Blog

Octogenarian in court for alleged damage to fence

NAN-H-33
Octogenarian

By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Sept. 15, 2016 (NAN) An Octogenarian farmer,  Daniel Ajo, appeared in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for alleged maliciously damaging a fence

Ajo, 84, a resident of Ajose Close, Oke-Odo, Lagos, is being tried for breach of peace and damages.

The prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Aug.13 at Sunny Adu Str., Oke-Odo, Lagos.

Nwosu said that the accused maliciously damage a fence property of Adebayo Ajose.

He said that the accused threatened to pull down any fence erected by the complainant and he carried out his threat.

“The complainant constructed a perimeter fence round his building at the back of the accused’s house. The following morning, the complainant discovered that the fence had been demolished.

“The complainant arrested the accused because when he came with bricklayers to erect the fence, the accused challenged him and tried to stop the workers.

“The accused vowed to demolish the fence if erected,” he said.

The offences, Nwosu said, contravened sections 166 and 348 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, which on conviction attracts three-year imprisonment.

The accused pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mr A.A Adesanya, adjourned the case till Sept. 29 for mention. (NAN)
DOA/YMU/OFN
(Edited by Felix Nwadioha)

NAN-S-16

Ranking

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Ilorin, Sept. 15, 2016 (NAN) Nigeria on Thursday moved up by three spots to place 64^th in the world in the September ranking by Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), world’s football governing body.

In the ranking table on FIFA’s website, the Super Eagles garnered 534 points as against 513 it had in August when it was placed at the 67^th position.

The latest ranking now puts Nigeria in the 14th position in Africa.

In spite of the shifts in the ranking, Argentina and Belgium maintained first and second place, respectively, cementing their positions at the summit of the world ranking for another month.

The large number of qualifying fixtures for continental competitions (26 matches) and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia (61 matches) over September is reflected in significant movement in this month’s edition of the ranking.

Among the top five are Germany, Colombia and rejuvenated Brazil, under a new coach.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 126 international A-matches were played over the past few weeks, bringing the total number of games so far in 2016 to 632.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on Oct. 20, 2016. (NAN)

BAY/EAL/OPI

(Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi and Olisa Ifeajika)

NAN-H-30

Postponement

Nasarawa (Nasarawa state), Sept. 15, 2016 (NAN) Sen.Walid Jibrin, National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), said on Thursday that postponement of governorship election in Edo would not affect the party’s victory.

He stated this while speaking with newsmen in his home in Nasarawa, Nasarawa state.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the Edo polled from Sept. 10 to Sept. 28 on the advice of security agencies over alleged security threat.

Jibrin said that PDP would win the election on the rescheduled date, and urged the party’s supporters and electorate not to be deterred by the postponement.

He urged them to remain loyal and sustain their confidence in the party.

“Whatever led to the postponement of the election cannot stop the rainy days; what God has planned has already been planned and no man can change the outcome.

“With what we have seen on ground and by all signs we have seen, whether the Edo state governorship election has been postponed 10 times or 20 times, PDP will still win the election.

“We are going to win that election and there is no doubt about it.

“So, we have no quarrel with anybody shifting the election; it is good for us and we are still on ground because what God has planned has been planned.

“I want to call on our party supporters and other electorate not to be deterred by the postponement but to remain united and vote PDP in order to enjoy the much-needed dividend of democracy,’’ he said.

Jibrin said that the party was resolving its internal crisis amicably without fighting and quarrelling so as to make the party stronger.

“The BoT and other stakeholders of the party are working tirelessly to bring back and unite all the aggrieved members so as to make the party stronger as well as to enable it win all positions in future elections,’’ he added.

He also assured the members that the party would provide a level-playing ground to those aspiring for positions to realise their ambitions.

The BoT chairman urged Nigerians, especially youths, to be law-abiding, respect constituted authority and live in peace, tolerating one another irrespective of ethnic, religion and political affiliations. (NAN)

AKW/OPI/OPI

(Edited by Olisa Ifeajika)

NAN-H-29

Speakers

By Ajayi Alex

Ilorin, Sept.15,2016 (NAN) An Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Mr Gbenga Abodunrin, has condemned the  practice of mounting horn speakers outside worship places.

Abodunrin told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Thursday that the practice constituted noise pollution to the public.

He said that most religious houses were fond of placing horn speakers outside to the discomfort of the public.

“The way religious houses cause noise pollution with their speakers hung outside the building is a nuisance to the public.

“It is disrupting public peace and aside from that, it causes noise pollution and like I read that it could be dangerous to the hearing of babies,” he said.

The legal practitioner said that speakers should be strictly used indoors by worshipers and not used to disturb the public.

He, however, advised clerics and religious institutions to lower the volume of the output of their speakers in order not to disturb the public.

“I am not campaigning against the use of speakers in religious centres, but it is important for them to respect the rights of the public,” he said.

