Blog

NAN-H-81b
Prisons
By Sandra Umeh and Chinyere Omeire
Lagos, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) For the umpteenth time, the intractable problem of overcrowding in Lagos prisons came to the fore on Tuesday when the state prison authority said about 2, 358 inmates now use the Ikoyi 800-capacity facility.

The Controller, Mr Tinuoye Olumide, disclosed this during a visit by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufumilayo Atilade, to the prison built in 1955.

“There are so far 321 convicts and about 2,037 awaiting-trial inmates.

“The capacity of the prison is 800, and about three weeks ago when I came into the prison at about 1.00 a.m, I saw the way the inmates were sleeping, and honestly, I felt pity for them,” he said.

He, therefore, called for the upgrading of the four prisons in the state to enhance the living condition of inmates.

The News Agency 0f Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit is part of activities mark the commencement of a new legal year in the state.

Olumide commended the chief judge for the routine visit to the prisons which, he said, had facilitated the release of many inmates.

He urged the judiciary to continue to work tirelessly in a bid to decongest the prisons.

“I appreciate His lordship for this visit to the prison in this new legal year, and I believe that the year will yield more positive results for us all.

He added:“The inmates are not kept in the prisons as punishment, but as a correctional centre.

“If it is possible for the prisons to be upgraded, then, I honestly urge same.”

Olumide also bemoaned the number of pending cases in courts, adding that it has posed serious problem for the prison authorities as the number had been on the increase.

“Some of these cases end up pending for three to four years, and the prison authorities have little or nothing to do about it”.

Olumide said the situation had led the prison authorities to set up the “Three R” club aimed at reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration.

“When you go to the maximum prison, you find that some of the inmates on life imprisonment are not just graduates, but also undergoing their master’s degree programmes.

“This is the result of the reformation programme in the prisons,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the visit, Justice Atilade freed a total of 20 awaiting-trial inmates in exercise of her constitutional powers. (NAN)
UNS/JPE/OCC/DA
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Controlled by Dele Akinsola & edited by Joseph Edeh

NAN-HE-28

Land

By Mohammed Bababusu
Lafia, Sept.27, 2016(NAN) The Nasarawa Government has donated 50 hectares of land to the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) to fast track the construction of a 330MW power station in Lafia.

Gov.Umaru Al-makura announced this on Tuesday during an inspection of the facility in Akurba area of Lafia.

Al-makura said that the stepping down of the 330MW power line that transversed from Makurdi to Jos would provide power generation to the state and other neighbouring places like the FCT.

He said the project would boost economic activities and open up the state for industrialisation.

The governor said that by so doing, it would  create employment opportunities for the people and fight poverty in the state.

He said that his administration had made efforts in ensuring that the project became a reality.

Al-Makura therefore urged the Federal Government to speed up work for the people of the state to start benefiting from the project.

The governor also explained that the land earmarked for the project was already secured with a fence and compensation had been paid.

He called on the people of the state, especially the host community, to support the government and the NIPP to ensure that the completion of the project.

The governor re-stated his administration’s commitment to continue to key in to projects that had direct bearing on the lives of the citizens. (NAN)

BAB/DO

Edited by David Onilede/Idris Abdulrahman

NAN-HE-27

Inauguration
By Yunus Yusuf
Lagos, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Tuesday inaugurated four petrol storage tanks at Monsinmi depot in Ogun to ease product distribution and operational constraints.

Inaugurating the project, Dr Maikanti Baru, the NNPC’s Group Managing Director, said the dismantling and reconstruction of the tanks were relevant to restore strategic oil and gas infrastructure.

According to him, Mosinmi depot has been constructed in 1978 for storage and distribution of petroleum products to the western part of the country.

“ Unfortunately, tank 13 was gutted by fire in 1997 while tank 11, 12 and 22 have been in service for 23 years but their respective floating roofs collapsed at different times in 2001 and rendered them unserviceable.

“Non-usage of these decrepit tanks imposed operational constraint to product storage and distribution in the Mosinmi area in turn negatively impacted the turn-around to some product vessels at Atlas Cove jetty with concomitant huge demurrage charges to NNPC,” he said.

The GMD said that the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the tanks became necessary to restore the operational capacity of Mosinmi depot and ease product distribution in the west.

He said that the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the tanks were completed by Adano Engineering Company in September 2011 in line with the contract agreement.

He said that the project was completed on schedule in spite of the challenges posed by community restiveness, change in tariff by Nigerian Customs Service with resultant unforeseen delays and increases in duties.

“The project has come to restore the original combined storage of 87.70 million litres for the four tanks, which has also increased by 220,000 litres.

