Blog

Navy to upgrade facilities in formations, units

Facility

Port Harcourt, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) Rear Adm. David Adeniran, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, says the naval high command is committed to upgrade  facilities in its formations and units nationwide.

Adeniran gave the assurance during a familiarisation tour of naval facilities and inauguration of Senior Rates’ Mess at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He said that the navy under the command of Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, had invested so much on infrastructure development to cater for accommodation and training of personnel.

He said, “I have served in this formations and units in Rivers sometime ago, and I can tell you that there has been a lot of improvement.

“I can also tell that what I have seen on ground at the NNS Pathfinder is quite different from what I have known the place to be.”

Adeniran pointed out that ongoing upgrade of accommodation and other projects in the base were part of the commitment to improve welfare of personnel.

“So, to see that the navy has come of age is kudos to all those who have been involved in this development,” he said.

The FOC urged the personnel to use the mess with care and ensure regular maintenance of other facilities in the base.

The Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Commodore Sam Bura, said the senior rates’ mess was rebuilt after 31 years the navy inherited the building from its former occupants.

“The building, suspected to have been built in the 70s had depreciated over the years. So, it became inhabitable and weak to accommodate a senior rates’ mess befitting of the base.

“Considering that welfare of personnel is one of the cardinal objectives of the Chief of the Naval Staff strategic objectives, the mess was appraised with a view to providing a more befitting edifice.

“The mess will serve as a relaxation centre for senior rates’ and honorary members to unwind after a hectic day’s job,” he said. (NAN)

DES/JTJ/MNA

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Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Maureen Atuonwu

Masari calls for more NHIS enlightenment

NHIS

By Zubairu Idris

Katsina, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, has urged the management of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to intensify efforts toward enlightening people in the state on the scheme.

Masari made the call during a courtesy call by the NHIS Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf, on Wednesday in Katsina.

He said the call became imperative because some people misunderstood the scheme, hence the need for more enlightenment.

The governor said it was only when people understood the scheme that they would be able to enrol in it.

He further said the state government was making arrangements to enrol its workers in the scheme for their own benefits.

Earlier, Yusuf, explained that the bill establishing the NHIS which was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, provided that one per cent of Federal Revenue be spent on the health sector.

Yusuf commended the administration of Gov. Masari for renovating and upgrading some general hospitals across the state.

He also announced that the NHIS had opened a new Zonal Office in Kano to take care of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina States for effective service delivery. (NAN)

ZI/FF/SA

Edited by Fela Fashoro/Salif Atojoko

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Research

By Chinyere Nwachukwu
Lagos, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Research and Innovation Office, University of Lagos (UNILAG), says the recent launch of two Africa Centres of Excellence in the institution would boost knowledge production with a continental outlook.

The Director of the office, Prof. Wellington Oyibo, made the assertion while reflecting on the Centres of Excellence launched on Sept. 5, with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

NAN reports that the university in conjunction with the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), launched Centres of Excellence for Unemployment and Skills Development in Africa and Urbanisation and Habitable Cities in Africa.

According to Oyibo, such knowledge production will have elements of capacity building through doctoral research and training of Ph.D students that will be of high level manpower to address several issues in the areas of unemployment, industrialisation and smart cities.

“When we have these experts, they will in turn give back to the society by proffering solutions to various life challenges in the continent rather than taking their expertise abroad.

“In Africa today, part of the most worrisome challenges we face is that of the high youth unemployment rate just like we have issues of slums and many others.

“So, with such knowledge production too, there will be top level capacity building that will bring solutions to the multi-faceted challenges plaguing the continent.

“And UNILAG as an institution is already taking leadership in that area,’’ he said.

The don said the university, aside top-level capacity building, was researching into new softwares, security solutions and others.

“We are happy to announce that currently, we are into a kind of research journey which is still in the pipeline.

“UNILAG research is being woven around solutions in many areas and pulling a lot of forces.

“These are things that can help young people go from research to business and at the same time, make life more meaningful.

“We are working with industries and we are forming the right partnership that will drive all our research goals,’’ he said. (NAN)
CCN/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

Remand

By Nana Musa

Abuja, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) A Karmo Grade I Area Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, remanded a 25-year-old driver, Abubakar Shaibu in prison custody for misappropriating his company’s money.

The Police Prosecutor, Ijeoma Ukagha, told the court that Shaibu, a resident of Dutse Abuja, was arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal breach of trust, cheating and misappropriation.