Abodunrin also called on the government to monitor the activities of religious and entertainment houses in order to curtail noise pollution they caused to the public.(NAN)

LEX/COA/AMY

(Edited by Constance Athekame and controlled by Abdullahi Yusuf)

NAN-H-28
Dissolution

By David Adeoye
Ikole (Ekiti) Sept. 15, 2016 (NAN) A father of three, Olanrewaju Aluko, on Thursday admitted preparing a fake charm for his wife Tolu to swear with that she was not flirting around

Aluko made the disclosure when he testified in a divorce petition instituted by his wife in an Ikole Customary Court in Ekiti

“I am not fetish and occultic. I only asked Tolu to swear with a fake fetish substance which I prepared to confirm her innocence when I suspected her to be flirting around,’’ he said.

He urged the court to grant him custody of their third child, saying the child was the only girl that needed care.

Tobi had urged the court to dissolve the 16-year-old marriage because Aluko was irresponsible and was not catering for the three kids since they were born.

She further accused the husband of being fetish, occultic, and was always threatening her with charms and other fetish substances.

“I left his house with my kids in 2012 when I could no more cope with his care-free attitude toward me and the children but he kept on threatening to kill me with charm.“

“I pleaded with this court to separate us but allow the three children aged 15, 13 and eight to remain in my custody so that I would continue caring and monitor the children.

“The court should also order him never to threaten nor disturb me, but should pay N20,000 as monthly allowance for the upkeep of the children,’’ she said.

In her Judgment, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, President of the court, dissolved the marriage.

Ojo awarded custody of the children to Tolu and ordered the defendant to pay N10,000 monthly upkeep allowance to the petitioner. (NAN)
DAK//OFN
(Edited by Felix Nwadioha)

Expert advises FG to develop road map to address skill gap

NAN-HE- 11

Gap

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Abuja, Sept. 15, 2016 (NAN) A development and training expert, Dr Kayode Ogungbuyi, has advised the Federal Government to develop a road map to address and identify skill gap in the country.

Ogungbuyi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that there was need to conduct needs assessment and skill inventory to determine the actual gap.

He said the country needed to provide and train professionals in the next five years to operate the required infrastructure to achieve economic development.

He said that in the Construction Sector, there would be a massive shortage of skilled artisans – Carpenters, Bricklayers, Iron-benders and Welders by 2021, if nothing is done to fill the gap.

“ We need about one million artisans annually over the next five years to fill this gap

“Transport infrastructure – vehicles, road, rail, cable and financing of transport (at least 500,000 are needed annually to fill the gap in this sector).

“Aviation infrastructure – air traffic control technology in aviation (1,000 needed annually over a 5-year period) and in the rail transport, 2,500 artisans will be needed.

“No fewer than 100,000 artisans will be needed to build transport infrastructure such as roads, bridges and tunnels during the period,’’ he said.

On Critical Infrastructure, the expert said that 500,000 professionals would be required to sustain human life in hospitals and for ancilliary facilities annually for the period.

The expert said that no fewer than 200,000 professionals would be needed annually in energy infrastructure for generation, transmission, distribution and storage of fossil fuels and renewable sources.

“Hazardous waste – characteristics, disposal, handling of hazardous waste (17,500 needed per annum over the next five years).

“Information and communication infrastructure – systems of information generation, transmission, storage and distribution (100,000 needed annually over the next five years)

“Public capital – government-owned assets (50,000 needed annually over the next 5 years),’’ he said.

In addition, Ogungbuyi said that in public works, building   municipal infrastructure, maintenance functions and agencies, 150,000 professionals would be needed annually over the next five years.

He said in solid waste – generation, collection, transportation, recycling, management and disposal of trash/garbage, 100,000 workers would be needed.

According to him, 70,000 professionals will be needed to sustain urban infrastructure such as fixing technology, architecture and implement policy for sustainable living

“Water infrastructure – the generation, transmission, transportation, storage, distribution and maintenance of water supply (50,000 needed yearly over the next five years).

`Also, in wastewater infrastructure – disposal and treatment of wastewater, 20,000 professionals will be needed annually over the period to fill the gap.

“Ports, Free Trade Zones & Industrial Parks, Gas Pipelines, Gas Refining and Processing have not been included in the above estimates,’’ Ogunbiyi said.

The expert further explained that infrastructure referred to structures, systems and facilities serving the economy of a business, industry, country, city, town, or area.

He also said that it included the services and facilities necessary for its economy to function effectively. (NAN)

CIA/AMY

(Edited and controlled by Abdullahi Yusuf)

Washington, Sept. 15, 2016 (Xinhua/ NAN)  In-depth medical records of U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton were released on Wednesday, showing her physical conditions are good.

“She continues to remain healthy and fit to serve as President of the U.S.,” said Dr Lisa Bardarck, Clinton’s personal doctor.

The former U.S. secretary of state fainted at a 9/11 memorial ceremony on Sunday and has since stayed home.

Bardarck said the former secretary of state suffered from a “mild, non-contagious bacterial pneumonia.”

The rest of the physical exam “was normal and she is in excellent mental condition,” Bardarck said in a letter to the media, saying that she examined Clinton several times this week.

