Blog

Stealing

Ikeja, Sept. 5, 2018 (NAN) A 28-year-old man, John Ekemini, who allegedly broke into a shop and stole goods worth N180,000, was on Wednesday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Ekemini, whose address was not provided, was docked for shop-breaking and stealing.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Mike Unah, told the court that Ekemini committed the offence on Aug. 5 by 06:00a.m, at No. 1, Jonathan Coker Road, New Oko-Oba, Agege in Lagos.

Unah said that the defendant broke into the shop of the complainant, Mrs Kehinde Fasasi, in the early hours of the same day to steal the goods.

“Ekemini stole an LG plasma television valued at N65,000, three gas cylinders valued at N30,000 and some cloths valued at N90,000.

The prosecutor said that the defendant was caught while trying to escape with the stolen items by the vigilance team in the Area.

Ekemini, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

The offence contravened Sections 287 and 309 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

The Section 287 stipulates a seven-year jail term for offenders, while Section 309 provides three years for shop-breaking.

The Magistrate, Mr A. A. Fashola, admitted him to a N50,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

Fashola said that the surety should be gainfully employed, with evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos state government.

The magistrate adjourned the case until Sept. 12, for hearing. (NAN)

IZU/OIF/MNA
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Maureen Atuonwu

Herbalist

By Amen Gajira

Minna, Sept. 5, 2018 (NAN) A 35-year-old herbalist, Jimoh Tunde, was on Wednesday docked at a Magistrates’ Court in Minna for alleged cheating.

Jimoh is standing trial on a charge of cheating, contrary to Section 322 of the Penal Code.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Moses Emberga, told the court that one Timothy Amos of Tunga in Minna reported the matter at a police station on June 29.

Emberga quoted the complainant as alleging that sometime in 2017, Tunde deceitfully collected N400, 000 from him under the pretext that he would introduce him to a certain business.

The complainant discovered along the line that Tunde converted the said money to his personal use.

When the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor prayed the court for adjournment to enable the investigating police officer complete his investigation into the matter.

In her ruling, Magistrate Maryam Kings granted the accused N50, 000 bail with a surety in like sum.

Kings adjourned the matter until Sept.19 for further mention. (NAN)

AMEN/OIF/PAD

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Peter Dada

Sentence

By Amen Gajira

Minna, Sept.5, 2018 (NAN) A Magistrates’ Court in Minna, Niger, on Wednesday sentenced two men, Abubakar Aliyu and Abubakar Usman, to two years’ imprisonment for assault.

The magistrate, Mr  Murtala Ibrahim, ordered each of the convicts to pay a N15,000-fine each or serve one year in prison for joint act and a N20,000-fine each or one year imprisonment for assault.

Both convicts had pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency, saying it was the work of the devil when the charges were read to them.

The prosecutor, Insp. Muazu Abdullahi, had earlier prayed the court to try them summarily in line with Section 157 of the Criminal Procedure Code during trial.

The convicts were arraigned then on a two-count charge of joint act and causing grievous hurt, contrary to Sections 79 and 247 of the Penal Code respectively.

The prosecutor had earlier told the court that Abubakar Adamu and Abdulkarim Sani reported the matter at the station on April 24.

Abdullahi quoted the complainants as alleging that they were returning from Lawo village in Shiroro Local Government on their motorcycle when the accused conspired and inflicted injuries on them for no just cause.

He said some police detectives then arrested the accused who confessed that they committed the offences.(NAN)

AMEN/OSA/PAD

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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Peter Dada

Mr Ade Omole, the chapter’s leader, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Omole made the disclosure when he visited APC National chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the APC National leader to brief them on the party’s Diaspora issues.

NAN reports that the proposal for the technology which would link all the party’s chapters across the world was presented by Omole to Oshiomhole, after a two-hour closed door meeting.

“The APC multi-functional App will help in the management of members globally, and also help party agents at polling booths to send election results in real time to the party situation room during elections amongst other functionalities.

“It will also help party members to pay registration fees, membership dues and help with the dissemination of information to members across the world,’’ Omole said.

