Blog

ASUP demands regular payment of staff development funds

Staff

By Nabilu Balarabe

Hadejia (Jigawa), Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) on Friday called on state governments to make regular payment of staff development funds to polytechnics.

Alhaji Kabiru Yunusa, Chairman, Zone A of the Union, made the plea at ASUP’s quarterly executive meeting in Hadejia, Jigawa.

According to him, the funds are critical to training and retraining of members of staff to enhance their knowledge and skills for effective performance.

He said the irregular payment of the funds in most state-owned polytechnics in the zone could undermine academic activities, if something urgent was not done about it.

Yunusa, who teaches at the Waziri Umar Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, also urged state governments to recruit more qualified staff to fill vacancies in various polytechnics in the zone.

“The dearth of staff is alarming in polytechnics in this zone. There is an urgent need to recruit qualified staff to fill the vacancies, so that we can have sound graduates, who will become nation builders,” he said.

Also speaking, Alhaji Hassan Muhammad, ASUP Chairman, Bilyaminu Usman Polytechnic, Chapter, said Jigawa government had paid staff development funds up to 2017, expressing optimism that the balance of 2018 would be paid soon.

He commended the government for the prompt payment of the funds and the execution of other developmental projects in the institution.

Zone A comprises Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Niger States.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a communique is expected to be issued at the end of the meeting. (NAN)

NB/KTO/SA

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Salif Atojoko

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Prosecution

By Yetunde Fatungase

Abeokuta, Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) says it will soon start to prosecute defaulting petrol stations and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) retailers in Ogun.

The DPR said this had become necessary as some filling stations it sanctioned for committing one offence or the other had refused to comply with its rules.

The Operations’ Controller for DPR in Ogun, Mrs Muinat Bello-Zagi, said all filling stations and gas outlets must keep to the rules of the game.

Bello –Zagi gave the warning while speaking with journalists after her surveillance of some filling stations in the state.

She maintained that all gas facilities that were operating without recourse to the DPR would be made to face stiff sanctions.

NAN reports that some officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) were deployed in one of the defaulting filling stations.

Bello-Zagi said it had become necessary to invite the NSCDC officials to the station as a result of the “negligence and stubbornness” of the dealer.

“We should learn to abide by the rule of law in this country.

“Some stations were served stop-work notice because they were renovating without recourse to DPR but a particular filling station refused to comply.

“That is why we are using force.

“The law states that they should get appropriate approval from the DPR before proceeding to renovate their premises but they did not do that.

“That contravenes the law and as such, they can be prosecuted for flouting the orders of the DPR and breaking its seals,” she said.

The DPR boss also said that gas retailers who had flouted the law and had also broken the department’s seal would soon be prosecuted.

“This will serve as a deterrent to others that we are not joking.

“As you know, we have zero tolerance for any unsafe practices that can result to fatality,” she said.(NAN)

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

Fashion
By Olawunmi Ashafa
Lagos, Sept.7, 2018 (NAN) Vivian Zadok, the Coordinator and Founder of Nigeria Fashion Rebirth, says the platform will create jobs for Nigeria’s young population and position the country on the global fashion map.

Zadok spoke on Friday in Lagos while announcing the platform’s partnership with the World Fashion Week (WFW).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event will hold on Sept.15 in Abuja.

According to her, it will put Nigeria on a global fashion map and make the country a favorable destination and attract international investment.

She said that the platform was committed to empowering Nigerian fashion designers and ensuring that they reached the echelon of their profession.

Zadok said in a statement that the Fashion Rebirth was a movement which sought to change the public perception of Nigerian fashion designers.

She said that the platform would also serve as a spring board for designers.

The coordinator said that the maiden edition which took place in 2017, established professionals in the fashion industry who shared their growth stories.

This, she added, was to inspire and mentor the emerging designers.

Zadok said: “The partnership with the internationally acclaimed World Fashion Week (WFW) is expected to provide opportunity and further exposure for the Fashion Rebirth movement.

“WFW provides a forum for worldwide exposure and recognition, with a major role in contributing to the harmonious growth and development of the global fashion industry.

“As part of the partnership, Vivian Zadok will serve as a representative of WFW in Nigeria.

“WFW has also graciously offered sponsorship to the best fashion designer participating at the annual Fashion Rebirth event for full participation and exhibition at WFW France 2019 event in Paris.

The fashion show is with 10 outfits, valued at 14,000 Euros, as well as selecting the best male and female model from Fashion Rebirth, to participate in the final WFW France 2019 Casting in Paris.” (NAN)
AWA/CHOM/GOK
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Olagoke Olatoye

Robbery
By Vivian Ibobo
Ikeja, Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) An 18-year-old bricklayer, Damilare Dosu, who allegedly robbed a woman of her valuables at
a cutlass-point, was on Friday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

Dosu, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and robbery.

