Blog

NAN-H-26
Women
By Martha Agas
Jos, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) A non-governmental organisation, Bege Foundation, on Wednesday said it has trained 200 women on various vocational skills as part of its efforts to eradicate poverty in Plateau.

Mrs Blessing Ogbodo, the organisation’s Programme Director, made this known at a two-day capacity building workshop organised for media practitioners in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop is on constructive reportage and eradication of hate speeches.

Ogbodo said that the beneficiaries were trained on beads making, catering services, tailoring, among others.

She explained that activities of the foundation centred on wellbeing of the vulnerable groups and communities in the state.

According to her, the NGO also provides machinery for them to establish their businesses.

The programme director said that the NGO had trained another 180 people on human rights monitoring and documentation.

Ogbodo said that the training of media practitioners was financed by Nexus Fund to strengthen and consolidate the peaceful co-existence in the state.

“The training is aimed at ensuring adherence to standard media practice, constructive and professional reporting geared toward dissemination of information, promotion of peace and non-violence in the society,’’ she said.

In his remarks, Mr Yakubu Taddy, the chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau chapter, expressed concern over the public wrong perception about media practitioners.

Taddy said that any media practitioner found using hate speeches to instigate riots, mob action and violence should be reported to
the union for appropriate disciplinary
action. (NAN)
MAA/AIB/GOK
(Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)
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By Ayodeji Alabi

NAN-H-59

Election

Akure, Oct.5, 2016 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo state on Wednesday, said it had distributed a total of 1,201,073 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to registered voters in the state.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, made this known at a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure.

He said that 344,006 PVCs were yet to be collected and urged those yet to collect theirs to do so while distribution continued.

“It is important to stress at this juncture that only the PVCs would be used to vote during the governorship poll, while the smart card readers would be used for accreditation of voters,’’ Agbaje said.

He added that selling of PVCs or manipulation of the card was a grievous offence punishable under the law with fines and/or prison term.

The REC urged the electorate in the state to have confidence in INEC, assuring that the commission would remain unbiased, neutral and fair to all.

In his remarks, Mr Fatai Adams, Deputy Chairman, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, said that politicians had become more aware that violence did not count.

Adams advised politicians to play the game according to the rules to ensure peace in the state during the election.

Similarly, Chairman of KOWA Party in the state, Mr Olanrewaju Atanlogun, urged INEC to tackle the inadequacy of polling units to ensure that no one was disenfranchised.

Atanlogun, who is also the Deputy Chairman, Conference of National Political Parties (CNPP) in the state, added that INEC should also look into the security situation in the riverside areas of the state.

On her part, Alhaja Rafat Momoh, Chairperson, Humanitarian Activities Department of Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Ondo state chapter, appealed to parents to check their children’s involvement in the election.

According to her, the children of politicians are in other locations enjoying themselves, while other people’s children are used for violence. (NAN)

AYO/AAB/OPI

Edited By Adeboye Ajayi and controlled by Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-H-58

Saraki

By Martins Odeh

Abuja, Oct.5, 2016 (NAN) The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Wednesday dismissed an application filed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, asking the chairman of the tribunal to disqualify himself from participating in his trial.

Giving the ruling, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Mr Danladi Umar, said: “I am completely surprised that the defendant applicant filed a motion asking me to disqualify myself from adjudicating in this matter.

“The applicant has drawn an inference from media report that I made a statement intended to prejudice the process.

“Nevertheless, we shall not be distracted but show courage to perform our duties as judicial officials in this temple of justice.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN), counsel to Saraki, had in the application accused Umar of making remarks that portrayed bias against his client.

The chairman on June 7 while expressing his displeasure at the delay tactics employed by Saraki’s legal team warned that the delay strategy would not reduce the consequences of  Saraki’s action.

At the hearing of the application on June 21, Agabi argued that Umar’s statement gave the direction that his client would be found guilty thereby exposed to “consequences.”

In a counter argument, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the prosecution counsel, said Agabi interpreted the tribunal chairman’s remarks out of context and described the motion was unwarranted and should be dismissed.

Umar, however, said:“ I would have disqualified myself  but for the constraints placed on me by the 1999 Constitution that established the Code of Conduct Tribunal.’’

He said the application to disqualify the chairman of the tribunal was not been contemplated by the Constitution.

“Even for the president to remove the chairman or a member of the tribunal, there must be a written address to the National Assembly and a two-third consent from both chambers of the legislature.

“This is so because the tribunal is not like the Federal High Court or the Industrial Court with many judges.

“ The strength of this tribunal is built around the chairman and so if I disqualify myself from this trial, it means the applicant’s trial would have been aborted,’’ Umar said.

The chairman said: “the allegation by the applicant is based on mere conjecture of the media and not well founded. The motion is hereby dismissed’’.

The chairman thereafter adjourned the trial between Nov.7 and Nov.8.

NAN recalls that Saraki is standing trial before the tribunal over false declaration of assets.

The president of the Senate has challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal over the matter up to the Supreme Court but lost.  (NAN)

OMO/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-H-21
Registration
Dutse, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) The Jigawa Board of Internal Revenue has advised vehicles owners in the state to renew registration of their vehicles in time to avoid embarrassment.

Alhaji Salisu Sani, the Coordinator of Road Taxes in the board, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Wednesday.

Sani said that the board would not tolerate delayed vehicle registration because of its negative impact on revenue generation of the state.

According to him, the board will soon collaborate with relevant stakeholders to set up a special team to arrest vehicles with expired licences.

Sani said that the team to be known as ‘Operation Show Your Particulars’ would comprise the police, Federal Road Safety Corps, vigilance groups and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

He told NAN that there would also be a mobile court to try defaulters.

Sani said that timely renewal of registration of light and heavy vehicles would make vehicle licensing simple.

He added that timely registration renewal would help in the protection of lives and property of motorists and other road users in the state as well as ease transportation.

According to him, the agency has put in place a mechanism to remind each motorist to renew registration of his or her vehicle two weeks before the expiry date.

Sani said that the agency had also put measures in place to ease processing of vehicle licences by establishing area offices in seven local government areas of the state.

The local government areas include Jahun, Gwaram, Birninkudu, Babura, Birniwa and Malammadori.

He said that the area offices would serve as centres offering registration services.

“The agency is targeting a considerable number of vehicle owners who do not bother to renew registration of vehicles on time, thus risking their lives and the lives of other road users by this wrongful practice.

“The agency is also seeking to improve the quality of service offered to motorists through timely vehicle registration,” he said. (NAN)

MNB/AAB/IGO
(Edited By Adeboye Ajayi and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

4 ships laden with petrol waiting to discharge in Lagos ports
NAN-H-25
By Aisha Cole.

Ships

Lagos, Oct. 05, 2016 (NAN) Four ships laden with petrol were waiting to discharge in Lagos ports, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) publication, “Shipping Position’’ said on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes the publication as saying that three other ships with bulk fertiliser, general cargo and containerised goods were waiting to berth at the ports.
According to the NPA, 25 ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive at Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos from Oct. 5 to Oct. 17.
The NPA explained that the expected ships contained bulk wheat, bulk sugar, containers, base oil, frozen fish, steel products, frozen fish, bulk charcoal, crude palm olein, bulk fertiliser and petrol.
NAN reports that 15 other ships are at the ports discharging general cargoes, bulk wheat, bull yellow corn, empty container, bulk gypsum, frozen fish, bulk charcoal, and butane. (NAN)
AIC/WOJ
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(Edited and controlled by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-22
Lawyer
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) A 45-year-old man, Eloho Ekene, who allegedly assaulted a lawyer and destroyed his property worth N2.7 million, was on Wednesday, charged before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court sitting at Igbosere on the island.

The accused, who resides at 147A, Ogunlana Drive in Surulere area of Lagos, was docked before a Magistrate, Mrs Joy Ugbomoiko.

Ekene is standing trial on a two-count charge of assault and unlawful damage.

The prosecutor, ASP Eshiet Eshiet told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 27 at 1.00 p.m.

“The accused assaulted a lawyer, Mr Ben Ibeke, during a misunderstanding, and also beat him up.

“He damaged property of the lawyer, including chairs, tables, books and other equipment valued at N2.7 million.

The offences contravened the provisions of Sections 170 and 348 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Earlier, when the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.

The magistrate granted him bail on self-recognition ‎after his lawyer informed the court that the accused resided at the venue of the incident.

The prosecutor, however, did not object to the bail application.

The case has been adjourned to Oct.17 for mention. (NAN)
UNS/AAB/DA
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Controlled by Dele Akinsola & edited by Adeboye Ajayi

NAN-H-55
Cases
Kano, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Abubakar Umar, Coordinator of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria in Kano State, says the council receives 30 criminal and civil cases in the month of September.

Umar told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kano that of the total number of cases received, 14 were criminal cases, while 16 were civil.

According to him, the council had resolved 17 civil cases and 12 criminal cases while others are still ongoing in courts.

He further said that some complainants preferred to resolve their cases without going to court.

The coordinator explained that some of the major challenges the council were facing include lack of fund and operational vehicles.

Umar said that the council offered free services and advices to those who could not afford to pay for legal services.

