Blog

Lawyers say rapists must face full wrath of law
NAN-H-32
Rapists
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) Some lawyers have urged judges and magistrates to ensure that anyone convicted for rape is sanctioned in accordance with the stipulated  criminal laws of the land.

The lawyers in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday said it was sad that many trials for alleged rapists were never concluded logically.

While some of the lawyers suggested life imprisonment with hard labour, others said that alleged rapists should not be granted bail while on trial.

A lawyer, Mr Olamilekan Ojo noted that the cases of raping were increasing daily in the country going by the increasing number of such cases in magistrate courts.

According to Ojo, the increasing rate of rape cases in Nigeria will no doubt harm the moral, psychological and intellectual foundation of society.

“There has been a rise in rape cases because our society seems to be immoral and uncultured.

“And until we tackle the causes of increasing rate of rape cases, it will continue to rise,’’ Ojo said.

He urged parents to place greater emphasis on sex education for their young girls, adding that they needed to be more vigilant as they hold the key to tackling the menace.

“Parents should observe closely their children’s care giver; teach sex issues at home and they must check activities of their house keepers too,’’ he said.

Mr Samuel Ishola, a legal practitioner said that those who rape minors ought not to be granted bail during their trials.

“We need to put measures in place that will serve as a deterrent to persons who raped minors to face the full wrath of the law.

“Those culpable of rape must be sentenced to life imprisonment so that others will learn from their punishment.

“The new administration of criminal justice law which has been recently passed should be executed in such a way to curb the menace of child rape.
“Rape is a violation of the body and a traumatic one at that that can leave the victim scarred for life,’’ he said.

Ishola urged courts to order that alleged rapists remained in custody until they were proven innocent.

Another lawyer, Mr Taiwo Ajayi, said that the penalty for rape must be made stiffer even to the point of denying the rapist bail.

“It is a dent on our criminal administration system that a rape suspect is released before the matter gets to court because of complacency on the part of parents and the police.

“The child or person that was raped is the one that bears the stigma and cannot live a life devoid of fear of the opposite sex.

“Punishment for rapists must be life imprisonment with hard labour and the society should be made to see them as outcasts.

“We cannot afford to be lenient in the punishment of  rapists,’’ Ajayi said. (NAN)
DOA/EWE/GY
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Edited by Ewedapo Akintunde/Grace Yussuf

NAN-H-31
Donation
Kano, Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Government on Sunday donated food items worth N2.5 million to enable prison inmates in the state celebrate Eid el-Kabir.

The items comprised three cows, 14 rams, 40 bags of rice, 16 jerry- cans of vegetable oil and other food items.

The Secretary to Kano State Government (SSG), Alhaji Usman Alhaji, told officials of Kano Central Prisons, Kurmawa, at the presentation ceremony, that the gesture was to assist the inmates celebrate Eid-el-Kabir with ease.

“It has been a tradition of Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje to assist the inmates during such special occasions, “ he said.

He called on well to do individuals in the state to complement government’s efforts by donating food items and other materials to support the inmates to celebrate.

“The state government welcomes and encourages people who are willing to support the inmates in whatever way possible provided they will follow the agreed channels,“ he said.

The Deputy Controller of Prison, Mr Auwalu Diso, thanked the government for the kind gesture and gave an assurance that the items would be judiciously used for the benefit of the inmates.

He commended Ganduje for donating rubber mats and mattresses in addition to awarding contract for the construction of drains in the prison recently.

The SSG was accompanied by some members of the State Committee on Prerogative of Mercy during the visit.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state government had during the Ramadan secured the release of no fewer than 500 inmates from prisons in the state (NAN).
MTM/ECN/JCE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Chukwudi Ekezie)

Be agents of transformation, council president tasks women

NAN-H-24

Women

By Cecilia Odey
Karu (Nasarawa State), Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) Mr Christopher Musa, President of Lafia Catholic Diocesan Laity Council, has advised  Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) to be agents of transformation by promoting peace and good governance.

Musa gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Karu, Nasawara State, at the close of the three-day annual conference of the CWO Karu Deanery.

He said they could play this role by embracing, holiness, faith and love, among others.

“ The world today is held down by a complexity of evil forces and unwarranted crises, religious bigotry, repression and political deprivation.

“In distant past, we only heard rumours of war, organised genocide, frequent bomb blasts, murder, armed robbery and cattle rustling.’’

He said in the face of all these challenges, Christian mothers must be fervent in prayers.

Musa urged all members of the organization to live an exemplary lives worthy of emulation and inculcate good morals and the fear of God in their children.

“We must always bear in mind that God will demand an account of our stewardship one day.

“Women are regarded as home builders in view of their strategic role within the domestic church (the family).’’

In a separate interview, Rev. Fr. Marcel Afariyu, also admonished women to be role models to their children by acting right and teaching their children the right things to do.

“As a mother, if you don’t teach your child the right thing, the child will end up being gangster in the family and the country at large.

“Mothers, try your best and the Lord will bless your family,’’ Afariyu said.

Mrs Joy Ochogwu, a participant at the conference who spoke with NAN, advised the women to hold tight to the Catholic faith and stop running from one church to another in the name of seeking solutions to their problems.

She also stressed the need for all mothers to train their children to be godly and responsible citizens. (NAN)
COO/ CIA/NKO
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(Edited by Cecilia Ologunagba/Nkechi Okoronkwo)

Eid el-Kabir: Saraki urges Muslims to pray for peace, economic recovery

NAN-H-30

Saraki

By Cecilia John

Abuja, Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has urged Muslim faithful to pray for peace and accelerated recovery of the nation’s economy.

The call is contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to Saraki on Media and Publicity, Yusuf Olaniyonu on Sunday in Abuja.

Saraki, who felicitated with the Muslim faithful on the Eid el-Kabir celebration, also urged Nigerians to remain steadfast and committed to the cause of united and developed country.

He said that despite the current economic challenges, the country and its people had all that was required to come out better and stronger.

He further called on Nigerians to live in harmony with one another, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation.

According to him, the significance of the Eid el-Kabir festival is to celebrate the true love and grace of Almighty Allah to mankind through sacrifice, devotion and faith.

“I sincerely rejoice with all Nigerians, especially the Muslim faithful on yet another Eid el-Kabir, which is both a period of sacrifice and obedience to divine guidance.

“It is a time to share our resources with our neighbours no matter how little.

“It is also a time for us to love one another, eschew all forms of violence, and adhere strictly to the noble tenets of Islam and peaceful coexistence.

“We must not relent in being our brothers’ keeper and playing our part to achieve the New Nigeria of our dreams. Truly, times are tough, but we are a tough people too.

“Therefore, I have no doubt that we shall overcome our present economic setback sooner than anticipated, if we all commit to the ideals of nation building,’’ he said.

Saraki further enjoined Nigerians to contribute in strengthening the bond of unity and oneness that existed in the country.

According to him, we should eschew negative tendencies that could hinder efforts at ensuring faster economic revival and socio-political stability. (NAN)
CJM/LAB/AFA

Edited by Lydia Beshel/Felix Ajide
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Miga LG spends N2.5m to improve water supply in Jigawa

NAN-H-28
Water
Dutse, Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Miga Local Government Area of Jigawa said on Sunday that it purchased Submersible Water Pumps worth over N2.5 million to improve water supply in the area.

The Council’s Information Officer, Alhaji Abdullahi Yakubu,made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse.

Yakubu said the items were provided in six wards in the local government area namely: Dangyatu, Takalafiya, Makara Dabinai, Sansani. Tsangaiwa and Koya.

He explained that the the gesture was aimed at improving water supply as well as to ensure provision of safe drinking water in the area.

The spokesman added that the council also used part of the money to provide one Solar Submersible Water Pump at Dangyatu Ward.

He added that part of the money was also used to provide one set of 2HP Submersible Water Pump each at the rest of the benefiting wards and at the council’s secretariat.

He said that the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the council, Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad, distributed the items, and pledged the council’s continued provision social amenities to the people at the grassroots.

He said urged the benefiting communities to ensure regular maintenance and judicious use of the items. (NAN)
MNB/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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Nigeria needs wage led recovery, says Aremu

NAN-H-27
Wage
By Mohammad Tijjani
Kaduna, Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) Mr Issa Aremu, the General Secretary, National Union of Textile Garment Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), on Sunday said Nigerian workers needed wage increase that would led to recovery.

Aremu made this assertion in a statement issued in Kaduna and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said that Nigeria might not overcome the recession with the existing miserable pay of workers and pensioners.

“Organised labour calls for prompt payment of the existing salaries by states and local governments and urgent wage increase in both the private and public sectors.

“Link with productivity improvement is the smartest and quickest ways to stimulate the nation’s economy.

“Recent CBN report on the economy and to a large extent, the latest report of National Bureau of Statistics observes that weak demand for goods is one factor responsible for low capacity utilisation of many private sector companies.

“So to overcome the economic crisis, workers whose wages buy basic goods and services must not only be paid on time but their wages must be increased,’’ he said.

“ To this extent President Muhammadu Buhari must urgently constitute the tripartite committee on the review of the current national minimum wage,’’ he said.

The labour leader said that Nigerian workers had long been in depression before the present  recession because of the crisis of compensation manifesting in salary arrears.

He said that the collapse of wages caused by massive naira devaluation and price inflation of close to 20 per cent needed to be redressed.

Aremu said that the minimum wage of N125 in 1981 was equivalent to 240 dollars.

“Then we had stable strong exchange rate and lower inflation. In real terms, workers in 1981 earned more than the current N18, 000.00 minimum wage,’’ he said.

He said that the 2010 negotiated national minimum wage of N18, 000 was about 120 dollars in 2010.

“With naira devaluation, it has unacceptably fallen to less than 45 dollars in 2016, a quarter of its nominal value in 2016 and less than 1 per cent of its value in 1981 about 40 years ago worsening income poverty.

“For Nigerian economy to recover, there must be massive public spending in reconstruction and significantly mass spending by working people through improved wages,’’ Aremu said.

“You cannot fight corruption with poorly paid workforce; poorly paid worker is not only hungry but rightly angry and even vulnerable to corrupt practices,’’ Aremu said. (NAN)
TJ/COO/GY
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Grace Yussuf

NAN-H-26
Surveillance
By Muhammed Mamman
Damaturu, Sept. 12, 2016 (NAN) Dr Mohammed Fari, Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yobe, said the command had established a special surveillance squad to monitor movement of persons in the state.

Fari told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Damaturu that 1,583 personnel had been deployed to beef up security at Eid-prayer grounds, public places and streets during the Sallah period and beyond.

The commandant called on members of the public to be vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements and objects in their communities, to security agencies.

“Community participation in the fight against crime has become a global trend; we should work together to defeat security challenges for the betterment of our societies.

“We are working in collaboration with other security organisations towards ensuring hitch-free Eid-El-Kabir celebration throughout the state, particularly in communities liberated from insurgents,’’ he said. (NAN)

MM/LAB/ASH/ASH
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(Edited by Lydia Beshel)

NAN–H–25

Sallah

By Kola Adeyemi

Lokoja, Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has called on Nigerians to pray and make sacrifices for Nigeria to recover from present economic recession and become great again.

Bello made the call on Sunday in Lokoja in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, to commemorate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

He said that regular prayers for the country and its leaders, and sacrifices on the part of Nigerians through show of understanding and cooperation in these trying times, would see the nation through.

He said that no nation could grow without sacrifices from her citizens, adding that the country was currently going through an invaluable opportunity to think out of the box and rebound to greatness.

The governor described the Eid-el-Kabir period as a season of extraordinary affinity with Allah, urging Muslims to use the period to seek breakthrough and progress for the country.