“This combined storage capacity represents over 54 per cent of the total storage capacity for petrol at Mosinmi depot and has significantly enhanced storage capacity nationwide,’’ Baru said.

The Group General Manger, Engineering and Technology Division, NNPC, Mr Farouk Sa’id, said that the project was awarded to indigenous local engineering and was satisfactorily completed.

Sa’id lauded Federal Government’s initiative towards empowering indigenous companies to strive in the engineering, oil and gas industry.

He said the project was supervised and it met the required best industry standard, adding that products would be loaded through automated machine. (NAN)
YO/AOM/IA

(By Mohammed Abdullahi/Idris Abdulrahman)

NAN-H-103
EFCC
By Emmanuel Mogbede
Abuja, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) Mr Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said on Tuesday that the cooperation of Nigerians was necessary to fight corruption in the country.

He stated this in Abuja at a workshop on economic and financial crime reporting, organised by the commission for journalists on its beat.

Magu said the workshop was designed to build the capacity of journalists covering the commission, considering the challenges they face in reporting the commission’s activities.

He said the fight against corruption was not about the commission or about an individual, but about Nigeria as a nation moving forward.

The EFCC boss, however, said that the commission was opened to constructive criticism, saying that this would make it make amends where necessary in its fight against corruption.

He said that though not all Nigerians had confidence in the commission, it would strive to succeed in exposing and convicting corrupt public office holders.

“You can`t expect everybody to key in because some people do not believe that corruption is wrong; but a greater number of Nigerians are with us and we will succeed sooner or later.

“When am wrong, please tell me because it is easier for you to correct my wrong doings.

“I want to hear the wrongs we have done so that we can correct them because we are human beings and there are no perfect human beings.’’

According to Magu, the commission is already succeeding in its fight against corruption because some form of attitudinal change is being enthroned in the country.

This, he said, was especially so because impunity and recklessness in public administration and finance were being curbed and was not as rampant as before.

Magu said that even in his acting capacity, he was determined to do more for the commission.

Mr Ibagan Isine, a Senior Editor in Premium Times and a speaker at the workshop, urged the commission to be opened to the media always.

Isine, who spoke on a topic titled: “Journalism and the fight against corruption; lessons from other lands,’’ said it was critical to avoid speculative reporting.

He stressed the need for journalists as gate keepers to investigate every aspect of the commission’s statement before publishing.

He advised journalists to also get documents to substantiate information given by a source that pleaded anonymity.

Another speaker, Mr Azu Ishiekwene, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Interview, however, said that it was unfortunate that most corrupt cases were not reported in the country.

He attributed this to lack of trust on some investigative institutions, fear of reprisal and poor remuneration of journalists when they consider what they stand to gain from corrupt persons.

Ishiekwene said there was need for the independence of anti corruption agencies to enable them gain public confidence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised for journalists from different media organisations covering the EFCC. (NAN)
EEM/DO/AFA
Edited by David Onilede/Felix Ajide
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EFCC re-arraigns ex-governor Kalu, 2 others for N3.2bn fraud
NAN-H-97
Kalu
By Wandoo Sombo
Abuja, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a former governor of Abia, Orji Kalu and two others on a 34-count amended charge bordering on fraud.

Kalu, his company, Slok Nigeria Limited and his former Commissioner for Finance, Jones Udeogo, were re-arraigned before Justice Anwuri Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday.

The defendants plea that the court should await the pending appeal by Slok before the Supreme Court failed.

Chikere had refused the defendants’ objection to their arraignment and ordered that the charge be read to them.

Kalu and others were, in the amended charge, accused of diverting about N3.2 billion from the Abia government’s treasury during Kalu’s tenure as governor.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and Chikere allowed them on bail on the terms attached to the bail granted them on April 30, 2008.

They had, eight years earlier been arraigned before Justice Adamu Bello, who is now retired.

The court adjourned the case till Dec. 6 for commencement of trial.(NAN)
WS/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-HG-10

Health

By Uchenna Ugwu

Abakaliki, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ebonyi on Tuesday declared support for the policies and programmes of the state government.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Abakaliki on Tuesday, the Coordinator of the scheme in the state, Mr Greg Azubuike, also demand the passage of the health insurance bill for legal backing.

Azubuike noted that the forum would help the stakeholders to deliberate on the challenges and prospects.

He said that with the health programme in the state, it would attain universal health coverage in a short while.

“With the health programme of the government, it will be difficult for any patient to die of common disease, which is the essence of health insurance.

“We request to have a state wide sensitisation that will attract traditional rulers with principal stakeholders in the sector and appeal to the government to pass the bill for legal backing,’’ he said.

The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Daniel Umezuruike, said Gov. David Umahi had declared a state of emergency in the health sector, having inherited rots in the sector.

He said that the state government had embarked on the renovation of
general hospitals, health centres and the six missionary hospitals in the state.

“We inherited a weak system but we are doing all we can to strengthen the primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities, including the missionary hospitals.

“The project had been funded and work has commenced in some of the facilities to ensure quality health delivery in the state and to actualise the universal health coverage,” he said.

Participants at the forum suggested proper information for accessing health services, monitoring of the system and administering proper services.

The stakeholders forum attracted federal establishments such as the police, prisons, National Identity Management Commission and health maintenance organisations. (NAN)

UVU/MVO

(Edited by Mbadiwe Okwor)

NAN-HG-9

Healthcare

By Angela Atabo

Kuchikau (Nasarawa) Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) Umaru Al-Makura, Governor of Nasarawa State on Tuesday inaugurated a Health Centre built at a cost of N20 million by the Road Safety Officers Wives Association (ROSOWA) in Kuchikau, Nasarawa State.

Al-makura, who was represented by Alhaji Mohammed Dan Azumi, the Chief of Staff of the state, said the association’s effort was in tandem with the administration’s determination towards access to healthcare.

According to him, the event is a mark of commitment by ROSOWA to enhance a healthy society and promote  sustained wellbeing of the people of the state.

He thanked the association for upholding the virtue of giving back to the society in response to its basic need.

“The action will no doubt complement efforts of this present administration aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality rate in particular and control of diseases in Nasarawa state.

“ We cannot underestimate the role Primary healthcare facilities play in our communities.

“It is for this reason that I am confident that the centre will go a long way in delivering quality healthcare for our people.

“I implore all and sundry to continue to support and show faith in the policies and programmes of this administration to provide more social amenities.’’

Al-Makura assured the association of government’s continued support; adding that government would partner with them to expand the facility to cater for more people because it was the only hospital to serve  Kuchikau community.

Earlier, Mrs Bolanle Oyeyemi, the National President of ROSOWA said the project was part of its social corporate responsibility borne out of the observation of lack of healthcare centre in the community.

Oyeyemi said the initiative was to also support their husbands as road safety corps to save lives, especially on the Keffi expressway and the community at large.

She said the centre would be replicated in the 36 states for the benefit of the general public.

According to her, the centre has three wards consisting of male, female and post natal with a mini theatre, labour room, emergency unit, laboratory and pharmacy which will operate round the clock.

Also speaking, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) commended ROSOWA’s effort towards providing healthcare facility for kuchikau community that lacked a hospital.

Oyeyemi said that the FRSC would work with the state government to ensure that the facility benefited the community and also work with the Federal Ministry of Health to enhance healthcare in the country.

“We commend ROSOWA and will continue to give them support in terms of personnel and logistics, this is the first healthcare project, and more are coming in other parts of the country.

“ROSOWA was able to raise about N20 million to construct and equip the centre and FRSC commend you for the state of the art equipment installed in the hospital.

“This befits a primary healthcare centre; so there will be no need to build another by government, there will be a resident doctor for 24 -hour services in case of emergency.

“The plan is to build health centres in the 32 states of the country to bring healthcare closer to the people; and I encourage Nasarawa Government to give the necessary support to subsidise the running cost.’’

Oyeyemi said the corps was determined to save live, adding that it was a good thing that the women had keyed into it.

He stated that the centre would also be used as an immunisation and NHIS centre.

The corps marshal said presently, FRSC had 26 roadside clinics and 37 zebra points with about 12 zonal clinics at critical locations and would continue to improve on it to assist in saving lives.

Mr Sabu Fynu, the Chief of Kuchikau thanked God and ROSOWA for remembering them; adding that the centre would help promote healthy living in the community.

Fynu said the centre would be of great benefit to the community because there was no hospital in the area.

He said before now, the community members used to go to Mararaba or Keffi when they fell ill to access healthcare, but with this, life would be easier.(NAN)

ATAB/AK/EEE

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Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Ese E. Ekama

S/Court suspends hearing of appeal against Gov. Ikpeazu

NAN-H-96

Appeal

By Martins Odey

Abuja, Sept.27, 2016 (NAN) The Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily suspended the hearing of appeals against the election of Okezie Ikpeazu as governor of Abia pending harmonisation of processes by the parties.

Justice Tanko Mohammed-led six other justices of the apex court to arrive at the decision.

Three motions brought by Dr Uche Ogah of PDP, All Progressives Grand Alliance and Alex Oti, were heard and decided.

Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN) and Chief Patrick Ikwueto (SAN) represented the governor, Ogah and Oti respectively.

On Oti’s motion for joinder, Mohammed held that the court required proper addresses to be filed by parties since the application had become contentious.

“In the light of this, we would not be going on with the hearing of the substantive appeals.

“The Counsel to Oti is given four days to file his written address to convince the court why his client should be joined in the matter.

“The respondents counsel are given seven days to file their replies while the applicant’s counsel is given another extra two days to file his replies to the respondents’ arguments,’’ he said.

Mohammed also held that a new hearing date would be communicated to the parties when all the processes were received by the court.

The Court if Appeal had on Aug.18 upheld Gov. Ikpeazu’s election as governor of Abia by nullifying an Abuja Federal High Court judgment which declared Ogah as governor of Abia.

Justice Okon Abang had on June 27 found Ikpeazu, guilty of tax offences and nullified his election as governor.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal, Ogah approached the apex court to test the strength of the judgment.(NAN)

OMO/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H 100

Illicit

By Christian Ogbonna

Yenagoa, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bayelsa Command, on Tuesday said it arrested 59 illicit drug dealers in the state in the third quarter of 2016.

Mr Osakwe Ikenna, the agency’s spokesman in the state made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa.

Ikenna also said that the agency removed 98.9 kilogrammes of different types of drugs from circulation in the state.

He said that the arrests and seizures were made during the third quarter of 2016.

Ikenna, a Superintendent of Narcotics and Principal Staff Officer, Public Affairs, said among the number arrested, 12 were female while 47 were male.

He said that the recovered illicit drugs were seized in various parts of the state.

According to him, some were recovered by the command’s operatives on motorised patrol along the East-West Road, while others were recovered within the state capital, Yenagoa.

“We also recovered some of them in other local government areas in the course of raids on notorious joints and houses of notorious drug dealers.

“This haul of seized drugs and arrests is just one of the measures to sound a note of warning to unrepentant drug dealers in the state to desist from this evil and sinister trade.

“The command is poised to locate and apprehend them (illicit drug dealers) wherever they may be hiding and carrying out their illegal and destructive trade.

“Parents, relatives of drug dependent persons and even drug peddlers, are hereby advised to avail themselves of the counselling and rehabilitation services available at the state command headquarters without fear of arrest.

“Drug dependence has been recognised the world over as a health issue requiring treatment rather than arrest and prosecution,” he said.

Ikenna urged parents and guardians to equip themselves with knowledge on drug types and signs of drug use in order to be able to identify possible drug use among their children and wards.

The spokesman said such knowledge would facilitate early intervention.

He also advised them to listen to the words and thoughts of their children and wards to understand them when they are crying out for help.

“It is trite that there can be no manner of crime perpetrated in the society without the involvement of illicit drugs.

“Consequently, to achieve a peaceful, crime free and economically viable society, all organisations and individuals must see themselves as stakeholders and contribute to make the state drug free,” he said. (NAN)
OOC/DO/AFA
Edited by David Onilede/Felix Ajide
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NAN-ELS-14

Drum

By Dorcas Elusogbon

Ile-Ife (Osun), Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Tuesday described drumming as a veritable tool for the creation of peace and unity within the society.

Ogunwusi said this at the unveiling of `Drum of Peace’, an event organised by the Ayangalu Team in Ile-Ife.

The traditional ruler said that African drums hold a special place in the history of Africa, adding that in Western culture, the idea of drumming was always associated with entertainment.

He said that the drum add to the musical quality of a song, deeper symbolic and historical meaning which accomplished the manner of ceremony such as births, deaths, and marriages together with ritual dance.

Ogunwusi, however, promised his continuous support to the team, urging them to take their dream to the world.

He also appealed to all Nigerians to place value on their culture and tradition.

Earlier, the Ambassador of Drum of Peace, Mrs Aralola Olamuyiwa, commended the royal father for being a lover of peace.

Olumuyiwa also commended the Ooni for promoting unity among traditional rulers in Nigeria since his investiture.

She said that the drum played significant role in every aspect of Yoruba land, as it creates awareness and boost its culture.

According to the ambassador, drums are very unique in communicating in the olden days, as its impact among Africans cannot be over emphasised.

Olumuyiwa listed some of the drums being used for communication to include Omele, Iya-Ilu, Bata and Gangan among others.

Also, the Project Director for `Drum of Peace’, Mr Daramola Morakinyo, lamented the difficulties the group had been facing for the past ten years in promoting the culture.

Morakinyo said that the cooperation of the monarch would assist the group to promote drum of peace globally. (NAN)

EDA/FF/EEE

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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Ese E. Ekama