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The police last Thursday in Abuja arraigned a hair stylist, Mr Martin Asayande of Mpape, before a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court for allegedly cheating his employer.

The police prosecutor, Francis Tanko told the court that Asayande cheated Charles Daniel, who runs the Sleek Salon in Wuse 2 on March 28.

Tanko said that sometime in Dec. 2012, Asayande collected a loan of N50, 000 from Daniel on an agreement that N10, 000 would be deducted monthly from his salary.

He said Asayande paid N10, 000 for the month of December and absconded with the balance of N40, 000 until March 29 when he was arrested.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

 

Gombe

Ashaka Cement Company in Gombe State said it had trained and resettled 70 youths on various skills acquisition as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative in host communities.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the trainees in Ashaka on Thursday the Managing Director, Mr Neeraj Akhoury, said the idea was conceived two years ago when he assumed office.

Learning and Development Manager of the company, Malam Tukur Lawal, who also oversees the training, commended the participants for conducting themselves in a good manner.

He said the 70 started well, while one of the participants died after a brief illness and that the participants would be issued two certificates, one from the company and one by the Federal Ministry of labour.

 

Jigawa

The Jigawa State government said last Thursday in Dutse that it vaccinated more than 600,000 cattle, sheep and goats in the last four months under a comprehensive animal vaccination exercise.

Miko said that 430,050 cattle were vaccinated against contagious pneumonia, while 212,123 sheep and goats were immunised against ruminants’ diseases.

He explained that other animals such as dogs were also vaccinated against rabies across the 27 local government areas of the state in the ongoing exercise.

Miko said the vaccination was designed to control outbreak of contagious animal diseases and encourage livestock production.

 

Kano

Eminent persons, including the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, last Thursday attended a special prayer for sustainable peace and stability in Kano state and Nigeria.

The prayer, which was organised by the Kano State government in collaboration with the Kano Emirate Council, was also attended by the state Deputy Gov., Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and members of the state executive council.

The session witnessed the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, after which the chief Imam prayed for peace, stability and the security of lives and property nationwide.

 

Kebbi

The Kebbi Urban Development Authority (KUDA) has embarked on evacuation of drainages in the metropolis to prevent flood in the coming rainy season.

General Manager of KUDA, Alhaji Aliyu Galadima ssaid in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, that the measure was to avoid the devastation by flood this year as predicted by NIMET.

Galadima said that drainages in flood prone areas at Rafin Atiku and Sabuwar kasuwa had been cleared while the clearance would be sustained in other urban centers.

He said the authority was against construction of structures along areas prone to flood and lamented that farmlands had been transformed into buildings without authorisation.

 

Kwara

The Third Eye Group, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), last Thursday said it raised N6 million for the rehabilitation of some primary schools in IIorin Emirate.

The Chairman of the NGO, Dr Yusuf Lawal, said in an interview in IIorin, the fund, which was contributed by members of the group, would be used to rehabilitate some public primary schools in the IIorin emirate.

He said the money would be used to provide infrastructure, teaching aids and other education materials for the selected schools in five local government areas of the emirate.

 

Nasarawa

The Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Justice Suleiman Dikko, last Thursday promised to decongest prisons in the state.

Addressing inmates during a visit to Keffi Prison, Dikko said,“Decongestion of prisons cannot be handled by the judiciary alone. It needs the collaboration of the Police, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and other stakeholders.’’

He called on magistrates and area courts judges to apply the necessary sections of the law before remanding accused persons in prison custody.

“Some of the inmates are unjustly and unconstitutionally remanded,” he said.

 

Ogun

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) last Thursday said availability of ICT facilities at the grassroots was key to the attainment of Vision 20:2020.

The Director-General of NITDA, Prof. Cleopas Angaye, made the remark at the inauguration of eight ICT centres facilitated by Abiodun Akinlade, a member representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency.

Angaye said that the NITDA would continue to focus on provision of ICT in rural areas to enhance internet penetration and deployment of ICT services in the rural areas of the country.

 

Ondo

An Akure Magistrates’ Court last Thursday remanded a 32-year-old policeman, Alonge Abdul, in prison custody for allegedly killing one Mrs Segi Olajiga.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Charity Adeyanju, ordered that the accused be remanded in Olokuta Prison, pending an advice from the office of the Ondo State Director of Public Prosecutions.

Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, ASP. Ayodele Atandeyi, told the court thatthe accused person unlawful killed Olajiga, noting that the accused committed the offence on April 2, at about 6:30 p.m. at Plaza Hotel Junction in Akure.

 

Oyo

The late Publisher  of  the Nigerian Tribune, Chief  Oluwole Awolowo, approved the payment of  the National Minimum Wage for staff of the media house on his sick bed.

The Managing Director of   Nigerian Tribune,  Mr Edward Dickson, disclosed this on Thursday in Ibadan when a three-man delegation of  the Nigerian  Guild of  Editors (NGE)  visited the media house on a condolence visit.

The team, which was led by NGE  president, Mr Femi Adesina, had as members Mr Isaac Ighure, the Secretary of the guild,  and Mrs Funke Egbemode, the Social/Publicity Secretary.

He said  the late scion of the Awolowo family was committed to staff welfare in the 27 years that he was in charge of the Tribune titles.

 

Plateau

The Plateau State Government has banned brothels operation and directed operators to immediately close them.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Abraham Yiljap, said in Jos on Thursday after the weekly State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Jonah Jang, that government had never endorsed the operations of the brothels.

He stressed that revenue officers had always been cautioned against visiting such areas to source revenue and described brothels as “detrimental’’ to the spiritual well being of the Plateau people.

 

Taraba

The Federal Government says it will register 25, 000 farmers in Taraba under the 2013 National Farmer’s Registration exercise.

The North East Zonal Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Samuel Adaji, made this known in an interview in Jalingo on Thursday.

Adaji said the ministry had released at least 12, 000 forms to each of the 16 Local Governments  since the commencement of the exercise on March 20.

He said the registration, which would be conducted at ward levels, was in line with the Federal Government’s transformation agenda and he assured of gender balance in the enumeration exercise, saying women interest was captured.

 

Zamfara

The Fadama III programme Coordinating Department in Zamfara, has disbursed N4.2 million to 1,000 Fadama User Groups to undertake community development projects.

The state Coordinator, Alhaji Aliyu Altine, disclosed this on Thursday while inaugurating some of the projects in Shinkafi. The projects inaugurated includes eight blocks of market stalls, eight VIP toilets and a modern slaughter room.

He said the programme had provided 550 tube wells and wash bores, 2,250 water pumps, as well as 825 sets of work bulls to various fadama groups in the state.

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Yahaya Bello: Senator Hails EFCC’s Probe Of N80.2bn Fraud

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Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has commended the efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to apprehend and prosecute the immediate past governors of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
This is just as she also hailed the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for ceding 14 properties that were initially forfeited to the federal government to the government and people of Enugu State.
Reacting to Bello’s excuse for not honouring the EFCC’s invitation, the lawmaker emphasized the need for the commission to investigate other corrupt public officials to avoid the impression that their actions against former governor were meant to witch hunt him.
In a now-viral video, the EFCC chairman had claimed Belloh told him that a female senator (name withheld) allegedly gathered journalists to humiliate him anytime he was at the agency’s Abuja office for interrogation.
“I called Yahaya Bello, as a serving governor, to come to my office to clear himself. I shouldn’t have done that. But he said because a certain senator had planted over 100 journalists in my office, he would not come.
“I told him that he would be allowed to use my private gate to give him a cover, but he said my men should come to his village to interrogate him,” Olukoyede was quoted as saying.
But Senator Natasha in a statement signed by her Chief Press Secretary, Arogbonlo Israel and issued at the weekend in Abuja, reminded Yahaya Bello of the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution, given his former position as the chief security officer of Kogi.
“I was surprised to hear that Yahaya Bello evaded the invitation from the EFCC, despite having served as Kogi’s former chief security officer. As a former governor, he should understand the importance of respecting Nigeria’s laws and constitution.
“It’s a well-known fact that ‘he who comes into equity must come with clean hands’. As such, I advise him to honour the invitation and clear his name while he still has the chance.
“I’d also like to take this moment to appreciate the diligence of the EFCC in handling the case so far. No Nigerian is above the law, and therefore the agency must see this case through to the end if they are to gain the trust of both Nigerians and the international community in the fight against corruption,” she said.

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Senate  Frowns Over Continued Depreciation Of Naira

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Worried over the  latest depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies, the Senate through its Committee on Finance, has  stated that the Legislature  is  exploring a range of policy options to mitigate the impact of Naira depreciation and foster economic stability in the country.
These, according to the committee, in a statement signed by its chairman, Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger East) and released yesterday, includes robust oversight of fiscal policies, engagement with key stakeholders, and the formulation of targeted interventions to support key sectors of the economy.
Senator Musa said the statement became necessary “to address the current state of the economy and the need for concerted efforts at tackling the instability and continuous depreciation of the Naira.”
This is even as he hoped that the “economic managers will adhere strictly to the norms and standards set by this administration to ensure that we achieve the desired outcomes in taking Nigeria to its economic growth and prosperity”, pledging the support of the National Assembly to the executive arm of government to achieve the set goals.
He, however, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and resilient as they navigate these uncertain times, saying “together, we can overcome the challenges facing our economy and chart a path towards prosperity for all.”
The statement titled: “State of the Nation Economy and Naira Depreciation’, reads “The Nigerian economy is facing significant challenges, exacerbated by both internal and external factors.

“Despite efforts to stabilize and bolster economic growth, the numerous initiatives and bold but necessary steps and policy decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, the persistent depreciation of the Naira against major foreign currencies has become a pressing concern.

“The recent depreciation of the Naira underscores the need for proactive measures to safeguard the stability and resilience of our currency.

“The Senate Committee on Finance is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to working collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to implement effective policies and strategies.

“It is imperative that we address the root causes of Naira depreciation, including but not limited to fluctuations in global oil prices, fiscal deficits, and structural imbalances in the economy.”

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WIW: Banigo Advocates Legislative Impetus

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The Senator, representing Rivers West Senatorial District at National Assembly Sen.Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has advocated for legislative backings to enforce immunisation as a pre-condition for admission into nursing, primary and secondary schools in Nigeria.
Banigo made the assertion recently in a statement to commemorate this year’s week-long immunisation campaign in line with the World Health Organisation advocacy.
Banigo, a Harvard-trained Public Health personnel, explained that such legislation would strengthen the National Immunisation Policy in the administration of vaccines, saves lives, helps in the child normal growth, prevents serious illness and disabilities such as poliomyelitis .
The former Deputy Governor of Rivers State who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), noted that Nigeria must attain at least, 90 percent vaccine coverage for all childhood and adolescence; stressing that a fully vaccinated child should have received BCG, Mussels and three doses of DTP and Polio .
She emphasised the need for collective efforts by stakeholders in the campaign against preventable diseases .
The theme for this year’s World Immunisation Week is “Humanly Possible: Saving Lives Through Immunisation” while the national theme is “Vaccine Works For All”.

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