He said that this would boost the party’s revenue collection and address its funding challenges.

Omole added that APC UK would also provide policy documentation on several national challenges and expertise to its Nigeria counterpart.

He said that few of the policies had been presented to President Muhamnadu Buhari when he visited him recently, while more policies were presently being put together by the chapter.

Omole reiterated the Diaspora’s commitment to ensure the re-election of Buhari in 2019 because of his developmental stride.

He commended Tinubu for helping to steer the ship of the Nation and contributions to the development of the country and his selfless service to the progress of the party. (NAN)
EEM/COO/IS
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Ismail Abdulaziz

Ban
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Sept. 5, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Committee on Ethics and Fair Play has banned Super Eagles’ Chief Coach Salisu Yusuf from all football–related activities for one year with immediate effect.

The four-man committee’s decision was announced in a statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Members of the committee were Malam Nuhu Ribadu (Chairman), Mainasara Illo, Rev. Justin Okoroji and Mr Joshua Onoja (Secretary).

He also said that the coach had been directed to pay 5,000 US dollars as a fine to NFF within three months.

According to him, this decision was sequel to a complaint forwarded by the NFF as well as the Coach’s defence against a documentary in which he was seen accepting 1,000 US dollars from an undercover reporter disguising as a player’s agent.

Olajire said that the Ribadu-led Committee made the following submissions:

“Established from the admission of Coach Yusuf and also found as a fact from the documentary and video evidence before it, that he accepted the cash gift of 1,000 US dollars offered by Tigers Player’s Agency, an undercover reporter, purportedly interested in acting on behalf of Players Osas Okoro and Rabiu Ali, for their inclusion in the list of players for 2018 CHAN Competition in Morocco.

“The Committee found as a fact that it was not an error of judgment on the part of Coach Yusuf but a conscious and deliberate decision to have accepted the cash gift of 1,000 US dollars from the decoy player agent/undercover reporter, purportedly interested in acting on behalf of Players Osas Okoro and Rabiu Ali, even though the evidence before the Committee did not establish that his conduct influenced the choice of the two players.

“That the two Players could have made the team to 2018 CHAN Competition in Morocco on the basis of their talent and performance.

“That Coach Yusuf did not accept the offer of 15 per cent of the anticipated transfer fees of the said players, as there was no follow–up action on the promise.

“That the act of the Coach, which was widely published on the British Broadcasting Corporation, has a damaging effect on the reputation and integrity of Nigerian Football, as he ought to have conducted himself more professionally in line with the Code of Conduct signed alongside his Contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, as his conduct in public and in secret should be exemplary, since coaches are role models.

“That the FIFA Code of Ethics, NFF Code of Ethics and FIFA Disciplinary Code, did not contemplate negligence or error of judgment as a defence to violation of any of the provisions as contained therein, as punitive measures must be adopted to serve as deterrent to other intending offenders, even though, that he is a first time offender.”

Olajire also said that the Committee’s decision was as follows: “In accordance with Art. 22, FIFA Disciplinary Code, he is hereby banned for the period of one year, from partaking or involvement or participation in any football related activity, effective from the date of this decision.

“He is also fined in the sum of 5,000 US dollars to be paid within three (3) months beginning from the date of this decision.”

He noted that the ethics committee also ruled that an appeal against the decision can be made to the NFF Appeals Committee.

The NFF’s spokesman quoted the committee as saying that it passed its verdict on the defendant based on Article 20, 21 (1) and 21 (3) of the NFF Code of Ethics.

He explained that it also made reference to Article 10 and 11 of the FIFA Code of Ethics in arriving at its verdict. (NAN)
VO/OSA/IS
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Ismail Abdulaziz

APC releases timetable for 2019 primary elections, presidential aspirants to pay N45m for forms

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Forms

Abuja,Sept.5,2018(NAN) Presidential aspirants for the 2019 election in the All Progressives Congress will pay N45million to obtain the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, to stand a chance of contesting in the direct primary slated for 20 September.

