Blog

Electrician bags 3 months in jail for stealing N11, 000 phone

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Phone
By Nuhu Martha Asama
Jos, Sept. 23, 2016 (NAN) A Jos Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday sentenced a 22-year-old electrician, Abdulgafar Musa to three months in prison for stealing a Nokia phone valued N11, 000.

Musa, of No. 66, Shehu Street, Jos, was charged with theft.

The Magistrate, Mr Jovita Binjin, sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the crime and begged for leniency.

In his plea, the convict said “It was the devil’s hand work; jobs are not coming and I needed money to eat and also give help to my ailing mum.

“I will not do it again, have mercy on me,” he pleaded.

Binjin, however, sentenced the convict to three months imprisonment or pay an option of N3,000 fine.

The Magistrate added that the sentence is to serve as a deterrent to those who might want to engage in similar acts.

Earlier, the police prosecutor, Sgt. Thomas Amuku, told the court that one Madina Adamu of the NDLEA, Rikkos, Jos, reported the matter at the A Division police station on Sept. 18.

Amuku said that the defendant went into the complainant’s house and stole her Nokia phone valued at N11, 000.

He said during police investigation the defendant confessed to have sold the said phone to one Abel Augustine of Gada Biyu Street, Jos for N3,000.

The prosecutor added that the offence contravened the provision of Section 287 of the Penal Code. (NAN)

ADY/HS/MZA

Edited by Halima Sheji and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

New York, Sept. 23, 2016 (Xinhua/ NAN) An inter-agency, cross-line convoy has entered the besieged Syrian town of Moadamiyeh in rural Damascus, bringing assistance for 35,000 people, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric  has said.

“Today’s convoy included food, medical supplies, education, water and sanitation and other supplies,” Dujarric said.

Aid deliveries have resumed based on the humanitarian imperative to stay and deliver aid even in the most difficult situation, although assurances of safe passage are needed first.

“The resumed convoys will be undertaken on a case by case basis, depending on conditions on the ground, including in Aleppo,” in northern Syria, he said.

The resumption follows the implementation of a nation-wide ceasefire on Sept. 12 at sundown after a landmark agreement was reached earlier this month by the U.S. and Russia. (Xinhua/ NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Nasarawa Govt procures N300 m equipment for skills training — Commissioner

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Installation

Agwada (Nasarawa State), Sept. 23, 2016 (NAN) Nasarawa State Government on Friday said it had acquired skills acquisition equipment worth over N300 million, to train youths in the state to be self reliant.

The Commissioner of Science and Technology, Alhaji Mohammed Idris gave the assurance when he led a team from the Institute of Technical Education, Singapore on inspection of some Skills Acquisition Centres in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team toured vocational and skills acquisition centres in Agwada. Wamba, Doma and Assakio.

Idris said that the tour was preparatory to the installation of the skills training equipment.

“The aim of touring the various vocational and skills acquisition centres is to assess the facilities on ground, know what and what is required before the installation of the new modern equipments by the Singaporean experts.”

He said that the team would install and train indigenes on how to operate the machines.

“The vocational trainings to be offered by the institute will not only offer jobs to our youths, it will also make them employers of labour, help fight poverty and boost the revenue, as well as the socio-economic development of the state.”

Idris said that the training would focus on Electrical, Electronics, Plumbing, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Bio-Medical Technology and Building Technology.

“The training would be for two years and about 1,000 youths across the state would be admitted each year to learn different vocational skills offered by the institute.”

The Director of the institute, Mr Chong Choon-Leong, lauded the state government for its commitment towards youths development.(NAN)

AKW/MZA

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Edited and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed

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Sponsorship-
By Muhammad Nasir Bello
Sokoto, Sept. 23, 2016 (NAN) The Sokoto State Local Government Service Commission would soon embark on the training of over 150 council officials in various fields of agriculture, its secretary, Alhaji Haruna Ahmad, has said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ahmad disclosed this in Sokoto on Friday, at a meeting with Directors of Agriculture from the 23 local governments in the state.
He said that the training, which would take place at the College of Agriculture, Wurno, was aimed at widening career options for local government staff in the state.
“More than 150 staffers from the 23 local governments of the state will be trained in various fields of agriculture at the college to boost manpower at the grassroots level.
“This will surely develop their capacities and bolster the socio-economic development of the state,” Ahmad said.
He assured that the selection of the benefiting workers would be based on merit and equity.
Earlier, the Provost of the College, Prof. Aminu Abubakar, said it had the wherewithal to conduct the proposed training, urging the councils to select their best hands to achieve the desired objectives. (NAN)
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(Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani and Wale Ojetimi)

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NDDC
By Dianabasi Effiong
Calabar, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Thursday said it estimated about N2 billion to fix some bad portions on the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway.