According to him, most of the civil cases are on inheritance, marriage, debt recovery and land disputes among others. (NAN)

BO/MO/MTM

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Edited by Morayo Omolade/controlled by Tukur Muntari.

ECOWAS Court adjourns Kanu’s case till Nov. 8

NAN-H-54
Kanu
By Temitope Ponle
Abuja, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has adjourned Nnamdi Kanu’s alleged fundamental human rights breach case against the Federal Government till Nov. 8.

The presiding judge, Justice Micah Wright, adjourned the case on Wednesday for definite hearing following an application by the defendant.

Wright, however, declined the request for cost by the applicant.

The Federal Government, who was absent, had written to the court to adjourn the case because it had conflicting case in another court.

But , Counsel to the plaintiff, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, opposed the application for adjournment and requested for a cost of one million naira.

Kanu, a Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra,  sued the Federal Government for alleged illegal detention.

Joined in the suit were the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Director-General of Department of State Service (DSS).

Kanu, in the suit, is asking for a compensation of 800 million dollars for the violation of his human rights and an order directing his unconditional release and that of his personal belongings.

He also urged the court to direct the defendants to respect, protect and promote his rights to life, liberty, freedom of movement, assembly and expression.

The plaintiff prayed the court to declare that his arrest and detention since Oct. 14, 2015 by the defendant was in flagrant disobedience to several orders of courts of competent jurisdiction.

He also prayed the court to declare that his continued detention was a violation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the United Nations Charter of 1970. (NAN)
TOP/OFN

NAN-HE-12
Reactivation
Kano, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) Mr Aminu Aliyu, Managing Director of Kano State Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA), says the state government has reactivated asphalt and quarry plants in Kano to demonstrate its commitment to road development.

Aliyu said in a statement in Kano on Wednesday that the reactivation of the companies would also accelerate socio-economic development of the state.

He said that the two plants, being supervised by the state Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport in the past, had now been transferred to KARMA for effective operation.

According to him, the plants will be producing asphalt and stones for civil engineering companies in the state.

Aliyu said the measure would enhance the revenue generation of the state and provide job opportunities for youths.

The managing director, therefore, expressed appreciation to the ministry of works and housing for its commitments to road development.

He pledged to revamp the companies and add value to road development, to achieve tremendous success.(NAN)

BO/MO/IA

(Edited by Morayo Omolade/Idris Abdulrahman)

NAN-H-53
Statistics
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,  Abuja (NAIA), recorded a total of 2.26 million passengers and 35,728 aircraft movement during the first half of 2016.

Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, FAAN’s Deputy General Manager (Corporate Affairs), stated this in the Passenger and Aircraft Movement Statistics made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Yakubu said that the figure represented both domestic and international flights of scheduled and non-scheduled arrivals as well as scheduled and non-scheduled departures into and from the airport.

A breakdown of passenger statistics showed that domestic flights had 1.7 million passengers of which 1.6 million were scheduled flights and 46,934  non-scheduled flights.

The figures further showed that 855,388 domestic passengers arrived in the airport while 821,547 passengers departed from the airport during the period under review.

International passengers stood at 528,632 with 257,773 arrivals  and 259,839 departures  on 517,606 scheduled flights and 11,020 non-scheduled flights.

A monthly breakdown of the statistics revealed that a total of 362,527 passengers travelled through NAIA in January, comprising 270,260 domestic and 92,267 international passengers.

In February, 333,215 passengers were recorded comprising 276,837 domestic and 56,378 international passengers while the month of March had 357,070 passengers comprising 281,944 domestic and 75,136 international passengers.

Furthermore, 398,002 passengers travelled through the airport in April comprising 296,514 domestic and 101,488 international passengers.

In May, a total of 404,442 passengers consisting of 302,046 domestic and 102,396 international passengers were recorded while the month of June recorded 408,378 passengers of which 304,208 were domestic flights and 104,170 international flights.

The aircraft movement for the period  also showed that there were 29,540 domestic and 6,188 international flights from the airport.

The monthly breakdown showed that 5,466 aircraft movements were recorded in the month of January, comprising 4,650 domestic and 816 international movements.

In February,  5,728 domestic and 738 international aircraft traversed the airport bringing it to a total of 6,456 movements while a total of 5,776 movements took place in March comprising 4,844 domestic and 932 international aircraft.

The figures also showed that 6,260 movements were recorded in April comprising 4,878 domestic and 1,382 international movements while in May, 6,866 movements comprising 5,236 domestic and 1,630 international were recorded.

Similarly, in the month of June, a total of 6,894 aircraft movements were recorded comprising 5,414 domestic and 1,480 international at NAIA, according to the Yakubu. (NAN)
OYS/NKO/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

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