Mr Emma Ibediro, the National Organising Secretary of the APC revealed this in a schedule  and timetable published  Tuesday night in Abuja. The schedule lists the various fees that aspirants for all offices will pay and the dates of congresses and primaries for all the elective posts. It was approved by both the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of the party.

For the presidential aspirants, the Expression of Interest form costs N5million and  the Nomination form  N40 million.

The  APC said there shall be no separate charge for the vice-presidential aspirants and also announced a 50 per cent discount for female and physically challenged aspirants, for all positions. 

Aspirants for the governorship posts  would pay  N22.5 million for both  expression of Interest and the Nomination forms.  While the latter costs  N20 million, the expression of interest form costs N2.5 million.

House of Assembly aspirants would pay  N850,000.00. 

Aspirants into the House of Representatives would pay N3.8million and the Senate  N7million. 

Ibediro said  the sale of Nomination and Expression of Interest forms for all elective offices would commence on 5 Sept and end 10 September. All forms are expected to be submitted not later than 12 September.

The party’s congress would hold on Sept.12 nationwide to elect delegates for its primaries.

Sept.13-14 has also been fixed to hear appeals  that may arise from the congress, while Sept.15-18 would be for screening of aspirants that purchased forms.

“All forms are to be collected and submitted on or before Wednesday Sept.12, 2018,” he said.

Appeals that may arise from the screening of aspirants would be heard on Sept. 19-20.

Presidential primaries would hold on Sept.20 while appeal that may arise from the conduct would be heard on Sept.22.

Sept.25  has  been fixed for the party’s governorship primaries to elect  governorship candidates for the election, while Sept. 26-27, had also been fixed as a day for hearing of appeal that may arise from the conduct.

Sept. 28- 30 had been fixed for hearing of appeals that may arise from all legislative primaries.

Oct.6, had been fixed for the National Convention to ratify the party’s candidate for the 2019 Presidential election.

All interested aspirants for Presidential, Governorship, Senate and House of Representatives elections are to purchase their forms from the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

All interested aspirants for State House of Assembly are to purchase their forms at their respective State party secretariat or the National Secretariat.

All payments for forms should be made in full and directly into the designated bank accounts of the party

(NAN)

EEM

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Scholarship

By Constance Imasuen

Abuja, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) The MTN Foundation has awarded scholarship to 96 blind students and 1068 students to study science and technology in 2018 academic session.

Mr Dennis Okoro, Director MTN Foundation made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during the presentation of scholarship award to some of the beneficiaries.

Okoro said that a total of 1164 students had so far been awarded the scholarship comprising 96 blind students and 1068 other students.

He said the award of the scholarship was part of MTN social corporate responsibility in giving back to the society.

“We are here for three things trust, relationship and our future over the last seventeen years, millions of Nigerians have trusted MTN with the task of providing telecommunication services.

“This is why through the MTN Foundation, we invested time, resources and energy into our communities with the goal of having better relationships, working together to build a better future.

“This one we are doing today is part of our programme for undergraduates in the universities in science technology and in areas we need to encourage.

We don’t do it by quota we only do it by purely academic performance both for visually impaired and for normal students.

“I urge you to take this opportunity to work hard and come in flying colours with high grades.

On his part, Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu said the importance of scholarship awards for the benefit of Nigerians as a form of student support programme was aimed at rewarding execellent academic performance.

Adamu represented by Mr Olagunju Lateef, Director Scholarship, Ministry of Education said the scholarship scheme also reduces the burden of paying high cost of tuition and other schooling on students cannot be overemphasis.

“This has also motivated students in Nigeria to study harder by encouraging competition among them.

“It is pertinent to acknowledge the yearly selection of brilliant but indigent students to be awarded scholarship by MTNF as it gives hope to the less privileged in the Nigerian society as well as giving them a sense of belonging.

“The MTNF from inception till date has awarded a total of 8,145 scholarships valued at N8145 billion to 3114 beneficiaries and 1289 have since graduated.

This is a laudable achievement on the part of MTNF and the Federal Government of Nigeria is glad that MTN has keyed into the scholarship award programme of this administration.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Micheal  Adikwu  said MTN investing on youths and blind students in science and technology was laudable.

Adikwu represented by Prof. Ajaro Sunday of University of Abuja said scholarship awarded to the blind was a way of helping the blind to see.

He commended MTN for the gesture and promised the foundation that the University of Abuja was ready to partner with them in the area of science and technology. (NAN)

COA/AFA

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Edited by Felix Ajide

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Smuggling

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Abakaliki, Sept.4, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Customs Service is soliciting the collaboration of the Ebonyi government in ending the smuggling of rice in the state and the South East Zone.

Mr Jamal Adediran, South East Zonal Comptroller of the service made the call on Tuesday in Abakaliki during a visit to Gov. David Umahi as part of his familiarisation tour of the state.

Adediran, who recently assumed office, said that such collaboration would positively influence the state’s and Federal Government policies to curb rice smuggling.

“It is also pertinent to engage in this collaboration due to the Ebonyi governor’s nationally-acclaimed efforts to revolutionise rice production in the state and country.

“It would also aid the Federal Government efforts to curb rice smuggling in the country through blocking of all routes used by smugglers to perpetrate their nefarious activities,” he said.

He noted that his predecessors informed him of such discussions with the governor and the need for the service’s activities to be felt more in the state.

“We seek your assistance to perform optimally in the state, especially in the areas of accommodation and operational vehicles.

“Effective mobility would also assist us in tracking the smugglers, to ensure that their activities do not derail the rice production policies of the state government,” he said.

The zonal comptroller also commended the governor for championing the issue of making the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu functional, as the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum.

“There is no reason why the airport should not be functional when those in Lagos, Kano, Abuja among others are functional.

“The functionality of the airport would ensure the efficiency of cargo activities in the zone, especially in the exportation of agricultural produce and related products.

“I urge you not to relent in achieving this task as you have proved to be a leader who has the interest of his people at heart,” he said.

Umahi in his response, welcomed Adediran to the state, noting that he was the first among his predecessors to be granted audience the quickest.

“We would bring the necessary synergy to ensure that your operation in the state is smooth for the benefit of all.

“The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Internal Security would liaise with you in coordinating your activities,” he said. (NAN)

RCO/CHOM/AFA
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Felix Ajide

Orphanage

By Mateen Badru
Lagos, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) The Inspector General of Police (I-G), Alhaji Ibrahim Idris on Tuesday donated a cow and other food items to children at the Save Our Souls (SOS) Orphanage Home, Isolo, Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the I-G had also paid similar visits to Little Saints and Ijamido Orphanages located at Egbeda and Sango areas respectively.

Idris while making the donation said that the gesture was borne out of his belief that every child deserved a home and care.

He donated a cow, several bags of rice, cartons of noodles and other food items to the centre as support for the children’s upkeep.

The police chief, who was represented by the Area D Commander, Soji Akinbayo, an Assistant Commissioner (ACP), said taking destitute children off the streets would prevent them from being used by hoodlums.

“We came here to donate items to the SOS Children’s village. I was sent by the Inspector General of Police (I-G) Alhaji Ibrahim Idris to bring these items for the use of the children here.

“The IG is trying to introduce a new dimension into the system. He wants people to know that despite the tedious nature of our work, we are humans too and we care for the less privileged in our midst.

“What we are trying to do is take some of these children off the street to avoid their being used by hoodlums to steal phones, other items. These homes were created to take abandoned children off the street and give them a family to grow in.

“We believe that when children do not have this kind of facility to stay in and people to donate, they become vulnerable and easily take to crime.

“I want the children to be encouraged and take their studies seriously. They should understand that no matter their backgrounds, they still have bright futures,” he said.

Mrs. Bunmi Onifade, the Family Based Coordinator, who received the items, said a total of 126 persons brought into the home have been resettled since inception.

She said they were resettled after they graduated from higher institutions and became independent.

“The facility had about 123 children and teenagers it is currently catering for.

“We appreciate these gifts from the office of the I-G of Police and pray that God will replenish their pocket and their support to mankind will be noticed and rewarded,” she said (NAN)

BOM/CHOM/AFA
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Felix Ajide

Kaepernick ads spark boycott calls, but Nike is seen as winning in the end

Advert

Oregon (U.S.), Sept. 4, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Protesters burned their Nike shoes, investors sold shares and some consumers demanded a boycott after the footwear and apparel maker launched an advertising campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick is the NFL quarterback who sparked a national controversy by kneeling during the national anthem.

But the brand recognition that comes with the campaign may be just what the company wanted, and marketing experts predicted it would ultimately succeed.

The ad revived a raging debate in the United States that started in 2016 when Kaepernick, then with the San Francisco 49ers, began kneeling to protest multiple police shootings of unarmed black men.

“This is right on the money for Nike. They stand for this irreverent, rebellious attitude. In this case, it’s reinforcing the brand,” said Erich Joachimsthaler, CEO of strategy consulting firm Vivaldi.

While some fans praised Kaepernick and other players who joined him in kneeling as patriotic dissenters, critics led by U.S. President Donald Trump blasted the protesters as ungrateful and disrespectful.

Trump called Nike’s campaign “a terrible decision” in an interview with the Daily Caller published on Tuesday, but he also showed some respect for Kaepernick’s right to speak out.

“As much as I disagree with the Colin Kaepernick endorsement, in another way — I mean, I wouldn’t have done it.

“In another way, it is what this country is all about, that you have certain freedoms to do things that other people think you shouldn’t do,” Trump said.

The NFL, which gave in to pressure from Trump and ordered players not to kneel on the field during the anthem, nonetheless praised Kaepernick.

“The social justice issues that Colin and other professional athletes have raised deserve our attention and action,” said Jocelyn Moore, the NFL’s executive vice president of communications and public affairs.

In the immediate backlash against the campaign, announced on Monday, Nike shares fell nearly 4 percent at one point on Tuesday and closed down 3.2 percent.

Calls for a boycott fed social media buzz about the campaign. There were 2.7 million mentions of Nike over the previous 24 hours, the social media analysis firm Talkwalker said at midday, an increase of 135 percent over the previous week.

After his protests, Kaepernick could not find a job for the 2017 season and sued the National Football League, accusing owners of colluding to blackball him. He is still without a team.

Nike has sponsored Kaepernick since 2011 and said he will be one of several faces for a campaign marking the 30th anniversary of its “Just Do It” slogan.

The ad refers to Kaepernick’s loss of NFL income with the quote: “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”

Some who were offended by the choice posted social media pictures of Nike shoes they had set on fire or socks with the Nike swoosh cut out.

Twitter user Sean Clancy, or @sclancy79, posted a picture of a pair of Nike trainers on fire on Tuesday that was retweeted 20,000 times.

Athletes including Serena Williams, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul showed support.

The controversy may have been a convenient excuse for some investors to sell an over-valued stock, Vivaldi’s Joachimsthaler said.

Christopher Svezia, a footwear and apparel analyst at Wedbush Securities Inc., said Nike shares were trading at roughly 30 times next year’s forecast earnings, compared with 24 percent for rival Adidas.

“Nike more than anyone else really knows who their customer is,” Svezia said, describing them as largely 14- to 22-year-old males.

Matt Powell, a senior adviser with market research firm NPD Group, predicted the boycott would fizzle. “Old angry white guys are not a core demographic for Nike,” he said.

Barry Lowenthal, CEO of The Media Kitchen, praised the campaign and said Nike has long proven successful in using celebrity endorsements to promote its brand, a precursor to what is known as influencer marking in the social media age.

“These kind of endorsement deals were the first version of influencer marketing. Of course they know it works. It’s classic product placement,” Lowenthal said.

Even former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad weighed in, tweeting: “The #NFL season will start this week, unfortunately once again @Kaepernick7 is not on a NFL roster.” (Reuters/NAN)
VO/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide