Blog

NAN-S-6
Tennis
By Franklin Ohaegbu
Lagos, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than 109 players from 39 countries, including Nigeria are to participate in the 16th edition of the Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship, billed for Oct. 8 to Oct. 22.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championship is scheduled to hold at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club in Onikan.

According to the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the players will jostle for the $100,000 prize money and the Association of Tennis Players (ATP) points in a two-part tournament.

They would also compete for honours in the singles and doubles events of both the men and women’s categories.

Interestingly, this year’s competition will see the return of some former champions of the Governor’s Cup to the city of Lagos.

Top on the list is Enrique Lopez-Perez from Spain, who won the two legs of the tournament in 2012.

Ranked number 174 in the world, the Spanish star is the top seed in the men’s singles this year.

Also to feature is Boy Westerhof of the Netherlands, who won the competition in 2007 and was men’s doubles winner in 2010 edition. He is currently ranked number 313.

Egyptian Karim-Mohamed Mohamed, Duncan Mugabe of Uganda and Mark Fynn of Zimbabwe are some of the old faces to play in the pro-circuit event.

For the first time in the history of the game, Nigeria’s Christian Paul with ATP rank, 1,290, is listed in the main draws of the first leg of the tournament.

Other Nigerian players, who would play preliminaries to the main draws in the qualifying matches – except the wildcards from the ITF, include Sylvester Emmanuel, Moses Michael, Umar Balami and Albert Bisong.

Joseph Ubon, Mohammed Mohammed, Edward Christopher, Adimabua Iyorovbe, Francis Aleji, Emmanuel Ikakah and Ilechukwu Iloputa would also have the chance to fight their ways to the main draws.

In the women’s event, 2013 and 2015 champion, Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia ranked 239, would stage a comeback to Lagos.

She would be joined by regular faces such as Conny Perrin of Switzerland, semi-finalist in last year’s event.

Perrin, who is ranked, 233 is the top seed in the women’s singles.

Others are American Alexandra Riley, Indian Prathana Thombare, a quarter finalist in 2015, Ester Masuri and Keren Shlomo, both from Israel as well as Valeria Bhunu of Zimbabwe.

Melissa Ifidzen is the highest ranked Nigerian lady with 1,029 in the world, while other local ladies listed by the ITF, include Osariemen Airhunmwunde, US-based Omolola Oredugba and Patience Onebamhion.

Also, Loveth Donatus, Ronke Akingbade, Aminat Quadri, Sarah Adegoke, Aanu Ayegbusi and Christie Nwankwo would be competing.

The Secretary of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Gloria Ekwempu, said that Lagos was ready for the competition.

“All necessary preparations to host the array of foreign stars coming to Lagos for the tourney have been put in place.

“We’ll ensure that visas procurement of the players were easy at our various embassies across the world. We are ready to welcome the world stars to Lagos.

“On the part of our local players, they have been informed.

“As usual, their registrations have to be done online on the website of the ITF where they will pay necessary fees and all other documentations.

“We will be working with the Local Organising Committee to ensure that we stage a memorable 16th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship this year,” Ekwempu said.

The scribe said that the technical committee of the federation would soon meet to decide who gets the wildcards for the main draws of this year’s competition among the Nigerian players. (NAN)
FOE/ENN/SN
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu, controlled by Silas Nwoha)

NAN-H-15

Cult

By Teniola Ibitola

Lagos, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) A 20-year-old barber, Dada Mogaji, on Tuesday appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos over alleged involvement in cult activities and constituting a public nuisance.

Mogaji is facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, belonging and managing a secret cult and conducting himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.

He, however, denied the charges preferred against him.

But the prosecutor, Insp. Julius Babatope, said the accused with others still at large committed the offences on July 17 at about 9.15 p.m. at Solamade Street, Ikorodu in Lagos State.

He also told the court that the accused belonged to and managed an unlawful society known as “Aiye Confraternity” and had been disturbing the peace of the community.

“The police had been on the trail of the accused and was quickly apprehended and identified with the various tattoo of the Aiye symbol on his hands.”

The offences contravened Sections 41, 42(9), 166(d) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2011.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, pleaded with the court to grant bail him bail on liberal terms.

Ruling on the bail application of the accused, the Magistrate, Mrs Helen Omisore, admitted Mogaji to a bail of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum, one of who must be a blood relation of the accused.