Mrs Ibim Semenitari, the acting Managing Director of NDDC, gave the estimate in Ikot Nyong, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River during inspection visit by members of the Senate Committee on NDDC.

Semenitari also told the Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi-led committee members that NDDC decided to intervene when some failed portions on the road posed serious challenges to commuters.

She said that the estimate covered about 75 kilometres of the road from asphalt to complete intervention.

According to her, the commission has also provided various projects and similar intervention in nine Niger Delta states within its mandate.

She said that the commission engaged about four contractors to fix some dilapidated portions on the road, which required major intervention, to make it motorable.

Semenitari, who also took the committee to the 15-kilometre Adiabo-Okurikang Road, said that construction work on the road was abandoned by the contractor after collecting about N1.56 billion.

She said the contract sum for the road, which is a short cut to Calabar, was N4.3 billion, adding that the contractor only covered 4.1 kilometres of the road before abandoning it.

Semenitari said that the wish of the commission was to re-award the road contract to a “competent contractor’’.

In his responses, Sen. Nwaoboshi (Delta), commended the NDDC for its intervention on Calabar–Itu Road, aimed at reducing the burden on road users.

Nwaoboshi said, “You have done a very nice job, we commend you, but you have to do more. We are not pleased with the level of work done on Adiabo-Okurikang Road.

”But, we are not happy with your legal department. Why should a contractor, who has been mobilised, failed to do the job and nothing happened?”
He had earlier paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River and told him that they were in the state for an oversight function and inspection of some projects.
Nwaoboshi said that the Senate had directed the committee to visit NNDDC, the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and report its findings.

He said that the state government had a duty to monitor NDDC’s projects within its domain to ensure that they were properly executed.

He said the senate budgeted about N241 billion for NDDC this year, adding that the committee would conduct public hearing on the amnesty programme.

The committee chairman also called on the state government to submit its memoranda to the committee, which had fixed its sitting for Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 in Abuja.

In his responses, Ayade, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, thanked the committee members for their visit.

Ayade also commended the National Assembly members for their team work, irrespective of party affiliations, especially on matters of national interest.

He then urged the committee to consider the inclusion of members of the Bakassi Strike Force, a militant group in the state, in the presidential amnesty programme.

“Some of them are highly educated, driven by desperation and abandonment, and really needed to be engaged in more meaningful productive ventures,’’ he said. (NAN)
DOE/GOK
(Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)

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Chess
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) Aliyah Garba-Jimba, a nine-year-old chess player representing Kwara, says she wants to win the event’s gold medal at the second edition of the National Youth Games (NYG) in Ilorin.

She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ilorin that her mind is now set on the competition.

“I love the game of chess and I am working hard to be the best in it.

“I want to win gold for my state, and I hope I can beat other players to the medal.

“My coach has motivated me and I won’t let him down,’’ Garba-Jimba said.
NAN reports that the Games is holding at the University of Ilorin Sports Complex from Sept. 22 to Sept. 30.(NAN)

(Edited by Adeboye Ajayi and Controlled by Olawale Alabi)

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Protocols

By Temitope Ponle

Abuja, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Chairperson of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of States and Government, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has called on member-states to implement protocols that would facilitate integration in the sub-region.

Johnson-Sirleaf made the call via a video message at the opening of the second ordinary session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Thursday.

She noted that protocols to enhance sub-regional development were slowly implemented by member-states.

She expressed concern that sub-regional trade was less than 13 per cent and that challenges existed in the free movement of goods and persons.

“We must all deploy all efforts and resources toward achieving the ECOWAS Vision 2020 of creating a borderless, peaceful, prosperous and cohesive region.

“We need a region built on good governance where our people have the capacity to access and harness these resources through the creation of opportunities for sustainable development and environmental preservation.

“As a community, we currently have several challenges that can all be turned to opportunities if we conjugate our efforts and harness the collaboration that is needed to achieve our objectives,” the chairperson said.

She commended the efforts of the ECOWAS Parliament in developing a four-year strategic plan for economic development and sub-regional integration.

Johnson-Sirleaf said she would visit Abuja in October and expressed optimism in working with the different ECOWAS institutions and “the people working to make our regional integration a reality”.