“Nigerians must remain united. We must continue to pray for our leaders as directed by Allah.

“Every leader is anointed by Allah; therefore, we must continue to pray for our nation and our leaders,” he said.

He particularly urged Muslims in the country to continue to live peacefully with people of other religions in accordance with Allah’s injunction.

“A world of peace is inestimable. Peace is the father of development.

“As we seek development, we must preach peace among religions and ethnicities.

“Muslims must be seen at the forefront of promoting peace around in the country,” he stated.

Bello also charged youths in the state to shun criminality and embrace the New Direction agenda of his administration to make the state a centrepiece of modern development in Nigeria.

He thanked the people of the state for their sacrifices and support for his administration, saying Kogi’s best years were already unfolding.

According to him, the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company at Itakpe are all pointers to this. (NAN)

KKA/OPI/OPI
(Edited by Olisa Ifeajika)

Delta monarch calls on youths  to embrace peace

NAN-ND-4

Peace

Asaba, Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Chairman, Delta Traditional Rulers Council, Obi Emmanuel Efeizomor II, has advised  youths in the Niger Delta to embrace peace, to ensure sustainable development in the region.

Efeizomor,  who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba on Sunday, noted that  no meaningful development could take place in any area devoid of peace.

The monarch said  that  achieving sustainable peace in the country required the collective efforts of all Nigerians.

The Obi of Owa Kingdom advised youths in the region to embrace dialogue in settling issues when they felt aggrieved, adding that all Nigerians must cooperate to save the nation from further economic crisis.

“It is necessary that we embrace peace in our various communities individually and collectively and be our brothers’ keepers. We should work as a team so that the nation doesn’t suffer.

“The situation in Nigeria calls for our collective concern and we must work with a high sense of tolerance, to ensure that we make progress.

“As the chairman of the traditional rulers’ council in Delta, I labour in conjunction with my colleagues to ensure that there is peace, tolerance and development in the state.

“ This follows that we must be ready to come together and speak out our problems and proffer solutions to them.

“If we go by way of crisis, primarily our state is bound to suffer because what we benefit by way of monthly allocation from the Federation Account will continue to dwindle.

“It also means that the prospect of development is reduced. So, I do not just condemn those involved in the act of violence but appeal to them to understand that two wrongs don’t make a right.

“You must have an avenue to state your case publicly and even make a proposal on how the problems can be solved.”

He reminded the people that war is an instrument for population depletion, adding that it would take many years to rebuild a nation destroyed by war. (NAN)

IO/EMO/COO/NKO
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Nkechi Okoronkwo

NAN-H-18
Challenge
By Mohammed Mamman
Damaturu, Sept. 12, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe has called for collective commitment by states, Federal Government, international agencies and development partners for the country to overcome its current humanitarian challenges.

Gov. Gaidam, who made the call in his Eid el-Kabir  message to the people of the state on Sunday, expressed optimism that the travails of the people would soon be over.

He said, “the greatest challenge before government and our development partners, is that of rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of the affected people.’’

The governor said  he recently briefed President Muhammadu Buhari, on the efforts made by the state government to address humanitarian challenges in the state.
He said he also briefed the president on areas where the Federal Government could intervene to ensure full rehabilitation and return to normalcy in Yobe communities.

He assured the people that, in spite of the challenges, his administration would remain focused and committed to its development programmes.

The governor appealed to the people to use the Eid el-Kabir  festival to pray for the state and the country.
“We should never relent in continuous prayers, particularly during this holy and special period of Eid-el-Kabir and beyond.

“We should pray for improved security, peace and stability to reign in our state and Nigeria as a whole, we should all pray for safety of our pilgrims in the holy land.

“We should also pray for bumper harvest for food security and prosperity of our state, in particular, and the nation as a whole.’’

The governor urged the citizens to imbibe the spirit of love, honesty, discipline and above all fear of Allah.
(NAN)
MM/LAB/JCE
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(Edited by Lydia Beshel/Chukwudi Ekezie)