Further hearing has been fixed for Oct. 19. (NAN)
OAT/DUA/DA
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Edited by Dada Ahmed & controlled by Dele Akinsola

Ondo 2016: INEC urges stakeholders to ensure reduction of void votes

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Appeal

By Ayodeji Alabi

Akure, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) Mr Olusegun Agbaje, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ondo State, on Tuesday, advised stakeholders to ensure reduction of void votes in the forthcoming governorship election.

Agbaje made the appeal during an Implementation meeting on voter education in Akure toward the Ondo 2016 governorship election.

He urged the stakeholders to educate people in their areas on the proper ways to cast votes in order to make them valid.

“All stakeholders must play their roles in ensuring that the number of void votes were drastically reduced in the forthcoming election.

“We don’t want to experience what happened in Edo State as regards the high number of voided votes hence this stakeholders meeting to sensitise the people on the need to avoid such’’, he said.

The REC further appealed to eligible voters to come out en masse and exercise their civic rights, saying that there was assurance of adequate security from security agencies.

According to him, INEC will not be biased and their votes would count.

“There is no need for violence in this forthcoming election because inconclusive elections emanate from violence’’, he said.

Earlier, Mr Bode Famose, Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ondo State, expressed optimism for a violence free governorship election.

He enjoined all residents of the state to cast their votes and advocated for voters enlightenment to reduce voided votes.

Also, Mr Oluwole Osaze, Director of Voters Education, INEC headquarters, Abuja, said democracy was about participation and if one refuses to participate, he or she didn’t have any moral rights to question the government of the day.

According to him, votes are capable of voting a government out of power. (NAN)
AYO/COO/IEA
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Idahosa Asowata

Stakeholders brainstorm on improved garri revolution in Nigeria

NAN-AE-2
Garri
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Oct.4, 2016 (NAN) Local and international stakeholders in agriculture are brainstorming at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, on roadmap to efficient garri production in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme titled ‘garri revolution workshop roadmap to an efficient and equitable garri processing system’, began on Tuesday and would end on Oct. 6.

The workshop featured representatives from Global Cassava Partnership, IITA, Natural Resources Institute, Research Programme on Roots, Tubers and Banana (RTB), among others.

The Director of Research Programme on RTB, Dr Graham Thiele, said the purpose of the workshop was to identify strategies to greatly improve garri processing in quantity, quality and livelihood of those involved.

He said it would build on the process of results based management led by RTB with IITA and other partners for small and medium scale cassava processing in Nigeria.

“The objectives of the workshop are to identify key trends in demand for garri, describe current state of knowledge and critical gaps in garri processing.

“Prepare draft roadmap for next steps to improve gari processing and livelihoods, identify elements of a multi-institutional R&D project to put the roadmap at work in the real world.

“We need to bring together a lot of people to brainstorm on how to improve garri production; we have seen a lot of inefficiencies and wastage in the course of the production.

“We want to see how we can improve the technology in terms of garri frying, milling, etc and enhance them.

“We saw the need to improve the hygiene, environment, safety and make cassava wastes, peels to wealth, because the peels can be used for high quality livestock feed,” Thiele said.

He further emphasised that the strategy for an efficient and equitable garri processing system would also be extended to other countries, especially in Africa. (NAN)
CC/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

APC chieftain dares Gov. Bindow on threat to indict Nyako

NAN-H-35

APC

Yola, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) A chieftain of the Adamawa chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Abu Dan-Arewa, on Tuesday dismissed threats by Gov. Umar Bindow to indict former governor Murtala Nyako.

Dan-Arewa said the governors was only playing to the gallery as the former governor had no case to answer.

The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that Bindow had recently threatened to ratify the white paper on the report of a judicial commission which investigated the administration of the former governor.

The governor told members of his potical support group, Team Bindow, that the government may release the white paper if Nyako’s supporters continue their alleged sabotage of his administration.

Dan-Arewa claimed that the Justice Bobboi Umar Judicial Panel of Inquiry, set up by former acting governor, Umaru Fintiri did not complete its assignment.

“It is an empty threat because there is nothing like white paper as the said panel did not complete it’s assignment.”

Dan-Arewa said Fintiri, who set up the panel was removed from office by an Abuja High Court.

“Gov. Bala Ngilari who took over from Fintiri snubbed the panel, while the judgement of the Federal Court of Appeal, Yola Division on Nyako’s impeachment delivered in February this year declared Nyako’s impeachment as null and void and of no effect.

“Meaning, Fintiri’s administration which set up the panel does not exist by law.

“If Gov. Bindow wants any white paper to sign, he needs to set up another panel to probe Nyako, ” he stressed.

He cautioned Bindow against heating up the state, adding that the formation of the political support group by the governor was an attempt to commence campaign ahead of 2019.(NAN)
YMU/MZA

Edited and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-H-13
Assault
Lagos , Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) A 19-year-old employee, John Edward , was on Tuesday arraigned in Lagos for beating up his employer over delay in the payment of salary.
The accused, whose address was not stated in court, is facing a four-count charge bordering on assault, conspiracy and malicious damage before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
The Prosecutor, Mr Ishola Samuel, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 1 at Olusoji Idowu St. Ilupeju, Lagos.
Samuel said the accused conspired with others still at large and assaulted their employer, Solomon David, over delay in the payment of their salaries.
“The accused used dangerous weapons such as iron rod and stick to inflict injuries on the complainant,’’ the prosecutor said.
According to him, the accused and his collaborators also destroyed a telephone handset worth N7,000 and tore their employer’s shirt, valued at N10, 000.
Samuel said that the offences contravened Sections 410, 171 and 337 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Miss A .R Onilogbo, granted the accused N50,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned to Nov. 1, for hearing. (NAN)
IZU/WOJ
(Edited and controlled by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-12
Remand
By Elusogbon Dorcas
Ile-Ife (Osun), Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) An Osun Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ile-Ife on Tuesday remanded two family members,  Adewumi Ademiluyi, 40, and Adebunmi Ademiluyi, 33, for allegedly destroying property worth N9 million naira.

Chief Magistrate Olalekan Ijiyode remanded the accused in prison custody pending ruling on their bail applications.

The accused were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, malicious damage and wilful destruction.

They, however, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Insp. Monday Ojiezele, had told the court that the accused committed the offences in June 2015 at around 10.00 a.m., at Osi-Okero village, near Ile-Ife.

Ojiezele said the accused conspired to commit felony to wit: stealing, malicious damage, forceful entry and wilful destruction.

He said the accused forcefully entered into the farmland of one Adefioye Ademiluyi and one Adewale Ademiluyi, and damaged their cocoa, palm and kolanut trees, valued at N9 million naira.

According to him, the accused stole the cash crops and threatened the lives of Adewale and Adefioye with dangerous weapons.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Niyi Kosile, urged the court to grant them bail.

The case was adjourned till Oct. 20, for hearing. (NAN)
EDA/FLP/SOA
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye and Controlled by Oluwole Sogunle

Borno Governor’s wife launches fight against malnutrition in IDPs camps

NAN -DS-3
Feeding
Maiduguri, Oct.4, 2016(NAN) Hajja Nana Shettima, Wife of Borno Governor, on Tuesday launched enhanced feeding for children in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state, as part of efforts to fight malnutrition and ensure protection of child rights.

Shettima launched the exercise at a ceremony in Dalori IDPs camp in Maiduguri.

She said that the objective of the programme was to safeguard the future of the children.

“We are here basically to kick-start the provision of enhanced feeding, especially among children in all IDPs camps in the state.

” Our target is to ensure that the children are fed with balanced diet to prevent malnutrition, ” she said.
She said the exercise followed last month’s visit of the Senate Committee on Women and Children Affairs to the state.

“The committee was disturbed by the condition of the children at the IDPs camps and donated N2 million for provision of enhanced feeding in the camps.

” We are here to supervise the exercise and to ensure that the children are well fed, ” the governor’s wife said.
She commended those in charge of the cooking for a job well done.

” I am really happy with what I have seen here, I want to thank those in charge of the cooking for doing a good job.

“We are going to visit all the nine IDPs camps in Maiduguri to ensure that the practice is enforced,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor’s wife also took time to serve the children beans meal in some of the camps.(NAN)
ABI/AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-11
Jewellery
By Teniola Ibitola
Lagos, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) A housekeeper, Bose Vitawan, who allegedly bolted away with her employer’s jewellery valued at N13 million, was on Tuesday brought before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The accused, 24, is being tried for a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing to which he pleaded innocence.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Daniel Ighodalo said the accused with others at large committed the offences on Sept. 2 at No. 307, Banana Island, Lagos.
He alleged that the accused bolted with the following items — 18 pieces of gold watches, 15 pieces of gold rings, 10 sets of gold necklace and earrings and 10 costume beads, all valued at N3 million belonging to her employer.
The offences, he noted, contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
The Chief Magistrate, Miss Abimbola Awogboro, admitted her to a bail of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that section 285 prescribes a three-year jail term, while Section 409 provides two years for offenders.
Further hearing has been fixed for  Nov. 9. (NAN)
OAT/DA
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Edited & controlled by Dele Akinsola