The accused, Police Prosecutor Ishola Samuel said, committed the offences with others still at large on Aug. 27 at 6:03 a.m. at No 6
Isah Olusesi St., Alagbado, a Lagos suburb.

Samuel said the accused, armed with a cutlass, robbed the complainant, Miss Mistura Ogundairo of her Techno phones valued
at N38,000.

“The complainant was at the gate of her house waiting for a motorcycle to her place of work when she was attacked.

“The accused used the cutlass to attack her before dispossessing her of a handbag containing the phones, ”he told
the court.

The offences contravened Sections 297 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 297 stipulates a seven-year jail term for offenders.

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

In her ruling, the Magistrate, Mrs A.I. Abina, granted the accused bail in the sum of N30, 000 with two sureties in
like sum.

Abina said the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and adjourned the case
until Sept. 19. (NAN)

IZU/EOB/DA
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Edited by Edith Bolokor/Dele Akinsola

Fine

By Lilian Okoro and Wumi Ashafa

Lagos, Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)  on Friday said  the alleged deduction of N1.886 billion fine from Stanbic IBTC Bank’s account was in the national interest.

An official of CBN, who pleaded anonymity while confirming this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said he could not immediately give details,  but the apex bank would issue a statement on the matter later.

The management of Stanbic IBTC Bank, had on Friday, alleged that the apex bank unilaterally deducted N1.886 billion from its account as a fine imposed on the bank.

Mr Chidi Okezie and Mrs Bridget Oyefeso-Odusami, Secretary and Ag. Head, Marketing and Communications of Stanbic IBTC Bank, made the allegation in a statement.

NAN reports that the bankers’ bank, had on Aug. 28, ordered MTN and four  banks, including Stanbic IBTC Bank to refund 8.1 billion dollars illegal capital repatriation from their Nigerian operations to offshore investors.

This allegation was swiftly denied by Stanbic IBTC with claims that it did not violate any regulation on money remittances.

The bank, however, assured stakeholders that the situation would not affect their transactions with the bank.

The affected banks, Citibank, Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC and Standard Chartered Bank, were to repay the sum of N5.87 billion for allegedly issuing irregular Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) on behalf of some MTN offshore investors.

Standard Chartered Bank was fined N2.4 billion, Stanbic IBTC N1.8 billion, Citibank Nigeria N1.2 billion and Diamond Bank N250 million.

MTN was also directed by the apex bank to refund 8.134 billion dollars to its coffers.

In a letter, dated Sept. 6, 2018 to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Stanbic IBTC Bank, whose parent company, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, is a quoted company, informed stakeholders that the CBN had debited N1.886 billion, the full amount of the stated fine from its account with the apex bank.

“Following our earlier announcement to NSE on Aug. 30, 2018 in respect of the penalty of N1.886 billion imposed by the CBN on our banking subsidiary – Stanbic IBTC Bank, in relation to the remittance of foreign exchange on the basis of certain capital importation certificates issued to MTN, we write to update the NSE that the CBN has debited the account of our banking subsidiary with the CBN for the full amount of the above stated fine.

“But Stanbic IBTC has not breached any extant laws relating to CCI executed on behalf of MTN.

“Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC as well as our banking subsidiary maintain our position on this matter which is the fact that the Bank has done nothing illegal.

“And accordingly, the Bank will continue to provide CBN with documents and details in support of our contention that our actions in relation to these transactions were not illegal,’’ the statement said.

Going by point-to-point rebuttal, the letter from the bank examined different allegations contained in the CBN’s letter.

“Regarding the claim that the shareholders of MTN Nigeria invested the sum of $402,590,261.03 in the company from 2001 to 2006, the bank states as follows:

“The twenty CCIs transferred to our bank by Standard Chartered Bank and which in the above quoted sum were re-issued from existing CCIs that had been issued by Standard Chartered Bank to the original investors in MTN.

“These CCIs were transferred to our Bank to facilitate the repatriation of the proceeds of MTN’s Private Placement which took place in February 2008,’’ the statement said.

The Stanbic IBTC Bank reiterated its preparedness to engage with the CBN in order to resolve the matter. (NAN)

LUC/AWA/AOM/TÁ

Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Tajudeen Atitebi

I want to become a Pediatrician, says 17-year-old cripple

Cripple

By Aisha Gambo

Kaduna, Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) A 17-year-old cripple, Miss Zakiyya Ibrahim, says her desire in life is to become a pediatrician, to assist sick children in her community.

Zakiyya who resides at Aminu Street, Rigasa, Kaduna told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that she would never allow her condition to derail her from achieving her goal.

