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2019 Elections: Legislator cautions religious leaders against inciting sermons

Preaching
By Kate Obande-Okewu
Abuja, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Aishat Dukku, Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters has advised religious leaders against inciting sermons or attack on particular political party or aspirant.

Dukku, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, said that religious leaders should use their positions to propagate peace and participation in politics.

“You cannot separate religion from elections or politics, so it is for us to use religion positively because for every religion there are ethics.

“So, we should charge our religious leaders to use these ethics positively for the benefit of Nigeria and to educate their followers.

“I am totally against negative preaching; I believe no imam or pastor should preach negatively because no religion has asked any leader to incite its congregation with their sermons.

“The major religions in Nigeria are Christianity and Islamic and there are guidelines on how the two religions can live together in peace.”

She also called on politicians to stop using religion for their personal gain, adding that they should rather seek the interest of the entire country. (NAN)
KTE/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide

Recruitment
By Benson Ezugwu
Calabar, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has directed the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to commence immediate recruitment of 2,000 primary school teachers and 500 security men across the State.

Dr Stephen Odey, Executive Chairman of SUBEB, who made this known at a press briefing in Calabar on Monday, said it was in a bid to address the dearth of teachers at the basic level.

“From what we experienced when we conducted our personnel audit and subsequent visits to schools for monitoring and inspection, we discovered that some schools from primary one to six have only two or three teachers.

“This is unacceptable. For us to have qualitative and quality education, teachers are very key.

“Since we came on board in October 2015 till now, we have recorded over a thousand retirement and death cases, so we need to replace these teachers.

“When I approached the governor on this, he graciously approved the recruitment of 2000 teachers and 500 security men”, he said.

The board chairman commended the government for creating job opportunities for the teeming unemployed in the state.

According to him, since the inception of SUBEB, no governor in the state has approved the recruitment of 2,500 persons in one fell swoop for the board.

He said that the approval would improve the basic education sub-sector in the state.

“With this approval, 2,500 persons in Cross River will be taken off the streets and will be gainfully employed.

“This is in line with this administration’s policy of providing food on the table of its citizens,” he said.
BEN/BOLA/SOA
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Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Oluwole Sogunle

Teenager

By Teniola Ibitola

Lagos, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) The Police on Monday arraigned a teenage boy charged with stabbing a colleague with a screw-driver and causing the latter’s death.

The 19-year-old appeared before Chief Magistrate A. O. Adedayo of the Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos with a charge of murder.

Adedayo did not take the plea of the teenager but ordered that he be remanded at the BORSTAL Correctional Institute, Adigbe in Abeokuta.

The chief magistrate directed the prosecutor to take the case file to the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPPs) for legal advice.

She, subsequently, adjourned the case until Sept. 17 for mention.

Earlier, Police prosecutor Chinalu Uwadione had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Aug. 27 at Alaba Bus stop in Amukoko.

He alleged that the accused stabbed 18-year-old Musa Bili on his chest with a screw-driver.

Uwadione said that the offence contravened Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which stipulates death sentence for offenders. (NAN)

OAT/AOS/PAD
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Peter Dada

Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, the Director, Centre for Energy Economics and Law (CPEEL) University of Ibadan disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ibadan.

He said that the country would achieved more growth and development with improved generation and distribution of electricity for the populace.

Cue-in audio

“We should be growing at seven per cent not 1.5 five per cent, not at three per cent, we should be the economic power house of the whole of Africa because we have the endowment, the population to do that.

“We should cut poverty significantly, we should have our youth working; many of them are enterprising, but when they look at the cost of setting up and the avoidable cost of power, it becomes difficult for them.

“We need to look at this sector again and the value chains and how we can address some of the challenges that we currently have.

“Like how do we lower the value chain so that people can afford to pay; we should have a cost reflective tariff so that those who are in the business can make money.’’
 
Cue-out audio

The don added that the country should have vast and effective contract laws that should be applied when such legislations was breached. (NAN)
IBK/DOR/IS
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Edited by Nyisom Dore/Ismail Abdulaziz

Kidnap

By Teniola Ibitola

Lagos, Sept.10, 2018(NAN) A 30-year-old woman, Sade Odubayo, was on Monday brought before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, over alleged attempt to kidnap a 4-year-old boy.

Odubayo, whose address was not provided, is facing a charge of attempted kidnap to which she pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Insp. Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 1 at 5.30 p.m., at No. 4, Lower St., Ikorodu, Lagos.