“My overall impression is that Clinton has remained healthy and has not developed new medical conditions this year other than a sinus and ear infection and her recently diagnosed pneumonia,” she wrote.

The Democratic nominee is expected to return to the campaign trail on Thursday and due in several battleground states next week, said her campaign team on Wednesday.

Clinton’s Republican rival Donald Trump will also reveal the results of his own recent medical exam during a TV show set to be aired on Thursday, said a daily report by The Hill, a top U.S. political website.

A video of Clinton’s faint at Ground Zero on Sunday has returned the issue of health transparency to the central stage in the two candidates’ White House bids.

Clinton was diagnosed with pneumonia two days before she fainted on Sunday but her campaign team had kept it quiet until the video was put online.

The September race is unexpectedly rough for Clinton. A series of national poll results showed that her lead over Trump has been narrowed since Labour Day. (Reuters/ NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere
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NAN-H-9
Symposium
By Asowata Omosuri
Lagos, Sept. 15, 2016 (NAN) Nigerian airlines and their counterparts across the globe will converge on Dubai in the United Arab Emirate for the 6th edition of the World Passenger Symposium (WPS) scheduled from Oct. 18 to Oct. 20.

Mr Alexandre de Juniac, the Director General, International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in statement on Thursday that the conference would focus on key areas such as distribution and payments, airport processes, onboard connectivity and baggage handling.

“Meeting—or even better exceeding—customer expectations is the key to any successful business. That is challenging.

“Expectations continuously evolve to become ever more demanding in detail and personalisation.

“We also know that travellers want a simpler, more transparent shopping experience, faster and more efficient airport processes and reliable connectivity during all stages of their journey.

“Speed is of the essence. And many of the enablers lie in making even better use of data and technology,” de Juniac said.

The conference will be hosted by Emirates Airline, while more than 700 high-level delegates from across the travel value chain are expected to attend. (NAN)

ASO/AAB/DA
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Edited By Adeboye Ajayi & controlled by Dele Akinsola

NAN-H-8

FirstNation

By Asowota Omosuri

Lagos, Sept. 15, 2016 (NAN) The FirstNation Airways has postponed resumption of its flight operations, earlier scheduled for Sept. 15, by a few days.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the airline had on Aug. 17 suspended operations to enable the aircraft in its fleet undergo engine maintenance.

NAN, however, gathered from the airline’s ticket stand at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, Lagos, that it might return to operations on Sept. 17.

A reliable source told NAN that the equipment needed to fix the airplanes was only released by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) a few days ago.

The source said: “The airline had anticipated that all customs formalities would have been done last week Friday before the Sallah holidays.

“It is hoped that the team of engineers would finish work on the engines before Sept. 16 as the airline plans to resume operations immediately after the engines are fixed.’’

Capt. Chimara Imediegwu, the FirstNation Airway’s Director of Flight Operations, had on Sept. 6, told newsmen that a team of engineers were coming to Nigeria to service the planes.

Imediegwu had debunked the claim that the airline was on the verge of folding up, stressing that it voluntarily grounded the aircraft at enormous cost to await the arrival of the manufacturer’s team.

“The FirstNation management planned well ahead and kept the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) informed of the progress on the maintenance of its aircraft.

“We notified passengers and flights are currently loaded online effective form Sept. 15.

“This will ensure that passengers continue to enjoy safe and reliable services that the airline is reputed for,’’ he said.

It will also be recalled that another airline, Arik Air resumed operations on Wednesday after it suspended its flight operations for 24 hours over issues relating to aircraft insurance renewal. (NAN)

ASO/JEY/AIB/BOS

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[Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Abdulfatah Babatunde]

NAN-ELS-1
Comedian
By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Sept. 15, 2016 (NAN) Nigeria’s “Gandoki’’, a stand-up comedian, on Thursday expressed his readiness to be in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest performer in the sub-sector of the entertainment industry.

Gandoki, born Tony Mofe-Reeku, disclosed his intention to be in the records as the longest stand-up comedian in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that Swinger David-Scott of the U.S. performed the longest individual stand-up comedy show of all times, setting a new Guinness World Record of 40 hours, 8 minutes in 2013.

Gandoki told NAN that he would attempt 48 hours stand-up comedy from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 in Lagos.

He said that he had already prepared 600 topics that would generate hilarious jokes and break the previous record.

“I’m doing this to showcase Nigeria to the world and also show our strength and resilience as a country in spite of the present economic situation.

“I’m also doing this for the Niger Delta people because I am from that part of the country and I want people to know that we are not a violent people.

“It will inspire many young people to believe in their ability and be the best in all areas of their endeavours.

“With my kind of comedy, hopefully, I will set a new Guinness World Record,’’ he said.

The comedian added that Nigerians would have the opportunity to win tickets for the event through various programmes on radio stations.

NAN reports that the Guinness World Record is a reference book published annually, listing world and national records, both of human achievements and extremes of the natural world. (NAN)
KOA/PDE
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(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)