Duru, Director Civil Military Relations, said that the commission had in recent time’s strengthened civil military relations.

Bruatai said this was done by fostering sustained dialogue and improves accountability, security and human rights throughout Nigeria.

He said it would not be out of place to say that the Nigerian Army owes its new found positive and favourable image to the positive reviews and recommendations received from the commission.  (NAN)
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Edited by Felix Nwadioha