The girl who has concluded Junior Secondary School, said she has been receiving tremendous support from her family and school mates.

” With the help of my hands and tricycle, I can go to school and come back by myself.

“I thank God for the friends I have in school because non of them had ever mocked or bullied me, and with that, I have been able to concentrate well on my studies,” she said.

Her mother, Sadiya Ibrahim, said the Zakiyya was crippled when she was two years old after she was diagnosed with pneumonia and since then she could not walk.

“My daughter started walking when she was a year old, but since that illness, she had never walked again.”

The mother said they did not go back to the hospital after the girl became crippled, but resorted to herbal treatment for her condition.

“We had thought that her problem was a spiritual attack and we continued with herbal treatments to no avail; all efforts did not yield any positive result.”

When asked if she had taken Zakiyya for immunization after her birth, the mother said she did not, but had only allowed her to be administered with polio drops at home.

Meanwhile, Zakiyya’s father, Ibrahim Sani, has pledged to support his daughter attain her life’s dream of becoming a pediatrician.

“I will do my best to ensure all my children are educated, I will never allow my daughter to be a subject of pity,” he asserted. (NAN)
AMG/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Vulcaniser arraigned over alleged cell phone theft

Theft
By Deborah Akpede

Ikeja, Sept. 7, 2018(NAN) A 27 -year-old vulcaniser, Isiaka Waheed, was on Friday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly absconding with a cell phone, valued at N78,000.
According to the prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, the accused committed the alleged offence on July 14 at Oshodi, Lagos.
He said that the accused stole the Galaxy Samsung S6 cellphone belonging to Mr Gbolahan Babatunde.
Awase said that the complainant gave his phone to the defendant when members of taskforce were chasing sellers from their business places.
“The complainant gave his phone to the accused, his customer, for safe keeping in order for him to be able to pack his goods when they were being chased.
“The accused ran away with the phone and refused to show up again at the complainant’s shop as usual.
“When he was finally apprehended at his hiding place, he claimed to have sold the phone to an unknown person at the computer village at the rate of N20,000.
“The accused was handed over to the police, “the prosecutor said.
The offence contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the section carries three years jail term for stealing.
Waheed, who resides at Ayobo-Ipaja, Lagos, entered a `not-guilty’ plea.
The Magistrate, Mrs F.F. George granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

George said that the surety should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The case was adjourned until Oct. 4 for mention. (NAN)
DOA/OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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PDP
By Chioma Ugboma
Lagos Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) A two-time governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi (BOG), on Friday said the party never contested to win governorship seat in the state.

Gbadamosi, currently a governorship aspirant on the ticket of newly registered Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Lagos State, made the assertion at an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Gbadamosi vied for the PDP’s governorship ticket in 2011 and 2015 when he lost to Dr Ade Dosumu and Mr Jimi Agbaje in 2011 and 2015 respectively.

NAN also recalls that Gbadamosi, however, joined the ADP in October, 2017.

Gbadamosi said: “PDP usually have deliberate internal crisis which they always gave as reasons for not winning elections in Lagos.

“Once elections are around the corner, the party machinery becomes more interested in collecting money from aspirants, but never works to ensure victory.

“It is during elections that acrimony begins and becomes irreconcilable till elections are over.

“The state chairman of the PDP dumped the party for the APC last month with only few months to the 2019 general elections.

“Some members of the party always work to suppress any aspirant who is likely to win in Lagos State.”

He said that he left the party because of the pattern the party leadership was adopting in choosing its candidates.

“I left the party because it has scuttled my ambition twice and am determined to become governor in Lagos State to enable me to contribute my quota to its growth,” Gbadamosi said.

According to him, I have the legacy of Gbadamosi Family to protect.

“For over a century, the family has been contributing to the growth of Lagos State and it has touched many lives,’’ he said. (NAN)
CHOM/GOK
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Olagoke Olatoye

Hospital

By Aminu Ahmed Garko

Minna, Sept. 7, 2018 (NAN) The Niger Government has said that it would soon inaugurate the General Hospital, Kutigi in Lavun Local Government Area of the state .

Alhaji Danjuma Saulau, the Commissioner for Information, made this disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna on Friday.

He said that the 95-bed capacity hospital built at the cost of N184 million had been completed and would be inaugurated soon to provide qualitative health care to rural dwellers.

“The essence of any good government is to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the governed and a good health care facility is crucial to such aspirations,” he said.

The commissioner reiterated the current administration’s determination to implement people oriented programmes, irrespective of political differences in the state.

He stated that the health sector had inseparable links to all the sectors of human endeavours and therefore, called on the people to use the facility judiciously after inauguration. (NAN)
AAG/JI/YEMI
Edited by Joseph Idika/Yemi Idris-Aduloju