“One of the founding aspirations of ECOWAS was to create a community of people rather than a community of states.

“As the link between the people and the government, this august assembly can play a major role in achieving that goal,” she said.

In an interview with newsmen, the Speaker of the parliament, Mr Moustapha Cisse Lo, said that the protocols governing the enhancement of power of the parliament were yet to be ratified by member-states.

Lo said the ratification of relevant protocols was vital to the process of enhancing the legislative functions of the parliament.

He added that the parliament was working with the Authority of Heads of State, the council of ministers and the commission to facilitate the process.

He further said such legislative functions would enable the parliament to enact laws that would facilitate integration and promote the well-being of citizens within the sub-region.

“The heads of states have said that for it to become a legislative assembly, it has to be elected by direct suffrage; that is what the treaty says.

“We are working on a consensus with heads of states, the council of ministers and with the ECOWAS Commission.

“We are asking at the moment that we have the right of mandatory advice on the budget, after that, we can discuss with heads of state at what stage we will become a legislative assembly.” (NAN)

TOP/AK/MVO

(Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Mbadiwe Okwor)

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Athletes
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) A total of 104 athletes will represent Kwara at the National Youth Games being hosted by the University of Ilorin, the state’s Director of Sports, Tunde Kazeem, said on Thursday.

Kazeem, who addressed the athletes at the State Sports Council premises before departing for the competition’s Games Village, charged them to win laurels and be good ambassadors of the state.

“Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed is expecting nothing but victory from you, and there is therefore the need for you to raise your game,’’ he said.

The Director of Sports also urged them to avoid any act capable of tarnishing their image or that of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kwara athletes will compete in events in athletics, badminton, table tennis, tennis, para-table tennis, karate, taekwondo, judo and cricket.(NAN)
(Edited and Controlled by Olawale Alabi)

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Illegal
By AbdulFatai Beki
Ilorin, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) Security agents on Thursday sealed  three oil lubricants blending factories operating illegally and producing fake products in llorin and Ogbondoroko, Asa Local Government area of Kwara.

The joint patrol team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Department of Security Service (DSS) sealed the factories following a tip off and arrested 50 suspects.

The three oil factories, which have been producing engine oil for some months, were sealed during a joint patrol.

The three oil factories are Segma Oil Limited, Ogbondoroko in Asa Local Government area, Manner Business Ventures and Wobles venture in Offa Garage area of llorin.

The Commandant of NSCDC corps in Kwara, Mr Pedro ldeba, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the three companies have been operating and producing oil illegally.

He said the products of the three companies have been confirmed as fake by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

Ideba said the command has arrested over 50 persons including the directors and staff of the three sealed factories.

The commandant added that four trucks and some of the equipment used for the illegal business were impounded by the command.

Ideba said the three companies are not registered and always operate at night. (NAN)
BEKI/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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Invitation
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has invited 23 players to camp for next month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Match with Zambia’s Chipolopolo in Ndola.

A statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday in Abuja said the coach retained belief in his first squad by inviting the bulk of those players.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rohr had led his first squad to a 1-0 win over Tanzania in a 2017 AFCON qualifying match in Uyo on Sept. 3.

He however added defender Kenneth Omeruo of Alanyaspor, Belgium-based midfielder Anderson Esiti and the English Premiership duo of Isaac Success and Alex Iwobi to the 19 players from the Uyo game.

Skipper Mikel Obi, assistant skipper Ahmed Musa, goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, defender Elderson Echiejile, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and Manchester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho are in the 23-man roster.
Rohr has excused from the squad Watford FC forward Odion Ighalo, who will attend his father’s burial in Nigeria on Oct. 8.

NAN recalls that the Match Day 1 fixture at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium in Ndola is slated for Oct. 9.

Injured KAA Gent striker Moses Simon is however listed, after assuring Rohr he has started treatment and would be fully healed well ahead of the encounter.

NAN reports that all invited players are expected to arrive in Abuja from Oct. 2.

Below is the full list of the invited players as released:

Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Emmanuel Daniel (Rangers); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah).

Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Paul Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Jamiu Alimi (Kano Pillars); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey); Elderson Echiejile (Standard Liege, Belgium), Kingsley Madu (SV Zulte Waregem, Belgium).

Midfielders: Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Nosa Igiebor (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Anderson Esiti (KAA Gent, Belgium).

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Brown Ideye (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England).(NAN)
(Edited and Controlled by Olawale Alabi)