Uwadione said that the accused had attempted to kidnap the 4-year-old child of Deshino Awogundade.

“She was caught as she was about to lead the boy out of the compound,’’ he said.

The offence contravened Section 277 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Adedayo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Adedayo said the sureties should show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case until Sept. 26 for mention. (NAN)

OAT/EOB/DUA

Edited by Edith bolokor/Dada Ahmed

NDDC selects 2,835 graduates for foreign scholarships

By Desmond Ejibas

Port Harcourt, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has picked 2,835 candidates out of over 4,000 applicants, who applied for the commission’s foreign postgraduate scholarships this year.

The Director of Education, Health and Social Services,  Mr Goshua Okejoto, made the disclosure in a statement, issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ibitoye Abosede, in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Okejoto said the commission had conducted computer-based tests to select qualified candidates for the scholarship scheme, which commenced in 2010.

“The foreign postgraduate scholarship is designed to equip graduates in Niger Delta with relevant training and skills for effective participation in the Federal Government’s Local Content programme.

“For the 2018 exercise, we went with candidates, who had finished their NYSC and had secured admission into foreign universities, as only those eligible in the scholarship award process.

He said that 1,500 candidates with the highest scores out of the 2,835 who sat the examination would be selected for oral interview.

“The process is very transparent as candidates see their scores immediately after the test. That is the beauty of the computer-based tests.

“NDDC is using the programme to showcase the best of the Niger Delta and this has been justified by the academic performances of previous beneficiaries.”

Okejoto said that the NDDC Managing Director, Mr Nsima Ekere, was committed to the exercise and had already directed presentation of offer letters to successful candidates on or before Sept. 21.

The director said that new programmes had been added to the scholarship scheme, to help universities in the Niger Delta to recruit high calibre staff.

According to him, the commission has also introduced awards in education as well as studies in management since 2017.

The Consultant to the scholarship scheme, Mr Godson Ideozu, said that the computer-based examination was transparent “as candidates get to see their scores immediately after writing the exam.”

He said that masters and doctorate degree holders were examined primarily in the core area of their study to give applicants equal opportunity. (NAN)

DES/SN

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Edited by Silas Nwoha

Don’t compromise quality, Fashion icon admonishes counterparts, entrepreneurs

Fashion
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) A renowned fashion designer, Bolaji Olumoh, on Monday admonished fashion designers and entrepreneurs not to compromise quality in their bid to have a brand that would stand the test of time.

Olumoh, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Bolaji Sparks, a male fashion conglomerate, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The fashion genius with a clothing line ranging from traditional wears to shoe, among others, said the industry had its peculiar challenges, but admonished designers to be true to themselves.

“Put your head up, be true to yourself and don’t compromise your quality, because after collecting money from your clients, the quality is what will make them come back or run away from you.

“Therefore, don’t compromise on the quality of your works and don’t try to exploit your clients; anything you cannot sell to people with low income, you will not be able to sell to anybody.

“You need to be considerate in fixing the price for your products; making it big is a gradual process; don’t rush to hit it big, you may fall easily,’’ he said.

On the level of patronage for his brand `Bolaji Sparks’, the Kano-born graduate of law from Ilorin in Kwara, said it had been good, saying “we keep growing by the day.

“However, the mentality of Nigerians about Nigerian products is not patriotic, but then; seeing the kind of quality we have a larger audience now and that perception is changing.

“Like every Nigerian says the factors of production are expensive; no power supply and you have to buy petrol and things like that; but we are trying our best to keep up,’’ Olumoh said.

The designer called on the government to step up sensitisation on Nigerian-made products, adding that the government should provide better infrastructure, soft loans and incentives for young fashion entrepreneurs.

The lawyer turned fashion icon said that young Nigerians with passion for fashion should follow their passion to break-even in the country.

“If fashion is your passion, pursue it; don’t do anything that is not your passion, you are just going to be a stranger there, you are not going to last.

“However, if it is your passion, even if you fail, you will be happy to get up and get back on track,’’ Olumoh said. (NAN)
CMY/COF/AFA
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Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Felix Ajide

Behaviour

By David Adeoye

Ibadan, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) A 30-year-old housewife, Tawa Shakibu, has approached an Idi-Ogungun Customary Court, Agodi in Ibadan, over alleged aggressive behaviour of Olaide, her husband.