She told the court that one Ivie Igberaese, of Vinara Confectioners Ltd, Idu Layout Abuja, reported the matter at the Karmo Police Station on Sept. 7.

The complainant said Shaibu was a driver and a sales representative in the company; he cheated the company with the sum of N87, 595.

However, she said that during police investigation, the accused confessed to the crime.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 312, 322 and 309 of the Penal Code.

Shaibu had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against him.

The judge, Inuwa Maiwada, who ordered the remand of Shaibu in prison custody, adjourned the case until Oct. 15 for sentencing. (NAN)
NHM/ESAN/YEMI
Edited by Abiodun Esan/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

Ibadan Disco attributes poor power supply to shortfall in allocation

Supply

By Yusuf Yunus

Lagos, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), said the poor power supply in Ogun and its environs was due to a shortfall in allocation from the national grid.

Mrs Angela Olanrewaju, Head, Branding and Corporate Communications of IBEDC, disclosed this on Wednesday.

She said the company resorted to load-shedding due to the shortfall in the power allocated to the company in recent times.

She also said the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had limitation from the transmission station serving feeders at Idiroko on 33KV ( source 132/33kv T/S, Ota) and Lusada 33KV feeders (Source Agbara 132/33kv T/S, Agbara) in its Ota Business unit.

According to her, the two feeders supply power to Owode, Idiroko, Atan-Ota, Iju and its environs.

She said the Agbara 132/33KV Transmission station, with load requirement of 35MW, which feeds customers on Lusada 33KV network of IBEDC now gets12MW load allocation.

Similarly, she said the Ota 132/33KV Transmission station that feeds Idiroko 33KV customers of IBEDC network now gets 9MW load allocation instead of 30MW.

“IBEDC has embarked on energy sharing roster in order to ensure equitable power supply to all its esteemed and valued customers in the area.

“This is as a result of the limited allocation. Though, customers on the main line enjoy better supply than those on isolators.

“The difference is evident in the monthly billing through the NERC approved average cluster billing methodology of the company,” said Olarenwaju, in a statement.

She said supply to IKEDC customers at the Lagos end of the boundary emanates from 11KV network within the control of IKEDC, which leads to flexibility and better supply around the axis.

She said IBEDC was not resting on its oars, and that the company planned to construct 33KV/11KV 0.415 injection Substations to assume total control of the available energy and enhance supply.

The IBEDC spokesperson said the protest by some Elerinko customers, challenging their high monthly bills, was because of the good supply enjoyed by them and the recent correct customer categorisation.
He said the customers in the community were supplied electricity via Ijoko 33KV mainline with a daily average supply of 20-23 hours.

She appealed for the understanding of customers, and that in spite of the shortfall in supply, IBEDC struggled to ensure uninterrupted power supply to its customers.

“We hereby apologise for all inconveniences this irregular supply might have caused all our esteemed customers along the Owode Idiroko – Sango axis,’’ said Olarenwaju. (NAN)
YO/SA

Edited by Salif Atojoko
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Insinuation

By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The new Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, Musa Kimo, has said that the insinuation that he was sent to work for the opposition in the state is “mendacious’’.

Kimo in his inaugurl interaction with newsmen on Wednesday in Abakaliki said that such insinuation should be dismissed by the public.

“When the head is perfect, other parts of the body will be perfect as the Inspector General of Police (I-G), Ibrahim Idris, is allergic to corruption and anything that is anti-social.

“We have been directed to be professional in our approach and assure the public that we will be apolitical before, during and after the elections.

“We are here as servants to do our jobs and operate within international best practices, so the people have nothing to fear,” he said.

The commissioner noted that any police personnel that chose to do otherwise was on his or her own as they were expected to be polite, courteous and civil in their approach to all law-abiding citizens.

“The public should therefore, dismiss the insinuation because it is not associated with me or the police force.

“Everybody should play by the rules of the game because the police will not fold its hands and watch people fail to play by the rules.

“People should obey the laws of the land as we will draw centrifugal forces together to ensure that everyone operates within the law,” he said.

He added that the police had received information that the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) had concluded plans to harass, intimidate and molest law-abiding citizens with its sit at home order.

“I want to assure law-abiding citizens not to fear, go about their legitimate businesses as cogent security measures have been put in place to guarantee their safety.

“I also appeal to parents and guardians to warn their wards to desist from acts inimical to the law otherwise they will meet their waterloo.

“I also warn unscrupulous elements who derive joy from inflicting pain on innocent people to desist as the police will not allow criminal acts in the state,” he said.

NAN reports that Gov. David Umahi on Tuesday reacted to the insinuation when Kimo visited him, pledging that the people would resist any security apparatus undoing them.

“Security operatives must be upright, professional and impartial in their approach as the state will resist security operatives that misbehave.

“I must confess that when you were to be posted the state, we fought that you should not come because I was at peace with your predecessor, Titus Lamorde.

“We fought most, especially when the opposition boasted that they were the ones bringing you to fight us but we were ready to fight back and insisted that you should not come.

“We had to make some moves to stop you until someone that is highly placed told us to find out your pedigree and we discovered your forthrightness, professionalism and fear of God,” he said. (NAN)
RCO/MNA/PDE
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(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Peter Ejiofor)

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

Abuja, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) Talented Nigerian Disc Jokey (DJ), Desmond Sodamola a.k.a DJ Spinall has signed a major international record deal with a music label, Atlantic Record in the United Kingdom.

The multi-award-winning DJ took to his instagram handle @djspinall to announce the deal.

“ God is great !!! Another great step forward! Thank you atlanticrecordsuk for sharing the vision and shout out my team for the great work!! Today is a good day,” he said.

DJ Spinall, who is the first African DJ to tour the United States, did not provide specific information on the nature of the contract with the UK-based record company.

The former Mavin Records DJ, who is a graduate of Electrical Electronics Engineering from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye in Ogun State, has three albums to his name.

The albums include `My Story’, `Ten’, and `Dreams’, released in 2015, 2016, and 2017 respectively.

The `Baba’ crooner Spinall, who is also referred to as `The Crazy Azz Party (The CAP)’ has worked with the likes of Wizkid and Mr Eazi.

He also has a number of hit songs to his name.

One of them is `Baba’ which features Kizz Daniel. The hit song is currently making waves on both radio stations and music video channels.

He also featured Wizkid in `Nowo’. (NAN)

CMY/YEE

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

International break blessing for West Ham, says Antonio

London, Sept. 12, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) The international break arrived at the right time for struggling West Ham United and their focused training in the past fortnight can kickstart their Premier League campaign, winger Michail Antonio said on Wednesday.

West Ham have lost their first four league games, including a 1-0 home defeat by promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers before the break.

The lack of result heaps pressure on new manager Manuel Pellegrini and his expensively assembled squad.

“International breaks can sometimes be a blessing and sometimes be a curse.

“Right now, I’d say it’s a blessing because it’s given ourselves a chance to clear our minds after the first part of the season,” Antonio told the club’s website.

“It’s given us an opportunity to do some good work and get ready to make a fresh start… we’ve been working on shape and tactical stuff and tying things down.”

West Ham brought in a number of new players in the closed season but are yet to extract the best out of them, scoring just two goals in the league so far.

“We’ve signed nine new players and it takes time to gel as you can see in the games, where we think people should be and getting things a bit muddled up,” Antonio added.

“We need to learn more about each other and I do see it coming good.”

West Ham return to Premier League action with Sunday’s trip to Everton. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/SN

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Edited by Silas Nwoha

Assault

By Deborah Akpede

Ikeja, Sept. 12, 2018(NAN) A 42-year-old businessman, Augustine Eze, on Wednesday, appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for allegedly inflicting a severe machete cut on a man.

Eze, who resides at Isolo area of Lagos, is facing a charge of assault.

The accused committed the offence on Aug. 24 at Isolo, Lagos, the Police Prosecutor; Sgt Kenrich Nomayo, told the court.

Nomayo said the accused attacked the complainant, Mr Moses Ebonwyi, with a machete following a misunderstanding between them.

“The accused approached the complainant with a machete and cut his left leg, causing him grievous harm,” he said.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Section prescribes a three-year jail term for assault.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs T.O Ojo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Ojo said the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned until Sept. 27. (NAN)

DOA/EOB/YEMI

Edited by Edith Bolokor/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

Ships
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, Sept. 12,  2018 (NAN) Thirteen ships carrying various products are at Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports waiting to berth, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)  said on Wednesday in Lagos.

It said six of the vessels were laden with petrol while the remaining seven ships would berth with buckwheat, container, general cargo, diesel and bulk fertiliser.

The NPA also stated that 25 ships carrying buckwheat, bulk sugar, bulk fertiliser, diesel, container, base oil, bulk sugar, general cargo, bulk gypsum, ethanol and petrol were expected at the ports between Wednesday and Sept. 30. (NAN)
AIC/OFN/OJO
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(Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Mufutau Ojo)