Tawa, a mother of four, told the court on Monday that her marriage of 14 years had been characterised by unrest of mind, hatred and constant beatings from her husband.

She alleged that Olaide’s aggressive behaviour was a threat to her life, saying her husband was always beating her at every slightest misunderstanding between them.

“’My lord, Olaide is too aggressive and I can no longer tolerate his brutality and nagging.

“’There was a day he nearly stabbed me with broken bottles and a knife, but the quick intervention by neighbours saved me from an untimely death,” she said.

Tawa also accused her husband of neglecting his paternal responsibilities, saying she had been responsible for the up-keep of the four children from the marriage.

She prayed the court to dissolve the union so as to save her from an untimely death.

In his defence, Olaide denied the allegations and urged the court not to grant the divorce request from his wife.

He said that the children from the marriage would suffer if the court should uphold his wife’s request.

The president of the court, Chief Mukaila Balogun, advised the respondent to reconcile with his wife.

Balogun adjourned the case until Sept. 17 for report of settlement or continuation of hearing in the case. (NAN)

DAK/PAD

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Edited by Peter Dada

Unemployment

By Adekunle Williams and Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) Ambassador Amadou Taal, the Gambian High Commissioner to Nigeria, on Monday said that the development of the tourism sector could help to curb youth unemployment in the West African sub-region.

Taal made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the ongoing Akwaaba Travel and Tourism Fair, holding in Lagos.

According to the envoy, countries within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have a huge population and various tourist and heritage sites.

“It is going to be great if we are able to harness and maximise the potentialities of the region, because we have a population of about 300 million.

“That is a huge market; in terms of the economy, it will create a lot of jobs.

“We have a big population of young people who are looking for jobs; and if we come together and work together in this sector, we can create a lot of jobs, which will have an impact on wealth distribution,” Taal said.

According to him, the ECOWAS should continue to foster economic cooperation among member states, to actualise the vision of its founding fathers.

He said :“ECOWAS is aimed at improving regional integration whereby citizens from these countries within West Africa can move about easily, without any hindrance.

“They can also move goods from one place to the other without any problems. They can also invest in any country within the sub-region with ease. That is the objective of ECOWAS.”

He said it was up to governments, members of the private sector and the civil society in the sub-region to make these things happen.

“We should not just say we have the protocols which have been signed. That is not enough. They must be translated to concrete actions.

“That is why an occasion like this one, the Akwaaba Travel and Tourism Market, is very important. It is a big fair, and there are people from Ghana, Gambia, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and others here, interacting on tourism and transportation.”

He said that governments must, however, intensify efforts to attract investors to the transportation sector, adding that air, land and water transportation were pivotal to the growth of tourism. (NAN)

WAC/ASO/FLP/SOA
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Oluwole Sogunle

Elections

by Samuel Max-Iyaye / Dorcas Jonah

Abuja, Sept 10, 2018 (NAN) The National President,  National Council of Women Societies, Nigeria (NCWS), Mrs. Gloria Shoda on Monday urged political parties to reduce the cost of their nomination forms to enable women participate in the 2019 general elections.

Shoda who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, that the cost of nomination forms was out of the reach of women that are interested in elective position.

The NCWS president said the prices of party nomination forms where high and only few women would be able to afford it, hence she called for government intervention.

“We are praying that the parties allow women emerge as candidates, because with this amount of money I am hearing on the newspapers, I don’t see how women will be able to buy forms.

“How many woman will be able to buy form for N45 million, it is very difficult. So I am begging the government to reduce this money for women.

“I am not saying that the women should not pay at all but they should pay very little money because our pockets are not deep.’’ She said.

She noted that more women were getting interested in politics adding that they should be encourage.

She said that the turnout of women at the last political summit, was an indication.

“The number of women aspirant indicating interest at various level of political offices is very interesting and we need to give them all the support as a council.

“We had an array of aspirant starting from the presidential aspirant to counsellorship aspirant and they were really many and we want to ensure that we will at least produce governors this time,’’ he said.

NAN reports that major parties such as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Nomination forms cost N45 million, while that of the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) costs N12 million.

The APC governorship form goes for N22.5 million and that of the PDP costs six million.

NAN also reports that Nigeria Constitution stipulates that no political party nomination for should be more than one million. (NAN)

SMI/DE/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza